MuLondon White Chocolate Truffle Moisturiser 60ml

I recently asked Boris (Founder & Head Cream-Whipper) if MuLondon sold 15ml samples of moisturiser.  He said no but pots were available in 60ml & 30ml size.  He spotted I was on a spending ban and offered to send me a pot of moisturiser to review.  I chose Organic White Chocolate Truffle* Moisturiser.  It featured in my Shopping the Stash in week 5.

The moisturiser arrived securely wrapped in a mini box and wrapped in tissue.  With it came information leaflets which were interesting to read.

60ml retails at £15 and 30ml retails at £9.  Products are 100% vegan and are super concentrated - they contain no added water - so you only ever need to use a small amount.  "Melt a tiny pea sized amount between the palms of your hands". If your skin feels greasy you've used too much.

Suitable for all skin types including dry and sensitive.  Can be applied all over the body - face, neck, hands, arms, knees and feet.  Can be used morning and night. Products are all handmade in London by Boris.

The moisturiser smells simply good enough to eat! It contains Organic Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, extracts of cocoa and pure Bourbon Vanilla as well as Rosemary extract to replenish and revive the skin.

Contains no mineral oils, parabens, silicones, emulsifiers or artificial fragrances. Products are not tested on animals.

I've been using the moisturiser at night.  I love the scent, feel of the moisturiser on my skin and how it makes my skin look radiant and it super moisturises. I'll definitely be replenishing this pot when it's empty.

Moisturisers come in a range of scents - Organic Rose, Rosehip & Rosemary, Organic Lavender, Organic Marigold, Frankincense & Myrrh, Organic Hemp and Organic White Chocolate Truffle.  Cleansers are available in Organic Rose, Organic Lavender and Organic Fragrance Free.

You can see MuLondon's latest competition here. (ends in just under two weeks)

See the website here.

Follow on Twitter @mulondon 

*complimentary sample

Remedy...for - Organic Heart shaped Body Butter Bars

I recently picked up these two heart shaped body butter bars from Remedy..for - a splurge while on Spending ban!

I chose two - Organic Winter Therapy (with mandarin, sandalwood & lavender essential oils) and Organic Rose Garden (with rose geranium & sandalwood essential oils).  They retail at £3.50 for 55g.  The are simply wrapped up in paper and the label is tied on with string. (my package came wrapped in a sheet from the Financial Times!)

Homeopath Fiona Wray formulates and hand makes the range of skin and body care product.  You can see the shop here.  Ingredients are Fair Trade and locally sourced where possible.  Products are tested on humans, not animals.

Apply onto damp skin just out of the bath or shower.  My skin loves these super moisturising bars.  Made with local beeswax, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Thistle Oil, Organic Rosemary Oil & Organic Essential Oils.  Leaves skin lightly scented and deeply moisturised.

I also received a complimentary sample of mint soap which smells fab!

Have you tried any Remedy Skincare products?

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

I'm bad! I broke my spending ban (again!). While browsing in Harvey Nichols I came across the new Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm.  I tried it on the back of my hand and I just adored the scent and feel of the balm on my skin - I was sold oops.

The sales assistant also gave me a seven day supply of Skin Bliss Capsules - I have used these before and they are really nice and a couple of sachet samples - Pro-Intense Lift Effect and Skin Buff.

It retails at £39.50 for 105g and is suitable for all skin types.

It contains starflower, elderberry, optimega oils, rose & mimosa waxes and padina pavonica.

I've only used it a couple of times so a full review will follow.  So far I've found it to be a luxurious rich balm which is heavenly scented and pampering. It removes all make up (avoiding eyes) leaving the skin radiant and renewed.

Have you tried it yet?

Abahna Aromatherapy Pillow Mist - Sleep Collection

Abahna brought out a new collection last year - The Sleep Collection - which features items which help you get a good night's sleep.

The pillow mist* is scented with 100% essential oils of lavender, neroli and clary sage. It smells really relaxing and I've been finding it easy to drop off to sleep after misting my pillows with this gorgeous blend.

The packaging is quite simple but stylish.  A little star is attached to the label.  Makes for a great gift also.  Retails at £15.

The rest of the range is equally enticing and includes - Sleep Aromatherapy Bath Salts, Bath Oil, a gorgeous three wick candle, a beautiful gift set containing the sleep bath oil, pillow spray and a silk eye mask and a silk pillow case which can be bought in a set with the eye mask.

Have you used any of the Sleep Collection products?

*PR sample

Shopping My Stash - Spending Ban Week 8

Here are the products I've been using most this week:

Bodhi Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil - I simply love this rose scented luxury face oil.  You can see my review here.

Suti Fabulous Organic Foot Balm - love this rich aromatic foot balm.  See my review here.

Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cleanser - a rich and hydrating foaming cleanser scented with rose. My dry winter skin is loving this.  A review will follow.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist - love this rose scented hydrating mist - one I'll definitely re-purchase.  See my review here.

Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme - received this in a Boudoir Prive box.  I loved it so much I then had a mad swapping frenzy on Beauty Box Swaps on Facebook.  You can see my review here.

Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Souffle Body Creme - a delicious rich cream scented with fig - simply gorgeous! I love all the body products from the Laura Mercier range.

Have you used any of these products?  Are you shopping your stash this week?

Sweet Cecily's Rose Body Butter & Mojito Flavour Lip Balm

I came across Sweet Cecily's on Sarah's blog Sugarpuffish (check her blog out it's a great read - she's also recently started doing videos on YouTube and these are well worth a watch).

Sweet Cecily's is a small company based in Whitby in North Yorkshire which sells beautifully packaged natural products.  All the products have been born from either Cecily Fearnley's own ideas or from suggestions from family and friends.

I broke my Spending Ban on Week 4 and bought two beautiful products - Rose Body Butter and Mojito Flavour Lip Balm.

Rose Body Butter (200ml - £19.95) - this is a rich body butter which contains Shea Butter, Rosehip Oil, St John's Wort oil and Rose Absolute Essential Oil.  A spicy scent with a hint of rose.  I'd probably have preferred this to smell more of rose but it is still a lovely product and it super moisturises the skin.  I like to use it just before bed.  You can read more about the body butter here.  The packaging is beautiful and this would make a great gift.  It also comes in coconut, vanilla, strawberry and fig & olive scents.

Mojito Flavour Lip Balm (10ml - £2.95) - a moisturising lip balm scented with lime and mint - just like a mojito!  It is made with Shea Butter, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Almond Oil, Calendula Oil and natural fragrances.  Other flavours available are strawberries & cream, banoffe, chocolate, Pina Colada, lime & mango and Earl Grey tea.  Packaged in a screw top tin - making it handy for slipping in your pocket or handbag.

Other products include - cleanser, toners, face cream, night cream, face masks, bath infusion, skin cream and lotion and hand creams as well as gift sets,  wedding favours and a make your own lip balm kit.  See here for the shop.

Follow on Twitter @sweetcecilys 

See the website here

Spending Ban - Update 8

A good week! Just a spend on a Psychologies Magazine - love this magazine such an interesting and informative read which makes you think too.

Onto my wants:

Korres Watermelon Body Scrub (150ml - £9.60) - just finished an Elemis body scrub which I really liked.  I like the sound of this fruity scrub especially as I love the scent of watermelon.

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Clark's Botanicals Intense Radiance Mask (£58) - a white clay mask to revitalise skin.  To brighten and make skin more luminous.  Sounds fab!

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Elemental Herbology Neroli & Rose Damask Body Duo (£34.50) including Body Wash & Body Cream. Already love Elemental Herbology for skincare.  The body range sounds lush.

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Diptyque Roses Candle (£40) - simply love rose scented candles and Diptyque.  A luxe want!

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Sarah Chapman Discovery Collection (£40) - since trying a couple of samples I really want to try more from the Sarah Chapman range.

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REN Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish (£32) - I'm a huge fan for REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil, Body Oil, Shower Gel and Body Lotion so it would be nice to try the scrub.

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How is your spending ban doing?  Have you tried any of my weekly "wants"?

Guest Post - Lynne McNicoll - it's good 2 give

I first met Lynne through The PA Exchange a few years ago.  She set herself a challenge to raise £50,000 before her 50th birthday for Teenage Cancer Trust. (she did that, and more!) She co-founded (with her husband Ian) the charity it's good 2 give in April 2010.

I asked her to do a guest post on my blog to let you find out more about what she does for "it's good 2 give" and also to see if you can help too.

"We support young cancer patients and their families in practical ways.  Our long term goal is to create a retreat where a family can spend time together during the long months of treatment.  On a day to day basis however we do all we can to make the lives of these young cancer patients and their families a wee bit better.

We provide healthy snacks to the ward each week for patient and parents, organise fun and practical workshops, provide parent packs for parents spending a lot of time in hospital with their child and respond quickly to requests from professional staff in the hospital.

Last week alone we provided a desk and chair for a 17 year old who wants to study for his exams and a new vacuum cleaner with a special filter for a young family whose child has just been diagnosed".

it's good 2 give has raised over £250k in their first three years.  Lynne is a full time volunteer. She and her small team work hard to fundraise and organise all the workshops.  They put on one workshop a month - anything from cupcake decorating to gardening.  They also help with gardening maintenance and ironing!  Lynne has set a new challenge this year to raise £250k in one year!  Please click here to see the upcoming events.

If you can help with a raffle prize or goody bag item please get in touch with Lynne at lynne@itsgood2give.co.uk 

Lynne is also looking for the following items for parent packs - if you can help with this please let me know or get in touch with Lynne at the email address above.

Burt's Bees or other nice lipbalm
Burt's Bees or other nice hand cream
Travel Size Shave foam for guys
Nail Files
Travel size shampoo & conditioner
Tiny Packs tissues
Wet Wipes Travel Packs

You can follow Lynne on Twitter @itsgood2give 
See the website here.

7 Days Raw Challenge - Day 7

I made it to day 7!  I'm sleeping better, feeling more alert and have even lost a few pounds on the scales!

For breakfast: I had a green smoothie - getting more used to the taste.  Actually quite enjoying it now!

I snacked on a slice of melon and some blueberries.

For Lunch: Fishless Fish Cakes with salad.  These were quite tasty (again Bess, had a taste).

For Dinner: Sausages with sauerkraut, tomato sauce and salad - I had this also on day 4.

I cheated a little and had two glasses of wine with dinner (and I enjoyed them!)

I'll definitely be incorporating some more raw elements to my diet especially salads and more fruit.  I didn't even miss crisps or chocolate this week.

Follow Claire on Twitter @RawcousGirl 

Follow ORB Cafe @ORBCafe

See the website here

ORB Cafe
Shining Light
246 Morrison St
Edinburgh
EH3 8DT

Aromatherapy Associates Support Breathe Essence

I was sent Aromatherapy Associates  Support Breathe Essence* a few weeks ago (10ml - £16.50).  I've been using it in times of stress and to relax.  

An anti-bacterial inhalation essence to help reduce stuffiness, congestion, ease breathing, relief for colds, for use in planes to protect from germs, to relax and de-stress.

With essential oils of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, pine and Tea Tree.

To use: sprinkle a few drops on a tissue and breath in deeply.

Catherine Turner, a Health & Beauty journalist who does a really interesting column for Psychologies magazine (I always see products I want to try!) suggests rubbing a few drops in the palms and inhaling to relax.

It can also be used as a home fragrance oil in an Aromatherapy Associates electric burner.

Have you used this before?  Do you use any products to relax and de-stress?

*PR sample

7 Days Raw Challenge - Day 6

Day 6 already!  I'm finding I have a lot more energy and feel more mentally alert although I still feel sleepy around about 10 o'clock at night.

For breakfast: A banana smoothie with bananas and almond milk.

I snacked on what was left of my mushroom crackers and cashew cheese from yesterday.

For lunch: Spicy Seed Salad with Mango Dressing - fresh tasting and delicious.  Gorgeous dressing too.

For pudding I had Raspberry & Chocolate Tart - unfortunately my piece hadn't travelled well and wasn't at all photogenic so I've used one of Claire's photos (of the whole tart).  This was delicious with a distinct raspberry flavour with a little bit of chocolate.  I fed a bit to our dog Bess, who loved it!

I snacked on mint creams this afternoon.  Amazing to think they are made of avocado and cashews! Really yummy.

For Dinner: Chilli with cauliflower rice and salad (I save a bit of salad from lunch). Again fresh tasting with a hint of chilli.

Follow Claire on Twitter @RawcousGirl 

Follow ORB Cafe @ORBCafe

See the website here

ORB Cafe
Shining Light
246 Morrison St
Edinburgh
EH3 8DT

Amarya Beauty Box Review - March 2013

My Amarya beauty box arrived yesterday.  I'd kind of forgot it was due so it was a lovely surprise!

Onto the contents -

Zoya Nail Polish - from the "Lovely Collection" - I got shade "Julie" a lovely lilac metallic. Very pretty.  Free from formaldehyde, toluene, pthalates and camphor. Originally created as a custom runway shade for fashion designer Zang Toi.  Full size worth £10.50.

Alison Claire Mango Body Butter 50ml (full size of 200ml retails at £12). This is lovely, a real fruity scent.  It soaks into the skin really quickly leaving it nicely moisturised.  I tried the Coconut & Vanilla scented body butter before and you can read my thoughts here.

Green People Gentle Cleanse and Make up Remover 25ml (50ml retails at £9.95). Suitable for all skin types.  Really like Green People as a brand so happy to try this.

Did you get this box?  What are your thoughts?

7 Days Raw Challenge - Day 5

I awoke this morning full of energy even before the alarm clock went off!  For breakfast I had a green smoothie the same as I had on Day 2.  

I had a mid-morning snack of mushroom crackers with cashew cheese.  Absolutely delicious.  The crackers really tasted of mushroom with a hint of herbs and the cashew cheese had a sort of soft cheese taste.

At lunchtime I went into the cafe which was a great experience and I met Lizzy, the Chef as well as some volunteer helpers.

The cafe is a large, bright and airy space.  There is a table where you can help yourself to a large variety of herbal teas for £1 charge.  There is also a table with magazines which you can read while you are there.  The cafe is situated at Shining Light - Medium Georgina Holdsworth offers clairvoyant and tarot readings, complementary therapies, workshops, talks etc.  See her website for details here. 

For lunch: Chilli Tacos made with corn tortillas, marinated mushrooms, peppers, courgettes and cashew cheese.  Served with a fresh salsa and salad with mango dressing.  Yum Yum this was delicious - and I didn't miss the chicken!

I had beautiful and delicious Booja-Booja ice cream for pudding - coconut, chocolate and maple pecan.  This was served with a rolled up piece of fruit leather which looked like wafer.  Booja-Booja ice cream is made with cashews, agave syrup and pure water from reverse osmosis.  I'll definitely be looking for this ice cream next time I'm in Waitrose!

For dinner: Pizza with side salad with mango dressing and parsnip crisps. This was very tasty.  The salad dressing was fab - really fruity.

I also managed a piece of pumpkin pie!

Follow Claire on Twitter @RawcousGirl 

See the website here

Orb Cafe
Shining Light
246 Morrison St
Edinburgh
EH3 8DT

Friday's Makes, Bakes & Learns #19

This morning I made homemade lip scrub.  I love Lush & Sara Happ ones. Especially the Sara Happ ones for the luxe packaging and gorgeous flavours!

This recipe is cheap to make and does the job intended!  I had all the ingredients already in the house one from baking and the others from making lip balm.  You can see this post here.

2 1/2 tbs castor sugar

1 tbs coconut oil (I used the solid stuff and had to whip it up to soften)

5 drops Vitamin E

couple of drops of lime essential oil

Mix the coconut oil with the Vitamin E and drop or two of essential oil if using. Stir in the sugar a bit at a time and spoon into pots.

7 Days Raw Challenge - Day 4

Oooh halfway today!  I can say I am feeling more mentally alert and am sleeping a lot better and more deeply too.

For breakfast: crunchy granola with almond milk which is deliciously creamy with sliced banana.  Definitely one of my favourite breakfasts.

For snacks: I ate courgette crisps which were chewy discs of courgette with a lemon flavour - really quite yummy and more spiced seeds which I loved eating yesterday.  I've still got my crackers with cashew cheese to eat.

For lunch: Lunch was Stir Fry with Cauliflower rice.  The "rice" had a texture like rice and was interesting to eat.  The vegetables were fresh and full of flavour and came with a sauce made from Japanese pickled plums - this made for a salty, sweet and sour flavour.

I felt like a chocolate fix in the afternoon and I snacked on a Cocoa Orange nakd bar which is made with raw fruit and nuts and is a good flavoursome substitute for chocolate!

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For dinner: Sausages with sauerkraut and tomato sauce.  This was tasty. I'm not a huge sauerkraut fan but it tasted good with the sausages.

Pudding - I could get used to pudding every night! Chocolate Berry Brownie. A delicious chunk of brownie with berries.

I had a bit of a stressful day and wanted a large glass of wine but settled for a decafinated coffee latte with almond milk - it was rich and creamy with a hint of coffee flavour.

Follow Claire on Twitter @RawcousGirl 

See the website here

Orb Cafe
Shining Light
246 Morrison St
Edinburgh
EH3 8DT