Christmas Archives - With love from Lou

5 Ways To Make Next Christmas Easier

03/01/2019 by Louise 35 Comments

I know, I know! Christmas is well and truly behind us, and most people have already taken down their decorations and put them safely away in the loft until next year. So why am I sat here writing up yet another Christmas-related post? I must be crazy, right? But wait a second, and hear me out …

As much as I love and enjoy Christmas (I always do), I have to be honest and say that most years I end up getting so stressed out over everything I end up making myself ill. And this year I even found myself getting tearful at the most inopportune times because I was worried sick that nothing was going to be ready for the big day. It was horrible.

So, each time something cropped up where I thought “I must remember not to let this happen next year”, I made a note of it in my phone, and decided to write up a post talking about the things I wanted to try and do in advance next Christmas to make things a little easier on myself for once. And hopefully, it will help you guys out too. Are you ready to see what things are on there? If so, let’s get going!

01. Buy My Cards In The January Sales and Have Them Ready To Write In November

When I was younger, I always used to bulk-buy Christmas cards in the January sales and then aim to have them written and ready to hand out at the beginning of December. But, sadly, that all stopped one year when I accidentally misplaced all of the cards when we moved house, and I had to buy them all again nearer December.

These days, I always end up buying my cards at the last minute and end up frantically trying to write and deliver them all before Christmas Eve. It’s a nightmare! And one that I’d like not to have to live through again. So, when I take the kids to spend some of their Christmas money on Saturday, I’m going to pop into The Card Factory and stock up on cards for next year. I might even see if I can grab some discounted wrapping paper and gift tags while I’m there.

02. Start Shopping Early

This is something I did this year, and it definitely made things a lot easier. I was lucky enough to win an Instagram photo competition where the prize was a £250 John Lewis voucher. So I stocked up on as many gifts for the kids as I could with that, and then just added a few little stocking fillers to the pile as we got closer to Christmas.

I’d like to be able to do this again next Christmas if I can. And I’ve started popping a few quid into a savings account whenever I can afford to, so hopefully I’ll accumulate enough over the next 9 or 10 months to get them both the more expensive gifts on their lists. And I’ll also be trying to pick up as many gifts as I can in the sales this year to keep my total spend down. That way, we’ll hopefully be able to afford to do some fun activities in the run-up to Christmas for once!

03. Wrap EVERYTHING before Christmas Eve

This Christmas, for the first time ever, I almost cracked having everything wrapped before Christmas Eve. But somewhere along the line, it all fell apart, and I still ended up with a fair few gifts that hadn’t been wrapped by the 24th. Which meant I had to rush them all first thing in the morning and then try to sneakily deliver them to friends and family without Oscar, my youngest, seeing me. Another nightmare!

I spent most of my day faffing around sorting them out instead of enjoying spending time with the kids as I’d planned to. And come tea time I was absolutely exhausted. Which is nothing new on Christmas Eve, I’m afraid. So, next year, there will be no excuses. I’m going to have every single gift wrapped and ready to go before Christmas Eve, no matter who it’s for. And instead of pratting about doing the stuff that should have been done days (or even weeks) before, I’m going to enjoy Christmas Eve with my babies for once. That’s a promise!

04. Decorate Early

Ah, this is a biggie for me, as I feel like I’ve let the kids down with how little we’ve decorated for Christmas over the last couple of years. But, basically, everything gets chucked up in the loft at the end of December and then no matter how much I nag at Nathan to fetch stuff down at the beginning of the following December, it never gets brought down until halfway through the month. And by this point, I’m far too stressed out to bother with half the trimmings. We’ve only decorated the tree for the last couple of years, and the rest of the decorations have been left in the box. It’s heartbreaking.

So, this December I decided to stick the boxes of decorations in the airing cupboard instead. And, hopefully, I’ll remember they’re not up in the loft and I can get trimmed up nice and early next year. I’m thinking tinsel across the fireplace, stars hanging from the curtain poles and even a candle bridge or two to light up the windows. It’s will be amazing! We most definitely can’t spend a third Christmas without decorations. We must look like complete and utter Scrooge’s!

05. Make A List Of Where Everything Is

Next year I want to treat myself to a lovely Christmas Planner from Doris & Fred, and I’m going to make sure that I pop a list inside it to remind me of exactly where anything Christmas related has been stored. Why? Because every single year you can guarantee that something will go missing and it’s all my fault. Last year it was a Vamps Calendar I’d bought Stacey for Christmas (which she ended up getting on January 4th) and this year it was the gift tags I’d bought for the presents months in advance. Everything ended up getting wrapped without them, and I still haven’t come across them yet, despite having hunted for them several times. Never mind, though. It’s too late to do anything about them now. But you can see why I need to write myself a list, can’t you?!

And there you have it, my ideas for trying to ensure next Christmas is as easy and stress-free as possible. I hope you enjoyed having a read.

Do you have any other tips for making next Christmas easier?
If so, be sure to let me know in the comments below.
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My 2018 Christmas Wishlist

25/11/2018 by Louise 25 Comments

OMG! Can you believe it’s exactly a month until Christmas? I certainly can’t. I’ve barely even made a start on my Christmas shopping – I think I need to pull my finger out! My Christmas Gift Guides will be going live here on my blog over the next couple of weeks, but today I thought I’d share my own personal Christmas Wishlist with you.

It’s perfect for those of you looking for some gift inspiration for the lovely ladies in your life. And I’ve picked out what I think is a good mix of both affordable and luxury gift ideas to suit most budgets. I hope you enjoy having a read, and I’m keeping everything crossed that Santa will be kind this year and leave me at least one of these gifts under my tree on December 25th.

So, without further ado, let me tell you what I’ve got my eye on this year …

01. Monica Vinader Fiji Bar Adjustable Friendship Diamond Ring – ~~£225~~ £157.50

It’s no secret that I’ve been lusting after the Monica Vinader Riva Ring for the last few Christmases. But, this year, there’s a new ring in town that has just shot to the top of my ever-growing wishlist! And, that ring is the Fiji Bar Adjustable Friendship Diamond Ring. Isn’t it just beautiful?

The ring measures 15mm in width and 61.5mm in depth with 40 set pavé diamonds totalling 0.13 carats, and it is adjustable up to size T through a small, sliding ball. The ring would be perfect to wear on its own, or stacked up with others. And, as I have child-sized fingers, I think it would be the perfect ring for me as I can adjust it to suit. I love that Monica Vinader has really thought outside the box with this one, and I’m keeping everything crossed that I’ll be able to add it to my jewellery collection one way or another very soon.

02. Accessorize Grey Foldover Flip-Lock Wallet – £17.00

I’ve been using the same wallet for the last four or five years now. And, as much as I love it, it’s starting to show heavy signs of wear and tear. So this year I’d love to find a new one tucked up inside my stocking, and I currently have my eye on this beautiful grey one with metal hardware from Accessorize.

Sleek and stylish, the foldover flip-lock wallet has a multitude of note compartments and card slots. And it even has a transparent window where I could keep my ID card. There are two zipped coin pockets which would be perfect for keeping all my loose change in, and I just think it’s very ‘me’. It would suit my needs just perfectly and make Lou one happy lady this Christmas. I love it!

03. PIXI Fast Flash Facial – £16.00

When I was in my 20’s, I used a lot of products from PIXI, and their Endless Silky Pencils are still my favourite eyeliners today. But other than that, I haven’t picked anything up from the brand in ages. So, when I came across their Fast Flash Facial kit, which contains three of their hero skincare products, I just couldn’t resist adding them to this year’s Christmas Wishlist!

The kit includes a 15ml Peel & Polish Resurfacing Concentrate, a skin-rejuvenating enzyme peel that resurfaces the skin to promote smoother, softer, brighter-looking results. A 40ml Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner, which is a much-talked-about exfoliating face toner that exfoliates and purifies to promote smoother-looking, radiant and clarified skin. And a 15ml Rose Flash Balm Instant Skin Booster, which is a 3-in-1 radiance-enhancing balm that energises the appearance of lack-lustre skin. I think these three products would be perfect for using to improve the look of my dull, rough skin. And I’d be super thankful if someone treated me to this kit this Christmas.

04. Dyson Airwrap™ Styler – £399.99

I have to admit that I’m the world’s worst person at styling my own hair. I just can’t hold my arms up for long enough to use a curling wand or other styling tool to achieve the look I want. Plus, I have really fine hair which falls flat after just half an hour! So, when I saw how easy it was to achieve amazing locks with the Dyson Airwrap™ Styler, I just knew I had to add it to this years Christmas Wishlist!

The Dyson Airwrap™ uses superior digital motor technology to style and dry hair simultaneously, just like a professional blow dry. Air is propelled at exactly the right speed along the hair strands to gently wrap and curl hair, while intelligent heat control protects it from any heat damage. The 30mm Airwrap™ barrel can be used to create and set beautiful curls and waves, and the round volumising brush to add body and volume. The Soft smoothing brush uses soft, ball-tip bristles that are gentle on the scalp, and leaves hair frizz-free, with no rogue flyaways. And, best of all, people are saying that it takes ten minutes max. to achieve the look they want. And that, I can manage. I think having a styling tool like this could really change the way I feel about doing my hair!

05. OVEROSE Holographic Anamorphine Candle – £52.00

If you guys follow me on Instagram, you’ll probably know this about me already, but throughout the year I burn a lot of candles. And I mean a lot. You can guarantee that friends and family will always treat me to a candle or two around this time of year, because they know I’ll get a lot of use out of them.

At the moment I have my eye on the beautiful ‘Anamorphine’ candle from a brand called OVEROSE, which comes in their signature holographic glass vessel, packaged in a really funky white box! The candle fuses freshly bloomed peonies and the ripe sweetness of raspberries with a swirl of raw vanilla bean paste and a dash of smoky tobacco, the Holo Anamorphine Candle is a perfect balance of femininity and masculinity in one beguiling scent. It really is the candle of dreams, and I’d consider myself one very lucky lady if I got treated to this over the festive period!

06. Ciate Glitter Storm Eyeshadow Palette – ~~£36.00~~ £28.50

I have to be honest and say that not many of the limited edition eyeshadow palettes have caught my eye this Christmas (and believe me, they usually do). But the one that did get my attention was the Glitter Storm Palette from Ciate. Featuring 9 super-wearable shades housed in a magical cascading glitter case, this incredible palette features a mixture of next-generation pressed glitter shadows, intensely pigmented soft mattes and magnificent molten metallics that I really want to get my hands on!

The shades are fairly neutral but at the same time, they seem to have some added playfulness to them, which I think is the main reason they drew me in. And although I’d probably use this as a ‘going out’ palette, I think I’d occasionally use it for everyday wear as well. I mean, the matte shades are very similar to ones I wear now. I think the palette is absolutely stunning and most definitely wouldn’t be disappointed if someone treated me to it this Christmas!

07. The Body Shop Ultimate Face Mask Set – £60.00

The Body Shop have released an absolutely stunning Christmas Collection again this year. And ever since it hit the shops, I’ve had my eye on the Ultimate Face Mask Set, which contains 5 full-sizes of their best-selling masks! Inspired by traditional beauty remedies, these masks are made with the finest natural ingredients, pressed, crushed and blended together to uplift your senses and reveal your skin’s healthy looking glow.

I’ve always been a big fan of Body Shop masks, and think this set would be perfect for trying out some of the ones I haven’t used before. It would make an amazing Christmas gift for a skincare lover. And I like how each of the masks in the set is designed to treat a specific problem so you can use them one at a time, or multi-mask to target different areas of your skin. It’s absolutely fantastic and I know I’d get a lot of use out of it if I were lucky enough to receive one for Christmas.

08. Wilko Copper Stand Mixer – £65.00

If there’s one thing I’ve wanted for years and years, it has to be a food mixer. I mean, I do quite a lot of baking and think it would make my life so much easier if I didn’t have to mix everything by hand! I picked out this gorgeous copper stand mixer from Wilko as it would fit in perfectly with the rest of my kitchen appliances (which are all copper), and at £65, I don’t think it’s a bad price either.

The mixer boasts a powerful 1000W motor and six-speed settings, and can effortlessly prepare mixes, batters and dough for baking, as well as homemade sauces, dips and mashed potato – which is perfect for when I’m making midweek meals from scratch. It even comes complete with a large stainless steel mixing bowl and an array of attachments including a dough hook for homemade bread’s and pastries, a beater for cake and cookie mixtures and a whisk to make the perfect meringue. I honestly don’t think mixers come any better than this, and I know I’d get a lot of use out of it. If I could only choose one gift to have from my Christmas Wishlist this year then it would definitely be this!

09. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb EDP – £53.00 for 30ml

Earlier this year I was lucky enough to get a 30-day sample of Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb EDP to try out, and I absolutely loved it! Flowerbomb has a beautiful, full-bodied scent that lasts all day, and I got many compliments from friends and family whenever I wore it. It comes in a stunning grenade-shaped bottle with a little black ‘pin’ featuring the Viktor & Rolf logo sticking out of it. And I think it would look fabulous sat on my dressing table alongside my other scents.

Flowerbomb has top notes of Tea, Osmanthus, and Bergamot. Middle notes of Sambac Jasmine, African Orange Flower, Cattleya Orchid, Freesia, and Rose. And top notes of Patchouli and Vanilla. It has a real oriental feel to it, which I thought would mean I’d only want to wear it out on special occasions. But I actually found myself spritzing it on in the daytime too. I’d be chuffed to bits if I found this in my Christmas stocking this year, but if not, I’ll definitely be treating myself to it in the New Year. It’s just gorgeous.

10. Jimmy Choo Lockett Petite Leather Shoulder Bag – £895

I’m sure the last item on my Christmas wishlist will come as no surprise to you guys, as I’ve talked about it so many times already here on my blog. Yes, it’s the gorgeous Jimmy Choo Lockett Petite Leather Shoulder Bag. It’s available in loads of different colour combinations, but the one I love the most is the smooth black leather with chrome hardware. Isn’t it stunning?!

I think it makes for a lovely feminine choice that I could wear either across the body or over the shoulder. And the unique push-lock feature would ensure that all my important belongings were kept safe when out and about. If I could only choose one designer handbag to have for the rest of my life, it would most definitely be this! And I’d be over the moon if I found one under my Christmas tree this December.

And there you have it – my Christmas Wishlist for 2018.
What are you guys lusting after this year? Let me know in the comments below!
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How You Can Streamline Your Christmas Shopping This Year

16/11/2018 by Louise Leave a Comment

Christmas shopping. The thought of it makes 50% of people want to hibernate, and 50% of people want to go out in santa hats jingling all the way as they make their way from store to store. Whether you dread Christmas shopping or you’re truly excited for it, there are ways you can streamline it so that it doesn’t take nearly as long – and you might even save some cash in the process.

Let’s take a look at how you can streamline your Christmas shopping this year below …

Plan Your Christmas Gift List in Advance

Always, always, always plan ahead. Start planning now. Make your Christmas gift list in advance so you know who you’re buying for. Write out some ideas next to their name, and perhaps a budget.

The key is to stick to your list and your budget so you don’t end up overspending. When you start early, it can be all too easy to buy too much!

Review bargain sales sites first to see if you can find any of the gifts you wanted to buy on there. Keep an eye on prices and see if you can find any sales online – some sites will publish dates of upcoming store sales.

Don’t Forget About Black Friday

Black Friday is coming, and this is one of the best times of year you can hope to buy gifts for people. Take advantage of it! Some stores even have sales for a whole week, taking it right through to ‘Cyber Monday’.

By planning ahead and waiting for this week to roll around, you’ll be able to spend the entire week doing your Christmas shopping and hunting for gifts at bargain prices. You’ll seriously save a fortune if you do it at this time rather than closer to the big day.

However, Black Friday shopping in person is stressful. It isn’t unusual to see people getting into fights over heavily discounted electronics. Instead, see if you can do most of it online. Things usually sell out fast online, so make sure you get there early and know exactly what you want in advance. Free shipping will sweeten the deal and help you to save even more money. You may only be eligible for this once you have spent a specific amount, though, so it could be a good idea to see if you can plan to buy multiple items from one place. Even if you’re not too sure what you’re looking to purchase yet, it shouldn’t be too hard to find unique gifts for men and women.

Only if something is sold out online, do we recommend going to get it in person.

Pay A Little Extra For Gift Wrapping

Some people enjoy gift wrapping, usually those who are naturally gifted at it. Others absolutely hate it, and it shows when people are given their poorly wrapped gifts with tape all over the place and creases and rips where there shouldn’t be any. No, it isn’t about the wrapping, but a well wrapped gift can make the excitement of giving and receiving all the better! Plus, it takes away stress from you.

Many stores offer this now, even online stores. The only downside with having a gift gift wrapped when you order online is that you won’t be able to inspect the gift to ensure it’s suitable, so bear that in mind. If you can stretch your budget to pay a little more for wrapping, you’ll save money on your own paper, tape, and other wrapping essentials, plus, you’ll save so much more time!

Avoid Going Shopping When Everybody Else Will Be Shopping

If there’s a day you can go Christmas shopping in the week, do it. You’ll be able to skip the crowds and get things done with minimal stress. When paying, try to find the least busy kiosk so you can just pay and get out of there. Items will be lined up by the till in the hopes that you make an impulse buy, and if you’re standing there too long, chances are that you will.

Check Out Various Sites For Your Gifts

Browse eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, and other websites for merchandise at less-than-retail prices. You may be able to find brand new items that were simple an unwanted gift, or something that has been barely used. Why buy brand new when buying second hand is better for the environment and often saves you money/gives the same result?

Give Your Time And Talents

Give away something you’re good at. For example, if you’re a mean baker, why not bake people a basket of muffins, or a box of delicious Christmas cookies? Maybe you’re a great artist, and you can give people your art as gifts. Making things can often mean more to people than simple going out and purchasing things.

Use A Cashback Site When Purchasing Online

If you want to save even more money on your Christmas shopping, make sure you use a cashback site when purchasing online. At the very least, you should be looking for a coupon code so that you can save a bit of cash. Apps like Honey will automatically check codes at a store for you and apply them if there are any, automatically saving you time and money! If you find a cashback site you can use, you might be surprised at how much cash builds up there once your Christmas shopping is complete – although you should be aware that it usually take a while before you can access it.

Are you ready to streamline your Christmas shopping this year? The ideas above will both help you to save money and get your shopping finished early, so you can enjoy the holidays with your loved ones with minimal stress.

Do you have any ideas that you’d like to share?
Perhaps you have a technique that always allows you to finish your Christmas shopping on time and on budget?
Let us know below!
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Top 10 Beauty Advent Calendars 2018 and GIVEAWAY

28/10/2018 by Louise 375 Comments

It’s that time of year again. The time that all the beauty advent calendars start hitting the shelves, and we hope and pray that our favourites haven’t gone and sold out before payday! I can’t tell you how many times that’s happened to me in the past and I’ve ended up being one very upset beauty lover. LOL.

Today I thought I’d talk about my top 10 beauty advent calendars for 2018. And if you make it all the way to the end then there’s also a little giveaway you can enter to try and win your favourite from my list as well. How cool is that?! So, are you sitting comfortably? Then let the countdown commence …

10. MAC Advent Calendar – £125

So, kicking off our countdown in the number 10 spot this year we have the very first MAC Advent Calendar! And for a first attempt, I don’t think this is too bad an offering. I mean, it can’t be easy to fill a calendar with goodies from just one brand. I’m one of the very few people who aren’t that keen on the packaging – I think it’s a little bit tacky with the shiny Christmas bow design. But it does fit in nicely with the rest of their 2018 Christmas Collection, so I can’t really moan.

I believe the calendar has 25 doors, and behind each one, you’ll find one of MAC’s best-selling products. I’m not going to lie, most of them are sample-sized, but you do get a full-sized lipstick on Christmas Day, which I think is a nice little addition. Some of the products that can be found inside include a mini Prep + Prime Fix+, an In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash sample and a mini MAC Lipglass in ‘Spiked’.

The one downside of the calendar for me is that it has a lot of ‘filler’ products such as makeup sponges and a pencil sharpener, but overall I do think it’s nice for die-hard MAC fans, or people who are wanting to give their products a try but aren’t sure where to start. The calendar is priced at £125, which I think is really fair for what you get inside. Well done, MAC.

09. Jo Malone Advent Calendar – £300

As usual, I’ve tried to keep my top advent calendar picks fairly affordable, but I just couldn’t resist adding in this little beauty from luxury brand, Jo Malone. I’m sure you’ll agree that the calendar is absolutely stunning, and it houses 24 amazing little Jo Malone treats.

The design this year depicts a beautiful townhouse, all wrapped up in a beautiful gold ribbon. Behind each door, you’ll find a miniature version of one of Jo’s best selling candles, fragrances, shower oils and much, much more.

I love that Jo Malone release an advent calendar every year, as it’s a great way for us to try out some of their products without splashing out on full-sizes that we might end up not liking. What more can I say other than I love it?!

08. The Body Shop 25 Days of the Enchanted Advent Calendar – £99

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of The Body Shop, so when I came across their 25 Days of the Enchanted Advent Calendar, I just knew I had to include it in my post. The Body Shop actually have 3 different advent calendar’s on sale this year, and this is the most expensive. But I think the products in here are second-to-none, and perfect for big Body Shop fans, as well as newbies to the brand who may want to try out some of their products without spending a small fortune.

The calendar obviously has 25 doors to open, so you get a special treat on Christmas Day as well as on all the days leading up to it. And it contains a really great selection of Body Shop products, such as their gorgeous Drops Of Youth Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask, Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, a Mascara in the shade ‘London Jet’, and some Almond Milk & Honey Body Lotion. Yum!

The sizes of the products inside the calendar are really generous, and I like how each product comes inside a little box, rather than you having to tear it out. There are a couple of odd filler products inside here as well, which is why it didn’t rank higher this year, but overall it’s absolutely beautiful. And as the total value of the products inside is worth £231, I think the £99 price tag shows great value for money. I love it!

07. Selfridges Advent Calendar – £130

Once again, Selfridges have gathered together lots of the brands they stock in store, and online, and made an advent calendar that contains lots of different products from each of them. How cool is that?! And, as usual, I absolutely love the design of it, which kind of has a disco vibe to it! I think this matches the ‘glam sparkle’ theme they’ve picked out just perfectly.

Inside the calendar, you’ll find a selection of lovely makeup, skincare, and fragrance’s from well-known brands such as YSL, Kiehl’s, Lancôme, and Urban Decay, and as it’s sold exclusively at Selfridges, it shouldn’t be too difficult to track one down. I think Selfridges has done a great job with this calendar, as it has some amazing products hidden inside. And favourites include Victor & Rolf’s Flower Bomb Mini EDP, Lancôme’s Hypnose Mascara, and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate.

The calendar is priced at £130, but I think that shows great value for money when you consider the brands you’ll find inside. Another brilliant option for advent.

06. L’Occitane Luxury Advent Calendar – £89

If you’re looking for an advent calendar that’s different to all the others out there this Christmas, then I highly recommend taking a look at L’Occitane’s Luxury Advent Calendar, as it comes in a unique moving design. The two towers rotate a full 360 degrees, revealing distinct designs on all four sides, as you find the numbered drawer you’re searching for. This is definitely the most fun and innovative calendar I’ve seen so far!

The calendar features 24 doors, and behind each one, you’ll find a travel sized version of L’Occitane’s most popular premium products, all infused with organic ingredients such as shea butter, almond and cherry blossom. I like that you get lots of different products inside from hand creams and body lotions, to scented soaps and fragrances, and everything in between. It’s a real winner!

If you haven’t tried any L’Occitane products before, then you’ll love this calendar, as it gives you a nice selection of different products from their range to try. And I love that it’s under £100 as well. It’s fabulous!

05. Estée Lauder Companies Advent Calendar – £150

Down to 5 from 1, this year is the Estée Lauder Companies Advent Calendar. Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking “Lou, why has this calendar only made it to number 5 when you’re such a BIG fan of stars?” And I can tell you why! First of all, the design is exactly the same as last year. It’s a beautiful star shape with 25 drawers. And the numbers of those drawers are in exactly the same places as they were last year. The only thing about the design that’s changed is the colour of the decoration. It’s gone from a gold shade to a shimmering ruby red.

And then there’s the small matter of the price. The calendar has actually gone up by £25. Yet the products inside are fairly similar. I did say last year that I didn’t think the calendar was the best in terms of value for money, as the products only retail for around £197. But I did like the product selection a little more last year than I do this year, which is why it ended up at the number one spot.

Inside the calendar, you’ll find brands such as Origins, MAC, Glamglow and Aveda, and the product selection is still fairly decent. I mean, there’s not really a bad product in here. And you get a wide range of different products rather than lots of the same sort of thing as well. It’s just a shame there’s only one full-sized product and the design is exactly the same as last year or else I think it would have made it’s way higher up my list.

04. The Fenwick Beauty Advent Calendar – £150

In at number 4 this year, we have the Fenwick Beauty Advent Calendar. This is the second year Fenwick has released a calendar in the run-up to Christmas. And, once again, I absolutely love it! Designed by illustrator Brett Ryder, the calendar is decorated with a magical snowy scene that opens to reveal 24 luxurious beauty treats that come wrapped in individual drawers.

The calendar itself is priced at £150, with the products inside totalling £475. I think offers great value for money. There are some amazing products in there as well, such as a MAC lipstick in the shade ‘Twig’, a sample sized Nars Orgasm Blush, a scented candle from Neom and Pixi’s Retinol Tonic. There are a few full-sized products included within the calendar, but the sample sizes are all decent too.

Last year I moaned about the Fenwick calendar only being available in store, and this year I’m happy to announce that you can buy it online as well. Yay! However, there are only a small number of these particular calendars available, so you’ll need to act fast if you want one.

03. Net-A-Porter Advent Calendar – £150

In at 3 is another brand new advent calendar for 2018. And this one is courtesy of the lovely people over at Net-A-Porter. I definitely feel like this was created especially for all the fashion fans out there, as it is seriously chic. Packaged in their iconic black and cream colourway, you can expect some seriously amazing goodies inside this one!

The calendar has 25 cute little drawers to open, and behind each one, you’ll find a downsized version of some of the best selling products on Net-A-Porter. My favourites include Charlotte Tilbury’s award-winning ‘Goddess Skin Clay Mask’, Marc Jacobs’ ‘Le Marc Lip Cream in No Angel’ and Sunday Riley’s ‘Luna Sleeping Night Oil’ to name but a few.

I’m a big fan of this calendar as it features some really different brands compared to many of the others, and as I mentioned before, the packaging is to die for too. I just love it! The only reason Net-A-Porter’s offering didn’t land the number one spot is that, sadly, it doesn’t contain any full-sized products. It’s still fab for trying new brands, though.

02. John Lewis Advent Calendar – £165

Up two to number 2, this year is the John Lewis Advent Calendar. Last year I said I liked the products inside this particular calendar, but I wasn’t a fan of the tacky design. But, I’m happy to say, that’s all changed this year, and the calendar is absolutely a-mazing!

This year the calendar has 25 doors, which is bound to please beauty enthusiasts. And particular favourites for me that you can find inside are Benefit’s BadGAL Bang! Mascara, an Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, Sarah Chapman’s Overnight Facial, and This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. Just like last year, there are so many great brands included in here. I don’t think you can go wrong with it.

The John Lewis Advent Calendar is perfect for anyone wanting to try out a wide range of luxury brands without splashing out lots of money. The total value of the products included inside is well over £300, but it costs just £165. And at the moment you can get 15% off of it as well, making it well worth the splurge!

And now it’s time to reveal the winner of this year’s Top Beauty Advent Calendars. Drumroll please ladies and gents … here we go!

01. Latest In Beauty Advent Calendar – £60

And in first place this year I’ve chosen the beautiful Latest In Beauty Advent Calendar! Can we just take a moment to marvel over how exquisite the packaging is? I love the colour and that it’s all tied up with a gorgeous gold bow. The calendar retails at just £60, which I think is super affordable. Especially as the contents inside are worth over £255!

In here, you’ll find brands such as Aromatherapy Associates, Ciate, Sally Hansen, and The White Company. And the majority of products are full-sized, rather than sample-sized. How fab is that? I was delighted to find a Wet Brush inside too, as I’ve been wanting to try them out for ages but didn’t feel like I could justify spending a lot of money on a hairbrush. Does anyone else feel like that?

According to Latest In Beauty’s website, the calendar has a mixture of old favourites and some calendar newcomers, so if you picked up their offering last year, you’re not going to end up getting the same stuff again this year, which I think is fab. Overall, I’m really impressed with the calendar and think it deserves the top spot as it’s got a good selection of different products inside, and if you like them they’re not going to cost you the earth to repurchase them. It gets a big thumbs up from me!

So, there you have it, my top 10 beauty advent calendars of 2018. Now, how would you like to be able to win your favourite?

The Giveaway

I’m giving one lucky reader the chance to win the advent calendar of their choice from my top 10. And all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to log in to the Gleam widget below and let me know which calendar you would like to win.

There are also a few other options of things you can do to gain extra entries, such as tweeting about the giveaway, visiting my Facebook page, and subscribing to my YouTube channel. Why not have a go at winning today? You never know, you could be the lucky one!

Giveaway Terms & Conditions

Open to residents of the UK age 13+
The winner will receive the advent calendar of their choice from the 10 featured within this post.
The prize is as stated above. No cash alternative will be given.
The giveaway closes at 11:59pm on November 18th, 2018.
The winner will be drawn at random on November 19th, 2018 and contacted the same day.
Thank you for entering, and good luck!

Thank you so for your continued support during 2018 everyone.
You guys seriously rock!
With love from Lou Signature Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram | Pinterest

Gifts With A Touch Of Class

20/12/2017 by Louise Leave a Comment

What kind of gifts do you tend to like receiving? No matter what the occasion might be, or who the recipient is, there is plenty to be said for finding the right gift, and that is a difficulty which many people struggle with all year round. Something that is always likely to go down well is to buy someone a present which has a touch of old-world charm to it. Gifts with class tend to be well received, and more often than not they are the kinds of things that people will hold on to for much longer. Let’s look at the kind of qualities that tend to give gifts a feeling of real, genuine class.

Personalisation

Something that is always bound to make a present feel more special and classier is if it is personalised in some way. The manner of personalisation is not so important as the fact that it is, and you might want to look at the many different ways in which you can find gifts that do this. It might be obvious, such as having the person’s initials or name monogram on top the item in question, such as these Giftsin24 monogrammed cocktail napkins. Or it might just be personal in the sense that it is clear you have put a lot of thought into it and found something unique to them. Alternatively, you could treat someone to getting clothing tailor-made, as this is bound to be well appreciated as a form of personalised gift.

Simplicity

If there is anything that tends to make something seem classy, it is a genuine simplicity. When there is a simplicity to an item, it has a way of being stylish, and this is worth considering when you are going out and trying to find the ideal stylish gift for someone close to you. Of course, something being simple does not necessarily mean that it needs to be boring or that it is not also quite complex in construction or execution – but the outward appearance should be simple and this is what will make the recipient feel that it is genuinely classy and something they are likely to want to hold on to. Achieving this kind of simplicity is always going to make a huge difference to the quality of the gift, and you should consider it an essential quality in a good present.

Thoughtfulness

No matter what you are thinking of buying your friend or loved one, you will above all need to make sure that it shows a real thoughtfulness towards them. It should show that you know them well, that you’re aware of the history between the two of you, and that you know the kind of things which they are likely to see value in and get enjoyment out of for a long time to come. Get this right, and there is no doubt that the gift will be seen as being classy and stylish for all involved. There are few things better than giving a truly great gift.

What are you favourite gifts to give at Christmas?
Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
With love from Lou Signature Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram | Pinterest

Oscar’s Top 10 Christmas Toys for Under 5’s

16/12/2017 by Louise 39 Comments

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it was about time that I sat down and put together a gift guide featuring this year’s Top 10 Christmas Toys for Under 5’s. And who better to ask to help me out than my own little 4-year-old, Oscar!

In case you guys didn’t know, Oscar has a YouTube channel called ‘Oscar’s Toybox’, where he plays with (and reviews) lots of different toys. So you can be sure that he’s picked out some of the best ones available to feature in this year’s gift guide!

I’m just going to put a little disclaimer here to say that although we do own a lot of the toys featured within this post, we don’t have all of them in our collection. However, Oscar has played with them all at some point over the last couple of months, and we wouldn’t have recommended any toys that he hadn’t tried out and enjoyed. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in and get this gift guide started!

10. Little Tikes Swim to Me Puppy – £29.99

First up, Oscar has picked out the Little Tikes Swim to Me Puppy. This adorable little puppy dog is lovely and versatile, and can be played with in two different ways: the first is to put his goggles over his eyes, place him in water, and watch him swim. And the second is to attach his lead to his collar and take him for a walk on land, just like you would a real pup!

The Little Tikes Swim to Me Puppy is sure to provide hours of fun for little ones, and he comes with swim goggles, lead, and an adoption certificate. I love that the puppy can be played with both indoors, and out, as it means that Oscar can take him for short walks during the summer months and get plenty of fresh air. It gets a big thumbs up from me.

09. My First Scalextric – £29.99

Next, Oscar chose to include this awesome ‘My First Scalextric’ in our Christmas Gift Guide for Under 5’s! The set includes a mains-powered figure of eight track, two mini BMW’s, and two hand-held controllers with adjustable power level. The track is super easy to assemble, and the controllers are colour-coded to match the red and yellow chevrons printed on the circuit. This makes it clear for little ones to see exactly which car they’re controlling!

The set is the perfect way to introduce younger children to the wonderful world of Scalextric, and is sure to provide hours of racing car fun! Oscar and I have played with this toy non-stop since we got our hands on it, and if you fancy reading our full review, you can do so by clicking here. I think the ‘My First Scalextric’ would be a big hit with the whole family on Christmas Day. We just love it.

08. Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage – £99.99

If there’s one toy Oscar’s had his eye on for ages, it has to be the Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage. Up until recently, this was the biggest hot wheels garage ever, with lots of room to park 36 vehicles. It also has loads of extra action zones, including a chomping shark, turning workshop, petrol station, and helipad.

The Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage comes with 5 road vehicles and a helicopter so little ones can start playing with it straight away. It can also be connected to other Hot Wheels playset’s (sold separately) for even more fun. Oscar and I think the Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage would go down a treat with boys and girls everywhere this Christmas, and I know he’d like to find one underneath our tree on the 25th. It’s absolutely awesome!

07. Shimmer and Shine Magic Flying Carpet – £42.99

If you have a fan of Shimmer and Shine in your house, why not treat them to this awesome magic flying carpet playset this Christmas?! Their little imaginations will soar to new heights as the carpet magically flutters and moves up and down in a realistic flying motion whenever it’s lifted up into the air. It also glides across flat surfaces such as the floor or tabletop, as well as having over 40 magical sounds and phrases for little ones to hear!

The carpet is crafted from a glittering satin fabric in beautiful jewel-toned colours, just like you see on the show. And the playset includes Shimmer and Shine dolls, each dressed in sparkly genie pants, with beautiful, soft ponytails. As Oscar is a big fan of Shimmer and Shine, I know he’d love to find this particular set wrapped up under our tree this Christmas. What more can I say except “Boom Zahramay! Up and Away!”

06. Baby Alive Super Snackin’ Lily Doll – £19.99

One of the toys that Oscar has played with a lot recently has been the Baby Alive Super Snackin’ Lily doll. I picked this up on sale for him to play with as I’d always wanted a Baby Alive doll when I was a kid, and he absolutely loves it! Super Snackin’ Lily is an adorable baby doll with a big appetite. With the reusable doll food and snack shaper, little ones can get creative and make different kinds of yummy-looking pretend food for her.

And once the pretend snacks are ready, they can scoop them out of her dish with her special spoon and feed her. Lily will happily gobble it all up, before ‘pooping’ it back out into her nappy. Baby Alive Super Snackin’ Lily Doll is lots of fun and is sure to be played with over and over again. Oscar absolutely loves her, and you can see her in action by watching our YouTube video here! She’s bound to be a hit with little ones everywhere this Christmas.

05. Vtech Toot-Toot Drivers Fire Station – £32.99

If you guys watch our YouTube channel, you’ll probably have noticed that Oscar is a big fan of the Vtech Toot-Toot Drivers range. And this Christmas, he has his eye on the Toot-Toot Drivers Fire Station! The set includes everything little ones need to act out their very own firefighting scenes, including an awesome toot-toot drivers fire engine with moveable ladder, spinning pole, slide with flip-down flames, spinning disk, launcher, pop-up fire, lift and 4 SmartPoint locations.

The Toot-Toot Drivers Fire Station also has 2 sing-along songs and 6 melodies for children to enjoy. It can also connect to other Vtech Toot-Toot Drivers playsets for added fun and adventures! We highly recommend the Toot-Toot Drivers range to absolutely everyone with children under 5. They really are brilliant.

04. Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Magical Oven – £24.99

I think it’s safe to say that kids everywhere absolutely love playing with Play-Doh! And this Christmas we’re obsessed with their awesome Magical Oven playset! Aspiring chefs can experience the fun of baking without the heat and dirty dishes with this amazing magical oven that features real lights and sounds. It’s super easy to use – you just pop some Play-Doh compound in a pretend food attachment and place it into the oven. Then, push down the lever on the side and you can see your Play-Doh food ‘bake’ as if by magic. It even pings when your creation is ready to take out!

The Play-Doh Magical Oven comes with one oven, 5 pretend food attachments, 3 cutters, roller, knife, fork, spoon, plate, and 6 cans of Play-Doh modelling compound. It’s sure to provide hours and hours of entertainment as little ones make loads of different creations and side dishes such as make-believe muffins, play pizzas, and crazy cakes. Believe me, when I tell you, they’ll almost look good enough to eat!

03. Paw Patrol My Size Lookout Tower – £99.99

The toy at the top of Oscar’s Christmas list this year (and the only thing he’s asked Santa for) is this awesome Paw Patrol My Size Lookout Tower! At over two and a half feet tall, this tower is the perfect size for a child’s imagination to run wild, recreating their favourite scenes from the show. The tower has interactive lights and sounds that can be activated at the touch of a button, and it comes with a Chase figure and vehicle that little ones can send speeding down the tower’s slide.

At the end, there’s a unique flip feature that will shoot him up into the air, then straight into his police truck. Once Chase is in his truck, little ones can use the rotating vehicle launcher at the tower’s base to aim and shoot him into action … Paw Patrol to the rescue! The Paw Patrol My Size Lookout Tower includes one lookout tower, Chase and Marshall figures, Chase vehicle, and 4 pup packs. It’s the perfect gift for any Paw Patrol fan this Christmas.

02. Leapfrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart – £39.99

Every Christmas I like to give the kids at least one educational gift each. And this year I’m absolutely loving Leapfrog’s Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart, as it’s great for teaching little ones about things like colours, counting, flavours and numbers. All they have to do is insert an activity card into the cart and follow the animals’ instructions to build their orders. Once their ice cream is ready, they can press the bell, and pay at the magic till.

I love how bright and colourful this particular toy is, and I honestly don’t think I’ve come across anything like it before. The cart comes complete with 20 play pieces, and it plays music when you push it around … just like a real ice cream cart! The Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart is perfect for imaginative play and will provide hours of fun for children and adults alike!

01. Thomas & Friends Super Station – £129.99

And chugging straight into first place this year is the absolutely amazing Thomas & Friends Super Station! The reason that we thought this was the cream of the toy crop this year was basically that the Super Station allows Thomas fans to play with all their favourite Thomas & Friends Adventures, TrackMaster, Minis & Wooden Railway engines all on the same track set! Yes, you read that right, mums and dads. And in addition to being able to use most Thomas engines, multiple configurations allow for layouts that can fit any space in the home.

The set holds over 100 engines, has over 10 meters of track, and features many iconic locations including Tidmouth Sheds, Brendam Docks, Knapford Station, Blue Mountain Quarry & Harold’s helipad. It even comes with Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Thomas, Thomas & Friends Adventures Percy, Thomas & Friends Minis James, and a plastic Harold the Helicopter! There are also cargo pieces, adapter pieces to connect to other playsets, two racetracks, floor play and more.

Fun features include cranky the crane with a crane that can be raised, lowered, and attached to a cargo lift that can be used to raise cargo and engines; and a turntable complete with a stop-track lever to halt track master engines while your little engineer changes direction. The legs and locations feature tunnels, and there are areas for cargo storage, too. It really is the ultimate Thomas & Friends playset!

And there you have it, our top 10 Christmas toys for under 5’s 2017! I hope you guys enjoyed reading it, and that’s it’s given you some inspiration for what to buy the little ones in your life this Christmas. There are so many toys out there these days that it can be difficult to know where to start sometimes, can’t it?

What toys are at the top of your little ones’ Christmas lists this year?
Let me know in the comments below.

Merry Christmas, everyone!
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The Christmas Tag

01/12/2017 by Louise 55 Comments

Can you guys believe it’s the first of December already?! No? Neither can I! I think this year has just flown by, and I’m sad to say that I feel like I missed most of it due to sleep deprivation. I definitely didn’t do half of the stuff I wanted to do during 2017.

Anyway, I plan on making up for it by doing lots and lots of fun stuff over the next few weeks, and what better way to kick it all off than by writing lots of lovely Christmassy content here on my blog? Today I’m going to be doing ‘The Christmas Tag’, which is full of festive-themed questions for me to answer so you can get an idea of the sorts of things I look forward to at this time of year.

I was tagged to do this particular post last Christmas by the lovely Jane over at Maflingo, but I didn’t get round to filling in the blanks back then, so I thought I’d do it today instead. I hope you guys enjoy it. Are you sitting comfortably? Yes? Then let’s go!

What’s Your Favourite Christmas Movie?

I’m torn between two here: Jingle All The Way, and The Santa Clause! I love them both so much! I think if I could only watch one of them this Christmas it would have to be The Santa Clause. If you’ve never seen it before then you should definitely go and check it out. It’s about divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) who accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit whilst looking after his son on Christmas Eve.

The pair are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he’s dreaming, but over the next few months, he starts to gain weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. He starts to think that maybe that night at the North Pole wasn’t a dream after all, and he may have a lot of work to do!

Have You Ever Had A White Christmas?

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen snow on Christmas Day, but I’ve definitely known it snow on the run-up to Christmas. Does that count? I think so! So, yes. I’ve witnessed a White Christmas.

Where Do You Usually Spend Your Holiday?

We usually spend the morning at home, opening presents with the kids. Then we get ready and go to my mum and dads for the rest of the day. The kids have more presents to open, we have dinner, then it’s fun and games with the rest of the family for the remainder of the afternoon. We love it!

What Is Your Favourite Christmas Song?

Hopefully, I’m going to go against the norm a little bit here and pick a song that most people don’t usually say. But my favourite Christmas song has got to be ‘Underneath the Tree’ by Kelly Clarkson. I just love it! It’s super catchy, super festive, and perfect for playing at Christmas. It’s definitely worth a listen if you haven’t heard it before!

Do You Open Any Presents On Christmas Eve?

No. I make up a couple of Christmas Eve boxes for the kids to open, but I don’t open any of my own presents. I’ve never tried to find any of my presents in the run-up to Christmas, either. I’m a good girl! Haha. Let me know if you’d like to see a post on what I put in my Christmas Eve boxes in the comments below.

Can You Name All Of Santa’s Reindeer?

I most certainly can: there’s Dasher, and Dancer, and Comet, and Vixen. Cupid, and Comet, and Donner, and Blitzen. I believe there may be variations of some of the reindeer names, though. Depending on whereabouts you’re from!

What Holiday Traditions Are You Looking Forward To This Year?

Well, we’ve already started opening our advent calendars, which is always fun. But other than that I’m looking forward to taking Oscar to see Santa, making up this year’s Christmas Eve boxes, and playing board games on Christmas Day. Bliss!

Is Your Christmas Tree Real or Fake?

We usually have a fake tree, but this year I’m seriously considering ordering a real one from Pines and Needles! People always tell me that you can’t beat having a real Christmas Tree in your house over the festive period as they smell incredible. And you guys know how much I like things that smell good! I need to see what all the fuss is about …

What Is Your Favourite Holiday Treat/Food/Sweet?

My favourite holiday treat just has to be the humble mince pie! I’m a bit of a snob, though, and will only eat them if they’re homemade. I really don’t like the taste of shop bought ones. Stacey always used to wonder why Santa would only eat homemade ones when she was little, and when she got older and realised the truth, it really made her chuckle. I’m also a big fan of Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce. Yum!

Be Honest, Do You Like Giving Or Receiving Gifts Better?

A hundred percent, giving! I love choosing something special for everyone on my Christmas list, heading to the shops to buy everything, and then wrapping them up in beautiful Christmas paper. People always tell me I give the best gifts, and that makes me so happy!

What Is The Best Christmas Present You Ever Received?

I always get such lovely Christmas presents, so I’m not going to choose any of those. But the best gift I ever got given was a Scrabble Dictionary. It doesn’t sound like a great gift, I know, but stay with me! When Nathan and I first got together we played a lot of Scrabble, but we’d spend a lot of the game trying to work out whether each other’s words were spelt right or not. So for my birthday, he bought me a Scrabble Dictionary. That gift got so much use, and I still treasure it to this day because of the amount of thought that went into choosing it. I couldn’t think of anything more perfect at the time.

What Would Your Dream Place To Visit For The Holiday Season?

I’m actually always happy to stay at home, but I wouldn’t mind visiting Lapland over the holiday season. I think the kids would absolutely love it. And happy children equals happy mummy.

Are You A Pro Present Wrapper Or Do You Fail Miserably?

I think I’m somewhere in-between. I’m not completely useless when it comes to wrapping presents, but I’m not as good at it as I’d like to be. I was hoping to learn how to become a pro when I went to a Prezzybox event last month, but the present wrapping workshop was always full so I didn’t get to try it out!

Most Memorable Christmas Memory?

Gosh, there are so many! Last year Oscar was adamant he didn’t want to see Santa because he was too scared. But we decided to take him to the grotto anyway, and hope for the best. Anyway, we went through the magical forest, fed the interactive reindeer, and finally got to the grotto door. And then an elf said to him “What are you going to ask Santa for this year, Oscar?” and without missing a beat he replied “Peppa Pigs Holiday House!”

We were taken through to see Santa, then, and Oscar was chatting away to him like he’d known him for years. It was wonderful to witness. I think it brought tears to both mine and my mum’s eyes!

What Made You Realise The Truth About Santa?

When my mum and dad told me he wasn’t real! *Sob* I was 10, and they’d done such a good job of convincing me he went all around the world in one night, delivering presents to all the good children, that I didn’t want to believe it wasn’t true! It took them a whole evening to convince me he wasn’t real. And even then it took a couple of days for me to completely trust that they were telling me the truth!

What Makes The Holidays Special For You?

Seeing the kids faces when they see all the gifts under the tree on Christmas Day. It’s so magical for them, and that makes the holiday special for me.

And there you guys have it, my answers to The Christmas Tag.

WHO I’M TAGGING TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS NEXT …

Emily from London Beauty Mum
Stacey from A Mess In A Dress
Jada from Unique Young Mum
Morgan from Morgan’s Milieu
Zena from Zena’s Suitcase
Karen from Missing Sleep
Sarah from Life In A Breakdown
and anyone else who wants to take part!

I really hope you guys enjoyed reading my answers to the tag.
Don’t forget to link your post below if you’ve done this one so I can read your answers!

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How to Make A Luxury Christmas Hamper

18/11/2017 by Louise 20 Comments

Christmas is a time for feasting, and if there is one gift that really shows someone you love them, a festive hamper made up of their favourite foods is perfect.

Putting together a basket filled with Christmas delights doesn’t need to be expensive, a few well placed things wrapped beautifully will do just the trick. All you need to do is find a basket and use tissue paper to fill in the gaps between the gifts. In fact, for a cheaper version, a cardboard box wrapped in festive paper will look just as lovely with a ribbon on top! Here are some ideas of things you could put in your hamper. I hope you’ll find them useful.

Mince Pies

You can’t have Christmas without mince pies and homemade mince pies are the crowning jewels of any hamper. Use ready to roll sweet pastry and a jar of the best mincemeat you can find – it’s really that simple. Give them a festive snow flurry of icing sugar and wrap in a cellophane bag to keep them fresh. Make sure they go at the top of your hamper to prevent them getting squashed!

Chocolates

Everybody likes chocolate and at this time of year, luxury chocolates are a real treat. They will really raise your hamper game, especially if they come already wrapped and presented. A selection of Christmas flavours like ginger, mint and festive spices will always go down well.

Chutney

Chutneys are such a festive item and you can buy all sorts of delicious chutneys from the supermarket. But there are also some lovely recipes you can use to make your own, like this Christmas chutney by Nigella. Jam jars aren’t expensive to buy on the internet or just collect your old jam jars for reuse. Add a festive ribbon and a label for a personal touch.

Mulled Wine

The warmth of mulled wine is so evocative of the festive period, especially of the Christmas markets that pop up around Europe. You can use any cheap red wine, all you need is a few ingredients to add in for that extra flavour. Of course, if mulled wine isn’t their choice of drink, mulled cider is another option and as gin has had such a renaissance this year, it wouldn’t be misplaced in a hamper either.

Christmas Pudding

The final piece – the Christmas pudding! Again, there are some lovely Christmas puddings on offer this year but you could always make your own. Alternatively, a small iced Christmas cake or a yule log will be just as gratefully received depending on their tastes.

There are all sorts of things you could add to a Christmas hamper and these are just a few ideas you could use. The perfect hamper will always reflect the recipient’s personal tastes so try adding a few of their favourite foods as well as the classic Christmas things.

Though the ingredients don’t need to be particularly expensive (it’s the flavour that matters), the wrapping is going to make all the difference. Sit your collection on a ruffled pillow of tissue paper and arrange everything so that all the labels are instantly visible. Adding ribbons will give a sense of cohesion to the group, even if there is no other particular theme.

Have you ever made a luxury hamper as a Christmas gift?
I’d love to hear what sorts of things you put inside if you have!
With love from Lou Signature Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram | Pinterest

Find Your Perfect Christmas Break in the Lake District

14/11/2017 by Louise 10 Comments

The Lake District is stunning at any time of year, but at Christmas, it’s a truly magical place to be. The very warmest of welcomes awaits you in this gorgeous part of the world, whether you want a cosy and traditional Christmas with family and friends or a chance to relax with that special someone. Whatever your Christmas style, the Lake District can offer you the perfect break.

The Great Outdoors Christmas

For lovers of the great outdoors, the Lake District is the ideal place to be at this time of the year. From the snow-capped mountain peaks to the serenity and peacefulness of the Lakes themselves, there’s so much to see and do in this truly spectacular winter landscape. Take a walk in a picture postcard wonderland before returning to your hotel for mulled wine and food as wonderful as the scenery.

The Friends and Family Christmas

There’s not a more perfect place to spend a traditional family Christmas than in the Lake District. There’s so much to see and do, with traditional Christmas markets and magical trips on the Ullswater steamers. Don’t miss Santa’s Express or the chance to take tea with Peter Rabbit and all your other Beatrix Potter favourites. With beautiful Christmas lights to enjoy and fairy-tale castles to visit, why not enjoy owls at moonlight or a climbing challenge at the Kong Adventure Climbing Wall?

Hotels in the Lake District are renowned for their warm welcome, and there really is nowhere nicer to be on Christmas Eve than gathered around the fireplace in a traditional family-friendly hotel, toasting marshmallows by the fire and enjoying mulled wine as the lights twinkle on the trees outside.

The Getting Away from it all Christmas

If you’re fed up with turkey and find Christmas a bit of a bore, then why not rediscover your love of the Christmas spirit with a proper traditional Christmas where you don’t have to lift a finger?

The Lake District is adorned with traditional decorations, and the aroma of mulled wine lulls you into a feeling of pure relaxation. Enjoy a cosy atmosphere and delicious food, combined with a Cumbrian service at one of the many hotels. You will feel at home from the moment you arrive for Christmas in the Lake District.

The Someone Special Christmas

If all you want for Christmas this year is a romantic getaway with that special someone, then the Lake District is the perfect place. In particular, the town of Keswick is the ideal bolthole for a Christmas made for two. Whether you prefer to explore the beauties of the surrounding countryside or shop until you drop in the Boxing Day sales, make your first Christmas together a truly beautiful experience with a break in the Lake District.

Have you ever spent Christmas in the Lake District?
If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
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Fun Christmas Gifts On A Budget

02/11/2017 by Louise 16 Comments

It’s November, which means that the festive season is upon us in full force. We’ve all seen Christmas items sneaking their way into our shops for the past month or so, but now that Halloween is over they are dominating the space.

One of the most fun parts of Christmas is the shopping. Finding the perfect gift for your love ones, wrapping it up while watching festive movies, and then giving them to your family members on Christmas day. Of course, not all of your family or friends may be there for you to give gifts to personally, and in this case, you could send the gifts in the post, there are some great Shiply reviews online and they are a good postal service to use.

Homemade Vinyl Wall Clock

If you are a bit crafty, you could make a practical gift for the home which will also be a bit of fun for one December evening. All you need to do is buy a vinyl record from a music store, order a clock mechanism from eBay and attach it in the hole.

50 Sheds of Grey

If your dad is a bit of a joker, then you could add this to his stocking and make everyone laugh. Males in the family such as dads and uncles can be difficult to buy for over the festive season which is why adding a bit of humour into their gifts is usually a winner. This book is written in the style of Fifty Shades Of Grey, and hilariously parodies the series.

Word Cloud Wall Print

A word cloud print can go for a lot of money if you try to buy one online, which is why it’s much better just to make it yourself. All you’ll have to do is buy the frame once you’ve created your word cloud. There’s a website online called Wordle where you can select the words you want and play around with the layout on the cloud. All you need to do after that is print it off and put it in a frame!

Antique Teacup Candle

Rather than going into one of those little stores on the high street and spending a fortune, you can choose a mug you like and make your own candle. All you need to buy is a wick and metal ring, and then melt down some old candles and pour them into the mug. Viola!

Homemade Herbal Tea

Herbal tea is great for a health conscious family member or friend, or one who doesn’t like regular tea. It can however be a little bit expensive to buy. However, you can make your own herbal tea mixes at home and stick them in an old coffee jar.

Plant Marker Stones

Collect some stones or buy them from the garden centre. You can then use nail polish to write the name of plants on them. Once you’re done, your family member can then pop them in place in the flowerbeds or the herb garden.

And there you have it! 6 really fun, budget-friendly Christmas gifts that your friends and family are sure to love.
What do you guys think of them? Be sure to let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading guys.
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