The Magic of Christmas

Dress - C/O Chi Chi Clothing via etailPR

Christmas Crown - Crown and Glory

Shoes - Kurt Geiger

Necklace - Revamped Betty's

Every Christmas, for as long as I can remember, I've had a new special dress for the big day. It's just a tradition in my family. We might not leave the house all day and it might just be very close family, but still, we dress in our finest clothes, especially my mum and I. This year I didn't get around to purchasing my Christmas dress, mainly because I've been very busy and ill the last few months. I've just not had the time or energy, not even for much online shopping. So, I decided that this year I would have to make do with one of my many beauties in my wardrobe, to be decided on the day. That was until less than a week ago, when I found a parcel from Chi Chi on my door matt. Inside was this stunning Frances dress. A true fairy princess dress. I can't believe how lucky I am, that I get to wear something so amazing and magical this Christmas! In true blogger style, I braved a chilly winter afternoon to share with you my Christmas outfit. Just looking at these photos gives me the chills! At least tomorrow the house will be nice and toasty! I'm very much looking forward to Christmas day, especially for the roast turkey, presents and cheer. Oh, and the Downton Christmas Special, that's if I'm still awake!

There's always something magical about Christmas Eve, especially in the afternoon. It's tradition for my mum and I to watch the Tale of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter whilst eating mince pies and chocolates. So on that note, I better get a move on so I don't miss out. All there is left to say, is that I wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Emma Xx

Festive Tea Cakes

Nothing says Christmas more than a festive sweet treat, but it's not always easy whipping up fudge, sweets or cupcakes when there's just so much to do before the big day. Cue festive tea cakes. Made to look like Christmas puddings, they're a big hit in my house. I don't really feel like I can call this a recipe, it's more of a pimp my tea cake affair, and let me tell you pimping these little treats up is easy as pie and takes hardly any time at all.

For 12 tea cakes you will need

2 boxes of Tunnocks Tea Cakes

Waitrose freeze dried strawberries

Waitrose green edible glitter flakes

100g icing sugar

Water

Unwrap all the tea cakes without sampling one if you can restrain yourself! Mix the icing sugar with a little water until you have a thick but slightly runny consistency. Using a teaspoon put a small amount of icing on top of a tea cake and spread it out a little. You might want to help make the drips by spreading some icing further down the side using the teaspoon or a kebab stick. Then add the green glitter flakes and some freeze dried strawberries in the centre. Repeat until all the teacakes are festively decorated. For an extra special touch you could add edible sparkly glitter on top.

As the one week countdown begins I can't wait to see everyone's festive posts and bakes. Let me know if you pimp your tea cakes!

Emma Xx

DIY Gift: Cookie Dough Truffles

Making homemade gifts for Christmas is not only fun, but will win you lots of brownie points from friends and family. It also doesn't need to be expensive. Its safe to say I've been a busy bee in the kitchen. I've had a lot of fun making these very easy cookie dough truffles to give to friends as gifts. I'm very impressed with how easy it was to make and how well they turned out. I would go as far in saying the cookie dough tastes nicer than that found in ben and Jerry's cookie dough icecream - sorry boyfriends! I found the recipe on pinterest. It is however in American cup measurements. Which is fine for me as I have American cups. I have translated it into English for those that don't own any.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened - 113g
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar -110g
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour -256g
• 1 can condensed milk
• miniature chocolate chips (as many as you like) 
• 400g milk chocolate
• Dr. Oetker Shimmer Spray

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy then add the vanilla and mix well. Gradually add flour, alternately with condensed milk, beating well after each addition. Lastly mix in chocolate chips. Now you have cookie dough!! Let it harden in the fridge.
2. When the mix is hard but you can still scoop it out, shape into balls and place on baking paper. Loosely cover and pop them back in the fridge for 1-2 hours or until firm.
3. Melt the chocolate until smooth. Dip balls in and use teaspoons to coat them, allow excess to drip off. Place back on the baking paper.  
4. Spray with gold or silver edible spay. 
5. Add to bags, put in boxes if you have any. You now have yummy gifts ready for your loved ones.

 This mix will make around 33 truffles.  Don't forget to save some for yourself!

If anyone makes these I would love t know how they turned out.

Emma Xx

Independent Gift Guide For Girls

When it comes to buying Christmas presents on the high street, I nearly always have that fear of "what if they already have this?" Chances are they've already seen it anyway while shopping themselves. Our high streets are filled up with the same shops up and down the Uk and all around the world. They're the frontline of money making machines who turn out thousands of the same item. Now don't get me wrong, I love shopping on the high street but when it comes to presents, independent shops are amazing. So if you've still got shopping to do or fancy something for yourself think about going independent. Not only can you find things you and your loved ones have never seen before but you can find work from some of the most talented people out there, people who put time and effort into every piece they sell. This year some of my favourite gifts I've bought are from independent shops, I'm so excited for my friends and family to open their gifts and see something they've never seen before. 

With my very limited digital collage skills, I have put together my own personal guide for girls featuring some of my favourite independent sellers and items. 

Rockability Robin Dress £55 (here), Squirrel Dress £55 (here)

The perfect Christmas dress can be found at There's Only One Amy Laws. All handmade with beautiful hand printed designs, these dresses stand out in a subtle and elegant way. 

Last Christmas postage date is 19th December and made to measure orders must be made by the 12th December.

Standing Thinking Limited Edition Screen Print £35 (here), Let It Snow Locket £20 (here), Pegasus Locket £20 (here), Merry Christmas Card £2.50 (here)

Bondi Forest is the creation of Lee May Foster-Wilson who makes magical creations like no other I've seen. On the website you can find all sorts of amazing handmade items from jewellery, clothing and scarves to prints and cards.

Robin Tea Towl £8.50 (here), Robin Christmas Card £1.50 (here), Blue Tit Brooch £11 (here) 

I've been a fan of Little Pip Designs for a long time now and I love the little birdies that Sarah makes out of scraps of fabric in her studio in Devon. The last uk postage date for Little Pip Designs is the 17th December. 

Hand Painted Cats In Stockings Broochs £10 (here)

British illustrator Emma Carlisle makes amazing hand painted wooden brooches, necklaces, greetings cards and much more. I fell in love with the faces on Emma's little characters when I found her on Instagram earlier this year. There's just something so cheeky but innocent about them that I love. As well as Christmas brooches Emma has created lovely Christmas cards too. 

Last christmas postage date for the Uk is the 17th December.

Christmas Cracker £10 (here), Liberace Heart Clips £15 each (here), Rococo Crown in Berry £40 (here), Gold Elbie Crown £35 (here)

For all hair accessory lovers I give you Crown and Glory. Based in Cornwall, the very clever and always inventive Sophie never fails to amaze me with her new creations. For a few months I have been signed up to the Glitterati Club - a monthly subscription to C&G. Over those few months I've built up a good collection of pretty crowns and glittery accessories. Sophie has something for every budget and style. The Christmas Crackers are a fantastic surprise! 

Last uk postage date for Crown and Glory is the 15th of December.

You're My Favourite Keyring £9 (here), Christmas Tree Brooch £7 (here), Banner Necklaces £15 (here), DIY Kitties Garland Kit £4 (here)

Many an hour I've spent looking at all be pretty things that Zoe has made for her shop Ladybirdlikes. Here are a few of my favourite things available at the moment. The postie delivered a lovely parcel from Ladybirdlikes only yesterday morning with presents for friends and this DIY kitties garland for me!

Pizza is my Boyfriend £19 (here)

Based in Stockton-on-Tees Thimble & Bobbin is the creation of Lauren Crawford. Every time I see a new creation I want to get the old hoop and threads out! Sadly all the Christmas hoops have been sold but there's still lots of unique creations in the shop like this quirky design which is currently on sale. 

Last Uk postage date is 19th December.

Key To My City Necklace £48 (here), Cat Silhouette Necklace £40 (here), London City Skyline Necklace £58 (here)

To decide what to buy from Mona Mara is never easy! I remember taking ages to decide if I wanted a cat necklace or the London city skyline necklace. Oh decisions! In the end I went for the London city skyline being one of my favourite cities. I'm so happy with my necklace and now have my eye on the key necklaces. A great thing about Mona Mara is that they have a sale full of slight seconds for a lot less than the completely perfect ones. 

Last Uk delivery date for Christmas is the 19th December for free delivery or the 23rd for next day delivery.

I hope you enjoyed my independent gift guide, it's really got me into the Christmas spirit.

Emma Xx

Pandora

Dress c/o Poppy Lux

Clutch bag - Primark 

Bracelet - Made by Ali

Earrings - Accessorize

Shoes - Boutique in Islington 

Earlier this week I stepped out in this gorgeous dress. It was so lovely to wear something so pretty after weeks of feeling worse health wise and wearing PJs more often than I would like to admit. I'm so excited to add this to my wardrobe, especially with the festive season coming up. It might not surprise you that 80% of my wardrobe is filled up with dresses, I currently own a shameful amount of them. About a year ago the figure stood at 65, I have since deliberately lost count, I mention this because I can't think of many dresses out of my personal collection or hoard if you will, that are as versatile as this one. When my Pandora shift dress by Poppy Lux, sister to Sugarhill Boutique, arrived I was so impressed as I realised it's potential. I can see myself happily wearing this for all accessions over the festive period and into the new year be it casual or smart. The fit is amazing, I feel balanced out with my hips and it fits my small waist perfectly. I kept this outfit simple to let the bold pattern standout and also to keep it more smart casual. I've teamed it with my beloved John Lewis 60's inspired coat which I've had for 6 years now, it's even been taken in when I lost weight as I couldn't bare to part with it! 

This beautiful bracelet was made by my online spoonie friend Ali. My glittery fairy. Recently, M&S have run an amazing campaign on twitter posing as The Two Faires, they have been granting wishes and spreading happiness across the land without letting on who they were for the first few weeks. After finding out I requested some joy for my mum, dear Ali asked if she could make my mum a bracelet to cheer her up. I was so touched by this and excited to see my mums face that when I opened the parcel to find not only a stunning bracelet for my mum but one for me too, I was so over joyed! - so was my mum! We've both been wearing them all week, I knew I had to incorporate it into this outfit and I think it goes so well especially with the sparkle of this amazing jewelled faux velvet clutch by Primark. 

Emma Xx

Autumn Tag

Autumn might be starting to fade but I'll be holding on until the bitter end, which is why when I found out the lovely Ali from Being Mummy with ME tagged me in this autumn tag I wanted to give it a go. Autumn along with spring and summer is one of my favourite time of year. Cut out months of winter, leaving maybe two weeks of it, just enough to cover Christmas and I believe I would have the perfect set of seasons! The colourful months always make me feel happy when I open my blind in the morning. So what better way to spend a little time than to answer questions on such a beautiful time of year?

1. Favourite Starbucks drink

Since being ill I've always had freezing cold hands so I can't think of a better way to warm up while having a catch up with a friend than clutching a mug of tasty goodness. I usually go for a green tea or peppermint tea but I think next time I'm going to have to try one of their seasonal spiced extra yummy sounding drinks.

2. Favourite music to listen to

There's a few songs that I associate with Autumn and tend to go back to them every time the leaves turn colour. A few of those being Diamonds by Ben Howard, Autumn by Paolo Nutini, New Heights by A Fine Frenzy.

Recently I've been listening a lot to Samantha Crain, Ed Sheeran and Simon and Garfunkel. 

3. Autumn scent

I love the smell of the woods this time of year, the leaves make it musty and the air make it smell fresh, a perfect combination. 

Perfume wise I'll wear the same ones I love all year, my latest favourite being Daisy Delight by Marc Jacobs which is very floral and fresh. 

4. Favourite Autumn lip product

What would I do without lip barm? My lips suffer a lot in the colder weather so I turn to one of many of my lip balms, my current favourite is a calippo flavoured one my best friend got me to cheer me up when I was having a relapse and had to cancel plans with for her birthday.  

I love wearing orangey red lipstick in autumn too.

5. What do you love most about Autumn?

I love the colourful leaves in autumn, I used to go to the woods and crunch and kick them up in the air but these days I see them more from my house or car windows. They make the dullest day seem brighter. I also love that Christmas is just around the corner which outweighs the on coming winter.

6. Go to Autumn accessories

So many people will have said this - scarves. I love a nice scarf and have a box load. I recently purchased an amazingly warm cosy double sided one from TU at sainsbury's. It's tartan one side and black and white checks the other, it's also almost big enough to be used as a blanket wrap.

7. Favourite Halloween movie

Sleepy hollow although I've not seen that for a very long time! It leaves me half scared and creeped out which I don't really like. I'm not much of a scary film fan but I do think this one is great.

8. Favourite Autumn nail polish

Orange with an Opel top coat has been my favourite this seasons, it seems to remind me of the leaves.

9. What are you most looking forward to this Autumn?

Being creative in my art classes is one of my favourite things that I've been looking forward to since early this summer. Without this class I feel a little empty, I think being creative out of my home with like minded people is really good for me particularly as my chronic illness is very restricting on my day to say activities and social life. It's nice just for a few hours to step away from it and just be me with out the ME.

Thank you Ali for tagging me to do this tag, it's been lots of fun. If anyone else would like to join in your welcome to copy the questions for your own blog.

I hope you're all having a sunny fresh autumnal day!

Emma Xx

Cat Lady Outfit

Cat Ears - Crown And Glory (similar here)

Dress - Topshop via ebay

Necklace - Ladybirdlikes

Bag - Ebay

Shoes - old M&S

Surprise surprise, the crazy cat girl is now dressing like a cat! I promise it's not a regular thing, just some fun to brighten my day a few weeks ago. When I visited Bath in September I saw the most amazing novelty cat bag which my inner child was stamping her feet to get hold of, it cost around £30, so she didn't get her way. Not until I got home anyway, I found the very same bag on eBay for under a fiver with shipping included. A few weeks later and daa daa here we are! I've had to hide it away for now as my cat Pixie is scared of it! My mum got hold of the bag and while Pixie was on my bed my mum creeped up to her holding it, I've never seen a cat jump backwards at the sight of a handbag!

For this post I couldn't resist wearing my Crown and Glory cat ears to transform myself into a feline, another sight Pixie isn't so sure of!

I'm so happy that I have finally managed to share this post with you, I planned to do so a few weeks ago but I just didn't have the energy to put it together and it's been playing on my mind ever since. I've got so much planned for the next few weeks, so fingers crossed my health will be on my side.

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.

Emma Xx