Festive loungewear

Does anybody else come home from work, realise they have a night in and reach for the comfy PJs instead of actual clothes? It can't just be me surely? For those of you who are done with adulting for the day at 6pm, here are my best picks of festive PJs this season: 

Left to right: Joules / Fat Face / White Stuff / FF Clothing

Christmas, love and shiny things

Merry Christmas friends! I know I have been quiet here but that's because my life was flipped upside-down on December 11th when my man asked me to marry him! Above is the picture we used to tell friends (well, those I hadn't already told in person, which was most!). Proposal story post will follow soon I promise. January will see the start of our wedding planning!

This Christmas has been very busy and the next three days will be a whirlwind of family, food and (hopefully) great (relaxing too) times. I'm hoping you have a relaxing and blessed Christmas time with loved ones!

Christmas Spirit

Let me just start by saying how much I love Christmas! The weather gets colder, the mornings are sunny and frosty, the food is better and of course, we celebrate Jesus' birth on the 25th December. All of these things are exciting and the excitement builds every year from about November 1st for me.

How can we bless others this Christmas season though? Granted, not everybody celebrates the holiday due to religious beliefs, but I want to give to others this holiday season because of Christ's message to us as Christians. To give our time and whatever else is needed of us to those in need. If I'm enjoying myself, that joy can be given to others too regardless of their background. This obviously can (and should) be done year round not just at the holiday season, however there are many easy ways to give to others at this time of year. In essence, fundraising and charitable giving opportunities are dropped in our laps during the holidays and it's our choice whether we make the effort to get involved. 

Three of the opportunities I'm going with this year are:

1. Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day 2014

This is such a fun way to raise money and awareness for those in need around the world. Register your office, company, friends or simply yourself online before Friday 12th December and wear a Christmas jumper for the day. Donate £2 and the UK Government will match that donation (that's £4 per person who gets involved, amazingly easy right?). Information can be found here on Save the Children's website.

2. CRY (Care and Relief for the Young) Ladies' Christmas Pamper Evening

Nails? Skin treatments? Stocking fillers? Yes please! This is an evening for all ladies who would love to shop and receive treatments from local stockists and therapists in the Hampshire area. Not only are you benefiting the work of CRY who fund awesome projects for children across the work, you're supporting your local community. Information found on the Facebook page for the CRY charity.

3. Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child

Perhaps my favourite of all is this mission to give a child a gift for Christmas. I've been doing this since primary school and really enjoy picking out small gifts to put in a brightly wrapped shoebox, hoping and praying for joy and smiles on the face of a child. Find your nearest collection point on the Samaritan's Purse website. 

Just look at that excitement on his face! 

I've cajoled my co-workers into two of the above, can I move you to try something to bless others this year? 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you all! To us today a saviour is born, so Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas 2013 has been a quiet one with close family, the 25th being the 2nd of 3 family celebrations. Today we break the mould by eating Spanish chicken and tomorrow we will feast on Cheese raclette Swiss style (at the Swiss family residence). Gifts are all beautiful and gorgeous; I'm such a blessed girl. 

Hoping you have a lovely Christmas Day and are maybe even decked out in your Christmas sweaters too..?

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve seems like the perfect time for my first post, as I relax with my family in front of a murder mystery (which i don't understand) surrounded by sweet smelling Christmas candles. 

I have said my goodbyes to my handsome (rather more exhausted today) man as he's left the county to spend Christmas with his family, and feel a little despondent about it. Something feels a little wrong without him to spend Christmas with...However, i am glad i'm home for the holidays  this year and am excited to have time off work to relax, eat, sleep and have some fun. 

All plans for amazing batches of Christmas cookies, perfectly wrapped presents and an inspiring tree have been lost along the way somewhere, but you know what, that's okay. It's okay because Jesus is the same amazing saviour, my family are celebrating together this year, the food has been delicious so far and my dog continues to entertain no matter the season. 

The Christmas lights are pretty in my neighbourhood this year...