Goodbye 2O14, Hello 2O15

2O14 is nearly over and if everyone's Facebook status' is anything to go by I'm guessing it was a pretty crap year for a fair amount of people and they are more than happy to see the back of it.

We certainly had our share of bad news this year, I'm not going to bore you with how 2O15 will bring a whole new me because I can't even fool myself into believing it so I'm not going to waste my time trying to fool you guys! 

Andy has how ever made a new years resolution for me that he wants me to stick to, it's one I've promised myself to do many times and have failed miserably each time so here's hoping because Andy made it for me I stick to it.

Something as simple as 'treat myself more' is such a hard thing to do now that I'm a mum, I get so much more joy out of treating the girls and Andy but the time really has come to stop squeezing into clothes that do me no justice at all and look like I am actually human and not just wandered off the set of dawn of the dead.

By the time this is actually posted I'll either be sharing a kiss with Andy after the countdown or safely tucked up in bed (yay for panic attacks controlling my bed time!)

I hope you all have a wonderful time bringing in the new year and whatever it is your up to you be and stay safe!

Merry Christmas!

(source)

A very merry Christmas from my little family to yours!

Hope you all have a wonderful day. 
I look forward to catching up with your posts about how you spent your day

The Girls Christmas Eve Baskets

 *Please excuse the awful lighting*

I know you've probably seen many christmas eve basket posts from all of us excited mummy's BUT 

This year is the first year I've done the girls a christmas eve basket! 

Last year I left it way to late to make one up so this year I just had to them one each.

The baskets I got from eBay for a bargain price of £6.99 + £1.99 postage, I plan to re use these baskets every year so really worth the price paid.

 

In Daisies basket 

- Frozen mug/cup

- Smarties chocolate Santa

- Frozen busy pack

- Gingerbread man bath bomb

- Reindeer socks

- Reindeer food

- Magic reindeer dust

- Snowman soup

-  Antler headband

- Tube of jellybeans with a reindeer finger puppet

- Christmas book

 

In Issy's basket

- Christmas book

- Reindeer socks

- Smarties chocolate Santa

- Marshmallow lolly

- Antler headband

- The snowqueen book

- Reindeer food

- Magic reindeer dust

- Frozen mug/cup

Gingerbread man bath bomb

- Snowman soup

The Christmas Decoration SALES have started!

 

 Stags/reindeer's £2 each, Star £2, Silver bows £1,Leaf tree decs 5Op,Wooden tree decs 5Op,Pink stag tree dec 75p and Red tree dec 5Op

Yesterday while having my usual wander around wilkos to pass a bit of time before the last school run of the day it was only right that I paid the christmas isle a little visit.

After only being there that morning I didn't expect to find anything different considering I go in there everyday but to my surprise all of their decorations were now 5O% off!!! 

They were amazing prices before that so it would have been rude of me not to grab some wouldn't it?

THEN I popped into ASDA as I had some more time to pass there were those beautiful christmas cards down to £1 it goes without saying that a set of those beauties went straight into my basket! 

I've found myself stalking all shops that sell christmas stuff for any reduced items, I've noticed loads half price on the ASDA website but not many in store yet so be sure to check online first! 

 

 £2.5O
I fell in love with this the first time I saw it but we already had stockings so I never got it but as soon as I saw it was half price it was a sign that it had to come home with me! I'm dying to get my hands on another one to go the other side of my console table.

Bedding set £6 and cards £1 from ASDA

LUSH - Sparkler Bath Bomb

 As soon as I saw sparkler I was really excited to purchase and use it, I had alot of high hopes for it!

I finally used it the other night in the girls bath (I'm really late I know)

I don't know if it's because it has sat for some time but I was really disappointed unlike northern lights it didn't wizz around or resemble a sparkler at all. It frothed and hardly moved again I don't know if this is because it had sat for some time rather than being used shortly after purchase, tbh in the photos I took it looked like the girls had an accident in the bath rather than a bath bomb which is never pleasant.  When it eventually came into life it still didn't wizz around like usual when they reach the inside, it just sat pretty lifeless so I gave it the extra oomf! 

It turned the bath a yellow colour which the girls said was wee *insert monkey covering eyes emoji here*

It left the bottom of the bath covered in glitter which if my mum saw would send her into a total freak out! I was expecting to be there for some time scrubbing the bath trying to get rid of it all but with a quick run round with the shower the bath looked brand new again.

I'm gutted I didn't use it sooner, I think I'd repurchase again next year to see if it actually was down to it sitting for so long and reading other reviews on it.

 

 Did you get your hands on sparkler this year?

The Girls Non Chocolate Advent Calendars

The girls already had 2 chocolate advent calendars one from us and one they get every year from their school but when I came across these on the Argos website reduced down to £3.99 for the moshi monster one and £4.99 for the monster high beauty one there was no way I could leave them behind! Issy's become monster high obsessed since she saw my monster high dolls I got for my birthday (Yes I got some monster high dolls for my 23rd birthday) So that added to the MUST of getting them.

 In the moshi monster calendar each window reveals a micro figure, Daisie is mad on things like little figures ATM you'll even find her setting up a little play scene out of my tea light candles. She'll sit for hours playing away so this was just perfect for her. She's got a bit ahead of herself and opened a few to many doors.

The monster high one reveals a different kind of beauty product, I'm a little gutted that this one is set out in number order maybe I'm just a big kid but I love the mad hunt for the days number. So far Issy has got some eye shadows, lip glosses,lip balm,body glitter,stickers,hair bands, toe separators,nail file,hair clip.

I'd defiantly buy another toy based advent calendar for the girls next year and leave out the chocolate one as the school provides one every year for each child. Although Issy has asked for a Yankee candle one like my one next year, wheres my baby gone?

Did you get your little ones an advent calendar with a difference this year?
 

Stocking Fillers For Her - £10 & under | BOOTS

Each item pictured above can be found over on the BOOTS website priced at £1O and under, If you'd like a link to a specific item please do let me know :)

StarLyte Candles

The other week I don't know how but I came across 'theworks' website, Originally drawn in by all the Disney Frozen bargains for the girls Christmas eve boxes, Down the side popped up a glass jarred candle very similar to yankee candle for just £3.99? I have way to many candles but of course that beauty went straight in my basket and off I went on the hunt for more scents, I was more than happy to pay the £3.99 but whats that it's in the 3 for £1O gift offer?

I'll take every scent you have!

So in the basket went 3 16oz candles Mulled wine,Winter Cotton and Vanilla creme.

I grabbed the mulled wine for my mum as its one of her favourite scents and I can't seem to find one by Yankee maybe it has such a posh name little common as muck me hasn't cottoned on to it being mulled wine. I've had a sniff of this and now I'm dying to put in another order for one myself. 

I'm really not keen on the smell of this one it smells like I've opened up a pack of biscuits and it really bits my nose (best way I can explain it) It has quite a harsh smell to it, I have Vanilla frosting by Yankee which I wasn't keen on either and this smells identical so perfect for anyone that love the baking kind of scents.

Winter cotton is by far my fave scent out of the three so much so I see myself grabbing another with my next order along with the cinnamon which I spotted having a peek at the website the other day.

As soon as you open the jar your instantly hit with that fresh washing smell and it smells divine.

The label seems pretty christmas themed so it may be one that comes out at christmas time if I can bare to tuck it away until next year.

Have you tried Starlytes candles?

The Christmas Tag

(Image from google)

One

What is/are your favourite Christmas film?

The Grinch is one of my top faves! I'm so glad that its one of Daisie's too, lately every time I've asked what film she'd like to watch the answer has been the Grinch! Then ELF who doesn't love that film?

Two

Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Christmas morning it just doesn't seem right to open them all on christmas eve but I always get my Jim jams from my mum on christmas eve so I can wear them through out christmas day! 

Three

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

In 2OO9 when Issy was coming up to 2 years old I went stupidly over the top with presents so much so she ended up crying because she didn't want to open anymore presents.

Four

Favourite Festive Food?

This is where I get a bit boring as there's nothing majorly festive that I like but I LOVE my Brussels sprouts and pigs in blankets, A hot chocolate with whipped cream on top always tastes that much better in the festive season too but that's as adventurous as I get when it comes to festive food

Five

Favourite Christmas Gift?

The sally and doctor finklestein statue/figure Andy got me in 2OO9 from America as there is none in England is one of my top faves but each gift I receive I appreciate and love!

   

Six

Favourite Christmas Scent?

I love spiced apple, This year I have a few Yankee christmas scents and it's to tough to choose just the one! 

   

Seven 

Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

The girls always get their new pajamas or dressing gowns ready to wear for christmas day, Last year they got a bag of little goodies and this year they have a christmas eve basket full of treats which will come out and be restocked every year!

.

Eight

What tops your tree?

For the past few years its been a winnie the pooh holding a star which is my mums but this year its a red glitter star to match our red and white theme this year, I have my eye on a star made from twig style wood for next year.

Nine

As a kid, what was the one gift you asked for but never received?

I can't actually think of anything, I went through a stage of wanting a horse that I never got if that counts?

I never really asked for it for christmas tho.

Ten

What is your favourite Christmas song?
  'Fairytale of New York' by the Pogues is my all time favourtie I started playing it in November, Following that has to be Wizzard - I wish it could be christmas everyday!

 Eleven

 What's the best part of Christmas for you? 

 It has to be seeing the girls get really excited over a toy they've seen and knowing I have it in  my wardrobe waiting to be wrapped and then of course it's seeing how excited the girls get with the build up to christmas and then there's christmas day seeing their faces spot their piles of presents then getting stuck in with the unwrapping!!

I'd love to see your answers if you take part, Feel free to leave me a comment so I can check them out

#Nextmas Wishlist

VotiveCandles / 12PieceDinnerSet / HouseRulesFramedPrint / DuffleBag / PatchworkThrow / QuiltedBoots / PinkWatch / HeartKnifeBlock / JewelleryBox / MarcJacobsGiftSet

With Christmas on it's way I'm sure everyone is already sick of seeing wishlists but as I know Andy takes a peek at my blog every now and then it's only right I drop him some hints!

Is it just me with lists full of stuff for the house when it comes to christmas and birthdays since having my own house? 

With so much cute stuff on the next website its hard not to want half of it for your home, Everything looks so cosy and cute.

I've been after a Marc Jacobs perfume since laying my eyes on it, I have no interest in the actual perfume as I've never smelt it but I just need one of those gorgeous bottles in my life if the perfumes as gorgeous then bonus! 

Who doesn't love a new handbag and a fresh pair of boots?

I had a pair of quilted boots like this from Primark and I loved them but I wore them so much they ended up with fronts like Zippy's mouth as tempting as it was just to glue them back together it really was time to let them go.

If you spy anything you want from my list click the link below the image and it will take you directly to the item, Aren't I kind to you?

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

A little while ago I entered one of the amazing giveaways held by one of favourite bloggers raspberrykiss

and I was lucky enough to receive an email saying I had won!

I'd won a gorgeous bomb cosmetics gift set all wrapped so beautifully I'm yet to break into it because it's just to pretty but it smells so good that it's killing me not ripping it open.

HUGE thank you to Shannon for hosting such a great giveaway! 

If you don't already follow raspberrykiss pop by and have a peek I promise you won't be disappointed

Have you won any giveaways/competitions recently?