January: Lately I've been Loving

Seems a while since I've done a Lately post. Here's what I've been loving in January:

I received this Votary Rose Maroc & Sandalwood Facial Oil which retails at £65 in my Liberty Advent Calendar. It's my favourite thing from the calendar. Expect a full review soon.

We started off on a dry January but after 7 days just had to have a taste of January's Gin from the Craft Gin Club. Remember you can get a tenner off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM. Both the gin and tonic are great.

I was feeling the January blues and after a tough week at work my mum and dad sent me flowers from our local shop - they are simply stunning and a great cheer me up!

I've been testing out some gorgeous products* from Make Skincare which are amazing. Expect a review shortly. Look at that packaging! Simply stunning.

I read the fantastic Mary's the Name by debut author Ross Sayers which is published today. It's a heartwarming read and I highly recommend! I'm taking part in the blog tour (my 1st! on 6 February).

This Rosewater Mist from Red Ruby Rouge is just fantastic! Aster & Bay have relocated from the States to Edinburgh (link). Again, expect a review soon!

What have you been loving in January?

*complimentary

Recent Buys: Love Me Beauty, YOU Beauty, MOA, Latest in Beauty, Isla Apothecary, Craft Gin Club

Here's my recent purchases:

The last couple of months I've been loving the choices available at Love me Beauty. This month it's "The Enchanted Edit" and you can pick from Make up Forever, benefit, Merumaya and Nuxe.  My selections are above and I'm loving them all! I also like that instead of a box you get your picks in a cute make up bag which is different each month. Use my code SANDR174 to get £21 worth of goodies for free.  The cost of the box is £13.95 a month including P&P.

Another box I recently signed back up for is YOU Beauty Box which is fantastic value for money. I stuck with the original format of 2 items for £6.95 but you can upgrade to 3 or 4 (wish I'd gone for 3 as I love Olverum's bath oil which is a pick).

I chose FOREO's Day Cleanser which is worth £25! I'm looking forward to testing it out with my LUNA.  My second choice was OWAY's Color Protection Hair Bath 50ml which is worth £4.75. It's a brand I've not heard of before so looking forward to trying. The extras this month are Montagne Jennesse Soften Sock and Glove Masques which I'll happily try and a card for £25 off your first Everdine box. 

You can also now pick up the fabulous Advent Calendar for £69.95.

I adore MOA's Fortifying Green Bath Potion (review) and you can now pick up 10ml single shots (£2.75 each) from the website. They are perfect for try me, small gifts or stocking fillers! See my spotlight on MOA HERE.

I'm currently obsessed with Latest in Beauty's Build your own box. There are products in there I pick up again and again. Cue Mauli Rituals, Molton Brown, Kneipp and Aurelia Probiotic Skincare. Oh and I also love the Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Night Cream.

This beautiful Blood Orange & Vanilla Scrub (220g - £23) (smells so scrummy) by Isla Apothecary which I bought at Content Beauty & Wellbeing. It has the perfect amount of scrubby-ness and smells good enough to eat. Absolutely love it and want to now try more from the range.

I love stationery and this #boxoflame is just amazing. I especially love the other side of fear card (which is now on my kitchen pinboard!) Pick yours up HERE. There is now a blogger box available! I just went for the small size at £15 which is beautiful.  See my thoughts on the Spring Box of Lame HERE.

This month's Craft Gin Club box arrived on Monday and as usual is jam-packed with beautiful things. This month the gin is by Poetic License and is exclusive to the club - Spiced Orange and Cranberry which is best served with a slice of orange. Also inside is a miniature of their Northern Dry Gin, deliciously moreish Cranberry Snack Yoghurt Cranberries, Cranes Cranberry Cider and a bottle of Sonnet 43 The Raven Bourbon Milk Stout.  Get £10 off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM.

What have you been buying lately?

September: Lately I've Been Loving

This sunflower at the Allotment - not mine unfortunately! So pretty and uplifting. 

Ouli's Ointment* (50ml - £21) which is a lush multi-purpose balm created by Stephanie who was inspired by her grandmother's use of natural remedies to cure all. The ointment is made with Olive Oil, Beeswax, Chamomile oil and Vitamin E. It moisturises the skin, makes a great eye balm, smoothes and heals chapped lips, tames flyaways and calms cuts and burns. As you'll know I adore a multi-purpose product and this one does it all and has a pleasant floral/herbal scent.

With having internet problems earlier in the month (and a lack of services for nearly 7 days) I'm way behind on my usual posts. My September Craft Gin Club box featured Elephant Gin - including mini bottles of the original gin and sloe gin with a special bigger bottle made exclusively for members. Divine chocolate and delicious ChariTea Red completed the box. Remember you can get a tenner off your first box with BEAUTYBALM.

I picked Kat Von D make up items from Love Me Beauty this month. I also loved that instead of a box we got a pretty make up bag.  You can get £21 worth of credits when you join using SANDR174. The lipstick is such a gorgeous shade (MAGICK) and I also love the packaging. Next month's top choices are by Benefit (so hurry if you want to get the Kat Von D).

I've been loving using these beautiful face oils by Ooh! Oils of Heaven* which you can buy at Love Lula. I'ts been great having a choice every day depending how my skin is feeling. Expect a review soon!

I was recently a tester for a new range of body oils over at Bodhi & Birch - you can see the stunning range available HERE. I've been trying the gorgeous Sicilian Rose* body oil which has an almost serum like texture and the scent is aromatic and rosey. Again, expect a review soon!

This new candle* by Beatitude is simply stunning. It most definitely "comforts" and is scented with mandarin, bergamot, clementine, geranium, lavender and eucalyptus. Expect a full review soon!

I came across Albus & Flora when browsing MyShowcase. They offer tinted (and a clear) lip balms which have a SPF30. They are really luxe with great packaging which is practical but pretty and offer wearable shades. The balms are formulated with alpine rose extract, cranberry, raspberry seed, seaberry, blackcurrant, avocado, grape, jojoba and sunflower oils.  The tinted balm gives the lips a light sheen of colour. Expect a fuller review shortly. I just wanted to sing their praises right now as they are so gorgeous!

What have you been loving this month?

*complimentary

July: Lately I've been Loving

July loves:

My Green Beauty S/S '16 swap with Lynda. I love everything she picked for me. See my initial thoughts HERE. Thanks again to Ria for organising! I'm enjoying trying everything and reviews will follow.

My July's Craft Gin Club box was one of my favourites. Such a delicious gin. See my thoughts HERE. Remember you can get a tenner off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM.

I totally fell head over heels for Kate Logan Beauty Rose Otto Healing Balm. It's up there as one of my all time favourite products. See my review HERE.

Strawberries from the Allotment. Such a simple and delicious pleasure.

My North Berwick mug from Time and Tide which I picked up when visiting the town. It makes me smile.

Cake! From Bostock Bakery in North Berwick - yummy.

My gorgeous starfish mug from Jersey Pottery which I absolutely love. It also holds lots of coffee :)

What have you been loving in July?

Craft Gin Club: July 2016: Limited Edition Hernö Gin

I know I say it every month... it's my favourite but July's gin is just stunning. This month Craft Gin Club chose a simply amazing award winning Swedish gin and what's more they bottled it especially for club members in a 70cl bottle rather than the standard 50cl.

Hernö Gin is an Organic London Dry Gin 40.5% ABV and has botanicals of Juniper, Coriander seed, Lemon, Lingonberries, Meadowsweet, Black Pepper, Cassia and fresh Vanilla giving it a well rounded juniper and citrus flavour.

Also inside this month is:

The excellent Ginned magazine

A jar of Felix Lingonberry Jam (spread it on your toast or make cocktails with it)

Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic

Swedish Sweeties (yum) Dumle (soft chocolate covered toffees) and Polkagris (stripy mints)

Cheers!

Remember you can get £10 off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM.

Craft Gin Club: June 2016: NB Navy Strength Gin

My June Craft Gin Club box arrived at the end of last week. It's definitely one of my favourites!

Inside this month is a bottle of NB Gin Navy Strength (57%), a bottle of Fentiman's Sparkling Lime & Jasmine (review) a miniature of Martini and a jar of Alco Olives which are infused with NB gin and of course the fab Ginned! mag.

A smooth and delicious gin (with a kick) made with botanicals of Juniper, Coriander Seed, Angelica root, Grains of paradise, Cassia bark, ground Cardamon, Lemon peel and Orris root powder.  It makes a delicious martini.

Sign up HERE. Remember you can get a tenner off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM.

Craft Gin Club: April 2016: Tarquin's Handcrafted Cornish Gin: Rosemary & Thyme

We got a gorgeous Limited Edition gin from Tarquin's (Rosemary & Thyme) in our Craft Gin Club subscription box this month. I'm already a huge fan of the original having first tried it via The Ginvent Advent Calendar in 2014 and several bottles later I'd say it's one of my favourite gins.  This limited edition has the addition of Rosemary & Thyme.

 Inside the box this month:

A Limited Edition Bottle of Tarquin's Rosemary & Thyme Gin (made especially for club members!)

A bottle of Cornish Orchard Elderflower Presse

Buttermilk Cornish Fudge

Cornish Sea Salt

Tarquin's Gin Coaster

A copy of super informative Ginned! magazine

Remember you can get £10 off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM at checkout. Find out more HERE.  

Craft Gin Club: March 2016: Shortcross Gin

March's Gin of the Month was made exclusively for the Club by Shortcross Gin, which is based in Northern Ireland - Wild Clover Edition which is made with Juniper, Coriander, Orange and Lemon peel, Elderberries, Elderflower, Apple, Cinnamon, Cassia and Wild Clover.  It's absolutely delicious and I love it mixed with tonic and a slice of orange.

Also in the box:

Franklin & Sons Natural Tonic Water Light x 1 bottle (this made 2 x G&T)

World famous Tayto Crisps in Cheese & Onion

A packet of Viola Wild Flower seeds (grow the seeds and then garnish your cocktails with the flowers)

Suki Tea Goji Berry & Pomegranate - this loose leaf tea smells fruity and delicious (I also love their Peppermint tea)

In the informative magazine is a voucher to enjoy a free Shortcross G&T at The Jolly Botanist in Edinburgh (valid all month) and you can make a syrup with your suki tea and create a delicious sounding cocktail (yes, please)

Again, another month I've loved my box. You can get £10 off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM. Subscribe HERE.

February: Lately I've been Loving

ooh so many February loves..

I had an amazing facial* from Vicki at Bliss Body using a combination of products from Just Be Botanicals and a Galvanic current, a hand-held machine which helps lift and tone the skin. It helps to stimulate the facial muscles and helps to penetrate active ingredients into the skin.  See my review of Vicki's Just Be Fresh Faced Facial HERE* and Just Be Anti-Ageing Facial HERE*.

The very gorgeous NectaPerfecta Beautifying Mask (sample*) from Bee Good. This is a seriously lush multi-tasker. See my review HERE.

Huge love for Craft Gin Club I got my first box in February. It's absolutely fantastic. See my review HERE. You can get £10 off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM.

The Joy Book Club sent me their second box* to review (link). I absolutely love this concept and hope to sign up soon.  Sign up HERE (subscriptions available again on 1st March).

I enjoyed amazing cocktails one weekend (love a Porn Star Martini (or a Negroni) at Tonic in Edinburgh.

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Just yesterday I got a great cut and colour from Dean at Dean Jones Hairdressing. I got 4" cut from the length (!) and the colour is super shiny and glossy.  

Really pleased. The salon also gives you a card to give a friend for £10 off their first visit and a card with three treats which need to be used by a certain time (mine's 31 July) and the treats are - £5 off your next cut, £10 off your next colour and a free treatment with any full price service which I think is a nice (and welcome) touch.

I'm afraid the picture is the best of a bad bunch but you will see how great my hair looks!

What have you been loving in February?

*complimentary

Craft Gin Club: February 2015: Edinburgh Valentine's Gin

Louise, showed a photo of her Craft Gin Club subscription (£40 a month) on one of the beauty groups on Facebook. I rushed off to look (being a huge gin fan) and saw that February's Valentine box included a special bottle from Edinburgh Gin.

Jon and John, the club's founders are so helpful (and reply to emails almost immediately!) I was lucky as they had one February box left - so it was fate that it was going to be mine.

Get £10 off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM

Inside is:

A bottle of Edinburgh Valentine's Gin (70cl - £35) which is made with botanicals of lemon balm, chamomile, lemongrass, juniper, their signature Scottish botanicals along with rose and hibiscus. It really is delicious and perfect mixed with the Fentimans Rose Lemonade (27.5ml - £1.35).

Also inside every box is a enjoyable magazine Ginned! with information about the brands included this month, cocktail recipes and a bit of gin history.

Other extras include: An Edinburgh Gin miniature (5cl - £5), a branded Edinburgh Gin key ring (£3.50) with bottle opener and a bar of Coco Gin & Tonic Chocolate (90g - £4.50).

I like that there is a choice of subscriptions - Every month (my favourite), bi-monthly (1 box every two months) or quarterly (1 box every 3 months).  You can also skip a month if you let the guys know by the 25th of the month.

Previous months have included: West Wind Distillery, The Sabre (not heard of this one!) and Sibling Distillery's The Sibling Gin (another new one to me!) Ones I have tried include the amazing Makar Glasgow Gin and Dunnet Bay's Rock Rose.  You can see the full line up of previous Gins of the Month HERE.

See the website HERE

Follow on Twitter @craftginclub 

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

There are so many lovely things out there for Valentine's Day gifts. Here are a few of my top picks:

Ancienne Ambiance Colonia Collection Gift Set (£60)* this is a gorgeous trio and would make a lovely luxury gift. See my review HERE.

Lippy Girl Snog Me Vegocentric Vegan Lipstick (£6.25) which is currently on special offer at Botanical Brands. A matte poppy red shade perfect for Valentines Day as it has a long lasting finish as well as nourishing and smoothing the lips.

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4160Tuesdays Seven Small Crimes (2.25ml atomizers 5 x parfum, 2 x EdP £40) which includes all 7 crimes of passion scents in sample size. Included is: Midnight in the Palace Garden, Goddess of Love & Perfume, Inevitable Crimes of Passion, Be Careful What You Wish For, Maxed Out, Raw Silk & Red Roses and Dirty Honey.

Viridian Ultimate Beauty Topical Organic Rose Oil (15ml - £32)* a rich and lush facial oil which is scented with Rose Damascena and other oils essential for dry and mature skin types. The perfect present for a skincare lover. A full review will follow.

Charles Farris Garden of Eden Signature Reed Diffuser (£32) I've recently become a huge fan of reed diffusers and I think this one would make the perfect gift. It's scented with Tuberose, Lily of the Valley, Jasmine and Ylang Ylang.

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The Valentine's Box coming soon to Letterbox Gifts (£22.95 plus P&P) I'm a huge fan of these exquisite boxes. See my review of The Signature Box HERE and The Christmas Box HERE. There is also a new box out now called The Alice Box. See more info on the website.

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Swizzels Love Heart (£22.99) from Find Me A Gift, a fab online store which has everything you could ever want to buy! I think this little heart is super cute and would make a nice token of your affection to a loved one!

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Also from Find Me A Gift is this "Ring for Prosecco" bell (£3.99) which would be right up my street! A jokey and fun gift. You can see all the Valentine's Day Gifts HERE.

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Love Bath & Candle Duo (£38) from Bodhi & Birch which contains a 200ml bottle of Ylang Ylang Incensa Bath & Shower Therapy and a Heartwood Candle in Bergamot & Geranium. I treated myself to the Joy duo. See my review HERE.

A bouquet of flowers from Serenata Flowers there is a huge range to choose from. The ones pictured here were ones I received to review and you can see my post HERE. The bouquet* was simply stunning and lasted well.

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A Craft Gin Club subscription (£40 a month) - pay monthly, Bi-monthly or Quarterly and receive a bottle of craft gin with some extras. February's is now sold out (sob). It contains a bottle of Edinburgh Gin's special Valentine's Day gin with Rose & Hibiscus. (I also like that the company uses Royal Mail rather than courier).

What would be your ideal Valentine's Day present?

*PR samples