December favourites

I thought I'd see out 2014 with my December favourites.  I've got a good old mixture here for ya, some beauty bits and bobs, a smelly candle (slightly addicted to those I admit), a new hand bag plus shoes.

Uggs Boots  (Style/Shade - Azalea/Chestnut) | LINK

I'm not sure these can be classed as a December favourite since I've only had them since Christmas Day.  I have to thank the hubby for these... he did good.  His choice of style, colour...I was not expecting these at all... they weren't even on a want list of mine.  I've worn them every time I have left the house since the 25th.  They are so comfortable and keep your feet toasty warm.  It's love I tell you.

Rebecca Minkoff - MAC Bag | LINK

This was a bonus spending spree plus a 31st birthday treat to myself.  It had been in the back of my mind to buy this bag for months, perhaps even a whole year.  I opted for the MAC version as opposed to the famous Mini MAC.  I think this will be one of those bags which will last a life time.  I picked black as it is more wearable and timeless.  

Heart and Home Candle - Baked Apple  | LINK

Firstly OMG!!!  If you love that smell of freshly baked apple pie (American Pie anyone?!?) then you'll want to get your hands on this.  Pop the lid off and this smells amazing, but light it.... man your house will smell like you've got pots of apples and cinnamon cooking on the stove.  It is truly yummy.

Crocheting

My inner granny has emerged and I have been a proper little crocheter.  I'm no knitting crocheting genius yet but currently I have made three snoods so far.  I'm now attempting a gigantic blanket for the sofa.  It might have bitten off more than I can chew and it may take me a year to make it but I thought I'd give it a whirl.  Watch this space.

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation | LINK

If I'd written a favourites post for every other month of this year, this would of been included every time.  It's been a favourite for months now, so much so I'm almost hitting the bottom of the bottle.  It's strange considering I used to hate this initially.  I've never tried any Bourjois foundations before now, but I'm very pleased with this.  It's light and gives you a glow.  However it is build-able which I like.  I've certainly pick this up again soon.

Laura Mercier - Secret Brightening Powder | LINK

I haven't used this for a while until recently.  I'd forgotten how good this powder is at getting my under eye makeup to last all day.  It contains a micro shimmer which reflects the light and brightens the whole area.  I love to use this with my Real Techniques Setting Brush... It's the perfect size.  This little pot lasts for ever too so it's worth the investment.

Lancôme Ombre Hynose Eyeshadow - Erika | LINK

I picked this up at the end of November to wear for the work Christmas party and it so sparkly.  It's not that annoying fall out glitter sparkly but a smooth creamy metal grey shimmery beauty.  Yes it is a little expensive but still gorgeous  So it is justified right???

I hope you all have a great New Years, I'm spending mine munching on jelly babies.  Have a good one!!!

Ax 

DIY Christmas Decor

I was a little slow to upload this post on here before Christmas actually occurred... it almost seems a little pointless to share it now.  There is always inspiration for next year huh?!

Now you would of seen this before Christmas on my YouTube channel, as I did make a small video showing how I 'made' this festive window decoration.

I use the word 'made' loosely as I didn't really make anything... I merely measured some cotton thread and tied a knot.  It is in my nature to be crafty and build things but it doesn't mean you have to go nuts and spend lots of cash to make your dreams become a reality.

For this project I simply used scissors, white cotton thread, a tape measure (you could do it all by eye if you're clever) and some pretty decorations.  You could use fancy baubles if you wish instead of the hanging snow flake option I went with.  Also a small side note... you could hang it anywhere, it doesn't have to be just a window decoration.  Obviously keep it out of reach from any little people, as string and babies are not a good combo.

Happy making.

Ax

Vitamins and Minerals – Do you get enough?

Ask yourself a question… do you believe your body is getting all it needs??  I’m not just talking 5 portions of your fruit and vegetables a day, I’m more referring to your vitamins and nutrients?  Do you think you’re getting all you need?  I would hastily say yes, but when I truly think about it - perhaps I don’t get the recommended daily requirements. 

After picking up a nutrition book (I am attempting to up my nutritional knowledge) it is actually very interesting reading what our bodies actually need to function.  Our bodies are complex machines which need the correct balance of nutrients and minerals to function plus proteins and carbs …yes we need carbs people!!  In order for the machine run well, we need to input the right things.  All these factors contribute to such things as the  growth and repair of our bodies.

In this day and age us little humans are a lot busier than we used to be.  Our body and its nutrition can take a battering as we are on the go constantly.  I know talking from experience that on some days I barely get a moment to myself to even think, let alone to concentrate on if I’m getting enough Vitamin B12 or Omega 3. 

With this in mind, I’ve decided it might be the right time to add a supplement to my diet.  I eat a relatively healthy balanced diet to begin with (I obviously have my cheat days too!) but there is no harm to add a multi vitamin into your routine.  For the last week or so I have been using Perfect7 Woman* from Seven Seas.  This is a unique blend of marine oils, rich in Omega-3, and key vitamins and minerals. 

If you are wondering what the '7' stands for in Perfect7, they are the seven key benefits that will help and support your body from the inside out.  They are...

Zinc | Contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and nails

Biotin | Helps to provide normal healthy hair

Magnesium | Contributes to energy helping fight tiredness and fatigue 

DHA | Helps our brains function

Vitamin B2 | Maintains normal vision

EPH and DHA | Contributes to the function of the heart

Vitamin B | Helps regulate hormonal activity

This duo tablet system (you have to take two pills every day) also has many other vitamin and mineral benefits such as folic acid, iron, Vitamin C, E and D - plus many more with very confusing hard to pronounce names :-)

Perfect7 contains marine oils which is a essential fatty acid (Omega 3), this helps to maintain normal heart and brain function plus vitamins and minerals to help contribute to reducing tiredness and fatigue. This is a massive help if you are a work-aholic or a busy bee on the go 24/7.

If you are wondering 'what about my boyfriend or hubby - can he takes these?'  Well men and women are not the same - especially when it comes to ageing. This is why Seven Seas has developed two distinct formulations for Perfect7 Woman and Perfect7 Man. This is great as your boyfriends and hubbys won't feel left out of all the fun.

When it comes to ageing us ladies usually think of perhaps using an anti-wrinkle cream to help protect our skin from the signs - I know I do.  It is something to think about, that one of the external signs of a healthy body is good skin.  Perfect7 Woman is designed to provide you with nutrients to help maintain normal skin and nails from the inside.  So why not take a supplement to help from the inside out??  Every little bit helps us doesn't it?

Do you take any daily supplements??  Do you like the sound of Perfect7 Woman??

Ax

This post is in collaboration with Seven Seas Perfect7

Creamy Beige Eye Look

I'm in love with easy, fast eye looks and this new Maybelline Colour Tattoo Leather Effect in Creamy Beige is the boy for the job!  My new best friend.... and only one.

This kind of thing will be right up your street if you are a busy bee and just need a quick non-fussy look.  Paired with a MAC 217 blending brush is the way forward.  A beautiful eye look which literally takes two minutes - if that to create.  The creamy colour is just a few shades darker than my skin colour and it's the perfect everyday eye look.

Oily skin folk... you need not worry as this does not move an inch.  And creasing - what creasing?  Blending is so easy-peasy, that you don't even need to use a brush to blend if you don't want to.  Fingers work just as well.  It can also be used alone (as shown above) or as an eye shadow base.  Creamy Beige is the lazy or busy girls eye shadow friend for life.

I can see this little pot getting a heck of a lot of loving from me.

Have you tried this?

Ax

How do you know if you’re ready?

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A different blog post for you on this lovely Sunday afternoon.  I wanted to touch on a subject which (a) has been on my mind and (b) is perfectly normal for many but also scary to some (I choose the latter).  It is also a natural process of life.

Having babies. 

How do you know if you are ready to take the leap and make a mini me?  For animals it's easy ...whenever they reach sexual maturity - off they go.  However with us humans it is slightly different and more complex.  I have been asking myself (and my hubby too) the question for about 12 to 18 months.  It is that question you ask one another when you’ve reached the next step in your relationship.  It also doesn't help that I am also a 30 year old and have people reminding me (when I'm not already reminding myself) that my clock is ticking - thanks people!

For me the babies question breaks me into a small cold sweat and gets my heart racing.  Bringing a new life in to the big wide world isn’t something to take lightly.  Well for me it isn’t.  I must confess I can be an OCD, over analysing freak who analysis's everything.  Any small thought or feeling... I sit there like a shrink cross examining myself.  I'm broody but do I reaalllly want a child??? But do I really??? I'm that kind of person.  See?

I've always known or thought (see I'm over analysing again) I wanted to have a child.  To experience pregnancy and child birth but most importantly to cuddle a life my hubby and I created together.  I have always imagined that moment of looking in to a pair of eyes that I help build... to have them hold my little finger.  Man I could go on and on.

I'm one of those people who has never really had that much experience with children.  The odd cuddle now and again, perhaps a push on the swings in the park but that has been it.  I've never had the glimpse of that life, where a small person depends on you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.  So naturally it scares the sh*t out of me.  But come on I'm not the only one, surely??

Hannah (Maggs/Michalak) wrote a recent post HERE which put some of the demons in my mind to rest over becoming a Mum.  If you don't know Hannah (have you been living under a rock??) she and her husband Stef have been vlogging their first year as parents ...star attraction is Greyson - their son.  It might be sad to say I feel almost part of their family, watching him grow over the first year.

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It has also been enlightening for someone like myself when it comes to taking the plunge into parenthood.  I know that becoming a parent isn't always a joyful experience (sleepless nights, painful nipples and a needy child crying when you're feeling sleep deprived) but from watching the Michalaks it has made me feel it can't be that bad. I'm pretty sure the precious moments by far out weigh the bad.  Besides so many people have a child/ren every day.... so it certainly cannot be that bad.

I suppose what I'm attempting to show in this post is that is perfectly normal to be scared and hesitant of the unknown.  We wouldn't be human if we didn't show fear.  However there is no set right or wrong time to have a child... you can plan, plan and plan some more to have one... but using the saying of a recent quote I found 'the thing is you think you have time' (a Buddha quote).  Life is too short, especially where a child is concerned.  You need to be comfortable in your life in order to take the next step, whether it be married or happy with your financial situation.  But you cannot put it off forever, as you cannot get those years back once they are gone.

So I suppose we just need to relax and go with the flow (note to self).

Ax

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Christmas Jumper Day

Christmas is the time to get festive.  Yea you! Stop being so bah humbug and get festive!!! Now!!!  Go on break out the cheesy Christmas jumpers...you know you want to.  To be honest I do love a good Christmas jumper (or T-shirt if you are a sweaty monkey).  My jumper this year is from Dorothy Perkins (link HERE).

Today December 12th in the UK is officially National Christmas Jumper Day.  It is the law that you have to wear one (FACT!), and most people do make the effort.  If your are not sure what National Christmas Jumper Day is all about, basically you have to wear a Christmas Jumper but it is in aid of Save the Children.

When you wear your jumper you then make a small donation to the Save the Children website ... Link is HERE for you.

It’s all good fun...you get to look cool in your jumper but you also help a child in need.  It kind of relates back to my previous post about giving more to others don’t you think?

Have fun! 

Ax

MAC Lustering Lipstick

Hello red lippy!!

It's Christmas so of course I am breaking out the bold red and pink colour lipsticks,  I've been head over heels for bold mattes recently but I still love my glossy lipsticks.  One of my favourite buys are the Lustre range of lipsticks from MAC.

Lustering is a gorgeous pink with an under tone of a light red shade.  It looks beautiful when applied. One coat gives a sheer look but when layered it can look bolder and more pigmented.  Perfect for this time of the year.  

This would be great if you're a first time bold lip wearer.  You can simply adjust the amount of layers you apply to get you're ideal look.  Great stuff!

Ax

Be a little more giving

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I feel like I need to write a small post today, a pointless post which no doubt will probably mean nothing to some.  I just feel I need to vent out some anger.  Some people have stress balls or hit punch bags to vent out their frustrations but today I’m choosing to write mine.

Since when did the world become so selfish?  I feel like no one is a team player, likes to help and get involved any longer.  All they look out for is number one.  Looking out for number one is fine and perfectly normal, we all do it and I do too.  However it is cruel to let other people deal with all the dilemma while they sit and do nothing and almost get off on it.

I just feels like no cares to get involved and it baffles me.  Who do they think deals with anything...a fairy with glittery wings?  Erm nooooo.  If someone gets hurt in the street, it takes someone with initiative and courage to stand up and step in.  If everyone put their head in the sand and waved their arses in the air soldiers in the battlefields wouldn’t be saved by their comrades.

People need to start to give a little more... do at least one thing that is unselfish everyday.  It will mean the world to that person (or animal) and you never know you might actually feel good about it yourself for doing some good.

Give up your seat on the train
Adopt an animal
Give your spare change to a homeless person
Make a donation to a charity
Give blood and join the organ donation list

They don’t have to be or need to be earth moving gestures, but just something even if it is holding a door open will make a difference to someones day or life.

We should all give it a little thought.

Ax

Beauty Favourites

I don't try to do favourite videos too often as they can become very repetitive, predicable plus a tad boring after a while in my opinion.  I personally like to try and use the same products to finish them up.  Attempting to be a good girl here when it comes to buying bits and bobs lately.

This video shows my latest loves.  We've got some body care in the form of the Fortune Shower Body Scrub from Rituals and Wild Argan Oil from The Body Shop.  Also from The Body Shop we have the Drops of Youth Eye Concentrate.

I'm also loving the new Rouge Edition Velvet Matt Lipsticks from Bourjois in the shades Frambourjoise, Nudist and Peach Club.  These beauts last all day long which I lovvvvve!!!

Ax

Dorothy Perkins Haul

December is the month of the work Christmas party and my birthday month.  I am excited for the Christmas party as I have never been to one before.  Fingers crossed I can put together a get ready with me video of some sort.  Secondly I can't say I'm very excited to be turning 31, I can't believe I'm that old to be honest.  Not like 31 is really classed as old.  I was mortified to turn 30 last year... so to be 31 makes me feel slightly sad.  But I cannot do anything about it but use lots and lots of anti wrinkle creams to keep me looking 25!

In preparation for the Christmas party I went and bought a Christmas outfit from Dorothy Perkins.  My whole outfit came to under £50.  This is great when times are hard and you don't have many pennies to spend.  I have popped any links below to anything I purchased.  Some are not available unfortunately.

Millie Mackintosh Earrings LINK
Dress (not online but similar dress LINK here)
Necklace | no link :(
Floral Tights | LINK
Eden Jegging Jeans in Green | LINK
Eden Jegging Jeans in Indigo Demin | LINK
Christmas Penguin Jumper LINK
Izabel Grey Top | Not online

Nivea Blueberry Blush

I'm usually not a big fan of sticking fingers in to a potted lip balm or a lip butter - it seems and is so unhygienic.  However I have been willing to do so for this yummy new lip butter from Nivea. 

If you love a yummy taste on your lips, you won't be disappointed with this Blueberry favour.  I think the taste is very sweet, almost like Love Hearts.  The balm itself is very hydrating...chapping will be a thing of the past.  Shea butter and almond oils make this super nourishing and provides intense moisture.  Perfect for the upcoming winter months.

I found this tin in Wilko (LINK) and it was the only one left, so it is pretty popular.  So if you see it snap up quickly.  At £2 you cannot really say no can you?

Ax

Whole Foods

I lost my virginity and it was an experience... An exciting one that was left far too long. Perhaps you think I'm sharing too much info but we're friends right??  However I didn't lose THAT virginity.  I went to Whole Foods for the first time ... ever!!

Really...you got excited over that???

Yes ... I am excited that I have stepped over the threshold of Whole Foods Piccadilly Circus. I know some of you might I'm a bit crazy to get excited about a supermarket / grocery store, But he's the thing...  UK supermarkets are boring and are just a bit meh.  I felt the same excited feeling when I stepped in to Trader Joe's in Chicago for the first time - happy.  It's something new I suppose but it's also how everything in the store looked.  Fresh.

The thing with UK supermarkets there are so many rules.  Must cover it with packaging, is the length and diameter of the cucumber correct, are the peppers the right shade of red or are the carrots too bent.  Do standard agencies know they taste the same regardless of the length or if it's bent?  

Everything in Trader Joe's and Whole Foods looked like they were in the fields 5 minutes earlier.  Plus it was a nice feeling to see and touch the food.  No packaging...I'm a big recycler and I hate that the UK have soooo much packaging for their foods.  I love and prefer the green grocer way...in a paper bag...not sitting on the polyethylene tray shrink wrapped in two layers of plastic.  Is it necessary?

I like to hope UK supermarkets notice the popularity in places like Whole Foods, and perhaps rethink their ways.  Even Aldi and Lidi don't have that much packaging which is a start I guess.

Ax