Cracking Christmas gifts for HER

I absolutely LOVE Christmas and I cannot wait for it this year. I think what makes it that bit more exciting this year is that my gorgeous G-Momma Sheilagh is home from Australia and I haven't seen her in over a year. Needless to say a few Pinot's are well overdue!! Three and a half weeks.. Eeeek!!!

Over the past few weeks I've been getting messages on Facebook about gift ideas. So I decided to compile a list. Quite a few men have mailed me for ideas - which of course is very nice to see. Aren't you all very lucky ladies? 

Before getting to it in detail, these gifts are the pricer ones. THE BIG GIFT if you will. If you are looking for cheaper gifts/ kris kringle presents/ stocking filler ideas. I have a post dedicated to that if you would like to click HERE you will be taken directly to it. However if you are looking for THE BIG GIFT, than please read on for some giftspiration for the lady in your life. Of course if there is a budget friendly option out there I'll be sure to mention it!

I have to start with my favourite of all the gifts. The Mi Moneda. Mi Moneda means "my currency" and that is kind of what it is. There are dozens of different coins, holders and chains and they can be mixed and matched to your hearts content meaning it is almost completely unique to the wearer. It is also the priciest gift I have on the list because each piece has to be purchased seperately. The coin, the coin holder and the chain. 

I was lucky enough to get one as a gift from my parents for my 21st birthday this year and I am completely obsessed with it. The Mi Moneda is also a firm favourite among the celebs with the likes of Rihanna and Vanessa Hudgens donning them.  

They come in three colours silver, gold and rose gold. They are available from Keanes. The prices are as follows;

Coins range from: €18- €55

Coin holders range from: €65 to €125

Chains range from: €62.50 to €140

This is the one I got for my birthday. I received 2 coins with it. A rose gold dream catcher and a smokey gold glitter coin. I'm so obsessed that I'm treating myself to second coin holder and a new coin or two for Christmas.  

Not the cheapest gift I will admit and I know some budgets will not be in a position to stretch to almost €300! 

However, I wouldn't be me if I didn't have an ace up my sleeve, would I? A little birdy told me that there is a cheaper alternative to the Mi Moneda. Just as chic, just a little more budget friendly. They are called 'Emozioni' and as of today Michel Jewellers  in Cork stock. Prices start at €24 for the coins or you can pick up a 'starter pack' including a coin holder, a coin and a chain from a very reasonable €120!!

 Here's a sample of the Emozioni coins. Again they are available in silver, gold and rose gold.

My second gift recommendation is a watch. I am a massive fan of some nice arm candy and what completes a look better than a chunky watch? Whether its River Island or Michael Kors, you can do no wrong.

 

 I have this River Island watch in Rose gold and I am forever getting compliments on it. Priced at €37 it's a steal.

 

If you're looking to splash out a little why not opt for a Michael Kors watch? Prices start at €129.

Next up is the handbag. You know that thing us women carry  around all day? We can be seen rooting elbows deep in it for something or other. You know that saying "Everything but the kitchen sink"? It's not a lie, we carry our lives around in these things. All of our worldly possessions. So why not treat the lady in your life to a new one?

The Michael Kors Jet Set Tote is available is loads of colours and comes in 3 sizes. Again it is one of the pricier gifts. Prices start at €220, they are available in Brown Thomas. 

River Island have great Tote bags as well so if Michael Kors hurts your head. How about this little beauty from River Island?

 

It comes in a varity of colours and is quilted meaning she'll be bang on trend. Priced at €40 you could stretch to a matching purse too!

Now we all know us ladies like pretty things, but enough of those for now. How about a much deserved break? Whether its a spa package to treat her to some well deserved pampering or a weekend away in a European city. These presents go down a treat. 

Spa's like Inchydoney and Fota do couples retreats so you can treat yourself while you're at it - You know you want to!! These can be quite expensive, however there are regularly deals on the likes of groupon and living social so keep an eye out. If not for Christmas, the anniversary is always looming..

Lastly, how about flights? A city break? I'm not saying book them for St.Stephens day. Off peak flights are really reasonable as is accommodation. It also gives you time to save a few pennys for the weekend away. Maybe it'll be your first trip away, maybe it's a regular thing either way it's a great gift idea and one you can both benefit from. Flights to Paris for Christmas? Imagine her excitement? 

So there you have it, my gift guide for her. I am aware the some gift are a bit pricey but there are always alternatives. Hopefully it has helped and if need anymore help and/or inspiration please don't hesitate to ask. I'm only too happy to. 

Pull up your Socks | Stocking filler Ideas

It is only six weeks until Christmas so whether its Kris Kringle or stocking stuffing you're doing - I have compiled a list of a gift Ideas for the girlie girl in us all! Budget wise - the most expensive gift is priced at €30.00 which in my opinion isn't too bad!

So without further ado let the merriment begin!!

1. This first gift on the list HAS to be the EOS Smooth Sphere lipbalm's. They are priced at €6.95 and come in a range of colours and flavours. The packaging is so cute and quirky - they are the perfect stocking filler. Everyone from The Kardashians to The Directioners have them. Meaning what? We all want one!! 

If I haven't already convinced you to purchase one I have reviewed them before so be sure to check it out here.

    

   2. My beloved Cocoa Brown Tan have brought out these really cute gift sets for Christmas. They contain a sachet of their AMAZING Tough Stuff Scrub, a bottle of their 1hour tan and exfoliating gloves. They are available in Penneys priced at approx €9.99 considering the Tan on its own retails at €7.99 - It is well worth picking up! 

    3. Real Techniques Brushes are created by Sam Chapman, one of the Incredibly Talented Pixiwoos sisters from YouTube. These brushes can be bought individually or very cleverly in sets. They have a face set, an eye set and an essentials Kit. I picked up the essentials kit myself a few months back and I have to say it is FABULOUS. You get a foundation brush, a powder brush and an eyeshadow brush. It is perfect for beginners and experts alike as it gives you a really good idea of what the brushes are like. It would be the perfect gift for your daughter, sister or niece who is just getting into makeup.  Each of the sets in the above image are priced at €24.99 - About the same as one MAC eye shadow brush. I cannot recommend these brushes enough.

   4. Boots 3 for 2 on gift sets seem like great value Christmas gifts. However, how much of these products do we every actually finish using? I did a big clear out of my room last week and I am telling you in hindsight they were wasted on me. I tend to try each product out once or twice and forget about them again. If you do decide to venture into Boots while Christmas shopping my advice would be to opt for the 3 for 2 offer on the makeup bits or alternatively pick up some of the full size versions of the minis in these sets. They are priced at approx. €10.00 each meaning you will get 3 full size products for €20.00 and these are far more likely to be used - The Soap and Glory Scrubs especially!

   5. Sleek Makeup has to be one of the most reasonably priced Makeup brands on the market. The quality you get for the price you pay for is second to none. Their products are so pigmented, they would honestly give any product three times their price and run for their money. I have reviewed a few of the sleek blushers in the past, which you can find here. They got a rave review if I may say so myself. I have since invested in one of their 12 eyeshadow palettes which are priced at only €9.99. I have my heart set on a second one for Christmas - Sleek Makeup i-Divine in Vintage Romance 

   6. Laura Mercier's Holiday Body gift sets are so Luxurious. As pricey as they are, they do make a lovely gift at Christmas. Last yearI treated myself to their Hand Cream Sampler - it contains four of their bestselling hand creams; Almond Coconut Milk (My personal favourite), Creme Brulée, Creme de Pistache and Fresh Fig. All 50g tubes. The set is priced at €30.00 which to some may seem expensive for hand cream. Divide it by four and they work out at €7.50 each which is the average price of a tube of hand cream in your local chemist minus the luxury. You can share the set out between friends of keep it all to yourself. This is definitely on my own wish list again this year. It is available from Brown Thomas.

7. Goodbye Sleepless Nights, Hello Great Hair. This saying could not be truer if it tried. I picked up my Sleep In Rollers not long after they came out. They are velcro hair rollers with a spongey centre so you can wear them to bed. When they are taken out in the morning its as if you're just out of the hairdressers after treating yourself to a big bouncy blowdry. The original set comes comes in pink a cute pink drawstring storage bag to keep them together - this includes 20 rollers which is more than enough for your whole head of hair. Since their initial release the brand have expanded and have the rollers in a varity of colours and sizes. They also have brushes, clips, donut rings and hair dryer hoods. Everything you could possibly want when it comes to hair styling. The original set is priced at €20.45. I love mine so much I'm tempted to go back and get another set in a different colour!!

So there you have it. My budget friendly stocking fillers.. Well a few of them anyway! If you have any further questions or want anymore ideas please don't hesitate to contact me as I'd be more than happy to help out! I have a few more Christmas gift posts to come later on in the week including gifts for him and her (the big gifts that is).

** The majority of these gifts are available from Cloud10Beauty an Irish owed Online shop so please don't forget to support Local and of course support Irish this Christmas.