Gift Guide: For The Boys

Eeeek how has Christmas suddenly snuck up so quickly? Not long left to do your shopping, unless you're a christmas eve madness kind of shopper, but if you're still left struggling what to get those special guys in your life, I always find shopping for men harder than anyone else - there's only so many years you can give your Dad socks before he starts to get offended, here's a lowdown of some fab gifts for guys.

1. Babyliss for Men Super Groomer £60 - If your man is anything like mine and Movember has stayed slightly longer than you had hoped, then this is the gift for you. What girl doesn't like her man to have some sexy stubble and this will make sure it doesn't end up him having a beard to rival Santa.

2. Nike Free Run 2 £79.99 - I bought a pair of these myself for the Race for Life earlier this summer (in pink obvs) and little did I know they were going to be the next 'it' trainer to own, apparently anyway. Although I would never wear mine unless on a (very rare) run, they are damn comfy and pretty nice to look at.

3. Call of Duty: Ghosts from £49.99 -  Don't ask me to explain what it is, why they love it so much or the plot of it, all I know is that when he's playing this I have free reign on ASOS so it's a win win really.

4. David Beckham H&M Boxers £7.99 - I think when we all saw those behind the scenes shots of Becks modelling his range these all shot to the top of 'what to buy for our boyfriends' list. Yummy.

5. Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Adventures £15.99 - If your guy is the adventurous type then this is the book for him, all sorts of ideas to get up to in the great outdoors, could also result is some fun trips for the both of you!

6. Engraved Cuff Links £29.50 - A great 'Dad' gift, if he's a smart guy then these cuff links will give him the edge over the rest of them in the office and then can be engraved with his initials to give them a real unique edge.

7. River Island Ombre Jumper £30.00 - Everyone needs a nice cosy winter jumper and this thick knit is perfect for snuggling into, I wonder how long it would take before ending up in our wardrobes instead?

8. Aspinal Leather IPad Mini Case £150 - Treat your man to a gorgeous and stylish case for his Ipad, this is a great modern alternative to a lovely notebook (who actually writes anymore?) And most Aspinal products can be monogrammed which is a nice touch.

9. Bellfield Beanie Hat £12.99 - Perfect for your little brother to stop him freezing to death in snowball fights, and it has a lovely speckled detail to keep him look stylish too.

10. Happy Socks £8.00 - Well, why change the habit of a lifetime? Least these are pretty socks...

Christmas Gift Guide: Statement Clothing

Now whether it's a gift to you for the Christmas party season or you're looking for inspiration for your mum/sister/BFF there's so pretty nice statement pieces out there this season, and with some great Black Friday discounts floating around (see my last post) you could get a whole new outfit without the post shopping regrets!

1. PVC Full Midi Skirt - Missguided £19.99 
PVC seems to be the hot texture this season, spicing up any outfit. As seen here it can look great with an oversized fluffy jumper to make it less stripper chic and more fashion darling and at this price you can't go wrong.

2. Joie De Vivre Jumper - Whistles £75.00
Slogan jumpers are everywhere at the moment, but I find it really hard to find one that's not a little bit lame (I mean those Geek jumpers were fine until the entire under 18 population started wearing them) and I think this is the perfect jumper for a cool look, maybe even layered on top of the PVC skirt above.

3. Leather Joggers - Topshop £150.00
I have been desperate for a pair of cool baggy leather trousers for so long now, as they are a real investment piece and look amazing when worn with a baggy tee and some barely there heels, great for looking effortlessly cool down the pub on Christmas Eve. There's also the faux leather version for those on a budget!

4. Selected Valerie Angora Jumper - ASOS £55.00
Never has there been a better (or more on fashaaaan) time to embrace your inner girly girl and go all out in pink, everybody has seen the coverage THAT pink coat has gotten this year, but if you don't fancy making that much of a commitment this fluffy pink number is a great nod to the trend whilst staying cosy too.

5. Chunky Cut Out Boots - £45.00 River Island 
This boot style has been the standout shape for this year, teamed with a girly skater skirt and pink angora knit they will toughen it right up and add an edge to any outfit. Plus you can't go wrong at this price for a great pair of stand out boots!

6. High Waist Tartan Trousers - ASOS £40.00
When I wore mega flare trousers with a slit to the knee at 14 (come on it was the early noughties it was cool then) never did I think tartan would make a comeback, but it has. There are some great tartan trousers around, but these are a perfect going out for a family meal on boxing day look.

7. Top & Trouser CO-ORD - Miss Selfridge £45.00 (currently £36.00) & £49.99 (currently £34.30)
A matching two piece has been the must have for a while now and you get a number of outfits from it so it's a perfect investment, especially with the current Black Friday deals. A great Christmas Day outfit jazzed up with some fab platforms or dressed down with some chelsea boots.

8. Oversized Coat - Zara £179.00
This season it is all about the coat, investing in good quality and classic style is a sure fire way to make sure your coat will last you a good few years, so it's sometimes worth spending that little bit more to ensure it actually sees you through at least one winter. This oversized style is so amazing for day and night and makes looking cool easy. Oh Zara we love you so.

9. Sequin T-Shirt Dress - Motel £50.00
Christmas is pretty much a free pass to wear as many sequins as possible throughout the whole of December and this dress is a less fancy, OTT way to wear sequins with it's slouchy fit and shimmery colour that ripples in different lights.

10. Reindeer Slippers - John Lewis £16.00
Just because we all know that on Christmas Day these are all we'll really be wearing on our feet!


Hope you've found some inspiration on here, I know that most of these are a little out of price range for a stocking filler but you deserve a gift too this Christmas! (Plus directing your man this way couldn't hurt could it?)

Emma x

Christmas Wish List: Beauty

Having been working a ridiculous amount recently, yet still managing to be skint, I haven't had any time to do any shopping recently really, for myself or anyone else. But I have had time to do some online browsing/wishing of things that would be perfect christmas presents for yourself, family or significant other. So this is number one of my little mini series of some fab prezzie ideas for the festive season, so here's some fab beauty buys for those precious ladies in your life (or yourself, you totally count as precious too).

1. Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque £33 - This clay based mask, or masque if you must, is clay based which we all know is great for giving clear skin, as well as filled with lots of lovely floral bits like rose and sage oils to gently clear your skin. Although maybe not the best present for someone else (pointing out through gifts someone else's' flaws never goes down too well) it's always good to start the season of giving with a gift to yourself I say.

2. Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Kit £21.99 - This would be a great gift for a younger sister looking to expand her make up expertise, it has everything you need to create a great make up base including a detailer brush for concealer or lipstick, pointed foundation brush which I think is pretty self explanatory, buffing brush for powder and or bronzer and contour brush for highlighting or blusher and it comes in a handy little case/stand, nifty.

3. Cowshed Christmas Cracker £10.00 - A cracking (geddit?) little tree gift for the boyfriends mum/sister, so long as she doesn't mind being given a gift naming her a 'grumpy cow'. It features two miniature bath and shower gels all in a festive package, guaranteed to get you into the family circle of trust. 

4. Phillip Kingsley Moisture Extreme Set £16.99 - It may not come in any pretty festive wrapping or result in a gasp of joy when unwrapped, but I assure you after using this duo the recipient will be thanking you by the bucketload. Having myself used rather a ridiculous amount of different hair care brands I can safely say nothing leaves my hair feeling smoother and more luscious than this stuff, so if it's for your darling mother or your in need self, give the gift of a glossy mane this Christmas. 

5. This Works Dream on Christmas £12.00 - We all know that life can get a little bit stressful, especially around Christmas when the nights are drawing in and there never seems enough time in the day to get stuff done, so sometimes we all need a little TLC and some help in getting off to the land of nod. Treat your loved one with a bottle of this soothing bath oil to help them wash away the stresses of the festive season and get you in the good books. 

6. Essie Nail Polish in Luxedo £7.99 - For those who are going for a slightly more scrimpy Christmas but don't want to look like Scrooge, nail polish is the perfect choice. This gorgeous deep shade of plum will look great with an LBD this New Year's eve. 

7. Lush Father Christmas Bath Bombs £3.25 - Ever since I can remember me and my sister would get my mum a Lush Christmas gift every single year, feeling it necessary to tell her it's about bloody time she treated herself for change. These little cuties are a great stocking filler for your secret santa gift and a fail safe gift for someone you think deserves a little treat themselves. 

8. Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Body & Bath Duet £30.00 - I bought this set for myself in the post Christmas sales last year when then were reduced rather handsomely and I can safely say they smell good enough to eat. The bath salts leave your skin smelling divine with a lovely soft sheen and the body cream is just as yummy, a perfect treat for Mum. 

9. Nars Velvet Matt Lip Pencil in Mysterious Red £17.50 - Now everybody needs a perfect red lipstick and if you know someone without then it's time to do your duty and fill that rouge shaped hole in their life. The Nars Velvet Lip Pencils offer a long lasting non-shiny li colour that can last through till midnight and beyond (plus that midnight new years kiss). 

10. Burt's Bees Nature's Necessities £8.99 - Filled with wonderful little treats, this kit is a great gift to make it look like you've spent WAY more than you have (especially as it's supposedly worth £19). Everyone's always banging on about how amazing the Burt's Bees lip balm and the hand cream is a great hand bag must have.

Well I hope at least this has inspired you on the Christmas gift front, luckily I have a tiny family so present buying is neither too complicated or expensive for me. Keep an eye out for some more gift ideas in my next posts including home gifts, boy gifts and clothing gifts!

Emma x

Psst here's some amazing Black Friday deals to make the most of this weekend:
Selfridges up to 20% off with code: SELF2013
Urban Outfitters 20% off with code: PARTY
Look Fantastic up to 20% off with code: TREAT20

Missguided 15% off with code: FUNDAYFRIDAY
Kurt Geiger 25% off with code: F&FKG25
Feel Unique 10% off with code: FESTIVE10

Topshop 20% off bags and shoes
Miss Selfridge up to 50% online
Whistles automatic 20% off
ASOS up to 25% off Brands
Boots triple advantage card points when you spend over £60