Last post of 2015

As 2015 draws to an end, I'm not going to make a post about how great my year has been or what I plan on doing in the new year. This post is just a little something to say thank you to everyone who took the time to read my blog, I never thought I'd have had this many people reading my blog. Thank you for reading, thank you for feedback and thank you for getting involved. In the new year I will be interacting more with you guys.

My new blog idea is that everyday I will be writing in a diary about how my day went, things I've done during the day, just normal diary things. I will be writing in it tonight and then tomorrow I will be taking a picture and posting it to my blog. I will make it clear enough for you to read so I don't have to explain each blog. This is so you get to know me better and so if you're going through the same thing, you can see how I'm dealing with it and so you know you are not alone! At the end of the year I will look over the diary and make a blog post on 31st December 2016 (exactly a year today) on how far I've come, what I've achieved, what I haven't achieved and reflect on my year.

I will also be posting regular blogs as I have done since this blog started, but I thought it would be a good idea. I haven't decided the pattern of what I'll be posting blogs on which day, but I'll figure that out and keep you guys up to date.

Anyway, Happy New Year everyone, I hope 2016 is a great year for you. Only you can make it great so make it the year you reach your dreams and goals! Stay safe tonight and have a great night!

Speak in the new year!

Xoxo

Instagram- saralouisehxo
Twitter- saralouisehxo

December 11th- favourite Christmas songs

I love Christmas songs. I love singing along to them, I love randomly singing them and I love dancing to them! Hearing Christmas songs in the stores makes me happy and excited to know that it's not too far away! Here are my favourite Christmas songs;

• All I want for Christmas is you. This is a great song! I love cranking it up full volume and singing at the top of my lungs. On Saturday I had my works Christmas meal and we had all had a bit to drink and were singing this really badly and very loudly.
• This is a song I discovered I liked last Christmas (and no it's not Wham), driving home for Christmas is a song I love singing too. It's a great song as it tells about how people are finishing work to spend Christmas with their loved ones.
• Rocking around the Christmas tree has to be in my top 10 favourite Christmas songs! It is also in one of my favourite Christmas films- Home Alone! I mean come on, who doesn't love watching Home Alone and wishing that happened to them... No, only me? Okay then..
• Whenever I hear jingle bell rock it reminds me of mean girls and then I try and recreate the dance but it never happens. I normally just end up slapping my legs randomly at points in the song thinking I've missed that part of the dance. 
• I love how dancey merry Christmas everyone is. I love dancing to it and just love the music. It makes me so excited when merry Christmas everyone comes on as it is just a great song!
• Wonderful Christmas time is another great song you can dance too and be silly too. It's in the film Rudolph the red nose reindeer; the movie and I just have this little clip playing in my head whenever it comes on.
• The history in the song stop the cavalry is so moving and is just a great representation of British history. It says about stopping the cavalry which means stopping war- World War 1 to be exact and just tells us about what Christmas was like for those fighting for our Country.
• Both versions of Santa baby- Eartha Kitt and Kylie Minogue are great. Eartha's version (the original) is just amazing with her voice. She has a unique voice which is why I'm so drawn to her version and Kylie's version is also great. She has a great voice and she did the song well. Madonna and T Swift have also done versions but I haven't listened to them.
• It's the most wonderful time of the year- quite literally. This song is also in my top 10 favourite as Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year! Need I say more.. I think not.
• I'm a huge Elvis Presley fan and blue Christmas is clearly in my top 10! Listening to Elvis sing this melts my heart and I love it! I'll have a blue Christmas, without you!
• This is a song that no matter how many times we sing it down in the South (of England) it never happens. If we sang this song and it came true, it would be snowing all the time of December. Just let is snow, let it snow, LET IT SNOW!
• This is a song I don't know the meaning of half of it. When I was in year 13 at school, we played this song in sociology and the people in my class who took Spanish started singing along. Feliz Navidad sounds typically Spanish- I played it to Ollie and he said 'cor this sounds like a Spanish song' and I showed him and he was right.
• This song sounds like a hymn but was sung by the same people who did daddy cool, which is why it's surprising it sounds hymn like. I really like Mary's boy child/Oh My Lord and I have no idea why as it's not like any of the other songs I have mentioned.

December 10th- DIY Christmas gifts

I thought making some gifts this year would be a great idea. I made a couple of gifts for Ollie last year as I wasn't in a position to spend loads of money- hence making some presents. I wanted to share with you some of the ideas I had and that are super easy to make!

'In case of emergency'
This is a good DIY for someone who smokes- I did make this for Ollie, however it was for his birthday but it'll still work as a Christmas present.

Things you'll need:

• photo frame
• plain paper
• lighter
• cigarette
• pen
• glue dots

- Cut the paper to fit inside the frame.
- Place the lighter and cigarette onto the paper to get it positioned how you want.
- Take the glue dots and glue the lighter and cigarette to the paper.
- Write 'in case of emergency, break glass' under the stuck on lighter (or cigarette, whichever way you chose to stick them).
- Place the paper into the frame and place the backing on.
- It is now ready to be given as a gift that they can hang on the wall.

When I gave this to Ollie, he couldn't believe it and thought it was the funniest and most thoughtful gift he had been give, as it was personal to him.

Malteser reindeer
I saw this on Roxxsaurus's YouTube channel and thought it was a great gift to give! you can give it to any chocolate lover and they can then use it as a decoration for their room after they've eaten all the chocolate. I won't put pictures up of me doing this DIY as she has it in her video, so make sure to check it out!

Things you'll need:

• mason jar
• brown paint
• googly eyes
• red pom poms
• twigs
• hot glue gun
• tape

- Take two pieces of tape and wrap it at the top and bottom of the mason jar.

- Paint a layer on brown paint in between the tape. Go over it when it's dried.

- Once it is completely dry, take off the tape carefully.

- Glue on the twigs as antlers, googly eyes and red pom pom for a nose.

- Fill the jar up with Malteasers. 

I know I haven't posted many DIY gifts but I have a Christmas craft post and last minute gift ideas coming up soon so I'll add more to them.

Xoxo 

Instagram- saraharpum

Twitter- kissmybeaute

December 9th- Christmas tree reveal

This is only the second year I've had a tree in my room- obviously it's a small tree, so I love decorating it.

This year I went for a classic white look. I got my tree from asda which came with lights already on for £5. I also comes in black and white, but I opted for the green tree. The decorations weren't that expensive either and also came from asda. I was really drawn to the white and the glitter which is why I chose the classic white theme. I haven't used tinsel (as it's tacky in my opinion) but I have been debating whether or not i should get some silver beads from asda just to add something else to it.

Xoxo

Instagram- saraharpum
Twitter- kissmybeaute

December 8th- Winter haul

I have collected a lot of makeup items and a few skincare since the beginning of December. I've posted a few on Instagram and Twitter but I've tried to keep it quiet what I've bought purely for this blog. I was going to have it as clothes, makeup and skincare but I haven't really bought myself any clothes.

I picked up the Bourjois healthy mix foundation and colorboost lip crayon. As I spent over £15 for these two products, I got a free gift. The gift contained a lipgloss, mascara, nail varnish and eyeshadow quad.
I recently got a few Clinique products. I picked up the Clinique sonic brush. I've got the No7 facial cleansing brush but I feel like it does nothing so I got the sonic brush and I've noticed a difference. I'm so glad I got the sonic brush! Along with the sonic brush I got the anti-blemish solutions clarifying lotion. I was given a sample of this and I noticed the difference so when boots were having a 10% off, I brought it then. I also picked up the dramatically different gel. The gel is better for anyone with oily skin as it's oil free. I've noticed that my skin is a lot softer since using the gel. As well as all the skincare I picked up from Clinique, I also picked up a lipliner in liquorice. It's the perfect plummy/burgundy colour!
From boots.com I ordered a couple of NYX products. I finally got my hands on the liquid suede in cherry skies! I was so excited when they came back into stock a second time but I was too late ordering so was only able to pick up soft spoken, but they brought them back (I think permanently) so I grabbed cherry skies while I could! I also picked up the microbrow in the shade chocolate. From swatching it on my hand, it may be too dark, but knowing me I will probably end up dying my hair dark again, so it'll be perfect for then.
Another skincare item I recently got was the No7 protect and perfect serum. I thought I'd try this serum out as it contains salicylic acid which helps with spots. This also makes my skin feel soft. I don't use it all the time so I cant say much about it yet.
Over the weekend I popped into TKMaxx and saw a gorgeous Nars lipgloss for £9.99 and obviously had to get it! After Ollie and I had been to TKMaxx we went to Tunbridge Wells (a shopping mall near where we live) and went into superdrug. Recently superdrug have added the brand Freedom to some of their store (and Tunbridge Wells is a bigger store) so I had to pick up at least 1 item. As they were closing very soon I only managed to pick up their brow powder- I haven't tried the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow powder but it looks exactly the same as that, with the duo colours. I opted for medium brown. I also picked up a Makeup Revolution blusher (obviously as I'm in love with their makeup!) and I love it! It's very pigmented so I don't need to use a lot and it just gives a very healthy glow to the skin. I picked up the colour all I think about is you. If you can get your hands on it, DO IT! Trust me!
Now the last items in my haul I actually picked up today. I went back to TKMaxx with my mum and my eyes were instantly drawn to this palette and I knew I needed it. I am now the proud owner of the Balm nude tude palette! I've seen so many tutorials using this and haven't had the chance to order it, so as soon as I saw it today, I knew I needed it. I also picked up a lipstick from the Balm too in the shade Ima Goodkisser. It's a little more orangey than I expected but I can mix it with another lipstick and I know it'll look amazing!

I wanted to have a bigger haul with clothes but I don't really get round to buying myself clothes- all my money goes on makeup, and obviously Christmas.

Xoxo

Instagram- saraharpum
Twitter- kissmybueate

December 7th- Christmas gifts for him

So I did a Christmas gifts for her, so I'm doing one for him. I won't make this too long as it's exactly the same as the gifts for her, they can be for you dad, brother, boyfriend or husband. I've done gifts under £10 and under £20.

Under £10
Salt and Worth glove box kit:
It prepares you for long car journeys and comes in a hancy case which is perfect for tucking away in the glove box. It contains- Chamois leather, ice scraper, snap-light, mints, pencil, mini notebook, moisturiser, tissues, plasters, sewing kit and plastic gloves. This is the perfect gift for anyone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel.
This product is £8.
Rudolph heat changing mug:
This is perfect for anyone who enjoys a hot drink. Watch Rudolph's nose change from black to red when filled with hot water.
This product is £9.
Pug in a mug:
Another perfect gift for anyone who enjoys a hot drink- especially tea. It is also perfect for dog lovers! It is a silicone tea infuser, so would match well with some loose leaf tea (another great gift idea).
This product is £5.

Under £20
Reiss mens duo:
This aspirational, chic and timeless British brand has carved its niche since its formation in 1971. It contains a body wash which cleanses and leaves skin feeling moisturised. The addictive, aromatic and woody body spray has notes of Laurel leaf and Clary Sage which is combined with notes of soft musk and Oudh.
This product is £15.
Sizzle and sear board and meat rubs:
This is the perfect gift for any meat lovers. You can add delicious spices and seasonings to meats to impress guests or to enjoy for yourself.
This product is £16.50.

December 6th- Christmas gifts for her

Choosing a present for your mum, sister, girlfriend or wife can be difficult, so I've come up with some gift ideas to make it easier for you. I was going to divide it into each person and with a price range e.g. mum under £10, under £20 etc. but most of these present can be for your mum, sister, girlfriend of wife, so I'm just going to do price ranges.

Under £10
I know it sounds cheap, presents under £10 but if you don't have a lot of money or you've left it till the last minute these are a good idea. Boots is a great place to look as they have a lot of good deals on (3 for 2 across all Christmas presents- the ones with the green sticker on them), and if you're unable to find what you're looking for, you can order in store and receive free next day delivery ( I will note that due to black Friday, it is back logged so will be 2 days after you order).
Ted Baker have a cute 'mini treasure'- available in pink, mint or golden limited edition soufflé. These can be hung on the tree and come in cute packaging. This product is £4.
Champneys have a citrus blush mini duo. It's 2 body care products which will make her feel pampered. It contains a shower gel and body lotion which will allow for pure pampering pleasure. This product is £5.
Boots extracts must-have minis box is the perfect gift for someone who likes to take care of their skin, whilst using products which smell great. This box contains 1 strawberry body scrub, 1 satsuma body spray, 1 vanilla body wash and 1 coconut body butter. This product is £8.

Under £20
If you want to spend a bit more and spoil them, look no further!
Sanctuary tin of good intentions is a good gift which allows her to indulge in a body wash, body scrub and body lotion. This body was is infused with essential oils and bursting jojoba beads. The gel body scrub is infused with natural pumice particles and essential oils. This silky smooth body lotion provides light, lovely moisture to the skin. This product is £14. Also available as Sanctuary favourite florals tin (same price).
Jack Wills travel kit is perfect for taking on the go. It comes with a wash bag- perfect for taking any beauty bits away, signature body wash, signature body lotion and signature body mist. The wash bag is a classy checked design and obviously has the iconic Jack Wills name. This product is £18.
WoodWick linen medium candle is perfect for any candle lover (like myself). It has the smell of freshly washed clothes drying in a soft summer breeze. It is made of all natural ingredients and nothing harsh or artificial is added. They have a Pluswick made of natural wood which gives the effect of a crackling fire when lit.This product is £16.99

There are plenty of other items in store which you can also get for her. Fragrances are a good option and they have plenty on offer, including gift sets, so you'll be able to find her that special something!

Xoxo

Instagram-saraharpum
Twitter- kissmybeaute

A few changes to Blogmas

I'm changing the way I do Blogmas slightly. I thought it would be easy to upload on the actual day but due to work I'm struggling, so I've decided that I'm going to upload on the following day. This means that todays blog (5th December) will be uploaded tomorrow- 6th December. This will make it easier for me as I can write the post and not have to worry about uploading really late at night. It means I can upload the post during the day when I'm at work!

This is a change which I should have done when I started Blogmas, but I guess you live and learn!

Xoxo

Instagram- xosaratalks
Twitter- xosaratalks

December 5th- winter skincare routine

Now I know I said today would be the DIY Christmas snack ideas, but it was tricky to do as I got home from work, had dinner and then sat down and didn't want to move. I've decided to now include it in the Christmas baking post I'll be uploading. For now, I thought I'd upload my winter skincare routine.

First I start with my No7 beautiful skin cleansing oil. This in a oil which you apply all over your face, including your eyes, then add water to emulsify it. I massage it into my face, using circular motions and then add warm water to my hands. I repeat the same steps with the water and then rinse the oil off.

After rinsing the oil off, I use the Clinique foaming sonic facial soap. This is only a sample, but I'm enjoying using it. I apply a small amount into my hands and foam it up by adding water. Once it's nice and foamy, I apply it to my face and then I use my NO7 face brush to really deep clean my face. I use the first setting to make sure the products is distributed all over my face properly. After that I use the second setting to give a deeper clean and to exfoliate my face.

I rinse this off with warm water then move onto my body shop pore-cleansing facial exfoliator. I don't do this every night, maybe once or twice a week. The abrasive agent in this is olive stone. This helps to really scrub the skin and remove any dead skins cells. 

After I have washed my face and rinsed everything off, I use the Clinique ain't-blemish solutions clarifying lotion. I notice a real difference in my skin when I don't use this product! I suffer with oily skin and acne due to polycystic ovary syndrome so I need anything that'll help with acne and this product is amazing! Once I've swept this over my face, I apply my No7 protect and perfect serum. I don't use the intense advance one as that's for older skin and contains hyaluronic acid and the one I use contains salicilic acid (which is great for acne)! After I've let that soak in, I apply the Clinique dramatically different moisturising gel. I use the gel instead of the lotion as it's designed for combination to oily skin.

After its all soaked into my skin I apply some lip balm and I've finished! 

Note: I will be adding pictures tomorow, I've been out all day and I'm currently at Ollies so don't have any of those items with me. 

This is a new routine for me as I've got new products. I'm looking into getting an eye cream as I have bags under my eyes and a few lines starting to come! Any recommendations are welcome! 

Xoxo

Instagram- xosaratalks

Twitter- xosaratalks 

December 4th- DIY Christmas decorations

I wanted to add some personal touches to my room and decorations in general, so I thought making my own would be fun. I've decided to do a mixture of both room decor and tree decorations. These DIYs are all easy and cheap to make.

I'm not sure what to call this DIY- maybe winter wonderland, but I saw a Youtuber create this (Idunngoddess) and had to recreate this for myself!
Things you'll need:
- glass candle holder
- salt ( for the snow)
- paper Christmas tree
- single use candle

⦁ Start by pouring the salt into the glass candle holder. Filling it a quater of the way will be enough. Lay some paper down for spillages.

⦁ Add the candle to the salt.

⦁ Stick a paper tree in the salt behind the candle. 

⦁ 'Winter wonderland' is complete.

The next DIY is wrapping paper tree decorations. This one pretty much explains itself, it's wrapping paper which you make into tree decorations.
Things you'll need:
- wrapping paper (obviously)
- scissors
- hole punch
- string or ribbon
- pencil
- glue (optional)

⦁ If like me you can't cut without a rough sketch, then start drawing shapes with the pencil on the non-patterend side. Do as many shapes as you want.

⦁ Once you have drawn the shapes, cut them out.

⦁ This next step is completely optional. Take 2 of the same shapes and apply a thin layer of glue to the non-patterend side- only apply to one half. Stick the other half to the one with glue on.

⦁ Let it dry for 10 minutes.
⦁ After it has dried, use the hole punch to make a hole in the top of your shape.

⦁ Taking some string of ribbon, feed it through the hole and tie a knot.

⦁ You can now hang your decorations on your tree.

The reason I glued 2 shapes together is because if the decoration turns around, it still shows the pattern. Whereas if I didn't, it would be plain but if that's what you want to do, then do it! Who am I to tell you that it has to be exactly the same! You do you! 

December 3rd- Christmas wish list

I know today was originally meant to be Christmas snack ideas, but as I'm at Ollie's it's difficult for me to create the snacks I wanted too. I decided to swap the snacks with my wish list.

These are things I would like for Christmas, but not necessarily getting- trust me, I'd love them all! I know some may seem expensive or unrealistic but they're just things I would like. 

• a new laptop- something I can start editing videos on.

• a camera- to record the videos.

• more space in my room- so I have room to put all my makeup.

• more storage in my room- for all my clothes and makeup.

• longer hair- so I can curl it.

• a job as a makeup artist or full time blogger- so I can work from home.

• more makeup- there's no need for an explanation for this one.

• better makeup skills- for the videos I want to make.

• a car- I can't drive but it'll make me want to learn.

• my own place- so I can have the freedom to walk around in my underwear! 

Now as I've said, these are unrealistic and just things I'd like; not things I'll be getting! 

I'll be doing the snacks on Sunday when I'm home and it's my day off so I'm able to actually do the snacks.

Xoxo 

Instagram- xosaratalks

Twitter- xosaratalks 

December 2nd- holiday bucket list

I have a lot of things I want to do this Christmas, so I thought writing a bucket list would be a great idea! Even though I want to do a lot of things, I've narrowed it down as I work full time. I will be trying to add more, but I'm not going to set 50 things. I'd rather set 10 and add 10 more after. 

• bake Christmas cookies

• watch elf

• go to a Christmas festival

• Pinterest DIYs

• put the Christmas tree up with my family

• get someone involved in Blogmas 

• make a festive meal

• rearrange my room- I want to add new festive decor

• take cute Christmas pictures

• kiss under the mistletoe 

• have a movie night with my family where we watch all our favourite Christmas films! 

• start new Christmas traditions

These are just a few things I want to do this Christmas and I hope to complete them all! I will be photographing and will have a blog dedicated to everything I did on my bucket list which I'll post after Christmas! 

Xoxo

Instagram- xosaratalks

Twitter- xosaratalks 

December 1st- things I love about Christmas

Christmas is my FAVOURITE time of the year! I love everything about it, the Christmas songs, movies, decorations, putting up the tree, snuggling by the fire with a hot chocolate and winter walks. 

I love when everyone is in the Christmas mood and telling you what they do for Christmas, if they've done their Christmas shopping and when they're putting their tree up. Everyone being festive makes me happy! 

When I was younger, I always got excited when putting the tree and decorations up. We always keep our decorations in a cardboard box and one year, my dad, sister and I drew on the box (self-portraits) and even though my mum and dad aren't together anymore, we still have the same box with the decorations in! (I will post a picture on Instagram once we get the box out again).

Now I'm older, I still enjoy putting up the decorations and tree- maybe a little more than when I was younger. I now enjoy watching Christmas films and wrapping up warm and going on walks through the countryside. Another thing I enjoy is turning Christmas songs up really loud and singing my heart out! At work everyone says I shouldn't be in this much of a Christmas mood and laugh when they see me dancing and singing along with the songs we have playing. 

I literally love everything about Christmas to the point where I can't pinpoint my most favourite part about Christmas! 

Xoxo

Instagram- xosaratalks

Twitter- xosaratalks

25 days of Blogmas

So as you know, I'm taking part in Blogmas this year. It's the first time I've taken part in anything like this and I'm excited to be taking part! I've got a whole mixture of DIYs, gift ideas and chatty posts which I can't wait for you to read! I'm writing this blog to let you know what to expect on which day. 

December 1st- things I love about Christmas.

December 2nd- holiday bucket list. 

December 3rd- Christmas wish list 

December 4th- DIY Christmas decorations.

December 5th- Christmas snack ideas.

December 6th- Christmas gifts for her.

December 7th- Christmas gifts for him.

December 8th- winter haul.

December 9th- Christmas tree reveal.

December 10th- DIY Christmas gifts.

December 11th- favourite Christmas songs. 

December 12th- holiday makeup, hair and outfits. 

December 13th- Christmas crafts.

December 14th- winter lipsticks.

December 15th- my perfect Christmas l.

December 16th- favourite winter candles.

December 17th- Christmas baking-

December 18th- favourite Christmas movies.

December 19th- Christmas jumpers.

December 20th- DIY Santa hat.

December 21st- last minute gift ideas.

December 22nd- pampering yourself.

December 23rd- what does Christmas mean to you.

December 24th- Christmas Eve traditions.

December 25th- what I got for Christmas.

I've managed to work out the DIYs around my days off so I'm sorry if they all seem a bit spread out and the order of everything looks funny, I work full time so taking part in Blogmas was something I had to really think about when it came to my days off and what I was doing on which days. 

I'll have December 1st posted up later today! 

Xoxo

Instagram- xosaratalks

Twitter- xosaratalks