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?

FOTD - Office Neutrals

Hi all, I decided its about time I did another FOTD as I haven't done one for ages! My Urban Decay Naked palette recently arrived and I haven't stopped admiring it since! This has become my new go to palette for work - sorry MUA Heaven & Earth, I do still love you, we're just on a break!

I used Rimmel lasting finish foundation in ivory, Rimmel blusher (part of set), ELF HD Powder, MUA black pencil eyeliner (along botton lash only), Eyeko Magic Eyes Mascara, HD Brow Kit and of course the Urban Decay Naked palette.

  I used Virgin all over the eye and Buck in the crease.

What is your go to make-up for a working day? I'm quite boring and tend to reach for the same things everyday. 

Week in Post #20

I haven't done one of these posts for ages, I've been trying to behave myself and not buy anything! It all went a bit wrong this week though...

My November Boudoir Prive box, you can read the full review here.

My November GlossyBox, you can read the full review here.

Cheap Smells sent me some products to review. I will be doing a post about cheap smells as well as reviewing all of these products individually.

Some washing up liquid to review for Tesco Home Panels.

Escentual are trying to get a Welsh blogging community going, they contacted me asking if I'd be interested to which I replied yes :) They kindly sent me this voucher for a complimentary Clarins Tri Active Body Treatment at their central pharmacy in Cardiff.

Eeeeekkkkk!! I've got the UD Naked palette! I used buyapowa for the first time and got this for £25. I'm in love!

My ELF order finally arrived. I ordered it on the 19th November and received it yesterday (26th) very unlike their normal speedy service. I was quite annoyed as I did place this order a while back and thought it had gone through, but it didn't.

I applied to be part of Best British Bloggers a while back. They contacted me this week to let me know that my application had been successful and that I could pick a product to review from Joe Browns. I picked this amazing cardigan (which is now on sale FYI). I emailed Kate with my choice on Wednesday evening and received it Friday, impressive!

What goodies have you been receiving lately? Did you give into the buyapowa UD temptation?