My Favourite Etsy Shops for Christmas Shopping | Blogmas

I think like most people, this year I really utilised Etsy and all of the amazing small businesses that have set up shop there. I'm always looking for new shops to buy from whether it's a little treat for me, or shopping for presents. There's something for everyone on Etsy. I've rounded up some of my favourite shops in time for Christmas! 

By The Seaside

This shop has actually been created by one of my close friends; Sofia. I'm so proud of her, and have loved seeing her business grow and develop. I have bought plenty of amazing scented wax melts for presents for friends and family members, there's a scent for every one and they look so cute. By The Seaside is always improving how they can be more environmentally friendly, with recyclable packaging; what's more to love?

Favourite item: Soy Wax Melts Custom Gift Box

AlicexLizzy

I found a lot of small businesses through Twitter this year, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw AlicexLizzy's gorgeous homemade clay earrings. I love the variety of designs and sizes, I have quite small lobes and was glad to see sizes to suit me. Since finding her store several months ago I have definitely expanded my collection of clay earrings.

Favourite item: Clay Earrings Christmas Bundle

Ugly Lines Art

Again, I know the talented owner of this shop. Connor has both an Etsy shop for his uniquely hand drawn artwork, and another online shop for Football prints and accessories. I love that this shop has diverse products depending on your tastes, from sport to notable actors and my local Spinnaker Tower. 

Favourite item: The Din-Naker Tower Print 

Holly Emily Designs

I found Holly Emily Designs when browsing for presents, and I have my eye on a few items...You've got Christmas decorations, presents and products for everyday use. I'm also a sucker for personalised options on gifts, this shop has all kinds of items you can add a personal touch to.

Favourite item: Rainbow Ceramic Bauble Decoration

Dunbar Print

If you're looking for prints, I love this shop. There's a variety of memorable location prints, sassy fun quotes and even custom lyrics to jazz up your home. 

Favourite item: Met, Engaged and Married Print

Hello Marilu Studio

I found this shop when looking for Christmas decorations, and love the gorgeous baubles pictured above and found lots more interesting items. There is something for everyone whether it's Christmassy items, prints, and plant pots. 

Favourite item: Bauble Brush Lettering Craft Kit

YR Candles

This time of year is perfect to add a few new additions to your candle collection. There's nothing cosier than getting wrapped up in blankets, popping a comfort film on and having the subtle flicker of a candle with your favourite scent filling the room. This store has so many different scents that I wouldn't have thought of before. Reading on a Rainy Day is perfect for book worms and it wouldn't be Christmas without the smell of gingerbread.

Favourite item: Christmas Gingerbread Candle

Twin Moon Supply

Have a huge Disney fan in your family? This shop is your answer. Whether they've visited the Disney Parks or are major fans yet to visit, these patches and prints are perfect for them.

Favourite item: Attraction A4 Art Prints

I'd love to have some more recommendations for your favourite Etsy shops, leave them in the comments and let me know which of the above you like!

Mrs Santa Is The Most Underrated Character In Arthur Christmas | 12 Days of Blogmas

If you hadn't read my Films To Get You In The Christmassy Mood post last year, then you won't know how mad I am about Arthur Christmas. I can literally watch this film on repeat I love it so much.

Whilst watching it three times since the beginning of the month, I never realised that Mrs Claus is the best character.

She's very subtle, you probably haven't even noticed it yourself or given it much thought.

1. Peace Treaty

This completely bypassed me the first ten times of watching Arthur Christmas, but she's looking over a treaty with Greenland?? Let alone cooking the Christmas dinner and making a mince pie for Grand Santa (of which he doesn't eat).

2. Buying her own present

She sorted her own present to give to Santa for him to give it back to her...but he's Santa? And she acts surprised. Let's not lie though, we all know at least one woman in our lives who has to do something similar to this.

3. Battling a polar bear

Mrs Santa casually comes in with a ripped coat, and drops that there was a polar bear and she handles it.

4. She is the glue holding the family together

She's supportive of all her family members, is always positive and happy. If she wasn't there the family would 100% fall apart.

5. She took a flying course

I mean why not? She's Mrs Santa a.k.a bad ass.

6. She reads the manual

I love that she reads the manual to actually figure out how to fly the ship.

Mrs Santa is just down right amazing, and needs more appreciation!

Let me know if there's anything I've missed that you noticed about Mrs Santa, she's my fave character now.

Love Saffron x

Christmas Tag | 12 Days of Blogmas

1. Whats Your Favourite Holiday Movie? 

I'm never very good at picking favourites! I wrote a post last year about some of my fave Christmas films but I think I'll have to say Love Actually! It's christmassy, funny and it's so clever how all the stories intertwine. If you haven't watched it please do, it's a classic!

2. What Are Your Favourite Christmas Colours? 

I think I love silver and gold, my Mum always writes cards out in these colours and there's so much wrapping paper with these colours. I guess they are quite fancy colours that I only really use at Christmas time!

3. Do You Like To Stay in Your PJs Or Dress Up For Christmas? 

I wouldn't say I dress up, but I love having Christmas pj's for Christmas Eve, and wearing suitable Christmas jumpers and/or a Santa hat.

4. What do you eat for Christmas Dinner? 

A bit of everything I think! Where my parents aren't together I go between their houses and my boyfriends. We used to rotate who I would have Christmas dinner with, but now it's sort of a free for all as it depends on who's doing what. Now that I can drive it makes things a lot easier as no one wants to drive on Christmas, but I've been dreaming of this day!

This year I'll be at my Mum's and her boyfriends house and I think we usually just have chicken or turkey with all the vegetables, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings (the best part), stuffing and delicious gravy.

 5. Do You Open Your Presents Christmas Eve Or Christmas Morning? 

As mentioned before, where I flit between houses I get to open presents at all times of the day! Personally, I like opening stockings in the morning, then you get on with the rest of the day preparing the meal and then you open the main presents. However, this year I haven't wanted many presents, I don't really want much other than money to go towards things and gift cards, I have too many materialistic positions already.

But I'm looking forward to giving this year, I've tried to put a lot more thought into my gifts than frantically buying!

 
6. Have You Ever Built a Ginger Bread House? 

I don't think I have. I don't think I'm the biggest fan of ginger bread houses, which is odd because I love ginger flavoured things. 


7. What Do You Like To Do On Your Christmas Break? 

I wouldn't say I have a Christmas break anymore since I'm not a student. But I get a few days off work so other than having Christmas and Boxing Day with my family, I'm going to be chilling so I can prepare for the New Year and everything that I want to achieve in 2018. (Post to come soon)


8. Any Christmas Wishes? 

This reminds me of Katie's Christmas List with a Twist! I think all in all I just want to have a nice chilled Christmas with the people I love, but I want to make sure it's fully documented this year. My family aren't the greatest at getting photos and videos when we're together so this will be my mission!


9. Favourite Christmas Smell? 

Ooh, this could be a tough one. I love apple, cinnamon, gingerbread scents especially if they are spiced!


10. Favourite Christmas song? 

Again I can't pick favourites! If I had to choose one to listen to forever it'd be The Power of Love by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. I know it's not a conventional Christmas song, but it always comes out at Christmas, and it's such a chilled song. (Post to come soon on some of my other favourites)

I didn't get tagged to do this post, I thought it'd be a quirky post to add to my blogmas posts, if you want to do it to please go ahead!

Love Saffron x

The Disaster Artist | Review

If you aren't aware of the cult following of The Room, you need to see it. It's one of the best worst films. Still not fascinated to see it? Well, the film was written, directed, and starred Tommy Wiseau. It was supposed to be this epic drama that would make Tommy and his best friend; Greg famous actors.

When the film was screened for the first time the audience was aghast with the film, but then they started to laugh.

It is quite possibly the best comedy I've ever seen. Myself and my boyfriend Connor went to a special screening at the Harbour Lights Picture House in Southampton, and I've never seen an audience react to a film the way that we all did. Everyone was in hysterics the whole time, reciting the lines in perfect synchronicity and throwing plastic spoons (if you know, then you know).

When I saw the trailer for The Disaster Artist, with James and Dave Franco and Seth Rogen I was in stitches and knew I needed to see it ASAP. I'm still in need of watching The Room again and this filled that void.

The Disaster Artist is based on the book that Greg wrote on his experience in making the film both off and on set with Tommy. It shows how they met and the journey they go through to become actors.

Tommy, James, Greg and Dave.

When I was in the cinema, I wasn't sure if my fellow audience members had seen The Room before but I wasn't afraid to be one of the only people laughing at every. Single. Thing.

But don't get me wrong every one was laughing too, just maybe not as loudly and as frequent as myself...

James Franco as Tommy Wiseau

It was as great as I'd hoped it be. James Franco has really outdone himself. I believed that he was Tommy. Everything about him on screen matched the Tommy in The Room. I also loved how many other well known actors popped up, for one my beloved Zac Efron. Especially as James, Dave, Seth and Zac are friends in real life I feel like it added something extra to the film.

The production design was fantastic, all of the sets for TDA were identical to The Room, although I was disappointed with the lack of spoons but oh well. At the end of the film they actually played back  side by side TDA re-enactments and The Room scenes and you could see how in sync they were, and how much effort had gone into making this film.

If you still haven't watched The Room in the middle of this review, then I'll tell you a little something. The film essentially is about two underdogs, Tommy and Greg want to become great actors. This film follows that journey, and if anything we can all relate to aspiring to be something, but people keep knocking you down. The Room is most likely only successful because Tommy put his all into making something of his film. He is the single distributor of The Room. How crazy is that!

I hope you enjoyed my little review, I didn't want to give too much away and may have rambled on about The Room a bit much, but it is amazing and you should watch it. As well as watching The Disaster Artist obviously.

9/10 (would've been 10 if there were spoons)

Love Saffron x

Christmas Pinterest Ideas | 12 Days of Blogmas

I've noticed a few people asking out over Twitter for thoughtful and non-bank breaking ideas for their loved ones.

One of my favourite places to look is Pinterest.

If you haven't ever checked it out, it's basically a digital mood board for all the things you like and want to try.

Especially around this time of year when there's lots of people to buy for and you're not quite sure what to get or how much you'll have to spend on presents. I love to look at the do it yourself gifts, they usually don't cost much but are full of thought.

Here are my personal faves!

Paw Print Ornament

This is such a great idea if anyone has a pet, or multiple pets!

Personalised Polka Dot Mug

I love ideas like this, they are so simple but effective. AND you can make it however you want and add your own flare. Personally, I'm one of those people who never have enough mugs, and if I were to get a personalised one I would probably shed a tear of joy!

Music Lyric Plate

I'm not sure how I have never come across this before. It's so cute that you can customise plates and things with a signature song or just write some lovely thoughts that someone is going to see everyday!

Marble Mug

I have seen this for a while and I've always wanted to do it, you can also use this method on lots of other object as well, not just mugs. There's even one with baubles!

Marble Baubles

Photo Letters

I love this idea, you can get the letters from lots of affordable shops, I love going to Hobby Craft for creative things. Aside from Christmas presents this would be nice to do for milestone birthdays or wedding anniversary presents for example a wooden "21" with photos from their celebrations.

Mason Jar Cocktail Gifts

I think this is great for those who you know who have a favourite drink or cocktail, and for a present you give them everything they need for one drink. You could probably also do non-alcoholic ones, and even coffee or hot chocolate (not as a liquid but all you'd need it hot water or milk).

These were some of my personal favourite affordable Pinterest ideas, but there are so many for you to explore!

I'll leave my Pinterest link here if you want to explore my other pins.

Love Saffron x

The Body Shop Haul | 12 Days of Blogmas

As a convenient follow up to my first Blogmas post; The Body Shop Christmas VIP Event I thought I would show you guys what I bought!

I knew I needed to get some of the bath bombs as I'm very intrigued and they were so cute and affordable! I loved the initial scent of the Vanilla Delight and Green Tea bath bombs.

There wasn't a chance that I was going to leave the store without a personalised body butter! I would thoroughly recommend you pop in and pick your fave scent and get one printed!

If you didn't already know I'm mad about the Vanilla Chai scent and nearly have the whole collection of just that scent! I love it so much, it'll be a sad day when I run out of product.

I had already seen the bunny headband on social media, and it was the first item I picked up. I used it as soon as I got home to take my make up off, and also used it the next morning to apply make up as well. It's so handy to keep my hair out of my face so I can concentrate on removing/applying make up, or just looking cute as hell in it.

I got kindly given a little goodie bag with some samples of Body Shop products, which I can't wait to use and perhaps write little reviews, or even post on my insta stories because I'm on there almost every day (@saffronwatson_).

I'm really excited to try the Drops of Youth as I've heard so many good things already! And I'm always up for a face mask and hand cream!

I can't thank the staff at The Body Shop enough for organising the event and goodies for all of us too. I hope that you might get a few Christmas present ideas for friends or family, especially some stocking fillers (cough the bath bombs cough cough).

If you're taking part in Blogmas leave your links in the comments because I love reading people's Blogmas posts!

Next post to come the day after tomorrow!

Love Saffron x

The Body Shop Christmas VIP Event | 12 Days of Blogmas

WOO!

This is my first blogmas post! However, I'm doing 12 Days of Blogmas, because twenty four is just too much for me, and I'm going to give twelve days a good go!

This was my first event that a company has contact me first to come to a blogger event. I was very excited to see the email in my inbox and nothing was going to stop me from getting to the Chichester branch. If you haven't been to Chichester, it's a lovely quaint city with all kinds of shops!

When they opened the shop for us we were greeted with gift bags and a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (I took the non-alcoholic because I was driving). There was a lovely spread of food as well, when I spotted the gingerbread reindeer I was straight over there!

We got to have a little nose around the shop before the staff introduced themselves, what was in store for the evening and all about The Body Shop as a company. It was great to learn more about the shop's history as I knew a bit already. The Body Shop was one of the first companies to advocate cruelty free beauty through it's founder; Dame Anita Roddick in 1976. Up until recently the company was owned by L'oreal (which isn't a cruelty free brand itself), but the company has been bought by Natura Brasil, whom to my knowledge are a cruelty free company.

The staff demonstrated and talked us through some of the amazing new products they have, it was a lovely friendly and funny demonstration. We got some of the products passed around so we could have a sniff, a good look and some of the other bloggers got glittery!

I was so pleased to learn about the collaboration with House of Holland, there's amazing all in one palettes (eye shadows, highlight etc) the products look so fun!

A new product that has joined The Body Shop's bath range is BATH BOMBS. I love a good bath bomb, and they come in these tiny packets with a range of flavours and the colours are so pretty! You can see one of them in with the ducks for one of the games we could play to win prizes. I can't wait to try one of these and write a little review for you guys!

I loved the opportunity to get to know a load more products and I had a good whiff of all of the Christmas scents, and I must say that Vanilla Chai is definitely my favourite. It's a bit spicy in a Christmassy way, like cinnamon and I just can't get enough of it!

It was really a surprise to see how BIG the advent calendars were in person, I was blown away by the products you get inside them!

Also I love the amount of support that The Body Shop are giving to lots of causes, it was so lovely to read about their campaigns and to also support them through purchasing their products, and knowing that money is going to a good place.

One of my favourite things to take away from the evening was a personalised body butter, there are lots of designs to choose from. I knew I needed the "Forever Against Animal Testing"!

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all of The Body Shop staff for an amazing evening and a big thank you to James for emailing me and inviting me to the event! I had an amazing time and it was great to see my fellow blogger friends again; Mike, Sophie and Charlie.

Let me know what products you're loving at the moment or would love to try!

As always,

Love Saffron x