Goodbye 2012

Christmas has past and the magic of the festive period is nearly over, which makes me really sad as it is my favourite time of the year. I can't believe 2012 is over in a couple of hours but to be honest I'll be glad to welcome in a new year. This year has had some amazing highs but also some incredibly low points but I've learnt a lot and am ready for a fresh start with a positive outlook for the year ahead.

To start this new year on a positive note, lets concentrate on the things I'm grateful for this month:

* Matt

* My grandparents and spending more time with them

* A warm house and eating copious amounts of food

* Being spoilt over Christmas

* Log fires and the smell of the Christmas tree

* Time to read for luxury, not just towards my degree

* Long lie-ins

* Feeling relaxed and content for the first time in a long while

* Spending more time with Matt's friends and family

This New Years Matt and I are spending it down in Exeter at a house party, what are you doing to bring in the New Year? And what do you wish to achieve in 2013? xxx

Source

Review: No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water

No7 Cleansing Water for Normal/Oily Skin // £9 // 200ml

After seeing loads of rave reviews on various cleansing waters, I thought I would ditch the face wipes (which are a beauty sin to use anyway) and try them out. I chose this one to try first as I had a £5 off voucher from Boots so it was only £4 for me. I like the pump action of the bottle, however it really isn't travel friendly as although the pump is meant to lock, if it is tipped slightly I found that the bottle leaks quite a lot.

When I bought it I wasn't aware that you can't use it for eye make up as well so that was a disappointment as well as I don't want to have to add an extra product into my routine. The liquid smells a bit like simple face wipes and was gentle and cooling to apply - it is hypo-allergenic so also suitable for sensitive skin. However, I found that even with barely any make up on I had to use a lot of liquid and cotton pads to take it off and even then this product sort of pushed the product around my face rather than taking it completely off. Luckily, I like to double cleanse, so the use of face wipes and waters for me are to take away the excess of my make up and then I follow up with a thorough cleanse using Liz Earle's cleanse and polish. I wouldn't recommend using this by itself as it didn't take off my make up effectively and after use instead of leaving my face refreshed it felt like it had an oily film over it. I also havn't noticed any difference towards oil production or the tightening of pores either.

Overall this product really disappointed me and wasn't the best start into the world of water cleansers. I wouldn't recommend this product as it had a lot of cons for me and not a lot of pros - the only good thing was the pump action.

Have you tried this product before? What cleansing waters would you suggest? xxx

Lifestyle: Harry Potter Tour

A few weeks ago, Matt took me on a surprise trip to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Tour (what a lovely boyfriend I have!) I really like Harry Potter although I'm not as obsessed as other people (I'm looking at you Matt), but I still enjoyed myself so much. I think it is a great trip for all ages and there is so many aspects to it you can spend hours there and really get your moneys worth, which is what we did! 

One of the best aspects of the tour was that you are given a time slot so it is never overcrowded and don't have to queue too long to get into the tour. I won't give too much away in case you would like to experience it yourself, but there are different stages to the tour which keep it interesting: firstly, a cinema experience, then into the great hall and a look at all the sets and props with insights to various aspects of the production etc, then outside sets with a chance to taste some butterbeer, onto prosthetics and special effects, diagon alley, a massive model of hogwarts they used for outside scenes and finally a look into olivander's wand shop. 

The tour reminded me a little of Cadbury world due to the different sections and the many chances for photos! There was so much to look at and enjoy, with my favourite parts being diagon alley, trying some butterbeer (nothing how I thought it would be - see pic above!) and having a look at the inside sets. The gift shop is also AMAZING, there is soooo much choice although it is obviously quite pricey! I really regret not getting a time turner key ring and chocolate frog, but we got a packet of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans (Matt got sick flavour 3 times in a row haha) a big mug for me and a chocolate wand to share.

It was such a lovely afternoon out and something different for us to do together. I really recommend it for all ages and I would even go again! There were loads more pictures but I didn't want to give too much away as you all need to go and experience it for yourselves.

Have you been to this tour? xxx