Vlogmas || Blogmas Day 10

Today I'm having a study-from-home day, which usually goes one of two ways: very productive or utterly disastrous! I tend to work more efficiently in the library as my flat is too much of a distraction, but in April when I was studying for my Spring exams, I injured my knee and was on crutches, so had to get used to working from home. So, I've kind of had a bit of a balance this time round. Apart from the fact that my hands are so cold I can barely write, and that my flatmate and I took a break to go to Morrison's and buy food, it's going ok so far!

For about as long as I have been writing this blog (coming up for 4 years!), I have enjoyed dipping in and out of Youtube. There are very few channels that I watch every single video (basically just Carrie Hope Fletcher and her brother and sister-in-law's channels!), but I like to watch a few videos from a variety of popular, and less popular, Youtubers.

This time of year is great for content because lot of Youtubers do 'Vlogmas', which is really the inspiration behind my Blogmas, and involves them filming their day every day of advent and posting it on their channel in vlog form!

Usually I only manage to watch a few Vlogmas videos, and limit myself to indulging when my exams are over, but this year there are 3 channels that I've been following quite consistently for the last week, and have had their videos on in the background while I'm doing some less intense studying, blog writing, or getting ready. So, I thought I'd share those with you!


1) Giovanna Fletcher (Giovannasworld)

The aforementioned sister-in-law! I really like Giovanna. Arguably, her channel is more aimed at Mum's as it is often about family activities and what she's up to with her young children, but she's
 also an author, actress, Christmas lover and comes across as a really genuine and lovely person! Her family time vlogs really sum up the Christmas vibe and are very heart-warming!

2) Zoe Sugg a.k.a. Zoella (MoreZoella)

There's been LOTS of controversy around Zoella recently. I mean, when isn't there? If she's not being accused of selling a very overpriced advent calendar as part of her popular beauty range, people are digging up her old, offensive tweets. I'm NOT saying that there's not truth in these allegations, and I do not follow Zoe or her boyfriend Alfie Days channels consistently because I find parts of their lifestyle annoying and their videos a bit long for regular viewing, BUT I have really been enjoying her Vlogmas because she basically takes December off work and just fully embraces the festivities, and there's something about that which makes me, if a little jealous, very happy! Plus, again, she really does come across as a very sweet, if insanely rich, person.

3) Nadia Sawalha and Kaye Adams (Nadia & Kaye)

Finally, it's Nadia and Kaye off Loose Women! Loose Women is one of my major guilty pleasures. I don't think I've ever watched the entire show on TV, because I don't really watch much TV and definitely not during the day, but I love watching wee clips on Youtube coz I just find the panel so funny! I have quite a bit of this Vlogmas to catch up on actually, but discovering this year that this is something that these two do has been the best! They actually make me laugh out loud! They are just mum's around the same age as mine who remind me of the batty middle-aged maternal loveliness that I adore in my own mum and miss terribly! Their preparation for Christmas reminds me of being a kid at home again and yeah, a channel definitely worth checking out if you want a laugh!

Do you have any Vlogmas recommendations for me (maybe for when I actually have finished my exams!). Do you maybe vlog yourself? I have thought about trying out a Youtube channel a few times in an attempt to combat my nervousness of being recorded, so you never know, maybe one year I'll have a Vlogmas too!

Catriona x

Work Night Out || Blogmas Day 9

As a lifeguard, I have 'casual'/'relief' contracts with two different councils, which means I can pick up shifts at my local leisure centres both here at uni and when I go home, which is really handy!

Last year, I went to the Christmas night out with my colleagues at home, but this year I won't be home in time to attend their night out. However, my work here decided to have their night out a bit earlier than last year, so I was able to make it this evening.

This was the first time I had socialised with these colleagues outside of work so it was really nice, even though quite a few people couldn't make it and people kept dropping out at the last minute!

We decided to go to Pizza Express for a 3 course meal. I didn't do the professional blogger thing and take photos of my food (partly because I was a bit embarrassed to, and partly because I was so hungry after a day spent in the library looking forward to this meal that I got tucked right in without stopping to snap!), but I had the Doughballs, followed by La Reine classic pizza (prosciutto, mushrooms and black olives), and then the Sticky Toffee Bundt Cake with Salted Caramel Ice Cream for dessert. The food was delicious and I happily ate every morsel (and didn't feel too stuffed until I ate all of my extremely sweet and rich desert!)

We also each got a lovely glass of prosecco included, which for me was really festive because I only really drink it on special occasions like birthdays or Christmas/New Year.

It was really nice to chat away to everyone and laugh. We also did a Secret Santa. The person I gave to seemed to really like their presents, and I received some gorgeous, warm fluffy socks, a festive Vanilla Chai body wash from the Body Shop, and a massive bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate (which I'll have to strictly ration myself with as I face exams this week!)

Once the bill was all sorted, a few of us headed to another bar for a drink, and after that I decided to call it night. Back in the flat, I have put on my cosy socks (which are not only extremely cute but
greatly appreciated in this freezing cold flat tonight!) and might watch a wee bit of tv before bed. It wasn't at all a wild night, mostly because I need to revise tomorrow but also because there weren't loads of us out, but it was nice to put on some make up and have a nice dinner out for sure! The weekend treat I really needed.

If you're headed out with workmates or friends in the next week or two, I hope you have a lovely time!

Catriona x

Cosy Night In || Blogmas Day 8

After a long, pretty productive day in the library, I came home to make some dinner, finish off a final few tasks, and have a more chilled evening.

For me, routine is key to keeping stress levels low, and so, until maybe the day before my first exam, I quite like to get up early and out to the library, and then, when I've done as much as I'm going to manage for one day, I can head back to the flat and chill a bit. It means that I can sort of separate uni and home to a certain extent, and can look forward to giving my brain a break if I work hard during the day!

I especially enjoy my chilled time when it's actually chilled, because I've put in the work during the day, and this evening was one of those times. I never enjoy chilling much when I feel like I should be doing work or I'm severely behind. That's not to say I don't still chill when I have work to do, because you can't burn yourself out or you'll get nowhere, but yeah, there's definitely a different level of enjoyment out of well-deserved down time!

Found these in Morrison's and decided to give them a try this evening.

Not very impressed!

Kind of a mix between Smoky Bacon and Roast Chicken flavours.

Gave the rest of the bag to my flatmate - still to hear his verdict!

After a milder week, today has ben SO COLD!!! So, this evening, I made myself a cup of peppermint green tea, grabbed a couple of squares of dark chocolate, watched some Youtuber's Christmas vlogmasses (actually still got one on in the background just now), and then put on I'm A Celebrity, and did some more present wrapping (my work night out it is tomorrow and I had to sort out my Secret Santa!). Then I packed a few things in my case for when I go home next week and tidied my room, and now I'm tucked up under my duvet writing this!

It probably sounds like a really normal, boring night to most of you, but I haven't actually spent so many evenings in the flat as I have been recently, and it's been a really nice change. I really like having lots on and going out and being social, but yeah its nice to spend some chilly winter evenings snuggled up in bed.

What's your best routine? Are you an early bird like me or more of a night owl when it comes to revision/work? What makes an ideal night in for you?

Now it's time for me to upload this wee post, put away my phone and tablet and unplug from the world by reading a few pages of my book, before hopefully getting a great nights sleep. Just one week till freeedom! Very much ready for this semester to be over!

Catriona x

Presents & Cards || Blogmas Day 7

I LOVE giving presents and writing cards at Christmas. Not just the choosing of the gifts, which is quite fun, but the wrapping up (as neatly as I can manage!) and getting out my fountain pen to handwrite one of the few letters I actually get to write!

I did a more detailed post about writing cards and Christmas shopping last year. This year, however, I won't be home until the 20th of December and a couple of weeks ago it suddenly hit me that I would either have to get myself organised, or face the mad last minute present rush on the few days leading up to Christmas! So, I did most of my Christmas shopping online and had it sent to home, as well as picking out my choice of wrapping paper, so it will all be ready for when I get home.

However, I have done a wee bit of wrapping and card writing recently, as I have a few gifts to give to people here at uni and friends I'll see before heading home.

I am so so happy with my choice of paper/present wrapping colour scheme this year! Every year, I try and coordinate it to make my presents look as nice as possible, and for the last few years it's been a silvery, modern, chic colour scheme. But this year I saw this 'luxury' paper half price in WH Smith and fell in love. It's a deep blue colour with glittery stars, and I'm teaming it up with gold ribbon and bows and gift bags. Aaaah I just think it looks so pretty and can't wait to wrap the rest of my gifts and give them to my friends!

The picture really doesn't do it justice and I love when I find a paper I adore because it hides my below-average wrapping skills! Maybe when I have done all my wrapping I will post another picture, perhaps on my instagram (@catrionaitken) or snapchat (@catrionaa15). What a way to slip my social media handels in there, eh?!

Anyway, I really do get a lot of joy from creating the perfect card or pretty present to give at Christmas, and it's a nice revision break to crack on those festive tunes and allow glitter to go everywhere (total nightmare, took ages to hoover up!). Spreading it out has actually worked well, as the magic lasts longer!

I notice as I continue to write these daily Blogmas posts late in the evening, that the language becomes much simpler and my eyes just want to drop closed as I stare at the screen. That'll teach me for not being organised enough to have them up ahead of time, but I suppose it gives you a little of an idea of what my December is really like at the minute!

Do you enjoy present wrapping, or is it more of a chore? Have you spotted any particularly nice wrapping paper designs this year?

Catriona x

Film Review: 'Bad Moms' and 'A Bad Moms Christmas' || Blogmas Day 6

So, some time in October I saw that 'Bad Moms' was on Prime Video. This was a film I had wanted to see when it was in the cinema but never got round to it. And I really like Mila Kunis so it was a must-see.

Honestly, my memory of the exact plot is a bit vague but I know that it was really funny!

Then, about a month ago, I had a friend to stay and we had a really nice weekend, including a trip to the cinema to see the sequel 'A Bad Moms Christmas'... more laughs, more rude jokes, more inappropriate parenting,
with a festive feel... what more could you ask for?!

What I particularly loved about these films was the breakdown of perceived perfection (if a little exaggerated) and the importance placed on quality family time. No parent is perfect, no child is perfect, but bonding time between loved ones is so special.

It also reminds us that, while we all grow up, we can still feel/act like kids and sometimes adultas get things wrong! Even Mums (sorry Mum for being so hard on you!!).

I still love Mila Kunis, although I didn't think she was any funnier than the others. My favourite was probably Katherine Hahn... and I also loved Christine Baranski's character in the sequel- she is just fab.

All in all, this was slapstick funny, but also heart warming and spirit-lifting, and just what I needed on a cold Sunday November evening with one of my besties!

This isn't really much of a review to be honest, but it's quarter past 10, I'm tired, and I basically just want to say that, while not my favourite Christmas movie of all time (yet!), I definitely recommend that everyone get themselves to the cinema to see 'A Bad Moms Christmas' with friends over the next couple of weeks! A perfect fun, festive girls night!

Catriona x

The Bublé Buzz || Blogmas Day 5

So, this is admittedly going up a bit late, but we're gonna fiddle around with the scheduled time and make it all look legit so shhhh!

It's Tuesday, and I really haven't been feeling very well today. I wasn't originally going to talk about this in my post, because it's actually not a very big deal, but I've decided I am going to mention it and I'll tell you why in a second... Last winter I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and, although I am lucky that I don't have it to an extreme severity, and I am now able to manage it with peppermint oil capsules, occasionally, particularly when I'm stressed or have eaten something 'wrong', I get 'flare ups'. Without going into the details, these episodes can be really uncomfortable and include severe stomach cramping, anxiety and exhaustion. It occurred to me this evening that, despite the fact that it's very common particularly among young girls my age, people tend to avoid talking about IBS because there's a stigma around it, that it's disgusting or gross. And that really doesn't help when you're suffering. I know that I will probably feel much better in the morning, but yeah, just in general I think there should be less stigma around IBS and similar conditions.

Anyway, moving on!!! When I am feeling a bit stressed or rubbish, music always plays a big role in cheering me up. And so, since starting uni, I have definitely got earlier and earlier with listening to the Christmas music. This year it was the start of November when I cracked out, you guessed it, a bit of Bublé.

Now, none of Michael Buble's songs or covers would make it into my list of festive favourites, and yet there is something about his famous Christmas album which just captures the hearts of all, young and old.

I often see memes and jokes about how Michael Buble comes out of hibernation just for the festive season, or how he must live off the money he earns from just a few weeks a year and, while totally exaggerated, there's some truth in it! We all associate Buble with Christmas. Buble IS Christmas!

Are you a Michael Buble fan? Like me, who only listens to him over the Christmas period? Or one of the few real haters (what a grinch, eh?!)?

Let me know what your work/study playlist consists of on the run up to Christmas in the comments!

Catriona x

Trimming the Tree || Blogmas Day 4

Ok, so there wasn't a whole lot of trimming involved, but this evening my flatmates and I put up the Christmas tree in our flat!

After a bit of a 'meh' day in the library feeling unproductive, it was nice to just chill out and properly belly laugh, taking silly selfies and the mick out of each other, especially Theo who was hilariously attempting to make a perfect Christmas tree, while Amy is the total opposite and just wanted to bung everything on anywhere!

The final product was bit of a compromise I suppose! It's just really nice walking past a wee bit of festivity and twinkly lights in our living room... I'm actually such a big kid.

We went for the traditional red and gold baubles (well I say 'we went', I really mean Theo bought those last year so that's what we used haha!) It didn't take anywhere near as long as it always seems to take at home, but oh well, we had the Christmas tunes blasting and for a wee while I could just enjoy the fact that Christmas is now only 3 weeks away!

Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? What colour scheme have you gone for?

Catriona x