Catching up on Christmas

Hello beauties!

I am finally back after a little break away over Christmas, and I am pretty excited for what this year has got planned for me! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and new year and look forward to catching up with your blogs and hopefully meeting some of you at future blogger events.

Me and my man on NYE.

Over the last week or so I have been spending some time away with my partner in Bristol and South Wales which has been ever so lovely - but it was back to reality today, including back to work. So as I’ve been off the media for a while I thought I’d start with a post of some of my lovely gifts that I received for Christmas and what the next few posts will reveal...

1.       Ted Baker Handbag

I had been in need of a new handbag for a while but couldn’t quite decide on what I wanted, when I came across this bag in John Lewis one day I just knew that it was the bag I NEEDED. It is a gorgeous patent, crosshatch style in the famous ted baker ‘shell pink’ with rose gold metal features including the zips and buckles. It has a lovely monochrome floral design on the lining and is just the most perfect girly, sophisticated handbag. I put myself off for buying it for me and put it on the list of things I’d like (including a text letting my partner know too). Cheeky I know, but my mum always says if you don’t ask you can’t get – so thought it was worth a try.

2.       Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes

Again, I had been wanting to get a whole new set of makeup brushes as mine were getting a little old and outdated and I’m going to be honest I didn’t look after them as well as I should have when I first got them. So I was very thrilled when my mum treated me to the three sets of core edition brushes which also came in 3 separate cases which bend and secure into stands which is just so easy and perfect for when I’m applying the face in the mornings!

3.       Jack Wills Nail Set

Being a therapist, family always have an easy idea to buy me something beauty related and know that I will love it – I received this cute Jack Wills nail set from my mum too and I can’t wait to try it out. It included 2x emery boards and 2x nail varnishes in the official pink and blue shades.

4.       Jersey Pearl Earrings

I have to admit I was well and truly spoilt this year by my partner, not only did he get me the bag, another gift was this gorgeous pair of freshwater pearl earrings – which I am totally in love with. I can be quite fussy when it comes to earrings but these are the perfect size studs and create such a beautiful classic look.

5.       Build-A-Bear

Say hello to.... PUMPKIN

Yes that’s right, I am twenty years old and got a build-a-bear for Christmas and I couldn’t be happier! My partner is away a lot due to his training for the marines and as a very very thoughtful gesture he got me this adorable bear to remind me of him when he is away. PS it is THE softest bear in the world.

So that’s just a few of the gifts that I received and I can’t even begin to show how grateful I am for how much I was spoilt this year – I couldn’t quite believe it!

What were your top presents? Or what gifts did you receive – I’d love to know!

The next two blog posts are going to be reviews on some new products/items that I received for Christmas and am VERY excited to try out….

  

 

A festive Christmas Tag

A perfect little blog today, I saw this Christmas tag on a few blogs and thought it was so festive and cute that I would do it myself on Christmas day. So now I am fully over indulged on turkey, veg, pigs in blankets and sweets and chocolates galore here goes…

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?
 I absolutely love Elf, although it’s a Christmas movie I can happily sit and watch it all year round – no matter how many times I’ve seen it I will still be crying of laughter all the way along. The other is The Holiday, I just love the story line and it’s such a feel-good movie and gets me ready for Christmas PLUS I have a keen eye for Jude Law (who doesn’t).

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
First thing Christmas morning! I usually get woken up by my three younger siblings at the crack of dawn and the excitement begins – we had a bit of a lay-in today 8am compared to 05:30 last year!! We then sit in a circle on the floor with our piles that Santa left and take it in turns to open one each youngest to oldest.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
My favourite Christmas memory (even though there is many) is when my little sister was still quite ickle and decided to eat one of the chocolates hanging on the tree when no-one was looking, then later on Christmas day we could see chocolate melting down the tree, as it turned out she had taken a bite and quickly chucked it back in the tree when someone came in. We still remind her of it every year.

4. Favourite festive food?
It has to be the pigs in blankets, they just melt in my mouth…. But then I do have a real sweet tooth and although I don’t eat Christmas pudding my mum usually buys me GU chocolate pudding or profiteroles.

5. Favourite Christmas gift?
This is really hard to choose one overall, but my favourite Christmas gift of this year would have to be the full collection of Real Techniques brushes (a review blog will come soon, I promise). But then my mum still does me a stocking, which is always some small bits and bobs like my favourite fluffy socks and chocolate coins.

6. Favourite Christmas scent?
My favourite Christmas scent has to be the turkey, slow-roasting in the oven throughout the day – it’s the best smell in the morning when the Christmas songs are on and we’re opening the presents.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
We don’t tend to have a tradition, but my grandparents come down Christmas eve and stay overnight – we usually just watch the soaps, and then me and mum are usually manically wrapping the presents like little elves… however we were more prepared this year and managed to sit down with a drink and just relax for the evening.

8. What tops your tree?
We have a china-faced angel on the top of the tree, it has been the decoration on the top of the tree ever since I was a little child and every year I remember the arguments I had with my older brother as to who got to put it on each year.

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

I myself don’t class it as a crazy or wild gift but I always ask for a puppy…. Maybe one day Santa will bring me a little pug!? I have always been told if you don’t ask you don’t get so to me there’s no harm in asking every year, just in case.

 

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

The best part of Christmas for me, is watching everyone open there presents and seeing their reactions (let’s be honest we can all tell when someone doesn’t like something but still smiles)… but spending it with my family and having a HUGE roast which is my favourite meal. The whole festive season is just amazing and one of my favourite times of year (except my birthday of course!).

Its beginning to look a lot like christmas.....

Hello beauties!

It feels like forever since I last posted, the last few weeks have just flown by. I have been pretty busy at work what with everyone wanting to have their nails and skin looking gorgeous and glam for the Christmas festivities and on my days off I have been doing the last few bits of Christmas shopping (which I’m glad to say is now finished).


Me and my family went down to see the Christmas light switch on in my local town, which was a really lovely event hosted by Heart FM radio with live music, Christmas carols and a big firework display – it really got everyone in the Christmas spirit.



In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I’m slowly finding small bits of time to wind down and pamper myself including painting my nails (Jessica Cherrywood & Champagne bubbles) and decorating the house. So yes the tree is up, some presents are wrapped and I’m slowly beginning to feel ready. I just love Christmas and can’t even begin to explain how excited I am for Santa to visit!

 

In the last few weeks the weather here has seemed to really turn pretty bitter with a icy chill in the air, especially when the wind is blowing I’m pretty sure I have icicles growing on the end of my nose - it feels that cold!

 

My skin never seems to like the cold and this year it really has decided to take a turn for the worse, I’ve been sticking to my skincare routine with the intense serum and weekly mask however my skin just seems to be forever dry and UBER sensitive to the point that just the other night even aqueous cream stung!? 

 

I have found that using my Mary Kay facial brush (similar to the Panasonic cleansing brush) has really help to gently exfoliate my skin, I use this with my spa find cleanser which seems to help hydrate the skin a bit more too! It’s made me realise just how important using a rich intensive serum and moisturiser is in the cold weather. I’d strongly recommend this facial brush to anyone who feels their skin is dry, tight or sensitive – not only does it ensure of a deep cleanse but softly buffs away the dead skin cells from the surface. My Blistex daily lip conditioner has become a must for every few hours each day too.
As pretty this weather is, my skin isn’t quite agreeing – I think it’s telling me a winter holiday in the sun is needed!

Do you have any tips or advice that may help sensitive skin in this cold weather!?