Wednesday, 31 December 2014

2014 Favourites & Highlights

It's that time again when every blogger sits down and writes about their favourite things from 2014...so guess what! Now it's my turn- let's get cracking shall we?

Easily my most favourite purchase this year was my camera. I have been longing after a "proper" camera (before anyone says anything, yes i know a bridge camera is different from a DLSR)  for years now as my little digital one was getting boring. So after spending hours online, indulging in the world of cameras, i finally found my new baby - and off i went to John Lewis to pick it up! (no way was I letting my postman deliver my new prized possession!)

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2014 has been a good year for music. There have been some over-played, slightly annoying songs (there's only so many times I can listen to Happy or All About That Bass before I want to tear my hair out!) but there have been some great ones among them! I know everyone has different tastes but for me the album of the year has to be Ed Sheeran's 'X'. My other musical highlights have been McBusted, the reuniting of S Club 7, George Ezra and Radio 1's month of Live Lounges. One of my favourite performances was by 5 Seconds of Summer when they covered Blink 182's 'I Miss You' which made me listen to more of their stuff this year.

This year saw one of my favourite books, The Fault in our Stars by John Green, released in cinemas; I'll admit it - I might have spent most of the time in tears but so was everyone else. Other movie I saw and enjoyed was 22 Jump Street and Bad Neighbours...well because you can't go wrong with Channing Tatum or Zac Efron can you? 
Going back to the books thing - Giovanna Flecther released her 2nd novel, You're The One That I Want, and a novella rejoining Billy and Sophie at Christmas. 
This year it was announced that in a few weeks time my favourite telly show will be no more - Waterloo Road. I have made it my mission to collect every series on DVD. 
If you're from the UK and don't watch Goggle Box what the hell are you doing with your Friday nights?!? (all right fair dos- just make sure you stick it on record!)

What's the best thing to snack during films/telly I hear you ask? The answer- popcorn! This year I have definitely become obsessed (if I wasn't already) with that stuff. A drink I've become addicted to also is pink lemonade. The best stuff I've had so far is from Boots and cost £1.05- how could you not try it for that price!

After months of wearing a BB cream I got bored of it and decided to branch out  and bought myself two foundations- Rimmel's Match perfection and Lasting Finish both in shade 100 ivory. If you're going to buy one of them make sure it's Match Perfection. I find this one to be a lot less cakey and more natural than the others.


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A much raved about product- Collection Lasting Perfects concealer. It's true, it is a perfect concealer- the only  downside is it's range of colours as it's very limited! If you can't find one to suit you I highly recommend Rimmel's Wake Me Up concealer as this too it a beauty of a product and does the job just nicely.
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Anyone remember Impulse, Charlie and So...? body sprays? This year I fell in love again with the scent of 'So...? Sinful'


My favourite fragrance of the year has to be the new Marc Jacobs 'Daisy Dream' perfume! I first smelt this exclusively at the airport in summer, as they were realising the product early, and kept the little disc in my jumper pocket before sharing it with my family. For my 17th birthday I then received the box set of the perfume along side a body lotion and shower cream.


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My love affair with Barry M's Gelly nail range continued this year...........
The one thing I hate the most about having painted nails is removing it. I know I'm really late to be raving about this product but a few weeks again a friend of mine bought me the Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover. But seriously this product is amazing, it might not remove the nail polish in 1 second like the bottle says but for me it takes about 10 seconds per fingers which is a hell of a lot quicker and easier than a bottle of remover or remover pads. My fingers do feel slightly sticky after using it but that's because it contains products which nourish your nails not your finger tips- but once I've washed my hands it's all good.


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Still with no idea what my style is exactly (other than a little bit of everything), something that I'm glad I finally purchased was a black skater skirt. I have worn the death out of it! It's fair to say, this year I bought waaaaaay too many shoes. My favourites would have to be these trainers or these heels! They are by far the comfiest pair of heels I have ever bought and the fact that I wore them all evening at one of my friend's party proves this.


This year I have been lucky enough to go to three concerts (a handful of photos are on my flickr) and two comedy gigs which I thoroughly enjoyed. Going to concerts has to be one of my favourite past times as music is always best live and the atmosphere is amazing. I have a feeling that when I'm at uni all my money will be spent on concert tickets and merchandise...maybe I should just get a job at an arena! I'm currently sat re-living the memory of seeing Jack Whitehall as I'm currently watching his tour DVD!

Other highlights of this year have been;
 my little blog turned one early this year- you can read about it here HERE.
Callie featured on my blog with a monthly.
I saw Les Mis on stage for the first time (I know I'm about a year late) because my best friend from school was playing Cosette.
My parents bought tickets to the first day of the cycling at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the last night of the Athletics featuring the one and only Usain Bolt!
And I had the honour of interviewing some of Britain's rising stars; BiancaJohn Adams and Rewind.

How was your 2014?

Esmee xx

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Sunday, 21 December 2014

2014 Christmas Tag


It's never too late for a Christmas Tag is it? I've also noticed that my blog is lacking in Christmassy themed things too (hats off to all those who have attempted blogmas and are succeeding!)
At the start of December, Carolyn from Carolyn's Simple Life tagged me in this Christmas Tag that has been floating around on the internet this past month and I thought I may as well get it done before it's too late! (be proud of me...I didn't forget about something for once :P)
1.  What is your favourite Christmas movie(s)?
To be honest, movies aren't really my thing. I much prefer all the Christmas specials of TV shows. Having said that; Elf has to be the one Christmas movie that I haven't fallen asleep during!
2.  Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Definitely Christmas morning! Although when I was little, my sisters and I used to get pyjamas on Christmas Eve so we were wearing new ones when we woke up on Christmas Day.

3.  Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
When I was little, I used to live in the Caribbean so we used to spend Christmas day on the beach in the sun with a barbecue! 

4.  Favourite festive food?
Can't go wrong with a mince pie can you? Especially if it's topped with homemade Brandy butter! 
5.  Favourite Christmas gift?
I can't pick out just one gift I've received over the years but my favorite from last year has to be my tickets for McBusted. Especially after being told multiple times; "No it's during your exams, you will be studying not going to concerts" and reading that pretty much every night had sold out!
6.  Favourite Christmas scent?
I normally can't stand the smell of cinnamon things but it's something you just can't avoid this time of year but one of my favorites has to be the smell of Christmassy food cooking/ baking - especially gingerbread!
7.  Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
 Every year for as many as I can remember, my family and I go to the Panto at HMT in Aberdeen before driving past the OTT decorated house (seriously though - is the Christmas themed Postman Pat and van needed?!) and collecting a Chinese take-away on the way home!

8.  What tops your tree?
9.  As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?
Is it bad that I can't remember anything I asked for when I was little?
10.  What's the best part about Christmas for you?
Family time is a big thing for me. This year my grandparents are coming up over the Christmas break but I really wish we were going down to Newcastle instead as I would get to see all my cousins and the rest of my family on Christmas. If I were to ask my little sister and her friends this question there would be no doubt they would say all the presents they get but for me, I prefer the giving and choosing gifts then actually receiving them (although I can't share any of the gifts I have bought just in case a family member is reading this!) After receiving my Secret Santa gift this year wrapped in brown paper and tied in stripy red and white string, I have decided I need to step up my wrapping skills before next year!  

Snowmen Oreos (see a previous post on how to make them!)

First ever Christmas jumper

Secret Santa gift from Claire

Red Cups from Starbucks!


Hope you all enjoyed my Christmas tag and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you for reading! (especially if you've stuck by me all through 2014! Also- mental note to self- find another word for especially!)

Esmee x

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Sunday, 14 December 2014

#NextmasWishlist

Being incredibly picky and never knowing what suits me, I was delighted when the Next Winter catalogue arrived on my doorstep as I know I will always find something I love in there- whether it's something for a party or a comfy classic!
Created on Polyvore (using images from Next.co.uk)

I have been dying (no exaggeration!) for a biker jacket and this one looks like winner! It may not be real leather but I love the double zip and collar.
This slogan dress was in the beach wear section but it's the sort of thing I would wear all year round. The quote on the front makes me feel happy and it looks like the perfect thing to lounge around the house in.
No joke, these leggings are the comfiest thing in the world (in fact I'm wearing a pair now!). Thicker than normal leggings making them more wearable and go with everything! Maybe with the dress mentioned above?
Many times I've been told that blazers and fitted jackets would suit me due to my shape so why not make a statement with this pink jacket?
Playsuits are something that I find a bit of a hit or miss for me. All the ones that come out in the summer with the elasticated strapless top just don't do anything for me but I love some of the ones out there, including this playsuit, which is more tailored and the lace panels on the back just complete the sophisticated style.
Being curvy and not having thin legs can be really annoying when it comes to buying boots because most have unflattering cut off points usually sitting mid-calf. These biker boots are just perfect, they're a little higher than a standard ankle boot but won't cut me off and would be a change to all the trainers I wear!
How cute are these candles?! Perfect little stocking fillers or dotted around a room on a stormy winter's night.
I have got to be the most unorganised person ever so this 2015 Organiser would be perfect for me next year...especially for keeping track or my blogging schedule! 
Last but not least, these two cushions, 'believe' cushion and 'friends' cushion. I love little things with quotes and words on so these two will fit perfectly in the plans for my new room.

So that's my #NextmasWishlist for 2014, anything from Next on your Wishlist?

Esmee x

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Sunday, 7 December 2014

Do You Want To Build A (edible) Snowman?

Firstly I would like to apologise for how shockingly bad I've been at blogging recently. Things are pretty hectic at the moment and whenever I do sit down to blog I can't think of anything worthy enough to feature on here.
Let's get on to the real post now shall we?

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Every Wednesday is cake day for my Higher Geography class and last week was time for Lydia and I to have a go. Instead of making cupcakes or brownies, we thought we would Christmas theme whatever we were going to produce as it was the first Wednesday in December. 

So taa-daaaa! Easy-peasy cutesy snowmen cookie


These are super easy to make (although can be a little fiddly) and are a tasty treat that everyone would enjoy.
 All you need are:
Icing sugar mixed with water (thick enough to kinda spread on to of the cookies and not too runny that it will escape everywhere)
Oreos (or any other sandwich biscuit)
Chocolate chips
Strawberry laces (cut into tiny pieces)
Jelly sweets (we used the diamond jellies from the baking section)
Mini cocktail sticks


Once you have everything all set out in front of you, take two Oreos and slowly slide them onto a cocktail stick (If you do this too quickly the biscuit will break!)
Once you've paired them up and covered them with icing, all that's left to do is decorate them however you want!

See...I told you they were easy!


Esmee x




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