steamcream...

I'm sure I've rambled enough about my love of steamcream but I've just seen their Christmas tins and they are the cutest.

This little Rudolph tin is adoreable.

Imagine pulling this little gem out of your Christmas stocking.

They also have lots of great deals on at the moment too so if you're stuck for a secret santa present or just want to treat yourself then definitely have a look.

buy it here...

perfect pressies...

I love Christmas time and everything about it. I love catching up with friends I may have not seen too often over the last few months. I love spending more time with my family. I love visiting my cousins and aunts and uncles, I love the food, the mulled wine and of course the presents. I'm one of those people that prefers giving rather than receiving presents, because I'm a pretty practical person I usually have a list of the things I would like to receive rather than people spending money on things I may not use. This sounds pretty blunt but I just don't see the point in money being spent on something I won't appreciate or use. My mom now loves this plan and she still insists on buying me a few little surprises every year which I love too. After all it is the thought that counts.

Here are a few of my favourite gift ideas, I love personal gifts and a gift which has a story behind it.

Personalised Pottery from Emma Bridgewater

Any of my friends that have gotten married or had babies know my love for gifting Emma Bridgewater. I worked for this company for three years and in that time fell head over heels in love with the products. I know, I know a fascination with pottery is a bit nerdy but when you see how each piece is made and the planning and designing and painting and love and care that goes into every piece from factory to shop floor you can't help but fall for it a little bit. All the pieces are hand painted or hand sponged and the personalised pieces are made to order so every mug really is made specifically for the person you want to give it too. What a nice thought. Even my dad has grown pretty overprotective of his "Jim" mug. Don't tell him I said that...

Name necklace

Any lady that has watched Sex and the City will know Carrie and her deep love for her "Carrie" necklace. I never thought too much of it as I'm not a big necklace wearer but recently have found myself looking up these pieces more and more often. Such a simple piece that can be worn every day. I think it would be a really lovely idea to get one made for yourself and one for a friend too so you get to share the name necklace buzz together.

Photo calendar

I made my mom a personalised photo calendar last year filled with pictures of me and my little brother from when we were growing up. It didn't cost a lot but after seeing her reaction I would gladly pay ten times the price again. Anyone that knows my moms knows that she cries, a lot, she cries when she's happy and when she's sad which has become a bit of a running joke in our house. Poor Mom. But she loved this calendar and there were definitely happy tears on Christmas morning in our house.

Steamcream

I LOVE STEAMCREAM. It's plain and simple. this stuff is awesome. You may have read an earlier post that I did on Steamcream and if you haven't you need to check it out. Steamcream makes the perfect gift anytime of the year but especially at Christmas in Ireland when it is cold and blustery and hands and faces need a little TLC. Keep an eye out for some festive tins aswell as some great deals they run on their website.

My other favourite idea when it comes to giving presents is to make up little boxes filled with lots of small presents. Most of the excitment with opening presents comes from the anticipation of unwrapping the paper so it's even more exciting when you find you have ten little things to open instead of just one.

Be creative when giving gifts and give something you would be happy to receive yourself.

must have moisturiser...

For years I did not like to moisturise. I know, I know it's almost a sin not to moisturise but I put it down to only ever having the misfortune of trying moisturisers that were too heavy, or too oily and that made my skin feel unclean. This is until an amazing work colleague of mine introduced me to Steamcream. As she is a little older and much wiser than me she was preaching the benefits of moisturising and after I had told her I just hated the thought of it she suggested I try this miracle moisturiser.

Steamcream as you might have already guessed is created by steaming together an array of super ingredients such as lavender essential oil, oatmeal infusion, cocoa butter, neroli oil, chamomile blue essential oil and organic jojoba oil to name but a few, into a beautiful silky smooth emulsion.

Steamcream is not just a face cream but an all over body and face cream which I just love. It smells amazing and as soon as it is applied, it sinks deep into your skin to give you the best moisturising benefits you can have. Your skin is left feeling silky smooth but not oily or greasy or heavy with product. I use it under my make-up after being in the sun, before I go to bed and every day in between.

Ok I know this sounds like the best thing since the slice pan but you havent even heard the best bit yet! Steamcream comes packaged in the most adoreable limited addition tins. I think this may be partly the reason for my addiction. Everytime I see a new tin I find myself placing a new order. Once you have finished the cream the tin can then be used to store jewellery, little trinkets or as a snazzy little tin of decanted sunscreen to save you lugging the big one litre bottle all the way to the beach and back.

I buy mine online but I know there you can also buy it at Selfridges and John Lewis. I have gifted many many tins to my friends and family and it has always been a well received gift. My mom is now an avid fan and my fiance has also been caught with his paws in the tin on more than a few occassions.

Check out the website and do pick up a tin or two. with Christmas coming up keep your eyes peeled for some festive tins and also subscibe to their email alerts so you know when they have special deals on. They ship worldwide and I have just placed my second order of two tins to be sent to me in Australia and just a moment ago got an email confirming my order had been dispatched. They should keep me going through the Australian summer months.

Go grab some now: www.steamcream.com