Christmas Book Suggestions | #BLOGMAS Day 15

Hi, Today I've got a selection of Christmas/Winter themed books to match your reading material with the time of year. My own opinion of Christmas books is that they're by default a little bit tacky unless done well. The seasonal setting of a story and reading at the same time of year make for a lovely reading experience and it brings a little extra atmosphere into the mundane. I've tried to pick a selection of different styles of writing to cover all tastes.

Christmas Book Suggestions

Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances - John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle

A collaboration between three YA writers creating a winter themed intertwined love story. I've seen this book mentioned a lot over the past month as a great winter read. I'm interested to see how the writing style works with it been a mixture of authors and if this book is really worth the hype.

Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone - J.K Rowling

One of my favourite things about the Harry Potter books is how magical they make Christmas seem and that's in a world where magic exists. I think the earliest books do Christmas best, Harry's first Christmas at Hogwarts is such a memorable experience and one which is so heart warming.

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

This is surely one of the best known Christmas stories but one I've never read. I'd love to get into reading more classics but I'm a little scared of them. I think reading one where the story is so familiar would help me get over that fear.

Hogfather - Terry Pratchett

The Hogfather is the Discworlds version of Santa, this particular Christmas he's unable to deliver all the presents so he hires Death to help. The discworld novels are interesting because they are not of this world but then mimic it in so many interesting ways. I've not read this book but previous stories featuring death have been funny so I look forward to giving this one a go.

Do you have any Christmas favourites?

Sam

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My Christmas Wish List | #BLOGMAS Day 14

Hi, Today I've got a classic festive post in the form of a Christmas wish list. I've been asked a lot by family and friends what I want to receive this year and after doing all the research into picking gifts I decided why not share my wish list here on my blog. You might have noticed from the post image that there's a strong Pokemon theme, I'm such a big kid.

My Christmas Wish List

Lush Snow Fairy Gift Set - Link
I was asked to pick myself something from Lush so I picked this little gift set. It contains the classic Christmas Snow fairy scent in the form of shower gel, body conditioner and the magic wand along with an added Father Christmas bath bomb.

Blink-182 - California - Link
2016 has been a good one for new musical releases from bands I've loved for years. Music is something I rarely buy for myself so the new Blink-182 album is on my Christmas list.

Pokemon Colouring Book - Link
I'm a massive Pokemon fan and this year to be honest has been a dream. The release of Pokemon Go and the 20th anniversary has brought Pokemon back into the spot light and reignited peoples interest. I love colouring so mixing two of my favourite things was bout to be a winner.

Pokemon Sun/Moon
It's been a good few years now since Pokemon X/Y was released and I'm so ready for a new adventure. Generation 7 is a totally different story mode to previous games with the lack of Pokemon gyms so I'm looking forward to seeing how the game plays out.

Books and Then More Books
So I haven't stated any particular books but I've said books or vouchers for books are high on my Christmas list. I don't have anything that I desperately want to read that isn't available in my local library and I'm interested to see what people pick out for me.

2017 Diary - Link
I found this really pretty diary in the Range for only £2.99. I love that it doubles up as a colouring book and the little illustrations are so pretty. I picked this one out while shopping with my mum, which takes away a bit of the fun of the unknown but I'm super fussy.

New Pyjamas - Primark
The last thing on my list is a new set of pyjamas because what would Christmas be without a new set to snuggle up with on Christmas night. I know Primark have some Pokemon themed ones (Set £14) which would be really cool but some winter themed woolly ones would be super nice.

What's on your Christmas wish list?

Sam

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Christmas Baking - Easy Mince Pies With A Twist | #BLOGMAS Day 13

Hi, Okay so I might just have the easiest baking idea for you to try over the festivities, Mince pies but with a twist. These are great to make if you're expecting guests as they're super simple and don't take that long to make. I've been making these puff pastry mince pies for years and I much prefer them to their short crust pastry cousins.

Easy Mince Pie With A Twist

Ingredients

• Ready Roll Puff Pastry
• Jar of Mincemeat

Optional Extras

• A little milk
• Icing Sugar

Start by removing the packaging from the puff pastry and unroll onto a work surface. Once unrolled pick your cutter of choice, I just used an upturned glass for mine, start to cut out your mince pies. Make sure when cutting the dough to put the cutter as close to the edge of the last one to reduce on waste. I got six mince pies out of my roll and then reworked the left overs to make another three (these ones are not as pretty but taste just as good).

Lay out your bases on a lined baking tray and fill with mincemeat, don't use too much as they can split. Once filled add the lids and crimp the edges of the pie with your fingers to seal the mincemeat inside. Finally add some small cuts into the top to allow steam from the hot fruit to escape. Cook on gas mark 6 for 25-30 minuets or until golden brown. You can also give your pies a brush with some milk to give them a glazed finish before popping them in the oven.

When cooked leave them on the tray to cool for a little while before transferring them to a cooling rack. Once cooled completely you can decorate them with some icing sugar to make them look more festive and then enjoy. I love how quick these mince pies are to make thanks to the ready roll pastry, the cooking is the longest part of the process. I love making this alternative version of mince pies as you only really see the classic short bread versions on the high street and I want my home baking to be something a little more special.

Let me know if you give these mince pies a go, happy baking!

Sam

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One Year On | #BLOGMAS Day 12

Hi, Today is going to a sombre post which will probably seem out of place among all the happy Christmas posts. It's a subject that I believe will effect a lot of people at this time of year and that is the loss of a loved one at Christmas (or any time of year TBH). I'm sorry if this post isn't all that interesting but I felt I needed to mark this day in some way.

Today marks the one year anniversary of my boyfriends fathers death. It's scary to think that it's already been a year and it's even harder when you think about all the things he's already missed from his kids lives. One of the times I felt the most grief for his passing was when I went to visit my grandad and was hit by the realisation that I wouldn't get to see my future Father in law grow old. When a young person dies you grieve for the life they should have had. I grieved for the family he left behind and the friend I hoped in the future to make a life long bonds with.

We took comfort in the fact that he was with friends having the holiday of a life time and doing what made him happy. I'll never forget the morning we found out. I don't think it really sunk in that he wasn't coming back because he wasn't due to return until the New Year so his absence at Christmas was expected. We had Christmas cards written by him waiting to be opened on Christmas day.

Today we're all meeting up to remember him and not let the day be a sad one (how can it not be). I don't have any words of wisdom but if you are missing someone this Christmas remember that it was a privilege to have known that person and your own life is richer for it. Take comfort in the memories you have and don't be afraid to talk about them.

Does Christmas time make grief worse?
Sam

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Who I'm Watching This Vlogmas | #BLOGMAS Day 11

Hi, I'm a big fan of Vlogs and there's a few vloggers I watch everyday when I'm getting ready for work or relaxing in the evening. I don't know why I watch Vlogs other than it's interesting to watch other peoples lives and she what's going on outside my own bubble. With the festive season I've added some new vloggers to my daily to watch list and I decided to share my picks with you in the hope you'd also suggest some vlogger to watch.

Who I'm Watching This Vlogmas

Helen Anders - Link
A vlogger I have watched for longer than I can remember. She's not doing vlogmas as such as she daily vlogs all the time anyway. Her vlogs cover her day to day antics with sneak peeks at videos for her main channel and moments with her cute dogs Barney and Lola.

Rhiannon Ashlee Vlogs - Link
Rhiannon is a Vlogger I remember watching years ago and I'd some how lost her channel, role forward to early this year and I rediscovered her videos while she was pregnant. So this Christmas will be the first for her daughter Delilah. Her videos are fun and insightful about living with a new baby.

MoreZoella - Link
Zoella isn't a vlogger I normally watch but if you want to get into the festive mood her videos are some of the best to watch. She's currently doing vlogmas and a video on her main channel until Christmas.

JazzyBumVlogs - Link
I watch JazzyBum for her DIY and hack videos throughout the year and now I'm tuned into her vlog channel to get my Vlogmas fix. She has a really fun bubbly personality which always makes me happy.

Sharmander - Link
And lastly a new to me vlogger that I found because of vlogmas. Sharla is currently living in Japan so I'm automatically interested in her day to day life. She also has super cute cats and loves Pokemon.

Who are you watching this Vlogmas?

Sam

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Lush Review - Mistletoe Bath Bomb | #BLOGMAS Day 10

Hi, Today I'm reviewing the Mistletoe bath bomb. I'm not sure if Mistletoe is new but when I saw it I was intrigued enough to want to try it. During my visit to Lush there where so many amazing looking products in the Christmas range, it was so hard to 1. not spend all my money and 2. get to the products because it was so darn busy. Mistletoe is the second bath bomb from the Christmas range I've tried this year, the previous bath bomb was Shoot for The Stars.

Mistletoe Bath Bomb – It's In The Air

The mixture of vivid pink and green where what drew me to this bath bomb. The embossed pattern of mistletoe is so sweet and subtly festive. I didn't really understand the design of this bath bomb until I read the name. Created with a mixture of Jasmine Absolute, Vetivert Oil and Ylang Ylang Oil, this bomb is very floral and is designed to create a romantic fairy tale at bath time.

As with most Lush bath bombs there's a colour change surprise inside with the appearance of blue pigment, but I don't think it really added anything. The bath water turns a lovely shade of deep pink which compliments the theme of this product. I enjoyed this bath bomb but I don't think it has the wow factor like some other products.

True to it's design this bomb smells strongly floral, it made a nice change from all the sickly sweet scents at this time of year. I don't normally notice the scent lasting long after my bath but this one left me smelling fresh for hours. So overall I liked this bath bomb but I'm not in a hurry to pick up another one.

Have you tried the Mistletoe bath bomb?

Sam

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My Favourite Things About Christmas | #BLOGMAS Day 9

Hi, Today I wanted to talk about my favourite parts of the festive season. Overall Christmas is a time to think about others and give thanks, a time for indulgence and fun. It's a big part of the year even though in reality it's only 24 hours. Here in the UK it gives us something to take our minds of the darker days and a reason to party. So here are my favourite things about Christmas.

My Favourite Things About Christmas

Family and Friends
Christmas makes you take the time to see family and friends, some of which you probably haven't had the time or funds to see since last year. Christmas is great for bringing everyone together to celebrate.

Traditions and Memories
Christmas has a way of anchoring memories in the mind and repetition from traditions add to these memories. Every year since I was a baby we've had a Christmas Eve party and I have so many fond memories of the people and the games we'd play.

The Food and Drink
There's so much festive themed food and drink at this time of year, it's rather hard to not over indulge but it's pretty much encouraged. Christmas markets are a great way to indulge in both, I love heading out and getting some mulled wine on a cold winters day. There are some festive treats that only appear in the shops at Christmas time which makes them all the more special.

Decorations
There's something magical about putting up all the Christmas decorations and feeling cosy indoors away from the bitter cold (it's actually been unseasonably warm lately). I think my favourite part though is seeing everything lit up. I've seen some really impressive houses decorated in lights this year, with every bit of space filled.

Gift Giving
Buying that perfect gift gives me such a happy feeling. I try to think of a really personal gift (I'm not a fan of gift sets), something that the recipient would really want or need. I really enjoy wrapping presents too, I'll save them all up and get everything wrapped in one go with Christmas tunes and some mulled wine to hand.

New Pajamas
With Christmas comes a brand new pair of snugly pajamas. I tend to just wear a mismatch of what ever I can find and tend not to buy sets. My mum always buys me a new set so Christmas night I have a fresh pair of pajamas to curl up in, which is a perfect end to the day.

Time Off Work
I'm lucky that my place of work closes for the week between Christmas and New Year so I have some time for a bit of relaxation (I'm sure if this wasn't compulsory I'd still book it off). I have many trips to the cinema's planned and 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' is at the top of the list.

What's your favourite part of Christmas?

Sam

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