7 Gift Ideas That Give Back | #BLOGMAS Day 6

Hi, Today I wanted to talk about gifts but more importantly gifts that give back in one way or another. I think it's important at this time of year when commercialization is so strong to take a step back and take a look at the planet that we owe our existence too (wow that got deep). Okay back to the light hearted festivities, I've got a selection of gifts that are a great way to take care of our planet and the people we share it with.

Gift Ideas That Give Back

Reusable Coffee Cups/Water Bottles
I can't quote numbers but as a planet we use a crazy mind boggling amount of paper cups and plastic bottles, most of which end up in land fill. Our planet for the moment is plentiful but what happens when these common materials become harder to source. It might not happen in our life time but I'd like to not be known as the generation of wastefulness.

Tote Bags
This is also helpful on the wallet as in the UK plastic bags are now chargeable to try to stop so much plastic ending up on our beaches (I'm sure I heard a report that said it has already made a positive difference). Tote bags are really useful and something everyone should have handy.

Buy Ethical/Cruelty Free
Being aware of where products come from and how they are produced is really important. I choose to go cruelty free this year and it's made me aware of how little some companies care about welfare. There are great brands like Lush and Body Shop who go out of there way to fund raise, create awareness for issues and supply products made with fair trade ingredients which are cruelty free.

DIY
Gifts that are made hold more value, by reusing materials you already have you can make things that are gift worthy at very little cost to both yourself and the environment. The humble loo roll is used in lots of DIY's this time of year, Pinterest is the best place to check for inspiration!

Second Hand/Recycled
Sometimes the perfect gift doesn't need to be brand new. It's great for the environment if you're not buying stock that's mass produced in lots of packaging. A gift doesn't need to be new, books are a great example of recyclable gifts and you can probably get more for your money.

A Donation
Okay not so glamorous but a lot of people I know ask for a donation to be made on their behalf as a Christmas gift. Charities are quite happy to promote themselves at this time of year by also offering a welcome gift to a donation program so you'll also get a gift to wrap (I'm thinking the World Wide Fund for Nature on this one, so many cuddly animals).

An Anonymous Gift
Linking back to my #ReverseAdvent post you can give an anonymous gift of food to someone in need this Christmas. There are also Charities asking for Gifts for Children at Christmas time, do some research into your local charities if this is something you'd like to do.

Do you think that Christmas is a little wasteful? Do have anything to add?

Sam

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Lush Review - Shoot For The Stars Bath Bomb | #BLOGMAS Day 5

Hi, I picked this bath bomb up on my recent visit to Leeds, along with two other bath bombs I'll be reviewing later this month. It was the one bath bomb from the Christmas range that made me go 'I need to try that'. I previously tried 'Shoot For The Stars' last year but didn't review it. It's back this year with a new look and I think it's a simpler design but much more luxurious.

Shoot For The Stars Bath Bomb – Starry Nights

Can we take a second to admire how cute the Christmas packaging is this year. I think the overall look of this bath bomb is one of simplicity but it still stands out as a need to try product. It's a deep cobalt blue with three Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter stars covered in gold luster on the upper half. A mixture of Brazilian orange oil and bergamot oil create an environment designed to rocket your mood to the stars.

Once popped in the bath the bomb fizzed instantly creating a deep blue bath with bubbles galore. My stars sunk to the bottom of the bath where they melted and created simmering gold luster speckles on the surface of the water. The gold in the bath bomb actually turned the deep blue into more of a deep turquoise colour which looked so pretty. I've used glittery bath bombs before but I've never had it stick to me as much as with this one, I was covered. I put this down to the cocoa butter which left my skin feeling so soft and smelling amazing. The bath took a little more effort to clean down due to the oils but it was so worth it. I'd highly recommend this bath bomb if you like to sparkle.

Have you tried Shoot For The Stars?

Sam

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Christmas Shopping Survival Guide | #BLOGMAS Day 4

Hi, Every year I have good intentions of going on one shopping trip to get all of my Christmas list bought and put under the tree, only that never happens. The problem with the Christmas shopping spree is that you are one of many people trying to buy the same item in the same stores and well it can all get a bit over whelming. Have you been in Lush at Christmas time? my local store was practically queuing out the door (exaggeration but only because the staff had an genius system in place). My point is that hitting the shops can be rather stressful but I have some helpful tips to get us through our Christmas shopping.

Christmas Shopping Survival Guide

Plan Ahead
Don't leave the house until you have a rough idea of gift ideas for everyone on your Christmas list. Once you know where you want to shop. You can always browse for that one person who's difficult to buy for but you'll save time if you know which stores you need to visit.

Look For Vouchers
If possible save money, look for in store vouchers before you head out to the shops. Make note of online offers too, if you're organised and have time to order those heavier items make life easier and get them deliver.

Enlist Help
Drag the reluctant other half to carry the bags or join forces with an allied shopper to take the sting out of the day.

Dress Appropriately
I think this is obvious but you're going to be on your feet all day so make sure you're wearing shoes that look after your feet and wrap up warm, it's December it gets cold, brrrrr. 

Take Breaks
Don't be afraid to have a break and recharge, a warming cup of hot chocolate will give you the needed energy to continue.

Take Reusable Bags
Now that bags are chargeable in the UK it's a good idea to take some old bags or your trusty tote to the shops to save some pennies. It's also great for the environment so you can feel super about doing your bit by looking after the planet.

You Deserve a Treat Too
You're on a shopping trip spending money on all your nearest and dearest, don't forget about yourself. You could pick up a cheeky bath bomb or a festive nail varnish. 

Finish With a Meal
You deserve to treat yourself after all that hard work, so go grab some food, you'll need the energy to carry all those presents home.

Have Fun
It's Christmas! I love walking around looking at all the lights and decorations which just make everything look so much more magical and takes the darkness away from the winter. The best part about buying gifts is knowing you've got something special that the recipient will love.

 Have you got any tips to add?
Sam

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Small Business Saturday | #Blogmas Day 3

Hi, It's that time of year again! Small Business Saturday is a marketing initiative started way back in 2013 to create awareness for all the lovely independent businesses about. More and more people are starting up small businesses on the side and December is a great opportunity to gain sales with the run up to Christmas. If you're not heading out you could always look online at websites like Etsy and Not on The High Street to show your support.

I'm in Leeds today checking out what's on offer at the Etsy Made Local event (check out the link to see if there's an event near you). I am so stuck for ideas for original gifts this year so checking out smaller businesses is a great way to find something a bit different. A lot of independent companies even offer personalised gifts, making them even more special.

Even if there isn't an event near you make the most of all the independent shops in your local town you might normal pass by or go check out that local craft/farmers market and see if there's something interestingly different for sale. Either way I hope you have a brilliant day and at least are checking out all the festive decorations in your local area.

Will you be supporting any small businesses today?

Sam

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20 Festive Themed Goals | #Blogmas Day 2

Hi, I like lists and goals so I've put together a list of goals for the festive season. I don't like that Christmas is in the shops before Halloween these days it just seems strange and drawn out but now it's December I'm seriously in the festive spirit. I feel really uninspired for gift ideas but I'm off shopping tomorrow so hopefully I can get some inspiration and some gifts purchased. I'm looking forward to decorating my first Christmas tree in my own home and having free range as to how mad it can be, here are my goals for the month ahead.

Festive Themed Goals
1. Donate food to charity
2. Drink mulled wine
3. Make mince pies
4. Decorate my Christmas tree
5. Create a festive playlist
6. Have fairy lights everywhere
7. Get my Christmas shopping done
8. Make my own wrapping paper
9. Go to a Christmas market
10. Wear a Christmas jumper more than once
11. Bake something vegan as a present
12. Try something from the Christmas lush range
13. Read a festive book
14. Go on a day trip
15. Go for a wintry walk
16. Go ice skating
17. Do some themed crochet
18. Complete blogmas this year
19. Binge watch a new series
20. Make some DIY Christmas decorations

So there are my goals for the month ahead, writing this post has made me feel so Christmassy and I can't wait for my annual holiday from work for a bit of relaxation. My Christmas tree is sat patiently in the box to finally be put up, I want to get a few more decorations first. I'm looking forward to the fun of tree dressing, Christmas tunes and some baileys over ice. I plan to do lots of baking in the coming weeks, I have a special way of making mince pies which just beats all the shop bought ones.

Do you have any special plans for the month ahead?

Sam

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Doing Advent Differently #ReverseAdvent | #Blogmas Day 1

Hi, As you can see from the title I'm doing Blogmas, or at least I'm going to try. It's the first day of advent and I wanted to let you know that I'm doing things differently. I can't remember where I first heard about the concept but I received an email from Co-op promoting #ReverseAdvent (this post was planned way before this). I doubt it's a new idea but I wanted to do my bit to make someones Christmas.

To do your own #ReverseAdvent simply put an item of food in a box for the 24 days of advent and on Christmas Eve go and donate it to a local food charity. I think the idea works really well if you've got children to show them that not everyone is going to have a care free Christmas, but by being caring they can help (humanity at it's best). I personally think I'll box up the products and donate them well before Christmas Eve so the staff have time to distribute the food so it can make a difference to someones Christmas.

People find themselves in need of help from food banks for a whole range of reasons and commonly it's people who have suddenly been made redundant from a job or got a large unexpected bill that they find themselves in need of help. The Trussell Trust is a UK charity who are trying to make food poverty a thing of the past. Most supermarkets have a donation point so you can make a difference by picking up a few extra items on your next shop and dropping them off.



The basic products you can add are none perishable food items such as dried pasta or tinned goods, anything with a really good shelf life. Christmas treat foods with a shorter shelf life are also good because they won't need to be around for long. It's up to you what you want to add so if you've got toys or toiletries that's great, but make sure that the charity you plan to donate to can accept that type of item. After some research into my local food bank they have a Christmas donation list and a list of highly needed items which I will be adding to my donation.

What do you think of this concept, will you be taking part? #ReverseAdvent

Sam

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This post is not sponsored.
Co-op had #ReverseAdvent packs available to the general public, sadly they are all gone now.

Reading Roundup | November Book Reviews

Hi, This month I've managed to finish off three books. This means I'm in a great place for my Goodreads challenge and that I only need to read three more books in December to hit my target of 35 books. This month I have been reading mostly young adult novels, one of which has been on my TBR since spring.

November Reading Roundup - Year Book Count 32

Armarda

Author - Ernest Cline
Page Count - 349
First Published - 2015

After reading and loving 'Ready Player One' last year I have been really looking forward to reading Cline's follow up Armarda. This book is one for sci-fi lovers and gamers, it links back to a lot of real world entertainment and asks some interesting questions. One thing to note if reading this after ready player one is that it is a totally different story and should not be compared.

Zack Lightman is a teenage boy and an avid gamer, clocking in several hours on his favourite game 'Armarda' every day. Zack's father died when he was just a baby, leaving a collection of 80's music and films as the only thing Zack has to connect with him. One day Zack spots a UFO straight out of Armada flying around his high school and he instantly thinks he's losing his mind. Soon after he's called into service as one of the best online fighter pilots to save the world from an alien invasion.

For me the story took too long to get to any real action and then the action was rushed. There's a lot of name dropping of shows and other games over and over which just made me feel like the author was just upping the word count. It is Cline's style to reference 80's pop culture but it got stale quickly. I think this is truly a book for fans of a certain type of fandom and will be loved but for me it was hard work to finish.

Asking For It

Author - Louise O'Neill
Page Count - 340
First Published - 2015

Another book that I've been looking forward to reading after the authors debut novel is 'Asking for it'. This was interesting on a few levels and I don't think anyone would say that they enjoyed reading this book due to the story focus of rape. Again this is a book I feel was slightly spoilt by my comparison to O'Neill's debut 'Only Ever Yours' which I think everyone should read.

Emma is the most beautiful girl in her town and she knows it. She's really rather a bitch, pointing out her friends worst features and giving bad advice. All the guys want her and she's happy to oblige as long as they keep it quiet. One particular party things get out of hand, she drinks too much and takes drugs, the next morning she remembers nothing of the night before. It's not until later that the Facebook page surfaces and she see's why people are sniggering behind her back.

O'Neill writes Emma as should a hard character to make you the reader queastion was she asking for it? After all if she was nicer to her friends surely someone would have looked after her. If she wasn't dressed to show off her figure in a tiny dress, she wouldn't have been the focus for the abuse. Was it her self obsessed characteristic that made her attacker think she deserved it.

Overall the book is an interesting read and I wouldn't discourage people from reading it (it could be quite triggering). My only real issue with the book is the cliff hanger ending which is purposeful and will not be answered. It's O'Neill's way of asking you to make your own decisions of what the outcome should be.

I'll Give You The Sun

Author - Jandy Nelson
Page Count - 429
First Published - 2015

So I've just finished this book and don't have time to fully digest the ending as it's the night before this post is scheduled but I can say I enjoyed it a lot. This was previously a book within the #sassybooks club which I missed out on reading and have wanted to read ever since.

The blurb of this book gives very little away apart from it's LGBT content. The story is about twins Noah and Jude, they are so close until one day tragedy hits their family and lies tear them apart. The book is written from the perspectives of Noah and Jude separately at different times in their life's. I found the chapters (which where more like sections) to be too long. It's a hard book to leave mid section which took away from the reading experience (so if possible make time to indulge in this book).

The story for me was a slow burner, Noah's sections are stronger and I connected more with his character but come the end I loved them both the same. There's a bit of jumping around with the time setting but it's simple to follow and the story gives away just enough information to keep you reading on. Without giving too much away the ending was just what I needed after investing my time into these characters.

Have you read any good books recently?

Sam

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