Hey Mil: 2014

2015 is quickly approaching, a whole 12 months ahead can be exciting and scary. I graduate in July and to be honest I'm pretty scared. This is the first time where *flash-forward one year* I don't know where I will be in my life. In the past I haven't known what that year will hold, but I knew what I was doing at least.

Having no student loan, student card, house share, savings of any kind and at the same time being flung into the big wide world. 3 years sounds like a long time, yeah? Well it goes *snaps fingers* like that. And its been a blast! Now I'm doing my dissertation and need to figure out my next step. Over the holidays countless people asked me 'what's next?' or 'what are you going to do when you finish?'. All I replied with was, my favourite motto, 'I'll cross that bridge when I get to it'. The reality is, I don't know where I'll be living or what I'll be doing at that point.

I've always been one of those people that can change their mind at the drop of the hat, when it comes down to my life path anyway ha! I found an au pair job online that started ASAP and debated taking it...with 5 months left of my degree... Good one! My 21st is next month and when I was younger I thought I'd have it all down to plan by 21. There's so much I want to do; travel, write, carry on with Hey Mil, start vlogging, pay back my student overdraft and have a flat or house (to name but a few). It's just the step in-between.

I realised yesterday, that I haven't actually booked anything for the oncoming year. I normally have something in the mix, whether it be a gig or holiday or something. I have a blank space this time around (well apart from a wax in January, that doesn't count haha!). Is this a good or bad thing? Maybe 2015 will be full of spontaneous adventures? Or have I given up? I'm a firm believer in going out there and getting it, so I better go and get it!

Not knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life is ok. We are the generation where doing what makes you happy is more important, having just one career isn't necessary. What's the worst that can happen? It doesn't matter that I don't have it all figured out, you can cross that bridge when you get to it :) Here's to 2015, booking things and being spontaneous!

I hope everyone has a good New Year and 2015 brings happiness and good health!

Millie

I came back home to Essex for Christmas! Seeing my family and friends over the Christmas period is always lovely. I thought I'd share some photos with you :)

We got a puppy the week before Christmas, meet Lilo <3

Lindt for breakfast is alright in the Holidays, right?

Was such a lucky girl, can't wait to show you the Naked Palette :D

Lilo dressed as Santa is the cutest thing!

Grandma getting into the spirit

Dinner time!

Rude not to have a tipple ;)

Fairy lights should be allowed all year round, so pretty

A morning walk

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas :)

Millie

I'm stuck in a rut. I'm not sure if it's because its near the end of the year or because I've just stuffed myself with Christmas leftovers, but I don't like it. I was so stressed with uni and really needed a day doing nothing and staying in my pjs. Then I just lost all motivation in one day. Time for the so cliché, but so true - fresh start! This is kind of like a lazy free resolution list, the things I need to stop doing. I think these are achievable and will make me feel better, even if it's just in a tiny way, it'll be good :)

1. Shutting my laptop instead of turning it off. I know its bad but I open so many tabs I'm not committed to closing... it has to stop for the benefit of my Macbook. I'm also really bad at agreeing to updates and restarts ahhhh!

2. Having a meal deal for lunch and/or dinner. Its a waste of money and is really not the healthiest option. Getting into the habit of making packed lunches will help me save for a flat after uni or traveling or even just paying my bills!

3. Falling asleep in last nights make up. Hello bad skin. It has been known to even leave falsies on, which is super lazy. So long breakouts! I'm cleaning you off even when drunk, yes!

4. Letting my bedroom get out of hand. I'm talking floor-robe, the lot. I'm so bad, I really don't have that much storage for clothes but don't want to waste money buying storage units when I'm living in a furnished place at the mo! Maybe a clear out then...

5. Screwing up my sleeping pattern. Watching back to back series or seasons and binge watching to a whole new level. I'm known amongst my friends for watching seasons in days or weeks. (Maybe I need to work on getting more friends and a better social life XD) I did a blog post on How To Get A Better Nights Sleep in November, maybe I need refreshing!

6. Remembering to take shopping bags with me. In Wales you have to pay 5p per bag, everywhere, even McDonald's! I have a cupboard full of bags for life's and canvas shoppers but a lot of the time I forget to bring them with me, nightmare! It will save me money having them in my bag helps and do my bit for the planet :) god, how old do I sound? Haha!

7. Washing my make up brushes. They are so bad at the moment and I always leave it and leave it. Time to sort that out. How often are you supposed to wash make up brushes? I don't even know

8. Paying for a gym membership and not going. I think this can apply to a lot of people, so many people I know or speak to are paying for a gym membership and not going. I did actually cancel mine because I hadn't been for a month and I couldn't afford it....but in the New Year I want to rejoin and keep it up!

9. No more leaving deadlines until the last minute. In September I had motivation. I wasn't leaving things 'til the last minute but now I'm back to my 'Fresher' ways and it's not good. Motivational Millie is arriving!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas though! Any lazy things you find yourself doing that you want to stop in 2015?

Millie

ITS CHRISTMAS EVE TOMORROW!!!
All the Christmas Specials are on, people are finishing work and everyones panicking that they've forgotten something. Its the most wonderful time of the year :D

So tomorrow no-doubt my mum still wouldn't have finished her present wrapping so I think I'll be required to help out for that haha! But I'm making time to relax, before we have a house full on Christmas Day :)

I love Yankee Candles, I think you definitely get what you pay for and this is one of my all-time favourites! I had a mini and used it up so quickly because I loved it so much! So this time I got the melt and then I found this little candle holder from Poundland believe it or not. (They are available in other colours) So Christmas Eve will fittingly be lit. Yankee currently have a sale on a lot of their Christmas scents, so stocking up for next year is organised!

Then I'm going to make sure that I have a chill out and I'm going to use my Christmas Eve bubble bar from Lush. With a 'the heavenly fragrance of ylang ylang and jasmine absolute', I'm going to be so relaxed afterwards. I can't link the product now because Lush have already removed it from their website (too organised they could have waited until after Christmas ha!). However they are still available in store.

Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve! As a kid I could never sleep, the excitement was too much. To be honest I think I'm still just as excitable now haha! I'm going to put on my Olaf pjs, eat mince pies and drink hot chocolate!

I hope everybody has a lovely Christmas :)

Millie

I know, I know! I keep saying at this time of year I really shouldn't be buying myself things... but these are Christmassy so I have to get them before I miss out, riiiight? These products are only available until January, Christmas specials is all part of the fun! These are from two separate hauls one in Cardiff and one at Westfield Stratford. I picked up Snow Fairy, Christmas Eve, Luxury Lush Pud, Magic Wand and Star Light, Star Bright. Theres still quite a few of the seasonal ones that I haven't got to try yet, but I'll wait and see if Santa gets me anything :)

Snow Fairy is one of Lush's most popular items and I completely understand why! Its pink, glittery and smells like you could eat it. Its sweet and yummy and I should probably buy a couple of bottles to stock up until next year ;) I'm for sure going to put the Magic Wand with it just to make it extra pink, bubbly and sweet. The wands are great as they last for up to 8 washes (I think thats what the lady said... Lush service is always spot on can I add!!) you just swish them in the bath or hold it under the tap and bob's your uncle one bubbly bath all for you!

Star Light, Star Bright bath melt is absolutely COVERED in glitter! It has blue inside and smells citrusy. I must admit this is the first bath melt I've used from Lush and now I'm ultra soft! The Luxury Lush Pud bath bomb is something I've been meaning to try! I've seen such wild colours in Instagram photos, I'm sure I'll post a snap when I use it mind :)

I'm saving the Christmas Eve bubble bar for a Christmas Eve themed blog post so look out for that :)

What have been your favourite Lush products this year?

Millie

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award! Thank you to the lovely Sarah from Shimmer of Sparkle, if you don't know of her blog, go and have a look :)

Firstly, here are the rules:
1. Thank the person/people who nominated you, and link their blog in your post.
2. Display a picture of the Liebster award (the cover photo of this post) in your post.
3. Answer the 11 questions given to you by the person/people who nominated you.
4. Provide 11 random facts about you, they can be anything you want
5. Nominate 5-11 blogs who have less than 200 followers, this is to help out other new bloggers trying to get out there!
6. Make up your own 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer.
7. List the rules in your post so they know what the Liebster Award means.
8. Don't forget to let the people you nominated know that they have been nominated, and send them a link to your blog so they can get the information.
So, here we go!

Here are my questions from Sarah
1)What is your favourite flavour popcorn? Sweet, yessss
2) What is your favourite film? As cliché as it is, probably Bridget Jones' Diary
3) What would your dream job when you were younger? I've more or less wanted every job at some point! In Year 3 we were asked to draw our dream job, I split the page in half and on one side was a hairdresser and the other an Olympic swimmer....
4) What is your favourite tv programme? Gavin and Stacey or 'cos I recently finished The Office US that too :)
5) What is your favourite weather season? Spring
6) Who is your favourite disney princess? Belle but Ariel is a very close second
7) Do you have any pets? Family pets yes, 2 black Labradors and a few fish
8) Do you have any siblings? 2 brothers
9) Do you have any birth marks? 2, one under my armpit and one on the back of my thigh
10) Your birthday or Chirstmas? I love my birthday and secretly love being the centre of attention for one day but, Christmas is my fav. I don't listen to Happy Birthday in the run-up to my b'day ha!
11) Normal socks or fluffy socks? Normal, but funky ones!

Eleven facts about me:
1) I can touch my nose with my tongue
2) I share my birthday with Justin Timberlake and Marcus Mumford
3) My first concert was McFly
4) People falling over is one of the funniest things ever
5) I wore a dress back-to-front once...
6) I sing in the shower and bath
7) I hate it when people don't say please and thank you.
8) My party trick is doing a crab down the wall
9) My toenails are always painted
10) I LOVED the Spice Girls from pretty much since I could talk and Spice was the first album I owned :)
11) One day (way, way, into the future) I want to open a bed and breakfast on the sea front in Brighton :)

I nominate; If you don't already follow them be sure to check them out too :) have fun and good luck!

Sabrinna
Abi Beth
Heather
Emily
Olivia Cheryl

Your questions are;
1) What would your last meal be?
2) Dream place to live?
3) Night in or night out?
4) What quote do you 'live' by?
5) Facebook or Twitter?
6) What are you currently watching on Netflix?
7) Your favourite Disney princess?
8) Cats or dogs?
9) The last thing you bought yourself?
10) What are you looking forward to in the New Year?
11) How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Thank you :)

Millie

Last month I was in Reading visiting my bessie Emily and found a KIKO store!!! I know its cheeky this close to Christmas buying myself make up, but I was so excited I couldn't resist haha! Before now I hadn't tried KIKO but us meeting was fate. A range of products was purchased because, well, I wanted to try a bit of everything. All of this came to roughly £15 - what a steal; two lipliners, one eyeliner, one nail varnish and two lipsticks.

The lipsticks are a lot more subtle compared to the others in my make-up bag and feel really nice on the lips. I picked up a light coral (906) and a lilac (922). I'm loving the lilac, it really gives off those 90s vibes that I sometimes find myself in ha! I'm sure to get a lot more use out of both shades when the sun comes back around :)

I was desperate for more lipliners!! These two smart lip pencil colours are wicked, one in a bright orange (705) and a deep pinky/red (709). Lipliner for sure helps lipstick stay on and is essential. I also bought a sliver smart eyeliner (814) which will be handy over Christmas and New Year!

I'm yet to try the nail varnish, I chose black just 'cos I needed a new one, so boring I know! I do wish they would name the products instead of having numbers but I'm pleased with what I've tried so far :) Have any of you tried KIKO eyeshadows? They had such a large range it was a dream

Millie

Christmas is allowed to be cringey right?
This year I've realised that it is and I love it. I mean everyone is embracing the cheesiness of it all there was even a national Christmas Jumper Day the other day. But there still seems to be some 'Scrooges' out there... If you are having trouble getting in the Christmas spirit then watch out :) I'm making it my personal mission to help spread cheer!

Jumpers
Investing in a Christmas jumper is sure to boost your spirit and others. At work we're allowed to wear them now and I find a lot of people really enjoy it. One of them is a bit cheeky and tends to make people laugh when they read it ha :) Primark and Peacocks have a good range too!

Songs

Every year I always tend to have a favourite Christmas song. I think Michael Bublé's Christmas Album is one of the best! My fav this year is a bit of a surprising one to say the least ha its Cliff Richards - Saviour's Day, which is so cheesy its unreal! Now I'm not really religious but this gets me singing and swaying. Then theres obviously the greats like All I Want For Christmas Is You, Last Christmas and Do They Know Its Christmas?

TV
Here in the UK there are certain shows that mean Christmas is near. For me there are: I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor. I'm A Celeb has finished now, X Factor finishes tonight and Strictly is next weekend - so you better jump on that bandwagon quickly :)

Films

They have finally started scheduling Christmas classics on TV - yaaay!!! I'm talking; Home Alone 1 & 2, Polar Express, The Santa Clause, Miracle on 34th Street and The Muppets Christmas Carol. Family time and Christmas films is something I'm looking forward to when I get home!

Food
Pigging out is allowed, if not encouraged! The amount of times my housemates and I have popped to the shops just for snacks is unreal haha! Its much more frequent now they have chocolate oranges for £1 and share bags of cheese balls! Its just a fact that people pile on a few pounds in December...

If this hasn't helped you get into the 'spirit' I'm sorry, but what is wrong with you? Haha I hope the festive cheer comes to you soon, maybe you need some mulled wine, am I right? :)

Millie

Hey peeps, you alright? I know its been a while and I feel like the past couple of posts I've started with apologising for lack of posts and for being so busy! (This one has started that way too...) Anyway I am sorry for being real busy and not posting as much as I'd like to, but I've finished uni for Christmas now, so will (hopefully) have a bit more free time on my hands :)

I haven't done a 'Nails of the Week' before but I think its something I could manage! I love nail varnish and tend to mix it up a fair bit so why not, eh?

I have some of those horrible rough bits on my nails at the mo. Thats what you get for not wearing gloves when its freezing :(

With Christmas literally around the corner, I've gone for a wine red with sparkles. This one is by OPI in the shade Underneath The Mistletoe. Its actually from the Mariah Carey Holiday range, so is officially perfect for the holidays, am I right? My mum actually bought it for me last year and I love it as much now as I did then.

What are your must-have colours around this time of year?

Millie

ITS DECEMBER!!! So sorry I haven't posted in over a week (I think), been crazy busy and still have so much to do, but its clear I need to work on my balancing skills...
We're nearly at the end of 2014, how mad is that?! Its had its ups and downs like every year. I went to Berlin and Amsterdam for the first time and they were both lovely! I started my 3rd year at uni, moved back home for a month and I'm still heartbroken about Robin Williams :(
In the next year I turn 21, graduate and don't even know where I'll even be living. The only way is up and its time to hang in there see what the future holds! I'll cross that bridge when I get to it is my mantra haha!
I thought I'd start a Bucket List in the hope that within the year I will cross some off :)

Go to New York and visit Times Square

Visit Anne Franks House

See The Black Keys in concert

Go to Latitude Festivals

Visit my friend in Australia

Road trip around the USA

Graduate from USW

Eat at every restaurant in Cardiff

Write a screenplay/sitcom/novel

Become more musically talented...

Learn to drive

Go paint-balling

Go skydiving

Wear tartan in Scotland

Drink Guinness in Ireland

Invest in a decent camera

Start vlogging

Treat myself to a designer handbag

Learn to cook a curry from scratch

Go to Stonehenge

Appear as an extra in something

Learn Spanish, French or Italian

Visit Liverpool

Go on Maid of the Mist

Do the Beatles pose on Abbey Road

Pretend to hold the Leaning Tower of Pitsa

Make a lip sync

Go to a retro club in London

Get work experience

I'll probs end up adding a few things too! Its important to have hopes, goals and dreams :)

Millie

Its the end of November, (where has time gone?!) spending money is on a budget, for Christmas presents and such. So staying in is the the new going out! As a group we have been super stressed with deadlines, so its well and truly needed. Whats on the agenda for a group in their early 20s on a Friday night you ask? We're watching Disney films - wheeeeey! Forever young at heart :)

When and Where - So first of all, let your friends know

Attire - comfort is key when chilling out! Pjs are encouraged, staying in it doesn't matter how you look

Food - snacks, snacks and more snacks! If you can afford it a takeaway too, for sure

Choosing the films! - There are so many Disney films, we need a week to watch them all but here's our list for this time:

Frozen

Toy Story trilogy...

Monsters Inc.

Hercules

Beauty and the Beast

Lion King

Aladdin

Peter Pan

The list is subject to change on the night haha! But Frozen is a definite and I'm gonna sing Let It Go at the top of my lungs, obviously........

If you have Netflix, there are SO many Disney films on there now too:

Can't wait to be in my pjs, surrounded by junk food and I'm probably crying at Robin Williams as Genie in Aladdin - emosh

How are you saving money this time of year? :)

Millie

Hey hey hey! I've done my Christmas List! I found this really cool website Wish and Tick which is basically a place where you can put all of the links to the things you want. How handy is that? I think its brilliant, especially for my parents haha! Instead of me writing out a list, then they go out shopping, asking shop assistants what I'm going on about, its right there instead! Here's my wish list :)

Beauty and the Beast Pjs, Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Eau de Toilette, Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush, Clinique High Impact Mascara, Teddy Robe, Urban Decay Naked Palette, Yes Please - Amy Poehler, River Island Platforms

Whats on your wish list this Christmas?

Millie

If you haven't started Christmas shopping yet, its the end of November now, what are you thinking?! I'm not one to judge, I know when you have lots of people to buy for, it can be really daunting not knowing where to start. Or maybe you have started, but struggling with a few 'I don't know what to gets' or maybe you just feel like treating yourself because you've finished all your gift buying? Crazily organised group- I am sadly not a part of... Anyway I have some absolute FINDS for you!

I love a bargain like the next person and think Poundland is brilliant (yes, sometimes coming back with things I don't need...) on a recent trip found these fab stocking fillers, all of course at £1!

For anyone that has little ones to buy for, children, siblings or any disney fans, they have a huge range! They had two separate stands for The Little Mermaid and Frozen. Ranging from mini lipsticks, compact mirrors, hair clips to bubble baths. (The packs of tissues come in a packet of 8 and the wrapping paper is from Primark at £1 for 10 metres) PLEASE NOTE: Stores do vary.

I hope this is helpful to someone! If it is, I may do more posts like it in the future :)
Have you found any bargains?
Millie

A beauty post today and I've got a new foundation to try! Its taken me a while, I'll give you that. I needed a new one after my summer holiday (my tan has completely gone *sadface*) and my shade changed a little. Needing a new colour is the prefect excuse for trying a new foundation. I'm normally so lazy with trying new ones, getting the right colour is just annoying, but I bit the bullet and gave in.

I picked up Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation Soft Beige. Its a medium to full coverage that claims to last for 25 hours... It also has SPF 20. For the winter I would like to try another one without SPF but I really like this. Medium coverage is my favourite to wear, with reasonably clear skin I don't think its necessary to clog up pores with a heavy foundation. This is lightweight on the skin which is a plus. But this does NOT last for 25 hours! Can any foundation? Personally, one pump is enough for my whole face. I put it on the back of my hand and then apply it using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. Using a brush I find gives much more even coverage.

Maybe next I need to test-try good primers and give the 25 hours a proper test :)

Millie

Hey peeps, you alright? Hope everyone is enjoying November! Its got really cold in the UK now and I'm already super excited for Christmas, waahoooo! This weekend I was in Norwich for another bestie birthday :) (so many b'days this month!) she's the first one to turn 21 out of our group from school. So she's basically a granny now ha!

Norwich is quite a way from Cardiff, 8 hours on a Megabus. To put that into perspective you could fly from London to New York in the same length of time - friendship dedication

We had Pizza Express Friday night but we were all far too hungry to even take a photo #firstworldproblems but the Christmas duck pizza - Anatra Romana is beautiful!

Saturday we went round Norwich, Bec showed us the sights and then went shopping. They literally have the BEST Poundland ever, but thats another story or blogpost ;) then Saturday night we went out to the students union. I always find it strange going to a union because I'm on a city campus but we all had a laugh, haha!

On Sunday we had Dominos (no judging for the large amount of pizza consumed in one weekend) but once again were all too hungry to snap it, thanks to being extremely hungover...

Anyway, Norwich is a lovely place and I'm fo'sho' coming to visit again Bec :)

'We're the 3 best friends that anyone can have'

What did you lovelies do this weekend?

Millie

Today I'm doing the Sisterhood of the World Tag after being nominated by the lovely Mire and Caro at Robbers Corner :)

The Rules:

- Thank the blogger who nominated you, linking back to their site

- Put the award logo on your blog

- Answer the ten questions that have been set you

- Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer

- Nominate other bloggers

- HAVE FUN

I tag:

and anyone else who wants to do it :)

The questions are:

1. What is your all time favourite beauty product?

I'd probably say Clinique High Impact Mascara! People say I have long eyelashes and applying this makes them even longer :)

2. If you were to shop at only one store for the rest of your life, where would it be and why?

Oh gosh that sounds devastating :O maybe ASOS because although I hate online clothes shopping (I love trying clothes on and seeing how they fit, sending back parcels is hassle ha!), that would be my way round it because they sell so many brands...

3. What is your favourite way to style your hair?

Middle parting and down usually, if I can be bothered I curl it too! A hat is an easy option mind ;)

4. A new product you're loving recently? (it can be anything!)

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation

5. Favourite nail varnish brand?

I know its cheap but I really like Barry M Gelly nail varnish haha!

6. What's your favourite make up brush to use for foundation?

I use the Real Techniques buffing brush

7. 3 beauty must haves?

A good mascara, a long stay lipstick and a hydrating moisturiser :)

8. Would you rather go out on the town, or have a quiet night in?

I absolutely love going out and dancing the night away, but sometimes a night in with junk food and lots of films is needed!

9. What do you use to take your make-up off at the end of the day?

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water on cotton pads

10. Your favourite Christmas film?

I'd probably say Love Actually, that counts as a Christmas film right?

The questions for my nominees are:

1. If you had to wear one lipstick for the rest of your life, what would it be?

2. A beauty tip to hand on :)

3. What is your favourite film of 2014?

4. A new product you've been loving recently? (can be anything)

5. Who would play you in the story of your life?

6. Favourite place in the world?

7. How long does it take you to get ready on an average day?

8. What foundation do you currently use?

9. When do you start Christmas shopping?

10. What do you wear more of, trousers or skirts?

Millie

Boy has it been a busy and stressful fortnight! For anyone that hasn't already heard of COLAB, Ruth Crilly - A Model Recommends has designed her own dry shampoo. The range includes five different scents; Classic - London, Floral - Paris, Fruity - New York, Tropical - Rio and Oriental - Tokyo. I went for the Rio this time. It claims to be a clear spray instead of a white powder like many other brands. See, I have always been an avid Batiste user since I started going to festivals at 16, and because it worked so well I never bothered to try any others. Recently, though it hasn't been working the wonders it once did :( I don't know if its the shampoo and conditioner I'm currently using or another reason. Now the time has come to look somewhere else and COLAB didn't disappoint!

It actually does what it says on the tin! Due to the hectic week I've had, I literally didn't even have time to wash my hair, gross I know. The first time I used COLAB was on greasy, 3 day old hair. Not the best I know....but it worked! The spray is not a white powder, but clear. Being brunette this is a huge benefactor, no more slightly grey roots!! Spraying it on the roots and rubbing it in, I find it also works well for giving added volume, which is always a bonus right! I love the branding so much too, so glad I decided to try it. Its available from Superdrug and Feel Unique in two sizes, a travel size and this size.

If you've tried it, let me know what you think :)

Millie

I'm SOOO excited for Christmas!!!! Its only November but I don't care! I saw this tag on Milk Bubble Tea and decided to do it, well, because I'm yet to do a tag and Christmas is just the best :D

I tag anyone who wants to do this, I'm still not 100% sure how the 'tagging' thing works ha!

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?

Oh my goodness where to start? Love Actually is one of my all-time favourite films! I really love, Arthur Christmas, The Holiday, Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life too.

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Christmas morning, I didn't even realise opening them on Christmas Eve was a thing?! We still wake up really early on Christmas Day even though my youngest brother is 12 now, we all just get so excited but I can't imagine it any other way :)

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

Leaving a tray out for Father Christmas was always my favourite thing! I was adamant I could hear sleigh bells on the roof near enough every year too...

4. Favourite festive food?

Roast potatoes. Me and my dad are respectfully the roast potato king and queen. However I am rather keen on turkey, Turkish Delight and After Eights.

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

I've had so many great things over the years, but its between my Barbie Scooter and my first iPod. Both of which I fell in love with and had so much use out of! Thought I'd point out these were different years....

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

Christmas dinner, a real Christmas tree and cinnamon.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

My mum would normally still be wrapping her Christmas presents* which has become a tradition in our house, in which whoever doesn't need to run out to get last bits gets involved in. Its such a laugh and we all have a sing-song to all the Christmas bests.

*(Leaving it this late may scare some of you, but every year my mum is sure she will change her ways but never has, so we accept it now ha!)

8. What tops your tree?

It comes down to a vote in our house. My mum always wants the angel but the rest of us want the star (the angel is really grubby now and the star is COVERED in glitter), so the star usually wins.

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

One of those mini ovens? Remember those? I always wanted one to do 'baking' in but my mum always said no. I've grown up to realise she was right it probably was a waste of money.

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Since moving to Cardiff for uni, going home and being home for Christmas is great! Catching up with all of my family and friends, over indulging and giving people gifts they really want, is lovely.

ARGH, now I want to go out and buy tinsel, fairy lights, crackers, listen to Michael Bublé's Christmas album and whack on an embarrassing Christmas jumper :)
Millie

My sleeping pattern has had its ups and downs, some would say an emotional roller-coaster, but I decided it was time to do something about it. If you think you have a bad sleeping pattern, believe me I'll be able to relate. Last year I ended up going a whole 24 hours in effort to change it back. I think the worst it got to was going to bed at 10am and waking-up at 5pm (this would be perfectly fine if I were doing night shifts, but thats the thing, I wasn't...)

Now, I'm a new woman and I feel so much better for it! Just by changing a few things, it was actually pretty easy to stick to, so I thought I'd pass it on :)

Having a bath - relaxing before bedtime is something I've really got in to, when it's cold and raining outside too, what better way to stay in a chill

Having a read - I'm more or less a bookworm, I read every night if I don't go out or fall asleep as soon as I hit the pillow

Totally loving the Mindy Kaling book at the moment! She is an ICON!

Turning off - past about 11pm (I know this seems late for some people) I try and not look at my phone, laptop or TV some nights I have the exceptions but cutting out electronics near bedtime makes a huge difference. In the past I was a sucker for staying up all night watching films or box sets but now, nope

Getting warm - its absolutely freezing in my room so wrapping up in my quilt, blankets and pillows is beaut! There's nothing worse than socks in bed though - eeeww

No big lights - just having my lamp and fairy lights on is much more relaxing than having the main light on

Candles - lighting a candle always makes me feel all snug, letting off a lovely scent too, ready for dreaming

Yes, that is Olaf and Mike Wazowski on my bed....

No Caffeine - after about 4pm I make sure I most definitely don't drink any coffee or Red Bull. You don't want to be lying wide awake til 2am do you?

Hot Drink - having a herbal tea, Horklicks or hot chocolate, whatever takes your fancy. Making my insides warm is a vital part of the getting warm stage

I will be doing some beauty posts this week, hopefully! I've just been so busy and stressed lately this seemed more relevant to my life ha! Let me know if this helps any of you :)
Millie

Hey peeps, you alright? Did everyone have a good week? I went to London this weekend for my friends (she's practically my older sister) birthday. We went to Notting Hill and Portobello Road, it was so so cool! I'd never been until this trip and its wicked, anyone who hasn't been should most definitely take the opportunity to go! I have to go again anyway because it was raining and freezing cold we didn't go to 'The Blue Door' (Notting Hill) but we did sing Portobello Road (Bedknobs and Broomsticks) a little bit so ya know! Anyway here is my weekend in pictures :)