A very merry hello to you all from chilly England! This week has been mighty cold here in England, so cold that the other day my Dad and I stepped out of the car to walk Milo and we very nearly turned around and drove straight home. Onwards we persevered, slipping slightly on the frosted paths, our dog bumbling by our feet and we got chatting to many a kind dog walker, made all the more merrier by Christmas wishes exchanged and niceties swapped of one another’s dog attire. And hasn’t the weather been insane of late, too? Today we had our first snowfall of the season and had the wildest time taking photos in the snow with my love and with my family. My heart goes out to anybody, too, that has been or is being affected by the ongoing LA wildfires.

Aside from that, any spare moment of mine has been spent napping or wrapping Christmas presents in a truly indulgent, December manner. I’m just so tired, dammit. Today, however, and as you’re reading this, I’m driving down to my best friend’s for Christmas! We’re swapping gifts and getting food and all of that usual festive good stuff. I cannot wait.

A Christmas party

A Christmas party is almost unheard of for us freelancer types and so when one of my clients invited me to their annual festive gathering, I totally jumped at the chance! Ours was a beautiful carnival-themed party in a marquee at a local activity farm, complete with a rum bar, dodgem arena and a Ferris wheel! I LOVE the dress that I settled on wearing for the evening – the look will be up on the blog early next week.

My hunt for the perfect teddy coat!

Some time in November, I decided that I needed a teddy coat. And so the hunt began… I’ve ordered (and returned) around 6 coats to date, before finally settling on my perfect one. The Topshop one was too big on the shoulders, the H&M one too long, the Pull & Bear felt too short, the Monki one sold out. And finally, I found my dream coat from Stradivarius. Again — come back on Tuesday to see it in action. IT’S SO FLUFFY I’M GONNA DIE.

Anime time

On Friday I had one of those rare evenings in where my family and boyfriend were all out at Christmas events and I had the house to myself. In true me style, I made a bowlful of rice and five-spice tofu, brewed a coffee the size of my face and plopped myself in the bathtub with a couple of episodes of anime. I started Blend S on Marzia’s recommendation and got myself up-to-date with my favourite, Himouto! Umaru-Chan Season 2. So good. I’m currently getting caught up with Riverdale – I’ve managed to miss the last 3 episodes?! – and can’t wait to get stuck into some more series that I’ve had on my Netflix list.

The Lights Fest

Harvey bought us tickets to London’s The Light Fest for next summer! An evening of lantern lighting, live music and food, and I can’t bloody wait. You can register for tickets here.

Currently Coveting:

Links I’ve Loved:

• Something that needs to be talked about more is Toxic Shock Syndrome and this interview on Darling Magazine does a great job of that.
• Jess included me in her round-up of blogs that she is always drawn back to and I had a great time discovering new blogs to read too!
• This outfit and the words to accompany it are remarkably just some of the reasons why I adore Sade so much.
• I can’t wait to try these Noodles in Curry Broth from Half Baked Harvest.
• Save this recipe Banh Mi Turkey Sandwich from Gem to your favourites, ready for the post-Christmas feast.