Chocolate and Christmas!

One thing every house needs at Christmas is chocolate!  I have memories as a child of my Nan, every year, without fail, sending a tin of chocolates to put under the tree, even wrapping it up and putting a bow on it, even though we all knew what it was!  I was always the only person to love coffee creams, so even now I am still distraught that you no longer get them in the tins!

Moving in from that trauma, this year, I was sent an amazing package of chocolates from Lindt, one of my favourite brands of Chocolate! Lindt have been around since 1879. Rodolphe Lindt, the son of a Bernese pharmacist, wanted to make chocolate and through hard work and sheer determination he reached his dream.  Today Lindt chocolate can be found in most supermarkets and Highstreet stores with the chocolate being noticeable for its bright red packaging, perfect for this time of year.

In my package** was the following:

The Lindt Bear with Chocolate Hearts.  This set contains an adorable 100g Lindt Milk chocolate bear and 3 Lindor milk chocolate melting hearts.  Who doesn't love a Lindt bear? This pack will cost you around £5.99 which is amazing value for money and. Perfect alternative to a selection box if you want something a little more special.

The Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Truffle Balls and Bells with strings make the perfect edible Christmas tree decoration. These irresistible chocolate tree decorations will make a lovely finishing touch to any Christmas tree.  Costing around £3.50, they are great value for money and a definite must have for my tree!

The Lindt Mini Santa hollow milk chocolate figures are the perfect sized Christmas chocolate gift to fill a stocking or for edible decoration. They come in a pack of five and are perforated so that they make a perfect accompaniment to a stocking, Christmas gift or even on the table as a decoration. Priced at just £2.79 they are again, brilliant value for money. 

So, if you are still needing to buy the Christmas, don't forget to try Lindt, they have something for everyone and the chocolates tastes mouth-wateringly good!

Do you buy chocolate for Christmas?

Gifts for Owl Lovers

One of my closest friends is totally and utterly obsessed with owls and I have to say, I find them quite cute myself. So with that in mind I have found some amazing gifts to choose from that I think she might like.

Flamingo Gifts have an amazing selection to choose from and I have spent many hours looking over the site when I finally managed to whittle my selection down to these amazing items.

The Louise Owl** cushion was the first item to catch my eye - Just look at her, she is not only a very wise looking owl, but one who is quite sleepy. I just adore the rustic brown leather effect on the front which is finished off with little brown feather triangles, she is a beauty that’s for sure. The eyes are suede effect and once you have put the inner into it, the cushion is really soft, bouncy and great for cuddling.

The It's Darling** Overnight Owl Bag is simply stunning, just look at it.  One of the things I personally need was a decent overnight bag, rather than keep trying to share one with Steve.  The bag itself is really spacious and I can fit more than enough clothes in it for one night.  There is a front pocket for any paperwork or a book that you need and then two further pockets on the side for your phone and a few more personal items, as well as enough room for your clothes and a pair of shoes.  The bag is really well made, the leather handle straps are really strong and comfortable to carry.

So if you are looking for something owl related as a gift or something a little bit different, quirky and cute, Flamingo Gifts have so many products to choose from and here are a few other items I quite liked the look of.

Do you have someone in your life who is obsessed with Owls and would love one or all of these?

December Look Fantastic Box

It's no lie that I have been so impressed with the Lookfantastic Beauty Boxes that I have literally crooned across a few posts, namely with the boxes for September October, November and now I bring you the December offering which is slightly earlier than I was expecting, but here it is.

The box is always so well presented and everthing is neatly packaged so that there is no wriggle room and nothing falls out of place. Inside my box, whilst I had seen a few spoilers are the following items:

• Macademia Healing Oil Infused Comb. Full size, £6.00
• Ole Henriksen’s Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil 15ml - £23.50 
• Pure Gold Collagen Drink  £3.50
• Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml £8.85 
• Murad Essential-C Cleanser 45ml £7.65. 
• Bourjois Intense Smoky Eyeshadow Palette. Full size, £7.99
• Lord & Berry H2ohhh designer Lip Gloss. Full size, £12.00
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So it would seem that the total value of this box is in the region of £69 which I think is pretty impressive given one item in the box alone is worth £23.50 and there are three full sized items. I am really pleased to see a mixture of skincare, haircare and make-up within a box and especially with amazing brands like these.  

You can never have too many wide toothed comb and this Macadamia Healing infused one has caught my attention because the well known Macadamia Oil has somehow been formulated within the resin on the comb, so that when you brush your hair, not only should it be easier to detangle but also treat your hair without leaving any residue behind - the mind boggles with that one!

The Ole Henriksens Pure Truth Oil is described as being an anti ageing treatment which uses 100% concentrated Rosehip Oil which activates the skins natural reparative ability with potent antioxidents and essential fatty acids to reveal your skins youthful state. 

You can spritz this to your face and neck and it works to quickly penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin to help heal, nourish and hydrate your skin. It claims that this should help reduce visible lines and that skin immediately appears brighter and more radiant and it smells absolutely amazing!

Murad Essential-C Cleanser contains Vitamins A,C and E as well as various other vital ingredients which should add moisture back into the skin. 

It also rejuvenates your skin whilst promoting a healthy and beautiful complexion by using Allantoin and Sodium PCA. The product smells so fruity too!

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel uses the natural exfoliating fruit enzyme of Papaya and Pineapple which contain nourishing milk protein, anti-oxidant rich vitamin E and Marine algae to moisturise, repair and protect the skin. 

This peel smells amazing, I have used it once before, some time ago and it feels amazing on the skin, so cannot wait to try that again.

Pure Gold Collagen I have had in another beauty box and it remains untouched. But for those wanting to know what it is, essentially it is a liquid food supplement that improves the skins appearance from the inside out. The special blends of hydrolysed collagen,vitamins and minerals is said to reactivate the formation of collagen to give you brighter,plumper and more youthful skin.

Bourjois Intense Smoky I am a huge fan of Bourjois products, and they are definitely one of my favourite high-street brands so when I saw this little trio in my box I was quite chuffed. It contains 2 eye shadows and a liner and also includes a mini brush to apply it with. On the back of the palette are instructions for use, so one shade is a light shade for going above the crease on your eyelid, the darker shade going below that and then to define the liner is found with shade 3. The shades on this palette are not ones I would use, having blue eyes, purple most definitely is not a shade I can get away with, though to look at, it is stunning. I am just more of a nude eye kind of girl.

The final product is a Lord and Berry clear lipgloss which is a full sized product. There isn;t much to really say about a lipgloss other than it thankfully isn't a sticky one once applied and it can be used on its own or over lipstick, lip balm and so on.

I thought this was a brilliant box and I am really happy with the included content and cannot wait for January's Box!

I’d love to hear if you bought this box and what you thought of it?

Blogger Christmas Swap

This Christmas i took part in a beauty swap which was hosted by Clare from The Love of All Things Beauty and I'm really glad that I took part in it. I was paired with Natalie from Your Almost Alice and after a few emails back and forth we set a budget of £20 and gave each other a list of likes and dislikes and I have to say Natalie put together one amazing package, I was totally chuffed and this is what was inside - Santa said I could open it!

So In this box I have myself a really lovely litter pamper session waiting to happen! Lush Butterbear and I am so chuffed that I have finally got my hands on some Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish which I cannot wait to start using and it will also be my first time using Balmi lip balm too!  Plus the Collection Lip Butter shade is totally amazing and I cannot wait to use that as well! 

Thank you Natalie for my amazing box, it was so much fun to put yours together and I absolutely love mine! 

What do you think to my Christmas Swap?

Win Jewellery and Cash with Scatterpin

Scatterpin is a Northern Irish jewellery company based in Bangor, County Down. Built on thirteen years of design experience and expertise, and a strong ethos of fun and fashionable pieces that yet retain their uniqueness in their strong personal histories, each piece is designed and manufactured by artists whose inspirations and identities are traceable and current. From beautifully understated day-wear jewellery to speak-for-itself statements, Scatterpin aims to source and sell the perfect accompaniment to any outfit.

With the help of FemaleBloggerRT and some fabulous bloggers, Scatterpin is giving away £50 Paypal CASH and the three beautiful items below!

CYAN TEARDROP CUFF

This cuff is created with tear-drop cratered steel and filled with beautiful cyan blue enamel. It is easily adjustable for fitting of any wrist and sits comfortably on the forearm. The contrast between the high-polished silver finish and delicate blue enamelling is emphasized by the unique “raw” edges of the cuff, making it both organic and crafted - a distinct and intriguing balance.

The cuff is a key trend item this year, making a statement without the weight or imposition of a “big” piece. It is light and dainty yet demands attention and can be worn casually or formally without difficulty. A cute and quick addition to any summer outfit, or a chic and icy finising touch for any winter ball, its versatility makes it a real must-have item this season.

HOUSES AND WINDOWS EARRINGS AND RING

These little sterling silver earrings dangle from one corner on delicate chains attached to fish hooks. They are all irregular in shape and imprinted then enameled in a choice of three colours, green, red or blue, with a cute inset window-frame design, creating a little “room with a view.” The blue earrings are again cyan in hue, and can be worn casually but this range is rather more quirky and something a little different from any high street jewellery. Their quirkiness lends well to many styles and fashion genres - it is fun, bohemian, statement, simplistic or just entirely different all depending on your mood and personality.

The designer of this range, Lauren, also created a matching ring which is roll printed and enamelled in the same manner but does not have the inset window frame as the other pieces. This ring can be worn in tandem with other pieces to reflect and enhance their distinctive patterns, or worn on it’s own as an understated but unique piece. With its uneven depth and bowled shape, it stands out against your hand whether you choose to coordinate with your earrings or clash with your nail polish.

Use the widget below to enter the giveaway! 

And make sure to check out Scatterpin.com and the great bloggers helping to spread the word!

The giveaway will close December 26! Giveaway open to European residents only.

Ellie // Rachel // Alice // Becci 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tesco Advent Calendar - Week Two

This is the second week of opening my Tesco Beauty Advent Calendar and I have to say, week one was pretty brilliant, you can see that post HERE.  This week had much to live up to I think in terms of how good the contents have been, so this is what I have:

Day 8 - Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume Sample. 

Named after the famous Red Door spas of Elizabeth Arden. An initial burst of red roses gradually becomes more of a floral bouquet combining lily of the valley with tuberose, jasmine and freesia.  Now I am personally not a fan of Elizabeth Arden products, they just don't don't do it for me, be it the 8 hour cream or perfumes, I am yet to find something that has made me go wow.  That said, this is a nice scented perfume, though I do feel it is for someone older than me in my 30's.

Day 9 - PRO Formula purifying thermal face mask sachet 

The Pro Formula Purifying Thermal Face Mask deeply cleanses, helps to open pores and absorb excess oils. Enriched with white willow bark and vitamin E complex, in combination with a warming effect, it helps to draw out impurities and clear excess dirt leaving the skin feeling fresh. It is also hypoallergenic.

Day 10 - Nip + Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix RRP 

Smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area with Viper Venom Eye Fix from Nip+Fab. This refreshing eye gel with a cooling roll-on applicator contains wrinkle minimising liftonin xpress and sy-nake with red algae to decrease the appearance of dark circles. The Nip+Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix is suitable for all skin types.

Day 11 - So Eco Foundation Brush RRP 

So Eco presents the Foundation Brush, designed as a premium make-up brush whilst being completely environmentally friendly. The head, filled with super-soft bristles is hand-cut and tapered to cover under-eye circles and imperfections to achieve a smooth complexion using liquid or powder make-up. The Foundation Brush handle by So Eco is made from ecologically sustainable bamboo providing additional comfort with a recycled aluminium ferule.

The Foundation Brush gift box is made with cardboard from managed forests that have been approved by the PEFC. The So Eco packaging features a window made from cornstarch and is held together using water-based adhesives. The box design was printed using vegetable inks with no harmful effects to the environment.

Day 12 - Korres Citrus Shower Gel

I am a huge fan of Korres products, so am delighted to see this in my Calendar.
It is a soft moisturising showergel, ideal for everyday use. Wheat proteins form a protective film on the skin, maintaining its regular hydration level. It smells absolutely amazing, very citrusy and the kind of scent which is guaranteed to wake you up in the morning when you are half asleep.

Day 13 - Tesco Reflect and Perfect Compact Mirror

Not the best compact mirror I have ever had I have to say. It is quite cheaply made and put together but is alright for chucking in my overnight bag in case of emergency. 

Day 14 - Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Masque

Gentle enough for the most dry and sensitive skins, Delicate Boosting Mask is a smooth and creamy hydrating mask containing Dead Sea Mud and Harmonised Water. It has an Allergen-Free Fragrance and contains no paraben and states it will give skin a fresher look and healthy glow as well as improve the skins texture, remove impurities and is deeply nourishing.

So there it is, week two of my advent calendar and I have to say that once I again I am impressed with the content.  I will use all of those products and cannot wait to see what I find behind the doors of week three!

What do you think?

Are earlobe tribal piercings a good idea?

In certain eastern and African cultures, the insertion of a large disc into the earlobe holds sociological or religious significance. It may indicate allegiance to or membership in a particular tribe, or indicate the person has successfully gone through a rite of passage. However, the practice of tribal earlobe piercing or stretching has become a popular form of body modification for Millennial generation men and women.

The process of piercing and expanding a hole in the earlobe to accommodate jewelry such as a “flesh tunnel,” a “barbell” or a “plug” is time consuming. The person undergoing the procedure can anticipate at least 8 weeks from the time of the initial piercing to the final fitting, with additional piercing procedures needed every two weeks. If the stretching process is rushed, it can result in the earlobe actually splitting in two. There are some hazards involved in tribal ear piercing that aren’t found in traditional ear piercing as well. One is the occurrence of what is known as a “blow-out.” This happens when too much pressure is placed on the piercing tool and skin from inside the hole is squeezed out. The result is a visible build-up of scar tissue.

Once the earlobe is stretched to 12 mm, the earlobe will not regain its original shape if the process is stopped. Unlike more traditional ear piercing, the hole created through stretching is permanent even if jewellery isn’t inserted.

Although this form of body modification has become more widely accepted, there still are several considerations that should be examined prior to getting this type of piercing.

In a 2008 Harris Poll, 32 percent of respondents answered that they considered people with extreme body modifications such as earlobe tribal piercing to be “more likely to engage in deviant behavior.” One specific incident involving the inside sales representative of a box company in Massachusetts found that customers perceived this woman to be “promiscuous” and “emotionally unstable” based solely on her body art. A study done by the International Journal of Hospitality Management in 2004 found that 87 percent of human resources managers and recruiters would decline hiring an interviewee based on visible body art or modifications. According to a recent story done by CBS News on earlobe tribal piercings, the British Royal Army forbids enlistees from having any ear piercings other those that hold stud-type earrings. Although many international firms don’t have explicit dress codes that forbid earlobe tribal piercing, the majority will decline to hire a job applicant if he or she has them. And under United States civil law, unless the piercing has religious significance, denying a job applicant a position based on visible piercing is not considered discriminatory. Unlike other forms of body art that can be discreetly covered by clothing, earlobe tribal piercings are quite visible and have a direct impact on one’s ability to obtain employment.

Further, as skin ages, it loses its elasticity and firmness. Combine the aging process with the exaggerated stretching the piercing produces and the ears become reminiscent of those of a Bassett hound. The teenager who looks “hip” with enlarged earlobes becomes the 40-year-old who looks ridiculous.Earlobes that have been stretched can be repaired through cosmetic surgery. This process involves anesthetizing the earlobe, cutting away the excess flesh and reconstructing the earlobe so that it appears normal. Under NHS regulations this is considered elective surgery, but an investment in this cosmetic procedure is an excellent investment if earlobe tribal piercings have become an impediment to career or social success. For information regarding earlobe reconstruction, contact Cosmetic Surgery Partners.

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