As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I s As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I share with you some pictures of mine at 9 months, 9 years, 19 years, 29 years  to today 39 years old of age. Looking back at each decade, I feel both ‘older’ and ‘younger’, I see the change in my features, the change in my way of life, the change in my personality and the experience itched on my face. I am grateful for the life I have lived thus far and excited for the life I am yet to live. 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

2026 - 39, (Home, England), I am ready for this final year before my 40s but also ready for this next decade. 
2016 - 29, (Oslo, Norway), this decade was about self discovery and building the life I dreamt about. The life that I am super proud of and truly grateful to be living. This decade, I built my financial life and in later years choose to heal from the trauma gained in the last decade and now I feel well equipped for the future. 
2006 - 19, (Glasgow, Scotland), I thought I was grown (look at the cheekbones 🤣🤣) and ready for the world, chiiiild was I wrong, let’s just say, I am still resolving the trauma the decade brought me but I am grateful because I met my best friends and made decisions for the future I wanted to have. (Spoiler alert - I did better than I dreamed). 
1996 - 9, (Home, Zambia) this was my birthday but my little sister insisted she had to be the one in the middle. The only way we knew whose birthday it was, was by standing in the middle but this year I remember baby sister crying her eyes out and refusing 🤨
1988 - 9 months, (Chililabombwe, Zambia) although my mother looks tired and traumatised😟, I know I was loved and happy. 
#happybirthday #happybirthday❤️ #newera #39
Attended #ascotraces for the second year running a Attended #ascotraces for the second year running and I am glad to have experienced the ‘Village enclosure’ this year, whilst I loved ‘Windsor enclosure’ last year, it’s not for me. Next year, I want Queen Anne’s enclosure. 💕 #girlsdayout #girlslikeus #ascotfashion
How I missed you my love 🥰🥰🥰 #hertripsabroad #bla How I missed you my love 🥰🥰🥰

#hertripsabroad #blackgirlstraveltoo #maldives #neverstopexploring #welltravelled
Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london because why not. My feet still hurt from the thought of how much walking we did, the fact that we walked from #bigben to #buckinghampalace is still fresh on my mind. 

#neverstopexploring
🖤🖤MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMP🖤🖤 So much happened and 🖤🖤MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMP🖤🖤 

So much happened and yet I can’t find the words.
It has been an amazing week here, definitely recom It has been an amazing week here, definitely recommend @iberostar in Agadir. 
#neverstopexploring #wanderlust #welltravelled #lifeofadventure #hertripsabroad
I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most rela I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most relaxing and fulfilling time of my life. Sometimes taking it slow and living in the moment is what the soul needs. 🥰🥰🥰
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:
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 #hertripsabroad #solotravel #solotravelingisfun 
#blackgirlstraveltoo
I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after no I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after not visiting for almost 8years. 📍

#qatar #doha #qatarphotoinstagram  #solo travel #travelbug bestvacations igtravel travelpic travelblog beautifuldestinations tlpicks instatravel roamtheplanet traveldeeper travelgram travelinspo wanderlust instapassport exploretheworld travelpics travelmore passionpassport travelawesome lonelyplanet travelblogger travelphotography traveltheworld worldtraveler
Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the ye Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the year.
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A July Dreamer

A Travel & Lifestyle Blog

Christmas · December 11, 2016

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide #2016

The ultimate Christmas gift guide for 2016 is a roundup for all your family and friends Christmas gift ideas. Though Christmas is not all about the presents, it doesn’t hurt to get something for your loved ones when able. I know with my family we are more than happy to just spend time together but giving gifts also makes us ever more happy.

The ultimate Christmas gift guide will cover; Beauty, Fashion, Travel and lifestyle gift ideas. The ideas shared here are some that I know my family and friends would love. Maybe your family and friends might like them too so get a cuppa and check them out.

For the Beauty lovers

For the Beauty lovers

 

Though slightly selfish of me when I was putting this together I was daydreaming about the items that I love. On my birthday a friend bought me the Urban Decay lipsticks from the vice range. I had never owned any Urban Decay products before not even the naked palette but I instantly fell in love with the lipsticks. As I said already, slightly selfish of be but my suggestions come highly biased.

Suggestions Urban decay makeup palette and lipstick //Soap & Glory ultimate basket //Marc Jacobs perfume //Bobbi Brown foundation //MAC powder

For the Fashion Lover

For the Fashion Lover

Every Monday, A July Dreamer brings you outfit ideas so it made sense for me to include something for my fellow fashion lovers. Again definitely biased but who cares, we fashion lovers when picking something we always think what we like. I definitely want to say I always just think about the recipients but that’s not always the case. The suggestions are based off what I love and sharing for those who have similar style.

Suggestions: Michael Kor Handbag //Jord watch //Pandora jewelry //House of Fraser dress //high heels

For the Travel Lover

For the Travel Lover

 

 

Regular readers know I love nothing more than traveling whenever and wherever I can. When I was putting this guide together I thought of the things I need and use the most when I travel. Many people seem to forget universal adapters me included, I got on my recent trip to Nice, France.

Suggestions: Universal charger //Portable charger //traveler watch //Travel size toiletries

Lifestyle gift ideas

There are some people in our lives that do not fit in the above categories, in those instances I say think outside the box. I am not saying go all crazy and stuff just think of something they have always wanted to do. Things that people want are many and changes all the time but things that people need are a few. I know that my dad has always wanted to go see UB40 in concert so that would make an awesome gift for him.

Suggestions: Tickets to a concert //Experience a gift like a helicopter ride or driving a sports car.

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide #2016 is one that I wanted to say I put together with great thought. But actually I put it together with great love and hope you find something for your loved ones.

In: Christmas

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Comments

  1. Anosa says

    December 17, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Me too. its my current go to perfume

    Reply
  2. Anosa says

    December 17, 2016 at 11:44 am

    They sure are amazing, I couldn’t get enough of them and now want more

    Reply
  3. beautykinguk says

    December 14, 2016 at 11:23 pm

    Now this is a gift guide and a half, so many ideas you have given me now!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:57 am

      Hahaha I am glad to hear that.

  4. Paula says

    December 14, 2016 at 9:04 pm

    Wanna be my secret santa? hehe, love everything in your list!!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:56 am

      Hahahaha yep lol

  5. Ayesha Farhad says

    December 14, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    I have been hinting for a fitbit this year! Hopefully I will find one in my christmas stocking! haha! great picks! x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:56 am

      Hopefully you get one for sure

  6. Francesca Nelson says

    December 13, 2016 at 12:49 pm

    Lovely gift ideas!! I’m a beauty lover but have yet to try any Mac products can you believe! I’m loving those heels too!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:56 am

      Oh for sure love, most of us use the ones we are used to or love more lol

  7. Shannon Ritchie says

    December 12, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    This time of year I always stock up on Soap and Glory gift sets!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:47 am

      My sister in law does the same too as she is obssessed with soap and glory

  8. Melissa Zia says

    December 12, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    Some brilliant gift ideas here! I am hoping to get some urban decay lipsticks

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:46 am

      I am loving my Vice UD lipsticks, totally awesome

  9. Milly says

    December 12, 2016 at 10:53 am

    Tickets to a concert are always welcome for me – I also love the beauty bits though, hoping for some Mac and Urban Decay under my tree this year!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:46 am

      I hope you get some Mac and UB items this christmas

  10. Lisa Lambert (mumdadplus4) says

    December 12, 2016 at 10:48 am

    I love those shoes under fashion part they are gorgeous but not sure I could walk in them I’m rubbish in heels

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:46 am

      Hahaha I am sure you can try lol, I am re-training myself as I have been addicted to flats for the last year or so

  11. Rhian Westbury says

    December 12, 2016 at 9:25 am

    Some great bits, I’ve not tried an Urban Decay lipstick yet either x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:45 am

      Thanks and you should it’s awesome

  12. Beautyqueenuk says

    December 11, 2016 at 8:58 pm

    The dress is stunning but I would be chuffed with the entire beauty list x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:45 am

      You’re a beauty queen after all lol

  13. clairecly says

    December 11, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    Oh wow! I love that dress, it is perfect for the party season 🙂

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 17, 2016 at 11:44 am

      Thanks Claire, it sure is

  14. Jo Wiggins says

    December 11, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    I have a few of these on my list, like the MAC lipsticks and the Marc Jacob’s Daisy perfume. Great list here x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 11, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      Thanks Jo, same here

  15. Ana De Jesus says

    December 11, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    I love the look of the red Michael Kors bag and of course the JORD watch. This is a great list of goodies!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 11, 2016 at 7:22 pm

      Thanks Ana, I am so jealous of your Jord watch and hope to get one soon

  16. Jodie Whitham says

    December 11, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    What a great list of ideas – something for everyone! Of course I want someone to buy me a helicopter ride or gig tickets, but love all the beauty items. Keen to try Bobbi Brown as never have! x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 11, 2016 at 7:22 pm

      Hahaha wouldn’t it just be lovely if someone bought us a helicopter ride experience gift! I tried Bobbi brown foundation and loved it

  17. Nikki Hamilton says

    December 11, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    Lots of lovely gifts there, the michael kors handbag is definitely my fave!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 11, 2016 at 7:23 pm

      I had to add it as soon as I saw it, thanks for stopping by

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