Christmas treat at Claridges

I know that it’s the middle of January but I am still working my way through my Christmas activities, I'm therefore giving myself until the 25^th of January to share my Christmas fun and then I'm blocking out February to share my New York adventures. As blogged last week Breakfast treats were my new thing for 2015 and my Christmas breakfast was indulged at the beautiful Claridges.

Having spent my birthday breakfast there, and had such I lovely time, I booked a return for the festive season.

Every year Claridges invites a  designer to create their Christmas tree for the season which takes pride of place within their lobby ; this year it was Christopher Bailey from Burberry that got the honours. With his unique creativity a Christmas tree of gold and silver umbrellas was unveiled early December.

Visiting Claridges on the Monday of Christmas week was special and due to the early time of my booking I felt like I was watching a unique little corner of Mayfair wake up. The team were as accommodating and friendly as on previous visits and it was the perfect way to start the week.

Claridges breakfast menu is huge and offers so many options it's hard to choose, however I opted for the English; accompanied by juice, toast and coffee. All beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. (any breakfast menu that has burford browns on them is a winner in my world)

Aside from the Umbrella Christmas tree, Claridges decorations were distinctly traditional and starred The Nutcracker. The outside canopy and wreaths along the wrought iron fence line all had varying sized Nutcracker dolls along with huge christmas trees, gold branches and red and gold baubles. Little woodland nutcracker christmas scenes nestled in glass pears on furniture, alcoves and the fireplace, creating magic and theatre in the most unexpected way, it really was a delight to see.

Claridges has become a Christmas must for me and one year I have promised myself a stay on Christmas Eve, until that time I will look forward to visiting in December for breakfast, dinner or tea. 
Thank-you Claridges for making my visit so lovely and kicking off my Christmas week in such fabulous style.

Here are my previous trips to this lovely establishment in Mayfair. Look forward to visiting again in 2016.

15 Festive reads from 2015

Over recent years festive reads have become part of my Christmas musts and a glorious way to spend some 'down'time during the busy holiday season.

I love a Christmas book... and look forward every year to compiling my seasonal wish list... this years selection is as varied as a box of celebrations and as delicious to unwrap.
Here's my thoughts on the 15 read for 2015;

Wish upon a Christmas Cake –Darcie Boleyn - Kate would really like to spend Christmas at her cosy tearoom Crumbtious Cakes; instead she finds herself with her celebrity brother, judgemental mother and ex-boyfriend who is now a widower with 2 small children. mourning the recent loss of her beloved grandmother; Kate finds herself facing lots of reflection and the possibility of christmas wishes coming true. A delightful read from Darcie; perfect with a roaring fire and a plate of warm mince pies.
Let it Snow - Wendy Lewis – We are introduced to Karen as she is loading up her caravan and leaving her lazy husband Frank. She and her much loved pooch Eccles take up a 'live-in' post with an elderly lady in her childhood home town in Sussex. It soon become apparent that this is not the ideal solution and with her parents help buys a remote semi derelict farmhouse on the downs.  Karen finds herself by lucky accident working at the local vets, which is headed up by a very attractive vet! With her elderly father being diagnosed with dementia, a troublesome Ex, a local admirer and a crush on her boss; Karen's life is suddenly a little complicated. Through in a snowstorm and christmas around the corner this makes for a fun, though provoking festive read. This was my first read from Wendy and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are laugh out loud moments along with some heartache; a lovely little read for a winters afternoon.
Christmas Ever After – Sarah Morgan - this is the 3rd book in the Puffin Island trilogy and features Skylar and Alec. Skylar and Alec's paths cross in London and Skylar finds herself spending the lead up to Christmas with Alec and his family. Alec finds his opinion of Skylar changing and they return to Puffin Island for Christmas. I have loved the Puffin Island trilogy and as well as following Alec & Skylar's story you catchup with the Emily and Brittany from the previous books. This is a gorgeous, sexy winter read, perfect to warm a cold winters night and will make you seek out holiday cottages in the islands off the maine coast!
Four Weddings and a White Christmas – Jenny Oliver - Book 5 in Jenny Olivers Cherry Pie Island and a welcome return to such a lovely place. Hannah is offered a dressmakers job of a lifetime and finds herself back on cherry pie island; a place she spent many happy moments as a teenager and reunited with friends from school. She also crosses paths with cynical chef Harry Fontaine and with 4 weddings to assist with she spends the year doing her up most to ensure all brides are happy. - a lovely welcome return to all previous stories, sprinkled with a dusting of snow, a twinkle of christmas magic a jaunt to New York and a lice of love and friendship and cherry pie. 
Christmas at the Castle –Victoria Connelly - a lovely little novella from Victoria set in the Highlands of Scotland. Catriona Fraser and her 2 children live at the family Caldoon castle; bequeathed after her husbands death. Hiring out key rooms for Christmas they find Iain MacNeice and his 2 daughters arrive for the holiday period. Things aren't as idyllic as they appear and both families find themselves needing each other before the holidays are over.

One Wish in Manhattan –Mandy Baggot - Hayley is a single mum to Angel and as well as fulfilling a Christmas wish to spend the festive season in New York with her brother; she also embarks on a journey to try and find Angel's dad and fulfil her wish for a Dad for christmas. As she embarks on the search she crosses paths with billionaire Oliver, here the adventures become even more thrilling. I started this book on my journey to New York in December and it really was the most perfect read. Another great story from Mandy.
A Miracle at Macy's – Lynn Marie Hulsman - Charlotte is a shy homebody who is much happier at home writing her cookbooks and blog. She finds herself loosing her beloved pet dog Hudson in a week before Christmas. Her celebrity aunt loans her her assistant Henry to help with the dog hunt. Hudson leads Charlotte and Henry on a merry dance as he is spotted in Central park with Santa's helpers, in Times Square with a supermodel and in multiple locations across New York.... I read this book whilst in New York in December and i loved it, it made me laugh lots.. its like Home Alone 2 for dogs!

Midnight at Tiffany's – Sarah Morgan – loved this little christmas novella by Sarah Morgan – Matilda is a waitress by day and budding author by night. When she is rescued by a handsome stranger at an event and finds herself out of a job; she embarks on one magical night with him. Chase Adams is a millionaire and when he finds himself talking to Matilda who has no idea who he is or what he is worth he finds himself wanting to spend more than one night with her…. Can they find magic at midnight at Tiffany's. Sarah Morgan writes fabulous stories with great characters and she

Doesn't disappoint in this festive read. Gorgeous men, New York and Christmas … ticks lots of my boxes!

Chocolate Lovers Christmas –Carole Matthews – CM is a favourite of mine and I looked forward to catching-up with the ladies from the Chocolate Lovers Club. It’s a couple of years since I read the 1^st book and this is the 3^rd in the series; it felt like I was catching up with old friends.  Lucy is now running chocolate heaven; Nadia is coming to terms with her husband's death and all the complications that that has created. Autumn is dealing with tragedy and not getting much help from her fiancé and Chantal is besotted with her new baby and trying to hold her marriage together. As Christmas approached the 4 ladies find each of their lives unravelling a little; throwing up all sorts of surprises from estranged families, ex fiancés, new beginnings and  loves lost it is soon apparent that their friendship is the commonality that will help them through it all.

It took a little while for me to familiarise myself with the characters, but once in I was completely absorbed and it was like curling up with a huge mug of hot chocolate and a warm blanket. As with all of CM's books; it's never plain sailing for the characters and all of them had their share of heartache, fun, love and laughter and I loved it all.  Anxiously now awaiting Book 4 in this series and their next adventure.

Last Christmas – Lily Greene - Last Christmas Ella had her heartbroken on New Years Eve by her banker boyfriend Robbie. This Christmas, Ella is embarking on her debut exhibition in a London gallery. Whilst shopping on the run up to Christmas she keeps bumping into mysterious handsome stranger. Their paths keep crossing and Ella finds herself falling for Fergus a war photographer.Just when she thinks she is finally moving on with her life; Robbie turns up at her opening night. Ella has some choices to make.  Last Christmas is a lovely heart-warming read and a lovely modern twist on the classic love triangle and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My Big Fat Christmas Wedding– Samantha Tonge - we join Pippa back on the Greek island with her fiancée Nico. with her christmas wedding approaching she heads back to England for her ex's engagement party. Can she really give up the glamour and excitement of London for the slow life in the teashop on the sleepy greek island. This was a much welcome return to the village of Taxos and its inhabitants... perfect as a stand alone read or squeal to Game of Scones.

A Christmas Hideaway – Emily Harvale – Holly thinks herself still in love with her long term boyfriend, (now her ex who ran away with her best friend) and the thought of them both coming back to Hideaway Down for Christmas fills her with dread. She volunteers to look after her mums holiday cottages and hopes that this will keep her away from the village and the chance of bumping into them both. Someone else who is hoping to hideaway for christmas is author Gabriel Hardwick who has hired one of the cottages for the festive season; thus avowing his agent and ex-girlfriend Bryony. With one of the coldest winters upon them and a series of unfortunate incidents Holly finds herself falling for Gabriel in more ways than one. – This novella was a pleasant surprise and I now look forward to the 2^nd book in the series. The characters were fun and the village delightful. With a couple of sweet twists this made for a delightful read.

Christmas wishes and Mistletoe Kisses – Jenny Hale - Abbey has put her dreams on hold to raise her son Max and help her mum look after her grandfather. By a lucky accident she finds herself taking on the challenge of decorating Nick Sinclairs large mansion before his family descend for Christmas. Not only is the house absolutely gorgeous so is its owner!. Abbey starts to transform the house into a home and also finds herself spending a lot of spare time with the delicious Nick... can Christmas sprinkle is magic on them both. I loved this book; a delicious festive romance perfect for the holiday season... sheer escapism from the start.

Holly's Christmas Kiss – Alison May - Holly Michelle Jolly hates Christmas and has been the brunt of festive jokes since she was a child. With a flight to a dream holiday cancelled, she finds herself meeting Sean. Sean loves Christmas and hopes to change Holly's opinion of Christmas for the better... this is a fun little novella and the characters and story are worthy of a bigger read. Look forward to reading book 2.

Christmas at the Cove –Victoria Connelly - Victoria's first Christmas novella and this one sees us meet Millie at Christmas a her aunts cottage on the north Devon coast. Unbeknown to Millie her elderly auntie has been meddling and she finds a handsome man and his son in residence when she arrives. Deciding to share the cottage for Christmas a lovely story unravels and develops between them. This is a lovely story and evokes some lovely memories of spending winters on the Devon and Cornish coasts. perfect reading for a cold Saturday afternoon curled in front of a roaring fire.
Thank-you to all authors for their gorgeous stories which kept me occupied at airports, on aeroplanes and commuting across London during the festive season.I enjoyed them all, and look forward to compiling my festive list for 2016. Here are some previous book posts from recent months.

Festive Insta Love...

Last year saw me add some new features to the blog and regular posts. One of my most favourite and popular was sharing my social media loves from the previous month. December passed in a blur hence why I am now sharing what I was 'hearting' and liking on Instagram over the festive period.

With a trip across the pond early December I have 9 from New York, 9 from London and 9 festive favourites.... 

London:

1. j_r_photography - love this image of the London Eye and river bridges during the festive season.
2. levanterman - stunning shot of Tower bridge and the artistic christmas tree by city hall.
3. the connaught - twinkly tree and lights at The Connaught hotel - old school christmas glamour
4. elensham - loved elena's instagram feed during December, mixing the ordinary with festive sites in London - this shot in Leadenhall market is glorious.
5. aurelien_le_roch - stunning shot of the new years fireworks .
6. geminatrix - heathers photography around London is stunning - clean lines and stunning skylines  this shot of regent street is fabulous.
7. paulafitzherbert - love Paula's image of the carriages outside Claridges Christmas morning.. this is being added to my bucketlist!
8. in_and_outside_london - love this image from inside Duant books in Marylebone from Cecilia - christmas tree & books a perfect combination.
9. neiljamescartwright - lovely shot from the Sky Garden's seasonal decoration  from Neil.

Christmas & New Year - festive posts from some of my favourite instagrammers of 2015.

1. Love this porch picture from Sally @ gettingstuffdoneinheels the picture postcard cottage christmas... could have been lifted straight out of an enid blyton!... love it.. I absolutely want to move into her house. 
2. Could Crate & Barrel's Christmas table scream the holiday season anymore!... egg-nog, gingerbread, cake & bakers twine....soooo many of my favourites.
3. The Berkeley's rooftop holiday cinema looked just glorious and has been added to my Christmas bucket-list... anywhere that shows Miracle on 34th Street is a win for me.
4. Emily's Christmas eve table, sums up everything lovely about Emily and her make-light studio, the cookie cutters are my favourite..
5. Love Lou from The little green shed 's festive kitchen activity is delightful. Another kitchen that I am coveting!.
6. Valerie's chalkboard egg nog recipe is a firm favourite of mine and the calendar was in a lot of the stockings that I gave this year... lovely
7. For someone that has been practically tee-total for 10 years the Jack Daniels instagram account is a tempting treat and nothing more so than the Jack Daniels Egg Nog recipe!... do love a mason jar & egg nog....mmmm
8. The lovely Kitty from the PS team at work shared the most delicious treat table in the personal shopping suite at work.. hoe fab does this look.
9. New Year cranberry mimosa toasts from Tifforelie is lovely, a perfect way to toast and see in 2016.

New York:

1. The Empire State Building's New Year lights are captured spectacularly by jennifer, her images from the city are just stunning.
2. The Plaza Hotel's Christmas tree festooned with baubles, lit by twinkling lights under a fabulous chandelier brings christmas to life in this iconic hotel.
3. Love the everyday that Johnny captures in New York, the vintage subway is a hidden gem on the NY subways during the holiday season and having stood on a platform when one pulled in I can say its as exciting as The Polar Express!!.
4. The Peninsula's canopy is worth checking out if you are in the city during the holiday's, a fab little treat tucked down a side street off of 5th avenue. Captured fabulously by Rosemary.
5. The Tavern on the Green's christmas tree was a festive delight under a canopy of lights sitting in Central Park, magical.
6. This image of the NYPD on the sidewalk of Times Square on News Year is as powerful as it is humbling... on duty ready to patrol and protect those celebrating the NY festivities in the square. fantastic shot from Elena of pictures_of_newyork
7. This close-up of the christmas tree outside the New York stock exchange is beautiful from javan, his images of the city are stunning.
8. Love this image of the Rockefeller Christmas tree in a bauble from Craig, a new instagram discovery. His images of the city are strikingly beautiful, look forward to more from him in 2016.
9. Kelly's images of the city capture the everday and the ordinary fabulously. This of the One World tower nestled among the evergreen is perfect... thankyou, another new favourite.

Thankyou to all for sharing such glorious images through the festive season. I have loved them all. For more of my Social Media favourites from 2015, check out previous posts here.
Later this week I will share my favourite  "2015 nine from 9 "

Breakfast in the Sky Garden

Last year Breakfast became my new 'must' for 2015 and I took pleasure in both what I ate at my desk and treats in and around London. I finished the year with 2 fabulous breakfast treats; one at Claridges Christmas week and then the other at the Sky Garden New Year's week.

I started 2015 visiting the Sky Garden and finished with a return visit. It became one of my go-to places in 2015 and I enjoyed seeing the seasons and skyline of London change over the year. The light and space is just glorious 38 floors above the London streets.

I have no doubt that Sky Garden will remain on my musts for 2016.

This visit I booked a slot at the Sky Pod bar which allowed me to arrive just after 7 to an empty Sky Garden, which was lovely and allowed for some quiet contemplation watching London wake-up. With it still being dark as I arrived it also allowed me to capture The Shard's festive light show in all its, white, green & red splendour.  

Sky Garden bar offers a range of breakfast pastries, juices, coffee and porridge for the early morning treats and I opted for porridge with berries and coffee whilst watching the sunrise. Both were delicious and as dawn broke and the sun began to rise it really was the most perfect way to start a work morning.

With a visit between Christmas and New Year, the garden was still festively decorated and I loved the pink decorative accessories; especially the optional hot water bottles and the splash of colour bought the space to life adding a cosiness to the seating areas.

For anyone visiting London I couldn't recommend this space more, especially as there is no charge to enter, something which takes the sky Garden head and shoulders above its competitors, but also allowing you to eat & drink in spaces bathed by glorious views. For further detail on how to book a slot visit Sky Garden.

More of my breakfast adventures can be found here.

2015 you were fabulous...

January is always a month of reflection for me and a time to take stock and reflect on the previous year before making any big changes... its also a chance to share some favourites from the previous year. Here's 15 favs from 2015;

1. January saw me visit the newly opened Sky Garden at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street. Its become one of my favourite places in London in 2015.
2, Lunch at the Ritz was on the menu in March for a friends 60th birthday. Beautiful surroundings, fab food and lots of fun.
3. 2015 saw me drive a new Fiat 500 off the forecourt and I have loved every minute of driving Taylor over the year.
4. Book fun with some author friends  (and a few pop stars!!) was the perfect way to spend a summer evening.
5. Something that is becoming a regular annual treat is a trip to the Chelsea Flower Show.... glorious in every way.
6. An absolute bucket list moment when I saw the divine Miss M live - Bette Midler an absolute superstar.
7. 2015 saw Spandau Ballet reform and travel the world with a fabulous show, me and the girls had a fabulous night reliving our youth and singing our heads off.
8. Claridges is becoming another favourite treat and a birthday breakfast was topped off with a cute macaroon birthday patisserie.

9.September saw me attend the premiere of the Rugby movie Building Jerusalem, where I met the gorgeous Jonny Wilkinson.
10.Being gifted a corporate ticket for the opening ceremony of the Rugby World cup was pretty spectacular and I loved it all.
11. Culmination of the world cup saw the All Blacks take the Webb Ellis trophy - during the tournament I saw the NZ team play twice and I got to see another rugby hero Dan Carter.
12. A dark misty night was the perfect setting to meet the author Patricia Cornwell in November and listen to her talk about one of my favourite book series of all time - the Scarpetta novels.
13. New York - probably one of my favourite visits and everyday was an adventure; including a trip to Washington.
14 - Back to Claridges for Christmas this time and a lovely festive breakfast in gorgeous surroundings..
15 - December saw Duran Duran take to the stage for one night and an opportunity to feel 14 all over again.They absolutely rocked the roof off and I had a fabulous time.... the perfect final treat for 2015.
As you can see 2015 was pretty fabulous and along with doing some amazing things, I got to spend some time with friends and family. 2015 was kind to me, but many of my friends weren't so lucky and for 2016 I wish it to be happier and healthier, filled with love, friendship and lots of love.

Goodbye December....

Before we close our doors to 2015 and embark on a new adventure in 2016 its time to look back on my highlights from December. Spending the 1st week of the month in New York was just fabulous and was one of the best weeks that I had had there. (no week is anything other than great, but somehow this year was just fabulous)
The build up to Christmas was energetic, fast and full of fun things and will share more in January when the nights are long and cold and my diary is bare! Here's some of my instagram snaps from the month of favourite things.....
1. December Daily / Journal your Christmas - for the past 5 years I have documented and scrapbooked my December via prompts from the talented Shimelle; this year I am looking forward to doing the same and then crafting in the new year. Here is my album from 2014.
2. Duran Duran took to the stage at the O2 in December for an amazing gig where they absolutely rocked the roof off!..no Christmas songs, but lots of happy middle aged ladies!
3. Christmas songs - love getting the Christmas CD's and playlist on the ipod for trips in the car & tube.
4 & 5 Planning and wrapping are 2 of my christmas moments - every year a new theme; this year black, gold, silver & white. Loved this years themes.
6. Taylors 1st Christmas - boot filled with yellow bags and commuting to and from work singing along to Christmas tunes and decked with fairy lights!
7. Team night out involved Shake Shack and Somerset House for a night of Skate & Shack.
8. Christmas morning breakfast with Nans legendary sausage rolls.
9.Remembering loved ones passed during the festive season with holly wreaths and roses.

It wasn't just me that had lots of fun at Christmas - the kits had bundles of fun along with lazy sleeps too!
Fitz definitely the most inquisitive of the 2, or the one that got caught the most; whether sneaking kisses, exploring gift bags and even inside the tree he explored lots!  Darcy liked the holiday duvet lots and was often found asleep there or curled up with his brother on my lap or by the fire. He did find a parcel that he thought was his! With there own stocking from their fur buddies Jax & Roxy, they were not left out.

After much deliberation the Christmas tree went up late in T's terrace. From the many decorations that I have, I selected the black, gold, white and silver decorations to compliment my theme. I was really pleased with how it all came out.
The kits definitely seemed to like it and it was the first year with the kits that it remained upright for the holiday period!

Boxing Day was spent as in previous years at work. Driving into London, the streets were desolate until you hit the big department stores, were Q's snaked around the block.
Busy day all round and welcomed the sofa in the evening for a rest.

Early morning breakfast's in glorious surroundings were spent in December. Claridges in Christmas week was just magical and then the Sky Garden pre New Year watching the sun rise was equally as magical.
Detailed posts to follow.








As you can see December was busy and hard to believe how quick that it and 2015 have flown by. With the New Year approaching its time for a blog overhaul, with so much to share from Christmas I am going to keep the blog Christmassy until the 12th night when the decorations come down...
29 days ago I was standing in Times Square looking at the big silver ball that would drop on New Years Eve...

10 festive favourites from London.....

Another week gone and now only 4 days to Christmas, December passing by in a flurry, alas not snow flurries as it is unseasonally mild for this time of year. My week has been a whirlwind of activities in and around London catching up with friends and family for the festive season.

London is looking lovely this year and here are a few of my holiday favourites:

1. Skate Ice Rink at Somerset with a glorious tree decorated and sponsored by Fortnum & Mason. its its signature blue & wicker, it really is delightful. The skate rink is much fun, and pumps out a fabulous DJ set as you skate. Visited as part of my teams night out and we had much fun.
2. Carnaby Christmas Street party - a fabulously kitsch, glitter-ball pink star-scape. what's not to love about that at Christmas.
3. Sometimes the simple styling is as effective as the overblown glitter and this is demonstrated perfectly with the blue lit tree at the Houses of parliament in the shadows of Big Ben. 
4. The Damian Hirst tree outside the Connaught Hotel in the heart of Mayfair.
5. This year the strand has decorated its street with blue baubles and stars and it looks lovely, a welcome surprise when I went to the theatre last week.
6. South Molton Street (alongside Bond street station) arches, are a annual favourite and look gorgeous looking down onto Oxford street.
7. Rudolph on his sleigh, complete with red nose sits proud at the top of Covent garden and is a huge favourite with the children.
8. Regent streets clock parts (sponsered by a big watch maker) have lights and images beamed onto them as they are strung across the street.
9. The silver and gold lit orbs across Oxford street are my daily view as I walk to and from work and really seem to fit this years themes of space and stars.

Covent Garden has become a favourite this year and looks beautiful with its huge glitter-balls and mistletoe bunches... along with its huge christmas tree it is very christmassy! Visiting during the day is lovely, but looks very special and sparkly after dark.
 I will be sharing some more favourites from Covent Garden over the holiday period.
10. Another festive favourite and becoming a bit of a regular feature for T is the beautifully decadent Claridges. This year my Christmas treat was a cheeky breakfast before work, where I got to explore a little of the Christmas delights of this hotel... pop back after Christmas and I will share more!
The rest of the week is a complete whirl of activities, wrapping and present delivering, I hope to pop back before the big day with some more festive fun.
have a lovely week x

Hello December --- let the countdown begin!

Well its December and only 31 days left of 2015. As with every December I have a busy month ahead... my December this month will feature;

• New York!!.. so excited.
• Shake Shack London & New York
• Fun times with friends and food at Forest on the Roof
• Selfridges ... must go to work in-between the festivities and fun across the pond.
• Claridges - a Christmas treat planned and a chance to see the fabulous tree designed by Christopher Bailey from Burberry.
• Time to explore the festive lights of the city, loving the arches on South Molten Street and the baubles in Oxford street.
• A night with Duran Duran .... a chance for my inner teen to come out to play for christmas and a night at the theatre watching the fabulous Jim Broadbent as Ebeneezer Scrooge. There is also a little film opening on 18th December which features a war in the stars which I am sure to see and in amongst that I need to fit in Christmas!!
  
   New York adventures feature a trip to Washington, Afternoon Tea at The Plaza, Brunch at The Standard Grill on the Highline and a night of les Miserables with Alfie Boe on Times Square. I will also be heading up to view the city from the One World Observatory and seeing the fabulous Rockefeller treet lightup... pop back in December to read more adventures from the big apple!

As you can see the blog has had a make over.. this years holiday colours are Black, Silver & Gold so the blog has been updated to reflect this and will become more Christmassy as the holiday season counts down.

So hello December I look forward to having 31 days of festive fun!!

Goodbye November ....

Well not sure where November has gone, but December is a sleep away and 31 days until 2016!.. eeek. For someone who didn't have much planned in November, I didn't get much blogging done and failed miserable with by BEDN challenge!

November was filled with lots of remembrance activities and the desk and Taylor were suitably styled.
I spent a night at the movie's watching Spectre and loved it.
Another night out saw me at the theatre watching Funny Girl, starring Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice who is quite simply fabulous. This musical moved to The Strand theatre in April after its run at the Menier Chocolate theatre and urge all to grab tickets.
This kits also got to go out in Taylor for there annual check up and inoculations at the vet. Both were little stars and very good for the vet. They have been enjoying cozy nights in in November, cuddled up in front of their little fire.

November saw every retailer have a Black Friday frenzy... The big yellow store was no different. With a 5 day promotion of 20% which made for long days, lots of yellow bags and a big tick on my christmas lust & wish lists!!

Lots on insta love this month as the Christmas countdown began...

* Love Chalkedbymabz red cups chalkboard image... November kicked off the Starbucks red cups for 2015.

 *A special little boy turned 1 at the end of October and here he is skateboarding with his uncle! 

* Christmas adverts started to appear and Mulberry's is just lovely, how gorgeous does this mulberry bayswater look in the fire light... Dear Santa....

* ValerieMckeehan's hot chocolate chalk mugs are just delicious.

* Just loving Claridges Christmas styling this year and this little Nutcracker scene outside Paula Fitzherbert's room is perfect.

* Stunning image of the cenotaph from magic_moments1994 sums up the whole occasion.

* With a trip to NY pending, how stunning is Johnnyyonkers Lower Manhattan skyline.

* Loving Emily Quinton's fairy light styling and looking forward to trying some styling tips of my own this year. and finally Instagram love wouldn't e complete without an image from David Gandy .. this month at the Fashion Council awards!

November saw me attend an evening of Crime with Patricia Cornwell. It was an evening filled with mystery, forensics and fun. Here is more detail on the evening.

As November closes I am furiously packing for a trip to New York ... so farewell for now and see you when I am back ..... pop onto my Instagram feed to follow my adventures stateside!

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Seasonal sights on the Lower West side...

Eeek halfway through November and the New York planning has stepped up a gear. I do feel a little disorganised this year but I am sure I will get everything done on my list and in my head!

This year I am staying down in the meatpacking / greenwich village location, which is new for me; I've always stayed in and around either the mid-town / central park location,  looking forward to exploring this area in a little more detail.
Last year when visiting and walking around the village it was lovely to see some of the houses still in Thanksgiving / Autumn mode and others that had decorated for Christmas.

Pumpkins and cabbages are a lovely way to decorate the steps and porches of the village during thanksgiving week, which then moves into door wreaths and mini trees and lots of lovely fairy lights.

My last 2 visits to New York I have made sure that I visit the Highline; The Highline is park / recreation area that stretches several blocks along the river elevated on an old disused railway track.
Here it is on a previous visit. I'm thrilled that my hotel is a couple of streets from this glorious space and I'm sure that I will spend some time here on my forthcoming visit.
One of the many things that I love about New York during the Holiday Season is the Christmas tree sites that pop up on the corner of streets.

As you can see the Lower west side of New York has lots to offer and I can't wait to get there to explore!....

A thrilling night with the Queen of Crime Fiction...

Firework Night took on a whole new thrill this year, when I spent the evening in the company of the Queen of Crime Fiction ~ Patricia Cornwell. Patricia was in the UK to promote her 23rd Scarpetta novel and celebrate 25 years of the Kay Scarpetta phenomenon.
The evening was hosted by Good Housekeeping magazine in the most apt and suitable venue of 1 Wimpole Street - The Royal Society of Medicine.

Having attended a previous event many years ago to see Patricia Cornwell, I knew that she would draw a large crowd and I wasn't surprised to see so many people there. With wine flowing and the opportunity to purchase a signed book, many people were soon chatting about the venue and author.
The actual event took place in the Guy Whittle Auditorium where 2 chairs were positioned on a stage against the backdrop of a screen which showed a great introduction film narrated by Patricia herself before she arrived on stage. She was joined  with Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway who was the host interviewer for the evening.
I was suitably impressed with Kate's questioning  style, something I don't think is showcased particularly well on TV and she came across much more informed and knowledgeable.
Here's 5 things that I learned from the evening:
1. She's an action heroine: "Someone wise said: always do things that make you feel a little insecure because it causes you to grow. Whether it's flying a helicopter, riding a motorcycle, writing a script... I absolutely like to conquer fear. I recommend it to people.'

2.Even after 23 books, writing doesn’t get any easier: ‘There’s pressure with every book. It never gets easier. For any writers I would say, we’re all the same. I don’t care how many books you’ve written and how well you’ve done, writing is just as hard to do. I have days where I have writer’s block like everyone else. I have days where I don’t want to go to my desk, like everyone else. It’s a hard thing to do. I just try to focus and not get caught up in the pressure.’  

3. When will we see a Scarpetta movie?; A movie has been in commission since the early books and as yet a script has not been agreed as no-one even myself can create this character for film.... Who would you like to see play Kay - there are so many strong women out there, would like to see Jessica Chastain play Kay Scarpetta on the big screen!
4. Best Book read recently? : Girl on a Train by Paula Hawkins.
5. Advice to all: Don't forget you have this powerful tool; your imagination. She said that her imagination is what saved her childhood; Her hard childhood made her a writer
‘My imagination was what saved me when I was a little kid. I say to people, don’t forget you have this unbelievably powerful tool: your imagination. It can take you places without you leaving the room, you can create characters to keep you company. I learnt to do that as a kid because my world was lonely and desolate.’ 

I thoroughly enjoyed my evening and was thrilled that my tweets were both picked up by both the author herself and GH. Looking at PC's social media feed she had a great time travelling across the country before she headed back to New York where she is writing book 24 in the Scarpetta series and just finished editing her follow-up Jack the Ripper investigation.
I have been a huge fan with PC's from book 1 Post-mortem, which sits in my top 10 books and something I have read many times. For someone who had aspirations to be a forensic pathologist in my school years, this author ticks so many of my boxes and is without a doubt Queen of the crime novel of my generation.
Thankyou Patricia Cornwell and God Housekeeping for hosting such a cool event.

Goodbye October ..... Hello November

How can it be November?.... I'm not sure where 2015 is going but October has passed in a swirl of falling leaves, autumnal nights and lots and lots of scrummy thing!
October really is one of my favourite months and I have tried to enjoy every day and celebrate the season of autumn.
> October started with some gorgeous evenings and I took complete advantage by exploring the streets of London whilst walking to the station.
> Starbucks launched their Pumpkin latte's in gorgeous autumnal cups.
> London streets looked lovely with their falling leaves.
> Rugby fever still prevalent at my desk during October with pool games concluded it was time for the Big Boys games and gazing at Dan Carters thighs!
> I spent lots of time out doors in October and enjoyed walking, reading and soaking up the autumnal sunshine and falling leaves.
> Cats had much fun with munchkins and conkers in October as well as lots of snuggles.
> Walk to work continued with new routes found and scenery enjoyed from on foot.
> Bake days got a little spooky in the month, when I made this Gryffindor cake for a Harry Potter friend for her birthday.
> With gorgeous autumnal days I spent some time tidying at the cemetery and celebrating Nans birthday.

> Nothing lends itself to the halloween week than the side alleys and streets of Southwark and Borough market. The Victorian lights and artistically lit tunnels are perfect to create that spooky vibe.

> October saw the big yellow store turn blue & gold for a journey to the stars for Christmas.
> Much fun with the build up to the launch of the 24th Bond movie - Spectre. Saw the movie on night of release and will share my thoughts over the next week.
> spent a couple of Saturdays at the rugby watching the All Blacks which was just amazing, here is my Rugby world Cup adventures in full!
> enjoyed all of the sights of the season from the changing & falling leaves to having some pumpkin fun.
October saw be participate in an instagram daily for autumn which I enjoyed .. find out how I got on here.
Much fun in the scrum with these gorgeous men in the month!











October culminated in the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup, seeing New Zealand meet Australia in the final. I'd called the final 18 months ago when the pool games were released and thought these 2 mighty teams would meet. There could only be one winner on the day and I am thrilled that the All Blacks retained the trophy and showed the world that they are the best team. with 2 of their legendary greats bowing out after the final, it was a fitting end to the careers of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.
An amazing end to a fantastic month. Here's more of my adventures from previous months.
Looking forward to seeing what November brings.