Christmas Treats from Niederegger

Christmas is approaching at an alarming pace- one minute it was July and I was on a beach in The Algarve, the next my brain is being forced in to thinking about all things festive, and more so than ever this year as Bob and I are going to be hosting Christmas for the first time.

I had a burst of inspiration the other weekend and managed to get most of my shopping done, but I still need to pick up some bits for the harder to buy for folk in my life and I’ve spent rather a lot of my spare time (of which there is not a lot of) browsing for ideas.
Luckily, by nature of being a blogger I also get alerted to great gift ideas, such as this gorgeously festive hamper of products from the masters of marzipan, Niederegger.

Hamper c/o Niederegger via Chocolates Direct

Marzipan is one of those confectionaries that divides opinion; the marmite of the sweet world I suppose. I for one love it, especially when it comes coated in chocolate- I remember one trip to Austria where I survived solely on dark chocolate and marzipan for days!

This festive hamper of treats contains both classic Niederegger products and seasonal treats. £25 gets you:

1 x 110g classic dark chocolate covered marzipan bar (my favourite!)
1 x 100g assorted mini marzipan loaves (espresso, pistachio, pineapple and orange all coated in dark chocolate)
2 x 40g dark chocolate coated sticks- selected from 3 flavours (I got cherry and walnut, both of which I highly recommend)
1 x 125g bar of flavour of the year (which is apple strudel in case you were wondering)
1 x 100g dark chocolate covered santa (which I am not sharing with anyone)

The hamper comes gorgeously packaged making it an instant gift in the making, or ideal for leaving out for guests to pick from over the festive period- this is the intention with what is left of mine, but based on my near-constant raiding of it (little and often is the key with marzipan I find) there won’t be any left!

What festive foods have caught your eye this year, and are you a marzipan lover, or a hater?

The (almost) weekly wish list

Not even a month in to my new regular feature and I failed at keeping it, well, regular. The last couple of weeks have been crazy busy, and expensive with actual adulting so I suppose composing a wish list of things wasn’t top of my priorities for once.

But fear not, for I am back. Browsing has resumed just at the time some serious no spending has been implemented, and any spending that does occur will be with discount codes aplenty such as those found at Groupon

Hello Kitty Cashmere: Chinti & Parker at Selfridges | Patterned Rug: Urban Outfitters | Classic Coat: Monki | Bee Kind Breton: Sugarhill Boutique | Rose Gold Coffee Table: Habitat | Polka Dot Culottes: Joy | Green Metallic Midi Dress: Joanie Clothing | Disney Pyjamas: TruffleShuffle.com

It’s a bit of an eclectic bunch this time, with items ranging from the “in my dreams only” (Hello Kitty Cashmere anyone?) to the far more affordable (those pyjamas!)
Party wear is starting to creep on to my radar, as are ALL of the winter coats- the second the shops start releasing the Christmas chocolates I want to wear all of the sequins and all of the cosy coats.

You’ll probably notice more and more homeware on the list as time goes on too. Bob and I have found somewhere to live, and pending references going through will be moving very soon. This weekend has been a blur of white good comparisons and browsing for all of the practical things we need- the list never seems to end! Weekly wish lists may not be happening for a few weeks as we’ll be busy with moving stuff, but I’m sure once we’re settled they will resume with a vengeance, especially with Christmas slowly but surely creeping closer and the shops filling with all manner of exciting looking things already catching my eye.

What’s caught your eye recently? And where are your must-have shops for homewares? Blankets, crockery and cushions are top of our list!

The quest for the perfect dress: How to find the best fit for your shape and complexion*

If you’ve ever tried to find the perfect dress for that big event or special occasion, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to choose the right one – especially when there are so many options out there. The colour, style and shape of the gown should all work in your favour, complementing your own shape and skin tone. For those of you wondering where on earth to start, we’ve got you covered – high street dress experts River Island are here to help you on your shopping journey:
Womenswear - Dress for your shape & complexion - Infographic (1)-output

#WritetoaRebel

Last month I was contacted about a very exciting campaign called #WritetoaRebel with Particular Books, whilst I’ll be making my main contribution via social media over the coming days, I always wanted to write a quick blog post as well to show case the beautiful postcard set I was sent in exchange for taking part.
A year after the hugely successful launch of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Particular Books have launched a stunning collection of 50 post cards, each one celebrating an inspirational Rebel Girl from across the globe.

The postcards document everyone from Pioneers to Artists who have all shaped the world today as we know it. You’ll be familiar with many of the faces featured, and others will be new and inspiring additions. Each card shares a short bio of the Rebel Girl it celebrates, as well as inspiring quotes to help feed your own journey.

This is one of the most beautiful literary gifts I have received and it’s made me wonder how on earth I haven’t read the book yet- a copy is going straight on my wish list.

Keep an eye out on my instagram for my #WritetoaRebel post, coming later this week and in the mean time use the comment box below to share which Rebel Girls provide you with the most inspiration in life.

The Weekly Wish List

Blogging has unintentionally fallen by the wayside for me lately; balancing full time work plus driving lessons, social commitments and general lack of inspiration when it comes to content means I just haven’t made time for it in the way I once did. In a bid to kick-start my constant promises to myself that I will get back to writing content that I’ve enjoyed creating I’m starting up a new regular feature- the weekly wish list. It’s hardly groundbreaking stuff, I know, but I’m hoping it helps re-ignite my passion and inspiration for this site- and also allows me to justify my general obsession with online window shopping that little bit more.

So, here’s what has caught my eye this week…

French Fries Top | Flock You Nail Polish Duo | Karl Lagerfeld cat bag | Floral Wrap Dress | Pleat Sleeve Top | Leather Ankle Boots

As the heatwave of recent weeks has well and truly ended my thoughts have moved to Autumn fashion and right now I am loving both Joanie Clothing [as always] and Topshop. The latter came as quite a surprise to me as it’s rare these days that I find anything I want from there- I feel like maybe I’m getting a bit too old for most of their styles, but the pleat sleeve blouse and leather ankle boots have both made their way on to my list this week.

On a more frivolous front I am so taken with the Karl Lagerfeld bag, and found my finger twitching dangerously close to “add to basket” when I saw it. Thankfully, and somewhat regretfully I saw sense and didn’t go through with it- I’m not a small bag kind of girl in reality, and with a house move looming I need to keep hold of my pennies.

The nail polish duo I could just about justify though, I’ve always been a Nails Inc fan, and at £15 for the set it’s less than the price of one gel manicure, which I’ve fallen in to the habit of this year. The colours are exactly those I’ve been favouring and I’m suspecting that once pay day arrives this will be my monthly treat.

What’s caught your eye this week? I’m so excited to see all of the new season bits and pieces arrive in store- less so about the odd bits of Christmas stock that seem to have reared it’s head.