The Weekly Vlog #7

Last week I decided to spoil myself and buy a new vlogging camera.  I know, I know it's a bit close to Christmas to be buying myself something like that but I couldn't carry around that big old Canon 700D DSLR Camera that I have been doing. The camera I decided to go for was the Sony a5000.  So far I've really been loving it although I'm having a bit of trouble with the bits on the side that you're supposed to add a strap to as they rattle when I'm holding the camera. I might have to tape them down or something as I don't think they are removable.

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Essie Sparkles

When I saw these Essie sparkly polishes glistening at me on the stand in Boots the other day I just knew I had to get one of them for Christmas time.  I don't really own any glittery nail polishes so I thought - what the heck, I'll buy them all! And I have to say I'm not disappointed in any of them.   

 

 

A Cut Above is a a pinky tone glitter varnish that is just so pretty and I think I will probably be wearing this one the most.  Summit of Style is a rose gold that looks beautiful over a white nail.  Set In Stones is a classic silver glitter polish that I'm currently wearing on my nails over a nude.  Rock At The Top is a gorgeous gold that I can't wait to try over a black or deep red.

 

I'm really pleased with the size of the glitter too (does that sound odd?) I feel that the glitter in some glitter polishes is too big but with these there are lots of tiny flecks of glitter with some larger pieces to really add colour.

 

 

 

I've had Set In Stones on my nails now for a week and it hasn't budged so in terms of lasting quality it definitely gets the thumbs up from me.

 

Do your wear glittery polishes?  Which ones would you recommend?

 

 

Glossybox Unboxing | December 2014

This month I'm trying something different for my Glossybox post - I've only gone and videoed it haven't I?

 

If you don't know, Glossybox is a subscription beauty box that I really do love receiving through my letterbox each month.  There are 5 full size and sample size beauty products to try each month and it costs between £8.50 and £10 depending upon which subscription you sign up for.  If you'd like to sign up and receive some fabulous beauty products to test out each month click here.

If this embedded video doesn't work for you click here.

  

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The Weekly Vlog #6

Last weeks happenings are finally edited and all wrapped up in this little vlog.  I finally started my Christmas shopping last week - in fact I nearly finished it too!! Yeay, go me!

If this embedded video doesn't work for you click here.

 

I have so been loving all the vlogmas videos on YouTube at the moment. I'm so nosey and just love seeing what everyone's getting up to.  Do you like vlogmas videos? Who are your favourite to watch? I'd love to add some new vloggers to my watch list.

 

 

Selfridges Advent | Day 6, 7 & 8

So I forgot to open my calendar over the weekend so I have 3 doors worth of goodies to share with you today - days 6, 7 and 8. If you don't know I have the Selfridges Enchanted Spells Advent Calendar and I've really been enjoying opening it.  It's my first ever beauty advent calendar and I'll definitely be having one every year from now on. 

 

 

I received some nice products in my 3 days - a perfume, a face cream and a serum.

 

Day 6 was Lancome La Vie Est Belle L'Absolu in a mini 4ml bottle.  I initially didn't know what this perfume was as I couldn't find any markings on it and I didn't recognise the bottle.  But, after straining my eyes for a while I managed to read the teeny, tiny sticker underneath that said Lancôme and I managed to figure it out from there.  As you may know, I'm hopeless at describing scents so I'll just say: I suggest you head down to your nearest perfume shop and take a whiff - it's possibly the nicest scent I've smelled in a while. 

 

Day 7 was a Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream which I've heard some wonderful things about so I was really excited when I saw this one.  I've never tried a Kiehl's product before but they've always been on my wish lists.

 

 

Finally behind day 8 was a YSL Forever Youth Liberator which is a serum for the face and neck.  I've seen the YSL Forever range around but never thought to try it.  This 7ml sample size has a pipette which delivers the perfect amount and it will be a fun little addition to my skincare routine over the next few weeks.  

 

Have you got a beauty advent calendar? Or do you stick with the good old chocolate ones?

 

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Selfridges Advent | Day 5

It's day 5 of advent calendar opening and so far, I've opened some real beauty treats.  Day 1 was my spicy perfume, Day 2 was a Kiehl's cleanser, Day 3 was a Lancôme cream and Day 4 was another Lancôme treat.

 

Let's see what's inside day 5... 

Todays product is a miniature 15ml Shu Uemura Skin Purifier.  This was a product I'd never heard of so I had to do a little research to find out exactly what it was. I actually thought Shu Uemura only did make-up and had no idea they had a skincare range.

 

I couldn't actually find much information on the product to be honest.  I'm a tiny bit wiser in the fact it contains liquorice root derivative, amino botanical complex, and depsea water which claims to naturally provide moisture to the skin, enhance the skins transparency and improve the skins quality.

 

I'm unsure when I would use this product in my skin care routine.  Is says on the website to apply to a dry face and rinse thoroughly with warm water - is this used as a cleanser, after a cleanser? I dunnno? Do you own this product or know anything about it? Let me know in the comments if you know how I'm supposed to use it.

 

 

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The (Late) Weekly Vlog #5

I've finally uploaded last weeks fun.  It was of course the one where Christmas finally hit - we went to the switch on of our towns Christmas lights and Sunday was Christmas tree decoration day. 

 

I'm always curious when everyone else decorates their tree. I like to do mine on the 1st December if possible but as that fell on Monday this year I did it on Sunday 30th November.  Some people complain at me it's too early but I like them up as long as possible.  When do you put your tree up? 

If this embedded video doesn't work click here to view directly on YouTube.   Check out Gemzicle Sprinkles on YouTube for more weekly vlogs 

Selfridges Advent | Day 4

It's Day 4 of my advent opening and I've gotta say I'm starting to stress a bit about Christmas.  I'm one of those that starts thinking about Christmas at the beginning of November and starts thinking about what to buy people and casually browsing around the internet but I never actually purchase anything for anyone until well into December.  Ah well, it will all get done in the end.  Let's get back to my advent calendar,

 

So far I've received a few little treasures behind my doors.

 

Day 1 was a wonderful perfume from Yves Saint Laurent

Day 2 was a facial cleanser from Kiehl's

Day 3 was an anti-wrinkle, firming moisturiser from Lancôme.

 

We're staying with Lancôme for day 4...

Initially I was quite disappointed to see another Lancôme product today as I enjoy a bit of variety.  The product I received was Lancôme Galateis Douceur Cleanser.  We received a Kiehl's cleanser on Day 2 so again I was slightly disappointed to receive another one.  This cleanser retails at £35.50 for 400ml and I received a 50ml. 

I've heard some good things about this product in the past so I'm looking forward to trying this out.  I've been using the Garnier Micellar Water to remove my make-up and I've really been loving it but it'll be nice to try something a bit more high end. It claims that all foundation, blush, mascara and lipstick will all dissolve on contact - I'm up for a bit of that.

Selfridges Advent | Day 3

Day 3 of my wonderful Selfridges Enchanted Spells Advent Calendar has certainly not disappointed! I've really been enjoying seeing what beauty goodies lye in wait behind each door and I'm only on day 3.

 

Day 1 saw a beautifully scented Yves Saint Laurent eau de toilette Opium.

Day 2 was a Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser which I'm really looking forward to trying out.

 

Let's see what was behind door number 3...

 

On the door for day 3 it says 'Open the door and reveal the uplifting appearance of youth: skin looks visibly smoother, boosted with moisture,' and when I opened the door I found a little blue tub of cream that I didn't recognise at all.  After further investigation I discovered it was Renergie Multi-Lift, an uplifting, anti-wrinkle moisturiser from Lancôme.

 

The cream is said to help replenish the surface of the skin with the energy it needs to repair and construct during the night.  I've never tried a really expensive moisturiser, as I tend to stick to products such as Simple, so I'm looking forward to trying this. A full size pot of 50ml retails for £64 and I received a respectable sample size of 15ml.

 

What did you get in your advent calendar this morning?

 

 

Selfridges Advent | Day 2

 

It's Day 2 of my Selfridges Advent opening. Behind Day 1 was a spicy, oriental perfume by Yves Saint Laurent which I loved.  I was really looking forward to opening day 2 and I wasn't disappointed... 

 

 

 

Kiehl's is a brand that I love reading about but I just find it too expensive to add to my daily routine (I'm a real bargain, drugstore girl at heart!) and today I received a wonderful Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser behind my enchanted door.  

 

I am hopeless at a skincare routine and I know, I know I really should make the effort to cleanse so I'm gonna give this a little try and see if it makes a difference to my skin. 

 

This cleanser is suitable for all skin types and claims to not over dry or strip skin of it's natural moistures.  My skin can feel quite tight after cleansing so I'm looking forward to seeing if this has a different effect.

 

 

Have you tried the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser?  Do you like it?

 

 

 

 

 

Selfridges Advent | Day 1

 It's December already! When did that sneak up on me? I love when December hits and the house is all decorated with trees and various other decorations and sparkly lights seem to appear on every window and tree in the neighbourhood.  I've really treated myself this year with a special Selfridges Advent Calendar so I figured I'd do a special Blogmas featuring what I received each day behind those magical, little enchanted doors.  

Behind todays door was a miniature Opium by Yves Saint Laurent which is a scent I've never tried before. I'm useless at describing smells but according to Selfridges website it has notes of  mandarin, bergamont, myrrh and jasmine.  I find it quite an oriental, spicy perfume but with a fruity kinda layer to it.  I really enjoy the smell and will definitely be using up all of this handy little miniature.



Sparky certainly enjoyed trying to have a little sniff of the perfume and just generally getting in the way whilst I was trying to photograph!

What did you get in your Advent Calendar this morning?

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Cohorted | A Different Type Of Shopping

 

I love a bit of shopping (who doesn't) and I especially love finding a good bargain.  It makes me feel all warm and happy inside.  I especially love sitting in on a cold winters evening all cosy on the sofa with a big baggy jumper or my onesie and do some online shopping.  I don't even have to move my lazy butt off the sofa to find bargains. Perfection.  Cohorted is a new type of shopping that I've discovered in the past few months. Cohorted? I hear you ask. Lemme explain...

 

 

 

Cohorted is social shopping. The idea behind a 'Cohort' is that a product becomes available and you join the cohort to buy the product with the other shoppers. There is a starting price for the product, a current % off and a potential % off, you will pay an amount in between the two percentages depending upon how many people join the cohort to buy. The more shoppers, the cheaper the price will end up being.

 

New products go up on Cohorted 6pm GMT each Monday and let me tell you, sometimes you've really got to be on there at 6pm or you'll miss out on that high end product you've been lusting after.

 

The products I've purchased in the past few weeks are

 

Skin Doctors Instant Face Lift £9

Soap & Glory Supercat Eye Liner Pen Carbon Black £4.20

Real Techniques Combination Pack £12.78

D&G Combination Pack £12.75

Perversion Mascara & Deluxe Set £9.60
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (I've lost the receipt but it was around £3)

Naked Basics 2 Palette £15.40

   

 

As you can see from the prices I paid there really are some fantastic bargains to be had and I'd recommend anyone heading on over to Cohorted and checking out the products each Monday.  Coming up in the next few weeks they have products such as the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Raw Sugar & Pink Opal, Benefit Rockateur and Chanel Lipstick Rouge Allure. 

 

Do you do Cohorted shopping? What products have you purchased from them?

 

 

 

The Weekly Vlog #4

It was a week of not much vlogging last week.  I've been so busy with work recently which has left little time to myself.  We did manage to half dress up for a Pirates and Princess kids birthday party on Saturday and it was also the week I attempted some long awaiting and much needed redecorating.

 

 

 

 

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#WIAW Where's All The Veg?

Another Wednesday has rolled around in the blink of an eye and that means time for another What I Ate Wednesday.. But before we get in to the eats...

 

I have to give a little shout out to Jenn over at Peas & Crayons as she is celebrating her 200th WIAW today.  Her WIAW link up is one of my all time favs and I love checking it out each week, so congrats Jenn and a big thank you from me for hosting an awesome link party each week.

 

On to the food...

 

One of the things I love about doing WIAW is seeing what I've actually eaten in a day.  Todays eats are more or less veggie free (compared to what I think I should eat) which obviously wasn't a conscious choice but somehow it happened. 

 

Breakfast

  

 

Oh how I'm loving having my Blend Active out again for breakfasts! This mornings breakfast was a banana, frozen fruit salad mix (melon, grapes & orange), spinach and just water today as I'd ran out of almond milk.  I was a bit vary of adding the spinach but it was actually quite a tasty addition.

 

Lunch

 

You can't see the teeny sweet potato underneath all those beans but I promise you it's there.  These beans aren't your standard baked beans from a tin - these are my special amped up healthy beans that you can find the recipe for here. I love these beans as they're so much tastier and nutritious than baked beans.  I honestly think that if you try these you'll always want to have some in your freezer ready to whip out for a quick and easy lunch.  The variety of beans can be varied and for this particular recipe I think I used kidney and cannellini.

 

Tea

 

 

Yeah, yeah I know - brown slop doesn't really photograph that well. But as long as it tasted good, right?  This was left over veg curry that I'd made at the weekend served with quinoa.  I used a madras paste and added coconut milk, onions, garlic, ginger, black eye beans, peppers, courgettes and sugar snaps, topped with coriander.

Now, I know that sounds like a lot of veg but I'd got my quantities all wrong and it was mostly black eye beans.

 

What do you think?  Is this days eats seriously lacking in veggies?

 



Christmas Jumper Picks

Who doesn't love a Christmas jumper? Personally, I think mid November is a good time to start rocking the Christmas jumper to start getting into the Christmas spirit nice and early. 

This year is no different to any other in that there are sooo many to choose from - there are cute ones, funny ones, slogan ones, sparkly ones... the list is endless.

Here are a few of my favourites that I've found. Now the only problem is which ones to actually buy... Which one's your favourite?  

1st Row  Little Miss Christmas Knitted Jumper £39.99 | Truffle Shuffle // Skating Penguin Jumper £26 | Dorothy Perkins // December 25th Sweater £42 | Topshop

2nd Row Jessie Reindeer Jumper £20 | Boohoo // Fluffy Sequin Bow Christmas Jumper £27.99 | New Look // Christmas Snowman Jumper £28 | M&S

3rd Row Holidays Are Coming Christmas Jumper £29.99 | Truffle Shuffle // Red Christmas Tree Jumper £26 | Dorothy Perkins //Reindeer Christmas Jumper £35 | Asos

What's On My Nails #4

This week on my nails I've been wearing Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in the shade Chia and I have to say I've been very impressed.  When I initially bought it I thought it had a purple undertone but it hasn't at all (damn shop lighting).  It's a gorgeous shiny mid grey tone that looks particularly good with a monotone outfit. 

 

It's a shade that I feel is unlike anything else I have in my collection so for that reason I think it's definitely a keeper.

 

I've been really impressed with the lasting quality of this varnish, as I have mentioned in the past that I feel Barry M varnishes just don't have that staying power of other more expensive brands (which btw, I don't mind as I like to change my polish quite often anyway) This one though has been going strong since Sunday night and it's now Friday morning - I think that's really good for such an inexpensive product. I have only one teeny, tiny chip on my right index nail.

 

What do you think of this shade?

 

Are you a Barry M fan or do you prefer a more expensive nail polish?

 

 

 

 

Boots Christmas | My Picks £10 and Under

I loved compiling my Boots Christmas Under £5 Picks so I'm back today with another round.  This time we're going slightly more expensive and looking at Under £10.  There are some fabulously cute items that you can buy for under £10.  In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by how many things I could have added to this list.  They're perfect for a close friend or a little extra indulgent treat to add to some ones stocking.

 

 

Bleach London Hair Wraps £8

Hair wraps/braids are definitely on their way back.  Bleach London are the company behind the super cool wraps you may have seen people rocking recently. What more could you want to do on Christmas Day?

Vintage Collection Glass Trinket Pot £8

This is a beautiful little glass pot that would look adorable on any dressing table.

Starbucks Hot Chocolate Trio with Stacking Tins £10

Confession time - I've literally never stepped foot inside a Starbucks. But, for Starbucks or hot chocolate lovers this cute little trio of tins would be perfect.  It also has 3 delicious flavours of cocoa including marshmallow and salted caramel.

Fox Hand Warmers £10

These hand warmers are a life saver when the cold weather hits.  What better gift to give a loved one than the gift of warmth on a chilli January day.

Sanctuary Love The Little Things Tin £10

This is a wonderful indulgent gift for anyone who loves a little luxury.  The tin includes body wash, scrub and a lotion.

Yankee Candle - Cinnamon Stick £9.95

Candles always make a wonderful present in my opinion and cinnamon is a wonderfully Christmas smell.

Soap & Glory™ YOUR OWN SWEET LIME™ Gift Set £10

This is one S&G gift set that I'd kinda like for myself.  I love the sugar crush range and the mouth-watering lime fragrance. There's also a hand food in the range in this set - just perfect for any S&G fan.

 

Wonderland Cotton Tail Ceramic Cotton Wool Dispenser £10
We all use cotton wool right girls? This is a super cute way of storing them and an adorable addition to any dressing table. 


Are any of these items on your Christmas list?  Let me know in the comments what your best picks are from Boots this year.

What I Ate Wednesday - Making Time For Healthy

Sometimes finding a theme or topic for What I Ate Wednesday is a bit of a tricky one but this week it's been easy.  Thanks to Jenn for hosting.

 

I always struggle with 'healthy eating.' It's something I tend to think I do but in reality if and when I document what I eat over a week it's full of crap.  The last few weeks have been particularly bad and I've stuffed my face with far too many bags of crisps, heavy carb laden bread and pasta meals and even chocolate sweets, and I'm not normally a chocolate person.  The more I ate the rubbish, the more I craved it and I didn't even really enjoy it.  Even as I was taking the crisps out of the cupboard I knew I didn't really want them, I just couldn't be bothered making myself anything.

 

This week I made sure I went shopping and stocked up on a ton of veggies and fruit and healthy grains and pulses.  I enjoy eating healthier and I feel so much better for it but I know it's something I have to make time for.  Healthier meals tend to take more preparation time and definitely require more planning and organisation.

How do you organise yourself to make delicious, nutritious meals on a daily basis?

Pre-breakfast

The benefits of drinking lemon water are not a new thing.  Lemons are packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. So, with that in mind I've been adding a hot lemon drink to my morning routine.  I don't drink coffee and only have an odd tea so adding this warm drink to the cold mornings we've started having is really nice.

Breakfast



 Oh how I've missed my Breville Blend-Active Blender! It's been in my cupboard for the past month or so for some reason and I'd forgotten how much I love having a smoothie for breakfast.  This smoothie was a banana, frozen melon and grapes, almond milk, spirulina powder and some water as it was too thick.  I think the spirulina powder is a plant based protein but I haven't looked in to it in detail yet.  I bought it a while ago when I was working in a gym at the recommendation of a fellow gym instructor.

Do you know anything about spirulina powder?

Lunch

 

There's nothing I can say about my avocado on toast that I have for lunch that hasn't already been said. I'm such a creature of habit when it comes to my lunch.  I wonder how many #WIAW this has featured in?  I might have to go back and check...

Tea

 

 

This tea was delicious! It didn't really take that long to make - just a lot of chopping.  It was spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese, quinoa and a small sweet potato.  I topped it with a drizzle of my favourite home made chilli oil which added a yummy heat to the dish.

 

 

I've loved eating more healthy this week and I hope I can keep this up and continue my optimism for all these tasty dishes.

 

I'd love any inspiration for healthy, vegetarian recipes I can try so if you have any please link them down below in the comments.

 

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The Weekly Vlog #2

This week I kinda epically failed at vlogging.  It's just so hard trying to remember to whip out my camera when good things happen.  I think it just takes time to get in to the habit of doing it. 

It was a week of back to work after a few days off which is always a bit of a bummer.  At the beginning of the week Mini Greenoid and I had two evenings where we went baking mad, making scones, a chocolate cake and what Greenoid describes as Green Spaghetti Pancakes (yeah my thoughts exactly!)

There seems to have been fireworks going off every night this week which has been great as I live opposite a field so I can look out at them all.  We went to a firework display down the road on Wednesday night which was cold but fun.  Talking of the weather, there's been a definite drop in temperature round these parts in the latter half of the week so I'm going to use that as an excuse to buy some new winter woollies I think...

I hope you enjoy this weeks vlog and if you have a vlogging channel I'd love to check it out so please leave it in the comments.

 

Boots Christmas | My Picks £5 and Under

Now that Bonfire Night is officially done and dusted I allow myself to start thinking about Christmas. That's not to say I haven't thought of it before now but around this time of year is when a little switch goes off inside my brain and I start seriously thinking about (and doing) a ton of Christmas shopping for loved ones.

Boots is always one of my favourites for Christmas shopping.  Who can resist those wonderful 3 for 2 offers?  It can get quite overwhelming though, as there are sooo many amazing products to choose from. So I thought what better on the lead up to Christmas than a few handy little gift guides at different price ranges to help you chose that perfect, special gift for your nearest and dearest (or the Secret Santa you got stuck with at work!)

First up is the For Her For Under £5

Baylis & Harding Beauticology Gift Set £5

This set contains some soft, fluffy candy cane socks and some deliciously fragranced foot treatments.  What's not to love?

Soap & Glory™ MERRY KISS MUCH™ Gift £5

I love a bit of Soap & Glory and this perfect little lip balm comes all wrapped up in a collectable bauble. The balm is formulated with mango and apricot butter and sounds delicious.  A perfect stocking filler.

Hastag Stuff Sticky Notes £4

I definitely need some of these in my life.  (Hint, hint!) I love sticky notes and am forever writing on them so if you know a social media obsessed, sticky note lover these are the perfect little present.

Fearne Perfectly Polished Nail Polish Duo £4

This gorgeous duo from Fearne features a beautiful purple/pink shade and some nail glitter which I think is perfect for the festive season. Who doesn't love a bit of glitter around Christmas?

Home Fragrance No.25 Spiced Cranberry & Nutmeg Candle Tin £5

This candle smells divine.  Does anything say Christmas more than the smell of cranberries and nutmeg? The candle is housed in a beautiful, decorative gold leaf and berry design that I think might look quite nice in my dining room actually...

Jack Wills Ladies Emery Boards £5

If you know a girl who likes doing her nails these stylish emery boards in a handy little pouch are the perfect little gift.

Ferrero Rocher Collection £4.69

If all else fails, a box of chocolates never will. Especially the Ferrero Rocher kind. Oh and those white coconutty ones - delicious.

Keep your eyes peeled for more Boots Christmas picks coming soon...

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