Beauty and the Beast Themed Goodies you Need in your Life!

Beauty and the Beast is my favourite film. Not just my favourite Disney film, mind you. My favourite film of all time! My goal in life is to be Belle (enchanted castle and all), which several realistic boring people in my life keep pointing out is kind of a pipe dream.

But since the new live action remake is set to be released in less than a month, (cue hysterical shrieking) I can at least take advantage of the surge of Beauty and the Beast themed merchandise that's suddenly flooded the market.

My bedroom is about to look like it belongs to a five year old girl and I don't even care!

Gaston's Tavern Wall Sign 

The Disney Store US $70

For all his misogyny, ignorance and deep-rooted evil, no one parties like Gaston and I wouldn't mind a trip to that tavern for a few tankards of beer and a sing-song. Or, at the very least, with this sign I can turn my own kitchen in to Gaston's Tavern...minus the antlers.

Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide

With just one week left until the big day, I'm sure I'm not the only one who's gone and left their Christmas shopping until the last minute...again.

But have no fear because my last minute Christmas gift guide will save you the hassle of scouring the High Street for the perfect gift. Don't bother battling the crowds or collapsing into a hysterical heap in the middle of Marks & Spencer (I've been there). Instead, let me do the searching for you while you put your feet up with a nice mug of hot chocolate...with extra marshmallows...because obviously.

Gifts for Her

The Lust List: November 2016

We're well and truly into November. I can tell because I have to wear four layers of clothing to bed every night. So...it's time to start talking about Christmas now, right? I mean, I usually like to keep Christmas strictly confined to December, but this year I can't help feeling the first tingles of the Christmas spirit already (I blame John Lewis and their festive-packed winter wonderland). That said, my lust list has a bit of a Christmas theme...you know, just a bit!

Magic Wand Bubble Bar - Lush £5.95

My passion for Lush bubble bars is well documented. The are my favourite bath-time treat! But the Magic Wand bubble bar? That's an entirely new level of fabulousness my friends! It's pink, it's sparkly, it smells divine, and how often do you get to add some Bibbiti Bobbiti Boo to your bath-time?

It's part of the limited edition Lush Christmas collection and I for one have already added it to my Christmas list.

The Lust List: September 2016

Since I gave up my job on a whim to become a penniless student again, I've had to readjust to a fairly frugal lifestyle i.e. I can't justify my weekly Boots splurge, Yankee Candle obsession or unfathomable need to purchase a range of obscure homeware items from Etsy despite not actually owning a home. I have no doubt my postman is thrilled that he doesn't have to stagger under the weight of all my packages anymore, but personally I'm having shopping withdrawal!

I miss being able to treat myself to anything I fancied. I'm mourning a life where I could immediately replace my foundation without having to weigh up my expenses. Was being a student this hard the first time round? I have a list as long as my arm of pointless things I want for absolutely no reason other than that I just want them.

And then I thought, hey, I'll share them with you guys! We'll call it the Lust List.

So here are some of the things I've been lusting after recently...

Belle's Library Candle, Anthology Candles £12.49

The world is truly a cruel place! Here I find there's a company that makes Disney scented candles(!) and it turns out they only ship out of the U.S. I have no doubt I could justify £12.62 for a candle, but it's the £26 on top for shipping that well and truly puts them out of my reach.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas for Her

It's that time of year again! There's magic in the air and festive cheer and good will towards men have nuzzled their way into our hearts to brighten the bleak December nights. Oh, and men everywhere are frantically trying to work out what to buy their loved ones for Christmas.

Fear not! I have a fool-proof stocking stuffer guide to ensure you do not mess this up!

Of course, this guide isn't just for men. It's for anyone out there who could do with some inspiration for gifts for a sister/mother/girlfriend/daughter...or just some little treats for yourself! But I can't help thinking of my Dad last year. He genuinely thought talc was an acceptable gift to put in my mother's Christmas stocking.

So, to save women everywhere from a similar fate, here's a list of stocking stuffer gift ideas that you simply can't go wrong with.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I can confirm that the word 'miracle' is not an exaggeration. This has revolutionised my face! This little wonder makes for flawless makeup application and can be used to apply foundation, concealer and even powder products. A must-have for makeup bags everywhere!
Get it here!

Lush Magic Wand

Frankly, anything from Lush makes a fabulous stocking stuffer. Bath bombs, lips scrubs, massage bars...you cannot go wrong with something from Lush. The products smell divine, contain all natural ingredients and are the perfect little treat.

But, for the sake of narrowing things down, if I had to choose just one Lush product to wake up to on Christmas morning it would be the Magic Wand bubble bar. It's pink, it's sparkly, it's festive and it can be re-used so you get more bang for your buck.
Get it here!

Other stand-out Lush products include Santa's Lip Scrub, Snow Fairy Shower Gel and the Butterbear Bath Bomb.

Vanilla Cupcake Yankee Sampler Candle

The Vanilla Cupcake Yankee candles smell good enough to eat (I've seriously been tempted to take a bite a few times) and the sampler is the perfect size to pop in a Christmas stocking. And if she drives get her the car air freshener to go with it. It's like driving around in a giant cake!
Get it here!

Pandora Bracelet 

Yes, it's a little more pricey than some chocolate coins and an inflatable bath pillow, but a Pandora Bracelet is the stocking stuffer gift that keeps on giving. Get her a Pandora Bracelet for Christmas and you're sorted for anniversaries and birthdays too. If in doubt, just get another charm for the bracelet. Each one is sentimental and absolutely stunning. Who would say no to that?
Get it here!

Perfume Atomiser

Everyone loves to find a random gadget at the bottom of their Christmas stocking and a perfume atomiser is the kind of random gadget she'll actually use! She can just fill it up with her favourite perfume and have it on hand wherever she goes. Perfect for travelling or to throw in her handbag and take to work.
Get it here!

Makeup Bag

It doesn't take long for makeup bags to get a bit...grim. It's only a matter of time before a foundation leaks or a lipstick loses its lid and suddenly it looks disgusting. But a nice new makeup bag isn't something most women will treat themselves to so a pretty little makeup bag like this one from Cath Kidston is always a welcome Christmas gift.
Get it here!

Chocolate

Quite frankly it's not a Christmas stocking without chocolate. After all, 'tis the season to stuff your face and gain half a stone. Personally I love a tube of Milkybar Buttons and a Chocolate Orange in my stocking, but it all comes down to personal preference. Just make sure there's chocolate of some description in there!

Must-Have Halloween Goodies!

It's my favourite time of year again! The ground is scattered with crunchy orange leaves, the morning air is crisp and fresh and, best of all, Halloween is just around the corner!

I've been in love with Halloween since I can remember. The musty smell of Halloween decorations that have been sitting in the attic for the last 12 months, the feel of pumpkin guts between my fingers, scaring the life life out of my niece and nephew, I love it all!

I thought it was totally necessary to write a Halloween themed post since the witching hour is almost upon us so today I'm going to share my must-have Halloween goodies with you.

The Lush Halloween Range - Lush

Yes, all of it! Every year Lush brings out a range of Halloween themed bath and body goodies that smell frightfully good. I am obsessed with Lush products all year round so it goes without saying that these spooky soaps just call to me.

I am particularly drawn to the Sparkly Pumpkin. Lush, Halloween and glitter all combined into a single product?! Yes, I'm all over that!
Grab it here!

Yankee Candles - Yankee Candle website

Ok, I'm going to be honest with you. I have never understood the worldwide obsession with Yankee Candles. £20 for something I am literally going to set fire to? Really?
But recently I've become totally obsessed with scented candles. Every time I leave the house I somehow manage to find a new candle to add to my collection.

And the candles I am most desperate to get my hands on right now are the Halloween Yankee Candles. I have no idea what Witches Brew could possibly smell like. I just know that I need it in my life!
Grab it here!

Hotel Chocolat Boo! Box - Hotel Chocolat

Let's be honest, one of the best parts of Halloween is stuffing your face with sweets at the end of the night. Usually goody bags are filled with cheap lollies and gummy bears, but now that I'm a fully grown adult (most of the time) I think it's acceptable to splash out on some posh treats from Hotel Chocolat.

Grab it here!

The Nightmare Before Christmas Jack and Sally Mug - The Disney Store

The perfect addition to your mug tree this Halloween...and all year round! I have a deep-rooted love for Disney Store mugs, which is slightly odd considering I don't drink hot drinks. They are just beautiful to look at. Is that weird? Probably.

Grab it here!

Hocus Pocus Wallet Phone Case - Etsy

The obsession is real! Hocus Pocus is one of my all time favourite films and I have always wanted to get my hands on The Book. I mean, how great would that look casually sitting on my nightstand?
This phone case is a slightly more practical size than the actual book and is absolutely adorable (in a creepy, bizarre kind of way). There are plenty of different sizes for different phone models too.

Grab it here!


Hopefully this post will inspire you to go out and bag some Halloween goodies. I for one have accepted that my bank balance is about to take a serious blow.
Have a happy Halloween everyone!

Dear Santa...

Christmas is coming at high-speed, regardless of whether or not I'm ready for it. And right now I'm really not. But it's about time I did a Christmas-themed post so I thought I'd steal an idea I saw on fiveleveninety, a blog I follow mostly because I like to live vicariously through Riley, the author. She can do long distance running while I can't even jog for three minutes without falling over, she's still in college while I'm stuck in a boring post-uni world of taxes and living with my parents, and it snows where she lives while here it just rains. Constantly.

Christmas Must-Haves and Lust-Haves. My First Haul!

So the monthly haul idea I talked about after the blogger meet up (which was all the way back in October I believe) obviously never happened. I'm much more comfortable ranting and raving about my personal experiences, but I do really love trying out products (as the size of my make-up case suggests) and for once I think we'll have a bit of a girlie post. And, seeing as Christmas is looming, this is a great time to recommend a few bits and pieces you might want to pick up as presents for others...or for yourself. 'Tis the season to be glamorous after all and you can never have too many lipglosses...


The Stocking Fillers
Perfect little gifts with tiny price tags and must-have products for the party season.

Santa's Lip Scrub
£5.50 - Lush

So, as everyone knows, it isn't really Christmas until you see the Coca Cola advert on tv. So this cola flavoured lip scrub must be what Christmas tastes like. I'll be honest, after the Beacon kissed me, screwed up his face and told me I tasted 'sour', it got demoted to the bottom of the make up box. But now that the cold weather has settled in, this stuff has become a staple. I follow it up with a lip balm (Lush do one in a matching flavour) and chapped lips are kept at bay.

Lee Stafford Blow Dry Wonder Spray
£6.19 - Boots

I think my favourite thing about this is that I found it in a Poundland when I was home over the summer. But it's definitely worth the £6.19 Boots are asking for it. My hair is so long and thick it's like trying to sort out Cousin It's hair in the morning. This really does reduce the time I spend blow-drying my hair and, as a result, gives me more time in bed. Win!

Umberto Giannini Curl Friends Hold Me Hairspray
£4.99 - Boots

Heated rollers, curling irons, velcro rollers...I'm in as long as it makes my hair look halfway decent. And I recommend this hairspray for curls because it doesn't have that awful smell that sticks in the back of your throat and doesn't give your hair that stiff, plastic look that makes people think you'll spontaneously combust if they light a match within 10 yards of you.

Toothy Tabs
£2.50 - Lush

I'll be the first to admit that this is a strange concept. It's basically toothpaste in a tablet. I tried 'Sparkle' which is vanilla flavoured. It was an odd feeling when I finished brushing my teeth and my mouth didn't taste like mint, but my teeth definitely felt squeaky clean. They're quirky. I think they'd be a great idea for anyone who does a lot of travelling or festival-going because they're a lot less hassle than regular toothpaste when it comes to packing.


The Glamour Gifts
Maybe just a little something oh-so glamorous and a bit more pricey for a sister or a friend...or just go and buy them all for yourself like I did.

They're Real Mascara
£19.50 - Benefit

You must have seen this on your travels. It's the UK's No.1 best selling mascara and it is FABULOUS! When I lost mine on the way to Cologne and had to pick up a cheap substitute (which, by the way, made my eyes burn), the Beacon asked, "Why would you spend £20 on mascara?" as if I was deranged. Deranged I may well be, but I can tell you right now that this mascara is the business. It gives me full, thick lashes and it's 100% waterproof. I can cry to my heart's content after one too many drinks and can trust that my mascara will stay in tact even when my dignity is slowly falling apart.
And, one last note on this, Benefit are doing a lot of Christmas gift sets that include They're Real and an array of their other luxurious products. If you want to make a girl's day, leave one of those under the tree.

Golden Gloss Lipgloss
£22 - YSL

Christmas is the one time of year when my obsession with glitter and sparkles is totally acceptable and I can leave the house looking like a fairy threw up all over me. So I was naturally drawn to this lipgloss, which has 24 carat gold in it. The colour range is pretty impressive and this is a must-have gloss for anyone who loves to sparkle.

desiRED Professional Straighteners
£79.99 - Nicky Clarke

I've been a GHD whore for as long as I can remember, but I got these for my mother for Christmas last year and they genuinely put my long-loved GHDs to shame. They do everything you need your straighteners to do (mainly, I would assume, straighten) and if you're looking to get straighteners for someone this Christmas, these are the ones I would opt for.


The Lust List
This is my own personal fantasy Christmas list. I've never personally tried any of these, but if I ever bump into Santa and he asks me what I want, this is what I'd tell him.

Sigma Complete Kit - Chrome
$379 - Sigma

For all my many, many make-up needs. Brought to my attention by my girl crush and favourite Youtuber, Jaclyn Hill, I just want all the Sigma brushes. All of them.

Naked Palette
£37 - Urban Decay

If I had a penny for every time someone recommended this eyeshadow palette to me, I'd probably have enough money to actually buy it by now. It's beautiful.


The Ultimate Lust
£625 - Christian Louboutin

"Men I may not know but shoes, shoes I know." - Carrie Brashaw. Sex and the City.

So there is now officially no excuse not to look fabulous this Christmas. This coming from a girl currently lounging in Kirsty's bed with messy hair and no make up on.