Sparkly Nails for Christmas from Essie

Hello Lovelies,

I am a massive Essie fan, I love the colours, the names and the fab quality (not necessarily in that order) so while I was in Boot's doing a little Christmas shopping I took a peek at their Holiday Luxeffects Collection 2013, out of all the Christmas sparkle, it was A Cut Above that caught my eye.  Although not your stereotypical Christmas colour, I fell in love with its prettiness and I found the perfect excuse to buy it, as my Christmas dress is black velvet and seriously needed something jazzy to make it into the perfect Christmas Day outfit!  

So after justifying my purchase to myself and my wallet, I decided to give it a cheeky try, I'm not a fan of just pure glitter on nails I like it to have a coloured base, and for this job Mavala Viaveneto £4.00 was perfect.  A Cut Above is a clear base filled with light pink, small medium and hexagonal glitter pieces, it kind of reminds me of Deborah Lippmann's Some Enchanted Evening.  The glitter spread really easily over my nails, and didn't do that awkward thing where you have to smush it around to get an even coverage.  I have to say I am pretty in love with this little pot of pink glitter and it will definitely be adorning my nails over the Christmas period.

What is you Christmas nail varnish of choice going to be this year?

Christmas Tree Decorating

Hello Lovelies,

Getting and decorating the tree with my family is one of my favourite parts of Christmas.  So on Sunday we all bundled into two cars and drove to choose the perfect tree. 

My step-brothers are both much younger than my brother and I, so they keep the Christmas magic alive which is fun, I didn't think I would still be having in depth chats about Father Christmas and how the garden center ones obviously aren't real as the real Father Christmas is far to busy this time of year making toys (what a cutie!)

After picking the perfect tree, it's a precise science do you know, as you need the perfect height and nice and full, we don't like short or scrawny trees.

After finding the perfect tree, the smallest of the family helped the Christmas tree man wrap it (I was only a tiny bit jealous).  After driving it home and plonking it in its base and giving it something to drink, we all went out on a mammoth Christmas shopping spree in the pouring rain, it really wasn't fun. 

When we finally got home we dried off and got into some dry warm clothes, then after a hot drink and a gluten free crumpet we got cracking on the decorating, with my little step-brother taking artistic licence.  

Everyone else seemed to disappear off to do various other Christmassy things so we were left finishing the tree, and I think we did a rather snazzy job.  It was covered in twinkle lights (as I called them when I was little), gold, silver and red baubles and sparkly silver pears, could you get a better combo!  

It is now the countdown to Christmas and things are getting all exciting, the house is all decorated, cards have been written and Christmas snacks are being made. 

What is your favourite Christmas activity?

Serious Swedish Meatballs

Hello Lovelies,

These Swedish Meatballs that I first saw on The Londoner, are scrummy, I gave them my own twist after reading the recipe and am as pleased as punch with the finished product, it is a great thing to knock up for a last minute get together with friends and family, and is an easy meal to make gluten free (always a plus).

You'll need:

500g of organic turkey mince (pork if you prefer)

Knob of butter

1tbsp gluten free plain flour (or standard plain flour)

300ml chicken stock 

1tbsp worcester sauce

1tsp honey

300ml double cream

S+P

Large pinch of parsley

The first thing you need to do is grab your meatballs, you can either buy them or make them yourself.  As they are so easy to do I tend to knock them up myself, all you need is your mince of choice an egg, then squish it all together and mold. 

Once you have got your meatballs sorted put a knob of butter in your pan to melt.  Then pop them in the frying pan and sprinkle with S+P and cook until they go a nice golden colour.

While your meatballs are cooking preheat your oven to 100C/200F, you don't want them to be just cooked, you want them lovely and browned, so once they are lovely and golden transfer them to an oven-proof dish and pop them in the oven to keep warm.

You should have a little pool of fat/butter left in your pan, you want to add your flour to this and stir it in until you have a smooth paste.  Next add your stock to the paste, and turn the heat up a little and bring it to the boil while stirring and scraping all of the yumminess off of the bottom.

Leave your stock to bubble away for a few minutes and thicken, then start adding the magic ingredients, your Worcester sauce and honey.  Next turn the heat down and mix in your double cream, stir it all together until mixed then add your balls to the gravy.

Let it bubble away for a further few minutes, then taste the sauce, you may want to play with the balance of flavours at this point, so I will leave it up to you. 

When you think it is perfect take it off the heat and sprinkle with dried parsley just before serving.

This is a seriously scrumptious dish, whether you eat it with rice paste or just eat it straight out of the pan with hunks of lovely fresh bread to mop up the gravy.  It will be a complete winner in the eyes of your guests or family. 

Lush Peace Fair Trade Cocoa Butter Massage Bar

Hello Lovelies,

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I have never been a massive Lush fan, my brother even bought me a gift set last Christmas, and I feel awful saying it but I never used any of it and ended up throwing it all away (very bad sister).

However recently I was given the Peace massage bar and tin, and decided to give it a whirl.

I have to admit to not having very high hopes, but as I opened it and gave it a sniff I was won over, I am a shea butter addict so the smell was the first thing that I loved.

The bar has a pretty simple design with just the word Peace on the top, it was originally created as a reaction to the London Riots.  Lush states that they hope the 'Peace massage bar is the perfect recipe to heal troubled situations, because peace starts within every single one of us'.

The bar contains Fair Trade Organic Colombian Cocoa Butter, Fair Trade Shea Butter, Perfume, Fair Trade Olive Oil, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool.

* These products occur naturally in essentially oils 

I used this alone rather than with a hunky man (sad i know) it took my legs from dry winter battered skin to silky smooth pins.  After using this bar I have definitely changed my mind about Lush products, although I probably wouldn't purchase this bar again I would definitely like to get my hands on some of their other products.  

What is your favourite Lush product?

Christmas Gift Guide 2013

Hello Lovelies,

Christmas is fast approaching, and that means Christmas shopping.  I love buying presents for my friends and family, and making sure that they really fit the peoples personalities, so below are some of the goodies that my family will be receiving this year (so if you are related to me, stop reading now) as well as some snazzy finds I am lusting over!

So grab a cup of tea and get comfy as this is a long one. 

The Bashilo Backpack £175 is for the keen adventurer in your family (one with seriously good taste).  These bags are made of the finest British waxed cotton and vegetable tanned leather while the metal fittings are made in an Italian workshop exclusively for Azo Equipment.

These bags are fab for work or play, with room to store your laptop and all of the rest of your snazzy belongings.

Sorry girls but sadly the hunky man doesn't come with it, it's a shame I know!

The Tovolo Ice Sphere Tray £15.99 is a fab present for those whisky drinkers, ice spheres melt slower than cubes meaning less dilution and more time to ponder by the fire.

A rather cliche gift but one that will always be appreciated is a nice shirt, I love this Prescott Stripe Shirt £89.00 from Thomas Pink.  My father has asked for a new shirt for Christmas and his reasoning for this and I quote is 'I need to start working after Christmas as October to December is shooting season' so obviously you cant work at the same time, oh Daddy you little slacker!

This Butcher's Kitchen Apron £21 is for the carnivore of your family aka my brother!

Retro Leather Buckled Camera Strap £47.50 from Magpie Accessories is the perfect gift for the shutter bug of your family. 

This little gem is fab for the jet setter in your life, and hurrah its unisex Molton Brown Unisex Jetsetter Stowaway £46.00 , everyone loves nice bathroom smellies, they brighten up the dullest of work trips in the grottiest of hotels. I have always got a Molton Brown shower gel in my stocking (thank you Father Christmas) and always have one in my bathroom.

Neals Yard is the best smelling shop in the world, it smells of goodness, and this Geranium and Orange Hand Lotion £12.50 is one of my faves, I have given this as a gift multiple times, it is a lovely lotion to put next to your sink, to keep your hands hydrated and smelling of rose, geranium and fresh orange.

Jo Malone Peony Blush Suede Cologne £39.00 is my cologne of choice, (its actually on my Christmas list!)  Jo Malone sells amazing cologne and candles and definitely something that any girl would be happy with.  

The Aspinal Marylebone Tote is something I am lusting over (hint hint).  This arm candy is a serious Christmas show stopper and one that would make the lucky recipient squeal with joy, but at £795.00 your wallet may be left a little lighter! 

I love totes, and these are fab, the Bend it like Bikram Bag £16 has to be my favourite, I'm a 90's child and 'Bend it like Beckham' was a film I watched on repeat, I could pretty much quote it.

The Travalo £9.49 is a nifty little gadget that lives in my handbag, it is a refillable travel perfume (which is aircraft approved), it is super easy to fill with your perfume of choice and means you can smell gorgeous 24/7 without lugging around your big glass bottles. 

Diptyque are my favourite candles but picking a scent for someone can be difficult, so this coffret is a fab way to introduce people to the brand, Holiday Coffret £60.00 holds three mini candles Fue de Bois (my Winter favourite) Pomander and Opopanax. 

I love Lily Charmed Necklaces £27.00 they are excellent quality and you can personalise them, which is fab.

This is a great prezzie for the competitive family with a good lawn!  The Six Player Family Croquet Set £130 by Uber Games is a fab set, having six mallets is great as you can play with a good gaggle of friends.

A rugby ball will keep any little boy (or big) amused, it's also a fab way to run off those extra pounds you put on over Christmas.

 The Dangerous Den Kit £103 is the perfect present for your little explorer, my brother and I loved making dens when we were little, ours however were a little less civilized!

Personalised gifts are great, but this is a present that is definitely needed before Christmas.  Father Christmas needs somewhere to put all those prezzies and a  Personalised Christmas Sack £22.00 is perfect. 

For your little Darcy there are Silver Cloud Tutu's, a perfect prezzie for your little girl.  These gorgeous tutu's by Angel's Face are available at Selfridges for £55.00. 

Every girl needs a little bit of floral in their lives, even if they are only two, the Freston Rose Kids Mini Backpack £16.00 is perfect for taking to nursery, and filling with snacks and toys. 

The Personalised Hooded Baby Robe £25 is for the tiny tots enjoying their first Christmas, after a lovely bath you can bundle them up in this gorgeous fluffy dressing gown with ears!

This bunny is a little cutie, my mother gave it to my second cousin when she was born and it is now taken everywhere with her.  It is made by Moulin Roty £19.00 and is the Sylvian Rabbit, it is the cutest little toy and makes the best of companions for any tot. 

The Rocking Sheep £175 by Sticks and Stones is gorgeous, it is the kind of child's toy that isn't offensive to look at and would be perfect in either a child's room or a living area.  It is handmade from pinewood and upholstered with natural sheepskin, the real deal. 

Do you LOVE or LOATH Christmas Shopping?

Topshop Beehive Lippy

Hello Lovelies,

A few days ago I tripped and fell into the Topshop makeup counter (oops!)  I hadn't planned on buying anything for myself but you know how it is, you start swatching and suddenly it is in a Topshop bag and safely in that tardis of a handbag.

I have to admit to never having tried any Topshop lipsticks before, but I have heard great things about them so was rather excited to give Beehive a try.  It is a beautiful soft pink, which when applied just looks like a better version of my lips (which is pretty fab).  I am a bit of a snob when it comes to lipstick and generally don't use high street products but at the great price of £8:00 how could I resist!  Beehive is a lovely lipstick with a creamy finish, which moisturises and nourishes my lips, it pretty much does what it says on the tin, which is very pretty indeed, I really love the Topshop packaging.  One reason I really love this lippy is that because of the lovely soft pink colour I am able to apply it on the go without a mirror, a serious plus in my book. 

I am now an absolute convert and I will definitely be purchasing some different colours, as this is my new fave lipstick.

Does anyone else love Topshop makeup?