Happy Christmas!

I just wanted to do a quick post today as I won't really have the chance to post tomorrow...being Christmas and all!

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve already. This year has flown by. I keep thinking how crazy it is that this time last year I was pregnant, I had no idea if I was having a boy or girl and my life seemed totally different. It's been an eventful and wonderful year and I am very excited to see what 2014 has in store.

I'm going to be spending today with my hubby and Elijah and Christmas day is going to be with both mine and Darren's family, which will be fun - especially as there will be two babies experiencing their first Christmas, complete with lots of presents and wrapping paper - every baby's favourite thing. Boxing Day will be spent in my onesie and then with my whole family (about 25 of us) at my auntie and uncle's house.

I can't wait and I will definitely not be counting Points for a couple of days...we're doing Nigella's turkey recipe, so the diet is on hold for 72 hours.

Whatever you are doing, I hope you have a wonderful day and that Santa brings you everything you wish for.

Happy Christmas from the Belle of the Ball family to yours xx

#Christmasjumperday

This was meant to be posted on Friday...I don't know why it didn't go up...must have been a glitch with Blogger. Oh well,better late than never!

So Friday was sort of an unofficial Christmas Jumper Day! People in offices and at home everywhere donned their gorgeously tacky Christmas jumpers in order to spread a little festive cheer and raise money for charity.

Not wanting to miss out on the fun, here is a little pic of Elijah and I wearing our Christmas jumpers - both from Primark don't you know? I bought myself and Darren matching Santa Claus versions from Primark last year, so Darren wore his to work, but...a new year, a near jumper for me! Plus I had to get one for the newest addition to our family. My jumper was £12 and Eli's was £8. Total bargains.

Did you wear your Christmas jumpers on Friday? I'll be rocking mine on the big day itself too! Enjoy x

The Perfect Party Skirt?

Just wanted to do a little post for now (bigger one later) as I have found the ultimate party pieces. Every festive season, it's a battle to find that perfect outfit to wear over the party season, and this year, instead of opting for the usual dress, I have found something even better!

Introducing two of the most perfect party skirts from Topshop! Up first, this gorgeous gold ballerina style skirt by Jones and Jones - on Christmas day, team it with a gorgeous knit, woolly tights and a pair of fabulous boots, and on New Years, vamp it up with a lacy top and a faux fur gillet over the top. Add to that a gorgeous pair of shoe boots and you have got a note worthy and head turning New Year's outfit.

Up next this cute chiffon and sequin number. Again, perfect to team with knitwear and it's sweet flippy hem is the perfect tribute to the oh so fashionable skater skirt.

These are great skirts, real statement pieces that have some real fashion credentials, and will see you through the season to come. I love something a bit different, and these skirts are modern, quirky and the ballarina and skater feel gives them something a bit extra special. At a bargain price of £45 and £55, make sure you grab these little beauties, as they are sure to be a sell out. Enjoy x

Cindy Skirt by Jones and Jones at Topshop £45

Premium Sage Chiffon Sequin Skirt Topshop £55

Give a Gift from the Heart!

If you haven't started already, it's probably high time you started your Chrissy present shopping. If you're like me, buying presents is a joy (I'm not just saying that, I love buying presents) but hitting the shops in the Christmas rush, perhaps takes the fun out of it. It's always hard to think of the perfect present for your mum, dad, brother, sister, aunty, cat...whatever, so this year, instead of driving yourself bonkers trying to think of something fun, unique and thoughtful, might I suggest a little something? Give a gift from the heart!

The British Heart Foundation (a charity that means a lot to myself and a number of loved ones) has an absolutely fabulous gift section for the holiday season! The girls at the BHF were sweet enough to send me some examples of their presents, which range from cute stocking fillers for him and her, to slightly more substantial goodies.

There really is something for everyone on the website, ranging from cute heart themed jewellery, bath bombs, keyrings, clothing and teddies...and loads more! They also have a great £5 and under stocking filler page, which is perfect for last minute gifts, secret santas and maybe even a little something for yourself.

To be even nicer, you can buy someone an alternative gift voucher – you choose the value of the Alternative Gift voucher, select your free greetings card and they deliver it to you. Once your friend or loved one receives their Alternative Gift voucher they can choose to invest it in one of four areas of the BHF's vital work, by returning the voucher to their freepost address.

The best thing about buying a present from the British Heart Foundation - every penny they get from our Christmas shopping goes straight to their life saving work, so what are you waiting for? Get shopping and help save lives (I always knew shopping was good for your health!)

Enjoy! x

Keyring £4.50

Bracelet £4.99

Love sign £9.99

Umbrella £8.50

Fall into the GAP

I have to admit, I haven't always been the biggest Gap fan - i usually find their collections a wee bit bland. They occasionally hit a winner with a fab designer collaboration or some great knitwear, but this season, I am in love!

It's still the signature Gap simplistic style, but there are a few hero pieces that are absolutely fab - touches of pixel designs, a smattering of sequins and a heap of gorgeous knitwear. Top those off with some cute socks, cosy scarves and faux fur and pom pom adorned hats, and you have a selection of goodies that make up a pretty perfect present list.

I've chosen some of my favourite pieces and popped them below - the majority of them are now on sale on the website so you better hurry if you want to snag them! Oh and mum and dad, yes, they are on my present list...better start shopping! Enjoy x

Christmas Jumpers Rock!

People have made fun of tacky Christmas jumpers for years - they have always been the stuff terrible Christmas presents are made of "my grandma gave me a knitted jumper with a reindeer on it" - that kind of thing. I never received one of those jumpers for Christmas, but, this year especially, I have found myself buying them by the truckload!

I LOVE Christmas jumpers...well, not Christmas as such, but lovely knitted, oversized jumpers and cardigans, adorned with deer, snowflakes and other festive images. I think they're gorgeous, and seeing that D&G's Autumn/Winter show was made up almost entirely of these festive beauties, and that the high street is now chock-a-block with fab copies, there is no excuse not to get into the festive jumper spirit.

To create the look, without over doing it, is simple. Get yourself either an oversized cardigan or knitted skirt featuring the designs (Zara has some amazing ones) and make that your statement piece. Keep the rest of your outfit simple - leggings, a great pair of winter boots and throw on some ear muffs to make the outfit extra "awwww!" If you opt for an oversized cardi, try belting it and making that your dress - who needs anything else when the festive jumper look is such a statement!

I've scoured the high street and have found some great pieces for you to try out. Enjoy! x

D&G AW2010

Mango

Mango

River Island

Zara

Zara

Zara

Zara

I Love Me Some LUSH!

When it is as cold and blustery as it is at the moment, and you're left shivering in your Uggs, there is one thing I love more than anything, and that is a hot, bubbly Lush bath.

I have been a huge fan of Lush ever since my young teenage years, and have even worked there during my university summer holidays. Basically, I love Lush, so, I was very happy when the lovely people at Lush sent me a beautiful box of Christmassy themed goodies...heavenly. So, as trying as it was, I tested out each and every product to bring you the best of what Lush has to offer this festive season. Pay attention, get to Lush and treat your loved ones to some oh so lovely smelling goodies this Chrismakuh.

First up, Winter Bath ballistic. Taking inspiration from Japanese bathing traditions, this warming beauty smells good enough to eat, and the added soya milk will make your skin super soft! There are spicy ginger oils and clove bud to warm your body and get your circulation pumping again.

Winter Warmer Ballistic

Next up, Once a Year massage bar. All I can say is mmmmmm...This moustache adorned bar of cocoa butter is infused with brandy and cinnamon and is the perfect treat to massage into your aching body...or someone elses, if you're feeling generous!

Once a Year Massage Bar

Moving on, we have the Lil'Lush Pud Bath Ballistic - this is such a cutey! Looks just like a weeny Christmas pudding. It's full of aloe vera, lemon peel and spicy clove powder - be warned, it'll make you want to drink the bath water!

Lil Lush Pud Bath Ballistic

A lovely little ballistic next, So White will make your bath look like a blanket of snow, and make it smell like beautiful fresh apples. There are small bits of bubble bar in here which makes it even frothier and soft...so refreshing!

So White Ballistic

Next, Christmas Eve bubble bar...Ooh this is just lovely. Not only does it look gorgeous, but crumble this bad boy under hot running water, and you are sure to have a restful nights sleep. Full of jasmine and ylang ylang, the sparkly (yes, there are sparkles) bubbles will soften your skin - thanks to irish moss - and relax your body and mind...bliss!

Christmas Eve Bubble Bar

Finally we have the Boogg! Great name eh? Every year the Burning of the Boogg festival takes place in Switzerland just after Christmas. The locals fill a snowman's head with fireworks and place it on a bonfire - the longer it takes for his head to explode, the better the following summer will be. This gorgeous ballistic will fill your bath with colour and a lovely herbal fragrance.

The Boogg Bath Ballistic

What else can I say but, enjoy! x