The Christmas Tag

I was tagged by the gorgeous Poppy to do the Christmas tag. Im really not feeling Christmassy at all yet but as it's only a month until the Big day heres hoping this puts me in the mood.



1. What is your favourite Christmas movie?
Ooh this is a tough one. There are so many amazing Christmas movies. I think its between The Grinch, Home Alone (1st one obvs) and The Santa Clause movie.

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Morning?
Morning. Me and my brother still go and sit on my mum & dads bed to open our stockings and then we go downstairs together and my brother gets super impatient whilst my dad makes coffee before we open our main present. 

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
My first Christmas at uni was awesome. We went all out. We had the tree up from like beginning of November and had a massive flat dinner with all the trimmings and christmas music playing all day.

We stayed in a premier inn last year because my dad was working (He works away) and opened our stockings on Christmas morning after an epic breakfast much to my brothers disgust. We then went for Christmas dinner in a fancy hotel so none of us had to cook or wash up. On boxing day when my dad wasn't working we went to the mall and got to choose our own main present in the sales. It was a pretty awesome Christmas. 

4. Favourite festival food?
There is so much amazing food around at Christmas I cant even choose but chocolate oranges are epic although I've had to give up chocolate this year because it makes me feel too ill *cries*

5. Favourite Christmas gift?
I got a pony when I was younger and although technically I got her before Christmas it was the best christmas present ever. Also when my Grandad died he left his car to me which I didn't know and my Grandma gave it to me for Christmas which made me cry. 

6. Favourite Christmas scent?
Mulled wine. My parents are mad for it so the house constantly smells like it in the lead up to Christmas.

7. What tops your tree?
It used to be a really hideous tinsel star thing but I think it finally got broken so on the look out for something pretty.

8. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
Eat delicious food in front of a Christmas film with the fire lit (over heat and complain its too hot) and my brother normally tries to get us to go to bed stupidly early. You would have thought at 15 he'd have grown out of it by now

9. As a kid, what was one crazy present that you wished for, but never received?
I honestly can't actually think of anything. I must be pretty spoilt. I do have amazing parents though.

10. What's the best part of Christmas for you?
Spending time with my family, all the amazing food that comes out. For me the build up is always the best bit. I also love all the lights. Theyre so pretty.

I tag everyone who wants to give this a go and remember to send me the links to help me get in the Christmas mood

Beth...x

Essence Express Dry Spray

If you are as impatient as me and cannot wait for your nails to dry and then end up smudging them or getting the dreaded duvet print because you did them too late then read on, this is the product for you.

I was in Wilkinsons spending a fortune on things I didn't need when I spotted the Essence stand. Having bought some Essence makeup when I was in Germany last year and loving it I thought I'd buy some more things. That was when I spotted this magic in a can. An aerosol express dry spray. I've tried drops but I didn't really get on with them but this, this is love. 

This magical little spray dries nails quicker and adds shine for only £2.50. It even smells pretty good and it comes in an awesome coloured can fit for a mermaid. Just paint your nails wait 30 secs and then spray and then they're kinda touch dry which means you don't have to wait as long before you can finally pee (because bladders are evil & wait until we have wet nails & then attack). I used it in my striping tape nail art to speed up the process as well. 

What's your favourite from the essence range?

Beth...x

Striping Tape Nail Art

A while ago I did a post on some Makeup Rumours items. Ages ago I did a nail look using the striping tape* and the nail polish* I picked and I loved it. I meant to redo it because these pictures are really bad quality from my phone but I haven't had time.

Whilst doing this I discovered that I really need to work on my patience. I was definitely not made for slightly fiddly things but the outcome was worth it. 

I even have a matching Loom band bracelet and it matches my hair

You will need

- Striping Tape

- Light colour for the base - I used Barry M coconut

- Whatever colours you want the top to be - I used Barry M Pink Punch and Makeup Rumours Shade 41*

- Tweezers

- Nail scissors or some other small scissors

- Some patience

1. Paint on your chosen base coat or don't I'm not your boss. 

2. Whack on a coat of the lighter colour you chose. I think I actually did 2 coats

3. Wait for it to dry. I used essence quick dry spray to speed up the process

4. Cut and Place your striping tape on any pattern you want & remember which order you put them on as you'll need to take them off in the opposite order to prevent smudging.

5. Paint your chosen colour over the top

6. Use your tweezers to peel off the tape carefully.

7. Leave to dry a tad before whacking on a top coat so you don't smudge it

8. Go wave your awesome nails in everyone's faces and make them tell you how cool they are

What do you think?

Beth...x

*  I was sent this product free of charge from the company in order to review it. However the opinions expressed in this review are independent and my own

Sunday Smiles

I've been feeling pretty crappy this week and I think I've got some sort of virus/bug thing going on which is kicking my ass so I thought I'd write down the things that have made me smile to cheer me up.

1. Costa Brownie Hot chocolate. It was delicious and definitely needed. Really want to try the Orange hot chocolate next

2.  Saturday was spent napping and watching Disney films in my pillow nest and it was amazing.

3. Me and a friend had the genius idea to use up the watermelon we had by making watermelon vodka smoothies. Best idea ever.

4. I got 13 hours sleep 2 nights this week. Must be ill but it was good to actually sleep.

5. We had sausage sandwiches for breakfast on Saturday. Best breakfast ever

6. My mum sent me loads of snapchats of my drunk brother & dad and it was hilarious

7. It's Beanie weather again so I don't have to make an effort with my hair

What made you smile this week?

Beth...x

Recently Watched

Orphan
This film was soo so much better than I expected. Definitely in my top horror/thriller films. Looking at the cover I expected it to be a possessed child but it was so much better than that. This is such a tense film while Kate tries to convince her husband something isn't right with the 9yr old girl they adopt but no one believes her. There is something evil about her but she's so convincing as an angelic child when she wants to be. Kate has to try and convince everyone that she's evil before it's too late. I also adore the little girl max, she's such a cutie. Definitely recommend if you love a good thriller.

Ru Pauls Drag Race
I've seen people raving about this everywhere and when I couldn't sleep the other night and needed distracting I decided to give it a go and oh my god I love it. These drag queens are so fabulous and it's soo much better than Americas Next Top Model.

Just Go With It
I've seen this before but needed a chick flick I didn't need to concentrate on when I couldn't sleep. I love Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. Danny pretends to be married to get laid but then he falls for the girl of his dreams and tells her that his assistant (Jen) is his soon to be ex wife. He then ends up creating even more lies and getting himself into trouble. Its typical chick flick with a predictable ending but it's so funny, the kids in it make me laugh and watching them try to keep up with the lies is amusing bordering on cringey, Also Jen has a banging body and I'm stupidly jealous.

Maleficent
I've seen some people hate this and others love it and I am definitely in the love it category. I adored this film. Angelina Jolie looked A-Mazing and I loved the story. Seeing a different side of the story and finding out why Maleficent was so bad ass was awesome. I know a lot of people wanted her to be bad just because she was evil but I preferred this story. I wasn't a massive fan of the 3 faeries though. They stupidity kinda annoyed me.

Bounty Hunter
Another Jennifer Aniston film with the added bonus of Gerald Butler. Milo is a bounty hunter who gets a call to bring in his ex wife which makes his day. She's a reporter on the brink of a huge story though so soon shakes him off chasing a lead with him chasing her until they both end up running for their lives. This is romance, comedy and action rolled into one and I love it.

The Originals
I loved the Vampire Diaries but I dunno I've kinda gone off it a bot at the moment but I loved Klaus and his siblings so when I saw this on Netflix I thought I'd give it a go. I think I may actually love this more than TVD. I love Hayley and all the sibling rivalry and as usual there's lots of drama, betrayal and tension between the vampires and everyone else. Klaus tries to hide his softer side. Marcel is rather attractive and Rebekah is a bad ass as usual.

What have you been watching recently?

Beth...x

Book// Stalkers by Paul Finch

Kindle or Paperback

First up this book is not for you if you don't like crime books and also trigger warning for rape. 

"All he had to do was name the woman he wanted. It was that easy. They would do all the hard work."

Detective Sergeant Mark 'Heck' Heckenburg is investigating the disappearance of 38 different women. Each one was happy and successful until they vanished without a trace. Desperate to find her missing sister, Lauren Wraxford seeks out Heck’s help. Together they enter a seedy underworld of gangsters and organised crime. But when they hear rumours about the so-called 'Nice Guys Club' they hit a brick wall. They're the gang that no one will talk about. Because the Nice Guys can arrange anything you want. Provided you pay the price…

Dark, terrifying and unforgettable. Stalkers will keep fans of Stuart MacBride and Katia Lief looking over their shoulder.

I loved this book. Couldn't put it down and read it in 2 days. I've read so many crime, police detective books that I thought I'd found my favourite crime novel authors but Paul Finch is definitely being added to the top of the list & I've already ordered the next book in the series. He writes brilliantly and kept me interested throughout the whole book.

In this book Heck is working on 38 cases that he is convinced are related but no one else agrees, until he gets a lead. With the help of one of the missing girls sister they try and hunt down the Nice Guys club. But its a lot more dangerous than they expect, with the most dangerous gang in England and a hit man after them, they're on their own . 

This book is full of action from the beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat plus the ending even made me tear up a bit. I would highly recommend it if you are a fan of high action crime novels and there are 3 more in the series to keep you going. 

Have you read any of Paul's books?

Beth...x 

Bad Beauty Habits

As I picked all my nail varnish off the other day I thought I should probably do a bad beauty habits post. Maybe it will help me stop...but probably not

I dont even know what this photo is but I found it on my phone & the face seemed to fit

1. As mentioned at the start, I pick my nail varnish. I can pick a whole manicure off once I start. Saves on nail polish remover but ruins my nails. Also doesn't help my already flaky nail

2. I'm really lazy at cleaning my brushes. I don't even use that many and I still put off doing it for wayy longer than is good for my face.

3. I use makeup for longer than I should. I only chuck it out if I react to it which has only happened twice.

4. I brush my hair when it's wet. In fact this is probably the only time I brush it and I know its super bad for it.

5. I pop spots. Its gross and bad but I can't resist it. I'm also terrible for trying to pop them too early

6. I sleep in my makeup occasionally if Im super tired. Im getting better at taking it off but Im probably still going to bblogger hell

7. Cleansing. I do take my makeup off most nights with a micellar water but I only use an actual cleanser when I remember.

What are your bad habits?

Beth...x

My Halloween Face

Once again I've been really bad at posting, I'm sorry. Life just got in the way. I mean how rude.

For Halloween this year my brother came up to stay with me in Uni and me and a few friends painted our faces, looked freakin awesome and stayed in, took a billion selfies and had a few drinks. Much better than going out in the cold and wet & getting crushed in a sticky & sweaty club. The next day we ate as much junk food as possible. Mcdonalds for Lunch & Dominos for dinner, would have been rude not to. Of course we also watched Hocus Pocus and took a nap like the adults we are.

I can take no credit for this look at all as I got too angry when I couldn't get my lips right so my amazing friend saved me & took over, transforming me into this. What do you think? 

What did you dress up as?

Beth...x