Sunday 8 December 2013

Winter Essentials

It's that time of year again, when the cold sets in and staying warm and cosy becomes top priority.  There are a few things I couldn't live without when winter hits and I thought I'd share them with you :) 



Hats ~ Keeping warm is always top of my list when the weather turns.  Each year my collection of beanies, berets and any other form of winter hat seems to grow considerably (I think they must be multiplying in the wardrobe!)  My faves so far this winter have been this 'Bad Hair Day' beanie from New Look and the gorgeously cosy Cream Cable Knit beanie from Topshop.

Candles ~ This year I've gotten really into scented candles (I'm going through them at a rate of knots!) and am just loving having a festive smelling room.  My most used candles are the Caramel Apple scent from Green Earth and Yankee Candle's 'Sparkling Cinnamon'.  I'd have them all over the house if the family would let me!

A Good Book ~ There's something about being curled up under a blanket as the night draws in with a candle burning reading a really good book, heaven!  I'm currently reading 'Dolly' by Susan Hill and really enjoying the creepiness of it.  If scary stories aren't your thing 'Chasing Harry Winston' and 'Last Night as Chateau Marmont' by Lauren Weisburger are both really good 'chick-lit' reads as is the new Bridget Jones installment.  I'm looking forward to reading 'Chanel - An Intimate Life' next too, gotta keep it classy!

Festive Manicures ~ I've gone into nail painting overdrive recently and have the urge to constantly have something festive on my nails.  I've gone for something a little more subtle this weekend with gold glitter over a Christmassy red.

Mini Purses ~ I recently discovered these gorgeous little purses in Primark after a friend showed me hers.  Aside from being the perfect size to keep a couple of cards and enough change for a night out they've also got a section to strap in a phone.  As someone who has lost more than one phone to a club toilet I had to invest!  The purses have little wrist straps (which you can remove if you're less clumsy than I am!) and at only £4 were a bargain, not to mention a little cheaper than a new phone!  I can't wait for the Christmas parties to begin so I can take them out!

Eye Cream ~ As someone who could sleep forever and still have bags under my eyes, I'm always after a goof eye cream to perk them up a little.  I recently discovered the 'Puffy Eye Attack' from Soap&Glory and have been really enjoying it.  It's been keeping my under eye area really moisturised and, as it's a gel, it lasts for hours.  I've been slicking it on morning and night and only have good things to say so far.

Gradual Tan ~ Dove's Summer Glow gradual tan has become my new best friend this winter.  Aside from preventing me from looking like a Twilight extra it also moisturises my skin and leaves it feeling really soft, a must when the weather can be so drying.  I've been using the lighter shade so that I don't look to obviously tanned but it's been giving me a really lovely colour and is much easier to control than a regular self tanner.

Exfoliater ~ Soap&Glory always have the best smelling exfoliaters and 'The Scrub of Your Life' if no exception.  I've been using this one for a few weeks now and it's been helping to keep my skin buffed to perfection!  The winter weather can really dry skin out and this helps to keep it smooth as well as providing a great base for moisturiser.

Winter Shoes ~ I recently gave into my love for Aldo and picked up a pair of wedge trainer I'd been eyeing up for about 3 months! I blame the Cyber Monday discounts partially for this purchase but the Aldo sale was definitely a contributing factor too!  Since they arrived they've barely been off my feet and are soo comfy.  The heel isn't too high for day wear and I've been rocking them with jeans, leggings, skirts and dresses as they're such an all-round shoe, I think it might be love!

Big Hair ~ Winter can leave hair feeling a little flat, especially if its been crammed under a beanie all day!  So far this winter I've been making a little more effort to give my hair some added volume using the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray or the Fat Hair Amplifying Mousse.  Both are great for creating volume at the roots and the size of the Bumble and Bumble spray makes it super handy for travelling.

Hair Oils ~ On the hair theme I've also been making an effort to keep my hair moisturised and glossy.  The combination of cold weather and heating can dry out your hair just as much as your skin so a hair oil can really help to combat the effect.  I've been loving L'Oreal's Extraordinary Oil for Coloured Hair.  I use a tiny amount all over my hair when its damp as added heat protection and focus more toward the ends on dry hair to prevent drying and split ends.

So there you have it, just a few of my winter faves for 2013, I honestly think I could go on all day with the products I'm loving at the minute but these are definitely my top picks.  Let me know what you've been loving so for this winter, I'd love to try out some new things!

Steph
x

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