The Importance of Gifting

**This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Boots**

Christmas time is the one time of year when everyone has something in common - buying gifts. We all buy gifts at other times of the year, but Christmas is when we all come together and collectively buy gifts for our nearest and dearest. But with the cost of living being so high, kids to look after, work to do etc it can often become something we view as a chore and not as a pleasure and privilege. Because ultimately that's what gifting is: a privilege. And it's so important to remember that.

What Santa Left Under My Tree

This year we celebrated Christmas early with my family - two weeks ago in fact - because they were off to the States to spend Christmas there. I blogged about it and you can read all about our early Christmas celebrations here.

Gifts For The Unicorn Lover In Your Life

I really enjoyed writing my 'Gifts For the Fox Lover In Your Life' post, and so I decided to work on a couple of other themes. Now, these aren't random themes. No, my friends, some of the people in my life will actually be receiving gifts this year for Christmas from this very blog post!

I wouldn't say I'm a unicorn fan, although personally speaking - who doesn't actually like them?! I am the biggest fan of anything cute and pretty and unicorns fall in to both of those categories..so it's safe to say that some of these are going on my very own Christmas list this year...

My personal favourites include:

'I poop glitter' pyjama's. Everyone gets pyjamas at Christmas, it's like a law and these are particularly to my taste - and my humour! Personally speaking, I think every Unicorn lover should have a pair of these, because quite frankly, why wouldn't you? And these are only £24.99 from one of my favourite shops - Chicks Rule. Bargain.








Then, seeing as we're on the topic of loungewear, a nice new pair of unicorn pyjamas would't be complete without some matching slippers now would they? And personally speaking, I find these to be very understated. I think they're even subtle, wouldn't you agree?









Then what unicorn fan would be without a unicorn cup to enjoy their daily beverages? At only £4.99 I think this one is a bargain and unicorns would be proud to adorn it - right? Technically yes, this did come from the children's section, but hey, who cares.










Now, a true unicorn fan wouldn't be ashamed to step out of the house with unicorn themed attire. So this bag is perfect for holding your daily bits and pieces. Described on the Selfridges website as "A little bit mad' - it certainly is. But hey, for £28, I think it's quirky and unique.








In this day and age, we all have mobile phones, and what better excuse to dress yours up as an actual unicorn?! I'm totally crushing on this rubber case from Asos. It's only £15 and you'd feel like you had your very own unicorn with you in your handbag. Yes, you might look slightly insane when talking on the phone, but who cares?!









Now, for the true unicorn lover in your life, stocking fillers are a must this Christmas. What about this cute little unicorn necklace? Sweet and simple, and hey, maybe you can even make wishes on it?








And last but not least, what about a unicorn pen. You just remove the unicorn's backside to reveal the pen and away you go - your writing needs forever to be fulfilled with the end of a unicorn (literally). Only £5 from Paperchase.













So, there you have it - your gift guide to buying for the unicorn lover in your life! Which is your favourite item?

Stanley & Maud

I grew up going to church, and even though I don't go anymore (well, other than the odd Christmas or Easter celebration) one thing has stuck with me - it's a word that was spoken over me years ago. It was 'the best is yet to come'. It was something several people felt like I needed to hear and has stuck with me since, and I now class it as the saying over my life because it's so true and relevant to me.

I've had so many reasons to need to hear 'the best is yet to come' recently as it's been a bit of a difficult time over here in camp Lady Writes. But something has always stopped me going too far in to self-pittyville and that's this beautiful bracelet with the words 'the best is yet to come' hand stamped on it and made just for me...

This bracelet was sent to me by the amazingly talented Charlotte from Stanley & Maud who hand makes and custom designs the most intricate and detailed pieces of jewellery. I can't rate her items highly enough and I ask each of you to head over to any of the Stanley & Maud social media platforms (links below) and give them a swift like/follow because you will not be disappointed when you do.

I know it sounds silly, but this bracelet is something I hold very dear to me, and I haven't taken it off since it arrived. The quote on the top is the most important quote of my life and it's on my very own piece of jewellery forever to remind me when I need encouragement. I'm the sentimental type and this bracelet means so much to me.

All of the jewellery that Stanley & Maud make is like this, it's hand made so it's custom to you and the perfect way of creating something you're going to treasure forever - something that may not mean anything to another person, but to you it means the world.

They also offer a beautiful range of rings, necklaces, bracelets and various other items, all of which are hand stamped with the initials or message that you choose. It's a beautiful way of giving a truly unique gift, or making something to hold close to your own heart.

There is a huge way to customise your own pieces, and options for various sizes etc which means Stanley & Maud can cater for everyone. What's more, their prices are incredibly realistic and not going to break the bank, which is another reason that I hugely support handmade businesses like this one. You get unique - not mass made, and without a hefty price tag too. *waves 'I heart handmade' banner*

Next on my Stanley & Maud Wishlist is one of these gorgeous double disc necklaces which I want to have stamped with my initial and my sons initial too. I just think it's a lovely thing to wear around my neck every day.

So, if you're looking for the most unique pieces of jewellery around then pop over to Stanley & Maud. You can find them here:

Website: www.stanleyandmaud.com
Instagram: stanleyandmaud
Facebook: Stanley & Maud
Twitter: @stanleyandmaud

My Brain Box Candy #Happymail

Christmas is upon us and I've been working hard to find you the best gifts for this year - gifts that will ensure the ones I give will be the best for my friends, family and loved ones.

I have to admit that I'm not the 'smellies and chocolate' gift giver. I hate giving the expected things as gifts, as I want to give people pressies they will remember. Plus my sense of humour on a bad day can be described as sarcastic and on a good day, all out witty with a large dose of inappropriateness. So I tend to LOVE giving gifts with an edge, and that usually means something fun or funny with potential laughs involved. My loved ones have come to expect this!

I received a #happymail parcel from Brain Box Candy - a unique British brand who sell the most amazingly hilarious gifts, and I haven't laughed that much in ages...well, it was more like a snigger as I indulged in their wicked sense of humour gifts. I think I laughed so much I snorted!

If you love to have a laugh, if you know people who aren't going to take offense easily, or you have a penchant for naughty gifts, then check these guys out. You will find something for everyone in your life on their website and have a good giggle in the process.

In my #happymail parcel, it included this cup which is my perfect mug because everyone who knows me, knows that Gin is one of my favourite tipples. Sadly I can't drink it all day (boo) - not that I'd want to, but when I'm at work, this mug is a reminder to myself and my colleagues that I'm a Gin fan (hint hint for my secret santa this year). It's bright and fun and pretty much sums me up! They have loads of other variations on their website too.

The next thing to come out of my #happymail parcel was a selection of Sunshine & Biscuits cards - which are the cute kawaii style cards with funny messages on the front. I LOVE these because they are hilarious and very tongue-in-cheek, check out my favourites...

The cards are bright and loud and perfect for giving to my friends and family (all of whom fortunately have the same sense of humour as me!). However some are just too good to give to others, and I'm keeping them to frame and put up in my office - just for regular giggles.

I also got this fantastic cushion which is going to be taking pride of place in my office when it's decorated over Christmas. Now, I know I'm setting myself up to look like an alcoholic (I'm not, I promise) but I love a good and funny gift and I love a glass of wine too, so this cushion is nothing if not accurate! It's also massive and squidgy and feels really good quality as well. There's a whole selection to choose from on the Brain Box Candy website too.

So, this was my #happymail haul and I am totally over the moon with it all. I haven't found another brand quite a hilarious and fun as Brain Box Candy but now that I have, I will be purchasing gifts from them regularly...just because I know it's going to mean I give the most memorable presents! These guys are a firm favourite of mine now.

Watch my video review of the items here, and see the products in greater detail:



Follow Brain Box Candy:
Website: Brain Box Candy
Twitter: @brainboxcandy
Instagram: brianboxcandy
Facebook: Brain Box Candy

My Christmas Wishlist

So it's nearly here... It's nearly Christmas!

As a mummy, my priorities are sorting out my son's Christmas pressies, so it wasn't until my mum asked what I wanted this year that I started to think about it. I first thought I didn't really want much...until I came up with this list and realised I will probably have to bribe all the elves in the North Pole for even a few of these items, but hey, a girl can dream can't she?!

So, here's my Christmas wishlist...

Nars Glossy box Limited Edition box...now, I know you're all rolling your eyes with this one. But let me start by saying that I'm really late to the Glossybox party. I only just this week subscribed to Glossybox, which meant I totally missed out on the Nars Limited Edition box - and I'm so gutted. I don't think I've wanted anything as badly as I want this, so much so that I've even looked at thrones on eBay but at £85+ I can't justify it. Plus I loathe people who buy items like this in bulk just to sell on, when genuine people want the item for themselves! (Rant over) So yes, I know it's practically impossible but I'm wishing for a Christmas miracle on this one!

Too Faced Le Grand Chateau - another Christmas miracle is needed with this one Santa please. It's sold out everywhere and I really REALLY would love this under my tree. Another limited edition product, features the Too Faced 'Better Than Sex' mascara and three different make-up palettes inside. Please?

Fujifilm Instamax Mini 8 Instant Camera...Clearly I would like the pink version of this camera (duh),and although the film reels are uber expensive (10 prints for approx £15) I love the Instagram style pictures and would love to be able to snap and print pictures and put them straight into my journal. Very cute.

Thierry Mugler 'Alien' perfume is one of my signature scents and I have currently run out of it - sob. Perfume is one of those things that I never purchase for myself, so I'm hoping the elves make a pit-stop at the perfume shop on the way to my house on Christmas eve.

Heidi Swapp Light Up Marquee letters - these cute letter lights are only £10 each from Hobbycraft and over the Christmas break i will be decorating my office and I would love an 'L' and 'W' (lady Writes) for the shelf in my office.

'Nice Is Just A Place In France: How To Win At Basically Everything'. I'm really in to books by bloggers and women of status at he moment so this is on my 'to-read' list and I know it's going to make me howl with laughter, so I can't wait to put my feet up and have a good giggle at this!

Jess at juicyyyjesss.co.uk has got me hooked on admiring Lush products and this 'The Magic of Christmas' reusable bubble bath bar is an item that I am desperate to try - and it would be my first ever Lush product too! I love a good bubble bath so this would be getting lots of use.

So those are the things on my wishlist, are any of these on your Christmas list this year?

For The Fox Lover In Your Life

Considering I'm *almost* done as far as Christmas shopping goes, I'm feeling pretty good about now being able to pick up bits and pieces as extra's.

This year, I decided that for each of my close friends I was going to pick a theme for their gifts and stick to that. I can't reveal all the themes, but this one excited me so much that I just had to share it with you...foxes!

Sounds random right? But foxes/woodland creatures are really big right now in the gift and home markets. And when I started to have a look around for unique gifts, I was overwhelmed with how much choice there was!

So I've put together a little collage with my top gifts for the fox theme lover in your life:

My top personal favorites are:

The Kate Spade 'Ericka' slip on black shoes. I mean wow! If you're into foxes, or you know someone who is - then these shoes are going to be the ultimate status symbol. However at £170, I'm guessing you'd have to love a fox theme fan VERY much to buy them a pair of these!







This fabulous thermal mug is not only super cute, but it's an absolute bargain too! It's only £3 from Primark and is available in stores (usually around the till areas). I have actually bought one of these for my fox loving friend as part of her Christmas package. Useful and cute - and only £3! Are you feeling foxy?










In my world, Christmas isn't Christmas without funny presents. I love a giggle, so my friends and family are used to me giving them gifts that express my humor. So for the fox lover in your life, why not buy this hoody from Ebay? It's only £17.99 and it has free postage, oh for fox sake...










I think it's like a rule, that at Christmas you get new pj's. Personally I love a good pair of pjama's as I tend to get in them as soon as I get home from work - yes, I'm that cool. These red fox pj's are super cool and are currently on sale for £22. The fox lover in your life could even be foxy in their sleep...see what I did there?!

Who doesn't have a phone now days? Exactly! So a phone case is always a winner as a gift. This cute festival fox case in rubbery and comes from Claire's Accessories for £8. They have it available for most recent makes and models too, and this festival fox is also on some of the other items in my collage - including the sippy cup and earrings...so why not get all three?!

Who said foxes didn't like to look beautiful? You can even get lip balms with a fox theme too - for £3.95! Granted the lip balm is located in the nether regions of the fox, but hey, other than that this would make an excellent stocking filler for a fox lover!


SO, those are my top picks for fox theme lovers. If you saw something on the collage that I haven't mentioned here, then follow this link where you will be able to find details of all the items I used in my collage!

And you, yes YOU, you're looking foxy!

...sorry, I couldn't help it!