Blogmas

Monday, 14 December 2020

2020 || THE BLOGMAS TAG



You might already know that I love a good old themed post tag. I recently participated in a Halloween Tag and was nominated to participate in a Christmas one by the lovely Kay from The Craft Room and Beyond

Saturday, 14 December 2019

BLOGMAS 2019 || BEAUTY LOVERS' GIFT GUIDE FOR ALL AGES - WHAT TO GIFT A BEAUTY JUNKIE

*This post contains a PR press sample and affiliate links.

Being such a big fan of anything beauty related, I feel like I could be seen as a trusty source when looking for Christmas presents.

The Ordinary has been a brand that I've been wanting to try for a while but never quite got round to researching the right products for my skin type. Some of the products I have bought are 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, and High-Adherence Silicone Primer. The first and third products are great for all skin types, especially for those that are looking for a radiant complexion look. The second item is best for acne-prone skin as it helps to unclog pores and clear the skin from bacteria. It is one of my favourite skincare products I've ever tried. 

Eye Majic World's First Instant Eyeshadow (PR Press Sample) is a press on eyeshadow, giving an instant colourful look on the eye. This product is available in 24 shades, so you won't feel limited to just one eye look. I think these are great for those who don't have much time to get ready in the mornings but want to add a bit of colour to their daily makeup look. Eye Majic is also very hygienic (one-use product), cruelty-free, paraben-free and recyclable which makes it the perfect product for everyone! It retails at £5.99 for 5 applicators or £19.99 for 20. You can find Eye Majic Press On Shadows here.


Lancome has to be a mum's favourite brand, doesn't it? My mum was the person that introduced me to the brand, and even though it might be seen as an "older lady's brand" it definitely has some amazing products for all skin types and ages. The best, and probably the priciest, range from Lancome is Absolue Premium. The ones you can see in the picture are the day cream and the night cream, and I have received them as part of Lancome's Gift with Purchase. These make great gifts to those who are looking for anti-ageing products or really like the brand.

Another great choice for gifting a beauty lover is anything from Morphe. I bought the 25B Bronzed Mocha and 25D Oh Boy palettes to give to my sister this year as they were amazing value at only £12 when I bought them! Whether you're shopping for someone who has "too much makeup" or doesn't wear much eyeshadow, I feel like you can't go wrong with a basic neutral eyeshadow palette especially at such an amazing price.

I hope you can take some inspiration from my post next time you look for Christmas presents for a beauty lover in your life!

Lots of love,
Maya xo

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

FOOD || SPICED ORANGE HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE (AD)


*This post is sponsored and includes a gifted product.

I'm probably the biggest fan of chocolate and spice at the same time haha. I can't go a day without having something sweet as a treat, but I also have to have some sort of spice in my meals too so I thought why not combine the two? So I came up with my own little twist on a regular orange hot chocolate which I hope you will love as much as I do.

You will need:
Hot chocolate powder
Orange zest or essence
Ground cinnamon (I use Schwartz)
Milk of your choice

Method:

1. Measure out a mug (or two if you are treating someone else) of milk and pour it into a pan. Heat up the milk on slow heat and gently bring to boil.

2. While the milk is heating up, grate a tablespoon worth of orange zest (around half an orange) and add into the pan. You can add half a teaspoon of orange essence into the milk instead if you don't have any fresh oranges available.

3. Add 3 heaped teaspoons of the hot chocolate powder and half a teaspoon of cinnamon into the boiling milk and turn down the heat.


4. Stir the mixture constantly until it is fully heated. I like my hot chocolate very hot to warm up in winter so I usually keep it on the heat for 5 minutes after boiling.

5. Pour half the drink into your favourite mug and add any extras you desire. I usually add a generous helping of whipped cream and marshmallows with orange zest and cinnamon sprinkled on top.

Tip: If you are using fresh orange zest and don't like pulp-like texture then make sure you strain the mixture through a sieve before serving to ensure your hot drink is smooth.



This is my favourite hot drink to have during Winter. I find that it warms me up from the very first sip I take, but it's also quite filling so makes a great dessert or breakfast for all chocolate lovers.

As this post is a collaboration with Schwartz, I wanted to clarify that I buy all of my seasonings from this brand anyway. I believe that Schwartz offers the best quality and variety of herbs and spices on the market. You can purchase the Schwartz Ground Cinnamon spice that I have used in my recipe here.

*This post is sponsored and includes a gifted product, however, all my opinions are genuine and my own. This post does not include affiliate links.

What is your favourite Wintery drink? Have you ever made a spiced orange hot chocolate? Let me know if you're going to try my recipe!

Lots of love,
Maya xo

Friday, 29 November 2019

BLOGMAS 2019 || GIFT GUIDE FOR MEN

Every year I struggle with finding what to get for my partner, my dad and my brother for Christmas (and birthdays). I always want it to be a thoughtful yet practical present that they will like, and nothing rubbish they will open and force a smile at.

This year I have put together a modern gift guide for the men in your life based on their interests and different budgets. I have decided to go for 5 different interests: gamer, sports fan, animal lover, musician and outgoer. I know that I can pick at least one item from every list for my boyfriend, dad AND brother and they are all different ages starting from 11. If I can find something for my loved ones, then I'm sure you can too!


1. GIFTS FOR A GAMER:

- The newest Xbox/PlayStation console
- Nintendo Switch
- Personalised controller - Scuf or ControllerModz
- T-shirt of their favourite character from a game


2. GIFTS FOR A MUSIC LOVER:

- Favourite band t-shirt
- An instrument
- Tickets to see their favourite singer/band
- A microphone and audio set


3. GIFTS FOR A SPORTS FAN:

- Men's tracksuit set
- Trainers
- Tickets to see their favourite sports club
- Favourite sports club t-shirt


4. GIFTS FOR ANIMAL LOVERS:

- An online animal adoption (to help save endangered species)
- Donating money to an animal shelter in their name
- Possibly adopt a pet from a shelter (if they can really look after it)
- A onesie representing their favourite animal


5. GIFTS FOR OUTGOERS:

- Cinema gift card
- Restaurant gift card
- A weekend away
- An escape room experience


Is there anything else you'd add to this list? I hope it helps with finding the best gift for the men in your life!

*This post is sponsored but all opinions are honest and my own.

Lots of love,
Maya xo

Sunday, 2 December 2018

TOP HOLIDAY MOVIES AND TV SHOWS TO GET YOU IN THE FESTIVE SPIRIT | AD


Can you actually believe that we’re already in December?! I’m sure it was July not long ago? This year has definitely been full of surprises. I graduated from university, moved to a new house with my boyfriend and started a new job which I absolutely love! Anyway, with December having approached us so quickly it only means one thing - Christmas is just around the corner in precisely 23 days!!! I’m so excited to finally be in my own house for Christmas this year and am very excited for next year. There is one thing that I always look forward to during this festive season - watching Christmas movies and tv shows. Surely I can't be the only one who constantly googles 'top Christmas movies' or 'what to watch in December'? This made me want to create my own list of festive shows and movies to share with you all, whether you celebrate Christmas or not I'm sure you will enjoy at least one of my choices!

Talking about Christmas movies, what do you watch yours on? Laptop? Tablet? TV? Because if you're after a new screen then I would highly recommend looking at 4K LED TV by Panasonic which can be found for as little as £660! I've been lusting over a new telly for a couple of years now and I'm hoping that my boyfriend will finally decide on which one to get!

If you’re struggling with finding what to watch this season, then go ahead and take a look at my choices down below:

MOVIES:
1. Home Alone
2. Home Alone 2
3. Home Alone 3
4. Home Alone 4
5. Elf
6. The Holiday
7. Love Actually
8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
9. The Grinch
10. Arthur Christmas
11. Polar Express
12. The Nightmare Before Christmas
13. A Christmas Carol
14. Gremlins
15. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
16. A Christmas Story
17. The Family Stone
18. A Family Man
19. Jingle All the Way
20. Jack Frost
21. The Princess Switch
22. The Nutcracker
23. The Muppet Christmas Carol
24. Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas
25. Miracle on 34th Street

TV SHOWS:
1. Gilmore Girls
2. Friends
3. Vampire Diaries
4. The Office
5. Once Upon A Time
6. Sherlock
7. Gavin & Stacey
8. That 70's Show
9. Gossip Girl
10. Miranda
11. Anne with an E
12. A Series of Unfortunate Events
13. Doctor Who
14. Good Witch
15. Gilmore Girls - A Year In The Life

I hope that this post has helped inspire you this festive season movie and tv show-wise. I’ve already started my day by watching an episode of Friends and will definitely finish it by watching one of the movies I’ve mentioned above 🎄

*This post is a collaboration with Panasonic and is sponsored. All opinions are my own as always.

Lots of love,
Maya xo
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