BLOGMAS Day 5: My Christmas Wishlist...

What's Christmas without sharing a bit of what you fancy?! The only list I make for Christmas is for Si, he likes me to write one out so when he's shopping he has ideas of things that I'd like, to go with any surprises he gets for me. If people ask me what I'd like then I tell them something different or tell them something from that list, or they talk to Si about what I'd like that he hasn't already got.

I've asked for bits and bobs like CDs and DVDs but I thought I'd share with you a few of the main things that I would love to receive for Christmas this year. Let me know if you have asked for any of these items too!

1 - This Big Ben Wall Clock sticker set is something that I've had my eye on for a long time! I've just never got round to buying it to be honest so when I was writing up my list for Si, I popped this on there. I just love the concept of it, rather than having a normal wall clock. In our living room we have a feature wall and then the rest of the walls are magnolia so I think it'd be perfect in there. I already know exactly where it'd go! So, it basically comes as four vinyl wall stickers, which each have intricate cut out detailing to reveal the wall behind. It has a 3D clock face, with carved metal hands and an ultra quiet ticking motion. It is 132cm high and requires 1 AA battery. I just love how unique it is. Different sizes and styles are sold all over the Internet but you can get the one I've featured above at I Want One Of Those for £9.99.

2 - I love Lush products but this Turkish Delight Shower Smoothie is my favourite product that they do. It smells AMAZING! I can't even do the smell justice through a blog post, but it lingers, so I always come out of the shower smelling like roses! It contains rich cocoa butter and almond oil so it leaves my skin feeling so soft and supple and it does last. I'd buy this product all the time but the only thing that puts me off is the price. It's £16.95 for a 200g tub, but it's a great gift to ask for if someone wants to spend a little more and buy you something special. My sister said she was going to pick this up for me this year as she was meant to get it for me last year but just never got round to picking it up. So I'll be very grateful if she does :).

3 - I love playing The Sims, so as The Sims 4 PC game is now out, I thought this would be a good gift to ask my dad for. If I receive it, I'm looking forward to trying it out and seeing what's new with the game. Si got me The Sims 3 when it came out and I've had fun playing that. I'm hoping there's a lot more features to keep me interested with the new game as sometimes I can get a little bored after I've made a family, chosen a house and furnished it. I always have the best intentions of progressing with my family though, so it'll be good to start afresh with The Sims 4. You can get this from Argos for £40.99.

4 - Gucci Rush is one of my all time favourite perfumes. I first had it when I was 17/18 and I'm not sure if I bought it for myself or received it as a gift, but I've loved it ever since. My sister asked me what I'd like for Christmas and I mentioned that I've run out of nice perfumes. She knows that I love this perfume so said she'd get it for me. I haven't had it for so long, so I can't wait to wear it over Christmas :). It smells of a mix between florals and spices with notes of bergamot, peony, gardenia, violet, vanilla and patchouli. It is quite a deep, sensual fragrance, I'd definitely recommend giving it a smell next time you're in Boots :). You can get a range of sizes for different prices from Boots.

5 - This Real Techniques Blush Brush is another thing that I mentioned to my sister that I'd like. I only have three Real Techniques brushes, but they are my favourite type of make-up brush to use as they are so soft and provide a flawless finish. I'd love to own the whole collection but out of all the other brushes from the collection, I thought this is the one I'd love to own next. You can get this brush from Feel Unique for £9.99.

6 - I love this Prolex Ceramic Kettle and Teapot In One. It is like a regular kettle but in the shape of a teapot. This specific one is from B&M's for £14.99. This is the first ever design I saw of a teapot kettle and then more recently I saw a similar one in Next. I actually went to a B&M store with Si to purchase this and they didn't have it in stock at that branch but I'd seen it at another branch with my mom a month before, but decided to leave it until a month later as I'd already bought a lot of home furnishings that day. Typical, it's always the way! Anyway, Si said he'd look for one for me for Christmas, so it's on the list! I don't mind if it's this exact design, but I know if Si gets me one, he'll find a good one :). I think this would really stand out in our kitchen and will be something a little bit different, which I love!

What have you asked for this Christmas?

Have you asked for any of the same things as me?

Don't forget to like, comment and follow to keep up to date with the rest of my Blogmas posts :).

Thanks so much for reading lovelies!

Gem XxOo

Images courtesy of I Want One Of Those, B&M's, Boots, Feel Unique, Lush and Argos.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012...

As you are all probably aware by now, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is fast approaching. I know of most celebrations taking place around an extended weekend at the beginning of June (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th). Some people like to go all out for things like this and hold street parties, house parties etc. Me or us as a family aren't having anything like that, unless something comes up, but we will probably watch some of the celebrations on TV and might even raise a glass or two, he, he.

I have been sent quite a few emails and press releases with items that you can buy to help you celebrate the Jubilee in some way or another. I have also found quite a few items myself, just casually searching the net. You'll be surprised what people think of to sell at times like this, but hey, if there's money to be made...

I thought I would share a few of my favourite items that I found, just in case you are looking for something to buy to help you celebrate at a party, at home, or simply want to purchase something that you can look back at in the future and remember buying such item for this occasion.

Beauty:

Picture courtesy of Find Me A Gift.

If you are going all out and want to make yourself up to be ready for a Jubilee celebration, then this is a great little item to make you stand out from the crowd. It's called a Union Jack Lip Tattoo and it's really inexpensive at £2.99 for one tattoo. I have worn lip tattoos similar to this before and you will be surprised as to how long they actually last. You can eat and drink and it will stay on. It is easily removable at the end of the day with a baby wipe :-).

Picture courtesy of Feel Unique.

I don't personally use nail wraps for the simple reason that I can't seem to get them right on my nails and it always looks silly. So, I thought I would include these for those of you that like nail wraps. However, I did create this look last year for Kate and Will's wedding and I just used regular nail polish. I may try to re-create it again this year but I am going to have to get a white nail polish as my last one has run out. I just wanted to express that it can be done both ways; with nail polish for the more artistic amongst you and nail wraps for those that don't feel they can do nail art or need something quick and easy. The nail wraps have a lot of advantages: they require no drying time, they don't chip and they are easy to remove. With nail polish you have to be patient and steady handed to do the nail art, you have to wait for each colour section to dry before you do the next, there is a possibility of the design chipping and then you have to have nail polish remover to get it off. The option is yours :-). These are £7.99.

Fashion:

Picture courtesy of Sainsbury's.

I thought this earring trio was soo cute and perfect for the occasion. I am loving the heart and crown ones the most! They are £3.50 from TU at Sainsbury's. If you have a local Sainsbury's that sells clothes and jewellery, head down there and you should be able to find these :-).

Picture courtesy of Not On The High Street.

As soon as I saw these bracelets I fell in love with them. They are Limited Edition Jubilee bracelets and priced at £24.95. They are so my style and I adore them! I say 'them', because you can choose from different fabrics and different charms. You can even have more than one charm for a little extra. In regards to the charms, you can choose from the Queen's crown, the Queen's carriage or the iconic double-decker bus. Simply gorgeous!

Decorations:

Picture courtesy of Noo Noo Design. Picture courtesy of Snugglebox.

The above two decorations are ones that have taken my fancy from the huge amount of decorations there are out there for the occasion. These are ones that I would choose if I were having a party to celebrate the Jubilee. I love the style and simpleness of the bunting. For 3 metres of this it is £12.50. I am a huge lover of cushions anyway and have a few different ones on my bed just for decoration. The above cushion is one I could see fitting nicely among my collection he, he. I was thinking it might also be nice if you are having a garden party and have the budget to buy a few of these and scatter them amongst the chairs you have for guests to sit on :-). I thought it might add a nice touch. They are £15 each.

Food and Drink:

Pictures courtesy of Find Me A Gift.

If you're not having a party or celebration as such but still want to feel involved, I think these Royal Family Tea Bags are ideal to have a lovely cuppa whilst watching the celebrations on TV :-). I'm a sucker for cute, unique things like this. They come in a pack of five for £6.99 and are a classic tea blend with Assam.

Picture courtesy of Sourz.

If you're over 18 and drink alcohol then this might be something you'd want to buy at any time, let alone to celebrate the Jubilee, he, he. Sourz have bought out a Limited Edition flavour to coincide with the Jubilee and London Olympics...Spirited Summer Berry! Yum! Aswell as drinking this as a shot, you can also make cocktails out of it, see here for some recipes :-). I know in Asda it is £9 at the moment, but it is available at the majority of large supermarkets, where the price usually differs in each one.

All of the major supermarkets seem to have offers on aswell for the Jubilee, so if you are having a party or a get together with food, you should be able to get some good offers from your local supermarket :-). I know Morrisons have an offer on where you can get 12 burgers, 24 sausages, 36 white baps and a bottle of ketchup all for £10. I know this as it's my local supermarket. They also have other party food ideas and Union Jack printed plates, cups, napkins and bunting for really reasonable prices. Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose all have offers on to name a few supermarkets. However, I am sure all supermarkets are going to try and get in on the act, so I'm sure you'll find some good bargains whichever supermarket you go to :-).

I hope you like my favourite Jubilee celebration ideas and there's just one last thing to say...let's hope it's gorgeous weather and happy celebrating!

Much Love,

Gem XxOo