Do something new

One of my resolutions for the year is the task to try or see something new each month. This stops me being such a lazy human for one and gives me goals and something to look forward to each month. I also have a happiness planner that I am filling in and loving ( I will share a post on that soon) that uses a quote each day to help you with happy thoughts. They are all amazing but this one really hit home with how happiness works...

'The three components of happiness are; something to do, something to love and something to look forward to'

- Dr Gordon Livingston

This is an amazing quote to live by and one that is totally do-able, so why not give it a go. Having something to look forward to can be really simple. You don't have to spend a lot of money but you can always save for certain things if you want to. Just doing something once per month and giving yourself something to look forward to is already one step of the way to a happier you. 

After having a few thoughts about things to do I thought I would share a few of my own monthly goals with you:

1/ See a new theatre show or ballet

At Christmas I went to see The Nutcracker, a story about a child's imagination brought to life through dance, brilliantly designed sets and costumes so flowing it made me want to spin around in my seat. It starts with a Christmas party where everyone is excited about the festivities to come and a girl is given a nutcracker toy. The story unfolds when it comes to life in a way you would never imagine and the relationship between the girl and the nutcracker transforms right in front of your eyes. It was enchanting and oh so magical, the perfect show to watch to get you in the Christmassy spirit. The casting was perfect for this production and the costumes to die for, a dream world for every girl out there. 

I did go to the ballet show at Christmas last year but it was so wonderful that I just have to experience it some more. I want to go and see Swan Lake this year and The Northern Ballet, who did the production of The Nutcracker, are actually performing it this March for a month. You can have a look here for dates and tickets if your interested, especially if you have never been before. This is THE most famous in the world so if you go to see any of them, this has to be it!

2/ Go to either Scotland, Ireland or Wales

Now this is quite embarrassing to admit but I have only been in England and never ventured out to the other parts of the UK. I have flown to other countries but never taken the steps to experience what I already have around me. Its bonkers I know but it is something I am going to change this year. 

Going to Ireland for St. Patricks day would be a perfect weekend trip away and I have always loved the thought of staying in a log cabin in the countryside of Scotland where it has a hot tub! How dreamy!

3/ Paintballing

This is going to be my February task of the month. One I am a little terrified of as I am going to bruise like a peach after getting pelted with paint balls but something I have always wanted to try and if I hate it as least I know. I will report back on that one at the end of the month, with some pictures if I can get any. 

So that is three of my ideas that I am thinking of so far. I am going to post about each month as I do it now I am getting back into the blogging swing of things. Next up will be my experience of bouldering, its a bloody great workout I can tell you now, but more of that next time. 

Have a great week! 

Love Khrissie x

I've got my new shoes on...

Simple weekend outfits are my favourite. A subtle combination of trousers and a t-shirt, when paired together well, created a stylish harmony that could fool even the savviest of fashion goers. I'm not saying I have it all but I try. I try with all my lazy mindedness to fit into the London fashionista category.

Now if your thinking, this is way too much effort for me then listen to my one simple trick. Its all about the shoes... The drabbest of outfits can be easily saved with a fabulous pair of booties or personality ridden flats. These are two of my newest pairs of shoes, not that I have many but I am starting a new thing where I have a wardrobe of shoes, simple clothes and thats all.

You can make your personality shine in what ever way you please and its amazing how the simplest pairs of shoes can make a difference to how you feel too. These Miss KG boots £49 are a new favourite of mine, simple in shape but quirky with its gold buckle and heel cap. They are from a Kurt Geiger's sub brand. More affordable than your average pair but still give the same impact style wise. These aren't my everyday, go to work shoes but a pair I tactically wear with those outfits I want to spruce up a little bit.

Now the second pair are a pair of silver pewter brogues £45, that bring out the tomboy in me. Great paired with some tailored trousers and a blazer for a simple look that I would wear out shopping or for a trip to the cinema. I got them from Cloggs where they host a variety of shoes from numerous brands, these being from Clarks. So you can imagine how comfy they are.

Both of these shoes are in the sale at the moment, so get them while you can.
What are your favourite shoes at the moment?
Love Khrissie x

New year: The same ME

Hello and Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful time enjoy the end of 2015 with friends, family and all your favourite people! I sure did! It was lovely to relax, travel to see people I barely see and eat lots of delicious food. 2016 is now upon us and wow how time flies as you get older.

Now this time of year is filled with posts and status's about new years resolutions, getting healthier and so on. I'm definitely not one of those people, not because I'm a negative or miserable person but because I have realised you have to approach a new beginning in the right way. In a literal sense it really is just another day but emotionally the thought of starting fresh is a great thing.

Everyone is much more positive for their future and accomplishments that I really love! So I am setting myself some goals for the year instead so I can stay happy and positive all year through. I am/ used to be just this person but life is hard and it does ware you down and I have come to realise I need to embrace every emotion a little more, the ups and downs are part of life and if you don't accept that, then thats when you get caught up in a web of self destruction (to put it bluntly)

So to help myself start this path of happiness and acceptance I have a few things I would like to achieve. I am putting no pressure on myself and this will make me fail and I will be taking a step backwards so for me it is all about baby steps.

1/ I have bought myself the 'Happiness Planner'
This is a planner where you document each day, with goals, feeling and ask yourself a lot of questions about what you want. I am really excited for this as I am hoping it is going to help me find what I really want out of life. I have been feeling like I have been having a quarter life crisis for the best part of last year and I really need to hone in on what is making me unhappy. I'll do a post about this all when I receive it as I think it may help some of you too!

2/ Something new each month
I have decided I want to go somewhere new or try something I have never done before each month. This is going to help me feel a lot more positive about how I am living my life as I always feel down about missing out on all the world has to offer. Either down to money or because my anxiety stops me from going out as much as I could.

I have planned to go to Scotland in April for my birthday with my family as I have always wanted to go. I also want to try rock climbing and I had a go at bouldering already this year and really enjoyed it. I'll be writing a post on that soon. Planning my future is the key for me, having a plan clams me and so knowing I have something to do each month, big or small, is stepping stones to my own goals.

3/ I have signed up to a online learning course
I was looking through Groupon in the new year and saw a voucher for an online children's book writing course and thought, yes! Now I'm not the best writer but I do have a good imagination and with practice I feel I can get a lot better. I eventually want to write a whole book, just for young kids and illustrate it myself too so I can add that as an achievement of 2016.

Do you have an goals for the year ahead?

Sorry this is a little late,
I wanted to re-brand the blog and have a fresh start but I wont be able to start that yet as I've had a
lot on with my a career move which has taken up all my time.

I will be back soon, better than ever as I would like this to be a place that I am proud of.
Love Khrissie x

#Blogmas Day 14: Perfect party nails

Party time is upon us and its time to get your glad rags on. Panicking to find that perfect dress that will hug you in all the right places, show off your best assets and give you the confidence of Beyonce on stage while performing 'Who run the world!'.... Girls! Because yes we do! This is the time of year where we show what we've got, our energy and personality shines through (once we've had a tipple of course) and there a feeling that nothing is going to stop us!

Avalanche Nails £8.99 - Boots

Make the most of the rest of the year we have, do it your way but do it in style. Whether your having hot chocolate on the sofa and watching films or your up until 4am with your squad, dancing the night away. Whatever it is, make it the best day, week or and end of year you can remember... its never too late to make memories!

La Croux Nails £12.99 - Elegant Touch

This christmas edition of nails by Elegant Touch in collaoration with House of Holland are the perfect way to make a statement this Christmas and New year. Wear them how you like. Avalanche are perfect for the day time, having drinks with friends or to even make you feel better about yourself. La Croux add some glamour whatever you are doing and I can tell you now, I will be donning these on Christmas day as I lounge around, eating everything in sight. I will look a mess but my nails will be on fleek!

If you have any dress, makeup or style plans this Christmas. Comment below, I would love to know!
Enjoy bringing out every side of your personality this Winter!
Love Khrissie x

#Blogmas 7: Stocking fillers under £10

Its blogmas day 13! I can't believe how quickly this month has already gone. I have been trying so hard to get a post up everyday but seeing as I decided I would do this on the 1st December, I never got a change to pre-plan posts and photographs. My days have been really long with work so by the time I get home and eat I need to go to bed. I have made it my mission this weekend to take as many pictures as I can so I can post for the rest of Christmas for you.

For day 13 I thought it would be good to show you a few gifting gems which I have found especially for you. Its coming to the start of the Christmas rush for presents and when your in a panic I find it hard to search for gifts that are affordable. So I have put together a little selection of some presents, that would be great for all sorts of people.

Enjoy! I hope it gives you some inspiration....

1/ Personalised Pencils from - Not on the High Street
As mundane as that may seem when you say you have got some pencils, it really isn't. If you know someone who loves stationery, then there is nothing better. They are also personalised so that adds a special touch and it stops the problem of other people stealing your things, especially if you have a spelling like mine.

2/ Arthur egg cup and spoon - Not on the High Street
This is a cute little gift for your friends or family who really enjoy breakfast time. Why not make it that little bit more interesting by presenting it in something fun? This would also be a great little gift for a kid who is into kings and princesses.

3/ The Night Before Christmas' gift set - Lush
There a lot of people in this world that love nothing more than a bit of me time and a bath. This christmas gift set would be perfect for that friend or family. This little box comes with the snow angel bath melt and intergalactic bath bomb. Both which are amazing on their own as gifts but much better wrapped up beautifully together.


4/ 'Love you to the Moon and back' keyring - Not on the High Street
I love this little keyring as this saying is something I say to all my family. I love how no matter where in the world you are, we all share the same moon. So when you feel like your far away from someone you miss, just look at the moon because you know they will be looking at it too. It sounds so cheesy but it really does help in those times where you feel the most lonely. The base keyring is £10 but you can add letter pebbles to it for £3 each if you wanted to personalise it.

5/ Puffin Classic books  - Anthropologie
This is perfect for your book worm in the family. Theres nothing better than a classic story to read while your relaxing the winter. With the book covers so beautifully illustrated, they would look wonderful on a book shelf and totally Pinterest worthy.

6/ Russian Doll measuring cups - Amazon
These measuring cups are adorable! I really need some myself. They stack into each other to make it space saving and super cute on your worktop at the same time. These would be perfect for the baker e the family. They are always useful to have around, even for meal recipes and theres nothing more enjoyable to have pretty tools to do it with.

7/ Beatrix Teacup & Saucer - Oliver Bonas
Last up is this gorgeous tea cup and saucer. I mean just look at it! They have different styles on the site as well as a full 4 piece set and a teapot cup if you wanted something which was more of the whole package instead. I really want these, well I want everything I have shown you today but this is just gorgeous! There are a lot of avid tea drinkers out there, and there is nothing better than drinking tea in style. I feel this pays homage to Britain and the British ways in which we do things, which I think is great. Ughh I love it!

So that is all I have to show you today, but check out the rest of the sites that these are linked too as there are lots of other amazing gifts available!

See you tomorrow...hopefully!
Love Khrissie x

#Blogmas 5&6: Partying with Luxemme & Giveaway

Party season is upon us and although I am very much a home body I do love to party on occasion. Feeling fabulous can help with the mood of the night so make sure you wear something that makes you feel confident on the night. I got sent this playsuit* by Luxemme and I absolutely love it. I've received so many compliments on it and so I can't wait to wear it again.

I love the lace detail, drop back and bell sleeves and they all go hand in hand to flatter your figure and show of what mumma gave you, to its best. I paired this some chunky strap wedges and a fluffy grey bag to bring the look together but it would also look great with accents of colour. 

If you’re looking for a cool jumpsuit to add to your wardrobe this Christmas I’d highly recommend you try Luxemme. They’ve got a really stylish range and a few different types available including culotte and wide leg styles as well as the usual slim-fit, tailored ones. Luxemme clothes are always very well made and I think for the quality they’re really affordable too.

They are also doing a voucher giveaway this Christmas to help out those of us who are less fortunate to be able to get great gifts for their friends and family. All you have to do is follow them on social media and fill in the form here and they will send them to you. They would make a great stocking filler, buy a gift with it for someone or even treat yourself so something special for the new year. 

ORDER NOW

Facebook - /Luxemme
Twitter - @luxemme
Instagram - @luxemmeuk

Enjoy the free treats and let me know what you decide to get once they arrive, I would love to know!
Love Khrissie x

#Blogmas 4: Friday Favourites

Today I am going to share with you my top 4 favourite Christmas films. The weekend is the one where I am finishing off my Christmas shopping and curling up to one of my favourite movies with snacks and hot chocolate. So here it is...

Source

My favourite film of all time, is of course ELF!

This is a favourite of the nation and I'm not surprised. It's full of Christmas charm, wit and love! It carries a special Christmas message and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I also love how funny it is. Will Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf so well, I almost feel this is his alter ego for real. If you haven't seen it yet, download it now or buy the DVD as its one you are going to want to treasure forever!

Source

Number 2 on my list has to be 'A Puppets Christmas Carol'

This is a film I watched every year when I was a kid for as long as I can remember. It always seems to be showing on the TV during December and so I try not to miss it. I didn't get to watch it last year which stupidly upset me, so it is time to buy the DVD. Not sure why I haven't purchased it already to be honest.

It is a great alternative to the classic Christmas Carol and Scrooge films you might have seen. A story about a selfish man at Christmas who gets taken back to his past when he was a much nicer person, to the present day where he can see all the misery he has caused and finally, what will happen in the future. This leads to a massive change in personality for Scrooge and it ends on a happy note. This is a feel good family film with the addition of the well known puppets such as Kermit included to make it a little bit more fun.

Source

Number 3 is The Grinch

This is a great movie! Very much a family movie with yet another message similar to Muppets Christmas Carol. This is a story about a grinch who doesn't like Christmas as he is green and used to get bullied when he was little. His first love let him down and so it turned his heart dark, which led him to being very lonely with no one else but his dog. Cindy Lou is a sweet girl and loves Christmas more than anyone. She is the only one who isn't scared of the Grinch and through the film, warms his heart through a series of events. Its a happy ending where 'Who Town' where they all live is a much happier place. The sing, dance and enjoy the festivities together.

Jim Carey plays the Grinch in this, he is one of my favourite actors as I love his stupid ways. He plays the role to perfection so much so I don't think the film would be the same without him. Make sure this is on your christmas film list this year.

Source

Number 4 is Love Actually.

Its a feel good romantic comedy about love at Christmas. Through the film you watch peoples lives change for better or worse in love and friendship. You follow along a few stories at a time, which confused me the first time I watched it, but once you get the hang of it and figure out who everyone is, its a delight to watch. It has a lot of famous faces in it from Keira Knightly to Liam Neeson so you know its going to be good before you watch it. A few tears will fall and laughter laughed but its the ending which leaves a smile on your face.

I hope you liked reading about my top 4 Christmas films this year. There are still a few I have never seen like Arthur Christmas which I need to add to my watch list so I have a lot of snacking and hot chocolate making to do.

Leave your top 3 down below as I would love to add some more to my list this year.
Until tomorrow

Love Khrissie x