Vlogmas Part Four

Can you believe we're almost at the end of vlogmas? It's only been four weeks, but I honestly feel like it's been going on for ages. I'm starting to get excited for the new year, but 2014 definetly isn't over yet! In this, part four of vlogmas, I take you along when we celebrate a traditional Norwegian Christmas. I warn you, there is a lot of eating in this video, but there's also a visit from Santa, tons of gifts being unwrapped and even some snow. As you can see, Eddie wasn't afraid of Santa or snow, but I'm thinking it's time to teach him about stranger danger very soon.

As I mention in the video, I will be doing a part five next Sunday. It just didn't feel right to end it after Christmas Eve, especially since we're not even done with gifts, which is a pretty big part of Christmas. We'll be doing another ceremony on New Year's Eve with my husbands family, and I feel that NYE is a part of Christmas anyway. I hope you agree with me and that you will tune in to the last chapter next Sunday.

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Link Love | Week 52

I'm a little late (as is very typical of me), but I wanted to wish you all a merry Christmas. Or happy holidays. Or whatever suits your country/religion/lifestyle. I know some people have already taken down their decorations, but for me it's Christmas atleast until New Years Eve. I've been enjoying a somewhat relaxing break from work, and I hope that anyone reading is having a good time too. Christmas is about family for me, and that is exactly what we're going in our tour on southern Norway, just trying to visit all of Edwards grandparents.

But now that it's Sunday I'm sharing my last links of the year with my favorite reads from the past week. Just a little something for you to unwind. I'll be posting part four of vlogmas later today, so be sure to check that out as well.

Beauty:

•  Estée (Essie Button) talks about the best of contour & highlight kits.
• Temptalia has some ideas on what to spend those gift cards you got for Christmas on, in her 'best of splurge-worthy beauty products'.
• The last guide of the day is from The Beauty Look Book with her favorite beauty tools for face, eyes and cheeks.

Lifestyle:

• Fellow ginger Rose Keats shares her festive holiday reads.
• Roz shares another exciting recipe, this one is chocolate peppermint Oreo truffles (OMG!).
• Entourage is one of my all time favorite TV shows, and the motion picture trailer is finally out! The movie is hitting theatres in June. (video)

December Favorites

Well then, we are in the final week of December all of a sudden! The month has flown by even faster than usual, and it seems like just yesterday I was decorating our home. You've probably seen by now that I did in fact film this video last week, before we left for our Christmas holiday. That may seem a little strange, calling this December favorites when I filmed it halfway through the month, but I decided it would be okay because I rarely add products that I've discovered in the end of the month anyway. I like to use something for more than a week before calling it a favorite. I hope that makes sense to you, and I hope I appreciate not having to watch a shotty video filmed in my moms guest bedroom. I assure you that even though this was filmed a little earilier than usual, the process is exactly the same.

It looks like my makeup favorites were definetly a bit NARS heavy, which is no shock since it's one of my favorite brands. My blush favorite this month has been Sex Machine that was released as a single in January, and was found in the Virtual Domination holiday palette this Christmas (still in stock at Sephora), and also from NARS I've been loving the Audacious lipsticks that I picked up a few months ago. They're so crazy creamy and they just glide on, and I will definetly be picking up more colours (mine are Raquel and Olivia). Honestly, it wouldn't be December without a mention from a holiday collection, and the Chanel Camelia de Plumes highlighter is the only thing I picked up this year. It is hands down the most beautiful makeup item I own, and it was hard to actually use it for the first time. This is definetly a collector piece, but I don't want to store it away forget it, because it's made to be used! If you come by this I would definetly pick it up, no matter what skincolour or tone you are, because this will look amazing on anyone. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to eyeshadow but I decided to give these MAC Pigment samples in Tan and Blonde's Gold (both permanent) a go, and I couldn't be happier with the result. I love using them wet and using both on my eyelids, with the darker shade on the outer half. To do that I've been using my new Sigma E50 Eye Shading brush, and just spraying it with a setting spray before dipping it into a tiny bit of pigment.

 My one skincare favorite is the La Roche-Posay Physiological Soothing Toner that I just picked up. It really does make a big difference, and even though my favorite toner is The Tonic from La Mer, this is a good second for a fraction of the price. I also had to mention my The Body Shop Frosted Cranberry shower gel that was one of their holiday scents. Saying that I've been obsessed would be an understatement, as it smells too good for words! I'm very tempted to stock up on a few for future years, but I still have half left of this bottle, and that is definetly being saved for next Christmas. I also really like the formula of this, much more than their regular shower gels, so I may check out a few more of these. And last but not least, a little shoutout to a few of my favorite holiday nail polishes. I have a small collection of metallic and glittery red polishes, but these are the two that I've opted for this year, OPI's In My Santa Suit and Dear Santa.

Onto my lifestyle favorites, I only have a few this month, basically since I've been so busy with everything Christmas. In a way, I would easily say that Christmas has been a favorite, but I think that's stating the obvious. My one favorite candle this month has been Marshmallow Fireside from Bath & Body Works. To me this more of a winter scent than one just for Christmas, and I think it's one of their most popular signature candles. The name is pretty explanatory, and it does smell sweet, yet smokey. It's not one of their strongest scents (which is a good thing in my opinion), but it does have a very good throw. My one book favorite felt like a natural choice after last month, and it's Bossypants by Tina Fey. It's not the most well written book, but it's very clever, and of course extremly funny. Now onto my big favorite this month, the one that puts all the other ones to shame, the cartoon show Adventure Time. I'm a big kid at heart and I've fallein inlove with this show. It runs on Cartoon Network, and although I think older kids would like this, it's definetly a show made for adults. It stars brothers Jake the Dog and Finn the Human who go around the post-apocalyptic Earth (now called Land of Ooo) doing heroic stuff. It's funny, dark, cute and just generally brilliant. There are tons of supporting characters (most of them princesses) and my favorite is hands down Lumpy Space Princess (aka LSP) who is a hilarious bratty teenager. I highly recommend this to any of my nerdy and/or big kid readers out there, you will definetly love it.

Winter Beauty Haul

My Christmas gift to you is one last beauty haul. I hope you like it! I decided last minute before leaving that I wanted to film a haul and include all the beauty items I bought from the end of November up until now. I try not to do too much random shopping, but as you will see I may have gone a little overboard with all the cute things released for the holidays. I hope you enjoy this little piece of randomness on Christmas Eve, even if this is not a day for gift giving where you're from. It is here in Norway, and tonight we eat a lush dinner and open our gifts. Remember to check out vlogmas part four on Sunday and join our celebration.

But in the meantime, why don't you subscribe to my channel!

Vlogmas Part Three

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas... No wonder, with Christmas Eve right around the corner. Good thing you've got alot of time on your hands, because this is a long one. But if you like me chatting, you'll probably like this. Only two more editions of vlogmas to go now, and in all honesty the next one will probably be the best one. And maybe even the only one where I'm not sick. Warning: I sound like a damn fool in the beginning of this video.

Part four will be coming next Sunday, but I'll still have a few fun videos coming up before that. Make sure you subscribe to my channel, and you can do that HERE.

Link Love | Week 50 & 51

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I managed to be a little late on my latest and greatest links in two ways this time. Last weekend I was sick, so I just decided to add my few links from last week into this post. Also, this should have totally been up while it was still Sunday in most parts of the world, but since so many of us are on our holidays already, I thought it wouldn't hurt to have some fun reads on a Monday off either.

Beauty Links

• Temptalia swatches and reviews the upcoming NARS Dual-Intensity eyeshadow. palette, and a sneak peek at the spring collection from Chanel.
• Rae shares her top five products from Hourglass.
• The Beauty Look Book has written an amazing guide to building a makeup wardrobe.

Lifestyle Links 

•  Roz shares a yummy recipe for white chocolate, cranberry and pistachio cookies.
• Anette gives tips on how to dress for winter.
• Nitra B has an awesome HAULiday video (get it?) featuring some of my favorite stores, Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works. (video)
• My favorite vlogger Jen has been to Disney World once more and has two big vlogs to share. Part one and part two. (video)
• As if that was enough Disney for one week, Rose has been vlogging at Disneyland Paris. Watch part one and part two. (video)

Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Still haven't finished this years gift shopping? Me either. No matter how much planning is involved, there's always one gift missing in the last few days before Christmas Eve. And I usually start planning eight months in advance. I know, crazy. But anyway, here we are, and I have a few of my favorite gift options to share today. I know that for many it will be too late to order these exact items online, but this is more to give inspiration, which I hope you find. My strategy is usually to give gifts that the person would love but wouldn't treat themselves to. Because to me, gifts should be a treat. That doesn't mean it has to be a big or extravant thing, but go for something you think they'll actually like, not something you want them to like. If you're still missing a few stocking stuffers too, you can check out my last minute gift guide HERE.

• PINK Sleep Shirt ($26.95) So a few months ago I called nightwear as the big gift to give this year, and I still think it's something you can't go wrong with. Be it a pair og pajamas, a lucious robe or a little shirt like this, chances are most people will like it. In my opinion Victoria's Secret can do no wrong when it comes to nightwear (especially when gifting to a teenager), but I've seen adorable pieces and sets all of the high street this year.
• Hourglass Ambient Blush Palette (£56) This blush palette has been all the rage this autumn, and no wonder when you look at it. It's both gorgeous and practical
• UGG Australia Scufette II Slippers (€80) These are on top of my wishlist this year. They look so cozy and snuggly, and most people like to keep their feet warm anyway. Another great thing about slippers is that you can find them more or less anywhere, and in every price range.
• Tory Burch Logo Pearl Drop Earrings ($88) Most girls like earrings, and I've fallen for this pair from Tory Burch, one of my favorite contemporary American designers. They're classic, but they're so different that they're exciting.
• Divergent Trilogy Boxed Set (approx £15/$22) In case you've missed it, Divergent is this years Twilight and Hunger Games. I loved the film, but let's not forget that it's actually a trilogy of books. If you know someone that loved the aforementioned series, they'll love this!
• Marc Jacobs Bronzer Brush ($78) Have a beauty lover in your life that already has everything? Why not treat them to a really luxurious brush? This gorgeous brush is said to be amazing, and I know I'll be picking it up the next time I'm at Sephora.
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Henry Glitz Chronograph Watch ($275) A watch is a popular extravagant gift, and a real treat to someone you love. Or for yourself. It's a great accessory, but it's also very practical. I chose this one for this gift guide, because I love the mix of modern and masculine, but it has a little bit of sparkle.
• Kate Spade New York Coaster Set ($35) These beautiful, sparkly coasters would be a great gift for anyone that loves a little glitter in their life. If you want to make them into a bigger gift, add a bottle of champagne and even some glasses. These would also make an awesome housewarming gift if you ask me.
• Charlotte Tilbury Face & Body Sculpt & Highlight Set (€227) This is for the makeup junke in your life. Since Charlotte Tilburys US launch this autumn the line has been all the rage, and the shade and higlight palette has been one of the star products. Not only is it gorgeous, but it's supposedly amazing as well. This set also comes with the brush to go with it, and a few other products to complete the look, all in a super cute makeup bag. I know I would be stoked to find this under the tree!