Tag: Festive

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2019 BLOGMAS LIFE

OXFORD CHRISTMAS MARKET

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 11! Today’s post is all about my little trip to Oxford last weekend, where I checked out their Christmas Market. In between eating the world’s largest hotdog and following the smell of fresh fudge like a woman possessed, I managed to get a few snaps that I would love to share with you! Granted, it’s not my best work but that’s mainly because I was too busy taking it all in with my eyes and not my screen. Sometimes it’s nicer to be in the moment, especially when surrounded by such festivity! That being said, I hope you can still get an idea of what to expect if you’re planning on visiting.

The market itself is located on Broad Street in the city centre, you can’t miss it with those brightly coloured buildings! Make sure you pack in some sightseeing on the way as the buildings in Oxford are truly beautiful, particularly the university campus. It looks like something out of a movie . – which is most likely why so many Harry Potter scenes were shot there!

Like most Christmas markets, this one is made up of lots of little wooden huts selling all kinds of things! There’s certainly no shortage of things to nibble on whilst you browse, from freshly cooked crepes through to a taste of the Mediterranean, there’s something for everyone! This stall in particular, hosted by the wonderful Columbia Coffee Roasters, was all about coffee and it smelt amazing. Not only did they serve hot and steamy cups of the stuff but they also sold it in bulk so that you could give it to the coffee loves in your life for Christmas – or keep it for yourself…

These jams and chutneys were honestly some of the best that I’ve tried! I sampled the passion fruit jam and it was incredible – I might have gone back for seconds (don’t worry I didn’t double dip). I noticed a Pina Colada one too which is

As usual, I was hypnotised by the bright and colourful confectionary stall, from Liquorice World, and I ended up buying a liquorice cable (strawberry obviously). They’re my absolute favourite of all the sweets so it would be rude not to. There were so many flavours too! I have to admit I was rather curious as to what the salted one tasted like..?

There’s nothing more festive than dried orange slices at Christmas! Look at these decorative handing of dried fruits. There were all kinds of different combinations to make your home smell and look amazing. I love how vibrant and colourful they are! If like me, you can’t be bothered to make them yourself, this is such a fab idea. They’d look fabulous in a porch or by the fire.

This stall, full to the brim with incredible decorations from Amica! I’ve never been so excited to see a dog made out of felt, not to mention there was every breed imaginable! I’m pretty sure only dogs would’ve been able to hear my high-pitched squeals when I spotted this place actually…I’m a sucker for decorations.

I don’t want to eat Christmas pudding but I will happily hang them on my tree by the dozen. How cute are these little decorations? The detail is amazing! You can get them here if like me, you’d rather look and not touch…

Yes, that is indeed a Brussels sprout hanging from the sky. Yes, you absolutely do need it in your life and you can buy it here. Thank me later fellow Christmas lovers.

You can find this little festive Labrador on their website, here! Can we take a minute to take in the fact that he’s wearing a hat and a scarf? I can’t cope! I need them all.

This was one of my favourite to look at, hosted by Just Stars! I absolutely love the idea of giving someone one of these for Christmas. They’re just so special and unique. I love that there are so many different colours to choose from so you can really personalise how yours looks.

These decorations are absolutely adorable! Sadly, I can’t find links to these exact ones online but they were from The Tollhouse Country Crafts stall if you happen to be passing! They had so many gorgeous products, they’re absolutely worth checking out.

This was my favourite stall! As you probably all know, I’m a beauty lover. I’m like Gollum when soaps and skincare are in sight. Iuvo Skincare had the most amazing range, all of which smelt incredible. It was like stopping by at a spa!

I picked up some of these great little reusable cotton pads! Gone are the days of buying those awful non-biodegradable multi-packs. If you haven’t made the change already, get on board! They came in lovely little bags which would also make lovely gifts paired with a cleanser or a bar of soap.

If you’re in need of a wreath, there are plenty to be found at the Oxford Christmas Market! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a blue-themed wreath, let alone one that has feathers in it!

I couldn’t not get a photo of these little guys. At the time, I was most amused by the way that their beards were flapping about in the wind! I’m all about the Scandinavian vibes at Christmas so gonks (yep that’s genuinely what they’re called) will always make an appearance in my house in December.

Are you going to a Christmas market or have you already been? What’s the best Christmas market that you’ve been to? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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2019 BLOGMAS

WHAT’S ON MY CHRISTMAS TREE IN 2019?

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 10! In recent years, my mum and I decided to embrace the weird and wonderful when it comes to Christmas tree decorations. We’ve ditched the traditional reds and greens and opted for something a little bolder and I love it! Today I’m going to be sharing what’s on my tree in 2019 with you. I’ve linked all of the items that I could plus I’ve provided some alternatives too!

I was originally inspired by a rainbow tree that had been styled by the Christmas geniuses at John Lewis. Essentially, it’s still your average green tree but the decorations move through a spectrum of colours from top to bottom, creating a beautiful rainbow! So we started collecting bright and colourful decorations to help bring our tree to life.

I can’t remember where this little guy was from but he’s absolutely adorable!

How flipping cute is this little guy? I love having a bright pop of yellow on our tree!

I think this little snowman is probably one of the more “traditional” decorations in our collection. He looks like those classic glass ones that you’d find at your grandparents! I love his little face and the tiny gingerbread man in his hands *awww*.

We bought this decoration because it reminded us of my brother who was a Leo! He actually had a little teddy bear (a lion) called Leo that he had in his bed with him every night. This bauble originally came from John Lewis but Paperchase have a really similar one. They always have an incredible range of quirky decorations available at Christmas.

My mum is responsible for sourcing this masterpiece! It’s just the right amount of bulky too, it fills any gap! I love the detailing of the snow and the windows. To be honest, I think this just fuels my addiction to buying miniature objects …

Of course, we have an ice cream truck on our Christmas tree … not weird at all. It’s so retro though, I love it!

The most festive little guy ever! I like that he resembles the classic Santa Claus that you see in books as a child – he’s so sweet!

How cool is this? I never knew we needed a hippo on our tree until we had one! I love that her little tutu sticks out and that she has some feathers coming from her hat!

If you read my post about my favourite Christmas decorations, you’ll know why I love this one so much! He’s adorable! I found him in Homesense earlier this year. They have SO many decorations at the moment, I might have to browse for some more to add to our collection!

This is another one of my favourite decorations. It looks good enough to eat!

I mean, look at it. You need it in your life, don’t lie to yourself.

You’ve got to have a candy cane in there somewhere – real or glass!

How gorgeous is this? He fits in nicely within our orange section! I didn’t even know sea life baubles were a thing?!

Another miniature that I’m totally obsessed with! This is what I think my gingerbread houses will look like, when in reality the walls are falling down and the windows are dribbling onto the table…

This funky (do people say that anymore?) decoration was originally from John Lewis but sadly it isn’t available this year, I’ve linked their telephone box bauble below as it’s equally as gorgeous!

Did you know you can get all the ingredients of a full english in bauble form for your tree? Neither did I.

What theme have you gone for this year? Do you prefer traditional decorations or do you like to mix it up with a bit of everything? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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2019 BLOGMAS LIFE

HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS EVE BOX

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 9! Today’s post is all about making the perfect Christmas Eve box for your friends and family!

At Christmas, my family doesn’t seem to have any real traditions (gasp), for a start we’ve never had a roast dinner on Christmas day (louder gasp) which always blows people’s minds. We don’t have a particular festive film that we like to watch every year or a game that we always play, we just sort of go with the flow! However, a few years ago we started doing Christmas Eve boxes! They’re so much fun to make, especially if like me, you enjoy giving people lots of little thoughtful gifts. It’s essentially an early Christmas stocking full of little goodies to keep you busy and cosy over the holidays!

*This post contains affiliate links

THE BOX

First of all, you want to find the perfect box. Ideally you want something that can hold a few goodies but also with a lid so that you can keep everything a surprise! If you want to make your own box, cover an old shoe box in festive wrapping paper and add a personalised message or gift tag to make it extra special. If you’d prefer to buy one that is ready-made and reusable, there’s so many options out there to choose from!

THE PRESENTS

Of course, a Christmas Eve Box isn’t complete without some goodies inside! Here are some of ideas of what you could include as well as links to my favourite bits that I’ve found online and in stores this year:

  • Cosy Socks, Slippers & Pyjamas – Definitely pop a pair of fluffy socks or slippers into your box, everyone wants to keep their toes toasty at this time of year! It’s also nice to give some cosy pyjamas to keep cosy on those cold Winter evenings!
  • Face Masks & Bath Bombs – These are such great gifts for anyone that loves a pampering session at home. Sometimes it’s nice to slow down, particularly at Christmas, and put on a face mask or run a nice hot bath before the chaos begins! Also, if you didn’t know already, Christmas themed sheet masks exist…thank me later.

N xxx

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2019 BLOGMAS LIFE

HOW TO HOST A HOT CHOCOLATE BAR PARTY

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 7! Today’s post is all about hosting a hot chocolate bar for your friends and family. It’s really easy to set up and everyone always enjoys themselves! Of course, you don’t have to make it all about hot chocolate, you can use coffee or milkshakes too – it’s really customisable! I’ve put together a list of everything that you’ll need to create the yummiest of beverages to warm you through this Christmas…

*This post contains affiliate links

MUGS

First things first, assuming you don’t want people cupping their hands and improvising, you’ll need to make sure you provide something for your guests to drink out of. It’s time to get your best sipping devices out folks! There are lots of different options when it comes to hot chocolate mugs.

Use a simple matching set or go all out and show off your festive collection (ASDA are amazing for these every year). It might be time to go and find that set you bought for “special occasions” that’s gathering dust in the cupboard. If you’re lacking in the mug department, don’t worry – charity shops are brilliant for these. Also, don’t freak out about not having a matching set – sometimes a more eclectic look is better! You can also put out helpful things like coasters, spoons and napkins so that your guests can help themselves. I’ve provided links to some bits that I’ve found below:

Reindeer Mug – Gingerbread Mug – Mrs Claus Mug – Santa Mug – Christmas Sloth Mug – Sprout Mug – Christmas Pudding Coasters – Christmas Noir Coasters – Holly Sprigs Napkins

TREATS & TOPPINGS

In my opinion, a successful hot chocolate bar is ALL about the toppings. Go crazy and fill lots of bowls and containers with sweet treats and goodies! I like to use a 3-section serving bowl so that I can fit in as much as possible. There’s all kinds of festive dinnerware in places like TK Maxx or in pound shops at this time of year so it’s worth having a browse if you want to go the extra mile! You can even make your own reusing old Mason Jars, just tie some ribbon or string around the lids and voila! If you want to go all out, you can label everything – just use some festive gift tags! If you don’t have the budget to buy all of these bits, ask your guests to bring the quirkiest ingredients or Christmas mugs that they can find. That way, it becomes more of a game and you won’t be out of pocket!

Here’s some of my favourites toppings and condiments to get you started:

  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Candy Canes (you can crush these so that they’re easier to sprinkle)
  • Honeycomb Pieces
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Sprinkles
  • Fudge Pieces
  • Squirty Cream
  • Grated Chocolate
  • Flavoured Syrups

I always have mini marshmallows because they are a must have when it comes to hot chocolate. They also really take me back to when I was a little girl and I would get hot chocolates at the weekend with my dad – saving the marshmallows until last! You can even get Christmas themed marshmallows now too! Provide some different shapes and sizes if you want to give your guests lots of options.

This year, I popped some gingerbread men in a little ceramic holder that I bought from a bargain store last year! I thought they would make great dippers for those that fancied a more festive flavour. Plus, they look adorable – look at their little faces! If you’re not a fan of those, you can provide some different snacks – I usually have some chocolate biscuits available for those with a sweet tooth! It’s also a fun idea to throw a biscuit decorating party if you want to do something a little more creative!

Grated Chocolate

Grated chocolate is the topping you never knew you needed! I got this little grater from Morrisons a couple of years ago and I flipping love it. Pop out some different flavours of chocolate so that your guests can pick and choose whatever they fancy! This year I included some segments of Terry’s Chocolate Orange and some mini Wispa bites to make sure I covered all bases. If you want some extra DIY fun, provide your guests with a potato peeler so that they can make their own chocolate curls!

Squirty Cream

There’s nothing quite like creating a masterpiece and piling whipped cream up on-top of your chocolatey beverage! It just feels wrong to not have this stuff at a hot chocolate party. I’m pretty sure there’s now all kinds of quirky flavours out there just waiting to be tried – including chocolate and brandy!

DISPLAY

Now it’s time to figure out how you want to display everything. This is the most exciting part for me as it means I can get creative and embrace my inner elf! If I only have a few people coming over, I’ll use wooden boards to put everything on as they don’t take up a lot of space but they can still display all of the goodies! If you want to make your display look extra special, sprinkle some marshmallows and chocolates around the board to fill in the gaps! You can also use Christmas decorations like pine cones, baubles and garlands to make it look festive!

Sometimes I use a little trolley or a cart to display my hot chocolate bar! It means I can load it with goodies and it only takes a little bit of room. Plus, if you don’t have much space available, you can station it anywhere in your house without having to create a lot of room in your kitchen or living room! You can also decorate it with fairy lights or Christmas decorations if you want to keep it cosy.

Raskog Trolley – Ikea

I hope this post has inspired you to get creative this Christmas! I’m not a big drinker and I don’t really enjoy going on big nights out so I usually prefer to stay in. That doesn’t mean it has to be boring though! Hosting a hot chocolate bar is my favourite type of cosy get together, especially during the colder months. They’re fun, festive and easy to set up – plus everyone always has a good time! You can do the same with pizza, cookies, coffee, cocktails or even combine it with a sleepover for the ultimate evening in!

N xxxx

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2019 BLOGMAS

MY FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS PHOTO PROPS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 5! As a blogger, I regularly find myself searching high and low for bits and bobs to help me create the perfect photos all year round, but especially at Christmas! I thought I would share my favourite props to help you capture and create the most festive of photos!

PINE CONES

These are an absolute staple for festive photos! I actually bought a huge bag of these last year from the charity shop that I volunteer in. However, I stumbled across these snow-covered ones this year and I love them! They also have flexible wire attached to them, making them really easy to attach to wreaths and garlands! You can get your hands on packs of pine cones from craft stores and some bargain shops.

CANDY CANES

If you can resist eating them, keep some aside and use them as props! Candy canes are perfect for adding a vibrant pop of colour to your photos. You can probably get all kinds of colour combos so have a browse at your local supermarket and see what’s available. Keep an eye out for chocolate coins too – they also look great in any festive photos!

DRIED ORANGE SLICES & CINNAMON STICKS

Dried oranges are great for adding some festive details to your photos. If you make them yourself, they’re bound to smell incredible too! Of course, you can always purchase them online or in craft stores too. Cinnamon sticks are another great way of adding something extra to your photos. They look so rustic – plus they smell absolutely incredible! Check out the bits I’ve found below:

– Dried Orange Slices, 30g, Hobby Craft, £3

– Cinnamon Sticks, 70g, Hobby Craft, £3.50

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

I feel like this one goes without saying! You can find all kinds of quirky Christmas decorations these days. You name it, it’s probably out there! I like to use a mixture of tree decorations and homeware in my photos. Go through your bits at home and see what you could use; things that you can lay flat tend to look best (baubles, garlands, tinsel etc.). If you can’t find anything, don’t worry – charity shops are full of decorations at this time of year, why not pay less and still give to a great cause? I also find a lot of stuff in the Boxing Day/New Year sales as everything Christmassy is massively reduced.

BAUBLES

The great thing about baubles is that they come in every colour or style that you can imagine. Try to get a real variety! I find that the sparkly ones are the best when it comes to shooting Christmas content. You don’t have to spend a fortune on them either, you can use your stash at home or you can grab some cheap sets from bargain shops for a couple of pounds. I found mine in Primark last year, they came in packs of 20 for roughly £2 which was such a great deal. They had every colour under the sun so I think I’m covered for every colour scheme possible now! I’ve also found some amazing baubles in charity shops – they often have really quirky ones or brand new sets that people have donated.

CHRISTMAS MUGS

Who would’ve thought that mugs could make great props? You can just use them in the background of your photos or you can go all out and fill them with hot chocolate, marshmallows and all the trimmings for a scrumptious shot! I bought these two from Homesense – the home of all things festive at this time of year!

BELLS

Bells are not only able to take your present wrapping to the next level, they can also jazz up your photos! I like attaching these to garlands or placing them next to some baubles to add some extra sparkle. You can find them in most craft shops, I’ve linked some options below:

– Silver Jingle Bells, 30 Pack, Hobby Craft, £2.20

SCARVES

Scarves don’t just have to be around your neck this Winter! They make for the most festive of backgrounds, particularly if they’re tartan! I like laying products on them or wrapping them around the borders of a shot to fill the gaps. Throws are also great for this and at this time of year you can get some really festive ones!

N xxxx

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2019 BLOGMAS LIFE

MY FAVOURITE FESTIVE CANDLES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 2! Today’s post is all about my favourite festive candles. I look for any excuse to buy candles all year round but when they start getting christmassy and seasonal – I cannot resist. It’s the perfect time of year to get cosy and have the house smelling like Santa’s grotto – what better way to do it than with candles? I thought I would share some of my latest finds with you from Homesense!

*This post contains affiliate links

DW Home – Peppermint Bark

I discovered this candle this year and I am so glad that I did! I’ve actually bought back ups because I don’t want to run out (call me crazy but I am NOT risking it). The scent takes me back to my childhood! When I was younger, I used to go to the park with my dad and get an ice cream and I would always choose mint-choc-chip! It’s such a yummy smell and is perfect for making the house smell fresh and sweet!

Yankee Candle – Cinnamon Stick

It just doesn’t feel right to celebrate Christmas without some cinnamon scented candles! This is one of my absolutely favourites from Yankee Candle. It smells absolutely flipping amazing. It features Cinnamon (obviously), Clove, Cardamom and Cedar-wood. It literally smells like Christmas in a jar and it always makes me feel so festive!

DW Home – Christmas Morning

The DW Home Christmas Morning candle has been a festive must-have of mine for a couple of years now! I always have one of these prepared for Christmas as it’s possibly my favourite scent ever… It smells of sweet roasted coffee with hints of vanilla. It’s basically like walking into a cosy coffee shop!

Vila Hermanos – Christmas Spice

My best friend actually gave me this for my birthday, she knows me too well! It smells like a combination of the typical Christmas spice ingredients (cinnamon, ginger etc.) and something smokey. I can’t quite put my finger on it but it smells SO GOOD. It’s the perfect candle to light on a cosy movie night in!

DW Home – Sweet Peppermint

I couldn’t find the exact one, so the link above is for something really similar by DW Home! For some reason, I have a bit of a thing for all things peppermint at this time of year. I think it’s because they remind me of candy canes and all the festive sweet treats that emerge during the holidays. Also, the packaging is adorable! I will definitely be keeping the jar once I’ve finished with the candle!

DW Home – Gingerbread Cookie

This literally smells like I’ve been transported to a gingerbread village. It smells like Christmas baking and warm cookies! I’m actually giving this one as a gift this year so I will definitely have to get my hands on one for myself now that I’ve fallen in love with it! Annoyingly, I can’t find it online but so many places are selling gingerbread candles at this time of year so have a good old browse and see what you can find.

I hope you enjoyed my festive candle favourites! If you have any recommendations of favourites of your own, I would love to hear all about them in the comments. I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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2019 BLOGMAS

THE CHRISTMAS DAY TAG

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 1! I’m so excited to share all of my Christmas content with you up until Christmas Eve! Before we get stuck in, I have a something exciting to share with you!

Not only have my blogging bestie Becca and I got some more Christmas blog content for you this year, but we’re also doing a photo challenge over on Instagram called “#xmas12in12”. We will be posting a festive photo every day for the first 12 days of December and we would absolutely love you to join in! Check out my instagram post to see the twelve themes that we’ll be following each day! Don’t forget to use our hashtag and tag us in all of your photos if you participate – we don’t want to miss them!

Now, onto today’s blog post! Becca and I have created another tag; The Christmas Day Tag! It features 10 questions all about the big day and we would LOVE it if you could answer them too! If you do decide to take part, make sure you link us and send it to us so that we can have a look! If you fancy, you can also take part in our other tag; The Cracking Christmas Tag too! Let’s get stuck in, shall we?

What time do you wake up?

I used to get up at the crack of dawn to attack my stocking first thing in the morning. Now, I still get up reasonably early but that’s usually because I’m so excited to give everyone my presents. I do my Christmas shopping really on in the year so it feels like I have to wait forever to be able to give them! I can honestly relate to that little boy in the John Lewis Christmas ad! I’ll probably be up and ready to go at about 8:30/9 o’clock.

Where will you be spending the day?

I try to alternate where I spend it each year! I’ll either be at my mum’s, my dad’s or my boyfriend’s. This year, I’ll be spending it at home with my mum!

What will you be wearing?

I will definitely be wearing something comfy and cosy. Last year I bought the softest onesie on the planet so I’m planning on being as fluffy as possible from head to toe on Christmas Day! Also, I feel that it’s compulsory to be wearing a pair of fluffy socks. It’s a must.

What games will you be playing?

For me, the gaming will officially begin on Boxing Day at my boyfriend’s as his family seem to have every game under the sun! We usually play Monopoly at some point and I’m sure there will be another chance for me to read the correct clues during Cluedo this year… last time, believe it or not, I spent an hour or so reading clues from the wrong page so when I confidently announced “it was the monkey with the pipe”, I didn’t get the congratulations that I was expecting – given there wasn’t supposed to be a monkey or a pipe involved in the scenario whatsoever…

What will you be eating?

We’ve never really done a big Christmas meal at home. I tend to have lots of snacks and nibbles throughout the day instead. I’m sure I will be stuffing my face with all of the savouries; lots of Pringles, cheese, crackers and of course pigs in blankets. I’m sure I will devour some sweet treats too and there has to be some Lindt chocolate in there somewhere. Also, I’ve only just fallen in love with Terry’s Chocolate oranges and now I’m totally hooked so I will absolutely be noshing on one of those, that’s one of my 5 a day sorted…

What will you be drinking?

I don’t really drink alcohol anymore so I definitely won’t be getting wonky on the day. However I might treat myself to a glass of white with dinner (I’m absolutely wild, I know). There’s no doubt that I will probably manage to consume about ten cups of tea throughout the day – not to mention at least one hot chocolate with all of the trimmings. I’ve actually purchased a candy cane flavoured syrup to add to my concoctions which I am buzzing to use!

What will you be watching?

Just before Christmas Eve, we like to flick through the festive edition of the RadioTimes (could we get any more British?!) and highlight anything we want to watch! On Christmas Day we’ll most likely be watching whatever the TV schedule is treating us to! Also, OBVIOUSLY I will be watching the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special because there is no way I’m missing out on that. I’m so flipping excited for it!

What do you hope to find under the tree on Christmas Day?

I’ve never done the whole “Christmas list” thing so I don’t usually hope for anything specific each year! I quite like having no expectations as then everything is a surprise and it’s also fun to see what people give you with no hints or clues! However, it’s always lovely to receive bits for pamper nights at home as I get through bubble bath and bath bombs like there’s no tomorrow!

Who will you be spending the day with?

I’m spending Christmas Day with my mum this year!

When will you be opening your presents?

We don’t tend to have a “present opening” time on Christmas Day. It’s usually when we can manage to find a gap in the TV schedule so we don’t miss any Christmas specials or movies! We also like to make our present opening last all day so it’s not over really quickly. Sometimes we even save some back for Boxing Day to keep the festivities going!

N xxxx

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BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX NOVEMBER 2018: THE NUTCRACKER & THE FOUR REALMS

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m packing to go away with my boyfriend for the weekend. We’re going to the Harry Potter Studio tour on Saturday, as well as seeing The Cursed Child in London on Sunday. I’m super excited and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Are any of you Harry Potter fans? Let me know which of the films or books are your favourites! I think the Deathly Hallows (plus the final two films) are my favourites – the plot thickens and it becomes much more serious and interesting! Speaking of movies, this month’s Birchbox was in collaboration with Disney to celebrate the release of their new film, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. I always loved the story as a child but I’m intrigued as to how they’ve turned it into a film with a bit of a twist. As usual, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much it costs and other important info below but if you’re just here for the review, keep scrolling! RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box!

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or any contracts, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site in order to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for a long time now and I look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the older boxes to store makeup in too as the designs are too pretty to throw away!

Birchbox November 2018

Birchbox November 2018

When I found out that Birchbox were collaborating with Disney this month, I was so excited to see the packaging that they would come up with! Look at how beautiful it is! I love the micture of dark reds and the reflective gold text, it looks so magical and festive!  I think this month’s products are focused on preparing for the party season ahead, which I love! I’m no party animal but I definitely love a good pamper evening during Winter, especially after a long day of Christmas shopping or being out in the cold. I love a pamper night all year round but there’s something much more satisying about it when it’s dark and freezing cold outside!

Birchbox November 2018

Manna Kadar Cosmetics – Diamond Dust Roller Shadow in Enchanted – RRP £15 (Full Size)

I’m a sucker for all things eyeshadow related, so to be honest, I’m happy with anything, but a gold roller shadow is a whole new level. I didn’t even know that roller shadows existed?! I also love this brand, I’ve recieved lots of their products over the years and I’ve enjoyed them all so I know that I’ll enjoy this one too. Last month we were given the choice of two shades to receive and so I chose Enchanted which is a beautiful sparkly golden colour. It can be applied not only as an eyeshadow but also on the tops of your cheekbones or as a glossy lip topper! I really love multi-use products because they’re perfect to travel with and they barely take up any room in my makeup bag! When swatching the shadow, I noticed that it was quite subtle once blended out. I reckon it should be applied in layers to intensify it or it can always just be left as a touch of sparkle on it’s own. It’s exclusive to Birchbox so if you want to try it, head on over to their shop!

Birchbox November 2018 Review

Birchbox November 2018 Review

Birchbox November 2018 Review

Lottie London – Slay All Day Longwear Lip Liner Pencil in Werk it – RRP £3.95 (Full Size)

I seem to have a bit of an obsession with liners, whether that’s for my eyes or lips, I will always find an excuse to add another one to my stash! That’s probably why it was so easy to welcome this one into my collection. Birchbox have never sent me anything by Lottie London before, however I’ve always loved their branding and I use their makeup brushes all the time so I was excited to try their makeup for once! I love nude liners as I wear nude lipsticks all the time so they always come in handy. I love that it’s long-wearing, so it can stay strong throughout the many hot chocolates that I get through every day. Plus, this liner can be sharpened! One of my biggest pet peeves is when liners can’t be sharpened because it leaves you with barely any product once you’ve used the part that you can see. I can’t wait to use this! Keep an eye out for my Instagram posts as I’m sure I’ll be talking about it and sharing some pictures of the looks I’ve created.

Birchbox November 2018 Review

Polaar – Night Cream – RRP £32

Birchbox have sent me a Polaar suncream before and I absolutely loved it so I reckon this product will be something I end up using a lot. I’ve always liked the idea that some skincare can get to work whilst I’m fast asleep, minimal effort required! This moisturiser is packed with boreal algae, which reacts to the blue light of the moon (I know, it sounds like something Brian Cox came up with) which in turn, boosts your cell renewal. If all of that can happen whilst I’m out of it then I’m down!

Birchbox November 2018 Review

Birchbox November 2018 Review

WUNDER2 – WUNDERKISS Essential Lip Scrub – RRP £14.95 (Full Size)

I’ve known about the wonders of lip scrubs for such a long time, but I just couldn’t get over the whole friction and lumpy bumpy situation. However, when I saw this in my November box, I was actually really excited to try it! It doesn’t look as “lumpy bumpy” (as I creatively put it just now) and it seems pretty tame. I like that it’s almost like a crayon which makes it much easier to apply and be accurate without getting the scrub up my nose or on my forehead or something (believe me I’m capable).

Birchbox November 2018 Review

Spacemasks – Self-Heating Eye Mask – RRP £3.50 (Full Size)

Yes to self-heating face masks! Typically, when it comes to eyes, I’m used to using things that are cooling to reduce swelling or puffiness but I’m intrigued about using something warm. Apparently we are to expect soothing results! I reckon I will be using this when I’m needing some down time, possibly just before I go to sleep. It seems like the perfect thing to pop on before bed when I’m not doing anything or even if I’m busy, it’s still something I can make time for! I love the packaging too – it’s reminding me of Glamglow for some reason?

In conclusion, I think this may be one of my favourite boxes so far! I loved every single product. The focus of it being on preparing for the party season ahead was absolutely perfect! I know that I will use everything and I’ll most likely by replacements too. 4/5 of the products were full size which is insane. I’ve unsubscribed from lots of beauty boxes because so many are reluctant to give out full sized products whereas Birchbox are always generous. The products, together, are worth roughly £69 and consdering that I pay £12.95 per month, that works out at great value! You may have noticed a difference in my photography and that’s because I was lucky enough to get a new camera for my birthday! I’m still experimenting but I definitely prefer how it looks now, what do you think?

N xxxx

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box! Get 2 boxes for just £5 plus £2.95 P&P using the code FRIYAY. You’ll not only receive the November box but also a surprise box containing 5 customer favourites!

CHECK OUT LAST MONTH’S BIRCHBOX REVIEW

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BEAUTY

THE BODY SHOP: CHRISTMAS SALE PICKS

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Hey guys,

Of course, your girl has been exploring the Christmas sales. I recently posted a few of my finds from Zoella Beauty and KIKO too if you’re interested! I haven’t been looking in The Body Shop that much actually, I used to love their products and somehow I just forgot about them. I went in for a snoop around when I went to Bath (here’s my post on that too) and I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve always loved how great their products are and where they stand on animal testing (here’s their page on being cruelty free). They have SO many products and there’s absolutely loads of different scents too. They now sell cosmetics and skincare as well as bath and shower goodies. I have heard amazing things about their makeup so I may have to test these out for myself! Let’s take a look at what I did pick up from their Christmas sale.

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No, I didn’t go crazy, but I did get some amazing goodies and they were on sale so it would’ve been rude to walk away empty handed! Can we talk about these scents too? Frosted Berries is my kind of scent for Christmas. I absolutely love anything that smells fruity or like berries so this was an immediate yes from me. I’ve never known anything to be Vanilla Chai scented before so I was definitely curious about this one. It smells HEAVENLY. Even if you aren’t going to buy this, please just go and give it a sniff because my GOD it’s just too good!

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Okay so this was £2.50. WHAT?! Yep that’s right, it really was that cheap. The Frosted Berries Shower Gel comes in a 250ml plastic bottle and has a gorgeous little wreath design on it too (festive points are to be given for this, it’s so cute). This shower gel smells absolutely unreal. It’s fragranced with Red Berries, Vanilla and Cranberry so it’s super rich and fresh smelling. I love how it leaves my skin feeling soft and smelling amazing for hours. You can get it here!

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Of course, I couldn’t resist getting my hands on the Frosted Berries Hand Cream too. This also smells incredible and you get 30ml of product, perfectly sized for your handbag! This also only cost £2.50 which is such a bargain. At first I was worried it was going to be one of those metal tubes that look like scrunched up tissue after the first use but it’s actually made of plastic so it won’t look gross. It’s also fragranced with Vanilla and Red Berries, but it’s especially enriched with Cranberry Seed Oil from North America. It’s a gel-cream formula so it really keeps your hands hydrated and soft. It doesn’t leave my hands feeling greasy either which is a yes from me. I love it! Grab it here if you’re interested.

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The Vanilla Chai Shower Gel also comes in a 250ml plastic bottle and has another cute little wreath design on it, I’m loving the festive vibes from these products. This is also priced at an extremely reasonable £2.50. It’s enriched with Vanilla extract and is fragranced with Vanilla (surprise surprise) and spiced up with Cardamon and Star Anise. I love the scent of this as it combines a buttery sweet fragrance with spices which I think is so perfect for the Winter months! Again, this shower gel lathers beautifully and leaves my skin feeling so soft. I really recommend this one, you can get it here!

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Guess what I picked up next? Yep, the matching hand cream. If you know me you’ll know I like sets so this was impossible to resist. If I love the shower gel, I’m obviously going to love the same scent for on the go use right? The Vanilla Chai Hand Cream comes in a 250ml squeezy tube, ideal for travelling with. Ten points if you can guess the price of this one too…yep, £2.50! The smell of this just makes me feel warm and cosy, do you know what I mean? It reminds me of being under a throw on the sofa with a warm drink. It’s also made from vanilla and spices so it’s the perfect festive scent in my opinion! It’s the same gel formula as the other hand cream, meaning it leaves your hands feeling super soft and hydrated and of course, smelling bloody great too. If you like the sound of this, you can grab it here!

The Body Shop had lots of products on sale and another scent in the Christmas range that caught my attention was called Frosted Plum, which you can check out here. Their Christmas range is still available on their website here, and I’m sure is still available in some stores around the country too. Let me know what you guys think of The Body Shop or if any of you have tried their Christmas products out too!

N xxxx

Categories
2017 BLOGMAS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CANDLES

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BLOGMAS DAY 5

You guys seemed to really love my Autumnal candles post, as it proved to be my most viewed! I thought I would follow up with a Winter candles post as this is my favourite time of year to stock up on candles and have cosy days in with flat smelling as festive as Whoville.

I have already shared my love for DW Home candles and I’m afraid there is only more love to come! I am also including a candle by Sand + Fog, a company that claims to be inspired by “the California coast” who also sell beautifully scented candles around this time of year. Their online shop is still in the making, however, I am able to buy their candles from Homesense or TK Maxx.

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This first candle, Christmas Morning has got to be my favourite candle that they’ve produced so far (which is saying something). It smells of sweet roasted coffee with hints of vanilla. It’s such an incredible smell, it’s perfect for a cosy day in! It’s honestly good enough to eat! The packaging is also gorgeous, which makes it nice to have on display at home.

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Tobacco Noir is a candle I actually bought for my boyfriend but seems to have found its way into the living room with the others. DW Home seem to sell this candle all year round. The candle gives off the most amazing combination of smells; vanilla musk and subtle tobacco and topped with tonka beans which adds a scent similar to Woodruff. The Sand and Fog candle is also amazing and smells of white cranberry. I love berry scented candles for Christmas as they’re so festive and warming for Winter!

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The sparkling champagne candle is incredible! There seem to be candles everywhere with prosecco or champagne in them for Christmas and I am very happy to comply with this trend! It smells so tangy and sweet, it’s perfect for freshening up the room after some cooking or even before you have friends over for drinks. The packaging is so beautiful and sparkly! I definitely will have to find a use for this pot once the candle has disappeared, it’s too pretty to throw away.

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Snow Day is a beautifully fresh scent, with rich hints of peppermint and spearmint. There’s definitely some Winter berries in there too which makes it another festive must have for your candle collection.

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Peppermint Snow smells like heaven. It has fresh undertones of Eucalyptus and spearmint too which reminds me of candy canes! I love the packaging for this candle too, it looks so adorable, in a kitsch sort of way, which I’m all for. White Christmas is another super minty and fresh candle. It’s so sparkly and pretty to look at, I love lighting this candle when I have people come over as it always catches their eye and makes the flat smell so delicious!

I can’t believe it’s already Day Five of Blogmas?! I hope you guys enjoyed this post, let me know if you did in the comments as there’s plenty more of where this came from! I’ll be back tomorrow with another post for Blogmas Day 6!

N xxxx

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2017 BLOGMAS LIFE PLACES

CHRISTMAS IN NOTTINGHAM

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BLOGMAS DAY 4

I mentioned in my Halloween post that Nottingham embraces the festivities like there’s no tomorrow. There’s a Winter Wonderland Christmas market every year and I absolutely love it. The market is typically made up of lots of little wooden huts (Santa’s grotto-esque) which sell all kinds of goodies.There’s definitely something for everyone. This year it’s even bigger and better.

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So they only went and built the ‘sur-la-piste’ bar, which is basically a double-decked (GASP) French ski lodge, which is super cosy and lively if you fancy a drink with some friends or even just somewhere warm to run to when you become a bit too chilly. The bar plays Christmas music all day and then switches to an electric violinist on Friday and Saturday evenings! For the beer lovers amongst you, the bar is the first in Nottingham to serve unpasteurised beer (no added chemicals – pure lager) from oldest distillery in Europe! You can grab yourself some mulled wine and kick back and watch the world go by or embarrass everyone you know whilst dancing to an exotic cover of Sam Smith, the choice is yours!

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There are interesting foods and gifts to be found all over the place, including a tea shop this year that sells amazing flavours of, (at the risk of blowing your minds) teas – including a “Sweet Vanilla Shortbread”, “Ginger Cranberry” and “Sweet Rosehip Cinnamon”. These are all available to buy here as well. This year there are lots of traders selling award-winning Chutneys, Cheeses and Chocolates which make great stocking fillers! There are fabulous gift stalls filled with handmade jewellery and Christmas decorations and even Lego themed artwork and so much more. There’s nothing quite like giving someone you love something special and handpicked by you with them in mind, of which there is plenty to choose from! There’s also a beautiful stall selling relaxation themed products with lots of mood lights and candles (see below).

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In terms of food, there’s a lot to show you. I previously spoke about my beloved chocolate covered marshmallows and here they are once again! They have so many flavours, including Toblerone, Cappucino and Rum & Raisin! You even can grab a box of twelve for ten pounds and give them as a gift, I am obsessed with these!

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Here’s some more for those of you with a sweet tooth there’s plenty more available! The sweet stalls are probably my favourite as they’re so vibrant and colourful, it’s hard not to stop and stare to take it all in! There’s so much variety! The mini pancakes (below) were AMAZING and opting for a topping of strawberries and Nutella might have been the best choice I’ve made. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much fudge in my life either, there are all kinds of flavours, from Skittles to Salted Caramel. It’s worth checking out, even if it’s just for a photo of the mountains of sugary goodness! There are Crepes, Pick ‘n’ Mix, Candy Floss, Toffee Apples, Giant Chocolate Muffins…the list goes on.

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Your choices for savoury food are also endless. There are stalls selling delicious traditional British Hot Dogs, Honey Roast Ham served with juicy pineapple, Corn on the Cob, German fried potatoes, Homemade Olives, Stews…and that’s only a fraction of whats available!There are stands dedicated to covering your delicacies in all kinds of sauces, offering a wide range of toppings and side dishes. For those that have not mastered the art of walking and eating simultaneously (me), seated dining is available inside the bar area where lots more foods and drinks are served.

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For the children (or those still in touch with their inner child – me again) There are lots of stalls with fairground games where you can win yourself a giant elf or there’s the Helter Skelter that kids can zoom down whilst one of the three bars remains festive and jolly below. Possibly the most popular and certainly the biggest attraction at the market is the ice skating rink, where you can glide around a giant and beautifully lit tree to festive tunes with your friends and family. Although I’m practically like Bambi on ice, it was worth it for the amount we laughed!

The choices are endless and it’s such a special experience, the perfect way to get into the festive spirit and do some Christmas shopping! I would highly recommend checking the Nottingham Winter Wonderland out, especially for those looking for a city break before Christmas. Don’t miss out!

N xxxx

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