Category Archives: gifts

#oneforyouoneforme with Long Tall Sally

18th December 2015
The gift guides are coming to an end but it wouldn’t be Christmas until I presented a guide from one of my favourite brands Long Tall Sally who have put together their own rather fabulous gift guide to tempt and tease. I’ve worked with the brand a number of times over the last year and a bit and they never fail to impress me therefore my own gift guide and wish list is rather extensive and I am seriously hoping that Santa and his Elves are reading!
Topping my personal wish list has to be these fantastic glittery boots and adorable penguin PJs… it isn’t Christmas unless there is a new pair of pyjamas involved.

As for gift giving, well, I think clothes can be a bit of a tricky area unless you know someone really, REALLY well. I’ve focused my gift guide on the fantastic array of accessories on offer, all perfectly proportioned to suit the taller frame. This faux fur scarf is ideal for anyone who likes to add a touch of glamour to their look and these gorgeous gloves will keep frostbite at bay!

What would you most like to receive from my list? Aside from the boots I’m also really wishing I had a swanky party to go to as that metallic maxi dress is calling out to me.

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Posted in brands I love, christmas, gifts, life, wish list

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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?

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Buntella from Boomf!*

18th November 2015
A couple of years ago I featured Boomf, the coolest marshmallow brand in town. It’s a brand I hold a great deal of affection for so when they got in touch to introduce their latest venture, Buntella I knew I was in for a treat.
Essentially Buntella is customised bunting. Even as someone who never bought in to the bunting fad I was pretty intrigued by this. As with Boomf you can create a product entirely out of your own photos or choose from a set of designs from various artists suitable for any occasion. I opted for images designed by The Corrigan Sisters as I wanted something to brighten up my room, not to say I don’t approve of the own photo approach- I think that would be amazing for a special birthday of wedding celebration!
Each Buntella compromises of nine triangles and come packaged in a neat little box just like Boomf mallows. The quality of the images is fantastic and the fabric has a good weight to it so it hangs beautifully. The bunting comes ready to hang (assuming your cat doesn’t make a beeline for it like Mae did) and is a super quick and easy way to jazz up any living space.

I couldn’t resist these pun-tastic prints especially with the “biscat” design. At £25 I think this makes for a pretty good value way to add something to your home or a special gift. What better way to show a friend how much they mean to you than plastering your mug-shots from nights out and happiest memories on to bunting?

What would you put on your bunting and what do you think of the idea? For me it’s another winner for the brains behind Boomf! Not to un-tangle the feline beast.

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Posted in brands I love, gifts, inspiration, interiors

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