If there is one time of the year when you can really bring out the sparkle, it has to be New Year's Eve, right?

That was my logic when thinking about styling for the big night.

It seems mad that we're tipping over into 2020. When I was younger, I thought that life would be all jet packs and sassy robot assistants by now - although I suppose there's always Alexa!

I definitely like the feeling of a clean slate and the opportunity to set some new goals. It really will be new year, new me this time as I'm planning to get back on it with the Fast 800 and I'm also starting my new job in January.

Really, the last decade has been incredible.

Do you love discovering new beauty products?

Are you bored of the main UK subscription boxes which seem to be a merry go round of the same old brands?

Then it could be time to try something fresh. Fabfitfun is an American premium subscription box which hits broader than beauty - it also includes stylish lifestyle products too.

In the past I've had everything from an Anthropologie yoga mat to a Kate Spade lunch bag. It comes out just once a season for around $50, and some products are a surprise while a few you can choose from several different options.

All the products are full size and the brands included are fairly high-end. After an unsure reaction to my first box, I really liked the fall box and I think the winter one is actually the best yet… Take a look inside!

As we go running full-tilt towards the end of another year, it’s a natural impulse to reflect on where the hell we are and what we want out of life.

The daily grind can be pretty full on here, and by nature I’m quite a driven person – but often I feel that I live too much in the future, rather than the here and now.

I’m at my happiest coming up with a plan or dreaming up some new reality, but sometimes I could really do with just stopping to smell the roses and appreciating what is around me.

For work Christmas parties, it's always a bit of a minefield to get it right.

Depending on where you work, it can be full on glitz, or it can be more Christmas jumpers and jeans. I do like an opportunity to dress up (you would never have guessed, huh?) but working at a university it’s definitely more on the casual side -  we tend to attract the anorak brigade!

So, how do you style your Christmas jumper to make it a little bit more dressed up and ready to party?

In the end, I came up with a compromise by pairing textures which felt glam with other items that really aren’t.

If you're still looking for a beautiful Christmas gift for a special someone who loves their makeup, or you're just into self-gifting and you want to splash out on some new beauty items to complete your look over the festive social season, step this way.

I've added a few gorgeous things to my collection lately, take a peek and maybe shop for yourself...

Sometimes it's go big or go home right?

My life used to revolve around epic nights out (although to be fair they tended to be either sweaty rock gigs or raves and I would never have worn heels to either!) and although it's safe to say they’re few and far between now, sometimes you know you have an evening coming up where you just want to cut loose for a change.

That’s where an outfit like this comes in. As an adult, you come to a place that some may call 'knowing your style' and others would call 'stuck in a rut'.

Really, I look at it as finding your style story.

You know through bitter experience what you’re going to feel physically comfortable and authentically yourself in - and you realise that without those two things, it's really hard to look good.