Tuesday 31 December 2013

December on my mind

It's the end of December, and even if it's been an incredible month, it's with mixed feelings that I look back on it. I started already at the end of November preparing for first of advent, and then most of December has really been a run up to two days of Christmas, that fly by far too quickly. When you're done with all the practical things that are needed - decorating the house, getting and decorating a tree, making home made truffles and goodies, cooking etc, there's nothing so cosy and relaxing as coming home from a Christmas market, lighting all the candles, sitting down with some mulled wine (or Glögg in my case), wrapping some presents and just enjoying everything around you - and I've definitely enjoyed every second of December.
Tradition is an important part of Christmas although most of us probably tweak traditions a little to suit our needs best. This year we had my family joining us here in the UK, which means that we celebrated two Christmases - one in Swedish style on December 24th with all the traditional foods; pickled herrings, smoked salmon, gravad lax, eggs, Janssons Temptation (a potato gratin with anchovies and onions), ham, meatballs, ribs and sausages, beer and schnapps and we also opened our presents then. As if we hadn't already eaten enough on Christmas Eve, on Christmas Day we then also had a traditional British Christmas meal with turkey, cranberry sauce, roasted potatoes, stuffing, brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon, and Christmas pudding, none of which I eat by the way so now we have enough left overs to feed a small army! Ultimately Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones over a massive plate of food and it's been amazing to do just that.

I just wish that Christmas wasn't over so quickly and if it was up to me I would keep the Christmas tree and all the lights all year around, and just swap the decorations to be more seasonal e.g. having Easter eggs in April, flowers for Midsummer, a pumpkin or so in October etc... No? Ah - just me then... After my family went back to Sweden, Him Indoors and I have also managed to get some quality time together with nice meals, cinema and of course some shopping in the Sales, and I plan to show you the stuff I got in a post in January.
Not only is it the end of a wonderful month, it's also the end of the year and I guess it's only natural to reflect on what has happened in 2013. For me it's been a very eventful year; I've been fortunate enough to do a bit of traveling and despite the fact that I live in a different country than my family and many of my friends I've managed to see them a fair bit, which I value a lot and we've also been good at appreciating and celebrating the small everyday things that you can quickly forget, but that after all is what life is all about. 2013 has also been filled with lots of new undertakings and one of them obviously is this blog, which I'm really looking forward to continue to focus on next year when I'll also introduce some new kinds of post and more fashion related content as well. But before we throw ourselves into 2014, I'll be celebrating the New Year tonight with some Japanese food and barrels of champagne before I take a few days break and return with new posts on January 5.

I wish you all a Happy New Year with lots of new and exciting things to look forward to! Xx

139 comments:

  1. Lovely post dear..!!
    Happy New Year...to you and your family...may the new year bring you amazing accomplishments, love, travel, friendships, loads of shopping and off course great health...
    Loads of love!
    xoxo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so so much :o), and all the best to you and your loved ones for the new year :o). Xx

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  2. I really like your idea of keeping the decorations up all year, I love the lights and trees so much!

    miabrielle.blogspot.com

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    1. Exactly and it always makes me so sad to tidy everything away in January... :O). Xx

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  3. great post !!

    HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ;D

    saralookbook.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a million and have a Happy New Year :o)! Xx

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  4. Beautiful photos!!! Happy new year:)

    http://rosdays.blogspot.co.il/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, that's really nice of you, I hope you have a wonderful New year :o). Xx

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  5. It is a shame it's over so quickly but it's been a good year. Always feeling positive...2014 will be even better...looking forward to reading your future fashion posts too :-)

    Happy New Year Charlotte; best wishes for 2014.

    x Roch & Tash x
    www.next-route-style.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you so much ladies! I hope you have a great evening tonight and all the best for the new year :O). Xx

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  6. I'm sad to see the back of December but happy to welcome the new year :) Hope you have a great one.
    Bea x
    www.beasbeautyblog.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I know exactly how you feel :o). Have a Happy New Year and all the best :o). Xx

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  7. Hi Charlotte, a really lovely selection of pictures <3 Bring on 2014 so happy new year xx

    http://www.annanuttall.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you so much and happy New Year to you too :o). Xx

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  8. What a fab Xmass you had here!
    Have a very Stylish New Year!
    http://pandamone.blogspot.com/2013/12/up-in-woods.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you have had a great time as well and all the best for the new year :o). Xx

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  9. Nice post :)

    http://daisychainprincess.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so nice of you, thank you and have a Happy New Year! Xx

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  10. wow very nice photos!
    www.mylovelyworld9.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you very much, I hope you have a great New Year :o). Xx

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  11. Beautiful images doll. Have a Happy New Year filled with Happiness and Success.
    http://tifi11.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Happy New Year with lots of new things to look forward to :o). Xx

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  12. Lovley post, sweetie! We are Spanish but lived for many years in Switzerland (I was born there). We mix traditions from both countries and I love it. Happy New Year!

    Jasmine xx For a Real Woman

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    1. That's so lovely of you, thank you very much and have a fantastic New Year. Feliz ano nuevo :o). Xx

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  13. What a lovely post about christmas, your pictures are so nice.
    I wish you a great start into 2014
    http://glamupyourlifestyle.blogspot.de/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so so much, I really appreciate that :o). Happy New Year :o)! Xx

      Delete
  14. What awesome pics, you have a real talent :) Happy New Year!
    http://www.itschristiefriday.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so lovely of you, thank you very much :o)! Have a wonderful New Year :o) and hope you'll visit again soon! Xx

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  15. Replies
    1. Thank you so much, that's really nice of you and have a fantastic New Year :o). Xx

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  16. Looks like you had a wonderful holiday, Happy New Year to you too!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, have a great evening :o). Xx

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  17. I always get kind of sad when December ends because there are so many fun things taking place during the month!! Wishing you a happy new year!
    www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, it's such an eventful month and all of a sudden it's all gone! Happy New Year and all the best :o). Xx

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  18. I love your posts!
    Happy New Year!
    E | Beauty/Skincare | Cocoamourr

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so lovely of you, thank you very much :o) and Happy New Year :o)! Xx

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  19. Your Christmas sounds lovely. Happy New Year Charlotte! xx

    http://lostlovedtiia.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It just passed too quickly :o). I hope you had a lovely time too and Have a Happy 2014 :o). Xx

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  20. HAPPY NEW YEAR DEAR!!
    wishing you all the best this year 2014. More blessings and opportunities to come :))

    Happy New Year sweety! :)
    http://michaelmacalos.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, I hope you had a great end to 2013 and all the best with lots of success for 2014 :o)! Xx

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  21. Replies
    1. Thank you so much - have a great 2014 :o)! Xx

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  22. Thanks a million and all the best for 2014! Xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. It seems your December was amazing and I love this kitty! :) Thank you so much Charlotte for always visiting my blog and commenting - means a lot! Happy New Year! XOXO

    Mademoiselle-Lala.com

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    1. That's so lovely of you - thank you! I really enjoy reading your post and always look forward to see what's new :o). Have a wonderful 2014 :o)! Xx

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  24. Lovely pictures you have taken :) I hope you had a great New Years Eve and I wish you the best of luck in the new year :)

    -Shelby
    http://bittersweetshelby.blogspot.co.uk/

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, that's so nice of you :o)! Happy New Year to you too and all the best for this new and exciting year :o)! Xx

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  25. Thanks a million and Happy New Year to you too! Xx

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  26. Lovely shots, the food is making my hungry, hah!

    Happy New Year :)

    Kallie @ But First, Coffee

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    1. :O) - well after having left overs for days now, I'm soooo done with it LOL :o). Xx

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  27. Hi! Happy new Year! :-)

    I´m following you now via Bloglovin. Would you like to visit my blog and follow me back via Google Friend Connect?

    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a million, follow you now. Happy New Year! Xx

      Delete
  28. Happy New Year! Hope you have a great 2014!
    You've got a new follower in me! :) Glad I came across your blog - just catching up on some of your older posts now.
    http://ellistuesday.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Hiya Ellie, that's so lovely of you, thank you very much and I hope you'll visit again soon :o). Have a wonderful New year :o). Xx

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    2. Thanks lovely! :) I sure will.

      Delete
  29. Happy new year! Amazing pictures, love the home decor and the food looks delicious.
    I wish you an amazing 2014!!

    http://www.mursway.com/

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That's soo sweet of you, thank you very much, it really means a lot :o). Have a wonderful 2014 :o)! Xx

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  30. So happy to have "met" you via the blogging world. Your photos and sentiments are lovely and thought provoking. May all your dreams come true in this New Year, 2014. xxx
    Barbara @ www.allmylivesnow.com

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    1. Hi Barbara, that's so lovely of you, thank you VERY much :O). Hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and all the best for a wonderful and successful 2014 :o). Xx

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  31. Happy New Year :) Love your blog btw!

    dontcoralwithme.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you so much Ashley, that's really nice of you :O). Have a wonderful 2014 and hope you'll come back here again soon :o). Xx

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  32. Beautiful pictures!

    Happy New Year!

    http://www.cristinasurdu.com/

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That's so sweet of you, thank you :o) Happy New Year to you to and all the best for 2014! Xx

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  33. Hi Charlotte, thank you very much for your lovely comment on my blog!
    I hope 2014 will be a year filled with happiness, friendship and love, lots of love. Happy New Year!

    Sofie x
    Little green Sofie

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    1. Hello Sofie, all the best to you too :O)! Xx

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  34. Replies
    1. Thank you so much and Happy New Year :o). Xx

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  35. the happiest of new years to you. hope this year is your best yet.

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    1. All the best to you to, hope 2014 is an amazing year for you :o)! Xx

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  36. That's so nice of you, thank you and follow you now. Happy New Year! Xx

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  37. Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog, I really appreciate it!

    This is a beautiful post, looks like you had an amazing Christmas! :)

    Happy New Year also, hope it's a great one! :)

    xoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you so much, that's really lovely of you :o) and all the best for the new year :o). Xx

      Delete
  38. Lovely pictures ! Happy New Year !
    have a lovely yr ahead
    http://beautyndbest.com/

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you very much, I hope you also have a happy and successful 2014 :o). Xx

      Delete
  39. Wowww... gorgeous snaps! it seems like you have one of a hall chrism's! Looking forward 2014 to see more..

    http://rosdays.blogspot.co.il/

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    1. It definitely was and I'll be sad to tidy everything away this weekend :o). Happy New Year and have a wonderful 2014 :o). Xx

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  40. I love looking at Christmas photos and the ginger bread house looks very yum!
    Happy New Year xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, I haven't decided if we'll actually eat it... oh the temptation :o). Have an amazing 2014! Xx

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  41. Love your post!! Xx

    NEW post: http://betweenmyclothes.blogspot.com

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  42. nice post, love the pictures
    happy new year :)
    xx

    http://losaway.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That's very nice of you - thank you and Happy New Year :o). Xx

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  43. that's a really lovely post. and happy new year, dear

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much and have a wonderful 2014 :o). Xx

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  44. Lovely post! Sounds like you had a fun (and food) packed Christmas!!! Happy New Year

    Stevie | Stevie Hearts Makeup
    xxx

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    1. Thank you so so much! It was pretty intense, but I enjoyed every second. Happy New Year and all the best for a wonderful 2014! :o) Xx

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  45. So many lovely photos, which are they castle/churches? Your gingerbread house looks divine! I hope you ate it ;)

    Enjoy your little break x

    Cornelia - Ineffable Beauty

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    1. Thank you so much, that's really lovely of you :o)! They are all of Winchester cathedral, in Hampshire UK - it's a gorgeous place. Well, the jury is still out on that but Him Indoors has already started to nibble on it LOL :O). Xx

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  46. December might almost be my favorite month of the year, because of all the great holidays it has! I do not particularly like winter, but I surely love Christmas & NYE!
    This was a wonderful recap of your month- all the Christmas snacks look so delicious! :)

    www.callmemaddie.com

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    1. Thanks a million - I hope you've had a wonderful relaxing time and all the best for 2014 :o). Xx

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  47. Such lovely Christmas photos! That Gingerbread house looks phenomenal

    hcozens.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting! We'll see in a few days if it tastes as nice as it looks :o). Xx

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  48. Happy New Year lovely, I hope this year is even better than the last <3

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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    1. Hey Jennie, I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas and I wish all the best for an amazing 2014 :o). Xx

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  49. Sounds like you had a lovely double Christmas, and that sounds like an amazing amount of food! Enjoy your time off from the blog, and happy new year!
    Lori

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    1. Hope you had a great Christmas too and all the best for 2014! :o) Xx

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  50. Beautiful decorations!! Happy New Year!!
    Alessandra
    www.alessandrastyle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so nice of you, thank you very much - have a Happy New Year :o)! Xx

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  51. Great Pictures! Happy New Year!
    Keep in touch!
    Hope you can join my 2 international giveaways:
    http://kaiyoaino.blogspot.ro/2013/12/dressale-free-new-year-giveaway-win.html
    http://kaiyoaino.blogspot.ro/2013/12/sammydress-giveaway-for-christmas.html

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks a million - have a great New Year! Xx

      Delete
  52. lovely photos!! I agree with you, I would love having the Christmas tree all year round!! :) xx

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    1. That's so sweet of you, thank you very much :o) - yes I'm afraid it's going out this weekend... it'll be a sad day... :o). Xx

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  53. lovely pictures! hope you had happy holidays

    xo

    Inspirations Have I None

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    1. Thanks a million - oh yes, it's been intense but lovely. I hope you've had a great time and all the best for 2014 :o)! Xx

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  54. The pictures you've taken are gorgeous! looks like you had an amazing Christmas, it's just a shame it's over so soon! xx

    www.ohsoaddictedtobeauty.blogspot.com

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    1. I agree, and I'm not exactly looking forward to tidy everything away this weekend, but I guess it's part of the whole thing :o). Xx

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  55. Replies
    1. Thank you so much - have a wonderful 2014 :o)! Xx

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  56. Gorgeous photos and Happy New Year dear! :)
    xx Easy Outfits, by Pip

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    Replies
    1. :Happy New Year, hope you've had a great time :O)! Xx

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  57. Great photos! :)
    Hope you have an amazing 2014!

    ♥ ♡ ♥ ♡ Creme de la Chic ♥ ♡ ♥ ♡
    ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ NEW YEARS INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a million and have a great 2014! Xx

      Delete
  58. Happy new year!
    Tomorrow giveaway on my blog! :)
    www.theforeignergirl.blogspot.com.es

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  59. Feliz año!
    Me encanta tu blog.
    Sac

    http://chereselim.blogspot.com.es/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so lovely of you - thank you very much and have a great 2014! Xx

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  60. I am so jealous of all your Christmas pics! We all had flu so didn't really celebrate in the end :'(

    Louise x

    Confessions of a Secret Shopper

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    1. Oh noooo, I hope you're all feeling better! Xx

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  61. those deviled eggs look amazing! beautiful pics

    xo
    this + that

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's really nice of you - thank you so much! :o) Xx

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  62. Happy New Year!! Love the photos :)

    http://www.prettylittlethings7.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Year - all the best for 2014 and thanks a million :o)! Xx

      Delete
  63. Lovel post and great blog!! Happy new year <3

    http://www.myglossyaffair.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, I really appreciate that - have a great 2014! Xx

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  64. I couldn't agree more on wishing christmas wouldn't be over so quickly! Hope you are enjoying your break :) Happy new year! xx

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    1. Happy New Year to you, and all the best for 2014 :o)! Xx

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  65. Replies
    1. Ah, that's so nice of you - thanks a million and have a super weekend :o)! Xx

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  66. Hope you had a lovely Christmas! Happy New Year!
    Hannah :) x

    Love, Life, and Makeup Blog/Twitter/Pinterest/Instagram

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    1. I did thank you and tomorrow it's time to tidy it all away and chuck out the tree... I hope you've had a wonderful time and have a great 2014! Xx

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  67. Lovely post ! All the best for 2014 :) xx


    www.Chaneletco.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you very much, have a fun and exciting 2014 :o). Xx

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  68. Aw what a lovely post, it's so interesting to hear about traditions from other cultures!
    Happy New Year, hope 2014 is a good one for you :)

    Jess xo

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    1. Hey Jess, that's really nice of you thank you so much and have an amazing 2014! Xx

      Delete
  69. Late comment, but I hope you had a fantastic Christmas + great New Year!
    I know what you mean about Christmas decor though, I can't believe the Christmas season has flown by, and we have to put away our decorations already! (Maaaaybe I'll consider putting them away mid-June, haha)

    Vanessa | Citron and Guavaberry ʘ‿ʘ | Makeup & Silly things

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    1. My thoughts exactly :o). Thanks a million and I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year too :o)! Xx

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  70. I think it's brilliant that you get to see your family and celebrate with them in the traditional way. Your Christmas Eve dinner sounds delicious I feel full up just hearing about it!
    Http://alittlebitofjenn.blogspot.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. I still feel full... LOL, hope you had a great time with your loved ones :o). Xx

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