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

A Shopaholic's Journey #4- Hollister,Stila and more!!

As most of you know Hollister opened in Dundrum Town Centre on Friday. As I live near enough I decided to pop down to have a look. Having been to Hollister in Manchester's Trafford Centre, I knew what to expect. When I was in Dundrum in the morning the queue at the entrance was massive. Luckily, when I went in later that day I just walked in. When you've been to Hollister I think you've been to them all as they have the same interior. If you haven't been I think you'll really like it as it something different. I haven't seen anything like it anywhere else.

As I'm not getting paid til the end of the month. I didn't go too mad as it's on the expensive side.

While I was there I did pick up these...

 L2R-Laguna Beach Body Mist & Laguna Beach Body Lotion

The above products retailed for one for €12 or two for €18. As it was better value I got the two. I love the smell of Laguna Beach it's really fresh and has a really nice peach scent. I'm doing my room up soon so I think the packaging is so pretty and it would look so nice on display.

After Hollister, I went into McCabes pharmacy. They are stocking NYC cosmetics now so of course I had to pop in and have a look. Typical me, I came out with this lot.

Top Picture-NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder, NYC Colour Mosiac Eye Powder in Pink Cadillac, NYC Lippin' Large Lip Plumper in Peach

Bottom Picture- Essence Gel Liner in London Baby, Essence Stay with me longlasting lipgloss in Me & My Ice Cream

I haven't owned anything from either brand before. They are so inexpensive and such bargains. I've heard such good things about both ranges so I  can't wait to try everything out.

Last weekend, I went to Boots in Liffey Valley. I was told by a few bloggers that Stila was opening a stand instore. I own no Stila products so I decided to pop in and have a look.

Firstly WOW this Boots is massive and bigger than any I've ever seen (Mags! you were right it's huge ) I immediately went looking for the Stila stand. After looking over it for a while I came away with these two products.

L2R- Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten, Stila 'Living the Life in Laguna' beach palette

I live a good bit away from Liffey Valley and I probably won't be back there for a while. I've seen so many brands there that aren't in my local boots. One of the things I seen was the Bourjeois Delica de Soleil Bronzing Powder. I've seen this in my own Boots but they have it in the darker shade. I couldn't buy it at the time as it was too dark on me. When I seen the lighter shade I snatched it up along with these other goodies....

L2R- Orly Nail polish in Rage & It's Up To Blue, Max Factor Liquid Effect Eye Pencil in Brown Blaze, Bourjeois Delice de Soleil Bronzing Powder in  shade 12

That comes to the end of another Shopaholic's Jounrney. I hope you enjoyed it!!:D

 Have you tried any of the products above?? Let me know your thoughts!

Laura<3