December: Lately I've Been Loving

I always use my last lately I've been loving of the year to share some of the things which have made me happy this year.

It's always such an honour to be a Beauty Shortlist Judge (do check out the winners of the Awards on Tuesday 2nd March 2021). I've been putting some amazing products through their paces and am sure I've found some winners!

(I never stop pinching myself) I'm so grateful to be a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. I've discovered some amazing brands through the program, some of which I've bought again and again.

I think my day was made when my quote was used on the inside cover of the fantastic The Strange Case of Jacob Boyce by Tom Gillespie. I took part in the blog tour - see HERE and I was made up and then some when the author sent me a signed finished copy! Day, if not year, was made!

Being able to go for a short holiday in July was so joy giving! We spent time on the Isle of Wight (on my bucket list) and I met Pascale from Blue Labelle at her shop in Ventnor. Unfortunately, there was no touching and trying any products due to COVID-19 but it was so, so good to meet her! I've loved her products for so long (she also took a photo of me which she shared on her instagram of me masked-up!)

We also loved those beautiful Isle of Wight sunsets! We also managed a short stay at The Pig Hotel at Brockenhurst (second visit). Truly gorgeous!

I've been really lucky to be able to read lots of great books this year (my final Top Books September to December 2020 is upcoming) and try lots of new to me beauty products. I'm sad that my fav green beauty box - Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box (reviews) has come to an end but I'm sure founder Paula will go on to curate more joy for us next year - looking forward to seeing what she does next! 

January - Nourish

March - Meditate

May - Spring

July - Summer Vibes

September - Sunset

November - Ambiance

I also by chance bumped into an old friend on the bus and it was great to make a connection again. For me, 2020 has been about the joy in the little things. What have you been loving this month/year?

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: Ambiance: November 2020

Sadly this is the last of the bi-monthly Skin Organics Clean Beauty boxes as founder, Paula has decided to do something new next year. I'm excited to see what she brings us as her carefully curated boxes have always brought a smile to my face and a new brand or two. November's theme is "Ambiance" and inside are a whole host of beautiful products including an item I've never seen in a beauty box before.

And so, for a closer look..

WOW just WOW! Going out with a total bang. What a carefully curated selection. All the brands apart from one are known to me. I've never before seen a reed diffuser in a beauty box! 

I absolutely adore beautiful Skin Elixir (I'm currently testing out their Magnificent Night Oil, it's a beauty - expect a review soon!) I was made up and then some at seeing my little quote on the info card!) Inside the November Skin Organics Clean Beauty box is their Organic Frankincense & May Chang Moisturiser 15ml (£10). I've tried this before and my skin loved it, so I'm happy to have it back in my stash! See my review HERE.

A mini reed diffuser from help me organics is just so lovely and so unique as well as being perfect for Christmastime - Apparently I need to Chill Out is the scent - how apt! This is worth £10 also and the aroma will help you rebalance and relax - bring it on! 

Hunter's Moon is a totally new to me brand and inside is a sachet of their Sleepy Bath Salts (£4.50) with Lavender & Bergamot which will clear your mind and soothe your soul. These are lovely. I'll definitely explore this brand more.

From Myroo Skincare is their Calming Marula Super Boost Drops 13ml (£15) which now come with an eco-friendly aluminium lid. I've used this lovely skin treat before. See my review HERE.

Also inside is a delectable duo from No Secrets Beauty in the form of a mini pot of their No. One Hand Butter (£10) and a sachet of their No. Four Hand & Body Butter. I've used this beautiful brand before so I'm happy to see them in the box.

Rounding up this amazing November box is a delicious bar of Orange Dark Chocolate by Choc Affair which is worth £2.95 and tastes delicious!

An amazing box, what are your thoughts?

fais botanicals Kiss It Lip & Skin Balm

This fais botanicals Kiss It Lip & Skin Balm in Lavender & Chamomile came in my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box in September. The theme for the box was Sunset (see HERE). The balm costs £8.50 for 15g and is presented in a cute reusable/recyclable gold tin.

fais botanicals is a totally new-to-me brand - I always find new to me brands inside my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. As you'll know, I love a multi-purpose product and you can use Kiss it on lips, dry skin patches, as a sleep balm and I've even used it for flyaways and cuticles. The scent is glorious - sweet and floral and the balm nurturing, moisturising and soothing.

Formulated with vegan waxes, coconut, watermelon seed and sweet almond oil along with shea butter and essential oils of lavender and chamomile. The balm instantly melts onto warm skin leaving it nourished and content!

What are your favourites from the brand? What should I try next? 

*Skincare to Watch: Raven Botanicals

I first came across Raven Botanicals on social media and then their Skin Saviour Facial Oil (10ml) appeared in my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box in July which I was delighted about.

Founders, formulator and sisters Arabella & Charlotte Harvey are the names behind the brand. They grew up in the Scottish Borders and have degrees in Fine Art & Botany. They started experimenting and researching ingredients and before long Raven Botanicals was born! The small batch range is ever evolving and growing and I've had the sheer delight of trying a few products from the range including Skin Saviour. 

The girls sent me a few bits to try:

Skin Saviour Facial Oil (mini £4.50, £24 - 30ml) has a beautiful golden orange hue which comes from the Sea Buckthorn berries which grow in abundance along the coast in East Lothian and which have a distinctive earthy scent. It gives the oil a richness and is perfect for anti-ageing. The oil is also formulated with skin loving and healing Rosehip, Organic Jojoba, softening Sweet Almond, anti-inflammatory Avocado and anti-oxidant Sunflower Seed & Vitamin E oils. The essential oils in the blend are regenerating Frankincense, calming Lavender, uplifting and nourishing Sweet Orange and balancing & brightening Geranium. 

The oil absorbs instantly and leaves the skin delicately scented, nourished, hydrated, balanced and glowy! To use: massage 2-6 drops into the face and neck AM and PM. My skin's been loving this precious oil which is part of a really special range of products.

I was also sent a 10g package of their gorgeous Eventide Rejuvenating Mask (£5, or £15 for 50g) which I got two generous uses from. This mask is ideal for dry, mature or sensitive skin types and is formulated with mineral rich French Pink Clay which draws out toxins as well as exfoliating, with Rosehip, boosting collagen and cell renewal as well as moisturising the skin. Hibiscus brightens while Gotu Kola protects against environmental stressors.

To use: activate the powder with a little water to form a paste. Apply to the skin avoiding eyes and lip area. Leaving on for 10 minutes before removing with a warmed damp cloth. 

I love how glowy and refreshed my skin looks after using this mask. I'll definitely be stocking up on the larger size!

The third item I've been trying from the range is the fantastic Skin Saviour Night Balm (£5.40 - 10ml, £18 - 30ml) which really is a pot of goodness! It'll care for your skin while you sleep, restoring, repairing and balancing. Awakening with nourished and renewed skin! 

The intensive balm is formulated with skin loving ingredients including Rosehip, Hazelnut, Sunflower and Argan oils, Beeswax, Vitamin E and a range of restoring and uplifting essential oils - Frankincense, Geranium Bourbon, Lavender Leaf and Neroli. It really is an absolute delight!

To use: warm a small amount on your fingertips before massaging onto the face and neck (any residue can be massaged into the hands and nails).

I've absolutely loved trying this trio, I think the brand's fantastic and I highly recommend it. Definitely one of my favourite new tries this year (all of the above will be purchased at some point!) Have you tried Raven Botanicals yet?

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: Sunset: September 2020

My Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box arrived the other day and it's absolutely fantastic! This month the theme is "Sunset" and inside are five products - one I've tried before, two brand new-to-me brands and two known to me brands but I've not tried the products in the box. How exciting!

WOW! The first item to jump out at me is Organic Works, a new-to-me brand. Inside is their Lavender Shower Gel (300ml - £12). It has a rich lather and feels silky on the skin with a gentle lavender aroma. I absolutely love it! A full review to come.

The second new-to-me brand (although I follow them on socials) is Fais Botanicals and inside is their cute Kiss It Lavender & Chamomile Lip & Skin Balm (15g - £8.50) which is great for lips, cuticles and dry patches. Again review to come.

I discovered Help Me Organics via my Skin Organics Clean Box and inside is their "it's way past my bedtime" candle (150g - £12) which smells glorious. I've been lighting candles again so this is great coming into autumn and for a restful night's sleep. A lovely addition to the box.

From Ezape Naturals is their latest launch (though they've been out a while now!) Lavender & Chamomile Bath Salts (250ml - £17). I adore bath salts so I'm looking forward to trying these.

Rounding up the box is a product I've tried before - NUORI's Vital Eye Cream (3ml - £11.95) which I loved.

It's a great box for me - I absolutely love it! Are you a subscriber? What are your thoughts?

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: Summer Vibes: July 2020

It's always an exciting day when my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box arrives. All the products are new to me! There are three new to me brands, although I was aware of two of them. It's such a good box I'm so excited to delve in! As ever, I'll do reviews when I've had the chance to try everything properly. 

WOW!

From known-to-me Sanatio Naturalis (their essential oils are fantastic) is a very luxuriously boxed Miracle Radiance Essence (30ml - £24) which can be used as a make up remover, deep conditioner, after-sun, after shaving and for massage. I love a multi-use product and this one has the wow factor.

From well known and loved Odylique there is their Ylang Ylang & Orange Body Wash (200ml - £11). This is a new-to-me wash which I'm looking forward to using.

Brand new to me (although we follow each other on Instagram!) is Raven Botanicals and inside is a special box size of 10ml of their Skin Saviour Face Oil which is worth £15. I'm always happy to support a new Scottish brand! It smells glorious and feels lovely on the skin.

Another totally new to me brand is Roze Mountain and inside is their Cleanse My Skin - Anti-Pollution Cleanser 50ml (£20) which will melt away dirt, pollution and make up. It'll transform to a milk when in contact with water. Again, looking forward to this! I love cleansers.

The final item in this amazing box is from a brand known to me but I've never tried any of their products, until now that is! Inside is Walking on Sunshine Moisturising Soap from Blanka Soap which smells and looks gorgeous (90g - £7.95).

So there we have it, a brilliant July box for me. Makes my heart sing so much newness! Are you a subscriber? What are your thoughts?

London Balms: Hawaii Kukui Balm

I was delighted to receive London Balms's Hawaii Kukui Balm (30ml - worth £9.50) in my May Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box - the brand had been on my wishlist so I was thrilled to find it inside the best green beauty box out there!

Formulated with ingredients including Kukui Oil, Neroli Flower Oil, Rosemary & Sweet Orange Oils its a lush balm which can be used on hands, body and feet (I've also used it for flyaways). I love a muti-use product. It moisturises and protects as well as helping to heal wounds and burns - it's great for the beach or the ski slope!

Packaging is recyclable or re-usable. Pick yours up HERE.

May: Lately I've Been Loving

*means I've received the item free of charge for review Here are my May loves:

I fell head-over-heels and then some for Typology* the Vegan French skincare brand which is now available in the UK. See my review HERE.

We've been enjoying some fabulous Edinburgh restaurant dinners - Dining at Home experiences - above Angels with Bagpipes - Angels Wings' main - Pork Belly, Fondant Potato, Apple, Cabbage & Sage Jus (which was delicious!) We've never actually dined at this Royal Mile restaurant - but we plan to when we're allowed to dine out again!

We also enjoyed dinner at home with The Little Chartroom. We've dined at this bijou restaurant before and loved watching Roberta cook her way through the Great British Menu on TV recently. That Chocolate Tart with orange and creme fraiche was to die for! Truly delicious.

Last night, we enjoyed First Coast at Home which was a yummy Indonesian Style Feast! 

We also enjoyed Smith & Gertrude At Home who offer a CV19 Weekend Survival Pack! It contains a bottle of red, white or fizz, a selection of local cheeses, bread, Charcuterie and chocolate (although the chocolate has now been replaced with olives).

We've also been making good use of our local wine shop - the fabulous The Fine Wine Company in Portobello (you can also pick up beers and a wide range of spirits) who also do home delivery in the local area. Last night I tried a delicious summery fresh rose wine - I must admit I was also swayed by the pretty label!

Hubby treated me to a couple of face masks by Catherine Aitken which are gorgeous! I've been wearing them going to the supermarket.

My good friend Nardin had sent me this hot chocolate bauble at Christmas (eek) and I hadn't got round to drinking it. Was fun to watch it melt slowly and the see the little marshmallows appear!

My gorgeous Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box entitled Spring - see my review HERE.

My My Chronicle Book Box which contains a book this month which isn't published in hardback until August! See my review HERE.

I've also been loving the sunny days and restrictions on lockdown - it's the simple things really that count! What have you been loving this month?