Christmas Decoration Haul.

This year we decided to get a bigger tree as the last 2 years was we had a pre-decorated pop up one. They're great for saving space but now we have a bigger place I wanted one with branches to hang pretty things from! So we sold my pop up one to my lovely pal Claire and bought a bargain one from Homebase along with some pretties from several shops..

I decided on a slim tree as we didn't quite have the space for a big bushy one.. It was £19.99 which I thought was great value considering it will last a few years and doesn't look as cheap as it was once you've pulled all the branches out and ruffled it up :) I also picked up a gorgeous star shaped tree topper. It's white and covered in iridescent glitter, what's not to love!?

I love looking in the cheap shops for Christmas bits. Although they have a lot of tat, sometimes they have some things I like. These bits are from Poundland.. I don't need to tell you how much they cost! I didn't end up using the baubles as I bought more than I needed but they'll do as replacements or something..

After Poundland we went to a local garden center called Marlows. They had some really nice Christmas bits and some of it was really well priced too. The bigger baubles at the front were £1 per set (there are 2 sets there), the bigger baubles in the tubes were £1 (6 in a tube) and the smaller ones were 75p (8 in a tube). The ones in the tubes are a mixture of glittery, shiny and matte.

On our way home, Aaron mentioned a place called Blackthorpe Barn. I'd heard of it but never been and had no idea where it was.. Suddenly he pulled off the dual carriage way, we parked and I ended up in the most awesome, Christmassy place I'd ever seen. WOWZERS! I wanted to buy everything and could have quite easily spent a fortune. I'm sorry I can't remember exact prices of these bits but I know they were no more than £4 each. I absolutely love the deer which I think was the most expensive but well worth it.

I got these bits from a cheapy shop in town called QD. The sign, which ive wanted since seeing one similar on Pinterest, was 99p and so were the baubles. Bargain!




I got this gorgeous yet stupidly glittery guy from Asda for £4.99. I looove it although you only have to touch it lightly and you've got a ton of glitter on you! Isn't it just gorgeous. 

That's it I think! Oh I got 300 fairy lights from Tesco for £11.50 in their half price lights sale too. I am planning on doing another post with pictures of all the decorations up/out and another post on a Christmas fayre I went to. Unfortunately my laptop is broken so I'm not too sure when it will be.. My phone is also broken so I'm not having much luck am I! 

Hope you're all well xxx

Christmas Tag (with pictures!)

I saw this tag floating around that Georgina from Makeup-Pixi3 made and who doesn't love a tag! I love filling in questions and it's great for readers to get to know more about the person behind the blog. So without further ado...


1. Do you prefer a real Christmas tree or synthetic?

Growing up we nearly always had a synthetic one. We had a real one one year but none of us liked the smell or the mess so we went back to synthetic! I don't live at home anymore but Aaron and I have a synthetic one too.. It's much less hassle and saves quite a few pennies!

A few years ago mum and dad didn't have a tree topper so me and my sister got crafty!
2 angels with (unused) muff pads as wings! Pleased to report they were left on too!!

2. You're in a coffee shop, it's December, what do you pick?

I've never jumped on the Christmassy drinks or regular coffee shop goer bandwagon and probably never will.. I'm not big on coffee shops anyway.. It's really nice as a treat if I'm out shopping for the day but that's it - it would get expensive otherwise and I hate wasting money. During colder months I always have a caramel macchiato or hot chocolate and during warmer months I always have a mocha frappuccino.

3. What is your favourite colour scheme for decorating the tree?

Growing up we always had a green tree with really colourful decorations. Since I've lived with Aaron we've had a traditional theme but this year we bought a new new tree and have black, white, purple, pink and silver. I love it! I have a Christmas haul coming up soon :)

4. Giving or receiving?

You wouldn't be human if you didn't enjoy receiving gifts but you just can't beat that feeling you get when someone opens their gift/s and loves and appreciates what you bought them after you've shopped around and done your best wrapping skills on it :)

5. To mince pie or not to?
#sickface

6. What's your traditional Christmas lunch?

When I lived at home we had turkey with all the trimmings (no sprouts for me thanks) every single year as my family like to keep it traditional.. Usually Aaron and I would have turkey too but last year we had chicken instead as we don't actually like turkey that much!! We're at my parents for Christmas dinner this year and it's turkey again though.

7. Christmas Day fashion

Growing up me and my sister would always be put in our best clothes (usually a dress) probably cause my parents took a bunch of photos so we had to look nice! It wouldn't feel right anymore to not get dressed up and be wearing something nice. This year I made mum buy a Christmassy top so I'm hoping I can get her to actually wear it Christmas day (even just for a bit!) and I've got me some Christmassy leggings that I'm going to wear! - we both got called saddos by my dad and Aaron!!!

Vinnie was less than impressed by his Christmas hat..

8. What's your favourite Christmas song?

There is one Christmas song I could happily listen to on repeat.. The Pogues - Fairytale of New York. It is my absolute FAVE. I can't stand the Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child type ones.. Just no.

9. What's your favourite Christmas film?

That's easy peasy.. Elf!! I do like The Grinch and Jack Frost too though and Home Alone is a classic.

10. Open presents before or after lunch?

Before! Surely it's child abuse to make them wait til after!? At home, we'd always have our santa sacks in our room for when we woke up and would grab them and go into my parents room where we'd sit on the bed and go through them. Then we'd all get up and ready and sit together to open our presents. Oh we've always opened one before we went to bed on Christmas eve too.
Aaron and I open a present Christmas eve too but we like opening our presents in bed Christmas morning (we take them up from under the tree the night before) then we'll get up and ready and either start lunch or leave to go to one of our parents.

Myself, my mum and my sister a couple of years ago.. Christmas tree lights as hats, why not!

If any of you do or have done this tag, let me know, I'd love to have a read :) xxx

E.L.F Studio Matte Lip Colour in Tea Rose.

Last month I had a little spend on the E.L.F website for the first time, you can see my haul post here. Since then I was a busy bee, got ill and then had problems with Blogger errors! Now I'm back and raring to go again, woohoo! :)

One of the products I couldn't wait to get my mitts on (among many, I might add) was this E.L.F matte lip colour in tea rose, since seeing Miss Budget Beauty use it in one of her videos.

I like the packaging, it's simple without looking cheap or boring and it twists up for more product which there is 2 inches of inside. I was expecting much less so was pleasantly surprised. It will last quite a while, making it great value as it only costs £3.75. Online, it is described as jumbo which I disagree with but it's not a problem as it means a more precise application.. Speaking of application, it glides on easily and doesn't pull at your lips - I hate when products do that!

I love the colour of this product, it's a purpley-pinky-nudey kind of colour. I'll be honest, I did expect it to be more pinky than purpley but that could be down to the colour of my lips? I like it nonetheless. I do usually prefer a matte lip because it lasts longer than a glossy lip.. Plus when the wind blows my hair doesn't stick to it!! It easily lasts a few hours without the need to touch up although of course, everyone is different and it depends if you're eating/drinking too obviously. I don't find it's all that moisturising, in fact it can be a little drying which for me it isn't an issue but if you suffer from dry lips you'd want to wear lip balm with it.

Overall, I really enjoy using this product and have found myself wearing it most days. I really wish I'd taken advantage of their 50% off offer a few weeks ago because I'd like to try the other colours too but they're well worth the money full price so I shall definitely order a couple more in the near future.

You can purchase the E.L.F Studio Matte Lip Colour here for £3.75.

Do you have any of the Studio Matte lip colours? Can you recommend any of the other colours to me? xxx

Where have I been?

Sorry I haven't posted in almost 3 weeks.. Here's where I've been and why I've not been posting..

If you follow me on Twitter, you may know that the first week I missed, I was super duper busy. I was working a few of the days and seeing family the other days.. The best part was seeing my cousin, Stacy who I haven't seen for over a year, even though we live in the same town!!! I just happened to bump into her in Asda and we arranged to see each other the next day which was lovely and hopefully we'll get back to seeing each other regularly like we used to - we've always been close.

The following week I became quite ill :( It started on the Saturday, I was feeling heady all day then started going from boiling hot and sweating to freezing cold and shivering.. Then both at the same time! I had an early (and restless) night and woke up feeling the same.. Monday I felt like I had tonsillitis then Tuesday I could barely get out of bed. When I did I felt dizzy, disorientated and like my head was going to explode. I'd never felt that bad before and text Aaron. Usually he'd reply saying "aww, you'll be alright, have some rest" but he was quite worried and came home right away. He went to the local pharmacy, explained my symptoms and they suggested congested sinuses and gave him some tablets.. I took these all day along with pain killers but nothing would even take the edge off.. I had so much pain behind my eyes that it hurt to look at the TV or my laptop/phone or even look side to side and my head was thumping - a thousand times worse than any migraine I've had - and I suffer often with those! I struggled to sleep that night and woke up feeling even worse Wednesday morning. Aaron took the day off and took me to the doctors.. After being poked and prodded (don't be rude!) I was told I had sinusitis and given antibiotics and codeine. The codeine took the egde off within an hour and I managed to have a good sleep for most of the day and all night. The next day I wasn't too bad and Friday I felt almost human again.

I feel myself again this week, thankfully. Aaron really looked after me, as he always does.. He took care of everything round the house (cats, cooking etc) and made me food and drinks. He's a goodun.
So after all that I'd really missed my blog and was hoping to get some reviews up this week - following my E.L.F haul - but every time I try and save/publish the posts, I get errors come up so I'm a little bit stuck for now but I will keep trying and have posted on the Google help thingy bob.. If this works then it must be something to do with the pictures.. What a palava!!

Hope you've all been well :) xxx

E.L.F Haul

I have a confession to make.. Ready? Ok, this was my first time ordering from E.L.F. I know, I know.. I'm not even sure why cause I've known about them long enough! I had some pennies on my Paypal last weekend while E.L.F had £10 off a £25 spend so I thought it was about time. There were a few bits I knew I wanted, from reading other blogs and watching YouTube videos, like the matte lip colour and blush. I'm planning on doing some reviews on these products so I won't go into any detail, I'll just leave you with a bunch of pictures and prices :)

Eye shadow brush, eye crease brush, Blushing, bronzing and blending brush.

Matte lip color in tea rose, lip stain in fashionista.

Eye shadow - brightening eye colour - in brownstone and ethereal.

Nail polish in glamour girl.

Blush in mellow mauve and gotta glow.

So there is everything I ordered from E.L.F first time round. Do you have any of these products? - Thoughts? Is there anything else from them you recommend? Without giving too much away, I know I'd like more shades of a couple of things I got, others maybe not. xxx

Recent Purchases - Clothes.

I love shopping. Unfortunately I don't get to do it half as much as I'd like to as I'm unemployed but I am lucky enough to have a fiance that doesn't mind me having a spend of his wage every now and then :) Since it started getting colder I realised I have bugger all to wear! I have quite a few summery clothes but not very many jumpers or snuggley cardigans.. My typical outfit through winter is leggings and boots with a jumper or top and cardigan. To be fair though I live in leggings all year round..
If you saw my Wednesday Wishlist last month, you'll know I've really been loving the clothes in Asda this year.. Not only have I really liked many items, they're so reasonably priced it's hard to resist - and even then you don't feel guilty - bonus! Here's what I've been buying anyway.

New Look Inspire dress.

New Look Inspire jacket.

I wore the blue dress and cream jacket for my friends sons baptism last month in Birmingham.. I felt great in it til we got there.. Then I felt over dressed! Our families Christenings I've seen pictures of, everyone has been dressed up quite smart but not many people made much effort for this one so Aaron (who wore smart trousers and a shirt and black shoes) and I looked kinda out of place but nevermind. I completely forgot to get a picture of me wearing this outfit so you'll have to wait til it gets used again... Hope you like waiting!!! ;) I bought the dress in a size 22 cause of my boobs and I'm so glad I did cause they only just fit still, bloody things! The jacket is a size 20.
The burgundy dress (which I bought in a 20) below I had the intention of wearing with black tights, flats and a black cardi with a thin black belt.. But when I put all of that together the dress was a bit big and I felt like such a dumpling so I sold it on Ebay! I don't think I'm a dress person? I only own 2.. The one above and a black one for funerals or Christmas parties! LOL.. The jeans (size 16) I bought around 2 months ago and still haven't worn yet.. Oops! Although they do look good on :) I got the top from Select (size 18) a while ago too and really liked it at first but now everyone in my town seems to be wearing it as Select is the trendiest shop here!!

New Look Inspire dress.

New Look jeans.

Select top.

George at Asda tshirt.

George at Asda jumper.

George at Asda jumper.

George at Asda jumper.

The grey tshirt from Asda I sized up twice with and got a size 24. I think it's meant to be kinda fitted but I don't like really fitted clothes, so it's baggy but in a nice way, it doesn't look silly, in my opinion. I should get some pictures of me in these clothes really shouldn't I, especially as I'm terrible at describing things!! The cream jumper (size 20 as they didn't have my size and I had to have it!) I looove.. I actually went back and got it in a purpley blue colour too (size 18). They need a vest top underneath (unless you like showing everyone your bra obviously!) but they're so easy and comfortable to wear. The black and grey jumper (size 18) is thicker but it's also shorter so I still like to wear a top underneath so I'm not showing everyone my belly when I reach up! Finally, the blue jumper with the baggy neck I bought for lounging round the house. I sized up twice (got a 22) so it's baggy and comfy, it's lush :)

Which shop have you been loving recently? xxx

I'm Not A Crazy Cat Lady.. But These Are My Cats!

source

I can't be a proper cat lady, I'm not elderly (yet) or single. We do have 3 cats though. They're brothers that we picked from a litter of 7 and they've purrrfectly completely our family. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted at least one cat but I was never allowed one growing up. Aaron and I helped our neighbour rehome his 2 when we moved into our home and afterwards it made us realise how much we'd love our own.. A few weeks later we put down a deposit on 3 boys (We'd planned on getting 2, we got there and nearly picked 4 (!!) but settled with 3) and a few more weeks later brought them home.
Ever since that first day, they've been such a joy to have. They each have completely different personalities but are all so well behaved and adorable that I can't help but take wayyy too many pictures of them! I've probably taken over 1000 since we got them in May. I kid you not.

Their 2nd day with us.

They always sleep in funny/unusual positions!

My favourite picture of my boys.

We don't have human children, we have 4 legged furry cat children and we love to spoil them when we can afford to with new toys or treats. The next thing I'd love to buy them is a bigger bed or individual beds as they've outgrown their last one and are making do with a furry blanket at the moment. They also broke their last play center by all jumping on it at once, it was pretty tall and the bottom snapped!
Anyway, time to get to know them!

I'm Vinnie.. Mummy's favourite! I'm the soppiest cat you'll ever have the pleasure of hearing purr ;) I enjoy playing with my brothers but I look much cuter when I'm keeping mummys lap warm whilst being fussed over and she doesn't even mind me snoring, phew! I'm a real softie where humans are concerned and thoroughly enjoy being cradled in mummy's arms, I'll purr away and often have a snooze.. With my brothers I give as good as I get when we play fight! I love a belly rub but if I'm in play mode mummy or daddy may get a little nibble, oops! I also like chilling out on the kitchen window sill watching the world go by, sleeping on mummys handbag or sitting on mummy or daddys warm laptop.. when they're trying to use it ;) I've been poorly the last few months with swollen paws and mouth ulcers but mummy found me a different, more caring vets and they figured out I have an immune deficiency and may well be on tablets for life. I'm ok with taking them and I'm starting to feel a bit better already, yipee! :)

I'm Chester, I'm a daddy's boy and also the boss! I'm the smallest but the most energetic, nosey curious and mischievous out of the 3 of us and also the most likely to make mummy or daddy laugh - for instance when I stand on my back feet like a meerkat - I do have a soppy side too though. I enjoy jumping up into the kitchen sink (ever since daddy tried to get me to drink from the tap..) much to mummys annoyance!! I also have a game I play with daddy where he picks me up, holds me upright on the way up to bed and I lean over and try to touch/sniff everything on the way! I absolutely love Dreamies and once even managed to jump up, grab a pack, tear it open and eat the rest of them, yummy! I'm not too fond of sharing my food, I will growl at my brothers but do end up sharing, sometimes.. This week I went to the vets and came home without my marbles, if you know what I mean! I'm healing well though and still running around like normal!

I'm Braxton, I'm the good looking one ;) and nannys favourite. I'm the biggest and have the thickest and softest furr out of the 3 of us. I love a fuss and I'm slowly growing to enjoy being picked up but not too often as I get nervous easily. I used to get scared when mummy stroked my belly like she does with Vinnie but now I enjoy it (on my terms of course) and will stretch right out for her! Daddy made me an awesome place to sleep.. A hammock hanging over the radiator but I also like to sit in the bottom of the veg rack whilst mummy cooks! I'm the most vocal, particularly when mummy is preparing our food.. My favourite game involves a bird on a string, I'm the best (quickest!) at that game. I also recently went to the vets to have my marbles removed - thanks a lot mummy and daddy!! Unfortunately I had to go back 2 days later as the stress of it made me very poorly :( I'm on tablets (bleurghh!) but they seem to be doing the trick and I have a bit more energy now.


This post is an entry into the Tots100/Swell UK competition.

Life Update #3

So if you read my last life update, you'll know I had a job.. Had being the operative word. I done training, I done shadowing shifts and I done shifts alone. I also had a panic attack at work and patronising, rude and ignorant staff to work with. The second time I came home crying, Aaron said enough was enough and to leave if I was unhappy. I thought working in a care home would mean the staff would be lovely.. Don't get me wrong, a couple of the staff were nice but they were on days. I was on 12 hour night shifts and they weren't consecutive either. It was mostly one day on, one day off.. So one night I'd be working a night shift and sleeping in the day, then sleeping that night again - when I'd just been sleeping in the day.. Then working the next night. It really messed me about, I was like a zombie. Everything happens for a reason though.. It obviously just wasn't meant to be.

In other news..

- Our cat Vinnie was ill on and off for 2/3 months and after changing to a much better vets, we found out he has an immune deficiency and may be on tablets for life. He's still not quite there (he had swollen paws, they've gone down but he still has a mouth ulcer) but he's okay in himself, bless him. Braxton and Chester are booked in to have their bits chopped off this week, Vinnie isn't allowed to have his done until his medication/dosage is sorted out properly and in routine though.

- We drove up to Birmingham for our friends sons Baptism last month where I was made a God Mother to their eldest which was an honour. We stayed the night in a lovely hotel, it was a bargain at £25 and easily worth double. We visted Ikea the next day too.

- I turned 25 years old. I'm now half way to 50! WHAT! Aaron took me out for a nice meal and we had a walk along the beach afterwards. At the weekend we went for drinks with his parents, uncle and auntie and some friends.. I got drunk and had a hangover for the first time in a few years, oh dear!!

- I'm still volunteering at Barnardos and love it. They're all such a good bunch of people. We have a lot of laughs and I thoroughly enjoy doing my 3 days a week there.

- I'm loving that it's getting colder again. I love wrapping up in snuggley jumpers with a nice scarf and wearing darker colours, having more gravy dinners and stews and the smell outside in the evening. Roll on fireworks night and Christmas now :)

- I'm also absolutely loving watching Wentworth (the Australian prison drama on Channel 5) it kind of reminds me of Bad Girls, does anyone else remember that?!








Current favourite song: Nelly - Get Like Me.

What are you looking forward to the most now it's getting colder? xxx

Charity Shoppin' #1

I will hold my hands up and admit that until I started volunteering in one of the local charity shops, I was a bit snobby about going in them. I always thought of a charity shop as somewhere old people shopped that smelt a bit fusty, was packed full of clutter and had a grumpy old lady serving everyone.. For some that is true but they're not all the same! The one I very much enjoy volunteering in (Barnardos) is unlike any charity shop I've ever entered. It smells nice, it's not cluttered, all the clothes are set out in different coloured sections and always looks very tidy and 99% of the volunteers and staff are such a lovely bunch. If you didn't know better, you probably wouldn't think it was a charity shop to be honest - people compliment the place all the time when they're paying for things - saying how it's not your typical charity shop. Oh and I'd say more "young" people come in than "old" people.

I really love a bargain so I'm not entirely sure why I didn't stop being a twit and start hunting around the charity shops before.. I mean, I buy second hand on Ebay so it's not much different is it! I might be biased but our one is definitely the best in the town (having gone in all the others with my lovely nan not so long ago!) so I only really buy from our one.. Plus we get 25% staff discount too! I can't believe some of the things people give away.. Brand new and/or branded items.. Good quality items! Our one always has really nice things from places like Top Shop, River Island, New Look, Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, Next, Dorothy Perkins.. etc.

Anyway, here's what I've come home with so far! All prices are before staff discount was applied.

(Please note: due to my naturally built in need to spend when I see things I like, this post will become a regular thing!)

Yours Clothing top, £3.99.

George cardigan, £1.99.

Red Herring dress, £1.99.

New Look shopper bag, £2.99.

Marks and Spencer slouchy bag, £3.99 (new).

No tag so not sure where the scarf is from but it's soooo soft, £1.99.

Sainsburys vase set, £1.99.

That's everything I've bought since I started in July.. I'm truly addicted now and always trying things on - especially Wednesday mornings, me and the lady I work with are in and out of the changing rooms when it's quiet! If I were a size 10/12, my wardrobe would probably have collapsed by now so I guess it should be thankful that I'm a chubster and it will take me longer to fill it!!! I bought a couple of bits today and will more than likely keep buying bits so there will be another post in the near future.

Have you bought any bargains lately? What are the charity shops like near you? xxx

Recent Beauty Purchases.

I haven't spent much on beauty products lately.. All of this was purchased over a couple of months and apart from this, I haven't bought anything else. I've been trying not to buy things just because everyone else is talking about them, as hard as that can be sometimes!!

L'Oreal Skin Perfection.. 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution and Cleansing & Perfecting Milk.

I bought these when the products I was using (Asdas own brand) had almost run out.. Unfortunately I can't understand the hype! Yes, they're gentle.. But so gentle it doesn't take all the make up off is no good. I've used so many cotton wool pads trying to take every last bit of my make up off with these products but if I use my old one at the end, make up comes off! I don't know if it's cause I have large pores but I just can't get on with these products and won't be repurchasing.

Soap & Glory.. Foam Call, Sugar Crush and Clean Girls.

If you read my last post, you'd know I bought more Soap & Glory smellies. They were on 3 for 2 in Boots. Sugar Crush was a repurchase but I'd never tried the other 2. Foam Call is pepperminty fresh and I absolutely love it.. It kind of reminds me of a mans smell but in a good way. Clean Girls has a pearly looking effect and is really soft and smells girly and nice. I will definitely repurchase both!

Johnsons Baby Shampoo.

Warning! Warning! I may need to be issued with a slap on the wrist.. Prior to this stuff, I'd never washed my make up brushes.. Sorry!!! It may be worth noting I've only really got into make up the last couple of years and haven't used the same brushes the whole time. Still.. I will be keeping on top of them now, pinky promise.

Barry M.. Pomegranate, Guava, Blueberry and Fuchsia.

Anyone that knows me well, knows I love my nail polish. I can't get enough! Pomegranate and Blueberry have quickly become my favourites and I've flicked between the 2 since purchasing them. I don't see a lot of difference in the Gelly range compared to the other range personally but some of the colours are gorgeous.

Natural Collection.. Lash Definition Mascara in black, Moisture Shine lipstick in Pink Mallow and Raspberry.

I picked these up on a 3 for 2 as well. I'd originally gone into Boots for the Raspberry lipstick (not pictured - I couldn't find it at the time, sorry.. I'm sure you know what colour raspberries are though so that!) but as there was an offer on, I picked up another lippy and a mascara too. The lipsticks are very long lasting compared to any others I have and the colours are gorgeous - I must get more of these. The mascara isn't too bad - it suprised me, it's more of an every day mascara.. It separates lashes and lengthens them a little but doesn't really give much volume, hence saying it's more for every day.

Montagne Jeunesse.. Sauna Masque, Apricot Scrub, Tea Tree Face Spa, Super Fruit Mud, Dragon Fruit Sauna and Iced Crystal.

Who doesn't love Montagne Jeunesse face masks?! I love finding new ones to try out. So far out of these ones I've used Apricot Scrub which was ok, didn't seem to do as much as others I've tried and Super Fruit Mud which I loved and will definitely repurchase. I love that I could feel it working when I put it on and my skin felt so soft and my pores looked lovely and clean afterwards. Having big pores is such a pain in the arse but masks like this are such a saviour. I can't wait to try the others!

What have you been buying lately? xxx