OUTFIT: FLUFFY JUMPERS & CHELSEA BOOTS

This outfit is really as simple as it gets, but this winter I've really liked slouching around in black jeans and boots.

I tend to wear dresses most days, but I really like this outfit - sometimes navigating my tights drawer just feels too hard (I don't know why I own so many terrible pairs of tights), and it's nice to dress in black from tip-to-toe - my hair looks brighter and I mean business!

Jumper - H&M
Jeans - Primark
Boots* - Tu at Sainsburys

This has pretty much been my staple outfit for my gothier days. The jumper is the fluffiest jumper of all time - you can't really see in these pictures, but is perfectly 90s-inspired, and is so cosy and snuggly! It's annoyingly starting to shrink in the wash, but I do wear it ALL THE TIME, so I might just need to admit defeat and buy a new one before spring stock starts coming in!

I bought these jeans a couple of months ago, and despite being a Primark bargain, they are wearing well! They are the first black jeans I've owned in YEARS and I can't imagine a wardrobe without black denim in it anymore - they go with absolutely everything.

My chelsea boots are from Tu at Sainsbury's, and are another staple item I can't believe I've lived without for so long. They are super comfy, and look just as good with a dress and tights (for fancier days) as they do with jeans.

HOW TO: MAKE A WICKED BLOODY MARY

I'm a fairly recent convert to Bloody Marys (I've been wimpy about spicy things for a long time), but I've come round to the joy that is this ridiculous (yet acceptable) boozy weekend breakfast drink.

Last year on Boxing Day we made the most amazing Bloody Marys, served with a seafood, quail's egg and bacon garnish that was taller than the drink (I say 'we', it was actually handed to me by Joshua, Bloody Mary-extraordinaire). You don't need actual food when you've got one of these bad boys, it's the perfect Boxing Day or New Year's breakfast!

Here's how you do it...

Drink:

• Ice cubes
• Double shot of vodka
• 6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• 3 dashes Tabasco sauce
• Tomato juice (to fill the glass)
• Lemon
• Garlic salt

Rim the glass with lemon juice and garlic salt. Put a couple of ice cubes in the glass, add the vodka, then the rest of the ingredients and mix! 

Garnish:

• King prawns
• Quail egg
• Lemon rind
• Bacon
• Celery

Hard boil the egg and pan fry the prawns and bacon. Assemble on skewers and add to your drink with a sprig of celery - it's not a Bloody Mary unless there's celery!

Enjoy (responsibly)!

CHRISTMAS DINNER RECIPES

Are you guys aware that Christmas is literally only one week away? How?! This month has absolutely flown by... I'm only just starting to get my Buble fix, and up my intake of hot festive booze. I am behind!

I'm assuming that most people will have their Christmas presents sorted by now (and if you haven't, here's a gift guide to point you in the right direction!), but even more important than present shopping is food shopping! Christmas dinner is the very best meal of the year - you've got to get your menu sorted! This year I'm roasting a pheasant on Christmas Day with Joshua, and then we're cooking a goose with our pals on Boxing Day. I realise that makes me sound massively middle class, but holy moly, if you've never roasted a goose (and roasted potatoes in the goose fat), you are missing out!

If you're in need of some festive feast inspiration this year, never fear. I've found some pinterest picks for you...

Sides

Rosemary roasted carrots | Bacon wrapped avocado | Roast pumpkin with feta

Mains

Pheasant with cider and bacon | Spiced roast goose | Roast chicken with garlic and lemon

Puddings

Teacakes christmas puddings | Christmas puddings | Winter pudding bombe

Ah, I can't wait to eat, drink and be merry!

HAPPY THOUGHTS

Tis the season to be jolly, tra la la la la! Here's some things that have been making me very happy lately!

1. My birthday party

My birthday isn't actual until Tuesday, but as much as I like having a birthday near Christmas (aka the perfect excuse for an entire week of celebrations), it can be tricky trying to gather all your pals to party when most people are heading out of town to see family. This year, as it's my 30th birthday (whaaaat), I decided to solve the problem with a super early party, and it was SO much fun.

I love a theme, so I had a Ginger Party, where everyone was asked to dress as their favourite redhead. My pals were ace and made so much effort - I had Amelia Earhart, Dana Scully, Tintin, Chucky, the princess from Brave, Shirley Manson, Galileo and more, it was ace! I thought I might as well doll up properly as it was my birthday so I went as Jessica Rabbit (and found the perfect dress from Boohoo too!).

2. Secret adventures

To keep my birthday fun going, this weekend Joshua is taking me on a secret adventure and I'm so excited! I've never been on a secret trip before. I have no idea where we are going or what we are doing, but I know we are taking books and wine, so it sounds pretty perfect to me.

Last year we went away to the beautiful Roulotte Retreat and it was absolutely brilliant. It's so nice to go away for a mini adventure before Christmas - this is a new tradition that I hope lasts for a long time!

3. Christmas decorations

The drama with my new flat thankfully seems to be at an end, which means I'm back to loving life here. I've decorated for Christmas and it's SO cosy and lovely, it makes me so happy! I bought a real Christmas tree from Ikea (as part of their very ace buy-a-£25-tree-get-a-£20-voucher deal), and it fits perfectly in my living room - it's nice to have a bit more space!

I've got a few paper honeycomb balls strung up (that had originally been put up for my friend's birthday, but I don't want to take them down), more fairylights, AND a brand new super fuzzy rug. I realise that doesn't actually count as a Christmas decoration, but it's made my flat feel so cosy!

I've now got some presents sitting under the tree, and I can't wait to watch Christmassy movies next to the tree. Bring it on!

EVERYDAY MAKE UP

It's been absolutely ages since I last wrote about my everyday make up, so here's an updated look at my make up bag and the things I use every single day. It's changed quite a lot since I last blogged about it - I also didn't realise that I was using so many Maybelline products!

Maybelline Baby Skin Primer
I love this primer. It smooths your face, sorts out your pores, and makes make up so much nicer. It's also less than £8, and a tube lasts for ages.

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation (in Cool Vanilla)
I started using No7 after working with them on a Christmas make up post last year (you can see the festive tutorial here!), and instantly loved their products. I've converted to their foundation - it's light, so it doesn't feel like it clogs your skin, but can be built up very easily if you need more coverage. They've got a massive range of shades too, so it's been easy to find one that suits my skin.

No7 Concealer (in Cool Vanilla)
The matching concealer is great, and does a very good job of hiding blemishes. I've had TERRIBLE skin lately (I blame stress and December indulgence), so I've been plagued with millions of spots, but this has done a good job of hiding them.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow (in Pink Gold)
For everyday eyeshadow, I absolutely love this shade - it adds a little bit of shimmer, but is subtle enough for daily wear. It's similar to Benefit's Creaseless Cream, which I also love, but is cheaper. The name isn't a lie either, this eyeshadow will not budge AT ALL (so remember to take your make up off at night!).

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
This has been my staple mascara for years, it's the best!

Maybelline Brow Satin Eyebrow Pencil
I blogged about this eyebrow pencil in detail here, and I still absolutely love it. I have been terrible with my eyebrows recently and haven't had them done professionally in months - but luckily this eyebrow pencil is saving the day until I can get myself to a brow bar!

Benefit Fine One One
This is a brightening trio for cheeks and lips, with three cream colours (pink champagne, sheer watermelon, and soft coral) to work as a blush, highlighter, and lip colour. I tend to brush this on really lightly in the morning, and then build up the colour more in the evening if I'm going out.