Gift's For Him

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

I am pleased to say I am over half done (yay me) and I know lots of you will be even more prepared and will be almost done. But for those who are looking for some little gifts, some inspiration or just want to get a Secret Santa for someone (male), I wanted to do a few gift guides to tie in with my festive posts.  As i mentioned before i LOVE Christmas, I actually love to give gifts more than receive, maybe it's because I'm a pro-shopper, but i really do enjoy researching items and buying things that match their likes and personality.

Today I'm starting with the fellas for the first gift guide. Now, I don't know about you but I find that the chaps are usually hardest to buy for, normally because if there's something they want, they generally go out and buy it themselves.

This year myself and Salvatore (the husband) aren't doing gifts to each other (read why here) but the kids will still get him a few small pressies and I assist in the buying. 

So without further a do.. here it is!

1. Merchandise Tee

There are so many great band tee's out there right now,  I know my husband would LOVE this classic Led Zeppelin tee, but there is definitely a whole plethora to choose from with one fitting the genre of your man's choice. There's films: Marvel say or TV programmes: Game of thrones being very popular of course, so you can't really go wrong. These are also great for the wife/girlfriend to steal and wear 😉

2. Smart Watch

Men love a good gadget. I think its like their inner boy child that never grows up, the love for gadgets that are like toys to them.

These have come down a lot in price since they came out a couple of years ago, making them more accessible for all. I've gone for the Sony S3 smart watch here, with a slimline design and compatible with android devices and perfect for interfacing with your phone. 

3. Man Bag

Controversial? (are you thinking of Joey from Friends with his man bag 😂? ) But instead of them (them being the blokes) giving you their wallet, keys and anything else they can't fit in their jean pockets, how about heir own bag? My husband got his first man bag last year for work relates stuff. I will be honest, I laughed and laughed and laughed. But when i stopped laughing i saw it was actually pretty good. I think if you go for a more Indiana Jones satchel look it can be pretty useful. It can also fit laptops, and all the other male paraphernalia that they generally like to carry around. 

4. Gaming/ Computer Chair

Is your husband a gamer? Or does he sit at the computer a lot? Mine does both. For an avid gamer or even a hard worker, a great chair would be a brilliant practical present. The one I've linked to above is pretty suave too, just make sure it fits with you're decor or is out of the way, 'cos you're the one who also has to look at it ;)

5. Vinyl

Did you know Vinyl is having a major come back, to the point where even the bigger supermarkets are stocking records. Records have never gone from our house as Salvatore has collected them for years. But without a doubt, they make a perfect gift each year as there is always a new record to be found to give. If they don't have a collection, Christmas could be the perfect time to start a new tradition that could be built on year on year. Obviously if its new you may need to buy a record player too ;) This compact retro style is my absolute favourite. i think i could lay money on this being a great gift for almost any man. Buy a few records from their favourite bands and you have just become the ultimate gift giver 😉

6. Novelty Socks

Goes without saying really doesn't it? Perfect stocking filler, plus men always need socks, its a fact.

Love these Deadpool ones.

7. A Cosy Hat for the cold.

Thoughtful. Show you care with a nice warm hat for his lovely head 😁

Now there are a ton of things you could get, aftershave, the latest team kit, PS/XBox/PC game, personalised mouse mats, but hopefully these ideas have helped get the present ideas flowing for you.

Do you have any great ideas to share? Don't worry i don't think he'll be reading 😂

Autumn Capsule Outfits (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

Apologies folks for not having a proper outfit post with 'proper' photos (ie with the DSLR) but the week as just escaped me somehow. And with my photographer (the husband) who works long late hours all over the UK and the early dark nights (its dark at 4.45pm!) It just hasn't been my week for photos. But daily little snaps of my outfits, well those i do have.
I've been having so much fun with my Autumn Capsule. Most of it will in-fact be continued through to the Winter capsule, but with a few additions of some more chunky knit wear as the temperatures are plummeting.
I'm also going to have a few flexi items for the festive season too (a festive jumper perhaps) but needless to say, i shall go in to the Winter Capsule come December.
But anyway, there are some definite pieces I have been absolutely loving this autumn and wear on constant repetition.

Here are my top picks for an Autumn Capsule:

My beloved Levi Jeans which as i mentioned are the best fit jeans i've worn in years. The 'Mile High super skinny' is high waisted and don't sag.. these jeans are my absolute favourite skinnies.

A Camel coat is a huge player come autumn. I would not be without mine. It's this coats 3rd winter out already.

Knitted dress I have literally lived in mine which is from Madewell but BB Dakota have some amazing options too.

Vegan Biker Jacket by Blank Denim.. still besotted with this.

A tartan scarf.. perfect for autumn.

What are your Autumn Essentials?

An InLinkz Link-up

Do you have a Signature Scent? My new Favourite perfume

Do you have a signature scent?

I have been a serial perfume flitter for years. Perfume is a pretty special thing in my eyes, scent in general is actually. I remember my mum's perfume when I was a child was Opium by YSL, by Dad wore Paco Rabanne. I remember being 13 years old and walking around the only and tiny department store( it was called Dan Evans, it had the smallest Topshop concession in it too, this is also where my love of shopping began) we had in our small town and standing and testing the perfumes. My favourite was Dolce Vita by Christian Dior. It was so strong, yet to me it smelled like a sophisticated women, an opulent smell that made me want to be a grown up.

Then in later years, out of my first pay pack, I bought my first ever perfume Ghost, I used to spray it on so liberally you could smell me coming from a mile off. 

But i loved it.

My first holiday as a young adult i bought Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue, which now always evokes memories of fun filled sunny summers.

I think that's it, a perfume doesn't only make us well scented, it also captures a time, the sheer whiff of a particular fragrance brings back memories and emotions.

Do you remember your first fragrance?

Now is the perfect time to find your perfect scent or experiment and find a new fragrance, 

as there are lots of offers on Perfumes for Christmas and great sets to buy, as gifts or like me for yourself. I wanted to find my own scent, so instead of wait for a gift, i bought myself a little present of a gift set from me to me.. Why not ladies.. we deserve to treat ourselves too don't we?

When i became vegan, as i've mentioned previously, a lot of my cosmetics and beauty products became obsolete to me as they were from companies who's ethics weren't in line with my own. So i got to researching. 

I wanted to find my signature scent. I wanted a fragrance that as my children grow they will remember, and hopefully if they ever catch a smell of it, it will evoke wonderful motherly memories for them. 

Plus i just really like to smell nice.

Stella McCartney produces fine fragrances that are all cruelty free and vegan.

And also, they smell absolutely divine.

I have finally found my signature scent.

Stella McCartney 

Stella.

I'm no perfume expert but here is how the perfume is best described:

"The first scent from Stella McCartney, Stella, is a homage to the English rose, a powerful symbol of the English fashion designer's beloved home country, and a classic expression of femininity. The refined floral evokes a rose in full bloom in a traditional English garden with a sultry amber finish. Potent, beautiful, and unapologetically feminine, Stella's scent composition is approachable and enduring.

Soft rosy floral top notes drive the fragrance, subtly balanced with sharp, fresh mandarin essence and light peony flower.

Intensifying and elongating the opening notes, the heart is pure rose, to represent absolute femininity.

Stella's base notes give a strong, sensual finish. Resonating up through the rose accord, the amber's timbre develops the traditional floral, making it bold and sexy."

I love that it is described as apologetically feminine. What a wonderful statement.
The scent is beautiful, it makes me feel feminine, I very much enjoy wearing it and I'm so glad to have finally found my signature scent.
I actually look forward to putting it on each day and the gentle scent makes me happy.


Do you have a signature scent?
Have you tried any new scents lately?

Christmas Preperation.. How do you decorate?

When i was a kid we used to have a few traditions at Christmas: We would always have a chocolate advent calendar, we would put our tree up on the 15th December, and we went all out with the decorations, with big foil garlands across the ceiling and dangly hangings, and tinsel everywhere!
Christmas was a big deal in our house, which i think is the reason why, even as an adult, i absolutely adore the festivities. To me it really is the most wonderful time of the year;)

Needless to say, as soon as Halloween is out of the way, I am already singing Christmas jingles in my head and planning my Christmas decorations.

Would it surprise you if i said, its actually only 46 days until Christmas! That's less than 50 days to get in to the festive spirit, get everything organised and have a jolly good time. Hence why i start so early. Preparation is key.. especially as a family of 5!

So i thought i would bring some festive cheer today and talk all things Christmassy and will hopefully bring a Christmas instalment each week or so, on the run up! Hopefully it may help, even if its just trigger a thought that will help you, or even point you in the right direction of a great tree or the perfect lights.

Preparation at the ready, I am already sourcing some Christmas pieces to make this the best Christmas yet, and wanted to show you some of my festive essentials.

Starting with the focal point of the decorating process. ..The Christmas Tree. High priority, the Christmas tree has to look good. Whether you buy real or artificial, your tree will always be one of the most important decorations. Did you know, when people move house and view potential properties a woman will walk in to the main living room and try and picture where the Christmas tree will go, Its true, it is that important to us. I think it signifies festive fun and love and happiness.. I know, shut up Rachel, its just a tree, but without it, Christmas would not be the same. We have an artificial from here and it is glorious. I would always say, if you're buying a tree, spend a little extra and get the best your budget can afford, especially if its artificial, as it will truly be an investment.

 Again.. an integral part of the festive process. I love sparkly lights, so much so that it doesn't have to be Christmas for me have them up, i indeed have some form of twinkly light up all year round. But come Decemeber, i really up the ante.
These beautiful christmas lights are my absolute favourite. Cox and Cox have some perfect christmas pieces... i was sat for ages flicking through their catalogue that dropped through my door last week.
For me its all about the stars, i love that even though they are super christmassy, i would actually keep a lot of these up all year round. Why not bring some sparkle with you the rest of the years also? The white lights mean these can work any time of year and are perfect for spending a little on, but also getting your monies worth.

 I will confess. I am not a themed decorator. As much as i would love to have a Christmas theme throughout my decorations, i just don't. And the reason for this is that we (the husband and I) have always always let the kids choose all the decorations and where they want to put them. They help decorate the tree and the room and their rooms just how they want it, and they love it. Each year i let them choose out a couple of new pieces each, (there are some amazing items at Matalan), and then we bring out the past years choices also, so that we keep adding to our crazy eclectic collection. Yes it sometimes looks like Christmas threw up all over our house, but they love it. And that's what its about (mostly), the kids.. seeing their little happy faces with what they have decorated.
One day when my children are grown, maybe i'll get to have my own colour co-ordinated Christmas decor ;)

I always have to start at the door, with a festive door mat and wreath, each time I come back to my door i feel a fuzzy festive feeling of home and happiness. I also love that it greets our visitors and neighbours with welcoming warm sentiment.

Image via

This is the first time I'm actually doing this after seeing it on Instagram last year and it looking so cute! Have you ever done Elf on the Shelf with your kids? And if you're like me and lived under a rock not knowing what this whole Elf game is, well google tells me this:

"By hiding in a new spot each morning around the house, the scout elf and the family play an on-going game of hide and seek. The Elf on the Shelf explains that scout elves get their magic by being named. In the back of each book, families have an opportunity to write their elf's name and the date that they adopted it."

There are some fantastic ideas on where to put the little chap, i was looking for hours recently, giggling at all the cheeky little elves and what they get up to;)

Now, I may need ideas, as creative i am not (well not in that way). But for my youngest, Neo, I can't wait to see his little face each day when the elf has been up to something funny again.

So tell me.. Do you love Christmas? Do comment below what you love about Christmas and what you start preparing first? A friend said to me last week that shes starts with the Christmas cake and it is her first step in to the festive spirit.

How do you decorate? Is it crazy like me, or do you stick to a lovely theme?

What makes you feel festive, and do you recommend anything for this Christmas fan?