Christmas Wish List (Gift Guide) 2017

Hi everyone, firstly apologies for the lack of post the last couple of weeks, life got busy again and I did not feel at all well either.  Although during that time I did spend a considerable amount of time looking through online shops and contemplating what I would love to receive for Christmas this year.  Any (if not all) of these following items would all be extremely welcome under my tree but I also thought they would make great gift ideas for your friends and family (or a treat for yourself) too!

1. The first thing on my list is the one item I always ask for every year, a calendar.  But not just any calendar, it has to be the 'Me to You', Tatty Teddy calendar.  I just love these, the illustrations are always so cute and I've been collecting these for many years.

2. I've had my eye on this particular palette for quite a long while now but just haven't got around to finally buying it.  But every time I see it, I want it!  The shades are so rich and beautiful and I really love that these eyeshadows are scent free as well, for someone who's nose runs at the first whiff of a fragrance, scent free products are a god send.  I'm planning to do a video on all my best scent free makeup soon too, so this would fit in perfectly (any excuse to have it) :-)

3. Ok so this one is a little more specific to us Walking Dead/Daryl Dixon fans but I am in LOVE ♥ with this hoodie!!  It is a little on the pricier side, around £30 but I think for a nice warm fleece (and the opportunity to strut around with 'Daryl-style' wings on my back) it's well worth it :-D  I love that it looks so cosy and I'm keeping everything crossed that I'm opening this parcel on Christmas day.
*As a side note, these are mostly only available from China and are sold in European sizes, but they do sell quite a good range of sizes that are suitable for men and women.  I have linked this particular store on ebay, as they were one of the only ones I found that do a small size.

4. There are some really pretty and very different styles of earrings around at the moment and I'm kind of getting bored with all my old small pairs and I really fancy a change.  I really like these black tassel ones from Primark, they're only £2.  Silver triple star studs are gorgeous, these ones are £12 from Not On The Highstreet who also sell a large range of the open circle studs in a range of prices.

5. Going back to the Daryl wings theme, I found this amazing phone case on ebay and I want it so bad!!

6. And 7. Well, you can't have a Christmas list without some classic chocolate can you!

8. Ok back to the main gifts, this little beauty is the HP Sprocket.  Now, if you haven't already heard the whole of the internet talking about this little gadget, it is an amazing mini printer that syncs up to your phone via bluetooth, usb or wifi and you can personalize then print out all the photos that are confined to your phone, so you can put them in frames or in a photo album to keep and look through.  I just think it's the most amazing idea.  The best part is, although the special paper is a little on the pricey side; around £10 for just 20 sheets, the fact that you don't need ink to print really good quality photos is pretty innovative.  A little heads up, PC World are currently doing a fantast offer for £119, where you not only get the Sprocket but you also get an extra pack of papers, a carry case and a mini photo album.  Best Christmas present ever :-)

9. I don't know what it is about these cinema light boxes, that makes them so cool but I just love them and I've been wanting one for so long now.  I personally prefer the A5 size, plus I don't have room anywhere for the A4, but I just think the smaller, the cuter!

10. Who doesn't need a little extra of this here and there?!  I'm currently trying to save like a crazy person for my trip to London in March, so every penny is happily and gratefully received.

11. These next two items are both from Zoella's latest homewhere range, and omg the colour theme of this range is just too cute. I love all the bits and plan to gradually get my hands on most of it, but firstly this long cushion I just know would fit perfectly in with my bedroom decor . . .

12. And as for this planner!!  I use a planner pad every day to organize my projects, which I bought from Home Bargains back in the summer and it's nice enough.  But let's face it, if you're going to do something, do it in style right?!  Incidentally, Superdrug have currently got most of their Zoella range on sale right now, so hurry if you want to grab a bargain!

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I have also been a busy bee filming more videos over the last couple of weeks and I even managed to vlog my fun day at Wales Comic Con, which I honestly think is actually one of my favourite videos so far!  So you can click here to head on over to my channel and please don't forget to like the videos if you enjoy them and why not subscribe too, that way you'll never miss a new video from me :-)

I hope you all have a really lovely Christmas and until next time, Stay Happy & Festive ♥

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The Beauty Tag

As with all the 'tags' that are going around, I first heard about this one on YouTube and then found a good few on various blogs as well, the only strange thing is, every one I've watched or read, has slightly different questions.
You all know how much I love doing these tags and this one is no exception, so here are the most popular questions I could find, I've also added one of my own in at the end for good measure! :-)

Do you remember your first makeup item?
I never used to wear makeup at all as a teenager until a friend of mine gave me a make-over at school, if I remember rightly she gave several items to keep using and among them was a clear mascara lol, what the point was of that I'll never know!

Describe your perfect mascara, if you have one?

My absolute favourite mascara ever, that I use all the time has to be the Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara.  It just gives my lashes so much volume and length, it even gives them a slight curl and it lasts all day with no flaking and it's water proof, seriously what more could you ask for.  I even have a spare one ready, I would hate it so much if they stopped selling this mascara!

What's your ideal coverage foundation?

One that's a good full/medium coverage but that doesn't look thickly applied, not too matt but not overly shiny and one that really lasts as long as possible, and of course a good match to my skin tone but that kind of goes without saying right?  Even though I've just said it :-/  So far I'm still looking for my 'holy grail' foundation, I'm very fussy!

Favourite high street/drugstore beauty brands?

I'm struggling with this question because I just can't choose between 3 brands, Rimmel, Maybelline and MUA, they're all so great and actually I've been really getting in to Technic lately too!


Favourite high end beauty brands?Not really a question I can truly answer because I've only ever managed to buy one high end item, my beloved Urban Decay Naked Palette, I do love it though :-)What cosmetic brand have you always wanted to try out but still haven't?

Definitely MAC, Benefit and the new Makeup Revolution brand from Superdrug, although I am currently saving up to have a nice little spend on the Superdrug website very soon, so watch this space for a good sized Superdrug/Makeup Revolution haul . . .

Do you wear fake eyelashes?

No, I'd love to try them but they're fiddly little, ahem, things!  And I can just never get the hang of actually putting them in place, and yes it bugs me!

Is there any makeup you can't leave the house without wearing?

Mascara, well and lipstick but definitely mascara

What is your most cherished beauty product?

I guess I'd have to again say my UD Naked palette, because it's the only high end product I own, it took me forever to save up for it and I'm just quite fond if it really!

Do you have a budget every month or do you spend freely?

I usually try and put a little by each month but if one time I need that cash for something else more important then that's just how it goes and I'll splash out another time, so I wouldn't say I spend freely or with a budget.  If I have some spare pennies or if I've saved up enough when I'm after something particular or I'll often wait till there's 3 for 2 offers on as well if possible.  It all helps the savings you know!

Go check out my Beauty Budget - 5 Under £5 post for some of the products I love that are total bargains!

How often do you shop for goodies?
As often as I can

What type of product do you buy the most?

I do have a slightly lipstick obsession and it's one of the things I own the most of but at the moment it's definitely lipgloss

Do you have a favourite place to shop for products?

I really like Superdrug but my local one is quite small and they don't stock that much, so I went over to being a total Boots fan quite a while ago.  I love the points/advantage card scheme too, I've used that to it's full advantage many times!

Top 5 beauty gurus?

My absolute favourite has to be Sinead Cady from The Makeup Chair . . .

She's just amazing, I've learnt so much about makeup from watching her videos and still do.


Carah Amelie . . .

She was the very first person I saw and subscribed to on YouTube about 2 and a half years ago, mostly for her gorgeous outfit ideas to start with but then for the makeup tutorials too.


Tanya Burr . . .

Probably one of the most known YouTube beauty gurus, I always enjoy watching her videos so much and she just seems the nicest person :-)

Zoella . . .

How can I make a short list of my favourite beauty YouTubers and not include Zoe Sugg, she's beautiful, adorable and it always cheers me up watching her videos, I love her daily vlogs too :-)

And finally Emily Noel . . .

If I want to see a really good, thorough review of a new makeup product Emily is the one I always go to watch.  Her tutorials are just brilliant too!

If you could only buy one makeup brand forever, which would you buy?

Ooh this is tough but I honestly think it would have to be MUA, the prices are so cheap and the quality is amazing!

Which brand has your favourite packaging?

I really like the Urban Decay packaging, each items is so nicely decorated and of course they're limited edition palettes are gorgeous.  I also really like the Soap and Glory range with the 'retro glam' theme, it's so fun and different.

Which celebrity always has the best makeup look?

It just has to be the beautiful Lauren Conrad, her makeup and style, it's all so flawless (just a little bit of green eye jealously going on here, just a smidge!!)

How do you apply your foundation – with a brush, sponge or fingers?

Definitely with a brush, my favorite Real Techniques Buffing Brush from the Core Collection set, it's just perfect for me.  I have tried using the Beauty Blender and other sponges and I do like the effect they give, but for me it has to be my brush every time.

Which foundation do you use?

At the moment it's the No.7 Stay Perfect foundation in Warm Ivory.  I had the colour-match test done at Boots and it came up with this one.  I do love it and it certainly lasts but it's also a little on the heavier side and my skin tends to feel like there's a little too much going on, no matter how little I use!  My other foundation was the Max Factor Smooth Effects foundation but sadly they have stopped doing it and so I'm currently on the hunt for an equivalent as that one was more sheer and perfect the warmer weather.

Do you use a makeup base or primer on your eyes?

I tend to always use my Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On & On Bronze as my eyeshadow base, then apply powder eyeshadow over the top, it looks perfect, smooth and lasts all day!  If I do use a primer, it's my old faithful MUA Eye Primer, amazing stuff!

Which do you apply first, concealer or foundation?

Foundation then concealer or I'd be putting concealer everywhere!

What skin type do you have?

Combination but slightly more on the oilier side

Name a makeup crime you hate?
Over-drawing the eyebrows.  I'm sorry, I know some people really like this look but personally I just think it really doesn't look good!

And for my own question - Name one product that you have a love/hate relationship with?
It just has to be eyeliner for me, I love the way it looks especially with the little winged flik, so pretty and feminine but such a nightmare to do.  Every problem you can think of with eyeliner I've had; going to thick, going too blotchy, not getting close enough to my lash-line, etc!  So thankfully using my black eyeshadow with an angled brush has been the answer for me so far! :-)

I hope you all liked my Beauty Tag.  I would love it if you answered these questions either in the comments below or on your blogs, I tag everyone :-)

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