feeling festive #9 - secret santa in june

For a few years now me and my friends have done Secret Santa a bit backwards. At Christmas we all go out for dinner and pick who we will have to buy for, but instead of giving our presents at Christmas we wait until half way through the year. So we didn't sound totally mental, we come up with a few reasons... At Christmas all our money is spent on presents for the family so we don't really have spare money for friends. Plus, who doesn't love getting a random present half way through the year!!

Here are the presents I received. I got a big bottle of Budwiser, Mojito and a Gryffindor scarf... My friends really do know me well! I was so pleased with the gifts I received. I did a post here which shows what I got last year.

feeling festive #8 - new years eve

2011 has been a strange year. I've learnt a lot, lost some friends but gained many more. I've learnt that a friend can be anywhere in the world but still be there when you need them.

I'd like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to every one who reads my blog. I don't think I say it enough, but I really appreciate every comment and view I get.

This year I have been able to meet some of you at the blogger meets I have organised. Event planning is something I hope to get in to when I grow up (haha!) and it has been great to combine my two loves - blogging and event planning. It would be great to meet even more of you at the next one I organise :) I'd like to say thank you to Law for helping organise the second blogger meet of the year!

[blogger meet one and two.]

My family has been there a lot for me this year and it seemed fitting to spend the night with my mum and dad. It was a great night and a lovely way to see in the new year!

I hope you've all had a brilliant night and that 2012 is everything you wish for.

The fireworks in London actually bought a tear to my eye! A bloody amazing display! I am feeling very optimistic for 2012 - good things are going to happen!

feeling festive #7 - family

I had such a wonderful Christmas day. I got some lovely and thoughtful gifts from my family, they know me so well! One thing that I don't like about Christmas is that the day seems to be over so quickly - but I enjoyed every minute of it!

On Boxing Day we went to my aunt and uncle's house! It was so nice and so much fun! My aunt is such a good cook and my cousins make me laugh so much!

I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas and have been able to spend it with the ones you love.

Merry Christmas lovelies xxx

feeling festive #6 - sparkle

Chanel - Peridot & Deborah Lippmann - Shake Your Groove Thing

I picked up both these nail varnishes on a recent trip to London with my friend Sian from Australia. I thought I would treat myself to some nice nail varnish for Christmas; I wanted a bit of sparkle!

This is my second Chanel nail varnish. I really love my first one and when I saw this lovely colour, I thought I'd treat myself to another. I've never tried a Deborah Lippmann nail varnish before, but Sian has a whole collection. I thought I'd give it a go and I am pleased that I did. Have you painted your nails especially for Christmas?

feeling festive #5 - jumper

(top to bottom: black jumper from Primark, red and white jumper from Forever 21 in Vegas, beige jumper from Primark and red jumper from Primark)

I never used to be a fan of jumpers, but this year I fell in love. They're big, comfy and so warm. Above are some of the jumpers that I find myself living in. I am sure I will be spending Christmas day wrapped up in one of my big jumpers. Do you have a favourite jumper?

feeling festive #4 - christmas tree

I love the smell of a real Christmas tree. I went with my dad to collect our tree this year at a local tree farm. I love walking around looking at all the trees; so many different sizes, types and smells.

We have two Christmas trees in our house; one real and one artificial. I love getting all our decorations from the loft and putting them up all around our house. It really does put me in the festive mood. Here are some of my favourite decorations:

As soon as we put our decorations up, I was in a much more festive mood. I hope you're looking forward to Christmas too :)

feeling festive #3 - rochester

I went to Rochester yesterday with my mum. It was the first time I have been to Roachester and it was really beautiful to go there this time of year. Rochester is a really old fashioned town, and I loved it. Me and my mum spent a lot of time in antiques shops, in the pub and wondering around the streets sipping mulled wine. A beautiful day!

There was a market, carol singers, fancy dress and even fake snow. I really enjoyed spending my day with my wonderful mum, she's my super hero!

feeling festive #2 - decorations

As it's finally December, I thought it's an appropriate time to blog about decorations! One of my favourite sites is Ditzy Doll. The items are vintage and pretty. A little while ago I bought these Christmas decorations, and I just had to show them to you.

The Christmas Shop is full of pretty things and well worth the look, along with the Lovely Home shop. Sarah also has twitter and is so lovely to chat to. Have you got any special decorations this year?

feeling festive #1 - secret santa in september

I like to mix things up a bit. A few years ago I suggested to my friends that we do our Christmas presents half way through the year. At Christmas, we all rarely have much spare money as it goes on presents for the family and going out. We usually swap presents in June but this year it got a bit delayed as my lovely friend Cathy was still in Germany. We met on the last day of September and swapped presents and had a huge catch up!

I  picked my friend Cathy out of the hat. I was pleased that I got her because I know exactly what she likes. I decided to make her a present this year.

Cathy loves Eurpoe and this quote, so I thought I'd put the two together. She absolutely loved it and I was so pleased!

Cathy picked my name out of the hat and she got me an amazing present.

I love the style of the magnetic frame and the pictures my friend chose to include. Inside the box is a wax letter sealer. Me and Cathy has writted letters to each other for the last year whilst she was in Germany. We liked it so much that, now she's back, we're going to continue writing letters to each other now she's living in London. Btw, I will be spending a lot of weekends in London looking for cheap/free things to do! Suggestions would be brilliant... :D