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?

What is in my travel make-up bag...

I've been meaning to put this post up for ages but with one thing or another I haven't got around to it. I've always suffered with joint problems and lately have been having quite a lot of trouble with my hip, which means a lot of pain and not a lot of concentration to write blog posts!

I went to visit my brother-in-law in Wokingham on the bank holiday weekend. I didn't take a lot of make-up with me as it isn't that type of place, I always feel way over dressed there as its a real casual place.

This is the minimal make-up that I took :

ELF HD Powder

ELF Studio Blush in Peachy Keen

Witch anti-blemish liquid concealer

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Rimmel Stay Matte foundation (my 25 hr is running out so this was a back-up)

Rimmel 25 Hour Foundation

Body Shop Eyebrow Kit

Eyeko Magic Eyes Mascara

MUA Heaven & Earth Palette

ELF Eyeshadow brush

Sigma F80 (for foundation)

Sigma F15 (for blusher)

Sigma Miss Taylor Kabuki (for powder)

All packed in my pretty pink Sigma make-up bag (part of set)

I also took my Witch Primer but forgot to photo it!

Here is a little peek at the clothes that I took (all dresses, I'm trying to change this habit!)

What are your essentials when travelling?

Week in Post #6

This is what the postman has been bringing me this week, along with bills :(

 Iceland were giving coupons for free books a little while ago, I finally received mine this week

 I was lucky enough to win a Witch Concealer from Sarah's blog, I was actually chosen to win three but I asked for the second two to be re-drawn! 

 I got these from Emma's blog sale, they arrived super quickly and very well packaged.

I treated myself to the famous 'Focco' bag, I also sneakily added a scarf to my order while I was there! I will be doing a separate post to show you these two babies in all their glory soon!

Week in Post #2

I have had a lovely week again in which I have received lots of goodies in the post!! Here is what the postman has been bringing me this week (well actually he hasn't been bringing it at all, he has been leaving cards to say I have to collect it)

 Jess posted about this free product that Helen. E were sending out, I read about it too late but luckily for me they extended the offer so I got mine! 

 Another amazing Sigma brush! I recently won this in Ria's giveaway

 I've tried so many different in the ear headphones but none of them ever stay in, I think its due to my tragus piercing. I tweeted asking for recommendations of good over the ear headphones and Jess (that girl is good to me!) recommended that I try these, so I did! I haven't actually been able to try them yet due to my new piercing! 

 Another giveaway win! These obviously aren't for me! I entered this giveaway over at The Chapblog as the other half could do with some pampering and does often get dry patches.

 You guessed it, another prize! It has been my lucky week!! I recommended Jude of Love Lust & Fairy Dust as my Flawless Follower in Witch's regular Friday Twitter competition - we won! I didn't realise that it meant I got a prize too, that was a lovely surprise! I obviously choose the Primer that I've been desperately trying to get hold of! I haven't tried it yet as I'm in the middle of a 30 day trial on some products so I don't want to go adding other products into the mixture. 

 Laura over at A Daisy Chain Dream had a box on her blog in which you could request these free samples, so I did, and they were yummy!

My RAK goodies from Lauren over at Gotta Love a Trier! I will shortly be doing a more in depth post about RAK, showing you what I sent and what I received.

The controversial June GlossyBox! You can read my thoughts here.

Hopefully next week will bring me just as many goodies!!