Yankee Candles Christmas Advent - I can not wait till 1st December!!!

Yankee Candle Advent Calender, £21.99

 A festive tealight behind each door!

 I can not wait to see what the surprise is behind door number 24!

 A pretty festive tealight holder from Perfect Scents

I don't usually have my own advent calender any more, prefering instead to leave that to the kids. However, all that changed when I spotted this amazing calender from Yankee Candles. I am a very big fan of their products anyway and this calender seemed to embrace all my Christmas scent requirements in one exciting product, what more could I wish for!!!

Although, at £21.99, it may appear a little expensive for some budgets, I think that it's really good value. You get one of six different festive tealights behind each day with a special surprise behind door number 24. The scents include Snow in Love, Balsam & Cedar, Merry Mashmallow, Red Apple Wreath, Snowflake Cookie and Sparkling Cinnamon (one of my favourites, yum!) There seems to be a fragrance to suit just about everybody's personal tastes.

I can not wait to find out what the surprise is behind door 24, will let you know on Christmas Eve. In the meantime I have a charming festive tealight holder ready to burn each days treat. This pretty one came from my local Yankee Candle suppliers, a wonderful shop full of incredible treasures called Perfect Scents, very aptly named!

With this advent my house is bound to have a continual warming, welcoming seasonal aroma this year, December just can not come quick enough!

What festive candles will be warming you're mantle piece this year?

XXX

Christmas Wish List - I've been a very good girl!!!

Lulu Guinness Leopard Izzy Satchel from the Wild Cat Collection

 

Most definitely top of my Christmas wish list is this lovely little treasure from the Lulu Guinness Wild Cat Collection. I have several bigger tote style bags that are useful for everyday but sometimes you need something a little more 'subtle' when going out in the evening.

 

Two of my favourite evening clutches are both Lulu Guinness, including a classic Lips Clutch, however, they are only capable of holding a phone and a lipstick at most. I know, what else does a girl need when being treated to an evening out with her man? My problem is that I invariably also need my glasses these days, particularly when trying to read a menu. It's a little embarrassing when I have to get someone to read it for me, don't laugh, it will happen to you too one day!

 

Pandora silver present charm

 

Next on my list would be a lovely Pandora charm. My kids and their partners all clubbed together and bought me a lovely Pandora leather bracelet and first charm for my 50th last year and in doing so created an avid collector! There are so many pretty charms to chose from and one to suit just about any occasion, even Christmas!

 

Christmas reindeer socks from Accessorize

 

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a pair of festive socks, as always Accessorize have come up trumps with this cute pair. There are several different designs to chose from and at 3 pairs for £8 you could get a pair for yourself too. Accessorize is always a good place to go for a Christmas gift, there is so much to chose from suiting all sorts of budgets.

 

Although I love girly gifts I would also love a couple of 3DS games for my console. This year I have my eyes firmly set on Zelda, A Link Between Worlds and Lego Marvel Super Hero's, sometimes it's good to be a kid again.

 

Thornton's Chocolate Reindeer

 

My Christmas list wouldn't be complete without my favourite Christmas chocolate. These reindeer's from Thornton's are great value at the moment at 3 for 2, handy if, like me, you have three kids to buy for!

 

Presents aside, the best gift I could receive this Christmas is to have all my family at home for dinner. They are all grown up now, some living away from home with partners so it becomes increasingly difficult to all get together and celebrate.

 

 I look forward to a warm Christmas evening, fire and Christmas candles lit, Christmas music playing (not sure everyone enjoys that as much as me!) and the silly family games out, the perfect end to a perfect day!

 

How will you be celebrating this year?

 

XXX

 

 

 

Chanel Rouge Allure Radieuse, a rose by any other name!

 Chanel Rouge Allure 217 Radieuse, £25

A beautiful shimmery pink!

 

When I first saw this new lipstick from Chanel's Collection Nuit Infinie de Chanel, Christmas 2013, I knew it had to be part of my make up collection!!!

 

I am a big fan of Chanel's Rouge Allure lipsticks as they always last so long and don't dry out you're lips. The colours always retain a good level of intensity too. Although quite expensive at £25, I think it's sometimes false economy to use a cheaper brand.

 

This pink is a change from my usual colour choice of a pinky red matte but sometimes, particularly when wearing a darker shade on the eyes, you need to go for a lighter lip colour. It didn't last quite as well as Chanel's more matte lipsticks, a common problem, I've found, with a shimmery satin shade. I thought it was a little reminiscent of the 60's, a touch of Mary Quant even, a good excuse to get out that bold black liquid eyeliner! 

A pretty, easy to wear pink!

 

Have you found any 60's inspired pink lipsticks this season?

 

XXX



Clarins Limited Edition Essential Eye Palette - a must have!

Clarins Limited Edition Essential Eye Palette, £35 

Beautifully packaged!

Handy size for travel.

One of my favourite buys this autumn is this lovely eye shadow palette by Clarins. It has covered just about every shade of autumnal brown possible and therefore, as the name suggests, it has quickly become an essential part of my make up collection.

It is very easy to blend the colours to achieve the effect you are after, the double ended brush is both soft and easy to use. I like to apply a lighter base colour then use the thinner end of the brush to added a darker shade just above the eye line before applying my eyeliner. This gives a soft effect that can be made to look more dramatic for an evening out using the darker shades.

I would definitely take this item away with me rather than several different eye shadows as it would just about cover any look I wanted to achieve.

I found that the shadow stayed in place for the best part of the day needing just a little touch up in the evening if going out. It also didn't crease, a real bonus! I didn't think the price was too high either considering the amount of different shades you get, it should last for quite some time.

If you want to get hold of one of these little beauties then I would hurry as they are selling out quickly. I know both Boots and Debenhams stock them, but not for much longer I fear!

 

Lighter shades.

Darker shades, all incorporating both matte

and shimmery tones.

Even has a handy guide for blending.

This has quickly become a make up essential in my kit, what make up essential could you not survive without?

XXX

Nails Inc Snowflake 'giveaway' - You can have a White Christmas!

#ALERT!!! Christmas Giveaway#

 

Nails Inc Limited Edition nail varnish, £12

Applied over (from left to right) Chanel Graphite, Chanel Attraction, Estee Lauder Oyster Cult and Nails Inc Covent Garden Ballet 

 Chanel Le Vernis in Graphite & Attraction, Estee Lauder Oyster Cult and

Nails Inc Covent Garden Ballet

From left to right Chanel Le Vernis Graphite & Attraction, Estee Lauder Oyster Cult

and Nails Inc Covent Garden Ballet

 

I thought it was time to have a little 'giveaway' competition and what better than one of these limited edition Nails Inc Snowflake nail varnishes, just in time for the festive season.

 

I tried it applied over four different silvery varnishes to test the effect of the product. I think you will agree that it definitely added a touch of snow to the nail making it look very Christmassy!

 

I achieved these results using two coats, building up flakes until I had the look I wanted, I think they really do have a snowflake effect. My favourite was the Snowflake varnish over Chanel's Attraction, it creates a lovely snowy scene.

 

Snowflake and Attraction

 

This is where the competition comes in.

 

 I have been quite safe in my experimentation and am sure you guys can come up with some far more interesting and wacky ideas as to how you would use the Snowflake varnish if you won it.

 

All you have to do is follow me on 'Bloglovin' or Twitter and leave a comment describing how you would create a Christmassy effect using this product, all before the 30th November. I will have a go at some of you're suggestions and let you know which one I think is the best, the more imaginative the better!

 

Unfortunately I can only accept entries in the UK as you'd be unlikely to receive the prize before Christmas if elsewhere, so sorry!

 

I will announce the winner on Twitter and my Blog on 1st December so get those creative juices flowing, I can not wait to hear all you're ideas!!!!

 

How would you wear Nails Inc's Snowflake varnish?

 

XXX

 

 

 

Lola Rose 'Kiki' necklace - Birthday surprise and accessory essential!

Lola Rose Kiki necklace in Blossom quartzite/New Zebra Jasper

 

Firstly, sorry its been a while since my last post, I've been poorly but hopeful normal service is now resumed! 

 

This year, for my birthday, I was lucky enough to receive a lovely Lola Rose Kiki necklace. I already have a couple of these necklaces from last year in Montana/Black agate and Blue Sandstone/Lime Green quartzite and they have become an essential item when reaching for an accessory.

 

My new necklace is in Blossom Quartzite/New Zebra Jasper, a mixture of soft warm pinks, striking jasper and a hint of Heather quartzite, its gorgeous!!!

 

This colour combination is ideal for the winter, it can be worn with warm creams, damsons and taupe, a very versatile piece.

Doubled up, worn with Topshop fluffy angora jumper.
 

One of my favourite things about the Kiki is its length. Personally, I prefer a longer necklace and at 144cm this one is the perfect. It can be doubled up and worn long or tripled to create a statement shorter necklace, can it be any more gorgeous!

A triple statement!
 

The Kiki is currently available in six beautiful shades including Peach Calcite/Smokey Obsidian and Black Cherry quartzite/Grape quartzite, again both very useful colour ways. At £59 it would make an ideal Christmas gift for someone special, ME PLEASE!!!!!

Peach Calcite/Smokey Obsidian, picture from Lola Rose website.
 

If you don't already own a piece of Lola Rose this necklace would be a perfect start to your collection, be warned though, it could also be the start of an obsession, take it from someone who knows!

What will be on you're Christmas wishlist this year?

XXX

 

 

The Sun is Out, YEAH!!! - Sunday Lunch skater style

 Skater dress-Topshop, cardigan-Monsoon, sunglasses-Ray Ban,  jewellery-Lola Rose and lipstick-La Precieuse from Chanel Christmas Collection 2013

 

Can you believe after all the rain that yesterday the sun finally came out and it was a beautiful crisp sunny day. Not only time for Sunday lunch out but also an excuse to get out a dress and put away the jeans for a day, yeah!!!!

 

If in doubt about what to wear, you can not go far wrong by reaching for a skater dress, easy to wear and still bang on trend. Mine from Topshop was bought earlier this year but similar dresses are continually available on the highstreet as its proved to be such a successful style. Well worth the investment, it will take you right through to Spring and can be so versatile.

 

I've teamed mine here with some warm winter tights, a contrasting colour cardigan and my staple black suede shoe boots, warm and cosy while still feminine!

 

 Time to reach for the sunnies!

 

The weather was also a good excuse to get out my trusty Ray Bans, I've had these for over a year now and they've proved to be very invaluable, brilliant for driving as they are polarised.

 

Teamed with Lola Rose, as always!

 

With black and white I always like to add an accent colour with my accessorises. Here I'm wearing the Willa necklace and Beena ring, both from Lola Rose. I love the extra colour that the butter jade adds to the outfit. A red lipstick also works well with black and white, time to reach for the Chanel.

 

This is such a versatile look, there are so many possibilities to wearing the skater style dress just have fun with it, after all, it will probably be raining again tomorrow and back to the jeans!

 

How do you like to wear your favourite skater dress?

 

XXX

 



Nuit Infinie de Chanel, Christmas Collection 2013 - Do you dare?

 

 Le Vernis Rouge Rubis 677 and Rouge Velvet Allure La Precieuse 317 from the Nuit Infinie de Chanel Christmas Collection 2013

 

As usual Chanel have come up with something extra special for the Christmas season and with the Nuit Infinie de Chanel Collection they don't disappoint. A daring and sumptuous collection that embraces everything about Christmas that I love!!!

 

This collection isn't yet available in the UK but my lovely husband bought back these couple of treasures from a recent business trip to the USA. I thought it would be good to give you guys advance warning of their loveliness before they go on sale here on 15th November.

 

Le Vernis Rouge Rubis 677

A gorgeous festive red!

Daring, but be brave!

 

Firstly the nails! This beautiful red is just right for the festive season, it has a slight hint of pink giving it a really classy look. I can imagining wearing this with my favourite LBD and gold sparkly Jimmy Choos, a must for any Christmas party. I only needed to apply two good coats for an even coverage and it lasted fairly well but to be honest you would probably only wear it for the evening unless you are very daring!!!

 

Rouge Allure Velvet La Precieuse 317

A similar red, again with just a hint of pink!

 

If there is one thing that Chanel is iconic for it would be the red lipstick!!!

 

This lipstick is the perfect match to go with the nail varnish. It isn't too dark and intense as some true reds tend to be and could be easily worn for both day and night. Because it is a velvet it lasts really well needing few applications during the evening, my kind of lipstick.

 

I must admit that I am a big fan of Chanel lipsticks in general. Although quite pricey, they do last really well and the colour always retains it's depth.

 

Chanel ad picture from jetsetfasionmag.com

 

I think the collection is released in the UK on Friday, 15th November and is definitely worth checking out with two more lipstick shades, one dark and daring, one pale and shimmery, and some lovely new eyeshadows that have a real hint of decadence about them. If you can not wait till Friday you can check out the collection on the Chanel website. I will certainly be looking to see if I can add anything else to my wishlist!

 

What festive red make-up products will you be reaching for this Christmas?

 

XXX

 

 

 

'Arthur's Antics!!!' - Oct 2013

 

 Arthur after an intensive ball chasing workout!

So what's Arthur been up to this month?

It started with a weekend in Cardiff visiting No.1 son and his girlfriend. Although Arthur whimpered pathetically in the back of the car until I sat with him (spoilt brat!!!) he was really excited to see his favourite girl Willow, a beautiful red border collie. After much chasing and teasing with balls they finally decided to work as a team in the pursuit of attention and treats, clever dogs.

Synchronised begging!

We all had a great time and the dogs were completely worn out by Sunday evening when it was time to come home, this resulted in a much quieter trip back.

Little man has had a busy weekend!!!

The next highlight in Arthur's calendar was Halloween. He had a lovely new skeleton outfit to wear although I think we were more impressed with it than him. My husband was also a skeleton and hoped to scare 'trick or treaters' when they came calling. Unfortunately, instead of screams of terror they were met with 'arrrh! he's so cute' (Arthur that is).

Arthur trying to savage the dropping spider. 

What a scary pair!

For the rest of the month Arthur has busied himself with several pussy cat related misdemeanours, my poor Ragdoll cats are exhausted!

Dougal manages to finally get some sleep, evil genius, I don't think so!!!

Arthur has also discovered the joys of squirrel chasing, he's way too slow thankfully! By far his worse offence was when I caught him in the garden with one of his dads Boss shoes!!!! Managed to retrieve it before any permanent damage was inflicted but we have renamed him 'Jimmy Chew'. Be warned if he gets anywhere near my Choo's there will be carnage!!!!

Arthur is now looking forward to Christmas, especially as he has a new Christmas pudding outfit to wear, it's not cruel is it? I do fear for the Christmas tree and don't think I trust him enough yet to leave any presents around the bottom.

Look out for Arthur's festive antics next month, should be fun!

Would love to hear what you're little doggy treasures have been up to.

XXX

Making Christmas cards and feeling festive!!!

My first handmade Christmas card of the year completed, only 50 more to go!!!

 

As you've probably guessed by now, I like to embrace as many holiday traditions as I can (see my Halloween post) and this includes making my own Christmas cards. I've missed out on this the last couple of years as I was up to my ears in History coursework but now 'status quo antebellum' is restored.

 

 

Believe it or not, I am organised!

 

I went into panic mode this morning when I realised it was only 7 more weeks until the big day so thought I'd better get a move on! The result was mayhem in my kitchen and a very fed up dog, he doesn't get the whole festive thing yet. I managed to make 18 cards so not even half way there yet, I know what I'll be doing for the next couple of days.

 

 

These are my favourites so far, soooo cute!

 

Next week I will make a start on the Christmas puddings so the house will hopefully smell amazing, you can not beat the aromas of cinnamon and spices to make you feel all Christmassy!

 

What makes you feel festive in the run up to the Christmas holidays?

 

XXX

Moonstone & May: All that glitters - Making a Statement!

Moonstone & May: All that glitters - Making a Statement!:   Rainbow Jewel Statement necklace, Accessorize, £29 (limited edition) It's really pretty! Padded lined backing means no snag...

All that glitters - Making a Statement!

 Rainbow Jewel Statement necklace, Accessorize, £29 (limited edition)

It's really pretty!

Padded lined backing means no snagging.

Worn with Topshop fluffy crop jumper in Mint.

This will go with soooo many things!!!

 

I've been looking for ages for a statement collar style necklace with little success, that is, until I found this not so little number from Accessorize. I love all the different coloured stones incorporated into the design, making it a very versatile piece that can be worn with so many different items in my wardrobe. The adjustable length means it would suit most styles, bringing a bit of bling to what would otherwise be a plain outfit, just adding a touch of style.

 

I think this necklace would look gorgeous with a simple black evening dress or top giving it that extra something. It looks equally as good worn with a jumper during the day, as seen above.

 

Although this item is a little pricey compared to some necklaces I've seen, the fact that it is so versatile and a limited edition makes it worth the extra expense, you only need this one piece.

 

This is the perfect accessory to brighten up your winter collection and is in keeping with this seasons love of statement jewellery.

 

What is you're favourite statement piece this Autumn?

 

XXX