PERFECT CHRISTMAS

For me, Christmas is all about the company. Nothing compares to having your whole family around you and making it one hell of a special day. Sure, we all know that presents are nice but as long as you're with the people that you love, what's there to complain about? 

Sitting down for dinner is probably my favourite part of the day. I know what you're thinking, it's about the food, right? Wrong. When we sit down to eat our Christmas dinner, we are one. It's hard to explain but I feel a sense of community and closeness, probably because it's one of the only times we all sit down, together, at the dining table. Usually we sit in front of the tv or we're separated into two rooms and that just comes naturally to use now but Christmas is different. 

Christmas is the one time where all feuds are put aside and I have to admit, that better be true this year! We need some harmony in this family right now. 

I want to know, what's your perfect Christmas? Am I missing out on something?

I hope you're having a great day and are looking forward to Christmas. 

See you soon for another post!

Allie x

CHRISTMAS MAKEUP INSPIRATION

Instead of creating my own makeup look, I have taken my inspiration from three beautiful women who I'm sure most of you will recognise - Kathleen Lights, Shaaanxo, Jaclyn Hill. I was originally going to put there in order of favourites but who can choose between these three?!

Kathleen's makeup look is absolutely gorgeous. It's a bit of a remake of one of her older looks but she wanted to show her audience how she'd wear the new liquid lipstick that she created. The red/orange/burgundy tones match the dark red lip perfectly. There is so much depth added into the eyes with the different level of colour that she manages to pull of shades that a lot of people find hard to work with. It's lovely and warm toned and one of the best makeup looks for Christmas!

Shaaanxo's makeup is a very 'out there' look with a shining silver on the lid. This is definitely a Christmas look that I love! Personally I don't go all out for Christmas, I'm usually still in my pyjamas at 12 o'clock but if you want to glam up the day then this is perfect for you! If not, maybe New Years? 

Jaclyn Hill. That's all I need to say really isn't it. I only started watching her a couple of weeks ago and I'm hooked. Similar to Shaaanxo, this look incorporates lovely silver shades and is definitely a glam look! I absolutely love the pairing of the bold eyes with a nude lip, I think it tones down the look a little so it's more wearable even for the Christmas season. 

Again, it's impossible for me to choose a favourite since I love all three of these looks. They're all beautifully put together and represent Christmas in one photograph. 

I hope you're having a lovely day and I'll see you soon for another post!

Allie x

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

My family aren't really in the festive mood right now, you should have seen us putting up the Christmas tree last night...since when is it a chore?! But, even if our moods are low and tempers high, there are certain things that we always do in the Christmas spirit,

Yes, they are my own personal tree decorations that I've had for years, although I'm still missing an auntie one, wink wink! So I guess number one on the list is that we make everything personal! The cards that we write express how much we love each other, how grateful we are and generally go through a recap of the past year. For us, the card can mean more than the presents so they presumably need more thought, right?

Second on the list - food! Oh wow, where to start! We go waaaaay overboard with food. You may be sitting there thinking, how can you go overboard on food? Well...the shopping that we do at Christmas generally lasts us months after Christmas and the chocolate lasts year round! Nobody in their right mind needs that much food in their house at one time but hey, I guess you now know how our minds work ;)

Thirdly and lastly, we're together. There's been one year where my sister and nieces weren't with us and it just wasn't the same. We wake up Christmas morning from our own beds, open the presents and then my parents go and pick up my sister, nieces and nan...that's just how it is here. Together. I wouldn't want it any other way.

I hope you enjoyed today's post, I know they aren't your typical traditions but we aren't your typical family ;) Have a lovely day and I'll see you soon for another post!

Allie x

CHRISTMAS CANDLES

I'm not your typical girl when it comes to candles during the Christmas season. I don't like the smell of pumpkin or the usual scents, so I have three top candles which I use at this time of year!

Pink Dragon Fruit, Cranberry Ice and Cappuccino Truffle.

For starters, these three are so pretty! You don't even have to smell these to know that you want them! Pink Dragon Fruit is a very fruity scent, a mix between strawberry, raspberry and an aroma of many other foodies. It's quite an original candle, I've honestly never smelt anything like it. This one if probably my favourite out of the three.

This is more of a homely scent than Pink Dragon Fruit as it's not as sweet but it does still have a tang to it. Again, it's quite a fruity smell but this time cranberries (if that's not a little obvious). This is a very strong candle, it sweeps through the room within seconds of melting it and the scent is exactly the same as if you smell it through the wrapping.

Lastly, the Cappuccino Truffle. This is a mixture between the most luscious coffee you have ever smelt and the most luxurious chocolate you could possibly imagine. I've never really been one for the smell of coffee in a candle but there's something different about this one that I can't put my finger on! Trust me when I say that you need all three of these or at least venture out to have a whiff yourself.

I hope you're having a great day and I'll see you soon for another post!

Allie x

STOCKING FILLER IDEAS

A task that many struggle with...the almighty stocking. I have to admit now that I think about it, it's quite a daunting job. For a lot of people this is the first thing they check on Christmas morning and is usually a little taster for what's to come, so I thought I'd put together some ideas to share with you.

1. A simple but effective lipstick!

~ One of my favourite make-up products is lipstick so to find one or maybe two in the bottom of my stocking would be a dream come true! These you can match with anything, dream up lots of different make-up styles and help put an outfit together. If you're thinking that lipsticks are so expensive...there's plenty on the market. For example, the L'oreal Colour Riche in the above photograph was only £6.99 and is of decent quality!

2. Nail Kit.

~ Now this one might seem a little boring but personally, I can't think of anything better. I'm always losing things and different kits have different products in them so it's great to have a bit of variety. If they look pretty then even better!

3. An eye shadow palette.

~Again, something that I personally love. It doesn't need to be as expensive as the Benefit or Naked palettes, it can cost as little as £1.99 like the ColourMax palette above. You can find some real good quality products that are as cheap as chips when you're looking for them!

4. Lip Gloss.

~ We all know that we can find a use for this even if it's the most sheer of colours so if you wouldn't mind adding one to your collection, why not think that way for somebody else? Whether it's pink, red or transparent, we all love a little shine adding into our lives!

5. Make-up Brushes.

~ I definitely wouldn't mind receiving some of these in my stocking! You can never have too many make-up brushes, you find uses for them for everything! You have your favourites and the disappointments but if you don't try them, you'll never know! 

There are plenty more like nail varnishes, little candles and even an adult colouring book if that's something they like but these were just a few that I know I'd love to find first thing on Christmas morning.

I hope you're having a lovely day and I'll see you soon for another post!

Allie x

TOP 5 CHRISTMAS SONGS

I know this post is late and I just want to apologise for that but better late than never, right? I always struggle to put together a Christmas playlist so I thought I'd give you some ideas of my absolute favourites!

1. Wham! - Last Christmas. 

~ One of less 'bouncy' songs on the list due to the little reference to heartbreak but you can't have Christmas without this classic! I may be a part of the younger generation but the old songs don't get past me.

2. Billy Idol - Jingle Bell Rock.

~ Again, another classic and probably one of the most known due to it being one of the main songs in the movie Mean Girls. The version within the film is definitely a favourite of mine but you can't beat the original...the same thought process as with most things! This version is simply more festive and gives off a better vibe.

3. John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War is Over).

~ This is one of those songs that really hits home. It's simultaneously a Christmas hit but more importantly, a plea for world peace. This especially hits close to home considering the antics that are going on in the world at present. This is just a beautiful song.

4. Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby

~ Another classic! We all know that big hits like Madonna have released newer versions of this song but you can't beat Eartha's original. There's something about her voice and the way she sings, something so classic, original and gentle. If you haven't heard it, you need to, although if you're a really big fan of the up to date versions then this may not be for you.

5. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

~ You cannot even pretend that this isn't one of your favourites, it's impossible! This song comes with some very special memories for me, including me and my niece running around Tesco singing it entertaining all of the passers by. If this isn't one that you love, change it!

I hope you're having a lovely day and I'll see you tomorrow for the 3rd post of Blogmas!

Allie x

TOP 5 CHRISTMAS FILMS

Okay, so today is the start of blogmas for me and that means...start watching your Christmas films guys cause Santa is on his way! I always struggle when it comes to picking what to watch so I thought I'd give you five Christmas films I highly recommend you watch!

1) The first has got the be Elf. Come on, if you haven't already watched this then what are you waiting for? You can't have Christmas without a man who thinks he's an elf raised by Santa himself! (Who says we can't live out our dreams vicariously?)

2) The Grinch. This is the classic that we all got stuck with in high school when the teachers decided we could watch a film for the last lesson and rightly so! It might be a classic but there's nothing so special during the Christmas period. Sit with a hot chocolate and watch the magic happen!

3) Jack Frost. This is one of those films I can watch over and over again and it never gets old. I haven't watched this one in ages so you know what's on my 'watch list' this December. There's just something about it that I love, I don't think there's a film like it.

4) The Polar Express. I watched this yesterday, no lie! I sat all day and just watched films and this just happened to be the first one that I put on. Hot chocolate and blanket at the ready. This is especially one if you've embraced your inner child or you have children yourself.

5) Miracle on 34th Street. Last but not least, if you watch only one from this list, take this one with you! This is probably my absolute favourite Christmas film and apparently quite a few other people's too 'cause there's a line up of people who want to borrow the DVD. (Plus, you can always pretend that you're as innocent as the girl in the film and believe you're not on Santa's naughty list).

I am taking part in blogmas and will be posting every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until Christmas and...guess what! I'm even posting on Christmas day! 

I hope you enjoyed reading today's post and are having a lovely day.

Allie x