#irishbbloggersSS Reveal

This year, the amazing Aisling from Total Make Up Addict organised a Secret Santa, between Irish beauty bloggers! I jumped at the chance - We all love getting presents, plus I loved trying to get as many nice products as possible, for €20. I think one thing all the posts today highlighted is the amount of fabulous beauty products that don't cost a fortune.

I received Nora from Too Many Muffins, and decided to pick up a few products in Germany that she hopefully hadn't tried before! She tweeted me today to let me know that her post was up - You can check it out here! And last Saturday (after a VERY long trip home!) I finally found out who had received me - It was Sarah, of Beauty with Brushes! I was so excited to open her present & I definitely wasn't disappointed - She picked out lovely gifts for me, & I can't wait to use them!

Even the wrapping paper excited me.. It's so Christmassy!

 

Just LOOK at how much stuff Sarah managed to pick up for €20! Beyond delighted.

First up, everything came in this deadly make up bag! I'm forever meaning to pick up bags/cases for when I'm travelling, for make up, jewelry, etc so it's perfect! I've also managed to 'lose' all my fluffy socks.. (Pretty sure they could be in my sister's drawers), so my feet are currently snug in these reindeer socks!

Who doesn't love a bit of Soap & Glory? I usually buy their big set in Boots at Christmas, but decided not to this year, because I'm only bringing hand luggage back with me, so can't bring much liquid. Sarah picked up 3 travel size products for me, so I'll be bringing Hand Food, Clean On Me shower gel & The Righteous Butter body lotion back with me!

I was thrilled to see the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge - Their Expert Face brush is one of my favourite brushes for applying foundation, & I've heard rave reviews about it!

 Next was an NYC eyeshadow, in the shade 'Bazaar'. This is a nice warm brown, I'm thinking it could actually be ideal for filling in my eyebrows now that I've dyed them!

Sticking with eyeshadow, I also got the Catrice Absolute Nude Eyeshadow Palette. I'm obsessed with nude shadows, I'm one of those people who has the Naked palette & every spin off of it so I'm delighted to have a mini palette, perfect for popping in my bag!

Also from NYC was this Blushable Creme Stick, in Big Apple Blush. I only started using cream products last summer, so I'm delighted to add to my collection!

On top is the Absolute Nude palette, then the Blushable Creme Stick & NYC single shadow.

 

Moving onto nails, & Sarah chose this unreal polish from Catrice, I'm Dynamite. I'm a magpie & this beautiful blue-grey glitter makes me very happy.

More nail products - These imPRESS stick on nails are a lovely metallic pink. I've used these sticks ons before & gotten a few days out of them, so they'll make an appearance soon!

And finally, Sarah sent me lots of Ziaja samples. There's shower soap, body balm, body oil, day cream, leg gel, night cream, hand cream & moisturising cream - Like I said, sample sizes are my favourite things at the minute, so they're ideal!

I'm overwhelmed at how generous Sarah was, & how much I love the products. Secret Santas can always be a bit dodgy, but I know I'll use all these! I've been loving all the posts by the other bloggers too, so make sure to check out their posts, which can be found by searching #irishbbloggersSS on Twitter. A big, big thank you to Aisling - I loved the experience!

Happy Christmas,

Chloe x

Christmas Tag

It's only a week until I get home for Christmas... A WEEK! So I am in a festive spirit, especially after visiting Christmas markets, etc. & I wanted to do this Christmas tag, from Sian's blog.

What's your favourite Christmas Movie?

Ooooh, I think it might be The Santa Clause. It's one of the films I remember watching & loving when I was younger & I still loving watching it! (And weirdly, I even like the sequel.) Honourable mentions go to Home Alone, The Grinch & The Holiday. 

Do you stay in your PJ's or get dressed on Christmas?

We always get new PJs from our parents on Christmas Eve, which we bear to bed that night & while opening presents. But because we get up & go to mass, etc, I get dressed after breakfast & stay dressed for the day! Though the second I'm home I take off my heels or whatever, open my belt/zips/buttons & let comfort win.

Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

We open our parents' present on Christmas Eve, to get our jammies. Everything else is Christmas Day! One year, we were only allowed open one present a day, til we got bored when my mum was on the phone a few days later & just ripped into them.

Favourite Christmas smell?

Mmm this year I'm really looking forward to the smell of the fire! Haha & we always have candles burning when it's cold - I have two Yankee Candles in my bedroom at home, from Christmas last year so I'll have them lit in my room when I'm relaxing!

What is your favourite Christmas Song?

Fairytale of New York, without a doubt. Last year, in a Spoken German class, there were only three of us in, & the tutor decided because it was a famour Irish song, we had to sing it for her. I make a good Kirsty MacColl.. Especially when translating it to German. On the upside, I learned a few handy phrases. Like "She changes her boyfriends more than her underwear". 

What is your Favourite Christmas Drink?

Mmm hot chocolate! Last year, I lived on hot chocolate from Costa, Insomnia & Starbucks. (All three of them are within spitting distance from my college, it would be a shame not to.) So far this winter, I've just been draining my supply of Lyon's tea.. The second I land, I'm headed for some real hot chocolate, with marshmallows & whipped cream.

Favourite Christmas Meal?

Christmas dinner! I used to be a seriously fussy eater, & my dinner consisted of mashed spuds, turkey & ham. I have expanded my horizons (& gotten chubbier) & now have mashed pottoes, croquettes, ham, turkey, stuffing, carrots, parsnips, & sure I might even have some gravy. I draw the line at sprouts though. Followed by a choice of Mint Viennetta or Romantica.. I'm still too fussy for Christmas cake & pudding. 

Wrapping Presents-Love or Loathe?

LOVE! I'm actually raging that I can't start wrapping presents yet, coz they might get squashed in my suitcase. So the weekend I get home, I'm going to have Christmas tunes blaring while I get to work. I'm one of those freaks who goes in with the wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, tags & glitter. 

Whats your favourite thing about Christmas?

Everyone being together. I didn't appreciate it as much every other year, because I saw my family constantly anyway - Even though I'd moved out, I was home every weekend. Now that it's been what feels like forever since I saw them, I don't care what we do at Christmas, I just want to spend time with everyone I love.

Christmas Tree Real or Fake? 

We've always had a fake one.. I don't think I know anyone with a real one! I actually think fake ones look nicer (hello bushy trees), but we have to have one because my mum is allergic to real ones. Or else she's the Grinch in disguise, not sure. 

Handmade Cards or Shop Bought ones? 

Shop bought.. I don't have the patience for making them. & yes,by shop bought, I mean 3 for €2 in the pound shop. Every little helps at Christmas! I do write really nice messages in them though.

What do you do on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve used to be my dad panicking about presents & going to town last minute, I'd go & convince him to buy me sweets & a magazine. Then I started singing in the cathedral, so Christmas Eve I'd be in there for Midnight Mass. Since my dad now has me to organise him, it's usually spent just hanging about with my sisters, or helping my mum. This year, my boyfriend will only be home that day, so I'll probably visit him, but get home in time to open my PJs & go to bed!

Snow, Love it or Hate it?

Undecided - I like it at first, when it's nice & white & you can make snowballs & play. Then it turns to slush & you start slipping, or can't go anywhere, so it's less fun! Plus, apparently when it snows in Germany, it ends up at your thighs so I think I'm going to hate it this year...

Let me know if you do this tag! Eeeeek excited!
Chloe x

What I got for Christmas

Hello lovelies,

Christmas may be well and truly over (We took down the decorations yesterday - Sob!) but I thought I'd do a little post on what I got from friends & Santy (Yes, the big man still delivers my presents. I'm a believer.)

I've seen a few posts with disclaimers on them, reminding their readers that they are not bragging about their gifts. I simply love these type of posts, as it appeals to my inner curiosity, so I wanted to share my presents just in case any one has run out of other posts to nose through!

My presents.

I was incredibly lucky in what I received. Probably enough bath & body sets to last til next Christmas - A ready made excuse to chill out in a bath sometime soon. 

My main present was an Android tablet, which I requested for travelling, because my laptop was giving me awful back pains & I felt 19 going on 90... Coupled with my lovely new diary, I will try to be a tad more organised this year! 

Lancome La Vie Est Belle is a perfume I've been lusting after for a while, so when I saw a set in the Christmas sales, I picked it up for myself. I also picked up a new purse a few months back, and kept it until Christmas. I gave it to my parents, to give back to me as a present! I appreciate it more like that.

Beauty & nail-related bits & bobs.

I should also have enough make up to last me for a very, very long time.. But I can't say no. YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat is my new favourite thing, followed closely by the Real Techniques Expert Face brush. Lots of new nail polishes, a few nail wraps to experiment with, & Benefit's Sexy Little Stowaways kit, and I'm a happy bunny.

So, that's Christmas & the season of good-will gone for another year. I'll try get up a post on the few things I picked up in the sales, but there may be a spending ban on the way!

If you did a post on your Christmas gifts, feel free to leave a link in the comments so I can re-live the joy of gifts all over again!

Chloe x