& Other Stories Hand Cream

I had heard about the brand & Other Stories from other bloggers, and have always been intrigued as to what they sell. Whilst in London my friend took me to the store at Oxford Circus, and explained how it is H&M's sister brand. The beauty and skincare range totally sucked us in, and we spent ages browsing the section. The best thing is that it is all budget friendly, and really affordable. I am always on the hunt for a good hand cream, and I was excited when I stumbled across this on the shelves for just £4. They have distinctive scents which run throughout their entire skincare and beauty range. I really liked the Punk Bouquet Hand Cream scent, as it is vanilla based and left a lovely, fresh scent once rubbed into my hands. I could have bought so much more than I did whilst I was in the store. I had my eyes on the Anti-stress Sleeping Mask which had a really smooth texture, and the Gorgeously Gentle Cleansing wipes had such a refreshing and calming scent. This is totally one of those moments where you wished you had just spoiled yourself there and then, as I really regret not picking up the other bits which I liked the look of. I think this calls for an online order having to be made sometime soon.

Have you tried any products from the & Other Stories beauty range?

Lucy
xoxo

Topshop Haul

This is the second installment of my week of London hauls, yesterday posts was a Christmas Lush Haul which you can see here.

I had some vouchers to spend in Topshop, and I had originally wanted to try and get a dress for over the festive period. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find anything, but I did find two things which I really like. The Brooklyn Sweatshirt is by a brand called Project Social T, who have their own petite concession range in Topshop. The clothing was really lovely, and I was impressed with the quality of their items. The jumper costs £30, but it is super soft and it was so cosy when I tried it on. It fitted really nicely, and it is a little bit oversized which is how I like my jumpers to be. This will be super easy to wear, and is perfect for those days when you just cannot decide what to wear. I also really love the pale grey shade of the jumper, as it suits my skintone really well.
This lipstick in Inhibition is definitely not something which I would naturally pick for myself. I think the colour is lovely, and has a satin matte finish. I think it would be great with a simple black dress and heels, and this lipstick as the statement to the overall look. I am really hoping that it suits me, as I have never been daring enough to try such a dark colour on myself before. I am definitely going to test it out this weekend, on a night out with my friends. I'll report back if it is a success!

Lucy
xoxo

Lush Oxford Street Christmas Haul

This week I am doing a series of hauls after my trip to London at the weekend, which you can read all about here.

I have been wanting to try the Cranberry Face Mask for ages. A lovely lush worker, took the time to go through how it works and tested some of the product on my skin. It has a very thick consistency, as it deep cleansing. It costs £6.75 for 75g. I think I will probably get 5 uses out of this, as I don't think you will need too much product for one application. It is for normal to dry skin, and leaves the skin matte and soft. The cranberries are an antioxidant ingredient to help brighten and replenish which sounds very exciting.
I have never tried the Angel Snow Melt before, but it looked so lovely I needed to pick it up. It costs £3.95, but I am definitely going to use this in two halves as it quite big and thick. It is rich in moisturising cocoa butter, which will leave your skin silky soft. The most exciting thing is that the gold side realises the shimmer, and turns your bath into a total glitterbomb.
I love, love, love the scent of the Cinders Bath Bomb. It costs £2.95, but it is smaller than the rest. The scent totally just makes me think of Autumn. It contains cinnamon, almond and orange oils which all smell totally delicious together. The little extra surprise is that is contains popping candy, which come out when it dissolves in the bath.
This is the only Christmas product which I have ever repurchased. The Candy Mountain Bubble Bar is so delightful and cute. They are £2.95, and I think you either love or hate this scent. It has a real sugary sweet scent, which I find is really lovely and relaxing. The main ingredient is vanilla absolute, which is one of my favourites. Once melted this bubble bar leaves your skin really soft and smooth.

Have you picked up any Lush Christmas products this year?

Lucy
xoxo

My Weekend in London

This weekend I had a lovely weekend in London seeing my best friend, who is a fashion student down there. I was excited to do some serious shopping, and just chill and relax, and have a well deserved catch up. 

On friday, we went into the huge Topshop on Oxford Road which was great. I loved all of the different concessions which they had in the store. We also picked up some Lola's cupcakes which tasted divine. We went to this incredibly cute burger place called Kua Aina, just off Oxford Circus, and it was incredible. I had the most amazing chicken and halloumi burger, which sweet potato fries. That evening we headed to Winter Wonderland, it was so big it was unbelievable, it was like a theme park. We had such a great time, we went on rides, and bought mulled wine and cider which was delightful. The atmosphere was great, and the place was filled with endless food and drink stalls, including a turning carousel ride which I was rather excited about. 

Saturday, was the day we had planned to hit the shops big time, and we did that rather well. However, before we started we needed some fuel. We had intended to go The Breakfast Club, but the queue was huge and we was starving. We went next door to a place called Ko Chai which was great and we had some amazing blueberry pancakes. We then headed to Canary Wharf where we went ice skating, which I loved and it is always so enjoyable. We then hit the shops. I totally fell in love with & Other Stories, that shop has some seriously good skincare and makeup bits, and I picked up an amazing hand cream for just £4. We then went to Liberty as it is always so fabulous at Christmas, I picked up a lovely Christmas tree decoration. The Charlotte Tilbury flagship store has just opened in Covent Garden, so we went in for a peek. It is nicely laid out, and it was seriously busy, but I resisted as my mum told me she has bought me a few bits for Christmas. The Kiko store is opposite, so went in to have a nosy and it was great. I bought a few things which will be in a haul post sometime this week. I really wanted to visit the Lush Oxford Street store, so we headed there it was so busy. I did pick up a few bits and bobs which was rather exciting, including the cranberry face mask. 

Before I headed home at 5.30 yesterday, we went to the Abercrombie & Fitch store. I bought a new tee for myself, and a Christmas present for my sister. For dinner we went into this amazing pizza and pasta place, where you go and order at the chef's bar, and they make it there and then in front of you. It was great and the food was lovely, and me and my best friend spent 2 hours in there just chatting, putting the world to right as always.

I had a fabulous weekend, and it's brilliant when you can relax and just catch up on everything. There is going to be many hauls over this week of everything which I bought, which I am excited to share with you. 

Lucy

xoxo

Christmas Gift Guide for Him

The last installment of my Christmas Gift Guide posts has arrived. In case you missed the previous posts - guide for her and under £15. I find my dad the hardest person to buy for, so I have tried to pick a variety of different ideas for men of all different ages.

I think buying men a travel kit is a lovely gift, as they would never think about buying it for themselves. I have chosen the Ted Baker Mens Minis  as it contains a number of different body washes and sprays.
I really like this Striped Scarf from Next. I think it is great value for £14, and the colours running through it are really lovely. I don't think men would necessarily buy themselves accessories, but they are essentials for the winter months.
I think quite an obvious present for a man is a wallet, this one from Ted Baker is a real classic design. It is £40 and is real leather, and comes in Tan Chocolate and Black depending on their preference.

I often buy my male relatives designer t-shirts, as it not something which they would by for themselves. This Levi's Tshirt is £25, and is a simple design to suit a man of all ages.

I love both female and male fragrances from Armani, and their new realise does not disappoint. This Armani He Eau De Toilette Gift Set, is a lovely fresh scent. The set includes a 50ml fragrance, and two 75ml shower gels of the scent. 

Now, some men are really into their skincare, and if they are the Kiehls Ultra Facial Gel Cream is a perfect present. I think men should take just as much time as women do, and use facial products suitable for their skin. This is a brilliant well-known product for women in the beauty industry, and this will work just as well for men.

If the person who you are buying for, works for a business, attends a lot of meetings or simply has a lot of paperwork, then an organiser is a great and thoughtful gift. This J by Jasper Conran Tan Leather Organiser is £34, and is perfect for helping someone to get organised.
This Seiko Men's Silver Quartz Chronograph Watch from Debenhams is currently on a half price offer for £100. Seiko is a really good, well known brand for watches, I like the design of this watch, and the detailing on the face.
I really, like these Barbour Leather Utility Gloves from House of Fraser. They cost £55 which is expensive, but they will be last a life time if they are looked after. I love that they are fur lined to help keep their hands extra warm. They also come in brown and black, and they have nice detailing to them with the straps on the front.

Lucy
xoxo

Rice Krispie Christmas Trees

I have had such a disaster making these. It all started when a rather blonde Lucy, did not think and picked up pink and white marshmallows, heads up just buy white. It turned into a rather lovely shade of - snot. So mum to the rescue she picked me up some white marshmallows on the way home. Here is how to make them correctly...

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of butter
300g of WHITE marshmallows
6 cups of rice krispies
green food colouring
24 rolos

decorations of your choice..
icing
sprinkles
chocolate stars
chocolate beans

Instructions:
1. Place butter in pan, and melt on a low heat.
2. Add half of the marshmallows and stir.
3, Add the other half of the marshmallows, still on a low heat and leave to melt, stirring when necessary.
4. Add enough green food colouring until you have your desired shade.
5. Take pan off heat.
6. Grease your hands and spoon with a little butter.
7. Take a handful of mixture and start to form into your desired tree shape.
8 Add 2 rolos to the bottom of each tree, attach with a little icing.
9. Place on greaseproof paper to harden.
10. Leave for an hour.
11. Now to time decorate with whatever you have in your baking box!

I told you it is simple, however the marshmallow mixture can get extremely sticky so make sure you grease your hands as I ended up in a big marshmallow mess at one point. This should have been an extremely easy bake but into turned into a five hour process. Note to self - don't try and bake again!

Lucy
xoxo

The Best Budget Nail Varnishes

Today I bring you my main nail picks for the festive season. They are all drugstore polishes which cost less than £5. Here's the lowdown...

The Maybelline Superstay Nail Polishes are well known in the blogging world, as a great budget nail varnish brand. The shade Divine Wine is my favourite shade ever. It is super wearable and I love that it is a deep purple shade, which is perfect for this time of the year. I also really like from the line the shade Hot Salsa, it is a bit of a brighter pink shade, which looks lovely on your nails. These formulas are incredible for just £4.49. The brushes are wide and flat, meaning you need just one stroke to cover the entire nail. The nail varnishes also do not chip easily, as it has a thick gel like consistency.

I also am a big fan of the Barry M Gelly High Shine Nail Paints, I have been especially liking the shade Blueberry. At £3.99, they are also a great price for the quality of the product. They also have a gel like formula which has a high shine once dried. There is a huge range of colours within this range, and they are definitely worth checking out, if you are on the hunt for a particular shade.

I picked this KIKO Nail Lacquer last weekend in the shade Vermilion Red, and I have been wearing it ever since. I wanted the perfect red shade, and this does not disappoint. This is the cheapest one of the bunch for just £2.50. KIKO has previously been very difficult to get hold of. However, they are currently opening up a few new shops in the bigger cities and shopping centres, so hopefully you will be able to get your hands on their products much easier in the near future. I picked this up from the brand new store in the Trafford Centre.

If you like a little shimmer and sparkle at this time of year, then this shade in Cherry Space from MI-NY is a great choice. It is the glitteriest nail varnish which I have ever owned, and I love that so much of the glitter transfers on to the nails.  I picked this up in Italy over the summer, it is an Italian brand which is pretty big over there. They do have stores across Europe if you are taking any trips anytime soon, I suggest popping in if you are a nail varnish lover.

Lucy
xoxo

Christmas Gift Guide: Under £15

I think the smaller presents are always the hardest to buy. Whether it is for stocking fillers or secret santa between your family and friends, it is hard to buy something which they will use on a restricted budget.

This Alphabet Filled Scented Candle from Next is such a lovely present, and has the personal touch with the letters on them. For just £4, they look so much more expensive, and I think I might have to pick one up for myself.
Soap & Glory always bring out such fab gift sets every Christmas, and this years do not disappoint. I choose to put the Belle of the Ball gift set in this guide as it contains some really lovely, and well known products from the brand, and is great value for £12.
I saw the Personalised Nutella stall in Selfridge's myself and was intrigued. I think it is a great additional present for someone. The jars are 400g and I am sure they are around the £10 mark. If you know anyone who is a real Nutella fan, then this is the present novelty present.

I thought these Penguin Bootie Slippers from F&F at Tesco, they are really cute. They are £12, and are great for girls of all ages. I love that they have the little wings on the sides, and the fact that they are soft and snuggly.
I was surprised to see that this Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Bag from Selfridge's was just £15. Charlotte Tilbury is a high end makeup brand, and I think most people would think that this costs much more than it actually does.
Oliver Bonas do some really nice personalised gifts, including this Alphabet Charm Necklace for £14. I would love to receive this myself, and I think I am going to get this for my sister as a little additional present.

I love getting stationery bits and bobs for Christmas and I think these Anchor Mini Notebooks from Paperchase are really lovely. These would be great a student, blogger or someone who likes to constantly jot things down. I think they are great value for £5, as Paperchase can be expensive sometimes.
I am a big fan of Tanya Burr's cosmetic line, and I think this little set is a great present for someone who likes makeup or is a fan of Tanya's. The Tanya Burr Merry Kissmas set costs £10, and includes an exclusive makeup bag which contains two miniature lipglosses and one of her limited edition shimmer pots.
I am a huge fine of Fleur De Force's eyelash range, my favourites are the Fleur & Fabulous lashes. They sit really nicely on the lash line, and give just the right amount of flutter. They are not over the top or too long, and they look very natural. They are great value for £5.95, and I think they are just as good as MAC lashes. These are perfect to go in a stocking for a girl who loves to dress up!

Have you seen anything which you fancy picking up for Christmas?

Lucy
xoxo

Christmas/Festive/Blogmas Post Ideas

If you are an everyday blogger or you are taking part in Blogmas this year like me, you might be lacking in ideas for the rest of the month. I thought that I would have so many festive ideas for my blog, but I had a little brain block and came up with a list of my own. I thought I would share it with you guys, to spread the Christmas love.

For you beauty bloggers...
1. Favourites festive makeup
2. Christmas day makeup
3. Beauty Christmas gift guide
4. Day to night makeup
5. What's in my handbag
6. Top 5/10 festive lipsticks
7. Your go to night out hairstyle
8. Christmas nail varnishes & nail art
9. Skincare routine
10. Beauty stocking fillers

Fashion bloggers...
1. Favourite Christmas jumper
2. Favourite party/works do outfit
3. Christmas day outfit
4. What you want for Christmas wish list
5. The best secret santa gifts
6. Christmas look book
7. Must have winter accessories
8. The best of the Christmas sales
9. What I got for Christmas
10.What to wear on New Year's Eve

Lifestyle & food bloggers...
1. Christmas markets within your hometown
2. How you decorate your tree
3. The best Christmas decorations 2015
4. DIY Christmas cards & stockings
5. How to do Christmas on a budget
6. Why you love Christmas and your family traditions
7. Last minute gifts
8. Festive drinks - mulled wine & hot cocoa
9. Rice Krispie Christmas Trees
10. Christmas cookies (how to make and decorate)

Lucy
xoxo

My Favourite Festive Makeup

I've picked a few favourite makeup choices, which I will be wanting for throughout December. At this time of year it is the perfect opportunity to embrace all things glitter, and have the guts to wear those daring lipsticks which have been collecting dust.

I am kicking thing off with my favourite palette of 2015, the MAC Warm Neutrals Palette. This palette costs £65, however for 15 eye shadows it is excellent value. It contains so many well-known and best selling eye shadows which are fabulous and I cannot stop using. The array of eye shadows are perfect for all occasions. My favourites are Amber Lights, Honey Lust and Gingersnap.
The Nars Sheer Glow Foundation is such a lovely, glowy foundation and has become one which I am able to rely on. For this time of year, I don't like to wear a foundation which is too heavy on my skin, and this is perfect as this is light and non cakey. It is expensive at £31 but if you do fancy treating yourself this would be a great choice.
This MAC Blush in Peachykeen is the perfect pinky shade with some peachy tones running through it. I think that MAC blushers last for so long, and it is a purchase which you will definitely get your moneys worth from. If you are looking for an everyday blusher then this is the perfect choice, as it suits so many makeup looks.
If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know I am super fussy when it comes to mascaras. I have two which I use, and my current favourite is Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara . This is such great value for £7.99, and the wand has the perfect curve on it to give you luscious, long lashes.
Obviously this was going to be on my favourites as it is my most worn lipstick ever. It is the MAC Brave Lipstick, and I just totally adore this shade. It suits my skin tone, and always brings together the simplest make up look.
If you are more adventurous in your lip choices, the Nars Cruella Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is a perfect option. I love the formula of these lip pencils, and this colour is a cult classic. This is a great one to choose if you are a newbie to red lips. The pencils glide on super easy and I find the best way to use them is to line your lips first, and then slowly fill in the rest of your lips. For me, this prevents smudging and overlining your lips.

What are your favourite Christmas choices?

Lucy
xoxo

The Best Christmas PJs

If you saw last week's installment, I did a The Best Christmas Jumpers post which you can read here. Today I bring you The Best Christmas Pyjamas. Every year without fail, I buy myself some Christmas pyjamas and I think lots of other people do to. So to save you trawling the internet trying to find your perfect pair, I've put together a selection of the best ones on the market this year.

First up, The Snowman and The Snowdog  these are from ASDA and are an excellent price at £14. I thought this is the perfect pair for someone, who does not like anything too loud or over the top. The Snowman is a traditional Christmas character, and they are great for anyone who loves the film.
You can't have a post about the best Christmas pyjamas, and not feature something gingerbread themed. These are the cheapest of the bunch from the F&F range at Tesco and cost just £10. The Gingerbread Man set are a traditional design with the gingerbread lady and man, and their little gingerbread house. I think they are really lovely, and a pair which anyone would like.

These are the pyjamas which I think I am going to have to buy for myself. They are the Robin Fleece PJ Set from ASDA for £15. They are super cute, I love how the top is big and cosy, and the bottoms are more fitted. They are adorable and I love robins, so these seem like my perfect pair.

The Christmas Santa Globe pyjamas are super cute and festive. If you want to go all out on the Christmas theme, then this is a good option. I love the santa and the tree in the snow globe, and the pants are super cute with the trees printed all over them. For ASOS I thought they would more expensive than £18, I was pleasantly surprised.

For all us internet lovers out there these Green #Elfie  pyjamas from Next are totally perfect. I love how they are quite a simple design, yet so effective. I think the slogan is simple, but so clever at the same time. I laughed out loud when I first saw them, therefore they had to go in my recommendations.
Now this Christmas Bauble  set from ASOS, is rather cheeky! They are a cute, fun pair of PJs which is what Christmas is all about, and are reasonably priced at £20.

You can't have Christmas without a bit of Disney at some point. This Beauty and the Beast pair from Topshop are really just god dam cute. They have the classic winter wonderland theme, and you could definitely wear them after Christmas. The pants are super adorable with all the other characters printed on them. When I first saw these, I went aww to myself as they are really lovely.
Now, if you like festive pyjamas I think this is my best offering, the Robin 3 Piece Pyjama Set are from Debenhams and is the most expensive set at £32.50. But, they are really nice and are the definition of festivity. The jumper is oversized and fluffy, and I can imagine it to be so warm. The leggings are just as over the top as they have robins covering them. The best novelty part is you get a robin eye mask in the set, just to complete the overall look, and basically turn yourself into one giant robin.
The Polar Bear PJs from Topshop, are another pair which are simple but still festive. I think they are really nice, and would make a lovely present for someone for Christmas as they are more of a winter theme, with the snow and icicles.

I hope you have found yourself some perfect Christmas pyjamas, if you have any favourites please let me know in the comments.

Lucy
xoxo

Christmas Gift Guide for Her

I have mentioned this MAC Warm Neutrals Palette so many times on my blog. But this is such a perfect present. I got this for my birthday, and it is one of the must used presents which I have ever received. This costs £65, but it is such great value as for 15 eye shadows individually it would cost over £150. If you know someone who wants a few MAC shadows or is struggling to choose a palette for themselves, then this is your chosen one. I would definitely choose this over any of the Urban Decay palettes, as the shade selection is so much better, and every shade is wearable.

I have actually bought these Scotty Dog Slippers  for my mum... sssh don't tell her! She is constantly asking my dad for a scotty dog, as they are totally adorable so I thought these would be perfect for her. I think slippers are a perfect present for your mum and nana, as they are a present which you know they will wear, and will get good use of it.

Pandora jewellery is one of the best presents to give. I love, love, love all of their delicate designs, and I especially love their rings. I  have the July Birthstone Ring (£40) and the Heart Stacking Ring (£35), and they are both perfect presents are they are stacking rings. The birthstone rings are a great present, as they are personal and a statement piece of jewellery.  I have a few stacking rings, but this heart one is my favourite. They look so lovely stacked on top of each other. I love how they are such a simple, yet effective design.

The Jo Malone Nectarine and Blossom Honey Cologne is my favourite fragrance ever. I got this for my Birthday in July, and the scent is heavenly. I adore fruity fragrances, and this is so fresh on the skin. As this is a cologne, the scent is really strong, but not too overpowering. This lasts a seriously long time on the skin, and there is no need for a refresh throughout the day. Jo Malone do some sensational Christmas gifts, and such a wide array of products including candles and body lotions. It is a present which you can guarantee that they will like.

Gloves are an essential for the time of the year, where I live up North it is particularly cold at the moment. These Jack Wills Turnpike Stripe Mittens are so adorable, and are the warmest gloves which I have ever owned. The mittens have a really thick fur lining inside them, making them super warm and cosy. This type of gift is something in which someone would not necessarily buy for themselves, but it is an essential for the winter months. They are also a luxury presents as they are £24.50, but you can buy the matching scarfs and hats as well if you wanted to splash out on them.

I have actually bought this present for someone, which I am obviously not going to reveal. But I am really jealous, as the Smashbox Mini Double Exposure Travel Palette is totally gorgeous and I would like one for myself. However, I am going to be good and give it to the intended person, as I know that they will really love it. This actually is a lot smaller than I expected, it is rather tiny. But, the shades within the palette are beautiful and all shimmery and gorgeous. If you know someone who travels a lot, or you think could do with some revamp within their eye shadow collection this a great palette for them, and not too expensive at £17.50.

I hope you have enjoyed this post, keep your eyes peeled for my other gift guides which will be on the blog sometime this week.

Lucy
xoxo

Nip + Fab Party Prep Glycolic Set

In the Black Friday sales, I picked up the Nip + Fab Party Prep Glycolic Set from Boots, it was half price for £7.42 and an offer I couldn't resist. I have been wanting to try some products from Nip + Fab for a while now, but never knew where to start. I thought this set would be the perfect introduction to the brand. This is said to brighten and refine in two quick steps for party ready skin, and who doesn't want that!

The first product is the Glycolic Cleansing Fix, which is a deep cleansing and purifying formula to help create clean and radiant skin. That sounds like the perfect kind of cleanser to me, and I am hoping it is not too harsh for my skin as I am prone to blemishes and break out. The second part of the kit is the Glycolic Fix Cleansing Pads. You get 60 pads which I think is really great value. I've heard great things about this type of cleansing and exfoliating pads from other brands, so I thought this would be a great way to try them without wasting too much money. I was surprised and very happy to see witch hazel within this product, as that helps to calm and tone the skin. It is also a brilliant product for blemished prone skin so I have high hopes for this to do it wonders on me.

Have you tried any Nip + Fab skincare?

Lucy
xoxo

November Favourites

Once again, I do not feel like November has particularly flown by, but I have had a really great month where lots of nice things have happened. Call me Scrooge, but for me and my family, you can only start getting into the festive spirit once December 1st arrives. So as we are now a few days into December, and I have dug into my advent calendar, and bought some tinsel, I am finally getting into the spirit.

Within November I have had lots of beauty and skincare favourites which I have been very excited about, as that doesn't happen that often. The Tanya Burr Candy Glam Palette has been my go to since I bought it right at the start of the month. I was that impressed I wrote a dedicated post to it, which you can read here. This has been sold out so much throughout the month, as for £10 it has been such an in demand product. I really love the eyeshadows as they have great pigmentation, and there is a wide variety of colours in the palette. Unfortunately, this has been taken off the website as it is now sold out, but if you are quick you will be able to get it in a Superdrug store.

The Essie Nail Polish in Chubby Cheeks, has been constantly on my nails this month. It is the perfect in between orange and red shade, and it was beginning to get me in the mood for Christmas. I love the formula of Essie polishes, and I definitely need to purchase some more. If you have any must haves please let me know!

The Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Cream featured in my recent skincare update post. The hydrating cream, does exactly what is it intended to. The texture is quite thick, and adds moisture into your skin, I use this every morning. I have continued to use this moisturiser every morning, and it is still doing the job perfectly. It sinks into the skin lovely, and does add a good dose of rehydration into the skin.

Finally, Lush bath products in general have been a big part of my relaxation time during November. I have had an extremely busy month, and I have really enjoyed having a relaxing bath, with a bath bomb and catching up on missed TV and YouTube videos. I have bought the bubble bar Candy Mountain previously and loved it, so I was excited to see it back in their Christmas range this year. It has a lovely, relaxing scent of vanilla and I love how it turns your bath into a baby pink extravaganza.

What have you been enjoying in November?

Lucy
xoxo

December Wishlist

December is the month where lots of parties and events happen, and that means the need for adding some new essential pieces into your wardrobe. I've picked out some fab pieces and I am definitely going to have to invest in quite a few of these items to cover me for the festive period.

I love how simple this Zara Lace Dress is, and how reliable this would be. Due to it's simplicity you would be able to wear this throughout December on a variety of occasions. You would be able to dress it up and down, to suit the occasion. This ASOS Geo Sequin Mini Dress is the ultimate party dress, if you have a big party or occasion this month, then this is a perfect investment. For £100 it is not cheap, but I totally adore all the sequins and sparkles. I have been loving big, cosy jumpers which are longer, and you can throw on with a pair of leggings, and your ready to leave the door. The Topshop Venice Sweat Dress for £30 would be a perfect addition to my wardrobe for the winter season.

I originally saw this Tesco Art Deco Sparkle Dress advertised in my magazine as a must have item for the party season, and it totally is. The price is just £14, which is a total bargain. It would be perfect for a works Christmas do, Christmas day or a New Year's outfit. This River Island Grey A-Line Skirt is a real beautiful item, I am definitely going to pick this up to wear over the Christmas season. At £35, I think it a really great price for the detailing on the skirts, and it is a very versatile item.I have been wanting a new jacket for a while and this, ASOS Suede Biker Jacket in Oil Wash is the perfect colour for this season. It is an investment piece as it costs £110, but this will last you years if you look after it. It will be a timeless piece which you can rely on time and time again.

I adore check print, so I naturally instantly fell in love with this Topshop Petite Check Shirt Dress which costs £39. I love how big the check prints are, and I don't have any check shirts which are monochrome, so this would make a perfect addition to my wardrobe. This print of this Zara Jacquard Dress, is really unique, but I also really like it. Zara each season realise this type of dress, and I really love them as they are so easy to wear. I would pair it with some thick black tights, some ankle boots and my leather jacket. These Miss Selfridge Striped Wide Leg Trousers  are a piece which I would not usually gravitate to, but I really like how statement and bold they are. I would pair the trousers with a simple crop top and some big chunky black heels.

Do you like any of the pieces in my December wishlist?

Lucy

xoxo

Primark Christmas Haul

On Saturday whilst in Edinburgh, I took a trip to the big Primark which they have. Whilst I am away at university the nearest Primark is Newcastle which is an hour away, so I always take advantage when I am in a big city.

I think the homeware section in Primark is fab for bits and bobs for your home. They had their whole new Christmas range in which I was very excited about. I had two excuses to buy Christmas decorations this year. Firstly, I really needed to buy some props for my blog photos, to make them all festive ready for Blogmas. Secondly, my university house has been volunteered as the house to hold the Christmas dinner, so I needed some decorations for the house too. I also picked up some tissue paper and gift tags, as I'm trying to be as organised as possible with my presents this year.

As you can see I've bought a variety of things, to help me get into the festive spirit , and it came to the grand total of £10 which I was very impressed with. The beads - £1.50, the led lights - £1.50, tinsel -£1 each, candle - £2, napkins - £1, gift tags - £1 and the snowflake tissue paper - £1.

Have you checked out the Primark Christmas section yet?

Lucy
xoxo

Edinburgh Christmas Markets

Last weekend me and my family met up in Edinburgh, with the intention of going around the Edinburgh Christmas markets. We visited them two years ago, and thought they were great. This year they were just at good, we had a sensational day. The way they set them out they are so spacious, and you are able to walk up and down and have a proper look at everything on offer on the stalls. The stalls are all from different European nations, offering such a variety of different things. There are traditonal decorations, crafts, clothing, food and sweets stalls. I would definitely say that there is something for everyone. We didn't end up buying that much really, except some really cute little Christmas tree decorations. We also had our dinner there, we all got burgers and hotdogs from one of the stands. Mine tasted divine, and we were all really impressed with the quality. We of course had to have the chocolate covered fruit kebabs, I had strawberries and it tasted so nice. It was such a lovely day out, and you are able to stay for a good few hours looking round them, as there is so much on offer.

Have you been to the Edinburgh Christmas markets?

Lucy
xoxo

Blogmas

So I have decided to take the plunge and join in Blogmas. From tomorrow I will be posting everyday until Christmas Eve, meaning 24 posts will be on my blog on the countdown to Christmas day. This is going to be a huge challenge for me, however I think it will be super fun and I like to challenge myself every once in a while. My regular routine for posting is three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. So blogging everyday is going to be completely different, and probably quite stressful! I love Christmas, and for me it officially starts on December the 1st. I have had so much blogging content that I have wanted to get out over Christmas, so this seemed liked the perfect way. I am going to be doing mainly Christmas related posts, but also a few other posts which I regularly feature such as hauls and reviews. I am excited to take part in this challenge, as I have always wondered how bloggers manage to blog full time. If you are taking part in Blogmas, please let me know, so we can all offer each other advice and encouragement, as this is my first year taking part.

Lucy
xoxo

The Best Christmas Jumpers

I've put together a quick guide of all my favourite Christmas jumpers which are available this year. Unfortunately, I can't include Primark as they do not have an online site, but if you are on a budget they have so great ones for about £10. Here are all the best ones from online for all different occasions and events - I hope you find one you like...

First up, this one simply made me laugh. For the Love of Tinsel is from ASOS and costs £32, perfect to wear throughout the festive season.The Red Christmas Penguins jumper is £24 from Debenhams, and I really like this as it is just really cute. I adore Gingerbread designs at Christmas and this is one of the only jumpers which I can find, where they have not cut the leg off the gingerbread! It is the most expensive of them all from Marks & Spencer and it costs £35.

 On the Naughty List  is from ASOS and is £30, it has a little cheeky slogan which I totally love. This Polar Bear  is £28 from Next, and is an another overall cute Christmas design, which is very Christmasy, and would make the perfect Christmas day jumper. The cheapest of the bunch is the Team Rudolph design from Asda for £10. If you do not like anything over the top, this is a great option to go for. If you like big, slogan jumpers this is a great for to go for its £24.99 from New Look and says Sleigh Bells Bling , this is big and fluffy and would be really comfy. Party Penguins is an overall very cute and cheery jumper and is such a bargain as it is £12 from Tesco.

As I have already said I totally love gingerbread. This is a cute Gingerbread Girl design from Missguided and it costs £15. I love the tartan print of the jumper, making it a little bit different to the rest. The Elf Made Me Do It jumper is such great value from Tesco at £12. I think this is the one which I am going to go for, the slogan made me totally laugh. If you are the ultimate Rudolph fan then I have found the jumper for you, this Fluffy Reindeer is £18 from Matalan. It has the super soft, fluffy material which is all snuggly and warm.

I hope you have find a jumper which you totally love. Let me know if you pick any of them up.

Lucy
xoxo

ASOS Velvet Black Boots

Velvet is everywhere this season, and I have been wanting some black velvet boots for ages. I have seen a few different pairs in a variety of shops, but they have all been above the £70 mark which I cannot afford, especially with Christmas just around the corner. I was having a little weeknight browse on ASOS when I came across these velvet lace up black boots. I was not initially sure about the lace ups, but when they arrived it makes them look more classy and expensive. As there was a 20% off Unidays discount offer on, I ordered them straight away. For £38, I think they are really great value, and I have officially assigned them my Christmas season shoes. I am no longer into wearing huge, strappy heels which are often very uncomfortable, and now I opt for a good old pair of heeled boots.

When they arrived on my doorstep on Sunday morning, they were just as beautiful as I hoped. The velvet is soft and they are super dreamy. I am worried that the velvet might get ruined quite easily, especially in the rain so I am going to have to be really careful with them. The block heel height is 3 inches which I find is just enough to still look dressy, and be able to be comfortable all night. I am really excited to give these their first outing, and I have already planned it for a night out in 2 weeks when I go to London.

Do you like the velvet trend?

Lucy
xoxo

Get To Know Me - 50 Facts About Me

I thought as I have had my blog for over two years now, it was time for you guys to get to know me a little better. So here is 50 facts all about me...

1. Student Children's Nurse
2. Hate bananas
3. Favourite colour is pink
4. Have a phobia of trauma to the eye
5. Fall in love easy
6. Favourite shop is Selfridges
7. My shopping dream is to own a pink YSL bag
8. Want to get more piercings - top of the ear
9. Want to travel the world - everywhere!
10. Passed my driving test first time
11. Want a small dog once I get my own house
12. Love ginger hair on boys
13. Ideal man would be Prince Harry
14. Obsessed with PLL
15. Size 3 feet
16. Gold is my favourite colour of eyeshadow
17. Would to go to NYC on a huge shopping spree
18. Actually really good at saving money - so tight!
19. My favourite place to go on a date would be the seaside
20. 5 foot tall
21. Really loved school
22. 1/8 Irish
23. 1/8 French Canadian
24. Would love to own a flat in central Manchester
25. My dream job if I wasn't a nurse would be to do something in fashion/blogging
26. My style icon is Lauren Conrad
27. If I hadn't of a nursing degree would definitely of done history
28. The thought of being buried alive absolutely terrifies me
29. My first job was at 15 sorting out files at my dads work for the entire summer
30. One Tree Hill was my most watched programme as a teen
31. Favourite place I've ever visited is Italy
32. I hate getting on a train with my suitcase as I'm too small to reach the overhead cabinets
33. Want to be a bridesmaid I'm 21 and it's my dream! Hurry up people....
34. Do want to get married and wear a beautiful lace ivory dress
35. Want to have twins (my dad's one so hopefully!)
36. Not a fan of cats at all
37. People who are disrespectful and overly confident grate on me
38. I believe in karma and it is a bitch
39. My favourite meal is Spaghetti Bolognese and it has been since I was tiny
40. When people don't lock doors - they're there for a reason
41. My dream car since I was little is owning a black convertible Bentley
42. Want to achieve everything in life which I set out to
43. Favourite cocktail is a strawberry daiquiri
44. Rubbish at all sports at school
45. Danced for 18 years of my life
46. Support Manchester United
47. Frankie Bridge is my idol
48. Hate being alone
49. Getting bored sooooo easily
50. Like cooking and baking

Lucy
xoxo

Skincare Update

A month ago, I decided it was time to invest in some new skincare products. I placed a feelunique order where I picked up two minis from Antipodes these were the Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream and the Divine Face Oil.  I like both of these products, especially the day cream. I like a morning cream to have quite a think consistency and this has that. It has a lovely fresh scent, which is exactly what you want first thing in the morning. You have to give it a good blend, in order for it to be fully absorbed into the skin. Less is definitely more when it comes to this, which is great with a product of this price. It feels really hydrating and gives, the skin an overall boost. I have never used oils before, so was a bit anxious about using this. However, I am slowly getting round to liking it. It definitely takes some getting use to. But this isn't too overpowering or thick on the skin which I really like. It definitely adds moisture, and hydration into the skin, which is exactly what I need before I apply my makeup. These work really well combined together one after the other, and this has become my morning routine after cleansing.

For my night time routine, I have introduced the Antipodes Joyous Protein Rich Night Serum. I really, really wanted to love this, but I can't. I thought this would be perfect for my dry skin, but I simply do not like anything about it. My most disliked factor of all for me is the scent of the serum. I thought it would smell delightful, as it contains blackcurrants and berries. However, to me the smell is really off putting, I can't put my finger on it's exact scent but it is not nice. It is very thick and it lingers on top of my skin, even when I have only used half a drop. It just does not seem to work well with my skin at all, which is hugely disappointed. On another note, the product which I have been most impressed with is The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Night Lotion. The texture is lightweight, soft, and silky, and sinks into the skin very easily. It is aimed for blemish prone skin, which is exactly what I need. I do not necessarily think that my skin has had a grand transformation since using this. However, my skin has not got any worse, and I think that with further use I will see more results. It does has a strong tea tree scent, and personally I don't find off it putting as it is refreshing and cooling.

Have you got any new skincare treats?

Lucy
xoxo