The Christmas Book // DIY

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! I'm getting really excited as it is my favourite time of the year. 

One thing that is really important at this time of year is to keep organised. Not only does Christmas bring an increase in working hours or studying time but it's just going to be completely hectic. A few years ago I started to write everything down in a notepad and I call it The Christmas Book. Read on if this is something you'd be interested in.

What You'll Need

• A Notepad
• Sticker Paper
• Dividers (or a notebook that comes with them)
• An Envelope
• A Printable Calendar

I took a trip to staples to get some bits & pieces and ended up with this notepad. The reason I chose this one was because it came with four dividers that have pockets on the front. Great for storing receipts. If you have picked a notebook that doesn't have this then the alternative is to stick an envelope to the back page to keep them all together.
I use the four dividers as categories, I a card list, gift list, activity list and misc section.

How I Use It

Starting with the Misc section, I print calendars onto sticker paper to put on the last pages to keep track of working hours and any plans. I found these ones online, if you're using an A5 notepad then remember to resize them.

The other sections are pretty much self explanatory.

• The Card List section I write two columns of names, ones for mailing and ones that don't need to be. Then in those lists what type of card that person needs so a relation or for children in the family I buy character cards. When giving cards I like to put candy canes in them, so this helps me know how many I need.
• The Gift List section is pretty much the same but I cut and stick in gifts from catalogs with all the information and it helps me keep track. 
• The Christmas Activity section I split into public and home. So activities where its open to the public or have to travel to and things to do at home. Each activity I remember to write down prices, times and dates. 

Lastly I like to decorate it so it looks all nice and Christmas-y I printed a design onto sticker paper as some notebook covers don't respond well to glue. Below is a picture of the one I used this year.

And that's everything! I hope this helps you.

As always, thanks for reading...

October Favourites 2013

As we go into November, I thought I'd kick off the month with another monthly favourites post.

This is the Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro 5 in 1 Results Primer. Advertises that it smoothes, resurfaces, brightens, mattifies and protects. I brought this on sale in Asda for £4.98 as their Rimmel section was on an everything under £5 offer. This has been the best primer I've used so far, it's almost like a second layer of moisturiser. For me this product does most of the 5 results it says, dependent on the foundation that you use. Sometimes it doesn't always mattify and I have found this when using the No7 Stay Perfect foundation. The texture is very smooth, non-greasy and has a nice glow to it rather than a shine, it is lovely to wear alone as well as under your foundation.

Rimmel Match Perfection Light Perfecting Radiance Foundation (in 010 Light Porcelain). This was around the same price as the Primer. I have previously said how I'm reluctant to try new foundations with my very fair skin tone but after swatching I thought it was a good match. For me the coverage is fantastic, I only use one to one and a half pumps with a makeup brush. It hasn't got a greasy texture but shake the bottle well before using as sometimes it can come out a little runny. This foundation advertises it has Advanced Smart Tone technology for perfectly flawless skin under any light. Enhanced with sapphire radiance for an illuminating glow and lasts all day. This for me is true when I apply it with a foundation brush. When I applied with a sponge it wasn't as long lasting.

Now the US bloggers have raved about this product for months and the UK finally has it. These are the Baby Lips Lip Balms from Maybelline. I currently own the Pink Punch and Cherry Me ones. They both have a very lovely tint to them (colour matching the name) and are super hydrating. I am the worst person to moisturise their lips and usually go for a hydrating lipstick. These have been my go to now the UK is experiencing colder weather. What I love the most is the range of colour and colourless with the different scents. They smell amazing which makes them in some ways, addictive. They currently retail in Boots at £2.99.

The Real Techniques Core Collection Makeup brush set. These retail in Boots at £21.99 but I brought them on offer for £16.99 with P&P from Amazon. After reading amazing reviews on the buffing brush, I could only find it in this set. So far, I've only used the Buffing & Contour brushes and I'm very surprised by both. They are super soft and the bristles on them aren't too sturdy or flimsy. I have used the buffing brush with liquid, powder and mousse foundation and found that it works a lot better with the first two rather than the latter. With the mousse foundation you really have to work the product into the skin with this brush and takes a lot longer than using your fingers or a sponge. Since using this to apply my foundation people have been commenting on how flawless it looks. The contour brush as well has been an absolute miracle. I have only recently become a bronzer wearer. This is so precise and is great at contouring my nose without being so overbearing. The brush picks up bronzer and blush so easily (so will say warning for the heavy handed) but it doesn't create fallout when applying. I would say these were the top favourite of mine this month! 

Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Total Treat Argan Oil Hair Transforming Cream (mouthful!) This is an oil in cream treatment that says will miraculously transform the texture of your hair into lustrous silky locks. I bought this product last month but have only got round to really using it. I purchased this as it says it helps lock in moisture to heal dry, damaged hair and restore smoothness. Basically the ends of my hair aren't that great at the moment, with the weather changing my hair is going dry and thought I need something more than a heat protectant. I love this, the ends of my hair are starting to look less dry and feel smoother and healthier. As it is an oil in cream I was surprised it wasn't heavy or greasy. I brought this in Sainsburys for around £5 but retails on the Phil Smith website at £10.99. 

Maggie Rose - Looking Back Now

In my September Favourites post, one of my favourite songs was Preacher's Daughter by Maggie Rose. This month it is Looking Back Now. She has an amazing tone, amazing diction and if you haven't, check out her album Cut To Impress. She tells a story in such an amazing way. 

Well there are my favourites from this month, comment below what your favourites this month were.

As always, thanks for reading...