A Forever Miss Vanity Christmas

This Christmas seemed to come and go so fast - it feels like it was over within a blink of an eye, however in that short period of time I managed to have so much fun and laughter and enjoyed spending a few days with my family and taking time off everything blog and work related. It was the first time in months I have been able to truly relax and value the time spent with my husband and parents. This year was a special Christmas as it was our first Christmas as a married couple and we made sure that no expenses were spared when it came to celebrating the big day.

Christmas day was spent at my parents with my husband and two of my parents best friends. We also had the added pleasure of seeing my Yorkshire terrier Ozzy that now lives with my mum and Dad and our friends dog who came along for Christmas. I love having pets around on Christmas day, watching them rip open their presents and snuggle up to everyone when people are too full from Christmas dinner. My mum put on an elaborate Christmas meal as per usual, to the point I feel like I've gained a stone.

When it came to Christmas presents, I was well and truly spoilt this year and cannot thank my wonderful husband and family enough for their generosity. 'Santa' aka the Hubby brought me this gorgeous Vivienne Westwood Orb clutch and the Vivienne Westwood Somerset Bas Relief pendant shown below.

I also was bought plenty of makeup including MAC goodies from my parents and the YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum that I have been lusting over for the last few months (review to come soon).

Boxing day was spent visiting family members, going for our traditional boxing day walk and drinks and a meal at a local restaurant. On Boxing day I also bought these two books as Christmas treat to myself. I have already started reading 'In My Shoes' by Tamara Mellon and I'm hooked. It's very rare that I find a book that I cannot put down and i've been reading this almost solidly for the last few days.

As a perfect ending to our traditional Christmas, on Boxing day evening we were blessed with snow - even if it was a day late, it still made the festive season complete. This weekend has been spent snuggling up in pajamas, looking at the white frosting outside and watching dvds. The relaxation has been bliss.

Have you experienced any snow this Christmas?

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Warehouse Christmas Style

Christmas is finally here and the biggest party season is full swing. For the last few months we have been religiously reading the ‘What to Wear at Christmas’ style guides and now the moment is finally here to put that knowledge into motion. If you're having a quieter Christmas this season like myself, it can be difficult to find an outfit that evokes festivity yet stays relatively casual. When you're having a quiet night in with family, you want the reason to dress up, but you don't want to don your favourite party wear too prematurely in the week.

This green Longline Jacket from Warehouse is the perfect complement to any festive outfit this season as it can be worn over a sparkly dress or a white blouse and jeans for a more casual Christmas look. I have styled this with a glitzy necklace, my favourite white blouse from Zara and a pair of leather pants.  To make this outfit more festive, I could always add a bright red lippy or a red clutch.

If you’re going out this Christmas Eve and want to dress up, I would recommend an outfit like the one above. I love this Metallic shift dress  from Warehouse and it would look great teamed up with this red clutch, cute kitten heels and a statement necklace.

Whatever your plans may be this Christmas, I hope you all have a fabulous time. 

Merry Christmas!
x

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Christmas with Boux

Last year at the Vogue Fashion Night Out event in Manchester I made my first ever purchase from Boux Avenue and since then, Boux Avenue has become one of favourite sleepwear and lingerie stores.

Boux Avenue are a lingerie brand that can be found in 24 nationwide stores and online. According to the website:"Born out of a love for lingerie, nightwear, swimwear and all things romantic, with a desire to bring traditional service, superior fit and outstanding quality to modern and beautiful setting, Boux Avenue is a luxurious shopping haven" and I cannot disagree. When you visit a Boux Avenue store for the first time, you feel like you are walking into the most beautiful girls boudoir. The underwear is sorted by size specific draws and you are asked to browse the store and pick items out of the draw like you would in the comfort of your own home. It adds a fun, yet relaxing element to the whole shopping experience and at the till when you make your purchase you can ask for a free gift wrapping service that which includes gorgeous printed crepe paper and scented rose petals. In this post, I thought I'd show you what items you could pick up as last minute Christmas gifts for your partner, friend or family member and introduce you to my most recent purchase.

If you're looking for a good quality girly gift this Christmas then look no further than Boux. They have comfiest sleepwear in an array of sizes, gorgeous lingerie for those looking to spice up their Christmas and cute little stocking fillers at decent prices.

If know someone that is pug obsessed or generally likes cute animal pjs, this Ned Pug Vest and Pants pyjama set is the perfect gift and costs only £26. The photographic pug print is adorable and this set comes with soft pink long leg pants with a grey polka dot print and an elasticated waist (handy for when you are trying to guess sizes.)

The next items that I'm currently lusting over are the Esse Balconette Bra and French Knicker set in Red Mix.If you're feeling festive and seductive, but you're not a fan of little santa costumes, this is a great way to incorporate some festive colour and frills into your lingerie drawer.

Finally if you're looking for a smaller stocking filler, why not invest in these cute fold away slippers. These are great for travelling or wearing in the comfort of your own home and they come in a variety of colours.

On Cyber Monday I purchased this ultra cute Scottie Dog Pyjama set which comes with a loose fit ivory t-shirt with embroidered black puppy dog front and a pair of red and ivory leggings. As a treat to myself I opted for the free gift wrapping and was shocked by the attention to detail and the beautiful scented rose petals when it arrived. The PJs are incredibly comfortable with fur lining in the leggings and the attention to detail on the dog itself is why I love Boux Avenue - a brand that thinks outside the box and knows exactly what a girl wants.

Have you shopped at Boux Avenue before?

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Accessorising at Christmas

Christmas is an important time when it comes to fashion. There are parties every other week, often family that you haven't seen in years and just as Christmas is over, you have to start planning your outfit for New Years Eve. If you're planning on buying a new outfit for every occasion it become quite expensive and for most people, buying a new dress every week isn't an option. Investing in statement jewellery can really transform your outfits and give a old little black dress that you have become tired of wearing a new lease of life. These three necklaces from JD Williams are just a handful of new statement necklaces that have made their way into my jewellery box and this Christmas I intend on wearing each one of them to various festive occasions.

This first White Statement necklace sparkles in the light with its beautiful diamante and faux pearl detailing and is perfect for those seeking a necklace that will make them feel glitzy and glamorous at their Christmas parties. The necklace feels well made and sits perfectly above the chest line dangling from a dainty silver chain. Teamed up with a little black shift dress, this necklace would be perfect for an Audrey Hepburn 'Breakfast at Tiffany' style outfit with a modern twist.

My next favourite necklace is the gorgeous cranberry coloured teardrop effect necklace with a simple, yet beautiful gold chain. This necklace is great for those in a festive mood and for those looking to add a bit of colour to their outfits. This necklace would look great on a lighter coloured dress and will add a pop of colour to the shoulders and neckline.

Finally, if you're looking for something a little bit quirky with a vintage twist, this Pineapple necklace is for you. I love the contrasting colours of the gold and pewter with the adjustable hanging pineapple sparkles embedded with the cutest diamantes. This necklace makes me think of the 1980s with their love of fruit machines and fruit detailed clothing. The added spikes give it a modern edgy look and make this a real statement piece for your Christmas outfits. 

Have you bought any Christmas jewellery lately?

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Top Christmas Jumpers

Finding the perfect Christmas jumper can be somewhat of a challenge, especially if you're like me and not a jumper person in general. Gone are the times where Christmas jumpers used to be embarrassing and frowned upon, there are now the latest craze and most people wouldn't be caught without one this season.

In this post I have selected a few of my top picks from online, catering for those who are looking for a more simplistic jumper through to those who want something flamboyant and festive. Christmas jumpers don't have to be loud to grab attention and there are so many on the high street that everyone can participate in the Christmas jumper festivities this year.

My first pick is this beautiful grey jumper with pearl detailing from H&M.  The 'Dear Santa I want it All' slogan is tongue in cheek, girly and fun and the type of jumper is one that you can wear to work or around town without grabbing too much unwanted attention.  

If you're an animal lover you are spoilt for choice this Christmas as there are plenty of jumpers with pugs printed all over them. This Essentials Christmas Pug Crew Sweater from USC is perfect those with a sense of humour and a love for dogs. 

The third and fourth jumpers on my list are for those looking to fully embrace Christmas and love everything that is cheesy and traditional. The 'Let it Snow' and 'Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal' jumpers can be found all over the high street in various designs and colours and are perfect for Christmas jumper days, office parties or to simply snuggle up in on Christmas day watching your favourite Christmas movies.

My final two favourite jumpers are simple, yet fun and are the type of jumper you can wear throughout Christmas and into early January. I love the 'Do You Wanna Build a Snowman' design from Rock on Ruby, inspired by the hit film Frozen and I'm a big fan of classic knitwear like this Penny Polar Bear jumper from Boohoo.

If you're still struggling to find a Christmas jumper, My Voucher Codes* have put together a Christmas Jumper Finder so that you can find the perfect Christmas jumper at the right price for you and the right design. The Christmas Jumper Finder is easier than spending hours trawling through the shops and can help you save the pennies so that you can buy an extra Christmas present for yourself.

Have you found your perfect Christmas Jumper yet?

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Beauty Christmas Wishlist

Christmas is a time of glitz and glamour, a time where we pull on our sparkly dresses and attend more parties than we have done all year. However much we doubt it, there's a big emphasis on how we look and present ourselves Christmas whether it be the office party or a big family reunion. Finding that perfect outfit and applying your makeup to perfection has never been more important. 

To ensure I look my best this Christmas, I've put together a little beauty wish list of all the essentials from prepping my skin to the final spritzing of the perfume and as money is a little bit tight from buying everyone's Christmas presents the majority of my wish list comes from the website Unineed. Unineed is a online fashion and beauty retailer which overs over 150 premium brands generous discounts - sometimes up to 70% off. Not only that, Unineed ships to over 150 countries from their delivery centre in the UK, bringing savings to the masses.

The first item on my Christmas wish list is the Chloe by Chloe Eau de Parfum spray. It has always been one of my favourite perfumes and despite having big gaps between using it, I always tend to go back and repurchase. The Eau de Parfum by Chloe has genuine silver plating on the neck of the bottle and is perfectly finished with a hand tied bow.  The perfume has top notes of Freesia and Peony, heart notes of magnolia and rose and base notes of amber and cedar. Perfect for those looking for a soft, musky fragrance.

To ensure I'm in a festive mood, the next item on my wish list is this beautiful 'Collins Avenue' OPI nail polish. I love my pinky red nail polishes, rather than vibrant blood reds and this collins avenue colour is the perfect colour to go with my Christmas dresses. My aim is to find a similar colour matching Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick so my lips and nails complement each other.

The last item on my beauty wish list is the Clarins Daily Energising pack as waking up in the morning when it is so dark can be so difficult. The Clarins Daily Energising pack comes with a 30ml cleansing gel, a 30ml wake up booster serum and a 15ml daily cream. When I first started my job I swore by the Clarins wake up booster as it revived my skin first thing in the morning and made me feel awake and fresh as daisy. Now that i've run out of all the products, this little pack would perfect for me whilst I try to recover from my Christmas spending.

Have you ever shopped at Unineed before?

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Nude Jewellery's 12th Birthday

There's nothing more special than receiving an item of jewellery for Christmas from your loved ones, especially when it is of good quality and handmade.  Nude Jewellery a renowned London based jewellers are celebrating their 12th anniversary and with plenty of beautiful items, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting Christmas presents.

Nude Jewellery have 12 years experience in creating bespoke jewellery and stocking some of the most sought after designer jewellery and contemporary pieces. The in-house jewellers at Nude can create jewellery made exclusively for you in their own jewellery workshop or you can buy plenty of gorgeous pieces from their website. This year Nude Jewellery was listed in the Retail Jewellers Inspiring Independents Top 50 and has previously appeared in over 100 publications worldwide such as Vogue, Elle, The Sunday Times and many more.

To give me an insight into the company and help me understand the quality of their products, I was kindly gifted this handmade Vanilla Links Triple Link Necklace by jewellery designer Nikki Galloway. The necklace has the most intricate detailing on each of the hoop and according to the website 'each link has been lightly hammered to create texture and reflect light with a subtle sparkle.' This combined with the luxe snake chain gives the most wonderful, yet understated design. By just one touch you can feel the quality of the product - the silver gliding softly through your hands, yet sturdy enough to show that the product is hardwearing. It's the type of necklace that you can wear from morning through to the evening and to any occasion. Dressed up or down it makes a subtle statement and it's hard for it go unnoticed. At £98 it's a great price for those looking for authentic, unique, handmade jewellery that will stand the test of time or for someone who longs to give their partner, friend or family member a piece of jewellery to remember this Christmas.

Have you shopped at Nude Jewellery before?

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The London Diaries: Day 2

Buckingham Palace

A few weeks ago I went to London for a few days with my husband and when I got back, I decided to share my journey with all my lovely readers through a series of blog posts. Today's post revolves around what we did on our second day in the big city and although it was a little bit more chilled than the first day, we had an exceptional time.

Being typical tourists, our first visit of the day was to see if the Queen was at home and visit Buckingham Palace. It was frosty outside and despite attracting almost 500,000 visitors per year, the crowds were much smaller than usual. The palace looked beautiful as always with the guards pacing up and down the drive way and the golden gates shimmering in the dimmed light. James and I managed to take a few photographs and quickly retreated to the nearest cafe to warm up, it was worth bracing the cold in the end though.

M&M World Bus

Our next stop of the day was to Leicester Square where we had lunch at TGI Fridays, did a spot of shopping and finally saw my favourite musical of all - Phantom of the Opera. On our way to lunch we stopped off at the world renowned M&M World store and I couldn't believe my eyes - so many M&Ms in one place and so much M&M merchandise to get your hands on. I've grown up snacking on M&Ms as they are my Dad's favourite, it was great to explore the store. I also managed to get a sneaky photo on the M&M World bus shown above.

Christmas tree at Hotel Russell

After seeing the spectacular that is Phantom of the Opera, the husband and I headed back to the hotel to get ready for our second show of the evening. This time it was a Burlesque show at one of London's highly rated Burlesque bars Proud Cabaret.

Proud Cabaret City

Proud Cabaret is a burlesque club that is modelled on a 1920s speakeasy bars and according to the website 'offers high end dining and entertainment experience of unrivalled prestige'. If you're looking for a night that screams Great Gatsby and you're not intimidated by beautiful women stripping down to their pasties, this bar is for you. When I told my husband that I wanted to take him to Proud Cabaret he was a little anxious about my feelings, but when he rang up to book our places the women over the phone laughed and stated: "A lot of the time the women enjoy this more than the men." James and I had an amazing evening full of cabaret singing, beautiful model-esque women and of course plenty of fizz and food.  If I'm to be completely honest, I wasn't overly impressed with the food on the evening, but everything else made the evening worthwhile. It was one of the most fun and exciting nights James and I had experienced in a long time and we will probably be back sooner than we think.

Have you visited any of these places in London?

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ProBlo Curl Me Review

A few weeks ago I was kindly invited to the launch of the ProBlo Curl Me* by the ProBlo Group, a company specialising in electrical haircare. The Curl Me according to the website 'is a revolutionary product that volumises and locks in your style giving you chance to get salon perfect hair.' When I first read about this product, I was so excited. I love the feeling of soft, bouncy hair when I leave the salon and every day I long for that volume that only my hairdresser can give to me. At £35 for the set, the ProBlo is an affordable way of apparently getting salon quality and at that price, it's worth giving it a go.

The set comes with six rollers, six accompanying hair clips and a detachable brush handle allowing the barrel to stay in the hair until the hair has cooled down - similar to a way you would use velcro curlers, but you're applying heat and styling the hair at the same time. As mentioned previously, I was beyond excited about trying this set and I thought it would be the dream solution to my flat hair days, but alas it wasn't. As a former hairdresser I've had my fair share of using curling tongs, hot brushes, various types of rollers and even straighteners to achieve bouncy, flowing locks but this product hasn't worked for me. The bristles on the brush aggravated my dry, colour damaged hair ending with lots of frizz and rollers that I had to forcibly remove after leaving them in 20 minutes. Yes my hair had volume and actually much more volume than I did expect, but for me I can easily achieve this with some cheap velcro rollers that I can sleep in all night long and wake up with in the morning.

Although my review of the ProBlo product hasn't been entirely positive, I have had many friends that have had such great results using this product. Their hair looked exceptional and it does show that it can work for some people. Unfortunately the product and I just don't seem to get a long - but being honest, my hair is rather difficult and doesn't seem to get a long with many styling tools. I recommend trying the ProBlo for yourself and seeing how it works with your hair type, your experience might just be luckier than mine.

Have you tried the Pro-Blo Curl Me?

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Christmas with Joy The Store

Ordering online can be quite a daunting process and a lot of us will experience some sort of online shopping nerves just before Christmas. Ordering clothing in particular can be quite problematic and can send you through a range of emotions before your parcel finally drops on your doorstep. The 'what if's' always go through my mind - what if the garment doesn't fit? What if it doesn't suit me? What should I do if I need to return it? And of course, if you have an event to go to, will I be able to exchange it in time?

Last week I was asked if I would like to review a dress from JOY and this little black lace number immediately caught my attention. For those who do not know JOY is a unique fashion and lifestyle brand best known for innovative womenswear, menswear and accessorises. Each of their items are injected with fun and quirkiness and according to their website are 'quietly eccentric and aching cool.' I love dresses from JOY, each garment seems to have it's own personality and differs from many of the outfits seen on the high street. If you're looking for something different and to make you stand out from the crow, JOY is the place to be.

Going back to the internet shopping dilemma, this beautiful Louche Khiana Dress from JOY is one of the first dresses in a long time which I have ordered online and fits to perfection. The dress is true to size, has a very accurate description and the dress looks better in real life than on the website. Surprisingly the dress also suits my 5ft2 petite height which is often hard to come by.

Have you ever shopped at JOY?

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