Anniversary Presents

In April, it was our 2nd Wedding Anniversary and we are currently away on a wee break.

We said no presents but I still got spoiled - I've been wanting the Nike Air Pegasus '83 in Grey for a while, so my husband surprised me. I love the colours - mint & purple are the sweetest combo and perfect to pair with candy hues that I love to wear in Spring and the retro vibe.

The Modalu Mini Pippa Grab Bag in Lipstic Red is from my mother-in-law. It's gorgeous, love the black details and that it has a shoulder strap. 

I also got the normal Pippa but, depending on the occasion, it can be too big; the mini is just the perfect size and still very roomy. 

My first Jo Malone candle!

You can't help but be impressed by the attention to the packaging and every detail - it also comes with matches and love the big black bow. I can't wait to burn it!

Xmas Ideas / Orla Kiely Mini Diffuser and Candle Set

Orla Kiely is an Irish contemporary designer renowned for her colourful and retro, distinctive prints. 

I love her creations and I've been lusting after her coats and dresses for few years but unfortunately, they are a bit out of my price range.

If like me you're on a budget, you can still treat yourself to a bit of Orla Kiely with the stunning Christmas 2013 Gift Sets. 

There is a Geranium Hand Wash and Hand Lotion and Ceramic Dish Set that - for example - is perfect for mums, or the Geranium Bath and Face Cloth Set for your best friend.

Personally, I fell in love with the Mini  Diffuser and Candle Set* that comes in 2 distinctive fragrances: Geranium & Myrrh or Basil & Mint. They have a stunning red or white trademark floral print on frosted glass and beautifully packed in a matching box.

I like to lit candles on my bedside table; I find the flickering of the flame relaxing when I read a book and cosy when I'm typing away on the laptop. The Basil and Mint scent is extremely refreshing and not your typical scent, that will please and impress the most demanding person too.

I'm actually saving the reed diffuser for Christmas day; they will be perfect in my hall to infuse the whole house with this refreshing and inviting scent and to welcome my guests.

And it's pretty stylish too, of course! ;) 

This is a very thoughtful present to gift to a special person in your life… and I hope you have some shopping money left in your pocket because you will surely want to treat yourself too!

Miscellaneous

I got the Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Ultra Softening Lotion through the post a few days ago. This is a new product and they send you 7 satchel to take the 'week challenge'; I think it's, definitely, a good body cream, absorbs fast and smells lovely but I didn't notice any serious improvement.

I swapped the Monu Rosewood Reviving Mist on the Facebook group, Beauty Box Swappers. I think this was sent in a recent GlossyBox but I'm not a sub anymore - still, I'm obsessed with Monu and really enjoying face spritzers/toners, lately.

The smell is a bit too strong for me - the sandalwood makes it quite musky - so I was glad to discover that it can also be used as a body refresher.

I go these candles samples on www.yankeecentral.co.uk ... they only took over TWO MONTHS to arrive!!! You had to pay for postage, that's what is annoying.

Anyway, they all smell really good and I can't wait to try them - Pink Dragonfruit is my favourite. :)

Definitely, I wouldn't recommend to order from this website - the customer care is appalling!

I got the Benefit PoreFessional with Glamour Magazine; I'm already using this product so I picked myself a backup (it's also sealed so It won't get spoiled).

Marie Claire, instead, was giving away a Ciate' nail polish - I chose Bon Bon.

I wished it was more on the pink side (like My Fair Lady) but it's a grower; as always, I love the black bow on the bottle and I'm liking the new skinny font, as well.

Unfortunately, it started chipping after 2 days - not good enough for me as I can't be bother to paint my nails more than once a week.

You can get your Avene samples, filling a profile on their website and then they send you some products to try, targeted to your skin type: Brilliant!

I got the Gentle Gel Cleanser and Hydrance Optimal UV Legere. 

I've very excited to use these - I love Avene as a brand and looking forward to try some new products.

Other swaps from BBS:

Liz Earle Clenase & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - well, I always need a back up of this product as I adore it. You can read what I think about it here.

Percy & Reed Dry Conditioner: I was so curious and intrigued when I heard about it. Dry conditioner? How is it working?

Do love the Totally TLC Hydrating Mask too.

UNE Skin-Glow Foundation: I received this sample from Boots.com - looking forward to try something from this brand... any recommendation? I like their minimalist packaging.

That's all folks! ;)

Christmas Shopping Haul

I've done most of my Christmas shopping in October, actually. I went back home at the end of October so I decided it was best just to bring all the presents with me. :)

But I still had presents for people here to buy and I took advantage of the Boots Extravaganza night to get few bits and bobs. Sorry, I can't show you what I got them (for obvious reasons) but I also got some stuff for myself. :)

I got the Boots Natural Collection and Champneys 'cause I needed new bath sponges and I'll definitely use the bath and shower stuff too. I'm not too sure about the body creams tho - I, usually, use anti-cellulite or firming formulas so maybe give these scented ones away.

 The ducks are super-cute and they must be like bath bombs, fizzing in the water. I'm saving them... hehe :)

The Sanctuary and Soap & Glory items were in the 3for2 also - I've been meaning to buy a body brush for a while and with the offer I got it for free.

The headphones adaptor is great. I had one years ago but I think I lost it; I've been looking to buy a new one but never got the chance to have a look around to get a replacement. It's perfect when travelling (on planes, trains): especially now with the iPad, my fiance' and I can finally watch movies at the same time.

Every year, we get 1 new baubles for the tree. This is the 2011 edition!

I got these Christmas cards in Bhs for FREE!!! Basically, if you're on O2, you can download an app with special offers and this was one of those. I just picked my cards, got the box scanned at the till and showed my promo code. Simple! ;)

I think they're really nice, no?

These are my favourite Christmas candles: I like the scents - really Xmasy - they are long lasting and they actually release the smell in the house (some candles, they don't actually release the fragrance when burning - *cough, Ikea, cough*). Also, they are cheap: I actually bought these in Tesco and they were doing an offer 'buy 1 get 2 free' YES PLEASE!!!

We all like to indulge a wee bit at Christmas, right? Every year, I can't wait for special edition foodies - This Gregg's Gingerbread and Latte Doughnut was delicious!!! I need to get it again before the end of the season.

...and any occasion is right to show an outfit: here I was wearing my Hunter boots and Hobbs gloves for the first snow of the year. :)

Finally, I got this top in House of Fraser. It's from Coast and it was on sale. I liked the metallic bronze colour and it can easily be dressed-up with a skirt (that I'm planning to do on Christmas day) or down with some jeans.