How to plan a romantic Valentine’s Day

It’s a holiday that celebrates love, so now’s your chance to be make your partner feel really special with a romantic gesture. That means thinking outside of your daily routine and planning something that will become a treasured memory for you both.

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Of course, there are countless ways to do this, and the first step is to think about who you are as a couple. Maybe you like surprising each other with gifts, maybe you like the finer things in life, or maybe you just want to spend some quality time together. Whatever it is, these ideas should give you plenty of inspiration.

Plan ahead

Valentine’s Day is a busy time for businesses and restaurants, so as soon as you know what you’d like to do together, get it booked in plenty of time. Not only does it mean that you get to enjoy your day, evening or weekend together as planned, it will also show your partner how much you care.

From the flowers to the card, the food and the bubbly, the reservations and the taxi, having all these things sorted in good time will save you a whole load of stress and see your celebration go smoothly.

Gifts

Getting the gift just right can be a tricky task. Maybe you think flowers and chocolates are too clichéd whilst you might not have been dating long enough to warrant a weekend away. If you don’t want to do anything too over-the-top, opt for a day date that keeps things casual and breezy.

If you’ve been going out a long time and are sick of giving the predictable flowers and stuffed love love-hart, step it up a gear with a luxury piece of jewellery or spice things up by gifting a red lingerie set. That’s bound to light a few sparks!

Dress code

If you’ve organised an evening out together, get into the spirit of things by selecting a dazzling outfit that will take your date’s breath away. If you’ve been together for a long time, consider this even more of a reason to pull out your glad rags and revive some of those first-date flutters.

Of course, the dress code depends on what you have planned. For something outdoorsy, dress warm and comfortable. You don’t want your date to stop short because you didn’t bring enough layers or a waterproof!

Quality time

Many couples use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to simply spend some quality time together. You don’t even have to go out! Try preparing a special meal together or exercising your competitive side over a board game. Whatever you like doing as a couple, do it! When it comes to Valentine’s Day, there are no rules.

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

The 5 best and natural ways to retain water in the body

Water retention in the body is still very common. It can be encountered in both women and men. However, due to hormonal fluctuations, it is more common in ladies. How can you deal with this problem? We have 5 tips for you.

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1. Increase your water intake - eliminate the cause

Is water retention dangerous? It is certainly a condition in which the balance in your body is disturbed. This means that not all your organs are working as you would like them to. As a result, there can be a lot of inconvenience associated with it. Sometimes this has certain health consequences.

Therefore, eliminate the main cause of water retention in your body. Increase your fluid intake throughout the day. If you are under-hydrated, the body tries to protect you from a life-threatening condition. Therefore, reach for water more often.

2. Excess water is accumulated by salt - limit it

Salt causes water retention in the body. This needs to be prevented, so try to limit its consumption. Remember to minimise its amount, not only in your kitchen. Fast food contains a lot of this spice, so avoid it.

3. Avoid water retention through physical activity

Always remember the golden rule regarding your health. It is much easier to prevent any illness than to treat it. A great way to do this is to introduce physical activity into your life. By doing so, you take care of many aspects related to your body.

Not only do you maintain a healthy weight, but you also look after your heart and the balance of your body. We are also talking about the correct level of water in the body. Remember that just a few minutes of exercise a day is enough to prevent many diseases.

4. Reach for nutritional supplements

Already have a problem with excess body water? Wondering how to combat it? Then look for nutritional supplements. Be sure to choose only tried and tested products with a good composition. One company that offers suitable kits is Your Secret Is. They also deal with the phenomenon of excess water accumulation in the body.

If this problem concerns you, consult your doctor or nutritionist. This way, you will gain confirmation that dietary supplements are a very good solution. They will help you to get rid of your problems. Of course, these products cannot replace a proper diet, water and exercise. However, they will serve as an excellent support in the fight against swelling and other symptoms.

5. Increase your magnesium intake

Magnesium is responsible for stabilising the hormonal balance in women. During menstruation, its absorption can be impaired. As a consequence, a deficiency can occur, which contributes to the accumulation of water in your body.

Therefore, as a preventative measure against fluid retention in the body, reach for magnesium supplements. In this way, you can holistically benefit all the systems in your body.

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

Elle Naturelle Indra Eau De Parfum

Meet Indra, one of three fragrances from Elle as part of their NaturELLE collection. Described as being a trio of ingredient focused, exquisite fragrances; sustainably and ethically sourced.  Not the first magazine to launch fragrances, it has done it exceptionally well.

By staying true to their brand DNA of empowering women, Elle has initiated give back programmes that help support women and girls in the communities where they source their key raw materials.

Each one of the three fragrances - Azra, Indra and Mira supports women and children as part of a give back programme.  Indra, which is the fragrance I have supports women and children effected by domestic violence in New Caledonia. The Sandalwood in the Santal and Mimosa is sustainably sourced from New Caledonia. The Indra program directly supports Foyer Bethanie women’s shelter. Foyer Bethanie provides emergency accommodation and support for women and children that are victims of domestic violence.

As a fragrance, Indra is described as being known for its intoxicating aroma of woody, musky notes that give this fragrance an inexplicably addictive appeal and it is absolutely delightful.

The top notes of the fragrance greet you with Mandarin combined with Ozonic and Fauna notes to give it that fresh and refreshing before the heart notes bring in the powdery notes of Mimosa and Mandarin Blossom which are just beautiful but it is the base notes of Sandalwood, Musk and Cedar Wood which bring together those sturdy, rich musky notes and when they with the heart notes it lingers on the skin.

Each fragrance is priced at £25 and can be found in Superdrug

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

M&S The Wellness Box 2023

Health and wellness is going to be a big subject for 2023, my inbox has been full of brands launching products to encourage better self-care and mindfulness, so it is not a surprise to see that Marks and Spencer has launched their first beauty box of 2023 which is titled the M&S The Wellness Box 2023

The box features 8 brands which cover skincare, bathing, bodycare as well as fragrance and from those 8 products, three of them are full-sizes.

Our 2023 Wellness & Beauty Box has a selection of eight bath, body, skincare and fragrance treats, including three full-size products. For everyday pampering, L'Occitane's lavender hand cream gives long-lasting hydration for palms and nails. Or you can treat your complexion to some TLC, with Revive radiance-boosting face oil from the Apothecary collection

The box itself is worth £85 but you can find it right here and it is priced at just £25, so it is an absolute bargain to be had and here is what you will find inside:

• L’occitane Lavender Hand Cream – 30ml
• Neal’s Yard Remedies Women’s Balance Foam Bath – 100ml
• Neom Perfect Night’s Sleep Pillow Mist – 30ml
• Ren Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser – 15ml
• This Works Deep Sleep Overnight Cream – 20ml
• This Works Deep Sleep Body Cocoon – 150ml
• Apothecary Fragrance Discovery Set – 4 x 1ml
• Apothecary Revive Radiance Boosting Face Oil – 30ml

An amazing collection of brands and their products and in my view, worth it just for This Works Deep Sleep Body Cocoon and Neal’s Yard Remedies Women’s Balance Foam Bath.

Find the M&S The Wellness Box 2023 here.

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