Merry Christmas

Traditional Christmas Nails from Barry M

How gorgeous is this red and purple colour combination? I just realised it actually matches my Christmas tree...

In contrast to my Alternative Christmas Nails posts last week, I thought this week I'd go for something a bit more traditional in time for the big day.

I finally picked up these two new, sparkly shades from Barry M, which I discovered are actually Superdrug exclusives. I discovered that after spending day after day checking my locals Boots store, oops!

There are just two glitter polishes in the range, Sparkling Ruby and Sparkling Amethyst. It's actually the first time we've seen glitter in the brand's Gelly range, but I'm sure we will be seeing a lot more shades coming in the future though.

I thought these polishes might be similar to the ones you can get where you can actually feel the glitter after you've applied it, but as these are part of the Gelly Hi-Shine range, the glitter is actually smooth to the touch once it's on the nail, meaning you get a really gorgeous, sparkly finish and it won't take you until next Christmas to remove it.

You can probably already tell that I'm super impressed with these polishes. Barry M's gelly polishes are some of my favourite just because they have really wide brushes, which really helps application, they dry quickly, have great staying power and a super shiny finish, even in the case of these glitter versions, which shine and sparkle in the light.

They're super tough and strong too. After applying and letting the polish dry I went ahead and did all of my housework and there was not a chip in sight!

What are your go to traditional Christmas nails? Let me know in the comments.

Alternative Christmas Nails from Barry M

Most years I dedicate a blog post to Christmas/festive nails and this year is no different, but I also thought I'd include a post for 'alternative' Christmas nails for those who want dark and moody nails to match their soul at this time of year. I'm joking obviously, it's for those that don't fancy going down the traditional red/green/glitter route and want something a bit different.

Sitting among the usual festive shades were a couple of Gelly polishes from my good 'ol faves Barry M, that I thought would be perfect for this alternative look. I picked up Black Grape, which is a deep, dark blue, Black Pistachio, which is actually a green, but not your traditional Christmas tree green, it's much darker and Plum, which is pretty much what its namesake says.

These shades are perfect if you're not feeling particularly festive. They're very dark shades and it's pretty tricky to tell the green and blue apart from a distance but they all work really well together or even used individually.

Black Grape and Black Pistachio are newer shades to the range as they had much wider brushes than the Plum shade. I much prefer the wide brush versions as you can coat the whole nail in one go. They all apply really nicely though and dry super quick, leaving a really glossy, shiney finish.

Overall I'm loving the alternative option when it comes to festive nails, it's a nice change from glitters, but for those who do like something mroe traditional, I'm hoping to have something to suit you nail-wise coming soon!

What are your go-to alternative Christmas nails?

How to make your home feel festive

If you saw my post about decorating the Christmas tree earlier this week, you'll know how much I love it and now that I live in my own place I also get to make the house a little more festive as well.

To help spread the festive cheer a little further it's a nice idea to use ornaments. I was recently sent some Christmas decorations by the lovely people at Debenhams, including this woodland reindeer and Christmas tree and they're currently sitting pride of place on top of a couple of bookshelves. You can dress them up with candles and other winter-themed pieces and Christmas cards.

So, what could possibly be better than seeing Christmas in front of your very eyes in your own home? How about smelling it...Christmas candles are my absolute favourite and looking around my living room, I can see I might have a bit of a Yankee Candle problem, a Christmas-themed Yankee Candle problem to be more specific. Christmassy candles are perfect if you don't have a real Christmas tree that's giving off that lovely pine smell.

As well as ornaments and candles you can also go all out with wreaths, garlands and even Christmas-themed bedding - you know the Primark set I mean!

What do you do to make your home feel more festive?

*This post contains PR samples

Decorating the Christmas tree

One of my favourite things about Christmas is, of course, decorating the Christmas tree. Something about it takes me right back to being a kid, but now that I don't live at home I no longer have to submit to my mum's strict yearly theme and can go all out with anything I want. Cue the tinsel!

It's always fun getting the decorations out each year but sometimes it's nice to mix things up with something new so I was thrilled to have some Christmas decorations sent to me by the lovely people from Debenhams. I went for a mix of its traditional, wonderland and more glamorous collections for my tree this year and have put together a couple of tips for decorating the Christmas tree, from what i've learnt over the years.

Light's, camera, action!
Always put the lights on the tree first, starting from the bottom and working your way to the top. Plug them in and switch them on while you add the rest of the decorations, as it will help light the way for you and enable you to easily see where things look best.

Compromise
Compromise with your other half when they want to add decorations you aren't keen on...if they're allowed to add that ugly blue bauble, then you should be allowed to add one you like too!



Add personality
Personalise your decorations if you can. The easiest way to do this is through the use of baubles, there are so many in many different shapes so if you can find one in the shape of something you love then go for it, it's nice to have a little reflection of yourself on the tree. For example, if you're a ballet dancer, Debenham's do some fab ballerina baubles.

Alternatively, you could make decorations yourself but my tips for that would be a completely other blog post entirely!





Just hanging around!
Hang baubles or other hanging decs such as bows and ribbons in a zig-zag pattern, which helps your eye and anyone else's to be taken through the tree from left to right.

Survey your work
Throughout the decorating process, keep standing back from the tree so you can make sure everything's looking good.



Present temptation
You can place presents under the tree ready for the big day but a top tip of mine is to make sure you don't leave any chocolate or anything else edible under the tree or hanging from the tree if you have pets around!

What are your top tips for decorating the Christmas tree?

*This post contains PR samples.

Things I always look forward to at Christmas

December has got to be one of the best months of the year. It's roughly only a three week working month and most importantly it's Christmas, which means time for food, food, food and the odd pressie. Oh and family time too...all that important stuff!

Every year there are a few things I look forward to so i thought I'd jot them down and share them with you today. Let me know what things you look forward to every year!

Hearing that Christmas song for the first time
Everyone has that one song that definitely means 'it's Christmas'. Mine is Slade's 'Merry Christmas Everybody' and once I hear it I can officially get into the festive spirit...I've yet to hear it played fully but I'm sure it won't be long.

The drive home from work on the last working day of the year
This has got to be one of the best feelings ever - nearly two weeks of no work stretching out before me, Christmas tunes on the radio and barely any traffic! I know that last day of work will go pretty slowly but once 5.30pm comes around it means I can properly relax and look forward to the festivities!

Early morning Christmas wake-up call
Christmas Day is probably the only day of the year Vince and I get up at around 6am. It's mainly because he has to leave for work just after 7am so if we didn't, we wouldn't get time to exchange presents. We both sit around the Christmas tree in our PJs and it used to be on our hard wooden floor but since we've moved this year, it will be on our nice soft carpet! It's only a simple little thing but it's one of my favourite parts of the day.

More food than I can possibly eat!
As Vince works on Christmas Day I spend most of it at my mum's so I have a Christmas dinner there, followed by pudding (yule log!) and literally ten minutes after we've all finished (maybe a slight exaggeration), mum puts out a buffet of all the cold meats, pickles, crackers etc so by mid-afternoon I'm completely stuffed.

Once Vince finishes work he goes to his parents for his Christmas dinner, then he comes to my mum's and has another! Then we both go back to his parents for EVEN MORE FOOD! Oh my God, so much food. I eat enough to fill me up until New Year but always seem to find room for a little chocolate or two.

New Year
I know technically this isn't Christmas but I do always look forward to it once the festivities are over. For the past however many years I have spent New Year's Eve at Vince's parent's house. My parents don't really do anything to celebrate and I never did before I met Vince either but now every year we go to his parent's for a big buffet and to watch the fireworks. There's always SO much food and we get such a good view of the fireworks as well, I love it!

What do you look forward to every Christmas? Let me know in the comments.

Dirty Works Super Hydrating Lip Balm Collection

Now we're into November and the Coca Cola advert has played, I think it's safe to start thinking about Christmas presents. I've actually nearly finished my shopping, can you believe it? I've so far ordered everything online as I don't want to end up being that person in the shopping centre a week before Christmas stressing out and wondering what to buy people.

Lots of brands are releasing their Christmas ranges and I was recently sent the Dirty Works Lip Balm tin, which is a really cute, super cheap (£5) little stocking filler or gift.

Now I wouldn't necessarily buy it for the mega beauty lover but it's a great gift if you've got a Secret Santa and don't know what to buy the person or a niece/friend's daughter/cousin etc. The tin contains four good sized lipbalms in Strawberry, Coconut Cream, Juicy Watermelon and Luscious Cherry - all of them are super scented and give just a hint of colour. They're perfect for your dressing table or for popping in your handbag and they do leave your lips feeling lovely and moisturised after use.

For £5 this is a cute, fun little set for all ages. What do you think? Would you like to see this under your Christmas tree this year?

*This post contains a PR sample.