Unpacking: December
A month split between chaos and coziness.
December always feels different. It feels like the whole year slows down just enough for you to actually hear yourself think. I went into this month knowing it would be emotional, busy, comforting, and a little chaotic with a mix of family time, travel, food, and trying to keep some kind of balance. It’s also the month where I naturally start reflecting without even realizing I’m doing it. And this time, I felt it even more because we had a big family milestone and a trip I’d been looking forward to. So this unpacking feels a bit fuller, a bit deeper, and very end of year in the best way.
I knew from the start that December wasn’t going to be a normal work month. The first half was already written off because I was flying to London for my Dad’s 70th birthday. And with this trip I knew I had to forget about balancing work, routines, fitness etc. I knew I had to cram four weeks of work into two, which basically meant back to back filming sessions and pushing myself harder than I probably should have.
I was expecting a lot of family time, a lot of food, and also a lot of self control on my part….or so I told myself. And underneath all of that was a little bit of sadness because we were leaving Nico in boarding. We never do more than 10 days and he loves it there, he has the best time, we get videos every day, and yes…we watch him sleeping on the camera like stalkers. He’s my world!
We arrived in London and spent a few days with my sister before we all went straight into Cotswolds mode for my Dad’s 70th…the whole family together under one roof. My sisters, brother, his girlfriend, my parents, brother-in-laws and my sisters dogs. I missed Nico the entire time. If I could fly him with us, he’d be with us everywhere but I refuse to put him in cargo and it’s ridiculously expensive in the cabin…even then you have to keep them in a crate which he’d hate.
Within a day of being there, my body decided to react. I got so inflamed and puffy, especially under the eyes…and it stayed like that for the entire trip. And any hopes of eating clean were gone. My diet became fish and chips, a random KFC during the drive, Wagamama’s, pub meals, red wine, and one night of home cooked food. Basically, everything I told myself I wouldn’t eat.
My sisters and I did our usual DIY photoshoot session like we always do when we’re together. And my Dad had no idea where we were taking him, the whole trip was a surprise, and he was so happy. I still can’t believe he’s 70. I’ll always be a daddy’s girl at heart.
I also met my brother’s girlfriend for the first time. She blended right in, which is not easy with my family because we are pretty loud. Add the brother-in-laws and the noise level doubles.
Coming back home the jetlag hit me hard. It took a full week to feel normal again, not just physically but also mentally…getting back on track with meals, routine, and workouts. But once I settled, December started to feel calm and comforting. I love this time of year. And having Nico back home was honestly the best part of the entire month. He definitely missed us too.
Christmas was warm and cosy…just how I like it. Hubby, Nico and me….movies, food, board games and maybe some jigsaw puzzles and lego thrown in.
Before we headed out to Cotswolds we also did a Bicester Village trip and tried Humble Crumble for the first time. It lived up to the hype. We took extra home for later which kind of threw us over the edge…wasn’t a good idea.
The Cotswolds trip gave me something I didn’t know I needed. It felt like we were all back under one roof, how things were when we lived at home growing up. I cooked my mac’n’cheese and bolognese, and I think it was the simple moments like cooking together, laughing, dancing, eating….that are the things that stay with you.
My sister organized the most perfect pub lunches and dinners. It felt like an early Christmas for us. I know a lot of people say that you can’t choose the family you have, but I’d honestly choose them…we all get on so well, have so much fun and that’s rare.
Christmas itself this year was so cozy, simple and warm. Food, games, movies, and just being present. And honestly, I loved having two Christmases this year…one with my family in the Cotswolds, and one at home with my own little family.
I officially started with my new PT, Jasmine. She’s UK based but I managed to meet her while she was in Dubai a couple of months ago, which made it easier to commit because I just liked her energy, her approach, and shes ripped! She understood my back issues and was realistic about when I should start.
We agreed that beginning properly after London was the best plan. So now I’m settled into the routine and it feels good to have someone checking in.
I also squeezed in a Reformer Pilates class with my sister in Surrey, her local studio, which was a great session. And since being back home, I’ve been mixing gym days with mat Pilates.
Honestly, I don’t have anything major to rant about this month. Overall, I had a really good month. December felt full…in a good way, and I’m choosing to hold onto that.
I finally bought the Hermès Bouncing sneakers I’ve wanted forever. They’re worth it…comfortable and easy to style. I also grabbed an oversized Timberland sweatshirt from Bicester that I’ve basically lived in since. And an Anine Bing sweatshirt that was on sale on Farfetch…so good with leggings. Maybe leggings are back…and honestly…I’m here for it.
I’m fixated on finding a pair of ballet style sneakers. Not the chunky ones…something simple, sleek, easy to wear. The Miu Miu ones weren’t comfortable, the Prada version was much nicer but my size was out.
I also need a pair of good, baggy casual jeans. I checked American Eagle and the fits were nice, but the sizing was all over the place. I got annoyed and walked out.
I’ve accepted that I cannot warm up to people who have been toxic towards me in the past. Some people change, yes….but some either don’t or you know they never will. Especially if their whole personality used to revolve around jealousy, bitterness, or negativity. I know what energy I want in my life now, and I’m very intentional about keeping distance from anything else.
I’m loving the Refy Blur + Hydrate Primer right now, it works with every foundation and smoothes the skin without going too matte or too slippery.
I’m also reaching for the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Contour Duo in Medium more than usual this month.
And yes, I’m still obsessed with the COSRX 6 Peptide Serum. It’s calming, it works, and a few of you who bought it understand exactly what I mean now.
We watched The Abandons and it’s so good. Other than that, December has been all about Christmas movies and some old classics, the kind they don’t really make anymore. If you have any movie or series suggestions that are new, but made like how they used to make them in the early 2000’s then drop them in the comments!
That’s December wrapped up, and with it, the end of another year. It’s been a full year of writing these ‘Unpacking’ newsletters, and I genuinely love that I now have this little archive of my life, month by month. One day I’ll look back at these with so much gratitude for the memories, the growth, the small details I would’ve forgotten otherwise. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them. I’d love to know how you felt about this series and if it’s something you want me to keep going. I’m walking into the new year feeling grateful, for my family, for the progress I’ve made, for a clearer mindset, and for this community. Thank you for being here. Let’s see what the next year brings.
Until next month…
The Best Hydrating Concealers and Why They Matter More After 40
As we get older, concealer becomes less about heavy coverage and more about the right texture. A formula that looked amazing in your 20s or 30s can start settling into lines, clinging to dryness, or making the under eye area look flat, dull and tired. Hydration makes the biggest difference. When the formula is flexible and moves with the skin instead of sitting on top of it, you get coverage that looks natural, smooth and fresh throughout the day, not dry or creased.
It really does help when you share my newsletters! I’m on a mission to grow The Beauty Breakfast Club community and it would mean the world if you could share this with whoever you feel could do with joining us! 🫶🏽
If you want to read about anything specific, feel free to leave a comment - I’d love a bit of inspo from you!