Festive Reds: A Guide to Christmas Lipsticks

Festive Reds: A Guide to Christmas Lipsticks

Wednesday, 27 November 2019

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Guys, it's nearly Christmas. Skipping past the how, why and when of the matter, we all know that time moves super fast, there are few things I love more at Christmas - other than the food, the presents, the quality time with loved ones... in that order - than getting a bit jazzy with my make up. A glitter shadow here, a winged liner there, highlighters giving you the reflective appearance of a bauble... it's the most wonderful time of the year for us make up lovers, and you know all the other Christmas celebrating folk out there.

My Favourite Christmas Films

My Favourite Christmas Films

Tuesday, 20 December 2016

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I so wish that it was socially acceptable for people over the age of 5 to watch Christmas films all year round. Sadly it is not, so I try to make the very most of the few weeks in December when I'm allowed to watch them. After having a look through some old blog posts (read them here and here), it seems that my taste in Christmas films has stayed exactly the same, so I'll try not to bore you too much with the details. 

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa...

Tuesday, 13 December 2016

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I don't want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need... well actually there are a few things. In a controversial twist, that neither I nor Mariah Carey saw coming, I actually do care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree. Sidenote: I'm gonna have that song stuck in my head until April now.

Christmas Gift Guide: Stocking Fillers

Christmas Gift Guide: Stocking Fillers

Saturday, 3 December 2016

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When I was little stockings were one of my favourite things about Christmas. Going to sleep with an empty stocking and waking up to find it full of little presents, chocolate coins and the ubiquitous clementine, was undeniable proof that Father Christmas is real - I know I said is, I stand by it - and that made them so very magical. Even now little stocking fillers are my favourite presents to buy, and I love nothing more than waking up at silly o'clock on Christmas morning to open my stocking. And I'm sure I'm not the only one. I've put together a little gift guide of little gifts, just for you lovely people. No thanks necessary!

Christmas Gift Guide: For Her

Christmas Gift Guide: For Her

Thursday, 24 November 2016

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Welcome to Part 2 of my Christmas Gift Guides, this time I'm talking about the best presents for her. So if you've got a mum, sister, nan, aunty or friend you're struggling to buy for then look no further. 

DW Home Red Currant Scented Candle - £7.99 from T.K. Maxx

Candles are a fairly fail safe present, one could even go so far as to say they're a bit boring. But not if they're actually good candles. That's where I've got you covered because DW Home candles are amazing. DW Home is an American brand that can usually be found in the aisles of T.K.Maxx. The candles are hand poured, burn really well and have amazing scent pay off even when they're not lit. The Red Currant candle smells amazing and is so beautifully packaged. It would make a really nice gift for an aunt or a Secret Santa present for a work buddy. 

Oliver Bonas Copper Pineapple Storage Pot - £24 from Oliver Bonas

Copper and pineapples have been kind of a big deal this past year, and they're going nowhere anytime soon. This cute little copper pineapple from Oliver Bonas is the perfect nod to the trend.  It's really cute and quirky and oh so instagramable. This would be perfect for any girl who loves interiors, or pineapples, or copper... so basically all of us. Not gonna lie I want this. 

Oliver Bonas Gold Nina Ball & Stick Double Row Necklace - £19 from Oliver Bonas

So you may have noticed that I've got a little bit of a thing for Oliver Bonas at the moment. I might be doing a lot, if not all, of my Christmas shopping there. And I might also definitely be treating myself while I'm in there. This layered necklace was one of the first things to catch my eye. It's so nice and manages to be pretty and elegant and effortlessly cool all at the same time. I wish I was this necklace because I am the complete opposite of all those things. Anyway it's a really pretty necklace that looks way more expensive than it is, and would be sure to score bonus points with any fashion conscious friends or family members.

Frozen Olaf Pyjamas - £11 from Primark

Pyjamas at Christmas are pretty much a given, and these fluffy Olaf pjs are ideal for curling up on the sofa with a christmas film, my favourite is The Grinch, and a Terry's Chocolate Orange. Cute, cosy and super snuggly! Does it get any better than that? No, no it doesn't. 

New Look Pink Dinosaur Slippers - £9.74 from New Look


If you have seen my unicorn slippers from last Christmas then you will know that I have a bit of a thing for ridiculous slippers. And I can't be the only one. These dinosaur slippers are amazing and guaranteed to raise a smile. I really, really want them, but I think I'm only allowed one ridiculous pair of slippers at any given time. 

Sanctuary Spa Just Because Gift Set - £10.50 from Boots

Sanctuary Spa is a lovely and seriously underrated brand. I've loved everything I've tried from them, and I am a big fan of their self-heating clay mask. The Just Because Gift Set is a lovely little set, that contains decent sizes of some of the brand's best sellers. The set is made up of the Cleansing Body Wash, the Gentle Polish Body Scrub (which I hear is amazing), the Luxurious Body Butter and the Velvety Hand Cream. This set would be a lovely gift for anyone who loves a good old pampering session, again all of us!, and at £10.50 it's an absolute bargain!

Let me know if you find this useful either on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

Christmas Gift Guide: For Him

Christmas Gift Guide: For Him

Tuesday, 22 November 2016

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The Christmas shopping panic is well under way folks. But fear not! I am here to take the stress out of it with my Christmas Gift Guides. I asked on twitter and the general consensus was that you wanted to see them, so here they are. Now let me first start with a quick disclaimer I am single, possibly the most single person ever, and have been for some time. It's not for lack of options, more that I am terrible with other humans. I don't people very well. With that said I'm probably not the best person to be doling out advice about what gifts you should be buying your S.O. But when it comes to dads, step-dads, brothers, uncles, male cousins, friends etc. I've got you covered.

The Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide: For Him

The Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide: For Him

Tuesday, 15 December 2015

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This year, for the first time ever, I find myself in the unique position of having almost finished my Christmas shopping, with time to spare no less... this has never happened to me before. So I thought with all the extra free time I have this year I would put together a Last Minute Gift Guide to inspire all you lovelies who, like myself,  prefer to do their Christmas Shopping in a panic induced rush.


BB8 App-Enabled Droid - £129 from thehut.com

Now I'm single BUT, and I can say this with a certain level of confidence, NO man will be able to resist the BB8 Droid from the new Star Wars movie. Even I think it's cool and I've never actually seen a Star Wars film. You control it from an app on your phone and, as far as I can tell, all it does is roll around, but it's such a cool little gadget. How could any man resist such pointless but fun gadgetry?

Beats by Dre Studio 2.0 Noise Cancelling Headphones - £129 from Currys

The sound quality of Beats by Dre headphones is incredible, I had a pair a couple of years back and they were amazing. They look good, they sound better and music lovers will love them.

Personalised Nutella - £4.99 in store at Selfridges

EVERYONE, and I really mean everyone, loves Nutella. But getting your own personalised jar of the stuff is a whole other level of awesomeness. If I found this under the tree with my name on it I would be super chuffed.

Game of Thrones - £39.99 from Amazon

Game of Thrones is seriously addictive viewing. I'm talking don't move off the sofa, don't shower, only eat pizza for six days addictive. And like nutella everyone loves it. If you haven't already it's definitely worth checking out.

Boss Bottled - £33.84 for 100ml from Amazon

I always find that aftershave is kind of a fail safe present, and Boss Bottled is my favourite man scent. With warm, woody base notes of cedarwood, sandalwood and vetiver, top notes of apple, lemon and plum and heart notes of geranium, cinnamon and cloves. The contrast of the warm spiciness against the sharp fruitiness is incredible, it's the ultimate sexy man smell. Side note: don't give this to your dad or brother, or any family members. That would be so awkward. 

Armani Exchange AR2480L Mens Leather Watch - £159 from House of Fraser

If all else fails you can never go wrong with a  really nice watch, and this one from Armani is great. Sleek, stylish and nearly out of stock, so hurry.

Let me know if you find this useful either on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

The Christmas Tag

The Christmas Tag

Thursday, 10 December 2015

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Sorry guys, it's another late one tonight.  I'm really sorry I know I've been a bit rubbish lately. I have to tell you I've had one hell of a day; involving an argument with a 6ft Christmas tree, a hunt for a Christmas tree stand and having to buy all new Christmas decorations, although that bit was quite fun. Anyway it's's beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas, to honour that I thought I would do the Christmas Tag. This tag has been floating around online since last year, at least, BUT I didn't get round to it. So here it is just for you lovely people.

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?

ALL THE CHRISTMAS MOVIES! If I have to choose one definitive favourite then it's The Grinch. I love it. It's magical, awesome, hilarious, super quotable (MAX! Help me... I'm feeling!)and heartwarming, what more could you want from a Christmas Movie? But seriously I love Christmas Movies. Other favourites of mine are Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Elf, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppet's Christmas Carol, The Santa Clause, Love Actually... the list goes on and on (read more about my favourite Christmas movies here and here)

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

We open them on Christmas Morning. When I was really little me and my brother and sister used to always beg my mum to let us open our presents on Christmas Eve, and we would be allowed to open one before bed. There have been a couple of years where I've had to wait until after Christmas Dinner to open my presents, and needless to say, it was pure torture

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

When I was about 3 we had this big family Christmas at my Nan and Grandad's house. Me and my cousins all got little electric cars, mine was a little red ferrari, that we could drive around in. Our Dads took us outside so we could test drive them and my Uncle was recording everything on this giant video camera, I thought he was taking pictures and me, being the teeny tiny poser I was,  stopped to smile and drove straight into a bush. Even now it makes me chuckle. My Uncle caught it all on video, so somewhere in the world exists a video a teeny, tiny me, obliviously, driving a teeny, tiny car into a bush.

4. Favourite Festive Food?

Again my answer is ALL OF IT. I love festive food. I love Christmas Dinner, I love Gingerbread Men, I love Terry's Chocolate Orange. I just love party food. I'm also partial to a cheese board. I said it and I meant it ALL THE FOOD.

5. Favourite Christmas Gift?

This is quite a tough one because I can't really remember. Christmas always seemed so much more magical when I was little. OOH I just remembered, when I was 7 or 8 me and my sister really wanted Furbys. They were the sell out toy that year and we didn't think we would get them but my mum queued up outside Toys R Us  from 11 o'clock at night until 7 o'clock in the morning to get Furbys for us and she did, she got them. Honestly it was the best present ever, even though looking back Furbys are pretty much the scariest toys in the world. Even so I loved mine. BRB going to give my mum a hug. This could also be a favourite Christmas memory.

6.  Favourite Christmas Scent?

TINSEL! I know that it's essentially plastic but nothing makes me feel more Christmassy than the smell of tinsel. I love it. It just reminds me of being  really little and  being so excited for Father Christmas to come. I also LOVE the Christmas Treats Yankee Candle, it smells amazing, like the best cake is baking in the oven. Oh I love it.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditons?

I don't have any family traditions anymore, we used to always leave a mince pie and a glass of milk for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph when I was little, but apparently I'm 'too old' to do that now. Whatever. Now I always make a giant mug of hot chocolate (read about a great hot chocolate recipe here) and fall asleep watching The Grinch in bed.

8. What tops your tree?

If I was is in charge of decorations then it would be a shining, gold star BUT I live at home with my mum, who is very... particular  about Christmas Decorations so there is no star. Instead there is a giant, red bow. I don't hate the bow, it's just not a star.

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

There were two things: 1. Horse, obviously, I''m pretty sure every little girl wanted a horse.  2. I wanted to be Queen of Disney World, not realising that it wasn't in my mother's power to make that happen. I also wanted every Barbie ever but I never got those either.

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Christmas is my favourite time of year, it's magical. I love everything about it. I even love the stress filled lead up to Christmas. I love spending time with my cray family. Obviously I love getting presents but I love giving them as well. I love ridiculously cheesy Christmas music. I love all the food. I love the decorations. I love the films. I fricking LOVE Christmas. So all of it is the best part.


If you guys wanted to do this tag I have left the questions for you to copy & past below.

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

3. Do you have a favourite Chrismas memory?

4. Favourite festive food?

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

7. Do you have ay Christmas Eve traditions?

8. What tops your tree?

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Let me know if you do the Christmas tag either on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for updates. 

Love love love xxx

*Disclaimer* I do not own the image used in this post. Image used for entertainment purposes only. Image Via

The Weekly Round Up #6: Advent Calendars, Christmas Jumpers, Lost Voices & Catching Up on I'm A Celeb

The Weekly Round Up #6: Advent Calendars, Christmas Jumpers, Lost Voices & Catching Up on I'm A Celeb

Monday, 7 December 2015

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Happy Monday my lovelies! Sorry that this post's a day late. As you could probably tell from the title I've lost my voice, I don't know how Ariel coped through almost an entire movie, I've not had my voice for nearly 3 days and it's driving me cray!, I've got a pretty nasty sore throat and a temperature going on. So apologies for missing yesterday's post.

Anyway! The first week of December is over and I don't know about you, but, sickness aside, I am well into the Christmas spirit! After a successful but very long day of Christmas shopping at Lakeside on Saturday with my cousins, I feel more organised and like I can face this Christmas head on. So turn up that cheesy Christmas music because Santa, I'm ready for you!

But first things first, with 17 days left until the big event, let's round up this week.

Cadbury's Advent Calendar - no longer available

I started off this month having completely forgotten to buy myself an advent calendar. November went by so quickly that by the time I realised I needed an Advent calendar, Cadbury's obviously, they'd all gone. But after I called my mum and whined down the phone to her, she got on the case and I became the proud owner of one of the last Cadbury's Advent Calendars in the land (I might be exaggerating just a tad here). 

Christmas Jumpers - £14.00  each from Primark, available here & here

One just cannot get into the Christmas Spirit without a tacky Christmas jumper, and I've got two so I am doubly festive. I love Primark at Christmas time. It's my first port of call when all I want is festive jumpers, pyjamas and socks, which is always. After popping into the giant Primark at Lakeside on Saturday and spotting these two festive numbers I couldn't resist. The cardigan is amazingly tacky,  just looking at it puts a big cheesy grin on my face, and the gingerbread motif on the jumper is Christmassy and really cute. I'm so pleased with my purchases and will be getting so much wear out of them both this festive season. 

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here - episodes available on itv.com

Over the last couple of weeks I have worked a ton of overtime and ended up missing a load of I'm a Celebrity because I was so tired. (Side note: I am so happy Vicky won #TeamVicky) So I've spent the last couple of days catching up on all the stuff I missed. I can't decide what I've loved more: Vicky, the so bad it's oh so good banter between Ant & Dec or the general drama at camp. This series has been excellent I have to say.

Like I said earlier I have got a really nasty sore throat and have completely lost my voice. It sucks, massively. Though I'm sure some people are definitely relieved. I've been drinking a shed load of hot lemon and honey and going through cherry flavoured soothers like there's no tomorrow, in the hope that it will come back, but no luck so far.

On that note I'm going to make a steaming hot mug of lemon and ginger tea and watch The Grinch in bed.

Love love love xxx


P.S. for regular updates check out my twitter, instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest x

Lola loves... Autumn

Lola loves... Autumn

Thursday, 24 September 2015

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As of yesterday, my lovelies, it is now my favouritest time of year! Autumn is just the best. I'm so excited. Can you tell? So to celebrate the end of the (non-existent) Summer I thought I'd put together a list of all my favourite things about Autumn. 

Crunching through Autumn leaves

Long Autumn walks

GIANT scarves, because they are quite literally the best

Halloween (AKA the one night a year I will watch horror movies) is coming

Christmas is also coming

Crisp Autumn mornings

Salted Caramel everything 

Snuggly evenings with blankets, books and netflix

Hot Chocolate (with marshmallows)

Bonfire Night = Fireworks & Sparklers

Being able to watch Hocus Pocus & The Nightmare Before Christmas. It's socially acceptable now

Warm snuggly socks 

Ridiculous snuggly slippers

Wooly hats, mittens, jumpers and boots

Giant coats

Listening to the sound of the rain

Tea. All of the tea

Binge watching tv boxsets because it's literally too cold to do anything else

Berry lips & winged eyeliner 

Dark & glitter nails

Dark nights 

Onesies become socially acceptable again 

My mum's home made chicken soup 

Christmas shopping 

Trick or Treating 

I'm probably missing loads off this list but for now these are the things I love about Autumn. What do you guys love about Autumn? Let me know in the comments, by dropping me an email to lolarocknroses@gmail.com or on twitter. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolanrocknroses - & pinterest 

25 things I love about Christmas

25 things I love about Christmas

Thursday, 25 December 2014

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It's here! It's finally here! Christmas Day is here! The most wonderful day of the year! Merry Christmas you lovely people you! I hope you've been spoilt rotten, are eating all the food and having the merriest and happiest of days!  (Apologies for excessive exclaimation marks, I'm terribly excited)

In the last few weeks I've told you all about my favourite Christmas films (read them here and here) and songs (read about those here) and stuff but I thought, as it's Christmas, I'd tell you the 25 things that I love love love about Christmas.

Wrapping presents, with a hot chocolate and a Christmas film on in the background.

Watching The Grinch every day in the week leading up to Christmas.

Seeing my massive, mad family.

Christmas jumpers.

Woolly socks.

Terry's Chocolate Orange! 

Tinsel.

Magic. Christmas is magical.

Falling asleep on the sofa (covered in dogs, obv!) after Christmas Dinner.

Christmas Dinner! 

Seeing friends.

Christmas drinkies ;) 

Playing Fairytale of New York on repeat, just because.

Eating ALL the food! After spending weeks as my Mama's sous chef.

Christmas trees.

Non-stop baking, sausage rolls are my specialty.

Christmas decorations. 

Making my dog wear his Santa Paws costume! Yes world I'm THAT person, sorry not sorry! He likes it... I think.

Opening my stocking in the morning, I didn't have one this year :( 

Presents! Obviously!

Seeing my niece & nephews open all their presents. It is the cutest thing.

The A-MAY-ZING TV! Christmas TV is actually the BEST! Also Christmas movies and Christmas songs.

Wearing fancy going out clothes just to lounge around on the sofa.

The last day of the Advent Calendar!

Father Christmas! 

Those are the 25 things I love most about Christmas! What are yours? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or by dropping me an email to lolarocknroses@gmail.com. 

I hope you're all having a wonderful day. Eat, drink, be merry! Have an amazing Christmas and New Year. I will still be posting in the meantime so be sure to check those out. Also check out my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest. 

That's me for tonight, I'm putting on my Christmas pyjamas, snuggling up and watching a film with the family. But I'll back on Sunday. 

Until then...

Merry Christmas! 

Love love love x

Image via 

Lola Rocks #2...The Christmas Edition

Lola Rocks #2...The Christmas Edition

Tuesday, 9 December 2014

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WARNING: This post contains some seriously cheesy Christmas Music!

Christmas Time is upon us once more, which means that, among other things, tinny Christmas Music has been piped into shops and on TV for a good 3 -4 months now… I’m kidding, well sort of.

Anyway I thought I would continue with the festivities by giving you a rundown of my top 5 festive favourites (music wise) to get you all in the Christmas Spirit. 

Fairytale of New York by The Pogues feat. Kirsty McColl 

AKA the best Christmas song ever and my absolute favourite. I defy anyone not to love this song. It's not Christmas without Fairytale of New York. It just isn't.

Where are you Christmas? by Faith Hill

 

This is easily the cheesiest Christmas song in all the Christmas celebrating lands but as it is from my all time favourite Christmas film, The Grinch (read more about that here), it had to be included. Once 1st December rolls around I have The Grinch on pretty much non-stop and I just love this song.  Cheesy? Definitely! But who doesn't love cheese? 

All Alone on Christmas by Darlene Love & the E Street Band 

Another song from another one of my favourite Christmas films, Home Alone 2! It's also in Love Actually (another fave) so obviously it's an amazing song. Why is it so amazing? Well it just sounds like Christmas and Joy. Not only that but it features the incredible E Street Band, who I love (insert heart eyed emoji) and Darlene Love has some serious pipes on her. I spent ages scouring youtube for the original music video featuring Macaulay Culkin - because it is epic AND the ninetiest thing to ever nineties - but alas! I couldn't find it. If you get the chance to watch it, and it will definitely be making the rounds on music channels, you need to because it's brilliant.  

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Joey Ramone

Okay so this is where I start to get some of my street cred back (Street cred? Do people still say that? Do I even have any? Did I ever have any?) Anyway this song is amazing.  Originally recorded by Darlene Love in the 60's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) has been covered by everyone from Mariah Carey to U2. But in my humble opinion Joey Ramone's cover is the absolute best! I just love it. It's Christmassy but it's also rocky and I love that. You know I love good old Rock music. 

Santa Claus is coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band  

Regular readers will know that Bruce Springsteen is my favourite everything! So of course I love his cover of Santa Clause is Comin' To Town. It's just... epic! 

River by Robert Downey Jr 

All dem feels though! I added this in as a cheeky bonus but also because it is unbelievable. River, originally by the great Joni Mitchell, is such a beautiful song, mix that with Robert Downey Jr's incredible voice and I tear up everytime I hear it. Just beautiful.

Those are my favourite Christmas songs, but I wanna know what are yours? Let me know on twitter using #LolaRocks,  by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, pinterest if you like pictures of dogs - who doesn't?!- and my Bloglovin. That's me for today but I'll be back on Thursday. 

Until then...

Love love love xxx

*Disclaimer* I own nothing, images/videos used purely for entertainment purposes. 

Christmas Yankee Candles: A Review

Christmas Yankee Candles: A Review

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

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A couple of weeks ago I ran out of candles, and instead of buying more of the same I thought I'd give some of the festive Yankee Candles a go, and I was so not disappointed. They are lovely. 

Yankee Candles in Holiday Baking & Christmas Treats. 

Christmas Treats 

 Christmas Treats

One of my favourite things about Christmas is all the baking I get to do and this candle totally brings Christmas baking to mind. Honestly it smells beautiful, of love, happiness and vanilla or like God himself (or Mary Berry) is baking the world's greatest and most delicious Victoria sponge. I now really want some cake. Anyway this candle is amazing, and smells so good I want to eat it. 

  

Holiday Baking  

Holiday Baking 

Before this is burnt the smell is almost overpoweringly strong. All that changes once the wick is lit. It smells like cinnamon and baking gingerbread and it's lovely and so festive. The only thing is it's a little bit sweet for my taste, but it is very nice. 

Christmas Treats is my favourite of the two and I will definitely be buying the full size, but they are both lovely. They burn nice and evenly, which is very important to me, and the scent fills the room without being at all overpowering. They just leave a room smelling Christmassy and gorgeous with a lovely, cosy glow. 

Sorry for the crappy quality of the photos. Candles are a bitch to photograph, or they're just bad pictures, either way I'm sorry.

Have you tried the Christmas Treats or Holiday Baking Yankee Candles? What did you think? Love them? Hate them? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or emailing me at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also have a look at my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin and pinterest if you want too :) 

So that's me for tonight but I'll be back on Thursday with my November Favourites.

Until then... 

Love love love xxx

Lola Loves... Christmas Movies Part 2

Lola Loves... Christmas Movies Part 2

Sunday, 30 November 2014

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Much like the movies of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay or Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Lola Loves...Christmas Movies has 2 parts! Tehe! 

There's nothing I like doing more at Christmas time then snuggling up on the sofa with a blanket, a hot chocolate and maybe a snack or two and losing myself in a really good film. To me it's all part of the fun of Christmas. Here's Part 2 of Lola Loves... Christmas Movies. Enjoy! 

Rise of the Guardians

onlinemovies.pro 

Not to be confused with Guardians of the Galaxy, which I also love (read more about that here). I first watched Rise of the Guardians a couple of years ago with my nephew and it's been part of my Christmas viewing ever since. This is CGI animated goodness at it's finest. Featuring an all star cast that includes the wonder that is Hugh Jackman as the Easter bunny. Rise of the Guardians tells the story of the Guardians: Father Christmas, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sand Man and Jack Frost as they fight to save the world from the evil Pitch Black. I haven't watched it yet this year but I'm really looking forward to it. 

Elf

Picture via: sleafordcinema.co.uk

10 Christmases have past since Elf first hit our screens (where has the time gone?!) and I have watched it every year since. It's an absolute classic. My favourite bit is when Buddy is trapped in Gimbels and decorates it for Christmas. The Grinch may be my absolute favourite Christmas film of all time but Elf is a close second. Will Ferrell is hilarious as the sweetly naive Buddy, it's set in my favourite place in the world (NYC) and is super quotable. I love it. 'The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.' Now speaking from experience this doesn't work but I do it anyway. 

The Santa Clause

Picture via stuffpoint.com

I watched all of these films when I was a tiny little thing and then forgot all about them, until a couple of years ago when a friend at uni made us watch all three of them in a single sitting. We had a fantastic day but it reintroduced me to these films and I love them. Being a child of the 90s I grew up watching Tim Allen in Home Improvement om the Disney Channel and I think he's hilarious. 

Jack Frost

Picture via www.hollywood.com

Jack Frost just gives me all the feels, it's so sad but so good. For those of you who haven't seen it (you need to change that now!) Jack Frost tells the story of musician and father Jack Frost who tragically dies in a car accident on Christmas Day when driving home to his family. Before his untimely death Jack gave his son Charlie his harmonica telling him it's magical and whenever it's played no matter where Jack is he can hear it.  A year later Charlie plays the harmonica and magically the snowman he built earlier comes to life as none other than Jack Frost. It's a lovely family film that makes you feel all warm inside and makes you shed a tear or two. I love it.

Little Women 

Picture via www.abbyrosebrock.com

Little Women is a Christmas classic and one I've loved for a really long time. As long as I can remember actually. It's just so lovely although it does take a sizeable chunk out of your day so I recommend setting aside an afternoon just to watch it. I also recommend tissues. It's one of my all time favourites and if that hasn't sold you then the fact that it stars a young and incredibly handsome Christian Bale just might ;)  

Edward Scissorhands 

Picture via www.lifetimetv.co.uk 

Another creepy yet amazing offering from the frankly incomparable Tim Burton. Edward Scissorhands is another festive staple for me. I love everything about this film, especially Johnny Depp's performance as Edward. How can someone who barely says anything convey such raw emotion? He is incredible. 

So those are my favourite Christmas films! I love Christmas and I'm so gutted that I only get to watch Christmas films once a year. What are your festive faves? Let me know on twitter #LolaLoves or by commenting below (I always try to reply so check back.) or by dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. If you haven't yet you can read Part 1 of Lola Loves...Christmas Movies here. Also check out my instagram, facebook, BlogLovin & pinterest. 

I'll be back on Tuesday with my November Favourites if things go according to plan. 

Until then...

Love love love xxx

Lola Loves... Christmas Movies Part 1

Lola Loves... Christmas Movies Part 1

Sunday, 23 November 2014

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It’s getting to that time of year when it becomes socially acceptable to watch Christmas Movies (for everyone else that is, I've been watching them since Bonfire Night!)  So in no particular order I thought I'd share my favourite festive movies to get you all in the Christmas spirit. 

Peter Pan

Picture via twilightswarden.wordpress.com

Not the Disney cartoon the 2003 live action version starring a young and incredibly blonde Jeremy Sumpter and the ridiculously talented Jason Isaacs. Whilst this is not necessarily a Christmas film I watch it every year. It fills me with a childlike sense of joy and wonder. Are there any better feelings to have around Christmastime? I don't think so.

Love Actually 

Picture via www.universalstudiosentertainment.com

The quintessential Christmas classic, I defy anyone to watch this film and not feel an impending sense of joy. Usually I watch it once a week, every week for the six weeks leading up to Christmas because  I love it that much (and I'm a tad obsessive.) I'm an enormous fan of pretty much everyone in this film, particularly Bill Nighy who's hilarious  rendition of Christmas is All Around just makes me so happy.

Anastasia

Picture via hollywoodfixblog.wordpress.com

Again not a Christmas film but I'm convinced it is, I think it's the fact that it has quite a lot of snow in it. Anyway I love this film, for me it'a staple viewing once December rolls around.

The Nightmare Before Christmas 

Picture via rawalternative.com

In true Burtonesque fashion this film is deliciously creepy and yet somehow quite cheerful at the same time. I first saw this film when I was really little, little enough for it to absolutely terrify me, 20 years later I still feel a thrill of fear whenever I watch it but I think that's all part of the fun. I mentioned this in my recent Lola Loves...Halloween post as one of my favourite Halloween films and the same is true for Christmas films as well. Once October rolls around The Nightmare before Christmas is on my screen. 

Home Alone & Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Picture via www.filmyorkshire.com

I spend the majority of these films screaming abuse at Kevin's awful, awful parents and family. Seriously do Mr & Mrs MacAllister even know that Kevin is their son? Like are they aware of that? Because it certainly doesn't seem like it. Having said that I think these films are nothing short of  amazing. They are pure Christmas fabulousness. Despite Kevin's terrible family. 

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Picture via primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk

This film has been around longer than I've been alive. For me it is as much a part of Christmas as the tree or presents or turkey or presents. It's amazing! I mean Michael Caine AND The Muppets! Well it doesn't get much better than that. 

The Grinch

Picture via seuss.wikia.com

The Grinch is hands down my favourite Christmas film of all time. It's simply not Christmas until I've watched it...repeatedly. The Grinch is hilarious and heartwarming and it stars Jim Carrey who I love. Not only is it the best Christmas film ever (in my opinion) but the production and staging are really impressive and the make up is seriously incredible. I adore this film, always have done. 

Have you seen any of these Christmas Classics? What do you think? Love them? Hate them? Let me know on twitter, using #LolaLoves, by commenting below or dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin and pinterest. 

For me this is just the tip of the Christmas Movie Iceberg, I've got way more coming but you will see those in Lola Loves... Christmas Movies Part 2 which will be up later in the week. 

Until then...

Love love love xxx