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

Christmas At Poundland!

I have to admit I cannot walk past a Poundland shop without having a little wander in, just to see what bargains there may be in store. I always, always find something and yes all those pounds do add up, but I do find some really pretty treats. Well Poundland kind of cottoned on to this and asked if I would like to be one of their Ambassadors ? 

"Oh yes I would" said I. 

As an Ambassador I get to try out a selection of items from their seasonal ranges, and basically check quality, functionality etc. As we are nearing Christmas they asked me to check out their Christmas range - I already had my eyes on their 'Enchanted' theme so knew I would love to decorate using some items from there as it's so pretty. I was gifted a £30 code to purchase the products online and which was great for me, all cosy and warm at home. The items arrived a few days later and here is how I got my home into the Christmas mood using some Poundland pretties..

First up is this amazing Sabichi 12 piece dinner set at only £8 though has an rrp of £21. I wanted to create a very snowy, winter white atmosphere in the dining area, with a little hint of pink and this set is just perfect. It is great quality and I love that it creates a blank backdrop for all the accessories. 

Next some silver charger plates. These have a really lovely glittery effect and I got four as we are planning just to have us here for Christmas lunch, and then we'll venture out to visit family. 

Now some pretty baubles to decorate the table - I always like to find alternative uses for things and these baubles are great value for money so I got four packs.

And some little heart shaped ones, again for the table.

Who can resist a little sweet treat after lunch, and oh my I just love these vintage Flying Saucers. I think they look very expensive in their pretty Christmas themed packaging and for only a pound a pack, well I had to get two packs didn't I.

And sticking with my white/silver theme, some white chocolate coins.

I am really getting into the Christmas spirit and love listening to Christmas songs at home, I can't wait to play this. So many songs for just £1.

Some silvery tinsel for the shelf.

I love the paper snowflakes Poundland do and had some left over from last year, I thought they would fit nicely into my theme. I also grabbed a couple of packs from in store. 

I had to have the tinsel tree too, such a real bargain for £1. 

And with my love of pink, I'm sure these pretties shall come in very useful on Christmas Day. I think the range of makeup/beauty products from Poundland is great, in fact one of my most favourite lipsticks is from there. 

So, with the items selected, this is how I have incorporated some Poundland pretties into my Christmas décor.

The heart shaped baubles look really cute tucked into the garland for the table, especially with some 'Merry Christmas' lights draped along there too.

I think the baubles make a lovely centre piece piled high in the big glass vase. 

And the tinsel tree taking pride of place on the tall chest of drawers I painted and distressed.

So, I hope you'll agree, you really don't have to spend a small fortune at Christmas to decorate your home, I am always thankful Poundland offer up some wonderful seasonal items and Christmas is no exception. I shall be back popping in there soon, and I'm sure I'll find something pretty to bring back with me. 

X

Disclosure: I received a gift card to purchase seasonal items from Poundland for the purposes of this blog post. All words and opinions are my own. 

Flamingo Gifts

As it is fast approaching that time of year again, I like to start think about gift giving. One online store I just love and that offer some really pretty and unique gift ideas is Flamingo Gifts After collaborating with Flamingo gifts before and being so impressed, I went on to purchase items from there and I have to say they have now become one of my favourite go to websites when it comes to shopping for pretties.

Their items are so up my street, and I have been sent three items to review in time for Christmas. One of my favourite brands is Wu & Wu and I adore this deer cushion it is SO cute! The quality is excellent and a real show stopper. The bright colours really jump out at you and it's kitsch design gives it a wonderful sentimental feel.

I am very tempted to purchase the jewellery box as a gift for someone I know, they would just love it.

Another brand that brings a smile to my face is the very girly Disaster Designs and this 'Songbird' Mini Satchel is a real beauty. 

It's such a useful little bag with a long adjustable strap, buckle clasp, zipped closure and a little key zip pull. 

The back is just as pretty.

It comes with a little postcard label, how pretty.

And of course being from Disaster Designs 'Songbird' range the lining of the bag features a wonderful musical score theme. 

Now one could think opening up a tin of plasters on Christmas day may not quite be a highlight, but when they are these beautiful and pretty Ouch! Daisy plasters I think even I would hope for a little scraped knee ;) They are possibly the prettiest plasters I have ever seen. 

As well as a lovely Daisy and Sunflower design, there is an 'Oops A Daisy' and pink stripe design, just lovely. So some really great present ideas at Flamingo Gifts. I'm looking forward to putting my feet up with a creamy hot chocolate and having a good browse, I doubt very much I'll come away without some pretty gifts ending up in my cyber basket :)

X 

Disclosure: I was sent three items for review for the purposes of this blog post. All words and opinions are my own.