What I got for my birthday 2015 (17th)

Hello everyone, last week it was my 17th birthday so I have decided to do a 'What I got for my birthday' post as I always like to read/watch them myself so I figured why not? Anyway.. I have put the presents into 4 categories: beauty, technology, stationary, and other. 

Btw, everything I got will be listed at the bottom with hyperlinks if you want to get them yourself. Your welcome in advance :)

Beauty

 The first thing I opened was this: Real Techniques Travel Essential Kit which consists of (left to right) an essential foundation brush, a domed shadow brush, and a multi-task brush. I really like this as it is all the basics you need to put make-up on and I have lots of other brushes but not the basic essentials which seems a bit weird to me so I'm glad I got this!

This is an Avon massager which is really soft on the skin. I My skin is noticeably softer after using this.

These are various foot care products from Avon: (left to right) foot work cooling lotion pineapple sorbet, foot works foot scrub, foot works cooling lotion pineapple sorbet, foot works cooling spray pineapple sorbet. These smell amazing and are great for the summer. My feet feel and look so much nicer since receiving these products!

I got some money from my gran to spend on Zoella beauty things and I chose to get the two fragranced body mists: let's spritz from her new range, and blissful mistful from her original range. Once I get more of each range I am going to do a blog post on these products but I will say this now; they are AMAZING!

The last 'beauty' present I received was these Soap and Glory: (left to right) pulp friction body scrub, foam-call body wash, thank inside the box gift.I love Soap and Glory so this present was heaven to me!

Technology

A laptop bag is essential for university, and just for carrying your laptop round in general really. This one is a laptop rucksack which has loads of different compartments which I love as well as retractable rucksack straps so there is the option to carry it round like a briefcase which I really like.

I got the Sims 4 main game for christmas and I am obsessed so I asked if someone could get me the Get to Work expansion pack and I have played it so much since getting it, it's amazing! My man-sim is a photographer and my girl-sim is a detective! It is so much fun, if you like the sims I really recommend this! It is so worth the money :)

I have a few favourite comedians, two of which is Jack Whitehall and Miranda Hart so I was ecstatic when I received these for my birthday! They are both so funny and would really recommend them both! (Although the Jack Whitehall one is definitely not for under 15s! No exceptions! Seriously.. trust me on this one, you do not want a 10 year old watching this).

Stationary

My friend gave me a £10 W H Smiths gift card because she knows how much I love stationary. Which is very true. I don't think it will take long to spend this ;)

My other friend bought me 2 note pads and some ballpoint pens which I like making revision cards using and important/key points in my notes during class. These will also be well used. Also, I like that they are click-y ones and not pens with lids and I tend to chew the lids which I definitely regret afterwards.

Other

Now don't think that these others aren't important as these are some of my favs that I got (although I love it all).

The first 'other' is money (of which I did not take a picture) which I have put straight in the bank (after pre-ordering several youtube books, shh...) to go towards driving lessons and uni stuff and things like that.

This is a monster plush that my friend got me because apparently she "saw it and thought of me" which I think is a bit strange but there you go.

This is definitely one of my favourite presents: it's a Harry Potter crate that my parents got from the nearest shopping centre. I am going to take this to uni and put skin-care stuff in it on my desk which I am very excited for. There is currently no room for it in my room so I think it is going up in the loft but I look forward to using it at uni!

Another thing for uni (a recurring theme it seems). It's called Nosh for Students: A Fun Student Cookbook. I am terrible at coming up with ideas of what to cook (and actually how to cook it...) so this is perfect!

There you go, that is everything I got for my birthday, I hope you liked it and are interested in some of the things I got.

♥

List of what I got and where to get it:

Real Techniques Travel Essentials Kit - http://www.feelunique.com/p/Real-Techniques-Travel-Essentials-Kit

Avon massager - in Avon catalogue

Avon foot works items - in Avon catalogue

Zoella Let's Sprtiz Fragranced Body Mist - http://www.feelunique.com/p/Zoella-Beauty-Tutti-Fruity-Lets-Spritz-Fragranced-Body-Mist-45ml

Zoella Blissful Mistful Fragranced Body Mist - http://www.feelunique.com/p/Zoella-Beauty-Blissful-Mistful-Fragranced-Body-Mist-45ml

Soap and Glory Pulp-Friction Body Scrub - http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory%E2%84%A2-Pulp-Friction%E2%84%A2-Foaming-Fruity-Body-Scrub-250ml_1222483/

Soap and Glory Foam Call Body Wash - http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory%C2%99-Foam-Call%C2%99-Bath-and-Shower-Wash-500ml_1222481/

Laptop Bag - http://www.amazon.co.uk/SunSmart-Multi-functional-Waterproof-Convenient-Transformed/dp/B00SAIZ1U8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1436710729&sr=8-4&keywords=laptop+rucksack+15+inch

Sims 4 Get to Work expansion pack - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sims-Get-Work-PC-DVD/dp/B00T971Z7C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436712917&sr=8-1&keywords=get+to+work

Jack Whitehall DVD - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Whitehall-Gets-Around-Wembley/dp/B00BMVD6MA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436713020&sr=8-1&keywords=jack+whitehall

Miranda Hart DVD - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miranda-Hart-What-Call-Live/dp/B00HQE3K96/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436713057&sr=8-1&keywords=miranda+hart

Nosh for Students cookbook - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nosh-Students-Student-Cookbook-Recipe/dp/0956746470/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436713081&sr=8-1&keywords=nosh+for+students

*Disclaimer - these opinions are all my own*

My Daily Skincare Routine

Hi everyone,
Skincare is a very important part of any teenagers daily routine so I thought I would show you all what I use and what I think of them.
WARNING: these products work for me but they may not work for you, so try experimenting with different brands until you find the ones that suit you.
MY SKIN TYPE: oily T section and dry cheeks.
At first your skin breaks out a lot of spots, don't worry, this is usual but keep using it morning and evening every day and it will start to come into affect properly after a few days.

80 Cotton Wool Pads by Sainsburys Basics

The first item is essential because you can't exactly pour cleanser onto your face... I prefer this to cotton woll buds because these are easier to use. You can get them anywhere and I just use Sainsbury's or Asda basics as they work just as well as the more expensive ones.

 

Simple Kind to Skin purifying Cleansing Lotion

Most of my skincare products are from the Simple range (as you will soon learn) and I love the Kind To Skin range as it does not affect sensitive skin and has lots of lovely minerals in that are great for your skin. It dries quickly than other brands and is easy to put on.

You put cleanser on in big circular motions all around you face to clean your skin from any impurities you may have.

I used to use the Clean&Clear cleanser but it just smelt of chemicals and never really left my skin feeling clean, well it did, but I definetly feel like my face is clean and not tight since switching to Simple.

 

Simple Kind to Skin soothing Facial Toner

Toner is a very important part of any skincare routine as it helps smooth any rough patches so that your skin doesn't only look nice, but feels nice as well.

Use with the cotton pads it swift upwards movements to get the best results.

 I never used to do this step until last summer and since then I have noticed a massive difference in the texture of my skin (sounds wierd but I can't think of another way to put it).

 

Simple Kind to Skin hydrating Light Moisturiser

This step is essential, especially for dry skin as it hydrates the face to help to become smooth with no redness or flaky skin. This one is perfect for oily skin too because it has no oils in that would make you skin even more oily. Basically, check what skin type the product you want to buy is designed for and then make an informed decision as to what would be best for you; don't just use what your friend or favourite celebrity uses, it might not work as well for you.

I used to use the Clean&Clear moisturiser which worked just as well for me but I decided to give this one a go as all my other Simple products where amazing and I decided that since they were roughly the same price and worked the same, that I would stick with one brand for everything where possible.






Tea Tree Blemish Gel by The Body Shop

I love this Blemish Gel as it helps to reduce the amount of spots on your face and reduces the redness. I use this product after my moisturser as I have done since I was about 10 and it works like magic. I go through it quite quickly but it is really cheap and quite a small bottle so it is expected.

To get the best results just dap onto your spots and wait for the "magic" to happen :)

Vaseline lip therapy

I use this on my lips to help them look and feel soft and moist. Burts Bees and Baby Lips also do the job well but I use vaseline the most for no reason, i just happen to ;)

 

Hand Food by Soap&Glory

Next, I use this hand cream to leave my hands not only smells amazing but feels amazingly soft as well. I use the amount the size of a green pea and massage it into my hands morning and evening to keep my hands healthy.

Simple Clear Skin oil balancing Exfoliating Wash

I use the exfoliating wash in the shower by putting a small dollap in my hand and massaging into my skin. I leave it for a couple of minutes then wash off with clean water. I do this in the shower as I shower 3 times a week and this is about the amount of times you should use this product; you should not use it everyday so I use the shower as I reminder to use the facial wash.

I used to use the Clean&Clear facial wash but it left my skin really dry and flaky which was not the effect I was going for and since I moved to Simple it has helped to removes bumps and spots to leave my skin feeling hydrated and smooth.

 



Simple Kind to Skin cleansing facial wipes

I use the cleansing wipes in the evening to remove my makeup before I go to bed as you should never sleep with makeup on. It freshens my face and removes my makeup so it is a two-in-one really and it is super cheap and lasts a long time.

I use this product all around my face and neck in big circular motions, removing makeup and dead skin as I go.

Hope you are all having a fantastic 2014 and found this helpful

♥

What I got for Christmas

Hi everyone,
Sorry it is a bit late but I am finally doing my 'What I got for Christmas' blog.

DVDs

I got this from my grandparents and it is all 10 seasons of friends as well as a colourful episode guide. It is well worth the money and has over 80 hours of Friends! If you have been living under a rock and don't know what friends is then it is 6 friends hanging out in a café.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a film I had not watched until I got it for christmas and I have to be honest; I found it a little boring most of the time and I much prefer the book.

I watched Jack the Giant Slayer in the cinema and it is an amazing film so I just had to ask for it for Christmas. It is action packed but also romantic in places which is the best of both worlds for me.

Despicable Me 2 may be aimed at children but I am obsessed with the minions so had to get this film, it is very funny and a film for all the family. It is also quite cheap and you can buy it in most stores.

Beautiful Creatures is hard to define as it seems like a romance film to me but I think it has a bit of action as well... This film is based on a book and I hope they put the rest of them into films as well as I did throughly enjoy the film.

Warm Bodies is again very actiony but also romantic; it is about a zombie who falls in love with a human and at the end of the movie (SPOILER) turns back into a human.

The Merlin boxset is all 5 seasons (65 episodes) as well as great bonus features. I got this christmas day from my brother and am now on season 4 because I am so addicted I don't think I am going to get any homework done...

The Twilight Boxset has all 5 movies in and although they aren't my favourite films I still like to watch them from time to time so it is nice to have them on DVD for sleepovers or a day in bed during study leave ;)

Feet (this may sound like a wierd one)

These socks are so soft and very comfy and perfect for wearing round the house on a lazy day, I don't know where they are from but I have 5 pairs of socks like these now and I definately encourage you to invest in some as they are really cheap.

These slippers are from Next but they have a fleecy lining as well as a cute tartan pattern with wooden buttons and a bow which is perfect for the winter to keep you feet warm during the cold, winter months.

Food

Mikado sticks taste sort of like chocolate fingers as I think they come from some Asian country but they are really nice, although I'm not a big fan of the end of the stick where it is not covered in chocolate...

These took me ages to eat as there was so much in there. These are the perfect christmas gift and taste amazing and there is not fuss of breaking a normal chocolate orange where it goes everywhere.

I was not a fan of these because most of them had nuts in and as my nan got me these she should know that I don't like nuts but it doesn't matter as it was the thought that counts and my brother (who I gave them to) said they where very nice.

Beauty







Soag&Glory is an amazing brand and this product leaves my hands feeling really soft and it smells amazing! Cheap and available in drug stores (eg. Boots and Superdrug).

I love Batiste so much that my mum bought me 3 bottles for christmas. My review on Batiste is here.

My school friend Emily bought me this for christmas and each one smells really nice, perfect for every day use and really girly. A must for any one who wants to smell lovely :)

This is the Avon foundation and is the first proper foundation I ever had a few years ago but at £12 I can't afford it so my parents bought me one for christmas as it gives amazing coverage and has minerals in so doesn't damage the skin.

This is Eternal Magic and is an Avon perfume and smells amazing. It is really cheap so anyone can afford it.

Music

This is an amazing CD and I love all the music on it. However, most of the songs are about boys which can get a bit boring after a while but I love them all the same.

Stars Dance is an awesome album with such a varitey from R&B to ballads which are amazing and I get up and dance in my own horrific way to each and every one of them ;)

#willpower has many collaborations with well known artists such as Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and Justin Beiber and each of the songs are amazing in their own individual way. What I like about this album is that it goes straight into the next song and doesn't have a huge pause imbetween which I find incredibely annoying.

This is the iPod Nano 7th Generation which I got from my parents and it is amazing! I did a full blog post reviewing the item, you can see it here.

These new head phones are amazing with brilliant sound, the only thing I would say is that they don't stay in my ears very well because I have huge ears. However, they did have add-ons to make them fit bigger ears but my mum accidently threw them away.

Other CDs that I ordered from the library to listen to over the Christmas break include: JLS Goodbye, One Direction Midnight Memories and Union J.

Other



I have a Kobo Vox which they first ever colour e-reader and my parents gave me a £10 voucher to spend on a book of my choice. I will do a morew throurough review of the Vox in another blog.

This is a cute penguin that when you turn it on it flashes all different colours which has one of the sucker things so that it can go on your window at christmas time.

So ther you have it; my what I got for christmas tag.

I hope you liked it and gave you some ideas to put on your next christmas list! ;)

♥