New hair and polka dots

I already unveiled my new hair do (which I haven't attempted to re-create myself yet but plan on trying tomorrow!) on my birthday post but here's my hair just after it was done and my cute polka dot jumper I bought in London at Forever 21 with Roz and Anna.

The scarf was a Christmas present from Mum and the gorgeous necklace a joint Christmas/Birthday pressie from Sarah.

The even cuter earrings were a fab bargain from Dorothy Perkins for a mere £1...

The eye is a tiny crystal

The fingerless gloves were a not so bargainous sale find but almost half price in M&S and still a good deal for 100% cashmere and they're SO sparkly!!

All topped off with my amazing Whistles leather jacket from Nik for Christmas...

For items - see below...

Polka Dots & leather by olivedragonfly featuring a pink shawl

Goodreads challenge 2013

Last year I challenged myself to read 30 books on Goodreads, I was getting through them pretty quickly so changed it to 40.  I literally JUST made it, I was hoping to finish The Great Gatsby before the new year as one of the 40 was a short story but I was just too busy over the festive/birthday period and only finished it this weekend.  I've challenged myself to 40 again but secretly want to beat it!  I'll need to see how busy this year gets and if I get into any trilogies again this year which I just can't put down!  (Divergent hopefully!  Waiting until nearer the time book 3 is published before I get hooked!)  Last year I thoroughly enjoyed The hunger games, The Millenium trilogy and the 1st two books of the Daughter of smoke & bone trilogy.

To see the books I read last year, click here.

This year I have planned some specific books I hope to read (which I will obviously add to) and I will update them as I read them.  To keep up with my book challenge for 2013, what books I plan to read, have read and my ratings, click here.

I'm currently reading Life of Pi as I really want to see the film in the cinema (the trailer looks beautiful!) and I always like to read the book before seeing the film version (usually disappointed with the film in comparison so I prefer to get full enjoyment from the book without knowing the ending!)

New year's eve fun!

On New Year's Eve we hosted a dinner party for good friends.  The lovely Gemma and Roz and their hubbies were our fabulous guests!  It was SO much fun and we had a lovely meal (if I do say so myself) followed by a deeeeelicious desert made by Roz.

We started the evening with some mulled wine and a spicy parsnip amuse bouche served in espresso cups...

Followed by Prosecco served with Hibiscus flowers and syrup...

Dinner was then served in the kitchen with a twist on my festive table setting.  I added 5 vases of Lisianthus and Alstromerias (purple in honour of Roz).

Nik had the bright idea of adding chopped strawberries and lime
to the jug of sparkling water.

Dinner started off with the crab and shrimp tian we first made back in September (but with a few tweaks so it worked even better this time!  i.e. It didn't ooze everywhere this time AND tasted better! :) )

We opened the second magnum of champagne Nik's parent's gave us back in May from his brother's spectacular wedding (we had the first one on Christmas day and nearly opened both but decided to save one for New Year - I still need to write about Christmas day, oops!)  We toasted to a Happy New Year for all our family and friends, especially the ones you can find on twitter these days seeing as that's how we first met and became good friends!  ;)

The main course was Roman lamb casserole served with broccoli, cauliflower and my (apparently cooked to perfection) sprouts which I steam then sauté with sesame seeds and garlic in olive oil.

Gemma had lots of fun with her new camera...

Roz had fun with mine, taking pictures of wine...  :)

Then we got to sample the amazing Black Forest Gateau Roz made, complete with Kirsch, chocolate ganache and cream!...

I only just remembered the sparkler!

It was AMAZING!!

I then made hot buttered rum and cider (an attempt at Butterbeer for Gems!) and Gemma and R had to take it in travel cups to get back to his Mum's in time for the bells!

The rest of us then settled down in the living room with my home-made gingerbread biscuits (made with part of my my #ODSS gift from Mahj of a green dragonfly cutter!) good old Jackie Bird on the telly so we wouldn't miss the bells!

My gorgeous new bauble from Roz!

The next morning poor Nik had to go to work at 8.30 but Roz, B and I all had a nice lie-in and a yummy two course breakfast to start the year in style.  I made smoked salmon bagels with chive Philly, followed by scotch pancakes with my favourite fig recipe & mascarpone as a topping.

We walked that off while it was still sunny(!!!) with a stroll along to Maxwell park and Pollokshields Burgh Hall (our wedding venue).

I wore my new Leather jacket (Christmas pressie from Nik), pink scarf (pressie from Mum), grey GAP jumper (bought in the sale in London) and my gorgeously soft grey cashmere Swarovski fingerless gloves (bought in M&S sale).

The most random assortment of items in a trolley
in a garden on our street!!
(Lifebuoy, hoover, brick and traffic cone.)
Someone had a good night!

The rest of the day was spent chilling after a nice long bubble bath with my kindle (reading The Great Gatsby), then watching all the films on telly!  Such a great start to the year!  :)