What I got for Christmas

''But it's not Christmas Nadine'' I knooooow!!Soooooo I'm late on a Christmas post! We JUST got out of the Christmas buzz and I'm bringing it back...jaysus..So lets rewind the clocks and pretend to be festive again especially for this post

Now I've had alot of requests for me to post about what I got for Christmas, and I've been meaning to do it for soo long but I put it on the long finger , like the lazy bum I am! So lets get straight to it shall we?

What DID I get for Christmas?

My parents (I mean Santa) were incredibly generous and got me the No.7 ultimate collection box from boots! I was so blown away, the packaging itself is so unbelievably pretty! boxes with powder pink and rose gold lids all decorated with a gorgeous bow!I am totally amazed by everything in these boxes!  so what are inside those boxes? Behold!

No.7 protect & perfect Night cream

No.7 protect & perfect day cream

*Both full size*

No.7 Protect & perfect intense Day hand cream

No.7 beautiful skin dry skin rescue

No.7 Lovely lashes mascara

*full size*

No.7 BB Lips beauty balm - Ballerina 

*Full Size*

No.7 Blissful Body Wash

No.7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing lotion

No.7 Sumptuous Bath Soak

No.7 Completely Quenched Hydration body lotion

*All full sized*

Next up we have the infamous No.7 double sided illuminating mirror! HOW did I survive without this mirror?! Oh my days its magic, i swear! One side is a normal light up mirror and the other is a magnified mirror great fr plucking them brows and getting the perfect flick on your eyeliner! Yes this mirror really is worth splashing the dosh on!

*Sorry about the terrible photo quality* 

Annnd i finally own one! I got an In-Styler!

I have been cursed with dull, thin looking, limp hair and I'm always craving volume! And that is where this does not disappoint. I'm still getting the hang of it but ever since I started using it I've been getting some great compliments on my hair! I find this has made my hair look 20 times thicker and 20 times healthier too! If you crave volume and life like my hair does then run out and pick yourself up one of these! This badboy straightens ,curls & waves your hair! What more do you want?!

Available in boots or online

My awesome awesome awesome boyfriend Dan got me an amazing tablet & gorgeous tablet case! Unknown to him I actually spotted this tablet case in Dunnes earlier on in the month and wished I had a reason to buy it as I had no tablet but the case was super stunning!I couldn't believe it when I opened the wrapping paper and there it was!The back casing looks a tad like one of those new iPhones - Delighted so I am! Now I can blog on the go! Thanks Dan! 

He also got me a huge cosy jumper that I've been after for years from one of my favourite shops in Dublin (Tambuli in Temple Bar) It has to be my most favourite item of clothing I own! its super warm,well made and made with real wool! Here's a picture of my cute tiny nan sporting it on my recent trip over to Birmingham, doesn't she look so cute :)

My brother Ciaran got me a lovely Soap & Glory set (I have an obsession) I was totally over the moon with this! I was going to run in and buy this in the sales and everything! 

The newest box set - Eau la la - complete with the new fresh orange scented products!

Orangeasm body lotion

Orangeasm body wash

Soap & Glory Super Tonic fragrance

Dan's parents are always super generous with their gifts at xmas and got me a well needed pair of super fluffy slippers, and the coolest set of batman PJ's in the world (no pics as they were all in the wash sorry) His sister was a lifesaver and got me this VERY cute 2015 super girly planner! In was on the look out for a small but cute planner and she saved the day! 

Needless to say I'm so very thrilled about all the presents I got! What did you get for Christmas?

Did you get anything on my list here? what did you think?

Let me know!

The Parma Violet

Ted Baker Pout and Prejudice : Review

Hey everyone! Hope everyone is good and not dying with a phlegm covered flu due to that Baltic weather out there! 

Now, if you're looking for those pretty stocking fillers for the pretty girl in your life, weather it be a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend or even a grandmother, Ted Baker knows where its at this Christmas!

I recently picked up their lippies in Boots this month as all Ted Baker products are three for two. The packaging is too pretty for words! I adore it so much! So lets see what I thought?

This marvellous little metal tin, cleverly named 'Pout and Prejudice' contains three beautiful lipsticks ideal for any age! The tin has a gorgeous vintage design complete with teeny tiny pastel houses .

The packaging is super girly with Ted Bakers signature powder pink,rose gold tones and Peach ribbon.

And it just gets better, when you  remove the lid, you're blessed with these three gorgeously packaged lipsticks. Again, in a dusty pink colour with rose gold lettering. These lipsticks are almost too pretty to touch!

Excuse the terrible lighting!

Inside you should have a Nude, A Peach and A red shade! 

Very staple colours! Such a great idea! Again, I simply adore the rose gold lettering, its so insanely pretty!

just look at that detail. So flawless, go girly and so luxurious!

These swatches were taken with no flash in natural light.

From L to R

Nude, Peach, Red

Every single one of these colours are so perfect and would make an ideal present for someone this Christmas!

So why not pop down to the holy grail that is boots and pick some up ( and because its three for two why not treat yourself in the process)

Happy shopping!!

The Parma Violet

Christmas tag

Now I don't usually do these things but I'm sick and very bored so lets give it a whirl! :)

Whats your favourite Christmas movie/s?

OK well, my favourites change all the time! But I do love National Lampoons Christmas Vacation because c'mon lets face it, its the absolute best!

I also adore ELF & Die Hard, but who doesn't so I'm going to go for The Santa Clause!

This is one of the only films that actually makes me feel 'Christmassy'  at all! Tim Allen you're some man for one man!

Do you open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Most definately Christmas morning! 

Although we are allowed open one present on Christmas Eve! Which is always super exciting! 

But we all enter the living room Christmas morning (Arund 6 in the morning actually due to excited children in the house)

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

Me and my younger brother Niall have always been close, so when he said he was going travelling I was sad but delighted for him because thats something I know he really wants to do and its something that I love doing too (Wanderlust must run in my family) So we thought he wasnt coming home for Christmas, but he turned up on our doorstep without notice. It was amazing and I'll never forget it! But now he's living in Florida and wont be home this christmas but i know hes having and unreal time!

Favourite Christmas Food?

HANDS.DOWN my ma's Christmas sausage meat stuffing.

I legit wait ALL YEAR for this stuff! And it makes my mouth water even thinking about it. 

Favourite Christmas gift?

oh good god I have the memory of a goldfish. Thats a tough aul question alright! 

Well my boyfriend got me an amazing phone last year and I adore it!

I also remember I was about 12 and got my very first Bass guitar...legit nearly cried my eyes out with joy cause I was a big aul emo rocker and wanted nothign more than to be in a band! Thanks ma and da, yous are sound! 

Favourite Christmas scent?

Definately Christmas Dinner being cooked! Lord damn!!! Thats some smell I tells ya!

Nothing makes me happier than the smell of that!

And also Yankee Candle Christmas Eve / Snow in love 

Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

Damn right!

Ever since we were kids, me and my four youngest brothers used to always stay in my room on Christmas eve. And we STILL do that to this day, they all bring their matresses into my room and we all sleep in there together after opening one present! We will be minus one brther as he's in Florida this year but at least we can all skype him to make him a part of it all!

What tops your tree?

Since I was 10 a Christmas themed Tinkerbell doll tops my tree, we got her In Disney World Florida when we visited the first time! Shes so pretty!

As A kid, what is the one extravagant gift you asked for but never got?

Ah jaysus I can't even remember, something insanely stupid like a stage for my band or something! 

Whats the best part about Christmas for you?

Having everyone be lazy together!

We have a Pyjama Christmas so we've never got christmas clothes!

We all sit around in our PJ's together and chill and get drunk and eats loads of food!

I also love seeing my brothers faces when they open their presents, no matter how old they get, that will never get old to me.

And I tag everyone who hasn't done this to do it!!

The Parma Violet

Lidl - Suddenly Collection

Hello everyone!And thank god the sun has come out here in Dublin! Perfect for running out and starting your Christmas shopping! And if you're on a budget or not, these beauties SHOULD be in everyones Christmas stocking this year! 

If you havent heard of this collection then you better listen up if you wanna save some serious cash!

The Suddenly collection from Lidl..yes Lidl, comes out on special occassions such as Christmas, Valentines day etc.

Each perfume is an exact duplicate of a Designer perfume! How amazing is that?!

And there's even a candle scented like their best selling perfume! So what are the designer originals?

*Suddenly - Madame Glamour - Coco Madmoiselle *Chanel*

*Suddenly - Diamonds - Hugo Boss Orange

*Suddenly - Woman I - Chanel No.5

And the price tag? 

Just 3.99 each! 

Absolute bargain!

And I assure you, you will be a very silly person if you do not run in and pick up some of these amazing perfumes!!

So which one would be more suitable for the woman/women in your life?

>Mother/Grand mother : Suddenly Woman I

>Younger sister/Cosuin/Friend : Suddenly Diamonds

>Girlfriend/ Best Friend : Suddenly Madame Glamour

Happy shopping!!

The Parma Violet

New Look : Christmas On a Budget

Happy lunch time ya'll

Now in my previous posts I wrote about how to do Christmas fashion on a budget, and I really meant a budget! We've had Forever21 : Christmas on a budget, H&M :Christmas on a budget and now we have New Look, Granted this is the most expensive of the three but if you have some spare cash then sure why not? 

This gorgeous Shimmering gold pencil dress is actually cheaper than it looks! It's €24.99 and will last you though the whole Christmas Season! This figure hugging dress is super elegant and great if you have a peachy bum! 

Next up we have this super sparkly number. Much more shimmery and beautiful in real life, this dress must be seen with your own two eyes, this dress is PERFECT for those who have a tad bit more boobage (like yours truly) it also covers those lumps and bumps that you don't want seen but are still beautiful :) This dress is the perfect party dress at €29.99

Next up we have these fabulously 90's velvet crush skater dresses, at just €22.99, you will look incredible! Dress up or dress down with some Docs, messy hair and truly be brought back to the 90's

Going to a big crazy fancy dinner? Or just want to look super elegant for Christmas? Then look no further than this gorgeous eye catching dress! With a scooped back and a midnight blue shimmer, this is one damn sexy dress! And for €34.99 it's not too shabby of a price either! 

**NOTE** This is an online exclusive dress

Like the 34.99 dress but its a little bit too much on the purse? Well then why not opt for this shorter AND cheaper but still VERY sophisticated dress? At just €17.99 this is a fraction of the price and more wearable!Make of the same fabric, this midnight blue sparkly dress will make heads turn!

This is one of my favourites! Again, this one has to be seen with your own eyes to really see how beautiful it truly is! And at €24.99 it's not the worst price tag in the world! This Stunning blue and silver shimmery dress is perfect for hiding those lumps and bumps (even though they're beautiful) I would suggest running down and getting the baby, I know I will be!

Looking for something a bit more 'Santa baby'? Yep, thought so!

Then why not slap on this stunning skater dress! A perfect shape for nearly anyone too! And the lattice neck straps make you look like a pretty little wrapped present! Awh! And the price? 

Just €14.99!

Available in 5 colours

I know this was the most expensive of the three aforementioned posts,but if you do have just that little bit extra to spend I thought id help you out!

Happy shopping!!

The Parma Violet

Forever 21 : Christmas On A Budget

Well hello all your beautiful people! It is exactly one month until Christmas day and all those parties are creeping up and getting closer and closer! So why not spoil yourself and grab yourself a dress that you can REALLY afford...no actually, you can!

In my last instalment H&M : Christmas On A Budget, I mentioned that Christmas isn't easy for everyone, including myself, it is an expensive time for the unemployed and reading magazines and blogs with unreal expectations of your price limits can be stressful. But again I have some gorgeous festive fashion for you that you can afford and look great in! So here are my picks from Forever 21:

Check out this gorgeous little number! Pair with some bulky jewellery and biker boots and you'll be sorted for Christmas in no time! And the price tag? IT'S JUST €14.95!!! Also available in black.

Nothing makes us feel more Christmassy than a beautiful red dress! And this one is fabulous! With a sexy lace panel down the front, this gives this dress more texture & elegance and also accentuates and curves you may have! So gwan pop down and buy this for just €16.45!!!

Looking for something a bit more..glittery? 

I thought so! This beautiful body con dress has to be seen with your own eyes to actually capture its real beauty, this dress is every magpies dream. Black with Magenta sparkles, this baby will take you through your whole festive season for just €15.00!!!

Looking for something a bit more laid back?

Then check out this very festive zip dress! For €16.50 you can look super Christmassy! Dress down with some ripped tights, a leather jacket and a pair of Docs. Or dress up with some gold jewellery and some black pumps! This dress is perfect!

This dress will take you right from Christmas to new years in no time!

This gorgeous Cami dress gives an instant super feminine shape to your body!This gorgeous gold number is just €19.45!!

Looking for something to hide the fact you've eaten 3 boxes of roses and 4 Christmas turkeys?And they're ain't nothin wrong with that! You stuff your face girl! I know I will be!

Then look nor further than this ultra stunning peplum dress! For only €16.45 you can really dress this one up! Peplum dresses accentuate your waist and legs making them look slimmer! yay!!

The print on this dress is absolutely gorgeous! If you have the body for something skin tight around Christmas, then fair play to you and wear this bad boy every single day! Dress this one up or down, it looks good either way! And for a budget busting €12.50 who could say no!

Looking for something a bit longer?

Although this dress is slightly more expensive, it will be flying out the doors!

Super elegant and super festive this dress wont break the band but you may have to think''hmmm do i REALLY want this?'' At a reasonable €25.45, you'll be turning heads at every Christmas/New years party! I guarantee it! 

I hope this was somewhat helpful! I will be doing a few more of these before November is out! I really hope that you do not feel pressurised into buying that €200 dress or that €58 glittery jumpsuit. Christmas on a budget can be stylish and affordable!

If you have any questions, tips or just want to say hi, simply comment below or mail me at nadinestephens1990@gmail.com

The Parma Violet

H&M: Christmas On a Budget

Christmas is everywhere, Christmas means parties, Parties means dresses, Dresses means money which means that you actually have to have some! And given the current climate I know that most people out there are really struggling, myself included. Being unemployed means reading these blogs near Christmas makes it feel nearly impossible to have an amazing wardrobe for the festive season. BUT I have searched the high street and have found a few select stores in which it CAN be made possible for you and I to look impeccable this winter! So without further adieu I give you the top dresses from H&M on a budget for this Christmas.

This gorgeous festive green sparkle dress is absolutely perfect for Christmas parties, and at ony 12 euro you definatey cannot say no to this super perfect budget dress! I wore this dress to a Christmas Blogger event last week! And another girl turned up in the exact same dress, just goes to show that this is a VERY popular number! 

**NOTE** This dress runs small so you will be better off grabbing the next size or two up.

Also available in black.

This one is my utter favourite budget dress!

Gwan have a guess how much it is, I bet you'd never guess! have you an estimate?

This dress is 9.99 FROM H&M!! 

I couldn't believe it! Its so beautiful and classy! This dress would suit ANY Christmas party! With a plunging back, and netted neckline this dress will leave people asking ''omg you paid HOW much'' I recently wore this dress to So Sue Me's book launch! And it is also available in powder pink and deep purple. Collect them all! :) 

Looking for a pop of red this Christmas? 

This striking red dress is just 12.99 from H&M. With a drop waist and a pleated flare, this dress screams Christmas Party! Team with a statement necklace and a 1920's hair do and you're ready to par-tay bay-bay!

Not into Dresses? More of a trouser kind of girl?

Well look no further than this delicate piece from H&M.

The wide leg on this jumpsuit gives an instant slimming effect to the waist! What more could you want? This jumpsuit is just 19.99! Team with some red or gold accessories and you'll be super festive before you know it. Or keep it all white for a very white Christmas

have the skirt/trousers and need a top?

Look at this stunning gold and black top! This is SO much more prettier in the flesh!

With just the right amount of sparkle this will totally transform any outfit! 

And it just 9.99!!

Team with a leather skirt or some sexy leather biker trousers and you'll be set for a festive night out!

Going to a fancy dinner or a family gathering? 

This this is perfect! comfortable and flowy yet still elegant and edgy!

This Pretty dress is only 19.99!!

Team with some glitzy bangles, and a statement necklace and you'll look dazzling darling!! 

I hope that this post was of some use! I really do understand that Christmas isn't as easy for everyone else when buying presents for others and Children is your main priority, you tend to forget yourself, and that it's Christmas for you too! No it's not easy but thanks to H&M it makes it that little bit easier! 

And if anyone has purchased anything from this list please let me know! I'm dying to see you all in your budget Christmas buys! 

Happy shopping everyone!!

The Parma Violet

Christmas Blog Party

November seems the season to be jolly this year! Christmas parties left right and centre! And I aint complaining!

Look how amazing everyone looks!

So I was Delighted when Nirina & Filomena invited me to their 'Christmas blogger party', I saw the invite on Facebook and I knew this was going to be amazing! Organised and Hosted by the beautiful Aoibhe, Who flew all the way home from Australia and STILL somehow found time to organise all of this! Aoibhe, you're some woman for one woman!

The party was taken place in Opium on Wexford street in Dublin, and it was a beyond perfect setting for a Christmas party! With dark lighting and a whole floor to ourselves how could we complain? There was wine...oh so much wine, gorgeous deserts, a tonne of photographs and exciting goodie bags for everyone in the audience! Inside the bags included:

•  Dream Dots For Spots
• Nivea in shower Moisturiser 
• Nivea cherry lip balm
• Nivea invisable deoderant 
• Beverly hills perfect white Black toothpaste (A god send)
• Sizers
• Cocoa brown iPhone case
• Popchips 
• Aloe Vera King Drinks
• Koh coconut water

We were absolutely spoilt!!!

And it doesn't stop there! There was a best dressed competition and everything! With everyone buzzing with excitement, trying to guess who looked killer enough to win this extra bag full of Cocoa Brown gooodies! And of course the stunning Agata won and deserved every inch of that prize, she looked festive and utterly gorgeous! Well done Agata!

And of course it wouldn't be a Christmas party without turning up dressed exactly like someone else!! Thanks to Jessika Banaghan for being my super sparkly twin all night! You rocked that dress!!!

It was the perfect party, and I met so so many gorgeously talented bloggers that I just adore! Thank you all for being such fun and lovely people to be around!It was a fantastic night and a total hit!! I can't wait to see you all again! 

Special thanks to:

Aoible Devlin - The Secret Obsession

Nirina Plunket - Killer Fashion

&

Filomena Kaguako - Enhance Whats Yours

And everyone else who were just amazing!

Zita Kelly - zee-railed

Jessika Banaghan - Chaos Wearing Lipgloss

Lorna Duffy - Fashion Boss

AJ - AJ Makeup

Agata & Veronika - Style Gamblers

Megan Day - Blondes Love Cupcakes

Katie Brennan - Okaybee

And I THINK i have everyone, if i don't, let me know and ill jot your name and blog down! ;)

And of course if you are a fellow blogger and would like to come to more events such as this one please do not hesitate to get in touch, simply comment below or email me @ nadinestephens1990@gmail.com :)

And here's a shot of the gorgeous Nirina, me (And my knickers) and the stunning Megan 

Until next time girls!

The Parma Violet