Five Happy Things // February 2023

Five Happy Things is back for February - It's nice to have a little look back though, isn't it? For me, so I can see what we were up to and I suppose sheer nosiness for others, we all do it! 

February was a hectic month for us and it felt like it went by in the blink of an eye, especially with half term thrown in too. It felt as if we just nailed our routine again we were thrown into the half-term break but we've been back a week again now and it's made all the difference. We've seen a few sunny days and had some fun socialising.

Here's how some of our February looked, I've picked out the best bits...

P&O Cruises announces performers & hosts for Arvia's Naming Ceremony later this month

P&O Cruises will officially name its newest ship Arvia in a spectacular beachside ceremony in Barbados on Thursday, March 16th 2023. The event, which will include some of Britain's most contemporary and popular performers and presenters, will be broadcast live online to a global audience.

A Night at Balmer Lawn Hotel & Spa in the New Forest

(Press visit for the purpose of review - see disclaimer)

With half term looming, we booked a night away in the New Forest at Balmer Lawn Hotel & Spa so we could spend some time as a family and make use of the swimming pool. Balmer Lawn is a luxury family hotel in the heart of the New Forest boasting a number of rooms, delicious dining options and two swimming pools. The hotel is really close to attractions such as Paulton's Park, Beaulieu Harbour and Southampton so it's a great location for families. 

Situated on the outskirts of Brockenhurst, Balmer Lawn was once a Coaching Inn during the mid-1800s as it was the ideal resting place for passing travellers before being used as a field hospital during World War 1. During the Second World War, the Army ran the hotel as an Army staff college and in 1943 it became the centre for marshalling the forces for the Normandy invasion. Over the years it became various hotels until the current owners, the Wilson family bought it in 1997. 

Being an old building, it is said there is a ghost although we never came across it. He appears in doctor's whites with a stethoscope...

Three Fragrances from Floral Street you must try

(Features press samples & affiliate links - see disclaimer)

I find fragrance can be quite an obvious gift for someone however it can be quite personal and it's something I always love receiving. Fragrances have a way of holding memories and even years later some scents can be quite emotive so it's something I personally invest in.

Floral Street are quite a new fragrance brand to me, created by Michelle Feeney their mission is to bring fine fragrance to the modern woman - so that she might build an entire fragrance wardrobe that can express the many facets of who she is. I spent a virtual evening with the brand last year and found the background, their stance on eco-responsibility and the way they want to change fragrance inspiring.

Since that very first introduction, I've tried each of the fragrances within their discovery set and added three full-size bottles to my perfume collection which is what I'll talk about in this post. Each one is a little different but stunningly beautiful and like nothing else within my collection. 

Date Night Hair this Valentine's with Beachwaver

(Features press samples & affiliate links - see disclaimer)

Beachwaver launched in the UK towards the end of last and has been hugely popular - female founded with a host of super knowledgable women at the helm, it is absolutely one to watch. 

The hair tool is created by Sarah Potempa, an innovative hair stylist whose technical versatility and singular creative talent has made her high demand worldwide. After continually explaining the complex process to get natural waves to editors, she sat down and sketched the idea for the Beachwaver - you can see the original sketch on the website! 

Sarah enlisted the help of her two sisters and a team of engineers and dedicated the next two years to research and development. The Beachwaver launched in 2012 and is now globally distributed.

Discover the all NEW menu at HarBar on 6th

(Press visit for the purpose of review - see disclaimer)

If specially crafted cocktails and delicious food are your thing, then you need to get to Southampton Harbour Hotel's HarBar on 6th as they've just introduced a tantalising new menu. Over the next few months, you can enjoy a selection of warming dishes, and sip on delicious cocktails beneath a beautiful canopy of petals in a burst of white, cream and green.

The beautiful rooftop destination bar, kitchen and club features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Solent complete with a terrace with outdoor fire pits making it the perfect location for drinks with friends or lunch with family. 

How to spend a day on the Isle of Wight this Half Term

(AD with Visit Isle of Wight - see disclaimer)

With just a few weeks to go until Half Term, we headed to the Isle of Wight for a day trip with Visit Isle of Wight to see what we could get up to with the children. Unfortunately, when it came to the day we only had the one-year-old with us because the five-year-old went to a train convention with my parents but we were still able to get a good glimpse into 'half-term on the island'. 

Being based in Southampton means day trips are a doddle and long weekends away are easily within reach. If you're Hampshire based or further then the Isle of Wight is a gem and the perfect spot to explore with children.

Here is what we got up to during our visit...

REN Skincare Introduces Mindful Minis perfect for travelling

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REN Skincare has been within my beauty cupboards for longer than I can remember - I use them daily, take them away for nights away and travel with them so imagine my delight when the REN mindful mini range became available to buy. 

I was giddy plus minis are cute right?

REN Skincare has been pioneers in Clean Skincare since 2000. They select nature's most powerful and kind bioactive ingredients, harnessing their benefits in their formulas to create effective, high performance and clinically proven skincare that addresses diverse skin needs, always with sensitive skin in mind. They're Clean to Skin. Clean to Planet. positioning guides them in every decision they make. They are passionate about protecting our planet's resources and committed to reducing the waste that we produce at every stage of the production, distribution, and promotion of our skincare. 

So... Mindful Minis let's go...