HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (Prezzies Galore)

Hello lovelies xxxx

Well, I've had a very relaxing Christmas and New Year break and I hope you did too, with good health and mucho happiness. I have to say it's quite refreshing to get back into a routine after lots of slobbing about in pj's, watching Christmas movies and eating copious amounts of chocolates, and which we did a lot of over the break. I can't believe that here we are, already nearly in the middle of January.

I can't quite pack away the Christmas bedding I got from Asda, just one more wash I keep saying to myself, then on the bed it goes again. Its a pretty one, very Cath Kidson-esque :) 

There are often some great bargains to be had not long before Christmas, and I found a lovely little selection of discounted treats to help me get in the Christmas mood and ready for the party season. I hadn't purchased any new make up for a little while and as a fan of Benefit, I couldn't wait to snap up this little selection box that was on offer.

Their eyebrow zings found its way into my cart too, oops a daisy... But oh my, after trying so many different eyebrow pencils and shadows to define my eyebrows, this has to be the best eyebrow kit I have ever tried. It is a little pricey, but when you add up all those little pencils....;) 

Next up I found some perfume that was reduced, I was a big fan of CK ONE back in the day, and couldn't wait to try CK IN2U. Its a lovely light and refreshing scent, perfect for every day wear.

I'm all for a little highlighting and also love rose gold accessories. When I saw this YSL limited edition Touche Éclat Or Rose highlighter at half price, I fell in love with it straight away. It's a rose gold version of its former self and the highlighter works great to add a little radiance and sparkle on the cheekbones, temples and brow bone. 

One item I had ummed and ahhed about for a little while was a personalised Claireabella jute bag. I just didn't know if was 'me' or not. However every time I went back on the website and had another browse, another think, I yearned for one more and more. Before Christmas they had a £10 off promotion on their 'Selfie' Jute bags. Well I had to go for it and got busy personalising it.

Ha ha I love it and so glad I took the plunge. It's very tongue-in-cheek, very sparkly and very pink! It's also a great size and perfect for days out and weekends away. I had originally picked a light pink which although still looked great, I really love a bubblegum pink so I just topped it up with a bit of an acrylic paint I already had and it turned out fine.

I was more than happy with my little pre-Christmas haul and as ever, I do believe Christmas is all about the presence and not the presents....but who doesn't love a little surprise or two under the Christmas tree and Santa I have to say was very kind. 

 I felt very spoilt having some extra prezzies to open up on Christmas day! One prezzie that really floated my boat and I was considering purchasing myself was some much needed Lancome face cream. Yes, sounds a bit boring but when you get to my age....well, you know what I mean ;) I had tried a sample of the night cream and I had just loved it. It felt suited to my skin but more than anything was like silk going on. Think this shall be my forever cream and I have my mum to thank for that lovely prezzie! 

She also treated me to some lovely candles, and vintage style rose melts for the bath. 

As I have mentioned above I am really enjoying this rose gold phase and it doesn't seem to be disappearing any time soon. I was delighted to open up this little package from the husband! 

It really is pretty, a Michael Kors crystal circle pendant. I have found I can wear the sparkly side for evenings and the plain rose gold side for day wear. I love it. 

It goes beautifully with some of my rose gold inspired pretties...

Here are some other lovely Christmas treats that came my way...

My brother got me the cute hottie pug, it comes with a microwaveable soothing lavender sachet inside and I've used it lots already. The lavender scent is just lovely and relaxing. He said he got it as he thought it looked a bit like our border terrier, Bertie.

 I'm not sure Bertie agrees ;) 

I have been a big fan of Lily-Flame for many years, in fact I don't think there is ever I time at home where we don't have a least one Lily-Flame candle burning. I just love their individual, pretty scents. My Daisy Dip was nearly all gone and one of my favourites, what a lovely surprise to have a replacement. 

The Mindfulness book, also from the bro is very funny. Penguin released a set of 8 books with the same old fashioned illustrations but rather more modern subjects! The vintage style scrap book/photo album is another much loved gift.

Talking of that lovely Lily-Flame candle I found a lovely mini set just before Christmas, its called the Girly (Pink) Mini Set. So me and these are delicious just to look at.

Well, you can never have enough candles can you...

As for little treasured items I think this is my favourite, from the children.

And most useful gift I received...

Buying for teenagers can be quite difficult, but I knew that Miss. Poppins would love this retro styled Polaroid Camera. Oh dear, I couldn't help but get the pink, luckily she didn't mind..I hope she'll share it ;) 

So, some lovely Christmas treats came my way. I do like a sale or two as well and as I had some money/vouchers I thought I'd have a little browse at the sales and see if there was anything I could find. Well as I was enjoying the lovely night cream my mum gave me I couldn't resist getting this set that included not only the day version of my night cream, but some little extras too. In the sale, and cheaper than it would have been to just get the cream on its own. Perfect buy and as is the night cream, the day cream is just as nice. 

Now then, I am a woman who loves slippers, cosy, comfortable pretty slippers. My Ruby & Ed velvet bow ballerina slippers are my all time luxury slipper. They even had their own blog post here and shall we say are quite well worn.

Ok, *very well worn.

*Ashamed face

I fell in love with them at first sight and have worn, and worn, and worn them. Can you tell, ha ha. I did have a little look online to see if I could get some new ones but as I had purchased these in a sale previously I couldn't really justify the expense, especially for just slippers. They do look and feel so luxurious though. 

Well, well, well. Look what I found in the sale at half price from The Lovely Room 

Oh aren't they lovely. My new cosy slippers, and I really like the plum shade. The underneath look all new and everything.

 (Note to self - do NOT go outside in said slippers)

So a Happy New Year to you and I'll leave you with a Home Bargains pretty I picked up, a lovely little desktop 2016 calender. Perfect to inspire me and a bargain at only 99p.

X