Christmas Afternoon Tea - Blogmas

Today we went for a Christmas Afternoon Tea at one of the local tearooms. This has almost become an annual tradition for my family, as my Dad's birthday is so close to Christmas we use it as a mini pre-birthday and Christmas celebration. It's nice to catch-up with immediate family members and enjoy a selection of naughty goodies. We, as a family, are particularly fond of Afternoon Teas and are always looking for a new place to visit to test their version of the British speciality. 

If you know any great Afternoon Tea spots that I could visit, please let me know!


Love & Kisses,

Vicki xoxo

Christmas Cookies - Blogmas

I know I've already missed a week of Blogmas posts - but I have the good excuse that I was on holiday in Berlin (post to come)! This evening my sister and I baked some Christmas cookies to get into the festive spirit a little bit more.

We already had the cookie cutters, so we went to Waitrose to get the ingredients for gingerbread men. After spending some time gathering all that we needed, we headed to the baking isle and found a Christmas Gingerbread Men Kit! We put all of our ingredients back and decided to try out the kit instead. 

The cookies are cute and taste alright, but I'm sure if we made them from scratch that they'd taste much better. My sister and I have agreed that we will have to re-attempt them ourselves at some point before Christmas. 

Here are a few pictures from our evening baking session!

Have you done any festive baking or cooking? I'd love to hear about any recipes that were particularly yummy!

Love & Kisses,

Vicki xoxo

Cutest Gingerbread House - Blogmas 2014

Every year at the beginning of December, I go to our local "Heidi's" Bakery and buy the cutest, candy-coated, Gingerbread House. Year-to-year they look slightly different as they are handmade, but they are always adorable and extremely scrummy! 

For my first 'Blogmas' post I thought I'd just share a few pictures of this year's Gingerbread House that I bought today. Please excuse the poor quality photos taken on my iPhone (and in bad lighting)! I'll take photos of it unwrapped after Christmas so you can see it better.

I totally recommend anyone who has a Heidi's near them to buy one as they are only £11.95 and worth every single penny! I may even attempt my own version at some point this December! 

Love & Kisses,

Vicki

My 2013 in One Picture - (Last Blogmas Post)

Taking lead from blogger, Jena Roach (http://recentlyroached.blogspot.com), I decided that my last post for 2013 and of the Blogmas Challenge should be 'My 2013 in One Picture'.

Summarising your entire year into just one photograph that catches a split-second of time is quite an overwhelming concept. I have been extremely lucky during 2013, and also had some real down points. I've had love, support, family, friends, my dogs, my education, my travels and lots of fun experiences. But I've also had sadness, health issues, friend issues, university problems, lack of employment and other down sides.

I think the only picture that really truly sums up 2013 is...

Me with my Mum & Dad on Graduation Day.

Graduation signified the end of my University experience, and the beginning of the next chapter in my life. I have no idea yet whether I will go back into the education system and continue with my Masters or PHD, but for me this was the beginning of MY life, not one dictated by others. I waved goodbye to some negative people in my life and welcomed a framed degree certificate into my home. Family members celebrated and congratulated me, and my parents were beyond proud. I started the year as a Student, and am ending it as a Graduate with a good Degree.

Can you summarise your 2013 in one picture? Copy the picture from this post (or the HTML code from Jena's post) and show the blogging-world your picture of 2013!

Wishing you all a beautiful 2014 and looking forward to carrying on with this blog in the New Year!

Image from: happynewyear2014.co

Love & NYE Kisses,

Vicki xoxo

Highlights of 2013 - (Blogmas)

As I only started this blog a couple of months ago, I thought I'd share with y'all the highlights from this year that haven't been shown on here yet.

So this is my 2013 in review ...

2013 Highlights.

At the beginning of the year there was lots of snow. Whilst Andy and I enjoyed it lots, the dogs didn't so much!

Once the snow melted away we were able to take the dogs on lots of little walks - but it was still too cold for them to not wear their little coats!

Andy & I celebrated our 1 year Anniversary, after being friends for 7 years!

I video-chatted with Natalie from Cascada! I won a prize to skype with her.

In between all my studies for my final term at University, I enjoyed the company of my two little pups.

How could you not have a good year when you have this for company? So in love!

Summer brought warm weather and lots of social activities.

Andy & I took our first foreign holiday as a couple in Majorca, Spain.

Andy writing in the sand (Majorca, Spain).

On holiday I fell down some steps and hurt my ankle. I didn't go to the hospital which was a mistake as for the rest of the summer my ankle was a mess!

The weather in Majorca was so nice!

Me & Andy on the Beach.

In the Fall I flew to Houston, Texas to visit my Family out there. I went to my first American Football match - the Houston Texans vs. the Seattle Seahawks. It was so fun & I hope to go to another game in the future.

In Texas, we went to stay on the family ranch for a weekend which was so relaxing and beautiful!

I graduated from University this Autumn and I was so glad to finally have my degree.

It was a cosy winter here in the UK - not too cold for once!

Andy & I this last week at Xmas. It's been surprisingly sunny in the last days of 2013. 

2013 had it's ups and downs, but I can't really complain - I can only hope that 2014 is even better!

What are your highlights of the past year?

Love & Kisses,

Vicki xoxo

New Years Resolutions, 2014 - (Blogmas)

I've never been one to make New Years Resolutions, but as I have seen many Bloggers post articles in the past week doing so, I feel I should attempt to set some myself for this next year.

Image from: www.fabulouslybroke.com

I hope that 2014 is my year to ...


1 - Change my body and lifestyle for the better.

2 - Get a job that I love, and / or, start my Master's Degree.

3 - Visit a new country.

4 - Visit my Family in Germany.

5 - Be more tidy with my clothes (this will probably be the hardest one!).

6 - Be more confident in myself.

7 - Continue to Blog regularly.

8 - Rediscover my passion for photography (& buy a new camera).

9 - Appreciate my loved ones more.

10 - Learn to cook some new dishes / recipes.


Do you set yourself New Years Resolutions and do you stick with them? What goals have you set for yourself in 2014?

Love & Kisses,

Vicki xoxo

Christmas Cold :( - (Blogmas)

Apologies for not posting on here for the last few days. I had a wonderful Christmas Day but woke up on Boxing Day with a stinking cold! Boo! :( Today I had so many plans, but instead I have been in bed ALL DAY feeling utterly miserable!

The dogs have been keeping me company whilst all of my human companions have been avoiding me to try and not get sick. Here Bambi is giving me a 'Get Well Soon' kiss - He's so sweet!

I know there are lots of sickness bugs going around at the moment so I hope y'all are nice and healthy, and not a snotty mess like I am right now (so not attractive)!

What makes you feel better when you are sick? Would love to know anyone's tried-and-tested remedies as I'm fed up of feeling like this!

Love (& no Kisses so y'all don't get sick too, haha),

Vicki xoxo

Christmas Day - (Blogmas)

Merry Christmas, Everyone! I hope everyone is have a beautiful and festive holiday with all their loved ones! I thought instead of writing too much I'd just share some photos from today, so I hope you enjoy!

Christmas Day, 2013!

Some of the goodies that were in the stocking that my Sister made for me.

Presents under the tree.

My Dad standing next to my mini Xmas Tree in his Onesie & Hugh Hefner slippers.

Andy jokily got my Dad some Playboy Mansion velvet slippers - it was very funny to watch my innocent old Dad open them!

My Sister opening one of her presents in her Onesie.

Bambi sitting on Nicki's lap as she tried on the fluffy, faux fur gloves that Andy got for her.

Rio jumped onto Nicki's lap for a cuddle as well.

My Sister got me these adorable Bambi slippers, which I love.

One of the presents I gave my Sister was a pair of sterling silver 'N' initial stud earrings. Don't they look cute?

Andy, over-generously, gave me an iPhone 5C for Christmas - He spoils me, that boy!

Me being cheesy and happy with Andy's gift.

My Mum also got me a Bambi-related gift - a sweet sweater which I wore today.

Bambi & Rio remained unfazed about the fact it was Christmas.

The boys wore the Fairisle Jumpers that I bought for them the other day.

My Mum set the table beautifully for Christmas Lunch!

A close-up of the dinner table.

We ate so much food today I feel like I could burst!

I will most likely post some more photos tomorrow of both Christmas and Boxing Day.

Wishing you a lovely end to your Christmas Day and a relaxing Boxing Day tomorrow! May you be surrounded by all those that you care about.

Festive Love & Mistletoe Kisses,

Vicki xoxo (Ho, Ho, Ho!)