My No Nonsense News Years Resolutions.

 Its been a good 2 weeks since writing anything for my blog and I'm glad I really took the time off to chill and gather my thoughts over Christmas. I am certainly refreshed and ready to kick start 2016, so I want to do a post about my very real new years resolutions that are not part of my blog (I will be writing a blog specific one if that interests you) and talking about the real nitty gritty stuff that needs doing.




First off, I really need to get my teeth sorted out. I haven't been to the dentist in years and my whole mouth situation is a mess, I've been putting it off for a while and I think this year I really need to bite the bullet (not the dentist) and get them sorted. I am aware this is going to be a lengthy process and a painful one, for me and for my wallet but it's something I really want to get done, once and for all.


Secondly is exercise, I've pretty much lost all the weight I've wanted to over the past year or so and I'm finally at a place where I am happy with the way I look but I'd really like to feel healthy too, from in the inside out. I've already pretty much sorted out my diet, it's much better than it's ever been but I feel like I need to sort my exercise routine out. I did hit the gym for a good 4-5 months at one point and I was enjoying my weights but I never found that one exercise that made me love exercising. So this year I want to try Yoga and Pilates and probably some other stuff and see if any of these things work for me.

Thirdly, pick a god-damn wedding venue and book it. This is a pretty big one. Its hard to decide on for obvious reasons, we need something nice and local but something cheap but then something that is a little 'different' and not the bog standard stuff. So as you can see, finding a venue is a minefield. This is something that 100% needs to be done in 2016 though, I'm sure I'll be blogging all about the wedding prep stuff when it eventually kicks off!


Then lastly, I really want to learn to save a butt tonne of money. The last 6 months I've been squireling away money for the afore mentioned million things that cost money, but this year I really want to be that one person that makes her money go as far as possible. I need to stop spending my money on rubbish, no more expensive lunch's that can be bought and made at home for much cheaper, no more wasting money on pointless make-up/beauty etc purchases that make you feel good for 5 minutes but then sit on the shelf forever more. I want to learn to really appreciate the things I buy and not just be the person that has a lot of materialistic stuff but no-one to show it to, you know what I mean?


Those were my very real new years resolutions, all of which are very achievable if I put my mind to them and stop being a big wimp, especially the dentist one.

I'd really like to know what your new years resolutions are, so please let me know in the comments!

Wish you love, health and happiness in 2016,

Sunday Sit Down #3.

It's that time again to have a catch up and let you know what's been going on with me!

Christmas at Chatsworth House.

Yesterday Nick and I took a little drive to Chatsworth House, we'd been here before and loved it and always heard good things about the themes they run each Christmas. We were planning on going last year but somehow never got around to it, so this year it was something I made sure we did. 

The theme this year is Wind in the Willows, a book about woodland creatures and the famous Mr.Toad, I won't go into details, although I'm sure some of you remember it from your childhood. So although the theme wasn't amazing it was still cool and we booked tickets to go.

The Village Screen: Home Alone Screening.

Last Sunday I was invited to a pop up cinema screening of Home Alone in a warehouse at Kelham Island in Sheffield by the lovely people at The Village Screen.

I'm all for Christmas things and a pop up cinema sounded so fun and different, so I couldn't say no!

The Favourite and Least Favourite Christmas Songs.

Nothing gets you in the festive mood like a good Christmas song. I've been listening to a few of the Spotify pre-made Christmas playlists and putting together my own 'best of'. I thought I'd share my favourites with you as I've found a few new ones that I've been enjoying.

Image sourced from Google images.

 

Looking back at 2015.

So 2014 was a pretty dull year and I decided that 2015 was going to be a much better one, after all, your life is what you make it. It turns out 2015 was pretty fucking awesome. So I thought I'd do an overview of all the awesome things that happened to me in 2015.

My Favourite Christmas Movies.

It's almost Christmas, you've got your tree up and a cheeky snack and all you want to do is snuggle up on the sofa, get the fairly lights and candles on and watch a Christmas film.

For me, the movies I would watch are the following;

My 12 Day Beauty Advent Calendar

Beauty advert calendars seem to be huge this year and I've caved and bought myself one already. I think these are a really great idea as an early present for someone, specially when they cost way less than all of the items put together so you could save yourself some money if you were planning on buying said items for your loved one anyway!

The Feel Unique Beauty Calendar is actually the one I bought for myself as a treat this year, it is one of the more reasonable priced ones and has £85 worth of items inside which sounds like a total bargain. This has a mixture of beauty and skincare items in which is why I liked this as it might give me some new brands or items I like.

This particular one only has 12 days, so I'm going to open these over the next 12 days leading to Christmas day, which means I've resisted opening them for almost a month now! Eek! I think I'm going to be uploading daily photos/videos of what's inside on my Instagram here so be sure to head over and have a peek!

Let me know if you got any beauty advent calendars!
Keep checking back for the rest of Blogmas, a new post everyday leading up to Christmas day!

Urban Outfitters Under £20 Home Gift Guide.

Clock wise from top left. 

I feel like writing a blog post entirely on website is a bit cheeky and won't be for everyone but I'm really digging Urban Outfitter recently. I think the home ware stuff is really nice and I've already bought some pieces from the store. So I'm putting together a little home ware gift guide from UO for those that love interiors, design and general cool stuff.

Snowman Fairy Cakes.

I wanted to bake something fun, easy and simple for the festive season and during a causal Pinterest browse I came across a few variations of snowmen cup cakes. They looked cute and fun and pretty easy to do, so I went on the hunt for some baking supplies.

Giving something extra this Christmas.

When we think about Christmas, we often think of family, food, presents, being cosy and warm at home watching TV and although this is great its not something everyone gets to enjoy at Christmas time.

There are many homeless people, families living in poverty, elderly people that have no family and remain alone on Christmas day, this was even touched upon in John Lewis's Christmas advert this year and there are little things those who are more fortunate can do to bring someone else a little joy this Christmas.

I live in Sheffield and the local Radio station, Hallam FM, always do a campaign at Christmas called Mission Christmas: Cash for Kids  , this summed up means buying that little extra present and giving it in at a local drop off point so a local disadvantaged child has something to open on Christmas. This doesn't have to be something wildly expensive (although, if you are feeling generous, that's great!) it could be something as simple as a dvd. Places often have 3 for 2 deals, or buy one get one half price, so why not think about picking something up for the less fortunate with these offers and giving kids the excitement of a Santa visit. It doesn't have to be a toy as my local campaign is for children aged 0-18 years old, so even that extra bath kit, aftershave, slipper socks or mini make up kit can really help spread some joy to an older kid.

I really urge you to look at what efforts are being made in your local area to help those less fortunate, it doesn't have to be expensive, even sparing a couple of quid that you would have spent on a coffee or hot chocolate could really make the difference in someone else's Christmas this year.

I really hope that by writing this I could help potential kids have the excitement I did (and still do!) every year knowing I have presents, warm clothing, great food and people to share it with.
So please make that little effort to spread some cheer!

Until tomorrow,

Skin Care Christmas Gift Guide.

Skin care is one of my favourite things but the good stuff is always a little pricey, so I've decided to put together a little Christmas gift guide about what products I'd love to receive from Santa this year!

LUSH Christmas Products.

I have to admit something here..I've never used a LUSH bath bomb, I know, what the hell am I doing with my life, but I decided this year I'm going to try some out. It seemed fitting that I should try out some of the Christmas range just in time for blogmas, so I've got a little haul for you today. I haven't used any of them yet, I will be posting an update after using them in my LUSH event post coming soon.

Luxury Christmas Wish List

What's a Christmas list without a little luxury? I've put together a few things that I would love to get for Christmas that are a little more on the pricey side. I'm pretty sure most of these things would go down really well with any label lover out there.

Christmas Nail Colour.

I can't be the only one that has a specific nail colour for Christmas time? Who doesn't love a good themed nail...right?

This year I've decide to jump on the rose gold band waggon, I've managed to avoid it for most things but I thought for Christmas, a rose gold nail is super gorgeous and quite festive.

This is actually my first Essie nail polish purchase and after being suggested this shade over on twitter (follow me here) I decided on the shade Penny Lane, which happens to be quite hard to get hold of. I managed to track this beauty down on eBay and couldn't wait to get it on!



This nail varnish is absolutely stunning, it's so pretty and shiny and isn't too coppery brown. I can't believe I've never seen this nail polish before, I'm 100% sold on the rose gold stuff now.

It's really shiny and catches the light so beautifully, really gives a grown up sophisticated look I think.

I did a review of 'Sea Bound' by Topshop earlier in the year and this has the same gorgeous colour when hitting the light, I really recommend you read that review if you like the look of this.

On my ring finger I added a Barry M topcoat that is clear but with multicoloured flicks in it, which reminds me of the baking pot 'hundreds and thousands' just to give it a little something.

I hope you like my festive nails! Let me know if you do the same thing and what colours you'll be wearing, as I would love to see some other variations!

Head back tomorrow for day 6 of blogmas, have a great Saturday!

Fashion: Party Season Outfits.

Tis' the season to be jolly and boogy at your Christmas party. I thought I would put together a few party outfits I would wear for party party times, so I hope you see something you like!

Men's Christmas Gift Guide.

I sometimes find buying Christmas presents for my Fiancée a little repetitive as he always wants the same kind of things, I sometimes throw in the occasional new things but he always loves the same formula. I thought I'd put them together into a male gift guide as they are winners and he hasn't ever hated anything I've bought him. 

1. Pop Vinyl 

Pop Vinyl figures have gained huge popularity recenty but I've been buying them for years. They are cute little vinyl figures that come in huge range of video-games characters and TV & film characters. So if they love that one video game that they can't stop playing, do a little research and buy their favourite character! If they have a huge obsession with a TV show, why not buy them the main cast? Pop Vinyl have a huge selection that is ever growing on the website, so I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find something they like!



2. Hugo Boss

My fiancée is a huge lover of Hugo Boss, its the one luxury brand he asks for when he wants new clothes. They of course, are a little luxury and a little pricer but it's really good quality and lasts years so I'm happy to buy him a staple piece because I know he'll wear it to death. I often buy him a t shirt at Christmas and have bought him a leather wallet for a previous birthday and it always goes down well, so if the fella you are buying for loves his fashion, why not invest in a luxury piece.



3. Video Games

This is a pretty easy one. If the guy you are buying for is a gamer and if they haven't already purchased them, buy them the latest releases to play over the Christmas break. As of the start of December the big releases are Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3 and FallOut 4 which are both available on the Xbox and PlayStation. I'm pretty sure this will make a gamer lad happy.



4. DVD Boxsets

Everyone loves a good DVD Boxset, I mean, who doesn't? Our favourite is 24, it's so intense and dramatic and I can watch hours back to back. So a DVD boxset gift is fairly standard, it's great to curl up on those cosy Christmas nights and watch a dvd, snacking on your stocking chocolate and having the candles and Christmas fairly lights twinkling in the background. Just a random selection incase you have no ideas are, Peep Show, 24, American Office, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter. Hope you find something you like!



5. Trainers

Classics like Vans and Converse are always a great gift, I often buy my dad Vans for his birthday as he loves alternative/skater brands and they have currently bought out a Disney range for the Disney fans out there. Addidas and Nike trainers seems to have become really fashionable again recently and they seem to have brought out plenty of new ranges, so for any guys that loves his footwear I think these will go down really well.

~

I hope this has given you some gift ideas for the fella in your life, if some of you have been struggling to think of things to get! I've mixed in a little of the nerdy, a little fashion and a little TV so there is a good mix! If you'd like to see some more fashion or geeky ideas, let me know and I'll put together a more specific list!

Remember to check back for the rest of Blogmas, a new post everyday leading up to Christmas day!!

My festive home!

It wouldn't be Christmas without a little tour of my decorations! It turns out taking pictures of a tree with lights on is really hard, so I apologise for the standard!

This year I've tried to go quite minimal and Scandinavian, so wood, animals, fabrics, so I haven't gone full on OTT with decorations and I really can't stand tinsel. We've moved to quite a large house and I plan on doing something to the dining room when I get around to it but I've condensed my decorations to the living room. So carry on scrolling to see my set up!

On a cold wintery night Blogmas began...

As you are reading this, Christmas would have already started up in the Tarnya household, the tree will be up, the first door of the calendar will have be devoured and the lights/candles twinkling. So to celebrate my favourite time of year, I'll be celebrating on my blog here with you guys too with a little thing we call Blogmas. This means I will be putting together a Christmas themed blog post everyday until the 25th of December, for your viewing pleasure.

They'll be gift guides for girls and boys, tours of my decorations, Christmas markets, Christmas meet ups, Christmas Party outfits, opening my beauty advent calendar and much more!

This cute Snowman chocolate set is from Thorntons! 

So please head back over the next 25 days to join in the Christmas spirit! So lets get our slipper socks on, our dressing gowns, warm up the hot chocolates and snuggle up and enjoy the festive season.

I'll be non-stop chatting like usual over on my twitter account - @sweet_allure and posting pictures on my instagram - sweetalluree so make sure you follow to keep up to date!

So be sure to check back tomorrow for a sneak peak around my lovely new home in all it's Christmassy and festive goodness!