At the beginning of this year, I set myself 4 goals and I've done a few check-ins through out the year but now it's time to see if I reached them all....

1- Try to reach 40,000 views

I think it's safe to say that I've well and truly exceeded this one! I thought this one was going to be a real struggle, but (at time of writing) I'm on 62,000 views! This one has completely blown my mind and I cannot thank you enough!

2- Reach 500 Instagram followers

Even up until my last update, I thought I wouldn't reach this one but I have currently got nearly 600 followers!  The new Instagram Algorithm (read my thoughts here)  has really knocked us small bloggers on Instagram but we're coming back better than ever!

3 and 4 - Reply to every comment and have every post up on time

This is where it goes down hill... Comments, I'm pretty up to date on but I still have quite a few thayt I need to reply to! Posting on time, on the other hand, hasn't gone so great! This year I've posted pretty consistently but I've gotta admit that sometimes I would forget about posts! But I think I redeemed myself with Blogmas this year!

Thank you all so much for reading, and be sure to check back in the new year for my 2018 goals! I hope you all enjoyed this post and I'll see you all in the new year!

Love Lou
xxxx

I thought I'd take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and safe new year!

We've reached the end! I've thoroughly enjoyed writing my blogmas this year as well as reading everyone else's so I thought I'd share my top 5 blogmasses this year!

I've loved reading Soph's blog everyday! As you know, I collabed with her for day 13 but even that day isn't my favourite! She's covered loads of different content that you wouldn't have thought to do! Click here to hop on over!


Although Eden has only done a "Blogmas Week" I've enjoyed it more than some blogmas that have been 24 days! Quality over quantity all the way! Click here to hop on over!


This one's a bit of a cheat one but who cares, because it deserves recognition! She didn't actually do blogmas but instaed, she did three absolutely gorgeous festive posts and I can't get enough of them!
Click here to hop on over!


I've always been a huge fan of Liv's blog and her Christmas posts this year have been incredible! One of my favourites ever! Click here to hop on over!

Last, but definitely not least is Amelia from Rose Tinted Pics. She's covered pretty much everything from wrapping to a Christmas would you rather! Click here to hop on over!

Thank you all so much for reading, I hope you all enjoyed Blogmas this year and I'll see you all on the 29th!

Love Lou
xxx

I have thoroughly enjoyed blogmas this year and I just wanted to say a big thank you for supporting me the whole way through! You lot are incredible!

You guys always go mad for my "late minute" posts every year... so this year is last minute diy gifts.

Gooey Cookie Mix
This DIY has been around for quite a few years now but it's still one of my favourites! All you have to do is get the dry ingredients for cookies (I use Tanya Burr's Triple Chocolate Cookies(the link is to an old cringey post so have a read if you want a good laugh!)) and fill a jar with the right quantities. Then write a label with a few instructions of what to add to make the cookies! It's such a simple thing but looks really effective!

Pamper Hamper:
Everyone loves a good pamper at this time of year so what could be more fitting; and you can personalise it as much or as little as you like.

• Wicker Basket (of any size)
• DVD's
• Body Scrub
• Body Lotion
• Bubble Bath
• Bath Bombs or Bubble Bars
• Snacks
• Face Masks
• Cleanser
• Moisturiser
• Candles

Gingerbread Body Scrub:
Leading on from the pampering theme, this gingerbread scrub is perfect for a last minute secret santa (or for putting in you pamper hamper)!

• 1 Cup of Sugar
• 1 Cup of Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup of Coconut Oil
• 1/4 Cup of Almond Oil
• 1/2 tsp. of Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp. of Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. of All Spics
• 1/2 tsp. of Nutmeg
• A Mason Jar with lid

In a medium size bowl combine all ingredients (apart from oils).Gradually add the oils until it's your desired consistency - you may need more or less than the stated amounts. Scoop all the scrub into the mason jar. Decorate the jar and print out a little label to stick on et voila! How easy was that!

Hot Chocolate Kit:
I love having hot chocolates at this time of year and this kit is the cutest!

• 1 tub of your favourite hot chocolate
• A cute mug
• Marshmallows
• Candy cane (optional)
• Wicker basket.

In the basket put the mug and the hot chocolate. Wrap some marshmallows in cellophane and put them in the top of the mug and slot the candy cane over the side of the mug. If you want you can wrap the whole thing in cellophane as well!

Thank you all so much for reading, I hope you all enjoyed this post and I'll see you tomorrow,

Love Lou
xxxx

I love watching Christmas films at this time of the year so I thought I would share with you my favourite quotes!

''Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can do something about it." — Miracle on 34th Street

"This is extremely important. Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back. No toys. Nothing but Peter, Kate, Buzz, Megan, Linnie, and Jeff. And my aunt and my cousins. And if he has time, my Uncle Frank. Okay?" — Home Alone

"This is my house! I have to defend it!"- Home Alone

"First we’ll make snow angels for two hours, then we’ll go ice skating, then we’ll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie-dough as fast as we can, and then we’ll snuggle." — Elf

"You stink. You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa." – Elf

“I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.” - Elf

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear" - Elf

"Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see." — The Polar Express

"Just remember the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart" - The Polar Express

"Maybe Christmas he thought , doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little more" - The Grinch

"Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing" - The Santa Clause

"Every time an angel gets his wings" - It's A Wonderful Life

"When I'm worried and cannot sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep" - White Christmas

"To me, you are perfect" - Love, Actually

Thank you all so much for reading, I hope you all enjoyed this post and I'll see you all tomorrow,

Love Lou
xxxx

I love an insight into everyone's Christmas so here's you're little look at mine...

 










 


 




  

Thank you all so much for reading, I hope you all enjoy this post and I'll see you again tomorrow,

Love Lou
xxxx

You lot love a DIY post so I'm sharing with you some quick and easy DIY decorations!

Christmas Tree Garland:
This one is so simple! All you need to do is cut out little triangles of different coloured paper and stick the tip of one to the bottom of the next. Hang them vertically and they look like super cute little Christmas trees! Also, if you're the arty type you can decorate each triangle.

Christmas Bookshelves:
There's always those bits of wrapping paper left over at the end of Christmas so if you have an open bookshelves, either cover the whole cover or just the spine to get a Christmas bookshelf make over!

Festive Pinecones:
This one will be great to get any kids involved with. Go out for a walk in the woods and try to find some nice, dry pinecones. Use different coloured card to cut of features of Christmas figures (you could do santa, elves, reindeer or snowmen, the list is endless!)

Personalised Tree Decorations:
This one's a little more complex. Take some polystyrene balls and thread some ribbon through one point with a needle and thread. Then, either cover the bauble with wrapping paper of drawing on it if you're arty! Leave a blank space on the middle section or use a white label. Write the name across the blank space and hang on the tree! It doesn't take too long but looks really effective.

Footprint Reindeers:
If you've got kids this one if perfect, not only as a decoration but as a little keep-sake. Get a white canvas and some coloured paint (gold or red looks really effective) and dip the foot into the paint and press onto the canvas. Add some antlers using a brown pen, some googly eyes and a red pom pom for the nose!

Thank you all so much for reading, I hope you all enjoyed this post and I'll see you all tomorrow,

Love Lou
xxxx

If you make any of these recipes make sure to post it on instagram and tag me - @louloves01 - and use #louloves01 so I can see it!

*All ideas are my own, any replications of technique are coincidental*

I've seen this post circulating in the blogosphere recently so I wanted to share with you the best beauty stocking fillers I've found.


Clinique Intro 3 Step set - £20

Although this set is the most expensive on here, it's got such lovely products in and caters for all skin types! It has a scrub, lotion and moisturising gel - which type depends on which skin type you select! Clinique skin care is so raved about on here so this would be great for someone looking to branch into premium skincare!


Topshop Limited Edition Eyeshadow Mono in Ember - £7.50

This shade is so breathtaking and Topshop beauty is so underrated! It's such a gorgeous festive warm toned shade!


Being Sanctuary Aloha Vibes Bauble - £6

I am such a big fan of Being Sanctuary and they have gone above and beyond with these sets this year! Mixing Christmas and exotic, tropical vibes is a winner in my books!


Soap and Glory Lip Lip Hooray - £8.50

The Soap and Glory lip products are always really creamy and pigmented so this set of three couldn't get much better!


Bubble T Bath Pearls in a Bauble - £5

I think I've mentioned Bubble T in just about every post this blogmas but how can you not when their sets are this cute!


Impulse Unique Mini Tin Gift Set - £5

I look out for Impulse's sets every Christmas because they always one up the year before! This year, not only do the products smell amazing you get this super cute tin as well!

Thank you all so much for reading, I hope you all enjoyed this post and I'll see you again tomorrow,

Love Lou
xxxx

*All images sourced from www.google.com*

I love decorating up my room for Christmas so I thought I'd share some of my favourite decoration finds!


























Thank you all so much for reading, I hope you all enjoyed this post and I'll see you all tomorrow,

Love Lou
xxxx

*All images were sourced from www.google.com*