December 11, 2015

Boring Socks For Christmas? Not On www.SockShop.co.uk Top Fun Pairs for Dad, Mum & the Kids

December 11, 2015/ Claire Spence

Its that age old joke or socks for Christmas, the dullest gift. Nonsense! The Sock Shop UK have socks that are greatfully opened on Christmas morning.

Here are my top pairs for Dad, Mum and kids. First off, children's socks.

Circus print horse socks

Next, adult sized socks. These Heat Holder socks come with a TOG rating of 2.34 and they retain heat 7 times better than regular socks. Nice and cosy for under boots for winter walks, or even for bed. Of course I'm going to love them when they are stripy!

Photo realistic socks are all the rage, I love the X-ray pair.

Ulster fry socks!

Caped socks! The accessory we didn't know we needed!

So there's something for everyone, have a browse & get those last minute presents in order.

December 11, 2015

Home Alone and Elf Christmas T-shirts! Deck the Halls, & The Entire Family Out For Less at Asda This Christmas.

December 11, 2015/ Claire Spence

All my blogger buddies are featuring beautiful party dresses for the Christmas season, and the sequins & lace sure are appealing, but fancy frocks aren't the way to go for me, and I'll explain why.

Its Christmas Day, and now I'm in my 30s, the presents aren't the best bit of the day any more, it's THE FOOD. If I wear a stunning, fitted dress I'll look super cool in the photos, but. BUT, if I wear elastic topped jeggings and a Christmas jumper one size too big, then guess who can fit the most food into themselves possible, and be comfy for a nice, afternoon. I've-gorged-myself nap. That's right, yours truly.

So, let's take a look at George at Asda's Christmas jumper shop. They stock clothing for everyone in the family, so no traipsing round the whole internet and waiting for two or three deliveries to come. Asda delivery will be quick and in plenty of time for the 25th. The free click and collect at your local store delivery is next day if ordered before 9pm for mainland UK, or two days for NI. Free home delivery in some cases, £2.95 otherwise.

If it gets too warm with a house full of friends and family, why not whip off your jumper to reveal a snazzy Christmas themed t-shirt.

Christmas tees for absolutely everyone, even your hipster uncle who likes Guns N Roses ironically

If you are searching for gifts then Asda has lots of Christmas themed sleepwear. I always like to give my son a nice new set of pyjamas for Christmas Eve, then he doesn't look scruffy in the photos the next morning.

If you are Yuletide crazy, like me, check out the Christmas Shop Home Accessories.

If you love faux fur, and still haven't decided what you'd like for Christmas, check out the fabulous fake fur jackets, coats and accessories.

This faux fur trimmed jacket was £35 from George at Asda, but sadly they are out of stock right now. However these coats, and more, are in stock and range from £10 to £40. Everyone appreciates something warm and fuzzy at Christmas time.

Finally, those elastic topped jeggings for competitive Christmas eating? George at Asda jeans and jeggings Wonderfit takes care of that too. Snug without being tight, perfect for daily wear and available in many different styles and colours.

December 10, 2015

New You Meal Replacement Diet Plan- Completely Free 3 Day Trial (Worth £30+) For ALL World of Kitsch Readers.

December 10, 2015/ Claire Spence

The New You Plan is a total meal replacement diet which can give mind-blowingly quick results. Stick to it and you WILL lose weight, it would be impossible to not, as long as you stay on Santa's Nice List and don't break the rules.

I tried the plan right here on my blog for a few weeks back in August/September. Along with four of the New You products a day, you can drink their broth or fruit powders for water, as the other secret is tonnes of fluid.

I loved their cottage pie meal and the coconut bars, as well as the fat burning pineapple dilute.

I went from 10st 3lbs to 9st over those two months, with New You being the kick start I need to get to a size I was more comfortable with.

I have to add a disclaimer that these results aren't guarenteed, but a visit to the Secret Slimmers' Facebook Page shows you lots of other men and women with great results.

So, maybe you read my diaries on the plan a few months ago, or perhaps you have losing weight as a goal for 2016, but whatever piqued your interest you can't deny this is a flipping good deal.

New customers can get a COMPLETELY FREE 3 day detox trial of the New You Plan. No other purchase necessary, but stock is limited so get in there quick and apply for one.

The only cost you will incur is that of postage which is £3.99 Saying that, New You use a courier which means any package I've ordered arrives the very next day with me.

As well as a range of their different types of meal replacement products, you also get a Christmas themed wall chart to mark your meals off and tally your weight and water intake.

Its worth £33/€43 and once they are gone, they are gone. So even if you are getting it to try in January, you need to order it NOW.

Good luck everyone, I hope you read this soon enough to get one. If you do start the plan and do the 3 days, gimme a poke on Twitter @rudedoodle, and let me know how you get on. Ditto if you have any questions before applying for the free trial, or before you begin with it.

It's recommended that you speak to your GP before beginning a VLCD- a very low calorie diet, which New You is. It's recommended for adults with a BMI above 25.

December 09, 2015

Enchantingly retro Toys at the Winter Pop Up, Bangor.

December 09, 2015/ Claire Spence

At lunch time I scooted down to Bangor to grab a 24" slice of pizza from Little Wing.

Bangor was busy so after a lap with no parking spaces I finally found somewhere in Dufferin Avenue (the steep hill road beside the train station).

I just so happened to get a space outside a curiously lovely little shop- Winter Pop Up.

The store is here only for the Christmas season and stocks European toys with a classic, retro flair. Francesca who was in charge today is absolutely lovely and chatted to me while I snapped the toys that took my fancy. The mid-century dolls' house was very hard to not want to just but for myself.

I spotted dozens of gifts that I would be buying for Baby Spence if it was next year. I think while the Winter Pop Up is there, I'll buy some stuff in advance for my brother & his wife's baby arriving in Spring.

Francesca told me they are stocking from the following websites-

Red Ruby Rouge

Little Citizens Boutique.com

and help from

Refound Online.com

You can also interact with the store on their Facebook Page.

I've been in Little Citizen's Boutique in Holywood before.

I blogged about it back in 2013 when I visited it with Smix.

So, so many quirky but excellently designed kids' products. Why not visit the Dufferin Avenue Pop Up while they are there.

Keep an eye open to spot it, this is how it looks from outside.

In the meantime, anyone want to buy me a house?

December 08, 2015

The Yankee Candle Christmas Blogger Challenge

December 08, 2015/ Claire Spence

Christmas has a certain smell. The turkey roasting, the scent of a real Christmas tree, and cinnamon on basically everything.

Yankee Candle can add to the mix with a range of nostalgic Christmas scents like pine trees, cookies and warm familiar smells of the season.

Along with the selection of holiday scents, Yankee have a range of accessories that can really make your candle a centerpiece to your Christmas decorations.

Candles can make excellent presents for teacher, or someone making their first home.

Yankee Candle UK have challenged a group of bloggers to create an inviting Christmas scene with some of the best festive candles and accessories.

The entries will be posted on the Yankee Candle UK Facebook Page and everyone who votes is automatically entered into a draw to win the products featured in the winning picture. So you can 'like' the page and watch out for the entries this week.

In the meantime here are my offerings!

My main entry is this- The View From Santa's Sleigh, using cinnamon tea lights and classic glass holders.

Cosy by the Fire has the warm, homely smell you can imagine.

Snow in Love is a delicate fragarance. A good choice for those who prefer a subtle scent for their homes.

Well, fingers crossed for my entry! Watch out on Twitter and I will let you know when you can vote, with your chance to win the products I used for my photos.

December 05, 2015

40% Off Eloquence Beauty- The Four-step Premium Skin Care Routine that Really Makes a Difference.

December 05, 2015/ Claire Spence

For the past fortnight I've swapped my regular night time skin routine, to a four-step routine from the new, natural, cruelty-free, affordable yet premium Eloquence Beauty Care range.

I usually use an intense No.7 serum, then their night cream. Sometimes I would use a different product for a couple of days if I've got a sample to try, or something new from a beauty subscription box, and I don't really notice a difference in my skin so I've been of the opinion all night creams are much of a muchness.

That was until I tried Eloquence's natural skincare routine. Four steps to use morning and night, plus a huge 50ml beauty oil made with sacha inchi extract. I'll talk you through each product.

This is how each product looks. Different consistencies.

Step one is a cleanser. You use a small amount with water and rinse off the day. However I don't wash my makeup off at night, I use a baby wipe with Simple eye makeup remover soaked on it. So I've transferred the facial cleanser into my shower where I can use it every morning on my skin which would be too delicate for shower gel. Unlike some cleansers, Eloquence cleanser removes any trace of even waterproof mascara. It gets a thumbs up from me.

Second comes the firm & tone serum. Again you only need a small amount and its non-oily.

Third is eye gel. It's transparent, fresh and green. It has a cooling effect and sits nicely when drying, no greasy feeling on your lashes, which can be annoying.

The last step is a protect and repair cream. it has a luxurious luminous appearance and dries in quickly. All together the routine leaves your skin soft with a scent of rose petals. After three or four days you will begin to feel the difference in your skin. It's tricky to show you, but my skin feels soft and lovely.

The final product is 50mls of magical oil. It can be used for everything, not just skin but your hair and nails too. I treated the ends of my hair with it and left it overnight & it did revive it a little.

Mostly I just use the oil all over my skin. It doesn't leave you greasy, just very slippery! If you use it on your face once a week you'll love the result.

So if you like what you hear, how about buying the whole set at a discount price? The Eloquence Pure Luxury Collection is available with all four routine products, plus the wonder oil 50ml.

Even better, I can offer you an exclusive discount code, with 40% off and FREE SHIPPING until 12th February 2016. Simply enter the code KITSCHEQ at checkout. It brings the price of this bundle down to £60ish which is a steal! The code is only for this set, so stock up now.

If you do try Eloquence Skin Care, do give me a poke on Twitter (I'm @rudedoodle) and let me know if you have the same surprising results I do.

December 07, 2015

WIN: A Creative Kids' Stocking Filler, Nutty Putty Clay

December 07, 2015/ Claire Spence

If you have a creative kid like my Smix, then crafting kits make great smaller presents or surprise gifts at Christmas.

The Nutty Putty set we received included 5 colours of clay, 4 shape cutters, 2 tools, a rolling pin, a baking sheet and instructions. The instructions are quite clever in that they double as a laminated mat to do your building & sculpting on. As it is the clay is non-staining, so you aren't going to end up googling how to remove clay from your sofa.

Check out the sets available and read the blog on http://www.nuttyputty.co.uk/

We have a kit to giveaway to one of my readers. Competition closes this time next week, so I can hopefully get it to you before Christmas. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway