Lazy Weekend - (Blogmas)

I've had a lazy weekend and am currently snuggled up on the sofa at my Dad's house with him, my Sister and my dogs. I didn't write a Blogmas post yesterday because Andy has been working so much lately and last night was his only night off so we decided to have a cosy night in together. When he got home we went straight out to buy a Christmas Tree for our 2nd Christmas together. The tree is small (about waist height) but perfect for our little set-up. We will be decorating our tree tomorrow (so make sure you check back to have a look how we got on)! Later we watched 'A Haunted House', which we both agreed was funny and crap at the same time! 

Little picture summary of my Lazy Weekend.

Our little tree is up! We have left it undecorated for 24hrs to allow the branches to 'fall' after being all squished together in the netting that real xmas trees come in. I think it will look lovely once we've decorated it tomorrow!

This morning Andy went to the local (amazing) bakery and picked us up some fresh bread rolls (very German ;) ) for our breakfast. At midday he was off to work at the Recording Studio again so I left for my Dad's house in a nearby village. After helping him to do some chores (ZzzZzz!), we met my Sister for a Sunday Roast Dinner (lunch). Totally stuffed and our food-cravings diminished, we popped into Sainbury's to get my Dad a onesie! Yes! My DAD a onesie! Love it! 

 Bambi & I.

Rio & I.

Apart from cuddling with my two pups, I haven't really done much else today which is actually really nice :) Have you had a nice weekend - what did you get up to?

Love & Kisses,

Vicki xoxo

Red Lips, Red Nails - (Blogmas)

December is the perfect month to vamp up your wardrobe and make-up. Today I went for a red lips and nails look which always makes me feel super feminine and festive. 

Red Lips, Red Nails.

On my nails I used Mac's Nail Lacquer in 'Shirelle' which I bought in a Mall in Texas a couple of months ago. On my lips I used Rimmel's Moisture Renew Lipstick in 'Diva Red / 500'. The two reds aren't identical but they still work well together.

MAC Nail Lacquer & Rimmel Lipstick.

MAC Nail Lacquer & Rimmel Lipstick.

MAC Nail Lacquer & Rimmel Lipstick.

Me and my red lips and nails :)

What are your favourite red lipsticks and nail varnishes? 

Love & Kisses,

Vicki xoxo

The Christmas Tag - (Blogmas)

It's 5th December 2013 & my Christmas spirit is in full-swing so for today's 'Blogmas' I've decided to do 'The Christmas Tag' which has been done by many other bloggers.

Photo from: m.weheartit.com
Text: my own

1. Favourite Christmas Song:
   Usually when it actually gets to Christmas Day I am tired of Christmas songs as they are EVERYWHERE in December - in the shops, restaurants, on tv etc. 
   My favourite would have to be 'The Pogues & Kirsty McColl - The Fairytale of New York' because it's my Dad's favourite and he plays it every year.
2. Favourite Christmas Drink:
   I've never tried Eggnog or Mulled Wine before! I don't drink coffee either so I haven't tried any of the coffee shop's festive specials.
   In winter I love hot chocolate or just a good old glass of sparkling white wine.
3. Favourite Christmas Film:
   I love chick-flicks and romcoms, so Christmas is the perfect time to snuggle up with a cheesy romanctic film with my loved-ones.
   My favourite has to be 'The Holiday' with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, but I also love 'Love Actually' and 'Bridget Jones Diary'.

   

   The Holiday is my favourite festive movie.

4. At the top of my Christmas List this year ... :
   There's nothing big or special I want this year. I just would replacements of all my favourite day-to-day beauty products to keep me going.
5. Favourite Make-up or Nail-Art Look for Christmas:
   Smokey eyes and red lips are a must (Although I'm a fan of the smokey eye all year round)! Red nails are glamorous and festive too.
6. Favourite Christmas Day Outfit:
   I like to stay in my pyjamas for as long as possible on Xmas Day - although a full face of make-up is essential if any photographs are being taken! Around lunchtime I like to put on a nice frock - usually a LBD - with some black tights and some festive accessories. 
7. Play Outside in the Snow or Sit Inside by the Fire:
   Both! I love to play out in the snow; build a snowman, throw some snowballs and take some wintery photographs. Afterwards it's lovely to cuddle up inside with hot chocolate and watch a movie.
8. Wrapping Presents - Love it or Loathe it:
   Wrapping presents is one of my favourite Christmas activities. I love giving gifts and trying to make them look as pretty as possible. I pride myself on my extra neat wrapping ;)
9. Favourite Christmas Food:
   Lebkuchen! German food is my favourite and my Oma (Grandma) used to send us a big parcel each year filled with all the yummiest treats. I scout Xmas Markets for anything traditionally German to take me back to my wonderful childhood memories.
10. Favourite Thing about Christmas:
    Spending time with my family. I know I am so lucky to have such a caring, loving and supportive family, so I do feel sad at Christmas time thinking of all of those less fortunate.

So there you have my Christmas favourites. If you decide to do a Christmas Tag also, leave the link in the comments section and I'll be sure to check it out :)

Happy St Nikolaus Tag to everyone in Germany & Holland!

Love & Kisses,

Vicki xoxo

Wagging Wednesday (4th Dec '13) - (Blogmas)

For today's 'Blogmas' I've decided to do a 'Wagging Wednesday' post inspired by Bridget Marquardt's (from Playboy's 'The Girl's Next Door') weekly twitter / instagram entries. Each Wednesday, Bridget posts pictures of her pets and encourages her followers to do the same. Bridget manages to find the time to reply to as many #waggingwednesday posts as possible - even my pups have had some cute comments from her! 

So here are a few pictures of Bambi and Rio from this week - Enjoy!

It's getting cold so Bambi & Rio sometimes need to wear their jumpers.

Sweater Weather!

Tempted by the human's Pumpkin Pie  -  not for dogs!

Rio's such a handsome little boy!

Looking out the window for birds or cats (most of which are much bigger than the two of them!) and Bambi's half-asleep!

You can follow Bambi and Rio's adventures on instagram by seaching their handle @bambiandrio and Bridget Marquardt at @Bridget (twitter) or @bridgetmarquardt (instagram).

Love & Kisses,

Vicki xoxo

Thanksgiving, Christmas Market & Andy's Birthday weekend - (Blogmas)

I've had the busiest week in a long time and I realise I've neglected my blog lately! I also wanted to take part in the 'Blogmas' challenge (blogging every day for the whole of December) - I realise I'm starting late, so my 1st entry will have to be today (3rd Dec) ... Oops!

Living in the UK we had never celebrated Thanksgiving until my Uncle married a Texan. Last year, shortly after my baby cousin was born in the USA, my Texan relatives flew over to London and we celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time. It was a lovely day and even though the history of Thanksgiving doesn't really relate to us personally, we enjoyed being able to give thanks for all the good things in our lives. Coming together as a family was great.

Bambi & Rio begging for some Pumpkin Pie.

Andy & I in Southampton at the German Christmas Market on Thanksgiving.

My Dad & Sister at the restaurant on Thanksgiving.

This year our US family were back in Houston and so we decided to celebrate from afar. My Dad, Sister, Andy and I had a lovely Turkey Roast Dinner at a local restaurant - The Nags Head in Chichester. My sister had also baked a Pumpkin Pie for the occasion which she is well-known for baking very well. Even though we should be thankful everyday for all the good things, it can be easy to take our blessings for granted, so it was a good opportunity to reflect and be grateful.

On Thursday, Andy and I also took a day trip to Southampton to visit the annual German Christmas Market. Being half German it was great to be around familiar, yummy German treats that I haven't had for a while. There was plenty of bratwurst, liebekuchen and other traditional nibbles on offer, but because I had my Slimming World weigh-in meeting later that evening, I couldn't fully enjoy all the delicious foods :( By the time I'd been to my SW meeting and arrived at the Nags Head I was ravenous!

German Christmas Market, Southamton.

German Chrsitmas Market, Southampton.

On Saturday, my Uncle came down from London with his track race car so that Andy could do his first track day as part of his birthday celebrations. We headed to Goodwood Racecourse in Chichester at midday ready for the 'safety brief' (which for me as a spectator was super boring). Standing around in the cold winter weather for 3 hours wasn't my favourite thing, but Andy had a fun time which is all that matters.

At Goodwood Racecourse.

Andy at Goodwood Racecourse.

Andy at Goodwood Racecourse.

Saturday evening was spent in Bognor Regis at the Cardamom Bay Indian Restaurant with some of Andy's oldest and closest friends. The food was lovely - but I was stuffed by the end of the meal! Afterwards we wandered down the road to the local Wetherspoons for a couple of celebratory drinks. At 12, I was pooped and headed back home leaving Andy to enjoy a night with the "lads". He stayed out until 5am!! (I feel way too old for that these days :P )

Sunday lunchtime I had a relaxed meal with my Dad and Sister at Nandos, after which I drove to Andy's parent's house for the rest of the day. Whilst his Lithuanian Grandma prepared his birthday dinner, Andy watched the new Mission Impossible and I napped on the sofa (what a fun bunch we are!). Dinner was an English-style beef roast - I don't really eat red meat so I just had a plateful of veg which was tasty. The family gathered to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Andy in Lithuanian (which I just observed as I can't understand a word ... ). Andy and I decided to call it an early night after an exhausting weekend, despite the fact that the celebrations still had one more day to go ...

Monday morning rang in Andy's 24th Birthday. I woke him up with a delicious Waitrose birthday cake and a couple of presents. Eating cake for breakfast is one of the best things! Sadly we had to do the weekly grocery shop which wasn't a too exciting way to spend the day, but it had to be done! I could tell Andy's definitely getting older as he STILL had a hangover and spend a majority of the afternoon napping - what an old man! The couple we were supposed to be having dinner with unfortunately had to cancel, but Andy and I managed to get a table at Slug and Lettuce to take advantage of their 1/2 price Monday's offer. After a cheap but cheerful supper we finally ended Andy's birthday weekend on a good note :)

Andy blowing out his candles.

Slug & Lettuce

Oddly after such a busy long weekend I'm feeling fairly refreshed today which is nice! What did you get up to this weekend?

Love & Kisses

Vicki xoxo