Christmas 2014

How is Christmas pretty much over for another year already? Rather than having a few different posts like last year on Christmas I thought I'd do a big Christmassy round up all in one post for you. The above pictures are from Lincoln Christmas market which I visited earlier this month with one of my friends, it was such a nice weekend and the market had so many cute gifts (and of course some lovely mulled wine) it really got me into the Christmas spirit.

Christmas day was wonderful as always and my brother took a turn to make Christmas dinner for the first time and it was pretty amazing too! Below are some of the Christmas presents I received, all of which I am very grateful for and I can't wait to start using them.

I noticed a lot of people talking about the post-Christmas walks they went on on boxing day this year, although we didn't get chance to go on one on boxing day, we did go for a walk yesterday instead. It was very cold but so worth it after being able to take some photographs of some of the beautiful swans and ducks we saw.

I hope you all had a fab Christmas and wish you all a very happy new year!

Abigail x

NYE Party Outfits

T'is the season to party! Although I don't have any plans for NYE this year, I still couldn't stop myself browsing the pretty little dresses online most of which are now in the sale - even better!

Enjoy and let me know what you think

From L-R

Boohoo Bodycon Dress

Topshop Playsuit

Missguided Playsuit

Boohoo Black Sequin Dress

AX Paris Bodycon Dress

Abigail x

Fifteen Festive Favourites

1. Festive food - pigs in blankets

2. Favourite reindeer - dasher

3. Favourite day of Christmas (as in the song) - five golden rings

4. Christmas song - last Christmas

5. Christmas present - I can't decide!

6. Christmas film - elf

7. Christmas cracker toys - The fortune telling fish

8. Favourite Christmas cracker joke - What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? - claustrophobic!

9. Favourite Christmas decoration - remote controlled skateboarding Santa!

10. Favourite Christmas candle scent - mulled wine and cinnamon apple

11. Favourite Christmas TV advert - John Lewis - those penguins!

12. Favourite Christmas tradition - putting the Christmas presents around the tree, is that a tradition?

13. Favourite place to spend Christmas - home, never had to spend it anywhere else

14. Favourite Christmas fact - Santa use to wear a green suit

15. Favourite snowman accessory - His top hat

And I tag anyone reading this who's feeling festive and wants to take part!

Abigail x

The Makeup Addict Tag

I've come to realise I wrote this post about three weeks ago and have still not got around to posting it until now! I was tagged by the lovely Tania (blog link here - you should take a peek!) and here are Tania's answers to the tag

What product do you still keep buying more of despite having plenty in your collection?

Foundations, probably quite a rare answer I think but at the moment some how I have about four on the go!

What's the one product you can't live without?

Mascara, whether it's volume or length it's needed for me!

Favourite makeup brand?

I think Rimmel would quite often be my answer to this question but lately I've been liking quite a lot of Revlon's products or if we're talking a slightly higher end I'd probably go for Illamasqua.

How big is your makeup collection?

I'd say fairly big, and it just keeps on growing! I think within the last year or so my collection of lip and face products have probably grown the most.

And how do you like to store it?

Right now (at uni) because I have quite a large desk I seem to have most of it scattered into what I like to call 'organised chaos' with some things such as eye shadows and lipsticks in pots or makeup bags and makeup brushes in jars.

How many items of makeup have you got in your handbag at the moment?

At the moment only a couple of lipsticks which I always tend to have at least one in my bag with me for when I'm out and about. I don't really tend to top my make-up up throughout the day so I never really have much with me! 

If you could raid another blogger's stash, who would it be?

Fleur De Force, her make-up collection is amazing! And she has such a variety of drug store to high end pieces too.

How long does your usual makeup routine take and how many products do you use?

For my week day (work) routine it probably takes me about ten minutes maximum and I only use 6 products at the most for my daily makeup.

Have you ever bought makeup knowing you wouldn't use it?

Only really when I was a lot younger, I remember buying a really really glittery bright pink eye shadow for dance competitions and I must have only used it once or twice! .....(I think I might even secretly still have it somewhere)

Tag a few other makeup addicts to do the tag!

I tag anyone and everyone reading this with a blog that wants to do the tag!

Abigail x

An Autumn Walk - Castle Hill

"Everyone must take time to sit 

and watch the leaves turn"

Abigail x

Mango Wishlist

I've been super busy lately and been meaning to post one of my many drafts for so long! I hate not being able to sit and write and update my blog so this weekend I'll hopefully be able to make time to do just that. As most of you probably know by now, I like to write a different 'wishlist' post each month with a different 'theme' or place so this months is my Mango Wishlist. I haven't shopped at Mango a lot but when I have I've been really pleased with what I've bought and to be honest it isn't a place I often think of shopping but when I had a little rummage through their website the other day I just had to share with you some of my favourite pieces!

Cardigan

Check Top

Jacket

Floral Dress

Leopard Print Boots

Check scarf

I think the scarf has to be my favourite, what's yours?

Abigail x

Megan's Beaded Designs

Not too long ago I was contacted by Megan (from Megan's beaded designs) to collaborate with her in some way. After looking at her website (here) I saw what beautiful pieces she creates, from jewelry to hair pieces, and was really interested in her work!

Megan picked up jewelry making from her grandfather when she was about 5 years old, and has been creating things with beads ever since. Due to Megan also having a quiet personality (similar to myself), she likes to dress up and wear jewelry that helps her express herself when words are hard to come by, which I think is a great way to show off your personality! Megan went to college for art and received her degree in graphic design, which she is able to apply to her jewelry designing and creation process - and also by having designed such a wonderful website which is easy to look around and find everything you are looking for and more.

Here are a couple of my favourite pieces by Megan....

I love these little earrings - the fact that they are black and grey means they go with almost every outfit, and the beads are a lovely detail which I don't think you see too often and how we know they are hand-made by Megan herself makes them a little bit more special too.

These owl earrings are so cute, the purple eyes really stood out to me and I just had to have them!

All of Megan's pieces are originally designed and created by hand from within her studio in Spokane, Washington, USA. And as she ships worldwide, what are you waiting for? 

To be among the first to hear about new pieces, get style inspiration, and receive exclusive deals you can sign up for e-mail updates here.

To get 10% off anything at Megan's Beaded Designs, simply enter the code NOTJUSTACURL at the checkout.

Abigail x

Photography - Nature

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer.

It sings because it has a song."

"One touch of nature makes the world kin."

Abigail x

Autumn Wishlist

Today being the first day of autumn, what other day would be better to show you my Autumn Wishlist?! (I honestly didn't even plan this to go up today - spooky!) Autumn and winter are my all time favourite times of year, snuggling up on the sofa with a hot chocolate or sitting by the fire, watching the fireworks and watching Christmas films, going Christmas shopping - What's not to love?!

Barry M Gelly Nail Paints (Autumn Colours)

River Island Boots

River Island Shoes

Newlook Jumper

Newlook 2-in-1 Jumper

Dorothy Perkins Jeans

Those autumn shades by Barry M teamed with the boots, 2-in-1 jumper and jeans would be perfect together for this time of year! What are your autumn must-haves?


Abigail x

**ONE YEAR BLOGGING GIVEAWAY - FT. ESSIE**

So today's the day I'm finally getting around to post my 1 year blogging anniversary giveaway! I'm going to be giving away 3 Essie nail polishes (Power Clutch, The Lace is on and Hors d'oeuvres) to one lucky winner, the competition will start from today and end on the 10th October 2014. Thank you to everyone that has continued to follow and read my blog over the past year, it means a lot!

The Rules:

Only people following my blog (notjustacurl.blogspot.co.uk) are able to enter this giveaway. No fake accounts / ones made just to enter giveaways - they will be removed. The winner will be contacted within one week of the giveaway ending and if they don't respond within a week of being contacted another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

Abigail x

Home Interior Inspiration #1

Moving into a new student house has got me thinking about different layouts and things I can do with my new room (maybe it's just because I'm an interior design student) so I decided to have a look on pinterest for some inspiration and whilst I was at it I decided to write this post on some of my favourite finds! So, enjoy....

1. Fire - Who doesn't love a cosy fire?

2. Bricks - I like the look of these bricks and they could simply be used to brighten up your room!

3. Hanging chair - I think this would be great to read in or even blog in.

4. Hush pod - Imagine coming home from work/uni/school etc. to have an afternoon nap in this cosy pod!!

5. Fairy lights jar - I actually did this last year in my room and it looked so pretty.

6. Floral timber - This pattern would look cute on some timber shelves or maybe as floor boards if you really love your floral prints.

7. Shower - Is it just me that thinks this shower looks like so much fun? You'd be squeaky clean pretty quickly.



Abigail x

The Beautiful Blog Award // One Year Blogiversary

As some of you may already know as today is my first blogging anniversary (wooo!) I was originally going to do my giveaway today but because of the prizes not being here yet, I wanted to make sure they were here and so I can photograph them first etc. So that will be up some point this week or next week!

But, as it's a special day for my blog I wanted to still upload a post today anyway so what a better day is there to upload my post for the 'Beautiful Blog Award'?!

I was kindly nominated for this award by Tania who's blog you can find here! 

Rules: 

• Answer the questions given by your nominator

• Write your own questions for your nominees

• Nominate any bloggers you think deserve this award and let them know!

Tania's Questions:

What TV show are you really into right now?

I haven't really been watching that much tv lately so I'd have to say Made in Chelsea!

What is your summer beauty essential?

I'd usually say mascara but at the moment I've been loving using CC cream and it helps that it usually has quite good SPF too!

Who is your celebrity crush?

Easy - Danny Jones from Mcfly.

What do you class as your biggest blogging achievement so far?

Either reaching 300 followers or to be still blogging after a year of writing my first ever blog post.

What is one of the most embarrassing things you've ever done?

Oh no, erm, there's probably a lot but I can't think of one right now.. Actually, the one that's just come to mind is when I was playing 'tiggy bob down' with some friends when I was about 5 or 6 at play time in school and when I 'bobbed down' I accidentally sat in some dog muck - lovely. I then had to tell the teacher and get changed. How embarrassing I know!

Where would you love to live in the world, if money wasn't a factor?

To be honest I'd probably still live in England, maybe London and get a nice big house/flat!

My Questions:

1. How long have you been blogging for?
2. Do you prefer summer or winter?
3. What do you like to do in your spare time?
4. What is your dream job?
5. Favourite item of clothing that you own?
6. Where would you go on holiday right now if you had the chance to go anywhere?

My nominations are:

Saida - saidacane.co.uk

Jessica - jesstastics.com

Edel - edeltherese.com

Abigail x

Summer Nail Art

Due to the sun deciding to finally make an appearance today it reminded me that I still haven't posted this summer nail art post! A few weeks ago I decided to play about with a few different nail art designs with some bright summer colours. I'm really pleased with how these came out so now I'm already looking forward to creating some autumn/winter designs!

Tiger, Bee and paw print

Daisy, flowers and polka dots

I used the Rio nail art pens to create these designs which are really good and easy to use. My favourites here are the tiger, daisy and polka dot prints, what are yours?

Are you into nail art at all?

Abigail x