Wednesday 28 December 2016

Oxford at Christmas 2016!

Hello My Lovelies

Last Wednesday night we booked the boat so that we could pop to the mainland and in particular Oxford. We love visiting Oxford as its just an hour and half car journey and is a lovely city to visit any time of the year but particularly at Christmas.
First stop was the under cover market that originated in the 1770's and is full of wonderful little independent shops including shoe shops, bakeries and butchers and quirky food places. My particular favourite is to people watch all of the customers coming to buy their special cheeses for the festive season.


                  

          
We then walked around the gorgeous little side streets near the University of Oxford's many colleges and absorbed the history that exudes from every single building you look at. It was chilly but not so cold that you couldn't enjoy the atmosphere, we even stopped to pick up a hot chocolate.

We then popped into a few shops including the White Company as I don't have one near me, Marks and Spencer and Primark. We were pretty hungry after shopping so stopped for lunch in a local pub for baked potatoes and burgers. Before long it was time to make our way back to the car and start the drive back.
Sometimes the best trips are ones that are booked last minute and without an itinerary! Have you been any where special this Christmas? Or been to your local market? Let me know in the comments!



Till next time,
                  Tori.
                      


Friday 23 December 2016

New In: Catwalk Backstage by Tigi Gift Set!

Hello My Lovelies

If your looking for the most gorgeous hair gift set this Christmas then you can't beat this one from Tigi. It's perfect for anyone that you might still need to buy for last minute this festive season or maybe as a gift to yourself if you can pick it up in the sales!

The set comes with an oatmeal and honey shampoo, conditioner and mask all of which is designed to make damaged and dehydrated hair silky smooth and soft to the touch. This set was surely designed for me at the moment as my hair feels absolutely frazzled from all of the hair products I've already used for Christmas parties and gatherings and it could do with some love and attention. It also protects your hair from heat damage from hair dryers and straighteners with its special ingredients of coconut oil, Vitamin E, Glycerin and wheat protein.

The bottles are all really amazing full sizes in fabulous sleek packaging though it can be a little tricky to read the info due to the colour way- I don't fancy conditioning my hair before I wash it! The beautiful fragrance lingers meaning you get a lovely whiff of fresh hair throughout the day.

I've seen this particular set on look fantastic, fragrance direct and feel unique for £16.99 and some of these sites if ordered today will deliver tomorrow (Christmas Eve!) so don't delay pick one up today from Tigi!!

Let me know if you treat yourself or someone else!

Till next time,
                  Tori.
                       x


*PR Sample.


Monday 19 December 2016

H&M Eyeshadow Review!

Hello My Lovelies
I've never bought any makeup from H&M before but when I was in Southampton last on a bit of a shopping spree I swatched a couple of the eye shadows and couldn't resist bringing these two little lovelies home with me.

I have the colours 'Act Your Beige which in the pan is a creamy nude bronze colour and 'Chin Chin' is a shiny metallic gold. When swatched in the shop they were really pigmented which is why I decided to buy the two but when I got home and tried to apply them with a brush they were super weak. I much prefer to use a brush to stop fingers getting dirty and makeup every where but with these eyeshadows they definitely work better being applied with fingers.

Both worked well with a base product, I love to use the Mac paint pot in painterly and creates a smooth starting point. Both shadows cost me £5 each which isn't too expensive but not one that I would want to pay again in a rush- I would much prefer to save my cash for some more MAC ones, but for a high street alternative they are pretty good value and have a great selection of colours! Both shades especially Chin Chin are perfect colours for upcoming Christmas and New Year parties so if you're near H&M why not try them out!

Till next time,
                  Tori.
                       X


Monday 12 December 2016

Christmas in London 2016!

Hello My Lovelies

If you've been reading my blog for the past couple if years you'll know that I go to London every Christmas to meet my old university friend, explore and enjoy this festive time of the year. This year was obviously no different and we met super early (well early for us as we come from different ends if the country) so that we could grab brunch at Bronte and also have a quick whizz around the National Portrait Gallery and Trafalgar Square.

Bronte was a lovely festive dining experience, really chilled and not at all as expensive as you would imagine. After brunch it was time for me to pop along to Dryby off of Regent Street for a much longed for and needed manicure- I decided a few months ago after hearing such great recommendations that I would go here and try it out but it was truly awful. The customer service was a joke with staff talking about me (yes they really did that) and there was zero atmosphere. What was meant to be a festive treat really put a dampener on the day and one I wouldn't ever wish to replicate.

All was not lost after my disaster manicure as soon we were in Liberty and checking out the Christmas department- you can hardly not smile and enjoy the ambience of this department store.

Last stop before a quick Costa hot chocolate at Leicester Square was the Carnaby Street Christmas lights for our annual tradition of a selfie! It was so much fun to catch up with my dear university friend, we've not had an opportunity to meet since last Christmas so it was well overdue and plans are now under way for an Easter reunion!

Christmas is all about spending time with Friends and Family- who are you most excited about spending your time with this festive season? Let me know in the comments!

Till next time,
                   Tori.
                       X

Friday 9 December 2016

Activities for when it's to cold to go outside!

Hello My Lovelies

Winter is well and truly upon us and sometimes you just don't want to go out into the rain and cold so I thought I'd let you know what I like to do at home when I just don't want to leave!   


1. Paint your nails- I hardly ever have time to do this so I love having the chance to sit and paint them a beautiful autumnal colour.


2. Read a book or magazine with a mug of something hot.


3. Watch a movie or box set (my favourite is Friends) on the sofa with a blanket and hot water bottle.


4. Create something delicious in the kitchen, pumpkin and Christmas cookies are the best!


5. Plan your next adventure- whether it's too some where abroad next summer or a winter staycation.


6. De-clutter your wardrobe or beauty stash and make some money by selling them on Depop or EBay.


7. Online shop (my favourite!)


8. Plan and write blog posts ahead of time.


9. Face masks (that is all!)


10. Get creative- start a new hobby (I've started calligraphy)

I hope this has given you some inspiration or maybe you already do some let me know in the comments!


Till next time,
                  Tori.
                      X

Tuesday 6 December 2016

Curvy Girl Outfit of the Day Number 19: Gran Canaria Winter Sun Edition!

Hello My Lovelies

Back at the end of October I hopped on a plane for some Winter sun in Gran Canaria with my lovely mum. We spent the whole time laying on sun loungers chatting, drinking cocktails and reading our books which was utter bliss. We went out for dinner every night and wanted to let you see one of my outfits from our time away.
I love this jacket that my sister found for me in the Tesco sale at the end of the summer. I never thought I would like a white denim jacket but It's so easy to wear (and comfortable) especially over my new dress which I also picked up in the end of the summer sales from Joules. My sunglasses are from Ray Ban and ones that I actually then preceded to loose in the sea after having them for over 5 years.


My shoes are actually my mum's white leather sandals that she bought a couple of summer's ago in New Look and were an utter bargain in the sale for about £10.00. Finally my bag is my utter favourite and one that I bought this summer after lusting over it for months the Gucci Soho Disco.

Till next time,
                     Tori.
                          X


Thursday 1 December 2016

New In: Wet Brush Pro Christmas Edition!

Hello My Lovelies

My ultimate hair brush brand is Wet brush and has been for some time- I've tried lots of different brands of hair brushes over the years and none of them compare. I can totally see why Wet brush is the number one selling brush in the USA! I was looking to replace my brush and the Christmas brush-pro from Wet brush was right up my street.

The Wet Brush Christmas edition comes in four colours blue, pink, purple, red and gold and have a water drop print- all colours are beautiful and shiny. The reason I adore Wet Brush over other competitors is that each brush has the softest bristles which bounce back to their original form after each use. The brush never pulls on my hair and I feel that since using the brand over a year ago my hair has felt healthier and less split ends.

With previous brushes that I've used the handle has been hard or in some cases there hasn't even been one, but on this brush it's easy to hold and manoeuvre around my head and use on my curly hair- each and every I've used my current brush it's created lovely soft sleek locks! I have my eye on a travel version of this brush and one that I'm hoping might just end up in my stocking this Christmas.
You can pick up this brush and others from the brand in Boots, Look Fantastic, Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty and many others.

Do you own a Wet Brush let me know in the comments!

Till next time,
                   Tori.
                        X

*PR Sample