Hey guys,

Last week I was invited to the launch of Santa's Winter Wonderland* at the Snowdome in Tamworth! It has been running for 14 years now, but even being a local Brummie I had never been. I couldn't wait to go because I knew how excited the kids would be. So I told them I had a surprise for them after school and they weren't left disappointed. There was everything you could wish for in a Winter Wonderland, real snow, Santa himself, and animals!

Hey guys,

Christmas is literally around the corner and I can't wait.  Since I have had kids, Christmas has given us a new found excitement, however it has always been something which brings the family together and brings happiness and joy. Every year I see negative comments on social media about muslims having christmas trees and I seriously don't see what the problem is!? Since when was decorating your house a crime against religion?

 I am Muslim, we never used to have a tree when I was little, not necessarily because my parents said we couldn't, but just because that's just the way it was. Instead I can remember our presents always huddling around a big cheese plant my parents had and then pouring over and around the TV stand. Now in my own house and since having kids, that was one thing I knew I would like to have. Just putting the tree up and decorating it with christmas songs in the background has become a tradition and brings so much joy. I love getting involved with the christmas spirit.

Christmas is such a lovely time. Literally giving my loved ones gifts actually brings me so much happiness and getting to spend time with them, not just on christmas day but the weeks before and after, with most being off work, is the perfect end to the year.  Decorating my house is part of the fun, and that is it, just fun, so if it makes me happy I will continue to do it.

Christmas day is amazing as we all gather at my sister Romana's house, eat a proper Christmas dinner and enjoy each others company. So I thought I would put together a little 'get ready with me', of small bits and bobs I like to wear to get me ready for Christmas day. 

1. Christmas Jumper

Ok what Christmas day wouldn't be complete without a christmas jumper? In all honesty this is my daughter's as mine hasn't arrived yet! But mine is a gorgeous cobalt blue colour from ASOS and has Ho, Ho, Ho written on it in silver, red and gold sequins. It's the one time you can wear one (apart from Christmas Jumper Day) so we may as well make the most of it!

2. Glitter

 I always like to wear a bit of glitter on christmas day. It just gives that added extra and why not add a bit of sparkle. I think Christmas is all about being over the top. This year I will be wearing my Stila  Glitter & Glow in Smoky Storm, a lovely bronze/gold glitter. It literally sparkles so much and is the perfect way to do an easy glitter eye look.  You would have also seen these feature in my Stocking Filler Gift Guide post. It's not too late if you're stuck for ideas!

3. Red Lips

I find Christmas the perfect occasion for red lips. Red just goes with the festivities. I have to admit I don't always wear red lips on Christmas though, mainly because it is hard to maintain as we all know Christmas Day is all about eating, eating and more eating. So be prepared to reapply, but this year I might put in the extra effort and wear my favourite Chanel lipstick in Passion.

4. Jewellery

Keeping with the sparkling theme,  I have picked out a few key items to wear on the day. I'm all for bauble and christmas tree earrings too by the way, but this year I have picked out a couple of understated pieces from my collection. Firstly the lovely Pave Triangle Ear Climber from Stella & Dot, elegant but eye catching.  I will also wear his lovely ring from Accessorise which was bought for me as a Christmas present from my eldest sister, Sophia a few years back. I love the detail and it just shouts Christmas to  me!

5. Nails

Finally is the nails. Christmas Eve (or Christmas 'Eid', as my daughter calls it) also happens to be my sister Sheeba's birthday. So the whole family is always together celebrating. Without fail we will paint our nails and make them as festive as possible. We usually opt for some form of nail art, or glitter. But this year I was introduced to Kiss Impress Nails Fake Nails , and know for sure I will be wearing them! I love this set in particular as the burgundy colour is perfect but it also contains accent nails in a gold glitter . They are long lasting and just what I need to keep my hands looking pretty for a few days! (Also on offer for £5.32 from Superdrug at the moment so stock up!)

I literally can't wait! Hope you all have a fab Christmas and enjoy it whatever you are doing!

Amina xx

*contains PR samples. All opinions are my own.

Hey Guys,

This week I am bringing to you a gift guide for stocking fillers, however saying that some of these would also make great actual gifts on their own too. They would also be perfect for those Secret santa's where you are on a budget. They are all beauty related so if it ain't your thing then click away now!

This is such a beautiful gift set. It contains three of the magnificent metals liquid eyeshadows in mini format. For the price I think this is great as it allows you to try three different colours for around the same price as what one would usually cost. The effect these give is stunning and so sparkly I just can't get enough. This is one of the pricier items on my list and would equally make a fab christmas present or stocking filler.

Such a lovely stocking filler. Not only am I 'impressed' (excuse the pun! Come on, it is christmas!) by the range of gorgeous designs, but also how secure these feel on the nail. I think I can honestly say these are the best false nails I have ever tried. They fit my nails so perfectly and they have been designed to look like a gel nail. They appear so professional and would be a hit in any beauty lover's stocking. I really enjoyed wearing them myself and have a pair ready for Christmas day!

Who doesn't love false lashes? Well whatever lash effect you want, from dramatic to natural, Kiss have you covered. I was particularly wowed by the Lash Couture range as they give a faux mink effect. They are 3D and also have a mix of brown and black coloured hairs in them to make them look even more effective. Gift one as a stocking filler and do yourself a favour, buy a pair for you too.

Without fail, every year I get some sort of nail polish combo as a gift and out of a lot of sets, these limited edition colours really stand out to me. Leighton Denny is a great nail brand and you can rely on the quality of the nail polish. You get two mini nail polishes for £10 and I think the colours are great for the festive season. The packaging also gives me christmas cracker vibes so it's a hit for me!

So this might not seem like an obvious stocking filler but let me tell you whoever is on the receiving end of these will thank you! If you haven't heard of Spacemasks, it's essentially an eye mask that when you apply to your face, start to warm up using some kind of crazy scientific power (iron filings react to oxygen creating heat). The end result is a warm soothing eye mask with the added extra of Jasmine. I suggest buying a box of five and adding one to everyone's Christmas present!

6. Charlotte Tilbury - Mini Celebrity Lipstick Charms (£29)

Hi Guys,

For my last post of the year, I'm feeling a little bit reflective. I'm sat here on my laptop while my eldest daughter (3) is finally asleep, after what I can only call a traumatic few days for her. She had a horrible fall. We were set to go shopping and decided to have our weekly Costa stop off. Unfortunately, she tripped and fell into a table, landing face first and bashing her mouth to the point where her front teeth have been pushed backwards. She won't eat, sleep, or talk. We are having to feed her with a syringe. But after being in hospital all day yesterday and seeing the emergency dentist, fingers crossed she will be ok (with a little help from some Calpol and Amoxicillin). The pain you feel when your child is in pain is the worst. An aching of helplessness right in the heart. It has really made me think about what's important and what I am planning for the next year.

I'm glad to say we had a fabulous Christmas. I love Christmas. It's that time of the year when we get to spend time with the people we love most and enjoy each others company, while having an excuse to scoff our faces. And having kids makes it that extra bit special because you get excited for them. Putting up the tree, giving and receiving presents, eating the chocolate from the advent calendar, and making gingerbread are all things that are becoming traditions we thoroughly enjoy and embrace. I wish the whole year was full of these kinds of highs.

We've had other highs this year too, a memorable one being our first family holiday to Cyprus. The most amazing memories were made there which I will carry with me for a lifetime. My eldest starting nursery and my youngest having her first birthday in February. All milestones that I cherish. My mum beat her breast cancer and completed Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca which I am so proud of her for. My Dad turned 70, which we celebrated with the whole family in Spain. These are all things that I can say truly made my year. A big part of my year was blogging once a week, every week. I think this was the biggest commitment I made in 2016 and I didn't realise how much it was going to occupy my life!

When I try to think of lows this year for me personally, I struggle. I am rich in the fact I have great family, a husband who is, well, much more than that. Two beautiful daughters. A home I can call my own. However, when I think of the bigger picture, there has been a few lows. Brexit being one, Trump being another, Aleppo breaking my heart. I saw a burnt Syrian baby's face the other day. All I could see was my child. There. Screaming,  All things which again I feel completely helpless but so strongly about. These all strike a chord with me.

Leaving 2016 in a low was not what I planned, my daughter isn't her normal self and neither am I.   But I suppose it will take time. Time is one thing I thought I had. But I think if I've learnt anything from 2016 it's that we are all running out of time. The amount of deaths this year alone has highlighted this. So many icons no longer with us: David Bowie, Muhammad Ali and Prince, to name a few. The only thing we can do however, is to embrace whatever 2017 has to throw at us and live it to it's fullest. Whatever that may be. Swimming with sharks, jumping from a plane, or maybe just stepping out the front door, or trying something new. I know I will appreciate what I have and make the most of it. So here's to 2017 - let's face it with strength, courage and an eagerness for more. 

Amina xx

To create the base I first used Mac Prep & Prime Skin Base Visage and then applied MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC35 on top with a foundation brush. I wanted to create quite a full coverage look for added drama. I set this with MAC Prep & Prime Translucent Powder. Once I had my base sorted I moved on to the eyes. I wanted a glossy and sparkly finish. As a eye lid primer I used Urban Decay Primer Potion and then applied Maybelline Color Tattoo in Eternal Gold over the top to get the perfect gold base. I then blended Kiko High Pigment Eyeshadow in Pearly Tangerine first and then over the top with Matte Hazelnut over the top. I blended through the crease with these ever so slightly, hardly picking up any product on my brush, just to create a slight shadow and contrast against the gold.

Next, using my finger, I put on MAC Studio Eye Gloss in Money Honey. It is such a beautiful glossy gold and brings the attention straight to the eye. Make sure you apply this after the shadow on the crease as otherwise it makes it very difficult to blend. If that wasn't enough, I wanted more glitter, so decided to add Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Midnight Cowboy over the top.

MAC Studio Eye Gloss swatch in Money Honey.

Some of the products used to create the look.

I then added Tarte Cosmetics Tartest liner in Black. It's important to note when applying all products don't go all the way down to the lash line as this makes it very difficult to apply the liner, it just slips over the glossy texture. To complete the look I applied Nouveau Lashes natural in style 1 which are perfect for a daytime look.

Rommel Lasting Finish Lipstick and NYX lip liner used.

On the cheeks I am wearing Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Reflex (one of my favourites) and for the lips I applied NYX lip liner in Plum/Prune and Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Bordeaux. I have to say I'm really impressed with the formula of this lipstick - it didn't bleed at all! To complete the look I added highlighter to my cheekbones and nose using The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer. 

I hope you like the look and it has inspired you to have a go! What will you be wearing this Christmas? Do you go all out with your make-up on Christmas Day?

Amina xx

Hey Guys,

 I'm the type of person that leaves Christmas shopping to the last minute and definitely do not buy anything or put any decorations up before December! However, as Christmas is edging closer, I thought I would post my Christmas gift guide this week. I say gift guide but it's really a wishlist as I would be happy to get anything on the list. It is purely beauty related and if you are as beauty obsessed as I am, you will love what it has to offer. So let's get straight on.

If you haven't already heard about or seen these they look amazing. Handmade in Sheffield and cruelty free, these eyeshadows and highlighters would be a great Christmas gift to any beauty lover. Some of my favourite products are the Rainbow glow highlight powder (£18, 59mm compact) and the eyeshadow in Polilla (£10, 37mm compact). The shimmer on Phee's products is indescribable and the colour combos are just perfection. The powders are all mineral, making them better for your skin, and they're vegan friendly too! Phee herself is pretty darn good at makeup application and you can see some of her creativity on instagram @Pheesmakeuptips.

Have you ever wanted your own line of make-up? Think Huda Beauty, Zoella, Tanya Burr. Well you too can now have your own personalised range of liquid lipsticks - kind of. Crowd Colour provides a range of personalised palettes, brushes and other items and I think their matte liquid lips would make the perfect Christmas gift! The great thing is, you can personalise it with the person's name or even write a festive message on it. One will set you back £7.99 or you can buy a set of 6 for £35! Perfect for a gift or stocking filler.

Burt's Bees have some great Christmas gifts this year (there are just too many to choose from), however in particular I am loving their 'Endless Shine Trio' (£9.99), a selection of three lip glosses, and their 'A bit of Burt's Bees' (£5.99), which includes their classic lip balm and hand salve. The glosses are beautiful in colour and the lip balm has that perfect creamy texture to it, which we all need during these cold months. These would be great as stocking fillers or even as a Secret Santa gift! They have free delivery on all gift sets at the moment and what's even better is that 10% of all proceeds go to the British Bee Keeping Association! We all know how important bees are to our environment so being able to support this great cause while looking beautiful is great.

I was lucky enough to receive these at a blogging event and love the look and feel of these brushes. The rose gold ferrule and bright pink hair would look good in anyone's brush kit. These offer real value for money at just £6 and why not pair them with some make-up for a smokey makeup, such as a smokey eyeshadow, for a great little gift set.

This gift is for the skincare lover. Dr Botanicals was a company I was introduced to at the Blogger Halloween Party. I fell in love with the products straight away as they just smelled and felt divine. I have been using these two products for over a month now and have nothing but good things to say about them. The body cream is so thick and creamy and leaves your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. The smell of neroli is so refreshing. The facial essence serum smells of elderflower and gives your skin that certain glow that it lacks in this dull weather. It absorbs into the skin really quickly which I love too. They do a Limited edition bottle for the serum, which comes in an extra special bottle and bamboo case, which I thought would be lovely for Christmas. These are real luxury items and may sound pricey at £113 and £77.90, however I have a 70% discount code (yes you read right) for my readers: 'BLOGDB', which can be used site wide. So knock yourself out and why not spoil yourself too?

What's Christmas without some crackers? I can definitely imagine cracking these around the table (at least with the females). Inside are cute little lip glosses and eyeshadows - perfect for my girls - which i'll be putting into their stockings this year. They would also make great additions to the Christmas tree decorations. They are down to £5 from £8 for a pack of 6.

One of the best thing's about the lead up to Christmas is getting to open up the advent calendar every day. The only thing that could possibly beat a chocolate advent calendar is a beauty one! Just imagine  the excitement of opening each door and finding a beauty gift - my idea of happiness. This year I think the M&S one looks fab! The best part is, it only costs £35 when you spend £35 on clothing or beauty, and the contents are worth £250! I think this would make a great pre-Christmas, Christmas gift!

No beauty gift guide this year would be complete without something from the Mac 'Nutcracker' collection. I honestly could have bought the whole line, it was so beautiful. From what's left of it (i.e not sold out) I think the 'Sweet Pink' collection (£26) has some fabulous colours, especially to wear during the festive period, from Christmas to New Year's Eve.

So these are my favourites for this year. I better get a move on as Christmas is so close now. Did you like any of the products? What are you wishing for this Christmas?