WHAT I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS 2016

Watching What I Got For Christmas videos is quite possibly one of my favourite things in the world. Come the 25th of December I’m already browsing YouTube trying to see if any videos have already been uploaded. I’m just so nosey and I love seeing how happy and appreciative everyone seems to be when showing what they got. I don’t see it as bragging at all, I just see it as someone being thankful. Since I don’t make videos on the ‘Tube, I thought I’d show you what I got through a blog post. I don’t know if it’s a common thing to do, but I wanted to do it anyway. Some of the pictures I took in London and some were taken in Bristol as my battery ran out when I was home and I didn’t take the charger with me, typical Sandra. They're also not the most artistic and blog worthy photos, so please bear with me!

I feel like as girls we always want to know what boyfriends got their girlfriends, so I’m gonna kick things off with what my other half got me. Yes, he got me a Gucci cardholder, and I mean, how gorgeous is it? I’m in love! He also did so well and picked up some loungewear from The White Company! I had been saying that I really wanted some comfies to wear around the house, and he picked up these two bits for me <3 He's the best!

Now moving on to what my parents got me, when I say parents I definitely mean my mum. My dad always looks just as surprised as me when I open up my presents haha. They got me some Ugg slippers, which I was so excited about! I wanted these for quite some time now. They’re the cosiest little things and nothing makes me happier than putting these on when I get home. They also got me two jumpers, one from All Saints and one from Jaeger, both stores had massive discounts on the lead up to Christmas which was amazing. Mum knows about my love for candles, so she got me one from Diptyque. It’s rose scented which I wouldn’t normally go for myself as I’m not a massive fan of roses, but I must admit that it smells divine! Along with that, she also picked up a lipgloss set from Laura Mercier. I’ve only ever tried bases and blushers from the brand, so it’s quite nice to give her lip products a go. I did ask for some skincare, so they got me the Sunday Riley Tidal moisturiser, the Kypris Antioxidant Dew serum and an eye cream from Goldfaden. I actually tried this eye cream a while back and fell in love with how moisturising it was.

My bother got me some cash and an electric toothbrush. His reaction when I told him I wanted an electric toothbrush was quite hilarious haha, he really didn’t believe me! All he kept saying was ‘come on, be serious, what do you want?’ ‘erm, an electric toothbrush’! Like I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I’ve been struggling with tooth pain, so I’m trying to take better care of my teeth to avoid these problems in the future hihi.

My little godson got me these cute little slippers. I’ve left them at my house in London so I have cosy footwear when I go back home. One of my friends got me a Yankee Candle, because she knows how much I love them! And two of my other friends got together and got me a Louboutin lipstick. How insane is the packaging? I couldn’t believe it when they gave it to me. So, so stunning!

And finally, from me to me, I got myself a pair of Dior Tribales earrings. I’ve had a rubbish couple of months, so I wanted to cheer myself up. Usually when spending so much money on something I feel really guilty after, but with these, all I felt was happiness haha. We all deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while. 

I was thoroughly spoiled and feel so, so lucky to have been gifted these amazing presents, but what I’m truly thankful for was being able to spend this special day with my loved ones. Me and my boyfriend had our car all packed up and ready to make the trip from Bristol to London and all of a sudden the ‘oil pressure’ indicator came on which meant we couldn’t carry on. It was very stressful and we both felt so gutted that there was a possibility we wouldn’t be able to make it home, but luckily Enterprise was still open and we managed to hire a car to make it to London. That’s what I’m truly thankful for! I have all my family still with me, I have a home to go to and plenty of food on the table. 

So many people have lost family members, so many people struggle to make ends meet, so many people don’t even have food, so it’s important to appreciate what truly matters in the middle of all this crazy gift-giving madness. I remember being 5 and getting a £1 doll for Christmas and my brother getting a 99p basketball set, and we were both over the moon! It’s sad to see that now we all spend so much money on people and there are some that still complain and aren’t satisfied. Be thankful for all you have, nothing is forever. And seeing as it's the 31st of December, I want to wish you all the very best for 2017! Don't be ashamed to set goals, it's nice to have something that motivates us! 

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Lots of love, SFS.

Christmas Gift Guide 2016

So due to my lack of blogging I realise this post is a little bit late, but I’m sure there are many people out there who still haven’t finished (or started?) their Christmas shopping, so I thought I’d post this anyway. Christmas is quite possibly one of the most stressful times of the year, you keep having to ‘excuse me’ your way through the streets, the shops are always full, and trying to figure out what to get your loved ones really doesn’t help. I know I struggled this year! But struggles aside, I’ve come up with a few ideas that I think will make great gifts.

For Her.

1. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray Duo £48

If you’ve ever tried this, or even just smelt this, you will understand why this made it on my gift guide. It’s the most amazing hair product I have ever used. It’s big hair in a bottle and you always get asked what perfume you’re wearing even though it’s your hair that smells delicious.

2. Diptyque Classic Candle Set £60

Candles just make some of the best gifts, they make the house feel cosier, make it smell amazing, and all in all just sets a relaxing vibe throughout the whole place. For the real candle lover I guarantee that they will absolutely love to receive this set! Diptyque is such a luxurious brand and this set has some of their most popular scents. 

3. Charlotte Tilbury The Perfect Pink Kiss £49

We all know a beauty lover that is completely obsessed with makeup and that can never have too much of it. Charlotte Tilbury has so many amazing gift sets! Her makeup is incredible, and I’m sure every woman in your life has heard about it. There are many sets to choose from, from eye sets, to blush sets, to lip sets. They have a great starting price point at only £15 going all the way up to £250, so you’ll have many to choose from to suit your budget.

4. Joe Wicks Lean in 15 Cookbook £8

A cookbook is the ideal gift for a fitness or food lover. This one by Joe Wicks has some amazing recipes, that are healthy and quick and easy to make. 

5. The White Company Wild Mint Candle £28

The White Company is a brand that can do no wrong and make the best home gifts. Their candles are a real treat to receive and won’t break the bank.

6. Tata Harper Daily Essentials Kit £56

Tata Harper skincare has been spoken about quite a lot this past year. Their skincare is on the pricier side of things, so getting someone a gift set allows them to try everything out and see what really works for them.

7. Marks & Spencer Dressing Gown £30

I feel like dressing gowns are something we all like to wear, but don’t like to buy for ourselves. Marks and Spencer have so many to choose from and they're all incredible quality.

8. Ugg Slippers £85

Slippers is something everyone uses, and it doesn’t get any better than Ugg. Granted, they’re a little expensive, but their quality is amazing and they will last someone years!

BONUS: Spa Day

If you’re stuck on what to get someone, why not get them a voucher to enjoy a day at the spa? Life gets so busy that we sometimes forget to make time for ourselves, so getting this for someone will kinda force them to take some time off to relax. 

For Him.

1. The White Company Eye Mask £30

An eye mask is something that comes in so handy for the person that works shifts and has to sleep during the day, for someone who travels a lot or for someone who has sensitive eyes. It’s something that I’m sure they won’t get themselves, so getting this as a gift will come in very handy.

2. Elemis The Gym Kit Collection £35.50

Ok, so not all men are into beauty products, but I feel like as they get older they do start to appreciate a good moisturiser. This set by Elemis is perfect for the manly man. It isn’t overwhelming and flowing with skincare products, it actually has products that any man, beauty lover or not, will like and use. In my opinion this is the perfect set to ease the man in your life into the skincare world.

3. Ugg Slippers £75

Again with the slippers, I know! I recently bought some for my boyfriend and my brother, and I honestly think they just make the best gift. My boyfriend lives in his, and always smiles when he puts them on because they’re that cosy! 

4. The White Company Cashmere Joggers £51

All men like to lounge around, and there’s no better way to do it than in cashmere joggers. They’re on the pricey side, but luckily there are so many sales going on right now that you’re bound to find some great deals.

5. Tommy Hilfiger Cardholder £35

Not all men like to carry around wallets, I know my brother is very fussy about wallets, and says he hates having them in his pockets. A cardholder is perfect because it doesn’t take up too much space, and helps them take all their cards in one place and can still carry around some cash in one of the slots.

6. Gliding Voucher

Last year for Christmas I got my boyfriend an Aerobatic Gliding voucher and he absolutely loved it! This is more for someone who loves flying and would love to experience something different. This is a great gift for the thrill seekers in your family, man or woman.

7. Video Games

Do I need to explain this one?

I hope this gift guide has helped some of you who are still struggling with what to get the people in your life. 

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Lots of love, SFS.

Welcome Back To Me??

Missguided Jumpsuit, Zara Backpack, Gucci Espadrilles

Hello there world! Sooo, it’s been a while, and by a while I mean a couple of months since I posted anything on here! I’ve just been so tired and quite frankly, lost my motivation to do anything lately! Thank God my boyfriend cooks, don’t think my bank account can take anymore Deliveroo orders! I also went through the worst cold for about three weeks, completely lost my voice, and now I’ve been going through a right nightmare with one of my molars! Tooth pain is the absolute worst I tell you. I had a root canal treatment done and instead of taking some time off work, I decided to fly before completing the treatment. I wouldn’t recommend it for any of you who want to give it a go!

Anyway, enough about me (at least for a bit), how have you been?! Done all your Christmas shopping? At the end of September I was adamant that I would be done with all my Christmas shopping by the end of November, boy was I wrong! For some reason I’m not really feeling this festive season this year. My godson and one of my uncles are going through a bit of a hard time, so that kinda dampens the mood for me. Although I didn’t finish my Christmas shopping by November, I am happy to report that I have finished it by mid December, woohoo! I’m just waiting on a few parcels to be delivered, fingers crossed they all get here on time.

With the risk of being a bit late to the party, I’ll be writing up a couple of blog posts on Christmas gifting. Granted there are a few stranglers out there who are still battling their way through the shops trying to figure out what to get their loved ones, so hopefully I can still help one or two people.

Once again I am so sorry for being away for so long! Kinda sucks to be honest. and I’ve let myself down big time! I have the tendency to quit things, don’t ask why, I think it’s probably down to lack to self-confidence, but I’ll be trying my hardest from now on to not miss out on any more blog posts - at least not for as long as I did this time, uff.

Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend so far! 

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Lots of love, SFS.