Christmas Day Nail Combinations


Today for my last blog post before Christmas I thought I'd share with you a few Christmas Day nail ideas! 

Plus I wanted to show you the combo I've been wearing this last week and what I plan to changed them to ahead of the big day! 
  
 
First up Christmas nail combo ideas! It's all about the glitter for me so I always opt for an opaque base colour and then a festive glitter. 

One of my favourite duos is actually a free gift with purchase from Barry M in Superdrug stores! Simply spend £7 on Barry M products and receive this lovely nail duo that consists of a brown shimmer (Gingerbread) and a silver holographic tinsel style glitter (Icicle). I wore this on my nails last week and it's such a lovely combo. 

I'm also totally digging the KIKO holiday collection 2016 nail polishes. These come in three glitter shades - 01 Pleasant Silver Rose, 02 Rich Gold and 03 Full Red and are currently reduced to £3.00 online here and hopefully in-store! My favourite of the three is Rich Gold as there aren't may fine gold glitter nail polishes on the market and paired over a deep nail polish (as you can see above, paired with Essie Bahama Mama) or even black really makes the glitter come to life!

Lastly if you aren't a fan of that gritty feeling of glitter nails or hate the snooze-worthy removal process then the Sensational Nail Glitters £2.50 each here may just be perfect for you. This is a dry non-nail polish glitter that you lliterally puff over wet nails and seal with a clear top coat - how clever?! They can be used over regular nail polish or with an at-home gel kit and they come in 3 shades - red glitter, black and a super amazing holographic silver (shown above, paired with Seventween Gel Colour in Mint Cooler). I just can't get enough of these! 


As for what I've been wearing on my nails recently, this past week I've been sporting one of my most favourite Essie glitter nail polishes; Summit of Style Boots £7.99 or Fragrance Direct here for only £2.49, over Bourjois La Lacque White Spirit (ASOS here or Boots in-store) which is just a good white base I always use. I was tempted to apply a matte top coat to see how they would look however as I loved the sparkle from Summit of Style I decided to leave them!

For my Christmas day nails I'm planning to go all red as it's just such a festive look. Of course I couldn't just go for all red nails, I had to find a perfect red glitter to go with it! For the base I've picked C&E nail polish in Apple/Rouge Sublime but really any classic red would work. Then for the red glitter it was a hard choice but I decided to go for a slightly more raspberry red glitter in Sally Hansen Strawberry Shields. I love rich sparkly red nails so I'm excited to sit down tonight and give my nails an even more festive manicure!

So there you have my Christmas nail polish combos that have hopefully inspired you to try out a glittery combination!

Happy Christmas everyone! 

Fee xo. 

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Where Have All The Single Eyeshadows Gone?



The other day when flipping through eyeshadow palettes like I would CDs circa 1997 to find what I was going to wear that day. Then it dawned on me - does anyone even use single eyeshadows anymore? 

Now I'm not talking eyeshadow pans that are put in a magnetic palette because that's just cheating. But eyeshadows that are singular in their own compact. Casting my mind back 5 years that was what my entire eyeshadow collection consisted of, albiet much smaller. Fast forward to 2016 and I have 15+ eyeshadow palettes! How did that happen? It makes sense... but gone are the days I treasured a single eyeshadow that much I 'hit pan', and I didn't even realise until 15 eyeshadows palettes in!

Okay, so I may be a little drama llama about it but I guess the survivors of the eyeshadow palette takeover should be celebrated, hence this post! I want to know which single eyeshadows you still love and use, and possible would even re-purchase.

Now I do have a nice collection of the Maybelline Color Tattoo shadows, but again I feel that's cheating because they are cream shadows and I can't see cream eyeshadow palettes taking off anytime soon. The same goes with loose pigment eyeshadow. So I'm left with two measly eyeshadows!


Let me introduce to you No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Truffle £7.00 HERE which strangely feels nostalgic even though I use it semi regular and it can be picked up in any Boots store... I think. This mid brown shimmer is buttery smooth and reminds me of a much higher end eyeshadow. I generally get this out after I've created a neutral smokey eye and want to add some depth and shimmer in there. If I didn't own so many eyeshadow palettes I would definitely look at more single eyeshadows from No7! 

I also have a rather lovely all over the lid kinda' shadow with Lavera Matt n' Cream £8.40 HERE. For some reason I never expected much from this eyeshadow as it's just a light brown shade. But this matte is a perfect base colour and blends amazingly well. The formula isn't powdery so no fall out and it's just a wonderful all over wash of colour to use. 

Of course single eyeshadows are no more popular in pan format as they can be placed into a magnetic palette to create something bespoke. So it would be unfair to say I've lost interest with single eyeshadows as just this past month I've tried Makeup Geek eyeshadows and started off my collection which includes so many amazingly pigmented shades, but more on that in the new year! 

I'd love to know if you still own and use any single eyeshadow compacts, and if so what are they?

With eyeshadow palettes ruling I guess the single eyeshadows that survive in our collection have to be pretty special! 

Fee xo.


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Christmas Gift Guide: Skincare

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Welcome to my first ever Skincare Gift Guide!

I thought I'd start with skincare because I have such a passion for it and both skincare and body care sets make a lovely gift to give. Below I have quite a few budget options, both skincare and body care gift sets and two affordable cleansing devices I really do rate.

Hope this gift guide gives you a few present ideas or even what to treat yourself to in the Boxing Day sales!

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Budget Skincare Gift Ideas

Bee Good Clean Sweep Set 
£11.50 BUY HERE
Okay, I will admit I was totally lured into this gift set because of the Raspberry & White Chocolate Lip Balm and can confirm it's just as yummy as it sounds! This is a really lovely gift set that will suit most as it contains the lip balm (everyone needs one in Winter!) and a cleansing water over a cream cleanser that I know a lot of people don't use. The Honey & Wild Mint Cleansing Water very much reminds me of one from Caudalie as it's so mild in scent and gentle and refreshing on the skin. For £11.00 this is the perfect no nasties, vegan gift set that will suit all skin types.

Sheet Mask Bundle 
£1-5 for 3 to 5 masks
Sheet masks are certainly popular right now so I think a stack of various ones from all different brands would make an interesting and affordable gift for a friend or family member. You can find a wide range of Korean branded sheet masks such as the Tony Moly one above in TK Maxx for only £1.99 and Garnier have just come out with a moisture sheet mask which you can find on offer for £1.00 in various supermarkets right now.

Patisserie De Bain Hand Cream Collection 
£9.99 BUY HERE 
If you know someone that always uses hand cream then this gift set will be just perfect for them. For many a good hand cream means something that's moisturising but also well scented and fortunately Patisserie De Bain do the best smelling hand creams I've come across. The set includes – Strawberry Cupcake, Creme Patisserie and Caramell Whip and let me tell you they all smell beyond amazing. Caramel Whip smells like the inside of a pecan caramel pastry, Strawberry Cupcake reminds me of a children's strawberry yoghurt and I've decided Creme Patisserie is basically vanilla custard... I was that close to giving it a lick when I first used it! If was want someone to unwrap your gift and sit there ooo'ing and ahh'ing as they try it out then this is what you should get them!

Wilko Rose Glow Gift Set
£3.00 Wilko in-store
If you what to go super cheap but don't want to compromise on look or quality then I'd highly recommend a trip to Wilkos. I couldn't resist picking up this gift set for the price and the fact it's rose gold... my eyes seriously honed in on the gorgeous rose gold pouch that is worth buying the set for and filling it with a few beauty treats in my opinion. But if you want to keep it whole then it's a great extra gift or gift for a work colleague. It includes 4 items – Rose Glow Shower Gel, Rose Glow Body Lotion, a shower flower puff and a nice sized rose gold makeup pouch. Well done Wilkos!

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Skincare Gift Sets

Elemental Herbology Radiant Skin Set
£19.00 BUY HERE
When it comes to gifting skincare I believe even if you are on a budget it's always worth giving a skincare brand you trust. It may mean the gift set is smaller however I'm sure the recipient will be more grateful of it than they would a larger unbranded set. A perfect example of this is the Elemental Herbology set which is fairly small for the £19 price tag but if your gift-ee uses the set there's a high chance they will fall in love with the brand and want to purchase from EH in the future! The two minis included in the set are – Vital Cleanse Facial Cleanser and Vital Glow Overnight Resurfacing Cream. I haven't tried either of the products as I'm giving the set as a gift however I can say they smell so fresh and amazing. Also I've yet to dislike an Elemental Herbology product, they are one of those brands that use only quality ingredient which make all their products highly effective. Plus the gift box is copper... what's not to love!

GLAMGLOW Gift Sexy Treatment Set
£39.00 BUY HERE
Talking of effective products you won't find better face masks than the ones from Glamglow. Unless you know someone that absolutely loves skincare and face masks and deserves thoroughly treating then this really is a set to snap up for yourself in the after Christmas sales in my opinion, especially if you are new to Glamglow. Included in the set are four 30g face masks that target anti-ageing, hydrating, clarifying and firming and all though not all will suit your skin type three out of the four masks will work well, although I wouldn't recommend this set to anyone with sensitive skin as these are some potent masks that really do get to work and fast! I of course love how effective these masks are but I also love how most of them also double up as a different treatment. For example the Supermud mask can be used as a spot treatment (it works amazingly well overnight), Youthmud is grainy so you can exfoliate with it and Thirstymud can be used as an overnight mask which doesn't need to be wash off. If you are into your face masks then this is the ultimate set that you may want to ask Santa for or treat yourself to!

Pai Everyday Hero Collection
£38.00 BUY HERE
Onto a good all round skincare set that is ideal for someone you want to treat and you know they will embrace a skincare routine thanks to the set. As Pai is rich is organic extracts this is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin or prefers natural feeling and smelling products. The set includes 3 of Pai's bestselling products – Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser with face cloth, Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil and Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream. And with the cleanser alone costing £28.00 this set is mostly definitely good value for money. Ideal for a mum or aunt that deserves an extra special gift.

Dermologica Power Rescue Masque Trio
£43.25 BUY HERE
Back to face masks because I can't get enough of them, I have a trio of three 38ml Dermologica face masks. Dermologica is a brand I associate with spa facial treatments and again come up with highly effective products. The trio includes the Charcoal Rescue Masque, Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque and the Skin Hydrating Masque, which are suggested to be used at the same time for various areas of the face. Now I personally think they are all amazing stand alone face masks but they could be used together if you have a combination skin type. My favourite has to be the Charcoal Rescue mask as it's amazing at drawing out impurities in the skin and instantly brightens. However even on first use I can tell that the Multivitamin Power Recovery mask is something totally different are really rejuvenates the skin, perfect for ageing skin or after being ill. Comparing this to the GlamGlow set as they are similar in price I feel the masks here are just as effective however less commercialised; no pretty packaging and the scent of the masks leaves much to be desired. Basically if you love skincare and use face masks often then this set will impress you!

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Body Care Gift Sets

Neal's Yard Shower Gel Organic Collection 
£15.00 BUY HERE 
This may seem an odd question, but do you know someone that loves having showers over baths? If you do, then an all shower gel set with no wasted bath products may be the perfect call. Also it's a gift you know they will use! This lovely gift set from Neal's Yard includes four 50ml shower gels in four glorious relaxing and uplifting scents – Geranium & Orange, Jasmine & Ylang Ylang, Rose & Geranium and Rosemary & Elderflower. My personal favourite has to be Jasmine & Ylang Ylang as it's such a relaxing and comforting scent, so much so that I'm tempted to treat myself to a full size bottle. A gift set just perfect for shower lovers or anyone that travels often.

Soap & Glory 12 Christmas Washes 
£30.00 BUY HERE
Next up possibly the ultimate bath & shower set that contains 12 mini S&G products! This pretty affordable set is ideal for any lovers of the Soap & Glory scents, new and old. First of all I feel I need to mention the amazing packaging as the box is not only huge but it actually lights up... I'm not sure of the purpose but it's a fab Christmas novelty none the less! The jumbo set contains 5 x 50ml products and 7 x 75ml, which would last anyone a pretty long time. What I really like about this set is that is contains a good mix of products from scrubs to body washes and even a face wash, plus there's even two of the new shower jelly's included to try out. I know a lot of people that would be thrilled to receive this gift set!

Baylis & Harding Miidnight Fig Body Wash Cracker 
£6.40 BUY HERE 
Baylis & Harding offer some well priced gift sets so I had to feature something from the fairly large range. This large cracker shaped gift includes a huge 500ml Midnight Fig & Pomegranate Balancing Body Wash that makes a great extra gift or a gift for someone you don't necessarily know so well. Paired with a box of chocolates you've got a fab gift for under £10!

Wilko Handwash Duo 
£3.00 Wilko in-store
Staying with budget gifts I had to include another amazing Wilkos gift set that's only £3.00! This duo hand wash & hand lotion set is ideal for anyone older or anyone you've noticed likes to have duo hand products next to the sink. Not only is the outer packaging really well presented for the price but the bottles really are lovely and could definitely be re-filled after they have been used up. Skip the supermarkets for budget skincare gifts and head to Wilkos, you won't be disappointed!

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Skincare Cleansing Devices

Foreo Luna Play Cleansing Device
£29.00 BUY HERE
A few years ago cleansing devices were pricey, and quite a few still are, but thankfully Foreo had made trying out sonic facial cleansing accessible to all budgets. This Foreo Luna Play is a mini version of their larger Foreo Luna and offers 100 uses. This means you can cleanse with the device for a few months to see if a Foreo is worth the investment. Having used this device before I can say it's just as good as larger cleansing brushes and really does remove makeup well. I also love that the bristles are silicone which means they don't splay and the entire device dries quicker without any bacteria forming. A perfect gift for anyone that's into cleansing or is wanting to improve their skin. To make it into a gift there is a gift set available for the same price here or you could pick up the day cleanser 100ml which will last the same amount of time as the Foreo Luna Play if used together. Even though the Foreo Luna Play is under £30 this would seem such a generous gift to give.

Magnitone Daily Cleasing Brush 
On Sale £50.00 BUY HERE 
Another well priced cleansing brush that certainly gives the Clarisonic a run for it's money is the Magnitone Daily Cleansing Brush. This can be currently picked up from Look Fantastic for the amazing price of £50 – this is the time to try one or ask for one if you've never used a sonic cleansing brush before. Unlike high-street versions which still cost around £30 it's the sonic element and the brush quality that makes the difference of how well the brush cleanses your face. Having tried of the Magnitone brush and the Clarisonic I can say that they are pretty much identical, in fact the Magnitone is much more lightweight and the magnetic charger (it's literally the best thing!), plus the 12 month warranty make this the one to go for. A perfect gift to ask for or sneakily buy for yourself for amazing skin in 2017!

So there you have it, my skincare gift picks for Christmas 2016!

Make sure to look out for my Beauty Gift Guide on Monday – it's gonna' be a big one!

Fee xo.

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eBay Bargains #67 - Under £5 Christmas Gift Ideas

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Today I thought I would share some last minute eBay buys that would make ideal Christmas gifts or just to treat yourself to! These are all UK listed items with free delivery and will arrive before the big day, so there's no need to worry! Hope you find something here!

Set of 3 Maybelline Brocades Nail Polishes 
£3.99 HERE 
Normally £3.99 each this trio of Maybelline nail polishes is great value for money. It contains the most perfect shades the festive period and into the New Year, in particular Knitted Gold (middle) which reminds me of an Essie nail polish and looks absolutely stunning from the nail swatches I've seen.

LaRoc 4 Piece Makeup Brush Set with case 
£4.99 HERE
Now I've sure you are thinking this looks very similar to another makeup brush set with metallic orange handles... I was thinking the same thing! But I've checked it out and LaRoc is an established company and everything seems legitimate, making this a total bargain of a set! I know I'd be pleased to receive this especially with the wide range of brushes and handy stand up case.  

2 Pack of 3 Essie Winter Collection Nail Polish Kits 
£4.49 HERE
I've mentioned these a few times now because they are an absolute bargain! These Essie trios generally cost £12.99 so two sets for only £4.49 is amazing value. The bottles are miniatures but I find them the perfect size as who ever finishes a nail polish? Plus the set includes 3 lovely shades with a slightly off white, a stunning silver foil and a vivid red shade. Just perfect for this time of year... and because you receive two sets you can give one as a gift and keep one for yourself! I've soooo tempted to snap these up! 

Set of 6 Models Own Lipstix Lipsticks 
£4.99 HERE
Recently Models Own went and had a revamp of their makeup line and sadly discontinued the Lipstix range... hence the amazing price for a set of 6 which did use to retail for £4.99 each! The set includes the full shade range including my favourite shade, Beauty Blush! Such a bargain!

A5 Blue Floral Diary 2017 
£5.00 HERE
A 2017 diary is a great gift to give especially if it's as pretty as this one! I'm totally digging the blue floral design and A5 is just the right size. This could be gifted with a nice pen to make it feel like a whole gift. I know I'd be pleased to receive this.

Set of 5 Rose Gold Makeup Brushes 
£5.59 HERE
Last but not least a budget brush set that I own and absolutely love! I'm sure you can see the quality of the brushes just from the stock image. I remember being so surprised at the quality for the low price! Expect the prettiest rose gold handles and the softest brushes here that can be used on both the face and eyes. This would make a perfect gift to a makeup lover or even a sneaky treat for yourself! 

This is my last eBay post of the year so I really hope you've found a few bargain here! I will of course be back in the new year with even more eBay finds! 

Fee xo. 
 
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Christmas Gift Guide: For Book Lovers (Part 2)

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Welcome to part 2 of my Christmas Gift Guide for Book Lovers! 

If you haven't read Part 1 you can find it here with lots of book recommendations, from popular recent releases to YA fictions and even how to pick up affordable signed and special edition books! 

Below you will find even more gift ideas that are more non-fiction based and even some non-book gifts that's I'm really excited to share as they look amazing but are beyond affordable.

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Motivational books
Motivational books make an ideal present any time of the year but especially at Christmas with a new year looming. Here are a few popular and uplifting reads that would make an excellent gift. 

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
£6.29 BUY HERE
For all creatives and aspiring writers there is Big Magic. Big Magic is about embracing ideas and creativity whilst staying realistic. Ideal for anyone currently writing or studying. This easy to read book is a total joy!

Rise Sister Rise by Rebecca Campbell
£7.69 BUY HERE 
If you are wanting to give an empowering feminist read to someone then this is the book to give! A contemporary yet spiritual guide to rising up and becoming our powerful and authentic selves. Rise Sister Rise is a call to arms for women to rise up, tell their truth and lead. It is a guide to co-creating a whole new archetype for women in these awakening times - a woman who does not keep herself small in order to make others feel more comfortable, a woman who knows that she is not her body weight, her sexual partners or her career. A woman who understands the true meaning of sisterhood, and that alone we are strong but together we are fierce. Side note - It also has the prettiest pastel sun prism page edging!

Girl Boss by Sophie Amoruso
£6.99 BUY HERE
For me this is a certain type of motivational book compared to my other choices. This is an inspiring books for someone 18-25  that's wanting to be their own boss. Whether that's in the fashion industry or not as this is an honest look at becoming your own boss by ultimate girlboss Sophia Amoruso. A perfect first motivational read for that strong career focused friend! 

The Year of Yes
£6.29 BUY HERE
From award-winning Creator and Executive Producer of the hit television series Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Scandal, Shonda Rhimes, comes this personal yet deeply funny look at how she started to say 'Yes'. The ideal book to give in the run up to a new year, especially for someone you know will value a book like this of self discovery and change. 

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Beauty books (because I couldn't not!)
I've come to realise that a lot of people that love makeup don't own a single makeup book! In recent years there has been a spike of some amazing ones so it's the ideal time to gift an updated beauty book. Below you will find a varied selection of well put together books that I absolutely adore.

Face by Pixiwoo
£9.99 BUY HERE
Finally a book created the amazingly talented Chapman sisters! Now this would make an amazing book for any fans of their Pixiwoo Youtube channel, however if you're unsure you're recipent knows of them or not don't fear as this is still an amazing makeup book regardless! You can read my in-depth review here if you like, but in summary this is a comprehensive guide to makeup and covers everything from skincare to all makeup techiques. One of the best practical makeup books I've read to date.  

Face Paint by Lisa Eldridge  
£12.91 BUY HERE
Maybe you know someone with a deep interest of makeup that goes beyond applying it. They might have expressed an interested in vintage makeup or maybe their a makeup artist. Basically this isn't your typical makeup book as this is a detailed history of makeup from the politics of colours throughout history to key women through the ages and the makeup they wore. There's also a section about the business of beauty that anyone with a passion for makeup will find deeply interesting. Lisa Eldridge's love of makeup and the history behind it really shines through in this book and for that reason it makes such a detailed read. 

Pretty Honest & Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes
£12.99 BUY HERE | £12.00 BUY HERE
Written by the beyond knowledgeable Sali Hughes, Pretty Honest is like no other beauty book. If you are looking to give a makeup book with lots of visuals then you may want to opt for Face by Pixiwoo but if you are after a solid book then you will get that in an abundance with this Pretty Honest Unlike most makeup/beauty books Sali has a clear writing style that is intelligent and witty, making for a really good read. Points are covered on anything you can imagine associated with beauty -  how to manage makeup counters, salon etiquette, hair problem solving, wearing red lipstick and even how to pay and receive compliments. As for Sali Hughes' follow up book; Pretty Iconic, think of it as a beauty product bible. Expect the same intelligent and engaging writing style but wrote as almost mini essays (one per page) on products new and old. Both a nostalgic and interesting read and a book sure to make your recipient want to go out and treat themselves to some new beauty products!

The Body Book by Cameron Diaz 
£14.88 BUY HERE  
If you are looking for a book that mixes aesthetics with health and the body then you can't go wrong with The Body Book. I was refreshingly surprised when I read this to find an educational book on living a healthy lifestyle and fully understanding your body. This is far from a book about Cameron Diaz but one in which she shares her knowledge and with the help of nutritionists explains the key points to being healthy in great depth. Cameron also has a follow up book called The Longetivity Book that looks at age and health in more depth which may not be as ideal to give as a gift but interesting none the less. 

Beautiful For Ever: Madame Rachel of Bond Street by Helen Rappaport
£8.99 BUY HERE
Another amazing read for anyone interested in the history of beauty is the intriguing story of Madame Rachel: cosmetician, con-artist and blackmailer. This true story tells of Madame Rachel who began life as a poor fish fryer in Victorian London. She ended up with a shop in New Bond Street, where her wealthy clients came in their droves, lured by the promise of eternal beauty. What they found there was a con-woman and fraudster who made a career out of lie and the desperate hopes of women wanting to be 'beautiful for ever'. A unique book for anyone interested in the history of makeup and the Victorian era. 
 
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Festive reads
Okay, so this section is more about books to treat yourself to than giving as gifts. However if you know someone that is all about Christmas and you exchance gifts before the big day then one of these may just be perfect for them. From festive fiction to a Christmas cookbook you will turn to each year. 

A Boy Called Christmas & The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig
£3.49 BUY HERE | £6.49 BUY HERE
Want to feel the magic of Christmas? Well The Boy Called Christmas needs to be part of your plan in that case. This festive fairytale wrote by genius Matt Haig is for children and adults alike and won't fail to bring a little sparkle to your Christmas. A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and a boy called Nikolas, who isn't afraid to believe in magic. It's also sprinkled with illustrations throughout which adds to the magical story of how Father Christmas came to be. And if you steam read though that over the festive period then you can also enjoy The Girl Who Saved Christmas which I plan to read next week! 

Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R.Tolkien
£6.29 BUY HERE
Without a doubt the sweetest Christmas book I've ever purchased. This special book is a large collection of hand written and drawn letters from J.R Tolkien as Father Christmas to his three children from 1920 to 1942. With simple letters in shaky handwriting whilst his children were small, to more detailed and elaborate stories as the years go on, even with input from Father Christmas' polar bear chief assistant. Not only is this a book of short Christmas stories in letter form but the love Tolkien had for his children shines through making this such a beautiful and special book. A book I've thoroughly enjoying reading right now. 

Another Night Before Christmas by Carol Ann Duffy
£4.79 BUY HERE
A magical reworking of The Night Before Christmas here, wonderfully illustrated by Rob Ryan. This little book would make an ideal stocking filler or to be bought and read to children at bedtime on Christmas Eve. A book to cherish and bring out each year. 
 
Nigella Christmas by Nigella Lawson 
£21.44 BUY HERE  
I couldn't recommend my favourite festive reads without mentioning the cookbook I rely on every Christmas. Nigella Christmas for me is the ultimate Christmas cookbook with recipes you will actually cook and enjoy. This large coffee table sized book with over 250 pages includes stunning photography alongside the most glorious and indulgent sounding recipes. There's also a 50 page guide in the middle of the book to cooking Christmas dinner from the turkey to all the trimmings and multiple gravy recipes. P.S. If you pick this up please try out the fully loaded potato skins - you won't be disappointed!

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Book-ish Gifts
Last but not least I wanted to include some gift ideas that are still book related in a way which would be ideal for book lovers that you don't want to risk buying a book for that they already own or have read. I of course love books but these gifts are some of my favourites from this gift guidee!

Book Related Art Prints 
Roald Dahl Print £2.45 BUY HERE 
I personally believe a framed art print can make the most wonderful gift, whether it's at Christmas, a birthday or any other celebration. I came across this magical Roald Dahl print on Etsy along with so many other book quote prints on the site and simply downloaded it and printed it out, hence the super affordable price! The beauty of this is that you can print in whatever size you wish and a lot of prints come in a range of colours - this print could be printed in black or gold font. I also love this 'Eat, Sleep, Read' printable print here that's only £1.94 and again would make a wonderful gift when framed. 

East of India Bookmark
£2.28 BUY HERE 
Giving a bookmark as a little stocking filler or with a book is a nice idea I think. Bookmarks can be picked up all over the place, but I personally love these card East of India bookmarks from eBay. This is my own and it stops me folding down page corners or using scrap pieces of paper as temporary bookmarks! 

Stationery gifts
Lastly I wanted to include a few stationary ideas as often book lovers also love stationery... I know I do! Now you may be wondering how much that stunning ring bound weekly planner is going to set you back and I can happily tell you only £3.00! Yes, this is from Sainsbury's of all places, along with the lovely gold polka dot Daydreamer notebook, £2, and is just so well made for the price. For more affordable stationery that's Kate Spade inspired I'd recommend Home Bargains and for beautiful hardback notebooks TK Maxx/Homesense should be your port of call. 

I really do hope this Christmas gift guide has been helpful and make sure to check out Part 1, if you haven't already, here

Fee xo. 
 
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Winter Hair Care Essentials for Extra Dry Hair


Come winter time even the healthiest of hair can become dry and lacklustre. I know this more than anyone as last year in the coldest months I skipped hair treatments and products all together which resulted in my colour processed hair looking and feeling beyond dry. 

However this year I've got it together and already have a foolproof winter haircare routine down. 

As you will see below I have two routines - my 3 times a week hair drying rountine in which I use the right tools i.e my trusty Tangle Teezer brushes that ensure I don't damage my hair whilst it's still wet and a once a week treatment where I use a deep conditioning mask either in shower or over night. If you are looking for products and tools that will looks after and nourish your hair throughout the colder months then look no further! 

 

My no-snag hair drying routine 

After washing my hair with a SLS-free shampoo and finishing with a good quality conditioner I towel dry my hair. As my routine is about avoiding damage to my hair I make sure to never rub it with a towel but to tightly squeeze it allowing the towel to soak up the excess water. Then in the same respect because wet hair is when it's most elastic and likely to snap off I use my original Tangle Teezer Detangling Brush to tease through the knots. I've used Tangle Teezer brushes for years now and wouldn't use any other brush on wet hair as the flexible teeth never pull on the hair and without a doubt minimise breakages. 

Once my hair is combed through and knot-free I apply my favourite Moroccanoil treatment to the ends of my hair which truly nourishes my dry ends and tames any split ends. Again this is such an essential winter step for me. 

Next I blow dry my hair on the mid-setting of my Nicky Clarke SuperShine Hair Dryer with the Tangle Teezer Blow-Styling Smoothing Tool. Unlike traditional metal round barrels blow-drying brushes this brush offers a gentle blow-style that doesn't pull on the roots of the hair and thanks to the wider teeth leads to a quicker drying time which means less heat damage! My hair once dry is left shiny and generally not in need of any extra heat styling tools as I like to limit this to once a week. 

Both of the brushes above can now be purchased together in the Tangle Teezer Two Steps To Yeah Hair Gift Set for £25.00. This is just the perfect pairing of brushes that will look after your hair and is an investment in my opinino as they will last you a very long time and only benefit the hair.

Side note - Though this gift set is new to me I've been using both brushes in my hair drying routine for well over a year now. I truly recommend them! 


My once-a-week deep conditioning routine  

Once a week throughout the colder winter months I give my hair a good deep conditioning! This is another essential for achieving nourished glossy looking hair. Depending on time I either give my hair an overnight ultra deep condition or at least an entire evening or an in-shower deep condition which takes 10 minutes. Both give amazing results and I fully recommend trying them out to see how soft your hair looks and feels afterwards. 

For my quick deep condition my go-to product is Macadamia Deep Repair Masque which requires to be combed into wet hair and left for 7+ minutes. To do this I work the mask through the mid lengths and ends of my hair then use the Tangle Teezer Detangling Brush for Thick & Curly hair to comb it though. Now I have neither thick or curly hair but the longer flexible teeth of the comb mean the hair can be easily brushed through as well as working the product into the hair. I imagine the detangling brush would work amazingly well on dense curly or afro hair for that very reason. Once the time if up I thorough rinse my hair and instantly I can noticed the difference even in the shower due to zero knots and the silky smooth texture. 

If I have more time I like to use Vita Coco Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (you can find it in most supermarkets) as a leave on hair mask for a few hours or even over night. Coconut Oil is an amazing multi-purpose ingredient and makes an incredible deep conditioning hair treatment. As it's a solid I gradually heat up the coconut oil in a ramekin dish and once lukewarm apply it from root to tip to give both my scalp and hair a pamper. I again brush through my hair with the Tangle Teezer Detangling Brush to work in all the oil and because I find hair treatments work best on knot-free, combed hair. As an overnight treatment I will them put my hair up into a bun or if it's just an express treatment I will wrap my hair in a towel as the extra heat gets the oil working  I find. 

These two routines keep my hair is optimum condition now and all the products mentioned really are my winter hair care essentials!

Fee xo.

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Tangle Teezer. However all views are 100% my own! 

  
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Christmas Gift Guide: For Book Lovers (Part 1)

Book-christmas-gift-guide-2016

Welcome to the first of my Christmas Gift Guides 2016!

Okay, so I'm a little late to the gift guide party but I can't think of a time when I'm ever been on schedule, so it's just one of those things! Hopefully you are still Christmas shopping or at least dropping hints as to what you'd like to see under the tree this year.

As you can see I'm starting off not with beauty but with books! Because basically I forgot how much work gift guides are to put together and my huge beauty and skincare guides aren't ready just yet - psssst they are coming next week I promise! However I knew this year I wanted to create a gift guide for book lovers because I can't get enough of them and Christmas is the perfect time to receive a stack of new books to enjoy over the festive period and to see you through Winter. Below I have a huge range of ideas that I really hope helps a few of you in the gifting department or just gives you ideas on what to treat yourself to at the very least!

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Extra special books for the serious book lover in your life 
If you have a friend or family member that has bookshelves full of books and is known for being a book worm then an extra special book may make for the perfect gift for them. Below are a range of special edition books, how you can pick up signed books and a few charitable choices.

Puffin in Bloom, Illustrated by Anna Bond
One of my favourite special edition ranges of recent years has to be the Puffin in Bloom books that are wonderfully illustrated by Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. The range consists of four childrens classics; A Little Princess (here), Anne of Green Gables (here), Little Women (here) and Heidi (here) which can be purchased individually or as a collection here. This is ideal for anyone that enjoys collecting pretty books, childhood classics or even fans of Rifle Paper Co products I'm sure would be happy to find one of these books under the tree come Christmas morning.

Vintage Classics Bronte Series
I think everyone knows someone that loves Jane Eyre, right? If that's you, then a perfect gift may be one of the vintage classic designs of the three novels by the Bronte sisters which includes Jane Erye (here), Wuthering Heights (here) and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (here).
These a weighty and have stunning illustrated fold-out end sheets and give an amazing contemporary feel to some true classics. Perfect for any english literature lovers or true book worm!

Signed & special edition books
A few years ago now I received a special limited edition of The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. Though I'd never read it before receiving it I was instantly in love with it. For limited edition special front cover books Waterstones is your place, you may pay a slight bit more but it's certainly worth it. As for signed books they aren't as expensive as you may think! Again Waterstones, but online here, offering a wide range of signed books that add something very special to your gift also often independent bookstores are a good call.

Books that support charities 
Maybe your book loving recipient would be glad to receive a book that he or she knows has helped out a charity. That could be a stack of second-hand books you think they may like, from a high street charity shop or online at Oxfam here or one of Waterstones 'Buys Books for Syria' marked books, that donates 100% of the sale price and have already raised over £1.5 million to date. One new release that gives £5 of the sale price to Syria when purchases from Waterstones is The Optician of Lamedusa here, the harrowing true story of a sinking migrant boat based on the experience of an optician from Lampedusa, a small island mid-way between North Africa and Italy and the lasting effects it caused. A book I highly recommend as a short but important read.

Popular-books-2016

Popular new (ish) releases
The newer the book the more likely it won't have been read by your recipient.Well that's the idea anyway! In the last year we have seen some incredible bestsellers so I decided to pick out my favourites, some that I've read and loved and some that I can't wait to get stuck into over the festive season.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Amazon BUY HERE
If you know someone that loved Gone Girl or The Girl On The Train then this is certainly the book for them. This was a holiday read for me a few months back and it really gripped me. The story starts with journalist Lo Blacklock waking to find her flat being burgled. This of course leaves her unsettled and paranoid but when the perfect assignment comes up a week later for a 7-night luxury cruise she thinks it could only do her good to get away from it all. However on board she is witness to a woman being thrown overboard... the only problem - all guests are accounted for. As the cruise carries on with it's journey, as nothing has happened, Lo tries to find the truth while questioning her sanity.

The Muse by Jessie Burton 
Amazon BUY HERE
From the bestselling author of The Miniaturist is another wonderfully crafted and vivid novel. England 1967, Odelle Bastien is a Caribbean emigre trying to make her way in London. When she starts working at the prestigious Skelton Institute of Art, she discovers a painting rumoured to be the work of Isaac Robles, a young artist of immense talent and vision whose mysterious death has confounded the art world for decades.
Spain, 1936. Olive Schloss, the daughter of a Viennese Jewish art dealer, follows her parents to Arazuelo, a poor village on the southern coast. She grows close to Teresa, a young housekeeper, and Teresa's half-brother, Isaac Robles, an idealistic and ambitious painter who dreams of being as famous as Picasso.

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue 
Amazon BUY HERE 
This is a book I can't wait to read after loving Room by Emma Donoghue. Wonder tells the intriguing tale of an eleven-year-old girl who stops eating, but remains miraculously alive and well. A nurse is then sent to investigate and determined whether she is a fraud or a miracle. This comes with so many raved reviews on Amazon and the aesthetically pleasing gilded gold cover makes it an ideal gift to give any book lover.

The Last Act of Love by Cathy Rentzenbrink
Amazon BUY HERE 
Another read for me in the latter end of 2016 and one that finished in two days was The Last Act of Love. Now this isn't the happiest of reads but it's about family, love and grieving. A true story set over 8 years in which the author's brother is left in a coma after a car accident. As you can imagine this is a heavy read in parts however it's about sibling bond and healing.

Great Small Things by Jodi Picoult 
Amazon BUY HERE 
Dubbed 'To Kill A Mockingbird for the 21st century" you can expect great things from this chart topping novel.
When a newborn baby dies after a routine hospital procedure, there is no doubt about who will be held responsible: the nurse who had been banned from looking after him by his father.
What the nurse, her lawyer and the father of the child cannot know is how this death will irrevocably change all of their lives, in ways both expected and not. Small Great Things is about prejudice and power; it is about that which divides and unites us. It is about opening your eyes. I've yet to read this but as soon a Christmas week is here expect me to have my nose in this 500-page sure to be bestselling novel. An amazing gift at only £4.00 on Amazon right now!

YA-fiction-book-gift-ideas
YA Fiction
Whether you are buying for a teenager or someone in their 20's, young adult fiction offers something different, I like to say it offers all the feels. Basically this newly popular genre is Dawson's Creek in emotion minus the corn factor. The below books have my stamp of approval for anyone aged 14 to 29! 

Eleonor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 
Amazon BUY HERE
I mentioned that YA fiction gives you all the feels, right? Well this is the book that made me realise that. With the best characterisation I've read in a long time I totally fell in love with both characters and a book shaped hole was certainly left in my heart after I'd finished reading. On the outset this a typical boy-meets-girl novel but let me express how multilayered this book is. From the unique setting of the 80's, to awkward teenage years and an unexpected twist of broken home lives. This is such an enjoyable read that pulls you straight back to first relationships and how electric and awkward both physical and mental contact can be. My favourite YA fiction book to date. 

Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Amazon BUY HERE
Stolen tells the story of sixteen year old Gemma who is kidnapped and taken to the Australian outback. Making the setting for this book like nothing I've read before, just so unique. As this is a YA book you can expect lots of emotion and that raw-ness that you often don't get with general fiction. I loved every part of this book and it was definitely a story that stayed with me for some time

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon
Amazon BUY HERE
Part love story, part coming-of-age story with one huge problem, protagonist Madaline suffers from a rare condition that makes her allergic to literally everything. The book is nicely broken up with pictures, emails and IM messages which is aimed at teen readers but I always find that adds a more real element to the story. One for YA fans for sure.  

Artistotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Amazon BUY HERE
Another coming-of-age relationship driven story here set in the 80's that centres around two perfectly constructed and believable characters.
Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When they meet they seem to have nothing in common. But as the pair start spending time together, they discover that they share a special kind of friendship--the kind of friendship that changes lives and lasts a lifetime.

I really hope you've found some gift ideas here or at least a few titles to put on your to-read list

Part two of this gift guide will be up in a few days with beauty book recommendations, festive reads and bookish gifts!

Fee xo.
 
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