Blogmas Day 7: Book Review – Trump’s Christmas Carol by Lucien Young

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‘I have the best ghosts, everyone says so’

President Ebenezer Trump is a rich old fool whose heart is as small as his hands and his words as false as his hair. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by three spirits, all intent on changing his evil ways….

Back with another cracking piece of Satire Lucien Young this time turns his attention to Donald Trump. After the brilliant Alice in Brexitland , I was super excited when Ebury got in contact with me to ask if I would like to read Trump’s Christmas Carol. This follows the American president as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas, that is Nixon, Clinton, Obama & the ghost of Christmas to come.

Of course, this does take a dark route at times, I did feel a little uncomfortable in regards to how Ebenezer views Ivanka and that, perhaps, it didn’t need to be added but that’s just my own view. I have no issue with the criticism and satire of Trump himself, in fact, the kind of things he says have been seen as comedy gold. So for the majority of the story, this truly reflects the situation.

Of course, this pays homage to Dickens original A Christmas Carol so we have a Tiny Tim, this time, however, he’s under the threat of losing health insurance with the end of Obamacare. Oh and thanks to Trump’s irresponsible tweeting America is a nuclear wasteland in 2025.  I absolutely loved this detail, because despite the humour in this there is an underlying issue with modern America and the Trump era. This is one of the things that Young gets right he makes us laugh at the ridiculousness of our political situation without forgetting the issues at hand.

I really enjoyed this as a quick read with a lot of humour. I gave this 4 stars because I really think that Young has a true talent for satire. Of course, there are some wonderful illustrations too which add to the comedy. I would highly recommend this as a Christmas present for anyone who likes politics and satire. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this digital copy.

Blogmas Day 6: Costa Hot Chocolates, Ranked!

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Every November I’m eagerly awaiting the time when Costa bring out their Christmas drinks menu because I am absolutely in LOVE with their hot chocolate menu. So, I thought what better for Blogmas than to rate these festive treats because of course I’ve sampled each of them and there’s still a few weeks to go!

Coming in at number 4… 

Billionaire’s Hot Chocolate

I heard SO MUCH about this, everyone was raving about how tasty it was, how it was a game changer. Unfortunately, for me, it didn’t taste as good as I thought it would. It just didn’t have a wow factor for me. I know it’s still the favourite for a lot of people though!

Number 3 goes to… 

Black Forrest Hot Chocolate

I know, I’m shocked too. Usually, this is my favourite festive drink every year but this year it’s slipped down the list! While it has a yummy taste of cherry (and not just a cherry on top like last year), the actual syrup really sits at the bottom of your cup, so when you get to the bottom you might get a mouthful of syrup which is a bit too much.

Almost there, number 2 goes to… 

Lindt Hot Chocolate

This is your classic hot chocolate with a luxury twist. This was absolutely gorgeous and you could definitely taste the difference when Costa is using Lindt. So if you want a normal hot chocolate with a bit more luxury this is the one for you.  Sometimes I like something

And finally in at number 1…

Mint Hot Chocolate

When my Mum and Sister told me this was their go to this year I wasn’t keen because I don’t like overpowering mint. I was a little apprehensive but decided to give it a go, I’m glad I did. This has a perfect mix of mint and chocolate and, thankfully, isn’t too overpowering. Throw on some whipped cream end enjoy the tiny candy cane, you won’t regret it.

 

Have I got it all wrong?! Let me know your favourites in the comments below!

Blogmas Day 5: Christmas Q & A with Adell & Nate!

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I really wanted to make Blogmas about the community so for today’s post I have Adell & Nate answering questions about what Christmas means to them! Don’t forget to go and check out their blogs too!

 

What are you most excited about this Christmas?

Adell: Going around my nan’s and tucking into her Christmas roast. It has been a tradition for my entire life but I still love it!

Nate:  I’m excited to experience Christmas at Disneyland (California). it will be fun to be working in the parks and help others have a wonderful Christmas.


What’s at the top of your wish list?

Adell: I’d love to get a drone but those are just so expensive, but realistically I would be overjoyed to receive a new camera lens. One more to add to my small collection.

Nate: A nice steak dinner

Favourite Christmas movie?

Adell: Home Alone! Although I do watch a lot of Harry Potter movies in the run-up to Christmas.

Nate: The Santa Clause

Favourite Christmas song? 

Adell: All of the classics!!! But seriously I love ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ by Slayed. It’s one of those songs I just belt my heart out too, a family favourite as well… so here it is Merry Christmas, everybody’s having fun… (I’ve got this stuck in my head now haha).

Nate: Hallelujah by Pentatonix

Favourite Christmas food? 

Adell: My nans roast on Christmas Day! A favourite snack of mine is Lebkuchen Stars. These wonderful little biscuits are from Germany, and let me tell you they are delicious. They have a soft consistency and they are sweet and spicy at the same time. They’re also coated in iced chocolate, I adore them.

Nate: 

Hot cocoa


Your perfect Christmas in 3 words.

Adell: Family, Food, Snow

Nate: With loved ones.

 

 

Blogmas Day 4: Last Minute Gifts for the Feminist in your Life

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Now, I know, some of you out there have had your present shopping done since September, I salute you, but some of us still need ideas. So, how about some ideas for the kick-ass feminist in your life? I’m really excited to be working with House of Wonderland for this post and thank you so much for sending the above goodies for me to enjoy! So, let’s get on with those ideas.

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Stronger Than You Think Enamel Pin

How great is this pin? With a Rosie the Riveter style to it, it would look great popped on a denim jacket or bag. A fab stocking filler or little something extra.

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You Can Change The World Print

Feminism is all about making change happen so how about this print just to remind your favourite feminist that they can and will change the world.

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Survivor enamel pin

I’m so pleased that I was given one of these pins for myself. I 100% identify as a survivor of various things and I love this as reminding someone that you love and believe in them.

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Girls Supporting Girls Mug

Because what is being a feminist about after all?

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Stronger Than You Think Tote Bag 

You know the age-old ‘oh just get a girl a bag’ how about one that reminds her how strong she is? Sign me up.

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Girl Gang Candy Yellow Banner Necklace  

I love these necklaces, who wouldn’t want to be a part of a Girl Gang, these would be great for your own group of gals as a cute matching gift.

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Enamel Feminist Candy Bar Necklace 

I was also sent this and I’m in LOVE with it, it’s feminine but also makes the statement of I’m a feminist and proud. This is perfect for your loud and proud feminist friends.

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What Would Freida Do Print  

Another great print for those who love art and the wonderful Freida Kahlo, absolutely beautiful and a great tribute to the woman himself.

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Feminist with a Femilist notebook

‘Cause us feminists have a lot to do.

Thank you once again to the amazing House of Wonderland for the opportunity to work with them on this post! For even more of their wonderful products and to support a small business visit http://www.how-store.com/ . Also make sure to give them a follow on Twitter & Instagram.

 

Day 3: Shopping with Small Businesses this Christmas

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It’s easy at Christmas to go to a big retailer and do your gift shopping in one hit, but you can do something even better. You can get a unique present and support a small business. Twice a year I attend my local Dolly’s Vintage & Artisan Fair  these fairs this fair supports charity and has a lovely community atmosphere.  I picked a few of the wonderful stalls to share with you.

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My New Fave 

I’m a big fan of My New Fave. They make the most adorable earrings, broaches and more. These suit a quirky and outgoing styles. I personally picked myself up a pin of a Lurcher/Greyhouse and I am in LOVE with it. It’s something I’ve never found before.

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T’s Cutting & Crafts  

This is the first time I’ve met T’s and I’m so pleased I did. There are some brilliant pieces on this stall I particularly liked the, ‘too glam to give a damn’ pouch.

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Frith Friends 

How cute is little Hector?! This is a wonderful shop and there is a definite love of foxes, which drew me to it. The stall also had some beautiful hand painted necklaces AND fairy dust necklaces.

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Wonderland Leech 

These are adorable and I love all of them. It’s the first time I believe I’ve seen this stall. As well as these plushies there were some necklaces that were really original (also pictured) and hair clips.

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Primrose & Mabel  

I’m obsessed with these notebooks. All of these designs are done by hand before being put on all the stationary you could ever love. Just me? Ok. Anyway these are truly beautiful and there are so many designs.

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Buttercups & Beautiful Butterflies

I might be slightly biased because this is my Mum’s stall but look at these glasses, which are all hand decorated. I’ve seen how much time and effort goes into running a small business, hence while I want to support them.

 

Do you have some small businesses for me to check out? Leave them in the comments below!

 

Blogmas Day 2: My Ultimate Christmas Playlist

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Christmas is nothing without a good soundtrack and I definitely haven’t been sneakily listening to Christmas songs in my car since October…definitely not. I blame my Mum, when I was a kid we had the same CD playing every year and I knew all the words, even had my own dances.

SO! I’ve put together a list of just some of my favourites for you all, to get you into the Christmas spirit. Let me know if your favourite is in the comments below!

Fairytale of New York – The Pogues

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard

Santa Baby – Kylie Minogue

Last Christmas – Wham!

Merry Christmas Everyone – Slade

Step into Christmas – Elton John

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! – Dean Martin

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Frank Sinatra

Baby It’s Cold Outside – Tom Jones

Frosty the Snowman – Jackson 5

Happy Xmas (War is Over) – John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – Jackson 5

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – The Ronettes

The Christmas Son – Nat ‘King’ Cole

Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) – The Darkness

Christmas Wrapping – The Spice Girls

All I Want for Christmas is You – Mariah Carey

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

What Christmas Means to Me – Stevie Wonder

Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea

Jingle Bell Rock  – Bobby Helms

 

Blogmas Day 1: Welcome to Blogmas!

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Hello, hello, hello lovely readers!

This year I wanted to set myself a challenge because, apparently, I don’t know the meaning of the word relaxation. I absolutely love Christmas, it makes me feel so happy. The thought of love, sharing, giving and family puts a big smile on my face.

But, why Blogmas? I’ve read Blogmas and watched Vlogmas for the past few years and I thought this year why not give it a go myself? Sharing joy, my own insights into Christmas and the festive season and I definitely have some treats in store for you such as:

My Christmas Playlist

My Favourite Christmas Films

Christmas Throwbacks

How to Stay on Budget

And that’s just a few of the posts me and the elves have been putting together for you.

Remember Gals and Guys, only 24 sleeps until the big day!

Book Review: How to be Champion – Sarah Millican

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Champion: adjective, BRITISH, informal dialect. 
Excellent. “‘Thank ye, lad,’ the farmer said. ‘That’s champion.’”

 

As my last review of the year (how we got to this point I don’t know) I wanted to share with you one of my absolute favourites of 2017 and, considently, it’s by one of my favourite comidians. If you live in the UK you’ve probably heard of Sarah Millican, personally, I think she’s a national treasure, she’s also hillarious. Sarah’s first book is a mix of advice, memories and humor. A winning combination.

I’ll point out that I bought this book on the day I lost my job, I needed cheering up and of course this did it. Sarah covers absolutely everything and anything. She talks about ‘the’ dress, growing up during the miners strike, divorce, bullying and how she came to be a stand up comedian. In total there are 43 chapters that cement Sarah as a writer as well as brilliant comedian.

The best thing about this is that it feels like you’re just reading about a friend, Sarah is brilliant at this. I read this so quickly and at the end of each chapter Sarah tells us, based on her experience how to be champion and it’s pretty good advice for life such as ‘see bad times in your life as experiences’ and ‘Be yourself or else you’ll have to keep up the pretence for ever. Unless you’re an actor, then do the opposite’. See, good advice.

I gave this 5 stars. I absolutely loved this book and absorbed it. I’ve always found Sarah Millican to be super relatable and this book just extends that. Of course it’s incredibly funny and something that I’ve recommended to absolutely everyone because it does make you feel good. Of course I gave it 5 stars, add it to your christmas list, you won’t regret it.

 

Writers Block

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There are times when I cannot write,

from my brain to my fingertips

it just doesn’t come out right.

 

When my head is too sleepy

or my heart is too full

or I’m just not feeling writing glee

 

Does that rhyme not show

that today is indeed one of those

Yes, I’ve sunk to that low

 

 

You see I want to write,

each and every day

So this internal battle I’ll still fight

 

I’ll drag those words from every corner of my brain

Get out here you guys, I need you

God, writers block is a pain.

 

 

Blog Tour! A Peal For My Mistress – Annabelle Fielding

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‘Forbidden passion in the shadow of war’

Hester is taking the first steps towards her dream of being a Ladies Maid by becoming the maid of Lady Lucy, the daughter of a wealthy house. As time goes on both young women embark on a secret relationship, one that could destroy them both. In a time of rising tensions can they survive?

The novel is set between the first and second world wars. Our protagonists have seen the devastation that war can bring and both react in very different ways to the threat of the Nazi party. I think, for me, this was the most intriguing part of the novel is that it is so rich in research. I learnt so much about Britain and politics (obviously I looked up the facts behind the novel) of the time.

It has been so long since I’ve read a historical fiction novel. I used to read them all the time but it’s just fallen off of my radar but I am so glad that A Perl for my Mistress has brought me back in because it was brilliant. Just falling into the past in a way that is so vivid and also taught me so much.

There were points within the novel where I did get confused about who was who in the ways of society, fascinatingly the scandals and gossip you read about within the novel are based on true ‘scandals’ of the time. As someone who knew nothing really about the upper classes in society and their relationships and expectations it really was fascinating to contemplate what it meant to be a lady at this time.

I gave this novel 4 stars, it was a brilliant venture back into historical fiction and it’s clear that Fielding has a true talent for a gripping story. I will also applaud her for the detail and knowledge it must have taken to write this novel.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this novel and be a part of the book tour itself.