Festive Makeup Look

When I think of festive makeup, I think of glitter, winged liner and a red lip. It's just such a classic combination of products and colours that work so well together. During the colder months of the year, my skin tends to look flat, dry and lifeless. Therefore, I try to incorporate as many 'glowy' products as I can to give the illusion that my skin is really this radiant. These are the products that I use to distract away from the dry patches and redness the cold brings me. 

Bourjous Radiance Reveal concealer

This product has been a relatively new discovery for me in relation to the other products in this post. Back in the summer, I purchased this for the first time, and I believe this is the third concealer I have had now. It brightens my under eyes like no other concealer I have tried before. With buying concealer from the drugstore, I tend to find that the lightest shade amongst the range of shades that a brand brings out, is never light enough - but this one is perfect! It's long lasting and stays put all day. 

Laura Mercier Highlighter in Indiscretion

 It makes me sad to now look at the beautiful embossment that gets ruined every time I use it :'-( Is anyone else like this, or is it just me?! (It probably is haha). This highlighter isn't overly glittery, but adds the nicest shine to the tops of my cheekbones, mimicking the 'natural' radiance that I want my skin to have in the winter months. 

Nars Orgasm Blusher

Nars is one of those brands that I really want to try more of, but haven't got round too. I use this blusher the majority of the time. If I'm not using this one, I use the Bora Bora baked blush by Laura Geller. This pink toned blush with tiny gold reflects is gorgeous, and looks amazing on the cheeks. I have even used this blusher as an eyeshadow, and it looks equally just as amazing. Nothing can beat a Nars blusher. 

This post concludes my little series of the 12 days of AmberAtlanta. I hope that it has been just as enjoyable to read, as it has for me to come up with the content, photograph and write each and every post. Thank-you to everyone who has read even one post. I hope you have the best Christmas!

What products do you like to use to achieve a glowy look?

Amber X

One Year On

I know this post technically doesn't fit in with the 12 days of Christmas theme, but I really wanted to include it. So, a year ago today, I published my first blog post. It wasn't a massive post, a rambly/chatty post or even a beauty related post, but it was the first thing I posted here on my blog. I am genuinely surprised that a year on, I am still enjoying photographing, scheduling, writing and posting a blog post basically every week, just as much as I did in the very beginning. Blogging had been something that I was considering starting waaay before I finally made the decision to just go for it. I'm sure you can relate when you want to start something new, but are a little nervous and apprehensive before doing so. All it takes is one sporadic and impulsive moment, and you can do anything.

The numbers side of having a blog has never been a big concern of mine, but never would I have ever imagined that my little blog would have got to where it is now from posting this time last year.  I see my blog as a hobby of mine, that I like to do for myself, and when I want some down time... It blows my mind that people take the time out of their day to post a comment, or even have a look at what I have written. It's just little old me?! It's crazy. So many good things have happened this year, and I have so much to look back on and feel a sense of accomplishment. My blog being one of those good things. I wanted to end this by saying thank-you to you for reading this post, to those who leave me nothing but lovely comments on each and every post, and even to those who just have a little nose and then leave...

It means a lot.

Thank-you.

Amber X 

All The Mince Pies

What is Christmas without mince pies?! I don't know if I am right in saying that having mince pies at Christmas is a British thing, but it makes me really happy when Christmas time, because it means one thing - mince pies. Whether they are shop brought, home made, warm or cold, mince pies are one of the best things about Christmas. Here is how to make your own...

What you will need

1 jar of mincemeat 

375g of plain flour

260g of unsalted butter

125g of caster sugar

1 large egg, plus 1 beaten egg to brush over the pastries before they go in the oven

What you need to do

1. Place flour and butter into a bowl and use your fingers to combine to the two together to make a crumbly consistency.

2. Add the sugar and the egg and mix together. 

3. Place the pastry on a lightly floured surface and knead until the pastry comes together. 

Or 

Buy shop brought pastry and your life will be much easier. I'd recommend the Jus-Rol Shortcrust pastry that you can get from most supermarkets.

4. Preheat the oven to 220c. Roll out the pastry to your desired thickness and using a cutter, cut out 16 bases and place them in a cake tray.

5. Roll out the remaining pastry and using another cutter, or freehand, make 16 mince pie tops. 

6. Using a spoon, fill the pastry bottoms with a teaspoon of mincemeat. 

7. Place the pastry tops on the mince pie bottoms.

8. Glaze with the beaten egg, and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

9. Leave to cool and if you fancy, dust with a bit of icing sugar or caster sugar. 

I altered this recipe from the BBC website, you can find the full recipe here. 

Have you ever made mince pies before? Do you like them? 

Amber X

What to Watch At Christmas

How could I do Christmas related blog posts without including my favourite films to watch at this time of the year?! Watching films alone, or with family members and friends is something that I love - regardless of how many times you have watched something previously. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the best excuse to only move from your chair or sofa, when you're called for food... So if you fancied watching something Christmassy, these are the ones that I would recommended you watch.

Home Alone
This is definitely the Christmas film that I have watched every year, for so many years. Whether it be the first film or the second, they just fill you with festive-ness. Poor Kevin always gets left behind when his family plan to go on holiday and you get to see what he gets up too whilst his family aren't around. This film is such a Christmas classic, I will no doubt be watching this one on repeat.

Arthur Christmas
This animated Christmas film is definitely one of the 'newer' Christmas releases. It's so easy to watch, follow and enjoy. You follow Arthur and his desire to make sure that every child gets what they have asked Santa for in their letters. He goes to great lengths to make sure that no child misses out on Christmas morning. This film is so sweet and great for all the family.

Christmas Specials of TV Series 
When it comes to Christmas time, I'm sure that a few TV series will do a Christmas special. There is something so festive about your favourite TV shows creating a one off Christmas episode. I must have watched Gavin and Stacey's Christmas special more than a handful of times already... If you haven't seen this one specifically, you must!

Elf
The ultimate Christmas film - am I right? Cute old Buddy makes his way to New York City in search of his Dad whom he has never met before. He gets to know himself and learns a new way of life that isn't all about elves. Not only is he the best at making Christmas decorations, but also spreading festive cheer. This film will always put a smile on your face.

The Holiday
If you've read my other what to watch posts, you'll know that I am a massive fan of a soppy drama/romcom. The holiday is exactly that, but in Christmas form. Two characters, Amanda and Iris, swap houses over Christmas time to escape their troubles and essentially, have a break. Unexpected love interests appear and they both aren't so quick to return back to their own houses after all. I'd probably go as far as saying this film is my favourite Christmas film... It's so cosy, and gives you that happy, warm, fuzzy feeling. If you're like me and a fan of this one, you'll enjoy Love Actually just as much.

What's your favourite Christmas film?

Amber X 

Nutella Hot Chocolate

What better way than combatting this cold weather, than with treating yourself to a hot chocolate?! I love hot chocolate - it goes perfectly with your favourite film, whilst sitting under blankets or duvets and with all the cosy fairy lights you can imagine. If you're a fan of Nutella, then you'll love this super easy recipe that will transform the ordinary (but still delicious) hot chocolate. 

What you will need: 

Nutella
Milk - of your choice. (Almond is my fav)

Your favourite mug

A spoon

Decorations if you so wish - whipped cream, chocolate, whatever you fancy!

What You Need To Do

1. Add a teaspoon (add less if you want a subtle taste of Nutella, or more if you're a Nutella fan) of Nutella into your mug.
2. Heat up your milk. You can do this in a number of ways - on the hob, or in the microwave for example. I pour milk into a Pyrex or microwavable jug, and put it into the microwave for 2 minutes.

3. Once the milk is warmed to your desired temperature, add the milk to the mug, little by little, stirring at the same time. You will soon notice that the Nutella dissolves and turns the milk chocolate-y. Yum!

4. You now have the tastiest Nutella hot chocolate.

5. If you so choose, top the hot chocolate with whipped cream and maybe even add some grated chocolate. (Why not... It's Christmas).

What's your favourite hot chocolate?

Amber X

12 Days of AmberAtlanta

Getting into the Christmas spirit, I have set myself the challenge to post 12 times before Christmas Day. 12 days of Christmas, or more like 12 days of amberatlanta. I have a post planned for every other day, starting today and ending on the 24th. Get ready for all of the Christmas-ness. I cannot wait to get into all of the festivities that come along with celebrating Christmas... Is there a better fuzzy, happy feeling than feeling festive? I'll hold you to that one. Here is a short list of reasons why I love Christmas time. 

1. Spending time with family is the best. Playing silly games, watching Christmas film after Christmas film and just having fun together makes me feel super festive. 

2. Pretty sure everyone is happier and more friendly in the run up to Christmas - bar the stressed out individuals who are still Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. It may just be me that picks up on this, but I am certain people on the whole, are cheerier. 

3. It's one of the very few times of the year where it is acceptable to eat as much food as humanly possible. 

4. Cold, frosty mornings are so beautiful. Stepping outside early in the morning to see cobwebs filled with dew drops, and crunchy, frozen grass is a good start to a new day.

5. Gift giving and seeing happiness on the faces of those who you have really thought about when considering their gift, is one of the best feelings. 

Why do you love Christmas?

Amber X