May: Lately I've Been Loving

Here are my May loves:

I'm a huge fan of sample sizes which means you can try before you buy. Buy 5 with an order of £10 or more at Love Lula (sometimes there are free samples there too but mostly they start at 25p and go upwards in price). With my last #LLABP purchase I picked up 5 Alteya Organics sachets* - Rose Otto Face Wash, Rose Otto Ageless Eye Cream, Rose Otto Day Moisturiser, Rose Jasminium Illuminating Perfecting Serum and Rose Jasminium Timeless Glow Renewal Moisturizer.  I got several uses out of each sachet making them great for try me or holidays.

Along with Kelly (Love Book Groups) and Joanne (Portobello Book Blog) we went along to Emma Sailsbury's Book Launch Party at Herringbone in North Berwick. It was such a fun night (thanks Kelly for the use of your photos!) See my review of Absent (DS Coupland #4) HERE.

Emma, me, Kelly and Joanne

We went for lunch to Scran & Scallie and I had the most amazing Heritage Tomato salad, olive and tomato consomme. It was so fresh and delicious.

Of course being in Stockbridge I had to drop by The Method where I picked up a couple of bits. See my review of the Austin Austin Organic Body Cream HERE.

May is Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box 1st Birthday and along with founder Paula we collaborated with great British brands which are favourites of mine. The box was Beauty Balm curates.... (I was over the moon and then some!) See my review and what's inside HERE.

As you'll know I'm currently working through Formula Botanica's excellent Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation. I'm nearly ready to share with you a progress report. See my initial thoughts HERE and my update HERE. The course is really fascinating and you need to put in extra hours researching ingredients. Below is my first warm blended cream. I'm currently working through the facial skincare modules and will update you very soon (and yes, my labeling will improve!)

And May could never go past without me mentioning the fabulous #SuperfoodsSeries by bodhi & birch. The new range is stunning (if I could only use one skincare range again, it'd be this). See my review HERE.

What have you been loving this month?

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

Austin Austin Organic: Neroli Petitgrain Body Cream

I discovered Austin Austin Organic back in March at The Method, Stockbridge. Tried a few of the products in the range, got home and ordered their Palmarosa & Vetiver Hand Cream. See my review HERE.

As you'll probably know I'm going through an neroli addiction at the moment so their Neroli Petitgrain Body Cream (£14 - 120ml) just slipped in my basket. It's simply glorious with the texture of thick cream and that scent is truly amazing - uplifting and calming at the same time.

Packaging is simple but stylish and is recyclable. The range is such excellent value for money. It will be being bought again and again as I just love it! I want at some point to try it all!

The cream deeply nourishes the skin, absorbing instantly and leaving the skin with a delicate and delicious scent.  It's formulated without GM ingredients, SLS, silicones, parabens, mineral oils, artificial colours or fragrances, certified organic and vegetarian (contains beeswax).

Have you tried any Austin Austin Organic products?

The Method, Stockbridge - Haeckels Made of Margate

The Method in Stockbridge, Edinburgh is a gorgeous lifestyle, beauty and therapy store (there's an online shop too so if you don't live near enough you can still get a shopping fix!) which sell a beautiful range of beauty products (some of which I've only seen online before), home and lifestyle items and they also offer a range of treatments which you can see HERE. 

I was super excited as they are a stockist of Haeckels Made of Margate which has been on my wishlist like forever! I picked up two items on my first visit Haeckels Incense Cones (£16) and Meraki Green Seaweed Soap (£8).

I chose Bog Myrtle cones as they were the scent which appealed to me most! It thrives in harsh and hard to reach conditions - think the top of a steep coastal path or on coastline cliffs. It's great to use as a midge repellent and the aroma is said to be alike of cloves. It's spicy, smokey with a hint of floral.

To use: light the end of the cone letting it burn for 15 seconds before blowing the ember until it's red hot. Place "in the heart of your home in either a hallway or landing to allow the fragrant smoke to disperse". The lid or a pretty saucer is ideal to burn the cones. Each one will burn for about 15 minutes and the scent will last 2-4 hours in a medium sized room.

There are other scents available which you can see HERE. What's your favourite product from the brand?