BLOGMAS 2017 || DAY 4 - MY TOP 10 CHRISTMAS MOVIES

1) Love Actually:
This is probably one of my all-time favourite movies ever made, not just for Christmas! It's very heartwarming and a great film for the whole family to watch together.

2) Elf:
Well, what can I say?! This is the number 1 family movie. It is funny, it is sweet, it is suitable for kids from a young age... Elf is many people's favourite movie and an obvious choice for this list.

3) The Holiday:
This is the perfect movie if you fancy something light-hearted and need to restore your faith in love (or humanity in some cases). This movie always makes me appreciate older people and their past, as well as driving me to do more good deeds.

4) Home Alone:
Duh! I don't think there's much I can say about this film other than that it is something I grew up watching every year on Christmas Eve before bed. It has a lot of sentimental meaning to my family and I'm sure I'll be watching it in 20 days!

5) The Nightmare Before Christmas:
Some people will find this film scary and others will argue that it's a Halloween movie, but to me, it will always be a Christmas film I enjoyed watching when I was little.

6) A Christmas Carol:
Yet again, this film can be a little scary for little ones because of the ghosts in Scrooge's life, but it is a classic and a must-watch every Christmas for me.

7) The Polar Express:
I have a very fond memory of this movie as it was the very first time I watched a 3D film at the cinema. I loved the storyline and the characters in this film, and it will bring Christmas spirit to all the Scrooges out there!

8) Arthur Christmas:
I have only watched this movie for the first time a year ago, but I have seen it around 5 times since because of how good it is! I love how happy and excited James McAvoy sounds as Arthur, and it just melts my heart!

9) The Santa Clause:
I can imagine my dad really enjoying this film, I'm not sure if he's already seen it but it's his type of humour! It'll definitely make its way on my movie playlist this season.

10) Fred Claus:
Last but not least, a Christmas comedy that's worth watching! I absolutely adore Vince Vaughn, I think he's a fantastic actor and any film with him is great but this one is definitely one of the best!

What do you like to watch during the festive season? Can you recommend any more movies for me to watch?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

BLOGMAS 2017 || DAY 3 - GIFT IDEAS FOR OLDER WOMEN

Do you find yourself running around the shops trying to find the perfect gift for someone who's difficult to buy for? Well, here's a little gift guide for older women that are difficult to buy for!

Personally, I love reed diffusers and can't get enough of them as they make my house smell amazing all year around. This little Linea set from House of Fraser will make an amazing gift for home-makers and those who like scented things in general but not wanting any more candles, haha... If you fancy splashing out a little bit then I would also suggest looking at the Jo Malone or Molton Brown reed diffusers.

Another gift you could look into is high-end accessories. I got these beautiful Erdem knee-high socks from H&M when they did a limited edition collaboration in November, however, I know you can still get these from time to time if you keep checking online. You can find some similar at House of Fraser by Biba if you're wanting to save a bit of money.

This weather has really been horrible the past few days and I've found myself having to apply ten layers of hand cream in order to treat my dry and cold hands when all I really needed was a good pair of gloves. I got these gorgeous Gucci-style gloves from Primark for only £8 and I think they'll make a great gift for those who are always cold! They can make any outfit look very stylish and effortless, and for only £8 you got yourself a bargain.

What will you be buying for your loved ones this year?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

BLOGMAS 2017 || DAY 2 - A GUIDE TO PICKING YOUR PERFECT CHRISTMAS CARDS

Like I've mentioned in my Blogmas Day 1 post, the theme I'm going for this Christmas is red and white/silver, so choosing Christmas cards wasn't a massive issue for me. As you can see in the pictures above, I picked out two hand-crafted designs from Card Factory which only cost me 99p each for 10 beautiful cards in each box.
I picked out the cards with the red truck for obvious reasons - the cards are white with a bit of red and glitter, what else could I ask for?! However, the black ones are left over from last year and will be given to my friends who aren't exchanging gifts this year as I'd like for my cards to match my wrapping paper (yes, it is red and white...).

If you don't have a theme and would like to choose something more personalised then I suggest looking at Etsy shops. You could also support your local charities by buying your Christmas cards from them as the money collected will be donated to people in need, such as Cancer Research UK.

What Christmas cards will you be buying this year?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

BLOGMAS 2017 || DAY 1 - MINI DECORATIVE PRIMARK HAUL

I think I must have started my Christmas shopping in September this year as Primark had brought out the cutest bits and bobs and I couldn't resist a good deal! I picked up these cute little glittery tealights to decorate my coffee table, and the gingerbread tealight to put on my bedside table right next to this cute little reed diffuser.

The set of tealights also came in different colours, but I chose this one as the theme I'm going for this year is red and white/silver (the gold can be saved for NYE, hehe). The gingerbread man tea light is such a cute little addition to any candle lovers' collection. It would look gorgeous on a mantelpiece next to a big garland or surrounded by cute little fairy lights.

The Winter Spiced Frosted Cinamon reed diffuser sits proudly on a shelf in my bathroom for an extra festive feeling. My whole flat is surrounded by cute little festive decorations and scents which I'm excited to share with you in upcoming Blogmas posts!

What are your favourite decorations for Christmas? (Besides the obvious, duh).

Lots of love,

Maya xo

REVIEW || INDEED LABS Q10 BOOSTER & EYSILIX 2 TOTAL EYE RESCUER - SKINCARE ITEMS TO START USING IN YOUR 20'S

Now that my 22nd birthday is just around the corner I've been feeling the need to step up my skincare game and start using anti-ageing products. By that, I am not saying that you should start using anti-ageing skincare, all I'm trying to say is that I started to notice lines under my eyes and darker circles under them so I thought now is the time to finally start using products to aid my ageing process in the most natural and graceful way.

I was recently gifted some Indeed Laboratories products by the lovely Maddy from Bux & Bewl including the Q10 Booster and the Eysilix 2 Total Eye Rescuer and I couldn't wait to try them.
Both products are designed for fine lines and wrinkles - whether that's on your face or crow's feet, there's something available for everyone.

The Q10 Booster also helps to defend against free-radicals, is paraben, colourant and fragrance-free and on top of that feels amazing on my skin. The booster is said to be used twice a day (morning and night), either on its own or mixed with a serum, moistures or foundation - I prefer to use it on its own before moisturising, however, it also works amazingly applied onto a beauty sponge before blending foundation. I have noticed an instant glow to my skin and been trying to use this product as instructions say (twice daily), and have also seen a difference in how my skin feels and looks. The Vitamin E and Vitamin C which slow down the ageing process and are antioxidants that get rid oxidant chemicals that are caused by literally everything.

The Eysilix 2 is a 'total eye rescue cream formulated with peptides, ceramides, extracts and probiotics to help instantly smooth wrinkles and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness around the eyes'. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it sort of is... just like the Q10 booster, this eye cream is free of parabens, colourants and fragrance, and feels amazing on the skin. It's very light-weight and absorbs really quickly so it doesn't mean that you'll have to get up early in the morning just to fit in a new skincare routine as this one only takes a couple of minutes! I do find that this fills up the lines around my eyes nicely and allows my makeup to sit on top of my skin without sinking - I did tell you it was a dreamy product!

These two are honestly some of my new favourite skincare products and I would highly recommend them to all who are wanting to start an anti-ageing skincare routine as these are suitable for all skin types - even sensitive so you can't really go wrong with them now, can you?!

You can purchase the Q10 Booster here, and the Eysilix 2 here.

Lots of love,

Maya xo