Blogmas 2016 - Day 8 - The Flu

So here I am ill with the flu.

No make up on or any fancy hair,

feeling quite sorry for myself.

Bundled up in my snuggly jumper on the sofa, 

surrounded by cushions and throw blankets.

Ive got a hot water bottle by my feet and the laptop rested on my lap.

I feel hot. I feel cold.

Ive had a headache for 2 days now that keeps coming back.

Im hydrated. Im thirsty.

All my limbs feel like they have been kicked in.

Just nibbled a baguette then changed my mind halfway through.

My throat feels terrible.

I think tonight I will have tomato soup I can sip for dinner.

Maybe some crisps if im feeling adventurous.

Not very nutrious but it all I want.

My otherhalf bundled me up in blankets last night and put Maleficient on for me

which was really cute.

I like being coddled when im unwell.

I am meant to be on a girls night out tomorrow but dont think I will make it.

It would have been my first in 4 months. Im pretty peeved to miss it.

I might watch some christmas films tonight and snuggle with a hot drink or some

cold and flu sachet drink things.

The only good thing is I should be well by Christmas.

Nothing much to report im afraid.

Kate xxx

Blogmas 2016 - Day 7 - Maybe next year... My goals for 2017!

Blogmas 2016
Day 7

"Maybe next year..."

Here I am again! 

Today I want to talk to you about my goals for next year - How I plan to achieve them and where I am in my life right now and the ripening age of almost 25 (quater life crisis anyone??!)

So, in 2017 I have plans... Well yes, Kate, thats the point of the post *rolls eyes*

To learn to drive and buy a car.

Something I wish I had done a long time ago but alas life has not been too kind.

Between loss, cancer and recovery I feel like Ive barely had time to catch my breath.

But next year I will be able to drive, and most likely buy a car.
My partner is the same, we just want a little run around and there isnt much point in spending a fortune at this time in our lives, what with University coming up.

I think just a Corsa or the like will do.



Go on our first holiday together.

7 years, not once been abroad together.

Same reasons as above, health.

But now we are looking to go on one or two holidays next year.

I think id like to go to Barcelona or Malta.

Buy my first proper Chanel bag.

Its a dream I know. 2.55 lambs skin would complete my life.

I know its a crazy amount to spend on a bag, I know they are ££££ but

I would adore one. I would treasure it forever (its timeless after all) and I would work very hard to have it. (No daddys fortune here im afraid)

Im not against ebaying one if I can get it checked for aunthenticity.

In the town where I live thought id be scared of taking it out I think - either that or everyone would think its fake and walk on by haha!
We shall have to see on this one.

Get a proper dressing table together complete with an "Old Hollywood" mirror.

You know the one, they one with the lights all round! Ugh thats the dream.

I have a pinterest board with all the bits I want for it and some stunning DIYS.

I want it to be my corner of heaven in my home.
Its not a huge dream but will cost monies ... Maybe a birthday gift?

Get a new sofa set

Seriously our cat has ruined ours. Ripped and torn. Its so bad I have to have a throw over at all times.

Id love a new set in the new year. Just from argos or whatever.



Get home gym area

Our appartment is small but we have a bit of room for my foldout treadmill and weights. id love to keep this trend going in my home. I want to make smoothies everymorning for after my workout and try and get my health in shape.

Blogmas 2016 - Day 6 - Winter style - plus size - Newlook

Blogmas day 6
Winter Style

I am not embaressed to say Im a chunky monkey.

My thyroid is pretty much non existant and im on so many fake hormones and pills from the cancers it makes it so so difficult to shift weight. Ive ordered a load of home gym equiptment for next year but I cannot imagine I will ever be tiny.

Ive made peace with this. Just about.

So shopping around for reasonable priced classy clothes can be a nightmare.

I mean, have you ever looked on some of these "cheap" clothing websites? Everything five pounds for example - even the models look bloody awful in too-short tshirts with a cat face on.

H&M have a tiny plus range and the clothes are not on par with the rest of the store.

Primark give it a good go, but some of the styles that suit slim women do not look even remotely right on podgy ones. Its just life.

What I hate about it is its like some stores want larger women to feel disgusting, unfashionable and unchic.

You know what store I love? Newlook.

Beautiful styles, fantastic prices and a plentiful range.

So lets have a look and see what they have on offer this season for us chunky girls.

This top

I mean oh my word, its so feminine and floaty. 

It looks good quality and is in a beautiful year round shade.

The shoulder drapes with a cold shoulder look - which is perfect

for those of us hoping to hide our upper arms.

The price is £22.99

Id say its perfect for date nights, girls nights out and even christmas parties.

Its not the sort of neckline I would wear a necklace with, but a nice pair of earrings would jazz this right up.

This top for lazy sundays

This top is something I adore. Its like It cannot make its mind up between grey and lilac.

The shape is not the most elegant, but its perfect for a sunday look with bedhead hair and a pair of cute leggings/jeggings/jeans.

Again, its had the advantage of a cold shoulder.

£13.49 in the sale

Its perfect for sunday mornings, indoor movie nights, doing the food shop run or even just chilling in a coffee shop.

Its relaxed, casual but with a slouchy elegance about it.

This Lacy number

This top is stunning and I will be going running to buy one too.

Us larger girls struggle to look as dainty as our smaller kin.

The lace on the top is placed so well to highlight th female curves. The fabric

is a beautiful delicate satin at will work with lumps or bumps to give

a smooth finish.

£17.99

I think this could work for so many occasions, but I am loving the idea of a new year party.

Team up with a beautiful bag and sparkle bracelet.

A little vinatge button up jacket wouldnt go to waste over this either.

This dress top

I actually saw this on the sale rail and picked one up. I didnt love the look on the website if im honest. It didnt stand out to me at all.

However, the bottom is more floaty that you can imagine and it has the look of a very short dress/long top.

paired with leggings its a great night out outfit or even paired with a cute jacket, it becomes a classy daytime outfit too.

£8.99 in the sale

The price makes it a must have if im honest. Pair with accessories to get the most out of it. Can be used for multiple occasions.

I personally will be pairing with a jacket and wearing it on a night out.

This Gilet

I eyed this up in the shop and didnt buy it. This will haunt me until I do.

Its very furry irl and the colour is devine.

 £27.99

I dont think I need to go over how versitile this piece is and how "in" the style is at the moment.

Its beautiful.

School runs, errands, coffee shops, shopping - look great doing it all.

This jumper

Dont underestimate it. Its classy colours and block colour will liven up your look and a few well placed accessories will put you in a league of your own.

I wore this even while ill with the flu and still looked pretty good!
Everyone needs a go-to jumper anyway.

The best part? £8.99 in the sale!

Going to leave it here today guys!

Blogmas day 6 - winter style

Blogmas 2016 - Day 5 - Little things I only do in the winter around the home

Blogmas day 5

This is just a little list about the things I do in the winter around my home

that I tend to avoid doing any other time of the year.

Some of you may find these a little odd.

Some may already do all of these.

& maybe some of you will want to try some?

Let me know!

Warming of the jarmies!

On the bottom of the bed, every evening, about half an hour before my partner comes home from work, I warm our PJs.

I take our folded PJs and place them either side of a heated hot water bottle. I then place the bundles on the bottom of our bed. So when its time to get changed we have warm cosy Pjs to climb into.

Now this could be done eaily over the heaters right? But there is something so simple and rustic about the hot water bottle method that I just love. Its a cute little tradition that I plan on keeping up as long as I can.

TIPS:

Afterwards, leave the hot water bottle down for kitty!





Boiling of the fruits

A homemade home airfreshener.
I have Yankee candles. I have fabreeze. I have over priced plug ins.
However I find THIS is how you get the smell of the festive season into your home.

Take a sauceplan and fill it halfway with water.

Throw in some left over sliced fruits, herbs and spices. Even pine and wine is great with this.

Now let it simmer for an hour or so. Your whole home with be warm and smell of the christmas sprit!

TIP:

No ingredients as above? Try simmering festive soaps and gels!

Lush christmas samples work great for this!





The Twinkle of the Home

I light every room. I have star lights this year (poundland find!) and I have draped them
over a stags head in the bedroom.
They make the cutest night lights ever.

Ive also draped them over our bathroom mirror.
It makes our whole bathroom look dewy and relaxing.

I leave the twinkle lights on almost all of the time, I dont turn them off. Same with battery candles.
I love my home having this magic warm glow when you walk into any given room.

Tip:
Use battery lights. They last ages and ages and are more versitile.
*Kodak batteries jumbo packs in poundland work fine for this*




The softening of the home

Cushions.
Normally in winter I put out fluffy or furry cushions.
This year I got these in poundland and they have taken
over my life.
I still cannot believe how nice they are for a pound,
feels like a joke.

Tip:
These cushions can go litterally anywhere.
Dining chairs, sofas, beds, seats...
But I love the idea of popping them in a little reading nook.
And they look super cute all bundled together.

So concludes Blogmas day 5
I may edit this with more at a later date.

Blogmas 2016 - Day 4 - Winter bucket list!

Blogmas day 4
The Winter Bucket list

The Winter bucket List

Watch at least 5 Christmas Movies you have never seen

Make a Christmas decoration for the table or tree

Buy some of the Lush Christmas range and take long bubble baths every night

Do something nice for someone

Make homemade hot chocolates with heart mallows for all guests

Boil festive fruits and spices on the stove for a christmas home fragrance

Donate to an animal charity (blankets, money, pet food)

Have a fire going every evening, even if its artificial

Deliver gifts to neighbours

Pre Christmas clean

Bake

Blogmas 2016 - Day 3 - The best things in the winter

Lush

Christmas bath bombs and bubble bars

Does it get any better than climbing into a hot bath scented with 

satsumas and spices? No. No it doesnt.






Hot Chocolate

I love adding in heart shaped marshmallows!

This and a good christmas movie.

Love actually anyone?






Christmas Books!

Last year I read 'Something from Tiffanys'

I am still choosing this years christmas romance novel!

Christmas market Stalls

Obviously London is best for these but even local little gems

sell the cutest christmas earrings.





This my my top 4
What are yours?

xXx

Blogmas 2016 - Day 2 - Where we are at this christmas - life update and end of the year reflections

Blogmas day 2 - life update

Welcome to

Blogmas Day 2

Now this post may not be for everyone, but I thought I would do a little life update.

So this year I started out working for a well known insurance firm, all was well until around

March, when I suffered a breakdown. I dont make a point of talking about anxiety and mental health issues on here, but today I will will touch on it briefly.

Everything was getting ontop of me, and work seemed to make it even worse.

When I was there it was hit or miss. I would come home in a foul mood, which infected everyone around me and even my very home.

Depression happens to so many of us, and I am no different. 

Panic attacks, nosebleeds, headaches, therapists, doctors and tears all became part of my normal weekly scheduele.
I found no joy in hobbies and developed a shopping addiction to which I would break myself every single month. It was a vicious cycle. My past losses and cancers were just something I could move past. I was stuck in a never ending loop.

I quit my job in novemeber (after signing off for 2 months) and I feel so much better. I think I needed some head space for myself.


I have worked to turn my home into a piece of paradise, instead of the dark, undecorated messy hell-hole it had become.

Now, room to room you will find hanging stars and twinkle lights, warm candle glows and comfy cushions, towels or blankets.
Anyone who comes over feels right at home and for the first time the appartment actually feels like mine. 

Ive found hobbies, reading is now back to being one of my passions and I am enjoying art once more.

I feel awake for the first time in a long time.

End of Novemeber we come into some money, which will really be nice in the years to come.

Holidays and spa breaks next year will be just what the doctor ordered.

At the moment I am making no huge plans in the way of work. Although I will be studying late next year. At the moment I am taking each day as it comes.

I will be both sad and happy to say goodbye to this year. It hasnt been wonderful but its had its moments. This last month has proven to be better than expected. So its nice to go out on a bang.

This year I had goals.

Beat back depression
Decorate my home

Become financially stable

I guess I passed all in a fashion.

I feel next year will be one to celebrate.

I have goals.

Driving lessons 

Holiday (Barcelona? Malta? Austrailia? USA?)

Romantic weekends away

Learning new skills

Ive ordered a treadmill for our home in an attempt to get fit - so I m excited for that to arrive in time for the new year. I also feel a change in style coming on - watch this space!

Come on 2017!

Blogmas 2016 - Day 1 - The Tree

Blogmas day 1

Our home decor theme this year:

Winter Wonderland

Colours used:

Blues, silvers and golds.

Warm tone lights, total bargain from wilko - 2 sets at £6 each.
Last year I made the mistake of using cold tone lights and it was just too
much with the white tree and cold colour decor.

Our living room is dark blue with all white furniture and gold and blue accents,
so as you can imagine the colours really compliment it.

Ive also added lots of glass and crystal elements to the living room, so it
all ties in beautifully. Think I will upload pictures of the completed look
during blogmas.

  This is the main decorative element from my living room coffee table.

Charger plate from poundland could you believe. Stag from wilko at just £1.50.

Candles are battery op and ive had them a good couple of years now.

The rest is is just pinecones I found on a walk round our area and some baubles I

had left over.

Ive had loads of compliments on it so that makes me pretty happy.

Im rather in love with the colour scheme. 

It feels very "adult" and just works with our home.

As a child I loved a good old green tree smothered in multicoloured 

decorations, chunky tinsel and little wooden drummers, but in our adult home

I am just not sure it has much of a place.

Merry Christmas!

Kate