Thursday 28 February 2019

February: Lately I've Been Loving

Here's my February loves:


Discovering and trying gorgeous Lind & Lime Gin which is distilled in Leith, Edinburgh. I love the bottle and the gin's stunning with lime, pink peppercorn and juniper botanicals to name a few. It's the very first spirit created by the Port of Leith Distillery Co and you can read more about the gin HERE.


February's Sandwick Bay Candles Subscription Corner box was my favourite yet. The theme for February was Wild Roses and Chocolate. See my thoughts HERE.




Picking up this gorgeous handcrafted soap (which looks almost good enough to eat!) from Edinburgh based Eira Soaps at Cahoots in Portobello. I'm looking forward to using it and a review will follow.


Again, on our recent trip to Leith - at Leith Market and FLUX I chose these lovely treats. 


I've been receiving some great book post* and I can't wait to read Lesley Kelly's new A Health of Strangers Thriller and catching up with old friends in Death at the Plague Museum (I also liked the "tablets" to ward off the virus - chuckles). I'm taking part in the blog tour in April so keep your eyes peeled for my review then.

What have you been loving this month?

*gifted

Wednesday 27 February 2019

February Book Round-Up

Books marked with * I've been kindly gifted by the Publisher via Netgalley or directly from the Publisher. Here's what I've been reading in February -



The Binding by Bridget Collins* - Emmett Farmer is working at the family farm where they are struggling to make ends meet when a letter arrives asking him to become an apprentice Bookbinder. He's always found himself drawn to books even though they have been forbidden at home. Seredith believes he's a binder born and he learns how to handcraft the leather bound books. Inside is a memory somebody wants to forget. The books are created, bound and then locked away. When he discovers a book with his name on it, it both excites and terrifies him. He also finds out that some bookbinders sell books on to the highest bidder..

Privileged and snobbish, Lucian Darnay comes into their lives and his sister Alta falls head over heels in love. Emmett suffers him for his sisters sake but later in the book Darnay will mean so much more to him..It's a stunning novel which I still think about now. Would recommend.



The Taking of Annie Thorne by C J Tudor* - Joe Thorne returns to Arnhill, a place he'd rather have consigned to the history books. His old gang wish he'd never come back as he's stirring up long forgotten memories, betrayals, suicide and the murder. Joe personally is in a lot of trouble as he's a gambler and owes a lot of money to get him out of the mess he's in.

He was sent a message by text urging him to come back as there's unfinished business and he'd also like to know what happened to his sister, Annie all these years ago.

He's renting the house where Julia Morton lived with her son Ben where a murder/suicide was committed. The house creaks and groans and brings his childhood fears back to him in glorious technicolor. He takes on Julia's job at the High School which some find strange.

The story goes back to the past and the abandoned mine and then jumps to the present day. It's an atmospheric read which is really creepy. I found the ending stayed with me long after I finished the book. Would recommend.
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Louis & Louise by Julie Cohen* - I found myself totally absorbed in the story. It's absolutely brilliant. We see the male and female sides of Lou. If she had been born a girl or a boy - Louis or Louise to parents Peggy and Irving. It's a really enthralling story which makes you think. Was life easier for Louis than Louise?

The story is told with chapters from both Louise and Louis and Lou (both of them). They share the same friends, go to the same school, share the dream of being a published author and leaving their dead end hometown of Casablanca for good.  

We follow them through their childhood and into adulthood. Something profoundly disturbing happened to them both on graduation night which changes the course of their lives forever....

I loved Allie, twin of Benny who is best friends to them both and Dana, Louise's headstrong daughter. Lou heads back home when Peggy takes ill, going back home was something they didn't expect to do and they also find they are able to get closure from that night. I absolutely loved it.



The Migraine Relief Plan by Stephanie Weaver* - I took part in the Book Birthday Blitz for this book. See my review HERE.


Cross Purpose by Claire MacLeary - Maggie Laird's ex-cop husband dies suddenly and her life changes forever. With bills to pay as well as the mortgage she decides to take over George's Private Detective Agency with the help of her neighbour, Big Wilma.

Maggie is determined to clear George's name is it's the last thing she does. They encounter a few stumbling blocks and learn a lot along the way. They get on so well and the story is peppered with laugh out loud moments. Maggie has led a sheltered life and it's a learning curve for her being confronted with drug dealing, sink estates and an unexplained death. 

They also cross paths with Brian, George's copper pal and the new DI Chisholm (more about them in book 2). I loved the characters of Maggie and Big Wilma who are like chalk and cheese but are the best of friends (most of the time).  I also found the setting of Aberdeen to be refreshing as most crime novels seem to be set in Glasgow or Edinburgh. Would highly recommend.


The Puppet Show by M W Craven - OMG this is one of my favourite books this year. It's truly un-put-downable and brilliant. A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District's stone circles. There are no clues and seemingly no connections..

When disgraced detective, Washington Poe's name is found carved into the chest of the third victim he's brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of. 

He's partnered with the brilliant but socially awkward civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw and the pair uncover a trail only he is meant to see. Tilly while excellent at her job is an innocent having been sheltered from life. I loved her and Poe's interaction and friendship which brought so much joy to the bleak storylines.

A copper friend is seconded to their investigation and Acting DI Stephanie Flynn is not best pleased when Poe and Tilly go off and do their own thing. However, the race is on to find out who the Immolation Man is and why he's killing people in this way. It's a fast paced and twisty read with characters I adored. Roll on book #2.


Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce* - Alison, is the breadwinner who works long hours as a successful barrister in the courts of London. Her husband, Carl is their daughter's main carer and he seems to relish in it along with his part time Counsellor job.

She's having a steamy affair with her colleague, Patrick and believes she's covered her tracks. She works and parties hard, sometimes too hard and you'd think she was single rather than married with a loving partner and tiny daughter. She knows she needs to stop seeing Patrick but she can't give him up.

Things at home are not good. Carl faults her at every turn, demeaning her ability as a mother and a wife. A weekend away turns into a total disaster and it seems their marriage is really falling apart.

The story is full of twists and turns, tension, sneakiness, sadness, devastation and gasp out loud moments. Some of the twists I just didn't see coming especially a couple nearer to the end of the story. 

I loved Alison despite everything and I was really on her side throughout. A stunning novel which I'm still thinking about now (and of course it makes my books of '19 for sure).


Burnout by Claire MacLeary - it was SO nice to meet up with Maggie and Big Wilma again. Maggie is drawn to help Sheena Struthers, a woman who believes her husband is trying to kill her. Big Wilma thinks she's "at it" and tells Maggie to leave it be. Her colleague at the school is going through marital difficulties and Maggie is lending her ear. Ian, Big Wilma's husband takes a hissy fit at the amount of time she's spending with Maggie and issues an ultimatum - me or the job..

Of course, like last time their investigation overlaps with Police Scotland's and Brian and DI Chisholm aren't pleased. Both of them seem to want more from Maggie Laird than she's prepared to give... Another brilliant story with lots of humour and great storylines. I'm taking part in the blog tour for book 3 - The Runaway next month and I'm excited to read it.


Nobody's Wife by Laura Pearson* - again, I couldn't put this book down and am still thinking about now. It's not published until March so I'll share my review in my March Book Round-Up. Brilliant. Highly recommend.

From last month (was awaiting publication) -


When I had a Little Sister by Catherine Simpson* - this is a moving memoir about the life and death of Catherine's younger sister, Tricia. We hear about life on the farm, stories from her childhood (some of which are similar to mine), the family and life on the farm. The story is peppered with humor as well as complete and utter sadness and heartache.

After Tricia's death Catherine finds her diaries and delves back into her thoughts, dreams, fears, sadness and suicidal thoughts. She was able to piece together things that happened to Tricia that she wasn't aware of and giving her an insight into the months before.

She agonises over how she could have supported her sister more. The family never really spoke about feelings or things which mattered. Could she have got through to Tricia and prevented her taking her own life? Catherine paints a very real picture of mental health and how it's not easy to deal with, her deep sadness and loss of a much loved sister who had everything to live for. Although the book isn't easy reading at times I do recommend it.


The Familiars by Stacey Halls* - We meet young Fleetwood Shuttleworth who is married to Richard and is the mistress of Gawthorpe Hall. She's suffered several miscarriages and all her husband wants is a son and heir. She's flighty and wild and is always going off on her horse for adventures with her faithful dog, Puck.

On one such trip she meets a local girl, Alice with whom she is fascinated. She finds out she's a midwife and immediately hires her to ensure the safe arrival of her baby. Alice, whose life is hard befriends her and helps her all she can. She brings herbs which will guide her through a smoother pregnancy. Alice is secretive and we don't know much about her. The tale is told around the time of the real Pendle witchcraft trials and these weave around the story. I enjoyed the book a lot and found it richly descriptive.


Call me Star Girl by Louise Beech* - A pregnant girl is found murdered in an alley and her killer hasn't been found... It's Stella McKeever's last radio show and the theme is secrets. If her listeners share theirs she might share some of hers..

She's got a few of her own including her mum leaving her when she was a young girl and the star shaped perfume bottle, the essence of her mother and all that she holds dear. Her mother's back on the scene and she's not sure she likes it. She's always worried that her boyfriend Tom will leave her.

She's hoping the anonymous man will ring in tonight who seems to know who killed pregnant Victoria. She's worried about her even though she doesn't know her.  What's the connection with the man who rings the station..

The story is creepy, twisty and edged with sadness and love. It's compelling with great storylines and characters. Highly recommend.



The Hidden by Mary Chamberlain* - this book is simply incredible and one of my favourite reads so far this year. Dora, Geoffrey and Joe are quietly living their lives in retirement when a young German woman called Barbara Hummel comes along. She's asking searching questions and won't go away until she gets the answers she searches. They don't want to delve back into the past and relive the horrors of living in Jersey during the Second World War when the Germans occupied the Island.  Barbara will not let it rest, she must know who the woman is in the photo her late mother had in her possession.

Dora is not whom she seems and must be careful around the Germans. She's working as a midwife and starts a love affair with Geoffrey, the farmer who she's told to stay away from. Joe is the parish's Catholic Priest who has secrets from his past and in the current day. They are caught up in the atrocities of war which made for disturbing reading (the story is based on things which happened during WWII) but they manage to come out the other side a little bit broken but still alive.

The story jumps between the past and the present. I was desperate to find out how Barbara was connected to their stories which are interwoven together. An absolutely stunning must-read. I loved it.


Bitter Edge - DI Kelly Porter #4 by Rachel Lynch* - A teenage girl commits suicide while seemingly high on drugs. The verdict is suicide but something niggles and keeps niggling DI Kelly Porter regarding this verdict. It just doesn't feel right.

She's very happy in her relationship with Johnny even though his daughter, Josie can be a pain and she's making tentative first steps in her relationship with Ted. She's also getting on much better with her dying mum since finding out the truth but of course things are still the same with her argumentative sister.

There seems to be a lot of drug taking along with bullying at the local school. A teacher has been accused of sexual assault and when a teenage girl goes missing at the fair, Kelly and the Team need to find her before it's too late.. There is also a missing child, his father being an old enemy of Kelly's and this storyline is cleverly woven together with the other cases.

A brilliant 4th book. I just love this series and Kelly Porter. Fast, twisty and brilliant with love and some sadness too in the mix.


Dead Memories - DI Kim Stone #10 by Angela Marsons* - this series just keeps getting better and better and this is a roller-coaster of a read which I devoured. Detective Kim Stone is about to be thrown into her worst nightmare of a case - someone is recreating every traumatic thing that's happened to her.

The case kicks off with two teenagers chained to a radiator. The boy is dead but the girl is alive. This gruesome case mirrors what happened to Kim and her brother and as if that's not all, a middle aged couple are found in a burnt out car which is similar to what happened to her much loved foster parents.

Kim is wracking her brains trying to think who would hate her so much and it takes her to the local prison, to those she locked away and knows bear grudges against her. The boss calls in profiler, Alison to work the case. Kim's worked with her before and they don't see eye to eye so the road is rocky. The Team are hard at work trying to discover who is behind these senseless murders and why and the race is on to stop them before it's too late..

A fast paced and exciting read which had me on the edge of my seat throughout. I didn't for one minute guess who was behind the murders. Absolutely brilliant.

What have you been reading this month?

Tuesday 26 February 2019

Sisley Beauty Subscription: Winter Rescue


My last Sisley Beauty Subscription arrived last week. This month it's entitled "Winter Rescue" and inside are products which help you get through the final days of winter "Cold winter days can start to take their toll on the complexion, Your skin deserves gentleness to get it through the final days of winter. Enjoy this carefully selected routine to bring comfort to your skin and soul".

There are a couple of repeat sachets this month so it's probably as well my subscription is coming to an end. I'll be sharing my favourites/buy agains from the last six months soon.



Inside this month:

Facial Mask with Linden Blossom 10ml
Sisleya L'Integral Anti-Age Anti-Wrinkle Concentrated Serum 2ml
Restorative Body Cream 15ml
PhytoBuste+Decollete 8ml (repeat product)
Soir de Lune Moisturising Body Cream 8ml (repeat product & not keen on the scent)

In all, I've really enjoyed my subscription and never say never, I might go back at some point. What's your favourite Sisley product?

Monday 25 February 2019

February Empties

Here's what I've been using up in February. Some of the items, marked with * I have been gifted, the other products I've bought with my own money.


Weleda Pomegranate Body Lotion 20ml* - lovely, huge fan of this range. Will probably pick this up again when my stash diminishes a bit.

Weleda Arnica Massage Oil 10ml* - great to use on bruises! Gentle and calming. Will probably buy again as some point.

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil 10ml - I used to use this all the time so it was nice to re-visit. Would buy when my stash reduces.

Madara Micellar Water 100ml - one of my favourite Micellar Waters. See my review HERE. Will buy again.

ORIBE Dry Texturizing Spray 75ml - one of my favourite dry shampoos. I'd buy this again.

Damana Cleansing Gel with Citrus Fruits 30ml - which was in the bathroom of our hotel in Miami. Refreshing and nice to use.

A.S Apothecary Sussex Rose Aromatic Water #18 50ml - absolutely gorgeous. I was sad to finish this up. It came in my Lush & Rosy Gift Set. Would buy again.

Pure Lakes Grapefruit & Lemongrass Shower Gel 100ml - which came in my January Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. Lovely to use and made for a refreshing shower. Might pick it up when my stash reduces.

Sisley Supremya Yeux La Nuit Eye Serum 1ml - totally gorgeous. I'll never be able to afford full size so nice to try.

The Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleansing Balm 10ml* - which was gorgeous to use. See my review HERE. My cleanser stash is huge but definitely one to add to the wishlist.

PHB Ethical Beauty Superfood Brightening Moisturiser 1ml* and Superfood Brightening Serum 1ml* - I love sachets as they are great try me sizes (I got 2 uses out of each sachet). These smelled gorgeous and felt nice on the skin. Would love to try them full size.


Miller Harris Tea Tonique Shower Wash - nice to use with a scent exactly like the perfume. Adds to wishlist.

I finished my first perfume in my Project Ten Pan (link) - Escentric Molecules Molecule 03 (30ml) which I adore (I bought another before I started my challenge). Absolutely love this vertiver scent.

What have you been using up this month?

Sunday 24 February 2019

Love Lula: Dr Hauschka Pure & Delicate Hand Care Gift Set

*gifted as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. Having tried one of the Dr Hauschka Face Care Kits* last month which I reviewed HERE I was keen to try some other products from the brand and picked up their Pure & Delicate Hand Care Gift Set* which at the reduced price of £15 is an absolute steal.


Inside the recyclable (or reusable) gift box you will find:


Neem Nail & Cuticle Pen 3ml (worth £17) - which is handy to use on cuticles on the go for a blast of nourishment. There are three extra tips included in the kit also. I didn't find that a lot of oil comes through the tip but it's enough to nourish each cuticle.


Hydrating Hand Cream 30ml (worth £9) - which is very rich and luxurious with a herbal scent. The cream absorbs quickly leaving the hands deeply nourished (you can also use it on dry elbows).

Exclusive Nail Buffer - a luxurious nail buffer which is exclusive to this set which shines and polishes the nails. 

I can honestly say this set is fantastic and well worth the money. Have you used any of these, if so, what are your thoughts?

*sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. My post contains one affilate link

Saturday 23 February 2019

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: February: Pure Bliss

I think February's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box is one of my most favourites ever! It's entitled "Pure Bliss" and contains four brands including three new to me ones - that's what beauty boxes should be about discovering new treasures!


And inside is:


WOW!


Cocorosa Beauty is a totally new to me brand (and gorgeous) and inside is a mini duo worth £12 - Egyptian Neroli Cleansing Oil and Superfruit 3in1 Cleansing Powder. I'm so looking forward to testing these out and a review will follow.


From Farryn Amber we have their Rose Facial Mask 40g (£14) which is from another exciting new to me brand. I'm tempted by their mini discovery set which I'll buy after payday. See it HERE. Again, review to follow.

And yes, another new to me brand! Belenos Skincare looks truly gorgeous! Inside is their Repair Serum with Rose+Frankincense+Neroli (£9) which smells amazing! Again, a review to come.


The final item this month is award winning Harmonie Bath Oil 15ml (£18) from the fabulous Micheline Arcier Aromatherapie which I've had the pleasure of using before. It really is in the "treat" range of bath time products. Looking forward to using the bath oil to relax and unwind.


Did you pick up a box? What are your thoughts on the contents this month?

Friday 22 February 2019

Review: AA Skincare

*products gifted for review purposes. Every AA Skincare product I try I love. The award winning brand formulates luxurious, effective and affordable skincare. Their Jasmin, Mimosa & Rosehip Moisturising Face Cream* made my top products of 2018. I've been testing out some more products from their skincare range and I can quite honestly say they are fantastic.


Rosemary & Olive Deep Cleansing Oil 150ml (£7.98)* which comes in a huge pump action bottle. It does have a distinctive olive oil smell which may put some people off (I genuinely love it) with a hint of Rosemary. The Deep Cleansing Oil is suitable for all skin types and instantly rids the skin of make up and daily grime leaving it clean, nourished and ready for toner and moisturiser. It can also be used as a soothing tonic for irritated skins.

To use: apply to dry skin, massaging the oil in before removing with a warmed damp cloth.


I've really been enjoying using this deep cleansing oil. It does what it says it will, is nice to use and brilliant value.


Rejuvenating Rose Hydrating Daily Face Gel 50ml (£6.96)* has a delicate rose scent and a gel texture and is enriched with Comfrey, Rose Geranium, Lavender and Carrot Seed Oil. It's ideal to help to slow the initial signs of ageing, while plumping out fine lines and wrinkles. The Face Gel absorbs instantly and feels comfortable on the skin. 


To use: smooth onto cleansed skin morning and night.

I normally use oils or moisturisers so this was a nice change. The gel felt nourishing and comfortable on my skin.


Neroli & Aloe Moisturising Cream 50ml (£7.98)* I'm obsessed with all things neroli at the moment so this cream is an absolute dream. The blend will nourish and replenish, smoothing out wrinkles and providing a mild natural sunscreen. 

To use: apply to cleansed and toned skin AM and PM.

It's a gorgeous cream which I've really enjoyed using.  It does exactly what it says it will and has a glorious scent.

I'm a huge fan of AA Skincare and recommend their products to all. Affordable and effective. What's your favourite product from the range?

*gifted - sent to me for review.

Thursday 21 February 2019

Review: Tropic Skincare Pure Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum


*Gifted for Review. Just about every Tropic Skincare product I try I love (there's actually only one product in the whole range that doesn't suit me). Their Pure Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum* (30ml - £42) is truly fantastic.

The serum feeds you skin's eco flora and is a godsend for acne/blemished/combo skins. I wonder how I lived without it! (I have combination skin). I've been using the serum on my oily T-zone. It'll help to control sebum, gently exfoliate blocked pores and help to prevent blackheads.

Blue Spirulina and Malachite extract soothes and reduces inflammation and redness. Vitamin B2 and Zinc PCA balance sebum and helps to reduce pore size, Hyaluronic Acid plumps and hydrates, Prebiotics and Bioflavonoids optimise the skin's natural flora and help defend against acne causing bacteria. 

To use: apply 3-6 drops on cleansed skin once or twice daily. Follow with Skin Feast or Supergreens or use alone. 

The serum is cooling, absorbs instantly and comforts stressed skins. It's lovely to use and has a fruity fresh scent. My oily t-zone has definitely mattified and I've got less blemishes. Absolutely Love!

Have you tried Pure Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum yet?

*gifted for review purposes

Wednesday 20 February 2019

Sandwick Bay Candles: Subscription Corner: February: Wild Roses


February's Sandwick Bay Candles Subscription Box is my absolute favourite so far! (though I recollect saying this last month too...)

Wild Roses is exactly how you'd imagine a bouquet of wild roses to smell. Gloriously floral and rosy! 

The extras this month (a subscription costs £22 a month) are two tealights which smell exactly like bubblegum! And a chocolate hand-painted heart from Cocoamester.


This monthly subscription just makes my heart sing! Do you subscribe?

*I pay for this subscription myself

Tuesday 19 February 2019

Love Lula: Beauty Box: February 2019

My February Love Lula Beauty Box* arrived last week. It's absolutely brilliant this month and the contents are worth £60 (UK rolling subscription - £14.95). I receive a box free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for an honest review.


WOW!


From Seascape Island Apothecary is their award winning Soothe Sleep Oil 8ml which is worth £10. I'm excited to see this in the box as it had been on my wishlist! They say it's a "true lullaby in a bottle" which will relax and calm both the body and mind before bed. Looking forward to testing this out and a review will follow.

A new Walden Natural Perfume is always exciting and inside is a roll-on natural perfume oil of 'A Gentle Rain' 10ml (£17) It's a blend of oak moss, labdanum and patchouli and is right up my street! Again, a review will follow.

From Crazy Rumors is their Hot Cocoa Lip Balm 4g (£3.99) which is a sweet and almost edible nourishing lip balm. It's lush!

A full-size product from PHB Ethical Beauty in the form of their New Gentle Moisturiser 30ml (£20) which is suitable for sensitive, dry and reactive skin. My skin is combo so I'll probably pass this onto a more sensitive friend.

The final item is from Balm Balm and is their Fragrance Free Face Balm 30ml (£9.50) which is a must for sensitive skins. It's ideal for face, neck or anywhere else that needs some TLC. 

And this month included is a code for a HUGE 25% off the brands in the box! Are you a subscriber? What are your thoughts on the contents?

*sent to me free of charge as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. All thoughts are genuine - it's a great box!

Monday 18 February 2019

Zing Lover's Subscription Club: St Moritz Apres Ski Hamper

My second Zing Organics Zing Lover's Subscription Box Hamper arrived last week (minimum sign up 3 months at £29.50 a month). My first box was last month - see my review HERE. The February hamper is entitled "St Moritz Apres Ski" and is designed to soothe tired muscles and relax both the body and mind after a day on the piste!


Nestled inside this month is a 80ml bottle of The Spa Body Oil with Cardamon, Patchouli & May Chang (retails at £25). It has a beautiful warming spicy scent with a touch of citrus. Tired muscles are soothed and relaxed, the mind is calmed and everything is well. To use: use as a body oil, for massage or drop a full pipette into a warm bath. Ahhh...


Also inside are two x 8hr (£8 each) burn botanical candles in Le Boudoir, a warming blend of cannabis flowers, palmarosa grass and patchouli leaves and Frosty Morning which is a crisp blend of cypress leaves, fir leaves and pine. Also inside is a pine cone picked from the forest's floor.


There are also offers exclusive to club members - 10% off workshops and therapies (which can be shared), 25% off other items shipped with your monthly box and £10 discount code which can be shared with friends for a discount off their first box.

Are you a Zing Lover's Subscription Box member?

Sunday 17 February 2019

Book Birthday Blitz: The Migraine Relief Plan by Stephanie Weaver

Today I'm on the Book Birthday Blitz for The Migraine Relief Plan by Stephanie Weaver* in association with Rachel's Random Resources which I found very informative with brilliant recipes and ideas.



In The Migraine Relief Plan, certified health and wellness coach Stephanie Weaver outlines a new, step-by-step lifestyle approach to reducing migraine frequency and severity. Using the latest research, her own migraine diagnosis, and extensive testing, Weaver has designed an accessible plan to help those living with migraine, headaches, or Meniere’s disease. Over the course of eight weeks, the plan gradually transitions readers into a healthier lifestyle, including key behaviors such as regular sleep, trigger-free eating, gentle exercise, and relaxation techniques. The book also collects resources—shopping lists, meal plans, symptom tracking charts, and kitchen-tested recipes for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—to provide readers with the tools they need to be successful.

The Migraine Relief Plan encourages readers to eat within the guidelines while still helping them follow personal dietary choices, like vegan or Paleo, and navigate challenges, such as parties, work, and travel. A must-have resource for anyone who lives with head pain, this book will inspire you to rethink your attitude toward health and wellness.

My thoughts?

As a sufferer of migraines I found this book an excellent handbook to understand them and to help stop triggering them. The book is an absolute treasure trove of information including why some foods can be triggers. 

Stephanie's plan is designed to be followed over an eight week period and each week you have to complete one assignment. You need to keep track of what you are eating and invest in a pedometer/fitness tracker, as you'll be moving more.

Other things the book includes is food lists, looking at what's in your cupboards, freezer and pantry, what to eat when you are dining out, what staples you can have in your fridge, food ideas for meal times as well as recipes including ones which use up leftovers. There is also advice on what to eat during a migraine attack, transition to plan approved meals, how to maintain the plan, detoxing, green beauty ideas, getting move sleep and moving more and ultimately creating a "long-term lifestyle".

It's a great read which I highly recommend.

*complimentary copy sent to me for review & blog blitz