Ins and Outs

IN

Christmas

As you can see from my previous post, I am definitely already thinking about Christmas!  I've actually done the bulk of my present and decoration buying as I knew November would be a manic month and I could not face leaving it all till December.  So the Ikea trip is done (they are amazing for decorations, wrapping paper, ribbons etc...but get there asap!) and most of the pressies are hiding in my car.  Now I can't wait till the 1st December when we can get the tree up and decorate the flat.  Anyone else like me or are you all laid back when it comes to this time of year?

Baking

You may not know but I love a bit of baking in my spare time - especially cupcakes.  I have spent a while perfecting my technique and slowly pulling together lots of tools and pretty decorations so I can create cupcakes for my friends and family on their special occasions.

Last Sunday was on of those occasions when my lovely friend Sarah held her baby shower.  She's due to pop anytime soon and is having a little boy so I scoured ebay for baby themed decorations and came up with these!

Next up is one of my best friend's birthdays and as she is a cupcake fiend like me I know I am going to have to come up with something special! 

If you're looking for decorations, I can highly recommend this seller on ebay - I ordered the bibs as well as some roses and flowers and they came super fast and perfectly packaged.  I wish I had a bit more spare time to make my own decorations but sadly no...as you will see below :)

Exercise

image via weheartit

I used to be a real gym nut until I starting seeing my boyfriend just over 3 years ago...since then my attendance slowly dropped until I cancelled my membership in January this year and started pilates classes instead.  However I have put on a fair bit of weight since we moved in together last summer and I am determined to slim down!  So I've joined a new gym and have been given a super tough fat fighting/get fit routine.  I'm trying to get there at least 3 times a week and I can see the results already which is great.  I'm also trying to incorporate more healthy food into my diet and cut down on the junk....I will get there, I will!

OUT

Studying

image via weheartit

I've never really spoken much about my job on here - I work full time in Marketing - and I started to study for my CIM Professional Certificate in September.  So the past few months have been pretty hectic with full time work, evening classes and homework...and now it's culminating in an assignment (due next week) and a 3 hour exam (on the 30th).  I am so scared!  I haven't done a 3 hour exam since my GCSEs (I studied maths/history/art at A level and fine art at uni) and haven't done an assignment like this since my dissertation...eek! Any study tips would be most appreciated!

My car

I spent a fortune in car repairs the other week to get it through its MOT and then the other day I managed to scrape the front of my car really badly when leaving the gym car park...so frustrating!!!!  Sometimes I think I should just get a chauffeur instead :)

What about you ladies?  What are your current ins and outs?

Is it too early? Christmas Wish List...

Considering I've bought the majority of my Christmas presents already (I'm ridiculously organised and also like to spread the cost so I can be more generous) - thoughts have begun to turn to what I would like to find under the tree.

So here is my (probably first draft) Christmas wish list...what's on yours?

Topshop tunics

My wardrobe staple.  Forever and always.

Babyliss Big Hair

I love a good hair gadget or two....and this has definitely tickled my fancy.  With such thick hair, it takes me forever to get a good blow dry at home.  I have a big round brush but this only usually gets used on my fringe...I do not have the patience, or upper body strength, to try and do my whole head!  So when I saw this it was as if my prayers had been answered.  Has anyone tried this?  Am I being optimistic or will it actually give me a salon-like blowdry at home?

House of Harlow jewellery

I already have a couple of pieces from House of Harlow and I would love to expand on my collection.  The jewellery is very me - statement pieces that are delicate and feminine at the same time.  I especially love the horsehoe necklace and the key and peacock rings.

Cath Kidston...anything!

I am after some nice bits for the kitchen and also love all of the crafty pieces around at the moment.  I already have quite a lot of her signature florals but I can't get enough...though there is only so much I can get away with at home - these boyfriends, honestly :)

*Edit*  Mulberry bags

Oh Mulberry, why do you send me through a gift suggestions email on the day I write my wish list?  If anyone would like to buy me any of the above bags, I will love you forever!!!

Stocking Fillers

Ooh I'd love a few Mac lippies (though a voucher is probably best...the MUA's tend to scare my poor boyfriend), Essie nail varnishes (because I obviously don't have enough already!) some Soap & Glory goodies (I'm too stingy to buy them for myself) and some nice winter bits from Topshop or Accessorize...scarves, snoods, hats and gloves...anything to keep me warm in these chilly months!

So what about you?  What's on your Christmas list so far....or is it still too early to even mention the 'C' word?

Recent acquisitions and raves

Just thought I'd do a quick post of some of my lovely Christmas presents and some of my recent sales bargains...including a mini mac haul - you've got to love gift vouchers eh?

First up...the make up.



Mac Brow Set in Beguile

I've been desperate for a great eyebrow product, as I have super blonde eyebrows which seem to disappear every time a camera flashes in my face, so leaving them 'au naturale' isn't really an option. I had been using a prestige brow pencil but I was after something with a bit more staying power so I decided to try out Mac's brow set...and all I can say is I LOVE it. You do get a lot of product on the brush, so it's worth giving it a quick swipe before attacking the brows, but it is just what I needed.




Mac E/S in Hypnotizing

Part of the Love Lace collection, this is a gorgeous colour - I'd probably describe it as a taupy, purple-grey...lovely.



Mac E/S in Twinks

After picking up Hypnotizing I decided on Twinks as they compliment each other perfectly. I also love veluxe pearl finishes and this nice rich shade will fit right into my oh-so-adventurous collection of browns, bronzes and golds.

And also...


This is my sales bargain - half price in the sales, you've got to love Boots! Note Nicola's lashes are missing as I wore them Saturday night, though to be honest, not sure if I'm a fan...don't know if it's just me, but they seem huge?

Onto the rest of my goodies :)


With all this lovely weather we've been having, I've been looking around for a good pair of sturdy (and non-slip!) ankle boots and these Kurt Geiger ones fit the bill perfectly. I love the slightly faded leather and the studded straps...and at less than half price they were a bargain too.


I was also given these gorgeous earrings for Christmas - I've been after a pair of Westwood earrings for years, and this year I was lucky enough to be given a pair - I love the flower detail and the little bit of bling they bring to my everyday winter outfits :)