Blogmas Day 25 - Christmas Day!

Blogmas Day 24 - Heavenly Chocolate Cake

Who doesn't love a good, gooey chocolate cake?! I know I certainly can't resist the yumminess and even better when your using a Mary Berry recipe, you know it's going to be good! Would you belie that this is the first time I've ever made an actual cake as opposed to cupcakes? That must show you how easy this recipe is - you can thank me later!

Blogmas Day 23 - Pyjama Edit

Who doesn't love getting some nice, new and cosy pyjamas as a chrostmas present?! I know I certainly don't and not just at Christmas, any time of the year is good for me if i'm being completely honest! This is just a quick round up of a few of my favourites...

Blogmas Day 22 - Christmas Tag!

It's time for the Christmas Tag posts again! I loved doing this post last year, so obviously I've decided to do it again, but I have mixed up the questions a bit.

Blogmas Day 21 - Lingerie Edit

One of my absolute favourite things to buy for myself - and not just at Christmas - is lingerie. I admit, I may have a slight addiction to buying it! There are also so many brands to buy gorgeous lingerie from, but everything included below is under £40 too, so go ahead and treat yourself!

Blogmas Day 20 - Cheese Twist Recipe

One thing I always remember having around at Christmas time - and eating all of - were cheese twists. There's just something about them that is irresistible, especially when they have just come out of the oven and are all warm on a cold day! They are also so quick to make and you can literally fill them with anything alongside the cheese!

 

Blogmas Day 19 - Gift Ideas For Your Dog

If you're giving gifts to everyone, shouldn't your dog(s) be included too?! They are part of the family, so to me, it only seems right that they get a present...or 10 - trust me, my dog is very spoilt and not just at Christmas!

Blogmas Day 18 - Chocolate Waffles

Everybody loves a bit of chocolate are Christmas, right? If you have read my post on the Manchester Christmas Markets, you will know how obsessed I am with the chocolate cover waffles you can get - so much so, I didn't even manage to get a photo of mine! Therefore, it only seemed right that I attempt to make them myself, so read on to see just how easy it was...

Blogmas Day 17 - The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club Classics

Hands up who can sometimes get overwhelmed when choosing a new perfume? I know I do! There are so many different and amazing ones to pick from depending on the type of scent your prefer, it can sometimes be hard to choose the one you are going to use daily. That is where the Discovery Club from The Fragrance Shop comes in, and in particular their Classics 2016 Edition box*.

Blogmas Day 16 - Christmas Jumpers

It's Christmas Jumper Day - who's sat reading this post wearing one? Don't worry if you haven't got one, these post is here to help you find the one for you, weather that be minimal festive or all out tacky Christmas fun!

Blogmas Day 15 - Pixi by Petra Holiday Collection

Who doesn't love getting new make up, especially when it's a new holiday collection. They are without a doubt some of my favourite rages to buy from because they are always so fun and the packing is festive and unique. The holiday collection from Pixi by Petra is certainly no exception to this rule and I was so excited to receive this gift and have honestly been using it all ever since it dropped through my letterbox!

Blogmas Day 14 - Chocolate Slab

Christmas is the perfect time to eat all the chocolate - and not feel bad about it! This chocolate slab is perfect for everyone to enjoy, especially since they can choose what size of the slab they want weather they want a tiny piece or half of it, each to their own! It is also super easy and quick to make and perfect if children want to get involved.

Blogmas Day 13 - Luxury Gift Guide For Him

Well we had the luxury gift guide for her, so now it's time for one for the guys! They love getting luxury products at Christmas just as much and there are so many to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice in what to buy!

Blogmas Day 12 - Manchester Christmas Markets

One place I HAVE to visit every year without fail are the Christmas markets in Manchester - I know some people call them the German markets but now, I feel it's way more multi-cultural.

Blogmas Day 11 - Luxury Gift Guide For Her

Sometimes, you just want to buy a bit more of a fancy gift for someone and while there are so many amazing brands to choose from, it can be a little over whelming, especially for the boys! So, just to help you out, I've put together a little gift guide feature some of the amazing products you can get that are under the luxury price tag.

Blogmas Day 10 - Christmas Playlist

What is Christmas without a music?! Would be completely weird and slightly boring right? That is why you NEED my Christmas playlist full of all your favourites and a few new ones thrown in for good measure!

Blogmas Day 9 - Protect Your Lips With Carmex

When it comes to winter, I always top up my supply of lip products, specifically lip balms as my lips get so dry with spending so much time outside. One brand I have used for years is Carmex, so I was so excited when they very kindly sent me their Christmas gift set.

Blogmas Day 8 - Orange Butter Biscuits

When it comes to Christmas, my house always seems to be filled with oranges - even used to get them in my stocking every year - so what better way to use them up then add them into these amazing buttery biscuits?! They are a little like shortbread, but no where near as thick or heavy and with the orange added in, it makes them taste so festive.

Blogmas Day 7 - Christmas Feet With SockShop

Is it even Christmas if you don't have at least one pair of Christmassy socks to wear?! Personally, I don't think so and although I now have a huge collection of festive/fluffy socks (maybe a whole draw full...) you can never have too many, so I was literally thrilled to receive not one but 3 amazing festive pairs from SockShop*.

Blogmas Day 6 - So eco Powder Brush

With Christmas party invites being sent out by the batch load, you know your makeup needs to not only look as flawless as possible, but also last the entire night. For this, you will no doubt be using either a pressed or loose powder to set your face, so you need a decent brush right? This is where the amazing So eco Powder Brush* comes in!

Blogmas Day 5 - My Birthday!

It's My Birthday!! I kind of have a love hate relationship with m y birthday being so near Christmas - I love that its so festive everywhere and there is amazing food but at the same time, not many people can be bothered to do anything because it's so near Christmas! Luckily, I have some amazing friends who are pretty much always up for doing something!

Blogmas Day 4 - Owl Cupcakes

Owls always remind me of Christmas and Winter, so what better way to show this then to put them on cupcakes and share them with everyone?! Super simple to make and decorate, they will certainly catch everyone's attention and they will be asking you for this recipe.

Blogmas Day 3 - Gift Sets Under £50

Everybody loves a good gift set for Christmas - I've even bought them for myself as you can get so many amazing things in them and they normally work out cheaper than buying each product separately! Here are the best gift sets I've found (and lusting over/buying as presents) that are all under £50!

Blogmas Day 2 - Galaxy Surprise Cupcakes

Probably one of the simplest recipes and while it isn't particularly Christmassy, they do taste amazing and will sure to be snapped up as soon as they've come out of the oven, but they do taste even better with the icing on top!

Blogmas Chatty Day 1

It's the start of December and that can only mean one thing - the first day of Blogmas!!

Black Friday Deals And Codes

Once again, Black Friday is upon us and I'm sure I can almost hear my bank account scream in protest! As well as buying some early Christmas presents for people, I do normally buy a few little things for myself too, so I've made a round up of some of the best deals and codes for you to all get the best discounts you can!

John Frieda Full Repair Repairing Oil Elixir

One hair care product I have been loving recently is hair oil and in particular, the John Frieda Full Repair Repairing Oil Elixir. This is a product I bought by chance a while ago but have only recently started using since the weather has changed and the heating has been turned on as this is when my hair starts to really dry out and go even more frizzy!

Winter ASOS Wish List

With it now going colder and also Christmas approaching, it's the perfect time for a wardrobe update! ASOS is one of my favourite online 'stores' as they have literally everything you could ever need and more besides. Here are just a few of the items I'm currently lusting over...

MAC Full Fuchsia Lipstick

For a while now I've been looking for a bright pink lipstick from one of the high end brands and eventually decided on Full Fuchsia from MAC which is from the amplified collection. While I normally go for matte lipstick, it's always good to try something new!

24 Hours In Los Angeles

Los Angeles (LA) is probably at the very top of my wanderlust list - there always seems like there is so much to see and do, that it would be impossible to be bored there! Being a blogger, I tend to see so many gorgeous and lust-worthy photos from those who have been lucky enough to visit, so if I had just 24 hours in LA, these are the thing I would try and do!

Cargo Cosmetics Bronze Eyeshadow Palette

Cargo Cosmetics is a brand I tend to see a lot on instagram, mainly by American and Canadian based bloggers as this is where the brand is based, so it was safe to say I was intrigued by their products! Although they do sell a small selection of their products to UK based stores, I actually managed to pick up their Bronze eyeshadow palette in TK Maxx.

How To | Work With Brands And PR's

How to work with brands and PR companies is one question I get asked a lot, especially when I tell people that I contact 90% of them myself rather than waiting for them to find me. Through this, I have picked up a few tips that I'm more than willing to share with you all!

KoKo Couture Hair Extensions

Hair extensions seem to be having a bit of a moment right now and it is now wildly know, that many people in the public eye rely on them to create the flawless and enviously think hair we all lust over! However, they are one beauty thong I have never tried, even though I have thought about it many times and luckily KoKo Couture* kindly send me some of their new extensions to try out.

5 Beauty Things I Fail At

Things in the beauty/makeup world are constantly changing with new trends being brought in and old ones being forgotten or updated, which can not only make it hard to keep up with but also hard to learn new things constantly. Along with the new trends, the older or just basic makeup application things can be difficult to get perfect, even for us beauty bloggers! Contrary to popular belief, even we don't always have perfect makeup, so here are the 5 beauty things I still fail at!

Salon Science Repair & Radiance Range

I don't know about you, but one of the first things I notice about someone when I meet them, is their hair so I am always conscious that this is what others notice when they meet me! This is why I am always on the hunt for hair care products that help to tame frizz and repair the look of split ends which are the two main things my hair suffers from. I was so excited to try Salon Science Repair & Radiance* range, as it was a brand I hadn't heard of but love that they use the similarities of skincare science to hair and that they are clinically proven to work and award winning!

Ted Baker AW16 Christmas Jewellery Collection

We all know the Ted Baker brand, namely for their amazing clothing and handbags and of course, the well known symbol of the bow, but did you know they also have a huge and gorgeous collection of jewellery too? The pieces can really make you stand out from the crowd - no hiding in the shadows for you, even if you are a secret agent...

Cosy Club Manchester

Finding new places to eat in Manchester is always high on my to-do list, even more since my best friend/food lover accomplice became vegan. Have you ever realised how hard it is to find somewhere that gives vegan and non-vegan options in the city centre?! It's not easy I can tell you, so I am so glad we decided to try out Cosy Club in Manchester.

Collection Cosmetics Colour Match Foundation

We all know that Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer is a blogger favourite, but have you ever thought about trying their foundation? I know I certainly hadn't but after a visit to my local Superdrug, know I wanted a new foundation to try out, I came away with their Colour Match Foundation in shade Porcelain.

Blogger Twitter Chats - Ultimate List!

One thing I have come to absolutely love since becoming a blogger, is joining in twitter chats. They are such an amazing way to interact and network with other bloggers from around the world and also to share your own blog with a whole load of new bloggers.

Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Cream & Body Cream

With Autumn/Winter well on its way, I don't know about you, but I'm getting all the hand and body creams out/buying more to make sure my skin is in the best and most moisturised condition it can be! One brand I have seen a lot of, but have never owned anything from is Crabtree & Evelyn and they very kindly sent me their Hand Cream and Body Cream, both in Caribbean Island Wild Flowers*.

 

Tommy X GiGi Collection

Hands up, who fell in love with Tommy Hilfiger thanks to their new collection Tommy X GiGi, showcased at NYFW?! I know I certainly did and I'm pretty sure I want everything as it is all so wearable and it is available to buy now. In fact it was straight after the show as part of the new catwalk to shop that a lot of major brands are doing now.

Spectrum Collections Brushes 10 Piece Essential Set

Who hasn't seen and lusted over Spectrum Collections Brushes are one point or another?! I know I certainly have and they are so recognisable for their gorgeous 'mermaid' brushes, so I'm sure you can appreciate my excitement (pretty such I actually squealed!) when they dropped through my letter box! They very, very kindly send me their Attention Seeker 10 Piece Essential Set * which basically has every type of brushes you could ever need.

London Fashion Week Survival Guide

With fashion month fast approaching, I thought it was high time I posted about attending London Fashion Week (LFW) and my tips and tricks for surviving the busy and fast paced week! I have been lucky enough to have attended LFW for the past 3 years, so I have picked up a few helpful things along the way, so read one to find out what they are!

Lord & Berry Makeup - #TeamNude

Lord & Berry is a brand I have been seeing a lot of recently, especially on online stores. They are a boutique Italian brand that have been around for over 20 years after being established backstage at both Milan and Paris fashion weeks. With this kind of background, you know the products are going to be good! I was very kindly send some of their products which fit into their #TeamNude - something which I fully embrace and wear daily.

Back To School/College/Uni

Well the holidays are now at an end and if you are getting ready to go back to school/college or uni, you must be buying things right? Or are you more of a rush round at last minute type of person? Nothing wrong with being either in my opinion, but there are a few things that absolute must haves when you are going back and may make it slightly more bearable!

How pretty are all the note books?! You can never have too many of them, even if you aren't at school/college/uni. I think that goes for the bags, umbrella (how cute is the print on that?!), purse, watch and technology items such as the gorgeous Coca Cola phone case from Skinny Dip - one of my favourite places to buy cases anyway!

Is there anything that is a must have for when you go back to school, college or uni?
Love Laura x

*This posts contains affiliate links 

Designer Bag Dupes

Who hasn't thought or lusted after a designer bag? I know I certainly have and while I have bought a few designer items, a bag isn't one - YET! These gorgeous things do come with a hefty price tag, both for the name and the quality you get but you can get some amazing dupes on the high street, so you get the look but it's a bit kinder on your bank account!

The Perfect Sunday With Scrub Love

To me, Sundays - especially the evenings - have always been about getting ready for the week ahead weather that be sorting your bag out, getting outfits sorted for each day of the following week or, like me using it as a pamper and relaxing day! Of course, the routine has changed over the years and has gone from Sunday dinner, TV and bed to including all manner of beauty treatments, including my new favourite body scrub, Scrub Love *!

4 Alternative Uses For Lip Products

Lip products are hugely popular at the moment, from the classic lipstick to liquid lipsticks and liners and I don't know about you, but I've acquired quite the collection now! However, did you know you can use them for other areas than just your lips? Not only are they multi-purpose but they can give your makeup a whole new look.

The No Blowdry, Blowdry

Usually when a new hair trend comes along, I brace myself for the hours of learning how to do it and perfect it. However, this one is meant to look like you haven't put any effort in - and no, not like those effortless style which normally require a LOT of effort! The 'no blowdry, blowdry' gives you the waves you wish your hair dried to naturally without the frizz and it's not too done or polished but doesn't look like you just rolled out of bed and lost your brush! It is also one of those styles that gets better the longer you leave it - unlike the Chelsea blow-dries which drop before you've even left the salon.

Makeup Revolution 144 Palette

Makeup Revolution has become one of my absolute favourite drugstore brands - everything is super affordable and amazing quality, what more could you possibly ask for?! The fact that they have so many different eyeshadow palettes, both in size and shades is perfect and means there is one to suit everyone, but of course being a blogger I had to get the biggest one they offer with an amazing 144 shades!

Get Shirt-y With It!

The one fashion item I've really got into this year is shirts - they are something I've never really worn or bought much of in the past, other than the classic smart shirt. Pretty much every store this season has brought out a new collection of shirts and, as you can imagine, I now have a bit of a wish list!

M&S Autograph Matte Lipstick

I'll happily admit that I love lipstick, but one place I've never even thought of looking for make up in general was M&S, or Marks and Spencer to give it's full name. It really surprised me how much they actually sell and it's not only their own named stuff, they sell other brands too such as Stila and Leighton Denny. Of course, I had to try something from their own range and it would have been silly to not get a lipstick right?