Battle of the Christmas ads 2014

So you are sitting there, by the fire, toasting your little toes as you unwind in front of the TV after a long day. You're probably anticipating Christmas (as I always feel round about November), eager I know but its the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is just within reach and that my friends is an exciting statement.

So back to the image of toasting your little toes by the fire in front of the TV...you see for the very first time, the advert you have been waiting for.

The Christmas John Lewis advert.

It's been the ad on everyone's lips this season. Last year's bear and the hare advert saw many of us clasp our hands in that very 'awww' moment, which truly had us feeling that warmth and emotion that Christmas should bring and we all looked forward to experiencing the same festive sensations this year from John Lewis.

Doe this years Monty the penguin advert give the same effect or live up to expectations? To me, I love it because it is cute and to be quite frank, funny. What's funnier than a penguin waddling? It doesn't give me the same emotions as last year but nevertheless it put a smile on my face and that's good enough for me! It has been noted to have received 2.5 million views in less than 12 hours and set to surpass the success of last years ad but don't take my word for it...

Take a look for yourself.

Watch me

Sainsburys is competing and running in line with the best Christmas adverts out there, bringing the past to the present as we re-live the history of the one of the most moving moments of World War I.  The trench scenes of the war were reconstructed and the famous 'truce' between the British and German soldiers was recreated.

The ad is truly touching. It not only brings the poignant historic moment to the forefront of the media, but it does it with respect and authenticity. When the soldiers are only metres from each other in the midst of the battle, they agree to stop for a game of football, knowing that following this, they will go on to fight one another. It's heart-breaking.
In the Christmas advert, after the game of football, the British soldier secretly slips a gift into the pocket of a German soldier who later unwraps it to find a chocolate bar when he returns to his side of the battlefield.

Sainsbury's message; Christmas is for sharing.

Within a few short minutes, the emotional depth conveyed is astonishing. But this ad hasn't just portrayed beautiful cinematography to the public, it has dragged along with it, controversy too. The advert fails to represent the true living conditions of the trenches, failing to show the blood and entrails and the reality of the War.

Is it disrespectful to neglect such significant details?

For some this may be the case and it is important to acknowledge these opinions. However, I disagree. It was one of the most beautiful moments within one of the most horrific periods in history. The Royal British Legion worked in partnership with Sainsburys to reconstruct such a time and produce a powerful message that Christmas is all about sharing (as we sometimes forget) and this is all that we should take from it.

Watch the advert! My mum shed tears!

Watch me

And to end on a lighter note...

My favourite advert this Christmas is for Marks and Spencers. Spread a little magic and sparkle. I absolutely love Christmas. It's the most wonderful time of the year. (and what's more magical than fairies?)

"I BELIEVE IN FAIRIES"

and I also believe in Santa. hint hint. (I'll leave you out an extra mince pie Santa, I promise).

Watch the Marks and Spencer's Christmas advert for a little touch of sparkle!

Watch me

Hope you are enjoying the lead up to Christmas... I know I am xxxx

What's your favourite Christmas TV ad of 2014?

The haunting that is Insomnia

As it's only a mere 3 days until the spooky celebration otherwise known to us as Halloween, I thought I would write about the 'haunting' that is Insomnia. (and the fact that I experienced it just last night).

Just when you feel like you've had a good few consecutive days of uninterrupted and hassle free sleep, it seems to creep up when you least expect it- to come back and bite you in the butt.

Insomnia is the awful experience and ironically that 'tiresome' difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep for long enough to feel refreshed the next morning. Sound familiar?

As far back as I remember, (you know when your parents gave you those so-called bed times), 7pm, 8pm, or perhaps if you were lucky, an extra half an hour for being well behaved. That good old gold star ploy. Bed times are all fine and dandy at those ages but when you're really not tired enough and you are (you could say forced to your bed time), falling asleep can be some what of a mission.

"Count those sheep" my grandma once told me.

I usually have no trouble falling asleep. I'm tired when I go to bed and I nod off within minutes. But when it comes to counting the hours I have before I have to wake up or feeling the nerves of some sort of event the next day- sleeping, is a whole other story.

Last night:

I tossed and I turned, trying to find my optimum sleeping position. The curled up side ball, the spread out belly flop mimic or maybe the flat on my back sleeping beauty pose would work best. Neither of these seemed to work but instead made me feel flustered. What was to begin with, cool and invigorating bed sheets to accompany me, turned into the one leg in, one leg out scenario. Too hot, oop one goes out, then that "gosh it's cold", back they go in situation. (We've all been there). I even undertook the pillow turning technique- to experience the fresh and crisp sensation of the untouched cotton pillow sheet. You can imagine how many of these sessions I had.

For me, I knew I had an interview the next morning and that I had to catch the 7.10am train in order to get there in plenty of time. I therefore had my phone clock alarm set to 5.55am and counted the hours I had to sleep before I had to awaken.  As my mind was aware of these hours, they seemed to pass by one by one. And the longer it took for me to sleep, the more I feared that these hours were passing by. My inability to sleep was actually fear of not getting enough sleep, which is a weirdly odd conception.
Getting into bed, my thoughts were more like a repetitive revision session- going over the preparation I had prepared earlier that day for my interview and this certainly did not help. I believe a well-rested mind is key to combating insomnia.

So from a girl who's lived the tale, and on more than one occasion. Here are my....

Top tips to helping you fall asleep more easily: 

1. Try to relax your mind.  A de-stressing activity at least 1 hour before you want to fall asleep allows the brain to unwind. The brain is the key component during the sleep pattern,  so it is essential that you are not spinning with thoughts, ideas and worries. (Read a couple chapters of a book or watch an episode on Netflix). The mind needs time to relax! 
2. Put some lavender oil on your pillow. Research shows that the scent of lavender eases anxiety and insomnia and there are studies out there to prove it! Try Boots Botanics Aromatherapy Pure Essential Oil for under £10!
3. Avoid caffeine late in the evening. Caffeine interferes with the process of falling asleep and prevents deep sleep. It can also stay in your system for up to 24 hours. Instead, try a warm, milky drink or a herbal tea. Horlicks used to be my favourite childhood sleep remedy. Why not try my Nana's natural do-it-yourself sleep remedy drink of warm milk with honey. (It's so comforting). 
   
4.  Focus on your breathing. Focusing on your breathing and taking long, deep breaths will allow your mind to wonder off spinning thoughts and focus on something which is truly therapeutic and relaxing.
5. Make sure your room is dark. And now for the technical part. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone controlled by light exposure that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin production is controlled by light exposure. Your brain should secrete more in the evening, when it’s dark, to make you sleepy, and less during the day when it’s light and you want to stay awake and alert. (So be brave and turn off that night light or at least make sure your curtains cover the street light aiming directly into your bedroom). Light can suppress your body’s production of melatonin and make it harder to sleep.

Sweet dreams .x.

My Lust List

Please please please.

Don't you ever just sit there, zone out, and dream of owning things, (you know, if you had all the money in the world?).

Absolutely ridiculous question. I'll answer that one for you. Of course! If we were as rich as Kim K or as risky as that casino guy (spending the money you really don't have, or have, but shouldn't really spend), then I think we'd all be content and well on our way to ticking off those lust list check boxes, don't you?

Here are a few on my lust list...

1. A new perfume. (My 2 bottles of DKNY apple are finished, the large, and the mini handbag essential) and all my other perfumes have run out too. I know some people have a signature scent and I used to be one of those so-called 'don't you dare smell like me' people but I genuinely can't say I have one at the moment. So I think a stroll around Boots is an absolute must! (I'm quite excited). They say coffee beans help your nose adjust to the diverse scents, otherwise they all blend into one. A few that I am considering...

• My IT Jacket. Yes, I'm still to locate this nightmare of a find. I know she's out there somewhere. And yes again, referring to my previous post, my deadline was the 15th October, but the shops haven't been grabbing my attention (she says with a sad puppy dog face) and I want the coat to scream 'ME ME ME'. However, on my recent trip to Liverpool to visit my sister, I did see a lovely khaki jacket which apparently has now been reduced to almost half price, £59.99!! Now that shouts bargain! But they didn't have my size! Genuine female dilemma. (happens a lot). I'll have to re-visit Zara in hope that this jacket is 'the one'.

• A new foundation. My clinique one really is TOO light for me. Especially once I've slapped on those necessary layers of fake tan before a night out, only for your face to be visibly whiter (it's been pointed out many a time). But even bronzer doesn't fix this.

• An LBD. The little black dress. I've always been a fan of black on other people but never been a fan of black on myself. About time I changed this concocted formation that black doesn't suit me or black washes me out because I think the LBD, the little black dress is an absolute necessity for a woman's wardrobe. And being 22, I can't believe I still don't have one. 

• And lastly. A complete new wardrobe. (hey, stuff it, someone just give me a £5000 voucher so I can tip toe around Westfield shopping centre. It would probably be more like a consistent jog, no maybe a full on sprint, let's not lie). I think I face the same problem every typical female faces.........

Love...confessions of a shop-holic...shhh I won't tell if you won't.

(I've never quite been the one to save the pennies for a rainy day, I'm more of a 'money in my bank', big grinned, shopping spree spender kind of gal). Someone hand me a piggy bank before it's too late!

How healthy is your makeup?

What we apply to our faces, is absorbed into our bodies.

.......so how healthy actually is our make up? We want to feel great, look fabulous and live well so nourishing cosmetics would be a bonus and toxic make up should be a big no no.

I plan to research into the ingredients of certain beauty product brands and find a healthy option to feeling youthful and looking flawless.

Thoughts on this blog post idea?

Any contribution ideas welcome! Please feel free to comment.

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