NYE

What better way to celebrate the end of 2010 than with afternoon tea? 


One glass of champagne went completely to my head and those cakes didn't last long. Oh Slimming World, I'm sorry. I promise this is just a temporary blip. I'll be back on form tomorrow.

So, that's that then. Another year has been and gone. How was it for you?

2010 has been the best year of my whole life. I'm sad to see it go but I'm incredibly excited for 2011 and all it will bring. This year I bought a house, lost over five stone in weight, went to Glastonbury Festival (again) and New York (again), visited Barcelona for the first time, got promoted and, most importantly, finally found happiness within myself. I've never been happier than I am right now and I feel truly blessed to have had such a wonderful year, filled with so many incredible people.

However you're spending tonight, I hope you have a fabulous time. Thankyou so much to everyone who's followed my little old blog this year. The comments, the emails and the lovely words of encouragement are appreciated so much and I hope you all have a great New Year's Eve.

Here's to 2011! xxx

Betwixmas

My nemesis and downfall

001: I'm in that strange limbo period between Christmas and New Year when I stay up too late, wake up too late and am never entirely sure what day it is. I'm not back in work until the 4th January and I'm genuinely slightly concerned that I will have forgotten not only the passwords to my work computer but also how to do my job. Worrying.

002: Christmas was WONDERFUL. It was one of the nicest I've ever had and I was utterly spoilt by my parents. I got not one, not two but three lovely prints from Keep Calm Gallery. I cannot wait to get those bad boys framed and up on my far-too-bare walls. Christmas was quiet, relaxing and filled with far too much food and one too many gin and tonics. Basically perfect then.

003: The Sainsburys man has just delivered and I'm now eating fruit for the first time in about a week. Shocking. After 11 months of Slimming World plan following, Christmas was a complete shock to the system. I feel bloated and MASSIVE and I'm actually relishing the thought of salads, fruit and green tea. Must lose holiday weight. Must lose holiday weight. Etc etc etc.

004: I ventured into Manchester yesterday, intending to do a bit of sale shopping. After spending 45 minutes in the queue at Primark I couldn't face going to any other shops and so headed home. I did buy a onesie with rabbit ears though. It's simultaneously the most incredible and most horrific thing I've ever bought and I haven't taken it off since I got home.

005: I'm currently making a list of resolutions for 2011. Things I want to achieve include hitting my target weight, blogging more (I'm aware that posting has been seriously scant of late but I really have been busier than a very busy thing) and getting fit.


So, my lovelies, how was Christmas for you? Any exciting presents? Any amazing sale finds?

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night...

1. Winter face. MAC Myth lipstick and Make Up Forever gold glitter. My new true loves

2. Like an ice rink

3. A tale of two Christmas trees. Mine on the left, my parents' on the right

4. Gin and tonic whilst preparing vegetables

5. Snacks and Christmas morning Buck's Fizz

6. Candle, fire, German candle thing

7. The money shot

8. Ginger and pineapple meringue. Basically the best thing I've ever eaten

9. SNOWBALL!

10. Let sleeping dogs lie

Insert obligatory Slade lyric here

Eve Eve

Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

The presents are all wrapped, Christmas Dinner dessert is made (Nigella flourless chocolate brownies), my Yankee Candle christmas cookie candle is burning and the fairy lights are twinkling on the tree. All is quiet and still, snow still lingering on the ground outside.

I'm so excited about Christmas this year. For the first time in years I feel at peace with myself and I feel truly contented with my life. This year has been wonderful in so many ways and I'm just so happy. I can't wait to spend time with the people I love the most.

Christmas should be a happy time for all but, for many people, it isn't. For those on their own, for those who have lost someone, for those who are struggling financially, mentally or emotionally, Christmas can be harder than any other time of year. Maybe I'm more aware of it because I volunteer for the Samaritans but it breaks my heart that not everyone can be as happy as they should be at this truly magical time of year.

There are small acts of kindness that can make people feel so cared for. If we can't show some love at Christmas, then when can we? If you have an elderly person near you, ask them if they need anything, particularly with the bitterly cold temperatures we've been having. If there's someone you know who's going to be alone on Christmas Day, and you think they might be feeling down, maybe take them a mince pie or give them a quick call. Noone should have to be alone or sad at Christmas.

Sorry if this post is a bit of a downer, I'm just acutely aware of how damn lucky most of us are, and, at Christmas, it's nice to be nice, isn't it?

A Very Merry Manchester Christmas...

1. Manchester Town Hall

2. Merry Christmas Manchester! 

3. Taken of one of the stalls at the Christmas market

4. My tree! I'm obsessed with it

5. My favourite bauble. So sparkly!

6. Presents. Obviously

7. Tree and the table set for the Christmas dinner that I cooked for 6 of my friends last night

8. I think I'm going to be finding party popper remnants for months

9. The reason why I genuinely feared death when I woke up this morning

Jewellery Shaped Things

My name is Helen and I am a jewellery addict.


There, I said it. I have a bona fide addiction to trinkets, jewels and pretty adornments. In fact, I'm currently trying to think of a way to transport my huge collection of necklaces to the new house without them ending up in one giant tangle. So when the lovely Sarah offered to send me a couple of pieces from her new Etsy shop I jumped at the chance! Particularly as they're so delicate and fine. I have a lot of necklaces but I really lack dainty ones, normally favouring Tatty Devine-esque acrylic numbers.

Hailing from the North West (and soon to be living in Manchester) I'm used to my fair share of rain so I opted for the 'Oh to be in England' necklace and, continuing my obsession with bee and insect related jewellery, the 'Between angels and insects' necklace.

Both necklaces are absolutely gorgeous and I can see me getting a lot of wear out of them. They're perfect for adding a quirky edge to a smart outfit for work or for layering up with other necklaces. All Sarah's pieces would make lovely Christmas presents for those gorgeous girls in your life and the packaging is so cute!

Prices start at a bargain-tastic £7 and, if you enter 'CLEARYOURHEART' at checkout then you'll get 10% off your order (expires on 15th December 2010). Go go go!

A Christmas Wish (or 9)

Clockwise from Top Left:  'Shoot For The Stars' print from Keep Calm Gallery; 'Ghettoblaster' weekend bag; 'Touche Kouche' shoes from Office; Leopard print sweatshirt from Topshop; 'Red Lips' telephone; Micro Fleece Turtleneck Set from Uniqlo; 'Big Love' mug by Emma Bridgewater; 'Red Lips' necklace from Temporary Secretary; 'Madamoiselle Danger' iPhone cover by Marc Jacobs

Other things that would be gratefully received include (but are not limited to): lots of Tabio socks, tights and leg warmers; finally hitting my weight loss target (7.5 pounds to go!); finding a nice boy who will make me bacon sandwiches and mix a perfect gin & tonic once in a while; eternal health and happiness for me and my loved ones; My Mum's pineapple and ginger pavlova for dessert on Christmas Day.

I don't ask for much, do I?!

House of bruises

001: I am shattered. Firstly, it was my work Christmas do on Friday and, as a result, I have but one piece of advice for you. Don't wear 5 inch heels when it's snowing. Or start drinking at 3.30pm. In my defence, the office got evacuated at 3pm because of an electrical fault. It would have been rude not to take advantage of that by getting our drink on in the pub. I have a cut leg, two grazed and bruised knees and a ridiculously painful and bruised left hand. I am too old for such drinking related injuries.

002: The other reason for my state of extreme exhaustion is, of course, the house. I've been spending every spare minute painting and it's starting to come together nicely. In other news, I did a fairly vigorous booty dance to 'Poison' earlier and then realised that, not only were the curtains open, I was also standing on a ladder in full view of the street. Hello, new neighbours!

003: Speaking of my house, a few people have asked to see pictures of the palace so there are a few little sneak peeks above. Interesting features to note: the kitchen painted in orange gloss paint (yum), the pantry (!), the 'intense truffle' walls that I'm trying desperately to get rid of, the air raid shelter in the backyard (love) and the generally shabby nature of it. It was built in 1902 and I swear that hardly anything has been done to it since! Still, it's all mine and I'm completely in love with it.

004: The gorgeous Sarah sent me some jewellery from her new Etsy shop. I'll be posting about the pieces she sent me later in the week but, if you want to get a head start, head over to her shop now and enter 'CLEARYOURHEART' for a 10% discount (valid until 15th December). She's got some gorgeous necklaces and earrings that would be perfect for Christmas presents so go and spend your pennies!

005: I solemnly swear to post some sort of outfit post this week. Hopefully. Seeing as I currently spend my time either in work clothes or in paint covered leggings and jumpers though, maybe not.

And the winner is...

I know I'm a day late in announcing the giveaway winner but - apologies for saying this again - I OWN A HOUSE. Painting, ordering Virgin media (PRIORITIES) and continually squealing with excitement is rather tiring y'know.

Anyway, let's get down to business....

Random.org selected comment 21, which means that Bee is the winner! Congrats lovely and I'll be emailing you later to get your address and your cookie flavour preferences!

Thankyou so much for all the entries and I'm just sorry that I couldn't send something to each and every one of you. I loved reading all your Christmas lists and am now feeling so festive. I might just pick one or two more of you and send you some cookies, when I'm finally settled in the house! x