What I Got For Christmas || 2015

I wasn't sure whether to do this post or not because I know they're a bit of a love/hate thing but I personally love seeing what other people got for Christmas because I'm so nosey. Also my post I did last year on my Christmas gifts is actually my second most popular post, it really increased in views during December so I think a lot of people use it for gift giving ideas. I think this is a really good idea and more real than a 'gift ideas' post because it's a real representation of things a 21 year old has got for Christmas. So whether you're here because you're nosey like me or because you want to see what to buy for a girl my age then I hope you enjoy! P.S I'm sorry it's a little late!

I've also included a few bits that I bought in the sales and something that I bought before Christmas because they didn't warrant a post of their own but I still wanted to share them with you so I hope you don't mind! I won't be mentioning who got me what for the most part purely because this post is already gonna be a long one so I'm going to try and keep it as visual as possible. Obviously, I'm so grateful for everything that I got, I'm very lucky and of course have already thanked everyone!

The first thing I got a lot of was socks, I absolutely love socks but have a horrendous habit of ending up with one of each foot so I'll try not to do that with these ones. I have an over the knee grey pair, of course a frilly pair because people know me sooo well, a Jack Wills knee high pair and a little cute owl pair.

At Christmas, I always get a lot of underwear because good quality underwear is something you just tend not to really buy yourself. I know some people don't show it but I've said before we all have to wear it and it's nice to see pretty underwear so you know where you can pick up the good stuff for yourself! I have a gorgeous Christmas themed pair from Jack Wills with fawns on them (which I still will wear all year round....feel free to judge me), a gorgeous white lace pair from Jack Wills, two pretty lace New Look ones in grey and navy and also a neon Marks & Spencers underwear set. If you're looking for good bra's then check M&S out, they're on the pricy side for a bra but are really comfy and pretty.

I also got some clothes this year, two Hollister tops in the 'easy' material that I love. I got a plain grey one and a navy and white striped one and I also got quite possibly my favourite jumper ever, which is this black Topshop one. It is made from the softest, fuzziest, cosiest material and I literally put this on the second I get it out the wash, it feels like you're getting a cuddle when you wear it and it doesn't really have any seams so it's the perfect snuggle jumper.

I'm a massive stationary lover, pretty notebooks and pens are my thaaaang, so much so that I think I maybe could never buy a notebook again and still wouldn't manage to fill up all the pretty notebooks that I own, notebook rehab anyone?? I got two gorgeous gold leaf notebooks from Tkmaxx, one says 'Best Day Ever' and the other has a really nice Buddha quote on it. I got two colouring in books also which I can't wait to use and even more exciting - new colouring in pens. I asked for different colouring in pens for Christmas because I was getting bored of the usual colours so I now have some amazing pastel ones and some nice neon ones too. Every year my mum and dad always get me some nice post it notes because I need them for book marking books for uni so I was grateful to have more of those.

I have three books too, All The Light We Cannot See which I'm so super excited to read as I've heard it's similar to my favourite book, The Book Thief and A Monster Calls which I've already read and recommend! Finally The Hypnotists Love Story and as Lianne is one of my favourite authors, I'm sure I will love this!

No Christmas post of mine would be complete without a few Lush goodies, I actually really wanted to pick up some Lush stuff in the sale but by the time I went online to look at it, it had all sold out *cries*. However, I was gifted some lovely Lush goodies and I certainly will be needing them to de-stress from university this semester! The first is Intergalactic which I cannot wait to use cause I'm late to the party and still haven't tried it, I also have Candy Mountain which again I actually haven't tried before but it smells like Snow Fairy so I know it will be a favourite! I also have Yoga Bomb and Milky Bath which again I have not tried before but both smell incredible and I got two of the new bath oils from Lush to try in Razzle Dazzle and the 'Z' one which I'm not sure of the name. Of course, my friends and family know me so well so I got two bottles of Snow Fairy which as you can see I couldn't wait to start using!

You all know by now that I'm a bit of a candle lover and it turns out other people in my life know I am too. I got a large Yankee candle in Red Apple Wreath which is my favourite type of smell, warm, apple-y and slightly spicy, I also got a candle with an A on it which will be amazing for blog photo backgrounds. I got a little sampler of Fireside Treats because I've been going on about trying this for ages and I also got some Yankee candle wax melts and a burner to melt them on. I'm really excited to try these because I've always just stuck to traditional candles and all the individual wax melts smell incredible and are mostly scents I've not had before. Lastly I got a wick trimmer from Yankee, which I so desperately needed, if you like me regularly find yourself trying to cut candle wicks with scissors and getting your hand covered in soot... get yourself one of these, trust me you will not look back!!

Onto the beauty bits, which I'm sure most of you are here for! I got a Nars lipgloss in Como which reminds me exactly of Nars orgasm blush, I got a Nars eyeshadow primer which I desperately needed and I got a MAC lipstick in Diva which I am in love with!! I was also very excited to receive this benefit set which includes the They're Real push up liner!! and also the remover and the mascara as well. I got an Urban Decay Perversion mascara, a pretty pastel nail polish and also a This Works Dream Team set including the pillow spray and roller ball. The last beauty bits that I got were the SuperDry perfume in number 2, two of my favourite type of peel off face masks and also a tanning mitt for when I fake tan.

I also got a Jack Wills shopping bag which I so desperately needed because I'm terrified of damaging my handbag when I'm going to uni with carrying textbooks and my laptop in it etc. So I now have a pretty shopping bag to carry my text books to uni in. 

One thing I got a lot of for Christmas is chocolates, I wish I could show you but sadly I've eaten 99% of them, I got the usual chocolate oranges, celebrations, roses, chocolate pennies etc.

A few more beauty related things that I got was a Nails Inc set with some polishes, a corrector pen, a nail file, a cuticle oil and a bag and I also got a Mane n Tail hand and nail therapy cream, I am beyond excited to use both of these in combination because my nails are in such bad condition still from acrylics over TWO years ago (don't do it girls!!). I got a nail drying spray because I am so impatient and always smudge my nails from not sitting still long enough, a deodorant, nourishing nail remover pads and a makeup brush cleaner. I also got this gorgeous Jack Wills rose gold card holder which I definitely needed for coins and cards when I go on a night out and don't have room for my big purse.

I got some hair things too, a new hair oil, some dry shampoo and a giant Aussie shampoo and conditioner because I love Aussie products so much. I got some basics too like some more cotton pads, some makeup wipes, some eyelashes and some secret sole insoles to stop my feet hurting in heels which was so thoughtful because I was complaining about my new heels hurting.

I also got these gorgeous little fairy lights which I have already got wrapped round my bed in typical beauty blogger style. After Christmas I also got this gorgeous Chroma notebook in baby pink with my blog logo on it which I cannot wait to jot down all my post ideas in.

The last thing that I got is the Anna Saccone rose gold Virgo necklace. I got mine on the shortest chain available so it sits at what I'd say is normal length for a necklace. It's so pretty and I've worn it every single day since it arrived. I'm not massively into star signs but my star sign is pretty and this necklace just goes with absolutely everything. It looks so delicate with low cut things or pretty dresses but it also really stands out with high necked jumpers and tops so a massive favourite!

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I got for Christmas and  a few bits that I picked up before and after in the sales! What did you get for Christmas last year?

Lots of Love,

A

♥

Jo Malone || Mothers Day

When it comes to Mothers Day I'm always a bit hit and miss with presents because I never like to get the exact same things every year and depending on how early I've noticed Mothers Day is (seriously why can't it be the same date every year???). However this year I am on the ball and I've decided to share it with you guys so you can be on the ball with me!

Mothers Day 2015 is Sunday March 15th (next Sunday) so panic not you still have a week to organise gifts for your mum! Now all us girls know that theres not much more luxurious to open than a stunning Jo Malone box wrapped in a black ribbon knowing that in the box theres going to be something to die for inside. Jo Malone are most well known for their fragrances (which are gorgeous) but I never hear much about their bath oils.

Both me and my mum love a good bath so I know that she will absolutely love this especially because it's from Jo Malone so she'll know its the good stuff! I got the well loved scent Pomegranate Noir which I can truly see why everyone loves it, it smells very dark and musky to me with a hint of spice to it. I cannot imagine anything more luxurious than bathing in a silky bath oil that smells this delicious. I think it would be a fab one to use before a night out or before a date because boy does this stuff last on the skin!! If you had a bath with this in the morning you could definitely go without perfume and just smell like you were wearing the Pomegranate Noir perfume by Jo Malone because its stunning.

If your mum isn't a bath person then fear not, treat her to one of the perfume bottles which are equally luxurious. They do different sized bottles varying in price so you don't have to spend a bomb to make your mum feel special.

I was going to compile a whole mothers day gift guide for you but House of Fraser have done an amazing one so instead I'm just showing you what I've got my mummy and linking you to their gift guide if you need more inspiration. Of course I will probably pick up some standard flowers or choccies too that she can enjoy whilst relaxing in this luxurious oil. I've also included a link to the bath oils page on Jo Malone's website if you want to have a little nosey at the other scents they do.

House of Fraser Gift Guide
Jo Malone Bath Oils

What do you get your mum for Mothers Day?

Lots of Love,

♥

*In collaboration with House of Fraser. As always, all views are my own.

Christmas Gift Guide For Him || Blogmas Day 15

 Buying boys presents as I said in my stocking filler for him gift guide is something I always struggle with. I've been pretty organised this year and have got a good proportion of my Christmas shopping done and just need to buy a few extra things! I'm really hoping my dad and Gary don't spontaneously decide to read my blog since this contains a good few of their pressies.

The first thing I got Gary this year is a set of his favourite aftershave. I got it last Christmas for him as an absolute guess and it turns out he loves it and has used it all so I've bought him a new one. This one is really good because it comes with the travel bag, a 50ml aftershave balm (which I'm not sure what that is...), a 50ml hair and body wash and the 125ml bottle of aftershave.

 This is a book I bought for my dad because he absolutely loves history especially about the area we live in. The book shows pictures of what the area was like before and now after, it also has sections on well known locations in the area and about what they were like in the olden days. It's definitely a present he is going to love, it's obviously only great if you live in the same county as me but there's loads of books out there similar. It's definitely a nice idea for dads and grandads, to get a book all about the history of your area.

A present I've previously got my dad is a canvas of our dog. I really like this picture and so does he and it sits pride of place on the living room wall. You can personalise it as much as you like and it's something that will last forever so it's a nice present to receive.

If you're really stuck for ideas and you have the budget then go for an ipad. I love my ipad and there's not a day that I don't use the full charge on it, they come in so handy for everything nowadays and it's a great gift if you're stuck for what to buy.

I usually always get Gary clothes for Christmas as part of his present because if I didn't I'd run out of ideas and I know he really loves Ralph Lauren so that's usually the brand I stick with. This year I got a long sleeved grey one and a short sleeved navy one and I know he's going to love them. A designer t-shirt is always a good present for a boy whether it's what they usually wear or a luxurious treat.

This is my dads and he was very proud that his jumper was making it into this gift guide bless him. I love the three different colours/patterns and think it's really trendy! Jumpers are good pressies for Christmas because it's such a cold time of year.

Do you have any other ideas for boys Christmas presents?

Lots of Love,

♥