Day 7 Blogmas 2k17

Party season is fast approaching, if that doesn't give me another excuse to go shopping I really don't what else will. This post isn't quite just focused on party wear though it's more clothes that I want to wear over the holiday season in general. So I guess I better get shopping then... if you hear any long distance cries then that'll be my bank account.

LESSON SEVEN OF CHRISTMAS 2K17:
The holiday season is the perfect time for layering up in lots of new clothes. 



I'm not sure  that I'll be as extra as this dual sequin number above over the holiday season, purely because don't hate me for saying this but sequins aren't my biggest love. Don't get me wrong I love glitter especially on the face but I'm not really about the sequin life when it comes to my clothes. It's just not my thing. But that doesn't mean I won't be making an extra effort to ensure my outfits are on point throughout the festivities.


Metallic Sheer T-shirt
See there is a way to wear black and be a bit festive at the same time...with this top! The main reason I hate sequins on my clothes is because my hair always gets caught on them and it hurts- why would I put myself through that? This top though solves all my problems, it's sparkly without being too in your face, yet it's still dark & not too bright. Growing up my wardrobe was basically a rainbow. Now it's basically a black hole with the odd dash of baby pink or mustard yellow throw in. I feel this top is so verstile, you could totally get away with wearing it at other times in the year too because it doesn't scream Christmas.


Grey Camo Puffa
I have been on the hunt for a puffa jacket with a hood for what seems like forever. Believe me they're impossible to find! I found what I thought was the perfect puffa jacket of my dreams a few months back in Zara but the sleeves were a weird shape on and it had no hood which is not ideal for walking about on cold, wet days. The second I saw this on Missguided's website I honestly fell in love, it's not my normal style, to be totally honest I'm surprised I even like it. But me and camo print are having a bit of a moment at the minute... I don't know where it's come from I'm just obsessed with it. This coat will be perfect for Berlin in January so I'm really hoping I'll find it under the Christmas tree this year.


Ankle Boots with Track Socks
Pull & Bear isn't a shop I'd usually look at, but damn they actually have some really nice things in there at the minute. These boots are gorgeous! The sock boot trend wasn't my first love when it first started getting a lot of hype, but wow a girl can change her mind. They look so warm! A YouTuber I watch actually brought these boots and she said they're super comfortable as well- warmth, comfort and stylish what more could a girl want?


Marble Mesh Top
Mesh tops are another thing that's having a major moment in my wardrobe at the minute. Fair enough probably not practical when it feel practically like -10 outside but stylish never the less. This one is a bit of a twist on the classic camo print, more of a marble effect. I'm all about clothing with a twist which is probably why I love vintage clothing so much. Don't get me wrong I love following trends, it's just I really prefer being individual and having 'unique' items. The only problem with that is 'unique' items usually come with an expensive price tag unfortunately for me.


Camo Trousers
Not even joking I have been debating buying these trousers for the last 2 months at least! The amount of times I've told people how much I want them is unreal- they're probably sick of me going on about them. I know they're a statement piece but I honestly think they can look really cool on (well a lot cooler than I am anyway). I think as soon a I get home for Christmas I'm gonna bite the bullet and get them, watch them go out of stock in the size I want now I've said that.


1461 Smooth
I have a pair of shoes that are basically a copy of Doc Martens and I love them to pieces, I wear them most days and literally love them more than chocolate which is quite the statement. Even better they were like £10 from Primark. The issue now though is that I've been wearing them too much and now they've broke *sobs loudly* I mean at the minute they're still wearable just not on rainy days. So January sales I think I'm finally going to take the plunge and invest in a pair of Doc Martens.


Sunny Kiss Oversized Tee
Finally something I already own! Again I loved this dress for a long time before I took advantage of the Black Friday discount and brought it. Have I looked back? No I haven't. Because of my height the dress is bit longer on me so I tend to pair it with a belt just so I can achieve the length I want. This dress will be very loved over the Christmas period- I really like the look of it with fishnet tights too although I might wait till it gets a little warmer before wearing that look. Hypothermia isn't a good look!


Fila Disruptor Trainers
I feel like you'll either love or hate these trainers. Personally I love them. Although I wanted a pair in a different colour way- this pair is still cute though! I just think these with jeans, a nice jumper and maybe an oversized coat will look bang on trend. Cool without trying too hard if you get me.


Embroidered Mesh Playsuit
It may be party season but currently I have zero plans to party, I mean I'm free to make plans but I guess I'll just have to see how it goes. If by some miracle my friends and I manage to arrange a time when we're all free I think this would be something I'd definitely want to wear. I love the fact it's got long sleeves but the focus is the mesh detail. I just think it's so beautiful! 


Fjallraven Backpacks
I can't even tell you guys how long I have wanted one of these backpacks for- but why are they so expensive? £75 for a backpack... are you serious? As I have a slight yellow obsession, it was pretty obvious I'd pick out that one but I really like the charcoal one with stripes- I just think it's really different and if you're gonna pay £75 for a backpack you'd want it be different if you get what I mean.


Navy Teddy Hoodie
These teddy bears jumpers have been EVERYWHERE lately, and I'd be lying if I said I was happy about it. They look sooooo comfy and warm! This one by Fila is by far my favourite! It's so annoying before I was a poor student I was happy with non branded clothes now stupid me is obsessed with logos and brand names but it literally breaks my bank every time I buy something branded.


Holographic Pelmet Skirt
As a lover of black clothing this is VERY out of my comfort zone but I just feel like I wear the same thing every time I go 'out out' and I hate myself for it- even worse I don't even like half the things I go out in! I just think this is something a bit extra- a bit different and can really take an outfit up a notch. And I really want it... hmmm let me check my bank balance... 

Hope you all enjoyed this post, sorry if I've made your wishlist about 10 times longer. I've included the links so if you guys want to you can check the clothes out in more detail. Let me know in the comments if you buy anything- pre warning you'll make me very jealous but I'm nosy all the same!

What's your favourite thing in this post?

See you all tomorrow. Lol I go home in 2 days and I haven't even started packing- fun afternoon ahead for me jokes.

Festive Kisses 

X

Image credit: Pinterest, ASOS, Urban Outfitters, Schuh, Doc Martins, Missguided and Pull & Bear. 

Day 6 Blogmas 2k17

Honestly I didn't even know where to start today's post. My head hurts, my body aches and I'm in one of those moods where even moving to go make food is too much effort. Which is not like me at all!

LESSON SIX OF CHRISTMAS 2K17:
Lazy days are needed too.



Christmas break is fast approaching. In approximately 3 days I will be on my way home for Christmas and truth be told I honestly can not wait. The thought of sofa cuddles with my dog, Willow & drinking yummy hot chocolates whilst catching up with my parents just gets me too excited. My Mum's already told me the house is decorated ready for Christmas, hopefully I might find the advent calendar I've been desperately wanting (and if I'm honest needing) waiting for me too. Quite possibly I may even be able to persuade my parents for a roast dinner Saturday night, that or a Nando's because I'm majorly craving both right now. I've just got to get through two more days of uni, just two more days. *sighs*



Personally I think today's lesson is probably the most important yet, simply because lazy days are needed. Not going to lie to you guys, I have done zero uni work today, why? because my brain just feels exhausted with it all. I said at the start of this post that I don't know what's up with me, well thats a lie because I do know. I know I feel burnout. Uni is HARD. Second year causes me to have about 5 breakdowns a week and life just feels like nothings ever accomplished. To say I needed a lazy day is probably an understatement, I need about a lazy month.



No matter what you're doing at the minute, school, uni, working, everyone needs days where the only thing they can manage is reaching for the TV remote or dialling the nearest Chinese takeout and that's okay! Everyone is guilty of putting themselves down when it comes to that work/ life balance. We think it's okay to work ourselves to the point where we can physically do no more. Yes it's needed sometimes when we have deadlines to meet, but not all the time, not every day. It gets too much. Life gets too much.

So next time I feel like having a lazy day on a December morning I'm not going to beat myself up about it because in the long run that days rest will do more then squeezing every last drop of energy into whatever it is your doing. Schedules get hectic over the Christmas season so just take a moment to step back and just breathe, look up at the christmas lights around you and just live every second of that moment. Trust me it'll do you the world of good.

Lazy day, yay or nay?

Hope you've all enjoyed this post, I'm actually really enjoying blogging everyday even if I did have to force every part of me to do it today, I'm determined not to miss a day though. Blogmas, I've got this. 
See you back here tomorrow for more.

Festive Kisses 

X

Image credit: pinterest.

Day 5 Blogmas 2k17

Can you guys actually believe it? I was awake before 9am this morning... wow lets just take a second to appreciate that. I mean truth be told I was running very late for my lecture this morning, made it

through the doors at approximately 9.03am so I mean it's not that bad. Not only that but for once I actually feel awake and motivated for the day, and I didn't even have any breakfast! Now I'm sat in the library eating a yummy feta, pepper and olive sandwich ready to type Blogmas day 5 before heading out to town to do yet more Christmas shopping. Busy day for sure, although I am one of the those people who would rather be busy then have nothing to do.

LESSON FIVE OF CHRISTMAS 2K17: 

Christmas shopping always results in making purchases for yourself too.

Honestly wish I was going Christmas shopping in New York instead of Nottingham right now, but it's not that bad. I lived my dream of going there last January (can't quite get my head around the fact that was almost a year ago) honestly where has time gone? 

So Christmas shopping... those words bring so much joy to my ears but at the same time I can already hear my bank account crying. For me I love Christmas shopping SO much especially when you go round doing it on your own because hey you can't exactly go with the people you're buying for can you? It's just such a fun, exciting thing to do. I love buying gifts for people probably more than I actually like receiving them. It's kinda weird but when someone gives me a present I always stress because all the pressure is on me- like what if I don't like it? can my face hide that? what if I offend them? Anyone who knows me well will know I hate having all the attention on me.

So I for sure prefer giving.

I finally started my Christmas shopping yesterday and it put me in such a happy mood. It wasn't

as successful as I'd have liked it to have been but I didn't manage to get a few bits. Obviously though as bad as this is going to sound I did see some bits I'd like to get for myself- I mean show me a person who isn't guilty of this? It wasn't all bad though because I managed to escape without purchase yesterday but today... yeh not going to lie it's partly why I'm going back. Yes I know I'm a shopaholic. I was joking with one of my friends the other day that I'd rather spend my money on clothes than eat ahaha. I really don't have the money to spend not with paying the deposit for securing our student house next year but I mean it's Christmas?

And guess who got tickets for Berlin's Fashion Week in January? Moi. I am BEYOND excited so 'ya girl's gonna need some cute outfits for that' that's what I'm going to tell myself anyway. Although preferably they need to be warm and stylish especially as I've heard last year it was like -10.... but it's SO hard to look on point in about 50 layers- see my dilemma? This is why I need new clothes. Honestly I could think of a million ideas why I shouldn't buy new clothes but the second I think of that one reason why I should I'm practically at the checkout desk. 

Hope you've all enjoyed this post. 

Are you guilty of self splurging when Christmas shopping? 

See you all tomorrow.

Festive Kisses.

X

Image credit: Pinterest. 

Day 4 Blogmas 2k17

'Mum the John Lewis Christmas advert is starting' is a common thing you'll hear in my house at this time of year. Which is weird considering we tend to moan about the ad breaks for the rest of the year. Although I have to admit I find adverts really interesting to watch nowadays. I partly blame my course for this.... I mean I am a Communication & Promotion student so adverts are the perfect example of how brands are trying to connect and market to their audience. 

Christmas adverts though... Who can't love them?

We all have our favourites, the John Lewis one is probably the most highly anticipated, but I have to admit shops in general have majorly upped their game this year. 

LESSON FOUR OF CHRISTMAS 2K17:

It's not Christmas without the adverts. 

JOHN LEWIS

Don't hate a girl for saying this but I actually really like the John Lewis advert this year. Yes okay I wouldn't say it's my favourite one they've ever released but I don't think it's terrible. A lot of people are saying they don't get it, I think the story behind this year's ad is so cute! Nighttime for children can be especially scary, so Moz the monster is helping the little boy to see that it doesn't have be be a scary place, it can be a fun exciting one that fuels your imagination, even more so at Christmas time.

Even more interesting though, this was the other advert John Lewis could have used for this year. Yes I'm not going to lie I do kinda wish they'd used this one instead but saying that I think it would have been quite similar to their 2013 one 'The Bear & the Hare'. Please can someone tell me how was that 4 years ago?!?

MARKS & SPENCERS 

My Mum will be made up that I've included this. M&S isn't my favourite shop, it is my Mum's, growing up I had a lot of clothes brought for me from there so I guess I still have some loyalties towards it. They've really killed the Christmas advert game though in the last few years, I loved their one last year with Mrs Claus, and I probably love this year's one even more. It's perfect timing with the sequel of Paddington 2 coming out too. I just think it's a very sweet advert, it really warms your heart, I love Paddington bear anyway - throwback to my childhood. Young or old I think you'll find it hard to not find yourself smiling at this one. 

MORRISONS

This is my favourite. Okay I've said it. Morrison's you have outdone yourself this year! It's not really a shop I'd go into very often, partly because my nearest one is about a 20 minutes drive away at home, but it's kinda like out of our way in the middle of nowhere. I'm on the verge of tears every time I watch this, I just think it's adorable how the older brother is always encouraging his young sister- it really reminds you of what Christmas is all about, family. As cheesy as that sounds, so many stores focus their adverts on 'finding that perfect gift to show how much you care' that 'perfect gift' usually comes with an expensive price tag when really Christmas isn't about that. Honestly I think I'd rather have a good time with family then get the latest the iPhone (which I think is massively overrated btw). 

SAINSBURYS

Considering most of my kitchen stuff at uni is from Sainsburys, (you'd think I'm practically sponsered by them) I couldn't really not include their Christmas ad. I'm not a massive fan, I prefer the ones that pull on your heartstrings but I'm not saying this isn't a carefully put together advert. Sainsbury knew what they were doing here. It's very catchy and even though I don't like it, I still find myself singing along whenever I hear it on TV.

Before I go I quickly want to mention the Dancing on Ice trailer with the polar bears ice skating, if you haven't seen it already then you totally should check it out. I think it's genius, I saw it for the first time with my house mate last night and we were try to guess which shop it was for, little did we know it was for the new season of Dancing of Ice. It was a real surprise, I'm just putting it out there whoever thought of it needs to be given a pay rise asap. 

Hope you've all enjoyed this post. Next time you see a Christmas advert on TV give it some more credit because as much as I may get get hate for saying this but I don't think Christmas would be the same without them. 

What's your favourite Christmas ad this year?

See you tomorrow!

Festive Kisses

X

Image credit: Google 

Video Credit YouTube

Day 3 Blogmas 2k17

A slightly later in the day post today simply because I went to a house party last night so it was pretty inevitable that I wasn't going to be up early today. Still I've somehow gathered the motivation to go to the library to actually do work today so that's definitely an improvement that's for sure....

here goes nothing

LESSON THREE OF CHRISTMAS 2K17:

Sometimes things just don't plan out the way you expected.

Sat down at a house party last night and it suddenly dawned on me that things just don't always plan out like you expect. Sometimes this is great, sometimes it's not so great. Take yesterday for example I went round the Christmas market with one of my oldest friends from back home who also goes to the same uni as me, going to the Christmas market is kind of like our tradition, we went last year and had a really fun time. This year though it felt different I think I'd put so much pressure on the fact it needed to be as good as last year or better that it just kinda resulted in me not enjoying it at all. 

I feel like so much of life is like this. Take Christmas time for example, we all have such high expectations at this time of the year, maybe more than any other time of year. Yet in reality is it really worth it? I used to hate it when things didn't go the way I wanted them too because I felt I had failed whatever it was I was doing if it resulted in anything less than I expected. Nowadays it doesn't bother me quite so much, partly because I've accepted the fact that I'm so use to things not going my way that I've just got bored of constantly expecting things that probably won't happen. well...that got deep suddenly. Seriously though it's true.

Every Christmas as lame and as cheesy as this sounds I always want my Christmas to be like it is in the movies. Has it happened yet? no. Will it ever be like that? probably not. But hey that's okay. When I was little I remember my Dad always telling me that if things don't work out like you wanted them too then that's cool because obviously things weren't meant to be like that. I always joke with him that he says a lot of rubbish but actually thinking about it my Dad couldn't have been more right. I am a firm believer in fate, some people may call me a moron for believing in that but I have always said everything happens for a reason, people walk in and out of your life for a reason.  So maybe just maybe things don't work out the way you expected them to for a reason.

Hope this post makes sense to you guys. Let me know what you thought of it in the comments below or if you can relate to it at all. 

Should Christmas time be a time of expectations? 

See you back here tomorrow. 

Festive Kisses 

X

Image Credit: Pinterest.

Day 2 Blogmas 2k17

Well it's an improvement from yesterday, currently 12.16pm whilst I'm writing this and I'm dressed ready for the day, hair washed and ready for a productive (or not so productive) day of coursework. Fair enough I did sack off the gym this morning but let's just brush over that- who needs the gym anyway? definitely not me *haha*

Is anyone else still trying to get their head around the fact that Christmas is only 23 days away?  lol I'm still yet to even buy a Christmas card let alone any presents. I spent the morning looking online for my parents present and it was very unsuccessful. Ideally I'd love to send them to New York for a few days, realistically though I think a weekend in Bournemouth would be too much for my bank account right now. It's so annoying when you know the PERFECT gift for someone but the only thing stopping you getting it is the price tag. Still a girl can only try. 

*anyway enough waffling Gemma get on with the post*

LESSON TWO OF CHRISTMAS 2K17:

Christmas music may just be the BEST kind of music.

Very aware of the fact that yesterday the inner Grinch in me said I wasn't in the slightest bit looking forward to Christmas this year, 24 hours later I'm feeling very festive and just want to be home for Christmas already. But I guess that's the power of Christmas music for you. Last night we got back from spoons and played Mario Kart on the wii, listening to a bit of Christmas music (I know what you're all thinking wild student Friday night out) jokes it was actually really fun and definitely made me want cover every aspect of my life with a lil bit of Christmas magic.

Obviously everyone has their favourite christmas songs: Fairytale of New York anyone? Even a little bit of Mistletoe by the one & only Justin Bieber- No? I mean come on I know it's quite the same as the classics Driving Home for Christmas or Do they Know it's Christmas? Still I don't know about you but 'I should be playin' in the winter snow, but I'ma be under the mistletoe' yes I did just quote JB and no I'm not ashamed. c l a s s i c.

One christmas song (well album really) I did want to to mention is Sia's Everyday is Christmas, now before you make assumptions on it hear a girl out please. Yes it's not traditional, it is definitely a modern twist on Christmas songs but if you're in the mood to listen to Christmas music but not quite in the mood for the classics it's a nice alternative. Honestly I'm not normally a fan of the random Christmas album produced by the one artist you weren't expecting every year but I reached an all time low with my coursework and I need a bit of cheering up, this totally did the trick. 

I love Sia's music anyway so I guess it's not that much of a surprise, she has some real bangers- Unstoppable is a massive favourite of mine! Going slightly off topic for a second but did anyone else know Sia was Australian? Because not joking I did not know this and now I feel like my mind has literally been blown. Just me? okay then moving on... Back to my love of Sia. Not gonna lie to you, if you're not a fan of Sia's music anyway you most probably won't like this album but hey every album deserves a chance don't judge it till you've heard it. You might be surprised. HO HO HO is a tune! 

You've probably realised by now that I am starting to feel ever so slightly festive, it's like the Grinch inside of me is melting to the sound of Jingle Bells. I knew this would happen the second December started, even though I'm still heartbroken at not having my regular advent chocolate in the morning- you have no idea how much joy opening a little cardboard door brings me on a cold December morning....

Hope you all enjoyed this post! If you're yet to get in the festive mood then turn up your speakers and start blaring a bit of 'All I Want for Christmas is You' trust me it works every time, if you aren't singing along by the end of the song then you're not playing it loud enough. f a c t.

What's your favourite Christmas song?

I'd love to hear it in the comments below.

Anyway see you tomorrow, for more from my little festive bubble. Think Christmas is gonna be the thing that saves me from my uni work. 

Festive Kisses 

X

Image Credit: Google images.

Day 1 Blogmas 2k17

Let's just take a second to accept the fact that it's officially December 1st today- like where has this year actually gone? I swear it was summer like two weeks ago. 

As you've probably already gathered by the title of this post I am doing blogmas again this Christmas, even though it was hella stressful last year, it was still really enjoyable & definitely helped me to get in that festive spirit. This year though I want to do it slightly differently, partly because I feel so many people do blogmas nowadays like I need to do something that makes you guys think 'hey she's a bit different'. So I'm doing '24 lessons of Christmas', you're probably thinking 'what the hell?' but hold up and let a girl explain. everyday from now until the 24th December I am going to be blogging about something new I've learnt that day. It can be Christmas related like 'how I didn't get stampeded in the christmas shopping chaos', or fashion related or even just life related because hey no one's perfect. To me that makes sense I hope it does to you guys too.  

So as it is day 1 of blogmas I guess we better get started on lesson one, you wouldn't think sat in bed writing this, cup of tea besides me, Christmas songs playing that I couldn't possibly have learnt anything...

LESSON ONE OF CHRISTMAS 2K17:
It's okay to be jealous...

Very often in life we are told we shouldn't be jealous of people because we should support them and be happy for the fact that something is going so right for them in their life. In reality though we're actually a bit peeved at the fact things seem to work out for people who almost definitely don't deserve things to work out for them. Maybe that's harsh of me to say & it's certainly not in the festive spirit but right now that's how I feel.

You know when you just wake up in the morning and start your day by scrolling through socials to see what you missed (or not missed) in the hours you've been asleep and you just think sarcastically 'wow isn't that just great for you'. Okay so I'm aware I'm coming across as a bit of a grinch in this post, and truth be told I don't know what's happened to me, Christmas used to be one of my favourite times of the year but now I walk around a Christmas market and just think what's the point?

Christmas is very commercialised and a part of me really wishes it wasn't, there is no such thing as a 'perfect Christmas' because there's no such thing as a 'perfect' life. No amount of money you spend or lavish gifts you buy will make your Christmas better than anyone else's, it really annoys me because Christmas isn't about that or it shouldn't be anyway. It should be about making memories that when you look back on them in a few years time they'll still make you cry with laughter. It's okay to be jealous of people's lives, their relationships, their likability, their wealth but one thing you shouldn't be jealous of is someone else's Christmas. Christmas is such a personal thing, Christmas should be yours to own and make your own. So what if someone you know is flying out to the Maldives to spend Christmas with their boyfriend who cares? Yes you're not doing that instead you could even potentially be sat with a Christmas meal for one but we only choose to share the good stuff. No one shares the shitty 'oh look I had a breakdown today' or 'I got punched in the face' because that's not how we want others to perceive us. Sometimes I think sharing the shitty stuff actually makes you appreciate the good stuff so much more, even if you say your whole life is shit, there will still be some good shitty times. So if you want to be jealous of someone this Christmas or anytime of the year then that's fine no one is going to stop you, just remember life for everyone isn't all rose tinted 24/7 because quite frankly thats impossible. For once I'm not even going to suggest the fact it may be possible.

Hope you all enjoyed this post- let me know what you think of the whole '24 lessons of Christmas' thing in the comments below. See you tomorrow, where I'll hopefully have my life a bit more put together than sitting in bed at midday!

Festive kisses 
X

Image credit: Pinterest & Da Font.