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?

Latest Buys:Five Dot Botanics, Feel Unique, Naturisimo, Cult Beauty

Here's what I've been buying lately (it's something which keeps me sane during these times):

I'm a huge fan of award winning Five Dot Botanics and on receiving their newsletter knew I needed to try their latest launch - Calm Shift - Lavender+Hazelnut Cleansing Face Balm (£24 - 50ml). I've tried it once so far and it has a lovely texture and scent and it turns milky when you add a splash or two of water. A review is to follow!

I sneaked in and managed to purchase a My Beauty Kit from Feel Unique before they paused the service again. I already love the Darphin, Charlotte Tilbury and Le Prunier - the Vichy and Sol de Janiero (I adore their bum bum cream) are new to me tries.

A little payday Naturisimo buy - two new launches from Elemental Herbology and Trilogy - I'm obsessed with Vit C at the moment. I also qualified for a 5 free sample pack (better than last time - no sanitary towels!)

I very nearly was swayed by the Cult Beauty Self Care Goody Bag but realised I didn't need £150 worth of products plus the 19 treats inside the kit. Yes, it was a difficult one to swerve... I did however pick up Jo Loves A Fragrance Discovery which contains 7 x 2ml sample vials (£25). Inside there are 3 I love (click the link for my review - White Rose & Lemon Leaves, Pomelo and Jo by Jo Loves). Of the remaining 4 full sizes are needed in Pink Vetiver and Rose Petal 25. I also like Orange Butterflies but am not so keen on Green Orange & Coriander (although unisex I find it quite manly). Really chuffed with the set however!

What have you been buying lately?

Shopping my Stash #112

And so... time for another shopping my stash post! 

I totally adore Jo Loves Jo by Jo Loves which my friend Julie gave me for my birthday last year. See my review HERE. It's an exquisite blend of Grapefruit, Lime, Bitter Orange, Spearmint, Cedarwood, Guaiac Wood, Vetiver, Hedione and Black Pepper.

I think I got the Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum mini in a Cult Beauty GWP. It provides intense hydration and is nice to use, softening out lines and wrinkles as well as nourishing.

I'm a huge fan of lovely Sol Je Janeiro Bum Bum Cream. I adore it's rich vanilla scent and how nourishing the butter is. I try to always have it in my stash.

The little Rituals of Dao Night Hand Balm came as a Feel Unique sample. It's a rich balm with a floral scent which is perfect to use before bed. I'd definitely consider buying this full size. 

My friend Sam gave me the Sea Magik 21 Mineral Mist for Christmas. I hadn't tried this product before although I've tried the brand. It's lovely to refresh, hydrate and soothe both the face and body - I've also used it as a setting spray. 

I'm a huge fan of neroli and Cocorosa's Award Winning Egyptian Neroli Cleansing Oil is simply sublime. It featured in my Valentines Day post HERE.

The final item is Ilia Liquid Light Serum Highlighter a few drops of which I add to my foundation for a bit of glow. I was really pleased with the whole kit I picked up. See my thoughts on it HERE.

What have you been reaching for this week?

January Empties

I'm not going to use up any more empties this month (teeny amount) so here's my January empties:

Miss Patisserie Lavender Bath Melt - this was shaped like a little cupcake and frothed around the bath. Not a huge lavender scent but nice to use (got 2 uses) would maybe try another scent next time.

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream 25ml - huge fan of this sweet vanilla scented rich cream. Will no doubt pick it up again. I was eyeing up the biggie bum bum giant pot which was available at Christmastime. 

Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Magic Touch Body Cream 75ml - I really enjoyed this body cream which absorbed instantly onto dry skin. I've got a stash of body products to use up so I won't re-purchase anytime soon!

These are the two Schmidt's deodorants I love Bergamot+Lime & Jasmine Tea. I've got replacements in my stash. 

Lavera Firming Body Milk 10ml - I didn't really find this very special. It did the job but it's not one I'd buy.

Malin+Goetz Cilantro Hair Conditioner 4ml - I got two uses from this sachet. It was nice to use but I didn't really see any remarkable results. 

Jo Loves Pomelo Hand & Body Cleanser 85ml - this smells exactly like the perfume! A real treat. Would buy full size.

Beauty Pie Everyday Great Skin Foundation (Shell) 30ml - this is the most consistent product I've purchased from Beauty Pie. It's in my shopping basket every couple of months. Perfect shade for me.

Connock London Kukui Oil Hand & Body Lotion 8ml - I loved this lotion and full size is on the wishlist. It smells just like the matching perfume and leaves the skin feeling and smelling lovely.

Odacite BI+J Blueberry Jasmine Serum Concentrate sample vial - I got two uses from this sample. I normally love their serums I kept smelling citronella from it (not a fan) so wouldn't buy this particular one full size.

What have you been using up this month?

Shopping My Stash #109

It's been a while since I last shopped my stash (I'll be doing this a lot more as from January as I'm going to really limit my spending). I'll be keeping my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box however (although this is every 2 months now) and my Beauty Pie (but trying not to buy every month). As ever, products marked * I've been given free for review.

And so, here's what I've been reaching for:

From Beauty Pie I've been loving their Wondergloss Lip Oil in Nude Nectar (typical price £26 - members pay £4.82). Sign up to get your first month free using my LINK. The Lip Oil gives a barely there your lips but better look, with a slightly glossy sheen and it feels nice on the lips (my only negative is I'm not keen on the scent).

From *nk naturals we have their Autumn Season Oil which I was gifted as part of a set of all the seasons. It's absolutely fantastic and my skin's loving it. A review is forthcoming of the set (fabulous).

I adore Jo by Jo Loves which my friend Julie very kindly gifted me for my birthday in April. It's simply stunning. See my review HERE. I love it's uplifting fruity and minty notes with a woody and vetiver base. Just perfect.

I first discovered Cocorosa Beauty in my February Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box and fell head over heels for their gorgeous Egyptian Neroli Cleansing Oil which I rushed out and bought full size of.  It really is a luxurious treat for the skin and senses (and scented with glorious neroli which I love).

My final item is from Nioxin is their 3D Intensive Density Defend for Coloured Hair which was recommended as a treatment by my hairdresser. The foam strengthens and I've found it has improved the frizzy bits my hair is plagued with as well as helping to retain colour.  I'm pretty impressed with this as it does what it says on the tin!

What have you been reaching for lately?

Jo by Jo Loves

My friend Julie gave me Jo by Jo Loves for part of my birthday. It was such a lovely and generous surprise and I absolutely love it!

Housed in a red glass bottle it epitomizes things that Jo holds dear - the colour red and the scent of grapefruit.  This is the perfume Jo created for herself (and thankfully decided to share it with us!)

With notes of Grapefruit, Lime, Bitter Orange, Spearmint, Cedarwood, Guaiac Wood, Vetiver, Hedione and Black Pepper.  It's absolutely stunning. It opens with a fresh citrus and zingy freshness, with a touch of mint and mellows with aromatic woody and spicy notes with still a touch of citrus. 

I also love Smoked Plum & Leather, Pomelo and White Rose & Lemon Leaves (click the links to see my reviews).

What's your favourite perfume(s) from Jo Loves?

May: Lately I've Been Loving

So many May loves..

The gorgeous Dook Luxury Handmade Salt Soaps have to get a mention! I fell head over heels for them this month. See my review HERE.

A new Armchair for me from NEXT.

An amazing lunch at Le Roi Fou one wet and cold Saturday. The food was simply stunning and I can't wait to go back!

The excellent invention of de Mamiel samples - perfect for try me or weekends away. See my review HERE.

Edinburgh Gin's latest invention - full strength Rhubarb & Ginger Gin. Totally delicious and very moreish.

Jo by Jo Loves 50ml which is a very unexpected and lovely gift from my friend Julie. We both have April birthdays but just caught up this month (reviews will be upcoming for all the gorgeous pressies she bought me - I was WELL spoiled!) I'm a huge fan of Pomelo (and Smoked Plum & Leather). This is the scent Jo Malone created for herself. It has notes of Grapefruit, Bitter Orange, Lime, Spearmint, Guaiac Wood, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Hedione and Black Pepper. It's simply stunning! 

I jumped for joy to receive an e-copy* of Black Summer by M W Craven (Washington Poe #2) via Netgalley. I fell head over heels for characters Tilly and Poe in the first book in the series, The Puppet Show. So far I'm loving it! (You can pre-order your copy HERE).

What have you been loving this month?

*complimentary e-book

April: Lately I've Been Loving

So many April loves..

I've had the real pleasure of trying exquisite and decadent Mangata Baume de la Rose* (£83 - 30ml) an anti-ageing beauty balm by Holistic Green Beauty which truly is one of the most luxurious products I've ever tried. It's perfect in every way from the feel on your skin to the beautiful scent. Expect a full review very shortly (this product has WOW factor and is likely to feature in my top products of '18).

And two products with the WOW factor in the same month! Vanderohe's No.1 Nourishing Face Serum* (10ml - £33) is one of the best skincare products I've tried. Catch my review in early May.

It was my 50th birthday earlier in the month and we went back to the fab L'Horizon Hotel at St Brelades Bay, Jersey. The hotel is right on the beach and is just wonderfully relaxing. We were also lucky to have two very sunny afternoons.

Coffee was a must in the sunshine at Jersey Crab Shack on the bay (and their wonderful crab salad was also consumed!)

We got the open top bus into St Helier (and I nearly fell off my seat trying to take selfies..haha)

Hubby treated me to the gorgeous Tom Ford Neroli Portofino EdP at de Gruchy (cheaper than UK with no VAT!) The assistant also decanted two generous samples for me. Review will follow! I love it.

Of course there had to be fizz! And cocktails..

lanique (rose attar (like liquid turkish delight yum), crushed ice and lime

Old Fashioned and Negroni

amuse bouche

 potato - quails egg- paris brown

Morel Cream - Pea - Lemon - Spring Herbs (pretty as a picture, delicious & one of our favourites) 

scallop - celeriac - truffle - apple - smoked eel

Spiced Apple - Backberry

We dined again at amazing One Michelin Star Bohemia Jersey and the food was gorgeous. Would highly recommend it if you are on the Island.

Thank you Bohemia!

My friend Nardin treated me to a gorgeous bottle of perfume from Jo Loves - Smoked Plum & Leather. See my review HERE.

My friends Magi and Derek asked their very talented neighbour and friend to draw our old dog Bess. The likeness is uncanny! Such a beautiful and heartfelt gift.

What have you been loving this month?

*complimentary