Winter: five favourite Instagram accounts

This time of year is one of my favourite times to spend endless hours scrolling through Instagram. I love seeing how people have decorated their house for Christmas, or how they've been for a muddy walk followed by a spot of baking. I get some serious house envy and #futuregoals so it's time to share these accounts with you so you can join in in wishing you had an open fire to light after a wintery walk, leaving your hats and gloves to dry off in front of it. 

1. @lolypopp3
Just look at this feed, doesn't it make you want to cook up a storm of treats in the kitchen and make some dreamy hot chocolates. Or go and find that perfect #bobblehat and find places to pose. 

2. @cookiesncandies
Everything about this feed is perfect- the colours, the content, the captions. Every time a new post appears on my screen I just want to jump into a car and go and find a pretty village to explore

3.@ciderwithrosieblog
As a fellow country bumpkin I like to think I have something in common with this Instagrammer. Her posts are normally something you'd find on Pinterest, so as you can imagine I obsess over her feed. 

4.@emilyquinton
Emily is a user who has set up her own business sharing her skills on how to take beautiful photos and I want to sign up to every single course she runs ever. 

5.@flora.forager
I'm an avid flower lover so when I stumbled across this feed my eyes lit up the room. She creates beautiful botanical arrangements and you all need this on your feed. 

There you have my top five for the winter months. There is nothing better than scrolling down to see pictures of wreaths, freshly baked gingerbread and crisp country landscapes. I'm off to Tesco to buy the food for our Christmas dinner with friends, how exciting!

Hogwarts in the snow

I can finally say I did it. This muggle visited the wizarding world and loved every second of it! I'd been waiting to go for so long, so when I bought it as a Christmas present for Jay (along with making, yes making, Harry Potter Monopoly) I've had a countdown ever since. My inner witch jumped for joy when my alarm went off at 5:45 on Saturday morning, and probably the only time I will be happy to hear my alarm at that time in the morning unless Disney is involved.

Now before I go on to tell you about the wonders of my day, if you don't want anything spoiled stop reading now. This will be the only time I tell you not to read one of my blog posts, but if you've already been or just want to keep reading then you may continue. 

My day began with a very early wake up call, curly hair that dropped after about 10 minutes and a 2 and a half hour train journey divided by a change at Clapham Junction. Not the nicest of stations, and I could have sworn my toes nearly dropped off, but I was on my way to the Harry Potter Studios. The best part of that morning journey was being greeted with snow. Real life precipitated ice falling from the sky. Being a Southampton student, I never see snow even when it's the tiniest bit and Jay has never experienced it since being away in Malaysia, so this just made us even more excited.

Now where to begin...

The journey starts walking through the doors to the Great Hall, yes I walked down the same floor as Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint; fan-girl moment! After listening to one of the guides you're free to begin your adventure into what can only be described as 'Aladdin's Cave' of props, sets, costumes. They recommend 3 hours to complete the tour, but me and Jay took 5 as we like to read everything. But why not. There's so much information to take in, and so many secrets to learn.

Halfway round you're taken to the back-lot, ultimate tourist experience. You'll need to make sure your camera is charged for this part as this where you get to board the night bus, ride Hagrid's motorbike, visit 4 Privet Drive and ultimately have a photo with your Butterbeer mustache! It tastes like a butterscotch cream soda with a dollop of ice cream if any of you are wondering! 

After this you get taken through the creature shop, and learn about all the interesting going ons behind the scenes, and one thing I will say, you will never watch Harry Potter in the same way again. Upon leaving the creature shop, you turn a corner and find yourself down Diagon Alley. From Olivanders Wand Shop to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, you'll want it to never end, and next comes one of the most amazing parts of the whole tour, Hogwarts itself. Don't rush this part, and make sure you look through the screens of information as you'll find out things you never would have dreamed of. Finally after absorbing yourself in Olivander's Wand Shop your tour comes to an end with the gift shop. This will add another half an hour to your journey, and you better have a pocket full of galleons if you're wanting to buy anything! I will admit, we did buy a Marauder's Map, but we couldn't come away empty handed now could we!

We then had a 2 and a half hour journey back, and bed never felt so good, but it was a day and a half, an experience I would recommend to everyone and anyone. And it excites me to say I'm going back again in a month (a raffle prize won by my dad for the family, I couldn't say no to Harry Potter now could I!)

Why Christmas is my favourite of the year...

Now it is officially December I feel I can finally begin to start spreading some Christmas cheer (not like I have been buying presents and watching festive films since the start of November)! Yes, I'm one of those people who gets overly excited at Christmas adverts, store decorations and that first radio play of I wish it could be Christmas everyday. There are so many things that make it the most magical time of the year. 'Like what' you Scrooges may be asking, well look no further...

1. Fairy lights. Fairy lights are acceptable all year round, but not everyone believes that. However, come Christmas time and almost every house has something twinkling in their window.
2. Christmas Trees. We have always had a real Christmas tree, so one of the best parts of the lead up to Christmas is the hour long choosing of the Christmas tree and then of course the decorating (Me and my sister have to alternate who's turn it is to put the angel on top of the tree).
3. Woolly Jumpers. There's nothing nicer then wrapping up in a snug jumper ready to brace the cold winter air.
4. Advent Calenders. Who doesn't want a piece of chocolate every morning for 24/25 mornings?
5. Snow. Now I know it's something that seems will never happen, but there's no harm in wishing for a white Christmas.
6. Family time. There's nothing more precious than spending time with your family.
7. Open Fires. "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" Need I say anymore?
8. Food. Christmas seems to be the one time of year that it's acceptable to eat as much food as you want, because hey, it's Christmas.
9. TV. When the Christmas Radio Times comes out in my house you'll flick through it and all you will see is circles, stars, underlining of all the  Christmas specials that want to be watched or recorded (Normally evokes a  small disagreement when programs clash)
10. Christmas Songs. There's nothing more traditional then having some carol singers knock on your door, or wrapping up presents singing along to The Best Christmas Album Ever.
11. Disney. Disney at Christmas time is just WOW.
12. Presents. I love watching the ones I love open their presents.
13. Mulled Wine and Mince Pies. Why aren't these an all year thing?
14. Ice Skating. You can go ice-skating any time of the year, but outside rinks with Christmas trees in the middle make it that little bit more fun.
15. Santa. The magic of Santa makes everything more enjoyable, especially when you're in the company of younger children.

Now, for all you who still say Bah Humbug after reading that list, go and watch Miracle on 34th Street and get yourself a glass of wine (mulled of course)! For everyone else, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.