Christmas Celebrations

Christmas day was a quiet one spent with family this year.  We exchanged a few small gifts, ate loads and played games.  Basically what Christmas should be about in my eyes.

The build up was somewhat different though.  I made sure I crammed in as many festive activities as possible.

A day was spent in London, wandering the streets and checking out all of the decorations and lights.  It is still by far one of my favourite cities to visit and especially at Christmas time.

I don't know about you but I find garden centres to be one of the best places to visit round Christmas time.  This year I tried two new ones and neither disappointed.  The first was the German themed market at Meadow Croft Garden Centre.

The second was Summerhill Garden Centre.  How I have never been here before I will never know, but I am glad I have finally made the visit.

A lot of Christmas films were watched.  Including a new release at the cinema, Bad Mom's and a couple of favourites at the drive-in.

I was even able to explore a new city, with a festive trip to Norwich.  Only a short train journey for me and yet somewhere I have never been before.  So many beautiful buildings and a good few hours spent taking in what was on offer.  It's definitely somewhere I would return to.

A very busy build up to Christmas but for me that is the best bit.  After all, Christmas is not just one day and I always endeavour to fill the season with as much as I can and this year I'm happy with what I have managed to squeeze in.

How was Christmas for you this year?

~ Gem x

A Literary Dinner With Giovanna Fletcher

Just before I start, I want to make it clear that this is in no way a sponsored post.  I paid for my ticket for this event myself and am receiving nothing for this post, this is purely my own honest opinion.

A couple of weeks ago now myself and Ashleigh from Ashleigh's Tea Party had the pleasure of spending an evening in the company of Giovanna Fletcher at Chelmsford's ACanteen in partnership with Foyles for a literary dinner.  The event was all part of Giovanna's book tour for Some Kind of Wonderful.

I am a huge fan of Giovanna's work.  She is such an inspiration to women and great example of a true Essex woman (we are not all as they appear on TOWIE!).

How she manages to juggle everything in her life, I honestly have no idea.  However she does it and she does it well.  As a successful author, Vlogger, ambassador for CoppaFeel, a mum and a wife, plus everything else that she manages to achieve.  She is in my eyes superwoman. 

It is the second event I have attended now with Giovanna and both times I have been in awe of her.  I mean she really is one of those women where what you see is what you get.  She is so down to earth and easy to speak to, which came across so well as she mingled between tables, taking time to talk to everyone with a smile constantly plastered across her face, bearing in mind she had returned from her trek in Oman merely a few days before. 

The dinner was great too.  I have dined at ACanteen a fair few times in the past and have always been impressed.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will be hosting many more of these types of events in the future.

Thanks to the team at Foyles and ACanteen Chelmsford for arranging a great evening and a massive thanks to Giovanna for being so wonderful.

~ Gem x

December 2017 Bucket List

December has rolled back round again.  There is a chill in the air and things are beginning to feel very festive, we've even seen some snow.

I did contemplate taking part in Blogmas this year but in all honesty the commitment right now is all just a little too much.  If I had of been more organised then I would definitely be taking part, however trying to wrack my brains for 24 blog posts between now and the 24th December was all just a little too much.  Maybe next year, I could start preparing now.  Instead this month I intend to:

* Write and send Christmas cards ~

A tradition that is slowly phasing out, but I am determined to keep it going.

* Attend a Christmas themed 'Drive-In Movie' ~

I have already got 2 of these booked up so I am really looking forward to a bit of chill time.

* Get to London to see all the Christmas lights and decorations ~

I've been meaning to do this for a few years now and never quite manage it.  I did go ice skating at Somerset House last year but we didn't venture any further round London.

* Attempt a Christmas movie marathon complete with lots of yummy goodies ~

Nothing screams Christmas like a Christmas film and there are some great ones to be seen.  I'll be sharing some of my favourites with you soon so watch this space.

* Go for a Christmas light drive ~

Somewhat of a new tradition to go for a drive to see everyone's efforts at stringing up lights across their homes, there are some gorgeous ones out there and some oh so very tacky ones (sometimes they are the best ones though).

I'm trying to keep it simple this year, I don't want to over do it but at the same time I want it to feel Christmassy.  Hopefully this should od the trick.

~ Gem x