Tuesday 31 January 2012

January Books

One of my New Year Resolutions was to read more.  Here are my January books. (I've always found Evelyn at We Were Raised By Wolves a great inspiration - she reads loads of interesting books.  You can read her January Books List post here.)


I'd really enjoyed Chevy Steven's first book Still Missing so was pleased to see she had a new book out - Never knowing.

The book is based on the story of Sara who was adopted as a baby.  She has a daughter, Ally and is due to marry her boyfriend.  She decides to trace her birth parents, partly from curiosity but also for her medical history.  She finds out her father is a serial killer.  The book is written from Sara's perspective and read like sessions with her psychiatrist.  the book has a lot twists, turns and tension.  I quite enjoyed this book.  I give it 6/10.

My second book is, The Thread by Victoria Hislop.

The story starts in Thessalonika, Greece in 1917.  On the same night a fire rages through the City, leaving many people homeless, Dimitri Komnionos is born.  Five years later Katerina Sarafoglou's home in Asia Minor is destroyed by the Turkish Army and she and her mother and sister have to flee.  In the chaos to leave she get separated from her mother and she goes across the sea alone to Greece. The book is the story of Dimitri and Katerina's lives, the city in which they live, their work, the war, persecution and fears.  

In 2007 their Anglo-Greek grandson comes to visit and hears their life story and has to decide if he wants to make Greece his home.  A great read, would highly recommend. A 10/10 book.  I also loved The Island, the author's first book.


My third book is A Gathering Storm by Rachel Hore.  I am a massive Rachel Hore fan and I can highly recommend her other books (The Dream House, The Memory Garden, The Glass Painter's Daughter and A Place of Secrets).

When we meet Beatrice at the start of the book and you are left wondering what her connection is to the story.  Lucy Cardwell's father Tom dies and she finds papers in his belongings of researches into an Uncle Rafe she didn't know he had.

Lucy decides to go to Cornwall to visit the family home, Carlyon Manor which is now a ruin.  She meets a local lady, Beatrice who knew the family well and Beatrice tells Lucy her story...

Fascinating characters, romance, history, war, family, feuds, action, tension and drama, a real page turner.  I loved this book and I also give this a 10/10.


My fourth book, (yes I really am on a roll!) is Londoners by Craig Taylor.  A book I cannot recommend highly enough.  Totally fascinating.  London through the eyes of those who live there.  It makes you laugh, is sad, interesting and thought provoking.  I'd really recommend this book. 10/10




Have you read any of these, if so what are your thoughts?  Have you any suggestions for me of books to read?  

Monday 30 January 2012

Magazine Freebies


This month’s Elle magazine has a free Soap & Glory Thick and Fast Mascara attached to the front cover worth £10.  There is also a coupon in the magazine for £2 off any Soap & Glory make up.


Dior invite you to attend a counter to receive a complimentary eye make over and a personalised beauty sample upon presentation of the card attached to a Dior ad inside the magazine.  There is also a free sachet (1.5ml) of Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation.  I do so love magazine freebies.


In Red Magazine (March) you can pick up Dior Capture samples for free at the counter – Capture R60/80 First Wrinkles Smoothing Eye Cream (2ml), Capture Totale One Essential Skin Boosting Serum (5ml) and Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Crème (3ml).


House of Fraser (until 4th February) has a GWP deal on at the Clarins counter, buy two items and pick four luxury samples from a selection of eight.  There is an add on offer if you buy a third item.

Sleep-Over

On Saturday we had a sleep-over at my mum and dads (as it was my niece's birthday on Saturday and my mum's on Sunday).  We went for lunch to House for an Art Lover which has an amazing cafe!  The house is really interesting to look around too.  It was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is well worth a visit if you are ever in Glasgow.

It also has a nice wee shop and I bought these - 


I just love the cute little heart cushion!  I also picked up Scottish Fine Soaps Au Lait Hand Lotion 300ml (they have this in the toilets with the hand wash and its gorgeous - I'll get the hand wash next time!)

Here are the products I took with me for my night away (very restrained I thought - even if I did take two eye creams!) x


Sunday 29 January 2012

Lancome Hydra Intense Gel Mask


I received this very generous full sized face mask (worth £32 - 100ml) as a Gift With Purchase at the Lancome counter in John Lewis before Christmas.

Suitable for normal/combination skin the mask is pale blue in colour (although clear on the skin) and has a fresh floral scent.

"Infused with active ingredients to intensely hydrate the skin leaving it relaxed, refreshed and deeply moisturised" (from Lancome website).

It contains imperata cylindrica extract to moisturise (a subtropical plant which resists the worst droughts).

Apply to cheeks and t-zone avoiding eye area, leave 5 minutes and remove excess with cotton pad.  Use once or twice a week.

My verdict?  A brilliant mask, very moisturising and leaves skin soft and smooth.  It also feels very comfortable on the skin (I sometimes find masks  irritate my skin).  Definitely one I'd re-purchase (or look for in GWP deals!)

Saturday 28 January 2012

Get a Healthy Glow - Guest Post

I am excited to say this is my first guest post and it comes from Tracy Griffen,  a Personal Trainer and Author who lives here in Edinburgh.  I'd highly recommend her book - its full of great tips, food and exercise ideas month by month (you can buy this book yourself, see Tracy's links at the bottom for details).


Want to look younger? Get outdoors, get some exercise and get your blood pumping.

As a Personal Trainer I am accustomed to tailoring fitness programmes to fit in with my clients busy lifestyles. Once they are exercising regularly (often outdoors), they notice all sorts of changes. One of the most immediate changes is that their skin becomes clearer. There are a number of reasons for this.

Increased cardiovascular (pulse raising) exercise gets the blood pumping around the body. More blood and oxygen pumping to the skin as well. This helps nourish the skin, and also assists in removing waste products, including free radicals. Aim for at least three sessions of 30 minutes or more weekly. Work at a pace where you feel slightly breathless, and yes, even a bit pink in the face!

I always ask clients to drink around 2 Litres of water a day. Get in the habit of sipping water (or herbal tea) throughout the day and your skin will thank you. Simply drinking more water helps to flush toxins from the body. Combined with exercise this process is speeded up. Drinking more water also helps speed up the metabolism, which is how fast calories are burnt. Good hydration is essential for plump-looking healthy skin.

Eat fresh! Eat the freshest food possible. Even better grow your own. Even if you only have a wee patch of communal garden, see if you can grow some herbs and salad leaves. Fresh green leaves are full of nutrients, and offer numerous health benefits. Gardening is good exercise and you can use your herbs in home made beauty preparations or herbal teas. Foodwise try to eat fresh fruit and vegetables or nuts and seeds (full of lovely oils, great for strong shiny hair and nails) as snacks instead of processed rubbish.

Exercising outdoors can be harsh on the skin, so remember to wear sunscreen. If anyone has a suggestion for a good non-greasy sunscreen that can be worn every day, please do let me know. I’m terrible for remembering to put on sunscreen and I’m outdoors for a few hours every day. Despite my negligence in the sunscreen department, people regularly guess my age to be at least 5 years less than it is. I’m 37, and the more I do my job (and the older I get), the more I realise that regular exercise can help keep us all feeling and looking younger. Your skin is a reflection of your internal health. Look after your internal wellbeing and your skin will reflect this. Become more energetic and you can develop radiant skin.

Personal Trainer Tracy Griffen runs Griffen Fitness, 3 Balfour Street, just off Leith Walk. She is the author of the newly published Healthy Living Yearbook, 192 colourful pages of seasonal fitness ideas and easy healthy recipes.

Friday 27 January 2012

Latest in Beauty - YOU 20 Years of Beauty Greats Discovery Box

Guess what arrived this morning?  My YOU Latest in Beauty Box.  It's fabulous! It comes in a pink and white cardboard box.



It's so worth the £5.95 plus £2.95 P&P.

It contains:

30ml Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (with cloth) which retails at £5.25.

5ml Sisley Sisleya Global Anti-Age Day & Night Cream (50ml of this retails at £243.00!)  Would never be able to afford this cream so looking forward to trying the sample pot.

mini pot and brush BareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation - they have given us a tiny amount which will probably last about twice!  Still, I suppose its enough to try the product out - I already love this product.

Bamford Geranium Trio - the bath oil is my favourite! 30ml bath oil, 50ml body wash and 50ml body lotion.  I've had this trio before as Latest in Beauty luxury samples - gorgeous!

Dr Nick Lowe Oil Control Day Cream 20ml - a good size sample - will look forward to trying this.  I already love the cooling menthol face mask in the range which you can read about here.

Finally, a sachet of Lanolips 101 Ointment - keep reading about this so keen to try!

What are your thoughts?  Did you manage to get a box?

My top 5 Lip Balms


Like hand cream I have an addiction to lip balm!  Here are my favourites:

Palmer's Lip Butter Dark Chocolate & Peppermint - I just discovered this beauty via reading about it on several other blogs.  It's gorgeous, sweet, chocolately and minty.  A clear balm which leaves lips glossy (and tasty).  You can wear it alone or with lipstick.  One will be included in my next giveaway - coming soon!

Jurlique Love Balm Rose - Intensely scented with rose (I love it) a multi-purpose balm - use it on lips, cuticles and dry skin all over the body.  You can buy it for £9 including delivery at Naturisimo - click the link above.

Rose & Co Rose Petal Salve, again a rose scented salve which is multi-purpose.  This was from Boudoir Prive. (yes, I love the scent of rose!)

Finally, two Vaseline Lip Therapy - I love these little tins - using cocoa butter (in coat pocket) rosy lips (by bed) and in my desk at work Creme Brulee.

What's your favourite lip balm - I'm always on the lookout for new ones!

Thursday 26 January 2012

January Empties




I know I'm a wee bit early doing this post but I'm not going to finish anything else this month.  Here are my January empties:


Elemis Pro-Collage Lifting Treatment for Neck & Bust 15ml - love this but try to buy in GWP deals/QVC offers.  Got an Avon Neck & Bust Cream to test for Beauty Bible.

Herbfarmacy Replenishing Face Cream - tiny little sample but lovely product, lovely scent and rich texture.  Would consider purchasing.  You can read more about it here.

Caudalie Vinexpert Riche 3ml - again a lovely cream which I'd consider buying.

Kiehl's Ultra Rich Cream 7ml - I got this in the Advent Calendar.  Loved it.  Will definitely purchase at some point.


Creme de la Mer - The Moisturising Lotion 3ml - loved this!  Unsure if I'd buy as its so expensive - I'll add it to the ever expanding wish list.


Cowshed Soothing Hand Cream 50ml - loved the scent of this (peppermint & orange) but I didn't really find it very moisturising so wouldn't purchase.


This Works No Wrinkles Extreme Moisturiser - tiny pot from Latest in Beauty.  Loved the aromatherapy scent of this cream but as such a small pot couldn't really tell if it was doing much to my skin.  Would consider purchasing full size as it was so nice to use.

Imperial Leather Cotton Soft Handwash/Yves Rocher Vanilla Liquid Soap - liked the scent of both and will probably re-purchase.

Gazelli 3 x 2ml sachets - serum, repair cream, eye cream from Latest in Beauty £1 box.  Liked the eye cream best.  Didn't like the scent of the serum and cream.  Wouldn't buy.

YSL sachet Forever Youth Liberator - seemed nice enough but hard to tell from such a small sachet.

MONU hand & nail cream 5ml - nice product which worked well.  Full size of 50ml retails at £10.95 but I have so many hand creams to use up.

Dead Sea Magik Salt Brushing 50g - from Feel Unique.  I hated this! I expected there to be some oil in the sachet but it was really dry. Swapped my second sachet.

L'Occitane Lavande Body & Massage Gel 200ml - this was the first thing I reviewed!  You can find that post here.  This was a really nice product but I found my skin a bit sticky after application so tended to use this on my legs after exercise/standing for long periods instead.  Probably wouldn't re-purchase.

Rahua Volumising Shampoo/Conditioner Sachets - as I've said before I love this product and have been collecting more on Beauty Box Swaps on Facebook.

Lush Magic Wand - my favourite Christmas product - and I've used up my first one!  Got a stash to see me through the year! (and I want some of the Mother's day ones too!)


Lush Rosejam Bubbleroon - love the scent of this one, already re-purchased.


Lush Dragon's Egg - most amazing bath ballistic - one of my favourites.


Age Defiance Wipes - sometimes only a wipe will do!

Clarins Moisture Rich Body Lotion 100ml - one of my favourite body lotions.  I received this one as a GWP.  Formulated with shea butter for dry skin, a light scented lotion which is easily absorbed and one I'd buy again.


Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment 30ml - my favourite hand cream always have a tube of this on the go.

Lancome Eau Micellaire Douceur 50ml - received this in the Advent Calendar.  You can read my thoughts here.

Mitchell & Peach Shower Wash 50ml - from Joliebox.  Loved the quality of the product and the chic bottle but didn't like the scent.  Wouldn't purchase.

NEOM mini Bath Oils x 2 - single use - lovely products.  Got a mini set in the Must Have sale a while back for £9 instead of £15.  Would definitely re-purchase.

Bamford Geranium Bath Oil 30ml - I acquired this particular bottle in a swap.  Must get round to buying full size as I love it - but it's so expensive (another one winging my way in the recent YOU Latest in Beauty box).

Arbonne Ultra-Hydrating Hand Cream 15ml - from Glossybox.  Nice enough but wouldn't re-purchase as I think there are better hand creams out there.

Macademia Healing Oil Treatment 10ml - got this in a swap - love it.  Will definitely re-purchase at some point - I got another in my Best of Boudoir Box.

Lancome Genifique Yeux 5ml - another Advent Calendar find - the eye cream I'm going for when I need a new one.  Loved the gel texture.

Leonor Greyl Masque Fleur de Jasmine 16ml - got this in my Best of Boudoir box - gorgeous product would definitely buy.  You can read my review here.  I want to get the full size of this eventually (but got loads of intensive treatments to use up).

Leonor Greyl Shampoo for dry and brittle hair 16ml - swapped for two of these on Beauty Box Swaps - ok product but probably wouldn't buy.

Lavera Body Spa Bath Sea Salts 80g in Vanilla & Coconut, Lavender and Milk & Honey - really lovely would definitely re-purchase.  Scent doesn't stay on the skin but makes for a relaxing bath.  The lavender one is especially relaxing.

Aveda Damage Remedy Shampoo & Conditioner 10ml - a freebie if you took a magazine page instore.  Quite a nice product, unsure if I'd purchase.

Kerastase Bain Satin 1 250ml - my no.1 favourite shampoo.  Already have re-purchased.

Korres Citrus Little Moisturising Body Milk 50ml - from my Best of Boudoir Box.  Have also stocked up on another via Beauty Box Swaps.

Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream 50ml - lovely product would re-purchase.

Khiel's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 4ml - another from the Advent Calendar.  Would purchase.

Vaseline Aloe Fresh Deodorant - a staple!

What have you been using up this month?

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Garnier Fresh Essentials

I am always seeing products I want to buy on Victoria's blog, Cosmetic Cravings.  The latest want was Garnier Fresh Essentials Eye Make up Remover (normal/combination skin - 150ml).  Zoe at Zoelou was kind enough to let me know that Superdrug was selling Garnier products at half price :)

So I bought the eye make up remover (which is fab! no sting and great at removing waterproof make up - thanks Victoria for the recommendation!) and the Fresh Essentials Refreshing Toner (normal/combination skin - 200ml).  Both £1.50 each! A bargain! x


Tuesday 24 January 2012

The Versatile Blogger Award

Big thanks to Drama&MakeUp, Hannah at Fresh Look Beauty and Tereza at Cityscape Bliss for awarding me The Versatile Blogger Award.  Be sure to check out their fab blogs!

I have been very lucky to receive this award before and you can read my comments here and here. x

Carmine - November and December likes

I subbed to Carmine in November (I couldn't miss out on yet another beauty box!)  I had loads of hassle regarding my address detail and late delivery.  Carmine support assured me it would be fixed for the December box. 

December came and my box was again late - I eventually received it, and it was addressed wrong again! (luckily my long suffering postie knows I am a beauty addict and I  got it eventually!)  I have been assured it has been sorted for January - fingers crossed!

These are my likes from the November and December boxes.

November

Cosmetics a la carte Brow Ink – really ingenious product, love it.  Never used a brow ink before.  It can also be used as eyeliner. 

i-pout lipstick – loved this, beautiful colour (Berrylicious) and really handy on nights out with the built in light and mirror. I hadn’t tried this brand before the beauty boxes.

Lulu Time Bomb Flashback Night Cream 15ml – ideal try me size.  Lovely cream enjoyed using would maybe re-purchase (stocked up in a couple in swaps).

December

Institut Esthederm Time Technology Cream – I love trying new face creams and this is really nice.  Rich but easily absorbed.

KMS Freeshape Quick Blow-Dry –  spray on towel dried hair and it reduces drying time by 50%.  Love this product would buy full size.

Benito Brow Bar Free Eyebrow Threading card – A free eyebrow threading.  Not used yet but I can in either House of Fraser or Debenhams - valid until June.

The other items in the boxes I swapped (Weleda Pomegranate Body Wash, Japonesque Smudger Brush and Blingtone eyeshadow).  I gave the Dainty Doll Eyeliner and the NEOM body lotion as gifts.

I will see what the contents are of the next couple of boxes as I am not using all the products so this may be the one I will cancel.

What are your thoughts on Carmine?


Monday 23 January 2012

Chocomania Body Butter - The Body Shop


Jamie-Lee over at beauty captures us alerted me to an offer The Body Shop were running for 48 hours.

A 200ml tub of Chocomania Body Butter for £9 with free delivery.

It's gorgeous, really rich and buttery with a scent of chocolate - yum.  On the skin it smells a bit coconutty and chocolatey.  Launched in the shops on 30th January.  It's delicious.  I'll be checking out the rest of the range x

Mini Avon Haul


I love how you can get so much for your money buying from Avon.  The above little lot cost only £9.97 (although the Senses Shower Gel was a freebie from my Rep).

3 x Avon Naturals Sugar Plum & Vanilla Room and Linen Spray - a limited edition.  I love this scent so stocked up! It's sweet and sugary. (and only 99p each).

1 x 300ml Avon Senses Lagoon Liquid Soap

1 x 200ml Avon Care Gentle Handwash

1 x Tinted Lip Care - Red.  This is a peachy shade on me.  It's a similar product to the L'Oreal Lip Glow which I reviewed here. 

My rep gave me a full size bottle of Avon Senses with Love - White Jasmine & Rose Shower Gel and a couple of samples.

Are you an Avon fan?

Sunday 22 January 2012

Cor - The Silver Soap Update

I have been using Cor - The Silver Soap for a week now and here are my thoughts.

It has a really nice fruity scent (contains pomegranate).  The instructions say not to leave the soap uncovered due to the fact that it can melt if it comes in contact with moisture.  I covered it up in clingfilm and put it in a little dish in the bathroom.  I have also found that the soap will last a lot longer than the week to ten days suggested - I think it will last at least 3-4 weeks making it great value.

Day 1: I followed the instructions given (see here) and applied the foam to my face (morning and night).  It's a rich cream, a bit like a cream cleanser.  I left the foam on for 1-2 minutes and removed with a hot cloth.  My skin looked a bit red and felt a bit tight (both normal reactions).

Day 2: Still some tightness and redness after use but skin felt really smooth.

Day 3: As above, still some tightness after use.

Day 4: Skin looks brighter, few spots I had on my chin have cleared up.

Day 5: Complexion looking fresher.

Day 6: Pore size looking smaller and skin looks fresh and clean - no oily sheen in T-zone.

Day 7: I'm sold! Skin looks bright and fresh, t-zone oil regulated, smaller pores, less wrinkles around eye area and skin feels rejuvenated.




I'll let you know when I finally finish the soap but I think it's definitely worth a tenner! 

Saturday 21 January 2012

Latest in Beauty - YOU Box - Available 9am Sunday!



Click here.

Five January Wants

I am always finding products I want to buy on other blogs.  Here are my five January wants! (in no particular order!)  

Garnier Fresh Essential Eye Make up Remover as posted by Cosmetic Cravings

Tresonics Sonic Skin Cleansing System as reviewed by Addict for Dramatics

Barefoot Botanicals SOS Daily Rich Body Lotion as reviewed by We were raised by wolves

Origins GinZing Eye Cream as reviewed by x-Make-up-Meoww-x

Models Own Lip Balm in Tangerine as posted by Fresh Look Beauty

Friday 20 January 2012

Spiezia Ladies Night Mini Gift Set

I picked up this mini set at the Naturismo  sale.  It cost £6.95 instead of full price of £9.95.  It comes in a small recyclable box.  I think it would also make a great gift.  


This set should last for a long weekend - enough time to find out whether you like the products or not (though I think the oil will last a bit longer).



Spieza Organic products are made at Gear Farm in Cornwall.  They were the first company in the UK to have Soil Association accreditation across 100% of their skincare range.


Included in the set is:

Organic Facial Cleanser 10ml - I have used this before and its one of the best cleansers I have used.  It has a soft balm texture which melts into the skin.  It is especially good at removing waterproof eye make up.  The only negative is the strong herbal scent due to the essential oils it contains which takes a bit of getting used to - apart from that an excellent product and one I always come back to as its so effective.

To use: massage a small amount of cleanser over the face using your fingertips.  Remove with a damp muslin cloth.

Rose & Vanilla Face Oil 10ml - A deeply nourishing oil which is scented with vanilla pod and rose oil.  Can be used AM or PM.  It smells fab.

To use: put a small amount onto your fingertips (this has to be done carefully as there is no stopper on the bottle) and massage onto your skin, wait a few moments if you are applying make up.

You can read more about Spiezia here.

Thursday 19 January 2012

Creme de La Mer Samples

I recently signed up to receive the Creme de la Mer newsletter.  The other day I was invited to complete a survey and on completion I got a thank-you email inviting me to go to my nearest counter and get a free sample! 


After a brief consultation I got 3ml samples of The Moisturising Lotion (which retails at £150 for 50ml!) and The Eye Concentrate (which retails at £125 for 15ml).  I've only been using them three days and I am in love with the moisturising lotion, it has a lovely light texture, soft scent and it melts into the skin (I won't be buying this anytime soon unless I win the lottery!).  The eye concentrate is good too but I'm not loving it quite as much.

I once bought The Lip Balm which was the most luxurious (and expensive) lip balm I have ever owned - it was gorgeous!

Have you used Creme de la Mer before?

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Cute Blog Award

I was so thrilled when Reese awarded me the Cute Blog Award.  Thank you so much I do appreciate it.  Please check out her fab blog! x


1. What is your go to makeup product?
     Mascara

2. What was your favorite fashion trend of  2011? I don't have one. 

3. What is your favorite dessert? Pana Cotta, Italian ice-cream, creme brulee

4. Favorite color? Red or Black

5. What is your middle name? Anne

6. What was the last song you listened to? Mayhem Imelda May

7. Cats or dogs? definitely dogs

I send this award to:



xxx

Tuesday 17 January 2012

Beauty Bible Testing - The Products

I was so excited when hubby phoned me at work to tell me that my Beauty Bible Testing Panel package had arrived!  You can read more about this on my original post.

Here are the goodies! (All full size products!)



If you want more info about anything let me know - I was so excited to share the photo of the products! x

Lush - Ro's Argan Body Conditioner


I picked up Ro's Argan Body Conditioner on my trip to Lush just after Christmas.  It contains rose absolute, geranium and lemon oil, vanilla and cocoa butter and is gorgeous!  The scent is the same as rosejam bubbleroon which is one of my favourite Lush scents.

You use it like you would a hair conditioner - slather it onto your wet body after bathing, rinse and towel dry.  Great for these mornings you don't have time to use a body moisturiser.  Makes skin lovely and soft and delicately scented.

Only downside is the price - it retails at £15.50 for 240g.

p.s. noticed the Valentine range is about to hit the shops!  There is also a mother's day range with new scented magic wands! - Madame Butterfly (rosejam scent), Mum Tulip (chocolate orange) and The Mum (orange and lime).  I'll be buying a couple of the butterflies! x

Monday 16 January 2012

The Refresh and Recover Box - Latest in Beauty

I got the Refresh and Recover Box from Latest in Beauty the other day.  Great value for £6.95 including postage.  You get to choose 2 luxury samples to add to your box.


Here's what I got:

Lavera Handcream 20ml, MONU Recovery Balm 5ml, Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium Balm 8ml, Cosmetofruit Total Body Booster 30ml (doesn't taste great but I'm using it) for luxurious hair & nails, Teapigs Tummy Tonic Peppermint leaves Tea sample (love this already), Actimint probiotic supplement taster size (3) and Sunshots SPF 25 20ml.

I chose Balance Me Rose Otto and Shea Butter Salve 15ml which retails at £8 and Balance Me Rose Otto Body Wash 55ml which retails at £3.50.  


20% discount off a full size MONU Recovery Balm - RECOVERYLIB on http://www.monushop.co.uk/ valid until 29 February.


Use BEAUTY12 to get 20% off Matcha Tea at http://www.teapigs.co.uk/ valid until 31 January.

A bargain box I thought, did anyone else buy it and what are your thoughts.

Sunday 15 January 2012

Cor - The Silver Soap


I have been wanting to try this for a while now and was pleased to see it being sold at Latest in Beauty.  It normally retails at £15 for 10g but LIB were selling it at £10 with free postage.

This tiny "soap" will last for 7 days.  LIB say "it might be called a soap but soap it is not!  Hailed as the next generation of cleanser, this precious soap must be used in a certain way to maximise the results and get the most from your bar.  Ideal for daily use COR The Silver Soap cleanses, tones, moisturises, removes make up and acts as an anti-ageing product".

Retails at £30 for the 30g travel size and £100 for 120g.

The directions for use are to wet face, rub the dry soap in wet hands 6-8 times to deposit the COR formula.  Then rub palms together to activate the ingredients and create a foam and massage into the face.  They say you will see results within a week of use (I'll start using this tonight and report back next week).

LIB also say to cover the soap as the bar can break down when in contact with moisture in the air and the bar will melt due to pure natural ingredients!

I'll let you know how I get on.  Has anyone else used it and were you pleased with the results?

Veggie Growing update 1

I first told you about me growing veggies here.  I thought I'd  give you a quick update.

This is what the ground was like before - very overgrown! 




I was hoping to get to the garden over the Christmas holidays but didn't make it (too much lazing about and sales shopping!)  I went along last Sunday  morning (and will go today too) for a couple of hours.



My plot is the one to the left with the spade in it.  After lots of digging and finding roots like this I needed a long soak in the bath!