Christmas-ey goodness!!

Mistletoe and wine...

It's Christmas!

The advent calendars are out, the Christmas adverts are playing and Slade, Maria Carey and Wizard are once more remembered for their contributions to the music industry. Snow has yet to fall here in England, and the chance of a white Christmas is not at all very likely. Christmas lights are everywhere, twinkling and flashing, adding magic to the most boring of scenes. 

It's a wonderful time of year, where we all feel like children, giddy with excitement as she we wait for Santa. Each family have their own traditions, waking up early, staying in your pyjamas, dressing up, opening your presents early, waiting to open your stocking until after dinner. Everyone is different. So we thought, that we would write a little post about a few of our favourite Christmas things. 

First up we have Christmas Dinner - because what is Christmas without dinner? Roast Turkey and all the trimmings. Roast potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, parsnips, carrots, peas, gravy... Christmas cake - homemade in Abby's house, cheesecake shop bought in Shanice's house(we're far less traditional). Mince pies - also home made in Abby's house (on Christmas Eve before we venture down to our local pub for tea!) (none in Shanice's house. We all despise them) . Chocolates left out in baskets all over the house, taunting your waistline for the weeks that the decorations are out. All the time whilst the fire is lit, warming your toes after your return home from a long day. 

The next thing I love about Christmas is family. It's a time of year when we get to see those we love. For Abby that means leaving college and work at the door, and sitting with my family in the lounge, whilst the fire is roaring and we sit there watching Midsummer Murders (that Christmas episode in the Manor House where the man is killed in his study). It doesn't matter what you do, it's just the fact that you are together.

For Shanice this means an extreme amount of time playing monopoly with my siblings, and forever bickering over who's cheating, and at least one of us pulling out before the game ends because its taking too long (always my brother). One of my favourite traditions we have is that we always sleep in the same room on christmas eve. As we're all getting older this is proving much harder every year, but we HAVE to, so we're currently discussing our sleeping options as I'm writing this post!

Christmas is also awesome because of the Doctor who Christmas Special. Yeye! Eek! Sense Abby FANGIRLING right now!!

For Shanice this time of year always brings me a sense of sadness over lost TV shows. I'm referring to Wild At Heart which was always on at this time of year as I was growing up! The day I own the box set to watch it to my hearts content will be the best day of my life. Why do they cancel all the best shows :( My little heart is breaking all over again!

Obviously, there are all the other shows that do Christmas specials, and there is the Queen's speech which everyone has to have on, even if they're not watching it! (Shanice) Although I do watch it avidly every year because I LOVE the Queen!  That is the Christmas tv we love.

The last and Shanice's most favourite thing about christmas is giving gifts! The feeling I get when I see something and instantly think of someone is the best feeling ever. Nothing compares. It shows that you know the person and their little quirks so well that you see them in everywhere you go. Giving a gift to someone and them knowing how much thought you put into it is my favourite thing ever. Always guaranteed to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Abby does the most incredibly thoughtful gifts. She is much better at it than I, and I lovelovelove the fact that she is so great at gifts!

Let the days be counted...

ExcusesExcusesExcuses.

Now we could give a million and one excuses to why we've been away from blogging but the truth is everything got in the way and we didn't prioritise the blog. Which I can assure you makes both of us very sad, as the blog is something that gives us a slice of happiness that is easy to obtain. I feel so much better now than I have in a while purely because I'm sitting here writing this post.

So, do you fancy a bit of a catch-up on our lives? 

Shanice- The last 6 months of my life has been insane, I know it hasn't been that long since we posted, but to be fair I can't remember what I've updated you all on and what I haven't. So, I went through a breakup (which you all knew about) and Abby is amazing. (refer to dedicated friends post), I'm now currently in a very new relationship. Oh and I got a job! (Superdrug incase anyone was wondering) I adore it. So thats the basics. I have changed so much over that period of time that sometimes its scary to think about.

Currently I'm feeling overwhelmed. Growing up is scary as hell. The thought of Abby moving so far away petrifies me! I can't imagine how she's feeling. Everyone is growing up and changing. Change is brilliant but oh lord it is scary, it's scary to think how easy it is that people grow apart, I can't imagine my life without the people in it.
With the down side of me currently out of the way, I can tell you all that I also feel incredible. I have never been more grateful for life as I am now. I am so thankful for everyone who stands by me and puts up with me. I wish they all knew half of how I feel towards them all. I am utterly in love with life!

Abby- I'm in a stage of my life where I'm having to make some serious decisions. And I'm telling you now; I'm one of the most indecisive people so this is proving quite a challenge. After sitting on my bedroom floor with a million and one University prospectuses splayed out around me, I finally decided on my five Unis. As I write this now, I can tell you that my UCAS application has been sent off and I have already received two offers - eek!
Shanice has already said how freaky it is for her, and I can say it is just as bad for me. However, I relish in change. I adore it. However, I am terrified that I won't get the grades to get in. But I just have to work my lil' butt off! Which I am doing.
My dad sat down and told me the other day that 'what will be, will be'. That is something I'm currently trying to accept.
Other than Uni? Well my friendships and family relationships are currently being tested, and I'm the one who is being supported and needing that support. (Shanice is being fab - just saying).
What else? Well, my friend raised £130 for a children's hospice, I've made awesome headway in making everyone's Christmas present and I returned home to find a fence had been built at the weekend.

The honest truth is that between work, college work, and our own issues (like Abby's dreary, non-existant love life) the blog has been put on the back burner. But we are back, and with Christmas well on it's way you can expect more than a couple of festive themed posts.

So, with our deepest apologies,

Shabs x

(Can I (shanice) add a how proud I am of Zoe Sugg with her book Girl Online! The girl deserves everything she is getting, she has worked so hard and has such a positive influence on the online world. Congrats girl!) 

Vivacious Vienna

Oh, how excited Shanice is for Vienna...

(*cough* so is Abby)

The capital of Austria. A former Imperial Capital. A current historical city. It is also a city which is social on an international level, it is the third largest German speaking city and home to the United Nations - does that mean we might bump into Connie Britton?! - and OPEC. All of this means it will be a city that is one of a kind. 

Flea markets;  now these are literally gold mines on our opinions. Bargains, vintage, rare one off finds. Give us a market and we will be occupied for hours. The best bit about the markets In Vienna is the fact that they are not just items for sale, but food too! The smells are no doubt going to tempt us to no end! And we are most likely going to spend the whole day there... 

We are hopefully going to head to the most eclectic of all the markets, the Naschmarkt. For the best deals you have to get there early, so we will be getting dragged out of our pits at the crack of dawn - or so we say. 

Vienna is a city all about music and culture. It's about embracing what sets it apart from the rest. So we want to do that. In this city we want to go and visit the parks with their hands of buskers. We want to see the street art in all it's fabulous form.

Food.

Music.

Markets.

Bliss. 

Bewitched by Budapest

Budapest, not only the George Ezra song that inspired the entirety of this trip, but also the next city on our journey.

This city is one which Shanice is especially looking forward to. Budapest is actually made up of two parts, Buda and Pest. Yep, I'm not joking. These two parts are joined by the Chain Bridge, which is in no other words stunning. It's architecture is magnificent and at night it looks amazing. So Abby is here by requesting that we walk across it at night. 

I mean how stunning is this?!

Budapest is also know for its thermal baths. These places are like castles file with water and this is no exaggeration. They are stunning, you can swim inside or outside in the summer, have treatments or just relax. Honestly, it's like this massive spa. They're reasonable priced considering how big they are as they only cost £12 at a weekend. I don't think we can visit and not go to one of these places if I'm honest. They are going to be worth a visit just for the architecture, but the baths are brilliant for you. They are said to help with aches and pains, so maybe our feet won't ache so much from the walking and our backs from the backpacks? 

The City of Healing Waters

Budapest is also a place of supreme history. If you walk along the banks of the Danube river then you will most likely comes across one of the most incredible things. In 2005 a film director called Can Togay erected a monument in memory of the Jewish people that were brutally killed in Budapest during World War Two. It is tonnes of metal shoes placed on the bank. To say it is thought provoking is an understatement. The metaphors laced within it is stunning. This is one of the places on our trip that we are both looking forward to most.

Shabs x

Crispy leaves and tea.

It's the most beautiful season of all; autumn. 

The mornings are brisk and the evenings dark meaning snuggling up in bed is all the more wonderful. The leaves are at that beautiful stage when they are a mixture of gold, red and orange dotted with the odd great on clinging on to summer. Then in a gust of wind that bites at your skin they fall to the ground. Even at seventeen we still believe there is not much that is more satisfying that jumping in a pile of leaves and hearing that 'crunch'. Having said that, when the leaves are all soggy and stuck to the ground they are just as beautiful. A confetti carpet. 

(Abby) The other day I had my break at work in the morning. Leaving the kitchen, I pulled on my sweatshirt and raincoat, grabbed my bagel, tea and blueberry muffin and went to sit outside. I work near a main road, but it was still beautiful. For me, there is something about escaping into a brisk autumn morning and just taking it all in. Whilst hugging my tea to keep me warm.
(Shanice) For me, this is the first year I am truly appreciating Autumn. I am a summer baby and usually hate it when the warmth of summer leaves, but this year I am embracing it with everything I have. I have no idea how I've missed out on the outstanding beauty of Autumn for so long. 

We love everything about autumn. From soup and crusty bread in front of the fire, to the first frost and tea. Ginger sponge on bonfire night, watching the fireworks from your bedroom window when you're meant to be asleep, everything Halloween related and children in need. But for us, there are a few essentials that you need to get you through autumn. So, here are what we think you need...

Firstly, you need coats, wooly jumpers, scarves and leggings, and I am being deadly serious. With ankle boots, black boots, brown boots, leather or suede - basically this is your survival. Especially when bonfire night comes around and it is freezing cold as you're stood in the garden looking up at the sky. 

We love scarves and if anyone out there is wondering what to get Abby for Christmas? Scarves! Chunky cardigans are just as brilliant, and if you want a lovely one then our advice is - as with anything clothes related - get yourself to H&M. 

Vaseline. It's literally Abby's saving grace at the moment. Working in a boiling hot environment then stepping out into the cold is playing havoc with my lips, and this stuff is the only thing stopping the, bleeding. Up until this year I never really used lip balm or anything. Instead I just used lipstick - which is you use a decent brand will work just as well, I always opted for Avon. However, my mum let me have a brand new pot of hers and it has transformed me. I love the way it makes my lips look super glossy and glamorous but doesn't feel greasy or anything. 

Good food. There is nothing better at this time of year than coming home to a good hearty hot meal. In the colder months our bodies burn more calories, which for us is great because we can have that second helping of soup or maybe even cake!

In autumn and winter the weather changes can also cause bad skin in people, as well as make them feel down in themselves. The right food and right care of yourself can help sort this right out!

This time of year for me (Shanice) causes me to reflect on the previous few months since the year began. I, as Carrie Fletcher put it in her 'Letters to Autumn' videos, use this time to reflect on who I have lost in this period of time and who I have gained, how I have changed and how I have stayed the same.

In my reflection I always become far more aware of myself and others around me. How I am feeling and wondering how others are feeling too. I always feel people mellow during this time of the year, right before the stress of christmas hits and I want to appreciate that.

I am a far different person this year than I was last, and I'm glad that with the changes I have come to love and appreciate Autumn because it is incredibly beautiful. 

Do you love Autumn as much as we both do? 

Shabs x

Wandering Warsaw.

Hey you beautiful people!

The third and final city in Poland that Shabs (accompanied by Zac) will be visiting is Warsaw. This is probably one of the more well known Polish cities. However, we all have such bad geography that we had never heard of it. That probably is a scary thought when you consider we are to be going all over Europe - alone! 

Warsaw is the capital city of Poland, and is -in the clichéd travel blog words - an up and coming city. It's dealt with it's fair share of pain and fire, it has risen from the flames, and more recently dusted off the ashes to reveal the bright colours beneath. 

Once more, Warsaw is a place that we are more than a little excited about visiting. In actually fact we are probably most excited about visiting Poland as a whole country because it is so unknown to us. So what are we going to do when we visit this city? 

Well, as you can tell there is going to be a lot of sight seeing on this trip. All that walking will hopefully allow us to burn off enough calories to go and bury ourselves in the local cuisine without putting too much weight on! 

Lazienki park is the largest park in the city, and when I say it is large, I mean it. It is massive. Set in the beautifully landscaped and designed park is Lazienki palace, also known as 'the palace on the isle' in reference to the fact at it overlooks the lake. What absolutely made us fall in love with this place is the fact that the building is only accessible via footbridges - how cute!

Warsaw has seen so much pain, and that is something that would be so easy to forget. But it is that pain which has helped to make it the city it is today, and Shabs are firm believers in embracing that. So we are also looking at heading to the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial. This is built exactly where the Warsaw Ghetto used to be, a place that was destroyed in the 1940's. Those who lived their were either killed, or sent to a concentration camp. So this memorial was built, to re bed the lives that were lost, but also, to remember those who fought against the Nazi's.

It seems as though it would be a humbling place. 

There are so many places in Warsaw we would love to visit, and even more museums. I have a feeling that we will leave this city wanting more! 

When in Warsaw, there will be plenty of wandering, especially around the Old Town. There will also be tonnes of Instagram moments! 

Have you been to Warsaw?

-Shabs

A little thought.

I (Shanice) was babysitting a neighbors little girl recently and I asked what the little girl what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied with a huge grin on her face saying a fairy princess.
She then proceeded to ask me what I wanted to be, but told me I was too old to be a fairy princess too.

It got me thinking about the future, about what I really wanted. Now this is something I've never really known; until she asked me. It was the weirdest feeling, like a brick wall of clarity (I know that doesn't make any sense but lets just pretend it does.)
I made all of my life decisions in about 3 seconds, but then realised that even though thats what I want to do, this wasn't the most important thing to me.

When I'm old all I want is to be able to say I have some incredible memories and that the people I have those memories with still in my life. It inspired me. I'm now trying to be far more spontaneous, a better friend and create memories that I will never forget.

I hope everyone gets a little burst of clarity like I did, it feels great!
I love having a blog, there's no other way I can get little things like this off of my chest.

Shabs x

(Bucket list update, Shanice got a job! (Same place as Abby, so Shabs have an actual possibility of seeing each other in person!)