12 January 2014

Christmas Present Swap With Kathryn From Effie

Just to address the elephant in the room, the 2nd photo is awful quality, I know

Hey guys! Today's post is going to be about what I got, last month, in the Christmas present swap I did with Kathryn, from Effie. We had decided to do a present swap after neither of us were in time to join any of the various present swaps already going on! We set a budget of £10 (not including the postage) and went on our way buying presents for each other. 

To start it off Kathryn included a little Estee Lauder makeup bag (which I believe she got from the car boot, so don't worry, she didn't spend loads on it) and it had a cute little bow and tag saying "open me!" Inside there was a Christmas card, but I thought the tag and bow was a nice touch. 

Now on with the makeup bits! I got a couple of eyeshadows from Natural Collection in the shades Asteroid, a really pretty brown shade with slightly bronze glitter, and Barley, a light golden/almost nude shade (which will be perfect for summer). The next makeup piece is a Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick in Vintage Rose (13), which is a dark dusty rose shade! I love this lipstick since it isn't at all drying and doesn't cling to any dry bits on my lips, good choice Kathryn - I'll have to look at the other lipsticks in this line! The final makeup related thing I got was also from Natural Collection, and it is one of their nail polishes in Burgundy, a gorgeous shimmery wine red shade. I didn't own a shade like this until now, it looks like it would make an amazing shade to do a "galaxy" nail design with, so I can't wait to test it out!

Kathryn then sent me 3 things from Marks & Spencer, the first being a little Magnolia set, from the Floral Collection - this included a mini hand wash, a guest soap and hand & nail cream! I haven't had anything Magnolia scented before, but I actually love the smell! It's quite fresh whilst being slightly floral, which means that it isn't one of those overly floral scents. The next was a Mango Lip Balm which I am yet to try, but it smells lovely, I may even go and put some on after I finish this post! I also received a Cocoa Butter Hand & Nail Cream, and as cocoa butter is one of my favourite scents, especially in moisturisers, I was really happy to get this. 

Lastly, I got one of my favourite products from Lush, the bubble bar Candy Mountain! This one is from the Christmas range, and it smells exactly like Snow Fairy (bubblegum), so if you like that, definitely look at Candy Mountain when it's next available. You really do need the smallest bit of it to make lots of bubbles, making it last for ages, to the point where I actually have some of a Candy Mountain from 2012!

Thank you so much to Kathryn for sending me such great presents, I hope she liked hers aswell! Make sure that you check out Kathryn's post about what she received from me here.

Have you ever taken part in a present swap?

My Diamond Advertiser for January is Niamh from Niamh's Dream!

32 comments :

  1. You got some lovely gifts! I love natural collection!

    xxx | daisydaisyxxo
    ENTER MY GIVEAWAY HERE!

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    1. Kathryn did a great job! Me too, I've used them since I was pretty young :)

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  2. Aw you got the Candy Moutain bubble bar! Haha, still can't wait to use mine! hehe xx

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    1. Haha yep! It's an amazing bath bomb, let me know what you think of it x

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  3. Lovely blog! Followed on GFC.
    Alice x
    agdoesmakeup.blogspot.com

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  4. What a lovely prezzie swap, I love lush bubble bars so may just have to pick candy mountain up when its next out-especially if it smells like bubblegum! L xo

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    1. Candy Mountain is definitely one of my favourites. I find that it is the most "efficient" bubble bar haha, you really need the smallest bit to make loads of bubbles! It should be out again in November this year x

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  5. I have never taken part in a present swap with bloggers before but it is such a cute idea.

    Kah-Feh Yen | YSL Rouge Volupté Lipstick Giveaway

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  6. Oooo not sure what a "car boot" is, but sounds like a deal-saver, and that's what counts! Haha
    Candy Mountain from Lush looks good - I really like the sweet smelling ones over the floral scented ones :)! Looks like you got some great gifts!!

    cachoojoo.blogspot.com

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    1. It's the same sort of idea as a garage sale, but a lot of people all gather together, put out a stall (with their car behind them, hence car boot) and sell things to people who come! I'm quite similar with bath stuff and this is a gorgeous bubble bar x

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  7. I really want to do a present swap with someone soon! I love the idea of buying someone all my favourite things! She bought you some lovely things, I bought the candy mountain bubble bar for my sister - smells incredible!
    Sophy xo | Lashes and Splashes

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    1. You should, it's so fun! Kathryn did really well haha. It's amazing isn't it! :)

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  8. Lucky you - I've never done a present swap but I'd love to!

    Thanks for sending me your link on Twitter :) I've followed you now so can't wait to read more :) I'm over at lotsofloveme.blogspot.co.uk if you want to take a peek xxx

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  9. I've done a prize swap before after completing a spending ban, and managed to swap prizes with someone in America! I have the Cocoa Butter set and I love mine too!

    www.ceejayell.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Wow lucky you! I would love to do a present swap with somebody in America, they have so many amazing looking products :)

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  10. this is such a sweet idea, you got a lot of stuff for just £10!

    tie-dye-eyes

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    1. The key is sale shopping, you get far more for your money haha! Admittedly Kathryn and I did go a little over the budget but oh well x

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  11. Gorgeous gifts!! I wish I'd done a present swap they look like so much fun
    xxx

    www.salted-roses.blogspot.com

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    1. Definitely do one this year, it's such a fun thing to do, especially when the other person has tastes like yours! :)

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  12. Aw this is so sweet! I did a couple of Secret Santas last year and got some beautiful pieces!

    Jenn Barely There Beauty | UK Beauty Blog

    xx

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    1. Oo did you do a post about them? I'd love to have a look! x

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  13. What a nice idea,lovely gifts.

    www.lookwhatigot.co.uk

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  14. This is a great idea! And what lovely things! I'd love to try this idea next Christmas.
    Ffion x
    Teainoctober.blogspot.com

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    1. They are a fun thing to do, ahh next Christmas seems so long away though. You could also find somebody whose birthday is near yours, and do a birthday present swap! x

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  15. Great idea! I'd love to do a present swap:) xx

    Mollie @ bellerae.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. They are a really fun thing to do, and they give you an excuse to buy stuff haha!

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