The Five Best Things About Christmas

Christmas is an odd time of year, when you really think about it the month of December is quite unlike any other. It's a time when everyone comes together, a time of festive cheer, but also a time for the odd scrooge here or there - baa humbug! And whilst I'd usually be lusting after the warm summer weather, without a doubt Christmas has always been my favourite time of year for a variety of reasons.

I've also previously written about my favourite Christmas music; whilst I haven't included it within this list, there's no doubt that music doesn't top it. If you'd like to discover what music I love to listen to during this festive season, you can here!

Where I'll Be Looking During The Boxing Day Sales

Okay, maybe it's a little early to begin thinking about this, I mean, it's over a week away, but being the big spender I am, one of the things I greatly look forward to after Christmas day is embarrassingly the Boxing Day sales! Now I'm definitely not one of those people to get up at the crack of dawn and head down to my favourite store to try and scour for the best bargains, I much prefer doing it all from the comfort of my own home, online, as I'm sure many of you do too. 

Based on previous years, there's certain stores which I always love looking at as Boxing Day rolls around. So I've decided to share with you some of those stores, as well as some of my favourite items currently in stock - let's hope they all go on sale in time for the 26th!

Top 3 Christmas Red Lips

As we roll ever so close to Christmas day, the red lips are certainly coming out in full force. I'm a big lover of a red lip for the festive season, as I'm sure many of you are too, but since making the decision to go cruelty-free, I've since realised how few products I actually own from cruelty-free brands. However, after having a scrummage through my entire collection, I managed to find some absolute gems; some which I have well and truly used and abused and others that I'm only just beginning to find love for.

Last Minute Disney Christmas Gift Guide

If you know me, you'll definitely know that I am a huge Disney fan, so much so that I've vlogged my last two Walt Disney World holidays and my YouTube channel has shifted to mainly Disney related topics!

I love Disney, in fact I recently wrote a post on Why I Keep Going Back To Disney to give everyone a greater understanding of why Disney and the parks mean so much to me. And whilst I'd give anything to be there right now, the next best thing is to bring a little Disney into the home; and I know I'm not the only one who'd be lusting after some Disney items this Christmas. It's not just for kids, Disney is for the young at heart, those of all ages and this gift guide is perfect for absolutely any Disney fan.

Twas The Night Before Christmas | A Reflection Of Blogmas

Well we're here! Christmas Eve! It's crazy how quickly Christmas comes around as you get older. I can remember being a kid and the feeling as though I was waiting for months and months for the day to finally come around; in all actuality I was waiting that long! But December, like the rest of 2016 has well and truly flown on by. 

And for one little moment I can be proud of myself, as for the first time since starting my blog back in 2013 I have completed Blogmas! Blogmas was my way of getting back into blogging. It's safe to say that to a large degree I had abandoned by blog. Aside from the odd post here and there which I've been posting more frequently towards the end of this past year, the activity on my blog was basically, well nothing. And whilst Blogmas has had it's difficulties (I'll get into that in a moment), overall I've really enjoyed the whole experience. It's not only allowed me to further express my creativity on a platform which I have single-handedly built on my own (aside from a few helpful tips on the Internet), but I feel a greater part of the blogging community since doing it once more...and lets not get me started on how much I feel my photography skills have improved these past few weeks! Plus I've begun to have a greater appreciation for blogging and I'm really starting to enjoy it all over again!

And whilst I have greatly enjoyed good ol' Blogmas, it doesn't quite mean that I'll be keeping this up entirely. Although blogging more frequently is certainly on the agenda, seven days a week isn't going to be possible for me. Right now, in my current situation, I would like to assume that posting weekdays will be sufficient enough for me, especially when considering I also have my own YouTube channel and job to commit to as well...lets not even get started on full-time job hunting! So I think that would be the plan for me going ahead into 2017! As I've found with Blogmas, blogging during the weekends became more of a hindrance than anything else; being at work all day really didn't help with anything and towards the end, it became incredibly difficult to take photos and write posts...basically working in retail is a nightmare around Christmas and should be avoided at all costs (unless you need the money)!

Anyhow, tomorrow we'll all be waking up, the 25th of December, Christmas Day. Whether you're at home with loved ones or maybe working throughout the day (I commend you), I hope each and everyone of you have an absolutely incredible time. 

Lots of Love

Dream Places To Spend Christmas

One of the best things about Christmas for myself personally is to be able to spend an increased amount of time with family and friends. For me Christmas should always be spent at home - I don't feel as though it would feel quite the same or as festive elsewhere in the world, but with Christmas being a mere two days away, it got me questioning, if I could spend Christmas (or a portion of the lead up/New Year's) absolutely anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Now my two options are probably hardly surprising. As an extreme Disney fan, being able to spend at least a portion of the festive season in the Most Magical Place on Earth aka. Disney World would be a dream come true for me. The decorations that they place around each of the parks and resorts makes the already beautiful resort even prettier. And the additional Christmas shows and events that they have going on in the lead up to Christmas, including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Epcot's Holidays Around the World give me additional reasons to go and spend time in Disney doing things I've yet been able to do.

My second option, also a very common option, would be New York. Having only been to New York during May, I've been fortunate enough to experience the city in the heat of the summer (well, Spring...we were there during a heatwave)! And whilst I'm not a huge fan of the colder weather, there seems to be something incredibly magical about spending some part of December in New York. For me, I would love to be in the bustling city for New Years; watching the Ball Drop at Times Square, whilst the Christmas decorations are still out in full swing! However, the extremely large crowds might end up putting me off a little!

Where do you dream of spending your most magical Christmas?

Lots of Love

The Perfect Makeup Choices For Christmas Day

In three days time, yes you heard me correctly, it will be Christmas! How this year has flown by so quickly I'll never know - just the fact that 2017 will be here in a little over a week and I feel as though 2016 started about two months ago is quite simply crazy to me. But heigh ho! As Christmas Day begins to roll around, one thing on my mind is sadly "what makeup will I choose to wear" and whilst I've been sporting much more festive makeup in recent weeks, I decided to pull out some of the items I could very likely be using on Christmas Day itself to show each and every one of you.

I've also filmed a Christmas makeup routine video which will be making an appearance on my YouTube channel tomorrow - so keep your eyes peeled! These products were all used in that video, so you'll be able to see a true representation of how everything really looks when all put together! But no spoilers today!

Sale Picks | Where I'll Be Looking During Boxing Day Sales

Okay, I know it's still a few days away and I'm totally skipping over Christmas day here, but one of my favourite things during this festive season, sad as it may sound, are the Boxing Day sales! Now I don't want Christmas day to simply whiz on by, after all it's one of my favourite days of the year, but I can't help but think about what I could be buying on Boxing Day for cheap!

However, I'm definitely not one to be going out to shop for the bargains in store; I can't stand the chaoticness of everyone crowded together in the same area trying to catch the best deals. Instead, like many do now, I choose to browse through the sales from the comfort of my own home, online. Although I strongly dislike that you're unable to truly tell how the product looks, feels, or whether it will fit you to a tee - there's always guaranteed to be something that just doesn't quite fit or looks completely different to the image on the site, I much prefer the relaxing feel to choosing my sale picks at home. Plus you pretty much have the full range of sale picks online...will stores really carry everything?!

A Classic Spotify Christmas Playlist

As a self-acclaimed Christmas freak, the one thing that will always get me into the Christmassy mood is no doubt Christmas music. As soon as I hear that first hint of festive music, it constantly puts me in a better mood. And being someone who has Spotify on at every possible point in their life, I found it only plausible to create my very own Christmas Spotify playlist!

Christmas music to me is all about the classics. Although I might listen to the occasional Michael Buble Christmas song or Coldplay's Christmas Lights (which made it's way onto my playlist), there's something significantly more magical and festive to me about those older songs; in fact, pretty much every song, bar Coldplay's, was released before I was born (don't quote me on that)! I think it's because growing up these were always the songs playing in the background of our house; the songs that we've had playing as we open presents every Christmas morning - it's just not Christmas without them!

Plans In The Run-Up To Christmas

With just under a week to go until Christmas, it's safe to say that almost everyone is well and truly in the Christmassy mood...well, except for all those Grinches out there! 

And as the sunlight is having some trouble making an appearance, hence why I've been unable to take some decent photos which I feel I can show you, I thought that I would instead talk to you about my plans in the lead-up to Christmas! I would also love to know what you have planned for this next week!

50 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas!

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has been with just days to go until Christmas and still yet to find that perfect present for someone. And with Christmas looming around the corner, (is it seriously next Sunday), we all need to kicks our butts into gear! So if you get your mum the same present ever year, have nothing in mind for the grandparents, or just have a hard to buy for friend, I may actually have you sorted!

Yes, 50 ideas! Whilst none of them are specifically tailored to any individual, I have collected 50 different ideas which may be suitable to buy as a last minute gift for honestly, absolutely everyone! Whilst the majority of items shown are my own, and will therefore be highly suited towards 22-year-old Disney obsessed, makeup loving females, there are still many options that could be altered to fit the tastes of your 82-year-old gran or even your 6-year-old brother! 

So make sure to watch the video below for a quick run-through of 50 last minute gift ideas and let me know what you think!

What are you go-to gifts for that tricky person?

Lots of Love

The Christmas Jumper | Rudolph Jumper From George At ASDA

Until recently, or should I say last year, I'd never owned a Christmas jumper. I know, disgraceful! But since my first jumper purchase, all I've wanted is more! There are so many cute styles on offer now (check out my Christmas jumper post here), but I've really been holding off purchasing another one as I can really only wear it for one month of a year. With that said, it probably wouldn't be odd to see me in a Christmas jumper in May...

Top Red Lip Picks!

Christmas. The season well and truly made for that bold red lip. And of course I'm one of those girls you'll find walking down the street rocking that classic red lip. Whilst I'll wear red lipstick at practically any point of the year, give or take a few days in December and it's by far my go-to choice! Especially if you're wearing quite a dark outfit, a red lip can seriously help spruce your entire look, and it makes a statement. I'm not afraid when it comes to my lips, I'll happily make a statement.

Murray Christmas! | Decorating The Tree

It's pretty safe for me to say that other than Christmas Day itself, one of my absolute favourite days of the year is the day we bring down all of the decorations and finally put up my beloved Christmas tree! To me it signifies that Christmas is well and truly under way; I can begin to feel festive and get into that Christmassy mood. Although I love all the decorations placed around our home, the tree will always have a special place in my heart...so special I've gone to the trouble of naming it! Everyone, meet Murray, Murray Christmas!

Festive Nail Polishes Picks That Aren't All Red!

Along with Christmas within the beauty world comes festive nails! Whilst the vast majority of people opt for a classic Christmassy red, there are so many other options out there for our consideration. So although I don't have the largest nail polish collection going (I'm not really one to paint my nails often), I had a little rummage around and found some choices which I thought would be perfect for the festive season; some a little different from your usual Christmassy colours.

What's In My Christmas Party Clutch?

Christmas party season is well and truly here! I'm sure if you haven't been out celebrating yet, you're sure to have something lined up. And if not, then New Year's just around the corner. I'll be the first one to admit that you're much more likely to find me snuggled up in my house watching YouTube videos or a movie, but those nights that I do end up venturing out with my friends (or even family), these are the essentials that have made in into my Christmas party clutch!

And fyi, I do not take a blusher out with the intention of using it as a blusher. I'd need an entire makeup bag otherwise...

The Most Extensive Disney Christmas Gift Guide

We all know how much of a Disney freak I am; at least I'm more than happy to admit it though! But whether you're as crazily obsessed as I am or not, I'm sure there's at least a part of you that holds a little bit of Disney in your heart. So for Christmas this year, something that I've been more interested in is Disney gifts. Whether you're looking for something to go on your last minute wishlist or maybe you live with that intense Disney fan but you're struggling to find a gift, I'm pretty certain I have something that will help you. From gifts for fashion lovers to Disney park junkies to gifts for the home, there is something that I'm sure will interest each and every one of you!

Party Dress Season | Top Picks At ASOS £30 & Under

Boohoo Metallic Stripe Cut Out Mini Dress (£25) | New Look Metallic Ruffle Cold Shoulder Bodycon Dress (£24.99) | Boohoo Mesh Stripe Bodycon Dress (£24.50) | Glamorous Chevron Tassel Cami Dress (£28) | Missguided Bardot Bodycon Mini Dress (£21) | Boohoo Embroidered Top Mini Bodycon Dress (£21)

Yesterday it was Christmas jumpers, and today it's party dresses! Whether you're on the lookout for a Christmas party dress or for something to wear to bring in the New Year, (yes, that is happening soon), I have you sorted with a selection of dresses £30 and under from ASOS. 

ASOS as always have a wide range of party dresses in stock. It's usually my go-to site when I'm on the search for any specific pieces of clothing as they tend to have many different styles at all price points. Whether you prefer a tight-fitting bodycon dress or a floaty fit-and-flare dress, there's something to suit all your needs, and I hope I have you sorted too!

Best Christmas Movies

With Christmas just around the corner, there's a few things that have already begun to put me into the festive spirit. Although we haven't yet decked up our house with decorations and my beloved Christmas tree, Christmas movies having been showing up here, there and everywhere...and I just can't resist but to watch them all. Saying that, after planning this post, I've realised just how many Christmas movies I haven't watched - I know, I'm a bad person!

Add a Bit of Sparkle to Your Makeup This Christmas! | L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Eyeshadow Review

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! And other than pulling out that classic red lipstick, another thing that I like to do to spice up my makeup is to add a little extra sparkle here and there. Whilst I'm usually all about the gold eyeshadows as Christmas rolls around, recently I've been well and truly obsessed with Iced Latte, a shimmery champagne shade from the Infallible 24hr range by L'Oreal. I mean, just look at how beautiful it actually is!