Kara Chelsie: 2015

BLOGMAS // A TYPCIAL CHRISTMAS DINNER @ TOBY CARVERY

Saturday

I've been looking forward to this meal about a month and a half go when we first organised it. Toby Carvery, the most British restaurant you can get. Essential to have a roast before Christmas Day roast. It's not being eager, it's appreciating how good British Christmas meals are.

In a typical British roast you'd find:

Meat : turkey, beef, pork, gammon or chicken

Roasted Potatoes

Pigs in Blanket

Yorkshire Pudding

Stuffing

Carrots

Peas

Parsnips

Brussel Sprouts

Gravy

Cranberry Sauce

Mint Sauce

In tonight's meal I didn't stuff myself with everything on that list, just chose my favourites. I'm suffering on the sofa with an aching food baby.

Friday

BLOGMAS // MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I'M A LONDONER

After a three hour plane journey of talking to a nervous flyer I was finally home. 12 weeks of being abroad, I can't wrap my head around it.

Landing into London felt so surreal. It really felt like home because I could recognise places, however it felt like I hadn't even been away for 12 weeks. Maybe 1 week.

Getting into bed was the highlight, my mum even left a box of Malteasers sitting on my bed. I thought it could be a spin on the fact that I was in Malta... Maltese... Malteasers. Maybe? Possibly?

I had an interview today, so I had to head down to central London. Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Oxford Street, Bond Street, Chinatown. The places that I missed. So many restaurants to choose from, I couldn't stop drooling and plate envying walking past the restaurants.

I realised that I'm a cosmopolitan gal.

I need my options. I like change. Busy places don't scare me. They excite me. But maybe it's because I'm a Londoner.

Walking down the busiest street in London, full of crazy christmas shoppers and slow strolling tourists, it isn't annoying, it's homely to me.

Thursday

This is the longest time I've been away from home. 12 weeks. I normally go on holidays for about two weeks, but nothing longer. And I have truly missed London. It is one of the best capitals in the world and I'm glad to call it home. I realised that there really isn't anywhere similar to it.

WHAT I MISS THE MOST ABOUT LONDON:

I miss beautiful house in Notting Hill, like the ones below.

Trendy and unusual bars, a bar near my house produce cocktail in glass milk bottles and jam jars.

Nandos. And Wetherspoons.

Going for long walks in parks, marching on the crackling autumn leaves.

A wide choice of restaurants.

TFL saving lives.

A crazy end to an evening out on night buses.

Observing at what everyone wears, London street style is always inspirational.

Variety of ciders.

Being on time to places, thanks again TFL.

How happy everyone becomes when the sun is out.

The smell of rain. Don't miss rain but the smell damp streets feel homely.

What Is Your Favourite Christmas Film?

Probably Elf. There's so many stupid jokes that makes me laugh hysterically.

Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

Definitely Christmas morning, but is this just a British/American thing? Sometimes even on Christmas afternoon because I have to open it in front of ALL family members.

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

Probably staying up until 4am talking, drinking, still eating with family. We all end up dozing off, but the conversations still keep on flowing. Even my grandma will stay up just listening to us chatting. It's just such a beautiful moment because every single family member is there and we all love being in each others company.

Favourite Festive Food?

Turkey and cranberry sauce. STUFFING. Pigs in blankets (if you don't know, look it up!). Mulled wine. Bailey's. Gravy. Toblerone. Also our tradition Jamaican breakfast that we have about 10am on Christmas day - ackee and salt-fish, plantain, hardough bread, dumplings.

Favourite Christmas Gift?

I've had so many great gifts, like my phone, my laptop, my playstation and wii. But I think the best and funniest gift I got as a child was when I received my blue Barbie aeroplane! I don't know remember what age I was, maybe 7? Apparently I had been asking my mum for it all year long, and I finally got it. The first thing I did when I unwrapped it... was cry. Haha what kid cries over happiness! That's such a mature thing to do, right? My youthful tears brought the whole room to tears too.

Favourite Christmas Scent?

My grandma's cooking. End of.

Do you have any Christmas Eve Traditions?

Me and my mum finish off wrapping presents, then about 8pm we go on our 'Santa' drive to family friends bearing gifts. There's probably a Christmas film on the telly so we'd watch that afterwards too.

What tops your tree?

My Grandma made an angel about 50 years old, it has really crazy eyes, my aunt says it gives her nightmares, but it's a tradition.

As a kid what was the one crazy, wild, extravagant, gift you always asked for but never received?

I always wanted a ukulele, I don't think that is wild. But this year I hope it's under the tree. I can't think of anything crazy!

What is the best part about Christmas for you?

Everyone really making the effort to spend time seeing each other. There's a true Christmas spirit and no one is negative. No matter how much money we all spend, it's totally worth seeing all the smiles.

Tuesday

Last night I saw a shooting star. I wasn't even sky gazing, I strangely happened to look up and I saw, what I thought was a plane at first, an extremely shining star race across the black sky to just disappear.

They say it's bad luck to reveal your wish.

Let's just say I want 2016 to be a great one.

I've never looked forward to a new year so much before. Normally I just think about how this year has gone by so quickly, without me taking a time to realise what I wanted in life.

In my head I have a few goals that I want to achieve. Not saying by the end of 2016 I want these goals to be completed. I just mean that I want to start these goals in 2016.

I'm a big fan of Career Girl Daily. There was a post talking about why 2016 will be YOUR year.

"You can now be the person you have aspired to be"

This one made me think.

Not only do I have a list of things I want to achieve, but I just want to be the true me. The me that I dreamt that I'd be when I was little. Fearless, creative, happy, courageous.

Definitely not saying that the me now is not me. It is the fact that I hold back a lot... Due to fear.

I want to do a post on Elizabeth Gilbert's (author of Eat, Pray, Love) talk on abolishing the fear that gets in the way of our creativity.

So this rounds me up to the question of the day...

What would you do if fear didn't exist?

2016 is the year that fear will be my friend, not a scary foe. Because 2016 is the year that I will do everything that I want to do.

Monday

BLOGMAS // YOU CAN'T GO TO MALTA WITHOUT DOING THIS...

If you've already been to Malta and you haven't been to Mdina to have tea and cake in Fontanella. Then you missed out on a spectacular event.

The cakes are delicious, and that's all I've got to say. There's so many options to choose from.

It's not just the typical dry cakes, they are so rich and creamy, plus you get a massive slice.

It takes roughly about 20-30mins to drive to Mdina, from any location in Malta, because it's right in the middle of the island.

But by bus... By the time you wait for a non-existing bus, and stop at every stop, it could take just over an hour to reach to Mdina.

My suggestion, take a scooter/mooped. They are about €25-30 per day hire. It's so worth it. Split the cost between you and your scooter buddy. You can drive around the whole of Malta in one day, seeing all the sights on your wish list. It's so much faster and easier than waiting and paying for the buses.

Sunday

It does get cold but you can still go to the beach in November/December!

Stray cats roam the streets here so freely, but they are usually fed by people that notice them.

There's a lot about Maltese history that I still haven't learnt more about.

They leave their rubbish in plastic bags out on the street, so beware for those flies when you pass them by!

Everyone drives. Only elderly and non-Maltese take the bus.

The bus systems s u c k s. They arrive really late or really early or not at all. So if you need to take a bus and be on time, leave an hour before.

They love pizza.

Maltese wine is really good and stupidly cheap.

We won't see any buildings made from bricks. They build from limestone.

Bugibba is full of English tourists and residents.

2 for 1 cocktails will be your best friend.

There's lots of cultural events and places to go to.

But there's also lots of clubbing events.

The temperature hasn't dropped past 15 degrees, it's December.

E-cabs is the best way to get around. White taxis are your enemies.

Maltese love us Brits.

They understand and copy 'British' humour.

Grocery shopping is a bit more expensive than your normal shop back home. Everything is imported so it's more pricey. And options can be limited.

Lots of shops shut really early. Or doesn't open at all.

Bars and clubs shut really late, I still haven't partied until they close.

Most Maltese people can speak around three different languages. Maltese, English and Italian/French/Spanish/German.

Don't complain too much about how small Malta is.

They smoke in clubs, even though you're not allowed (naughty naughty) so don't bother washing your hair before you go out.

You are bound to meet someone that used to live or near your hometown.

There are beautiful homes, with bright coloured doors and interesting doorknobs.

That's all I can think of now. I'll probably do another post like this when I leave Malta for good in January.

Saturday

BLOGMAS // WE ALL HAVE BAD DAYS?// DIARY

"If your spirits feel a bit low and melancholy, you can blame it on the Moon. You’re just more likely to see the negative or at least the practical side of things. Don’t let limitations break your spirit or kill your optimism. Stay open-minded and mellow, regardless of how things look."

Horoscopes by The Saturn Sisters

To my fellow Libras, if today feels like a sucky day. Blame the moon.

I woke up feeling queasy from last nights drinks. I was too cold to get out of bed. I turned on my laptop and watched about four episodes of Scandal.

I'm not really in the mood to blog, but I want to show my commitment so I'll carry on writing.

I have blog posts lined up, but I haven't started them yet. Maybe tomorrow I will.

I always say tomorrow. I'll never say next week because it sounds too far away, even though I'll probably end up doing it next week.

***

But we all have yucky days. And today is mine.

Instead of groaning in bed, I decided to watch a Christmas film.

In December it's my way to cheer myself up.

I watched Four Christmases with a tray of Cadbury cookies. A good film and good food.

***

This is a lifestyle blog, so I will be frank and say that not everyday is full of action. Yesterday was, as you can see.

But what I dislike in the blogging community is that many bloggers feel inadequate, that their lives are not as cool or trendy as those blog famous people.

We think, why am I not going to a florists, to spend the day picking out roses that match our bedroom decor?

Why am I not catching up with friends over coffee wearing my floppy felt hat on?

***

I hate to say it.

But sometimes these bloggers are actually spending their day in bed. Wondering how when they will get paid from that ad they slyly promoted last week.

They upload pictures of them looking happy and stylish.

Us readers tend to think that their life - is perfect.

But those pictures may have been take 8 days ago, when the sun was shining and on a good hair day.

Those photo are just photos, how can we prove that the smile on their face is real?

So I ask today...

Why do we take things online so seriously?

Everyone has bad days, right?

Friday

Today was my first day of Christmas shopping, making it feel more and more like Christmas now! My friends and I venture out to Sliema Tigne Point shopping centre, we also ran into Santa! Right now I'm in a bit of a rush to post this one because a friend is having a winter wonderland theme pre drinks - how cute.

So here's my day so far!

Thursday

On the 10th day of Blogmas, your true love gave to you...

GREAT... EDITING... ADVICE!

So I thought I should do a round up of my favourite apps to use to edit photos before I publish on Insta.

BOOMERANG

I love the gif image it creates. I use this to switch it up from taking a standard still picture.

I thank Instagram for showing this to me. It creates 2 second video that create a fun and jittery effect.

FACETUNE

I've only had this for a month, and I don't regret purchasing it. What I use it for the most is to whiten my tea-stained teeth #britishproblems. It's great to smoothen out your skin, but don't go photoshop cray cray on this or else it won't be the true you!

VSCO CAM

I hear everyone uses this one more than Afterlight, because it's free. But I feel as if everyone ends up using the same kind of cool, edgy filter on their photos nowadays.

I wish there were more filters on it, but it's a simple enough app to use.

AFTERLIGHT

I think Afterlight will always be my favourite for adding filters and editing. I find it EVEN more simple to use than VSCO CAM. And a wide range of filters to use from, worth the small price you pay. I would suggest using this one the most!

Wednesday

BLOGMAS // DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - (non-cheesy) PLAYLIST

Driving home for Christmas. And this time I'll be flying home for Christmas.

Tis the season of long car journeys. Seeing family members for dinners and dropping off presents to the household of loved ones, like Santa. If you get a bit sick of those merry and cheesy and over-played Christmas songs, then I have the perfect cruising playlist for you.

Half way through my list I realised that each song name had something to do with driving, or locations. It wasn't intentional at first! And when I saw this pattern I kept going with it.

I don't actually drive, but as a passenger it is obligatory to be the car DJ.

These are all favourites of mine. Simple melodies and not too much going on to distract you.

Wonderful background noise.

***

Skrillex Ride Home

Bon Iver Woods

Kanye West Drive Slow

Kings of Leon Cold Desert

Haim Go Slow

The Weeknd Coming Down

London Grammar Stay Awake

Ben Khan Drive (Part 1)

Tuesday

BLOGMAS // IS IT REALLY DECEMBER? // LIFESTYLE

I can't really say that I have experience winter yet this year. The Maltese say it's winter right now, they wear their boots and puffer jacket to university. As I look around campus it is obvious to find international students, they are the ones still wearing shorts or a long sleeve t-shirt. Because for us foreigners this could be June or May in our country - certainly not December.

It is a public holiday today in Malta. So we all decided to head to the beach, Golden Bay, for a BBQ on a cliff. I can say, and many others agree, that I had a BBQ in December. After you look at these pictures you may think I'm in a complete different month to yours. Be jealous.

I won't have this for a very long as I'll be flying home next week. And then leaving Malta for good in February. I have to just soak up the sun and this public holiday. Off to the bar now!