Surviving Party Season

It's that time of year again where our social calendars become fuller than ever and every weekend has an aray of parties, meals and meets that keep you busier than Santa himself!

With that in mind I thought I would share with you a few of my must-haves for getting through party season, I know alot of you with be juggling parties, piss-ups and work shifts all within the same 24 hours so take note as some of these could be lifesavers for you!

Beat The Blisters

First up, Compeed Blister Relief plasters*! A Christmas/New Years party outfit wouldn't be complete without a fabulous pair of heels and if you're anything like me, you would have bought new ones! After hours of walking, mingling, dancing and whatever other moves you're pulling out of the bag you're feet (unless you have magic soles and toes) are going to ache and you may even be getting some pesky blisters! Be prepared by keeping sliter plasters in your bag! These are great for shoes that are rubbing or even blisters on the bottoms of your feet!
Top Tip : Putting some Vaseline on your feet before wearing new heels can help prevent rubbing!

Refresh That Face

With all the naughty foods and drinks we will be consuming over the next 4 weeks our skin can really take a beating! Not only this but with all the events going on, your bound to be wearing make-up more than usual!
Doing a face mask every week can help keep your skin looking bright and healthy! Rodial's Hangover Mask* is one of my favourites for this, it keeps my skin feeling rejuvenated and clear from any build up and nastiness!

Eyes On The Prize

There's a couple of beauty bits in life that can completely change your look in seconds, one of those things is false lashes! If you don't have long to get ready and want to make yourself look more glamorous than usual - whack on a pair of lashes! These lashes are from Nouveau Lashes and they are from the Let's Go Lashes*  range! As you can see in the picture below these lashes are gorgeous full-on fan lashes and I am so excited to try them out over this holiday season.

"I got that red lip, classic, things that you like" (Yup, I'm quoting TS)

Red lips, red lips, red lips! I love a red lip at this time of year (unless you're rocking a pink dress!)! This one I've including is one of my all-time favourites! Rimmel Apocalips - Big Bang - is a super bright pillar box red and it is perfect for transforming yourself from drab to fab! Plus red is super festive!

Bloat No More

Tight bodycon dress for NYE? High waisted skirts/trousers to rock on Christmas Eve? Being bloated is the worst! Peppermint tea is a great way to relive any bloat and keep your digestive system in check! I like to have one every evening before bed, it's really refreashing and calming and makes me feel like I'm kind of being healthy... especially after the 600 mince pies I've probably eaten already!

Bags Be Gone

Finally it's time for a pick me up for after all those late nights! I love this eye bag slayer, for one.... it is a play on Buffy the Vampire Slayer... the greatest show ever made and my fav! I keep it in the fridge so it is amazing for reducing puffy eyes and also fab for headaches.... coz you may have a few of them after those heavy nights!

I hope you guys liked this post and have a great time over the next month, partying and celebrating :) 

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Library of Fragrance Christmas in New York Eau de Toilette 30ml Review

When I spotted this new product on the Boots website I think it took me all of 2 seconds to decide to purchase it! 

The name alone had me sold - 'Christmas In New York' - and after hearing such great things about The Library Of Fragrance from other bloggers in the past I thought it must be a winner! So I splashed out with my points and paid with my handy advantage card!

Described as a 'unique scent of it's own' this brand have promised to infuse the magic of New York at Christmas into the perfect festive fragrance. 

With a mix of festive spices, warm, roasting chestnuts and sweet apples this scent embodies all that we know and love about Christmas time.

I, myself, have New York in December on my list of things to do before I die. With all the lights, the buildings, the decorations and the snow - New York always looks like the perfect winter wonderland to get you in the spirit of Christmas, whatever your age! (I mean.. just think about Home Alone 2!)

When I first sprayed the cologne I was worried it smelt a little synthetic, but after letting it breathe for a bit I fell in love. For me, this isn't  scent I would use on myself, it's more of a home fragrance, like a candle. 

I have been spraying this around my flat in the evenings and with my Christmas tree up with it's pretty fairy lights, it has been making my home feel super warm, festive and cosy!

If you're looking for a special scent for this time of year and candles aren't really your thing - this fragrance is great! 

At the moment they are only £9.99 as an introductory offer on boots.com but if this scent doesn't sound like your cup of tea, they also have other Christmas fragrances that have released!

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November Favourites 2014

Well, I think this is the latest I have ever put up a favourites post... it's the 11th December already - I do apologise!

November seems like a long old time ago now, but me being me I had written down a list of things I wanted to include in a November favourites post so I have not forgotten!

I was lucky enough to tick something off my bucket list in November and that was to see Wicked.

I have always wanted to see it and for years now I have been praying it would come to our nearest theater, so last year when it was announced it was going to be on at the Mayflower, Southampton my Mum immediately bought us tickets for it and after over a year of waiting we finally got to see it!

It lived upto and exceeded every expectation I had, after listening to the soundtrack for months before it was amazing to finally see the whole story put together. It was a totally faultless and I will hands down be seeing it again for sure. Both witches were incredible and Glinda made me laugh out loud, she was brilliant! Not going to lie.... it was emotional!

After trying out a few products from theBalm in November two of them have found themselves in my new everyday make-up routine. Bahama Mama* and Mary-Lou-manizer* have taken the place of my Sleek contour palette and are now the products I use to contour and highlight! To see my full reviews of these click here and here.

My go-to lipstick of the month had to be Mac's Rebel. My favourite berry shade for the winter, I use this lippy all the time - I'm definitely going to have to re-purchase by the end of this season I reckon!

I think I mentioned these in my last favourites but I'm still using them daily and that is Glade's Honey & Chocolate candle. I have about 4 or 5 of these dotted around my home now, they have been on offer in co-op so I have stocked up while they were cheap! The smell is amazing, it smells a bit like Angel (perfume) and it lasts for hours! Perfect for the home at this time of year.

A new perfume in my life now and that is Kenzo Flower which I have become increasing obsessed with. I got this from my Vivabox* (read about that here!) and have been wearing it constantly since getting it! I know this is more of a light, summery fragrance but because it's new to me I can't help but use it everyday at the moment!

Last but not least is a cheeky clothing item! This Central Perk Friends T-shirt is from Primark and was only £6! Being a huge 'Friends' fan I picked it up straight away, how cute is it? It fits so well, I love cosy everyday t-shirts like this and I have bought quite a few recently from Primarni! Bargain!

What have you been loving recently?

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11 Party Dresses Under £30

It's party season and I have a few posts coming up on here to help you get ready for that festive season of eating, drinking and looking fabulous!

 Today is all about the dresses. Sometimes, us social butterflys and party lovers have more than one event to attend in December. 

Work do's, family do's, general get-togethers and New Years Eve - the thought of buying so many outfits is stressful to say the least so here is a few party dresses I've found for under £30! The cheaper the price the more we can buy right?

Miss Selfridge Gold Aztec Sequin Cami Dress - Was £49 Now £15

New Look Shell Pink Two Tier Scallop Beaded Dress - £27.99

Midi Bodycon Dress By Oh My Love - Was £35 Now £28

Topshop High Neck Lurex Bodycon Dress - £30

Madam Rage Gold Metallic Zigzag Dress - £30

New Look Purple Rose Midi Pencil Dress - £24.99

ASOS Cross Front Halter Mesh Insert Bodycon Dress - £25

Fashion Union Crop Dress In Jacquard - £30

Fashion Union Dress With High Neck In Floral Print - £25

Elise Ryan Lace Bandeau Skater Dress  - Was £52 Now £15

ASOS Texture Bardot Midi Bodycon Dress - Was £28 Now £14

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Jurlique #12daysofGlow : Aromatic Rose Duo

I have been so excited to get on my laptop and write this post for weeks now and now it's finally time - wahoooo!

 It was back in October when Jurlique first started talking Christmas to me, I blooming love Christmas and the lovely lot at Jurlique alike so to be asked to join in with a fabulous December campaign of their's was so exciting!

I've used Jurlique products before (you may remember this post) and, of course, fell in love with them straight away! They are one of those 'how have I not tried anything from these people before' kind of brands!

Anyway back to what this is all about! This year Jurlique have created some amazing goodies and gift sets full of their best selling products and with Christmas just around the corner, it's all about giving the gift of glow!

Know someone who's a skincare addict? Want to treat a loved one? Or maybe fancy something new for yourself? Then keep on reading! 

For 12 days this month a different blogger is going to be sharing with you one of Jurlique's fabulous sets .... and I, Kirstie, here at A Yellow Brick Brick am Day number 2!

So sit back, relax and check out the Aromatic Rose Duo! 

Aromatic Rose Duo*

The rose range was what I tried before from Jurlique and I love love loved it so I had high hopes for this lovely duo!

The set comes in a lovely gift box and as you can see from photos at the top, came beautifully wrapped! I love the little touches like from companies, especially if you are giving i to someone as a present!

In this duo you get the 125ml Rose Hand Cream and the Roll-on Rose Fragrance Oil.

First I'll talk about the hand cream! 

This tube is huge! Well... it's 125ml but it feels so big compared to all the other hand creams I own, which is fab! I always carry a huge handbag so the fact it is a little bigger doesn't bother me in the slightest! 

The cream itself is so thick and creamy, without being greasy at all it is seriously lovely! I use so much hand cream at this time of year, the cold weather makes my hands so dry and working with the public I tend to over-use that trusty anti-bac aswell which causes havoc with my hands too, so hand creams are life savers!

The scent is beautiful, just like my other rose products from Jurlique, the smell is soft but strong and lasts for ages! 

I can imagine my Mum keeping this cream by the sink for everyday use.... she always has hand creams near the sink and I know she would LOVE this!

The other half of the duo now and the roll on fragrance which comes in a convenient 11ml bottle.

The powerful rose scent includes top notes of Rose Wardia and Rose Anatolia blooms and the smell is so long lasting on the skin!

I find the smell of rose really soothing and calming and it has really been helping me relax after a hard days work recently! As you may have seen earlier this week I talked about products that have been helping me sleep better.... this is one of them!

 After having a shower I have been putting this on my pulse points and relaxing on the sofa! If you wanted to have it as an everyday fragrance it's also great  layered with the other rose products Jurlique has to offer!

Convenient, quick and easy this is a fabulous product!

Worth £50 in value this gift box saves you a whopping £15 being only £35! Click here to check it out! A gorgeous present for a loved one this Christmas (or yourself!), I must say both these products have been such a luxury treat for me.

Make sure you check out the rest of Jurlique amazing blogger #12daysofGlow - I know some amazing girlies that are just waiting for their turn to rave about their products they have been trying! 

To see each day being revealed make sure you are following Jurlique on twitter - @JurliqueUK and see how many blogger and vlogger faces you recognise!

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Getting My Beauty Sleep : The Fab 3

This is the time of year where lots of us ladies and gents are working alot more and alot harder, so sleep can sometimes be cut short or feel non-existent! 

I myself have been totally wiped recently so have been trying out a few things to help me having a more relaxed evening and a better nights sleep!

Here's 3 products which have definitely helped.....

1. Kindle

I always say to myself that I'll have a quiet night in and read my book (which I have been reading forever... I'm literally getting nowhere!) but me being me - a 24 year old internet addict - before I know it I've been sat on my phone/ipad/laptop all night and it's 10pm and time to go to bed!

This is BAD and I've been trying to change my ways. Getting into bed with a book really helps me to relax and chill out! It's so fun for your brain to turn off everything social and work-related and transport to another world for an hour or two! The more I do read, the more I want to read aswell! I can't wait to finish this series I'm on it's brilliant!

2. Candles

I'm a bit of a candle addict and have a slight obsession with my home smelling nice, whether it's with candles, sprays or diffusers. 

Recently I have been burning this Aromatherapy candle from Flamingo Candles* (which you may have seen in this haul post). This is the 'relaxing' candle and is bursting with the scent of lavender and ykang ylang which helps calm be down after a stressful or busy day!

I' also still loving my Glade Honey & Chocolate candles - I've bought 3 already this month, they are so strong and fill my whole flat with the yummy scent!

3. Sanctuary Sleep Comforting Night Butter

I had been looking at these products from Sanctuary for a while, I really liked the scent but wasn't sure whether I'd actually go ahead and use them or whether they'd get shoved in a draw/box like alot of other things that I think are a good idea at the time!

But in the end... obviously I ended up buying a couple of products from the range! I got this body butter along with the body scrub and I made damn sure that I used them as soon as I got them home!

The scent is so lovely and relaxing and I've found it has made a real difference in the way I feel before I go to sleep! I've also been leaving the body butter open on my bedside table some nights - the smell really radiates round the room which is lovely.... but I think it's about time I invested in the candle too!

Other things I love and which help me relax and get a good nights beauty sleep are.... green tea, a good face mask and clean bed sheets!

What helps you sleep?

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