LIFESTYLE | Things I love about Christmas

Photo credit: Ninacoco via Flickr

My cat absolutely loves Christmas... doesn't he look thrilled?!

I haven't mentioned Christmas much this year mainly because I'm in my final year at university and deadlines are looming. I've been incredibly stressed out and I thought it'd be nice to sit down, relax and talk a little bit about my favourite time of year. These are my top five things I'm looking forward to this Christmas.

• Food. Who doesn't love food?! And Christmas food is the best. It's a well known fact that when Christmas arrives, calories don't count. They go out of the window and you're free to eat whatever you want for a few days. Also, my favourite meal is the carvery so a Christmas dinner is without a doubt something I'm ridiculously excited for. Turkey, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, brussell sprouts -  oh my mouth is watering already.

• Music. As many of you probably already know, I'm a huge Britney Spears and Justin Bieber fan. And this is the only time of year where it's acceptable to listen to My Only Wish This Year and Under The Mistletoe.

• Presents. I know many people say that Christmas isn't about the presents but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy them. Not only receiving them but giving them too. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing a loved ones face light up at a gift that you've bought them. I bought all of my Christmas presents back in October - I know, super prepared - and I received my main present (Nikon SLR, woooo) earlier this year too. But I'm still incredibly excited.

• Family. I'm a big family person and being at university means that I don't get to spend as much time with mine as I'd like to. Going home is definitely the thing I look forward to the most at Christmas. As I work on Sunday's, I won't be venturing home until the 23rd this year and even then it's only for a few days. But I'll without a doubt be treasuring every single moment I get to spend back home.

• Snow. Despite the fact that I'm not the biggest snow fan as I can't drive in the snow, I'm most certainly wishing for a white Christmas this year. It looks pretty and it makes you feel a lot more festive. We've had many weather warnings about the chances of Snow in the UK this year yet none of the warnings have seemed to have come true where I live. According to this nifty little tool called "Will I Get A White Christmas," there's a 25% chance of snow on Christmas Day in Lincoln where I am. I'll take that!

And there you have it! The things I'm looking forward to this Christmas.What are you looking forward to this Christmas?

*collaborative post

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Save vs. Splurge | Long wearing foundations

Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation is a classic and certainly one of the best. It's full coverage at its finest and once it's been applied and buffed into the skin, it isn't budging. It also feels lightweight on the skin. SEVENTEEN'S new offering is extremely similar to Double Wear (except £21 cheaper). Stay Time is a fabulous bargain foundation that, like Double Wear, isn't going anywhere once set on the face. With it being full coverage it also hides a multitude of sins.

Aside from the price, the biggest difference is the packaging. Estee Lauder's version is extremely luxurious - the glass bottle looks beautiful on a dressing table - but it isn't very practical. You have to pour the foundation out which means that you end up with a lot of wasted product. SEVENTEEN's on the other hand isn't the best looking but it's very practical as it comes with a pump.

The only issue with both of these foundations is that they come with SPF inside of them. Useful in the summer but a nightmare for flash photography. I personally haven't had any issues with the dreaded "white-cast-face" but it's something to take note of. Another problem is how fast you have to work. As they're long wearing, they set quickly on the skin so it's better to apply section by section.

If you're after a long wearing foundation and you are on a budget then SEVENTEEN's Stay Time is definitly worth picking up. It's basically Double Wear in more practical packaging. However, if you love luxury and a good ol' classic, Estee Lauder's offering is most definitely for you. You can buy Estee Lauder's Double Wear here where it retails for £27.50. And you can buy SEVENTEEN's Stay Time here where it retails for £6.49.

I wrote this article for The Linc where I'm the deputy style editor however, as I'm a bit behind on blogging at the moment because of deadlines, I thought I'd publish it here too. Hope you don't mind!

What's your favourite long wearing foundation? Leave me recommendations below!

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SKIN CARE | Green People Gentle Cleanse & Make Up Remover

Cleansing is without a doubt the part of my skin care routine that I enjoy the most. There's nothing more satisfying than removing the days dirt, grime and make up. Green People's Gentle Cleanse & Make Up Remover* is an alcohol-free cleansing lotion that instantly dissolves make up. It's a pleasure to use and feels incredibly luxurious when it's being massaged into the skin. The light lotion is extremely gentle on the skin due its anti-inflammatory qualities and once removed with a warm flannel, the skin is left feeling soft and refreshed. As I'm currently using the Epiduo cream, my skin has been angry and aggressive recently and this cleanser has helped to calm it down and provide instant moisture.

Green People are currently running a "12 days of Christmas" event on their website. For the first 12 days of December, a different product each day will have a special offer attached to it and today, the Gentle Cleanse & Make Up Remover is just £14.95 - that's a saving of £4! You can view this wonderful offer here. There's also free delivery available throughout the 12 days.

Will you be taking advantage of this wonderful offer?
*PR sample

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CHRISTMAS | KIKO Ultra Glossy Stylo Lipstick Set

KIKO are without a doubt my favourite brand of 2013. They came out of nowhere and have produced some of my most used products this year. Following their wonderful Satin Nail Lacquer Set, I have another Christmas gift to show you all. The Ultra Glossy Stylo Lipstick Set* comes with 5 lip stylos in limited edition colours. 

The lipsticks themselves are very glossy and semi-transparent so they actually end up looking like a pretty pigmented lipgloss but with the benefits and comfort of a lipstick. They glide onto the lips beautifully and leave a sheer wash of colour meaning that you can dare to go bold. They're moisturising and last a few hours before disappearing. 

There's a true nude, a red, a bright pink, a coral and a neutral pink meaning that there's guaranteed to be a shade for everyone. My favourite shade is without a doubt the bright pink - it scared me to death in the bullet but once it's applied on the lips, it leaves you looking just the right amount of Barbie. 

What's even better is that this gift set is a bargain at £16.90 - meaning that each lipstick is just £3.38 each. You can buy this gift set here for £16.90 and browse the entire Christmas collection here.

What do you think about the KIKO Christmas range? Do you like the look of this gift set?
*PR sample

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BATH | LUSH Cinders Bath Ballistic

Cinders is without a doubt one of my all-time favourite LUSH products. Yes, it makes it look like you're bathing in wee - nice - but it also smells absolutely delicious. I bought a couple of these in the LUSH Boxing Day sale last year and immediately fell in love with the gorgeous fruity yet spicy scent. The popping candy is supposed to crackle like the sound of a warming fireside but I didn't know it had popping candy in it so when I heard it popping away, I almost had a heart attack - it completely took me by surprise. With almond oil, sweet orange and cinnamon leaf this bath ballistic is essentially Christmas in a ball. It's also one of LUSH's cheaper options so it's definitely worth a sniff in store if you can get over the nasty colour it leaves the bath.  You can buy Cinders here where it retails for £2.45.

Have you tried Cinders before? What's your favourite LUSH product?

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