A RESTORATIVE LUSH HAUL

This January, instead of harsh detoxes, huge dietary changes and overworking myself with exercise routines that I probably won't stick to, I've decided to take things a little slowly. January is still a cold, bitter Winter month and comforting healthy meals, hot baths and soothing yoga routines are still very much required. As part of my restful, recharging January plan I've picked up a few Lush treats to get myself back on track and to get off to a good start to the year.

The Sacred Truth Face Mask

My skin has been in desperate need of a pamper after Christmas and so the first thing I picked up was The Sacred Truth Face Mask to help to perk up my complexion. This heavenly fresh mask contains nutritional wheatgrass, moisturising honey and exfoliating papaya enzymes to leave skin soft and glowy. 

This luxe skincare treat is packed full of fresh ingredients and so lasts in the fridge for around three weeks, the recommended twice weekly treatments ensures that the mask is used up in this time. I've used it once already and the results are pretty impressive, I'm positive that it will help get my skin back on track this month!

Unicorn Horn Bubble Bar

I just couldn't leave lush without a Unicorn Horn, this multicoloured iridescent bubble bar is such a magical treat. It creates a dreamy watermelon pink bath with clouds of sparkly bubbles whilst the combination of relaxing lavender paired with mood-boosting neroli soothes and lifts spirits - perfect for these gloomy January days!

The Rough with the Smooth

I picked up this scrubby little block after reading so many rave reviews online. Packed with exfoliating sugar and moisturising murumuru butter, it's the ideal quick fix for dry winter skin. This heavenly scented scrub has been a saviour for my parched skin so far, leaving it soft, pampered and smooth.

Beautiful Shower Gel

With a heavenly mix of peach and apricots, this in shower treat is like sunshine in a bottle. This is a fairly thick shower gel that creates a luxe, rich creamy lather to leave skin silky soft. The golden flecks of glitter and sunny disposition of this cute little product makes for the perfect morning pick me up.

Have you picked up anything new from Lush recently?

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WINTER BLUSHERS

As we move further into winter and with slivered frosts, biting gales and colder days right around the corner I've pulled out a few frosty pastels, rich wines and shimmery red blushers to pair with the wintry days ahead.

MAC's Gleeful was a welcome addition to my make up bag throughout December, so much so that I've carried it through with me to the new year. This mineralised, soft wine blusher blends seamlessly over the skin, the luminous pigments enhance the cheekbones whilst it gives a rosy flush to the cheeks. Paired with pink glossy lips and tons of mascara it gives a fresh wintry look.

A matte, dusty red rose blush like Nars Dolce Vita is perfect for the transition into winter, best applied with a light hand, this pigmented, blendable blusher packs a punch. It's universally flattering  tones and matte formula sculpts the cheeks and looks divine paired with a shimmery champagne highlighter. 

I picked up this dreamy H&M Pure Radiance Powdered Blusher in Golden Peach last weekend as a wintry alternative to my all time favourite blusher Sleek Rose Gold. They both have the same infused shimmery, complexion enhancing effect which instantly perks up the skin with radiance and light, ideal for the gloomy wintry days. It's also slightly scented with a subtle, divine vanilla fragrance, similar to MAC lipsticks which is a huge plus!

Lastly, MAC Well Dressed has been my daily to go blusher, combined with MAC Soft & Gentle it creates a dreamy cheek combination that I'm currently obsessed with. This powdery pale pink blush works so well with a frosty pink eyeshadow like MAC's Naked Lunch, the icy cool tones match the colder days perfectly!

What are your favourite blush picks for winter?

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JANUARY TO DO LIST

1. Nail the perfect smoothie recipe with chia seeds, frozen fruit, agave nectar and a handful of spinach thrown in for good measure!

2. Pick up this Honeycomb Wine Rack, whilst it's less than half price in the sale to coincide with my new year goal of getting organised and sprucing up my kitchen. Maybe this dreamy muffin tray too!

3. Spend a gloomy, wintry day reading Harry Potter with candles burning and a mug of hot chocolate in hand. With winter blues slowly creeping in it's important for me to savour a few good moments to myself. This cat mug is the perfect size for a creamy hazelnut hot chocolate!

4. Snap up these adorable Robot Pyjamas from Asos, I already have this Space set and they are the cosiest, softest pair that I own!

5. Feed the birds. With winter finally setting in the birds will be getting hungry, last year several robins and even a cheeky magpie visited me daily for food!

6. Bake a warming, cinnamon apple crumble with dairy free salted caramel ice cream. Cooking apples are in season at the moment, they're perfect for winter as they're full of antioxidants and vitamin C. Add a dash of ginger or cinnamon and a dollop of ice cream to make it a cosy wintry treat.

7. Find a nice, comfortable, well fitting pair of trainers. This is already proving unbelievably hard for my size 2 feet! I love this New Balance pair, but they're not available in my size. I'm so tempted to ditch the idea of normal trainers and splurge on a pair of Disney Vans!

8. Invest in a new highlighter, with winter bringing me dull, lacklustre skin I'm in desperate need of a glow. I've got my eye on either Becca Champagne Pop or the Kevin Auction The Celestial Powder in Candlelight.

9. Pick up some fresh pink tulips to brighten up the home - things are looking a little bare without the Christmas decor!

10. Aim for 20 minutes of exercise a day - Yoga, Cycling or Blogilaties!

What's on your January to do list?

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GETTING ORGANISED IN JANUARY

January for me is a time to get organised, with a hint of motivation in the air, it's the perfect month for fresh starts, clear outs and straightening things out for the year ahead. With plans this month to adopt a more minimalistic approach and to declutter my surroundings ready for the new year, I've pulled together a list of my plans to help me along the way. I'm also tempted to pick up The Life Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo this month to give me that final push to part with most of my unworn pieces from my wardrobe!

1. Invest in a planner/diary/wall calendar:

During the last part of 2015 I printed out a calendar to note down my blogging schedule, life updates, errands and things to do/buy. Having the month completely mapped out really helped to up my productivity and kept me so motivated. I found that planning in advance helped me to prioritise and get organised, plus, using metallic pens to write down events was so satisfying to do each month (the little things!).

Along with a monthly calendar printout, I find that keeping a daily diary really helps to keep everything organised and close to hand. This makes it the perfect place to scribble down ideas, current favourites, things that your grateful for, songs to listen to, TV shows to check out, make up to swatch, appointments and to keep track of your health and fitness. 

2. Have a digital detox:

After backing up and transferring any keepsakes to an external hard drive It's so rewarding to have a huge clear out your laptop. My photo's have racked up to the thousands and my desktop is feeling a little cluttered so it's high on my priorities to do this January.

Organising documents into neat folders and deleting any unwanted apps, items and photos can really help to clear your mind and get you set up ready for the new year. I'm planning on compiling a folder of my favourite photos to print out as soon as possible, Kate Spade and Paperchase have some beautiful photo albums at the moment!

3. Get into a routine:

I work best to a schedule and whilst some days I throw everything out the window to go exploring or to lay on the sofa all day and have a Harry Potter marathon, most days I stick to it quite well.

My schedule includes everything from work to Netflix, I make sure to schedule in exercise, rest, work, hobbies and TV to keep me motivated, normally working to a reward. I also try to schedule an hour of 'me time' a week - whether it's time colouring in my Harry Potter colouring book, melting into a Lush bath for an hour or having a long skincare pamper. A routine for me is key to staying productive.

4. Plan Meals

A sure-fire way to save time and organise your evenings is to make a big list of all your favourite foods and signature dishes and then plan your meals for the week. I do this on a Sunday evening, making a note with daily meals and inspiration for the week ahead before taking to Ocado (who price match most products to Tesco and so are surprisingly affordable!) to buy the ingredients. Shopping online not only saves me time but it helps me to stick to a shopping budget, there's less time for procrastination (no distracting, tempting cookie aisles), no stresses of supermarket shopping and it lets me spend valuable time on other things.

5. Make lists/Invest in some new stationery:

Not only does an array of dreamy stationary and pens (I love everything here!) motivate me to keep lists and stay organised, list making helps me to prioritise and let's me note down any exciting plans, goals and ideas. 'To do' lists are ideal to keep on track and organised, I love keeping wish lists, to buy lists, meal inspiration lists, ideas lists, errands lists and shopping lists!

How do you keep organised?

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NEW YEAR GOALS 2016

Happy New Year! I hope you had a nice NYE! I spent mine at home, watching the fireworks on TV, toasting the New Year with a glass of sparkling elderflower and snacking on cinnamon sugared Churros drizzled with Nutella (amazing!). After noting down last years resolutions and successfully being able to revisit and meet quite a few, I thought that I would make a list for this year too!

1. Declutter.
In 2016 I'm planning on adopting a more organised, minimalistic attitude starting with a huge overhaul of my bedroom. I'm also looking for a better way to organise my make up in 2016, as much as I love my Alex drawers, I don't feel that I utilise them or get the best use of my make up that's stored in it. I also desperately need to clear out my nail polishes!
This year I also hope to change the way that I shop by buying less, better quality things. I'm planning on investing in pieces that I love, rather than buying several of the same thing. Starting with my kitchen I picked up this beautiful pink Anthropologie mug, this gorgeous set of pink alabaster coasters and this dreamy gold cutlery set.

2. Do More.
With anxiety being quite a big issue for me in 2015, I kept to myself, staying indoors most days instead of venturing out. Towards the end of this year, I decided to plan a few exciting events for 2016 so that I can look forward to exploring new places and meeting new people. A few things on the agenda are:
Visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour again (when the Christmas decor is up!).
Discover new farmers markets to find fresh organic seasonal food.
Visit a european Christmas Market.
Join an exercise class, with Alex if only for the lol's at how unfit we are!
Take a day trip to Cambridgeshire.

I also hope to make a little more time 'offline' to do things I love like knitting, calligraphy, cross stitching, colouring in the Harry Potter Colouring book, reading, animal crossing, DIY and yoga.

3. Health.
Starting off the year with a round of Yoga With Adriene's Yoga Camp I hope to propel myself back into exercising after the Christmas slump. I'm also hoping to dust of my NutriBullet and discover some new delicious, healthy smoothie recipes to make daily. My new Spiralizer makes preparing lunch a dream, courgetti with pesto and toasted cashew nuts or halloumi is my new favourite thing to eat!

A few additional goals include:
Staying positive.
Organise, clear out and print out my favourite photos.
Reorganise and update my kitchen.
Read more, aim for a book a month (at least).
Invest in a few, healthy cookbooks to work my way through and to create new signature dishes.
Make wedding planning a priority, save, plan and start to buy things ready for the day!
Grow more, start a windowsill herb garden.

What are your New Years resolutions/goals?

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DECEMBER'S RED FAVOURITES

December flashed me by in a whirl of tinsel and Christmas chocolates, It feels like this whole year has just flown by! The mild December days were disappointingly quite un-festive and I found myself buying cooler satin pyjamas to pair with my warm winter duvet. Christmas brought a well needed break with good food, family visits and festivities.
Our engagement anniversary (is that even a thing?) popped up with Alex surprising me with this beautiful new ring box and another pair of dreamy Asos Satin pj's!

Beauty:

Essie's Leading Lady seems a fitting favourite for this festive month, It's a gorgeous sparkly deep red with flecks of raspberry glitter running through it. I've been pairing it with soft grey knits, leggings, cosy jumpers, hot chocolates - everything! It's practically the only nail polish Ive been wearing this month!

For my hair, I've been using the Denman Grooming Brush to smooth out curls, it gives you effortless soft curls leaving you with silky tresses.

On my lips, I've been reaching for L'Oreal Exclusives Lipstick in Blake, it's such a festive, flattering red. With jojoba oil it keeps my lips soft which is ideal in winter. Nars Velvet Lip Pencil in Cruella is another favourite this month, it's creamy on application, long lasting and so festive.
With all the matte lipsticks, central heating and (slightly) colder weather my lips have been a little dry lately, EOS lip balms have been my top lip balm pick this month, they're so handy to pop in your bag and as they're packed with shea butter, vitamin e and jojoba oil they keep my lips supple and soft.

This faux fur pom pom keyring is a fairly new addition to my bag and adds a little colour to my otherwise mainly black outfit choices! It's so cute and fluffy, I have my eye on these Dune ones next, those ears!

Space NK sent me the Prismologie The Red Hour Foaming Body Scrub as a little Ndulge birthday gift in November, I'm not sure that I would have tried this otherwise but I'm so glad I have. It's a divine body scrub that polishes the skin non abrasive particles to gently exfoliate, with micro ruby crystals, coconut extract and volcanic spring powder it's such a luxe treat!

Lastly I switched back to Bioderma this month after finishing up my Garnier micellar water, Bioderma feels less stripping, it leaves my skin feeling soft, clear and removes make up with ease.

What were your favourite products in December?

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FAVOURITE DISCOVERIES OF 2015

I've had quite a few new favourites this year ranging from beauty to food, there's been so many great discoveries!

Starting with the food category, I made so many great dairy free finds this year. From salted caramel ice-cream to vegan mac and cheese I've found an alternative to all of my favourites this year. I also got a little obsessed with sauerkraut this year, packed with vitamins and with incredible probiotic properties I guess its not the worst thing to be addicted to!

Another great discovery for me this year was Netflix (I'm a little late to the game). I've watched some unbelievable series this year, Once Upon a Time is one of my top picks, with Disney, magic and enchanted forests for me there's nothing not to love! Me and Alex binge watched all 7 series of Sons Of Anarchy in autumn, one for the Breaking Bad/Sopranos fan this gem is not to be missed. Lastly, Merlin stole my heart, almost harry potter-eque, witty and charming this series was a great little find.

With H&M home, Anthropologie and Homebase producing some cult/sort after pieces this year 2015 saw my love for homewares rocket. Diptyque candles also started to make an appearance in my home, their dreamy scents and packaging seriously upping my shelfie game.

My favourite album this year surprisingly goes to Justin Bieber's Purpose, after having it on repeat throughout the past couple of months I'm pretty sure I know all of the words backwards by now!

There's been some great cruelty free make up and skincare finds this year, with brands like Becca, Charlotte Tilbury, Nars, Hourglass, Oskia and By Terry I've had a great range of options to choose from.
The Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel has completely boosted my skincare regime, it's changed my lacklustre skin into a soft, radiant complexion. I also finally took the plunge and ordered the Hourglass Ambient Lighting blusher in Mood Exposure last autumn, this finely milled, silky soft blusher is one of my top picks - I'm already saving my Space NK points up for another!
I also have to note the Nars lip pencils, although they were a discovery in late December last year, their dreamy formula has pushed them to the top of my favourite lip products. I'm waiting patiently for Torres Del Paine, a limited edition, dreamy peach coral to come back so that I can snap up a full sized one!

Lastly, I have to give a little mention to ASOS who have saved me on a number of occasions in 2015 with last minute/next day Wedding Guest dress options, events pieces and gift options! These Satin Cami Pyjamas were a great discovery for me, I also found a the perfect wedding guest dress (similar here) that saved me from a wardrobe disaster in April!

What were your favourite discoveries of 2015?

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BOXING DAY SALE PICKS

I decided not to brave the sales this year, instead I'm tucked up under a pile of billowy blankets, a mug of hot chocolate in hand and rosemary potatoes roasting in the oven in preparation for my another Christmas dinner.

With Christmas money to be spent, reduced items that I've had my eye on for ages and absolute steals cropping up on twitter, I've taken to my laptop to browse the sales.

Asos is always worthwhile a visit to browse their offerings, Space NK have some incredible beauty deals, along with Net A Porter and Topshop too! Here are my picks of the online sales today - happy browsing/shopping!

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A PAMPERING CHRISTMAS EVE ROUTINE

For me, Christmas Eve is a time to pamper, watch films, indulge on chocolates and prepare for Christmas day. After frantically finishing off any last minute wrapping, packing up gifts and baking gingerbread men I breathe a sigh of relief and have a little pamper.

I start off my Christmas Eve pampering routine by melting into an early afternoon Lush bath. This year I'm saving the Lush Father Christmas bath bomb especially for the occasion, with a sweet candyfloss scent and swirls of festive red and green clouds in the bath it sounds like the perfect treat!

To prep my skin, the Oskia Renaissance Cleaning Gel really does it all for me. The cleansing and restoring combination of vitamins and pumpkin enzymes leave me with a radiant and smooth complexion that's ready for Christmas Day.

For my body, I'm planning on slathering myself in the Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream, this ultra rich, nourishing cream is ideal for winter, it leaves skin silky soft and smells divine, like sweet spiced ginger.

After climbing into the most Christmassy set of pyjamas that I can find, I'm planning on winding down by watching a Christmas film or two with a cinnamon hot chocolate to hand whilst I get to work on my glittery Christmas mani. I normally reach for Essie Leading Lady or Essie Toggle to the Top which are sparkly reds but this year I'm tempted to switch it up a little and try Essie Fashion Flares, a raspberry/ magenta glitter with black glitter which looks gorgeous as a light layer sprinkled over the nails.

I'm then planning on packing up my Charlotte Tilbury make up bag with all my Christmas day make up (red lips and glittery eyeshadows are a must!), before gathering up the presents and driving home to stay with family ready for Christmas Day!

What are you plans on Christmas Eve?

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FIVE FESTIVE RED LIPSTICKS

It's the time of year that leaves me reaching for a red lipstick on a daily basis. Paired with winged liner and highlighted skin a red lip gives a classic look that's also oh so festive. I've pulled together a little list of my favourite picks below for winter and the festive season.

The newest addition to my lipstick stash is Clinique Cherry Pop, a bright flattering blue toned red. Inbuilt with a primer, this long-lasting lipstick packs a punch with it's fresh, bold pigments. This lipstick is so perky and festive - one to pair with a LBD and bouncy curls for Christmas parties.

It's no surprise that a Nars lip pencil is among my top picks, everything from the creamy formula to the incredible pigmentation make these lip products divine. Nars Velvet Matte lipstick in Cruella is a deep scarlet red that's creamy on application, super long lasting and gives a gorgeous velvet matte finish on the lips.

When my lips are feeling a little dry I reach for L'Oreal Exclusive Reds in Blake. Despite being a matte formula it keeps lips soft and hydrated thanks to the addition of jojoba oil. The most sophisticated red I own, this cool toned red gives an effortless polished look that's perfect for winter.

Similar to Ruby Woo, MAC RiRi Woo is a gorgeous deep matte red with cool undertones. The pigmented formula means that you just need one swipe for lasting colour. This is the shade I'm wearing in the photo above, it's such a christmassy shade!

Lastly, Sleek Matte me in Rioja Red is normally my Christmas day lipstick. It has the most incredible staying power, lasting for hours before fading to a stain. As it's a liquid lipstick it can be quite tricky to apply, but once set in place it's completely budge-proof meaning that I can eat and drink as much as I like without having to worry about touching up my lipstick!

What's your favourite red lipstick?

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10 THINGS TO DO OVER CHRISTMAS

With Christmas week fast approaching, I've pulled together a little list of all things festive to do over the Christmas period. It feels like December is flying past and so I want to cram in as much Christmassy things as possible next week, these are the 10 things that I'm planning to do over the festive period:

1. Pick up a copy of the Radio Times and circle the best TV picks over Christmas.

2. Get any last minute Christmas presents, I always wrap up a couple of big bars of chocolate and put them under the tree for any surprise visitors. I've got my gift guides here for last minute inspiration too!

3. Pull out all of the glittery, sparkly, shimmery Christmassy make up to wear.

4. Make festive popcorn - drizzle melted white chocolate over popcorn, sprinkle red and green sugar strands over and add a dash of ground ginger/cinnamon. Then have a Christmas film marathon!

5. Put on the Christmas bedding - you know the kind, the soft, cosy nordic printed brushed cotton type like this dreamy set.

6. Pick up that Christmas jumper that you've had your eye on (I love this one) or keep an eye out for a steal in the sales!

7. Make Star Wars snowflakes, they're fun to make and look so impressive! Tie them around gifts wrapped in brown paper (like this) for a cute gift wrap idea for the boys!

8. Wear your favourite red lipstick and paint your nails with a festive glittery shade like Essie Tassel Shaker.

9. Visit a Christmas market for mulled wine, cute decorations and carols.

10. Relax. Christmas is a time to unwind, eat good food, visit family and indulge a little!

What are your plans over the festive period?

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CHRISTMAS WISHING

I can't believe that we're so close to Christmas already - it's Christmas week next week! I thought I would share what's on my Christmas list this year as I love reading these types of posts, I find them so useful for last minute ideas or inspiration for boxing day sale buys! Here's a little list of what I'm wishing for this year:

A spiralizer is on the top of my Christmas wishlist this year, with so many great recipes available like Rosie's Haystack sweet potato chips, courgette with homemade pesto and cucumber and carrot ribbon salads, I know I'll get so much use from it!

A pair of warm pyjama's have crept their way onto my list recently as the days are slowly getting colder, I love this Solar System pair from Asos. I've also asked for these cute glittery fairy lights socks, they're so festive!

Another pick goes to these gorgeous West Elm Coasters, although ridiculously expensive, they're the prettiest that I've seen, there's been a few 20% off vouchers floating around too which makes them a little more affordable. I'm hoping that 2016 will be the year that I clear out a lot of my clutter and only keep things that I love, that are useful and that make my home look nice and these seem like the perfect coaster set to keep forever.

Essie polishes are always on my wishlist and this Bridal set is so dreamy. It's the perfect set for wedding planning - plus it contains Allure, the shade that Kate Middleton wore on her wedding day - fit for a princess!

I love this beautiful Kate Spade Contacts Book, something to note down addresses and contacts in. Also for the home, I love the idea of a Lumie light. The dark winter mornings leave me feeling so groggy and tired and the lumie light is supposed to help you to wake up feeling refreshed and energised. It seems like the ideal solution to early, dark mornings!

Here's some more of my picks, whats on your Christmas list this year?

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FESTIVE HOME UPDATES

I'm not ashamed to admit that each year, as soon as December 1st hits I turn my home into a winter wonderland. With tinsel draped over the doors, candles flickering, fairy lights twinkling, SmoothXmas playing in the background and the Christmas tree heavy under the weight of as many baubles, lights and bead garlands as I can manage, it truly feels like Christmas for me.

I've even decorated my dressing table for the occasion with silvers and golds and have pulled out festive red lipsticks and glittery eyeshadows to wear over December. My new Charlotte Tilbury Make up bag has taken pride of place on my dressing table, it's so festive and holds my everyday make up perfectly!

My bathroom is currently full of Lush treats, making it smell incredible. My favourites from the festive selection so far have been these dreamy Lush wands. The Magic Wand creates a heavenly bath full of pink bubbles, with swirling glitter and the sweet scent of candyfloss, it's the perfect winter treat. I'm saving my The Magic of Christmas Wand for Christmas week, with orange, cinnamon and clove it smells divine and just like Christmas to me! 

With my home feeling so festive and with plans to watch Elf, The Holiday and Arthur Christmas with cinnamon hot chocolate in my favourite Harry Potter mug, it's definitely my favourite time of the year!

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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME, FROM ME

With some incredible discounts floating around on Black Friday, things got a little spendy around here and I just couldn't resist picking up a few things for myself. I seem to spend a little more around autumn/winter, with fluffy slippers, soft PJ's and autumnal shades it's my favourite time to shop.

I've had my eye on these Frends Layla Rose Gold Headphones for the longest time and with 40% off I couldn't resist picking up a pair. They're so comfortable, the sound quality is good and they look so pretty on. I've had a couple of issues with my pair as they arrived damaged in the post and the Frends team have been super helpful, I'm hoping that once replaced, these will last me a long time - I'm so in love with them!

From ASOS, I took full advantage of their 20% off code and ordered as many kinds of these gorgeous Satin Cami and Short Pyjama Sets as I could. It's been fairly mild in my home and so I wanted some new lightweight pj's to pair with my warm winter duvet. I made the mistake of thinking that I would simply choose my favourite colour and then return the rest but I completely fell in love with these and in the end narrowed it down to two pairs, this beautiful burgundy shade and a white pair that Alex has tucked away for me until Christmas. The material is divine, floaty, satin soft and so comfortable. A new firm favourite!

Armed with a voucher and 10% off, I spent far too long procrastinating about which Charlotte Tilbury make up to splurge on. In the end, I couldn't decide and so settled for this beautiful burgundy and rose gold make up bag, it's the ideal size for my everyday make up.

I also picked up these adorable Topshop Unicorn Slippers which unfortunately weren't in the sale. However the soft, fluffy lining and cute embellishments make these my perfect slippers, I know i'll get a ton of wear from them in winter as they keep my feet so toasty warm!

Lastly, to start my new years resolutions off a little early, I invested in an exercise bike. Argos has a great discount on this still and along with my nectar points I got this for a fairly good price. The seat is a little uncomfortable but I'm used to it now, I've been cycling away and even having a go at some Youtube spinning videos, I'm starting to see the benefits already!

Did you buy anything in the sales?

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GIFT GUIDE: FOR HER

One to help you pick for the girls, this list is packed full of ideas for the interior, stationary, beauty and style lovers. I've pulled together a list of my picks along with a few more ideas below too!

These Unicorn slippers are adorable and the perfect gift to tuck under the tree for Christmas day to keep cosy and warm. Wrap up an Essie polish and Soap and Glory's Heel Genius with them for a cute gift for pampered feet!

For the interior and beauty lover, a scented candle is the ideal gift. Opt for a wintry scent like Diptyque Pomander to fit in with the festive theme. With orange, cinnamon and clove it's a divine, warming fragrance, perfect for the cold months ahead.

Another gift that you can't really go wrong with is this gold and white monogrammed mug. Pop in a packet of hot chocolate and marshmallows (I love these veggie ones) for a tasty treat!

Space NK is a great destination to visit for the beauty lovers, with incredible gift sets like this Becca Glow On The Glow Set, (which contains two iridescent, shimmering golden peach highlighter shades), dreamy Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushers and creamy By Terry Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow sticks, there are so many great options available to choose from!

For a luxe jewellery treat, Monica Vinader is the one. The dainty Riva ring comes in rose gold and is scattered with sparkling diamonds which makes this the ultimate swoon-worthy gift. It's also available in necklace form too - dreamy!

Boxsets make a great gift for the Netflix/TV lover, my pick this year would have to be Once Upon A Time, Parks and Rec is on the top of my Mum's Christmas wishlist and the Friends boxset always makes a great gift!

Here's a few more of my top picks for us girls!

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FESTIVE BEAUTY

With Christmas parties and festive gatherings on the horizon, I've pulled out the most sparkly & glittery, Christmas appropriate make up that I own. I've lined up my favourite festive red lipsticks, pulled out all of my glittery nail polishes and decorated my dressing table ready for the occasion.

To keep my skin in top condition I've been reaching for nourishing serums, rich moisturisers and enriching oils. The Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel is a staple for me this month to combat dull, uneven skin. The pink, turkish delight scented gel transforms into an oil as you massage it onto your skin whilst the pumpkin enzymes and vitamins work to cleanse, soften and restore leaving you with a radiant and smooth complexion. 

I've also been using my Estee lauder Advanced Night Repair II again, pairing it with the Origins Make a Difference Overnight Hydrating Repair Cream, together they make a dreamy combination and leave me with plump, glowing, hydrated skin.

On my nails, I'm planning on wearing as much glitter as possible throughout December. Whether it's gilded tips courtesy of Essie Rock At The Top or full on Christmas Nails thanks to Essie Leading Lady, a sparkly festive, deep red I'm planning on keep my fingers and toes pretty festive all month!

I've noted a run down of my favourite festive eyeshadow shades here and whilst most of these shimmery shades are well suited for the party season, Topshop Shuffle the cards, a sparkly iridescent rose gold and L'oreal Sable Lame, a gel infused, buttery soft shimmery gold are my top picks this month for every day wear. 

It's not really Christmas for me without rocking a bright red lip at least once during December. L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Blake is a flattering, cool toned red that when applied gives a polished, classic look. My second pick, Nars Cruella is a gorgeous Christmassy red lip it's creamy on application, dries to a matte finish and lasts for hours on the lips.

Lastly, on my cheeks, I've pulled out my favourite festive rosy wine blusher MAC Mineralised Blush in Gleeful for shimmery, flushed cheeks. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure is perfect to pair with a red lip as it sculpts the cheeks effortlessly whilst leaving a subtle pink radiant sheen. For highlighter, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, an iridescent, shimmering golden peach highlighter is my top choice to give me that candlelit, luminous glow. 

What are your festive beauty picks this month?

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DECEMBER TO DO LIST

1. Decorate! Evenings are made magical with twinkling fairy lights, sparkly decorations and tinsel draped around the doors, it gives the home such a festive feel!

2. Make gingerbread men, salted caramel apple crumbles and orange spiced hot chocolates.

3. Buy some wintry Pj's, I love these blush coloured satin ones.

4. Wear glittery nail polish as often as possible, Essie's Toggle to the Top is my ultimate festive pick, it's a shimmery, glittery, sparkling garnet red that's just perfect for Christmas.

5. Watch The Holiday whilst eating my favourite picks from the Roses selection box - it's all about the purple one, orange cremes and golden barrels for me!

6. Invest in a Christmas Candle. I normally love the Sainsbury's Christmas Spice candle but this year I may have to treat myself to the Space NK Shimmering Spice candle, full of cinnamon, citrus, cedar and vanilla - it sounds divine!

7. Pick up some new Christmas Decorations, I have my eye on this gold pineapple one and this gilded pretzel decoration.

8. Indulge in all of the festive foods and drinks; crackers & cheese (violife is a great dairy free option), maple roasted cashews, Christmas chocolates and plenty of Belvoir (non alcoholic) Mulled Wine!

9. Perfect my gift wrapping technique, Pinterest has some great simple gift wrap ideas, I love the idea of making these and then sticking them on top of brown paper wrap!

10. Give. With everything that's been going on in the world lately I feel like now more than ever I need to look for more ways to give. Whether it's to food banks, Crisis at Christmas or to animal shelters, I want to give a little more this Christmas.

What's on your December to do list?

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GIFT GUIDE: STOCKING FILLERS

Stocking Fillers! One of my favourite things to buy at Christmas, the excitement of stuffing a bag or stocking full to the brim with treats and gifts is one of my favourite parts of Christmas prep.

I've pulled together a few little gift ideas that are perfect stocking fillers or even well suited for a Secret Santa gift!

Lush is a great option for cute pampering gifts. Their little shower gels are a real treat, the scents are divine and there's something for everyone. One of my favourite picks is The Comforter Shower Cream, a bright, warming and comforting vanilla and blackcurrant scent. Lush's Salted Coconut Hand Scrub is another good find, this heavenly hand scrub leaves hands silky smooth and would be great paired with a hand cream like this Rose & Co one for a Secret Santa gift.

One of my favourite things to get in my stocking is an Essie polish. For a festive treat for beauty lovers pop a glittery shade in like Essie Tassel Shaker, a coppery bronze glitter or Essie Fashion Flares, a magenta glitter. For the perfect luxe gift for beauty lovers, Nars lip pencil in Cruella would make the ultimate find tucked into a Christmas stocking!

For the stationary lovers, this Metallic Sharpie Set with bronze, gold and silver would make the perfect stocking treat. Also I'm sure that anything from Rifle paper Co or Kate Spade would make a welcome addition to their stocking!

I've pulled together a list below of some more gift ideas too:

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NOVEMBER'S BERRY FAVOURITES

November's frosty cold days were spent dunking homemade gingerbread men in cinnamon hot chocolates, watching with awe as the shops filled with christmassy, festive things and indulging in far too many Lush baths. One of my style favourites this month is this Jersey Lace Triangle Bralette, which is so comfy for lounge/duvet days. For the home, I've been scattering flowers around to brighten things up until I can finally hang my decorations up on Dec 1st!

Beauty:

On my lips I've been reaching for autumnal hues like MAC Rebel, a long lasting rich vampy berry and MAC Plumful, a creamy mauve pink and great everyday shade. Paired with a coppery eye and a shimmery champagne highlighter they help to create the perfect autumnal look.

For my complexion, I've been dusting a little of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blusher in Mood Exposure over my cheeks for a radiant, flawless finish. The dusky mauve/pink powder sculpts the cheeks whilst the swirls of mood exposure brings light and radiance to the skin.

Lush's The Comforter Shower Cream has been a permanent fixture in my shower, the bright yet comforting blackcurrant and vanilla scent fills the whole bathroom with an uplifting and warming fragrance. This moisturising shower cream envelops you in a soft, comforting lather and is the perfect fix to perk you up if you're feeling a little under the weather.

I've been using my Real Techniques Shading Brush this month to blend my concealer for an effortless, flawless finish. The soft, synthetic bristles make blending a dream and it even blends my high coverage Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer with ease.

Lastly, on my nails I've been switching between Essie Sole Mate, a deep glossy berry, Essie Bahama Mama, a rich plum and Essie It's Genius, a shimmering violet until I can go to full on glitter nail polish mode in December!

What were your favourite products in November?

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PREPARING FOR WINTER

With this year set to be one of the coldest and with temperatures plummeting and even scatterings of snow appearing last week, I thought I list down a few ways that I'm preparing to keep warm and healthy this winter. Eating well, investing in warm knits and keeping active are all important factors in my winter prep this year! Here are my plans:

1. Treat yourself to a lot of Lush baths, then climb into a warm pair of pj's to cosy up in afterwards!

2. Find the perfect winter jumper - I've fallen in love with this cosy grey knit from Asos!

3. Invest in a new hot water bottle. Hot water bottles in winter are game changers, slipped under the sheets  or tucked into your Pj's (the best!) they keep you nice and toasty for ages. I have an adorable little faux fur one with a bow, similar to this one and it's just perfect for icy winter days.

4. Spritz a mist of this Vitamin D spray (available here too) in your mouth for a daily dose of vitamin D to keep your immune system in check and winter blues at bay, plus it's peppermint flavoured, which tastes pretty festive!

5. Keep warm with these adorable Unicorn Slippers. With a soft, fluffy lining and the cutest unicorn detailing on the front, these are perfect to keep feet snug and warm.

6. Speaking of Topshop, this fluffy, cloud like Dressing Gown Teddy Robe is a must for me. It's the warmest, cosiest thing to wear, whenever i'm feeling a little under the weather, I bundle myself up in this and it always makes me feel better!

7. Make soup. Homemade soups are an ingenious way to introduce lot's of vegetables into your routine. I like to make a huge batch and then freeze individual portions for weekly lunches. Some of my favourites include Immune boosting butternut squash, red chilli and ginger soup, Comforting leek and potato soup and Antioxidant rich minestrone soup.

8. Stock up on Tea's. Warming cinnamon tea, festive peppermint tea and calming chamomile tea are all staples for me in the winter months to keep me warm. Boil a little extra water to use to fill up your hot water bottle too!

9. Pick up a Lumie light. This is next on my list to buy. The dark, icy winter mornings leave me feeling so tired and lethargic, the Lumie light is supposed to help you to wake up feeling refreshed and energised whilst also helping to banish winter blues. It doesn't give you that awful jolt that standard alarms give you too, it seems like the perfect early morning accompaniment.

10. Keep snug in warm blankets. I recently picked up a soft, cosy one from H&M home but Primark and Zara Home have some great offerings too!

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