Cracking Christmas

Well that's it, all over for another year but it was a good one!

I started my festivities on Christmas Eve Eve with a night out with family and friends

With age comes wisdom and we've all learnt that celebrating on Christmas Eve leads to trouble so we all decided to avoid hangovers on Christmas Day!

It was lovely to wake up on Christmas Day hangover free and enjoy a cuppa in bed before arriving at my parents welcomed by a sea of presents

Mum always wraps my gifts in Victoria Secrets packaging we've saved from our trips to the US over the years

My brother was happy posing with his new t-shirt!

Christmas cuddles with nanny

and auntie wants one too

Then it was Boxing Day fun for the family where I enjoyed playing with Violet's toys!

whilst Violet played with mine!

Fabulous!

Happy Hampers!

This year I was once again lucky enough to obtain a Fortnum & Mason hamper from work

This is my best one yet, fabulous size and ideal for the post Christmas declutter and organising I have planned for next week! Certainly worth the battle bringing it home on the underground this evening!

I am now finished with work until the New Year and can't wait for one or two lie ins - it's been a hectic month!

Rihanna Tuesday evening was FABULOUS!

What a great Christmas gift!

Now it's time to finish off wrapping presents, plan tomorrow's last minute bits and pieces and prepare for the big celebrations!

Decking the Halls

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about my Christmas decorating this year but once again I couldn't be happier!

I started with  a beautiful wreath from a local florist - the only difference being all creations are from artificial flowers

The shop is wonderful and I will be returning after Christmas and buying a few displays to use in my home to save the cost (and quick death!) of real flowers!

The latest ornament to adorn my tree is a New Zealand All Blacks Santa

A gift from my friend Ben on his return from New Zealand - I do love decorations on my tree that tell a story!

And of course the red sofa covers are back with new cushions as I showed in earlier post but you will see some festive friends have appeared!

Betty Boop as an angel is keeping watch over me

Whilst the Grinch keeps an eye on my festive DVD collection

I hope you enjoyed that little tour... and yes you can see a Gingerbread Hello Kitty peeking out above!

I hope you are all enjoying making your homes festive.... this time next week we'll be stuffed full of turkey!

Baby Showering!

Today I'm off to the baby shower of my good friend Maria

We've been very excited about the impending arrival of her little man in the new year and watching as her bump grows bigger every day!

It's certainly something to look forward to in the usually depressing month of January!

Festive Family

Here are some lovely photos of me with my niece and nephew last weekend and my newly decorated Christmas tree!