Ted Baker "Ted Alley" Gift Set♥

For Christmas this year, I was lucky enough to have received the Ted Baker "Ted Alley" Gift Set. When I opened it, I was in shock and couldn't believe it! The box is stunning, and the products inside are even more gorgeous.

The box is quite simple, but the houses at the bottom add a touch of elegance, and the bow adds some cuteness!

Here's a quick overview of all the products. All of them smell amazing! The packaging of the products in my opinion are stunning, and I love it. All the orange products smell the same, they smell like vanilla, sandalwood, raspberry and rose. All of the pink coloured products smell like bergamot, red fruit, tuberose and patchouli.

First up, there's the Bath Foam. I haven't used this yet as I usually just hop in for a shower! I honestly can't wait to use this in a bath! I have high expectations for it!

Next up is a body lotion. I've used this and it's so creamy and moisturising - I love it already! I've owned a body lotion by Ted Baker before from the Butterfly collection and loved it, so I knew this wouldn't be a let down! If you're in need of a light body lotion that smells beautiful and is moisturising, get this!

We next have a body scrub. I've had one before also from the Butterfly collection. It does leave your skin super smooth, although, it can feel like some of the scrub gets stuck in your pores. I found to remove the scrub, it's best to use a body scrunchie with a lot of body wash and wash off the scrub in the places you used it.. (I call them scrunchies, but there's many names for them. Click on the word scrunchie and it'll show you a picture of one so you know what I'm talking about!)

Also in a tub, we have a body soufflé, which is just a fancy word for body butter/lotion. These are a thicker consistency than the body lotion, therefore are heavier on the skin, and are much more hydrating. Even though it's thicker, in the winter, these are great for dry skin. I've already tried it out and really like it!

Many people might find this one boring, but it's a hand cream. I tried this as soon as I opened the box, and so far, I really liked it! It's lightweight, but good for dry hands and it really does sink into the skin.

Of course it wouldn't be a gift set without a body wash, would it? I couldn't contain my excitement on Christmas day, so me being me, I tried it out! Ted Baker body washes are amongst one of my many favourites. The bottle itself is so pretty, and I love the fact it's square, making it unique. The scent lasted all day on my skin, so this is a definite winner for me!

Lastly, the one I'm curious to, some soap. You've probably just read that and can't work out why I'm curious about soap, right? I just want to see how this is when bubbled up, whether it will lather, will it make my skin dry etc. I'm expecting it to be a plain block of soap, but it would be nice if it had some sort of design on it!

This set retails at £45 in Boots, but since it was a Christmas set, they've reduced it half price, meaning it's only £22.50. If you're out shopping any time soon, I totally recommend you pop into Boots to buy this!

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. If you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you're enjoying the holidays. I wish you all a happy new year and I will see you all in 2015.

Christmas Eve Tag♥ || #HollyJollyJasmas

I simply cannot believe it's Christmas Eve already! (And for some across the world, it's Christmas Day!) This is a tag created by the lovely Eve on Youtube (She hasn't officially posted her video yet, but she's posted on her twitter a screenshot of the questions though, so expect her video tonight.) called the "Christmas Eve" tag, and if you're answering it, it must be done only on Christmas Eve! Anyway, without me going on any longer, lets start!

1. What time is it when you're filming this?

I'm not filming this as I'm not a YouTuber, I'm a blogger so I'm writing this! But the time I'm writing this post is 11:52am.

2. How excited are you for tomorrow?

I'm pretty excited! Even though I can't get my head round the fact it's Christmas Day tomorrow, I'm looking forward to it.

3. What are your Christmas Eve traditions?

I wouldn't say I have "traditions" as such, as I never do the same each year! However, I usually watch a Christmas film, and I'm planning on watching Elf later on.

4. Favourite Christmas Eve movie?

As I said above, it's got to be Elf!

5. Go on NORAD Santa tracker. Where is Santa right now?

Whilst answering this question, he's currently in Tarawa, Kiribati although he's heading to Funafuti, Tuvalu.

6. Can you sleep on Christmas Eve?

When I was younger, not at all! I can't remember if I did or not last year, I just remember sleeping until like 9:00am, which I'm usually up before that!

7. What present are you hoping to wake up to?

This year, I didn't have anything in particular that I wanted! I've really only asked for little body sets, but, last week or so, I've started to find things I'd like, such as Hollister body sprays and Zoeva makeup palettes.. Typical! I can always buy them after Christmas!

8. Have you bought all your presents for your family/friends?

I have indeed! I bought them all ages ago, like the last week of November! And I've already exchanged gifts with my friends, and my family's presents are under the tree!

9. Wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas everyone! 

I tag anyone to do this tag! Comment below if you do it, so I can read it!

Merry Christmas!

Perfect Gift Idea - Baylis and Harding♥ || #HollyJollyJasmas

I happened to have been lucky enough to win a Baylis and Harding body set in a Christmas hamper! I think it's a perfect gift for Christmas, therefore, thought it'd be ideal to review this at this time of year, in perfect timing for Christmas!

This is definitely ideal for anyone into pampering themselves. All four items in this set are perfect for relaxing. I don't know if this is an actual set, but I do know you can buy these items individually!

So the theme colour is purple - nice and girly! The scent is "Moonlight Lavender", meaning it does smell amazing! The purple theme is really appealing, and looks really presentable!

First up, the product I was most excited to try, the calming body wash. The smell of this is amazing! It bubbles up great too - bonus!

Secondly, there's the cleansing hand wash. When I saw this was in the set, I couldn't wait to give it a bash! Turns out to be excellent - bubbles up well, scent lasts on your hands and also leaves your hands soft.

I couldn't wait to try this product, it's a soothing hand balm, which is just a fancy way of saying hand cream. This is a tad greasy if you use to much - one pump is just the right amount! Overall, it leaves your hands ever so soft!

My last product, I haven't yet tried, but it's a relaxing bath creme. I'd imagine it to be good, after all, Baylis and Harding products normally are!

If you've yet to buy any last minute presents, you should give these a go!

Cute and Girly Christmas Gift♥ || #HollyJollyJasmas

As you'll see from my title, I have a hashtag! I really wanted a Christmas hashtag, and I finally do have one! I actually love it! Emma helped me out, thanks Emma☺!

Sometimes, some people are extremely difficult to buy for at Christmas, correct? That's why I've put this post together! If they're a girly girl, then this post will be perfect for them! I've gathered a few things in which you could use as a gift. Enjoy!

I forgot to take a photo for this part, but you could use a medium sized make-up bag for all the little presents. That way then you can keep the bag afterwards!

My first idea would be fluffy socks. Of course, I chose pink, but obviously you can use any other colour! Fluffy socks are such a Winter essential so pop a pair in!

Wipes could be another idea, simply because they're always handy to have! In Primark, they usually have two packets for £1. Whether they'll use them on the go, or for cleansing their face, who knows, but they're helpful anyway!

Hand sanitiser is totally optional! I just thought it looked so small and cute, therefore included it. You can also get lots of adorable packaged ones, and there's multiple scents too! I personally like to carry this with me in case I decided to shop then eat - kill those germs.

Body lotion because Winter sometimes mean dry skin! It's always good to have one spare too. Not only could you use it as a body lotion, but a hand cream!

No matter what else you've included, I totally think you should include a nail polish! There's so many pretty colours available, plus, everybody always appreciates a nice, new bottle of polish. 

A lip product, something you can't go wrong with! Either a lip butter, or tinted lip balm, both are extremely handy during these cold months! You could always add a lipstick or lipgloss instead, but if you want to play it safe, choose a lipbalm!

Lastly, a Lush product can't go wrong! A bodywash would be ideal because they're small and smell oh-so-gorgeous! 

For a little extra, you could always add in a little bath bomb! I don't own any bath bombs, but there's many adorable and gorgeous bath bombs!

Hope this helped you out for those "tricky" people to buy for!

"Excited For Christmas" Tag♥ || #HollyJollyJasmas

For a few months now, I've wanted to do both the Christmas tag and a Winter tag, but I couldn't decided which one and I didn't like some of the questions. However, I thought I'd be pretty exciting to make up my own tag! I chose the name "Excited for Christmas" simply because I'm buzzed. I don't think there is another tag to exist called this, as I just Googled it and nothing came up. I tag every one of you reading this, although I'm going to tag a few specific people at the bottom.

1. Are your Christmas decorations up? If not, when are you putting them up?

My decorations aren't up yet! But, I am putting them up this Saturday, the 6th! I can't wait to put the tree up and decorate it!

2. What's at the top of your Christmas list?

Honestly, I don't have anything on my list this year in particular. Every other year I've had at least one thing I'm desperate for, but this year I've only really asked for beauty products, such as Soap and Glory, Ted Baker etc!

3. Do you have an advent calendar?

Of course I do! I have one every year, and this year I have a Cadbury's one!

4. Have you bought all your Christmas presents or do you leave them all last minute to buy?

They're all bought and wrapped! I like to buy them early so I have them, and have put loads of thought into them.

5. Favourite Christmas film(s)?

Oooh, hard one! I love Christmas films! Elf is my ultimate favourite, though I do also love The Grinch!

6. Have you tried the Costa Christmas range?

Yes! I actually had one yesterday, I had a white hot chocolate in a snowman cup! I'm aware it isn't a limited edition, but I felt it was festive! Next time I go, I'm after a Brownie Hot Chocolate, yummm!

7. Favourite Christmas scent?

This is easy - cinnamon! I absolutely adore cinnamon candles, and I have a cinnamon body wash.

8. Do you wish for a White Christmas?

Yes! Oh my, they honestly just add such a good Christmas vibe! 

9. Typical Christmas meal?

I have some turkey with gravy, honey-glazed carrots, mash (or roast potatoes but I only eat the mash!) and pigs in blankets (Which if you're not familiar with, it's little sausages wrapped in bacon!)

10. What tops your Christmas tree?
For years and years, it was an angel, but the head fell away from the body, oops! Now, it's a gold glitter star!

11. Admit it : Do you own a cringey Christmas jumper?

Nope, I don't! I've seen many cute ones but I think they're too cringey for me to wear!

12. Do you have any traditions all throughout December before Christmas day?

Obviously open my advent calendar! I watch Elf many times, drink hot chocolate, listen to Christmas music, watch Vlogmas and Christmas YouTube videos in general!


These are the 12 questions I've made up for the Excited For Christmas tag! I tag everyone reading this, but I tag these 2 people ;

Emma
Hannah

I can't wait to see some people answering these questions! Make sure to comment below if you answer the questions and I will be sure to read it!

Lush vs Soap and Glory♥

Lush and Soap and Glory, two of the biggest beauty product companies around. I'm a big fan of both the company's body washes, so I figured it'd be a good idea to do a post where I compare the two. 

I clearly have two of each, with the larger ones on the outside being Soap and Glory, with the smaller two in the middle being Lush.

Advantages to Lush body wash :

- Smell great and the scent lasts a while on the skin

- Inexpensive (mine were £3.75 and £3.95)

- Easy to take travelling

- Lather up really well, creating amazing bubbles

- Can get different sized bottles

Disadvantages to Lush body wash :

- No pump

- Cap can be annoying to open

My opinion on Lush body washes are all positive! There isn't really anything bad to say about these products - I love them!

Advantages to Soap and Glory body wash :

- A pump

- Amazing variety of scents available

- Large bottles, last ages

- Bubble up great

- Great value for price - 500ml is only £6.50

Disadvantages to Soap and Glory body wash :

- Scent doesn't last on skin

- Only a 500ml bottle or a 50ml bottle

I couldn't actually give many disadvantages about Soap and Glory. I've been a fan of their products for a few years now, and not once have I ever been let down! I love all their products (Especially the Righteous butter!)

Obviously everyone has their own opinion, but this is mine, and now I've put mine out there and it may help you out with which one you might buy! If you want me to do more comparison blog posts like this, let me know in the comments, and if you do so, let me know which brands/products!

My Winter Essentials - Beauty Edition♥

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll have read last week that today's post is also my winter essentials, except a beauty edition (I didn't want to have just one long blog post!).

In Winter, your hands and the cold weather don't get on. I know my hands get very dry and flaky, but believe me, the Soap and Glory "Hand Food" hand cream is a life saver for me! Not only does it keep them soft, but also smelling very nice!

As well as dry hands, I get very dry, chapped lips, and I'm not going to lie, but it can hurt a lot. I find The Body Shop "Chocomania" lip butter can help. In my opinion, it doesn't smell like chocolate at all, although it still smells good.

For me, a good body lotion is a must! At this time of year, I ALWAYS use the Inecto "Pure Coconut" body cream. For a few years now, I've received one of these at Christmas, but I personally prefer to use it in November and December time, I don't think coconut is a Christmas scent, but it reminds me of Christmas.

Christmas scented body wash? An absolute must! I have two lush ones, the one on the left is Lush "Snow Fairy". It's not a proper Christmas scent, it smells like bubblegum, ever so sweet but it does remind me of strawberry laces! Personally, I really like it! The one on the right is Lush "Hot Toddy". It's amazing. It literally smells like cinnamon so it's really Christmassy. I adore cinnamon scents, so I love anything cinnamon scented (As you might have noticed in my last post!)

Red or berry coloured lips are a staple look for Winter. My top left is the Revlon Lip Butter in "Lollipop". It's the perfect berry coloured lip product and is smoothing on the lips. My top right is an Avon lipstick in "Rouge". It's a beautiful dark red lipstick. At first, it is quite light, but apply a few layers for full colour! Finally, down the bottom, is the Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede lipstick, in which mine is in Trendsetter, but I honestly can't find it anywhere! However, it is a great red-berry colour and is very long lasting, I like it a lot.

I know you're probably thinking "This is not beauty?!" Yes I know, but I wanted to include it as it just didn't fit quite well with "random". Fluffy socks? Yes please! I honestly love thick and fluffy socks so much! These are just a few of the ones I own - I own 20 pairs.. Nevertheless, they're super cute and keep your feet warm and toasty!

Those are all my beauty winter essentials. I have many more Winter posts planned so keep your eyes peeled!

My Winter Essentials - Random Edition♥

I decided to start up a continuous series over the next few weeks, of all my Winter essentials. As you'll have read by the title, this is a "random" edition, meaning the things are just anything in general. I only have a few items but I'm just going to begin.

My first essential has got to be candles, especially winter scented ones. The one on the left is a Glade one I think? And it smells just like cinnamon, as I believe it is cinnamon and spiced apple! The one in the middle is an unknown brand and smells of frosted cherry, which is just another way of saying cherry basically! Finally, on the right, we have a Yankee Candle tealights set, with the scent being sugared apple, I will warn you it is quite sweet but just gorgeous! (Comment below your favourite Yankee candle scent!)

Winter isn't quite Winter without some hot chocolate! I love Cadbury's hot chocolate, and if you haven't tried it, then I suggest you do! I just like to drink it in a big, cute mug. (And don't forget the cream on top!)

The weather gets cold in the Winter, and it's best you keep warm! I suggest using hot water bottles/hand warmers. My hand warmer doesn't actually work anymore but I thought I'd include it in this post as it's ever so cute! My hot water bag is a rabbit, and you don't put water in it, but instead you remove the bag inside, pop it into the microwave for 1-2 minutes then put it back into the rabbit, easy! It also smells of lavender which I really like but some people don't like it. 

Along with keeping warm, a blanket is a must! I just have this red and cream polka dot one. I am aware that it does looks slightly orange in the photo but ah well, I do promise you it's red! Blankets are just so cosy to sit, cuddled up in whilst having a candle lit and drinking your hot chocolate!

Those are my favourite random Winter essentials. Make sure to check back next week for more!

The Liebster Award♥

Before I start, this Thursday post is a one off. My post schedule is pretty full and had no room for this post, so here it is today.

I was tagged by Gabriella on Instagram to do this tag and it looked pretty cool so I figured I should do it! I have a set of questions which were made for me, and I answer them then I make a set of questions for nominated people will answer, simple!

1. What is your must have Autumn/Winter lipstick?

 I have to say Revlon's Colorstay Ultimate Suede lipstick in "Trendsetter". It looks like a bright red in the tube, but once on the lips, it looks more berry-red.

2. What got you into blogging?

I often do wonder this myself. I had been reading blogs for a wee while then one day I tried to follow one, and I realised you could make your own posts! I then just decided to try it for myself and here I am, still blogging!

3. Who do you admire and why?

This is very simple - Zoella (Zoe Sugg). I think it's because she's also a blogger and her blog is so big, I look up to her! If my blog ever gets as big as hers (I really wish it does!) then I'd be over the moon. Also, she has her own beauty line out and I'd love to do that.

4. What is your "go-to" outfit?

Mine is pretty much a pair of jeans and a lace and cream/mint top. I say mint and cream as I have two identical tops, one is mint and one is cream. 

5. What is your favourite fashion shop?

I have a few - New Look, Forever 21, H&M, Primark (Usually only for pyjamas though!). If I'm shopping though, I like to have a look in Topshop and River Island.

6. Top 3 perfect make-up products? (Drugstore)

This is so hard as I have many drugstore makeup items! If I had to pick just three, I'd say ;

Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer

W7 In The Buff Eyeshadow Palette (I've done a review before, just click here)

Revlon Lip Butter in "Lollipop".

7. Top 3 perfect make-up products? (High-end)

I literally cannot answer this question.. I don't own any high-end make-up! Terrible, a beauty blogger with no high-end make-up!

8. What are your worst habits? 

If I wear nail polish, I'll pick it off, and if my nail is breaking, instead of filing it, I just break it off, then regret it!

9. Favourite song at the moment? 

Anything by The Vamps, 5 Seconds Of Summer or Maroon 5! But if I had to choose just one song, it'd be "Superhero" by The Script - I love it, it's so catchy!

10. What's your favourite quote?

I actually have two ;

1. "It's just a bad day, not a bad life"

2. "Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end"

11. If you had to choose between Mac and Benefit, which one and why?

Like I said, I haven't tried any high-end make-up. I'd really like a Mac lipstick though! Benefit make-up is such high quality and the packaging is extremely cute, so even though I haven't tried any, I'd choose Benefit!

12. Favourite time of the year?

Christmas/Winter! As much as I love Summer, Winter/Christmas is just amazing! All the limited edition products come out (Such as Lush!), the atmosphere around is all happy and I just love it.

Now, I nominate ;

Emma♥

Kayleigh♥

Ainslie♥

For you girlies nominated, here's your set of questions to answer ;

1. Who inspired you to set up a blog?

2. Favourite bloggers?

3. Favourite season? And why?

4. Best skincare brand?

5. Your number 1 make-up product must have?

6. If you could only buy make-up from one brand for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?

7. Most played song?

8. Lush, Soap and Glory or The Body Shop?

9. Zoella or Tanya Burr? And why?

10. Where would you like to see your blog to lead you in the future?

11. What's 3 make-up products you would like? (Drugstore)

12. What's 3 make-up products you would like? (High-end)

See you on Monday for a beauty post,