Christmas Shoeboxes

Christmas is just around the corner and we all spend so much time thinking of what we want and what to get our friends and family that we sometimes forget about those that are less fortunate. 

Operation Christmas Child is an organisation which, with the help of the general public, works hard to get presents to children less fortunate than us all around the world. 

It's not a difficult thing to do, it's not expensive and it's just one way for you to spread some christmas cheer for others who won't really get a good christmas this year.

You can do as many or as little as you like, for a boy or a girl and age groups 2 - 4, 5 - 9, 10 - 14.

As the age groups that struggle the most are boys and girls age 10 - 14, these are the two boxes which I decided to make...

These are the two boxes which I made, I had to rush them a little bit because the deadline is very soon so I just took one trip to Wilko's after work and got almost everything there - that way I didn't end up spending too much either - although I probably could have done it cheaper still. 

I put these 'essentials' into the boxes for both the boy and the girl - I know this is things that these children will need and also a luxury that they won't usually have. You don't have to add all of this but I think it makes a nice extra and the wash bag is so that these children can keep all their things together.

Toothbrush: 80p

Toothpaste: 97p

Soap: 75p

Wash Cloth: 30p

Wash Bag: £1

Hairbands: £1

Deodorant: £1.40

I also added essentials that the samaritans recommend. A hat and gloves each to keep kids warm and some kind of schooling tools - I chose a simple pad and pencils so that they can both write and draw with them. The hat and gloves, especially for the girl, were more money than I wanted to spend, but my Granma knits her own in advance so that is something you could think about doing - or buying in a sale before Christmas!

Boys Hat & Gloves: £4

Girls Hat & Gloves: £7

Pencils: 50p

Pads (x3): £1

And then for the fun part! The toys! Every child deserves toys at Christmas. These aren't huge or expensive - but things that they will really appreciate. I got the boy a 'make your own aeroplane', bouncy balls and a slinky. I got the girl a little stuffed pig, a harmonica and a yo-yo.

I also think treats are good for christmas, we all love sweet things at this time of year! But unfortunately you can't send chocolate, so I found these large lollies for the kids to have in their parcels.

Slinky: £1

Bouncy Balls: £1

Make Your Own Plane: £1

Santa Lollipop: £1

Stuffed Pig: £1.50

Ladybird Yo-Yo: £1

Ladybird Harmonica: £2.50

Pink Swirl Lollipop: £1

Overall, I spent a lot more than I needed or wanted to, but because I was in a rush I didn't keep tally of what I spent and just wanted to get out of the shops!

But these kids will really appreciate it, but they will also appreciate everything you give them so no matter how much money you have, spare a few quid to make a Christmas box for people who have a little bit less than you.

If you want to get involved,

make sure you get your boxes done soon and hand them into your nearest collection point.

Or get your boxes done for next year and do a few extra - spreading the cost across the year!

My Great Aunt used to do about 50 a year!

You can even get good little stocking fillers and mini gifts for the boxes in the January Sales.

Camden Town

I do love a day out in London, it's so close to home and I don't make the most of it like I should.

There's so much culture and so much to do. 

Everyone thinks a London day out is really expensive, but it doesn't have to be!

I spent the day in Camden with my mum, just having a look around the market and getting some food.

Now, normally we would eat in the market, as there's so much to choose from and at such cheap prices. But today we both fancied a drink so we decided to go into a little pub by the lock. Its all pretty basic food, we had a chicken burger and a halloumi burger, but it was nice and the view was too. But I would probably choose to eat from my usual little Mexican next time, it does the best burritos ever.

 

We went walking round the market shops and found this most crazy and scary taxidermy vintage shop ever, 'Fleming Antiques'. I hate things like this and seeing a big old deer head staring at me freaked me out but I also wanted to go in and look - it's not something you see every day. But I definitely wouldn't want a dead animal of my own hanging in my front room.

The rest of camden is good though, and apart from the food stalls it's dead animal free!

Record shops, food stalls, walks around the canals and a clothes and accessories market - as well as many other things - Camden is a perfect day out, and also can be very cheap. You don't have to buy things, you can simply just look round and its still a great day out! It's a very unique part of London so if you haven't visited already - make sure you do - there's something for everyone!

What's your favourite part of London - or Camden!?

Sleek Uncovered

Introducing Sleek Contouring Make Up; Affordable Prices, Perfect Outcome. 

I have never been one to step out of my comfort zone when it comes to make up. My day and night routine is very simple and similar and I decided that it was time to change that. I've seen a lot about contouring online, especially with Kimmy K's face plastered absolutely everywhere and I just wanted to try it for myself. 

It's not hard to find out how to contour, Youtube is covered in tutorials and "how-to's". It's being able to find the right make-up at an affordable price that's the problem...

That's where Sleek MakeUp comes in.

I thought I should start with the basics for contouring, and if I liked it I'd go back for more.

But I think with these two palettes I have more than enough to get used to contouring!

Corrector & Concealer Palette (02): £7.99

Face FORM; Contouring and Brush Palette: £9.99

{I also brought the 2 brushes; Superdrug Pro Foundation Brush £8.99 & Superdrug Pro Concealer Brush £4.99}

The concealer palette is creamy and smooth, making it extremely easy to blend into your skin and it hides any blemishes even with the thinest layer. The contouring and blush palette is amazing; the bronzer is matte so creates real shadow-like sculptures on your face and the highlighting powder has a lovely sheen which makes your skin glow. All of the products have good pigmentation and glide on easily. The rose gold blush is gorgeous and is the perfect finishing touch for this contour kit.

I've never tried another contour kit before, but I think with this Sleek Makeup Face Form Palette I won't be needing to!

I 100% recommend it to everyone, and I hope that Sleek create's a creme palette soon too!

{During and after pics of contouring. They're not the best but they are an example of what you can easily achieve}

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Sleek loves Gel Nails (Purplesque): £4.99

True Colour Lipstick (Vamp): £4.99

I also brought these two products as in Superdrug all cosmetics are 3 for 2.

I haven't yet tried the lipstick yet, as you can see when I opened it someone had already messed with it and squashed the top - absolute pet hate of mine. Also, in the store it looked a very different colour to what it does in daylight. The nail varnish and lipstick were very similar in fluorescent lights, both a purpley colour, but in day light they are very different. 

I have however used the nail varnish, it comes out very smooth and neat and looks beautiful on - it even has the 'gel' effect they're trying to give. However, it does only last for a day - 2 at a push - I think in comparison to a product like Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, considering price and durability, I would definitely continue to choose Barry M.

Sleek may have their contour kit down to a 'T' but they now need to work on their nail varnish!

Does anyone have any other Sleek Makeup that they would recommend?

Or any other high-street brands of contouring kits?

I hope this has inspired some of you to get creative with your make up,

You don't always have to stick to the same old!

Tower Poppies | Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red

I have seen endless photos and comments about the Tower Poppies on Facebook and Twitter; everyone is absolutely amazed at the beautiful scenes that are surrounding the Tower of London. The 888,246 poppies have been beautiful placed around the tower to represent each and every soldier that fell for us during the First World War, a completely breathtaking acknowledgement of their courage.

After seeing the appeal on social networking I decided to take a trip into London with my mum to see them for myself...

{even panorama couldn't capture the beauty}

{This was the sweetest old man, showing off his Australian Medals}

{classic day out selfie with Mumsi}

These pictures don't do the installation any justice, if you are able to get down to London to see these poppies then make sure you do! They will be up until the 11th November. 

On the 11th, Remembrance Day, there will be a ceremony and 2 minutes silence which I will be going to, (with my camera!) and on Remembrance Sunday my Grandad - who fought in the war and was on the beach on D-Day - will be making a speech! So keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming photos / videos!

     You can see Prince Will and Harry, and Duchess Kate planting poppies here.

     You can see The Queen visiting the sea of poppies here.

     You can even buy a poppy, with the proceeds going to charity, here.

     You can follow the hype on Instagram through their account or #TowerPoppies.

But social networking aside,

All of you must all get down there and see this amazing sight..

Before it's too late!!!!