Lush Christmas Sweater bath bomb

I dipped into my Lush sale stash a few days ago and tried out the Christmas Sweater bath bomb. It had a festive spicy clove and citrus scent, which reminded me of mulled wine and left orange and red swirls in the water. The scent did not fade whilst I was in the bath but it did leave some red marks which I rinsed off and would recommend rinsing the bath after use to avoid the colours staining.

I'm looking forward to trying the other bath bombs over the next few weeks.

Film night - The Big Sick

Last night my boyfriend and I watched The Big Sick. I had been wanting to see this since I saw the trailers, but didn't get chance to catch it at the cinema, so we had a cosy night in instead. 

My boyfriend prepared a lovely Chinese meal followed by chocolate eclairs for dessert and we got started.

I had high hopes from the trailers and I wasn't disappointed. It was a heartwarming film with plenty of humour throughout and even a couple of tears along the way. I would definitely watch it again and would recommend it to anyone wanting a feel-good film. 

Sanctuary brightening facial radiance exfoliator review

One of my New Years resolutions was to indulge more in me-time, just doing the little things that I just don't seem to have the time to do anymore like doing a manicure with my favourite nail polish or baking a tray of cookies.

I was in boots this weekend and spotted the mini sanctuary radiance exfoliators were reduced to 20p as the packaging has been updated each AND they were on three for two! Although I have no shortage of beauty products I don't have much in the way of facial products and given the bargain price I didn't feel the need to justify buying three new exfoliators (and let's not forget they are miniature after all!)

So after a long lie in this morning, I indulged my resolution with an at home facial using my new exfoliator. This is what I could expect according to the sanctuary website:

ultra-fine apricot granules and grape seed exfoliate and refine, while a trio of pumpkin, pineapple and papaya extracts work naturally to help increase cell renewal. Skin is left feeling smooth and glowing with radiance.

I really liked this exfoliator, it was fairly thick and had a decent amount of granules without being too harsh on my skin. It left my face feeling deep cleansed, fresh and smooth and it has a lovely light scent. I have sensitive skin on my face and I can't use a lot of facial products but this was perfect for my skin. 

According to the website it can be used 2-3 times a week but I think I will stick to using it once a week as part of my Sunday facial routine. I would definitely recommend this product and you can try the miniature size which is sold in Boots to see if it suits you before paying out for the full size version.

Book Review: Miracle on Regent Street by Ali Harris

I have just finished reading 'Miracle on Regent Street,' which is about a shy and unassuming stock room assistant named Evie, who works in Hardy's, an old fashioned and behind-the-times department store. I had been wanting to buy this book for a while but put it off whilst I had several other books on my shelf waiting to be read, but when I saw it on the shelf at Poundland of all places I couldn't say no.

Just a few weeks before Christmas stockroom assistant Evie finds out that unless the store makes a miraculous improvement in it's sales, then it is set to close. So supported by her colleagues she sets out on a secret mission to transform Hardy's, but is it enough to save the store?

I enjoyed the story, it had a feel good vibe and an underlying moral that you should follow your heart and your dreams whilst being set in the festive backdrop of London's Regent Street in the run up to Christmas. This is the sort of book you want to read wrapped up in a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate and the whole afternoon ahead of you. 

Ciate 'blizzard' nail polish

Last Christmas I received the Ciate miniature bauble set which had six shiny Ciate minis perfect for the festive season. Anyone who knows me will know how much I love all things sparkly and glitter nail polish is no exception. 

This is 'blizzard' in the miniature 5ml size:

I love this polish as it is true to the colour in the bottle, dries super quickly and only needs two coats for consistent opaque coverage. The glitter catches the light so it has a nice sparkle, making it perfect for a night out. 

I can't wait to try the other shades but they're all a lot brighter so I will wait until spring is here to test them out, hopefully it won't be too long away!

Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Ritz

This post is really belated but The past month has just flown by. 

Last Christmas I was reading about festive afternoon teas in London but by November all the highly recommended venues were fully booked, so this year I was on the ball and come July(!) I reserved a table for christmas afternoon tea at the Ritz. 

I was a bit apprehensive after reading mixed reviews online - most said it was the wonderful experience you would expect but a few said service felt rushed and tables were cramped and at £70 per head you expect nothing short of perfection. 

We arrived at the Ritz about half an hour before our seating time and waited for the rest of our party in the foyer which housed the biggest and most festive Christmas tree I think I have ever seen. About ten minutes before we went to check in our coats and it took about that long to get to the front of the queue so it is worth getting there early to make sure you enjoy your full slot. 

We were then seated in the palm court which was decked out with garlands and ribbons with another tree in the centre. Within minutes of being seated our tea order was taken (the tea was delicious) and glasses of champagne were served. Shortly after the afternoon tea stands were brought out and they had been adapted to our dietary requirements. A different waiter served our tea but knew exactly who had ordered what without having to ask, which was  a nice touch. 

There was a wide selection of sandwiches and delicious pastries and of course scones - both plain and fruit - served with jam and clotted cream. As soon as one plate was finished the waiter brought out another plate to replace it and tea was refreshed before it could go cold - the service was seemless.

After we declared we couldn't possibly eat any more sandwiches or pastries, mince pies were brought to the table and then a waiter came round with a dessert trolley and you could choose from traditional christmas cake or a pear pie. 

All the while carollers were singing christmas songs accompanied by a piano which really made for a festive atmosphere. The service was excellent and the waiters were all friendly and helpful and when we asked one waiter if he would mind taking a group photo for us he did so happily. 

It really was a fantastic experience which I would highly recommend and really put me in a festive mood, but bear in mind that booking opens from July so if you want to go next year pop a reminder to book in your diary now!

Kerylos Villa Beaulieu

In July I went to Nice for a few days of sunshine, warmth and relaxation. I've been to Nice quite a few times now and seen most of the popular tourist spots of the French Riviera such as the beautiful Villa Ephrussi de Rotschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the perfume factories of Grasse and the palace in Monaco, so it is getting harder to find new things to see and explore. 

This time round though I popped into the tourist information centre for a map and spotted a leaflet for the Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu so we took the next bus and spent the morning exploring the Greek villa.

The audio guides gave a lot of information about the history of the villa, which was built in the early 1900s by French archaeologist Theodore Reinach and is filled with copies of Ancient Greek furniture and statues. 

After our tour of the villa we sat on the veranda and ate lunch whilst enjoying the idyllic views over the sea.

Horsley Park

Last week I had a few days off from work so we spent a few days in Horsley Park, enjoying the crisp autumn air, countryside walks and rare lie-ins. We were very lucky with the weather, it was sunshine and blue skies although there was a definite chill in the air signalling that winter is well on it's way.

Sanctuary Dreamtime Sleep-in-a-box Kit Review

Just before I went on holiday I mentioned my bargain Boots haul, which included the Sanctuary Dreamtime Sleep-in-a-box kit. I've used it a few times now so thought I'd post a quick review about the set.

The set contains 4 travel sized products; soothing bath float, smoothing silk scrub, 4in1 restoring body elixir and comforting night butter. I haven't used the body elixir yet as you can only use it once, so I'm keeping it for when I have time for a long soak, but the other products have been tested a few times now.

The first thing you notice about the Sleep range is the lovely, calming scent; it manages to be subtle whilst still having a relaxing effect. I would describe the fragrance as a creamy almond and lightly floral scent. The soothing bath float has a slight shimmer and produces a fair amount of bubbles, leaving the water soft and scented.
The smoothing silk scrub is a very lightweight scrub, it doesn't have much "scrub" in it so isn't suitable for proper exfoliating, but that makes sense for a kit which is meant to help you unwind and make you sleepy. It does however leave you skin silky soft, and the gentle scrub is relaxing.
The comforting body butter is the final step to dreamtime, and complements the other products perfectly. It's  luxuriously thick, absorbs quickly, and leaves the lovely scent on your skin.

I really like this kit and it did help send me off to a relaxed slumber, so I would purchase it again, although probably the kit (which retails for £12.50), rather than the full sized products which are about £10 each. I think this will be one for my Christmas wish list this year!

Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle Perfume Review

A couple of months ago I received a 5ml sample of Dior's new fragrance "Addict Eau Sensuelle" which I took on holiday. The little sample card holder didn't have any description as to the fragrance so I wasn't sure what to expect, but the delicate fragrance surpassed my expectations, with strong notes of jasmine and slightly lighter rose tones, it's like a burst of a freshly cut bouquet. I'm fond of floral scents so this appeals to me, but if you're not keen on floral perfumes you might want to try one of the original scents.

I'm looking forward to trying the other perfumes in the Dior Addict range, especially Dior Addict Eau Fraiche, which is described as sparkling and sharp, fresh and woody with a radiant and subtle freesia combined with white lotus flower and delightful pomegrantate.

Technic Nail Polish Review

I thought I'd do a quick review of the technic nail polish which I used to create my Cath Kidston nails. I bought 3 shades from Bodycare, a pastel blue, pastel green and dark pink, and at just 99p each I didn't really have high expectations for them. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are actually durable, long-lasting polishes, and even the pale blue was opaque in colour in just two coats and left no streaks. Since painting my nails I've washed my hair, done some gardening, cooked, been grocery shopping and carried out other chores and yet my polish has still not sustained a single chip! I can't wait to call in to Bodycare again soon and see what other pretty shades they have, I've already seen a pretty multi-colour glitter which looks like a very close OPI dupe, and at 99p they're a bargain!

Technic nail varnishes can also be purchased online at love thy makeup for £1.25 if you don't have a Bodycare near you.

No 7 BB Cream Review

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about my Boots Haul,which included a No7 BB Cream. I'm an extreme latecomer to the BB cream party, it didn't particularly appeal to me as I have a reliable foundation which gives good even coverage, so what else could a BB cream offer? Having now tried No7's BB cream I realise that the two are pretty much completely different products. The BB cream has a light moisturising formula, yet provides a noticeable even coverage.The best thing about it is how easy and quick it is to apply, there's no need for a brush or sponge, simply blend in with your fingertips and in seconds you have a more even skin tone; it's great for days when you're in a rush or don't want to overload your skin with products. The other benefit is that it is long lasting so with its light-weight formula it's great for summer (and it has SPF 15 to protect your skin in the sun). Unfortunately I often need a medium-full coverage foundation to fully disguise imperfections, so the No 7 BB cream won't be replacing my foundation, but it has become a firm fixture in my make-up bag for the summer months.

Chocolate Baskets filled with Ice cream / Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop Book Review

I have just finished reading Abby Clement's latest book "Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop," which is the perfect light holiday read. I won't give too much away but the book follows two sisters as they try to take over their grandmother's ice cream shop in Brighton, and as one heads to Italy to learn how to make gelato, the other is left to start running the shop, and both encounter setbacks along the way! I took it with me on holiday and luckily enough I spent some time in Italy so I could try out real Italian Gelato to see what the fuss was all about in the book, and it really was delicious so I want to try making gelato too!

Whilst looking for a recipe in one of my dessert books I came across one for chocolate ice cream in a chocolate shell, so as I didn't have the ingredients at hand to make the ice cream I decided to try making chocolate baskets and filling them with some from the freezer for my first attempt.

The method is simple, cover a small bowl with clingfilm and pipe melted chocolate around the edge and across it and leave to set. I didn't have any clingfilm only foil, and this proved quite difficult to remove resulting in a couple of broken baskets, so next time i'll be trying it out with clingfilm and hopefully will have better results.

Seventeen Off the Wall Graffiti nail effects in "bluetone" Review

My nail varnish collection has suddenly doubled in size in recent weeks, and the latest additions to my collection are two blue varnishes from Boots (where all make-up is currently on a buy-one-get-one-half price offer, and they're giving out £3 off No7 make-up with purchases of £5 or more). The first is a deep french blue with a hint of metallic shine called "Betty Blues" by No7, and is the base coat in the picture below. The second is the nail varnish I'll be reviewing, a translucent blue polish by Seventeen densely packed with silver and black glitter pieces. It's part of their new "Off the Wall Graffiti Nail Effects" range and available in two shades, "bluetone", which is shown below, and "monochrome", which has black and white glitter.

I applied two coats of the No7 stay perfect varnish for the base, then a layer of Seventeen's glitter polish. If you shake the bottle well then one coat is enough to give an even coverage of glitter across the nails, but for the one or two that were left a little sparse I just let them dry and then added a second coat to make it more even. I really liked the overall look of the varnishes together, and although it is not very clear in the picture, the glitter reflected light to give a really pretty sparkle to my nails and it would be ideal for evenings out.

SEVENTEEN Quicker Slicker Colour "Sailor Boy" Nail Polish Review

I called in to Boots today to pick up the free Clinique Lipstick I'd been sent a voucher for in the post, and thought I'd have a quick look to see if there were any new nail polishes that caught my eye as I don't have many light colours for summer. I was not disappointed as Seventeen has just launched a few new colours perfect for summer, and I chose a lovely sky blue shade titled "sailor boy". It is part of the "Quicker Slicker Colour" range which claims to dry in 50 seconds and although I didn't time it, it certainly did seem to dry quickly which is a big plus point for me because i'm always smudging my nail varnish whilst I wait for it to dry and it can be very frustrating having to start over! I only needed 2 coats to get a nice even coverage and the colour is true to the bottle. I'm quite pleased with my new little purchase, it's a pretty colour for the summer months and reminds me of clear skies and blue seas! It's only £2.99 and currently all seventeen make-up is on 3 for 2.

Poundland Nail Stamping Kit Review

A few weeks ago I read about Poundland's Nail Stamping Kit which has received some glowing reviews online. Intrigued by the idea I was keen to give it a go and managed to track down a kit last week. In the kit you get a metal plate engraved with several designs, (the one I bought had flowers and a butterfly as per the picture below), a rubber stamp and a plastic scraper.

 You have to paint over your chosen design with polish, then use the scraper to remove excess varnish, press the stamp on to it and then press on to your nail. It took me a while to get the hang of it, and I still haven't quite perfected it but each time I try they're looking better! I've read a few handy tips online which have made it easier to apply; don't use a quick drying varnish, stamp quickly and the most useful tip I've read is to use a nail file on the stamp before you use it as the varnish sticks so much better.

It was a little tricky to get the hang of and it is quite time consuming if you are using a base coat, (which I would recommend as the stamps don't show up very well on clear nails), because you need to make sure the polish is completely dry before stamping on it to avoid smudges. However once you do get the hang of it it's quite fun and an easy way to try out nail art, as it's still quicker than having to draw on complicated designs and patterns. At just £1 I'd recommend trying them out purely for the fun factor anyway!

Lush Hottie Massage Bar Review

A few months ago I was given a Hottie Massage Bar from Lush, designed to relieve aching and knotted muscles. I've tried their Lush massage bars before having received the now discontinued glitterbug as a freebie, and whilst I had found it pleasant, the glitter wasn't very suitable for day time and I didn't find it had any advantage over a regular moisturiser.

So I had a pleasant surprise when I tried my new Hottie Bar, it really lived up to the claims and I found it worked wonders on aching tired muscles. The bumps work really well to un-knot muscles and soothe the tension, and the cocoa and shea butters leave your skin hydrated and soft. The Hottie has a pleasant but not overpowering fragrance, with subtle hints of vanilla, citrus and ginger. I would recommend it not only as a massage bar but also as a moisturiser for when you're in a rush as it's quick and easy to use and lasts well.

The Hottie Bar is £5.75 and is available online here as well as in store.

Skincare Essentials ♥

The wintery weather is doing its best to take its toll on my skin, but I'm lucky to have a box full of lovely skincare treats which are helping keep it in good condition. I've picked out my favourite trusted skincare treats below which I love using for a pampering afternoon and can rely on for a quick-fix.

Lush Tea Tree Toner Tabs
I became a fan of these a while back and now always make sure I have a couple of tabs on standby in my beauty box. They contain tea tree and aloe vera to calm and soothe problem skin. They're simple and easy to use, you just put them in a bowl of hot water and steam your face for 5-10minutes (the longer the better I find) and then cleanse and moisturize afterwards. Immediately after steaming my skin feels refreshed and deep-cleansed but I always use mine the day before an event or day out because that's when I really notice the difference and have visibly calmer and softer skin and a more even skin tone.
 

Soap & Glory 'The Breakfast Scrub'
This is one of my all-time favourite exfoliating scrubs. It contains almond, honey and banana extracts along with oat, sugar and shea butter, and has a good-enough-to-eat maple fragrance. The sugar and oats provide a really good exfoliating base without being too abrasive and the shea butter means its moisturizing too. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth and I'll definitely be replacing it when I run out.

The Sanctuary Hand Cream and Intensive Rescue Heel Balm
With almond oil and shea butter the hand cream is a lightweight, quickly absorbed lotion which leaves your hands soft and smelling sweet. It's great to apply on-the-go as it isn't too rich and helps stop my hands from getting to dry in this harsh weather.  The Heel Balm is one of my favourite beauty products and the best foot moisturiser I think I've ever come across. I use this after a bath and then put on a pair of fluffy socks for the evening and by the time I go to bed the lotion has worked it's magic. I've recently bought a replacement (although the first one lasted nearly a year) and yet every time I'm surprised at how soft my feet are after using this! 

No 7 Speed Dry Nail Colour "Afternoon Tea" Review

The last time Boots ran their £5 off No7 voucher promotion I decided to treat myself to a new nail varnish to add to my collection. At just £2 it's an affordable little treat but I didn't realise how rapidly my nail polish collection had expanded, they have outgrown their box and now I have a collection growing on my dresser.
So anyway back to boots, and I decided to opt for a pretty neutral beige shade with a pearlescent finish titled "Afternoon Tea".

I really like this nail polish as it applies easily with  no streaks and builds up an opaque colour in just 2 coats. It doesn't take long to dry so I didn't have a problem with any smudges and it lasted several days without chipping. The colour is subtle but pretty, so I think it would work well both in the day time and evening and is an ideal shade for Spring through to Autumn.

Primark Nail Caviar Review

I've been intrigued by the introduction of 'nail caviar' in recent months, but having read mostly negative reviews on the MUA constellations, being put off the price of the original ciate caviar and failing to track down any of Poundland's version, I thought I was destined to give it a miss. That was until I spotted a 3D manicure kit at Primark, no less. Essentially exactly the same as 'nail caviar', the Primark version comes with a nail varnish, a bottle of tiny beads which are a pretty mix of silver, pink and pearl, and a handy funnel.

So the idea is that you paint your nail, then pour over the beads making sure you have a tray underneath to collection them, press them down slightly so they set in the polish, and then pour the left over beads back in the bottle using the funnel. As I was trying the beads out before work I kept it to just one nail per hand having heard that they don't last long, and I used another nail polish which complemented it for the rest of my nails (a No 7 polish in shade 'Milan' which I've previously reviewed).

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to do and how evenly the beads went on considering I was trying to do it quickly. After work one of the nails had lost a few beads but the other still looks perfectly intact, which again I was quite surprised about as my nail polish had chipped and smudged while I was working. Overall I was quite impressed by the Primark kit, and at just £2.50 it is the cheapest nail caviar kit i've seen (with the exception of the elusive Poundland one). The beads probably aren't very practical for everyday wear, but a fun novelty and ideal for evenings out.