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