A Student-Friendly Gift Guide || For Her

Since I'm working full-time in retail at the moment I'm very much aware (perhaps more than I've ever been before, if that's possible) that Christmas is fast approaching, and with Christmas shopping now well under way for those more organised amongst us (ahem... not me!), I thought I'd put together a little "student-friendly" gift guide; "student-friendly" simply meaning that everything listed here is under £25 and so will hopefully be reasonably accessible to your average student without breaking the bank- though a few of these would make great little stocking-fillers too!

1// Blue Tapestry Make-Up Bag £14  - Urban Outfitters Currently sold out :( but this one is similar.
2// 'I'm Walkin' Here' Astronaut Necklace £20 - Eclectic Eccentricity
3// Pyramid Glass Box £15 - Urban Outfitters
4// Cosy Nights Flask £15 - Urban Outfitters

5// Let's Sleep In Eye Mask £8 - Urban Outfitters
6// 'I Just Need Some Space, Man' Astronaut Necklace £17.50 - Eclectic Eccentricity
7// Secret Garden Colouring Book by Johanna Basford £8.46 - Waterstones
8// Glass Jewellery Box £18 - Urban Outfitters

9// Bloggers Gonna Blog Mug £11.56 - DEEZDutch on Etsy
10// Berry & Ecru Fairisle Patterned Socks - 2 Pack £8 - Next
11// Christmas Tree Scented Candle £7 - NotOnTheHighStreet.com
12// Black Daily Journal £15 - Urban Outfitters

13// Globe Face Tan Leather Watch £24 - Urban Outfitters
14// Nordic Nights 2016 Diary £12 - Paperchase
15// Woven Scarf £14.99 - H&M
16// Selworthy Cable Mittens £19.50 - Jack Wills

17// Monki Minna Lace Bra £15 - ASOS
18// Cosmic Girl Nail Polish £6 - Topshop
19// Beaded Clutch Bag £19 - Accessorize
20// The Lost World Dinosaur Vintage Bracelets £15 - Eclectic Eccentricity

21// White Dandelion Print Sleep Set £22 - Next
22// Pastel Capped Mittens £8.40 - Accessorize
23// Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Vintage Classics Austen Series) £6.99 for hardcover copy - Amazon
24// Reindeer Slippers £14- Next (they're listed as 'hippo mules' but they're definitely not hippos. I protest.)

What's on your Christmas list this year?

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Sunny Sweet Pea's Christmas Card Swap

It's Christmas Eve everyone!! I hope you're all having a lovely day!

This December I took part in a blogger Christmas card swap organised by Jenny at Sunny Sweet Pea which I thought was an absolutely lovely idea. We were put into groups with four others, sending every other person a Christmas card each and then we all received four in return. It was so nice to receive so many sweet cards in the post, one even coming from as far away as Malaysia!

This is Jenny's card which I thought was really pretty and unusual! 

I absolutely love this card I got from Sarah all the way from Malaysia, and she wrote such a lovely message inside as well. My mum liked it so much she said I should have it framed and keep it for my room! haha.

This sweet little card was waiting for me when I came home from uni from Char at T-Rexes and Tiaras which was a nice surprise!

This amazing card came from Jo and her husband Neil. You had to fold it up and make it into this cool little Christmassy mini, though I don't think I folded it properly so it kind of looks more like a camper van! But I thought it was such a unique idea for a Christmas card.

Massive thank you to Jenny for planning all of this, it really was so lovely! Wishing all of you folks a very Merry Christmas as well! 

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Film Favourites | A Cosy Christmas Eve

In my family, the run up to Christmas, and especially Christmas Eve, is a time full of cosy movie nights, snuggled up warm on the sofa under duvets and blankets. Over the years we've accumulated quite a number of trusty festive favourites!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

[source]

Perhaps the most "Christmassy" of all the Harry Potter films? Despite the fact I'm a very lucky girl with an 8-disc box set -that gets frequent use all year around- there's normally a Harry Potter marathon spaced out over a few days around Christmas time and for some reason I always feel like films are more exciting to watch when they're on TV so I normally watch them there. The Philosopher's Stone has become such a classic film over the last decade and there's so many beautiful snowy Christmas scenes that make it especially nice, I think, to watch around Christmas time.

In case you'd also like to tune in, I checked and this year the last 3 Harry Potter films will be shown on ITV1:

The Half Blood Prince: Saturday 20th December, 7pm

The Dealthly Hallows Part 1: Saturday 27th December, 7pm

The Deathly Hallows Part 2: Tuesday 30th December, 8pm

Favourite moment: When Harry receives his first ever Christmas presents- a knitted jumper from Mrs Weasley and the Invisibility Cloak!

The Holiday (2006)

[source]

English newspaper editor, Iris and Amanda, an LA-based workaholic who produces trailers for Hollywood films, both resolve to escape from their respective romantic ruts by swapping homes over the Christmas period.   

Again, over the last few years, 'The Holiday' has also become a Christmas classic. I think the appeal is much to do with the fact that, despite their own personal problems, the two girls appear to otherwise have the most idyllic lifestyles. Plus, who wouldn't want Jude Law just casually showing up at your door and promptly falling in love with you. This film is basically the epitome of every girl's dream, whether that is to live in a quaint English cottage or live the Hollywood high life.

Favourite moment: 'that' scene with the blanket tent- my heart melts every time!

Meet Me in St Louis (1944)

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In the months leading up to the 1904 World Fair, three sisters in St Louis, Missouri try to come to terms with their father's plans to move the family away to New York City.

I come from a family that is pretty obsessed with musicals, especially my little sister who I think is Grade 6 in music theatre now - proud sister!- so a musical is normally also on the cards during Christmastime. 

'Meet Me in St Louis' has been one of my favourites for a long time because it's so sweet and light-hearted and also has some really genuinely funny moments as well. Can you believe how beautiful Judy Garland was? She's an absolute vision of perfection!

Favourite moment: When Esther's getting her flirt on with John after the family Christmas party and he tells her she smells like his granny. Fab.

Love Actually (2003)

[source]

Ten different stories exploring the complexities of love become intertwined as Christmas approaches.

'Love Actually' is by far one of my favourite films of all time. The concept is fantastic and gives such a fascinating and beautiful insight into the intricacies of different romantic relationships. I've said it before but I just love films about people and their stories and I think there's something in here that everyone can relate to at some stage in their lives which is what makes it so special.

Favourite moment: Sam running through the airport to say goodbye to Joanna.

Little Women (1994)

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Based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, this film follows the lives of the Marsh family growing up in Concord, Massachusetts during the American Civil War.

This has been one of my favourite films ever since I was very little. My mum actually named me after Beth's character because Little Women was one of her favourite books growing up and Beth was her favourite character.

 I remember this was on TV on Christmas Eve a couple of years ago (after the Made In Chelsea Christmas season finale when Gabriella made her dramatic exit) and I guess those Christmas feels got the better of me because I cried the whole way through.

Favourite moment: I have so many! But probably either when Beth gets her piano for Christmas or else when Jo gets her story published for the first time.

What are some of your favourite Christmas films?

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The Christmas Tag!

It's only 11 more days til Christmas!! SO, I thought I'd try and get my blog into the Christmas spirit for the first time thus far (whoops) and do the Christmas tag! I haven't been tagged to do this yet but y'all know how much I love a good tag so I guess I just took it upon myself.

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie?

Quite a typical answer but I do absolutely love The Holiday, I normally end up watching it quite a few times over the Christmas period! I also love Love Actually, Little Women, and watching the Harry Potter films (especially the Philosopher's Stone) around Christmas time. I'm not sure if anyone else knows of this but there's normally this film called "the Ghost of Greville Lodge" that's on TV around Christmas time and I watch it every single year.

2. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

When my sister and I were little, we'd be so excited for presents my mum sometimes used to let us open the smallest one on Christmas Eve but as I've gotten older I much prefer waiting until Christmas morning.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

I'm not sure I really have a favourite Christmas memory. I remember one year when I was around 10 or 11 I spent Christmas Eve night at my aunt and uncle's house who are big into Monopoly and the three of us played all night. I'm sure that sounds like an absolute nightmare for anyone who hates Monopoly but I just remember it being so fun.

4. Favourite festive food?

I'm not hugely into festive food really, I don't really like Christmas pudding or mince pies or anything like that, though I do always really really look forward to Christmas dinner!

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

I've gotten loads of lovely presents over the years from friends and family though a present that sticks in my head was the Hunter wellies I got from my mum a couple of years ago.

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

This is quite an Irish-y thing I think, but I love the smell of a turf fire! Also, that lovely piney Christmas tree smell.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

I think Christmas Eve is probably my mum's favourite day of the entire year so she always made it really special for us when we were little, leaving notes and food for Santa and his reindeer. Nowadays we normally spend the night in watching films in our pyjamas eating chocolate, I guess that's kind of a tradition!

8. What tops your tree?

A star!

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) you always asked for but never received?

Nothing too extravagant that I can think of, but for some reason I always used to ask for a Sylvanian Family set every single year! Santa never brought it though, I don't know why!

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

There are lots of things I love about Christmas but I think my favourite is just spending time with family and friends and eating lots of lovely food!!

I'd love to read your answers to this tag! If you've done it feel free to leave a link in the comments! :)

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