The Body Shop Christmas Gift Guide & Giveaway *International*

I must tip my hat to The Body Shop this year. They have managed to successfully capture the essence of Christmas fun within their Christmas range. They have gift sets and stocking fillers for the whole family which all fall into an affordable category. Affordability is of major importance for me at Christmas. I would rather get my loved ones a few little gifts than spend a fortune on one expensive item. The Body Shop has made this possible while delivering (as always) great quality products with luxurious packaging that make them almost impossible to walk by without oohing and aahing! 

Perfect gifts sets for this Christmas include the White Musk Classic Moisture & Spritz Deluxe Gift for €39.95. Their iconic white musk fragrance is a soft and sensual blend of musk, lily, ylang ylang, vanilla and amber notes. Also this year they have their lovable Snowman Shea Scrub and Soften gift set for €11.95. It's cute, festive and contains two wonderful products that will have your skin feeling fresh and soft.

The Body Shop also have the perfect little stocking fillers if you're looking for something fun and festive. You can get the Reindeer wash ball for €5.95 and the Very Merry Mirror for €8.50. They also have the cutest snowman and gingerbread wash ball which are just so cute I want to have them all for myself!

Another cool thing about The Body Shop Christmas Collection this year is that a whopping £200,000 of their gift sales is going towards Community Fair Trade areas to build and amazing five new schools around the world. There's no better gift than the gift of education and in turn creating a brighter, happier future. To spread the word about this amazing School project The Body Shop have released the The Joyful Gingerbread School House which costs €29.95. Inside you will find Cranberry Shower gel, Gingerbread Shower gel, Cranberry Body butter, Gingerbread body butter and a mini crinkle lily body puff. 

Tis the season to Jolly and I'm very jolly today because I get to hold a giveaway for you my lovely readers. 

To be in with a chance to win yourself a bottle of White Musk Smoky Rose Eau De Parfum worth €20.95 and a bottle of White Musk Smoky Rose Eau De Toilette worth €15.95 all you have to do is complete the steps below. Good luck and a very merry Christmas to all. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Vintage Make-up and Handbags galore with Bernie's Bags this Christmas

Have you ever walk into a shop and thought WOW!, my friend would love this? Or OH MY GOD!, my mam would really love this piece. Well that happened to me recently when I went to the home of Bernies Bags. Bernies bags is a vintage shop owned by a lady in Co Meath. She sells vintage items through her Facebook page and also attends vintage and craft fairs regularly in the area. She also does repairs and hires out a number of her really special pieces.

She has some absolute gorgeous pieces and an unreal amount of vintage make-up I thought you might all be interested in. The fact that I got to see and hold theses pieces was a real delight for me. Just think about who owned them previously and the sights they might have seen.

 Irish Made sandalwood Leather Beverly Bag from the 1970's

Bernie has a small number of Beverly bags in her collection. Beverly was very populary in the 60's and 70's around the world for making handmade leather bags right here in Ireland. Fans at the time included Grace Kelly and Jackie O. If you are lucky enough you might be able to grab yourself one from Bernies Bags, the company went out of business in the 90's which is a real shame. The quality of their work is very hard to come by today.

I love this quirky clutch bag she also had in her collection when I went to visit, I've never seen an opening like that before. And the beading is gorgeous. Her pieces are in really great condition and deserve to be loved again!

Bernie's bags also has a wonderful collection of vintage make-up which includes compacts and lipsticks with the original make-up still contained. She also has vintage manicure sets which might appeal to collectors and any ladies who are interested in nails.

I really would recommend checking out Bernie's Bags out, you are sure to find a real gem for yourself or a friend this Christmas.

Check out her Facebook page for photos and you can contact her through her page also. She is currently show casing her pieces at the Christmas Craft fair in The Central Pub in Navan, Co Meath on Trimgate street. You can also contact her by email at handbagsforhire@hotmail.com.

Let me know what you think in the comments below. Are you a fan of vintage? 

Love,

Sarah

Buy Irish this Christmas - Addiebeads Jewellery

It's that time of year again, some find it a joy and some dread it. Finding that perfect gift for your loved ones gets harder each year. Over the next few days I'm going to make it a little bit easier for you to find something special by sharing some of my favourite Irish businesses with you. Why not get your loved ones something unique and support Irish businesses at the same time. Today I'm introducing you to Addiebeads, a handmade beaded jewellery on-line shop owned by Mary Drea in Co Dublin.

Marys Mission
To supply top quality glass beads and findings in vintage bohemian and classic styles at affordable prices. With this in mind Addiesbeads ships free within Ireland and only charges a flat rate of €2 to the UK. You can check out her website for other postal information.

Mary makes wonderful pieces that you will only find in her on-line store. She's also great at updating her Facebook page with new pieces and information on craft fairs where you can find her Addiebeads creations. I bought a lovely pair of Christmas earrings from her last year and have received lots of compliments on them. I'm really happy with the quality and she uses really gorgeous glass beads in her pieces to boot.

Mary started out focusing on selling beads but her pieces have become so popular now she has decided to focus on that just as much coming into the new year. Mary has told me that in the new year she will be "developing a full range of addibeads 'staples'.  Long chain necklaces made to order using crystals and semi precious stones.  Bracelets that will co ordinate, mix and can be layered with either the customers own pieces or mine. It will be an ecclectic mix made with top quality components, all nickel free and tarnish free. Chains will feature and lots of rosary style hand looped and hand wired beads will be the main focus." 

She describes her jewellery style as "very relaxed" with an "earthy twist on bling" and I would have to agree. I think her pieces would suit ladies of all ages and would make the perfect gift for someone special this Christmas. You can peruse her on-line shop and choose a piece with your loved ones favourite colour in mind. She really has something for everyone. I personally love her use of colours and beading designs. 

Addiebeads Links

Like her Facebook page

Visit her Website

Follow her Blog

Follow her on Twitter

Check out her work and let me know what you think in the comments below. Do you know anyone who would be thrilled with an Addiebeads creation this Christmas?

Love,

Sarah