What I got for Christmas

Can't believe 2015 is upon us. Time definitely goes quicker when you get older and not to get deep, but the older I get the more I realise how something can suddenly just be a moment or blip in the grand scheme of it all #ShitJustGotReal

Whilst we wave goodbye to two-kay-fourteen, here's a sneak peek into what I got for Christmas this year. I was totally spoilt and got tons of gifts, so thought I'd just mention the beauty ones else we would be here all day.

Naked Flushed Palette - Love this! My brother gave me a replacement for my current one. Bro points.
Dior Addict Mascara - This is amazing, super long fluttery lashes and it feels very luxe.
Dior Nail Polish (limited edition) - Oh my gawd, this packaging. Heaven. Haven't used it yet, but will report back.
Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Cream - Dior face creams are so luxurious. I'm not sure if it's just the packaging and the brand, but there is something about expensive face creams that draw us all in. I got this cute little sample, so currently trying to squeeze every last bit out.
Pure Moisture Mask - I was really excited when I saw these Pure products in my stocking. I've used the hot cloth cleanser before and been really impressed. They are all natural and so affordable. Plus, made in the UK. Well done M&S.
Pure Hand Cream - Again, I'm so chuffed to have my hands on these products. Geddit? Hands...
First Aid Beauty gift set - Been using this so much, the exfoliator pads and cream are becoming real favourites.

The Body Shop Hand Cream - Love these hand creams, especially as they aren't gigantic tubes.
The Body Shop Shea Lip Butter - These are great. You have to keep watch they don't leave a residue of lip butter in a line on your lips though. Not a good look!
This Works Dream Team - Use these all the time, perfect for anyone who can't sleep.
Urban Outfitters Nail Polish - Haven't used this yet, but its a beautiful metallic purple, very wintery.
Kate Moss Lipstick - I really like the Rimmel lipsticks. If you're just starting out your makeup collection or strapped for cash, these are a great little treat (more bro points here too!).
The Herbs Moisturiser - I think this is from TKMaxx. I'm a lazy moisturiser, so having a big pump means for some reason I do it more often. I'd recommend TKMaxx if you're not too fussed about which on you get.
Lush Snow Angel Bath Melt - This smells amazing. I don't normally buy lush products as I'm not a huge bath lover and the shop gives me a bit of a headache after a while! However, I think I might get converted...
Calvin Klein Reveal Perfume - Salt, Pink Pepper, Black Pepper, White PepperLush are the top notes in this perfume apparently. It's like 'sexy skin', either way it's worth a spritz.

Hope you all had a great Christmas with your family and friends. I'm starting 2015 a stone heavier and with no regrets. Let me know in the comments how you'll kick off the next adventure.

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For the one who can't sleep

Slippers
Notebook
Candles
Bath Soak
Eye Cream
Eye Mask
Dream Believers

Shopping for gifts over the festive season can be a challenge. There are so many factors to consider beyond the persons likes and interests, like budget, style, what they already own, what other people are getting them...the list goes on. 

I personally find it easier to think about the type of person I'm buying for and my tip would be to force yourself to think of the top 5 things they love to do/use/eat/see etc. Once you've done that, you can look for gifts that fall into that category. 

If it all sounds a bit daunting, have no fear as I will be putting together some gift guides for you, starting with 'the one who can't sleep'. We all know one. Here's what they need:

Comfort

One of the reasons we get a bad night's sleep is because we just don't get ourselves comfy enough. Ill-fitting pj's, not enough blankets and a dodgy mattress are top culprits. Of course, you aren't going to buy your mate a new mattress (are you?) and pj's can very much be a personal taste type item. However, an eye mask and/or some slippers can make for a cosier transition into a blissful sleep and a super cute gift. 

Environment 

"It's just so not zen enough." said nobody, ever. Maybe they should of though, because the right environment can get both your body and mind into the zone. Having a tidy clean space (the dream) where you can light your favourite candle or spray a spa-like scent on your pillow is just perfect. These are also inexpensive, but luxe gifts that you don't think to buy yourself. 

Relax

If you're not relaxed, no amount of ylang-ylang scented anything is getting you off to dreamland. A great way to clear your mind is to relax your body first. Having a hot shower or bath, a chilled skincare routine or some light exercise can really help (again, the dream). The Body Shop have some equally delicious options to square up to any higher end products. 

Another great gift, is a notebook. If you're stressed, physically writing down your to-do lists or whatever mental dream you're having really helps remove it from your busy mind. Stationary for the win. 

When all else fails...

Fake it. Drink loads of water, apply lots of eye cream and wear sunglasses indoors like a celebrity. 

Hope you liked this gift guide, let me know in the comments if you have any 'types' you would like to see covered in a post.

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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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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.

Christmas gifts

I've been enjoying reading what everyone got off the big man in red this Christmas, aren't we all spoilt! So, I thought I would share some snaps of what I received this Christmas, so I can look back and remember how lucky I am to have all these amazing people in my life, who also have amazing taste in gifts ;) (some of my photos are a little dark because I took them at night - not my best idea so far I know)

I got these cute lights from Wilkinsons - Kardashian top from DP - River Island earrings (I think they are the kids range which means they are only a few pounds!) - Lindt snowman & bear - Benefit Erase Paste - A romantic card from my boyfriend with a note saying tickets to The Brits! Eeeek! - A new book, which is good so far - Gorgeous bracelets on top of a thank you card - Last is the tag on my 'gifts from santa' (very similar handwriting to my mum...)

I didn't get this Chocolate log as a gift, I just ate it on xmas day and thought I would share! My aunty made it and it was soooo yummy - My dad now works in London & got us all a 'I Love London' tee - Hotel Chocolat chocs - A gorgeous Mac nude lipstick & red Topshop Lipstick - Funky tights - A big & little Fiorelli handbag - More chocolate!! - 1001 cocktail book, Topshop chain belt, Topshop nail varnish & lipstick and the most amazing hairbrush...Tangle Teezer!

Because Dior should always have the spotlight, here is the beautiful gift I got from my boyfriends family (well i'm sure his mum picked it). I haven't actually used the bronzer yet because its so pretty I don't want to, but I will do a review soon!

There we have it! Give or take, this is what I got for Christmas off all my gorgeous family and friends. I had a really lovely day and have been well and truly enjoying a break from work. Hope you all had a magical Christmas, leave links for your Christmas posts for me. Wishing you a positive and successful 2013!