Gift Guides- Boxed up and Good to Go

Oops, sorry, crashed out ill after work yesterday so didn't get a chance to post this. Gift Guide numero tres!

Another day, another gift guide. Today we're thinking about those people that perhaps you don't know too well, or you don't have a huge budget for but really want to impress. Pre-boxed presents are a great way to give someone a fab looking gift that doesn't cost the earth. Here's a few choices to help you on the way.

1. For a beauty lover how about a gorgeous Nip+Fab party essentials set?

2. In the cold months everyone loves a big mug of hot chocolate to warm them through. Whittard has some great kits full of everything you need for the perfect cup :)

3. For someone you may not know well, chocolate is a great choice and in my eyes, Hotel Chocolat make some of the best you can buy!

4. Perhaps one of the more male friendly on my list, I think this £10 Famous Grouse hot toddy set is great value...and I've always wanted to own one of those honey things haha

5. Of course I can't do a gift guide without a Lush offering. The 12 Days of Christmas box is a good gift for a couple or someone you know is big on pampering :)

So there we have it, pre-boxed gifts for everyone. Which one would you be happiest to receive?
Annie x

Gift Guides- Gifts that Keep on Giving

Day two of my Christmas gift guides and today I wanted to show you some gift choices that are good for the environment, help support charities and still great quality, well priced and suitable for everyone :)

1. Toms are a great brand who donate one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair that is bought. This gold pair make me smile because everyone knows I can't resist gold and sparkle.

2. This shower radio may look like any other but it is powered by water. Simply attach it to the faucet and you're good to go. This also means that energy is saved by not needing batteries or electricity.

3. Keep Cups are a fab present for coffee lovers. Re-usable coffee cups save tonnes of waste in the form of un-recyclable waxed cups every year. Some coffee shops also give discounts on drinks when you're using a reusable cup so you save money as well.

4. A slightly different option. Fruit trees are an alternative gift choice that when planted out can last for generations and give a fruit yield yearly as well :)

5. Neals Yard is one of the best brands for natural, animal friendly cosmetics (other than Lush of course!) and their Bee Lovely range donates 5% so charities and campaigns that work to save the bees.

6. Finally, we have FUN, the 4 in 1 product from Lush that can be used as shampoo, shower gel, bubble bath and play dough. 10p from every bar sold goes towards rebuilding an environment where children can have fun in the areas that were devastated by nuclear disaster.

So there's my top pick of gifts that keep on giving. What do you think of my choices? Have you bought any of these goodies as presents this year?
Annie x

Christmas Gift Guides- Little BU Nail Polish Review

Its coming to that time when people are getting stressed about all the presents they haven't bought yet so its time for some gift guides. I have 5 lined up for the next 5 days to help you finish off those slightly tougher to choose presents.

Little BU is a brand that is new to me but when I received an email from their PR company telling me about the brand I was instantly excited. Little BU is a range of nail polishes that are non-toxic, odourless and cruelty free (and 100% safe for nail biters!) designed for future fashionistas who are at that age where they are getting into beauty and wanting to start painting their nails.
I was sent two colours to trial; Alexi* which is a beautiful shimmering red (very festive!) and Sofia* which is a lovely deep purple and I have to say that I have been very impressed.
What first struck me when I started applying little BU was that they really are odourless which is due to them being chemical free and also just how good the coverage is. When I was growing up, the first nail varnishes I was allowed were very sheer, watery and to be honest, enough to stop me being interested in nail varnish for a very long time, however these are more or less opaque after just one coat, and the colours are lovely and bright. I'm not a fan of dark colours so Alexi was my personal favourite of the two but there are 12 colours in the range to choose from so I'm sure there will be something to suit all little beauties.

As the polishes are water based there is no need to worry about spillage's on clothes and counters because the polishes wash out completely which is a big plus in my eyes. I'm in my 20s and still end up with splodges on my duvet pretty regularly (I'm a messy person who needs to learn not to paint her nails in bed). The water base also means that the polish is easy to remove from nails. The PR information I received says that they can be washed off nails easily under the tap however I found the wear to actually be a lot better than this and lasted several days. It was easily removed with a very small amount of remover though.

Over all, I was incredibly impressed by both Little BU polishes as well as the concept behind them and think that they make a really sweet, thoughtful present. When I first received them I was slightly put off by the price; at £9.95 for a 9ml bottle they aren't cheap, but after trying them I can see that you are paying for quality as well as bringing happiness to a young beauty fan who otherwise may not have been allowed to paint her nails and show her personality in that way. You can buy Little BU polishes either from Harrods or iluvlittlebu.com

Annie x

*this post contains PR samples however that doesn't affect my opinions which are 100% honest as always

Lush a Week: Smitten Hand Cream

Another week means another Lushie product up for review! As its getting cold and hands are getting sore I thought this week I would show you a rather fabby hand cream.

So, Smitten! One of my all time favourite Lush products.

Smitten is a Retro Lush product which means it can only be bought from the Retro section of the Lush website. There was a lot of sadness when this was discontinued in store and it's become somewhat of a cult product among Lush lovers. Why?
First of all there is the soft, almondy smell which is the same as Snowcake soap and Marzibain bubble bar, two other much loved products. The smell is so soft and calming that it's hard not to love it.
Secondly, there is the mix of ingredients. There is a high content of both chamomile infusion and almond oil, two very soft, skin soothing ingredients which instantly calm irritation and help the skin re-gain some of its lost moisture. There is also a mix of beeswax, lanolin and glycerine used in the hand cream all of which are known to be great products for providing a protective, yet ungreasy layer between the skin and the outside world which helps to make the cream affective for a long time after applying without feeling icky on the skin whilst nourishing the hands when they really need it. Finally, there is rose absolute used which is again, nice and soothing, but also helps to reduce any redness or scarring caused by the driness.

When you apply the hand cream, it is fairly thick and very creamy so a little goes a long way, definitely no need for a scoop, just  little dip of the finger. Like with any hand cream take a few seconds to massage the cream into the skin fully but unlike some, I personally find that Smitten sinks in quickly and after a minute or so, I cannot feel it sitting heavily or leaving a greasy feeling, it just makes my hands feel soft, rehydrated and smelling all yummy and almondy.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone, without a moments hesitation and to anyone making a Lush online order, you should totally pop a pot into your basket too, you won't regret it.

Has anyone tried Smitten? What do you think of it? Do any of you have a hand saving cream that you always rely on year after year?
Annie x

Stocking Fillers Under £10

That time of year has arrived. Christmas shopping is firmly under way, the streets are filling up, and everyone is stressing over a gift for that person who is just soo damn hard to buy for. It might be that you have a secret santa present to buy, something for your partners sibling, that random friend who you know will buy you something bizarre or you might just need a little top up. But whatever the reason, stocking fillers always come in handy.
I class a stocking filler as a gift costing £10 or less...more of a make weight gift really, or a token (although topshop have gifts costing up to £35ish on their website under the title stocking fillers, yikes!)
So here is a little round up of some of the mini gifts on the market this christmas.

1. How cute is this little raccoon hottie. Pop him in the microwave for warming cuddles on a cold night :) £8 Topshop.

2. For someone up for a party, these Jelly Alcoshots are great. I've bought these before for Daniel so I can vouch for their fabness. £3.99 River Island (£10 from Urban Outfitters so be price wise!)

3. Hot chocolate couldn't be much more festive if it tried, but I think christmas pudding hot chocolate may have just succeeded. It is super chocolatey and mixed with the fruity spiciness you would expect from christmas pudding. £4.50 Whittards.

4. Fabulous Fashion is a sweet add on for any #fblogger, fledging designer or general fashion freak you may know. Full of designer doodles to complete and create. £9.99 River Island.

5. As the proud owner of a Lego LED key light myself, I know people will enjoy receiving one. A good top up or secret santa for a male friend. £8 Topshop.

6. Another option for festive drinking, I think this Hot Spiced Wine kit would be great for almost anyone over 18. The cinnamon stick on the front can be used as well and smells good. £8 Whittards.

7. Finally, it wouldn't be christmas without a Lush gift. Winter Wonderland is a great one because it contains two products perfect for a little christmas pamper. Snowcake soap has the ultimate festive scent and Dream Cream will keep skin protected from the winter chill. £6.96 Lush.

Annie x

Show Your Support

Beauty may be the at the forefront of what I write about on my blog, however, jewellery and fashion are also a big part of my life. As is supporting charity and raising awareness for people who need it so when Catherine asked me if I could post this article on Three Little Buhos I happily agreed.
Annie x

Jeweller Pandora is the latest company to go good and team up with a charity, its charity of choice, The ABF soldier’s charity. Together they have created the BRITISH ROSE charm for Pandora’s extremely popular and fashionable charm bracelet range.
The stunning Pandora British Rose charm, with its red enamelled petal details and sterling silver encasing is a great way to celebrate, honour or remember a soldier in the British army. 15% of the £40 retail price is donated directly to the ABF which amounts as a small help toward the annual £7million it needs to continue supporting soldiers, veterans and their families both practically and financially. With this figure set to rise to as much as £14million by 2015 following a 30% increase in applications from soldiers you can see exactly why they need your help.
ABF - The soldiers’ charity has 68 years experience of success and support for veterans from both World Wars right the way up to soldiers in active service currently posted in Iraq or Afghanistan. Pandora are a relatively young company in comparison, aimed at the younger market that designs, manufactures and markets hand-finished jewellery. Despite the differences they have, both ABF and Pandora have a very important thing in common, taking pride in what it does and aiming to be the best at it.
This modern and current partnership aims to increase awareness of the charity in the younger market in order to keep the charity moving forward for years to come. There is no easier way to remember someone than by looking down at your wrist. This delicate piece of jewellery is enough to show you care even if you don’t know anyone in the army, enough to make other people think “maybe I should be doing something too”. Join celebrities like Joanna Lumley and Lorraine Kelly in our quest to raise awareness and remember those who do not complain about the risks they put themselves in, they do not let the dangers they face stop them, as for them they are simply doing their job.

Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Hello,
I hope everyone has had a good Monday. As we know, it's mothers day this Sunday (18th March) and it isn't always easy to decide what to treat your mummy with to show her how much she means to you so here are a few ideas to give you a bit of inspiration.

1. Benefit stock some beautiful gift sets. This "confessions of a concealaholic" is my favourite and includes some of their best selling products.

2. Hotel Chocolat offer a brilliant range of luxury chocolate gifts. This gift set comes inside a pretty jewellery box and is exclusive for mothers day.

3. Jewellery is a classic gift choice and this gold bracelet from Fabulous makes the perfect treat for your mum.

4. Since first trying the limited edition Chocomania collection from The Body Shop I haven't been able to stop raving about its brilliance. This wonderful gift set holds each full sized product from the collection and is guaranteed to make your mum feel special this mothers day.

5. A mirror may seem like a strange choice for a gift, but my mum has recently re-decorated her bedroom and pretty accessories like this are a useful gift as well as being really pretty.

6. You can't go wrong with a good chick lit, and Loves me, Loves me not is a selection of short stories from some of the best selling romantic novelists in the UK. A must have for any book loving mum.

7. I was so excited to find this new Calvin Klein fragrance, Sheer Beauty in Debenhams over the weekend. It has a beautiful citrus scent and a dainty pink bottle. The perfect fragrance gift.

So there are my top mothers day picks. What are you thinking of buying your mum this year? Are you going to do anything nice together on sunday? We're either going to go to Wagamama's with my grandmother as well or I'm going to cook my lovely mummy a nice meal :)
Annie x
ps, enter my giveaway *here* to win some pretty little prizes.