Kate Spade Metro Watch

With its soft, champagne-coloured strap, elegant design and stunning mother of pearl dial - this watch could not be more perfect and I was over the moon with its surprise arrival on Christmas Day morning. That Santa Claus has got great taste! I have had a Kate Spade watch (and bag and purse!) on my wish list for some time now but could never fully commit to a particular style - do I go modern and make a statement with a gold, chunky metal number or keep it elegant and classic with the more lady-like designs? My mind was made up for me this Christmas as I unwrapped my final present and unveiled the most darling of watches from within that lovely mint green and pillar box red box - it seemed Rob knew, deep down, that this Metro watch was the perfect style to choose and it could not be more me! Everything from the delicate gold features and that trademark spade symbol to the creamy, champagne strap and the beautiful mother of pearl dial which catches the light so prettily, it is just so lovely and it has hardly left my wrist since Christmas Day. I love its timeless elegance and versatile style meaning I can wear it day and night knowing it will make a subtle statement, whatever the occasion.

Do you love the Kate Spade watch (and bag!) collection as much as I do?

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Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Bath Oil

Pomegranate Noir is such an iconic fragrance from Jo Malone. From candles to colognes, its dark and enigmatic scent has captivated me every since I first ventured into the wonderful world of Jo Malone and now I am so excited that this gorgeous fragrance can now be found in the bathroom too for the ultimate pampering treat.

The very sumptuous Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Bath Oil* (from £17) is a luscious blend of ruby-rich pomegranate juices along with the fruitiness of raspberries and plums spiked with pink pepper, Casablanca lily and spicy woods. It is the perfect balance of sweet, summer-ripened red fruit laced with a warming woodiness and sophisticated spice giving the fragrance depth and intricacy. The Jo Malone bath oils are all enriched with sweet almond, Jojoba seed and avocado oils which naturally condition, soothe and hydrate the skin and once poured under warm running water, the scent starts to fill the bathroom - giving you a treat for your skin and senses.

The richness and heavenly-scented aroma of the Pomegranate Noir fragrance lends itself perfectly to the Winter season, for days that transcend into night far too early and for evenings that are filled with deep bubble baths and candle-lit cosiness! It is honestly divine and the most amazing treat if you are a fan of pampering bubble baths. You will step out of your tub feeling completely relaxed with the most amazingly soft, smooth and deliciously-smelling skin with any dryness literally washed away. If you haven't given in to the Pomegranate Noir frenzy yet then I definitely recommend giving this special scent a sniff next time you are passing a Jo Malone to see what the fuss is really all about!

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REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot

Keep young and beautiful with REN's Instant Firming Beauty Shot. I am sure many people will be making a strong pledge to their skin as a New Year's resolution and the upcoming release of REN's latest skincare innovation could be the welcome addition to your skincare routine you have been waiting for. REN's Instant Firming Beauty Shot* (£36) is due to be on counters nationwide from February 2015 but is currently available online from REN Skincare.

This new, gel-like serum promises to instantly firm, lift and plump the skin, leaving it looking dramatically smoother, tighter and more youthful. A liquid matrix of Hyaluronans supercharges the skin with firming moisture and encouraging elastin synthesis to remodel the skin over time. The Hyaluronans work together to produce both short and long term improvements to the skin, tightening, lifting and hydrating within minutes and improving long term skin firmness. This serum is best used on clean skin, just two or three drops followed by your normal moisturiser. It can also be reapplied over your moisturiser or your makeup throughout the day if necessary, gently patted onto the skin until absorbed.

I have always really loved REN skin products, the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask being one of my favourite face masks ever, and I knew I would love this new firming shot the moment I tried it. Having discovered the importance of Hyaluronic Acid and introducing Indeed Labs Hydraluron Facial Serum into my skincare routine, I was keen to find something else similar and this Firming Beauty Shot from REN ticks all the right boxes. It has a very similar consistency and feeling on the skin and instantly feels like you have had a mini facial with the skin appearing firmer, tighter and more radiant. My skin has definitely felt more plump and clear since using this and I love to incorporate it in the mornings or evenings, straight after my cleansing routine, before slathering on my normal moisturiser. For a shot at beautiful, youthful-looking skin for 2015 then this would be a great place to start!

What do you think of this new firming serum from REN Skincare?

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NEOM Perfect Peace Scented Candle

Neom's Perfect Peace scented candle really is the smell of Christmas with a unique blend of Pine, Myrrh and Lime Peel. Relaxing, sensual and a perfect addition to your home at any time of the year, but even more special flickering away during the festive time. Each year NEOM Organics releases a couple of limited edition Christmas candles and this year we have Perfect Peace and Christmas Wish, offering a beautiful blend of Mandarin, Cinnamon and Tonka Bean.

NEOM Organics Perfect Peace Scented Candle* is currently in the sale for £30 (what better reason for a New Year's treat!) and offers a modern twist to those classic Christmas scents with a gorgeous fresh blend of earthy pine, aromatic, spicy myrrh and zingy lime peel. Pine has a cleansing effect on the mind whilst myrrh is recognised for its relaxing qualities so this candle will leave you and your guests feeling peaceful and rejuvenated! I love the frost-bitten packaging adorned with flashes of silver making this perfect for over the festive, wintery time but completely suitable for any time of the year, as a gift or treat for yourself. NEOM candles are infused with the purest possible essential oils and contains 100% natural ingredients, ethically sourced and finely crafted in Britain. They are honestly some of my favourite candles, up there with Jo Malone and Diptyque, and just give the most incredible, feel-good scent even before you have even lit the wicks. These chunky, three 3 wicks candles will burn for up to 50 hours as well so you can really keep the festive spirit going well into 2015!

Are you a fan of NEOM candles?

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Revlon Lash Potion Mascara by Grow Luscious

Spellbinding volume. Supernatural length. Revlon's Lash Potion Mascara was one of those products that whipped the blogging world into a frenzy last year as it graced the stores overseas in America and featured highly on everyone's Target and Ulta shopping list! Since then it has made its way over to the UK soil and is readily available from Boots and Superdrug for £9.99 and is available in blackest black, blackened brown and waterproof.

Revlon Lash Potion Grow Luscious Mascara* magically transforms lashes to lush, long and lustrous. The formula contains strengthening proteins that drenches each lash with volume and the triple-groove wand separates and fans out your lashes, giving them instant, clump-free length. The brush is quite chunky so you do have to be quite delicate to ensure you don't smudge mascara all over your eyelids but it effectively combs through your lashes and builds up a beautifully natural yet striking finish. You cannot deny it adds lots and lots of lovely length and volume and the formula doesn't flake or transfer during the day making it a great mascara to wear day into night. If you are after a new 'drugstore' mascara for less than a tenner then I would definitely recommend checking this one out. The packaging is pretty magical too!

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Yves Saint Laurent Wild Edition Palette & Touche Éclat

I just had to share with you all this spectacular limited edition collection from YSL Beauté which celebrates the invincible spirit of the Yves Saint Laurent woman. The cat's eyes, temptress lips and luxurious nails that Cara Delevingne so stylishly exhibits are brought to you with this Wild Edition The Collectors range which exudes seduction and style teamed with animalistic appeal. The black and gold animal print packaging is seriously grrrr-eat. (Sorry, had to be done!)

The Palette Collector - Wild Edition* (£69) is like a luxe travel diary offering Haute Couture makeup must-haves on the go, complete with a delicate, satin tassel, good-sized mirror and three brush applicators. The black leather case is draped with gold leopard print and adorned with the legendary YSL logo. It is the essential accessory for the party season containing four couture shadows, a fresh pink blusher for a instant glow and a duo of lip colours for a pretty pop of glossy pink or rich fuchsia. The eyeshadows are a mix of dazzling black, an iridescent bronze, a shimmery gold and a silver highlighter to give you range of different looks from soft and sparkly to dark and smokey for the glam night out.

The Touche Éclat Collector - Wild Edition* (£25) is an exclusive collector's edition of the iconic Touche Éclat with the alluring animal print etched onto the golden pen. Much less of a concealer and much more of a highlighter, this go-anywhere complexion illuminator can be used day or night and works perfectly when applied beneath the eyebrows, on the cheekbones, in the corners of the eyes or dotted on the cupid's bow. It instantly erasing signs of fatigue and brightens the face in just a few clicks and a swipe of the magic pen. It is one of those staple items which lurks in most beauty-lovers' makeup bags and I love to use it mixed with my normal under eye concealer to really add radiance and brighten those partied-out peepers.

Are you going wild over this Christmas collection from YSL?

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Estée Lauder Perfectionist Foundation

I remember when Estée Lauder's Double Wear foundation was my go-to foundation. It was one of the first high-end foundation I ever purchased and that, along with MAC's Studio Fix Fluid, were my base products of choice for much of 2011! Since then I have always preferred something a little lighter and a little more luminous on the skin and haven't really tried any other Estée Lauder foundations, until now!

Estée Lauder's Perfectionist Youth-Infusing SPF25 Foundation* (£37) is a fairly new foundation from this luxury brand and promises to firm, brighten and hydrate the skin whilst giving you medium coverage with a satin finish, my favourite type of look when it comes to perfecting my base. Lauder have infused this foundation with their age-defying Perfectionist serum technology to give the skin a youthful boost, a look of radiance and nourishment with oil-free hydration as well as smoothing out any lines or wrinkles. The texture is lightweight and quite runny but feels rich and creamy when applied. It covers blemishes pretty well whilst evening out your skin tone to give you a fresh, natural complexion. I would say it borders more on a light-medium coverage but is very buildable and feels very luxurious and long-wearing on the skin. I definitely needed to go in with the concealer under my eyes and on a few stubborn blemishes to get my skin completely flawless for a night out but day to day, I would be very happy to just buff this in, add some blush and mascara and head off to work!

Now about that makeup brush! Brand new from Estée Lauder is their unique Sculpting Foundation Brush* (£37) - a worldwide first that provides ultimate definition when it comes to applying your foundation and perfecting your base. Ergonomically designed, this brush has been created to follow the contours of your face for seamless application and blending. The brush is beautifully soft and really does work at distributing and blending in the foundation perfectly across your cheeks, jaw line, down your nose and across your forehead. The design really hugs all the contours of your face and then the soft bristles can be used to swirl out the rest of the foundation to complete your base flawlessly. I wouldn't say this brush is a complete necessity but is a definite luxury purchase if you are in the market for a new foundation brush with can't-stop-stroking-them-on-my-face bristles!

Have you tried this new foundation from Estée Lauder? And what do you think of this funky new makeup brush?

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A Grey Day

Sometimes a grey day just calls for a grey outfit so I opted for this lovely polo neck and organza pleated skirt combo from the slightly brighter sounding brand, Blue Vanilla. With the days turning chillier I have overloaded my wardrobe recently with turtle necks and pretty knitwear to see me through the Winter months. The lace panel polo neck from Blue Vanilla is actually part of a co-ordinates set which comes with a lace tube grey skirt as well. I love this cropped polo neck which is perfect when paired with high waisted jeans or a full skirt and is a nice, fine knit so can be layered with blazers, chic jackets or cardigans. Polo necks can be a bit basic sometimes so I love the addition of this pretty lace panel at the front which makes it that little bit different.

The gorgeous midi organza pleated skirt made me feel like an extra from Grease! You only need to scan through a few of my previous outfit posts to see that I love a full, swishy skirt - always perfect whether worn with tights and chunky boots or a fancy top and a pair of Vivienne Westwood heels for a night. So versatile and with three other colour options I think I may have to stock up!

Fedora Hat: Topshop | Top and Skirt: Blue Vanilla | Suede boots: River Island | Bag: Louis Vuitton

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My Love of Bluebird Tea

Me and tea. Tea and I. What is it about the simplicity of a cup of tea that just seems to make the world alright again?! Whether it is Earl Grey, Chai, Lady Grey, Peppermint or Green tea...there is something so comforting and relaxing about brewing the perfect mug of tea, from choosing the prettiest mug to selecting the right milk - will it be soya, almond or regular, and then deciding on your preferred tea. I have tins and boxes galore of different teas with an overflowing cupboard of mugs to match. I am always on the look out for different and exciting new teas so when I was shopping in Brighton last year I was delighted to stumble across Bluebird Tea Co. on Gardner Street. It was the sweetest independent tea shop, tucked away in the Lanes, offering such a wide array of every type of tea imaginable. They had black teas, white teas, green teas, teas to help with digestion or boost your energy levels as well as a plethora of diffusers, teapots and mugs - I was in heaven! Jars of colourful loose tea leaves were stacked up high like your very own candy shop with the most delicious-sounding names like Elderflower Champagne, Honey Bee Beautiful, Cherry Bakewell and Peppermint Cream. Whether you like your tea black, with a dash of milk or chilled and pour over ice, there will definitely be a tea to suit you!

As you can see I have amassed quite a collection of loose teas from Bluebird Tea, having repurchased a few of my favourite from their online store. One of my all time favourites is Skinny Minny which is an energising, metabolism boosting, stomach calming elixir of oolong and pu'erh tea and is a lovely blend of ginger, fennel and ginseng. It is the perfect tea to brew when you are feeling a bit sluggish or bloated or need a quick pick-me-up. Spiced Pumpkin Pie is also pretty special when blended with hot, frothy almond milk and a drizzle of caramel syrup. Also, if you are like me and love a cosy, spice-infused hot drink to get you in the festive spirit then the Bluebird Tea Christmas Collection is a must. The hardest decision though is choosing which tea to brew up for a Christmas movie marathon - will it be Gingerbread Chai, Mulled Wine, Christmas Cake or Candy Cane?

Are you a tea lover like me? Which teas take your fancy?

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Blogging On The Go

When it comes to technology from my phones, tablet, laptops and music players, I must confess that I have always been an Apple girl. For running my blog I have always found my MacBook perfect for everything blogging-related from editing and uploading my photos to typing up and publishing my posts. And for when I am on the go my iPad is always handy to pop in my handbag to stay up to date with my Bloglovin' feed and for keeping on top of my emails. But to have the flexibility of both a laptop and a tablet to suit every situation and technological need is an exciting prospect which is why I was really keen to try out the new Aspire Switch 10 which is a 2 in 1 tablet and laptop that is incredibly versatile.

The Acer Aspire Switch 10* is compact and ridiculously light so can easily be popped in your bag making blogging, surfing the net or keeping yourself entertained on a long journey so simple. I was a little nervous that the small size might compromise the quality of the display but in fact I was really impressed with how clear and bright the resolution was and made everything look so crisp and engaging, I almost forgot I wasn't using a full sized laptop. The really beauty of this product which sets in apart from your average laptop or tablet is the four modes it can be used; as a regular laptop, detached and used solely as a touchscreen tablet, pivoted to share or flipped into a tent shape to watch your favourites on Netflix or catch up on YouTube. I have found myself using the tablet on its own a lot recently to simply read blogs and scroll my twitter feed whilst keeping an eye on my incoming emails. The home screen can be customised to suit you personally down to every last details - the background colour or picture can be changed and you can mixed up all the icons so you have all your favourites all within clickable distance of each other. The home screen can even be linked up to all your social media platforms and email accounts so you get a handy 'ping' and notification with every new tweet and email received. In terms of blogging, once I had gotten use to the much smaller keyboard size and using Windows again since leaving school, I found it very quick and easy to use and love the fact I can just take this laptop anywhere with me meaning blogging on the move, whilst on holiday or travelling around, is a real possibility. The Acer Aspire Switch 10 has a good storage and memory facility as well so you can enjoy downloading the latest box set on Netflix or that must-read on the Kindle without worrying about running out of space. So a perfect option for snuggling down and watching those Christmas movies on whilst the family are watching the Queen's speech perhaps!

What do you think of these handy 2 in 1 laptops and tablets?

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Clinique Nutcracker Suite Collection

There is nothing that will get you in the festive spirit more than a trip to see The Nutcracker - a beautiful ballet that encapsulates all the magic of Christmas with so much grace, elegance and prettiness in every step, leap and mesmerising spin. Inspired by this classic performance Clinique has released their new The Nutcracker Suite Collection which has been perfectly choreographed and draws inspiration from the characters, costumes and scenery from this much loved ballet.

The Nutcracker Suite Collection* from Clinique offers us two delightful, limited edition palettes which encapsulate the lightness and glittering whites of the ballerinas' tulles mixed with the vivid vibrancy of the velvet fabrics. Each palette, inspired by the two acts of the ballet, include an eyeshadow quad along with a coordinating blush powder shade making them almost as pretty as the sugar plum fairy herself! The Nutcracker Act I palette (£35) is inspired by the 'Waltz of the Snowflakes' and includes a snowflake suite eyeshadow quad made up of soft, delicate pinks and sultry tones along with a sweet Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Plié Pink, all of which I am wearing in the above photo. The Nutracker Act II palette (£35) is exclusively available online and is inspired by the Sugar Plum Fairy. It features four complimentary shades including that lavish plum shadow along with a Blushing blush Powder Blush in Tutu Pink.

I think these palettes are just beautiful and have really captured the essence of this timeless ballet perfectly. For those who don't want to go for a heavy, glitter-ladened eye look this holiday season, these are a sweet alternative for a softer, shimmery look and a pretty, rosy cheek. The addition of the darker shades in each palette though means you can add a bit of definition and sultriness to your look which is great if you want to take your makeup from day to night in an instant.

Are you twirling with joy over these new palettes from Clinique?

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MAC Duty Free Lipstick Purchases

Last month Rob and I flew off to Italy to spend a long weekend away with friends nestled high in the Tuscan mountains and enjoyed a few lovely days eating, drinking and keeping warm by the roaring log fire. Whilst killing some time in Stansted airport I innocently wandered into their beauty hall to just have a little peruse and ended up picking up three MAC lip products that had been on my wish list from sometime! Always the way, eh?!

The first lipstick I ticked off my list was Lovelorn (top photo) which is a wonderfully wearable pink shade with slight blue undertone and a lustre finish, giving the lips a gorgeous glossy finish without being too sticky. It is a very natural, soft pink and a little similar to MAC's Creme Cup but just with a shiny, gloss-like texture on the lips. It is a very easy, fuss-free lipstick to use and would work best paired with a heavier eye look and maybe some beautifully bronzed cheekbones.

Secondly I picked up MAC's Faux lipstick (middle photo) which is one of my most recent coveted items since the whole Kylie-Jenner-lip-thing has swept the beauty world. Rumour has it that Kylie often reaches for Faux lipstick alongside other MAC faithfuls such as Velvet Teddy and Brave, so I decided to give it a whirl myself and I am so glad I did! I really do love this lipstick which is probably one of the 'darkest' nudes I have ever tried. Faux is a pinky-brown shade with a lovely Satin finish on the lips, making it a perfect day to day colour to wear with a creamy consistency and good colour payoff. It is literally the only lipstick I am reaching for at the minute!

And finally, to continue with the Kylie Jenner theme, I picked up a new lip pencil in Subculture, (bottom photo) seeing as Soar and Whirl are still so damn hard to track down! MAC Subculture lip pencil is described as an underground pink but really is an earthy-brown with a slight pinky-peach undertone to it. As you would expect from a lip pencil, it is incredible matte and would benefit from a slick of gloss or lip balm on top if you are planning on filling your whole lip in. But it is a great product if you want to line your lips in preparation for a similar lipstick like Velvet Teddy perhaps to be layered on top or simply to wear alone for a pretty nude look.

All these lip products are available from MAC counters and of course, online. Which lipsticks are on your current wishlist?

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Zoeva Rose Gold Complete Eye Brush Set and Eyeshadow Palettes

There is something about rose gold that just makes everything look so...perfect! Rose gold makes everything instantly desirable and I often find myself coveting absolutely anything and everything that has that gorgeous golden-pink hue. So it is little wonder that my heart skipped a beat when this set of Zoeva Rose Golden Eye Brushes* arrived and I unzipped the beautiful sleek clutch to reveal a 12 piece eye brush set all brilliantly glimmering with a rose golden shine. Heaven! I get a bit excited over makeup brushes and feel that you can never have too many, especially eye brushes, and this set is the perfect compilation to blend, line, define and conceal your eyes. It literally has every brush you could wish for including a brush to fill your brows in and blend in your under eye concealer. As well as looking incredibly pretty they are actually pretty fantastic brushes - so soft and easy to use. Available for around £55 from Love Make Up and Zoeva online, they would certainly be a wonderful gift to find under the Christmas tree this year.

As well as their gorgeous eye and face makeup brushes, Zoeva also have a selection of eyeshadow palettes which offer a complimentary range of highly-pigmented eyeshadows all housed within a perfectly-portable palette which is light and easy to pop in your makeup bag when travelling or heading from your desk to the dance floor this Christmas. I have been testing out two of their eyeshadow palettes recently, the Mixed Metals palette* and the Smoky palette* which both offer ten luxuriously formulated shadows that are easy to apply and blend for a natural or more glamorous eye look. Both include a mixture of matte, metallic and pearl finishes for a variety of different looks and intensities. My favourite palette is the Mixed Metals palette which contains an assortment of shimmery hues that are perfect to highlight and define your eyes. Above I used Warm Silver all over my eyelid and then blended Rusty Steel through the crease. I then used a sweep of Copper Plate (which is a great dupe for MAC's Cranberry FYI) to warm the look. Under my eye I used a touch of Alloy and ran this through my lower lash line to define the look. With lashings of Bourjois' Volume 1 Seconde mascara and I am good to go!

Have you tried anything from Zoeva?

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