Looking Forward in to 2017

Hasn't this year just flown by? I remember getting ready for the start of 2016, planning lessons for my first placement in school and now the years over and we're starting a fresh. For the past few years, I've talked blog resolutions and why stop this year? At the start of 2016, I set my self the following:

When Two Bloggers Do A Not So Secret Santa

Where do I even start? Firstly, Merry Christmas Everyone! Can we believe that the big day is just around the corner, if you're relaxed then I'm jealous - if you're stressed then I feel you. 

This time of year is such a busy one, its my brothers birthday today. He's a Christmas baby so life gets really hectic, then I have a list of people i need to meet up with before going back to university and still have food to cook tomorrow and presents to wrap. Someone pass me the non-alcoholic wine! But forgetting about all of that, this time of year really is lovely. Giving gifts is my favourite part, to see the reaction on peoples faces when they get given something they have always wanted. Wrapping is also my favourite past time, picking the paper, the ribbon and the bags!! Its all so special and festive. 

A few weeks back, I sent the lovely Nishi from NishiV a message asking if she'd like to do a secret Santa with me. But its not really a secret Santa because we knew who we were getting gifts from, however it was a surprise in terms of what we were going to get from one another. Then a few weeks passed and the parcels arrived - eeeep! I'd never been so excited in my life. Even though neither of us have never met (which has to happen in 2017) we are so similar and stalk one another like crazy. She's definitely a friend that I have made through blogging and its amazing that the Internet does these crazy things. She has absolutely spoilt me and I feel very, very lucky! 

If you'd like to see what she picked out for me then keep reading and if you'd like to see what I got her then head on over to her blog and have a read. If you have Nishi on snapchat, you may have already seen the gifts because she's a snapchat queen! 

The Prettiest Festive Nails

For me, its an essential to have cute and festive nails at this time of year. This year, I wanted to go down the feminine, pretty yet Christmas themed nails. Before going to the nail salon, I browse Pinterest for hours trying to find something. Forgetting, that it is impossible to recreate something exactly the same! By the time I get to the salon, everything changes and I see a colour or glitter that is stunning. 

For example this time, instead of a classic red and gold nail combination I went with lilac! My nail lady had this colour on her nails and it was love at first sight, its a shellac colour so unfortunately I couldn't tell you the name even if I had it in me but the glitter is separate. 

She applied the lilac first, followed by the thin silver glitter. To create a stunning combination! They're slightly longer than I usually go for and a little more on the pointy side, but they have been easy to manage and keep a hold of. Shellac on top of acrylics also lasts a lot longer and when they grow out it doesn't look as bad. It costs more to apply shellac, but it lasts longer, looks better and the shine - oh my! 

Then for the festive part, keeping it simple and subtle we opted for a few delicate snowflakes on the fourth finger. How people manage to keep a steady hand when drawing things on like this I have no idea, every single one on both hands is so neat and perfect. 

Reload Perfume

As I've grown up, my love for perfume has grown with me. From loving and wearing impluse body sprays to gorgeous, high end perfumes. You start to find your own scent, the more that you try and I am a big love of sweet and spicy scents. When I was asked recently to try out Reload*, a new fragrance company that has just hit the scene - I couldn't resist. 

Reload is all about the mini perfume, so small that you can refill and keep it with you wherever you go. There is also the option to add a skin to make a plain black bottle, pretty and unique! 

The £5 Drugstore Highlighter

My name is Parie and I am a highlighting addict. Every brand that brings out a highlighting product, gets added to my ever growing wish list. There are so many different formula's out there and so many I love, but this one from a 'drugstore' brand has fast become my favourite. The best part is that it only £5 and is worth every penny, if you are on the hunt for a new highlighter - then you've come to the right place.

Kylie Cosmetics Holiday Collection

If you've not heard about Kylie Cosmetics, then where have you been? Ever since the popular reality tv star, Kylie Jenner released her own brand of makeup products the world has exploded. With her products been so in demand, she's now got a bigger factory and more items available. 

Since the start I have wanted to get my hands on some of the products to test, try and see if they were worth the hype. After a long que, I managed to get hold of the Holiday Edition Kyshadow Palette and 4 piece full size Holiday Lipkit Set. Both were on my list and now I couldn't be happier.

Because I ordered over a certain amount, shipping to the UK was free (Winner!) and Royal Mail didn't charge me with a customs fee either so it was like Christmas had come earlier. I tracked the parcels all the way from the start and kept a good eye on them, hats of to Kylie for building an empire so amazing and successful. 

The Extraordinary Skincare

In case you haven’t heard of The Ordinary skincare yet, let me give you some background information. It’s an umbrella from the Deciem brand, and that just shouts quality and magic. 

The Ordinary uses advanced technology and quality ingredients to market products at low prices. And low prices, means low prices their lowest price product is £3.90 and the highest is £14.90. For skincare that is incredible and quite magical. I've been playing around with two of their serums that target my biggest skincare concerns; dry skin and scarring. 

Get the Look: Party

Tis the season to be jolly, merry and sparkly! Christmas is just around the corner, new years isn't that long away either and that only means one thing - PARTYYY SEASON. 

You've got your outfit, shoes and hair booked in but what about makeup? For me, the most important part, your face is in every picture no doubt so you need to be looking your absolute best. 

I've teamed up with The Body Shop (can you hear me scream!) to show you a classic, party look for no money at all. Its part of their online beauty calender, 24 days, 24 different bloggers and 24 posts that include everything from makeup to stocking fillers. I'm day number 20, so get ready to see my little face...

Going Loco for Koko

It's party season and it's time to get your wardrobe into gear and get party ready. I'm the kind of person that keeps to a colour scheme, its usually all black as you will see below because its a classic colour. I also go for comfort so that I don't need to feel odd all day/night. 

This outfit is in collaboration with Koko Couture, a Manchester based company that stocks the latest bags, clothes and shoes that are in trend. They have so many swoon worthy products, it maybe a good place to buy Christmas presents for either yourself or others. All photos credit to Charly! 

One for the Non-Alcoholic's

Happy Tuesday! Hope you're all having a fantastic week so far, can you believe we are less than 20 days away from Christmas, time is flying by. Today I am bringing you a review of a few drinks that I have been testing out from Karma Cola*, there are three in their range in total -- gingerella, karma cola and lemony! 

Things That Make You Smile

If there is one thing that I stand by, then its been positive. I always look for the 'brighter side' of things in life, I'm one of those people that can't help but smile. No matter how much sleep, what's going on in my head I am always smiling. To the point where I even show my teeth, can't smile without showing them! At this time of year especially, there are always times to smile and things that make you.

Christmas Countdown: Santa is Coming

Let it just sink in - its the 1st of December! Can't believe how quick this year has gone and the countdown to christmas is on! Whether you're 5 or 50, you can't beat meeting Santa! 

He’s a very busy person as we can all imagine, so Stagecoach has managed to make sense of it. Here’s a run-down of where you can visit Santa’s grotto in 2016.