New Year's Eve

Christmas Gift Guide for Women

Yesterday we published our ‘Christmas Gift Guide for Men’, so we thought it only fair to share a little gift giving wisdom for women too. Besides all of the beautiful candles, and festive food and drink available, we’ve created an overview of some of our favourite gifts for women, ranging from the affordable, to the more exclusive. With our help at The Amazing Blog, we hope that you’ll be able to find what she desires, creating the perfect Christmas gift (and giving you some last minute inspiration too!)

Let’s get started with something that won’t make you dig too deep into your pockets. All That Jazz is a specialist (and certified vegan) nail care brand, providing professional manicure and pedicure products. Founded in 2013, the company has been our go-to when it comes to nail care, especially since we loved their Caribbean Collection (see the blog post here). With their core range consisting of 36 on-trend shimmer colours, they have created their own game-plan, with a long-lasting base coat and choices of super quick drying top coat, matte top coat and top coat, specifically designed to magnify and smoothen glitter colours. Used by countless celebrities and thousands of nail technicians, this is a brand you can trust.

Bringing out four seasonal collections each year, The Designer Collection is our absolute favourite! This is the perfect add-on for Christmas, as the colours are glittery and powerful, inspired by the works of iconic fashion designers. Combining elements of runway glamour, four unique colours are created, from the timelessly chic, shimmery blue of Vivienne, through to the metallic red Coco. The collection also contains a cool nude, Vera and our favourite, the sparkling silver Betsey. The best part? This professional nail lacquer won’t break the bank. Click here to purchase The Designer Collection for just £11.97.

Another modest choice is from Heathcote & Ivory. Established in 2000, in London by Denis Aaronson, this brand is passionate about creating beautiful products with wonderful ingredients. Their colours, textures and patterns combine an eclectic mix of novelty, with British pedigree. Their forward-thinking design celebrates the role of women in ‘making Christmas happen’, where retro Christmas wrapping designs, sparkle and glamour greet the spirits of traditional British Christmas.

A perfect gift for her is their Vintage & Co. Baubles & Belles Festive Bath and Body TinThe packaging is a Christmas dream, elegantly designed with a festive pattern and finished with a beautiful pink hand-tied bow. Containing three bathing delights infused with orange-peel oil, this is the perfect company for the relaxing self-care holidays. The gentle cleansing shower gel has a silky texture that lathers well, and the scented crystal bathing salts with sweet orange essential oil fill the bathroom with a delicious (and festive) fragrance. Finally, the softening body lotion enriched with almond oil and shea butter locks in the skin’s natural moisture, perfect for any New Year party. All three products are scented with spiced rum, pomegranate, red berries and orange zest, and are guaranteed to give the fragrance of Christmas. Click here to purchase a Baubles and Belles Festive Bath and Body Tin for £15.

One of the sweet delights of Christmas is that there is always a beautiful scent in the air. That said, it is sometimes difficult to know how to blend fragrances together, something that Aqua Oleum can help with. This brand’s knowledge of oils spans over three generations, with over 30 years of experience in providing top quality oils, at reasonable prices. Managing Director, Julia Lawless, well known as an author and expert in aromatherapy, personally ensures that every product is of top quality - so an Aqua Oleum gift is sure to be one that will not disappoint.

Their Blending Notebook (£28) is ideal for anyone passionate about creating their perfect scents, giving clear and concise introductions into the art of blending. Introducing theory guidance and formula ideas, it is a great way to track and develop your own aromatherapy elixirs at home. Containing all essential information, journal pages to write your own formulations, a glossary of key essential oils and a perfumery chart with notes on how to train your nose, this notebook is great to get you started. It is also beautifully designed, gold foiled and singer sewn bound. To get started right away, combine this with their Clear Head essential oil for just £5.22 (10ml). It helps with breathing (particularly if a Winter cold sets in) and works to penetrate and soothe your sinuses. Equally, their Festive Joy for £6.07 (10ml) is just as great, with a heart-warming, rich, and spicy scent that is comforting and uplifting, the perfect natural room fragrance for the festive period.

If a new fragrance is what you’re looking for, then we introduce Ancienne Ambiance. Already lovers of their Goddess Waters, we were keen to try their new Mini Colonia Gift Set. Providing luxury gifts with paraben-free quality ingredients, Ancienne Ambiance products are free from animal testing and encased in recyclable packaging.

The Mini Colonia Gift Set contains five 15ml limited edition mini roll-on perfume gift bottles, the perfect scent selection to propel your spirits. Different scents for different days, complementing your clothing and making you feel good. Although we like all five scents, our favourite is Colonia IX (nine) - an exotic, woody and oriental fragrance, blending cedar and sandalwood with a hint of patchouli. It genuinely smells like Christmas! Staying true to the origins of niche perfume, all scents are hand-produced in limited quantities (in France), with the finest ingredients. Packaged in a handcrafted purple-golden gift box, this luxury gift delivers the perfect Christmas spirit (and the box can be reused at a later date). Purchase the Mini Colonia Gift Set here for £60.

Last but not least we introduce April Aromatics. Since trying their Rose L’Orange Eau de Parfum in August - the perfect scent for that balmy summer - this organic scents and cosmetics company has been one of our favourite fragrance houses. Founded by Tanja Bochnig in New York, the brand delivers natural perfumes with pure extracts that create inner well-being. Their perfumes are also pure and natural, and no animal ingredients are used.

We were therefore excited to try their Tempted Muse scent, the ideal present for Christmas. Packed in a silver shimmery, elegant box, it immediately put us into the most festive mood. Inspired by the nectars of the gods, with sweet fruity golden extracts of frangipani and jasmine, this perfume is uplifting and aphrodisiac. Purchase your own Tempted Muse for a loved one for €169 (30ml) here.

There you have it, five brands that have hopefully given you some inspiration for the special someone you are struggling to buy for! Whether they love nail varnishes, home fragrances or perfumes, we’re sure she’ll be opening her presents with a big smile.

New Year's Eve - Alcoholic Treats

Who’s ready to ring in The New Year? We at The Amazing Blog have had a fantastic year, and we are prepared to celebrate. Thanks to Amsterdam Vodka, Kold Cocktails, Make Mine A Martini, Shatler’s Cocktails and Two Finger’s Brewing Co, we are ready to drink and be merry.

If you are a vodka drinker, we’ve got some exciting news for you. E & J Gallo sent us a sample of their New Amsterdam Vodka and needless to say, it has become our go-to choice of liquor. Recently added into the UK spirits portfolio, Amsterdam Vodka was created to target a young and lively consumer. The liquor is made by being distilled five times, using only the best grains from Nebraska and Missouri. The vodka is chic, smooth and affordable…party people, rejoice! New Amsterdam Vodka is available in 20cl bottles for £5.49 and in 70cl bottles for £15.99.

 

Looking for something quick, simple and irresistibly delicious? With the samples Kold Cocktails and Shatler’s Cocktails sent us, we believe we have found just that. Instead of pacing around and stressing about creating the perfect cocktail, these “ready made” products have made our party plans so much simpler. Shatler’s Cocktails sent us samples of their classic Mojito and Pina Colada cocktails-in-a-can. Unlike most pre-made products, you do not have to add anything to make this drink. Just open, pour, and enjoy! Shatler’s Cocktails offer a wide range of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Take a look at their website and browse around their diverse menu of drinks.

The brand KOLD Cocktails provides the same party time essentials, however this company gave us a nice frozen alternative to our favourite drinks. Thanks to KOLD Cocktails, we were able to sip on well-made frozen Mojitos, Cosmopolitans, and Lychee Martinis for under 200 calories each. All KOLD cocktails are 8% ABV and are available in multipacks of 2 for £6.99 here.

 

Finally, though a delicious cocktail is always nice, sometimes you just want to sit back, relax, and sip on a cold beer. The unique company Two Fingers Brewing Co. allows you to enjoy your beer and give to charity at the same time. Being the only beer of its kind, all of their profits are donated to Prostate Cancer, UK. It is safe to say that this beer is giving back to the men who drink it. Brewed with 100% British ingredients, enjoy this crisp golden, award winning ale and know that you made a difference. Visit their website and read more about the cause here.

Now that you have a collection of key ingredients, it's time to start thinking about cocktail making. Make Mine a Martini  by Kay Plunkett-Hogge is a fabulous compendium of delicious drinks, perfect for getting the party started. With everything from a simple Martini to more complicated concoctions like The Avocado Project, a delicious mixture of rum, agave nectar and, you guessed it, avocado, there's something for every taste and skill group. Our favourite is The Formosa's Mai Tai, which adds a dash of amaretto to the original recipe, making for a delicious twist on an already great drink. The book even has a selection of nibbles and non-alcoholic drink recipes, making it the perfect companion for any host. Buy the book here for £12.50 and get shaking!