It's my blog's 1st Birthday! (and Giveaway!)

It's my blog's first birthday today! I can't quite believe I've been blogging a whole year - and I've loved every minute of it.  A huge thank you to everyone who follows me, I really do appreciate it!  And thanks to Sarah for the gorgeous cupcake photo.  You can see the amazing cakes Sarah makes here.

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My very first post was about an Estee Lauder Giveaway at Harvey Nics!  I do love a freebie - as you will know! And.... there is a Estee Lauder GWP at Harvey Nics again this September - starting on the 27th of this month!  

As a thank you to my followers I'm doing a blog's birthday giveaway.  All you need to do is follow me by any of these means GFC, Hello Cotton or Twitter. The birthday giveaway is open worldwide.  Let me know which gift you like to win and and leave your email address.  (If you are under 18 please get your parent's permission).  If you Tweet about my giveaway or do a blog post this will earn you extra entries (but you don't have to).

The giveaway will run until 30 September and I will pick the winners using random.org.

Onto the goodies!  There are four giveaway gifts.

A beautiful Forget Me Not Ring in Sterling Silver hand made to your exact size by Haldis at Little Largo Jewellery.  Isn't it gorgeous!

Haldis has very kindly donated this beautiful friendship bracelet to my giveaway.  Handmade so each sterling silver heart is different on an adjustable black cord with sliding knot.  You can see Haldis's website here and follow her on Twitter @LittleLargo_

Etat Pur Micellar Cleansing Water 190ml and Express Purifying Mask 50ml

Bodhi Ylang Ylang Incensa Duo - Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml and Sensual Body Moisturiser 40ml.  You can read my review of these lovely products here.

Joliebox Review - July

I was really excited to receive my Joliebox this afternoon.  After all the problems last month with delivery they have started using Yodel couriers.

It's a great box!

This month the box is entitled "Summer Essentials".

You will receive an Etat Pur product - Pure Active A22 - Salicylic Acid 300 - which is effective on acne-prone skin or Biomimetic Skincare B09 - Express Purifying Mask - which I received.  This is a full size product and worth £7.50. It is suitable for oily to combination skin and should be used twice a week.  Looking forward to trying this.

Wen by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond & Mint Cleansing Conditioner - this is 60ml and from a brand I've never heard of before.  Joliebox say "bursting with natural herbs and botanicals, this single step cleansing conditioner leaves hair looking and feeling deeply cleansed and nourished at the same time".  Another product I'm looking forward to trying.

Jane Iredale Tantasia Self Tanner - mini tube.  "A gradual self-tanner for the face and body that provides instant, healthy looking skin".  Might try this on my face as its quite a small tube.

Nailgirls - two mini polishes from the Medal Collection inspired by the Olympics - Gold, Silver or Bronze - I got Gold and Bronze.

Mini Joliebox branded pink toe separators.

After last month an extra has been added by Joliebox to apologise for the late arrival of boxes - a full size Davines Balm worth £17.40.

Did you get the box?  What are your thoughts on the contents?

Latest in Beauty - YOU The Skincare Stars Box

I was trying very hard to resist the YOU The Skincare Stars Box from Latest in Beauty but when I saw other bloggers and friends on facebook receiving them I couldn't resist (I actually bought two oops).

It's fab!  Here are the contents:

A full size of Etat Pur Micellar Cleansing Water (190ml - £6.40).  I am loving this type of product at the moment so keen to try this out.  Latest in Beauty say "gentle cleanser for all skin types even the most sensitive - from a new brand that promises to exclude all chemical 'nasties' and use only 'pure' ingredients that have a 'perfect affinity' with your skin".

A 15ml of L'Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream - I already adore this having received it in my recent Joliebox.  It's meant for dry/normal skin but my combination skin loves it.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate (4ml) - I first tried this in December when I got it in the Selfridges Advent Calendar - I've been meaning to buy full size but not got round to it yet so delighted to try this gem again.

Melvita Moisturizing Rose Nectar (15ml) - For dry and dehydrated skin.  Will keep this one for the winter months.  Love the Melvita brand and this one smells amazing.

Balance Me Moisture Rich Face Cream (10ml) more suited to dry/normal skin.  Will give this cream a try (avoiding my oily t-zone) as love Balance Me as a brand.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (30ml) - not tried much from Murad so looking forward to trying this out.

A great box again - great products and amazing value at £11.90 including P&P.  What do you think? Did you get it?