I heart glitter...and the New Year!

Just thought I’d include what I wore on my nails for Christmas day, (though I’ve been wearing this combo prior to that and also think it makes for a nice glittery New Year manicure too). I saw my friend at work wearing a lovely shade of purple with a multicoloured glitter on top. Naturally I complimented her and informed her that I’d be stealing it as soon as I got home. I went with OPI’s ‘Oktoberfest’, along with a gloss of OPI’s ‘Rainbow Connection’ from their Muppets collection last year. Granted, it’s not a unique of particularly inspiring combo, but my friend’s nails caught my eye and I love it all the same.

(With Flash)

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I hope you all have an amazing New Year! It's the perfect time to evaluate things and consider what it is you want to maintain and change for the year to come. However, if you're not one who feels overly enthused by the prospect of new/ different beginnings etc., have a good night all the same :).

The Festive Spirit

Now I’m starting to feel festive. Our Christmas tree has finally gone up, along with a few other Christmas decorations in the house and my Christmas shopping is slowly but surely all beginning to come together. I’m finished with uni until January and now I can finally begin to go crazy with seasonal festivities. I can’t wait to start wrapping, baking and watching old school Christmas film favourites (Home Alone is undoubtedly my firm favourite). I also can’t wait to be reunited with all my friends and family so that we can all have a good catch up and revel in Christmas joy together.

Anyway, I just thought I’d share some of my favourite Christmas decorations that are up on the family tree. Over recent years I’ve taken to buying a special Christmas decoration if I go somewhere different, or on holiday etc. I’m hoping that I can start building a nice little collection that will remind me of good memories and places for years to come.



This technically isn't my own decoration, but it always takes pride of place near the top of the tree. It was my Grandma's Christmas decoration from the 1950's. It's so delicate and pretty, without being overwhelming. I just love that it's lasted all this time and through the family generations.




Each of these came in a set of three, containing a large, medium and small decoration. I adore these because I think they're quite unusual and love the hand painted patterns on them. I purchased both sets from Camden Market and I think they were £7 a set.



I got this bauble at the Empire State building gift shop when I was 17. I went as part of a trip with my school and felt so lucky and overwhelmed; the city was amazing. That trip holds some wonderful memories for me and now I have this lovely bauble to remind me of the fun times that I had.



This little guy came from my road trip in July. One of the places I went to along the way was Carmel. It was a pretty little place and (rather oddly) they had a Christmas shop. I love gingerbread men, so thought he would be a nice little addition.



On the same road trip, I bought this cable car decoration, reminding me of the gorgeous San Francisco. It's quite sweet and definitely a signature aspect of the city.

So those are just some of my favourites. I love how individual Christmas trees/ decorations in general are so unique to each person/ family. Decorating is such a lovely way to get into the festive spirit :).

Nail polish lovin' - Essie's Divebar

I absolutely love dark nail polishes and though I sometimes tend to dabble with some brights and lighter colours during spring and summer months, for the most part my dark nail colours are my go-to choices.  On that note, a polish I have been loving recently is Essie’s Divebar. It’s a gorgeous shimmery, blackened teal. There’s a purple undertone visible in the bottle, however this doesn’t seem to translate on the nail. The colour isn’t entirely unique, (I have several similar variations). However, I wear this ‘blackened teal’ colour all the time, so I definitely don’t mind having dupes. I will say though that Divebar wasn’t too thick on the nails and had a fast drying time. Therefore, I definitely recommend this shade; I know I’ll be wearing it a lot in the upcoming months. 

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