Christmas Jumper's with IWOOT

It's that time of year when it is absolutely acceptable to find your Christmas Jumpers or Jumpers and get right into that Christmas spirit of ordering your tree, booking the Christmas food slot, writing those Christmas cards and of course deciding what to wear for the office party!

I love a good Christmas Jumper, usually in the office we have a bad taste jumper competition to see who can come up with literally the worst interpretation of a Christmas themes jumper and over the years there have been some absolute corkers.  This year, I have been kindly sent a selection of jumpers from IWOOT and not only do they have an incredible selection, they literally have something for everyone.  If you are a politics nerd, Disney fan, Star Wars, love Donald Trump, are a mad cat lady or just want something a little bit weird and out there then this is where you need to be looking.

Nothing says festive cheer quite like Christmas jumpers. Worn for approximately less than 1 day a year, they are essential for bringing good tidings, merriment and cheer. Our Christmas jumpers range from funny or cute, to naughty or nice and everything in between, so why not kit out the whole family in these essential festive frocks?

I found it really hard to choose a selection of jumpers, as I've mentioned, I love something sensible as much as something that makes me giggle. I have a flashing Disney jumper that always comes out at Christmas and from IWOOT, I chose the following:

Ho Ho Ho Women's Sweatshirt in Black (£24.99) - As a crazy cat lady, how could I resist a sweatshirt of a Christmas Kitty? 

This sweatshirt is crafted from a cotton mix and it has a crew neck and long sleeves.

Make Christmas Great Again in Black (£14.99) - Whether you love or loathe Donald Trump, this sweatshirt did make me chuckle and it is one the mister will be wearing for work.  

It features a cross-stitch style print of Donald Trump in his Santa outfit and is again crafted from an 80% Cotton / 20% Polyester mix, true to size with its fit.

National Lampoon Fun Old Fashion Christmas Sweatshirt in Black (£18.99). A Christmas Eve tradition for the mister and I is to sit down and watch The National Lampoon Christmas Vacation featuring the Griswald family and when I saw this sweatshirt, it was the first one I was wanting to buy. 

The film is most definitely a Christmas Classic and must watch film and this sweatshirt which is made from an 80% Cotton/20% Polyester Mix and is again a really good fit for the large size that I ordered.

A little move away from black sweatshirts now with this beauty. Merry Kiss My Ass in Burgundy (£18.99) is perfect for those who love a bit of Christmas fun or are 100% in the Bah Humbug camp. 

Made from 80% Cotton.20% Polyester Mix, I ordered this one in an XL size because I like my sweaters to be slightly baggy when worn with jeans or leggings and for me, the XL is perfectly sized.

The final sweatshirt is titled Joy To The World (£24.99) and what I love about this the bold lettering which really catches the eye.  It's also a phrase I say quite a lot at this time of the year, often more sarcastically than I need to, but it is a great phrase. 

Again, this sweatshirt is black in colour and is crafted from a cotton mix, meaning it is incredibly soft and comfortable to wear.

This is just a small selection as to what IWOOT has to offer you and I could quite easily find a different jumper to wear every single day of the festive season as could the mister.  I would love to know if you are a fan of the Christmas Jumper or whether you have seen a jumper on IWOOT that you just need in your life?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Beatitude Award Winning Aromatherapy Gift Guide

With the stress of Christmas, it is always a great idea to take some time out, relax, breathe, have a bath or whatever it is you do to wind down and just have some time out. Rushing around town, in and out of shops, joining queues and wandering for hours to find that one last gift is never good for the blood pressure - trust me, I am moaned at enough by my GP!  One brand which helps to take the stress out of life is Beatitude.

I first came across Beatitude a few years ago when I was gifted the Patience Bath Oil and then the Comfort Aromatherapy Candle, two products which are just divine.  If you have never come across the brand before, Beatitude is best described as being a luxury aromatherapy brand that has been created by beauty therapist and aromatherapist Rebecca O’Connor. Launched in Scotland in 2011 is 100% natural with no parabens, no petrochemicals, no sulphates and no artificial colours or fragrances. Beatitude is the ultimate feel-good brand and represents a luxurious high-quality product that has consideration for the environment.

Today on the blog I am sharing a mini gift guide which could be for yourself, a loved one, a friend or anyone who just needs some time out.  What I love about this brand is how much thought goes into each and every product, they are always divinely wrapped and the presentation is just beautiful.  Starting with the Joy Body Oil Christmas Bauble (£12).

Joy Body Oil is described as being like 'pure happiness for your skin' and it is formulated using 100% natural ingredients to nourish and hydrate the skin.   The oils of Oat, Camellia, Peach Kernel and Daikon Radish Seed work together to provide a beautiful oil which has a really silky texture that is easily absorbed, non-greasy and leaves behind beautiful soft, smooth skin. if you like an oil which is uplifting then this one does absolutely that because it used an aromatherapy blend of uplifting and citrus essential citrus oils including - bergamot, grapefruit, orange and petitgrain.

The best way I have found to use this oil is immediately after stepping out of the bath/shower on to damp skin and because your skin is still warm from the water, the essential oils come to life and the scent is just incredible.  

The second item in this little guide comes in the form of a candle and it is the Winter Comfort Candle (£30). I am a huge fan of candles and I have them in every room of the house.  For me, they provide a relaxing atmosphere and when you need some time out, especially during the colder months, I love a deeply scented candle and in the summer months, I like the fresher scents.

As soon as you open the lid on the box for this candle, the fragrance comes to life and for me, you know you have a good quality candle. Beatitude candles are all-natural and are made from eco soy wax with a lead-free wick and they only use the finest essential oils.

Winter Comfort has what is referred to as a 'beautiful seasonal blend' and it combines uplifting, citrus essential oils of mandarin, bergamot and clementine and they are more definitely the first hint of fragrance notes to capture your attention.  Then as the candle begins to burn, there is a beautiful fresh aroma of lavender and eucalyptus which then give way to the lovely spicy notes of both clove and cinnamon. 

This candle has a burn time of up to 20 hours and is definitely one to choose on those notes when the curtains are shut, the lights have been dimmed and you just want to sit back and relax.

You can find both of these products on the Beatitude website along with a whole host of other products.  I have my eye firmly on the bath oils!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Christmas Gifting with Emma Hardie Skincare

If you are a regular here then you will be aware that my love for Emma Hardie runs deep, especially the Moringa Cleansing Balm which I am always raving about. If you didn't know, Emma Hardie is a renowned facialist and leading pioneer in natural healing and skin rejuvenation. Emma prides itself on creating natural, cruelty-free products with integrity, avoiding skin sensitising ingredients and using natural botanicals to help the skin.

If you have never used a single Emma Hardie product, then today's gift guide is not only better than the 2018 offering, but it is one you will find tempting and not want to miss. I have something for every budget within this guide, so whether you want to spend £10, £60 or something in-between this is what you can find:

Firstly we have Merrily Moringa (£10) - The perfect stocking filler, secret Santa or something to hang on your tree, this Merrily Moringa kit is one to grab. Inside you will find Emma Hardie's Award-winning Moringa Cleansing Balm and Dual-Action Cleansing Cloth in a deluxe travel size (15ml). 

This, if you have never tried the Moringa Cleansing Balm is a great introduction to just how amazing it is.  I have featured this Balm many times on my blog and it is a purifying botanical cleansing balm that removes all traces of face and eye make-up, deeply cleanses the pores as well as balancing, hydrating and moisturising all skin types. Like all Emma Hardie products, this balm is packed full of amazing ingredients, you will find:

• Grape Seed Oil and Sweet Almond Oil rich in essential fatty acids help to plump and soften
• Moringa seed extract, Wild Sea Fennel and Vitamin E balance, purify and help to minimise the appearance of open pores
• Essential oils of Orange, Neroli and Mandarin rejuvenate and revitalise the skin whilst calming the senses
• Jasmine and Rose help to recondition dull, dry, dehydrated and mature skins

The Dual-action cloth is perfect for use with the cleansing balm.  One side of the cloth is a gentle microfibre material for deep cleansing and removal whereas the other side is a muslin cloth for polishing the skin. 

Up next is the Daily Essentials Collection Cracker (£20) - Alongside the cult favourite Moringa Cleansing Balm, this cracker has everything you need to create an easy to follow skincare routine using only Emma Hardie products. 

Inside you will find a Moringa Cleansing Balm (15ml), Dual-Action Cleansing Cloth, Protect & Prime SPF 30 (15ml), Midas Touch Revitalising Cream (15ml).  Again, a great way to become acquainted with a brand and their much-loved products before splashing out on full sizes.  

As well as the balm, Protect & Prime is an amazing product (review here) and one I have gone through tubes of.  With its SPF30, Protect and Prime is a lightweight, non-greasy skin protecting and priming cream.  Packed full of amazing ingredients such as Mongongo Oil, Oat Extract and Vitamin E, they all work to protect and guard the skin against premature ageing, sun damage and environmental exposure. It also has a unique light-diffusing formulation to prime the skin and even out the complexion as well as helping to blur the appearance of fine lines and pores. 

The Midas Touch Revitalising Cream (review here) is one of my favourite creams. With its luxurious texture which absorbs incredibly quickly into the skin, this cream is formulated with hyaluronic acid to banish signs of fatigue and stress as well as to hydrate and plump the skin. Other ingredients include a powerful blend of marine and botanical extracts such as antioxidant edelweiss stem cells which work to condition and tone while brightening properties are delivered by natural polymatrix algae film extract.  Also found within this cream are the natural oils of Moringa, Primrose and Rosehip which work together to moisturise, nourish and soothe and it smells just incredible.

If you are already a fan of Emma Hardie and have used a few products, then the Brightening Collection (£50) is one to be adding to your wishlist.

This Collection has been specially designed to hydrate, cleanse, revitalise and brighten for naturally radiant skin. Inside you will find a Moringa Cleansing Balm 50ml, Dual-Action Cleansing Cloth, Rosehip Exfoliating Seeds 5g, Purifying Detox Pink Clay Mask, Moisture Boost Vit + C Cream.

The Rosehip Exfoliating Seeds I first came across earlier this year and it is such a good inclusion and a real skin treat. All you need to do is to add just a pinch of the seeds to the Moringa balm for a gentle exfoliation action whilst you cleanse, they are not at all abrasive on the skin and it really does give a wonderful bespoke at-home facial.

The Purifying Detox Pink Clay Mask (full review here) is described as being a botanical-rich, purifying and detoxifying mask that deeply cleanses and balances skin, exfoliating gently to remove impurities and refine pores. It is formulated using Australian pink clay which is said to improve the skin’s natural moisture levels as it cleanses and refines. Then there is Emma Hardie’s trademarked ‘Defensil’ technology which aims to reduce redness and inflammation thereby leave your complexion looking much smoother and more even there is also the brand’s signature moringa seed oil, which is not only rich in vitamins C and E, it also provides antioxidant protection, deflecting skin-damaging environmental pollutants.

The final item within this collection is the Moisture Boost Vit + C Cream is described as being a Vitamin C enriched face cream that helps to promote your skins natural radiance. Using a pure blend of Vitamin B3 and time-released Vitamin C they help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and areas of high colour. It also increases healthy collagen production, leaving the skin looking brighter and clearer as well as reducing the visible signs of ageing. Red Algae Extract has a reversing effect on UV damage creating a luminous and refined complexion, whilst Pumpkin Enzymes, Shea Butter and Grapeseed Oil all encourage increased cellular renewal and regeneration.

The final gift that I am sharing today is incredible and it is an absolute must for any Emma Hardie Fan and it is called Glow on the Go (£60).  

The products within this collection are designed to boost your skins natural radiance and included you will find a 50ml Moringa Cleansing Balm, Dual-Action Cleansing Cloth, 30ml Brilliance Facial Oil, 20ml Moisture Boost Vit C Cream.  Again there is a skincare routine right here to ensure your skin is cleansed, cleaned and moisturised.

All of these products you will find mentioned above, except the Brilliance Facial Oil.  For me, oil is an absolute must in the winter. From Emma Hardie, this Brilliance Facial Oil is described as being a multi-active, lightweight, nourishing facial oil complex which includes nine essential oils - Palma Rose, Orange, Mint, Vanilla, Geranium, Camomile, Lemon, Rose and Lavender. These oils all come together to re-balance and replenish precious moisture while balancing sebum production. The oils work alongside Omega 3 which helps to restructure the skin and promote elasticity and Camelina 'Gold of Pleasure' oil which is known for its powerful antioxidant properties to protect the skin from environmental damage.  This oil has been on my watch list for some time and I have been using it daily since it arrived and not only does it feel incredible on the skin, I love that it is a non-greasy oil and my skin just drinks it as quick as I apply it.

There is absolutely something for everyone within this Emma Hardie Skincare gift guide and whether you are a huge fan, new to the brand or yet to discover the brand, this is such a great introduction.  You can find all of these gifts and more on the Emma Hardie website.

Do you have a favourite Emma Hardie product?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Erborian - My Perfect Routine with Ginseng Gift Set

One of the brands I have really loved getting to know over the last few years is Erborian and if you click on the K-Beauty section of my blog, you will see just how much I like the brand.  This holiday season, Erborian has handed over the reins to an incredible Tattoo Artist, Sasha Unisex.  Sasha draws inspiration for designs from nature and uses water-coloured tones to create some of the most vibrant, lavish and poetic tattoos. It is said that Sashas style is world-renowned and recognised.

This Christmas, Erborian has a whole host of gift sets on offer and each and every single one is just fantastic, with prices ranging from £18 right up to £80 and if you have never tried anything from Erborian before, this is a great way to try the products.  

I was kindly sent the 'My Perfect Routine with Ginseng' (£50 but worth £69.90). Ginseng is quite the ingredient to be used to Erborian and it is said that for over 2,000 years, Ginseng Root has been part of the traditional South Korean pharmacopoeia. Requiring lots of love and care, Ginseng takes 4-6 years to reach maturity before it can be harvested. After harvesting this prized root, it goes through a steam distillation process stabilising the many rich compounds. Ginseng gathers so active ingredients that it takes nearly 15 years for the soil to be suitable again for suitable cultivation.

This is a Limited Edition Box which features five products from the range and they include:

• EAU GINSENG 30ml - One of the first products I ever used from Erborian, this Eau Ginseng Lotion is inspired by Korean skincare routines and is described as being a product which helps to make your complexion glow whilst immediately hydrating skin and providing a feeling of comfort. Incredibly hydrating and an easy step to add to your skincare routine. Full review here.
• GINSENG INFUSION 5ml - Described as being a tensor effect day cream enriched with natural ginseng extract for a plumped, radiant and soft complexion. Infused with ginseng, this cream helps the skin to look and feel firmer, not only is it hydrating but this cream also works to nourish the complexion beyond its surface. This cream is really lightweight on the skin, it isn't greasy or tacky and what I really like is just how hydrating it is.
• GINSENG EYE PATCH 5g - I am a huge fan of eye-patches and find them really relaxing to use. From Erborian, these patches are described as being steeped in a tincture of ginseng root, these masks are said to plump up the delicate skin around the eyes, helping to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and fine lines, while glycerine delivers a dose of hydration. Silica power acts to mattify any oily patches while extracts of tara fruit and red seaweed boost suppleness. On the skin, these patches are so soothing and are ideal for giving you at least 15 minutes of downtime as they work their magic. Once removed, any leftover product should be gently patted onto the skin until it is fully absorbed.
• BB CRÈME CLAIR 45ml - With its SPF20 UV Protection, this product is described as being the beauty essential which is a smart combination of skincare and makeup. On the skin, it melts almost instantly on contact and as it does, it also moisturises and helps to even out and mattify the complexion while giving a non-oily, velvety finish. This Ginseng BB Cream is available in four shades, from the lightest to the darkest: Clair, Nude, Doré and Caramel.
• CC CRÈME CLAIR 15ml - The formula is enriched with SPF 25 and is described as being a multi-purpose formula which has an ultra-fine texture, contains pigments to enhance your skin's appearance while enriching and improving its texture and quality. When applied to the skin, this cream appears white, but upon application, it adapts precisely to match your skin tone which then gives a more even complexion, leaving skin luminous and soft as well as a reduction in the appearance of blemishes. I personally prefer the CC cream to the BB cream on my skin, but both products do exactly what you want them too.

If you have never used a product from Erborian, then sets like this are a great introduction to the brand and a really nice way of getting to know some of the hero products from the range. Ginseng is a fascinating ingredient and one which my skin absolutely laps up whenever I use it, especially within the Ginseng Infusion, which I use when my skin is feeling really parched.

You can find this set and the rest of the Christmas offerings from Erborian right here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.