August: Lately I've Been Loving

We were on holiday two weeks in August on Korcula Island and Dubrovnik in Croatia - both very different but lovely places. So you'll find my August loves mainly centre around these memories..

We had a great time at Foodies Festival Edinburgh at the start of August. The sun shone and I drank copious amounts of Prosecco!

We stayed 10 nights on beautiful Korcula Island in Croatia and had a wonderfully relaxing time (2hr ferry from Dubrovnik Port). We stayed at boutique hotel The Fabris - Luxury Inn which was the perfect base for exploring. Our room while bijou was beautiful and we had a lovely little balcony to people watch and watch the world go by!

We hopped on the local bus to Lumbarda which has the only sandy beaches on the island and visited the three local wineries - which was lots of fun!

We thoroughly enjoyed the wines (not the herbal grappa!) from Popic Winery where they were very friendly and we learned a lot about their wines. We picked the tasting with local cheeses - would highly recommend! They produce round about 10k bottles of their GRK so it's unlikely you'll find it available to buy in the UK (unfortunately!) We did pick up a bottle of their first press of their delicious Virgin Olive oil however. 

Literally next door is Winery GRK and here we enjoyed their wine selection with a snack. We loved their wines too and picked up a bottle of their cherry liqueur to bring home.

BIRE Winery welcomed guests during set timescales so we had a wander around the village before visiting later that afternoon.

Again, we had tastings of all the wines with a delicious selection of treats which complemented the wines very well. I especially loved their GRK.

There were two star places we ate in Korcula - Aterina and Nigra both with amazing food, wine and service. Below are some of the dishes we ate:

Aterina - large plate of everything (so good we had this again!)

Aterina - Basil Cake (for dessert - savory pudding) - just WOW

Nigra - Vege Terina - eggplant - zuccini - roasted peppers - goats cheese

Nigra - Shrimps in Tempura - goat's curd - cherry tomatoes - rucola - pesto

Nigra - Fish of the Day - Amberjack - chard - marinated red onion - beetroot powder

And of course, I had to have a daily Aperol Spritz (normally late morning!)

Beach Bar Dodo in Dubrovnik!

I also loved while walking around Korcula Town seeing lots of homegrown produce in people's gardens..

We had 4 nights in Dubrovnik before flying home loved staying at the very luxurious Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik (I nearly cried when I saw our glorious room and balcony). It really had the wow factor (and great air-con!) As we had an executive room we had access to the lounge which offers breakfast, mid morning, mid afternoon and evening snacks (evening time they offer a range of alcoholic drinks too).

 Executive Lounge

It seemed even hotter in Dubrovnik than it'd been on the island - so lots of beer and water was needed! I also had the most incredible Rose G&T at Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant - I'll need to try and recreate this at home!

If you are in Dubrovnik the War Photo exhibition is well worth a visit (it'll take about an hour). It features photos from the Vietnam War and the end of Yugoslavia which cover the wars in Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Kosovo as well as limited edition prints. Some of the photos featured will stay with me forever.

Some snaps of Dubrovnik..

We also ate twice at the fabulous Bosnian Restaurant Taj Mahal - which I highly recommend (and the Bosnian coffee (like Turkish) is fab).

Rounding up my August loves are a couple of beauty products (and some original artwork).

*gifted/productsample I fell head over heels for 001 Skincare's Alpha-Paradise Cleansing Dew*. See my review HERE.

*gifted/productsample Every Kure Bazaar product I try I love. Their Ginger Lip & Nail Balm* is fantastic. See my review HERE.

I was really pleased to pick up this stunning piece of original artwork which is entitled "Agate Slice" by Emily McSevich Fine Art which I think is absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to get it framed.

What have you been loving in August?

*001 Skincare: Alpha-Paradise Cleansing Dew

*productsample/affiliate links As you know every 001 Skincare product I try I love. Their Alpha-Paradise Cleansing Dew (currently on offer at £32 for 100ml) is an absolute delight!

Founder & CEO, Ada Ooi says "I wanted to create a Grand Opening to start any daily skincare ritual. This heady cleansing oil tantalises your senses, perform tip-top deep cleanse task without stripping your natural water-oil balance".

The Alpha-Rich Cleansing Dew is 100% natural, antioxidant and omega-rich and a real treat for the skin and senses (Jasmine, Neroli & Ylang Ylang, here's looking at you!) In fact, it's one of the most luxurious cleansing products I've ever used (and a pure joy to use). It has a rich yet lightweight feel and makes cleansing into a real ritual to be enjoyed.

Fatty acid rich Jojoba, Apricot Kernel and Sweet Almond oils nourish and cleanse leaving the skin feeling hydrated, yet clean, smooth and radiant. It makes short work of make up, including waterproof mascara and daily grime.

Alpha-Paradise Cleansing Dew is suitable for all skin types including sensitive, dry, combination, oily and mature.

To use: massage 3-5 drops onto your face and neck at night-time taking time to enjoy your "me-time" before removing with a warm damp muslin cloth/face cloth.

I've fallen head-over-heels for this beautiful product which is effective, smells glorious and turns cleansing into such a pleasure (and yes, it's one of my top products of '19). Pick yours up HERE.

Review: 001 Skincare CRYO-FLASH FACIAL SET

*I was very kindly gifted this award winning Cryo-Flash Facial Set (£134)* to try and review. You can get 20% off your order with "Sandra20". You'll know I'm a huge fan of 001 Skincare having also loved other products from the range. 

See my reviews HERE, HERE and HERE.

Inside the beautifully packaged box you get two products - your CRYO-Press and Alpha Glow Flash Facial 50ml.

The CRYO-Press should be stored in the freezer (in the bag provided). The Ice-Treatment enhances blood circulation, pumps oxygen to the epidermis, eliminates toxins, tightens, tones and energises the skin smoothing out signs of fatigue and stress.  Skin is firmed, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, skin's tone is evened out and it's left looking rejuvenated and glowy.

To use: the frozen roller can be used alone or alongside Alpha-Glow Fresh Facial which is included in the set. Use the roller back and forth, up and down and out to the side working around your facial contours for an uplifting and cooling massage. If you use more pressure with the upward motion the muscles will be lifted while rolling down sends the toxin build up in the face towards the centre of the body where they can be detoxified.  I've found it easy to use and my skin feels perked up and instantly uplifted.

If using with the Alpha-Glow Fresh Facial apply the serum prior to using the roller.  Founder and creator, Ada Ooi says it's "the one serum you'll ever need". It took four years to research and formulate and is packed with 9 hardworking ingredients which will tackle skin ageing and concerns such as loss of moisture, collagen depletion, inflammation and skin tone. It's also multi-use - use it as a serum, a primer or a mask. 

The serum which has a gently floral rosy scent can be used AM/PM as a serum, a primer before applying make up and as a mask overnight.

I've been so impressed with both products which work so well together. My skin looks healthy, hydrated, radiant and refreshed.  Have you tried 001 Skincare's CRYO-Press?

*complimentary products and my post contains 2 affiliate links