Happy New Year!

Oh my lordy, Christmas has been and gone and here we are on New Years Eve getting ready to Welcome in 2014! My family and me have a yearly tradition of listening to music, playing games such as Boggle and we always have a toast of Champagne at 12am! 

We always have nibbles during the night so we tend not to have a big dinner, probably just a sandwich! 

Well... Happy New Year and See you tomorrow for my first OOTW of 2014!!!!

Cuddles and Celebrations! 

Emma Victoria

xoxox

Blogmas Day 26: Presents, 1 Year of Blogging & The End!

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This is my last post for Blogmas 2013!! How crazy quick has that gone?! Make sure you stay tuned for more posts in the new year, along with a new blogging schedule which is playing to my advantage between my personal life too! I thought I'd share some of the gifts I got for Christmas (and no I'm not showing off, I'm not a 'showing off' sort of person, so please don't take this the wrong way!)

1. Sewing Machine - I got the sewing machine I've been banging on about for god knows how long!! This means so many more exciting things for me - I may after a while start making my own clothes!!! I'm so happy with this, its made my complete life!!!

2. Soap and Glory Bath Set - My little brother bought this for me, he knows I love S&G so a very easy choice to make! I can never own enough S&G products anyway!! (My collection is forever growing!)

3. Betty Boop 'Dressed to Chill' Pyjamas - oh my complete life these are the comfiest things in the whole entire universe. The bottoms are a soft fleece material (I feel like a teddy bear in these, I don't even know why!) and the top is a soft cotton cream top with Betty Boop on it!

4. Betty Boop Set of Socks -  yes, the Betty Boop theme carrys on! I got some socks (cause I'm forever never able to find my socks!) and they are Betty Boop ones so its like perfection in sock form...

5. Simply Be Gold Christmas Bow Top - This is super cute to go with some of my more casual outfits that aren't full on rockabilly/pinup (yes I do dress down quite a lot, even though you may not believe me!)

6. Mary Berry Cookbook - we actually already own this book but my mum accidentally bought it again... At least I have my own copy!!

7. Back Seamed Black Tights - our close family friend bought me these, and oh my life, I am amazingly thankful!!!!!!!!!! Not many people would have even thought of this! Most people would be disappointed with tights - but me, I'm amazingly thankful, as these are super tough tights too!!!!

8. Billie Joe and Norah 'Foreverly' CD - This CD is complete perfection, much more folky and its actually a reinterpretation of the Everly Brothers Album 'Songs Our Daddy Taught Us'. This CD is beautiful, especially if you want to hear the other musical side of Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day. Highly recommend this CD!

9. Next Faux Fur Hood and Gloves - My aunt bought me these, and they are absolutely adorable! *waits for the snow to come to wear these*

10. Terry's Chocolate Orange Segments - Again from my aunt cause she always gives us chocolate!

I can't believe how this first year of Blogging has gone so quickly, one year on, 52 followers (and growing), I've had my first giveaway, I've done 26 consecutive days of blogging, starting to get into doing more YouTube videos and met some amazing people along the way!

Happy Birthday Anchors Away Beauty blog!!

Much love and cuddles and thank you for being a part of this - if it wasn't for you following my blog - I wouldn't have carried on doing it!

Lots of Love

Emma Victoria

xoxox

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Blogmas Day 25: Christmas Day 'Baby Its Cold Outside' OOTW!

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This is a scheduled post today - seeing as its Christmas day I don't really want to be on the computer as I'm so traditional that Christmas day is about family! I thought I'd show you what I'm wearing today and what I will be doing!

Cream Fur Coat, Primark - £35

Hell Bunny Nell Burgundy Dress, Rockabilly Pinup - £31.50

Ivory Pearls, Collectif - £15

Black Tights, New Look - £4.99

Black Alpine Clover, Clarks - £39.99

My make-up is pretty simple and basic, I have some lovely shimmery gold eye-shadow for the glitzy Christmas effect along with some thick winged eye-liner! My lips are a burgundy colour to match my dress this is the Rimmel Lipstick in shade 107! (Cheeky little mince pie too, can never get enough!)

My itinerary for the day is pretty calm and relaxed! Mum and me get up at around 7 as mum makes Christmas Morning Cranberry breakfast cupcakes and I make pancakes! After we have all had a hot cuppa (I always have a super luxury hot chocolate on Christmas morning!) we then proceed to open presents, we don't normally start till about well 9.30-10 and by the time we finish its time to sort everything out and then start getting things ready for lunch. The dogs normally go out for a play with all their new toys until lunch time were they get spoilt rotten by me giving them around a tonne of treats (they only get spoiled on their birthday's and Christmas and they work it off so its fine!). We normally have lunch about 12-1pm and its generally just an array of things such as the ham my mum cooks and cheese and crackers and pork pie and nuts and crisps - basically a platter to be honest! This year I'm going to take the dogs for a Christmas walk because I feel I just need some time alone to reminisce everything and how much things have changed from last year. We then just put the radio on, play Boggle as this is always a tradition (and I always end up crying with laughter because my mum just writes 'new' words into the dictionary and I can't control my laughter). Me and mum then start preparing dinner just so we don't get too stressed out and we can relax. Instead of Christmas Crackers we have the idea of a table present (this is normally just a joke present which no more then £5). We split the Christmas dinner up between us - Dad does the starter, mum does the main and I do the dessert! After we just relax and watch all the Christmas programmes, I get into my new pyjamas with yet another hot chocolate and then I go to bed and relax and sleep and cuddle up!

Well I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and may all your wishes come true!

Lots of Christmas Love

Emma Victoria

xoxo

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Blogmas Day 24: The Night Before Christmas...

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"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there".

I thought that would be the perfect way to start this post... The beginning of this fantastic Christmas poem. Tonight is the big night! St Nick is coming, have you been naughty or nice?!

Today has been a super hectic day getting everything ready and prepared... After a busy day I've settled down with a malibu and coke before jumping into my pyjamas and having a shower.

On Christmas Eve night we leave out a Bottle of Beer and a homemade Mince Pie for St Nick (don't forget some carrots for the reindeer!)...

This years beer is the Blandford Flyer which has a spicy ginger undertone to the golden amber ale.

ITS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Cuddles

Emma Victoria

xoxox

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Blogmas Day 23: Delectable Dog Treats!

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I thought that today I would share a little recipe I have for making some yummy home-made dog biscuits for your dogs round Christmas! I made around 35 dog biscuits with this recipe so it will keep you well in stock!

What You'll Need
2 Cups of Plain Flour
1 Tablespoon of Baking Powder
1 Cup of Peanut Butter (Smooth or Crunchy - I prefer crunchy!)
1 Cup of Skimmed Milk
1 teaspoon of Cinnamon (ground)
Baking Tray & Baking Parchment
Mixer (optional)
2 Medium bowls
Rolling Pin
Cookie Cutters

How to do it!
1. Preheat your oven to around 190C (If you have a fan oven 170C!)

2. You then want to combine the flour, cinnamon and baking powder in a medium bowl.

3. In your mixer or another bowl (separate from the flour bowl) and put the peanut butter and milk together and mix till there is no lumps in the mixture.

4. Slowly add the flour mix to the wet mix (possibly a tablespoon at a time so it doesn't all bunch up) and again keeping mixing and adding till it is all combined. The mixture will slowly form into a sticky dough form.

5. Next you need to sprinkle some of the flour onto a baking sheet and a work surface (the baking sheet will be for later) and then transfer your mixture onto your surface and begin to knead.

6. Once needed and rolled (roll out to about a 1/4 of an inch thick these will rise up a little!) and then get your cookie cutters. I chose the gingerbread man, an angel and a chrsitmas tree just so my dogs can be festive too!

7.  Now transfer these to your baking sheet (make sure you prick them with a fork too!) then cook these for around 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden brown

8. Once out the oven leave to cool and package them away, I put mine into some tubs which will keep them fresh! And your Done! Crunchy Yummy Peanut Butter & Cinnamon dog treats for your precious four legged friends! 

ONLY 2 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS SOO EXCITING!!!!

Lots of Love

Emma Victoria

xoxox

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Blogmas Day 22: Last Minute Stocking Fillers!

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Are you still stuck on filling them stockings, or maybe just need a small little gift for someone? I thought I'd make it super simple and pick one shop, so I picked Boots as they always have something for someone!

Gifts for Her

1. Toni and Guy Mini Gift Set - £10 

2. Vintage Collection Hanging Ornament Hearts - £6






Gifts For Him

3. Ted Baker Four The Road Set - £16

4. Soap and Glory Male Gift Set - £12
(Perfect for your vintage man!)






Gifts for Girls

5. Pretty Patisserie Parisian Pamper Set - £12

6. Minnie Bath Fizz Trio - £6 
(I bought this for my god daughter as she adores Minnie Mouse and these smell divine!)





Gifts for Boys

7. Connect Four Game - £9.99

8. Satzuma Camera Lens Cup - £12








Christmas is soon!!

Lots of Love

Emma Victoria

xoxox

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Blogmas Day 21: Yule Log Preparation & Tips!

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Okay, so tomorrow is when I start making my Yule Log for Christmas Day - each year we take it in turns to do a different dessert. Last Year we had a Christmas Pudding, which means this year we have a different dessert and again next year we have Christmas Pudding. It just mixes things up a little bit. Seeing as I'm now able to cook (whether I'm good at it is a different matter completely!) My Dad and I take it in turns to do the dessert or starter each year, I normally opt for the dessert as I have a sweet tooth and love super Christmasy desserts! And I haven't made a Yule Log since I did cooking at school... SO I'M DOING IT AGAIN!

Basically... I have tried to devise a plan to make this run as smoothly as I possibly can make it... Me being me I panic when something goes completely wrong and always seem to think that chocolate will be able to fix it (well it fixes 99% of the problems in my life!!) So... 

• Tomorrow - I will bake the sponge in the morning and leave to cool and later add the chocolate buttercream icing (probably my favourite part) I will then leave this to set and cool in the fridge for 24 hours so the buttercream can set!
• On monday I will melt some white chocolate to put over the yule log to give a Christmas snowy log effect (I think its a cool idea but whether it will work is another matter, you'll see on boxing day when I do my picture post if it has or not!) 
• I will then leave this to set until Christmas Day and then I will get it out of the fridge just before our main dinner to get to room temperature!

I've decided to use the baking queen Mary Berry's recipe as I always use and trust her recipes when I bake!

Tips & Ideas

• Someone recommended I put a drop of Cherry Liqueur in the batter mix?
• Use baking parchment below your cake mixture before baking - it will make it easier to lift out the tray!
• Roll the sponge really really slowly!
• Don't worry if it cracks, it just makes it look a bit more rustic!
• Some people recommend rolling the sponge before putting icing in the middle so its more malleable? 

Just have to wait and see won't we!

Chocolate Cuddles

Lots of Love

Emma Victoria

xoxox

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Blogmas Day 20: Holiday is here!

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So today I have finally finished college for 2013 and I can now begin to chill out for the next few weeks for Christmas and New Year! My last lesson today was English which I enjoy so much! English is like my most favourite subject in the whole wide world ever (apart from when I have to write essays...). The thought also dawned on me that this was my last college lesson of 2013... Scary stuff. 

Oh well I can relax now and watch some Christmas movies...

What's your favourite Christmas movie? Mine at the moment (apart from Robbie the Reindeer!) has to be Arthur Christmas!

REMEMBER - 3 BITS OF STICKY TAPE! (You'd get it if you've seen the film...)

So close to Christmas now!

Mistletoe Kisses

Emma Victoria

xoxox

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Blogmas Day 19: Favourite Christmas Scents

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Round this time of year I always love to have scented candles around my room to give off beautiful Christmas smells. My favourite smell has to be that of fresh mulled wine, the taste, and the smell is just too divine! I've only recently started getting into the whole mainstream of having Yankee Candles - I never buy them too much cause of the expense. But once I had a sniff of the 'Christmas Eve' candle I fell in love. 

This ultimately reminds me of Christmas, its so perfect with its fruity and festive smell!

Another candle which is perfect is this Mulled Wine candle - you can buy this

off Amazon for £7.99 each! (Buy here!)

I also really love plug-in air freshners and my favourite go to one has to be the Air Wick Electrical Plug in 'Mulled Wine & Cinnamon Apple' flavour. 

So what are your favourite Christmas scents?!

Only 6 days till Christmas!!

Lots of Love

Emma Victoria

xoxox

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Blogmas Day 18 OOTW: Reindeer Cutie!!!!

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This onesie has to be the CUTEST outfit I have ever owned in my whole entire life. I bought this last year from Next after falling in love with it in the catalogue - and from that moment I knew it had to be mine! Everytime I walk around the house my family always call me 'Ruth the Reindeer' their female spin off of Rudolph cause it has a red nose, and yes I run round the house like a reindeer...

I can't actually see this exact onesie in Next this year, but there is one similar but instead of mink coloured fur its red and white spots with the reindeer face! (Click here!)

1 WEEK TILL CHRISTMAS

Lots of Love

Emma Victoria

xoxoxox

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Blogmas Day 17: Emma Bakes Simple Shortbread!

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Today's video is a baking tutorial! I have never ever done a baking video or tutorial video on my YouTube before so I thought I would! I also have the recipe below if you want to try and make the Shortbread yourself! This is pretty much fool proof - not even I could screw it up and I'm really not a baking pro!

RECIPE:
100g of Butter
100g of Plain Flour
50g or Caster Sugar
50g Semolina

1. Put your oven on 160C (lower if you have a fan oven). Blitz in a food process of bring all the ingredients together in a bowl using your hands (Don't forget to scrub them!!)

2. Roll out your dough onto a floured work surface and choose your cookie cutters. You want your dough about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and then cut with your cutters.

3. Then get a tray with greaseproof paper to put your shortbread on and bake for 20-25 minutes.

4. Leave to cool and then sprinkle sugar on top and transfer to a wire rack.


5. Voila - its time to eat!

ONLY 8 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!

Lots of Love

Emma Victoria

xoxox

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Blogmas Day 16: Candy Cane and Snowdrop Nails!

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Today I'm doing a cute little nail tutorial on some super simple and adorable nails! 

Step 1 Base Coat 

First of all you want to select a red and green and paint your alternate nails in these colours. I decided to mix things up a bit and paint my thumbs grey to make them snowy nails! For the red I used Barry M Hi-Shine Gelly Polish in 'Blood Orange', Rimmel Lasting Finish nail polish in 'Green Grass', and Mavala nail polish in 'Warm Grey'. I applied around 2 coats for the red and grey and 3 for the green as the polish was not as pigmented as the other two polishes. I left mine to dry for about an hour to just make sure they were fully set. 

Step 2 Adding the Effects!

Looking at the image above you can see for the candy canes I added just 2 lines per nail as mine aren't too long at the moment! I used a thin little make-up application brush, its super thin but I still managed to get a tonne of polish on the brush, but you can make your lines thinner if you wish! Then leave these to dry.
The thumbs are super simple as well, basically just apply different sized dots onto your nail and scatter them and be super generous but still being able to see the grey! You can make these predominant or make them very vague to represent snow or both like I did! 

Step 3 Protect

Once you have let your nails dry again, you then want to get some clear nail polish just to protect the beautiful work you have just done! Et voila, you're done!

9 days till Christmas!!!!!!

Lots of Love

Emma Victoria

xoxox

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