DIY: Christmas Tree Cookies

So if your like me and have a Christmas party coming up and you don't have a clue what to take, then whats more 'christmassy' and festive than Christmas Tree cookies!! Ha ha. So if you would like to know how to make these quick and simple festive cookies then please read on..

Pre-heat your oven to gas mark 6

Add the margarine and caster sugar into a mixing bowl

Mix together until fluffy and light

Gradually add in the flour and mix and knead together with hands and form a ball

Once you have formed the ball place onto a flour covered work top

Make sure to cover the ball and the rolling pin with flour to avoid sticking

Roll out the ball until it's about half an inch thick

Use a Christmas tree cutter or if you don't have one cut one out with a knife like i did

Line the baking tray with margarine and place the Christmas Trees on top and place in the oven until golden brown
(10-15 mins)

When they have turned golden brown carefully place onto a cooling rack and sprinkle caster sugar on them.

And there you have it the perfect festive food to take to any Christmas party, and of course you could do stars or love hearts or any other shape you would like to make. Or if your doing it with children on a rainy day, get some icing sugar and some baking decorations etc and make a DIY day of it. 

Hope you enjoy making these,

Love Christina xox

Glossy box: December 2013

Hi Guys, 

So i received my December glossy box last Saturday and i thought i would do a quick review and tell you guys what beauty products was in it. This is my first glossy box and before this i tried the Miss Glossy box out which i wrote about in a previous blog post. So this is what it looks like...

And the products that are in it are...

• Beautiful Movements Cosmetics nude lip gloss -  So this lip gloss i used for the first time in last weeks tutorial for the party look, i really liked the color of the lip gloss and it wasn't a sticky or thick formula which i like in a lip gloss. The pigmentation was alright but still pretty clear. It had a barley there smell which i like in lip glosses (unless it smells like vanilla!) But it didn't stay on the lips for long so i had to keep reapplying it though the day. Which for me is a big no no. So the color is nice but i wouldn't buy this.  
• Wilkinson Sword Intuition Naturals Razor - Ive used this shaver twice now and i do really like it apart from that it makes your skin feel tight and i dont like that In products but once i put some body lotion on my legs were soft and i ccouldn't fault the product. 
• Maybeline Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara - I tried this product on its own and didn't see any difference in my brows at all. But when i used it over a brow pencil i really liked it. It acts as a brow gel and makes my brows stay in place and gives it a fuller look. But without a brow pencil used before i wouldn't really recommend this. 
• Seche Nail Lacquer - So i got a dark brown color which i don't normally go for but i had a Barry M gold glitter on my ring and thumb and put the brown on the rest of the fingers and really liked the combination. So i am glad i got this color and it is really pigmented but the staying power doesn't last as long as i thought it would as it chipped the first day i had it on! 
• Rituals Miracle Balm Hand cream - I used this product once and it feels so soothing and hydrating on your hands and leaves them smelling nice for a very long time. It is very balmy and thick which does take a while to soak in but it says it can be used as a night mask so i just now use it before i go to bed and my hands are so soft when i wake up and not dry at all (perfect for the winter months) 

So that is all the products and reviews in the December Glossy box. Hope this helped if you were thinking of getting any of the products or just curious about getting the box at www.glossybox.co.uk. 

Love Christina xox

Party Season: Gold & Black Eyeshadow

Hi Guys, 

So i thought i would share with you my favorite party make up & hair look. The hair i just plaited on one side and curled the other (really quick and simple) but looks great. And the make up is a gold and black smokey eye with a winged liner and nude glossed lip. 

Victoria Jackson Spring Palette - BH cosmetics blending brush 

So you want to take some sellotape and put it on the back of your hand to get rid of some of the stickiness. Then put it from the end of your eyebrow to the outer corner of your eye in a straight line and press down.

Then take the light brown crease color on a fluffy brush and put it through your crease to act as a transitional color and it will make it easier to smoke out your black. 

Maybelinne color tattoo in Eternal Gold - BH cosmetics eye shadow brush

Then take your sponge eye shadow brush and put it on the inner corner and the tear duct. Make sure you don't go all the way to the outer eye.

Naked Palette 2 in Blackout - BH cosmetics precise eye shadow brush

Then you want to take the black and make an outer v shape and go a little further on the crease and until you reach the gold, making it darker in the outer part. 

Naked palette 2 blending/crease brush

Then taking no additional color blend out the black color so there's no harsh lines and so it blends into the gold.

Naked Palette 2 in Busted - BH cosmetics eye shadow brush

Then take busted under the brow bone.

Collection 2000 fast stroke eyeliner in Black

Then you want to do a winged line but stopping in the middle part of your eyelid (where the black meets the gold) 

Blackout & BH cosmetics pencil brush - MAC eye kohl in dark brown - Maybelline brow mascara in Dark brown

Then take blackout on a pencil brush and go under the bottom lash line making sure to leave the inner corner and to blend it out well. And then fill in your brows.

Body glitter in Gold - BH cosmetics small eye shadow brush

Then take the gold glitter on a small eye shadow brush and pat the glitter over the top of the gold and blend a little into the black. And take your favorite mascara and black eyeliner and line the waterline & tight line. 

Rimmel Wake Me Up! Foundation - NYX shine killer primer - Sleek contour & highlight kit - BH cosmetics fan & contour brush.

I did my primer and foundation before i did my eye shadow and then just brushed any fallout off with a powder brush. Then contour with a contour brush on the temples, forehead, hollow of your cheeks and sides of the nose (you can use bronzer as an alternative).

Victoria Jackson spring palette in Rose pink blush - BH cosmetics blush brush 

 Then put a rose or pink colored blush on the apples of your cheeks and highlight on the cheek bones, down the nose and cupids bow. 

And that is the completed look, i hope you like the look and enjoy doing this on yourself. 

Love Christina xox

DIY: CD for a loved one

Hi Guys,

So for mine & my boyfriends one year anniversary i made him a diy CD of the year we spent together and all the memories we had with little notes in it with the funniest memories or jokes we have shared. I came up with the idea when i was looking after my young niece and decided to get the paper and paint out. And i was thinking of what to get my boyfriend and to make him a card but then this somehow came into my head and it is SO simple to make!!

What you need:

• A blank DVD cd (you can get these from the £1 store!!)
• Some card, thick paper or just paper (card or thick paper will look better)
• Some paints, felt tips or even just a pencil
• Some stickers or sequins (or not that's your choice to add them)
• A CD case (you can also get these from the £1 shop or just use an old one)
• Some pictures and music on your laptop
• Windows movie maker

How to make the CD:

• First of all you want to load windows movie maker up and put all the photos & videos showing your favorite moments, favorite photo of your loved ones, places you've been together.
• Once they have loaded onto there, you want to order them into date order starting from the beginning of your relationship to now.
• When you are happy with the date click on the first photo and then click add title i put "happy first anniversary babe, love from your princess" 
• Then you can click on random photo's or videos and add titles in random places adding little love notes or funny memories etc.
• At the end you could also add a little note like "thankyou for making this year the best and i can't wait for the rest" you get the jift... 
• When you have done all that and you are happy with it add your partners favorite song and if its long enough one of yours aswell. (or a cute one that reminds you of them etc)
• Then save the CD/Movie and burn it onto the bland DVD cd.

How to make the CD cover:

• You want to either buy a blank CD case or just take an old CD and take the paper out of it (that's what i did) 
• When you have done that take your card and measure it to the front cover and cut it out. Check that it fits and adjust if needed.
• When you have done that do it the the back and your ready to decorate them.
• You can decorate the cd cover however you like. E.g. if its a christmas present put a christmas tree or a snowman picture and a "happy christmas" greeting on the front of the case.
• Then on the back you can do chapters like i did or just a nice picture that goes with the front or a little love note.
• Add stickers and sequins around the sides of the card to make it look fancy and festive.

And that is how simple and easy it is to make this CD. You can do it under a day or maybe two, depending on how creative you want to be. You can also make this for your parent, friend, cousin, bestfriend, anybody it is just a nice DIY present that you and your partner can look back on and keep. 

Hope you found this easy to do and have fun doing it. 

Love Christina xox

Throwback Thursday/Growing my hair

This is me in 2010 with lovely kind of long ginger hair. I went back to my natural color after stripping it a gingery color and just letting it grow out. My hair used to be so nice and healthy but then i didn't used to bleach it and dye it red all the time ha ha. This hair length is my goal and i am trying to keep my hair as healthy as i can to reach that goal. My hair has got a lot healthier since i was last blonde and had it cut to the asymmetrical bob. 

My haircare routine:

1. I take ASDA skin, hair & nails tablets everyday. I used to take the boots ones and they are really good and really do work wonders!! My eyelashes are so long now!! Ha ha
2. I drink and eat as healthily as i can. I have no problems with eating healthy but i hate water so i try to have the flavored water when ever i can. 
3. I deep condition my hair every second wash and since having extensions in i still wash my hair every 4 days (may sound minging) but the oils your hair makes are actually really good for your hair and with dry shampoo about its definetly possible ( I love loreal hair treatments)
4. I go for a trim every second month. I used to go every month but because my hairs healthier and i just want it to grow i have just been going less often.
5. I use a semi permanent red hair dye just because there less harsh on your hair and have no ammonia in them, and i find they just work the same!! I try to get the one with the most good stuff in them and the conditioner treatments that comes with them are there for a reason!! They do actually work. 
6. And lastly don't be tight on your hair products i use the salon make shampoos and conditioners just because there that price for a reason and just because a drugstore one seems to be doing your hair good in the long run it might not be. 

So my hair right now, one side is just at shoulder length and the shorter side is just past my ear. I think when the shorter side has got to my shoulder too i will chop it into a bob (or the same length) and then i can grow it better and less weirdly then ha ha

Love Christina xox

Miss Glossybox - November/December

So today i received the Miss Glossy Box for November/December. It is the last miss glossy box they are doing and it was the Christmas themed box. I don't know why they are stopping the young glossy boxes but i thought they were pretty good. But since this one has been stopped i will have to sign up for the other one because i love getting them as you never know what's in them and you get to try out new products etc.

So in the glossy box you got a red drawstring bag with the products in which i will probably save for travelling or something like that. The products that were included are:

• So...? Fragrance -  I got the So...? Sinful body spray in travel size and its smells so good! Perfect for the Christmas party season to pop in your hand bag. I would definetley recommend going out and buying this they have it nearly every where and i like all the other scents of them too.  
• Jelly Pong Pong 2 in 1 Shadow/Liner - This eye shadow pencil doesn't have a name on it but it is a metallic brown and is really pretty especially because i have blue eyes this is the perfect color eye shadow for me as it just makes my eyes pop with color. And also because its a metallic color it is perfect for a night out as a color liner or smudge it for a smokey brown eye.
• Clear start Dermalogica (Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash) - I have heard some good things about dermalogica but have never got round to using this product line. I have oily skin which is prone to breakouts so something like this too me is probably really good. It says it deep cleans and purify's skin without stripping your natural oils. This foaming wash contains Orange peel and Tea tree to refresh skin and Salicylic acid to clear trapped oils and wipe out existing and future breakouts. I will do a review on this product in a few weeks to see how it is and if it's worked any wonders on my skin. 
• Elegant Touch - Little Mix Nail wraps - I personally wouldn't of gone for this set of nail wraps just because there not really my thing, but i have never tried the nail wraps before and wanted to give them a try they are pretty easy to put on but i used some nail scissors instead of the file it came with just because i found it miles easier. I have inserted two pictures below of what they look like on my fingers.

• Lacoste Touch of Pink - Perfume tester. Now i like this scent anyway and i find these perfect for when your travelling or just to stick in your handbag. It is a really nice smell and i would buy this in the future. 

So that is what i got in my Miss Glossy Box it is sad that, that was the last one but i will just get the other one instead :)

Love Christina xox

Panic attacks

Hi Guys,

So for this past year i have been dealing with anxiety, anxiety is a horrible emotion to feel and cannot be controlled and can creep up on you at any time.People suffer with different levels of anxiety, me being a very emotional person have high levels of anxiety and it can cause panic attacks when i am very stressed or nervous. Not many people or any actually understand what a panic or anxiety attack is, which to me is not a good thing because it is very popular and all around us. My closest don't understand how it can affect me, my life and the decisions i make on a day to day basis even from a train journey to getting dressed. Nobody will understand where your coming from unless they have been through it themselves. 

What is a panic attack?

A sudden feeling of dread, the sudden urge to push your way through to the nearest exit, the whole room shrinking down around you and everybody staring at you and smothering you. In a split second, without you anticipating it, or knowing it's going to happen, your body releases adrenaline. This adrenaline is released as your body is preparing for "flight or fight". Something our brain is programmed to do in a life or death situation. You need adrenaline for a fight in order to be strong, and you need adrenaline for flight, in order to run fast and get away. This would have prepared our cave-dwelling ancestors to fight or run away from danger, but it’s much less appropriate to the stresses we encounter today. Clearly, we are not cavemen any more, and we don't need to hunt for our food, but this adrenaline is released in situations like tripping over a step, being extremely excited, being on a roller-coaster, being in a fight, In an accident, adrenaline is released into our bodies all the time, but us panic attack sufferers have a "SENSITIVE ALARM".

 "You are like the car in the street, who's alarm goes off with the smallest gust of wind, whereas all the other cars, take a good beating before their alarms go off"

What happens during a panic attack?

Adrenaline is released, thus causing your heart to beast faster, and your muscles to tense. We breathe in more oxygen, which our muscles use to turn sugar into energy (even though we don't need extra energy for anything), Blood is diverted to the muscles, making you pale and light headed. This also causes you to shake. Our digestive system shuts down, making your throat dry and making you feel sick. Your senses are heightened, you become more aware of sounds and smells around you (It's like someone turned up the volume, and in a busy place, it was loud enough anyway).

When adrenalin floods your body, it can cause a number of different physical and emotional sensations that may affect you during a panic attack:

These may include:

very rapid breathing or feeling unable to breathe

very rapid heartbeat

pains in your chest

feeling faint or dizzy

sweating/Shivering

ringing in your ears

tingling or numbness in your hands and feet

hot or cold flushes

feeling nauseous

wanting to go to the toilet

feelings of absolute terror

feeling smothered

feeling claustrophobic

being extremely emotional/uncrontrollable crying

feelings of unreality, called depersonalisation and derealisation.

Panic attacks come on very quickly, symptoms usually peaking within 10 minutes. Most panic attacks last for between 5 and 20 minutes. Some people report attacks lasting for up to an hour, but they are likely to be experiencing one attack after another, or a high level of anxiety after the initial attack. After i have a panic attack my anxiety levels will still be heightened until i am in a comfortable place where i feel the safest and on my own so sometimes it can feel like im having a panic attack for hours or until my body calms itself down. 

What triggered my first panic attack was when i was catching a train to my boyfriends and it was the first one i had ever got on and i was really nervous and scared along with already having problems with confidence etc, my body didn't react well. The only problem with that is every time i go to catch a train or go to see my boyfriend i have a panic attack because my body now thinks that when im in that situation its a bad one and i need to get out.Which is so annoying because it made me feel like i didn't want to go and see my boyfriend, that i COULDN'T go see him because it was a bad thing to do. Also when you have a panic attack after you have calmed down you feel absolutely exhausted.

When you have attacks people around you who don't understand can get quite fed up and annoyed by it, which in some cases can lead them to shouting at you or falling out with you because of it, which makes us worse guys!?! 

What can help?

When i had my first panic attack i found walking around and 'reading' something helped by using some of that extra energy and trying to take your mind off it. I also took slow, deep breaths and fanned myself as you get hot flushes and that also uses a lot of energy up. When im with someone and this happens i like them to stay quiet unless i talk to them and it also helps when they drive you around because the views and sounds can help relax and take your mind off things. Any music that's on actually makes me worse as well because its just extra noise and makes me panic more. For some people it can help relax them though. I also read a couple off books about it some can help and some don't. I didn't want to be put onto any medication from the Dr's but i took GABA which my mum gave me which happened to help a lot with my anxiety which helped with my panicking. 

How can you stop it from happening?

You can help to stop from these attacks happening, i find the best one is to say yes to things you wouldn't dream off (and i don't mean like dangerous things) i mean getting on a train and doing anything else that you feel uncomfortable doing and just thinking to yourself this isn't a bad situation and i can do it and i won't let it bother me. Positive thinking is the key and i am getting a lot better at going to catch trains on my own etc.

How to help someone who suffers with panic attacks?

I didn't know how to answer this because every ones different and ive never been in the position of being with someone while they have attack only being the person having one. So i did some research online and picked this up which i think will help a lot and can imagine it helping me alot. Show this to family members, friends, other halfs. Because they may feel lost about not knowing too.

1. Remain calm. There is nothing worse than being with someone who is freaking out whilst they are, they will never calm down if you are flapping about like a headless chicken.

2. Do not be forceful. Be patient, and accepting. Do not settle for them panicking and being affected alone.

3. Let them do things at their own pace.

4. Don't make assumptions about what the panicker needs, ask them.

5. Find something positive in every experience. If the affected person is only able to go partway to a particular goal, such as the cinema or out for a coffee, consider that an achievement rather than a failure.

6. Remember that they don't choose to be this way. Do not show any dissapointment or annoyance when panic strikes or if they don't feel they can't do something.

7. In a panic attack, DON'T say: 
"Relax. Calm down. Don't be anxious. Let's see if you can do this (i.e., setting up a test for the affected person). You can fight this. What should we do next? Don't be ridiculous. You have to stay. Don't be a coward. Pull yourself together, Stop being silly, what's wrong with you".
Instead, DO SAY: 
"You can do it no matter how you feel. I am proud of you. Tell me what you need now. Breathe slow and low. Stay in the present. It's not the place that's bothering you, it's the thought. I know that what you are feeling is painful, but it's not dangerous. You are courageous. Remember that panic attacks only last a maximum of 20 minutes"

8. Do not try to distract them with stupid questions. As I said before, we don't want to say the alphabet backwards or talk about our day, it just highlights the fact that we are having a panic attack, thus creating more panic.

9. Be supportive & reassuring. After a panic attack, the person can feel down, depressed, angry, insecure and with very low self esteem. It's your job to help them to feel better about themselves and to let them know you are there.

I hope this has helped with anybody suffering with panic attacks or knowing someone close who suffers with panic attacks or if you just generally wanted to know about panic attacks and how they affect people in different ways. I will be doing a blog post tomorrow about anxiety attacks.

Love Christina xox 

Wet to Straight: Glued in extensions

Hi Guys,

So basically when i first had these done i searched all over the internet for some tips about how to dry or wash your hair when you have glue in extensions. It may sounds really simple but for someone who hasn't done hair it can be nice to find out. So i thought i would share with you how it works for me. Remember that i am not a hairdresser and you may have a different, better way of doing it. I'm just sharing with you how i do it and hoping this helps you if you have them or thinking about having them done.

So the products i use are:

- Tigi Catwalk Sleek Mystique shampoo & conditioner http://www.feelunique.com/p/TIGI-Catwalk-Sleek-Mystique-Shampoo-Conditioner-Duo-2-x-750ml

- Tresemme hairdryer http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4438874.htm

- Babyliss Pro Hairdressing straightners

 - Tigi Smooting cream http://www.feelunique.com/p/TIGI-Bed-Head-Dumb-Blonde-Smoothing-Stuff-50ml

- Loreal intensive hair mask http://www.feelunique.com/p/LOreal-Paris-Hair-Expertise-EverRiche-Nourishing-Intense-Mask-200ml

- Joico k-pak treatment http://www.feelunique.com/p/Joico-K-Pak-RevitaLuxe-50ml

Step one: Brush your hair extensions to remove any knots and make it more manageable.

Step two: Gradually wet the hair (it's easier to wash hair in the shower) as if you wet it all at once it may tangle or matte up. 

Step three: Use a good quality shampoo and wash the top half of your hair (the bit with no extensions in) like you normally would and then run your hands over the rest of your scalp not rubbing your hair as it will cause matting and rinse out. 

Step four: Use a good quality conditioner but not too much and try to avoid getting any on the bonds as it will soften them and break down the bond. If you are wanting to use a treatment then same again try to avoid the bonds and only leave in for a maximum of 3 minutes. Make sure you wash out all the product as build up will make your extensions tangle.

Step five: Wrap your hair in a hair turban or towel and let it dry to a damp texture. 

Step six: Part your hair into medium sections to work with and starting from the top dry your bonds and the root area then using a paddle brush (or any other brush you like to use) dry your extensions. Then when one section is done move onto the other. 

Remember to use a bristle brush/ extension brush when working near the bonds

Step seven: When all your hair is done, again part your hair into 4 medium sections and straighten from under the hair bond downwards. And any hair that isn't connected to a hair bond so that is straight also. 

Remember it is important not to straighten over the bond as you will melt the glue.

Step eight: Use some good hair oil and just run a tiny amount through your hair and hair extensions just to make them soft and shiny. Do not get the oil near the bonds or on them. 

And that is it, I hope you all have a great day and i will speak to you soon,

Love Christina xox

How to: Ombre Nails

How to do an ombre nail without going to the salon...

What you need:

• Scissors
• Makeup sponge (or just one that you use to clean your pots with)
• 3 or 4 nail polishes colours of your own choice
• Cotton bud or cotton pad to take off any nail polish on the finger or already on the nail
• Nail varnish remover
• A kitchen towel so you don't mark anything 

What to do:

Cut the sponge to the size and width of your longest nail and your widest nail (or make it easy and cut nails so their all the same size).

Then do a thick coat of each polish color like above on the sponge making sure that they overlap eachother.

Then press the sponge on the finger until it looks blended like above, repeat on all fingers

 Then your nails will look like this. Let them dry completely then wipe off the polish that got on your skin.

And that is how you get ombre nails like this :)

Hope you have fun trying this out :)

Love Christina xox

Stocking fillers + Present ideas

So every Christmas or birthday i sit there and think what i could buy my loved ones this year. Some of my family especially my boyfriend are so awkward to buy for so i find it hard to buy things all the time that i know they will love. I'm one of them that would rather get people what they will need rather than what will just be shoved in a draw and forgotten about. So here are some ideas that i hope help you this year...

For men:

- A pack of gillette disposable razors or razor heads if you know which they use

- A money pot (i got David one for our anniversary and he loves it)

- Mens boxer shorts/socks set

- An experience day (i got mine from menkind.co.uk) 

- Some men gadgets or funny presents from menkind.co.uk (swiss army knife, little Ferrari car etc)

- A gift card for his favorite shop

- His favorite sweets/savory treats

- A funny Christmas t-shirt or pajamas 

- His favorite cologne (the gift sets are really good for christmas)

- Shower gels etc

- A Yankee candle

- A wallet 

- If 18+ suprise him with something nice from ann summers (that you'll obviously wear/use for him)

- Gloves, hat & scarf set

- A mug and hot chocolate gift set

- Their favorite beer, liqueur etc

- A photo frame with your favorite memory with them

- A food/spice set 

For the women:

- A money pot (i got mine from amazon and they have so many different ones to choose from)

- An experience day (i got a modeling one from boots)

- A gift card for her favorite shop

- Her favorite sweets/savory treats

- Pajamas and slipper set

- Her favorite perfume (i like the gift sets)

- Bath & Body gift sets

- A Yankee candle

- Some sexy new underwear/gift from ann summers if 18+

- Gloves, hat & scarf set

- Nail polish gift set

-A cute keyring

- A Me to You teddy bear

- A mug and hot chocolate gift set

- Makeup gift set 

- A photo frame with a picture of your favorite memory with them

- Their favorite wine/liqueur etc 

Another good idea is going to the drugstore shops and taking advantage of their 3 for 2 offers perfect for the womem and for men!! Everybody loves to pamper themselves. 

I hope this helped you for this Christmas or any other time of the year,

Love Christina xox