12 in 2012

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I am absolutely terrified that it has made its way to 2013. That can't be right...someone grab me a calendar!

I thought I would look back at my year and pick out 12 of my favourite highlights.

1. University: I'm so proud of myself for completing my studies this year. A law degree in 2011 and then a postgraduate diploma in 2012. Who knows where life will take me, I may consider another degree in the future...

2. Employment: Although my job right now isn't what I actually had planned to do after graduation, it's a step in some sort of direction. Long hours and stressful days aren't so bad once I see that I'm managing to save up some money for my rainy day in the future.

3. Blog: 2012 is the year that ParisianOrchid was established. I'm so proud of my wee blog and so grateful to anyone who reads the ramblings of little old me. I hope in 2013, ParisianOrchid will stretch its wings and I'll definitely dedicate more of my time to it.

4. Confidence: I feel like my confidence has grown so much more in 2012. Spending time with people who have a positive nature has made me a much happier person.

5. Friends: I consider myself to have a small group of friends and I had to make a tough decision this year in regards to excluding people who made me unhappy or doubt my own abilities. It may seem harsh but if I get a dull feeling about having to see someone, what's the point in having them in your life if it makes you unhappy? 

6. Baking: I've baked my way through hundreds of recipes (or made up recipes!) this year and I'm so happy that I've finally mastered the holy grail of Chinese cakes. The chiffon cake. It's become a firm favourite in the family now.

7. Travel: With graduating and job hunting, I haven't done half as much travelling this year as I would have liked to. I did manage to visit Paris and London though amongst other Scottish cities. I would like to use some of my rainy day fund to be used towards an adventure abroad though. I think I would like that.

8. Family: With another family wedding under our belt, we welcomed another Orchid baby into the family and another baby on the way next year. Chubby cheeks alert in 2013!

9. Creativity: I was always a creative child but I think my imagination got lost in and amongst my law books so I'm glad a little of my creativity has started to seep back into my life.

10. Independence: In an attempt to avoid a highlight entitled 'love', I think my independence is a winner this year. Before I can commit to someone else, I kind of need to know more about myself. As cheesy as that sounds!

11. Laughs: I don't think I've laughed as much as I have done this year. Nothing that can't be cured with a giggle or two.

12. Reading: Last but not least, I rekindled my bookworm status. The danger of university is that you swap fiction for educational books and you don't nearly get as much pleasure from reading journal articles.

My 12 in 2012! I hope you all have a brilliant Hogmanay and a fantastic New Year to start things afresh!

What are your highlights in 2012?

Vanessa

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harry potter studio tour

*SPOLIERS* Do not read any further if you don't want to know the magic of the tour

When I was in London at then end of November, the whole trip was revolved around visiting the Harry Potter Studios. Oh my giddy aunt, it was brilliant! Above are just a few of my favourite pictures from the tour. 

We arrived at the studios from Watford Station on the tour bus and made our way to start our tour. It was already amazing and I think I let out a yelp when the doors to the Great Hall swung open. Me and my friend perused at our own leisure, oggling at the props and sets. I'm so glad we went at the time we did because there was a chill in the air and the skies were clear which made for a great atmosphere!

We stopped for a little respite and indulged in a little Butterbeer. It did not taste like what I thought it would be. For all you curious folk, it tasted like cream soda with melted marshmallow on top. T'was a strange combination! 

We spent a good amount of our time skipping around the gift shop and popping all sorts of memorabilia in our basket. I ended up purchasing a chocolate frog, other choccy bits, Hermione's wand and a Time Turner. On the journey home, I must have protected my bag like it was my life!

If you're a Harry Potter fan, I thoroughly recommend that you visit the studio tour and save a substantial amount of money to spend in the gift shop ^_^

Vanessa

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twenty fifth of december

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The whole month of December is built up for this one special day and then it's over in 24 hours. I hope everyone had an amazing day spent with family, friends, lots of scrummy food and smiles. I on the other hand, spent the entire day at work. Yup, a full 9 hour shift...working. Not the ideal situation at all but pay enhancement starts to make up for it!

Even if you don't celebrate the day, I hope everyone out there counts themselves lucky and enjoys the holiday season! Not long until 2013 now! 

What kind of traditions do you have during Christmas time?

Vanessa

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winter evening skincare routine

Hello, I'm Vanessa and I'm a skincare junkie (this is the part where you say; 'Welcome Vanessa, we still love you all the same'!) 

I probably spend an obscene amount of my time and money on skincare but as my friend always says, you only get one skin so you have to take care of it. During the Winter months, my skincare takes a drastic turn of events because my skin thirsts for thick creams and some extra tender loving care. Here is my night time skincare routine!

Origins Checks and Balances Cleanser: this product is really growing on me. Mainly because it has lasted me ages! I use it every night and it'll probably last me a couple more months. You can read my review here if you haven't already done so.

Origins Make a Difference Tonic: this is brilliant for dehydrated skin and smells like cucumbers! Well to me it smells like cucumbers! I sweep this across my face after cleansing and it just prepares my skin for any kind of moisturiser that I decide to use. 

Kiehls Abyssine Cream: 'anti-aging cream'! I hear you shriek! Well, funny story behind this purchase...I wanted to try something from the Kiehls line and conveniently I had run out of my previous moisturiser so I walked up to a Kiehls counter in Glasgow with a big grin on my face before reeling off my skin's extensive history to the assistant. She advised that I try this and I took her advice and parted with my money. On my return to Aberdeen, I noticed that it was an anti-aging cream and I bitterly sighed. But MamaOrchid pointed out (whilst pointing to my face) that it's never too early to start using anti-aging creams. I've given it a go and yes...I do like it to the point where I will finish the jar but I probably would like to try another product on Kiehl's line before embarking on anti-aging creams again!

LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub: this is a recent addition to my night time routine. I noticed that whenever I put lip balm on, my lips are really flaky and just not attractive to look at even though I apply lip balm on like there's no tomorrow! I realised that I probably need to exfoliate my lips so I purchased this to combat the problem. I'm not going to go too much into it as I think it deserves a post of its own!

What Winter skincare products have you been loving? Does your skincare routine change along with the seasons?

Vanessa

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review: beauty diary 2-step hydrating sheet masks

I find it really difficult to find sheet masks in the UK. Not sure why because they are so much more convenient to use than regular face masks out of a tube! Must be the lazy girl within me!

When MamaOrchid was in HK last month, I asked her to pick me up some sheet masks and she came up trumps! The one she got was a 2-step Africa Hydrating sheet mask pack. They come with one sheet mask and a moisturiser emulsion for afterwards. The Africa pack has a mango scented sheet mask and oh my...it smells so good! It's rather fruity and doesn't have that chemical scent that you often get. I found that I had to wring out a little of the moisture from the mask as the first time I used it, it was dripping down my clothes! I pop it on after cleansing my face at night time. Remember to tie your hair back before using it and leave it for about 20 minutes. The handy eye, nose and mouth holes will give you enough time to finish a chapter in a book, a part of a television programme before the break or even night time stretches! I peel it off and wipe away the excess moisture from my face with a warm face cloth and then I tone my face before applying the moisturising emulsion. At night time, I tend to want a thicker moisturising cream so I just use my regular night cream but I had used it once and it was really nice and light. 

You get 8 sheet masks per pack and I tend to sheet mask it up probably every 2 weeks so I don't run out and then apply a regular face mask on the other weeks. I'm not sure if there is a retailer in the UK that stocks these but if you hit up ebay, I'm sure you will find a reputable seller like this one.  

Have you ever used sheet masks before?

Vanessa

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getting crafty: wrapping christmas presents

I'm on a roll with all these crafty posts huh? Well, today I will be showing you how I am wrapping my Christmas presents this year. You'll be sitting there thinking that it is such a silly post. Wrapping Christmas presents?! What's so special about that? Well...as special as you want to make it!

 You will need:
A Christmas present
Parcel Paper
Washi Tape (regular sellotape would also work)
Christmas stamps of your choice
Scissors
Ribbon
Gift tags (if using)
Cup of tea

One exhausted Vanessa later, you should get a wrapped box of dreams! I'm all about being a bit unique and different and no-one else in the country will have the same wrapped present as you! I see shops selling lovely wrapping paper and ribbons but I love the personal touch of a present if it comes uniquely wrapped.

Do you like customising your Christmas presents?

Vanessa

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up-cycling - candle jars storage

I have to apologise for all these lifestyle posts that are popping up on your reading list but I've been planning this one for a while and I've finally managed to start writing it!

I always get that sense of 'oh I don't want to throw away the empty candle jar when I've finished' feeling. Seems a bit of a waste if it goes in the rubbish. I believe I was reading Vivianna Does Makeup's blog and saw that she re-used her old candle votives to store some odd bits and pieces. 

I put the finished candle in the freezer for a few hours to freeze the remaining wax. Once I've taken it out, I use a sharp implement such as a knife or a pair of scissors to pop the wax out. Please be careful doing this, I don't want any injuries on my conscience! Clean out the votive with warm water and a cotton pad to get all the waxy bits out.

I use the votives to store cotton buds, lip products and those spare buttons you get with clothing that you don't know where to put!

Have you ever tried up-cycling items before and give them a new purpose in life?

Vanessa

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getting crafty: christmas cards

This year, I decided to get my craft on and make my own Christmas cards. Yes, they're a little bit more fiddly and time consuming but you'd be giving a very unique card to someone and hopefully you will see the look of joy on the recipient's face when they see how much time and effort you've put into the card. 

Below, are a few cards I've already made.

Fancy your hand at getting a bit creative this year? All you will need is:

Card (you can get the pre-folded ones with envelopes in your local crafty store)
Glue (craft and pritt)
Ribbon
Pencil
Ruler
Coloured Pens
Scissors
Various craft materials for decorating (this includes glitter and such like)
A little imagination
A cup of tea (optional but highly recommended!)

I went for simple designs and even utilised the little circles from the hole punch as falling snow! This is the first year I've decided to do this and I'm so glad I have. I've always loved thinking up new designs and being a bit more thoughtful with my gift giving this year which is making me very happy indeed!

Will you be getting your craft on this Christmas and being a bit more creative?

P.S...look out for how I'm wrapping my Christmas presents post as well if you are stuck for ideas!

Vanessa

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review: mac - speak louder cremesheen lipstick

My first MAC lipstick. What can I say? It's love. I don't live near a MAC so I spent a lot of time researching which lipstick I should invest in and then purchased it online as a treat for completing my 'no jeans month'. The one I chose is 'Speak Louder' which is a cremesheen and is described as a 'clean poppy blue pink'.

I want to be more brave and start sporting a bright-ish pink lip so this looked like something I wouldn't mind leaving the house in. I'm such a MAC noob that I wouldn't really be able to tell you about the different finishes and formulas of the lipsticks and I'm sure other bloggers can explain it ten trillion times better than me. 

I have such difficulty describing shades but I'll try my best. This is a muted poppy pink colour that doesn't look as scary in stick form as it does on my lips. It goes with my skin tone really well and it is such an amazing investment. It can be used as a subtle shade that just enhances the beautifullness of your natural lip colour or you can build it up and sport a lovely bright pink lip. I prep my lips by using a Lush lip scrub first to get rid of any annoying dry flaky bitties on my lips and then this glides on like a dream. Such a great investment!

'Speak Louder' is £14.00 and can be purchased from a MAC counter or online. 

Are there any lipsticks (whether it be MAC or not!) that is your favourite?

Vanessa

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sunday summary #18 (on a monday): london edition take 2

*Photo heavy post*

These really shouldn't be called Sunday Summaries anymore should they? They always seem to be popping up on Monday! But nonetheless, here is what has been happening the past week!

On Thursday, I made the 7 hour train journey down to London with my friend with the intention of attending the Harry Potter studios and just chilling out in London for the weekend (Harry Potter Studio pictures will have a dedicated post). And by golly is was AMAZING! I don't think I've ever laughed so much in one weekend. It doesn't seem like too long ago that I was in London but it was obviously for different reasons!

We arrived on Thursday afternoon and we decided to head into the city and do a little exploring. Whilst on Oxford Street, I caught a fleeting glance of Michelle from Daisybutter and I was so excited because I've been a long time reader of her blog and what are the chances that I would see her on Oxford Street? Couldn't really stop though because I got caught in the flow of the Oxford Street crowd! Then we went to our home away from home...Chinatown! Food was yummy and the atmosphere was buzzing. 

Friday was Harry Potter day and it was just an actual dream come true! I obviously spent far too much money in the gift shop but I am now the proud owner of a wand and a time turner. The world is in my hands! Again, I will do a separate post dedicated to Harry Potter so don't fret! Then I tried Korean food for the first time. So spicy but so good at the same time!

Saturday was our free day so we headed back into the city and did a little shopping. Wow, people be crazy because it was the first day of December, it seemed like the whole world and their mothers decided to go shopping! But Oxford Street is so pretty at night time with all those Christmassy nights and brisk Winter weather! We ended up back at Chinatown again for dinner with my friend's brother and his friend and my other friend! It was like a tiny reunion!

Sunday was our travelling day and I was so exhausted but I love riding the rail! I've basically had the best weekend ever and now I will always have the memories :D No doubt that I will be heading South again for more adventures!

Vanessa

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project no jeans update

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If you can cast your mind back to the end of October where I posted about doing a project no jeans month in November, you will remember that it's now the end of November! (Woah, where did the time go?!)

Just a little recap...I set myself the challenge to not wear jeans for the entire month of November whereby after the challenge, I will be treated to a wee prize (namely, MAC's Woodwinked eyeshadow). So, how did I fare?

I DID NOT WEAR JEANS FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH! Success! I really enjoyed doing this challenge as I found some nice pieces that I hadn't worn in a while and I enjoyed being a bit more creative with my outfit choices too. I feel so much more body confident now and although I yearned sometimes to just throw on a pair of jeans to nip outside, I refrained and made a bit more of an effort. I will definitely consider other items of clothing in my wardrobe first before going for the standard jeans and t-shirt combo. And because it's the festive season too...who doesn't love a bit of creativity?!

As to the reward...I decided against MAC's Woodwinked as I heard UD Naked Palette had a great dupe for it so I didn't really see the point of having two of the same shade! I decided to splurge on a MAC lipstick instead and thankfully Debenhams had 10% off their beauty department!

So did you do project no jeans months with me too? How have you done? 

Vanessa

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washi tape.

'What on earth is washi tape?' I hear ya ask! Well, it's essentially masking tape that originated from Japan. But this isn't just ordinary masking tape that you can pick up from your local B&Q...they have a wide array of prints and colours to match your mood or use. They can be used for crafts, scrap booking, book marking, decoration or adding a simple touch to wrapping a present.

If you know me by now, you'll know that I am all about the crafts! I've decided to put a bit more thought into the smaller details of my life, whether it be giving gifts to others, learning new skills or creating something unique. Washi tape come in about a gazillion different patterns and colours so you can understand that it would take me a while to decide which ones I wanted.

I headed over to ebay and found this seller that sold some really pretty patterns. I picked out a blue one with hearts and clouds, an antique-y clock type one and my favourite one of them all...blue with SNOWFLAKES! I'm intending on using this to tape up my Christmas presents this year rather than boring old sellotape. It'll be great for presents too because it is masking tape, it won't rip the wrapping paper so if you're a bit thrifty like me...you can save the pretty wrapping paper to admire for later!

The washi tape is fairly inexpensive and I got them at £1.74 each plus £0.70 P&P from the ebay seller but you can do your own research to find different patterns that you would like.

Have you ever used washi tape before? Do you love being a bit creative, especially around this time of year?

Vanessa

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my shopping experience: jo malone

I don't often comment or note my shopping experience when I'm in a particular store. I'm usually in and out without so much as a hello from me! But I must say, Jo Malone...you are amazing!

My friend loves Jo Malone so as it was her birthday a few weeks ago, I decided to treat her to a little bespoke something. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to get her but I had heard about the little Christmas cracker gift set that were really popular last year and it was fairly within my price range. I set off on a cold Winter's evening with money in my pocket and a cheeky smile on my face.

I stepped into the bright and warm store and was welcomed by several staff members. I started wandering around a little and was a bit overwhelmed by the choices available but as I was coming to the end of my thought, a sales assistant kindly came over. I asked about the Christmas cracker gift set and she told me that they had already sold out of them. SOLD OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER? People be crazy! We had a wee laugh and joke about how quickly it had sold out but she had quickly suggested other alternatives. 

I had settled on getting a single fragrance instead and the sales assistant whipped out a few tester strips and I was in my element smelling the different fragrances. Not once did she rush my decision and she had really good knowledge of the different scents. One even reminded me of my Summer in 2010 and it surprisingly was released in 2010! Oh the irony. I settled on a blackberry and bay scent and it was lovingly wrapped in a gift box and tied in a pretty ribbon. I happily parted with my hard earned cash and they even set up a little fragrance profile thing for me and gave me a small sample of perfume for myself. 

My friend loved her gift and she squealed happily as she untied the ribbon on the box. I had planned on writing this post a few days ago and then today, I received a handwritten note card from Jo Malone (not the actual lady herself!) thanking me for shopping at Jo Malone and that I hope I enjoyed their Aberdeen boutique. It's the small touches that matter and I must say, 5 star service and customer care from them, even after I've stepped out of the store!

Yes, their items are fairly pricey but they make fantastic gifts and their store is so fresh and bright. I won't shy away from these high end boutiques anymore for sure.

Have you ever had an amazing shopping experience before? Whether at Jo Malone or another store?

Vanessa

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review: real techniques stippling brush

I'm sure you're all sick to the back teeth of these real technique brush reviews but I thought I would throw my review into the mix for all that it's worth! These brushes have caused quite a storm amongst the blogging/vlogging community and I can see why!

I had been waiting so long to get my hands on some real technique brushes and the stippling brush was top of the list so when Boots had their 3 for 2 offer on, I rushed down to my local Boots and snapped it up. Although they had a wide range of different brushes, I don't wear eyeshadow on a daily basis and the core collection looked too intimidating for me!

Why had I waited so long to buy this?! It's bloomin' brilliant! Everything about the brush makes it easy to control, the bristles are so soft and I've not had any shedding yet (even after several washes)! I use it mainly for foundation and it picks up and blends it very well. The brush head is small enough to get into all the areas of the face and does a great job if you need to concentrate on specific areas. It would do well for cream blushes as well, but I have yet to try it out in that way. 

At £11.99, it is slightly pricey for one brush but it's so well made and pretty much ticks all the boxes! In my opinion, I would wait until Boots has one of their amazing offers on and take advantage of it to stock up on some of the other brushes in their range.  

Have you tried this brush out yet? What other brushes would you recommend from their range?

Vanessa

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hong kong haulin'

Oh how I wish I could have visited Hong Kong this year. I love the environment and the atmosphere plus, the shopping there is uh-mazing! MamaOrchid was over in Hong Kong last week and I asked her to pick me up a few things. Although it's not an overly massive haul, it warrants a little post I think.

It's really difficult to get phone cases for Samsung Galaxy S2 here so my mum picked up this cute blue phone case that has an anchor on it. It actually reminded me a little of Jennie from sailboat. My phone is prepared for any of my clumsy tendencies now!

Majolica Majorca's cream pencil eyeliner is actually one of my favourite eyeliners. I needed a full sized pencil because the one I had was a mini sample. I better get using eyeliner because my mum ended up buying me 2. No idea why!

I wanted to try the Dolly Wink liquid eyeliner but my mum wasn't aware which one I wanted so she took a stab in the dark and went for the pencil liner. It's not a big deal, but now I have 3 black pencil eyeliners. I'd be interested to see how this one fares though.

Last but not least, I got some 'My Beauty Diary' face masks which I'm really excited about using. It's a two-step system that also contains a moisturiser. I love sheet masks, they're so much easier to use than regular face masks. That's the lazy girl in me coming out!

I also got some other random goodies like new lunchboxes, sweeties and a big hug from my Mama! I hope that next year I'll be able to take a trip to Hong Kong myself. Fingers crossed!

Vanessa

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sunday summary #17 (on a monday): edinburgh edition

A day late, but you'll forgive me...right?

If you follow me on Twitter (@ParisianOrchid), you will know that I was in Edinburgh over the weekend. My oldest uni friend lives in Kirkcaldy and her family always welcomes me for a visit so with a few free days off at the weekend, I decided to ride the rail down South and enjoy a well-rested break. 

My friend had planned a jam-packed day so we kicked off the morning with a lovely coffee and breakfast at The Elephant House. Sound familiar? That's where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter. So you could say, the birthplace of Harry Potter. My friend knows how much I love HP so this was fantastic. Oh how I loved it in there!

We mosied on up to Edinburgh Castle next. I had been before but I had never gone in so it was great to be immersed in Scottish history and dusty rooms! Oh and the views from up there are amazing! 

It was great being a kid again in Camera Obscura which is an optical illusion place. I had never seen it before but it was filled with crazy mirrors, camera illusions, fun games, mirror maze and just general cool things. Me and my friend looked crazy running around the place like kids in a candy shop!

My friend being the awesome person she is, researched all the closes and wynds down the Royal Mile and conducted a mini tour for me! I saw some of the spookiest places and even made a wish on the Heart of Midlothian (I'm not even sure if that's what you would do!) I learnt a lot actually and it was interesting to see the Signet Library which makes my inner law nerd happy! It was proper driech but made it all the more better!

We headed to Harvey Nichols later in the day and had a chocolate fondue in the chocolate lounge. Oh. Em. Gee. It was death by chocolate for sure but so yummy at the same time! After a little wander down Princes Street, we wanted to end the day with our traditional Hard Rock Cafe dinner but with luck never on our side, it was a very long wait so we headed over to TGI Fridays where the wait was a little more acceptable. Finished the night with delicious cocktails and food then went back home to Kirkcaldy where we caught up with The X Factor and a good ol' gossip!

It was all over a little too quickly and I came down from a high quite suddenly and got the Monday morning blues. I'm at that stage in my life where work is the main focal point so whenever I get any time off or a free weekend, I want it to be filled with adventures and activities!

Have you all had a great weekend?

Vanessa

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what's in my bag?: a wash bag edition

I'm doing a little travelling this week and heading a wee bit down South to visit my friend in Kirkcaldy and do some exploring in the glorious capital of Edinburgh. I always find it hard to fit all my skincare essentials in one bag so I thought I would do an overview of the type of things I bring with me for a small weekend away.

I don't really know where I got the travel bag from. I think my Grandma left it here when she came to visit a long time ago and I've just kind of adopted it as my own. It's a really good size and has a hanging loop on it. It may not look pretty but it does the job well!

• Origins Checks and Balances Facewash
• Origins Make a Difference Skin Tonic
• Origins Lightweight Moisturiser
• Dove Maximum Protection Deodorant 
• The Body Shop Coconut Oil Hairshine
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Charles Worthington Heat Defence Spray
• Small Travel Bottles of Shampoo, Conditioner and Shower Gel
• Facewipes
• Perfume
• A few cotton pads 

Ta da! And they all fit neatly in the bag without so much having to squeeze the bag shut! I wish they did travel versions of everything as I do a lot of travelling but I guess this will have to do for now.

What are your travel essentials in your wash bag?

Vanessa

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fotd: shine bright like a diamond

Awkward smile o_O

Ahhh, don't you just love annual leave days? Being cooped up in one room and stuck to one chair for 10 hours at a time really makes your appreciate days off more. Today, I went off to the cinema! I'm enjoying this Cineworld Unlimited card malarky already!

I made a bit more effort with my makeup today and broke out my UD Naked palette. I'm working on a little photography project with my brother later tonight so I wanted to look slightly more human than usual.

Surprisingly, I've really loved using Rimmel's Match Perfection foundation. I'm absolutely terrible at colour matching my skin to drugstore foundation but I've finally made the right choice! Success! (Review on this will be on soon!)

Do you like to jam pack your days off or do you prefer to chill out at home?

Vanessa

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sunday summary #16

I may have missed last week's Sunday Summary, mainly because I had absolutely nothing to report that week as I had been working non stop but I think I've got a good 'un for you this week!

I went to the grand opening of my friend's new restaurant at the beginning of the week and I must say, everything looks amazing! They even had an ice cream cart there. Chocolate and pear gelato was delicious! I'm so happy for him and everyone who has worked so hard in the past year to get it up and running. Can't wait to go back there in a few weeks and sample some of their delights.

I've never really paid much attention to Halloween but it's become a little tradition of ours that me and my brother always carve pumpkins together on Halloween and then determine which one is the most spookiest! My brother's one this year was a grim reaper and I did a flaming jack lantern. Not trying to win points here, but mine is still standing whilst my brother's one had to get chucked in the bin because it was already moulding. I think I win on that alone!

I finally bit the bullet and subscribed to a Cineworld Unlimited card. I tell no lies that I had actually been considering this for about 2 years! Ever since my student status ended I've been disappointed by having to pay about £8.00 for a ticket. I love movies and going to the cinema on my own so it'll be put to good use!

Another week over and a brand new one to begin. I can hardly believe we're in November already! It's almost CHRISTMAS!

What have you been doing this week?

Vanessa

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