The Best of 2014!

 Hey Guys!

Hope your all okay?

Another year has passed so its time to recap over the last year,and decide my favourite moments of 2014..

source : Pintrest.

 

Becoming a big sister again.



 

So in January I became a sister for the second time when beautiful little Violet was born.

She was one of the most perfect looking baby's I have probably ever seen,and I instantly fell in love with her tiny little hands and feet.

The first time I met her I of course took my camera and got some beautiful photos of the little one,which mom & her fiance actually used on there Thank You notes!

I am so so excited at seeing her grow and can't wait to hopefully be able to guide her in the right direction as well as my other little sister Annabel.

 

Becoming Mrs Jakes.

 

 

As many of you know the 19th of July this year I got married!

It was a beautiful day even though it was planned in just three months - phew.

I loved that we didn't wait months or years before we got married,because it meant we could enjoy being Mr & Mrs for even longer,after all whats the point in waiting around eh?

It's amazing how much we have grown together as a couple since getting married and individually too.

You get a new found confidence when you get married,that knowing someone choose to be with you forever,well its just amazing.

I try not to be too cheesy about the whole thing,but I am so proud of Gareth,and can't help it sometimes oops..

 

Weekend & Evening Walks.

 

 

One of my resolutions for this year really was too start walking more and taking my camera more places with me to get more photography - and I stuck to it!

This year has been full of lots of different walks in different places and different weathers and what not,which means I have built up a huge amount of photographs of the year.

My anxiety has been slowly getting better,and this year I have been able to get out the house a lot more,and I have been really lucky to do some amazing things as well as document it with beautiful images too.

 

Allowed myself to SMILE more.

 

Now this is an odd one really.

2013 was a horrible year for me and I was VERY happy to say goodbye to it,but for a while the negativity of 2013 kind of followed me but something just clicked at some point this year which just allowed me to take a new 'Who cares what they think?' 'Ignore Them!' Attitude which in hand has just let me be 100% happy and content in everything I'm doing.

So I can really say I will be sad to see 2014 to come to an end,as you will see it has been a real year for self progression.

 

Beginning to find myself.

 



 

As I said previously 2014 really has been a year of self progression and just generally feeling happy and beginning to find myself.

At the beginning of the year I embraced that it is completely fine at 22 not to have found 'myself' just yet,after all the crucial teenage years most people are doing this I was fighting for my life...

But this May I sat down and thought to myself,what does it really matter if I am not sure on a few things.

And as soon as I had accepted this,I suddenly began feeling alot more self assured,I cut out a few people in my life who weren't helping me move forward as such and instantly felt relieved and happier.

As the year comes to an end I am feeling alot more content at where I'm at,I finally feel myself,I have embraced my own personal style and just feeling excited for how I can continue to grow both in myself and as a Wife.

 

 

So there it is..

There was my 2014 Recap!

What moment in 2014 really stuck out for you?

What are you looking forward to in 2015?

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon.

 

 

Monthly Round Up - DECEMBER

 Hi Guys!

Hope your all okay?

 

So last month I did a round up of the month and I really enjoyed doing it actually as it allowed me to reflect over the month and what I had been up too as things can get very hectic around here sometimes..

 

My December 2014 Recap

 

 

December is one of my favourite months as its full of festivity,family and just lots of great things but these are the moments in December that have stood out this year.

 

 

Clothes Show Live 2014.

 

Clothes show live is a fashion event held at the NEC in Birmingham and I have attended 2 shows in the past and last minute (literally end of November) decided I wanted to go again this year.

I was lucky enough to be given a media pass too so I could carry my camera around and take photos of everything,including the show without any issues (although I really need a more travel friendly camera instead of my hugeee one).

It was a fab show this year,and found my self singing along to all the music at the actual fashion show and I picked up some real goodies which I should be posting soon - very late but soon!

 

 

Cute Animals!

 

So this is a pretty random one I know but bare with me..

Since Me and Gareth moved in together last year we desperately wanted a dog but it just wasn't the right time for us due to housing circumstances and my health etc.

Well next year we are looking at getting two cocker spaniels eeek !

So as you can imagine I have just been getting super excited for that,so when we have been visiting peoples houses there has been loads of new puppies and kittens everywhere getting me excited.

PLUS Nala has been a super fussy cat as you will know if you follow me on snapchat (katejakes)

 

 

Christmas.

 

And of course it goes without saying one of my favourite moments of December was most defiantly Christmas!

I was a very lucky girl this year and had lots of beautiful gifts brought for me things like perfume,hair tools,bath products, a new pair of Dr martens & driving lessons.

I love Christmas and the fact it was my first Christmas as Mrs Jakes it was even more special especially since Gareth and I stayed down in Henlow on our own to just enjoy being together - after all Christmas is all about loved ones (and don't worry we saw family before Christmas too!)

 

December 2014 was Beautiful,

One of the Best.

 

And I can't wait to see what January has to bring,

but I can tell you it will have some exciting things involved :)

 

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon



My Favourite Christmas Scent..

Hey Guys!

Hope your all okay?

 

Today I just HAD to share my favourite scent with you simply as the one scent is LIMITED EDITION so if you fancy giving it a sniff you can do before its too late.

 

 

So the shower gel I have been IN LOVE with this A/W has been Hot Toddy from Lush.

This shower gel has a very warm Christmasy scent with its ingredients including things like Cinnamon and Ginger.

 

Lush sell this in three sizes

100g - £3.95

250g- £7.95

500g- £13.75

 

I love to pair this with a perfume that I didn't used to get much use from,but when I smelt hot toddy I just knew this duo would smell great together.

 

FCUK Connect her has a woody yet floral scent,which is borderline masculine but in all it has a very autumnal scent to it.

 

 

So together these are a contrast to my usual go to scents of very floral scented body washes and perfumes,yet I just love these kind of warm smells in the cold weather!

 

What is your go to winter scent?

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon

 



NHSBT Christmas Wishes Campaign.

Hey Guys!

Hope your all well?

 

Today I wanted to chat about a Organ & Blood Donation campaign I am part of with NHSBT called Christmas Wishes.

 

This Christmas there will be a huge  6,891 people on the waiting list to receive a live changing transplant to save there lives,but the reality is on average three people every day die while waiting for transplant - and that doesn't change at Christmas.

 

401 people have died this year waiting for a transplant meaning it will be the first Christmas for many without there loved ones..

 

But 4,168 patients have had better fortune this year and have received there transplants thanks to there donors who ever they may be.

 

Having been on the waiting list Christmas 2011 I know just how difficult Christmas can be with the obvious fact of transplant being your only option hanging over your head over a period of time which should be full of Happiness.

So NHSBT are running this Campaign and are asking people to submit Three Wishes,
Two Related to Transplant and One General Wish for example mine are.

1.I wish more people didn't have to die waiting on the transplant list this year.
2. I wish more people would talk about Organ Donation.
3. I wish I could got to South Africa to swim with sharks.

All you need to do is print of this list,fill it in and share it on social media with the hashtag
#DONATIONWISH 

 

So many of us will be asking for gadgets,clothes,makeup and a list of other day to day to things,

yet others want only one gift.

Life.

Life from a Organ Transplant!

 

One organ donor can save up to 8 people - EIGHT PEOPLE!

 

How Amazing?

 

I know I can speak on behalf of me and the rest of the transplant community we are so very proud and touched by the heroes who are our donors and the rest of the donor's that have ever saved someones live via transplant or blood donation - You are amazing.

 

So this Christmas why not join the Donor Register,and help give the best gift you can give.

The gift of Life.

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon.

 

 

 



Winter Warmers - Sausage & Bean Casserole.

Hey Guys!

Hope your all okay?

 

My last recipe blog post did pretty well so I thought I would upload another hearty meal recipe.

This time a Sausage and Bean casserole,different with chorizo sausages as well as pork!

 

You want to start by heating 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan.

 

 

Add One chopped onion into your pan and gently cook for five minute's.

 

Chop 2 medium celery sticks.

 

And one red pepper and one yellow pepper.

 

Add these into the pan and cook for a further 5 minute's.

 

You then want to fry 6 chorizo sausages and 6 pork sausages in the same pan (of course do it in other if your pan doesn't have the room..)

 

After this you will want to add 3 chopped garlic cloves, 1 1/2 teaspoons of sweet smoked paprika,1/2 tsp of cumin and 1/2 tsp of dried thyme.

Cook this for 1 - 2 minute's until the aromas release.

 

Pour in 125ml of Wine.

Stir the pan to stop any residue sticking to the sides.

 

Add in 800g of Tinned Tomatoes and bring to a simmer.

 

Crumble in a stock cube - i used these stock pots they're my favourites to use while cooking.

 

 

Add some fresh thyme then cook for 40 minute's.

 

In the last 5 minutes of cooking you will want to put in your beans,the recipe calls for Aduki beans which I couldn't find so used kidney beans.

 Remove the thyme sprigs and season with black pepper.

 

And Serve.

 

You could eat this with mash,I actually ended up not eating it because had a sickness bug but hubby said it was delish!

 

Hope you all enjoy.

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon.

This Years Christmas Tree.

Hey Guys!

Hope your all well?

 

Now we are finally in December I figured I would share a few photos of our Christmas Tree this year!

(Do ignore the fact we need lights up the top we ran out oops..)

 

It is the first ever real tree I have ever had,and actually our first ever Christmas Tree while living together,in the past we just haven't had the space before in our flats so now we're in our house we couldn't wait to get out tree!

 

 

 

We went to get our tree from The Olde Watermill in Bedfordshire.

It was so cute,we went with our friends who recommended here as it has cute little shops throughout with loads of little christmasy shops - so sweet!

 

In the end we ended up going back later that day to pick out a tree as they were so well priced and great trees - I really do recommend it.

 

We choose our tree at a steal at £32.99 - Amazing for a real tree and its size.

 

 

 

 

Our decorations have come from a range of places including Tesco,The Olde Watermill & A Little shop in Hitchin called Vinegar Hill. 

 

 

Heart Woodland Scene Decoration - £1.50 Each (Buy 2 get One Free)

Tesco.

 

 

40 Mixed Red Baubles - £5

Tesco

 

Hanging Merry Christmas Sign - £2

The Olde Watermill.

 

Red Frosted Baubles.

The Olde Watermilll

 

Deer Decoration - £1.50 Each.

Vinegar Hill.

 

Mixed Gold,Brown & Black Baubles - £3

Tesco.

 

 

Frosted Glitter Woodland Bauble.

The Olde Watermill

 

Candy Canes - £1 per pack of 6.

Tesco.

 

Musical Note Stag Decoration - £2 each

Vinger Hill.

 

Overall I love all the decorations we have this year,and even though we're on a budget we still managed to create a really festive space in the living room!

 

Along with the scent of the tree I have been burning Bomb Cosmetics Secret Santa which smeels INCREDIBLE.

 

I hope you have all enjoyed this post,I know I love reading through everyone elses posts with pictures of there trees and such!

 

Have you got your tree up yet?

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon.