Blogmas Day 12 - Gift Bags

Hello Lovelies! For #Blogmas day 12 I thought I'd show you a simple idea for a present. This one in particular is designed for a girl but it could very easily be switched around to create a Gift Bag for a man in your life! I always love making up these little bags as I see them as little care packs with multiple goodies inside hat I know the person will love! They can also be use to fit a budget if you spend £10 in Primark or £50 in Debenhams the effect of a personalised gift bag is always the same.

The first thing I always include is either PJ's or Slippers as they are always needed and wanted during a cold day so never go a-miss whether your gift bag is for a woman or a man!

Inside these bags are 'smellies' (as my mum likes to call them). I found these super cute little baubles filled with shower gel that I thought would be perfect however you could include any type of toiletry you wish! Previously I have included a Lush bath bomb and even Lips scrubs. If you're planning on doing a bag for a man this could easily be swapped to their favourite shower gel or aftershave. 

Yankee Candle is loved by everyone that is something I am almost certain of. I love popping a votive sized Christmas scent that will make someones room smell amazing! I especially love the Christmas Cookie scent as it is super sweet and I've not met someone who does not like this smell! Alternatively you can find candles in pretty much every store during this time of year and you could even add a special glass for it to be placed in, or a set of matchsticks.

This is a little novelty gift but I love them. Paperchase always do a super cute set of stationary and decorations at Christmas time as well as little gifts that would slide into a gift bag lovely! I chose these stickers simple because they are cute however you could include a notepad, pens, pencils, diary or anything stationary wise! Stationary is something everyone needs and why not create a little festive smile with a cute notepad?

Of course it's me and of course there will need to be an element of beauty in any gift I give, even if it is for a man. I thought that including a base colour and glitter top coat would be super cute as then there are loads of possible nail designs someone can come up with! You can also pick and choose colours to suit the person you are gifting.

Then finally a key ring! I always find something cute and personal to include whether it's a key ring or a mobile phone case. These furry key rings are from Oasis and are so soft I couldn't not buy them. They also do a range of colours which makes it even easier to choose for someone in particular. 

I hope you've taken some inspiration from this cute, quick present idea! I'd love to know what you'd place in your gift bags too.

Lucy XO

Blogmas Day 11 - Christmas Make-up Musts

I haven't done a Make-up Favourites post in a very long time and seeing how I am always adding to my collection I thought it would be interesting for you guys to see a few products I have been loving! These range from High-end to High street and  some of them have been long favourites since I began loving make-up.

Kylie Cosmetics - initially when Kylie Jenner brought out a make-up line I couldn't be fussed but after giving a few of her products a try I have fallen in love with the formula of her Liquid Lipsticks and her Lip Pencils! The one pictured is in the shade Exposed which is the one that would usually be used on a daily basis as it's a great everyday nude. I've also ordered one of her holiday metallics which I'm sure I shall post a blog on soon!

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner - This was a recent purchase for me and I love it! It's a bit more expensive than my usual eye liners and is longer lasting so I think it is worth that price! The only part I am finding difficult is how fast it dries as when you put more than one layer it becomes flaky

Spectrum Cosmetics - I love this company, the products they make are amazing and the principles they stand for are just as great! These brushes are super soft and have lasted me ages (I got my first set about 2 years ago). Recently my boyfriend bought me the Pouchy Keen Set for my 21st Birthday which includes every one of the brushes they sell and I've been loving the A10 for applying highlighter to the high point of my face. I've also been a keen lover of the B06 in order to blend shadows into the crease.

ShaaanXO Palette - I recently jumped for joy when I saw that Beauty Bay were starting to stock BH Cosmetics items as they are one of my favourite american make-up brands. This palette had been on my wish list for a while but I was waiting until my next trip to America in order to purchase it! I love the fact it have a great range of mattes and shimmers. It also has a lipstick palette on the reverse! (If you think you've seen this palette before you probably have it caused controversy for Kylie when she released her bronze palette).

New Look Eye-shadow Stick - I've had this shadow stick lying around it my make-up collection for months and I even remember picking it up with a friend (hey Emma!) when we went shopping one Saturday and I was waiting for her at the till. I love how simple it is to create a great eye look from this one stick and love how I can place loads over my lids, blend out the edges and run out of the door within 5 minutes (as I am normally running late for University).

Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter - Everyone loves this highlighter and if you have it you probably can skip this bit to see what I think (I am joking btw...). The Balm always create such amazing high quality make-up and even though they are more expensive they are definitely worth it! I've had this product for 6 months and there is no sign I have used it (even though I basically take a shower in it every day). It's great for whether you want a subtle look (using that fan Spectrum Brush) or a more powerful look and sharp inner corner highlight (apply with a finger)!

Rimmel Brow This Way Kit - Ever since I started blogging I have never strayed away from this brow product. Yes I did try the Benefit new brow products and No I still do not think anything is better than this set. I find the was so useful to outline my eyebrows especially now one has no arch where a scar is. The powder is smooth and does not leave bits behind, and the fact you get all the tools you need every time you open a new one in the kit is a win for me (yay no washing brow gel off!). 

Tell me your faves for Christmas either via Twitter or in the Comments below!

Lucy XO

Kylie Cosmetics

Kat Von D

Spectrum Collections Brushes

ShaaanXO Palette - (Sold Out)

New Look Eyeshadow Sticks - Check Stores!

Mary- Lou Manizer Highlighter

Rimmel Brow This Way

Blogmas Day 10 - Gingerbread Men!

For Day 10 I thought that I'd mix it up a bit and show you guys and alternative present for your friends this Christmas! I always love baking especially around Christmas and I feel that Gingerbread men are a great gift too. In this post I'll be showing you guys what you need to make them and a way you could package them. 

To Make 20 You Will Need: 

350g Plain Flour (Plus extra for rolling out)

2tsp of Ginger

1tsp of Cinnamon

125g Butter

175g Soft Brown Sugar

1 Egg (Duck or Chicken)

4 tbsp of Golden Syrup

Method: 

1. Combine all your dry ingredients in a bowl.

2. Whisk together the egg and golden syrup.

3. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and combined until starting to form clumps.

4. Flour your rolling surface and then tip the mixture onto it.

5. Knead together the bread until it forms a dough.

6. Place into a bowl, cover with clingfilm and allow to chill for 10-15 mins.

7. Pre-heat your oven to 180C. Once the dough is chilled roll out to about 1cm thick and use a cutter to cut out your biscuits.

8. Place cut out shapes onto a backing tray making sure you leave enough room for the dough to rise and spread (about 1cm between each shape).

9. Bake for 12-15mins dependent on oven

10. Decorate!

The little 'Mice Spies' bags I have are from Paperchase and are great for any home-made treats your planning on giving as gifts! They also come with little stickers so you can seal the bag. I'm placing these into gifts bags that include other presents so thought it would be a great idea to buy some cellophane bags that will keep them safe. These are also super cute and can be used for other gifts too - they do not have to be food related! 

Lucy XO

Buy the Paperchase 'Mince Spies' bags here

Blogmas Day 9 - Birch Box

I recently took a trip to Selfridges on Oxford Street after seeing that one of my favourite companies, Birch Box, had a stall in the beauty section! Birch Box are an online subscription company where you pay to receive a random box of goodies every month. From 23rd October - 28th December You are able to go and hand pick a one off box for £15 no strings attached! There's a great range of items and brands to choose from which also get swapped just as the online items do, I of course raided the beauty section!

So what's in my box?

 I headed straight for the Spectrum Unicorn Tears Beauty Blender that I knew I would use and love as I love this company. There's a choice of two colours, pink and lilac, and the sponge is great quality too - Usually retails at 

Next I picked up a sample size Frat Boy blush from The Balm Cosmetics. Although on the small side I think this would be perfect to use as a natural crease colour as it's a gorgeous pink.

Then the ModelCo Lip and Blush Tint in Peachy Keen. I've never used a tint version of a blush as I've always stuck to powder versions so the fact that this can be used both on lips an cheeks really fascinated me! I can't wait to try it out! 

The LOC item is a stick eye-shadow. Seeing as I have been loving my NewLook version of these for early morning when I am normally running late I thought I may as well pick one up! I love smearing these all over the lid then using a natural brown shadow to blend it out and I'm done. They're so simple to use and give a great every day result.

The Lord and Berry Lipstick is a sample size in the colour Black Red which I am pretty sure I'll never use. It's such a vamp-y dark lipstick that I can only ever imagine using it to create an ombre look.

And because you get to pick 6 items and I had already raided everything from the beauty picks I grabbed one of the super cute leather (yes real leather) key rings.

Inside the box you also get a set of stickers to personalised you box and a little brochure that tells you all about the products on offer! The box come in two design, blue (pictured) and holographic, and I love the fact that you can personalise it as a gift!

Grab your friend (or yourself) one of these boxes until the 28th December!

Lucy XO

Blogmas Day 8 - A Stocking Filler

When I attended the Blogoshpere Christmas Market  I received a gorgeous Christmas stocking filled with goodies from the company 7th Heaven. Since then I have been using these masks rigorously and even re-purchased my favourites! I'm recommending these masks as they are a great stocking filler and are truly amazing considering how cheaply price they are. There's also a great range of different masks a flavours (I do not know how you term what they're made from) making it so easy to pick up 3 or 4 as a small gift. 

There's a range of face masks as well as foot, hair and new hand masks which all give great results and leave your skin feeling super fresh! My favourites are the face peels. After seeing people do these with amazing results I really wanted to try on but they are a little off putting! I've use 2 so more and went out and bought another 5 as they do wonders on blackheads and any dirt in the pores of the skin! I also have coloured hair and have been loving using their hair masks to keep it in tip-top condition!

Lucy XO

7th Heaven's Website Link

7th Heaven at Boots Link

Blogmas Day 7 - The Holy Grail

The Violet Voss Palettes have been the most hyped eye-shadow palette of the year. Their Holy-Grail palette has been restocked on Beauty Bay so many times that it simply had to be as great as the Bloggers say! I own two of the Violet Voss their collaboration with Laura Lee and their sold out Holy Grail palette- both of which I purchased from Beauty Bay. 

The Holy Grail palette has been sold out on pretty much every website from the day it landed in the UK. It is a great mixture of warm cranberry shades and neutral blending shades. There's a great range of mattes and shimmers included making it possible to make so many different eye looks from one palette.

This was actually the first palette from Violet Voss I purchased as the Holy Grail was sold out and I simply wanted one. The best thing about this set is definitely the shade names and I feel Laura Lee has been really creative especially with names such as Raga Muffin and Rammer Jammer. Violet Voss have outdone themselves on this palette with a great range of colours varying in Warm and Cold tones. 

These palettes are slightly on the price-y end of the scales retailing at £48.00 each however there are 20 shades included in each palette.

Lucy XO

Violet Voss on Beauty Bay

Blogmas Day 6 - Novelty Gifting

I picked up these super cute Christmas Jumpers for Bottles from Paperchase and I must say I've fallen in love. These are a great Christmas present for adults as you're bound to buy someone a bottle of wine or their favourite alcohol why not dress them up? I bought one of each design that Paperchase sell but there are loads of other jumper alternatives out there. 

One of my friends also bought these but as a fun way to dress up the drinks on her table at lunch. Even if you're not buying these as a gift they're still a great idea! They're also washable an reusable. Paperchase have a great range of Christmas bits and bobs so I would definitely check them out if you're stuck for ideas this year!

Lucy XO

Paperchase Wine Bottle Jumpers