THE #CHRISTMASTAG

It's finally December!

(Photo Source)

I have a weird obsession with Christmas from the songs (which I play all year round) to decorating my house top to toe with christmas bling. However this year I have decided to attempt #Blogmas ( already failing as I missed the 1st of December), to start off I have decided to have a go at the Christmas Tag.
 So here is my first post from many to come this month:

1. What is your favourite Christmas film?

I have a lot of favourites including Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, Frozen, Love Actually and Polar Express (that one always makes me well up) but my absolute favourite would have to be The Muppet Christmas Carol, not only because its an amazing movie that makes me cry (happy tears) but also because it has been a family traditional to watch this on Christmas Eve every year.

2. Have you ever had a White Christmas?

Never. Or at least that I could remember? I live in the South East of the UK which is the part of the country that is "blessed" with warmer and kinder weather....however I would much rather have snow any day.

3. Where do you usually spend your holiday?

At home with my Mum as i've never had a christmas without my family. However until Christmas Eve night I shall be staying in my university apartment due to working.

Sad Times.

4. What is your favourite Christmas song?

Probably Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade if I had a couple of other choices I would also pick All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey and Baby Please Come Home by Darlene 

5. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

Never although I still wake up at 3-4am to open stocking presents!

6. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and of course Rudolf.

7. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year?

Mainly the Muppets Christmas Carol one I mentioned earlier, also my mum taking ages to eat breakfast when all I want to do is open presents! (I hate it but it is also an essential tradition for me).

8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

Real. Don't even mention fake christmas tree's to me unless they are for your bedroom.

9. What is your all-time favourite holiday food/sweet treat?

Ooo Festive Friends! They are made by Cadbury's and are half biscuit and half chocolate and are only sold at Christmas. Unfortunately they aren't sold many places anymore by I know Wilko's do sell them! That is how i'm going to keep my supply cupboard full this year.

10. Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

In all honesty, I couldn’t tell you. As always, I look forward to the gifts that people are getting me this year (and maybe some have looked at my Christmas list hopefully!). However, now that I’ve done my Christmas shopping, I’m really excited to see everyone’s faces after they open them. Both actions make me ecstatic! 

11. What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?

I'm not sure if I could pick one but probably getting a Computer or Camera as I always use them constantly. Also I love thoughtful gifts where someone has thought really hard or listened to your ramblings to find your perfect present.

12. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

 Anywhere that snows at Christmas. I don't really mind where I go as long as i'm with the people I love and care for.

13. Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?

I am awful. However I am picking things up with age, I used to wrap weirdly shaped objects in a cracker like shape and try and sellotape it in place.

14. Most memorable Holiday moment?

One would have to be my first Nativity play when I was 4/5, I still know the words off by heart! The other would be when my grandparents were alive and we had Christmas in our old house, as the house would be bustling and there would be an open fire in sitting room whilst opening presents...oh so cosy.

15. What made you realise the truth about Santa?

I believed fully in Santa until I was 14 years old when my peers at school started making fun of my believing, I then proceeded to ask my mum about it for a while and of course she would tell me Santa was real (she wanted to keep the magic alive for as long as possible) however the teasing and making fun of me got so much that she finally told me the truth. Now as a 19 year old I try to believe in Santa as much as possible as it just doesn't feel the same without that magic belief.

16. Do you make New Years resolutions? Do you stick to them?

I do I do. For about 10 years I had a resolution of eating a piece of pie and becoming organised; However I am nearly 20, have never ate a piece of pie and my school/college/university reports still say I am disorganised...*sigh*.

17. What makes the holidays special for you?

I love how everything magical just seems to happen at Christmas, from Christmas lights to advent calendars to new hot drinks that make you want to drool. Everything is just better at Christmas. Although my special thing to do is be relaxing on my sofa all snuggled up in a blanket watching all the Christmas film's the TV bombards us with in the Christmas holidays...paradise.

All Done! I hope that got you guy's in a bit of a Christmassy mood as-well :) If you want to answer them too, either reply in the comments OR if you have your own blog, post them and put the link in the comments OR if you are on YouTube, post a video and put the link in the comments. I want to know more about you!

Anna xoxo

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award!

I was nominated for the Liebster Award by the lovely Hey Gurl. As of late i've been stuck with a bit of writers block so this is a welcomed break!

THE RULES
1. Post the award on your blog
2. Thank the blogger who presented you with the award and link back to their blog
3. Write 11 facts about yourself.
4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and who have less than 500 followers.
5. Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter and ask your nominees 11 questions.


THE FACTS
1. I am adopted.

2. I am a Ravenclaw on Pottermore (House Pride!)

3. I am about to study Fine Art at Norwich University of the Arts.

4.I have an eclectic music taste which means I like every type of music (apart from screamo...that scares me) but my favourite type of music is film soundtracks, musicals and classical.

5. I am deadly afraid of wasps and spiders, they just seem to have a personal grudge on me and seek me out.

6. I am an anime obsessor. From Sword Art Online to Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, I have watched them all about 60 times over.

7. I am constantly attached to my Macbook and Samsung Galaxy S4, and I check social media about 20 times in about 5 minutes.

8. My favourite feel good film is Legally Blonde. 

9. I have an unhealthy obsession with cats and scream whenever I see one (that includes in the middle of the street or in people's houses).

10.For Primary School and High School I went to an all-girls private school.

11.In about 2 weeks I am going to be celebrating Ben and I's first year anniversary and his 19th birthday (He's my first boyfriend too!)


Frae's Questions
1.What inspires you to blog?
I would say other bloggers? Sounds quite odd but it will make sense in a moment. Before I started blogging I wasnt really enjoying life, I didn't really have any interests and I found myself rather bored everyday. Then I came across bloggers/youtubers such as Sprinkle of Glitter and Zoella; I really admired them and how they really took on life and it inspired me to start blogging. Nowadays I would still say other bloggers inspire me, including the ones I mentioned above but for different reasons. I see peoples dedication towards their blog and it motivates me to become the best blogger I can be.

2.How important is “original content” to you?
As an artist i'm well versed in answering this question as at college (and soon university) I had to keep coming up with creative and new ideas everyday. Personally I think coming up with something new is near impossible however "putting your own stamp" on something or making your content individual is not. No-one wants to hear something generic; they want to hear your view in particular. This is probably the difference between a blogger that succeeds and a blogger who fails.

3.Do you write regular features to keep yourself motivated?
 this is probably my most annoying trait; that im not consistent in anything I do. However I do feel when I write more posts in a rown on-time I feel more motivated, so maybe organising regular features might be a life saver for my blog stats!

4.What would be your last meal?
Pasta. Im obsessed with the food and have it for lunch and dinner almost every day (if i can get away with it). Also I make a mean tomato sauce...just saying.

5.What’s your most prized possession?
Instead of having a teddy bear to get to sleep with as a child, I had a cushion. I still need it to go to sleep and when I feel stressed or upset; I dont think I could honestly live without it, so I would save my cushion (p.s. there is nothing wrong with sleeping with a special item whether it may be a teddybear or a cushion, even when your nearly 20. Ignore the haters.)

6.What was the last book you couldn’t finish and why?
I am still reading Mockingjay even though Ben (my boyfriend) bought it for me at Christmas...oops! I find it quite hard to get into books and then once I put them down I dont really bother reading them back again as Ive left it too long to get back into the middle of the story. Maybe if there was a blogger bible?

7.Worst pet peeve?
I absolutely hate silence. I find it the most awkward thing in the world, even a few seconds of it makes me want to bash my head into a wall. Most conversations I end up looking like a chatterbox just because I want to fill that silent space up!

8.Where do you see yourself in a year?
Hopefully on a Holiday, maybe Italy? I want to be enjoying university and to have finished my first year with a first (I should be so lucky).

9.Where do you see yourself in five?
I find looking forward a hard thing to do as I like to live in the moment, but i'll give it a go! I'd either like to be primary school teacher, have a job in Fashion/Beauty Pr or be an Artist...bit of a variety there. I'd also like to be moved in with my boyfriend and have our first house or apartment by then...fingers crossed!

10.What do you want most right now?
Right now what I want most is to stay in my bed at my Mum's house forever as tomorrow I am moving to my university apartment and I can't sleep because I am so nervous and stressed..isn't student life meant to be carefree and fun?

11.Favourite baby names?
My favourite baby names at the moment are Charlie, Summer, Alfie and Belle. Although I overall I prefer Charlie Andrew and Summer Maisie.


I Nominate...
Adel from PalettePale
Alex from AlexEmilyBlog
Jo from IncorrectCoffee
Pippi from PippiBee
Harri from Happinesshitherlikeatrain


MY QUESTIONS
1. Whats your best piece of blogging advice?
2. Who inspires you?
3.Whats your favourite feel good film?
4.What are your 5 essential beauty products of the moment?
5. Whats your favourite memory?
6.Spring/Summer or Autumn/Winter?
7. Do you have any pets?
8.What did you want to be when you were younger and has that changed?
9. Why did you get into blogging?
10.If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
11.What is your biggest accomplishment so far?

So thats it! I hope you enjoyed this post I certainly did and I look forward to seeing everyones answers!

Anna xox

This or That Beauty Tag

I spotted this tag on A Girl Called Nina's Blog and thought it was a good idea for a quick blog post when Im on the move or overrun with college work!

So here's my take on the this-or-that tag:

weheartit.com

Makeup

Blush or Bronzer - Blush 

*I can never find a bronzer light enough for my pale skin!*

Lip gloss or Lipstick - Lipstick

Eye liner or Mascara - Mascara

Foundation or Concealer - Concealer 

*A must for my zits and dark circles!*

Neutral or Colour eye shadow - Neutral

Pressed or Loose eye shadows - Pressed

Brushes or Sponges - Brushes

Nails

OPI or China glaze - OPI

Long or Short - Short

Acrylic or Natural - Natural 

*I only paint my nails when I remember..so about 5 times a year?*

Brights or Darks - Brights 

Flower or no Flower - Flower

Body

Perfume or Body splash - Perfume....what even is body splash?

Lotion or Body butter - neither! 

*just feels like i'm making my body oily*

Body wash or Soap - Body wash

Lush or other bath company - The Body Shop!

weheartit.com

Fashion

Jeans or Sweat pants - Jeans

Long sleeve or Short - Long sleeved

Dresses or Skirts - Dresses

Stripes or Plaid - Plaid

Flip flops or Sandals - Sandals

Scarves or Hats - both

Studs or Dangly earrings - neither 

*Even though my ears are pieced, I never wear earrings*

Necklaces or Bracelets - Necklaces 

Heels or Flats - Flats

Cowboy boots or Riding boots - Riding boots

Jacket or Hoodie - Hoodie

Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe - Forever 21

 *My favourite high street store!*

Abercombie or Hollister - Hollister

Saks 5th or Nordstrom - Never heard of either of these brands

Hair

Curly or Straight - Curly

Bun or Ponytail - Bun

Bobby pins or Butterfly clips - Bobby pins

Hairspray or Gel - Hairspray

Long or Short - Long 

Light or Dark - Light 

Side sweep bangs or Full bangs - Side swept

Up or Down - Down 

Random

Rain or Shine - Shine

Summer or Winter - Summer

Fall or Spring - Spring

Chocolate or Vanilla - Chocolate

East coast or west coast - of America..? Florida....just Florida.

And that's me done, I tag all you readers out there! If you do have a go at this tag, leave a link below *I love reading your posts* or you could even put your answers straight in the comments :)

Beauty Blogger Tag!

Hello! Since I got a few new followers and also started writing some more posts I thought it would be appropriate to introduce myself a little more with Beauty Blogger Tag! Even though I was not tagged by anyone I will still do it just because I like it. If you want to do this or have done this in the past - leave a link in the comments, I would love to read your answers!

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

My hair is naturally wavy, unfortunately If I try to brush? Frizz.

2. What is your natural hair colour?

I've dyed my hair a lot but my hair was originally a light auburn.

3. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?

My mum works at a salon so I go there :)

4. How often do you wash your hair?

Every other day is enough for me. I have an oily scalp but I make sure to not wash my hair too often otherwise my oil glands would be confused and make my hair greasy enough to fry chips on.

5. Do you wear the same style every day or change it?

I like a change but I usually wear my hair naturally wavy with wispy bits of hair tied back with bobbi pins.

6. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?

My mum is a beauty therapist/hairdresser so she normally does my nails, unless Im feeling extra creative with nail art.

7. How often to you change your nail polish?

I only paint my nails for special occasions, vacations or events. I normally have Gel nails which last about 2 weeks.

8. Do you polish your toes in the winter, too or just in the summer?

Only in the summer. I don't bare my legs after September so I don't bother painting my toes.

9. How long does it take to put on your makeup?

Usually around 30 minutes before school or if I'm in a huge rush I can take 15 minutes and be ready to go. If I'm going out for something more fancy I take about 50 minutes.

10. What do you do first? Face or eyes?

I make sure to do my face first, as sometimes I find it difficult to avoid my eye area when I'm trying to blend or apply my powder .

11. Do you "collect" makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?

Since I'm only 18 I can't buy everything I want and just mainly stick to something I need. I'm sure I will start collecting more once I have a regular job/income.

12. How often do you wear false eyelashes?

I only wear them for very formal events and shows (I'm a performer!).

13. Do you do a full face of makeup every day?

For school - yes. I just feel a ton better with makeup on.

14. Do you wear makeup when you are home alone (or with family)?

Never. Why would I want to clog my pores even more, especially if I don't need it.

15. Will you leave the house without makeup?

No! But I do minimise how much I put on depending on the weather and if my acne is acting up.

16. How many high end products do you have?

Only my Estee Lauder Eyeshadow Duo in "Raisins, NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in "Gobi" and NARS Blush in "Orgasm". Im on a student budget at the moment so I mainly own budget buy's.

17. How often do you wash your makeup brushes?

I try to deep clean them every week but I tend to get lazy with that.

18. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you are getting dressed?

I plan my outfits every so often when I have the time.

19. How often do you change your handbag?

I don't usually. I have a few but when I buy a new one I tend to stick to it. 

20. What time do you get up & go to sleep?

On school days I wake up at 6:00am and go to sleep at 1am. On the weekend, since I'm a night owl for sure, I go to sleep at 3-4am and wake up at around 12pm if I don't have work.

21. How often & when do you workout?

I don't, apart from walking to college! Although Im about to start up dancing again by buying some Zumba DVD's.

22. Left-handed or Right-handed?

Right-handed.

23. How tall are you?

157cm or 5'2"

24. Do you speak a foreign language?

I speak English rather well. But I also speak basic French, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Mandarin and Italian.

25. How many pets do you have?

Just a dog but we're expecting to add a cat to the family soon.

 26. How often are you on Blogger?

Every day!

27. Do you read the comments posted on blogs?

Yes! Every one!

28. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?

Yes. I like to research and if I need a particular item and see a post I will put it in my wishlist so I could remember to buy it when I have money.

29. How did you come up with your blog name?

I've been called Annie for as long as I can remember and I admit, the name has more ring to it then "Anna". My last name is MACfarlane and I really wanted to incorporate my full name into my blog name, and of course MAC is one of my favourite makeup brands!

30. What kind of camera do you use for photographs?

For now I use my phone's Samsung Galaxy 4's camera and it works pretty well in my opinion, aswell as my Canon 650D when I have the time.

31. How often do you clean your house? (Daily, weekly, other)

I try my best to do that weekly but it usually doesn't happen.

32. What is your favorite colour?

Red ♥

33. What is your favorite beauty/fashion magazine?

I do like a monthly "COMPANY" magazine.

34. Do you swear?

Yes.

35. What are you doing with the rest of your day?

It's already 10.30pm so I'm going to watch a film then sleep.

Hope you liked it

♥

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