THE CHRISTMAS GIFT POST

This post has been sitting in my drafts a little while now and I have been debating whether to hit publish or not since posts like these are always a bit controversial. Personally I love seeing what people unwrap for Christmas as it introduces me to great products I didn't know about before, and gives me gift buying ideas for the year ahead. So here goes...

Estella Bartlett necklace -  I love anything to do with angels (big clue in my name... Lucy Angèle) and the iridescent packaging really appealed to my inner magpie. I spend 93% on Pinterest pinning inspirational quotes so I loved the fact that a quote was incorporated in the packaging. And this quote has been particularly apt of late (new job offer!)

Mug - my friend Alison also found this amazing mug. Sadly we don't get to see each other as much these days, but we have stayed incredibly close. She is my forever friend so this was very apt! I love the gold typography.

Ladybird book - knowing about Tia and Bailey she also bought me some cat related goodies including a calendar and this book. I love the "How it Works" series of Ladybird books and every cat owner needs this book.

Picture - a friend of my sister's is an illustrator, so my sister reached out to her some with some photos and she created this amazing design. She really captured the essence of my day in Hampstead when I wore my ASOS coat and Boohoo dress. She also drafted in Tia and Bailey last minute. I can't wait to get this hung up on the wall!

The White Company - those closest to me know how much I love The White Company - and more specifically their candles and reed diffusers! I had the winter candle for Christmas last year, but was especially excited to receive something from my favourite range - Orange Grove. This is the freshest smelling scent and perfect for all year round.

Whiskey - Christmas just isn't Christmas without whiskey! Jameson and ginger is the best

Yankee Candles - my friend Sof gave me the cutest kitchenware, a cat climbing tower for Tia and Bailey and one of these lovely candles. My sister bought me the other candle. Both are such lovely fresh scents which are perfect all year round.

Pinata cookies - I made pinata cupcakes for a charity event at work and when my mum saw this pinata cookie set she thought of me! I am so excited to try these out!

Sandwich toaster - the holy grail of kitchen appliances. The days in-between Christmas and NYE were full of sun-dried tomato, pesto and mozzarella sandwiches and it was GOOD

Gingerbread - I'm not sure anyone else gets as excited about gingerbread as I do. But that's ok.

Bake Off book - Bake Off will never be the same again. But at least I can hold onto the glory days with this book and try my hand at the bakes seen so far.

Gardening book - I asked for a gardening book this year. I am officially becoming old before my time. But in all seriousness... I have a garden now and I'm in no way green fingered. This book is the perfect idiot's guide to gardening. With colour photos of every plant, tree and shrub, I'm looking forward to choosing out a colour scheme, heading to my local nursery and making this garden my own.

CK One - CK One is one of my favourite perfumes as it's not too feminine. I have days where I'm girly, but there are other days I don't want to smell too sickly sweet. I also received the body lotion which I didn't know existed!

Zoella Beauty - I've never tried anything from the Zoella range before, but I love the fact these products are presented in crackers!

Alice in Wonderland cookies - my parents found this tin of cookies knowing only too well that Alice in Wonderland and cookies are two of my favourite things!

What did you unwrap over the holidays? I'd love to know!

Christmas wrapping paper inspiration

I don't care what anyone says, but wrapping presents is one of the most exciting things about Christmas prep. At least I think so. I love simplicity - think simple paper tied up with string / twine / ribbon and decorated with candy canes / foliage / pine cones / DIY touches like home baked biscuits wrapped in cellophane:

All images from WeHeartIt

Last year I used brown paper, holly, ivy and candy cane inspired twine:

How are you wrapping your presents this year?

THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT POST

I realise that present posts are not everyone's cup of tea but I personally enjoy reading them and find they provide me with present buying inspiration for future birthdays / Christmases. So here goes...

How amazing are the cupcake wall mounts?! My love of baking is well known amongst family and friends. And it's just not Christmas without festive knitted socks / slippers - how cute are the owl ones?! I also received a Starbucks set from my sis (mug currently being used), some very generous gift vouchers and a couple of magazines like Vogue (which I can't afford on a regular basis - so were a nice treat!)

So excited to try these straighteners! I'd never heard of Cloud Nine before but apparently lots of salons use them and they're a lot healthier for your hair. Reviews hail them a million times better than GHDs so I'm thinking of writing up my own little review for them at some point in the new year - watch this space!

Lots of different coloured nails foils to try out in the new year... I love lace!

Cath Kidston is class. You can't deny it. Loving this lil mug and diary combo!

Cute bird themed stationary from one of my best friends - how cute is the bird clip?!

I can't recommend this cook book highly enough! I will definitely be doing a future post on this

I loved the film Submarine so naturally, I asked for the book for Christmas. One thing you may not know about me.... I love all things Alice in Wonderland. The book "Curiouser and Curiouser" talks about the philosophy behind the tale. Will be an interesting read me thinks!

French cuisine is, hands down, one of my favourite types of food. You cannot beat a plate of boeuf bourguignon with a glass of red wine. I can already cook a few French dishes but I am always striving to improve and to learn more. With these two books in my possession, I am very excited for the new year!

What did you lovely lot get for Christmas?

Sales: a summary

The January sales. What did you make of them? I’ve spotted some pretty sweet buys on all your blogs :) Did anyone else feel that they were a bit a shambles this year? The savings weren’t even that great. £5 off a skirt? Oh why thank you. How very generous of you. And I recognised so much old stock. Last year’s rejects no doubt.

I dedicated one day to get my sales fix. The day was executed with military precision. Up at silly o’clock, there at silly o’clock and done late morning before all the crowds and craziness. Here’s a summary of my January purchases:

Primark:

Still in possession of many Primark vouchers (incentive for doing a Primark survey), I couldn’t resist this bed throw - a total steal at £3!

Plus a couple of pairs of wellie socks – a nudge to book up for a festival this year!

They’re perfect for lining boots in this cold snap we’re having at the moment.

River Island:

I bought this River Island skirt and it’s a few sizes too big. Like on a drastic scale. Why do we do this to ourselves? Crazy low prices can inspire such madness sometimes! 

But it was only £5 and I can easily sew it in.

Topshop:

This Topshop coat and boots had to be returned. LOVED the wedges but they were pointed and far too narrow. Think they would’ve crippled me. The coat had really annoying hook and eye fastenings and was way too much hassle to deal with. I did however keep a black mini skirt which I can’t find *rubbish blogger* It’s a size smaller than I usually take (oh the joys of sale stock…) but it fits like a glove. It’s so refreshing to be able to wear a non-flippy skirt that doesn’t everyone give everyone an eyeful when it’s windy out!

French Connection:

Originally £180, I paid next to nothing for these in the sale thanks to a generous reduction and a French Connection voucher I already had. I do like Chelsea boots but was after something a little bit different to the ones you see on everyone. I love the strap detailing – an added quirk that satisfies the rock chick in me. If you like them, they’re still selling them on ASOS.com - but for £126. Silly.

Yankee:

As much as I love Yankee candles, I can’t justify spending that much on candles. I jumped at the chance to buy their mango and peach scented candles for £3.22 

And I was lusting after this gift set before Christmas - but I was never going to spend £20 for a pack of sampler sizes:

I was ecstatic to find them reduced down to half price in the sale. Christmas cookie, Mountain pine… I’m all set for Christmas next year. WIN.

Boots:

I don’t really go to Boots for jewellery but I couldn’t resist this ring. I love the design so much. I think this is the sort of ring I’d choose out if I ever got married / engaged. Except with nicer stones instead of these cheapo ones that keep falling off!

I also feel the need to share the late Christmas presents I received from friends:

Very cute mug and hot chocolate set

Another mug which sums me up well

Check out my friend’s awesome knitting skills! 

Such a cute and alternative way to decorate a gift!

Last but not least... this cookery book which I 

have been experimenting with this weekend:

Raspberry and white chocolate cupcakes.

They just melt in your mouth. NOM.