*Live in the Light: Pure Anada Ltd Edition Wild Raspberry

*productsamples This week at Live in the Light they have a fab offer of Buy One Get One Free on Pure Anada Body Products. I can highly recommend the delectable Limited Edition Wild Raspberry Hand & Body Wash (300ml - £11.50) and the matching Hand & Body Lotion (300ml - £12.50).

The scent's absolutely mouthwatering - fresh and juicy raspberries and it's the perfect summer scent. The products are huge 300ml and come in pump action bottles making the hand & body wash perfect to use in the shower or beside the sink. 

The Wild Raspberry range is Limited Edition so pick it up while you can! The hand & body wash is formulated with Biodegradable surfactants derived from sugar and coconut oil create a foamy lather while sunflower and coconut oil seals in moisture. The hand & body lotion absorbs instantly leaving the hands and body nourished and smelling of raspberries. Pick yours up HERE. 

I also fell head-over-heels for the range's Mellow Hydrator Mango & Tea* and Wild Raspberry Delectable Cleanser*. See my review HERE.

What's your favourite products from the range?

Shopping my Stash #107

*my post contains some products I received as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program plus a product sample from Weleda. My post contains two affiliate links

I've absolutely adored every product I've tried from Natura Siberica and simply love their Oblepikha Mask which is suited to severely damaged hair. My dry coloured hair just loves it and it's perfect for summertime use. See my review HERE.

I was a fan of lovely Flaya before they landed at Love Lula having picked up a bottle of their exquisite Rose perfume in March this year, see my review HERE. See the full range available at Love Lula HERE.

I had been doing a Spring Cleanse with Weleda (posts HERE and HERE) and totally fell head-over-heels for their Birch Cellulite Oil which has a delicious lemony scent. It firms and helps tone up the skin.

The final item is from NEW IN: Nature's Kitchen Butter Clay Melting Milk Cleansing Balm (£18.99 - 100ml). You can check it out HERE. This sumptuous balm makes light work of make up and daily grime. Clay is whipped with oils to create a melting balm and it has a sweet floral/citrus scent. Massage a small amount over the face and neck before adding a touch of water to make it milky before rinsing or removing with a warmed damp muslin cloth.

What have you been reaching for lately?

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: June: Luminosity

It's always an exciting day when my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box lands! This month there are 3 new to me brands (squeals). The theme this month is Luminosity.

And let's have a peek inside...

WOW!

New to me brand gorgeous BUMI Naturals isn't it just exquisite! Inside June's box is a pot of their Face Polish with Juniper, Sage, Hemp & Volcanic Ash (30ml - £13). The polish smells incredible earthy, herbal and sweet (and mouthwatering!) It'll gently exfoliate and soften. Cannot wait to try this out!

I've also fallen head-over-heels for Kurlysue's sumptuous Organic Shea & Argan Oil Body Butter (40ml - £8) which is a lush and creamy natural butter which has been lovingly hand-whipped using the very best organic ingredients. Love!

And yes, yet another new to me brand (new to me brands make my heart sing!) From 34.4 Skincare is a mini pot of their Honey Balm (£5), which is an absolute delight! Use it as a moisturiser, primer, lip balm, hair pomade and make up remover - you know I adore a multi-use product. 

And there's more.... a full size Bio-Gel Skin Brightener from PHB Ethical Beauty which is 50ml and worth £25! It'll boost radiance and regenerate the skin, brightening dark spots and even the skin tone. 

From Award Winning Bramley (they just won a Mama & Baby Award with The Beauty Shortlist for their Little B Hair & Body Wash with Clementine, Lavender & Sweet Orange) we have their Energising Body Wash with Grapefruit, Lavender & Sweet Orange (50ml - £4). I've used this gorgeous brand before as The Pig Chain use them as bathroom amenities. I'll be popping this one in my holiday bag!

What are your thoughts as to the contents this month? July will be the last monthly box. Going forward the subscription will be bi-monthly.

Blushberry Botanicals: Calming & Balancing Bath Soak & Turkish Delight Vegan Lip Butter

I came across Blushberry Botanicals on Instagram, had a quick look at the site and knew I must buy something! 

My order was small so fitted into a letterbox friendly re-useable box. I love the attention to detail and cute packaging as well as a personalised note and free tea bag.

The products are handcrafted with love and attention to detail by founder, Lorraine Tait, who studied botany and chemistry at University. She's also a qualified nurse. Where possible ingredients are organic and created in small batches in the north east of Scotland.

I chose two items (with an addiction to rosy Turkish Delight) I had to pick the Luxury Organic Vegan Lip Butter of that name! It's just like chocolate covered rose Turkish Delight - yum! (£4.50 - 10ml slide tin).  Deeply nourishing and creamy lips are left soft and moisturised and delicately scented. I love this! (it's one of my top products of '19).

My second pick is a try-me bag of their Aromatherapy Bath Soak in Calming & Balancing (100g - £4) which is enough for one or two baths. My pick is a blend of sea salts, rose geranium, patchouli, lavender and ylang ylang and is simply stunning - uplifting and calming all in one! Simply run a bath, add the salts, stir and jump in!

I'm so impressed with these lovely products (can't you tell?) and can't wait to buy more. So far my to-try list contains - Luxury Vegan Organic Hand Cream in Pink Grapefruit & Neroli, bigger sizes from the Aromatherapy Bath Soak range and the Facial Skin Care. What's your favourites?

Guest Post: Packing Tips with Magi

Today I've got a guest post for you from a friend, Magi, who worked for John Lewis & Partners all her working life - she's got some great tips for holidays - do read on!

Hi, I’m Magi (Spratt) and I've been a friend of Sandra’s for a number of years. I worked in John Lewis as a selling Partner all my working life and loved it.  Now retired I bake, cook, container garden, read and pander to 4 cats.

I’ve always been able to pack, frequently packing for friends and family. Only problem is I’m not there for the homeward voyage. I gave a talk at work once on holiday packing and had to repeat it to other departments so it must have worked!

Before you go Photocopy all passports, travel documents, insurance, phone numbers along with home address, copy of any meds taken, keep in case in case... Have it all copied on your phone too. Mark outside of your case, obvious I know, both sides, great idea I once saw was wheelie bin sticky numbers. Get ziplock bags, one for earphones, chargers etc, your meds and copy of prescription, mini first aid kit, plasters, wipes, diarrhoea pills (saves doing the embarrassing actions in a foreign pharmacy). You’ll know exactly where everything is and no loose objects to hide in the bottom of the case.

Use things like shampoo, shower gel and skincare for a fortnight or so before you go, you’ll not feel so bad about leaving them nearer empty and more space for coming home cause you always bring more back! You know you do! (I love this idea of taking half full bottles and either finishing them or leaving them behind nearly empty!)

Here's Alfie helping out

Packing: Line cases with towels leaving 3/4 over the edges, when packed fold in and should your case open in transit at least everything will stay in. Mix contents of case, a little of everyone’s in each case, heaven forbid a case goes missing but at least all your butts are covered. Pop socks, underwear, make up into shoes and trainers, in a food bag is good as you can then reuse them bring wet swimwear from the beach. Pop in some empty carriers to separate dirty clothes from clean on way home. Disposable shower caps make great covers for shoes, protecting clothes from marking, pick them up on hotel visits.

Now a contentious one. It does make sense. We all like new clothes for our holidays but ...... take old underwear, teeshirt, night wear, towels, things the kids have almost grown out of and leave them. Less washing on return, more space. Roll all the clothes, roll them round the toiletries that are wrapped in a food bag, less chance of leakage. Pack shoes round edge and work from one end to other.

Hand luggage: Change of underwear, wipes, toothbrush and paste just in case. Wee snacks that won’t melt or mush. A days worth of any meds you may take. Card game for the kids at the Airport.

Self Catering: Have a coffee and stock up on salt, pepper, sugar sachets. Cheeky but useful. Keep passports and travel documents in one place. No getting to desk and having a panic. 

Resort: At last Keep all Sun products in the fridge. Cold after sun is just amazing, trust me. Empty lip balm tube could be used for rolled up money as an empty wipe tube would hide valuables, wee bit extra security. Have a fab-u-lous holiday and don’t be good!

Huge thanks to Magi for all her helpful hints and tips! 

Jo by Jo Loves

My friend Julie gave me Jo by Jo Loves for part of my birthday. It was such a lovely and generous surprise and I absolutely love it!

Housed in a red glass bottle it epitomizes things that Jo holds dear - the colour red and the scent of grapefruit.  This is the perfume Jo created for herself (and thankfully decided to share it with us!)

With notes of Grapefruit, Lime, Bitter Orange, Spearmint, Cedarwood, Guaiac Wood, Vetiver, Hedione and Black Pepper.  It's absolutely stunning. It opens with a fresh citrus and zingy freshness, with a touch of mint and mellows with aromatic woody and spicy notes with still a touch of citrus. 

I also love Smoked Plum & Leather, Pomelo and White Rose & Lemon Leaves (click the links to see my reviews).

What's your favourite perfume(s) from Jo Loves?

Zing Organics Monthly Hamper Club: June: Peace & Love Hamper

It's always an exciting day when my Zing Organics monthly hamper club box arrives! This month the theme is Peace & Love "we're transporting you to mellow afternoons meditating with friends, under the canopy of the trees with a soft balmy summer breeze blowing".

So what's inside:

Nestling inside a Zing Branded re-useable box is:

Two x the new travel size body oils - The Happy Hippy Organic Body Oil which is a brand new product! With essential oils of Cannabis (Hemp), Patchouli, Geranium and May Chang 25ml and Ah There! Organic Body Oil in Hemp, Bergamot and Rose Geranium 25ml (see my review HERE). These retail at £15 each.

One x Le Boudoir Candle in Cannabis (Hemp), Palmarosa and Patchouli it's smoky, rosy and earthy. 20 hours burn time.

A beautiful heart shaped stone found and selected by founder, Kirsty on the beach near her home. They've been placed in a pottery bowl filled with sea water and cleansed by the Sun and Moon for that lovely Yin Yan effect on the banks of a fast flowing waterfall. 

It's one of my favourite monthly subscription boxes which bring me great joy. There's lots of other goodies for subscribers too! Sign up HERE.

*New In: Ermana Natural Skincare

*productsamples Claire, founder and formulator at Ermana Natural Skincare got in touch with me to see if I'd like to try and review some of the latest launches. As you'll know I'm a huge fan of the brand having first tried it way back in 2015.

REFINE Cleansing Oil with Grapefruit & Galbanum (£24 - 100ml) is absolutely fantastic and one of my favourite products this year! The cleansing oil will deeply cleanse the skin of make up and impurities (it also smells fantastic). It's formulated with a blend of skin loving oils and scented with Grapefruit & Galbanum essential oils.

To use: apply a few drops to hands and massage over the face, neck and eyes before removing with warmed muslin cloth.

HYDRATE Organic Rose Mist (£18 - 100ml) is a rich hydrating toner which refreshes, soothes and regenerates the skin. Use it as a skin tonic to refresh, a toner after cleansing, to soothe sunburn and spray on your pillow to ease you into gentle sleep.

To use: spritz onto the skin after cleansing or throughout the day to refresh.

I'm also loving the new and innovative Bamboo Cleansing Pads (£12 - 10 pads) which are re-usable and eco-friendly. They are a great alternative to cotton wool as you can wash them and use them again and again (80% bamboo/20% organic cotton).

To use: use with eye make up remover or cleanser. Can be used dry or wet.

What are your favourite products from Ermana Natural Skincare?

*Love Lula: Laouta & Antipodes

*Sent to me as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program for honest review. My post contains one affiliate link. I'm always excited to see new brands land at Love Lula. The latest one to pique my interested is Greek brand, Laouta. I picked three of their products to try and review (I also picked a sample by Antipodes).

Laouta Fig Beach Body Oil SPF6 (100ml - £18 currently on offer at £16.20) is lush! Housed in a Eco Bottle made with sugarcane with "I am Green" on the outside. It's the perfect holiday companion (although the factor is a little on the low side for using for strong sunlight). It'd be perfect for using as a body oil evening-time. It's got a lush sweet fig scent which screams summer! I'll be packing one for my summer hols.

I'm equally impressed with their Repair Hair Oil (100ml - £20, currently on offer at £18). Don't you just love that simple but luxe packaging! The oil has a delicious fresh citrus scent. It'll smooth and repair hair - use it as a pre-shampoo treatment, before blow drying or to tame flyaways. 

Their mini Repair Balm (15ml - £8.50, currently on offer at £7.65) has a glorious grapefruit scent. I love the cardboard packaging with can be composted or recycled. This is the balm you need to take on holiday as it's multi-use - face, hands, cracked or sunburned skin, lips, flyaways - anywhere which needs some TLC.

My final pick this month is a sachet of Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin Brightening Eye Cream (full size £35.99 - 30ml, sachet - 50p - 3ml). I love sachets as they are the perfect try me/for holidays. It's a lovely thick cream with a Manuka honey herbal type scent which absorbs easy. I'll get a good few uses from the sachet so I'll let you know my fuller thoughts in an empties post. 

Have you tried any of these products?

*Love Lula Beauty Box: June 2019

This month I received my Love Lula Beauty Box* the same day as everyone else! (normally mine lands a day or two after). I receive the Beauty Box free of charge as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program for an honest review.

As ever, there is a very generous 25% off the brands in the box!

This month's box is worth £48. And for a closer look..

There are two products from NATOrigin their Mascara and Eyeliner Duo  both black (£15.95+£7.95) which are fantastic. I tried them yesterday and was suitably impressed.

We received Ayumi last month in the form of a fabby body scrub. This month there's their Intensive Hair Conditioning Treatment (£8.99 - 150ml) which has a gorgeous aromatic scent. This looks like it will be perfect for summer and holiday hair. Again, looking forward to testing it out.

From newly re-branded FoM London is their Anti-Pollution Hydra Plump Serum (sample size) which is ultra-light, absorbs quickly and is fragrance free. Again, a review to come.

The final item is a sachet of Madara's Weightless Sun Milk SPF20 which is a new launch by the brand.

Are you a  subscriber? What are your thoughts on the contents this month?

*Love Lula: Seascape Island Apothecary Refresh Hand Lotion

I received this full size bottle of Seascape Island Apothecary Refresh Hand Lotion* in my May Love Lula Box which I receive free of charge as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger. It's a huge 300ml bottle and worth £16. My post contains one affiliate link.

The Hand Lotion comes in a box which I shoved in the recycling last week and is presented in a plastic pump action bottle which can be recycled. 

Refresh Hand Lotion has a delicious aromatic scent and is a blend of essential oils of Jersey Lavender to soothe and calm, Lemongrass to tone and refresh and Geranium to balance while natural shea butter nourishes and protects. It absorbs almost instantly leaving the hands feeling nourished and delicately scented. The light lotion is perfect for spring and summer use. 

To use: apply a small amount as and when needed.  What's your favourite product from the brand?

'Ku.tis Skincare: Body Butter

I received 'Ku.tis Skincare Grounded Body Butter in April's Skin Organic Clean Beauty Box which is scented with Orange and Patchouli. I fell head over heels for this fluffy butter which melts instantly on contact with warm skin.

I loved it so much I rushed over to buy two of the other varieties - Uplifting with Mandarin & Bergamot and Indulgent with Rose, Sandalwood and Vanilla.

Formulated with Shea Butter which deeply nourishes the skin and coconut oil which helps to keep the butter fluffy and light, which are blended with the finest essential oils. 

The body butters are a real delight, absorb instantly and leave the skin delicately scented and deeply nourished. Absolutely love! 

Beauty Pie Review: Month #6

I can't believe this is my 6th month as a Beauty Pie Subscriber. You can see my picks #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5. This month I chose new JEJU Daily Multi-Phase Purifying Cleansing Milk (£28 - members pay £9.53) and Daily Rehydration Mist+ (£30 - members pay £9.49). They are fantastic, expect a review shortly.

My third pick was the Everyday Great Skin Foundation sampler (£5 - members pay £4.84) which is great to test out shades before buying full size.

My membership - £10 plus £9.53+£9.49+£4.84 plus shipping £3.36 = £37.22 instead of £73.

What's your No.1 product from the Beauty Pie range?

Shopping my Stash #106

I took this pic on a really sunny day! My post contains one item which is a #productsample/AD.

I've been loving trying Eco by Sonia Eye Compost, which is their latest launch. It comes with a dinky jade stone applicator. I'm pretty impressed with how good this is. It brightens and plumps the eye area, reducing dark circles and smoothing out fine lines. 

Botanico Vida Omega Balm is a deeply nourishing balm which is formulated with Sacha Inchi Oil, the world's richest plant source of Omega 3, 6 and 9, Catorlatum TM, a new ingredient which naturally locks moisture into the skin, Argan, Avocado, Rosehip and Coconut oils along with Vitamin E and Calendula. It's great to use on dry skin patches, flyaways, hands and cuticles, lips and heels. This smaller size pot's perfect to pop in your handbag for instant moisture on the go.

The SPF30 Mineral Shield Daily Primer from Beauty Kitchen came in a kit - see HERE.  I really like this - it mattifies and smoothes the skin before foundation application. 

My friend Julie gave me the Herbivore Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner for my birthday. I'm a huge fan of this brand and have previously tried a few items from the range. This toner smells heavenly! It refreshes and balances (and is great for my oily T-zone).

I recently placed an order with Noble Isle and was sent some lovely freebies including this mini Golden Harvest Luxury Body Hydrator. I love it's gel like texture and subtle scent. I think it would be the perfect body product for summer and holidays.

This simple but luscious lip balm* from Wild & Precious is rich and nourishing. See my review HERE.

Rounding up my picks is the sublime White Peaches by Shay & Blue which I think is summer in a bottle. It's deliciously refreshing, sweet and floral. 

What have you been reaching for lately?

Sandwick Bay Candles: Subscription Corner: June: Fresh Watermelon

Megan, at Sandwick Bay Candles had dropped some hints on the Facebook page as to what June's Subscription Corner candle would be and I was convinced the theme would be something sweet like candy floss but I was super surprised and delighted when Fresh Watermelon arrived! It's lush!

WOW!

Inside this month is a juicy fresh watermelon candle which reminds Megan of long hot summer days when her dad would bring home a whole watermelon to cut up and enjoy.

Also inside is a cute little watermelon washi tape and a tealight in the new candle fragrance - lemon myrtle.

It's one of my favourite subscription boxes and this month's selection makes my heart sing. Sign up HERE.

NUXE Nuxuriance Ultra Luxurious Body Cream

I received this luxe nuxuriance ultra luxurious body cream by NUXE from my pal Julie as part of our birthday swap (previously she'd given me a sample size tube of it and I'd totally fallen head over heels for it) so I was thrilled to receive a full size pot. It really is heaven in a jar!

The anti-ageing body cream is formulated with saffron and bougainvillea bio-floral cells and has a delicious floral scent with notes of orange blossom, raspberry and sandalwood and the body cream has a rich cream texture. It'll nourish, smooth, strengthen elasticity, re-densify and firm. The cream absorbs almost instantly leaving the skin feeling deeply nourished and lightly scented.  It would be the perfect decadent after sun treat or to nourish dry winter skin. 

See the full Nuxuriance Ultra range HERE. What's your favourite NUXE products?

Zing Organics: Elevate & The Spa Body Oils

As you'll know I've been a subscriber to Zing Organics Monthly Hamper Club for a few months now (£29.50 a month). It's one of my favourite monthly boxes. You can sign up HERE (spaces for new members are limited so you are best to do it early on in the month if you're interested).

I've been enjoying both of these body oils - Elevate Body Oil in Immune & Mood Boosting Frankincense with Clementine came in my January subscription box (worth £25 for 80ml) and was the perfect treat to ward off the January blues! I'm nearly finished this one and I'll be sad when it's used up!

Formulated to provide intense hydration (all skin types), be nurturing and nourishing with a delicious scent. Grounding frankincense and uplifting Clementine make this the perfect treat to soothe and nourish both the body and mind. 

The oil is rich and luxurious and is created with skin loving oils normally set aside for facial skincare.

To use: massage a few drops over the skin for instant contentment, super soft and deliciously scented skin.

The Spa Body Oil in Warming and Comforting Cardamon, Patchouli & May Chang (worth £25 for 80ml) arrived in my St Moritz Apres Ski Hamper in February.

This oil is designed to be used by therapists in a spa situation to help clients feel pampered, to ease overworked muscles and to gently unwind. With nourishing oils and a spicy slightly citrus scent the oil uplifts and pampers.

To use: apply either as a body oil, for massage or add a pipette or two to a warm bath.

I've hugely enjoyed using both these body oils. Pick yours up HERE. What are your favourite products from the range?

*Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

*gifted I received a pot of Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream for my birthday from my friend, Gillian. I'm sure I've used this before, but I can't remember liking it this much! (in fact it goes down as one of my top products of '19!) Packaged in a little retro style (reusable) tin the butter smells gloriously citrus.

It's a rich butter formulated with Sweet Almond Oil, Beeswax, Lemon Peel Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Candelilla Wax, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Vitamin E, Sunflower Seed Oil, Soyabean Oil and Canola Oil.

It's perfectly rich with a gloriously intense lemon/lime scent and it deeply nourishes the cuticles (I've also used as an hand balm and for flyaways!) What's your favourite Burt's Bees product?

*rå oils eternal radiance harmonising & rejuvenating face oil

*productsample I've had the real pleasure of trying Icelandic rå oils eternal radiance harmonising & rejuvenating face oil (all skin types) (30ml - £65). The range has been formulated and created by a mother and daughter team, Elin and Frida, originally to address Frida's acne.

The products in the range can be bought at Cult Beauty and are handcrafted in small batches by Elin every week. The very best ingredients are sourced, products are Vegan friendly and the packaging is just as I like it, simple and stylish. The packaging is recyclable and the oils are housed in black miron bottles.

eternal radiance contains 100% pure skin loving oils of regenerating Rosehip fruit oil, calming Evening Primrose, moisturising Almond Kernel and protective Vitamin E along with Frankincense, Myrrh and Geranium. 

It'll smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, improve elasticity and circulation, hydrate and nourish and leave the skin looking radiant and glowy.

To use: after cleansing and toning massage a few drops over face, neck and chest AM and PM.

It's absolutely "magic in a bottle", my combo skin has been loving this sublimely scented oil.  Have you tried anything from the RANGE?

*Blog Tour: Those who are Loved by Victoria Hislop

*complimentarycopy Today I'm on the Blog Tour for the fabulous Those who are Loved by Victoria Hislop.

Athens 1941. After decades of political uncertainty, Greece is polarised between Right- and Left-wing views when the Germans invade. 

Fifteen-year-old Themis comes from a family divided by these political differences. The Nazi occupation deepens the fault-lines between those she loves just as it reduces Greece to destitution. She watches friends die in the ensuing famine and is moved to commit acts of resistance.

In the civil war that follows the end of the occupation, Themis joins the Communist army, where she experiences the extremes of love and hatred and the paradoxes presented by a war in which Greek fights Greek.

Eventually imprisoned on the infamous islands of exile, Makronisos and then Trikeri, Themis encounters another prisoner whose life will entwine with her own in ways neither can foresee. And finds she must weigh her principles against her desire to escape and live.

As she looks back on her life, Themis realises how tightly the personal and political can become entangled. While some wounds heal, others deepen. This powerful new novel from Number One bestseller Victoria Hislop sheds light on the complexity and trauma of Greece's past and weaves it into the epic tale of an ordinary woman compelled to live an extraordinary life.

My thoughts?

I read this fabulous book in one sitting. I was totally and utterly engrossed in the story and wonderful Themis.

The story is set through the German occupation of Greece, the civil war and a military dictatorship and follows Themis's life. Her family and childhood growing up is a rowdy one as her brothers and sister have their own very firm political views. 

The story opens in 2016 when Themis is an old lady surrounded by her husband and family and later on that day, with two of her younger grandchildren, Poppi and Nikos she makes the decision to go back in time and tells them what her life was really like. She decided to walk the communist path and became a fighter during the civil war. She faced real hardship and a brutal island prison regime when she's caught. She forms a friendship at prison with someone who has her back and in turn Themis does something life changing for them in return. 

The history inter-weaved throughout the story is fascinating and the author very cleverly blends fact and fiction. It's an absolute triumph of a read and one of my favourite books this year.