Wednesday 23 December 2020

How To Support Someone With An Eating Disorder At Christmas

 TRIGGER WARNING 

This Post Is About Anorexia/Eating Disorders and may be triggering to some readers.  


How To Support Someone With An Eating Disorder At Christmas


Our eldest daughter has been suffering from Anorexia Nervosa for 16 and a half years, today I will mostly be talking about Anorexia, but my suggestions will also help people suffering from other types of Eating Disorder. 


Christmas is generally a lovely time of the year for most of us, spending time with those we love, visiting family and friends, often seeing people we haven't seen for a while, and basically just being happy and having a nice time. This year things are going to be very different and whilst there may not be much of the visiting or seeing people, some of the Christmas traditions will still take place such as Christmas Dinner, spending time with family/those we live with, having food in our cupboards/fridge that we may not usually have. 

Eating Disorders are horrendous, they are absolutely exhausting, anxiety ridden, and quite frankly, Anorexia is the cruellest illness I have ever known. At Christmastime, that exhaustion and anxiety multiplies by a million and that's because most of the run up to Christmas is all about food. There are countless TV advertisements all showing us what food we can buy from where, and how delicious it all is, there are close ups of caramel and chocolate oozing desserts, images of Christmas Dinners, alcohol, chocolates, Advent Calendars, there is food everywhere. Diet culture disappears completely and we are told that we should be indulging in as much of this lovely food as possible, there really is no getting away from it, it's food, food, food whether we want it or not.  

You're probably thinking "but someone with anorexia wouldn't watch such ads, or even care, they surely don't think about food or feel hungry" but they do, they think about food all the time, they are hungry all the time, it's their bodies way of trying to stop the starvation, and that on a daily basis is absolutely exhausting, but during the festive season, which, let's face it, starts in early September, is completely all consuming and very overwhelming. 

How Can You Help Beforehand & On Christmas Day

Christmas Eve

If you haven't done your food shopping on Christmas Eve, talk about what foods you would like to buy, let the sufferer be involved in the planning and choosing of the food, write a shopping list together or if that is too much for them, ask them to either let you know or jot down some things they would like, ask if they would like to come with you to do the food shopping then they can have a look for themselves, most sufferers will want to check the nutritional value of things they are choosing. If they do choose some foods then don't pass comment on their choices before, during or after the shopping trip. 

If you have already done your Christmas food shop before Christmas Eve, then make your loved one aware you have done it if they don't already know, chat about and plan what you're going to be eating on Christmas Eve for dinner and then throughout Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Once the plan is made, don't change it, stick to that plan, if you can, chat about what they feel comfortable having, they may not want to and that's fine if not. 

Christmas Day

Helping with the cooking and serving (if you're not self serving) can be helpful, most anorexia sufferers like to feed others so serving the food might be a help to them. If you're self serving, let them choose their food before you all sit down, you can keep it warm and hand it to them when everyone starts serving themselves. 

Don't try and push them, if they only want a small amount of Christmas Dinner then let them, try and talk about the dinner the day before like I said,  so they know exactly what's on offer and can plan which bits they want to try. Don't change anything or spring any surprises on them, plan what you're cooking and stick to it. Plan the seating around the table beforehand, ask them who they want to sit next to and don't sit anyone who might not understand or is likely to say the wrong thing near them. 

When you're eating, don't draw any attention to what they have on their plate,  if they choose more or less food than planned on the day, don't mention it, this can be extremely damaging, and saying something like "that's brilliant, you wouldn't have eaten a roast potato last Christmas" to them interprets into "you're so fat eating those roast potatoes" it's best not to mention anything at all about what they are eating or have eaten, just ignore it. When you're having dinner, have some music playing, pull your crackers if you have them and tell the jokes, chat with each other.

After dinner, play games, lots of distraction is best as this is the time their anorexic voice will be really bad, telling them how fat and greedy they've been and how they have eaten far too much and need to get rid of the food by purging, purging can be vomiting, but not all anorexia sufferers vomit after eating, our daughter never has. I won't go into what she does/did because it is incredibly triggering, but after dinner or any kind of food, will be extremely hard so distraction is best. 

Plan the games in advance, then you can get straight on with them and there is no need for a debate over what to play.  If you don't play games, choose some films to watch or catch up on some of your favourite soaps that are usually shown at Christmas. Quizzes are good too, there are some quizzes on YouTube over the Christmas period, these will be a good distraction, or print your own from the internet, or you can even buy a variety of different quizzes from lots of stores, B&M and Home Bargains usually have a good selection and Aldi and other supermarkets do too. 

After Christmas Day

As soon as the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Day, the diet culture, that has been awol for a couple of months before Christmas when we are being told of all the indulgent foods we definitely need to eat, comes back with a vengeance, every celebrity and their neighbour's dog release a fitness DVD, there are WW and Slimming World ads every single ad break, low fat food and sugar ads, basically every diet related ad you can think of is on our TV's. On the front of every magazine, we are being told how we can lose our "Christmas weight" and it feels like almost everyone on social media is joining some kind of diet club, starting a diet of some kind and/or joining a gym. 

And all of that is incredibly hard for anyone suffering from an Eating Disorder, to them the TV, magazines, social media are screaming at them that they are now the size of a house because of whatever they may or may not have eaten over the Christmas period, it is a horrendous time for them and once again, the anorexic voice is stronger than ever, so be there for reassurance, explain that this is the best time for the diet industry to make a lot of money, so they go all out in the hope that people have new years resolutions to lose weight, which let's face it, a lot of people do, there unfortunately isn't a lot other than reassurance you can offer, and telling them how annoying it is and ridiculous and that they would basically say/do anything so people get sucked in to the diet culture to make them more money. 

The diet/weightloss/join a gym thing, plus all the supermarkets surrounding us with low fat/low sugar foods as soon as you enter goes on until the end of January at least, so lots of support and reassurance is helpful, and be careful if you decide that online food shopping might be better, because even if you do shop online, it's there as large as life plastered all over the home page as soon as you sign onto the websites of all the supermarkets. 

I find watching things we haven't go round to watching that we have recorded over Christmas is helpful, or finding some DVDs we like, looking at the sales online and doing some window shopping or actual online shopping. Playing board games we still have out, especially funny ones, we love Funemployed to play as a family, its really funny. 

One of if not the most important thing I can advise, is to be sure you let them know that you are always available at anytime over the Christmas period should that person need you for support, some people don't like to bother others at Christmas for fear they will be busy with loved ones.  If you don't live with the person you're supporting,  then make sure they know you are available and there for them when they may need you regardless of it being Christmas or what time it may be. If you do live with them do the same thing. Having a code word to use, if other people are around and the person is struggling is a good idea, then should they need you, they can use the code word and you both know it's time to leave the room and go somewhere you can chat and offer support. 

Round up

As much as it is exhausting and absolutely vile to suffer from an eating disorder, it is also really hard to be a parent, carer, friend, partner or any kind of support to someone with one too, so please try not to be too hard on yourself, and look after yourself too.  It took me quite a while and a hell of a lot of research to work out what not to say and do where anorexia is concerned, and I made mistakes, so did Simon and to be honest, some people we know still do now, and we've been doing this for 16 and a half years. 

There will always be that elephant in the room and unfortunately, Christmas is no different, but it doesn't mean you can't enjoy Christmas, be there for each other, as well as offering support to your loved one who is suffering, make sure you have support too. Try not to bite at remarks you know aren't said by your loved one, but by the Eating disorder that is desperately trying it's best to win, this will be a difficult time for everyone, but remember, you're doing your best, your loved one who is suffering, loves you and if they could stop suffering because they love you, they'd have been recovered long ago, unfortunately it doesn't work like that. Be kind to yourself, remind yourself how much they love you, that it's the illness talking, that they don't mean it, and be kind to them too, don't bite, deep breaths and count to ten, they can't help it at all.

Be encouraging by saying things like "I like your outfit" or shoes, hair accessory etc etc. And if you are visiting someone with an eating disorder that has been in recovery a while, don't say things like "you look well" to them this translates to "you look fat", it is better not to say anything at all, or compliment accessories, ask what they got for Christmas, make small talk, but don't ask how they are, how it's going, if they're feeling better, and please do not mention anything to do with food, don't say foods are bad or naughty, for example if you're asked if you would like a mince pie, don't say something like "oooh I shouldn't really after all that dinner, but ok, I can start the diet on boxing day" or words to that effect. 

And if in doubt, say nothing, it's better than saying the wrong thing.  

Final Thoughts

It's really hard, it's soul destroying and absolutely heart breaking watching someone you love more than anything in the world, your child, your baby, slowly kill themselves because of a demon in their mind. Being a mum or parent, when your child has a problem or if they're poorly, we sort it out, we can always sort things out, but not this time, and that is so hard to accept, it is the one thing I will never be able to sort out, it is far stronger than I and that absolutely kills me, I wish it was me who had it and not my baby girl, I hate it more than anything. 

If things are hard for you this Christmas, whether you're suffering from an Eating Disorder, or your child or loved one is, you're not alone, I am always here, my emails and direct messages are always open. 


Take good care of yourself, if you're a sufferer, parent, friend, partner or anyone caring for someone suffering from an Eating Disorder, sending you all my love and I hope you manage to have a nice Christmas

Zoë




 







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Tuesday 22 December 2020

The Christmas Tag 2020

The Christmas Tag 2020



I feel quite nostalgic writing this post as it's a long time since I did any kind of tag post on my blog, but I thought it might be fun to do a Christmas Tag, so I had a look online to see if there was a 2020 version, and there is, so without further ado, I shall crack on with the Christmas Tag.

The Christmas Tag 2020

1. When Do Your Decorations Go Up? - Usually the first weekend in December, so it was the 5th this year. 

2. Who is the Scrooge in your family? - We don't have one thankfully, we all love Christmas in our house. 

3. If money were no object, how and where would you spend Christmas - I would spend it with my family as always, and I would absolutely love to go to Lapland, we have always wanted to take our girls but it is so expensive, even for a day trip. So 100% it would be Lapland, I'm not sure if you can stay over Christmas but if not, Lapland beforehand then somewhere snowy in a log cabin and real fire with my family, but to be honest, as long as I'm with my family then that's all that matters. 

4. What Christmas film do you HAVE to watch every festive season? - Home Alone and Elf 100%.

5. Who do you find hardest to buy presents for? - I'd say, my dad, he is really hard to buy for, he usually asks for Garden Centre vouchers but I like to get him something he doesn't know about too and I always struggle. 

6. Would you rather buy lots of little presents for a hamper, or buy one big/ main present? - I like to do both, so a big/main present and then some little ones too. 

7. What did you leave out for Santa when you were a child? - We always left a mince pie for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph.

8. Where did you spend last Christmas? - At home, my parents always come to us for Christmas, so at home with my parents, perfect!

9. Which Christmas song makes you cringe? - I don't think any make me cringe as such, but one I really cannot stand is Stop The Cavalry, no idea why but I cannot bear it at all. 

10. If you could be a character in a Christmas movie, who would you be and why? - This is a hard one, I could have chosen a few, but I think I'm going to go for Susan, the little girl in Miracle On 34th Street, everything is so magical to her and it's a really lovely story. 

11. Its Christmas Day, do you dress up or stay in pyjamas? - We always get dressed up on Christmas Day, we always have done, although staying in pj's does sound good!

12. Pigs in blankets, yay or nay? - It's a yay for me, my partner Simon has made his own quite a few times, but we do usually buy them ready made that you pop in the oven. This year we have ordered some vegan "no pigs in blankets" for our youngest daughter who is vegetarian, Simon usually makes her some but vegetarian bacon isn't the easiest to cook with so hopefully, she'll enjoy these, they are from Morrisons if you fancy some. 

And that is the last question, and the end of the tag, I hope you enjoyed it. 


                          If you do this tag, please let me know, tag me in it or message me
                                                          so I can read your answers. 

www.mammafulzo.com

Zoë
Photographs from Christmas 2019.





*Questions taken from Sarah Lou Writes blog




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Thursday 17 December 2020

Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set


Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set
*post contains press samples, links are not affiliate links*

When I received the No Mo Stache Smooth AF Gift Set to feature in my Christmas gift ideas posts, I loved it as soon as I saw it, I loved the tongue in cheek names of the products, the packaging and how cute the items are and I can't wait to share it with you today. 

About No Mo Stache

Created to help you break-up with your waxist, No Mo-Stache was founded by fashion executive Gita Vasseghi who wanted to make hair removal as easy (and ouchless!) as possible. Messless and virtually effortless, the quick, ‘pre-waxed’ strips can be warmed with the heat of your hands and then used to help neaten your brows, upper lip or bikini line. Catering for all your depilatory desires, these strips will ensure that you’re always equipped for the briefest encounter (or unforeseen clinch).

No Mo Stache Smooth AF Gift Set (was £36.30) Now £25.62

Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set


During lockdown, which for those of us in the North West of England has been pretty much all the time since March, the beauty salons have been closed, meaning waxing appointments couldn't happen but have no fear, the No Mo Stache Smooth AF Gift Set has you covered. 

The gift set caters for all your waxing needs and ensures you'll always be equipped should you need to wax, or should the beauty salons be closed, again. Inside the cute bag, you'll find a Lip Wax Kit, Bikini Wax Kit, Unibrow Wax Kit, Facial Razor and a pair of Keychain Tweezers.

If you haven't waxed at home before, the thought of it might make your eyes water a little, but with this kit you can quickly and easily wax where you need to, the wax strips are double sided and the kits contain post wax Aloe Cream to help with redness and irritation. The wax strips can also be used for legs and underarms. 


Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set

Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set

Inside each of the No Mo Stache and No Mo Unibrow kits there are 24 wax strips, some Aloe Cream and instructions of how to use each kit, inside the No Mo Unibrow kit there is also a little pair of tweezers which is super handy. 

Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set
Contents Of No Mo Unibrow Kit


Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set

Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set

The No Mo Stache Facial Razor is a brilliant little tool and I love how it comes in it's own little pouch, it folds in half and fits nicely in the pouch, it folds out for use. You can see the blade in the photograph above, it is a fabulous tool for removing peach fuzz from the face or the moustache area, it doesn't hurt at all and is very effective. I haven't used one before but now I use it all the time, it's brilliant. 

Inside the No Mo Bush kit there are 16 large double sided wax strips, 2 sachets of Aloe Cream and instructions of how to use the kit. It comes in the same cute packaging as the other kits and is clearly labelled as the kit for the bikini wax.


Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set

Overall Thoughts 

Christmas Gift Ideas Featuring The No Mo Stache Smooth AF Set

I love the No Mo Stache Smooth AF Gift Set it comes in the cutest packaging and I love how each wax kit is in separate tins, all ideal for travel and also compact enough so they don't take much room up in your vanity. Pink is my favourite colour so I love the pink and the illustrations on the tins is cute. The gift set would be a fantastic Christmas gift for anyone, whether they are a beauty lover or not, my girls were my guinea pigs for me to try the waxing kits and they didn't have a problem at all with any of the kits. The wax strips in the No Mo Bush kit are ideal for leg waxing too and worked really well, you just heat up the wax stips in your hands and you're good to go. 

We've used wax stips before which were dire and I was a little apprehensive about these but I needn't have been because they are fantastic, they don't stick like glue or leave a lot of product on the skin like some we have tried before. The kits are simple to use and the instructions easy to follow and straightforward, I love that the No More Unibrow kit has the mini tweezers in it, they are so handy if you have any pesky little hairs to tweeze.

I am so impressed with the gift set and would highly recommend it to anyone, I hadn't heard of the brand until I received it but now I will definitely be repurchasing and especially as, at the moment it has over £10.00 off in the sale at Cult Beauty it's the ideal time to buy. 

Whether you want to treat yourself or you want to buy it as a gift for someone else, the No Mo Stache Gift Set is a wonderful gift idea. If you want to purchase the No Mo Stache Gift Set, you can find it on the Cult Beauty website here



Have you heard of the No Mo Stache brand? And would you use at home wax kits?
Zoë

 

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Christmas Gifting With Roccabox


Christmas Gifting With Roccabox

*post contains press samples, links are not affiliate*


So far in all my Christmas gift ideas posts, I have shown you products from various brands to share with you certain ideas that might be good for someone you're buying a gift for. I have a bit of a different gifting idea for you today,  it's a subscription gift from Roccabox

About Roccabox

Roccabox is a luxe and unique beauty box, filled with between 5 and 7 of the hottest cosmetic and beauty products. They bring you the latest products that the internet is raving about, letting you decide what's hot and what's not from the comfort of your own home. And because Roccabox is a monthly subscription service, each month brings a little present to your door, the gift boxes can be a one off self-love treat or a guaranteed smile for someone you love. 

Each month the products you receive in your Roccabox are a mystery, and to be honest, I find that part of the fun of receiving a box, every box is themed whether it's a monthly box for yourself or a gifted box for someone you're treating and the box will contain a mix of goodies following that theme.

When you sign up to Roccabox, you can sign up for a pay as you go rolling subscription where you are charged monthly. Or you can opt for a 3, 6 or 12 month contract paid upfront which is brilliant as a gift idea. There is no commitment on the pay monthly boxes and they can be cancelled at any time by logging into your Roccabox account to cancel. You do need to cancel before the 1st of the month though as this is when payment is taken or you will be billed and still receive the box that month. 

The cost of the box is £10.00 per month plus postage which is £3.95 per box. If you would like to sign up to a 3, 6 or 12 month box, the prices are as follows:

3 Months - £30.00 plus £3.95 per month postage/packing - working out at £10.00 per month for the box.

6 Months - £57.00 plus £3.95 per month postage/packaging - working out at £9.50 per month for the box.

12 Months - £108.00 plus £3.95 per month postage/packaging - working out at £9.00 per month for the box. 

Boxes are posted before the 7th of every month if they are any later Roccabox will get in touch with you to keep you updated via their social media channels, you will be emailed on the 1st of the month advising a date for dispatch. 

My Box

Christmas Gifting With Roccabox

The box I have to share with you today is the October 2020 box and the theme for this box is AM-PM and all the products are products you need from the morning, day and night all 
focussed around stepping up our morning routines, protecting our skin from smartphone use and helping to end the day with some great finishing touches and all packed into a lovely pink box. 

One of the things I like about the packaging of Roccabox is that as well as it being pastel pink and pink being my favourite colour, there are motivational words printed on each side of the box and it really made me smile. 
 
Christmas Gifting With Roccabox

Christmas Gifting With Roccabox

When I opened the Roccabox there was another motivational comment that made me smile on the inside of the lid, then in the box was a card explaining exactly what was in the box and a bit about each product including how much the product is worth and whether it was a full sized product or sample size. The beneath the card was some pink crimped shredded paper and then the products, another thing I like about the Roccabox is that the packaging is recyclable. 

Christmas Gifting With Roccabox




What Was In My Box?

Christmas Gifting With Roccabox



I was blown away when I saw the products in my box, and I knew instantly that it was more than worth the £10.00 price tag. 

Every month there is a hero product in each box and in my box, it was the Mudmasky Blue Light Protection Mask. Mudmasky Blue Light Protection Mask is described as sunblock for your smartphone and laptop and is the perfect replacement for your usual day cream (when you're not out in the sun) It prevents premature skin ageing caused by HEV light which is found in all types of screens. 

Full size product RRP of £44.00.

Aswell as the Mudmasky hero product, the other items in my box were: 

Eyeko - Eye Do Liquid Eyeliner - A vegan long lasting fade proof and smudge proof eyeliner that claims to last all day and night. The liner is a single stroke colour that claims it doesn't skip or drag but glides smoothly for that carbon black finish. The tip is the perfect shape and size to give you control, giving you the perfect cat eye look. 

Full Size Product RRP £16.00.


Grace and Stella - Lavender Body Lotion - This lotion has a light lavender scent which when applied at night helps to relax the mind and body, it smells lovely and is nourishing, leaving my skin feeling soft for hours, it claims to keep the skin nourished and protected for 12 hours whilst you get your beauty sleep. 

Deluxe Travel Size RRP £4.00.


Hairburst -Volume & Growth Elixir - This is an award winning styling spray that claims to do it all, it only contains naturally derived active ingredients. It is vegan and cruelty free and the formula enhances hair volume and gloss, protects from pollution, UV and heat. It detoxifies, improves hair density and reduces hair loss, and an added bonus is that it is free from sulphates, parabens and silicones. 

Deluxe Travel Size RRP £8.99. (there is also a discount code for 20% off included in the box) 


BeautyPro - Pumpkin Infused Sheet Mask - This 100% plant based mask contains organically farmed herbs that increase cell renewal, hydrate the skin and brighten the complexion. The sheet is biodegradable made from natural bamboo fibres meaning no irritation.

Full Size RRP £4.95.


Kind - Breakfast Bars - The Kind snack bar and breakfast biscuits are great for a simple and nutritious breakfast, they are gluten free, high in fibre and 5 grains, giving you the kick start to the day and ideal as an on the go breakfast, both contain nuts. 

Bonus Products Full Size RRP £1.99.


There was also an Ole Henriksen Vitamin C serum sample in the box which was a nice bonus too.


Overall Thoughts
Christmas Gifting With Roccabox

I absolutely loved my October 2020 Roccabox all the products were lovely, my youngest daughter loves using the eyeliner pens so I gave that to her to try and she loves it, she said it's brilliant and better than the one she has been using from a well known brand, it doesn't go patchy or wear off and lasts all day looking just as good when she comes to take it off, as it did when she put it on. 

The lavender body lotion is lovely, I'm not a fan of lavender but it isn't overpowering at all, it's subtle and smells lovely, it's nice to apply before bed and I would definitely buy the full size. The hair elixir is nice and smells lovely too, I haven't been using it long enough to know if it's helping with my hair loss, I had a break from all products before starting to use it, but it smells lovely and my hair feels so soft and considering it is an all in one product including a heat protector, I would buy the full size, the deluxe travel size will last a while though as I only need a couple of squirts.

I really enjoyed using the sheet mask and I love that it was biodegradable and I could pop into my recycling bin, my face felt lovely and soft when I'd used it, I didn't have any dry patches and my makeup applied beautifully, my skin felt lovely and hydrated and I would definitely buy more of the masks. 

The Maskny cream was a completely new concept to me but I have been using it if I am going to be using my laptop or phone for any length of time and I have made a conscious effort to hold my phone away from my face more by using earphones or loud speaker. And the Kind breakfast bar and biscuits tasted really nice, I had the bar one morning and my partner had the biscuits, I did try those too. Both were really tasty and a brilliant quick breakfast, ideal if you are in a rush in the morning. 

I worked it out that the value of the box was around £80.00 and considering the price of it is £10.00 I'd say that's definitely a good deal and well worth it. I've never really thought about signing up to a beauty subscription box before, but I love the Roccabox, it is well worth the money and would be a brilliant Christmas Gift Idea for someone or as a lovely treat for yourself. 

It's a 10 out of 10 for me for sure! 

To order a Christmas gift for someone or to treat yourself to a monthly beauty box, go to the Roccabox website here


Have you tried Roccabox? What was your favourite product in my box? 
Zoë





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Wednesday 16 December 2020

My Top Six Christmas Movies And Some You Might Be Surprised To Learn I've Never Seen

Favourite 6 Christmas Movies

I love Christmas movies, if I'm not feeling very festive they always bring me some Christmas cheer and make me feel Christmassy. I do have some favourites though and today I'm going to share 6 of those favourites with you. 

I feel like there were more Christmas films on TV a few years ago than there is now, or is it me? You could always guarantee a few showings of the classics in the few weeks before,  but now we have to pay to watch some of them or if you're like me, search the TV guide looking for your faves and setting the TV to record them if they are on at some point. 

Anyway, I shall stop chattering now and share those 6 movies I love to watch and Christmas and then I'll share some I haven't ever seen, some might be a surprise to know. 

My Top Six Christmas Movies


1. Home Alone - Home Alone is my all time favourite Christmas film, I can't believe it is 30 years old this year! I have seen it so many times but it never fails to make me laugh, I could probably recite it word for word and it really isn't like me to watch a film so many times, but I just love it. 

2. Elf - Ahhhh Buddy the Elf, it always makes me smile, we were very lucky to see the stage performance in 2017 and it really was excellent, I wasn't sure if I would like it with seeing the film so much, but it's fabulous and it even "snowed" in the theatre at the end. If ever you have a chance to go, I'd highly recommend it. 

3. Miracle On 34th Street - An oldie but a goody, well I suppose they're all old arent they? I only saw this for the first time about 10 years ago but I love it, it's a nice feel good family film that makes me smile, it's not slapstick humour like numbers 1 and 2, it's more of a nice film with a nice message too. 

4. The Grinch - I adore The Grinch, it is my eldest daughters favourite Christmas film, and one we all watch every year, it was on at the theatre last year and we did want to see it as our annual family Christmas outing (we have a family day every year doing something together) but it was extremely expensive, so we didn't go, and compared to the price we had paid for Elf 2 years before, it was astrominical. I would love to see it at the theatre but not at those prices! We did all settle down to watch it last weekend, but it was the animated version so we a bit disappointed but nonetheless it was good.

5. The Holiday - This is one of those films I fell upon, it was on late one night a few years ago and we just started to watch it and really enjoyed it, we always catch it each year and it soon became one of my favourites. 

6. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation - This is a classic, and one that makes me laugh out loud every time I watch it, especially the "squirrel scene" and if you have seen the film, you'll know what I mean, and if not, please watch it, I can promise you, that scene will make you laugh so much. The Griswald family films are always funny but this is my favourite, all Mr Griswald wants is a big family Christmas, what could go wrong? 


Some Christmas Films I Have Never Seen 

My Top Six Christmas Movies

There are some Christmas classics I haven't yet seen, and this may surprise you, but these are the 
6 Christmas films I have never seen. 

1. The Christmas Chronicles - There is a second Christmas Chronicles film out this year and I still haven't seen the original, but it is on my list and I shall watch it this Christmas. 

2. Arthur Christmas - Another one I have meant to watch but just haven't ever gotten round to it, my sister loves this one and she watched it recently with my niece and nephew, but as per usual, I missed it. 

3. Love Actually - Now I know you're probably thinking "what the hell?" but I honestly haven't ever seen Love Actually, last year we actually recorded it after Christmas but then it didn't feel right to watch it when Christmas was over, but this year we are definitely going to watch it, I keep hearing people talk of certain scenes and how good it is, so this year, I'm on it!

4. It's A Wonderful Life - A classic that lots of people talk about, but I have never seen, one of Simons old bosses used to love this one and she always said I should watch it, but I haven't ever had the opportunity, I am going to scour the TV channels this year to see if I can find it. 

5. The Polar Express - Another shocker, but I haven't seen it. I hear great things about it though and I will get round to it, there isn't any reason we haven't watched it, it's just never happened. 

6. The Nightmare Before Christmas - This film has never ever appealed to me, and I'm sorry to my friend Asheigh if she's reading as she loves it and loves the characters, but I just never fancied it and don't know if I'll ever watch it. 

So that's it, those are some of my favourite Christmas movies and some classics I have never seen, I do think if there were more Christmas films on TV like there used to be, I would have seen some of the ones I haven't seen yet, and I know some are on Netflix and some on Amazon Prime, but most of the ones on Prime (including Home Alone) you have to pay for which I think is ridiculous. 

But hopefully this year I'll get to see some of the 6 I haven't seen yet, and next Christmas I might even have some different favourites for you. 


Have you seen the films I haven't? And have you seen all 6 of my favourites? What's your favourite Christmas movie? 
Zoë




 

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Tuesday 15 December 2020

Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty

 

Christmas Beauty Gifts From Primark

*post contains press samples, links are not affiliate links* 



Since Primark launched their beauty range in 2014 they have released some incredible makeup, skincare, hair products, beauty tools and hair tools and all at really affordable prices. This Christmas their Beauty Gift Sets are no exception, they have so much to choose from and all at fantastic, affordable prices. Today I have two of the beauty gift sets available in Primark high street stores to share with you, and I think you'll love them.  

Blend It - £3.00

Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty


The first gift set I have to share with you is the Blend It gift set, a set of 3 make up sponges. I love makeup sponges for applying foundation, concealer and powder, so I was thrilled when I received the Blend It gift set. The set contains 3 makeup sponges, 2 flat ended or multi tasking, as they are commonly called makeup sponges and 1 classic teardrop shaped makeup sponge. 


Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty

The Multi Tasking makeup sponges are brilliant for all different methods of makeup application, use the rounded side for foundation application, the pointed end for concealer and the flat side is great for contouring, blusher and powder. 

The Teardrop makeup sponge is the classicly shaped sponge and is brilliant for foundation application using the larger end, and for concealer application the pointed end is excellent. All the sponges can be used damp or dry depending on your preference, I always use mine damp.

I love the makeup sponges and have really enjoyed using them over the last couple of weeks, they perform well and wash and dry well too, and to be honest just as well as more expensive makeup sponges I have. I haven't noticed any difference in my makeup application or the way it looks since using the Primark makeup sponges and considering the Primark sponges work out a £1.00 each, which is roughly £16.00 cheaper than a more expensive makeup sponge and they work and wash just as well. 


Lip Heros Kit - £4.50

Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty

The Lip Heros Kit is a lip care set and comes in a really cute lip shaped silver tin, it contains 3 lip products, a lip balm, lip scrub and tinted lip oil. 

Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty


Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty


I haven't tried a lip oil before so I was looking forward to trying this one for the first time, I was a little worried that it might be really sticky, having long hair,  lip products can leave me with half my hair stuck to my lips, but I was hoping this one wouldn't.  


Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty


The lip oil looks quite brightly coloured in the packaging as you can see from the photo above, but its sheer on the lip and just gives a touch of colour that is very subtle. It feels lovely on the lips and not sticky, it is comfortable to wear and keeps my lips nice and soft and gives a bit of something, I really like it and I will definitely be trying more lip oils. 

Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty

I have never really been a regular lip balm user until recently, I have always used one under a matte or liquid lipstick but I'm lucky that I don't suffer from dry lips so haven't ever needed to use a balm on a regular basis. Recently I have been using lip balm at night before I go to bed and have liked the way my lips feel since wearing it. 

The Primark lip balm is lovely, I love that it comes in a lipstick type packaging rather than a pot, it is easy to use and there is no need for me to use my fingers to apply it, which in the current climate is a good thing. It smells wonderful and tastes nice when it's on the lips too, my lips feel lovely and soft when I wear the lip balm and since I have used it daily, my lips always feel very nourished and soft and it's taught me that wearing lip balm isn't just for dry and sore lips.  

Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty

The Primark lip scrub is a whole new thing to me, I haven't ever used a lip scrub like it, I have tried a lip scrub in a pot years ago that felt very sugary, but I really didn't like it so haven't tried another since. This lip scrub comes in a pen like packaging with a soft rubbery applicator. 

To use the lip scrub, you twist the packaging until the product comes out of the top, the product is a clear gel consistency which smells delightful and reminds me of holidays, it has a coconut smell to it and tastes nice too. Once the product appears on the applicator, I apply it like a lipstick and then go back and forth across my lips "scrubbing them" to work the product in and use the applicator to "scrub" the lips. 

Considering I had completely dismissed lip scrubs after my horrible sugary scrub experience, I am pleased I have the Primark lip scrub in my collection, I use the scrub 2-3 times a week but you could use it more if preferred. 

Overall Thoughts

Christmas Gift Ideas From Primark Beauty


I think it's pretty obvious that I love both the Primark gift sets, both are extremely good value and I know that some gift sets are on sale for half price at the moment, but even at full price, both these gift sets are an incredible value. They would be lovely gifts for any beauty lover, for adults and teens alike, so if you have teens to buy for or adults, these are both perfect, or if you love beauty, I would definitely treat yourself to both of the gift sets, to me love me, you won't be sorry. 

The makeup sponges are excellent and I now have a new lip care routine that I didn't know I needed until now, if you had asked me a few weeks ago if I would be using 3 extra lip products on a regular basis, I wouldn't ever have thought I would, but I am so glad I have the products and I will definitely be repurchasing all 3 and adding some more lip oils to my collection. 

I would highly recommend both gift sets as Christmas gift ideas, or for any gift occasion. It's a great big 10 out of 10 for me. 


Have you tried Primark Beauty? And will you be buying any of their gift sets this Christmas?
Zoë


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