It Smells Like Christmas

As Christmas edges ever closer it is time to make sure the house smells of the season. Christmas brings back so many memories and Christmassy smells make all the memories come flooding back. I am a bit of an obsessive when it comes to candles and diffusers anyway so thought I would dedicate a whole post to the ones that will be making my house smell beautiful this Christmas and make it super cozy as that what candles seem to do.

• Yankee Candles are great, they look lovely in their little jar and last forever. They have an wide range of Christmas scents include fresh pine , feeling cozy by the fire, yes that can be a smell and a great one at that, and finally my fave is berries. These retail around £8.99.

• For a slow burning candle go for Annick Goutal, the limited edition Noel scent is lush.
• For a slow release of scent throughout the day, a reed diffuser is a great alternative and for Christmas, Charles Farris has a limited edition one called 'Pinetum' mixing sweet pine needles, eucalyptus, birch leaves with a rich base of amber and sandalwood. Christmas seeps through this little one.
• Rathbornes is officially the oldest candle brand in the world meaning a wealth of experience and this Cedar, Cloves & Ambergris candle proves it. The scent is spicy and intense fragrance mixing warm rosewood, orange zest and black amber for a luxurious scent.
• Something a bit more fun is the whipped candles from bomb cosmetics including Jingleberry and Snowglobe.
• For a more fun scent and gift check out the range from The Library of Fragrance in the photos is Egg Nog and Mistletoe.

That's all folks, just as an FYI the picture is from Read Between The Lines and you can find it here.

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Christmas Gift Guide: Home

Since moving into my home, nearly two years ago now! My shoe obsession has moved onto items for my home, particularly anything rose gold. There are so many amazing things at rock bottom prices which would be perfect for your friends and family to make their home a little bit for prettier. I will have some more home gift guides but this one is mainly focusing on gifts for the kitchen or living room.

This ‘Good Things Happen’ print it ultra-Chic and could even be perfect for the man in your life and this brushed gold frame – LOVE LOVE LOVE. For the vintage lover these floral suitcases look fab anywhere in the home, I kind of feel like filling the top one with flowers…

For the chef in your life why not Dinner with Mr Darcy with recipes inspired by Jane Austin or for something a little bit sweeter ‘Life Is Sweet’ by the Hummingbird Bakery would go down a treat, as who in their right mind doesn’t lust over Hummingbird bakery and it’s on SALE for£5.99. If you want something for the kitchen that is a little bit more Christmassy this Reindeer Nutcracker from Eddintons is the one.

To add some decoration to the home with a purpose why not purchase this pineapple money box or a glass terrarium which is fun to create and makes a cute display and who doesn’t want a house filled with cacti. If your friend or mum is more into decorating gifts why not purchase these pretty gift tags with a vintage feel and you can keep them in this little ‘Enjoy the Little Things’ trinket tin.

That’s it for now but there are plenty more gift guides coming your way! 

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Ciate Mini Mani Advent Calendar

I think Ciate was one of the first beauty brands to bring out an advent calendar four years ago that was not just chocolate and I was really jealous, who wouldn't want a new colour nail polish every single day over Christmas?!. This year the Ciate Mini Mani Advent Calendar is London themed adorned with red buses and behind each door you get a London themed quote along with:

• 1 full size exclusive paint pot 
• 17 mini paint pots 
• 3 nail treatments 
• 2 nail toppers 
• 1 crystal nail file 

The Ciate shades include some of the best sellers of 2015 and I am looking forward to trying them all out especially Cookies and Cream, Ahoy Sailor and the secret paint pot on day 24. Make sure you follow me on my social channels to see the colours throughout December: Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat: Time2Gossip

The Ciate Mini Mani Advent Calendar is: £49.99 available from Selfridges, Boots, Look Fantastic and Ciate.

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Christmas Gift Guide - Men

1.  Dove Men+Care Mini Tin Collection

View inside the tin

RRP. £4.99 - Stockists: Boots, ASDA & Superdrug

For the man in your life get Dove Men +Care travel tin body and face wash, fresh awake body and face wash. This set comes with:

• Clean comfort 48hr Anti-perspirant deodrant 35ml
• Clean comfort body wash 55ml
• Fresh awake bod wash 55ml
• Mini Tin

2. Bjorn Borg long johns

RRP. £45 Stockist: www.bjornborg.com/en

Add a bit of style to the man in your life's wardrobe with 'The Bomb' long johns from Bjorn Borg. The long johns come in sizes S-XL.

3. Trussardi Glasses

RRP. £135.00 Stockist: www.trussardi.com

These black stylish frames are from the Trussardi glasses range - perfect for that man in your life. 

4. Bulldog Skincare for Men - The Expert Kit
RRP. £20 Stockist: www.meetthebulldog.com

As the name suggests, The Expert Skincare Set has been purpose-built for grooming aficionados. 

Including a full regime of four superb skincare products, this set will ensure recipients can welcome 2014 in with extra confidence, even if they do spend a little too much time over the holidays catching up on some well earned rest as per the lovable sleeping Bulldog pictured on the front of the amazing presentation tin.

The kit contains:

• Face Wash
• Face Scrub
• Moisturiser
• Shave Balm

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Christmas Gift Guide - Beauty

1. The Beauty Game

Sponsored Spot

RRP. £7.49  Stockist: Amazon

You'll never see the beauty industry the same way again. Talented copywriter, Zoe Diamond is thrust into the world of beauty. Struggling to write legal lies about anti-aging creams, she discovers the vile secret her company is hiding, putting her job, and life, on the line to uncover the ugly truth.

Author Michaela Day is a beauty creative director, whose experience with major high street beauty brands spans two decades. Whilst fiction, the book is based on Michaela’s experience in the industry.

Michaela also runs a blog, if you want another good read: www.beautyholic.com

2. Hungary Water Eau de Cologne

RRP. £45 for 100ml Stockist: Crabtree & Evelyn

Hungary Water takes influence from the original Crabtree & Evelyn rosemary recipe with notes of pink pepper, spearmint, cypress and geranium.

So spice up this Christmas with a new scent.

3. Dead Sea Aromatherapy Bath Salts with Frankincense

RRP. £6.85 for 500ml Stockist: Boots

Malki’s bath salts are the perfect present to help friends and family relax over the festive period. The frankincense bath salts are blended with rose petals will help de-stress, calm and unwind.

4. Nelson's Pure & Clear Collection

Stockist: Boots & Amazon

This fantastic set includes:

Step 1. Facial wipes

Step 2. Facial wash anti-blemish care 

Step 3. Balancing moisturiser anti blemish care 

Step 4. Blemish gel

5. Elle Macpherson Aromatherapy Foot Spa

 RRP.  £74.99 Stockist: Amazon, Debenhams

This Aromatherapy foot spa provides pure relaxation and therapeutic benefits to relieve stress from your body and increase blood flow and circulation. The Aroma mist diffuser with mood enhancing LED lighting and Frangipani aromatherapy oil combines with the hydrotherapy, vibration massage and the magic of magnetic stimulation for an invigorating foot treatment that leaves you feeling revitalized and refreshed.

6. Get pampered with the 

Radox Relaxation Therapy Gift Pack 

RRP £7.50 Stockist: Boots

Soothe those acing feet with Radox muscle soak bath therapy 500ml to help you unwind and get you feeling good. A blend of sage and sea minerals will warm your muscles reviving both your body me mind.

7. E-body spa collection face cleansing mitt

RRP: £6.99 Stockist: eCloth

The new micro bubble technology removes make-up & gently exfoliates your skin.

8. Laura Mercier - Bold Brights Lip Glace Collection 

RRP. £31.00 Stockist: Urban Retreat

5 different colours,  perfect for all those Christmas parties.

- Poppy

- Grenadine

- Bon Bon

- Azalea

- Camellia

9. Mavala's angels  
RRP. £4.50 Stockist: Urban Retreat

Check out the top-selling diamond collection from Mavala from Urban retreat. These cute nail polish are perfect to hang from the Christmas tree disguised as angels! 

In a range of colours including:Violet Diamond, Red Diamond, Pure Diamond, Pink Diamond, Black Diamond, and Gold Diamond.

10. Collection of products from boots

- No 7 Stay Perfect nail colour - Disco Nights £6.00

- No 7 Stay Perfect nail colour - Hot to Trot £6.00

- No 7 Stay Perfect intense volume mascara £9.50 

- Seventeen deconstructed lash lacquer £5.49

- Soltan Beautiful Bronze Wash Off Instant Bronzing Lotion Light to Medium £3.99

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Not Another Bill

I know I only receive bills from Mr Post Man so when I heard about Not Another Bill I was excited to see what I would receive.

With not another bill stamped all over the packaging, I was excited to see inside :-)

With cute packaging and a few arty things - all products are from artists, designers and brands from around the globe.

Presents so far have ranged from limited edition art prints, collaborations, exclusive leather products, jewellery and even a take over the world kit.

You also receive a personalised letter explaining more about the present

So the cost! It's £15 you can subscribe for yourself or as a gift from 1 month or a whole year!

So what was my gift : a luxury leather branded 'beauchanps of london' www.notanotherbill.com

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Cocktail time with Patrón

Use Patrón an ultra premium tequila to create these fun cocktails to add some colour and glamour to any event.

 



A Grapefruit Breeze

Ingrediants

• 1 3/4 oz Patron Resposado
• 1/4 oz Patron Citronge
• 1/2 oz Grapefruit Juice
• 1/4 oz Lemon Juice
• 1/4 OZ Black Raspberry Liqueur 

Method:

Pour Patron Resposado, Patron Citronge, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice into a cocktail glass. Float black raspberry liqueur on top.


Patrón Green Apple
 
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Patron Silver
• 1/2 oz Apple Schnapps
• 1 oz green apple coulis or puree
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Deep-fried granny smith apple to garnish

Method:

Combine all ingredients and shake. Serve straight up or on the rocks.

Garnish by floating a slice of deep-fried granny smith apple.





 

Pina Coronado

Ingredients

• 2oz Patron Silver
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz pineapple juice
• 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
• 1/4 oz vanilla / cinnamon syrup
• Pineapple leaf for garnish

Method:

Shake all ingredients. Strain into a Collins glass over ice then garnish with a pineapple leaf.

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