What we got for Christmas

I know quite a few bloggers love to read these types of posts so I decided to share with you

this year what I, Stuart and Blake got for Christmas 2014. 

We didn't really ask for anything specific this year from people as we didn't really know what we

wanted. Plus as Blake was due so close to Christmas we were more focused on his arrival 

than on Christmas and gifts.

I'll start off with Stuart's gifts. 

- Micheal McIntyre the complete laughter box from me

- Baylis and Harding set from Blake

- Class of 92 Book and DVD from me 

- Tool set from my mum 

- Amazon Voucher from his Aunt and Uncle

- Ryan Giggs and a history of Football books from his sister as part of the round robin we do. 

He also got some items not pictured: 

- A black shirt from me 

- New Pjs from Blake 

- a cashmere scarf from his aunt and uncle 

- Some beers from a client at work 

- A bottle of prosecco and chocolate's set from work

- Money from my Nan

I also got some fab gifts: 

- Jack Monroe a year in 120 recipes book from Stuart 

- A girl called Jack recipe book from Stuart

- Russel Hobbs Mini chopper from Stuart 

- Champneys set from Stuart's Aunt and Uncle

- Polargear lunch box from Blake

- W7 In The Buff Lightly toasted eye shadow set from Stuart

- Nicky Clarke DesiRED the next generation hair straighteners from my mum. 

Not pictured: 

- Superdrug gift card from my sister

- Cath Kidston print mug from Blake

- Money from my Nan. 

- I am awaiting to see what I got from the family round robin this year.

We were also lucky to get some joint gifts: 

- Red Towel set 

- The Hairy Bikers complete Mum's know best cookbook.

 - Tin of sweet shop favorites 

These were joint presents from Stuart's Mum and her husband. 

We also got a George Foreman 5 person grill from Stuart's Dad which we needed

as our small 2 person one was heading for the bin.  

Onto Blake's gifts: 

- Baby Ocean Tummy Time Play Mat from Stuart's Aunt and Uncle

- Cuddly dog toy from Blake's Granny and Jim (Stuart's Mum and husband) 

- Cuddle toy giraffe from his Auntie Annie (my sister) 

- Cute little booties from Auntie Annie

- Lamaze Freddie the firefly from Mummy and Daddy ;)

- Teddy shape Money box from Mummy and Daddy

- Teddy Rattle from Mummy and Daddy 

- Nuby Teether  from a family member 

- white knitted cardigans x2 from Nanny (my mum) 

He also got: 

- Money from one of Stuart's other uncle's 

- Tesco Voucher from Grandad (Stuart's Dad) 

- Amazon Gift Card from Granny and Jim

- A cute christmas outfit from Auntie Annie 

As you can see we have had an awful lot of presents in our home at the moment 

combined with gifts that were given the previous week when Blake was born we really need to organise things

before Stuart goes back to work in January.

The Christmas Tag

I recently came across the Christmas tag over on Becky's blog Milk Bubble Tea and had to join in. 

1. What is your favorite Christmas Movie/s?

It's very hard to pick just the one I love Miracle on 34th street, Elf and The Snow Man to name a few.

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Christmas morning although we use to open one little present on Christmas Eve which we decided we wont do anymore though. 

3. Do you have a favorite Christmas memory?

Waking up in the morning as a child and having a sack of presents at the bottom of my bed. 

Then going downstairs and getting to open even more presents. We always used to have chocolate

for breakfast and my Nan and Grandad from my mum's side would come over for Christmas dinner and stay late

into the evening. 

4. favourite festive food?

Mince pies, Turkey, roast potato's, cranberry sauce and my mum's homemade bread sauce. 

5. Favourite Christmas gift ?

It would have to be my cuddle toy Tom cat (from Tom and Jerry) which my Nan and Grandad 

got me for my 1st ever Christmas when I was 6 months old. I still have him tucked away. 

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

Christmas dinner and mulled wine

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

Not really it's something we will be doing though we plan to start making traditions for little one from

next Christmas. 

8. What tops your tree?

My parents always had an angel but when I moved in with Stuart we wanted to have star on top of the

tree unfortunately the tree we have wont keep any star on top. 

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

Not really sure am sure it was something really expensive that parents couldn't afford. 

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Spending time with my family, eating way too much food and just having fun. 

Bomb Cosmetics Christmas Cracker

I love being able to pamper myself and have a good relaxing bath. 

I love lush but find them a little too expensive these days which is why I am now a huge

fan of Bomb Cosmetics.

The berry bath bomb gift pack is a cracker of a gift and perfect for bath lovers like me. 

The festive pink Christmas crackers contain fragrant berry scented bath bombs - a wonderful christmas treat for a good long soak.

The pack contains:

Fresh Berry Blaster

It's Xmas Blaster

Cherry Bathewell Blaster

Designed and shaped to look like delicious looking cupcakes and Christmas desserts its a shame to throw them in the bath. 

That is until you smell their berry goodness. 

I have enjoyed using this set which was an ideal pamper experience which has helped me to relax ready for when little one arrives. 

ClaireaBella Jute Bag

The lovely people from Toxic Fox contacted me to tell me about their range of gifts for Christmas. 

ClaireaBella is one of the ranges that Toxic Fox sell and ClaireaBella has such a lovely range of items to choose from. 

The ClaireaBella range of products include: 

- The Best Selling Jute bags

- make up bags

- mugs

- wine glasses

- cushions

- stationary  

-accessories

and more

I was sent the popular and best selling Large Jute Bag. 

The Jute bag is made to order by a ClaireaBella artist here in the UK, with stunning glitter and sparkles making them a unique gift. 

They are loved my celebs and eco friendly where you can create your own personalized character.

When personalizing your character you choose: 

- Name

- Hair style

- Hair color

- Outfit

- Eye color

and 

-Skin tone.

I chose to have a bag for me with a fab short hair style that looks 

a little similar to mine and similar to my hair color too.

The outfit I chose was the pregnancy one which is appropriate to me since I 

am having my little one this month.

I like that you are able to choose the skin tone as I am very pale. 

The only downside is I would have loved to have been able to choose if my character had glasses or not.

Since I wear glasses myself it would have been fab to have been able to have had that choice. 

I overall do love how the bag has turned out and am using it as part of my hospital bag since I am able to fit a good amount of things inside ( drinks, snacks, make up) 

What do you think of my Jute bag and the ClaireaBella range?

For my readers I have been lucky enough to offer you 10% off your order

at Toxic Fox with code: TFBlog

Aldi Christmas Gifts

You are probably aware by now that I love Aldi especially when it comes to their special buys.

I was recently sent a selection of items from their Christmas Special buys that came out from the 16th of November. 

All items are subject to availability while stocks last.

First of all we have the men's pyjamas which you would have seen over on my Christmas Gift Guide For Him.

The pjs are ideal for the cold nights ahead and look warm and toasty as well as good quality.

Next we have the 5W LED Torch which was also mentioned in my Christmas for him gift guide.

The LED Torch has: 

- Min of 50,000 hours of LED lifetime 

- Continuous zoom 

- brightness levels and SOS function

- 5 Watt Cree LED

and is shock resistant and weatherproof.

Stuart has already had fun play around with this and its a great gift that will come in handy especially if 

you love to go camping.

I was also sent this wheat colored snood which looks very snug and warm and makes

a fab gift for someone who is tricky to buy for or for your best friend, mother, sister, other female in

your life.

Next up is this lovely soft and snuggly onesie with pink and brown leopard print. 

They have sent me this in my pre-pregnancy size so this will definitely give me motivation to loose the baby weight by next Christmas. 

Last of all we have these pink, fluffy and toasty warm slipper boots.

I love the pattern and the color is fab too making them a great for keeping my 

feet lovely and warm this winter. 

My other slippers were on the way out so these arrived in good time.

I have shared this photo over on Instagram which I know someone said that they look as though 

they are on the wrong feet. I can assure you they aren't and hubby recons it looks like that because I have wonky feet erm thanks for that Stuart. 

Hans Sloane Drinking Chocolate

Happy December everyone, not only is Christmas fast approaching but this month 

I will be having my baby! 

So this month I have scheduled a few posts but plan on taking a little break once

little one decides to make an appearance. 

Today I am telling you about a range of Drinking Chocolate that I have recently come by, Han Sloane.

Hans Sloane drinking chocolate is the only hot chocolate made from pure chocolate beads. 

 Their company mission is to bring the taste of chocolate back to drinking chocolate and their beads melt perfectly in hot milk or water to create a richer chocolate drink. 

Available in 270g packs, Hans Sloane Drinking Chocolate comes in five varieties, including: 

 Smooth Milk

 Rich Dark

 Madagascar 67%

 Ecuador 70%

and their unique flavor Natural Honey.

This Christmas Hans Sloane has created the ideal stocking filler.

Their Christmas bauble which is filled with chocolate beads!

 Simply shake to hear the chocolate beads inside before popping the bauble into a cup and adding hot milk or water.

Priced at just £2 this stocking filler is great treat on Christmas morning. 

I love hot chocolate and have mug almost every night so was thrilled to try a range

I hadn't previously heard of. 

My favorite from the range has to be natural honey followed by the smooth milk flavor.

I love that compared to the usual hot chocolate the Hans Sloane chocolate beads have a more richer chocolaty taste. 

They melt really well too but make sure you stir like you would do with your usual hot chocolate as otherwise you will end up with a lump of chocolate at the bottom of your mug. 

Christmas Gift Guide: Stocking Fillers

For my last of my Christmas 2014 Gift Guides we have some Stocking fillers. 

*Glazed Apple Bath Jelly

Sink into a cloud of bubbles with this sweet scented glazed apple bath jelly from the Body Shop.

Scoop into warm running water for the ultimate  festive bath time indulgence. 

£10 

*Lip and Cheek Stain Doll

This cute lip and cheek stain is a fab special edition to add to someones stocking.

This dual-purpose liquid stain gives a natural-looking, rosy glow to lips and cheeks.

I love the doll packaging! 

£10 

*Personal Planner

I am a huge fan of Personal Planner and love their new Giraffe design. 

The planner is ideal for keeping yourself organised and is fab as

you can personalize it however you like.

From your favorite photo on the front to adding birthdays and special occasions to the calendar

this makes a fab stocking filler.

*Personalised Chocolate Bar

Getting Personal sell a range of personalized chocolate bars for every occasion

I recently received a personalized bar for me and the hubby. 

We chose the snow penguin design. 

Each bar comes with a full color wrapper that's personalized with your name

at the front and then a little message on the back.

Inside the wrapper is a foil covered 100g bar of melt in the mouth milk chocolate. 

Lush Wand Bubble Bar 

I received this bubble bar as a gift a few years ago for Christmas and love it!

It's on my Christmas wishlist for this year as well. 

I had to add this to the list as its such a fab little stocking filler that smells

of marshmallows yum. 

*The New Rubik’s 3X3 

This is a new improved version of the original Rubik’s Cube where you cannot peel of the stickers and cheat! The Rubik’s Cube is the classic colour-matching puzzle that’s a great mental challenge at home or on the move. Turn and twist the sides of the cube so that each of the six faces only has one colour. Over “43 Quintillion” (that’s 43 with 18 zeros to you and me) moves are possible with this original 3x3 Cube, but there is only one solution! With lots of practice you can solve it in under 10 seconds!

*The Rubik’s Void 

Void is a HOLE new puzzle, with a HOLE new challenge. The Void has missing centre cubes that make this puzzle harder than an original 3x3 Rubik’s cube to solve. This cube is truly amazing to behold, leaving your brain void of answers to the question: “how can that Rubik’s Cube have a hole in the middle and still work?

Items with * have been gifted to me for the purpose of this post

Christmas Gift Guide : For Him

Men are extremely hard to buy for I don't need to tell you that. 

But I have come up with some ideas for the man in your life this Christmas.

*Clock Safe

Men can keep their valuables secure with Getting Personal's unique Clock Safe. 

Not only does this fab clock safe keep your belongings safe and securely out of sight,

but as its an analogue clock it means it will sit unnoticed on the wall. 

Inside the clock is an brilliantly disguised storage box with built-in shelves, which is sure to keep its contents safe and sound.

The clock requires 1 AA battery

£10.99 

Next up Asda has a lovely Bayliss and Harding 3 piece set. 

The Black Pepper and Ginseng Mens 3 piece set  contains: 

1 x Shower Gel 200mL 

1 x Hair and Body Wash 300mL 

1 x Aftershave Balm 200mL

This is a fab set smells amazing and makes an ideal little gift.

£7 (Asda)  

Next up we have Celestron PowerSeeker 50AZ Telescope. 

The Celestron PowerSeeker telescopes are designed to give the first time telescope user

the perfect combination of quality, value, features and power. 

Astronomy is a great family hobby that can be enjoyed all year round and the 

Celestron PowerSeeker is the ideal affordable and high quality choice to provide

many hours of enjoyment. 

£25 ( Asda) 

* 5W LED Torch

Another great gift idea is the 5W LED Torch from Aldi.

The LED Torch has: 

- Min of 50,000 hours of LED lifetime 

- Continuous zoom 

- brightness levels and SOS function

- 5 Watt Cree LED

and is shock resistant and weatherproof. 

£9.99 

*Mens Pjs

Last of all we have a pair of Pjs. 

This set from Aldi is ideal for the cold wintry nights

and makes me a fab gift for loved ones. 

All items with a * were gifted to me for the purpose of this post

Christmas Gift Guide: For Her

My second gift guide is "For Her" this could mean your Mum, Nan, Sister, Wife, Girlfriend, Mother-In-Law.....

*Heat-Holders Neck-warmer 

First up is the Heat-Holders Neck-warmer this is an ideal gift for keeping

snug when out and about in this cold weather which normally lasts beyond Christmas. 

* My Life Story 

For women who like writing diaries or even scrap-booking than this gift is ideal. 

My Life Dairy is a 100 year diary that allows you to record personal notes, information about achievements, favorite things and even your ambitions, you'll never forget the important things that life brings your way.

 The front and spine of this black hardback book has 'My Life Story' embossed in gold. 

£29.99

* Guardian Angel Bracelet 

This Guardian Angel Bracelet from Grace & Valour's One Wish collection

is an ideal gift for the jewelry lover.

Made from sterling silver this delicate and pretty bracelet would make her day. 

£23.

*Face The Day 

The Face The Day gift set from Amphora-Aromatics is a a facial treat to rejuvenate skin. 

The set contains: 

Seaweed & Aloe Eye Gel (60ml)

Rejuvenating Gel with Rose (60ml)

Frankincense & Rose Face Cream (60ml)

Apricot Facial Scrub (60 ml)

Lemon Thyme & Tea Tree Lip Balm (30ml)

An Ideal set for women who are in need of a treat

£22.95

*Tru- Diamonds 2ct Emerald Cut Earrings

These earrings from Tru-Diamonds come in 2ct gold or platinum plated, emerald cut with faux diamonds.

They make a lovely gift for the women in your life that likes a bit of sparkle.

£139

Lilac Frost Bouquet

This bouquet is ideal for someone who loves flowers I picked out Bunches 

for this Gift Guide as I am a huge fan of their bouquets having received a few in the past

and this one is definitely one I love the look of. 

This is different from traditional red and green bouquets that make you think of Christmas. 

A year in 120 recipes by Jack Monroe

This book is on my wishlist for Christmas this year  in fact I know hubby has already got it me ;). 

I have recently got into reading her blog and really wanted her new book as I know 

her first one was really popular. 

I think this would make an ideal gift for the women that loves to cook but 

wants to keep costs down. 

Travel Mug 

There are loads of different travel mugs around I love this one from Amazon 

which is very floral and girly. Ideal for those that love shabby chic. 

Real Techniques Starter Set 

This starter set for eye make up with 5 different brushes you can create high definition eyes.

I know this set is rather popular and I would love to own this myself. 

A great set for make up lovers. 

Mistletoe Kisses bath set from Bomb Cosmetics 

A fab bath set that contains: 

1 x Christmas Wonderland handmade soap

1 x Ho Ho Holly bath blaster

1 x Snowtime Like the Present soap

1 x Santas Baby bath blaster

1 x Chilly Willy bath blaster

1 x We Three Kings bath creamer

a set that's ideal for those who love a bath time treat. 

Items that have * next to them have been gifted to me for the purpose of this post