Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas My Lovelies!

I hope you've all had a brilliant Christmas and that you all were treated to lots of lovely things! Today's post is all about what I got for Christmas this year (and a few photo's of the day!) and wow was I spoilt. I'm a total nightmare when it comes to buying gifts for, so thumbs up too all that bought for me!

From my parents I received a TomTom Sat Nav which was actually on one of my wish lists this year (Father Christmas must of been reading my blog!) they also got me some beautiful boots from Topshop and a coat from Matalan. In my stocking I found a Marks and Spencers woolly hat, I do love a good hat! Some Liz Earle goodies, Body Shop goodies and yummy minstrels.

My sister picked me some great gifts....A tangle teezer, black buckle boots which will look amazing with my black velvet skirt, a pumpkin spice candle (I looked every where for one of these this year), a Cath Kidston mirror (perfect for my bag), a little red pouch that says love at the top in gold, Lush goodies amongst many other things!
My friend Hayley bought me a floral candle I've had my eye on for a while from Laura Ashley, Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, Cath Kidston hand cream, a cute fox book mark and a shabby chic notebook!! My friend Manx bought me two Yankee Candles in my favourite scent Fireside Treats.

 

My sister dressed our table this year and I think it looks amazing!!!!

What did you get for Christmas this year? Post your links to your blogs and I'll take a look!!

Till next time,

                   Tori.

                         X

Winchester at Christmas!!

Hello my Lovelies,

Last weekend my sister and I surprised my mum by taking her to Winchester for the day, if you don't know where Winchester is it's a city on the South Coast about 15 minutes by train to Southampton and 1 hour to London. Winchester is a beautiful city whatever month you visit- I went in the summer too but Christmas time is the best time of year as the Christmas markets by the cathedral and high street are all open and they have beautiful fairy lights every where.
We started by going up and down the high street stopping to look at the stalls and listening to carols by the Christmas tree.

 

We then stopped for some food and mulled cider at a lovely pub called The Bishop On The Bridge before making our way to the Cathedral. 

 

The Cathedral and Winchester are so magical and really makes you feel festive and gets you in the mood for Christmas. My favourite stall was one that sold lots of shabby chic and cute Christmas bits and bobs!

 

 

 

 

It was such a lovely day out, so relaxing getting to walk around leisurely checking out all that Winchester has to offer.

Have you ever been to Winchester? What was your favourite part, let me know in the comments! Have you done anything special to get in the Christmassy mood?

Till next time,

                   Tori. x

Nars Sheer Glow Review

Hello My Lovelies!

Today's post is all about one of the most talked about foundations in the world... Nars Sheer Glow!!

I have been coveting Sheer Glow for over six months if not longer and I had every intention of buying it once I had finished my Laura Mercier a Silk Creme foundation, how ever I don't tend to use up bottles and bottles of foundation and it became apparent that I might never buy it. So I decided that I would buy it the next time I visited london, except I didn't get a chance to make it to london before ASOS did a 30% discount code and I knew I had to take the chance and buy it without being colour matched. I have really fair skin so I was worried about buying the colour Mont Blanc which is light 02 but the only light colour ASOS stocks and I had this terrible feeling it might be too dark for my skin. I then went to the Space NK website to order myself one of the pumps, luckily Space NK was also doing a great deal of free delivery!

I have been using Sheer Glow for almost a month and it is by far the best foundation I have ever used, I can't believe I've waited this long to buy it...if only I had known!!

The consistency of the foundation is light, doesn't cake your skin so is buildable and once applied with my Real Techniques brushes it looks so flawless. I'm so glad I went for Mont Blanc as it's a great shade for me, it's probably the best colour foundation I've used and that's when I've been colour matched at the counters for previous foundations. I only tend to use my high end foundations on the weekends/holidays/nights out as I hate wasting it but I've just run out of my drug store brand and I think I'm going to start wearing Sheer Glow everyday even to work!! I don't even care if I run out quickly and have to pay full price, it's that amazing!! This year I have tried Chanel Aqua Lumiere and Laura Mercier but nothing compares to the Nars Sheer Glow. I'm now really tempted to treat myself to the Nars Radiant Creamy concealer in the new year. I will be interested to see how it looks come the summer and if the colour looks as good, but currently I couldn't fault this foundation!

Have you tried any of the nars products and in particular the Sheer Glow?! Let me know in the comments.

Till next time,

                    Tori. x

A Summer Holiday...Budapest

Hello My Lovelies,

In the summer I went on a little trip with my sister to Budapest and Vienna (I'll write about Vienna next time!), I thought like I have in the past that I would tell you the highs and lows of each place- you never know this might just inspire you to book a trip away.

Budapest

Highs: A beautiful city with wonderful gothic architecture (think Quasimodo!) we took a boat ride down the Danube so that we could get a view of all of the beautiful buildings including the Hungarian Parliament.

 

We also got to see a very poignant memorial to all those that died during the Holocaust, these were the shoes of the Jews that were shot dead by the Danube.

 

We then checked out St.Stephens Basillica which was super pretty and peaceful and a highlight of the trip!

After all of the walking in the major heat (more on that to come) we decided to visit one of the legendary spas called Széchenyi- there are 15 baths here; three of which are outside and vary in heat, the first one I went into was 32 degrees and you were advised to only spend 20 minutes at a time in it. The pools according to the Széchenyi website says the following... "The hot spring contains a significant amount of fluoride and metabolic acid, along with calcium, magnesium, hydro-carbonate, sodium and sulphate effective to cure degenerative illnesses of joints, as well as chronic and semi-acute arthritis. It is also fit for orthopaedic and post-injury treatments."

It was fab just to relax and unwind after all the walking and possible heat stroke we had endured during our stay in Budapest.

 

Lows: The first major low was the heat, it was over 105 degrees when we visited in early August and unfortunately for most of the time was unbearable- you couldn't have your hair down or make up on as it slipped straight off! You had to constantly stop to drink and the tour buses didn't have air con!!! I think when you visit certain European countries you have to really pick your travelling month correctly as I know the winter months in Budapest are brutally cold and I couldn't visit then either.

Cars on the road: The drivers in Budapest are crazy!! If they see you're not using the crossing they will drive straight towards you with their foot on the gas-so scary, I hated it!

Language barrier: Not many people spoke English, not a big deal but one to consider.

Be prepared to do lots of walking, which in hot or cold weather isn't much fun.

Have you visited Budapest before? Do you want to know more about Budapest? If you said yes to either of these questions then leave me a comment and I'll reply ASAP.

Till next time,

                   Tori.

                         X

Sigma Brushes!

Hello my Lovelies,

On Black Friday I decided to make my first ever order to Sigma (in the USA) and take advantage of their free international delivery. I decided to buy the F10 Powder/Blush Brush which is copper in colour and a E60 Large shader brush which is also copper in colour. I also recieved a free E25 Blending brush which will come in handy for travelling. The order arrived one week after I initially ordered which I thought was really fast seeing as it's such a busy time of year. I've only used them once so far so can't give a full review, however from my first time trying them they are fantastic. I now wish that I had spent a few more pounds and bought the beauty bloggers favourite F80! 

Have you bought any brushes from Sigma? What do you think of the quality?

Till next time,
                      Tori.
                             x

What's in my bag December 2013

Hello My Lovelies,

Today I decided I'd write a post that I've never done before and that's a What's in my bag post! I love reading and watching YouTube video's that have this title and I think they are pretty popular so here's mine.

My bag of choice at the moment is a Michael Kors black soft leather and chain bag and I love it- I wrote about it my favourites last month and I will continue to use it till the good weather of spring returns and I can get out my Mulberry bag.

My purse is a Mulberry purse that I bought in the sale a few years ago, it's such a great purse as it holds all of my essentials but I can't overfill it! I also have my keys which have my house key and car key on it and the keyring is a black Mulberry heart that my sister bought me this year for my 30th birthday!!!

Next up I have my iPhone 5S in gold which is my favourite thing everrrr....and I thought I would never ever leave behind my trusted Blackberry-how wrong was I!! I also have my iPhone head phones for when I take the train to visit my sister.

I have at the bottom of my bag two lipsticks, 1 is a YSL Rouge Volpte and a Rimmel London Moisture Renew lipstick in "MY" shade As You Want Victoria. Continuing with the beauty theme I have my most beloved product my Vaseline, I have these every where one in my bag, one beside my bed, one in the front room, one in my work bag, one in the car and so on- I can not live without it and I feel panicky if I for some reason forget it!! I finally have some tissues and paracetamol; Since I was very young I have suffered with migraines, luckily as I have got older they have got a lot less frequent and don't interrupt my life as much but I do feel the need to have some on me just in case.

Have you written a blog post about what's in your bag, if so leave me a link so I can have a nose!!

Till next time,

                    Tori.

                          x

Secret Santa Revealed!

Hello My Lovelies!

Well over a month ago I joined Jess from (http://www.dungarees-and-donuts.co.uk) and her friends bloggers Secret Santa. I was given the lovely Louise who blogs over at http://kinderhealthandbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/ I scoured her blog to see the types of products and things she loves, and then on November 30th I sent them all wrapped and on there way to Lancashire....I'll let Louise tell you all about what I bought her on her blog!

This week my Secret Santa present arrived and it's absolutely gorgeous! 

One of my likes in my original email to Jess was that I loved Yankee Candles and my Secret Santa did not disappoint! I received 12 Happy Christmas tea lights that smell devine and the cutest mouse candle holder.

 

My Secret Santa revealed herself in a wonderful card as Lauren Munday at 

http://laurennmundayy.blogspot.co.uk/ I immediately tweeted her that I had received the present and that I would now be an avid reader of her blog!

I'm so glad that I took part in this Secret Santa, I loved reading my recipients blog for present ideas, going out buy them, wrapping them and then sending them off. Equally I loved waiting to receive mine and who it was going to be from. I think the idea was a great way to celebrate Christmas and to make new blogger friends!

So thanks to Jess and her friend for putting it altogether and I'll definitely take part again next year!!!

Did any of you take part in a Secret Santa through bloggers or maybe one at work/school/college. I'd love to know what you gave and received!

Till next time,

                    Tori.

                          X

Things I'm loving this month...November!

Hello My Lovelies,

So I thought I'd share with you the things I'm loving this month!

I absolutely adore my Michael Kors Jet Set bag. The bag is made of the softest, scrumiest (yes I know not a word, but you know what I mean!) black leather, it has gorgeous gold chain handles and is just the right size. I'm so glad I bought it when I saw it in TK Max earlier this year as it is now my only winter bag and I've not seen it being sold any where since.

Next up is The Body Shop almond hand and nail cream. I got this for free a couple of months ago and I've kept it for the harsher winter months that we now seem to be entering and it is a total god send. I love the smell and the texture on my hands as it's not greasy and sinks in really fast.

Next.... My heated blanket! My mum bought me one as I complain about being cold allllll the time. Heated blankets are addictive though as I find I never want to get out of bed now!

 

Yankee Candle in Fireside Treats... I've never really been into candles but recently I was on Clinton Cards and they had 25% off of this candle. Once I had taken a sniff of this candle I knew I had to have it, I'm currently on to my second one I love it that much!

 

Next up my Primark tartan scarf- I was bought this as an early Christmas gift, if I hadn't been given it I definitely would of bought it. I'm loving the tartan trend, I currently have three different coloured tartan skirts for work and my scarf is now a firm favourite. It looks way more expensive then a Primark buy and it's super warm and cosy! If you haven't got one yet what are you waiting for?

And finally my iPhone 5s in gold!!! This is my first ever iPhone after being with Blackberry for as long as I can remember. I have no idea why it has taken me so long to make the switch as I am now totally addicted, it never leaves my side. When I saw the gold iPhone was going to be released I knew that I had to have it, so I have now officially joined the modern world, whoop!

What are your favourite things this month I'd love to know!

Till next time,

                    Tori. x