Letterbox Gifts: The Christmas Box

Just last week I showed you the contents of The Signature Box at Letterbox Gifts. I totally fell in love with it and knew I had to pick up The Christmas Box! Everything is so carefully created and chosen with love and care. The cost for each box is £22.95 plus P&P.

You can get 20% off today with a special code - see more details online. The beautiful postcard which comes with the box can be personalised with a message if you desire which I think is a nice touch.

Inside is:

Choc on Choc Handmade Penguin Bar made with Milk, White and Dark Chocolate.

Sweet Cecily's Mulled Wine Spice Kit which is specially mixed for creating your own mulled wine.

Sophia Victoria Joy Wooden Snowflake Decoration which is made from untreated wood. Mine's on the tree!

The Dartmoor Soap Company Artisan Orange & Cinnamon Soap which smells delicious. I'm a huge fan of bars of soap and I'm looking forward to using it.

The Natural Candle Company Winter Orange Soy Candle which has a festive orange scent.

I think these boxes are great for a treat (or gift) and I'm looking forward to seeing the new boxes launching next year.

My Favourite Stocking Fillers under £10

Here's my choice of stocking fillers which are under a tenner:

Sweet Cecily's Secret Santa Gift Bag (£7.95) - this little bag contains two cute products. First up is Limited Edition Chocolate Orange Lip Balm (10ml) and I chose a pot of Sea Buckthorn Berry Hand Cream (50ml) from a choice of two scents. It comes in its own little bag complete with gift tag.

Onnen Organics Olive Oil Bar Soap with Jasmine Flower & Orange Blossom (both 100g - £7 each)* - made with moisturising Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Ghanaian Virgin Coconut Oil and Welsh Mineral Water.  The soaps are perfumed with pure botanical essential oils and are handmade in Wales using the highest quality ingredients.  I'm a huge fan of bars of soap and would be happy to find one of these in my stocking!  You can buy at Love Lula.

Bee Good Honey & Crambe Daily Hand Cream (50ml - £9)* - this super nourishing hand cream absorbs easily leaving the hands nourished and soft. The cream is packed full of good things for the skin including British Wild Flower Honey, British propolis, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, British Crambe, Borage and Camelina Oil.

I picked up a couple of these Love Lula sample packs (£5) recently.  These have now sold out but you can still pick up stocking filler box and ultimate luxury box see here (though they cost more than a tenner!)

I love trying out new samples (some of these are old favourites too!) and find them great to pack for holidays and weekends away.

John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor 10ml

John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk 10ml

John Masters Organics Rose & Apricot Hair Milk 5ml (review)

Sante Bio-Goji & Lemon Shower Gel 5ml (not tried this brand before)

Cowshed Wild Cow Invigorating Body Lotion 10ml

Cowshed Knackered Cow Relaxing Bath & Shower Gel 10ml

Suki Purifying Acne Serum 1ml

Suki Concentrated Clarifying Toner 1ml

Funny Bee Pretty Power BB Creme 1.5ml

Green People Age Defy+Purify & Hydrate Cream Cleanser 1ml

Green People Age Defy+Soft Buff Skin Exfoliator 1.5ml (review)

NUXE Moisturising Tinted Cream Tanned Glow 2ml

NUXE Fondant Firming Cream 7ml

What's your favourite stocking filler this year?

*PR samples

A Closer Look: Lip Balm

Uh-oh I've got a bit of a lip balm addiction although some of them are multi-purpose balms... I actually didn't realise I had so many!

Willow Organic Beauty Luxury Lip Balm 5ml* - this is a real luxe lip balm and leaves the lips super soft.  See my review here.

bodhi Cacao Cocoon Lip Treatment Balm 15g - love this super moisturising balm.  See my review here.

de Mamiel Rosey Lip Balm 10ml - I received this from hubby at my birthday after dropping several hints! Absolutely love it. It deeply moisturises the lips leaving them scented with roses. Gorgeous!  This one's constantly in my make up bag.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm 15g - a rich balm for the lips which is a cult product (and a love/hate one too) I tend to use it in the evening just before bed. It can also be used on dry skin areas and cuticles.

Dr Organic Rose Otto Lip Balm Serum 10ml - a gorgeous serum which smells like raspberry ripple ice cream! See my review here.

Bee Fruitful Mandarin Lip Balm 5ml* - a lovely fruity balm.  See my thoughts here.

Sweet Cecily's Mojito Flavour Lip Balm 10ml - flavoured with lime and mint just like a Mojito. I love the cute tin it comes in. See my review here.

balance Me Shine on Tinted Lip Salve 5g - this was a magazine freebie and I love it! (I picked up a couple). Gives lips a lightly tinted glossy look. It features in my balance Me favourites here.

Sprout (now SW Basics) Peppermint Lip Balm .15oz - a Vegan lip balm which is made of four ingredients. Deeply moisturising and smells good enough to eat.  See my review here.

BRIXI Bee Balm - a gorgeous beeswax balm that can be used on the lips and also other dry areas of the skin.  See my review here.

Mary Elizabeth Spearmint & Tea Tree Nurture Balm 15ml* - one of my favourite multi-use products of last year.  See my review here.

Melvita Apicosma Repairing Lip Balm 10ml - a lovely repairing lip balm which deeply moisturises. See my thoughts here.

Chain Bridge Honey Farm Tangerine Lip Balm 12g - Ana from Ana Goes Green very kindly sent me this with a little note after Bess our dog died. It cheered me up and lifted my spirits - thanks Ana.  100% natural and super moisturising - smells good too!

eos Summer Fruits Lip Balm 7g - a really fruity balm which is 95% organic and is Petroleum and paraben free. Leave lips moisturised and soft.

Molly Rose Pickles & Ice Cream Lip Balm .15oz* - I received this in February's Vegan Cuts Beauty Box. The most unusual flavoured lip balm I've ever tried! Leaves the lips smooth and moisturised.

Trilogy Everything Balm 5ml - a multi-purpose balm. See my thoughts here.

REN Vita Mineral Lip Balm 15ml* - a rich balm which leaves the lips moisturised and glossy.  See my review here.

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF15 2.2g - in Rose, Honey, Passion, Berry and Coral.  See my review here.

Burt's Bees Rose Tinted Lip Balm 4.25g - a nourishing lip balm with a rose tint. A really pretty shade.

Estelle & Thild Raspberry Lip Balm - this lovely balm came in the very first Selfridges Beauty Box and what a box it was! A clear glossy balm flavoured with raspberry.

Simply Bee Lip Balm 10ml* - soothes the lips leaving them moisturised and soft. Smells of peppermint.  See my review here.

Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick SPF15 - this has a reddish/pink tint. Feels lovely on the lips.  I received this from Julie in our Birthday Swap.

Napiers Alkanet & Organic Elderflower Red Lip Tint 15g - leaves the lips with a glossy red tint.  See my mini review here.

Kallisto Creams Cocoa & Orange Lip Balm - a super yummy moisturising lip balm which I received in a swap box.  Check it out here.

Rodial Glam Balm Lip 2.5g - a turkish delight rose scented balm which keeps lips soft and nourished.

The Organic Pharmacy Rose Balm 10ml - a rose scented multi-purpose balm which is packed full of good things for the skin.  Great for moisturising on the go.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturizing Stick 4g - deeply moisturises the lips. Smells great too and good for the handbag or pocket.

Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain - moisturises and tints the lips with a stain ranging from pale pink to red depending on your mood. One of my all time favourite products.

Ooops I forgot a few..

Lanolips 101 Ointment 15g - not used this for a while! See my review here.

Lush It Started with a Kiss Lip Tint 8g & Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Lip Balm 7ml - I received both of these from Julie in our Birthday Swap and I've not tried them yet!

Have you used any of these?  What's your favourite Lip Balm? 

*PR samples

February Empties

It's that time again! This month has flown by. Here's what I've been using up and my thoughts.

Melvita Fresh Moisturising Body Milk 30ml - this was lovely to use and lightly scented with roses. One I'd buy once I reduce my huge stash!

Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow 480g - loved this! Beautiful scent and effective scrub. Would definitely buy again in the future.  See my review here.

Lancome Effect Miracle Bare Skin Perfector 15ml - this was a nice primer and could be worn on it's own on non make up days to even out the skin tone. Lasted ages too. Would perhaps buy again.

Mitchell & Peach Shower Wash 50ml - this was nice to use and lightly scented with lavender. I'd happily use this again.

Creme de la Mer The Hand Treatment 30ml** - a pure luxe hand cream which I thoroughly enjoyed using...but I'm unlikely to buy full size as it retails at £70!

Noble Isle Willow Song Bath & Shower Gel 30ml - a huge Noble Isle fan. I especially like their Summer Rising scent. 

BiOrganics Perfect Balance Shampoo 30ml - this was lovely and left the hair clean and shiny. Would consider buying full size although I'd like to try more from the range.

Ancienne Ambiance Goddess Rose Water 30ml* - a beautiful lightly rose scented spritzer which I used as a toner. Definitely one I'd buy.

Jo Loves Pomelo 2ml sample vial - simply love this! Definitely one I want full size.

Aromatherapy Associates Soothing Skin Tonic 200ml* - this was lovely. Really soothing and hydrating.  See my review here.

Sweet Cecily's Coconut Body Butter sample* - a lovely rich butter. Full size is going on my wishlist!

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil 110ml - my favourite bath oil...ever! I got this one from hubby at Christmas but just opened a new one - personalised with my name on it from REN at Christmas.  

balance Me Rose Otto Body Cream 30ml - this is really lovely. A rich body cream scented with rose.  Another I'd buy again.

Skinvelop The Cleanser 120ml - one of my favourite hot cloth cleansers. See my review here. I've just cracked open a new one.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Make Up SPF15 30ml in shade 4 - my favourite foundation. I'm sure to buy this again although for now I'm just using up small tubes and pots.

Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream 8g* - another product I love (and I've got another in my stash).  See my review here.

REN Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish 5ml - I really liked the gentleness of this scrub. It's one I'd consider purchasing.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist 15ml - love this! See my review here.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR sample
**Complimentary

Shopping My Stash #44

Here's what I've been reaching for lately - 

Indie Lee Blemish Lotion 1oz - this is a lifesaver for zapping spots and blemishes. Love how it works overnight and by morning your spot has gone or is greatly reduced! See my review here.

Sweet Cecily's Coconut Body Butter sample* - a lovely light and fluffy butter which is stuffed with nourishing oils and butters.

The Body Deli Tahitian Vanilla Body Wash 8oz - this is my new favourite shower product. It smells deeply of vanilla - it is made with oil extracted from the Vanilla Orchid that grows in French Polynesia and blended with Bourbon Vanilla from Madagascar.  You can get 10% off at a beautiful world all month using code DELI10.

Peppy Galore Diva Cleansing Oil 45g - simply love this light vanilla scented cleansing oil which takes off every scrap of make up including waterproof mascara and it's very gentle on the skin.  See my review here.

Lily Lolo Lipstick in Romantic Rose - I received this from Lisa in the Christmas Green Beauty Swap. A really pretty shade and one which I love.

What have you been using this week?

*complimentary sample

SoukSouk October Beauty Box

My Souk Souk beauty box arrived yesterday. I'm really pleased with contents and was thrilled to feature in the little green magazine which accompanies the box.

Onto the contents:

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo 60ml - this is worth £8 - I've wanted to try this brand for a while. Minty scented and free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. It's good for coloured hair and can help to tame frizz.  I've tried this and the conditioner out and I really like them.

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Conditioner 60ml (£8) - a rich mint scented conditioner which nourishes and conditions. This also get a huge thumbs up from me.

Bareskin Beauty Radiance Face Serum 15ml (£5.40) - a brand I've heard of but I've not tried any of its products.  Packed full of vitamins, mineral and essential fatty acids. It feels super moisturising on the skin and has a slightly spicy floral scent. Looking forward to trying this out. A full review will follow.

Sweet Cecily's Almond &  Avocado Face Cream 10ml - this is a mini try me size tin. I'm a huge fan of Sweet Cecily's already - see my review of Rose Body Butter and Mojito Flavour lip balm here. This cream is rich in vitamins A, D and E which makes in nourishing. Suitable for most skin types.

Avril Nail Lacquer in Hot Chocolate 7ml (£3.99) - this is 7-free varnish. Free from parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, toluene, xylene, camphor and rosin. A perfect shade for autumn.

I'm in the little green magazine "Welcome to our World" page absolutely made my day!

The products I picked to feature are well loved favourites:

Neom Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Organic Hand Cream review

SkinLikes Natural Deodorant review

Just Be Botanicals Tranquil Body & Massage Oil review

Wellgreen Lewes Rose Body Butter review

bodhi Mint Thé Bath & Shower Therapy review

PG Embrace EDP review

Did you get this month's box?  What are your thoughts?

Pampering #1

I so enjoyed doing my pamper night post for Jo - see here.  I've decided to start doing occasional posts about what products I'm pampering myself with.

This week I'm loving -

Here's what I've been enjoying this week:

Bodhi Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil (£56 - 30ml) - My favourite face oil ever! See my review here.

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask (£90 - 60ml - though I bought this a while back for £70 - shows how long it's been in my stash!) simply gorgeous and pampering. Scented with roses it lifts, brightens and plumps the skin.  A keeper!  All the Sisley masks are fab.

Decleor Relaxing Scented Candle (this is a mini - full size £18.70 for 185g). I won this as part of my John & Ginger Twitter win - see here.  A lovely candle with a nice floral scent.

Sweet Cecily's Rose Body Butter (£19.95 for 200ml) - simply love this light rose scented butter.  See my review here.  Packaging is cute too making it ideal for gifting.

Philip B katira Hair Masque (I received a smaller size (60ml) in the Selfridges Beauty Box last summer - £30 for 178ml) - simply love this masque it leaves my hair super soft, shiny and oh so healthy looking.

Have you used any of these products before?

Shopping my Stash #14

These are the products I've been reaching for this week -

Laidbare Butter Me Up Organic Shea Body Butter 250ml - first wanted to try this jasmine scented butter after reading a review on Evelyn's blog.  A richly scented cream which melts into the skin.  Full review to follow.

Balm Balm Mandarin Single Note EDP 12ml - I received this in my SoukSouk box. Lovely and fruity - like it layered with a bit of ylang ylang.  I also love the Rose Geranium scent from Balm Balm.

PG Organics Embrace EDP 30ml - a gorgeous Certified Organic scent - see my review here.  I never grow tired of this.

Neom Complete Bliss Organic Moroccan Blush Rose Hand Cream 50ml - my favourite hand cream.  Love the scent and the way it sinks into the skin. Simply gorgeous.  See my review here.

Bodhi Flora Paradiso De-Stress Massage & Body Oil 100ml** - I was really pleased to be sent this by Elijah for my birthday - such an amazing surprise! An absolutely gorgeous oil which is scented with ylang ylang, lavender, geranium, cedarwood, chamomile, patchouli, petigrain, bergamot and rose.  Again review to follow.

Sweet Cecily's Mojito Flavour Lip Balm - simply love this minty-lime balm.  See my review here.

Abahna Orange Blossom & Frangipani Bath Oil 100ml* - a gorgeous bath oil in my favourite Abahna scent.  See my five favourite bath oils here.


Are you shopping your stash?  Have you used any of these products?

**gift & *sent for review

Spending Ban - Update 11

Uh-oh my spending ban went completely off the rails in week 11 and I think it's now time to end it.  Ahhh...  I lasted 70 odd days with a few splurges - a lot less than I'd normally be treating myself to though.

I've been enjoying shopping my stash every week - so I'm going to keep doing this.  Here is what I bought during the spending ban period -

In Style Magazine for the beauty supplement in Week 3.

Sweet Cecily's Rose Body Butter and Mojito Lip Balm.  See my review here.  I bought these in Week 4.

In Week 6 I bought the Caudalie Set from Latest in Beauty and two Remedy..for organic body butter bars and an April Beautylishious bag (which I've still to receive).

See my review of the Remedy...for Organic Body Butters here.

In Week 7 I bought Good Housekeeping magazine which were giving away a free Balance Me Hand Cream and Marie Claire magazine which were giving away a Neal's Yard Bee Lovely Hand Cream.  These are both worth £10.

In Week 8 I bought a copy of Psychologies magazine.

Week 9 saw me really caving when I bought Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and the LIB Organic & Natural Box.  You can see my reviews here and here.

In Week 10 I bought Botanicals Anti-Age Hand & Nail Serum and two try-me size pots of cleanser and foot balm (you can get the try me sizes for free just paying p&p).  Reviews to follow.  I also bought a April SoukSouk little green beauty box.

Finally Week 11, I bought Beaute Chinoise Beauty Tea - a Oolong infused with organic rose.  It sounds simply delicious.  Still to receive this.  I'll be doing a mini review on it and of course my M&S and Boots haul.  

I'm quite relieved to have ended my Spending Ban.  It was an interesting experiment and I know I buy too many beauty products.  I'll do a post later this week listing my "Wants" from the 11 weeks - and letting you know which ones I'm going to buy at some point. 

How is your Spending Ban coming along?

Shopping my Stash - Spending Ban Week 9

These are the products I've been reaching for this week - 

Neal's Yard Be Lovely Hand Cream 50ml - this came free with this month's Marie Claire magazine.  A rich and supermoisturising hand cream made with organic honey and orange essential oil.  "Softens hands and helps save the Bees". Neal's Yard will give 25p to a Bee Lovely charity or good cause for each product bought. 

A'kin 24 hour Intensive Moisture Leave-in Conditioner 150ml - I simply love this rich and moisturising leave in conditioner.   It leaves the hair frizz free and sleek.  Free from parabens, petrochemicals and artificial fragrances and colours.  It featured in my June favourites last year.  I think this is a product I'll always have in my stash.

Naked ooh la la creamy bliss coco de mer Body Wash 250ml - absolutely love the scent of this natural body wash.  You can see my mini review here.

Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Body Creme 175ml - a real luxury body cream scented with the scent of Wild Bluebell.  See my mini review here.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 105g - I just picked this gorgeous cleanser up the other day and you can see my initial thoughts about it here.

Sweet Cecily Mojito Flavour Lip Balm 10ml - a gorgeous little lip balm.  See my review here.

Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in shade 705 - Soft Berry - a really wearable everyday shade.  Handy mini lipstick I picked up in the sales in a gift set.

Have you used any of these products?

Sweet Cecily's Rose Body Butter & Mojito Flavour Lip Balm

I came across Sweet Cecily's on Sarah's blog Sugarpuffish (check her blog out it's a great read - she's also recently started doing videos on YouTube and these are well worth a watch).

Sweet Cecily's is a small company based in Whitby in North Yorkshire which sells beautifully packaged natural products.  All the products have been born from either Cecily Fearnley's own ideas or from suggestions from family and friends.

I broke my Spending Ban on Week 4 and bought two beautiful products - Rose Body Butter and Mojito Flavour Lip Balm.

Rose Body Butter (200ml - £19.95) - this is a rich body butter which contains Shea Butter, Rosehip Oil, St John's Wort oil and Rose Absolute Essential Oil.  A spicy scent with a hint of rose.  I'd probably have preferred this to smell more of rose but it is still a lovely product and it super moisturises the skin.  I like to use it just before bed.  You can read more about the body butter here.  The packaging is beautiful and this would make a great gift.  It also comes in coconut, vanilla, strawberry and fig & olive scents.

Mojito Flavour Lip Balm (10ml - £2.95) - a moisturising lip balm scented with lime and mint - just like a mojito!  It is made with Shea Butter, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Almond Oil, Calendula Oil and natural fragrances.  Other flavours available are strawberries & cream, banoffe, chocolate, Pina Colada, lime & mango and Earl Grey tea.  Packaged in a screw top tin - making it handy for slipping in your pocket or handbag.

Other products include - cleanser, toners, face cream, night cream, face masks, bath infusion, skin cream and lotion and hand creams as well as gift sets,  wedding favours and a make your own lip balm kit.  See here for the shop.

Follow on Twitter @sweetcecilys 

See the website here

Shopping My Stash - Spending Ban Week 4

These are the products I've been reaching for this week:

Balance Me Radiance Face Mask 75ml - one of my favourite masks. This contains ground walnut shell to exfoliate, kaolin clay to rid the skin of impurities and fruit acid complex for radiance.  It smells pretty good too! You can see my full review here.

Elemis Evening Blooms Dry Body Oil 50ml - this came in the Christmas Elemis TSV from QVC.  You can see the contents here.  This is lovely really pampering.  You can see my mini review here.

Myroo Starflower & Orange Blossom Facial Cleanser 26g - a lovely pampering cleanser which smells absolutely gorgeous.  You can see my review here.

TAAJ Hand Cream 30ml - this came in January's Birchbox.  Lovely hand cream - it smells great and super moisturising.

Sweet Cecily's Mojito Lip Balm 10ml - a gorgeous little lip balm flavoured with mint and lime - just like a Mojito.  Full review to follow.

L'Occitane Dry Skin Foot Cream 10ml - love this rich foot cream packed full of moisturising shea butter along with lavender essential oil and lavender.

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - A sheer lip colour which feels moisturising on the lips.

Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Eye Pencil No.8 - a grey shade, very wearable. The pencil comes with a smudger.

Have you been shopping your stash this week?  Have you used any of these products?

Spending Ban - Update 4

I went off the rails during week 4!  I'd had a bit of a stressful week (no excuse I know!) and ended up buying a couple of things from Sweet Cecily's - a gorgeous natural skincare company.  I spotted Sugarpuffish's review and before I knew it had placed an order!  I don't feel too bad as my order came to £26.65 including P&P and it was good to get a parcel delivered!

Here's how my week has been going -

And here are the beautiful products which made me break my spending ban...

Mojito Flavour Lip Balm (£2.95 for 10ml) - flavoured just like a Mojito cocktail with mint and lime - supermoisturising on the lips.

Rose Body Butter (£19.95 for 200ml) - a simply gorgeous rich rose scented butter packed full of shea butter, rosehip oil, rose essential oil and St John's Wort Oil.

The packaging is simply gorgeous, really pretty. Full reviews will follow.

So onto my want's list (it's actually quite small this week - I must be feeling guilty!)  

Mama Mio Mighty Moisture Day & Night Moisturiser 50ml (£37.50) - I was one of the lucky ones who managed to get a YOU tester pack of this moisturiser, an eye cream and face wash.  I totally fell in love with this moisturiser, loved its orange scent, the way it felt on my skin and the fact you could use it am/pm.  Definitely one I'll buy when I use up my stock of moisturisers.

Aromatherapy Associates Breath Essence 10ml (£15.50) - have read numerous great reviews about this essence which can be used to clear your head and for de-stressing.

Freyaluna Rose Lotion 140g (£15.95) - I adored this lotion when I received it in my Freyaluna Selection Box. (must have a rose addiction this week!)

Weleda Pomegranate Body Lotion 200ml (£19.95) - used a sample of this recently and loved the fruity scent.

Weleda Citrus Refreshing Milk Bath 200ml (£9.50) - I love soaks in the bath and it sounds refreshing.

How are you doing on your spending ban?