2015!!

Happy New Year!!!

So, here it is, the year I've been dreading for so long - the year in which I turn 40!!  *says with tongue firmly in cheek!*  I do seem to have come to terms with the fact though that in 14 weeks, I WILL be turning 40 which, although it stills seems so very grown up, now actually sounds.....ok!!

I'm grateful to have found so many amazing blogs over the last year written by some fantastic, stylish, beautiful, clever, witty ladies of a similar age that have basically, given me a kick up the arse & reminded me to get a bloody grip - 40 isn't old at all these days, it's merely a number!

So I'd like to kick 2015 off with a shout-out, in no particular order, to my favourite inspirational bloggers of 2014!

Kat from http://doesmybumlook40.blogspot.co.uk/
Jane from http://www.mymidlifefashion.com/
Avril from http://www.schoolgatestyle.com/
Andrea from http://inmamaswardrobe.blogspot.co.uk/
Donna from http://iwontwearsludgebrown.blogspot.co.uk/
Frances from http://schoolrunstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Nikki from http://www.midlifechic.com/
Sharron from http://www.styleateveryage.com/ 
Lynne from http://dorothycamper.blogspot.co.uk/
Joanna from http://poppys-style.com/
Michelle from http://myfashionable40s.blogspot.co.uk/
Annmarie from http://fashionmumof40.blogspot.co.uk/
Jenny from http://beautyandthebiryani.blogspot.co.uk

Anyhoo, back to business!  This first post of the year is just really to catch up & fill you in on our lovely Christmas & Hogmanay.  The house is now clear of all remaining Christmas detritus & I'm trying to get back to normal before the kids start back at school on Wednesday.

We had a nice quiet time this year, which suited us down to the ground after a manic November & December.  We found a fabulous new forestry place the other side of Dundee & bought the most perfect 7 foot tree we've ever had.  It was decorated in my usual Nordic style but the kids have asked if next year we can have an extra tree in the hall that they can go tinsel-tastic with!!

I had some truly amazing presents this year, including 4 new notebooks (I'm a list-making freak!!), a tan saddle bag from Clarks & a polka dot bag for my sewing machine (yes, really!) from my mum, CDs & smellies from my kids, Next vouchers & the biggest surprise of all, a new iPad mini from Mr F!!  It was very naughty of him to buy me this as we'd agreed months ago that we weren't getting presents for each other this year due to impending trip to New York but then he totally surprised me with this amazing present "for my travels"!!  Oh, he's a keeper all right!  I did however, feel like a prize shit for not getting him anything other than the usual Chocolate Orange & whisky!  But it will be so much easier to take this with me to Marrakech & New York so I can blog on the go!!

We've had pretty good weather so far with only a smattering of snow so we've enjoyed plenty of long walks round the lake with the hound.  One day in particular was absolutely baltic though, as shown by the facial expression below!!  So beautiful though - the lake that is, pas moi!!

I've had a couple of nights out with my fellow mums & we celebrated Hogmanay at my friend's house, watching the fabulous fireworks over St Andrews bay.  And I seem to have been rocking red lips rather a lot lately!!

*Sorry, should've cropped the cleavage!!*

I've picked up plenty in the sales too but I think this is more than enough for one post -that'll have to follow!!

I hope you all had a fabulous time with your loved ones & I wish each & every one of you the very best for 2015!!