The Christmas Jumper alternative

When I told you my last outfit post look was the most "me" I looked at the post and thought the whole outfit really sums up entirely what I feel most comfortable in wearing from my wardrobe. What I'm going to refere to as comfort clothes.I do kind of think this t-shirt is a typical "me" throw on item, and the fact it's Christmas related is an extra bonus. 

A few weeks ago, I was sat blissfully blogging away paying no attention to anything around me, lost in my own little cyber world, when a noise caught my attention. A sound of twinkling bells coming from the TV, I looked up as I felt a grin forming across my face before I had even had a chance to look at the television, yep there it was the coca-cola truck gliding through my living room. I don't care if the John Lewis advert may cause more of a hype, if Sainsburry's have made us all cry this year, for me the one advert which will always be a sign of Christmas more than anything else is the coca-cola holidays are coming advert. 

So naturally you can imagine my excitement when I found this t-shirt in Primark of all place for the utter bargain of £6.00. I did question back in November when I purchased it if it was a little early for Christmas clothing to be hitting the shops but quite frankly I wasn't prepared for this to sell out. 

Photo credits: Jess Nelson

Holidays are coming t-shirt - Primark £6.00 (in store)
Also if your wondering, I have on skinny jeans and trainers with this.

Like this look: Pin this image on Pinterest

Sammie

Cranberry & white chocolate truffles recipe

Recently I've become rather fond of baking a lot more than ever, maybe it's the cold winter nights and cooking up delicious treats seems more the fitting way to spent the evenings. This week I decided I would have a go at making truffles. I've never made them before but it seemed an easy choice and perfect for the festive season which is slowly creeping up on us all. These white chocolate and cranberry truffles would make the perfect home made gift too for friends and family on that big day. Although I may need to perfect making them a smaller truffle size. Wouldn't want my mum thinking I've handed her a bag of scotch eggs on the big day. 

These are super easy and quick to make, unlike attempting to make fudge your also not at any risk of burning any pans. Plus there is very little washing up to do here. If you've read any of my baking posts, you will know I like my recipes quick and simple.   

You will need:

200ml cream, 450g of white chocolate (I'm using giant milky bar buttons), 200g dried cranberries, a handful of amaretti biscuit and a teaspoon of coco powder. 

How to make:

Pour the cream into a large bowl and microwave for 60 seconds to heat the cream. 

Add the chocolate buttons and stir into the cream, microwave for 30 seconds intervals and keep stiring until the mix is smooth and glossy. White chocolate burns very quickly so make sure you keep an eye on this. This should only take another minuet. 

Add the dried cranberries and stir into the mix. 

Pour the mix onto a baking tray and leave to set in the fridge for an hour. For plain truffles you can leave in the same bowl to set, however I wanted to keep the cranberrys even and not all sink to the bottom of the bowl. Using a flat baking tray also helps the mix set quicker. 

Grind the amaretti biscuits in a blender with a spoon ful of coco-powder. This is to coat the truffles. 

Once the truffle mix has set, spoon out the mixture with a tea spoon and quickly shape them into little balls. Don't try and get them perfect the quicker you do this the less the mix will melt. 

Coat them with the ground amaretti powder. 

share with family & friends and enjoy. 

Sammie

Lush Christmas 2014 range #Lushxmas

I know it's still a little early but you can't help notice the changes in the shops, the darker evenings and for me my morning order of a ginger bread latte is starting to feel a little more justified. Why? Well it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Apologises now for all of you sat with your head in your heads having just double checked the date yes it is only October but Christmas is coming. for most that's 2 pay days away so if your like me, a little planning goes a long way. 

I'm a massive child at heard and although Christmas means something slightly different now than it did a when I was a little girl I still get pretty excited. All be it I now look forward to singing along to Mariah after a few too many mulled wines, picking out presents for my family and friends, the cold crisp winter mornings and the smell of chestnuts wavering through the city, it's the small things which mean the magical day is on it's way. 

The build up to that big day is what I seem to enjoy the most, the 1st time you see the coca-cola advert, the window displays in the shops changing, the turning on of the city's Christmas lights (all be by someone you have never heard of) and snow fairy comes to lush! 

Lush is certainly a store that fully enters the spirit of Christmas, you may be a massive Lush fan like me or you may just pop in at Christmas without a clue to pick up one or two of their perfectly packaged gifts (I'm looking at the boys here). Yet there's no denying this brand do Christmas and do Christmas well. For me seeing the classic Christmas Snow Fairy shower gel in store is as much a part of Christmas as the John Lewis advert and the Coca-cola truck making it's appearance. So when I got the chance to visit the store and view all the new releases for 2014 Christmas I was oober excited. 

Christmas 2014 has brought so many new lush treats to get excited about, this year along side classics like the Cinders bath bomb and the candy mountain bubble bar, this year also see's the launch of the Christmas hedgehog and drummers drumming bubble bar, reindeer rock and baked alaska soap, the snow angel bath melt and the hot toddy and so white shower gels, plus many more exciting new products. 

The gift range has also incorporated all the new collection this year and the gift range is superb. For me I always look for products that aren't for the bath (I now only have a shower cubical, sobs) however this year Lush seem to have recognised this and I was surprised that there is a whole range of gifts that are suitable. 

My recommended gifts for you friends with showers only would be: Snowtime gift set Including happy hippy shower gel, baked alaska soap and the snowman shower jelly or the First Snow gift set including the first snow dusting powder, shimmy shimmy massage bar, snow fairy shower gel, bubble gum lip scrub, rock star soap, bakes alaska soap and the snowman fun kit. 

However for all you lucky people who have the luxury of having a bath (I really miss mine) I would also recommend checking out the Santa Claus is coming to town gift set*. Luckily for me at the end of next month I'm of for a girls weekend in a luxury holiday cottage so I will be packing the treats with me and taking advantage of a long lush soak in the bath. 

Lush Christmas 2014

Sammie

Wishlist | Christmas list |

So it's now officially December and to be honest I still can't believe it. I hate to be a Grinch but this year I don't feel festive at all. Having a total of 4 work Christmas do's pencilled in the diary (due to starting my new job next Monday), participating in 2 secret Santa's and a whole bunch of shopping to do I still can't quite believe Christmas is coming.

My mum has been asking me for weeks what I want for Christmas and I've barley given it any thought. Although I have asked Santa for a new camera. I think it is a sign of growing up as up until ...so many.. years ago I would be sat circling the entire Argos catalogue greedily picking out presents. Although I still hold grudges about not getting that Mr Frosty and question just why Santa couldn't fit that drum kit down the chimney, Christmas means a lot more now in some ways then it did when I was a child.

I personally love the whole build up to Christmas, the festive nights out, enjoying buying gifts for other people and even the smell of the Christmas tree. Christmas day is now more about enjoying good food, the get together of family and friends and of course the squabbles over board games and quizzes don't go a miss. (To all family members reading this, dad is on my team in any family Christmas board or quiz game) 

In contrast the above statements and "not wanting anything" I've manages to put together a little list of Christmas goodies, that might be able to find there way under my Christmas tree this year. 

Audrey Hepburn DVD Collection: Amazon
Since buying the Marilyn Monroe DVD collection, I've been intrigued by old movies. I'm fascinated watching them. The Audrey Hepburn collection will be a perfect addition to my DVD collection. 

Chase Marmalade Vodka: Harvey Nichols
Not the typical Christmas drink but for me this drink reminds me of Christmas. I've no idea why. I love unique drinks and since I discovered this a few years back it's been my Christmas drink of choice. 

Snow Fairy Shower Gel - Lush
No Christmas wishlist would be complete without a little treat from lush.  

Wonderland Dusty Pink & Gold Watch - Olivia Burton
Ever since I treated myself to my Daniel Wellington watch earlier this year, I've been lusting over more watches ever since. I never used to wear watches but I'm since converted. This Olivia Burton watch is girly yet elegant and classic and is very affordable in comparison to other good quality watches. 

Best Of Benefit - Benefit
I normally always end up buying the benefit gift sets for my mum or my sister. Each year the Christmas range seems to get more adorable and this year is no exception. 

Dior Addict Eau De Parfum - Dior
Christmas wouldn't be complete with some perfume. Although my fragrance of choice this year isn't a cheap one it's always nice to have your favourite fragrance for special occasions.  

What's on your Christmas list?

Sammie