December & Christmas Favourites

Happy 2016 Everyone! Welcome to first Monthly Favourites of 2016, I hope you're all as excited as I am to start to New Year because it means a fresh start and a fresh adventure. To be honest, it feel rather strange going into a New Year and not going back to university to celebrate but I suppose it's something I'll have to get use to from now on... 

Last month was crazy busy, what with the run up to Christmas, the hectic times at work with handovers and making sure clients were happy before we all went off to enjoy the Christmas break and not to mention the intense days before Christmas where you need to get everything wrapped, sent and sorted whilst waiting nervously for those last minute gifts to arrive in the post and in amongst all of that you have to find the time to do everything else. But some how I still managed to find a few monthly favourites during December including a few Christmas goodies; let's take a look... 

1. Berry Trifle & Bundled Up Yankee Candles
In my eyes there is no such thing as 'seasonal scents', if candle scents are wonderful enough they should be burning all year round, don't you agree? Berry Trifle & Bundled Up are primarily Christmas scents but Bundled Up is such a warm, intense and homely scent that could be lit on those cold, wet and wild days whilst your snuggled under your a duvet with a cup of tea; likewise with Berry Trifle, I mean who doesn't like the smell of Berries or Trifle all year round. Bliss. 

2. EMU Australia Slippers (Colour: Mushroom)
Big shoutout to my Mumma for buying me these slippers for Christmas! Honestly they are the comfy, nicest and softed slippers I've ever had and to top it off this colour is - *insert heart shaped eye emoji here* - beautiful. I don't think I've taken them off since I got them to be honest (apart from the shower because that would just be stupid otherwise) but seriously if you taken any recommendations out of this post, I would highly recommend these EMU Australia slippers in the colour Mushroom.  

3. Pinterest 
I went off Pinterest for a while but over the Christmas break, I decided to once again find my love for Pinterest and boy, I think I have a love bigger than before. Some of  the photography and interiors on Pinterest are amazing and I don't know about anyone else but I find it rather therapeutic putting images into Pin boards, don't you? 

4. White Winter Aero (Limited Edition)
At Christmas time I always dread how much chocolate I am going to receive; don't get me wrong chocolate is girl's best friend (especially when your feeling a bit low) but I always end up with a load of chocolate which I tend to just pig out on for days and I feel awful by the end of December. Not good. But this year, this melt-in-my-mouth chocolate bar (which I have two of by the way) will definitely will eaten with no regrets at all. Yum! 

5. iPad Air 2 in Gold (including The Vampire Diaries)
Getting new technology is the nicest thing ever; I mean there are no scratches, it's so clean, and you get to buy all new accessories for it, what's not to love - also, the best part is the fact that it matches my iPhone colour as well. But since getting my new iPad Air 2 I have been using it for practical purposes like catching up on The Vampire Diaries, Season 6; I've waited so long for the new season of The Vampire Diaries to arrive on Netflix, and it finally has - this TV series in now the highlight of my evenings, sitting down with a cup of tea, snuggled under a blanket with a scented candle burning. Bliss. 

6. Cath Kidston Mug
I love Cath Kidston mugs, I am a big fan some would say. Originally this was a Christmas presents bought so I could take it to work and have my own mug but I've made a decision to keep it at home because it super cute and isn't worth getting ruined. Most importantly it is a good size to get my morning caffeine fix and my evening hot chocolate with cream. Maybe I need to buy another one to take to work? 

7. The Body Shop - Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream 
Once again, this moisturiser is back in my monthly favourites; I previously mentioned it in my November Favourites because this bi-polar winter weather that we were experiencing and still are unfortunately was doing nothing for my skin. De-hydrated and dry was an understatement but this moisturiser has helped my skin conquer this horrendous British winter weather that we've been having and made it look as fresh as it can in winter. A little goes a long way with this cream and it works wonders; it definitely does what it says on the tin. 

Until another installment of 'Monthly Favourites' in 2016, Au Revoir!
Love,
Lauren xo 

Time to Revisit 2015

This year has, for the most part, been pretty awesome and I've accomplished a lot looking back on it. I wouldn't say 2015 was completely 'my year' but I would have to admit it was certainly a good one - I mean, I graduated from university, made some what I hope are life-long friendships and created some pretty-awesome memories along the way; all whilst I tried to complete my 2015 New Years Bucket List. Just call me Busy-Bee Lauren. 

Looking back, 2015 was a good year but thinking about it, there is still so much more fun and adventures to be had but for now I think it is time to revisit 2015... 

What was my 2015 New Years Bucket List and did I complete it? 

1. Find my 1st (proper) full time job
   Yes! Yes! Yes! I definitely completed this and I am loving every minute of it. 
2. Drink more water
   If I am honest, I started really well with this and then it slowly started to slip but I will be back on the 'Drink more water' resolution in 2016. 
3.  Visit (at least) two different countries
   I only visited one country this year - sad face - which was Portugal with my university friends and had the best time; cocktails, sunshine and laughter, what's not to love. 
4. Start to read more books
   Since finishing university, I've got back into reading and I am always up for any recommendations of any good books - I didn't realise how much I missed reading until I read four books in the space of a week, whilst on holiday. #Bookworm. 
5. Start saying 'Yes' to more opportunities
   I feel like I definitely started saying 'Yes' to more opportunities and it will be continued in 2016. 
6. Visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
   Unfortunately I didn't get to visit it this year but I am looking ahead to 2016 Winter Wonderland. 
7. Visit Harry Potter World
   This was achieved! I went with my good friend, Leonie to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and it was indeed every bit as magical as the film. 
8. Go on another spontaneous road trip with friends
   To be honest, you could count the mega-48-hour London experience I had to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Capital FM Summertime Ball with Leonie; although we had to book and buy tickets, we hadn't a clue what we were doing when we got to London - we thought spontaneously, you could say! 
9. Start a scrapbook
   I've only been saying it for the past two years but now I've been saying it for three years, I will get round to it... When I find the time, there just aren't enough hours in the day. 
10. Graduate - You bet I did and without falling over on the stage too! Success. 
11. Visit all my uni friends in the summer
    I did't visit absolutely all of them (and to be fair, one of them was in America all Summer, a bit far to travel, don't you think?) but Birthdays and reunions did happen with the university friends. 
12. Take better care of myself
    I've taken it day by day but I have definitely started looking after myself more. In 2014,  I suffered with bad skin, so 2015 I made a change and luckily that change was a good change for my skin. 
13. Do a good deed for someone
    There have been a few good deeds completed in 2015. 
14. Go a whole day without ANY technology
    This is one that I really really want to complete. No phone. No laptop. No technology. But it is extremely difficult when you work in a digital agency but I want to achieve this in 2016. 
15. Complete the 30 day abs challenge - I don't even think I started this to be fair. Oops! 

Top Five Highlights from 2015

1. Graduating with a 1st Class BA Honours in Advertising and achieving the Digital Marketing Foundation Award with Digital Excellence - one of the best days I've ever had. 
2. Taking selfies (with a selfie stick, obvs) with my university friends in the middle of the park, when we finally finished our dissertation before hand-in. 
3. It is always acceptable to play dancemat (badly) whilst eating pizza, drinking Cava and still drunk on 2-4-1 cocktails that you had at 2pm with your university friends in Turtle Bay. 
4. Drinking 'Sex on the Beach' cocktails with my besties in sunny Portugal, whilst a number of different Portugese men linked our  'Sex on the Beach' cocktails to sexual innuendos. Yuck!
5. Learning that your true friends are there for you, no matter where they are or what they are doing in your time of need. 

Top Five Things I discovered in 2015...

1. I am 100% a #Belieber and #Directioner (even if One Direction are taking a break - sad face!)
2. There is always someone that is going to be better, richer, thinner or prettier than me but being positive is just as good if not better than all of those things. 
3. I have a new found love for Wagamamas. 
4. Over thinking and worrying is a waste of time and doesn't help you move forward. 
5. True friends will automatically know when its time for a coffee, piece of cake and a catch up/cheer up session.

Well that's it for 2015 folks, see you in 2016 with a whole load of new resolutions (which hopefully I will keep a lot better than 2015), Au Revoir! 

Love,

Lauren xo 

What I got for Christmas?

Office - Suede Brown Easter Buckle Knee Boots | HMV - Disney DVDS (including The Jungle Book and 101 Dalmations, my favs!) | Olivia Palermo Nail Polish in "My Haute Vacation Coral" | Cath Kidston Billie and Friends Cream Stanley Mug | The Body Shop - Christmas Scented Shower Gels (Frosted Cranberry, Frosted Plum and Glazed Apple) | Kindle PaperWhite | Boux Avenue Fleecy Pyjamas | Frozen 'Olaf' Pyjamas | Christmas Yankee Candle Melt Warmer (with lots of Christmas scents to go with it - Bundled Up my new favourite scent!) | Personalised Heart-Shaped Photo Garland with bestie photos included | New Look Super Skinny Indigo Jeans | Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate | Olly Mur 2016 Calendar (Christmas wouldn't be the same without an Olly Murs calendar) 

Christmas. A time where we all eat too much Chocolate, consume a few too many glasses of Prosecco and the entire nation complains that they've put on too much weight and they promise that they're going to hit the gym in the New Year - a promise which half of us say but never do! 

Yet again, I have been well and truly spoilt this year; after getting over the fact that a twenty-one year old still like Disney, my parents gave me a number of different Disney films - including The jungle Book, my fav! -  a new Kindle Paperwhite, and not to mention the cutest pair of boots I've ever recieved (*insert heart shaped eye emoji here*), along with plenty of pyjamas (which seem to be the 'in-thing' to get people for Christmas these days along with plenty of shower gels and other smellies). Getting new pyjamas for Christmas is the best though, don't you agree? With regards to the 'token smellies' that you always seem to get at Christmas time, well I think my family must of empty the shelves at The Body Shop with the amount of shower gels and facial washes that I have stored in my bathroom right now - don't get my wrong being topped up with shower gels and smellies is what Christmas is all about but I think I'm going to need a bigger bathroom shelf.

It is scary how well my university friends know me; to be honest I think they know me better than I know myself at times. 101 Dalmations is now on repeat constantly whilst my room is filled with beautiful scented candles and I munch on some Christmas choccy - thank you! 

However, where there is Christmas, there are Boxing Day Sales just around the corner, don't worry I am not one of these people, who get up at 5am just to queue outside a store to get the best bargain and fight with another shopper over one item, I do it 21st centure style, yes that's right, I visit the online shop where manic shoppers and stressed out shop assistants are nowhere to be seen and I can do it all whilst in my pyjamas, snuggled on the sofa with vanilla latte and comfy slippers. Bliss. Watch this space for Boxing Day sale treats post...

Another Christmas over and done with; I mean it's scary to think that we are almost in 2016, Au Revoir!
Love, 
Lauren xo 

The Best Life Lessons to take from 2015

Life is constantly teaching us lessons and 2015 has been another year where the good and bad lessons of life have helped me to be even stronger than I was before. 2015 has been a rollercoaster of a year for me what with writing a dissertation, graduating with a 1st class honours in Advertising, getting my first full-time job and not to mention the normal stresses and worries every twenty-one year old gets from time to time - relationship status, social life, spot breakouts and that awkward transition from a young night-out loving adult into the adult that works full-time and has to seriously think about her future - life lessons of 2015 can be hard for a twenty-one year old.

Whether the life lessons that I've learnt from 2015 are good or bad; here are the best ones that I am going to take from this year into the next: 

1. It's the small yet simple things like friendships and family that you should treasure more than anything. 
2. Fighting for what you want isn't always easy, it can be extremely challenging but it is vital for your survival. 
3. Suffering alone might seem the easier option but confiding in someone can be the even easier option.
4. It is never too late to do anything in life, you just have to want it. 
5. Over thinking and worrying is a waste of time and doesn't help you move forward. 
6. A little bit of confidence goes along way. 
7. It is not embarrassing to be a #Directioner or #Belieber anymore - Loving these tunes at the moment!
8. Your happiness will help you through all your bumps and upsets that your future journey might hold.
9. If your not happy about something. Fix it! Only you can make yourself happy.
10. People who judge you for being yourself aren't worth getting to know. 
11. Perfect is boring. What even is perfect anymore? 
12. It's better to be single that in a relationship that doesn't make you happy.
13. There is always someone that is going to be better, richer, thinner or prettier than you but being positive is just as good if not better as all of those things. 
14. True friends are the ones that drop everything and support you no matter what or where they are. 
15. Things do happen for a reason, the good and the bad. 
16. Sometimes making sacrifices now can help with your future. 
17. Being mentally strong is better than being physical strong. 
18. Your biggest strength comes from not giving up and succeeding. 
19. Your work life shouldn't take over your social life - there should be an equal balance. 
20. Team work makes dreams work - cliché saying but it is true! 

Until the next time there is a lesson or two to be learnt in life, Au Revoir! 

Love, 

Lauren xo 

How to unwind after a week of 8:30am to 5pm?

Since starting my 8:30am to 5pm job, I've attempted to try and schedule in some 'me time' and get into a routine of having easy, stress-free mornings which means I can battle through my day in the office or out at meeting with ease. Sometimes this isn't always possible, you just have one of those weeks where everything is hectic and your plan of an easy, stress-free week gets thrown out the window the minute you walk into the office on a Monday morning. Annoying, right? 

Scheduling in 'me time' can be difficult especially when you know you've got so much to do during the week and all you want to do after a day of work is come home, eat, read a book and then sleep. #StoryOfMyLife. And before you know it, you've worked your way through your weekly office to-do list whilst attempting to juggle 101 other things, suddenly the weekend flys by so quickly and your back to your typical Monday morning routine; pulling yourself out of bed, successfully driving to work whilst trying to stop yourself sneezing uncontrollable over and over again and getting through the 8:30am to 5pm day sounding like a zombie on the end of the phone because you have a horrid cold and a sore throat. Not good. 

Anyway, when your feeling low (because of a cold which doesn't seem to want to pack its bags and leave) or you've just had a hectic week at work it is important to schedule in some 'me time'. Here are a few 'me time' ideas which help me to unwind from the madness... 

Painting my nails
I actually find painting my nails rather therapeutic - most girls are probably saying "are you crazy?" right now but that's okay. To be honest, changing up my nails with different colours, designs and patterns is rather enjoyable for me and just think the more often I paint my nails, the quicker I use up the nail polish and the more reason I have to buy more. It's a win win situation when you think about it. 

Getting lost in a good book 
Whilst I was at university I never really got the chance to read many books; apart from if you count all those 500 page Research Method textbooks that I had to read for my dissertation - I know what you're thinking how can anyone write 500 pages about Research Methods, believe me when I say I asked that same question to myself everyday in third year. Anyway, there is nothing better than getting lost in a good book and not being able to put it down - I think it is a perfect way to unwind especially in an evening after work. 

Looking after number one! 
I suppose 'me time' is looking after number one but I mean looking after number one can mean treating yourself every once in a while or spending some time in the evening having a pamper session with a glass of wine, chocolate and a favourite movie or simply rewarding yourself with some much needed catch up on sleep. Bliss. 

Exercise
Okay, I get when your ill this probably isn't your number one priority (well, it certainly isn't mine) because there is nothing worse than doing exercise when you can't breathe. But when your feeling yourself again there is nothing a little walk or stroll down the road or into town can't cure; the fresh air does you a world of good.  

Organising my life 
You might be wondering how this helps me to unwind, well in my eyes there is nothing better than a good to-do list to get your life organised and for me it helps to reduce stress because you know what you've got to do and I feel more productive for it. Don't get me wrong, I love having lazy weekends as much as the next person but I also love being on the go and get things done too. 

Until the next time my cold fights back and 'me time' needs scheduling, Au Revoir! 
Love, 
Lauren xo 

The Ultimate Christmas Playlist

Christmas wouldn't be the same without an ultimate playlist and I've been listening to Christmas music at pretty much every opportunity I can - in the car, at work, whilst wrapping Christmas presents! I always find Christmas music rather motivational; I mean it gets you into the Christmas spirit but it also puts me in a great mood which means I get more done - if only listening to Christmas music was acceptable all year round? Wouldn't that be awesome! To be honest I think I owe it to Mr Michael Bublé for me getting so many blog posts written this weekend, I've been a little 'dry' on the blog lately so I figured it was time to be productive. Cheers Bublé, I owe you one! 

Anyway, to get you up to the same Christmas spirit level that I am at (which is extremely high) I have created an essential Christmas playlist for not only myself to enjoy but everyone else to enjoy too. After hours of Christmas playlist-creating, the final version includes a number of Christmas song classics and a few of my Christmas favourites which may not be everyone elses favourite - Like Frozen, which my parents repeatedly tell me to turn off, they have no Disney-spirit. 

Check out my Christmasy tune playlist below: 

1. All I want for Christmas is you - Mariah Carey

2. Last Christmas - Wham! 

3. It's the most wonderful time of the year - Andy Williams 

4. Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano 

{Not everyone's cup of tea but it does have a good beat to it}

5. Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! - Frank Sinatra 

6. Santa Claus is comin' to town - Bruce Springsteen

7. Merry Christmas Everyone! - Shakin' Stevens 

8. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Christina Aguilera 

9. Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes 

10. Winter Wonderland - Tony Bennett 

11. Baby, It's cold outside - Glee Cast 

{Yes, it's Glee and no I don't care *monkey with hands over eyes emoji here*}

12. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - Michael Bublé

13. Santa Claus is comin' to town - Michael Bublé

14. Jingle Bells - Michael Bublé ft. The Puppini Sisters 

15. White Christmas - Michael Bublé ft Shania Twain 

16. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Michael Bublé

17. I'll be home for Christmas - Michael Bublé 

18. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues ft Kirsty MacColl

{If you don't have this on your Christmas playlist, seriously what's wrong with you}

19. Underneath the tree - Kelly Clarkson 

20. Jingle Bell Rock - Glee Cast 

{Yes, Glee again!}

21. One More Sleep - Leona Lewis 

22. Mistletoe - Justin Bieber 

23. All I want for Christmas is you - Justin Bieber ft Mariah Carey 

24. I wish it could be Christmas everyday - Wizzard 

25. Merry Christmas everyone - Slade 

26. Last Christmas - Ariana Grande 

27. Do they know it's Christmas - Band Aid (1984 Version)  

28. Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney 

29. Do you want to build a snowman? (Frozen Soundtrack) - Kristen Bell & Agatha Lee Monn 

30. Let It Go (Frozen Soundtrack) - Idina Menzel 

31. Do they know it's Christmas - Band Aid 30 

{One Direction are in this song, you would be crazy not to love it!} 

32. Driving home for Christmas - Chris Rea 

33. Frosty the Snowman - The Ronettes 

Until the next playlist which will probably still consist of Christmas songs, Au Revoir!
Love, 
Lauren xo 

Blogs Worth Bookmarking #4

Last week we saw Vicky Pattison crowned I'm A Celebrity, Queen of the Jungle after she fought her way through some gruesome trials, One Direction getting all emotional during their last concert in LA before their break, and the world welcoming another male into the Kardashian clan - all in all its been a busy old week for celebrities. But with Christmas well and truly on its way (17 days away in fact), its time to get excited about decorating my house into Santa's Grotto, spending the majority of my time singing Christmas songs aloud and spending my weekends curled up with a number of my favourite Christmas films... or reading a number of blogs, like the ones below:

Hearting
I don't know about anyone else but I love beauty and skincare products but with temperamental skin like mine, I am reluctant to try new products as I am worried my skin is going to flip-out. However, this blog gives a great insight on beauty and skincare products which really helps when it comes to deciding on new products to try. Also, the recipes are to die for. 

Blush and Noise
This blog is definitely an evening read and needs to be accompanied with chocolate, scented candles and a warm blanket. Bliss. 

Kate La Vie 

Honestly it was the photography that caught my eye on this blog first but actually when I started to read, I couldn't stop. This blog has it all, lifestyle, beauty, top tips and life advice; its lovely to read when you're having a quiet evening in. 

Very Berry Cosmo
When you find out blog that includes a Christmas theme, what's not to love about it? 

Until the next blogs worth bookmarking, Au Revoir!
Love, 
Lauren xo