Fragrance Shop Discovery Club Classics Edition

I am a huge perfume fan, love it and I am one of those people who loves perfume samples. What better way to decide whether or not you like the scent of something? We do it with make-up, so why not perfume? Back in April 2013 I brought to my blog a new subscription box from The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club which you can see HERE and again in June which is HERE and then September which is HERE, then the final box of 2013 HERE if you didn’t see it. Already in 2014 I have had the spring edition which you can find HERE, the summer edition which is HERE and the Autumn Edition which I showed not too long ago on my blog is HERE

For those of you not in the know this is the description of the box, which is a subscription:

"If you love fragrance, then you'll love our Discovery Club.

Our exciting new club allows you to explore the very latest fragrance launches from the comfort of your own home. For just £5 per quarter, each edition comes with fragrance samples for you to try, details on each of the fragrances included, as well as discount vouchers so you can make some big savings on all the scents featured."

Today I have before me the 'Classics Collection' to celebrate The Fragrance Shop's 2nd Birthday and I am super impressed with this box and this is what can be found inside.

Thierry Mugler Angel - Angel is a luxurious, chic and timeless fragrance, a delicate blend of exotic fruits, soft caramel, honey and chocolate combined with the captivating power of patchouli and vanilla. Top notes are Bergamot and Helional, with middle notes of Dewberry, Exotic fruits and Honey. Base notes are Vanilla, Chocolate, Patchouli and Caramel.  

No matter how many times I smell Angel, I dislike it.  I don't know what it is about the fragrance, but it definitely is not for me.

Jimmy Choo Parfum expresses an aura of strength and beauty and has a dazzling aura of glittering femininity. With top notes of mandarin orange and green pear, middle notes of orchid and base notes of toffee and patchouli, this fragrance is every bit as stylish as the eponymous shoe brand that bears the same name.

I like this but don't love it.  It is just a nice scent, quite floral and fruity without being too harsh on the nose.

Givenchy Very Irrésistible - A very dynamic sensual fragrance possessing the elegant floral top notes of rose and the exotic daring combination of peony and rose fantasia. A very appealing feminine scent by Givenchy.

This fragrance I adore and have purchased a full bottle of it through having a sample in a previous box.  Wonderful scent which lasts all day and is just lovely.

Touch of Pink By Lacoste which is a fruity floral fragrance for the youthful, energetic female with passion and power. Starting with notes of orange, coriander, peach, and cardamom. A heart of notes of carrot seed, jasmine and violet leaf boasting base notes of sandalwood, musk and vanilla.

One of my trusty faithful perfumes to go to.  Always have a bottle of this around and use it a lot more than I ever thought I would, more so because I am not a fan of things with Vanilla in them, but within this it is so light.

Lady Million Eau My Gold by Paco Rabanne  Lady Million Eau My Gold. The composition of this latest fragrance consists of notes of mango, neroli, bergmot, mandarin and grapefruit.

I am still sat on the fence with this scent, neither like or dislike it.

Nina Ricci - Nina - This magical fragrance is a promise of charm, enchantment and seductive femininity. A fresh floral-fruity fragrance with mouth watering red toffee apple accents.

Absolutely lovely scent and one I really enjoy using, would definitely feature on a wishlist to buy a full sized bottle of.

The final two samples are:

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique - The classic fragrance for women by Jean Paul Gaultier. The corset demonstrates confidence, romance, and timeless style, while the scent embodies femininity with a bewitching, voluptuous rose Eau de Parfum.

Not a fragrance I got too excited about i have to admit.  It is nice but that is really all I can say about it.  If I was given a bottle I would be happy about it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase it.

The most exciting part for me is the Estée Lauder bottle which is just stunning, instead of just having a sample vial, within my box is this super dooper little bottle.

Estée Lauder Modern Muse - Be an inspiration. Experience the fragrance that captures your style, your confidence, your creative spirit. An alluring contrast of sparkling florals and sleek, sensual woods. 

Now this scent is really lovely, one you would perhaps use for special occasions rather than everyday wear.  It is the first time I have come across it and being honest I would it would be a bit 'Mumsy' and something I would buy my own mum, but actually it isn't.

Then we have some samples for the men folk which are

Hugo Boss, Boss Bottled - This is a fresh, crisp citrus aroma with a blend of oriental woods. It's sophisticated and confident created for the modern man. Featuring top notes of oakmoss, bergamot, apple and lemon a heart of mahogany, carnation and cinnamon and a base notes of sandalwood, vanilla, oak tree and cedar.

Sat on the fence with this one, it is alright but not one either of us would rush out to buy.

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme - Since 1994, L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme has become a hallmark of sophistication in the world of fragrances. It awakens the senses with its blend of citrus, precious woods and spices. The pure, energising scent is perfect for a modern, independent man.

A hit with Steve and a scent he really likes and keeps hinting about! Better be good for Santa!

Paco Rabanne, Invictus for Men - This is purely energising and fresh. The attraction of sensual symbolises masculinity and power. Inhale the scent of victory. Top notes of grapefruit, mandarin orange and marine accords give way to bay leaf and jasmine middle notes. Finishing the scent we have guaiac wood, oakmoss, patchouli and ambergris.

As soon as Steve smelt this he wanted it, that is how nice a scent it is, so I bought him a full sized version and it really is lovely.

I have really enjoyed getting these boxes, from them both Steve and I have acquired quite a few fragrances because we have enjoyed the samples so much and it also helps having voucher codes for money off.

So what do you think to this quarters box? 

Are there any perfume samples you like the sound of?

Ted Baker Hanging Fragrance Gifts

Ted Baker has some new miniature hanging fragrance gifts which would look amazing on any Beauty Bloggers Christmas tree or be a stocking filler if you so please.  One of each for the boys and girls, each set comprises of 4 individually wrapped 5ml fragrances** and 9ml fragrances** for boys and better still, once opened they slip straight into your handbag for a night out.

The girls set has four amazing fragrances which are:

• XO Sophisticated and Timeless - this fragrance has top notes of Orange Blossom which is combined with Gardenia Jasmine, Tuberose and has base notes of a powdery musk. 
• X20 Vibrant and Passionate - Star Anise, Grapefruit and Sparkling Green notes are blended with Heart of Magnolia, Mirabelle Plum and Water Lily. 
• W Beautifully Exotic - A charming blend of Fig Leaf Accord, White Peony and African violet teamed with Pink Orchid, Cassis and Raspberry are complimented with a warm Cedar and vanilla base. 
• Woman Floral and Spicy - A Light, fresh fragrance with fruity top notes of Bergamot, Tangerine, Lemon, Apple, Peach and Rum. Floral and spicy extracts of Jasmine, Fressia, Rose, Ylang Ylang and Cinnamon with a musky woody base of vanilla and Vetyver.

For the men folk we also have a set of four fragrances which are

• XO Fresh, Green and Woody - Designed for the men who like the finer things in life. Fresh Green top notes lead to a heart of aromatic woods, red berries and ginger roots. Mixed with base notes of pink pepper and warm sensual spices.
• X20 Spcy and Intense - Top notes of Tangerine, Tea and Cardamom with Lavender, Rosemary Spices and Violet Leaves and a base of Black Pepper, Sandalwood and Amber.
• Skinwear: Enticingly Aromatic - Fresh zesty extracts of lime, bergamot and lemon are blended with notes of Rosemary, Cypress and Juniper with an enticing base of Sandalwood, Amber and Musk
• M: Understated Sophistication - Top notes of Tonka Bean, Musk and Vertiver which are combined with Coriander, Amber and a rich Woody Base.

I am sure you will agree with me that these tree hangers are simply stunning and having just launched at Debenhams they cost just £22 for a set of four, or should you prefer £6 each.

What do you think to Ted's hanging fragrances?

Superdrug to the rescue!

Never has a post been more apt, as you read this particular one I am suffering from man-flu - serious man-flu, the worst I have had in years! Sore Throat, Runny Nose, Chesty Tickly Cough, Headache, Sinus Ache and worst of all a great big horrid coldsore on my top lip!  It is fair to say I am not well right now and essentially all that is interesting me right now is being snuggled up in bed watching either Christmas/24 or catching up with Nashville.

I am never ill, it is a rarity, but when I am poorly, I get really poorly and feel horrible for days.  Superdrug** have come to my rescue with just about everything you need for this type of illness

There is literally a medicine cabinet right there in front of you, every essential that you need when you have a heavy head cold like I have and this is what we have:

Superdrug Dry Tickly cough which gives effective relief for dry tickly coughs and sore throats. retails at £2.99 per 100ml.  It actually tastes pretty nice for a cough medicine in so much as you don't gag as soon as you swallow it and if like me you do have a sore throat, it is definitely effective relief.

The next batch of goodies again have all been an absolute godsend at making me feel slightly more human than I do.  Starting with the Adult Vapour Rub which is always one of those essential bathroom cabinet items for me, possibly a trick I picked up my my Mum growing up.  

If you really are bunged up and unable to shift the mucus, this stuff works wonders, more so if you put some in a bowl of hot water, lean over it with a towel over your head and breathe in and out for just a few minutes and hey presto, you can breathe out of your nose again!  Priced at just £1.79

Superdrug Max Cold & Flu Day & Night Capsules provide relief from the symptoms associated with cold and flu, including relief of aches and pains, sore throat, headache, nasal congestion and fever. At £2.99 for a packet of 16, for me there is more than enough to help clear my symptoms and best of all they don't leave you feeling drowsy.

The Superdrug Max Congestion are used to help provide relief from nasal congestion, particularly when associated with colds and flu or hayfever.  For me, I only use these when I am so bunged up I am giving myself a headache from constantly sniffing (and annoying myself) and they work really well, within a couple of minutes of taking them.  Priced at £1.69 for a packet of 12, they are another must have for the bathroom cabinet.

Superdrug Max Echinacea Cold & Flu Relief are also an essential to have.  I use these as a back up if nothing else is beginning to work because I find them quite powerful. Used to help relief the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections.  Priced at £4.99 for a packet of 30 tablets, these are slightly more expensive than the other items mentioned so far, but I have always found them to be reliable. 

The final item in this photograph to mention is the Superdrug Dual Action Sore Throat Lozenges which are Blackcurrent flavoured. Priced at just £1.99 for 24 Lozenges they help fights Infection and relieves pain for the effective relief of sore throats.  Again, another must have for the bathroom cabinet and they are brilliantly soothing on a sore throat, not to mention that they actually taste of real blackcurrent too.

Once you have got your cold or flu in hand and are beginning to feel a lot better, it is time to step up the Vitamin C intake and again Superdrug has everything you need for this.  Superdrug Effervescent Vitamins which are orange flavoured retail at just £2.99 for 20 dissoluble tablets.  All you need to do is take one tablet, dissolve it water and drink it and I will be honest, the taste does take some getting used too because it is quite sweet, but doesn't have that chalky effect.  If this doesn't sound right for you then we have the

Superdrug Chewy Vitamin C which comes in a tube of 60 and are priced at just £3.49 as Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the body's tissues against cell damage caused by free radicals, so both of these products help to maintain a healthy immune system, the body's natural defence mechanism, and also helps maintain healthy skin.

I have been taking some of these for the last 3 days and whilst I am still feeling sorry for myself and slightly more human, I know I would be feeling much worse without a little help.  

As always please ensure that read the label before taking any of these products and do not exceed any of the stated doses.  Always check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about any of them.

Thank you Superdrug for helping to take care of me.

London Calling!

One thing I love about living in London is the fab opportunities there are to see so many of my favourite bands live. Since I moved here 13 years ago I have been to see quite an eclectic bunch:

• Steps, 
• Terrorvision, 
• Marylin Manson, 
• Bush, 
• Stone Temple Pilots
• Scissor Sisters
• Trucker Diablo, 
• My Chemical Romance,
• Linkin Park, 
• Enter Shakiri 

I am going to see Inspiral Carpets and Slipknot over the next few months - to say I am excited is an understatement.  One band that is coming up to headline at the O2 Arena where you buy Basement Jaxx Tickets, a band I had the opportunity to see when I first moved to London and one I would recommend seeing to anyone, just get your tickets quickly - or treat someone for Christmas!

If you son't know London that well, you will probably have heard of The O2 Arena which is situated in Greenwich, formerly known as the Millennium dome, it has undergone quite a transformation and is a brilliant venue to visit, even if there isn't something on that you would like to see. Situated right outside the North Greenwich tube station, on the Jubilee Line it is one venue you won't have trouble spotting. 

Most of the bands I have been to see have been playing at the O2 Arena here in London which is not only a huge venue for music but it also has a lot of places to eat and drink, so you have the opportunity to make a day, afternoon or evening of it, there is literally something for everyone regardless of your age. 

If you like Bowling there is Brooklyn Bowl, then Cineworld if you fancy watching a film, Sky Studios where you can go behind the scenes. Read the news and see how TV is made or if you fancy doing something a little bit different altogether you can Climb over the iconic roof and see the London skyline from the top of the Arena. Add all of that to the 35 food and drink venues, you have the makings of a great opportunity to hand.

Have you ever been to the O2 Arena?

*this post contains a sponsored link