*Love Lula: PLASTIC FREE JULY: Herbfarmacy, Elsa's Organic Skinfoods, Butterwhips, Skin Alchemists + Lyonsleaf

As you'll know I've been theming my Love Lula Accredited Blogger Picks this year. See my previous reviews:

January - SLEEP,  February - LOVE, March - AWAKEN, April - BLOSSOM, May - FORAGE, June GROW. 

This month I chose under a theme of #PlasticFreeJuly:

I've been enjoying testing them all out! Definitely some buy-agains in there. 

Every Herbfarmacy product I try I love. Their Comfrey & Mint Foot Cream* (55ml - £15) comes in an aluminium tin (and is presented in a cardboard sleeve) which is easily reusable/recyclable and for the cardboard recyclable. The cream has a deliciously light but nourishing texture, a minty herbal scent and feels soothing and nourishing on the feet. It's lovely to use and will rescue tired aching feet and cracked heels. Comfrey helps to improve skin elasticity and heal. Hypericum relieves aches, pains and inflammation. Spearmint is antibacterial and anti-fungal. 

To use: slather on dry feet massaging until absorbed

This is a gorgeous product which makes for happy feet!

I'd only ever had a teeny sample sizes of the tins of Elsa's Organic Skinfoods deodorants before so when this arrived I thought it was massive! I chose Lemon Ice Creme Deodorant* (45g - £11) which has a delicious zesty scent. Fresh lemon and grapefruit are crushed together with ice for a refreshing treat for the underarms. 

To use: massage a pea size amount into the underarms or between the toes for fresh smelling skin!

I've been enjoying using this creamy deodorant which comes in a reusable aluminium tin. I've felt fresh all day long.

As you'll know I'm already a huge, huge fan of gorgeous Butterwhips having reviewed some products in the range recently - see HERE. Traditionally Floral Geranium, Lavender & Vitamin E Body Butter* (25g - £8) has a classic floral scent. It melts instantly onto warm skin leaving it feeling nourished and delicately scented.

To use: apply a small amount to your palms, rubbing together before applying the melted butter over your skin for luscious nourished skin.

This is a gorgeous product! Again, it's presented in an aluminium tin which is easily recyclable or reusable.

I'm a huge fan of Skin Alchemist's gorgeous artisan soaps which come simply boxed. I chose Fresh Mint* (128g - £10) which is perfect for summer. The soap has a creamy lather and a distinctive mint aroma. It's enriched with dead sea mud, aloe vera gel and sea moss.

To use: use with warm water to create a gentle lather, massage over the skin and rinse.

Absolute love for this beautiful soap! 

Rounding up my #PlasticFreeJuly picks is Lyonsleaf Try Oil Cleansing Pack* (8ml + 5 muslin cloths - £5.99). I've used Lyonsleaf Beauty Balm before (review) so it was lovely to revisit (it also makes a good moisturiser!) The muslin cloths are a good quality too. The beauty balm comes in a reusable tin and full instructions are included. 

To use: massage a small amount of balm into the face and neck, massaging over the skin before removing with one of the warm damp muslin cloths. You can also use the beauty balm as a moisturiser. 

Great to revisit - definitely need full size again! What have you been picking for #PlasticFreeJuly?

Love Lula: Beauty Box: October 2018

It's always an exciting day when my Love Lula Beauty Box* arrives. This month it's worth £54.

I'm absolutely obsessed with charcoal in beauty products at the moment (so good for my shiny t-zone) and inside is a luxury trial size 12.5ml of Madara's new Charcoal & Mud Repair Mask which will purify, remove impurities and pollution build up. I'm looking forward to trying this! Also from Madara is a trio of 2ml sample sachets - Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15 in Light Beige and Medium Beige and Age Defying Sunscreen SPF30 - again I'm looking forward to trying these.

From Lyonsleaf is a 30ml pot of their fab Beauty Balm (REVIEW) it'll be nice to revisit. Also included is one of their 100% Cotton Muslin Cloths.

The final item is a full size Body & Massage Oil from Kathleen Natural, 100ml of their Tranquil Fields Body & Massage Oil which is scented with Lavender, Frankincense, and Vanilla. Edit: this is glorious. I tried it last night and am totally in love!

I'm excited to try everything and will have reviews up shortly. What are your thoughts on this month's beauty box?

*sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program, all thoughts are genuine.

Love Lula Beauty Box: My Top Picks - January-June 2018

These are my top picks from the Love Lula Beauty Box* January to June (and ones which I would buy again):

In January (link) my favourite item was a much-loved favourite MOA Fortifying Green Bath Potion* - I simply love this stuff! See my review HERE.

Coming into February (link) my favourite product was Ooh! Oils of Heaven Avocado Hydrating Face Oil* - I'm a huge, huge fan of this good quality and excellent value range - see my Spotlight HERE (there have been new ones added since I wrote this post). The Avocado oil does have an acquired scent - it's very green and earthy! The oil deeply nourishes and protects the skin.

In March (link) we received Elsa's Organic Skin Food Deodorant in Ocean* (which I've still to try) but love their Dew* variety so know I'll love it. See my review HERE.

April's box (link) saw me fall for two items - Dr Botanicals Kale Superfood Nourishing Day Moisturiser* and Balm Balm's Little Miracle Rosehip Balm* - the day moisturiser is light and absorbs easily leaving my combination skin nourished and comfortable and the rosehip balm is an absolute delight! Multi-use - use it on your face as a moisturiser and on dry patches of skin on the body. It smells glorious (frankincense, rose geranium, palmarosa, juniper and mandarin).

Coming into May (link) again two products stole my heart - Alteya Organics Certified Organic Bulgarian Rose Water Spray* and Lyonsleaf Calendula & Marshmallow Balm* - I'd recently tried and loved Alteya Organics's Certified Organic White Rose Water Spray* (REVIEW) so knew I'd love the Bulgarian Rose one. My second top pick is the lovely rich and nourishing Lyonsleaf balm which softens and repairs dry or damaged skin from head-to-toe.  Use it on dry and cracked skin all over the body to nourish and protect.

Finally, this month (link) I've totally fallen for the gorgeous new perfume oil See the Moonlight by Walden Natural Perfumes* which has notes of bergamot, jasmine, rose, sandalwood and ambrette seed.

Do we share any favourites/buy agains?

*the Love Lula Beauty Box is sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program, all thoughts are genuine and my post contains affiliate links

Love Lula Beauty Box: May 2018

It's always a happy day when Love Lula's Beauty Box lands. Inside this month are five products and the total value of the box is over £46. As ever, there's a 20% discount code to use on any of the brands in the box.

So what's inside...

The first item to jump out at me is Alteya Organics Certified Organic Rosewater (100ml - £7.20). I'm a huge fan of this brand so more than happy to see it feature in the beauty box this month. See my review of their Certified Organic White Rose Water Spray* HERE.

Next up is Lyonsleaf's Calendula & Marshmallow Balm (30ml - £8.99) which soothes, repairs and nourishes the skin. Use it on dry, cracked, chapped, hard, rough or irritated skin. I'm a huge fan of the brand so looking forward to testing this out.

Also inside is a full size Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in shade Lava (brown) (2.35g - £12.99). This looks a shade too shimmery for me but will provide long lasting vibrant colour (and it's nice to see a make up item in the box).

PHB Anti-Ageing Eye Gel (15ml - £16.95) which firms and nourishes and is good for targeting lines and wrinkles.

The final item is a sachet of Botanico Vida Omega Oil I'm currently testing a full size bottle out and it's fabulous. Expect a review shortly.

What do you think of the contents this month?

*sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. My post contains a few affiliate links

Giveaway with Lyonsleaf! - it's over!

I've got a lovely giveaway in collaboration with Lyonsleaf today. One of my readers can win their very own bottle of the new Marshmallow Soften & Rejuvenate Facial Oil 30ml (in either the scented or unscented version). See HERE. The scented version is quite woody and earthy. It contains essential oils of Vetiver, Rose and Geranium.

It's an absolute fantastic oil - I received one in my July Love Lula Beauty Box*. All you need to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below & good luck! (UK only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love Lula Beauty Box: July 2017

Yesterday my Love Lula Beauty Box* landed! It's absolutely brilliant this month and worth £60. I'd already seen what was in the box via the fabulous new Love Lula Natural Beauty Club on Facebook.

So what's inside?

The first product (which I'd actually had prior knowledge that it was going to be in the box this month) is a new launch by Lyonsleaf Marshmallow Soften & Rejuvenate Facial Oil (30ml - £14.99) which I'm excited to try! It absorbs instantly and has a woodsy, vetiver earthy scent - expect a review soon!

And yet another new launch from Madara Smart Fine Line Minimising Cream 20ml luxury trial size (full size retails at £35 for 50ml). I'm a huge Madara fan so I'm looking forward to testing this out!

From PHB there is a full size All-in-One Mascara in Black (10ml - £15.95) a make up item in a beauty box is always very welcome and this one seems fab! It's an award winner which lengthens, thickens and volumises and is also water resistant. I tried it out yesterday and was suitably impressed!

I adore John Masters Organics and this month we have a 60ml bottle of Spearmint & Meadowsweet Shampoo (worth £6) which purifies, helps to remove build up, stimulates the scalp and hydrates. 

The final item this month is from REN a 3ml trial size of their Satin Perfection BB Cream (which I've tried before and enjoyed).

As ever there is a very generous 20% discount code for any of the brands in the box this month. A brilliant, brilliant box this month. Did you pick one up? What are your thoughts on the contents?

*the beauty box is sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program. All thoughts are genuine and my post contains affiliate links

Lyonsleaf: Oil Cleansing Complete Kit

I've huge love for Lyonsleaf's wonderful Beauty Balm* - see my review HERE. I'm loving the new-ish Oil Cleansing Complete Kit* which is a pot of beauty balm and a branded bag full of cloths (5 x Flannels, 5 x Muslin Cloths) which retails at £22.50.

The cloths are great quality (and wash up really well) and make cleansing into a welcome ritual. Pick yours up HERE. They'd be the perfect treat to chase away the January blues!

*complimentary

Lyonsleaf Hot Cloth Cleanser Gift Set Giveaway! - it's over!

I've got a fab Lyonsleaf Hot Cloth Cleanser Gift Set* to giveaway to one of my readers. 

It contains:

30ml Beauty Balm (review)

1 x White Cotton Face Flannel

2 x two ply Muslin Face Cloths

Thanks very much to Lyonsleaf for supplying the gift set*. This giveaway is open worldwide. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

au sujet de Vert online boutique

Shubana, who writes Berry's Beauty has recently launched online beauty boutique au sujet de Vert (which means about green in French) She recently got in touch to see if I'd like to try a product from Cîme Skincare (a brand I'd never tried up until now).

It was a nice surprise to receive a hand cream from the brand but also some other lovely goodies.

I like that your order can be hand delivered if you live in the W1 area of London. Brands stocked are natural and organic and have no parabens. In the 'mixed' section in the shop you will find products which contain some synthetic ingredients but are much loved. Everything has been tried and tested by Shubana which I think is a nice touch.

Brands you can buy:

Cîme Skincare - I've been testing out their De Main en Main Hand Cream (£21 - 100ml)* which is enriched with apricot kernal oil and aloe extract. It leaves the hands nourished and delicately scented. Expect a fuller review soon. I was also sent some sachets and I'll update my thoughts on them in a samples or empties post.

Tabitha James Kraan - I was sent a 60ml size of the Organic 4-in-1 Conditioner in Amber Rose*. This smells absolutely heavenly and I can't wait to try it. I have tried the conditioner in the Golden Citrus scent and you can see my review HERE.

Ermana Natural Skincare - a brand I tried way back in August (review). The Comfort Balm (15ml)* cares for dry skin patches on the face and body. Scented with Lavender, Geranium and Ylang Ylang and packed full of nourishing butters it's an absolute delight for the senses, a skin soother and hydrator. Use it on lips, elbows, cracked heels, knees, for cuticles and dry hands. You can also massage it onto the temples and wrists to help to calm down (I've also used it on flyaways).

Get 10% off your order with code BBALM10

which is valid until 24 December 2015

Evolve Beauty - (review of Satin Leg Gloss & Hyaluronic Serum 200 HERE)

Lyonsleaf - (review of Beauty Balm & Body Butter* HERE)

Carishea (review of their Shea Scot Body Balm* here)

Hairy Jayne (Taster Kit - no longer available HERE)

Vedani Botanicals* (recently reviewed HERE). 

I'm currently testing a few products sent to me by Rossi Uvema* and I hope to have my review up by Monday at the latest.  Lastly, Scent Trail handmade soaps which is another brand I've not heard of or tried before. Keep checking back as Shubana is adding new brands all the time.

See the website HERE

Follow on Twitter @SujetdeVert 

*complimentary/sent for review

Little Treats #9

ESPA Optimal Skin ProCleanser 15ml* - a delicious, rich gel cleanser, mask and exfoliator in one! It leaves the skin deeply cleansed, radiant and renewed. Apply to the skin in circular motions until the jojoba spheres melt before removing with a warmed damp muslin cloth. Leave on for 15 minutes twice a week to activate the mask. This is a super luxe product which also smells incredible. Full size is on the wishlist!

BEING Bloom Lip Service 15ml - this lip balm is scented with Vanilla and Rose - what's not to love! See my review here.

Lyonsleaf Calendula Cream 10ml - this little pot helps to soothe the skin and reduce itching. It is great for treating eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and acne as well as dry skin patches.

The Body Deli Solar Skin Cream 10ml - this mini came in the recent a beautiful world s/s 15 sampler box. This lotion contains SPF15 and absorbs instantly onto the skin. Perfect to use right now!

lj's Natural Solutions Balancing Organic Moisturiser 8g - this lush geranium scented moisturiser is great for all skin types, absorbing quickly and balancing the skin.

Lush Imogen Rose Solid Perfume 12g - a rosey scent with amber, vetivert and green notes. Great for slipping into a pocket or handbag for some scent on the go.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask sample* - this mask is fantastic! It brightens dull skin leaving it looking refreshed, smooth and radiant. Apply a thin layer onto the skin once a week (you can feel it working straight away!) leaving on for 15-20 minutes or so before rinsing. 

Have you tried any of these?

*PR samples

Lyonsleaf Natural Skincare Samples

I just love a company which offers samples to try before you buy at a nominal cost.  Lyonsleaf have just launched three best-sellers in 10ml sample tins which cost £1.99 each with second class UK post costing only 95p!

They are great for try me sizes or holidays. I'm already a fan of all three! The products are water free and a little goes a long way.

You can see my review of the Beauty Balm and the Body Butter HERE*. Find out more details about the Calendula Cream HERE. 

Are you a fan of trial sized products? Do you think these are something you'd pick up?

*Lyonsleaf sent me full sizes to review previously

February Empties

Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts 100g - a staple for me. I need these in my life! I buy these again and again as they just work.

Yours Truly Organics Balancing Toner 150ml* - I loved this and would buy. See my review here.

TEWC Virgin Coconut & Lime Body Butter sample - I'm a huge fan of this body butter and I'd buy it again.  See my review here.

White & Elm Chamomile Balancing Facial Toner 30ml - this was a delight to use and I'll definitely buy again. See my review here.

Bodhi & Birch Siam Ginger Vitalising Bath & Shower Therapy 200ml - one of my favourites from Bodhi & Birch. See my review here. I've got a mini still to use but it's one I'd buy again.

Blue Labelle Ylang Ylang and Frankincense Body Oil 100ml - this is a staple for me now! I've already got another one in my stash. See my review here.

Bodhi Mint The Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy 250ml - this is my favourite Bodhi & Birch Shower Gel. Will definitely buy again.

Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo 60ml - this was nice to use and I'd buy again.

Lyonsleaf Calendula Cream 15ml - I loved this for dry rough patches of skin. Sure to buy full size soon.

Jimmy Choo EDP 50ml - I've not finished a bottle of perfume for ages! I really like this fruity sweet floral. Sure to buy again. This is my 3rd bottle of this scent.

Shropshire Lavender Bath & Shower Gel 30ml - this was nice to use with a gentle lavender scent. Would buy again.

Dr Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Eucalyptus Pure Castile Soap 237ml - I wasn't blown away with the scent of this so wouldn't buy again. Love the Peppermint version.

Kneipp Sweet Dreams Herbal Bath Valerian & Hops 20ml* - loved the effects of this bath oil. Great to use before bed for a restful night's sleep. Didn't love the scent of it but would buy. Kneipp Pure Bliss Herbal Bath Red Poppy & Hemp 20ml* - this was gorgeous! Would buy full size and Kneipp Balancing Lavender Herbal Bath 20ml* - again lovely to use before bed. Super impressed with all of these.

Dr Organic Pomegranate Deodorant 50ml - a staple. Have already bought again.

John Masters Organics Rosemary & Peppermint Detangler 60ml - I loved this. It left my hair super shiny and nourished. Will buy again.

pai Geranium & Thistle Balancing Day Cream 15ml - this came in a weekender travel kit which I'd buy again.

Blue Labelle Hand Oil 10ml - this was lovely. See my review here. Would buy again.

Rachel's Plan Bee Body Oil 112ml - I just loved this body oil. See my review here. Will buy again.

Dr Organic Rose Otto Bath Oil 100ml - this is a great dupe for REN's Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil at a fraction of the price and just as nice. Sure to buy again.

S W Basics Cleanser trial size - this was nice to use and have another in my stash. Would maybe buy again.

SAMPLES - Melvita Bio-Excellence Youthful Serum 2ml* - this serum was a bit runnier than I expected. Absorbed quickly and smelt really nice. Would maybe buy full size.

Cowshed Perfecting Night Serum 2ml - this was nice to use and I got a few uses out the sachet. One to add to the wishlist I think.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR samples

Souk Souk November Beauty Box

My November Souk Souk Beauty Box arrived yesterday and I think it has a great selection this month. It includes one brand I haven't heard of before Zephorium which always really excites me! (upon checking them out I do already follow them on Twitter!)

Zephorium Soul Tonic Perfume Oil 10ml (£12.50) - each scent is designed to support one the chakras and comes with it's own affirmations. Mine is Aquamarine Crystal Throat Chakra - Truth & Integrity with Neroli Oil. The Affirmation is "I speak my truth with courage and integrity".  Neroli helps to overcome anxiety and listen to our inner wisdom calming and soothing the mind.  Aquamarine is the stone of courage which helps to clarify the mind, unblock thoughts and clear the throat chakra giving strength to powerfully stand and speak our truth.  Love this item!

Elemental Herbology Deep Cleanse Body Wash 50ml (£6.50) - huge fan of the face care range. Haven't tried anything from the body care range before. This Deep Cleanse Body Wash combines bio-dynamic algae with apple, grapefruit, lemon and rosemary.  Smells gorgeous!

Lyonsleaf Calendula Cream 15ml trial size - this is the only Lyonsleaf product I haven't tried.  It is great for soothing eczema or psoriasis and as a healing cream for abrasions and rashes. It can also be used for massage and dry skin areas. A wonder cream!

Glam Mineral Eyeshadow in Antique Gold 4.5g (£12) - Vegan and Vegetarian highly pigmented mineral eyeshadow made with 100% natural ingredients.

Extras include: 2 x teabags in peppermint & licorice (I'll pass this one on) and lemon, ginger and manuka honey and a mini Green & Black's Dark Chocolate bar.

Did you get this month's box?  What are your thoughts as to the contents?

Lyonsleaf: New Natural Handmade Soap & Christmas Gift Boxes

I'm a huge fan of Lyonsleaf's gorgeous products having reviewed their Beauty Balm and Body Butter here.  They have brought out a great range of boxed sets for Christmas and have introduced a lovely natural soap* made for them in the UK with Goats Milk, Manuka Honey and Calendula (£4 - 100g).

The soap is unscented and is suitable for dry sensitive skin types. The Manuka Honey gives it a sweet scent. This soap is also great for people with eczema, psoriasis and acne. The soap gently cleanses with a soft lather, soothing and repairing the skin.  Free from chemicals, palm oil and it is 100% natural.  

If you are looking for a Christmas Gift you will find the new soap in all three sets available.

Complete Natural Skincare Gift Set (£27.49) - this lovely set comes in a reusable jute draw string box and contains Lyonsleaf Body Butter 110ml, Lyonsleaf Natural Soap with Goats Milk, Manuka Honey & Calendula 100g and Lyonsleaf Award Winning Beauty Balm 55ml.

Soothing Calendula Skincare Gift Set (£17.99) - this set contains Lyonsleaf Calendula Cream 110ml and Lyonsleaf Natural Soap with Goats Milk, Manuka Honey & Calendula 100g.

Body Butter & Natural Soap Gift Set (£14.99) - containing Lyonsleaf Body Butter 110ml and a 100g bar of Lyonsleaf Natural Soap with Goats Milk, Manuka Honey & Calendula 100g.

Are you a Lyonsleaf fan?  What's your favourite product? Are you tempted by any of the gift sets?

*complimentary

A Closer Look: Body Butters

Here is my collection of body butters:

Bare Innocence Jasmine & Orange Cocoa & Shea Butter 100ml* - a rich and supermoisturising butter which smells gorgeous. Great for dry skin.  See my review here.

raw gaia Coconut Body Butter 90g - simply love this rich coconut scented body butter.  See my review here.

Melvita APICOSMA Body Ultra Nourishing Body Balm 150ml - a rich balm which is scented with honey and packed full of nourishing butters and oils. First tried it in the British Beauty Blogger Edit Box and loved it!

Just Be Nourished Body Butter 200ml - a delicious rich butter scented with Rose and Frankincense.  See my review here.

Blipster Magic Peppermint Bark Whipped Body Butter* - a minty butter handmade by Amy. See my review here.

Kris D'Amour Rejuvenating Body Treatment Butter 100ml* - a lovely butter which melts into the skin leaving it soft and lightly scented.  See my review here.

Laidbare Butter Me Up 250ml - a rich cream rather than a butter heavenly scented with Jasmine.  See my review here.

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Butter 70g - one of the most decadent body butters I've ever used.  See my review here.

Lyonsleaf Natural Body Butter 120ml* - a rich and 100% natural body butter which super moisturises the skin.  See my review here.

Carishea Shea Scot Whipped Body Balm 100ml* - a gorgeous rich butter scented with Lavender and Honey. See my review here.

Have you used any of these?  What's your favourite body butter?

*PR samples

Lyonsleaf: Beauty Balm & Body Butter

Ben & Vicky Lyons run Lyonsleaf from their smallholding in the Mendip hills. They grow vegetables and herbs as well as keeping pigs and sheep.

They grow as much as they can to use in their skin and body care products and choose to use natural unprocessed oils and butters.

Products are water free so don't require any added preservatives or chemicals. The products are made using simple recipes with pure ingredients extracted from plants.  Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans (unless otherwise stated).

An affordable range and the packaging is stylish as well as being recyclable. Until the end of November you can get 20% off using code LYONS20.  See the website here.

I was sent Beauty Balm* (£12.95 60ml) and Body Butter* (£12.95 120ml) to review.

Beauty Balm* - this multi-purpose balm which is packed full of Shea butter, Babassu, Macadamia Nut and Jojoba oils, home grown Calendula along with Essential Oils.

You can use this balm as a cleanser or a moisturiser making it great for travelling or if you just want to reduce the amount of products you use.

To cleanse: massage balm into face and neck and remove with a warmed damp muslin cloth. Repeat until the skin is clean.

To moisturise: you only need a tiny amount of the balm. Apply to cleansed skin.

The balm can also be used for dry areas of skin - lips, elbows, knees and heels.

Body Butter* - I simply love this rich and fluffy butter. It glides onto the skin and quickly absorbs as well as smelling beautiful. It contains Essential oils of Clary Sage, Black Pepper and Geranium along with Calendula Flower extract and is stuffed full of nourishing organic raw Shea butter, organic Coconut oil, organic cold pressed Avocado oil, cold pressed Sweet Almond oil and natural Vitamin E oil.

To moisturise: apply to the skin as required. Perfect to use after a bath or shower.

I've been really enjoying using both products and when I run out I'll purchase (especially the body butter!).  See the website here. There are also some interesting looking Aromatherapy Bath Teas which I may pick up at some point.

Follow on Twitter @Lyonsleaf
Follow on Facebook here

*PR samples
** Top two photos courtesy of Lyonsleaf