Primark Christmassy/Winter Throw

Hello Lovelies, 

Today I wanted to show you something I bought on a recent shopping trip to Primark and that is this gorgeous Christmassy/Winter Throw. 

There is nothing I like more at this time of year than snuggle up in front of the telly after a day at work when it is cold, dark and wintry outside and this throw is perfect for this. I know this Throw is quite Christmassy and it is only November but I already have this on the corner of my sofa and will probably keep it there until the weather starts to get warmer.

It is quite big (125cm x 150cm) and is made of a fleecy material that is really soft. This was only £5 which I think is really good value and would be a lovely treat for yourself or make a lovely Christmas present. 

Have you got a Christmassy/winter throw that you really like?

Thanks for reading :)

Nyss x 

Another little Elf Haul

Hello Lovelies,

I was really impressed with the things I got in my Elf Haul earlier this month, which I posted about here, and so when I saw Elf had an offer of 30% off and free postage when you spent over £25 I couldn't resist trying some more things and I thought I would share with you what I got. 

The first things I chose were four Luscious Liquid Lipsticks in the shades Pink Lemonade, Ruby Slipper, Nude Pink and Raspberry. In my first order I got one of these Liquid Lipsticks in Pink Lemonade (I posted about this here) and loved it so much I got another and I really wanted to try some other colours and I'm looking forward to using these. These are only £1.50 and I think they are amazing value for money. 

Pink Lemonade - Nude Pink - Raspberry - Ruby Slipper 

Recently I have been looking for an eyeshadow that I wear  as an everyday eyshadow and I decided to try two of the Baked Eyeshadows, I chose Toasted and Bark. These were £3.75 and look really shimmery and I am looking forward to trying these. 

Bark - Toasted 

I also got a Baked Blush in Passion Pink that was also £3.75. This is a gorgeous pink/nude colour with a darker pink running through it with a little bit of shimmer in it. Before I chose to order this shade, I looked at some swatches on other Blogs and this looked like a gorgeous colour and I am excited to try this. 

Passion Pink 

I have been wanting to try a concealer palette for a while, because I like the idea of being able to mix some different shades to find your perfect shade and Elf had one that was only £3.75 so I decided to try it. I chose the lightest shade of the Complete Coverage Concealer Palette, although these don't look that light so if you have really fair skin they might be too dark for you. They look a bit more yellow toned than the photo shows and I normally go for pink toned concealers so not sure how I will get on with these, but I will try them and I am hoping the colours match my skin tone if not I might have to try them next summer when I have a bit more colour. This comes with a mirror in the lid and a little brush which I think are nice little extras.

I also got a Eyelash & Brow Wand because it was only £1.50 and I like to brush my eyebrows with one of these and the one I have at the moment is quite old, so I thought I would replace it. 

Elf have some Lipsticks that are only £1.50 so I decided to try one of these and I chose the shade Posh which looks like a berry red colour, which is the sort of colour I like wearing at this time of year and I am looking forward to trying this.

Posh

Lastly I ordered a Duo Eyeshadow in Butter Pecan, these both have a bit of shimmer in them and I think they will look lovely on their own and nice together and this was only £1.50 so I couldn't resist trying this.

All the prices I mentioned above are the normal prices, but when I placed this order I got 30% off these prices, so these were even more of a bargain. Elf seem to be having lots of offers like this at the moment, so if you want to try any of these or anything else keep a look out for future discount offers. 

Have you taken advantage of any of Elf's discount offers recently? What did you order?

Thanks for reading :)

Nyss x

My November 'Icons' Birchbox

Hello Lovelies, 

Today I wanted to share with you what I received in my November Birchbox. The theme for this month's box is 'Icons' and the Birchbox Team have taken their 'motivation from the icons that help inspire us to be the best possible versions of ourselves' and I think the products chosen for this month are from what they consider iconic brands.

Inside my Birchbox was…..

Weleda Citrus Creamy Body Wash - 20ml

This Body Wash has moisturising sesame oil and I really like using body washes that are also moisturising, especially at this time of year. It smells really fresh and I will look forward to using this. It is quite a small sample size, but I guess if you were going away for the night it would be perfect to take with you. 

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Leave in Conditioner - (I can't see what size this is)

This is a leave in conditioner that is also a heat protector. I received one of these samples in my July Birchbox (which I posted about here), so I was a bit disappointed to receive another one this month, although I do like using it and it smells really nice. I tweeted Birchbox to mention this and they told me to email them and they will replace it, because you shouldn't get the same thing twice in only a few months, which I thought was excellent customer service and reassured me that I shouldn't in the future get the same things I have previously received. 

Chella Ivoory Lace Highlighter Pencil - 1.4g

I love using highlighters and this pencil is a gorgeous colour and feels really soft and I am looking forward to using this.  Birchbox posted an article with 10 different ways to use this, which I found interesting and you can find it here.

Laura Mercier Long Lash Mascara in Black - 5.67g

Last month I received a Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser and was really excited to receive this Mascara this month. The card that came with my Birchbox says this is 'smudge-free and lengthens lashes for a wide-eyed, fluttery look' and I can't wait to try this.

English Laundry Signature For Her Eau de Parfum - 2ml

I'm not always so pleased when I get little samples like this in Birchboxes and Glossyboxes, but they are handy to keep in your bag and I guess a good way to discover fragrances you might not have otherwise. I am really bad at trying to describe scents, but this smells quite sweet but is also fresh and is really nice, so I will use this and try this if you get a chance to because it does smell really lovely.  

Pukka Herbs Selection of Teas - 3 x 2g.

These smell quite strong and the smell of these was the first thing I noticed when I opened my Birchbox. The flavours I got were Gorgeous Earl Grey, Three Cinnamon and Elderberry & Echinacea, but I do not like teas like this so will give these to someone who does. 

Birchbox Pencil Sharpener 

I really like when you get little extras like this and I was particularity pleased when I saw this because I have been needing a pencil sharper for bigger pencils for a while and I hope the eyeshadow pencils I have fit this. 

Overall I am really really pleased with what I received this month and I think Birchbox have done really well again this month and have done for the last couple of months. 

If you fancy trying a Birchbox, you can find more details here.

What did you get in your Birchbox this month? Leave me your link as a comment if you have posted about yours.

Thanks for reading :)

Nyss x

The 2013 Christmas Tag

Hello Lovelies,

I have been feeling really Christmassy for the last few weeks and when I saw Georgina's Christmas Tag on her Blog Makeup-Pixi3 I thought it would be fun to do it myself. I am especially excited about Christmas this year because it is the first year in my new House and so the first time I will get to decorate it :) Also my Niece will be 14 months old at Christmas and I am really looking forward to spending time over the Christmas period with her because this year she will be more aware of what is going on than last year. 

1. Do you prefer a real Christmas tree or synthetic?

Both my Parents have always had real trees and I do prefer a real tree. I love going to choose one and I also love the smell and look of a real one, but this year I am going to have a synthetic one. I got a synthetic one for a real bargain in the January sales this year, it is a green 6ft pre lit tree and it was reduced from £80 to £20!

2. You're in a coffee shop, it's December, what do you pick?

I don’t drink tea or coffee, so for me it would have to be a hot chocolate. I love going Christmas shopping when it is cold outside and warming up with a hot chocolate. Last year I tried a white chocolate hot chocolate in a Thortons Café and it was amazing!

3. What is your favourite colour scheme for decorating the tree?

I love trees with gold decorations mixed with another colour and this year the colour scheme for my tree is going to be gold, bright pink and bright purple :)

4. Giving or receiving?

Of course I like receiving presents, who doesn't, but I love choosing presents for people and there are some I have bought already that I know people are going to love, I just wish I didn't have to wait until Christmas to give them to them!

5. To mince pie or not to?

I'm not a huge fan of mince pies, so for me it’s ‘not to’.

6. What's your traditional Christmas lunch?

We never have turkey and tend to have lamb or beef with all the trimmings of a traditional Christmas lunch. 

7. Christmas Day fashion

I like to wear a Christmas jumper on Christmas Day and this year I have bought a wine/burgundy one that has cream reindeer on it that have a little bit of gold running through them. Have you bought a Christmas jumper this year?

8. What's your favourite Christmas song?

I don’t know how I could choose just one, I love all the Christmas songs that you hear on the radio and in shops all the time around Christmas like Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You, Wham! – Last Christmas, Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody, Elton John – Step Into Christmas, Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas?. Hearing these sorts of songs always makes me feel really Christmassy!

9. What's your favourite Christmas film?

This is really hard as I like lots of Christmas films, but I guess if I had to narrow it down I would chose Elf and Love Actually. 

10. Open presents before or after lunch?

My Christmas Days are different each year, because sometimes I spend them at my Dad’s and sometimes at my Mum’s, but at both we would probably open presents before lunch. 

I hope you enjoyed reading this and if you are reading you're tagged too! I'm looking forward to reading your answers. Tweet me the link to your post and leave it in the comments below and don’t forget to mention Makeup-Pixi3 too!

Thanks for reading :)

Nyss x

NOTD - Barry M Textured Glitter Nail Paint in Duchess

Hello Lovelies,

Today I have a NOTD Post for you and my NOTD is Barry M Textured Glitter Nail Paint in Duchess. I love anything sparkly and when I saw Barry M’s new Royal Glitter Collection I couldn't resist getting a couple. I got Duchess which is a lovely nude/silver/gold colour with lots of sparkle and Countess which is a dark purple colour with lots of sparkle.

This is a lovely thick nail polish with a nice thick brush that applies really easily and you could probably get away with just one coat, although I applied two coats. Once applied it is like Barry M's other Textured Nail Paint and not very smooth, but when you apply a top coat it makes it more sparkly and glossy.

I absolutely love this and the Countess one too (I will do a NOTD with this one soon) and think they will both be nice for this time of year and particularly around Christmas. In the photo I have applied a base coat of Rimmel’s Nail Rescue, then two coats of the Barry M Nail Paint followed by a coat of Rimmel Finishing Touch 3D Plumping Top Coat.

Have you tried any of these?

Thanks for reading :)

Nyss x