10 things I love about Christmas

To get you guys into the spirit of Christmas, I thought I would write a list of the 10 things I love about the Christmas season. One of my friends recently bought a Christmas songs album and it's got us all in the mood for Christmas! I hope my list makes you as excited as I am!

10 Cold Weather

Cold weather means I can wear snuggle jumpes and cosy socks without looking like an overdressed muppet.

9 Leaves

I love jumping in piles of fallen leaves (yes, I still do that!) There's something about the 'crunch' ...

8 Fires!

When it's winter, we always have the fire burning in the living room. I love snuggling up with my cats in front of a cosy fire :)

7 Buying presents!

One of my favourite things about Christmas is buying people presents of things they actually want and watching them open it and look genuinely happy! The worst thing is to get/give a present that you don't actually want but you have to keep anyway.

6 Christmas parties

At my school there's always a Christmas Dinner when everyone in the school sits down in the dining hall and pulls crackers, eats turkey, stuffing and mince pies and dresses up. It's usually a really great night and this year, my year is going to have Christmas themed party at a local 'club'. So looking forward to that! (Don't worry - we're not all dressing up as Santas!)

5 Christmas Breakfast

Everyone always says they love having a massive dinner on Christmas day, but for me it's just like a Sunday Roast but bigger. I enjoy Christmas breakfast much more because my mum wraps up little presents for all four of us so we can open them first. Then we all sit down and eat breakfast together (which we don't normally do because everyone gets up at different times).

4 Decorating (the tree and the house!)

Putting up the Christmas tree is a really special part of Christmas for me. We have all these (paper) ornaments that me and my sister made years ago and we spend ages putting tinsel on it and making paper chains!

3 Snow

Obviously snow is high on my list. I could just sit for hours looking out of my bedroom window at the trees and roof tops with snow covering them. And I love snowball fights, building snowmen and sledging.

2 Presents!

Well, everyone loves presents! I would have put this at the number 1 spot but for some reason the thing I love most about Christmas is....

1 Christmas songs!

They're so catchy and happy. They just make me smile and want to sing along. Haha, I sound like a right loon! But Christmassy songs just put me in a good mood. :) (My favourite is Last Christmas by Wham!) I'm so old...

Beautiful Eyes

This girl can do some amazing stuff with eyeshadow! I'm sure there are some equally as good (maybe better!) makeup artists out there, but Roxy Rouge just has this casual 'sling it on and out the door' attitude, which I love.

One of my favourite looks of hers is the MAC Blue Flame look of hers. See it here.

(photo courtesy of Roxy Rouge's website)

Of this one she says

"I only had time to snap this quick close up of my eye before I ran out the door the other day, I just felt like doing something quick and easy."

 And as a commenter quite rightly says on her post, it looks 'like a masterpiece...'

Deep-Fried Ice Cream

I was browsing the internet and stumbled across this recipe. Check it out if you would like to make one of these lovely looking balls of yumminess...

Or try that classic Scottish favourite: Deep Fried Mars Bar!

I have to say, this picture doesn't look particularly appetising but I'm not one to judge...

I haven't tried either of these delicacies yet but when I do, I'll be sure to blog about my experiences. Having said that, I have tried banana mars bar which is amazing! Next time you have a barbeque, cut open a banana and stuff in a mars bar or two, plonk it on the grill wrapped in tin foil and wait for a few minutes. Seriously; heaven.

(Tell me if you try any of the things on this blog, I'd love to hear about your experiences :)

World's Most Expensive...

Here's a list that will make your mouth water...

World's Most Expensive Handbag

This Fendi B bag is made from black crocodile and costs $27,700 USD!

World's Most Expensive M&M

A brown M&M was sold in 2004 for $1,500 USD. In case you were wondering why anyone would pay so much money for an M&M (especially a brown one) it's because this particular sweet was on board the first ever privately funded human spaceflight. I still don't see why...

World's Most Expensive Mascara

This H. Couture Beauty mascara is adorned with 2,500 blue diamons, has an 18 carat gold tip and cost its happy owners $14 million USD. But not to worry, they also got a tube of lipstick encrusted with pink diamonds thrown in as well.

World's Most Expensive Nail Polish

This nail polish, called 'I Do,' is made from platinum and will set you back $250 USD. But the original bottle, which was also made of platinum, would have cost you a whopping $55,000 USD.

World's Most Expensive Perfume

This perfume is custom made for the one and only Elton John and cost him $250,000. The perfume is Clive Christian No. 1 which is the world's most expensive over the counter perfume. But Elton had to take it one step further and have his bottle shaped into a piano.

The World's Most Expensive Candle

The Ultimate Luxury Candle was deisgned by Luxury Soy Candles and sells for just under $5,000 USD. The candle is surrounded by a bracelet made with 38 diamonds (totalling 2.23 carats) all set in 14 carak white gold. I wouldn't even want to burn it!

World's Most Expensive Champagne

The world's most expensive champagne is a Louis Roederer Cristal 1990. It was sold for $14,730 USD.

World's Most Expensive Diamond

This is the infamous Hope Diamond and weighs in at 45.52 carats. It is the largest diamond in the world and will never be sold. The 'curse' that has supposedly been put on this diamond is what makes it so infamous. You can read about it here.

Liz Earle Skincare Range Review

A couple of months ago, I received a 'goodiebag' of Liz Earle products from a friend. I used them religously for a few weeks and then slowly forgot about them. But recently, I've rediscovered my love for them! I've only been using them for a week but I have already noticed some improvement in my skin. Usually, I have quite spot prone, oily skin but after using the following products, I've been getting less spots and have a less oily t-zone (which is usually where I get the most oily skin).

The first product is the Cleanse & Polish cleanser which you can use to either take off your make up or just to cleanse your face. I've actually run out of make up remover wipes so that's why I started to use this. It can even remove eye make up. You massage the product into your skin and around your eyes and then use a muslin cloth (provided with the product - usually) to gently 'polish' it off. It's supposed to leave your skin clear, smooth and clean and I find that it does this really well. One down side is that the muslin cloth is a little rough but I can live with that if it's going to make my skin better!

The consistency is just like that of a moisturiser, maybe a bit creamier

I haven't included a picture of the muslin cloth because I literally just used it!

 

The second product I use is the Skin Tonic Instant Boost. This comes in a spritzer form and a bottle which you pour the product out of. I have both but I usually use the spritzer because it is easier and quicker to use rather than the hassle of using cotton wool pads and pouring the product. I spritz this onto my face morning and night after using the Cleanse & Polish and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed. Plus it smells awesome!

in spritzer form

in bottle form

The last Liz Earle product is Spot On. I have used this religiously for a couple of months now and its only just starting to run out. You just roll this on any spots you may have and it gets rid of them for you! The only down side is that is it a bit unhygenic because your skin comes into contact with the bacteria left on the roll-on part every time you use it. And it smells very strongly.

I think I've got a couple of months left of this one!

I have some other Liz Earle products that I don't use as often but I could review them for you if you want. Just comment below if you do! 

Jewellery wardrobe: to buy or not to buy...?

Debating whether or not to buy this just before Christmas...

It's from Argos, matched my bedroom perfectly and is half price (£9.99!) at the moment.

What do you think?

Music I'm Loving!

Songs I'm loving at the moment:

Legohouse - Ed Sheeran

We Found Love - Rihanna

Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People

Stereo Hearts - Gym Class Heroes (feat. Adam Levine)

Earrings!

I promised you some pictures of my new earrings and here they are! I had to take them really quickly so sorry for the bad quality. I can't wait to wear them, but unfortunately I have to wait 6 weeks until I can take out the ones I have on now :(

This is the first pair. I got all the earrings from New Look for about £3.50 each (but I threw the packaging away so I can't check, sorry!)

This is my favourite pair. There is a really big gold tarnished leaf on each earring and then on one there is a maroon coloured feather.

The jewelled bit is really pretty in real life and is orange in colour.

This is them with the flash. They are all hanging on my accessories stand so that's why there's a wierd kind of doll thing in all the pictures.

This is a pack of five pairs of earrings including owls, pearls, reindeer, orange jewels (again) and silver jewels. These ones didn't even cost more than the dangly ones, which is great value!

My second favourite pair. I've been so looking forward to wearing dangly earrings! These ones also have a large gold leaf but instead of a feather, they have chains with purple beads and gold discs. I really like these ones and I think I'm going to try and find a purple dress to match for a Christmas party!

I hope you enjoyed my 'haul!' See you all soon and don't forget to follow me if you like my posts!

My Life in Graphs

I love this book. It totally brings out the geek in me. I'm definitely asking for this for Christmas!

The concept is to plot your life on different types of graphs (mostly pie charts) so you can look back on it in years to come and think "no wonder I didn't have any friends..."

I'm joking; I think it's a great idea (and it's something to do when you get bored - you can just go and fill in a pie chart on your best friend's traits or what type of music you're into at the moment.)

This is for all of you geeks out there. Embrace your inner geekiness!


Oh and if you read my blog often, don't forget to click the 'follow' button!

Inspire Me Monday

This will only be a short post outlining the things I have found inspiring over the past few days. First off, as you may know if you saw this post, is John Goddard. He sat down and wrote a list age 15 of 127 goals to complete in his lifetime. And they aren't easy. Here are some of the amazing things he has set out to do:

• Climb Mt. Everest
• Visit every country in the world (with 30 left to go!)
• Learn to fly a plane
• Skin dive to 40 feet and hold breath for two and a half minutes underwater
• Own a horse, chimpanzee, cheetah, ocelot and coyote
• Learn French, Spanish and Arabic
• Read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica
• Light a match with .22 rifle
• Circumnavigate the globe (4 times already!)

I think making a Life List is a brilliant way of making goals, be it achievable ones or ones you have to work really hard to meet, and I can't wait until I make my own list. I highly encourage you to do the same, I'm sure the outcome will be very rewarding for all of you!

Be sure to let me know if you make a list!

Sweet Seventeen

Finally I'm 17... It's feels so wierd to be one year closer to becoming a (proper) adult but I'm so excited about what the future holds for me. I'm in the process of writing my own Life List (I mentioned these in this post) and will hopefully be putting it online soon. But 'soon' in my books can sometimes mean 'years' so don't be expecting it within the next few days!

Anyway, I've had a great birthday weekend. On Saturday, there was a Christmas fair at my school so I went along to that. You probably won't get my obsession with these fairs (I go every year) but if I outline my 'winnings' then you might understand a little better.

• 7 jam jars filled with sweets
• A massive tub of Thornton's chocolate
• 3 advent calendars
• 2 Pandora bracelets (that turned out not to be Pandora bracelets and one broke as soon as I got it home)

Then  I was told I was going to get a surprise birthday present but I couldn't for the life of me work it out! And it was doubly difficult with these sorts of clues:

"It won't take very long and we're going somewhere afterwards to get things for it." - My mum

 It's like a cryptic code.
So it was a complete surprise for me to find out I was getting my ears pierced. I had it done (which didn't take very long) and then we went shopping afterwards (to get some earrings - and clothes!)

I got some 2 sets of dangly earrings and one 5-pack of studs, a winter jumper (sweater) and a dress for school. Hopefully I will be able to show you some pictures of these items soon!

Then it was my birthday on Sunday (today). I went to Pizza Express with my friends (originally Pizza Hut but that was changed once I realised there was no cinema anywhere near a Pizza Hut) and then to the cinema to watch Tower Heist. The film was good but the only funny parts were when Eddie Murphy was doing his lines. Then I came home and had a lovely slice of red velvet cake that my mum made.

This is not the cake my mum made! This image is curtosy of Google Images if you search for 'red velvet cake.' You should do it, your mouth will water. Then search for 'french toast.' Sit back and enjoy.

SOTW: Doggies and Tartan

Lately I've been obsessing over tartan (as you can see from my post here) and, oddly enough, dogs. Not just any dogs though (and not just any tartan). I've falled completely head over heels in love with these cute little balls of fluff.

Cute Japanese Spitzes (plural of Spitz...?)

I don't need to say any more, do I? The pictures say it all...

Not forgetting the tartan and my obsession with shoes:

These babies are by Jeffrey Campbell and are literally the perfect shoe for me!

What is your SOTW?

New and Improved Pudsey

Today is Children in Need day so I decided to do a Pudsey themed post. For those who don't know what Children in Need is, it is a charity that helps disadvantaged children in the UK. Today is the day when the BBC is taken over by Pudsey Bear (the mascot) and Sir Terry Wogan (a national treasure) for seven hours in order to raise as much money as possible. This year, the BBC has launched a collection of Pudseys to be auctioned off to raise money for the charity. There are 11 bears in the collection which has

seen a number of fashion designers use their creative flair and remarkable talents to create their very own unique version of the iconic Pudsey Bear.

 The bears have been designed in a range of different colours, from blue to silver, and a variety of fabrics, from leather to suede. They are all completely unique and, in my opinion, a great way to raise money for charity while being creative and artistic at the same time. So I've decided to share them with you.

Erdem Bear

 Erdem says this bear is made of Botanical Lemon Burst Print with Mini Burst Eye-patch and is influenced by their 2012 spring collection. This bear raised £832 for Children in Need.

Giles Deacon Bear

This bear was also influenced by a 2012 spring collection; Giles Deacon's to be precise. It is constructed from silver leather and is described by Deacon as 'a silver leather dream machine.' It raised £942.

Henry Holland Bear

This cute little bear is made from '100% wool House of Holland tartan' and was 'punk' inspired. This is one of my favourites (but that's just because I'm obsessed with tartan at the moment!) This one raised £820 in the auction.

Jonathan Saunders Bear

Unfortunately this bear doesn't do it for me. It looks kinda wierd and it's all geometric and clashy. But lets see what 'ole Johnny has to say about it... 

"I decided to use the bright tonal prints in blues, reds and greens from my AW11 womenswear collection.”

That'll be why it clashes so badly! Blue, green and red... eesh...

I just tried to click on the eBay page for this one but it only loaded for a second before a message came up saying the bid was closed but I did manage to see the price. £200.

Katie Hillier Bear

I really like the idea behind this one. It was designed with the kids in mind using "fuzzy felt and bright colours." But what I really like about this bear is what Kate said next. "I wanted Pudsey to feel like he had been patched together by a childs imagination full of innocence, fun and fairytale dreams." Isn't that just the best description of a patchwork bear you ever heard? They even used denim from charity shops to make it. What could be more perfect? Oh yeah, and it raised £640 in auction.

Liberty Bear

Liberty have been displaying the bears (until Saturday - so if you can get down there, do it!) but they had to add one of their own into the collection. For me, it's a bit too busy, but that's personal taste. Other people must have liked it though because it raised £1,850 for Childen in Need!

Louis Vuitton Bear

This bear made me laugh when I saw it. If anyone has seen the Travelodge adverts, you'll know what I mean! This guy even came with his own suitcase and change of clothes! Brilliant! He has a mix of everything (literally) from a punk edge to calfskin and shearling covered feet to a gold nose and his own Stephen Sprouse hankie. What more could a bear ask for? And he's selling for an amazing £24,100. Someone must really want this bear.

Mulberry Bear

This bear is made from the " finest Mulberry leather" and raised a big (but not as big as its leather clad buddy, Louis) £2,550 for charity!

Patrick Grant

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this one. This bear is totally my cup of tea. He's made from a tartan cloth made of wool and cashmere and his foot and eyepatch are in a plain black wool melton cloth. And (this is great) he's stuffed with discarded wool, cotton, linen and silk scraps from the tailors boards in the Patrick Grant workroom. Plus, he looks so darn cute! (He raised £530)

PPQ Bear

This very skinny looking bear is made from black velvet and has a crystal on the eye and bow tie. I especially like the signature bandage; very nice. He raised £500. 

Pringle Bear

This bear is made by Pringle (the designer, not the crisps!) and is wearing a hand knitted cardigan with "Forevermark diamond buttons." This one is still being auctioned at the moment but the latest bid is £2,550.

Topshop Bear

The last one is designed by Topshop and is inspired by their 2012 SS Collection. One of the designers said about the bear "we used the exact hieroglyphic jewellery from the SS12 collection, plus one of the actual buttons" so there we go. If you buy this, you will get one of the acual buttons. Very exciting. The bids on this one haven't finished yet but as of now, the price is £1,020.

Which bear is your favourite?