Christmas gift guide: your best friend and sister

No matter how much you love and enjoy Christmas shopping, there's still those really difficult people who we struggle to buy for. This post looks at those sisters and best friends (because let's face it, some of our best friends are our sisters) who have everything...

Starting from the top, left to right: 1. Navy Check Poncho, Accessorize (£35); 2. Make up Bag, Lola & Gilbert (£12.99); 3. Candy Cane House, Ciate (£25); 4. Black Tartan Check Reversible Scarf, New Look (£14.99); 5. Rose Golden Luxury Set, Zoeva (€65); 6. Leather Stab Stitch Bag, Ted Baker (£149). 

Keep your eyes peeled for the next installment - Christmas gifts for brothers and boyfriends. 

The best of: Autumn 2014

This autumn has been rather quiet and I am thankful for that too. I needed time to recuperate after the most hectic spring and summer of my life. So although I haven't taken many photos this autumn, here are just a few of my favourites...

For the last couple of months we have spent time catching up with friends and family and spending our weekends going on long country walks with our beloved pet pooch.

The middle top photo wasn't a recent one, but it popped up on my Timehop just after Halloween. It was a simple reminder of how much fun I had at university, especially when we had chance to dress up.

The fourth and sixth photos are of our three nieces - the most adorable, beautiful little girls you will ever meet. They brighten up a room and they are a pleasure to spend time with.

Although there wasn't many photos this autumn, I'm looking forward to the excitement, warmth and fun that comes through winter. We've got lots planned and I can't wait to share it with you lot.

I'd love to see your 'best of' blog posts. Leave your links below!

Eau Thermale Avene Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser

Facial cleansers, we have a kind of love-hate relationship. I love to use them, but they hate my skin. But all is not lost with the Eau Thermale Avene Cleanance Gel. 

This mild cleansing gel is perfect for blemish prone skin. I have been suffering from spots in and around my hairline recently of which I'm putting down to not removing make-up properly. So I figured my skin needed a little more of a helping hand to tackle these problem areas. According to Avene, the cleanser helps purify skin and regulate oil secretion - a breeding ground for blemishes and zits. 

The one thing I love about this cleanser is that although it is soapless, it still has the same consistency of a soap and cleanses just as well, if not better. The Cleanance Gel smells amazing too - not too overpowering but pleasant enough to use daily. 

Although at £11 it may seem slightly more expensive compared to other cleansers, it is worth every single penny. I picked mine up from Boots for £11/200ml. 

For more information on other Eau Thermale Avene products, visit www.avene.co.uk. 

Schwarzkopf Got2B Oil-licious Tame and Shine Styling Oil

I picked up this cute little product while doing a quick shop in Co-op, of all places, for only £4.07 (50ml). And yes, I know what you're all thinking - another styling oil! But this little product packs a pretty good punch. 

The non-greasy formula, packed with Argan Oil, is super light and offers the ability to be used in numerous ways. I personally prefer to apply to newly washed and dried hair, just before styling, but you can also use on damp hair pre-style, to the ends of freshly styled hair to set and tame any fly-aways and to hair pre-wash for extra shine. 

Another great thing about the Tame and Shine Styling Oil is that it makes a fantastic de-tangler after washing too. Considering 50ml may seem like a small amount, a little really does go a long way. 

You can pick this product up from most supermarkets that stock Schwarzkopf products or from www.got2b.schwarzkopf.co.uk.

15 things I've learnt...

Image credit: weheartit  

So, last weekend I turned 27. A relatively good age in my opinion. The wrong side of 25 some others might say. Needless to say that in twenty seven years I have learnt a lot...

 

1 Giving is so much better than receiving: it's totally okay to be more excited about Christmas shopping than the day itself. Likewise for birthdays, Mother's Day, weddings...the list goes on.

 

2 You will still make fashion disasters: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini style combat trousers didn't work for her and they didn't work for me either.

3 You will become more emotional: One Born Every Minute, Don't Tell the Bride and even Hollyoaks, shedding a tear to my much loved television programs has become more frequent than Dodger taking his top off.

4 Wine and chocolate will be best friend (sometimes): the reason being? See above.

5 Make time for those who matter: my father once told me that when I become an actual grown up, counting my best friends on one hand would be normal and right he was. But this isn't a bad thing by any means.

6 You meet some rather amazing people: as I've aged, I've developed more friendships than I ever did as an adolescent, all of which I know are lifelong.

7 Staying in is the new going out: there's no denying it, enjoying a glass of wine with the TV definitely trumps a sweaty nightclub.

8 Grown up drinks become more grown up: wine is enjoyed with dinner and not in the bottle with a straw!

9 Its okay, not to be okay.

10 You won't take BS from anyone: with age comes the ability to stand up for yourselves, be it in the workplace, out and about or sadly, over social media.

11 ...But you'll always be polite: temper tantrums and awkward arguments are a no-no.

12 It's normal to have more than three weddings in a summer: all of which will be special, exciting and magical in their own way.

13 Grown up talk turns to bills and babies: no more boys and bad nights out!

14 But you become less scared to say what you think: honesty is always the best policy.

15 It's okay to ask for help: growing up means standing on our own two feet, but sometimes we all need a helping hand and it's okay to admit it.

What about you? I'd love to hear yours?