Caramella Couture: November 2015

Sunday, 29 November 2015

Christmas giftguide: Beauty edition

Whether you're seeking inspiration for someone special or simply looking to treat yours truly, this fail-safe guide is bound to help you find just what you're looking for with beautifully chic ideas to suit every budget....xx

Under £10

Garnier Micellar Gift Set - £10

Frosted Plum Hand Cream - £4

Let's Kiss & Make-up Cosmetic Bag - £9

Rose Reverie Body Cream - £5.99

£15-£30

Kerastase Cristalliste Fine Hair Duo - £28

Yves Saint Laurent Babydoll Mascara Set - £25

Estee Lauder Five Star Favourites - £28

Clinique Chubby Collection - £25

£30-£50

Tom Ford Jasmine Rouge Lip Colour - £38

Ciate Mini Mani Advent Calendar - £34.50

Eva NYC Purple Metallic Ceramic Styling Iron - £45

Chanel Powder Blush - £31

£50-£100

Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Revitalizing Gift Set - £80

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau De Parfum Gift Set - £64

Dior Multi Look Palette - £68

Yves Saint Laurent Kiss & Love Makeup Palette - £59

Sunday, 8 November 2015

18 reasons why autumn is awesome

The few weeks of sunshine and 'warm' weather known as the British summer time now seem like a distant memory and it's as if out of nowhere dark evenings, misty mornings and an array of brown fallen leaves covering the ground have appeared.

Despite the damp weather, unavoidable frizzy hair and extreme urge to hibernate, autumn's positives definitely outweigh its negatives.

Here's 18 reasons why autumn is absolutely awesome.

1. Falling leaves

Ok, so they can be a pain when they are wet, soggy and get stuck to the bottom of your shoe, but on a crisp autumn morning there is nothing prettier than the burnt orange and brown blanket that covers the ground making the world look just that bit more beautiful.

2. Cosy nights in

Finally there's an excuse to have a 'night in' and curl up in your pjs with hot chocolate and a good film instead of feeling anti-social when declining the numerous offers of pub-garden drinks and nights out on the town that are inescapable throughout summer.

3. Daylight savings time

Putting the clocks back and getting an extra hour in bed. Bliss.

4. TV shows

Strictly, X Factor, Downtown Abbey, I'm A Celeb... the endless choice of new shows gives us the perfect excuse to snuggle up in front of the TV before spending the first hour of work the next morning discussing the previous night's performance and voicing our views on wtf so-and-so was wearing.

5. Fall fashion

Ankle boots, blanket scarves, thick tights and chunky knit jumpers. Layering up, feeling snug and looking stylish while doing so definitely beats denim shorts and crop tops.

6. Festive drinks

Hello honeycomb hot chocolates, pumpkin spice lattes and delicious eggnog, praline and gingerbread flavoured brews. Who cares if they contain almost a whole days worth of calories when they taste so damn good?

7. Late night shopping

The shops staying open that little bit later make every night the perfect opportunity to pop into town at the end of the day or meet up with friends for a spontaneous late night shopping spree. Hello Boots 3-for-2, goodbye wages.

8. Comfort food

Chunky soups, home-made stews and delicious golden pastry pies. The colder temperature and slightly more-forgiving clothes means comfort food is most definitely back on the menu. Anyone for seconds?

9. Dark evenings

Although they make the day feel shorter, dark evenings are the perfect excuse for getting into your pyjamas as soon as you get home and avoiding pretty much any task you don't want to do. This includes skipping the gym after work and ordering takeout instead of going food shopping. It's simply 'just too dark'.

10. Bonfire night

Watching fireworks and eating toffee apples while standing around a huge toasty bonfire is something we look forward to all year round... Even if that is simply because it's the last official calendar event before *Christmas*

11. UGG boots

Love them or hate them - there's no denying they're THE most comfortable footwear option. Wearing slippers out in public and it being socially acceptable? You'd be crazy not to.

12. Berry shades

Kiss goodbye to the candy pinks and pastel shades of summer. Autumn is all about dark berry lips and deep burgundy nails.

13. Scented candles

Candles are great all year round but nothing beats the sweet comforting smells of vanilla, cinnamon, apple spice and gingerbread that are widely available at this time of year. They just make your home feel that extra bit cosy when lit on a dark autumnal evening while you relax in front of the TV.

14. Open fires

What better way to spend a lazy Sunday than next to a roaring open fire with endless cups of tea and a good book? Alternatively finding a country pub or rustic bar that has the luxury of an open fire makes the experience all the more enjoyable.

15. Limited edition products

Terry's chocolate oranges, cinnamon scented candles and the Body Shop cranberry joy range are just a few of the fantastic special edition products only available at this time of year. Time to stock up!

16. Pyjamas

Gone are the stuffy summer evenings where you actually debate relocating your bedroom to the garden. Autumn's cooler temperatures make snuggling into bed even more enjoyable and present the opportunity to invest in some cosy new PJs. Fleecey onesie here we come.

17. Woodland walks

The pretty burnt leaves, fresh crisp air and hint of sunshine through the trees giving everything a golden glow actually makes us want to get off the sofa, go on a walk and experience the beauty of nature.

18. The Christmas countdown

Ok, so November 1st may still be slightly too soon to start feeling festive, but as soon as we reach the mid-month mark it is officially acceptable to let the countdown begin. Christmas tunes, fairy lights, German markets and mince pies... *eek*

What do you love most about Autumn?

Holly xx

Sunday, 1 November 2015

Hello November

For some reason October seems to have been a really long month, though I'm not complaining as the way this year is flying by it'll be 2016 before we know it...

crazy right?!

I've enjoyed my first month back at uni and have jumped straight back into student life.

Ahh the joys of living independently again! Cooking for myself, doing as I please and feeling rich after receiving my student loan payment (and slightly poor following the rent cheque!)

Although that hasn't stopped me treating myself to a few bits and taking full advantage of the fantastic student discounts floating about - well it would be rude not to!

Highlights of the month have been moving into my new flat, getting to know my flatmates (they're totally cool fyi), catching up with old friends, enjoying a couple of nights out, a few nice meals and a spot of shopping for good measure. Not a bad month at all.

What did your October look like? Did you celebrate Halloween?

Holly xx

Here's a few pics from the last month...