Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013

I really cannot believe that another year has passed already. It's so incredibly scary how time really is flying past.

I've sat and looked back at the goals which I made at the start of the year and I'm pleased to say that I have managed to achieve most of them.

1. I wanted to have a better skin care routine and if you're a regular reader you'll know that I have gone skin care crazy! I have found so many new products which I love and my routine has improved drastically and for the better but I'll always be on the hunt for ways in which I can improve it even more

2. I wanted to blog more frequently. I have been blogging at every spare moment I can get, I aim to blog at least once a week. but I feel that there is no point in sticking to some sort of schedule as I've found that living life is far more important. I love blogging and I always will, but I don't want it to become a chore, I want to carry on enjoying what I do.

3. Become more healthy with diet and exercise - It has taken me nearly a whole year to do this. I finally have my gym membership, now I need to find the motivation. I am usually a healthy eater but everyone has those naughty days now and then.

4. I wanted to smile and laugh lots. I definitely have done this! I'm not going to lie and say that there weren't any bad parts of 2012 because there were, such as losing a friend to cancer and the break up of my family, but the good parts definitely outweigh the bad! I have had the best year ever with my boyfriend, family and friends and loved every single second of it!

5. I wanted to quit smoking, and I am so pleased to say that I have also achieved this. I finally managed to stop in October, better late than never but I feel so much better for doing so. Yes I did gain a little weight when I stopped but I feel a lot healthier and I know it'll be so much better for me in the long run.

6. Save money. Hallelujah! I can't believe I'm saying this but from my part time job I manage to save away £200 a month which has enabled me to do so much more than if I didn't save, I am not the saving freak of my household!

7. To have lots of fun and happiness. I definitely did this in 2012. At the beginning of the year I turned 18 and am now approaching my 19th birthday, but I have had so much fun being 18. I have made some great memories this year along with friends. I fell in love with the most amazing guy who truly treats me like a princess. My relationship with my family, especially my Mum improved so much. I generally have been so happy this year, and I want to keep it that way for 2013!

My Goals For 2013:

- Remain happy

- Carry on to improve the relationship with my mum and family

- Get the help which I need in order to tackle the last remaining skeletons in the closet

- Pass my driving test

- Travel more around England and abroad.

- Find lots of motivation

- Carry on to improve my fitness levels

- Finish my last year of education and leave with my predicted results of a triple distinction

- Carry on enjoying blogging

- Participate in an international swap

- Take more chances

- Learn to say yes to offers more.

- Have just as much fun and happiness in 2013 as I did 2012.

 

What are your goals?

I wish you all a Happy New Year and have an amazing 2013!

 

Secret Santa - Bloggers Edition.

After reading people's posts last year about the Secret Santas they took part in within the blogging community I knew I wanted to take part this year. The Secret Santa is such a fun way for bloggers to come together, share blogs, bond and swap beauty products. The Secret Santa which I took part in was organised by Georgina at Makeup-Pixi3 and Laura at A Day In The Life Of A Scottish Lass both have amazing blogs which I recommend you should check out!

The spending limit for the Secret Santa which we agreed on was £15, I was put with the lovely Bex from Futures and it has been great to chat to her and go out buying gifts which I thought she might like. I also loved the parcel which she sent me as it contained one of my most favourite brands ever.. MUA!

Bex got me right down to a tee! I loved the cute box which it all arrived in, very festive! I've been meaning to try the MUA Lip Booms and BB Cream for ages and just haven't gotten around to it, so these are perfect! I also love Barry M lipsticks but haven't one in red yet. I love how Bex is sticking to the tradition red theme of Christmas, but you can also never go wrong with a classic red lip! I love the No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream which I have had in the past and you can read my review here. Bex also sent me Superdrugs Vitamin E Gentle Eye Make Up Remover. I'm big on skin care and can't wait to try this properly, I wonder if it beats my all time favourite Simple Eye Make Up Remover?!? Finally, it really isn't Christmas without these.. Chocolate Coins, which really didn't last long at all!

Bex has been brilliant and has gotten me some lovely products. I'm definitely going to do another Secret Santa in 2013, and maybe I'll even try some international swaps. So keep your eyes peeled to see that happens in 2013!

Christmas 2012 - The Best Yet.

This Christmas really was the best yet. It was spent with my family and all the ones I love. Christmas day and Boxing day consisted to eating and drinking, exchanging presents, playing silly family games, watching all the Christmas TV and dozing by the fire. I wouldn't have spent my Christmas in a different way it really was the best. I was also so incredibly spoilt by my family and boyfriend and I felt it very overwhelming. They had all been so kind and generous and I cannot thank them enough.

I know lots of people like these kinds of posts, myself included as a way to be nosey and see all the fabulous gifts which everyone received. If you don't like these posts then I would suggest you do not read it or comment. This isn't me bragging about what I was given it's a way for bloggers to share what they all got.

As you can tell I've been very spoilt! There really aren't enough words to explain how I feel! I love my family so incredibly much and cannot wait to start 2013 with them!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas!!

If you did a similar post about what you got for Christmas don't forget to leave the link for me to read!!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

As I won't be online to blog on Christmas Day I just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

I hope that wherever you are in the world you have a lovely day with your family and loved ones. I know my day will consist of eating, being with my family and boyfriend, opening presents and watching all the Christmas films and soap specials on the T.V, along with falling asleep with the fire going.

I also want us all to spare a thought for the people who are less fortunate than ourselves. People who wont have a family to share Christmas with or money to put food on the table or presents under the tree. I also stumbled across this youtube video of an incredibly amazing person giving up his Christmas to go homeless for 8 nights and 9 days on the streets of London. I'd love it if you could spare 5 minutes to watch his video and visit the facebook page to support him, he has raised nearly £8,000 already.

 

 



https://www.facebook.com/events/303373483111990/?fref=ts

 



On a brighter note.. Have a great Christmas, I hope you all enjoy your day and get completely spoilt!

♥

Next Just Pink

When I was younger I used to love watching my Mum put on her make up and spray her perfume before going out. I would constantly be asking if I could have some of her make up and perfume too. She would always play along with it pretending to give me some and it would make me so happy. As I started to get older I started to ask for my own and I will never forget when I was lucky enough to get my first perfume. From then on of around the age of 11/12 this perfume has always been a favourite of mine.



Just Pink is a very light floral scent and is described as having soft fruits and pink blossom in it too. It definitely does suit its name of Just Pink. I have still continued to love this perfume from being that little girl and each year I will receive a bottle of it or a gift set. It's the ideal gift for Christmas or Birthdays as it also comes with a very reasonable price tag.

Images were taken from www.next.co.uk

 These are the gift sets which are available from the Just Pink range. It consists of everything girly from perfume to candles, to manicure and pedicure sets to make up and body lotions.

The prices start at £5.00 and go up to £16.00 making it the perfect gift for anyone! Next time you're in Next make sure you check out their fragrances as most of their perfumes retail at only £10.00 and they will always have a full stock of Just Pink as from working there I know it's their bestseller!

 

Have you tried any of the other fragrances from Next?

My First Glossy Box.

If you read my post a few days ago you will know that I have cancelled my She Said Beauty Box subscription and have started a Glossy Box subscription. Well let me tell you something, I think I have fallen in love! I have never been so impressed in all my life! A lot more impressed than when I first subscribed to She Said Beauty. So lets take a look at what I received.



I already love the product description card so much more than She Said Beauty's, lets take a look at the contents inside the box.

Again, I apologise for the poor photo quality. I cannot wait until the days stay lighter for longer again so I can go back to being snappy happy for my blog. Maybe in 2013 I'll invest in a better camera! When taking off the lid to the box, I was full of excitement. Glossy Box lived up to everything I thought it would be.

1. Rituals Ultra Rich, Whipped Body Cream - I can't begin to explain how amazing this smells! I've already tested this out on the backs of my hands and it really is the definition of a little goes a long way. It's one of the most nourishing moisturisers I have come across in a long time. For the 70ml which I received, the product retails at £5.00 for a 200ml sized product it retails at £15.00

2. Ayuuri Tumeric & Bergamot Face Wash - I am mad on skin care so I cannot wait to try this out. It has a very citrus scent mixed with spices which will be really refreshing in the mornings. The face wash is designed to remove dirt and excess oil, which is perfect for those oily spots on my face. This product is full sized and retails at £4.95 for 200ml.

3. Lemon By Mary Greenwell - I am really not keen on this perfume sample. I'm not a lover of lemon scented things and this perfume also has a really musky smell to it which reminds me of my Granddad. So for me this is the only product which just isn't to my taste unfortunately.

4. Seche Nail Lacquer in Aristocrat - Seche isn't a brand which I am familiar with but I love the deep purple, it's my favourite colour for this time of year. But what makes it even better is the shimmer to it. For a full sized bottle which I received they retail at £9.95 which I have to admit is very pricey for a Nail Varnish.

5. Kryolan Glossybox Blusher - Kryolan are a new brand which have teamed up with Glossybox to produce a special Glossybox blusher as a festive treat. The blusher is names Glossy Pink.

6. Sleek True Colour Lipstick in Candy Cane - I love the Sleek range, and it's one of the first brands I go to when I walk into Superdrug. I haven't brought one of their lipsticks yet so I can't wait to try this one. It's an amazing red which is perfect for Christmas. Sleek Lipsticks retail at £4.99

 

I am so impressed with everything which I received from Glossybox and cannot wait to try out all these products!

 

I hope you all have a lovely Friday night!

FCUK The Little Indulgent Box

Whether you're looking for a little self spoiling or for that last minute Christmas present then Boots has all the answers! With its 3 for 2 offer, I couldn't resist picking up some last minute gifts.

 Without fail I will always receive some sort of FCUK or Ted Baker body set over Christmas, but you wont hear me complaining.. I love them!! This little indulgence set costs £10.00 and I will get so much use from it.

Inside this set comes a sponge, body spray, body butter, body polish and body wash, everything a girl needs! FCUK has a gorgeous clean scent which I always smoother myself in. So if you want to treat yourself before the rush and buzz of Christmas day or you still need to find that last minute Christmas gift then look no further. Head to Boots to find the perfect set which suits you!

Decembers She Said Beauty Box

I have only recently signed up to the She Said Beauty Box subscription and after receiving my second box I will be unsubscribing. You can read my November Beauty Box review here. I really enjoyed the November box and have been using all the products, but when I received the December one I was less than impressed and felt that the products which I was getting inside didn't seem to be my moneys worth. So lets take a look...



First off, I apologise for the quality of my photos, it has been so dark and rainy down here that I've had to use artificial light which doesn't work well when taking photos of shiny packaging!

Looking at the contents my first reaction was that I like the colour of the Nail Varnish. My second was it's a box full of sample creams, and my third.. TEABAGS?!? I know that Beauty Box's are meant to be samples, but I find them totally irrelevant to me, and Teabags as far as I last checked are totally unbeauty related?!



1. First is the Amie Spring Clean Cooling Clay mask fullsize - it's an extra in the beauty box as a Christmas treat. I'm actually quite looking forward to using this and reviewing it. Many people said that they received it in a previous  months box, but I am yet to try it. I am all for trying to improve my skin, so keep your eyes peeled for a post later on to see how I got on.

2. JING Whole Leaf Teabags - These were also an added extra into the box as a Christmas treat, and I know that they didn't have to, but I just can't seem to get my head around why?! Maybe the company had a whole load of samples that they wanted to get rid of?! I've given my mum this to try, but retailing at 15 teabags for £5.40 I somehow don't see them making an appearance in my tea and coffee jars any time soon.



3 & 4. - Next were these Doctor Duve samples for anti-aging. When subscribing there are different options of interest for skincare with anti-aging being one of them, and it was not an option that I opted for. Again these went to my Mum. She seems to be getting more out of this for me and she doesn't even pay the subscription.. madness! However, it is yet again a product which I won't see her rushing to buy as a full size 30ml Anti-Ageing & Firming Eye Cream comes at a cost of £115.00 whilst the Face Cream for 50ml comes at a cost of £129.00 and with Christmas just around the corner I think it is a bit unrealistic for mine and my Mum's budget.

5. YanNa Kiss Ghassoul Clay Mask - This is probably the most interesting product in the box and I can't wait to try it. It's beautifully packaged and is meant to be great for pampering. The Clay Mask is also for hair and body, so there will be some experimenting going on. A full sized Clay Mask retails at £7.00 for 250g

6. Minivita Baobab Body Oil - I'm a bit apprehensive about this product as I don't really like using oils due to being really greasy. However, the product description says it is non-greasy and absorbs quickly. The product is designed to improve skin elasticity and encourage the regeneration of skin cells. A full sized product of 100ml retails at £35.00

7. Techni Nail Varnish in Tawny Port - I love nail varnish's and as everyone knows I love my dark colours the most. This dark purple almost aubergine will be perfect for the winter months. This product is full sized and retails at £1.25 which is a bargain!

 

There are a few products in this months box which I like the look of, and some which I don't. I personally feel that there are just some better beauty box subscriptions out there for only a pound or two more. I have now subscribed to Glossy Box and I'm currently waiting on the December box to arrive and after looking at what everyone else received I cannot wait. Sorry She Said Beauty, it's just not what I'm quite after.

 

What beauty box subscriptions do you have?

Lily Flame Candles At Casa Candles

Anything which is pretty and girly makes my knees go weak, one of those things has to be Lily-Flame candles. Their candles in a tin make my heart melt, and it is everything about them from their cute little tin, to their adorable names and finally to their gorgeous smell. However Lily-Flame candles do come at a slight price which I think is rather expensive for a candle in a tin. A small 7.7 x 6.6 cm tin retails at £8.50, and that really isn't very big. But when I see them I just cant help but purchase one. That's why I was ecstatic to stumble across Casa Candles.

Casa Candles is a small online website which specialises in anything with a lovely scent - candles, bath bombs, room spray and diffusers, and the best part... Their candles don't come at the same cost! They sell many candles such as Lily-Flame, Melt, Ashleigh & Burnwood and Yankee Candles. It would be rude not to make a purchase!

Fairy Dust smells heavenly and is that perfect girly smell. And Snow Fall is from their winter collection, it has the most amazing fresh fragrance. These candles comes with a price tag of £6.59 from the Casa Candles website compared to the £8.50 they usually retail at. That's almost £2 off, it would be rude not to!

Will you be purchasing anything from http://casacandles.co.uk ?!

MUA Haul.

Sorry for my slight absence recently, I've been ill over the past week with this sickness bug, and it's not been fun nor pleasant!

After taking advantage of the MUAs 35% off promo code online, I finally received my parcel today, and I'm so excited to start trying out all the products, as, as you all know I'm a huge MUA lover!!

I can't wait to test out all these products as they're ones which I haven't tried yet. I paid very little for this lot due to getting 35% off and having free delivery. What could be better?

At full retail price the products which I brought are..

Pro-brow Kit - £3.50

Trio Eyeshadow in Smoke Screen - £2.50

Lip Boom in Cheeky - £3.00

Kiss Proof Lipstain in Kissalicious and Fruitilicious - £3.00 each

Lip Liners in Pink Me Up and Red Drama - £1.00 each

I don't think I did too badly at all!

And because MUA have now hit 40,000 likes on their facebook page they are doing another promotion for 40% off when you spend £10 or more plus 5 free nail quakes. I definitely just made another purchase of lots of goodies!!

Check out the MUA website here and place your order for 40% off!! www.muastore.co.uk

The Christmas Tag

Everyone likes to get involved in a good tag, and I love reading them to see what each person writes, especially as everyones answers are different. I have seen this tag flying around quite a bit recently and it was made by the lovely Georgina at Makeup-Pixi3. It is also through her blog which I am doing my Secret Santa and I can't wait to do a post to show and tell you guys all about it.

Q. What's your favourite thing about Christmas?

I don't think it is possible to have one favourite thing about Christmas because the whole of December is just so exciting! Everyone is in such a high spirits, I love the Christmas shopping, the meeting and exchanging of gifts with friends and family, the Christmas festivities which will be taking place such as going up to Winter Wonderland, the food and drink, the lights and the way the house is decorated, the Christmas music, and of course, nothing beats the excitement of Christmas morning, I am still a child when it comes to the morning of Christmas!

Q. What's your favourite makeup look for the festive season?

My favourite makeup look has to be the autumnal tones. I love the golds, browns, deep reds and Burgundy's. There is nothing better than a natural face, maybe slightly bronzed, with a glittering brown/gold smokey eye.

Q. Real tree or fake tree?

I love fake trees, I love the smell which they manage to fill the room with as I associate that with Christmas. However, since moving house a few years ago, I moved to a small cute house with my mum which unfortunately doesn't have room for a real tree. So we now have a fake very small silvery/white tinsel tree which teamed with lots of fairy lights and our colour scheme of purple and pink looks so cute and girly. I'll post a picture when it's up!!

Q. Giving presents of receiving presents?

Both! I think it's silly the amount of people who will choose only giving, and say it's only about giving because they don't want to look selfish. Well I don't believe that by saying both is selfish. I mean really, who doesn't enjoy opening presents on Christmas day and receiving them?! It's what makes Christmas so exciting - the exchanging of presents! It's all about a little give and take! I love spoiling my mum and boyfriend on Christmas with presents, doesn't mean I'm not allowed to enjoy being spoilt by them too. It's only once a year!

Q. Do you open your presents Christmas morning or evening?

I will always open the presents from my mum in the morning because we're both so excited and wake up at 7am! When I visit the rest of my family we don't have a set time, it's when everyone is ready to.

Q. Handmade Christmas cards or brought?

Both! Me and my mum used to be really into our card making and last year we spent lots of time making cards for everyone we knew, and I always loved the ones my mum gave me as they really were beautiful. But, there is also something about brought ones, I love the cute words in them!

Q. What's your favourite Christmas film?

You probably won't have heard of it, but it's a cartoon called Santas Pocket Watch and when I was little I had it on Video and would watch it every year on Christmas Eve just before going to bed, I'm slightly ashamed to say that I got the film copied onto DVD and still carry on that tradition. But my favourite real film has to be Elf!

Q. What's your favourite Christmas food?

I don't think I have one particular favourite food, I love it all! The Christmas dinner, the mulled wine, the pigging out on chocolate from the Quality street tins and the cold meat buffet in the evening! I'm such a piggy!

I tag you all to do this tag, if you haven't done it already. Leave me the links of your tag if you have done it or once you have done it!

Merry Christmas!!

Primed & Ready

Last month I signed up to the She Said Beauty Box and upon arrival when I looked into the box I came across the Primed & Ready primer by Collection 2000. Collection 2000 was a brand which I used when I was growing up along with Natural Collection, but the brand has had a bit of a re-vamp and I find myself always checking the counter whenever I walk into Superdrug.

For quite some time now I haven't been using a Primer in my make up routine, and I don't know why, because this product reminded me why I love primers so much and why I should be incorporating them into my routine. Primers are designed to make the skin soft and smooth before applying make up and to make the make up last longer. Since receiving the Primed & Ready; it has now become a part of my everyday make up routine. After applying my moisturiser, I then apply small amounts of the primer to my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin.  It leaves my skin feeling silky and soft, and once my foundation has been applied it has that immaculate air brushed look. Working in a shop where the heating is on full blast tends to make my make up look awful, especially when I come in from the cold air, and by the end of the day, my make up just hasn't lasted a 9 hour shift. But by applying this primer I've noticed a huge difference, and my face looks almost as neat and perfect as it did before I left.
This is definitely one product which I'll be repurchasing again once it runs out and for £5.99 from Boots you can't really go wrong!
Have you tried the Primed & Ready? What did you think?

Hello December!

I cannot begin to tell you where the year has gone, it has flown by, and before we know it, we're in December!! This year has been truly amazing granted that it has had it's bad spells, but on average it really has been amazing! The best part is that there is still more to come in this last and final month leading up to 2013. December has to be my favourite month of the year which is mainly due to Christmas and in no way meaning that it's my favourite because I get presents, otherwise I would say that January is my favourite month also, and it isn't. December is my favourite purely because of the festivities. I love how everyone is so in the Christmas spirit and so jolly! I could be here forever telling you why I love December, but I don't want to ramble on. Instead, I wish you a great December and will leave you with a few favouite Christmas related pictures which I love.

I hope you all have a fantastic December, and Christmas!!

 

All images were found on Weheartit.