Happy Things #1

Welcome to a brand new series! I'm going to bid farewell to my New Things series and say a big hello to my Happy Things series which will still include a few new additions to my life. Hopefully I'll be doing these posts regularly and it also gives me a chance to remind myself of all the things that make me happy. So let's get started!

Scrumptious breakfast. Pancakes with bacon and agave syrup alongside a healthy smoothie. I honestly love Organic Deli. The pancakes are the fluffiest ever and the agave syrup is a healthier option than normal golden syrup. The smoothie I had was a combination of bluerries, dates, and almond milk. Super delicious! What a lovely way to start a morning!

Cocktails with friends. I'm not much of a drinker but when I catch up with old friends, it's always nice to have a cocktail or two whilst chatting the night away. Some of my friends live too far away from me for my liking but, luckily, we always do our best to meet up a couple of times a year.

Beautiful skies. Although I'm not the biggest fan of Summer, I do appreciate the longer days and how beautiful the sky always looks. I could happily spend hours just staring into the clouds as I find it so calming and therapeutic.

New fragrance. It takes me ages to find a fragrance that I truly like hence why I've had the same signature scent for the last 5 years. I've tried a few new ones since then but none of them have quite stood the test of time. A scent can hold so many memories and I've been looking to find something fresh and new for a long time and I think I have finally found "The One". I bought myself a pretty blue Travalo atomiser so I can pop it into my bag.

What has made you happy this week?

Review: Treaclemoon - Marshmallow Hearts Bath & Shower Gel

I love a good pamper session, especially after a long day at work. Nothing rounds off a stressful day better than a nice long soak in a bubble bath to ease into the night, or a long refreshing shower to energise myself again.

I was recently sent this delightful bottle of Treaclemoon Candy Jar Marshmallow Hearts Bath & Shower Gel*. For those who regularly shop at either Tesco or Waitrose, you'll probably have seen this brand hovering around the bath & beauty aisles. For those of you who aren't familiar with treaclemoon, they are an independent UK brand producing deliciously fragranced bath & body products at very affordable prices.

I first spotted this brand months and months ago whilst shopping at Tesco. The happy looking bottles with the imaginative descriptions really caught my eye but this is the first time I've come across the Marshmallow Hearts fragrance. It honestly smells so scrumptious and (almost) good enough to eat. In fact, it's making me crave marshmallows right this minute.....

This shower gel foams up into a very generous lather and completely fills the room with the delicious scent of marshmallows. As a bubble bath, it really is a divine treat and leaves my skin feeling soft and smelling sweet. At only £2,99 a bottle, it gives the high end brands a run for their money!

Treaclemoon holds the motto of "always remember that true beauty begins from the heart" and, in keeping in line with this, they have recently parterned with BulliesOut, a charity to help young people in schools, work, and communities to realise their self-worth and potential. Growing up is a difficult time for young people and I'm glad to see that a fantastic brand is teaming up with a fantastic charity. I can't wait to see and hear more about their partnership and what other great things they will be involved in.

Have you tried any Treaclemoon products?

You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Lust List - Bags

People say that you either love shoes or you love bags. A few years ago I would have fitted into neither of those camps but now, I am obsessed with bags. I probably buy more than I should but I can't help it. Bags are just so pretty and so practical and really helps to complete my outfit. So here are the bags that I'm currently lusting after. Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), I will definitely be purchasing at least one of these...

1. Cambridge 11" satchel in Oxblood. I love satchels in general but I've always wanted a genuine leather Cambridge satchel. It just looks so old school and smart, I can't help but fall in love with it. I like dark colours and this Oxblood shade is perfect, especially once Autumn arrives again. Yes, I know it's summer but hasn't this year flown by? At almost £100, it's hard to justify spending that much on a bag but it's currently on sale so maybe just maybe I'll be getting one....

2. Blossom Satchel. Following on from my love of satchels, this colour is perfect for the summer. I think that yellow is a colour that you either love or hate and I just love it. Sunshine springs to mind and this would be great for a day out at the park. 

3. Anchor Rucksack. Up until a few months ago, I would have turned away at the sight of a rucksack or backpack. As far as I was concerned, those are the kind of bags you have when you're in school. However, I have now fully converted. It's amazing how much easier a weekend away becomes when you can carry everything on your back as you try to weave your way through the train station and trek to your hotel.

4. Oriental Print Weekender Bag. I won't be giving up good old holdall bags just yet though. For more stylish weekends away (London, spa trips etc), I prefer to carry a stylish weekend bag just so I look the part when I get there. I love the simple fresh design of this one.

5. Floozie Gingham Tote Bag. Floozie by Frost French has such an adorable range of bags at Debenhams. This is one of my favourites with the classic gingham print and a nice dash of deep plum. A great Saturday shopping bag.

6. Zatchels Two Tone Satchel. You didn't think I'd stop at just two satchels on this post, did you? This is a really nice two tone satchel from Zatchels. They do a range of colour combinations but this navy and cream one is my favourite. Loving navy at the moment as it's still dark but a bit more interesting than black.

7. Smile Bag. A shopper bag is great for folding up and chucking in your handbag when you go out into town on a Saturday morning. Let's face it, most stores don't do the best shopping bags and they're nowhere near as strong as a good canvas bag. 

8. Longchamp Le Pliage Nylon Bag. I first saw one of these about a year ago on Niomi Smart's Youtube channel. She has the one in white. I wasn't convinced to be honest and I just didn't see the appeal of it. Fast forward a year and my style and taste seems to have shifted slightly and now I'm lusting after one. They look simple but classy and apparently last for ages. I'm toying between getting one in navy or making like Kate Middleton and getting the black one so any suggestions are very welcome! Are they worth the price? Only time will tell... 

9. Kate Pocket Handheld Bag. I've wanted a new work bag for ages and this seems ideal. I love the deep plum colour of this as well as the compartment at the front. I've bought quite a few work bags recently but they're either been too big or too small so maybe this one might just fit the bill.

What do you think of my lust list?

Any bags catch your eye?

A Little Bit Of Luxury - Origins GinZing Moisturiser

When it comes to skincare, I rate it with high importance as I love taking care of my skin. I've always been more inclined to purchase high street products as there are so many great ones out there. You don't need to spend a fortune on skincare products to get glowing skin.

However, armed with some gift vouchers that have been sitting in my purse for a good year and a half, I decided to treat myself to a little bit of luxury. I ended up settling on this Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser. Having tried out the tester pot, I was sold. 

Origins is a brand I've wanted to try out for so long but couldn't quite justify the price tag of most of their products. They are an environmentally friendly skincare brand who use all natural and organic ingredients alongside doing extensive scientific research to bring us the best products. As someone who has sensitive skin, this was music to my ears.

The product itself smells divine like freshly squeezed oranges. There is a hint of bitterness to it which adds to the natural smell, there is definitely nothing synthetic about this. I'm always a bit apprehensive of putting anything scented on my face but this really lifts my mood and makes me feel happy. 

The consistency is gel-like and glides on with such ease so a little really does go a long way. It sinks in well and contains ingredients such as coffee bean and ginzeng to give your skin a boost. It really is like a drink for your skin.

I bought the limited edition 75ml pot for around £25 in store but you can get it a little cheaper online at John Lewis at the moment. It definitely isn't a cheap moisturiser so I tend to just use it after I cleanse my face before bed so that it can sink in overnight. I always wake up with soft, supple skin which is just the best way to start the day!

This is one of the few luxury products that I have in my skincare stash and it sits with pride on my shelf. Have I now been converted to luxury skincare products? No. I still use my trusted Simple Hydrating Moisturiser in the mornings as I feel as though that's all I need for the day ahead but I now let my skin have a little bit of a treat at night.

Mixing a little bit of luxury with more affordable products is the way to go in my opinion and I would seriously consider repurchasing this once it runs out.