My Little GlossyBox Treat

I  know, I know, don't go falling off your chair - two blog posts in the space of 4 days!  However this was too good not to share.  An offer dropped into my inbox for 50% off Glossybox's May box (use code GB50) and it becomes £5 instead of £10 (total of £8.25 including postage).  I'm not one to sign up to subscriptions so it will just be a one off for me but this little lot arrived and for £8.25 it's an absolute bargain.

I'm a huge Paw Paw fan, if you haven't heard of it, buy the box alone for that (as it's over £5 alone). It's like a less medical scented Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream and a staple in my house hold!  The kids always use it for cuts or sores, it has the smoothest silkiest texture that glides on over grazes perfectly.  As for the other products, well I always use scrubs and foot creams and the little make up set and blusher are just the icing on the cake.  Be quick if you fancy a cheeky treat as they are selling out quickly (so they tell me!). 

PS Make sure you cancel your subscription by the 14th of the month if you don't want to carry it on.  Or, like me, forget and get an extra months treat!

A Quick Mothers Day Idea

I'm leaving it late to share this I know but I didn't plan to write this post then realised I couldn't leave it unsaid!  And where there's a will, there's a way so there's still every chance you can get one in time.  Be it for yourself or your Mum, I highly recommend a Roberts radio.  Now I featured one on my Valentines gift guide and my husband decided to pay full attention (second year running, the candle was last year) so I blatantly need to keep these posts up, even if for my own benefit. 

Roberts Revival iStream 2 £219.95

Initially I didn't push my luck and just opted for the mini one but he did some research as as we don't have great signal in the village decided to go for the internet radio option.  This is the most expensive however if you aren't fussy then you can buy refurbished ones direct from Roberts here (£131.99 for the above model).  My first one was in the duck egg blue and not only was it not the colour I would have chosen (bless him, he can't get it 100% right but he got 100% for effort!) but was also not working properly.  Roberts were brilliant at arranging a courier collection then shipping another out to me. 

I love that it's portable.  I'm not one for bluetooth and connecting it to my phone, we have a Bose speaker for that but it kept driving me mad that when I used my phone it would interfere with the connection, I just wanted a good old radio.  

There are 3 sizes/specs, this was the smallest and one I wanted originally but if you can stretch to the above I would recommend it - needs dependent!

£149.95 brand new via John Lewis or £89.99 for a refurbished one here 

And on a last note (this isn't a sponsored post at all, I was just browsing John Lewis and as they're service is so good I know you can get it in time) this Selfish Mother range donates a portion of the sale to charity so it's an ethical purchase too!

Because as Mothers, we so are aren't we!  £50 via John Lewis 

£35 via John Lewis 

£10 via John Lewis 

Happy Mothers Day to all us Mummy's!

Valentines Hints For Your Other Half

If, like my husband, your's trully heads to Tesco the week before Valentines day and buys tut - then send him a link to this blog! Last year I not so subtly suggested to my dear husband not to waste his pennies as I really did have enough heart tea towels, candle holders etc from the Mecca that is Tesco. I instead said there was a very special candle I would love (ok, yes, it was pricey but I'm worth it and the fact he didn't have to take a lunch break and could order it from the comfort of his desk was blatantly worth every penny). Queue my limited edition Valentines Diptyque candle. It was only the little one but I loved it even if he thought it was a waste of money! So here's some idea's to send your partners (and mine's!) way.

Emma Bridgewater Personalised Cocoa Mug from £22.95.  Because who doesn't love a proper heart mug - this is the exception to the rule - Tesco mugs don't come close, this one is completely acceptable (as are all other EB gifts thank you very much).

Silver & diamond heart bracelet from Links of London, £150.  Just in case your beloved fancies splashing the cash this Valentines day!

I love a heart plate.  This set of 4 is only £12.99 from TK Maxx

Personally you can't go wrong with flowers and this gorgeous bouquet can be pre-ordered now from Beards & Daisies for £44.99

A Boden heart breton top - a romantic classic!  Currently on sale for £27.65

This years Limited Edition candle for Valentines from Diptyque.  The larger one is £48 from John Lewis.  There is a smaller one at £28 but it's currently sold out with them.  

John Lewis really do have the best gift guide section (here) - I absolutely love this!  £149.99, a pricier Valentines gift but one for everyone to enjoy the benefits of too right?!!?

Possibly the most I've laughed at a film, ever!  £9.99 from HMV

I was lucky enough to be sent this Luna fragrance to sample last year and I've been waiting for the perfect time to share it on here - this seems to be the post!  Now I'm not one to go all out on perfume.  I don't wear it every day, sometimes I forget to put it on.  For me it does feel like a little bit of a luxe treat.  The packaging and bottle of this makes it even more so.  My little bottle of 'special'.  It's vintage apothecary look is gorgeous and the floral scent light enough for day where, it isn't over powering.  This is a real treat and something I wouldn't buy for myself so a perfect gift.  It's name also represents a mythical love story (read about it here) so it really is a scent for Valentines! 

Penhaligons Luna fragrance £134

Whilst browsing their website I also spotted two of my favourite scents below so I thought I'd share these too in case something more traditional is for you and easier to receive knowing you'll like that scent.

Gardenia & Orange Blossom both £97 

The End Of Sales Sales

This is probably my favourite point in the sales, the time when the brands just want to shift the old stock to make way for the new so the prices drop even more.  There really are some great deals to be had now and it's the perfect time to buy slightly ahead of time - i.e. buy some Spring/Summer bits that won't date, now.  Here's some of my best picks (and I did get slightly carried away with Topshop  to start with - some are currently sat in my basket!) including my best sale buy this season to finish with.

Cord Pinafore £22 from £39

Lace Midi Dress £25 from £49

Sequin Hoodie £25 from £46

Lace Ruffle Top £12 from £26

Suede Sandals £25 from £46

And the rest from a variety of places;

Whistles sandals via John Lewis £40 from £140 

Zara Contrast Dress £9.99 from £29.99

New Look Bobble Hat £5 from £9.99

Baukjen Slogan Top £14 from £49

 Laura Ashley Outside Wall Light £36 from £60

 French Connection Large Clock £37.50 from £125

I dashed into my local TK Maxx to see if I could find some last minute party shoes for my youngest and low and behold, I happened to find myself in the ladies shoe isle.....I saw these suede boots by the brand Iro and instantly loved them.  There was a pair for £79.99 then another on the bottom Clearance shelf for £11.  Yes, a whole £11.  Even the soles are leather.  I dread to think what they would have been full price.  They came home with me, no questions asked, they just did.  Bargain!

What I've Been Buying

Apart from some 'party shoes' there's been nothing on the clothing front.  It's heads down on the home renovations so I've been distracted by that and there's been no time for fun clothes shopping. I will rectify it soon don't you worry.  I have however purchased a few toiletries/make-up which I thought I'd share as it was that time when everything ran out together and I always like reading 'reviews' on products myself.

• Clay Chameleon Transforming Purifying Cleanser by bareMinerals.  I alternate my cleansing routine, one night it's with a cream cleanser and toner, the next a hot cloth one and always a Elemis face wash in the morning shower.  I was all out of my Tropic cleanser which I absolutely love but read some great reviews on this one so thought I'd give it a whirl.  Now so far I'm not 100% on it as my face does feel a little tight after (that's not a bad thing I guess....!).  It smells amazing, has a proper clay like texture and colour and goes on well.  You literally pop it on then wet your fingers and massage it in so it becomes a little creamier then wash it  off.  As I don't use it daily I don't feel I've given it a fair go yet but I will finish it first before I commit to not buying it again!
• BAREPRO Performance Wear Powder Foundation by bareMinerals.  I've never really enjoyed wearing a liquid foundation and daily I just dust a little Mac pressed powder on.  A while back now (post first baby, naturally) I did want something with more coverage for special occasions so I tried their mineral loose powder.  I loved it and found it so easy to use.  My second pot however has gone off (second child, dont get out as much now!) so I decided to try something different.  This time I've gone for a pressed powder version.  I had some put on in store to try first and the natural coverage was just like the original so I've gone with this in the 'natural' shade.  I also went for the brush to go with it as it was so soft and nice and compact.  I've worn it's a few times just to break it in ahead of a party and it's lovely, you can load it on as lightly or heavily as you like.  
• Bumble & Bumble Seaweed shampoo and conditioner set.  Every single set I've tried I've loved, so I've been a little sad to not be so impressed with this one.  It feels lovely to wash with but perhaps because it's a daily shampoo, it doesn't seen to leave my hair feeling as nourished.  That being said it's not horrendously bad so I will finish it but will probably go back to the sulphate free or surf versions.  

Now this is probably one of the best gifted items I've received to date on the blog - in my girls opinions.....Tesco Christmas hats!  I was contacted by Tesco as they are for charity and naturally I would't refuse to help spread the word.  Pre this post, I think I've upped the sales purely from my youngest's continual wearing of hers (and sleeping with it!); mums asking where it's from in the playground and Alice volunteering to share it's song when the nose is pressed!  They are fab hats and money raised is for food bank charities Fareshare and The Trussell Trust - the perfect time of year to support and help.  They are all £7 apart from the reindeer which is £9 and theres some penguin earmuffs for £6 as well.  So please do pop along and grab some or order online here with free delivery to store the next day. 

F&F Hat With A Heart campaign

So the only other item were these shoes from Topshop to go with my party frock.  I really couldn't decide on the colour, I was all for the pink thinking they'd elongate my little legs as on paper this sounded the right colour to do.  However my Insta and Facebook family as well as my lovely girlfriends convinced me otherwise.  Grey it is!  I managed them in the Black Friday sale for just over £40 so I am even more happy!

Proper depiction of the colours! 

But a better idea of the shoe shot!

Topshop 'Graceful' shoe £59

Oops, just when I was going to press earlier on in the week I managed to fill the sorrowful clothing purchase errors for the last 5-6 weeks.  Gap had a brilliant sale on in store and this wool and cashmere sweater was £59.95 down to £20.  It is super soft and comes up loose which I love.   Then I bagged this Karl Lagerfeld sweater in TK Maxx for £24 with a cheeky discount so I feel like a weights been lifted now and some normality restored in my shopping habits. 

Gap Wool & Cashmere V-Neck Sweater £59.95

It's navy in real life!  TK Maxx £29.99 full price and other designs available online here 

Christmas Flowers

It's that time of year where you just don't have the headspace to think, there is too much to do/buy and gift shopping becomes a little over whelming.  I always start my shopping early, then year after year November goes by in a flash, I don't buy many more presents then panic buy in December.  So I'm sharing with you some beautiful flowers I received from Beards & Daisies as that no hassle, easy Christmas gift that lasts longer than a day and can be enjoyed a little earlier than just the day itself! I've sent flowers to relatives before, but tend to forget around Christmas time.  They are especially great idea for the older generation who don't tend to want for anything, my Nan's a prime example and  loves to receive flowers.

My bouquet arrived boxed and hand tied with lots of layers of wrapping so they looked just stunning. I loved the simplicity of the brown paper and brown string holding them together, they had a contemporary, modern and festive feel without being over the top.  They came out of the box easily but once I unwrapped them, the flowers seemed to expand and there felt like so many more to the bouquet.

My 'White Christmas' bouquet £34.99

There were 10 roses hidden neatly in this bouquet!

It was such a nice touch to receive information on all the flowers included - something my Nan especially would love to read about.  I also liked how there were tips on how to position them in the vases - perfect for non-florists like me!  I'm not sure I did the bouquet justice in the arrangement but I enjoyed them non the less.

They also came with a voucher, card and plant food.

Great tips on care!

They also offer 'Letterbox Flowers' which is ideal for those who are out and about too much so you don't want the hassle of arranging a delivery.  They start from £22.99 with free delivery and there's a great selection to choose from.  They have also put some thought into making sure specific flowers are offered for such deliveries, 'hardy and less thirsty options' apparently and even down to the way they cut their stems!  Love it when a brand takes the time to think these things through for their customers.

These were my flowers 1 week in!

I kept the beautiful ribbon and popped it on my vase 

A close up of my favourite rose with a pink trim! 

There's also the option to have a 3 month subscription on some flowers so perfect for a gift for you if you're stuck and being pestered as to what you would like for Christmas!

Also felt extra special to receive a huge present! 

PS This is a sponsored post but huge thanks to Jo at Beards & Daises who has been an utter pleasure to work with.  Giving me as much space and time as I needed with no pressure at all on what to write and when (she first contacted me in September!).  It has been my choice to share further information such as the Letterbox Flowers as I was so impressed with the quality of what I received, I would truly recommend them.