Tuesday, 30 December / Interiors

I wish I could justify this post by announcing some big move to an exciting new place, with new people and an excuse for buying furniture. Instead, I'm planning to redecorate my bedroom. Alas it's no feature for Elle Decoration but if anything involves TK Maxx, copper artififacts and greenery, I'm gonna be mood-boarding it all night long. Alternatively, if, like me, you're supposed to be writing an important essay and you'd rather be doing literally anything else, now is a good time to discover Polyvore. 

When I move back from uni in the summer I'll be condensing two rooms into one and will need a seeeerious redesign in order to do so. Obviously buying more candles, some spiky plants and a cafetiere will aid this. Obviously. 

Ignore the scuffled edges of products that reveal my inability to edit any image (sincerest apologies to graphic designer boyfriend) and bask in the glory of pretty, unnecessary and expensive interiors. If only my degree was in daydreaming...

Saturday, 27 December / Back To Reality

Beginning this post today meant figuring out which day of the week it was. From 24th December I truly lose all sense and aspect of time. My mind is crammed with celebrating, tinsel and Kinder chocolate, with little concern for the 'real world' (read: a life without the Christmas music channel). 

My sister and I confronted a realisation on Christmas eve night, as we watched the fourth xmas movie of the day, slurped hot chocolate and engaged in the yearly read of 'The Night Before Christmas'. We realised that our alternative excitement for the big day intensifies as we age. When establishing (though still reluctant to admit) that the fat, red-suitted, white-bearded man from the North Pole isn't quite as 'real' as I had once hoped, there is an inkling of magic that becomes removed from Christmas. Happy to coincide with the buzzing spirit of the kids in my family when wishing for glorious presents off Santa Claus, I thrive off their christmas 'spirit' to satisfy my urge to maintain this magic. But with this realisation came the agreement that Christmas has become increasingly important for traditions besides those which we harboured as children.

As I get older, and increasingly more nostalgic, I find greater pleasure each year in adorning my wonderful family and friends with gifts, perfectly apt for each of them. Though the mince pie and carrot may not be left by the fireplace, as I saunter to my bed on Christmas Eve, every other aspect of the season becomes more magical through appreciating those I have around me at this time of year. Each gulp of warm drink, scent of Turkey and acquirement of fluffy socks are 100% more exciting once Christmas is approaching. I suppose once the 27th arrives (and I establish that it has by literally needing to console a calendar) I begin a state of mourning for my favourite time of year. There may be no more gingerbread houses, Home Alone on repeat or casual evening cheeseboards (yeah right), but I bid farewell to Christmas with some beautiful gifts (popping up here shortly), a still bloated stomach (I can't remember a life before this feeling) and, most importantly, some incredible memories. 

Christmas has changed in many ways as I've grown up but I'm starting to realise that this can be for the better. As I cracked open the vino on Boxing day and commenced a game of Drenga with my family ('drunk Jenga' apparently), I became substantially drunk for the first time ever at Christmas. I exchanged so much laughter between the man who became my brother-in-law this year and watched my younger sister (and best friend) begin to truly bond with the man in my life. Little details like these are why Christmas continues to be the most wonderful time of the year. Oh and with unlimited biscuits and crackers to cure a hangover, my transition back into reality as I return to the university library, has been made far more delicious enjoyable. 

Hope you all had a cracking Christmas.

Wednesday, 17 December / Christmas Interior

My embarrassing obsession with Christmas is in full force. These pictures display the only organised section of my family home at this time of year. If I turned the camera you'd witness sparkly chaos (decorations included) and frazzled individuals coated in sellotape, shotting mulled wine. Since the first sign of my own breath (INSIDE my university flat) I've made excuses to devour hot chocolate every night (it would be rude not to), laze on the sofa watching Home Alone re-runs (only 1 and 2 of course) and develop the (soon to be satisfied) cravings for pigs in blankets. This is my absolute favourite time of year and my frail little tree crammed with excessive decorations is the perfect example of that. 

Hope you're all getting in the festive spirit with tinsel in your hair - in homage to those beloved childhood years (or because it's just so pretty and there just isn't enough furniture to drape it over) 

Tuesday, 18 December / Christmas Hair

Over on Dolly Glitter (dollyglitter.co.uk) I regularly write articles based on hair/beauty as well as my usual fashion concerns. This month my wonderful flatmates modelled some simple but classic hairstyles, perfect for Christmas parties, and helped take some awkwardly posed yet surprisingly impressive images. Head over to the website to check it out. Here's a sneak preview of the most adorable bun to hit the net in 2014. 

Wednesday, 3 December / Birthday Makeup

The big 2-1. A birthday I've longed for since my 18th passed. Why? Because, certainly amongst my friends/fam/the youth of today, there is an acceptance of extreme OTT for 21st birthdays. Fancy clothes, fancy food and fancy presents (lucky ducky). There is something insightfully glamorous about the occasion. 

My 21st, last weekend, consisted of incredible time spent with friends and family (and one wonderfully generous boyfriend: more of that to come). I splurged on cocktails, tasty food and a certain Kim Kardashian dress that will remain a wardrobe favourite for the rest of my life. With a fancy dress, uncomfortable heels and a cardiac-arrest-inducing cocktail price list, came a glamorous makeover palette. I thought I'd treat you to my makeup look for the big night (that ended with four people, highly overdressed, in a local pub downing jam doughnut shots #unilife). Though it probably isn't too exciting, and the quality of the picture emphasises my discomfort with the old face selfie, the products I used kept me going (til I went to bed at 1am) all night long. They're also my favourite makeup products of the moment so, y'know, there's that.  

- DIORSKIN star foundation (absolute lust - glowing, dewy, tanned - exactly what I wanted for hitting old age)

- MAC studiofinish concealer (because not everyone knows how to photoshop)

- RIMMEL Stay Matte powder/MAC Mineralize skin finish natural (in a very unnatural shade)

- REVLON photo ready skin lights (favourite highlighter of all time and lasts FOREVER)

- NARS multiple in 'Orgasm' (as if this needs explanation)

- URBAN DECAY Naked palette (Toasted all over the lid, with Smog in the crease and under the eye)

- LOREAL Superliner Carbon gloss (for all your cat eye needs)

- CLINIQUE High Impact mascara

- MAC 'Blankety' lipstick (favourite ever ever ever)

So here's my birthday face in all it's awkward glory, with at least 3 more wrinkles since hitting the ripe old age of 21. Now back to the hell of uni dissertation and applying layers of anti-wrinkle cream.