Gifts from Spain & a Little Sidenote

This time last week my parents arrived home from Spain, a whole ten days of sun, good food and the beach. I'm not going to lie I was a bit jealous seeing as the weather hasn't been the best in Ireland lately. I may need to take a little holidays myself soon, I'm missing the sun it feels like it's jumped into Winter so quick.

When my parents go away they always bring us kids back a few gifts, this time was no different. They picked up most of the goodies before they even got on the plane in Dublin, only one product was purchased in Spain and you can probably guess what that was. The present I was most surprised by was Jo Malone's English Pear & Freesia. I already have another Jo Malone perfume in my collection, Nectarine Blossom & Honey, I picked it up on the way to Manchester in July and I love it. I'm so happy my parents bought me this scent as it can be worn on it own or over Nectarine Blossom & Honey to give it's own unique scent. On the airplane my Mom picked me up these two sets, Liz Earle's Beautiful Skin Kit and Bourjois 5x Colour Pop Nail Kit. I can't wait to start using both of these, the latter contains so many pretty bright shades which I'll be rocking on my nails very soon, keep an eye out for some NOTD posts soon. You all know I love Liz Earle so I'll definitely be using this little travel kit alot, all the products included are not full sized but still decent and perfect for holidays. Last but not least the folks actually picked me up two bits from Spain, first is this gorgeous owl necklace, it's quite big so I think it will dress up any outfit. The other gift was the most sought after Bioderma, I haven't ever tried this before and after hearing so many reviews I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I've used it once or twice already and I do like it but it hasn't completely blown me away. I'll use it a bit more and let you know in a future review how I've been getting on with it.  I was so happy with everything my parents picked me up they are seriously way too good, I don't think there enjoying the weather were having at the moment at all.

Just a bit of sidenote for you all, I start college tomorrow YAY! The time has certainly flown by since I announced I was going back. I'm nervous and excited about the whole experience, I'm hoping this will be third time lucky. I think I have everything sorted for going, I went a bit over board with the stationery shopping, which was to be expected I think. My Nanna got me a lovely bag in Warehouse for college, I adore it and I have a feeling I'll be using it outside of college too. Enough of the rambling I'll get back to why I wrote this sidenote to start with, as I'll be working and going straight to college from there, none of my time will be mine anymore. I want to give a 100% to college this time not like previous years so I may not be able to post as regularly as usual. I will be putting up posts but maybe only once or twice a week so I won't be gone completely, I hope you all understand.

Laura<3

Lovely Gifts I got for Christmas!

I love Christmas, it's my favourite time of year as I get to spend lots of quality time with my family. We don't see each other enough, so it's nice to get everyone together at least once a year. A super day was had by all, I stayed in after all our visitors left and watched lots of festive movies. "Miracle on 34st" has to be my favourite Christmas movie of all time. I thought I'd do a post to show you the lovely gifts I received this Christmas. I know after talking to a few bloggers on twitter that alot of people like these kind of posts including me:)

One of my Santa presents this year was a new plasma screen television, I was beyond surprised. My boyfriend and I were only chatting during the week about how old my TV/DVD combo was. It was so ancient that the DVD player was broken and I had a separate DVD player. Needless to say there is way more space now in my room with this new television. I think I need to find a new place to put my handbags though. I was given two DVDS, The Polar Express and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (from my brother). The Polar Express is a great movie and I enjoyed watching it this time of year.

Makeup wise I got some lovely products that I can't wait to start using. My Auntie got me a Stila All Over Shimmer Duo in Kitten. I don't own much Stila products so this will be a nice addition to my collection. I like how this is a multi-purpose product, it can be used as an eyeshadow and highlighter. The lovely storage box that all the products are sitting on above was also a gift from my Auntie. It's has such a beautiful floral design, I don't know what to store in it. Any suggestions? My Mom and Dad surprised me with some MAC makeup. The Viva Glam Melt Your Heart Lip bag contains both Lady Gaga Viva Glam lipsticks. I was kicking myself I didn't buy them when they were first released. I was thrilled my parents got this set for me! Mom and Dad also bought me two paint pots from the Christmas collection. Morning Frost and Let's Skate. They are both so beautiful.

More pressies from my lovely folks. I'm in love with Burberry Body. This gift set contains a 85ml Eau De Parfum and Body Milk. The Body Milk comes in a spray bottle which I love as it's so much easier to apply. The perfume bottle is huge so I can't see myself carrying it around in my bag so my Mom got me a travalo to decant some into. My Sister and I get Soap & Glory gift sets every year, I love this years offering as everything comes in this giant oversized vanity case. Many of you have probably already seen ample amounts of posts on this set across the blogosphere. I'm not going to do a post on it for that reason. But if you'd like me to do one just let me know in the comments below.

My lovely Nana and Grandad gave me these beautiful Zara boots and cosy slippers. The boots are extremely comfortable and will go with everything, I got so many nice compliments about them already. They are from Zara's Fall/Winter collection. When I came home after visiting all the family, I relaxed in my comfy slipper boots! Aren't they pretty??

Christmas wouldn't be complete without getting a gift card. My great Auntie gave me a forty euro Hodges and Figgis voucher which is my favourite book shop in Dublin. I always find what I'm looking for there. I have so many books to read at the moment that I'm going to keep this for a while until a new book comes out. If you have any book recommendations let me know?

All these gifts are from my Sister, Lisa. She got me a mixture of accessories from Topshop and a gorgeous shower set. The pink Owl (she always calls me a wise owl) is a candle which is so beautiful I don't want to use it. I'll probably just display it on my bedroom shelf. My Sister loved the Custom makeup bag I gave her, I was so happy about that!

Last but not least, my lovely boyfriend Paddy got me a gift bag full of lovely goodies. He got me a mixed selection of stuff from books to Concert DVDS to Makeup. He braved Lush and Inglot again which is something guys wouldn't usually do. From Inglot he bought me a five square eyeshadow palette. I used most of the shadows on Christmas Day. I'm really looking forward to reading the books he got me. The Maze Runner series is suppose to be like The Hunger Games so I'm expecting good things. I love every little thing Paddy gave me, he is truly the best boyfriend I could ask for!

What did you get for Christmas this year?? Hope Santa was good to you all! 


Laura<3

Goodies From my My Mom and Dad's Holiday to Espanyol:):)

Last Friday, my parents arrived home from their Spanish holiday. Mom and Dad went to this lovely country for a week to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. I was so happy to hear they had such a fantastic time. They did quite alot in a week visiting Gibraltar to see the monkeys ( Mom was apparently terrified of them quite frankly I wouldn't blame her one bit:P) and also going on a boat trip to Africa.. The week went way to fast and they hope to go back again next year as they loved it so much.

They brought me back a couple of lovely gifts. I was surprised I got so much as this holiday was to celebrate them not to bring back gifts to us three kids!!!

Here are the fab presents I got:)

I got this lovely purse and keyrings!!!

Three elasticated bracelets in a range of colours which I love as they will dress up any outfit over the summer.

A couple of hair accessories:)

Now on to the Make up products. I don't know how my Mom does it but she always picks out products that I love. These two products are no exception.

 The new Loreal Lash Architect 4D Mascara
Wow I've only used this twice and I'm already very fond of it. Have any of your girlies tried it??

 Dior All-In-One Artistry Palette in Navy Design

Oh my god I couldn't believe it when I seen this product. I've never owned a Dior Palette and I was so excited when I seen it among my gifts. It contains everything you need to create a smoky eye including a navy eyeliner. I personally wouldn't use this palette for daytime use ( unless you used the light blue shades) but I would use it for a sultry nighttime look The colours are all gorgeous and as you can see I've been already swatching the shadows and the eyeliner. I wouldn't usually wear navy/blue eyeshadows but I'm really looking forward to using this palette.

I seriously have the best parents in the world for bringing me back this amazing stash of goodies:)

Laura<3