Latest Buys: ila Spa, Olfactory Candles, Books, Evolve Organic Beauty, Blue Labelle, St Eval Candles + de Mamiel

And yes, another fail I can't stop treating myself! Here's what I've been buying lately:

I couldn't resist ila Spa's new CBD Body Calm which I picked up at Love Lula. See my review HERE. I've since picked up their CBD Better Days Drops - a review to come for these!

I can never resist some Olfactory Candles goodies. I'm currently obsessed with The Jam Pot scent, a deliciously fruity blend of raspberries, strawberries and vanilla. I also adore fruity Blueberry Burst. Black Pomegranate is a new try and having loved the whipped soap had to try their sugar scrub soap (Vanilla Orchid). Remember you can get 15% off your first wax order with SANDRA15.  

I also had to have their melon splash summer special, a delicious blend of Melon and Cucumber which are lolly shaped. Check out the shop HERE.

Books from The Portobello Bookshop. My friend Magi gave me a 10% off code, so kind. So it was lovely to have a browse and pick up a couple of books.

I can never resist a The Rose & Thistle Wax Patisserie monthly box. July's box theme is Magically Inspired (£15 plus p&p). Scents inside are - Sour Apples, Gain Island Fresh, Mermaid Wishes, Precious Flowers, Magic Baby, Candy Cotton Clouds. All very pretty and smell amazing! 

I had-to have Evolve Organic Beauty's new Rose Quartz Facial Polish (£22 - 60ml) which is packed with real rose quartz crystals to buff away dead skin cells. Review to come!

I blame instagram for most of my purchases! I spotted Blue Labelle's new Uplift Essential Oil Blend £7.50 and had to have. I'll be diffusing this in my burner. Inside is a hand blended combo of Geranium, Orange, Black Pepper & Lime which smells uplifting! A review to come. 

I adore Cornish St Eval Candles scent, Sea Salt and snapped up a large ombre jar in their recent 20% off sale. I also had a new customer code of 10%. Isn't it a beauty!

Rounding up my recent buys are some de Mamiel samples. If you saw my post on instagram, you'll know I loved the presentation of the parcel. Choose 3 samples for £15 plus p&p. I had to have the Summer Seasonal Oil (2ml) as well as Revitalising Body Serum (4ml) (need this full size!) and Restorative Cleansing Balm (5ml). I must start buying the seasonal oils again. One year I had them all - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

What have you been buying lately?

April: Lately I've Been Loving

Here are my April loves (getting back to the shops yesterday was such a thrill!)

Blossom season brings me so much joy! As well as sunny skies and sunshine. 

My first Cult Beauty order since December! I couldn't resist their The Sunshine Edit which is worth over £135 and can be snapped up for £40 (at time of writing it's still available). I'll review the items inside soon. 

I've been having a lot of random Naturisimo splurges which bring untold joy. I can never resist a new fushi product (their Bringer of Peace Herbal Body Wash) and Neom's rather wonderful Great Day Magnesium Body Butter. Both are brilliant and reviews to come!

David treated me to a rather amazing Afternoon tea from the Waldorf Astoria with fizz for my birthday which was quite wonderful. It was the Blooms and Flowers edition and totally delicious (the current one running is Edinburgh Zoo and is available until 30 June). A gorgeous treat.

Staying on the birthday theme David gave me a huge surprise pressie. I've always lusted after a Hotel Chocolat The Velvitiser since we gave it to my dad for his 80th and I can confirm it makes the very best Hot Chocolate at Home.

I'd not had a The Perfume Society Discovery Box for ages. I used birthday money to pick up their The Indulgence Discovery Box which contains 14 perfumes of various sizes from vials to mini bottles and a Ruth Mastenbrook mini candle. Such a treat. 

Popping to the local shops again - so good (although our great greengrocers, Root Down has been open throughout). In Scotland, the shops opened again on the 26th April. I picked up the Sun Salutation Yogi Tea with Cinnamon, Cardamom & Orange (which is delicious - I might need to go back for more!) and asparagus from Root Down Portobello, stationery items and the free Booktime mag from The Portobello Bookshop (I'm already a huge fan of these particular Rifle Paper Co notebooks) and a little Gisela Graham decorative item from Two Sisters Portobello which is the place to go for large and small gifts.

What have you been loving this month?

November: Lately I've been Loving

Here are my November loves:

I adore hard back books and I think these ones would make excellent Christmas gifts. These are the ones in my current TBR pile (though I'm half way through the excellent Living with Coco Chanel:The Homes & Landscapes that Shaped the Designer by Caroline Young). It's such an interesting read.

I randomly came across Mark Peters Glass and had-to-have this gorgeous Tunnock's Teacake fused glass decoration. It's so sweet and I adore it. Check out the rest of the designs (including gorgeous Christmassy ones HERE).

One of Madara's latest make up launches had to be mine. Their new Skin Equal Soft Glow Foundation (£33 - 30ml) is absolutely fantastic. It blends really well and leaves the skin with a glow. 

I just love mince pies and was thrilled when I spotted them on the shelves of Sainsbury's in early November.

The Portobello Bookshop which is local to me (and wonderful) has a great selection of Indie mags. I picked up my favourite Bloom Magazine which is full of inspiration for the garden, nature lovers, allotments and the great outdoors. Such a treat!

Discovering Nudge Boutique's gorgeous soap free shampoo tablets that actually work! I picked a two pack which retails at £5 (one I kept and one I gifted to my hairdresser - so I'll hear her thoughts next time I'm there!). So far so good, my hair is loving these and I love that they are the perfect palm size. Review is to come!

 top one is the one I've been using - bottom one brand new

What have you been loving this month?

July: Lately I've Been Loving

So many July loves...

Getting a signed & numbered Limited First Edition of the amazing Black Summer by M W Craven. I was lucky enough to choose which number and I chose the age I was/am when I read the book. Catch my review in my June Book Round-Up. I just love Tilly & Poe (and Edgar!). Roll on book #3.

Really chuffed!

*gifted for review I'm thoroughly enjoying beautiful NorthburN's Rebalance Luxury Bathing Salts (review of two of the other scents - HERE) and their gorgeous matching Room Spray. The ranges and scents are wonderful and very affordable. A review will be forthcoming of this exquisite duo.

Discovering Nibble Protein, yummy low sugar protein bites for snacking on the go or to boost your energy during that mid afternoon slump at work. I've now tried all the flavours and my favourites are the Brownie Bites.

mussels - edible shell - seaweed - taramasalata 

crispy chicken skin sandwich - hake - confit duck egg

the menu depicts ingredients in each course

Dining at newish Condita which was an amazing dining experience. I can't wait to go back! These two pictures were our snacks. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner with exquisite food, impeccable service and I think the best matching wines I've ever had - one to save up for!

Trying more and more products by glorious Beauty Pie (obsessed). You can sign up to get your first month free using my link HERE. I'm suitably impressed with their perfumes and a review is forthcoming (I'd buy 2 out of the 3).

*Blue Tea Box is a newish tea subscription and I'm totally impressed with how delicious the teas are and what a wide selection there is to choose from. All you need to do is let them know what flavours of tea you like and they'll carefully curate a monthly box of one (75g - 30-60 cups - £6.99) or three (45g x 3 - 54-108 cups). See more info HERE. My review is forthcoming!

Stopping by wonderful Haworth which is in Bronte country (we were down in Bradford for a family funeral sadly earlier this month). I loved checking out the lotions and potions at The Cabinet of Curiosities.

We are so lucky to have a lovely new independent book store called The Portobello Bookshop, on the high street in Portobello which just opened this week! I was very excited to see the rack of luxe magazines you normally only see online! I picked up the very lovely Bloom Mag which is a total joy!

*e-copy from Netgalley - I raced through The July Girls by Phoebe Locke, an incredible read which I read in 24 hrs! Absolutely brilliant and one of my fav books this year. It's perfect to pack for your summer hols!  I'll share my review in my July Book-Round up.

What have you been loving this month?

*complimentary