Christmas Clothes! My Laundry Room Dress and Sparkly Shoes

Well, here we are on the other side of Christmas!  Really hope everyone had a relaxing few days and feel braced for the New Year.  I hope you are not all sick of Christmas trees by now as I am going to show you a few more :)

My boyfriend is still eating turkey leftovers and I haven't even begun to enjoy some of my lovely generous gifts - there are a good few books just waiting for me!  I was travelling between Belfast and Dublin the past few days doing all my visiting so relaxing today and tommorow with old movies and new books sounds idyllic.

I got this gorgeous dress in a new boutique, Pretty Flamingo.  It's "Laundry Room", an Irish label which I was happy to find as I had only seen it in Arnotts in Dublin before and it's really so pretty!  I love the gentle fit of the dress and the teal details on the shoulders.  I embraced gold sparkly New Look shoes and patterned Betsey Johnson tights (a bargain TK Maxx find) for a bit of Christmas spirit.

The quality of these tights are great.  After many failed attempts at not laddering spotty tights I love how durable these are and the extra detail of the lace seams up the side.  Definitley want to try more Betsey Johnson tights.

A very beautiful gift...my ByBoe ring.  I expect you'll notice this a whole lot on the blog in 2012 as I'm really in love with it.  It just feels so delicate, I don't even think the photo does it justice!

 My pomanders that I made for gifts, they smelt delicious.  I hadn't made them since I was very young and enjoyed the trip down memory lane!  (Look at my Mum's tray of mince pies and macaroons for Christmas Day drinks...I have eaten so much!)

Got my hair done too!  Nothing drastic - surprise surprise - but my head feels lighter and my hair looks healthier without having to stress that I got some crazy short layers I can do nothing with.  I really enjoyed using my 1st Living Social voucher too - 2 haircuts at Hedonist Hair for £25...cut number 2 in the new year, felt like a real bargain.  Thought it was a lovely wee salon too!

I want to update my blog layout a tiny bit in the New Year.  A new header, maybe get rid of the roses and just generally tidy it up a little bit.  If you have any suggestions or ideas, I would really love to hear them. Implementing everything I want with my limited computer skills ever is another matter but I shall remain hopeful I can do something with it!

Take care in the last few days of 2011 xo

Holidays Are Coming...

Well, my presents are wrapped (mostly!) and the anticipation for Christmas Day has set in.   It has been a hectic, though enjoyable, few weeks and now I'm looking forward to appreciating a quiet Christmas Eve as Advent draws to a close.  Some festive preparations have included...

Buying and decorating the biggest tree I think my home has ever had...

Super attractive makeup free shot!

While listening to Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' and drinking hot chocolate topped with Marshmallow Fluff and spiked with Amaretto liqueur.  My Mum's new speciality this festive season!

I love taking out the ornaments every year, new and old.  This Santa's boot has been in the family for 60 years and is one of my favourites.

At least I know my decorating efforts have been appreciated :)

We visited Belfast's Continental Market and drank mulled wine and ate currywurst and churros!

Finally, I have been carolling like it's 1939 in a production of A Christmas Carol. I will do a proper outfit/makup post on this after Christmas but here I am sharing the love of seamed tights until then!

I am so thankful for all these wonderful days I have had these past few weeks.  I want to wish everyone far and wide a very safe, peaceful and happy Christmas xox

(Northern) Irish Christmas Gift Ideas!

I am having some last minute stresses about Christmas presents for people despite my protests that I would be beautifull organised this year!  Ah sure, Christmas isn't all about the presents and I have been trying to remember that and slow down a bit this Advent.  I thought I would show you some things I have bought and 2 favourite local brands - for anyone looking for a local (or for non local readers, Irish) gifts!

Bog Standard

If you love all things Cath Kidston and Avoca, you will appreciate this brand's beautiful packaging.  All made in Ireland, and best of all, Northern Ireland in Co.Down so supporting the local economy by buyng from them!

All the scents are named 'Irish'.... So Irish Rose, Irish Winter and my two favourites, Irish Linen and Irish Sea.  I remember buying soaps from them years ago when they were just a stand in St George's Market - I always thought the names were very inventive..I think the soaps I bought then were called 'Piece and Jam'. I have bought their products frequently for American relatives of mine. The Irish names mean they make great gifts to send abroad!

The candles are my favourite part of their range. They are infused with 7% scent, apparently industry standard is 3%-5%.  I pictured the two sizes here but only had one candle left, so you can just see the bigger one's box, sorry!

Buy online from their website to get the full range which includes soaps, linens etc.  I get them from my boyfriend's work place and they are stocked in the Northern Ireland museum shops and tourist shops.

Tee and Toast

Another local brand available online or at their stall in St George's Market, Belfast.

Funny 'Northern Irish' inspired slogans and graphics on t shirts, hoodys, mugs, babygros..!

I bought this particular tee for my boyfriend's birthday last week because he is a tea junkie, more than a Mr. T fan!  It arrived less than 24 hours later which was pretty impressive. I like their Shamrocker and I <3 Veda Toasted slogans...mostly because I do heart Veda Toasted.  Anyone outside of Northern Ireland know what I'm talking about?!

Another Irish brands I love and would be beautiful to give as a gift, is Voya.  I reviewed their seaweed spa products here before.

 I was very lucky in my TK Maxx this year too!  This Works gift box sets reduced to £16, Lollia, which I had only seen in Anthropologie before, and Betsey Johnson slipper socks!

It's awful that I kind of want to keep all of the above!  Oh well, they shall be beautifully wrapped in my very beautiful Ikea bags and paper - doesn't the illustration look quite Victorian?

Last but not least...the winner of the Barefoot Botanicals Giveaway is:

Bride!!  Happy Christmas Bridie, I have sent you an email :)

Thank you to everyone who entered! xox