Can we all just agree now that December is the best time of year for food? 

And I know there's lots of treats and temptations around, but hey! It's only once a year that you can spoil yourself all month long. Might as well enjoy everything Christmas has to offer! 

I'm always curious to see what treats are popular overseas in the festive season. The UK seems to get some amazing ones by the way! Us sitting down here at the bottom of the world are very jealous. Since I love talking about food so much, I thought why not dedicate a blog to all my guilty pleasures I just have to have at Christmas. I am someone who normally tries to eat carefully, but I like to let my hair down a little in December and not feel guilty for eating something special (and a little bad for you.)

Mince Pies 

Fun fact: I couldn't stand these when I was younger, but ever since my Mum started making her own I love them! The crispy pastry, tarty filling, and maybe some whipped cream on top just to make it perfect. I started buying these in the middle of November and probably go through a pack a week now. In my defense Steve eats them too so I share with him. 

Malteaser Reindeer Chocolate 

Seriously though, why don't they make this by the block now? The supermarkets always sell these as you walk up to pay and they're always on sale for less than a dollar each. I can't leave without one! 

Advent Calendars 

I'm not even talking about the fancy kind either. I'm just looking at the the $3 ones that we all used to have as kids. There's something about the chocolate that always tastes so good, and just like the way it did when I was young. Eating chocolate before breakfast is one of the best things about December by far! It's an exciting part of the daily build up to Christmas.

Terry's Chocolate Orange

These have been on Kiwi shelves for years but I never really paid it much attention. Then I watched a YouTube video where Zoella and Louise were exchanging gifts and they raved about this simple treat. Being the easily-influenced girl I was at 23, I went out and searched for one immediately. Little did I know that it would start an unhealthy obsession, but I regret nothing at all! Oh wow are these amazing.

Cheese Boards

Stepping away from the chocolate section for a minute, just to talk about the post-Christmas dinner binge fest I have with the cheese board. I'm usually the only one who ends up eating from it, but that just means more for me! Any kind of cheese: Swiss, smoked, brie, feta, Camembert. But just not any of that smelly blue stuff.


Cadbury Popping Elves
These have been available for a few years now and we always insist on having them all through December. It's Cadbury chocolate made better with popping candy! How cool is that? They're just fun to eat and you could maybe say that they're a little magical.


Pavlova
Ahh, the Kiwi favorite and the dessert it wouldn't be Christmas without. If you've never had it before just imagine eating a meringue that has a super-fluffy and sweet centre. Topped with fresh (and only fresh) whipped cream and your favorite summer fruit. Ask a New Zealander to make it for you and you won't be sorry.



What are your guilty pleasures you eat all month long?
(Don't be shy, we all do it!)

Steph x.

ps. Happy Blogmas Day 2! 

My December Bucket-List 2017

It's finally my favorite time of the year! 

December for me has always been filled with birthday celebrations (there's four of us this year) as well as the excitement of Christmas getting closer. And I can't forget about all of the vlogmas videos we will all try to keep up and (and fail like always because there's so many!) and get inspired by.

I haven't always been the type of person to go nuts for Christmas, but since I've started my blog and watched Zoella turn her house into winter wonderland, I'm ready for everything December has to offer: advent calendars (aka chocolate for breakfast) making ginger bread cookies, and a Christmas carol playlist on Spotify. 

Since Steve and I are in our first home for the holiday season and it feels like a new chapter in my life, so I wanted to make this December extra special. I wrote out this list back in October when I made the decision to do Blogmas, and it made me so excited for this month to come around. I think that if you have a list of goals ready to go, it will make you go out and do all the fun stuff you've always wanted to do.

Buy our first Christmas tree together

Try new recipes all month long

Make my own hot cinnamon rolls for breakfast

Send out Christmas cards

Celebrate our one year anniversary 

Make a crockpot hot chocolate

Buy a new party dress

Have a picnic in the summer sun

Take a picture to commemorate our first Christmas in the house

Put fairy-lights everywhere

Make a Christmas playlist

Wear something that sparkles

Have a pajama day

Buy our Christmas stockings 

Start new traditions with Steve

Make fun plans for New Years

What fun things are you planning this December?
Steph x.

25 Fun Things To Do This Christmas!

I know I'm not alone when I say that December is my favorite month of the year. Even though it's summer here, I always have an excuse to do some baking or watch tonnes of movies. There's also the amazing selection of chocolates and treats that puts everyone in a great mood (send mince pies please!)

Following my December Bucket-List post, I wanted to share a few more ideas I had for making the most of the festive season. It's the perfect time to get creative and enjoy time with friends.

Make your own decorations to hang around the house

Start a Christmas planner

Host a Christmas movie night for your family and friends

Make the perfect hot chocolate

Make edible gifts for someone

Create a cozy setting for cold Winter nights

Make a festive playlist on Spotify

Roast marshmallows by a fire

Have a cookie decorating party with friends 

Send Christmas cards out with special messages inside

Rock some festive pajamas 

Pick out toys to donate to children in need

 Create a new Christmas tradition 

Find a new recipe to make for the big day 

Have some me-time and catch up on vlogmas videos

Try making festive cocktails

Go tech-free and enjoy some family time

Get a group of friends/family together and see who can make the best gingerbread house

Make a peppermint scrub for girls-night

Find the perfect scented candle

Experience a Lush Christmas 

Create your own Christmas Bucket-list

Complete a December photography challenge 

Buy, or make, a cute Christmas mug

Have a festive movie marathon on a cold Sunday

Start a gratitude jar and read it at the end of the month

I hope you all have a great December! What fun things are you planning on doing?
Steph x.

12 Things I'm Looking Forward to This December

Hello Everyone!
December is always one of my favorite months of the year, since there's a lot of exciting things going on. I also used to be someone who hated anything Christmas before December had even started, but now I love it! I've been very tempted to watch Christmas movies in November...very tempted!
While the festiveness always makes it such a fun month, there's also a tonne of non-Christmas related stuff to look forward to as well.


I'm looking forward to...

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

A little unknown fact for you, from the age of twelve to about fourteen I was obsessed with Star Wars. To be fair, I needed something to keep me occupied in between Harry Potter movies being released. But I still love it and the trailers look amazing! My awesome brother actually pre-booked us all tickets in October the day they got released. Cheers Bro.

2. New Tattoo

To my mother's comment "Another one?!" yes, I am getting inked again. I'm incredibly excited about getting this one done since I have been planning it for quite some time. I've had it specially designed and it's going to have a lot of meaning to my 2015 journey. It's going to my biggest one yet too, so let's hope IPhone games can keep me distracted from the needle!

3. Christmas Dinner

At my house this is the only day of the year we have a full course meal. My darling Mum always gets creative on dips to make and cheeses to serve. Then my Dad cranks up the BBQ, which for me means a seafood feast, including the only time of the year I get to eat scallops. This is followed by too many servings of dessert, and some supper with coffee. Of course, I have to help clean up the dishes, but you can't beat Christmas dinner!

4. Getting in the Christmas Spirit!

I blame Zoella entirely for my newfound love of Christmas. As well as the glorious food, there's something about the feeling of December that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. I think it's my favorite time of year now. Despite it being summer here in New Zealand, I will still be lighting a few scented candles and making hot drinks to get into the mood of it.

5. Blogmas

I actually wanted to participate in Blogmas last year, but I never got around to it. This year I am up for the challenge! I'm also excited to see other bloggers posting each day too. It will be great to put my organizational skills to the test. Should be fun!

6. Summer fruit
This is the best part of the year for fruit: raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries...our fridge will be stocked, along with vanilla ice cream in the freezer to make one of my favorite desserts ever!

7. Maze Runner: Scorch Trials DVD Release
Now I'm quite a big Maze Runner fan, love the books and the movies. I was super excited for this film to come out and I honestly think it was even better than the first. I can't wait to watch it again and try to pick up bits from the book. 

8. Hello, Summer  
It seems like we can't quite shake winter right now! While Spring has been lovely with all of the flowers coming out, I'm really looking forward to getting out in the sun more. I have too many cute outfits I can't wear until the weather warms up. Yeah, the struggle is real.


9. Turning 24
While this also completely terrifies me, I think my 24th year might be my best yet. My 23rd year was still pretty good, I ran a half-marathon, went to Hawaii, started blogging, and became a gym-bunny. But all of that only feels like the start. I now have a clearer vision of what I want in terms of a career and the lifestyle I need in order to be my best self. Bring it on, I say!

10. Celebrating Christmas on YouTube
Anyone else love watching vlogmas videos? I think Zoella is always my favorite to keep up with. Plus this year she's uploading a video onto her main channel everyday! I'm also excited to see my favorite Irish family, the Sacconejolys, celebrating with their two little ones. It's going to be a cuteness overload! Hopefully Dan and Phil will celebrate with Dilmas again this year too.

11. Ant Man DVD Release
As much as I love the original Avengers, I'm loving these new additions to the Marvel universe. I know everyone had their doubts about this movie because of the name, but boy were they wrong. There's such a great balance of humor and heart in this. Can't wait to see him with the other Avengers next year!

12. Socializing
Yup, even I'm surprised by this one. But since it's the month of birthdays, as well as Christmas, December means going out for dinner a lot, which is one of my favorite things to do. We are already booked in at my favorite Mexican place for my birthday, and Indian for my brother (My two favorites!) Plus I'm going out for pizza with my work mates as well. I'm fine with socializing if there's food involved, OK?



What are you most looking forward to in December? It's going to be a good month!
Happy Blogmas!
Steph x.

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