BLOGMAS DAY 22- IT WOULDN'T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT

Monday 22nd December 2014

3 sleeps till Christmas

I will always have a slight weakness for 'tag' posts so I couldn't not include one. The 'Sweater Weather Tag' (as this is) is technically an autumn tag, but I have edited it for winter.

1. Favourite candle scent?
As much as try and branch out, I think I will always like vanilla the best for candles or bath bombs. I do have the Yankee Candle 'Christmas Eve' candle though which smells really good but I have no clue what it smells of (sort of sugary but sort of spicy?).

2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
As much as I love the others, tea will always be the one.

3. What's the best winter memory you have?
To be honest, this December is the best month I've had for the whole of the past two years and these memories of the past month are some of the most important ones.

4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?
Dark lips, dark lips, dark lips. Dark lips all year round please. Lets ignore the fact that I can't do winged eyeliner...

L-R: Rimmel Kate Moss Matte '107', Topshop 'Beguiled', Accessorize 'Infatuated'

5. Best fragrance for winter?
Not a big fragrance wearer, so we'll go for a classic vanilla again.

6. Favourite Christmas food?
Sausage stuffing and bread sauce mixed in a bowl together for dinner on Christmas day after a massive lunch.

7. What is winter weather like where you live?
Cold and wet. No snow. Misleading sunlight. Weirdly warm on some days. That's London.

8. Most worn jumper?
I wear all my jumpers a lot- I like jumpers.

9. Must-have nail polish this winter?
Anything dark or berry coloured. And obviously glitter.

L-R: Essie 'Chinchilly', Essie 'Bahama Mama', Essie 'After School Boy Blazer', Barry M Gelly 'Plum', Barry M 'Berry Cosmo'

10. (American) Football games or jumping in leaf/ snow pile?
Leaf and snow piles in wellies.

11. Skinny jeans or leggings?
Black skinny jeans all the way.

12. Combat boots or Uggs?
Dr Martens, the only shoes you'll ever need.

13. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?
It's pretty damn good. (Autumn question I know).

14. Favourite winter TV show?
Liberty of London- I love it when it gets all festive on the programme. And I know it's not a TV show, but I really love Harry Potter in the winter.

15. What song really gets you into the winter spirit?
This year I'm loving Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas'. But nothing beats Elton John's 'Step Into Christmas' or the Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York'.

BLOGMAS DAY 21- A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Sunday 21st December 2014

4 sleeps till Christmas

I read this for the first time last Christmas after being an avid Muppets Christmas Carol fan for the majority of my life (my family can quote the film perfectly, it's weird).

I would consider 'A Christmas Carol' to be one of my favourite books. It's really short so super easy to read and it has a really enjoyable storyline. (Plus Muppet's Christmas Carol is really faithful to the book so you can visualise the Muppets when you read it).

Being set on Christmas Eve, it's the perfect Christmas classic to get cosy in your blankets and read. It's the the ideal book for making you feel festive, and I am recommending it to everyone.

BLOGMAS DAY 20- NUTELLA HOT CHOCOLATE

Saturday 20th December 2014

5 sleeps till Christmas 

Nutella hot chocolate is one of those 'I wonder if it's possible' recipes, and it kind of is. I haven't perfected up recipe yet, but I think what I've got is pretty damn good.

You Will Need:
-Mug

-Milk

-Nutella

-Microwave

-Spoon

To Make:

1. Some people may this by heating up the milk in a saucepan first but I really don't think it needs it. I heat my milk in the microwave for about three minutes- partly because I like it burning hot, and party because you need the milk really hot in order for the nutella to dissolve. 

2. Use your spoon to get a massive lump of nutella out of the jar and stir into the milk.

3. It does take a fair amount of time to dissolve the nutella, which is why you need the super hot milk. But it's so worth it in the end. 

BLOGMAS DAY 19- PRESENT WRAPPING

Friday 19th December 2014

6 sleeps till Christmas

'Do Not Open Until Dec 25th' tape- Marks & Spencer

Wrapping paper- asorted Marks & Spencer and Card Factory

Present labels- Card Factory

'When Harry Met Sally' DVD- family present wrapping tradition

Chocolates that look like sprouts- Marks & Spencer 

BLOGMAS DAY 18- THE PERFECT SUBSTITUTE

Thursday 18th December2014

7 sleeps till Christmas

How is it a week till Christmas?

Much to my great disappointment (I believe) you can no longer buy the Estee Lauder eyeshadow duo in 'Raisins'. 'Raisins' was such a lovely duo with the perfect pink and purple colours that would look lovely on anybody. So I made my own version of sorts.

My substitute for 'Raisins' came in the form of the Body Shop eyeshadows, at £7 each these are not the cheapest of products, but they have such a great staying power and wide range of colours. For my version of the duo, I chose the colours 'Pink Crush' and 'Mon Cherry', which also look amazing on their own.

Looking at pictures of the duo, however, I think the colour 'Great Expectations' is more similar to the purple in 'Raisins', but being fair I prefer the lighter shade of 'Mon Cherry' on myself. Plus, as 'Pink Crush' is not the most noticeable colour on your lids, the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Pink Gold' could also be used if you want a more obvious look.

Left: 'Pink Crush' Right: 'Mon Cherry'

I was super proud of myself when I came up with this idea, only to find out that the Body Shop website already has this makeup tutorial, but which actually turned out to be very useful.

To wear these shadows by covering my whole lid with 'Pink Crush' using the brush on the left (see the picture of brushes below). I then put 'Mon Cherry' on the crease and a bit above using the brush on the right (see below).

I love this look for both a night day and an everyday look as the colours are light and subtle, but also have a slight shimmer to them.

BLOGMAS DAY 17- THE FESTIVE BEDROOM

Wednesday 17th December 2014

8 sleeps till Christmas

BLOGMAS DAY 16- ESSIE 'FAVOURITES TO FALL FOR' DUO

Tuesday 16th December 2014

9 sleeps till Christmas

I saw this on someone else's blog and it was one of those 'I need this in my life NOW' moments. And boy was it a good purchase. 

Essie do quite a few beautiful duos, but this one was so beautiful and absolutely perfect for autumn and winter. The 'Favourites to Fall For' definitely lives up to its name, it contains the two most amazing colours that everyone needs in their lives: 'Bahama Mama' and 'Chinchilly'.

A dark grey is a staple nail varnish colour to own. 'Chinchilly' is described as a "sleek granite grey" and I've had so many complements on it it's mad. I'd had my eye on 'Bahama Mama' for well over a year so I jumped at the chance to get it as part of this duo (plus a duo is cheaper than buying two separate colours). 'Bahama Mama' is a "warm, rich, creamy plum" and I love it. It's a beautiful berry that is perfect for the Autumn/winter months.

I've said it before, but what I really love about Essie nail varnishes is the brush. It's thick and flat and it gives perfect coverage, it's so easy to cover the whole nail in two brush strokes. The brush makes even the worse nail painter, like myself, look good.

I don't know if it's just mine or if it's all of them, but I found that 'Chinchilly' has quite a watery consistency however, like all Essie nail varnishes, it looks great after two coats.

I would definitely recommend getting this nail duo, at £12.99 it's not the cheapest of items, but it's so worth it for the two beautiful colours you get. I am so in love with this duo, I've been rotating the colours for the past two months and I've barely worn anything else.