Promises, Piercings, And Pesto - Merry Christmas

Well, here we are, there's only more sleep to Christmas - the presents are wrapped, the house is *mostly* tidy, I'm showered and the new PJ's are on, and we have just consumed our traditional Christmas Eve meal of Pesto, Tomato, and Mozzarella Ciabattas, with a little glass of mulled wine on the side - I'm currently watching the Alistair Sim version of Scrooge, with the Muppet Christmas Carol up next and I thought I'd quickly write my now traditional Christmas Eve post.

I honestly don't know where the last few weeks have gone, it's been a funny few weeks here in LouLouLand, lots of cleaning, yet more bad news, and a bit of pain and exhaustion thrown in for good measure. I promised a few posts before Christmas but surprise, surprise nothing panned out the way I wanted, I prepped a lot of posts but I never managed to actually post anything so I apologise, and I promise I will have some more content up next week and lots more going on into 2024

This year me and my mas decided to go for a joint present, and get something we both wanted, so we treat ourselves to a new smart TV, and an upgraded Sky box, so I'm not really expecting a lot tomorrow especially since my mam also paid for my daith piercing changeout  (I went for a nice silver hoop), and a new conch piercing in my right ear - Again I went to the lovely Kelly, at Doc Black Ink, Metro Centre, last Monday and I honestly can't recommend her and the shop enough. It was way less painful than I anticipated but it has been a bit tender since especially behind my ear but I love it, and the slightly hidden aspect - I've definitely got the piercing bug again!

Although I love presents it really isn't about that this year, it's been another awful year, losing my uncle, and with numerous family illness and accidents, for me it's all about spending time with the people I love, I want it to be nice, and I want to have some nice memories from Christmas 2023.

You know the drill though by now, Christmas isn't always the happy time, that so many people especially on social media would have you believe, your everyday problems don't go away, and being around family, and friends, or on your own can often exacerbate and create new issues, so please, please remember you are not alone - Here is a list of useful numbers below, and I would personally also like to add Cruse Bereavement Support - 0808 808 1677

So if you're celebrating tomorrow I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, and if you're not, I hope you have a peaceful, and cheerful Monday, and I'll see you soon with a new post x 

A Quick Merry Christmas And A Promise

It seems to be something of a reoccurring theme this year, that I have a post either planned out in my head or drafted, and for what ever reason I've never managed to get most of them published x 

Well the same thing has happened again - I had this post all planned out in my head, an explanation for where I've been for the last month or so, a little bit on the future of the blog, and of course taking the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas. 

Today has been a little bit busier and crazier than I'd anticipated and even at 8pm at night every thing that needs to be done still isn't done - never mind that's clearly the story of my life lol, so anyone I just thought I'd stick a super quick post up to wish all of you that are celebrating a very Happy Christmas, and even if you aren't celebrating tomorrow I hope you all have a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday weekend. 

If life isn't that great at the moment though, don't forget that you are never alone and even over the holiday period there will always be someone out there to listen, I'm still pretty active on twitter so please feel free to message me or tweet me x  

So I hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow and I promise I will be back in the next few days with a more detailed post xx

Twas The Night Before Christmas And Things Really Haven't Gone To Plan...

So here we are x There is only one more sleep till the big day, and I have to say for the first time in a really long time I don't feel that festive. If you follow me on Instagram or if you're a fan of my Facebook page, then you'll already know that my Mam was rushed to hospital earlier this week thankfully she was discharged last night but she's still on a lot of medication and she's still feeling exhausted and pretty under the weather. Unfortunately we've made to decision to have a much more low key Christmas Day celebration with just the two of us, and a scaled back vegetarian Christmas dinner cooked by yours truly!

I love tradition and routine at Christmas time, so I'm feeling a little bit emotional and uneasy with all of the changes, and I'm really going to miss spending the day with my godmother, I did see her today though which was nice but It can't be helped these things happen, my Mam's health is more important and I'm going to try and make it as nice as possible for her tomorrow x 

I know Christmas is going to be another strange one for a lot of people this year, so please do what I'm doing and try to remember that it's just a day, and a very hyped day at that. Things don't have to be perfect, and you don't have to force yourself to be happy - life doesn't change just because it's Christmas Day - So if you're on your own - head to Twitter where Sarah Millican is doing her annual #JoinIn, I'll probably be floating around on social media for most of the day - probably sharing my culinary stresses, and if you really do need someone to talk to, don't forget there is always someone out there to listen, it's okay not to be okay so reach out if you need to x 

So although it won't be the Christmas that so many of us had planned this year, if you're celebrating this year I hope you have the best day possible x  I will hopefully see you sometime over the festive season with an overview of this years Glossybox Advent Calendar, and maybe another post or two, so from me to you, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas x

*This Post Contains An Affiliate Link

Twas The Night Before Christmas...

I promised a lot before Christmas, reviews, gift idea and more, but unsurprisingly in 2020, it just didn't happen. Life got in the way again, and the bad news train just kept on rolling on. 

So here we are, it's Christmas Eve and whilst it will be pretty much business as usual for me, thanks to Covid it's going to be a strange one for a lot of people, who are unable to spend time with their friends and family over the holiday period, but whatever your plans now are, I hope that you all have the merriest Christmas possible x. 

If things do get a little bit too much for you though, or if your alone and you need someone talk too, either get yourself on twitter, and find someone to talk to via Sarah Millican's #joinin event or call one of the numbers below x There is always someone there to listen x 

So from my house to yours, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and hopefully I will see you after Christmas x 

One More Sleep...

So this is it, after what seems like a never ending build up,  the presents are wrapped, I'm wearing my new Christmas Pyjamas, and drinking mulled wine in front of The Muppets - it's Christmas Eve! So I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of you who are celebrating a very Merry Christmas, and as per usual I also want to take this opportunity to remind you that you are not alone this Christmas and that there is always somebody there to talk to so please keep a note of the numbers and websites below, and pleases share them on your social media channels x

As I say I hope you all have a great day tomorrow, whether you're celebrating or not, and I will see you after Christmas with some long overdue posts x

Merry Christmas And Remember You Are Not Alone x

So as per usual this year, things haven't gone quite to plan today so instead of the summary of days 13 - 24 of the Glossybox All I Want Advent Calendar that I promised you, I thought I'd just write a super quick post to wish you all of you that are celebrating tomorrow a very Merry Christmas, I hope you have a good one and that Santa is good to you !

Christmas can be a stressful time though, emotions can come to a head, and of course everyday problems don't go away just because it's Christmas Day so please remember that you are not alone, and there is always someone there to listen x Here is a list of UK telephone numbers and websites if you need some help or just someone to talk to xx

I have a few more bits to do including watching The Muppets Christmas Carol and then I'm going to head to bed, and be nice and warm and cosy under my festive bedding, once I've removed the mountain of cushions that is! So I hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow whether you're celebrating or not, and I will probably see you  later in the week with an advent calendar update, and don't forget to follow me on my other social media channels especially Instagram for some pictures of my day xxx

Look Fantastic Beauty In Wonderland 2017 Advent Calendar - Part 2 - Days 13 - 24

So the Christmas tree lights are on, my new PJ's are on and I'm sitting here with some cheese, mulled wine and The Muppets Christmas Carol, well what else would I be doing on Christmas Eve! Although I'm not a little person anymore I still love the excitement and the anticipation that you feel on Christmas Eve even if sometimes as an adult it does feel a little bit stressful!

As promised my last post before Christmas is a summary of Days 13 - 24 of the Look Fantastic Beauty In Wonderland Advent Calendar (you can see what products on got on days 1 - 12 here). I've really enjoyed every aspect of this calendar, I love how it looks and I've really enjoyed discovering some new brands and some new products, some of which I will definitely be buying again.

Day 13 Moroccanoil Morrocanoil Treatment - 15ml 

Now I've heard a lot about this brand and as you know I'm always looking for products to improve my hair so I can't wait to give this a proper try. I've already tried a little bit of this thickish yellow oil in my hair and so far so good. I do love a hair oil and this oil which contains argan oil and linseed oil claims to detangle the hair and leave it smoother and more manageable, and boost shine. I can't find a price comparison for this size but a 25ml size retails at £13.45.

Day 14 - Korres Wild Rose Advance Repair Sleeping Facial - 16ml 

I'm a huge fan of Greek brand Korres but the only products that I've used are their shower and body products, and their lip butters, so on day 14 I was given the opportunity to try out a new product for a brand that I already loved. This leave on mask is designed to sooth and brighten the skin and reduce fine lines, discolouration and pigmentation. It contains wild rose, vitamin C, hyaluronic,  and linolenic acid. I love anything like this so I can't wait to give this a try, especially over the festive season and the winter months when your skin can look a little bit dull. I can't find a price online for this size but the 40ml size retails at around £26

Day 15 - Rose Gold Look Fantastic Branded Face Brush 

Now the next item appears to be an advent calendar exclusive. It is a gorgeous soft, face brush with a gold tone handle. It has a very designer look and it's reminds me a lot of the Real Techniques Bold Metals collection.

Day 16 - Model Co Instant Brows - Light / ,Medium  - 1.5g

From someone who used to pretty blase about their brows over the last 18 months they've became one of the most important parts of my beauty routine and whilst I have my go to products now I still love trying new things but unfortunately I haven't really got on with this one. With a brow spoolie at one end and a soft slanted wax at the other end you can either use it to draw in individual hairs or to fill in larger areas. Designed for all day way this product was just too soft for me, the minute that I put any pressure on the tip it snapped. The colour was too light for me as well but I'll use it up as a brow highlight. I've seen this pen for sale at a couple of different price points between but for this size it usually retails at between £14 and £16.

Day 17 - Omorovicza Queen Of Hungary Mist - 30ml 

This is probably one of my favourite discoveries of the entire calendar. With a limited edition bottle, this is basically a toning mist which you apply after cleansing to refresh the skin and according to Omorovicza revitalise the spirit. It contains orange blossom, rose, and sage water, apple pectin and Hungarian thermal waters. This spray feels beautiful and cooling on the skin and it smells AMAZING, the mixture of rose and orange blossom means that it smells a little bit like the Courreges fragrance Girl In The Air! This size retails at around £15.

Day 18 - Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm- 4ml 

This is another cult product that I haven't tried before I've had a couple of these in the past but I've never used them . This lanolin filled balm can be used on any sore or dry areas including lips, cuticle, dry patches and of course on nipples. I've used this on my lips a couple of times already and a little goes a long, long, way and whilst it's thick it absorbs quickly and a little goes a long way. This is a tiny little size but the full 15ml size retails at £12.

Day 19 - Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Ultra Moisturising Hand Therapy 25g 

I've tried a few hand creams from heritage brand Crabtree & Evelyn but I've tried this one from their famous La Source range. With a fresh and clean, aquatic scent, this hand cream which contains green seaweed, red sea algae, Shea butter, myrrh, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, has a lovely creamy texture and absorbs quickly into the skin. This size retails at £8.

Day - 20 - Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream - 15ml

I was thrilled to find this little tube in my calendar. I talked about this cream an awful lot and just in case you've missed my musings, this is without a doubt my favourite ever moisturiser. I love the fresh scent, and I love the cream / gel texture. It's lightweight, non greasy and absorbs really easily into my oily / combination skin. I love it and my godmother who is 87 and has drier, mature skin also loves. This is a good size and although I can't find a direct price comparison, a 30ml pot now retails at around £52.

Day 21 - Magnitone Wipe Out The Amazing Microfibre Cleansing Cloth 

I've got a few of these wipes now and I'm not sure how exactly but they really do work. Simply dampen down the microfibre cloth with warm water, and use it to remove your make up. You don't need a cleanser just plain water, but for stubborn make up you can still use one if you like. I'm not sure if this is a full sized cloth but 2 full size cloths retail at around £14.99.

Day 22 - HD High Definition Eyeshadow Palette 002 Foxy - Full Size - 5 x 0.8g

This palette comes from the brand previously known as HD Brows and their brow products were the only things that I'd tried from them but now they've branched out into other types of make up and believe me this palette 002 Foxy is a beaut. In an expensive looking matte rubberised effect packaging, this palette features a large mirror and contains 5 beautiful matte and satin shimmer, neutral eye shadows, and a double ended shadow and liner brush.

The shades from left to right are Bare, Golden, Honey, Bronze and Truffle, the pigmentation and the texture is excellent. The shadows contain emollient oils, anti oxidants and vitamins C and E. This palette retails at £29.

Day 23 - Doucce Maxlash Volumizer Mascara 

I've never heard of this brand before but I do like the sound of this mascara. It aims to add outrageous volume and length, and they also claim that it is clump resistant, flake proof, smudge proof and humidity and sweat resistant. I'll let you know what I think about it when I try it x I don't think that this is a full size product as there is no size on it but it does seem to be a decent size

Day 24 - Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil - 15ml Travel Size 

Well this is one product that I don't think I'm going to have the chance to use. Mummy Lou loves facial oils and she's loves anything with rose so I've given her this as an early Christmas pressie. This facial oil contains Moroccan Rose, vitamin C and A, and almond and is rich in antioxidants and moisturising properties. This size retails at around £35.90.

Unlike a lot of advent calendars out there this one also has a Number 25 so I'll be updating some time soon about what was in the box. In the meantime I'd like to take this opportunity if you celebrate, to wish you a very, Merry Christmas. Tomorrow will be a quiet family one for me, and I know I'll cherish spending time with people that I love. Hopefully it will be a happy day for me and my family, but please remember that life goes on, on Christmas Day and problems don't always go away, so please, please remember that you are not alone on Christmas Day or on any other day of the year, and if you need help or someone to talk to there will always be someone there to listen x Merry Christmas x