Our Christmas decs..

In my Winter/Christmas tag post I said I'd do another post showing you our Christmas decorations so this is that post.. All of the pics have been taken on my phone and edited with Instagram as my camera is broken :(
I'm completely obsessed with the jelly window stickers this year and have LOTS! However the cats have got hold of some of them so I'll have to get more next year! - We tend to add to our collect each year anyway :) Here goes - be warned, there are lots of pics..

Kitchen window (one of these on each window)

Kitchen wall.

Dining room window.

Close up of stars, they're glittery! :D

Hallway window sill.

Through room, before living room.

Living room wall (one either side of double doors)

Living room/conservatory doors.

Living room/conservatory door.

Living room/conservatory door.

Are window stickers meant to be put on so YOU can read them or so that anybody who passes them outside can read them?! I always make them so that people outside can read them.. If you get these, which do you do?
Oh and our tree has tinsel all the way round cause it's a crappy pop up one (we got it for where we lived before as it was a tiny house!) and it's mega gappy. We're getting a nice new one next year though, thankfully!

Our layout may look a little strange from these pics but it's cause we live in a 3 storey town house so we have 2 bedrooms and the bathroom at the top, the kitchen, dining room and a toilet on the middle floor then a through room, living room, utility room and toilet downstairs. The whole through room and one wall in the living room have wood covered walls which we really do not like (it feels like a log cabin!) but they were here when we moved in and we have a long list of things to do before we get rid of it so yeah.. Why would anyone do that?! It's horrible haha..

Once I have my new camera (Christmas) I'll hopefully be starting to make YouTube videos - I say hopefully because if I record one and absolutely cringe at it then I'll probably put it off a bit longer but I really am itching to start! Once I do, I plan on doing a house tour as I have been asked a couple of times and now we're getting the place sorted and looking how we want then I'll enjoy doing it :)

Tiffany xxx

Janina whitening toothpaste

I was contacted by James Todd, the marketing executive at One Dental Clinic in Birmingham about reviewing a tube of Janina Ultra White, whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth and naturally, I jumped at the chance. Since giving up smoking (naughty naughty for even starting!) 3 years ago, I've tried numerous whitening toothpastes but none of them have amazed me enough to purchase them again.

The older I've become, the more important I've realised it is to look after your teeth and so far have been pretty lucky with them. I have quite straight/even teeth but because of smoking they can look a little yellow which I'm conscious of. I have, however bought a brilliant toothbrush recently (the new Oral B Trizone) so this teamed with a good toothpaste should lead to white teeth that 'ping!' when I smile, like in the movies right?! ;)

"Janina is a uniquely developed formula that contains the necessary natural ingredients to properly maintain your daily oral hygiene. Janina promotes faster non abrasive whitening through the patented Bromain Complex™ natural fruit enzymes, resulting in a more effective whitening result without any harm to the tooth’s enamel."

I have used the toothpaste for a little over a week now and I've got to say, I am impressed by it. I like that it is for sensitive teeth as mine can be sensitive sometimes and also that it can be used every day because I don't like ones where you're advised to use them 2-4 times a week as I just end up forgetting about them!

As you can see, the toothpaste looks white like most other toothpastes but one thing I did notice during the first use is that it has a kind of clinical taste to it (you know how your mouth tastes/feels after going to the dentist) and that it is very fresh. I actually really liked this about it because it seemed different to other whitening toothpastes I've used in the past so it actually felt cleaner and it leaves your breath fresher for longer too which is always a plus.

The tube tells you to use it twice daily and preferably for more than 3 minutes each time. It says that once brushing is complete, you spit out the excess and not to rinse your mouth with water as it allows the formulation to work for longer. I followed this to make sure I could give my honest opinion.

You only need to do a Google search to find all the other positive reviews on this product and I'm pleased to say that they were in fact spot on because I haven't been left disappointed, instead I have teeth that are visibly a couple of shades whiter than before I started using it and the toothpaste has done what it claims to do. I'm hoping with continuous use, they can look even better and should this be the case, I would definitely purchase this.

The RRP for this toothpaste is £9.69 which may seem expensive at first but if you add up the cost of all the ones I've tried and had no luck with then in my opinion it is well worth the money.

You can read about Janina whitening toothpaste via the One Dental Clinic website, here.
You can visit the Janina Ultrawhite website, here which also tell you where you can purchase it.

Have you tried this toothpaste before? - Will you now? Or have you found a different one that works for you? - Let me know! :)

*Please note: this product was sent to me for reviewing purposes.

And apologies again for the quality of pictures in this post, as I said a couple of posts back, my camera is broken so I cannot change any settings on it but I get my new one in 2 weeks so please bare with me!!

A mug cake.. A must have!

If you stalk follow me on Twitter you may know I made mug cake last night and it was oh so very yummy indeed! I can tell you now that I will be making it again and again because it's so quick and easy to do and most importantly it's bloody lovely!
I didn't come up with this myself (I'm not that clever I'm afraid!) - I saw it on Miss Budget Beauty's food blog.
You can read the blog post or watch the YT video for the recipe :)

With cream.

I actually halved the recipe for me and Aaron and found that this was more than enough for us as a nice, warm evening treat. As she says in the video, it is advisable to mix the ingredients in something separate (I used a plastic measuring jug) then put it into the mug/s. Just 2 minutes in the microwave and it's a moist spongey cake, lovely and chocolately and sweet. I did put cream on mine but think it would be just as good without.

Without cream.

I will definitely be making this again (and again) during these colder months and highly suggest you all go and do the same! :)

Winter/Christmas tag

I've seen some winter tags and some Christmas tags floating around and instead of doing 2 posts (as some of the questions are the same/very similar) I thought I'd just combine them :) So here goes!


What is your favourite thing about winter/Christmas?
My favourite thing about winter/Christmas is snow! I'm such a big kid when it comes to snow and I definitely think we don't get enough of it here in East Anglia!! More please!

What is your favourite make up look for the festive season?
As you probably know by now, I'm not a big make up wearer, I just can't be arsed and don't care too much about it plus its effort taking it off! When I do wear make up I always go for a natural look unless it's a night out then it's usually a smokey eye.. I do this all year round though, sorry!
 
Real or fake tree?
For the last 3 years Aaron and I have had a fake tree, one of those crappy pop up ones (they don't actually pop up but you do pop them up quite quickly..!) But we don't really like it just bought it cause it doesn't take up much room. Next year I'd like to get either a real tree or a good quality fake one :)

Giving presents or receiving presents?
I'd be lying if I said I don't love to receive presents because naturally, I do! But more than that, I enjoy Christmas present shopping, wrapping presents then seeing their face when they open it - providing they like it (I'm pretty good though and always get something I know they will like) it gives you such a warm feeling inside :)


Do you open your Christmas Presents morning or evening?
We always open our presents together Christmas morning after we've had a bite to eat and got washed and dressed.

Handmade Christmas cards or bought?
I don't think I've ever received a handmade Christmas card but I wouldn't mind either, it's the thought that counts.

What is your favourite Christmas film?
Without a doubt, my favourite Christmas film is Elf! It's just hilarious! "Buddy the elf, what's your favourite colour?" :D

What is your favourite winter/Christmas food?
My favourite winter food is roast dinners. We always have more gravy dinners when it's cold out and I love a good roast potato! But my favourite Christmas food is pigs in blankets (small sausages with bacon wrapped round it) because we only seem to have them Christmas day/boxing day.

Winter weather must-have?
A chunky knit scarf if I'm going out or some thick fleecey PJ bottoms for round the house.

Favourite winter coat?
I only have 2 coats anyway, an every day one and a smart one! The every day one is a black duffle coat and the smart one is one with double breasted with a tie round the middle.

Favourite Winter Candle?
I don't tend to buy wintery scented candles, I'm not really sure why. Aaron and I both love vanilla candles and tend to burn them all year round! Not the sickly ones though.

Favourite Christmas decoration?
I love all Christmas decorations but the last couple of years I've really loved the jelly window stickers!

Favourite Christmas colour combo?
I guess this means for decorations? We're quite traditional so usually stick to red, green, gold and white.

Favourite winter perfume?
I don't tend to change my perfume through the seasons, If I've got it then I use it! I don't have loads on the go at once either. At the moment I'm changing between 2-3 depending on where I'm going/what I'm doing.

Favourite winter polish?
Depends what mood I'm in! In December I like to keep it Christmassy.. At the moment I have a plain white Barry M on with Sally Hansens 'Hidden Treasure' over the top. I love Hidden Treasure, It's awesome! I done a NOTD with it here.

I also done a Christmas traditions post too, that's here if you fancy a peek. Let me know if you also do or have done this tag, I'd love to have a read :)

Big Haul

I went shopping last weekend with mother and spent too much money.. A couple of things were impulse buys but I'm happy with the rest. Some things I will review in detail separately :)

Please note: I'm so sorry about the quality (or lack of) in the pictures, my camera is broken so I cant change any of the settings, it does "auto" without a flash and that it unfortunately! I'm getting a new one for Christmas though so don't fear! ;)

Oh my goodness, how flipping gorgeous are these shoes!! Mum bought these for me (everything else I bought myself) from New Look. They were £27.99 but they had 25% off. I had to have them, they're so nice! They're really comfy to walk in too which is a bonus. Love, love, love.

This is one of the impulse buys.. From New Look, £24.99. Don't get me wrong, I do really like it BUT it's actually a cabin bag so I'd look a bit of a donkey walking around with it on a normal day but I do intend to use it for days out when I know I need to take more things with me or for shopping/over night stays. I bought it wanting a hand bag but I was carrying loads of bags and think I just got it cause I knew I could stuff most of it all into one! Ah well!

I don't think I've ever been into Primark and not bought earrings.. But then saying that, I don't live right near one so I could probably count the amount of times I've ever been on 2 hands! As you can see, they were £2.50 for 12 pairs. I don't like them all but for the price it doesn't really matter does it! I like pairs: 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12. The rest I chucked in the bin.

You can never have too many socks, can you? They're from Primark but I can't remember the price (maybe £5? I binned the receipt, oopsy) but you get 5 pairs and they're all animal print so I was happy :) They're quite thin but I don't like thick normal socks, if you know what I mean? If they're meant to be thick, yeah but not on normal socks!

PJ bottoms (I actually call them jammies or jarmer bottoms) These were £5 from Primark which is bargainous, right?! They're quite soft thinnish ones with pockets and a silky tie on them. I bought these cause they reminded me of Christmas and I intend on wearing these Christmas morning/afternoon.. maybe just all day and night!

These are my new favourite jarmies! Aren't they pretty! £5 from Primark, can't go wrong can ya! They're a really soft, thick, fleecey material with cuffed bottoms to keep the warm in and a pretty pink tie. What's not to love? These are for real cold days/nights as you get too hot otherwise! I love them a lot. I would wear them out the house if I could ;)

Every man and his dog has one of these studded bags, don't they. I did want the baby pink one but the one we went to only had this one so I just got it.. It was £6 from Primark. I'm not using it as a clutch bag though, I'm using it to put make up, tissues, ibuprofen etc in, in my handbag so it's all together, how handy :)

Lastly I went to Boots with my £5 off a £20 spend voucher and knew before we even went shopping that I would be buying Soap & Glory products with it!
I originally went to the till with 2 of the new Sugar Crush body washes (£6.50 each) and the Mist You Madly travel sized body spray (£3.50 I think?).. Then realised I had the voucher so ran to pick up Peaches and Clean (£7). A different girl served me and she scanned it all through and it come to a lower price (no idea why) so I got my mum to quickly grab another body spray.. But then I realised it was 3 for 2 so when she got back, I sent her off again to get a travel sized Scrub Of Your Life (£2.50).. Needless to say, mum was a bit annoyed, I was getting hot and bothered.. and embarrassed! Plus everyone else queuing was getting annoyed but I got there in the end!!

I absolutely LOVE all of the Soap & Glory products I got (from last week and everything else previous) apart from Peaches & Clean which I had quite a nasty reaction to but I shall review each of these in more detail in the next couple of weeks, including pictures of my face after using Peaches & Clean, bet you can hardly contain yourself! ;)


What have you been buying lately?