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Archive for December, 2013
Best Of 2013
2
5 years
by Naomi in General
With only a few hours left of 2013, I thought I’d put together a reflective post of my ‘Best Ofs’ from the last twelve months, both blog-related and things that I’ve generally enjoyed this year. 2013 has been fairly eventful for me, what with getting starting to keep rats again after a five-year hiatus, finishing university, working more regular hours, and moving my blog to its own domain, thus growing its success. Luckily I’ve also had a lot of time for leisure, and managed to fit in some exciting trips and weekends away. So without further ado, here is my Best Of 2013.
TV Show: Breaking Bad
Now, I’m only three seasons in to Breaking Bad, so I haven’t yet seen the final one which aired this year, but Breaking Bad is easily my favourite TV show of 2013. I’m not usually one for following series (I’m more of a documentaries kinda girl), but I started watching Breaking Bad a month or two ago, and nothing on television has ever got me as hooked as this has. I genuinely have no idea what I’ll do without it.
Film: Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
Out of all the films I’ve seen at the cinema this year, ‘Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa’ stands out as the best. There’s nothing like a good British film, and it had me laughing all the way through. Admittedly, Alan Partridge as a character is an acquired taste, but I’ve always been a fan and I think the film did him justice (others I know would disagree, however).
Theatre: War Horse & Sweeney Todd
I was lucky enough to go to the theatre several times this year and I found it hard to pick a winner, so there are two. After years of wanting to see it, I saw the stage version of ‘War Horse’ at the Birmingham Hippodrome, and it was more beautiful than I had imagined. The puppetry was incredible and I shed many a tear. I would love to see it again, perhaps in London next time.
Source: Birmingham Hippodrome
I also went to see the Curve Community Production of ‘Sweeney Todd’ in August, at the Curve in Leicester. I’m not usually a fan of musicals, but I love the story of Sweeney Todd, and the quality of both the acting and the set were so high that I was instantly transfixed. My fiancé’s sister was in it too!
Book: Stonemouth by Iain Banks
‘Stonemouth’ by Iain Banks was actually published in 2012, but I didn’t get round to reading it until this year. I’ve been fond of Iain Banks’ writing ever since reading ‘The Wasp Factory’ when I was a teenager, and ‘Stonemouth’ is a classic Banks story. The characters are well developed and I couldn’t put the book down, which is always a good sign! I won’t say too much about it as to avoid spoilers, but I’d definitely recommend it to those who like fiction set in the real world. Unfortunately, Iain Banks passed away earlier this year after a short battle with cancer (RIP), and I for one am really sad that he is no longer here to write any more brilliant books, but at least he can live on in his existing literary legacy.
Gig: Sleepwalk City by 65daysofstatic, Sheffield
I tend to go to quite a few gigs every year, and 2013 was no different, but the best gig of the year wasn’t a straightforward one. It was actually a live sound and visual installation called ‘Sleepwalk City’, in an art gallery in Sheffield, performed by my favourite instrumental post-rock band 65daysofstatic. In short, the idea was to become immersed in sound, and the 30 minute performance for a select number of people was one of the most interesting and overwhelming musical experiences that I’ve ever had.
Celebrity: Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul, aka Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad, is my absolute favourite celebrity of 2013, for many, many reasons. As BuzzFeed quite rightly said, Aaron Paul Was The King of 2013, Bitch, so visit the article to find out why!
Source: Instagram
Eatery: Spanky Van Dyke’s & Cornucopia
Spanky Van Dyke’s is a bar on Nottingham which sells some of the best burgers I have ever tasted. Their homemade fries and desserts are amazing too! I’ve been there countless times this year (usually before heading to a gig), and I always enjoy it. My menu recommendation is the Shroomaloomi burger, which is stuffed full of flat mushrooms and grilled halloumi, mmmm.
Another of my best eateries of 2013 has to be Cornucopia in Dublin. I can honestly say it is hands down the best vegetarian/vegan restaurant I have ever been to. It’s a little on the pricey side, but the atmosphere is relaxed, the food is all homemade and they experiment (and succeed) with unusual ingredients, so it’s well worth the money.
City: Dublin
In September my fiancé and I went to Dublin in Ireland for a short holiday, and we had an absolutely lovely time. The city itself has so much to offer – so much to see and do, and I’d love to go back to see and do what we missed the first time! Whilst there we did the touristy thing and went to Dublin Zoo, Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse and Croke Park, but we also spent a lot of time relaxing in the local parks (and pubs!)
Achievement: Becoming a Master of the Arts
After two years of studying hard and writing essays, and a summer spent writing my 20,000 word dissertation, I finally finished my Masters degree in Modern Literature in September. I passed, with Merit, and I am so, so happy and proud. Bring on graduation in January 2014!
Blog Post: Interview Review: Superdrug Colour Rewind Hair Colour Remover
After looking at my blog stats for this year, my most popular blog post, with the most views, is the Interview Review I did with my sister about Superdrug’s Colour Rewind Hair Colour Remover.
Giveaway: JollyChic $100 Fashion Giveaway
I’ve ran a few giveaways in partnership with several companies throughout the year, but the one with the most entries has been the JollyChic Giveaway to win $100 to spend on fashion. The giveaway is actually still open, and is running until January 12th, so if you want to enter click here!
PR Product: Helvin DUO Boots
I received a lot of gorgeous PR products and samples this year, and I found it difficult to choose a favourite, but in the end these Helvin DUO Boots triumphed. They’re top quality and look fantastic on – you can read my full review here.
Fashion Item: Primark Winter Coat
The best fashion item I have purchased in 2013 has to be my winter coat from Primark. As my review says… ‘Every year I end up trailing around shops for hours, trying on coats that just don’t look or feel right, before eventually settling for something that I don’t particularly like. This year, however, was different. I walked into Primark, picked up the first coat that caught my eye, tried it on and, much to my surprise, I loved it! And, to make things even better, it only cost £25 – a third of what last year’s coat cost me.’
Beauty Product: INIKA Certified Organic Liquid Foundation
I struggle to find foundations to suit my skin tone, let alone ones that are natural, vegan and cruelty free, so when I discovered INIKA’s Certified Organic Liquid Foundation I was very happy, as it fulfils all of the above criteria! You can see my swatches and read my review here.
Skin Care Product: Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Hand Cream
My favourite skin care product of the year is one I haven’t got round to reviewing yet – Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Hand Cream. Every winter my hands get so dry that they actually crack and bleed, but this year I found the cure. At £9 for a 75ml tube it’s not the cheapest, but it actually works and that’s what matters! I’ll be reviewing it next month so keep an eye out if you’re interested in hearing more.
What are your 2013 ‘Best Ofs’? I hope you all have a happy new year!
Naomi x
What I Got For Christmas
3
5 years
by Naomi in Hauls
Hi everyone,
I hope you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. My Christmas was spent at home with family, as is traditional, and was filled with lots of food and games!
I was very lucky this year and received a lot of lovely gifts, some that I’d asked for and some that were a complete surprise. I love being nosy and seeing what other people got for Christmas, so I thought I’d do a similar post and share my haul with you too!
Dove Gift Set / Snow Fairy Shower Gel / OPI Nail Lacquer x 2 / The Body Shop Body Butter / 17 Nail Polish / Ghost Captivating Perfume / Scholl i-Pop Massager
Snood / Butterfly Hair Clip / Socks / Kitty Slippers / Owl Mittens
Monsters University Shower Set / Monsters University Glow in the Dark PJs
Agate Necklace / Amethyst Silver Ring / Copper Spiral Amethyst Pendant
Black Stud Bag
Ratty Compact Mirror
Kurt Geiger Sally Ankle Boots / Kurt Geiger Brace Wedges
Sugar Skull Money Box / Owl and Star Photo Frame / Salads Recipe Book / Dinosaur Cushion / Rocket Tea Infuser
The Dark Knight Manual / Batman Arkham Asylum Anniversary Edition Graphic Novel
Breaking Bad DVD Box Set / Skullcandy 50/50 Earphones
Rats 2014 Calendar / 2014 Button Diary
Lots of chocolate!
What did you get for Christmas this year?
Naomi x
F&F Paper Doll Party Looks – Part 2
1
5 years
For the second part of my entry into the #FFPaperDollParty styling challenge, I have put together four more looks for the party season. I’ve had so much fun dressing up my personalised paper doll with the peel off clothes that came with her, so I hope you enjoy seeing the outfits I’ve created for her!
December Birthday Party
Everyone has that one friend or relative with a December birthday, and I actually think it’s quite nice to get away from everything Christmas-related for one night, so for a December Birthday Party I went for this pretty Rose Print Shift Dress. It isn’t overly festive and could easily be worn at any time of year, so would make a great wardrobe staple for 2014.
Night In
Whether you’re lazing around watching TV, having a girly evening with friends or playing board games with the family, a festive night in is an absolute necessity at this time of year. If you’re not going out you don’t have to dress up, but you can still look good whilst being comfortable by teaming a gorgeous camisole with a pair of cosy leggings.
Night Out
For a night out this black Tuxedo Playsuit would be perfect. The classic cut and satin trim are really chic, and teamed with your favourite heels, a cute clutch and some statement jewellery you’d be effortlessly party-ready. The red version is also really eye-catching if black isn’t your thing.
Bar with Boyfriend
If you’re heading to a fancy bar with your boyfriend for a few drinks, these Leather-Look Trousers and Sequin Sleeve Jacket are classy and smart, but also have a bit of an edge, especially with just a pretty basque underneath! The Sequin Sleeve Jacket is easily my favourite piece from F&F’s partywear collection – it’s stunning, and so versatile.
Which look is your favourite?
Naomi x
F&F Paper Doll Party Looks – Part 1
1
5 years
Having been off work for Christmas for over a week already, I’ve had a lot of time on my hands, so earlier this week I decided to play around with my personalised paper doll from F&F at Tesco, and put together some party looks for the #FFPaperDollParty competition. I even created a little catwalk for my mini-me to pose on! I’ve created an outfit for every festive celebration I could think of (plus one for going back to work in the New Year), so I thought I’d share them all with you.
Work Christmas Party
A lot of work Christmas parties tend to happen straight after work, so I thought I’d put together an outfit that could be worn at work during the day, and effortlessly transformed into something gorgeous for the evening. I love how pretty this Floral Scuba Skirt is. It looks smart teamed with a black blazer, but remove the blazer to reveal a pretty top and you’re ready to party!
Meal with Friends
A Christmas catch-up meal with friends calls for something more casual, so I opted for this cute Gem Collar Skater Dress and leggings. The sparkly detail on the dress is also really glam, so you can look fab whilst feeling comfortable! A loose-fitting dress like this also enables you to eat more, haha.
Christmas Eve Party
For a Christmas Eve party I chose this beautiful red Strapless Tailored Jumpsuit as it’s suitably festive, and looks effortlessly chic. Christmas Eve is a busy day for most of us, so to be able to throw on something this simple and still look amazing is always a bonus. If you’re worried about getting a bit cold though, it’d look amazing with a Sequin Sleeve Jacket worn over the top.
Christmas Day
I like to look and feel good on Christmas day, so I always buy myself a fab new dress to wear. This Floral Scuba Dress is just the ticket, and the classic cut would suit any age, and any size.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is usually a lazy day spent recovering from the previous day’s antics and over-indulgence, so a Trumpet Top like this would hide any evidence of having eaten far too much! I love the contrasting black leather-look panel on the front the top too, and it’s bang on trend. Dress it down with a pair of Leather-Look Trousers, black skinnies or leggings, and you’re ready to go.
Sale Shopping
Once I’ve recovered from Christmas day, I like to hit the shops and try and grab a few sale bargains. Wandering around the cold winter shopping streets calls for a coat, and this red Skater Skirted Coat is stunning! I’ve always been a fan of red coats as they’re real attention grabbers, and this one is no different. Again, team it with some black leggings and a cute top and you’re ready to shop ’til you drop!
Last Minute Party
Ever been invited to a party last minute and not had anything to wear? Panic! Well, there’d be no need to panic with this blue Tie Waist Dress in your wardrobe. You could put it on with minutes to spare and still look the belle of the ball, and who wouldn’t want that? The colour is absolutely wonderful, and something a little bit different from the usual Christmas colours.
New Year Party
New Year is the perfect time to pull on your favourite LBD and work the room. I’m a big, big fan of Little Black Dresses, so I found it hard to choose between these two beauties. The Embellished Cuff Dress has beautiful sparkly cuffs, and a flattering tunic cut so would hide any lumps and bumps. The Satin Ruched Support Dress is perhaps my winner though, as it’s simple, but still a show stopper. I also really like the V neck. Which would you choose?
Back to Work
Now, I know we don’t want to think about it just yet, but after all this celebrating we have to go back to work (boo!), so we might as well do it in style! Again, the blazer makes an appearance, with a pretty camisole top and, for a bit of glitz to remind us of the previous weeks’ festivities, a Gem Embellished Pencil Skirt.
Which look is your favourite? Check back soon for more #FFPaperDollParty entries!
Naomi x
Last Minute Gift Ideas… For Your Cat!
1
5 years
by Naomi in Pets
With only three sleeps to go until Christmas Day, I’m sure we’ve all got our shopping pretty much done and dusted by now. But have you forgotten anyone? What about your pets? I always, always buy my pets a couple of little treats at Christmas, and this year I was kindly gifted a few bits and pieces by Pets at Home to give to my cats, Moo and Moth. Here’s what they received, and here’s what the cats think of them…
Door Hanging Santa Face – £6.00 / Reindeer Cat Teaser – £3.00 / Webbox Cats Delight Tasty Sticks – £1.00 / Catnip Flavoured Santa – £2.50
Moth always loves chasing anything dangly, so her favourite toy is the Reindeer Teaser, even if she’s too lazy to get up off the sofa to play with it! This toy seems quite robust so hopefully it will last a bit longer than their toys usually do, and at £3.00 it’s reasonably priced too.
The Door Hanging Santa Face is a firm favourite with Moo, although we aren’t too keen on having his claws near the wooden door, so we hold it up for him instead! This toy is quite large and has multiple, well made strands hanging from it that the cats love to attack, as you can see. This one costs a bit more at £6, but given its size and quality it’s well worth it.
The cats have had these Webbox treat sticks before and they always enjoy them. They even pull them out of the packet themselves if you open it for them first! I can’t find these on the Pets at Home website but I think they come in at £1 a pack, which if you don’t want to spend much is ideal.
When I first opened this Santa treat all hell broke loose! It’s catnip flavoured and the cats could smell it straight away, and were all over the packaging whilst I photographed it. When I gave it to them they pounced on it and had a nice little munch before I took it away from them. They can have more of that at a later date! These are £2.50 each and they’re a good size, and will last a while if you limit how much you give at a time. It’s such a good idea too, being able to give your pet a ‘chocolate’ santa at Christmas along with the rest of the family.
Pets at Home also have a fab Cat Christmas Stocking available for £5.00, which contains a few toy mice, balls and pom-poms, two packets of treats and a carton of cat milk, as well as other gifts for cats, dogs and small pets, to suit all budgets. So, if you still need to pick up some Christmas presents for your pets, Pets at Home is the place to go!
Naomi x
*These Pets at Home cat Christmas gifts were sent to me for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
JollyChic $100 Fashion Giveaway
74As a little treat over Christmas and New Year, I have teamed up with online fashion retailer JollyChic to bring you another exciting giveaway. The giveaway is open internationally so anyone can enter, and the prize is a massive $100 to spend on anything you like at JollyChic.com. Free delivery to anywhere in the world will be included too, so you don’t have to worry about high shipping costs! JollyChic stock a wide range of women’s clothing, shoes, bags and accessories, so what better way to start 2014 than with a brand new wardrobe?
There are two mandatory things you must do to enter… Firstly, you must subscribe to Bewitchery via email using the ‘Follow Me’ box in the side bar of my blog. Then, you must create an account on the JollyChic website. If you’re the lucky winner your $100 prize will be credited to this account, so please enter valid details when registering.
To enter, please complete the above steps and use the Rafflecopter form below to submit your entries. You can then earn extra entries if you wish!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The giveaway will run for 3 weeks and will end at midnight on January 12th 2014. The winner will then be chosen at random via Rafflecopter, and contacted via email once their entry has been verified. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Please note that the prize cannot be turned into cash.
Good luck!
Naomi x
Ted Baker iPad Case Giveaway Winner!
0My week-long giveaway to win a Ted Baker iPad Case closed at midnight last night, and as promised I will now announce the winner! The winner was chosen at random via Rafflecopter, and the winning entry is Number 119, which belongs to…
Emma from A Touch of Sparkle!
Congratulations Emma 
Please email your postal address to , and I will pass it onto Cruise Fashion who will send out your prize as soon as possible.
Thanks very much to everyone who entered – please check back later this weekend for a brand new international giveaway, with a $100 prize!
Also, thank you very much to Cruise Fashion for sponsoring this giveaway in celebration of the opening of their new Leicester store. The store is located in the beautiful 19th Century building on the corner of Church Gate (opposite the clock tower), so stop by if you get the chance!
Naomi x
F&F Paper Doll Party Style Challenge
2
5 years
Earlier this week I received a lovely little surprise in the post from F&F at Tesco. I had no idea what the parcel was going to be, and when I opened it I found this prettily wrapped box, containing another, smaller box with a little clue on the front – the hashtag #FFPaperDollParty. Once I opened the second box, all was revealed through a note explaining what the parcel was about…
F&F are running a styling competition for fashion bloggers, and each blogger has received a personalised paper doll with a selection of key pieces from the F&F Christmas Collection to style their doll with. Bloggers must then share their Paper Doll style using the #FFPaperDollParty hashtag, to be in with a chance of winning an all-expenses paid Luxury F&F Experience. How exciting is that?!
The box also contained yet another box, which had four beautifully iced fashion-inspired biscuits inside. These were from London company Biscuiteers, and they’re just lovely!
I really can’t wait to start styling my paper doll, so keep an eye out on blog and Twitter for the different looks that I create!
Naomi x
What I Wore: Bitch
3
5 years
by Naomi in Fashion
I know I’m a few years behind the universe on this one, but I recently started watching Breaking Bad and, just as the rest of you were, I am well and truly hooked! So much so that I just had to add something Breaking Bad related to my wardrobe. Jesse Pinkman is my favourite character (he’s just so well written), and I love the fact that he single-handedly revived the word ‘bitch’ from the bottom of the 90s insult bin, so this t-shirt is my tribute to Jesse and his famous catchphrase.
Jonny Cotton Jesse Pinkman ‘Bitch’ T-Shirt / New Look Black Skinny Jeans / Schuh Black Biker Boots
I ordered the t-shirt from an eBay shop called Jonny Cotton. I was slightly worried at first as it’s impossible to judge the quality of t-shirts like this on eBay, but I’m really pleased with it. Both the fabric and the print are great quality, and at £7.99 with free postage it was an absolute bargain. I’m usually a size 12 but I ordered a men’s medium as, being 5’10”, I often find women’s tees to be too short in the body and I wanted something baggier, and it fits really nicely and isn’t too shapeless. I’d definitely recommend Jonny Cotton for printed tees.
I teamed the t-shirt with my go-to black skinny jeans from New Look, and a pair of black biker boots from Schuh that I found lurking under my bed. I must have had them for about five years now and I wasn’t too keen on them at first, hence why they were under my bed, but they’re starting to grow on me now.
Do you like Breaking Bad? I’d love to hear your thoughts. But please, no spoilers!
Naomi x
‘Spend or Save’ Fashion and Beauty Christmas Gift Guide
2Whether you’re on a tight budget, or you’re able to flash the cash this Christmas, today’s festive post features a selection of ‘Spend or Save’ fashion and beauty gift ideas for women. The ‘Spend’ section includes a variety of luxury options for those who want to spend that little bit more on a loved one, and the ‘Save’ section includes some great alternatives that are just as good, but don’t cost the Earth.
Spend:
Alexander Wang Kirsten Bag $295 from ialexanderwang.com / Jurlique Rose Shower Gel (300ml) £14.40 from LookFantastic / Urban Decay Naked2 Palette £33.30 (was £37.00) from Debenhams / Ciaté Tree Trinkets £21.00 (was £30.00) for 6 from Ciate / No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum (30ml) £23.95 from Boots / Dr Martens Cherry Red 1460 Boots £100 from Dr Martens
Save:
Multi Belt Two Way Bag £38 from Rings & Tings / Bayliss & Harding Wild Rose and Raspberry Leaf Shower Creme £1.99 from Superdrug / MUA Undress Me Too Palette £4 from MUA / Lacura Multi Intensive Serum Aqua £3.49 from Aldi / Limited Collection Mini Nail Polish & Lip Gloss Bauble £5.00 each from M&S / Burgundy Boots £24.99 from H&M
I’ve been lusting after Alexander Wang’s Kirsten Bag for ages, but it’s really quite expensive and difficult to track down, so when I spotted the copy on Rings & Tings I just had to share it with you all! I don’t yet have either bag myself, but from photographs the copy looks pretty impressive.
I currently have both the Jurlique and the Bayliss & Harding rose shower gels in my bathroom, and they are equally lovely. The Jurlique one foams better, but each has a distinct sweet rose scent and luxurious packaging, making them both gift-worthy.
The Urban Decay Naked2 palette is perhaps one of the most highly sought after beauty products in the blogosphere, so would make an excellent gift for any beauty blogger. If it’s a bit out of your budget though, MUA’s Undress Me Too palette is the perfect dupe. I have it myself and the eyeshadows are all excellent quality, and at £4.00 you really can’t complain!
I’m new to serums, but have recently started to use the Lacura Multi Intensive Serum from Aldi. It’s aimed at women aged 25-35, so I’m almost in that age bracket, and it makes your skin feel so soft and plump. It’s lovely, and an absolute steal, but if you want to gift a more classic brand then No.7 is the way to go.
When I first put this guide together, Ciaté’s Tree Trinkets were £30 for the set, but they have now been reduced to £21 which is actually a pretty good deal, especially if you want to split the set up as smaller gifts. If you want more for your money however, M&S’s beauty bauble contains a nail polish and two miniature lip glosses for £5. I also spotted a Primark equivalent earlier this week, costing £2 for a bauble containing 3 little lip glosses, which is even better value for money!
I absolutely adore Dr Martens and am building up quite a collection. They last forever and, once they’ve been broken in, are incredibly comfortable. But if you’re looking for a cheaper version for your fashion-loving friend this Christmas, H&M’s burgundy boots look fab.
Check back soon for another ‘Spend or Save’ gift guide!
Naomi x
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