The Gadget Show Live 2016

The Gadget Show Presenters

A few months back one of my blogging friends, Amy from Purely Amy let me know that she had been accepted as Press for The Gadget Show Live. Having a quick look into the event I was keen to go, and spured on by the fact that she was accepted I thought, what's the harm? So I sent off my application worried that my blog wouldn't be good enough but too my joy I was accepted, and offered a press pass, which gave me free access to the event, three hours earlier than the public.

Hants/Berks/Surrey Blogger Secret Santa!

I'm part of a Facebook Group called Hants/Berks/Surrey Bloggers and this year a Secret Santa was organised for people of the group. I for one love doing Secret Santa's not for the gifts that I receive, but because I love giving gifts to people! I finally picked up my gift which had been delivered to my mum's house, and I couldn't wait to see what I had gotten. I was surprised with how heavy the package was, and with how much there was inside the bag. I had six gifts in total, which considering the price guide was £10-15 I was seriously happy with!

I know you are all dying to see what I got, so I won't keep you in suspense any longer...

The first thing I opened was cute and Christmas themed, it was this pair of Reindeer ears and some cookie mix, which is brilliant as we all know how much I love baking.

My sister was sitting with me when I opened my gifts, and was seriously jealous when she saw this super cute notebook. I love Disney, it's one of my biggest passions, and doesn't Minnie Mouse look so hipster on this? My Secret Santa even included a pen, and as the title of this notebook is 'Blog' I am guessing that is intended for planning blog posts. This is actually a godsend as I don't currently have a notebook for blog ideas!

Next I opened this gorgeous Frozen fleece blanket! I am obsessed with Frozen, I mean come on guys, who isn't? I actually re-watched it last weekend with Tim (it was his first time seeing it the whole way through), so when I saw this I had a little giggle to myself. This is perfect for snuggling up on the sofa, especially as it's quite cold in our flat, as we are trying to save money!

This lovely little decorative sign was the next thing I opened. It's funny because I have been singing this to Tim over the last few days as he has never heard the song!!! It's also perfect because I love baking (how many more times do I need to mention this). This has immediately taken pride of place in the kitchen, and can't wait to see it in our own place when we move in a few months.

Excuse the weird angle of this picture, I was trying to avoid glare from the lighting in the room. This is a book on how to make some mini treats. I love all things sweet, and everything is so much cuter in miniature right? It also comes with a few accessories to assist you with your creations.

Finally I opened up this Mary Berry book, as soon as I saw the words, 'Mary Berry' I got excited is she is my absolute idol, and I don't think I will ever be sick of getting presents related to her. This is a collection of Christmas Recipe's which is perfect for this season. Also just look how cute Mary looks on the cover of this book, and also how giant the Turkey is!

I have to say a massive Thank You to my Secret Santa for getting me some amazing gifts, I honestly don't know how you got all this for under £15, but I am glad you did! You really must have taken the time and care to read my blog and get to know me a little bit, and I am so thankful for that. My sister was sitting next to me when I opened the gifts, and even she was so impressed with how well you understood me. I cannot wait to use my gifts, and I hope that you have a really lovely Christmas. If you would like to come forward after Christmas then I would love to send you a Thank You card!

Let me know in the comments if you have taken part in any Secret Santa's this year?

Blogger Meetup and Benefit Makeover!

So yesterday I met up once more with the lovely Kerrie of Pish Posh and Polish, and we went and had our makeup done at the Benefit counter in Debenhams! I also brought my sister Tish along who writes Hello Old Friends.

 Tish looking beautiful with zero makeup!

 The lovely Kerrie!

 First off we had a sneaky McDonalds, and Kerrie gave me some beautiful nail polishes that she had cleared out of her collection (she has around 500 I think)! Then we headed off to Benefit to have our Makeover! I'm only going to include pics of my makeover, mainly because Tish and Kerrie will probably blog about their own over on their blogs!

First off here are some horrific pictures of me with NO makeup! FYI I am pulling a horrible face in these pics because I was facing into the sun:

I know what you are thinking. 'DAMN she looks bad without makeup', and my reply is... I know! So I was super excited for my makeover, and in particular to try out the 'Fake Up' under eye concealer! Let's just say I wasn't disappointed! Here are some pictures of my transformation:

 She did one half of my face first to show me the difference then did the other side!

 She was teaching me how to do my eyebrows!

 I wasn't too sure about the eyebrows to be honest..

 This is me blending out the brows!

So here are the final pictures of my transformation! FYI I think the eyebrows are TOTALLY wrong for me, but at least now I know how to do them, and I bought myself a blonde eyebrow pencil so they'll look more natural!

Here's a list of everything she used on my face (obviously they are all Benefit Products):

Triple Performing Facial Emulsion

It's Potent Eye Cream

The POREfessional

Hello Flawless Foundation in Ivory

Browzings in Light

They're Real Mascara

Dandelion Blusher

Fake up in Light

Neutrals Eye Pallete in Easiest Nudes

Us with the lovely ladies that did our makeup!

So I know you are all dying to know what I actually bought! I wish I could say my purse came away unscathed, but it did not. I bought a Fake Up concealer in Light, and a Primping with the Stars kit! I have the foundation in my sights, the POREfessional is definitely up there, and there was a lip product that both me and my sister loved that I'm also hoping to snatch up before it is discontinued!

All in all it was an awesome day, and it was actually the first time I had worn Benefit products! It was lovely to see Kerrie and I hope that we can meet up a lot more now I have moved back to Berkshire! Also I'm hoping to attend a few more blogger meetups now I am available!