Friday 12 December 2014

DIY Christmas Pocket Top

Hello There,
I have been tossing and turning about buying a Christmas jumper, there are so many cute ones out there but i decided that the expense isn't worth it for something you only wear on the odd few days. I have spotted a few Christmas tops around but I haven't found any that I like so here is my inexpensive not to the festive season.

You will need: 

Tuesday 9 December 2014

The Christmas Gift Guide! 2014- 21 Gift Ideas for everyone!

There's only 2 Saturdays left until Christmas, that's not much shopping time. You have probably got the Children something as they will have told you hat they want, the best friend because you know exactly what they like, but there are all the other friends that you don't know what to do when shopping for them. But never fear I have drawn up a pictures only list of 21 items for 21 different personalities, the prices of each range but they are all under £50 ... if anything catches your eye just click the picture to find where you can buy it!


1)The one who loves the gym (sometimes!) 



Friday 5 December 2014

6 Not so Obvious places to visit in Hong Kong

As this year begins to draw to a close, for the first time in 4 years I am not making my annual trip to Hong Kong, I'm going again next summer but I do miss the place. So because it's on the mind I thought I would do a little travel guide to Hong Kong with my top 6 places that might not on the tourist map.

1. Ozone Bar- 103rd Floor of the ICC.
The ICC is also home to the Ritz Carlton Hotel Hong Kong which runs the  Ozone Bar on the highest floor open to the public. The tourist guide will probably tell you to visit Sky 100, the viewing deck on the 100th floor, but unless you have Children why not get dressed up and go 3 floors higher and enjoy the open air view. The drinks are expensive but if you are only having a glass of wine or a cocktail then you will only spend the same amount that you would have to get into Sky100!


2. Macau-China
Very young and, despite the smile, I was
utterly terrified! 
When visiting Hong Kong it might not be that obvious that you should leave the country and head somewhere else. If you have a British Passport or a HK Residence card then after a 1 hour ferry ride you will get into Macau, no questions asked.
Macau can be done in a day if you get up early, and really it is the place to do all the typical tourist stuff. Including the Skywalk around the top of Macau Tower, watch Zia by Cirque de Soleil, and don't you dare leave without going to see the House of Dancing Water. It was the most breath taking thing I had seen in my whole life and something you simply can't put into words!


                                                 3. The back streets
Just trust me on this one!
In a big new city you probably don't want to go wondering down what appear to be alley ways but with a place so densely populated some of the finest restaurants have to be tucked away on a certain floor of a building. The best meals I have enjoyed have been hidden in a room with very limited windows.









4.Launtau Island and Ngong Ping 360
This is definitely on the tourist guide but I love it so much that it has a special place in my heart. Launtau Island is on the outside of the city but still has a lot of life. It was on my second trip that we stayed in an apartment with a roof top garden in Launtau and, as soppy as it sounds, I realised that Hong Kong was truly the place for me. The place you want to visit however is Ngong Ping 360 which is a Buddhist temple and home to the Big Buddha  which is accessed by a cable car from just outside Tung Chung station. Once you get past the tourist village and reach the                                                                      real temple you find yourself in another world. I have been 3 times and I                                                                    still love it!

5. Middle Levels at night
Partying in Hong Kong take up most of the time on the trips. There's always a place to go for a good night, Wan Chai is also worth going to for places like Banana Joes but if you only have a few nights then take yourself to Middle levels. The streets are so tightly packed that you end up with groups of people falling out of clubs and creating street parties in the middle.



6. Discovery bay
After all the time spent partying, shopping a visiting sites you will probably want a lazy day. Discovery Bay is a strange residential area where no cars are allowed in, only a set number of golf buggies. You can get there by a bus from Tung Chung or a Ferry from central. Although it is purpose built and does feel a bit like a theme park it does have some good restaurants and places to sip cocktails while looking out onto the harbour and the little beach with the Hong Kong Skyline just peeking out in the distance. Stick around till 8pm and you will get to see the Disneyland fireworks on the other side of the harbour.  

Okay, summer time is now out of my system, the Christmas series is carry on this Sunday  with 'The ultimate Christmas gift Guide!

Hope to see you then!
Claudia x


Mama and More

Monday 1 December 2014

Christmas is Coming! Best Start getting ready...

Is anyone else in shock that it is the 1st of December today! This year I am more organised for Christmas than I ever have been before but I still have a lot to do over the next 25 days. The one thing I have definitely sorted out for 2014s festive season is the Enjoying Today Christmas Series, which will have a new installment every Sunday from now until Christmas Day.
For number one I thought I would talk about things that you need the most time to do- Crafts! I have three Christmassy ideas and two tutorials, including the much anticipated ribbon wreath tutorial.

Mini Santa Sack and Card Holder Tutorial




















Got lots of little stocking fillers to give to friends but want something different, need to make your budget restricted secret Santa present that little more special? Why not try this mini Santa sack with card holder- approx. final measurements 33cm x 22cm, pocket size 16.5cm square.

Ribbon Wreath Tutorial



















As I promised, here is a quirky project for you to try out this Christmas. You can make yours any size you like, you will just need more or less ribbon, the list of materials bellow are for a wreath that is 30cm in diameter.