My favourite festive and wintery candles

OK, so any one that knows me personally will know that I am obsessed with candles, I just cannot have enough of them.  They are the best cure for wintry nights in and create such an amazing atmosphere, making you feel so relaxed.  So I thought  I would share some of my favourite Christmas and winter candles of the moment.

Off course it wouldn't be Christmas without the smell of cinnamon, I cant stand the smell any other time of the year, but I NEED to have a cinnamon candle at Christmas otherwise it would not be complete, my favourite one is the Yankee Candle Cinnamon stick.

I find the bigger jars are better value for money and you can use them year after year.  The tea lights are great as well for just the Christmas period.  I always find Yankee candles give the best scents and stay lingering a lot longer.

  

Another favourite Christmas scent is Christmas cookie...it smells delicious, makes you want to eat it all up. I don't know if you remember, but it smells like the cup cake dolls, that you used to get years ago as children, so it brings back great memories

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Candles that I love to burn all winter and not just at Christmas, are warm and spicy ones, I don't like anything to citrus, so anything with vanilla tones are perfect.  One candle that is so yummy is, Snow in Love, it's a beautiful warm scent and very romantic, I actually got bought this one as an engagement present, so I love burning it when I have a cosy night in with my fiance.  

My last must have wintry scent is Cranberry Ice.  I love the smell of berries and cranberries and a lot of sweet smells, so this one is ideal after the Christmas period for a sweet, warm scent to spend those cold nights in.

Christmas in Belfast

While I was back in N.Ireland, after spending the whole summer in Ibiza, I was just dying to go to the Christmas market in Belfast because i haven't been since i lived in N.Ireland, which was about six years ago.  I remember it being so beautifully lit up and such a beautiful Christmas experience, so there was no question about it I had to go!

And off course it didn't disappoint , it was just how I remembered it.  If you get a chance to go, I highly recommend going, there are lots of yummy food and treats from all over the world,  and its a wonderful experience to share with all the family or friends.  I recommend going when it starts to get dark, it looks so much prettier when it's all lit up!

Beside Belfast City hall ( I think)

It was absolutely freezing, definitely not Ibiza weather!!!! hahah

These where my favourite things at the market, they are just too cute.

I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy a Christmas market in your own town or city. I would love to visit some in different countries so that is my goal, to make sure I see a different market every year!

Sending all my love, and a very merry christmas to everyone!

Cranberry dream

Nail rescue....

Looking after your nails, ensures a polished and groomed look ! Your hands are being used every day so some TLC from time to time is much need to ensure healthy nails.

You have to give nails a chance to rest from week to week, so a full manicure once a week is more than enough, (if you suffer from damaged nails).  Once they are repaired once every 4-6 weeks is perfect.

I have been helping a new client get her nails in tip top condition over a three week period.  So here it is...

                                               Before                                             After   

Products i used

Clairns hand and nail treatment cream

Jessica phenomenal oil

Jessica nourish cuticle softener

Jessica nail file 

Cuticle pusher and cuticle clippers.

Nails before the treatment

1) For each treatment, i started with exfoliating the hands, and rinsing.
Filing the nails short, and soaking them in water with antibacterial lotion.


                                          

   After treatment 1

2) I then pushed back the cuticles, and trimmed them to get rid of excess skin. Nourishing them with cuticle cream.

3) A hand massage after really helped stimulate blood flow to the nails and hand, and soothed any tension out of fingers.

4) Cuticle oil around the nail bed then, will help add more moisture.

5) Finally a base coat and natural nail colour, to add shine. After each week, you can add more colour as the nails improve in appearance.

                                                        

                                           Treatment two

Last treatment - treatment 3

To really look after your nails, it is important to give them some love from time to time.  A gently file once a week to keep them short, will prevent breakage and splitting.  If you suffer from very dry cuticles, a little cuticle cream or oil around them every night will help to repair them.  Once nails are repaired, using the cuticle oil every other night  will ensure they are keep in good condition. (Not forgetting hand cream as often as possible as well).

Strong mind....positive thoughts

Lets admit it who can be positive and happy all day every day, no one can, THAT'S LIFE! But we can all try to think positive and try our best to keep positivity in our life.

When you are having a bad day, it's so easy to focus your entire thinking on that one moment or thing that has made your day like that! We focus on it and let it eat away at us, thinking about it over and over again,  until it consumes us and creates a negative force field all day!

But then ask yourself whats the worst that can happen? Is this really the end of the world, is it really that bad? Surround your self, with thoughts and ideas that see the good in the bad situation, "Ive lost my job, but I've still got a home," "Im broke, but ive still got my health or family".  A positive will always appear opposite a negative, you just need to open your mind and see it! Practice gratitude for all the things you do have.

Our mind is a powerful tool, and we at any time can change how we feel! Remember you are stronger than you think.

How you feel in any one moment is so important to you and your life..because what you are feeling right now.... Is CREATING your life.

When I am having a bad day ,I listen to music that brings back good memories, I look at pictures of holidays and adventures and remember my blessings of that happy time. I keep positive quotes on my night stand and on my laptop, so every day I remember my blessings or I watch a tv program that makes me laugh.

If you are feeling really down and depressed, never be alone, force yourself to socialise, it forces you through any situation, and every thing happens for a reason. That person that you are with might say something which will make a lot of sense to you, almost that you were meant to be with that person right there and then, to strengthen you and make you come to terms with certain situations.

Always remember that you are not alone, others are going through the exact same thing.  But how you feel will pass! Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it will.  Just keep your head high and stay strong and remember good things are coming your way!

Take each day as a new start, forget yesterday, and don't think about tomorrow, just be here, in the moment, stay focused on who you are right now, and create each day like a new start, a new beginning.  Remember your mind controls how you feel, you can change that! Be in control!

Remember there is always strength to be found.

My every day, go to, makeup look

On a normal day to day basis, I don't usually wear much makeup.  I don't like my skin to feel heavy or clogged.  If I have a morning appointment or a lunch date, I will add a touch of natural eyeshadows to complete my look.

I like to keep my look clean and fresh, so I use a tinted moisturiser and a concealer for my base.   A light dust of powder to conceal any shine and a sweeping of bronzer to add colour.  Blush is light and feathery to give a hint of colour.

Eyes are keep clean and natural with one coat of mascara and eyebrows and filled in to give definition. On a daily basis I only wear lip conditioner or a hint of pink gloss if I'm going somewhere special.

Products I use:

Tinted moisture : Clairns Hydra-quench tinted moisturiser, No 4 Blond
Concealer: Kiko full coverage concealer,  No 4
Powder: Clairns Ever Matt pressed powder , No1 transparent light
Bronzer: Clairns Mosaique
Blusher: Sleek aqua collection, mirrored pink
Mascara : Kiko Volume definition, black
Eyebrows: Clairns eyebrow kit, using mid to dark brown.

Natural, Home-made remedies for dry skin

Getting used to the cold and wet weather in Ireland, from glorious Ibiza, has had a dramatic effect on my skin, turning it  dry, flaky and extremely tight and uncomfortable!  In cold weather your skin cant produce enough natural oil to stay hydrated and there is not enough moisture in the air to keep skin moisturised.  As a solution drinking 2 litres of water a day, and eating as much fresh fruit and veg as you can, will help.  But off course we all know what you put into your body will show on the outside, you can also help from the outside by using natural solutions to help the appearance of your skin.

I always recommend using natural products, or as natural as possible when it comes to skincare! So what is easier than using home products?!  So you know exactly what you are putting on your skin!

Scrub and Mask:

For the facial scrub use 3/4 teaspoon of brown sugar and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix them together to create a paste and apply to your face with small,gentle, circular motions for approx two minutes, concentrating around the corners of the nose, forehead and chin.  Then wash it off with tepid water and pat dry!


 Sugar is full of glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and is usually a key ingredient in pricey products. The natural glycolic acid in sugar not only helps condition and moisturize skin, but protect it from toxins. Brown sugar is a gentler exfoliatant, making it ideal for super-sensitive skin.

Lemons contain juice that is high in vitamin C and antixidants that has an abundance of fruit acids and sugars that are great for acting as an exfoliant, blackhead remover and skin brightener.













The mask
For the face mask, I used 4 teaspoons of honey, and the yolk off an egg, (only the yolk).  Then mix together until well blended and apply a thick layer to your face.  Leave it on the skin for 15 minutes, and wash off with tissue or cloth and pat dry.  Follow with your favourite moisturiser.

Honey can do wonders for your skin. Honey acts as an anti-aging agent, and moisturizer.  Additionally, it contains anti-bacterial  properties and natural antioxidants which help to protect the skin from sun rays and facilitates the skin’s ability to rejuvenate and refresh exhausted looking skin, thus leaving it soft and silky.   Honey also has the ability to absorb and retain moisture and this helps in keeping the skin well hydrated, fresh and supple

If you suffer from dry skin only use the yolk of an egg, as this is the most moisturising part, and contains more Vitamin A, helping to keep your skin soft and nourished.  It also helps to brighten the appearance of skin and bring it back to life.

KIKO ...my new makeup must haves

While I was in Ibiza for 5 months, I came across a little hidden gem , KIKO cosmetics! Why oh why have I never heard of them?..After a little investigation, I found out it is mainly a european store, with only one in the UK!

After coming across the store, in the heart of Ibiza town, I just had to have a play with their products and see what this fabulous brand was!

Ok so I did spend an hour, browsing all the products (much to my fiances frustration), from foundations, to cleansers and nail polishes! And my oh my..i was in LOVE!!!!!! The products are just FABULOUS! I purchased a few items, so I could try them out properly at home.  I was desperate for a foundation, so I picked up the medium foundation in colour B4 , a loose pigment in the colour 31 and the 212 eyeshadow brush and the gel foaming cleanser .  Everything seems to have a number instead of names for colours, so can get confusing! A lot of the products are highly pigmented and are almost MAC standard, but half the price!

Reviews

Whilst being in Ibiza I started to develop a beautiful golden tan, as one does! So I wanted a light to medium coverage foundation that I could use in the evening for a little coverage on nights out.  The texture of this foundation is beautiful, its very light and creamy, and at first goes on beautifully.  It is a moisturising foundation so its easy to blend, and doesn't dry too quickly on your skin. It gives a semi matt/slight dewy finish ( I did find I had to powder down my nose and chin area as looked a little shiny and to set the areas)! However it does claim to be a medium cover foundation, I would say it's a light coverage...but as this is what I wanted I didn't mind at all.  Colour wise it's a little light for my skin tone, but with bronzer to warm it up it is fine. I also found it didn't last all night , it did go a little patchy and i had to use powder to blend and set it again a few times during the night. It is the cheapest out of the foundation ranges at kiko, however not sure whither I would purchase it again, I would say it was ok, but not wow!




The loose eyeshadow pigment, was a product I was recommended by the makeup artist that worked in the store.  I was desperate for a new powder highlighter, so she recommended this pigment, that looks lilac, but when applied it has a beautifully golden glow.  It is a very warm toned highlighter, depending if you prefer colder ,silvery tones or warm golden tones you will love this product.  I loved the warm tone especially with a tan, it gives a subtle hint of highlight, beautiful for the cheek bone or to highlight the eyebrow bone.  A little bit goes a long way, as too much brings out the lilac tone, which looks great as a eyeshadow but not so great as a highlighter.  So a soft hand with a highlighting brush is key for this product.  It is a very creamy texture so is easily blended if too much is used!  Definitely a favourite of mine!!! Retailed at €5.90

This eyeshadow brush is fantastic. The brush range isn't that extensive, and there isn't much selection, but I was on the look out for a small eyeshadow brush to use for packing on eyeshadow and defining the outer edges of my eye.  The one I got is the 212 eyeshadow brush.  It's a very light and compact brush, which means you don't get a lot of product fall when applying your eyeshadow! Highly recommended.

Lastly I purchased the foaming gel cleanser for combination to oily skin. KIKO skincare is paraben free,hypoallergenic and non comedogenic..so I was very excited to try this. I found my skin was needing a good cleanse after a days work, as the heat was very intense, and I was sweating like crazy I needed a good wash to make sure my skin didn't get clogged up.  This cleanser was great, it's  a foaming gel cleansing so a little goes a long way, and it didn't leave my skin dry or tight like a lot of foam cleansers, it left it feeling refreshed and squeaky clean.  The one thing im not sure about however is the smell it's a little bland, not unpleasant just a little boring.  I hate chemically smelling products, but I do love the smell of oils, as I use a lot of essential oils on my skin, so I would have liked them to use some natural oils in it, but price wise that would make it a lot more expensive..so considering it was only  €6.90  I cant complain… But i would definitely recommend it for a normal to oily skin type. ( KIKO currently have a 30% off skin care at min, it's only €4.80)

oh my gosh im living in IBIZA

It just sudenly hit me today, im actually living in IBIZA, AHHH!! :)

ok so ive only been here 4 weeks, but its AMAZING!!!! and im in love, with the sun, the sea and the lifestyle!

I havent actually got to explore much, as ive been busy finding some where to live and have started work with a massage company, but hold one, ive got another 4 months to explore, so at the minute im just enjoying each day, and soaking up what ibiza has to offer! i am super excited to do summer look books, summer inspired makeup looks and all my new beauty finds , right here in ibiza so stay tuned, because all things fabulous has been bitten with  the IBIZA fever! ( and a few mosiquotes...eww)