Cahoots Portobello: Lucky Cloud Botanical Skincare & The Marshmallow Lady

I've been searching for a instore stockist of Lucky Cloud Botanical Skincare since discovering this Edinburgh based brand via Twitter in September. 

Imagine my delight when I spotted them in a wee shop local to me! Cahoots sell a lovely range of crafty stuff, children's clothes, pictures, skincare, jewellery etc with more to come!

Lucy began experimenting with making her own lip balms before going on to create more complex formulations. She did a course in natural skincare in July 2013. The range fully complies with European Cosmetic Regulations and is tested for safety and stability by industry assessors at Oxford Biosciences.

Made in small batches the range is 100% vegan, with ethically sourced ingredients and products don't contain any parabens, formaldehydes, SLS, mineral oil or animal ingredients. Packaging is recyclable too.

I did fancy one of the smaller size body balm and butter but the store only had a small stock...next time! The coconut lip butter was on the wishlist already though.

I picked up Hydrating Body Milk in Sweet Orange & Vanilla (100ml - £10) which immediately melts onto the skin leaving it nourished and lightly scented.  A blend of Calendula Oil which helps damaged and irritated skin, Apricot Kernel Oil which softens and Thistle Oil which is stuffed full of Omegas 3 & 6 along with Vitamin E.  Orange and Benzoin Essential Oils give it a fresh, fruity and warming scent.

Coconut Lip Butter (£4) comes in a cute little pocket sized tin. The butters soften, heal and protect the lips and contain Coconut Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Thistle Oil, Vitamin E, Cocoa Butter and Soy Wax. It has a nice coconut-tropical taste or choose Vanilla for a creamy milkshake flavour or Cocoa (made with black cocoa butter) for a chocolate taste.

Yes...I'm hooked and now want to try - Sweet Orange & Vanilla Hydrating Body Butter and Lavender & Rose Geranium Body Balm oh and Cocoa Lip Butter!

My other purchase was the very lovely The Marshmallow Lady Rose & Prosecco Marshmallows - I buy them whenever I see them (now at a lot more Edinburgh stockists) as this is the flavour I love! (mentioned here and here)

See more details about Cahoots HERE - I love supporting local brands and businesses.

A Birthday Swap

It's now become tradition that my good pal Julie and I do a birthday (and Christmas) swap. You can see what she gave me last year at my birthday here. We met on Monday and spent a lovely day having lunch at The Murrayfield Hotel, sitting outside enjoying the sunshine, each others company, a few bottles of wine and lots of unwrapping (naughty for me considering today's the day!) 

She totally spoiled me - too much to put in one photo and I don't think I'll need to buy any beauty again this year (or ever haha).

Abahna Travel set in Frangipani & Orange Blossom which is my favourite Abahna scent (shower gel, body lotion, soap, hand cream, mini mirror and wash bag) and a hand wash in the same scent. I've not had these in my stash for ages. The travel kit is so handy for weekends away and holidays. See my review of the minis here.

My favourite Shay & Blue fragrance Salt Carmel. All I can say is WOW. Thanks so much Julie. See my review here.

By Terry Rose Balm Tinted Lip Glosses - these are gorgeous. Looking forward to trying them out! I've tried the pale pink so far. Pretty glossy shade with a hint of rose. Love!  Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers - I've wanted to try these cult beauties for ages!  Love Korres body products and tinted lip balms so looking forward to trying their mascara.

Nip+Fab Multi-Fix Oil - I've not tried much from this brand so looking forward to trying. Two Cowshed bath & shower gels in Moody Cow & Lazy Cow. Huge fan of the brand and always looking for nice shower gels - thanks Julie!

Park's Aromatherapy Candle with Frangipani, Rose, Freesia and Lily. This smells gorgeous and I'm looking forward to burning it.

A lovely quirky tin tray and coaster. Made me smile!

Lots of beautiful stationery items - these always make my heart sing!  As well as a colouring in book - bliss!

Yummy edibles - The Marshmallow Lady Prosecco & Rose Petals Mallows (these are my all time favourites), a half bottle of the gin I discovered I loved after trying it in the Ginvent Advent Calendar, Tarquins Handcrafted Cornish Gin, Belgian Chocolate Praline Egglets, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups (nom), a lovely little chocolate bunny, eggs & Rose & Violet Creams!

She also gave me this!

I'll take you through the contents in another post!  I was well and truly spoiled! Thanks so much once again Julie!

August: Lately I've been Loving

I had a great time at Foodies Festival at Inverleith Park at the beginning of the month. The sun shone and the food and drink available was fantastic. I even got to meet the lovely Fiona from Sciolti Botanical Chocolates which was a real treat in itself!  Of course I had to buy some chocolate too....

Also in the pic are The Marshmallow Lady Prosecco & Rose Marshmallows topped with rose petals (I love these and pick them up whenever I see them!)

I also had some tasty food at Bistro Moderne including a delicious perfect for summer time pudding. It was scrumptious!

I am totally obsessed with coconut water at the moment and this is my favourite brand.

Staying on the coconut theme...I picked up these Faith in Nature coconut products from Earthy Portobello. They stock a wide range of natural and organic skin and bodycare. These are gorgeous. Super moisturising and smell delicious. Great value at under a fiver each. Know I'll be buying again and again..

I came across a fab little shop in Tollcross in Edinburgh called Dandelion Edinburgh which sells fairtrade gifts, skincare, clothes, homewares and accessories. It really is lovely - know I'll be stopping by to pick up some gifts. I did treat myself to a hand-crafted geranium & rose petal soap from Organica J which smells gorgeous! Also love the homemade gift bags which are made out of old magazines!

What have you been loving this month?

Dinner at The Skylark, Pampering & Pout

Last night we went out for dinner to a local bistro & bar - The Skylark.  This is only the second time we've been for dinner, we've also been for drinks and I've met a friend for coffee and (amazing) scones.  The cakes are fantastic too!

pan seared corn fed chicken breast on pearl barley & a red wine jus

Vibrant Summer Fish Stew

coffee and macaroons - nom nom!

I also did some pampering prior to going to Pout tomorrow (meeting a friend for lunch before going along to the preview event).

Here's what I used:

Jo Malone Grapefruit Bath Oil - I received this at my birthday from hubby.  Absolutely love and use it sparingly!

For my hair Naked Marula Fruit & Provitamins Revitalising Hair Treatment - single use sachet.  I got this in my Fayek Beauty Box.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask - this is one of my #Samples 3 - gorgeous! 

Rituals Wai Wang Exfoliating Body Scrub - got this a while back with a magazine as a freebie - lovely product.

Angela Langford Perfect Pores Serum & Balanced & Beautiful Facial Oil - testing these for review at the moment.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Body Cream - love this first reviewed it here.

The Skylark

@SkylarkPorty

Pout Edinburgh

@PoutEdinburgh

Jo Malone

Naked

Tata Harper

@TataHarper

Rituals

@Rituals

Angela Langford

@angelalangford

Elemis

@ElemisLtd

I also picked up some gourmet marshmallows from The Marshmallow Lady - they are simply delicious! I bought them at Lickety Splits.  I picked Vanilla Bean flavour.  Other flavours include Beer, Raspberry, Key Lime Pie and Irn Bru!  Apparently the cafe serves amazing hot chocolate - I'll have to pop by!  You can follow The Marshmallow Lady on Twitter @burghbakes.  There is also an excellent review in Bite Magazine.