What I've Been Up To This Christmas

I spent the majority of December not feeling very festive, but with a London trip planned for the weekend before Christmas, I knew that I was bound the feel Christmassy towards the end. We spent a couple of days wandering around the Southbank, eating our way through every food stall (the vegan burger I had was amazing!) and then going to all the "blogger spots" in London to snap some photographs. The Natural History Museum ice rink was super gorgeous, but it was lovely to get some outfit photos taken in South Kensington too as it wasn't busy at all which meant we got some lovely snaps. Convent Garden was very busy, but the tree and car you've probably see all over Instagram was dreamy too especially as the sun was setting as we were wandering around! 

To finish off the weekend we headed back to see our friends for an annual friendmas which consisted of lots of drinks and giggles. It was then quickly Christmas eve which we both spent working before heading to my Dad's ready for Christmas day. We started with pizza, my ultimate beige food which was quickly scoffed in front of the TV watching Elf and Home Alone 2 (what's your favourite festive films?). Christmas day arrived and honestly it was amazing. I promise I love Christmas for more than just the food, but my dad made a blue cauliflower cheese and honestly it's game changing! 

Boxing Day arrived quickly, along with more presents, food and games. I felt like both days went by in a flash and before I knew it I was heading to my Dad's 50th which was on the 27th for a Wagamamas and snowboarding. I've spent the past day or so having a bit of a re-fresh and rest from all the socialising as I've been feeling slightly under the weather again. I always feel like I need to rest as much as I can between the 27th-31st before New Year's Eve arrives, but I already want to get going on work I've got planned for 2019. 

What did you get up to this Christmas? 

Best Of The Boxing Day Sale

- All links in this post are affiliate links - 

Sale shopping can feel like a lot of pressure at the best of times, but when it comes to boxing day, I'd much rather be eating all the cheese and having fun. I tend to leave my shopping for online and even then I never go mad. I like to keep my eyes peeled for any pieces I would have picked up anyway or things I would like to treat myself to. In case you're feeling in a similar boat, I thought I would compile a list of my top picks from this year. 

Topshop have really nailed it this year and this Trench Coat is one of my favourites - the colour is so lovely! If that doesn't tickle your fancy then this snuggly Melton Coat comes in at just under half price and I think it's a steal if you're still on the hunt for a Winter coat. I could honestly do a full round up of just my favourite Topshop and ASOS picks as there's just so many, but I've put together a little widget for you all to check out instead below. 

As for beauty, I was pretty late on the bandwagon, but there's still a few gift sets and deals to snap up if you're on the hunt. The IGK Get Lit Set is currently in my online basket and I'm looking to get the Bumble and Bumble The Getaway Set whilst I'm there too. 

What are your top boxing day sale picks? 

Festive Makeup

Christmas is just around the corner now and I'm slowly getting in the festive spirit. Although I haven't got any more Christmas parties to attend, I still like to sport a glowy skin and glitter-fest of a makeup look until January 1st really. I wanted to share with you some of my favourite picks from the season today. 

Charlotte Tilbury screams Christmas to me; everything they do is just perfect for this time of the year. I start off with a layer of my favourite moisturiser, a spritz of the Caudalie Beauty Elixir* and then finish with applying my Magic Foundation* that offers just the right amount of coverage for this sort of occasion. I then cover any dark circles with the Too Faced Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer as this is great to use all around the face too and lasts a long time. 

To set my makeup I like to either go straight in with my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Unlocked Palette or if I want something that I know why keep any shine at bay, it's the Huda Beauty Easy Bake Powder* that I reach for. Talking of the Hourglass palette I have been using this non-stop recently, for adding warmth to my cheeks and temples with the bronzer, creating a healthy dose of colour on my complexion and then dusting the highlighter all over for a dreamy sheen. If I want to look even more glowy, I use the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand first as the light formula sits beautifully on my skin and can be laid up with other products too. 

For eyes, I tend to either go simple with a kohl or liquid liner or I go all out with a plum smokey eye which tends to be in the form of the Charlotte Tilbury Vintage Vamp Quad* as it's super easy to use and never fails to create an impressive look. After a few slicks on mascara or eyelashes if I'm feeling extra fancy, I then go in with lipstick. I've been using the By Terry Baume de Rose Crystalline Bottle* a lot recently when I want to turn any lipstick into a gloss, but the Charlotte Tilbury The Queen* has been my go-to for a statement look. 

What are your favourite festive makeup picks?

This post contains affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. 

Morphe Christmas Collection

 - This post is a paid collaboration with Cult Beauty. All products have been kindly gifted and all links are affiliate links - 

Morphe came to the UK in 2018 and they've released some amazing products recently, the new collection being one of my favourites. The eyeshadow palettes, which you'll hear about very soon are both affordable and compact, making them easy to store and travel with. Cult Beauty are currently offering free international delivery on all Morphe products until the end of the month as they're their Cult Brand of The Month - perfect for if you're looking to treat yourself or a loved one this festive season. 

When I first looked at the Morphe Molten Metal Lip Topper Collection I instantly thought that it'd be great to give away one to each of your friends as a stocking filler because at £29 for 12, it works out at just over £2.40 a lipgloss. They range from shimmering to metallics, from nude pinks to bronzed coppers, meaning there will be something for everybody.

At £12 a palette, I can see these Morphe eyeshadow palettes made up of nine complimentary shades being very popular. All three limited edition palettes I have are made up of wearable shades that are all on the warmer side, perfect if you reach for these sort of hues on a regular basis. The 9C Jewel Crew offering and 9B Bronzed Babe are two of my favourites, the latter being great if I'm opting for a plum smokey eye and the former when I want something that will go with any outfit. I'm yet to really experiment with 9A Always Golden, but I'm sure the pigmentation and formula will live up to the other two.  

Onto brushes now and I've got to admit I was very excited when the Bling Fling Brush Set was in my Cult Beauty parcel as I use their highlighter brush everyday. They consist of eight brushes including an angled contour, tapered powder and multiple eyeshadow brushes, so other than a foundation and concealer brush, you've pretty much got everything covered with this set. The brushes themselves are soft and I love that my makeup brushes now have a bag that they can live in. I feel like this would be a lovely set to give to a makeup lover as you really can't have too many brushes (and I'm sure they'll need an update). 

Do you have your eye on anything from the Morphe Collection? 

A Christmas To-Do List

Christmas is just around the corner and as November went by in a flash, I want to make the most of December whilst I can, but it's been harder than I thought. I've got an overnight trip to London planned soon, but there's quite a few other activities on my to-do festive list.

Bake Some Treats | I'm on desert duty this year for the big day and I'm looking to make either a melt in the middle chocolate pudding or a baked cheesecake. I should probably get some practice in, but I'm thinking of going with the latter, but in miniature size. 

Lots of Roast Dinners | I'm talking honey roasted parsnips, rosemary potatoes and a practice of my yorkshire pudding recipe. I feel like this is the season to enjoy a roast dinner or two when you can and I love having heap loads of veggies to delve into at the end of a laid back Sunday. 

Enjoy The Nights In and Out | I've got a few night outs planned this year, which I'm hoping will get me in the festive spirit, but I want to make sure I make the most of the cosy evening ins too as there's nothing quite like eating all your favourite food (give me the veggie sausage rolls!) and watching Christmas films. 

Watch All My Favourite Films | Talking of Christmas films... can you believe I haven't watched one yet?! I haven't been in the mood recently, but with one week left til the big day I'm thinking of cracking out Elf, Home Alone and The Holiday too! What are your favourites? 

Wrap Up The Presents | I'm always torn between leaving the wrapping til Christmas eve to get me in the mood because I don't have much to do this year, but I'm thinking of making a start early as I actually find wrapping presents (well the rectangle ones) therapeutic anyway.  

Visit The Christmas Market | I'm going to be exploring the London Christmas markets and honestly I can't wait. There's something about drinking all the mulled wine, wrapped up in several layers of clothes that just gets me in the festive mood. 

What's on your Christmas to-do list? 

A Christmas Gift Guide For Those Who Are Hard To Buy For

If you're currently panic buying Christmas presents like I am, then you may find this post helpful. I wanted to put together a few pieces that I've picked out which could be great to get those who are hard to buy for. From friends to family, I hope this gives you a few ideas and it may be good if you're last minute buying too. 

Vouchers whether it be in the form of a restaurant or a clothes shop, I think they always go down a treat. You can even get them for multiple shops at once; these are especially good if you're not certain what they like to eat or where they like to shop. 

Anything to do with technology is always a win and if you're buying for an adult who loves a cocktail, there's a lot out there around these two topics too. A cocktail shaker, a gin making kit and a lens for a phone camera can all be great gifts. A speaker is always well received too! 

What are the presents you buy when you don't know what to get somebody? 

- This post contains affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. - 

What I've Been Watching and Listening To Lately

I've been making my way through my to-watch list recently and although I'm sure I'll be switching to the Christmas films soon, I'm definitely loving a few new picks and a re-watches too. 

I managed to binge watch Killing Eve in just two days and honestly I'm already thinking about re-watching it as it was just so good. It's currently on BBC iPlayer if you fancy watching it, but I must warn you that once you start you won't want to stop. Jodie Comer is absolutely brilliant in it and I really fell in love with her character. 

The first series of The Sinner has always been up there with Netflix series I tell people to watch and although the second series isn't as good in my opinion, it was still worth the watch and if you're looking for a new series then it's one to check out. 

With the news that Luther is coming back on January 1st, I've suddenly felt the urge to rewatch all the past series and all my other favourite police dramas too. I've gone back to Line of Duty for the third time and it's just so good - you get hooked and despite watching it multiple times, I always forget about the storyline. If you like Luther and LOD then you'll love Unforgotten too. I haven't watched the latest series yet, but once it goes on Netflix I can't wait to see it. 

On a lighter note, the new Joe Lycett DVD has been released and it's from the show that we went to see early in the year. It had me in tears when I saw it live, but it's certainly worth a watch if you're a fan of his other stuff. 

If you want to know what I've been listening to recently I have compiled a playlist full of the songs I've been loving and have been listening to on repeat. I'll probably add to the list as the weeks go on, but I hope you enjoy it. 

What have you been watching and listening to lately? 

A Golden Glow Makeup Look

The festive season makes me want to wear all the glitter, gold and shimmer. There's something about having a simple glimmering eye look, a dewy base and a matte red lip that gets me into the Christmas spirit. Today I wanted to share with you my favourite gold and glow top picks, some of these products will definitely make it into my festive party makeup look which will be up on my blog very soon too! 

For my base, I like to go with a brightening primer so that even if I'm wearing a heavier coverage foundation, I can still get a glowy look. The Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow* is my go-to at the moment, so it won't be surprising to see this in this round up. Another favourite I'm sure you're not going to be shocked at me featuring is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Unlocked Palette either as it's great at perking up the skin with the face powder, adding warmth my the bronzer and then a subtle, yet gorgeous glow with the highlighter. If you're looking for a budget option for the powder at least the Bourjois Java Rice Powder is great at adding a lit-from-within radiance to the skin and doesn't break the bank either. 

On the eyes, there's actually quite a few products I love and I especially like anything with glitter with. The Stila Magnificent Metals Liquid Eyeshadows* are great if you're looking to spruce up your smokey eye over Christmas and if they don't tickle your fancy, then the Pixi Liquid Fairy Lights* will as they have a great array of shades to choose from. For a more subtle look, I love the Charlotte Tilbury Jean Eyes To Mesmerise* which gives a dreamy champagne wash of colour and if I want something a little bit more on rose gold side, I love the MAC Tan Pigment. 

Adding glow to my cheeks is my favourite thing, but I've got so many to choose from it does become hard to just pick one. The Laura Mercier Face Illuminator is absolutely gorgeous and isn't too in your face when used with a light hand. If you're looking for something for intense then I'd definitely recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy* offering as it's one of my favourite releases of 2018. 

I've recently taken out my Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand again as the liquid formula works well to brighten up my whole complexion - it'll probably be my go to over the season! 

What are your favourite golden glow products? 

- This post contains affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. -

How I Get A Million Monthly Viewers On Pinterest

When I think about what makes up my blogging routine, Pinterest tends to get overlooked, discharged as the social media platform that's pretty to look at, but probably won't offer much in terms of blog views. After seeing blog posts from the likes of Makeup Savvy and Thirteen Thoughts, I've picked up a fair few tips and tricks over the years, changing them to suit my needs along the way too. 

Posting Twice A Day | So, my number one tip if you're looking to grow your platform is to post regularly, but not all in one go. I like to scroll through Pinterest in the morning and evening for 5-10minutes, pinning at least 10 images each time that tickle my fancy. I've found that above anything that has kept my impressions and followers ticking along nicely.  I'm not really one for scheduling my pins as I like to be in the moment, pinning photographs that appeal to me there and then, but it's definitely something to check out if you prefer to be organised.  

Don't Fret About Followers | Although in the past month I've gained a fair few followers, I'm still in the mid 3000's which isn't a lot in comparison to the amount of impressions and views I get over the month. I think it's easy to start fretting over the numbers, but I like to concentrate on average monthly engaged and activity to my blog too. These analytics can all be found if you switch over to a business account on Pinterest and it's great to check out if what you're doing is working. 

Join Sharing Boards | I joined quite a few sharing boards over the years, but it's only been recently that they've really contributed to how well each of my own photographs does. I simply share my images straight from my blog which a widget that enables you to pin my images when you hover over them (give it a try with the above image now!). This means that everybody in those sharing boards will be more likely to see it and if they like it enough they're re-pin it and share it with their followers too. 

Share Your Own Photographs | As I previously mentioned, I share my own images straight from my blog, but I also do this for any Instagram images I've only uploaded to their too. On the top right hand side of Pinterest, there's a section where you can paste a link and a select images from it to save to a variety of boards. I have a board dedicated to all of my photographs so they're kept in all place. 

One tip I've picked up is to go back to your old photographs too and re-share them every couple of months. People may not have seen it the first time around and it'll mean that you can direct people back to posts they may have forgotten about. 

Seasonal Boards | I used to be quite hesitant of making new boards around different subjects, but it keeps all your pins organised and appeals more too. I have everything from Winter to Christmas, Sweet food to savoury saved on mine and not only do I feel like it offers more in terms of what Pinterest actually has to offer, but it made it easier for people to find my pins too. 

What are your top Pinterest tips? 

Festive Party Prep

Christmas party season is upon us and I don't know about you, but my legs that haven't seen the sun for a few months and my chipped nails need a little extra TLC to get ready. There's something about prepping, polishing and preening the body for a party that just gets me very excited and makes me want to slip on my dress ASAP. 

First up is the body scrubs and I tend to reach for an array of them at this time of the year to get rid of all the dry patches my body has accumulated being wrapped up in several layers. The SBC Cinnamon and Chai Body Polish* is very fitting for the festive season as it smells incredible and the Herbivore Coco Rose Scrub feels extremely luxurious too with it's rose scent and nourishing formula. 

After scrubbing my body from head to toe, I like to go in with a fake tan and my go-to at the moment is the Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam* which I opened early (oops!) from the Latest in Beauty Advent Calendar*. Another addition to my routine is the Maui Shea Butter Hair Mask* which is a rich, luxe mask that makes my locks feel more hydrated and look smoother post-styling. 

I tend to also go for a shower oil when shaving as I get a closer shave whilst hydrating my pins too. The L'Occitane Almond Oil is a long time favourite of mine as it smells delicious (all of their products are beautiful to look at too!), but the Sol De Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Shower Cream-Gel is a new addition to my shower routine and one that I can't get enough of. It smells absolutely amazing and lingers on the body for hours, perfect if you're going in with their famous Bum Bum Cream afterwards (very recommend!). I got both of these in a miniature set, but will be investing in the full sized versions when I can. 

Another dreamy scented product is the Laura Mercier Creme Brûlée Body Cream which to me reminds me of Christmas every time I use it. It's a regular in my body care routine and one that smells good enough to eat - I'd definitely recommend doubling up with the Laura Mercier Creme Brûlée Honey Bath if you're feeling like adding even more luxe! 

What products do you use when you're prepping for a party? 

- This post contains affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. -  

2018 Top Beauty Releases

There's been so many amazing brand and product releases over 2018 that I wanted to dedicate a whole blog post to my top picks and reminisce about all of the products I've used over the past eleven months. I originally was just going to write about all my favourites in one go, but I then decided that I would force my indecisive self to pick one ultimate favourite from each category - wish me luck! Grab yourself a cup of tea and some snacks because you're in for the long haul. 

Face Primer • We're off to a great start as this was a super easy category to choose as there was only one notable primer release this year and that was the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter* which was released back in February. This glow inducing products tackles my lacklustre complexion and smooths too. 

Concealer • I had to skip the foundation category as there wasn't a 2018 foundation that I actually tried as I just kept to my old favourites or tried out offerings from years before. For concealers however there were plenty to choose from. The Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away*, Nars Soft Matte Concealer and the Huda Beauty Overachiever* were all in the running as I use these a lot, however it was the Too Faced Born This Way Concealer that came out on top as it's such a great all rounder that covers redness and any blemishes I have with just a sweep of the doe foot applicator. 

Powder • The Huda Beauty Easy Bake Powder* is hands down my favourite powder release of 2018 and it's been one I found in the Autumn of this year. It's great at brightening the undereye if you've got a colour slightly lighter than your skin tone and it mattifies the skin without looking too cakey. 

Bronzer, Blusher + Highlighter • There we no new bronzers for me this year, but the Benefit Gold Rush Blusher* was a gorgeous coral addition to my routine especially during the Spring months. For highlighter, it's the Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy* pick that was released back in February that I continue to love and I'm very happy they chose to keep it on. 

Face Palette • Although the winner of this category is one of the newest additions to my makeup collection, it's one that is noteworthy. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Unlocked Palette is so dreamy and offers a lot to your makeup bag too. Of course the Pixi Pretties* have to get a mention too as they were a Spring favourite of mine. 

Eyeshadow Palette • Honestly this is the hardest category as 2018 you done me proud with your eyeshadow releases. The Urban Decay Cherry Palette* has been create for creating warm toned smokey eye looks, but the ABH Soft Glam* just gets it for how much use I've got out of it in the last eight months. 

Eyeliner + Mascara • A surprise favourite of mine this year was the Pixi Lash Line Eyeliner* from the Weylie Hoang Duo* which got me through the warmer months with zero panda eyes. Between Urban Decay, Nars and Benefit, the mascaras in the running for my top pick were of the highest quality and honestly they're all ones that you should check out. Of course I had to stick to my word and pick one so I went for the latter, the BadGal Bang*, a mascara I wrote about for Debenhams back in February that I've recommended to so many people since as it's so amazing for creating long lasting, volumised lashes. 

Lipstick • I had to go with the release that stuck in my mind for this one and it's the Charlotte Tilbury Your Lip Service Trio*. These three lipsticks are made up of a vivid pink, a classic red and a nourishing nude. It's the latter, The Duchess, that I'd probably pick as my favourite as it is one that I've loved wearing on a day to day basis. 

Cleanser • Although not a new release per se, Kate Somerville, Glow Recipe and Drunk Elephant were three new brands to the UK now readily available. The KS ExfoliKate Cleanser* is great for making my skin for super clean and soft too. 

Moisturiser • I've been using lots of moisturisers this year, but there isn't many that were actually released in 2018, so I opted for the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro* which as I said was new to the UK this year. It's thick, it's luxe and it does an amazing job at nourishing the skin super quickly. 

Face Mask • Last up is the face mask category and I've gone with the Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask* which smells good enough to eat and was great throughout the year for creating a plump, healthy looking complexion. 

Here are some other notable releases of 2018: 

What were your favourite releases of 2018?

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliate links. - 

What's On My Christmas Wishlist

I always feel funny doing Christmas wishlist posts as I never expect to get anything on it and it's more of "dream wishlist/what wish I could treat myself to" list really. I wasn't planning on doing one this year, but I just had to after spotting some amazing pieces around at the moment that I couldn't wait to share it with you too. 

A candle always sneaks it way onto my Christmas wishlist and this time it's the Hopscotch Fig and Melon that's my favourite. I'm being coveting this since before the Summer when I sniffed it in a local shop and honestly I can't believe I don't own it yet. Another yearly favourite of mine is a Rifle Paper Co calendar and planner, this is my favourite 2019 Diary I've seen as it's just so adorable and I think I'll pick up this unique Lemon offering.  

For the home, I love receiving diffusers and the Oliver Bonas Freesia and Violet pick not only sounds like it'll smell divine, but it looks like it'll match my interior too! Perfect as it means I can top it up once finished too. 

Of course a designer handbag is a huge investment, but it doesn't stop me looking and dreaming every Christmas (lottery win anybody?!). The YSL Sulpice Matelassé Monogram Bag is the newest addition to my wishlist - just look at it! The Gucci GG Marmont Mini Quilted Leather Crossbody Bag has been on my wishlist for years now and it's my dream to own one someday. 

Missoma is one of my favourite jewellery brands and I love receiving anything from them around the festive period. I've got the Celestial Earrings on my wishlist at the moment as they're just too gorgeous and would go with so many outfits, but of course all of their necklaces are stunning too, the Gold Roman Arc Coin offering is something I'd love to own one day. The Astrid and Miyu Mystic Ear Cuff is so pretty too, in fact all of their earrings especially the huggies are worth checking out. 

What's on your Christmas list this year? 

- This post contains affiliate links - 

5 Things I've Added To My December To-Do List

I only realised yesterday that I never turned over the page in my calendar to November, so  that's how this month has been. Super quick, very busy and over in a flash! I want December to go by much slower, so that I can enjoy everything I love about the festive season. The twinkling lights, hot mulled wine and getting together a little more often. Here are five things I've added to my December to-do list. 

Put Up Our Tree | Over this weekend I want to find time to put our tree up. I never like to leave it too late as I like to make the most of it and I can't wait to get decorating. We're looking at picking up our annual Christmas decoration - I'm thinking a ring as a celebration of us getting engaged this year. 

Plan our January Getaway | We've just booked to go away to Prague in January and I'm so excited. I love getting to do city breaks and although it's tempting to book another one (I'm thinking Wroclaw or Riga next), I want to make the most of this trip first. I've turned to Pinterest to pin some gorgeous images of Prague and make a list of the places we want to go whilst we're there. 

Make The Most of The Festivities | Although I sometimes find December a tad overwhelming with Christmas around the corner, several birthdays and parties to go to. I want to make the most of it this year by saying yes to a lot (without getting too overwhelmed) and explore what's going on locally too. I missed going to a firework display this year, so I'm even more determined to go and do ice skating, Christmas drinks and our trip to London later the month too. 

Enjoy Our Weekend Away in London | We go away for the a couple of days to London just before Christmas and it was a way for us to feel festive. Every year I tend to prioritise other things right until the last minute of the festive season so this year I wanted to make sure I had time put aside to stay away for the night, visit the Christmas markets and eat all the food (and mulled wine!). 

Start My Christmas Shopping | I've actually got ideas for everybody this year and I'm taking the more relaxed approached to my Christmas shopping as I tend to get quite stressed out, so it takes the joy out the whole experience. I haven't started as early, but I'm hoping to do it over a space of a couple of days so it's all done and dusted before the big day. 

What's on your December to-do list?