Celebrating Advent

Outfit: Mini Boden duffle coat, Mini Boden hat & mittens set, cotton scarf from Turkey and Hunter Wellies (or here)




Ever since the Christmas market opened last week, the streets are packed every single day with shoppers. Navigating our way to anywhere required the skill of a Grand Prix driver. However, you could sense the excitement in the air with the elaborate Christmas lights, the humongous pine tree right in the center of the High St and the bustling market. 

The atmosphere is miles away from what I'm used to back home. I joked with a friend that in New Zealand, we're so laidback about the Christmas season that the only decoration that we see is the huge gargoyle like statue of Santa Claus above a massive bookstore on Queen St, Auckland. He, on the other hand, being German confided that Christmas is always an overkill back in his homeland. Well, I'd much rather have his version, to be perfectly honest.

Whew, it was a sigh of relief when Lil L nodded in approval and happily wore her new duffle coat. Every year, I take on the dreaded task of looking for a thick, comfortable and hopefully, flattering coat for her. I'm just incredulous over the astronomical prices for children's coats these days. £100?! Seriously? I can't imagine paying that much for something they'll outgrow within a year or two. I'm so pleased that it's padded along with a soft cotton lining. The hood's the deal breaker as few kids I know would lug around an umbrella when it rains.






We headed out to Sandrine's or otherwise deemed as cook and baker extraordinaire amongst our friends for a mug of mulled wine and nibbles to celebrate the first Advent Sunday. It was a blast catching up with friends since we all lead such busy lives. I'm thankful for the wonderful friends that we've made. It's our little home away from home where the tight network of friends help each other out. It's a pocket of England where over the past year has seen an influx of expats from Japan, Spain, Australia, U.S, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, China and France. It's wonderful to hear the different accents and languages spoken at the party. So, how did you celebrate Advent?