mothers day gift guide - give her something special!

Every year, my mum receives the usual slippers, chocolate, and perhaps a nice jumper. This year I wanted to shake things up a little, give her something to really enjoy! Here's a few things that I think would go down pretty swell!

All images taken from websites linked below

Custom Wall Quotes, Lettering and Signs
This is probably one of my favourite gift ideas, as you can customise it to anything you like into many different fonts, colours, sizes etc. Find a lovely quote that describes your home, stick it in and have it sent to you. Lovely, personal present.

Personalised Family Papercut
Another product which I find so sweet! Especially if your mum is into her interior design, this would look absolutely stunning sat on your mantle piece. It's a simple, but a really thoughtful gift.

Guerlain Insolence Perfume
I love love LOVE this perfume. It's a gorgeous, gentle scent that smells exactly like Parma Violet sweets! The bottle design is lovely and sleek too, one to save for a special occasion!

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Crystal Lipstick
Now I know that I was not the only child who found themselves swimming through their Mum's make up bag and picking up a luxurious, gold bullet filled with her favourite lipstick. Give her one back to repay all those times you used this rather haphazardly. She's bound to love a new one for those times she needs a little more.

Clinique Youth Surge Moisturiser
Whilst it may seem a little cheeky buying an age decelerating moisturiser, I'm 100% sure my mum would appreciate this. She never buys anything luxurious for herself, and I think it's time to treat her to something that will make her feel AND look good.

Diptyque Figuier Scented Mini Candle
These candles are extortionately priced for something you're literally burning away, but let's face it, everyone wants one. This would make a lovely addition to the other candles on the mantle piece and the lovely pot will make for gorgeous, classy storage.

Of course, a nice, big bouquet of flowers from the Florist (NOT Morrisons!) to top it all off, and a cheeky card, without a doubt.

valentines gifts part two!

Part Two of my Valentines Gift guide, and this one is all for the guys! Definitely a lot more difficult than for girls, that's for sure! Find Part One here.

1. The Walking Dead Season 1, 2 or 3
I don't know anyone who isn't into Walking Dead, especially guys! I think this is such a good investment, because let's be honest, would you rather watch The Walking Dead or some Football match? ...He'd probably TiVo anyway..

2. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
My boyfriend, Mike, wasn't really a book reader, unless it was an autobiography. He couldn't concentrate on books, they were always too long and he lost interest. This is a perfect book as it's a short crime novel and most guys love Crime/Action-y things. Mike loved this book and is definitely considering getting the movie and more of Dashiell Hammett's work.

3. Lid Pen Pot
Perfect for those workaholics, or those with an office this is a fun twist on boring stationary equipment. I don't find that guys are really into the lovey stuff we usually see this time of year, so I'd much rather get Mike something more practical that he'll definitely use.

4. Space Rug Dressing Gowns
If I hadn't got my boyfriends present yet, this would be the one. If you and your boyfriend are fans of Star Wars these Space Rugs would be perrrfect to cuddle up in with a bowl of popcorn and Revenge of the Sith.

5. DVD Collection
If your partner loves watching DVD's and you have a decent idea of his collection, pop down to your local CEX or HMV, get a big box and get loads of discounted DVD's, CD's and games. CEX would be perfect as they're cheap but in fairly decent condition. This would be a perfect idea for me, but Mike's collection is pretty mega, and he has LoveFilm!


So I hope these ideas have been use to you!  Let me know what you're buying/what you get! Very exciting.
Have a lovely, lovely time and if you're single this Valentines Day, TREAT YOURSELF.

valentines gifts part one!

With Valentines day soon approaching, I can hear many singletons complaining and feeling lonely and even more guys panicking with uncertainty of what to get their other half without disappointing.  This is going to be a two-part post, this one is focusing on gifts for ladies, the next will be one for troublesome guys! Here are a few gifts I would be more than happy to receive.There's a bit of everything here from beauty to every day items so I'm sure you'll be able to find one to be inspired by.


1. Clinique Chubby Stick Intense - Roomiest Rose 
At £16, men may shy away from this "it's just a lipstick" I can hear you say. This is not 'just a lipstick'. This is a super moisturising balm that is really nicely pigmented and you will not disappoint your girlfriend AT ALL. My specific shade choice would be the best selling Roomiest Rose. This is definitely mine, and many other peoples favourite shade. It's a pink/purple/nude that is guaranteed to suit 90% of skin tones. With there being other dupes for this product such as the Revlon 'Just Bitten's, your gift receiver will really notice you going the extra mile.

2. Chloe Fragrance
The ultimate female fragrance. This distinct perfume just screams feminine and elegance. It's floral with notes of Rose, Lychee and Honey and will win over everybody. It's not too in your face, it's very effortlessly elegant. I really don't know how to explain it! You can't go wrong with Chloe though.

3. Essie Pepperoni 
If your girlfriend is a nail varnish addict, like me, get her one from Essie, probably the best quality nail varnish you're able to pick up from a drugstore chain. As perplexed as you may feel looking at the vast amount of colours, go for the occasion. Valentines Day = Red. This classic red shade will go down a treat.

4. John Lewis Heart Tealight Lantern
This is SO cute, a perfect decoration for any room. If your girlfriend isn't much of a candle person, it'd make great storage for make up brushes, stationary and any other little bits and bobs she has. This is quite a personal present, not exactly something that someone would just think up unless they'd gone searching for the perfect present.

5. Thorntons Heart Plaque
A heart chocolate plaque from Thorntons would be one of the nicest presents ever. You can personalise your messages, so if you have a special inside joke or thing between you, just go to the counter and get it written on. For me, this would be the cutest present I'd receive.

6. John Lewis Heart Slate Photo Frame
Another cute present, even better if it came with a photo. I love this because of the string allowing you to hang it off the wall, that would be perfect for me with very little space in my room. The fact it's slate is different too, perhaps you could leave sweet messages to each other?


So these are my gift ideas, perfect for Valentines Day. Keep your eyes peeled for Part 2!

perfect presents for the guys!

Hi! A couple of weeks ago, some of you will have seen my post 'perfect presents for the ladies' which you can find here. I promised I'd do a list for the guys as well, but never realised how hard it would be! But here is my compilation so far.

1. Fight Club 2 Disc Edition.
Every guy, whether they've seen Fight Club or not, would LOVE to receive this in their stocking.
It's a classic film and priced at £5.48 from play.com you can't go wrong. Perfect for teenage brothers, uncles etc. However, the first rule of Fight Club is not to talk about Fight Club...

2. Vivienne Westwood Neptune Watch VV021GDBK
I found this on ASOS and at £175, you want to make sure you chose the right person for this. Perhaps you have a boyfriend or brother that loves designer gear? If my boyfriend wore watches (and I won the lottery) he would definitely be getting this. Including Vivienne Westwood's iconic symbol, the orb, on the second hand, this present is the one for your cherished one!

3. Paul Smith Extreme for Men Eau de Toilette 
£16.09 for a 30ml fragrance is brilliant. I often buy Paul Smith fragrances for family members around Christmas and I have never been disappointed. The fragrance fit most age groups, they don't smell to old to buy for your cousins. The packaging is a simple glass bottle which I think is lovely. The way a fragrance is presented to me has a big influence on whether I'm likely to buy it (just me?), and I'm sure this is going to be one I buy for the family this year. 

4. Illuminated Marco Polo Globe Antique 300mm
I bought a globe for my boyfriend on his birthday, and I have to say it was one of my favourite presents to give him. £22.99 is a decent price for a present that can fit in anywhere and often interests people visiting. This would be a great present for dad's or travelers, and it really looks like you put some thought into their present. 



I hope you like my ideas. I've been doing this post for over an hour, guys are so difficult! 
Do you have any suggestions? I'm going shopping soon and could really use some help!

perfect presents for the ladies!

Hello lovelies! I'm really sorry that it's been a few days, but I've been struggling lately to get any ideas for posts. I don't have any money to buy new products and anything I do have, I'm saving for birthday/christmas presents, so I thought this would be the perfect post!
This post is going to be specifically on ladies presents, but one for the guys will be coming along soon!

1. I don't think you can go wrong with Lush products. Recently these have come very much into the limelight, even outdoing the popular Body Shop brand and I certainly think these would make a fab present. I personally wouldn't buy anything for the face or any masks as you never know if your friend/family member is going to react to any ingredients, and you don't want your present to be at blame, so I'd play it safely. I think the Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub product would be really good for a smallish present, for a sister, or a friend. It's affordable at £7.95 and it's quite a big tub! I would also buy their Bubblegum Lip Scrub for maybe a younger sibling as a lovely stocking filler. It's fun, sweet and edible (always a plus!). I've used this product and was very, very impressed by it. It left my lips tingling, soft and smooth.

2. This Gorgio Armani Miniature Female Fragrance Gift Set is an amazing buy and is definitely on my Christmas list! I like miniature fragrance sets, because there's always at least one you like in it, but you then have so many to choose from and I'm sure you get a lot for your money. At £24.99 I'd buy this for my Mum, Aunt or a good friend. Of course with it being designer, it has a lot more wow factor than if you gave someone four Ted Baker fragrances (not that there's anything wrong with them! I think they smell lovely) and it will definitely seem like you put a lot of thought and effort into the gift (which of course you did, didn't you!) .
3. As a cheaper gift for your girls, why not treat them to some all-time great Rom-Coms! I chose The Notebook which is on Amazon for £3.69, but I'm sure you can find it elsewhere for cheaper! I picked this one because I've never seen it, but I'm sure other films such as PS, I Love You, or Dear John would go down a treat too. Everyone loves a Rom-Com, whether they admit to it or not and I really think this would be such a cute present. You can even sit and watch it together with some chocolates and a nice mug of hot choc!

4. Finally, I'm a big lover of small trinkets and I think this Bistro Bleu Heart Chalkboard for £8.00 is super sweet. You could even open it and leave a sweet message, especially if you're giving this as a gift to a girlfriend!



So like I said, there's one for the guys coming soon! I'm struggling finding any, boyfriends and dads are so difficult, aren't they?! So, if you have any ideas, leave me a comment and let me know! Help out all the other bloggers you lovely people.