12/24/2012

Merry Christmas!

Hello Everyone!


It's Christmas Eve!!!!

Woohoo!!!

While I was sitting at th computer I just wanted to post a little message of Christmas cheer and best wishes. Tomorrow I'll be out all day so won't get the opportunity to do so.



Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

....Don't eat too many mince pies now!

Ginger x




12/20/2012

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Hello Everyone! 

Today is the last day at work for me before the Christmas holidays. I should be really excited, but instead, I'm trying to squeeze all my packing in between my two shifts at work. 

Tonight; I'm driving down South to stay overnight at my parents'. 

Tomorrow, we're going on holiday!! Woohoo!! 

A part of me is going to miss the traditional Christmas, but another part of me is SOOOOO excited to be going away. We're staying in the Netherlands, and on Christmas Day, we're going to one of my favourite places in the world.... 


Efteling!!!! 

Hopefully I'll be able to blog whilst I'm away. (I've checked with my parents to make sure there's internet!!) Mama Ginger's given me a list of things I need to pack (yes, even though I'm nearly 26), and I'm in the middle of trying to decide if I really need to take 4 dresses with me for a week (it's good to have choice, right?) 


These past few weeks have been so crazy, that I'm really looking forward to 2 weeks off work to unwind. Although, there won't be a single day in those 2 weeks where I'm not doing something. I've got a full itinerary. It's very rare that I'm down with my parents for anything more than a weekend, so I'm squeezing in a tonne of visits to see my friends, to go shopping in Oxford Street, and catch up with Southern Life in general....I can see there being lots of mulled wine and mince pie consumption!! 

Yum Yum!! 

And then, when I get back, Spotto is taking me away for a surprise birthday weekend, so my head will keep spinning until at least 6th January!! I'm usually really bad at surprises, but I'm really looking forward to doing something I haven't planned for my birthday! 

It's such a crazy life!! 

Ginger x

12/08/2012

The Christmas Tag


Today, I'm feeling very festive. It was my last day at work yesterday, and was given a neautiful fairy Christmas tree ornament as a parting gift. It's the first new ornament I've put on my tree, like, ever!! 

Soooo exciting!

I found this tag on SweetieSal 's blog, and thought it would be perfect to heighten my current festive cheer!! 

I tag all of you! Post your links in the comments below!! 

What is your favourite thing about Christmas? 
There are SO many things I love about Christmas; Mince pies, mulled wine/cider, Christmas dinner, spending time with my friends and family....the list is endless! But, I'd say that the thing that really gets me excited for Christmas is buying presents for everybody. I love choosing gifts, then seeing people open them! Makes me feel so happy seeing my friends and family happy too!! 

What's your favourite make up look for the festive season? 
For a festive look, I love a neutral smokey eye (using my Naked Palette or Coastal Scents Palette) with black winged eyeliner and lots of glitter! I tend to opt for a nude lip regardless of the season, but add a pop of festive colour on my nails! 

Real Tree or Fake Tree 
Fake tree. Real trees make lots of mess, and don't last very long. My parents and I have spent a few Christmas-es at Sherwood Forest Center Parcs, and there, we got real trees, because after Christmas, Center Parcs recycle them. But I have a fake, pre-lit tree. 



Giving presents, or receiving presents? 
Giving presents! Definitely  I love choosing presents, wrapping paper, gift tags, then getting them ready under the tree and giving them to my friends and family!

Do you open your presents Christmas morning, or evening? 
It really depends on what we (my family) are doing. Usually it's in the morning, but if we're going somewhere, we save presents for later on in the day. 

Handmade cards or bought? 
If I had loads of spare time, I'd make my own cards, but I always get shop cards, and if I can, those that support a charity. 

What's your favourite Christmas film? 
There's only one option...The Muppets' Christmas Carol. In my opinion there is no better Christmas film. It was on tv last weekend when I was at my friends' house, and I got SO excited!! 

What's your favourite Christmas food and drink?
For food, it's got to be roast potatoes, with pork and apricot stuffing! It's so delicious!!!! And for drinks...mulled wine or cider! Nothing like one of those to warm your cockles! Having coffee shop drinks at Christmas time is great too because they come in festive cups!! 

Ginger x

12/04/2012

Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash | Just Add Ginger

Just Add Ginger

Lately, I have been really lazy with my skincare routine! I decided it was time to change, and picked up the Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash from Boots whilst on a shopping trip, to try and get myself into better habits! 

I have really, REALLY sensitive combination skin, so always try to go for products with natural ingredients. My skin reacts to things really easily.

The All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash is £2.66 on the Boots website. That was one of the main reasons I was drawn to it....budget busting cleanser ahoy!! 

The scent is what I would describe as "clean". There aren't any definite notes I can pick up in the smell. It just leaves your skin with a really fresh scent. Definitely my cup of tea! 

I used this cleanser twice daily for five days on the go, and for the first few days, my skin felt really soft after using the cleanser. I could feel that my skin felt cleaner. It was lovely. 

But then....something happened.

The cleanser, although leaving my cheeks super soft, left my T-zone really dry and sore. I am sure that on normal or even oily skin this cleanser would be great, but for me, using it every day was just turning out to be too much. I'm not sure what it is, but something in the ingredients is just too abrasive for my skin. 

I think the Botanics range in Boots is great. I've used products from the range before with no adverse effects. I do think though, that if you do have sensitive skin, the Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash would be much better used as a once-a-week scrub. That's what I'm going to do with mine. Hibiscus is a skin brightener, so using this will be good to lighten up duller looking skin in these Winter months! 

Christmas Is Coming | Just Add Ginger


Just Add Ginger blog

It is bitterly cold today. I have spent the last few hours curled up underneath a blanket trying to get warm. Brrrrr! 

I have been getting SOOOOOOO excited for ChristmasAnd, because I'm feeling particularly festive today, I thought I'd share some of my recent Christmas/Winter inspired Instagram pictures! 

I couldn't believe it when The Muppets' Christmas Carol came on at the weekend. It is my all time favourite Christmas film, and really got me in the Christmas mood! I've also been chow-ing down on home cooked comfort food lately, and made myself a massive batch of chilli with nachos and sour cream!

Just Add Ginger blog

Just Add Ginger blog

This hot chocolate was HUGE! The mug had two handles, and the barrista serving me had to check with me TWICE that I wanted the large! ....Of course I did!
Just Add Ginger blog
Mama Ginger came up this weekend just gone, and together, we blitzed all my Christmas shopping! I got some really cute wrapping paper from Marks and Spencer with matching gift tags. It looks so lovely. All the gifts for my friends and family are now under my tree. 

I put the tree up so early this year that I was the first out of everybody I asked to have it all ready. I held off decorating it until 30th November though. I have the lights on every evening. and it makes my whole house seem so magical.
Just Add Ginger blog

Just Add Ginger blog

And you are NEVER too old for an advent calendar!! The nostalgia having one brings to Christmas is amazing!! And the chocolate inside always tastes that extra bit yummier!
Just Add Ginger blog

Has anybody else decorated for Christmas yet? What are your festive rituals?! 

P.S: You can follow me on Instagram at @gingerjax


12/01/2012

The Get To Know Me Tag | Just Add Ginger



Just Add Ginger blog

Today, I thought it'd be quite fun to do my own Get To Know Me tag. I found some good ones from Pink Porcelain which I used to help inspire me! I know I did my Facts about Ginger series, but this gives me a chance to share some more about me with you...the big wide blogging world! 

What is your favourite season? 
Winter! I absolutely love it! When the weather starts to turn colder there's nothing I love more than curling up in my pyjamas by the fire with a blanket and mug of hot chocolate....and then of course, Winter means Christmas! Yay.

What is your favourite colour?
Green...always green! Although, over the past year, I have been really drawn to orange too! I have a luminous orange hoodie from Primark which I love, but always gets me a few looks... Jealousy! lol

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Cleanse and moisturise my face. I can be really lazy about doing this, so if I've made it my routine to do it very first thing. After that I get changed, and turn on the kettle!

Trousers or skirts? 
Skirts. Definitely! And dresses! I'm not really a trousery person....unless you count jeans. Leggings are usually my staple if I'm looking for something to wear besides a skirt or dress.

What is your favourite make up brand? 
High end I am in LOVE with MAC. If I could buy everything they produce, I would. But in reality, I only have 1 lipstick at the moment. Drugstore make up wise I tend to dabble...I love Natural Collection lipsticks, and Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation. There are too many good products out there to settle for one favourite.

How old are you?
25....almost 26....my birthday is in January. I'm trying not to think about it! 

Sweet or Savoury? 
I just love food! And what I eat really depends on my mood. I am an absolute chocoholic, but I really love cheese too! I guess at the moment, I'm eating more savoury things because I'm cooking/eating a lot more "comfort" food!

High heels or Flats?
Er...they're both shoes! Shoes are amazing!!!!! 
Okay...I'm calm....
Flats definitely see me through the day. The only time I wear heels during the day time is if they are a boot, or they are a mid heel. Super high heels I save for my nights out. They ruin my feet!

Are you a romantic person? 
Definitely! I love the idea of being swept off my feet, and I am an absolute believer that true love is out there for everybody!

Favourite film?
Gone with the Wind! Absolute classic! Vivienne Leigh is just absolutely beautiful, and the character of Rhett Butler...Oooo I love it!

Celebrity Crush? 
Am I allowed 2?! 
1) Johnny Depp...always and forever! 
2) Chris Hemsworth....I have to stop myself dribbling when I watch Avengers Assemble or Thor! 

Greatest Ambition?
First would be to get a book published, though, at the moment, I really don't have the confidence to put anything out there. 
Second...just to be happy, to love, and live for the moment....A bit cheesy I know, but I just want to live my life surrounded by people I love, love me back, and support me no matter what happens. With love, anything is possible.... (*Cringe* UBER CHEESE! ...Sorry)

Ultimate ALL TIME favourite song? 
 "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal. 
Although...I love music in general. I go through stages of listening to certain songs on repeat, but "Kiss from a Rose" has been my favourite for YEARS!

Girly girl or Tomboy? 
I used to be SUCH a tomboy! My whole bedroom was Thomas the Tank Engine themed, and I was never into anything girly. But now, I am definitely a girly girl! Absolutely no question about it! hehe

What would you do if you won £10,000,000
Firstly, I would buy a house in the countryside. Then, I'd pay for my  good friends and my family to go on an ultimate holiday (they all deserve it). I'd give quite a lot away to charity, invest some, and of course, go on a little bit of a shopping spree in NYC!! 

I tag everyone! Leave links to your in the comments section below! I look forward to seeing your answers!