Sundaze 245: Snow Day, Festive Gatherings and Christmas Break

I can hardly believe that Christmas Day is next week! Next week! This year, I feel like December really raced by, but I’m really glad I carved out some time to soak up all of its joys. From girls’ afternoons to wintry date nights, snow days to snug afternoons by the fire, I’m lapping up all of the winter feels at the moment. Seasonal living is just great.

After a rougher-than-normal start to the month, I’m feeling relaxed, grateful and festive. Thank you so much to everybody that reached out after my last Sundaze – step by step I’m getting there. A big priority for me next year will be my health and wellness. In fact, I’m already looking after myself a touch better than I had been – we don’t have to wait for the dawn of a new year.

Snow day in Hertfordshire

Monday saw a snow day for us here in Hertfordshire! It wasn’t much of a shock, given we’d had endless days of below freezing temperatures and ceaseless frost on the ground. We headed out over the weekend for a very frosty (and shorter than usual!) country walk followed by lunch at one of our favourite country pubs, and were totally defeated by the cold!

The snow, however, was glorious. It fell on a working-from-home day for me – joy! – and made everything feel so bright and lovely. I bundled up warmly in my new puffer coat and old Hunter boots to deliver the last batch of & Chai orders before Christmas. I even appreciated it scuppering my plans to drive to the gym each morning, as my body told me I really needed a break.

Festive gatherings with the girls

I love to prioritise time with my friends: it’s a tonic for the soul. And with Christmas around the corner, we planned in a Christmas crafts and cocktails day! It’s become a real tradition for us to block out an afternoon in our diaries, chip in for themed crafting supplies and sip cocktails and have nibbles while we craft. The best. For this round, we crafted hand-painted baubles, personalised stockings and ornaments, and feasted on a vegan party food spread – dreamy! I’m already looking forward to a 2023 full of even more crafts, food and chatter.

Self-care should be an always-on priority

Like I said, health and wellness is a big priority for me again. It’s easy to let little things slip, but remembering to take my vitamins and meds each day, managing my diet with macros, exercising regularly and keeping on top of my medical and beauty appointments is already making a world of difference. Even if it does mean tearing myself away from my beloved books for a little each day!

A short break for the holidays

And with that, I’m ready to take a short break for the holidays! I shared my 2023 bullet journal post this week, which always feels like a fitting way to round off the year’s posts. If you’re curious about how I’ve set mine up and what next year’s journal will be purposed for, head over and read the full post. I still have a week of work to go, but I’ll be tinkering away with some features of this blog over the next couple of weeks, so you may see me briefly take it offline.

I’m excited for a fresh start for the New Year. I took some time this week to reflect on the year and set out my 2023 hopes and goals, and it has really sparked my spirit again. I’ll be over on Twitter and Instagram, I’m sure, but I’d love to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year, however you’re spending it. Let me know what your plans are in the comments below!

Links I’ve Loved

We finished watching Wednesday last weekend and now I’m finally reading ALL of the articles about the Netflix series. Loved this one about love triangles on The Everygirl.
I’m sure many of you have already finished your Christmas gift shopping by now. But if you haven’t, A Cup of Jo rounded up their favourite cookbooks, which would make a perfect gift for your festive hosts.
It always warms my heart when readers are inspired by my blog to start similar series: Melina shares weekly musings in her similarly named Fridaze series.
We’re on the final stretch of a really cold snap in England. The Everygirl shared 7 outdoor activities that you won’t mind braving the cold for – a lovely read!
Recently bought this Undated Life Planner Refill from Martha Brook London for the Life Planner I was gifted last year. I ended up favouring my bullet journal all year, so I’ve decided to create a new personalised patch for mine and re-gift it to a stationery-loving friend!
I’m really enjoying Lauren Grace’s vlogmas series this year!
This is the notebook I chose for my 2023 bullet journal.
I loved these decluttering tips on A Considered Life. I do a declutter monthly, but a particularly thorough one before Christmas so I don’t feel too overwhelmed after opening gifts.