My first pair of TOMS

Today I went to Oxford St to choose my first pair of TOMS. My brother had given me a gift card to get them for Christmas as the sizing of them is known to be strange. Well I'd agree I got these in a men's size 8, I'm normally a size 7 but they were too small, they didn't have women's in stock, even the size 8's were a bit too big! Hmm well the reason I didn't try another colour is that these were in the Schuh sale for £20 so I thought I should get them even if the sizing isn't perfect. That said they are very comfortable, none of that heel tearing malarkey.

As they were in the sale I'll be purchasing another pair soon, I was going to get the Khaki ones but they were out of stock. However I think I'll try one of their new crazy eye catching designs for when spring comes around. If you don't already know TOMS is a charity organisation with the moto one for one so that whenever you buy a pair they give a pair to children in need. Many of these children grow up barefoot and therefore develop diseases. I'm all for a good cause and I enjoy following their movement on facebook. Being a vegetarian I would prefer these to be vegan yet the insole is leather. But they also provide vegan solutions with nice designs so I'll be having a peak at those too.

Have joined the movement?

xxx

What I got for Christmas

A new bathrobe from Marks and Spencer. It's so heavy and spa-like.

I'm a complete germ freak, so I asked my step-mum in America to get me some hand sanitizers from Bath and Body works. I'm so happy she got me loads and they smell gorgeous.

She also got me a couple of cases so I could hang them on my bag.

A few random things, american candy,slipper socks...

My sister got me some magnetic pearls. I really wanted freshwater pearls, I'm not sure if these are but I'm very pleased with them nevertheless. 

The hairdryer I asked for! I never use them usually but it will really come in handy.

Lots of holiday candy, as if I haven't had enough!! haha

A few random hello kitty items 

Books glorious books! So happy but currently I have 14 books to read so these may not get read for a long time :(

Handmade scarf, Thornton's chocolate, Patterned tights,socks from Accessorize, Hello kitty body spray

Two gift cards, I'll probably be picking up my Toms tomorrow

A few items from my nan, I love a good scented candle, it will help with revision

So these were most of my presents excluding a few things probably including my dress from my sister which you caught a glimpse of in my previous post as it's now in the wash. However I'd like to say that I love all my presents and I'm ever so grateful when people give me things as it's not expected. My presents were appreciated by my family I believe which made me happy even though they were all slightly random. I'm unsure as to whether I should buy a camera or not as even these pictures are blurry but I won't be able to afford a DSLR so I'm unsure  I'm now in the process of clearing away my Christmas decorations and finding a home for all these lovely possessions. I went Boxing Day shopping for the first time yesterday so expect a small haul shortly.

Much love xxx

Christmas day in pictures

As soon as I wake up I made myself a vegetarian fry-up (Sausage,egg,tomato,beans,toast).

Then it was time to open our presents! I'll show you all what I got in another post

I spent the rest of the morning watching movies on TV, waiting for my brother and sister to arrive

I already knew my sister got me a dress, so I got dressed once she came in. Like my hat?

A bit of bucks fizz to fully wake me up

Then I helped set up the table 

Dinner time!

My family decided to play charades, we never usually do but we had a great laugh with it.

After the christmas pudding I stuffed myself on chocolate and everything else!

Christmas cake while watching late night TV

Night night, going to bed with my new sleep mask

How did you spend your Christmas?

xxx

Blogmas day 21: Food glorious food

This makes an appearance in my house every year, but it seems to have down scaled this year

Selection boxes are cheap and simple, can be picked up at 99p stores too

 This is a traditional nibble, we don't have nuts lying in our bowl any other time of the year but its a snack that counteracts the chocolates.

Something a little more healthy, sure you eat them all year round but its traditional at Christmas , you can make a pomander ball.

The last salvation after eating so much food, after the Christmas dinner, then pudding, then cake, then chocolate from different tins, then more treats, then mince pies, finally the day closes with mints.

Glad to see you all survived the end of the world. On another note 3 family members are joining me today in preparation for Christmas, meaning the house shall be full of voices. I'v already started binging on the chocolate, I know it's going to have a bad affect on my skin but when it's there I just can't help myself! I'm trying to eat fruit and stay a wee bit healthy but I'm not fooling any one. My belly's going to take a circular form for a few days. Plus I'm sitting on the couch a lot watching Netflix and re-runs of the Big Bang Theory pretending I don't have exams approaching. Just kidding I'll be starting my revision after Christmas as I have 7 exams in January!

Hope you are all more healthy than me! xxx

Blogmas Day 20: Decorations

The tree doesn't look glammed up enough? Don't worry it has lights of course but it needs more beads

A tree decoration

Cute candle holder

                           Lights are to be found everywhere, including the front windows

I have decorations in my bedroom too, baubles,tinsel,snow globe, not to mention all the xmas cards!

The lights are broken at the moment :(

My mother has gone all out his year with decorations and food! We still have the same decorations as last year but with new additions such as a snow garden on the mantle piece (Next:£25) with red berries entwined (Next:£25) plus a metal carrier with glitter strips adorned with lights. This year I want to make it look as christmasy as possible! I'm attempting to make my own decorations for the tree with the base as bottle lids! If you want to see that look out soon for an update. Decorating is a bit like nesting, it's the build up and preparation for what's to come.

I finished school today, I had snacks with my form, pulled a few crackers, and there was a fair bit of naughty dancing!! Yesterday was secret Santa which went well and I received cards and gifts from my friends. I'm also close to finishing my Christmas prezzies, just one more present to go. Today I was also offered by my dad if I wanted to go to a Justin Bieber concert, I said no, the next concert I go to I want to be someone decent like Coldplay/Rihanna/Birdy/Muse/Ellie Goulding...

Love xxx

Blogmas day 18: Christmas Wishlist

Yipeeeeeee only 6 more days to go!!! Finished writing my Christmas cards today, and got a few Spanish exams done! Today I thought I'd share with your my Christmas wishlist, it's very hopeful and I don't think anyone's buying me the camera as it's overly expensive. But it's a wishlist right? You've got to have high hopes haha but don't worry not many people have asked to see it. I might get the camera with my Christmas money if I still think it's worth it. I'm an avid reader so the books speak for themselves, I have taken a keen interest in yoga/meditation, a hairdryer is an essential which I never have access to, Shoes are always in a girls heart are they not? I'm sure you all know that I love a good board game and I found my love for this on one of my family evenings in Florida. Lastly I'm currently stocking up on clothes for college next year as most of the ones I have now are getting too small or are childish so the Topshop giftcard would be awesome. Either way I'm very grateful for any presents I receive I never like to ask for much from anyone so every present is like a lovely blessing and I always try my best to give give give in return!

Left to right

Nikon D3000, Topshop Gift card, Hairdryer, John green- The fault in our stars, Lord of the rings boxset (books), The perks of being a wallflower, High platform studded creepers, Yahtzee, Yoga mat.

My favourite perfumes

 Mini Ted Baker London, Radiance-Britney spears, Wonderstruck-Taylor Swift

 Versace

 Strawberry body splash- H&M

Victorias Secret- Coconut passion

I'm not someone who wears perfume every day but I love to put a bit on now and again especially if somethings going on or I'm going out. My current favourite is woman by versace to be fair I'v had it for quite a long time now and the bottle is still almost full yet it has a wonderful smell so that kind of proves my point. A body splash is good once in a while as its not something I fell guilty drowning myself in as they are usually light and fruity, perfect for summer. Again these ones from H&M were bought a while ago but they're all releasing new ones as a good price. This brings me onto coconut passion by Victoria's Secret which I believe now comes in the form of a body splash as do many of there scents, it's quite hard to get your hand on it in the UK unless you have access to the VC in Westfield (miens from the US) but it's definitely worth it as the scents are so girly and teasing. I like to pick up samples which brings me on to my last 3 now the Ted baker wasn't a sample it came in a scent and I'm not a big fan of it but it's ideal if I want something a bit different on the other hand radiance has a wild yet womanly smell and wondertruck is my new favourite I'd love to buy the full size once my stock runs down as it smells divine.

Winter smells that come in candle jars and air fresheners are just not my thing, I like to be a bit more traditional! The smell of tinsel and Christmas tree's is good enough for me :)

My makeup essentials

Rimmel Scandal eyes

No7 extreme length

Soap and Glory thick and fast

17 shimmer brush

Witch transparent powder

Essence concealer

Okey so I'm not one for wearing a lot of makeup even if the counters at boots do catch my fancy, but I just don't like the feel of two much on my face. My skin is so imperfect but that's the reason why I don't like foundation as I feel I'm blocking my pores and I break out worse than ever afterwards. That's why I use witch powder as prior to it I had used Boots natural collection powder but this one is made for troublesome skin as it's anti blemish, oil free, fragrance free, and contains hazel extract and antibacterial actives. It feels light on, no different to without makeup, the coverage isn't great but it gets rid of most of the redness of the face. I don't feel guilty therefore putty lots on as its not harmful to my skin.

Now who can live without mascara? Most people love mascara apart from them lucky few with eyelashes by their knees! If I'm just going out I like to put on a little mascara so that I look a bit better. The No7 mascara is a fantastic mascara for separating your lashes while giving them length out of the 3 listed I find it to be the best. Rimmel scandal eyes is very clumpy but with the right technique it makes up for it with colour and volume, the soap and glory mascara is pretty average in my opinion it does the job but it doesn't separate the lashes and there's no wow factor.

I have had the 17 shimmer brush forever it was the first makeup accessory I ever bought! I find it works well with powder in giving an even coverage and have never thought of replacing it as of yet.  The essence concealer is something I picked up in the spur of the moment in a pharmacy in Ireland as I was having bad skin days and was dying for a little coverage. I don't believe its available in the UK so I won't be repurchasing and am looking for a new one but I warn you that I recently tried the Witch concealer and instead of using all its antibacterial goodness it broke me out!

Finally I want to apologize as this post is a day late but yesterday was an exhausting day for me both mentally and emotionally as I had mock exams all day only to find out that the one most important to me I hadn't been entered in to, devastated! Then I came home with my head in a spin as I was so tired and went to bed real early and slept a hole 11 hours! I hadn't slept that good since I was about 8.

I hope you are all well and relaxed

xxx

Art GCSE: Ordinary/Extraordinary

I completed my GCSE  a year early in year 10 at school as I was put on a fast track programme, the result is I achieved a B and basically discovered a love for Art. It's not something I devote my time to and It's not even a hobby of mien but it's something I enjoy once in a while as it has many advantages like being calming! So on paper I got an A and a B which averaged out to a high B, i think the A was achieved from my coursework, and the B from my final pieces as they weren't always very organised.

In my final stages of completing my GCSE I found it useful to gain inspiration from the internet as I decided to do this project independently as my teacher wasn't very helpful so if I followed her advice it would of been a shambles. So I hope this helps other gain inspiration too and if you have any questions don't feel afraid to ask! xxx