Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Pure Anada, Coast73, Kiss the Moon, Saint Iris Adriatica, Odylique, Shay & Blue

Next Sunday is Mothering Sunday and here are some gift ideas (* marked have been gifted for review).

This duo* from Pure Anada which you can purchase at Live in the Light is almost good enough to eat and the perfect non-calorific treat! The scent is minty with a a slight vanilla sweetness and the products are lovely to use (And who knew? There is a whole Peppermint Cream range available at Live in the Light!) I'll definitely be checking it out.

The Effervescent Bath Soak (£11.50 for 450ml) is formulated with Israeli Dead Sea and pink Himalayan salts and will infuse your bathwater with essential minerals to detoxify and ease muscle tension. African Shea Butter and Cold Pressed Olive Oil softens and hydrates the skin. To use: add a handful to a hot bath, jump in and relax.

Cocoa Body Butter (£8 for 125ml) this rich and decadent body butter is an absolute delight. It melts easily onto warm skin and leaves it with a slight peppermint/vanilla scent (lush). To use: apply to clean dry skin daily to hydrate and soothe.

I've been really impressed with this lovely duo which make bath time into a real treat. Pick yours up HERE.

Coast73 Candles are based in Gullane in East Lothian in Scotland. The Essential Oil Natural Wax Candles are a latest launch and are gorgeous! I was very kindly gifted one* for review. You can buy via the Facebook page or at Cherish Vintage Tearooms in Gullane in their Emporium.

The candles are formulated using natural waxes and essential oils. Sea Buckthorn, with Bergamot, Orange & Camomile has a gentle fruity and slightly herbal aroma and a very even burn! 

The perfect little gift is a bar of soap* from Kiss the Moon, as well as being exquisitely packaged these soaps are beautiful to use. They brighten up your day and are a lovely treat. See my review of their GLOW soap HERE.

The whole lot of mini saints in their On-The-Glow Bliss Pack (£65) (which comes with a beautiful branded bag or receive this free with the purchase of 3 mini saints) from Saint Iris Adriatica. The Award Winning Croatian inspired brand is formulated and founded by Sanela Lazic, to reflect the country's heritage and wellbeing. The scent is uplifting, fresh and citrus.

Sanela very kindly gifted me two of the mini saints - Vitality Spritz* and Wake-up Droplets* and I purchased the other three to enable me to try the whole range + get the gorgeous bag!  The three I purchased - Energy Cleanse, Purity Paste and Serenity Salve - expect a review of all five very soon.

Odylique's product of the month is their Award Winning Creamy Coconut Cleanser* with 10% off. See my review HERE. It'd be the perfect skincare treat for your mum.

You can't go wrong with a perfume from Shay & Blue. Of course I had to pick up the latest launch Blackberry Woods (£30 - 30ml) which is an exquisite blend of deliciously juicy blackberries, with neroli and lemon at the heart and a base of cypress woods. It really is a delight (my only negative is I'm not so keen on the new packaging - I miss that big "signature" bow on the front of my box!)

I gave my mum (saw her this weekend) a bouquet of flowers from my local shop - The Wild Flower Shop, a lipstick from Beauty Pie, a John Lewis voucher and some beauty samples I'd gathered for her.  What are you giving your mum for Mother's Day?

October Empties

Here's what I've been using up in October (items marked with * I've received complimentary).

Sisley Neck Cream 10ml this was nice to try but unlikely I'd buy full size.

Odacite Rose+Neroli Treatment Mist 50ml which was gorgeous! My friend, Julie gave it to me for my birthday. See my review HERE. I'd have this back in my stash again in a heartbeat!

Clarins Tonic Moisture Balm 5ml I loved this aromatic body balm and would love full size but got huge amount of body products to use up (maybe someday!)

Beauty Pie Jeju Daily Rehydration Mist+ 100ml gorgeous product. See my review HERE. Sure to buy again at some point.

Shay & Blue White Peaches 10ml I adore this beautiful fresh, sweet and fruity scent. It featured in my 5 perfumes for Spring (link). Will buy this again...and soon!

*O.moi Respire Breathe Nourishing Yogi Oil 100ml this was a winner (and one of mine!) in last years Beauty Shortlist Awards. You can see my top picks HERE. I adored this body oil and it's one I'll buy again at some point. The whole range is lush!

*Earth Harbor Rose Ruby Hydrating Face Mist 60ml which was an exciting new to me brand. It featured in a Vertue Beauty Box entitled Vitamin Sea. It was a beautiful mist to use and I'd like to explore more by the brand.

I did have a shampoo sachet which matched with the conditioner from Giovanni Root66 but it seems to have gone walkabouts! The duo were ok but I didn't see much in the way of added volume so wouldn't buy (2 x 7.4ml).

I loved Living Sea Therapy's Calm Bath Salts 400g which I picked up in  the Anthropologie sale. See my review HERE. I'd definitely consider buying these again especially if they were on sale. 

The Lore Originals Legend Mask was new to me (you use it on dry hair before washing and conditioning). My hair was left feeling super soft and healthy. Would perhaps buy again.

Jurlique Rare Rose Cream 2ml smells glorious. It was quite a teeny sachet but my skin seemed to love it. Would maybe buy full size.

Dr Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution .45k (single use) I've used these salts before and loved them. Would happily buy again.

Verdant Alchemy Drift Off Bath Salts 100g which came in September's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. I loved them a lot and would buy.

*MOSSA Vitamin Moisture Conditioner 10ml which did nothing whatsoever for my hair! Wouldn't buy.

Avon Distillery Purify Facial Oil 2ml which is from a new range by Avon Cosmetics. Really nice. Might or might not buy in future. I do have their Sleep Potion Night Cream which I'll review soon.

Decleor Creme Ambree Sunkissed Cream 2ml which was brown in colour! This disappeared on massaging it onto your skin. I liked this, would definitely like to try more samples before I'd buy full size.

What products have you been using up in October?

July Empties

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

Rodial Pink Diamonds Magic Day Gel 2ml sachet - my skin loved this deliciously scented gel. So much so I rushed out and bought a 9ml travel size. It's perfect for summer as it's so light and absorbs instantly.

Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense Lift Serum 2ml - again, my skin loved this. I'd love to try full size and will maybe pick it up in autumn.

As you'll know I'm doing project 10 pan for perfumes - see my posts HERE and HERE. This Shay & Blue Dandelion Fig Perfume 30ml is my third empty in the project 10 pan. I've got another bottle of this but it's one I'll buy again and again. 

As you'll probably know I'm obsessed with Beauty Pie. This is my first empty from them - their Great Skin Foundation in Fair 150 Shell 30ml. See my review HERE. This foundation lasted just under six months (I'd also been using some other ones during that period). I've now got back ups of back ups!

D'Alchemy Neck & Decolletage Wrinkle Refill 1.5ml - which was quite a small sachet for the area it's to cover. I liked it but only got one and a bit uses from the sachet so not sure (I adore the brand though!)

REN Atlantic Kelp & Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Bath Oil 10ml - nice to use, not sure I noticed much difference with reviving tiredness but would buy again.

Micheline Arcier Aromatherapie Harmonie Bath Oil 15ml - the creme de la creme of bath oils! You only need the tiniest amount for a richly scented relaxing bath. I received this one in my February Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. It's always on the wishlist!

Dr Hauschka Regenerating Hand Cream 15ml - which was gorgeous! I'll definitely pick this up full size when my stash reduces a bit.

Clockface Beauty Cuticle & Hand Oil with Frankincense & Rose Otto 10ml - totally fell head-over-heels for this. See my review HERE. I'll definitely buy this again.

Innersenses Pure Harmony Hair Bath 59.15ml - nice to revisit this brand which can be bought at places like Naturisimo and Content Beauty. 

YTTP Superfoods Cleanser which I first tried via A Beautiful World. See my review HERE. I've got another of these stashed away which I bought in Sephora.

Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Bath & Shower Gel 30ml - nice to use, maybe not my fav MB scent so wouldn't buy.

Belenos Skin Botanique Repair Serum - loved this. See my review HERE. Would buy when my stash reduces a bit.

*Laouta Beach Body Oil Fig SPF6 100ml - loved this summer inspired low SPF which I used mainly as a body oil. See my review HERE.

What have you been using up this month?

*sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program.

Shopping my Stash #106

I took this pic on a really sunny day! My post contains one item which is a #productsample/AD.

I've been loving trying Eco by Sonia Eye Compost, which is their latest launch. It comes with a dinky jade stone applicator. I'm pretty impressed with how good this is. It brightens and plumps the eye area, reducing dark circles and smoothing out fine lines. 

Botanico Vida Omega Balm is a deeply nourishing balm which is formulated with Sacha Inchi Oil, the world's richest plant source of Omega 3, 6 and 9, Catorlatum TM, a new ingredient which naturally locks moisture into the skin, Argan, Avocado, Rosehip and Coconut oils along with Vitamin E and Calendula. It's great to use on dry skin patches, flyaways, hands and cuticles, lips and heels. This smaller size pot's perfect to pop in your handbag for instant moisture on the go.

The SPF30 Mineral Shield Daily Primer from Beauty Kitchen came in a kit - see HERE.  I really like this - it mattifies and smoothes the skin before foundation application. 

My friend Julie gave me the Herbivore Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner for my birthday. I'm a huge fan of this brand and have previously tried a few items from the range. This toner smells heavenly! It refreshes and balances (and is great for my oily T-zone).

I recently placed an order with Noble Isle and was sent some lovely freebies including this mini Golden Harvest Luxury Body Hydrator. I love it's gel like texture and subtle scent. I think it would be the perfect body product for summer and holidays.

This simple but luscious lip balm* from Wild & Precious is rich and nourishing. See my review HERE.

Rounding up my picks is the sublime White Peaches by Shay & Blue which I think is summer in a bottle. It's deliciously refreshing, sweet and floral. 

What have you been reaching for lately?

Five Perfumes for Spring

*one item has been gifted/sample These are the perfumes I'm reaching for (and will continue to reach for throughout spring and into summer):

From OV Naturals their gorgeous Golden EdT* a luxurious and niche perfume, handcrafted using 19 natural aromatics. See my review HERE. It really is an exquisite scent which is deeply floral with citrus and spice notes.

Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino EdP is one of my favourite neroli scents. I love the packaging too. Pure luxury. 

I simply adore Shay & Blue's latest scent White Peaches which evokes long summer days, sweet juicy peaches and elderflower granita. Refreshing and cooling. I love!

My second bottle is their Dandelion Fig perfume which is simply stunning. It blends figs, dandelion leaves, lemongrass, tomato vine and juniper for a fresh and slightly woody scent. 

Rounding up my Spring picks is Miller Harris's Tea Tonique EdP which blends Bergamot, Petitgrain, Lemon, Smokey tea, Nutmeg, Mate abs, Birch Tar and Musk. It's gently floral, with citrus and earthy notes.

What's your favourite perfume for Spring?

January Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up this month so here are my January empties:

Faith in Nature Grapefruit & Orange Shower Gel & Foam Bath 100ml - this came in the Holland & Barrett Advent Calendar and I really liked it's zesty freshness. It was great for a wake up call in my morning shower. Would buy full size.

Buff Natural Body Care NAKED Sea Salt Body Scrub Lovers' Blend 60ml - I absolutely loved this beautiful scented scrub which had the perfect amount of scrubbiness. See my review HERE. Sure to pick this up again.

MOA Fortifying Green Bath Potion 100ml - is one of my favourite bath time products. Luckily, just received another in January's Love Lula Beauty Box. See my review HERE.

Ishga Invigorating Body Oil 100ml* - I absolutely loved this! See my review HERE. I'll definitely buy at some point when my body oil stash reduces a bit.

AA Skincare Green Tea & Aloe Vera Soothing Cleansing Wipes - I don't use wipes very often but find them great to use after a night out or on holiday. I found these ones very gentle and I'll pick them up again.

Organic Trevarno Camomile & Lavender Bath & Body Oil 30ml which came in November's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. I loved it so much I rushed out and bought full size. See my thoughts HERE. I'll pick it up again as I love it!

And...I finished two perfumes this month:

Miller Harris Vetiver Insolent EdP 50ml - which I simply love. I picked up a mini in their sale but I'll definitely buy full size soon (it's up there in my top 5). 

And another favourite Shay & Blue's Dandelion Fig 30ml (both hubby and friend Julie picked me up bottles for Christmas so I'm well stocked up - thanks both!) See my mini review HERE.

What have you been using up this month? 

*complimentary

October: Lately I've Been Loving

So many October loves! We were in London for the American Football at the beginning of the month and we shopped, ate out, drank cocktails and met up with friends, Nardin and Sam.

Hubby treated me to a bottle of my favourite Jo Loves Pomelo (see my review HERE). I also tried the fragrance paintbrush and have dropped some hints for Christmas (I'd love it in Pomelo). So good for use on the go instead of lugging the 50ml bottle around with me.

I picked up a Stella Says Rosewood & Geranium Hand Rescue Balm at Maltby Street Market (and Stella popped a little treat in - her best-selling Lavender & Chamomile Lip Rescue Balm*. Expect a review of this duo soon!

We were staying at our favourite London Hotel - Taj St James Court Hotel and they very kindly upgraded us to a Executive King which was a lovely spacious room. 

It was great to visit Shay & Blue again, and get to try out all the new perfumes. The friendliest welcome was from Adriana at Ancienne Ambiance it was so, so lovely to meet her (and she very generously gave me some treats to take away). The Tuberosa Tuberose Tea-Light candles launched on Thursday - they are gorgeous! With a really good throw and a 6hr burn time each.

The shop I was most disappointed in was one I was keen to visit. As you'll know I had a Bloom Perfumery perfume subscription for two years and I'm a huge fan of the shop. The assistant couldn't have cared less and I felt like I was annoying her speaking to her.  So not a good experience!

A Little Bird Gin Negroni is a must at Maltby Street Market oh and I loved a Rose & Lavender G&T at Tuttons Covent Garden.

The American Football was very disappointing but I did pick up a pretty necklace from an American girl in the bar beforehand! (the guys were all jealous haha).

We went to local Edinburgh Gastropub, The Ox and my two standout dishes were a divine Avocado Houmous with pitta bread and Chocolate, fruit and nut brownie with rum & raisin ice cream. Looking forward to going back!

I attended the brilliant Portobello Book Festival and heard some amazing authors speak. Oh course I had to get a signed book or two! (and The Angel in the Stone is brilliant!)

I've been trying more and more artisan candles and this one by Samuel & Paris is just divine. It's got a gentle seaside scent and a woodwick. Love!

The usem note cards* are such a clever invention. They slip easily inside your wallet or pocket and are fab for jotting down a quick note or shopping list.

What have you been loving in October?

*complimentary

Recent Buys: You Dirty Scrub, Pacifica, Willow & White Candle Co, Shay & Blue

I came across You Dirty Scrub on Instagram - they're a Scottish brand founded by Jen Whyte. Their speciality is coffee scrubs but they've also got a range of delicious bath salts - Mint & Eucalyptus Bath Salts are beautiful - 100g costs only £3.49 making them a cost effective treat (the Orange & Rosemary ones I'm keeping for a forthcoming giveaway - watch this space!)

I love anything with coconut water so when I spotted this Pacifica Coconut Water Micellar Cleansing Tonic at Love Lula (236ml - £12.99) I had to have it! I do find it maybe a bit strong to use around my eyes but otherwise I love it!

Another Instagram find is Willow & White Candle Co which offer beautiful candles, reed diffusers and wax melts in popular scents. Expect a review soon!

I recently picked up a 2ml sample vial of one of Shay & Blue's new Extract of Parfum - Parfum Nashwa (£5) which is simply stunning. It has top notes of bergamot and neroli, a heart of cacao noir and coconut and base notes of musk and oud. Pick up your sample(s) HERE.

What have you bought recently?

April: Lately I've been Loving

So many April loves..

I'm thoroughly enjoying Sara Sheridan's fabulous Mirabelle Bevan Mysteries. I read the 1st and 2nd books in the series last month (link) and can't wait to read about what Mirabelle gets up to next!  Pick yours up at Amazon.

I'm currently testing out bodhi & birch's latest launch - a new blend of their fabulous Desert Rose Facial Oil*. I'll be reviewing it soon! Pick yours up HERE (psst...it's gorgeous!)

I recently reviewed Earth Mother Soul Sister's Perfume Collection 1** which is available to buy at Love Lula. I absolutely loved the collection of perfumes. My absolute favourite is Violet Rose which I will buy soon. See my musings HERE.

And, in a true case of the blogger made me buy it....guilty as charged Lynda! 

Lynda has a drool worthy Instagram Feed and I can honestly say she's to blame! I must admit I was in beauty heaven when the Kjaer Weis Lip Tint arrived (passionate). The packaging is just WOW, really weighty and luxurious and of course, the shade fabulous. It won't be my last buy, that's for sure.

I've had the real pleasure of trying out A Little Star-Dust EdP* and Two Eternities EdP* by Walden which is an exciting new perfume launch at Love Lula. Both are gorgeous. Again, expect review soon!

As you'll know I love anything rose and this Rose Oud Soy Wax Candle* by [M] Botanicals is just exquisite. The candles are hand poured with love and have a burn time of 20-25 hours. Again, another product I'll be reviewing soon!

For my birthday, earlier this month I received Shay & Blue's latest launch - Dandelion Fig which is a simply stunning scent. It has top notes of Dandelion leaf, fresh greens and lemongrass, a heart of tomato vine and juniper with a fig base note. It's absolutely incredible and one of my favourites from the range.

Birthday fizz at Harvey Nichols.

I also picked up at Amazon - Clean Beauty - Recipes to manage your beauty routine naturally by Clean Beauty Co. Elsie and Dominika are also part of Clean Cult - fabulous sounding wellbeing events held in London (I really want to go to one sometime). The book is fantastic and I'm looking forward to trying some of the skincare recipes.

Another candle! Grapefruit+Sage by Wax+Wick which I adore! Love the wine bottle container (and it's ruggedness), the use of soy wax, beautiful scents and of course the clever use of repurposed glass - wine bottles from the pubs in Primrose Hill! Again, a fuller review will follow. I just LOVE!

What have you been loving this month?

*complimentary
**sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program

Shopping my Stash #87

Here's what I've been reaching for this week:

From Botanical Brands Living Nature's gorgeous latest launch Bliss Rose Tinted Lip Hydrator** which is a "my lips but better" kind of shade. It deeply nourishes and leaves the lips with a pop of natural colour. Love!

I received the new Hurraw! Papaya Pineapple Lip Balm* in March's Love Lula Beauty Box. It's a totally tropical treat which nourishes and treats the lips.  I love lip balms and this one's a welcome addition to my stash.

I can't live without Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion which keeps my eyeshadow on all day long. It'll be one I'll definitely be replenishing although this little tube has lasted ages.

Make Skincare has been one of my favourite recent tries. All their products are just totally exquisite. I reviewed Feet Revive** HERE. It's one of these must try brands as the scents and formulations are just dreamy.

I'm such a fan of the glorious Shay & Blue and I just love Blueberry Musk which I received from hubby at Christmas (after dropping a few unsubtle hints I must add haha). It's a beauty. It featured on Wishlist #2 in November. Just the other day their latest launch landed on my doorstep via Amazon birthday vouchers. And it's gorgeous!

On the wishlist (a long time) were Alexis Smart Healing Flower Remedies. When I spotted Naturisimo were stocking them I was absolutely over the moon! I'm currently trying Peaceful Worrier. It's early days so I've not really felt as if they are working for me yet - but I'll keep you posted!

What have you been reaching for lately?

*sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program

**PR sample

The Perfume Society: Latest Launches

I can never resist a The Perfume Society box and the current one "Latest Launches" is just great. Costing £15, including P&P if you are VIP member and £17.50 plus P&P if you just want a one off box.

Here are the sample vials inside:

Shay & Blue Dandelion Fig 2ml (FRESH) - was one I was keen to try (having loved just about all the perfumes from the brand).  With top notes of dandelion and lemongrass, a heart of tomato vine and juniper and a base of fig. I find it dries down to an earthy fruity note and full size is now firmly on the wishlist. Love this!

Annick Goutal Tenue de Soiree EdP 0.8ml (CHYPRE) - in which the main accord revolves around iris with patchouli. It's not too powdery and I kind of like it.

Parfums de Marly Delina EdP 1.2ml (FLORAL) - which has top notes of bergamot, lychee accord, rhubarb accord and nutmeg with a heart of Turkish rose, petalia, vanilla and musk. With base notes of Hatian Orpur vetiver, cedar, frankincense and cashmeran.

Yardley London Royal Pink Diamond EdT 1ml (FLORAL) - this is also one of my favourites. It has top notes of mandarin, pear, peach and cassis with a heart of pink pepper, peony, rose and orange flower water with base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood and musk. It's a really pretty floral and one I'd buy full size. It's made with 90% naturally derived ingredients with a vegetable derived alcohol base.

MontBlanc Lady Emblem Elixir EdP 2ml (FLORAL) - with top notes of litchi and mandarin, a heart of Damask rose absolute, jasmine and orange blossom with base notes of patchouli, sandalwood, black pepper and vanilla.

Abercrombie & Fitch First Instinct for Women EdP 2ml (FLORAL) - which has top notes of magnolia, grapefruit and passionfruit with a heart of orange flower, butterfly orchid and water lily with a base of amber, tonka bean and musk.

I'm looking forward to testing them all out - I do have initial favourites which I loved from first try.

There are 3 larger samples too in the box:

From Miller Harris there is a duo (2 x 7.5ml EdP) which I already love having first tried them via sample vials - Lumiere Doree (CITRUS) which is a delightfully fresh blossomy scent. It has top notes of bergamot, petitgrain and orange with a heart of neroli, and Sambac jasmine absolue with base notes of cashmere woods, vetiver, amber and white musk.  

The second (also much loved) perfume in the duo is Etui Noir (LEATHER) which has top notes of bergamot, tangerine and elemi gum with a heart of Moroccan iris butter, incense and cashmere woods with base notes of Indonesian patchouli, Haitian vetiver, leather, amber, birch and labdanum. Really pleased that these two are included in the box (and nice to now have them in my collection.)

Also in the box is a 10ml perfume from E Coudray which hasn't yet launched. Rose Tubereuse (FLORIENTAL) which has top notes of bergamot, tangerine, clove, guava and rhubarb. With a heart of rose, tuberose, ylang ylang, geranium, jasmine and orange blossom and base notes of patchouli, sandalwood, tonka, vanilla, benzoin and musk. I do find this a bit heady and powdery for my liking but I'll make sure to try it a few times before passing it on (I do love their Ambre et Vanilla).

The extras:

10ml Weleda Lavender Body Oil and a scented sachet from The Very Nature which can be used in the car or wardrobe.

Did you pick up a box? What are your thoughts on the contents?