Orla Kiely for the Home

I absolutely love Orla Kiely prints, there is something eye-catching and mesmerizing about them which makes them stand out and look absolutely amazing and most definitely Pinterest worthy. 

Orla Kiely is an Irish fashion designer who is based in London and she is renowned for her retro-inspired patterns which appear on a variety of items from clothing and home ware to beauty, Fragrance, books and candles.

I have three items within my collection which look just amazing and would make the perfect gift.

Basil and Mint Scented Candle - This candle is presented in a stunning glass jar which is embellished with one of Orla Kiely's signature designs.  The scent features clean, aromatic notes of fresh basil and green mint which are blended together with pure essential oils of caraway, may chang and lemon peel to create a scent that is both really refreshing and incredibly calming.  It is perfect for lighting when you come home from work and just need a few minutes to sit and relax.

Each one of Orly Kiely's candles are made from 100% Vegetal wax and they feature a pure cotton wick.  They also come with an individual heat mat to help protect surfaces.

Lavender Diffuser - Lavender is one of my favourite scents when it comes to relaxing and this diffuser is again beautifully presented in a glass bottle which is embellished with a signature Orly Kiely design, it also has a set of reed sticks. 

Using the pure essential oils of aromatic French lavender; zesty lemon; earthy geranium; and mint the fragrance is absolutely amazing to help you relax and unwind.

Orla Kiely Geranium Bath & Body Hand Wash Set - Presented in a beautiful tin you will find a Geranium scented Hand wash and Hand lotion plus a stylish ceramic dish which doubles up as a great little bathroom accessory which you can either stand both bottles in or you can use it for decorative purposes.

• Geranium Hand Wash - This is a gentle foaming hand wash which is enriched with violet leaf extract, known for its antibacterial properties, and nourishing pro-vitamin B5 to leave your hands feeling thoroughly cleansed. There is also a blend of 10 essential oils, including geranium, eucalyptus, lavender and clary sage, to help relax and refresh your mind as it cleanses.
• Hand Lotion - Helps to hydrate and nourish your hands and is enriched with passion flower oil and vitamin E to help moisturise your skin, the lotion also contains a blend of 10 essential oils, including geranium, eucalyptus, lavender and clary sage, to help relax and refresh your mind and body, and leave your hands feeling soft and smooth.

Each bottle within this set is 250ml which means they are going to last you quite some time.

These items would make a great gift for any fan of Orly Kiely prints and they look just amazing added to any home with their bright vibrant patterns and prints.

Are you a fan of Orly Kiely? Do you own anything with her prints on?

Purrfect Box for Cats - November Box

Just a few days ago we took delivery of the November Purrfect Box, The Purrfect box** is a UK subscription service which allows you to treat your cat, or your dog (Pawsome Box)and each month you will receive each month treats, toys, accessories, hygiene and personal care products customized and based on the cat's age, size, weight, fur type and preferences. Each month has a different theme so you get different goodies each month. The cost is £19.50 per month or £15.50 if you subscribe yearly and this was what was in the box.

As you can see the box is pretty full with eight items nicely packed inside.  One thing I always do whilst my boys explore is to read the magazine which comes with it, there are so many handy tips and tricks that I find invaluable.

The first item that caused some excitement for Hector was a bright yellow package which contained a Gimcat Cat Pudding.  I never knew such a thing existed but it does and it was a huge hit in this house.  Said to be a treat between meals, the Gimcat pudding contains nutritious milk to keep your kitty happy.

Cat food is always an added bonus, especially when it is something you haven't yet bought for your animals to try.  I always try and ensure my three have a slight change of food occasionally and these two tins of Thrive were so popular there was almost a huge fight. Thrive food is cooked with added vitamins and minerals and with no gluten and no wheat.

I do give my cats treats, it is often the quickest way out of the door in a morning when they want to come with me to work.  Inside the Purrfect box this month are some Armitage Chicken Bites which are made with 89% read chicken, are hypoallergenic and contain no artificial colours or preservatives. 

These again were a huge hit with Dexter who tends to dislike anything other than Dreamies (known as Kitty Crack in our house), so it was a real surprise to see he liked these.

Camon Wipes are a nice inclusion within the box, especially with having a kitten who is still learning to wash properly.  They are great for giving him a helping hand with wiping his paws, more so because he is obsessed with his litter tray and laying in it can be really smelly!

Any cat toy is always a plus and this time we have two to choose from. A feather toy on a string is brilliant for ensure your cat gets adequate play time to keep them fit and healthy and for Hector, it is a great way to start his hunting career because he thinks it is alive and bounces all over the place.

Trixie kindly included a fun roller which has really excited my three.  Putting some treats in for them to find has kept them occupied for over an hour as they sniff, poke and spit at the toy. Hector was the first to figure out that if you roll it, something comes out, but Dexter was in there to claim the treat before Dude decided that if he couldn't have a go, neither could anyone else and he sat on it.

The final item in the box is a cute cat blanket which is perfect for the winter months.  I have a few cat blankets for each of my boys who enjoy their own, so now Hector also has one and being rather creative, I made a bed from the box and it looks pretty cool and it almost matches the colour of his fur too!

So there you have the November Purrfect Box and as I have said before, it is a real treat for my boys to get and as soon as they see the box they know exactly what it is and cannot wait for me to rip it open.  If you have a friend who has cats, then this would make a fantastic alternative Christmas present!

Have you signed up to Purrfect Box for your kitty?

New from SEVENTEEN

Seventeen make up has been a regular feature here on Beautyqueenuk of late, with an insight as to what you can find in store here and the Bobbi Brown dupe here they have really upped their game in recent months.

The latest editions to this amazing collection includes two All Out Pout palettes and two Easy On The Eye palettes which are simply incredible.

The All Out Pout palettes are available in two options - Woo Me and Fancy Free and both contain a collection of 6 rich satin, gloss and glitter shades plus a mini mirror, a get the look guide and a precision lip applicator and each one costs just £7.99.

The shades within the Woo Me Palette are perfect for the coming season - Peach Shimmer, Knock Out Red, Glossy Grape, Cool Claret, Candied Coral and Metallic Gold and they can all be worn individually or mixed together.

How amazing are these shades? They are so pigmented and easy to wear not to mention long lasting. I wear all of these shades.

The Fancy Free Palette again makes perfect for the coming season and the shades within this palette are not as bold but are equally stunning.  They are Glitter Gloss, Bubblegum Pink, Pastel Pink, Fiery Fuscha, Glistening Nude and Soft Mulberry.

Again, this palette has 6 wearable shades and again they are quite pigmented, I love the first glittery shade which is perfect for adding a bit of sparkle to all your lipsticks.

The Easy On the Eye Palettes are also available in two options - The Big Smoke and Birthday Suit and each one contains a collection of 8 matte, shimmer and pearl powders plus 3 metallic creams and an eye primer so that you an define, shade, contour and highlight.  Again there is a really handy mirror within the lid and a duel ended applicator plus a get the look guide.  Each palette costs just £7.99

Birthday Suit is absolutely stunning and contains shades which are perfect for the daytime but can easily be adapted for a night out - Gentle Pink, Warm ivory, Sun Kissed Peach, Radiant Gold, Cool Rose, Warm Mink, Toasted Almond, Baked Chestnut, Bronzed Buff, Burnt Copper and pink Flush.  The eye primer is the last right hand circle and it is quite a good primer, I have used it a few times with a range of eyeshadows.

This palette is my favourite of the two because of the delicate shades, which can be built up, the swatches show just one brush stroke.

The Big Smoke is again totally stunning and features some really lovely shades such as - Twilight Blue, Onyx Black, Cocoa Brown, Slate Grey, Smoky Marble, Cloudy Lilac, Wild Khaki, Warm Ivory, Cool Aluminium, Pink Flush, Illuminated Bronze and again the eye primer is the last circle on the bottom row.  Again all of the shades can be worn alone or can be used together to create the perfect smoky eye.

As you can see, this palette is perfect for creating the smoky eye with these shades and I tend to mix some of these shades with the those from the first palette to add a bit of depth to my eye makeup.

I am really loving Seventeen right now, there are just some amazing products to be found and at such reasonable prices too.

Dr Andrew Weil for Origins

As a big fan of Origins skincare, I was delighted to be able to try the Origins collaboration with Dr Andrew Weil. Dr Weil is a Harvard-trained physician and world-renowned leader in holistic health. I have enjoyed using Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief and Mega Bright Dark Spot Correcting Night Mask.

It is no secret that I like products that are a little out of the ordinary - Bee Venom, Dragons Blood, Snake Venom and Colostrum to name a few. So it won't come as a surprise that something called Mega-Mushroom caught my attention. 

Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Lotion which is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, is a lightweight lotion which both hydrates and calms the skin to deliver long-lasting comfort. Free from parabens, sulphates and phthalates, this lotion is specially formulated with what are referred to as 'miracle mushrooms' known as Reishi, Chaga and Cordyceps which were discovered by Dr. Andrew Weil on his visits to china.  

It is said that the Mega-Mushroom blend helps to restore the skin's resilience for a firmer appearance and prevents damage caused by UV rays, everyday stresses and environmental aggressors to leave skin healthy-looking. It is also enriched with Sea Buckthorn which is healing and acts as an anti-inflammatory to repair the skin. Antioxident ginger and tumeric help with premature ageing and Holy basil helps to relieve the skin by reducing redness and irritation. All of those leave calm, soothed and rejuvenated skin. 

What I love about this lotion is how lightweight it is. The handy dispenser gives you enough from one pump to cover your entire face and it doesn't smell like a mouldy funghi patch either, what you do get is a hint of ginger which is incredibly fresh and as soon as it comes into contact with the skin, it begins to absorb leaving behind soft, smooth and hydrated skin. I have been using this for a good few weeks now and have seen a slight difference to the redness which flares up on my cheeks when I am stressed, it is something only I have noticed at this stage and I am hoping that in a few weeks time, others will also notice.

The Mega-Bright Dark Spot Correcting Night Mask is again suitable for all skin types and is a luxurious mask that you wear overnight to boost resilience and radiance whilst you sleep. By using a blend of Vitamin-C rich Rosa roxburghii plus Mulberry, White Peony, Chestnut Seed Extract this mask is said to visibly reverse skin tone damage, revive translucency and fade dark spots. Skin’s awakens radiant, refreshed and Mega-Bright. 

I really like the texture of this mask, it has a creamy consistency that feels like a moisturising cream and it glides onto the skin with minimal effort before being very quickly absorbed. Once this has happened, it feels incredibly lightweight and there is no sign that there is a mask on your face, especially given that you don't have to peel it or wash it off after a few minutes. Once I have completed my double cleanse in an evening, I apply my mask, giving it the best opportunity I can to work its magic on my skin.

The scent is equally divine, it is fruity yet fresh and reminds me of Origins Night-a-Mins which I absolutely adore. My skin is always in need of extra hydration and this is why I love to use overnight masks, giving them a chance to work whilst I sleep. The following morning after using this, my skin does feel incredibly moisturised and hydrated and whilst I don't have any discolouration or dark spots, it does leave my skin looking and feeling refreshed and I do look as though I have had a good nights sleep.

These two products together are just amazing and they work so well on my skin. I love the texture of both, neither are greasy or leave residue on the skin and both are effortless to use.

Have you tried any Dr Andrew Weil for Origins products?

LookFantastic Beauty Box December Edition

For the last three months, LookFantastic have been doing their Christmas Edition boxes and you can see boxes one which came in October and two in November on my blog. The third box has arrived a little earlier than usual, so it was a nice surprise when it arrived.

Again a beautifully designed white and gold box to tempt you in, this months box features six products to test and try out and again there is a cute little eight page magazine which has information on each of the products and a guide that tells you have to achieve the perfect facial - something I will definitely be reading and trying out.

The first item out of the box this month is from Eve Lom an it is a 50ml Morning Time Cleanser. This cleanser is a lightweight rinse-off balm that cleanses the skin of makeup and dirt without stripping it of moisture. Papaya fruit enzymes help brighten and gently exfoliate while carrot oil nourishes and stimulates collagen production. Suitable for all skin types, this is a product which is perfectly designed for those on the go because you only need to massage it onto dry skin and leave for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water, so for me perfect for when I am waiting for the shower to warm up in a morning.

Lord & Berry Pailette Glitter Eye Pencil - Pailette is a classic black eye pencil which is infused with glitter, therefore making it perfect for the party season. It is said to have a subtle finish but long lasting effect. I never ever use eyeliner, I think it makes me look weird, so thankfully this has already found itself a home.

I was chuffed to see another the Wet Brush Squirt in my box and in a colour I don't have, in this case yellow. This brush helps you to detangle with no pulling, tugging or pain to leave our hair healthy with no split ends and less breakage. The Wet Brush Intellifelx bristles glide through hair effortlessly and the ultra-soft polytips SoftTips make this brush ideal for sensitive scalps and also provide a massaging action. I have a pink and now a yellow Wet brush and I am a big fan.

Codage No.3 Radiance & Energy Serum. Codage is a brand I am slowly getting to know through beauty boxes and this is one of the reasons why I am a fan of beauty boxes, without them, this is the sort of product I would not have tried. Described as being a genuine elixir of cellular replenishment, this serum is formulated to detoxify and restore brightness to lacklustre skin whilst helping to erase signs of fatigue. To be used on a morning and/or evening onto cleansed skin using your fingertips.

Eyelure Double Lash in No.156 Exaggerate - Described as being big and beautiful, these double-layered effect lashes are handmade, 100% natural and reusable. I am not the most patient person when it comes to the application of false lashes and anything that has a glue with it is not going to be used because it usually irritates my eyes. That said, I know they are a popular brand with bloggers and I am sure I can find them a home.

The final item in the box comes from Molton Brown and it is in the form of a body wash. I have Coco and Sandalwood as a scent and it isn't once I have come across before. Sounding quite masculine, this scent is actually really nice and uses a combination of Coconut and Jasmine alongside the sandalwood to give it a really nice scent and one that I will definitely be using.

So that is the third and final installment of the Christmas Edition Boxes and I have really liked all three and have enjoyed the nice mixture of brands and product types included, I have made some new discoveries with brands such as Codage that I really like and it is nice to be reacquainted with brands such as Ole Henriksen Wet Brush and Ren.