May Empties

I think this must be the smallest amount of empties yet. But included are some definite re-purchases.

Bee Good Honey & Crambe Daily Hand Cream 50ml* - really lovely to use and I'd buy it once the hand cream stash reduces a bit.

Beatitude Joy Body Oil 100ml* - I love this luxe citrus scented oil. See my review HERE. Just cracked open a new bottle (I'm going to wash out this bottle and use it as a reed diffuser).

Botanicals Indulgence Aromatic Body Oil 50ml - lovely to use and a real luxe treat. Again, when my body oils stash reduces a bit I'll pick it up.

L'Occitane Roses et Reines Hand & Nail Cream 10ml - a rich cream scented with roses. Would buy again.

Fair Squared Vanilla Shower Gel 10ml* - this is a great little try me size/for weekends away. See my review HERE. It's one I'd pick up full size.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist 15ml - again one of these products I buy periodically. See my review HERE.

Isle of Harris Distillery Rose & Honeysuckle Hand Cream by Amanda Saurin Apothecary 30g* - absolutely loved this and will buy once my hand cream stash reduces a bit. See my review HERE.

Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil 7.5ml - this is my favourite Aromatherapy Associates scent. See my review HERE.

Clarins Booster samples (0.8ml) in Repair, Detox and Energy - liked Detox and Energy so would maybe buy.

John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor 10ml - used this loads of times before. Makes the hair shiny and healthy looking. Will no doubt buy again.

Corinne Taylor Recharge Himalayan Bath Salts with Sweet Orange, Grapefruit and Ylang Ylang to uplift and Revive 70g single use sachet - these were gorgeous. I'll definitely buy these again. See the products available HERE.

Skyn Iceland Pure cloud Cream 1.7g sample - absolutely loved this lightweight nourishing cream. Will definitely think about buying full size at some point.

RMS Beauty The Ultimate Make Up Remover Wipe - This oily wipe is great for removing make up (although maybe a tiny bit small). Will still buy at some point as they'd be great for holidays.

MAULI Rituals Himalayan Healing Salts 60g - these are made for MAULI by Michelle Roques O'Neill of Therapie. Love these.

Kneipp Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salts 60g single use sachet - lovely. Will buy full size soon.

Green People Quinoa & Artichoke Shampoo sachet - nice to use would maybe buy.

Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Body Creme 7ml - loved this beautifully scented rich cream. One for the wishlist!

Neom Daily De-Stress Burst Capsule single use - lovely and would consider buying.

Bjork & Berries Dark Rain Body Lotion 5ml sachet - gorgeous! Will definitely look closer at this lovely range which is available to buy at Cult Beauty.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR samples

Blog Highlights 2015

Here is a month-to-month snapshot of a highlight a month (2 in September) in 2015:

January:

Discovering White & Elm

February:

A Guest post from Lucy, at No Mud, No Lotus - Floral Bath Melts

March:

Attending The Perfume Society Event: Rock the Ages at Jo Malone, Edinburgh - link

me meeting Jo Fairley

April:

Discovering much love for the de Mamiel Season Oils - Spring

May:

Bloom Perfumery Yearly Perfume Subscription - initial thoughts here

June:

Tracey at Face Up Beauty sent me a lovely box of try-me's along with some full size items she enjoys in June. See my post HERE. Swapping with lovely blogger friends always makes me smile.

July:

July saw me try Shay & Blue's gorgeous fruity Watermelons* scent which is just perfect for summer. See my review HERE.

August:

Summer hols link

September:

AS Apothecary collaborates with Harris Distillery link

I was absolutely over the moon to be chosen as one of six to review M P Wright's forthcoming book All thought the Night - see a wee sneak preview here. It's due to be launched in April 2016. 

I totally loved his first novel Heartman my review of which you can see here. I'm looking forward to finally meeting Mark when he comes to Edinburgh to promote his book!

October:

Our trip to London see HERE. Also meeting up with Sam & Nardine (@HoneyGo_Lightly and  @Miss_Nardine) I also loved visiting all my favourite perfume shops - see HERE.

November:

My November highlight was the gorgeous watercolour my friend Emily at Fleurelle Illustrations painted for me - it featured my favourite things and I just love it!

December:

Featuring in Odylique's Top 30 Must Read Blogs made my month (if not year!)

What have been your highlights this year?

*PR sample

My top 15 products of 2015

I was trying to limit to 10 again this year but found I just couldn't. These aren't in any order they are just my top products. I have divided them up into product types.

Skincare:

Lulu & Boo Chocolate Orange Cleansing Oil* (100ml) - this cleansing oil is a recent favourite. I reviewed it in November and I can honestly say it is one of the nicest and most effective cleansers I've used this year.

Skin &Tonic STEAM CLEAN (50g) - I'm a huge fan of Skin & Tonic's STEAM CLEAN. The minty balm cleanser uplifts the senses while cleansing the skin of daily grime and make up. I've gone through several pots of it this year and will keep on buying it as it works (I love it too).

Holistic Green Beauty Rose Radiance Toning Mist* (100ml) - another new launch this year. See my review HERE. An amazing toner which hydrates, tones and plumps the skin. Love!

Living Nature Radiance Night Oil* (10ml) - this rose scented oil is one of the most luxurious I've ever used. See my review HERE. I don't currently have this in my stash but plan to buy it again soon.

de Mamiel Seasonal Facial Oils (20ml) - I've tried and reviewed Spring, Summer and Autumn. I know I'll keep on buying these exquisite oils as my skin loves them.

A.S Apothecary* - This is cheating a little bit as it's two products! The very fabulous Cleansing Oil #5* (review) and new product Mineral Powder #2* mix a small amount of the powder in a bowl with a few drops of Cleansing Oil to form a paste before applying to the skin as an exfoliator (full review to follow shortly). Amanda has created an amazing range of products. I also love her range for Harris Distillery.

Bee Good Honey & Camelina Facial Exfoliator (50ml)* - one of my favourite Bee Good products. See my review HERE. 

Bath & Body:

Weleda Arnica Muscle Soak (200ml) - this is my favourite new bath product this year. See my review HERE. I've already got back-ups of my back up!

Odylique Rose Velvet Body Lotion (100ml) - which is another new (Limited Edition) launch this year. A rich lotion which is scented with roses. See my review HERE.

Beatitude Joy Body Oil* - an uplifting and rich body serum which is a joy to use! See my review HERE.

Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts - I buy these again and again as they just work. See my review HERE. If I could only use one bath product it would be these.

Bodhi & Birch Mint Thé Bath & Shower Therapy - my favourite Bodhi & Birch scent. Invigorating and refreshing. See my review HERE.

Perfume:

Shay & Blue - I've got huge love for this beautiful brand. The perfumes are different and very wearable. I'm looking forward to their new launch next year too! See my reviews - Atropa Belladonna, Watermelons*, Framboise Noir* and Salt Caramel.

Bloom Perfumery Yearly Sample Pack Subscription - is one of the most exciting subscription launches this year. I've tried some amazing perfumes and added lots to the wishlist! See my reviews for each month here July, August, September, October and November.

Make up:

Lippy Girl Rosie Posie Lipstick - I read Hephzibah's blog post on this lipstick and it was a severe case of "the blogger made me buy it". Such a pretty and wearable shade I'm hardly without it!

What products have been top for you this year?

*PR samples

September: Lately I've Been Loving

We had a great time at Let's Eat Glasgow at the beginning of the month. It was a new event this year and was brilliant! Loved the choices from all the restaurants - we sampled lots! Fingers crossed it runs again next year.

Yum! Delicious food from Ox and Finch

Gorgeous local Origin Honey at Plan Bee Ltd

Scrumptious choccies from Stacy Hannah Chocolates

Attending Alison's book launch party was amazing! Was really great to meet her. Check out her book here - it's a great read. It was also a real pleasure to meet Lin Anderson.

It's been an absolute joy to try out the beautiful range* Amanda has created for Harris Distillery. See my thoughts HERE.

I enjoyed an incredible Oskia facial* at Aspen Therapies at the beginning of the month. See my review HERE. It was one of the best facials I've ever had. Looking forward to going back soon!

I especially love this Ted Baker notebook for taking down blog notes. So pretty!

Alison at Complement Your Health invited me along to create my own perfume* (I visited Alison 10 years ago to create a wedding scent). So it was exciting to go back and see if I still liked the same type of scent. Expect a full post on my experience next week!

What have you been loving this month?

*complimentary

Isle of Harris Distillery: Collaboration with Amanda Saurin Apothecary

A truly exciting new collaboration is with Isle of Harris Distillery and Amanda Saurin. The Distillery will make whisky (and gin) and will be there to serve the people of Harris - to create jobs and to educate - both locals and visitors alike.

Amanda has created a truly wonderful and unique range of products especially for the Distillery using botanicals found freely on the Island.

The Distillery very kindly sent me two of the products from the new range to try and review.

Sweet Gale & Thyme Candle (£20)* is inspired by the scent of the Island and is simply exquisite. The candle comes in a beautiful little hand thrown pot (which Amanda suggests using as a milk jug for one or for mixing & pouring essential oils) when the candle is finished.  I suggested refills should be made as this candle is simply heavenly. It is scented with notes of the island - woods and spices with Sweet Gale, Juniper, Thyme and Birch. These are blended in non-GM soy wax. It is a real delight and would make a wonderful gift.

The second item I was sent was Rose & Honeysuckle Hand Cream (30g - £15)* which is a rich cream scented with soothing and calming Rose with anti-inflammatory & anti-bacterial Rose Geranium. Honeysuckle soothes. The hand cream is rich but absorbs instantly and is a real luxe treat. It contains an eco-preservative which is one of the gentlest on the market.  

Another item which caught my eye is Sugar Kelp Aromatic Water (50ml - £20) which is perfect to add a salty sweet tang of the sea to your dram or G&T. I've decided I'm going to pick it up when I buy my first bottle of Isle of Harris Gin.

What are your thoughts on this magical new range?

*complimentary