Christmas Treat Ideas

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I can't believe Christmas is tomorrow, its definitely come around quick as I really don't feel very Christmassy at all. I haven't even got round to watching Elf yet!!  Today I'm showing you how to make some Christmas treat ideas, these are super quick to make and taste yummy. 

M&M Pretzels

This first recipe are for these super yummy chocolate pretzels. They take about 5 minutes to make and don't require much effort at all. To make these chocolate pretzels you will need:

-A bag of salted pretzels

-A bag of M&M's

-Two bars of milk chocolate (however you could use white or dark if you prefer)

The first step is to place your pretzels on top of some greaseproof paper on a baking tray, you then want to place a square of chocolate on top of each pretzel. Placing the baking tray into a preheated oven at around 170 degrees you want to melt your chocolate ever so slightly for about a minute or two so it is soft to touch. Once ready you want to place an M&M on each chocolate square. Now for the hard part, waiting for the chocolate to set before you can eat them! Once the chocolate has hardened enjoy!

Peppermint Bark

Peppermint Bark is probably my favourite treat at Christmas, the Candy Canes make it super festive. This recipe is also a super quick treat with the hardest part again waiting for the chocolate to set. For this recipe you will need 

-Two bars of chocolate (I've just used milk but white also taste super nice!)

-Around 5/6 Candy Canes 

This quick Peppermint Bark is so simple feel like it really doesn't need a recipe. All you need to do is melt your Chocolate and crush your Candy Canes. To crush your Candy Canes I just personally put them into a sandwich bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. Once your chocolate has melted you want to mix around three quarters of your crushed Candy Cane into the chocolate and our it onto some greaseproof paper making sure it is spread out evenly. With the remaining Candy Cane just sprinkle it on top of the mixture and place the tray into the fridge to set. 

Festive Hot Chocolate

I'm a big fan of having a hot chocolate in the evening snuggled up under a blanket to watch a movie and what a better way to jazz up a hot chocolate and make it all festive with a candy cane. I found these Tumblr-esque Mason Jars in Tescos for only £3 each! 

For this festive hot chocolate you will need:

-Hot Chocolate powder of your choice

-Milk or Hot Water (whatever you like to make your hot chocolate with)

-Whipped Cream 

-A mug or glass of your choice

-A Candy Cane

To start of with you want to make a hot chocolate to your personal preference, for mine I used half milk and half boiling water, whisking the powder as I go. To top of your hot chocolate just add some whipped cream and top it off with a candy cane. Voilà your finished, enjoy!

I hope you guys find these Christmas treat ideas useful for making some treats over the festive period for you and your loved ones. I hope you have a great Christmas and eat loads of food and have lots of fun! Merry Christmas everyone! 

Lots of Love, Katie xx

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Glossybox December 2014

I thought Glossybox would pull out all the stops for the December box with it being the Christmas edition but I was wrong and this edition was just underwhelming. It kills me to say it but I'm glad this is my last box as it was just becoming a waste of money. Considering this is meant to be the festive edition and the last box of the year there were no real stand out products for me. 

Glossybox December 2014 (£10 per month plus £3.25 p+p)

Tresemme Renewal Hair and Scalp 60 Second Treatment Shots (£5.50)

Whilst hair masks are always nice to use, receiving these Tresemme Renewal Hair and Scalp 60 Second Treatment Shots aren't something to write home about. They are just a bit blah for me personally. 

Anatomicals Zap! Zap! Zap! Gets That Chap. Day and Night Spot Stick (£3.50)

I can see how this fits in with the festive themed box, with party season in full swing a spot is the last thing you want so this spot stick is a good idea. However these kind of spot sticks aren't my kind of thing, I just think they are a little unhygienic maybe. Using the applicator then putting it back into the tube just seems very unhygienic to me, something that won't help your skin but make it worse. 

Bellapierre Cosmetics Cheek & Lip Stain in Coral (£12.99)

I'm sick to death of receiving these 2 in 1 Cheek & Lip Stains, I find they are never moisturising enough and it juts blah. Whilst the colour is gorgeous I just can't see myself reaching for it that often. 

Skin Pep Collagen Hydro - Gel Face Mask (£19.99 for 5 or £4.99 for 1)

I wasn't excited about this product as first but having used it today I'm in love! It left my skin not only feeling amazing but looking amazing too. But working out at only £4.99 it certainly didn't make the box worth while. 

Essence Colour & Glo Nail Polish in Do You Speak Love? (€2.99)

Essence doesn't exactly scream luxury to me which is what kind products Glossybox claims to provide. Whilst the colour isn't exactly the worse, its not something I'm excited about either. I can see this polish sitting in my draw and not being used very often at all. 

What a disappointing month!

Now I've cancelled my subscription can you recommend any good subscription boxes? 

Katie xx

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Birchbox December 2014

This months Birchbox is the Christmas box and is a collaboration with Sophia Webster. Admittedly I'd never heard of shoe designer Sophia Webster but the jewels on the box fits perfectly with the party season themed box. The product picks this month are certainly a good bunch with a wide range of make-up, skincare and haircare. 

Birchbox December 2014 (£10 per month plus £2.95 p+p, sign up using the link and you will receive £5 worth of points to spend in the Birchbox  shop)

Models Own Velvet Goth Nail Polish in Amethyst (£5) 

This month every subscriber will receive a Models Own Velvet Goth Nail Polish. There is five different colours that you could receive and what is even better this month every subscriber gets to choose which shade they will receive. I ended up picking the shade Amethyst, a gorgeous purple glitter that supposedly dries matte. Whilst I'm not exactly sure how it will look and whether I'll like it, I cant wait to give it a try.  

Benefit High Beam (£19.50)

I love how this mini Benefit High Beam came in a cracker! Although I already have High Beam plus several minis the presentation of this product is amazing so it makes up for it. However with High Beam not being the best product, I did write about it in a Products I Regret Buying, I will be passing this onto someone else. 

Electric Hair Hydrate Shampoo (£17.50 for 250ml)

I've never heard of this brand before but shampoo is always a welcomed product especially when it claims to hydrate my hair. Suffering from dry ends I'm always on the hunt to find a shampoo that will clean my hair without drying it out even more, who knows this may be the one and I cant wait to try it out. 

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Smoke (£8)

I can't actually work out what colour this Eyeko Fat Eye Stick is. One minute it looks black, the next it looks blue. Either way its gorgeous. Whilst Eye Shadow Crayons aren't my favourite product I'm excited  to see if this will change my opinion. 

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil (£16.50 for 20ml)

I've heard many good things about the Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil so can't wait to give this a try tonight, I have such high hopes for this product. 

Ilsci Organics Grape Stem Cell Gel Mask (£43.95)

This Ilsci Grape Stem Cell mask is a weird looking mask, the texture is rather like jelly which makes it even more exciting to use. This natural plant based face mask claims to smooth and rejuvenate the skin. 

Sophia Webster Purse (£10)

The little extra this month is the Birchbox Purse designed by Sophia Webster herself. Whilst animal print isn't something I'd usually like it works surprisingly well with the mint green. This handy little purse will be great for keeping cards and any cash in during the upcoming party season. 

What do you think of this months Birchbox?

Katie xx

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Sick Day Essentials

As much a I love winter, sickness is always something that comes a long with it. Of course when you are sick there is nothing more that you want to do than snuggle up under a blanket with a hot drink and watch lots of movies and day time TV, that is exactly what I've been doing for the past weekend as I've come down with that nasty cold bug going around. These products are all essentials I swear by when your sick, they will have you feeling better in no time.  

Movies, movies, movies. I love watching movies when I'm sick, anything from Romance to Action. These movies are some of my top picks at the moment, they are all classics in my eyes. Do you have any more movie recommendations? 

Lemsip Max Cold and Flu Relief Blackcurrant (£3.85)

Boots Cold & Flu Defence Nasal Spray (£6.99)

Lemsip's are a must when you are sick at soothing your throat and reducing symptoms, my favourite are the Blackcurrant and the Wild Berry and Orange flavours. Some sort of Nasal Spray is also an essential at reducing symptoms. Of course fluffy socks to keep your feet nice and toasty are a must.

NUXE Masque Crème Fraiche de Beaute  (£19.50)
LipGlam Natural Lanolin Lip Balm (£9.99)
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream  (£7.20 - £16.40)
Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitizer Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin (£2.35)

Keeping your skin hydrated whilst sick is a big must, dehydrated dry skin is not a good look. This NUXE  Moisturising Face Mask does wonders on rehydrating skin especially skin around your nose that is dried out from having a cold, sorry if that's too much info but it really does help. Following the mask off with a moisturiser such as the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream adds even more moisture, keeping your skin extra smooth. A good lip balm is also a must, this LipGlam balm is thick balm that claims to last up to 8 hours keeping your lips nice and hydrated. Lastly a hand sanitizer is a must at keeping any more germs at bay, this Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin one from Bath and Body Works not only does the job but smells great as well. 

Let me know if you have any other sick day essentials

Lots of Love 

Katie xx 

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Current Beauty Wishlist 2014

As a beauty addict my wishlist of beauty products is insanely long, it will probably take me years to tick everything off. With Christmas just around the corner I thought I'd share with you a few of the top items on my wishlist that could perhaps give you a little inspiration for yours. These products are all products that I've been lusting over for quite sometime now but haven't taken the plunge and brought them yet, especially seeing some of them are as pricey as £60, Hourglass palette I'm looking at you. Maybe one day I will own these beauties but for now I'm going to share with you my wishlist whilst staring at swatches online for rather a long time. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette (£56)

OCC Lip Tar Matte in Lydia  (£14)

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy  (£20.80)

MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom  (£15.50)

Tanya Burr Lipgloss in Picnic in the Park (£6.99)

MAC 217 Blending Brush (£19)

What top products are on your wishlists? 

Any good recommendations? 

Katie xx

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Christmas Gift Guide 2014 | Part Two

It's day four of our advent calendars now and Christmas is fast approaching, it's about time for the second part to my Christmas Gift Guide. This part is more skincare based with some great goodies from Lush and Elizabeth Arden. Can we all appreciate the amazing packaging of the Lush Festive Friends Gift Set!

Elizabeth Arden Miracle Moisture Must Haves (£30) - contains Intensive Moisturising  Body Treatment 200ml, Lip Protectant, Intensive Moisturising Hand Treatment 30ml and Skin Protectant 15ml

Ted Baker Ladies in Bathing Gift Set (£18) - contains Body Spray, Body Wash, Body Lotion and Soap

Lush Festive Friends Gift Set (£14.50) - contains the Christmas Hedgehog Bubble Bar, Butterbear Bath Bomb, the Christmas Penguin Bubble Bar and Dashing Santa Bath Bomb

Primark Disney Minnie Mouse Pack of Three Socks (£3.50) - contains three pairs of socks

How excited are you for Christmas? 

Happy Holidays! 

Katie xx

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Make-Up Revolution Haul

After hearing lots of rave reviews on the brand Make-Up Revolution I finally gave in and made an order of Superdrug, with cosmetics being 3 for 2 I got all of this for just under £13!!! What a bargain, I can't wait to give all this a try. Having swatched everything already I'm more than impressed with the eye shadow palette and the blush palette, they are crazy pigmented.There are also some pretty good high end product dupes in here too, can you work them out? Looks like I'm going to be buying from Make-Up Revolution again in the future!

    Make-Up Revolution Redemption Palette Iconic 3 (£4)

 
Make-Up Revolution Ultra Blush Palette  in Sugar and Spice (£6)


Make-Up Revolution Highlighter  in Golden Lights and Peach Lights (£3)


Make-Up Revolution Baked Blush  in Make Love Instead (£2.50)


Make-Up Revolution Awesome Eye Foil  in Rose Gold (£5)


Make-Up Revolution Lipstick  in the shades Encore, Dazzle and Rebel with Cause

What do you think of Make-Up Revolution? 

Lots of Love

Katie xx

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Glossybox November 2014

Oh Glossybox, how after such good month last month could you have such a rubbish month this month. I think this months Glossybox is one of the worst yet, it came poorly packed, whether that was the postman or them we wont know, and well its just a poor month. I'm not sure what the theme is for this months box or whether there is one at all, I'm on the fence about keeping my Glossybox. I'm going to give next months box a go and then decide whether I want to keep my subscription from there. Lets hope its a good one!

Glossybox November 2014 (£10 per month plus £3.25 p+p

Burt's Bees Lip Shine in the shade Flutter (£6.99)

The first item I got in this month's box is the Lip Shine by Burt's Bees. Not the worst product in the box but not exactly the best, whilst it might be a nice product for some this sort of lip gloss just isn't for me. I must admit the colour is pretty but doesn't have that good a colour pay off however it is fairly good value at £6.99. 

2True Pro Sparkles Glitter Nail Polish in the shade Alesha (£4)

2true is a brand that I see as cheap and aimed towards a much much younger audience, it was a brand I used to purchase when I started getting into make-up a good few years ago and doesn't exactly scream luxury item to me; whilst the colour is actually really pretty, nails aren't something I'm into any more, I'm way too lazy to bother so this glitter will probably end up going to waste. 

Lollipops Make Up Eye Pencil (€14)

Another eyeliner I don't need. Being a bit of a make-up junkie I have way more than enough eyeliners and this certainly isn't the best, it swatched beautifully on the hand but when it comes to applying it on my waterline its so dry and just drags, such a disappointment. 

H20+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment (£27.50 for 50ml)

The next item I received is the H20+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment. I love testing out face creams so this is always a nice thing to receive in a box but this sample is so tiny, its barely going to allow me to form a proper idea on it, lets just wait and see with this one. 

MONU SKincare Soothing Hawaii Facial Oil (£26 for 100ml)

Another Monu Oil really Glossybox? I must have had about three lots of oil from Monu in my Glossyboxes now, whilst they are quite nice it's not a product I want to keep receiving again and again. 

Did you like your Glossybox this month? 

Do you think Glossybox is worth it?

Katie xx

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