Monday 23 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - Christmas Eve!


Hi there!

It's almost time!!! 

It's the final day of the 12 Days of Christmas! 

Just a short one today, how I spent my Christmas Eve in pictures! 






Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! 


12 Days of Christmas - The Christmas Tag


Hi there!
 
OMG Day 11!!! The 12 Days of Christmas is almost over! So perfect time for the Christmas Tag! I love doing Tag Posts So hope you enjoy them too! Let's get started.
 
 
What songs really get you into the Christmas spirit?

 Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You
Baby Please Come Home
and this year Leona Lewis - One More Sleep
has really been getting me into the Christmas Spirit!

Do you prefer a real Christmas tree or synthetic?

 
We have never had a real tree but I do think it would be really nice to go out every year and pick a new tree! But they tend to be quite mis-shaped, when I have a house of my own I'd like a really huge perfect tree haha! That sounds so bad, sorry nature haha!
 

You're in a Coffee Shop, it's December, what do you pick up?

 
Skinny hot chocolate with whipped cream! I mentioned in The Sweater Weather Tag that I love hot chocolate but haven't had one for years so now that i've realised that I've been going out of my way to drink more hot chocolate before Christmas! So far I've had 2 mint hot chocolates from beanscene and I had a honeycomb hot chocolate from Costa.
 

What's your favourite colour scheme for decorating the tree?

 
I live at home with my mum and dad so my mum choses the Christmas decorations but if I had my own house I think I would go with red and gold because I love those colours around Christmas time!
 

Giving or Receiving?

 
That is a tough one because let's be honest who doesn't love receiving presents! But I do love buying Christmas presents,I just love spoiling my friends and family! To be honest I just love shopping even if its not for me lmao!
 

To Mince Pie or not to Mince Pie?

 
Not to mince pie.  I've never tried one but I don't like currents or anything else found in mince meat so I just don't fancy them at all. The little mini ones look so cute though I wish I did like them. They're very festive ha.
 

What's your traditional Christmas lunch?

 
Literally everything! ha, we have turkey, stuffing, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, potato croquettes, yorkshire puddings, roasted veg, gravy. Our plates are literally over flowing with food in our house and every year we make a variety of desserts and after all the dinner no one can ever make it to dessert ha! It is the highlight of me & my sisters year!
 

Christmas Day Fashion

 
Last year I went for a festive Christmas jumper but I usually wear something new that I've got for Christmas, preferably something red! This year I have a really cute berry velvet playsuit to wear. Very festive!
 

What is your favourite Christmas song?

 
Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You
 

What is your favourite Christmas Film?

 
I actually watch very few Christmas films in the run up to Christmas I have no idea why not, everyone else seems to haha! But I do love Elf and Jack Frost!
 

Open presents before or after lunch?

 
Before! Omg I could never wait till after lunch! Even now that my sisters moved out I still text her and my brother in law to wake them up and go in & wake my mum and dad up so we can all go downstairs together. I literally still jumped on my sisters head to wake her up until she moved out lmao! Don't think my brother in law was too keen on that tradition haha!
 

Do You Like To Stay in Your PJs Or Dress Up For Christmas?

 
I stay in my PJ's for most of the morning and my sister comes round in hers haha! We open all our presents and then my mum makes a big buffet fry up for everyone and then about an hour or two before lunch my sister will go home to get dressed and that's when I will get dressed too!
 

Have You Ever Built a Ginger Bread House?

 
No but I really want too!! I saw one in Morrisons the other week and really wanted to buy it but my boyriend gave me this really weird look like you are a weirdo your 23 lmao! But I really wish I'd just bought it haha! Boo Nicky!!
 
 
This Tag has really got me excited for Christmas! I think this has been my favourite tag yet!
 
So I tag all everyone who reads this to do this tag too! It's so nice to hear about other peoples Christmas traditions!
 
Merry Christmas!!!
 
 

Sunday 22 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - Urban Decay Ammo Palette - Gift Idea!


Hi there!

Day 10!!! Time is flying by so fast! So scary, I really have to finish my Christmas shopping but instead of doing so I thought I would give you guys a little help with yours! Time is running short so I think this the Urban Decay Ammo Palette would make a great last minute gift! 



The palette itself is very small, thin and compact so a great gift for someone who travels alot! It also comes with a travel size eyeshadow primer and a little Urban Decay eyeshadow brush. 

(Swatches - top - no flash, bottom - flash)

The palette contains 10 gorgeous shimmery shades:

Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper, Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Pride, Grifter, Sin (in order in palette and swatches)

All the shades are beautifully pigmented and blend well like all Urban Decay eyeshadows, you know you get amazing quality for your money! I think £23 is such an amazing price for this palette!

Personally my favourite colours are Last Call and Maui Wowie!

I used this palette in my Day 4 Christmas Make Up Post.

I bought mine from Debenhams, but it is also available at Look Fantastic and Beauty Bay.


Saturday 21 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - Favourite High End Winter Lipsticks - Gift Idea


Hi there!

Day 9 and I thought I would share with you my favourite high end lipsticks at the moment which I think would make a great stocking filler! 

I think lipsticks make a great little Christmas present and I think with these colours there is something to suit everyone! Urban Decay and Mac are my favourite brands of lipsticks and I am currently trying to build a little collection! I love the formulas and packaging of these lipsticks and I know any girl would love one of these in her Christmas stocking this year! 

(Urban Decay - Naked 2, Urban Decay - Venom, Mac - Russian Red, Mac - Dark Side)


This is the first nude lipstick I've ever bought and I think it's a gorgeous colour and goes great with a really dark dramatic smokey eye! Perfect for when you want your make up to be all about the eyes!


I think this is such a amazing colour, especially with the flash it just looks so beautiful on the lips, a little more unusual but I think thats what I like most about it.


Everyone needs a red lipstick in December! It's the ultimate festive colour, I like that this one is matte so a little different and long wearing so perfect for going out!


I really love this deep berry shade at the moment and just about everything I have bought this Autumn/Winter has been this colour! Everytime I wear this lipsticks I get compliments on it. It's a really stunning colour!

What lipsticks would you like to see in your stocking this year?



Friday 20 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - Christmas Wish List


Hi there!

Day 8! Christmas is getting so close!! I have my work Christmas lunch today so trying to get a blog post up before I go, as lets be honest ... I am most likely not going to be in fit state when I get home tonight haha!

Its also for some of us lucky people (like me) its early pay day for Christmas! yayyy!! (I know, I know its supposed to last me 6 weeks but I will deal with that when I need to haha!)

But what better time to put up my Christmas Wish List!


As you probably already know I love big hair! So I definitely need these in my life! I love Dizzy Brunette's (Blog) (YouTube) hair and she swears by these so hopefully Santa will bring me them this year!

 
Up until last year I don't even think I owned a pair of trainers now I have loads! I wear them all the time and Nike Blazers are my favourite! I love the glitter detail on these, they also come in pink but I already have pink Blazers so I really like these grey ones!
 

 
I think I want just about ALL of the lime crime lipsticks ... minus the crazy ones like blue and yellow haha! But Poisionberry just looks like the most stunning colour! Really hope this little bad boy ends up in my stocking this year haha! (how cute is the packaging?!)

 
Quite a random selection but I do have the Models Own version of the Beauty Blender and I really like it but I always hear nothing compares to the real thing so I'd like to take that to the test!
 

 

I'm trying to get more into looking after my hair and i've heard this hair mask is amazing but quite expensive so would be a lovely treat if someone got me it for Christmas.



There's something about these little booties I just really love! ... well lets be honest its obviously the glitter! I think they're just super cute!

Thursday 19 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - The Sweater Tag


Hi there!

Day 7 and I was tagged by Pretty Polly to do this Tag so thought I would do it today!


Favourite candle scent? 

I'm not really like a candle person, however my mum always has Yankee's everywhere and right now I'm so in love with fireside treats from Yankee, it’s so sweet and smells amazing!

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?

I would say hot chocolate but if i'm totally honest I haven't had a hot chocolate for about 2 years but I do really love them, I don't know why I never have them haha. I really want to get a costa white hot chocolate before christmas haha. Does green tea count in with tea? I drink green tea everyday and my favourite flavour is mint! 

What's the best winter memory you have? 

Behind my house is really steep grassy hills and I remember one year when I was about 13 me & my best friend were first out on the hills when the snow fell and we thought it was just the best thing ever, out sledging with no one else there yet haha. 

Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner? 

I'm going to go for dark lips, I am loving them at the moment, Mac Dark Side and Urban Decay Venom are my favourites and I always love a red lip in December!

Best fragrance for winter?

I don't really have a seasonal scent, my favourite perfume is Pink Ralph Lauren Big Pony and I have been wearing that everyday for about 2 years! 

Favourite Christmas Food? 

The whole Christmas dinner! Its the highlight of my year! I love everything about it the turkey, the pigs in blankets. Mmmmmm! I try get a christmas dinner as much as I can throughout December! 

What is winter weather like where you live?

The last few years we've actually had snow, which I hate now that I work full time and drive! It just causes absolute mayhem! I miss the days when you wished for snow to get the day off school but those days are long gone! haha. This year though the temperature has just started to fully drop down. Last week it was like 13 degrees which is sometimes the temperature in summer here! So weather is always a surprise in Scotland but usually always, cold, windy and wet!

Most worn sweater? 

Last Christmas I got a black jumper with a diamonte skull on the front from New Look and its so comfy and cosy so I wear it all the time so that is probably my most worn sweater! 

Must-have nail polish this winter? 

I don't really own many nail polishes, I'm so bad at painting my nails so I usually get acrylics or borrow one from my sister on the off chance I do paint them but I tend to always go for gold glitter as I wear leopard print almost every day haha! At the moment I have red with gold glitter over the top to match my pedicure! Very festive!

Skinny jeans or leggings?

I like to wear leggings because they're so comfy but I do wear my skinny jeans more as I tend to wear trainers and I think they go better with jeans so I'm going to go for skinny jeans! 

Boots or Uggs?

I used to wear uggs literally every day during winter but the last year I just haven't been reaching for them but my boyfriend has bought me new leather boots with a fur lining from Dune for my Christmas so I'm going to go for boots because I'm sooo excited to wear them! 

Is pumpkin spice worth the hype? 

I've actually never tried it but it doesn't sounds like something I would like haha!

Favourite winter TV show? 

I have been sitting for like an hour trying to figure out an answer to this question but I literally cannot think of anything haha! Towie Christmas Special? haha


Wednesday 18 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - Christmas Present Idea! - Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Gift Set


Hi there!

Day 6 today and I thought I would do a gift idea plus review for the Paul Mitchell - You're a Pretty Big Deal Gift Set!


I was lucky enough to be given this set at a Paul Mitchell event in Glasgow, however this review is all my own opinion. Although the event was in October I like to try stuff out a few times before I do a review on them, as sometimes opinions can change from first impressions. 

First things first, the packaging! How gorgeous! One of my main reasons why I think this would make a fab Christmas present. Nothing says Christmas like a bit of Christmas sparkle! This set retails at £26 and includes a 300ml bottle of Extra Body Shampoo, 300ml bottle of Extra Body Conditioner and 250ml bottle of Extra Body Daily Booster Spray, so you definitely get your monies worth in this set!

I always think good quality hair care makes a great present as it isn't something people tend to pick up on their own as much as they should. So it is something I look forward to receiving at Christmas. 

I think this set in particular is a great one to choose as I like to save it for special occasions and nights out to give my hair that extra boost and everyone wants to look their best when going out so knowing I've used good quality products gives you that extra little boost of confidence and makes it a little more special! 


Now I've told you why I think it would make a great present I'll go onto the review!

Extra Body Daily Shampoo - This shampoo feels really light weight in your hair ... if that makes sense! I think how light a shampoo/conditioner feels, is a good indication of how volumising it will be. Really thick creamy nourishing hair products do make the hair really soft but they're not what you're looking for, if you want volume! Its not super lathery (if that's a word haha!) which I do usually look for in a shampoo but I can forgive that as all I'm really looking for is maximum volume! I don't really know how to describe the smell, just smells like shampoo haha! Doesn't have a specific scent like fruity or anything. Doesn't smell bad though.. just smells like shampoo! 

Extra Body Daily Rinse - This also feels really light weight, I do usually prefer really think creamy conditioners but like I said before a creamy conditioner and volume just don't mix haha! Still does the job of a conditioner though smoothing out my hair. The conditioner has the same scent as the shampoo.

Extra Body Daily Boost Spray - This is my favourite of the set! I have a tresemme root booster spray but I much prefer this one. It sprays really nicely so I feel like it distributes through my hair well and I really notice a difference in the volume of my hair when I use this even on its own without the other products. I also feel like if I back comb my hair after using it this it really helps along with the volume. It is a really great root booster! I use this in my hair everytime I wash it, not just when I'm going out, just to give my hair a bit of a boost and if I could chose only one product from the set to repurchase this would definitely be it! I like using all 3 products together for maximum volume and I will be repurchasing this when it runs out! 

Along with this set I like to use the Paul Mitchell Fast Drying Sculpting Spray which I have still to review so keep an eye out for that! On this review I will include some pictures of my hair where I've used all 4 products because I think this post is long enough!

Hope you enjoyed this review and have a look at the Paul Mitchell Party Time Sets when Christmas shopping this year! I will link my review to my "Fab Girls Finish First Set" here also. Time is running out so I know we all need all the inspiration we can get!

I will be back tomorrow with Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas series!

Tuesday 17 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - Bloggers Christmas Party!



Hi there!

Day 5!

Last Tuesday was the Bloggers Christmas Party for the Glasgow and Edinburgh bloggers!

The event was held on in the gorgeous setting of October (previously known as November) in Glasgow Princess Square, and organised by my sister Paula (Pretty Pollys Blog) and the lovely Scott (Scott Nothing To Do With You).

They did an amazing job organising the event and I know how hard they worked to make sure everyone had a great night so well done guys! *high five*

Everyone was treated to a free drink on arrival, which is always a bonus! .. who doesn't love a free beveridge on a night out? haha and they managed to make up some amazing goodie bags for everyone! Expect some reviews on these products in the near future!


There was also a secret santa! I'm very happy with my gift so thank you to whoever bought me it! Love an early Christmas present! and I am especially excited to try out the benefit porefessional and face mask!


Finally they even organised a fantastic charity raffle with some amazing prizes! From Afternoon tea at the Corinthian Club Glasgow, Bank Fashion Gift Vouchers and Vidal Sasson Hair Straightners! Over £100 was raised so well done again guys!

I was actually one of the lucky winners on the night and won a Scottish Fine Soap Set. Yay me! (review will follow soon!)


Can you tell the theme was Christmas Jumpers? haha I love how everyone really got into the spirit of the theme! I had a great night, and really loved meeting some new bloggers and chatting to some familiar faces!


Me, Paula, Scott and Scott's friend Paul decided to keep the party going so I have included some snaps of us later on in the night just for some laughs! haha!


Can't wait for the next event!

 

Monday 16 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - Christmas Inspired Make Up!


Hi there!

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas! 

Just a short post today! Some light reading for a Monday! I decided to do a little Christmas make up inspiration based on my outfit yesterday which I will link here incase you missed it. Like I said in yesterdays post the inspiration for this look was from Karissa Pukas Holiday Look YouTube tutorial, which is linked on yesterdays post. 

I loved the colours of this look, just screams CHRISTMASSSSSS! 

I didn't have the Mary Kay eyeshadows that she used so I just did my own version of this using the Urban Decay Ammo Palette (review coming later this week).



I primed my eyes with the Urban Decay primer potion and then put maui wowie in the inner corner, last call over the lid and blended out wildew into crease and outer v of my eye.
I was just going Christmas shopping so I decided just to go with Benefit They're Real Mascara and a little Urban Decay 24/7 liner in black on my water line and smudged on the outer third of my lash line. 
 
I then put Mac Dark Side on my lips with Bare Minerals Marvellous Moxie lipgloss in spellbinder on top.
 

Hope you enjoyed my representation of this look, obvioiusly not as gorgeous as Karissa Puka's but hopefully it will provide some festive inspiration and inspire you to play around with some colours!

I'll be back tomorrow with a Day 5!


Sunday 15 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - Christmas Shopping OOTD!


Hi there!

Day 3 already of the 12 days of Christmas! 

Yesterday while watching YouTube tutorials I came across Karissa Pukas 'Holiday Look' tutorial (Link) that she had posted a few days ago! I thought it looked so festive and inspired me to put together a little festive Christmas shopping outfit!




Lace Top - Primark
(can't remember the price sorry! £4 maybe?)

Black Vest Top - New Look - £2.99 
(They don't have the black online at the moment so I have linked the grey)


Skirt - New Look - £7
(I'm really tiny (5ft) so I prefer to buy my skater skirts from the teens section at New Look as they fit me better, however they do have a similar style/colour in the womans section that is currently on sale for £10. I will link here.)


Shoes - Dr Martens (I got mine from Office) - £90

Ideally I would have wore this outfit with a black chunky scarf/snood. I have one from H&M but could not find it anywhere! So was very annoyed because I think it would have really completed the look but I had already did my make up to match the outfit before I realised so I decided to do the post anyway. Fingers crossed I find it soon as it is my favourite scarf!

Hope this inspired you to put together a nice festive look for Christmas shopping!


Saturday 14 December 2013

12 Days of Christmas - Christmas Party Dresses! x


Hi there!

The Christmas countdown continues! I'm sure many of you have already started your Christmas celebrations! But for some of us including myself I still have some time to find a Christmas Party outfit. As time starts running out trying to get last minutes presents, catching up with friends, finishing up with work/uni; time to find a dress is of the essence and so I thought I would list a few different party outfits and maybe make it a little easier for some of you! 


I thought I would start with online buys! This gorgeous little skater dress from Asos I think would be perfect for any christmas occasion, with just the right amount of sparkle, not too much and this beautiful shade (described as Ruby by asos) would go perfect with the gorgeous dark lipsticks that are in style at the moment! 



This is currently in the Missguided sale which I'm actually very surprised at, as it is a perfect 'Christmas party dress. It's a gorgeous deep green, and has cut outs on the sides but as it's a little longer in length its not too sexy. Covered in sequence, and a very festive colour I think it's a great christmas alternative to a the usual festive red! 


I think this lace dress from AX Paris is perfect for a work Christmas lunch. Its a gorgeous festive red that can easily be taken from day to night and the lace makes a great alternative to sequence as you don't want to be full of glitter and sequence at 2 in the afternoon. It's also covers you up nicely but still looks stunning! 


Pink Boutique is one my favourite websites especially for party dresses! Probably because their model looks absolutely amazing in everything! I struggled to only pick out just one dress from their website to show, so I would recommend having a look because it is just bursting with gorgeous party dresses! I think this dress would look perfect for a Christmas night out with the girls! Super girlie and glitzy! 


This has just went into the Boohoo sale and is also available in black! I think this would be another great dress for a work Christmas lunch! The velvet is another great alternative to sequence and the gorgeous green is another great alternative to red while still looking very festive! It again can easily be taken from day to night.


Apologies for the tiny picture! As most of my suggestions were online I thought I would include a couple of high street options for anyone who's Christmas night out is mid week next week and so don't have time to buy online! This first dress is from New Look and at £24.99 I think its a great price for a gorgeous dress. Nothing says Christmas party like red sequence!


Gorgeous red sequence dress, perfect Christmas party dress. The three-quarter length sleeves also means you don't get the uncomfortable, sequence scratching your arms so perfect for dancing! 


How stunning is this dress! I have fallen in love! I'm not sure if this can be bought in store or not but I had to include is because it is just too beautiful not to share! This dress would just be perfect for any special occasion! So gorgeous! 

Hope you have enjoyed having a look at my Christmas party dress guide, and hope it helps relieve the stress of dress shopping for some of you! I'll be back tomorrow with another festive post!