Christmas 2012!

As far as Christmases go, I have had better! Christmas day started off so nice. I woke up quite early (maybe the excited child in me hasn't quite grown up yet) it was really nice to wake up next to Josh and get to say 'Merry Christmas' in person instead of over text from different houses. The rest of the house, minus one very hung over step dad, were awake so we went to see if Santa had been, he had! We opened a few presents with his dad seeming to be the most excited of all of us. I was completely spoiled by Josh with over £200 worth of Victorias Secret items (eeee!!) and his family got me some lovely presents too, Thanks guys! Josh probably got the best present of all in the form of his dads Mercedes SLK(!!) Everything was going so nicely, I was in the Christmas spirit and excited for the other visits I had to do. I left Josh's house and headed over to see my dad and grandma when this happened..

On Christmas day 2012 I had my first accident! The giant smash on my windscreen was actually caused by a pheasant that decided to walk into the road and then fly up right in front of my car. It was a seriously scary experience, so much so that I can't remember anything from when I hit the pheasant to when I pulled over into a near by lay-by. I managed to call my dad through my worked up state and he came out to get me, reassuring me that I hadn't ruined Christmas like I had bawled at him. I called Josh too and he and his mum came out. Josh calmed me down almost immediately, my knight in shining armour! I am so grateful for everyone who rushed out to my rescue! I'm still waiting for my car to get fixed..
After I had gotten back to my grandmas and over the shock I began to enjoy Christmas again. I stayed there for a couple of hours before my dad took me home to my mums house for another round of present opening. Me and my mum went to my aunties house for our lunch before I headed back to Josh's house to wind down Christmas with chocolate, quizzes and tv in bed!
I am so happy with everything I got for Christmas, I can't thank my family, friends and boyfriend enough for all the lovely things they treated me too! 

CNL: Christmas nails!

I have had two Christmas themed nail looks this year. This first one was a santa-esque style. I used a red Barry M shade on the base and topped it with a light coat of another Barry M, this time in a gold glitter shade. After it had all dried I used a 17 cosmetics white polish and painted a single line across the top of the nails to create the white fluffy effect to santa's red coat. The glitter is just a Christmassy must! 

 (Please excuse the paint on skin) The second nail look and the one I am currently sporting as I type was this blue and silver snowflake and snow nail. I used a Rimmel polish for the base is 'Azure' which is a colbolt blue shade. Once that had dried I dabbed Barry M's silver foil polish onto a piece of paper and used a tooth pick to draw on the dots and snowflakes, it took a little more time than a normal nail painting job but I think its worth it for some festive nails!

I have recently launched a facebook page for my blog, feel free to go and have a look and give it a like! you can find me HERE! I will be regularly updating it with new posts, instagram pictures plus we can have a chat! If you have a facebook for your blog, let me know and I will check it out! 
XC  

Winter Wonderland OOTD!

Top - Marks & Spencer 

Leggings - New Look

Jacket - F&F at Tesco

Socks - Marks & Spencer

Bag - Forever 21

Uggs - Marks & Spencer

So last week me and my boyfriend went on a little trip to London do some shopping and visit winter wonderland. We left on the train around 10am and got home at nearly 11pm so it was a super long and seriously enjoyable day! We headed into London's St Pancras then onto Harrods for a little mooch round which turned into a 4 hour shopping trip inside the gigantic shop. After that we went over to winter wonderland where I had an amazing time, we decided to do everything including the rides, ice skating, circus and magical ice kingdom. After a few hours in winter wonderland we then headed to oxford street for some late night shopping and my Christmas present trip to Victorias Secret! I have the best boyfriend ever who spent a small fortune on me in there for Christmas. Thanks baby, Love you! Everything was so amazing and christmassy. I had the one of the most perfect days with Josh :) 

XC

Holly Jolly Christmas Tag!

1. What are you doing for Christmas this year?
This year I'm going to be spending most of Christmas day in the car travelling from my boyfriends house to my grandmas house to see her and my daddy then from there I am going to my mums house to see her then we are going to my aunties house for some food and to see the rest of my family then back to my boyfriends for an afternoon of fun and love! yay!
2. What's your favourite holiday drink?
Either a costa hot chocolate with marshmallows or mint for warmth or, a new discovery, marks and spencer raspberry and cranberry juice. yummy in my tummy!
3. Candy cane or Gingerbread men?
I'm not a massive fan of gingerbread so I'm going to say candy cane!
4. What is your favourite Christmas song?
Can't beat a bit of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey, never fails to put a smile on my face!
5. Have you ever made a snowman?
YES! me and my best friend once made a 5ft snowman in my back garden, it was amazing! Complete with stick arms, carrot nose, stone buttons, plant pot hat and a pink fluffy scarf.
6. Favourite winter fragrance?
This may sound strange but I love the smell of tinsel, fake christmas trees and advent calendars, they just mean Christmas to me.. weird.
7. Favourite Christmas Movie?
I love all the santa clause movies. I own them all and will watch them all before Christmas.
8. Are you on the naughty list or nice list?
Obviously the nice list, I am nothing but nice..
9. Show us an embarrassing Christmas card photo (we know you have one!)
In England we don't do Christmas card photos so I don't actually have one, sorry!
10. Have you ever had a white Christmas?
I think it may have actually snowed on Christmas day last year, that was nice. No chance of that this year though!
11. Where do you usually spend the holidays?
At home with my loved ones :)
12. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?
Not unless I'm seeing a family member who wants us too.
13. Can you name all of santa's reindeer?
I'm going to be honest and say no. I could just google it and type it in but lets be honest Rudolph is the only one anyone cares about
14. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to this year?
Eating so much food!
15. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
It's fake, I'm sorry!
16. Hands down, What is your all-time favourite holiday food and sweet treat?
Is it just me or does the Christmas dinner always taste amazing compared to a normal roast? Can't be doing Christmas without cadbury's festive friends! 
17. Be honest, do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better? 
I'm really excited to give everyone their presents this year, especially my boyfriends cause he's been trying to guess what they are for the last few weeks.
18. Show us your tackiest Christmas attire?
I only wish I owned a Christmas jumper! 
19. What would be your dream place to visit for the holidays?
I like to be at home around around family and my boyfriend so going away would mean I wasn't with them
20. Does your family have a special holiday recipe you like to help make?
Normally I would bake some Christmas themed cookies but I haven't had the time this year :(
21. Are you a pro present wrapper or do you fail miserably?
I like to think I'm a pro, my mum likes to think otherwise.
22. Most memorable holiday moment?
Every year seems to be as memorable as the next, I always have such a nice time over Christmas
23. What made you realise the truth about santa?
That would be my mum telling me the truth about him on Christmas day.. Along the lines of "Do you know who got you all of these presents?" "Santa" "No, me and your daddy did" </childhood> 
24. Do you make new years resolutions and stick to them?
I attempt to but I to be honest I don't even remember the resolutions I made this year, woops!
25. What makes the holiday's special for you?
Being around everyone I love and getting to spend some time with them. I like how happy and fun everything is over Christmas
XC

Christmas Giveaway Winners!

I am now going to attempt to build tension Xfactor style.. Que dramatic music and lighting! 

The two runners up winning the floral goodiebags are (drum roll)

IMOGEN (imogenrosebeauty.blogspot.co.uk)
and 
CLAIRE LOUISE!! (xxclairelouisexx.blogspot.co.uk)

and in first place, winning the golden goodiebag we have (even longer, more drawn out and dramatic drum roll)

EMILY! (emilylikesmakeup.blogspot.co.uk)

Please can you lovely ladies email me your addresses to itscharr@gmail.com so I can get your prizes sent out to you as soon as possible!
Thank you for all the entries and well done to the winners!
XC

Christmas Gift Guide: For Her!

Another idea inspiring post for you today, this time for the ladies! See part one here for the men's gift guide! 

1. Books: Since the 50 shades of grey phase reading seems to have exploded with a whole load of women taking to dipping into a book during their spare time. This christmas, why not supply your girl friends with some more reading material. One of my favourite books to read is 'Safe Haven' by Nicholas Sparks, beautifully written love story. 

2. Taylor Swift 'Red' album: This is more of a personal recommendation to you all. This is possibly the best album I've ever heard. I guarantee you that there is a song on this album you will relate to and instantly love all the amazing range of classic Taylor and party Taylor songs. Go buy this for all your friends and even yourself if you don't already have it! 

3. Scarf, gloves & hats: keeping warm is kind of essential in the winter period so purchasing an incredibly on trend beanie hat to keep your head and ears warm, wrapping a super stylish scarf around your neck and slipping on a pair of gloves will leave us all prepared to tackle our busy lives in toasty warmth. 

4. Scented Candles: You can't go wrong with a Christmas scented candle! There is nothing like burning these around the house to keep the Christmas spirit flowing for a little while after the big day. Because most candles come in multiple sizes they can make the perfect stocking fillers or small gift for any girl.

5. Make up or nail varnish sets: This is a beauty blog after all so of course some form of beauty product is got to feature! I am a huge fan of the benefit make up sets that contain everything you could need to create a look fro, the smoky eye to a night out. I am lusting after the models own mirror ball collection myself so I think it's a pretty nice gift for anyone, who like me, loves sparkly nail varnish. I think these make the perfect stocking fillers! 

XCg

Christmas Gift Guide: For Him!

With Christmas being only 20 days away I'm sure the majority of people are well into the swing of their present shopping with some ideas in mind, However, if you aren't then I hope something out of the four gift guides I will be posting will give you a little helping hand. Up first, we have the males, the most difficult people to buy for (am I right?)

1. Aftershave: You can't go wrong with buying any male of any age something smelly whether it be in the form of a shower gel gift set from boots for those smelly teenage boys or a sexy smelling aftershave for your man to wear when he is whisking you off on a romantic date. Some of my personal favourites are the lynx body sets and a the Gucci Guilty aftershave, I have smelt the 007 aftershave and have to say it doesn't actually smell too bad!

2. Christmas Jumper: Nothing will get them in the Christmas mood more than buying them a Christmas themed jumper. Whether you go for the classic snow flake printed ones or for something a little more 'Giant Christmas pudding slapped in the middle' I'm sure he'll love it! The best places to look for something like that seem to be River Island, Topman and Primark!

3. A Video Game: We all know most men have a love affair with their games consoles on a regular basis (well, its better than another woman, right?) so why not get him something that will keep him occupied for hours like the new Lego Lord of the Rings game, available on all consoles. My boyfriend got this the other day and I've played it with him and have to say, it is really quite fun and easy for someone, like me, who isn't very skilled in the video game department.

4. Hats, Gloves & Scarves: No matter how macho your man is he will still get cold so prompt him to wrap up warm by buying him a fashionable hat, gloves and scarf set. Even if he decides not to wear them at least you can borrow them to keep toasty in!

5. Underwear: Noticed your mans underwear is looking a little faded and old? Get him some new ones for Christmas. Underwear makes an easy stocking filler and will no doubt get used, you could go with the old classic plain ones or make it a little more fun with some character or funny ones which can be found in pretty much every shop. Each time he puts them on he can be reminded that you got them for him, always thinking of you!

XC 

Christmas Giveaway! [OPEN]

The festive season is here so what better way to kick it off then with a GIVEAWAY! 
Over the next two (ish) weeks you can be in with a chance of winning ONE of THREE Christmas goody bags. There will be one main winner who will win the golden goody bag and two runners up who will win the smaller goody bags. Each bag will be filled with a selection of gifts ranging from beauty to jewellery and sweets all individually wrapped for that extra element of surprise! 

THE RULES!
- You MUST be following me on GFC 
- To enter, leave a comment below telling me what makes Christmas special to you and please leave an email address so I can contact you if you win. (one entry)
- For an extra two entries, follow me on twitter for one entry (@ItsCharrX) and tweet I've just entered @ItsCharrX's Christmas goody bag giveaway over at http://itscharr.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/christmas-giveaway-open.html! for the second. Leave your twitter name in the comments so I can follow you back!
- The giveaway is international 
- The giveaway will close at 9pm (GMT) on Thursday 20th December 2012
- One winner & two runners up will be announced on Friday 21st or Saturday 22nd December 2012

GOOD LUCK! 
XC

CNL: Midnight Cami!

Midnight Cami - Essie

Another shopping trip, another Essie nail polish added to my collection. This time I went for a deep navy blue shade 'Midnight Cami.' Despite this being part of their winter collection I feel like this shade more accurately represents the darkest point of a summers night as it has some lighter reflects in it. It's the perfect versatile colour for all year round, love it! 

XC