Under the Christmas Tree…

Before 2012 comes to a close I wanted to share some of the goodies that found their way under our Christmas tree this year. From Bastise and Macademia Oil gifts at the South West Bloggers Christmas meet to (quite literally) cheesy Secret Santa presents, I feel very spoiled this year.

While this Christmas has been more typical than remarkable, that’s why I’ve loved it so much. From helping Mama Ship-Shape prepare the veggies for Christmas dinner, to playing board games with my sister-in-law and being unable to say no to second helpings of, well, anything, the past week has been practically perfect.

I hope you found what you wanted under the Christmas tree this year, and that you have a fantastic New Year’s Eve. See you in 2013!

#SWBXmas Christmas presents from The Birdcage, Bastise and Macadamia Oil

Benefit make-up that I found in my stocking : )

The Camembert pot that a special Secret Santa bought for me…

Mama Ship-Shape bought me this gorgeous green quilted River Island bag

Rock The Week

Fashion related (and totally non-fashion related) things that have made my world go round over the last seven days…

• This week has been wonderful for so many reasons, but let’s start with RTW left off last week – #SWBXmas. The South West Bloggers Network Christmas Party at The Birdcage was so much fun last Sunday afternoon. I met some lovely bloggers, ate lots of cake and my team even came second in the Christmas Quiz! Despite the community surrounding it, blogging can be quite an isolating place sometimes, so it was great to be able to meet up with old and new faces for a festive get-together.
• Yesterday I spent the evening in Stroud with a bunch of friends for another festive feast (I could get quite used to eating a three course meal en masse every weekend!). The evening was idyllic and consisted of eating, excitement, festive jumpers, secret santa and quizes.
• This week I’ve been busy trying to post lots before I take a break over Christmas. I wrote about the goodies I found at a recent clothes swap, as well as some fun weekend festivities, and a Christmas gift guide to accessories – technically more of a wish-list than a guide, but it could help anyone braving the high street to finish their Christmas shopping today.
• Finally, I couldn’t have an RTW post this week without mentioning Gossip Girl‘s last ever episode, which aired on ITV2 on Wednesday. I know, I know, the show has been a little, well, ridiculous, for the last coupe of seasons, but it redeemed itself in the finale and I won’t say anymore than that in case you didn’t get a chance to watch it, but I loved it : ) If you did see it, check out this Grazia article for a look at all the small touches that made it so special.

What’s been rocking your world this week? Are you all set for Christmas? Let me know by commenting below…

South West Bloggers Christmas Party

What do you get when you bring together some of the South West’s best bloggers, a picture perfect venue, and a good cause? The South West Bloggers Network Christmas meet-up (#SWBXmas), of course!

The Birdcage on Claire Street was the venue of choice for an afternoon of festive, fashionable fun, connecting bloggers, serving us lots of tea and cake, and raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

It’s always lovely to get out from behind the computer and meet fellow bloggers, but it is weird when you follow someone on Twitter or Bloglovin, recognise them in real life, but can’t just walk up to them and ask them about their cat’s health, or if they did end up buying that Zara jumper the other day… sounds a bit stalkerish, right?

Luckily, after everyone had a chance to arrive and grab a cuppa and a slice of cake, we were all shaken out of our comfort zones and, clutching the coloured felt we’d been given on the way in, tasked with finding everyone with a matching colour and pair up for the SWBXmas Quiz, hosted by Hayley, Gina and Lyzi.

After a tense five rounds featuring Gossip Girl, Prada and  a bag inspired by Lady Gaga’s bum (yes, really), we found out that Fritha, Laura and I came in 2nd place, each winning a pampering treat at Neal’s Yard Remedies! Who knew that retaining information about the dress Alicia Silverstone wore in Clueless coud come in so handy?

As well as the quiz, the lovely Birdcage team treated us to teacups of champagne a goodie bag filled with treats and a visit from Santa (see photo above) too. Ticket sales have all gone straight to charity and hopefully this is the start of local meets in the future.

Big thanks to Gina, Hayley, Bee and Lyzi for throwing the shindig, and The Birdcage for hosting and providing us with so many scrumptious treats! If you want to donate money to Macmillian you can do so at the SWBXmas Just Giving page.

Rock The Week

Fashion related (and totally non-fashion related) things that have made my world go round over the last seven days…

• It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and this weekend I felt truly festive with a Christmas jumper pub crawl in Cheltenham (made even better my the fact I found my jumper, above, in the children’s department of M&S!) followed by a tasty Christmas roast in Oxford with friends, one of whom managed to transform Brussels sprouts into the most popular dish of the meal : )
• This week I posted an outfit featuring my new hair, an appropriately festive shade of red, and also a gift guide for anyone looking for some beautiful presents for the home. Also, on a non-festive note, my interview with the Oxfam Boutique on Park Street went live and it’s well worth a read if you want to hear more about charity shops work and why they need your custom this Christmas.
• Finally, this Rock The Week post is happening a little earlier than usual, as this afternoon I’m off to the South West Blogger Christmas meet (#SWBXmas). I can’t wait to meet lots of lovely bloggers and have some afternoon tea, and I STILL haven’t picked out an outfit, so I’ve got to dash…

What’s been rocking your world this week? Are any of you heading to #SWBXmas? Let me know by commenting below…