November round up

A collection of my favourite things from the month of November

With Christmas fast approaching, I’ve been trying to be good with my money and save up for presents for friends and family. However, I have treated myself to a few bits and bobs. I discovered the shop, Forever 21 this month and found a lovely warm jumper for under £20 – I couldn’t resist!

I’ve been enjoying my subscription to Glamour Magazine the last few months too. It’s a magazine I’ve read for years and so far I haven’t grown tired of it. So when an offer came through a couple of months ago for a year’s subscription, paying half the price for each magazine, I decided to go for it. I now have it delivered to my door every month, and after a few months of waiting, I finally got my free goody bag – very exciting! The only downside I’ve found is that, in my December issue, I was meant to get a free Nails Inc nail varnish, but got a letter saying it couldn’t be posted. To get my free nail varnish I would have to travel to London to pick it up, so needless to say, I never got my nail varnish.

After almost 10 years of using the same Filofax, I’ve finally had to replace it, as it’s literally falling apart! I’m quite sad to say good-bye to my old one – I’ve never seen one quite as pretty and it’s taken me through so many important events. But, change is a good thing, so hopefully my new, slightly more grown-up Filofax will see me though a lot more special milestones.

Things I’ve learnt this month…

+   When one door closes another door opens – cliché I know!

+   I need to listen to my body more

+   Unexpected letters or gifts are lovely

+   I need to stop feeling guilty about needing to rest

+   It’s lovely looking at old photos

+   It’s amazing how chatting to a friend can brighten your day

+   Some days, staying in bed seems like the best option

+   Fleece-lined leggings are a genius invention!

+   A helium balloon can keep a couple of little ones entertained for hours

+   London is fab, especially near Christmas, but way too exhausting!

+   I’ve discovered a new love – Forever 21!

+   It’s nice to spoil special people and show them how much you care – it doesn’t have to be anything big, and just giving someone your time can mean the world

What to look out for in December

I always look forward to buying the Christmas TV Guide; to see what Christmas specials and films will be showing. I’ve already heard a few rumours, so I’ll be setting my TV to record a fair few things! There’s usually quite a lot going on in the soaps around Christmas, alongside finals in Strictly and The X Factor. Some of the ‘special episodes’ I’m expecting to see include Mrs Brown’s Boys, Doctor Who, Outnumbered, Downton Abbey and a Catherine Tate creation!

Last year's Radio Times (Found on Google)

My friend and I started a Christmas tradition a few years ago, that we’d go out to the cinema just before Christmas and catch that year’s Christmas film. We’ve seen Nativity, Arthur Christmas and a couple of other more forgettable ones along the way! So this year, we’ll be making a date to go and see Disney's Frozen, and I can’t wait!

December is the perfect time to visit your local Christmas market. The bigger ones, at places like Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, can be pretty crowded and overwhelming, but so many towns hold smaller versions within their community. We’ve had one here for the last few years, and I usually try to help out on the stall run by the Youth Club I volunteer at. There is always such a great atmosphere, whatever the weather, with a Christmas light switch on, hot chocolates and mulled wine and plenty of gift ideas in the run-up to Christmas.

Image from Wikipedia

Do you have any favourites or things you’ve learnt in November? What are you looking forward to in December?