Christmas Wish List Shopping

With all the shops currently displaying their Christmas gifts and seasonal collections emerging left, right and centre I have plenty of things on my wish list right now, here are just a few things I am lusting over:

Too Faced Romantic Eye Kit, £26.00, Boots

Too Faced is a brand who's name I always here banded about, but I have never really taken the time to look into their products. During a recent bit of online window shopping this palette caught my eye, I think the mix of colours is beautiful and it's definitely going to feature on my Christmas list this year. Get it here.

Clinique Whole Lotta Colour Gift set, £30.00, John Lewis

How cute is this collection of five mini Clinique Chubby Sticks, I really struggle to pick lip colours so having this set would be ideal. The colours included are Richer Raisin, Bulky Blossom, Chunky Cherry, Oversized Orange and Super Strawberry, I also love the hot pink box they come in (because packaging matters ok!). Get it here.

Popcorn Lip Scrub, £5.25, Lush

How amazing does popcorn lip scrub sound? Yes it's kind of overpriced for what it is, but I don't care, I want it! Get it here.

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Soufflé Body Crème, £43.50, John Lewis

This sounds good enough to eat, almond and coconut milk - yum! There are rave reviews of this on the John Lewis website but ultimately for me this is super expensive for a body moisturiser, especially as I'm a bit of an infrequent moisturiser-er as it is. I don't doubt that this product would be gorgeous to use, maybe it's one to save up for? Get it here.

Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum 50ml, £59.00, House of Fraser

I swear I read that this perfume was being discontinued, but it still seems to be readily available in House of Fraser and Debenhams. Anyway, it is in my opinion a gorgeous scent that I cover myself in every time I enter a perfume department, it's really getting to the point where I just need to take the plunge and buy it! I don't think this perfume would be to everyones taste, it smells like Parma Violets and is a very feminine, high quality fragrance. Get it here.

Well that is my current round up of products, I'm sure next week I'll be eyeing up even more products. Please feel free to share below what you will be putting on your Christmas list this year.

Christmas Eve

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"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house 

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, 

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, 

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, 

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap. 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, 

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, 

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. 

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, 

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick. 

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! 

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen! 

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! 

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!" 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, 

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too. 

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound. 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, 

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. 

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, 

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. 

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! 

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, 

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. 

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly, 

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly! 

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, 

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! 

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, 

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, 

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. 

And laying his finger aside of his nose, 

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose! 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, 

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. 

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, 

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

A Christmas Tag

I read this Christmas tag on Lucy's blog and thought it was fab, so thought I'd post my own version here.

Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?

Eggnog, I love it around Christmas time! Don't get me wrong I love a good hot chocolate too but that is something you can have all year round, eggnog as far as I'm concerned is for Christmas, especially if it comes in the form of a Starbucks eggnog latte!

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Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Wrap!! Half the fun of presents is guessing what lies beneath the wrapping paper, plus wrapped presents look so pretty under the Christmas tree. I used to wrap presents for a living (thanks to a part time job in a card shop during my college days) so I'm pretty OCD on present wrapping.

Coloured lights on tree/house or white?

As far as I'm concerned only non flashing white lights should be displayed on the outside of a house....I'm not big on coloured or flashing lights. As for the Christmas tree I think coloured or twinkling lights can look really pretty and give a cosy feel. 

Do you hang mistletoe?

No, although it's a cute idea! My grandparents occasionally hang some in their home.

One of my favourite Christmas decorations

When do you put your decorations up?
Really, really late!! We're such a busy family we barely have time to do it. It might shock you to know that we only just assembled the tree this week!!

What is your favourite holiday dish?

Probably has to be the Christmas day lunch with all the trimmings, it's something we look forward to every year. I am also a huge fan of my grandparents Christmas day evening buffet which contains crisps, cheese with biscuits, cold meats, bread, salad, trifle, cake and lots of tasty nibbly bits, I always fill my boots despite having had such a huuuuge lunch.

Favourite holiday memory as a child?

I can't think of just one. I remember all the sleepless nights, the excitement of coming downstairs and seeing the presents. As you get older I think you treasure those Christmas memories with loved ones past a present, Christmas is definitely a time for family.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

Year 6 in an art class where one of my friends blurted out that Santa wasn't real, I remember thinking she was joking and actually telling her that he did exist (how embarrassing!). I think year 6 (age 10) is pretty good going and it breaks my heart when really young children find out the truth as Santa is such a magical part of Christmas for a youngster. To this day my mum still refuses to tell us the truth about Father Christmas (I'm 24 and my sister is 17) and claims he is most definitely real.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

No we don't it's Christmas Day only! Stocking and presents from my parents first thing and then more presents from my grandparents after lunch.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Whilst themes can look gorgeous ours is Victorian style with loads of individual ornaments that we've collected over the years. I love it as many of the decorations remind us of different places, for example I used to live in the Seychelles when I was younger and we have silk peaches and bananas from there (sounds weird but trust me they're nice), my favourite ornaments are a duo of beautiful ballet shoes you can see one in the picture above. We don't have a fairy or a star on the top of the Christmas tree, instead we have a special Christmas ornament of Belle from Beauty and the Beast decked out in her red winter gear because we are a pretty Disney mad family!

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Snow Love it or dread it?

If I have to go somewhere dread it, but other than that I love it. Snow is so peaceful and calm and it's nice to see everyone come out and play in the snow. I also love to be cosy inside when there is snow on the ground outside.

Can you ice skate?

No, which is seriously embarrassing because my little sister is a pro and has been having skating lessons her whole life and is pretty amazing on ice!

Do you remember your favourite gift?

I honestly can't, I've always been spoilt rotten by my parents and there have been so many lovely presents over the years. One thing that really stands out is a pink sapphire and diamond ring my dad picked out for me a couple of years ago, it's beautiful and I will keep it forever.

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What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Being with family. I've come to realise people aren't going to be here forever so treasure them while you can. We had an awful Christmas last year as my dad was hospitalised on Christmas Eve so this year I'm hoping we can all chill out, enjoy good food and watch some decent telly.

What is your favourite holiday dessert?

My grandmas trifle, which is the easiest thing to make ever...to give you some idea:- tinned peaches with fresh raspberries topped with sliced swiss roll, pour over some custard and top with a good layer of whipped cream so easy but so delicious, we have it all year round but it wouldn't be Christmas without it.

What is your favourite holiday tradition?

I would have to go all materialistic and say opening presents on Christmas morning, it's a nice time to be with the family and exchange gifts! Aside from that watching Christmas movies, Elf and A Muppet Christmas Carol being my favourite and getting the first Starbucks red cup of the year is always a great feeling.

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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!

Freshly Painted: Winter Nails

twinkle twinkle

Models Own Juicy Jules £5.00, Natural Collection Topaz £1.89

Seeing as Christmas is the season of all things sparkly, I thought I would extend the festive celebrations to my nails. I started by applying Natural Collection polish in Topaz which is a prime example of the age old saying you get what you pay for. Yes, it's a super cheap polish but it's also brushstroke hell on application, making a flawless finish near impossible. In the bottle Topaz is a beautiful shimmery light blue colour, however the blue doesn't transfer to the nails and it appears more silvery, I actually think it's alright for the price and is a good bog standard silver colour. 

To add some sparkle I haphazardly added some Models Own Juicy Jules to the tips and as if by magic some winter wonderland nails were created. I think these two polishes compliment each other perfectly, Juicy Jules is beyond beautiful! I have played around with different ways to wear the two together and originally just painted my ring finger with Juicy Jules, I received so many compliments on my nails that I've decided to pair the two together again, but this time adding Juicy Jules to every nail....my motto is the more sparkles the better!

Apologies the photos aren't great, these were taken with a pretty rubbish camera at night time! Can I also just say hello and a big thank you to my new followers, it really means a lot that you stopped by! x

Christmas Wish List

The weather is getting colder, the December issue magazines are out in full force and I even heard a Christmas Song on the radio this morning, that can only mean the festive season is just around the corner. I'm feeling especially excited for Christmas this year and have already been scoping out the best beauty offerings around. I wanted to post some of my personal favourites here, I hope you'll like my choices.

Nars Kuroko Kabuki Miniature Nail Polish Coffret
£25.00

First up is the Nars Kuroko Kabuki miniature set, these gorgeous strong colours would be perfect to wear over the festive period and beyond. I haven't tried Nars nail polish yet but I'm really keen to test them out, I'm thinking a minature set might be the perfect introduction. Find the set here.

Paperself Paper Deer and Butterfly Lashes
£12.00

These lashes are beautiful, more a work of art rather than a beauty product. I'm not sure whether I'd ever wear them out of the house (well maybe for fancy dress?) but I think they're a really fun idea. I randomly came across the brand Paperself when browsing on Asos, they make beautiful costume lashes out of paper in a host of intricate designs. Find them here.

Philosophy Cinnamon Buns 3 in 1 Shower Gel
£14.00

Philosophy have released numerous lovely Christmas gift sets this year, but I would be over the moon to receive the Cinnamon Buns scented shower gel. I love that this is a multitasking product and serves as a bubble bath, shower gel and shampoo, plus it comes in a pretty sizeable bottle. It is rather pricey for a shower gel but it's nice to treat yourself every now and again, especially if it means I emerge from the shower smelling like delicious baked goods. Find it here.

Estee Lauder Limited Edition Prosperity Compact
£75.00

Ok so this is a bit of a dream gift as it comes with a fairly hefty price tag, however I find this limited edition compact ever so covetable. A gold compact is something that I'd definitely like to purchase at some point and would make a wonderfully unique Christmas gift. Whilst this one is undeniably gorgeous there is a bigger range on the Estee Lauder site and an alligator skin effect one is also catching my eye priced at a more reasonable £35.00. See the range here.

Lush Snow Fairy Gift Set
£10.95

Lush always makes fab gift boxes stuffed full of their lovely products, you'll find one to suit every budget from £5 to over £100. The super sweet Snow Fairy scent is loved by many, myself included, this box compromises of a Snow Fairy shower gel, Angel's Delight soap and a Shimmy Shimmy massage bar, I think it makes a lovely Christmas gift. Find it here.

I hope you enjoyed reading my list, let me know what you are wishing for this Christmas!