What I Got For Christmas

For Christmas this year, we knew most of the presents we were getting from one another in my family. It wasn't as 'exciting', but we all received things we really wanted this way. I decided to choose things I wouldn't normally buy myself. For example, I couldn't justify buying the Topshop Dressing Gown (so soft!), Lush's Ro's Argan Body Conditioner (love, but expensive) or Lindt Lindor Maxi Ball for myself, so asked my parents for them. They also bought me Lush's Montalbano and Braziliant Shampoo Bars, Accessorize Koala Slippers, and a tin of sweets (mostly for the tin to store my baking bits in!).

From my sister, I received the Clintons Heart Print Diary (great quality pages), Paperchase List Book and Pen (love the print), battenberg shaped tin with recipe notes (we used to eat these on the way home from school - makes me feel sick just thinking about it now!), Next Apricot Blossom LED Candles, Next Apricot Blossom Reed Diffuser (had the smaller one previously and loved it), a pretty Next glass for milkshakes, and some sweet treats.

I just wanted to show you the things I chose, instead of everything I received. I had to include the Debenhams Fox Slippers my friend got me, though, because they're so cute!

I hope you had a good Christmas!

What's In My Travel Makeup Bag?

After five years, I thought it was about time I did one of these 'what's in my...' posts. My travel makeup bag doesn't exclusively contain makeup, like the name suggests, but my travel essentials.

I'll start with the beauty products because they're more exciting. I rarely touch up my makeup during the day, but carry a couple products with me just in case. I have the Revlon ColourStay Concealer in Fair, which has a medium coverage and satin finish. It could be a little heavier for blemishes, but is great for everywhere else.

I then carry around the lip product I'm wearing that day, for when I want to reapply. Revlon's ColourBurst Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon just happens to be in there at the moment. It's a sheer, balmy, juicy, summer red, and I love it. I don't like reapplying some lip products, though, because they look best applied to freshly exfoliated, moisturised lips. In this case, I'll just wipe away any product left and apply a tinted balm like the Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom.

For fragrance, I currently have the Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Rollerball Perfume in my bag. It's great for travelling, and smells beautiful.

Since starting my job, I've been using more hand sanitiser than ever before. I finished Bath & Body Works' Market Peach one last week, and am now onto their Sweet Pea scent, which is a light, sweet, delicate floral. These are more expensive than your standard bottle, especially in the UK, so I won't be buying them all the time, but they're nice to use while I have them. My hands and cuticles have also taken a battering since working, so I bought the Figs & Rouge Mango and Mandarin Hand Cream last week to use throughout the day. It's the perfect size for travelling, looks cute, smells amazing, isn't greasy, and leaves my hands feeling moisturised.

The other items in my travel makeup bag include pain and sickness relief tablets, tissues, plasters, mints, a flossing harp (for those lunch leftovers. What? I'm keeping it real!), hair accessories, a nail file, and a pen. I also carry a notebook, hairbrush, and wipes with me, but they're in my handbag because they don't fit in this one!

Oh, and the actual makeup bag is a basic one I bought from Boots the other week (RRP £5). I'm currently on the look out for something a little more pretty, though, so if you've seen any, let me know!

I'd love to know what your travel essentials are?

Primark Shoes and Paperchase Sale Purchases

So, I very nearly bought a black pair of pumps in New Look today for £15.99. I thought I'd have a look in Primark first before buying, though, and I'm glad I did! I found an identical pair for just £4. Then I picked up the coral and red pairs for £5 each, and the nude pair for £6. The nude pair are from the wide fit section. I don't have wide feet, but they still fit and feel really comfortable. I wasn't planning on buying four pairs of shoes in one day, but I rarely find ones I like, so have to take advantage when I do. I also nearly bought a navy maxi skirt for £12, which I'll probably get next time I'm in. I never wear skirts, but think I'd feel comfortable in a long one.

I also picked up a couple things in the Paperchase sale, which I'd actually had my eye on before. The memo block was £3.15 down from £4.50, and the magnetic shopping list pads were £3.50 down from £5. There's a few other things I have my eye on, so will probably get them when I get the skirt.

Have you bought any Primark or Paperchase items recently?

Currently Loving #02 - Florals and Stationery

Florals and stationery... what's new? My Asda Direct order arrived yesterday, and I couldn't be happier with this bedding. It's beautiful, and was only £12! I also ordered another bedding set and a couple Real Techniques brushes because they were half the price you pay in Boots. I realised last night that I've bought three bedding sets, two throws, two fitted sheets, and pillow cases in the last month - Oops! I don't feel too bad about it, though, because everything was very well priced, and I hadn't bought bedding in months.

This diary and notebook set (which also came with a pen). My sister bought it for me for Christmas, and I love the designs. The best part about it, though, is the price - £1.99 from Card Factory!

Refills so I can use one of my favourite pens again! Both are from Paperchase.

What are you currently loving?

More Winter Buys (Primark, New Look and Paperchase)

I did a spot of shopping today, even though I only went in town Wednesday! (You can read my 'Primark Winter Haul and more' post here). I now have a draw full of socks. I can't help it! Socks are one of my weaknesses.

Primark - Various socks - £4, £3, £1.50 and £3

I was actually restrained today - Only the burgundy/red socks are for me. Both of the penguin pairs are for my sister for Christmas :)

New Look - Vests and owl slippers - £2.49 each and £9.99

How cute are these slippers?! When I walk, the little wings move, making it look like the owls are flying!

The vests are a size S and they're a little big, so I think I should have bought the XS ones (Yes, I did try them on - I've just changed my mind on the sizing!). They're still wearable though, so I'm going to keep them and just buy XS ones next time. Why did they have to change the sizes? Numbered sizes are so much easier to understand!

Paperchase - Notebooks - £2.50 and £1.50

I've been looking for some small ring bounded notebooks for a while because they're perfect for writing lists! The bird notebook cover is made out of wood, which is cool. I bought the plain notebook so I can decorate it with the washi tape I have coming in the post.

I hope you have a great weekend!

H&M Dresses and Other Treats

H&M Summer dresses - £12.99 each

"I'm not in the shopping mood" I said to my sister. Five minutes later, I'm trying on these dresses. Fifteen minutes later, I'm buying them. I couldn't resist! I'm a size 8/10, but I bought these in a size 6. I find H&M clothes on the larger size. I have a little trouble getting them over my boobs, but once they're over, they fit perfectly. Oh, and, my camera photographs clothes better when they're outside in the sun, but the wind had other plans, so I couldn't get a decent photo of them!

Here are some other things I bought today:

Pink flower clips - H&M - £1.99

Elephant academic diary - Paperchase - £4.50

Floral headbands x 3 - Primark - £2

I love cute stationery, so cannot wait to use my new diary!