My year in pictures...

A little something to welcome in the New Year and to remind me of the one that we are about to leave behind... 2014 has been a whirlwind of a year. So much so, it took me looking back into my Facebook and iPhone photos to remember the majority of it... I'm hoping 2015 is firstly going to pass by a heck of a lot slower and I hope for me, it contains some more overseas travel!

I'm definitely looking forward to see what 2015 has in store and I hope it's a happy and safe one for everybody.

Until next year... Xx

The Christmas Gift Guide Trilogy || Part Three. Luxe Gifts for Him and Her

Sorry about the late arrival of the final part of my Christmas trilogy. But if you're anything like me, you'll only just be starting your Christmas shopping or leaving it until the 24th. (crazy times)

This one is the goodun! The luxe gifts!

1. TomTom Multi-Sport GPS Watch.  JB HiFi. $199.
For the sporty lady in your life, this is a nifty good looking sports watch. It tracks your heart rate while you run/walk. Counts kilometers. It's waterproof for the swimmers and there are extra bits you can buy for the cyclists to track your riding.

2. Bobbi Brown Deluxe Lip & Eye Kit. Myer. $130.
*Cue the angels singing* This kit is GORGEOUS! A beautiful tortoise shell palette with 4 shimmer and 4 matte shades with a brush thrown in for good measure, along with 8 beautiful lip shades and lip brush. There's something for every makeup lover in this kit. Perfect for travel, this is definitely one luxe gift I'd be very happy to receive.

3. Limited Edition GHD Rose Gold Deluxe Set. Hairhouse Warehouse. $370.
Another gorgeous gift pack for those who love a little luxury. Rose gold is beautiful and what is more luxe than having a matching set of heating tools? Purdy.

4. Viktor & Rolf Bonbon 2014 Christmas Set. Myer. $163.
The ultimate Christmas fragrance gift set in my opinion! I mean, just look at it? For starters the box is super cute and the bottle inside is so pretty! Key note in this fragrance is caramel, surrounded by mandarine, orange and peach. Sounds like a lovely sweet scent, perfect for the summertime.

5. Skullcandy Knockout On-Ear Headphones. JB HiFi. $199.95.
One for the music lovers out there. These headphones are so cool! Made for women they have an awesome floral design on the headphones themselves with a burgundy head strap and cord with gold hardware and a gold volume button on the cord for easy control. I'm more of an earphones wearer myself but I would definitely rock these!

6. Kitchenaid Platinum Collection Stand Mixer. Myer. $849.
I asked my family for money instead of presents for my birthday one year so I could put it towards purchasing one of these mixers. (I opted for the Tiffany blue colour, with stainless bowl) But it is my favourite household item. It sits pride of place on my kitchen bench and I love making yummy sweet treats with it, especially around this time of year.

7. Return to Tiffany Medium Heart Tag Bracelet. Tiffanys. $410.
Pretty sure you would be the best person in the world if you gave any girl a "little blue box"

8. Marc By Marc Jacobs Blade Watch. David Jones. $399.
A beautiful Rose gold watch for someone special.

9. Flutterby Cup & Saucer. T2. $95.
The ultimate for tea lovers. This cup and saucer is absolutely beautiful with hand sketched illustrations and made of fine bone china with a gold covered handle. A limited edition set.

10. Ted Baker Leyah Tote Cross Hatch Shopper. David Jones. $244.
I am LOVING this Ted Baker handbag. Rose gold hardware, baby pink and black bag with a black and grey rose printed lining.


Now for the MEN!

1. Breaking Bad - The Complete Series Blu Ray. JB HiFi. $139.
If you or your boyfriend/husband/partner haven't seen any of Breaking Bad. GET ON IT! It's an awesome series that the two of you can sit and enjoy together after a massive Christmas feast.

2. Anchor Marquee Light. Lark. $100.
Something cool to add to the study/computer/work room to make it look pretty cool! Hang it on your wall or place it in a shelf, it adds a bit of a vintage feel.

3. Marley Liberate XLBT Saddle Over- Ear Headphones. JB HiFi. $249.
A must for a public transport traveler, or overseas goer. Great for any boy with a love of music. Also for the techy guy, these are bluetooth powered! Cool design on the ears too.

4. iPad Air. Apple. $499.
A mad present for anybody! iPad's suit everybody's style. Photographers can edit their pics, DJ's can sample music, you can watch movies on them. Perfect for traveling and taking overseas.

5. The Simpsons LEGO House. Toys'R'Us. $329.99
I think this would make the COOLEST Christmas present for those young at heart men in your life. Die hard Simpsons fans would love it. Also the LEGO guys! WIN WIN! Definitely not just one for the kids.

6. Bose Soundlink Mini Bluetooth Speaker. Myer. $249.
A cool gift for the house or perfect to take traveling.

7. GoPro Hero 3+ Silver Edition. Dick Smith. $398.
For the active man or the daredevil that likes to catch his stunts on camera. The GoPro is the gift to give. With a whole heap of accessories available for it, there are literally a million and one uses for the robust little camera. I've seen it strapped onto helmets, in cars, on the front of bikes, on long selfie sticks to take pics. It's waterproof to 40 meters so surfers can strap it on their surfboards. I've even seen it mounted on the end of a guitar to capture the singer performing.

8. Fossil Mens Watch. Myer. $199.
A classic mens watch that would suit anyone and I think it's a lovely thoughtful gift.

9. HolySmoke Black Turntable 3 Speed USB. Myer. $199.
A cool gift for your dad or someone into collecting old records. You can even transfer the audio to your Mac or PC and import to your portable devices. Nifty!

10. Paco Rabanne One Million Gift Set. Myer. $110.
This scent on a man smells AhhhhMAYzing! The notes are: Frosted grapefruit, blood mandarine, peppermint, rose absolute, musk, cinnamon bark, blonde leather, tonic bean, patchouli, white wood and amber ketal. Sounds good! Definitely go and have yourself a sniff because I could almost guarantee you will love it. Gift pack comes with a 100ml eau de toilette and a 100ml shower gel.

And that concludes my Christmas Gift Trilogy!

I hope you enjoyed reading it and got a little bit of inspiration from it.

Let me know in the comments what is on your wishlist this year!

Xx

The Christmas Gift Guide Trilogy || Part Two. Mid Range Gifts For Him and Her

I'm back with part two of my Christmas Trilogy! This one is all about the mid range gift for guys and gals. (over $40, under $90)

1. Gucci Miniatures Gift Set. Priceline. $65.00AUD
I have 3 different Gucci scents already at home so I have no doubt this little gift set would be lovely and a great tester kit to try out without committing to a giant bottle.

2. T2 Kit & Kaboodle. T2. $54.00AUD
This is on my Christmas list for sure! The coolest invention EVER! The clear jug with the handle is where you put your loose leaf tea and hot water. How do you get the tea without the tea leaves in you say?? WELL! You just place the jug over the top of the glass mug and the tea drains out from the bottom leaving the tea leaves behind!! (I'm way too excited about this invention) Someone please buy me this!!!

3. CWA Classics Cookbook. Collins Booksellers. $49.99AUD
A must for your friends or family who love to cook. This is full of old classics that your Nan would have made. What woman wouldn't love to be able to master the yummy sponge cake and all of those other amazing goodies you would expect from the CWA ladies. A fab cookbook for young and old.

4. Nars Digital World Set. MECCA. $65.00AUD
For the beauty girls. A beautifully packaged travel sized set of Nars Satin Lip Pencils. In 5 gorgeous colours, there is something in there for everybody.

5. Bush Dab+ Retro Style Portable Radio. Officeworks. $88.00AUD
A funky retro radio, perfect for taking along to picnics or the beach. This radio can also be plugged into mains power or batteries when out and about. A fun gift for the outdoorsy type or would look awesome kicking back on a windowsill.

6. Glasshouse Fragrances Triple Scented Limited PA Edition Xmas Pudding Candle.
    Peter Alexander. $42.95AUD
A sticky date Christmas pudding scented candle. Enough said.

7. Benefit Big 10 - Fun Size Flirts. Myer. $69.00AUD
A cute gift pack from Benefit featuring mini sizes of their top 10 products. A nice little introduction to Benefits line of makeup and skincare.

8. Leather Travel Journal. Kikki-K. $49.95AUD
A lovely gift for those of you who have friends or family that have caught the travel bug. A great way to capture those holiday memories you don't want to forget.

1. 1- Minute Gardener By Fabian Capomolla. Dymocks. $45.00AUD
Here's one for the outdoorsy men in your life or even the gardening beginner. It's full of illustrated step by step instructions on "fast, edible gardening essentials" from how to prepare a garden bed to harvesting your own home grown goodies.

2. Family Guy Season 14. JB HiFi. $43.98AUD
I don't think there are many guys who don't enjoy laughing along to family guy. This one is released on the 10th of December.

3. Beard and Moustache Care Gift Set by Men Rock. notonthehighstreet.com $56.28AUD
A nice change from all of the shaving kits. This one is for looking after you beard or moustache! made with all natural ingredients you get a soap, beard balm, moustache wax and a comb.

4. Game Of Thrones Book Box Set. Angus and Robertson. $66.99AUD
One for the book worms. The game of thrones book box set. These are meant to be better than the TV series!

5. American Horror Story Seasons 1-3 DVD. JB HiFi. $59.98AUD
If your man hasn't become obsessed with the American Horror Story series yet. Buy this set of the first 3 seasons STAT!! Such a great show. Like nothing else on TV.

6. Marvel Comics 75 Years of Cover Art Book. Angus and Robertson. $62.99AUD
I know there has to be a lot of comic book nerds out there that would love this book. It's full of 75 years worth of comic book cover art!

7. Silverlit Blue Tech Helicopter. Myer. $89.95AUD
I know SO many guys who would love this gadget! It is controlled by your iPhone or iPod touch. You just download the simulator app and away you go! Fun!

Hope you have found a little more inspo for your christmas shopping. Next up will be luxe gifts, so stay tuned!

Xx

The Christmas Gift Guide Trilogy || Part One. Stocking Fillers for him and her

It's closing in on that time of year again! December 1st marks the countdown to the family feasts, drinking far too much punch and the best part... Opening presents!

To help you get organised for this festive season, I have decided to make things a little bit easier for you all by putting together a Christmas gift guide!

Part One is all about the stocking fillers (gifts under $40)

First up is for the ladies!

1. Poptastic Gift. Lush. $11.95AUD
A cute little box from Lush with 2 bath bombs inside. Perfect for anyone who loves bath time.

2. High Roller Beauty Case. Cotton On. $16.95AUD
Great for any sisters, besties or makeup addicts, a handy travel beauty case with a fun print.

3. Rimmel Brit Kit. Target. $20.00AUD
An awesome gift pack from Rimmel. A black mascara, taupe coloured eyeliner, a sexy red lipstick and a black glitter nail polish. Definitely a bag of classics and one I will be putting on my Christmas list.

4. Paddywax Relish Sweet Cream & Honey Candle. Myer $14.99AUD
Everybody loves a candle don't they? Sweet cream and honey sounds divine and the mason jar just tops off the cuteness level for me.

5. Squared Studs. Cotton On. $6.95AUD
Cute coloured studs, perfect for the party girls.

6. Coconut Gift Cube. The Body Shop. $9.95AUD
A perfect secret Santa gift or for the girls who love their bath and beauty products. The body shop coconut scent is to die for. This little pack comes with a shower cream and body milk with a super soft loofa. Also comes in shea, wild argan oil, mango and strawberry scents.

7. Ashdene Over the Hedgerow Fox Mug. Myer. $14.95AUD
I'm a tea drinker. So therefore I have a bit of a thing for collecting tea cups. These are beautiful. With four different woodland animals to collect, these would make a great gift for anyone who likes their hot drinks.

8. Fred Drinkup Babushka Carafe. Myer. $24.95AUD
Another fun Kris Kringle gift. I own one of these and it lives on my bedside table. Perfect for having a drink before bed and with the top lid/drinking glass on top it stops all of the dust getting in there.

9. Peace Hand Ring Holder. Sportsgirl. $16.95
A super fun gift for your friends. I'd be stoked to unwrap this one on Christmas Day.




Now for the men in your lives.

1. Tommy Snapback. Cotton On. $9.95AUD
I think most guys would be happy with this hat. A simple design that would suit a range of dudes.

2. Cafe Racer Workshop Water Bottle. Myer. $39.95AUD
Something for the motorbike lovers out there. A cool drink bottle they can take to work or use while out in the working on their "man stuff"

3. Lonely Planet You Only Live Once 1st Edition. Myer. $29.99AUD
A cool book written by the lonely planet full of "bucket list" places to see and ideas to reignite the old passions from wanting to learn an instrument or a language. A bit of an eclectic mix of places and things everybody should try at least once. A super fun gift for anyone!

4. Selfie Scope. Cotton On. $19.95AUD
One word. FUN!! A cool gift for those boys who like a good gadget for their phones. An awesome way to get some good group pics or videos. Comes with a bluetooth shutter remote. Even I would like one of these!

5. Pac Man Magnets. Myer $12.95AUD
The retro resurgence is still going strong. People young and old love and know of Pac Man. I think these are a cool stocking filler.

6. Fred Mr Tea Man Infuser. Myer $12.95AUD
Again with the tea. This time a fun infuser for the guys in your life to make tea fun.

7. 50 Fifty Space Invaders Colour Changing Mug. Myer $19.95AUD
Another fun retro gift for the arcade games playing boy. A cool Space Invaders mug that changes as you fill it with hot water.

8. Bailey Case. Cotton On. $12.95AUD
A cool case for your guy to keep his shaving gear or toiletries in.



And that concludes part one of my Christmas gift guide trilogy. I hope it has sparked some ideas for your Christmas shopping adventures. Stay tuned for part 2...

Xx