Weesse's November Faves

Hey there 

 So as the year fast approaches it's crescendo (can't believe it's December!!) 

I seem to have been opting for uber cozy attire despite the mild weather we've been experiencing. Yes this has meant that I've been left sweltering in my chunky knits on a number of occasions but have been determined to embrace Autumnal/Winter fashion trends regardless. I'll be a sweaty (but happy) mess over here, don't you worry bout me! 

 As well as my woollies, I've had a fair few faves this month.....

Photo from www.hm.com

 I've purchased a few staple pieces lately in the hope that I'll be able to put together a few different looks from a limited number of items. My aim for this Winter was to find a pair of ankle boots that go with everything but don't kill....that is the bank balance AND my feet! I like loads of styles on the shelf but have had great difficulty in the past finding  a pair that I actually like on my feet. I felt dumpy in many of the flat soled designs but was determined not to end up with a skyscraper pair that I couldn't walk in. Been there. Done that.  

 These H&M beauties ticked all the boxes really. High enough but with a sturdy chunky heel that doesn't leave you wobbling and aching within an hour.  Genuine leather and super comfy, they're smart but not fancy & look good with skinny jeans! At only £40 these are a bargain, as so many other stores had faux leather versions at the same price. A firm fave for this month! 

Photo from www.burtsbees.co.uk

 Anyone who knows me knows I have mega dry hands. When I say dry, I mean arid. Desert-like even. My husband Rob is constantly mocking me, pretending his hand in tatters from holding mine(funny, not!).   The other issue is that I don't like the sensation of cream on my hands. I apply it but immediately feel the urge to wipe it off. So wading through countless bottles, tubes and containers alike of various hand creams, I rarely come across one that I'll happily apply regularly.

 However, hallelujah, this month I discovered Burt's Bees Thoroughly Therapeutic Honey & Grapeseed Oil Hand Creme. It does exactly what it says on the tin- "melts into skin to moisturise and soften without a greasy after-feel", smells  

A-MAZING and helps to smooth even the scaliest of hands. Highly recommend! I've ran out already (travel sized) and plan to purchase more.

 If you wanna try it before committing to the full-size product have a peek at the miniature versions in their Tips and Toes Kit (featured on my Christmas Gift Guide Part 1 blog).

  My super curly locks pretty much take care of themselves, in that they don't require much faff or styling products to looks half decent. Suits me down to the ground as I don't have the patience for coiffuring on a daily basis. Bit a lazy butt when it comes to my barnet. However I do welcome a little something to help define the curls if it's only a matter of spritzing some product through the hair when wet. Zero effort that's what I'm all about peeps. 

 I recently discovered TRESemme's Texture Style Tousled Wave Spray and I'm really impressed. Although the product's not actually aimed at styling curly hair, it seems to be doing the trick for me, defining my curls and giving them some hold. My hair is currently really long and often my curl is loosened with the weight but this gel-like spray is helping to keep them looking healthy and frizz-free. Better still, it's cheap! Only £1.99 for 200 ml from Semi Chem. Result!  

Photo from www.lush.co.uk

I love a good shower gel me but tend to buy the same ones time and time again. So when I received a LUSH gift box for my birthday in September (which I subsequently forgot about and excitedly came across it a few weeks back!), I was chuffed to find their popular The Olive Branch Shower Gel inside. So many bloggers adore it! A lot runnier than your usual shower gel, I'd recommend pouring it on to a shower scrunchie (after you've shook the bottle to mix the oil back in) so as not to use too much. It contains mandarin, lemon, orange flower, bergamont oil and of course, olive oil  (all naturally sourced)and the scent is to die for! Honestly, it's divine! A new firm fave that I'd be likely to re-purchase. To be honest I've never been that fussed about LUSH products. LOVED the aroma as you pass by the store but I'm never enticed in, however I may now be more likely to venture in to see what other yummy treats are on offer.

At £4.75 for 100g it ain't super cheap but if you use the shower scrunchie as I suggested, it's bound to last a while and is just so delish you won't mind the affordable splurge on such an everyday product.  

Photo from www.amazon.co.uk

 Lastly, my crappy end to November (sciatica sucks....big time!) was made decidedly better with a surprise early Crimbo pressie from hubby. Wait for it.....

 Jennifer Lopez's NEW BOOK 'True Love'!!!!

 What.The.Actual?!!! 

 My love for JLo knows no boundaries. Her music, her perfumes (wore 'Glow' by JLo on my wedding day, her style (endless hours lost on Pinterest searching her. No that's not weird at all!) and her films (who didn't love 'Maid in Manhattan'?!!! And don't get me started on 'The Wedding Planner'!!!). I just love her and everything she does and if I could look like her, even remotely, well, my actual life would be complete. FACT!

 Am I loving the book? Eh, duh, silly question...it's about JLo by JLo.. what's not to like?! I'm only first chapter in but I feel closer to her already. By the end of the book, we'll be besties! We're destined to be. Obvs. 

 You can buy the book too if you like. You won't be best mates like Jen and I but you'll enjoy it just the same I guess.  Here's the link.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/True-Love-Jennifer-Lopez/dp/0451468686

 So I'll sign off here peeps. Got a date with Jen. See ya.

Weesse x

Weesse's Giving Guide....Part One

I LOVE Christmas!

Like, ADORE it! I love everything about it. The build up, the music, the films, decorating the tree, the scrummy food, quality time with family and friends & all that jazz. I also love giving gifts so it's just an ideal time of year for me. Howevs, I'm the biggest procrastinator when it comes to selecting gifts for peeps. I trawl the Internet for weeks in advance, hit the high street & lose countless hours to Pinterest as I feverishly try to locate the perfect pressie for each of my recipients. And it's blooming knackering! 

My plans to be super duper organised this year have been scuppered due to crappy back pain (Boooooooo!) so in my house arrest-cabin fevered state I'm thinking that online purchases will be the way to go for me this year, to ensure I don't end up in a tizzy the week of Christmas, running around grabbing gifts that I'm not really happy with. Hate Hate HATE that! 

Of course, like most I'm on a budget (always!) so I gotta be clever with my choices. The present has got to fulfill some criteria before it even becomes a contender. 

These are as follows (in no particular order): 

Be within budget
Be pretty, quirky, fun or practical 
Be personal 

I've made a start & thus far, I'm quite happy with my selections, although I do have HEAPS still to get. In my online travels I've discovered some lovely ideas for gifts & thought I'd share them with you. Just in the off-chance it may help someone out there who's feeling lost, uninspired or is in blatant denial that they need to start thinking about it pronto. Please note if you're likely to receive a gift from me....don't worry there's no spoilers here! Just nice ideas that may work for other. 

For Everyone

Photo from www.matalan.co.uk

A few weeks back I saw a billboard add for these alphabet scarves from Matalan in support of Alder Hey Children's Hospital  & thought they were such a cute, personal gift that are for a good cause, are great quality & don't cost the Earth (Only a tenner for the adult ones and a fiver for the kids' versions). They've ran out of some of the letters already but apparently more are due in and if you sign up to their email alert they'll get in touch when they become available.   Everyone needs a new scarf at Christmas (it's like the law) & with a range of cool colours & your initial on there, it makes for a super gift that gives back to those less fortunate. Result! 

Photo from www.guitarguitar.co.uk

This a bit of wild card pressie but I really think it could be for anyone. It's a ukulele (or a uke to the pros out there)! It's small, easy to learn and fun to play. Over the last few years it has over took the recorder as primary school teachers' go-to instrument for teaching music to pupils and with so many YouTube tutorials to hand (Check out 'Ukulele Mike'), you could be playing your favourite Crimbo tune by the time the brussels are ready.  They come in various colours, are relatively cheap and it's something a bit different for someone who like a fun surprise on Christmas morning. 

Check out Guitar Guitar Glasgow for their range or go in store. They're are loads of online sites offering deal too.  

For Her

Photo courtesy of www.burtsbees.co.uk

I actually got given this as a birthday gift in September from our lovely friend Jules and instantly fell in love with this range. One sniff was all it took. Burt's Bees originated in Maine in 1984 when the founders Roxanne Quimby and Burt Shavitz had a chance encounter, hit it off and and started a business creating candles from unused wax from Burt's beehives. The rest is history as they say (which is most interesting and worth a read) and they've created a uniquely packaged, gorgeously nature-based products that smell so yummy and feel great on your skin. Granted

I've only tested the products in this particular set so far but I definitely intend to try more of their range.  As I type this I have my tootsies slathered in the coconut foot cream under a pair of fluffy bed socks!

Best Buys

The Burt's Bees site has this in sale at the moment for £12.99 including other products and gift sets. However Boots also stock a lot of the range and if you're planning on taking advantage of their 3 For 2 offer, this particular set is currently the same price and you'll bag 1,299 Advantage Points too. A wee gift for you too!

Photo from www.selfystick.com

If your best friend, sister or mum loves taking selfies but hasn't quite got the knack of ensuring her full face is the pic, this is the pressie for her. A novelty gift that she'll love and that all the family can enjoy all year round. My hubby recently bought our dance troupe, The Kennedy Cupcakes a Selfy Stick and I tell you, we had sooooo much fun with it. A rather long wait at a gig was no longer a drag as we kept ourselves occupied creating fun groups selfy pics and videos. 

It comes with a Bluetooth remote and is relatively compact for taking on a night out. Holiday pics will never be the same again with this. 

For Him

My hubby is very difficult to buy for as he buys everything for himself. Throughout the year, if he sees something he likes, he buys it , hence making birthdays and Christmases a bloomin' nightmare to be honest. I like to buy surprise gifts for folks so sit doesn't sit well with me to have to purchase a gift that's been requested (unless there's  been a wish list for me to select from, leaving the element of surprise intact). I therefore rrrrrreeeeally dislike just giving vouchers or money. Im in no way criticising those who choose this option and in fact, I personally very much like and appreciate receiving cash to splurge in the January sales but when it comes to gifting I'd much prefer to pick out a gift that I feel is just right, wrap it up and see their reaction on Christmas morning as they tear off the paper to reveal the surprise. Selfish as it may seem....I want to get something out of giving a gift! 

The above quandary continues with hubby as we speak and with mu dad's birthday being 23rd December, he's not much easier to buy for either, especially when you're competing with mum and Mimi to purchase his favourites first.  

Photo from www.dermalogica.co.uk

When it comes to skincare, some men do and some don't...care that is but if they've got the tools to hand, they'll be more than likely to start. I've always been a fan of Dermalogica products and although of course I've never tried this kit (no jokes about having stubble!), you can bet you bottom dollar that this will be worth the money for your man. There's lots of sites offering their Shave Kit but two of the best prices I've come across are on UK Beauty Club  and John and Ginger. 

Check out www.dermalogica.co.uk for their full range of products available. 

Photo from www.beardo.co.uk

If he aint into grooming and he loves a novelty gift with a purpose, I recommend a Beardo UK hat. They were quite popular last year but if your man or mate hasn't already asked Santa for this, I think it's a winner for the guy who likes a laugh (and doesn't mind others laughing at him!). There's an option to remove the beard on some of the range too for those clean shaven days. Prices start at £20 and there's even a kid's version!! 

Stocking Filler Alert!

Photo from www.beardo.co.uk

They also sell this novelty set of beer tashes. Not as practical as the hat but think of the Christmas Day photos!

So, will that do you for now? Bear in mind it still is only November so there's plenty time for me to wrack up another list of potential pressie ideas for you. 

Happy shopping. Off you pop to buy a Selfy Stick, a Beardo hat and a ukulele.....can't WAIT to see the pics! 

Weesse x