BaByliss Boutique Salon Soft Waves

New Year, New Style!
Like 80% of the population (I'm guessing) I decided that a new look was required for the New Year (or at least New Years Eve!) and fortunately, the lovely PRs for the new BaByliss Boutique range sent me the Salon Soft Waves styling tool to play with! Extra Christmas presents for me, how exciting!

The first thing I liked when I opened up the box, was that they included a heat resistant glove! How ingenious, and as an additional note I advise using it... I tweaked my hair once I had finished it without putting the glove on and succeeded in a slightly painful burn on my hand :( silly Briony!
I have to say this is the easiest curling tool I have used - I already own a wonderful set of GHD straightener, however, when I use them to curl my hair they are never even and I find it takes a really long time and I lack the patience usually! However using the BaByliss Boutique Salon Soft Waves was very quick to do all of my hair - I would say about 20 minutes! I should also mention that my hair is ridiculously curly (well, frizzy really) and this wand managed to calm them into lovely soft waves without me needing to straighten my hair first, which was fab! Because the styling iron has 5 variable heats, I also felt like it was more gentle on my hair than my GHDs - I could use it on one of the lower heat settings and still get a really good result!
In order for me to work out what I was doing with this styling wand, I followed this YouTube tutorial, which shows exactly how simple it is to use!

If you would like to buy your own BaByliss Boutique Soft Waves styling wand, have a look at their website http://www.babyliss.co.uk/boutique

The left side of my hair is how it is naturally, right hand side are lovely soft waves!

Let me know if you try them, and if you like them as much as I do! 
I hope you all have a fantastic evening tonight, with lots of Family, Friends, Celebrations and of course Champagne!
Lots of Love!

MAC Glaze Lipstick in Hot Tahiti

I love winter lipsticks! I especially love that it isn't over the top to wear a red lipstick in the middle of the day at work. However, as anybody who knows anything about makeup knows, finding the perfect red is akin to finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!
However, for my skin tone, I think I may have found that illustrious pot of gold! MAC Glaze lipsticks are more glossy and sheer than the other finishes, which means it requires a couple of coats if you want a solid colour, but for day to day wearing it is perfect.

One swipe

Positives: For me the best thing about this lipstick is the colour; it is described as a reddish-coral, personally I don't think it is coral at all but it is a very soft red. I also love the texture - in winter I often suffer from dry lips, but because this is quite a buttery texture, it isn't a problem.

Negatives: Staying time. Compared to Amplified Crème or Satin finish it is pants. Only really lasts a couple of hours, and by the end of that it is very faint. However, I suppose you can't have a soft texture and a very long lasting finish all at the same time! And reapplying is hardly the end of the world.

Me wearing Hot Tahiti (apologies for the poor focus!)

Have you used Hot Tahiti? What do you think of the Glaze finish? I know there are only 5 lipsticks in this range, however I am definitely a fan! Lots of Love!

What I Got For Christmas

Before starting, I wish to say I do not wish to show off, however I have been seeing a lot of these posts recently, and I have really enjoyed reading them, as I think it is lovely how excited people get at Christmas! (I also love being a bit nosy into other people's lives!)
I have to say I have been very spoilt this year! My boyfriend in particular has got me lots of lovely things, and I felt very lucky when I woke up on Christmas morning and there was a big pile of presents under the tree!

The gifts I have been fortunate enough to receive are: sheepskin slippers, an earring book and earrings, lots of festive socks, a scarf, a crocket shawl, an Italian cooking set, some magnetic photo frames, a beautiful Portmeirion tea set, a year at Downton Abbey, a makeup bag, a drink infuser, a cast iron casserole dish, a gorgeous set of 12 wine glasses, matching Le Creuset Ramekins, Butter Dish and Utensil pot, a book of poems to learn by heart and many other bits! I truly have been spoilt!

Do let me know what you have receive this Christmas, or leave me some links to your Christmas blog posts! I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas time, and I wish you all best for the New Year!

The Christmas Tag

Seeing as how I haven't been blogging much recently, I decided that it is time for a little shake up! And what better way to start than by feeling festive with the Christmas Tag! I have seen this crop up on quite a lot of blogs this month, and decided it looked like fun! Enjoy....
1. What is your favourite Christmas film?
My favourite Christmas film has to be A Christmas Princess, it is one of those so-bad-it's-good films, which makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

2. Have you ever had a white Christmas?
According to my parents, we had a very light dusting of snow on Christmas day when I was about 4! However unfortunately I was too young to remember it properly!!! 3. Where do you usually spend your Holiday?
I always have Christmas dinner at my parents house, however I will be waking up with my Boyfriend in our flat, and spend the morning with his family, so I get to see his neice and nephews! I always think the more the merrier when it comes to family at Christmas! 4. What is your favourite Christmas song?
Ooooh this one is tough! However this year I am rather loving the Nashville Christmas Album (I'm slightly obsessed with Nashville in general actually...) and one of my favourite songs is Santa Baby performed by Clare Bowen, who plays Scarlett!
 
5. Do you get to open any presents on Christmas Eve?
I don't normally get to open any pressies on Christmas Eve, however this year I decided to make special Christmas Eve boxes for Adam's niece and nephews, with things like new PJs, magazines, a film, the night before Christmas book etc. I then also decided that Adam and I needed Christmas PJs so got us some matching ones. Does it count if I bought myself the Christmas Eve pressie?
6. Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph! (I may have got through those by going through the Night Before Christmas Book in my head!)
7. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year?
This year is a bit different than normal, because it is the first Christmas I won't be spending with my sister! So I'm not exactly sure about traditions! Maybe we'll make some new ones!
8. Is your Christmas Tree real or fake?
Both! The one in my flat is fake, but the one at my mom's is real!

9. What is your all time favourite holiday food/ sweet treat?
Mince Pies!! I have been eating them since early November.... I think this explains why the diet has recently failed!
10. Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts best?
Both! I love seeing people open the presents I've bought them, especially when it is a complete surprise, but at the same time, my boyfriend has wrapped up about 15 presents for me under the tree! And I can't wait to open them!!!
11. What is the best Christmas gift you have ever received?
When I was little, I think that the best Christmas present I received was a cot that my uncle had made for my dolls, which I have still got in my mom's attic, ready for when I have children!
12. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?
I'm a complete home bird, and I have to say I wouldn't want to go away again over Christmas! I love being surrounded by my family too much!
13. Are you a pro-present wrapper or do you fail miserably?
I would say I'm ok, as long as the presents aren't weird shapes! In which case I use a stupid amount of cellotape! I am very good at doing things with ribbon though! My bows are awesome!
14. Most memorable holiday moment?
My most memorable holiday moment has to be from about 10 years ago, when my nan and uncle came up for Christmas - we were shooting party poppers over the hanging light fitting in the ceiling above the dining table, but hadn't thought about the candles which were underneath... needless to say the party poppers dangled into the candles and caught on fire! It was quickly put out, but has been a favourite memory since!
15. What made you realize the truth about Santa?
I have no idea what you are on about, he's real!!! (I actually think I saw him on holiday in Key West a couple of weeks ago!)

16. Do you make any New Years Resolutions? Do you stick to them?
The only one I ever stuck to was to have a sober January, which I managed! But that was more because I was sick of the sight and smell of alcohol after a particularly heavy December... However I do like to think of a couple of things I might like to do over the next year, for example 4 years ago it was to take photography more seriously!
17. What makes the holidays special for you?
Family! I love seeing all my family, dropping presents off around the country for the Children, helping my mom decorate the tree, watching films with Adam's niece and nephew, helping my dad in the kitchen on Christmas day... I love it all!
I hope you all enjoyed this post, I have certainly enjoyed writing it! Merry Christmas everybody! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

Beauty Box Off August: Glossybox Vs You Beauty Discovery Box

Firstly, my apologies for the delay in me publishing this post! I got caught up with holidays..... my bad!

August You Beauty Discovery Box

This was the first You Beauty Discovery Box I have received, and I was quite impressed considering how cheap it is! This box is the cheapest beauty box you can get, and although it is very small, I think that at £6.95 it is an absolute bargain!
In this box I got:
1) FaceD facemask 2) Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow 3) Peggy Sage Nail Varnish 4) Nail Block 5) Jimmy Choo Perfume Sample (there was also a male sample but my boyfriend robbed it!)

Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow

Peggy Sage Nail Varnish

August Glossybox Contents

In the August Glossybox there was:
1) Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 2) L'Amour Lalique Perfume Sample 3) Figs and Rouge Hand Cream 4) Yves Rocher Nail Varnish 5) Glossybox Highlighter 6) Essence Lipstick in 07 Natural Beauty
The only item I was really disappointed about in this box was the lipstick, as it wasn't very pigmented, and after the excitement of how amazing the last lipstick was that I got from a Glossybox, the bar was set high. This failed, by a long way :( I would definitely not buy this!
Also do excuse how weird my thumb looks... I'm not quite sure what happened there!

Essence Lipstick - this was two heavy coats!

Do you get many beauty boxes? Are there other ones you think I need to try out? Let me know!
Lots of love

Coulon Visit

While we have been in the Vendee, my Aunt and Uncle took us to a pretty village near Fontanny Le Comte called Coulon. I think you'll agree from the photographs it's a beautiful place, I definitely recommend visiting if you at in the area!

Loving a lazy afternoon by the canal!

You think rural France, and this is probably what you think... Original shabby chic!

Pretty Village

Dream House

Pretty view down the canal!

Happy Boyfriend again!

Local Church

Drinks to go anyone?

Let me know if you have visited!

Lots of love!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

One of the products that I was keen to buy from the Pharmacie in France was Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, a face, body and hair oil.

Nuxe is one of France's best selling brands, and there are a big variety of products available, however I was keen to try out an oil, as I have heard rave reviews about a few, but was yet to trial one myself. This oil is designed to nourish, repair and soften, and contains 6 precious oils and vitamin e.

Anyone who shops in Space NK may have seen this product there - however considering it costs nearly £30 I would not buy it, however in a French Pharmacie it cost me €15.13 - about £12! Bargain!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

So far I have put it on my sunburnt back, which didn't sting at all and made it feel lovely and smooth, and tried some in my hair. I think I need to put a bit more in my hair, as I literally put a tiny drop on my hands, and smoothed it through as I was worried about it being greasy!

Would I buy this product again! Probably, just for how wonderful my skin feels! However I couldn't justify the Space NK price tag- I don't love if that much!

Lots of love

On my hollibobs!

Bonjour from France!

I am currently in the Vendee in France, having a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of my life, however I have not forgotten about my blog! Having a few days off has given me the time I needed to regroup, plan some posts, and most importantly, go shopping for some fab new products to try! I am definitely looking forward to doing some reviews this week, as I am LOVING French pharmacys right now! 

In the mean while I decided to do a little photo diary of my trip here....

The boy driving to East Midlands Airport

You have to eat junk food on a road trip... It's the law!

Arrived at the Hilton East Midlands!

A rather swanky hotel room...

There is always time for a cheeky selfie!

Yes... I needed more food!

Hello shiny new Escape Lounge at East Midlands Airport! #priorityPassWins

On the plane!

Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away...

Welcome to France!

Ok... Another selfie in the car...

We're at my Aunt and Uncle's!

As you can see we had a fun little trip getting here! With lots of food on route!

I'm looking forward to updating you with more of my adventures soon!

Lots of love

Wednesday Wishlist: Long Weekend Breaks

With everyone talking about holidays recently I have been getting very jealous! I decided that I would come up with a wish list of my top 5 places to go away to for a long weekend! 1) Paris

Photo from Maxi Sciences

I love Paris more than any other city I have ever visited, I have been there 4 times and as soon as I leave, I am desperate to go back! Hopefully I will be able to go back soon!

2) Monte Carlo

Photo from Boomsbeat

Monte Carlo is one of those places I have looked at and always wanted to go, it just seems to glamorous, and exciting. Unfortunately this is why the chances of me going any time soon are so slim - there is no way I can afford it! Ah well... a girl can dream!

3) Cannes

Photo from Studio System News

If we continue to make our way down the coast and along the French Riviera, at some point we will make it to Cannes... a place filled with glamour, style, beauty... I could go on for hours. I have been to the French Riviera before, but not to Cannes - it is definitely on my list of places to visit! 4) Marrakech

Photo from Wikipedia

Moving continents, we are now in Morocco - one of the largest cities in Marrakech, do I even need to explain why I want to go here? I love shopping, I love accessories, someone get me to that Souk! I keep looking at pictures of Marrakech, it looks incredible, not just because of the markets, but the history, the culture and the architecture - all in all a fabulous place to go for a long weekend! 5) New York

Photo from the Telegraph

I started watching Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda in Sex and the City when I was 16 years old and I have wanted to go to New York ever since. Then I found Gossip Girl and the obsession became worse. Damn TV shows! I know it might be a push to go there for a long weekend, but I decided it should make the list anyway! Have you been to any of these places? Do you think I need to add any more locations to my list? Let me know!