WINTER SCENTS: THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE EDIT

Hello everyone and Happy December! First of all, how is it December already? The months since summer, have just some how flown by! That being said here we are just a couple of days into the final month of the year, as well as on the countdown to Christmas. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my favourite Christmas candles this winter season, that might help you get into the Christmas spirit...

1. bath & body works spiced gingerbread swirl | click to buy |

First up we have such a classic scent when it comes to Christmas, which is of course Gingerbread. I feel like Gingerbread is a love or loath scent but i personally love that balance of both sweet and spice combined. If you are from the UK and you think you can't get your hands on Bath & Body Works candles, think again as you can simply pick them up on eBay new and the pricing is around the same as a Yankee Candle would. I also absolutely love the designs on their Christmas products this year and they would make for the perfect gift, for a friend, loved one or simply yourself.

2. yankee candle all is bright | click to buy |

Next up is a favourite of mine from then new-in Christmas candles last year by Yankee Candle. For me when it comes to candles in winter you really want a scent that is fresh yet gives off that cosy and warm feel to the room, which that does just that. All Is Bright has that perfect mixture of fresh citrus-y notes and warm musk.

3. yankee candle winter wonder | click to buy |

Bringing things back to new-in for this Christmas by Yankee Candle (which fyi i think they have some really great scents this time around), especially with this beautiful Winter Wonder candle. Winter Wonder is similar in a way to All Is Bright has it has a balance of fruity citrus notes with the lemon/champagne and then also the warmth of vanilla musk and then you also get the subtle hint of fresh silver balsam.

4. yankee candle winter glow | click to buy |

Over the past few years this scent has been another Christmas/Winter favourite of mine, as you could say again that this is similar to All Is Bright but this candle has more of a cooling freshness to it rather than the warmth of vanilla notes. This candle all round is very fresh, cooling with that subtle hint of warmth from the amber undertones.

5. neom christmas wish candle | click to buy |

Neom candles are definitely more on the luxury side of things when it comes to candles but if you are looking to pick up more of a "luxury" style candle, then i highly recommend Neom. Neom candles always have that perfect spa-like feel to them that instantly fills a room, whether lit or not. This years Christmas Wish candle is packed full of essential oils all fruity, fresh and warming. 

6. m&s frankincense and myrrh candles | click to buy |

When it comes to high-street finds for me personally it is a toss up between H&M and M&S, that being said i am slightly disappointed with H&M's Christmas candles this year. That being said M&S are stocking a range of different shape/sized candles in their classic Frankincense and Myrrh scent, which i love as it is fresh, warming, very traditional and the packaging is always great to re-use for something else afterwards.

7. yankee candle christmas magic | click to buy |

Next up we have another new-in this season to Yankee Candle and probably not something i would usually opt for visually, as the packaging is red and i am more of a neutral/gold toned fan. That being said Christmas Magic smells like real Christmas Tree as it is infused with fir balsam, pine needle sap and cedarwood birch.

8. yankee candle frosty gingerbread | click to buy |

Ok this is the last Yankee Candle scent for this post, i promise. That being said Frosty Gingerbread is yet another new-in scent from the brand this year and is literally a sweet/baking scented candle lovers dream in a jar. Frosty Gingerbread obviously has that gingerbread scent to it but it also has more of a sweetness to it with the vanilla added in, to allow your room to smell like a fresh batch of homemade Christmas desserts.

9. bath & body works twisted peppermint | click to buy |

Finally we have a candle that really minds me of Candy Cane Lane by Yankee Candle, as it has that beautiful minty/sweet scent that smells just like candy canes do. Just like the Spiced Gingerbread Swirl candle, this would make the perfect gift as the packaging is simply beautiful and can also be picked up on eBay. Bath and Body Works also stock different products with the same scents, from body lotions to hand gels and shower gels, which is great if you wanted to pick up a scent for someone who isn't necessarily a candle lover. 

Catch up on my previous post: here 

xo.

MULTI-PURPOSE MAKEUP & BEAUTY STORAGE

Hello everyone! So last month i did a couple of posts talking about all things makeup storage, from my own makeup de-cluttering/organising part one and part two, to a dressing table essentials that won't break the bank post. When it comes down to storage you don't always have to play by the rules and use something that is designed specifically for that purpose, you can switch things up and use something different. There are so many cool items out there, that can be used for its original purpose or to also store your makeup/beauty products and for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my favourite multi-purpose storage items.

1. jewellery boxes (similar style here)

You can get these dressing table perfect jewellery boxes, which tend to be glass with some form of metallic edging detail from pretty much anywhere and for not a lot of money. That being said these can be used for a lot more than storing jewellery, you can also store things such as nail polish, shadows and everyday makeup.

2. toothbrush holders (h&m home holder)

Toothbrush holders are the perfect multi-purpose piece, they can house your makeup brushes, lip glosses, cotton buds, eyeliners, lipliners and they come in some seriously cool prints, like this particular one from h&m home. As toothbrush holders tend to be a little more narrow in width, if you are using one for makeup brushes i would say they work better for smaller eye/detail brushes.

3. jar candles with lids (bath&bodyworks white peach)

Being the candle lover that i am, i know quite a few ways that empty candle jars can be used for rather than just throwing them in the bin. Candle jars with lids can be used for cotton balls, cotton buds and even lipsticks. I just love the way the empty jars look with things stored inside, especially if the jar design is chic looking like the bath&bodyworks ones. 

4. cute quote mugs (similar style here)

Yet another great multi-purpose piece other than for drinking a coffee or two out of is quote mugs, not only do they look stylish and chic, they also are a seriously cool way to store your brushes, lipliners, eyeliners and stick form products just like other jars. I also like the mix and match of the toothbrush holder and mug together. 

5. candle jars (diptyque gardenia)

Pretty much every single diptyque and jo malone candle/beauty lover will know, you probably can't get a more chic way to re-use anything than with one of these empty jars. These are another alternative for smaller brushes, lip and eye pencils and another cool use for storing your nail tools, such as nail files, scissors, tweezers etc.

6. wire baskets (similar style here)

Wire baskets are a super cool way to store all kinds of products, even to be used as bathroom storage and all depending on the size of the baskets uses. A cool use for these wire baskets is to store any bath bombs/lush products in, shower essentials, body creams/fake tan etc. If you got your hands on a square/rectangular shaped wire basket, this would be a cool way of storing your eyeshadow or larger face palettes. 

7. cake stand (similar style here)

I actually saw this particular way of storing your nail polishes on a cake stand on pinterest a while back, i think it is such a cool/unique way to have them on display. Another thing you could display on one is your perfumes on the bottom and some jewellery pieces on the top layers. 

8. bead box with lid (similar style here)

These particular box organisers usually used for storing beads, can be used for storing a few different beauty items. The first being your false lashes, rather than having all the boxes cluttering up your drawers and even to re-store once worn. Another couple of ways to use these for storage is for nail accessories, such as gems/glitter and also artificial nails. You can pick these bead boxes up for ridiculously cheap, some are as little as £1.50.

9. tea light candle holders (leredoute tea light candle holders)

Yet another way to store your makeup brushes, lip and eye pencils is by using tea light holders either buying them for this purpose, or because you are similar bored of burning candles in them (just don't forget to give them a clean before). You can pick up some super chic styles/finishes from metal, to bubble glass and mosaic tiles.

10. coffee table tray (h&m home round metal tray)

Usually used for a coffee table centrepiece but a great alternative is to use one to display your perfumes/favourite perfumes, you could also arrange a tray of a couple of different pieces, like a re-used candle holder with your brushes and jewellery.

11. letter holders (john lewis letter holder)

Not one for displaying your mail in one of these holders? no me either, but a great way to display makeup with one of these is to place your favourite palettes in the slots. Doing this is a great way of decorating your dressing table also. If a acrylic finish isn't your style, you can also get a hold of wire finished ones, wood and also plastic. This is a easy style of product that you could simply spray/paint whatever colour or finish you wanted to also.

12. wall shelves (similar styles here)

Finally we have a great way of storing your beauty products, if you don't have a lot of floor space. Because who said shelves were just made for books? Shelves are a great way of displaying all of your bathroom favourites, from shampoos, to body washes and if a display tray isn't for you then a shelf is another great way of showing off your perfumes/fragrances. If you wanted to do a two-in-one you could also store the wire baskets above on a shelf in a row, all depending on how organised/tidy you like things to look.

♥

OFFICE/DESK FINDS: STATIONERY/DECOR

Hello everyone! A couple of weeks a go i shared a post talking about dressing table essentials that won't break the bank, i also mentioned the fact that my dressing table also doubles up as my desk/work space. So with that in mind for today's post i thought i would do a part two to the essentials post, this time sharing some great office desk/stationery finds from organising to decorative items.

1. typo gold acrylic stapler was £20 now £12

2. john lewis rose gold magazine file £15

3. sass & belle stargazer unicorn trinket dish £7.19

4. paperchase rose gold paperclips £2.50

5. typo rose gold eiffel scissors (also available in gold) £8

6. paperchase rose gold hb pencils (set of 5) £3

7. asos x ohh deer big dreams notebook £4.95

8. paperchase rose gold binder clips (pack of 24) £2.50

9. etsy fresh and modern color mouse pad £9.86

10. john lewis gold stripe mug £5

11. john lewis rose gold pen pot £8.50 

12. etsy ooh la la print french quote £5

13. etsy eiffel tower print £4.50

14.next large coral ranunculus jar £10

♥

LAST MINUTE FATHER'S DAY GIFT IDEAS

Hey guys, hope you are all having a great day! With Father's day coming up in the UK this Sunday, there is still some time to get your Dad the perfect whatever your budget. I have been researching a bunch of different great gift ideas and deals available for the big day, so if you are stuck for ideas then please keep reading...

iTunes or other gift cards from £10 - Most supermarkets and stores.

Gift vouchers are always a good buy as if you are unsure if someone already has something then you can give them a voucher to get whatever they want and has required more thought than just handing money over.

BBQ tools £40 - John Lewis.

Dad's are always the ones in charge at friends and families party/bbqs so this tool gift set would be perfect, it comes with 4 tools and a canvas cover with handles.

Aftershave Boss by Hugo Boss £36.50 - Boots.

Boots have great deals on for men's aftershaves with a variety on offer up to half price and also free next day delivery for online purchases. The half price deal is also available in Boots stores.

Gillette grooming gift set £13.33 - Boots.
Boots always seems to be the best place to be when it comes to gift sets for deals.

This particular gift set was £20 but is now a lower offer price which contains...

1x Gillette fusion manual razor

3x Manual blades

1x Hydrating shaving gel

Top Dad father's day collection £19.99 - Thorntons.
Chocolate is always a safe present to get for your dad, this gift set of Thorntons products is ideal as it has a mixture of their collection included...
1x Pre iced happy father's day milk chocolate beer mug plaque
1x Classic milk, white and dark box collection
1x Original special toffee box
1x Milk chocolate trophy model
1x I love dad truffles
1x Red milk chocolate tag

Ghost Stories by Coldplay CD £8.99 - Sainsbury's.
CD's and DVD's always make a great gift for someone if you know what they are into. I know personally for my dad this is usually one of my go to gifts to get for him. These types of gifts are so easy to get hold of either with next day delivery's online or at your local supermarket.

4 (selected) Real ales for £6 - Tesco.
For those beer loving dad's this would be a great gift and especially for under £10. Tesco's currently have a 4 for £6 offer on selected real ales which are £1.97 each.
(Offer applies up until 1st July 2014).
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/SpecialOffers/SpecialOfferDetail/Default.aspx?promoId=A31452131

Hope you find some of these ideas helpful and all the Dad's out there have a great day!