Sunday 20 December 2020

Bobbi Brown Golden Slipper Eye Shadow Palette


I've had my eye on the Bobbi Brown Christmas Collection since it launched so when Black Friday rolled around and they whacked a nice 30% off on I finally snapped up the Golden Slipper Eye Shadow palette from the collection. 

The limited-edition beauty collection is inspired by the energy of dance and the holidays in New York City with each product adorned with beautiful watercolour art by Cecilia Carlstedt⁠. Cecilia has been working as a full-time illustrator since 2003 and has a recognisable flair to her work. She's worked with a wide number of clients within the fashion world so the Bobbi Brown Christmas Collection is a perfect fit.
SHARE:

Friday 18 December 2020

Two Sensual Fragrances PERFECT for the Festive Season

(Features press sample - see disclaimer)

When it comes to Christmas, it is THE perfect time to refresh your fragrance especially as there are so many gift sets and offers to take advantage of. I'm a sucker for a new scent and so to help you with your Christmas shopping I've selected two fragrances that you may not have come across before.

Both are available from The Perfume Shop for ease and I can assure you they're like nothing you've ever smelt before - you want your fragrance to be memorable for all the right reasons so something a little different is the best way to go. 

Signature scents just became a whole lot easier.
SHARE:

Wednesday 16 December 2020

The L'Occitane Festive Shea Bergamot Collection

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

When it comes to beauty at Christmas, one brand that always does it so well is L'Occitane and the twist on the much loved Shea collection is at the top of my recommendation list if you're looking for something beautifully festive for a loved one this Christmas or ya know, for yourself. 

The Limited Edition Shea Bergamot Collection features a handful of products that will keep skin soft, well moisturised and smelling gorgeous. Each of the products are made using shea butter as well as a blend of almond, honey and coconut oil for added nourishment - the invigorating citrus scent of bergamot just gives it that little bit extra!

It's a really great collection of products and skin will not know nourishment like it.
SHARE:

Monday 14 December 2020

Perfect Christmas Gifts for Beauty Lovers

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

I don't know about you but I'm a sucker for cute mini products so Christmas is the perfect time for me to get my fix. There are products in baubles, mini lipsticks and glitter galore and the best bit? They make brilliant gifts and stocking fillers. 

I've collected together some fab products that I think would be perfect for the beauty lover in your life together with a couple of surprises you could even hang on your tree. 

It's going to be a very Merry Christmas for somebody!
SHARE:

Sunday 13 December 2020

Three Easy Festive Recipes Anyone can do!


Hot on the tails of my Super Easy Christmas Pudding Tiffin Balls blog post, I'm sharing Three Easy Festive Baking Recipes Anyone Can Do.... especially with children. I've found baking to be the perfect way to switch off at the moment and I'm really enjoying it so with Christmas being right around the corner I thought it was only right to share some festive inspired bakes. 

Each of the recipes are perfect as Christmas film snacks or to give as gifts to family and friends if you're sticking to homemade presents this year plus we all like something that is a doddle to make right?

Let's get stuck in!
SHARE:

Friday 11 December 2020

Joshua's Christmas Eve Box 2020


I adore the idea of a Christmas Eve Box and it's something we couldn't wait to do for Joshua. Arran and I have a few little traditions we've started during our relationship and Christmas Eve is always a chance for us to wear new pyjamas, eat lots of cheese and treats and watch a Christmas film so we've taken that and created a child-friendly version for Joshua with a few added extras. 

I know they're not for everyone, I think the beauty of Christmas is that we all have our very own traditions and this is just one of ours so I wanted to share what we've put inside ours this year.




We bought our Christmas Eve box in 2018 from Etsy but unfortunately can't link as she isn't selling them this year. If you are looking to buy one I would really recommend Etsy, there are some beautiful boxes available or you could head to Hobbycraft and make your own. I just fill ours with some red shred to bulk out the bottom, I've kept the shred we used last few years inside the box and packed it away with it so we don't have to replace it year on year. 

I've collected a few different things over the last couple of weeks to place inside and stuck with the theme of something to wear, watch, read and eat. It makes shopping for presents so much easier. We've bought Joshua's Christmas pyjamas from Marks and Spencer this year - they're elf pyjamas and I'm so excited to see him in them, the little stripey legs are super cute.

We also bought Christmas socks from Next to keep his toes cosy. They have packs of two socks available so great to split between siblings. We're putting the reindeer pair in his Christmas Eve Box and then the Santa feet in his stocking. 




It wouldn't be a Christmas Eve box without something a little sweet so we've popped a little chocolate treat in there for him. Marks and Spencer have a great free from range this year so we've bought a Father Christmas Chocolate Lolly and some bits from Moo Free too. He also has a personalised enamel cup so we can have hot chocolates all together - I bought this from Prints Nickety on Etsy

The Christmas movie we've added to the box is Winnie the Pooh A Very Merry Pooh Year as Joshua has become a bit obsessed with Winnie the Pooh recently and it's one we all don't mind sitting and watching together.

We're a reading family so there was always going to be a book included and I've chosen two this year. Ollie's Christmas Reindeer is part of a seasonal set, I bought the Halloween version for Joshua in October so when I saw this one I knew this would have to be the Christmas Eve Box book of choice! It's a beautiful tale of a magical snowy adventure on Christmas Eve. Nicola Killen's illustrations are also partly the reason I buy these books - they're just so gorgeous! 

The second book is Dasher by Matt Tavares - another beautifully illustrated and magical story that captures the magic of Christmas so well. Follow Dasher as she longs for a different life, one that includes snow and the north star. I can't wait to read this to Joshua on Christmas Eve. 




The next few items were my favourite last year and my favourite again this year. I am so glad I came across Designed by Blue on Etsy. I ordered a Nice List Certificate which I had personalised with Joshua's name, it's printed on satin aged paper and stamped with a North Pole wax seal. It's something I'll keep forever. I think I'll appreciate them more than Joshua at the moment but I don't think a Christmas Eve box is complete without a letter from Father Christmas.

We also included the Magic Key I ordered in 2018 which I had personalised with our family name so we can continue to use it for years to come and with more children if we have them. The bronze key comes on a dark red cord and on the back of the card it reads: 

"These are the things you need to do, first whisper "I believe in you". Then hang this key outside your door, he will know just what it's for. Now it's time to close your eyes tight, Father Christmas is coming tonight. Christmas day you will wake to find, all the presents he left behind."

There's also a little tube of personalised reindeer food too - I thought it was a cute little addition! 



The very last item and a new addition for this year is a Belive Bell from Vellamaes which I am so happy with, it's just beautiful. It comes in a personalised box (so if we ever have another child let's hope we can order another!) and inside you'll find a cushioned bell on a red ribbon. It's very Polar Express - I just adore it so much - it's such a special piece to include this year.

And that is everything inside this years box. Creating Joshua's Christmas Eve Box is one of my favourite things to do this time of year and we can't wait to give it to him on Christmas Eve. 

I hope it has given you some ideas on what to put inside yours too. 

SHARE:

Wednesday 9 December 2020

Super Easy Christmas Pudding Tiffin Balls


With activities at home taking centre stage this year I thought I'd get my thinking cap on and come up with some festive bakes that are super easy to make at home whether you're a seasoned pro or just dabble in baking like myself. 

Christmas Pudding Tiffin Balls are one of my favourite things to make at this time of year as they're so easy to do plus most people already have the ingredients in their cupboards and if you don't, they're really cheap to pick up. Tiffin Balls also make great gifts - just pop them in a bag, tie with some twine and add a tag and you have a delicious homemade gift. 

It's a recipe our son loves making with us too so it's perfect if you want to get the children involved as there is minimum mess and no risk of flour being thrown everywhere!
SHARE:

Monday 7 December 2020

The Look Fantastic December Beauty Edit

(Features press sample - see disclaimer)

Look Fantastic have launched their December Beauty Edit featuring six fab brands that will help ease you into the colder and darker nights as we get uber cosy for the most festive month of the year. Think glowing skin, luxurious skin care and handy makeup tools and you've nailed this box in one. 

Inside you'll also find their fabulous Beauty Box Guide that talks you through the products and how to use them so you get the most out of them as well as beauty news and information. 

OFFER // You can get 10% off your first Look Fantastic box on 3, 6 and 12-month subscriptions using ALICEXBB1 - order here.

Shall we dive in?
SHARE:

Friday 4 December 2020

Something Sweet for the Festive Season from Too Faced

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Christmas is my favourite time of the year for beauty launches and Too Faced have come up trumps with some super cute bits to get you in the mood. There are gift sets of all sizes available, big and small perfect for all budgets and with the packaging as beautiful as always - you'll be hard pushed not to snap anything up. 

As well as their Enchanted Beauty Christmas range and adorable stocking fillers - you'll also find a little spice in the form of their miniature eye shadow palettes and I've picked one out to give you a closer look plus a limited edition Melted Matte that is oh so perfect for this time of year. 
SHARE:

Wednesday 2 December 2020

How to Build a Festive Charcuterie Board


Charcuterie boards have kinda blown up a bit the last few years and with good reason - they're delicious! 

I recently worked with a brand and created one as part of my idea for the campaign and I took some extra photos as I just knew it would make the perfect blog post in the lead up to Christmas. Charcuterie is a French term for a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and confit, primarily from pork but over the years they've been adapted to suit so many more tastes - to be honest, you can create any Charcuterie you fancy including something sweet. 

They make such a great centerpiece for any party spread whatever the occasion and we're planning to have another one on Christmas Eve as part of our meats and cheese tradition. 

So do you want to know how to create your own? It's super easy! 
SHARE:

Wednesday 25 November 2020

The LUSH Christmas Collection 2020

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Falalalalala... It's that time of the year again and Lush Cosmetics have blessed us all with their Christmas Collection and it's a corker! 

I'm a sucker for a bath bomb as you all know and as I've used up my last Lord of Misrule it was time to switch to all things merry and bright ready for the festive season. I had a deliciously sweet-smelling box of treats arrive from Lush last week and while I had also placed an order myself, I waited until both were in my hands before sharing what's on my Christmas bath checklist over the next few weeks. 
SHARE:

Sunday 22 November 2020

The Winter Warmer Box by The Mother Box

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

If you've been around these parts for a while you may remember not long after giving birth to our son I had a beautiful box arrive from The Mother Box to aid my recovery and ease me into motherhood. They are such a thoughtful idea and it's one of those gifts I really remember from those first few weeks of baby fog.

If you haven't heard of them before, lemme give you a little background: 

Co-founders, Alexis (a midwife) & Beccy (a doula) have a combined 25 years experience working with women during pregnancy, birth and postnatal to create The Mother Box - a carefully curated gift box including tried and tested products that aid new mums. Alexis and Beccy were inspired to create the boxes after years of being asked by women for their advice on caring for themselves in pregnancy, the best products to pack in their hospital bags and for tips on the best ways to heal and recover following birth.

 For Winter 2020, there is a new edition and one I think you will love - The Winter Warmer Box! 

Shall we take a look?
SHARE:

Friday 20 November 2020

Aveda's NEW Hair & Scalp Check!

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

I don't know about you but lockdown has played havoc with my hair. Like many others, I've only seen my hairdresser once so far this year and it shows but thankfully Aveda has come to the rescue with the newly launched Hair & Scalp Check Diagnostic Experience.

The specially curated system created by salon professionals gives you a custom recommendation based on what your hair needs with four million outcomes!

The digital consultation includes detailed product recommendations, lifestyle and wellness content as well as how-to videos and blog stories so you can get the best out of your hair plus you can chat live to Aveda's haircare experts if you have any burning questions.
SHARE:

Wednesday 18 November 2020

5 Products you need to try from Temple Spa

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Temple Spa is a brand that has been on my radar for years and I've tried a number of their products over that time. When it comes to skincare, I like it to be able to make my skin look its best and give the TLC it deserves, thankfully Temple Spa ticks all of those boxes for me. 

Earlier on in the year, before the world was plunged into as we know it now, I had the pleasure of attending an event with Temple Spa at Southampton Harbour Hotel where we were shown more of their products and how to give ourselves a facial at home using them. I also visited the spa a few weeks following to experience the My Kinda Skin Facial which you can read about in Experience Temple Spa at Southampton Harbour Hotel

Since then I've switched a few of their products into my skincare routine and now I'm gonna tell you a little more about them including their brand new toner that leaves my skin glowing! 
SHARE:

Monday 16 November 2020

Lockdown 2.0 - I'm worried


Lockdown 2.0 - It's like déjà vu and we're back to six months ago under lockdown with new restrictions but in a strange way nothing much has really changed. The title of this post sounds more extreme than it is meant to but I suppose considering everything, worried was the right word to use. 

I'm not necessarily worried about lockdown, I'm worried about the implications it brings with it especially as we go into winter and the clocks have gone back. Like thousands of others and maybe you reading this now, I struggle with the darker, colder months. I feel most alive in the summer when there are blue skies, light evenings and the sound of summer fun and laughter in the air.

I suppose you could liken it to S.A.D aka Seasonal Affective Disorder which is a type of depression that's related to the change in seasons with symptoms starting in the Autumn and continuing through to the Winter Months making you feel moody, lethargic and tired. It's pretty grim and although I don't suffer from a severe form, I definitely do suffer.
SHARE:

Sunday 15 November 2020

Christmas Bucket List 2020


With COVID and Lockdown taking centre stage this year, my bucket list posts have been put on the back burner but after much deliberation, I decided to share our Christmas one because there is still so much we can do despite how life is at the moment - it'll just feature more home-based activities than usual. 

I like to keep my bucket lists filled with things that are easily accomplished be it big or small. They also give me the push to do a little more when all I want to do is hide from the cold with a blanket.

So here are a list of things I'm hoping to do with family this Christmas, I'd love to know what you have planned too.
SHARE:

Friday 13 November 2020

The Look Fantastic November Beauty Edit

(Features press sample - see disclaimer)

Look Fantastic have launched their November Beauty Edit featuring six oh so fabulous brands that will help ease you into the colder and darker nights as we hunker down for winter. The box has been perfectly curated to include six products that you won't be able to get enough of this month. 

Inside you'll also find their fabulous Beauty Box Guide that talks you through the products and how to use them so you get the most out of them as well as beauty news and information. 

OFFER // You can get 10% off your first Look Fantastic box on 3, 6 and 12 month subscriptions using ALICEXBB1 - order here.

Shall we dive in?
SHARE:

Wednesday 11 November 2020

Fail Safe Lip Colour // Too Faced Melted Matte

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

When it comes to lip products, matte is my jam but oh my where have the Too Faced Melted Matte lipsticks been all my life? If you head over to the search bar and enter matte there's a whole lotta matte loving that comes up so it seems only fair I add my new lip loves to the mix. 

Too Faced Cosmetics have been a makeup love of mine for the last few years and as I try more from the brand, the harder I fall in love and these babies are no different. 

The Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks come in a variety of shades from your hottest pinks to the deepest of reds with plenty of nudes in between - and the oh so gorgeous range boasts high colour pay-off and durable wear even when worn under a face mask.
SHARE:

Sunday 8 November 2020

Nursem - The Hand Cream making a difference

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

I think it's safe to say for all of us, this year has featured more handwashing and antibacterial gel than it usually would which in turn has seen many of us suffer from dry and cracked hands. It has meant hand cream has fast become one of our everyday essentials and I've been grabbing my tube of Nursem at every opportunity.

If you haven't already heard of Nursem - it's the hand cream making a difference and one that truly does the job, especially when for every product sold they give a month's worth of free Nursem to a nurse or a midwife.

Nursem was founded by husband and wife team Jonny and Antonia, a paediatric nurse - who knows first-hand just how much hands go through with constant washing while looking after patients. Nursem is a passionately advocated brand, loved by nurses, mums and many more. They're on a mission to make sure that every nurse and midwife in the country gets Nursem for free and at the same time to help all other hard-working hands in need.


The average number of times a nurse washes their hands every day is 55, with some washing hands over 100 times per day!

This is where the Nursem Promise comes in - for every product you buy, they give a month's worth of free Nursem to a nurse or midwife which is great because the product was developed with nurses in mind to offer immediate and targeted relief from the effects of relentless hand washing.

The Nursem Promise Packs include enough Caring Hand Cream formula for up to twenty-four nursing staff and so far they've helped heal the hands of thousands of hardworking nurses, providing much-needed skincare relief to facilitate a comfortable working life! 

Shall we take a closer look at the products?



The Caring Hand Cream is fast absorbing and uses naturally derived ingredients to help soothe and protect dry and sore hands. Certified cruelty free, the hand cream contains medical-grade Manuka Honey and White Willow extract as well as a rich blend of Allantoin and Pro-Vitamin B5 which helps to keep our hands moisturised and nourished. 

You'll also find plant oils and Glycerin which restore the protective barrier that retains the skin's moisture and hydration. The non-greasy hand cream is naturally fragranced with Bergamot, Petitgrain and Grapefruit essential oils and is free from parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil and silicone. 

It has also safe to use in hospitals and is the perfect hand cream for nurses, midwives, and any other medical professional in need of natural, effective protection. It's super dreamy to use, smells lush and thanks to the non greasy formula you can carry on with your day as soon as you've applied this - it's such a fab hand cream, one of the best ones I've used in recent years. 



If you're looking for something more intensive, Skin Fix is for you. This is a more intensieve treatment for persistently dry and sore skin and it uses naturally derived ingredients to provide immediate and targeted relief to all areas of the skin.

It contains a mix of pharmaceutical grade Colloidal Oatmeal to calm redness and irritation as well as Hyaluronic Acid to help regenerate skin and Pro Vitamin B5 and Allantoin to fuel the skin's natural ability to repair as quickly as possible. Lastly there is Avocado Oil, Shea Butter and Glycerin to help create a natural barrier to skin while minimising moisture loss.

The Caring Skin Fix is a little thicker and richer than the hand cream, offering immediate relief. The fragrance-free formula is perfect for even the most sensitive skin, and a little goes a long way. We find using it overnight brings the best results. Like all of their products, the skin fix is dermatologically tested, cruelty free and free from parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil and silicone. Plus, this formula is vegan and Consultant Dermatologist approved. 


So as you can see Nursem really is what we need right now plus knowing whenever I purchase a new tube that another tube goes to a nurse is heart warming. 

You can purchase Nursem direct from their website or via Sunday Living, Gorgeous Shop and more!

Have you tried Nursem before?

SHARE:

Friday 6 November 2020

What I Read in October


And just like that October is over and with it, my latest collection of books is here. With our internet being disconnected before moving and being without Netflix I had a lot of time to read so I have well and truly found my groove again. 
We're still staying home a lot at the moment - we've ventured out a little more than we have been and it's been nice but I'm not quite ready to let go of our time at home as a family, it has been so valuable to us all. 

I managed to get through eleven books throughout October and chose some good'uns because I don't think there was any I didn't enjoy even though I wasn't a fan of one ending - I'm going to share six of those within this post. As always, I keep everything I've read on my Books 2020 highlight on my Instagram so if you're looking for any more recommendations - be sure to look there too. 
SHARE:

Monday 2 November 2020

The Beauty Edit by Marks & Spencer



The Marks & Spencers Beauty Advent has always hotly anticipated but this year they've changed things up a little. They've said they didn't want to wait until December to deliver a beauty treat to us all so instead they've curated The Beauty Edit to enable us to indulge in a little at-home pampering.

The box is full of ten must-have beauty products including a surprise skincare item from Prai. Discover nourishing hair treatments, tools to deliver high impact eyes for the winter months, revitalising creams and an intensive nail repair which I imagine we all need going into the colder months. 

The box which retails at £122 but costs only £20 when you spend £30 across clothing, home, beauty and Christmas and is the steal of the year - it contains ten premium products all in super generous sizes!
SHARE:

Sunday 1 November 2020

A Peek Inside our Halloween Party

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

I've always been a lover of Halloween, I have fond memories of dressing up as a ghost with a bedsheet or a witch with a broom as a child so I've always wanted to create that magic for our children too. Joshua is an October baby so he saw his first Halloween in at two weeks old while wearing a pumpkin outfit and so as the years have gone on, we've dressed up and bought spooky snacks to celebrate. 

With the world as it is at the moment, I went all out this year with decorations galore and plenty of food - we had the best time so I wanted to share a peek inside out Halloween Party and give you some inspiration for next year. 
SHARE:

Friday 30 October 2020

I'm So Glad We Live in a World where there are Octobers


The most wonderful time of year? I think so...

I've always been a lover of Autumn and although this year been a little different with fewer days out and adventures in crisp, brown leaves - we've still tried to make the most of it. J went back to preschool in September so we've had a little less time to do things but as with most things this year we've found comfort in the small things. 

We've been for coffees as a three, ran through puddles and crunchy leaves and explored the many parks around the city. There was a visit to a pumpkin patch, a birthday to celebrate and plenty of yummy food so looking back over the month was the perfect time to pick out some highlights and have a chat. 
SHARE:

Wednesday 28 October 2020

The NEW Immortelle Divine Collection by L'Occitane

Features press samples - see disclaimer

At the beginning of September, L'Occitane re-launched one of their award-winning ranges with an all-new formula much to the excitement of skincare fans everywhere. The Immortelle Divine Collection is made using a beautiful golden flower that was discovered twenty years ago - since then, they have been studying its anti-ageing properties and thanks to eco-extraction technologies their research and development teams have found two new extracts. 

The two new extracts are Immortelle Super Extract and Immortelle Super Aqueous Extract, with Immortelle Super Extract, in particular, being likened to be as effective as synthetic retinol but more gentle to skin. The new and powerful botanical compound includes twenty-one active molecules all from a little flower found in the Corsican Maquis. 

The flower bears the name of Immortelle because she doesn't wither against the salty winds from the Mediterranean sea or by being in harsh sunlight nor does she wither once picked. It's quite an amazing little flower. 

SHARE:

Monday 26 October 2020

Joshua's Halloween Box 2020


Last year, I was chatting on Twitter about Halloween boxes and if they were a thing because I really loved the idea of creating one for Joshua. My idea originally stemmed from Christmas Eve Boxes and so I started researching and didn't find much so I thought I'd just create my own and it was super popular so I thought I would share his box for this year too.

Joshua is too young for trick or treating and buckets full of sweets so a Halloween Box was the perfect alternative for our little ghoul and to help make things a little spooky. With trick or treating being out for some many this year due to the pandemic, it's also the perfect way to celebrate at home - we're having a little Halloween party too!
SHARE:

Friday 23 October 2020

Meet Upcircle's Newest Arrivals

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Back in January of this year, I came across Upcircle for the first time - an all-natural skincare brand that uses leftover ingredients, bringing them back to life as beauty products. Think used coffee grounds and fruit stones - ideal for the skin.

Upcircle previously known as Optiat underwent a revamp in 2018 with a new name, logo and packaging! This saw all tubed products switched to 100% aluminium, glass or cardboard packaging all of which are easier to recycle.

The brand is very recycle, re-use and re-purpose which is exactly what we need in the current climate. 

You can read more about my first thoughts on Upcircle in my post, Introducing the All-Natural Skincare Brand Upcircle but for now, I want to show you three of their brand new products that I've been testing and using the last month. 
SHARE:

Wednesday 21 October 2020

What I Read in September


And just like that the ninth month of the year ended and with it my latest collection of books is here. I was on the go-slow last month but I seem to have found my groove again. We're still staying home a lot at the moment - we've ventured out a little more than we have been and it's been nice but I'm not quite ready to let go of our time at home as a family, it has been so valuable to us all. 

With September, our routine started to look a lot more normal especially with our son going back to preschool which I'm so not ready for but that does mean I can spend his mornings there with a cup of coffee and a book so not all so bad! 

As always, I keep everything I've read on my Books 2020 highlight on my Instagram so if you're looking for any more recommendations - be sure to look there too. 
SHARE:

Monday 19 October 2020

Why you must visit Blue Jasmine Immediately

(Review Press Visit - see disclaimer

Before the world plunged into the unknown Blue Jasmine opened its doors in Ocean Village, Southampton much to the delight to many in the city. Delivering contemporary Southeast Asian fine dining it's somewhere you immediately have to add to your to try list. I finally stepped through their doors a few weeks ago and it was so worth the wait, in fact, I've been back twice since.

At Blue Jasmine, they follow a simple philosophy: to serve Asian gastronomy that has been elevated to fine dining standards. This carries through every aspect of the restaurant, from their waterside location to the precision with which each of their dishes is expertly prepared and plated and boy are they presented beautifully!

Their modern take on Asian cuisine is a celebration of authentic flavours. Overseen by Executive Chef Daren Liew, the menu delivers the essence of Southeast Asia while using the best local ingredients from Hampshire, the New Forest and the Isle of Wight before enhancing with spices imported from Malaysia, China and Thailand.
SHARE:

Friday 16 October 2020

The LUSH Halloween Collection 2020

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Autumn has arrived and with it comes the Lush Halloween collection for 2020! Lush seasonal releases are my absolute fave so I've been waiting in anticipation for this collection to enter stores and it doesn't disappoint especially as my ol' fave Lord of Misrule is right there - I don't know what I'll do if they ever discontinue it. 

There's a handful of products to choose from including bubble bars, bath bombs, frightening shower gel and a pretty fabulous Fangs n Eyes knot wrap which is sure to give you a fright! There's also a super cute pumpkin mask holder which is a great way to gift bath bombs to any Halloween Lush fans. 

Buckle up because things are about to get spooky as I run through the range...
SHARE:

Monday 12 October 2020

Our little boy, you're almost three!


I feel a sudden rush of emotions for Joshua at the moment - I think because 2020 hasn't exactly been plain sailing, I'm feeling more protective of him than ever. I'm an overprotective parent, I've spoken about this previously in my post I'm Scared and with the horrors of Covid and a year pretty much in our own bubble - I feel as though that has really intensified. 

A month or so ago he went back to preschool for the first time since lockdown ended. We started him a little earlier than most at the beginning of this year and we had just found our rhythm with it when it was time to pull him out in March. It took a lot longer than I thought it would for us both to settle into the preschool routine so I was so nervous for him restarting in September. Turns out I had nothing to worry about as he ran in and had the best time. He came on in leaps and bounds during lockdown and that's only become more apparent since he returned. 
SHARE:

Monday 5 October 2020

A Guide to Cosy Nights & Hygge

*This is a paid partnership with Local Heroes - see disclaimer*

Autumn to me is the best time of year - the leaves begin to change colour, the evenings get darker and it means our nights can be spent curled up in a blanket with a warm drink watching the latest boxset surrounded by candles and twinkling lights. Sounds blissful right?

Installing a sense of calm in those colder months is really important for my mindset and so creating a little guide on how I do just that couldn't come at a better time especially as we're getting so close to putting the heating back on! 

hygge
/ˈh(j)uːɡə,ˈhʊɡə/
a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being
SHARE:
Blogger Template by pipdig