Valentines Day Gift Guide

Although I've always been the first to cringe and dismiss cliché teen relationships, I've come to discover that even people like me are romantic at heart. With Valentine's Day coming in just a few days, I can't help but dream about how this wonderful day would turn out this year. One thing's for sure, it would have the same warm spirit as any holiday : people exchanging gifts and chocolates, hugs and kisses on the street, well wishes and kind gestures filling the atmosphere. If you're single, please don't spend such a day to mope around at your fate of staying single forever and watch depressing movies and sniffle and cry into your granola : just because you're single, doesn't mean Valentine's Day can just slip past you like that! Being single can be bliss  because you can spend V Day to splurge and indulge yourself, like me I'm going to have a day out with my girlfriends : going out shopping at our favourite boutiques, grabbing coffee while having our manicure done, spending dinner in a cozy restaurant over candlelight {of course!}, and then sleeping over at my house watching chick flicks on the couch surrounded by the most delightful Laduree macarons, chocolate truffles and popcorn gossiping about anything and everything……

Read on to find out more....

ALEXA CHUNG : IT

  The queen of uber-cool, it only makes sense that It girl Alexa Chung becomes the face of the "It" with this delightful, whimsical yet honest book, wrapped in the softest of pinks.

ANYA HINDMARCH VALORIE PINK GLITTER CLUTCH 
 This glitter adorned bag instantly spoke to my inner princess when I spotted it on Net-a-porter, and just looking at it makes me feel all pretty and glamorous. Owning this would not only turn a lot of heads {which is perfect for V Day}, it's ability to add just the right amount sparkle to any outfit makes it perfect for a summer day in or a party night out. Paired with a pair of heels, a little black dress and a few spritzes of perfume would just simply be, the height of luxury.

TORY BURCH CHELSEA STITCHED BALLET FLATS  
 These flats may look ordinary, but with the logo stitched on it, it completely turns into something else! I would have owned these flats if they weren't so out of my budget. But a girl can dream right?

KATE SPADE NAUGHTY & NICE IPHONE 5/5S CASE  

Katherine Hepburn once said, “if you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." What fun is Valentine's Day if you're just naughty or nice? Be both this Valentine's Day with this beautiful pink iPhone case.

 M&S ROSIE FOR AUTOGRAPH ROSE SILK TEDDY 
 Designed in the most romantic French lace and silk, this rose teddy has a vintage feel with its delicate rose bloom details.

CHANEL LE VERNIS IN BALLERINA

What could be a more romantic shade than the soft, delicate pink of ballet slippers? Aptly named Ballerina, this classic yet pretty Chanel shade is the epitome of prima ballerina elegance.

DIPTYQUE "JOHN GALLIANO" CANDLE
 Valentine's Day isn't what it is without romantic candles to bring the candlelight, but to be honest I chose this because of the name…..{and because someone recommended it to me!}

"LOVE, CHLOÉ" BODY LOTION
 A light, free and sensual scent for any occasion.

MINKPINK LOVE AESTHETIC SUNGLASSES 
 The perfect pair of glasses to put anyone in the Valentine's Day mood.{Love aesthetic, who could resist?}

JO MALONE RED ROSES BATH OIL
 If you know someone who loves the smell of rose petals, this bath oil would be the perfect gift for her to live the fairytale.

WILDFOX COUTURE DAISY OPEN BACK T
 Sweet peonies decorate this light cotton tee that's perfect for a dress-down day around town

VICTORIA'S SECRET BOMBSHELL EAU DE PARFUM
 "Sexy today. Sexy tomorrow. Sexy forever."  Smelling like heaven and even sounding like it, this fruity floral perfume is the dream fragrance. {I own one of these and trust me, this is one thing you would want to have for Valentine's Day.} The girly, flirty tones of the eau de parfum is perfect for putting you in the alluring mood of Valentine's Day, and whether is it for your bestfriend or your someone you love, this is definitely a gift they would thank you for.

BRIAN LICHTENBERG "FELINE" SWEATSHIRT  
 Known for putting a spin on the names of luxury labels, Brian Lichtenberg is responsible for the Homies beanie/sweatshirt that are a models' favourite and of course, the famous Feline sweatshirt -- the perfect match of creativity and high fashion.
A BOX OF LADURÉE MACARONS
 For family get-togethers, your group of girlfriends, or to share it with a special someone.
A TICKET TO PARIS
 Every girl's dream is to go to Paris, and being there on Valentine's Day well, is just perfect beyond description.
A BOUQUET OF ROSES 
A Valentine's Day staple that would make anyone's day.

But of course, that's just for me. I hope you spend the day however you like it, and grab some gifts for yourself along the way. And that reminds me : the gift guide. You can give them to your mother, your best friend, people who are close to you, or that special someone, just anybody really. Remember to attach a heartfelt note, or even a box of chocolate for a special touch because after all, Valentine's Day is a day of luxuries and warm feelings.

A Beach Day Must Haves

So it's been just over two weeks since I've returned from my holiday which can I just say seems like a lifetime ago. I had serious holiday blues and the only thing that was getting me through them was the holiday I have booked in September with my family, which I'm so looking forward too as these holidays are always so fun when you have a big villa with everyone.

I'm here to talk about my beach day/poolside must haves so I'm going to make a start with the obvious and that is a swimsuit, for so long I've been on the hunt for a lilac bikini because I'm picky and have the perfect colour in my head. I was just about to give up hope when I was shopping in River Island with my sister and just wandered over to the holiday section for a browse and there they was, two styles of lilac coloured bikinis. I went and tried them both and on and went for this style which is a bit like the Triangl bikinis and was very reasonable priced Top £12 Bottoms £10. River Island have some gorgeous bikinis in the sale right now too.

Another thing I can't live without whilst chilling on the beach is a sunhat and this was a bargain from Primark costing only £3. As a ginger haired girl I do actually burn my scalp so I have to keep it covered because I can't put suncream on. I wear glasses so for me to wear sunglasses I have to get them prescribed so I can see. Sunglasses are a must to help protect your eye area from UV damage and it's nice to not squint whilst your in the sun. Again I think this is pretty obvious but it's also good to take a towel with you and I got this one from Primark.

For me this is a must, it might not be for everyone but going to the beach is a perfect time to catch up on your reading. I have a Kindle so I can store loads of books on there instead of packing a load, I actually read two books on holiday and could of happily finished a third but I gave it a rest.

Now on to the beauty bits, let's start with the most important and that is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+ suncream for the face. Suncream is by far a must have on any summer's day as it's very important to protect your skin from the UV Rays. I've been using this one for my face which has done an excellent job as I didn't burn, It's great for sensitive skin like myself, it didn't break me out in spots & it's fast absorbing with it being ultra light. 

I got this last summer which I used a lot Kiko Kiss Balm SPF 15 in the shade Apricot, It comes in 7 different shades which leave a tint of colour, they glide on smoothly leaving a gloss shine as most balms do with the added lip benefit ingredients to help moisturise the lips whilst sun protecting them. 

If you can't stand the heat then this one will be perfect for you, a cooling down spray can really help either day or night to feel refreshed. There are so many different brands that do these now but our hotel stocked Avene Thermal Water Spray 300ml I was going to buy this before I went away but decided not to but I will definitely always carry a cooling spray whenever I go on holiday now as they really help at night when it's all stuffy and you can't sleep, even with air con or if you're just baking in the sun. It gives you that instant relief when you spray a fine mist of water all over you. It only contains two ingredients which is water & nitrogen so there is no skin benefits but it can be used on sensitive skin and even eczema prone skin. It's great for soothing sunburn too!

I recently learned of Adore Me's swimsuits and their #BeachDayMusts on Instagram. What's your beach day/poolside must haves?