I hope you've all had a wonderful festive break! The last few days have been full of relaxing, over indulging and, also a bit of a surreal blur! 

I thought I'd share a few snaps I've captured on my phone from the last week or so. I've loved having some time to relax and spend time with loved ones and now, I can't wait for 2015!

This was possibly the best Christmas ever as on Boxing Day, something very exciting happened. 

Scroll down to the last photo, and you'll see!

4 days in, and it still feels very surreal saying it! 

But, as my fiancé (eeek!) and mother pointed out - I can't be finding it that weird, as I've already managed to purchase a pair of shoes I plan to wear on the big day!

The Net-a-Porter sale gets my Christmas money every year. 

I will of course be sharing my journey in planning the wedding on here. If you have any tips, that would be fab as although I'm an events organiser by day, planning my own wedding is quite overwhelming.

I can see myself being knee deep in ribbon and crepe paper soon enough!

I don't usually head to the sales, but when an email popped into my inbox a few weeks back, inviting me to the Sophia Webster sample sale, how could I resist? 

Introducing, Sadie. They just had to come home with me and, I've been skipping round the house in them ever since. 

I've always been envious of people that can wear a statement lip day in and day out. I'm not sure if it's because I'm wearing braces, and want to pop a bit of colour on my lips now that I have a bit of a pout, but I've found myself gravitating towards the lipsticks whenever I'm near a beauty counter. 

Below are my favourite ones I've been wearing over the last few months. They vary from your 'drugstore' to ones that are a little more expensive. 

From the left:

Soda Pop, Sephora

Technically, this is a lip balm but I had to include this as it's been in my handbag so many times since I picked this up in Paris back in the Summer. It's a creamy formula and, it smells absolutely amazing! It's easy to reapply and, it keeps my lips so moisturised.

110 Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss, Rimmel
I've had this one in my makeup collection for a while now and, it is a great lipstick to have. It has a matte finish to it and, the colour is so intense. It's also long lasting and doesn't fade.

Salon Rouge, MAC

If you're a regular reader of this blog, the you would've seen my post on this lipstick already. It's limited edition, which in my eyes makes it even more special. I've worn this ALOT recently and, I'm half tempted to purchase another one to prevent me having a tantrum once I run out! It's matte which for me is a total win (loving matte lipsticks at the moment).

Brighton Rock, Topshop
Obviously, I just had to purchase this when it came out! It is creamy, pigmented, long lasting and goes on effortlessly. What more could you want in a lipstick?

Ruby Woo, MAC
Another MAC lipstick but, they are my favourite. This is an absolute classic and must have for anyone that loves a red lip!

Two Ton Tomato Chubby Stick, Clinique
I wouldn't actually call this a lipstick but, I do wear it on a regular basis. It's more of a lip balm but with a sheer colour -  I use it when my lips are feeling dry but, I want a little colour.

I'm always open to recommendations for new lipsticks to try out, so please Tweet, Email or comment!

The Cheeky Sweet Spot Box O' Blushes by Benefit, includes six powder blushes and a cream highlighter in a very cute, festive tin. Inside the tin, you will find all of Benefit's cult blushes, including;

Hoola is a bronzer that several of my friends swear by. It's easy to apply and blends well on the skin. Plus, it wears well and doesn't fade throughout the day.  

Dandelion is a little sheer to the other blushes in the tin. It's a blush that you can build on, and has a subtle gold shimmer to it - perfect for those warm Summer days. You can also use it all over your face as a brightening finishing powder.

Bella Bamba is a slightly dark pink with a gold shimmer. Perfect for the Winter months and, lasts all day. 

Sugarbomb is made up of 4 shimmering shades of peach, soft plum, pink and rose powders. Swish together and sweep on cheeks for a natural look.

CORALista is a light peach with warm, orange undertones and a frosted, gold finish. This shade is great for all skin tones and blends really easily. 

Rockateur is a soft, rosy plum with warm undertones and a soft, satiny finish. This shade suits all skin tones and has great lasting power. 

Watt’s Up! is a cream-to-powder highlighter that is long-lasting, and gives a luminous sheen wherever it’s applied. The glow is strong enough that it is visible, but it isn't metallic.

Bearing in mind a single blush from Benefit usually retails at £23.50, this is definitely perfect if you want to try out several of their other blushes without spending a fortune. 

Now Winter seems to be well on its way, I thought it best that I start thinking practically. Yeah, yeah I know what you're thinking - practical is 'boring' but, who said it has to be?

I decided that my coat for this season needed to be warm AND waterproof. So, I started my hunt for a 'practical' coat that had some sort of 'glamour' to it.

This Miss Selfridge Parka was my absolute favourite from the many I tried on. It's warm AND waterproof plus, the hood is so furry I totally feel like Ygritte from Game of Thrones.

Parka: Miss Selfridge

Jumper & Skirt: Zara

Boots: Daniel footwear

I'm always going to be slightly obsessed with monochrome, and my wardrobe seems to be full of it this season! This crepe bomber jacket from H&M is perfect for layering and (dare I say it) will still be in my wardrobe for SS15!

Jacket: H&M (sold out)

Jeans: Topshop (Jamie)

Boots: Carvela Kurt Geiger*

Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Top: Topshop

Skirt: Zara

Bag: Kurt Geiger London

Boots: Carvela Kurt Geiger*

Sunglasses: KG Kurt Geiger*

I've been doing a little research for my Christmas gift guide (up very soon) and, there are a lot of Christmas beauty collections around this year. However, I think I've found my favourite.

The Holiday collection by MAC is full of beauty must haves for the festive season and as we all know, it is the season to sparkle. MAC have produced the perfect collection for this.

Now, as much as I would love to purchase the whole collection, I simply can't. However, I did come out of their store with a couple of goodies. So I thought I would share as I think the two pieces I picked are going to be part of my make up collection for a lot longer than Christmas!

This lipstick was top of my list after seeing it on Vivianna's blog. Salon Rouge is a limited edition matte finish lipstick, encased within limited edition black casing with flecks of silver sparkles running through it. Being such a magpie the glittery casing pretty much sold it to me straight away but, the colour is a total beaut as well.

Now, I'm no lipstick expert but, I can find matte lipsticks to be drying. This one claims to be matte, however it has a slight creamy texture. I always apply a lip balm or lip primer before wearing a coloured lip and, this goes on really well without having to layer.

It's described as a berry red, and I would say that is just what it is. After wearing Mac's Ruby Woo a lot over the Summer, I've been looking for a darker red lipstick for Winter and this one ticks all the boxes.

I'm keeping everything crossed they make this part of their lipstick collection permanently!

Heirloom Mix Mineralize Blush in Sweet Sentiment

The colour is described as a 'rosy pink' The colour is one you can build up as it does go on quite light when you apply it for the first time. It's also really easy to blend which, is one of the biggest selling points for me when it comes to blush. 

At the start of each season, I like to stock up on my some wardrobe basics. This changes with the weather, and the pieces above are a few of my staples that I know I will rely on over the Autumn Winter season. 

From the top:

(f)Leather skirt, Zara

This skirt is perfect for all year round. I've been looking for the perfect faux leather skirt for a while now, and this one fits the bill. I love pairing different textured pieces together, so I'll be teaming this with a lot of chunky knits and blouses. 

Fine Knit Jumper, Topshop

This ticked all the boxes when I went hunting for the perfect jumper. I have a slight obsession with chunky knits, so I wanted something a little...less chunky! This is great for layering and, even though it is a fine knit jumper, it's still really warm. The fit is lovely too - loose enough to fit a top underneath or to wear alone, and not look like it's too big for me. It also comes in more colours. 

Vest top, Topshop

I have this style in various other colours - it's so soft and such a lovely fit. They also wash really well and keep their shape which, I think is quite rare for Topshop basics! These stay in my wardrobe all year round as they are great for the warmer months as well. 

HEATTECH T Shirt, Uniqlo

Now, my mother has been going on about this collection from Uniqlo for the last couple of years and, I can see why! 'Thermals' is probably one of the least attractive words when you think of clothing but, this is clever. It may look like any other t shirt (here comes the science bit) but, the collection is made out of a cutting-edge fabric which takes body heat and stores it within air pockets deep within the fibres to keep you warm.

What are your must have pieces that you consider to be wardrobe staples or basics?

Layering in this weather is something I love to do. My over the knee boots have hardly left my feet since the weather turned and, neither has this oversized jumper. I have a little love affair with oversized jumpers at the moment...something I think won't be going away anytime soon.

Jumper: H&M

Jacket: Pretty Little Thing

Boots: Carvela Kurt Geiger*

Jeans: Topshop

Clutch: & Other Stories

When I was at the Debenhams Winter Beauty press day a few weeks ago (read all about it here) I was introduced to the Naked 2 Basics Palette by Urban Decay. I'd heard about their palettes before on various beauty blogs I read - there seems to be a lot of love for them in the beauty blogging world! 

After having a little play with it at the press day, I decided that I needed it in my make up collection. 

The palette itself includes six neutrals, including five never-before-seen shades. These shadows are neutral enough for anyone. One of the shades, Skimp turns out to be an ideal highlighter.

See? It really is a perfect palette!

This palette is a dream. The shades are great for someone that hasn't really dabbled in eyeshadow before, or likes to keep their make up quite simple. It is also small in size, so will fit in a handbag. 

Skimp (pale nude satin)

Stark (nude-pink matte)

Frisk (warm grey matte)

Cover (muted red-brown matte)

Primal (muted brown matte)

Undone (deep, smoky, brown matte)

Available at Debenhams and online here

I popped along with the lovely Rosie and Fiona to have a little peek, and decided that I will definitely be popping back in soon and making an appointment - it was so lovely and calm and the team were very attentive and helpful. Rosie had an appointment arranged prior with one of the personal shoppers so we met her in there and had a catch up before sneaking off with a glass of champagne for a skip around the store.
One of my favourite pairings is Champagne and shoes.

They're a perfect match.

I spent some time walking around in this coat and seriously beautiful knee-highs, before begrudgingly taking them off and putting them back.
They're both on my wish list for now but, I will be back for them both soon enough.

My new season wardrobe need these.

I think I speak for all the women in Brighton when I say, thanks Topshop for finally bringing 22,000 sq. of clothes, shoes and accessories to us.

I was recently thinking about what I'd serve up if I was hosting a Fireworks night party. Aside from the usual hot dogs, I would definitely consider this recipe as it's just as easy to do. 

A couple of weekends ago, the boys went and watched the football. After coming home a little cold, and hungry I decided to whip them up something quick and easy that I new they'd devour in minutes.

Anyone that likes meat will love this.

You will need:

1 red onion, sliced thinly

Steaks. The cut is up to you. I used Sandwich steaks from Waitrose (2 per sandwich)

Gem lettuce

wholegrain mustard

large know of butter

Dark brown sugar

Fresh bread

Start by taking the steaks out of the fridge at least an hour before you're cooking them. This brings them up to room temperature.

Heat up a frying pan and add the brown sugar and butter. Heat until the butter and sugar are melted, then add your onions. Mixing them in to the sugar and butter.
If they start catching, add a little water and then cover, leaving them for around 20-25 minutes.

Season your steaks and heat up a griddle pan until it's searing hot. Cook them for 3 minutes on each side then leave to rest on a plate for 2 minutes.
Whilst the steaks are resting, cut up your bread in to chunks and slice down the middle so you get a roll. Place in the griddle pan and allow to warm through in the meat juices whilst you cut your steak in to slices.

Open a bottle of wine and get your mouth round this beast of a sandwich!
Safe to say, I gained some good girlfriend points for feeding two hungry men.