Let's Hope It's a Good One

At midnight tonight, 2014 is officially over. I've spent the past few weeks thinking that this is a good thing - I can finally let go of the stumbling blocks which have been dragging me down, with the promise of a fresh start tomorrow. But then I woke up this morning feeling completely different, as if I had made a full turnaround in my thinking. 

Amidst the tough times, I've had an altogether incredible year. There were amazing challenges to get through, and things to overcome, but I did it, and I'm certain if you look back on your year you'll find that you did too! So much change in the space of one small year - a whole new perspective, a changed view of what's important, and a lot of learning - was squished into 365 short days. I'm proud of that, and what I've pushed through to achieve. 

So instead of wishing 2014 a hearty goodbye, I think I'll feel a little lighter today as I remember everything that's happened - the good and the bad. 

I know one thing that I will definitely be indulging in to end this year - a lovely, calming bath to match my renewed sparkle and energy for 2014. 

My bath essentials always include a scented candle to mesmerise and lose yourself in, bath fizz for a little playfulness and for soft skin, and a good book of two.

Have a Happy New Year everyone xx

Silently Closing Her Bedroom Door...

A nostalgic look into my Christmassy bedroom! Even though I just moved in two weeks ago, I tried really hard to make the festivities feel alive in the two weeks before Christmas - and I think I succeeded:

From tinkling bells dangled all around the house, to my festive Christmas Garland Yankee Candle and my mini Christmas tree; from homemade felt decorations to Christmassy scented pens and a good old Christmas themed book (my book of choice by my favourite author, L.M.Montgomery's 'Christmas With Anne'). 

I love Christmas, and I'll be sad to take down all these lovely decorations...but that doesn't mean I've stopped plotting for next year! I'm thinking twinkling lights adorning my bed or mirror might be lovely.

Hope your Christmas and festivities were just as wonderful xx

Paint the Town - Nail Polish Review

For years now, my New Year's resolution has always included a side note to "stop biting my nails." (It's never quite worked out so perfectly though...)

But, alas, these past few months I've become nail polish OBSESSED and it's really given me the drive to stop biting.

I'm almost at the point where I don't nibble at all, but I have the nasty habit of picking the skin around the nail bed - naughty naughty I know! 

It takes a really good nail polish to grab my attention and make me want to re-apply the colour once it's chipped or, dare I say, bitten off! This Maybelline New York Colour Show nail polish, however, is just the ticket, especially for this festive time of year.

A beautiful red, the colour of this nail varnish is Paint the Town (number 260) has hints of mulberry deep reds but is bright enough for a younger spark like myself to wear easily without looking too mature - I prefer the jolly fun version of Christmas!

What really grabbed me about this product, however, is the fact that the application is remarkably smooth and easy, and leaves no streaks. I applied the varnish for two coats, and had even toyed with the idea of a single coat because it's so lovely and luscious it almost doesn't need a second! That's a win-win in my books!

*note this post has not been sponsored by Maybelline; it's just my opinion :)

Happy Christmas (War is Over)

Do you know the feeling when you've just started a new job, are in the midst of moving house, Christmas is creeping up on you and suddenly everyone who's anyone to you wants to catch up over a festive meal and a drink, and you need some quick and easy present ideas that won't take a hundred years to find/make?

Phew. Do I have you covered with this gift idea - totally suitable for everyone out there (well...everyone with a sweet tooth that is)

Basically all you'll need is two glass jars, a bag of marshmallows, hot chocolate powder and a festive Christmas mug!

Fill up one glass jar full to the brim with wonderfully soft moreish marshmallows, and the other with hot chocolate powder. And voila! An 'everything you need to make a fantastically whizz-bang jolly hot chocolate' kit!

Have a Banana!

Does anyone else here scroll through tumblr or instagram in a sort of wanderlust, dreaming and wistfully thinking about the perfect composition of photos, the props, the light and airy summer feels?

As soon as I found THIS mason jar from Typo for a meagre $3.95, I knew I finally had the right sort of prop to go along with nothing other than....the most delicious and summery smoothie I could possibly create! And using only 3 ingredients!

^Enjoyed, of course, with my feet dappling waves in the pool and my (sunscreen lathered) skin shining in the sun.

So, to make one large smoothie:

1. Cut one banana into small discs, and the cheeks of a mango into cubes. Freeze, covered in cling film.

2. Once frozen (at least 4 hours to get the creamy texture) blitz the frozen fruit in a blender with one cup of water.

3. Enjoy this instagrammable smoothie in your mason jar!

*note Typo have no sponsored me for this post.

Halloween Post! When It Gets Dark I Tow Your Heart Away...

Wow - was Halloween really 2 weeks ago already?! Is it already mid-November?? How did this happen!!!!

Oh well, I'd still love to share the super exciting Halloween party my aunty hosted for us two weeks ago - I think you'll agree, her effort was tremendous and I did have to look twice at all the spiders hugging the walls (you know, just in case a live one popped up and tried to hide itself hehe).

We had the weekend at my aunty's house - Halloween dinner party on the Saturday night then breakfast of homemade scones with jam and cream on the Sunday: rather civilised for zombies and witches, don't you think?

Back in School Again...

Just a quick update for this dear blog of mine - I've been super duper busy studying for my final exams! First year of uni almost over; how crazy is that thought?!

Hope you're all doing well. From my end, this is where I've been spending the majority of my days: