The first is this Navy Owl Jumper from Next. I love this because I love to wear navy and I'm also partial to knitwear. Of course the owl design is absolutely adorable and it can teamed with wearing a lace collar, to give it that little bit of glamour. The great thing is it is so cosy and comfortable, perfect to wear on these cold, harsh winter nights.
The next present I got was 'Hugo Boss: Sunset'. A few Christmases ago, I was given 'Hugo Boss Orange' and it is among one of my favourite perfumes. 'Sunset' has a tangy, delectable sweet fragrance and is great to spray on whether you're in the house or if you're heading out.
Next have recently launched 'The Collection' which are perfumes named after the world's most famous cities. Currently they have New York, Paris, Milan, London and now Florence. I bought New York before Christmas and while the perfume doesn't last all day, it's great to carry around and spritz whenever you feel like having a little touch-up. I noticed in Next that they launched a new fragrance called 'Florence'. Having already been to the real Florence in North Italy I was intrigued to find out what the perfume smelt like. It is enticed with lily and red rose on a sensuous base of sandalwood and white musk. Whenever I spray it, I instantly think of spring and all the flowers that will soon grow. I look forward to wearing it more often. The box it comes in is pretty as well, adorned with a cute black and white bow.
Miranda Hart - all round comedic genius. Read her book Is It Just Me? - I trust you, you will laugh!
No, I didn't get Miranda Hart for my birthday unfortunately! Although that would be brilliant if I did. We would have so much fun making fruit friends, dancing around to Spice Girls and making origami pants...
Now you're looking at me weird. RUDE. Anyway, I have tickets (or will have tickets once they arrive) for her show My, What I Call, Live Tour in Glasgow on March 17, 2014. Yep it's a whole year away and by that time I will have passed my 23rd birthday. Still it will come sooner than I think and will officially dub it Miranda Day!
As a child, I loved reading books and spending time in bookstores. Now as a young adult, I still have that same passion for books and you will often find me browsing in Waterstones, thumbing through paperbacks and admiring these stunning hardback books. I received one for my 21st birthday last year Han Christian's Fairy Tales. This year, it was Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I have already read the abridged version of the novel, but now I'm reading the full 1,200 of Hugo's marvellous work. I have started it and it will take a while, especially as the main story does not take place until the middle of the novel, however I do look forward to spending some of my afternoons being whisked away to 19th century revolutionary France, experience the hope, forgiveness, redemption, love and war which are featured in this novel. And isn't the cover gorgeous? A great one to add to my book collection.
Also going along the French theme, I received a poster of the most iconic landmark, The Eiffel Tower, which has a vintage postcard look to it. I can't find a photo of it online, so I will post a picture of it at a later date - possibly when I've finished Les Miserables or when I actually get round to re-learning my French!
From my sister, the Les Miserables Film Highlights Soundtrack. I went to see the film the first weekend it was out and fell just as much in love with the film soundtrack than I did with the stage musical soundtrack. I played it full blast on the CD player in the living room on my birthday and sang along to every song. The music is fantastic and of course it is recorded from the film itself, as the actors were singing live to every take, so you can really hear the emotion and the reality of their voices.
I received a 6-set of beautiful Accessorize Eden earrings, also from my sister. I love wearing earrings but tend to lose them quite a lot and I tend to feel naked without earrings, however there's no excuse now! They are exquisite and elegant and I look forward to wearing them.
As blue is my favourite colour I was delighted when I received this Ice Maiden Stretch Bracelet also from Accessorize. I love bracelets and I really feel they compliment an outfit.
And the last part of my present from my sister was a DVD of The Muppets.
Since I was a child I have loved the colorful characters, created by Jim Hensen and now owned by Disney. I saw it when it was released in cinemas a year ago and there are some very funny moments, combined with some cheesy musical numbers. Well worth a watch for any Muppets fan.
From my friends, I received lots of chocolate. I am a chocoholic and I have to try and stop, but it's just so addictive! I got a lovely Easter basket made up of Lindt and chocolate Marks and Spencer goodies, Celebrations and Quality Street (don't need to put up pictures of those, as we all know what they look like!) I also got my first Easter egg - a Creme Egg one, yum yum!
The non-chocolate present I received from my friends was the delightful Mari Foldover Wrist Strap Wallet and also a lovely turquoise bag/key charm with my initial on it, a shoe and a dice on it (I can't find a photo for it, unfortunately but may post one). I love the little wallet bag, just exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you everyone for all the gifts and money you gave me! It is safe to say, I've definitely been spoiled!
