F.B.L Quick Tip #31

Never shake your nail polishes, as this can cause air bubbles both in the bottle and when it is applied to your nails

Instead, gently roll the bottle between your hands, holding it vertically

 

 

 

Blogmas Day 25 - Christmas Day!

 

Well it's finally Christmas Day - Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you all have a fantastic day, get loads of amazing goodies and of course, eat all the food!

 

Also, thank you to all of you who have read my Blogmas posts - at times I really wanted to give up and had no motivation, but I'm so glad I persevered with it!

 

Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 23 - Red Lipsticks

A red lip is always part of festive makeup looks, but there is so much choice now on both the shade and formula, you can be overwhelmed when choosing.


My favourite is this L'Oreal Coulour Riche Eva Red, which is a matte formula and is honestly amazing! As, it is matte, it isn't too bright but still stands out which is the main thing. I have also found this lasts for hours, even when eating/drinking, so is perfect for the festive season.
For a cheap buy, this MUA red is perfect and at £1 it certainly wont break the bank! It is more of a pillar box red and super shiny. It glides on easily without tugging at your lips and does last for a good few hours.
Max Factor do a huge range of different reds and this one is little more on the pinky side, so perfect if you normally only go for lighter shades but want to experiment with a red. I love the gold tube of this - it feels really festive - and looks super expensive even when it's not!
Personally, I love a berry red lip in winter and this one from Collection Cosmetics is perfect. It is slightly more on the red side, which doesn't make it too dark even though it is part of their vampy range.

When wearing such strong pigmented shades, a lip liner is essential to stop the colour bleeding out from your lips and also to define the shape. For all these lipsticks, I use Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in Red Diva which is quite a light red so does blend in well with pretty much any red lipstick. It applies really well and doesn't feel drying, as some liners can be. As it is a pencil, I find it defines your lips well and doesn't go blunt too quickly.


What are your go-to red lipsticks that you will be rocking this Christmas?
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 22 - Festive Pawsome Box

For Ollie, Christmas came early and he received his 2nd Pawsome Box* filled with festive goodies. As always, there are so many amazing items that Ollie is already loving, despite only having it a day!

Blogmas Day 21 - Stocking Filler Ideas For Her

Stockings are an essential part of Christmas and is one part of childhood most people carry on doing thought-out their lives - just the contents changes slightly!

Mood Light Bath Duck

Real Techniques Foundation Brush

Joules Hand Cream

New Look Fluffy Socks

Skinnydip London Unicorn Case

Barry M Gelly Polish in Black Cherry

MAC Lipstick in Heroine

Random Crap Bag

Accessorize Stretch Bracelets

There are so many things you can put in stockings! What could be better than getting little beauty treats such as a new foundation brush or a lipstick? You can't go wrong with fluffy socks - especially at this time of the year, or a hand cream.

If you are like me and my family, don't forget the fruit in the stocking! (Have no idea why we do this to be honest!

Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 20 - Lemon Butter Biscuit Recipe

Not technically a Christmas biscuit, but these lemon butter ones are so tasty you'll want to make them all year round anyway - the added cinnamon adds a little festivity to them. They are super easy to make without needing a load of different ingredients and only take 20mins to bake. Oh, and your house will smell amazing too!



Ingredients
200g plain flour
100g caster sugar
125g butter
2 lemons zested
1 medium egg
Pinch of salt
Cinnamon powder


- Preheat the oven to 180oC and cover a baking tray in flour.

- Mix the butter and sugar together until the mixture is creamy and combined.

- Add the egg and mix together to make it light and fluffy

- Add the flour, lemon zest and salt and mix until you have a ball of dough. Cover with cling film and place in the fridge (or somewhere else cold) for around 2 hours to firm up.

- Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it is around 1/2 cm thick. Cut out the dough shapes and place onto the floured baking tray. Keep repeating this until all the dough is used up.

- Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon powder and bake for around 10 - 15 mins or until golden brown at the edges.

- Remove from the tray to a wire rake to cool then enjoy!

Blogmas Day 19 - Christmas Chat

Bit of a chatty one today, which I don't feel I do enough of! First of, how are you all enjoying reading Blogmas? I never knew it was so hard to do and how much planning and time it would take up when I said I would do it, but I'm so glad I am - it has defiantly got me even more into the festive spirit! The amount of people I have told that I'm doing Blogmas, think it is so easy to do but they honestly don't know the work that goes into it. I think this is the same for blogging full stop - people think it's the easiest thing to do, when it is actually a lot of hard work to make sure everything is at the highest standard it can be and then the promoting afterwards.

Anyway carrying one from my little rant there - I can't want for Christmas, mainly the food HA! Honestly the best part for me, everything is so tasty and because everyone is in such a good mood, it always tastes better - or is that just me being slightly weird?! Oh, and of course eating way too much and not being able to move after! I still have to though as I'll have to go and bring my horse in and feed her and maybe ride if it's not too dark or I'll just wait for Boxing Day like I normally do. It's kind of a tradition to me now that I go out for a Boxing Day ride and put a bit of tinsel on Bonnie and her Christmas boots. She looks so cute and honestly not bothered about me dressing her up - well that and she's used to it now!

Don't know about you, but it the only thing I seem to be watch right now are Christmas films and the amount of time I've watch the Santa Clause is ridiculous! Have to say it is one of my favourite festive films, along with Home Alone. I have watched both of these ever since I can remember and me and my dad especially watch them every year, along with pretty much anything else Christmassy we can find!

Do you like chatty posts like this and o you think I should do more? Let me know, so I know if I should to do more or not!
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 18 - Christmas Jumper Day!

Well today is national Christmas Jumper Day and with so many out there now and pretty much everywhere selling them, you will defiantly be spoilt for choice - even if some designs are a little more questionable than others!

New Look Sparkle Jumper

H&M Sequined Sweatshirt

Topshop Dear Santa Sweatshirt

Forever 21 Snowflake Print Sweater

ASOS Christmas Trimmed Sweat

Brave Soul Prancing Reindeer Jumper

Love Clothing Santa's Bitch Knitted Jumper

Boohoo Darcy Reindeer Jumper

These are just a few of what I think are the most wearable Christmas jumpers available this year but there are loads more if you fancy searching through.

What jumper do you have this year?
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 17 - Christmas Playlist!

Who doesn't love a good Christmas playlist?! Music is an essential ingredient for the festive season and there are so many different songs, both old and new so everyone will know pretty much all of them for a good sing-along!

This is my playlist - anything you think I should have included?
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 16 - Handbag Cleaning Hacks You Need To Know!

When you have invested a lot of money in a designer, leather handbag you want it to last a lifetime and look brand new through-out. Taking care of leather items can be tricky, but prevention is always better than allowing it to get marked/stained and trying to remove that. Use some of the below tips to clean, and more importantly, care for your investment.

- Wipe over your bag once a week with a damp, soft cloth to remove any dirt

- Always wipe with the grain of the leather to avoid ruining it

- Stuff your bag when not in use as it will help it to keep it's shape

- Remove ink stains as soon as possible. Either use a special ink removing product for leather or take to a professional.

- If the ink stain is old, take to a professional as you will never get it out at home without ruining the leather.

- Grease stains should easily wipe off - don't use water!

- Avoid touching your bag if you have just applied hand cream, or you are just asking for grease marks!

- Use a professional leather cleaning product on tougher dirt. These will probably cost more but because they don't have to be washed out, it wont damage the leather.

- Always do a spot test! Preferable somewhere on the inside where it can't be seen.

- If you have really made an investment on a handbag, consider getting it insured. (Yes, this is actually a thing!)

- Try and match a shoe polish to the colour of the bag to remove/hide very stubborn stains

- Don't use saddle soap. It will be too strong/harsh for the leather

- Don't use a light coloured bag with a dark outfit as the dye from the clothing may transfer - this is one of the hardest stains to remove

- Always store you nag in the dust bag it came with. If you don't have one, use an old pillowcase


Do you have any more tips for caring for investment leather handbags?

Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 15 - Winter Skincare

We all know that winter weather companied with having heating on can cause massive problems with your skin but how about a couple of products that help? For me, I have found two items that not only help my skin immensely, but are also super easy and quick to use!



Both of these products are from Simple Skincare, so you know they are going to be good and kind to your skin anyway. For my winter skincare routine, I use one of the Cleansing Facial Wipes first to remove any makeup, especially waterproof mascara and they get it all off without too much effort - after all it is waterproof! I love the Christmas packaging - it is so cute and festive without being over the top and still fits in with the rest of the packaging in the range. I have found these wipes super soft to use and don't feel rough on your face which I have found some makeup wipes to be and this is amazing for me, as I do have quite sensitive skin which is prone to breakouts.

Next I go onto the Clear Skin Oil Balancing Exfoliating Wash. This helps to stop excess oil production, which is something I do suffer from, without stripping it all away and leaving your face feeling dry. My skin still feels moisturised after use, which is exactly what you want at this time of the year. It gently exfoliates your skin and does help to reduce breakouts and blackheads, which can sometimes be so hard to both prevent and get rid of. It also doesn't really have a smell, which is always good when your putting it so near t your nose!

After using both of these products, my skin has never felt better - especially at this time of year! With the face wash, I have found that a little goes a long way and you also seem to get quite a few wipes in a packet, so while these might not be the cheapest on the market I feel you do get value for money. Also, wouldn't you want to pay more for something that actually works?!

Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 14 - Lush

Lush is one of my all time favourite places to shop for bath and pamper products - they have such a huge choice and everything smells amazing! Everything is handmade, nothing is tested on animals and some items are linked to charity, so you are helping by buying.

One of my personal favourites is the Comforter Bubble Bar. The smell of this is just amazing and turns the water super pink with a ton of bubbles - just what you want for a relaxing bath time. You only need about half a bar to create enough bubble for a bath, meaning you get 2 uses from this little beauty!

Lush have so many different things for Christmas, it's so hard to choose what to get but these are just a few of my favourite bath fizzers and bubble bars that have the festive theme. How cute are they?!

Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 13 - LBD's!

December is the month of parties and events and, if your anything like me, then you will have a trusty little black dress ready for such occasions when you don't know what else to wear.

French Connection at ASOS

Love at ASOS

Coggles.com

Definitions Embellished Tunic

ASOS Mix Lace Bodycon

Rare London Bodycon with Strappy Back Detail

Topshop Cowl Neck Slinky Dress

Versace Leather Trim Mini Dress

Karen Millen Velvet Applique Dress

Boohoo Skater Dress

ASOS Lace Overlay Dress

French Connection Neck Embellished Dress

 

 

With so many different styles, you will be spoilt for choice, but these are just a few of my favourites! Lace and mesh are two of the materials I like to bring out at this time of year - even more if they have a bit of embellishment! These dresses from ASOS, Coogles, Definitions and Karen Millen all give a nod to that style but are also completely different from one another. If you want have just a small amount of embellishment, then this dress from French Connection is perfect, as it has a necklace design.

Strap detail has been huge this year and isn't going anywhere quick! If you want a subtle take on this (and a bit of a splurge buy!), then the Versace dress is perfect for you!

 

What is your favourite LBD?

Love Laura x

 

 

 

 

 

Blogmas Day 12 - Manchester Christmas Markets

It always starts to feel more like Christmas when the markets arrive in Manchester and it's somewhere I HAVE to go each year! If you don't know what these markets are, let me explain. It is basically a load of stalls that fill about 5 streets in the city centre and are filled with goodies from around the world and have everything from delicious food to unique gifts. All the different smells as you walk around is just amazing!

If this doesn't get you into the festive spirit (if your not already!) , nothing will!
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 11 - Lingerie Gift Edit

I love lingerie and have so much, but I keep buying more! If anyone asks me where I would like a voucher for, it is always a lingerie store I ask for - the same goes for any extra money I have, so you know what I'll be when the sales come along!

Now, these are just a few things I am lusting after. Calvin Klein is must, as they are so comfy to lounge in and the bralette is perfect for under big, cosy sweatshirts. Agent Provocateur is one brand that is always on a lingerie lovers wish list! This set incorporates lace and a bondage style straps with bows.
I personally love soft cup bras/bralettes and I have the purple set for B'Tempted, but am so in love with the black and animal print set! Another good set is this pink one from Hanky Panky.

Of course, Boux Avenue and Victoria's Secret are up there too, but if you read FBL Savvy already, you'll already know this!
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 10 - PJ's Tradition

One Christmas tradition we have in our house, is that me and my sister both get new pyjamas every year and this year we decided to get them from my favourite, Boux Avenue. Unfortunately, I can't post a photo of the actual ones as we are not allowed them until Christmas Eve, but I can still chat about them and show you the PR photos from Boux Avenue!

I had been eyeing these up on their website for a while, so I knew what I wanted. These are the PJ's that come in a bag, which I think makes them the ideal gift and also the colour and design used is just so Christmassy! They are also super soft - perfect for cosy-ing up in on a cold winter's night.
As they were buy one get one free, my sister got the leopard print ones in the same style.

So excited to ear these!!
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 9 - Mince Pie Recipe

Mince pies are the ultimate Christmas treat and the smell of them baking is just delicious and I love making my own (now I've learnt how!) The recipe I use is so easy to follow and at the end, you have some delicious pies to eat - and share of your feeling nice!

Ingredients

375g plain flour

260g unsalted butter, softened

125g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

1 large egg, plus 1 beaten egg for glazing

1 large jar mincemeat (about 600g)

little orange juice (or brandy if you prefer)

little icing sugar, for dusting

 

- Pre-heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and grease your tray

 

- In a large bowl, ad the flour and butter and rub together in your fingertips until it resembles bread crumbs. Add the sugar and egg and mix together.

 

- Tip the mixture out onto a floured surface and fold until the pastry comes together. Cover with cling film and place in the fridge for 10-20 mins to firm up.

 

- Empty the mincemeat into a bowl and add a little orange juice - enough to give flavour but not so it's swimming in it! Mix together until the mince meat is broken up.

 

- Remove the pastry from the fridge and place on a flour covered surface and roll out until it is around 3mm thick. Use a cutter (or a glass) which is slightly bigger than the cake tray holders and place the circles of pastry in the bottom.

 

- Place 1 table spoon of mince meat in each and brush the edge of each pie with a little beaten egg. Place the lids on top and squeeze around the edge to make sure they stick.

 

- Glaze each pie with the rest of the beaten egg and sprinkle with caster sugar.

 

- Bake the mince pies for 15-20 mins until golden brown. Leave to cool in the trey before removing and then dust with a little icing sugar.

 

- Enjoy!

 

 

Do you make mince pies each year and do you add any extras?

Love Laura x

 

 

 

 

 

Blogmas Day 8 - Favourite Christmas Movies

There are so many Christmas films that I watch every year without fail! They are mainly ones I've watched since I was a kid, so I guess it's a bit of a tradition in my family to watch them.

 

 

These are four of my ultimate favourite Christmas films and I can't wait each year to watch them! Home Alone and The Muppet Christmas Carol were two of the first Christmas films I remember ever watching. The Santa Clause is just a brilliant film, as are the sequels! Love Actually is another classic too.

What are your favourite films?
Love Laura x





 

Blogmas Day 7 - The Christmas Tag

What could be better than answering fun questions all about Christmas?! Read on for my Christmas Tag answers to so fun questions!

1. What is your favourite Christmas film?
Home Alone! Have to watch it every year


2. Have you ever had a White Christmas?
Ermmmm probably? I honestly can't remember


3. Where do you usually spend your holiday?
At home with my family and animals


4. What is your favourite Christmas song?
I love all Christmas songs!


5. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?
Everyone is allowed to open one small present each - the rest have to be saved for Christmas Day morning


6. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Prancer, Dancer, Vixton, Donna, Rudolf... I don't know any more....


7. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year?
Putting up the Christmas tree and eating all the chocolate


8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
Fake. Am I the only one who doesn't like the smell of the real ones?!


9. What is your all-time favourite holiday food/sweet treat?
Turkey! I love it and it's the only time of the year we have it


10. Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?
I love buying and giving gifts as I always have so many ideas on what to get people. Seeing the looks on people's face when you give them something they love is amazing


11. What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
Have to be getting my first cat, that we called Tinsel, on Christmas Eve


12. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?
Lapland and New York. Both places look amazing and it's impossible to choose between them


13. Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?
I can't wrap presents to save my life - they look like a 5 year old has done it! Actually a 5 year old could probably do a better job than me!


14. Favourite festive smell?
Anything cinnamon


15. Do you make New Years resolutions? Do you stick to them?
Starting this blog was a New Year resolution and is the only one I have ever stuck to and so, so proud I have!


Would love to see your answers to this tag - let me know if you do it!
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 6 - Luxury Beauty Gifts For Her

 
There are so, so many luxury beauty gift sets for us girls around now, way more than there used to be in my opinion! Charlotte Tilbury has so many different sets available from makeup brush sets to mini lipstick sets, which is one of my personal favourites as you get to test out a few different ones without having to buy full size and realise you don't like it! This is the same for the Clinique lipstick set which as a different shade for everyday of the week. This gift set from Nars is perfect if you know someone (or yourself!) who loves the nude lip look, as it comes with everything that you need.
Benefit is always a winner for beauty lovers and this Rockitude gift set is perfect and the box is just beautiful, as well as the amazing items inside. This Dior smoky eye and lip set with brush is perfect for designer lovers and those who travel a lot, as it comes in his zip bag.
Burberry is a firm favourite of min and I love both of these sets - one being 3 AW15 nail polish shades designed on the colours used Camouflage Bucket Bag and the other the Body Tender parfum set - both of which are gorgeous. There are so many body-care sets including these from Cowshed, Kora and Nip and Fab to chose just a couple. Also, this set from St Tropez is the ideal gift for those of you who love to have a tan all year round!
Perfume sets are always greatly appreciated by us girls and you can't go wrong with a bit of Prada or Marc Jacobs!


These are just a few of my favourite luxury gift sets that I'm lusting over, but there are so many out there, you will be spoilt for choice!
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 5 - My Birthday!

It's my birthday!! Is it bad that the one thing I'm looking forward to is eating cake?! Too bad if I is, as it's my favourite part of anything birthday! In my family, we don't tend to go over board at birthdays, unless it's a special one (18th, 21st etc) but we do always good out for a meal somewhere and I chose to go to the Hare & Hound Pub and Restaurant in Marple. This is one of my favourite places to go, as the food is ah-mazing! I got the chicken burger with cheese and hand-cut chips - literally one of the nicest burgers I've had and it was so huge I couldn't even have dessert! We always enjoy our meals there and today was no exception.

Also, how amazing is my cake - really wasn't expecting this and it is oh-so chocolatly inside!

Now the food is out of the way (quite literally!) onto the gifts. One of my favourite items was this gorgeous leather biker jacket from Zara. I had been on the lookout for one for ages as my old one is falling apart but I had had it since I was 16, so defiantly had my wear out of it! The leather on this is super soft and the blackest black which is exactly what I wanted and I get the feeling I will be living in this. If you follow me on Instagram, then you will know that I have a horse, so I got a pair of Dublin jodhpurs (the trousers you wear to ride in, if anyone doesn't know!) that have a pink reflective strip down the outside of each leg. This is such an amazing idea and I can't believe this is the first time I have ever seen anything like this! As I have to ride along a busy A road every time I go out, wearing reflective clothing is essential for safety and while I have a lot on, I don't have anything on my legs and this is the part that is most stuck out. With the pink reflective on the outside, they can clearly be seen by other road users and hopefully encourage more to pass slow and wide.

I also got a phone case from Skinnydip London. I LOVE their cases as they are so different from anywhere else and the designs are super cute. I love this heart macaroon design with it's pastel colours as it isn't too in your face but still looks oh-so cute.
My other gifts came in the form of vouchers (Boots and John Lewis!), money and of course chocolate!


I've had such a lovely day, even if I do feel old now at 23 - that sounds so weird!
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 4 - Ollie's First Walk!

Today was Ollie's first day in the big, wide world using his own four paws! For his first little adventure (as well as going up and down my road), we took him to out local Pet's At Home, as you can take your dog in there. I admit, I did carry him for some of the time we were in there, mainly because he picks up literally anything and everything!

There was so many Christmas themed outfits and toys that it was literally impossible to choose just one thing, so I decided to leave it for now, especially with Ollie growing so much it would be silly to buy an outfit right now. The toys are another thing! Balls with snowmen on, reindeers with extra long legs, and my personal favourite which I may go back and buy - a rope with plush 'fairy lights' attached. This is such a good idea and I know Ollie would absolutely love it!

As we were paying for all the goodies, we were given a little Christmas cracker which was supposed to be for us, but Ollie decided to steal it and walked out holding it in his mouth and did the same when we got home! Cheeky little boy, but oh-so cute! He loved being out and getting fuss from everyone which is exactly what we wanted for his first time.

Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 3 - Festive Nail Art

An easy way to get into the festive spirit is to have a Christmassy design on your nails. Personally, I love doing my nails and have soooo many nail polishes in every colour and type/brand, so what better way to use them than creating a festive design?! This is super easy to do, without requiring too many colours etc or taking too long to do.

Barry M Nail Paint in White
Barry M Nail Paint in Black
Barry M Nail Paint in Bright Red
Barry M Plumpy Top Coat
Small paintbrush
Ball point pen


Paint all your nails but your ring finger using the black nail polish. You will probably need around 2 coats to completely cover your nails - just make sure each coat is completely dry before you do another to prevent bubbles!

Paint your ring finger with the white nail polish. The same applies about the number of coats needed.

Once your nails are completely dry, use the small paint brush in the red nail polish and paint 3 small triangles one on top of the other to create a tree on your ring finger (the white one). You could do this green if you want it really festive - I would use Barry M in

On the black nails, use the ball point pen and gently dip the end in the white polish and place dots from the ends of your nail down to create a snow effect. There should be more at the end than anywhere.

When all your nails are completely dry, paint over with the clear top coat to keep the design in place and hopefully prevent the polish from chipping.


There you have it - a super easy but effective nail art design. Let me know how you get on if you decide to try this!
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 2 - Luxury Beauty Gifts For Him

There are so many luxury beauty products for men on the market now that you will be spoilt for choice on what to buy your boyfriend/husband/brother/dad this Christmas! You can never go wrong with a bit of Giorgio Armani and Tom Ford fragrances, especially when they come in these lovely gift sets. The huge range of shaving gift sets has almost double this year with ones from Taylor of Old Bond Street and Mankind being just two of them.

The men in your life can certainly be spoilt this year! What are you buying luxury wise?
Love Laura x

Blogmas Day 1 - Advent Calenders

The start of December (and the first day of Blogmas!) means you can finally open the first window on your advent calendar! If like me, you'll have been looking at it for weeks wish to find out what is behind those little doors! There are so many different ones you can get now, so you don't just have to stick to chocolate (but you would be crazy not too!) or even to just having one.

 

These are just a few of my favourite ones and of course there has to be some chocolate in there! If you are looking for a higher end chocolate one, this one from Hotel Chocolat is perfect and their chocolate is super delicious too.

Benefit's advent calendar is always popular and sells out before it's even on the shelf so of course it has to be included in this post. Another beauty favourite is from The Body Shop which contains sample size and full size products from their huge product range - a perfect way to test out a load of products without having to buy them all separately. Ciate's advent calendar is full of different shades of nail polish and all are perfect for the festive season! Lush have also done one this year and it is full of their amazing products and smells divine before you've even opened any of the windows!

For the gin lovers out there, this Ginvent from Drinks by the Dram is perfect as each door hide a little bottle of a different gin. Amazing and very unique! Yankee Candle have done an advent calendar house full of different candle in different sizes that will leave your home smelling lovely over the Christmas period.

 

What advent calendar have you got this year?

Love Laura x