CHRISTMAS WISHING

I can't believe that we're so close to Christmas already - it's Christmas week next week! I thought I would share what's on my Christmas list this year as I love reading these types of posts, I find them so useful for last minute ideas or inspiration for boxing day sale buys! Here's a little list of what I'm wishing for this year:

A spiralizer is on the top of my Christmas wishlist this year, with so many great recipes available like Rosie's Haystack sweet potato chips, courgette with homemade pesto and cucumber and carrot ribbon salads, I know I'll get so much use from it!

A pair of warm pyjama's have crept their way onto my list recently as the days are slowly getting colder, I love this Solar System pair from Asos. I've also asked for these cute glittery fairy lights socks, they're so festive!

Another pick goes to these gorgeous West Elm Coasters, although ridiculously expensive, they're the prettiest that I've seen, there's been a few 20% off vouchers floating around too which makes them a little more affordable. I'm hoping that 2016 will be the year that I clear out a lot of my clutter and only keep things that I love, that are useful and that make my home look nice and these seem like the perfect coaster set to keep forever.

Essie polishes are always on my wishlist and this Bridal set is so dreamy. It's the perfect set for wedding planning - plus it contains Allure, the shade that Kate Middleton wore on her wedding day - fit for a princess!

I love this beautiful Kate Spade Contacts Book, something to note down addresses and contacts in. Also for the home, I love the idea of a Lumie light. The dark winter mornings leave me feeling so groggy and tired and the lumie light is supposed to help you to wake up feeling refreshed and energised. It seems like the ideal solution to early, dark mornings!

Here's some more of my picks, whats on your Christmas list this year?

FESTIVE HOME UPDATES

I'm not ashamed to admit that each year, as soon as December 1st hits I turn my home into a winter wonderland. With tinsel draped over the doors, candles flickering, fairy lights twinkling, SmoothXmas playing in the background and the Christmas tree heavy under the weight of as many baubles, lights and bead garlands as I can manage, it truly feels like Christmas for me.

I've even decorated my dressing table for the occasion with silvers and golds and have pulled out festive red lipsticks and glittery eyeshadows to wear over December. My new Charlotte Tilbury Make up bag has taken pride of place on my dressing table, it's so festive and holds my everyday make up perfectly!

My bathroom is currently full of Lush treats, making it smell incredible. My favourites from the festive selection so far have been these dreamy Lush wands. The Magic Wand creates a heavenly bath full of pink bubbles, with swirling glitter and the sweet scent of candyfloss, it's the perfect winter treat. I'm saving my The Magic of Christmas Wand for Christmas week, with orange, cinnamon and clove it smells divine and just like Christmas to me! 

With my home feeling so festive and with plans to watch Elf, The Holiday and Arthur Christmas with cinnamon hot chocolate in my favourite Harry Potter mug, it's definitely my favourite time of the year!

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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME, FROM ME

With some incredible discounts floating around on Black Friday, things got a little spendy around here and I just couldn't resist picking up a few things for myself. I seem to spend a little more around autumn/winter, with fluffy slippers, soft PJ's and autumnal shades it's my favourite time to shop.

I've had my eye on these Frends Layla Rose Gold Headphones for the longest time and with 40% off I couldn't resist picking up a pair. They're so comfortable, the sound quality is good and they look so pretty on. I've had a couple of issues with my pair as they arrived damaged in the post and the Frends team have been super helpful, I'm hoping that once replaced, these will last me a long time - I'm so in love with them!

From ASOS, I took full advantage of their 20% off code and ordered as many kinds of these gorgeous Satin Cami and Short Pyjama Sets as I could. It's been fairly mild in my home and so I wanted some new lightweight pj's to pair with my warm winter duvet. I made the mistake of thinking that I would simply choose my favourite colour and then return the rest but I completely fell in love with these and in the end narrowed it down to two pairs, this beautiful burgundy shade and a white pair that Alex has tucked away for me until Christmas. The material is divine, floaty, satin soft and so comfortable. A new firm favourite!

Armed with a voucher and 10% off, I spent far too long procrastinating about which Charlotte Tilbury make up to splurge on. In the end, I couldn't decide and so settled for this beautiful burgundy and rose gold make up bag, it's the ideal size for my everyday make up.

I also picked up these adorable Topshop Unicorn Slippers which unfortunately weren't in the sale. However the soft, fluffy lining and cute embellishments make these my perfect slippers, I know i'll get a ton of wear from them in winter as they keep my feet so toasty warm!

Lastly, to start my new years resolutions off a little early, I invested in an exercise bike. Argos has a great discount on this still and along with my nectar points I got this for a fairly good price. The seat is a little uncomfortable but I'm used to it now, I've been cycling away and even having a go at some Youtube spinning videos, I'm starting to see the benefits already!

Did you buy anything in the sales?

GIFT GUIDE: FOR HER

One to help you pick for the girls, this list is packed full of ideas for the interior, stationary, beauty and style lovers. I've pulled together a list of my picks along with a few more ideas below too!

These Unicorn slippers are adorable and the perfect gift to tuck under the tree for Christmas day to keep cosy and warm. Wrap up an Essie polish and Soap and Glory's Heel Genius with them for a cute gift for pampered feet!

For the interior and beauty lover, a scented candle is the ideal gift. Opt for a wintry scent like Diptyque Pomander to fit in with the festive theme. With orange, cinnamon and clove it's a divine, warming fragrance, perfect for the cold months ahead.

Another gift that you can't really go wrong with is this gold and white monogrammed mug. Pop in a packet of hot chocolate and marshmallows (I love these veggie ones) for a tasty treat!

Space NK is a great destination to visit for the beauty lovers, with incredible gift sets like this Becca Glow On The Glow Set, (which contains two iridescent, shimmering golden peach highlighter shades), dreamy Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushers and creamy By Terry Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow sticks, there are so many great options available to choose from!

For a luxe jewellery treat, Monica Vinader is the one. The dainty Riva ring comes in rose gold and is scattered with sparkling diamonds which makes this the ultimate swoon-worthy gift. It's also available in necklace form too - dreamy!

Boxsets make a great gift for the Netflix/TV lover, my pick this year would have to be Once Upon A Time, Parks and Rec is on the top of my Mum's Christmas wishlist and the Friends boxset always makes a great gift!

Here's a few more of my top picks for us girls!

FESTIVE BEAUTY

With Christmas parties and festive gatherings on the horizon, I've pulled out the most sparkly & glittery, Christmas appropriate make up that I own. I've lined up my favourite festive red lipsticks, pulled out all of my glittery nail polishes and decorated my dressing table ready for the occasion.

To keep my skin in top condition I've been reaching for nourishing serums, rich moisturisers and enriching oils. The Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel is a staple for me this month to combat dull, uneven skin. The pink, turkish delight scented gel transforms into an oil as you massage it onto your skin whilst the pumpkin enzymes and vitamins work to cleanse, soften and restore leaving you with a radiant and smooth complexion. 

I've also been using my Estee lauder Advanced Night Repair II again, pairing it with the Origins Make a Difference Overnight Hydrating Repair Cream, together they make a dreamy combination and leave me with plump, glowing, hydrated skin.

On my nails, I'm planning on wearing as much glitter as possible throughout December. Whether it's gilded tips courtesy of Essie Rock At The Top or full on Christmas Nails thanks to Essie Leading Lady, a sparkly festive, deep red I'm planning on keep my fingers and toes pretty festive all month!

I've noted a run down of my favourite festive eyeshadow shades here and whilst most of these shimmery shades are well suited for the party season, Topshop Shuffle the cards, a sparkly iridescent rose gold and L'oreal Sable Lame, a gel infused, buttery soft shimmery gold are my top picks this month for every day wear. 

It's not really Christmas for me without rocking a bright red lip at least once during December. L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Blake is a flattering, cool toned red that when applied gives a polished, classic look. My second pick, Nars Cruella is a gorgeous Christmassy red lip it's creamy on application, dries to a matte finish and lasts for hours on the lips.

Lastly, on my cheeks, I've pulled out my favourite festive rosy wine blusher MAC Mineralised Blush in Gleeful for shimmery, flushed cheeks. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure is perfect to pair with a red lip as it sculpts the cheeks effortlessly whilst leaving a subtle pink radiant sheen. For highlighter, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, an iridescent, shimmering golden peach highlighter is my top choice to give me that candlelit, luminous glow. 

What are your festive beauty picks this month?

DECEMBER TO DO LIST

1. Decorate! Evenings are made magical with twinkling fairy lights, sparkly decorations and tinsel draped around the doors, it gives the home such a festive feel!

2. Make gingerbread men, salted caramel apple crumbles and orange spiced hot chocolates.

3. Buy some wintry Pj's, I love these blush coloured satin ones.

4. Wear glittery nail polish as often as possible, Essie's Toggle to the Top is my ultimate festive pick, it's a shimmery, glittery, sparkling garnet red that's just perfect for Christmas.

5. Watch The Holiday whilst eating my favourite picks from the Roses selection box - it's all about the purple one, orange cremes and golden barrels for me!

6. Invest in a Christmas Candle. I normally love the Sainsbury's Christmas Spice candle but this year I may have to treat myself to the Space NK Shimmering Spice candle, full of cinnamon, citrus, cedar and vanilla - it sounds divine!

7. Pick up some new Christmas Decorations, I have my eye on this gold pineapple one and this gilded pretzel decoration.

8. Indulge in all of the festive foods and drinks; crackers & cheese (violife is a great dairy free option), maple roasted cashews, Christmas chocolates and plenty of Belvoir (non alcoholic) Mulled Wine!

9. Perfect my gift wrapping technique, Pinterest has some great simple gift wrap ideas, I love the idea of making these and then sticking them on top of brown paper wrap!

10. Give. With everything that's been going on in the world lately I feel like now more than ever I need to look for more ways to give. Whether it's to food banks, Crisis at Christmas or to animal shelters, I want to give a little more this Christmas.

What's on your December to do list?

GIFT GUIDE: STOCKING FILLERS

Stocking Fillers! One of my favourite things to buy at Christmas, the excitement of stuffing a bag or stocking full to the brim with treats and gifts is one of my favourite parts of Christmas prep.

I've pulled together a few little gift ideas that are perfect stocking fillers or even well suited for a Secret Santa gift!

Lush is a great option for cute pampering gifts. Their little shower gels are a real treat, the scents are divine and there's something for everyone. One of my favourite picks is The Comforter Shower Cream, a bright, warming and comforting vanilla and blackcurrant scent. Lush's Salted Coconut Hand Scrub is another good find, this heavenly hand scrub leaves hands silky smooth and would be great paired with a hand cream like this Rose & Co one for a Secret Santa gift.

One of my favourite things to get in my stocking is an Essie polish. For a festive treat for beauty lovers pop a glittery shade in like Essie Tassel Shaker, a coppery bronze glitter or Essie Fashion Flares, a magenta glitter. For the perfect luxe gift for beauty lovers, Nars lip pencil in Cruella would make the ultimate find tucked into a Christmas stocking!

For the stationary lovers, this Metallic Sharpie Set with bronze, gold and silver would make the perfect stocking treat. Also I'm sure that anything from Rifle paper Co or Kate Spade would make a welcome addition to their stocking!

I've pulled together a list below of some more gift ideas too: