*Love Lula: Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar 2020 - Days 10 - 24

*partly gifted via the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. How I enjoyed my Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar this year (£85, I put £35 towards it). You'll maybe have seen my daily updates on instagram. See my musings on days 1 - 9 HERE. The advent came in a large re-usable box (or easily recycled) which I think is a nice touch (smaller size products or wax melts me thinks!)

On Day 10 we received 10ml of the Hydrating Hand Cream which I've used before - it's fantastic. See my review HERE. I'm happy to re-visit this! 

Day 11's treat came in the form of their Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Cream 10ml which was nice to use.

Day 12 saw us get Regenerating Day Cream 5ml which is one of the more pricer products full size. It's perfect for more mature skins. 

Day 13 saw us receive their Hydrating Cream Mask 5ml which is perfect for dry, sensitive and mature skin types.

On Day 14 we got 2.5ml of their Translucent Bronzing Tint which can be mixed into moisturiser or foundation to give a healthy glow (I've not tried this yet, but will soon!)

I simply loved Day 15's Rose Nurturing Body Cream 10ml which is super rosey, smells of Turkish Delight and has a rich and creamy texture. I fell head-over-heels for this one and want it full size!

On Day 16 we got Soothing Cleansing Milk 10ml which is great to use as your first cleanse. It'll gently remove make up and daily grime.

I've tried the Clarifying Toner 10ml which we received on Day 17 before and my combo skin loves it. See my review HERE.

Everybody loves Rose Day Cream Light 5ml which was in the box on Day 18 as it's a lighter formula of cult classic Rose Day Cream. It's great for more sensitive skin types or to use in Spring and Summer.

Day 19 gave us Revitalising Mask 5ml which I've had the pleasure of trying before. See my review HERE.

On Day 20 we received Regenerating Day Cream Complexion 5ml which smoothes and evens the skin tone. It contains light reflecting subtly bronzing mineral pigments to balance and can be used prior to foundation. This is a new to me product.

On Day 21 we got another new-to-me product in the form of their MED Ice Plant Hand Cream 10ml (a review will come for this one, as well as some of the others I've not tried before).

Day 22 was another new to me product - their Almond Soothing Body Cream 10ml which has a delicate almond blossom scent. It's perfect for dry winter skin, soothing and nurturing.

On Day 23 we received 5ml of Revitalising Day Cream which restores all skin types, refreshing and enlivening.

Rounding up this fantastic Advent Calendar on Day 24 is cult classic Rose Day Cream 30ml (worth £30.50). I've used this before but I've never reviewed it - watch this space!

So far, I've made one full size purchase. I fell head over heels for Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil which I received on day 10 and had to have it full size. I know Rose Nurturing Body Cream from day 15 is likely to be bought full size too! Did you also have the enjoyment of this advent calendar too throughout December? If so, what were your favourites?

Top Books 2020: September to December

You can catch my top books for the period January to April HERE and May to September HERE. Today I'm rounding up with September to December. I've read circa 100 books this year. If a book is marked * I've kindly received it from the publisher via Netgalley or directly from the author.

And so, shall we begin..?

September:

*The Girl Without A Name by Suzanne Goldring - how I loved this story which had a twist I never saw coming which took my breath away! See my review HERE.

*Meet Me in Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft - I simply adore Jenny's books and this one was no different. I fell head-over-heels for the storylines and characters. Absolutely superb! See my review HERE.

*The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex - this isn't published until next year. I absolutely adored the storylines which tell the tales of three lighthouse keepers who mysteriously disappear. This is a must read.

*The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline - wow this story blew me away. It's based on a true story of transportation to Australia in the 1840s. I took part in the blog tour. See my review HERE.

October:

*The Nesting by C J Cooke - I loved this atmospheric story which had a real sense of place and I was also captivated by the folklore interweaved within it's pages. I took part in the blog tour. See my review HERE.

*Deadly Cry - DI Kim Stone #13 by Angela Marsons - oh I adore a Kim Stone novel! This series is so good. This story had me guessing throughout. Just brilliant. See my review HERE. Roll on book #14. 

*Trace Evidence - A Kate Carpenter Thriller by Vanessa Robertson - I so enjoyed the first in this series which I read earlier in the year. So when Vanessa got in touch offering me the second in the series I said yes please! It's a brilliant read with characters I'm growing to love. Looking forward to the next one already! Catch my review HERE.

November:

*Sixteen Horses by Greg Buchanan - this was an early read as it's not published until May next year. It's one of these books which I may even read again! Twisty and dark with interesting characters and gripping storylines. Catch my review nearer publication date. Highly recommend.

*How to Belong by Sarah Franklin - oh I just loved this tale set in the Forest of Dean about belonging, friendship, starting over and finding a sense of self. I took part in the blog tour. See my review HERE.

*When I Come Home Again by Caroline Scott - a stunning novel based on real life events which I still think about now. So recommend it. See my review HERE.

*Christmas Island by Natalie Normann - oh how I loved this easy reading romantic tale with wonderful characters in a gorgeous setting. See my review HERE.

December:

*Silent Voices - DI Lottie Parker #9 by Patricia Gibney - how I love this series and Lottie Parker. This isn't published until next year so I'll share my review nearer the time. It's fast paced and as twisty as ever. Highly recommend.

*Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner - another book which isn't published until next year (I'm taking part in the blog tour in January). It's the story of a civilian who follows up on cases of missing persons when the police come to dead ends. Fast paced and twisty with brilliant characters. I also got a real sense of place with the Boston setting. I absolutely loved it.

Do we share any top reads?

December Book Round-Up

If a book is marked * I was kindly gifted it for review from the publisher via netgalley. Here's my December reads:

*Dangerous Women by Hope Adams - I simply loved this richly drawn tale which is based on a true story of transportation of women to Australia in 1841. It's not published until March so I'll share my review in my March roundup.

The Taken Girls by G D Sanders - I really enjoyed this new series featuring DI Edina Ogborne who has moved up to Canterbury Police from London after a personal scandal. Her new small town colleagues make it hard for her to fit in and her boss doesn't really want her there.

I liked her fiesty character and found myself rooting for her! The story is fast paced and interesting and Ed finds her new lover in the frame in the latest investigation.  She knows she has to prove herself and finds the links between the previous similar cases. I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it.

*Silent Voices - DI Lottie Parker #9 by Patricia Gibney - this latest instalment featuring DI Lottie Parker is just fantastic. How I love this series. Again, read this early so I'll share my review in February.

*There's Only One Danny Garvey by David F Ross - I'm taking part in the blog tour for this brilliant read so catch my review in January.

*Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner - WOW. I absolutely loved this story. Fast paced and exciting and a brand new author to me. I'm also taking part in the January blog tour for this so I'll share my review then. Just brilliant, so recommend.

What have you been reading this month?

*Love Lula: ila spa Life in the Fast Lane 432 Temple Balm

Sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. It was nice to see ila spa arrive at Love Lula recently. I've been testing out their Life in the Fast Lane 432 Temple Balm (15g - £13)* which is perfect for tension headaches and stress or if you are feeling a bit frazzled.

The balm can be used on the go, at work or at home to calm and relax both the body and mind. It's got a very potent scent - Vetiver, Petitgrain and Cedarwood, here's looking at you!  These oils are blended together for 5 minutes in a crystal bowl attuned to 432Hz. The oils absorb the vibrations permeating the balm with a peaceful and calming potency (it's said that 432Hz is the precise frequency that sound or music is most harmonious to the ears). Only essential oils can absorb these vibrations.

Warming Vetiver melts anger and irritability, soothing mental exhaustion while relaxing Petitgrain reduces anxiety and stress. Grounding Cedarwood strengthens and assures.

To use: press the balm onto temples and the side of your head, inhaling and exhaling for near instant calm

I've been pretty impressed with this temple balm - the scent is incredible - if you like Vetiver you're in for a real treat! I've found it helps to de-frazzle the mind and soothe. Pick yours up HERE.

December: Lately I've Been Loving

I always use my last lately I've been loving of the year to share some of the things which have made me happy this year.

It's always such an honour to be a Beauty Shortlist Judge (do check out the winners of the Awards on Tuesday 2nd March 2021). I've been putting some amazing products through their paces and am sure I've found some winners!

(I never stop pinching myself) I'm so grateful to be a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. I've discovered some amazing brands through the program, some of which I've bought again and again.

I think my day was made when my quote was used on the inside cover of the fantastic The Strange Case of Jacob Boyce by Tom Gillespie. I took part in the blog tour - see HERE and I was made up and then some when the author sent me a signed finished copy! Day, if not year, was made!

Being able to go for a short holiday in July was so joy giving! We spent time on the Isle of Wight (on my bucket list) and I met Pascale from Blue Labelle at her shop in Ventnor. Unfortunately, there was no touching and trying any products due to COVID-19 but it was so, so good to meet her! I've loved her products for so long (she also took a photo of me which she shared on her instagram of me masked-up!)

We also loved those beautiful Isle of Wight sunsets! We also managed a short stay at The Pig Hotel at Brockenhurst (second visit). Truly gorgeous!

I've been really lucky to be able to read lots of great books this year (my final Top Books September to December 2020 is upcoming) and try lots of new to me beauty products. I'm sad that my fav green beauty box - Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box (reviews) has come to an end but I'm sure founder Paula will go on to curate more joy for us next year - looking forward to seeing what she does next! 

January - Nourish

March - Meditate

May - Spring

July - Summer Vibes

September - Sunset

November - Ambiance

I also by chance bumped into an old friend on the bus and it was great to make a connection again. For me, 2020 has been about the joy in the little things. What have you been loving this month/year?

Top Products 2020: September to December

This year I broke up top beauty and books into little chunks. See my top beauty products January - April HERE and May - August HERE. If an item is marked * I was kindly gifted it for review. 

Here's what I loved and rated in September:

Discovering Scottish brand, Raven Botanicals. The girls very kindly sent me a few samples* to try and review. See HERE. It's a simply stunning range, carefully formulated and hard working as well as gorgeous.

A perfume which has been on the wishlist a while before I snapped it up is Rahua's gorgeous Palo Santo Oil Perfume. See my review HERE. Simply stunning.

So much love for beautiful Ffern Organic Small Batch Perfume. Autumn 20 is simply exquisite. See my review HERE. So much love for this co!

Rounding up September's top picks is John Master's Organics Maximum Moisturizer with Mandarin & Glycoproteins* which I received free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for review. It's a fantastic hydrator and perfect for autumn and winter skin. See my review HERE.

In October, Naturisimo brought out a fantastic range of starter kits. I reviewed their Moisturisers one HERE they're great for beauty lovers and beginners alike!

I also had the pleasure of trying Charlie Miller award-winning Haircare & Styling products* which are absolutely fantastic. See my review HERE. 

I treated myself to Inika's Phytofuse Renew Resveratrol Serum after trying a sample. It makes my skin glow! Check out my review HERE.

As soon as it launched I had to have Kiss the Moon's Relaxing Eye Pillow with DREAM Aromatherapy Drops. The set's simply stunning. See my review HERE.

Coming into November there was more Raven Botanicals love when I tried their 24 Carat Oil to Milk Cleanser which takes cleansing to another level. Check out my review HERE.

I also loved ila spa's The Big Sleep Drops which really do what they say on the bottle! See my review HERE.

My skin loves NeuroSkinFeeds The MicroOil* which intensely rejuvenates the skin and senses. See my review HERE.

In December, I reviewed nknaturals full Autumn mini Seasonal Collection - see HERE and two items from the current Winter collection - see HERE. I just love these carefully formulated seasonal collections.

Rounding up my top picks for December is Skin Elixir's Magnificent Night Oil* which I reviewed HERE. 

Do we share any top picks for 2020?