June: Lately I've Been Loving

Here's what I've been loving in June (if an item is marked * I've generously received it free of charge for review).

As soon as I got notification of the summer Cult Beauty goody bag I ran over. I decided not to #sadface but did pick up a treat in the form of Jo Loves's Discovery Collection (years ago this was available to buy on the Jo Loves website before it became part of a set). I'm already a fan of Jo by Jo Loves, White Rose & Lemon Leaves (the first one I bought) and Pomelo (I'm now on my 3rd bottle of this!) Also inside the kit are four new to me ones: Pink Vetiver, Orange Butterflies, Rose Petal 25 and Green Orange & Coriander. I'm adding full size bottles of Pink Vetiver and Rose Petal 25 to my wishlist.

A selection of wax melts (and soap!) from my pal Sam, who is a fellow soy wax melt addict! We send each other parcels periodically which is so nice!

Dining at home deals - we've had some good 'uns this month - we especially have loved Aizle At Home. That little chocolate tart was to die for!

*I've been having scalp issues and this little bar of joy has really saved the day! See my review HERE.

I've gone over the score buying lots of soy wax melts - it really is an addiction haha. I received a gorgeous RAOK from Lauren at Facebook Group - Wax & Sniffs, Fun, Games & Chat. So kind!! 

I loved NorthburN's Gift of the Month - a beautiful set scented with juicy Mandarin & Bergamot - see my review HERE. I don't know how I lived without their beautiful Room Mists - I'll definitely be back for more!

I've also upped my reading game (at the beginning of lockdown I couldn't concentrate on anything). See my goodreads challenge HERE - which I'm hoping to smash this year! I'm currently reading this...

and this..

What have you been loving in June?

May: Lately I've been Loving

The Rose cocktail - a simply delicious rose cocktail which contained Rosewater, Tequila, Rhubarb, Lime, Rhubarb bitters and topped with a fresh rose petal. So good I drank two! See my review of dinner at Aizle here.

I picked up this selection of Palmer's Coconut Hair products at Superdrug which are scented with coconut.  They leave the hair feel shiny and healthy (and smelling gorgeous!). Full review to follow.

I really enjoyed a weekend away with mum, dad and hubby.  You can read more about it here.

I've been loving delicious popchips* - the lighter alternative to crisps. They have less than half the fat of normal crisps and come in at around 95 calories and taste delicious - my favourites are salt & vinegar and barbeque flavour.

My mum gave me some new gardening gloves. You can read a gardening update at BodhiLuxe a new online magazine which savours life's luxuries - see here.

Neom's Refresh Organic Bath Oil is my absolute favourite at the moment. Uplifting and refreshing. The scent cheers up my day.

Lastly, I'm just loving Marble & Milkweed's Nourishing Body Oil*. You can see my review here.

What have you been loving this month?

*PR samples

Dinner at Aizle

A couple of Fridays ago me and David braved wet and blustery weather to go and dine at Aizle (which means hot ember or spark), a new "neo-bistro" at 107-109 St Leonards St, Edinburgh (Wed-Sunday dinner only).

For £35 you get 3 snacks plus 4 courses - what make the menu unique is that you get a list of ingredients - you are asked if there is anything you don't like on the list and if so these will be excluded from your meal.

Fresh seasonal produce is used and you'll get the best from the day's market.

Chef Stuart Ralston cooked for celebs at Barbados's Sandy Lane Resort and his wife Krystal Goff is a mixologist having worked in some of New York's top Cocktail Bars.

We started with a couple of cocktails and being a lover of all things rose I had to have "The Rose".

Totally sublime and right up my street - this was a cocktail I knew I'd love - it contains raw rhubarb, tequila, rose water, rhubarb bitters and lime (I loved it so much I had a second!) I also love the fact that you get a wee top up carafe along side.

Our first snack was Chicken cracker with burnt onion mayo and sea scurvy flowers and was delicious. We also had bread served with butter and a white soft cheese sprinkled with herbs.

This was followed by an single fresh oyster each and then a cold soup Ajo Blanco with almond, wild garlic and sourdough bread.  Our starter was Chicken Wings with Salt baked Celeriac, Pear and Hazelnut. 

Fish came next and we had Grey Mullet with peas, broad beans, gremolata and sea lettuce. This was a fresh and light tasting dish, ideal for spring.

Our main was Hogget with Rock Clams, Sheep's curd, Mustard seeds and Spinach. The hogget melted in the mouth and the flavours went well together. 

We finished up with a chocolate delice with chocolate soil and lemon curd with biscuits. This was tasty but I felt the lemon flavour didn't really go with chocolate.

A really great dining experience and can't wait to go back.

See the website here
Follow on Twitter @Aizle_Edinburgh
#AizleRhymesWithHazel