Four More Sleeps!

So I may have told a little porkie when I said that there wouldn't be anymore Christmas themed posts before Sunday. I was intending this post to be about my last meeting at Petts Wood Senior Section (which it is), but Christmas is well and truly in the air now so the following content will be quite a bit more festive than originally anticipated.

On the 8th December I received an invitation to the Hogwarts Yule Ball which just happened to be at the hall where we meet for Rangers at the same time as our meeting. I hadn't been for a couple of weeks due to other commitments (one of the reasons that I made the difficult decision to leave), but as far as I was aware the last meeting of term was going to be Disney themed. My spidey-sense told me that they were up to something (who read that in Snape's voice?).

The invitation said that the dress code was Harry Potter themed or ball gowns, but seeing as we'd had Christmas Jumper Day at work, I figured that my Mickey and Minnie Christmas jumper would probably be acceptable. We had a brilliant start to the evening playing pass the parcel and the Rangers were sorted into houses which became the teams for the Harry Potter quiz I had planned. True to form Ravenclaw stormed ahead of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff (we didn't have enough people for four teams so I represented Slytherin). I was surprised yet happy when I got to the end of the first 20 questions and discovered that they wanted to carry on.

At the end of the evening it was time to say goodbye and I went into hyper, squeaky, only-dogs-can-hear-you mode when I was given a Hogwarts mug and a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I can read it to my heart's content until the film comes out on Blu-ray. I also got Christmas presents from some of the girls: a bottle of wine, TWO boxes of Belgian chocolates and some hand cream. Thoroughly spoilt! 

I've still got all the money bits to finish off start the accounts over the holidays, but it was very weird handing over my set of keys. Petts Wood Senior Section has been a part of my life for over two and a half years and while I know need to leave to concentrate on myself, I am going to miss Moira and the girls so much.

On Saturday morning it was our last Rainbows meeting of the term. Again I haven't been able to come for a few weeks, but I was determined to get to this one and join in the Christmas party that they had planned. The hour was full of parcel the parcel, Chocolate Nativity and musical statues and chairs. We also celebrated the birthday of fellow Leader Mouse (AKA Amy) who turns 18 on Christmas Eve. I love working with the little ones and it's great that I have found a unit that has plenty of helpers so I don't have to commit to every week.

After Rainbows I dashed home to make a Turkey and Cranberry Ring ready for a Christmas meet up with my friends Bev, Claire and Jennifer. I don't claim to be an excellent cook, but I'm quite good at these, mainly because it doesn't matter if it looks messy. Everyone arrived at lunchtime and we enjoyed catching up for the last time this year while looking adoringly through our new workbooks and planners. I'm already looking forward to our first get together of 2017 when hopefully Katie and Louise can join us too.

 

I received some lovely gifts from my guests. Bev presented me with a bouquet of Chupa Chups which my mum promptly place in a "vase", Claire gave me with a bottle of Prosecco that I think we'll have to crack open on Christmas Eve Eve and Jennifer had brought a jar of homemade apple butter which smells lush. I can't wait to try it with a warm croissant, but I can imagine it being tasty with toast too.

A few weeks ago I found out that Carrie and Giovanna Fletcher were going to be in A Christmas Carol at the Lyceum Theatre. Robert Lindsay was also starring in it and seeing as I know my mum likes him I decided to see if she fancied a Christmas night out. Luckily she was totally up for a bit of festiveness, so on Monday I rushed to Orpington after work so that we could get the train up to London.

It wasn't what I expected at all, but it was absolutely amazing! The London Musical Theatre Orchestra took to the stage to present the classic Christmas tale on the 173rd anniversary of its publication supported by a wonderful cast. There were no costume or scenery changes. The story was brought to life by the incredible actors and the powerful score. I was close to tears by the end. It's a story that we all know, but I saw it in a totally different light.

It's moments like this that I cherish. Mum and I are very similar so if one of us suggests something on the spur of the moment, the other will usually be up for it. After a whirlwind of a year it was lovely to have a night out with her going to something that we both really enjoyed.

Now there are only three working days left and four more sleeps until Christmas Day and for the first time in a long time I feel so excited. This afternoon we are swapping Secret Santa gifts at work as today is the last working day before Christmas for a few people (not me!). The next time you see me on here will be on Christmas Day when I will post the first in my Twelve Days of Christmas series. If you want to get in on the action, be sure to subscribe and join in the festive fun in the comments section. But for now I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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November Favourites

Hello! We're so far into December now that I actually have no idea what I got in November. I will probably miss things out, but we'll give it a go anyway. Here are my November favourites.

Beauty
This is what would usually be my Younique haul, but, erm, I may have gone a bit crazy with Zoella stuff this month too. Earlier this year she announced that she had a Christmas range coming out and everything was going to be smelling of gingerbread and cinnamon and I think it's entirely reasonable that I was to smell like Christmas in the run up to it. I also saw this stunning Sleek palette in Superdrug. While the majority of my make-up collection is from Younique, I'm a sucker for a palette and just look how sparkly! Of course I did also get my usual Younique haul. November's Kudos was a Brush Roll which is both useful and extremely pretty. I've heard mixed reviews about blending buds, but I thought I'd give them a go and I got a lip brush, some more matte lipsticks and a blusher.

 

Clothes
I've hit a plateau with regards to my weight loss at the moment. I seem to be alternating between putting a pound or two on and then losing them the following week. That, or I just maintain. Either way, with Christmas on the way the situation isn't going to improve over the next few weeks (I'm going to enjoy EVERYTHING about Christmas!) so I've treated myself to a few more bits. I got some boring black jeggings, but they are a size 12 so they deserve a mention. I also got this gorgeous stripey Bardot top from New Look. I really love the tie sleeves on it and it's a good length for me. Then I was looking for festive clothes and I came across this skirt in Asda. I have another one in the same style, but different pattern, but I've been wearing this red one so much in the run up to Christmas. I also got this gorgeous dress for Christmas Day. I think I'm actually going to wear it a couple of times between now and the big day since I'm intending it to be too big this time next year. And last, but by no means least, is my 'Anna Kendrick is my Spirit Animal' vest top. I love wearing this with my jeggings and a nice jackets, but it's so soft that I'm also likely to been seen wearing it with a pair of jammie bottoms at the weekend when I have no intention of leaving the house.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
While this may not be a physical thing that I can hold in my hand, this is by far my most favourite thing of November 2016. Back in July 2011 I watched the last Harry Potter film for the first time. All the books had been read and all the films had been seen. I would never have that excitement of experiencing those stories for the first time ever again because they are etched in my memory. Then J.K. Rowling brings Newt Scamander's story to life and I get to experience that thrill once more. I hadn't really seen the trailers or anything so unexpectedly hearing 'Hedwig's Theme' as the Warner Bros logo came on the screen brought tears of joy to my eyes. I don't do spoilers and this isn't a review of the film, so all I will say is that the magic most definitely lives on and I want to marry Newt! And I want a pet Niffler!! And I need to see it again - NOW!!!

Johanna's Christmas
I'd like to say that I find colouring relaxing, but I tend to just get annoyed if don't stay in the lines or use a colour and then decide it doesn't go with my final vision. I still enjoy it though. I have been meaning to buy one of Johanna Basford's colouring books for ages, but when I saw that she was going to be bringing out a Christmas one I decided to just wait for that. The pages are perforated so that you can frame your completed work, but since I have enough stuff waiting to go up on my wall, I doubt I'll do that. There are also little robins hidden throughout the book so I'm going to have fun finding them all. 

Messie Mat
Such a simple idea that I could probably have made myself, but I like to support fellow small businesses. Messie Mats are water resistant, lightweight and wipe clean mats handmade in the UK in a gorgeous range of vintage and fashion inspired prints. Whether I am putting my make-up on in the bathroom, sitting on my bed or the living room floor while watching TV, I can lay out my Messie Mat and protect the chair/bedding/carpet from any spillages caused by my oh-so-gloriously-ungraceful self or leftover residue from my brushes when I put them down. And it goes with my room!

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Countdown to Christmas: Three Weeks to Go

20 SLEEPS UNTIL CHRISTMAS! You may be pleased to know that this will be my last Christmas themed post until the day itself. Not long now until the big day!

This weekend just gone I was expecting to be decorating the house, but amazingly we did ours last Monday. I came back from my weekend away and my mum had put the trees up ready to be decorated. I spent the whole of Monday watching the clock knowing that as soon as 5:30pm came I could go home and make everything Christmassy!

In recent years my mum has only really put the tree up as we don't usually spend Christmas at home. However this year she has worked incredibly hard to transform our house by decorating the living room, dining room and bedrooms (the bathroom and kitchen will undergo their transformations in the New Year) so we wanted to go all out with the decorations like the old days.

My favourite thing about Christmas is the tree, but it is also the thing I hate doing the most because I can never get it to look as beautiful as they do on TV. Luckily for me my mum is more patient than I am so she was in charge of lights and tinsel and I carefully placed the hanging ornaments everywhere! I received my first presents yesterday and I also got the chance to wrap the ones I got for my mum so we now have a few under the tree.

On the opposite end of the fireplace to our new snow globe, is our Christmas Angel. This was a gift from my old French Tutor who passed away eight years ago so she has to come out every year. I love her. We also fill my mum's sewing box with pine cones because they look quite festive. I always want to spray them with fake snow, but knowing me I'd just mess it up.

 

You may have noticed that earlier I said trees. That is because my mum decided that she also wanted to have the little tree at the bottom of the stairs. I knew she secretly loved Christmas as much as me! It's sooooo sparkly!!!

It was also my work's Christmas do on Friday night. We went to Giuseppe's Restaurant at High Rocks for a meal (which was a-maz-ing) followed by a night of dancing. I had made table favours for everyone and personalised menus as a couple had commented that they probably wouldn't be able to remember what they'd ordered. I haven't been out with everyone from work since last Christmas so it was lovely to get together and talk about something other than signage. Not impressed that Cheryl looks better in my glasses than I do though!

   

Yesterday I went to Bluewater with my friend Lou. I was on a mission to get some Christmas films on Blu-ray, but they didn't have what I wanted on Blu-ray so I ended up getting The Muppet Christmas Carol and The Nightmare Before Christmas on DVD. I also came across a book called The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus. I'm not going to lie. I bought it purely because of the title. I have no idea what it'll be like, but I had to give it a go. Not that I need a book to tell me Santa exists. I've always known that's true. Plus we watched Miracle on 34th Street when I got home so Santa is very much real in this house!

Today I had the day off so that my mum and I could go on our annual Christmas shopping day. Although it isn't so much a shopping day anymore. We normal just choose somewhere we like to wander around and stop every now and then for a hot drink. This year we went to Guildford so we also used it as an opportunity to pop in and see my friends Lou (a different Lou to the one above) and Mike. Then we popped into town where I went crazy and bought... a thermal t-shirt! Does that mean I'm getting old? It's really funky though. Black with gold, glittery bits. Totally wearing it on Christmas Eve!

As well as general Christmasiness, this past weekend has been full of book folding. Not only have I been finishing off Christmas presents, but after Giovanna Fletcher shared a photo of the book fold that I made for her on social media, my inbox has gone a little crazy with orders. Luckily only two are for before Christmas. However I need to get them to France so I need to get cracking with them. Like now!

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Women's Equality Party Conference

As soon as I signed up to go to the Women's Equality Party Conference earlier this year, I knew I would want to write a blog post about my experience. I also knew it was likely to be a hectic and intense weekend so I decided I would blog as I go and see what happens as when I write about an event after the fact I always end up missing out vital bits.

Friday 25 November

05:30 - It's my day off and somehow I'm getting up earlier than I normally would. When I booked my tickets I really didn't consider the fact that if the coach is leaving Victoria Coach Station at 9am then I have to be at Victoria Rail Station by 8:30am at the latest. Luckily I had the sense to pack last night so all I have to do this morning is brush my teeth, shower, dress and put some make-up on.

09:00 - And we're off! I made it to London in plenty of time so I popped into WHSmith to pick up a magazine for the journey and stopped off at McDonald's for a spot of breakfast. I've got just over five hours on here, but I've brought plenty to keep me busy. I decided to get the coach instead of a train because it was £11 for a return ticket instead of around £80. It takes quite a bit longer, but I think you'll agree it's worth it. 

15:00 - Made it to the hotel. I do love a Premier Inn. The beds are so huge and comfortable. And I've got it all to myself! I've got about an hour before I need to leave for the venue so I think I'll have a little lie down. I may have taken lots to do on the coach, but I ended up feeling travel sick so books and magazines were not my friends. 

17:00 - I've registered and picked up my conference pass and programme so I'm good to go. I'm volunteering with the registration team at 6pm so I'm going to miss the start of the evening, but it's a good way for me to meet to some of the other people attending the weekend. Right now though I'm off to grab some dinner from one of the many food stalls that are available.

19:00 - The amount of people coming to register has started to slow down so Celia has let us finish our shift early and go to watch the speeches. First up is Sophie Walker, Leader of the Women's Equality Party. Next we have Justina Kehinde, a spoken word artist. Finally we hear from Catherine Mayer and Sandi Toksvig, co-founders of the party. Their speeches are inspiring and informative and I don't feel like I'm at a political party conference. I feel like I'm a Girlguiding event like so many I've been to before, surrounded by guiding sisters who want to change the world.

23:00 - I've just got back to my room. I had no intention of staying for the Open Mic Night as I knew I was going to be tired from the journey and wanted an early night so I would be raring to go on Saturday morning. It was Sandi Toksvig's fault. She made me! At the end of her speech she said, "Dare to this weekend do something you haven't done before." So what did I do? I decided I was going to go up on stage in front 1,500 people and talk about my passion for Girlguiding and the work we do to give girls and young women a voice. I don't know what possessed me, but I did it and it was amazing! While I was waiting for my name to be called and I was shaking more and more, I just kept thinking back to sixth form where we had to do an assembly to the whole school. I planned and prepared it with my partner, but I bottled out of actually going on stage and reading it out. I've always regretted not seeing it through and now I feel I've redeemed myself. I can't even remember what I said. I like to think it was really profound and inspiring, but I probably just rambled.

Saturday 26 November 

09:00 - I set my alarm early so that I could have breakfast at the hotel before leaving. Pancakes and crumpets, plus I wrapped up some pain au chocolat to take for lunch. Slimming World would not approve, but I'm away for the weekend so it's time to treat myself. It's really, really cold out so I wrapped up warm for the walk to the Metrolink. There are so many steps in Manchester! I've already been to the to the bar and asked for the random request of a cup of hot water so I could make my lemon and ginger tea with honey. It turns out I was not the first to do it so I don't feel as strange now. Sitting here picking my workshops for this afternoon while waiting for the day to kick off. There's so much to choose from and I wish I had a time-turner so that I could go to all of them.

09:45 - It's great to see Girlguiding represented as Liddy Buswell, one of our Advocates, sits on the panel of the breakout debate 'Building a man's world: how WE can shift the balance.' I am always so in awe of our younger members who have the confidence and knowledge base to do something like this. I wouldn't have been able to at their age. 

12:30 - For the first time at a party conference, a panel of senior representatives from the Lib Dems, the Conservative and the Green Party have taken part in a cross-party debate on collaborative working. And I missed it! I've heard it was refreshing to see and provided a glimpse of what could be possible for the future. I'm trying to see if it's online anywhere. I made sure I wasn't going to miss this though. Sophie has taken to the stage once again for her debut conference leadership speech and by the end there's not a dry eye in the house. "Equality is better for everyone, only when it makes space for everyone." Sophie has also asked us to call, email or tweet our local MP to ask them to vote to ratify the Istanbul Convention on violence against women and domestic violence on Friday 16th December. I'd like to ask now that you do the same. If you don't know who your local MP is, you can find out here.

13:30 - Change of plan for this afternoon. I had planned out the six workshops that I wanted to attend, but I went into the first one and it was so crowded that I couldn't actively take part as much as I would have liked in the half an hour we had. I decided to go for a wander and have found myself on the mezzanine overlooking the main hall where there are talks going on all afternoon. I doubt I'll stay here until 4pm, but at the moment I'm learning a lot. 

16:00 - I decided come back to my room for a couple for hours. The conference is closing at 5pm to prepare for tonight's comedy fundraiser and if I'd waited until then to leave, I would have had about ten minutes to chill out before needing to leave again. At least this way I can get some bits done. I've made the rookie mistake of getting under the covers to warm up. I won't want to go back out at this rate.

00:00 - Just got back after an amazing night at the Comedy FUNdraiser. Hosted by Sandi Toksvig with stand-up from Jenny Collier, Ada Campe, Cally Beaton, Yuriko Kotani and Sara Pascoe, I think I can attribute the pain in my side to laughing so much. It's either that or the dire buffet that the venue put on. The comedy line-up was followed by music and dancing until late, but me being the sleepy, bed-loving type that I am decided to quit while I was ahead and come back to the hotel.

Sunday 27 November

09:30 - So glad I was able to sleep in later today. I arrived at the conference a little late this morning, but I don't think I missed too much. Today is all the party business and discussions. This is the part where I feel I have a lot to learn about politics and the processes and procedures.

12:30 - Business, business and more business. We've already voted on the motions relating to our Constitution and now we're debating and voting on our core policies. We're also welcoming the new members of our Steering and Policy Committees who we voted for yesterday. It's not as varied as yesterday's programme, but it certainly isn't dull. We're helping to shape the future of the party and even when we are disagreeing, there is nothing but respect for others in the room. 

16:30 - I can't believe it's over. As everyone was leaving I decided to go and thank Sandi for the little push she unknowingly gave me on Friday night. I told her that her words had given me the courage I needed to get up on stage and she said, "You see, you can do it! And next year I want a motion from you." I'm not sure I want to commit to that Sandi.

18:00 - On my way home after a fantastic weekend. I'm not due to get back to London until gone 10pm and then I have to get the train to Swanley and walk home. Don't tell anyone, but I'm wearing my PJs under my coat (it's no worse than the time I went to Guides with my PJs on under my Leader uniform) so I can just brush my teeth and climb straight into my bed when I get in. I didn't even bother with make-up today as it would've have been just something else to do when I get in. Starting to wish I'd booked tomorrow off work, but I'm going to try and have a nap on the way home. My brain has so much it needs to process. I've been a member of the Women's Equality Party for over a year, but this weekend has felt like it was just the beginning.

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Countdown to Christmas: Five Weeks to Go

35 SLEEPS UNTIL CHRISTMAS! It's been a crazy busy weekend, but I've loved every moment of it.

Earlier this year Mum and I received free tickets to go to Simply Christmas at ExCeL in London. I’ve been to a few ICHF (International Craft & Hobby Fair) events in the past, but never a Christmas themed one so I was really looking forward to it. I got up and put on my red skirt, a black top and tights with my Uggs and completed the look with my Christmas pudding hat. It may look a tad ridiculous, but it is so warm!

I knew the show was going to be busy and crowded, but sometimes you've just got to step out of your comfort zone. Last time I went I made a mental note to get some steel cap boots to protect my toes from all the people who took wheely suitcases for their purchases (I am being 100% serious!), but I still don't have any so I had to keep my fingers crossed and my eyes open.

I have to say I wasn't that impressed. It wasn't nearly as Christmassy as I was expecting it to be and I'm sure that there weren't as many exhibitors as last time. It wasn't a total waste of time though as we did get a few bits. While Mum was loitering at a dress making stand, I went to investigate the nail art and ended up buying a glitter tattoo kit. I may have to take it to our work's Christmas do and attack everyone with it.

 

As well as the tattoo kit, I got a thimble so hopefully I can sew some of my guiding badges on to my camp blanket without pushing the needle through my finger, a Cinnamon and Orange candle which smells just like Christmas and a Magic Clip which means I can keep my hair out of my face with a little more style that a boring hair tie.

I was also drawn to a stand full of snow globes. I've always wanted a one and these were made even more beautiful by the fact that they were musical. Mum and I saw one that we both liked and the base had a snowy Alps like scene on the base which reminded us of Switzerland so Mum got it for us. It's now sitting on our mantlepiece and I just keep wanting to shake it and wind it up.

Just to break up the Christmassiness (it is a word, trust me) a little, last night Mum and I went to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I was a little worried that it wouldn't have the same magic as the Harry Potter films, but it was A-MAZ-ING! From the moment I heard that familiar intro music to the very end. I won't say anything more about it as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who may be going to see it, but I will say it takes the phrase "living out of your suitcase" to a new level. The magic truly lives on! I have now developed a crush of Eddie Redmayne and I can't wait for the next one to come out. When is the next one coming out?!

The Christmas theme continued today. Today is exactly five weeks until Christmas which means it’s Love Actually day. For anyone who hasn’t seen this Christmas classic, the film starts five weeks before Christmas and it’s kind of become a thing that I sit and write my Christmas cards while watching it. After spending the morning book folding, I grabbed some snacks, my Christmas planners and box full of cards, address labels, stamps and gold and silver pens and settled down in the living room in front of the fire.

I won't be sending them out until December, but at least they are all done and ready to go for when the times comes. My next Countdown to Christmas post will be in two weeks time when we will be putting up the rest of the decorations to join our new snow globe and the Christmas tree book fold which I did as a demonstration at Girlguiding Croydon's Crafty Gifts Day last weekend.

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Becoming Gloriously Graceful

So I’ve become a Younique Presenter. I’d been thinking about it for quite a while and I finally took the plunge at the end of September.

Having moved home back in January, I’d had a major declutter and thrown away most of my cosmetics. I desperately needed some new make-up, but I dreaded trawling around the shops trying to find what shades suited me best. It’s like shopping for jeans. I hate it! Or I should say I used to hate it.

They say that people come into your life for a reason and that’s certainly the case with Lou, one of my best friend's sister-in-law and a Younique Presenter. I sent her a message on Facebook back in April and told her that I really needed to start from scratch and she was so helpful. She suggested starting with the mascara (us Y-Sisters love our 3D Fiber Lashes), but what I really wanted was a foundation that didn’t feel like it was sliding off my face after a couple of hours. She told me about her favourite, the Touch Mineral Liquid Foundation. “You only need 3-5 drops and it develops like a powder,” she told me. Sounded good to me!

We chatted about make-up for a while and I mentioned I’d love to have a party, but it would be difficult because my friends live all other the place. Lou said that wouldn’t be a problem as we could hold an online party over ten days and my friends would be able to join in from the comfort of their sofas. Perfect!

The online party was so much fun and I loved finding out about all the products and the tips and tricks that Lou had learnt during her time as a Presenter. At the end of the week I didn’t buy the foundation. I bought a collection that contained a variety of products (including the much anticipated foundation) and a cosmetic bag. I now had a basic range of products to get me started.

It didn’t end there though. Lou had gotten me hooked big time. When she came into my life, she became my make-up dealer! Over the following months I bought more products including a brush set so that I could really experiment with some different looks.

Lou asked me a couple of times if I’d like to join her team and at first I wasn't sure. I’d been a Pampered Chef Consultant and a Phoenix Trader and wasn’t very successful at either. I wanted to do it, but I didn’t want to waste her time. I can tell you exactly when I changed my mind though.

Following my online party, my friend Emmi asked Lou if she would do one at her house. We had so much fun trying all the products and while we were acting like teenagers at a sleepover, Lou told us about the origins of Younique.

Derek Maxfield and Melanie Huscroft, a brother-and-sister team, founded Younique in September 2012 with a mission to uplift, empower and validate women across the globe. They wanted to help women who had been sexually abused as children or adolescents by hosting them at a special retreat and educate parents and empower them to protect their children from sexual abuse.

They had a mission finalised before they even knew what product was going to fund it. Eventually they came up with the Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes. That was their first product and Younique just grew and grew from there. The products are now available in ten countries and the UK celebrated its second anniversary last month.

I was lucky enough to attend one of the UK second anniversary events at the London Palladium with Lou and our other teammate, Sandra, and it was amazing! We heard from Melanie who told us what I’ve just told you, but with much so much more enthusiasm and passion than I could possibly portray with words on a screen. We also heard from Tori Poulter who presented a video with an update on The Haven Retreat. And we heard from Kizzy Harvey, an Exclusive Black Status Presenter, who overcame being cruelly bullied as a child to start her own successful Younique business. She made me laugh so much. If she ever gets tired of make-up, she should become a comedian. She’s an absolute legend! As at any birthday party, we received a goodie bag which contained a Splash Liquid Lipstick and Splurge Cream Shadow as well as some samples of the Detoxifying Face Mask. It was a truly inspiring afternoon and I left feeling excited about my own little venture.

I’ve been a Presenter for nearly seven weeks now and I love it. I’d had parcels from Younique before, but the excitement when I received my Presenter’s Kit was something else. It only cost me £69, but contains products totalling a value of £175. Shades included vary and contents are changed from time to time, but here’s what I received in my kit:

1. Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes+

2. Moodstruck Addiction Shadow Palette 4

3. Angled Shadow/Sponge Brush

4. Royalty Shine Cleansing Cloths

5. Splurge Cream Shadow in Extravagant

6. Cream Shadow Brush

7. Splash Liquid Lipstick in Sentimental

8. Lip Bonbons Tinted Lip Balm in Red Velvet Cake

9. Royalty Sampler

10. Foundation Sampler

11. Blush Sampler

12. Bronzer Sampler

13. Pigment Sampler

14. Lip Gloss Sampler (Set of 10)

15. Lip Stain Sampler (Set of 7)

16. White Status Charm

17. Black Oval Presenter Case

18. Presenter Guide

19. Catalogue

I chose the name Gloriously Graceful for my business as I wanted to relate it to this blog in some way. My confidence has soared in the second half of this year and I believe my little tiny corner of the internet has helped to do that. I don't think I would have been able to do it before this blog. It was only after I registered the domain and had a logo designed that I realised it was truly meant to be. One morning I was putting my make-up on and the name on the primer caught my eye. Glorious.

To find about more about the products visit me at on my Facebook page or at www.gloriouslygraceful.co.uk. You can also find out more about the amazing works that The Younique Foundation does here.

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Countdown to Christmas: Seven Weeks to Go

It happens, I think, at the final firework on Fireworks Night when you have the finale and the smoke clears and you see all the women going "Christmas!"

The first time that we watched Michael McIntyre's Christmas Comedy Roadshow a few years back, he said this line and Mum just looked at me and said, "That's you!" I didn't even try to deny it because, you see, Christmas is my favourite time of the year. 

Last night was Fireworks Night which means I am officially allowed to start thinking about Christmas. I've been thinking about it for months, but now, NOW, I can start doing it openly. This blog is the first in a series of Christmas themed posts that you'll see over the coming weeks culminating in one post every day for the Twelve Days of Christmas. Not quite sure how I'm going to fill twelve days yet, but I'll think of a way.

Today though I thought I'd start with my Christmas Favourites which I promised last month. This could take a while so go and grab a hot beverage of your choice and a biscuit selection tin (that one you bought for your neighbour will do - plenty of time to buy another) and settle down for the long haul.

Busy B Christmas Planner
I do love a list and this beauty allows me to keep all my Christmas related lists in one place for FIVE WHOLE YEARS! There are four sections for cards that you have sent and received, gift ideas and a place to note what presents you get, menu planning and recipes and general planning. There's also a tear off notepad at the front ideal for Christmas shopping trips. I've added to it recipes that I've found on the internet and in magazines and it's also been a handy place to plan our work's Christmas do.

Christmas Playlist
I have a playlist on my phone that I add to each year. I could be watching a TV programme or film and there's a Christmas song in the background that I love so I Shazam it. It doesn't matter if it a different version of a song I already have; if I like it, it gets added! It mainly gets played in my car on the journey to and from work, but it's always to hand if I feel the need to hear the sound of sleigh bells and children's choirs.

Recipe Books
I've got a few Christmas specific recipe books that I absolutely love. Season's Best is an old one from when I was a Pampered Chef Consultant and my favourite recipe is the Turkey & Cranberry Ring. It's perfect for using up Christmas leftovers and so easy to make. The other two books I have are from Slimming World. One is A Slimming World Christmas and the other which came out last month is Slimming World's Festive Feasts. Mum and I are usually away for Christmas so we probably won't use them much, but they're always handy if we decide to entertain guests.

Festive Stockings Cutlery Holders
Months ago I saw these amazing stocking cutlery holders and fell in love. One of my friends gave me an Etsy voucher for my birthday so I used it towards buying several sets. I had visions of using them for a lovely Christmas meal with my Rangers, but since we don't have a kitchen at our hall, I doubt that will happen. Instead I will take them to my dad and stepmum's for Christmas Day dinner.

 

Phoenix Trading Christmas Box
During the year my Christmas box is a safe place for my Christmas Planner, recipe books, cutlery holders and whatever other Christmas treasures I can fit in. I also tend to keep a couple of Yankee Candles in there so that I'm hit with that Christmas scent when I open it. As the festive season approaches and everything starts going on display, I use it to store my Christmas cards, stamps, gold and silver pens, gift tags and twine. I like to keep my gift wrapping very simple by using brown paper and festive twine and sparkly tags.

 

Christmas Tree Decorations
You may think that I am the type of person whose tree would have coordinating baubles and tinsel, but my hanging decorations are actually an eclectic and mismatched ensemble. It started when I left home and took my Hogwarts decorations and an angel that my godmother gave me. They looked a bit odd with matching baubles from Wilkos so instead I set out to find as many different decorations as possible. I even painted some during a trip to the local pottery cafe. If I go somewhere and see a decoration I like then I get it and it reminds me of where I've been, like my Minnie Mouse shoe from Disneyland.

Harry Potter Decorations
I know, I know. These are also tree decorations too, but they are so lush that I thought they deserved a special mention. I bought these off eBay a few years back. they weren't cheap, but they come out every year and my love for Potter will never die so I saw it as a good investment. I need to go on a hunt to find them though as I believe they ended up in a box that went in my Dad's attic when I moved and not in a box that came home with me.

Weihnachtspyramide
When I was younger Mum used to go Christmas markets in Germany and bring back the most wonderfully different things. This has always been my favourite. The heat from the candles spins the propellers allowing the pyramids to turn. Ours was damaged by Ben, our mischievous Cocker Spaniel, who we lost over ten years ago. At one time I wanted to try and get new propellers for it, but seeing the chew marks reminds me of him so as long as it works, I'm happy.

Disclaimer: This is not our one. Ours is in the
loft because it's not December yet. Humpf!

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