Hello 2015

Hi all, hope everyone had a brilliant Christmas. I just wanted to drop by and wish you all a Happy 2015. 

Personally I cannot wait to see the back of 2014. It has been a pretty tough year so am hoping next year will be better. I realise I have been a bit quiet lately and while  I won't go into too much detail I will say thank you to all the lovely Irish beauty bloggers who have been so kind and thoughtful We really do have a great little community. 

Here's to a great new year! One thing I cannot wait for is the arrival of our little baby. I am taking a bit of time off to spend with family and try get sorted for the little ones arrival. I have so little done! I  have a few posts scheduled while I de stress a bit. As always I will be hanging around on Facebook and Twitter

Irish Blogger Secret Santa 2014

This year I took part in the Irish Blogger Secret Santa for the second year in a row. I really love the idea of this a sit is a way to find new blogs and treat a fellow blogger to a Christmas treat. Like last year it was organised by the lovely Total Makeup Addict   This year the spending criteria was €20 excluding postage. 

When shopping for my blogger I found €20 went a long way. Nina from Nina's Bargain Beauty was chosen for me. I've met Nina a few times and was thrilled to get her name. Be sure to check out her blog to see what I sent her and other great posts.

On the 3rd of this month, my very own present arrived. In it was a lovely package and christmas card from Emma (http://masteringyourmakeup.blogspot.ie) I've spoken to Emma a few times on Twitter and a Facebook group I help admin, but only met her a few weeks ago at a blogger dinner.

To say I was blown away by her gift is an understatement. I received a few favourites of mine - Dream Dots and Cleanse Off Mitt. Both were very welcome as I like to have a supply of Dream Dots in the house at all times and my Cleanse Off Mitt was looking like it needed replacing.

There were also so products that I haven't tried before. One that got me very excited was the Karora CC cream. I've wanted to try it for an absolute age and can't wait to give it a proper outing.

There were lots more in the package - I Love polishes from Penneys, a Catrice lipgloss, an Essence bronzer, a Max Factor mascara (also most welcome as I was holding off buying a new), a Wet N Wild Eyeshadow, Style File and a bar of Lindt dark chocolate orange. I love dark chocolate and hubby doesn't so this was a nice treat just for me. 

I can't wait to take part in next years Secret Santa. 

Have you tried any of these goodies?

Christmas Gifts For The Men In Your Life

I really struggle with what to get the men in my life for Christmas. CD's or Xbox games are always a good one for the baby brother. But more often then not I struggle with which to get as he has no patience at all and buys things as soon as they are released. This year I told him not to buy one or two things and I'll be picking up an album from his favourite band. 

My dad is pretty easy, in fact the easiest as anything country and western or Man United and he is a happy camper. Last year I got him something Country and Western so this year I got him something Man United related. 

For the hubby I'm getting something techie (he has no clue I have splurged on him) I'vee also picked him up some smellies and a really cute personalised gift from Jack. 

There are lots of smellies on the market for the men in your life. I picked hubby;s up in Gatwick but here are my picks for what you can get in department stores and pharmacies.

The Body Shop Modern Gent's Shaving Kit €39.95

Yonka Gift Set (buy Yon-Ka Nutri Créme, €41 or Anti-Age Créme €42.50 from the Yon-Ka for men range and get one product half price ( prices start at  €14) presented in a gift bag.)

Giorgio Armani Code Homme EDT €57

If you are looking for something techie, you can't go wrong with either Argos or my new favourite Amazon. Like last year tablets seem to be the big thing. Word of warning though. If you are planning on a tablet or similar pick them up early. Last year I had a nightmare trying to track one down. Oh and the reserve option in Argos can be your best friend.

I love adding something personalised to the hubby's gift, this year I've decided to let that be part of his present from Jack.I use Snapfish as I find them the best and they always have some sort of discount. You can choose between personalised mugs, canvas prints, phone cases and lots more. Once hubby has gotten his gifts I will share them on Twitter.

What do you buy the men in your life?

What I've Been Watching

I like to sit down in the evenings when Jack has gone to bed and watch something on the TV or the laptop. Here are the six programs I've been watching lately. Some are old favourites while others are more new. 

CSI is something I have watched from the start. I loved Grissom and when they replaced him with Laurence Fishbourne, I kind of lost interest in it. I really disliked his character. However I persevered and now am loving it with Ted Danson. A good few of the originals have left. Most recently I read Nick is leaving (le sigh!) and I also read it's finishing next year ( weeps into pillow) to make room for CSI Cyber starring Patricia Arquette. The current series has a pretty good main story line staring Zack from Saved By The Bell as a complete nut job.

Greys Anatomy is another series I've watched for year. Past seasons I have loved but this season I am really not feeling. It kind of feels like the writers are just phoning it in. I would say this will be the second last if not last series. I hate when I series I love started going downhill towards the end. Oh and there is a new character in it that just plain annoys me.

Arrow is more the hubby's bag as he is a big DC fan. I really didn't think I would enjoy it but I have to say I am liking it. It doesn't do any harm that the lead character is easy on the eye and one of my favourite actors ( John Barrowman) has a recurring roll. Apart from that the storyline is quite edgy, a bit dark and is full of twists.

How To Get Away With Murder is the newest offering from the creator of Grey Anatomy. It centres around law students working with this strong manipulative lawyer. The storyline is good and full of twists. You think the episode is going one way, only for it to be turned on it's head. The timeline can be a bit jumpy but having just watched series 1, I'll definitely be watching the next season. 

Blue Bloods cannot be missed in my house. When I first heard of it, I knew I would love it for two simple reasons - Donnie Wahlberg and Tom Selleck! I love Tom Selleck so much, there are just no words. Every episode has a different storyline and family is of major importance. Definitely worth watching. 

Revenge is another one that has a fair few twists in it, sometimes a bit too many. I quite like the cleverness of the lead character,if not sometimes she borders on just plain crazy. How the writers came up with the idea for the show is beyond me. 

Let me know in the comments what you've been watching and if you watch any of these?