George Party Tips & OOTD

We all attend those winter parties that needs planning and prep to make the evening go well. Whether it be a meal out, or a night on the town, having your outfit planned is key. It usually takes me a while to figure out what to wear and what accessories to match with it. With Christmas and New Years coming up, I planned to go with a festive coloured dress that will look gorgeous with a bit of glam but was still comfortable. There's nothing worse that wearing a full sequined dress and your arms being scratched from them!
For me, I make sure my bag is prepped with bits to make my night go smoothly. If I'm going on a night out type of party I always bring a thin pair of flats with me and keep them tucked away in a clutch bag. When you're on your feet for hours, even with a bit of alcohol, the pain of wearing heels has the potential to ruin your night. Having a pair of flats to hand lets you enjoy the rest of your night without stumbling around because you can't walk properly anymore. Alongside flats, I usually take a lipstick to top up, a baby deodorant (just in case) and a tiny purse just for money. As much as I can say I can be trusted with my cards after a few drinks, I really can't. I've blocked my own pin in Subway after a night out and it was embarrassing and annoying as I couldn't use my card again until it was unblocked. Having a small purse for notes and coins doesn't give you the option to be a bit spendy.
Makeup prep is key too. I always prime before I apply my makeup as I have oily skin, but using a setting spray after finishing your makeup makes it last that bit longer. I use an Urban Decay de-slick for oily skin which really keeps your makeup from sliding all over your face. Along with face primer, eye primer is key too. We all like to add a bit of glitter or a smokey eye when it comes to New Years parties and I couldn't live without my eye primer from Benefit. To finish the look off I apply a highlighter to add a bit of shimmer.

I do love a bit of shopping, so when George at Asda challenged me to find a party outfit for under £70 I gave it my best shot. It didn't all go to plan, as the coat I wanted went out of stock in the black, then went out of stock in my size in the burgundy which is definitely too big for me but I love it anyway. After trying the dress on after panic worrying whether I'd even fit into a 14, I could have dropped to a 12 which pleased me quite a bit thanks Asda! I thought these cute heels could go well with any outfit, with or without tights. I opted to wear tights purely for the reason that it feels about -12 degrees in Liverpool at the moment and it took a bit of guts to stand outside without a coat on, let alone with bare legs.
The detail on the dress is stunning. I love wearing necklaces but they do tend to drive me mad and I take them off after a few hours, but with this mini necklace attached to the dress, it doesn't scratch around your neck and is just enough glitz for my liking. The cute pompom bag was an added extra and since my Christmas night out is actually to a meal this year, I went with a small handbag that would fit enough in it. I actually opted out of wearing the original belt I ordered as it turned out it was a bit too chunky to wear with the dress because of the necklace attached but is lovely nonetheless. 
I paired my look with my Mac lipstick in Hang Up as it is a burgandy colour and looked nice and festive! Not that you can tell much from the photos (hooded eye gal probs) I had copper eyeshadow on in the form of Mac's Amber Lights and one of the bronzer/highlighters from Makeup Revolution's Highlighter palettes. If it had been a night out I would have opted for a smokey eye, a black leather jacket and slightly higher heels, but I'm very pleased with my outfit! I wouldn't have worn a belt but my chest is definitely not in proportion with the rest of my body but it would look lovely without the belt too.

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*This post contains PR smaples

Liverpool's Hidden Gems*

Aside from going away to uni in Newcastle for three years, I've lived in Liverpool my whole life. I was born in Oxford Street Hospital which is now The Women's as you might see on One Born Every Minute and I really enjoyed growing up here. You couldn't be bored in a city like Liverpool. There's always a park to go to, a cinema close buy and plenty of shops to visit. For a small place, there are a lot of things going on, especially in the city centre. Travelodge challenged me to think of my favourite secret places to talk about, so here are my picks.

Ex-Directory

Only opening recently, this is a bar where you enter through a phone box which leads you to their underground bar. It reminds me of Harry Potter to teleport to another place which is pretty unique. You have to book in advance for the Wednesday-Sunday hours when they're open because when it's full, it's full (according to them). For a cocktail bar it seems pretty upmarket but it will be worth seeking out the code to ring and book on their website as it seems like a lot of people are interested in visiting.

Calderstones Park

This is the closest park to where I live and spent so many summers having picnics and barbeques on the grass, playing in the kids area and feeding the ducks at the lake. When it's hot you can to the ice cream shop there and when it's cold you can grab a hot drink from the cafe. My father and even grandmother spent their days in this park so it brings a lot of happy memories. When visiting Liverpool tons of people flock to Sefton Park which is stunning, but Calderstones or Caldies as we call it is worth a look at too. 

Yee Rah

Located bang in the middle of the restaurants on the top floor of Liverpool One, you'd think it was hard to miss. But with Nando's a minute's walk away and Five Guys opening on the 7th December, Yee Rah doesn't get the attention it deserves. It has something for everyone including burgers, salads and their infamous wok dishes and a children's menu too. The staff are friendly and it's somewhere I always take people to when they're visiting as their Chicken Singapore Noodles are gorgeous with fresh ingredients and a huge bowl of food that could fill those with the biggest appetites up. If you're into your drinks they also serve pitchers too.
If you're planning a visit to Liverpool in the near future, make sure to check these places out. If you have your own hidden gems, feel free to let me know! Click here to see the Travelodge Evolving Cities page.


Laura
*This is a collaborative post

Makeup Revolution Christmas Lip Lacquer Gift Set Review


I was in Superdrug not long ago and was looking at buying some of the Makeup Revolution liquid matte lipsticks. I picked a few and headed for the tills when I noticed the Christmas stand on my way. They had a few Makeup Revolution gift sets that I wasn't drawn to until I noticed this set - reduced from £15 to £12. Not the colours I had picked up, especially since I'm not a fan of baby pink on myself, but close enough. I ended up saving £6 overall which is why I was swayed into buying the gift set.

I'm yet to see a perfect liquid lipstick. Upon swatching and putting on the lips the colour pay off is pretty good. Not as much to say that you need to drop everything and go and buy them, but pretty good. The biggest annoyance I have with these products is the fact that they look perfect enough to not take the product with you when you leave the house. You eat something and you're left with an ugly lip liner effect and you can't fix it. Why? Liquid lipsticks seem to lack the staying power and it seems to be a must that you take them everywhere you go to reapply if a sip of water hits your lips. I know there are more expensive brands that have probably covered this flaw but for now, I've tried three brands (this, MUA and Sephora) and they all have the same issue.

The bolder the colour, the better pay off it seems with these too. The purples and the red shade look the best and apply smoothly. A tiny bit sticky until dry but not too bad. I like the simple packaging too, similar to the Nyx alternative where you can see exactly what shade it is. I've not worn them all out yet but I'll make it my mission to over Christmas and I'll report back. For £2 a lipstick, they're definitely worth trying to see if liquid lipsticks are for you.


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Are Beauty Advent Calendars Really Worth The Money?

I've always been extremely cautious about beauty advent calendars before jumping in and buying one. They're pretty to look at, there are 12-25 products to open in the run up to Christmas and they're talked about in the blogging world a lot too. Brands push to promote them in adverts, magazines and on YouTube and the question I'm wondering is whether they're really worth the money?


Ciate £49.99; No7 £38; Benefit £34.50; Charlotte Tilbury £150; Liberty £149; Diptyque £250; Jo Malone £250; L'Occitane £39

Some advent calendars aren't much more than an expensive chocolate calendar, such as House of Fraser's own brand one for £20 which is pretty reasonable. What about the quality? What about the size of the products? How about you go on the flip scale. You pay a whopping £250 for a Jo Malone one that contains mini perfumes and body creams, or a Diptyque one filled with 15 mini candles and a larger candle and various other products. Are they really worth the money, when you could buy a few products you will really like for a fraction of the price?


Who better than ask than my fellow bloggers. This poll was conducted last night with the majority of people voting in favour that they'd rather spend their money elsewhere. When asked for reasons why most people said it depended on whether it was a set brand or not (some are department store ones), how much you valued that brand, because they are hyped about and some simply said it's a waste of money and chocolate would suffice. What makes me wonder is how many people with these advent calendars have been sent them as PR samples. This doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing to have them sent to you, but would your opinion change if you bought them yourself? Not that I can find out definite answers but I'm sure not everyone would say they were worth the money, especially the expensive ones. If it was me, I'd give them a try to test them out for my blog, but I can't say I'll be rushing out tomorrow to buy a few.

Out of 18 2015 beauty advent calendars I have seen online:
12 clearly said they had mini or travel sized samples
6 said they had deluxe sized or full sized products
12 advent calendars were over £40
7 were over £70 - some even reaching over £200

If I had to pick my favourite looking calendar I would probably go for the Charlotte Tilbury one, because as another blogger said, I value that brand. I trust that the products in there would be of high quality, there are some deluxe samples and I would genuinely be excited every day that I opened it. I wouldn't however, be happy with the price tag. This may be biased because I'm a recent graduate with little disposable income and my mind could change if I had hundreds to splash out each month. But even if I had more money I do honestly feel like I'd prefer to go to the counter and ask the person there if I could test some samples out on my hand/face and then buy some full sized products.

I feel like some of the beauty advent calendars that include skincare wouldn't be worth the money either. For me, skincare is a personal thing and I only buy products that really cater to my skin tone, type, pigmentation etc. To have tons of mini samples of things I'll never use seems completely pointless. Having 24 new nail varnishes is all well and good but I don't paint my nails every few days and would never have the chance to use them all, regardless of whether I would actually pick some of the colours. This is the same with bath products and things like hair oils. I have plenty, some wouldn't suit me and I'd rather make use out of the full sized products I've bought. With tiny samples I do doubt how much they would actually retail at, and how much money is going into the paper box that contains them. I know there are other costs but is it worth it for an advent calendar?

I always seem to end up having a drawer full of tiny samples that I never seem to use up. They go out of date, they don't suit me or I simply forget that they exist. What I'm wondering is, what is the real value? Are they marking up the prices of samples because they're a limited time product with a fancy Christmas design? Or are they being realistic with how much they should charge to make a rightfully owned profit? For now, I think I'll stick to a simple chocolate calendar and pay a visit to some makeup counters to test the products first before investing in full sized items. Whether they're worth the hype or not, more brands are bringing them out each year and the popularity of them is soaring high with people buying a few at one time.


Do you think they are worth it?


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Updated Mac Lipstick Collection


I only began collecting Mac lipsticks in July 2014 and although it seems little in comparison to others, I'm quite impressed with it so far. I have twelve to date and think I'll be buying another soon since my makeup storage has lipstick rows of 6 and there is an empty gap just waiting for the perfect nude-beige. The lipsticks I own are a mixture of finishes and shades that are suitable for all types of occasion.

 Brave, Rebel, Speed Dial, Relentlessly Red, Flat Out Fabulous, Ruby Woo, Hang Up, Chatterbox, Hot Gossip, Up The Amp, Pure Heroine.


My most worn colour is Hot Gossip which was the first lipstick I bought. It is definitely an everyday shade and looks so subtle on my lips. Speed Dial and Chatterbox are pretty similar and I use them when Hot Gossip is in the bottom of my handbag. My favourite Autumn shade has to be Rebel as it is a gorgeous berry colour that perfectly compliments my blonde hair and blue eyes. For a darker purple, Pure Heroine is so pretty but doesn't get worn half as much due to it being so dark and me being in work a lot.

The shades I've worn the least are Relentlessly Red and Flat Out Fabulous. The sole reason for this is because they are so matte that they can dry out the lips and pick up on all the dry patches on your lips. Sometimes you need to apply lipstick quickly and these just aren't an option for days where you can't spend time hydrating and exfoliating your lips. 

Until October I didn't have a single 'red' because I argue that Relentlessly Red is simply a bright pink. A family member was kind enough to add Ruby Woo to my collection which I'm so excited to try out closer to Christmas with a smokey eye. The other shades I received on/around my birthday were Up The Amp, a beautiful lilac, Brave which is a pink-nude and Hang Up which is a deep vampy red. I'm thinking about picking up Velvet Teddy which seems to be a more brown-toned nude as I really need a tan-ish colour since my lips are so pink normally. I'm wondering what other colours to pick up next.

What shades should I buy next?


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Current Garnier Skincare Favourites


As the colder weather has approached incredibly fast, I've seen major changes in my skin. In Liverpool we had a huge storm that produced harsh winds, a cold temperature and lots of rain. Although I have oily-combination skin, my skin couldn't balance out the oil and half of my face produced more oil and the other half dried out so badly. My nose was having an awful time since it was both dry and oily and I struggled so much trying to even it out. I ditched my previous skincare routine and went back to the basics with these Garnier products* to see if they could fix the problem.

Miracle Sleeping Cream

I've previously used Yves Rocher nighttime cream to hydrate my skin overnight, but I've finished the pot so this was a good time to try the Garnier alternative out. This sleeping cream works for all skin types to put moisture back into your skin without encouraging excess oil. It has properties that help firm your skin up which will in turn reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In all honesty I was apprehensive about trying this but I kid you not my face has never been as smooth! I woke up the next morning and couldn't stop stroking my cheek it was so baby-like. 

Micellar Cleansing Water

I've been using various brands of Micellar water for a while but hadn't tried the Garnier version. The packaging is sleek and pretty and shows how clear the product is. It removes makeup well and isn't a watered down product where you need about ten pads to take all of your makeup off. It gets the mascara off my eyes without irritating it but I do tend to go over it with a bit of Bioderma as that takes any last bits off. As a lazy gal I love using micellar waters since I can just use cotton pads to remove the days makeup.

Micellar Extra-Gentle Cleansing Wipes

Again, a lazy girl product! The wipes are soaked in the Micellar Cleansing Water and my gosh you can tell. They are the wettest wipes I've ever came across and they are hands down the best makeup wipes for this reason. There is nothing worse than being tired and opening makeup wipes to remove your makeup and they're dry and irritating. When I run out of these I'll definitely buy them to put in my handbag.

Miracle Wake Up Cream

I've been trying this out for a short while but with most daytime creams I usually try them for over a month before giving a full opinion. So far, so good. I haven't seen a major difference but it hasn't encouraged more oil production in my problem areas and has left my skin supple and soft. I'll be trying it out without using the sleeping cream to see just how soft it leaves my skin so keep a look out for that!

What is your favourite Garnier skincare product?


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Urban Decay Smoky Palette First Impressions


I had my eye on this palette since Urban Decay announced that they were releasing it. The colours looked stunning and I knew there would be a huge colour pay off. Last month when Andy gifted me it for my birthday, I was over the moon. With a mix of both mattes and shimmers, light colours to dark, it is the perfect weekend palette. I already own the Naked 3 palette which contains tons of light colours, mostly pinks so I did need another palette. I kind of smashed my Naked Basics 2 which still makes me want to cry when I think about it, but luckily this palette can make up for it.


The first shade on the left 'High' is the most stunning colour in the whole palette in my opinion. It adds the slightest bit of pink with fine shimmer all over the lid and sparkles in the light. There are two shades perfect for a bronze eye which is popular this year, 'Dirtysweet' and 'High'. When mixed together, with the shade 'Whiskey' in the crease, you have the perfect brown smokey eye. The more adventurous shades in the palette are 'Armor', 'Slanted', 'Dagger' and 'Smolder' which I'm yet to fully invest myself in. They are bolder than what I'm used to but I have promised myself to create a blue-black smokey look asap.

The colours I've been using the most lately have been 'Black Market', 'Password', 'Combust' and 'Thirteen' and as you may see from the picture I annoyingly caught my nail in it as soon as I opened it. The palette also comes with a double ended brush which I'm yet to try out since I instinctively opt for my Real Techniques and Nanshy brushes. The packaging is magnetic which is so much better than the Naked 3 packaging which I dropped and cracked as soon as I got it. You can see a pattern emerging. Do be prepared to have your bobby pins stuck to the outside though. I do aim to create some looks with this since I haven't done it in what feels like an age. 

ManKind Christmas Gift Guide For Men



I love writing men's Christmas gift guides since a lot of people tend to be clueless when it comes to what to buy the man in your life for the big day. It does tend to be stereotypically easier with females and although I am great at buying for my boyfriend, buying for my father and brother is in a whole other kettle of fish. To make a start, ManKind have plenty of products* to suit everyone's needs.

Truefitt & Hill Cologne
Starting from £30, these colognes will suit every man's taste. With notes of sandalwood to lime and bergamot to amber, they are high quality fragrances. The brand are based in London and pride themselves on their products including after shave balms and creams. The packaging is kept simple and each fragrance holds a different coloured packaging which is a nice touch.

Beard Lube
Now that's something I didn't anticipate ever writing on my blog. Jack Black Beard Lube is a multipurpose product that can be used as a pre-shave oil, a shaving cream and a facial skin treament that boasts to encourage a cleaner shave. It includes ingredients such as macademia nut and jojoba oils to help the razor glide and it moisturise your skin. The product is £18 but they assure you that it's worth it.

Mojo Hair Styling Cream
Made here in the UK, Mojo Hair Styling Cream is made to achieve sleek hairstyles with a natural shine. The product is creamy to soften and add flexibility to the air whilst being strong enough to hold a style in place. The emulsion has a fresh scent and is available to buy for £14.

American Crew Boost Powder
This is my favourite product out of them all. Everyone needs volume in their hair, and this boost powder was created to lift the hair while adding texture and thickness. It is of matte finish and provides flexible hold and retains the natural moisture of the hair. Whilst other texturising products may work well, they can make your hair itchy, but as this is a powder you won't have this issue. For value for money, this also remains my favourite for £10.75.

Scacramouche & Fandango Body Wash
If you're going to buy someone body wash, it needs to be good body wash. Not a lynx set. Something of good quality. This Scacaramouche & Fandango body wash contains vitamin E which is known to help nourish the skin, and papaya extract to help keep the skin supple. It's also cruelty free and doesn't contain oil or silicone.


What would you buy from ManKind?


A Bit Of A Mystery

So I received a tweet a few days ago involving a mystery that needs to be cracked. From the Tumblr account it seems to suggest something is invading cities like Tokyo and New York. A photo shows something large and purple but the photos are blurry. I suppose it could be about a film that will be coming out but it seems to suggest something a bit better than that. I mean, it could be serious but it would be great to hear what you think. If you can try and crack the mystery by having a look at the photos it would mean a lot! Let me know in the comments what you think it could be.
What is it?
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Visiting The New Kiko Store


Last week I nipped into the Trafford Centre to do a bit of Christmas shopping and whilst I was there I decided to visit the new KIKO store. I'd been to the Alicante store whilst on holiday and was too poorly to pick anything up and had to leave pretty swiftly which I was gutted about. Now that there is one in only a half an hour drive away, I can imagine everytime I'm in the Trafford Centre I'll gravitate towards the store. I took a fair amount of photos featuring their collections, Christmas releases and their stands packed with lipsticks and nail varnishes.


The Perfecting Bronzer is stunning to look at and when swatched is creamy and blendable. Although I've not tried it on my cheeks, it looks like it will be a fabulous bronzer to work with. Kiko's eyeshadows were unreal. Incredibly pigmented and the shadows with the shimmer/glitter in them were just so beautiful. Had payday arrived when I had gone, I would have picked up about ten of these. The shadows at the bottom reminded me of the night sky and would be perfect for a smokey eye.


The way in which the products were layed out were great too, it's refreshing to see everything laid out in its specific place as this is a huge pet peeve of mine when looking to buy makeup if everything is messy. They had tons of different shades of lipsticks and nail varnishes and I'm so impressed with the store. It had a different vibe to the Alicante store which was laid back whereas this had a more high-end vibe but nonetheless it was a lovely store. Off my first impressions, I'd recommend their powder products and lipsticks from swatching as they seem pretty pigmented for the price, and the packaging of some of the products is so pretty. I'm excited for payday so I can head back over and fill a basket!


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The Cutest Christmas Jumper


I love Christmas. I love the little cartoon gingerbread men and candy canes, and that's why I chose to review this Candy Cane Christmas Cardigan* (£45.91) from Cheesy Christmas Sweater. They sell a wide range of more interesting Christmas jumpers that are high quality and will keep you cosy without you feeling like you've got ten thousand layers on. I'm definitely more of a cardigan gal than a jumper gal since I hate things clinging to me and with the buttons on the cardigan, you can wear it open or closed.


There is so much detail in this cardigan. The little solider men with their hats on, the Christmas tree with a present underneath and the candy canes wrapped together. Even the arms have detail on them with candy cane strips down them. I ordered a Medium and it's a bit big but I expected that. It's just so christmassy! Super cosy, super cheesy and super festive. The thought of wearing a fluffy jumper with bobbles and tinsel sown into it gives me nightmares in comparison to wearing this cardigan. I don't want to feel like a fluffball. I understand it is a little pricey for a cardigan you may only wear for a month, but the quality is impeccable. I don't usually rate things so highly but it's worth the money.

I love that the website has a section for Ugly Christmas Jumpers. You know when you love something but you know it's ugly and other people don't seem to get it but you do? This is why I love the store's website. They also stock two person jumpers, light up jumpers, and usual Christmas jumpers. As much as I'd love to try on their two person jumpers twosie sweater, it would be all fun and games for 5 minutes until I'd probably fall over since I am smaller than near enough everyone I know. It would be hilarious to see my boyfriend and I in it though, since he is a whole foot taller than me. 

If you're looking for a new ugly jumper to wear on the big day, or simply need some questions answered, they can help you out where you need it. You can order worldwide and they ship quickly! I'm probably going to wear this cardi for longer than just Christmas since it is quite cosy, don't judge!

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TV Shows I'm Loving Right Now*


Made In Chelsea

Every episode is about someone else's love life, either seeming to be interrupted by Jamie or Spencer, or called out by Lucy. Despite them often saying they dismiss love, it seems to be 90% of their daily involvement. The reason I love MIC is to have an insight into a richer person's life. I can't just decide to nip out to Chanel for a new dress or to fly out to Ibiza 'just because' so it's definitely intriguing. I like how they actually have jobs outside of the show too.

The Walking Dead

Obviously this is a huge hit right now and each episode creates huge tension around who will survive and where they will find refuge next. In the last season I wasn't as keen, but they've upped the anti and left a lot of cliffhangers. Judging from the comic books (which I've read a bit about), the next few seasons will be very interesting.

Scream Queens

This is such a love-hate show for me. I love it because of the people who star in it - Emma Roberts, Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lea Michelle etc. The show is half ridiculous and half amazing, and Chanel's closet is to die for.

Spooks

Also known as MI-5, began to air in 2002 and ended in 2011 with plenty of seasons to catch up on. I'm a huge lover of criminal/political dramas and it being British makes it even more watchable. Obviously you see some actors from other similar UK shows but it makes it so worthwhile. If you're a fan of Whitechapel, Silk and Ripper Street, you'll love Spooks.

Don't Tell The Bride

This is such a guilty pleasure for me. I cringe every time I watch it and wonder why on Earth they'd let someone else plan their wedding for them. Whether it be the angry mother-in-law or the childish best man, there is always the apprehension that something will go wrong. Every episode makes me realise exactly what I wouldn't want from my future wedding.


Speaking of TV shows, the only thing that really annoys me are the breaks. I don't need to watch 5 minutes in between my favourite show to see how butter can change my life or what loan I need to take out next. Having the option to catch up on shows I've missed is a game changer as you can download shows when you want and watch them there and then, along with the option to still watch the latest episides live. With Freeview Play you can do just this, and install apps such as Netflix to catch up on your shows there too. Having it all in one place makes life so much easier, especially after a busy day at work. Alongside TV shows, they also show films too, and their advertisement just *happens* to feature a song from my favourite film, Les Misérables! 


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*This is a sponsored post

A Nifty Gift Idea For Your Man*

When looking to buy Christmas presents for your other half, it always seems to be a tricky idea. They may want another pair of trainers that they may wear for a few months before getting bored of them. When it comes to girls, gift subscription boxes are a must have, ensuring a small gift once a month. Why do these not come to mind for men? 

Shave Club have devised a high quality subscription service that delivers razor blades each month for a low cost. The first month you get the actual razor free too! You can cancel anytime and membership starts from as low as £3.99, so if you're on a budget for your man this Christmas, this is definitely a gift worth giving. There's even the same service on offer for women too so you can pick up multiple subscriptions at once.

If your man enjoys keeping himself groomed and you're not a fan of a thick beard, then the Shave Club have got the perfect subscription service. You get a fresh blade each week, but if this is too often you can pause your subscription too. On their website you can also buy shaving cream, moisturiser, facial wash and shaving gel which can be added to the basket when you order a subscription box. You can check out their video below to see it in action:


What will you be buying your man for Christmas?


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*This is a collaborative post

Interiors - 7 Easy Ways To Divide A Room Space*

As part of the lifestyle section on my blog, I do enjoy a good interior post. As you may have seen from my Pinterest page, I have over one thousand home inspiration pins on my board as one day I want to move into my dream place. As a recent graduate, I may not be able to afford a 4 bedroom house and may opt for a cosier 1-2 bedroomed place but need separate space for blogging for example. With the help of some props and pieces, you can create temporary living spaces to suit your needs.

Screens

Having a wall that can be easily moved is obviously a cheaper option than hiring a contractor to divide your walls permanently. Screens are often used to separate rooms and they really don't have to be as unattractive as you think. You can make screens out of salvaged doors that can be a DIY project if you're up to it. These could be used to help create a smaller space for photography, or to create a room for guests to give them some space.

Folding Doors

Having doors that open and shut when you need them are good, but they do take up unnecessary space when open. Doors that fold in on themselves allow more flexibility as they can fold up quite small and not distract from your interior design. You can even get classic wooden designs, such as from Vufold if you're not into a white theme or dislike the PVC look in your home.

Colour Themes

You are set on having a monochrome theme but also want to have colours in that just don't go. What do you do? How about if you're in a college in America and you happen to share a room with a roomate? To make the most of two areas in one room you can mix up the colour themes a bit or have complementary décor as it's based on personal preference.

Curtains

These days you can buy pretty curtains from near enough anywhere that sells interior products. Having running curtain rails across the ceiling would be a handy idea to draw curtains across the space when required. Another similar idea is having hanging lights or bunting as hanging options can be easy to install and remove and can really personalise your space. With hanging options you can always mix things up with the seasons too. If you were dividing a bedroom this wouldn't be the ideal solution however, since it offers a lack of privacy.


Shelving

As known from personal experience, the Ikea white/black shelves always fly out of their stores as they're perfect for storing books, dvd's and other knick knacks you may have lying around that need a separate space. They are inexpensive and can be removed easily, but are steady enough to hold a fair amount of objects. I have two in my room and they hold a good 20+ books and even more dvd's. They're useful for hair and beauty products, and in the future I plan to add small cacti and other greenery which can make the room feel more relaxed.

Steps

Thinking laterally, dividing a room by creating split-level rooms or adding nooks within existing rooms is something you don't often see but can provide numerous benefits without the added building work. Depending on the layout of your room, you could scape areas yourself using paletts and steps, just remember not to put anything heavy on top! With some steps in rooms, added storage can be used underneath too.


Integrated Furniture

Built in wardrobes are space savers and with mirrors on the front they can really modernise a room. You could even integrate a headboard for your bead into the wall like this example. It doesn't all have to be bedroom furniture though - you can have more build in cupboards in your kitchen that would then break up the kitchen-dining area. 

Having multiple spaces in one room can help make the most out of smaller rooms and the need for more storage. I have multiple spaces in my room due to lack of space and it's so much better than cramming everything into the whole room. I personally love the fairy lights and bunting idea!
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*This is a collaborative post

Life Update


I'm not the biggest fan of random updates on my blog since I tend to write as I go, but if you haven't noticed I've been a little absent. That's because I got a job! I always thought I could balance a job and blog and still have time to put my feet up but I think because I've just started there were a lot of changes I've had to get used to. Even at Uni I wasn't in full time working hours, nor at Sixth Form so it has been about 5 years since I was out full time. 

I've just starting working at Boots, because although I do earn from blogging and I'm perfectly happy being clear about that, it does not pay the bills. It does help though! I love blogging and if I could do it full time I wouldn't hesitate. We're desperate to save up for a place of our own, getting my into driving lessons and saving up a couple hundred thousands for our trip to LA in April. Albeit this job holds a temporary contract until February but it's a step in the right direction. 

After my first week of working full time on the self select beauty, so brands like Rimmel, Maybelline, Sleek etc, I had to drop to part time. I have EDS & Fibro and my little body just couldn't take working 37.5 hours a week. I really tried, but even on my days off my body wasn't recovering and I didn't have time to blog either since I just wanted to be painless. Now I'll be working 20 hours and although that comes with a pay drop, it comes with improving my health. Boots have been nothing but supportive of both my health conditions and allowing me to drop my hours.

Hopefully next week I'll be back on my feet sofa, laptop open and blogging until my heart is content on my days off. I'll be able to photograph in advance and schedule posts for a week or two ahead. My posts will go back to my August-September schedule, posting on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and any extra days if I want to. See you then!


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