Polaar Lapland Gift Set

The Polaar Lapland Giftset is described as being 'The ultimate set for the sensitive skin'. As a brand, they have an amazing story to tell which I shared in this post. I really like a brand which has an amazing back story and their Christmas Gift Sets are a great introduction to what, as a brand they stand for.

The Lapland Gift set features three products - a travel sized Genuine Lapland cream and full size hand cream and body balm, it is currently on offer with Lookfantastic for £39* but has an overall value of £66. This Lapland range is powered by 3 arctic berries: arctic raspberries, cranberries plus blackberries and they are very rich in vitamins A, C and E and provide antioxidant, protective and nourishing properties to our formulas.

The Set Contains:

• Genuine Lapland Moisturizing Body Milk 200ml - within this Body Milk, 98% of ingredients are of natural origin and it not only pampers and protects but it also repairs dry and sensitive skin. It has a wonderfully rich and creamy texture that penetrates instantly into the skin without leaving an oily film.
• Genuine Lapland Hand Cream 50ml - within this hand cream, 96% of the ingredients are of natural origin. I am sure we have all been using a lot of hand cream recently and this is absolutely beautiful to use.  With its fine and creamy texture which wraps your hands in a delicate and protective coat, I love that it is instantly absorbed without leaving an oily film.
• Genuine Lapland Cream 50ml - Within this cream 95% of the ingredients are of natural origin. Described as being more of a melting ointment than a cream, its cocooning texture is enriched with raspberry, blackberry and Arctic cranberry extracts which together nourish, repair and protect the skin.

All of these products within this set are suitable for use on all of the family, not something every brand has to offer, so for me, this stands them apart from anything else that there is out there right now.

As you can see, this is a wonderful collection of products which would be perfect for anyone in your circle of friends or family that you still need to grab a gift for. 

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

L’Occitane Les Miniatures Eaux de Toilettes Collection

Christmas for me always involves L'Occitane in someway, usually from the Almond Collection as a treat because it is my favourite. Today sees the turn of the Les Miniatures Eaux de Toilettes Collection, described as being a trio of floral scented treasures to surprise and delight your loved ones. However, it is selling quickly and is on offer, costing less than £20!

Packaged inside a beautiful bright red box with gold lettering, which is incredibly festive looking, is a selection of the bestseller fragrances from L'Occitane, in miniature glass bottles to make it all the more unique. The fragrances inside are Neroli & Orchidee, Terre de Lumiere L’Eau and Cherry Blossom, so you’re getting a good mix of notes and moods. The bottles are each 7.50ml with the exception of Terre de Lumiere which is 5ml.

If you are familiar with L'Occitane fragrances, then you will be aware that each and every one has a story to tell. Whether you like floral, zesty or something a little bit fresh, there is a choice of over 20 to choose from. 

The three bottles inside this box are all completely different in note, scent and longevity and for me, each one is just as divine as the next.

• Neroli & Orchidee is my favourite scent of the three, it is a really fresh scent but the zesty notes of orange and mandarin which capture your attention. The inclusion of white orchid brings a soft creaminess to those fruity notes before the warmness of both musk and iris settle down to create a wonderful, long-lasting fragrance. . 
• Terre de Lumiere L'eau is described as being tender, feminine, floral fragrance inspired by Provence at first light. It opens with bergamot and pink pepper notes which are said to be reminiscent of the fresh air of dawn. Then, if you imagine the sun, just as it warms the earth, the floral notes of pink peony come through to dance with the bergamot before the base notes of Bitter Almond Essence, Tonka Bean, White Musk dry down to offer an earthy scent.
• Cherry Blossom is described as being a delicate scent and it is one which sits within the fruity-floral family. It has opening notes of Cherry, Freesia and Blackcurrant which remain dominant throughout the scent and mixed in come the heart notes of Cherry Blossom and Lily of the valley which again play to this being a fruity-floral before the base notes of Rosewood, Amber and Musk hold the rest of the notes together to keep this long-lasting and fairly sweet and one which reminds me of summer.

As a trio, this is quite the collection, perfect for anyone who is a fan of the brand and wants to add to their fragrance stash or venture to a side of L'Occitane they might not yet have gone too. It also makes an impressive gift and at just £19 here*, worth £26 it is one to grab before it sells out!

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

Time Of Your Life - The Newest Beauty Box Subscription Around

Beauty PR and author Karen Davies very recently launched Time of Your Life, a beauty subscription service and online community hub aimed at women aged 35 and upwards. Each month, the box is packed with established and emerging skin and body care brands, worth over £110. I was kindly sent a box to look at.

Each month the box, which costs £35, will feature both full-sized and luxury travel sized items, if ever there is a sachet, that is not counted towards to total cost of the products inside, it is just an extra treat. Every month, before the box is dispatched, a newsletter will be sent out to let the recipient know what is inside the box, what I love is that you can opt out of the newsletter, meaning your surprise won't be ruined. 

I was given an insight as to what your box might look like and I was really impressed with the contents.  Firstly is the book, aptly titled 'The Time of Your Life' and written by the lovely Karen who came up with this subscription box idea.  The book, which went on to become a number one bestseller with Amazon is about her experience of how to live your best life in midlife, how you need to live as a midlife woman, what no one has told you and the surprises along the way. It's about finding a Power Decade that, for once, is just about you. With the book came five beauty products:

• Gatineau Radiance Enhancing Gommage - A pearlescent gel that liquefies when massaged into skin, to help gently remove impurities and help brighten the look of your complexion.
• Living Proof Restore Repair Mask - As well as being a treatment that nourishes and refreshes your locks, it also targets areas that are damaged, helping to improve the overall appearance of frazzled strands and split ends for a sleeker, smoother finish.
• Leighton Denny Time Repair Anti-ageing Miracle Oil - This is a beautiful treatment oil which hydrates and softens hand and cuticles.
• Oryza Beauty Dewy Glow Balm - An all-purpose skin and lip balm with UVA and UVB filters for sun protection, it is moisturising, anti-inflammatory, protective and soothing for all skin types. 
• Aromatherapy Associates Anti-ageing Fine Line Face Oil - Using a a supreme blend of Rose and Patchouli oils as well as Evening Primrose and Ximenia, to encourage glowing, healthy skin performance. Apple and Raspberry Seed oils plump skins surface softening fine lines to leave skin radiant and renewed.

I am sure you will agree that this is quite the line up of products with some really big brands being represented in this box.  It also makes an incredible gift. If you know someone in their mid-30's for whom you find it difficult to buy a gift for, right now via TOYL, there is an offering of a 3 month subscription, worth over £300 on offer for just £105. The gift is sent in the form of a gift card along with a beauty gift worth £20 and all the recipient has to do is to follow the instructions to activate the account - I absolutely love this idea and can think of a few of my friends who would love this as a gift.

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

Christmas Gifting with Cranes Cider

As you might have guessed, I do enjoy a glass of cider and a bit like Gin, cider has moved on from being that Strongbow or White Lightening you might once have drunk in your teens! I was kindly sent this beautiful set from Cranes Cider, a brand I wasn't that familiar with, but one which is widely available online and in supermarkets.

Cranes was founded by twin brothers Ben & Dan Ritsema, who discovered, whilat being at university, just how much sugar went into the fruit ciders which were readily available on the market.​ So having decided to do something about it, they went on to launch a healthier alternative - Cranes Cider.

Ben and Dan worked relentlessly on the recipe to get it right, they use and source a selection of the finest British apples which includes the likes of Dabinett, Harry Masters and Jonagold to name a few, by choosing the finest fruit, Ben and Dan believe you get a better understanding of how they are produced and it ultimately leads to a refreshing crisp cider and one which has 30% fewer calories and over 40% less sugar compared to brand leaders. 

Inside the giftset, as you can see, is a Cranes Cider printed Glass to enjoy your drink in and then with it three bottles of cider in the flavours Blueberries & Apples, Cranberries & Limes and Raspberries & Pomegranates.

First out of the box I tried the Blueberries & Apples Cider and I was really surprised at how refreshing this tasted, it might have a lot less sugar than other brands, but what this or the other two flavours don't have is that odd aftertaste left in your mouth.  There is most definitely the taste of fresh apples which you notice immediately and then in the background is a hint of blueberry, but thankfully it doesn't overshadow the taste.

Second was the Raspberries and Pomegranate and this is my favourite of the three. Again, really refreshing to enjoy over but and quite sweet but I really like the tartness of the raspberries against the pomegranate, together the two work really well and you would never guess there is less sugar to be consumed because again, no odd aftertaste.

Finally we have Cranberries and Limes and this one for me wasn't as sweet as the other two but it is definitely refreshing and much more dry than the other two.  A Cider that you can enjoy all year round and tastes just as soon over ice as it does straight out of the bottle.

If you know of someone who is a fan of cider, then this makes a really nice gift and you can find Cranes in pretty much every supermarket both online and in store.  If you are an Amazon shopper, then Cranes have their very own store on there, from which you make purchases including this exact gift set for just £16.99 here*.

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

Liberty London The Sleep Kit

Right now, Liberty London, one of my favourite places to browse, has got some amazing Beauty Kits on sale - from the Saving Face Kit and the Glow Kit to the Men's Kit we now have The Sleep Kit, which has just launched and it definitely is quite the kit.

The Liberty London The Sleep Kit has been put together for those people who you think are in line for a well-earned rest or those struggling to get it, that could be you or someone you know, but whoever it is, this is one amazing gift set. 

Described as being the Kit which soothes the skin and the soul with a luxurious line-up to relax and restore.  It is also worth £254, but is on sale here* for just £90!  Inside this kit, you can find products from brands such as Diptyque, Sarah Chapman, Susanne Kaufmann and Squish – coming together to help you to drift into a peaceful slumber. 

Inside The Sleep Kit, there are 9 products in total which includes:

Contents

• OUAI Chill Pills 42.5g,
• Susanne Kaufmann Hand Lotion 30ml, 
• Spacemasks Single Spacemask, 
• Diptyque Feuille de Lavande Scented Candle 70g, 
• Squish Cheeky Cherry Eye & Cheek Mask 1 Pair, 
• Joanna Vargas Revitalising Eye Cream 15ml,
• lixirskin Electrogel Cleanser 30ml, 
• Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial 15ml, 

Plus the inclusion of the really pretty Liberty Washbag in the Willow Walk print.  The price of this kit is just £90 which is incredible given it is worth £254 in total! You can find this kit along with the rest of the collection still on sale, plus with the addition of the Liberty Crackers, this is quite the gift offering.

Grab this kit here*

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

Axiology Lid-To-Lip Balmies

Axiology is a brand I’ve mentioned on my blog a few times now, the last post being when they launched onto ASOS here. Today I am back with a brand new product and one which I absolutely love and was lucky enough to be part of a Zoom event which showcased the Lip-to-Lid-Balmies.

Described as being a 3-in-1 one product which is more affordable, therefore more savings to be had, these Balmies are the same size as the Lip Crayons which Axiology also have within their collection and you might be looking at them thinking they look small, well they are but for a very good reason - the plastic tubing which most brands use to house their lipstick bullet in has been removed in its entirity. It took me a good few minutes to work this out, but once I compared them to my original Axiology Lip Crayon, shown here, it made sense.

As tou can see, instead of Axiology using the gold tube to house the crayon in, they have instead opted to use recyclable packaging, this includes the red box with the sleeve and the paper which surrounds each crayon - I like this idea ALOT.

The Lid to Lip Balmies are a 3-in-1 product as the name might suggest and you can use them on the eyes, the cheeks and the lips.  I really love that one of the shades also doubles up as a highlighter too, so being multiuse is also really appealing, it means you have less to carry around in your bag!

I have the Malibu Magic collection which features three shades. I have are Clementine which is a lovely pop of red, Peach, which as the name suggests is a lovely light peach and then Champagne which doubles up as a highlighter for me and it gives a lovely touch of almost an almost bright gold shade. 

The swatched shown above are unedited and whilst they are pigmented, they are more of a balm than a lipstick, so they apply like a dream everywhere. Packed with oils, butters, and antioxidants such as elderberry, hemp, and plum oil to nourish, heal and hydrate skin.

The Axiology Lid-To-Lip Balmies are available right now via ASOS and there is the option to purchase the trio, as I have got for £29, here* or the shades are available singularly for £12 each* and there is around 13 shades to choose from - either way it is an absolute bargain to be had.

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

FEELUNIQUE BLACK FRIDAY PREVIEW GIFT WITH PURCHASE BEAUTY BUNDLE!

Black Friday has already started for many brands, you can find a list of them here in this post, today sees the start of FeelUnique* and their offerings and it happens to include a Gift With Purchase!

This Exclusive Beauty Bundle, as it is called is absolutely free when you spend £100 on the site and the Beauty Bundle itself is worth over £100, so it is quite an exceptional bargain to grab hold of.

Inside the Exclusive Beauty Bundle you will see a whole host of skincare, makeup, health and wellness plus a few hair treats too, all of the brands included can also be found on Feelunique, so it’s a great way to try a few products you might have always fancies trying, but haven’t yet got round to buying!

Want to know what’s inside the GWP? The full list of contents is shown below:

Contents 

• Essence Stay 8hr Matte Lipstick 3ml
• Regenerate 14ml Toothpaste
• e.l.f. Cosmetics Prep & Blur Stick
• Elizabeth Arden Vit C Capsules
• Benefit Goof Proof shade 4.5 0.1g
• YSL Mini Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cilis 2ml
• Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel 15ml
• Nuxe Insta-Masque Exfoliating and Unifying Mask 15ml
• Goldfaden MD 7ml Pure Start Tube
• Uriage Water Cream 40ml
• Filorga Sleep & Lift 7ml
• Bareminerals Skinlongevity deluxe Long Herb serum
• Aveda Botanical Repair Leave In Treatment 10ml
• Fekkai Brilliant Gloss shampoo 60ml

I really like that there is a mixture of brands and products within this GWP and some of the sizes included is really generous too! 

To get your hands on this Exclusive Beauty Bundle, which is available right now* whilst stocks last or until Tuesday 22nd November, whichever one expires first! So, all you have to do is spend £100 across the Feelunique site to get it, the Beauty Bundle will automatically be added to the shopping bag page, no need to add a voucher or code.

Grab it here*

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

Antipodes Brightest Skin Ever Gift Set

I am a huge fan of Antipodes, a brand which, if you didn't know, hails from New Zealand. Elizabeth Barbalich, the brands founder, had a desire to create premium, scientifically validated collection of organic beauty products, but at the same time, she wanted them to be made from fully sustainable sources that could be used everyday. So, the packaging features fully recyclable bottles and aluminium tubes, and 100% biodegradable card from sustainable forests.

The Antipodes Manuka Honey Heroes Collection is described as being for your 'Brightest Skin Ever' and inside is a trio of products that will moisturise, nourish, brighten, cleanse, clean, smooth, soften and best of all, they smell just amazing.

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask is described as being a deeply moisturising, cleansing and antioxidising treatment that leaves dull skin instantly soothed and intensely hydrated. Featuring a traditional remedy of New Zealand Maori people, manuka honey, it powerfully draws moisture to your skin to hydrate it and working alongside the ruby red pohutukawa bloom, which contains one of nature's finest antioxidants and has antiseptic properties.

I love the texture of this mask which is thick but too thick enough that when you are slathering it on it is as luxurious as it is lovely on the skin. Once you have slathered it onto your skin, you leave it for up to 15 minutes before removing what is left with warm water and a muslin cloth (which is my preference) and your skin feels just incredible. I use this mask when my skin is really playing up, so when it is dry, it feels sore and there is a threat of breakout with small bumps under the surface, all of which is usually when I am under the weather or under stress. The Fragrance is also wonderful, slightly of vanilla with an undertone of Mandarin, they come together to create a really uplifting scent that is amazing to relax too. This mask retails for around £21 is such an amazing treat.

The second product is the Manuka Honey Skin Brightening Light Day Cream and this is quite the little star of the show, though it wont replace my love for the mask above.

This cream is enriched with Bee Venom and Mamaku Black Fern, which delivers a gentle lifting effect, then we have Manuka honey, which boasts antibacterial properties, tackles blemishes and imperfections to visibly improve their appearance. Finally we have Peony flower and the much loved Vinanza® antioxidants from grape seeds and kiwi which come together to work where they not only target redness and blemishes, but also have an aim of leaving your complexion looking radiant and glowy.

This cream is really light on the skin, almost serum like in texture and it absorbs so quickly there is little time to massage. What I love is that it doesn't feel tacky on the skin and because I am now wearing a facemask as soon as I step out of my front door to the minute I return, I've noticed the dryness that had appeared on my chin disappear whilst I was using this.

The final product of this trio is the Manuka Honey Skin Brightening Eye Cream and whilst I prefer the Kiwi Seed Eye Cream to this one, it is still delightful to use.

Designed to awaken tired eyes, this eye cream, as you might have guessed, also contains Manuka Honey for its moisturising, nourishing and anti-inflammatory properties. As with the cream above, this too is blended with the revolutionary antioxidant Vinanza® from grape seeds and kiwi skin but this time with the addition of the Persian Silk flower which delivers hydration to that fatigued under-eye tissue hence the cream being designed to awaken tired eyes.

As an insomniac, I do love an eye cream that distracts my Uncle Fester look, to being made to look half human at least. This cream is quite rich, so you need a really small amount, I found it much easier to use an applicator from another brand to apply it, rather than stick my finger into the pot as I always had a little too much. 

This collection is available to purchase via Antipodes right here in this packaging and LookFantastic also have this trio available as a bundle too right here*.

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

HARVEY NICHOLS x PERFUME SOCIETY FRAGRANCE DISCOVERY BOX 2020

I am a huge fan of fragrances and I absolutely love discovering new brands, new scents and being taken on a journey to find out what does and does not work for me. Just landed at Harvey Nichols is the Harvey Nichols and The Perfume Society Fragrance Discovery Box and I just love the look of it!

This is the second year that this box has been created and I absolutely love that this Fragrance Discovery Box is very much like an advent calendar, with the box having a blue tied ribbon, it opens out to reveal drawers, though unnumbered, to reveal a selection of 12 show-stopping fragrances which come from six perfume houses.

The Harvey Nichols and The Perfume Society Fragrance Discovery Box is priced at just £45*, though the overall value of the fragrances inside the box is said to be over £90 and when you see which perfume houses have been included, it isn't difficult to see why. The introduction to new names such as Atelier Materi and Maison Crivelli, who have both recently landed in the UK sitting alongside the more classic offerings, from brands such as Creed, Ramon Monegal, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Juliette Has A Gun.

Contents

• Atelier Materi Cuir d’Iris 2ml eau de parfum (£195 for 100ml)
• Atelier Materi Peau d’Ambrette 2ml eau de parfum (£195 for 100ml)
• Atelier Materi Santal Blond 2ml eau de parfum (£195 for 100ml)
• Creed Aventus 2ml eau de parfum (£195 for 50ml)
• Creed Aventus Cologne 2.5ml eau de Cologne (£165 for 50ml)
• Creed Aventus For Her 2ml eau de parfum (£155 for 30ml)
• Juliette Has A Gun Lipstick Fever 5ml eau de parfum (£85 for 50ml)
• Maison Crivelli Iris Malikhan 1.5ml eau de parfum (£75 for 30ml)
• Maison Crivelli Papyrus Moleculaire 1.5ml eau de parfum (£75 for 30ml)
• Maison Crivelli Santal Volcanique 1.5ml eau de parfum (£75 for 30ml)
• Maison Francis Kurkdjian L’Homme À La Rose 5ml eau de parfum (£180 for 70ml)
• Ramon Monegal Flamenco 10ml eau de parfum (£180 for 50ml)

If you have someone in your family, group of friends or colleagues who love fragrances and you never quite know what to buy for them, this is where a Fragrance Discovery Box, like this one, really comes into itself because it is just brilliant. I love that there is enough fragrance in each selection to get a really good feel for whether or not it will work for you/them and I am delighted to see an incredible range of brands included all in one place.

This box is on sale right here*

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

Rock Rose Gin - Winter Edition

Gin. What can I say about how much I love it as my alcoholic drink of choice. For many year, before it became 'the' drink, I have always had Gin and Tonic and I love that there is now so many varieties, flavours and types, the gift choice is endless and much more fun to source.  A friend of mine and I, always try and find the most amazing bottle to give one another each year and I think I will win this year because of Rock Rose Gin, The Winter Edition.

Imagine being told that you can have a Christmas Tree Gin, what a thought! Well here she is all her glory and how fabulous is the bottle? It is said that the Winter Edition has been created with thoughts of bracing walks, roaring fires and dark nights in mind. The original Rock Rose elements have been scaled down to allow the delightful pine, earthy notes from the spruce tips to shine through.  If that isn't tempting enough for you, the tasting notes definitely will be.

Botanicals in Gin are really important and the inclusion of Juniper Berries are something you shouldn't be too surprised to see, as with this Gin, they make a great finishing note.  The tasting notes for this Gin have been split into three  - nose, palette and finish.  Having done a Gin tasting event, it was explained how and why you can taste certain elements of tasting note and what to look out for.  So for this Winter Edition it is broken down as follows:

• Nose: Freshly cut pine as per the description above is well and truly evident and because it is balanced with orange peel and eucalyptus it is a quite soft taste.
• Palate: You can see taste and smell the pine from the nose but in comes a hint of spicy black pepper which again is subtle but noticeable
• Finish: This for me is where the Gin becomes a star. Here you get the really clean finish of fresh juniper and for that, you will get a slight hint of lemon, almost lemon sherbet without being as sharp because of the inclusion of both lemongrass and cinnamon.

Most of the comments I get from non-gin drinking friends is that they don't like the aftertaste as it is quite bitter, well this isn't bitter and it isn't acidic either, depending on what you pair it with, the taste is actually refreshing.  I took advice from Dunnet Bay Distillers and paired mine with tonic and a slice of apple and it was just delightful. I'm not just waiting for my Winter Walk Garnish, another suggestion, to arrive so I can try that too.

This Rock Rose Winter Edition Gin is priced at £37.50 for 700ml and can be found via Dunnet Bay Distillers here or Amazon* too.  If you have Gin drinking family members or friends that you usually give a gift too, this is an amazing gift to give.

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

Magic Word Bracelets - A unique and Inspiring Gift

As soon as Lucy Wilkinson, the Founder of Magic Word Bracelet got in touch, I couldn't wait to work with her. I love gifts which are personal, unique and inspiring and this is exactly what this brand has to offer.

The Magic Word Bracelet is one which has been handmade and then hand stamped with meaningfulness and magic - they are simple but powerful bracelets for children and adults. 

“It's more than just a piece of Jewellery - it about the empowering WORDS and we all know that WORDS can change everything! Carry your magic word bracelet with you every day to inspire you, encourage you and to remind you that you are brilliant, you are enough and you are magic!" 

The Magic Word Bracelet are available in gold, sliver, rose gold and gun mental, with various different colours of string to be chosen from. As well as your word, you can have letters, numbers and symbols stamped to. 

So how do you choose your word? Thankfully Lucy is on hand with a guide to help you to do just that and this is how it works:

STEP 1: Start with a Question
Choose one or two of the following questions and jot down the first words that come to mind:

• What’s a goal of yours?
• What brings you joy?
• Is there something you want to let go of?
• Is there something you want to improve?
• What energises you or makes you feel like your true self?

STEP 2: Develop

• What’s holding you back from achieving the answers in step 1?
• What word, as a daily reminder would help you achieve what you seek from step 1?

For example, if you want to start something new, but have some doubts you’d like to overcome, you could choose a word such as BELIEVE, COURAGE, or IGNITE.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed you may choose a reminder like BREATHE, STRENGTH or FAITH.

STEP 3: Identify your Word

You may have come up with a few words, and that’s OK, but what is the one word that is the most important, the priority, to begin working on today?

Declare out loud: My word is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _!

It is as simple as that.  Now we are living in uncertain times and this little exercise came at a really good time when I was a little stressed, feeling overwhelmed with learning to adjust to working from home, not seeing my work colleagues, can't see my family or friends, going to do the food shop has become more of a chore than ever before, remembering to carry a facemask with me at all times and having to cook more than I have done before all takes it toll.

So, I completed the steps above as directed too and this is my word.

I have worn my bracelet every single day since it arrived, it really is such a lovely reminder to just breathe...

These bracelets start from £15 and come beautifully box up. A fabulous empowering gift for yourself or someone else - perfect for Mums, stocking fillers for kids (they absolutely love the), Christmas or just for sharing the love and kindness to someone you care about.

You can read more about these bracelets and find out more about Lucy 

from her website right here.

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

Crafty Nectar #24DaysOfCider Advent Calendar

I do like a glass of cider, more so on a hot summer afternoon over ice, but any time of the year will do. There is something quite thirst-quenching about it as a beverage.  This year, again, the World's first Cider Advent Calendar is back and I was kindly sent a sample of what you find inside!

The 2020 Ultimate Cider Advent Calendar wants to help you bid goodbye to 2020 and all the trauma it has brought with it, by getting you through December with 24 days of cider - I don't know about you, but I am in!

Our carefully selected cider advent calendar showcases award-winning ciders from passionate producers. All ciders are made by traditional cider makers with real stories from 100% fresh-pressed juice and are not available in supermarkets. All ciders are gluten-free, vegan-friendly and have no nasty additives or flavourings.

The Advent Calendar itself, shown here, has already sold out, but there is still plenty of opportunity to try some of the most amazing ciders I have ever tasted.  Included within that calendar was:

• 24 award-winning ciders from the UK’s top craft producers - you can't get these ciders in the supermarkets!
• Free ‘How to Taste Cider’ guide
• Interactive tasting notes & reviews
• 16 of the ciders are brand new and 6 are exclusives

What I love about this idea is that it is so exclusive and that the support is there for small independent producers rather than big companies with huge overheads, it makes taking a sip all that more important and precious to saviour.

The accompanying guide on 'How To Taste Cider' was quite an eye opener for me, definitely not something I have in mind when I glug down a cold glass over ice in the Summer. Some of the hints and tips includes:

• Appearance - Hold up your glass and have a good look - is it clear, a bit cloudy, sparkling, any bubbles and how are they fierce or fine?
• Aroma - Ciders have a wide range of aromas depending on the style or where it was made. So is it intense, clean, sweet, spicy or is it fruity or more interestingly, does it smell of the Farmyard?
• Mouthful - Have a sip and think about how it feels in the mouth - is it smooth? Velvety? Bold and bolshy? Or clean?. How are the bubbles - do they explode on your tongue?
• Taste - Does the cider smell like it tastes? Are those caramel notes detectable that you could smell earlier? Is it more bitter or sweet?

Just a few things to sit down and think about when tasting your next bottle or glass of cider.

Within my sample box of ciders, I have gifted 4 bottles and two cans from different companies. Starting with Crafty Nectar with their brightly coloured bottles, I have options 7,8 and 9.

Made by Ed and James, the masters behind the Advent Calendar, No.7 is described as being a medium cider which is mellow and sparkling and is made up of with a mix of Dabinett, Harry Masters Jersey, Michelin and Yarlington Mill apples. No.8 which is my favourite of the three is a Rhubarb Cider and it is as zingy and tangy as you would expect it to be whilst at the same time slightly refreshing too, perfect for a Sunday afternoon! Then we have the latest addition to the range with No.9 and this I also adore, Blackberry and Hibiscus is never the sort of flavour I would expect to find with Cider, it is more Gin sounding, but it is so fresh tasting with a hint of vanilla, it is hard not to like it.

The second brand within this box was Freya by Beard & Sabre and another brand I have never come across, so another welcomed chance to try something new.

This is a dry cider and one which is, as the description read "infused with Summit hops for a month after its standard maturation; applying natural citrus fruit flavours and a bitter mouthfeel". I really liked how this one tasted, I'm not an huge fan of sweet drinks, I like them to be sharp and something I can definitely taste and for me this ticks both of those boxes.

Then, finally within this box are two cans, both bright and colourful! Starting with the Cider Nightingale Company and their can of Wild Disco.

This is a sparkling medium-dry cider which is made from 100% wild-fermented Kentish Discovery apple juice. It has floral, red apple and rose aromas which come together to create a fresh and zingy cider. What I liked about this Cider is the aftertaste, it didn't leave that rusty-like taste you get with some ciders, it was more of a clean apple taste but you could still taste the apples. Definitely one I would order more of.

The second can and final item within my box comes from Third Batch with Luke's Cider, it is packaged in a can that wouldn't feel out of place amongst some of the more artisan offerings you find in Waitrose.

A medium-dry lightly sparkling cider, this one is made from a carefully selected blend of cider apples which are allowed to ferment slowly over winter and matured for more than a year. As you can imagine it is quite the sharp and punchy taste and one which again, I really enjoyed and would happily purchase more of.

So, the Advent Calendar might have sold out, but Crafty Nectar have a whole host of gifts and subscriptions available to purchase and of course, if you like the sound of any or all of these products, they too are available to purchase!  Find out more right here.

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

L'Occitane 6 Piece Bath & Body Gift Collection

Still struggling to find gifts for people? Well it is L'Occitane to the rescue with their 6 Piece Festive Indulgence Collections, created exclusively for QVC. With three collections to choose from - be it Warm, Fresh or Aromatic, worth £72, it is priced at just £49.97 here, the hardest choice will be choosing.

I am sharing one of these gift sets with you today on my blog, I have been kindly sent the Fresh Collection which comes packaged inside a festive looking Green Box, already wrapped to be given.

Contents

• 1 x NEW Shea Bubble Bath (500ml) - a luscious bubble bath that creates a rich, generous foam when in contact with water, which helps to leave your skin feeling moisturised, smooth and softened, as well as reducing dryness. Enriched with 5% shea butter
• 1 x NEW Supersize Shea Butter Hand Cream (200ml) - Highly Concentrated in 20% Shea Butter, this hand cream penetrates into the skin quickly without leaving behind any greasy residue. The formula also uses a blend of honey, almond extract and coconut oil to work alongside the Shea Butter to leave hands soft and smooth and despite being a creamy cream
• 1 x NEW Shea Bubble Bath (500ml) - a luscious bubble bath that creates a rich, generous foam when in contact with water, which helps to leave your skin feeling moisturised, smooth and softened, as well as reducing dryness. Enriched with 5% shea butter
• 1 x Shea Verbena Hands & Body Liquid Soap (500ml) - a luxurious detergent-free liquid soap developed to gently cleanse, soothe and moisturise the hands and body, leaving the skin feeling soft and delicately fragranced with an invigorating lemon verbena scent. Formulated with a gentle foaming vegetable origin base, sunflower seed extract and verbena leaf extract. Suitable for dry, sensitive skin
• 1 x Verbena Shower Gel (75ml) - a gently foaming gel formulated to cleanse, smooth and hydrate even the most sensitive skin, with a crisp, citrusy scent that appeals to both men and women. Enriched with verbena, orange, geranium and lemon tree essential oils for a beautiful aroma
• 1 x Verbena Body Lotion (30ml) - a lightweight, non-greasy formula that works to moisturise your skin and leave it feeling refreshed with its zingy, revitalising fragrance. Enriched with vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids
• 1 x Milk Soap (100g)
• 1 x soap tin

The Star of the show within this amazing box of goodies has to be the new Supersize Shea Butter Hand Cream which is exclusive to QVC and is a 200ml size. This hand cream is just delightful to use and as we are all possibly using much more hand cream than we have ever done before, it is a great size. This Hand Cream features in all three of the 6-piece Bath & Body Gift Collections.

All three collections, as shown above are now available to purchase, priced at just £49.97 here but it has an overall RRP of £72. The offer is time limited, so you only have until November 14th to make your purchase.

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

Win an Amazon Gift Voucher worth £100

I really cannot believe just how quickly Christmas has come round, though I still haven't seen the Coca Cola Advert and it is only Christmas when that hits the advert breaks. It really does only seems a few weeks ago that it was March, the weather wasn’t great and we had just entered Lockdown for the  very first time. Now, here we are in a very gloomy November and it’s like Deja vu all over again! Only this time it is for 4 weeks and if ever I needed an excuse to have PJ days whilst working from home, I've got exactly that.

Image credit

I have some amazing gift guides ready to go live on my blog over the next few weeks, I have already done Beauty Advent Calendars and it is worth pointing out that Amazon have their own Advent Calendar and it is pretty good for the price!  I have also shared some of the most amazing Beauty Crackers and Baubles which would look amazing on any Christmas Tree or table and now I am moving to gifts! Again, I have some brilliant gifts in different price brackets to share, so watch out for those.

Gloomy days aside, Sarah from Lifeinabreakdown blog and then Rebecca from Ialwaysbelievedinfutures blog, two girls I have known since I started blogging and who I spend pretty much all day everyday chatting too. We decided that we would help you to get you into the festive spirit, we emptied the coin jar and have scrimped together £100 to gift to one of you an Amazon voucher. Hopefully that voucher will help someone finish off their shopping, buy themselves a gift or save it for a special occasion.

To enter, all you need to do is complete the widget from Gleam below! 

Win a £100 Amazon Voucher.

As always, anyone who doesn’t complete the widget properly will be disqualified from entering and there is no purchase necessary, you’ve just got to be in it, to win it!

What is the number one item on your gift list that you still need to purchase?

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

Liberty Beauty Crackers 2020

I have a whole post dedicated to beauty crackers and baubles which are available for 2020, now it’s the turn of Liberty and I cannot believe that each one of these is just £14!!

The first thing which stands out to me is just how beautiful each one of the prints are, quite similar to that found on the Liberty Advent Calendar which, by the way is back in stock here*. 

Each of the four crackers features a Liberty Print and inside each one is a whole host of products in keeping with the theme.  They are:

The Sleep Cracker, which is worth around £18 and it features  a natural and cruelty-free product pairing to top off any bedtime routine, promoting a sound sleep with relaxing fragrance. 

Wrapped up in a Liberty print box, it makes a stand-out addition to a table setting, stocking or present stack. Inside the Sleep Cracker you will find:

• Aromatherapy Associates Light Relax Bath & Shower Oil 9ml (deluxe sample)
• Susanne Kaufmann Pillow Spray Calming 25ml

On sale here* for just £14 right now.

The second cracker I am sharing is the Men’s Cracker which features a must-have grooming duo guaranteed to elevate his ritual and it is worth over £32.

Again, it is wrapped up in a Liberty print box, it makes a stand-out addition to a table setting, stocking or present stack.  Inside this cracker you will find:

• VERSO Hydration Serum 10ml
• MALIN+GOETZ Bergamot Body Wash 30ml

On sale here for £14*

Next within the Liberty Cracker series is the The Hair Cracker and it is worth roughly £15.45. 

The Hair Cracker features a cult beauty pairing, both bound for softness and shine. Inside you can find:

• Slip Rose Leopard Skinny Silk Scrunchie
• Frank Body Cherry Lip Tint

Wrapped up in a Liberty print box, it makes a stand-out addition to a table setting, stocking or present stack. On sale here for £14

Up next from Liberty, we have The Party Cracker and it is worth over £47 and it is perfect for the upcoming Party Season.

The Party Cracker features a pair of makeup must-haves in universal shades, perfect for those bold enough to experiment with colour.  Inside you will find:

• Surratt Smoky Eye Baton in Nuit d’Orage
• NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl (travel size)

Wrapped up in a Liberty print box, it makes a stand-out addition to a table setting, stocking or present stack. On sale here for £14

These are four absolutely beautifully packaged crackers and I still cannot believe they are all just £14, they are a bargain.

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

SpaceNK - The Essential Gift For Men

SpaceNK have some amazing Beauty Boxes on offer right now - I have already shared The Winter Wind Down Collection here and the Best of Space NK here.  Today there is this box - The Essential Gift for Men and in true SpaceNK style, it is amazing value for money.

Worth £195, this box is on sale for just £85 here* and given the contents that are included it is one amazing gift box and would also make a fabulous lift for that man in your life!  

Contents

• Malin + Goetz Sage Styling Cream and Eucalyptus Deodorant,
• Kiehl’s Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief,
• Dr Barbara Sturm’s Face Cream Men
• Ren Clean Skincare’s Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash.

The Essential Gift for Men, is described as being a lifesaver when it comes to tricky-to-shop-for other halves, friends and relatives who already seem to have everything or in my case want nothing. Inside the box, as you can see is everything from the big names to soothe tired winter skin and make daily rituals feel a little more indulgent.  The Ren Clean Skincare’s Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash, happens to be one of my favourite products from the brand, so I am pleased to see it within this box because it is just a wonderful product.

You can grab the SpaceNK The Essential Gift Set for Men right here* for just £85.

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