Michael Kors White Eau de Parfum

The only item I have ever owned by Michael Kors is some sunglasses which I got from TK Maxx for an absolute bargain.  It used to be all the rage to own rose gold watch and handbag but now, having seen more of the beauty range, there are quite a few products I fancy trying.

At Debenhams, my favourite store on Oxford Street, the Michael Kors beauty range consists of quite a few different Michael Kors fragrances, body products and there are some amazing sunglasses. I was kindly sent the Michael Kors White Eau de Parfum, which is available in three different sizes 30ml, 50ml and 100ml and naturally, the price differs for each size and costs between £39 and £79. Michael Kors White is one of the newer fragrances from the collection and it is my very first fragrance from the brand and I absolutely love it.  For me, this scent is one of those timeless classics and something to be worn on special occasions.

Firstly the bottle, as you would expect with something called White, it most certainly is.  It is huge, chunky and every bit luxurious.  The white bottle featuring the brand and name stands out among its peers with the silver mirrored top and button for spritzing.  It is like no other bottle I own and I like this a lot because it is plain, not too over dramatic and does what it needs too.

As the name suggests, this perfume is based on white flowers.  It has

• Top Notes – Violet Leaves, Freesia, Ylang Ylang and Aldehyde
• Heart Notes – Gardenia, Egyptian Jasmine, Tuberose and White Peony
• Base Notes – White Musk, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Amber and Cedarwood

With notes such as these, you have to expect a strong fragrance and that is exactly what you get.  One spritz is all you need because once it is on your skin it isn't going anywhere.  White is one of the most long lasting perfumes I have ever owned and it is one I absolutely love, think works well and smells amazing on my skin.  You can literally smell the scent all day long and even if you are out in the evening after work there is no need to re-apply and living in London and getting public transport that is no mean feat.  The scent is so fresh when first spritzed with the Freesia being quite dominant but as it settles and you can detect Gardenia, which is a really lovely scent, this perfume becomes for me all about the tuberose (which is a flower) which is a lovely floral, sweet buttery scent. 

If you like white floral scents, you’ll love this offering from Michael Kors because White is just stunning.

Have you ever tried a Michael Kors perfume?

Look Fantastic Beauty Box - August

The LookFantastic Beauty Box has vastly become one of my favourites since its launch last year. Inside you get a myriad of products for your £15 that it is not only exceptionally good value for money, but you get a great range of products to try. Granted not every box is brilliant, some have been more miss than a hit, but my overall experience has been pretty good. So now my August box has arrived, this is what it had to offer!

The first item to grab my attention is the Rimmel Wonder’full Wake Me Up Mascara (RRP £7.99). I have a love hate relationship with Rimmel Mascaras, I either love them or hate them, there is never an inbetween. This mascara is brand new to Rimmel and boasts vitamins and cucumber extract as two of its main ingredients. With a precision hourglass shaped wand it promises to wrap each and every lash with defined, clump-free volume, lifting & stretching them all the way up for an eye awakening effect!

A full size Bellapierre Cosmetics Shimmer in Snowflake (RRP £12.99). The ultimate all-in-one mineral make up product. Shimmer powder can be combined with moisturiser, lip balm, or even a drop of water to produce a cream eyeshadow, eyeliner to name just a few uses. I like Bellapierre as a brand an this is a lovely shade, perfect for Christmas when everyone needs a bit of sparkle.

Next up is a 1.8ml sample of Omorovicza Queen Of Hungary Mist (value 90p). I am quite saddened that I only got a small sample because as a product it sounds amazing - Refresh and revitalise your skin with the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Spring Edition. Blended with orange blossom, rose and sage waters to purify and tone and apple pectin to restore hydration, this refreshing spray promises to give instant rejuvenation. The delicate aroma of neroli and rose will give your skin the boost it needs to ensure that it is glowing throughout the day for all the right reasons. This toner has taken inspiration from the Queen of Hungary Water, the first perfume created in the fourteenth century for the Queen at the time. So given the size of my sample, ive used it once and it has all gone and I don't really feel I can give a view on it either way.

In this August box there are two hair care products. The first is by Alterna and it is the Caviar CC Cream (value £8). This is described as being A miracle leave-in product that delivers 10 benefits in 1 easy step, leaving hair perfectly polished. Provides complete: moisture, shine, smoothness, softness, UV protection, manageability, strength, anti-breakage, heat protection and light hold. Can be used alone or as a foundation for the layering of other styling products. Impressively, it is also free of Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Synthetic Color, Paraffin, Gluten, DEA/TEA, Mineral Oil & Petrolatum.

The second hair product is a 50ml travel sized Beauty Works Ten-In-One Miracle Spray (value £2.50). Described as being a multi-tasking hair treatment that works to nourish, repair and protect your locks during heat styling. It is fortified with argan and macadamia, the innovative formula replenishes lost oils in the hair and helps to eliminate frizz, restore mirror-like shine and prevent split ends. It is also free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic colour and contains no paraffin, gluten, mineral oil or petrolatum.

The final product in this box is the well known Eve Lom Cleanser and there is also a muslin cloth. This cleansing balm is worth around £16.50 and was featured in the November box but I really like this cleansing balm, so am pleased to see it again. This acclaimed cleanser, suitable for all skin types, is a remarkable, multi-purpose product and the basis of the Eve Lom skincare routine. Used with a specially woven muslin cloth, the Cleanser removes daily dirt and impurities while decongesting, exfoliating and toning the skin. Clove Oil's antiseptic properties encourage clear skin, and Eucalyptus Oil helps drain away toxins. Hops Oil tones, and Egyptian Camomile Oil and Cocoa Butter soften and condition the skin. It is an absolute delight to use.

For me, this is a fantastic box which is more than value for money and it includes some fantastic brands and some brilliant products, all of which I have not come across except Eve Lom and that isn't something I would have expected to be saying. My only wish would have been for a bigger sample of the Omorovicza Queen Of Hungary Mist. Maybe next time.

Have you bought a Lookfantastic Beauty Box before? What do you think to this months selection?

My BBQ Essentials

Whilst Steve and I don't have a garden as such, we refer to it as the concrete jungle which is essentially a pathway which leads to our door with some plants in pots, two cat kennels (yes really) and a door mat.  However, we do both love to a BBQ or to be pedantic, I usually wanted Halloumi and I prefer it to be done on the barbeque.  Outside our flat we have a space to do use a BBQ and store it on our terrace, though ours really needs chucking out and replacing.


Having a BBQ makes a nice change to kitchen cooked food for me, I can prep whatever needs to be done and the rest I can leave to him to do. So whilst the weather is still nice, by nice I mean not yet raining, it is something we are still doing.

If you type BBQ Essentials into Google, it throws back around 2.3 million pages for you to peruse at your leisure and having looked through a few of them, I have cobbled together a basic list here of items, a sort of him and her type list that we would both be happy with.

So for the mister there is a huge BBQ which is big enough to cook food on and store extra plates and utensils which are also included and not forgetting the BBQ companion which features over 180 recipes from around the world. For me there is a new pan, a funky apron and some funky looking salt and pepper shakers, which I do need to replace.

Do you BBQ? What do you consider essentials?

This is a sponsored post for House of Fraser; but all opinions and product purchasing are my own

Fragrance Shop Summer Sale

Everyone loves a good sale, I know I do.  Right now the Fragrance Shop have a massive up to 70% off sale and the offer last until 21st August and some of the prices are amazing.

I first became a fan of the Fragrance Shop when I subscribed to the Fragrance Shop Discovery Club Box which I have featured on my blog numerous times now and from having these boxes, the Mister and I have bought a few fair fragrances that we have really liked, some of which are now in that sale.

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of DKNY fragrances and two of my favourites are in that sale:

Be Delicious Skin Hydrating 100ml is now £28 instead of £54 and DKNY MYNY is now £18 instead of £37 which is amazing value for money

If DKNY aren't for you then other savings include these two gift sets which have caught my eye:

I am quite a fan of Hugo Boss Orange after discovering it one of the Discovery Shop Perfume boxes. The set is on offer for £38 and is described as "a captivating scent with a strong personality. The apple notes blend with the delicate florals of White flowers and orange blossom, giving an optimistic impression".

Ermenegildo Zegna Uomo Eau De Toilette 50ml Gift Set for him is priced at £22 which is more than the full price offering and it sounds divine "Magnetic, charismatic. The Uomo man projects an unmistakable aura. He exudes confidence and power. He is the master of all he undertakes. The refreshing scent consists of citruses and bergamot from Zegna's visit to Calabria, Italia. With harmonious notes of violet leaf essence. This is a woody perfume with accents cedar and vetiver which adds to its masculine elegance".

As I have said before The Discovery Club box costs just £5 per quarter and you can read some of my reviews about it HERE, HERE and HERE to give you a taste as to what you might find. It might also be worth me adding that five pence from every transaction is donated to “Rays of Sunshine” children’s charity. To date, over £400,000 has been donated, helping to enrich the lives of many seriously ill children in the UK.

Do you subscribe to The Discovery Box Club or have you bought anything in the sale?

This is not a sponsored post.

Jord 94A Series Wooden Watch

Every so often a product comes into your being that captivates you, whether it is the scent, the style, how it is made, the colour or even it's packaging, sitting and looking at something thinking 'wow'. Well most of those apply to this absolutely beautiful wooden watch from JORD. I have in the past owned a few watches, but I always forget to wear them and spend more time relying on my phone to tell me the time, that said I love watches and need a new one.

If you haven't heard of Jord or their watches, JORD watches are made out of sustainably sourced wood from across the globe. Each watch is then lovingly crafted and are simply unique. I have the 94A Series in Chocolate, which is Jord's first mixed material watch, presented with a squared dial and metallic face, it truly is a thing of beauty.

The watch arrives in a wooden box which features the Jord Logo on top, inside the watch is neatly nested on a plaid cushion which is really lovely for demonstration purposes. Inside the box are some extra links which I had removed so it would fit and a cleaning cloth. 

The watch itself is even more stunning than it looks online. It is so much lighter in weight than I had expected it to be but it is the craftsmanship of the watch which is truly amazing. Being made of wood, there are no rough edges and whilst it is chunky, it looks amazing whilst being worn, it is so unique to have a wooden watch. Each link was individually carved out of wood and linked securely together with metal pins and it uses a Double Locking Fold-Over Clasp, so once it is fastened it is really secure in place on the wrist and it uses a Citizen Miyota Quartz Movement.

I personally think the 94A Series is more suited to a man than a woman and I think it looks amazing on my husband, that said, we both absolutely love it, so it will be a race in the morning to see who can wear it first.

If you want to take a look at JORD watches, you can see the range here. They are amazingly priced, this one is $159 which is around £100 and then delivery is $20 (so just under £10) which is couriered.

What do you think of these wooden watches? 

JORD Wooden Watches

Lush Princess Cottongrass Body Spray

With over 200 new products in the Lush catalogue there is so many to want, need and lust after right now. One product I wasn't expecting to like but actually love is the Princess Cottongrass Body Spray**.

Described by Lush as being "A secretive scent inspired by the Swedish tale of a lost princess who waits by a lake in the forest, hoping to reclaim the golden heart necklace she lost to the depths. Walk along the lakeside where you may see the slender cottongrass plants watching over the water and you will know she is still waiting. A delicate alien floral, both sweet and distant as it blossoms on your skin" the description is pretty spot on as it goes.

Princess Cottongrass Body Spray is quite a feminine fragrance. Really light when you first spray for it to them become much stronger and I suspect it is going to be something you either love or hate. I love it and use it for spraying in my bedroom around half an hour before going to bed, especially if I am struggling to sleep as I find it quite a relaxing scent.

Those of you who are Lush fans will know that each product is packed with amazing ingredients and within Princess Cottongrass we have - Pine Oil which is said to bring about a calming effect on the mind with Neroli Oil being one of the few essential oils to be scientifically proven to increase serotonin production in the brain, which makes us feel contented and cheerful, as well as working effectively as a toner for the skin. Violet Leaf Absolute helps to improve the condition of the skin, and to add a wonderful fresh fragrance with Nettle Absolute not only being full of Vitamins A and C but on oily skin as an astringent, to balance dry skin conditions, and to help scalp and hair problems. It has also been used to treat burns, to relieve joint pain and for insect bites.

So there are a lot of strong scents to be had within this body spray and yet it is not at all heavy. What you get instead is a wonderful fresh, crisp scent that lingers on your skin for a very long time, all day in fact and if you are looking for something that is a little bit different but has lastability, this is worthy of a look.

Have you tried this scent from Lush?

The Ultimate Nail Lacquer Exchange with Crabtree & Evelyn

On your marks, get set, GO! Crabtree & Evelyn are offering everyone the chance to swap their old nail polish for a NEW one completely FREE! Take any brand of nail polish (except a Crabtree & Evelyn one) into the nearest C&E store from 13th August to 29th September (while stocks last) to exchange your old nail polish for a brand new nail lacquer from Crabtree & Evelyn worth £6.00! All bottles will be recycled where possible*. 

Crabtree & Evelyn’s Nail Lacquer collection contains 21 gorgeous colours, from nuetrals to lights to darks to brights. They apply beautifully, dry fast and are formulated without the toxic chemicals commonly found in nail polish, leaving you with a rich, eye-catching colour that lasts. Each Nail Lacquer is 15ml. Price: £6.00.

There is a huge selection of shades to choose from when it comes to the nail polish.  The ones shown in the picture above from left to right the shades are:

• Pomegranate  - Deliciously sophisticated deep red. 
• Clementine -  Beautiful creamy orange with subtle shimmer.
• Apple -  Brilliant red with a hint of shimmer.
• Raspberry - Beautiful deep pink lacque
• Blueberry - Deep blue accented with the shimmer of sapphire.

I absolutely love Pomegranate, it is the kind of shade I tend to wear all year round.

Will you be taking part in the The Ultimate Nail Lacquer Exchange with Crabtree & Evelyn

*Terms & Conditions: Valid in Crabtree & Evelyn branded stores only. Bring in any other brand nail polish/nail lacquer, new or used, and receive in exchange a free Crabtree & Evelyn Nail Lacquer. For a limited time only & while stocks last. Other restrictions apply; ask a sales assistant for details.