Saturday 28 September 2013

Review: The Body Shop - Honeymania Eau De Toilette





When I first heard that The Body Shop were launching the Honeymania range, I was so excited. As soon as I saw the products on the website, I deliberated for a while before deciding to purchase the Eau De Toilette. I rarely purchase fragrances without testing them first but I figured I'd take a chance with this one. I love sweet scents, and this was called Honeymania so surely it would be sweet, right? ...... 

Let's begin with the packaging. It's a simple glass bottle with a gold cap, definitely not anything spectacular to be displaying on your dressing table. It does its job but it's nothing special.

The fragrance itself was a massive letdown. Having read a lot of reviews from bloggers who had the opportunity to sample the Honeymania range before its launch, there was a mixed response when it came to the EDT. Some were claiming that it was sweet, others were claiming it was floral. I can say without a doubt that this smells nothing like honey. This has extremely strong floral notes. 

I'm extremely disappointed with this because they could have made it into a unique scent that actually resembled the smell of honey. Instead, they have created another floral fragrance. However, if you're into floral scents then you'll most likely quite like this. 

I definitely won't be repurchasing this but I've heard that the scent varies from product to product within the Honeymania range so perhaps I will purchase the shower gel or body butter next time.

Have you tried the Honeymania range from The Body Shop yet?

Wednesday 25 September 2013

Linderella's Lust List - Mulberry

The colder part of the year is well and truly upon us, so what better time than now to compile a little wishlist to gather ideas in time for the festive season? I've always loved the Mulberry Collection at John Lewis so I better start dropping some hints for my family & friends....



Images on collage are from JohnLewis.com.

1. Mulberry Bayswater Grab Handbag in Heather - This bag is absolutely stunning. The clean cut design makes it a timeless piece and, whilst everyone is lusting after plummy colours this season, I'm loving this bright purple to add a punch of colour to the darker months. 

2. Mulberry Star Metal Keyring - Polished to perfection, I could almost hang this on the Christmas tree! Too soon?? Let's just stick to using it for the house keys then... 

3. Mulberry Mini Meadow Square Scarf - When it comes to fashion, my number one accessory has got to be SCARVES! They have the ability to jazz up any look and completely alter the look of an outfit. The intricate floral design is super pretty.

4. Mulberry Tamara Cotton Silk Wrap in Red - One scarf just isn't enough for me! This one features the iconic Mulberry logo and the colour is a gorgeous warm red.

5. Mulberry Leather Jewellery Case in Deer Brown - I own way too much jewellery so this will be perfect for storing everything. You can never go wrong with a luscious tan leather.

6. Mulberry Heart Friendship Bracelet - I love the whole lock and key concept when it comes to jewellery. For my last birthday, I was given a beautiful key necklace. This gold-plated lock-design bracelet would complement it perfectly!

7. Mulberry Alexa Leather Messenger Bag in Creamy Pink - I love this bag. It would be great for casual days out when you need your essentials but want to look super stylish at the same time. The plaited design also makes me want to plait my hair...

Are you lusting after anything from this collection at John Lewis?

Sponsored post.


Monday 23 September 2013

Introducing: Corbico Jewellery








When it comes to fashion, jewellery is always high on my list. So when I came across Corbico Jewellery, I spent ages browsing through all their lovely designs. 

Corbico Jewellery, an online jewellery and accessories boutique, was set up in 2010 by Nuria Corbi. She runs the boutique on her own and therefore gets involved in everything from building the website and photography to sourcing stock. Her hands on approach to her business means that she understands what her customers want and can offer excellent customer service.

Once items sell out, they are rarely restocked. I like this approach because you can be sure that your new purchase is fairly exclusive. The items at Corbico Jewellery are designer-inspired but hold an extremely affordable price tag. 

I was lucky enough to be able to choose two of their gorgeous pieces. The first item I received was a Stainless Steel Crystal Flower Design Bracelet*. Now I wear bracelets a lot, more so than necklaces, and this one is just stunning. It is made from stainless steel, a material that I haven't considered purchasing before when it comes to jewellery. I was surprised to learn that stainless steel is a hypoallergenic material, which means it's less likely to cause allergic reactions. This is such a unique design as well, I haven't seen anything like it before. It also comes in a little blue gift pouch.

The second piece is a beautiful Rhodium Plated Daisy Enamel Ring Necklace*. As soon as I saw this on the website, I was in love with it. The yellow and pink flower design adds a cuteness to the necklace whilst the little crystals add a little sparkle. I wore this over the weekend and I got so many compliments.

I highly recommend Corbico Jewellery. They have some really nice unique items on the website and everything is priced reasonably. It is also the perfect place to shop if you're looking to buy some jewellery for family & friends. 

What do you think of my new jewellery?

Saturday 21 September 2013

Review: Alison Claire - Mango Body Butter




A while ago, I began looking for new skincare ranges to try out. I've got quite sensitive skin so, unfortunately, I have to be really careful with which products I used. 

When I came across the Alison Claire website, I fell in love with all of the mango products on there. Unsure as to whether it would work with my skin, I was very kindly sent some samples to try out.

One of the samples I was sent was the Mango Body Butter and I have to say that it's one of the best that I've tried out. It has a light lotion-like texture but offers the moisturisation of a body butter. The first thing that I noticed as soon as I opened it up was the amazing smell. Now I've used The Body Shop Mango Body Butter before but this one smells better. It smells more natural and a little sweeter. 

When I tried spreading this onto my arm, I was amazed at how quickly it soaked into my skin, and I was even more amazed at how gorgeously soft my skin was afterwards. 

At £15 for a 200ml pot, it is a little on the pricey side compared to some high street body butters but they use all natural ingredients so it's great for your skin. It's so difficult for me to find products that work well with my skin so I feel like I'm onto a winner. I'm not too sure if I'm going to make a purchase as I do think it's a bit expensive and I might be able to find something equally as good but more affordable. This is definitely on my consideration list though!

Have you tried any Alison Claire products before?
Or can you recommend any other good natural skincare brands?

Friday 20 September 2013

Review: FĂȘted Magazine







I haven't read a good magazine for ages so I was intrigued when I heard about FĂȘted, a new online magazine. FĂȘted features fashion, beauty, technology and much more, with each issue being based on a particular theme. So when they contacted me in regards to their latest issue, I was very excited since the theme was "food". I love food so I figured I'd love this.

FĂȘted was created in 2012 by sisters Claire and Sarah. Their online magazine features articles from  bloggers and writers who are keen to show off their creativity. The latest issue includes a natural face mask recipe, a tutorial on how to make a mint cocktail, and a selection of scrumptious afternoon tea recipes. 

Being someone who loves food, this was the perfect issue for me and I can't wait to try out some of the recipes. I also love supporting new businesses so I'll definitely be checking out some of the businesses that have been showcased in the magazine. The idea of having themed issues is a really good one because it helps to keep the magazine fresh and provides the opportunity for a variety of writers and businesses to contribute. 

FĂȘted is currently available once every 4 months but this is likely to become more frequent in the future. If you'd like to read FĂȘted, it is available free from ISSUU. Alternatively, you can purchase the extended edition for just 79p on Etsy

They are always on the lookout for people to contribute to their magazine so get in touch with them if you'd like to be involved. 

What are your thoughts? Would you read FĂȘted?

Sponsored post.

Tuesday 17 September 2013

(CLOSED) - INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY - SammyDress.com Jewellery

I am very excited to bring you this jewellery giveaway from SammyDress. This is open internationally to all my readers. 

SammyDress.com is a fast growing online retailer selling fantastic products at amazing prices. They sell jewellery, bags, clothes, and much more. New products are sourced and added to the website every single day. They ship internationally so you can get your hands on their products no matter where you live. 

There will be ONE winner who will get to choose ONE of the five pieces shown below (various colours available).

All entrants must be followers of my blog on GFC.

Sweet Candy Triangle Earrings
Available in 6 colours



Vintage Candy Gem Earrings
Available in 6 colours


Simple Triangle Stud Earrings
Available in 4 colours

Vintage Waterdrop Pendant Earrings
Available in 1 colour

Chic Style Rhinestone Earrings
Available in 6 colours


The winner will be displayed on the widget and announced via Twitter within 5 days after the giveaway closes. 

This giveaway is sponsored by SammyDress.com
The prize will be supplied directly from the retailer.
All images are from SammyDress.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday 16 September 2013

Mini Online Shopping Spree



I recently went on a little online shopping spree in an attempt to update my wardrobe a little bit. I did buy more than this but ended up returning most of it - haha shops must love me! 

1. Poodle Print Double Collar Blouse from Very. I love tops with collars on and this one had double collars! It's a bit hard to see on the photo but there is an aqua blue collar on top of a dark blue collar. I think it looks so smart and so cute at the same time.

2. Color Block Lace Blouse from Very. I love lace and I love collars so this was a no-brainer! The front is see-through so I will be teaming it up with a camisole underneath.

3. Camo Print Double Collar Blouse from Very. What's that? Oh yeah, more collars! I LOVE this top. It's quite possibly one of my favourite tops EVER! The print is super gorgeous and bright - it really jazzes up my wardrobe. There is a grey collar on top of a girly pink collar.

4. Mono Owl Across-The-Body Bag from Next. How cute is this??? I had no intention of buying a bag online, I was actually after a purse. As I clicked on the bags & purses page, this little beauty was on the screen and I just knew that I had to have it. I think it'll look fab for the Autumn/Winter season and it's the perfect size. 


I hope you like my new purchases. Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

Friday 13 September 2013

Review: My Skin - Skin Bright Gentle Face Scrub




Having ran out of my usual Simple Skincare and not being able to find it on the shelves of Tesco, this little gem caught my eye because of the cute packaging. I don't hear many people talking about this brand but I think it definitely needs to be talked about more! 

My Skin is a skincare brand directed at young skin and I believe that this may be exclusive to Tesco. This brand used to say that it was for "teenage skin", but their products now say "young skin". I personally think that this is a good move because their range is so much more than just a novelty teenage skincare brand. 

I've used My Skin before but this is the first time that I've bought the scrub. This product has honey and dandelion extracts and claims to "gently exfoliate and work deep into the pores to leave skin feeling deeply cleansed, smoother and refreshed". 

When I opened this up, I absolutely loved the light fruity scent! The grains were gentle enough on my sensitive skin but harsh enough to make a difference. 

After using this scrub, I was astonished at how fresh my face looked. I felt like I'd truly had a good exfoliating session. My skin looked bright and smoother than ever, and also completely oil-free (something to do with the cimifuga extract in the product).

I honestly can not praise this product enough. It's given me fantastic, beautiful and soft skin and I am still in awe as to why My Skin is not more popular. I will definitely be repurchasing this scrub once it runs out and may even switch to their face wash and moisturiser too.

Unfortunately, this product isn't available online but you will be able to find it in most Tesco supermarkets for around £3.50.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

My Scrumptious Graze Box + Free Code




LOVE FOOD so today I thought I'd do a food post. I'm sure that a lot of you have heard of Graze. They deliver delicious and healthy snack boxes direct to your home. The snacks they select are dependent on the choices you make on your profile.

I'm not a regular subscriber of Graze boxes but I love ordering them every now and then to try new snacks. They even do puddings too now! There is so much to choose from but I'm hoping that I'll try most of it eventually. The boxes are letter-box sized so they can be delivered through your door with the rest of your post.

You get free codes with every box so you can share them with family/friends. I thought I'd sure my code with all of my followers instead! So if you haven't registered with Graze before, get your hands on a FREE box using this link.
HURRY! Only FOUR free boxes available. UK only. Usual price: £3.89 per box. Delivery is included.

Forget about Glossybox, Birchbox etc! Graze box is the only box I'll be purchasing. I'm off to tuck into some of these yummy snacks!

Monday 9 September 2013

Review: Treat Republic - Aztec Style Personalised Flip Flops in Blue






So okay, it might be September but there's still a few sunny days left to take advantage of.

These lovely personalised flip flops were sent to me from the team at Treat Republic, a gift website selling handpicked and personalised products. 

I wish I'd discovered this site earlier because they sell a lovely variety of gift products that aren't your typical high-street finds. They can also personalise products including bracelets, gardening tools, phone cases, and jigsaws. You can't beat a personalised gift - it adds that special touch to any occasion. 

I was really pleased to receive these flip flops because I've wanted some for ages but I've never found any that I like. The aztec design is so snazzy! The big bonus was that I managed to get them personalised with my name. I've never had personalised footwear before!

As Treat Republic is a gift website, I was expecting this product to be a novelty more than anything else but I'm pleased to say that these could easily give certain shoe stores a run for their money. The quality is pretty good. The soles are soft but thick, making them comfortable to walk in. I'm normally put off flip flops because the soles are often so thin that I may as well be trekking around on bare feet. 

The Personalised Flip Flops come in a range of designs and you can purchase them in 3 different sizes. I do wish that they would make them in the full range of standard sizes. I was advised that the sizes do come up a little large though. I normally wear shoe size 5.5 and was advised to go for Small but it's a little bit too small! 

Overall, it's a great design and it's got comfort in mind, but I'd love to be able to purchase them in my size in the future. 

You can get a pair of Personalised Flip Flops* for £25.00 from Treat Republic.



Thursday 5 September 2013

Review: Essie Nail Polish in Madison Ave-Hue


I bought my first Essie Nail Polish a few months ago during a shopping trip. I was after a relatively inexpensive pastel shade but then this gorgeous purple-pink colour caught my eye as I walked past the Essie stand. This was Madison Ave-Hue..... and it was the last bottle left in that shade. So I bought it. 

I love this colour - it's pink enough to look girly but it has a slight purple tint to it to avoid looking Barbie-pink. The Essie website describes this shade as a "chic upper east side pink"

I have to say, I can totally see why this is such a popular nail polish brand. The formula applies really smoothly and the brush is a decent shape & size to get smooth coverage. In the image above, I've only used one coat of polish - I think that's all you need with this one. The glossiness gives a really professional finish. Providing that you have a steady hand, you should get yourself an Essie nail polish instead of spending money getting your nails done by a manicurist.

 You can purchase your bottle of Essie Madison Ave-Hue from Debenhams for £8.

Monday 2 September 2013

Review: Bekl Surf Bracelets - Australasian Backpacker




 


I absolutely love bracelets and discovering new brands so I was extremely excited at the opportunity to get my hands on a Bekl Surf Bracelet.

The story behind Bekl is one that I was particularly intrigued by. Bekl was founded in 2012 by a Law graduate called Rebecca. She turned her passion into a business and, fast forward one year, her products have graced the wrists of celebs including Zayn Malik from One Direction and she has also been featured in a variety of the UK's top magazines.

The fact that these bracelets are handmade by Rebecca and her small team in Derbyshire makes them all the more special and adds a uniqueness to each product. For me, the entire brand evokes memories of lazy days at by the seaside, relaxing and chilling out.

Rebecca very kindly sent me a bracelet from the Backpacker Collection, designed to raise money for Surfers Against Sewage - a charity that protects the UK's waves, oceans, and beaches. I was so happy to see that this had arrived wrapped in brown paper and sealed with a wax stamp!

This bracelet features a hand shaped clay tag, made to resemble a smooth pebble from the sea, stamped with a destination. I really like the sandy colour of my pebble and the fact that it has little imperfections on it, just like a real pebble would.

The uniqueness of this product is the idea behind it. These bracelets are created in the hope that one day it will reach it's destination. Before then though, the bracelet will join you on your adventures until you find someone you would like to pass it on to. 

So how do you know if your bracelet will ever reach it's destination? Well, each bracelet comes with a card that details its own twitter/instagram hashtag so you can track it's journey and see where it's heading. I absolutely love this idea and I'm excited to see where my bracelet will end up...

Get your hands on a Backbacker Bracelet* for £19.99. 
10% of the sale will go towards Surfers Against Sewage.