Sunday Summary #56

Another week has come and gone. The light is starting to draw out, which means spring is on its way! Horray. Feels like so long since the summer ended. Its been pretty cold again this week, warming slightly this weekend and the sun has even made an appearance. I love how much happier you feel when the sun is shining. I didn't spend much this week as I was planning my Valentine's meal and sorting out birthday presents for next week. Its one of my brother's and my oldest youngest brother's girlfriends birthdays. Its been so hard to think of things after Christmas. My brother just got an iPhone so he asked me for a case and an iTunes voucher as he's always downloading music so that was easy. The girlfriend was hard as she's not as girlie as me so I can't cheat and buy her make-up. I had a brainwave on Saturday to buy her a travel guide as they're going away in the summer and my boyfriend found a huge mug as she loves coffee and hot chocolate.  As a family we bought her a go karting experience so finally all birthdays are done until June (I think!). I spent Tuesday evening at my boyfriend's for his Dad's birthday. We got a Chinese takeaway on the way home from work and I got the most amazing chocolate cake from Marks and Spencer's. Honestly their cakes are insane. I adore their food as you certainly get what you pay for. Their prices aren't too high and when the quality is so good it justifies the slightly higher price of a supermarket. I definitely got good girlfriend points for the cake as it went down a storm. Having Chinese on Tuesday meant we didn't want it again Thursday so opted for a three course home cooked meal. I wasn't too excited on Thursday despite decorating the dining room the previous evening as I was rushed off my feet at work. It wasn't until I was on my way home that I felt excited. We had a prawn cocktail for starter as we both love them. My boyfriend wanted steak so I had salmon and I got gastro chips, green beans and carrot, garlic mushrooms and mushrooms we fried in butter (naughty but heavenly). I got a cheesecake for dessert but we got the fondue out and we were so stuffed after a few fondue bites. My boyfriend doesn't like salmon so it was so nice of him to prepare it and cook it for me even when I insisted I'd do it. My lovely gentleman was very naughty as we agreed one tiny present, and he surprised me with a beautiful bunch of roses and a Me To You ornament (well over budget). It was so unexpected and I hadn't seen it yet so it was a huge surprise. I can't wait to have my own house with an ornament cabinet for all my treasures. I think it'll be amazing to have a collection you can look at and remember who got you what and when for.
We had a chilled evening in last night with a massive Dominoes order. The dough balls they do are SO good and I love their potato wedges. We started the Lord Of The Rings boxset last Sunday but I fell asleep halfway through so we watched what I'd missed and the rest followed by Toy Story 2. I am so excited to watch Toy Story 3, it could be my favourite of the three. We woke to a beautiful sunny day this morning and then we went to see This is 40 at the cinema. It was funnier than I expected but I hope my life at 40 isn't like that! There is one truly hilarious scene where they get room service...there was a trailer for a film called Side Effects that I can't wait to see. It stars Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum and Jude Law (babes!) and looks like its about a new drug affecting a Rooney's character and getting her into trouble. I originally thought it was the follow up to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as Rooney was the first you saw. I haven't got to the cinema much lately but there's not been anything much on so really looking forward to getting back into it.

River Island satchel £35 (ASOS)

I have wanted a satchel for years but I'm so fussy none have ever been bought. When I saw this I really liked it and being from ASOS knew it would be easy to return if I didn't like it after all. I literally gasped when I opened the box. I'm not a nude girl but there's something about this, I love the detail and the contrast between smooth and texture. I'm anxious it might rub on my thigh and get that awful dark mark but I'll try to walk more with it in my elbow than on my shoulder. This bag is so big too, I'll be able to fit loads in.  

 River Island "love makes the world go round" bangle £6

I made a cheeky order on River Island as my bag browsing led to me finding some jewellery I just had to own. I really like this types of bangles but some can be so expensive so I thought this was a great alternative.

River Island Anchor ring £3

An anchor ring was obviously going to be mine. I love this little one so much. 

River Island Luck & Hope rings £4

More rings. I used to always go for big statement rings but am swaying more towards little ones recently. 

 River Island Heart thumb ring £2 

Bit of a long story but when my Mum got her first full time adult job pay packet she bought herself a gold ring with four hearts in a row, two up and two down and she gave it to me when I was little. I've treasured it and its so special but I've never seen anything remotely like it. I won't wear this as a thumb ring but on my fingers. Its the most similar I've ever found so I just had to buy it!

My only purchase this week was for these! I only bought these two colours and went back the next day for the green and pink ones have sold out. I'll get them I'm sure. Mine were 2 for £6 in Superdrug and usually £3.99 each. Boots won't have them for a while yet so Superdrug is the place to go!

 My wonderful boyfriend spoilt me on Valentine's :) 

I'm working more hours again this week so I've definitely got the Monday blues tonight. Sigh, its all money in the pot. Me and my boyfriend are thinking of our summer holiday destination so that's getting me excited and it seems Spring may just be starting to creep in. 

Hope you've all had good weeks 

Sunday Summary #49

So the best week of the year has been and gone, hope you had a lovely time with your loved ones. I had a wonderful few days, resting and being ridiculously full. I was very pleased with my Christmas presents, now I'm older I don't expect so much from my Mum but she always does well. She got me some stuff I'd really wanted. My boyfriend did well also and got me some lovely surprises. My oldest brother got me a Swarovski crystal duck! I've wanted one for so long but to be honest never thought seriously about getting one. I hadn't even told my Mum I wanted one so he made an excellent choice picking it for me! I nearly died when I opened it. He got me other lovely things too but it was definitely one of the best moments of Christmas Day for me. I now want the rest of the ducks, I have a thing for ducks and have loads of rubber ducks in my bathroom and my brother also got me china union jack one too. I was so full from my Christmas Day lunch I didn't eat another bite all day, I can't eat as much as I used to which is disappointing but probably good for the waistline. I was a bit surprised to find my work trousers felt even looser after Christmas, considering how full I still felt, it was very odd indeed. I didn't get much chocolate this year which is nice as I've still got loads of Easter chocolate, I used to be such a chocoholic and now I don't eat it too often or as much. I'll add some photos of my favourite Christmas presents below as I've enjoyed seeing shorter posts of gifts received.

New Year next and I can't wait to see it in with my boyfriend. Last year he was miles away with friends and I expected him to be away again this year but he is staying home. I really love the thought of opening the New Year with him even if we're just on the sofa! We've got Bucks Fizz, sky lanterns and a DVD to see the New Year in. I'm hoping to watch Michael McIntyre as I've heard its hilarious and there's nothing better than a good comedian. We'll be making wishes when we let our lanterns go and I'm hoping there'll be fireworks nearby :)

I'll be so sad when New Year is over, January can feel like such a drag. Planning lots with my boyfriend and friends to keep me busy and give me nights out to look forward to. Also need to attempt a frugal shopping month as I've treated myself to so many goodies this month. Christmas is always such an expensive month because I always see so much I want besides all the presents I need to buy. I save during the year for Christmas so it isn't too bad an impact on my bank balance but I still feel odd treating myself to so much! I really would like to get a new bag in the New Year and am debating between another Cath Kidston box bag (new shape) and a Pauls Boutique satchel or oversized. If not I'm sure Topshop or Accessorize might come up trumps. I often see nice River Island bags on other girls but when I look I never see one I like.

 My boyfriend got me Mouse :) loved The Amazing Spiderman and needed Gruffalo's Child 

 Minnie Snow Globe from a friend 

I love Russian Dolls and stationery sets so my friend thought this would be perfect for me, the box is really sturdy so once empty I can use it for storage 

Another very me gift! I adore Snow Fairy and Hello Kitty + Liberty Of London = Yes please! 

 The flash hasn't picked up the crystal so well, but if you've seen Swarovski in real life you'll know how incredibly well they catch the light 

Mum got me this frame, I can't wait to put a picture of me and my boyfriend in it!

 I only have a couple of Me To You ornaments but I really wanted this to commemorate this year with the Olympics and just feeling so very British. I love Union Jacks and this will look so iconic in any place

I burst out laughing when I opened this present! Marie is a favourite Disney character of mine and this top is brilliant. I love Marie's fierce face and the words and seems true as my girl cat is very feisty and stubborn sometimes 

I do love Disney and I fell in love with this the moment I saw it. I went back a few days later and they'd sold out. Fortunately my Mum obviously found one somewhere and snapped it up. I only have a couple of Disney Traditions ornaments but I'll never say no to another.  

My boyfriend got me this beautiful snow globe.  

He also got me this, which not only I love because its Disney and Tinkerbell, but it's called "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, HE LOVES ME!" Very appropriate I think :)

So my favourite gifts are very ornament, Disney, sentimental items, I'm all about memories and I know in years to remember who bought them for me will be lovely. I was truly spoilt and I really appreciate gifts that someone has thought long and hard about the type of present I'd like to receive. 

Last night me and my brothers took Mum out for her birthday with my boyfriend and my older brothers girlfriend. We've got such a nice pub up the road from us its perfect to just pop up there. The food is incredible and they have my all time favourite drink - Glitter Bomb - I die. I so wish Goldschlager was more readily available in the UK but alas. I wore my beautiful high top wedges, seriously the best invention EVER. Mum asked me why I was taller than her and I explained and she was like what! I forgot I had "heels" on, they're so comfortable and when I was a little tipsy lady walking home I was fine (even if it was just down the road!). They are quite sturdy so you remain relatively steady on your feet. I was so excited to get back home for Mum to open her presents. Me and my boyfriend got her a limited editon Disney watercolour painting of Snow White, her favourite. Needless to say she was happy with all her gifts and I've got some extra bits for her coming in the post. She loves vanilla and the Body Shop had loads of vanilla products reduced so I added them to my order. Will post my sale bits separately as its not all arrived yet but I haven't bought too much this year because I've found the sales to be a real disappointment. It was my one year anniversary with my boyfriend today and we had such a chilled day at home. I made him bacon sandwiches and scrambled egg for breakfast followed by a three course meal (although we didn't manage dessert as we were so full!). We watched Friends with Benefits again, its very funny with one liners and I love the way Mila and Justin bounce off each other and are so believable in their roles and emotions (which is obviously the sign of good acting!). I truly can't believe it's been a year together officially, it's gone so fast!
Anyway I hope you all have a wonderful time seeing the New Year in.
Hope you've all had great, festive weeks!

Crafty Christmas Doll

I decided back in the summer I was going to make my Christmas cards this year, although not all of them. When it finally came round to needing to get busy I was so preoccupied with other stuff I wasn't going to make any. In the end I had a spare hour one Sunday and made a handful of family and close friends cards. 

 You will need: 

• pencil
• ruler
• rubber (i always use a putty (whsmith) leaves no marks, doesn't rub the paper/card off and removes all traces
• glitter and gel pens 
• letters (whsmith) 
• cards and envelopes (whsmith) 

 I used these packs of decals from whsmith, they were only £1.99 each, do two cards and are 3 for 2, bargain! If anything it probably works out cheaper to make your own cards then to buy and people appreciate your time and effort so much more. 

 Finished! I used a silver glitter pen to make little dots all over which kind of looks like snow falling. 

These were such a hit with my friends and family, they don't show how pretty and glittery they are in the pictures. 


I also eventually made time to make my Christmas sweet/chocolate bags. I make them every year and they look so cute! 

 I made Ellyn's name tag first using silver letters but realised I had other names much longer so hand wrote the rest. 

 My selection of sweets and chocolate. 

 The piles for the bags. 

Some of the finished bags :) 

Em x