Here we are on the cusp of the festive season (Yes again, and yes already!) and this year I am starting to feel somewhat prepared. No I am yet to make a real dent in actually shopping, but this year I have at least started making lists for people, and yes that is a rather big, rather organised step in the right direction for me.
It has become a tradition for me here at Life Unexpected to put together some Christmas inspiration posts for my readers, and this year I am kicking off with my 'Christmas Inspiration for Her' for Christmas 2017 (and I am even getting them up before December, see I told you I was organised!).
It's not all about shiny jewels and all that glitters, sometimes the best gifts at Christmas come in the form of practical, everyday objects that will get a lot of use. So in honour or practical (but loveable gifts) this year's gift feature celebrates practicality (and some yummy treats too of course!).
Last Christmas I got an amazing practical gift in the form of the Amazon Echo off my other half, and she (Alexa) now resides in my kitchen. I use her every single day, she times my cooking (because otherwise I would burn the lot!), serenades me with my Spotify playlists and even keeps the dog entertained with Radio Stations when I have to go out.
So let's kick this gift guide off with CHOCOLATE!
Chocolate is always a nice touch, who doesn't enjoy a little over indulging during the Christmas holidays? It's almost an official holiday rule 'Must eat all the treats', but what about if the treats you were going to be enjoying came in the shape of some of your favourite things?
Choc on Choc Single Chocolate Mince Pie - £5.00 |
Choc on Choc are pretty unique in the grand scheme of things, they craft unique handmade chocolates that are lovingly handmade in Britain, and they come in some rather beautiful designs too, like this Chocolate Sushi!
Choc on Choc Chocolate Sushi - £9.99 |
Prices start from as little as £5.00 so you can tick quite a few names off your nice list and shop within your individual budgets, there really is something for everybody. Give the gift of Chocolate Sprouts (that look way too much like the real thing!).
Choc on Choc Chocolate Sprouts - £9.99 |
If chocolate somehow doesn't tickle your fancy (or maybe it does and you're looking for an innovative new way to carry it around) then maybe this Speakmark Lunch Bag does?
Practicality really is the key to choosing a gift, you do want to choose something that is going to get used (we all have gifts that just get stowed away in a draw and forgotten about right?), but if you pick a gift that is visually appealing and practical for everyday use, then that is money well spent.
The lunch bag has insulating qualities so that it helps to keep food placed inside fresh and cool, and it can be easily transported as it had a strap that you can wear over your shoulder. This makes it a great addition for the office place or even school/college.
January is usually a time that we all start to think about our health and well being, this bag would make a great addition to any New Year's Resolutions, and will aid you in transporting your homemade food back and forward to help you reach your goals.
The Spearmark Lunch Bag comes in a range of different colour ways - This one is the Black with White Polka Dots. It can be purchased from Amazon for £12.99.
In the spirit of New Year resolutions, you need to take a look at the YogaBellies Yogisac! This rather nifty bag can take the burden out of carrying your yoga mat around? Sounds simple but when you have been caught short and had to lug it around as it unfolds, you really do grasp this sensible and pain free solution.
It can literally replace any sports bag that you are currently using, it has pockets for EVERYTHING, you may be thinking that this bag looks familiar... Well you may have seen it on Dragons Den!
Features:
- Durable and long lasting
- Eco Friendly - It's made with AZO free dyes that are compatible with OEXO-TEX standards (and it's completely recyclable)
- Looks good and does the job
- Washes up a treat
- Fit everything you could possibly need inside. Yoga mat, towel, laptop, purse, phone....
In the spirit of New Year resolutions, you need to take a look at the YogaBellies Yogisac! This rather nifty bag can take the burden out of carrying your yoga mat around? Sounds simple but when you have been caught short and had to lug it around as it unfolds, you really do grasp this sensible and pain free solution.
The YogaBellies Yogisac retails at £35.00 |
It can literally replace any sports bag that you are currently using, it has pockets for EVERYTHING, you may be thinking that this bag looks familiar... Well you may have seen it on Dragons Den!
Features:
- Durable and long lasting
- Eco Friendly - It's made with AZO free dyes that are compatible with OEXO-TEX standards (and it's completely recyclable)
- Looks good and does the job
- Washes up a treat
- Fit everything you could possibly need inside. Yoga mat, towel, laptop, purse, phone....
Everyday gifts can mean a treat you get to use in some way shape or form on a daily basis, one of my favourites is this set from Ecotools, the Highlight and Glow Brush Set. It's a limited edition so if you want one then you will need to get your hands on one sooner rather than later... The set has brushes for your face and eyes that help you to achieve a airbrushed and illuminated glow (perfect for the festive season!).
It's pretty simple to use and you start by creating a base (flawlessly of course) with the airbrushed finishing brush. You follow that by using the controlled setting brush to highlighting your cheeks and the arch of your brows. The included comb (spoolie brush) helps to tame those unruly brows and lashes, and you can add definition across your lash line with the flat eyeliner brush.
Ecotools Glow Brush Set - £19.99 |
It's a great set and one that I know I will be making full use of over the next couple of months. You can pick the Ecotools Glow Brush Set up from Boots for £19.99, and you can check out Ecotools for more gift ideas!
Douvall's Argan Multi Balm retails at £29.00 |
While we are thinking about pampering ourselves, let's talk about Douvall's and their luxury organic Argan skincare range. I have only ever used Argan Oil in my hair before and I didn't realise that you could use it on your body too... For those of you who haven't heard of Argan before (Firsty where have you been?).... Argan Oil is a natural product that is known for it's nourishing and healing properties. It comes about from the release of kernels extracted from nuts of the Argan tree based in Morocco.
Douvall's have a beautiful product range that I highly recommend trying, we have been using a few of their products at home for the purpose of this feature, and I am currently swearing by the Argan Oil Multi Balm. It provides instant hydration to dry skin, and is so gentle it can even be used on sunburn and dry lips (I am prone to chapped lips so I have been getting daily use of the multi balm). It helps to form a protective barrier that helps to lock in moisture to make your skin and lips softer.
The second product that we have been using (and would make a great Christmas gift!) is the Douvall's Argan Bronzing Oil - and it is amazing. It's 100% natural and organic that has the full force of the Argan Oil, that has been combined with mineral makeup that gives you the bronzed shimmering look all year round (yes, even Christmas!). It can be used all over, even in your hair. I love this product and I am not usually someone who used anything with bronzing in.
The Landon Tyler Bath Gift set retails at £15.00 |
They pretty much include everything you could ever want in a bath set, a scented candle, reed diffuser, body lotion and foam bath in 3 gorgeous scents: Country Meadow, Pink Cashmere or Golden Amber. We have the Country Meadow that smells absolutely beautiful, and it really does make the bath time experience (each and every single night).
The Landon Tyler Bath Gift set retails at £15.00.
The Magnitone BareFaced Vibra-Sonic Cleansing Brush retails at £70.00 |
Despite it packing a powerful punch, the brush is soft and gentle to skin, and is a bit of a celebrity for it's innovative design. In fact... It's double award-winning Vibra-Sonic™ technology combines energising sonic oscillations and electromagnetic pulsed vibrations to boost micro-circulation and tone skin for a plump appearance and healthy-looking glow.
Features:
PulseLift™ Toning Mode
20 second timer + 1 minute stop - a beep for your T-Zone, cheeks and neck
Vibra-Sonic™ Gentle deep-pore cleansing
Wireless USB charger and travel bag
100% Waterproof
Compatible with all Magnitone interchangeable facial brush heads
Suitable for all skin types
If there is one thing that a lady seeks, it's the ultimate answer to painless hair removal, one that lasts and one that ultimately will stop hair from growing back! Let me introduce the BrAun Silk-expert 3 IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), The normal mode gives you the full power and adaptation to your skin tone at any time. In the gentle mode, the Braun Silk-expert adapts to different skin tones as fast and accurately as in normal mode – just on a lower energy level.
While other methods may only temporarily remove body hair, and you can feel it growing back by that very evening or next morning...The BrAun Silk-expert IPL tackles the issue at the root: after an initial shave, it puts hair follicles to sleep and breaks the cycle of hair regrowth. The result is permanent visible hair removal and fantastic looking skin.
Sounds magic hey?
It can be used on your face, lower body, underarms and even your bikini line.
I have been thinking about investing in an electric toothbrush for a while now, last year I realised that my gums were bleeding slightly mid brush, and I know that it is a sign of gum disease. After a trip to the dentist, they did recommend an electric alternative so that it was more effective in the long run. But if you have looked at the electric toothbrush market in 2017, you know that it is extensive and it is hard to really know what you are looking at...
Then I discovered the Oral-B Genius Orchid Purple Electric Toothbrush, and now after having used this brush myself I am beyond excited to tell you all about it (and I think that you will absolutely LOVE it too!).
The first thing I loved about this particular brush is that it helps keep your gums healthy (which is obviously of particular interest to me). I have been known to press on my gums to hard (trying to be effective in my brushing technique) and this hasn't helped matters. The Genius 9000 has automatic speed reduction, so it basically slows down if you are brushing too hard!
Plaque can build up pretty quickly and that is why brushing is so important, this brush comes highly recommended by dentists and was even awarded the Which? Best Buy of 2016! This powerful brush can provide you with whiter teeth from day 1 as it polishes away the surface stains on your teeth (Thank you caffeine), and with the round head technology (oscillating-rotating and pulsating!) it provides a superior deep clean that stamps all over my attempts with a manual toothbrush!
What if I told you that with the Oral-B Genius toothbrush you could combine motion sensors within the toothbrush with facial recognition software so that you can literally see where you brush, and can be guided as you go?
No seriously, that's an actual feature of this rather clever toothbrush (it even has Bluetooth!). You can download the Oral-B App and connect it to your toothbrush that will help perfect your brushing experience, and if you have kids it's a great way to get them brushing properly from a young age.
It's fair to say that this is one very smart brush, it not only looks smart but it IS SMART.
After that first brush he kept telling me how clean his teeth felt, and as I tucked him up into bed I commented on how shiny his teeth were (like stars in the nights sky!) and he had to get up and go to marvel at them in the mirror!
Features 6 modes:
- Pro Clean
- Daily Clean
Sensitive
- Tongue Cleaning
- Whitening
- Gum Care
What's in the box?
- GENIUS connected handle with 6 modes
- 4 replacement brush heads
- Smart travel case
- Upgraded charger
- Refill holder and smartphone holder
Pick up a bargain from Boots where the Oral-B Genius Orchid Purple Electric Toothbrush is currently £109.99.
I have had a Lumie in my life for the past few years now, and it really has become a staple item in my bedroom. So you can imagine my dismay when the other half carted it to his house never to be seen again... I recently took in the Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700, and it has been so nice to welcome a Lumie back into my life.
For those of you not familiar with the Lumie bodyclock range, they are wake up lights. The bodyclock's simulate dawn and wake you up gradually with increasing light. The light resets your internal body clock each day to create a healthy sleep cycle, help you get up and feel alert, refreshed and energetic all day.
I love the dawn simulator (and this is before I even get to just how amazing the Luxe 700 is!), because I genuinely feel better when I wake up with the gradual light. Just the other morning I woke up at around 6am, it was still dark outside, but the light was starting to light my room, not blindingly, but just enough to help your eyes adjust. It's especially welcome at this time of year when the darkness hangs around longer in the mornings, and you don't want to get out of bed.
The Luxe 700 has high quality speakers built into the bodyclock, this means that you can play a USB or your phone through your bodyclock. This is a feature that I quite simply just LOVE, you can reach a good volume for the music playback, and it's nice to be able to play my Spotify in my room over a speaker, instead of just on my phone. There is a brand new version of the Luxe (The Luxe 750D) and this has a built in DAB Radio!
It even has over 20 wake up and sleep sounds to help you adjust to the new day or help send you into a slumber. From classic birdsong, waterfalls or even thunder.
- Choose your own sunrise and sunset duration from 15 to 90 minutes
- Choose your sunrise intensity
- Low-blue light feature to minimise alerting effect before bedtime
- Mimics the colours of a real sunrise and sunset
- High-quality audio
- Bluetooth for streaming radio or your music
- USB port for music playback or charging your phone
- More than 20 optional wake-up and sleep sounds including white noise
- Fully dimmable light, daily/weekly alarms, snooze
Our final product for this years guide is the Scott Simplissimo Chef, and it is launching just in time for Christmas (available in the UK from the 1st November 2017!). Not the Scott Simplissimo is a must have for the kitchen (practical and desirable!), it is a multiple purpose kitchen appliance that will have you cooking up a storm in no time at all.
The Simplissimo Chef boasts a compact, sleek and easily portable design which is great for the likes of me, my kitchen preparation space isn't huge, so it's nice to have something that I can store away until it is needed, but if you are lucky enough to have the space to keep it out, the Simplissimo has it's own built in mount, which means it will sit on any surface, and it certainly looks the part, there is no point hiding it away if you don't need to!
Scott’s Simplissimo Chef has been designed to take pride of place on your countertop with its steel grey and lacquer black surround.
What can you make?
You can make dips, dressings & sauces, chunky or fine soups, smoothies, and even steam and cook an array of food Sous Vide.
You want more?
The Scott Simplissimo Chef can help anyone from a novice to a well-seasoned chef to create mouth-watering dishes in no time. The easy to use cooking programs are curated to enable you to cherry-pick the program for you whether you are making soups, sauces, juices or even cooking meat, seafood or vegetables. With touch sensitive technology and a patented overflow sensor which prevents hot liquids from spilling out the jar, Simplissimo will help you discover the stress–free way to cook.
Simply turn the digital rotary touch control to select the function best suited for your dish. The cutting-edge Scott Simplissimo Chef is programed to also cook Sous Vide, cooking vacuum-sealed food in a precise temperature controlled water bath, for healthy, nutritious and perfectly–cooked food bursting with flavour.
The 1.75L BPA free glass jar is made of premium quality borosilicate; suitable for cold and hot liquids. The Scott Simplissimo Chef is further enhanced by the state of the art LED timer completed with digital touch control, food ready audible indicator and automatic 20 minutes keep warm function. The array of functions available range from blending and ice crushing to manual and steam mode allows you to create dishes from scratch using the same device.
The Simplissimo also incorporates special functions to help make your life easier. The auto clean function is quite simply a time saver as the device will clean itself in just a few minutes meaning no fuss or mess.
This multi functioning device really can do it all!
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