Christmas Little Joys

Christmas is approaching faster than expected and I'm beyond EXCITED! 
As you may already know, Christmas is my favourite holiday (it hasn't come close to my favourite time of the year though, the first day of Autumn), and feeling jolly is quite a perk during December! 

Between the movies and the songs that have been playing on my laptop, phone or even outside in the streets, I've been even more homesick than usual. You cannot imagine how much I want to be in Ireland at this moment, being able to breathe fresh air (somehow the air isn't the same in France), drink my tea with a full creamy, perfect milk and being able to order a pint of Guinness knowing it's going to be amazingly delicious... Sounds horrid, pathetic, nonetheless all that, I managed to get a few things to cheer me up, it is Christmas time after all. Everyone should be happy! 

First off... A friend of mine got a tiny Christmas Tree, called him Norbert (don't ask why that name, I don't know myself... He just decided Norbert was a good idea which is entirely debatable). We couldn't get a tree at my place, my friend isn't into Christmas and we live with a cat that would have destroyed the tree no matter what. So I got a tree at my friend's place, good thing I go there enough to see it!

Then... We've got the homesick feeling that is back. I want to be back in Ireland, badly, and I can't. A friend back home was asking when I was coming back, not knowing what to tell him made me feel awful. Also a big part of why I'm so homesick these past few days. I paused the Christmas films and decided to get back on Irish TV... Laugh at me all you want but you've got to understand that Irish TV for me is pretty much, friends hanging around on the couch, drinking tea, eating cookies or crips, and watching programmes such as Gogglebox or the Naked Attraction which are both British programmes. I mean it's funny and I missed watching it in the evening when we had a long day of work. For a few days now, all I've been watching is Gogglebox and there are about twelve seasons so I'm caught up for a while which makes me happy. 

Next stop...I've been cooking again, and this time without red wine to distract me. I usually drink while cooking, either a beer or red wine just to keep me going. A way to enjoy cooking to the fullest. Made this simple spinach, artichoke and chicken recipe, it was delicious, didn't last two days like I anticipated, let's blame my dear friend who I live with... 

Christmas has been good, too much shopping for others but I don't regret one bit! Cool presents are going to be given and I'm proud of it. 
This time... I'm mostly looking forward to the new year which will be coming after Christmas Day. Getting a fresh new start sounds wonderful especially after this year. Not sure why 2017 and 2018 were terrible years between fires, mudslides, deaths, my health going bad, a dream coming to an end, and so on. I just want the year to be over so I can look forward to the next Christmas and this time... I'll be preparing my list of presents a bit earlier! No offence to the late buyers who loves the rush but I hate to not have my gifts on time! 

Enjoy your Christmas and family if you are with them. I know I'll be spending it with my friend, drinking... 

~Bella  

Christmas month... Couldn't be happier!

December has arrived and I couldn't be happier. 

It's the perfect time to be jolly, to grab hot wine, hot chocolate with Baileys, Christmas songs and movies, the Christmas shopping and the obvious Christmas market...

Edinburgh Christmas Market 2018

Since it's December and we all have to wait for Christmas Day to arrive, I went through the list of my favourite Christmas films. One for each day... I started with my all times favourite which I'm sure is a classic....

Day 1- Love Actually! 
A classic that will always take everyone into a loving, joyful mood, and how can we forget the famous dance of Hugh Grant. 

Day 2- The Nightmare Before Christmas!
Famous Tim Burton's got it right with this film. Perfect for a family film... After Halloween... It's just perfect!

Day 3- Elf!
This one is most likely to be a favourite with the humour and Will Ferrell's acting is brilliant, everyone falls for the cuteness.

Day 4- How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
If you want to fall in love with a cute movie with an adorable child who saves Christmas then this movie is for you!

Day 5- The Santa Claus!
Growing up with this film made me fall in love with Christmas and the hot chocolate! 

Day 6- The Santa Claus 2!
If you watch the first might as well continue!

Day 7- The Santa Claus 3!
After two movies, let's finish the trilogy!

Day 8- Home Alone!
Full of laughs and cute moments, it's one of the classics...

Day 9- Miracle on 34th Street!
One more classic, many versions, and all of them are just amazingly cute! A family film for sure!

Day 10- Scrooged!
The story is beautiful, the lessons are powerful!

Day 11- Angela's Christmas!
A 2018 Irish Christmas film which is beyond adorable! How can I not put an Irish film on the list? It's adorable and everyone is falling hard for it. How can you not?

Day 12- The Polar Express!
I remember watching it with my brothers when I was younger and each year we had to watch the film and read the book!

Day 13- A Charlie Brown Christmas!
An American classic, one I will surely watch for the first time... I needed to add it to the list because I found it pointless not to put it. 

Day 14- White Christmas!
Classics are always best especially during this season! 

Day 15- Home Alone 2!
Another great movie, one you cannot skip!

Day 16- The Grinch!
A 2018 movie, Dr.Seuss always had wonderful books, and the film will be just as delightful to watch. 

Day 17- A Christmas Carol!
Same as Scrooged, but more a family style film. 

Day 18- Bad Santa!
If you are looking for more adult fun, go for it!

Day 19- It's a Wonderful Life!
One classic at a time, this one deserves more credit!

Day 20- Frozen!
I mean it's not specifically Christmas but it has snow and long lasting songs. We all know how 'Let It Go' get stuck in your head for days.

Day 21- Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer!
Used to watch it when I was a kid, cute cartoon that made me think about my red nose when I was sick. 

Day 22- One Magic Christmas!
It's been a while since this movie, but a Disney film nonetheless!

Day 23- Gremlins!
If you want a spooky Christmas film, this one will be perfect! 

Day 24- 
Anything you want... I know I'll probably end up watching 'Love Actually', 'Angela's Christmas', ' Angela's Ashes' or 'The Snapper', an Irish classic which if it comes on the tele, you will end up watching it again no matter.

This year, Netflix is taking down Love Actually so if you are a fan, watch it sooner than later!  But it does reserve us amazing new films, and I cannot wait to get through the list of films and songs myself... After all, even if you are an adult, you will watch cartoons and family films because Christmas has the power to let everyone become a child all over again!

~Bella

Pillow Thoughts - Courtney Peppernell

Christmas 2017...

A remarkable one which gave me the opportunity to have amazing friends who apparently knows me a little too well... Thank you to my really good friend T, I received an unexpected gift, a really cute book called "Pillow Thoughts" by Courtney Peppernell. 

At first, it was intriguing to read, and then it became more and more interesting that I have to read at least a page or two every day. 
So despite the fact that this little book is one of my favourites and I do not want to share it with anyone, I thought it would be nice to share a few lines or a few pages!

Here it goes... Hope you enjoy! 

*If you are Dreaming of Someone*

"You're covered in all these broken promises
from people who said they would never leave. 
Sometimes afraid of your own skin
and the scars that run deep in your veins. 
Are you ready
Are you ready
for someone who could turn you inside out?
No one dares to peel back all the layers of your skin
All this damage,
you're a mess.
Are you ready
Are you ready
Because I want your damaged skin. "

"We cannot all be artists
and I must admit I do not know how to paint
But if I were to take a palette
all my colors would be of you"

*If you are in Love*

"You remind me of home, 
of all the simple things in life, 
of light and love and the reasons, I am not alone.
You remind me of hope,
of the sea and the sky,
every hug and every kiss from your lips to your thighs, 
I have flown around the world and met no one like you
because you are all the things I keep coming back to."

"You know sometimes it's the little details 
that take up the most room in your heart.
How nervous they get
when you tell them you think they're beautiful,
the way they laugh
even if it's not supposed to be funny,
the way they reach for you and they find you through the dark
even if their eyes are 
closed."

"It's the last day of the year
and I still lose myself
in good books
and warm tea,
those quiet nights
and writing your name
on my windshield."

*If you are heartbroken*

"Perhaps it's just easier to smile and predent everything is 

fine, rather than admit my heart's a little swollen from losing

something that wasn't even mine. "

"You didn't have to say anything that night; you did everything

with your body and your eyes. The way you sat next to me, you

were close enough to reach but too far to touch. And your eyes,

those eyes that once said you'd love me forever, now spilled 

tears that this wasn't worth the fight anymore.

When did you become so tired of us?"

*If you are lonely*

"she's the type of girl

that has a place in her heart

for all the lonely people to go

with their forgotten footprints

in the snow"

"There are little pieces of happiness and they are scattered 

through your day. So take a basket with you as you step outside,

fill it up with all the little pieces, and bring it back inside. Take

a moment, just by yourself, take out all the pieces, and place

them on your shelf."

*If you are sad*

"It's exhausting to be locked in your head with all these thoughts

that tie you down. Just for one moment, try with all your might

to let go of all the things that stop you from being you."

"My soul is numb, and I am desperate to feel. In times of distress

and sadness, mornings are no longer forgivable and waking up

isn't ideal."

"Even sadness needs someone in its corner."

*If you are missing someone*

"We are standing at the edge of the world and yet we still do not

meet. You are soaked in daylight and I am covered in the night.

My heart yearns for our eclipse."

"You were always miles away. Maybe you were just always meant 

to be miles away. The distance saw us together in a dream and 

though we were better off without all the mess."

*If you need encouragement*

"emotional and messy

sometimes lost and confused

but if you only realized

the wisdom behind those eyes

with a heart that never lies

would you storm the world

like you haven't a thing to lose?"

"Maybe you're running scared because running is better than

letting someone else in. But the truth is, you can't spend your

whole life running. It's exhausting living in fear. Slow down. 

Chances and risks keep life interesting."

"You just have to surround yourself with people who have the 

same heart as you."

*If you are soul-searching*

"But I am so deeply lost in my own soul, how can I expect

anyone else to understand me?"

"They always say that transitions happen with big events. Like

a wedding, your birthday, or your graduation. But maybe it's

really in the smaller moments, like when you look at yourself 

in the mirror and realize how far you've come or how far you

still, have to go."

"It's so hard to know what to say

To someone who feels so lost,

So I'll stand here for you

In the wind and the rain

And I'll be the lighthouse you need.

Take my hand and breathe again

And I will guide you home."

*If you need a reason to stay*

"Things might not get better tomorrow. You may have many

tomorrows and nothing changes. But that is not the point. The

point of moving through all these tomorrows is to get to the 

one tomorrow that finally does get better."

*These are for you*

"I can't remember what it was like not to know you. I am not

sure if this is because we have met before. As though we have

seen each other in a different time and life and maybe your

soul is the one soul I keep running into. Or maybe it's just

because my life before you wasn't nearly as exciting. All I know

is when we met, we spent the afternoon in front of a beautiful

view, and yet all I could do was look at you."

"I wish there were a better way to tell you how much I love you.

To write it in the sky or dip all my feelings in gold. But the

truth is, it's much simpler than all of those things. All I know is 

is that I wake up each morning and I can never find the words

to explain how much I feel for you."

Hope you enjoyed a few lines from each chapter... Each chapter for a special moment in life! 

I know a little thought like these always makes me think twice about my own self. 

" Make a cup of tea and let yourself feel."- Courtney Peppernell

~Bella

Christmas Month!

December has come, finally!

Gingerbread, the pine scented candles, the hot chocolates with marshmallows, the songs... I could go on and on about what's happening during Christmas month, the cold breeze coming around nighttime which makes you want to get into a hot, steamy shower and get in your warm, cozy bed. 

This time, I'm not talking about the goodies that December has to offer us, but I'm going to talk about my favourite films. The ones I watch every year. Some are more recent films, year after year, I added a few more to the list. Do not worry it isn't going to be the longest list even though, I would add a lot more if I had the time. Being an adult means less time to get around my "me" time. Struggling with friends, family, and work... 

So I thought I would share this famous list of mine with you. Hopefully, I will give you a new film to watch! 

Little one...

"Love Actually" (2003)

Number one movie that I cannot get over, cannot stop crying over, and since it's British, I love it even more! How can someone hate it? I don't understand you if you have never seen it or dislike it? Go watch it now! Little plus, the actors are amazing... Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Andrew Lincoln, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Martine McCutcheon, Rowan Atkinson, and many others as good as the other. 

Number two...

"The Santa Clause" (1994)

"The Santa Clause 2" (2002)

"The Santa Clause 3" (2006)

I've been watching them since I was a child, in French, but I would watch them all the time. It's part of my childhood.

Little three...

"Elf" (2003)

I believe it's people's favourite... It's such an amazing story, a great film that each year since it came out, it's all over the internet, mugs, I mean Americans go all over this movie each time Christmas is coming. 

Number four...

"The Polar Express" (2004)

I know it's a kid's movie, but how can you not want to watch such a beautiful film? The hot chocolate song always gets me! Give it a shot! 

Little five...

"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2000)

I recently got my head around watching it a couple of months ago and I was far from disappointed! The little girl in the movie cannot be more perfect, caught my heart fast! 

Number six...

"A Christmas Carol" (2009)

First time, I ever watched it I was in France, and oh my... It brought me to tears. The movie shows great life lessons. 

Little seven...

"A Child's Christmas in Wales" (1987)

Brings me back to a childhood dream of mine... A snowglobe, rain instead of snow, bedtime stories... Couldn't get better than this film... 

Number eight... 

"Home Alone" (1990)

As a baby in the 90's I couldn't get away from this movie despite being born in Europe! 
I believe it's more a classic movie that anyone could fall in love with at any age. 

Enjoy my list if you are ready to watch any of them. I know, I will make sure to get on the list even if it's much longer than what I gave you! 

Christmas isn't here yet, but trust me when I write this...
I will talk about Christmas a lot! So GET READY!

"What if Christmas, he thought doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." - Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

~Bella

Christmas Miracle... Did it happen?

Christmas is over, our stomachs are full, and the excitement of the last few days is slowly calming down as the New Year approaching fast... 

I'm a fan of Christmas in general, the food, the decorations, the Christmas tree, the music, the films, the moments spent with loved ones... And that Christmas miracle, the one I wait impatiently each single year! 
Since I was little, I was a bit too excited over Christmas, the cold weather, the warm hot chocolate, the movies, and that famous Christmas Miracle. Each year, a few Christmas Miracles happens throughout the world, between a family rescue, a couple adopting a child or even as finding a shelter to a lost kitten. Hearing about Christmas Miracle always made me think about my own Christmas Miracle... And as a hopeless romantic that I am, always watching these Christmas Romantic movies who always happen to have that Christmas Miracle that surrounds love, I wanted to have my own. Since then, each year, I wish to get that miracle, the love that may happen on that day! But I always get my hopes up for no reason. Each year is a lost cause! Which now, I laugh at. I don't take it as seriously as before, good news on that point, but it's still a little pain that grows inside of me. Being a hopeless romantic kind of sucks! I'm sure there's plenty of you that had that Christmas Miracle happen in your life either it was receiving a puppy for Christmas or getting rescued from a crash or even finally seeing your grandparents on Christmas Eve... 

This year's Christmas Miracles have been coming through quickly, one by one. 
A sheriff's official rescued a family near the Grand Canyon who had being lost in the forest, caught in a snowy blizzard. The family was separated, but the rescue was done smoothly enough to get the family back together, getting everyone treated for cold hands injuries and others. One story that people call a Christmas Miracle! Driving in the snow is quite dangerous and each year, we hear stories about family getting stuck in blizzard not finding their way back... This time the family made is all alive, back together as a family! 
Another story that touched me was when I read that "Santa" came in a classroom close to Christmas and asked a boy what he wanted for Christmas. The little boy responded by an X-Box and his dad who had left on Easter day for a mission in Kuwait. His father is a marine, and the little boy wanted to see his father for Christmas. Next thing you know, the "Santa" started taking off the beard, the hat, the costume. The little boy realized that it was his father and not a stranger. "Santa" had let the Marine come home early and surprise his son at school. A Christmas Miracle for this little boy who will be able to hug his father on Christmas day! 
A sweet caring story between a couple made me realize that life may be short. The couple, not too young, were feeding their horses when the husband falls with a massive heart attack. The wife runs on her broken foot to do CPR on her poor husband until the paramedics arrive. They come 17 minutes later to take the husband to the nearest hospital when the husband get taken care of. Coma, bruised eye from hitting his elbow as he fell, memory loss for sure... He survived. They said it was because of the fact that his wife did CPR on him increasing his chance of survival. A Christmas Miracle! They got to see most of their children who flew to see their father alive! 

Miracles happen, no matter how small or big they are. I know that somehow I did receive a Christmas Miracle, I had my little brother on the phone on Christmas morning! My brother had flown back to Europe for Christmas to see our father, and usually, he cannot calls or get the internet making our connection being almost inexistent! I'm quite the worry type of person so when my brother leaves to Europe, I worry, constantly, making me lose a great amount of sleep each time! This time, I got to hear his voice and a smile was brought back to my face! Siblings fight, have a love/hate relationship, but you can't deny the love that surrounds them. I know I can't deny the love I have for my brother, I'm his rock and his just my annoying taller bug that I love to annoy. I may have not got that love miracle, but I got my brother on the phone. I got to hear him say I love you when he barely tells it to me. It may seem small, but it's a huge deal for me! 

"A Christmas miracle is when your family doesn't get into a single argument all day."- Melanie White

~Bella

A few more days till it's here...

WARNING: There are a few long videos that I absolutely loved watching for a couple of years now, and somehow they are very helpful during Christmas Holiday!

Christmas is arriving fast, faster than ever before. 

It's only a few days away, and many of us are still struggling to get the wrapping and shopping altogether. Let's be honest, there is always some type of issues concerning who will come where, and how the Christmas Eve dinner will go. 


On Christmas time, I love to make some treats, and I'm sure I ain't the only one, sadly, this year, I'm not up for cooking or baking myself. On the other note, though, I must say I was beyond happy when Zoella a YouTuber that I love to watch, made a video about simple Christmas treats. It's quite helpful when you don't have the patience to make anything that may take a while. You should watch it if you are interested in knowing more about little treats. 

Wrapping issues! I ain't the best at wrapping presents, somehow I manage to be rather boring each year! I'm not the best at being gift decorative, so when Zoella, a couple years ago, made a video of gift wrapping ideas, I went all the way on being decorative myself especially when it comes to Christmas and Birthdays! 

Last Minute Christmas Gifts! 

A couple of days ago, I made a post about little cheap gifts for family or friends, but there's always a few little gifts that we don't always find ourselves. Gifts aren't always a big "deal" some people would just prefer something small but useful. We always look for big and unique, but the little ones can be as unique as anything else. 

These videos may be long and may take you a bit of time to go through them, but with complete honesty, it made it so much easier for me each time I had to go through presents ideas, that now I've got a long list in my head. 

Christmas isn't all about presents, the gift wrapping, the decorations (that may be discussed because I love decorations), the big dinner around the beautiful dinner table, the Christmas tree all light up! It's about enjoying time with close family, friends! Enjoying the big of time with people you love, to reunite a family all together, to enjoy unforgettable moments shared playing around. 

Enjoy this Christmas, stop worrying about gifts or how the wrapping goes, if it means a lot to you then it will mean a lot to the other person. If you take the time to decorate, people will appreciate the hard work that you put in to make a unique Christmas moment! 

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." - Norman Vincent Peale

~Bella

Joyful month...

Happy Holidays!

It is finally this time of the year away! Cannot get enough of the Christmas joy, the smell of all the candles or even the Christmas tree. Can't enough of all the decorations,the little cookies shaped like snowmen, the hot chocolates... Can't get enough of the beanies, the big sweaters, jumpers, scarves.
My season may have ended, all the autumn little pieces of joy may be gone, but let's be honest, a lot of people love winter! 
You've got the chilly cold days... You've got Christmas... You've got the new year that comes along quickly after Christmas!

December is such an amazing month for everyone, no matter where you are on the planet. I know I adore December! The decorations, the warm blankets are out again ( I always have them out no matter what...), the scented cinnamon candles, the big socks, and my wonderful beanies! 
It's that time of the year where the music is enjoyable enough to turn on the radio, the shopping mall has the fake snow little moments in the evening. Christmas parties all month long, little gifts, pastries, sweets... Shortbread! 
Can't get a single December day without joy! 


Now, it's also a stressful month as we all have to run everywhere to find Christmas presents!
I gave up trying to find the perfect mix of presents, to make everyone happy... It's hard! So this year I shared one of my brother's gift with my mum, and the youngest of my brothers... Well, I'm also his godmother, so each year he gets one or two gifts from me. It gets tougher each year!

So here are a few great Christmas gifts examples that I would absolutely love to receive, it's cheap and easy!





* Scented Candles (Can't go wrong with that one)








*A cookbook or a Q&A book
I love to cook (invent a lot of recipes but still cook)

*Socks, scarves or beanies (It's useful whenever it's cold, it's not lost)

*A notebook (I've got plenty but I can never have enough, everyone should have one in their bag)

*A jar full of candy or tea bags (Everyone deserves to have a jar of candy next to their beds)




*A LUSH product (You can find some amazing bubble bath products, cream)





*A photo album that you created yourself with quotes, photos that represent the relationship you have with the person! (Cheap, creative, and homemade gifts are usually the one that everyone love because you cannot say "No, I don't like it")

Buying for someone either it's a family member, a friend, a partner, or a coworker can be stressful. You may never know what they truly enjoy doing, or even like. I know that a gift card or a box of chocolates is an easy way to go, but sometimes we want to give something more. Don't get overboard with presents, don't take forever to find the right Christmas card... 

Enjoy the holiday spirit, the scented candles, the nice cold weather. 

"Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little more." - The Grinch

~Bella