Secret Santa Gift Guide

 

Tis the season to be jolly! Happy December, the countdown to Christmas is on and if your work is anything like mine, we all in a mad dash to find that perfect Secret Santa gift without breaking the budget. So today I'm talking you through a ton of amazing and suitable Secret Santa gifts that don't go a penny over £15. Hopefully you'll be able to find the perfect gift for your chosen recipent in this selection of gifts.
 

For The Beauty Lovers 

L'Occitane Baubles £12- My first option are the L'Occitane Baubles. Coming under budget at £12, these baubles contain three miniature products from their bestselling ranges such as Almond and Shea Butter.

Nuxe Beauty Cracker £10.50- Next is the Nuxe Beauty Cracker which makes an annual appearence in my Gift Guides. Each year Nuxe release a new variation of this which contains four miniatures of their bestselling products, including the Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil.

Soap And Glory Original Pink/Sugar Crush Tin £10- You can never go wrong with a bit of Soap And Glory. Their Original Tin/Sugar Crush Tin Christmas gifts are amazing. Whether your recipent is already a lover of S&G or new to the brand, these tins packed with four miniature products and a full size face mask are perfect to introduce or spoil someone with.

Ted Baker Heavenly Tips And Lips £8.50- If you're looking for a gift that doesn't break the budget but looks opulent and expensive then this Ted Baker Duo is perfect. Containing a full sized nail polish and colour lip balm, this duo is perfect if you want to buy them a beauty gift but aren't sure on what they'd actually like or need.

No7 Nail Collection £14- If you've picked someone who loves doing their nails, this five piece set would be perfect. Featuring five full sized gel effect nail polishes with colours that'll suit everyone, this is the perfect gift for any nail obssessed recipent who never wears the same colour twice.

The Novelty Gift 

Make Your Own Neon Sign £12.50- There are a lot of Make Your Own Kits on the market at the moment and this one in particular caught my eye.Containing 3m of bendable neon wire, a battery pack and hanging hooks, this novelty set allows you to make your own neon sign without the hefty price tag.

Escape Room Game £8- Escape Rooms are a big craze right now which makes this travel friendly version the perfect Secret Santa gift. With 16 different puzzles included and 256 different combinations to the plastic padlock included, this set will have everyone's brain ticking over the next games night.

Secret Santa Selfie Light £5- This next one is for any selfie obssessive you know. Do you know someone who's always complaining about their selfie never having the right light? This clip on selfie light is the perfect gift for them, ensuring they have the best looking selfies this festive season.

Secret Santa Personalised LED String Lights £5- I always love getting people presents that can be specific to them. And these personalised LED string lights are perfect for that. With ten LED bulbs and forty eight letters, this set of cute string lights will allow the reciever to write their own message or even just their name in LED. And you still have money left over for chocolate if you wanna spoil them.

Chocolate Cookie Jar £4.99- If you know someone who loves to bake but isn't the world's greatest then this cookie mix is perfect for them. Containing the precise amount of ingredients and a cookie cutter, this is cute set is a foolproof gift for any wannabe bakers. Also they get a nicely sized storage jar afterwards.

For The Difficult Male Colleagues

Lynx Black Trio, Powerbank And Speaker Giftset £12- What man doesn't love a bit of Lynx. It's all companies seem to advertise for men during the festive season and this year they've stepped it up a notch. Coming with your standard body wash, anti-perspirant and body spray, this set also includes a power bank that can also be used as a speaker. All for twelve quid which is pretty much the price a standard power bank on it's own.

Star Wars Death Star Maze £8- Know a massive Star Wars fan? Then this 3D Maze shaped like a Death Star is perfect for them. A full size ball bearing maze, this addictive game will require them to use The Force to complete it and will keep them quiet for hours.

Jack Daniels Whiskey Glass And Stones £10-If you know someone who considers themselves a bit of a whiskey connoisseur then this Jack Daniels glass and stones set is perfect for them. Plus it's a bargain but has the feeling of being pricier than what it actually is.

No7 Men's Grooming Set £8.50- It's becoming more common for gent's to look after themselves now and this full grooming kit from No7 is just perfect for that. Containing all the essentials such as nail clippers and tweezers, this kit will come in handy for any man you know who likes to take that little bit of extra care with his appearence.

Bulldog Shaving Duo £12- It's a known fact that shaving can be a costly thing. But it doesn't have to be with this Bulldog Duo. Containing a full size shaving gel and a bamboo handled razor and blade, this duo takes some of the cost off shaving whilst also looking after a man's skin, something a lot still overlook.

For The Die Hard Fans

Harry Potter Hogwarts Bath Essences £10- For any die hard Harry Potter fan, these House themed bath essences will give them a magical addition to any bath. Each House has a different scent and even if you don't want to use them, they'll look amazing as collectables on any shelf.

Harry Potter Mauraders Map Colour Change Mug £8.50- Who doesn't love a colour changing mug. I for one do and this Harry Potter mug is perfect for any die hard fans. When cold, this mug displays the infamous 'I Solemnly Swear I'm Up To No Good' quote and when hot water is added it turns to the Mauraders Map, one of Hogwarts most cherished artefacts. A must have for any Harry Potter fan who also happens to have an extensive mug collection.

Nutella Mug £8.50- I recieved this mug for Christmas and I adore it. Smaller than my normal mugs but still a good size, this Nutella mug is perfect for any die hard fans of the glorious spread. It also comes with two adorable miniature jars of Nutella which are just too good to eat.

Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Mug £8.50- I love a good mug, especially ones themed around particular brands or sweets. And what better for any Reeses' lover than this well sized mug. Not only will you be able to make the perfect cuppa in it, you'll also be able to enjoy some Reeses' cups as well as this cup comes with four small cups to enjoy whenever you like.

50 Chick Flicks Scratch Off Poster £8.50- You can find a ton of these kinds of posters on ASOS and Urban Outfitters but this Chick Flick poster really caught my eye. There isn't one person in the world who hasn't watched a Chick Flick and this poster is a great way to watch some of the greatest the film world has to offer. It's also a great one for girls' nights in, especially if nobody can ever pick a film.


Make Your Own 

Disney Sheet Masks £4 or 3For2- Sheet masks are always a great pampering gift and these ones from Mad Beauty's Disney range are so cool. Each sheet mask is printed to make the wearer look like a princess or a villain. Some options include Ursula, Belle, Cinderella, Cruella De Vil and Maleficent. A great laugh for a pamper night in with the girls or the family.

Disney Villians Bath Bombs £4- As I've already mentioned, bath bombs are a great gift in a Pamper Kit and these Disney Villain themed bath bombs are perfect for that. Including one shaped like a cauldron, these a fun addition to any Secret Santa gift that you have to buy for.

Harry Potter Bath Bombs £6-Nothing beats a long soak in the bath and another great addition to any handpicked hamper or gift bag is a bath bomb. So many brands do single bath bombs that don't cost the earth but my favourites are the Harry Potter ones that Boots have to offer. Each one is a little pricier than some you can get but are themed perfectly and one even has a House Reveal inside.

Ted Baker Body Spritzes £4-  I once recieved a Ted Baker Body Spritz for Christmas and it was the perfect handbag spritz that lasted longer than a body spray but wasn't as potent as a perfume. And these gorgeously packaged are brilliant for popping into a handmade basket or goody bag. They come in at four pound a pop and are currently on a three for two deal at Boots which means you can easily treat yourself to one at the same time.

Masque Bar Pumpkin Spice/Hot Cocoa Cream Masks £3-Nothing beats a good face mask and Boots just happen to have two very seasonally appropriate ones that would go perfectly in a DIY goody bag. These cream masks work for any skin type and give a festive twist to your normal self care sessions. And at only three pound a pop, you'll even be able to treat yourself to one.

Five Things I'm Looking Forward This Autumn/Winter

As you probably already know I love Autumn, literally everything about Autumn. I love watching the leaves change colour, love how the weather cools down, how it's acceptable to drink numerous cups of tea and hot chocolate. Autumn is my absolute favourite time of the year. And like every year I have a few thing coming up through the upcoming months that I'm beyond exciting for.

The first of these that I'm beyond excited for is one that I never thought I'd actually get to see, like ever. And that's Nightmare Before Christmas Live. I've seen so many videos of this when it's on in the US but never thought it would visit the UK and fufill what would be a childhood dream if I'd known this exsisted when I was little. If you haven't already worked it out, I'm a huge fan of Nightmare Before Christmas with one of my earliest memories being me sat in front of the TV when I was no older than three watching it on a continous loop until my mum hid the video from me. So getting to see the actors and actresses sing and act along to the film in person is a dream come true. I've had my outfit planned since before I even ordered the tickets and I've even started putting some money away incase there is merchandise when we get there. Decemeber 5th can't come quick enough.

The next thing I'm looking forward to this Autumn/Winter is the decorating in the build up to both Halloween and Christmas. I'm a sucker for seasonal decorations and can easily buy a ton of ones that I don't necessarily need or have room for. It's become a thing amongst me and my mates about how I'm going to outdo myself each year and apart from last year I can safely say I've outdone myself each year. This year I was going to try and rein it in but I quickly decided fuck it, you do you boo. So when the madness at work ends, I'm hauling my ass down to the likes of Homesense and Hobbycraft and I'm stocking up on all things spooky with maybe a couple of Christmas bits thrown in.

Now this next one I'm sure a lot of you will think I've ruined the surprise but me and Jasmin actually planned this last week when we had a catch up. Last year she kindly took me to the Harry Potter tour for my birthday. We went towards the end of Novemeber when they had all their Christmas decorations up and I was blown away by it all. And this year I was struggling to think of something I wanted to do. Until I saw an advert for Halloween at the Harry Potter Studio Tour. I put it towards Jasmin as a fun and kind of spooky thing to do at Halloween and she asked me if I wanted to do it for my birthday as an early birthday present. And how was I to refuse. And whilst we're not going on actual Halloween, we're still going when they're showing the Halloween decorations so I'm buzzing and plan on buying even more of the gift shop this time round. It also helps me forget that I'm slowly edging my way closer to thirty than twenty.

Autumnal dressing is one of my favourite parts of the season change. We can say goodbye to the barely there vests, denim shorts and flip flops and say hello to the chunky jumpers and cute boots. I've already started picking up a few pieces for my autumnal wardrobe and they're not the usual oversized jumpers that I usually pick up. Sure I'll buy a couple if they catch my eye but this year I've extended my style to trying check shirts that will pair well with my trusty black skinny jeans and newly acquired Dr Martens. I just love how easy it is to layer up an outfit that is not only comfy and cosy but is still cute and not too over the top. And now is the perfect time to snap up those go to pieces for the season which I'll be doing once I'm not doing as many hours at work.

Now I know this makes me sound extremely British but I am extremely British and I love a good cuppa. And now the weather has started to turn and cool down, I'm drinking cuppa's by the bucket load. It's my last thing I'm looking forward to doing as the season turns. I love a good hot drink and now it's becoming acceptable to have a hot drink or three throughout the day, I'll be stocking up on tea bags, coffee and hot chocolate so I can have a nice hot drink when I get home from work and curl up in my cosy pjs.

Five Favourite Christmas Songs

 

 As soon as I saw this GIF, I knew I just had to use it in this post. One of my favourite parts of Christmas is the songs. Except when your work keeps playing the same five songs on loop from the first of November until the big wigs say we can play them all. I do love a good Christmas song and sometimes think I'm the only one when I'm at work as nobody else is belting out the likes of Wizzard, Slade, Buble and the queen of Christmas Mariah Carey. So today I thought I'd share with you five of my favourite Christmas songs. And to say picking out just five was ridiculously hard and I had to reschedule this post several times as I just couldn't decide.

All I Want For Christmas Is You- Mariah Carey 
It isn't Christmas until you've heard Mariah's iconic Christmas number. There's something about the opening of this song that never fails to send a shiver of childlike excitment down my spine. Not only because it's a fantastic song that millions of us butcher every year but also because it means that it's just that little bit closer to Christmas. I always play this before any other song when I've got Christmas songs on as it really gets me in that festive mood and I always like the challenge of hitting that end high note (I never do).

 Step Into Christmas- Elton John
I love Elton John. His music is timeless and this song is no different. I honestly don't know what it is about Step Into Christmas I love so much but it's been one of my all time favourites since I was little. I think it's, it's more upbeat melody that I love so much. A lot of the classic Christmas songs are quite slow and meaningful whereas this one is lively and a little bit out there, a bit like Elton John himself. I quite literally drop tools when this song comes on and I won't start whatever I'm doing until it's finished.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas- Michael Buble
When you hear Buble crooning about Santa, you know it's Christmas. I'm a massive Buble fan anyway but his Christmas album is possibly my favourite thing he's ever done. The beginning of this song reminds me of the big in Nightmare Before Christmas as Jack travels to Christmas Town but then Buble starts singing and it sends a shiver down my spine. Buble has an old school voice which could sing the English Oxford Dictionary to me and I'd still enjoy it. This is just one of many amazing songs from his Christmas album.

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree- Mel and Kim
Again this is a song that I can't quite put my finger on why I like it but it's my preferred version of this festive classic. Sure I like the original Brenda Lee version but I think it's the slight pop twist that really catches me with this song. I also love the video that goes alongside this one, it's just reminds me of Christmas' as a kid.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
When picking the songs for this list, I tried my hardest not to repeat the artist but I absolutely adore this song from Mariah Carey and it's actually one of my most played in my Christmas playlist on Spotify. This starts slow but builds and whilst it's a short song, it really gets you excited as well as belting out the lyrics (completely forgetting where you are). I very nearly forgot to add this to my playlist as I always get this and her rendition of Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town mixed up but as soon as I heard it on the Asda Christmas, I remembered and added it straight away.

Please Come Home For Christmas- Jon Bon Jovi
This is an honourable mention as it came on whilst I was writing this and I instantly facepalmed. How could I forget about Jon Bon Jovi's belter that I could listen to for hours. I think it's the opening and Bon Jovi's voice that sell this song to me. It's instantly recognisable, I can hear it muffled in a shopping centre and still recognise it. I have to admit that I do have a tendency to listen to this sporadically throughout the year as I just love it that much. 

Marks And Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar Day Ten

Welcome back to Day Three in my 25 Days of Beauty Series where I show you what I get in my Marks and Spencers Advent Calender. 

In today's box I recieved the Percy and Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Overnight Recovery. It's a leave in treatment you apply to dry hair and allow to work overnight before washing it out as normal in the morning. It's advertised as quick absorbing treatment that helps to nourish and rehydrate hair whilst helping to fight frizz and boost hair's natural shine. 

This sounds like a genius product. I like how you can easily apply it to hair and sleep whilst it works, without the worry of it ruining your pillows. However I won't get any use of it until I wash my hair next which is in a few days as I literally washed it yesterday, not knowing I was going to recieve this today. 

Recipe: Mint Chocolate Brownies

Brownies, who doesn't love a good brownie. They used to be my absolute nemesis when it came to baking turning more into a bread than a cake. However I can safely say that those days are passed and all my brownies now look like this. Delicious chunks of chocolatey goodness that get rave reviews from everyone, including my area manager at work. And with Christmas approaching, I started to think of flavours that made me think of Christmas. Gingerbread, cinnamon, nutmeg, the taste of shortbread and mint. It reminds me of After Eights, candy canes and Aero Mint. I originally planned these to be shaped like Christmas trees but I've nothing but mishap after mishap with my cutters this year so I kept them to their fudgy chocolate filled squares.

Ingredients 
200g Dark Chocolate
200g Unsalted Butter
275g Caster Sugar
90g Plain Flour
35g Cocoa Powder
3 Eggs
100g Dark Chocolate Chips
2 Tsp Peppermint Extract

Method
1- Pre heat the oven to 180C. Grease a 9 Inch square brownie tin with greaseproof paper.
2- Into a bain marie place the dark chocolate and butter. Over a low heat, melt the two together, taking care to keep the heat down low so the chocolate doesn't catch and burn.
3- Once everything is melted together, place it to one side to cool down.
4- Into a seperate bowl place the sugar and the eggs. Whisk together until the mixture is pale, double in size and leaves a trail when you pull the whisk out. This is the only part of the recipe where you can use a higher speed on your electric mixer, everything else has to be slow or you'll end up knocking out the air you've just created.
5- Take your now cooled chocolate mix and pour into the sugar mix. Fold gently to keep the air into the mixture but remembering to scrape the side of the bowl so everything gets fully incoporated into the mix.
6- Add the flour and the cocoa powder and fold gently into the mixture. Again this part requires slow, gentle folding actions to keep the air in the mixture. However you will need to scrape the sides of the bowl as the flour and the cocoa powder will stick to it and you don't want to end up with pockets of flour in your brownies.
7- Pour in your chocolate chips and peppermint extract. You don't have to add the full two teaspoons and I was worried it was going to taste like toothpaste with two teaspoons but I've been reassured it's the perfect counterpart to the chocolate. Again fold everything in whether with your mixer or a silicone spatula.
8- Spoon the mixture into your prepared tin and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
9- Leave to cool completely in the tin. This helps it keep it's shape and gives them a chunkiness that a lot of brownies lack.
10- Once cool, cut into squares or chunks. Then all that's left to do is enjoy them or take them into your work and woo the management like I did.

Festive Skincare Saviours

 

Tis the season of joy, goodwill, good food and parties. Christmas parties, family parties, New Years Eve parties, December is the month that is filled with many a social event. And whilst it's fun and games, we all sometimes let our routines slip and it soon shows on our skin. So today I've rounded up a handful of products that will love and look after your skin throughout the festive period, without adding extra steps or extra time into your routine.

Okay so it's an obvious that there will be times during the month when you don't want to spend ten minutes stood in front of a sink meticulously taking off your make up. Wipes are the easy option for a quick make up removal but I personally can't stand how wipes make my face feel afterwards. Which where this first product comes into play. The B Stubborn Make Up Remover is the perfect no rinse make up remover that isn't going to dry our or irritate skin like a wipe would. It's bio phase formula breaks down even the toughest of make up and leaves skin feeling clean yet still soft and not stripped of it's natural oils. It works wonders on lipstick, mascara and foundation, leaving no trace behind. If wipes are your thing then you do you boo but if you're not a massive fan of wipes and want something to break down make up whilst still looking after your skin then I'd highly recommend this or something extremely similar.

If you can find the time and energy to stand in front of the sink, first of all I commend you and secondly, I suggest trying a nourishing balm or cream based cleanser. They're thicker in consistency and work better at nourishing the skin whilst simultaneously removing make up and any dirt that's built up throughout the day. My all time favourite cleansing balm has to be the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. It's thick, it easily breaks down make up but it also nourishes and leaves skin feeling super soft. Clinique's Take The Day Off Balm and Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish are also brilliant products that work in a similar way to the Emma Hardie but cost a fraction of the price. Things such as central heating, cold weather, alcohol and too much junk food can play havoc with the skin, something these products won't be able to reverse but will be able to diminish any effect it can all have on your skin.

If you've had one too many late nights this festive season, then under eye patches are going to be your best friend. These little miracle workers will help depuff, soothe and awaken tired eyes. There are so many different variations on the market but my absolutle favourites come from Skyn Iceland. They're a material/hydra gel mixture that work to soothe and depuff the under eye area. These are naturally cold when you first apply them but can also be placed in the fridget to make them even cooler. Their cooling properties help to reduce any puffiness that lack of sleep, late nights or too much processed sugar can cause. They may not do a lot to help with your dark circles but will create a smoother, hydrated canvas for the ton of concealer you may need afterwards. I always stock up at the beginning of December so I have enough to see me through any work parties, late nights wrapping and nights out with the girls.

Are the late nights catching up with you? Does your skin not look it's greatest? Don't worry my last skincare saviour will help get your skin into tip top condition once again. If you're like me and you enjoy taking your time getting ready for a night out, I highly recommend taking fifteen minutes out fo your dance party to apply a sheet mask. Sheet masks are the only kind of mask you'll need throughout the festive period. Usually made of a hydro gel or fabric combination, sheet masks give skin a quick pick me up without the need for washing off or interrupting your busy schedule. They can easily be worn as you do tasks around the house and don't require any extra steps after removal. My favourites are both from Garnier. Their De-Tiring Lavender Infused Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask and the Fresh Mix Replumping Sheet Mask are little skin wonders and have really helped my skin when I've needed something to make it look presentable. The De-Tiring mask helps to reduce the signs of fatigue whilst delivering a week's worth of hydration to skin which is slowly released over a period of time once you've removed the mask. It's perfect if your skin is looking a little dull after one too many late nights and it's lavender scent is also perfect to help you unwind after a long day. And their Fresh Mix Mask is a DIY mask in which you fold together and squeeze the essence up into a dry sheet mask, ensuring that it's as fresh as it can be when you apply it to your skin. This delivers the same amount of hydration as a 30ml bottle of serum and really works to hydrate and replump the skin whilst only taking up fifteen minutes of your day. I have these backstocked so I don't run out during the festive period as from the way I'm going, my skin's gonna need a lot of TLC this festive period.

Marks And Spencer Beauty Advent Calender Day Four

Welcome back to Day Three in my 25 Days of Beauty Series where I show you what I get in my Marks and Spencers Advent Calender. 

In today's box I recieved the Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara. I was a little dubious when I opened this as I really didn't like the Eyeko offering from last year but I was willing to give it a go. It has an extremely curved bristle brush that looks to hold just the right amount of product.

I was pleasently surprised when I tried it out this morning. I had a feeling I was going to like this as I am a big fan of bristle brushes but I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. It gave my lashes big volume and definition, didn't overload them with product and didn't droop or drop throughout the day. The only thing that annoyed me was how fiddly it was to apply but I think that all comes down to the fact that it's a miniature and you'd get a lot more control with the full size product.