A Christmassy Day in London

Wow, how did it get to the 18th December already? I told myself I would continue blogging on a frequent basis even after the first month. Yet, I don't think I even made it through the first month before having a massive gap, thanks to the craziness of end of term and Christmas! But, I am back with a great, photo heavy, post about a great day in London with my some of my uni girls! 

Our super cute day started in Covent Garden, of course with some street performers and more than beautiful decorations, including the biggest Christmas tree I have seen this year! 

We didn't last long before deciding it was time for a spot of lunch in the delicious Byron burger! 

Moving on, we took a trip to Oxford Street to see the pretty lights, busy shops and beautiful windows. Obviously, we couldn't resist a look in Disney, we are still little girls at heart. I particularly fancied an Elsa dress, but they didn't come in big sizes. 

How cute are the John Lewis windows?! 

We couldn't resist a little look in Liberty.

Or Selfridges...

After a quick coffee stop we made our way to the main event; Winter Wonderland! We wondered through the market, marveled at the rides and went Ice Skating on the rink, which all felt wonderfully festive!

We had a lovely, but tiring day and the countdown to Christmas has now officially started in our flat! We cannot wait...

Katie .xx

What do I love about Christmas?

Yep, its December, which for me officially means Christmas has started! I love Christmas and I have probably already driven my family and friends completely mad with my excitement. I would even go as far as saying I am actually getting more excited as I get older... 

But, what do I love about Christmas so much? Here are the 10 things I love the best about Christmas!

1. Christmas films. One of the only times of year I actually watch films; how can you not completely love Elf? It will be watched this week as it is apparently now allowed (according to my flatmates!). 

2. Food. Most people's favourite thing about Christmas. But, I don't just mean the quantity, I mean the things that you only get to eat at Christmas; mince pies, Christmas chocolate (e.g. heroes!) and large quantities of roast dinners! 

3. Christmas baking. Okay so it is kind of linked to above, but the baking that you do at Christmas always seems a little more special. I mean how often have I spent time constructing a gingerbread house? That can only happen at Christmas!

4. Christmas lights. Everything looks just so sparkly and pretty! Whats not to love?! I still love driving around at Christmas to see them all hung on people's houses.

5. Christmas music. Yes I know its cheesy, but, I think everyone loves the music really. Its the time of year everyone knows the lyrics and the whole family agrees what music should be played. Its just so happy! 

6. Buying, wrapping and giving gifts. Yep, I love pretty much every aspect of giving gifts from deciding what to buy (most of the time!), to choosing the wrapping paper, the wrapping process (Christmas music blaring, of course.) and then seeing the person's reaction when you give them the gift! 

7. Jumpers. This is the time of year where it is acceptable to wrap up warm in a cute Christmas jumper. Plus, it makes it 10 times easier to get ready of a morning! 

8. Fires and candles. Curling up next to the fire, with the scented candles lit is just the perfect thing to do of a cold, winters evening.

9. Seeing all your friends and family. It is the time of year where you suddenly decide you have to see as many of the people you love as possible and what could make you happier than that?

10. Happiness. Pretty much everyone is happy at this time of year. Whilst, you get the odd scrooge and people that would simply hate the fact that I have even written this post, a majority of people are in a great mood. I think nothing beats this. 

Source: http://www.calumettheatre.com/events/event/mm-elf/ (Elf picture)

So, that's what I enjoy most about Christmas, pretty standard I guess, but that's what makes me happy! 

Katie .xx

Going home

As I write this if I am honest I am just trying to fill the half an hour I have before I eat lunch and go to my final lecture before I go home for the weekend! I'm filling time, because I am so excited to be going home, that it is actually a little ridiculous.

It seems a little strange when I think about how excited I am, as to some my excitement to return home may make it seem that I don't enjoy living here. This couldn't be more wrong. I love living at uni, in halls with people I now consider my friends. However, there are little things I miss about home that make me the excited mess I am today! 

Obviously, there is the fact that I haven't seen my family in a little while, though they do visit me here and not too long ago we went on that little trip to Cornwall, it is great to catch up properly and not just through a computer screen on Skype. But, whilst I am excited to see them, it has to be more than that. For one, I know I am excited about the food. As much as I am eating as well as I can here, there are just some things that I cannot cook for one person- especially in my university shared kitchen. Tonight, I know I am going to be greeted with my mum's home cooked BBQ ribs, mmm. Like I say whilst I am not lacking great food at uni, much of it is the same, pastas, rice dishes etc. and I cannot wait to eat something a bit different! The thought of my mum's home cooked BBQ ribs fills me with utter joy.

One thing I did not consider that I would miss is driving. But, I cannot wait to get in my little red car and go for a drive simply anywhere. I never thought I actually enjoyed driving as much as I clearly do and only learnt to drive as a practicality. Turns out, it is something I clearly enjoy a lot and I will be making the most of my car this weekend!

As well as these bigger things, the idea of a dishwasher, the cosy fire, a TV and the sofa fill my heart with joy (I realise this post makes me sound ridiculously sad) and I cannot wait to walk into my house in a few hours. How silly. I guess as you get older you appreciate the smaller things in life and as much as I do enjoy my nights out, this weekend is going to be full of relaxing fun with my beautiful family and friends. How lovely. 

Have a great weekend!

Katie .xx

Growing Up

Whist scrolling through the endless posts on Instagram the other day, I saw an image that felt relevant. (Though I can't now find it!) The image said, 'part of me wants to be 6 again but part of me wants to be 21'. 

This, having been at University for 2 months could not sum up my feelings more. The amount of freedom university gives you is crazy and yet a part of me wants to go back to my younger days, where my Mum and Dad had total control of many of the major decisions in my life. The hardest thing I had to do was decide what flavour yoghurt to eat for lunch or something equally insignificant and only if I actually wanted to make it. Now, I am faced daily with these little decisions, no one is making them for me and further than that, I am having to make some actually life changing decisions as I get older.

I am now in charge of my life. The direction it goes. My career. Where I live. 

This to me is crazy. How can it be that suddenly, I am in charge of my life?! Is it possible to rewind and go back to being 6 again? Have the decisions made for me? 

 http://www.theprospect.net/op-ed-dont-grow-up-its-a-trap-13048

On the other hand, it could not be more exciting. I can do anything with my life. Yes, for now I am at University. I am studying towards my degree, but I still have complete control as to what direction this takes me. Where I live next year, who I live with, what modules I take. Plus, these are just a few suggestions. This has never been more exciting! Okay, so I may not know what I want to do with my life. I have a general idea; get a good job, nice home, go travelling. But, most people have these aims and goals. My life is still really quite unrestrained. I'm not tied down to anything particularly significant and therefore in 5 years time I could be somewhere entirely different, doing something entirely different. If I want to be. I suppose this is the point, I can do whatever I want to do and be whatever I want to be. And though this is scary, there is nothing more exciting than that. 

http://quotesforgirlsbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/growing-up-quotes-for-girls-tumblr.html

Katie .xx

Starting this blog

I’ve considered doing this for many months now. I thought it would be a summer project, keeping my brain entertained during the months I had off. Turns out I found it a scarier prospect than I thought and that really as much as I liked the idea of documenting what I had done and when I found the idea of people reading it quite daunting. Yet, here I am starting one now, 5 months since the idea occurred to me.

I simply decided that why shouldn’t I start a blog? If it’s something I fancy doing, I should go out and give it a try. Who cares what people think of what I write/post. I love reading blogs and think I will love writing one too. So why shouldn’t I just go for it?!

So here’s to the start of a new adventure. Here’s to hoping this is the start of many posts to come!

Katie .xx