I got a shameful amount of books for Christmas.
One of which is a macaron book! So excited to get baking.






imgs 1, 2 & 3 via weheartit
img 4 from parisvsnyc.blogspot.com (a cute little site)

Happy Christmas one and all! I hope you get to read lots, watch Christmas telly, eat your own weight in cheese and crackers, have amazing roast potatoes and lots and lots of presents!

I used to have this read to me when I was a little 'un...
This version is cute.

Merry Christmas!

The best Charity Christmas Single... ever!
Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmastime

Yahoo! It's Christmas Week now!
With pretty much the whole of Europe coming to a standstill because of more feckin' snow, I am verrry happy that (like some of my friends) I'm not stranded.

In any case*, this is a song that everyone will probably listen to this week!


[Random Fact]
*a phrase I use far too often. I think I've translated it from the french 'en tout cas'. Sometimes I find myself talking like a French person speaking English and get odd looks from people when I ask how they passed their weekend etc.

Carol Of The Bells is a classic. It always reminds me of Kevin setting up his 'Operation Ho Ho Ho' in Home Alone (yes, I was a tad obsessed as a child).
I found this sweet version by The Bird & The Bee

This time next week people!!

It's getting closer to Christmas. As we say in Ireland, it's only 8 sleeps away. Time to get serious. Carols are, in my opinion, one of the best things about Christmas. I'm not talking about those new ones, I'm talking serious stuff here, all the old ones, sung by (proper) choirs.

It's freezing (again) in Dublin, and the snow is on its way. Perfect time to wrap all my presents by the fire, drink (more) mulled wine and listen to Carols. On Repeat.

Today's choice is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen!

(sidenote: I def think it's possible to enjoy carols without being religious)

Made my first batch of gingerbread biscuits today!

350g plain flour
2tsp ground ginger
1tsp baking soda
100g butter cut into cubes (cold)
175g soft brown sugar
1 egg
4tbsp golden syrup

1. Sift flour, ginger and soda into a bowl and add the chunks of butter.

2. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour until it
resembles breadcrumbs (like crumble). Stir in the sugar.

3. In a small bowl, break egg and beat in the golden syrup.
Add this to the flour mixture.

4. Mix with a metal spoon until it forms a dough (be patient!).
Stretch the dough on a floured surface until it's smooth.

5. Roll out, cut into shapes desired and place on a floured baking sheet.
Bake for 12-15 mins at 190C/375F/Gas Mark 5


Ice as you wish!

"We're here tonight, and that's enough."


This evening we'll be drinking mulled wine, eating gingerbread (hopefully, as I'm about to attempt to make it), watching some festive classics and DANCING our asses off to nothing but Christmas songs... like this Macca gem!

SERIOUSLY!

I recently watched Meet Me in Saint Louis for the first time, and where has that film been all my life?! Loved every minute of it. I'm ashamed to say that I never knew 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' was originally from the film.

I like Judy's version, but I loooove Ella Fitzgerald's one the most!

Only 11 sleeps to go!



Next up on my Christmas Songlist is the sexiest festive track that exists. Santa Baby by the wonderful Eartha Kitt is divine. And, in my opinion, a must on any playlist for a Christmas get-together.

Christmas fashion is always a little risky.
You want to look nice, but not over the top.
AND for me, loose clothes are best because
I start eating on the 24th and don't stop til...
roughly New Years?

I've got my eye on these babies for Christmas Day... Which one to buy, is the question?







{you can click on the dresses to find out where they're from. etc}

If you don't get goosebumps on hearing the first five seconds of this song, then you're a Grinch! (Or you don't like Mariah)


This makes me grin like a weirdo, loooooove it!

QUEEN OF POP.

'nuff said.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Andy Williams

First heard this song in Home Alone II, when the family (sans Kevin) arrive in Florida and it's lashing rain.

More recently it was used in one of the M&S Christmas Ads.

Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens

This is probably my favourite of all the 80s Christmas songs. One year, back in the day, I got a free Christmas tape with a Selection Box and this gem was on it. It's sooooooo good when you're out dancing too. Cheesy, but amazers!

Today marks 30 years since John Lennon was killed. Now, while his & Yoko's Merry Xmas (War is Over) is a fave I mine, I loooove this Damien Rice cover.

Love a bit of Damo.
enjoy!

This isn't the most festive of tunes, BUT I saw the amazing Arcade Fire last night so I'm in that post=concert mode where you have the band you saw playing on a loop.




Apparently, AF were singing at a friends Christmas Party years ago and someone recorded it. To say they're probably drunk might be an understatement.

WOOHOO!

One of my fave Christmas films, nay, fave films in general is Love Actually.

This song is a beaut. Especially when the little boy sees the video at the end.

Adorbs.

The Month of December equals lots of Carols! I don't think you have to be affiliated (or not) with any particular religion to enjoy the warmth of a good Carol or two. Even better when combined with Mulled Wine!

Kings College Cambridge do the best Carols...

O Come All Ye Faithful

Day 4 of Christmas Tunes and I've picked Death Cab's version of
'Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)'



I love Mariah's one too, but there's something comforting about Ben Gibbards voice.