January: Lately I've Been Loving

I ran out of time in December to do a "Lately I've been Loving" post. But I did share my month-by-month Highlights for 2017. So, my January loves are a little early..

I picked up this sweet little shell heart in COVE which is made by a local artist. It really is the sweetest thing and brings me so much joy.

Just before Christmas this beautiful Millennial palette* by MEMI arrived which contains really wearable shades, both matte and shimmery (£22). I'll be reviewing it soon but just wanted to give it a mention. Pick yours up HERE.

Fortnum & Mason chocolates at Christmas (from my boss). I love the exquisite packaging & what's inside was delicious. A real treat.

Discovering Henné Organics at Naturisimo made my month (if not year) as their Rose Diamonds Lip Exfoliator had been on my wishlist for ages. See my review HERE.

Sara Sheridan who writes the brilliant Mirabelle Bevan series (set in 1950s Brighton) sent me (and others) a short story. I was absolutely delighted. You can pick the first in the series up HERE.

I was thrilled to win a competition on netgalley (courtesy of the publishers) to win a proof copy of the fabulous Still Me by Jojo Moyes*. It's such a brilliant read - so, so lovely to catch up with wonderful Lou again. My review will be up nearer the end of the month in my monthly round up but it's publication day today so go BUY.

It's also publication day for the fabulous M P Wright and J T Ellington in Restless Coffins*. Pick yours up HERE. I was chuffed to bits and then some to get a mention in the acknowledgements again. It's a great series which I highly recommend.

I've totally fallen for beautiful brand Ezàpè Naturals and their glorious body butter which came in this month's fab Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box - see my initial thoughts HERE. The Rosemary Body Butter is so good I had to buy a full size pot! A review will follow.

What have you been loving so far this month?

*complimentary

September/October: Lately I've been Loving

I just ran out of time in September to do a Lately I've been Loving. So this month I'm doing a joint post for both September and October.

My friends Magi and Derek recently got a lovely wee kitten called Alfie. He's an absolute sweetheart.

At the end of September we had a trip to London and I got to meet Nardine, Sam and Grace. It was really fab to meet them and we had a great time catching up.

me, Sam (@HoneyGo_Lightly), Grace (@allthatslap) & Nardine (@Miss_Nardine)

While in London we had some super yummy macarons. My favourite sweet treat.

Also in London I got some chocolate from Fortnum & Mason No.38 Rose & Violet Dark Chocolate bar which was delicious.

I'm really thrilled for my veggie growing posts to feature on Bodhi Luxe - it's such an honour!  You can see these here.

I love discovering new brands and Love Lula have a huge selection. One of my favourite discoveries in September was JOIK's White Chocolate Bath Truffles. Seriously gorgeous!

I've been really enjoying a lot of kindle books. A favourite in October has been Bo Brennan. Her books Stealing Power and Baby Snatchers were super creepy. Check them out on Amazon here.

source

I've been loving Lucy's Lotions Lip Balm which I received in my October Souk Souk box. I loved it so much I bought the rest of the range - which is great too. I love getting new to me brands in beauty boxes.

I've also been loving Odylique's very gorgeous latest launch Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie* which is the best hand cream I've ever used! It smells simply delicious of lemon with a touch of vanilla, absorbs instantly and leaves the hands super moisturised, nurtured and comfortable. Love!

What have you been loving this month?

*PR sample

London Trip

Last weekend (I can't believe it's been a whole week!) me and hubby had a long weekend in London.  It was primarily for David to watch his favourite team Miami Dolphins play at Wembley but we managed to fit in meeting friends, shopping, eating and drinking and generally spending lots of money!

As we were travelling light I didn't actually buy any beauty products but I sampled lots and now I have got a huge wishlist.  It was great to see and try products I normally can only buy online without testing first. 

We stayed at St James' Court Hotel for two nights. It was lovely and really central.

We ate lunch in the courtyard and David had a delicious spiced fish burger with sweet potato wedges.

I was super excited to meet Nardine (@Miss_Nardine), Sam (HoneyGoLightly) and Grace (all that slap).  Nardine came up to the hotel to meet us and show us the way to Grace Bar where we were meeting the others.

Nardine and me

me, Sam, Grace, Nardine

What a great night we had! So lovely to meet the girls.  Lots of cocktails, fizz, some food and chat.

Next day, we got up quite early to go look at the shops and stopped by - Content Beauty & Wellbeing (I loved it) Whole Foods Market, Miller Harris, Liberty and Fortnum & Mason to name a few.

in whole food market

Halloween goodies in Fortnum & Mason

We ate lunch at Mishkins (25 Catherine St, WC2B 5JS) It's a "kind-of Jewish deli" with cocktails.  I had a spiced negroni (delish) and a half brick lane salt beef sandwich. We shared a side of onion rings.  Would recommend!

We chose some Pierre Herme mararons at Selfridges and my favourites were Jasmine Tea and Passionfruit with chocolate.

We headed back to the hotel and had a Champagne Flight Experience which was three champagnes with matching canapes!  Was a really great experience and delicious.

David had booked dinner at Caxton Grill at St Ermin's Hotel which is a 5 minute walk from where we were staying.  The food was great and we both thoroughly enjoyed our dinner (next time it's definitely the tasting menu!)  My favourite course was the main which was Beef Fillet with garlic, barley and parmesan. 

Sunday saw us head to Wembley Stadium for the American Football. David's team Miami Dolphins were playing Oakland Raiders. There was a great atmosphere with over 83k in attendance and his team won!

Before boarding our flight home on Monday we had lunch at Plane Food, Gordon Ramsay's Restaurant at Terminal 5 at Heathrow.  I ate one of the best Chicken Caesar salads I've ever had and a super spicy Bloody Mary.

David had Cranahan with figs for pudding and it was super yummy. Who'd believe this amazing food is served at the airport!

All in all a great weekend and I can't wait to go back!