Merry (belated) Christmas

I've been a completely hopeless blogger; been quite a stressful time at the moment for several different reasons. Hopefully they will not be swallowed as excuses by your very selves, and with a pinch of luck you'll forgive me and not lose faith in my blogging ability - however scarce it has been so far.

Enough of all the dwelling; how has everyone been? I always find this part of the year very strange, it's the 28th or early 29th, and Christmas is over, it's not so much festive anymore but sparkly and glam and celebratory because - wheey we've all survived another year! Congratulations :) What a year it's been, I managed to get a real job in the adult world, make many new friendships and rebuild broken ones, turn 17 and amerce myself in the adventures of the world; Venice being but one of the many adventures. I find myself reflecting but it is time to reflect? Or is it a bit too eager, is Christmas still sort of here? Is it time to put the tree away yet and spruce the place up ready for new beginnings? Do I actually put my presents away in my room and get back on the treadmill or do I slob out with the mince pies for a bit longer? It's all a bit inbetweeny isn't it.

What did you all get for Christmas?! That's what I love knowing, even the littlest things like lipsticks and chocolates and bath stuff (which when unwrapping seems a bit crap, but comes in very handy in the long run), I find even a chocolate bloody orange extra exciting to unwrap -  it really makes my Christmas truth be told *cringe*.

Here's some snaps of my Christmas: Enjoy x 

The most perfect Christmas Eve 

Such a gorgeous camera - and it really works, can't wait to get the film developed

Boudoir Prive - my absolute favourite beauty box to date. The face masks smell beautiful and really do leave your skin feeling revitalised, I am yet to use the lotion and shampoo/conditioner samples. The lipstick is so creamy and easy to apply and wear, it's a dream, and the rose moisturiser is a miracle! I really am impressed with the quality of the products, and the 

Vinies luminous skin mask: This mask is an actual godsend! It smells gooood. If you could bottle all that's beautiful about herbal remidies, then this is it. Once left for 3-5 mins, your skin immediately feels a million times better, perfect for this time of year when the harsh winter weather bites in to your skin without a care in the world, leaving us looking far from our best - not good when the party season is upon us 'eh girls! I would rate this product a 8/10, it is lovely. I would say that it could be a bit more...appealing lookswise, the colour is anything but beautiful in a muddy, slushy brown. But, it looks natural so I can't complain really. Also it could be a bit thicker and dry faster, other than that; I'm very pleased.

Dead Sea spa, silky smooth body lotion: Gentle on the skin, nothing overly special, did leave my hands feeling a lot smoother, but I have used softer hand creams in the past; like Soap and Glory Hand Food for example, always a winner in my eyes. This is great for all over use, when out of the shower and is easy to apply, did feel a bit sticky however and didn't dry as quickly as I would have liked. It did have a nice smell, but as I said; nothing overly wonderful here for the price tag. I would rate this product 5/10, middle of the road.

 Korres wild rose 24 hour moisturizer - Now this, I absolutely adore! It's so soft, leaves skin beautifully soft and glowing. It has a gorgeous smell and a lovely consistency, everything you would want from a moisturiser. A well trusted brand name, and a really pleasing product, definitely rating this one a 8.5/10.

Studio Makeup Rich Hydration Lipstick in Really Red - At first application, I immediately fell in love with the creamy consistency, it really does hydrate! (does what it says on the tin) - but it didn't last AT ALL, and because of the creamy application was very hard to apply, because of the almost 'liquid when in contact with heat' like texture. Over all, I've had better. Kate Moss for Rimmel for example is my personal favourite, I do love the appllicator for this one, it's packaged beautifully. 5/10.

 Rahua Voluminious Shampoo and conditioner - I am made up with the size of these beauty's, definitely satisfying for 'sample' sizes, I do go through a lot of shampoo and conditioner with my crazy locks, so these please me nicely! They smell gorgeous and leave a nice shine, easy to wash out - nothing more to say. I definitely wouldn't pay over the odd's for these however, and am therefore rating these a 6/10. 

Any of you subscribed? I ended my subscription with Glossy Box, it wasn't worth the money in my eyes, for something hit and miss every month for £10, I'd rather take that money elsewhere. I'm loving Boudoir Prive, highly recommend!

Venice

Word's can't describe how beautiful Venice is - it is fasinating how something can crumble apart and disintegrate with age so perfectly and still remain one of the most gorgeous places on the planet. Not one spec of dust or piece of stone isn't photogenic, the entire place is pure perfection and I miss it already, I've been home for less than 24 hours and am ready to fly back and lap up the gorgeous Italian culture. If ever you get a chance to go, take the chance with both hands, because the 'sinking city' might not be around for much longer, and my God, that is the biggest shame of all. 

English Pickers

Such a gorgeous Titanic bell - perfect for a Titanic enthusiast 

An authentic Singer sewing machine and case.

One of the many barns we visited today, full of antique furniture and signage.

Tangent alarm/bell system

Beautiful film lamp - very tempted to purchase this beauty

Genuine cart, very Jack-The-Ripper don't you think?

Lyons Coffee tin - still smelt of coffee

Old roller skates from the 60's-70's

Genuine 'Hoover' vacuum cleaner

Hundreds of records!

Old leather suitcase with the name and address of a young boy written across the top

Imagine ironing with that... 

This was from the last place we looked at today, it was an enormous estate full of stone statues and rooms full of props and decorative garden pieces. I absolutely love this figurine, definitely a talking point.

Old battery case

This made me chuckle, imaging shaving with that! Times really have changed...

It's such a shame that some of the buttons had come off this camera because I absolutely love it, if it was in working order it would be an absolute gem.

Today me and the fam' went roaming around some gorgeous salvage and recreation yards, in look for some lovely vintage British trinkets. For those of you that have ever watched 'American Pickers' on Sky, you will know the excitement recreation yards bring. It's all about bringing the old in to your home and combining it with the new. Each dust covered beauty has it's own story which I find absolutely fascinating. There are so many recreation yards around the country and the world, so get looking! Why buy something that is supposed to look 'shabby' when you can buy the real deal for a good price, especially when the owners welcome haggling, all in all, it's great fun and you wouldn't believe how someone's 'old junk' can get your adrenaline pumping.

P.S. I'm off to Venice for a week, so will write to you when I get back and post all the pics. Have a great week lovelies!