What I got for Christmas

Happy New Year everyone!!

It feels weird saying that because it is already mid-January, but this is my first post of the year and the first chance I’ve had to wish you all a happy new year :).

For this post I wanted to do something that I haven’t done before, which is a ‘what I got for Christmas’ blog post.  I didn’t do one of these last year because I thought people might find it a bit self indulgent, but I absolutely love reading these blog posts by other people so I thought what the heck, and that some of you might actually want to see it.  I also put a poll on my insta-stories and asked if people would be interested in seeing this and 100% of the responses said yes!! Lol so I think that answers my question!  Deep down I think everyone secretly likes to read blog posts like this because the reality is that we are all a little bit nosey (or maybe that’s just me lol).  So if you are like me then keep reading…….. :).

To be completely honest, I am quite a boring person to buy gifts for and that’s because I would prefer to give somebody a recommendation of what I would like rather than getting a surprise.  There are a few reasons for this….. I will admit that I am quite fussy, and I do know that I am quite hard to buy for.  In addition to that, isn’t it better to get a gift that you actually want rather than a ‘surprise’ that you don’t like and will never use?!  This system also makes it a lot easier for the gift buyer too so really I am doing them a favour! Lol I know that I certainly prefer it when someone gives me some hints on what to buy for them.  I just think it’s a win-win situation.  You don’t need to stress about finding the right gift and you can avoid any disappointment on Christmas morning lol.

Lucky for me, Dan has the same idea so at Christmas you can be guaranteed a few nice presents :). Of course it is nice to also get the odd little surprise stocking filler or something like that but for the main items we drop a LOT of hints!

To make sure there’s not a complete and utter lack of surprise, I usually compile a list of things that I would like throughout the year and then at Christmas time Dan will choose some things from that.  So whilst I don’t know EXACTLY what I will get, I know they will be things that I actually want lol.

Reliquia Pisces Gold Star Sign Necklace & Missoma Lucy Williams Beaded Coin Necklace

Gold necklaces are one of my favourite pieces of jewellery to wear.  Over the years I have gone through what must have been hundreds of different high street gold necklaces.  The kind that look great for a couple of wears and after a while become completely tarnished and turn your neck green; so for a long time I have been really wanting a gold necklace that didn’t do any of the above so quickly.  I had two necklaces on my list for what feels like forever and I would have been extremely happy with either of them.  However, Dan COMPLETELY spoilt me and got me BOTH!! These are the kind of surprises I ‘do‘ like lol.  Seriously though, both of them were unnecessary but I know for a fact that I will get great wear out of them and I absolutely love them both.  I like to layer necklaces too so it will be nice to even wear them together sometimes.

The first one is from an a brand called Reliquia and it’s a fine 18k gold-filled chain necklace that has my star sign (pisces) engraved on the front.  I love the rectangular shape of the pendant; I think it is quite unusual and something a little bit different.  I also love that they illustrated the star sign with two little fish.  I think they are so so cute!

The second necklace is one that I have had my eye on for a very long time and has featured on the shop page of my blog since the day I set it up! It’s the Lucy Williams Beaded Coin Necklace by Missoma.  This is an 18ct gold vermeil necklace that has a coin pendant on a bobble chain.  Again I LOVE the unusual design of the pendant and the delicate beaded chain.  This Lucy Williams collaboration with Missoma features a ‘roman collection of pieces inspired by cultural motifs from ancient Rome with fresh interpretation bringing amulet status symbols into the 21st century for the modern woman.’ I love the designs in this collection so much (in fact I got the beaded coin ring for my birthday last year) and it’s a bonus that there is a nice meaning behind the collection too 🙂

Golden Goose Superstar Sneakers 

The next thing that I got was the one thing that I ‘REALLY’ wanted for christmas and something that I have swooned over for absolutely ages now.  They are a pair of the Golden Goose Superstar Sneakers.  I call them trainers however lol.  Golden Goose is an Italian footwear brand and their cult trainers are known for their intentional distressed detailing which makes them look like they have been worn for years.  You either get it or you don’t lol, but I for one am a big fan.  They come in lots of different colours but the ones that I chose are white with the gold metallic signature star patch on the side and on the heel, with a purposely distressed and scruffed finish.

I love wearing trainers and you will usually find me in a pair of white converse but the Golden Goose ones are a nice way to wear trainers that are a little bit dressier.  I think that these ones will look really cool with skirts and dresses, especially with the gold detailing.  Not to mention they are so much more comfortable than my converse! I’m obsessed with them and cannot believe I finally own a pair after wanting them for years!

Oliver Bonas Zoya Slouch Gold Leather Make Up Bag &  Kate Spade Sticky Note Set

Every Christmas my sisters and I do a ‘Kris Kringle’ gift exchange where we each get one person to buy a gift for.  Luckily my sisters have the same idea as me when it comes to buying presents and would just prefer to know what I want, so I sent my Kris Kringle the obligatory ‘list’ for them to choose from.

I ended up with this gorgeous Oliver Bonas gold leather make-up bag.  Make-up bags are something that I go though so often.  As the name suggests, they end up getting covered in makeup and just grubby from travelling so I LOVE getting new cosmetic bags.  This one from Oliver Bonas is really good quality and I love the gold colour and the mint green lining.

My Kris Kringle also got me these really cute Kate Spade sticky notes.  These weren’t on my list so they ended up being a nice surprise.  I am a big stationary fan and I go through things like notepads and sticky notes like nobody’s business so these will come in very handy.  They also look gorgeous on my desk in this little seersucker box with gold edging.  Super cute!

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

We are definitely beyond the age where it is necessary to get presents from our parents but every single year my parents and Dan’s parents both insist on getting us something.

This year my sisters and I all got a Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter from Mum (and Dad lol).  This product needs absolutely no introduction! I have spoken about it on my blog before here and here.  It is a totally stunning product and my current one is almost finished so I am beyond thrilled to have this one in back up!

Oliver Bonas Dark Amber & Cedarwood Scented Candle

Dan’s Mum and Dad got me this gorgeous dark amber and cedarwood candle from Oliver Bonas.  It smells absolutely amazing and comes in the pretties blue jar with stars on it.  This will definitely be one of those candle jars that I will clean out and repurpose when the candle is finished :). Wouldn’t it make such a cute little vase for some short flowers?  This candle was on the ‘list’ that I gave to Dan so it looks like he got himself off the hook on this one lol.

Lixirskin Vitamin C Paste

If you followed my Instagram stories over Christmas where I opened my Liberty advent calendar, you may remember that it contained a product from a brand called Lixirskin.   That product was a cleanser and I had mentioned that I wished it was their Vitamin C paste instead.  Well Santa’s little helper (Dan lol) was listening carefully and the Vitamin C paste ended up in my stocking :). It is a morning mask that contains Vitamin C and is supposed to leave skin vibrant, luminous and smooth.  I haven’t tried it out yet but I will be sure to report back to you when I do 🙂

Function of Beauty Shampoo and Conditioner

This final present might sound a bit strange to some people.  It’s shampoo and conditioner! Lol but this isn’t just any old shampoo and conditioner, its from the brand called Function of Beauty and I have been dying to get my hands on it since the day I discovered it! Back then they only shipped within the US but they launched in the UK this year so as soon as I received that email they went straight on my Christmas list!

Function of Beauty are a completely unique haircare brand.  They do the opposite of big beauty companies – when you order from them online, they ask you for your personal hair profile and what your hair goals are.  They then they individually formulate and make unique products specifically for you!

All of their products are paraben, sulfate, toxin and cruelty free and are completely personalised. When you go on their website it is a four step process to ordering your shampoo and conditioner.  They ask you to build your hair profile and your hair goals (giving you multiple options to choose from), then choose a fragrance for your products, choose what colour you would like them to be and what name you would like to have on the bottles.  I LOVE this entire concept and as someone with pretty rubbish hair, I just thought I HAD to try this.

My order was as follows:

Hair Profile: Straight, fine and normal scalp moisture

Hair Goals: Deep condition, replenish hair, volumise, strengthen, hydrate

Fragrance: Eucalyptus (which they call ‘all (you)calyptus’)

Colour: Pink

Name: Claire (obviously lol)

Again, I haven’t tried them out yet but once I have some thoughts on them I will of course let you know :).

That was it for my Christmas gifts.  I absolutely love them all and cannot wait to get using them!

I’d love to hear if you got anything nice for Christmas or if you have tried anything that I got :).

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

 

 

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