Christmas Galore at Barton Grange





It's Christmas next week and so in keeping with all things festive I paid a visit to Barton Grange, the 'Destination Garden Centre of the Year 2016!'
If you've never been before then you probably don't know this, but Barton Grange is famous in Preston for its beautiful Christmas displays. You'd have to see them all in person to appreciate just how so but I did attempt to take some photos just for all of you. Scroll on for my Barton Grange photo gallery.


Baubles anyone? I opted for this colour scheme on our work Christmas tree,




I love a good nativity scene and this one had all the children crowding around. My nephew asked if the sheep was real! :)




There were many extravagant decorations and ornaments to chose from like this reindeer below. Isaac was most intrigued by the antlers. 







If you haven't finished your Christmas shopping then they also sell some super pretty gift ideas.




Those who are partial to a scented candle will love this display below. And yes they do smell as amazing as they look! 

The red and gold themed Christmas tree was my personal favourite. I like traditional decorations for home.







Each display has been given a set colour theme and an apt name. Whether you prefer Mistletoe Kiss, Winter Rose, Amaryllis Fantasy or Royal Poinsettia to name a few, you're bound to find a theme to suit your taste. 










If you're taking kids, be sure to check out their huge Christmas advent calendar!




I'm sure the big kids will love the snow globe too!




And when you've finished perusing, why not try The Riverside Cafe for a spot of lunch?  




There's plenty of car parking but be warned, it was ram packed when we got there for just after lunch time. I'd advise heading out early if you don't like huge crowds.





And that's a wrap. Hope you like my little festive treat. Until next time... xxx





This is not a sponsored post, I just happen to love Barton Grange and wanted to share my pictures with you all. If any of you would like to check out the BG website please click here.


All photos taken with my iPhone SE.
If anyone has any advice as to why my pics come out crystal clear on my phone but not so much once I've transferred them to my blog then I'm all ears! ;)

December Advertisers




Hello all. I hope this week is treating you kindly. I'm in an exceptionally good mood as my car passed it's M.O.T yesterday. Next Friday is my last working day before Christmas and yes I'm counting down the days! Who wouldn't be? I'm looking forward to having some much needed time off to catch up with my reading list.
Today's post is all about my lovely advertisers. Some will be familiar faces, Aimee, Andy and Siobhan have stuck with me for a few months now. Victoria however is new to my sidebar and I'd like you all to give her a huge welcome by popping over to her blog at RetroSnowflakes.
Below you'll find a little bit about each of my lovely advertisers and their links are included should you wish to go stalk their social media sites! :)


New to GirlGoneDreamer this month - 

Retro Snowflakes


Twenty five year old Victoria is from one of my favourite places, Northern Ireland! She's been blogging seriously on Retro Snowflakes for about a year but is still finding her niche. You'll find that most of her posts are about lifestyle and mental health although she does write others too. A self confessed tea drinker she is also a candle loving, gluten free vegetarian with a very sweet tooth. Victoria openly admits to being a Kardashian fan! Click here to read her Christmas Bucket list.







Say hello to these three familiar faces -


Siobhan Marie




You might recognize this twenty seven year old office worker from Leeds and you'd be right to! Siobhan originally featured on GGD in my August advertisers post. Her blog has recently had a bit of a face lift! For starters you'll notice the change in the name, what was originally known as A Handful Of Sparkle is now Siobhan Marie. You'll find that Siobhan blogs about all sorts - literally. Whether that be beauty, candles or homeware, it's her little corner of the internet where anything goes. Click here to read her recent life update.







Aimee Raindrop Writes




What to say about this lovely lady? Well for starters Aimee was probably one of my very first online blogging friends which counts for a lot! She also happens to blog at the fabulous Aimee Raindrop Writes and has featured in my sidebar for quite a few months now. Lover of cats, books and shopping, Aimee is also currently planning her wedding. Check out her blog if you like a bit of everything. You'll come across book reviews, haul posts and even a sex toy review. You can read said post by clicking here.







Andrew Males






Andrew (or Andy as he's more well known) is the author of comedy novel, 26 Miles To The Moon. His debut novel has so far gained high praise and is perfect if you're after an easy, fun read. Andy is a family man but also makes time for the other loves in his life, running, travel and photography. You can find out more about his novel and even watch his fun book trailer by clicking here.










If you would like to feature on GGD then please email me on jamachin07@aol.com
Photographs not my own. Taken from respective blogs/websites.

I am a Gilmore Girl at heart!


Let's Talk: Gilmore Girls







If you haven't heard about the new Gilmore Girls revival by now, then I have only one thing to say to you - hello where have you been?? If however you are - as I am - a huge fan, you'll probably want to get comfy and read on. If you haven't watched all four seasons of the revival, then be warned that this post contains many spoilers.
Firstly, can I please just hold my hands up right now and say to Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, "You cannot leave us like this!"


Sure on the one hand I kind of get it. In fact Amy and Daniel have been down right clever. The revival was written in such a way that we already know what's going to pan out next. History will no doubt repeat itself bar a few changes. But still! We want to see how Rory gets on being a mother. We need to see her get the happy ending with her guy. I'm not going to start something here but come on, we all know who her guy is. But it would be nice to see them get it together right?




I don't know about you lot but I had a love/hate relationship with the revival. For instance, I loved that Luke and Lorelai were still together. Yes? But I hated that Rory's character was reduced to being 'the other woman.' Come on!? She's been there, done that and bought that t-shirt when she got it on with Dean. It was bad enough watching the first time around, her carrying on behind Lindsay's back knowing that she could break up a marriage, but doing it again in her thirties!? And when she has come so far!? No. I didn't approve of this story line. Whether only human or not, we all know that Rory is a better person than this.


Certain scenes were awfully long winded and random. Stars Hollow: The Musical anyone? What even was that and why was it needed? Maybe if Taylor, Luke, Lorelai and a few of the other town members had performed then it might have had more appeal.
Then there was Yale's Life and Death Brigade. Although I completely got the sentiment behind this little reunion, it was the most peculiar thing to ever grace an episode of Gilmore Girls. For a moment I thought my mum had changed the channel and we'd been time warped into an episode of Doctor Who. My mum made me laugh out loud when she asked if I thought Amy had been drinking when she wrote that scene!


I missed the interaction between Lorelai and Sookie. They - to Gilmore Girls - are what Meredith and Christina are to Grey's Anatomy. It was nice to have Sookie appear for the final season but her absence was obviously apparent in the other three.


At times I felt like the script was slightly contrived, as if Amy and Daniel were perhaps trying too hard. But they needn't have worried, Lorelai and co pulled off this revival effortlessly leaving the audience wanting more. I would have liked to have seen more of other old favourite characters though and less unnecessary scenes.




Richard's absence loomed darkly over the whole revival. I don't think anyone would or could disagree with that. Of course it was going to be sad, knowing that the actor who had played him - Edward Herrmann - had tragically passed away in real life. The grieving we witnessed amongst the cast was probably a genuine emotional response. I do think that the whole cast did a fantastic job paying tribute to him.

I loved lots of things about this revival, in fact apart from the negative points I've included in this post, I pretty much loved all of it. Emily's story line for one was fabulous. I actually think after Lorelai, she might be my favourite character now! And Paris was pure Paris. She was everything I was expecting, older yes but still outspoken and funny without meaning to be. As for that scene where she booted the bathroom door in her high heels - pure Paris Geller class! I would have liked to have seen an actual Luke and Lorelai wedding where the whole town and Emily featured, but I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that. Maybe Kiefer Sutherland could actually show up next time too. Ha ha!





And let's talk about that ending. Most loyal Gilmore Girl fans will know that Amy had always wanted to end the original series with those four life changing words. Of course we never found out -until the revival - just what those four words were because Amy had famously left before the last series. If you have forgotten - yeah as if - Rory told Lorelai that she was pregnant. And so the story comes full circle.
No I screamed at the T.V!!!! (Not because of the pregnancy. Rory will make a wonderful mother.) But for it to end with the rest of Rory's life in tatters?! Why?? Lorelai sacrificed so much so that Rory could get an outstanding education and do so much with her life. Chilton anybody? Yale? Rory's dreamed, for years, of travelling the world and becoming the next Christiane Amanpour. So sure, she didn't get the job she wanted. In fact she was struggling to get any writing job in the revival. But so what? Would the Rory Gilmore we have come to know and love have really given up on that dream? I don't think so. Look how hard she fought to keep the Stars Hollow Gazette for pities sake! She volunteered to be the editor and on no pay! I did however like the idea that Rory was to pen a book aptly called 'Gilmore Girls.'

I suppose, to sum up, I felt a tad cheated somewhat. After watching Rory grow all these years, I wanted more for her. But maybe this is how it was always meant to be. Even given all Lorelai's efforts, to nurture, to create a better life/future for her daughter, and even after all Rory's hard work, maybe just maybe Rory was always destined for this. To come back and settle in Stars Hollow and do exactly what she is doing now. Maybe she was always destined to turn into her mum. Which isn't a bad thing I suppose. She is after all, a Gilmore Girl!



Happy Friday, happy weekend and happy December! 

Hope you enjoyed this post. If you're a Gilmore Girls fan then I recommend you check out Jemma of Dorkface's post here.

Lots of love xxx










Photos not my own.
Header taken from : http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/gilmore-girls/feature/a783182/gilmore-girls-reunion-revival-on-netflix-cast-episodes-return-date-everything-you-need-to-know/
Luke and Lorelai: http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Gilmore-Girls-Episodes-What-We-Know-So-Far-About-Season-8-124457.html
Rory and Lorelai Winter: http://www.thisisinsider.com/gilmore-girls-revival-plot-details-spoilers-2016-11

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