Friday 31 July 2020

Bettercup - The Menstrual Cup that keeps Giving Plus an Interview with the Founder


What do you think of when you hear the words menstrual cup? 

Gross? Messy? Disgusting? I thought all of those when I first heard about them, I'm slightly squeamish and at the time, they just weren't for me. I liked the convenience of grabbing a tampon and getting on with my day but as I've got older and taught myself more about my period, my cycle and my body. I kept going back to the idea of using a cup especially since having a baby when I found tampons just weren't as comfortable any more. 

I feel as though more of us are looking for a more eco-friendly way to deal with our periods nowadays and one way to do that is with menstrual cups - where pads and tampons have been the go-to for many, cups have now joined the ranks and are widely spoken about now as an option. 
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Wednesday 29 July 2020

Eat Out to Help Out & the Restaurants Participating in Southampton


We're just a few days away from the launch of the Government's new scheme, Eat Out to Help Out which will see pubs, restaurants and coffee houses offering 50% discount (maximum £10 per diner) on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in. 

The scheme is the first of its kind and will run every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3-31st of August giving the hospitality sector a boost after having to close due to Covid-19. You'll only be able to receive the discount in businesses that have registered for the scheme, they will then claim back the money from the Government directly meaning you don't have to do anything other than enjoy a delicious meal out. 

Want to know more? Just scroll down where you'll find everything you need to know plus a list of participating restaurants, bars and more in Southampton. 
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Sunday 26 July 2020

Coming out of Lockdown Anxiety


Anyone else have post lockdown anxiety? 

I haven't really joined the great race to normality yet and I'm not sure at what point I should? I know we're all going at our own pace at the moment and I really miss brunch with the girls, coffee shop dates alone and just a mooch around the shops with the little one but I'm also not there yet... I keep joking that I'll rejoin the world in 2021 - so far I've spent a couple of hours in a shopping centre and nipped to a coffee house for takeaway coffee but anything more than that seems too much right now. 

To be honest, I've been missing pre-covid life a lot recently and I feel very claustrophobic from doing the same mundane shit every day. I know we can shop, brunch blah blah but with Arran working from home, the little one and I come as a package and I just can't bring myself to take him anywhere like that yet. I feel like an idiot moaning about it because it could be worse and we're happy & safe but man am I craving a little normality. 
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Monday 20 July 2020

The Lakaz Maman Graze Box


With lockdown almost all but over (I'm not ready yet eek!) and restaurants reopening it has meant some of our favourites we've really missed the last few months have started back up again - one, in particular, is Lakaz Maman. There have been a few evenings where we've sat there and said we really fancied one thing or another off the menu so you can imagine our excitement when it was announced they'd be re-opening for takeaway with a new addition and some menu favourites. 

The Graze Box is what piqued our interest first - the minute I saw it I set an alarm on my phone to remind me to order one ready for our Saturday evening date night and we were not disappointed.

The only problem we have now is wanting to order another one already!
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Monday 13 July 2020

The Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette


Too Faced have been constant in my beauty collection for some time but it was only last year that I finally added Too Faced Sweet Peach to my ever-growing collection. When Sweet Peach was first released it flew off shelves time and time again so it has always been on my radar but shade-wise I wasn't sure it was for me - boy was I wrong.

Sweet Peach was first released in 2016 and was eventually brought back a couple of years later much to everyone's delight. The sturdy tin palette was accompanied by a few other Sweet Peach products such as blushes, lip oils and a cheek palette all of which were adorned in oh so cute peach-toned ombre packaging. 
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Friday 10 July 2020

Plastic Free July at Persephone Beauty

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Have you heard of Plastic Free July? It's a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution so we can have cleaner streets, oceans and communities. In the spirit of all things plastic-free, Persephone Beauty has created bundles to help you on your way to living a more plastic-free life. 

They've created three different bundles which include The Beginner's Bundle, The Cleansing Bundle and The Haircare Heroes Bundle making it the perfect way to introduce you to some plastic-free beauty staples. Each bundle comes packaged in an organic cotton bag as well as with a discount code so if you discover some new favourites you can try more!

You can get 15% off using the code ALICE15
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Monday 6 July 2020

What I've been Reading Through June



I feel as though my reading posts signals the end of a new month for me as I get to collect what I've read and share them with you before diving in again. You all know I've quite enjoyed lockdown for a number of reasons and being able to just spend my time reading has definitely been towards the top of the list - there's just nothing quite like switching off for a few hours with a new book. 

I've even started reading multiple books at a time which I've never done - I keep a paperback with me during the day and then read from my kindle in bed so I've been whizzing through them a lot quicker in recent months. Reading has definitely helped me keep my sanity recently and I've enjoyed most of that I've read this month. 

I've picked out six titles from the eleven I read to share with you, if you want to see what else I've been reading I have a highlight on my Instagram - alicespake.
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Sunday 5 July 2020

The Jurlique Herbal Recovery Skin Collection


(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Ah I do love a fresh pot of skincare to dive into especially when it's Jurlique. 

The Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Essentials Collection has been sitting proudly on my dresser for a number of months now and it felt like the perfect time to finally give you the low down on one of my all-time favourite collections from the skincare experts. 

If you haven't heard of Jurlique I'll give you a little backstory. The brand is created by husband and wife team, Dr Jürgen Klein, a biochemist, and his wife Ulrike, a botanist, they had always been passionate believers in the healing power of nature. Their vision was to create a pure and natural skincare range combining the ancient arts of alchemy, herbal medicine and homoeopathy to reconnect people to nature. They began their search for the purest place on earth and after searching the world, they discovered the unspoiled Adelaide Hills in South Australia.

Today, Jurlique products are sold in more than 19 countries around the world. And their most iconic natural ingredients are still grown in the Adelaide Hills where Jurlique first began. 

Now... Let me fill you in on the Herbal Recovery Collection...


The Jurlique Herbal Recovery range contains six products as well as the Herbal Recovery Signature Essentials kit which includes the eye cream, moisturiser and serum and is what I have - the kit is a great saving for £131 for the three products. 

Harnessing potent botanical ingredients, the collection is specifically designed to visibly improve the signs of ageing, revealing brighter, plumper and rejuvenated looking skin. 

The two key ingredients within the Herbal Recovery range are Yarrow Extract and Viola Tricolor Extract which are both rich in naturally rejuvenating properties. Both are grown at the Jurlique farm where they have dedicated teams to pick each and every botanical by hand. Yarrow is only harvested in the springtime and only occurs when the flowers are at their peak. This maximises the potency of their active ingredients, which help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for smoother skin and a more youthful appearance. 

If you want to know a little more about how each ingredient is grown and harvested there are a number of articles on the Jurlique website which are fascinating and give a brilliant insight into just how much goes into the products. 


Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Eye Cream (£42.00)
With a delightful blend of botanical ingredients, this deeply nourishing eye cream is specifically designed to visibly improve the delicate area around the eye. It minimises the appearance of lines and wrinkles, firms the skin and the addition of Silk Tree Extract addresses common signs of fatigue, including puffiness and dark circles giving way to a radiant and revitalised complexion. 

Viola Tricolor Extract is known for its hydrating properties which helps to moisturise and protect the skin while Yarrow Extract helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles revealing smoother and firmer skin. 

The texture is super light, it almost feels bouncy to touch and it absorbs into the skin beautifully.

Much like the Nutri-Define eye cream, I've really noticed a difference in my eye area which feels so much more hydrated and brighter. I would, however, prefer it in the same pump bottle as the serum as it just makes it a bit cleaner.


I don't think I'm ever without a Jurlique face cream, I've used a few different ones over the years depending on what my skin needs most at that time but I have to admit, the Herbal Recovery Signature Moisturising Cream is one I love. The deeply nourishing moisturiser helps to visibly reduce the signs of ageing, smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin.

Enriched with powerful botanicals and naturally derived antioxidants, this rich moisturising cream is ideal for normal to dry skin or for night time use or in colder climates. It is easily absorbed leaving skin feeling deeply nourished without any greasiness. 

The Cedar Bud Extract increases suppleness and helps prevent moisture loss, while Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract brightens an uneven skin tone. It also contains Viola Tricolor Extract and Yarrow Extract which you'll find throughout the range.

It's a really lovely cream - my skin feels beautifully plump and so much brighter! It's like a little pot of joy!


Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Serum (£60.00)
Jurlique serums are some of the best on the market, they're silky smooth, absorb beautifully into the skin and honestly make such a difference. This particular one just brings the entire Herbal Recovery collection together as it revitalises radiance, reduces dullness and softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's the anti-ageing tool everyone needs in their skincare routine. 

The serums are the hero product within any Jurlique range and this one helps skin feel firmer and more supple, bringing a renewed radiance to the complexion. It contains Red Clover Flower extract, which is scientifically proven to enhance the hydrating role of Hyaluronic Acid and to visibly smooth lines and wrinkles as well as the trusty Yarrow and Viola Tricolor Extract. 

Its gel-like texture promotes fast absorption and forms a protective film on the skin's surface meaning the rest of your skincare glides on too. It really does work amazingly and is worth every penny. 

You can order Jurlique online and if you need a little help with what range is best suited for you then just ask their helpful team who will find the perfect range for your skin. I really do love Jurlique and I can't imagine it ever disappearing from my beauty stash!

Have you used anything from the brand before?

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Friday 3 July 2020

Latest in Beauty X Look Good Feel Better Beauty Box

(Features press sample - see disclaimer

Beauty lovers - it's time for a new Latest in Beauty Collection! 

Latest in Beauty have just launched their latest collection in collaboration with Look Good Feel Better called the Do Good, Feed Good box! The box puts the spotlight on ten of the best in the business brands that support LGFB for a complete bargain of £28 plus with each box sold, a donation will be made to the charity. 

Look Good Feel Better is a charity I've personally supported for the last five years so I'm really pleased to be able to show you what is inside the box I received. There are two variations available, Repair Edit and the Renew Edit - each box has exactly the same inside apart from the Clinique ID Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly as each one has been chosen specifically for the box it is in.

(I have made a personal donation due to this being a press sample)
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