The Reindeer bra and other festive favourites.

Simply because..... who doesn't want to wake up on the 1st December surrounded by Christmas?

Why only have a week of festivities when you can have four??

I'm falling asleep snuggling with reindeers, dreaming that Evie from my festive novel 'Miracle on Regent Street' gets noticed (eeekkk, please Ali Harris!!) and waking up smelling the..... festive spice fragrance diffuser I bought from Next.

I'm bathing in Lush Golden Wonder bath ballistics, I'm ordering custom made bracelets from Daisy Does like a mad woman and I've even got snowflakes on my BRA (although I'm not sure posting a picture of it on the internet was the best idea I've had....)
Keep posted for reviews on ALL things festive..... including the chick lit advent calendar :)
WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS 2011.

Let's have a ball!

*cue Mariah*

Vote Blue Maiden

woaahhhhhh would you look at that makeup!

Somebody SERIOUSLY talented must have put that look together...... No, it wasn't me :(

My friend (and fellow Bridesmaid...more to come on that later) Kathryn is the most talented make up artist in the ENTIRE WORLD (as voted for by me)

She created 'Blue Maiden' herself and is now in the running to win a whole load of amazing prizes...... but she needs your vote here...... http://www.facebook.com/OfficialFearneCotton?sk=app_326590657357324

Just find 'Blue Maiden' in the gallery and click vote.....simple!

She is currently in fifth position. I am clearly biased, but she DESERVES to be winning by a MILE.

And...... if you do vote, she might just let me write about her fabulous makeup a little more :)

The Chicklit Advent Calendar - Day One

It may only be November, but with so many lovely glittery books out there I have started the Chick Lit Advent Calendar nice and early to allow maximum time for you to get snug with my festive favourites.
First on my list was A Season to Remember by Sheila O'Flanagan.
If you think November is a little too early to start feeling festive, can I suggest you step through the Tiffany coloured door of The Sugar Loaf Lodge. Do it wearing a onesie, carrying a hot chocolate and with every intention of turning the heating up and your electric blanket on.
A Season to remember promises ‘A special book of touching and poignant stories, guaranteed to warm your heart on a cold winter’s night’ – I’m expecting you are already fairly warm, due to the stifling amount heat I suggested you read in, however if your heart is too icy to be melted by the Sugar Loaf Lodge, I’m not sure you even deserve a Christmas anyway….
Sheila O’Flanagan’s characters range from the heartbroken Holly Gallagher (be prepared to be jealous of her Christmas Eve outfit. Especially if you took my advice on the onesie) right through to the unexpected Louisa.
Fans of Sheila’s will also enjoy a guest appearance from Andie, Jin and Cora from 'Anyone but him.'
She covers every topic imaginable including affairs, debt, adoption and even a sneaky lottery win – with each and every one, the magic of Christmas can always be relied on.
Don’t be fooled though. This book is not just about Christmas. Oh no, it has other angles covered . The history of the Sugar Loaf Lodge is such a sad tale and really does set the scene for the place which so many people find happiness within.
As each character’s chapter comes to an end, you are left waiting to see how they blend in with each other – and you will not be disappointed with the results.
As for the ending – all I can say is, please don’t get too over excited and accidentally look at the last line before you have finished. Wait….. savour it….. don’t even turn the page until you have finished your hot chocolate and you are ready to have a happy little cry (nobody wants snot and tears in their chocolate, not even happy ones).
Now….. turn over and enjoy.
What a book, what a cast of characters, what an ending.
Sheila O Flannagan has truly kick started my Christmas in November – starting the Chick Lit Advent Calendar early was the best idea I’ve had all year.

Bronson is on the Nice List

Just another reason to LOVE Christmas.

Bronson's festive outfits are from Primark.... He will be getting plenty of special treats in his stocking this year :)

The Chicklit Advent Calendar

Ahhhhhhhh........ Just the start of my countdown to Christmas with chicklit.

I have a fleece duvet, fleece pyjamas, electric blanket and a stash of biscuits...... No, I don't do this EVERY single night.... but it is a very snuggly countdown to Christmas :)

Reviews will follow shortly :)

My (Faux) Fur (Faux) Photoshoot

Today I took to the great outdoors (yes, my back garden) to have a photoshoot* to show off just how much I love, love, LOVE my new Rosa coat.......

It's soft, furry and goes with everything (a little bit like Bronson) Only yesterday, I wore it to the library just to feel more glamourous.

I will be wearing it for shopping, meals with friends, Christmas fayres and, most importantly of all........ my surprise weekend away.
I have absolutely no idea where I am being taken (by the best boyfriend in the World ;)), so I need a jacket that makes me feel amazing. Rosa (with a touch of Vivienne Westwood sparkle) is the one :)

I bought Rosa from http://www.room31.co.uk/ - unfourtunately, like all the best things in the World, it's currently sold out.

I am devastated - I love it so much, I want both of the other colours. In fact, I even want another black just in case I drop mince pies down this one......
Still, Room 31 have plenty of winter warmers available for to check out while I'm dreaming of Rosa....
Both of these sparkly little numbers will be coming on my weekend away....

http://room31.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=78&product_id=442 -

http://room31.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=78&product_id=435

And, since I fancy giving Kelly Rowland a run for her money, I will also be packing this... http://room31.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=78&product_id=444

Roll on pay day Friday....... I'm just a tiny bit concerned the new wardrobe I'm buying for my surprise shopping trip will leave me with no spending money for other people's presents......hmmmm
At least December is the best time for window shopping..... :)

*photographer = My Mum - who couldn't go very far since her leg is in pot and she is on crutches.... :D

Christmas Roses

Sixty Five Roses is a local (Hull) charity and with the help of Waitrose, Willerby we are raising money for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers.
We want to get you in the mood for Chrisssttttmmmaaassssssss!!

What could be a better way of spending Saturday 3rd December than surrounded by all things festive?


Stalls full of gift ideas make present buying easy, carols will have you singing, and if you need any more encouragement - Waitrose will be providing the mince pies, Coffee and hot chocolate.

If you have a craft stall, or would like to donate any lovely, festive presents please do get in touch.

If you would just like to part of this delicious, festive EXTRAVANGANZA (I'm clearly excited).... we'll see you at St. Mary's Church in Beverley on the 3rd December. Doors open at 11am..... (till 4pm) but please get there early as I really don't want to eat all of those mince pies before lunch....

'I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds round my neck'

Cystic Fibrosis. Easy to say isn't it?........ Now, ask a four year old to say it.

Not quite the same?!
Sixty-Five Roses is a charity created when Fiona and Suzi realised it would be easier to call this life limiting disease something a bit less clinical and a lot easier to say
Suzi's daughter Billi-Grace was born with the disease, and Fiona and Suzi, along with the kind support of Waitrose and the John Lewis Partnership, have made it their mission to make people aware of it and let them know how they can help.

There's the history...... now, we need YOU (and lots of roses)

We have a room at Feren's Art Gallery (Hull) to fill with roses......we have a Valentine's Ball to auction them off..... and we have an empty space where our logo should be.

Can you help?

Send us a rose..... let your imagination run wild - anything goes!

Paint, papier machier, even solid gold if you are feeling classy *ahem*

You rose will be put on display in the local art gallery and voted for...... the winner will be made into our logo.

All roses will be auctioned off at our Valentine's Ball in February....... so the better it is, the more money we make for people like Billi-Grace.

We would love roses from everybody - if you are a business, incorporate your logo, if you are famous, incorporate your autograph (and perhaps a lovely signed photo hehe)......... the list goes on.

Every last rose counts and will make a difference.

Please contact myself for more information :)

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.

James M. Barrie

PS. Chocolate roses are also more than welcome :D

PPS. or cupcake shaped ones

PPPS. Or roses made from cheese........

SNUGGGG

The most wonderful time of the year...... SERIOUSLY, I LOVE it. I cannot get enough of buying new coats, boots, hats, scarfs........ Anything snug, festive or sparkly and I'm all over it.

So, this year I wanted boots that were as comfy as Uggs but looked like I had made an effort.....and a coat that I loved more than life itself.

Like I said, this time of the year is quite important to me.

I found these boots on www.room31.co.uk They were delivered in pink parcel full of pink tissue.....who doesn't want their new darlings wrapped up in pink?! The boots are PERFECT. A little wedge gives me enough height to make sure I don't look like an elf (the one festive thing I don't want to be)....... they had fluff on the outside and LEOPARD PRINT on the inside. The cutest little things I've ever seen.

The coat is from www.ByJam.co.uk who I discovered at the BINTMLive event. WHY I hadn't found this website before, I have no idea. Real wool, fur collar and floral buttons. Need I say more? No, I don't think so.

Winter allllll wrapped up.