BLOGMAS Day 16- Guest Post By A Mix Of Rikki

if you follow my facebook page you will see that i advertised for a fellow blogger to write a guest post for my blog, i asked the post to be specifically about christmas traditions and just basically how they celebrate the holidays and what they enjoy about this time of year. An hour or so later i had a lovely girl called Rikki get in touch with me enquiring about guest posting, she pitched her ideas and ever so quickly put this together for me. Since yesterdays post was about how i celebrate christmas and some of the traditions me and my family hold i thought this post would tie in ever so nicely. So i bring to you "A Mix Of Rikkis" typical christmas. (All links to Rikkis blog and social media profiles will be below)

"Well. it's that time of the year again, Christmas, and even if you don't celebrate it, it's all over the place and happening in all kinds of ways! I remember the feeling of Christmas when I was younger. The smell, feelings, and excitement it brought me knowing Santa was coming.

Christmas morning came and it was time to wake our parents up with coffee and open our gifts, eat breakfast, and play with our new goodies while we waited to leave for our family dinner. We always spent Christmas at my aunts house opening gifts and having an awesome ham dinner.

As you get older feelings of Christmas and traditions change as well as our families. I went from wanting everything Barbie, to everything Urban Decay and Sephora. Celebrating Christmas these days is quite different, I have my own family to start traditions with and that's pretty exciting.

Me and my boyfriend Brandon don't do much throughout the year for ourselves, so we take this time of year to spoil each other. With our only son turning two in February, it's incredibly hard not to spend everything we have on him this time of year, mostly because we are excited about it.

No matter what you believe in, or how you celebrate this time of year, always be thankful for what you do have and for being able to spend it with the people you love, family or friends

Having my own family now we are starting our own traditions, putting up the decorations, we even took the time out of our day to make homemade ornaments. I also look forward to Hunter waking us up bright an early to open his gifts from Santa and seeing his face light up when he opens them, and still making our way to my aunts house so the family can get together. Our family has grown bigger with our families coming together so it is a little more hectic, but we make it work."

Rikkis gorgeous christmas tree, so cute and festive!

Thankyou so much Rikki for guest posting on my blog, I LOVED reading all about your christmas! i hope you, your boyfriend and little boy have a magical day!

Check out RIkkis...

Blog: http://amixofrikki.blogspot.co.uk/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/A-Mix-of-Rikki-1502590453374451/?fref=ts

Well i hope you have all had a good BLOGMAS day 16, will seeyou all tomorrow!

MY facebook page is now up and running so if you havent already go and give it a cheeky like:

https://www.facebook.com/misskeeleah/?fref=ts

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 14- The Elf On The Shelf

Christmas traditions are what makes this time of year so special. Each and every household has their own way of celebrating the holidays, whether it be putting the tree up 12 days before christmas, baking a gingerbread house, drinking eggnog round the fire or simply leaving out mince pies and carrots for santa on xmas eve. But i've noticed a new tradition that's becoming quite popular here in the UK, it's known as "the elf on the shelf". If you haven't heard of this its where an elf is sent from the North Pole to keep an eye on the kiddies to then report back to Santa every night. As the elf returns he/she will move to a different spot in the house to make the children believe they are real. Of course this elf is just a teddy and the parents are the puppeteers. But what's so great about all of this is that the parents are adding a little creativity to this by making the elf get up to all different kinds of antics everynight, some say its getting out of hand now but others (including me) think it's a great idea to bring a bit of magic and belief for the young ones. Theres this page on facebook called "Elf Adventures" and its such good fun looking through all the photos that parents have sent in, i've had a good giggle at them all and i wanted to share the laughs with all of you too. I'm adding my favourite photos but i will leave the link at the end of the post to the facebook page so you can go have a look yourself. Enjoy!

Elvis took a coke break

Jingle Bell couldn't resist a midnight feast

Danny the elf creating snow angels in flour, naughty 

Cheeky elfs getting a bit carried away with the photocopier

Gone fishing

This is my niece and nephews friend Elfie Jingles, he came through the secret door from the North Pole with Santas key. So magical seeing their little faces light up!

Its not as fun at christmas when you're older, it becomes more stressful than anything by trying to get everything organised for the day, so by doing things like this it brings a bit of joy for the parents. Whats your favourite christmas traditions? 

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 12- Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I wish it could be Christmas everyday *Add music notes here*. Its starting to feel a bit more like Christmas now that the decorations are finally up. My mum and dad decided to Re-decorate the whole downstairs of our house just before christmas which meant we werent able to put up the christmas tree. We normally turn our house into Santas Grotto on the 1st of December and i was getting very grouchy that we werent able to do that this year, but its all good now, im surrounded by xmas decor and im starting to feel funky and festive! 

We no longer have a fireplace, wait hows Santa going to deliver my presents now?... but anyway due to that we have less places to put all our ornaments on so unfortunately we haven't got as many christmas decorations out this year, boohoo. Rather than trying to explain everything thats in our house i am going to simply show you in a few photos. Enjoy.

 I love these three, the funny thing is that their leg lengths can be altered, you can have them stood tall like they are now or you can have them really short to the ground.

 This light up present under the tree is new this year i think it was from poundstretchers for about ten pounds, what a bargain. It looks so cute sitting under the tree.

 This our 6ft white christmas tree lit up with yellow twinkling lights and decorated with pink, blue and green assorted baubles. We have teardrop shaped ones, snowflakes and stars, as well as some in glitter, stripes or metallic effect. Then to top it off we have a big glittery silver star above.

 I love this chimney clock, the santa figurine swings inside it thats why he's a bit blur in the photo. When it strikes every hour it plays a cute little christmas tune. The chimney countdown next to the clock is something we've had years, everyday you take out one of the sticks until santa ends up at the bottom of the chimney on Christmas eve.

 Another new purchase is this cute little sign. We bought this from our local hospital in the flower shop. Its very vintage looking but also simple and festive.

Here we have another countdown, you simply just change the blocks around to fit how many days it is until christmas day. The star should light up but we don't have any batteries that work for it:-(

Like i said we don't have LOADS of decorations up like usual but i love how subtle it looks and how they all compliment each other nicely. Im so so so excited to put presents under the tree and to get that santa at the bottom of the chimney. Please do send some photos of your decorations i would love to know how you all celebrate christmas. Until next time, bye.

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 11- How To Maintain A Summer Glow All Year Round

Winter blues getting you down? Not many people pamper themselves in the winter, because well, why bother? Why shave your legs when you wear long bottoms all the time, why paint your toe nails when all you wear is boots, why tan yourself when the only time you get your body out is when you're in the shower alone? There's no point is there, but it's things we need to keep doing for our own pleasure. It doesn't hurt to pamper yourself every now and again to boost your mood and self confidence. So I wanted to share with you in just 5 steps on how I try to keep that summer glow in my skin all year round. 

1) Whilst in the shower I use a scrunchie to exfoliate my body to remove all the dead skin cells. It's also great to help remove dry skin and to even up patchy fake tan. I then like to use Dove body wash as it literally does leave your skin feeling silky smooth and hydrated.

2) Every morning and night after the shower I moisturise my face using the 'Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser' (which is in one of my previous posts "my top tips for clear skin"). It's the best face cream I have ever found, It's not too thick it's not too thin and it doesn't make your face feel/look greasy. I suffer with dry skin in the winter and by just applying a pea sized amount of this cream twice a day helps a lot.

3) I have recently tested out the 'Clinique Moisture Surge Face Mask' and I'm loving it! It's an overnight face mask so it's completely fine to sleep with it on, it's not a thick face mask and you can't physically see that you're wearing it, it's more like a moisturiser basically. I wash it off the next morning whilst in the shower and I love how you can literally see instant results, it leaves your face looking and feeling glowy and moisturised. 

4) Every night before I go to sleep I moisturise my hands using the 'Avon Care Glycerine Hand & Nail Cream' it works like a dream for my dried up hands, just after one use you will be repaired! I always thoroughly massage the cream into to my skin to ensure its penetrated well and does the job. 

5) since I'm so pale I fake tan every week. I use the 'St Moriz' tan which is known as the St Tropez "knock off" but i have spent ridiculous amounts of money in the past on St Tropez to only end up disappointed with the results. I found that as the St Tropez fake tan was wearing off it made my skin look horrible and scaley, it was also so difficult to get the tan to apply evenly on the skin. So yeah that's when I tried St Moriz and I have never looked back. I use the medium brown mousse and it gives you such a soft sun kissed look. It applies so easily and when it washes off it comes off so evenly and just gradually fades. I always ensure I exfoliate between applications because I hate it when someone applies fake tan on top of fake tan, it just doesn't create a good look at it all. Anyway I have planned to write a full post on exactly how I apply my fake tan but I don't know when I will be doing that yet.

So that's how I try to keep the summer glow all year round. I've mainly focused on explaining how I look after my skin as that's what I believe to be the most important aspect when trying to maintain that summery look. Obviously I do advise you to paint your toenails and shave your legs because you're worth looking after, you're worth being made to feel good, and hey even treat yourself at your local beauty salon once a month and have someone else pamper you, because you're worth it! Sorry Loreal I stole your slogan, oops. 

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 10- Christmas Countdown Continues

I'm so sorry guys but due to work commitments I've not had time to write you all a juicy festive filled post for day 10 of our Christmas countdown, I'm so gutted! But I couldn't let you down and not post at all so I thought I would bring you a little excitement and tell you... It's only 14 days until Christmas eeeeek! I cannot wait for Christmas Day, all the presents, the food, family time, classic films on the TV and hot chocolates, yum! Hope you're all looking forward to it as much as me, but I hope you're all more prepared than me haha. Anyway I promise to write a better, more Christmassy post for day 11, apologies again. See you tomorrow, when we will be an extra day closer to the 25th of December, wooh.

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 8- Wella Oil Reflections Review

BLOGMAS so far has been mainly about Christmassy and lifestyle stuff so I thought I would add in a beauty post to mix things up a little to keep you all on your toes. As you all know the temperatures here in England have dropped rapidly, the rains been none stop and the winds have become gale force, just how I like it...not. But do you ever feel like it's your hair what's taking all the toll of the weather change? Mine seems to need extra TLC in the winter, it dries out and knots up so easily. I spend hours washing and styling it before I venture out all for me to take one step out of the door and well, I may as well not have bothered even brushing it. Why am I telling you this may you ask? Well I've found the perfect product that will keep your hair looking fresh, healthy and happy all throughout this festive season. Wella Oil Reflections rejuvenates the hair after only just one use! All you need to do is wash your hair and let it dry naturally until it's damp, then apply 3 small pumps (you may need more it all depends on the density of your hair) onto your fingers and give it a good rub in the palms of your hands. Gently distribute the product all the through the damaged part of your hair (mines mainly the mid lengths to ends as I have ombré I find the bleach tends to dry it out easily) be careful not to use too much though as it could result in making your hair look greasy. I then put my hair into a bun and leave it while I sleep, then in the morning you should see a difference straight away. You will notice that your hair now feels silky smooth and has a natural shine to it! Wella oils can also be used for styling purposes but with my hair being so fine I feel it makes it look flat and greasy, but it's different for every person. You can purchase this product from Amazon for £9.41 or you you can find a salon near you that sells this by going onto the Wella website and putting in your postcode and city. 

Contains macadamia seed oil, avocado oil and vitamin E.

Look how shiny my hair is!

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 7- My Top 10 Favorite Christmas Films

It seems like all I've done is blink and a week has passed, Yep were already on the 7th of December guys and Christmas is approaching us and fast. I've got so many things on my to do list but there's nothing I love doing more in the festive season than snuggling up on the sofa with my family and watching Christmas films. I've got a huge stack that I need to work through and all before the 25th of December, I better get a move on! So for this post I thought I would show you my top 10 favourite Christmas films that I HAVE to watch every year without fail...

1) Elf 

2) The Santa Clause 1, 2 & 3

3) Christmas With The Kranks 

4) Jack Frost

5) Surviving Christmas

6) Deck The Halls

7) Merry Madagascar

8) Fred Claus

9) Four Christmases

10) Shrek The Hall

So far all I've watched is elf and that was last night, by now I'm normally over halfway through my DVDs and panic because I'm going to run out. I hope you have watched all of these films because if you haven't you are seriously missing out on some festive laughs right there so I would highly recommend you go out right now and buy them ALL. Then have a pyjama day, snuggled in a blanket, with a hot chocolate and have a movie marathon! Thank me later.

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 5- All I Want For Christmas Is...

So this year I've pretty much struggled writing my Christmas list as I've got basically everything I need/want, okay maybe that's a fib as I always want something, but I just couldn't think of anything I was desperate for. So my mum and dad gave me the money and left it up to me to choose something. My first thought was some straighteners as mine have broken, but I decided against that, I then thought about getting the Clinique sonic face brush, but still that wasn't quite tickling my fancy, and then I had a brain wave... I decided to get another tattoo! Now I know not everyone agrees with tattoos, but in my personal opinion I think they're great, I absolutely love them. Tattoos allow you to express yourself and show your personality. I'm not this kind of person that just thinks "oh I want a tattoo" and then just goes out and gets any design for the sake of it. It's took a lot of designing and planning for the tattoos I have had, and when people ask me about them I can stand there confidently and explain why I have had them.

In August I had a big tattoo on my thigh, it was cinderellas glass slipper in front of a huge clock striking midnight and it also had Peter Pan, Wendy, tinkerbell and the rest of the clan flying up behind it. I chose this design because I am hoping to get a Disney themed leg sleeve, who doesn't love Disney ey? Then last week and this week I went back to add some more, I've had a compass, three big stars and a quote saying "second star to the right and straight on till morning" to fit in with a Peter Pan theme. I'm not really sure what Disney film I'm having next so don't ask! Anyway even though I'm totally in love with how it's all turned out I have been put off having anymore for a while as it was so god damn painful, some parts were bearable but others I had to pinch my skin to try and take the edge off the needle pain. I've had two other small tattoos which I managed fine with, they gave me the false impression that having a tattoo is a walk in the park, but after an overall of just under 4 hours of tattooing this past week my opinions have changed. Now that doesn't seem a long time to sit but whilst your having a needle stab your skin and then go over it again while its roar it's quite agonising! So the overall pain rating for my thigh tattoo was probably a 8/10, but please don't be put off by this because everyone is different. I realise this may seem a pointless post to you but I am so muchly in love with my leg now that I couldn't wait to show you guys what I've had done, I just can't wait for the future now to hopefully add some more designs to this piece! 

(here are some photos of my tattoo, please keep in mind that this was less than an hour after my sitting so everything is swollen, red and bloody, i will show you another photo when all is healed!)

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 4- Stocking Filler Ideas For Him

If the man in your life is anything like mine then im sure you will be struggling on what to get him this christmas. I've been pulling my hair out whilst trying to think what presents he might like, everytime i ask him what he wants all i get is a shrug of the shoulders and "dunno" as a reply, well thanks for the help lee! so i've been browsing the internet and have found a few daft, cool stuff that could be potential presents and thought i would share them all with you just incase you too are struggling, plus i thought it would go well with my "gift ideas for her" post. 

1) Desktop Mini Football Table £10.00

This mini football table would bring out the inner child in any boy, they love a good excuse to act immature! Most boys like football and have probably played it when they were younger (that sounds pretty stereotypical i know sorry but im just going on the majority of boys i know and have grown up with) so this little boys toy would most definitely bring a twinkle to their eye. Plus christmas is the main time to get out all the old games and have a friendly competition against the family. 

http://m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-desktop-mini-football-table/p231675941?un_jtt_v_pdp=yes&un_jtt_v_from_product=un_product_37#page_loaded

2) Black textured wallet £17.00

Every man needs somewhere to keep their money but not all of them have a wallet, logic! This leather look wallet from River island has compartments for your cards, notes and a zip up part for that loose change we all carry around with us but never seem to spend. Plus it has poppers to keep the wallet shut to ensure nothing falls out. Stylish, cheap and practical. 

http://www.riverisland.com/men/accessories/wallets/black-textured-wallet-287165

3) lynx sportsblast manwasher set £7.00

Okay so were all guilty of playing it safe and buying the good ol' smelly gift sets for christmas! This lynx set with the manwasher included is probably one of the most popular ones as they sell out so fast, so get down to superdrug fast and snap up this giftset while its £7.00 (originally £8.00) oooh bargain!

http://www.superdrug.com/more/Gifts-for-Him/Gifts-For-Him/Lynx-Sportsblast-Manwasher-Set/p/533010?gclid=Cj0KEQiAkIWzBRDK1ayo-Yjt38wBEiQAi7NnP4Mkj9vKWbpQ2LU-EtP7Pt5-C2ioDfJ1MybFmJljYYIaAirb8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Im sorry but my brain is frazzled and cannot think what else the male species would like for christmas other than the cliche pyjamas, socks and boxer shorts so yeah you're on your own now sorry! Happy christmas shopping!

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 1- The Countdown Begins & November Favourites

HAPPY 1ST OF DECEMBER GUYS! The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and boy am i so excited to begin the holiday traditions. It literally is "the most wonderful time of the year", your geeses are laying and your lords are leaping. Only 24 days to go and so much to do, the decorations need putting up, presents need buying, so much present wrapping, family visits to make and well theres always time to get some baking in there too. So today as i woke up i followed my first tradition... opening my advent calendar, oh how ive missed you. Me and my dog Missy opened our advent calendars together and enjoyed a very tasty treat (Yes we have bought my dog an advent calendar because were such great owners!)...(and shes very greedy!). Ive got a thorntons one which is my favourite, because who doesnt love thorntons chocolate? im very excited because it counts all the way to the 25th AND on christmas day i get an extra big chocolate, wooh. Would you believe me if i told you i was 19?... dont answer that.

Okay so theres a few photos from this morning of my calendar and Missy receiving hers, she loved it bless her! Anyway now onto, drum roll please.......... NOVEMBER FAVOURITES!

My first favourite is these Olaf slipper socks. When in Blackpool last week we did some shopping and i found these little beauties in Primark. I totally fell in love with them as theyre so cute and comfortable AND they match my pjs which are in my October favourites. I think they were only £4 which is an added bonus. Who cant resist Disney character clothing? 

My mum has been buying a lot of these scented diffuser thingys lately as we had a very bad, and dangerous, incident with a candle not long ago so we no longer allow them in our house. Anyway she has about three of these in the house at the minute but this one is my favourite as its a christmas one! It smells gorgeous, its like the traditional cinamonny, orangey scent, its like christmas in a bottle. I think its from the Avon catalogue as well, thats where my mum spends most of her money around christmas time as i must admit they do bring out some good things. 

The temperature has rapidly dropped here in England and so ive had the chance to finally start wearing my new coat. Its the black faux fur trim parka jacket from River Island. It did cost me £115 but it was totally worth it as it is sooooooo warm. Its literally like being wrapped in a furry blanket all the time. The fur trim is optional, you can remove it as its only held on by a few buttons, but i would definitely recommend you keep it on as i think the faux fur trim makes the look of the coat. The only annoying thing about this coat is the buckles on the arms, the left one on mine keeps coming undone and its a pain to keep fastening it every two minutes, if you dont fasten it it just kind of dangles, constantly hitting your arm and jingles when you move, but other than that i love love LOVE this coat. (Oh by the way i have taken these photos off the actual River Island website as i just couldnt get a good one of me wearing it, apologies)

This is a bit random and many of you might not understand as to why ive added this in my favourites but today i have been out and bought a cute little rug for my room. Its a little pink round one and ive placed it infront of my chair and footpuff. Just for records im not like a little old lady with an arm chair in her room, i was offered it off a family member, its reclining and massages you so how could i turn it down? plus its where i sit and work magic for my blog. Anyway ive been revamping my room and trying to make it look and feel more cosy so when i saw this in B&Q i had to have it. Was only £9 what a bargain!

eleah

So theres my November favourites and day 1 of blogmas, i hope you enjoyed it as much as i did. Cant wait to see what this month brings and i especially cant wait to be posting on my blog everyday! Seeyou tomorrow for day 2, ho ho ho. 

Misskeeleah

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