What I got for Christmas 2015

It wouldn't be Christmas without a 'What I Got for Christmas' post! I jumped on the bandwagon back in 2013 and you can read those posts here - What I Got For Christmas 2013 and What I got for Christmas 2014. I love being nosy and seeing what everyone else got for Christmas, so it's only fair if I share what I got too! I had such a lovely Christmas as always. Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends and for creating lots of new memories. I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and I hope Father Christmas brought you everything you wanted.

I was spoilt with all my gifts and I'm so thankful and grateful to all my family and friends. We're boring adults now and we needed a new fridge so we received money from Rory's family to put towards our fridge fund. We've ordered our new one already and I cannot wait for it to arrive. Rory booked us in for a couples' massage which was super sweet and he booked two nights at a hotel in York. We've been to York before about 5/6 years ago so it'll be nice to return again as it's a beautiful city.

I got a brand new Fiorelli handbag from my gran and a Fiorelli purse from my nana. These are for everyday use and then for special occasions my mum and dad bought me a Whistles clutch bag which I'm so happy about! I can't wait to use it on New Year's Eve when we go out. They also got me a new Pandora charm for my bracelet which is almost full now. My sister and I got matching charms and we both have the heart which says 'Daughter' with a pink crystal. I got so many other lovely thoughtful gifts and if I listed them all, I'd be here forever! Thank you to everyone!

I love to give presents even more than I like to receive them and my favourite gift to give this year was a three night stay in Amsterdam for me and Rory. He had no idea about it and it was a complete surprise! There are so many cities that we want to travel to and I thought why not start ticking them off now?! I wrapped up some 'clues' for him before he unwrapped a guide book and the tickets. These included Gouda cheese, a bottle of Heineken, Anne Frank's diary and a Van Gogh calendar. He was so happy and I cannot wait to start planning our trip to York and Amsterdam!

I would love to know what you got for Christmas so if you've done a blog post, leave the link below. If not, tell me what your favourite present is in the comments.

Rachel x

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick post to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I hope you have a lovely day and have lots of fun with your loved ones. 

Rachel x

Christmas Party Dresses

We are well and truly in the festive season now. I have already been to one Christmas Party and I'm at another one this weekend. As I was browsing online looking for the perfect party dress, I thought I would share some of my favourites just in case you needed some inspiration.

River Island Silver Sparkly Metallic Bodycon Dress £42

I love this glittery dress from River Island; it screams Christmas. I didn't have time to order online as it wouldn't have arrived in time so I went to The Trafford Centre. I couldn't find this dress in River Island or any nice party dresses if I'm honest so I ended up popping in a few different shops.  I actually ended up buying this dress from Quiz which is exactly the same but with a different back. I wore it to my Works Christmas Do on Saturday and received lots of compliments. Everything I touched was covered in glitter though - so be warned!

ASOS Little Mistress Gathered Maxi Dress with Diamante Trim £70.00

This dress is so pretty and isn't your typical Christmas dress which is perfect for those people who aren't massively into Christmas. I know everyone isn't a fan of glitter and sequins. This dress could also take you into Spring/Summer and would make a great dress if you're going to a wedding.

River Island Black Lace Bodycon Bardot Dress £60

Another beautiful River Island dress that I couldn't find instore. I love how sophisticated this is with the length and the off shoulder design. I totally would have purchased this if it was instore as I was originally after a lace dress for this year. I usually go for sequins but as the years go by, I just fancied a change.

H&M Jewel Neck Chiffon Dress £49.99

Online this looks beautiful and I would love to see it in real life. I love long chiffon dresses as they are so effortless. This one is a beautiful purple shade with gorgeous gold chains on the neck which makes it even easier to wear as it has it's own built in necklace.

Next Bronze Sparkle Pencil Dress £48

Another sophisticated option; I must be getting older. I love the subtle sparkle on this bronze dress. The skirt adds detail which without it would be quite a boring, simple dress. I haven't seen it in person but the dress looks like it's made with quality material and actually looks quite warm!

Lipsy x Michelle Keegan Foiled Appliqué Detail Shift Dress £70

My favourite dress of them all. As soon as I first saw this dress, I fell in love! Of course it helps that Michelle Keegan is gorgeous! I actually popped in Lipsy and tried this dress on. It fit me perfectly besides the lace detail at the top which was far too big and hung all wrong. I was gutted as it was the last one in my size because the girl said she hadn't seen that before so it may have been a faulty dress. Unless I have an unusual shaped body! I might actually order it online to see as I really do love it but it wouldn't be here in time for my next party. What should I do?

Are you going to a Christmas Party this year? Have you found your perfect  party dress? 

Rachel x

You're Engaged, What Comes Next?

If like my friend, Rachael, you’ve recently got engaged then congratulations! There is a lot to do now before you marry the man or woman of your dreams. You might not be in a rush to tie the knot just yet, though. Engagements can last for years. I was engaged for almost three years before I married my husband. Still, the day will come when you are ready to enjoy a beautiful wedding day. Between now and then there is so much to organise. You might actually need a couple of years to plan it! I miss it all now so my advice to you - enjoy every single moment!

Choosing your venue can be tricky because they are all booked up months or even years in advance! Our wedding venue was booked almost two years in advance and they even had bookings for the year after ours! Also, they can be quite expensive. You need the extra time to save up. Often, the availability of your venue is what determines your wedding date. Visit a few places before you set your heart on one. We narrowed our list down to three venues and went to all three and met with the wedding coordinator. Once we heard what was included in the package and saw the place in 'real life' we knew it was the right venue for us. You might prefer to marry somewhere else, and then come back for the reception. This often happens if you choose to have a religious wedding.

Once the date is set, it’s time to make sure everyone knows you are engaged. You might pop an announcement in your local newspaper. We sent out Save The Dates as it was during August and I know a lot of people book holidays around this time. The more notice you can give people, the better. We gave a full year and we still had some people with prior commitments! Talk to your preferred wedding photographer about taking some engagement photos. You might set this up in a studio or choose something more natural at an engagement party. Most photographers actually include this in their package and you could even use those images on your Save The Dates. You can see some Save The Date Ideas I had here.

Next you need to decide who to invite. Modern wedding invites are really easy to order online. There are so many gorgeous wedding stationery designers out there. I worked with ours to design my dream invitation. You can see some Wedding Invitation Ideas I had here. You just need to finalise your guest list - which is the hard bit! Double check the venue's address, date and times are correct! Once the RSVPs start coming in, you can book the catering and get your final cost per head. Some couples like to sample a couple of menus before deciding on the meal. If you have a buffet, see if you can get the caterer to send over some samples.

Now the pace will start to increase as you approach your wedding date. One of the first things you’ll be keen to do is find that perfect wedding dress. There are lots of different styles in the boutiques to choose from. Some brides prefer to have a dress bespoke designed. This can be expensive if you don’t personally know the dressmaker. It is often the best way to get the dress of your dreams, though. I really struggled to find 'the dress' or even a dress I loved as I had an image in my head of my dream dress. I worked with a dressmaker to make my dreams into reality.

Choosing the flowers for your wedding can be tricky. Most florists have a portfolio of bouquets they are happy to make up for you. Not all florists will bespoke design the bouquet for you. I was really lucky to have a local florist that made beautiful bouquets and table arrangements exactly how I wanted them. I printed off loads of pictures and made a mood board and described what I would love and on the day, I couldn't have been happier. If you’re keen to have it your way, consider artificial flowers. They last longer and are less likely to become damaged on the day. It means you have time to get the design absolutely right too.

One of the last things to do is to choose your vows. Most celebrants can offer you a list of readings, poems and words that will do. But if you have a special message for your husband, you can choose to write your own vows. You will still need to say the legally binding wording, but you can say a few words of your own. As we got married in a church we had to include certain things but we could choose our own music, hymns and readings. The church had suggestions for appropriate music, hymns and readings but if you have something else in mind, just ask. It's your day after all.

Getting married takes a lot of time and preparation. Of course, if you’re in a hurry, you can always have a small ceremony at the Registry Office! But who would want to miss out on the beauty and glamour of a big wedding? I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of planning our wedding. Yes it was stressful and at times I wished I could have afforded a wedding planner but I'm so glad I did it all myself as it was so much more personal. Enjoy the planning process and enjoy your special day.

If you want to have a nosey at our special day, you can do here. If you have any questions, ask away. You can comment below or you will find my twitter or email address in the sidebar.

Rachel x

The Body Shop at Christmas 2015 - Frosted Plum

Full range: Frosted Plum Tin Of Delights £28 // Frosted Plum Feel Good Tin £17 // Frosted Plum Sugar Scrub £15 // Frosted Plum Body Butter £14 // Frosted Plum Bath Fizzers £12 // Frosted Plum Candle £10 // Frosted Plum Shimmer Mist £8.50 // Frosted Plum Shimmer Lotion £8 // Frosted Plum Treat Box £8 // Frosted Plum Hand Cream £4 // Frosted Plum Home Fragrance Oil £4 // Frosted Plum Lip Balm £4 // Frosted Plum Shower Gel £4 // Frosted Plum Soap £2.50

Last year, The Body Shop introduced Glazed Apple, Frosted Cranberry and Vanilla Brulee as their Christmas collection. This year Glazed Apple and Frosted Cranberry have both made a comeback along with a new limited edition scent for 2015, Frosted Plum. The Body Shop very kindly sent me the Frosted Plum Sugar Scrub*, the Frosted Plum Shimmer Lotion* and the Frosted Plum Bath Fizzers* to try. I am a fan of the scent, it's sweet but not sickly sweet and a scent that isn't just restricted to Christmas.

Before you start your night out, run yourself a bath and pop in a Frosted Plum Bath Fizzer. Apart from leaving your bath full of fizz, they provide a little bit of moisture and smell delicious. While in the bath, apply the Frosted Plum Sugar Scrub which has a lovely consistency. It provides a gentle exfoliation leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother and smelling delicious. A perfect start to your party preparation followed by the Frosted Plum Shimmer Lotion which is a lovely light lotion. It provides moisture and leaves behind a subtle shimmer perfect for any Christmas party.

Other products from this range that I really want to get my hands on are the Frosted Plum Candle and the Frosted Plum Hand Cream.

Have you tried any products from the Frosted Plum collection? What have you got your eyes on?

Rachel x

*PR Samples

How to get a new wardrobe on a budget

When you need new clothes, the first thing you should do isn’t what you probably think you should do. Do you imagine yourself running to the nearest high street store and spending a shed load of money? You don’t have to. Here are 7 thrifty things you should do when you need new clothes:

Look for Second Hand Bargains

Instead of going out and buying something new straight away, look for second hand bargains. You can find them at car boots, garage sales, and online. You can even look in charity shops! You might need to do a little bit of hunting to find something worth buying, but you can get some amazing things for a fraction of the price. Depop is a great new(ish) app where you find some great bargains along with sites like eBay.

Shop Vintage

This is something I haven’t done myself but I hear vintage clothing is so much better than modern day clothing. Not only is it the same sort of price, it doesn’t lose its value providing you look after it. You’ll end up with a wardrobe full of awesome things that nobody else has. Don’t automatically look in your favourite high street store first. There are many vintage stores/markets these days and there are probably some great vintage websites. I also hear of vintage fairs popping up all time.

Customise Your Old Ones

Take a look at your old clothes and see if there’s anything you can do with them, rather than getting rid of them straight away. You can find so many materials and tools to help you. You could use fabrics for dance costumes to make yourself an outfit for a special occasion, or simply use scissors to cut your favorite T a new shape. There are so many tutorials these days - a simple Google search or a search on YouTube and you’ll be sure to find a way to customise your old jeans or an old jacket. Plus, you’ll have an original piece of clothing.

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Swap With Your Friends

Your friends are going to need new clothes at some point, so why not arrange to swap a few things with them? This is completely free and you’ll both end up with new stuff. This could be something you do once a season or once a year. Turn it into a cocktail night or a cheese and wine party. It’s a win win!

Sell Your Old Ones

If you really must buy new clothes, make sure you sell your old ones first. Then you’ll have more money to put into your new clothes fund. It only makes sense. Otherwise, you’ll end up with clothes all over the place, not getting worn, making a mess. (Which is what my wardrobe looks like! I really need to tackle that soon!) Sites I mentioned above like eBay and Depop are great places to sell your clothes or if you’re brave you could sell them at a car boot! Why not get together with family or friends and make a day of it! At the very least you should give them to charity!

Look for Discount Codes

Search for discount codes before buying to get a little money off. You won’t need to pay full price if you take a few minutes to look one of these beforehand. I’m a massive fan of discount code and I always hit Google before purchasing something online. I often sign up for the mailing list as they will email you when they have a discount code like 20% off or free delivery.

Make Your Own Capsule Wardrobe

Thanks to Anna, I am clued up on Capsule Wardrobes. I would love to do this and maybe in the future I will but at the moment, I’m just not organised enough! A capsule wardrobe is where you ensure you have all of the basics you could possibly need, and then build on it with items you really love. These items should be layerable and transitional, so you can wear most of it in each season. Some things won’t be able to double up in different seasons, but you should be able to put them away for next season. With a capsule wardrobe, you’ll hardly need to buy anything, ever!

What tips do you have when it comes to saving money on clothes? Have you tried any of the suggestions above?

Rachel x

Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask - Review

"A deeply cleansing and detoxifying face mask, for a glowing-with-health-complexion."

Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask* is powered by Activated Charcoal, which is treated with oxygen for super effective absorbency. This essential ingredient extracts toxins, deeply cleanses and unblocks the pores. At the same time, Volcanic Ash goes to work, drawing out impurities for a smoother and brighter appearance. A natural AHA complex promotes youthful radiance by sloughing away dead skin cells, to brighten skin and reduce blemishes. A complex of nourishing oils, antioxidants and vitamins, support the skin’s natural lipid barrier, improve water retention, leaving the skin replenished soothe and smoothed…not stripped. They include; Oat Oil rich in skin identical lipids, Sweet Almond Oil providing a rich source of Vitamin E and Cocoa Butter.

I have been using this mask once a week and my skin has definitely been thanking me for it. Merumaya suggest leaving the mask on for 15 minutes before removing. I have been relaxing with the mask on for the full 15 minutes before removing with a muslin cloth and rinsing off with warm water. Some mud masks can be very drying and feel too tight when on the skin. Mud Marvels doesn't feel overly tight on the skin and once it has been rinsed off, my skin feels smooth and nourished. It has a lovely scent which definitely helps me to relax. The packaging is quite simple but it's to the point and I would prefer a brand to spend time and money on the actual product than the packaging. My only negative - the mask has quite a thick consistency so I had to squeeze quite hard to get it out of the tube but that may be me because I'm weak!

I would definitely recommend the Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask. It is £19.50 for 50ml and it's available now at some John Lewis stores www.johnlewis.com, Amazon Luxury Beauty www.amazon.co.uk/luxurybeauty and www.merumaya.com.

Rachel x

*PR Sample

The Body Shop at Christmas 2015 - Frosted Cranberry

Frosted Cranberry Feel Good Tin £17 // Frosted Cranberry Sugar Scrub £15 // Frosted Cranberry Body Butter £14 // Frosted Cranberry Bath Fizzers £12 // Frosted Cranberry Candle £10 // Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Mist £8.50 // Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Lotion £8 // Frosted Cranberry Treat Box £8 // Frosted Cranberry Lip Gloss £7 // Frosted Cranberry Hand Cream £4 // Frosted Cranberry Home Fragrance Oil £4 // Frosted Cranberry Shower Gel £4 // Frosted Cranberry Lip Balm £4 // Frosted Cranberry Soap £2.50

Frosted Cranberry is back! Last year, The Body Shop introduced Glazed Apple, Frosted Cranberry and Vanilla Brulee as their Christmas collection. This year Glazed Apple and Frosted Cranberry have both made a comeback along with a new scent for 2015, Frosted Plum. The Frosted Cranberry collection is different this year with new and improved products although the packaging is very similar.

The products available in the Frosted Cranberry scent are the same as the Glazed Apple collection this year. There are a few gift sets including the Frosted Cranberry Feel Good Tin and the Frosted Cranberry Treat Box. There are products for bath lovers; Frosted Cranberry Bath Fizzers and shower lovers; Frosted Cranberry Shower Gel. For everyday products there is Frosted Cranberry Soap, Frosted Cranberry Hand Cream and Frosted Cranberry Lip Balm.

For those of you who love to pamper yourself and take some 'me' time regularly there is the Frosted Cranberry Sugar Scrub, Frosted Cranberry Body Butter, Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Lotion, Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Mist and Frosted Cranberry Lip Gloss. To make your home smell delicious this Christmas, you can invest in the Frosted Cranberry Candle and the Frosted Cranberry Home Fragrance Oil.

My favourite products from this collection have to be Frosted Cranberry Sugar Scrub, Frosted Cranberry Body Butter, Frosted Cranberry Bath Fizzers and Frosted Cranberry Candle. A trip to The Body Shop is in order.

Which products have you got your eyes on? Did you try this range last year?

Rachel x

Please note - this post isn't sponsored. I just love TBS!

4 Simple Ways To Get Your Skin In Tip Top Condition

If you suffer from constant breakouts, excess oil or dryness, it could be that your skin is trying to tell you something. You could be allergic to your face wash, or maybe you’re wearing too much make-up. There are a number of reasons why your skin could be reacting this way. But getting your skin in great condition doesn’t have to be difficult. This blog post features several different techniques that we all can use to better the appearance of our complexion.

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Always wash your face before bed

Properly cleansing your skin every night will keep your pores clean and clear. Throughout the day makeup, dirt and pollution from the air get embedded into your skin. If not washed properly over time this will lead to spots, blackheads and dullness. If you want your skin to look continually fresh and healthy looking, this is a must. Buy a cleanser, toner and moisturiser that is suitable to your skin type. Try to avoid products that use lots of harsh chemicals or smell too strong. These are likely to make your skin red and sensitive after you use them. Also, look for a face wash that has gentle exfoliating beads included. This will get rid of dead skin cells and make your skin feel smoother. Remember to exfoliate the rest of your body too, especially areas that get dry like elbows and heels.

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Hair removal 

Hair removal is something that majority of women do to their bodies. However, some removal techniques are harsher than others. Constant shaving and waxing can dry out your skin and can cause rashes and even allergic reactions. These can become worse as your skin rubs against your clothing and in some cases can cause scars. Make sure your skin is moisturised beforehand and always use a shaving foam and warm water to open your pores. Also, leave sufficient time between your shaving to allow your skin to heal. Top tip - I always apply aloe vera to my legs after I have shaved them. It soothes them and provides a quick moisture boost.

For facial hair it’s unwise to use a razor but also beware of hair removal products too. These can burn the delicate skin on your face if left on for too long. Look for a sensitive removal cream or enquire at Courthouse Clinics for suitable laser hair removal services you could try.

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Protect your skin from the weather

No matter what the weather's like outside, you need to protect your skin. Sun tan lotion is not an exclusive product for the summer months and should ideally be worn every day. This way you are protecting your skin from sun damage and prevent ageing more effectively. An alternative to sunscreen is a foundation with an SPF factor included. Starting this early will give your more youthful skin for longer.

Don’t wear heavy makeup everyday

It’s better for your skin if you avoid wearing any makeup that is overly oily and thick. This will clog up your pores and make your skin look dull and tired. Lighter makeup products will allow your skin to breathe and are easier to remove. Look for products with very few ingredients that also suits your skin tone.

With this new knowledge, you should now know exactly what you need to do to get your skin in tip-top condition. Remember also to drink lots of water, revamp your skincare and enjoy how amazing your skin looks and feels.

What are your top tips for amazing skin?

Rachel x

The Body Shop at Christmas 2015 - Glazed Apple

Glazed Apple Feel Good Tin £17 // Glazed Apple Body Scrub £15 // Glazed Apple Body Butter £14 // Glazed Apple Bath Jelly £12 // Glazed Apple Candle £10 // Glazed Apple Shimmer Mist £8.50 // Glazed Apple Shimmer Lotion £8 // Glazed Apple Treat Box £8 // Glazed Apple Lip Gloss £7 // Glazed Apple Hand Cream £4 // Glazed Apple Home Fragrance Oil £4 // Glazed Apple Lip Balm £4 // Glazed Apple Shower Gel £4 // Glazed Apple Soap £2.50

Glazed Apple is back! Last year, The Body Shop introduced Glazed Apple, Frosted Cranberry and Vanilla Brulee as their Christmas collection. This year Glazed Apple and Frosted Cranberry have both made a comeback along with a new scent for 2015, Frosted Plum. The Glazed Apple collection is different this year with new and improved products although the packaging is very similar.

There is a wide variety of products within the range from Glazed Apple Lip Balm to Glazed Apple Shimmer Mist and a couple of gift sets including Glazed Apple Feel Good Tin and Glazed Apple Treat Box. I love the idea of creating your own gift set so it's personalised to the recipient. Some people don't have a bath so including Glazed Apple Bath Jelly in a gift set would be useless for them. Instead I would include Glazed Apple Shower Gel or Glazed Apple Soap and perhaps a Glazed Apple Body Butter.

The gift could be practical or more luxurious so they could truly pamper themselves. For a relaxing pamper, I would include any of the following products Glazed Apple Candle, Glazed Apple Body Scrub, Glazed Apple Shimmer Lotion, Glazed Apple Lip Gloss, Glazed Apple Hand Cream or Glazed Apple Home Fragrance Oil.

My favourite products from the collection have to be the Glazed Apple Body Scrub and the Glazed Apple Body Butter because these are classic products from The Body Shop with a festive twist. I have to get my hands on the Glazed Apple Candle and the Glazed Apple Home Fragrance Oil to make my house smell delicious this Christmas!

Which products have you got your eyes on? Will you be making any of your own gift sets this year?

Rachel x

Please note - this post isn't sponsored. I just love TBS!

A to Z of Christmas

I thought it would be a fun idea to do an A to Z post of things I associate with Christmas. For most letters I wrote down the first thing that I thought about but for others where I could have had two or three answers I chose my favourite. I loved writing this post as it really got me in the Christmassy mood. I'm a little kid at heart and I really get excited for Christmas.

A is for Advent Calendars

As a child, my sister and I always had a chocolate advent calendar to help us count down to Christmas Day. As an adult, nothing has changed! I still buy Rory and I an advent calendar. This year, I have decided to make this one from Hobbycraft this year and fill it with chocolate ourselves then we can reuse it every year. Beauty Advent Calendars are bigger than ever this year as well.

B is for Boxing Day

When I was a child, we ate Christmas dinner at my mum and dads and had a buffet at my grans on Boxing Day. I love how the Christmas festivities continued after Christmas Day. Since Rory and I moved into our own house, Boxing Day is now at our house and I put on a mean spread!

C is for Christmas Eve

I love the build up to Christmas Day and Christmas Eve is soooo exciting! I imagine it will be even better if we had children but as we're both big kids anyway we have a pretty awesome day. It usually includes finishing off wrapping presents as I always underestimate just how long it takes to wrap all the presents! I love watching a Christmas film in the evening with a hot chocolate (or something stronger like Eggnog!) while wearing pajamas or a onesie!

D is for Decorations

I love decorating our house and tree for Christmas. This will be the 4th Christmas in our own house and each year it gets better and better. We decorate our tree on the 1st December which may be early for some people but we love Christmas so much. The 1st is on a Tuesday this year and as we both work, we will have to wait until the evening but it'll be worth it! 

E is for Elf

My favourite Christmas film ever! It has everything you want in a film - Chrismas, laughter, sadness, Will Ferrell! I love to watch this early on as it really puts me in the Christmas mood and then most years I watch it again around Chrismas Day. 

F is for Father Christmas

What kind of Christmas post would this be if I didn't mention Father Christmas?! The North Pole will be a busy place right now and he will be looking out for all the nice girls and boys. My nephew will be 4 this Chrismas so we'll sprinkle reindeer dust on the lawn and leave a mince pie, carrot and glass of milk on a tray. He'll understand more this year as he was only just three last year. 

G is for Gingerbread

I love the smell and taste of gingerbread especially at Christmas. The gingerbread range that The Body Shop did a few years ago was delicious! Last year I bought some gingerbread trees to decorate and this year, I'll do something similar. I'd love to bake my own but I know that'll never happen!! You can even buy gingerbread houses that you put together and decorate. This would be a great activity to do with your children. 

H is for Holiday

Christmas is definitely my favourite holiday of the year and the build up is just magical. As I work in a school, I'm really lucky to get two weeks off at Christmas. However that isn't the only positive of working in a primary school. The last two weeks of term are filled with fun Christmas events and activities. We go to the pantomime in Manchester, the infants put on a Nativity, we have a big Chritsmas party and eat Christmas dinner together plus much more! 

I is for Icicles

I always associate Christmas and Winter with icicles but it's not often we see them. I will never forget one really cold Christmas as a teenager when we had icicles hanging from our roof. They were stunning. Nature is so beautiful. These days you can buy icicle lights to hang from your roof! 

J is for Jumpers

Christmas jumpers are my fave! Last year I bought a cute showman one from Primark with 3D features like his nose and scarf. I haven't even looked for one for this year! I also love wearing oversized jumpers when it's cold and feeling all warm and cosy. Even though it's November, we haven't really experienced cold weather. It's still really mild outside so I haven't had chance to wear my chunky knit jumpers yet. 

K is for Kissing

There wasn't many words associated with Christmas that began with K so I opted for kissing. After all that's what mistletoe is for! Who will you be kissing under the mistletoe? I also kiss friends and family on Christmas Day as it's about spending time and sharing love with loved ones. Kissing is also linked to New Years Eve when you kiss someone at midnight. 

L is for Lights

I love lighting up our home at Christmas and seeing everywhere lit up with fairy lights. Obviously we have fairy lights on our tree. I then add fairy lights over the door which leads to the dining room so everyone walks underneath them when helping themselves at our buffet on Boxing Day. This year I'm hoping to get some really nice lights for our window. I really like the ones with the criss cross wire. 

M is for Mince Pies

I love mince pies! When I was younger, I went through a phase of hating them but I have no idea why as they are delicious! I try and wait until December before I have my first mince pie so that I'm not sick of them by Christmas Day! Homemade mince pies are the best! Maybe this year I'll make my own gingerbread and mince pie! Yeah right!! 

N is for Nativity

As I've previously mentioned, the infants at our school put on a Nativity. It's so cute! I can remember some of the roles I've played as a child in the Nativity. I'll have to ask my mum and dad if they remember anymore. I've been a shepherd one year and a sheep another year. I think I may have been Mary when I was really little and possibly a star! I bet my parents have some brilliant photos! 

O is for Oranges

When I was a child, I made Christingles every year. I didn't go to a church school but I was a Rainbow and Brownie so we made one there and took it to the local church for the Christingle Service. Last year, we went to the church where we were married and it was lovely to be given a Christingle from their Rainbows and Brownies. 

P is for Pantomimes

As I have already mentioned, I will be going to see Cinderella at Manchester Opera House with the school I work at. I was really fortunate as a child and my whole family would go to the Opera House to see the Pantomime. I love Pantomimes. They really get me in the festive mood and I love how happy they make children (and me as a big kid!)

Q is for Quiz

We usually play some sort of game on Christmas Day and for the past few years, we have done a quiz at ours on Boxing Day which even includes prizes! Christmas is time to spend with loved ones and there's no better way than arguing over a game! 

R is for Rudolph

If it wasn't for Rudolph, we wouldn't have any presents to open on Christmas morning! Sometimes I feel sorry for the other reindeer as Rudolph gets all the credit. Maybe Rudolph is just getting his own back. 

S is for Snow

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! I love snow! I love putting my wellies on and crunching the snow as I walk. I love taking a walk through the wood as it looks like a Winter Wonderland. I love building a snowman. Do you wanna build a snowman? Sorry I couldn't help it! 

T is for Tree

We moved into our house three years ago this month and we made the decision to invest in a really good artificial tree that would last for years to come. I love our tree and I cannot wait to get it down from the loft and decorate it on the 1st December. 

U is for Under The Tree

I'm a slight perfectionist when it comes to wrapping Christmas presents and they have to look beautiful before I give them to family and friends. I love putting them under the Christmas Tree until Christmas Day. The colour scheme for our tree is red, gold and cream so I buy wrapping paper, bows, ribbon and tags to match and everything coordinates. 

V is for Visiting

Christmas is a time for visiting loved ones. Our traditions have changed since I was younger but we still do the same thing each year. I visit all family members on Christmas Day and spend time with family and friends in the run up to Christmas. 

W is for Winter Wonderland

Especially when it snows, everything is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Everyone always seems happier throughout the festive season except for the Grinches and Scrooges out there! 

X is for Xmas

Sorry but there wasn't anything else that I could think of for X! Xmas isn't a word I use or hear much anymore but it was when I was growing up. Probably because of the character restrictions on text messages! 

Y is for Yule Log

Mmmmmm Yule Log! A great Christmas dessert that I love to eat after Christmas dinner. I love the ones that have a little branch and a bird on! So cute! 

Z is for Zzzzz

Christmas Day is a longggg day as I'm often up early and extremely busy the whole day. After a bit of laptop time (Boxing Day sales!) it's straight to bed before getting up and hosting Boxing Day at ours. This usually means I spend most of day cleaning and making the house look beautiful before making a start on all the food. 

I'm so excited for Christmas this year especially after writing this post! What are your favourite parts of Christmas? I would love to hear about your Christmas traditions. 

Rachel x

Great Gifts: How to Christmas Shop for Everyone in Your Life

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Yesterday I saw something on Facebook that scared me and made me super excited at the same time. It was a meme that said “Just 6 Mondays until Christmas.” This year has flown way to fast and now we are coming to the end of it! I can’t believe it! Anyway, there’s no time for dwelling on that. Christmas is approaching super fast and it is time to start thinking about presents!

I hate leaving my Christmas shopping until a few days before Christmas. It is too stressful that way - the shops are too busy and there may not be a lot of choice available. That is why I like to plan my shopping list well in advance and I fully recommend you do the same. Also, the sooner you start Christmas shopping, the longer you can enjoy everything Christmas and if you love Christmas like me, that is no bad thing! Here are a few ideas to help you shop for everyone in your life, so come December 25th there will be no excuses for bad gifts.

Partner

This is the big one - shopping for your partner. There is a lot of pressure to do well, especially if it is you first Christmas together. I always think that things like fun days out make much better presents than the usual book or DVD. It is something you can do together and build a memory from. I bet you didn’t know that things like a romantic couple's day at a theme park existed, but they do! So think carefully about what your partner enjoys and how you can turn that into an adventure for the two of you.

Parents

It is easy to play it safe with mum and dad, but why? They want something fun just like the rest of us. Maybe they would love to do something together. If your mum loves Strictly Come Dancing, I bet she would love to take your dad to salsa lessons.

If your parents aren’t together, it is no problem. Think about cool things they can do with their friends or new partner instead. Perhaps you can find a fun day out just the two of you for some extra bonding time.

Siblings

Don’t get your siblings something functional, get them something unique instead. Think about what their passions are. If they love writing for instance, get them a beautiful notepad that they can scribble away in. When they write their first novel they are sure to think of you when the royalties come in! Alternatively, if you know they love sport, think about taking them to see their favourite team.

Niece or nephew

There is so much cool clothes for kids these days. I’m a little bit jealous. However, that is great news for your niece or nephew as you can get them looking good. Help them find their style by being the cool aunt or uncle. You can even get them similar clothes to you so you can have your own little mini me! On top of this you can get some cool stocking fillers too for an extra special treat.

Friends
Doing a group present is a great way to combine funds to create something awesome. Have you thought about doing a group holiday? Pool your funds and put one person in charge of organising a budget holiday. Each year you can take turns on who organises so you get a different approach each time. Or if this is something that is out of your budget, Secret Santa is always a great option especially if there is a large group of you. It also means you can set the budget at £5 or £10 if you need to.

Rachel x

Beauty Advent Calendars 2015

As the John Lewis advert has been on TV, we're now officially on the countdown to Christmas! I personally love the excitement and build up to Christmas. Probably more so than when I was a child, if that's possible! I'm excited for my first Christmas post of 2015 and I couldn't think of a more fitting post - a roundup of some of the best beauty advent calendars available this year.I have arranged the calendars in ascending price order and whatever your budget, there's an advent calendar for you. How will you be counting down to Christmas?

Yankee Candle Advent Calendar 2015

Yankee Candle are back with an advent calendar this year. Featuring 23 tealights in gorgeous Christmas scents and 1 votive candle on Christmas Eve. I love having festive scents in my house at Christmas and this is a great way to have a different scent every day! It is available to buy now and you can get hold of it here for £24.99.

Benefit Party Poppers Advent Calendar 2015

Benefit's Advent Calendars are extremely popular every year so it comes as no surprise that it is sold out already! I don't know if they will be getting anymore in but it may be worth checking back here to find out. Benefit's website lists all the contents of the calendar on their website so if you managed to get one and want it to be a surprise consider this your warning! The calendar is £34.50 (worth £79.17).

No7 Beauty Advent Calendar 2015

This is currently listed as out of stock online which suggests they will be getting more in soon. They are available here where it also includes a picture, rather than a list, of the contents. Again if you want a surprise each day, don't spend too long on the website! The calendar is priced at £38 but is actually worth £148!

L'Occitane Beauty Advent Calendar 2015

24 irresistible surprises featuring some of their best sellers. Although not a surprise if you read the description box on the website! You can get hold of the calendar here for only £39 which I think is quite a steal from L'Occitane. Hurry, I can't see this one sticking around for long.

Ciate Mini Mani Month 2015 (plus FREE Kiss Collective Liquid Velvet Trio

This is a classic in the beauty advent calendar world. Available here for £49 as an online exclusive and it even includes a freebie! The description online says what is included but doesn't give specific shades. I always wonder if people paint their nails everyday with this calendar... Who has time for that?!

LUSH 12 Days Of Christmas Advent Calendar

Somehow I missed this one from my original post!! This looks soo exciting. It contains 12 of their most popular products from Bath Melts to Bubble Bars, Shower Creams to Bath Bombs, and more! Priced at £49.95 it would make someone (or you) extremely happy in the run up to Christmas. Plus you'll smell amazing!! Available here now.

You Beauty Advent Calendar 2015

Last year, You Beauty's advent calendar sold out and I'm pretty confident the same will happen again this year. The calendar is £59.95 (worth a staggering £330!!) and is available from here. Again the website lists everything in the calendar. Does anyone leave it as a surprise?!

The Body Shop Beauty Advent Calendar 2015

I'm a massive fan of TBS and this is a great way to try their most popular products in miniature form. Available here for £60 (worth £93.50). Contents range from skincare to body care and even includes makeup so there is something for everyone. Contents are listed on the website.

Look Fantastic The Beauty Secret Advent Calendar 2015

Finally an advent calendar with contents being kept a top secret! Secret even features in the name - how an advent calendar should be if you ask me. Available on the Look Fantastic website here for £70 (worth over £250!) Even if you're not interested in this advent calendar, you must visit the website just to read the fabulous poem in the description box. A great selling technique!

Selfridges Cosmic Beauty Advent Calendar

At just under £100, Selfridges have create a luxurious advent calendar as always! It is currently out of stock but keep checking back here to see if they come back into stock. The contents are being kept a secret with the website just listing a few of the brands featured in the calendar.

Charlotte Tilbury The Book Of Makeup Magic

Still not available here but you can sign up to be notified when it will be available. This advent calendar features a mixture of 12 mini and full size products with a price tag of £150. This seems quite a hefty price tag but for Charlotte Tilbury products, I'm sure you're getting a great deal!

Jo Malone Advent Calendar 2015

The most expensive advent calendar goes to Jo Malone for a whopping £260! It was available here but is currently listed as sold out so who knows if more will be available. I wonder how many have been purchased. The contents are left as a surprise but it features classic and well loved scents

Will you be getting a beauty advent calendar this year? Which one have you got your eye on?

Have I missed any of this list? Please list them below and I will add them.

Rachel x

Beauty Overhaul: Ideas To Revamp Your Look

Now and then, I like to give myself a complete beauty overhaul, especially as move into different seasons. If you never change your look, you can end up feeling unhappy with it. I am all for shaking up your style from time to time. That means changing everything from your hair care routine to the clothes you wear. If you are anything like me, you will welcome this change. Here are a few ideas that might just help you along the way.

Beautify and cleanse your skin

If you struggle with your skin, you need to take control. Whether it is greasy or dry, there are particular things you can do that will change everything for you. Read my ten essential tips to beautiful skin, and they should help you to perfect the look. It is important that you take care of your skin from an early age. You might be in your twenties, but that doesn't mean that it's too early to start caring for your skin.

Buy some stand-out pieces

Is your wardrobe a little dreary? You don't have to spend a fortune on clothes. Instead, buy a few killer pieces that will get everyone's attention. I'm all about dressing for your shape and size. Once you understand your body size, you will know how to flatter it. If you are looking for plus size clothing, I'd suggest buying pieces from the likes of http://www.off-size.com/. They have an excellent range of chic pieces at affordable prices ranging from a UK size 16 to 34. If you have a short and petite figure, I find that Jane Norman has a good variety and Topshop have a petite section. Choose monotone pieces that you can wear with anything.

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Choose a lipstick colour

Most of us walk around wearing the wrong shade of lipstick for our skin tone. If you don't put too much thought into the lippy you wear, you could be getting it oh-so-wrong. Take this quiz youbeauty.com/quizzes/lipstick/ so that you can find the right colour for you. Once you know which shades flatter your face, you will find it easy to pick the right lipstick every time.

Put the moisture back in your hair

Dry hair is the worst. I tend to style my hair for special events and nights over. When you're using heat on your hair all the time, it can cause you some real issues in the long run. The ends of your hair are the place that is likely to suffer. When they start drying out or even splitting, you need to take action. I've found that heating up coconut oil is the best way to treat this problem. Once the oil is in liquid form, you can run it all over your hair.

Get some freebie products

If your funds are a little tight, it might be time to do something about it. You can get loads of beauty freebies online if you look in the right places. Most of the time, you need to subscribe to a newsletter for these things, but it is worth it. After all, you can always unsubscribe later. If you look around, you can get everything from face creams to mascara online.

Changing your look doesn't have to cost a fortune or be super dramatic. With these tips, you should look fresh as a daisy in no time.

Rachel x