Tattooed Tealady

31 December 2014

An ode to 2014

As each year draws to an end, I always feel in two minds about writing an ‘end of year’ post, but it’s hard to let another year pass without reflecting on the past 12 months. 2014 has been an odd one for me, a year which started amazingly well following on from a pretty sweet 2013, which swiftly turned into a roller-coaster ride come spring, before settling into a perfect year again as midnight December 31^st draws closer.

A picture of my favourite body care products of 2014

2014 has been a year where I have found myself completely addicted to body care products. I’ll be honest – body care isn't the most exciting branch of beauty, for me it’s more of an everyday essential to have good products in my routine. Yet throughout 2014 I've found some absolute gems where body care is concerned; products I would repurchase in a heartbeat. These are my favourite body care products of 2014 (and products I think all of you should try!).

Inkmedix Tattoo Aftercare

I've been getting tattooed for 9 years now, and over that time I've used my fair share of after care products. Although the build up to a tattoo is always exciting, it’s the after care process I concentrate on the most. You can spend all the money in the world on a tattoo – but if you don’t look after it properly, it won’t heal properly and ultimately, you can be left with a tattoo which is less than what you hoped for.

Blogosphere Magazine

Now onto its 5^th issue, I've been meaning to share my thoughts on Blogosphere Magazine for a while, a magazine that has left me eagerly awaiting each new issue. As the Beauty Editor for issue 5, now seemed like the perfect time to share my thoughts on this aptly named magazine.

A picture of my favourite makeup products of 2014.

2014 is drawing to a close, a year which has go by so quickly, but a year with amazing beauty releases and products which have kept me addicted all year. I always love doing the end of year favourite products round-up posts; sharing the products I’ve loved using the most, the staples I now couldn’t be without. These are my favourite makeup products of 2014!

Quick Skincare Fixes

It might be Christmas Day tomorrow, but all the end of year parties are just around the corner. Whether you're having a quiet drinks with friends and family to see in the new year, or going to the biggest party of the year, the last thing you want is difficult skin. Here's my top four products for quick skincare fixes, getting your skin party ready in no time.

A healthy start with #Alprotops

It's no secret that I love a cooked breakfast and if you've been reading my blog for a while and spotted any of my weight-loss posts, you'll know it's a big part of my diet that I've been trying to change. Although it'd be nice to have a big cooked breakfast every morning, it's not a healthy option and isn't the best way to start your day. I've been trying to make cooked breakfasts a once-in-a-while treat, instead opting for healthier options each morning.

Go-to Winter Scents

A picture of Melvita L'Or Bio Eau de Toilette, YSL Black Opium and The Body Shop White Musk Smoky Rose Eau de Parfum

Come the colder months I find it impossible to resist the warmer, deeper scents in my stash. I love the more fruity, floral and almost holiday-in-a-bottle scents of spring and summer, but they just don't quite cut it in winter.

Festive Look | The Christmas Party

This time of year everyone is planning something festive, whether it's a dinner with friends, a work Christmas party or just family visiting to celebrate the festive season. It's the time of year when you need products you can rely on, and with my partner's work Christmas party tonight, I thought I'd share the products I'll be relying on.

December Birchbox UK

If there's one thing Birchbox always get right, it's their collaboration boxes. For the December box* they've teamed up with accessories designer Sophia Webster. The box itself is beautifully designed with a pale duck-gg blue adorned with different colours, shapes and sizes of super pretty jewels. The collaboration doesn't stop there, with a product inside the December box being an exclusive from Sophia Webster. Let's get stuck in shall we?

Christmas Gift Guide | Fashion & Home

With just one week until Christmas, you have just a few days to sort those last minute presents out. I've shared quite a few Christmas gift guides with you all over the past few weeks, and today's gift guide is full of my favourite home and fashion finds!

A picture of Disneyland Paris at Christmas

Image Source

If you were told to drop everything for a free trip to Paris, would you do it?

Origins United State Balancing Tonic

Toner is one of those products that most people don't see the point in, but a step I have always had in my routine ever since I first started using skincare in my very early teens. Over the years I've made my way through quite a few, from both high-street and high-end brands. My skin just works better when I use toner, and on those few occasions I've skipped toner it's easy to see the effect it has on my skin, making me realise just how important toner is in a good skincare routine.

Christmas Gift Guide | Beauty

There's only 10 sleeps left until Christmas, so if you're still finishing off your Christmas presents and you're not sure what to get your loved ones, you don't have long left. Don't worry though, as I've got a whole ton of gorgeous beauty gift ideas to share with you all!

Focus the Mind with NEOM

A picture of the NEOM Focus the Mind home candle

I am a complete cliché this time of year. Everything changes; my makeup stash is full of berry tones, my fragrances are warmer and muskier in scent and every room is filled with festively scented candles. I love it. But every now and then, I need a break away from the warm, sweet and spicy scents, something a little more uplifting.

The 2015 Calendars

A picture of the Official 2015 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Calendar

This time of year is always exciting for me, and not just because of Christmas. With a new year quickly drawing near, I can't help but get excited for what 2015 might bring.

A picture of the Game of Thrones Winter is Coming Stark Mug

We never had proper Christmas stockings when I was growing up. Instead of having a stocking on the fireplace, we'd come down on Christmas morning to find pillowcases laid out full to the brim with presents. It might not be as pretty and traditional as a beautiful Christmas stocking, but it's one of my fondest memories of Christmas as a child; a full pillowcase. Stocking fillers are a great way to share the festive spirit and joy without breaking the bank - and they don't necessarily have to go in a Christmas stocking! Here's my top pick of budget-friendly stocking fillers and Christmas gifts.

Eye of Horus Eye Pencils

One of the first makeup products I ever started using was eyeliner and it's still to this day one of the products I own the most of. Pencil, liquid, cream, gel, there's so many varieties out there in beautiful shades that it can be a little hard to resist sometimes - and that's exactly how I feel about the Eye of Horus Goddess Eye Pencils.

Christmas Gift Guide | Books

For as long as I can remember, my favourite thing to receive at Christmas is books. Especially if it's a book which has been chosen with my interests in mind; I think books can be both thoughtful and budget-friendly gifts, and can capture imagination and attention more than any beauty gift set or sweet treat. Lots of friends and family will be receiving books for us this Christmas - and I've even treated myself to a few new reads, too - the perfect excuse to share a book themed Christmas gift guide with you all!

A picture of winter warmer butternut squash soup

One of my favourite things to cook come the colder months of autumn and winter, is soup. When it's a cold, grey and rainy day all you want is comfort food - and nothing is more comforting than a big bowl of homemade soup. My favourite? Butternut squash soup.

Volume Boosters for Fine Hair

I'll just put it straight out there. I hate having fine hair. I look at my friends, at other bloggers, celebrities, all with big, voluminous and goddess-like hair. Then there's me, the limp and lifeless one who has to spend hours to get half an hour of root lift, just wishing I could have Disney hair too.