Hello 2015!

I can't actually believe 2014 is at an end! It has flown by, particularly this last month or so over Christmas while I've been at home. I've been poorly over the last few days, so apologies for not having posted. As I'm still a little under the weather, I thought I would spend the night in cosied up, and thought I would do a quick post about what I hope 2015 will bring and my New Year's Resolutions.

I want to keep up with my running, and push myself even further

Over the last few weeks, my running routine has slipped a little due to the frosty and icy weather and the fact I've been feeling a little rubbish. However I am pleased to report I completed a nice little 30 minute run today and plan to keep this up throughout 2015 and into my future. I feel so much healthier and sometimes I love being able to just go out for a jog and clear my head. In 2015 I would love to complete at least one run for charity. My brother is organising a 5k Family Fun Run in my hometown for a local hospice which I will be entering if it goes ahead, and I am going to look into doing a Cancer Research Race for Life because it is something I've always wanted to do and it's for one of my favourite charities which I really care about.

Lose a few more pounds

I am below my original target weight at the moment, but I've put on about 2-3 pounds over Christmas which I would like to shed in the first month or so of 2015. Once Christmas and New Year's is over with I know I'll go back to eating a lot healthier so this is one resolution I'm quite confident about!

Gain pounds

Financially! I've been pretty good at saving during my time at uni, but I'm also hoping to continue saving throughout 2015, so I've got a nice little rainy day savings fund, because let's face it, you never know what the future might bring! I also need to find a job for when I leave university, so fingers crossed for that!

Keep my head on during my final year

While I've finished my first term at university, I can feel the stress increasing dramatically for second and third terms, which is when my assessed essays, dissertation and exams will all be. I get terribly anxious and make myself so poorly with stress when it comes to studying, and so I want to try and keep my head on and enjoy final year, because before I know it, I'm sure it will be gone!

Blog more!

I got into a really good routine of blogging regularly, but unfortunately in the last month or so I've really let it slip! Once I'm back at university on Sunday I hope to get back into a better routine. Sorry! 

Hopefully I stick to them - if I don't feel free to tell me off in the comments of future posts! What are your New Year's Resolutions? Happy New Year everyone and all the best for 2015!

♥

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Frozen Inspired Nails

It wasn't until these were dry that I thought they looked like something Elsa from Frozen would have. I just generally love both blue and glittery polishes, and I'm really pleased with how these have turned out, even if it wasn't my intention to create Frozen inspired nails! 

I used Ciate Pepperminty for the base topped off with Ciate Snow Globe which is one of my favourite glitter polishes. The large clear chunks of glitter look beautiful in the light and make my nails look icy, which is perfect for this cold and frosty spell of weather we have been having over the past few days here in Lincolnshire! 

♥

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Christmas Make Up

I was pretty chuffed with my make up for Christmas Eve and Day, so I thought I would share the look with you.

The main base products I use are the Benefit Hellow Oxygen Wow! Flawless foundation which I absolutely love. One bottle lasts forever, and I love the dewy bright finish it gives my skin. Not to mention the fact it holds well all day. In terms of concealer, I've been applying Seventeen Phwoar Under Eye Heavy Duty Paint Concealer after reading lots of reviews, and I've been very happy with the results so far. 

My cheeks owe it all to Soap and Glory, as I am currently using the Love at First Blush and the Glow All Night Luminizing Face Powder across the tip of my cheekbones. I think both complement each other really well for a every day effortless look.

I use Benefit's Browzings on my eyebrows, which is literally the holy grail of eyebrow products in my opinion. It holds in place the entire day and one pot lasts for two years! 

On my eyes I have used the W7 In The Nude palette which is a Urban Decay Naked Palette dupe, which I purchased for £5 at the clothes show. These are great for an everyday or subtle look, although I wish they were slightly more pigmented (But I think for the price it does the job) and I've finished it off with a Collection Liquid Eyeliner and Maybelline Rocket Volume Mascara. 

As for my glitter lips, I purchased this kit at the Clothes Show. You apply a thin layer of face friendly cosmetic glue and then layer on loose glitter. There were hundreds of colours to choose from but I decided upon this pink as I felt I was a little too pale for the red! I haven't used any editing or filters on these photos, which I think really shows how good the product really is. It has been perfect over the Christmas season.

What are your favourite make up looks at the moment? If you've blogged about any lately please leave a link in the comments below as I would love to check them out! 

♥ 

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Ciate Christmas Nail Advent Calendar

After opening the final door on my Ciate Advent Calendar, I thought I would share the full 24 polishes with you in case you are considering purchasing one of the advent calendars for next year. I'm really happy with the contents of my advent calendar, and I've already bought another one in the sale ready for next year because I think they are so pretty and really great value for money. The variety of colours you receive, and the fact you receive two of the Ciate Caviar Pearls as well as a full size polish on Christmas Eve, makes this my favourite beauty advent calendar on the market.

 Sequin Miss Mistletoe - Encore! - Glitter Jingle Belle - Amazing Gracie - Ferris Wheel - Confetti

Party shoes - Ivory queen - Kiss Chase - Underwear (Base Coat) - Speed Coat (Top coat) - Boudoir

Pepperminty - Members Only - Pillow Fight - Snow Globe - CaviarPearls Frost Yourself - Hopscotch

Fit for a Queen - ChistmasTree CaviarPearls - FullSize Serendipity - Sugar Plum - Locket - Play Date

Behind each door, there is a quote as well which I think is super cute! Here is a photo of me opening my final door today on Christmas eve!

Which advent calendar did you have this year? Were you pleased with the contents?

Happy Christmas Eve everyone, and I hope you have a very merry Christmas tomorrow! 

♥

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The Winter Tag

I found this tag on Ella's World and thought I would give it a whirl, because I haven't been posting much lately and I promised I would... oops.

What are your favourite things about Winter? Drinking endless hot drinks, opening advent calendars, watching Christmas films, the Christmas lights filling the streets and the candles that are released during winter. Although I LOVE crisp, white snow and building snowmans and sledding with my nieces and nephews, I'm not a fan of the cold weather in general. I also hate the grey slush left over when the snow is melting, I call it Post-Snow depression because it is just so annoying!
What is your favourite Winter outfit? A jumper with jewel detail around the collar, with blue skinny jeans and my Vagabond boots, with a tartan scarf and my duffle coat. And to top all that off, my fluffy earmuffs!
What is your favourite Winter food? Definitely a roast dinner! I could eat one every single day, especially Roast Lamb or Pork.
Favourite Winter drink? Hot Chocolate with cream and marshmallows for sure, although with me dieting this winter I've had to be really strict with myself!
What is your dream way to spend a Winter's day? In my fleecy pyjamas with my fleecy dressing gown, wooly socks and slippers, with endless blankets curled up watching Christmas film after Christmas film with a cup of tea! 
How do you like to do your makeup in the Winter? I definitely use a lot more moisturiser pre-make up, and I like to use more brightening make up than I do during Summer. Benefit's Hello Wow! Oxygen Flawless Foundation is perfect for brightening the skin, and I've recently purchased Girl Meets Pearl brightening Primer. I also use a lighter pink shimmery highlight. I hate winter skin, particularly as mine is so sensitive, and I refuse to let my skin dull at all! I tend to switch to  berry and darker shades of lipstick too.
What are you hoping Santa brings you? A Take That concert ticket, Lush cosmetics, fluffy bedsocks, slippers, some DVDs, anything with Bambi on! And some perfume (preferably La Vie est Belle if you're reading Santa!)
What are the first three things that remind you of Winter? The Coca Cola advert being on TV, clothes changing in the shops and having to defrost and clean my car more!
What is your favourite Winter song? The Michael Buble Christmas album is absolutely perfect, but my favourite song of all time is definitely Fairytale of New York!
What is your favourite Winter memory? Probably building snowmans and sledding with my nieces and nephews, we had a lot of fun that day! I loved when it used to snow at school as well and we would be sent home haha!
What is your favourite Winter scent? At the moment I'm loving Yankee Candle's Angel's Wings candle, or Glade's Honey and Chocolate candle!
Finish this sentence…If I could have one wish this Christmas it would be.. ..for everyone to have an amazing Christmas and to be happy, and for me to lose more weight!
If you've done this Winter Tag, please let me know in the comments below as I would love to have a read!
♥ Bloglovin | Instagram | Twitter

Handmade Creaseless Kink-Free Elastic Hair Ties

For months now I've been trying to grow my hair, and I dread to think how long I have spent Google-ing solutions. One of the things I found that kept being mentioned is how much damage standard hair bobbles can do to your hair. When I first read it, I thought it was an overly dramatic statement, but then I started noticing how much I tugged on hair bobbles to take them out, and how much hair gets wrapped around them which is pulled out. The main problem is the metal used in them!

So I started looking for creaseless hair ties like these. They are made of strong elastic with no metal. The reviews were correct - from the few days of me wearing my set, I find they are a lot comfier, I barely feel it there. You can also pull them out as hard as you can and you'll find it doesn't hurt half as much and I am losing less hair. They are perhaps slightly more expensive than standard hair ties, but I think they are prettier and the benefits to your hair are definitely worth it!

I love crafting and making things, so I decided to make my own. I'm so glad I decided to try them and I have had several family members already texting me asking me to make them some!

When I purchased the elastic to make my own, I accidentally bought far too much material, not realising how little elastic would be needed for each hair bobble. Well anyway, to cut a long story short, as I was sat making these I realised I had made in total of 45 hair bobbles out of the elastic I had bought!

So, I have wrapped one of each colour on some recycled card which I have made look super cute with a little cut out heart, and I'm selling some sets on eBay. These would make perfect presents, or a nice little treat for you if you are also trying to grow your hair or just be kinder to it!

The link to them is here

What do you think of the hair ties? Do you have any other tips of ways I can look after my hair and help it to grow?

♥

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Bargain Ciate Nail Advent Calendar

Today I just happened to pop into my local TK Maxx while running a few errands, and my eyes were almost magnetically drawn like a magpie to a Ciate Christmas display! I wanted to buy it all, but the highlight for me was definitely the Ciate Mini Mani Manor House Advent Calendar.

I purchased this for £24.99, and this is currently retailing at £49! I know it's nearly Christmas now, but for what you get this is such good value! They are mini pots with one full size pot, but I actually prefer that because I have so many nail varnishes and find they all dry out before I get to use them, so I actually prefer having lots of mini pots. 

I would much rather buy them in the sale or while they are on offer and put them away for a few months, rather than pay the full retail price. I was quite disappointed this year by how expensive the beauty advent calendars were, and was sceptical of the make up ones because I'm so fussy with lip colours, eyeshadows and I'm so ridiculously pale I was worried I wouldn't end up using half of the stuff.

For me, these advent calendars are perfect. The variety of colours is brilliant and they are genuinely nice colours, rather than making an advent calendar of all of the colours they couldn't sell, if that makes sense. The packaging as well is SO CUTE and remembers me of Benefit Cosmetics/ Ted Baker's Christmas Gift Sets packaging.

The TK Maxx display were also selling the Ciate Candy Cane House for £7.99 which retails at £25.00! It includes four mini Christmassy glitter polishes which are 'Christmas scented'!

It also had a set of six Ciate 'trinket' baubles, which are clear with a Ciate full sized polish in each. For all six they are only charging £12, and they are currently retailing for £8 for one bauble on Ciate's website. So I would definitely recommend heading to your local TK Maxx to try and pick up some bargains - whether for yourself, or for the perfect Christmas presents!

I am putting this advent calendar away for next year - but am so tempted to open it already! Which advent calendar have you had this year? Were you pleased with the contents?

♥

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Easy Christmas Nails

In previous years, I've been known to attempt some really elaborate over the top Christmassy nail art that has taken me HOURS. Unfortunately this year, I haven't had a lot of free time, and I've also been having Gel Nails whenever I'm home, so I only really have to paint my nails for the few days between my appointments.

Mum's Secret Santa at work bought her this China Glaze red glitter nail varnish, called 'Ruby Pumps' - the photo doesn't do it justice, it reminds me of Dorothy's shoes from the Wizard of Oz! It looks amazing under the light and I love it because the glitter is very small and thin, and so I only needed two coats in comparison with some of the chunkier glitter polishes (and I imagine it will be a lot easier to remove!)

The snowflake stickers I purchased on eBay about a week ago - if you would like to buy them, you can find the link here. It is only 99p for a sheet of stickers which I think is an absolute bargain, and even though I've only chosen to do one finger on each hand, one sheet would definitely cover all ten if that's what you wanted! There are lots of different designs from that seller, the stickers I used on my nails have the code: 'SN105' from the drop down menu.

They are the easiest things to apply, and then I just sealed it all in with a top coat. The China Glaze polish literally took seconds to dry as well, so this nail design only took me 5 minutes in total, which is great for any of you rushing off to your Christmas party or who doesn't have much spare time at the moment!

What do you think of my simply Christmas nail design? If any of you have posted about your Christmas nails, please post the link below as I would love to have a nosey! 

♥

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Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day

Yesterday, Friday 12th December, was Save the Children's third annual Christmas Jumper Day. The idea behind the concept is that you wear your favourite Christmas Jumper, and donate whatever you can, to support Save the Children in their charity work in over 120 countries.

I decided to hold a Christmas Jumper Tea Party and Craft day today at my house, and we had so much fun! Unfortunately I didn't get many photos because I was so busy running around organising everything and getting everyone drinks and things. We ate lots and lots of mince pies, christmas cake and biscuits, and I invented lots of different Christmassy games and activities to keep the kids busy. We decorated Christmas Jumper cards, I held a Design the best Christmas Jumper competition (the winner won a Cadbury's selection box, I'm so jealous) and we also decorated Christmas jumper biscuits me and my Mum baked this morning. Save the Children also sent me a fundraising kit including a sweepstake, which raised £60, £30 of which was given to the winner of the sweepstake, which was my Mum! We also played Pin the Nose on Rudolph, which got extremely competitive! The winner won a Cadbury's selection box.

We only invited close family because there was so much going on in every room of our house and my nieces and nephews always run riot when we get them all together! I raised £80 which I was really chuffed about considering my tea party was only around 2 hours long. Best of all, the UK government has promised to double the total amount Save the Children UK raise, and so far the official total is £550,000 which is great when you consider that that will be doubled!

Just £2 will buy life-saving antibiotics for 3 babies in various developing countries, but Save the Children also support children in the UK as well, which is why it really appeals to me as a charity, because it really is so international.

If you feel like donating, text 'WOOLLY' to 70050 to donate £2 to Save the Children.

Did you do anything for National Christmas Jumper Day? I hope you all had fun if you did!

 ♥ 

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My Christmas Tree

One of my favourite things about Christmas is definitely the decorations! I have to admit I'm very proud of my tree. It isn't your traditional Christmas tree, but there is a story behind every main decoration and I thought I would share it with you!

It is only a tiny tree in my bedroom with built in battery powered lights, but I can't wait to expand my collection of decorations when I get my own place and get a huge 6 foot tree!

I purchased most of these Christmas decorations in Times Square in New York on my holiday last year.

This is definitely one of my favourites on the tree, I've never seen it anywhere else before and everyone always comments on how cute it is. The Grinch is one of my all time favourite Christmas films, I can probably quote the whole thing to you! He always takes pride of place near the top.

I love this little cute glass bottle of Coke with a Christmassy ribbon wrapped around it. Not only do I love Coke, but when I see the Coke Christmas Advert I know Christmas is definitely coming! 

Everyone who knows me, knows I am basically a magpie when it comes to anything sparkly, and knows I love anything Bambi, so I couldn't resist purchasing this. It was only £2.50 from Paperchase and I only bought it a few weeks ago so it should still be in stores.

FRIENDS is my all time favourite programme. I've seen each episode a gazillion and one times, and am so sad I often reference scenes in my day to day life when something reminds me of it! "We were on a break", "Joey doesn't share food!" "He is her lobster", "Regina Flange", "I got off the plane"... it still cracks me up every time I rewatch episodes. I picked this up in the NBC store in New York.

No matter how many people tell me this looks nothing like Marilyn, I don't care, I LOVE IT! I love Marilyn and am a huge fan of her films and think she is literally the most beautiful woman to have ever walked the earth! I picked this up in New York as well, and purchased the little diamond decorations from Asda here in the UK to complete the whole "Marilyn - Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" look

And finally, this is my Big Apple New York 2013 Decoration. Even though I went to New York in 2011, my trip in 2013 was definitely a once in a lifetime, pinch me I'm dreaming moments. My parents paid for us to go for my 18th birthday, and we had such an amazing time. We literally did everything touristy in New York, and I will never forget driving over Brooklyn Bridge and getting some amazing night time photographs of the skyline. This ornament is to remind me of my trip!

I hope you liked my Christmas tree. I know it isn't the most conventional tree, but I love how every ornament is so 'Shannon'! 

♥

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Clothes Show Live! Birmingham

Apologies for not having blogged for a while - I have been completely run off my feet with job applications, essays and never ending reading lists! I'm really looking forward to 4 weeks at home when hopefully I will be blogging a lot, so keep your eyes peeled!

So on Saturday, I went to the Clothes Show in Birmingham with one of my best friends Beth. It's only about half an hour from where I am at uni, and we both went about 4 years ago and fancied going again. I was so excited and I can't wait to book my tickets for next year's already!

First of all we watched the Catwalk Fashion/Dance Show. For me, this is A-MAZ-ING. Not only do models do that flawless walk down the catwalk, the hesitation at the end, and the strut back that we all envy let's face it, but there were also 3 or 4 dance scenes of the models and the theme this year was New York/America - my favourite place on earth! So it is really really entertaining.

Rick Edwards hosted this year, I managed to get a photo of him with this topless model giving a goody bag out - the girl who received this got to go on stage and get a cuddle and kisses from him and I'm still jealous today!

Jetta performed, who I had never heard of before but I couldn't believe how amazing her voice was. She was absolutely stunning and her performance was unbelievable. 

Here are some photos from the catwalk / dance show. It really was amazing and I think I sat with my jaw open for the whole hour or so!

We then walked round the endless rows of stalls spending like there was no tomorrow - I spotted Lauren Goodger and had major hair envy!! The queues to have photos with the TOWIE/MIC cast were huge so we just tried to grab snaps from afar - sneaky!

I purchased some Sparkly Lips lipstick - it's not actually a lipstick, it is a hypo allergenic glue and then you use the applicator to roll loose glitter (also face friendly!) over the top. I am such a magpie to anything sparkly and we couldn't wait to try it. I fell in love so much I purchased a tub of the Rose Pink-Red to bring home, and can't wait to wear it to all the Christmas parties and meals over the festive season! 

Barry M had their infamous £10 goody bags which are just incredible. They are so popular girls were running over and handing £10 over without even asking what came in the goody bag. You couldn't choose the things in them but I think it is such good value for money. I received 6 nail varnishes (Gold Crackle Effect, a Metallic Grey which I love, Baby Blue Textured Effects, Black and Gold Glitter, Magnetic Metallic Grey polish and a Limited Edition coral pink colour. I also received 2 dazzle dusts, three eyeliners AND a lipgloss!)

I also purchased the £10 Models Own Goody Bag. What I loved about this was that you chose your three Models Own Nail varnishes, and they put them in a goody bag with the other items for you for £10. As these polishes retail at £5 each I wasn't even bothered what they put in the bag, but it was actually really nice stuff! I received eyelash curlers, four eyeshadow applicators and two make up sponges which I am constantly in need of, two eyeliners, a nail art pen, a lip balm, a pocket mirror and a four sided nail file and buff. Wow!

I also purchased the W7 In the Nude Palette on a whim. These retail at about £7-£8 each, and I managed to bag this for £5. You could get 3 for £10 which is an absolute steal, but I just couldn't think who to buy them for! It is clearly a Urban Decay Palette Dupe, and I was really keen to try this because I've been meaning to start wearing eyeshadow for a while. I've never really been one for eyeshadow, as I'm generally awful at applying it, but I thought for £5 I can't go wrong! If I like it I may make the Urban Decay investment!

Did any of you attend the Clothes Show this weekend? If so, what were your favourite purchases? For those of you who didn't, what do you think of the bargains I managed to pick up? I'd love to hear from you all in the comments below

♥

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