I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. On one hand, Christmas is over & I'm now feeling the pressure to go out on New Year's Eve, but on the other hand, I feel like I have the chance to start fresh and make some positive steps towards making my life even better. It can be tough finding a sense of balance.

2013 highlights.

I love getting towards the end of a year and reflecting on all the things I've done. 2013 was mostly a great year for me, full of discovering new things, pushing myself, and trying my best to be positive about everything.

I thought I'd share some of my highlights, like I did last year. To read the blog posts about each thing, just click on the photo!

christmas baking / savana vintage & handmade.

I really wanted to post this on Christmas Eve, but the internet at my mum's was playing up so much that I got all stressed out and had to have a bath and a glass of wine instead.. and then a few more wines with our roast duck dinner, and down at the pub - woops! 

black foxxes / that time I was in a music video.

A few weeks back, I went to a cold warehouse somewhere in Bristol with a bunch of guys that I didn't know, and Mark. Probably not the most sensible decision a girl has ever made.

our christmas day.

This year, the day was super special for me because I got to spend it with Doug. Soppy, I know, but I've never spent Christmas Day with a boyfriend before, so it was lovely. It was so fun to go downstairs together to find that the pile of presents had got even bigger! 

fashion union / f&f winter warmers.

A rather cosy and Christmassy outfit post for you today! I wore this get-up on Friday while buying & decorating our tree, so it seemed only right to take a few photos by it! 

real life: lost loved ones at christmas.

In all the Christmas excitement, it can be easy to forget that not everybody is having a jolly time. For many people, this season is tinged with pangs of grieving, or crippling loneliness.

our christmas tree.

Ahh, the Christmas tree farm.. one of my favourite places in the world. This year, I'm lucky enough to have Doug down in Devon with me for Christmas, so he came along to help choose the best tree & decorate it too! 

figgahugga.

I generally don't feel that comfortable in bodycon dresses these days, so I was really happy to receive this Figgahugga dress recently! I've been wearing mine under loads of different outfits to give me a smoother, slimmer appearance!

totnes christmas market.

Yesterday, Doug and I made our way over to Totnes to soak up the festive atmosphere and browse lovely local products at the last Totnes Christmas Market of the year.

home for christmas.

It's so lovely to come downstairs to newspapers, roses and a pretty cat on the kitchen table! I love visiting my family home in Devon, but there's something really magical about this place at Christmas.

I can't wait to:

• soak up the festive atmosphere at Totnes Christmas Market

• get my Christmas shopping finished and everything wrapped up beautifully

• go to the Christmas tree farm & find the perfect tree

• decorate the tree while watching a festive film

• catch up with special friends

• bake loads of biscuits for my loved ones

• spend my first Christmas with Doug 

• come downstairs on Christmas morning to see a pile of presents

• feast on delicious food and see my family

• see people's faces when they open their gifts  

What are you looking forward to this Christmas?

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lashes of london.

Last festive season I received a Lashes of London dress, and this year I've been lucky enough to be sent another one! I remember admiring Kim's gold version of the Ramona dress last year, and now I have my very own, except in silvery, mermaidy colours. 

christmas helpers: giftwrap.

It's about a week and a half until Christmas now, so it's time to start thinking about how to wrap your presents (if you haven't already!) It's obviously fine to use Christmas wrapping paper bought at wherever you shop, but if you fancy something a little different or DIY, have a look at these ideas, and maybe make your chilly Sunday a gift wrapping day!

#NextmasMoments festive afternoon tea.

• Crown & Glory bow • Next jumper • AX Paris dress •

As I mentioned the other day - on Monday, I donned my Christmas jumper (AGAIN!) and hopped on the train up to London for the Next Festive Afternoon Tea with lots of other bloggers!

one suit four ways / marks & spencer.

When Marks & Sparks got in touch to tell me about their new campaign – ‘One Suit Four Ways - Styling The Man In My Life’, I thought it'd be the perfect chance to get Doug on the other side of the camera for a change, and dress him up like my own personal man-shaped doll. Not as creepy as it sounds.

notting hill / portobello road.

On Monday I went to London for an event with Next, but as I was there a little early I decided to get off the tube at Notting Hill and wander down Portobello Road for a bit. 

market, music & roast.

On Sunday, we headed over to Start The Bus for their Christmas market, to eat roast and to watch Doug sing songs. 

#NextmasMoments.

Friday 13th December is Christmas Jumper Day, so Next kindly sent me a fun little gift to get in the spirit of things. The brief was to take a picture of myself in the jumper in my fave Christmas location, and although this isn't technically that, I hope you enjoy anyway..! 

christmas helpers: decoration.

I don't know about you guys, but I hate tinsel. I think it is the ugliest Christmas decoration around. With this in mind, I've been pinning lots of lovely festive ideas ready to share the best with you. 

the creative initiative #5.

christmas helpers: partywear.

Tis the season to get pissed in your office, photocopy your bum & make out with someone disgusting in the stationary cupboard! That's how the song goes, right? In all seriousness, I've never been to one of those classic "office Christmas parties", but that doesn't mean I'm without an excuse to dress up! 

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and dreaming up possible party outfits. Here are a few of my favourites..

lemon chicken risotto.

This is a favourite round at mum's house - we love lemon, we love chicken... so it's perfect really! And don't let anyone tell you that cooking risotto is difficult, because it's really not.

yellow gold.

I've seen this warm, yellow-gold shade popping up on blogs, Pinterest & LookBook lately and fallen head over heels in love. It injects some fun and happiness into outfits, which I think we all need at this time of year!

Below are some of my favourite looks with this colour, which were also the influence for me buying my new bobble hat!

november round up!

Another lovely wintery month.. I love this part, getting all excited about Christmas. It's the new year I dread, and the long months before it gets warm again. 

This month, I dressed up as a cat with my new Crown & Glory kitty ears • played with sparklers on the 5th • cooed over pretty dresses at the Next SS14 press day & a had wurst lunch with one of my special girls • bought & wrapped Christmas presents with silly stickers on • saw one of my favourite bands in one of my favourite venues - Matthew & Me at The Birdcage • had more friends visit, and went out for a stupidly delicious roast at The Old Bookshop! • met one of Doug's brothers • had festive drinks at The Apple • bumped into friends & watched the wonderful Big Deal at STB • went to Devon & fell in love with an old book about flowers • saw Charli's wedding dress & had a super girly evening at the bingo..

.. had some lovely cuddles with the cats when I felt low • made some really yummy muffins • launched The Creative Initiative, to incourage people to create more • came home to lots of packages, including shiny new shoes from ASOS! • thought up a couple of Christmas wishlists • had festive drinks when Beth came to visit • cleared out my wardrobe & made a bit of money • bought a fun yellow hat • went to a Christmas market •

Phew! It seems like I've done loads, although I feel like I'm behind with everything!

• listening to: Keaton Henson & my Christmas playlist (find me on Spotify to listen along!)

• re-watching: GIRLS and The Office

• eating: a lot of chocolate-based foods...

• thinking about: going back to Devon for Christmas! I can't wait.

How was your November? Are you excited for the holidays?

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