Aloha! I dunno about you but I am a big fan of the Boots 3 for 2 on gifts at Christmas time.

I always find something for everyone in there. I thought I'd do my pick of the best gifts under £10 which you might find handy if you have a secret santa present to buy!

Travel kit / Beauty product / Tea sampler / Ceramic mug / Sanctuary Little Bag of Joy

Twinings Tea Set £10 - This one would be good for the tea lover in your life or your office!

Starbucks Sprinkler Set £13 - I love a good Starbucks and I know a few people who would also love this, especially my boss who is a big fan of coffee!

Beauticology Travel Kit £8 - I think this one looks worth a lot more than £8. Beauticology products always smell so yummy! And this sequin travel bag is so cute!

Soap & Glory Bright and Bubbly £10 - I don't think I know anyone who doesn't like soap & glory so this is one I could add as a little extra into any parcel!

Sanctuary Spa Little Bag of Joy £10 - I've received Sanctuary Spa products as gifts quite a few times and I've never been disappointed. They always come in such pretty little bags or boxes as well! 

Will you be taking advantage of the Boots 3 for 2 this year?

xxxxx

Blogmas Day 8 | Tanya's Tarte Train - December

Aloha! A few months ago I signed up for the Tanya's Tarte train, a subscription box which delivers 9 wonderfully fragranced wax melts to your door every month. You can see my original blog about it here!

Here is what I got in this month's tarte train!

Eggnog - Rum, Advocat, Cinammon & Nutmeg. A very boozy and festive smelling one!

Vanilla Milk Bottles - Just like the chewy sweeties you had as a little kid!

Honey - Well this one is pretty self explanatory. Smells a little bit like the honey and lemon throat sweets! 

White Freesia - Again pretty self explanatory. Just like the little white flower!

Honey Moon - Another Honey scented one, with a hint of musk!

Stonewashed - This smells just like freshly washed denim & fabric softener!

Chocolate Lime - Another one which smells exactly like the sweeties! Yum!

Pink Bubblegum - I actually have this one melting right now as I type this. Smells like those bubblegums in the pink and blue wrapper (I can't remember the name!)

Fig Cherry Almond - A lovely rich scent, I can really smell marzipan and the cherry scent.

25th - This was a free extra in this months box. The scent is a secret but it smells like toasted marshmallow to me!

If you want to sign up to Tanya's Tarte Train, you can do so here. 

There are so many lovely sounding tartes that I have on my to-buy list! 

xxxx

Blogmas Day 7 | My Favourite Christmas Songs

Aloha! It's now officially acceptable to play Christmas music! Woohoo!

Today I thought I'd tell you what my top 5 Christmas songs are. I think I love all the stereotypical ones haha!

1. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues : This was recently voted the nations favourite Christmas song and I have to agree!

2. All I want for Christmas by Mariah Carey : Cheesy as it is, it's still a brilliant song. I love to have a sing song to this in the car on my way to work. I'm sure the other drivers think I'm mental.

3. Jingle Bells by Frank Sinatra : "I love those j.i.n.g.l.e bells." A great classic. Gotta love Frank Sinatra's Christmas album!

4. Let it Snow! by Dean Martin : Oh the weather outside is frightful! If you live in Scotland, you will agree. I can always be caught humming away to this one when I see the slightest flake of snow, even though I'm not a massive fan of snow (when I have to drive in it)!

5. Walking in the air by Aled Jones : Not one of the obvious choices but this song reminds me of the film The Snowman which I used to watch on Christmas Eve every single year as a little girl. It also reminds me of the Irn Bru advert but that's another matter! Haha! 

What are your favourite christmas songs?

xxx

Blogmas Day 6 | TheSundayPost - 6th December

Aloha! I've made it to day 6 of Blogmas! Woohoo!

Here is my usual round-up of what I've been up to this week!

1 - My Christmas tree is up! I bought some new red berry lights which I love! They are now reduced to clear in Tesco for just £7 so go get some if you love them too!

2 - We've had a fair bit of Snow this week! I much prefer the snow to the horrible wind and rain storms we've also had this week! Today it looks like we might get some sun so I'm going to head out into town to finish my Christmas shopping!

3 - On Thursday we went to watch the Street of Light show which is currently on as part of Edinburgh's Christmas celebrations. Unfortunately the weather caused a technical fault with the lights and it was cancelled. This was the best "Street of Light" picture I could take in it's absence! I was so upset, but they've said they will honour our tickets for a different night so hopefully I'll still get to see it!

4 - Yesterday the weather was just awful as Storm Desmond hit the country. I had my flu jab booked for the morning then I was meeting my mum and auntie to go christmas shopping. Thankfully we picked an indoor shopping centre to go to! The weather was perfect for wearing my new Ralph Lauren jumper that my dad brought me back from Florida, as well as my new velvet leopard print leggings which I grabbed in Tesco's Black Friday sale!

As I mention, I've been taking part in Blogmas this week. If you've missed any of my posts, you can find the links below:

Day 1 : A Blogmas Giveaway!

Day 2 : Chocolate Chip Cheesecake & My 200th Post

Day 3 : Christmas Tree 2015

Day 4 : My favourite festive fragrances

Day 5 : Gaga's Angel

I'm away to attempt to finish my Christmas shopping now! Wish me luck!

xxxx

Blogmas Day 5 | Gaga's Angel

Aloha! Today I thought I'd do a little post about my most treasured Christmas decoration. I know it sounds silly to say I have a treasured Christmas decoration but it's very important to me.

And here she is...

This angel to sit on top of the tree was bought for me by my Gaga (It's my word for granny).

What makes it even more special is that she bought it for my first Christmas, 23 years ago.

The angel has topped the tree every single year since 1992, and this year will be no different.

When I moved out, my mum let me take the angel with me so she will be on top of the tree in Mikey and I's home.

She's had to have a few repairs over the years but she's still going strong!

I plan on keeping this angel safe, and passing it down to my children eventually. Hopefully they will love it as much as I do!

xxxx

Blogmas Day 4 | My Favourite Festive Fragrances

Aloha! There is nothing I love more than a good candle, especially at this time of year. So today I thought I would do a little post all about my favourite festive fragrances!

This post is a little bit biased, as it seems to feature 90% Yankee Candles, but we all love a good Yankee don't we?

1 - Fireside Treats by Yankee Candle: Technically not just a festive candle as it falls under the "food & spice" category. This one smells like toasted marshmallows, one of my absolute favourite treats!

2 - Candy Cane Lane by Yankee Candle: This one smells like peppermint candy canes. Sugary, festive goodness in a candle.

3 - Italian Christmas Biscotti by Yankee Candle: Part of the World Journey's range, this one smells exactly like it's name, buttery biscotti with a hint of spice. Not one you want to burn when you are hungry though!

4 - Christmas Garland by Yankee Candle: This one is as close to the smell of real christmas trees that I have been able to find. I had this one lit a lot last year, and I'm sure it will be the same this year!

5 - Christmas Eve by Yankee Candle: I'm not sure how to describe this one, but the smell does remind me of Christmas Eve. I like to save this one to burn just on Christmas Eve, whilst enjoy a hot cup of cocoa!

6 - Cosy by the Fire by Yankee Candle: This one is new for 2015 and smells like cinnamon and hot toddies! 

7 - Cinammon Bun by Village Candle: One that is not a Yankee! Cinammon is a scent that definitely reminds me of Christmas a lot, and this one is super strong and sweet! Another one you shouldn't burn whilst hungry!

8 - Snow in Love by Yankee Candle: This one is lovely. It smells kinda creamy with a sharp wintery freshness.

9 - Bundle Up by Yankee Candle: Another new one for 2015, this one smells like fresh linen that has been out in the cold after being washed with a citrus scented washing powder! Lovely, crisp fragrance!

So that is my list of my favourite festive fragrances. I'm sure I'll discover more the closer to Christmas we get as well!

What's your favourite festive fragrance?

xxxxx

Blogmas Day 3 | Christmas Tree 2015

Aloha! I put my Christmas tree up very early this year (29th November to be precise). This year I've gone for a red and gold theme, to match my bright red sofas, of course! 

I picked up these cute little tree decorations in Tesco the other day. They were on 3 for 2 as well, so I got all 3 for just £3!

They had loads of different ones too so it's definitely worth a look if you looking for new decorations!

And here is my tree in all it's glory!

The red berry lights were also from Tesco and were half price! (£7.50)

A lot of my decorations were given to me by my mum when I moved out a few years ago. 

Most of the baubles on the tree came from Tie Rack when I worked there 2 years ago. On the day the shop closed down for good we took all the Christmas decor home! Well an empty shop has no use for them!

Then there's the angel on the top. She has her own special story which I'm going to blog about on Saturday!

The red glitter star is currently hanging from the curtain rail above the tree. Last year I pinned it to our front door, but as we are in a different house this year, we can't do that so I've had to find it a new home!

I've got a couple of other bits and pieces I want to put up around the house but as yet I haven't found the time!

Have you put your tree up yet?

xxxx