November & December Favourites | 2021

Well hello 2022.... Jinxed it didn't I,

"I swear I will have my last two favourites posts of the year up on time before the mid of the following months"

So Christmas was a busy couple of months for me and there were a few things going on personally for me and still are but I'm taking some time to get back on track and finally, I am back to blogging and I am so happy to be back! I am utterly excited for all that is to come blog-wise in 2022! A whole year of content ahead! So in true old school blogging style I'm kicking the year off with my November and December favourites of 2021.

Grab yourselves a cuppa because this one's full to the brim of stuff I've been loving!

P.S I've labelled each item if it were a November (Nov) or December (Dec) favourite. I know this might make absolutely no difference but I just like that as a reader you can see which I enjoyed from which month.

Farmologie Fragrance Free and Pink Grapefruit Hand Cream - Nov

First up hands and the first thing that needs a whole lot of skincare love when the weather gets colder. As noted in my How I Fix My Dry, Sore, Cracked Hands blog post, I always keep a hand cream "to hand" as I'm extremely prone to dry skin. Around the beginning of November the time came to top up on some daily hand creams. Paired with my Boots order, I decided to pick up and try two of the Farmologie hand creams after searching for vegan and cruelty free hand creams on the Boots website that I could add to my order (and get that all important free delivery!). I'd never heard of the brand Farmologie before so I was really intrigued to see how they performed. Firstly, I liked that they're dermatologist approved and suitable for those with some of the most sensitive skin, like those with eczema. I decided to start on the fragrance free and ease myself in as I didn't know what they'd be like and I do sometimes find that fragranced hand creams tend to sting a bit when my hands are so dry that they're cracked. I must say, first impressions I was really, well... impressed! The unscented one has a very gentle hint, and so gentle I wouldn't even say a note of because it is unscented, but a light oat-y feel to it and it's so bloody gorgeous! It's a lovely balance of a lightweight yet rich and creamy kind of formula, that sinks in really beautifully but doesn't disappear, and leaves a nice comfy moisturising barrier to your hands. I wouldn't say it's quite as intense as my holy grail Natura Brazil hand cream but it really is an excellent one! After enjoying the unscented hand cream so much I decided I wanted to switch it up a little and cracked open the pink grapefruit. Again, the formula is just as gorgeous and really looks after my hands. The pink grapefruit scent is a lovely delicate and light note that isn't overpowering or offensive and it was really pleasant to use something lightly citrus-y coming into Christmas. If you're not a fan of exuberantly overpowering scents I would 100% recommend the Farmologie unscented and pink grapefruit hand cream. I also think they've got an excellent formula and would rate them highly in the rankings of good cruelty free and vegan hand creams.

The Body Shop Kindness & Pears Body Yogurt - Nov

Next up is another favourite from the beginning of November and was the start of me looking after myself a little bit better and treating myself! On November 5th I very kindly was able to intend the incredible opening of our new flagship Body Shop store in Liverpool one (I know it's not their flagship store but it really should be - it's phenomenal!) and in the good spirit of the evening I had a little Body Shop haul indulgence, which included picking up the Kindness & Pears Body Yogurt. Unlike I used to, I hadn't been using a daily body moisturiser for a little while and after talking to one of my colleagues in work about skincare things I thought it was important to treat myself and owed it to my skin to look after it and invest in it. So at the event, of which there is a blog post on that to come..., I actually ended up picking up an item from each of the Christmas collections because they were all just too delicious to just pick one! the Kindness & Pears range had a lovely refreshing, almost like that getting-your-hair-done-at-the-hairdressers-scent if you catch my drift! The pear hint isn't too overpowering but certainly is a stronger scent but I really enjoy that in a body lotion. I find I get to enjoy the scent throughout the day. One thing that I wanted to mention in the event blog post as well is that I just loved how unique all The Body Shop's Christmas scents were this year too and so different from your traditional things done before and by everyone. There was still something merry about it even being pear-based. As for the formula, this was actually the first time I've ever tried The Body Shop's body yogurts as I'm a big, big fan of the body butters. Being a lover of those richly intensive moisturisers I was actually really impressed at how well the body yogurt moisturised and nourished while boasting a much lighter formula! It definitely soaks in more than your body butter and doesn't leave that juicy barrier like the body butters but I found it nourished and locked in the moisture to my limbs in an excellent magic, non-greasy and very well-absorbed way! So quite naturally the body yogurt is completely different to the body butters but it worked excellently in it's own way. I was both thoroughly, thoroughly impressed by its moisturising performance and very merrily enjoyed it's festive scent.

The Body Shop Pumpkin Instant Radiance In-Shower Mask - Nov

This is another little treat I treated myself to from The Body Shop for the Autumn/ Winter period. Now the idea of the Instant Radiance Mask I take it, and it's appeal, is to be able to quickly dowse it on mid-shower, have a full refreshing, skin cleansing, face mask experience in however many minutes you spend under the spout and then rinse it of and it be gone, all before you reach your towel and that cold out-of-shower bathroom atmosphere. I myself however am a great enjoyer of a long pamper with a face mask and do like to indulge in my face mask time so I've been applying and using this as you would your traditional face mask (probably leaving it on wayyyy longer than required but can you ever have enough face mask time?). I haven't indulged in a new face mask in quite some time so it was a real treat to have one again but regardless, I've just found the Pumpkin Instant Radiance Mask a dream from the get go! Although it's been a while since I've explored the face mask market I must say, in all my years of face-masking, this truly is something! The Body Shop say the Pumpkin Instant Radiance mask aims to exfoliate and bring back to life dull, tired and rough skin and just make it look all round healthier, brighter and perkier, in a way suitable for all skin types. I wasn't specifically buying this with a huge requirement to brighten and resurface my skin but the radiance and glow enhancing properties certainly did excited me - who doesn't want or need a bit of that in their skincare routine! The mask its self is thick and creamy to apply and feels like a proper face mask. It's the most satisfying feeling dipping into the pot and slathering it on your face. In addition to that, the pumpkin scent is so beautifully unique to anything I've tried before - it smells slightly on the air of that tomato-y, fresh veg, greenhouse-like scent that is just utterly relaxing and calming - and I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoy it. The scent makes it feel particularly Autumnally appropriate too. It slowly semi-dries gently to my skin; it doesn't cause me irritation and it just feels like the most gentle, thick, soothing, pumpkin-goodness blanket on my skin when applied. It has some teeny tiny little flecks in it, which I'm guessing are little flecks of the the pumpkin ferment extract or the apricot and cranberry seed powder extracts, which offer the most gentle, yet what feels to me, effective exfoliation when I rinse it off and it causes no upset to my skin. Post use my skin just feels feel like peachy goodness - soft as a baby's bottom, literally! And that's coming from someone who suffers with a lot of hormonal, under the skin congestion too. I wouldn't say it is a deep pore extractor but my goodness it really does do some magic and leaves my skin in a heavenly state of soft peachy goodness and almost airbrushed blur to my complexion! I just cannot rate it enough and I would be highly convinced this little thing is magic in a pot! I think this is definitely going to be a repurchaser in my my future skincare years.

Soap & Glory Clean On Me Body Wash - Dec

Next up, and on the subject of the best scents, Soap & Glory's Clean On Me Body Wash. Now this is the true, original Soap & Glory scent to me and whenever I get a whiff of this it instantly takes me back to 2013, the start of my blogging days and some of the happiest times in my life. For the festive period this year I decided to indulge in a little a treat myself to a nice daily body wash and on the air of reminiscing I decided to go old school and pick up a bottle of Clean On Me. I have fond, fond memories of Boxing Day 2013, going to my first ever Boxing Day sales and picking up this absolute stonker of a Soap & Glory Christmas gift set for half price in the Boots sale. I was smitten! Ever since, this classic Soap & Glory scent just takes me right back to that time and indulging in all the classic Soap & Glory products at the same time I was discovering blogs and beauty YouTube. It's a 500ml bottle and although a little pricer than your normal shower gel at £6.95 it has actually lasted me, and always does when I've had Soap & Glory body washes before, incredibly well. It has definitely lasted me a good two months but I'm definitely going to be sad when it runs out. The scent is just a classic, you can't beat it; it lathers really well, with a minimal amount needed; it doesn't dry out my skin and it leaves it in a happy, fresh but nourished state and the scent lingers very lightly but pleasantly on your skin as the day goes on. Soap & glory its self is cruelty free and... well at this moment in writing, to my knowledge Clean On Me has always been one of their vegan options (not all Soap & Glory products are vegan but they have a list of which are on their website however read on to see my confusion here...) however looking on the Soap & Glory website I can't for the life of me see it on their vegan list. I can however see the Smoothie Star collection however I've always known that to have honey in and clicking on the Smoothie Star Body Wash and checking the ingredients it does still have honey in! Searching the website by fragrance though... THERE IS NO OPTION FOR CLEAN ON ME! Have Soap & Glory discontinued the Clean On Me range!? My heart! If anyone knows please do update me in the comments below. I'd be heartbroken to see this range go as it really is a classic and, though with all the Soap & Glory body washes, a real shower time treat.

Okay, panic over. I have now found it on their website and to me there isn't anything I can see in the ingredients that isn't vegan. It's also very strange that they've listed Smoothie Star as vegan when it contains honey. Now Clean On Me does contain CI 14700 (Red 4) but on inspection it seems to be noted on the Lush website as synthetic. This website, EWG Skin Deep, that appears to look at the chemistry behind product ingredients also lists CI 14700 as synthetic. 

Peaches & Cream Prin Pigment - Dec

Moving on from skincare here's even more of a treat for you fellow beauty lovers, my favourite stand-out makeup picks of the end of 2021. First up is an absolute star of a festive and seasonally appropriate makeup pick and that is the Peaches & Crean pigment in the shade Prin. Prin is a beautiful pale, crystal white/ silver, iridescent shade that is basically just sparkles of magic in a pot. Prin doesn't add any colour. It instead offers a dusting of the most gorgeous crystal, Cinderella-glass-slipper-like sparkle to any shade you're wearing underneath and just transforms both an eye shadow and an eye look in to the dreamiest sparkly dazzle! I wore Prin on my night out with Luci in Brighton and I just fell head over heels for it and absolutely loved my makeup look that night, all thanks to this little pot of sparkle! I've actually had Prin for quite some time but I hadn't delved into it and played around with it since getting back into my makeup over the last year-ish so it was a really lovely discovery getting it out again. To me, it's a really delicate, finely milled glitter pigment that both looks subtle and sophisticated whilst being able to be built up beautifully for a more dramatic sparkly look to the eyes. It goes with almost anything and it's just the most versatile little pot of eye makeup magic! As said, I absolutely adored how my makeup turned out on our night to Brighton and it was in large part thanks to this absolute beauty - and it also lasted the night exceptionally well! I'm really looking forward to playing around with this more in my makeup stash.

Makeup Revolution Conceal & Hydrate Foundation - Dec

Another gem I rediscovered for our Brighton night out was the Makeup Revolution Conceal & Hydrate Foundation. Now I have mine in the shade F0.2 but being the banana that I am I took the wrong one with me to Brighton (I think I took Conceal & Define by mistake) and Luci VERY kindly let me borrow her Conceal & Hydrate, which was a little darker than my shade but I was just about able to pull it off. I remember specifically wanting to take Conceal & Hydrate with me as when I wore it for our evening out in Llandudno, link to vlog here, I was head over heels for how my makeup turned out and bloody loved it. So, thanks to Luci, I cracked this beauty out again for the first time in a little while and my goodness I was blown away! When I first applied it I even said to Luci, "geez I forgot how good this foundation is, hence why I wanted to bring it". Weirdly, and we both said this, the Conceal & Hydrate definitely pulls off a fuller coverage than the Conceal & Define. Paired with it's hydrating properties though it is just the dream foundation! It covers acne like a dream, doesn't go cake-y and just leaves the most comfortable, healthy, hydrated finish. It's not too dewy; it's just right. What I also love as well, paired with the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray it lasts beautifully without powder too, which has been my go-to with face mask wearing. I was just blown away by the Conceal & Hydrate all over again when I used it this December on our night out and have been thoroughly obsessed with it since!

Cream Knit Bobble Hat - Dec

Moving on from beauty, there was certainly a fair selection of clothing loves I had this November and December. First up is one that I purchased back in September but I knew I was going to love it even before the cold weather had hit and I could start wearing it properly. That was my cream knit bobble hat that I got from the sweetest little craft fair when we went to Llandudno. It's a classic cream cable knit with a big faux fluffy beige pompom on top, similar to some maybe you'd see in your average high street shop but the fact that this is homemade and one of a kind, made by someone with a true passion for knitting and by purchasing it helped to support a small business makes its one hundred times more precious to me! It fits like an absolute glove and has been wonderfully cosy on these colder Winter days. It's classic cream and beige pairs perfectly with so many everyday outfits. It has just been a joy to wear. I never thought I'd be so in love with a bobble hat! Moral of the story, if you love it go for it, support a small business and treat yourself! 

Pink Plaid Pinafore - Dec

Another repeated wear this month was my brand new pink plaid pinafore I picked up from George Asda. Apologies that I can't find any links to this one - it must be sold out however there are lots of other similar gorgeous style pieces in George of recent! Now I don't as often by new clothes these days as I like to re-use and play around with what I've already got in my wardrobe but a treat here and there is definitely allowed, especially if it's going to be well loved! And by George - no pun intended there haha - has this little number been well loved! It's a lovely comfy fit and a nice length that doesn't feel too short for the cooler months. It pairs gorgeously with cream jumpers and a whole load of jumpers and tops underneath. It's pretty but understated and you can easily dress it up or play it down a little for a cosy, easy-to-throw-on outfit. The pink plaid just makes me giddy too - I love it! It has my name written all over it. It pairs really nicely with some of the recent style trends whilst it's a very classic piece that'll be timeless to wear. Pennies well invested and I'm absolutely in love with it! (Not to mention I think it will pair beautifully with all the seasons too!).

Clearly it's been the season of cream knits!

Cream Knitted Cardigan - Dec

From one cream knit to another, my cream knitted cardigan with gold buttons was another little George treat I couldn't resist. 2021 certainly seems to have been the year of the cardie and being a very big fan of this whimsical old-school style and one who feels a chill to their bones, I have been mad for all things cardigans! This comfy cream knit has cute little knitted subtle pompoms woven into the argyle-style cable knit, with scalloped edges to length and arms. It is just the epitome of cute and pairs absolutely wonderfully with shirts, other jumpers and just about anything in my wardrobe! Although I think it has a little bit of a vintage feel to it I definitely think it's still such a versatile piece as it can be played up with various styles and genres of outfit, from more current styles to a more dated, say 60's or 70's look. I have been thoroughly obsessed with the cardigan trend of current and I can see the obsession well lasting into the new year and beyond for me! 

- Pops on said cardie right now while writing - 

Eden perfume No. 209 - Dec

Last up in beauty and daily wear was a perfume favourite and something I don't think I've shared a favourite of in a long time on here! So with December came my absolute bucket list trip to Brighton, which was a dream and even more of a dream getting to meet Luci (Luci with an I) for the first time too. Until we stumbled across it walking through the lanes, I completely forgot that Brighton is the home of Eden perfumes! If you don't know, Eden is a cruelty free and vegan perfume company that make classic scents, in a whole array perfumes you could imagine, that are vegan friendly, some unique and some similar to their non-vegan or cruelty free counterparts. As soon as I saw the shop I had to go in and pay a visit and treating myself to a perfume from the Eden store was not off the cards! Especially so as it's really hard to get Eden perfumes here up north and having the opportunity to sniff them all in the shop and have a mooch around to find the perfect scent you're looking for! So after a good amount of whiffing around I fell across the absolute gem that is number 209. The most ironic thing was, just before I found it I was saying to Luci that I prefer the more dark and musky scents, like the classic and iconic scent of the famous Penhaligon's perfumes. Low and behold, I picked this one up, gave it one sniff and knew it was the one. The shop assistant said to me, "do you know which scent this is based on?"... only Penhaligon's wasn't it! Penhaligon's Halfeti to be precise. Well, my nose and my taste in perfume certainly does not lie! Ever since I have been absolutely obsessed with this little, or should I say very generously 30ml sized, bottle of joy. I never in a million years thought I'd be able to enjoy Penhaligon's scents being vegan so it was pure joy to find this. The Eden perfumes staying power is also equally, only as I can imagine, immense and the notes do not fade or change with wear. I feel purely wonderful every time I wear this perfume and I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to spritz this on!

Asda Gingerbread Christmas Set - Nov

And last but not least for all of my November and December 2021 favourites, it's another George pick and it's something I've seen a few versions of over the years and always wanted to treat myself to! That is, the Christmas gingerbread kitchen set! Oh I cannot tell you the years I have lusted over a Christmas gingerbread collection of kitchen wear items for the festive season! So out of the collection I decided on, what I thought I'd get the most use out of, the gingerbread cookie barrel and two gingerbread house mugs, perfect for extra large hot chocolates. This Christmas I did hope to bake some mince pies and pop them in the gingerbread barrel but unfortunately I never got round to doing that. I did however have it on display, pride and place on my bedroom windowsill and it was just a delight to have out! I didn't crack out the gingerbread mugs yet this year but I am so excited to have them at the ready for hot chocolates galore over the festive season when I've got my own little place. It surely will be a little slice of magic and that's just the way I want it! For a long term purchase and their classic design, I can't remember exactly how much each were but they were a very good bargain from George Home. I definitely cannot wait to expand my Christmas collection, and homeware collection for that matter - of which I've already been collating this past year, for my own little place hopefully to come!

...

And that my friends is one very ginormous favourites posts and a wrap to my 2021 monthly favourites! I said I was going to do it and by George, I may have done it a bit differently but I did it! I hope you enjoyed my doubled-up last monthly favourites of 2021 and still even so being a little bit festive. The weather is still aptly cold here in the UK so I'm still very much delivering into all my favourites style picks from November/ December and very much enjoying playing around with them. I'm really looking forward to the seasons and holidays ahead this year and cannot wait to get playing around with them, from my wardrobe to beauty and share it both here and more on my Instagram, of which I have definitely been delivering into more over recent months! If you don't already follow me over on Instagram and would like to, come and say hello, I'm over at @elliebowsandsparkles . 

Both the Christmas period and January have been a really hectic and emotional few months for me and it really has been a lot. As you may have noticed I stopped uploading everywhere pretty abruptly over the Christmas period, most of all here on the blog. It's still a very difficult and emotional time for me personally and I'm still working my way through a lot of it but, despite it's ups and mega downs, I'm still absolutely brimming with excitement to throw myself into everything blog, YouTube and everything content-wise and in between this year! So if you would like to see my deep dive of great excitement in all the content buzz I have to come this year I would love to see you again here on the blog and you are most, most welcome to hop on over to my YouTube channel to see more behind the scenes, more content and life of Ellie in between! Links as below...

Main channel - Ellie Bows & Sparkles

Vlog channel - Ellie Vlogs & Sparkles

Once again, Happy 2022 and thank you immensely for taking a little ponder over to my blog and giving this wee old post a read! I hope to see you again in my next post soon!

Ellie x

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