June: Lately I've been loving

I can't believe we're nearly at the end of June! Time sure is flying. Here's what I've been loving in June. If it's marked * I've very kindly been gifted for review.

I've been trying new to me Scottish Brand, Deerieo Skincare* and love the packaging and formulations. Expect a review on the blog really soon.

I went Cult Beauty crazy in June picking up 3 orders!! I can never resist an affordable goody bag. So their Cult Conscious Goody Bag, free with £65 spent went right in my basket. I'm really enjoying exploring the contents and especially love de Mamiel's First Fix Stress Response Serum. Thumbs up too for Cult's reusable black bamboo cotton pads.

We got the flat redecorated in June by local firm AW Decor who did an amazing job. It was nice to get all my bits back in the kitchen too!

First visit to Dunelm saw us pick up a few bits including these cute tie backs which theme in with our doorstop.

Beautiful Butterwhips. I've fallen head-over-heels for this gorgeous brand. See my review HERE.

My friend Celia gifted me a beautiful limited edition pink copy of M W Craven's latest book in the Tilly & Poe Series - Dead Ground. I'm a huge fan of the series. She also arranged a signed bookplate - it's the little things! Totally over-the-moon to add this to my collection.

Oops yet another Cult Beauty Buy! I couldn't resist their The Skindie Edit which cost an amazing £35! At time going to press these beauties are still available. So far I've fallen for the Laneige and Rose Petals Rosewater. Still lots to try.

An online Dunelm buy of their Lina Rope Table Lamp which matches my tiebacks!

Seriously overspent! Yes, another Cult Beauty Goody Bag which was free with £70 skincare buy. I chose 3 Pai Skincare products (reviews for them to come). This was their Skindie Goody Bag which was worth £105. Again, lots of goodies to try!

Olfactory Candles newest wax melt scent is the delicious The Jam Pot*, a intensely fruity scent with notes of raspberry and strawberry with a touch of vanilla. It's absolutely gorgeous and on my to buy again list. Super strong too.

As part of my picks as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger I chose two SOiL Essential Oils* in Sweet Basil & Rose Geranium. They blend beautifully together and I've been diffusing them in a burner with water. See my review HERE.

Hubby made Camembert, Jersey Royal & Asparagus Fritatta last week for tea. It was delicious. From a recipe card picked up in Waitrose.

A trip to the Hairdresser's and a scoot round the new St James Quarter Shopping Centre in Edinburgh yesterday. What joy going shopping!

Rounding up my June favourites was a lovely lot of samples* in the whole range of  Ezape Naturals body butters. Such a treat. I'm going to enjoy trying them all. I only "know" the original Rosemary and Chamomile. They celebrated their 4th Birthday on Thursday and are offering 40% off until Sunday. Go on, treat yourself!

What have you been loving this month?

June Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up this month so here are my June empties. If a product is marked * I very kindly received it complimentary for review.

I fell totally head-over-heels for Butterwhips when I tried them recently. Warmly Relaxing Body Butter with Bergamot, Lavender & Vitamin E is simply exquisite. See my review HERE. This is the brand which will be replenished again and again. I also love the eco-friendly reusable or easily recyclable tins.

Typology Orange Blossom Hydrolate 100ml* which I loved using. See my review HERE. It's on the wishlist for when my stash reduces a bit.

I love Beauty Kitchen and fell in love with their Seahorse Plankton Superglow Active Mist 100ml. Again, on the wishlist when I use up some of my stash.

Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil 75ml is an absolute delight. Creamy with a lush lavender aroma. I was sad to use this one up! Check out my review HERE. Will be bought again when I use up more stuff.

I do love a bit of Molton Brown and loved both of these bath and shower gels 100ml - Vetiver & Grapefruit and Geranium Nefertum were both great scents which I enjoyed with a rich foamy lather. I'll definitely buy both again.

I've loved trying Africology products this year. Their Rose Absolute Tonic 25ml* was a joy to use. See my review HERE.

From Heavenly Organics I enjoyed their Lavender Hand Balm 15g* which is presented in a recyclable/re-usable tin. See my review HERE.

As you'll know I'm a huge fan of Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. I was pleased to try a mini 25ml of their new Bom Dia Bright Cream recently which brightens and smoothes the skin. It gently exfoliates and retexturises with fruit AHA's as well as smelling lush. Full size is firmly on the wishlist.

Rounding up my June empties is my hands-down-favourite bar shampoo - EarthKind's award winning Tea Tree & Eucalyptus Shampoo Bar for Improved Scalp Health 50g*. I use this once or twice a week and this bar has lasted over a year!! See my review HERE. I've just opened a new one and have a couple more in my stash! 

What have you been using up lately?

Latest Buys: Pai Skincare, Oribe, Therapie, Cult Beauty, Herbfarmacy, Can-to-Candle, Miller Harris, NorthburN

Well, I failed miserably with my £100 spend for June... I blame Cult Beauty's great offers! Will try better next month... 

The Impossible Glow by Pai Skincare had been on my wishlist. The drops make the skin glow! Pai say that it's your "post holiday glow, bottled". Add a couple of drops to serum or moisturiser or use alone for an intense hit. I've been enjoying using them and have found my skin looks more healthy and glowy. I picked mine up at Naturisimo.

I can never resist an affordable Cult Beauty Gift with Purchase. I picked up their recent The Cult Conscious Goody Bag free with a £65 spend (see contents below). I picked up a new Oribe Obsessed kit, my fav Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts and my third item was for a birthday gift.

I picked up Herbfarmacy's Sweet Orange Body Oil (another item ticked off the wishlist) when they had a bank hol sale recently. It's as beautiful as I'd imagined it to be!

A candle from Can-to-Candle's new Elegance collection which has a double wick and is presented in a clear glass jar. I chose "Coast" a stunning floral marine. I'm looking forward to lighting it soon.

I did sleep on this one! Cult Beauty's The Skindie Edit is absolutely stuffed full. It only costs £35 too and is jam packed full of goodies (at time going to press, there were still some available). 

I was desperate to try Miller Harris's latest launch - Reverie de Bergamote so picked up 4 x 2ml sample vials. You get free shipping if you pick 4. I'd also wanted to try their Leather Rouge (stunning). Tea Tonique is a fav and Poirier d'un Soir another new try.  You also receive a voucher to save on a full size bottle if one steals your heart.

I couldn't resist NorthburN's Gift of the Month in their brand new Hotel Collection scent. No.4 Blackcurrant Leaves is simply stunning. Fruity, floral and aromatic. Inside the gift (now sold out) was goodies worth £21 (wax melts, votive candle and room mist) which was offered at £12 plus p&p. It's truly lush and might nudge my fav Mandarin & Bergamot off its pedestal!

Another Cult Beauty buy (whoops). Yet another affordable Gift with Purchase. Spend £70 on skincare. I chose 3 x Pai Skincare products, two of which had been on the wishlist - Carbon Star Detoxifying Overnight Facial Oil and Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil. My splurge was the gorgeous Century Flower, Lotus & Orange Blossom Soothing Tonic, which I've used before. Feast your eyes on the beauties!

We're hoping to move house later this year so this MUST be my last splurge. What have you been buying lately?

*Love Lula: GROW: Organic Works, Lucky Cloud Skincare + SOiL Organic Aromatherapy

Sent to me as a member of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program for an honest review - AD.  

This year I've been theming my blogger picks:

January - SLEEP,  February - LOVE, March - AWAKEN, April - BLOSSOM, May - FORAGE. This month I chose #GROW.

All the products contain ingredients you can grow in the garden or greenhouse. I'm a huge fan of Organic Works, having reviewed several of their products already on the blog (I especially like their Bergamot range). I picked their Cleansing Face Wash with Rose Geranium Flower which comes in a huge 300ml pump bottle (£15)*. It's gently foaming and has a delicious rosy scent. I use it in my morning shower to refresh and clean. I like this a lot - it's a keeper!

I love Edinburgh based Lucky Cloud Skincare and chose two of their wonderful soaps - Lemongrass* and Peppermint & Green Clay* £5.95 each. They are hand cut and packaged in recycled kraft boxes. I've been enjoying both of these soaps. They lather well and have delicious scents as well as being nourishing and hydrating. 

I rounded up my picks this month with two essential oils from SOiL Organic Aromatherapy - you can use them for massage and adding to bathwater (in a carrier oil) or to diffuse. I chose Sweet Basil 10ml (£6.20)* which is enlivening, comforting and uplifting and Rose Geranium 10ml (£16.50)* which helps to lift the spirit and calm the mind. I've been diffusing them in a burner with water. The blend is gorgeously rosy with a hint of herbal and peppery basil - I'm going to enjoy this one all summer long!

Herbs for Healing Bath Oil with Saskia's Breathe Deep Seek Peace Flower Essence

I'm always a sucker for nice bath products and Herbs for Healing's Bath Oil with Saskia's Breathe Deep Seek Peace Flower Essence 100ml - £12.50 is gorgeous! It's presented in a blue glass bottle which is easily recyclable or reusable. The family run business is based in the Cotswolds where they grow and sell herbs as well as making natural cosmetics and healing ointments. 

The Bath Oil is perfect to use after a long day to calm and relax both the body and mind. Relaxing lavender is blended with stimulating rosemary and stress relieving geranium. The blended oil base (including nut oils) nourishes while Saskia's award winning "Breathe Deep Seek Peace Flower Essence" will help you feel at peace (I'm a huge fan of Saskia's essences already - see my reviews HERE).

To use: pour a small amount under running water, jump in and relax

A lovely artisan handcrafted bath oil which smells glorious, and helps to relax and calm the mind before bed. What are your favourites from the range?

*Book Tour: The Cursed Girls by Caro Ramsay

Today I'm on the Book Tour for The Cursed Girls by Caro Ramsay*. I received a copy of the book free of charge to enable me to take part in the tour.

Megan Melvick has spent years avoiding her inheritance, the dark and disquieting family estate Benbrae, now home only to her distant, aristocratic father, and her sister Melissa, dying quietly in an upstairs bedroom. Trapped behind her unreliable hearing aids and vulnerable to what others want her to see, Megan is unable to find the answers she wants: why is there a new woman on her father’s arm? And why has their absent mother not returned to say a final goodbye to Melissa?

Benbrae has always been a place of loss and misfortune for Megan, but as the Melvick family diminishes still further, she must ask one final question. If there is a curse on the house, will she be its next victim?

About the Author: Caro Ramsay is the Glaswegian author of the critically acclaimed Anderson & Costello series, the first of which, Absolution, was shortlisted for the CWA's New Blood Dagger for best debut of the year. The ninth book in the series, The Suffering of Strangers, was longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize 2018.

My thoughts?

Megan Melvick has returned home to her grand home - the Scottish country estate she left three years ago. Her sister, Melissa is dying and their father has demanded her presence. 

Coming back brings lots of memories to the fore. It seems the family is cursed. With Melissa dying, Megan being deaf, her mother missing and her papa committing suicide on her 4th birthday many years before.

Her sister says something to her just before she dies and Megan wonders if what she said was for her benefit or someone else's. She casts her mind back to Melissa's wedding five years before when tragedy struck and she lost someone close to her. What is it Jago and her father are hiding from her? Why is her mother's friend, Heather eager to take her friend's place in her father's affections and why is Carla's mother always hanging around. 

The story is told from the alternative views of Megan and Carla and I found the story twisty, atmospheric and un-put-downable. I highly recommend it.

*Love Lula Beauty Box: June 2021

*I receive the Love Lula Beauty Box complimentary as a Love Lula Accredited Blogger for an honest review. This month the box is worth £37 and contains 4 full sizes, including a Limited Edition and a sachet sample.

From Ayumi is their Fairness Daily Facial Day Cream, which is a full size item (100ml - £8.99) which I've used before. The cream adds radiance to dull complexions making it glow and add luminosity to the skin.

Also inside is Balm Balm's Fragrance Free Face Balm 30ml (£9.50) which is formulated with shea butter, sunflower, beeswax, jojoba and calendula. I must admit I prefer a scented product. On trying however, I'm suitably impressed. A review will follow for this one.

I've used a few products from Lamazuna, the eco-friendly and zero-waste brand. Inside the box is a Solid Shampoo Bar (assorted). I received their Oily Hair (Wild Grass) version which is worth £8.99 (55ml). This will last as long as two bottles of shampoo! My roots can be oily so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

From The Castilian Soap Company is their Limited Edition Peppermint Castilian Soap (250ml - £8). I'm always happy to see soap in a beauty box as lately I've been going through it fairly quickly. We received the Tea Tree version recently. Use for hands and body (or cleaning the bathroom!).

Rounding up the June box is a sachet from Dr Hauschka (1.5ml - worth 80p) of their Soothing Day Lotion.

What are your thoughts on the contents this month? I like that I'll easily use everything inside. 

*Ermana Natural Skincare: GLOW Exfoliator + CLARIFY Clay Mask

*gifted - AD As you'll know I'm a huge fan of Ermana Natural Skincare having reviewed products from the range several times the blog. Founder and formulator, Claire recently sent me two new products to try out.

GLOW Exfoliator (£18 - 60ml)* has an intensely orangey scent and the perfect scrubby texture. Formulated with sugar, a natural source of glycolic acid which helps with cell turnover and in turn fresher and younger looking skin. It's also a humectant. Sweet Almond Oil moisturises, conditions and smoothes while Vitamin rich Apricot oil is perfect for sensitive and mature skin types. Vitamin E supports new cell growth and helps to minimise fine lines and wrinkles. Sweet Orange Essential Oil, while smelling glorious also boost circulation, promote cell and collagen growth. 

To use: apply to damp skin massaging in circular motions before rinsing. Use twice a week.

I love this scrubby scrub which smells like marmalade! It's nice to use and helps to make the skin glow. 

CLARIFY Clay Mask (£18 - 60ml)* is for me the star of the duo although I love GLOW. It comes with it's own little spoon for measuring and mixing. The mask has a strong lavender/chamomile scent which I love. It deeply cleanses the skin (dries hard, but feels comfortable on the skin) and draws dirt, impurities and absorbs excess oil from the skin. White Clay draws dirt and build up from the skin as well as acting as a mild exfoliant. Aloe Vera hydrates and soothes, anti-inflammatory Green Tea can help with skin irritation and redness while nourishing and firming. Chamomile soothes while Lavender protects and balances.

To use: use wooden spoon to mix 2 spoonfuls of clay with water to make a thick paste. Apply to the skin, avoiding the lip and eye area. Leave on for 5-10 minutes and then remove with a warmed damp face cloth. Dry Skin: leave on 3-5 minutes, Normal/combo: leave on 5-8 minutes, Oily Skin: leave on 5-10 minutes. Use weekly. There are approximately 10 applications per jar.

I've absolutely loved using this clay mask which is nice to use, effective and makes my skin glow. My skin is combo so it's really helped to balance my t-zone and reduce pores. Highly recommend! I'll definitely be adding this regularly to my skincare routine.

What are your favourites from the brand?

*Blog Tour: Dead Ground (Washington Poe #4) by M W Craven

Today I'm on the blog tour for the fantastic Dead Ground (Washington Poe #4) by M W Craven. I received an e-copy from the publisher via Netgalley (which made me squeal out loud - thank you so much). As ever, just brilliant.

Detective Sergeant Washington Poe is in court, fighting eviction from his beloved and isolated croft, when he is summoned to a backstreet brothel in Carlisle where a man has been beaten to death with a baseball bat. Poe is confused - he hunts serial killers and this appears to be a straightforward murder-by-pimp - but his attendance was requested personally, by the kind of people who prefer to remain in the shadows.

As Poe and the socially awkward programmer Tilly Bradshaw delve deeper into the case, they are faced with seemingly unanswerable questions: despite being heavily vetted for a high-profile job, why does nothing in the victim's background check out? Why was a small ornament left at the murder scene - and why did someone on the investigation team steal it? And what is the connection to a flawlessly executed bank heist three years earlier, a heist where nothing was taken . . .

My thoughts?

I totally devoured the latest story in the outstanding Washington Poe series. It's fast paced and twisty with lead characters I absolutely adore.

Poe is in court, with Tilly defending him. He's fighting against eviction from his beloved Herdwick Croft. Just when the judge is going to throw the case out in his favour they are whisked away to help a secret Government agency with a case of a murder in a brothel which Poe seems to think is an open and shut case but it seems there's more to unravel as well as who the victim is and his past.

They'll have to delve deeper. Why was the strange ornament left and why would it have connections to a odd bank heist a few years earlier? Tilly's analytical mind and Poe's past life in the Armed Forces (like the author himself), as well as his own way of working seem to put the MI5 team's noses out of joint - does he care, not a jot.

As ever, the story is littered with lots of humour which had me laughing out loud in parts (#poedoesnteatpasta). We also meet up again with Poe's dog, the lovable Edgar and his boss Flynn.

I did have my suspicions as to who the killer was but of course there's twists which took me by surprise. Absolutely brilliant. I just loved it. 

Butterwhips: Body Butter, Face Butter, Feet Scrub & Feet Balm

I've been using two of Butterwhips Body Butters which are light and fluffy and melt instantly onto warm skin, deeply nourishing and leaving the skin delicately scented. I picked Warmly Relaxing, with Bergamot, Lavender & Vitamin E and Exotically Tranquil, with Frankincense, Cedarwood & Vitamin E (25g aluminium tin - £8 each). I love the eco friendly re-usable packaging.

I've actually nearly finished Warmly Relaxing so I thought it was an ideal time to review. The butters are formulated with 100% natural ingredients including organic shea butter, skin loving oils, powders, essential oils and love. 

Both the body butters are highly scented with light and fluffy textures. Warmly Relaxing calms and soothes the body and mind, making it perfect to use in the evening before bed.

Exotically Tranquil is scented with Frankincense & Cedarwood which calms, regenerates and refreshes tired skin. 

To use: apply sparingly to warm skin, a little goes a long way.

I've also been trying out the Citrus Face Butter (25g - £9.50) which is formulated with Organic Shea Butter, skin loving oils and a light citrussy aroma of Bergamot. Seaweed extract helps to fight free radicals and pollutants. The butter deeply hydrates the skin (I find it best to use at night) and awaken with plumped and nourished skin. 

Rounding up my Butterwhips experience is their Planted Feet Whipped Exfoliating Scrub with Black Spruce, Peppermint & Vitamin E (40g - £10) which has an uplifting minty/herbal scent with generous scrubby particles of pumice and organic coconut sugar as well as light fluffy texture.

To use: apply to dry or damp feet massaging in circular motions before rinsing.

Planted Feet Balm with Black Spruce, Peppermint & Vitamin E (40g - £12) is a rich and luscious balm which melts easily onto warm tootsies. It's great for dry and cracked feet and has an intense mint/herbal scent. A soothing formulation which is perfect for tired feet.

To use: apply a small amount of balm to the fingertips, massaging onto the feet and toenails.

I've been really impressed with everything I've tried - lovely to use, with great scents and textures. I also love the easily reusable/recyclable tins. What are your favourites from the brand?

*Blog Tour: Above and Beyond by Saskia Swann & Nicola Stow

Today I'm on the blog tour for the fantastic Above and Beyond by Saskia Swann & Nicola Stow*. I received a free copy of the book from the publisher to enable me to take part in the blog tour.

Heavily in debt, and earning peanuts as a 'trolley dolly', Saskia Swann desperately needed to get her life back on track. After a chance meeting, she landed a job as cabin crew - but this time on a private jet.

Suddenly, she found herself transported into the glittering world of oligarchs and billionaires where the hostesses wear Prada, seven-course meals are served on fine china, the bodyguards carry guns, and the mile-high shenanigans not only take place in luxury cabins, but in the cockpit itself.

Brace yourself for a turbulent read in this hilarious and scandalous memoir, filled with shocking true stories that give a rare insight into life behind the scenes of a private jet’s cabin crew.

Saskia soon realised that the job wasn’t quite what it seemed though: her billionaire boss expected far more from his hostesses than just cocktails and nibbles…

In this gripping exposé, Saskia Swann pulls back the first-class curtain on the lifestyles of the mega-rich and famous.

About the authors:

Saskia Swann worked for six years for one of the world's leading airlines before becoming a corporate flight attendant on private jets. She lives outside London.

Nicola Stow has been a journalist for more than 20 years working for leading newspapers and magazines. She is also the co-author of Cabin Fever: The Sizzling Secrets of a Virgin Air Hostess by Mandy Smith.

My thoughts?

I absolutely loved this easy to read (and sometimes hilarious) account of Saskia's time as a private flight attendant aboard billionaire boss's private jets. 

With her credit cards maxed out and looking for work, and with a chance meeting in a London bar she ends up with a new and exciting job. Being a corporate flight attendant on private jets with a Prada uniform to boot! 

She finds out that one of her boss's "Pavel", despite being married expects more from his hostesses. She works with a great team of co-workers who have each other's backs. It's not all glam however, they have to ensure the plane is spotlessly clean before each flight.

I found the book a very honest account of how the other half live, entertaining, fascinating and a great read. I highly recommend it. Perfect poolside reading!

Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream

You know the drill, this year has been seen it, want it, buy it but I'm trying to be better (although my £100 spend for June was totally blown out the window when I saw Cult Beauty's latest Conscious Goody Bag on Monday morning, free with a £65 spend - whoops - although I did buy a birthday present as part of my spend).

I've lusted after Caudalie's Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream (250ml - £27) for a while now. It's simply gorgeous and smells of orange blossom! Enriched with antioxidant grapeseed polyphenols and firming iris extract. It helps to target 4 key areas of the body - arms, chest, stomach and buttocks for firmer and smoother skin. It definitely feels tightening on application and its lush and creamy whipped texture melts easily onto warm skin. 

To use: apply to clean and dry skin in circular movements until absorbed

A gorgeous cream which I'm loving using. It feels tightening and firming on the skin and I adore the orange blossom scent. I must admit I haven't really noticed a huge amount of difference to the look of the skin on my body. It is smoother and feels hydrated - regardless, I love it! What are your favourites from the brand?

Indie Lee: Energize Deodorant

I've loved Indie Lee products since I first tried them via their very first UK stockist - abeautifulworld. I picked up latest launch, Energize Deodorant 50g (£18) at Naturisimo recently.

It's truly unique (see photo) in that the gel to powder deodorant is dispensed through tiny holes in the top of the applicator. Formulated with organic tapioca, non GMO corn starch and minimal baking soda to combat odour and boost freshness. I've found it dries really quickly and has a beautiful aroma - bergamot, grapefruit, orange & eucalyptus. It also contains beeswax and sunflower oil.

To use: apply a small amount to clean dry skin for all day freshness

I'm very impressed with this deodorant which smells uplifting, is nice and easy to use and gives all day freshness. 

*REVIEW: Africology Skincare

*PR samples - AD I recently tried body care products from Africology. See my review HERE. I've recently been trying some skincare products and they're equally gorgeous. 

Their Purifying Cleansing Gel 25ml (£11)* is an aromatic delight which turns cleansing into a total joy. The gel contains healing and balancing lavender, eucalyptus and rosemary, seaweed extracts which smooth, nourish and moisturise the skin while natural foaming agents known for their anti-inflammatory benefits cleanse leaving it feeling clean and refreshed but but never tight. 

To use: AM and PM - place a coin size amount on damp hands and massage onto the face and neck, massaging before rinsing. 

This is a beautiful cleanser which I've loved using. It's luxurious as well as very effective (and that aroma!)

Rose Absolute Tonic 25ml (£11)* conditions, refreshes and smoothes the skin. It's got a delicate rose aroma which is lovely and contains balancing witch hazel. Suitable for dry, normal, mature and sensitive skin types.

To use: spritz onto the skin as a toner or to refresh throughout the day.

Again, a gorgeous product which feels lovely on the skin (on the wishlist, this one's now finished!)

Intense Night Hydration 25ml (£15)* has a gorgeous rich balm like texture. It targets pigmentation and stimulates collagen production while you sleep. Awaken with firmer, smoother and younger looking skin. Formulated with highly potent peptides which help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic Acid gently exfoliates the skin enabling it to absorb the skin loving ingredients in this intensely hydrating formula which has an aromatic floral and spicy scent.

To use: apply to the face and around the eye area and neck after cleansing. Can also be used on the lips and decolletage.

Huge love for this nourishing treat for the skin. What are your favourites from the brand?