I don’t know about you but I am SO ready for the Christmas break. November has been one of my busiest months of the year, I think beaten only by February when I was at home for about 3 days max. It’s been full of plans, work commitments, travel and thankfully some fun thrown in there too, but all in all I’m quite glad to see the back of it and I can’t wait for a real break soon. Here’s what I got up to.

The first thing I did right at the start of the month was go to see Kinky Boots at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. My friend Lisa and I went for a drink at Revolution de Cuba, followed by food at the French Quarter which was amazing (so was the wine), before the show. I’ve never seen the film, but thoroughly enjoyed the show it was fabulous. Going to the theatre is such a winter activity, and I’m really glad I went we had such a fun night.

I’m sure you’ve all seen by now but Fenwick’s windows was unveiled the first weekend in November, and like I’ve done the last few years I went to see it early one morning to avoid the crowds. It’s a festive one this year, based on the story of The Snowman, and I think it definitely got me in the festive mood earlier than usual.

Bonfire Night was the same weekend, and as I missed the local council ran fireworks last year, I made sure I was there to see them this time. It’s always a good way to finish off a weekend – wrapping up warm and heading out into the cold night to see the display. They were spectacular, and followed by a dimitris takeaway I think that night was the last time I chilled for the rest of the month.

I was in London for three days for World Travel Market, the annual travel conference held in London, for travel companies to come together, network and display their services. I don’t go for this reason, preferring instead to attend the lectures and seminars that discuss travel in the world of social media, blogging, and the digital world. I came away with a fresh head full of inspiration for work, as well as a full camera roll of my wanderings around London in the evening when the conference finished.

As it was the run up to Remembrance Sunday, I’d heard about the event at the Tower of London to commemorate 100 years since the first world war. I went along and it was a really amazing thing to witness. I talk more about it in this blog post – 100 Years of Remembrance at the Tower of London, which was one that wasn’t planned but I really wanted to share what it was like and the photos that I took.

I also paid Selfridges a visit on Oxford Street, and saw their Christmas window display which I LOVED. It was totally different to Fenwick’s window, and instead was a much more fashion forward display that spread throughout the store itself. You can see Santa rocking out in all sorts of ways and outfits in this post – Selfridge’s Rocks Christmas.

Selfridges has recently become home to a pop up of the adorable Elan Cafe that you can find in multiple locations around London. I say adorable because its all pink flowers, pretty cakes, neon lights and lots of coffee. But don’t let novelty appearances make you question the quality, it was really nice and I shared all my snaps, of which there are many, and a full review in Behind the Flower Walls of Elan Cafe.

Every time I go to WTM I meet up with my cousin and friend for dinner, and this time we went to a sushi place in Kingly Court. We saw Carnaby all lit up with the Bohemian Rhapsody theme, and the Oxford Street lights that were switched on that same night too.

When I returned from London, Newcastle was beginning to get in the Christmas spirit beyond just Fenwick’s window too, and I happened to be in town the night they were switching on the lights. It was pretty cool to be there and it was absolutely packed.

My night didn’t end there and I went on to Chaophraya for an event ran by Intu Eldon Square to highlight their Christmas campaign, finding the impossible gift. This really got me in the festive spirit, closely followed by the opening of the Christmas market, the arrival of Hadrians Tipi, and the pop up Christmas bar on Grey Street.

I pulled all of my Newcastle Christmas knowledge and recommendations into one big post – Christmas in Newcastle and I can’t believe how many people have read and shared it. A huge thank you to everyone who has, but I hope it helps with everyones Christmas fun!

I’ve been to the market a good couple of times since it’s opened and I’m sticking by the opinion that its better than previous years. I also finally got to the tipi last week with my friend Charlotte who started the same job as me in the same week, years ago when I finished uni. She’s been away travelling and it was so nice to catch up with her.

I had a short but sweet visit to Copenhagen with work, and it was slightly too early for Christmas at Tivoli which I’d loved to have seen, but the atmosphere and beginnings of the festivities there were starting to show. We fully embraced the Danish hygge concept and sat under blankets in a little cafe surrounded by fairy lights.

One of the highlights of the month had to be Luc and Annabel’s wedding, which was up in Warkworth and Kieran was best man. She looked flawless and it was a really fun night with people I hadn’t seen in a while. Huge congratulations to the Graham’s!

Black Friday seemed to cause quite a stir with people didn’t it. I spotted some pretty good deals this year, but only ordered a couple of things as I’m doing my best to save my money for our upcoming trip to New York…EEK I can’t wait. I was lucky enough to be sent some of the Christmas collection by Bobbi Brown this week, and this mini palette is gorgeous I’ll definitely be taking it with me.

I’ve done a lot of my Christmas shopping already online, so most of the shopping I’ll be doing is for me which lets face it is the best kind. It really can’t come quick enough now, I can’t wait to be away on a proper break miles away for a personal trip rather than work. And after being to New York a fair few times I’ll FINALLY see the Rockefeller tree lit up. KEVIN!

Of course December will be busy, Christmas will seem to take forever to arrive, and I have so many fun things planned. I’m visiting at least three more Christmas markets, and I recently put together this random guide on spending winter in Tallinn. It was one of the most beautiful places I visited this year and it seemed like a good time to share all my snowy wintery pics of the place.

As well as all the fun things I have planned, I can’t wait to spend some proper time with everyone close to me because thats what its all about at the end of the day isn’t it.

Hope you all have a great December!