Disappointing year for the Christmas sales?

Is it me or have Christmas sales this year been a bit, meh? First off, it annoys me that some sales started prior to christmas. I mean, can us girls have one day off a year without thinking of shopping? Then there's the items that are in the sale, I haven't been blown away yet. I went to Oxford yesterday with my mum, and whilst we both picked up a charm in Pandora, that's all that caught our eye. I picked up some jeans in Zara, but that's because I don't have one in Portsmouth and Zara is one of the very few company's  which sells jeans that actually fit me, but they're not exactly exciting. I was praying this year to find a bargin New Year's Eve dress, but whilst traipsing round a local shopping centre today with the girls, absolutely nothing caught our eyes. One of my friends described river island as a jumble sale, which while it may be true, it's the only place I brought anything in! I worked there for 6 months a few years back and the amount of nylon and rhinestones puts me off slightly. Having said that, we embraced the huge rales of clothes that can date back at least 5 years, and I eventually picked up a midi skirt. Id attatch a photo but the lighting in my room is awful! It's basically a sort of geometric black, royal blue and white skirt with a slight slit up the back. For £12 I couldn't leave it there, but it isn't exactly what I had in mind. I think for new year I'm just going to team it with some black wedges and black top, let the skirt do the talking!

Christmas Tag

Sadly I haven't come home for Christmas yet. However, I attempted to make our sitting room a little more festive, much to the dismay of the boys. Thought I'd get a little more festive with this tag. And I apologise before hand, this is probably the most undeceive blog post I could have written!

1. What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

Everything. I love the fashion, shopping for presents, the decorations, giving/ receiving presents and obviously, the food! I do  love Summer more, don’t get me wrong I’m a fair weather person, but there is something satisfying about wearing a big knit jumper and coat and snuggling up under a blanket with a hot chocolate that you just don’t get in the summer.

2. What is your favourite makeup look for the festive season?

Red lips along with a matching red nail is my all time favourite make-up look. I don’t normally wear a red dress on Christmas dress, just as I don’t suit it, so a little black dress accentuated with red accessories is my favourite look!

3. Real or fake tree?

Real. No questions asked. As a little girl, my Dad and I would go and pick a tree, usually on the second Saturday of December and would spend a long time determining one, what would fit in the car and two the best shape. As I’ve got older, Dad isn’t soo fussed about Christmas so Mum and I do the searching and for the last two years we’ve managed to squeeze over 6ft trees in my little KA! I love the smell, and the fact they drop pines and you have to crawl under them to water them. It’s all part of Christmas!

4. Giving or receiving presents?

Giving, absolutely! Don’t get me wrong, I love receiving presents and am very grateful of what I get, but getting presents for others is the best excuse to go shopping. You can’t beat the look on someone’s face when they open a present that they like, and weren’t expecting. Definitely priceless and gives you that warm feeling inside (sorry for being soppy). I do tend to go a little over the top, spending more on Christmas presents for my family then I would their Birthday presents. Woops! I do also love wrapping them and can spend weeks finding the right paper with matching tags and ribbon. I have my eyes on some of the paper in Next this year.

5. Do you open your presents in the morning or evening?

I’m an only child so I wake up to Santa’s gifts and take them through to my poor parent’s room and curl up at the end of their bed. Dad normally stays asleep at this point and the cats just moan that they’re hungry. I’m also not allowed in until 9, which is possibly the worst wait ever! The room ends up a fire hazard and whereas my cat used to love playing in the paper, she’s a little too old now. We then have breakfast and I take the time to attempt to try out/ on everything I’ve been given and attempt a small tidy up. Afterwards, we get dressed up for the rest of the day. As a family we take it in turns to hold Christmas and Boxing day so that depends on what work needs to be done for lunch. After we’ve consumed as much food as possible, myself and cousins divide presents out between everyone and then have a mass opening. It’s our little tradition.

6. Handmade or bought Christmas cards?

I’m not at all creative so I buy them. I try to find amusing Christmas box sets for friends and general family, buying special ones for my parents, boyfriend and best friend. It’s fair to say we have an odd sense of humour so our Christmas cards are normally not funny to anyone else. Is slightly awkward...

7. What is your favourite Christmas film?

I don’t think I could single out one. Love Actually and The Holiday are definitely up there. I’m all game for soppy Christmas love stories so they fit in perfectly. As for a film aimed at a slightly younger audience I’d have to say the Grinch and as a child I loved Annabelle’s Wish. But I really can’t just choose the one!

8. What is your favourite Christmas food?

Hmm... Well traditionally we ignore the starter and go straight to the roast turkey, roast potatoes, stuffing, pigs and blankets plus all the other trimmings, followed by a Christmas cake (which my Dad and I always ice) and a chocolate log which my Aunt always cooks. Then there’s all the chocolate you get given, white chocolate oranges in particular... Yum! Safe to say, I couldn’t pick a favourite out of food either. 

Christmas gift guide

Thought I'd share with you my inspiration this year. This isn't so much what I've bought, but perhaps looking in places you wouldn't have thought. I am a huge fan of discounted places. I'm a strong believer that if you buy a timeless piece, such as silver jewellery and accessories, it doesn't really matter if you paid full price, or discounted. Timeless pieces will stay in fashion for many seasons! For this reason I love TKmaxx and places like Bicester/ Gunwharf  - which you've heard me prattle on about for ages now and this year it has proved invaluable.

Firstly my Mum's Birthday is just before Christmas so I have added pressure! She'd mentioned around March time that her favourite pair of brown leather gloves had started to go cracked and although they were still fine to wear, not really something she wanted to be seen with. This is where TKmaxx comes in. Browsing through my local branch and their range of leather gloves is huge! You can buy unknown brands, still 100% leather for under £15. Bargain! Anyway, the pair I seeked out are Ralph Lauren ones that I got for £24.99. I cut the label off so I can't remember how much they would have been, but definitely more that that! As for her Birthday, I was in Links of London in Gunwharf browsing for me (woops) and came across some simple, everyday earrings. Now they're not really my taste, but I know my Mum will love them. They were £30 which I think was an amazing price. So don't be put off from formerly expensive brands while at outlet shopping centres. There are bargains to be had provided you shop early (these earrings have already gone up in price) and are prepared to rummage and barge!

Next, is a present for a secret santa at work. Now (I think) she's between 30 and 35 and I was stumped. Our price limit was £5 and I couldn't think of anything. But, again TKmaxx didn't let me down. In amongst the childish make-up sets and make-up that has been trashed and or stolen from it's packaging, I picked up a set of 4 lavender candles, decorated with little paper flowers. I haven't heard of the brand but it's Heyland Whittle, and the packaging was cute so I went ahead and bought them. For £4.99, a little homely decoration is never hated - and if it is, then some lucky charity shop could have them!

Inspiration for tea lovers next comes from The Teashed. This company has evolved the boring tea packaging and is selling a range of 20 tea bags for £3.50, all named (some more appropriate to the receiver) in take-away tea cups. I bought mine in John Lewis in October when they were down to being £1.50 each, so I collected a few for friends.. They include, "4 am" and "Mr Greys". I think they're lovely and I just hope they'll taste good too!

Hope I've given you a little inspiration to shop around a bit to get a little more for your money!

30/11/13 - nails #4

So it would appear my previous Rimmel polish lasted about 4 days without chipping, so not too bad but definitely not the best!

Anyway, it's almost the count down to Christmas so I thought I'd go for another Christmas themed nail - a girl can never do to many of those, right? I used Nails Inc. Whithall and Barry M's 297 blue glitter to attempt a French  tip look. Now I normally have a steady hand, but trying to persuade pieces of blue glitter to go where you want them to, proved to be my downfall. never the less I finished them, and from a distance, they don't look too bad!

I am still waiting for them to dry a bit more before I tidy up the edges and add a top coat, so excuse the excess that is covering my fingers!

Season of the little black dress

Christmas often poses as the time of year known for the party dresses, a bold red lip and minimal eye make-up, and this year is no different. In my family, it's a tradition that we dress up for Christmas day and not ones to lay about in trackies. But then it comes to the same old question of "what am I going to wear on Christmas day?" When I was little, that was simple as Santa often bought me a pretty dress which I would be dying to wear, but now my Mum has reached the stage of not knowing what I want in terms of clothes, so that decision is left to me. I've put together a collection of dresses that are my this years competitors (I think). They are all LBD, as I can then take the opportunity to wear them again.

From top to bottom reads:

Zara sequinned mesh dress - http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/dresses/sequinned-mesh-dress-c269185p1461534.html

H&M bandeau dress - http://www.hm.com/gb/product/18876?article=18876-A

Primark mesh sweatheart dress - http://www.asos.com/Primark/Primark-Mesh-Sweetheart-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3136907&SearchQuery=primark%20dress&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Black

Asos embellished maxi dress - http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Embellished-Back-and-Cuff-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3333679&cid=9419&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Black

Misguided v-neck dress - http://www.missguided.co.uk/amaline-cross-over-tailored-dress-77727 

Miss Selfridge embellished skater dress - http://www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/dress-shop-299048/going-out-dresses-299127/jewel-neck-skater-dress-2107542?bi=1&ps=40

17/11/13 - nails #2

Seeing as it's such a horrible day I thought I'd do a quick manicure whilst having an essay writing break. I decided on a pre-Christmas theme, with a bright red and subtle gold. The Mary Quant nail vanish was once my Mum's and is old, really old. From the rubbed off writing I can say it's the shade "red scorcher" and is slightly a bluer shade of red rather than orange/ pink based. It hasn't gone gloopy and lasts fairly well! The gold is Ciate in "Sand dune 085". I believe I got this free with maybe a Vogue/ Elle magazine... But don't hold me to that! I love it because the metallic is still highly pigmented, so does not require more than two coats! I apologise for my hands, I was in dish wash yesterday at work, and ran out of phenomen oil, to which I don't have the funds to buy any more at the moment. 

What do you think? Have you done a Christmas themed manicure yet?

"You know I love Christmas, I always will"

I love Christmas. I find it so intriguing as to when people start/ finish their Christmas shopping, I love the lights, I love shopping for presents (and watching them be opened), the happiness, decorations... My list could go on! I do even love wrapping up, big cosy jumpers and scarves. But I do hate the cold. It's a tricky situation. Anyway, I've started an album on Pinterest as to my favourite Christmas scenes/ items that I've come across, and I'm pleased to say that I've completed one (if that's the right phrase). I'm just so excited!

So, my purchases. I saw on Instagram that Millie Mackintosh (ex MIC) had got the perfect Christmas jumper - from Internacionale. At the time, I tried to purchase it online but had been sold out in every size. Instead I popped in to town on my break and prayed they had it in stock. As pre-assumed, I'm sure, I got one and it is perfect! It's classic sweater material in dark grey and is soo warm! I dislike itchy jumpers, regardless of how warm the wool may be. So I'm not fussed that it's mainly polyester. The main Pug print features a silver nose and the "hat" features red sequins and a furry rim and bobble. An the price? £17.99 (or £16.19 with student discount). As an added incentive, Internacionale also offer a loyalty card where if you spend £15 or more you get a stamp and on your 6th stamp, you get 20% off! Bargain I think.

My other truly Christmasy purchases were a case to replace the Osprey pouch I use to keep headphones, pens, hair bands, lipsticks etc in my handbag. And finally a bauble! I bought these from Ted Baker. The pencil case in the House of Fraser concession, with the most adorable polar bear/ penguin scene! I can't find the link on either the Ted Baker or House of Fraser website but it's on the Selfridges website. Whilst the bauble was in the Gunwharf branch. It has their signature bull dog printed front and back. What more could you ask for? 
(http://www.selfridges.com/en/Christmas/Categories/Features/Ted-Baker-Mirror-Mirror/Printed-pencil-case_870-10003-106978/?previewAttribute=Nude+pink)

To finish off, I thought I'd add a few more of my novelty Christmas "things"...

Navy and red robbin bobble hat - £7.99 New Look
http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/accessories/navy-and-red-robin-bobble-hat-_294473041

Knitted ginger bread man jumper - £42 Topshop
http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=christmas&storeId=12556&productId=12786613&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33057

Nails Inc Christmas Crackers - £29.50 (for 6) Nails inc. Feautring: Mayfair Mews – navy Fibre Optic polish, Baker Street – cobalt blue, Marylebone Lane – red full coverage glitter polish, King’s Road – rose gold Foil effect polish, Kensington High Street - deep wine polish, Trafalgar Crescent – silver Galaxy polish
http://www.nailsinc.com/nailpolish/christmas-crackers-worth-over-69/1357/

Christmas jumper fake nails - £7.10 (for 24 nails) Eylure on ASOS
http://www.asos.com/Eylure/Christmas-Jumper-Nails---Reindeer/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3420994&SearchQuery=christmas&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Reindeer

Hooded bear onesie (Not entirely just for use at Christmas time, but it's from their advert) - £20-£22 John Lewis 
http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-hooded-bear-onesie-brown/p653538

Reindeer scarf - £12 George at Asda
http://direct.asda.com/george/womens/accessories/reindeer-scarf/G004425369,default,pd.html

Candy cane pendant charm - £30 Pandora (or any of their Christmas collection!)
http://www.pandora.net/en-gb/explore/collections/christmascollection2013#!791193EN09

Have you bought anything Christmas related yet?