Ah 2017, what to say about 2017... first of all, I'm going to apologies I had such hopes for my 12 days of Christmas posts but unfortunately life got a little busy and I had a few sick days so I didn't manage to get every post written but I promise I'm going to be better next year. Anyway, this post is really going to concentrate on rounding up the good and the bad of this year and my ambitions for 2018. 2017 has been in my opinion an alright year for me but I've had a few trials and tribulations too but instead of focusing on those, I'm going to look at them to how I can grow as a person next year. So let's start of with everything that I'm super thankful for this year! THE GOOD - My amazing placement for uni taught me so much and opened so many opportunities for me. - My boyfriend and I booked a holiday to my favourite place on earth for after I finish university - My sister took me to Rome and it was honestly so beautiful - My parents helped me move down to London for 10 weeks and supported me through everything - I cemented some great friendships - I got my first in a university project - My blog started to turn into something that I'm becoming proud of. This year I am truly thankful for the few people that I'm closet too, my family and boyfriend have helped me through ups and downs and supported me through everything I've done this year and I couldn't ask for better people in my life. 2018 AMBITIONS - Push through my final year of university and graduate with either a 1st or a 2.1 - Grow Hauteonmyheels.com into something bigger (I'm thinking complete blog overhaul) - Move in with my boyfriend, finally! (and get a dog). - Continue pursuing opportunities that can help to further my career - Grow my confidence and try things that are more outside of my comfort zone - Try new things and have as much fun as I can - Spend as much time with my loved ones as possible. So this post marks my last blog post of 2017 as I look forward to spending some much needed time relaxing and spending time with my family and boyfriend. All that's left to say is thank you if you've read my blog this year, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you all in 2018!
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Snow has fallen, which means I'm feeling even more festive than I was before if that's even possible! But anyway today is the mark of the 3rd Blogpost of Christmas and this time I'm coming in with a little something different. I've loved to bake, ever since I used to assist my mum in making cakes (mainly just eating the left over batter...) but there is something even better about baking at Christmas time. This festive period I've managed to take a little bit of time out from uni work and part time work to relax in the kitchen. Gingerbread cookies have always been a fan favourite of mine and I've always wanted to make them so this year I set myself the task of making a batch to prepare for if I get chance to make my own Christmas cake. These Gingerbread people turned out exactly how I wanted them to, you can taste the festive spices and the ginger without it being too overpowering. I left them un-iced as I really like the rustic feel of them but of course if you are great at decorating, make them look as pretty as you want. To make these gorgeous gingerbread people; I followed Tanya Burr's recipe from her Christmas book with a few additions from myself. Ingredients you'll need: 75g of softened butter, preferably unsalted 75g of brown sugar (she suggests Dark Muscovado, but I just used regular) 1 Large egg 1 and a half tablespoons of Golden Syrup 200g plain flour Half a teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon Cinnamon 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger Half a teaspoon of Mixed Spice Method: Cream the softened butter with the sugar until the texture is fluffy, then add egg and syrup and mix together. Next add in your flour, baking powder and the spices to the mixture and combine until a smooth dough is formed. Wrap the dough in cling film and chill for 30-45 minutes. Preheat oven at Gas Mark 4/180 Degrees Celsius and Line baking trays with greaseproof paper whilst dough is chilling. Dust your surface with flour so you can roll out dough, roll out to your required thickness. Next get cookie cutter or stencil to cut into festive shapes. Transfer them carefully to baking trays and pop into the oven for 12-15 minutes, leave in longer if you want a little more colour! Finally, transfer them to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before tucking in or decorating! Suffice to say that these gingerbread cookies went down an absolute treat with my family and I'll most definitely be trying to bake some more before Christmas. What do you love to bake at Christmas?
For the second day of Christmas Santa gave to me... (Yes, I'm very much aware that it's actually the 6th December) but my 12 Christmas blogpost are dotted throughout the month so bare with me, ok. Since the first weekend of December has now past, it seemed like the perfect time to really get into the Christmas swing and share with you some of my Christmas Traditions (both old and new)!. Christmas Tradition #1 : Pick out the most outrageously perfect Christmas tree Arriving at the traditional Doddington Hall, our family proceeds to pick out a different tree each (Norman Spruce to be exact) are judge which one will be our tree of choice for the year. Christmas Tradition #2 : Decorate tree as a family In the evening, pop on some cheesy Christmas music, let Dad untangle the lights and wrap them around the tree. Place baubles carefully on the tree, rearranging as needed (perfect bauble placement condition is real, ok). Christmas Tradition #3 : Go to local Christmas market The annual Christmas market is one of my favourite things to do, it pretty much has the same stalls and the same food every year but that's what makes it so perfect. The bailey's hot chocolate, the Christmas music and the historical setting of Lincoln Castle makes it the best place to go. Christmas Tradition #4 : "Buddy the Elf, what's your favourite colour?" Every Christmas eve. After all the food. Without fail, we put our Christmas eve pjs on, put on Elf and watch it as a family (or at least till one of us - most probably me - falls asleep). Whilst these are just a few of my traditions, we have a few more extra special ones, but I'd love to know what your Christmas traditions are? Happy 1st December! The festive season is finally upon us (even though I've been feeling festive for ages!) and with that comes probably one of the busiest times of the year. I, whole heartedly was set on doing Blogmas this year but I realised that I spend most of my time rushed to get everything done and it just wasn't feasible with all my uni work and working to get 25 blog posts done that are all amazing! That is why I've decided to do 12 blog posts of Christmas. So to kick of my 12 Christmassy blog posts I'm talking all about how to relax this festive season to get the most out of this month! Step One: Fill your house with Christmas scents Honestly one of the most relaxing things for me, is sitting down and lighting a candle so that the room is filled with a relaxing scent. Some of my favourite candles to light are Next Festive Spice, George Home Orange and Cinnamon and Yankee Candle Snowflake cookie. Guaranteed that once you light a Christmas scent you'll start to unwind. Step Two: Make everything cosy I'm talking EVERYTHING. Brushed Cotton Duvet covers, Teddy Bear blankets, Fluffy bed socks and oversized jumpers and you'll be forever cosy. Plus the cosier you are the more likely you are to relax. Step Three: Indulge in Christmassy Films Once you're satisfied with the Christmas scent running through your house and at optimum level of cosiness; its time to indulge in some ultimate guilty pleasures. Whatever your favourite Christmas film may be whether it's a timeless classic like Love Actually or a cartoon great like Arthur Christmas, pop it on watching your favourites throughout the month and you're guaranteed to feel both festive and relaxed. Step Four: Take a little bit of time out Finally, forget about the blog post you've been meaning to write all week, take some time away from that excruciating report you have a deadline for after Christmas and just enjoy a little bit of time. Whether it be time for yourself, time with your family or time with your friends - enjoy the festive period and relax and have fun. I have so many great things planned in for this month and I'm even more excited for Christmas but I'd love to know how you plan on relaxing this festive season?
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December 2018
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