Mio Workout Wonder Invigorating Muscle Motivating Gel 30ml

After a morning gardening on Sunday (lots of bending and stretching) I decided to reach for Mio's Workout Wonder. I received this in my recent Cult Beauty GWP and it's fabulous!  I'll definitely buy this when my sample size runs out (£21 for 100ml).

You can use this pre and post exercise and Mio says it's an "energy shot for your muscles".

The light cream/gel absorbs quickly reviving, energising and cooling muscles instantly and easing aches and pains.  It is also great to use after a hard day at the office! It smells lovely too! Ingredients include menthol, V-Tonic TM, Arnica, Horse Chestnut, Murumuru Butter, Spearmint and natural Magnesium.

Massage one or two pumps onto legs, back, neck and shoulders in need of some TLC - you will feel it working within a few minutes.

Free from parabens, petroleum, synthetic fragrances and colours, xenoestrogens, PEGs, glycols and phalates.

And a gardening update...

I've put my seeds in at my veggie plot but not much has come through yet apart from the start of some potatoes, little beetroot and lettuce seedling and I've just planted two courgette plants I grew from seed on my kitchen windowsill.  I've also added to my herb garden (and the weeding never ends..) Looking forward to some nice home grown produce again this summer.

See more details on Mio's range here
Follow on Twitter @MioSkincare

March: Lately I've Been Loving

Two of my friends sent us beautiful bouquets after losing Bess our dog - thanks again Nardine and Julie! So kind. My mum and dad sent us some too! I've never had so many flowers.  I also received some sympathy, thinking of you cards, notes and wee gifts - thanks Jo, Magi & Derek, Susan, Ana and my sis and her family. It's nice to know people are thinking of you. We still miss Bess loads.

I ordered a Teapigs pick n' mix sample pack and I've been enjoying trying the selection I chose.

I had money left on my Amazon voucher from Christmas and treated myself to a gorgeous new bag from Mia Tui. I first read about the brand on Mumsnet Peterborough - see here. It is so roomy and I love the colour (and the hot pink lining!) I chose a Matilda Mae in Aubergine. Review to follow!

Getting the plot ready for the growing season. I've now bought all my seeds and can't wait to get growing! Up here in Scotland it takes a bit of time for the soil to warm up so I'm hoping next month I can get sowing. (My patch is the the left hand side with the herbs at the top).

I'm a huge Reese's Peanut Butter Cups fan and hubby bought me this yummy box full of treats as a surprise to cheer me up.

I was sent this new Organic Surge Anti-Ageing Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser* (£12.50 - 150ml) to review and I can quite simply say it is one of the nicest cleansers I've ever used.  It smells deeply of roses and cleanses the skin leaving it revitalised, clean, soft and smooth.  Full review to follow.

*PR sample

Quintessentially English - English Rose Mini Cupcake Melt & Handmade Soap

I spent a couple of hours down the veggie plot getting it ready for this season's growing yesterday. I just stopped digging to take the photo.

Afterwards I felt like a nice soak in the bath and decided to use a couple of the gorgeous Quintessentially English products I received from my friend Nardine at Christmas.  Remember that gorgeous box of English Rose goodies!

Quintessentially English was founded by Jacqui Sheard who gave up work as a designer to make beautiful bath products and soaps. She is based in Lacock in Wiltshire and if you are in the area you are welcome to visit and see how the luxury hand made soaps are made.

The products contain no SLS, SLES, parabens or petrochemicals.  The finest organic oils, beeswax, herbal infusions and essential oils are used.

Aren't the products just gorgeous! 

English Rose mini Cupcake Melt contains coconut oil and shea butter with a rosey scent. Makes for a relaxing soak.

English Rose Handmade Soap contains rose absolute and rose geranium essential oils and sprinkled with ground rosepetals.  It is hand stirred before being hand cut and decorated with rose buds and then wrapped.  It smells glorious and is really moisturising.

Have you used any Quintessentially English products before?

Savonnerie Gardeners Therapy - Hand Wash, Hand Lotion & Nutritive Lip Balm

I was contacted by Savonnerie London recently as they noticed I was a keen gardener and they asked if I would review their Gardeners Therapy Hand Wash* (250ml - £12.95), their Gardeners Therapy Hand Lotion* (250ml - £14.95) and their Nutritive Lip Balm* (£4.95).

Just perfect to try out after a day down the veggie plot!

my plot is the further away one in the pic - courgettes, lettuce, rocket, beetroot & carrots growing

Savonnerie was established in 1997 and it's aim was to create natural therapeutic products inspired by natures active botanical ingredients.  Products are handmade in the UK and are blended with the finest essential oils. The products are free from sulphates, parabens, artificial colours and fragrances, petrochemicals and animal ingredients. Products are suitable for vegetarians but a small number of products contain milk, beeswax or honey.

Gardeners Therapy Hand Wash* - as the bottle has a pump it's easy to get the required amount out.  It contains Bergamot & Thyme Essential oils and smells lovely.  Great at cleaning and refreshing the hands after a morning spent weeding!

Gardeners Therapy Hand Lotion* - again presented in a pump action bottle (this pair would make a great gift for a keen gardener - there is also a Gardeners Therapy Gift Set - see here).  This is scented with the same essential oils as the hand wash plus basil along with Vitamin E.  It leaves the hands soft, moisturised and delicately scented.

Nutritive Lip Balm* -  this is presented in a cute little tin making it easy to slip into a pocket or bag.  Made with Tamanu Oil, Camellia and Rosehip to keep lips soft and smooth. Flavoured with Peppermint and Vanilla extracts.  Apply to the lips as needed to keep them moisturised. I've also been using this on my cuticles!

Have you used any of these products?

See the website here (lots of lovely things to tempt!)

Follow on Twitter @SavonnerieUK 

*PR Samples

Veggie Growing - Update 7

You can see my last veggie growing post here.  I was down the plot yesterday for a few hours which was nice - I got some seeds in at long last - the weather has been so awful here.

So far I've planted garlic, onions, potatoes (they are just starting to come through) and I put in carrot, parsnip and beetroot seeds, then lettuce and courgettes.  Near the top I've got herbs - sage, parsley, thyme, rosemary, apple mint, Morrocan mint and lavender.  I'm going to put in some edible flowers too and some more herbs.  It's not a big plot but I love getting some fresh veggies and the herbs have lasted all over winter - so much nicer cutting a sprig or two when needed instead of buying from the supermarket.

I treated my hands afterwards to Bee Fruitful's wonderful Intensive Hand Balm* (60ml - £5).  This rich balm which is scented with rosemary makes my hands super soft and nourished - just perfect after a morning's gardening.

*complimentary 

Veggie Growing - Update 6

My last veggie growing update was in October and you can see my post here.  I've not been down to the plot much over the months of November and December but I was over on Sunday do do a bit of weeding.

I've been buying seeds for the next growing season which I am excited about!

my plot is the one to the left of the pic beside the path

 my herbs have survived the winter months so far! thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, lavender

this is the total plot area - there are 12 in total

Veggie Growing - Update 5

My last veggie growing update was in August. You can see it here.  I've still, even now in October got loads of lettuce - it sure beats the bags of salad you get in the supermarket - it's just got a fresher taste and I love the different varieties I've been growing this year.

I'm hoping my herb bed will last the winter (at least the most hardy ones)  I've got Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, Fennel and Lavender.  Next year I want to add some mint, oregano and chives.

I recently planted chard, rocket and fennel seeds - and have not had much success with them.  There are two bits of fennel and two of chard.  The rocket is beginning to come through though.

I picked the last of my beetroot on Sunday and a few courgettes.  I've planted some cabbages and baby turnips and may have some beans (if the frost doesn't get to them first).  I also sowed the wild flower seeds I got with my recent Love Lula order - so hopefully they will appear next Spring.

All in all, I've had a fairly successful first season of growing.  Here are pictures of some of the crops I've enjoyed.

I've also been growing some chillies on the kitchen windowsill. 

I'm now looking at what seeds I want to get for the next growing season.

Veggie Growing - Update 4

I can't believe my last Veggie growing update was in June.  I've had loads of lettuce, potatoes and a few courgettes so far. (just ignore the weeds!)  My herb garden (see third pic) has Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender and Sage - bought these as full size bushes.  Some sage, coriander and parsley has grown from seed.

Veggie Growing - Update 3

Seems like ages since I did a veggie growing update!


My veggies are starting to appear!  I'll definitely get potatoes (and some strawberries) anyhow.  I grew most things from seed (most of the other plot owners used seedlings - that is why their veggies are so far on compared to mine).  The veggies (hopefully!) covered in straw below are courgettes.  I've eaten some delicious salad leaves so far (just ignore the weeds - I'm trying to keep on top of them!) x