Monday 30 September 2013

September Books


I was sent The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan to review for Good Reads - the book will be published in early November.

The story spans 50 years and two continents and tells of the lives of three women connected by blood and history and an evocative painting known as the Valley of Amazement.

The story highlights moments in history – China’s Imperial Dynasty and secret lives of those working in Courtesan Houses.  Violet is the much loved daughter of Lucia Minturn, the American mistress of the most renowned Courtesan House in turn of the century Shanghai and a Chinese father whom she knows little about.

Revolution and a cruel twist of fate separate Violet and her mother and she is forced to become a Virgin Courtesan.  She becomes friends with Magic Gourd (an ex-courtesan) who teaches her the art of seduction and she becomes one of the most desired women in the city.  Violet has a daughter, Flora who has cruelly been taken from her.

There are moments of joy, sorrow, pain and love and the ending is so bittersweet. I loved this book, a great and fascinating read and would highly recommend it.



My second book is A Serpentine Affair by Tina Seskis. I simply loved this book and couldn't put it down.  It follows the story of 7 friends from University and their annual meet up, this time a picnic at Hyde Park by the Serpentine.  Each chapter is told from a different viewpoint of one in the group (and others connected to the story) and it jumps between the past and the present. There are loads of twists and turns and the suspense is brilliant you are just racing to the end to find out what happens.  Can't wait for Tina's next book.  You can see my review of Tina's first book One Step too Far here. Highly recommend both these books.




My third book this month is Penny Hancock's The Darkening Hour which follows the story of Dora, eldest daughter who volunteers to look after her ageing father when her mother dies. Unable to cope she employs Mona, a migrant worker. The story is told by both Dora and Mona and is an unputdownable read with twists and unexpected turns.  I reviewed Penny's first book Tideline here.


What have you been reading this month?

September Empties

I think this is the smallest amount of products I've ever used up this month. 




Live Native Samples - Essential Earth Exfoliating Lemongrass Cleanser (5ml), Essential Beauty Serum (2ml) and Essential Woman Frangipani Fresh Moisturiser (5ml) - these were simply lovely to use and I definitely want to try some more items from the range.  You can see my review here. I'll buy the Essential Beauty Serum again.

Kerastase Lait Vital 200ml - one of my favourite conditioners.  See my review here. I'll buy this again at some point.

Nuxe 24-hr Moisturising Body Lotion 15ml x 2- this is lovely, got a couple more samples to use. Sure to pick up full size at some point.

Aurelia Priobiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser sample* - I was sent this to review - see here. Loved this. Will definitely buy when my stash goes down a bit.

Burt's Bees Milk & Shea Butter Body Wash 29.5ml - wasn't a fan of this. Didn't like the scent and found the wash too runny.

Korres Guava Shower Gel 50ml - one of my favourite Korres scents.  Sure to buy it again.  See my review here.

Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer 7.5ml - this was a Glamour mag freebie. Enjoyed using it and would maybe buy full size.

Lavera Organic Wild Rose Bath Salts sachet - these are a favourite of mine and I received these ones from Alice in the all things nice swap.  Sure to pick these up again and soon.

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel 15ml - loved this gentle gel cleanser which smells of rose and would consider purchasing.

Melvita Orange Blossom Floral Water 28ml - this came in the BBB Edit box. Nice enough to use but wouldn't re-purchase.

Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water 35ml - this was nice to use and easily removed make up. Got a couple more to use up but would consider purchasing.

Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom Body Lotion 50ml - my favourite Abahna scent. Sure to pick this up again. See my review here.

Pure Fiji Coconut Nourishing Exotic Oil sample size - simply adore this body oil and will buy it again and again!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil 10ml - love this multi-purpose oil. Will pick this up again in the future.

Lush Ocean Salt 120g - love this face scrub and sometimes use it on my body too due to the large scrubby flakes. Smells gorgeous too. Will pick this up again at some point.

Therapie Equilibrium Bath & Shower Essence 100ml - simply amazing bath oil. Great for de-stressing and soothing it helps to bring calm and balance back into your life.  One I'll definitely be picking up again and soon!  A small size of this is included in my giveaway.

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Butter 80g - one of my favourite body products. A rich butter lightly scented with rose which Amanda makes freshly when you order!  See my review here. Yesterday I purchased another pot.  Simply gorgeous.

Wellgreen Lewes Orange Blossom Body Butter - sample pot - this is lovely too with a light orange scent.  See my review here. Sure to pick this up again.

Have you used any of these products?

*PR sample

Sunday 29 September 2013

balance Me YOU Beauty Limited Edition Discovery Box



Get your balance Me Limited Edition YOU Beauty Discovery Box today - see here. Packed full of gorgeous goodies for the amazing price of £19.95! It is worth over £100. Also included is a £10 voucher to towards a full size Balance Me product as well as brochure and information card.  One lucky box will include a golden ticket - entitling the holder to £500 of Balance Me products!

As a huge balance Me fan I was super-excited to receive a box*. You can see my previous balance Me reviews - herehereherehere and here.

So what's inside:

Rose Otto Body Wash 100ml - I simply love this Turkish delighted scented gentle body wash which is blended with rose otto oil. It's gorgeous!

Super moisturising hand cream 50ml - a rich scented balm which melts into dry skin.  It featured (along with other balance Me products) in my balance Me Favourites - see here.

Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm 40ml - Another well loved product. See my review here.

Radiance Face Oil 10ml - a rich face oil packed full of nourishing ingredients to replenish and boost the skin. Use AM and PM for super radiant skin. You can wear it on its own or pop some moisturiser on over the top.

Moisture Rich Face Cream 20ml - just perfect for autumn/winter weather. I've not tried this face cream before. It's deeply hydrating and contains Arctic Cloudberry and is scented with rose. I'm looking forward to trying it when my skin's drier in the winter months.

Facial Expression Filler 15ml - another product I've not tried before. Designed to smooth fine lines and plump out wrinkles. An "instant on the spot anti-ageing filler". Use on the forehead, above the lips, on the side of the mouth and round the eyes daily after moisturising and before applying make up.

Wonder Eye Cream 10ml - helps with dark circles, and fine lines. Use morning and night.

What a great value box! Fuller reviews will follow on the products I've not used before. 

Make sure you enter the Facebook competition to win a box - see here - this great prize also includes a skin consultation with Sian Jones, one of the founders of Balance Me.

On Monday 30 September join in the lunchtime Twitter Q&A with Sian - see here

You can sign up to the monthly YOU Beauty Discovery Box also. See my review of last month's box here - great value at £6.95 including P&P. Join up here.

See the Balance Me website here
Follow on Twitter @balancemebeauty
See YOU Beauty here
Followe on Twitter @YOUMagSocial

*pr sample

Saturday 28 September 2013

Lemongrass House


I was recently sent these Lemongrass House products to try and review. Products are made in Thailand and are supplied to hotels and spas. The first UK store is based at the Trinity Leeds Centre.  See here for more information.

I was sent Ylang Ylang Bath Oil, Frangipani Body Cream and Royal Lotus Room Spray to try.

No animal testing or animal products are used.  The products are free from parabens, sulphates and SLS.

Ylang Ylang Bath Oil* (250ml - £14.95) - a strongly scented oil which foams up in the bath to create lots of bubbles.  Contains Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E.  This was nice to use and made for a relaxing bath.

Frangipani Body Cream* (120ml - £13.50) - Frangipani is one of my favourite exotic scents and this is lovely. A light cream which moisturises and scents the skin.  This was my favourite.

Royal Lotus Aromatic Room Spray* (120ml - £10.50) - A light aromatic mist which can be sprayed on linens, in the car or to refresh a room. I didn't like the scent of this which I found a bit too strong and a little bit artificial for my taste. Would happily try another scent though - there are another 14 to choose from.

Have you used any of these products?

See the website here
Follow on Twitter  

*PR samples

Friday 27 September 2013

September: Lately I've Been Loving


A Serpentine Affair by Tina Seskis - A simply amazing read. I was up burning the midnight oil reading this book! It will feature in my September books next week.  Can't wait for Tina's next book due out next year.


I picked up this cute purse at COVE a gorgeous local gift shop.  It makes me smile!


A simply yummy plate of nachos - I ate these at Miros Cantina with a frozen Margarita or two! 


Melt Luxury Candle in Verbena & Clary Sage* - scents the whole room and you can smell it into the next day.  See my review here.


Yarok Feed your Youth Hair & Scalp Serum* - this makes my hair look healthy, shiny and full of volume. See my review here.



FOREO LUNA mini* - I was sent this cleansing device to review (coming soon). I'm simply loving using it for cleansing that is deep but gentle.  My skin has never looked so good!



Therapie Cherish Skin Repair Serum - I'm a huge fan of Therapie products. This was my final try and it is simply beautiful. A rich serum which leaves the body and mind feeling cherished! The aromatics used smell gorgeous but they also heal, regenerate, moisturise and tone. With Ylang Ylang, Rose Geranium, Citrus notes and Musk.  One you must try!



I'm a huge Thistly Cross Cider fan and I've been loving the elderflower variety. Simply delicious!  It is fruity, zesty and has a real elderflower kick!



I first tried this delicious tea when Natures Healthbox were looking for reviewers. This is now a regular purchase with me. I'm a huge tea fan and this wakes me up in the afternoons!  See my review here

This photo I took on our holiday in Padstow, Cornwall in 2011 - I love how calming the photo is. Also love the apples on the trees, the blue sea, different coloured sky & the unsuspecting happy couple!  One of my better holiday snaps!


What are you loving this month?

Thursday 26 September 2013

Shopping my Stash #35


Here's what I've been using this week -

REN Rosa Centifolia 3-in-1 Cleansing Water 200ml* - simply love this rose scented cleansing water.  See my review here.

Shu Uemura Tasai Cream 250ml - my mum bought this from her hairdresser and then decided it didn't suit her hair - I gladly took it off her hands! Best applied on damp hair before blow drying. Leave the hair smooth and shiny.

FoM Remodelling Beauty Serum 25ml* - I've been sent this to review (coming soon). An anti-ageing serum which lifts, firms and improves the skin's texture.

Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin EDP 5ml - this featured as a want during my spending ban earlier in the year.  This sample came in a Harvey Nichols GWP. It has notes of rose, pink and black pepper, violet and musk. It's simply gorgeous.

eos summer fruits lip balm - love this fruity and natural lip balm.

Oceopin L'Huile de Graines de Pin Maritime - Maritime Pine Seed Oil 15ml* - a rich face oil which is anti-ageing and suitable for dry, combination and sensitive skin types. It contains pine seed oil which gives it a herbal scent.  Full review to come.

Are you shopping your stash this week?  Have you used any of these products?

*PR samplesOceopin

Wednesday 25 September 2013

#topcorntribe - Metcalfe's Skinny Topcorn

I was approached by Metcalfe's Skinny on Twitter to ask if I'd like to receive a monthly box of Topcorn* - no strings attached!  My first box arrived on Thursday.





Julian Metcalfe, co-founder of Pret and itsu was fed up of stodgy snacks and in 2008 created skinny topcorn - a light and tasty snack (love how the calories are visible on the bags).  Julian experimented with tons of flavours and Pret was the first place which stocked Metcalfe's Skinny

Random people, bloggers, Facebook friends, tweeters, beekeepers and everyone in-between can become part of the #topcorntribe.  Check out Metcalfe's Facebook page - every week one popcorn lover will join the #topcorntribe - see here.

Metcalfe's sends a box (every month!) to #topcorntribe fans, no strings attached! All you need to do is take a pic, send a tweet and spread the love!

So far I'm loving - Sweet Cinnamon Spice - spicy, slightly sweet with a cinnamon hint - delicious!

You can now pick up Skinny Rice Cakes - which are packed full of flavour and only 83 calories per slice - these come in Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Yoghurt flavours.

See the website here
Follow on Twitter  

*PR sample

Tuesday 24 September 2013

2nd Blog Birthday Giveaway!

I can hardly believe it's my blogs 2nd birthday today! I'd just like to say a big thank you to all my followers and online friends I've made over the last two years.  I've loved every minute of it. 

The giveaway is only for the UK due to the weight of the items but I'll do an International giveaway soon.

Here's what you can win:




Therapie Restore Aura Spray 30ml - review
Therapie Boost Hand & Body Wash 50ml - review
Therapie Equlibrium Bath & Shower Essence 30ml 
REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream 15ml - review
SkinLikes Natural Deodorant 70ml - review
bodhi Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy 1 x 10ml sachet - review
bodhi Rosemary Chi Reviving Body Moisturiser 40ml - review
Dr Organic Manuka Honey Cuticle & Nail Solution 15ml - review
Neom Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Hand Cream 50ml - review
Essential Care Conditioning Mascara 7ml - Brown
Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint 5ml - Pearl
Intelligent Nutrients Lip Gloss 12ml - Purple Maize
The Vintage Cosmetic Company Emery Board





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday 23 September 2013

REN Rosa Centifolia 3-in-1 Cleansing Water


I was recently sent REN's Rosa Centifolia 3-in-1 Cleansing Water (200ml - £13)* to review.  I can quite honestly say it's fantastic!  It smells of roses (one of my favourite scents) and removes all make up even waterproof mascara leaving the skin clean and fresh with no tightness or irritation around the eyes.

Made with 100% natural rose extract it tones, softens and soothes the skin. REN's philosophy of clean skincare can be summed up in three words - Performance - Purity - Pleasure.

A detergent free beauty water it removes make up and everyday grime.  Apply to the face, neck, eyes and lips using a cotton pad. No need to rinse.

Other items in the range include - Cleansing Foam, Express Make up Remover, Cleansing Gel, Purity Cleansing Balm and Exfoliating Cleanser - see HERE

See the website here
Follow on Twitter @RENskincare

*PR sample

Sunday 22 September 2013

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel

Ruth at A Model Recommends recently offered her readers an amazing Oskia deal - buy two Renaissance Cleansing Gels for the price of one! Running for a limited time period and saving a massive £32.50!

The only other Oskia product I've tried is Renaissance Mask which I received from WIMH.  See my review here.




The cleanser is a pink gel which is scented with Chamomile and Rose (smells divine). It deeply cleanses the skin, removing make up and daily grime as well as dead skin cells leaving the skin clean, radiant, moisturised and renewed and it is simply gorgeous to use!

Apply to dry skin, massaging into the skin. Add a splash of water to turn it milky and remove with a splash of water or a warmed damp muslin cloth.

It is packed full of good things for the skin - Vitamins A, C and E, Omega 6, Starflower oil and Pumpkin Enzymes.  Suitable for all skin types but in particular combination, normal, dull, dry, sun damaged and mature.

I was also sent a little drawstring branded bag with four sachet samples which I think was a very nice extra to receive.


Oskia Get Up & Glow 3ml
Oskia Nutri-Active Day Cream 3ml
Oskia Eye Wonder 2ml
Oskia Bedtime Beauty Boost 3ml

Have you tried any Oskia products?

Saturday 21 September 2013

Botanicals Organic Beauty Try Me Set


Botanicals are offering this cute little set until the end of September 2013. This special little box of goodies was created for The Soil Association's Organic September.  It is currently half price at £6.00 and you also receive a £5 off voucher - how good is that?  The voucher has to be used by the 30th September.



Contents may vary - this is what I got -

Rose & Camellia Cleansing Melt 5g - I've used this deliciously scented cleanser before.  See my review here.

Chamomile Cleanser 5g - a fluffy cleanser which has a light scent. Looking forward to trying this out.

Rose & Camellia Facial Oil 5ml - a huge fan of facial oils.  A natural oil which is good for dry or mature skin types. Packed full of nourishing oils and lightly scented with rose.

Rose & Camellia Body Lotion 5g - a light lotion which is easily absorbed. It is infused with organic rose oil and melts into the skin. This might be the one I purchase with the money off voucher! It's gorgeous!

Lavender Balm 5g - this is suitable for hands and body - a rich shea butter balm which smells lightly of lavender. Just know I'm going to love this!

A great little selection of products.  What are your thoughts?

See the website here
Follow on Twitter  

Friday 20 September 2013

SoukSouk September Beauty Box


My SoukSouk box arrived on Wednesday.  I love the fact that I've not tried a single thing before! If you pay monthly it costs £12 plus £2.95 P&P.  You can see the payment plans here.

So what's inside:

Full Size Nourish Smoothing Hand Lotion 100ml (£12) - I can never have enough hand creams or lip balms. Not tried much from Nourish - so this is a welcome addition in the box.  A 94% organic certified hand lotion made with aloe vera, shea, sunflower and borage oils and scented with orange and mandarin.

Konjac Puff Sponge (£6.99) - another item which I am excited about. A 100% natural vegetable fibre sponge. Can be used for cleansing, exfoliating and removing make up. I like that when you've finished with it you can recycle it on the compost heap (after approximately 2-3 months use).

Gwdihw Vanilla Lip Balm 25g (£4.49) and Gwdihw Nail Wizard Hand Balm 25g (£4.49) - have heard of this brand but not used any of the products. Both smell gorgeous!

Glow Skincare Rose & Macadamia Face Cream - sample pot - another brand I've not heard of. This cream smells divine. Looking forward to trying it out! The product is fresh, organic and hand made to order.

Box Bonus - a mini Green & Black's Butterscotch Milk Chocolate.

The magazine also mentions that Souk Souk are now offering Limited Edition boxes, Bespoke boxes and an online shop - see here. You also get to see inside Editor Victoria's make up bag.

Did you get the box?  What are your thoughts?

Thursday 19 September 2013

Shopping My Stash #34


Here's my choices for this week -

Mary Elizabeth Spearmint & Tea Tree Nurture Balm* - I've been sent this gorgeous balm to review. Packed full of good things it moisturises and nourishes lips, nails, hands and heels. Smells gorgeous too. Full review to follow.

bodhi Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil - one of my favourite face oils. You can see my review here.  Bodhi are also donating £10 for each limited pink edition bottle bought from now until the end of October to Breast Cancer Care. See here.

Dr Organic Rose Otto Hand and Nail Cream - a gorgeous rich and moisturising hand and nail cream scented with roses! Simply gorgeous. 

Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia EDP - simply love this floral scent. See my review here.

Fresh Sugar Berry Tinted Lip Treatment - loving this light berry shade.  This came in the box my friend got me in Vegas - see here.

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara mini in black - makes the lashes huge!

Have you used any of these? Are you shopping your stash this week?

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Yarok Feed Your Youth Hair & Scalp Serum


I was recently sent Yarok Feed Your Youth Hair & Scalp Serum* from a beautiful world (1oz - £22).


An anti-ageing treatment oil which nourishes stressed and tired hair as well as removing any build up or residue left behind by other products.  Hair is left supple, soft, bouncy, healthy looking and in great condition.

A ground breaking hair care line from New York with salon quality results and 100% natural formulations.  Yarok donate 3% of their yearly profit to help support people in Ecuador and Peru in a bid to protect over 10m acres of Amazon rainforest.

The serum contains Yarrow Oil, Avocado Oil, Apricot Kernal Oil, Wheatgerm, Ylang Ylang, Orange Blossom and Bitter Orange Oils.

To use: 

Apply 3 full droppers of oil to dry hair and massage through roots to ends.  Leave on 10 minutes then shampoo and condition.

Apply 3 full droppers of oil, wrap hair in a towel and leave on for 15-20 minutes, applying heat if possible before shampooing and conditioning.

Shampoo your hair and then add a couple of drops of the oil to your conditioner, leave 3-5 minutes and then wash out.

The stylists at #LFW are raving about the Yarok collection and the range is being used backstage.









This is now a staple product for me and one I won't be without!  Have you used this or any other Yarok products?

Follow on Twitter  and  
See a beautiful world website here

*PR sample

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Lucy Annabella Organics Argan & Bergamot Treatment Oil

I first received Lucy Annabella Argan & Bergamot Treatment Oil in Amarya's final box last month - see here. I simply loved it and took advantage of the 20% off for beauty box subscribers for any items in the box.



I simply love the packaging - ideal for gift giving (and you can recycle both glass bottle and box).  The oil is scented with Bergamot, Lemon, Lavender and Cypress with oils of Soyabean, Sesame, Argan, Avocado, Apricot and Rapeseed along with Rosemary Extract.

Products are hand made in small batches and are made with 100% organic ingredients. Will awaken, nourish and revive the skin so it's perfect to use after your morning shower or for massage.  To use - pour some of the oil into the palms and massage onto the body.  

Colleen Harte, a Complementary Therapist and Clinical Aromatherapist is founder of the range which is based in the heartland of Northern Ireland - Ballygawley in Co Tyrone.  She has developed each organic formula and each product is "blended and bottled with love."  The name of the company came from Colleen's grandfather - he used to call her Lucy Annabella as a pet name.

There are also a lot of other enticing products on the website. I'm especially liking the look of Cloud Nine Aromatic Bath Milk and the Rose, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang & Mandarin Candle

See the website here
Follow on Twitter  

Monday 16 September 2013

Mendill Pure Organic Wet Towelettes

I first saw these wet towelettes on British Beauty Blogger.  While browsing Love Lula last week I came across them.



Using the highest grade natural ingredients the wipes are 100% organic.  You can use them to wipe away dirt, to deodorise, for baby's bottoms, for use on hands, feet, body and face (although the lavender ones I bought are quite highly perfumed so I'd be wary using them near my eyes), use in the tumble dryer, place an open one beside your bed to help you sleep and for bee stings.  I think they'd be nice to refresh on a hot day and useful to use while travelling.

They cost £10 for 20 individually wrapped towelettes. Other scents available - lemon, tangerine, orange and eucalyptus.

Mendill donate 1% of their sales to the Planet Growing Movement in support of environmental  causes. No animal testing and the outer packaging is recyclable.

Have you tried these?

Sunday 15 September 2013

Villimey Foot Charm



I was recently sent Villimey Foot Charm (50ml - £18)* to try and review.

Villimey started as a hobby at the kitchen table over 20 years ago and is now a thriving cottage industry.  Founder, Adalborg Thorsteindottir, (better known as Alla) and her team gather the freshest and healthiest herbs from the pure untainted environment of the West Fjords.

The salves are 100% organic and are Tun International Organic certified. Icelandic herbs are especially potent as the soil is extremely cold and the summers short.

Alla started making her salves in 1990 for friends, colleagues and neighbours and after the millennium officially launched Muscle & Joint Charm.

Organic Foot Salve Charm* is a rich salve with a slight herbal scent. It soothes cracked heels, alleviates fungal infections and itchy feet, helps with infected wounds and warts and any infections in the groin and pubic area.  


I've been using it nightly on my feet and it leaves them moisturised and soft. You only need to use a small amount of the rich salve.  It is made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Chickweed, Lady's Mantle, Calendula, Beeswax and Tea Tree Oil.

You can buy it in the UK from Beauty Crowd see here
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*PR sample