Wednesday 31 December 2014

Last post of 2014

Wow so this is the last day of 2014 and instead of leaving with a review, I just wanted to say a huge


To each and everyone of you who is reading this, reads my blog, leaves comments, messages me across social media, has emailed me, I've met via blogging, I've worked with, am working with and generally supports me.  It means so much that someone takes the time out of their lives to spend just a few minutes reading what I have to say and sometimes saying thank you is what I should do more often.

Over the past year I have seen quite a few changes to my blog that I am chuffed to bits with. Whether it is regular comments, new people commenting, new followers and even the other way round. I have taken the time to find new blogs to read, some that I have no experience in whatsoever, but do you know what, I've enjoyed every minute of it.  I don't try and 'fit in' because that isn't me, I am who I am.

I've tried my best to support some new bloggers on the scene by commenting as regularly as I can, I've been to blog events and met other bloggers, some of whom have become really good friends and I hope to meet more of you.  I've even stated watching YouTube videos and leaving a comment but the thing I am probably most proud of is my Hubby and his blog, you might know him better as Beautykinguk and if you have a few spare minutes, please do  go and say hello to him, being a male beauty blogger (though he is also doing fashion too) isn't all that easy a task and thee are very few community groups that exist, so it is quite hard to get yourself acquainted at times.

Anyway as this is my last post of 2014, I want to wish you all



Enjoy whatever it is you do today and tonight and I will see you next year!


Tuesday 30 December 2014

Frame again


Do you find that you have a lot of photos on your phone/iPad that you think would look brilliant in a frame, or when visiting friends and family, snap some really lovely shots and other than upload them to Facebook, really do nothing with them? Well let me introduce you to Frame Again.

Frame Again is an independent UK company started by two Camden-based entrepreneurs, Jake Hayman (above, left) and Joe Kenyon, with a love for both the technology that allows us to take more photos and that special, traditional feel of putting a framed photo on display with no plans to take it down. We wanted to put permanence back into photography and ease into photo printing and framing. It took twelve months of planning how to make it happen with other jobs and no financing but we eventually found some backers who believed in us and the things have moved quickly since.


So to use the service simply go to Frame Again and upload your photo directly from your device, be it computer, Instagram or your phone and then choose the colour of your frame base and frame ring.  This is something you can spend ages deciding over, even I changed my mind numerous times!






Frame again posts

Frame again selection


It is so time consuming printing off pictures and then having to cut them to size to display in your frames - this is why I love Frame Again. They take away the hassle of printing the photographs as you simply upload your picture directly from Instagram or from your computer, and they arrive already fitted into your frame - which is also designed by you! You can choose the colours of the frame base and the frame ring - as you can see from my pictures I opted for a very classic black and white, simply because I think the colours are really versatile and will match the decor in every room of the house. The quality of the photo paper is really good, I wasn't sure how my image would look as it was taken from an iPhone but the printing is really good quality and I am impressed with the results.

Another fun fact is that the frames are actually free standing; as you can see from the images above; Frame Again frames are really attractive, modern and cute cube shapes with a thick base meaning they can stand alone without anything holding them up. Of - course, you can also hang the frames against a wall if you want to.

After browsing their website I also discovered that the frames have magnetic sides, so if you have a few frames this will make a great display altogether. This is how the frames work - with magnets. The frame itself is actually kept together by magnetic force, which makes it much more safer than having to bend the metal at the edge of a frame when changing pictures. I don't know about you but that is one of my pet peeves when changing photographs in frames.

You can even change the photo in the frame if you wish to, it is actually really easy and simple to do. Instructions are provided on the sleeve that the frame arrives with. Delivery is really quick and my frame arrived really well packaged.



Frame again wrapping

Frame again finished

Frame again

Frame again Frame Back

Frame Again is such a straight-forward website to use, I really recommend Frame Again if you like to display your special pictures in a modern way. 


I think this is such a brilliant idea.  It is perfect for saving those precious memories quickly and having something to do with them rather than leave them sitting in your iCloud.  You can of course order as many different frames as you wish, I can see this whole concept being quite addictive!
Have you ever used Frame Again? Is it something you would use?






*I was given a voucher code to trial out Frame Again. All opinions are 100% honest and my own*

Moving = Stress!

I hate moving. Well I love it because it is about newness, putting a stamp on your own place and spending hours fawning over paint sample pots and Ikea catalogues, but I actually find it really really stressful, infact moving to the home we currently live in was more stressful than waiting for my degree results, organising a wedding in 6 weeks and being the foreman of a jury at a massive trial!  Once you begin there is just so much you need to think about.

Source
At work, I found it really stressful moving one floor whilst we had some painting and decorating done, as well as a new carpet being laid and some new windows installed.  I was responsible for the whole lot, it sort of comes under my ever-growing work title, and again I know nothing about half of these things, it isn't something I have to deal with on a daily basis and it takes me totally out of my comfort zone, whilst being a bit of a learning curve.  Thankfully, I do have some friends who work in the legal sector who are always on hand to help out, advise and help me work through legal matters.

Finding the right legal services is so important, it doesn't matter where the come from, it could be as simple as choosing Cambridge Estate Agents whilst living in London, to using your friend who runs a firm at the end of the road. What matters is that it feels right to you.  There is so much to think about and most of it costs money, so getting it is right is really important.  When we moved we needed someone who specialised in leaseholds and freeholds and then came structural surveys and the never ending wait for your mortgage approval, even if you know it is going to happen, that dreaded wait is just so terrifying.

Source
But none of this should be the case and having the right help could make it all go much more swimmingly and after all, this is an exciting time, a new start and a chance to get your inner Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen out!

Do you find moving stressful? Do you have any tips should I ever want to do it again?


**This post contains a sponsored link.

Monday 29 December 2014

Jo Malone Christmas Cracker

I am totally new to Jo Malone, of course I know all about the brand and have been green with envy at some of the products people have bought or been given, some sound truly amazing and others I simply need in my life, but haven't quite got round to sorting it out.  Then the lovely Louise from LouLovesBeauty held a giveaway just before Christmas to win a Jo Malone Christmas Cracker, which I had looked at many times whilst in John Lewis, but I've never actually bought anything, so I am mighty glad to have won the giveaway!
The cracker itself is as you would expect it to be. Designed in the well known Jo Malone packaging with the cream background with black letters, it is hard not to like it just for that purpose.  Tied at either end with a red ribbon, it looks exactly like a cracker you would put on the dinner table to pull on Christmas Day (multiple versions of this would be amazing!).

Jo Malone Christmas Cracker

Jo Malone Logo

Inside the candle it is filled with three gifts which comprise of. a mini 9ml perfume (Lime, Basil and Mandarin), 15ml body lotion (Nectarine Blossom and Honey), and 15ml body wash (Blackberry and Bay) which is a perfect introduction to just some of the products you can purchase from Jo Malone.  

Jo Malone Christmas Cracker Contents
As each product is a mini, you don't get much use out of the body lotion, there certainly isn't enough to cover your body once, but there is enough to moisturise both arms and hands which really lets you see how amazing the scent is, it is one I could easily get used to using.  

Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Body Cream


The shower gel again seems exactly as the name suggests it too and possibly not a scent I would personally purchase, but it is nice enough and is incredibly moisturising, the perfect size for a weekend away with a bit of luxury.

Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Body and Hand Wash


Finally the perfume, now for me 9ml is a brilliant introduction in the world of Jo Malone perfumes and there are a few I have my eye on, the main object of my obsession being Peony and Blush Suede which I personally think is the best scent.  That said Lime, Basil and Mandarin is both fragrant and refreshing, the combination of the citrusy limes and mandarins with the aromatic herby basil is one great scent and it lasts for hours and hours on the skin, for me becoming more stunning as it settles and fades slightly.

Jo Malone Lime, Basil & Mandarin Cologne


I am really pleased with this cracker and am so glad that I was lucky enough to win it, the downside for the Hubs is that I now desperately want to try a candle and get my mitts on another perfume! Well Valentines Day isn't that far away!
Are you a Jo Malone fan? do you have a favourite scent/product? Is there anything you really rate and recommend?






Sunday 28 December 2014

Medical Negligence

Have you ever been injured and it hasn't been your fault? I am in the process of taking legal action over a fall that occurred 7 weeks ago and even now, I still have pain and to be honest, the whole issue is quite complex and quite scary not to mention daunting. There are so many things you need to remember, write down, sign and agree too.

Source

This is where a team of solicitors who will have the more knowledge than you and the experience they have to guide you through all aspects of your claim, starting from gathering evidence and groundwork, through to contacting the guilty parties and negotiating settlements. One of the things people fear most is making the claim for compensation, particularly one for medical negligence, like a friend of mine who had surgery on her knee after falling whilst running.  She badly fractured her kneecap and needed surgery to correct it.  After the surgery she was still in a lot of pain, swollen knee which radiated down her leg and after a further exploratory operation and numerous x-rays, it was a gauze from the initial operation which had been left inside the knee, causing a major infection.  So after many conversations, Sarah did seek compensation because she was off work for a further 6 months and ended up having to have a lot of physiotherapy and two further operations. 

Source

Medical negligence claims, which are often known as clinical negligence claims, exist so that people, like my friend Sarah can cope with the financial loss and trauma that can arise from these situations.  We all know how important it is that medical professionals and their administrators uphold the standards of hygiene and care to the highest possible standards. and if they don't, it is only right that these issues arise.  You just have to work out what is best for you, what the best course of action is and if your solicitor tells you that you have enough to make that claim, then take their advice.  It certainly isn't any easy process and it is one that you have to be comfortable with.

I hope none of you have had to go down this road and if you have, I hope you have been successful in your fight.



This post contains a sponsored link.

Saturday 27 December 2014

Tesco Beauty Advent Calendar - The Final week!

Well that's it, all the doors on my Tesco Beauty Advent Calendar have now been opened and this is the last of the contents from the final three doors:

Day 22




So behind day 22 we have a full sized tin of Aloe Vera Vaseline.  I have to be honest, im not a fan or user of the stuff but it already has a home so im not too worried.  That said, I do love the style of the tin!

Day 23




Day 23 brings this Triple Strength Renunail polish which uses ProSina Keratin Peptide to hep strengthen your nails. It is free from Formaldehyde, Toluene and Dibutyl Phthalate.  Now my nails are in need some TLC and this sounds brilliant, so am looking forward to giving it a try.

Day 24




The final door has this Natio Spa HandCream which is said to be suitable for all skin types. It contains certified organic and ayurvedic plant extracts to help soften hands and strengthen nails.  It also helps to reduce age spots and pigmentation to leave your skin and hands feeling silky smooth.  Natio Spa isn't a brand I have used a product from, so I am always pleased to come across something new and this is the perfect size for chucking in your handbag with a 20ml tube.

So that brings to an end my Calendar and I have to say I think it is brilliant.  I haven't been disappointed with any of the doors I have opened, even if it is a product I am unlikely to use which in this case is only the Vaseline.  Overall, this is everything from the Calendar:


I have detailed all of the products in the following posts:

Week one HERE
Week two HERE
Week three HERE
What do you think to this Calendar overall? Would you buy it next year?


Friday 26 December 2014

Boxing Day Offer from Yves Rocher

This amazing Boxing Day offer from Yves Rocher has more than 60 products with 60% OFF.  

There are some best and also limited editions that will stop by the end of January 2015 like the Blackberry Christmas Collection - so get in there quick!



Have you already been splashing out in the sales?

Generate yourself some Cash + win with this little giveaway!

So Christmas has been and gone, seriously how quickly did those few days pass? With that in mind, I am sure many of you have done very well with gifts from your wishlist that you have barely got room to anything. Let me introduce you to Cash Generator, which is perfect for this time of the year with the sales looming and de-cluttering in dire need.

Opening their first store in 1994 Cash Generator is described as being a Pawn Broker thought they describe themselves as 'The Buy, Sell & Loan Store'. Its core business is the buying and selling of Second Hand goods, mainly electrical and entertainment products. The retailer also offers a range of competitive financial services. Most Cash Generator stores have three counters; retail, buying and financial. The core businesses activity is the buying and selling of second-hand goods, mainly electrical and entertainment products such as TVs, DVDs, games consoles, mobile phones, cameras, laptops, tablets and musical instruments. In addition to second hand items, the stores also sell new and refurbished domestic goods.

So if you have an old Xbox, Wii or camera you don't really use, why are you keeping it there to gather dust and take up valuable space? Get down to Cash Generator, check online for your nearest store and make yourself some cash!

As part of this post, I was offered the chance to giveaway the complete Blu-Ray collection of Harry Potter and all you need to do is enter is using the entry form below. 


The competition ends on 2nd January so makes a lovely New Year Treat for one you and there are mandatory entries that need to be used!


Harry Potter Blu Ray




Good Luck

**This giveaway has been gifted by Cash Generator and is UK Only

Thursday 25 December 2014

Merry Christmas

As today is Christmas Day, myself and Beautykinguk are holed up in a hotel together celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and Christmas, yes we got married on Christmas Day!  But all I really wanted to do was wish you all a



I hope santa has visited and that you are whooping with joy at your presents!


Rachel

xx

Wednesday 24 December 2014

YOU ARE NOT ALONE 2014

I would also love to thank Kellie over at Big Fashionista for allowing me to use this post, it is so important.


So this is my last post for the next couple of days as it is Christmas Eve. A time for joy, family and happiness.

Sadly, not everyone experiences this at Christmas and for some, this time can be a dark and lonely time or a time when emotions such as depression can be heightened.

You may be one of those people. You may have come across this blog post by chance, or someone may have forwarded it to you to read.

Consider it fate.

I don't want you to feel alone this Christmas.

I don't want you to feel depressed or lonely.


If you feel that you have hit rock bottom and you feel empty inside, If you can see the lights twinkling in other peoples windows, hear the laughter of your neighbours and yet you experience no joy, as if the world is a dark place in which you see no place for yourself any more.

Or if you feel that you are ready to make a change.

I want you to pick up the phone......................

MINDwww.mind.org.uk / 0300 123 3393

Samaritanswww.samaritans.org / 08457 90 90 90

Alcoholics Anonymouswww.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/newcomers
0845 769 7555

Stonewall www.stonewall.org.uk / Info line 08000 50 20 20

London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard / 
0207 837 7324

SANELine / www.sane.org.uk / 0845 767 8000

Preventing young suicide www.papyrus-uk.org

National self-help body for the Transgender community
BEAUMONT SOCIETY / http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk

For people in Northern Ireland www.lifeline.info / 0808 808 8000

Childline www.childline.org.uk / 0800 1111

Depressionalliance www.depressionalliance.org

Refuge www.refuge.org.uk / 0808 2000 247

Eating Disorders Association www.edauk.com / 0845 634 1414

Shelter www.shelter.org.uk / 0808 800 4444

NHS Direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk / 0845 4647

No Panic www.no-panic.co.uk / 0808 808 0545

If you need someone, please call one of these numbers. You are NOT alone over Christmas, there are people out there that care, I care. 



Source

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.



Tesco Beauty Calendar days 15-21

So I am coming to the end of my Beauty Advent Calendar from Tesco which I am quite sad about because I can honestly say that I have loved every minute of opening the door each day to see what is behind it.  If you want to see what I already have, then you can see week 1 HERE and week 2 HERE to give you some idea as to how good this calendar is!

Today I have days 15-21 to share with you and well lets just say I haven't been disappointed by anything yet!




Day 15 see's three hair treatments which is always a good product to have. Royal Moroccan is a brand I have heard of but never used. The hair mask is described as being "This is a highly moisturising formula. Nourishes and eliminates dry, itchy scalp. Repairs and strengthens parched, brittle, frizzy and over treated hair, making it touchably soft. Brings back the Wow factor" and the serum treatment "The combination of the natural ingredients - Argan Oil and Linen Oil, Leaves hair silkiy soft and restores luster to hair damaged by chemical treatment and the ravages of time. Royal Moroccan Hair Serum treatment creates an instant, long-lasting shine without weighing hair down. This special serum rich in Argan Oil helps restore your hairs natural beauty. Makes hair soft and silky smooth. At Royal Moroccan, our goal, now and at the future, is to continue to formulate an extraordinery additions to our line".  So they both sound exceptionally good and I am looking forward to trying them out.



Behind the door of day 16 we have Baylis and Harding Sweet Mandarin and Grapefruit  Body Lotion in a 30ml tube.   I have never used anything from Baylis and Harding and this lotion smells every much as citrusy as its name would have you believe it to be.  It claims to Relax and rehydrate your skin at the end of a hectic day, so it is perfect for this time of year!




Day 17 brings me a very very cute sample bottle of Ghost perfume.  Now I personally am a sample perfume fan, I find them really handy to have around, either in my desk drawer or in my handbag, especially because with work, I am always on the go and often between offices.  This bottle is just too cute, an exact mini replica of the adult version and not a perfume I have tried before. 

Described as being "an understated and feminine fragrance. It is a floral, fruity fragrance that resembles an avalanche of white flowers with a warm peachiness, making it suitable for both daytime and evening wear or for any occasion. Ghost fragrances are some of the freshest floral fragrances available. There is a sense of definite sculpture to the bottle and it is said to mirror the stature of a woman’s body, feminine and sensual. A cool shimmering blue gives it a futuristic glow and a feeling of a light that comes from its own inner soul. It starts with top notes of ambrette seeds and rose, leading to heart notes of jasmine, hibiscus and sweet apricot and finishing with a base of sandalwood, vanilla, musk and rich amber" and having had a very quick sniff of it, I actually really like it, the vanilla isn't too overpowering but for me it is the scent of Jasmine which sells it.




Behind the door of day 18 we have a mini Stylfile Emergency file which comes protected in this spring.  I am a huge fan of Stylfile and find them so handy to have in my bad, by being inside the spring, means that as it bounces around, it doesn't get damaged or broken.  This one will go on my work keyring, so I have an extra to carry around with me.




Day 19 completes my Baylis and Harding duo with this Sweet Mandarin and Grapefruit body wash and as expected it smells exactly like the body lotion. Perfect for taking away over a weekend or few nights away.




Day 20 brings me Manuka Doctor Rejuvenating face Mask.  I feel I should know more about Manuka Doctor than I do, whilst I have read other bloggers posts about the product range, I have to admit I havent tried any of them.  So getting this face mask which is in a 7ml tube will give me at least 2 chances to try it and see if I like it.  Described as follows "This rich restoring mask contains a unique formulation to nourish & restore skin to help reduce the signs of ageing - Hydration for youthful looking skin".




Day 21 brings this miniature hairbrush which is actually something I needed to add to my work make-up bag.  I used to have this exact hairbrush, but as usual i lost it and have been meaning to replace it.  I love it because it fits neatly into my handbag, travel make-up bag and actually brushes my hair properly rather than just the top layer of hair.

So there you have week three of my beauty calendar from Tesco and once again there is a nice mix of products to try.  What I am really loving is that each sample behind the doors is big enough to get more than one use out of it, which is something other calendars that I have seen doesn't really do.

What do you think to week three? Is it as good as the previous two? is there anything you like the sound of?
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