Category Archives: christmas

The Christmas tee with Lush T Shirts

05th December 2015
December is probably the only month where you’ll see me willingly wear a slogan t-shirt. Novelty knits are great all year round but the humble tee? They remind me of being a young teen trying to impress. My blog sponsor, Lush T Shirts sent Ben and I a piece from their Christmas collection to help us embrace the festive madness, I’m not sure Ben was too happy about this but to be honest he got very little say in the matter…

My tee | Ben’s tee

At £14.99 these are an affordable alternative to the traditional Christmas jumper and a bit of fun for any social gathering. As with any tee from Lush T Shirts these are amazing quality and will last for years to come. I’m not sure Ben will be braving it outside of his flat wearing his new tee but I’ll be popping mine on for our annual Christmas Eve lunch at work…and any other occasion that calls for a bit of fun and novelty factor (pretty much every day in December right?).

Do you like to embrace the fun side of Christmas? Which tee would you pick from the Christmas collection?

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Posted in brands I love, christmas, outfits

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A Flamingo Gifts Christmas

04th December 2015
With only three weeks until the big day (yes, really!) I am finally coming to the end of my gift-guide type posts and starting to wind things down so I don’t completely run out of enthusiasm before December 25th rolls around. It wouldn’t be Christmas on the blog without featuring one of my favourite gift shops and some of their fabulous present ideas though…
My friends at Flamingo Gifts recently sent over a parcel of brilliant gifting solutions for even the most awkward to buy for person. Nestled in among the treats was perhaps THE most perfect item for aspiring cat ladies everywhere and something I just needed to have in my life. The Crazy Cat Lady action figure (£14.99) has rapidly become one of my favourite possessions, it makes me feel like I’m looking at my future and would make a fun and novel gift for the feline fanatic in your life.

I’m always looking out for ways to show my best friends how much they mean to me and this cushion by Sass and Belle says it how it is. This actually didn’t make it in to December before being given away to my very best friend ever, hopefully it will serve as a constant reminder of how special she is.

I thought this funky squirrel planter is such a fun piece and would make the ideal present for so many of my friends as we all grow up and start buying homes and settling down. I’m not known for my talent looking after plants but with it’s self watering feature I think even I can nurture something lush and green with this…watch this space!

Last but by no means least there was a practically perfect mug which at under a tenner would make a great secret santa gift for anyone who thinks of themselves as perfection personified. This found a new home with my Grandad, who is by anyone’s standards pretty perfect but would equally be ideal for a teenager or work colleague.

As ever Flamingo Gifts have really impressed me with their great selection of gifts and regular new arrivals. It’s a one stop shop for all of your present buying needs whether you still need something quirky for your Dad or fancy a little treat for yourself.

Has anything caught your eye and how is your Christmas shopping coming along?

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Posted in brands I love, christmas, gifts, life stuff

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Thoughts on Christmas Shopping*

29th November 2015
One of my favourite things about the festive season is the excuse to shop for those around me. I’d say I’m a pretty generous person and it’s rare for me to go anywhere near a shop and not bring back something for someone other than myself. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than picking out something to make someone smile and at Christmas I have been known to get more than a little bit carried away. With that in mind here are some tips and tricks I use when searching for the perfect present.

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Set a budget and then allow a buffer for when you inevitably go over it. My best friend and I always do this, we set a “limit” on our present buying knowing full well that when it comes to it we’ll spend at least the same again. If we set the budget at a higher level we’d still go over so this keeps things within what we can afford.

Buy it when you see it or regret it later! How many times have you seen the perfect gift for someone but didn’t get it there and then? Countless times I’ve gone back to get something only to find it’s too late leaving me either paying over the odds on e-bay or having to wrack my brains to think up something not half as awesome. I also never wait for Black Friday in the hopes of snagging a good deal- if I know it’s the perfect thing for someone then I get it when I see it rather than run the risk of it selling out for the sake of a few quid.

Think small… independent local shops are one of my favourite places to pick up gifts with a unique and often personal touch. The same goes for indies online. Some of my favourite haunts include Hill Road in Clevedon, Not on the Highstreet, Lisa Angel and cheekyboo

It’s a common thought that bigger is always better when it comes to giving gifts but I’ve found this isn’t always the case. Some of the most loved presents I’ve given to people have been something small, inexpensive and utterly random that showed care and thought went in to the process of buying it. I like to think I’m pretty good at giving gifts these days and I’m yet to meet someone who disagrees (to my face at least!) It was pretty interesting to see that Currys PC World made an infographic featuring the 10 greatest gifts ever. I don’t think I can top those!

What are your top tips for Christmas shopping? What’s the most extravagant gift you’ve ever given or recieved?

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Posted in christmas, gifts, life, life stuff, shopping

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Gifts for the young (and young at heart)

23rd November 2015
Anybody who knows me will attest to the fact that despite being 28 years old I still have the sense of humour of an eight year old. From fart jokes to all things frozen if it’s age inappropriate you can pretty much guarantee I’ll love it. With this in mind I thought it only right that I pop together a Christmas gifting feature for fellow childish (or actually young) people with a little help from my friends at Getting Personal.
My postman took on the role of Santa and delivered a massive box full of goodies from Getting Personal* to my door. Inside was an array of some of their novelty present offerings all of which are 100% right up my street and will hopefully serve to provide some inspiration (or wish lists) for you too.

First out of the box was this doughnut mug* which I think is brilliant. At £8.99 it would make for a pretty sweet (sorry) secret santa gift for anyone who loves their baked goods and can’t resist a biscuit with their brew.

This was swiftly followed by a less sweet treat that appealed to my pre-teenage sense of humour in a massive way. The poop emoji is probably my most used (which obviously says a lot about the people I converse with) and this cushion* clearly belonged in my life. Actually, much to his disgust it now has pride of place on Ben’s sofa so it’ll be a lump of coal from him to me come Christmas day I’m sure.

On a sweeter note we have this adorable Jelly Baby night light*. One of these has been on my wish list for the longest time and it’s currently spreading it’s cheerful pink glow on my desk. Operated by touch and irresistibly cute I know so many people who would appreciate one of these and at under twenty quid it won’t break the bank.
Last but by no means least comes a gift idea that would be perfect for grown-ups and children alike. The My Choc Pick ‘N Mix* is an affordable way to indulge the chocaholic in your life and it reminds me so much of going to the local newsagent on my way home from school on a Friday to get a 10p mixed bag for being good (or bribery to be quiet for a few hours). Obviously this is the gift that keeps on giving as it can be re-filled time and time again, most likely on a daily basis if you’re anything like me.
Are you guilty of being a perpetual child and have I helped solve any of your gifting woes this year? Which of these would you most like to receive?

Posted in brands I love, christmas, gifts

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Pamper your Puss with Make Them Roar (and giveaway)

05th November 2015
It’s not just humans that deserve to get spoiled at Christmas, our pets deserve some pampering too so over the coming weeks I’ll also be popping up gift inspiration for our furry friends. I’m kicking off with the perfect shop for fashion forward felines- Make Them Roar
Stocking unique pieces from artisan manufacturers from around the world, including exclusive leather collars, brass charms, a range of catnip and valerian, the Incomplete Book of Cat Names and an exciting range of alpaca and felt toys this is the perfect place to pick up a gift for cats and cat lovers alike. I’ve got my eye on the mixed herb set (pictured above), a couple of toys and at least one new collar for Mae and the Incomplete Book of Cat Names looks like a brilliant read.
Make Them Roar are also giving one lucky reader of my blog (well, reader’s cat really) the chance to win a gorgeous collar by LA Based Ike & Stella worth £17.00! To enter just follow the simple steps below and make sure to check out the t&c too. Winner can select from one of the four colours shown above (Mae says yes please to the white coral).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

T&C:

By entering the competition you agree to these terms and conditions:

The prize consists of: 1 x embroidered collar Ike and Stella from the range displayed in the online shop on makethemroar.com
This competition closes on 19/11/2015
As a condition of entry to this prize draw, you are subscribing to the free Roar newsletter. If you would like to un-subscribe from either, you will have the opportunity to do so when you receive the first newsletter and every newsletter thereafter through the ‘un-subscribe’ option.
Entrants must be 18 years or older.
The winner will be picked at random from all eligible entries. Winners will be notified by email.
If we do not receive a response from the winner within one week after notification, we will draw an alternative winner.
The winner must supply a shipping address. The prize will be shipped directly to the winner, free of charge worldwide.

Good Luck!

Posted in christmas, competition, giveaway

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