natjtan I hope you’re having a great weekend! I was meant to start wrapping Christmas presents and those cards I wish I didn’t have to do but are expected this weekend. In true Nat style everything’s sitting unwrapped and unwritten before my last self imposed shipping day next Wednesday. I seem to work better with a little bit of pressure, leaving things to the last minute. I think my Mum’s the same. I still have to find an outfit for next week’s Buff Epic Run a costume, untimed obstacle race. I’ve had about 6 weeks already to come up with an idea. No pressure.
In keeping with last minute, I’m writing this late Sunday evening. Weekend Friday Favourites, things that have made me smile this week or caught my eye. Please share in the comments below what’s been making you smile recently or caught your eye!
So Free Vegan Non Dairy Advent Calendar
I had too! It’s non dairy! You’re never too old for an advent calender especially a chocolate one. Last weekend I went to my back up organic shop looking for kale and left with kale and an advent calender. It’s as rich as a dairy one and I know like every December after the 25th I’ll miss my morning square of chocolate.
Oysho Fluffy Snuggly Lounge Socks
I’m on a self imposed no clothes shopping ban until after the 6th January when the sales start here (6th January or Kings Day is the main festive gift giving day in Spain). Underwear doesn’t count! I usually get a few winters wear out my house or lounge clothes apart from fluffy snuggly socks. Oysho, as always has the nicest fluffy snuggly socks and this year’s don’t disappoint.
Cats, Blankets, Scarves and Gilets
AJ (the ginger and white) has never liked proper cat beds preferring to ‘rough’ it or use what every improvised cat bed I make. This year it’s a warm scarf placed in a circle on the bed giving him a little more heat retention thanks to the high sides. I had no intention of giving him a favourite scarf. Sorting my scarves out I wrapped one around him on the bed and he didn’t move so it’s stayed. Diesel (the black) loves any type of bed, cat or human improvised. He also loves nicking AJ’s warm spots. I’m not sure if AJ’s getting more tolerant as he gets older or wanted the heat, but I’ve noticed them sharing more bed space, which always makes me smile! They also like my gilet I wear during day for an extra layer of warmth. As they like my puffer coats, they get my gilet when I leave.
Sunrises
Sunsets
I initially thought this was a mask not cleanser, I think from confusing the word glow and Glam Glow masks. Duh! Sephora Spain has started stocking Pixie, a cruelty free, naturalish brand that I’ve since found out I could have tired earlier on iherb.com. When I reread the label properly and found it’s cleanser I’ve been using as part of triple cleanse in the evenings and have noticed my blackheads have lessened considerable with my skin craving it on days I don’t use it. I mainly use it if I’ve been to the centre or after a sweaty HITT workout after oil cleansing and before foam cleansing. You massage it on for 30 seconds before rinsing. It’s also great for when I can’t be bothered to do a clay mask without the after clay dry feeling. The only thing I don’t like about it is it’s smell. Like old grandma make up. 
Shape Magazine Barre Dancing Lunges
I’m keen to take a barre class and get my bum kicked, however for now Shape Magazine Barre and Studio Tone It Up barre workouts are giving me a taster. These look easy but when keeping alignment and imaging elongating everything like a ballerina you really feel them in last few reps in the booty!
Barcelona Bans Horse Drawn Carriages 
From June 2018! This makes me so happy! I always feel for the horses with busy traffic and their blinders. Each year I’ve noticed fewer and fewer horse drawn carriages and I’m happy this council has banned them. The city a few years ago also banned the small pet stalls along Las Ramblas. They mainly sold hamsters and rabbits, but I can’t imagine how traumatic it must have been for them locked up at night with a busy road with night revellers and not to mention the place packed during the day.
Internet Finds (mostly BBC finds again. Opps)
Stray ‘killer’ cat makes EMS station her new home. The Dodo, YouTube
A coal worker’s unlikely career change. BBC News
The avocado police protecting Mexico’s green gold. BBC News
Why you sometimes have to quit to win. BBC Capital
Major fishing nations agree Artic moratorium. BBC News. Great news for the Artic and polar bears.
Motorway PC stops van from falling off a bridge. BBC News
How credit cards changed the way we spend. BBC News
Ice age caves discovered underneath the city of Montreal. BBC News
Man saves rabbit from California wildfires. BBC News
What’s been making you smile recently? Have a great week!