beauty

Blogmas Day 12: Have a Lush Christmas!

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One of my favourite things about Christmas is the festive ranges brands release, the limited edition gift sets, but most of all, Lush’s Christmas range! Lush have really brought their A game this year, with so many new products to try! I could have taken home the whole store, but its Christmas and I have presents to buy, and not for myself! So here’s what I picked up from my local Lush store;

Shoot For the Stars Bath Bomb

I have used this bath bomb a couple of times and can’t resist picking one up when they return. Shoot For The Stars smells of delicious honey, not overpowering, but extremely soothing. Once in the bath it turns the water a gorgeous turquoise colour, and as with many Lush products, it has a surprise in store for your bath. As Shoot For The Stars does its job, it releases small gold stars which are bath melts filled with essential oils. If you haven’t tried this bath bomb yet, I would recommend adding it to your to-buy list, you won’t look back!

Star Light Star Bright Bath Melt

This was a completely new buy for me, so I couldn’t wait to try it out! On appearances, I thought this bath melt would give my bath a little shimmer at best, but I was wrong. Star Light Star Bright melts into a beautiful mix of pastel colours, before settling on a lavender colour. I love the bath melts from Lush, they are always so moisturising and your skin always feels so silky for hours afterwards! Be warned, this bath melt is super glittery, which I absolutely loved as it just screams Christmas!

Snow Fairy Shower Gel & Body Conditioner

This shower gel doesn’t need much of an introduction as it’s a firm favourite with most Lushies, me included! For those of you that haven’t tried any of the Snow Fairy products yet, put it on your to-do list. The Snow Fairy range smells of candyfloss, a scent which stays on your skin way after your shower, and it is divine! I picked up the shower gel, which has a slight shimmer to it, and the body conditioner.

I’m still fairly new to the world of Lush’s Body Conditioners, but I am definitely converted. If, like me, you can be super lazy sometimes most of the time and really cannot be bothered moisturising after your bath/shower, this product has got you covered. You can apply the body conditioners to damp skin and rinse it off, and that is it, you are moisturised and can slither into your Pj’s!

Rockstar Soap

I’m not big on using blocks of soap, but when they look and smell this good, how can I say no? To me, Rock Star smells of a sweet shop, with its light but sweet vanilla scent. I always find Lush soaps to lather really well, and again I find the scent stays on my skin long after I’ve showered. I think I’m going to pair this with the Snow Fairy Body Conditioner for a super sweet bath!

Snow Angel Bath Melt

I am all about the glittery products; the more glitter the better for me and that is why I pick this bath melt every year. The Snow Angel dissolves into a creamy, white ‘snow’, whilst also releasing the gold shimmer on the bottom of the melt. The bath looks so Christmassy once is has fully melted, and leaves the water smelling sweet. If you don’t mind a little glitter in your tub, you will love this product.

The Snowman Bubbleroon

This bubbleroon is so adorable I almost don’t want to use it! I couldn’t resist picking one up after reading the description on the Lush website, he is a little Lush Olaf. This bubbleroon is a combination of lemon, cocoa, and shea butter, which sounds like an absolute dream already. I cannot wait to use it!

 

Products I wished I’d picked up but didn’t and may be going back to get include the Magic Wand Bubble Bar, Christmas Sweater Bath Bomb, Santa’s Belly Shower Jelly,  and Santa’s Christmas Shower Gel, to name a few!

What have you picked up from Lush’s Christmas Range? Let me know below!

Lifestyle

Blogmas Day 10: Christmas Would You Rathere

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I’ve always loved the game ‘Would You Rather’,  it can be a hilarious game depending on the questions, and can help you get to know someone. Thank you so much for tagging me Cassie from ZombieGoddess Beauty I really enjoyed writing my answers for this tag!

Here are my answers to Cassie’s questions:

Have a seasonal latte or a seasonal hot chocolate?

Ooh I like both but hot chocolate has the edge for me, especially with cream and marshmallows!

Have an angel or star on top of your tree?

Both are pretty but we have an angel on ours this year!

Build a snowman or make snow angels?

Build a snowman, and not just so I can sing the song from Frozen…okay maybe a little bit for that reason.

Go sledding or skiing/snowboarding?

Sledding! It’s so much fun, although I have never done either of the other two.

Dress up for Christmas or spend all day in your PJs?

We don’t spend Christmas at my house; we go to my aunties, so it’d have to be dress up! I think I’d get too cold wandering around in my pj’s, although it sounds like an absolute dream!

Open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas Day, I’m a bit  traditional that way, I just feel like it makes it a bit more exciting.

Have turkey or ham for Christmas dinner?

Breaking the rules of this tag but I’ll have to say neither! I’m a pescatarian, so it’ll be fish or something vegetarian for me.

Have a warm sunny Christmas or a white snow Christmas?

White snowy Christmas so it’s like something out of an actual Michael Buble song.

Make gifts or buy gifts? 

I wish I was creative enough to make gifts, but I’m definitely a buyer! Although a do love buying handmade gifts for Christmas, Etsy is a god send for unique pieces!

Be surprised or know your gifts?

Be surprised! I love not knowing what I’ve got, it makes it so much more exciting!

Spend Christmas at home or spend Christmas on a vacation?

Christmas at home, I could never imagine being anywhere else for it, although I have always wanted to go to New York (who doesn’t?!), could make an exception for that.

Decorate the outside of your house or decorate the inside of your house?

Inside of the house so it’s all cosy and festive, I seriously don’t want to take our tree down once it’s all over!

I tag…

Leighanne

Jen

Ellie 

Sonja

The Questions…

Have a seasonal latte or a seasonal hot chocolate?

Have an angel or star on top of your tree?

Build a snowman or make snow angels?

Go sledding or skiing/snowboarding?

Dress up for Christmas or spend all day in your PJs?

Open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Have turkey or ham for Christmas dinner?

Have a warm sunny Christmas or a what snow Christmas?

Make gifts or buy gifts?

Be surprised or know your gifts?

Spend Christmas at home or spend Christmas on a vacation?

Decorate the outside of your house or decorate the inside of your house?

Lifestyle · Uncategorized

Blogmas Day 9: My Christmas Bucket List

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Like many of you, I am one hundred percent a list girl, I don’t think I would get anything done without them! I love writing goal lists, to-do lists, packing lists, but one thing I have never written is a bucket list. Well that is no more! I’ve wrote everything I want to do over Christmas, some may be a little questionable this year *ahem* New York, but a girl can dream right? Here’s my December bucket list:

  • Go Ice Skating
  • Watch as many Christmas movies as possible
  • Go to an Ice Bar
  • Spend Christmas in New York (I’m waiting…)
  • Make Terry’s Chocolate Orange cookies
  • Have a mulled wine…or two…or thr-
  • Eat a crepe from the Christmas market
  • Try Eggnog (Nope I’ve never had it!)
  • Have a Pyjama day
  • Have all my Christmas presents wrapped before the 23rdDance to Christmas music
  • See a Christmas movie in the cinema
  • Winter walks
  • Read Christmas books
  • Play board games
  • Decorate a Christmas Tree
  • Make a snowman

What is on your bucket list for this Christmas? I’d love to read your lists too, leave any links or comments below!

Lifestyle

Blogmas Day 8: My Festive Playlist

Nothing makes me feel more festive than Christmas music, it really is the best! Feeling sad? Listen to some Christmas music. Had a bad day? Christmas music. You’re the only one feeling festive? You got it, Christmas music! It just makes everything that bit better, so with that in mind, I thought I’d share my festive playlist with you all, including all the classics and some more recent favourites, enjoy!

 

What are your favourite Christmas songs? Let me know below!

Lifestyle

Blogmas Day 7: The Christmas Tag

18 more sleeps left to go! So with that in mind, today’s post is The Christmas Tag! I’m sure you will have seen quite a few of these posts over the last week, and they are really fun to do! If you would like to use any of these questions, feel free and tag me to so I can read your answers too!

What is your favourite Christmas movie?

My favourite Christmas movie has to be Miracle on 34th Street for sure! I grew up watching it and have loved it ever since. The plot will give you all the magical feels, plus it is set in New York, what is not to love? To me it is the perfect Christmas film. My second favourite would have to be Elf. Will Ferrell has me in stitches as an overgrown elf running around New York City spreading Christmas cheer. I could happily watch Christmas films all year to be honest!

What is your favourite Christmas song?

Wham – Last Christmas would have to be my first choice, it just makes me feel really Christmassy, plus I love Wham! My second favourite would have to be Baby its Cold Outside- Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews.

What are your Christmas Eve Traditions?

On Christmas Eve I will already have travelled back to North Wales with my boyfriend, and we will go for a meal with my family early evening. Once we’re home we are allowed to open one present each, although my mum has to pick which one it is! We’ll have a Bailey’s, play some board games and then head to bed, ready for an early start with my little sister.

What is your favourite festive food?

This is a tough one! I’d have to say Baked Camembert with bread, cucumber and carrot sticks to dip in, and of course, the actual Christmas dinner.

Which Christmas candle will you be lighting this year?

Candy Cane Lane by Yankee Candle, it smells incredible! I also really like All is Bright this year, it smells so Christmassy!

What is on top of your tree?

On top of our tree is a gorgeous, little silver fairy from my nana.

 

What is the best thing about Christmas?

The time spent with family, you really can’t beat it. I also love seeing people’s faces when they un-wrap their gifts, it is the best.

Favourite Christmas scent?

Anything peppermint! I also really love the smell of Mulled Wine.

What is your go-to festive drink?

Either Mulled Wine or  Baileys mint hot chocolate.

Favourite Christmas memory?

It’s difficult to narrow them down, but I would have to say the year we went sledging. Everywhere was covered in thick snow, so my mum, auntie, cousin and I went up to an old castle on a hill (cue Ed Sheeran filling your brain) and spent the afternoon sledging. It was so much fun, I wish we could have snow every year!

If you could spend Christmas anywhere where would you spend it?

New York of course! It is my favourite place on earth. I follow a few instagram accounts which keep posting the Rockafella Centre and its tree…and oh my god get me on a plane now! It looks so magical and do not even get me started on Time Square!

Favourite Christmas book?

It Started with a Kiss by Miranda Dickinson, it is such a feel good read!

Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

Our tree is fake unfortunately! With us living in an apartment we just wouldn’t have the space for a real tree, but when we move into a house we are definitely getting a real one for our first Christmas there!

Best present you have ever received?

I don’t think I can actually pick just one; I have received so many lovely presents over the years! I’ve had some lovely Pandora charms from my dad, one being a boat because he works away on boats. Also my mum bought me a beautiful Kate Spade necklace last year, which had a cut out of New York on it, I wear the charms and the necklace pretty much every day! I could write many more which have all been lovely, but this post will have to come to an end!

What is your Christmas jumper like?

This year my jumper will be inspired by one of my favourite TV shows, Stranger Things, but instead my jumper says ‘Christmas Things’. I swear it will be all I wear up until Christmas.

What is on your festive to-do list?

Ice skating, baking, more Christmas markets and a glass of mulled wine or two!

 

Looking forward to reading your Christmas tags!

Lifestyle

Blogmas Day 6: 40 Gift Ideas for Him

Is there anything better than gifting? Whether you’re relaxing on the sofa, chucking things into different baskets on your open tabs, or dashing round the shops in Supermarket Sweep style, there’s always an element of excitement buying something you know someone else will love. This feeling comes to a bit of a standstill for me when I get to men’s gifts, I mean, they buy everything they need when they need it right? Whereas us girls could happily sit in a room piled high with Yankee candles and still debate if we needed more!

Well don’t stress because I have put together some of my favourite gift ideas for men, which dare I say, he might actually like? Something you will like is that they are all under £50!

Personal favourites from the post are the Personalised Location Cuff links , I actually bought a pair of these for my boyfriend for Christmas last year and he loved them! They are really unique and you can choose places that are special to you both.

Also H&M’s fleece robe  which looks super cosy and is also available in plum, the Stranger Things phone case  (Doesn’t have to just be for him!), and Molton Brown’s Luxury Men’s Collection, you cannot really go wrong with something like this!

  1. Personalised Location Cuff links, £25
  2. Stranger Things Phone Case, £13.70 (including postage)
  3. Personalised Favourite Song Sound Wave Print, £30
  4. Braun Series 3 3000 Rechargeable Electric Shaver, £39.99
  5. Gameboy Heat Change  Mug, £9.05
  6. Hugo Boss Bottled Gift Set, £45
  7. Precious Support Time Bauble, £9.95
  8. Flannel Loungpants, £42.95
  9. Molton Brown Luxury Men’s Bathing Collection, £25
  10. Where’s Wookie? Book, £5.24
  11. Shawl Collar Cardigan, £24.99
  12. Beard Care Kit, £35
  13. Large Chocolate Hamper, £35
  14. Knit Gloves, £12.99
  15. Nando’s Trio Sauce Set, £16
  16. Personalised Men’s Leather Wallet, £42
  17. Superhero Saviours Gift Pack, £17.99
  18. Zara Check Shirt, £25.99
  19. Moccasin Slippers, £10
  20. ASOS Smart Brown Holdall, £35
  21. Fleece Robe, £34.99
  22. Red Check Scarf, £15
  23. Giorgio Armani Mini Aftershave Set, £29.99
  24. Walking Dead Colouring Book, £10.66
  25. Wireless Headphones, £32.99
  26. R2-D2 Slippers, £11.99
  27. Chunky-Soled Boots, £39.99
  28. Khaki Mixed Panel Jumper, £32
  29. L’Occitan Voyage Collection, £19
  30. Kilner Barrel Dispenser, £20
  31. Yankee Candle, £9.80
  32. Kiehls Facial Fuel Favourites Gift Set, £30.50
  33. Ted Baker Wash Bag, £45
  34. Topman Christmas Socks, £3.50
  35. Thunder Toffee Vodka, £22.99
  36. Lonely Plant’s Atlas of Adventure, £24.99
  37. Guardians Galaxy Vol.2 Vinyl Record, £25
  38. Grey Spot Tie, £12
  39. Ho Ho Ho Socks, £3.50
  40. Abercrombie and Fitch T-shirt, £21
Lifestyle · Uncategorized

Blogmas Day 5: 40 Gift Ideas For Her

I don’t know about you but no matter how much Christmas shopping I have done, I always feel under prepared. It’s always a case of ‘Have I forgotten anyone?’, ‘Will they like it?’, ‘Have I remembered everything on my list?!’, there’s always just that niggling doubt. With less than three weeks left until Christmas (LESS THAN THREE WEEKS!), I thought I’d put together a little gift guide for the ladies in your life, the best part is, everything is under £50!

My personal favourite from the list are the Wanderlust and Co Zodiac Necklaces (£41.27), they are so dreamy! I’m also loving Emma Warren’s festive sweater, perfect if you want a stylish low key alternative to a Christmas jumper.

In all honesty, I could quite happily buy all of this gift guide, but must resist, I still have presents to buy! But just look at that Oliver Bonas mug, super hard to resist at £10!

So whether you’re treating yourself (cause you obviously can’t buy presents without treating yourself too) or someone else, you’re sure to find a bargain in this guide!

 

  1. Star Dress, £27.99
  2. Jacquard Scarf, £25.99
  3. Shadescents Kit, £30
  4. Blue Glitter Boots, £32.99
  5. Marc Jacobs Decadence Perfume 30ml, £41.65
  6. Zodiac Necklace, £28.95
  7. Tres Bien Jumper, £19.99
  8. Personalised Drinks Print, From £10
  9. Balloon Sleeved Cardigan, £36
  10. Espresso Martini Pyjamas, £17.99
  11. Embellished Cross Body Bag, £39
  12. Candy Cane Lane Candle, £25
  13. Rose Gold Tassel Earrings, £8.99
  14. Rainbow Pleated Midi Skirt, £34
  15. Smokey Obsessions Palette, £25
  16. Stranger Things Tee, £13.99
  17. Mulled Wine Mug, From £24.95
  18. Cardholder, £4.99
  19. Creature Comforts Gift Pack, £14.99
  20. Always Pendant, £25
  21. Zodiac Mug, £4.99
  22. NASA Tee, £28
  23. Star Cross Body Bag, £20
  24. Personalised Star Makeup Bag, £16
  25. Squirrel Gloves, £14
  26. Eyeshadow in Pagent £7.50
  27. Personalised Makeup Brush Pot, £15
  28. Sex & The City Tee, £19.99
  29. Bear Dressing Gown, £18
  30. Happiness Planner, £20
  31. Molton Brown Gift Collection, £39
  32. Black Tartan Scarf, £20
  33. Wanderlust Bangle, £41.27
  34. Hello Gorgeous Mug, £10
  35. Most Wonderful Time of the Year Sweatshirt, £26
  36. Mini Diffuser Set, £15
  37. Me Time, £18
  38. Sculpting Palette, £24
  39. Pink Glitter Purse, £20
  40. Complete Bliss Candle, £30

 

Lifestyle

Blogmas Day 4: Last Minute Secret Santa Ideas

So you’ve finally got to that point where your Christmas shopping looks like it’s finally coming to an end, you can relax, have a mulled wine and just enjo- oh wait, you’ve forgotten your Secret Santa’s present! Nothing like a last minute panic just when you thought you were finished! But fear not, if you’re stuck for ideas or are pushed for time, I’ve got you covered with Secret Santa gifts for all budgets!

For Her £5 and Under

 

  1. Christmas Eve Bubble Bar, £3.95
  2. Candy Cane Mountain Soap, £2.99
  3. Soap & Glory Get a Smooth On, £5
  4. Initial Coasters, £2.50
  5. Candy Cane Socks, £3.50

For Her- £10 and Under

  1. Hanging Cinema Lightbox, £8
  2. NYX Cosmic Metals Eyeshadow Palette, £8
  3. Woven Scarf, £8.99
  4. Gin & Elderflower Humbugs, £6.95
  5. Sparkle LED Jam Jar Light, £9.95

For Her – £15 and Under

  1. Personalised Starry Compact Mirror, £15
  2. Silver Jewel Tassel Drop Earrings, £12
  3. Personalised Gin Print, £14
  4. May the Wings of Your Eyeliner Makeup Bag, £12
  5. Golden Wonder Gift Set, £13.95

 

For Her- £20 and Under

  1. All is Bright Medium Yankee Candle, £19.99
  2. Faux Leather Gloves, £17.99
  3. Clinique Chubby Sampler Kit, £19.80
  4. Personalised Destination Multi Purpose Pouch,£16
  5. River Island Pink Glitter Purse, £20

 

For Him- £5 and Under 

  1. Nivea Men Gift Set, £3.50
  2. Marvel Top Trumps, £4.99
  3. Pub Quiz Card Game, £2.50
  4. Reindeer Slipper Socks, £5
  5. Tiramisu Selector, £3.95

 

For Him- £10 and Under

  1. Reindeer Heat Change Mug, £10
  2. Make Your Own Christmas Jumper, £7
  3. Ribbed Scarf, £8.99
  4. Secret Santa Chocolates, £9.95
  5. Molton Brown Bauble, £10

 

For Him- £15 and Under

  1. Loreal Men’s Set – £20
  2. Stormtrooper Bluetooth Speaker – £20
  3. Fat Face Gloves – £20
  4. Colourblock Wallet- £18.99
  5. Zara Knitted Hat- £15.99