Lush Boxing Day Sale Haul 2016

(loving all the bags at lush at the moment)

Its that time of year again for another Lush boxing day haul!

All the christmas products had 50% off...so really I couldn't say no! I picked up bath bombs and bubble bars (If I had more time I would have looked at all the other christmas products) which I have (apart from one) never tried before or could never justify spending money on before.

The Magic of Christmas Wand
Was £5.95 Now £2.98
I saw this last year and wanted to get my hands on it and didnt, this year I wanted to go back to lush and treat myself to one...I didnt but seeing as it was half off in the sale I picked one up to try.
This is just christmas in a bubble bar; spiced, the orange, glitter and bells. I love that this wand doesn't have the usual wooden stick and has been replaced with a cinnamon stick (which still smells of cinnamon - the best scent at christmas). When I was in the shop I didnt smell any of the products, I picked up what I wanted and headed straight to the till. I was surprised with how much I love the scent of this you get hit with the spices first before the orange makes an appearance - I hate anything that has the scent of orange but this is just divine.

 Snowie Bubble Bar

Was £4.25 Now £2.13

I couldn't leave this little man behind it looks like David Bowie....

I wanted to get this when it first came out but I never got around to having another visit to Lush to try and get it. This is of course white (looks sort of like a snowman) with the red and blue lighting bolt across the front, with one blue eye and a missing red eye. Even though this is part of the christmas collection is doesn't scream christmas or a have a general christmas scent. The product has a very fruity and floral scent, which I wasnt expecting and I really hope that they keep this as an all year round product.

Magic Wand Bubble Bar

Was: £5.95 Now: £2.98

For the past couple of years I have seen this wand and I look at getting it and never do.

Bright pink star, dusted in glitter, with added bell and smells exactly like snow fairy...perfect.

I love the sweet scents lush do and the snow fairy scent is one of my favourites, there are multiple products they have all year round that smell like this - smells like candy floss and bubble gum with a light hint of strawberry. 

So White Bath Bomb

Was: £3.75 Now: £1.88

I dont think I have ever had so white before but have seen and smelt it may times...and I dont understand why I have never had one. This has such a lovely, nice 'fresh' apple scent to it, the bath bomb is usually completely white but this year lush have added a little leaf on top. I am yet to know what this bath bomb does but I am interested to find out and cant wait to use it.

Stardust Bath Bomb

Was: £2.95 Now: £1.48

This bath bomb is such a simple product; It doesn't do to much compared to other bath bombs, because it is so simple is one of the reasons why I love it. It is completely white with a very light vanilla scent, Once placed into the bath it has a burst of stars inside which leave the water very colourful.

I am very happy with my sale purchases this year, If I had a bit more time I would have liked to have had a proper look around at all the christmas products. I really wanted to get another bottle of the snow fairy shower gel.

Record Collection: Christmas

Back in January I decided to share my record collection (which has grown a bit since then) but I decided to keep back my christmas record for this time of year.

Minus one record all of these have been picked up either in charity shops and a few from record fairs - I love christmas and there is nothing I love more than the christmas music.

Nat King Cole - The Magic of Christmas

Jim Reeves - 12 songs of Christmas

Perry Como sings - Merry Christmas music

Band Aid - Do they know its Christmas

Johnny Mathis - Merry Christmas

The Partridge Family Christmas Album

Christmas with Nat King Cole

Elvis' Christmas Album

White Christmas (soundtrack)

Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas everyone

Bing Crosby - White Christmas

Frank Sinatra - Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Now that's what I call music - The Christmas Album

The Andy Williams Christmas Album

Michael Buble Christmas

I recommend listening to all of the albums, I am sure they are all either online/spotify/iTunes - The Frank Sinatra and (I think) Elvis albums have been re released again and are available in HMV if you want a christmas vinyl.

Käthe Wohlfahrt - York

Also known as Heaven on Earth.

I wanted to do this post way back in August not long after I had been to this beautiful shop....but I thought It might be a bit to early for the christmas blog posts to start (and that's coming from me a person who spends all year obsessing over christmas).

Every year I go to York I ALWAYS ended up in the Christmas shop...this year I discovered that my favourite little shop had gone and a new and bigger christmas shop had opened up just around the corner. 

This shop is huge (Its like the Tardis....bigger on the inside!), spread over two floors and each room has different decorations for example - Advent Calendars and Cards, Nutcrackers and a room just filled with cuckoo clocks.

I loved the attention to detail - the shop is originally German (the branch in York is the first in the UK) so they have traditional German christmas music playing, the uniform has been kept quite traditional something they would wear in Germany, as well as all this they have the biggest nutcracker I have ever seen (When we walked through the town one evening, everywhere was shut I passed this shop and they had the nutcracker standing in the door way and it terrified the life out of me!) as well as a large (going through both floors) spinning christmas tree.

I have now made myself miss being in York even more after doing this post - oh how I wish I was going into this shop again...until next August!

Note: I did get some decorations from here but I have brought a selection of new christmas decorations this year I might do a separate post on them.

Lush Autumn and Halloween 2016 Haul

I had a much needed trip to Lush! 

I dont visit Lush as often as I used to - the last time I went in was in York to try the salted caramel soap. I personally love Lush a lot more at this time of year with all the Autumn / Halloween and Christmas Products with the most amazing scents.

After I finished work on Saturday I went in a picked up half of the new Halloween pieces...

Autumn Leaf

'Autumn colours dapple your bath red and yellow, as falling leaves signify the start of winter. From the comfort of a hot bath, watch as the evenings draw in, and the trees don vibrant plumage. The scent of fresh grass evokes the crunch of crisp leaves underfoot as the last remnants of summer are stolen away.'

I kept seeing images and videos of this in use on Lush instagram accounts and instantly loved how colourful it was. I love that this years collection is a mixture of Halloween and Autumn instead of just Halloween like it usually is. This bath bomb contains Neroli oil, Sandalwood oil, Japanese maple sap and Bergamot oil - It has such a lovely scent.

£3.75

Pumpkin

'Serve yourself up a slab of sweet pumpkin pie, dripping in spice and sauciness - its even more satisfying in bath bomb form. Sweet, comforting vanilla absolute and spicy cinammon evoke the rich, biscuity fragrance of home baking and stacked desserts, ensuring that you feel toasty from top to toe. A soak with this pumpkin-shaped bomb is more satisfying than a belly full of pudding.'

Every year I see the sparking pumpkin bubble bar and always wished they did a pumpkin bath bomb...looks like this year my wish was answered. I instantly fell in love with the scent of this from the moment I picked it up in store and im not getting bored of the pumpkin stinking out my room. The bath bomb contains Pimento Berry oil and Vanilla absolute - amazing smell.

£3.95

Lord of Misrule

'Revel in your bath with this mischievous bomb that features a spicy herbal blend of patchouli and black pepper oil. Inspired by the ruler of the pagan feast of fools, Lord Of Misrule has a deep green exterior that slowly froths away to reveal a rich, wine-coloured centre. Just like at the Feast of Fools, when the wine starts to flow, the popping candy crackles and the festivities begin...'

This bath bomb will always remind me of Amsterdam - It  was the place where I first discovered it and also the only place I knew with it - I remember my local lush had a lot of the christmas pieces in but I hadn't seen it. The bath bomb contains: Black Pepper oil, Patchouli oil and vanilla absolute. I have only purchased this bath bomb once after Amsterdam and that was a long time ago now but I do remember that this does turn your water into a red wine colour. Its really nice and love the scent.

£3.95

Sparkly Pumpkin

'I guess you think you know this story. You dont. The real one's much more foamy. Mind you, Dahl got the first bit right, The bit where, in the dead of night, The Ugly Sisters, jewels and all, Departed for the Palace ball, While darling little Cinderella was locked up in a slimy cellar, She bellowed 'Help!' and 'Let me out!' The magic fairy heard her shout. She answered "Cindy, keep your cool! And I shall send you to ball!" Cindy said, "Don't make me laugh, I'd much prefer a steamy bath. My sisters treat me like a pauper, Then don't save me any water!" Moved by Cinderella's troubles, The Fairy conjured up some bubbles, She filled the bath tub to the top and Cindy soon forgot her strop. "Wow", she shouted, "Gold and lime!" A bath this good is worth my time, And readers, it is worth yours too, As (Nearly) every word is true.'

Everyone seems to love this bubble bar, so this year I decided to purchase it and see why people love it so much! This bath bomb has such a lovely scent and contains: Junipeberry oil, Lime oil and Grapefruit oil. I love the design of this bubble bar especially with the little cinnamon stick stalk and all the glitter - Can not wait to use this. 

£3.95

I still want to get my hands on the Monsters' ball bath bomb and try the Boo bath melt.

Cant wait for the Christmas bits to come out now! 

The Teddy Bear Tea Rooms

(These pictures are making me wish I was back in York...)

I have been to the Teddy Bear shop many times when I have been in York, but until recently I didnt know they had a Tea Room upstairs. 

The Tea Room is on 2 floors over three small rooms, Its a very traditional looking place but with a non traditional and modern way of presenting food. As I hadn't been in here before I expected it to be like an old cafe that hasn't updated itself since the 80s - where it would smell of bake potatoes and have a variety of odd sandwiches.

I was overly impressed with everything.

I opted for a gingerbread hot chocolate (Which I wish I had in-front of me right now...) and a Toasted Tea cake. The gingerbread  hot chocolate was hands down one of the most amazing hot chocolate I have ever had - I am now obsessed with Gingerbread Hot chocolates.
They have a wide variety of foods and drinks - from a Teddy Bears Picnic to a fancy Victoria sponge cake displayed on a wooden board with cream - Everything is reasonably priced as well.

If you are ever in York I highly recommend the Teddy Bear Tea Rooms.

http://www.stonegateteddybears.co.uk/

got that seventies feeling... || #OOTD

Shirt - Primark
Jeans - New Look
Shoes - Clarks
Bag - Accessorize
Sunglasses - Collectif

Photos taken in York Museum Gardens - One of my favourite places in York

Lindy Bop Love || OOTD

Lindy bop is a clothing brand I discovered towards the end of  last year and it has become one of my favourites. They are a company specializing in 1950's reproduction clothing and a few accessories - I own two dresses and a skirt (I also can not wait for there new Autumn/ Winter collection to come out), both dresses are the 'Audrey' design - I love the fit of these dresses, the length and they have a perfect skirt to make a huge circle when you spin around. If you know me then you will know how much I love vintage things - especially the 1940s to 60's. When it comes to vintage clothing I always find pieces I love but are never in my size, So I love brands that produce reproduction clothing.

On Sunday me and my brother visited the National Railway Museum in York for probably the 20th time - every time we are in York we seem to visit it even though hardly anything changes. 

Dress: 'Audrey' Polka Dot swing dress - Lindy Bop

Shoes: Clarks

Bag: Beatles Tote bag 

Accessories: Sunglasses -Collectif   Bangle: Vintage

LUSH Haul

So over the weekend I popped into Lush and had the best and easiest experience. I hate how the Lush staff just pounce on you even though you just want to have a look around - but I knew what I wanted to it was in and out in two mins! Lets just get into the haul...

The melting marshmallow moment bath oils is one of my favourite bath products and scent lush do - I love the sweet scents. I fist picked this up last year at the oxford street Lush and a couple of weeks later my local lush finally started to stock this. This has an extremely sweet scent, now I  have said it before and I will say it again the scent reminds me of the fruit salad sweets but is in fact 'Candy floss' scented. Once this is placed into the bath the bath oil completely melts and leaves a very soft and amazing scented water...but no colour. This was £2.00.

Everything from here down me and my brother picked out for our mum for mothers day. My mum loves hand things, I saw this a couple of weeks ago in Lush and knew I had to come back (after looking it up) and pick it up for her. So, this is the Golden Handshake Hot Hand mask which contains avocado, argan oil, castor oil as well as cupuacu and murumuru butters. To use this you want to stand your hand mask upright in a bowl (which is large enough to fit both hands), Add enough hot water to cover the product and sir. An alternative is to massage the bar into you hands before rinsing off. Take a look at Lush website for more information. This was only £2.95.

This bath bomb is currently in for mothers day, so if you like the look and sound of it I recommend getting down to lush before mothers day and its gone. I am assuming this is a new product for this mothers day as I have never seen it before and it is the 'Rose Bombshell' bath bomb. This bath bomb has a light, fresh and very floral scent to it, I dont know what it is going to do to you bath water but Im going to guess turn pink. This is a bath bomb I definately want to go back and get for myself before they go, this was £3.95.

The last product in this haul is a much loved bath bomb of mine, the ever so simple 'Fluffy Egg' bath bomb. My youngest brother picked this out for our mum for mothers day, So I hope she likes this bath bomb as much as I do. This has a very sweet candy like scent to it (which I love!) and will also turn your water bright pink. If you didnt know already they do have an all year round bath bomb 'Think Pink' which is exactly the same as this...minus the egg shape. £2.95

Is there anything in this haul you will be picking up?

Record Collection

Recently record players and vinyls have become so popular again, for me personally, they never went anywhere. I have grown up in a home full of records, every where you look in there is a record - If its not one of my dads many many records then its my brothers.

On my 21st last year I received a record player which I had been wanting for ages, My record player is by Steepletone, it is red and in the style of the 1960s record players. So as vinyls are making a 'comeback', I thought I would share my small but growing collection of vinyls - As we have a record player in our cabin I would pick up a record every now and then but what I have I have collected over the past year.  The majority of the records I own are from either charity shops, Record fairs and a couple my mum has given me of hers. I have a lot of Christmas records which I will post at a later date.

Arctic Monkeys -AM
Doris Day and Frank Sinatra - Young at Heart
The Voice of your Choice - Doris Day
Wham! - Fantastic
The Sound of Music
Wings- Venus and Mars
K-Tel's Summer Crusin (compilation album)
20 great heart breakers (compilation album)
The Bobby Vee singles album
The Bill Haley Collection
Buddy Holly Greatest Hits
Little Richard
The Golden Hour of The Searchers
Elvis Presley - Easy come easy go
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Grease soundtrack
Mary Poppins
The Came rock and Roll (compilation album)
The Everly Brothers greatest hits
Kaiser Chiefs- Yours truly angry mob
The best of Cliff Richard
Cliff and The Shadows
Elvis 40 greatests
Cliff Richard - The young ones
A collection of Beatles Oldies
Rock on with Gene Vincent
More of Roy Orbison greatest hits
Eddit Cochran - C'mon everybody
The Beach Boys- 20 Golden greats
The Beatles- A hard days night

Thats all for now folks...