2014 Goals

Every year like most people I look back on the previous months and start to think about how I can make this next year as memorable as the last. I don't really go for the 'New Year, New You' stuff, but I do think reflection and hindsight are great and you should always look to be the best version of yourself. Here are my goals:

To stay hungry & foolish. If you've never seen this speech by Steve Jobs in 2005, you should have a watch. If you have too many days in a row where you think 'I don't want to be doing this', you need to make a change, so in 2014 I am going to make sure I change any of the negative aspects in my life, so I wake up feeling motivated. 

To stop eating everything & move. Every year my boyfriend and I say we are going to get fit. It lasts a few months and then we crash and start eating all the Quality Street. I'm going to try the 80/20 thing - 80% healthy & 20% naughty. I'm going to attempt to find salad and lunch recipes that don't bore the life out of me and a hobby that will keep me fit. 

To see more & do more. It's my mum and dad's 25th wedding anniversary in January and they are doing 25 new things to celebrate including various trips away (crazy love cats). After spending some Christmas money during the Boxing Day sales, I looked around my room and realised that I had just added even more stuff that I really didn't need. My parents have inspired me to spend more of my money on doing exciting new things and be less materialistic. After all, a new watch/dress/lipstick is great, but a day with someone special is worth a whole lot more. 

What are your resolutions for 2014?

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Beauty Sale Favorites

There are lots of places to splash your Christmas cash at the moment, so I thought I would do a little post on my favorite finds. All of which are still currently available!

Feel Unique always have good sales and I was surprised to find the Real Techniques Core Collection in the sale. I love these brushes and would be more than happy to add more to my stash.

I'm a big fan of the Topshop make up, especially their nail varnishes and lipsticks. If you haven't tried any of their make up or like me, are a fan, Cult Beauty have this editors pick collection reduced from £50.00 to £25.00!

Loads of the Boots gift sets are marked down by 50% after Christmas. The three Soap & Glory body butters are just £4.00 in total, which is a great saving on such a useful and popular set of products.

ASOS is probably my first stop when looking in the sales. They have some great beauty bits reduced including lots of OPI nail polishes, gift sets and more. I was drawn to this Tender Love make up bag, the OPI Couture De Minnie nail varnish and this beautiful Paul & Joe exclusive lipstick.

Space NK also have a decent sale, but you have to be quick to grab all the best bits. I love thisworks and have a few of their products. If you have trouble sleeping or just want something to help you relax of an evening, check out the I Have a Dream gift set. Another luxurious product to help you wind down is this Laura Mercier Body and Bath set, which is such a treat and 50% off at the moment. 

Have you guys had an epic finds in the sale this year?

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A Winter Walk

You can't beat a stroll in the Winter sunshine after so many turkey filled days. Here's some snaps from a walk with my rents...

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What I got for Christmas!

Hello you gorgeous bunch! Hope you all had brilliant festive fun celebrating with your family and friends. I've just about finished seeing all our family and friends and almost stopped eating every hour, so normality is getting closer.

I've been obsessed with everyone's 'What I got for Christmas' posts and videos. It's just really interesting to see what people came up with and add more things to your own wishlist! Here's a round up of the lovely treats I got this year...

These are the main beauty bits I received this year and I love all of them. My best friend and I actually got each other the same Liz Earle set because it was such a great price and we both really wanted it! Like most people I tried to use all of my new things on Christmas day and wear any new clothing items I had too, so I probably looked a little strange!

My boyfriends parents got me the amazing bag at the top from Biba (it's actually more purple than the picture), which was totally unexpected. I absolutely love it and changed all of my things over to it right away.

The diary and photo album are from Paperchase, who in my opinion make the cutest stationary, ever. See all the beauty here.

My sister was so cute this year, she got me the Woody Allen complete collection and the hazlenut syrup as Woody Allen and Hazlenut hot chocolates are my favorite. The DVD collection was missing my fav film 'Midnight in Paris', so she added that seperately. What a babe.

Coolest make up bag ever? Uh-huhhhh.

OK, so I went on to my parents about these frames from NOTHS for ages before Christmas and my amazing Auntie and Uncle got me this huge one. I absolutely love it and have filled it with a few photos and tickets from 2013.

Can you get over-the-top excited about plastic drawers? Yes, yes you can! I have two sets on Muji drawers, yay! I knew I was getting these because I told my Dad to get them during Muji's 20% off event before Christmas, but the excitement of neat organized makeup hasn't worn off yet. (I got two of these ones)

These two heart boxes are from Laura Ashley and a gift from another Aunt. They are so me and perfect for housing some of my Yankee Candle tea light thingys.

 

My boyfriend and I had a £30 budget because we are moving in together and want to save some money. This meant we had to get a little creative, so part of my gift from Alex was a HUGE box of sweeties and then he made me a massage kit, complete with hot rocks and incense.  

I also got some money, loads of chocolate and some other great little stocking fillers. I was totally spoilt and feel very lucky to have such amazing family and friends. I am now at the stage of trying to re-arrange my room for all my new gifts! 

If you have a Christmas gift post, leave me your link as I love to read them :)

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Winter lips.

I love how festive everyone looks during the winter months and a sweep of colour across your lips is a great way to spice up your everyday makeup ready for the Christmas party season. These are my favorite lip products right now...

Maybelline Color Sensational Shine Gloss in Stellar Berry. I literally wear this so much! I am one of those avid lip gloss haters as well, so this is quite surprising. I cant stand them if they are too shiny or sticky in anyway possible. This gloss is just perfect. I don't notice it on my lips and when it starts to fade after a cocktail or two (ok, maybe more...), there's still a nice stain on your lips. Love, love, LOVE. You can actually see the colour better in this fotd post, it's raining so hard here my room is like a cave!

Rimmel Kate Moss 01. Everyone needs a classic red lip, it's like the law. The Rimmel lipsticks from Kate Moss have a great formula and are really true to their colour. 01 is a classic red Hollywood shade, which makes you look super glamorous.

17 Lasting Fix Lipstick in Pink Power. Personally, I think bright and bold just works during the holiday season. Some people aren't a fan of a red lip and feel more comfortable in a pink shade. This lipstick from 17 is a great bright pink, that isn't too Barbie-esque. It also lasts forever and is less than a fiver!

Estee Lauder Pure Color in Fig. I'm not sure if they still do this particular shade, but it's basically a less in your face red. I like to wear these sorts of shades in the daytime as they give your makeup a little somethin-somethin, but you don't have to keep re-applying or worry that you look to done-up.

Miners Lip Colour in Mulled Wine. Such a Christmas appropriate name! This lipstick is a metallic-brown-bronze-kinda shade that I got in a Glossybox a while ago. I probably wouldn't pick it myself, but I really like the colour once applied. It's almost the best option if you don't want a nude lip or something too loud and bright either. I don't think this is easy to get hold of to be honest, but No7 have some great brown-nude shades too.

What are your go-to colours this season? Also, how hard is it to take this many photos of your own face?! The more I took the more psychotic or dead behind the eyes (sometimes a combo) I looked ha.

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Sunday snaps.

I have officially broke up for Christmas! YAYs. To start my Christmas holiday I went with what Sunday's are for and did sweet FA...

 I finally sorted a frame for my Emily Burns Art print. You can see all of her work here. The frame is from Wilkinsons, currently just £3.00.

I snuggled up with some pineapple socks on, a Christmas candle and YouTube!

Then had some dinner, my dad cooked some amazing seafood, which was b-e-a-utiful.

And I am still currently chilling, listening to my band of the mo, Haim.

What have you all been up to this Sunday?

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Christmas: All wrapped up.

 

This year I have been very organised and completed all my Christmas shopping in record time. Call me the Usain Bolt of the Christmas shopping Olympics, if you will. So, I decided to tackle stage two of the challenge (over-dramatising, a little), the gift wrapping. Thought i'd bring you little beauties along for the ride...

Obviously you can't start wrapping without some Christmas songs, so I loaded up Spotify and lit some Christmas scented candles. Duhs.

Ooo, someone is getting a treat from Jo Malone. I mainly included this because the packaging is just beautiful isn't it?

These stickers are from Paperchase last year, but I hugely recommend them. They look super cute with brown wrapping paper and there are so many of them! Paperchase can be a little pricey, but these are very good value.

This years Christmas cards, adorable.

I got my wrapping paper from some cheap shop for 99p. The tags we're plain brown with white string from a local card/craft shop, I used a Christmas tree cutter thing and then ribbons from tkmaxx. If you haven't been to tkmaxx or homesense (their home version), they have some amazing ribbons, paper and bags and it's really affordable.

After it was all complete, a cuppa was needed! If you like the look of my top (I couldn't show it you properly because I dropped some of that tea on it!) have a look at my instagram here and check out Sister Jane, amazing clothes.

Style the pink coat

Pink Coat - River Island 
Bracelet - Hot Topic
Beanie - ASOS
Tee - Paul & Bear
Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell
Leather Coated Jeans - Mary Portas
Scarf - Zara (sold out, so linked another beauty)

The pink coat is reining high over all the other coats and despite being on a self imposed shopping ban (I'll do a recently bought post this week and you will see why!) I decided to play around with how I would style this popular piece. 

I think it would look cool to clash with the classic shape of the coat by wearing some more casual pieces that are darker in colour (I really want that tee!). I also think it would amp up the style if you added a tartan scarf that has elements of the pink coat and the burgundy/wine tee and hat. You can't argue with double tartan my friends. 

Hope you like the way I have styled this coat (great version, river island!), if you own one please leave a link so I can swoon over your stylish ways. And if any of you want to buy me any/all of the above my address is... 

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Current Favorites

I missed my November favorites, so thought I would round up what I have been loving lately...

Essie Favorites for Fall Duo. I did a post here on my recent essie purchases, as these were my first encounter with the brand. I think they are quite expensive for a nail varnish when you can get some really great ones for a few pounds, but they are seriously amazing. They are one of the best formulas I have ever used, hands down. I can see the beginning of a huge collection already...(this duo here looks too good).

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Lipstick in Fig (123). I used this in a recent fotd post here, and I absolutely love it! It's so perfect for Christmas and is a lovely non-in-your-face red. I've worn it a few times to work too by blotting it with my fingers and then putting a small amount of lip balm over the top. Highly recommend! 

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil. My skin has been in really good condition lately and I think this cleansing oil has a lot to do with it. I've been using it once or twice a week and I have had minimal breakouts, my pores look smaller and I've managed to ditch the foundation for just a bit of concealer and bronzer. I talked about this and the clay mask in more depth here, but I'll be sure to share my current skin routine soon.  

VO5 Volume Boost Weather Resistant Gel Spray.  This was just lying around my house, so since it was bought I think the packaging has been re-designed. I picked this up randomly the other day and spritzed it through my roots and then a little all over, flipped my head upside down and blow dried to discover gigantic hair. I wasn't expecting it to do much so blow-dried it a bit out of control and my hair was huge! I've been using it in a controlled mannar for a while now and I am very impressed.

Christmas! I've used the candle and heart made of bells to represent Christmas, which is my absolute favorite time of year. I'm one of those annoying people who get Christmassy in November and secretly sneak a mince pie and listen to a Christmas song way before December. I've been doing all my Christmas shopping, lighting gorgeous candles (this one was a gift from my friend Jess, I can't find the exact link, but NEXT have loads of great candles) and making things look festive! (the bell decoration was from B&M Bargains). I just love the whole season!

What have you all been loving lately? Leave your links below!

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Motivation Monday

All images weheartit.com

When Monday crashes round and hits me in the face, I am sometimes in need of a little motivation. A pick me up if you will. This Monday is no different, so I thought I would share some quotes that made me think 'come on!'. Don't get me wrong I have a great life, but I think everyone has those 'what the Moses am I s'pose to be doing with this thing called life right now?!' moments. Everything feels quite mapped out, you go to school, college, job or uni and then it's like 'You're on your own Kid.'

I think I am still looking for that pathway through the woods at the moment. But, I'm OK with that, you have to have a journey and all that after all (in case you ever want to enter a talent contest - journeys are essential there). It's important to remain hungry and ambitious, but also to remember how good you are right now, in this moment. I bet you're pretty darn great. 

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Christmas Gift Guide: Her

Olivia Burton Watch - From £55
thisworks dream team - £10
ASOS faux fur snood - £22
Bumble & Bumble The Polished Two-Step - £30
Glass Lightbulb Vase - £12.95
Paperchase 2014 Diary - £7.00
Green & Spring Relaxing Bird Cage Set - £22.00
Sister Jane Shirt - £52

I am obsessed with reading gift guides from all the bloggers at the moment and have got so many ideas for my friends and family. Here is my first installment of the Christmas gift guides, which is basically a snippet into my ever-growing list to Santa...

Top of my list is an Olivia Burton watch. I really want one of these large dialed watches and I pretty much love all of the designs. They start from just £55 and look like they are a few hundred quid, so a perfect gift if you have a smaller budget and want to really impress this year. 

ThisWorks Dream Team is my top gift for anyone who finds it hard to sleep or needs a little help unwinding of an evening. I use these products myself and love them! They last for ages, despite their small size and I just think it's a super thoughtful gift. They do a Christmas cracker too, which would be a great stocking filler. 

The ASOS faux fur snood is just super wintery and I think the colour is gorgeous. I know loads of people will already have scarves and stuff now, but I always appreciate another scarf. Especially, if we are meant to have these 30 days of extreme snow in the UK :/ 

Now, Bumble & Bumble is so overpriced for hair products I think, which sucks because they are good. If you are after a gift for yourself or a hair-loving girl this Christmas, take a look at their gift sets. You save a lot of money off the two products in total and it's a great way to test some of the products before you bite the bullet with your Christmas money next year. 

In the new year, my boyfriend and I will be moved in together, which of course means home ware stuff is of course making it onto my list. If you haven't ever visited NOTHS, I highly recommend it as they have the cutest products ever. They are all small British companies too, which I love even more, as it's great to support the locals. This lightbulb vase is a great gift for that person who is hard to buy for and always seems really cool and on-trend. Who wouldn't want a lightbulb vase? 

Every single year I love to get a new diary ready for 2014 and paperchase always have amazing options. Prepare to want them all. 

Packaging heaven is what comes to mind when I look at the Green & Springs gift set. There are a few different ones, including a Christmas cracker, which is beautiful and gives you a lot for less than £20. My favorite has to be the indulging set, but if Santa bought me them all I would be pretty happy. 

I went to London at the weekend and popped into the Sister Jane store on Portobello Road. Coolest shop ever. Want everything in there/if only my wardrobe was filled with every item from this shop right now feeling. It's quite expensive for what you get, but the clothes look and feel top quality. You can get a few things from Topshop and ASOS too, so if you are a student you could grab 10% off. 

So, that's it! I could go on (seriously). Please leave links to your wishlists/gift guides below, as I genuinely will read them all and steal your wonderful ideas!

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Enchanted Smoke.

Oh the weather outside is frightful...too early? I am feeling very christmassy already (I know I am one of those people) and this makeup look is quite festive and lovely for Christmas day or any festive gatherings! Here is what is on my face...(some of its repetitive, if you saw my last fotd here but there are some new things)

Base

17 Blemish BB Balm - I've recently repurchased this and think it's fab! 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer - I used this under my eyes and around my nose. I think it's a great concealer and more moisturising than the Collection Lasting Perfection one. However, I think I need something a little thicker, I've heard good things about Mac and Bobby Brown.

Maybelline Cover Stick in Medium Beige - I need to get another concealer as this has been discontinued I think. As mentioned, I think my Christmas money will be going to Mac or Bobby Brown.

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Powder - Full review here. I bloody love this powder! 

Eyes

Soap & Glory It's About Prime eye shadow primer - Full review here. Why wasn't I using eye primer before?! That is all. 

17 Trio Eyeshadow in Enchanted Smoke - I used the shimmery purple all over the lid and then the dark purple in the crease. You can read a better review in my October favourites  but for the short version, this is brilliant and it's been my most used eyeshadow options (there's a gorgeous green too) all month. 

Rimmel White Eyeliner - Using a hint of white eyeliner really brightens your eyes and hides any redness you may suffer from, especially in the cold winter months! I think the Rimmel eyeliners are both long lasting and affordable.

17 Eye Kohl Eyeliner in Purple - I am so obsessed with coloured eyeliner of late. Black is so last season to me right now! This is beautiful and looks great with purple or green eyeshadows. The perfect combo for the eyeshadow trio. 

Dior Powder Eyebrow Pencil - My go-to eyebrow pencil, highly recommend. 

Dior Iconic Overcurl Mascara - Small stuff is cute. I got this free when I got my eyebrow pencil and a BB cream a while back and have just starting using it. It's a fab mascara, but it's £23 which is annoying for a mascara...

Everythang else

Mac Plum Foolery Blush - Talked about this way too much. Buy it, buy it now. Full review here

Soap & Glory Solar Powder - Full review here. It's a multi-shade bronzer that gives a very natural colour. Not sure it's my favourite bronzer ever, but it's worth having in the collection. 

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Lipstick in Fig (123) - Love this colour! It's not too bright or dark, just that perfect in between. Perfect for Christmas and it makes your teeth look nice and white too, bonus!

Phew! That's it. These posts take longer than you expect to write up, don't they? Also, I hope I'm not the only one that has to take 50+ photos to get one or two decent ones where I don't look asleep, weird or creepy...

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