Blogmas Day 14: My Favourite Christmas Candles

Left to right, from top:

John Lewis Winter Berry Gel Candle-
(http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-winter-berry-gel-candle-medium/p523366)

Yankee Candle Merry Marshmallow- 
(http://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/en/uk/new-fragrances/merry-marshmallow/icat/merrymarshmallow)

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir-
( http://www.jomalone.co.uk/product/3789/10082/For-The-Home/Home-Candles/Fruity/Pomegranate-Noir/Home-Candle/index.tmpl)

The White Company Winter Botanical Candle-
(http://www.thewhitecompany.com/candles-and-fragrance/candles/winter-botanical-candle--medium/)

Yankee Candle Christmas Eve-
(http://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/en/uk/shop-by-fragrance/christmas-eve/icat/christmaseve)

Diptyque Orange Chaya Christmas Candle-
(http://www.johnlewis.com/diptyque-orange-chaya-scented-christmas-candle-190g/p677309)

Blogmas Day 13: Christmas Films!

Christmas is the perfect time to snuggle up on the sofa in front of the fire with a glass of wine and watch your favourite Christmassy films, here are a few of my favourites which I watch year, after year, after year!

The Holiday (2006)

Love Actually (2003)

Elf (2003)

The Polar Express (2004)

Home Alone (1990)

What are your favourite films to watch this time of year?

Blogmas Day 12: Gingerbread Men Recipe

I love baking, especially at Christmas time when you don't have to feel guilty about tucking into some unhealthy treats! These gingerbread men are super easy to make and they taste delicious. 

Ingredients

350g Plain Flour

1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

2 tsp Ground Ginger

125g Butter

100g Soft Brown Sugar

50g Caster Sugar

20g Muscavado Sugar

1 tsp Cocoa Powder

1 Egg

4 tbsp Golden Syrup

Method

Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and ginger into a large mixing bowl, rub in the butter between your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs. Then, gently mix in the sugars and cocoa powder. 

Beat the egg and syrup in a separate bowl until well mixed, add to the flour and butter mixture and mix roughly with a wooden spoon. 

Egg and syrup mixture

Bring the dough together with your hands until it resembles a soft dough. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. 

 Wrap the dough in clingfilm and put in the fridge for around 10 minutes. 

Preheat the oven to 180C and line 2 baking trays with greaseproof paper.

Roll the dough out on a floured surface to 0.5cm thickness, using cutters of your choice, cut the dough and place on the lined baking trays.

Bake in the oven for around 12 minutes until they are golden brown, leave to cool then decorate as you wish!

Blogmas Day 11: Christmas Decorations

Yippee, the time has finally come to decorate the house for Christmas! I went to the garden centre and bought a lovely big tree the other day and I went out and went a bit crazy buying some festive decorations. How are you decorating your house this year for Christmas?

Blogmas Day 10: Top 5 Winter Fragrances



 

From left to right, top to bottom:

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle - (http://www.theperfumeshop.com/fcp/product/chanel/coco%20mademoiselle/1535)

Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto - (http://www.theperfumeshop.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=3387)

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique - (http://www.theperfumeshop.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=2385)

Dior J'adore - (http://www.theperfumeshop.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=1695)

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir - (http://www.jomalone.co.uk/products/3607/Fragrances/The-Collections/Fruity/Pomegranate-Noir/index.tmpl)

Blogmas Day 9: Top 3 Blushers

Blusher is a really important part of applying make up as it helps put all the colour and shape back into your face after the foundation. It can also transform a look from natural and girly to dramatic and edgy. I like a mix of high-street and luxury blushers and I usually stick to lighter, more natural pinks; here are my top 3 at the moment. 

Nars 'Deep Throat' Blush

This is my everyday blusher that Sophie got me for my birthday earlier this year and I love it. I'd say out of all the blushers this one is my favourite as it looks so natural and gives a really healthy glow. It is highly pigmented, has a really silky texture and blends effortlessly. 


Sleek Blush 'Rose Gold 926'

I wear this blusher in the evening as its a little darker and a tad more dramatic then the Nars one above. The texture and feel of the blush is very similar to 'Deep Throat' and the colour is very much identical to Nars 'Orgasm'. It also has excellent pigmentation and is very affordable at £4.49. 


Maxfactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush '14 Soft Pink'

This is a cream blush which makes it look very natural with a slightly dewy finish. I use this on days when I don't wear a lot of make-up, maybe just over a bit of tinted moisturiser and I mostly use it in the summer. It is very easy to blend, the colour is build-able and it also has a none greasy formula. It helps keep you look fresh and radiant all day.    


What are your favourite blushers?

Blogmas Day 8: Winter Skin Saviours

Your skin and winter are never going to be best friends, with temperature fluctuations, dry central heating and harsh winds your skin becomes much more dehydrated and irritated. I have very dehydrated skin all year round and during winter it becomes increasingly hard to keep hydrated, however, the following skincare products are what I have tried and feel work the best to keep my skin looking healthy and feeling hydrated. 

Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser

Dermalogica is my favourite skincare brand at the moment, I started using them early this year and have seen a massive improvement in my skin. This cleanser is perfect for sensitive and dehydrated skin like mine as it takes off any make-up and dirt off the face very very gently. 

Bioderma Hydrabio Micelle Solution for Sensitive Dehydrated Skin

Every time is use this I'm amazed by how it works, I use it to take off my make-up on a cotton pad just before I cleanse and it is fantastic. It is gentler to the skin than normal tap water yet removes even the toughest waterproof mascara in one stroke. It is quite hard to get hold on in England but if you can, I would definitely recommend for all skin types.

Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream

I recently got a few samples of this in my Birchbox and loved it straight away. It comes out like a wax and you rub it in your hands until it turns into an oil and then put anywhere that is really dry. I wouldn't recommend using this in the day as it leaves a very shiny finish but I find it perfect for the evenings just before I go to bed.

Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream

I use this to keep my lips hydrated all year round and is constantly kept at easy reach in my handbag. It is not the nicest looking or smelling product but it really helps keep lips nice and soft. I find it also acts as a protective layer on top of my lips and shields them from the harsh weather conditions and temperature changes. 

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque

Every so often if your skin is feeling particularly dry use a really hydrating masque to quench your skin's thirst. I use it when i have a bath and leave to soak in for about 20 minutes before gentally removing with the Bioderma Micelle Solution.  

Clarins Blue-Orchid Face Treatment Oil

Last but not least I use this face oil in the evenings after I have cleansed and moisturised. It helps replace the missing oils in your skin and helps to revitalise your skin. 

What are you skincare saviours in winter?