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opening chapter twelve – hello december

1th December 2022
As we open chapter twelve and say hello to December, I thought I'd share my goals and plans for the final month of the year...
Chapter twelve. Wrapped in magic. ’Tis the season, at last.  High streets buzz. Porches glow. Rustic wreathes hang from doors. Bushy trees. Baubles pirouette on branches up high. Deck the halls. Who am I kidding? Deck every room! Homemade gifts. Hampers full. A time to give, wish, receive. Fragrant orange, rich cinnamon and clove warm the air. Frost falls. Fields glisten. We cross our fingers for snow! Robins weave amongst holly. Berries bright. Mistletoe. Under candlelight, choirs sing carols late into the night. Mulled wine warms on stoves. Anticipation. Delight. Home for Christmas. Far and wide, families gather and feast. Cracker jokes. All the trimmings. Champagne pours. Bottoms up! Time stands still. What day is it? Pause and reflect. Bracing walks. Lazy days. Another box set? No regrets! Final countdowns. 3,2,1. Cheers to what’s been, what’s to come. Close the chapter. A year’s worth of lessons live on…
Though I do my upmost best to embrace the beauty that comes hand-in-hand with each season, the magic that’s wrapped up in December is impossible to ignore.
With that in mind, I have a strong suspicion that many of you, like me, have been patiently waiting for chapter twelve all year! 

Whether it’s the way neighbourhoods come together to marvel at Christmas lights; the delicious recipes that come into their own at this time of year; or the way ‘that feeling’ hits you out of nowhere and makes you feel utterly festive when Mariah and Michael come on; I’m forever in awe of Chapter Twelve’s traditions and the hope and happiness they always bring.

Of course, December also heralds the start of Christmas with the Millen-Gordon’s… 

With episode one going live this evening I’ll have you know! 

Over the coming weeks, I invite you to join Ali, Porter, Berkeley, Lumi and I, as we prepare for the season’s festivities and fun! Tonight I’ll be revealing our Christmas decorations and in the coming weeks taking you along to everything from our team Christmas party to festive trips.

Not to mention behind the scenes as we prep away merrily for the big day. 

Like so many of you, December is also my busiest time of year. 

With that in mind, I encourage you to pay attention to your energy levels over the coming weeks, if you too – like me – have lots of loose ends to tie up before the holidays. I also encourage you to try and focus on the present as much as possible (which is easier said than done at times, I know!) With so many distractions in the form of Christmas shopping lists, invitations and pressures to entertain, it’s easy to blink and Christmas Day has been and gone.  

With that in mind, I try and make a conscious effort to pay attention to the day-to-day magic that only comes around at this time of year.

Think frosty white fields that glisten in the icy cold mornings, the unmistakable smell of clove, cinnamon and orange that toasts the air, and the simple joy that sipping your first mulled wine brings.

#heaven

In other news, I’ve made no secret about the fact that I find the dark, winter nights comforting – An excuse to retreat, cosy up and hibernate for a while. Especially now that the Christmas trees are (finally!) up and their heartwarming light glows late into the night. That being said, I can appreciate that for so many, the shorter days can be hard. Which is why Winter Solstice on 21st December is a much welcomed Christmas treat in my book. Not only does it always offer a spectacular sunrise, its arrival marks the fact that lighter days are ahead. 

A fact that offers so much hope if you ask me…

Finally, as the year comes to an end, the last days of December offer a welcomed opportunity to rest and reflect. Personally, I try and look back at the year’s highlights and find time across the holidays to truly let my hair down and celebrate.

After all, if you can’t celebrate at Christmas, when can you eh!?

I also use that funny week between Christmas and New Year as a welcomed opportunity to reflect on what the past twelve months have taught me and set intentions for the year ahead with those learnings in mind.

Whether you’re having a quiet Christmas at home or are travelling to see friends and family, Ali and I with you a very Merry December ahead and all the love, luck and positivity for 2023 and beyond. I’m so grateful for all of your support this year and I am so excited to see what the next twelve months have in store for us all.

Merry Christmas everyone – let’s make it a special one!
Lydia xx

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  • Kat
    11th December 2022 at 8:05 pm

    Hi Lydia!
    In a previous vlog you mentioned a book you enjoyed that I think was about a garden? It sounded like non-fiction, could you tell me what book it was?

    Merry Christmas!

    John 3:16

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Everything feels a little more optimistic as March begins don’t you think?
It’s the start of spring in my book Evergreen shortly followed by the spring equinox so there’s ample time to prepare, nest and refresh. 
The light returns, hello March 🌱
There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad weather attire 💧
A little indulgence from my comfort of my own home thanks to INCREDIBLE @kmp_skin and @freshbeauty Ad 
for the launch of the new Lotus Youth Preserve Resurfacing dream serum which is a gentle AHA serum with prickly pear flower extract said to boost radiance and it was so lovely to be treated to a first trial to get a very first impression of the serum thanks to KMP and her magic hands. I’ve literally never had a facial like it!
The plum tree in our garden is always the first blossom to erupt at this time of year narrowly beating the much loved aubretia that grows in abundance through our old garden wall. As soon as is acceptable I’m out with my secateurs ready to fill vases and prickly jars with its delicate confetti like blooms 🌸
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