Friday, 27 November 2015

Stocking Stuffer Ideas Feat. Snapfish*

Christmas is less than a month away now and I don’t know about you, but I am finalising all of my presents and stocking up on those little stocking stuffers that really finish off a Christmas gift. I class a stocking stuffer as something small that is generally less than £10. This is where Snapfish is great, with its huge range of personalised gifts at great prices, you can find something for everyone. I’ve gotten creative this year and decided to design some lovely personalised gifts for all of the family.

Snapfish stocking fillers

For the Couple
My brother has recently moved in with his Girlfriend so I decided to get him some personalised coasters as a house-warming gift that also doubles up as being quite practical. I chose to use a scrabble letter design, knowing they would like this and that it would match other decor in their house. With Snapfish, anything is possible with the designs. You can upload photos to your coasters or even quotes. It is easy to create 6 individual different designs or a matching set.  A set of 6 coasters costs just £9.99 which is great value for such a lovely personalised gift. You could also add a set of photo mugs to go with them.

Snapfish stocking fillers

For the Animal Lover 
We all have that one friend or family member who is obsessed with their pet. What better way to treat them this Christmas than to order them something with their much-loved animal on it. Snapfish have a great range of personalised photo magnets starting at just £2.99, collage prints from 11p and customised photo mugs from £7.99 that you can fill with sweets. I chose to use different photos for each of the gifts and I just know the animal lover of the family is going to love waking up to these on Christmas morning. Complete the gift by popping some treats for the pet in the stocking too, animals deserve presents at Christmas too!

Snapfish stocking fillers

For the Kids
If you’re buying for a child who is a great lover of stationery then look no further than the great range available at Snapfish. Why not treat your loved one to a customised notebook with a photo from their favourite TV show priced from £5.99, a personalisedkey-ring for £2.99 and some personalised stickers for £2.49. Kids love stickers and you can complete the gift with a set of pens or pencils which will keep them busy for hours come Christmas day.

Snapfish stocking fillers

Another great idea would be to buy a personalised calendar ready for 2016. I have previously reviewed these here.

I really hope you’ve got some ideas for personalised Christmas stocking fillers! For more great ideas, head over to Snapfish and look at their Stocking Stuffer Photo Gifts. What are you buying for your loved ones?

*I was provided with the personalised photo gifts from Snapfish free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.
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Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Coloristiq Monthly Manicure Box*

Some of you may be able to remember my review back in may of Coloristiq's Nail Varnish Rental Service which I thought was a really good idea. Well if you thought that was good, you should see what Coloristiq have pulled out of the bag this time.

Coloristiq have started a monthly manicure box that has a theme each month. It is similar to other subscription boxes available but especially for nail varnish lovers. This is not a subscription service, if you like the look of one box you can simply buy it as a one-off. Unlike the original Coloristiq box, you don't have to send this one back, I think it would make a lovely gift for someone this Christmas.


I received the November manicure box which was created to celebrate the release of the new James Bond film, Spectre. The box contained 4 nail varnishes in some beautiful colours - shaken not stirred.

The first colour I opened was this gorgeous white shade called Int'l Crime Caper from OPI. This retails at around £13.95. The colour is sheer white with tiny pink and blue glitter flecks which appear subtle but almost makes the colour look pearlescent. The colour is buildable and after a few layers looks lovely and would be perfect for winter.


The second shade in the box was this Essie shade in the colour Partner in Crime, retailing at £7.99. This is a rich deep brown colour which went on my nails really well. It was almost difficult to see what colour this was at first, but in the light you can see the deep shade of brown. I love Essie nail polishes because the formula is great and you often only need one layer to get full opacity.


The third shade in the box was one of the Starlight 2015 Mini Nail Polish Collection – All Stars which retails at £4.99. It's a silver colour with little multi-coloured strands that reflect in the light. It's beautiful and goes on really smooth despite the added glitter. A few coats gives you full coverage.


The final nail polish in my manicure box was this Calvin Klein Splendid Colour in Silver, worth £12.95. This is such a nice metallic shade and really catches your eye in the light. I am really impressed with the staying power of this nail polish, I received minimal chipping with this.


I love the whole concept of Coloristiq boxes because you get to try items from popular brands without breaking the bank. You get to try a range of colours too and you can slowly build up a really versatile collection. It also encourages you to discover lesser known brands whilst keeping up to date with the latest nail trends.


I love how the box came packaged. The tuxedo style boxes really fit in with the James Bond theme. For only £15 (excluding p&p) I received over £40 worth of products which is absolutely amazing value if you ask me. No two months are the same and you are always guaranteed that the minimum value of the box will be £30.

If you'd like to check out this month's themed manicure box, head on over to Coloristiq and put your order in now to have it delivered straight to your door in 2-3 working days. 

*I received this manicure box free of charge from Coloristiq in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

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Sunday, 22 November 2015

Festive OOTD feat. Lylia Rose*

I love wearing festive themed outfits and when it comes to November I am well in the swing of it and bringing out a different Christmas jumper every week. I am off to York next week and I plan on wearing a different Christmas jumper every day so whilst I was digging these out of the wardrobe, I thought I would share with you a typical festive OOTD whilst wrapping some presents.


This jumper is from George at ASDA and comes with a set of Velcro numbers so you can pretty much wear this jumper all year. I can’t wait to crack this out in March to confuse everyone. It’s super soft and cosy too.



My skirt and tights are both from New Look and I paired this outfit with Ugg Bonham’s in black.


To set this outfit off I wore my Green Gem Antler Necklace from Lylia Rose. This necklace costs just £6.99 and can be worn any time of the year, not just at Christmas. The green is striking and catches your eye when it hits the light – I love it. My necklace came packaged really nicely and wrapped in tissue paper.


Lylia Rose have very kindly offered me a discount code to share with you, so if you fancy 20% off head to the checkout and use code CHRISTIE. There’s free first class UK delivery!

Happy shopping!

*I received this necklace free of charge from Lylia Rose in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.
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Saturday, 21 November 2015

Join the Wholefood Revolution & Get Healthy!

A few month’s ago, I collaborated with Natural Balance Foods   to bring you a review of their Trek Protein Flapjacks. Today I am writing to share with you their latest video aiming to encourage you to join the wholefood revolution, be healthy and enjoy whole foods – specifically Nākd bars and Nibbles!

nakd bars

Nākd bars and Nibbles are made from raw, natural ingredients put together to bring you guilt free delicious treats. They are dairy, wheat and gluten free and they are also vegan friendly. Nākd bars and Nibbles contain no added sugars or syrups, they’re just natural healthy snacks that everyone can enjoy! With a massive range of flavours there really is something for everyone. You can check out the full range of Nākd bars and Nibbles over on the Natural Balance Foods website.
T
he Bakewell Tart got snatched off me before I could even try it, which I am rather upset about as I bet that one would have been my favourite! It is great to know that it’s a healthy treat. I also love the Salted Caramel Fruit and Nut Nibbles and for a sweet fix they are perfect.

So if you want to get healthy and learn to love whole foods give this video a watch and let me know what you think.


Join the #wholefoodrevolution and prepare to be happy!

For more details visit Nākd on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.


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Friday, 20 November 2015

November 2015 Glossybox

I was pretty excited for this month’s box, especially as I had enough Glossydots to get a free one so I didn’t have to pay this month thanks to my friend Kim using my referral code. Always a bonus. This month’s box contained 3 full sized items and 2 travel sized items which I think is all you need to get ready for a night out on the town. Just what I needed in time for party season!

November 2015 Glossybox Review

MUA – Eyeshadow Palette – Full Size £4
I received this MUA eyeshadow palette in Undressed which is a well-known dupe for one of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes. I already have this palette so I will probably donate this to my sister who I know will love it. The palette is packed with neutral shades in matte and shimmer. MUA palettes are really reliable and I find they give a great colour pay off and last all day. I have most of the MUA palettes and this one is definitely one of my favourites. If you’d like 20% off everything in store, head over to the MUA website and enter code MUAGLOSSY at the checkout (expires 31.12.15).


November 2015 Glossybox Review

Royal Apothic – Body Lotion – Full Size £14.50
This Royal Apothic body lotion came in some beautiful vintage packaging and I can’t get enough of it. Massage this lotion into damp skin after showering and it goes on so smooth and sinks in really nicely. It has a really nice scent to it as well which lingers on the skin for hours afterwards. The smell is fresh and not overpowering. The handy travel sized tube we received is perfect for popping in your wash bag or taking away with you when you go away for the weekend.

November 2015 Glossybox Review

Eylure – Natural Lashes – Full Size £5
I used to wear false lashes a lot when I went out and Eylure was always my go-to brand. Having not worn them for ages, I was delighted to see a natural looking pair in my Glossybox to ease my transition back into wearing them. These lashes apply really easily and I love the glue that comes with them as it keeps them on all night. I can’t wait to wear these to upcoming parties, they’re subtle enough that they aren’t noticeable but give a great volume and boost to my eyelashes. To received 25% off your next purchase at Eylure use code glossy25 at the checkout (expires 30.11.15)
November 2015 Glossybox Review

Emite – Diamond Heart Primer – Full Size £25.90
Another travel sized item, this Emite primer aims to balance skin tone, boost radiance and give a smooth finish. I didn’t expect it to have a colour to it when I first tried it, but this went onto the skin leaving no obvious signs that you’ve put it there. This did leave my face feeling soft but did no better job than my go to primer so this is not something I would repurchase.
November 2015 Glossybox Review

Revlon – Super Lustrous Lipstick – Full Size £7.99
This Revlon Lipstick  is the item I thought we were able to choose, however I don’t recall receiving any correspondence allowing me to pick a shade. I received the colour Black Cherry which I was very happy with because I don’t have any other colours like this. I really like how this goes on, however it tends to cling to any dry patches so make sure your lips are hydrated before applying this. I’m on the lookout for a matching lip-liner if anyone has any suggestions? Kim over at Romanov’s Views suggested a MAC one which is a great shout. Boots have 3 for 2 on all Revlon products in store and online until 25.11.15 if you would like to check out the other colours in the range.
November 2015 Glossybox Review

Next month’s box has been guest edited by beauty blogger Really Ree to bring us a Rose Gold collectors box for the festive season. It’s going to be a good one, I can feel it already!

To sign up to Glossybox - click here.


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Wednesday, 18 November 2015

The Bluffer’s Guide to .. Stocking Fillers*

With Christmas drawing closer and closer I am desperately rushing around trying to get all of my shopping finished and top up everyone’s presents with little stocking fillers that really finish a gift off.

When I heard about the range of books available at Bluffers, I was intrigued to find out what they were all about. With more than 5 million copies sold, Bluffers have over 88 titles to choose from. They offer short humorous guides on all sorts of topics which enable you to become an instant expert in that field. Topics range from Food, to Dogs, to Sport and you can find a full list over on their website.

The Bluffer’s Guide to Stocking Fillers

Bluffers very kindly sent me a few of their guides for review, and I think they are great. These are the perfect addition to anyone’s Christmas gift. I received the Bluffer’s Guides to Cyling, Cats and Food, priced at just £6.99 each, or currently you can create your own personalised gift set and pick up 3 for the price of 2 over on their website

The Bluffer’s Guide to Food

The Bluffer’s Guide to Food is my favourite book of the three, and let’s face it – who doesn’t love food?! This book is filled with witty one liners and things even I didn’t know as a food lover. For example, did you know the potato originated from Peru?! 

The Bluffer’s Guide to Cycling

The Bluffer’s Guide to Cycling is informative and gives you as much information as you need to be able to bluff your way through a conversation with a keen cyclist. Cyclists love to over-complicate different things but I can now happily say I know the difference between a bonk and a peloton.  Not only is the book funny it will be loved by all. 
 The Bluffer’s Guide to Cats

The Bluffer’s Guide to Cats was the first book I looked at and I can guarantee all cat lovers would be over the moon with receiving this on Christmas morning. I flicked through the book to brush on my already strong cat knowledge to become a fully-fledged cat whisperer – no joke.

These small paperbacks are witty and fun and provide you with just the right amount of facts to be able to ‘bluff’ yourself through any encounter with an expert in that field. As well as being really funny, the books do actually provide you with some interesting facts. I would love to receive one of these for Christmas, I can see myself now reeling off facts about Cycling around the turkey on Christmas day, my family bemused wondering where on earth I developed this sudden knowledge.

If you’ve got someone you don’t know what to buy for, then Bluffer’s Guides are great. Pop these on your Christmas shopping list, I guarantee your family and friends will love then, and you won’t want to part with them! Buy now direct from Bluffers or Amazon.

*I received these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

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Sunday, 15 November 2015

Christmas Gift Ideas

With just over 5 weeks until Christmas, most of us only have one more payday in which it’s feasible to buy presents. If you’re stuck for ideas but want to get the ball rolling and get everything finished then look no further. I’ve brought you some Christmas gift ideas that could spark your imagination and inspire you to finish your shopping off sooner rather than later.

Personalised Gift Ideas
If you’re looking for a unique gift that you know the recipient won’t already have, then you need to check out the unique Christmas gift range over on Personalised Gift Solutions. With free delivery on all gifts you can pick up presents at a great price without having to pay over the odds for delivery. I love the personalised cheese board I received earlier in the year, I think it makes the perfect gift for someone who has everything. I also love this Personalised Oak Photo Cube Keepsake Box which would be a lovely present for anyone. These Personalised Christmas Beer Triple Pack are a great gift for dads. Personalised Gift Solutions have very kindly provided me with a discount code for you all to use so if you fancy 10% off, head over to their website now and enter the code 10%OFF4CHRISTIE before Christmas!


Homemade Gifts
If you’re on a budget this year then why not make some homemade gifts to wow your friends and family. Fudge is really simple to make, as is this salted chocolate nut crunch and who doesn’t love a mince pie? Delicious.


Jewellery
I received this gorgeous necklace from Lylia Rose last week and if you head over to their website they showcase an amazing range of jewellery, scarves and accessories. I think these pieces make beautiful gifts. Lylia Rose have very kindly offered me a discount code to share with you, so if you fancy 20% off head to the checkout and use code CHRISTIE. Keep an eye on my blog for a more in depth review and OOTD featuring Lylia Rose next week.


If you're still completely stuck for ideas and looking for an amazing present, why not check out the Gear Hungry website for some incredible gift ideas.

What will you be buying this Christmas?


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Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Mini Essence Haul


I recently popped into my local Wilko to check out the products in the Essence range that I have seen a lot of blog posts about. The make up is really affordable and seems to be of good quality.


I already own a lipstick and a mascara from the range, both Glossybox items, so I thought I would pop in and see what they had. There was plenty of different products, I was impressed by the range of lipsticks available.

I swatched so many lipsticks on my hand until I finally decided to go for this pink shade, number 13 'Love Me'. I like this because the colour was quite muted. The lipstick is hydrating and doesn't dry my lips out. The only negative about this lipstick is that it doesn't smell very nice, it smells a bit cheap, but for £2.30 I can't complain.



I then picked up this lip liner in shade 12 'Wish Me A Rose' for just £1. This isn't an exact match for the lipstick but once blended out these go really well together. For £1, this is great and actually goes with a couple of other colours I have from various brands in my lipstick collection.



The final item I bought from Wilko Essence Make Up range was a simple pencil sharpener for £1. I don't own a specific make-up sharpener so I got this for eye liners and lip liners.



What are your favourite Essence products?
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Monday, 9 November 2015

Lunch at Jarrolds in Norwich

My mum recently treated me to lunch at Jarrolds in Norwich in The Pantry which can be found on the third floor. Jarrolds is an independent department store that is only in Norwich. They sell pretty much everything ranging from food to perfume to clothing items.

We had originally planned to go somewhere different for lunch but when that place was closed we popped to Jarrolds instead which wasn't too far to walk.

I admired the range of foods available in The Pantry. They serve carveries, jacket potatoes, fresh sandwiches, salads and delicious looking cakes. Me and my mum both decided to have a sandwich made in a large granary bap. There were a range of fillings available and we both chose chicken mayonnaise with salad. The baps were filled generously! We shared a bag of Kettle's crisps too.



I couldn't visit The Pantry without sampling one of the amazing cakes on offer. I chose to have the raspberry marble sponge. This was really nice and moist and the buttercream was sweet.


My mum chose to have a chocolate brownie. She ate the whole thing so I am sure she enjoyed it!



Overally I really enjoyed my lunch at The Pantry in Jarrolds. It was very busy when we visited at 12:15pm but we easily got a seat and the queues were kept to a minimum.

Do you have a local favourite?


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