Christmas Book Haul 2015

As we all know I'm a big lover of books and what better way to start the year then with a little look at the books that I got, I'm a massive fan of these types of 'hauls' if thats what you can call them when there all gifts? A little happy new year to you all before I start, I hope everyone had a really lovely Christmas and I hope your all stuffed full of turkey, sweets and tins of biscuits, ready to take on the new year ahead!

I have my eye on a few books but Easons didn't actually have them in stock when I went in to get them, so watch out for a few new books popping up on Instagram or as a book review! I also sat on the phone with my bestie the other night and together we looked at Kennys.ie which is an Irish book shop that sometimes sells books not only cheaper, but with free shipping! I got 'Not that kind of Girl' and a Buffy book that was stupidly cheap and just asking to be bought. They are on the way in the post now and my friend gets daily texts asking if the post mans been - even on the weekend. Too. Much. Excitement.

I'm very excited about all of these and have half read most from flipping through them now and again. I'm currently reading The She-Hulk Diaries by Marta Acosta and its very good. I think that could very well be my first book review of the year. I asked himself to pick something from a list and he did very well with that one, it was half read Christmas eve!

 I was also given two medicine books by my bestie, I asked for something along the lines of zombie survival and she went a little crazy getting me four books! I'm not complaining at all, but she is a real gem. There was the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine and a mini guide of First Aid and Wilderness Medicine. If anyone needs to be fixed up I now know how to carry and apply Hello Kitty plasters with ease. (But seriously, they are really cool books and will be well thumbed.) 

And to cover my zombie request I was given The Art of Eating Through The Zombie Apocalypse. Its the coolest cook book I own to date and I doubt that title will be given to another book any time soon. I might do a full post just to gush over how truly amazing this book is, but for now I'll just say that you need it in your life. It would also make a brilliant present for anyone who loves cooking with a little twist! To finish off the theme was World War Z by Max Brooks. I've seen the film loads, so I'm looking forward to actually reading the original source!

I had been moaning on to my sister about wanting a new kindle case for the past few months but nothing I saw was nice enough or it was just a crazy price. (Eh hello Amazon, can we talk about that a minute?!) But I told her I had seen a few on etsy that were really lovely. So when I opened up this I was over the moon. Its a really gorgeous fabric cover and different from anything that I've seen. Its perfect for around the house, but if I'm travelling I might need to shove it in its old harder case. 

Lastly my sister and brother in law again got me a funny cat book as we are both crazy cat ladies (her cats got a Christmas card and present from my cats) and she also gave me World Of Geekcraft as she can't get over how I, a fully grown adult could collect comic books and figures. But in fairness, its a pretty cool book and I'll enjoy having a goo through it when I finish the rest of my pile!

Did you get any books for Christmas? 

Or maybe you have a recommendation for me to download!

July Favourites

Late favourites is late, yeah sorry about that. This past month I've found is hard to just sit down and write and its followed me over into August which is crappy. I'm going to try work on that! Anyway July was the month I reignited my love for my kindle after being asked to review books from NetGallery. Why I ever decided it didn't need to be glued to my hand is beyond me! I have so many books read and am going to pile up reviews for the odd occasion, as I'm aware not everyone is a book review kinda person.  However, if you are a book person, Nurse Fancy Pants is always great for a wide variety of must reads, as is the lovely Behind Green Eyes.  In short, I'd like all of the books, thankyouplease.

Next up is my much raved and loved bottle of almond shower gel from the Body Shop. Oh man this stuff is like sex in a bottle, its just gorgeous. Its on sale at the moment for a fiver so naturally I had to go back and get another bottle of it. It foams up so much and the scent lingers on your skin well after you've had a shower. I want everyone I love to have a bottle - if almond was their favourite scent that is! It makes me happy.

I've had La Roche-Posay thermal spring water spray in a favourites before, but this lad has been keeping me and the rest of the house cool in the recent heat wave that hit Ireland earlier in the month. Honest to god we were all melty yokes before I remembered I had this. Bonus points, I through it in the fridge for extra coolness. Its pricey at €4.99 for a 50ml bottle, but I really think its worth it. 

Another thing I can't get into the shower without recent is Garnier's ultimate blends 'the sleek restorer' 1 minute hair treatment for dry and frizzy hair. As some of you will know, I'm a mad one for dying my hair and treating it really poorly, so a quick slather of this every morning is working wonders. I've really noticed a big difference and my hair is much softer - a lot more then with other treatments or conditioners I've used. I think in future I'd pick this up instead of a regular conditioner, it seems to have more good soft hair making things packed into it. I got this half price along with the shampoo and they both smell lovely. But if your picking up just one hair product, get the 1 minute hair treatment. Soft kitty.

Over a year ago I blogged about Lush Ultrabalm thats a multitaking balm. (I'm not linking it as its cringe and the photo is woeful.. and the rest! Find it at your own peril.) You can use it on your lips, for chaffing, to mosturise those really sand paper knees or elbows, maybe even to take off your eye make up if your stuck like I have many a night. This does so much, its a wonder I have it as long as I do. As you can see mine is almost finished so I'm going to be getting it again soon. For over €11 its a pricey little pot, but I think its a proper gem. Plus this is my last Lush ban month, woo!

Lastly a total steal, my much loved Wet'n'Wild mega last balm stain in red. Its the most beautiful medium red not too dark but not too bright, just perfect! Its under €3 as far as I can remember, but double check as I think it could be under €2. It lasts really long, its not moisturising but at the same time I don't find that it drys out my lips, which is always a surprise for a cheap lip product. Its really easy to apply and I find myself not even looking in a mirror - perhaps ill advised! (can you say Cat the Clown!?) The one big downside is the lid, it never stays on and has ruined the inside of a bag. Boo. But all is forgiven, its just too lovely not to want to us all the time!

Have you loved any of these things too?

Penneys, Boots And Other Random Bits Haul

I know I've just done a haul post, but that was for books and this haul only has one book in it. So that doesn't count at all. Right? Grand! I went off to Penneys in search of some new leggings the other day and naturally spent 'only 5 minutes' - An hour later I came out with half the shop. I'm not even slightly sorry. I got a load of new knickers too and if you've been round these parts long enough, you'll know I always show you my new knickers. I'm nice like that you see. 

First off, I went into Boots for only hair stuff and walked out with only the hair stuff. Lads I don't think I was very well. I needed a new shampoo and conditioner, Boots own brand smells divine and it was two for €3. Sorted! They didn't have my normal hair dye in stock (the blue box? I'm great with the names..) so I picked up the fancy new Bleach London that seems to only be in stock in the Liffey Valley branch. Boo for that if your interested in getting your mitts on some, but you can get it online. This was €6.69 and the range is drool worthy. Seriously, go. Look at it all. Cry a little if you must. Its a brand of beauty.

Picked up a sneaky €3.99 chicklit in the value book shop in town and a Maleficent Funko Pop figure in Dublin Comic Book shop. €15 but would you look at it! No? I'll be in the corner.. 

Then I went a little crazy in Penneys. I needed it all, Honestly. I got two gorgeous necklaces, the colourful bead one was €6 and the arrow, feather and triangle one was €3. I couldn't leave the pink roses for €2 in the shop either. They called to me. It was meant to be.

I got all the knickers. Cats, stars, butterfiles. Oh my little heart is happy. They were all about €2 and the lovely (if I do say so myself) royal blue bra was €5. I has a matching thong but I already used that to floss my teeth with. Ha! Me? Thong! Would you go way outta' that!

You can never go wrong with €3 for a pair of shoes that, yes ok. Will fall apart in about 10 minutes but they were nice. The leggings that were €2.50 each and a weird sheer material black floaty kimono that was €9 were all too bored and hard to photograph. But you know what all that jazz looks like. 

I needed a mirror for my bag after months of squinting at my reflection on my phone and this owl one was happy making for €2.50. I also got €3 cupcake headphones. They don't give amazing sound but for that price and the fact that when I break them in the near future I wont feel too bad.  

Two quick repurchases were my beloved Catrice concealer palette €3.79 and my Wet'n'Wild pressed powder for €3.99. I also nabbed a Garnier eye makeup remover for only €2.30. Its €2.86 in Boots - its the little victories! 

Anything catch your eye from my haul? 

Or have you bought any bargains recently?

A Little Book Haul

I spend my time collecting books, its something of a problem when the house is coming down with them. But I just can't resist book smell and one that I haven't red before, or a cover that I've not seen before! Over the past little while I've picked up some bargains and I just have to share them with you all, so maybe you might venture out to pick some up yourself. I'm sure I'll do reviews on some of these, so keep the eyeballs open.

First off are these three books that I got from The Secret BookShop just off Grafton St. This is a little gem of a place that you would easily walk by and not notice its big plain black door. You wonder down a long corridor thats covered in band posters and ad's for gigs and suddenly your neck deep in books of all sorts. These are all second hand, but I think thats the best kind of book smell. This shop also has a big selection of vinyl records and some cds, very cool if your into collecting them.

I robbed (nicely) this massive copy of The Frankenstein Omnibus from a friend. I was nearly holding her by the legs leaning over a stack of books to reach this beaut and after much discussion we decided I'll get it but she can totally read it. Best friends huh? Pretty savage. This was about €5. I picked up Women About Town by Laura Jacobs for €4.50 and Paid For by Rachel Moran for €5 too. I don't think I did too badly in the Secret book shop and I've no doubt I'll be in for lots more in the future. I've also picked up quite a few graphic novels and comics in here too, oh be still my beating heart!

Next on the list is Part Of The Spell by Rachel Heath and Beautiful Lies by Clare Clark. Both are hard back copies and both cost a very expensive €1.49 in Dealz. I nearly fell over myself when I saw the price of these after reading the backs of them. Even if I decide they are the worst story lines in history, they still cost me next to nothing. You can't go wrong!

And lastly I picked up A Life In Frocks by Kelly Doust in the Value Books shop for €5.99. I had been eyeing it up in the window every time I passed it by for the last few weeks and I finally stopped in to get it. It was the last one too so I felt extra lucky. 

What are you reading at the moment?

Christmas Sale Buys And What Pressies I Got!

Hello there all you lovely ladies and gents, I hope everyone had a really nice safe and relaxing Christmas. Also a happy new year to you all! I might have been awfully bold and abandoned my poor blog altogether for the likes of the lustful tin of roses and the many many reruns of Buffy and classic cheesy Christmas films. One cold and infection after another has left me promising to write up a blog post only to find myself face down snoring on the couch, so please try to ignore the time length!

I thought I'd start by showing everyone what I got for Christmas and then a few bits I nabbed in the sales. I went back for round two but I'll save that for another post soon! Apart from you all being jealous of my new pretty floral bed sheets - Ikea you sexy shop, you! You will notice that I have now renamed my blog to Big Blonde Girl as it not only makes life easier, but everyone knows me by that alone! The uber lovely Stephen from Hardly Working Highlight Reel  spent a painful amount of time on it for me, while I was leaning over his shoulder chewing his ear off. The poor sod! If you fancy your own beautiful blog banner then feel free to leave a comment on his blog or find him on Twitter. 

From L-R: A gas book my besties dad got for me, hes too good!/Irish mammies books from my mammy - expect lots of reviews!/Sleek make up brushes, be still my beating heart!/Benefit how to look the best at everything set that Stephen got for me/A gorgeous Yankee candle the mother in law got for me/Ombre nail set that the sister gave me/A chocolate santy of course!/Some gold FUN from Lush/A FUN set from lush - don't my family know me too well?!

If you have a look at the top picture you'll see my new gorgeous long purple scarf that the mother in law knit for me. I just. I just can't. Hash tag in love!!

And now onto the great bargains I got in the sales! Naturally on Stephens Day I was first in the que at the door of Lush, but that to be expected of me. don't you know. My total mind blown buys were the 500g Pounche shower gel €10.48 and an unexpected find of Lovely Jubbly breast cream for only €10.95 - its literally never on sale! I also got two Penguin and Christmas eve bubble bars that were €6.76 for them all! A little bit of angels delight soap, €2.33 and lastly the stardust gift set for €16.98. You can see all the wonderful things in it below!

Then I wondered into Boots and came away with some lovely cards, a royal jelly set and a Beauticology set that I had my eye on for ages before Christmas all for under €13! 

This New Year I have not resolutions, this year I'm just going to take one day at a time and hope that everyday is better then the last. To help me on my way I'm doing little things to perk myself up, which I will be blogging lots about soon.

For now, as always, have a fab day and 2014. You lads and ladies keep chatting, following and supporting me each in your own way and I am so grateful for you all. If 2013 was anything to go by, then I can't wait to see what this year brigs x

Birthday Haul

This is purely for those of you who like having a nosy at different blogger hauls just because. So if your not one of those people feel free to ignore this one! I am in no way boasting or 'showing off'. All items below were gifted to me by family and friends. 

As some of you will know I turned 21 last Wednesday (the 18th for anyone who cares to know!) and my family and friends all went a bit mad with gifts. I got some really lovely things and am very grateful for each thought that was put into the day. So I just thought I'd show you a few bits now. There is nothing from Stephen here for the simple reason that he lost his marbles completely and bought half of Lush for me along with lots of other things and if I was to talk about that it would turn into a Lush haul!  

My mother got me three beautiful pieces from Newbridge Silverware. A flower shaped key chain, a little cat (sparkly cat for the win!) keyring and a set of gorgeous, dried, pink flower filled mirror and trinket box. I also got a lovely Argento necklace called Hope that has the cutest little pearl on the top and also a sparkly (Sparkly!) blue French Connection necklace from two of my friends.  

Everyone knows how much I love cards and I got the biggest bundle! Theres quite a few cat inspired ones too, which I just want to giggle at while jumping about in an overexcited fashion pointing. Two of my other passions, books and candles were clearly carefully noted as I received a sky high stack of both and I'm very excited about the lot. Cook books, owls, comedy books, yankee and even two cheeky dvds? Expect me to emerge from my room by say, Christmas? Ok, good!

Last but not least, I got a really thoughtful hand made scarf from a friends mother. She knitted and crocheted it in a fab dark blue with - the best part - loads of sparkles through it! To say I am excite is an understatement. I feel really fancy, movie star like when I have it on, hence the ridiculous face/pose and crazy hair flicking fashion show going on in the picture/my room right now.

Anyway thats the show and tell over with, now excuse me while I cat walk to the nearest chair to read my book! Have a fab day x

Valentines Day Gifts For Him

Marilyn Monroe, such a beautiful woman.

There isn't a girl (or guy) I know that finds any day that requires present buying an easy task! I always pull my hair out panicing over what I can get Stephen. He likes play station games and crisps. The first I know nothing about unless its Skyrim) and the second is not really an amazing gift to receive! So here are a few ideas for you all. Fingers crossed your guy has loads of interests and hobbies!

Find his favourite scent: Guys like to smell just as good as the next person, so why not have a snoop through his bathroom or ask family what he likes to wear. There is a huge selection in in the perfume shop and also in Boots. Calvin Klein CK One is currently £22.60 (about €26) for a 100ml bottle in the Boots sale- a real steal considering its the same price for only a 50ml bottle from the Perfume Shop. Or if thats not easy to decide on, there is always the Lacoste's Eau de Lacoste collection thats about €50 each. My favourite at the moment is Diesel - Only The Brave thats about €60 in Boots and you get a free gift with it too. I got Stephen the gift set for Christmas and he loves it.

Do it his way: You know he is expecting you to suggest some really bad rom-com that you are dying to see and rented/bought it especially for the night. Why not surprise him by watching something he'll love instead. An action or maybe just a good Star Wars marathon? (just not football, oh god anything but that!) I have recently signed up to NextFlix and its something I would recommend as you get a one month free trial and then its only €6.99 per month after.

Don't be fooled: They act all 'manly' and are just short of climbing a building to beat on their chests at times, but guys like to have surprises and treats just as much as girls do. Maybe buy him a nice box of chocolates and get him a rose this year.

He has hobbies: Now I know not every guy is going to love the same things, but if you take a wonder through Eason's or online you will find a book that he could enjoy. And who doesn't love getting books with a nice little message written on the inside? The Top Gear Years is all about Top Gear and cars, a great read if you ask me. Then theres the classic football book, but what if you can't remember his favourite team? Why not be a bit cheeky and get him a football colouring book ? (If I wasn't currently cutting up my credit card into pieces like in 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' I would have bought this for Stephen.)  Maybe games are his thing? Thinkgeek.com have loads of really cool stuff to choose from, even safe bets like interactive t-shirts(!)

Always remember: Like I said in my last Valentines gifts post, This is only one day, don't have hang ups about not getting him the perfect film or burning the dinner. Be grateful if you get to spend the day together. Send him a nice text, or buy him a fancy card to write something sweet inside. Its always the thought that counts the most.

Valentines Day Gifts For Her

It doesn't matter if its a first date or the 20th year you have been together, all girls love to be pampered and given something special. This could be a dinner out for the two of you or a romantic night in. So here are a few things and ideas for your lovely girl with a price range to suit everyone!

Find her favourite sent: I think it is safe to say all women love perfume and have at least 5 favourites! To help you out, why not ask a friend or family member which she likes the most? There a loads of gift sets you can get from perfume shops or in Boots.  YSL Parisienne Gift Set is about €32. Kylie Minogue's Darling Gift Set is a steal of just €12 according to there site and DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom is about €42.

Be cheeky and have fun: Has she read the famous Fifty Shades of Grey book? Why not get her some joke toilet roll? I would laugh! Or if she is a reader then a little funny Don'ts For Wives Book will be sure to get you a bit of a sore head! And to go with a good book I always love a cuppa, this is too cheesy not to add in! The No Sugar Needed Cup! Ugh, I want one ha!

Its all about romance: How about a stay at home dinner cooked by you for the lovely lady? Find a few helpful things on the bbc food/recipes site as it has a great big A to Z and has measurements that I understand! You can make her favourite dishes, pick up some fancy deserts (or make them too!) and light some candles. That is sure to impress her! Dotcom gift shop do some beautiful little candles like these rose ones to set the mood or some lovely glass jars here and here. 

Careful how you go: A helpful hint for all out there, unless you know your girls tastes and sizes do not go and get her jewellery or clothes. You could end up spending money on something she wont wear or worse yet - you could get her dress size wrong. And depending on if its too big or too small, it might be your last valentines together! So ask one of her friends for help if you are set on getting her a special necklace or those earrings you think she would love. 

Do the cliche: Girls and guys make your lady happy with some chocolates, a teddy or even the classic rose. Its so overdone and bad its good. Go that extra mile and embarrass her (in a nice way!) with a heart or 'be my valentine' balloon.

Always remember: This a one day thing, don't have hang ups if its not perfect or your not buying your girl things that are overly priced anyway! If your spending the day together, lucky you. Watch a film online and make some popcorn. Write her a cheesy but personal love letter or poem. Send her a sweet text and tell her your thinking of her. Its always the thought that counts the most.