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Last night we met this beautiful little one. Amelia is the teeniest, most lovely baby girl I’ve ever seen and we’re both besotted with her. And to see Em and Gary so happy is the most wonderful thing. I can’t wait to see her again next week for another little squeeze.

And so I'm signing off for a few days. Thank you so much for all your lovely comments over the last 6 months, I love to read every single one. I can't wait to see what 2011 has to bring, but I think it's going to be the best yet.

From our home to yours, we're sending lots of Christmas happiness and love xxx

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It was a very white Christmas with my Dad on Sunday, complete with snowball fights and a snowman.

And the search for the perfect black brogue is over. My Dad bought me these while he was in LA a few weeks ago and I love them. They’re my new favourites.

Thank you Papa and Dee for a lovely day and awesome presents. We hope you both have the happiest of Christmas’ and most brilliant of New Years xx

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It's been a crazy week.

1. On Tuesday my best friend's waters broke almost a month early. This morning (yup, 4 days later) she gave birth to our beautiful God daughter Amelia. The newest member of our family. Congratulations Em and Gary. You guys are the best and we love you lots.

2. It's snowed. Again. These are some shots from our front door and one of our neighbour's pretty Christmas wreath. The snow makes everything so festive. And has led to many renditions of Let It Snow.

3. It's been Christmas madness at work. Christmas meal on Thursday and then last night the work Christmas party. Very fun indeed with lots of dancing and maybe a couple of cocktails. The night ended with a group of us stranded at the venue, in the snow, in heels for about an hour after the party finished. Note to self: next time book a taxi more than 5 minutes before you want to leave.

4. My new camera got caught up in all the snow and won't arrive now until Tuesday. Bummer.

With such events unfolding I've been left in a funny old mood. Christmas is less than a week away and my best friend now has a daughter. It's all rather surreal. Awesomely fantastic, but surreal all the same. Such a huge change for the New Year. I wonder what else 2011 will offer up. One thing's for sure. It's now going to involve lots of girly shopping trips and pretty baby dresses. I can't wait.

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This weekend the festive fun really began when some of our most favourite people came and stayed for the weekend. We mostly sat around eating and drinking and catching up but did also squeeze in some shopping in the Christmas markets. The laughter was plentiful. We also briefly met up with my grandparents and exchanged some presents. Very lovely indeed.

So now the busy times really begin. This week I have another work Christmas meal, my work Christmas party and our little Christmas dinner with our best friends. Then on Sunday it’s our Christmas Day with my Dad. Turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas presents and board games. The whole schbang.

Side Note: the only good thing about having divorced parents? Two Christmas Day’s and two birthdays. It’s definitely a bonus.

ps. today I ordered the camera. The saving paid off and it’s on it’s way to it’s new home with us. These are my last photos with a dying camera. Rest in Peace little Kodak. You served us well.

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This week has been both good (Christmas decorating and seeing my Dad’s play) and bad. On Tuesday I tripped up our front door step and busted the knee I dislocated a few years ago. The nurse (yup, I had to see a nurse) gave me a whole bunch of ice packs, bandaged it up for support and told me to rest for 2 days. It’s still feeling pretty crappy but no way was I missing my Christmas meal today so I headed back to work. And it was totally worth it.

So this week, I’m doing something a little different to my usual Friday’s Things to Smile About. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about 2011 and what it might hold. I’ve been inspired by the oh-so-cool Elsie over at A Beautiful Mess and her 28 before 29 birthday list, so have written a list of everything I’d like to try and achieve over the next year. My 10 for 2011. I figure that if I write a nice long list I’m bound to achieve a couple.

Some of these will be easy. Some will take a bit more work (or guts, when it comes to the haircut). But I like to have something to aim for.

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Our living room is now bursting with Christmas goodness. The paper chains are up, some impressive snowflakes have been made and the Christmas tree is glistening in the corner with plenty of presents stacked underneath it. I’m so excited I can barely keep by bottom on the chair as I type.

The weekend was a manic one (as per my list last week) but I got everything done that I hoped to. The quilt got finished and given to my best friend as a surprise at her baby shower on Sunday and she loved it. Annoyingly though it was such a close call getting it finished I forgot to take a picture. I’ll have to get Em to take some and send them over.

Luckily the print deadline for business-related things has been moved so the logo doesn’t have to be done until the end of the week. This is good as I am a fussy little bunny and my sis hasn’t quite finished it. The next couple of days involve lots of knitting and tidying up, but it all seems pretty achievable now. What a relief.

*

Umm, how is it Friday already? Crazy times.

Things to smile about this week:

1. Decorating our house for Christmas this weekend. I’ll post some pictures next week of our vintage decorations. They were a genius find on eBay about 3 years ago. Tomorrow we’re putting up the paper chains (a tricky task when your ceilings are about 10 feet tall) so tonight I’m getting busy with the paper cutter and stapler. Bring it on.

2. My vintage tablecloth. B hates it. I love it. But if everyone thought the same, the world would be pretty boring. As a compromise I’ve told B that I’ll only use it when he’s not in the house. Yeah right.

3. Talking with my nephews on the phone this afternoon. Tyler told me that he went ice skating today and that he was doing a solo song and dance in his nativity play next week. I know for certain these are rather major exaggerations of the truth, but I’m loving his story telling skills. Coby got over excited telling me about his walk in the snow and eating the chocolates from his advent calendar.

4. This little wooden box from a charity shop. I also scored another amazing find, but that’s for a certain boy for Christmas so will remain a secret for now.

5. There’s only 11 more days to go until I can finally order my new camera. A Canon 500D. I’m too friggin’ excited.

*

Sometimes I have things that I keep meaning to do, but just never seem to get ticked of the list (oh, how I love a good list). One of them is printing our photos and putting them in albums. I did it about 18 months ago and ne'er was it done again.

We got a really awesome album as a wedding present and i've been meaning to fill it. Finally, on Friday, I ordered the prints. And today they arrived. Hoorah. How I love to get parcels. So now there are pictures everywhere and a stack of albums waiting eagerly to finally get the opportunity to do their job.

Now I just need to find the time to do that. Not quite sure when though. This is a rough idea of the next 10 days.
Finish quilt before Saturday
Make paper chains
Have a serious sort out of the living room
Decorate house for Christmas
Wrap presents
Knit, knit, knit
Special gathering on Sunday
Finish logo designs for my business by Monday
Work, work, work
Seeing the first night of my Dad's latest play on Thursday
Christmas meal at work
Have a cup of tea with my Grandparents while they're up here visiting
Welcome some of the most awesome buddies who arrive next Friday for a weekend of fun (hence early Christmas decorating and major tidy up)

Blimey. That list is even longer than I thought.

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Today is a special day for two reasons.

Firstly, this is my 100^th post. I can’t believe I’m at this milestone already with this little blog. I’ve loved every minute of blogging so far and the opportunity it’s given to meet some awesome people from all over the world. Thank you to everyone who follows our adventures and leaves comments too. It’s thrilling to see a new message and I always appreciate your kind and funny words so much.

Secondly, today is mine and B’s sixth month wedding anniversary. I can’t believe how quickly the time has past and how completely awesome these months have been. Being married to that boy is the most amazing thing and I love being his wife more every day. I love you so much beautiful husband of mine xx

This is one of my favourite wedding finds. Our original 1950s American cake topper that I tracked down on eBay. It was a total steal and is just the prettiest thing. It sat on our simple wedding cake and now stands very proudly indeed on our bookshelf.

Things to smile about this week:

1. These lovely, old-fashioned Christmas tree decorations that I bought in the most awesome sweet shop ever. My family all come to our house on Christmas morning and our nephews will love having a Christmas tree treasure hunt with these little ones.

2. The snow. It’s completely freezing here this week and we woke up this morning to a little blizzard and a white covering over everything.

3. Finishing my Christmas shopping. That’s right people. I’m always pretty organised but I’ve never completed it all before December. And with three exceptions I’ve stuck to my vow to either buy from charity shops or local independent stores or to make presents myself. I think it’s the way forward and I’ll definitely be sticking to this next year.

4. Seeing my nephew Ty in town when I was walking home at lunchtime yesterday. He had just been on his first school trip to the theatre and was walking along, hand in hand with his little buddie, with all his school mates and teachers. I chatted to him as they walked and when I said goodbye Ty and all his friends waved and shouted bye very loudly. Cutest. Thing. Ever.

5. 4 weeks today it’s Christmas Day. It’ll be the start of our 11 day holiday from work, Father Christmas will have delivered lots of lovely presents and the house will be packed with the yummiest of food. Heaven.

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I’m a girl who loves her crafts. This is a well-known fact. But there’s one thing I wish I could do and that’s draw. I’ve recently developed a passion for illustrations and I’ve maybe spent a little too long scrolling through Etsy looking at some awesome prints. My current favourite has got to be Pop Pop Portraits.

Husband dearest if you’re reading this, your wife thinks that a couple’s portrait by the seriously talented Helena would be the most perfect first anniversary gift. Plus it goes rather well with the tradition of receiving paper, don’t you think? I’m letting you know now so you have some time to save the pennies.

Luckily for me, creative juices run throughout my whole family and my sister is one talented sista. These are some of her drawings. They decorated my hen party invites, our cake table notice and of course our wedding invitations. Which were just so so cool. I’ve asked her to draw me something for my Christmas present and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with. Having more artwork around our house is one of my aims for next year. More of which to come next week.

ps. Happy Thanksgiving to all the Yanks out there, including my Papa who’s currently in LA. I hope you all had a lovely lovely day x

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So it turns out that seeing your husband holding and talking to his baby nephew can knock you for six. One day that boy will be an awesome Papa. And I love him even more for that.

ps. Harry Potter rocked. In fact, I just got back from seeing it a second time. That's just the way I roll people.

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Things to smile about this week:
1. Going to see Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows: Part 1 tomorrow. That’s right people. My name is Nell and I’m a Harry Potter nut. A serious nut in fact. Luckily I have a partner in crime in this passion. My Mum. We’ve both read all the books about 6 times, we stood in line at midnight to buy them and I booked our tickets to see the film about 2 months ago. I can’t tell you how excited I am.

2. The prospect of getting to meet our newest nephew on Sunday. We’re heading off on a little day trip with B’s parents so I’ve been busy knitting up some treats for him.

3. Seeing the Coca Cola “Holidays are Coming” advert on Tuesday evening. Yes, I know it only reflects the commercial side of Christmas, but I can’t help but freak out when I see it. A text conversation ensued between my sister and I exclaiming how awesome it was. Thank goodness there’s someone else out there as lame as me.

4. Receiving two lovely emails from the two lovely ladies who received my letters at the beginning of the week. They made my day, proving this letter writing malarkey is totally worth it.

5. And it may be a bit soppy but you know what, the royal engagement made me smile too. B’s far more cynical about the whole thing and thinks it’s only been announced to butter everyone up before yet another week of budget cut announcements, but I can’t help it. It’s the old romantic in me. Plus I can’t get over how big and bouncy Kate’s hair is. Sod being the future Queen of England, I just want her hairdresser please.

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So my little blog has won an award. The Versatile Blogger award, from the lovely Kellie. I'm not entirely sure what the award name means but a prize is a prize, right, so I'm taking it. I'm to link back to the person who awarded it to me, divulge seven things about myself, and pass it on to seven great blogs I follow (letting them know via a comment).

So here we go...

1. B is the only boy I’ve ever kissed and was my first boyfriend. I was the geekiest (so we all know that bit’s still true), most naïve girl ever and then I met B. He was a bad influence. But the two years at sixth form were some of the most fun of our lives. Even if my grades did plummet.

2. I hate cheese. I can just about tolerate a small amount on pizza and lasagne, but my worst nightmare is a grated cheese sandwich. Hello pukesville. This is tough when you’re married to the world’s biggest cheese lover.

3. My Dad is a Costume Designer so I’ve spent many a fun time in wardrobe departments around the world and found myself in some pretty random situations. I once had a conversation with Tom Hanks in the middle of a marshy field; when B and I were visiting my Dad in Berlin we ended up clubbing with Jackie Chan and his entourage and my sis, bro and I once went to a cinema in Prague with Bruce Willis.

4. I have an irrational fear that one day an insect or creature will get caught in my hair. This has led to a serious phobia of anything that flies or jumps. Birds, moths, grasshoppers, frogs. They all freak me out. Give me a spider any day.

5. I can’t eat dairy. Oak milk is my savour. Although I am partial to a soy hot chocolate.

6. When I was a kid, the other children in my class used to call us The Adams Family because we were a bit different to all of them. I think they meant it as an insult but we took it as a complement. My Mum installed in us the belief that unique and different is best. Plus, man oh man, we loved that movie.

7. My favourite colour is green. My favourite shade changes everyday.

I'm passing this on to:

Smallesthings
Fast Times in Munchen
Pocketful of Pretty
Crowley Party
Rose & Crown
Me, Myself & Jeff
A Mountain Bride

Pictures taken on Sunday when my sis and I took the boys to the park. It gets dark here at 4.30 now. And Ty's just in a t-shirt because he was running round like a crazy person for about half an hour before this was taken. Just in case you were thinking I was a terrible Auntie!!

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On Saturday we headed out for our birthday meal with my Dad and his lovely girlfriend Dee, who paid for our lunch as a treat. Awesome. I had the most yummy chicken salad with new potatoes, hard boiled egg, avocado and dough sticks. I’m drooling as I type this, it was so good. I also bought a little cake and we sang Happy Birthday very loudly.

So happy birthday for yesterday to my awesome Papa. You always make us laugh and are the least grown-up grown-up I know. Your accents are the best ever and no-one holds a fake pipe like you do. Thank you for being so generous on our big day and for giving the best Father of the Bride speech in the history of weddings. We always have hilarious adventures when we’re with you and you are hands down the most stylish Dad around.

We love you so much Pops xxx

Apologies for the blurry picture by the way. My camera is on the verge of death and only focuses when it feels like it. I have been a busy little saver however and will soon be purchasing my dream camera. More on that to come.

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Things to smile about this week:

1. The knitting bag my Grandma made me. Isn’t she clever? It fits everything in perfectly and looks so pretty. I tied this lovely vintage hanky to the handle to finish it off. I’ve been wondering what to do with that for ages.

2. Going out for a family lunch tomorrow. It’s my Dad’s birthday on Sunday so we’re taking him out for pizza. There will also be chocolate cake. Oh yeah.

3. The late afternoon sun shining on the trees. How can that not make you smile?

4. These awesome little mugs I found in the charity shop. For 50p each.

5. Writing two letters and sending one mammoth email as part of my pre-New Year resolution. Go me.

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Our Sunday walk was a little different this week and we were joined by my brother and his gorgeous kiddos having decided that a little trip to the duck pond was in order. We stocked up on bread, wrapped up warm and headed to the park.

The ducks loved our visit almost as much as we did and soon we were surrounded. To begin with Coby wasn’t overly sure about the ducks getting too close (ducks are pretty monstrous when you’re less than two foot tall) but he soon came round and we had to stop him from trying to stroke them like a dog. Teeny fingers can easily get mistaken for yummy bread in a hungry duck’s eyes, don’t you know.

Ty decided it was fun to throw bread in a puddle and watch the ducks get all muddy in pursuit of tasty treats and then got totally distracted by a little Moor Hen that had found its way into the pack. We played some football, gathered some conkers and hung off trees for a while before Coby decided it was far too cold for anymore outdoor fun, and we headed home. The ducks sure were sad to see us go, but I think we’ll be back pretty soon.