Secret Santa Revealed

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A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about participating in the John Lewis Secret Santa and this weekend my wonderful presents made their arrival to my doorstep. If you haven't read my previous post a few bloggers were picked to be part of the John Lewis Secret Santa, where bloggers were paired up with someone they didn't know and they had to pick a present off the John Lewis gift list to send to their new blogger pal. I've always loved Secret Santa challenges and as I like to think of myself as a giving person, this blogger challenge was perfect for me. I was paired up the with the beautiful Mel from Mel's Wall of Mirrors and both us had to pick a surprise present for each other. For Mel I picked a wonderful Liz Earle gift set as she is a fan of skin care and seems like a busy person that could do with a pampering treat. Unfortunately I cannot mention what her next present is as she still hasn't received it, but I'm pretty sure it's something that she would love. If you do have time, please make sure you check out her blog.

Mel, my Secret Santa was very generous and picked this beautiful combination present of the Molton Brown- The Jetsetter gift set and the Cochine Saigon Juniper and Ginger Scented candle from the John Lewis website. I've been a fan of Molton Brown for quite a few years and I find their shower scrubs and gels so delightful to use. The products I've had experience with in the past have always left my skin feel invigorating and soft. The Molton Brown Jetsetter set is perfect as I love to travel and these will also make great products to take with me to shower at the gym. The Molton Brown Jetsetter gift set can be purchased for £26.00 from the John Lewis website.

My next present was the luxurious Cochine Saigon candle. I've always been a fan of candles, but I am yet to try this brand. According to the John Lewis website, the fragrance within the candle comes from Vietnam and the ingredients are all 'ethically and sustainably' sourced. The candle has up to 50 hours burn time and I'm sure I'll definitely make the most of out this when I move house in the new year. Mel didn't know it, but she's given me a wonderful new house warming gift for when my fiance and me move into our first house together. I think every room will be full of candles knowing us. You can purchase the candle for £45 from the John Lewis website. 

If seeing this wonderful Christmas presents have got you in a Christmas shopping mood, make sure you stop by the John Lewis gift section on their website. You may find the perfect present for your loved one this Christmas. 

Are you part of a Secret Santa group this year?

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John Lewis Secret Santa

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I feel like a giddy little child looking at the date and knowing it it getting so much closer to Christmas. My Ciate advent calendar is teasingly resting on my beauty cabinet and every day I get the overwhelming urge to go open a door. To help relieve me of my 'Pre Christmas Tension', yep the time of the year where I'm getting way over excited about Christmas and turn into one of those annoying little children who repeatedly asks:"Is it time yet?", John Lewis has invited me to join their Blogger Secret Santa Campaign, with the promise of an early Christmas present.

The John Lewis Secret Santa campaign is where each participating blogger is allocated another blogger to gift a Christmas present to. We have a set amount of days to read through our selected blogger and learn all about them and when the time is up, John Lewis has kindly allowed to us to pick a present off the list to send to the blogger. On November 25th, Christmas will have come early for us bloggers and we will be able to share our wonderful surprises. I love the idea of this campaign as i'm always in such a giving mood around this time of year. Neither bloggers will know who has each other and it's going to be so fun seeing what they have selected for me. 

This isn't my first time playing Secret Santa, I've done this at school and amongst friends several times before. However a blogger secret santa sounds so much more exciting and I can't wait to share my experience with you.

Have you been a 'Secret Santa' before?

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Mid Week Seduction: Date Night

At least once a month me and my partner schedule in our diaries 'date night.' It's a lot like the 2010 film with the fancy dining and dressing up, albeit all the drama that develops later in movie. This once a month night enables us to dress up, spend time with each other and really show our appreciation towards each other in the relationship. We're getting married next year, we spend every night already together, however once a month we like to make things a little bit special. This evening is a quadruple celebration where we will be raising glasses to my new job, our two year anniversary, the fact that we are getting married 12 months this week and the fact that my boy may have a new job too. We are going to our favourite Thai restaurant and a few sneaky cocktails afterwards. I like to think of date night as our classy evening, where we dress up looking like a million dollars and pretend we have all the cash in the world. In reality I'm just a student and he works in merchandising, but this night always allows us to have fun and make the most of being together.

I was approached by Brand Prix asking if I would like to do a review of some of their items. Brand Prix offers discounts on designer items, great for those who love a little luxury, but don't necessarily have the cash.We discussed whether there was any special occasions coming up or what I'd like to show you on the website. I decided to show you these wonderful bra and the Nina Ricci shower gel as I'm so used to showing you what I wear on a night out, but for obvious reasons what's underneath is concealed. I believe a women feels sexier if she's wearing a well fitted bra and a good perfume. It might just be me, but having talked to my friends a lot of them agree. I've needed a new bra lately, because my bust has gone down a size and my favourite red sultry bra looks like it belonged to a bustier woman than me. I'm very skeptical when it comes to bras and I often find it difficult to find one that fits me. With this coming in the post and not being measured in John Lewis sizing before I was slightly panicky. When the bra arrived, I was overjoyed by the fit and my breasts look like I've suddenly gone under the knife and their full of youth energy. The fit is very comfortable and you can easily forget you're wearing it, which is my perfect combination when searching for a bra. This John Lewis bra is £15 on the Brand Prix website.  

When opening the second item, I was greeted by a screaming older woman that threatened to steal it off me. This woman was my mother, a die hard Nina Ricci fan. She told me that Nina Ricci was the first ever expensive fragrance she bought and reminds her of her younger days. We both took the top of the shower gel and felt weak at the knees with the divine scent flourishing through the air. The Nina Ricci shower gel is a combination of floral scents and fresh scents that evoke femininity and sexuality. I've never been one for fragranced shower gels, but I've been wearing this none stop since I got it. I've had many compliments and my mum is still stealing it when she can do. By wearing this on date night, my skin feels soft, nourished and has a wonderful scent for my boy to sniffle all night long. The Nina Ricci, Ricci Ricci shower gel can be purchased from the Brand Prix website for £12.

What are your date night 'must haves'?

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