A nod to Gemmas Life in... series, I thought I'd start a little monthly life catch up post for family and friends who aren't close by enough to see the everyday.

This Christmas has whizzed by in a bit of a flash. one minute it was Friday 20th and now today is, well I'm not quite sure. The last 3 days have felt like a Sunday and I have the faint aroma of cheeseboard about me.

The weather has been unseasonably mild and I've not achieved much, which is one of the things I love about Christmas - you can spend Christmas morning in your PJs doing a jigsaw puzzle and no one judges you.

I bought a little 'crafting table' for the office which is proving a nice calming distraction for when I need to take ten minutes for myself.

I've started a needlepoint kit from Wool and the Gang, so far it's going smoothly and is a lovey way to clear my mind. I'm really happy with it so far, especially considering as in secondary school I famously sewed my needlework bag to my duvet whilst trying to chain stitch my name on it for homework.

Another very tactile mug bought this month (anyone else do the 'one for them and one for me' rule to buying Christmas presents?!)

This lovely one has a sleepy moon on one side and a sleepy sun on the other and it feels so nice to hold. I'm a huge fan of Jessica Cooper Ceramics (adding a link incase you too love this sort of thing)

Heaving painted the hallways and landing a very dark colour I've reverted back to a nice light neutral shade and started an art wall on the landing. It's such a big wall that it really needs some colour on it, and I'm into pinky and earthy reds right now.

Ever since visiting Stockholm I've become obsessed with candles burning pretty much all day long, from the moment I wake to when I go to bed. It reminds me so much of the gentle light you find third time of the year in Stockholm, cosy and comforting. It's really helped me with the transition from long summer days to the drizzly winter ones.