I was lucky enough to win a little competition by Birchbox.

It is a monthly subscription to sample and full size beauty and lifestyle products. I have always wanted to try it out, but had never really got round to it.

Anyway, I won a competition to receive a free December box. I was very happy indeed!!

It arrived in beautiful packaging which I quickly ripped through.

But mine came with a little extra Christmas surprise for me.

A beautiful Baublebar bracelet which I fell in love with the second I got it.

Haven't really taken it off since either...

I am in love with packaging and how they present themselves.

I always believe something needs to look the part to be the part.

The box has been created in collaboration with Sophie Webster to create a fun, glittery Christmas goodie box.

This small purse was created from her exclusively for Birchbox.

I already have my lipgloss in it.

It's fun-loving look and size is perfect for all those dainty things you need kept in your bag for a party.

Then came the gorgeous 'English Laundry' perfume by Christopher Wicks.

I love perfume samples which I take with me when I'm traveling home or even just stuffed in my bag when I feel like a freshen up.

This was my favourite by far.

I love a good face mask. My skin is always causing me problems with sore breakouts constantly. I am trying new products all the time. I can never quite find sometimes that works.

I've used it once so far and it made my skin baby soft. I haven't really seen any difference in my skin condition, but hopefully after a few more tries I will.

It's easy to apply as well and only take 5 minutes which is a big plus.

The Eyeko fat eye-stick has been used plenty since I received it.

It makes a wonderful eyeliner as the colour isn't a harsh black so it blends in really well.

It also lasts all day...even when I rub my eyes constantly!

And who doesn't love a new add-on to their glitter nail polish collection.

I don't really wear glitter nail polish that much but tis' the season!

I am heading away to Paris for NYE this week and plan on taking this Electric reviving shampoo with me. So hopefully it lives up to its name.

But so far, it smells great!

And finally, no festive cheer is complete without some Benefit makeup.

I am a total fan of anything Benefit, I use their concealers, mascaras, bronzers, etc.

I just love their stuff!

It came in the cutest packaging I have ever seen -  a teeny tiny cracker!

It can be used all year round on your cheek and brow bone for added definition and shimmer.

I love it in summer on holidays at night and during all the Christmas parties - win win!

Thank you so much Birchbox for these lovely gifts!

I cannot wait to try out the remaining products during the next few weeks.

I think I may be just clicking subscribe now...

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Well, the turkeys have been eaten and the crackers pulled. I hope you all had a very merry Christmas with family and friends around you in abundance.

It is my favourite time of year by far, I just love everything about the Christmas season.

Delicious food, fairy lights, the Christmas candles and the board games which get their yearly turn.

"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more"

- The Grinch

Before I left to go home for Christmas, Edinburgh lit up with the Ferris Wheel and wooden huts for it's yearly Christmas market.

Emma, Lois and I grabbed our hats and scarfs and dipped into the rain for some Christmas cheer.

Edinburgh has laid out their stalls so well this year. With the crafts and European markets at Princes Steet and the Scottish Market up at St. Andrew's Square.I have to say we wandered to the Princes Street market first.

And we were not disappointed. Stalls filled with goodies to munch and browse...

I am a complete quote addict. I have books upon books of handwritten moments and quotes since I was a young teenager.

So this stall was perfect for me.

I found this one and fell in love - "My husband and I are doing a workshop. He works and I shop."

I regret not buying it so much as it describes my relationship pretty well...jokes!

But my favourite part was getting a night off uni work with these two lovely ladies. The cheer and joy of Christmas was getting us all giddy, even amongst the rain.

And then we found in a corner the best hotdogs I have ever had. They were simply named the 'French Hot Dog', ran by this French family who were filled with laughter and delicious mustard toppings to offer.

The lady chatted away whilst preparing our food. A perfectly cooked hot dog in a freshly baked baguette.

When asking what toppings we wanted, she demanded I got the french mustard for the true apres-ski experience. And she was right.

With a sprinkling of cheese, we all bit into the scrumptious food - remembering why we love Christmas markets so much!

We even returned once or twice more over the next few days...whoops!

We wandered around more stalls with happy bellies. 

Everyone is so friendly around this time of year with the Christmas tree lights on and happy customers.

We even found a pretty neat stall which sold wooden ties and bow-ties...with an even more enthusiastic salesman who filled us with delight!

To satisfy my chocolate craving, we helped ourselves to churros. 

This is a necessity for every Christmas market I attend...and pretty much all year round actually!

It's a dessert weakness, okay?

We headed up to see the St. Andrew's Square market with their amazing ice-rink.

It is wrapped around the monument in an oval with bridges above to cross so spectators can watch from above to chuckle at the fallen and gasp at that 4 year old speed skater who you can never quite understand how they do it.

I was able to get free tickets for St. Andrew's Day for free ice-skating here.

It was amazing skating round and round with all the excited faces. 

I may have done a Michael Scott from The Office (if you haven't watched it already - start NOW!) and fell flat on my face, bringing with me another poor skater on top of me. 

Whoops...

What a wonderful Christmassy night we had.

"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas which is peace;

The heart of Christmas which is love."

- Ada V. Hendricks

Now grab your blanket, a hot chocolate and another Christmas movie (I recommend The Grinch) to celebrate the end of a very merry Christmas and the beginning of a new year.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

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