Festive Frolics.

What a lovely few days I have had! I am absolutely stuffed full of food, alcohol and merriment. 

I kick started the season off with nibbles and rum with my parents' friends (and my adoptive family) the Mears' which was utterly delightful. Christmas Eve was spent at my cousins' house, who were, as you can imagine, bouncing off the walls with excitement for the forthcoming visit from a jolly bearded fellow.

Talking of Santa, I thought at the age of 22 I would not be on his list anymore, but alas! I was wrong! I awoke on Christmas Day to a little pile of pressies at the end of my bed, including a lovely wooden pineapple bowl, cocktail shaker and Soap & Glory smellies. Dad's family came over for day for the enormous feast my mum (with help) prepared. All in all it was a lovely day but did include some dubious hats...

We were up bright and early for Boxing Day to go to Romsey's 12th Annual Classic Car & Bike Meet. This really is a fabulous event for a great cause - Prostate Cancer UK - so if you're on the south coast, you should certainly head down to it next year for a brisk wake up after a heavy Christmas Day. The rest of the day was spent with the cousins again, trying to eat up more of the food. I  think we have enough cheese to last us until Easter...

Today, the day after Boxing Day, was another family day with Dad's side at his parents' house. Well...there was even more food that needed eating,  obviously!

So that was my festive season, but how did you spend your's? However it was, I hope it was a jolly nice one!

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Certified.

Hello! How have we all been? I've had a hectic couple of weeks since we last spoke, all of which I'm going to be filling you in with in the next two or three posts.

First up is news on my graduation! Now, a bit of a downer to start because my dad lost his camera (and all the graduation photos on it) at some point during the day which was more than a bit pooey. Thankfully I had a few on my own camera and so did my mum - some friends also kindly donated their images to me. But enough of that, on with the day...

It was an early start (6:30am! Eugh!) for me to get myself ready. This was the first time my flatmate saw me in curlers, and I'm not entirely sure what he thought. Anyway, I brushed it all out and donned my handmade dress that my mum had slaved over the previous week. The weather was absolutely scorchio and I was dreading donning the black robe and mortar board over my black dress, but it was all worth it to get the 2.1 with honours certificate at the end of the day and to celebrate the end of three years with my friends.

Viva Las Wedding

Warning: This blog will contain lots and lots and lots of photos!

Yesterday the Cruse clan gathered for the wedding of Wes Cruse and Gilly Small. What a lovely day it was! By the title of this post you may sense that this wedding had a sort of theme: Elvis. Well, not really, but there was a touch of the King there. What did you expect from a family of rockabillies and bellas?

The ceremony was short and sweet in a lovely coaching inn in Romsey, Hampshire. The bride wore a 60s style dress with a lace overlay, accompanied by two beautiful bridesmaids, my cousins Ellie and Lottie.

Lots and lots of photos were taken outside - t'was a bit chilly. It was nice to have the whole family together for snaps as it's a rare thing, what with me being an honorary northerner now, and just as nice to see family friends I haven't seen in well over a year.

Mmm the food. My poor student belly wasn't used to such luxury! Duck followed by beef Wellington with sticky toffee pudding to finish - all washed down with lots of red wine. Divine! As usual, the meal was followed by the speeches; it was during this time that my nan found out she was the MILF of Merry Oak Boys School - Donna Summer will never be the same again...

There was lots and lots of dancing (with equally lots and lots of drinking) well into the night, thanks to Mick Mears spinning some old records for us all.

And if you were wondering what I was wearing it was a home made dress (by my mama) from a 1947 pattern, made of modern silk.

All in all a wonderful day to stay in the memory banks for a long time!

Christmas Tag!

Ria over at Wishing for Chanel was tagged to do this Christmas Tag by Amy at PaintPotted and she went and tagged me to do the same.

1. What's your favourite thing about Christmas?
Being home. Living so far from home it's so nice to come home, sit by the fire and drink lots of mulled wine surrounded by family and old friends.

2. What is your favourite make up look for the festive season?
It's got to be red lips, hasn't it? Or glitter? I love a bit (read as: a lot) of glitter at Christmas!

3. Real tree or fake tree?
I love the smell of real Christmas trees but they're just not practical any more. Maybe someone could invent a fake Christmas tree that smells like a real one?

4. Giving presents or receiving presents?
This year I've really enjoyed buying and wrapping my presents for people so I think it's got to be giving this year. Unless I receive, I don't know, a nice chap all wrapped up? Keep dreaming...

5. Do you open presents Christmas morning or eve/evening?
We used to do our Santa stockings in the morning, but now we're all grown up and St. Nick doesn't visit us we do our presents from under the tree in the early afternoon, just before Christmas lunch.

6. Handmade cards or bought?

Oh hand made cards are so lovely and if I was one of those women that had 32 hours in her day I would definitely make some of my own. But alas, I do not, and so I try and find the most unusual Christmas cards to send to loved ones (Pennychoo have the best selection!)

7. What is your favourite Christmas film?
Oh I have to many! I love Home Alone but I also love Meet Me In St. Louis - I can't decide!

8. What's your favourite Christmas food?
The cheese. My parents always have the most wonderful selection of cheese at Christmas - they're kinda famous for it amongst friends and family!

9. What's your favourite Christmas song?
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland

10. What's your favourite Christmas memory?
Ooh this is a toughy! I would have to say either spending it in Pakistan with my cousins in 2007 or the Christmases I had as a young child when it was all still so magical.

That's it! My Christmas tag is done, and now it's your turn! Go on! Do it! Spread a little Christmas cheer! Don't be a Scrooge!

Good Stock.

I've been meaning to get a photo of these two (shockingly bad quality as it is!) and show you all what wonderfully handsome great grandparents I have. These are my dad's mum's parents (capice?). A lot of people say I look like my Great Nan Evelyn, and there are some similarities but I'm not completely convinced myself though. There is no doubting my dad's resemblance to his Grandad George though!

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