2014 Christmas Tag

It's never too late for a Christmas Tag is it? I've also noticed that my blog is lacking in Christmassy themed things too (hats off to all those who have attempted blogmas and are succeeding!)

At the start of December, Carolyn from Carolyn's Simple Life tagged me in this Christmas Tag that has been floating around on the internet this past month and I thought I may as well get it done before it's too late! (be proud of me...I didn't forget about something for once :P)

1.  What is your favourite Christmas movie(s)?

To be honest, movies aren't really my thing. I much prefer all the Christmas specials of TV shows. Having said that; Elf has to be the one Christmas movie that I haven't fallen asleep during!

2.  Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Definitely Christmas morning! Although when I was little, my sisters and I used to get pyjamas on Christmas Eve so we were wearing new ones when we woke up on Christmas Day.

3.  Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

When I was little, I used to live in the Caribbean so we used to spend Christmas day on the beach in the sun with a barbecue! 

4.  Favourite festive food?
Can't go wrong with a mince pie can you? Especially if it's topped with homemade Brandy butter! 

5.  Favourite Christmas gift?
I can't pick out just one gift I've received over the years but my favorite from last year has to be my tickets for McBusted. Especially after being told multiple times; "No it's during your exams, you will be studying not going to concerts" and reading that pretty much every night had sold out!

6.  Favourite Christmas scent?

I normally can't stand the smell of cinnamon things but it's something you just can't avoid this time of year but one of my favorites has to be the smell of Christmassy food cooking/ baking - especially gingerbread!

7.  Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

 Every year for as many as I can remember, my family and I go to the Panto at HMT in Aberdeen before driving past the OTT decorated house (seriously though - is the Christmas themed Postman Pat and van needed?!) and collecting a Chinese take-away on the way home!

8.  What tops your tree?

9.  As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

Is it bad that I can't remember anything I asked for when I was little?

10.  What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Family time is a big thing for me. This year my grandparents are coming up over the Christmas break but I really wish we were going down to Newcastle instead as I would get to see all my cousins and the rest of my family on Christmas. If I were to ask my little sister and her friends this question there would be no doubt they would say all the presents they get but for me, I prefer the giving and choosing gifts then actually receiving them (although I can't share any of the gifts I have bought just in case a family member is reading this!) After receiving my Secret Santa gift this year wrapped in brown paper and tied in stripy red and white string, I have decided I need to step up my wrapping skills before next year!  

Snowmen Oreos (see a previous post on how to make them!)

First ever Christmas jumper

Secret Santa gift from Claire

Red Cups from Starbucks!

Hope you all enjoyed my Christmas tag and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you for reading! (especially if you've stuck by me all through 2014! Also- mental note to self- find another word for especially!)

Esmee x

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#NextmasWishlist

Being incredibly picky and never knowing what suits me, I was delighted when the Next Winter catalogue arrived on my doorstep as I know I will always find something I love in there- whether it's something for a party or a comfy classic!

Created on Polyvore (using images from Next.co.uk)

I have been dying (no exaggeration!) for a biker jacket and this one looks like winner! It may not be real leather but I love the double zip and collar.

This slogan dress was in the beach wear section but it's the sort of thing I would wear all year round. The quote on the front makes me feel happy and it looks like the perfect thing to lounge around the house in.

No joke, these leggings are the comfiest thing in the world (in fact I'm wearing a pair now!). Thicker than normal leggings making them more wearable and go with everything! Maybe with the dress mentioned above?

Many times I've been told that blazers and fitted jackets would suit me due to my shape so why not make a statement with this pink jacket?
Playsuits are something that I find a bit of a hit or miss for me. All the ones that come out in the summer with the elasticated strapless top just don't do anything for me but I love some of the ones out there, including this playsuit, which is more tailored and the lace panels on the back just complete the sophisticated style.
Being curvy and not having thin legs can be really annoying when it comes to buying boots because most have unflattering cut off points usually sitting mid-calf. These biker boots are just perfect, they're a little higher than a standard ankle boot but won't cut me off and would be a change to all the trainers I wear!
How cute are these candles?! Perfect little stocking fillers or dotted around a room on a stormy winter's night.
I have got to be the most unorganised person ever so this 2015 Organiser would be perfect for me next year...especially for keeping track or my blogging schedule! 

Last but not least, these two cushions, 'believe' cushion and 'friends' cushion. I love little things with quotes and words on so these two will fit perfectly in the plans for my new room.

So that's my #NextmasWishlist for 2014, anything from Next on your Wishlist?

Esmee x

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Do You Want To Build A (edible) Snowman?

Firstly I would like to apologise for how shockingly bad I've been at blogging recently. Things are pretty hectic at the moment and whenever I do sit down to blog I can't think of anything worthy enough to feature on here.

Let's get on to the real post now shall we?

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Every Wednesday is cake day for my Higher Geography class and last week was time for Lydia and I to have a go. Instead of making cupcakes or brownies, we thought we would Christmas theme whatever we were going to produce as it was the first Wednesday in December. 

So taa-daaaa! Easy-peasy cutesy snowmen cookie

These are super easy to make (although can be a little fiddly) and are a tasty treat that everyone would enjoy.

 All you need are:

Icing sugar mixed with water (thick enough to kinda spread on to of the cookies and not too runny that it will escape everywhere)

Oreos (or any other sandwich biscuit)

Chocolate chips

Strawberry laces (cut into tiny pieces)

Jelly sweets (we used the diamond jellies from the baking section)

Mini cocktail sticks

Once you have everything all set out in front of you, take two Oreos and slowly slide them onto a cocktail stick (If you do this too quickly the biscuit will break!)

Once you've paired them up and covered them with icing, all that's left to do is decorate them however you want!

See...I told you they were easy!

Esmee x

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Happy One Year Blog-iversary!!

"I always get really excited when I see that Esmee has posted something new on her blog because I know that I can expect something different every time.  I love how Esmee hasn't stuck with one particular style for her blog, there's such a variety and I can always find something to read no matter what kind of mood I'm in.  I also love how much her personality is in her writing, her posts are so friendly and chatty.  Also, I'm really happy that I can call Esmee a friend as well as a fellow blogger, she's so lovely and that definitely shows through 'Ezzlepops'." 

"I always enjoy reading Esmee's blog and feel that even as a guy I can relate and find relevance in her advice"

"This little space on the internet is a dream to visit. Esmee's blog is full of little bits and bobs that are suited to anyone and everyone. Her style of writing and witty comments always make me laugh and she really does let you into her life! It's a pleasure to be friends with Esmee and I think she deserves more credit than she gets!"

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Wow! So, with what started off as a hobby that was to be honest - going nowhere, has lasted a year so far! Something I didn't expect, if you know me you'll know it's a rare occasion. I tend to give things up as I get bored so easily but I guess as this is my own little space on the internet where I'm free to do whatever I want, I've started to love it! even though I've had my ups and downs and suffered from 'blogger's block' as I like to call it (think writer's block but in the blogging world).  

Because of this little blog I have grown in confidence and improved on my writing skills (no doubt my English teacher probably wont agree with me but hey you can't please everyone ;P). Thanks to 'ezzlepops' I have made new friends, strengthened existing friendships and even renew old friendships with people I haven't seen or spoken to in years - all down to her finding my blog online!

So what's happened in a year? I didn't think my life would be that interesting yet so many people keep coming back for an update! I've learnt how to keep my mouth shut (oh how I would have loved to write multiple rants and publish them ;P), the experience has opened my eyes to a lot of issues but I wont go into detail about now, and had the amazing opportunities to interview some brand new artists which you can read them HERE, HERE and HERE. 

Other posts I've written that have been popular with you lot are these;

Book Haul - this post was fairly recent but it seemed to appeal to many even if it was out of my comfort zone

Most Recent Life Update - crazy how many people read this and enjoy these little insights even though they can be classed as cheat posts :P

Pastel Clouds Jewellery colab. - It was a delight to work with these lovely ladies (I have another post similar for New Year) aaaaand they just released a Christmas range...need I say more?!

Personalised Gifts Comparison - I really did not expect this to be that popular but it was fun to write and I think I'll do some more like this soon! 

It's been a crazy first year and I would like to thank everyone who has been part of the journey. Whether you've been there since my first post or this is the first blog post of mine that you're read - THANK YOU!!

Here's to next year!

Esmee xx

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Against The Grain

Against The Grain are a new company set up by a group of students from Albyn School as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme. We sell wood and canvases with photos and quotes transferred on to them with the opportunity to use your own personal photos too! 

October and November have been busy with creating the processes to make the product and events happen, including our production process which is very labour intensive. We take wood and canvases sourced locally from stores and from friends and family and then cut and sand them to size. Then one of our standard images was stuck into the wood/canvas with gel medium and left to transfer over night. The paper was then sponged off with water and, after repeating this process, the product was glazed and finished. All of our standard images are taken by ourselves from all over the world and feature images such as animals, events and landscapes.

We then did our market research to determine our final details and created social media pages and leaflets to hand out to people to let them know about our product. You can find us at;

Facebook: Against The Grain 

Twitter: @againsthe_grain 

Instagram: @againstthegrainaberdeen

We recently had a selling event at Trinity Church in Westhill where we received great feedback for our stall and products and also received many sales! There are also two more events coming up soon: 

Saturday 22nd Nov at The Bon Accord Centre 

Saturday 29th Nov at Albyn School ASPA fair 

At all of these events gift wrapping is available for just £1! With prices for all of our products ranging from £5-£18 

If you would like to find out anything more about who we are and our product, do not hesitate to ask-  visit our social media pages linked above or email us at against.the.grain.aberdeen@gmail.com

Thank you and we hope to see you soon!

ATG Team x