• Christmas Wishlist // #CountdownToChristmas •

Dear Santa,

I've been reaaaaalllly good this year.

So please could I have...

Aromatherapy Associates 'Relax' Bath Oil;

Diptyque Figuier Candle;

Urban Decay Naked On The Run Palette;

Michael Kors Selma Tote Bag;

Tarte Dream Come Hue 12 Piece Collectors Set;
Marc Jacobs Ladies Baker Watch;
Charlotte Tilbury The Supermodel Genuis Tutorial Video Box;
Warehouse Tweed Faux Collar Coat;
Hourglass Ambient Blush Palette;
Lorac Pro Palette...

...please?

Love,
Daniela xo

• Perfection in a Bottle - Diptyque Philosykos // review •

I'm not usually one to get excited over scents but I feel as if I've truly found perfection with Diptyque Philosykos eau de parfum.

Yes, this is holy grail status and I have been obsessing over it since the day I smelled it around 2 years ago (it has indeed taken me that long to build up the willpower to buy it, as it 'aint cheap). The scent is very deep, woody and kind of unisex and the main note is fig. The scent doesn't last all day which kind of upsets me, so I carry it around in my bag with me and spritz on the go, whenever I feel like I can't smell it on myself anymore. I always receive compliments when I wear it and a few of my friends are now looking into purchasing a bottle. Well worth a sniff, if you're near a Space NK. At £85 a pop, I would say Diptyque Philosykos is a perfect gift for Christmas and the packaging is truly stunning and very luxurious. If you're into these deep, sexy kind of scents then I'd definitely give this one a go; I feel like I'll be wearing this perfume for years, its so timeless and sophisticated.

Have you smelled this perfume before?

Would you recommend anything else from the Diptyque brand?

Daniela xo

• The London Haul Part 1 // Skincare, Homeware, Beauty •

I went shopping, I went shopping...

(in my head I sang that to Beyonce's 'I been drinkin, I been drinkin...' no? Just me, then.)

Ohh I just bloody love spending my money before I've even been paid, apparently! So I plodded all around London, stopped off in a few beaut shops and treated myself. So much so that I've decided to split this into two hauls. You know it's bad when you have to split hauls over two posts.

Liberty was first up, and I picked up the cult product Pixi Glow Tonic. I'd read reviews on the product, some good, and some that absolutely bashed it, but I'm a person who is intrigued easily so I decided to go for it. I'm so excited to try a liquid exfoliator as I've only ever used manual ones, and this one promises to reveal glowy looking skin. I'm planning on using it in the evening before bed so my serum goes on smoother and in deeper, having more of a chance to work overnight. I'll keep you posted on this as I can imagine I'll want to throw in my own two pennies!

I've wanted Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum for absolute donkeys years (two years) but I've always thought the price tag was a little steep - at £85, I wasn't going to reach into my purse lightly. However, since recently starting my first full time job, I just thought 'sod it'. So I walked into Space NK, marched straight up to it and took it to the till as quick as possible (so I didn't have a chance to think about the price and change my mind). I certainly don't regret it. This is my favourite smell in the whole world, with no exaggeration, and I can't even look at any other perfume in the same way again. The scent is very figgy, earthy, sort of unisex/masculine and it sticks around all day. I do tend to spritz 5 or 6 sprays as I love to smell the perfume all day long, so I can imagine I'll run out of it in a few months but I don't care - I will always repurchase this product, I absolutely love it.

Since hearing amazing things from Lily Pebbles about & other stories, I made it my mission to find my way there. As H&M's sister shop, I had high expectations, and when I walked into the shop I was a little bit excited. The layout of the shop is quite minimalist and clean, everything on the shelves looks so pretty and the shop smells amazing. They sell everything from clothing, homeware, make up and more which is totally my jam as I love shops that sell an array of different products. I somehow found myself in the homeware section (seriously when will I stop buying home things?!) and was instantly drawn to the lovely hand soaps. They look so vintage and I'm a real sucker for packaging. More importantly, though, is the scent of the soaps. I picked up Moroccan Tea, Fig Fiction and Breville Bakery. They smell incredible, so strong and amazing. The scent lingers on your hands after you've washed them and my hands feel smooth (and not dry!!) after using the soap. I really love these and for £4 each, I'm pretty chuffed with the price, as you only need the teeniest amount for them to lather up. I'll have to place an order when I run out of them as it's a little crazy to make the trip to London just for hand soaps... right? Is it? I don't know. I'm considering it.

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Have you picked anything up recently?

Daniela xo

• January lusting // February wish list •

I thought I'd start a new series to let you all know the products I've been lusting over for the past month and what I'll be popping on my shopping list for the next month :) It's just kind of a fun way to show you the kind of products I'm into! I created this image using Polyvore and I would be really interested in seeing what you guys lust over beauty/fashion-wise, so if you decide to make monthly lust lists, please do leave the link in the comments box.

1. Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade

Currently £15 from Cultbeauty, click here to be directed to the site.

I'm a massive brows gal, so this product really excites me. It's been described as having a gel-mousse consistency which is really unusual and nothing like I currently own. It's waterproof, smudgeproof, and adheres to your eyebrow hairs making them look really natural but really defined. There's a waiting list for this product as it's not out instores/online yet - I'm very tempted to sign up to that list this weekend.

2. La Roche Posay Effaclar DUO Dual Action Treatment

Currently £23.95 from Lavishchoice, click here to be directed to the site.

I've acquired a few little friends-of-the-face recently which can't really be covered up with make up. I'm not sure if it's stress, hormones or the weather, but my skin has been majorly acting up. I've heard so much about the La Roche Posay range and I think that February will be the month that I finally give it a go.

3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Ethereal Glow

Currently £28 from Space NK, click here to be directed to the site.

Just look at it...any sane beauty-lover would want this, surely. There are a range of shades to choose from but I don't have any blush shades that are light/baby pink, so I thought this one would be the best shade to go for. I never jumped on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders as I thought that £38 was a bit steep for a face powder, however I don't mind spending that little bit more on a blush as I could use it sparingly if needed.

4. Estee Lauder Pure Colour Eyeshadow Duo in Raisins

Currently £23 from Boots, click here to be directed to the site.

I'm a sucker for plum shades so this duo is perfection for me. When I saw this product on Zoella's beauty favourites I knew I had to have it - the lighter shade is perfect for highlighting the inner corner of the eye and the plum shade is gorgeous in the crease. I've wanted this for far too long now so I may just have to bite the bullet and go for it!

5. Bourjois Happy Light Foundation
Currently £11.99 from Boots, click here to be directed to the site.
If you're a big blog reader and YouTube watcher, you'll have heard about this product. Bourjois just bring it when it comes to bases and this one's no different. The amount of times I've swatched it in-store is bordering no ridiculous...I'm just waiting for my Bourjois Healthy Mix to run out before I purchase this beauty.

6. Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfume
Currently £85 from Space NK, click here to be directed to the site.
This scent is unlike anything I've ever smelled before. Just writing this is difficult as I can't even find the words to describe it. It's a fig scent, quite musky and woody, and just smells heavenly. It's a perfume that lingers, which seals the deal for me - I hate it when perfumes fade away after an hour or so. This is one of those perfumes that you try once and don't stop thinking about. I will definitely be purchasing this one in the near future.

7. Benefit They're Real Mascara
Currently £19.50 from Boots, click here to be directed to the site.
I received a sample of this mascara in my stocking for Christmas and as soon as I wore it for the first time, I knew it was the best mascara I'd ever used. I'm being very stingy with my sample bottle as I don't want to use it all up too quickly - I definitely recommend it and will be purchasing the full size tube as soon as my other mascaras run out!

There's a round-up of what I'm hoping to purchase in the month of February. I hope you like the idea of a little series, I'm looking forward to writing them - hopefully these posts will be a constant reminder that I need to treat myself throughout the months (not that I need any reminders...)

Daniela