November: Lately I've been Loving

Where has November gone! It's just raced through. Here's what I've been loving (if it's marked * I kindly received it complimentary):

Kiss the Moon's sumptuous gift sets*, some of which I reviewed HERE. I absolutely adore their Bedtime Bath Salts. So good.

We had a gorgeous night away in beautiful Perthshire at newly reopened Killiecrankie House, a restaurant with five exquisite bedrooms with large rolltop baths. The food was incredible and the drinks pairings spot on! The bottom picture is part of the sweeties course - Black Pudding Madelines! Delicious they were.

I first tried Fair Squared's eco friendly, zero waste Olive Hand Cream* as a Beauty Shortlist Judge and fell head-over-heels for it's rich and nourishing feel. I'm so enjoying the pot Fair Squared generously sent me and a review is forthcoming.

Christmas Wax Melt scents from Olfactory Candles plus a few others (the Limited Edition Parma Violets is so strong!)

We dog sat one of my boss's dogs again. Wee Astro. He's adorable.

Attending the Authors & Bloggers Christmas Lunch was such fun and so nice to receive the above books* from Sandstone Press which I'm looking forward to reading. The books below I received in the Secret Santa which also look interesting!

What have you been loving in November?

October: Lately I've been Loving

So many October loves..

ILIA Beauty's Lip Wrap Hydrating Mask had been on my wishlist. I was delighted to see a mini 4ml in the recent Naturisimo x Get the Gloss Exclusive Discovery Box REVIEW. It exfoliates, smoothes, plumps and hydrates + I'm totally smitten! I'll be buying full size as soon as I use this one up.

I recently discovered Strong Words Magazine via a booky friend and am totally hooked. I picked up the most recent ones at Pics & Ink - the place to go for indie mags online.

A new do at Bau Hair - really pleased with the cut 'n' colour (my 2nd visit).

My dad's homegrown tomatoes under good old Scottish sun. Delicious they were.

A lovely new-to-me find gorgeous the organic alchemist. I selected their Deep Relax Bath Salts. A review soon, they're sublime.

We looked after one of my boss's dog for a few nights. It was lovely to have a furry friend again for a wee while.

Fresh flowers really cheer the soul!

I love spotting interesting things when out and about locally. Just love these plump and juicy looking rosehips.

Rounding off my October loves is a beautiful Portobello sunrise. Those early morning dog walks are sometimes so worth it! What have you been loving this month?

July: Lately I've Been Loving

(if it's marked * I've received it free of charge for review). So many July loves but especially the beautiful sunshine and long hot days, having a nice lunch out with a friend, visiting family and feeding my online shopping addiction! I've now cancelled all my subscriptions and plan to enjoy what I have (queue unsubscribe from all tempting shopping emails!)

I was very kindly sent Ras Kutani's The Sleep Oil (£16 - 10ml)* which I've been diffusing in a burner with water before bed (pour water into the bowl of your burner and add a few drops of oil). It's a blend of 10 different essential oils including Jasmine + sleep inducing Lavender. The founder asked a well known nose to create the blend. I feel instantly calm and my worries slip away as soon as the scented oil diffuses though the atmosphere. 

Gorgeous Glow Potion* (30ml - £24) from Raven Botanicals. See my review HERE. It gives the skin a nice gleam and glow.

Fresh flowers is now my Friday treat. I've recently been enjoying bunches of peonies.

Warm summer sunny days - good for the soul!

I dipped my toes in again to The Boozy Book Club - a book club with a difference! Along with the book (this month, My Name is Monster by Katie Hale), you receive a themed cocktails and other treats. A real joy which makes my heart sing!

A Naturisimo Discovery Box never fails to disappoint! July's Edit is packed full and worth £22. The Kiki Magnesium Oil/Spay is a staple which made this box a must have.

I'd read in a mag about Estee Lauder's Limited Edition Bronze Goddess Creme de Soleil Decadent Smoothing Body Creme (200ml - £38) which I managed to pick up at Harvey Nics with 10% off. It's super luxe with the perfect beachy/summer aroma.

Lunch on the terrace at Contini, George Street for my friend Celia's early birthday lunch. The sun shone and the food and drinks delicious with impeccable and friendly service.

A little visit to see my mum and dad (and sister, briefly) at the weekend. It was roasting with not a bit of air. Lovely hot summer weather and so nice to have a garden to relax in and enjoy a catch up. We also went for lunch to House for an Art Lover - check out that sky!

What have you been loving this month?

May: Lately I've Been Loving

Here's what I've been loving in May:

Our first post lockdown lunch at The Lookout by Gardener's Cottage which is perched on Calton Hill. The food and views were quite wonderful. Two other diners randomly paid for our lunch (when they heard us tell the waiter we'd missed birthday and anniversary meals through lockdown) Which was an amazing joy giving surprise. See my instagram post HERE.

It's been nice dipping in and picking up The Perfume Society boxes again. This one is their Launches we Love Discovery Box. It's jam packed. My absolute fav is Loubirouge 4ml EdP by Christian Louboutin which has notes of cardamon, iris and vanilla. 

I've been trying A Melt in Time's Luxury Wax Melts*. The clams cost £3.99 each and are hand poured using natural waxes. With a range of popular scents including a perfume inspired range. I found the scents subtle with a gentle throw (I was kindly gifted these for review). 

Lots of beach walks in the sunshine, so good for the soul! Looking forward to the better weather arriving next week!

I dipped in for a one off Natural Wellness Box - May's theme is GLOW. I adore Lola's Apothecary and Skin & Tonic (and hadn't tried the products inside the box this month). All in all I'm delighted though I had already tried 2 of the items and brands inside. Look out of individual reviews soon.

Visiting my mum and dad last weekend for lunch was sooo nice! We enjoyed my mum's trifle - one of the best things in life!

I was over the moon and then some to win a copy of Stacey Halls new novel Mrs England over on twitter. My next read!

What have you been loving this month?

February: Lately I've Been Loving

Here's what I've been loving in February -

Finally getting my fairy lights from Gibson's of Haddington into an empty rum bottle - such joy giving! 

I treated David (he was moaning about not getting anything in the post) to a selection box of brownies from Bad Brownie - they were delicious - and he shared! Will definitely use this co. again! (they offer 10% off your first order, just saying..)

Hot chocolate with marshmallows in a favourite mug - can't get much better than this!

Exploring more from Love Absolute isn't the reusable packaging and branding simply exquisite! Catch my recent review HERE.

I get most of Naturisimo's Discovery Boxes as they are such amazing value with gorgeous contents. Their latest entitled "Self-Love" definitely had the wow factor (and sold out in record time!) See my initial musings HERE.

What have you been loving this month?

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?