Sainsbury's Christmas Ad 2014

Today my post about this year's Christmas ads needed an update owing to the release of Sainsbury's phenomenal new Christmas ad.

However, I decided that Sainsbury's offering this year is in a class of its own, - based on true events 100 years ago, it features young soldiers on Christmas Eve 1914, singing Silent Night in the trenches, and playing football on Christmas Day. It shows humanity at its finest, shows our capacity for forgiveness, compassion and generosity in the most dire of circumstances, and I dare anyone to watch it and not be utterly moved by it.

This is probably my favourite Christmas ad, ever.

Christmas TV Adverts 2014

47 Days until Christmas!!! I should have issued a warning - all grinches please look away now. Personally, I love this time of the year and the excitement is a-building.
And for once, I do not mind the ads on tv so much - cozied up under a blanket with a mug of hot tea, watching your favourite program, when one of the rather good Christmas ads come on (how new is this? I mean, the concept of actually good, entertaining, heart-warming tv ads?) I sometimes - gasp - don't get up to do more important things but watch them. Repeatedly. Obviously, ask me again in the middle of December how I feel about them, but for now, these are the ones out already that put a smile on my face:

1) A Classic - the John Lewis Christmas ad. So far I have loved all of them.

2) Boots - not your usual amber-glow ad yet absolutely lovely.

(This one will air for the first time on Sunday during Downton Abeey apparently, so here's a sneak peek)


3) Another Classic, with the original Father Christmas. Of course it's Coca Cola:

4) I really do like the Aldi Christmas advert, featuring Jools Holland:

5) M&S features two fashionable fairies, Magic & Sparkle (I see what you have done here, Marks & Spencer oh you clever ones)

6) Evoking that wonderful feeling when you found just the right present for someone is Debenhams' offering:

7) A heartwarming little tale from Waitrose.

My personal favourite here is John Lewis, - for an advert it pushes the brand surprisingly gently, making it even more effective, in my eyes, for this time of the year.

I would love to hear your favourites, - and I make no apologies for the fact that there will be many more Christmas-themed posts coming up over the coming weeks, so please check back soon!

Unsung Heroes - Nivea Visage Pure & Natural Day & Night Creams

This post seems long overdue, whichever way you look at it.
Summer, unintentionally, meant an extended break from blogging. (that sadly was NOT spent in a hammock by a beach)

When it comes to get-up-and-go beauty products there are so many wonderful blogs and articles out there, recommending so many multitasking wonderpots and supersticks that do everything save making a cup of tea, that I surprised myself when I found that there were certain beauty products that I haven't read much about at all yet would hate to be without. Spending weeks with friends and family, traveling here and there, meant I literally spent no time planning in what I would pack, but rather grabbed everything loved & trusted to take with me.
Confession time: at home, I have too many clothes, too much make up, too many pots of creams, and I have a suspicion (read: knowledge) that I am far from the only one here. So when I pack, in a rush, without thinking, then - ta-daa! - I found myself packing only what I actually wear and use.
And to my own surprise I found that the one day cream and the one night cream I have repeatedly repurchased are those from the Nivea Visage Pure & Natural range. Uncomplicated skin care that moisturises my skin without irritating it or making me break out.

The Blurb:

• Natural ingredients like Aloe Vera and Argan Oil both organically grown;
• 95% of ingredients are from natural origins;
• It has no parabens, no silicones, no colourants and no mineral oils;
• It has natural moisturisers for skin hydration and nourishment.

95% of the ingredients are from natural origins including Aloe Vera (known for its replenishing properties) and Argan Oil (source of Vitamin E).

I wear the day cream under foundation and so far it was compatible with everything, and both day and night cream have a pleasant but very subtle smell.

Available at Boots, Superdrug and supermarkets for around £5.35 - absolute beauty bargain!

I will do more posts on products I personally rate highly yet which don't seem to take the blogger/beauty world by storm, and would love to hear about suggestions - anything you think would deserve the hype but has been overlooked (and would pout if it could)!
  

 

Sam Smith - The Lonely Hour

Finally, an artist/a voice totally worth the hype. So much has been written about Sam Smith, and most of that I agree with. After loving every collaboration he has been on as well as his wonderful "Stay With Me", I couldn't wait for his album to be released - and "The Lonely Hour" is out now in the UK.

I can't add anything to the praise he is receiving already, and I guess it is easy to tell that I love his music. My advice? Download, now.

But now stop reading, sit back and enjoy listening - this is pure joy for the soul.

 

Sam Smith - Make It To Me