Christmas Wish List 2015 | Bags, Beauty and Fragrance

Seeing as it's the first week of December, I thought what better way to start the month than with my Christmas Wish List. I know a lot of you will be starting to look what to ask for this year or maybe even looking for gift ideas so perhaps this could help you either way. Please note this is a 'wish list' so of course I don't expect to receive everyone of these items, if any! This is just a select few items that I would love to receive. Let's get into it!

1. Zara Soft City Bag

I love this bag! I'm definitely in need of a new one as I've had my last Zara bag for nearly two years, it's looking a bit worse for wear so I think it's time I got myself a new one. I saw this bag in a haul on YouTube and I knew it had to be mine, especially as it's only £20. Unfortunately it's now unavailable on the website but I have a sneaking suspicion that Santa may have heard my pleads. Let's hope I find this under the tree!

2. Purse

Seeing as this is a 'Wish List' then i'd really love the Ted Baker Colour Block Matinee Purse in Nude. I could've sworn they did this in the summer but they must have stopped making it as I can't find it anywhere. So I wish that said purse still existed an I wish that I had £75 to spend on a purse but this one from ASOS is lovely too. I like large purses so something simple like this is perfect for everyday and will sit nicely in the bag I mentioned previously.

3. Origins Night-A-Mins Moisturiser

In last years Boxing Day sales I picked up an Origins Sample Set. This was included within the set and I loved it, however I don't love the price. It's £35 which has put me off repurchasing it but i'm thinking I could pop it on my Christmas Wish List and maybe a kind someone will put it under the tree for me. If not, I think i'll definitely have to purchase it myself. It's 50ml so should last me ages, right!?

4. Soap and Glory Body Gift Set

I can't believe how long I've loved Soap and Glory, it's been 6 years since I received my first ever Soap and Glory products. Can anyone remember The Big Thrill Hat Box set that went from £50 down to £20? My Dad rushed out to get it for me! So it's become a tradition that every year I receive a Soap and Glory gift set and i'm definitely not complaining! As much as i'd love the Whole She-Bang set, it's a little pricey so i'd be more than happy with Soaper Star set as it contains a few of my all time favourite Soap and Glory products. 

5. Soap and Glory Well I'll Be Glammed Makeup Gift Set

Another Soap and Glory set, but this time it's makeup! I've not actually tried much of their makeup range. Only a primer, the Brow Archery and a Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss. This set is such a great deal, I'd really love to find this under my tree and would be a great way to test out more of their makeup range!

6. Benefit Pump Up The Party! Gift Set

You may have seen me mention before but I've not actually tried many high-end makeup brands. However, everything I've tried from Benefit I've loved! Again, I think this set is a great deal and would be perfect to try out more of their products! The Rockateur Blush looks right up my street and is included in this set. Also, I think this would be a great gift for someone wanting to experiment more with makeup and dip into the high-end side.

7. Perfume 

I'm not entirely sure what perfume i'd like, which isn't good as i'm so fussy when it comes to perfume. However, I think i'd like a more affordable perfume for daily wear. As much as I love my Giorgio Armani Si, it's quite expensive for everyday wear and is more of an evening scent. I did notice they now do an Eau De Toilette version so maybe that's lighter and more appropriate for daily wear? I don't know but the bottles really pretty, haha!

8. Yankee Candle Pink Sands Jar

And last but certainly not least, I'd love this candle. I've tried a load of the wax melts and samplers and this has been my favourite by far so i'd love to have the large jar to burn. Also it's pale pink so will look super cute in my room, what more could I want!?

I hope this has helped you if you're stuck on what to ask for or what to buy for your loved ones. I've actually finished my Christmas shopping which is good but also not as I keep seeing other things and spend even more money. I should be saving to learn to drive so I suppose that's another thing i'd like- driving lessons, something practical! I'd love to know how much shopping you've done. Let me know in the comments!

WHAT'S ON YOUR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST?

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Travel Essentials | Beauty, Fashion and More!

I haven't been abroad in years, the last time I went I was around 6 or 7 so that's over 10 years ago which makes me a little sad. Unfortunately i'm not going abroad this year as much as I would've hoped, I'm hoping to go next year with my friends. However, on Friday i'm lucky enough to be travelling down to South West England and in particular South Devon for the week- which is just a tad exciting as it's always nice to get out of your hometown and explore somewhere else.

As i'm not going abroad this isn't going to be an 'in-flight travel essentials' which seem to be pretty popular, but I just thought i'd share my essentials as a whole for a short break within the UK. Also, just a side note, i'm not going to mention the obvious like a toothbrush so just so you know, I will be packing that but the more obvious ones won't be mentioned.

The Basics

Money- Of course you're going to need money when you get there but you could also on route. There always seems to be somebody who cannot wait to go to the toilet and insists you stop at the services, so that of course means getting out and popping to the shop to pick up a snack for your journey! There is also a possibility of a toll bridge, I know you have to pay to get into Wales so perhaps keep that in mind also!

Tissues- These are always handy, I always carry tissue around whether that's in my bag or jacket pocket. You've spilt something? Here's a tissue. Hayfever? Here's a tissue. And of course, public toilets- better to be safe than sorry!

Painkillers- We all hope not to get sick when travelling, or at anytime for that matter. So again, better to be safe than sorry always carry some form of medicine with you- painkillers are compact and are a huge relief when you've got a headache that wont shift or worse, period pains.

Beauty

SPF- Yes, even in the UK. You should wear some form of SPF all year round whether that's in your makeup or apply it separately. As it's going to be warmer during the summer months, it's likely you'll have your arms or even your legs out and when the sun decides to make an appearance you don't want to be caught short, burn and cause damage your skin.

Mini Deodorant-  I always carry some form of deodorant/body spray/perfume around with me as you never know when you're going to break a sweat and I can't think of anything worse than smelling of B.O. (there probably are worse things but still).

Minis- I love the aisle of Boots where all the dinky sized products are, they're so cute but obviously are designed for travelling. I usually go and buy the basic essentials in mini sizes such as shampoo and conditioner, body wash, deodorant and toothpaste but to save money I also like to decant products into the small travel size refillable bottles/pots, especially my skincare and some makeup bits.

Clothing

T-Shirt Dress- I love T-Shirt dresses as they're super comfortable and casual worn with leggings and Converse or skater shoes but they can also be dressed up a little with tights and flats or if you fancy, heels.

Sunglasses- Again, yes even in the UK. Not only do they protect your eyes from the rays but are also great for putting on when you've got little or no makeup on and look half asleep, woo!

Scarf- Perfect for the evenings when it gets a little chilly, there's nothing worse than being cold and having to suffer while shivering. They also make a good blanket too, which could be ideal on a plane or just to get comfy in the car while travelling. I love a good blanket scarf!

Rain Jacket- You'll probably need this in the UK when the weather is having mood swings, raining one minute, sunny the next. This can be kept in your bag as they're so light but I know you can also get macs in a bag which are super compact so there's no excuse to moan when it rains and you don't have a jacket.

Entertainment

Tablet- I tend to download games on to here for when I don't have WiFi but when I do, I shall be catching up on my bloglovin feed and Instagram. This can also be used like a Kindle, though I don't read a lot but if you do this could be your best friend while travelling.

Chargers- There's nothing worse than forgetting the chargers for your devices. I forgot my phone charger once but thankfully I could use my brothers as it was the same as mine. Pop your wires in a little pouch so they don't get too tangled in your bag and hopefully having a cute pouch while help you not to forget them!

Earphones- Definitely need these to listen to your own music rather than music your Dad has chosen. My family have completely different music tastes so it'd be a little painful to forget them while travelling!

A magazine- Or multiple! I rarely read magazines unless it's the Boots one. FYI they're free with your advantage card or £1, if you didn't know! Long journeys in the car are a perfect excuse for me to pick up a few magazines, these can also be reading material when you're just hanging out at your accommodation or better still, at the poolside! 

And that's a run through of my travel essentials! As I said i'm going away on Friday but I've scheduled posts for next week so I shall update you on Instagram when they're live, so make sure you're following me: @xtracesofmythoughts to keep up to date.

You can also follow me on bloglovin to be notified when I post, you can click the button to the right of my blog which will take you straight to it!

What are your travel essentials?

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What's In My Bag | Summer 2015

What's In My Bag posts and videos seem to be very popular, I guess it's because we're super nosey? I know I am! I've never done one of these posts before so I thought today i'd rummage around my bag and show you what I carry on a day-to-day basis- lets get started!

The lighting is a bit odd here, apologies for that!

My current bag is pretty basic, it's this white almost grey, double pouch with a strap that can be worn across the body or on one shoulder. When I say double pouch, it's simply like two clutch bags stuck together, therefore giving you more room but also looking pretty cool if I do say so myself. This was from Primark around this time last year costing around the £6-£8 mark. I'm sure if you pop in you'll find something similar though!

1. Purse

This again is from Primark, I've probably had this nearly two years now though- it was only £5 and it's lasted me well though I could probably do with a new one now, I've got my eye on you Ted Baker.
My purse contains various store cards including Boots, Superdrug and Tesco, my ID and Organ Donor card and very little money. Usually there is just loose change and receipts lying at the bottom of my bag- but i'm definitely not the only one right?

2. Sunglasses

Despite the British summer, we still sunglasses to protect our eyes. These again are from Primark last year but had a sticker on stating they have 100% UV protection- amazing for a pair that only cost me about £3!

Apologies for the quality of this picture, this was taken on my tablet so that I could include my phone in the picture as I take my pictures on my iPhone.

3. Phone

To be quite honest, this is rarely in my bag and almost always in my hand- lets be real? I have an iPhone 4, though i'd love the latest iPhone, i'm not too bothered as I've had no problems with this(touch wood) so i'm sure it'll last me until I finally cave and buy a new one. The case I currently have on is very Autumnal but I like it, I found this on Etsy.

4. Keys

Of course, I have too many key rings for one key but i'm hoping to have a car key soon(wishful thinking Aim, wishful thinking). The two blue camper vans are from gift shops in Dawlish and Cornwall- I've never been to Cornwall myself but my sister picked this up for me to go along with my other. I can't remember where I got the big silver heart but the silver spade was in my stocking(from Santa aka my parents) and the purple stone was another gift from when my sister went to Tenerife, apparently it has healing properties!

5. A snack

This is just in case I get super hungry and don't have time to stop and get food. I've had these Party Rings in my bag for a good while and I noticed they were nearly a month out of date when taking this photo- they're no longer in my bag and are in the bin, sad times. I also usually carry chewing gum around, gotta keep fresh.

6. Makeup Bag

My makeup bag is from Avon, I love the print and it's faux leather so can be wiped down if it gets a little dirty. I actually have little makeup in here, but this makeup bag is like Mary Poppins bag as in there I have:

-Powder and a brush to keep the shine at bay

-Maybelline Baby Lips and a Natural Collection lipstick in Rosebud
-Mirror, this one is from Sighh Designs

-The Body Shop Madagascan Vanilla Flower mini perfume, this smells amazing!

- A comb

- Hand sanitizer, hand cream and a nail file

-Tampons

And finally 

-Tablets, usually paracetamol and Kalms.

7. Tote Bag

In Wales and I think England may do too, but we charge 5p for a carrier bag in shops so to avoid the 5p charge for a bag that dissolves in the rain, i'm looking at you Primark- I take this just in case, though being canvas it doesn't keep the things dry but they're handy nonetheless. 

And that's what I carry in this bag, admittedly there would be a lot more junk if I featured my large Zara tote but another time maybe! 

What are your handbag essentials?

Let me know!

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