Festive Feelings :: 12 :: Winter Sales & My Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope everyone has had a splendid day! And is continuing to do so.

One of my favourite things about Christmas is the sales... Haaaaa! So tomorrow it begins. I try to not buy much until after Christmas Day. Tomorrow though I'm more excited for the cinema, rather than the shopping, heehee.

Today started off very sweetly. I had such a good sleep, waking up at 9:30am to some glorious sunshine and a blue, clear sky and getting half dressed for mass. After mass, we opened our pressies, then some breakfast with some festive music. I got a new flavour of tea, a book and an amusing mustache stick from my lovely friend Peachy. Pressies like these always delight me, as it makes me happy knowing that the giver knows me so well. My Mum gave some cute outfits. I apologise for not taking any pictures as they are all in the wardrobe. She and dad got me a big Mac selection of makup and brushes. I was surprised, let me tell ya! My parents and I left our brother behind to go into town to have a drink in a pub. Surprisingly enough we found one that was still opened.

In the evening, after our dinner, which was steak, we all spoke to my grandparents, aunts and cousin in Scotland, on Skype. We all had a great laugh, telling each other about our gifts. And telling funny stories about our family members.

There was movies on all day, but I strangely enough didn't watch any. It came to the evening, and so it was time to lie out on the couch with my blanket and get started. Along with the dessert; sherry triffle, vienetta and tonnes of chocolate there was Coronation Street, Miranda and of course the exciting Downton Abbey Special. My dad laughed at me when I kept tearing up. It was perhaps my favourite part of the day. I wish that I knew some of the characters.

So the following pictures were all taken on my phone, so not so great quality, but I did promise a picture of my dress from Topshop.

Let me know how your day went. Did you have your family special moments?

Was the food as good as you thought it would be? Mmmm fooood, heehee. I myself am now gonna get some cocoa pops and watch my brother xmas pressie from moi, 'Guardians of the Galaxy', honestly it's a gift to me as well.

Thanks for keeping up with this little series of blogmas. Hope you enjoyed!

Festive Feelings :: 11 :: Spreading Magic on Christmas Eve!

It's Christmas Eve Babe!

Magic is all around us and Santa is on his way.

When there are more good moments on Christmas Eve, they really stand out, making it feel even more magical.

I see magic in where there is kindness shown by others, in the laughter that is made together while watching family movies and also in the shining stars. I've just stood outside the door with dad and it's such a beautiful night. Somewhere inside me, I tell myself that Santa is real, because the idea of magic is just amazing.

Isn't it a lovely feeling when you help an other person out. Whether they're stressed, or  upset, and even if you remind them to take a breath or let them know that you're there for them it really can make their day. Today at work, I could see the stress in peoples facing, trying to get those last minute purchases and I did pause before checking whether they were ok. But ya have to chance it! I'm glad I did. I did manage to make some people smile today. Strangely enough I got a hug from a random customer. Maaaaaaybe cos I was wearing my bear onesie at work, heehee. Lots of fun. Pathetically it was just my Manager and I that wore them. I had the hood up and everything at the tills. Then my family came and laughed when they saw me. Embarrassingly enough they took a picture!! As well as my mother asked for a further reduction on a rather cheap item of clothing! How awful, heehee!

I gave my bus ticket to someone at work and I was glad that they felt a little easier, especially as they're a student.

Spread the love, the joy, spread the magic. It's a beautiful, wonderful feeling not just for you, but even more so for that person.

Festive Feelings :: 10 :: Music Bringing Memories at Christmas Time!

Music makes everything even more special at Christmas.

I love how it brings memories of the times when I danced in the lounge area in my old house. Well it wasn't dancing, just spinning in circles to the music and had the heat from the range blaring at me.

I have many favourite tunes, but 'The Fairytale of New York' will always be my favourite. I love the traditional Irish instruments in the song. Even though it has plenty of swear words, it for me shows honesty. No mushy stuff. There are lots of ups and downs at Christmas. Fights about the dinner arrangements.

'Rocking Around The Christmas Tree' brings back memories of my dad cooking in the kitchen. 'Driving Home For Christmas' is the song I have a brief flashback to when I was little, sitting in the car, looking out at the Christmas lights on the streets in Dublin.

Even with the most more newish songs, like Michael Bubles, 'Santa Clause is Coming to Town', his voice is replaced with my friend Edel. I can always hear her singing it, with the twists in the songs melody. Music makes me happier. There's no song that gives me bad memories, which is one of the things that I love about music.

Since I've been alone these past few days, I've been listening to my new album 'Christmas at Downton Abbey'. It's been lovely. My favourite is 'In The Bleak Midwinter' by a wonderful, joyful choir. It reminds me of the time when I sang in an all girl choir recital in a hotel back in Ireland. My Gran, brother, mum and dad were all sitting in the crowd. It has always been a favourite of mine, especially as it was the first time I sang in front of a big crowd.

Are there any songs that mean something special to you? Do you feel that they can provide you with happy memories of Christmas?

Festive Feelings :: 9 :: Culture & Religion

Today I spoke to a girl I work with about what Christmas means to her. And I asked how she celebrates it. She comes from Poland and from there, they have many traditions. For example, Christmas Eve is the time where they celebrate Christ. Christmas Day not so much. They lay straw under the table mat while they eat, in recognition of Jesus Christ in the manger. And when the first star appears, they can open their gifts. Her Christmas includes, making 12 meals, all vegetarian and also setting an extra dinner plate aside. It's a way of showing that everyone shouldn't alone at Christmas and that anyone is welcome into their home. At their meal, they all pass around bread, basically the same bread we have for holy communion. Everyone takes a piece and passes it on to the next person and makes a wish for that person. For example, wishing someone luck for their journey across seas.

These traditions sounded so beautiful to me, and I felt happier knowing more about other cultures out there and the way they celebrate this holiday.

I'm very careful over here in the UK, at work that is, in wishing someone a 'Merry Christmas'. That person may very well not celebrate Christmas. So I should respect that persons beliefs and opinions. My Manager doesn't celebrate Christmas which is funny and probably a little annoying for him in a way, because everyone has to wear their Christmas outfits to work this week, plus there's the whole Christmas album on repeat. And the whole time there's kids crying, wanting pressies. So my manager kinda wants to kick them when he sees them. Doesn't like Christmas or kids. This at this time of year is very amusing to me.

On another note, today someone asked me what I was wanting for Christmas. Simply nothing. I don't like the sentence, 'I want *insert* for Christmas'. People should not want but need, love, happiness and hope at Christmas.

I will celebrate it with the traditions I have grown up with. And yes, even if it seems a little repetitive I'm glad it remains so. It's a laugh at times, but also very sweet.

Please let me know how you celebrate at this time of year. Or what your main holiday is.

I'm very interested in knowing other cultures and religions.

Festive Feelings :: 8 :: Appreciating Your Friends & Family!

All year round we're busy bees, yet somehow at the busiest time of the year, we make the effort in telling the people that we care about how much they matter to us.

Christmas we know how hard it'll be in pushing ourselves to send pressies, cards, visiting the neighbors, meeting up with friends. We go out of our way because the rest of the year we don't have to explain ourselves. There are plenty of excuses!

I love Christmas for being the time to visit my family, neighbors and friends. Usually I visit my family in one day, travelling in the car with my mum. I give the Christmas cards to them and have a nice chat over tea and Christmas cake.

With friends it's a lot harder. Last year, I went for a meal with some of the old school friends and it was just lovely catching up on our lives. Sadly I won't meet them this year, but I hope they know that they're in my thoughts.

I managed to send each of them cards. Even though I'm in a different country, doesn't mean I can't send a simple card. What does it take? A short journey to the post office!!

Christmas is exciting for meeting people that you haven't seen in such a long period of time. It's an exciting time to get dressed up and show people that you don't just live in your work uniform, heeehee.

At least with these holidays, 'work' never has to be a subject on which to discuss. It's the time where you really want to forget about it. And pretend in a way that you're never going back.

The family aren't working, which means there doesn't have to be any stress in having to go to bed early. No one has to worry about there being any appointments. I myself have the pleasure in not having to wake up to the alarm!! Oh how that bugger annoys me! Seriously!

So remember your loved ones this Christmas. Ring them up and just talk about anything. Visit them by surprise with a bouquet of flowers and a card. You may just brighten their day. Give the time to show them that they're special to you.

Festive Feelings :: 7 :: What Truly Matters | Feeling Blessed!

So another thing that I LOVE about Christmas is feeling blessed and appreciative with what I have. It's a great time to reflect on my life and to know how lucky I am. So many people out there don't get to have dinner with their families or have the comfort of a warm home. Some people don't know what it's liked to be loved or to be even noticed.

I know at this time of year that my family are there for me. They know me so well.
I feel so lucky and proud of my family for looking out for one another. For the things that truly matter, we are loyal and protective of one another.

Christmas for me, is the time to thank God for everything he has given me. For the family and people that I have met along the way in my life, and for the lessons I have learnt that have helped me evolve. 

So be sure this Christmas to remember what this time of year really means. It's not just for gifts and leisure's you know!! Do a good deed and you will feel true happiness. Not happiness that you get from opening gifts, but a different happiness. Something that can last with you forever.

Festive Feelings :: 6 :: Snow - Making Christmas Special!

Having snow at Christmas just makes everything so magical, especially in countries where it doesn't happen often.

This year, however, I would prefer for it to delay a bit, as my family are travelling by plane and I don't want any problems.

Back home in Ireland though, living in the countryside, it can be so pretty. The Christmases that do have the magical snowflakes are usually the ones I mostly remember. There is one Christmas in particular that I can remember from when I was really young (believed in Santa at this stage) and I woke up on Christmas Day and went into my brothers bedroom, which was right beside mine. I woke him up and looked out his window and saw how all of the fields were absolutely covered in a deep blanket of snow. Having that as a surprise made the day even more special. That Christmas I had my Harry Potter books, which was the best gift that Santa ever gave me. Me and my brother had other family over that Christmas as well and we all went out in the snow and had snowball fights on the road at the bottom of the hill. They were the Christmases that I miss the most. Where my family all got on well together and made an effort for the day.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels as though snow has a magical affect on people. It may cause a lot of damage and be pretty damn cold, but all year long it's the same thing. Rain, wind and sun. I'm just happy that I still have that loving memory of that one wonderful Christmas.

Source: WeHeartIt

Festive Feelings :: 5 :: Radio Times! Movies, TV Shows & Interviews!

Christmas is mostly about movies and tv shows in my family.

Who doesn't love scanning through the tv guide and finding their favourite must-watch films!!

We all have favourites from our childhood. Lots of people like The Santa Clause, The Grinch...

For me it's been 'Shrek', 'Narnia', kiddie movies like them. But Christmas Day is all about 'Harry Potter', 'While you were sleeping', 'The Holiday', 'It's a Wonderful Life', 'Top Gear' 'Downton Abbey'... and this year 'Miranda' has her last episode and 'Frozen'. And if that wasn't enough New Years Day we have 'Sherlock' season 4... With Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

I love reading the Radio Times interviews. Here in the UK, the interviews are a little more interesting than the Ireland tv guide. I think maybe that most of my favourite tv shows are British rather than plain old Fair City... just about the only Irish soap we have, heehee. Of course there's Mrs. Browns Boys Xmas Special. Always a nice laugh for Xmas day and the family. In the UK its on BBC1. And for the people in Ireland, of course ye know when it's on! So I'm looking forward to reading interviews with Judi Dench, Miranda Hart, Downton & Angelina Jolie. Hopefully not too many spoilers on the upcoming shows for this holiday.

So, I'm excited to highlight everything! That's how sad I am. My brother & I, ever since we could read & write, we would circle tv shows like job interviews.

 So my snuggy onesie, lots of sweeties and tv choices of the day will be the perfect way to spend our Xmas night. Be sure to let me know what movies you grew up to. And recommendations?

Festive Feelings :: 4 :: Christmas Cards & The Joy of Giving Gifts!

Even with everything going on, I've managed to send all of my Christmas cards, and have all of my Christmas shopping list sorted. It feels easier knowing that I don't have to stress so much about it. It is dear enough to buy gifts for people, but instead of buying things for me, I prefer to save up my money and treat the people that matter so much to me.
I do fear though that whether or not my friends and family will like them. My family are very much like me, where it's the simple things that please them. And as well as that, Christmas is the time where we buy gifts. Birthdays we feel as though we don't have to give gifts. Once a year is surely enough for us.

I get excited though finding the gifts. Sometimes, it comes to the situation where I think that maybe the gifts should belong to me, heehee.
As well as that, I pride myself on the gift accessories. The wrapping paper suiting each person.

Christmas cards to me also are a very treasured possession to have. They might not contain any money, but it's the thought that counts.

Festive Feelings :: 3 :: Winter Fashion & Comfort!

Oooooh, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but there are now 3 lit baubles above. Seriously guys, just 9 more days till Christmas.... and my advent calendar is still keeping strong. This for me is like 'Kayla-Transformation!' In a way, it is almost like a pre-diet for me. I'm a chocoholic, and with sharing this awful news, every year I find it an extremely difficult challenge, to get by each day! I'm beginning to throw some nasty looks are the shopkeeper in the Cadbury Store beside my work place! The amount I leave with, people probably think they're presents, nope! They're for me! Cos I am actually that much of a pig!

Anyways....

I love the fashion in Summer, but for me, I feel as though I dress up more elegantly at Christmas. Christmas day I try to go as classy as possible. My Mum and I have always planned our outfits. Bought in advance, heehee. She this year, bought my outfit, and I haven't even seen it yet. All I've been told is that it's a Topshop skater style, black dress with long sleeves, some sort of diamante and lace in it as well. I usually like to wear black on Christmas Day and go all Sparkle! That way it all pops out.
I will do my best to take a few snaps of the dress on Christmas Day and show them to you. And while I do that, I'll show you guys my Mums outfit. She is after all the person I got my love for style from.

In winter, we have the chance in blending different colours and fabrics with layering clothes and accessories. It's much more fun than Summer clothes. Part of me just likes not having to show off too much skin and gladly being able to cover myself with material, heehee. So far for me, it's been all lovely Christmasy jumpers (both long and crop), long skirts, high waist skirts, woolly tights layered with socks and lots and lots of scarves. Let's not forget my thermal gear because yes I am a hundred years old!! 

Winter is the time to have as many baths as you want, using either excuses that you're cold or feeling unwell. Knowing that as soon as you come out of the steaming tub, your snugly, Christmas themed pjs are waiting for you. You spend most of your day in them as well, making you feel as though you're a hippy with a 'I-don't-give-a-s**t' attitude.

So, with all this typing I got lost on WeHeartIt

I really would love to be able to carry off being a blonde like these girls, but it can only be a fantasy in my life.

If you are indeed enjoying this little series, please leave a comment below telling me why and if there are indeed any certain styles about winter fashion that you love... I'm all ears :)

Thanks for reading,

Festive Feelings :: 2 :: Lights, Church, Family & Hope!

More than the majority of people love Christmas decorations, reason probably being that they're so pretty. I'm a person who gets bored quite easily with routines and the such, with seeing the same old buildings everyday, but come Christmas the towns are all lit up and decorated in celebration. We all wish that the lights would stay up forever, but then where would that leave us? We wouldn't have anything to look forward to throughout the year.

I love to give myself a goal and to achieve it. Mistakes is what I learn from and what I am thankful for. And Christmas is the goal where family is the center point of the holiday. I myself get excited about going to Mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, more so than the revealing of gifts. They're very much appreciated and valued, but it shouldn't be what matters. I get annoyed myself with seeing how the media, tv adverts and the likes are just portraying Christmas to people as a time for getting excited over gifts. You know what gets me excited? Just normal days out with family and friends. I'm that kid who picks up a toy for a few minutes then forgets about it the next.

Going to Church I see a whole community, full of families, no matter what sizes they are, come together to sing and pray. My brother says he doesn't pray, but he enjoys coming to be apart of something. It's nice to have tradition. Hearing the most wonderful hymns, such as my favourites; Silent Night, Oh Holy Night, The First Noel, Hallelujah and Panis Angelicus. They to me sound so magical. So yes, going to Carol Services is always a must every year. Back home in Ireland, on Christmas Eve, I go only for the music, beautifully lit candles and the peaceful atmosphere. Candles make me feel hopeful and uplifted. Sometimes I lay there at night, staring at the flame. Just meditating upon it and clearing my mind.

Lights give me hope, Church gives me hope and family gives me hope! I'm not a positive person but I am in a way a strong person. And one goal in my life is to hang on to whatever hope I have.

Festive Feelings :: 1 :: Food & Hot Drinks!

Merry Christmas Everybody,

And so this is me, little old giggles of life doing blogmas. My sisterish-bestie EdelBelle! created this tag post last Christmas. For 12 days, she wrote what she enjoys most about this special time of year. So I thank her for tagging each and every one of us, but I was honored in her asking me personally ----- twitter that is, heehee. Feeling very special.

The rules
1. 12 blogs  each saying a favourite thing about Christmas.
2. A blog a day....so one blog everyday from when you begin.
3.Title wise its (Festive Feeling-'Insert favourite thing'). As for the picture each day, Edel had edited hers last year for everyday. So I will be using hers, but you can make your very own if you so wish.
4. And lastly Edels final rule was to have fun and get in the Christmas Spirit!!!

So, food!

I don't eat that much as I get full after only a few mouthfuls, but I do enjoy the taste of food.

There's the whole festive foods, such as my favourites mince pies. I remember laying them out for Santa with a glass of milk and two carrots for the reindeer's. Whenever Santa had some mince pies left over I would eat them, believing them to be special, bit like holy communion, haha! As a kid, that's how I saw it anyway.

Christmas cakes have already been stashed away in the press. I enjoy eating a slice with a cup of tea. The taste is strong, but the flavours are what Christmas is!

Then of course there's the Christmas dinner. Everyone usually has something like, turkey, goose etc. In my family for the past 20 years, it has always been turkey, ham, brussel sprouts, parsnips, broccoli, carrots, green beans or mushy peas, along with my favourite... cranberry sauce. Turkey sandwiches will then be breakfast, lunch  and dinner for the next few days.

After dinner we always have our traditional, Vienetta ice-cream (with either cake or jelly.) Christmas Day also includs our treats, Celebrations or Roses. My favouirte being Celebrations. Mmmm, malteasers... nice. Oh and finishing up on the advent calendars. Hey, I pat myself on the shoulder for whenever I complete it.

Drinks!!

This season, thankfully, I don't have to explain why I drink so many hot drinks. I won't get those confused looks I get in Summer. I love all sorts of teas, coffees, hot cocoas, lattés, mochas... it goes on!

Coffee shops, such as Starbucks and Costa have the festive cups as well, so when you go out shopping, you have the pleasure in carrying either a little snowman, reindeer or a Santa. Out of all the festive drinks, my absolute favourite would have to be the black forest hot chocolate from Costa and vanilla spiced latté from Starbucks. So my time recently has been spent in cafés, drinking a hot drink and writing down notes, in my diary or work journal, or perhaps reading or enjoying a good vlogmas from Jim Chapman.

Thankful Thursday | Black Friday, Vlogmas & Announcement on the 'Festive Feeling Tag'!

"Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've got no place to go

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"

Source

A jolly hello to you and may I be the first to say Happy Christmas to you guys.

Today I was wished a happy Christmas by someone at work, making if feel as though the holiday has really begun.

The weather is cold. Oh so cold! Even my duvet coat isn't protecting me so much. I'm the old lady waiting at the bus stop with the hat, gloves, thermal socks and a flask. Preparation is key and I am not planning on getting sick! The best things that comes out of days like these, is getting home and having an excuse not to go out again. Blankets, comfy clothes, hot drinks and some peace.

Thankful Thursday

As I've previously stated, being prepared. I'm thankful for being sensible. About time management and taking care of myself. I truly want to get on well at work before Christmas Day.

Having to look forward to seeing my little cousin in the morning/ evening, and opening the advent calendars together. I'm surprised that I've lasted 4 days to be honest.

Being told that whenever I come into work I brighten someones day. Now that would make anyone smile!

Mince pies ~ and they're out of the press ladies & gents.

For having the memories of my Granddad of whom I had grown up with ~ I'm so glad that I have a good long memory, some memories good, some bad, but all of which that have made me the person today. It was he that got me interested into Irish traditional music and dance. I decided with music as I have no rhythm in my feet, heehee.

A bit of banter while hanging up the decorations at work and laughing at the fellas yelling (while holding hammers?) at Christmas trees, causing a fuse to go off and almost accidentally creating a fire hazard with one of the xmas decors... idiots!!

New Christmas PJs ~ a soft grey and pink nightgown and light blue slipper socks.

Having more good days than bad ~ there are people that rise at dawn and people that rise at night (go along the name as night owls). I was once a night owl, great times. Feels like a totally different universe when it's pitch black. But now I've become so used to my routine with waking up early for work and still allowing myself to get a healthy 8 hours of sleep. Sleep, exercise, eat healthy... feel good days!

Black Friday ~ a day where shopaholics don't have to feel ashamed with returning back home, to seeing their families roll their eyes as they sneak into the house with a million shopping bags. I almost bought myself a ginormous plasma television for University, it was oh so cheap my peeps! "Yes I do need a nice stapler for 30p"... trust me what I left with was super strange! I obviously went to the self help till. Ain't nobody gonna be judgin' what I bought!

And lastly I've been thankful for Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman's Vlogmas. Daily vlogs from the 1st of December until Christmas Eve. As well as the fun of opening up the advent calendars, vlogmas is something else to look forward to everyday. Plus even if your day wasn't that festive, they help you to get into the mood.

So I'm sure a lot of you already watch them, but just in case for those of you that are new...

Tanya Burr

Jim Chapman (EveryDayJim)

Also before you head off, just to inform you that I am partaking in my bestiest pal EdelBelle! 'Festive Feeling' Tag. For the 12 days of Christmas my true love said to me I will be sharing what I love about this season. She is welcoming everybody to join in this fun tag, so be sure to check out her blog to follow the rules. The date I have planned for the first post to go up will be on the 14th. So the final day will be Christmas Day.

Hope you guys will like it :)

Lots of luvin'