001. F i r e w o r k s
November started with fireworks – literally. We went to see the fireworks at a pub near us in Bransgore – they had a hogroast, a brass band and mulled cider but the queues were a little long so we escaped the hubbub for a dinner of fish and chips out of the paper (why do they taste so much better open, and devoured outside in the cold?) and then went for drinks at another country pub. The perfect start to the festive season.
002. B o o k s
I’ve been reading a lot more at the moment – on the train, and before bed; there’s something about the winter months that definitely lend themselves to curling up with a good book. I received the most perfect package from Penguin Books a couple of weeks ago and I couldn’t help but bump it to the top of my ‘to read’ list. The blurb reads “Etta’s greatest unfulfilled wish, living in the rolling farmland of Saskatchewan, is to see the sea. And so, at the age of eighty-two she gets up very early one morning, takes a rifle, some chocolate, and her best boots, and begins walking the 2,000 miles to water“. I have a feeling that Etta and Otto and Russell and James‘ is going to be the perfect read over Christmas – it’s available in hardcover at the end of January but I believe you can get it on Kindle now.
003. D i n n e r a n d d r i n k s
It’s been a rather social November, with visits to friends, friends visiting us, as well as several dinner and drinks dates. This is what I wore for a trip to Pizza Express recently. I love my new H&M blazer and have been busting it out at every opportunity!
blazer: h&m, £29.99 // top: from a blogger swap shop
jeans: £28 // boots: m&s {old} // bag: oversized mulberry alexa {}
004. C h r i s t m a s c r a f t i n g
I’ve been practicing making a few crafty bits for Christmas presents – which obviously I can’t share here in case the recipients see them! But here’s one I can share – Yankee Candle sent me two kits to get my craft on making some decorations. An evening spent making things with Christmassy candles burning is definitely a good combination…
005. B r e a k f a s t a t K a t y ‘ s
We spent an absolutely amazing weekend with Katy, Claire, Sarah (and the boyfriends) at Katy’s house – we went ice-skating, played Cards of Humanity, drank fizz and generally had a completely awesome time. Then we were treated to breakfast, Little Winter style – and I don’t want to eat anything but Nutella French Toast ever again…
009. B l u s t e r y w a l k s
Walks by the sea are perfect in the summer but there’s equally something a little special about a seaside walk in the chillier months – a stroll along the beach to take in the fresh, salty air, is the perfect way to blow the cobwebs away (and burn off some off those Matchmakers!) We spent a lovely day with Tom’s parents one Saturday – a walk to Mudeford Quay, mulled wine, and a lovely dinner out in Christchurch.
010. A f e s t i v e w e e k e n d w i t h S a r a h a n d G r a y
Luckily after our weekend at Katy’s, Sarah and her husband Gray weren’t quite sick of us yet, and we invited them to stay with us last weekend. We went for hot chocolate, went vintage shopping, drank mulled wine, and visited the Christmas Market in Christchurch. It was totally perfect, so much so that I forgot to take any photos, except for this one of a stroll to Christchurch Harbour.
011. # A A A S e c r e t S a n t a
I partook in the Access All ASOS Secret Santa and sent the below little package of treats to my secret Santa (I was so excited to do my first Christmas wrapping of the year!) I also received an amazing package from Tea Party With Alice – she had me down to a T and bought me a yoga book, an enamel mug and a little trinket box. Perfect gifts!
All in all it has been a perfect November and I’m so excited to have got into the festive swing of things – we’ve now got our Christmas decorations up and I can’t wait to show you our Christmassy living room! I also must get on to blogging about the other exciting thing we did in November – the Royal Caribbean mini cruise on the Quantum of the Seas – so many photos to sort from that! Happy December everyone!
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