Tuesday 22 December 2015

blogmas day 21 - christmas 2015 - Christmas without kids


I hear a lot of people say that christmas is for children. I do somewhat agree with this, as the magic of santa and his flying sleigh eventually is lost on us adults.
I imagine spending all of the festive season buying your children gifts and making christmas a magical day for them does make you feel like christmas is for the kids.

But there are a group of us, childfree or just who havent got children yet, who enjoy the day just as much but in a very different way.

I think being open minded when reading this is very important. There is no room for judging here - If you chose to have children, I think thats great if it works for you. I hope you can appriciate that I chose something different.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Now, to tell you a bit about our day!

Shall we start with christmas eve?


Christmas Eve:
I wake up around 9am ish, I dont have to be up for anything really so a little lay in until around 10 wouldnt be unusual on this day.
I will spend my day cooking up party food and making our little home "guest ready". Making sure we have plenty of extra towels and blankets washed and folded for guests that will be staying the following day.

My partner, Ryan is at work this year (we both work at the same place, but I had holiday booked over christmas) until about 5. So it will be just me jammin out to over played christmas songs most of the afternoon with a glass of wine or 2.

I have a spa bath around 3pm for an hour, packed with dead sea salts, cocoa butters, bubbles, petals & candles. Add in face and hair masks and its a job well done. Get all my skin and hair looking beautiful. Slip into some nice nightwear, sort out my hair and the evening begins.


Once Ryans home we settle down on the sofas, pull over the festive tarten blankets, light some candles and talk about our days.
Within no time at all we will start getting ready for our evening. This consists of a Game of Thrones marathon, Chinese takeout and some decent bourbon...
 ...We feed eachother malteasers while waiting for dinner.

I dont think this is a normal christmas eve for most, but for us its such a cute little tradition that we now do every year.
We end up in bed around 12 ready for the big day...

Christmas Day:

Wake up around 8.30, we need to be up quite early as we have a lot happening. Rush into the living room, grabbing the cat on the way!
Switch on the virtual fireplace on our spare screen and pop some christmas music on for background noise. This will all only take a few moments. Grab a few christmas morning candid piccies of us in our most festive PJs. Then we get down to it.
The cat has his stocking first, this year he has a new dangle toy and a couple of bags of treats. Not much but he is spoilt all year round anyway. We "help" him open them, and grab a few piccies whiles he is doing it. (We LOVE our cat haha). Once that little novelty is over, we move on to our christnas gifts to eachother.
(Hope to dress Frodo up like this cutie ^)

This year I got my other half a Phillips shaver he wanted, a new PS4 game (Just Cause 3) some new tops, pj bottoms, pj set, a new book he wanted (Poem for my sprog) and a bundle of stocking fillers including a new watch, portable phone charger and novelty gifts.
I know what ive got, but I am leaving that for my blog post after christmas. I have been so so so spoilt this year!

Some beautiful christmas morning shots...
EXPECTATION:
REALITY:


After gift opening we will go and get dressed and get ready to go to my mum in laws for christmas breakfast. Before we leave the meats go in the oven on very low. She is an amazing cook and we get on so well, I love going to see her and her husband. We have breakfast (full english) and exchange gifts there, have a catch up and are usually home by 12.

Soon as I get home guests have usually started arriving, I will pop the meats on a higher heat soon as I get back home so dinner will be done for around 2.30.

Greet guests and do another prezzie exchange while grabbing some bubbly or something light to drink. From this point our guests arrive at will, so meet and greet as needed. Around 1.30 I pop in the potatoes, veggies, stuffing, pigs in blankets and start making up the gravy. When thats in I will lay the table for the main meal.
The night before I prep all the christmas veg and pop them in the fridge, so on Christmas day im not in the kitchen peeling and parboiling veg for most of the day. I just pull the trays out of the fridge and place in the oven. Saves me about an hour and a half doing this.
Stuffing balls are all pre-made and again, I just pop them in the oven when needed. Such a great way of doing things.
 

Dinner is served at 2.30 and everyone will sit down and enjoy. After dinner me and Ryan quickly wash up the plates and cutlery (takes around 10 mins to get all done) and all leftovers go in the fridge. A quick 5 min tidy up ready for more guests to arrive.

More gift exchanges and the board games come out.

Around 6pm we all take a break, The men head outside for cigars and bourbon. I will stay inside, while me and my bestie pop some champagne and eat expensive chocolates... such is christmas.

Around 7.30 I pull out the party food from the fridge (spring rolls, pork pies, chicken wings, hog roast sandwhichs... we have a ton this year, more than we could ever eat.) and I leave these out for a few hours so everyone can enjoy some christmas tea.
More board games and card games continue now all evening. These will definately end up drinking games and I expect most of us will be more than tipsy.



Monday 21 December 2015

Christmas 2015 Blogmas 20 - The Christmas Party Plans

So as you may know from my last short but sweet post we now have a little christmas party planned.
A handful of close friends will be joining us Christmas afternoon for an evening of drinks, games and of course, loads of yummy food.

Just the other day I grabbed the bestie and took her shopping with me. After a nice catch up lunch in costa we headed into Marks & Spencer to buy some party food. They had a beautiful selection this year and I am really pleased with all we got for the money.

Around 7pm Christmas tea will be served. Quite late but we do have so many events planned for christmas day its a matter of squeezing them all in at this point.

The Christmas Party Menu
 
Duck spring rolls
Mini toad in the holes
Snack size streak pies
Snack size turkey pies
Sausage rolls
Cheese and onion rolls
Mini chicken keives
Pork pies
Pigs in blankets 
Chicken and chips mini baskets
Turkey, cranberry and stuffing pasties
BBQ wings
Sticky sweet wings
Chicken legs
Cocktail sausages
Hog roast sandwiches
Mini chocolate eclairs
Mince pies
Cherry bakewells
Yule Log
Biscuits
 
Plus there will of course be lots of crisps and goodies from the 
snack table.
 
 
* * * 
 
Merry Christmas!
 

 

Sunday 20 December 2015

Hello guys and merry Christmas!
Blog massive has come and gone. What with work and being unwell I just haven't had the time.

Today through being in a truly festive mood I felt like popping up a little blog post.

There have been a few changes to the Christmas plans, we have more guests and a Christmas party.

Just thought I'd do a little update on what's going on here right now.

The tree:


The snack table



Saturday 5 December 2015

Blogmas day two - The soundtrack of christmas 2015 - Making a festive playlist

Sounds of the season

1) Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock

2) Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby

3) Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone

4) Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

5) Dean Martin - Let It Snow

6) Mel & Kim - Rocking Around The Christmas Tree

7) The Pogues Ft Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale Of New York

8) Wham! - Last Christmas

9) Idina Menzel & Michael Bublé - Baby It's Cold Outside

10) Band Aid - Do They Know It Christmas 

<3


Blogmas day 1 - Holidays are coming! My pre-christmas gifts to myself, yeah... its as weird as it sounds.

Hey guys, I am sorry I havent been blogging as much as I used to. In all honesty ive just started full time work and its been so difficult to find the time. I feel much better adjusted now and ready to crack on with Blogmas 2015.

* I just want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has ready my blog this year, I have had it around 8 months and have almost 34,000 views, I am amazed that people seem to be interested in what I ramble on about, so if you are reading this, thank you so much for taking the time to be here today <3 If anyone ever wants to contact me, email me on: katyconn92@hotmail.com I would be happy to hear from you. *

BLOGMAS day one

Holidays are coming! I spent so much time prepping for christmas this year I have no idea how I have found myself in december with still so much to do!

I have chosen to start out with an easy task that I LOVE doing... Christmas shopping... FOR ME!
No, you read me right, I buy myself little treats on the run up to christmas. I am not talking huge expensive gifts to lavish myself in, just cute little bath sets or the odd candle here and there.

Why do I do it?
I dont know where it all started from really... maybe its that I see little things and I really want and I know that nobody else will buy me? Maybe its that I get over excited when I see stuff I like on sale? Or maybe I am just plain spoilt... I have no idea, but I like it. Every week on the run up to christmas I gift myself and item. I guess its no different from an advent calender really??

So what do I do?
I hunt around online shops such as amazon, ebay, yours, boots and superdrug. I see things that I love and will use and I buy them. Its normally gift sets and little treats. Most of the time they are on sale and under say £4 per item.
This year I waiting for black friday and managed to get some amazing deals on amazon prime.

What do I get?
This year I got myself a number of gift sets (some shown bellow) I love anying skin care, hair care or beauty based.
I also got a celebrity weave fitted (LA weave hair extensions) and I love them.



So this is the end of blogmas day 1 - covering my weird little tradition.

Thursday 15 October 2015

My Christmas Wish List 2015 - Santa baby.

Santa baby,
A '54 convertible too, light blue;
I'll wait up for you, dear; Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight.




My Christmas Wish List 2015

I have been after this for a while, its £100 on Tiffany website. Inspired by the iconic key ring first introduced in 1969. Personally, I would opt for the 18 inch chain. If Santa doesnt bring me this I think I may treat myself to it as a late brithday gift to myself end of febuary.







Anna Sui Secret Wish
Its a scent I have been wearing throughout the years and out of every purfume I have ever owned this one has always felt the most like me. Its becoming hard to find now and I need this in my life. It is one of the most beautiful scents.





Clear clutch bag
I saw this on ebay for £13 and its one of the most beautiful things ive ever seen. Team this up with a class cream coat and your talking!

Item no: 251479825490






Make up brushes
These again were an ebay find, super cheap at around £5. I am in love with the colour and the brushes look fair quality. I can see one there that will be perfect for contouring. I have some mixed brand brushes already (UD, Benefit) but these are half the price and look as good. Sign me up!
item no: 261810297062




My bottle water bottle and canvas bag set
Next year I want to start making fresh smoothies every morning to take to work and this is perfect for me. I really want one of these. They are super cheap even with the bag. Great stocking filler, and I am the sad kind of loser who gets excited over a £2.79 water bottle.

Ebay Item no: 251948062339



Baby pink home ATM
Now this is a fun one... or at least I think it is. I LOVE being organised. Planners, to do lists, diaries. thats me. And the idea of having a little savings machine in my house fills me with a sad little joy. I could draw out a bit out of my wages each month, pop it in and have that as my "spending money". Its so easy to pop a bank card in the shops machien these days and not keep track of what your spending. I think I would really really like this. At £26 it seems just a really cute/fun thing to have around the house.

Ebay no: 331673624916


Harrods Barrel bag
Super cute and quite plain which I think, black goes with almost anything too.
£40
I have like the perfect notebook set and planner to go with this!
Found on Harrods.com
Snowflake Cookie Yankee Candle
Found on Yankee.co.uk for £7.99 for this small jar. Never much point in having a large one as its a christmas edition candle and a large one would still be going in late spring.
So cute, totally need this <3


Found here: https://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/party-poppers

All I have to say is "Its the only thing I ever wanted" To quote Sansa (GOT)





W7 Brow Parlour Eyebrow Kit
Ebay item number: 141788777943
£3.90



Starbucks travel mug - has ice coffee written all over it!
Ebay item no: 291583743547
£6.40



 Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck
50ml for £15!
Ebay item no: 311466010493



Yes please!
Ebay item no: 161379405216


Fruit champagne bubble bath
Ebay item number: 131285001849
£8.30


I really need one or two :/ at £1.50 each
Ebay number: 121097687115

 Bath sparkle
I would like either Snow Queen or Forever
Ebay number: 281259126094



Bath set I would LOVE
£9.95
Ebay number: 121772314139




W7 MATT black nail varnish
Ebay number: 151786809912
&
STARGAZER GOLD
Ebay number: 141558348278




YVES SAINT LAURENT MAKEUP BAG
Ebay item no: 262074047746


Clear and gold travel bag
£2!
Ebay number: 291595980658



Classy and cute size 7
Ebay number: 252111747807






Wall's body butter and exfo set Ebay number: 351493955725




Lip smackers in Feast and Twister!
3 for £3!
Hell yes!
Ebay no: 221424197382







Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing... A ring...
I don't mean on the phone; Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight 












My Cath Kidston Christmas Planner Diary 2015

Hi guys, I purchaused this little baby last week for just £6 (Ebay find) Its the Cath Kidston 2015 christmas "To Do" Diary/ planner.
Going to keep this short and sweet as just a quick mini review.

The Good:
 Decor is so cute, its christmas fare themed and the pages are bright and bold.
The print quality is very nice and the paper thickness is the best ive found on mini planners.
Very affordable and fits in purses/ bags easily.

The Bad:
Would have liked an extra section for decor plans but I have popped that in the notes section instead.
Not really any real bad points at all if im honest.

The Extras:
Has two pockets to keep lists and reciepts.
Has a hidden pencil in the spine which is super cute.


The sections are as follows.
2015 december calender chart with enough room to write little events or plans in.
"Food and Drink" section. I used this for shipping lists and menu planning.
"Cards and Gifts" Loads of space so dont worry about running out.
"To do" I felt there were a little too many of these pages but at least you wont be cut short.
"Notes" plenty of room on each page with these ones.

3 words to describe it:
Cute
Functional
Portable



Tuesday 29 September 2015

Christmas planning 2015 - The Christmas Menu




Christmas Day

Breakfast

Full English fry up
with
Fresh juices 

Lunch
 Christmas dinner

Meats
Lamb leg
Turkey crown
Roast Beef

Vegetables
Goose fat roasted potatoes with rosemary garnish
Honey sweet carrots and parsnips with thyme hints
Stock simmered sprouts
Sea salt sprinkled savoy cabbage
 Sweet and salty leek slices

 Extras
Tesco finest pigs in blankets with an optional homemade honey dressing
Homebaked yorkshire puddings
Aunt bessies yorkshire puddings
Homemade pork and chestnut stuffing balls
Paxo sage and onion stuffing
 Beef dripping gravy
 

 Dessert
A selection of
 Chocolate and Vanilla icecream bar
Chocolate flaked gateau
 Mince pies


 
A selection of party foods will be served at tea time
  along with a chorizo jam cheeseboard, chocolates and champagne



 Crisps, chocolates and alcholic drinks are had throughout the day.

 
 




 

Wednesday 16 September 2015

My Little Fall Clothing Haul 2015 Autumn

The last few weeks in England, the weather has brought nothing but rain showers and night-long thunderstorms. As I look out of my apartment window I see my quiet little street hidden under a thin blanket of autumn leaves and it finally dawns on me that fall has arrived.

So today, I am curled up on the sofa with my other half, all snug in my new soft pug socks I scored for 36p on ebay and the laptop in front of me.
What is a woman to do but start the fall shopping?

I looked though pinterest for fall inspired outfits. I fumbled across fox themed shoes and bags (which have gone on my "Must have" list!) But today I needed to start off a little more practical.

I wanted to put together an outfit inspired by fall colours, but avoiding the reds and burnt shades, as they do nothing for my skin tone.

I needed a cardigan. Something light but warm enough for fall. I wanted high buttons and pockets, like a boyfriend cardy. It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack but I got there eventually, finding this baby for just £6.49! At an online store called StyleMaxxUK.



Next up, I wanted soem new boots. Now I have proper UGGs but they are in a pinky/purple colour and I now really do not like them. So I just wanted a cheapy unbranded pair to keep me going over autumn really. I found these for just £5.99 on ebay from "GoSourcing" store. They had many colours and all sizes, but I wanted a set to match my new cardigan. They have the faux fur inside and teh bottoms seem to be reasonably thick, whilst having ridges for balance on wet days.





Next up, a plain top to go with these. I already have a few and will pick more up as I go but for now I settled for one. A roll sleeved basic navy top, baggy, casual and seemed rather cute to go under the cardy. Nice cold colour and it will match my jeggings. Just perfectly casual. This was just £8.93 from a store called "LadiesOutLook".





And to finnish off the look and add a spash of cool tartan colour in I picked up this adorable scarf. It screams fall to me and I am in love with it!
Just £3.98 on ebay!



Combine with navy jeggings and black leather satchel bag. Good stuff.

Not to everyones taste I am sure but I love it and the prices were fab.

Happy Fall Y'all,

Saturday 29 August 2015

Living on a budget - bulk cooking recipes and price breakdown - CUT YOUR FOOD BILL IN HALF EVERY MONTH!

So every week I would do the same thing, head to the supermarket and buy all the fresh produce I needed to cook a variety of home cooked meals.

To make a beef strognanoaff I would add the following to my basket:
350g of beef steak chunks
A large onion
Small punnet of mushrooms
Tin of evap milk
(assuming I have pepper, stock cube, paprika, splash of milk and tomato purree at home already)

This would come to around £4.40 and would make 2 portions (feed 2 adults). (S0 £2.20 each, plus rice or potatoes to go with)

Now what I do Is I add the following to my cart:
2 x 500g of frozen steak (1kg)
1/3 of a bag of cooking onions (4 small onions)
1 400g punnet of mushrooms
2 x tins of evap milk
(assuming I have pepper, stock cube, paprika, splash of milk and tomato purree at home already)

This costs me £7.90 and out of all this I got 10 portions (feed 10 adults) (So this costs just 80p each, plus rice or potatoes to go with)

Just but making a few changes and cooking in bulk I have found a way to save so much money and still feed my little family lovely home cooked meals with vegetables, quality meats and wonderful sauces. I do not use any value products to make these meals, I use own brand normally and shop between tesco, asda and iceland.







My recipe:
The Strognanoff

What do I need:
1kg of steak (If frozen defrost prior to cooking) (Icelands are ideal for the frozen bags)
4 small/medium cooking onions - chopped
400g punnet of mushrooms - sliced
2 tins of evaporated milk (I use an own brand)
Few pinches of pepper
Dash of paprika
2tbs of tomato purree
1 x beef stock cube (oxo is ideal)
200ml of milk (any)
1 x garlic glove
Splash of sunflow oil (or any oil really)
 Herbs to garnish, optional

Directions
Chop garlic and heat in a little oil. Add in the diced beef and allow to cook, stir every now and again.
While thats cooking, shop your veggies up and prep your stock.
Add in your chopped veg, tomato purree, pepper and paprika. Give it a a stir and allow the veg to mostly soften.
Next add in your stock, evaporated milks and milk. Stir round and allow to simmer for 10 mins.

Take it off the ring to cool. Once cold divide into 10 portions. I use large freezer bags.
Pop them in the freezer and take out as you like. Defrost over night before use. Re-heat on teh hob and add over rice, pasta or potatoes.


Thursday 27 August 2015

Mambi Happy Planner review Aug 2015

I recently purchaused the Me & My Big Ideas happy planner, in the "Life is Beauty Full" theme.
I have been using it for just over a month now and and I am really enjoying it. I feel like I am still getting used to it as its quite a change for me.
I would just like to review it and tell you all a little bit about the planner and help you decide if its the one for you.





View inside here:
http://www.meandmybigideas.com/create365-thehappyplanner/

 The Size
We will start with the size. Quite a large planner measuring at 7 x 9.25 inches. Its a lovely size to be able to hold all your stuff and you feel like you get good value for money with it.
Its a 18 month planner, which is lovely as you get a good year and a half to enjoy all the features.


The Arc System
As everybody knows the happy planner has an Arc discbound system. I know this causes a lot of worry with people, as they question how long this binding system will last.
Well, I have only had mine a month, but I can already tell you those pages are in very firmly and I have never had any looseness or rips.
The pages are super easy to take in and out and I havent found that had worn the pages down at all so far. 


The paper
The paper inside the planner is of very good quality! Not flimsy or cheap feeling. Nice decent sheets all in all.

Quality
Flawless! Totally flawless. No odd smudges or misprints anywhere at all. Colours and very bold and images sharp.

Little things I love

The little quotes along the bottom of the pages!
At the start of every month there are these cute overview pages where you can fill out events, plus a calender for the month.

Little things I dont love

Some of the pattern pages just arent for me
Not much note space BUT you can add these in from MAMBI

Cool Extras

They have freebies you can download on the website to enhance your planner
http://www.meandmybigideas.com/gallery-freeprintables

Planner stickers at my shop - FALL FREEBIES

Just a little update for you all :)
I have a little etsy shop that sells printable planner stickers!

Find me at www.etsy.com/uk/shop/StickersOfLondon

Here are some freebies for you all to save, print and enjoy <3