What I got for Christmas 2017

Welcome back everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and if you don't celebrate Christmas then I hope you still had a wonderful day!

I'm here today with a 'What I got for Christmas 2017 blog post' as these are very popular at this time of the year and I know a lot of people like to read them, me being one of them! I love being a little nosy and seeing what beautiful gifts people received on Christmas day and just seeing how happy everyone looks with the gifts they got that is why I thought I would share with you by own.

As on most posts and videos like these a little disclaimer is necessary to say in no way shape or form am I boasting or attention seeking I am just showing you guys the lovely gifts I received this year and am always very thankful for what I receive!

The first present I opened was this TOPSHOP beige duster jacket with a detachable fur collar that I had been eyeing up for a while now but couldn't justify spending that much on it so decided to ask for it for Christmas instead, hoping I would receive it on the big day! And thanks to my lovely parents I was lucky enough to receive it! I've always wanted a bit of a more sophisticated and fancier jacket to wear on special occasions and this is perfect for that!

The second present I opened was this gorgeous Morphe 35R palette which has also been on my wishlist for quite some time now but thought I'd save it for my Christmas list instead of splurging on it for myself! It's a beautiful palette consisting of some lovely brown, gold and bronzy mattes with a few shimmers in there too! Seriously can't wait to paint my eyes with this!

Within the box with the Morphe palette I received the Nars radiant concealer in the shade vanilla! I've heard many good reviews about the Nars concealers and have always wanted to try one out for myself! My sister knew this and decided to treat me to one! With this in mind she asked me what shade would fit me best and after trying some out in Selfridges and consulting with the very helpful assistant there she told me that the shade vanilla would be nice if I was wanting to brighten up underneath my eyes and that's exactly what I wanted. So was very happy to wake up to that on Christmas morning!

Also within that box I received the Jefree Star liquid lipstick in Celebrity Skin! I recently used my friends lipstick who had this and was obsessed, its such a gorgeous pinky nude matte that stays on all day and dries instantly! I love it!

The next item was a little bit of a surprise for me as I was undecided between two colours of the Reebok trainers and was unsure which ones my parents would choose for me but when I woke up on Christmas and found out they bought me the khaki ones I was very pleased as I was thinking the night before Christmas that the baby pinks ones I was undecided about were definitely not my style, so they made a good choice!

My main present from my family was these gorgeous Bianca Chelsea Dr Martens which I absolutely love with all my heart! I've always wanted a good pair of Chelsea boots but could never bring myself to spend so much money and I am so very grateful that I received these and they will literally never be coming off my feet!

From one of my best friends I received the Iconic illuminator highlighter in the shade original which is a gorgeous golden brown colour and is very different to all of my other highlighters as I usually use powder ones but it is super easy to apply which is a problem I thought I would face and the glow is absolutely unbelievable.

On top of this she also gave me the most beautiful Pandora ring which I was not expecting at all! My best friend knows how much I love cute dainty rings and spoilt me by getting me this one which I'm in love with.

From my boyfriend who also spoilt me! Got me this gorgeous Tiffany bracelet to match the Tiffany necklace I got for my 18th! I don't own many bracelets but have always wanted to have one that I could just wear all the time and this is definitely one of them! And as if it couldn't get any better than the he even engraved our initials on the back making it an extra special gift! I love it.

At last but by no means least with the money I received off family members and friends me and my friend decided to splurge and my Jason Derulo concert tickets for next year! So thank you very much to all you who have kindly gave me money and helped me go and see him live who I have wanted to see for ages! I can't wait!

Yet again thank you to everyone who gave me a gift I am very grateful! And I obviously haven't included all my gifts in here just my main presents but I still very appreciative of them all!

Thank you for reading, see you soon!
Katie  x

Christmas Tag | 2017

I was recently tagged by the ever so lovely Katie from katiesummersfashion blog (make sure to check her blog out! I love it and I'm sure you will too!) to do a Christmas tag and here I am with my last blog post before the big man in red comes down our chimney, to deliver it to you! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas eating lots of food and spending good quality times with loved ones!

1. What is your favourite Christmas movie?

If you haven't already read my recent post on 'My top 5 Christmas films to binge watch' then you won't know what my favourite Christmas movies are but if I was having to whittle it down to just one movie it would have to be Nativity! I absolutely love this movie and even after watching it 18638 times it still gets me laughing! Such a good film to watch with a bunch of your mates or with family!

2. Do you open you presents on Christmas eve or Christmas morning?

My family and I have always opened them on Christmas morning and it will continue to always be like that! However me and my sister do get given Christmas PJs on Christmas eve as a little gift to wear them at night and on Christmas morning!

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

I don't really have a favourite Christmas memory that instantly springs to mind as we usually do the same thing every Christmas but that's what I love about it! Just being able to relax and spend time with family especially visit distance relatives who don't live as close to me as I'd wish.

4. Favourite festive food?

This was the hardest question out of them all as I absolutely live for the food on Christmas day, I look forward to it every year! So I couldn't possibly only pick on and instead I picked three (oops) but they are in no particular order:

1. Pigs in blankets

2. Yorkshire puddings

3. Gravy

My mouth is already watering!

5. Favourite Christmas Gift?

As Katie said in her post it is very difficult to choose as I am very grateful for everything I receive but I have probably got to say my dog which I received 6 years ago! He was a late Christmas present that we got in the early new year and was a shock to both me and my sister as my dad always said no until 6 years ago! So lucky!

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

We've occasionally had a real Christmas tree but tend not to anymore because they make a huge mess and aren't the best with a small little naughty dog but in regards to this my favourite Christmas scent was the smell of a real Christmas tree, it would definitely feel like Christmas whenever you walked into my house!

7. Do you have any Christmas eve traditions?

As stated before my parents give me and my sister Christmas Eve PJ's to wear on Christmas morning and apart from that we don't really have any other traditions.

8. What tops you tree?

A beautiful handmade angel that my Nanna made before she passed away! We make sure it tops the tree every year to bring back all the lovely memories we had as children with her.

9. Whats the best part about Christmas for you?

The best part about Christmas for me is definitely seeing and spending a full day with my whole family and distant family who live hours away and we don't see as often! It brings a smile to my  parents faces as we know that they wish they could do this more often but cherish the special day that is Christmas that brings us all together!

Thank you for reading!

Katie x

2017 Christmas gift guide for him

I absolutely love spending money on my loved ones when it comes to Christmas and I think I do pretty well when deciding what to buy people (if I do say so myself).

However, I've always struggled when it comes to buying presents for any male relatives or friends! I think with being a girl I have a good idea on what other girls with similar taste to me like but not as much boys even though, I've been buying presents for my boyfriend and male relative and friends for a while now so should have had plenty of experience going shopping and searching the web for male gifts.

I know a lot of other people who struggle with buying gifts for men as they want to get them something they know they'll love but is also something more that a lynx aftershave set! So here I am to provide you with some ideas that you can buy for you boyfriend, dad, friend or even granddad!

Panasonic ER-GN30 Nose, Ear and Facial Hair Trimmer 

Now this might not be a gift that is on all of your male friends and relatives wish list but let me tell you they will be thanking you when they open this on Christmas day. I know not all men especially younger boys won't be needing one of these yet or older men who are happy with the way their facial hair is etc but not all men are into going out and getting their eyebrows done whereas this 4 in one tool can do just that and more for you in the comfort of you own home! This cost only £13 from Amazon and is a different gift from your average chocolate orange.

Vinyls, CD's or an iTunes/gift card

Depending on the person you are buying for and their preference on what they like to listen to their music on then a vinyl, CD or music gift card would be great! Everyone loves listening to music and would really appreciate their favourite album that would suit their preference. It's an easy but more thoughtful gift showing your loved ones that you really know them!

Beats Headphones or an Amazon Echo speaker

To go with the music related gift you may or not buy them you could pair it with some earphones or headphones depending on how much you are wanting to spend on your loved ones or you can spend a little more money buying them some beats by Dr. Dre headphones which come in many different styles and colour or some inexpensive earphone from the likes of Asda or Tesco.

Another item that you could pair with your music related gift is speakers! Yet again speakers can range from cheap to expensive but if he is a guy who is really into having parties listening to music or even just relaxing with some background music then this would be a great gift! I've heard many great reviews about the Amazon Echo which goes beyond just playing music it even makes calls! And is also voice activated.

Essentials - Dressing gown and slippers

Every guy needs to have a warm cosy dressing gown that they can just lounge around in whenever wherever especially on christmas day and whats better to pair them with a comfy pair of slippers! I found some goregous looking dressing gowns on John Lewis ranging from prices but this one in particular being £45 due to it's tartan pattern and soft cosy material! But you can find very simialar in places like Matalan for only £12!

Advanced car safety kit Extinguisher and torch - EVAQ8.co.uk

This would make a perfect gift for anyone who is often driving and don't think about taking essentials such as a safety kit or windscreen ice scraper because with England you never know what will happen! So having this little handy dandy kit filled with everything you could possibly need but don't ever think of taking on a journey would make a great gift and they will thank you one day!

For the amount of items you receive in this it is great for the price of only £30!

Virgin experience days

Now saving the best gift idea to last! 

Virgin experience days are offering Christmas Gift and experiences ranging from as little as £15 for a comedy night for two or up too £100 for a test drive driving super cars! There really is a lot of amazing experiences to choose from depending on your budget and on the person! There is a whole section on the Virgin experience day website dedicated to 'gifts for him' so really helps refine searches. This would definitely be a Christmas gift to remember!

Thank you for reading, see you soon

Katie x

Top 5 Christmas movies to binge watch!

Now its December Sundays are automatically dedicated to wrapping yourself in your duvet with a
hot chocolate and nibbles, binge watching Christmas movies!

But if you are like me and don't usually like re watching movies (unless it's mean girls then that can be re watched every day) then you'll find it hard trying to find some good decent Christmas movies.

Well here I am in today's post to share with you my top 5 favourite Christmas movies! I've tried to include maybe some unfamiliar ones that I haven't heard as many people rave about but I couldn't leave out some really well known ones that are my all time faves.

1. 12 dogs of Christmas

Now if you are a big dog lover then you are going to love this movie! Its such a warmhearted film about a girl who moves away from her home time during the depression to a place where dogs are banned and after finding an abandoned dog one day she hides him and with twists, turns and a bit of romance along the way she attempts to have the annual school Christmas Pagent show with all the dogs she and her friend rescues. Definitely an easy to watch film great for all the family.

2. Rudolph the red nose reindeer the movie

This movie was my absolute childhood at Christmas and brings back so many memories when watching it. Yet again another great animated movie for all the family telling the story of Rudolph the reindeer being bullied through out his youth because the colour of his nose running away discovering new friends who accept him for the way he is but after the evil ice witch steals Rudolph crush and threatens to destroy Christmas Rudolph has to overcome his fears of getting teased and save the day.

3.It's a wonderful Life

Another movie that holds so many memories and a special place in my heart being a movie watched every Christmas eve with my family! If you aren't a fan of black and white movies then this probably isn't for you being set in 1946 when an angel is sent down to earth to make George wish of never being born come true he soon stats to realise how much of an impact he has had on other peoples life and how he has changed them.

4. Nativity!

 This is probably my favourite Christmas movie of all time! Its such a fun, humours movie to watch over and over again. The children actors are absolutely great as well as the very catchy songs which get stuck in your head all day long! It has a great line of cast member such as Martin Freeman and also has a cute love story along the way! There is also a nativity 2 and 3 however I do not found them as entertaining as the first one!

5. Christmas with the Kranks

A movie I actually only watched for the first time the other day and has made it to my top 5 Christmas movies of all time! Another great family, comedy seeing the Mr and Mrs Krank lacking their Christmas spirit in spite to take a cruise to the Caribbean until their Christmas obsessed  neighbours are determined to win the best decorated street competition and they soon see their lack of Christmas spirit.

I hope my suggestions intrigue you to give these movies a watch and love them as much as I did!

Hope you are all having a lovely snowy Sunday.
Thank you for reading, see you next week
Katie x

OOTW | My typical University attire

First of all happy December first everyone! I hope you all woke up as excited as me to open the first door of your advent calendar and to count the days down until the big day!
Unlike most people who are probably starting today off with their first Christmas blogpost I am not, mainly because I'm a flop and would not be able to keep up posting a blog post every day until Christmas so I applaud you if you are doing that however I will try to post abit more than usual, fingers crossed.

I am here today with a new blog post that really isn't Christmas related in anyway but hey ho I'm giving it to you anyway!

And for today's post I'm going to be showing you my five most lovable outfits to wear to University in the winter time and hopefully give you some inspiration for school, college, Uni or even maybe some ideas for what you could ask for for Christmas.

Monday

Turtle neck burnt orange jumper - New Look

Leopard print A line skirt - Topshop

Black wolly tights - Primark

Tuesday

Black long sleeve turtle neck - NEXT

Black and white checked cropped jumpsuit - Primark

Brown belt - Primark

Wednesday

Nike grey and white leggins - ASOS

White V neck top - ASOS

Black oversized denim jacket - BooHoo

Thursday

White cable knit oversized jumper - ASOS

Checked floral pinafore - Topshop
Grey 'Baker boy hat' - Topshop

Black wolly wights - Primark

Friday

Green high neck jumper - H&M

Checked cigarette trousers - H&M

Compared to a lot of University students I do often like to make an effort with my appearance for Uni just because I feel like if I'm totally feeling myself in the way I look and dress I'll more so than not be more motivated and have a better day! 

I also occasionally just wear jumpers without jackets as I live 5 minutes away from campus and usually start in the afternoon when the sun is usually at its peak therefore I don't feel the cold as much so a jacket isn't needed but I always regret it when i'm walking home and it's either pouring down and freezing af.

Hope you enjoyed this short little fashion post! I have some upcoming Christmas blog post to get in the spirit but will also be doing my normal lifestyle, beauty and fashion posts which are non Christmas related.

Thank you for reading, see you soon

Katie x