Marks & Spencer beauty advent calendar 2016: What’s inside?

Blogmas day 23. For today’s post I thought I would review the Marks & Spencer beauty advent calendar that I treated myself to when it went on sale towards the end of November.

Marks & Spencer beauty advent calendar

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Christmas in London – pretty lights & window displays

Blogmas day 20. Christmas in London, can you tell me something that is more festive?

We don’t always manage it every year, but when we can my husband and I love to take a day out together during December and visit London to look at the Christmas lights and window displays. This is an account of our day in 2016:

Christmas in London

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Five un-festive thoughts it’s okay to have at Christmas

Five un-festive thoughts about Christmas. There are a few assumptions about this time of year that some people are too afraid to go against and think differently about. It’s a bit like my feelings towards autumn, it’s a very pretty season but I hate that it gets dark so early.

Christmas is the same, I love how it brings people together, but I hate the pressure to spend and be extravagant. You guys know how I like to keep things real around here and cut through the fluff so here goes:

Festive M&S Christmas jumper

Un-festive thought #1: To feel it unnecessary to buy gifts for the sake of it –buy spontaneously throughout the year instead

Christmas isn’t all about gifts, but it’s easy to forget this when you’re out shopping getting stressed about what you could possibly get for your brother’s girlfriend’s cousin twice removed who you never EVER see!

As you get older, time with family is the most priceless and important thing Christmas brings so concentrate on having a really enjoyable day with good food and conversation.

Un-festive thought #2: To opt out of the annual after lunch game of Trivial Pursuit

Worst. Game. Ever.

If you just want to chill out on the sofa and watch Christmas films and television, maybe sneak in a cheeky nap, do.

Festive M&S Christmas jumper

Christmas Jumper from Marks & Spencer

Un-festive thought #3: To buy all of your gifts in January  

Seriously, do. If you are going to splurge (& it’s okay to do so if it’s important to you), write out some IOU’s in a card to your loved ones so they still have something to open on the day, and purchase presents in the sales after Christmas; it’s cheaper and allows for that festive feeling to last a little longer.

My husband and I have already agreed that we are not allowed to buy each other anything before Christmas; we’ll dedicate a day to spend together hitting the shops after Christmas Day.

It’s totally not about being a cheapskate, I for one can no longer stomach buying things that get slashed in price a few days or weeks later and it often means you get more for your money.

Festive M&S Christmas jumper

Un-festive thought #4: Eat!

I know in the past my efforts to not put on weight or give in to treats, I have missed out on enjoying Christmas for what it’s really all about –food! That tin of Quality Street doing the rounds in the office? Take two! More than one chocolate filled advent calendar? Do it! Mince pies? YES!

I mean, don’t go mad but life is far too short to deny yourself treats when it counts. January is all about detoxing and you’ll see better results if you actually have something to work off.

And finally… un-festive thought #5:

Festive M&S Christmas jumper

Therapy handbag Purse

Handbag purse from Therapy @ House of Fraser

To ask yourself if all this festivity is a lot of effort for something that goes by so quickly

It is, but if being festive, decorating your home, making that extra effort to see friends and family, buying gifts and treating yourself to a treat or two makes you happy… then it’s 100% worth it and 100% okay!

What are some of the things about Christmas that you’re too afraid to say out loud? Come on people, it’s a safe space here 😉

Until next time x

Clothes Show Haul | Blogmas Day 16

Hey Sweeties,

A couple of weeks ago I was incredibly lucky to win (via Twitter) two tickets to the Clothes Show and a 12-piece collection of makeup brushes, all courtesy of Nanshy. The brushes I will reveal to you in another post very soon but for now, I thought I would show you some of the things I picked up from the show because who doesn’t love a haul post?

What I love about the Clothes Show is while you might blow a bit of a hole in your purse, you’ll get a lot for your money as everything is either just really cheap or has been discounted for the show. None of the below cost me more than £10 each!

Clothes Show Haul

This dress cost me £5 & I really like it -can’t go wrong with stripes!

Clothes show Haul

My favourite find! This dress is from a brand called, Fearless Illustration

Clothes Show haul

Clothes Show haul

Unfortunately this dress is a little small but I still love the flamingo print

Clothes Show haul

I love this jumper! I bought another one in navy for Ian so on Christmas Day we have matching his ‘n hers jumpers!

I did so well to not pick up more makeup as recently I feel I have bought enough to not need more unless I really really need it. That being said, you can’t turn down a bargain when you see one! A couple of years ago when I went to the Clothes Show, Barry M were offering goody bags for £10 which included a makeup bag, a few polishes and a couple of their other products and they were doing the same again. While I am not as much of a fan of Barry M as I was back then, I still  enjoy their products, particularly their polishes and I was not let down with this year’s goody bag.

Clothes Show haul

Contents: Kohl pencil in silver; lip gloss in no.4; Glossy Tube super shiny lip gloss in no.6; liquid eyeliner in turquoise; eyeshadow in no.9 & 4. Polishes in: Forest 434; Rockstar 519; Jingle Bells 443; Paprika 450; Miami 523; Red Black 520.

Pretty Little Thing

I didn’t buy the above dress from the Clothes Show but it’s still new and I wore it to the show so I thought I would still add it into this post. It’s from an online brand called Pretty Little Thing and is from the Lucy Mecklenburgh collection; it’ll be such a staple over winter!

The Clothes Show is such a worth while day out, while I don’t feel it necessary to go every year, every couple of years I think is fine. But it’s definitely all about the shopping! While the main arena show is always brilliant and an integral part of the day, all the other time is spent shopping so go prepared to shop and with a fairly generous budget!

Did any of you guys go this year?

Until next time x

 

Animal Print Wrap from Marks & Spencer | Blogmas Day 3

A couple of weeks ago I saw this gorgeous animal print wrap from the Marks & Spencer winter collection and it was instant love. I used some leftover money on a gift card to make the purchase online.

Another thing I purchased was the Pure Luxe Multi blusher from their Autograph makeup collection. Unfortunately this product was a bit of a let down but the wrap was an excellent purchase.

Marks and Spencer animal print wrap

Marks and Spencer animal print wrap

Marks and Spencer animal print wrap

Marks and Spencer animal print wrap

M&S Animal print wrap

The material is a beautifully soft cotton but to the touch it feels like cashmere, and I love the animal print –I have such a thing for animal print on clothing and accessories, it can instantly lift a plain outfit. I also like the way the garment finishes with black tassels.

This animal print wrap can be worn all year round, not just in winter which makes it a very versatile piece and means I’ll enjoy it across all four seasons. I am somebody that always feels the cold and a wrap or shawl is such a convenient item to own when I need an extra layer.

While it looks cosy (and it is), it’s not a hugely thick material so on really cold days I’ll need to ensure I layer up underneath, but I’m okay with that. I think this wrap will be perfect for days at the cricket, and also on shopping trips when it’s a bit much to be wearing a thick coat. It’ll also look great synced into my waist with a belt.

Overall I am delighted with this animal print wrap from Marks & Spencer, what do you guys think?

Until next time x

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