'What day is it?' blues

So it's over for another year.  The elves on the shelves are almost ready to be packed away and it's almost time for planning to achieve all the things we didn't quite manage last year.  We mark the diary the same way every year, but to be honest, we could just as easily start with a clean sheet every day.  Every day is what we make of those 24 hours, after all. 

I was briefly an elf over the Christmas season, I do something like this every year, because I can't get enough of the whole season.  You never know whose child will come in full of wonder, and a strong belief they are going to see Santa.  This year it was strange to sing for Bradley from S Club 7's child while they were waiting to go in.  I'm sure Dad dissected my singing style on the way home, maybe they both did.  I will never get over seeing the joy and sparkle in children's eyes with them mentally going over how good they've been for the previous 12 months.

Looking pristine before the hoards arrived

Every year I exhaust myself by cooking a variety of dishes for Christmas lunch.  I staggered it this year, doing a different meal every day, with lots of roasts which keep me going through this season.  I go overboard every year, but with my daughter being too sophisticated for it all now I didn't bother to ask mum to make a day out of putting up the tree with special baubles for each year.  It is a full scale production.  This year, the bonzai tree got some tinsel and candy canes.  It was a scaled down celebration this year.  I really want to focus on work and building more of a career and I've stopped apologising for having my work head on.  If other people don't get it, that's also fine.  We're all different after all.  I'm never not going to be hyper and go all out when I want something.  That's my new year's resolution.  Just accept myself.

festive bonzai

So I've got Ted Baker go-see to hear back about - the clothes are beautiful and I really enjoyed riding in the lift with it's Are You Being Served soundtrack playing - see my Insta, plus new work for Monsoon and Accessorize, along with my existing River Island contract - trying on swimwear in the cold season, of course.  Renewing my DBS for any work in schools or with children in any way. 

For my daughter she has had some amazing blondish highlights put in, (picture not given as she might want to blog or gram it for herself - we've reached that level now!)

My mum stuck a make up kit in a case in with her presents, and I noticed she's left it open on the windowsill, so I've snapped a quick pic. 

daughter's latest make up stash

Her new photos are up on the model site, so who knows we may be working together again next year. 

I've remembered, it's Saturday today!  So I've got two more days of too much time on my hands before I can really focus on new challenges.

I hope you all had a lovely restful and peaceful time.  Lots of love and positivity for the new year.  Check in again soon.