12 Days of Blogmas - Day #12 | Christmas Eve Essentials

1. Blankets
Absolutely necessary part of Christmas Eve, how are you meant to get cosy without one?!

2. Pyjamas
See above. Mine are from Primark if you were wondering. They do the best Christmas pyjamas ever!

3. Candles
It seems almost criminal for it to be Christmas eve and not have a Christmas candle burning. I have so many to get through this year I'll have at least 5 on the go at once. Although, I'm not sure how well pine, peppermint, cookies, apples and vanilla go together but we'll see I guess!

4. Christmas Films
A vital part of Christmas. Who doesn't love a good Christmas movie?! If you need any suggestions here are a few that I'll be watching today; The Family Stone, Arthur Christmas, Santa Claus, Elf, The Grinch, A Christmas Carol & Fred Claus.

5. Snacks
Adorably packaged, delicious things in conveniently sized packages? Yes please. These are just 3 of the 60 snacks I was too ashamed to show you. Calories don't count at Christmas right?

6. Hot Chocolate
You have to have at least one hot chocolate on Christmas Eve, especially with all the trimmings. Mine will be overflowing with chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream & caramel syrup! (I don't like marshmallows - don't judge me.)


Other things on my personal list for today are to listen to as much Christmas music as I can take (Michael Buble's Christmas album has been on since November and I'm starting to hate him a little more each time I listen to it), dressing my dog up in as many Christmas accessories as he'll let me put on him and wrapping the last of the hundreds of presents I bought this year.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve!

What are you getting up to today? Do you agree with my list or do you think I missed something?

F I N D  &  F O L L O W  M E  O N 

B L O G L O V I N | I N S T A G R A M | G O O G L E + | P I N T E R E S T

12 Days of Blogmas - Day #3 | Gift Guide For Him

STOCKING FILLERS £20 & UNDER

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD £20 - £50

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11

GOING ALL OUT £50 - £100

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

I know men are notoriously hard to buy for so I hope this helps you find something! 

Have you finished buying all your Christmas presents yet?

Check out my giveaway! - link

F I N D  &  F O L L O W  M E  O N 

B L O G L O V I N | I N S T A G R A M | G O O G L E + | P I N T E R E S T

12 Days of Blogmas - Day #2 | Gift Guide For Her

STOCKING FILLERS £20 & UNDER
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD £20 - £50
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

GOING ALL OUT £50 - £100
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9



The first installment of my gift guide this year. I really tried to cover all bases with these, for every budget and every woman. I hope this helps you & gives you some inspiration on what to buy the ladies in your life. Happy shopping!

Check out my giveaway! - link

F I N D  &  F O L L O W  M E  O N 

B L O G L O V I N | I N S T A G R A M | G O O G L E + | P I N T E R E S T

12 Days of Blogmas - Day #1 | Giveaway! - Closed

Hello you wondeful little elves and welcome to Blogmas! From now until Christmas Day I'll be 

publishing a post every other day. I couldn't think of a better way to start this than with a giveaway of one of my most favourite products - YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Mats in shade 204. No surprises that it's a red lipstick but I thought it was only fitting for Christmas and all!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN AND CONTACTED.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To win you just have to follow the steps on the Rafflecopter above. Following my blog via Bloglovin' is the only compulsory entry but you're more than welcome to do the other stuff too for a higher chance of winning.

The winner will be chosen on the 12th December at Midnight GMT and contacted via email.

This giveaway is not international, sorry! 

Good Luck & 

Merry Blogmas!

xoxoxoxox

Tips On Choosing Your Foundation Shade Online

The ease of buying a whole heap of make up in my pyjamas speaks to my soul and is more often than not what I do. Although, as with everything, shopping online has it's draw backs and one of which being picking foundations that match your skin tone. Heres a few tips I've discovered to picking your perfect shade.


Know Your Undertone

Let's talk about how to tell what undertone you have. There are 3 options, pink, yellow or neutral. The easiest way to tell is by looking at the veins on the underside of you wrist (it's best to do this in natural day light). If they're blue you have a warm or pink undertone, if they're green in colour then you are a cool or yellow undertone and if they look both green and blue you have a neutral undertone - pretty much equal balances of warm and cool/pink and yellow. Other ways to tell is when you get a tan warm undertones usually turn pink first, or red depending on the shade of your skin, in the sun and then tan later or are very prone to burning. Cool undertones tend to tan easily in the sun and rarely burn.

What to look for in a foundation shade name if you have warm tones: pink, salmon, blush, rose, warm and any abbreviation (e.g W). *Usually most shades titled 'fair' have pink undertones.

What to look for in a foundation shade if you have cool tones: yellow, golden, cool and any abbreviation (e.g C). *Usually shades titled 'sand' have yellow undertones.

*Of course the synonyms and descriptions above are not true for all foundations but I've found it to be the case for a lot of different shade names etc. 

Look Up Swatches

Once you know what undertone you have this is the best way to find your match. Whether it be the flat image swatches on the website or a quick google image search of the foundation of your choice followed by the word swatches. Most of the time you can tell what shades are warm, cool and neutral from a swatch but if you can't decide then have a look at the brand's website and check if they have a description of each shade of the foundation you want. They don't always tell you the degree of pink and yellow for every shade but they will most likely tell you if they are warm in tone or cool.


Foundation Match Websites
findation - matchmymakeup - foundation matrix

All 3 are great if you're looking for a specific foundation match or just want to check your shade in a lot of foundations. They work by you inputting your current foundation shades and then they'll calculate what shades you are in other foundation. Findation is a little outdated and doesn't have newer releases like the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation etc but still has a lot of choices. Matchmymakeup is the best one in my opinon, it has pretty much every foundation and you can choose a specific foundation, select a whole bunch or look at them all. It also tells you the closest match if they don't have the exact shade in the foundation you want and they tell how it's different which is super helpful. The foundation matrix is probably the most accurate but has a pretty awful system in terms of looking for specific products.


And there you have it - my tips for picking your shade online.
Do you normally shop for make up online or do you prefer going to a store?

F I N D  &  F O L L O W  M E  O N 

B L O G L O V I N | I N S T A G R A M | G O O G L E + | P I N T E R E S T

Blogging Props

Taking photos of products brings me inexplicable joy - that may well be one of the saddest things I've ever said but it's the truth. I love arranging make up to create a beautiful photograph but sometimes the picture just turns out boring and empty. Editing obviously brings life to pictures but it's always helpful to start with something good and make it better rather than something a bit crap and end up with something less crap, know what I mean? To make my pictures more interesting and add different colours and textures I use 'props'. Over the past 2 years I've created a little blogger corner in my bedroom full of stuff that I use in my pictures and I thought I'd share some of those bits with you. I highly doubt any of them are unique and original ideas but at least it's handy to have a list of them all in one place!

• wooden (chopping) board - for flat lays to add texture & dimension.
• prints - as a background to add colour.
• rings - to fill out empty spaces in flat lays.
• flowers/plants - to add colour & texture. Almost all flowers and plants photograph really well so they're definitely an easy prop to have.
• notebooks/books -  to add height when taking 'landscape' photos, great for backgrounds too.
• packaging or other products - to fill out empty spaces in photos. Taking a picture of a lipstick? Use other lipsticks to fill out the space.
• patterned bowls/plates - again good for flat lays as a background or for adding height and colour, I'm sure you've seen everyone and their mother use that marble tray from H&M in their pictures recently. 
• candles - cute candle holders make great backgrounds as do lit candles, especially for A/W posts.
• magazines - again good for backgrounds. I particularly love stacked Vogue's in the background of some of my pictures.
• wallpaper - buying a single sheet of wallpaper, especially a wooden effect, makes for a gorgeous background. You can also use contact paper that works exactly the same - and you can get marble look ones too.

To be honest most decor items work well as props in a photograph, you can pretty much use anything you have to make a picture more interesting. The only tip I have is don't over do it. Too much can take away from what you're actually photographing so just make sure the product stays the focus. 

I hope this was helpful and if you think I've left anything out, or you use something that I haven't included then leave a comment and let me know.

F I N D  &  F O L L O W  M E  O N 

B L O G L O V I N | I N S T A G R A M | G O O G L E + | P I N T E R E S T

Being Yourself With Blogging

I found it extremely difficult to overcome the barrier that presents itself when you first start blogging. I'd say it took me a good year to get past that and write as I would if I was typing an anecdote to myself or telling a friend about something - terrible puns and over the top descriptions included.

I think it took so long for me to find my blogging voice because it's hard to open up straight away. Just like when you meet someone for the first time, you try to be the best and most pristine version of yourself but that's not what makes people want to spend time with you. It's all the things that make you different from everyone else that makes anyone interested in you and that is what your blog is - it's you and that can be hard to put on the internet for a bunch of strangers to read.

It feels unnatural to put your uncensored personality, your stories and your life on the internet for anyone to find it. It can sometimes feel intrusive and you have to decide if that is a feeling you can overcome or not. Of course writing about make up products doesn't really give all too much insight into your personal life but the words are yours and for me, I still felt the need to put up a little barrier by trying to be as vague as possible in the way that I wrote a review.

After a while of reading back through my posts I just found them boring, they had no life and I didn't want to be represented that way. So, I made a decision to let go of all the apprehension and write which ever way came naturally to me. I  had so much more pride in what I was pressing publish on and I enjoyed writing so much more and I think that absolutely came across in my posts too.

I actively seek out blogs with personality because that's what is the most interesting to read. I know it is a very common cliche among blogging advice to say 'be yourself' but that is the best piece of advice I have ever received. Having beautiful pictures, a well presented blog and a million followers are obviously great assets to have but engaging with readers and giving them an enjoyable experience when they're reading one of your posts by being completely and truly yourself is much more important to me.

I wrote this in response to email I recieved the other day asking for some blogging advice. I have only been doing this 2 years and I don't have a wealth of experience or advice to give but helping someone is something that I will always happily do, so I hope this helped you in some way.


What blogging advice do you have to give?
Have you struggled with being yourself on your blog?

F I N D  &  F O L L O W  M E  O N 

B L O G L O V I N | I N S T A G R A M | G O O G L E +

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas!

So far my day has been spent with copious amounts of tea and chocolate oranges, being absolutely and completely spoilt and trying to get my dog to keep a santa hat on and as you can see above, I succeeded.

I hope you have a lovely day full of food, presents, more food and good company.

Feeling Festive With Christmas Candles

Nothing brings me more joy than a wondefully scented candle, especially those that are Christmas themed. I've been burning Christmas candles since November and I thought I'd share some of my favourite ones with you. I tend to stick to the sweeter side of things when I'm picking candles, vanilla being my favourite so if you're a cinnamon kind of girl I'm not going to be much use to you - sorry!

The one pictured above I bought from Tesco about a week ago and it smells incredible. Apart from the packaging, which is adorable, it's not that 'Christmassy' as the scent is mainly vanilla but I bloody love it! It retails for £5 which I think is pretty reasonable, all in all well done Tesco.

Yankee Candle - Christmas Cookie

This is, again, pretty much entirely vanilla scented. It smells a lot sweeter than the one from Tesco and a lot more buttery for lack of a better word. I think pretty much everyone has smelt this candle, it's lovely. And because it doesn't smell so traditionally festive you can get away with burning it all year - if it lasts that long.

Yankee Candle - Snow In Love

This is a fresh kind of smell and is pretty similar to Yankee Candle's 'Fresh Linen'. It's a really 'homely' scent and perfect for burning throughout the day.

Lily Flame - Ho Ho Ho

I have absolutely no idea how to describe this smell which is useful considering you can't smell it. It's a really rich, deep fragrance  with top notes of amber and incense and it's kind of like a perfume scent but in a good way. Again, sticking to my theme, it doesn't exactly smell 'Christmassy' but definitely adds a bit of something to a cosy night in. 

Flamingo Candles - Chocolate Orange

If you've read any of my Christmas posts you'll know I'm slightly if not manically obsessed with chocolate oranges so you can guess why this candle is one of my favourites. It just smells like chocolate oranges, there's really not much else to say. I love it.

What's your favourite Christmas scent?

                         

Christmas Gift Guide For Her - £20 & Under

- topshop duo - this works dream team - flamingo candle pink lemonade - 'smile' make up bag -
- pewter statement necklace - snowflake cookie yankee candle  - ciate set of 6 baubles -
- grey fairisle slipper socks - gold statement necklace - hands of hope ornament - grey beanie -
- cath kidston mug - daily dishonesty book - thebalm california face palette -
 - everything is going to be ok - starbucks set - benefit cheek me out duo -

I honestly want every single one of those things and I hope you do too.
This took so much longer than the one for him I did yesterday, us girls are hard to buy for just because there are so many choices! And also sorry about the pink theme, it was a total accident I promise. 

I definitely recommend having a look at the Topshop beauty gifts they're adorable and perfect for friends/sisters etc especially if you're on a budget. Asos are doing some really cute gifts too, I'm particularly loving their stationary with this being my favourite.

I hope this helped you with gift ideas or just by adding a few bits to your Christmas list!

Lots of love.

Christmas Gift Guide For Him - £20 & Under

- nerf gun - nerf gun bullets - ted baker edt set - 'stuff' washbag - photos that changed the world -
- the hungover cookbook - scrabble mugs - green moleskine journal - soap & glory set -
- globe money box - keep it covered apron - darth vader alarm clock -

Men are notoriously difficult to buy for so most of the time I just buy a few random things like the ones pictured above. Books, mugs and journals are pretty much fail safe with all ages of men but really I think most of these will suit any age and any relationship e.g dad, friend, boyfriend etc etc.

Good luck shopping for the man in your life I hope this made it a little bit easier!

Lots of love.

100 Follower Giveaway! - CLOSED

As I said a couple of days ago, here is a giveaway to thank you for 100 followers on Bloglovin!
This is just a little way to thank you for helping me get to this milestone in such a small amount of time. I truly am grateful for all of you that spend time reading what I write, commenting on it and just being lovely!

The prizes are a Smashbox Full Exposure Eye Shadow Palette and a Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner (Full Size).
One person will win both prizes.

Follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
A WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN AND CONTACTED.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


The giveaway will run for 4 weeks and ends at Midnight GMT on the 29th of August 2014.
A winner will be chose at random and will be contacted directly via email on the 30th of August 2014. The winner will have until the 1st of September 2014 to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is not international, sorry!

Good luck everyone & thanks again!


Lots of love.

All products were bought with my own money.
Once a winner has been chosen, the items will be sent by Royal Mail First Class Postage. After posting the items I am no longer responsible for any damage or loss. 
Good Luck!

Review: Birchbox

- birchbox -

This is a bit of last minute post hence the reasons why the pictures aren't great quality (we can all thank instagram for that). I just wanted to make this post as I've seen a lot of controversy over whether these beauty boxes are worth it or not.

I've been subscribed to Birchbox for about 6 months now and I haven't really been disappointed at all. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I'm not really expecting amazing things which I know sounds strange for something I'm paying monthly for but more often than not, or actually most of the time in my case, I've been sent a brand I've never heard of (which I love), a nice variety of products and they've seemed to actually pay attention to my beauty profile and sent me products accordingly.

The idea of a beauty box, I think, is great. I love trying new products and especially from lesser known or even international brands that I otherwise wouldn't have heard about let alone been able to find where they're stocked and that is the main reason I opted for the Birchbox as opposed to Glossybox. From other bloggers I've seen what they've recieved in their Glossybox each month and it all seems to be easily accessible 'highstreet' brands and products whereas Birchbox I've found has more of a variety. I'd still enjoy trying new products each month even if they were highstreet brands (there are no beauty snobs over here) but for the same amount of money, or I think that Birchbox is slightly less actually, I much prefer the wider range of brands and products I get each month.

So all in all I really like beauty boxes and I'd love to subscribe to more! There are always going to be some months better than others and I think that just makes it more interesting and at least there might be at least one thing you like each month rather than wasting the whole £12.95 on one product you end up hating.

Just an FYI, I really loved this months Birchbox. The packaging was beautiful and all 5 products were really useable and just all round lovely!

The products for May 2014:
benefit they're real mascara £19.50
aromatherapy associates revive bath oil £39.00
soigne nail varnish £11.00
philip kingsley dry shampoo £13.50
liz earle cleanse & polish £13.50

I'd be really interested to know what you think and if you're subscribed to a beauty box and what one!

Lots of love.

Hello

I've been debating whether or not to commit to writing a blog for about a year now but here I am. I've finally bit the bullet and decided that this little part of the internet will be home to all my ramblings, reviews and what ever else I decide on scribbling down that, hopefully, someone out there may enjoy. I've slotted myself into the beauty & fashion category but that's not set in stone. Finding a new product or item of clothing that I can share with the world is definitely something I love although I can't say a topic completely unrelated might find it's way here too. I hope you like it here enough to want to see what's to come or that you've just been kind enough to read this. 

Lots of love.