Looking Back & Looking Forward - November/December

Can you believe that it is the 1st December already! The fat man will be here before we know it! I'm getting ridiculously excited about Christmas considering that I'm 26! Such a big kid me.

This month I've been loving...


Beauty...

Urban Decay Naked Palette. This sneaked in right at the very last minute. I bought it for £25 on buyapowa and fell in love with it as soon as it arrived. As if the magnificent packaging isn't enough this is a very adaptable palette with which you can create plenty of looks and the colours are packed with pigmentation.

Fashion...

Joe Browns Alpine Hooded Cardigan. You can read my post about this cardigan here. I was sent it for review purposes but that isn't why it made it into my favourites. I just really, genuinely do have a lot of love for it.

Food...

Slow Cooked Beef Stew. November saw the arrival of my new slow cooker and lots of yummy stews.

Blog posts:
Lisa made me feel a little more 'normal' with her post entitled Hey, its okay...
I loved reading about Lily's London trip, some of the points had me nodding my head, in particular 4 and 5.
It wouldn't be a monthly summary post without some nail art from Emily! Check out her Movember nails.
While we're on the subject of Emily, she has recently been running a top 10 series, I loved this one of her top 10 past manicures. Seeing them altogether really does confirm just how talented she is.
More nails, I adore Kim's festive candy cane nails and may have to attempt this one myself.
Last but in no ways least - how amazing is Jude's lap tray??

The products that I've used in full this month...

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser sample from GlossyBox. I've heard some fantastic reviews on this. Unfortunately it didn't work for me. My skin has flared up real bad lately and I'm suffering with terrible acne. I had hoped that this would cure it but sadly it didn't. The acne remains.

AHAVA Deadsea Water Mineral Body Lotion another sample from the same GlossyBox! I used this on my legs. It worked well. I really don't have a lot to say about moisturisers to be honest. It absorbs into the skin quickly and leaves it soft. It has quite a relaxing smell.

Witch Anti Blemish Liquid Concealer. I won this from Sarah's blog a while back. This concealer worked well for me at hiding some of the atrocious spots that I've been suffering with lately. I didn't notice the spots disappearing any quicker than normal though so I'm not sure how good the anti blemish properties are. I doubt that I will re-purchase this as I don't think its quite as good as my Collection 2000 liquid concealer.

Looking back...
November has been a good month for me, I've almost finished my Christmas shopping. Just have one more to buy which I'm waiting for payday for.
I've increased my working hours this month by an hour a day, half hour earlier in the morning and finishing half hour later. It isn't bad at all and the extra money will come in handy.
I've had some good times with friends this month although I do feel as though I haven't seen them as much as I should of.

Looking forward...
4.12.11 I'm hoping to go to Caerleon Craft Fair.
15.12.11 Payday! Hopefully a trip to the cinema to finally go see Breaking Dawn Part 1.
16.12.11 The Bristol Blogger Xmas party! There are still tickets available here.
17.12.11 Spencer and I are going to a friend's evening wedding reception - hello Jodie if you're reading, I can't wait to see you in your dress!
21.12.11 Hopefully going out for a Xmas meal with my friends.
23.12.11 Works Xmas do and the last day of work until 3.1.12!! Our works parties are always fantastic, this year the theme is opera so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We're going to The Celtic Manor in Newport, we've had a few parties there and it really is a lovely venue.
24.12.11 Hungover, will hopefully catch up with a few old friends that are home for Christmas.
25.12.11 CHRISTMAS!!!!
31.12.11 NYE! We have no idea what to do for New Years this year. No one seems to be having a house party and we're not having one, we had one last year and don't won't the hassle again. Spencer and I have both said we may be boring and have a chilled one with some food & booze, just the two of us. Or we may go to the local pub.

Busy month ahead! A lot of these plans are subject to change but hopefully they won't.

Have you got much lined up for Christmas? What are you doing for New Years Eve?

August Glossy Box : Review

Hi all, I was super excited to come home from work to receive my GlossyBox today, this and my Boudoir Prive box all in one week, I have been spoilt! This is the first time that I've ever opened my GlossyBox without first seeing what other people have received, it was really nice to have the surprise!

The products...

Rebel Nails Tattoo Design Nail Wraps set of 16 (full pack for fingers) value £7.99

GlossyBox say : Welcome to the Nail Revolution! Rebel Nails' nail wraps are easy to apply, long lasting and kind to nails. No chipping, fading or wear. Amazing professional finishes and designs are now available at your finger (or toe) tips!

They have given us a 15% discount off our next purchase.

I say : I'm super excited to try these out, I love the tattoo design, I've never seen a nail design like it before! I like that there are 16 in the pack so there are a few spares. I will post a separate review once I have tried these out.

KMS California Hairstay 200 ml (full size) value $10.99 (approx £6.70)

GlossyBox say : Primer for your hair! The foam-to-liquid crackle formula enhances natural movement and bounce while boosting the performance of styling product for style that lasts.

I say : This seems to me like a hair mousse, it is described as a weightless style foundation. I haven't yet tried it so am unable to comment, I don't tend to use a lot of products in my hair to be honest so may not get around to trying this out.

AHAVA Deadsea Water Mineral Body Lotion 40 ml value approx £3.15

GlossyBox say : Part of AHAVA's new My Skin Reborn range, this quickly absorbed richly moisturising lotion draws on the properties of Dead Sea minerals to effectively hydrate, nourish and protect the skin.

They have given us a 10% discount off our next purchase.

I say : When first applying this to my hand it smelt quite overpowering, within a couple of minutes the smell fades into quite a nice calming smell. It absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves the skin feeling nice and soft.

Daniel Sandler Baby Jet Mascara 4.5 ml (full size) value £12.80

GlossyBox say : Baby Jet is especially ideal for very short lashes around the inner and outer corner of eyes. The Micro-Fine brush is perfect for precise, non-messy application.
They have given us a 10% discount and free p&p on our next purchase.

I say : Initially I didn't like the look of the thin brush on this mascara as I've always used thicker brushes. Upon trying the mascara I found that this thin brush made the application a lot easier without compromising on volume. Due to the thin brush application isn't messy and its easier to coat all lashes.
 Below are pictures without mascara, with one coat and with several coats. You will see that it really has filled and lifted my lashes nicely.

No mascara...

One coat...

Several coats...

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser 30 ml value approx £4.35

GlossyBox say : Salicylic Acid is the hero ingredient in this dual action, extra gentle cleanser. Clinically proven to increase cell turnover, it reduces blemishes while diminishing wrinkles and keeps your skin smooth and glowing!
They have given us a 33% discount plus free p&p on our next purchase.

I say : I do suffer with spots and I am 26 so should be using anti-ageing products (you should start in your 20s) so this product is a great combination for me. The slight problem with this for me is that my skin can take a while to get used to a new cleanser so this sample may not be big enough for me to see a true reflection of the product. I will definitely try it out though and may possibly re-purchase as I do like the sound of it.

Overall verdict : GlossyBox have provided a good mixture of products this month including hair care, nails, make-up, face and body, this is the type of mixture that I like to receive. 

I will definitely be using at least four of the five products, the only product I might not use is the KMS California, this is due to the fact that I don't use a lot of product in my hair.

I received three full size products this month, which again is more than I expect! 

The total value of the products amount to approximately £35, not too bad for £10 hey!

Have you received your August box yet? Did your products differ much to mine? I haven't yet read any other reviews so am looking forward to seeing what other people received! If you've reviewed yours feel free to leave the link below :)