Style Trunk

I say this every year, but 2012 really has gone so quickly, and I think I can safely say it has been one of my best years yet.

Firstly, this blog was born (see my first post here) and I am so glad I started it. I can fully indulge in my love for fashion, and I have been introduced to such a lovely and supportive blogging community that I never knew existed. I may not have thousands of followers but I love my blog and really appreciate all those who do read and follow my blog (thanks guys!).

Secondly, this was the year my travelling dream became a reality. I had graduated from university, and after working and saving like mad, the boyfriend and I upped sticks and spent four months living out of backpacks in the Americas (see my travels page). I can honestly say I had the best time of my life, and I have definitely been bitten by the travelling bug!

Returning from our travels was pretty depressing, but it wasn't long before we embarked on our next adventure - moving down to London to start our new jobs and new lives. Bit of a hectic year but I have loved every minute of it. Here's to 2013!

What have been your best bits of 2012?

Rope swinging in Brazil

Cape Town

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Rio

Chocolate tasting in Costa Rica

Hiking in Yosemite

Coffee shop hopping in San Francisco

Exploring LA

Venice Beach

Paraty, Brazil

Family holiday in Sardinia

Merry Christmas! Bit late I know but I have been too busy gorging on food and prosecco for the last few days and have been unable to waddle over to my laptop and do a post...

I hope you all had a great holiday, I spent mine back in the family home and it has been so lovely to kick back and relax (and of course there was the usual family Christmas craziness...at one point somebody turned the oven off meaning we didn't eat until 8.30 at night, but the less said about that the better!)

As anyone who follows me on Pinterest will know, I've become sliiightly obsessed with interior design. I've always taken an interest in it, but this has definitely grown since moving into my flat in London. Only problem is, our place, like a lot in this great city, is tiny (approximately ten steps will get you from one end to the other) so there's not a lot I can do with it.

My new-found love will not be suppressed, however, so I'm taking pleasure in the small things, like this new cushion from H&M (left):



I know, I know, it's only a cushion...hardly something to write home about (in fact I feel a bit daft writing this at all, hence the name of this post!). But I just love it, and think it goes perfectly with this pink Cath Kidston cushion (which brings out my inner five year old) and the dark grey of our Ikea sofa.

British jewellery brand Cinderela B have launched a Christmas blogger competition, with first prize being £100 to spend on any items on their site. Their jewellery is gorgeous, so I couldn't say no! The competition is to create your ultimate party outfit, complete with your favourite piece from Cinderela B.

It's the first of December which officially means the countdown to Christmas has begun (is it me or has it come round reeeally quickly this year - or am I just getting old?!)

The shops are packed full of Christmas goodies, but as much as I love shopping, trekking around the shops at this time of year can be a bit of a nightmare. That's why somewhere like House of Fraser is my go-to for Christmas shopping - great brands and everything you need under one roof.

Since it's 2012 and we've gone all techy, I thought I'd leave my wishlist for Father Christmas on here (I hear he's a big fan of the blogging scene)

We're at that time again when the entire world seems to stop and wait with baited breath for the announcement of the US presidential elections. It's quite scary really, how the outcome of a vote in one country can affect the rest of the globe.

By no means am I an expert on American politics (or British politics...or any politics for that matter) but in my opinion Obama has done a great job and I really hope that he gets voted in again. I get the impression that a lot of our cousins across the pond blame Obama for not being the miracle worker that they all thought he was going to be. Guysss, he's human, and he has had to spend a lot of his time cleaning up all the mess that George Bush created. We've made one step forward; let's not take two back.

So today, I'm urging my sisters in the States to do the right thing. Even if it is just for this fab little video.

If you read my previous post, you'll know that I was moaning about the difficulty of finding a flat in London. So good news readers, we've found one! We're moving in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait to move in and properly settle into our new London life.

It also means that my weekends are no longer taken up trawling through Rightmove and looking round rubbish flats at extortionate prices. I took full advantage of that this weekend, and hot-footed it to the Saatchi gallery to see Chanel's Little Black Jacket exhibition before it ends next Sunday. It didn't disappoint, and neither did my cheeky little shopping trip afterwards. I bought this great top from Whistles for the bargain price of £35 in the sale, and jumper at the newly-opened Brandy Melville on King's Road.

Adam and I also enjoyed a great meal at Le Mercury on Upper Street (great value, great food - definitely recommended!) before a night out in Shoreditch. Safe to say today was a day of recovery, but at least we celebrated our flat finding in style!

Good evening readers!

I recently reached 200 GFC followers (and have since exceeded this) and I just can't believe it. I started this blog at the start of 2012, and never thought that anyone outside my family (well, no one inside my family for that matter) would read it, never mind follow and post such lovely comments!

So to show my appreciation I have decided to host a giveaway...although I have no idea what to actually include in the prize. I know a lot of giveaways normally include beauty products but as this blog doesn't really focus on beauty, I don't really want to do that.

Is there anything that you would like to see included? What do you like to get out of a giveaway? I'm thinking maybe a sort of  'goodie bag' with some of my favourite things...any thoughts? Much appreciated!

• Grease and line a baking tin, and set the oven to Gas mark 4/180 C/350 F
• Melt the margarine in a pan over a low heat, then pour into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar and vanilla essence
• Beat the eggs in a cup or small bowl, then slowly add to the rest of the mixture, mixing them in well
• Sift in the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Mix well
• Pour the mixture into the tin, smoothing it with a knife or back of a spoon
• Bake for 40 minutes. To check that they're done, stick a fork in and it should come out clean
• Leave them to cool for about 10 minutes then lift the paper (along with brownies) out of the tin, and cut into squares
• Enjoy with a cup of tea!

Let me know if you try the recipe and if you want more food posts on the blog!

There's nothing quite like getting a package through the door, and on Saturday morning this one landed on my doormat.