Hello 2014 (finally)!

I've let the new year change over without saying a word. It kind of felt appropriate. No doubt, 2013 has been life-changing. And it all started in March when Henry came into our lives. And it's been great ever since.

Our life has changed for the better in so many ways. I'm not one to make resolutions at the start of every new year, but I do sometimes set myself some goals. I felt it was appropriate to let this new year change quietly without any grand declarations, because, for the second year in a row, I am pregnant. And just like at the start of 2013 when I didn't know what life with a baby would be like, this year, I don't know what life with TWO babies will be like, so I don't want to set myself any unrealistic goals. I don't need that kind of pressure.

I'm now well versed in the life of rearing a single child - but two? I have a feeling this will be a whole new adventure.

Wishing all my friends and family all the best in 2014!

What an Indulgent Time of Year

For me, Christmas is not about the presents. It's not about the tree. And it's not even about Jesus. Christmas, for me, is all about the desserts. The baked goods. The sugar, the spice and everything nice.

It's the one month of the year when I don't think twice about indulging. I take off the belt and I just let loose. If there's a cookie, or a cake, a pudding or a brownie anywhere near me, I will devour it within minutes. 

That's why I'm so grateful for my mom's masterful baking skills. We tend to get a sweet delivery of hers about once a day. We're her guinea pigs. If we like it, then it's gold. So this morning, I woke up to not one but two Christmassy treats, one of which is my all time favourite traditional Greek Christmas cookie, Kourabiedes. They're almost like a lovely buttery shortcake, made with toasted almonds and dusted with powdered sugar. They couldn't look more festive.

The other was a deliciously rich, flourless chocolate cake. Not so much a traditional holiday dessert, but sensational nonetheless.

If you're stuck on what to bake for a special event, I would highly recommend either of these sweet treats.

What's your favourite Christmas treat? I'm always on the lookout!

Deck the Halls...

Christmas is here! What a happy time of year!

The tree is up, the lights are lit, the cinnamon-scented candles are out and the Christmas baking has begun. We are totally ready to take on the holiday season. We had lots of fun decorating the Christmas tree yesterday. We put some classic Christmas songs on and dug right in. Henry even helped to hang some of the baubles.

I'm so excited for Henry's first Christmas and I can't wait to start new family traditions. I had every intention of actually making our advent calendar this year, but I got too lazy and bought a Cadbury's Chocolate one instead. Chocolate is always a good idea.

Money is tight this year, so I'd really like to hand make my gifts. Maybe make something using family photos. Anyone have any ideas? I'm all ears!

Hope you're having a lovely December!

Merry Christmas!

Picture of kitty by the tree - taken by me!

We've survived an apocalypse, frenzied shopping, the longest day of the year and now it's finally time to take on the holiday. I can't wait to jet off to London tomorrow to spend the holidays with the husband's family. It's always super-festive with them as they go all out with Christmas lunch/dinner, decorations and the fun and games of boxing day. Plus! We'll be in the UK, which increases our chances of having a white Christmas by a billion percent.  

We're not doing presents this year just cos it's been so NUTS these past few months. But I'm lucky enough to be getting the best present of ALL. Ever. Santa's bringing my sis to London from NYC! I haven't seen her since the summer - and hardly at all during my pregnancy - so this is the one SINGLE thing I'm most excited about for the holidays.

Apart from that, we're going to a Christmas wedding, I'm seeing my best friend (again, someone I haven't seen at all during my pregnancy) and I get to stock up on snack a' jacks.

Here's to wishing you all a very merry time over the holidays and my gift to you - some fun wintery/Christmas-themed posts I've liked lately:

A Beautiful Mess' Emma's instagram calendar is such a neat idea.

Might be a tad late, but some year-round noteworthy gifts for bloggers from Pugly Pixel.

A festive candy cane smoothie from the Happiness Cocktail. What?

Sara's Yes and Yes 2013 calendar looks even better than last year's!

I'll be joining Gretchen Rubin's 21-day Relationship Challenge which starts on Jan 14. And her 7 tips to keeping new year's resolutions aren't bad either.

Emma ABM's biscuits and mushroom gravy. Slurp.

A super-awesome Christmas play list compiled by a Beautiful Mess.

Gingerbread. Hot. Cocoa. Courtesy of Bakingdom.

Photoprint wrapping paper via Sugar & Charm. So cute!

Cauliflower feta fritters magic-ed up by Smitten Kitchen.

 Happy Holidays!

*****

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The Gift of Mustard

 1. Daddy Cooks Cranberry Chardonnay 2. DeLouise Fils Champagne Mustard 3. Gourmet Maple Bacon Whipped Mustard 4. Rayes Mustard Gift Pack 5. Dean & Deluca Tarragon Meyer Lemon Mustard 6. Edmond Fallot Burgundy Mustard 7. My Friend's Mustard Spicy Brown Ale 8. Edmond Fallot Blackurrant Dijon Mustard 9. Prissy's of Vidalia Onion Mustard 10. GG's Sweet & Spicy Mustard

The fall time somehow always makes me think of mustard.  It must have something to do with the autumnal colour of it.

I've always thought fancy mustards, jams or chutneys make great gifts and I think I may be giving them out this holiday season.

Do you have any yummy holiday gift suggestions?

*****

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My Week with Instagram

Snap. Snap.

As I mentioned in this post, I'm taking part in Bleubird's January Photo a Day challenge, #janphotoaday.  It's been lots of fun keeping my phone at the ready to capture an inspiring moment.  I've felt guilty a lot of the times as I'd often forget until the end of the day to take a picture.  This explains why a lot of my photos are from inside the house.  If this little project has taught me anything so far it's to get out of the house more!

Enjoy the pics. And if you'd like to follow me on instagram that would make me very happy.

You can follow me by clicking here: 

Day 1.  First day of the new year with slippers and a good book.

Day 2.  My teddy which I have officially had now for 20 years.

Day 3.  Waffles and decaf for breakfast.

Day 4.  See if you can spot the kitty sleeping in the sun.

Day 5. Citrus attack at the food market.

Day 6.  Saying goodbye to the fairy lights before they come down for good.

Day 7.  Christmas has left the building.

Day 8. A beautiful day on the island.

What has your week looked like?  Feel free to link through in your comments!

*****

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Merry Christmas One and All!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

via Meadowbrook Farm Blog

I wish you all a very happy time with your families and loved ones full of love, laughter and warmth.

Bring on 2012!

Our Happy Christmas Home

Sweet home.

I've spent all day in the kitchen today filling our house with happy Christmas smells.  I've finally gotten round to making the coffee syrups I mention in this post.  And oh how LOVELY the house doth smell!  Next up: chocolate truffles.

While I waited for my syrups to get syrupy I did some more decorating.  I can't get enough of white fairy lights and I think I might keep them up all year round.

This is our first Christmas as a married couple in our own home, so I wanted to put a bit more effort in than I usually do (I'm not one for traditions) and I'm so happy I did!

Are you feeling in the Christmas mood yet?

*****

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Yummy Christmas

Calorific.

My best friend is coming over from Cyprus for the holidays and has invited a whole bunch of us over on Christmas Eve for rack of lamb and board games.  We're all bringing something to add to the buffet so I'm torn as to which one of each of the below savoury and sweet options I should make and bring.  Click on the pictures to be taken through to the recipes.

SAVOURY

Creamy Potato Gratin from Nigella Lawson at The Food Network

Pumpkin Soup with Chili Cran-Apple Relish from The Food Network

Cheese Reindeer from Cute Food for Kids

SWEET

Chocolate Raspberry Liqueur and Rum Truffles from GoMakeMe

Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes from Darla at Bakingdom

Eggnog Custard Pie from The Food Network

Which combo would you go for?

*****

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A Very Last Minute Christmas

Still got some gifts to buy?

Why not consider making your gift:

Christmasy Coffee Syrups.  Why go to Starbucks when you can make these for 1/3 of the price! Eggnog, Gingerbread and Pumpkin Spice lattes whenever your heart desires them.

Homemade Salt and Olive Oil Face Scrub or Sugar and Honey Face Scrub.

Make a pomander if you're going for a house visit.  It will make their house smell lovely for the evening!

Homemade Christmas truffles with holiday sprinkles as inspired by Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere.

If all else fails, check out these awesomest of awesome lists of 101 Handmade Gift Tutorials from Everythingetsy.com. 


Or, you can purchase these quick and easy useful gifts:

UGG-style slippers from Accessorize.

Yankee Candles - because WHO doesn't love them???

If you're going to buy one book this season make it The Happiness Project.  A nice, inspiring, non-gender specific lift me up!

You may not be able to order this in time for Christmas but it is one awesome *late* pressie.  The Year in Yes Calendar will give the gift of well-organised time in beautiful reusable packaging.

A Gift Card from Flight Centre UK.

An herb pot, because herbs are a gift that keep on giving.

An Amazon Gift Card because I know I'd LOVE this.

Magazine Subscription.  You can purchase a whole bunch from Amazon here.

*****

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I'm Dreaming...

...of a girly Christmas!

Last night was the perfect end to a wonderfully Christmassy weekend.  I saw one of my good friends on Saturday for some guilt-free window shopping, which also very helpfully gave my some good ideas for last minute gifts (I'm thinking UGG-style slippers from Accessorize.  They're the best purchase I've made in the last year!).

 We then slipped into a cosy dark cinema for some Tom Cruise action in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (it was surprisingly enjoyable!) followed by some frozen yoghurt at Yoo Moo (I got the natural yoghurt flavour topped with strawberries, marshmallows and brownies.  For anyone living in Athens Greece, there's one in Glyfada.  Check it.).

Our night did not end there. We passed by the DVD rental store, picked up two movies and went home for another cosy night in on the sofa with the preposterous but star studded Your Highness (GOD awful!).  My sis and her boyfriend came along with their adorable bison-frise, Poppy, and a fresh batch of cookies.  Pure awesomeness.

Last night was the icing on the cake.  We went over to my cousin's house to decorate her tree, along with her cat and French bulldog.  We had crimbo music on, lots of girly gossip and too many cakes for our own good.

When all was done and dusted, I came home to a homemade chicken stew made by my wonderful hubby.

A perfectly blissful weekend.

Can I tell you what I'm looking forward to the MOST this Christmas though?  Take a gander:

SWOON!

What are you looking forward to most this holiday season?

*****

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Moody December Day

This is kind of what it looks like outside today...

via We Heart It

Minus the vast fields and rundown shed.  It is a moody moody day outside.  Just as it should be in December.  Perfect stay-indoors weather cuddled up on the sofa with a warm cup of cocoa and Hitchcock on TV.  Whilst I don't get to watch Rope for about the 5th time, I am lucky enough to stay at home as this is where I work from.  

Oh, working from home definitely has its perks: endless hours of MTV's Disaster Date on in the background; my fluffy UGG style slippers to keep my toes toasty AND I get to do a quick tidy-up when I get that sudden (yet rare) urge. 

But I have to say that I miss working in an office the most during this time of year. Christmas music on the radio, mince pies in the kitchen, empty desks and silent phones.  There's usually very few people in the office as we, and everyone else in London, would wind down for the holidays.  It was most definitely not the most productive of times. The less demanding days meant that we could just goof off with eachother.  And it was all legit - 'cause we were at work!  I got along really well with my colleagues and every day spent with them in the office was an absolute treat. 

I do get lonely at home sometimes and I fear my social skills are seriously starting to deteriorate.  But it doesn't take me long to remind myself that I have a pretty sweet deal going on here.  I may not be in the same room as my colleagues but the constant email threads between us are enough to have me chuckling for a very long time...

What's your office like during the holidays? Good, bad, ugly?

*****

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My Life Now in Pictures...

I've been away in dreary London for a week...

Went over for work and to oversee our films at the BIFAs (British Independent Film Awards. P.S. - Our very own Tyrannosaur won best British Film! Go see it. Now.) so I have been missing this ol' blogosphere quite terribly.  Not to mention that I feel wholy ashamed that my last post was about Thanksgiving. Oh dear.

Well, I'm back in sunny Athens now.  Our Christmas tree has been duly decorated.  Our christmassy smelly Yankee candles are lit.  And I'm ready to take on the holiday season...

Bring it.

Ye Ol' Christmas Tree

What happens when you eat a whole Terry's Chocolate Orange? We shall soon find out.

Saw this on my walk to work this morning. It made me happy.

So what stage are you at in your holiday prep? Do not tell me your Christmas shopping is already done...

*****

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