CURRENT FAVOURITES | JANUARY 2015

I don't know about you guys but I am so glad that January is over! Hell to the yeeaaahhhh!

SKIN CARE ROUTINE - WINTER EDITION

I've become absolutely obsessed with skin care and it's because now I'm using the right products, I've seen crazy improvements with my skin. I have oily/combination skin and here's the products that I've been using lately to combat oil and clear my pores.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: THE BODY SHOP VITAMIN E INTENSE MOISTURE CREAM

I've said before that The Body Shop does phenomenal deals, and if ya didn't believe me then let me tell ya something; I got this face cream for free. And it's worth £13. It's the bargain of all bargains, the bargain to rule them all. Obviously my first thought was; "oh they're fobbing this off on us because it's a load of shit", but so far I've been completely wrong. I started using it because even though I have notoriously oily skin, my skin has been so damn dry for the past maybe 10 days. It's insane; the skin on one of the oiliest parts of my face, the sides of my nose, has been peeling. I've not used this loads because my skin is all over the place at the moment and I'm trying to figure out exactly how to combat the oil and the dryness all at once, but so far I'm really enjoying using this, especially at night. It's non-greasy, non-sticky and sinks into the skin really quickly, which ticks a lot of boxes for me. I'm not entirely sure how well it works just yet, but upon first glance it's pretty decent. I'll have a full review up in a few more weeks, probably, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Thanks for reading, xo.

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BLOGMAS | DAY 2: A LATE POST ABOUT BEING EARLY

Low lighting and gold and black packaging are a match made in heaven, let me tell you. If there was ever a picture to describe the decadence, luxury and self-satisfaction of early Christmas shopping, that would be it. One of my dear loved ones will be opening this posh-as-hell box of choccies, not a tacky box of overpriced Thornton's. Woah, that got really opinionated really fast, but I promise you I'm right. About the early Xmas shopping and about Thornton's; not sorry. So me and my mum took a trip into town for some spontaneous Christmas shopping and I could not believe my eyes. The variety is overwhelming and the deals are in-sane. Insane.

Every year I've left my Christmas shopping until around mid-December and I can't believe what I've been missing out on. Boots (link) has a 3 for 2 deal across their entire Christmas section, The Body Shop (link) has a million and one deals on; buy one get one free on selected items, 30% off when you by 2 items, 40% off when you buy 3 items, up to £20 off some of their skincare ranges, as well as free delivery if you spend over £5; and in-store they have some buy one get one free offers and bundle offers on selected items. If you're looking for alcoholic gift sets then take a trip to Tesco (link) because they have an overwhelming selection, most of which are £5-£8, featuring brands such as; Bailey's, Smirnoff, Blossom Hill, Absolut Vodka, Famous Grouse, Kopparberg, Canti, Malibu, which are literally the ones I can remember off the top of my head. There were loads.

If you're looking for a gift with a little more bling, head to Warren James (link) as they're going bust or something but their price slashes are mouth-watering. Try not to buy everything. 

Edible gifts? Marks and Spencer (link) is a good place to go, surprisingly. Take a perusal down the chocolate isle for as much as 50% off. Or your could take a peek at their Christmas range, it's on 3 for 2 after all.. And if you can't make it to any of these stores, online shopping and free, or at least cheap, delivery will be your best friend. I've even included links for you, aren't I swell.

The point is, there's no need to spend a fortune this Christmas, or end up buying your loved ones a naff pair of socks, because you left all of your shopping to the last minute. There's loads more great deals and offers than this, and because of fall-out from Black Friday/Cyber Monday there's sales on in clothing stores such as BHS (link) where they literally sell everything. You can get hankies for your Granddad, Slippers for your nan, pyjamas for your Mum, a watch for your Dad, DVDs for your younger siblings/nieces/nephews/cousins, a hand-wash set as a present for the older cousin/sibling who has just moved into a new house. You could get a fancy box of shortbread for your neighbour, a fancy wine set for your boss. I could sit here all night and go on and on. 

It's the 2nd of December, I'm cutting it pretty close as it's nearly midnight, and I've nearly finished my Christmas shopping. Which is so bizarre considering I only started on Thursday. 

If you want my advice, well you may as well have a little bit more; write your list - keep it short though, your boss' cat won't hate you if they get left out - and get shopping.

Trust me. When you're enjoying a glass of mulled wine and scrolling through Netflix while everyone else is freaking out because it's the 20th already and they haven't even started and the shops are full of junk, and everything's so expensive, you'll be a very happy camper.

Wheyy, finished before midnight, get in!

I'll be back tomorrow with a regular beauty post, so stay tuned for that.

Thanks for reading, xo.

PREVIOUS: Blogmas | Day 1

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All offers mentioned are correct as of 2/12/2014

COLLECTIVE HAUL: Makeup, Skincare & Fragrance

So, I don't know how this happened. Retail therapy, a little reward and the majority of Superdrug's stock being on offer somehow turned into this explosion of products, which has caused a tiny dent in my student budget. Oops. But oviously, you're here for the good stuff so let's go!

It's Looking A Lot Like Christmas!

That, is all the presents & décor I have bought this year!

And the star on the tree? It all came up to £69.42, which sounds like a lot but honestly it's a bargain.

I was inspired by meghanrosette and wanted to show off what I'd bought my family for Christmas!

Aaaand, handily enough, you can also use this as a last minute gift guide if you so wish!

There's a few goodies for myself in there, as well as one or two things that were bought for me.

Plus one or two items that scream Christmas at me, that I had to share!

So let's get into it!

These are the presents that I got for my mum!

She works in a Primary School and spends so much time washing her hands and cleaning things, that her hands are  really dry and can crack and get really sore. So Janelle to the rescue ;)

1. I got her an Almond Hand Cream set which  comes with the cream, a nail file, a nail buffer and a nail clipper.It's literally the perfect little gift for someone who needs/likes to take care of their hands. (£8 from The Body Shop sale)

2. To add a little extra to the hand care gift, I got her a trio of NYC nail varnishes in Manhattan, Chelsea & Fashion Ave Fuchsia (L-R). (3 for 2 at Superdrug, or £1.79 each).

3. Also in addition to the hand care I got her a little tub of Nivea cream to pop in her hand bag. (£1 from Poundland, but also available at Boots/Superdrug and most chemists for varied prices).

4. I've blogged about the Vanilla Crème Starlytes candle a billion times, and my mum took a shine to them too! I came across a jar-sized version of it and snapped it up quick! (£1 from Poundworld).

5. A snazzy claw hair clip that the Universe sprung upon me! (30p from Superdrug).

6. The Dark version of a Terry's Chocolate. Because she loves them, ha. (£1.79 from WHSmith)

My mum was a genuine breeze to buy for. I knew exactly what to get her so it was pretty much stress free.

My brother on the other hand...

Despite being 5 years old, I find him pretty tricky to buy for!

Which is how he ended up with vests! Lol.

No, but he does need some new ones!

1. 2 Thermal Vests & 3 Sleeveless Vesta (both from Primark; Thermal - £3.50, Sleeveless - £2.50).

2. The Lion King Book & CD. In all fairness, this is me trying to influence him as this is the greatest film ever. (£2.99 The Works sale).

3. Tube of Smarties. You can't go wrong with chocolate, and he's 5. (£1 from Poundworld).

4. The Fireman Sam colouring book comes with 60 different designs, as well as a pack of crayons, and he loves Sam. (99p from Discount UK).

 I wasn't going to buy for anyone else, but I grabbed a couple of things for my Auntie on a complete whim.

I actually only got her the clip as a stocking filler, but my mum insisted on the earrings as well.

I might find her a bracelet to complete the package. *shrug.

1. Claw hair clip, as above. (30p from Superdrug).

2. Hoop earrings from/by Wallis. (£2.50 in the Wallis sale in BHS). 

Naturally there were a few things that Santa decided to slip under the tree for me...

Okay, I'm inclined to believe that I bought more than this, but *shrug, I can't remember!

1. Redvines. These were virtually impossible to purchase in store, but a lovely sweet shop near my has started selling them! Needless to say I bought three packets of my favourite licorice! (£1.99 per packet in Jessica's).

2. ButterLONDON Lips and Tips sets. Woah, hold the phone! I need to make a whole post about these because omg do I have information! I got West End Wonderland and Rosie Lee (L-R). (£9.99 each from TKMaxx. I know right!).

3. Claw hair clip - not pictured, cos I'm a melon. (30p from Superdrug).

4. Last but not least, I got myself another Starlytes jar candle as well! (£1 from Poundworld).

Woah, that's a lot of presents! I usually by 2-3 things for others, and nothing for myself!

But to see how all out I really went, we should get into décor.

These decorations are so cute! They come with some gold string so you can hang them on your tree or wherever. I got a little creative and stuck mine to my bedroom wall, and then my mum bought some and hung them in the archway in our hallway. They're so glittery and festive! (£1 from Discount UK).

Mini Christmas trees! I dunno, they're just adorable! Plus more glitter! They even have little stars on top! (£1 each from Discount UK).

I'm turning into some kind of candle junkie. In the background we have more Starlytes candles. It's a set of 4 festive candles including Cinnamon Sticks, Ginger Cookies, Snowcapped Pine and of course Vanilla Crème (L-R).  They all smell true to their name, without being overpowering. Scrumptious! (BOGOF at £3.99 from The Works)

In the foreground I have my Yankee Candle Wax Tarts! I haven't melted them yet because I still can't find an affordable oil burner, but I'm trying! I've blogged about them here, they smell delicious! (£1.25 each from House of Fraser).

Lastly, there is a random candle from Primark called 'Boughs of Holly'. It reminds me of a Yankee Candle that I can't remember the name of (oops) as it has an apple-y fragrance to erit. Red Wreath, maybe? *shrug. Anyway, I burnt this badboy for three hours and it gave me a headache, though I've been burning Ginger Cookies for just as long with no side affects. It's crazy what different ingredients can do. Regardless, it smells yummy and it looks cute as well. (£1 from Primark).

Wrapping Paper!!! Despite my theme this year being gold and glittery, I couldn't leave this stuff in the shop.

(£1 per roll from Discount UK).

And last but not least...

TINSEL! I bought 4 bunches of this stuff, totalling eight metres. I guess I got a little carried away! It ties it with my gold theme without looking tacky (somehow, lol). A sprig of tinsel adds so much extra festive cheer,  it's effortless. (£1 per bunch from Poundworld).

Phew! I'm done!

I'll put pictures of my room up as soon as I've tidied it, as well as pictures of my living room & hallway.

Seen anything you like the look of? Let me know!

Thanks for reading :)

Note: The few links that I could find, I have included for reference only. Please don't try and order anything for Christmas, as there's no way you'll get it in time!

Gems of November!

Yes guys & dolls, it's that time of the month again!
With all the hype of it being December and the excitement of Christmas looming, November all but flew out of my mind as a thing of the past.
However, all is not lost as by some stroke of sheer luck, I remembered!
So without further ado...