January: Lately I've Been Loving

I've struggled through this lockdown (hence the reason I've hardly posted all month). Hopefully with the first signs of Spring (crocuses, snowdrops & buds on the trees) I'll begin to feel a bit better and more focused on better things ahead. What's kept me going is - friends online, re-connecting with an old friend, books, good food and shopping online!  Here are my January loves:

*I've fallen totally head-over-heels for Balm Balm's new Lavender Face Balm (30ml - £9.50)* which I received in January's Love Lula Beauty Box. It's perfect to use before bed for restful slumbers as well as being an aromatic delight. A review is to come for this one! (I received it free of charge (in the monthly beauty box) as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger.

Picking up a second Naturisimo starter kit. See my review of the first one I bought - Moisturisers - HERE. What swayed me this time was the eye wateringly expensive range Kypris having a product in the Night Care Starter Set (£20, worth £68). The kits are presented in a reusable branded pouch (you also get a code for 10% off an item in the box).

Inside is: Kypris Ad Astra Eye Cream Emulsion 2.5ml (see pot below) which is a decent enough try me size (it's seriously lush) - Unfortunately full size 14ml is £173! I'm happy to try and savour this little pot! (I can always buy another starter kit for another hit!). I'm also loving Grown Alchemist's Regenerating Night Cream 12ml which smells heavenly and glides onto the skin. I've tried a few of their products before - see HERE so know I'm going to enjoy this. Rounding up the kit are two products I've tried before - BYBI Babe Balm 10ml - see my review of this multi-tasker HERE and INIKA's Phytofuse Renew Resveratrol Rich Night Cream 4ml. Have you picked up a starter kit yet?

A beautiful surprise box of chocolates (rose and violet creams) from an old friend through the post who I've recently reconnected with was such a joy giving treat! Aren't they just gorgeous! 

Holly spotted on a daily walk - so glossy and pretty!

I normally make Marmalade every two years, this was the year but I knew I'd be unlikely to get to Waitrose to pick them up. Total joy to find them in our local greengrocers. I really enjoyed making it - gave me such a buzz - must make more preserves again!

A little Blended by Mama order always makes me smile. I ordered The Mill on the Moor beeswax melts just after Christmas (this one is available until the Spring Equinox) and is inspired by Bronte country. These ones have a slightly different formula as they have infused coconut oil and cocoa butter in the mix! The melts have a deliciously orangey (blood orange essential oil), vanilla-y (benzoin) and spice (turmeric and black pepper) aroma (break each melt into three).

What have you been loving this month?

Content Beauty & Wellbeing: Beauty Wishlist #1

I'm always seeing beauty products I want so I've decided to start a new series. Here's some of my current wishlist items all from Content Beauty & Wellbeing which is situated in Marylebone, London (and one of my favourite shops to visit).

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Less is More Rose Serum (30ml - £26) - I've had my eye on this for a while. A serum which repairs and moisturises the hair, is great for dry, brittle and frizzy hair and treats scalp problems. It sounds like it would smell gorgeous! With Rose Damascea and Sicilian Tangerine.

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de Mamiel Salvation Body Oil (200ml - £75) - I have had the pleasure of trying this lovely body oil before as a 30ml sample size. I'd just like a full size bottle in my stash! Rich and luxe it's scented with Ylang Ylang, Rosewood and Jasmine and deeply nourishes the skin while relaxing and calming the mind.

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Kypris Beauty Elixir I 1000 Roses (47ml - £189) - again, I've tried a sample of this (link) and it's a must have for any rose lover. Simply lush.

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Sweet Virtues Chocolate Nut Butter (170g - £5.95) - having just found out I love Sweet Virtues chocolates I'm kind of sure I'd love this! Rich in vitamins and super food ingredients it contains raw cacao, chia seeds, coconut nectar, ginseng and almonds.

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Skin & Tonic COCO MASK (50g - £22) - I'm a huge fan of the minty STEAM CLEAN cleansing balm (and everything else I've tried from the brand). This powdered mask can be mixed with water, raw honey and yoghurt for a hydrating mask.

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Lina Hanson Satori Perfume Oil (8ml - £75) - a scent which awakens the senses. It contains vanilla, sandalwood, Japanese yuzu and ginger. Sounds so lush!

What's on your wishlist?

December Empties

Here's what I've been using up in December:

de Mamiel Botaniques Salvation Body Oil 30ml - this came in the Net-a-Porter Holiday Kit Box and I loved it! See my mini review here. This is very firmly on the buy soon list (maybe after #NoBuyJanuary).

Josh Wood Silky Smooth Shampoo 50ml - this came in a trial size kit and was really nice to use. It also had a beautiful rose type scent.  Would buy again.

Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Shower Gel 250ml - simply love this. It is my favourite Organic Surge shower gel scent. I always have a back up.

Dr Organic Pomegranate Deodorant 50ml - a staple for me. I buy this effective deodorant again and again.

Bodhi Ylang Ylang Incensa Sensual Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - one of my favourite bodhi & birch scents. Sure to buy again.

Bodhi & Birch Jasmine Falls Relaxing Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - again love this scent. Will buy again.

Bodhi & Birch Camomile Sky Calming Bath & Shower Therapy 50ml - one of the new scents from Bodhi & Birch. I loved this. Sure to buy again.  See my review here.

Dr Bronner's Peppermint 18-in-1 Liquid Soap 237ml - my favourite Dr Bronner's scent. As soon as I'm getting low I re-purchase.

Susanne Kaufmann Shower/Shampoo 50ml - this came in the Net-a-Porter box. Was nice enough to use but wouldn't buy.

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser 2ml sample - this is a best-seller and seemed quite nice. Would maybe purchase but quite a small sample to make a purchase decision.

Kypris Beauty Elixir I 1,000 Roses 3ml sample - I simply loved this.  See my mini review here. Would love full size but this is very expensive round about £144. A forever on the wishlist item I reckon!

Rosemira Organics Citrus Blossom i-restore eye cream sample* - this was a gorgeous eye cream and one I'd buy full size. A big enough sample to know it was right for me. See my review here.

Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser 25ml - huge fan of this gorgeous cleanser.  See my review here. Got another in my stash and would buy again.

earthbody Dream Body Oil 1 fl oz - this was lovely to use just before bed as it contains lavender. Would buy.

Neom Complete Bliss Body Wash 240ml - love this rose scented wash. Unfortunately unless I see another in TKMaxx I won't be able to use it again as this particular scent in body products has been discontinued. Shame!

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial 5ml - loved this floral scented oil. Was pleased with how radiant and renewed it left my skin. Would buy full size.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR sample

Little Treats #5

Skinlix Ylang Ylang & Bergamot Organic Body Scrub sample* - this is a gorgeous sugar scrub for the body which smells simply beautiful. It leave the skin soft, smooth and nourished. Full size will be mine and soon!

Skinlix Ylang Ylang & Bergamot 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil sample* - a teeny tiny sample but this oil is wonderful. Super moisturising and nurturing. Again the scent is amazing and full size is on the wishlist. I've been using it to nourish my hands after gardening.

Skinlix have offered my readers a fab 10% off with code BLOG - I know I'll be making use of this to buy full size of the above!

SW Basics Cleanser mini* - this came in October's Petit Vour Beauty Box. I'm a huge fan of the brand and this cleanser is just brilliant. Containing just 3 ingredients it cleanses and removes make up. I like to use this on non-make up days or as a pre-cleanse.

KYPRIS Antioxidant Dew 3ml and Beauty Elixir I - 1,000 Roses 3ml - these came in the F/W 14 Petit Vour box and I love them especially the elixir.  The Antioxidant Dew is deeply hydrating. It helps to restore vitality and make the skin look radiant.  It can be used morning and night and before applying an Elixir.  The Beauty Elixir 1 - 1,000 Roses is the star of the duo.  Smelling deeply of roses it repairs and pampers the skin.  Use alone or with the Antioxidant Dew.

Ann Gerard Parfum Rose Cut sample - this sample came from Bloom Perfumery (I chose a selection of samples). This is a beautiful rose floral with aldehydes, rum and pepper, patchouli, peony, benzoin, oak and vanilla and is quite unlike any other perfume in my collection. Pick your samples here.

What products have been delighting you lately?

Petit Vour x Emily Nolan: Limited Edition F/W 14

I thought about it for a week or so but knew I really wanted to buy Petit Vour's Limited Edition F/W 14 luxury beauty box (even though I didn't really need it!)  Costing $40 (just under £25) with $14.99 (£9.32) shipping costs. The box has a $95+ value (£59+) and it took just over a week to arrive.

"Pamper and Prep for the fall season" The box is co-curated by Vegan Supermodel Emily Nolan. The packaging is simply gorgeous. The KYPRIS luxury samples for example, are packaged in a super luxe velvet drawstring bag.  The My Daughter Joyful spritzer comes in a spotty organza drawstring bag, the Rare El'ements haircare sachets are in a paper envelope and the Marie Natie Lip Gloss is packaged in a cute cardboard tube.

Inside there are two KYPRIS luxury samples - Antioxidant dew and Beauty Elixir I - 1,000 roses both 3ml.  These are super luxurious and I can't wait to try them.  The Beauty Elixir smells heavenly.

My Daughter Joyful Spritzer (10ml - $25 - approx £15) - this is a fresh and floral scent with notes of orange flower, lime blossom, rose, jasmine and sandalwood. 

Marie Natie Lip Gloss ($18 - approx £11) is a pretty pink shade called Tickled. A really gorgeous shade and non-sticky! 

Antonym Ecocert Certified Natural Eye Pencil in Noir ($18 - approx £11) - a smooth and creamy long lasting liner with built in pencil.

Rare El'ements Luxury Haircare Sample Set - which includes 2 x 7ml Pure Shampoo, 1 x 7ml Essential Lite Conditioner and 1 x 7ml Essential Conditioner. They contain exotic and rare ingredients. I'm always on the lookout for great haircare products so I'm looking forward to trying these.

Tres Pure Mini Face Cleanse ($10 - approx £6) - a water activated cleansing powder which removes impurities and make up. Looking forward to trying this out.

A fab box. I'm really pleased with the contents and can't wait to try everything out. What do you think?