Christmas
What Did I get for Christmas?
31 December 2016
Although Christmas isn't as magical as it once was, we still start the day the same as when I believed in Santa Claus. As soon as we're all awake we rush downstairs to open our presents. It's not quite as exciting as it was when I thought an overweight old man in a red suit broke into our house and delivered them but it's still better than any other day!
I've been well and truly spoiled this year. And I don't know about you but I LOVE seeing what others got for Christmas.. mainly because I'm the nosiest person on the planet. So if you're anything like me you'll love these posts too!
Most of what I got was on my list (yes, I still write a list for my Mom). By the time Christmas had come around I'd actually forgotten what I asked for so I was still super surprised when I opened them! I asked my mom several times how she knew I wanted things and she replied "it was on your list..."
Now, onto the good stuff...
Now, onto the good stuff...
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Harry Potter, Tim Burton, and Madonna. So it's only natural for some of my gifts to revolve around them! I've been wanting the Guy Oseary photobooks of Madonna for YEARS now, but they've always been one of those things that have slipped through the radar. Thankfully, this year my sister bought me Madonna Confessions and it's amazing!
I also got the newest Harry Potter 'Vault' book to complete my collection. I LOVE these books! They're so beautiful and full of facts about the films. This is The Artifact Vault but the others are: The Creatures Vault, The Characters Vault, and Magical Places from the Films. They're all incredible and must haves for any fan! And of course, no Potter fan is complete without a few Pop Vinyls.. I'm in love with Bella & Volds (Bellamort, if you will).
Monopoly.. it's my favourite board game! Nobody in my house ever wants to play though because 'it takes too long'. This year, however, I was lucky enough to get The Nightmare Before Christmas edition. I haven't played it yet but I'm SO excited. We already have the Disney edition and I wasn't sure anything could top it but this is up there!
The Cath Kidston x Disney range is amazing, and my mom got me this super cute make up bag from the range. It's so pretty and such good quality, my only disappointment is that there are only two characters. Tigger, where you at? She also got me 4 Kylie Lipkits: Posie K, Koko K, Maliboo, and Kymajesty. I am actually in love with Maliboo, it's the perfect nude shade and I'd 1000% recommend it to anybody.
The Anastasia Moon Child Glow palette.. there are no words for this! It's incredible. And this Too Faced blush in Sparkling Bellini, I've been eyeing this for the longest time as it's such a pretty colour. The MAC Magic Dust Powder in Yum Yum Yum was a present to me from me (sort of). I bought it from Duty Free with some of the money I was given, I'd been trying to get it in store for the longest time but it was sold out everywhere. And then I find it in Gatwick Airport!
No Christmas would be complete without smellies. Unfortunately we only have a shower so I don't get any Lush bath bombs *cries*. BUT I did get a bottle of Snow Fairy shower gel and Snow Fairy Body Conditioner - which looks absolutely incredible.
I actually bought the pink Vans in the sale before Christmas, and then asked my mom to put them up for me for Christmas. I don't usually do that but they were in the sale and I couldn't afford them at the time, but they were too good to let go! Also, the perks of having a sister who works at Starbucks.. discounted merch! I honestly think my cup is my favourite present.
I've been after a new purse for a while but haven't been able to find the right one. This Kate Spade one was actually from TK Maxx so it's all the goodness at the fraction of the price! I asked for these Ted Baker ear muffs for my trip to Iceland, and let me tell you; they did the trick! My ears were so toasty!
Is it even Christmas if you don't get a selection of different chocolates? I mean, chocolate is my bae and part of my daily diet anyway. So, anyone who knows me knows that they can't go wrong with chocolate!
I've been totally spoiled this year and I'm so lucky to have received so many amazing presents!
What were your favourite presents this year?
Is it even Christmas if you don't get a selection of different chocolates? I mean, chocolate is my bae and part of my daily diet anyway. So, anyone who knows me knows that they can't go wrong with chocolate!
What were your favourite presents this year?
Christmas Wrapping
22 December 2016
I really love wrapping presents, it's one of my favourite parts of Christmas. This year, I wrapped half of mine so early that I've pretty much forgotten what I've got everyone!
I wanted to go a little more neutral and simple with my wrapping this year. I was going to get some brown paper from the post office when I stumbled upon this gold paper from WHSmith. It's amazing because it looks just like brown paper but it has a nice shimmer that gives it something a little extra. I then got a set of string and tags from good ol' Wilkos, and some white sparkly bells from Sainsbury's. Just when you thought my wrapping couldn't get any better I found these funky stickers in TK Maxx. My presents look so good this year, I don't think they've ever looked half this good!
TOP TIP: If the item you have to wrap is a weird shape put it in a cardboard box. This makes everything look 1000 times better and is also so much easier to wrap! Also, if it means people are less likely to guess what you got them!
Christmas Jumper Day!
16 December 2016
As today is Christmas Jumper Day I thought it would be the perfect time to post my favourite jumpers of the season. I love Christmas jumpers - the cringeyer the better! I never actually buy any though because, well, what's the point? I'd wear it once or twice a year if that! Although I'm a big fan of the Christmas jumper!
from top left clockwise
What's on my Christmas Playlist?
15 December 2016
Everybody has a Christmas, and if you don't you should have! Whether you celebrate or don't like Christmas we can all agree that there are some absolute tunes out there! And you shouldn't miss out on them. So, what's on my playlist? You can listen to it here
1. The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York
2. Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
3. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? (1984 Version)
4. Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody
5. Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone
6. Wham! - Last Christmas
7. Elton John - Step Into Christmas
8. Michael Bublé - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
9. Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry
10. Andy Williams - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
11. Lily Allen - Somewhere Only We Know
12. Gabrielle Aplin - The Power of Love
13. Christina Aguilera - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
14. Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas is You
15. Chris Rea - Driving Home for Christmas
16. Tony Bennett - Winter Wonderland
17. Frank Sinatra - Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
18. Bing Crosby - White Christmas
19. David Essex - A Winter's Tale
20. Chris de Burgh - A Spaceman Came Travelling
21. Coldplay - Christmas Lights
22. Kelly Clarkson - Underneath the Tree
23. Leona Lewis - One More Sleep
24. The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
25. Boney M - Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord
My all time favourite is Wizzard! What's your favourite Christmas song??
Tanya Burr Cosmetics Advent Calendar
13 December 2016
Every year when the advent calendars come out I lust over all the beauty ones, but they're always SO expensive. Tanya Burr Cosmetics' calendar was reasonably priced however, it retails at £25 but Daniel bought it me for £15 when it was discounted. It was a bargain! Especially when compared to some bigger brands that are charging £100 or more, which is just ridiculous. I mean, yes, they're nice products but Christmas is expensive enough as it is!
So, here's what was inside the Tanya Burr Cosmetics 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar! I'm not sure if these are in 100% the correct order as I kind of lost track, but it's close enough...
So, here's what was inside the Tanya Burr Cosmetics 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar! I'm not sure if these are in 100% the correct order as I kind of lost track, but it's close enough...
Day 01: Candy Cane Lip Gloss
I was pleasantly surprised with what was behind the first door, I don't generally like lip glosses but I was still happy with this. It's a gorgeous pinky-red shade. Also, it smells AMAZING!
Day 02: Miniature Nail File
I was a little disappointed with this because it's so small. It's cute but nothing special.
Day 03: Miniature Mirror
Again, this was a little anti-climactic, day 3 and only one make-up product? I wish these two had been spread out a little as the days to follow were so much better!
Day 04: Champagne Sparkle Glitter Pot
This more than made up for days 2 and 3, I've been looking for something like this for our Christmas party and it's such a perfect bronzey-gold colour. I love it!
Day 05: Ice Crystals Glitter Liner
This was probably one of my favourite so far! It looks so good over black eyeliner and I think I'll end up using it quite often. The only issue is that it settles weird so you have to shake well before using.
Day 06: Glitters and Gold Nail Polish
This is a full sized nail polish which I was really excited about. It's a lovely coppery coloured glitter that would look great over so many colours.
Day 07: Berry Pavlova Lip Gloss
I was a little disappointed that I got another gloss, but that's mainly because I'm not into gloss. But this is a lovely Christmassy red colour and I'm sure that if you're a gloss person you'd love it!
Day 08: Snow Day Glitter Pot
I absolutely love this! The colour is so nice, it's a white glitter but almost shimmers different colours in the light. So pretty!
Day 09: Christmas Stocking Matte Lip
FINALLY A MATTE LIP! So excited about this one, the formula is nice as it isn't drying but I don't like that it doesn't seem fully dry. But it's such a great shade of orangey-red, I love it!
Day 10: Treasured Glitter Liner
This liner is a lovely copper colour, it's perfect and so on trend with all the copper that's around lately. Also, I don't have the same issue with this as I do the silver glitter settling weirdly.
Day 11: Sleigh Bells Nail Polish
I think this was one of my favourite products so far. It's a sparkly red nail varnish that would look so amazing over a deep red polish. Super excited to try this out!
Day 12: Glitter Rain Nail Polish
This is very similar to the copper nail polish but it's silver. I've loved all the nail varnishes as they're full sized and so sparkly. Nothing says Christmas like sparkly nails!
Overall I was really pleased with this calendar and everyday I was so excited to see what was behind the door. However, I am a little disappointed that a lot of the products are the same but in alternating colours (glitter pots, eyeliners, and nail varnishes are all in silver and bronze). It would have been nice to maybe have seen some different colours in there or some different products - blush, highlighter, eyeshadow, lipstick, where you at?
Did anyone else get this calendar? If so, what did you think of it?
5 Favourite Christmas Films
12 December 2016
Christmas films are the best! They're so festive and always put me in the Christmas spirit! There are SO many to choose from and it's difficult to limit to just five, but, here they are:
These three films are probably my all time favourite Christmas movies! I used to watch them on the Disney Channel when I was younger, and I'm guaranteed to watch them every year before Christmas. My favourite is probably 2, but honestly they're all so great!
Synopsis: Scott (Tim Allen) is forced to take over the job as Santa Claus when he and his son Charlie witness him falling off of the roof of their house. Soon Scott finds himself growing a white beard, putting on weight, and having to fulfill the role of Santa in the North Pole to deliver presents across the globe.
I've wanted to read this book forever as I love the film so much. There have been so many adaptations over the years but my favourite is the 2009 edition featuring Jim Carrey.
Synopsis: Old Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) is the ultimate Christmas cynic. Until, one Christmas Eve he is visited by three ghosts: his past, present, and future. With the aim to rid Scrooge of his hatred for all things Christmas and bring him to love them instead. In order to do so, Scrooge must come face to face with himself over the years and what he is to become if he does not change.
Elf
Elf is such a feel good film. It's not for everybody as it's quite... stupid! But I'm a big fan of Will Ferrell so this is one of my favs!
Synopsis: Buddy (Will Ferrell) has spent his whole life believing that he's an elf after being brought up by Santa in the North Pole. However, the size difference between Buddy and the other elves becomes too apparent and Buddy has to come to terms with the fact that he is human. Buddy then takes a trip to New York City in search for his real father, needless to say, Buddy finds himself in some strange situations...
Elf is such a feel good film. It's not for everybody as it's quite... stupid! But I'm a big fan of Will Ferrell so this is one of my favs!
Synopsis: Buddy (Will Ferrell) has spent his whole life believing that he's an elf after being brought up by Santa in the North Pole. However, the size difference between Buddy and the other elves becomes too apparent and Buddy has to come to terms with the fact that he is human. Buddy then takes a trip to New York City in search for his real father, needless to say, Buddy finds himself in some strange situations...
Love Actually
I've never really classed Love Actually as a Christmas film. It's just a film that happens to be set near to Christmas. Or maybe I tell myself that so I can watch it all year round. However, the rest of the world puts this in the Christmas category and it's one of my favourite films ever. Therefore, it's on the list!
Synopsis: Eight love stories involving dozens of characters are brought together over the lead up to Christmas. A recent widower, a failing marriage, an ageing rocker, a prime minister, and even a 10 year old boy! Their lives intertwine and so does their love.
I've never really classed Love Actually as a Christmas film. It's just a film that happens to be set near to Christmas. Or maybe I tell myself that so I can watch it all year round. However, the rest of the world puts this in the Christmas category and it's one of my favourite films ever. Therefore, it's on the list!
Synopsis: Eight love stories involving dozens of characters are brought together over the lead up to Christmas. A recent widower, a failing marriage, an ageing rocker, a prime minister, and even a 10 year old boy! Their lives intertwine and so does their love.
When I first watched 'It's a Wonderful Life' I wasn't sure if I was going to like it because it's a 1940's black and white film (although it is now available in colour) and sometimes I find it hard to get into old movies. But but this such a nice film, it's so uplifting and a true Christmas classic!
Synopsis: George Bailey (James Stewart) has given up on his dreams and his planned suicide on Christmas Eve is intervened by his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers). Clarence shows George all the lives he's touched and how different all his friends and family's lives would be if he had not been around.
So there they are! My favourite movies to watch over Christmas. What are yours?
Pick 'N' Melt's Christmas Bundle
6 December 2016
Last week I was lucky enough to receive Pick 'N' Melt's Christmas bundle*. This bundle includes 1 wax warmer and 16 bags of wax melts; 8 different flavours all from the Christmas range! Some of the Christmas themed scents I received are: Mistletoe & Wine, Robin Red Breast, Cocoa & Log Fire, Christmas Spice, Frankincense & Myrrh, Festive Tree, and Christmas Time.
Honestly, these little wax melts are the cutest things ever! Each small bag includes 6 little cubes of soy wax which is enough to melt at a time. I got a little carried away and threw about 4 bags of melts on at once! After a few minutes of burning the little cubes started to melt and mix together into a big gloopy puddle! It was worth it as my room smelt so good after! The melts give off a powerful smell before even opening the bags, so you can imagine them after they've been melted!
For me I think the wax warmer does let this bundle down slightly as I don't like the square shape - but this is just my personal preference. However, I do love the removable top which is such a great idea! It means you can just take off the top to clean out or place new wax without any hassle! Also, they offer an electric wax warmer which reminds me of a witch's cauldron - an added bonus in my opinion!
The bundle I received retails at £12, but if you buy 3 you get a 4th free so they would be £9 each! They also offer a monthly subscription starting at just £8 a month; you'll receive 20 bags of wax melts each month and you get to choose the scents! If you're not into wax melts they also sell candles in cute tins that look incredible, I really want to try one of the 'blends'!
This is the perfect Christmas gift for any candle lover!
Stocking Fillers!
5 December 2016
I love stocking fillers. I know they're the presents that most people hate because they're generic and usually things you may not want, but I think they can be so fun! Whoever said stocking fillers have to be boring?
from top left
The Christmas Tag
4 December 2016
As we're well and truly into the festive season now I thought it would be fun to do a Christmas tag. I found this one on MakeUpSavvy so thought I would have a go myself!
1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?
The Santa Clause. I've always loved this trilogy and watch it every year, although of the three I think my favourite is probably the second. There are obviously SO many more Christmas movies that I love though! There's nothing like a good movie to put you in the Christmas spirit!
2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Christmas morning. I WISH we could open one on Christmas eve! My mom's always been so strict with present opening rules! Until recently we could never even look at a wrapped up present until Christmas day, let alone open one!
3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
I don't necessarily have one that stands out but when we were younger I remember running downstairs every hour to see if Santa had been! We don't have a hallway and our presents were always left in the lounge so my sister's and I would sit on the stairs in the dark to see if we could see our presents in the shadows! We'd always be ridiculously excited the moment we could - and that's when our parents would tell us to go back to sleep and wake up at a more acceptable hour!
4. Favourite festive food?
This probably isn't the most festive food but... TRIFLE! The only time of year we ever have trifle is Christmas and my nan used to make it every year! I love trifle so making it and eating it is probably my favourite part of the day!
5. Favourite Christmas gift?
To be honest, nothing really stands out as my favourite ever present as my parents would always go totally overboard and spoil us. I think one of my favourites was when my nan bought us a Nintendo Wii between us. It was so unexpected and we've had so much fun over the years!
6. Favourite Christmas scent?
This is probably going to sound really strange... but the smell of the Christmas decorations when we get them down from the loft. Overall, it isn't a great smell, it's old and musty. But it smells like Christmas!
7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
Obviously when I was younger we had a lot of the usual traditions. But as I've got older we don't really have too many. However, my boyfriend's birthday is actually Christmas Eve so we try to avoid anything too Christmassy that day now.
8. What tops your tree?
We usually have a star, but this year we don't have anything yet. We're thinking of maybe getting some nice ribbon and making a bow
9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?
A trampoline! Or a motorised electric car! I swear, these were the ULTIMATE presents that I wanted as a child but never ever got. When I get my own house I will definitely be having a trampoline in the garden! HOUSE GOALS!
10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?
Definitely the build up. It's so excited wrapping presents, hanging decorations, seeing lights everywhere! I usually find the day quite anti-climatic now I'm older. Once I'm up and my presents have been opened the rest of the day is kind of just sitting around eating (aka a normal sunday)!
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