tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60987529266253194202024-02-19T08:29:45.282+00:00Mirror on the Wall......UK Beauty and Lifestyle BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.comBlogger407125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-91888214724914662472015-02-28T11:09:00.000+00:002015-02-28T11:09:41.264+00:00Battle of the Toners: Pixi Glow Tonic Vs Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For years now, I have been incorporating the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Toner into my skincare regime. At one stage, when my skin wasn't so good, I was reaching for it on a daily basis, but nowadays it's a once or twice a week treat. It's great for when my skin is feeling dry or looking dull and lacklustre, and a quick sweep of it before bed, using a cotton pad to ensure that my entire face and neck get their hit, is all it takes to wake up with softer, smoother and brighter skin.</div>
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While I have always been more than happy with the effects of this particular toner, I have been wanting to get my hands on the Pixi Glow Tonic for longer than I care to remember. With higher levels of AHA than its Clarins counterpart, it promises more dramatic effects, and has become a cult product amongst bloggers and skincare experts alike. On a recent trip to London, I couldn't resist popping into Libery and picking up a bottle - but is it impressive enough to dethrone the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner?</div>
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Let's begin with the science.</div>
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The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner is a fresh, fluid exfoliating lotion that brightens, smooths and softens the skin. Tamarind fruit acids eliminate impurities and dead skin cells, boosting cellular renewal, while white nettle extract helps to tighten the pores, ensuring that they appear smaller. Regular use encourages cellular renewal, strenghtening the skin's resistance to premature ageing and leaving you with a healthy, glowing complexion. Containing glycolic, salicylic and tartaric acids in much smaller quantities than many other popular toners, this is a great option for anyone with sensitive skin. Although it does contain alcohol, this is nicely counteracted with glycerin, and there is no sense of dryness following application.</div>
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It's recommended to be used 1-2 times a week, but personally, I have used it on a daily basis with no problems.</div>
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The Pixi Glow Tonic, on the other hand, is oil and alcohol-free, which does make it that little bit more suitable for sensitive skin than its Clarins counterpart, but again, I'd recommend using it no more than a couple of times a week if this is you.</div>
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Containing ginseng, fructose and soothing aloe vera, the Pixi Glow Tonic is also laced with witch hazel, making it slightly astringent, and better for those with acne or frequent breakouts. It does</div>
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Personally, I'm not at all a fan of the smell of this one - it's potent, and overly floral, which is not what I was expecting at all. I'm not generally keen on particularly fragrant products, but I do like a fruity aroma, and that's what I was expecting from this.</div>
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<b>The verdict: </b>For me, it's got to be the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. I'm surprised to hear myself saying so, as I had great expectations for the Pixi Glow Tonic, but in all honesty, I haven't seen a great deal of difference in my skin since beginning to use it. Clarins's offering, on the other hand, is guaranteed to leave me with a soft, smooth and glowy complexion, and I can see myself continuing to repurchase it for a long while.</div>
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Do you have a favourite resurfacing toner?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-17415910130628513772015-02-20T09:30:00.000+00:002015-02-20T09:30:00.250+00:00Latest in Beauty: Get the Gloss Beauty Insider Box<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm not usually one for beauty subscription boxes. For a long time, I have watched on from afar, keen to sign up to one but forever disappointed with the monthly reveals. Generally, I don't find that there is much in them to tempt me, and on the rare occasion a product does, it seems to come in an underwhelming sachet size, which for things like skincare and foundation, is nowhere near enough to get a real feel for it.</div>
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Browsing the latest offerings a couple of weeks or so ago, however, I spotted something that I just couldn't ignore - The <a href="http://www.latestinbeauty.com/getthegloss/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Get the Gloss Beauty Insider Box, from Latest in Beauty</a>. I almost did a double take when my eyes zeroes in on the contents, and then again when I spied the bargain price - £19.95 (plus £3.95 shipping) for NINE luxury samples, and not a sachet in sight. And as if that wasn't enough, the collective total value of the products comes to a whopping £116 - need any more convincing?</div>
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If you do, then a run down of the products should do it for you.</div>
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<b>Laura Mercier Foundation Primer</b></div>
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A lightweight gel primer, enriched with vitamins. Apply prior to foundation or tinted moisturiser for a flawless base that lasts the distance. I've been using this for the past couple of weeks, and it definitely helps to improve longevity.</div>
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<b>Eyeko Skinny Eyeliner</b></div>
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This is a full-size sample. A felt-tip pen-style liner designed to create the perfect cat flick with ease. This is great for getting a precise line, whether thick or thin is your thing.</div>
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<b>Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate</b></div>
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A strengthening and repairing concentrate to reinforce skin's immunity and resist the premature signs of ageing.</div>
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<b>Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treatment</b></div>
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A detoxifying mud mask to brighten, even and smooth the skin. This one also aims to unclog pores by drawing the toxins out, improving elastin and collagen levels to boot (!?).</div>
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I'm not 100% sure how this one works, but it's been on my list of things to try for a long while - watch this space.</div>
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<b>Therapie Roques ONeil Cherish Skin Repair Serum</b></div>
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A concentrated daily serum to boost moisture and revitalise cell function to improve the micro-circulation of the skin. Fortifying and nourishing, this is a luxurious product which protects the skin from everyday environmental stressors. Show me a person who couldn't do with a bit of extra help in that department.</div>
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<b>Daniel Sandler Concealer Brush</b></div>
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An award-winning, handbag-sized taklon concealer brush that fits perfectly under the eye for concealing dark circles and bags. Definitely something I will benefit from!</div>
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<b>Essie Nail Lacquer in Parka Perfect</b></div>
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Who doesn't love a new Essie nail polish? This one is a lovely opaque grey.</div>
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<b>Essie Nail Lacquer in Shearling Darling</b></div>
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Not just one, but two. Shearling Darling is a rich wine shade, and perfect for the remaining weeks of Winter.</div>
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<b>Balance Me Radiance Face Oil</b></div>
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A hydrating and replenishing face oil - 100% naturally active 'nectar for the skin'. This aims to plump, smooth, and address dull, dehydrated and uneven skin.</div>
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<b>James Read Sleep Mask Tan</b></div>
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A hydrating overnight tanner which guarantees a subtle, golden glow by morning. Infused with soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, cucumber, hyaluronic acid and red algae.</div>
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So there you have it - the nine beauty products that we should, apparently, all be reaching for in 2015. I have to say, I don't think they're far wrong, as half of these have been on my hit list for some while now. As for those that haven't, I'm looking forward to trying them out, and seeing what all the fuss is about!</div>
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Do you subscribe to beauty boxes? If so, what has been your favourite beauty discovery so far?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-22426678844712147662015-02-15T09:52:00.000+00:002015-02-15T09:52:13.210+00:00New in from Charlotte Tilbury<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4VI-fVnqG2GGLNT2p9IR3Oxea7KMoqK0xtxdKQ4zTq59U_uNeOt7bUAfmbfZPljq1sORU_OR1w25DCsbfJ4jtv6I0Mdf4q2rxnBJFFj9O0vi3HBBg_u3JyjNbslsxBN1yYF_3l7bxQA/s1600/DSC_0076_filter_applied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Charlotte Tilbury Filmsar Bronze & Glow, Iconic Liquid Eye Pencil in Barbarella Brown and Luxury Eye Palette in Bronze Goddess" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4VI-fVnqG2GGLNT2p9IR3Oxea7KMoqK0xtxdKQ4zTq59U_uNeOt7bUAfmbfZPljq1sORU_OR1w25DCsbfJ4jtv6I0Mdf4q2rxnBJFFj9O0vi3HBBg_u3JyjNbslsxBN1yYF_3l7bxQA/s1600/DSC_0076_filter_applied.jpg" height="424" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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During a recent trip to London for the #nyLDNmeet, I couldn't resist popping along to Selfridges to check out the now infamous Charlotte Tilbury counter. Having already given myself a good talking to about how much I was allowed to spend, I came to the decision that I would simply try out a couple of eyeshadow quads and choose one, but when I approached the ladies at the counter, I found myself swiftly being swept into a chair to have a full Charlotte Tilbury makeover. I can't say that I was upset - the chance to try out the full range of products, from skincare right down to the finishing touches is every beauty fiend's dream. So, I readily obliged, and let her get to work.</div>
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I won't go into all of the products used in this particular post - it seems futile, given that I don't have any accompanying pictures of the end result. What I will say, however, is that I left that counter with a list as long as my arm of products to try. I was particularly impressed by <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/shop-by-product/skincare/moisturiser.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlotte's Magic Cream</a>, the <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/shop-by-product/skincare/primer.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wonder Glow Primer</a>, <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/shop-by-product/complexion/foundation.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Light Wonder Foundation</a> ( I was number 2) and <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/the-retoucher-2-fair.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Retoucher</a> (number 2 again), all of which worked together to create a perfectly dewy, flawless base.</div>
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In the end, I caved in, and while I managed to talk myself out of buying the base products just yet due to having just replenished my usual stocks from other brands, I couldn't resist treating myself to a <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/luxury-palette-the-golden-goddess.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Luxury Palette in The Golden Goddess</a>, <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/luxury-palette-the-golden-goddess.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rock 'n' Kohl Iconic Liquid Eye Pencil in Barbarella Brown</a>, and the <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/luxury-palette-the-golden-goddess.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Filmstar Bronze & Glow Face Sculp and Highlight</a> (which only as I'm writing this, have I realised is Bronze & Glow as opposed to Killer Cheekbones, which is the one I really wanted! Oh well - half the price, and all that).</div>
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I'm really excited to put these to the test and to see whether they live up to the huge amount of hype surrounding them, as well as everything else Charlotte Tilbury. If I'm honest, the packaging itself was enough to entice me - shallow, I know, but let's hope the products are up to scratch.</div>
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I'll keep you posted on how I get on. </div>
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Have you tried anything from Charlotte Tilbury? If so, do you have any recommendations?</div>
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<b><i>XX</i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-25353697427590719392015-02-10T08:42:00.000+00:002015-02-12T11:18:30.870+00:00Valentines Giveaway: Win The Bluebeards Revenge's limited edition Eau de Toilette Gift Set<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Men are notoriously tough to buy for, so this Valentine's Day I've got a little giveaway for you to ensure that the guy bloke in your life has got a smile on his face. Not only that, but he'll be smelling his absolute best for the big night - a win-win, by all accounts.</div>
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The limited edition Eau de Toilette Gift Set from premium men's grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge contains a fresh and masculine shower gel and their iconic eau de toilette, and comes beautifully presented in a branded gift box, which means you don't even have to put too much thought into wrapping it up!</div>
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If you haven't heard of <a href="http://www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Bluebeards Revenge</a>, I want to be completely transparent here and say that I do work for the brand, but after winning the coveted FHM Grooming Brand of the Year Award for 2014, it's a name that's on everyone's lips. The brand offer a wealth of traditional wet shaving gear along with haircare, fragrance, skincare and bodycare, so if your other half is none the wiser and you've had enough of him getting his hands on your expensive beauty products, then point him in the direction of <a href="http://www.shaving-shack.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Shaving Shack</a>.</div>
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Before you do, though, why not try your luck in my Valentine's giveaway, and see whether you can win him the manliest of prizes? The Competition closes on 14th February, so get in there while there's still time!</div>
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Please be sure to leave your email address AND Twitter handle in the comments below so that I can get in touch with the lucky winner.</div>
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Best of luck!</div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="008e7f442" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/008e7f442/" id="rcwidget_bov59rqf" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
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http://www.competitionsandgiveaways.co.uk/</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-13351821022435589482015-02-07T12:32:00.001+00:002015-02-07T12:45:56.638+00:00#nyLDNmeet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last Saturday, I made my way to a blogger event in London, otherwise known as #nyLDNmeet . As the event was due to begin at 1pm and I live some distance away, I was up bright and early, and got myself onto the first train so that I'd arrive in the capital with plenty of time to spare. Whenever I go to London, I always like to have a bit of a browse in the shops, and on this occasion, it seemed to be inkeeping with the theme of the day.</div>
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While some people hate travelling by train, I personally quite enjoy it, as it means that I get a bit of me-time in which to read, listen to music and just generally chill out. Thankfully, the other passengers were all fairly considerate on the journey up, so I was quite happy to sit back and watch the world go by. There was Twitter talk of snow in London, so when I passed through Reading and caught site of a covering of white, I began to worry somewhat about my choice of high-heeled footwear.</div>
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The train arrived in London at around 11.30am, and top of my agenda was a quick trip to Liberty. I took the tube as far as Oxford Circus, and from there it was simply a case of popping across the road. I had a few items on my mental shopping list, but wasn't intending to buy much as I'm currently doing my best to save the pennies, so when I approached the Nars counter and they didn't have the palette I'd had my eye on, I was - in some ways - a little relieved. I'd also been intending to pick up the Creamy Concealer, but as my shade was out of stock, I gave it a miss, deciding instead to replenish my stock of the infamous Eye Primer.</div>
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After a quick scan for the Charlotte Tilbury counter, I was told that I'd need to go to Selfridges, so I picked up a bottle of Pixi Glow Tonic, before heading out and back up Oxford Street in search of the department store.</div>
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Although it wasn't snowing, the weather definitely wasn't on my side, as it was raining heavily all the way. For a moment, I was relieved to have brought my umbrella, but it wasn't long before I realised it was actually broken. I did my best to keep under the shelter as I hurried along, and managed to get away virtually unscathed before taking shelter inside Selfridges.</div>
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It was with more of a browse in mind that I headed for the Charlotte Tilbury counter, but when I asked if I could try out one of the eyeshadow quads, I found myself being swept into a chair for a full-on makeover. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy about this, as it meant that I got to try out a full face of Charlotte Tilbury makeup from start to finish, but I was a little bit pressed for time so had my fingers crossed that it wouldn't take too long. Luckily, it didn't, but seeing all of the products in action had me hankering to whip out my bank card and pick up a few pieces, so I ended up treating myself to the <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/luxury-palette-the-golden-goddess.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Golden Goddess Luxury Palette</a>, <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/filmstar-killer-cheekbones.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Filmstar Killer Cheekbones</a> and the <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/rock-n-kohl-barbarella-brown.html" target="_blank">Rock 'n' Roll Barbarella Brown Iconic Liquid Eye Pencil</a>. Oops.</div>
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After my makeover, I rushed to the event, Citymapper acting as my guide the whole way. It wasn't far, but unfortunately for me, the rain was now even heavier, and by the time I arrived I was soaked through, boots included. Feeling a little bit flustered and desperate to get to the bathroom and sort out my hair, I made my way into the venue - a little Soho cocktail bar called <a href="http://bittersweetsoho.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bittersweet</a>. The event was already packed, and I got talking to a few bloggers I hadn't met before on my way in.</div>
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There were lots of activities already underway, with the lovely <a href="http://www.designedbyhenna.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henna</a> (by name and profession) doing some amazing henna designs and the guys from <a href="http://fordhamsoho.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fordham Soho</a> on hand to sort out everyone's hair. Moo Goo, an Australian skincare brand that provides natural and safe products for people with skin and scalp problems, were also around, introducing everyone to their range and to their brand new <a href="http://dustygirls.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dusty Girls</a> mineral makeup line. Personally, I'm a huge fan of natural and organic skincare and do my best to avoid unnecessary additives wherever possible, so I'm really looking forward to trying out the samples I received - I will, of course, update you on how I get on.</div>
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Another highlight of the event was the cocktail making, and after missing the announcement for our slot, <a href="http://www.lovedbylaura.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Laura</a> and I found ourselves waiting at the bar, eager to get in on the action. It was the first time we had met, though we had been chatting on Twitter prior to the event, and were pleased to find that we were both equally as short as each other. Why? Because it's not often you come across someone else who just about makes 5ft, and while at my age I'm no longer bothered by my inheritance of the short gene, it was great to meet someone who shares the same shopping and photo dilemmas!</div>
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After chatting over some cocktails at the bar, we finally got the chance to make our own, so we snapped and laughed our way through a recipe that consisted of gin, cucumber, sugar syrup and prosecco. At some point, Philippa came to the bar to buy a drink, and though we had never met she was happy to play paparazzi as we brandished our cocktail shakers and pretended we knew exactly what we were doing. I didn't catch her name, but the lovely lady who gave us our lesson was brilliantly patient and accommodating, so a big thanks goes to her and all at Bittersweet.</div>
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Another highlight of the event was finally getting to catch up with Lola and Behold's Laura, who I have known via Twitter for the past few years but have never quite had the chance to meet in person. I had never realised that Laura was just as small as we were, so once again, we pleased to be able to exchange notes on living the short life!</div>
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Towards the end of the event, Lauren, Tamsyn and Amy held a charity raffle, in which a number of generous prizes were given out, although sadly, I wasn't one of the winners! By that time, it was gone 4pm and the end of the event was upon us, so we headed across the road to Byron for some gourmet burgers. Though there were over sixty bloggers at the event, many had to leave to begin the journey home, but there were around ten of us at the restaurant where we enjoyed a much needed meal after the cocktails that had been sunk earlier in the day. I had a chilli burger and courgette fries, which were a great novelty - I have long been replacing chips with the likes of sweet potato, so this is another lighter alternative I'll be trying at home.</div>
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After the meal, we took a few photos and caught up with some of the other bloggers we hadn't managed to speak to, and then the two Lauras and I had a wander round the Oxford Street shops again before it was time for all of us to say our goodbyes and head home.</div>
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I'd like to say a huge thanks to <a href="http://blonde--vision.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lauren</a>, <a href="http://peachpowxo.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tamsyn</a> and <a href="http://beauty-glamorous.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amy</a> for organising the event and for all of the hard work that went into it. I know they were feeling a little bit flustered on the day due to one or two things not going according to plan, but I want them to know that nobody noticed a thing and that we all had a fabulous time. Thanks girls - very much looking forward to the next event.</div>
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Also, a great big thank you goes out to all of the brands involved, and for their generosity in contributing to the raffle prizes and the amazing goodie bags we were each lucky enough to walk away with. Keep an eye out for some product reviews, coming very soon!</div>
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If you didn't make the event this time around then make sure that you're following @LDNmeet on Twitter - there are more meets in the pipeline, so I'm told, so stay updated - I'd love to meet some more of you next time.</div>
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Lauren - <a href="http://blonde--vision.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blonde Vision</a><br />
Tamsyn - <a href="http://peachpowxo.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peach Pow</a><br />
Amy - <a href="http://beauty-glamorous.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beauty Glamorous</a><br />
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Laura - <a href="http://www.lovedbylaura.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Loved by Laura</a><br />
Laura - <a href="http://www.lolaandbehold.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lola and Behold</a><br />
Philippa - <a href="http://www.justphilippa.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">It's just Philippa</a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">xx</span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-46413042136120434572015-02-07T09:15:00.000+00:002015-02-07T09:15:17.658+00:00A Long Weekend in London, Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you read the post entitled <a href="http://melswallofmirrors.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/a-long-weekend-in-london-part-1.html" target="_blank">A Long Weekend in London, Part 1</a>, then this one won't seem quite so out of leftville as if you haven't, but I'll fill in the blanks for you nonetheless.</div>
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A couple of weekends ago, the husband and I decided to head up to London for a long weekend, as not only do three of my best friends live up there, but it was also our wedding anniversary. If you're interested in what I got up to in the first two days, then please do head over and read the first installment, which went up last Tuesday, but today's post is to round off proceedings with a quick run-down of our final day and night.</div>
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Monday was our anniversary itself, so we got up bright and early, wanting to make the most of the day. After several cocktails and a fairly late night the evening before, we would have been forgiven for feeling a little bit hungover, but somehow, we had both managed to avoid that fate, and were raring to get out and about as soon as we could. The weather was still bitterly cold, so we wrapped up warm and headed out in the direction of <a href="http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patisserie Valerie</a> for a spot of breakfast. I had already looked it up on Citymapper and established that there was a branch fairly nearby, and after a quick stroll in the sunshine, we found ourselves outside.</div>
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Breakfast, at the weekends or on holiday, is my absolute favourite meal of the day, and I eagerly went ahead and ordered my favourite - Eggs Royale, to be washed down with a pot of English Breakfast tea. The husband plumped for the Full English, and as we waited for the food to arrive, we chatted about our plans for the rest of the day. </div>
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The food arrived quickly, and certainly didn't disappoint. Mine was served on brioche instead of the usual English muffin, and suffice to say, I'm an absolute convert! All Eggs Royale should be served like this from now on, and I'll be very disappointed if it isn't. We ate quickly, enjoying every bite, and treated ourselves to a slice of lemon cheesecake to share. Granted, it wasn't quite lunchtime, but if you've ever visited Patisserie Valerie yourselves then you'll know how impossible it is to resist. That, coupled with the fact that it was a special occasion, somehow made it an acceptable choice, and a delicious one, at that.</div>
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Once we were suitably fed and watered, we paid the bill and headed outside, meandering through Queensway in the direction of Kensington Gardens. It was a beautiful day for a stroll, and as we were heading towards Kensington anyway, it would have been rude not to go via the park. There were ducks, geese and other birds all over the grass, and given the proximity to some royal digs, the obligatory swan sunning itself on the lake. Rather than cutting straight across the gardens, we decided to have a little bit of a nose at Kensington Palace itself, though we didn't go in, content to observe from the outside. The squirrels were remarkably tame, and we were surprised to see how close they would edge to the people around them, in hope of a few crumbs. We even saw one that was so unafraid, it was taking pieces of cracker from a woman's hand and casually perching to eat them nearby. Incredible!</div>
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After we were done with the gardens, we went for a long walk, via Knightsbridge, until we arrived at the Science Museum. We spent a couple of hours wandering round inside, as though I had been before some years ago, my husband never had. One of the things I really love about London is the sheer number of cultural and educational activities you have right on your doorstep, but better than that, the fact that many of them are absolutely free to partake in.</div>
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By the time we left the museum, it must have been nearly four, and conscious that we had a special meal booked for early that evening and that we'd need to get ready, we decided to take the tube back to Bayswater. Before returning to the hotel, we stopped off for a drink or two in a pub along the way, and were astonished to find that drinks were half the price than anywhere else we'd been! I wish I had taken note of the name, as although it was a little bit tired looking, it's places like this that can make expensive weekends away that little bit more doable. I'm going to try to find out, and if I do, I'll be sure to share it with you.</div>
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A couple of games of pool later, we were still in the pub, and it soon became apparent that we wouldn't have time to go back and change before our meal. Instead, we decided to make the most of the situation and have another drink, before getting the tube to Piccadilly and making our way to the restaurant. We were lucky enough to be going to <a href="http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/restaurants/piccadilly/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gaucho</a>, an upmarket Argentinian steak house, after a work colleague had very kindly donated me a £50 voucher he had been given, and as soon as we arrived, we wished we had found the time to go back to the hotel and spruce ourselves up a bit. Usually, we'd never go out for a meal without making the effort, so we felt a bit silly to have made such a faux pas on this occasion!</div>
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While we were studying the menu, a waitress appeared with a board bearing several cuts of raw meat, and proceeded to explain each one to us in a bid to help us in making our selection. In the end, we both opted for rare sirloin steaks, with sides of roasted field mushrooms and baked sweet potatoes.</div>
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The steaks on their own were around the £25 mark each, with side dishes charged at £5 each and drinks costing around a tenner, so it certainly isn't a cheap option, but given that we had our voucher in hand, we were fairly relaxed in treating ourselves.</div>
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The steaks were superb - there's no other word for them. I'm not the hugest fan of red meat, and it's very rare that I select it when given the choice, but having tried steak Gaucho style, I'm absolutely a convert. Yes, they're expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for. The restaurant itself looks impeccable, and the service was outstanding - I've never had better.</div>
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We were keen to enjoy the evening after our meal, but were conscious that we had a long coach journey home the next morning. I'm not sure whether I mentioned this before, but while travelling by bus takes a fair while longer than train, it's also a great deal cheaper. I doubt this is news to the majority of you, but for anyone wondering, you're looking at £30 return versus £95 on the train. Given the choice, I'd go for the train every time, as it gets you there in 3hrs 40 rather than the five and a half on the coach, but when you're paying for two it does tend to bump the cost of a weekend away up much further than I'd like. So, on this occasion, we went for the cheaper option.</div>
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As we were nearby, we made our way to Soho, which is only a short walk from Piccadilly on foot. Our luck was in, as we managed to find a couple of bars - including <a href="http://www.gem-bar.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gem</a> - which had half price cocktails on offer, so we sipped our way through a couple each before admitting defeat and getting the last tube back to the hotel.</div>
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All in all, we had a fantastic weekend, and definitely squeezed the most out of it we could. A long weekend in London is never enough though, and I'm certain we will be back for more, very soon indeed.</div>
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You might have noticed that I haven't included any evening photos here, which is largely down to the fact that I didn't want to carry my good camera around at night, so I'll be popping up a few of my Instagram and phone photos over the weekend of anything you haven't seen yet.</div>
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What are your favourite things to do in London?</div>
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<b><i>XX</i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-9714597572629060222015-02-03T09:00:00.000+00:002015-02-03T09:00:01.464+00:00Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Skincare has got to be one of the most important things to make time for in your daily routine, regardless of age, lifestyle or inclination. Although I'm far from perfect, and occasionally suffer from the odd slip-up - usually after one or two glasses of wine - I make it a priority to remove my makeup before bed and to ensure that I give my skin a good old cleanse, tone and moisturise. In fact, if you've been reading for a while, then you'll know that I'm quite the skincare connoisseur, and am always trying out the latest lotions, potions and treatments to see whether they have something special to offer. Of course, some make it into my regular routine, while others are cast aside a few weeks in. So, on the rare occasion that I do discover a real gem, the first thing I want to do is to share it with you.</div>
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Most recently, my secret weapon of choice has been the <a href="http://www.qvcuk.com/Elemis-60-Cellular-Recovery-Skin-Bliss-Capsules.product.206457.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules</a>*, which were selected as <a href="http://www.qvcuk.com/beauty/_/N-lfm0/c.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">QVC Beauty</a>'s pick of the month for January. I'm actually really upset that I didn't get to share these with you before the month was up, but a number of factors came into play to make it impossible. That said, you can still get your hands on these little capsules of goodness at QVC Beauty, and for the month of February, a brand new hero product has been nominated. This time around, it's the <a href="http://www.qvcuk.com/BeautyPOMNext.content.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Philip Kingsley Neroli & Geranium Elasticizer</a>, and it's available at a heavily discounted price if you buy directly through their site. It's a fantastic opportunity to invest in those pricier beauty products and make a really good saving, with a different product taking centre stage every month throughout the year.</div>
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So, onto the Skin Bliss Capsules themselves.</div>
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The <a href="http://www.qvcuk.com/Elemis-60-Cellular-Recovery-Skin-Bliss-Capsules.product.206457.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules</a> are designed to aid the detoxification of the skin, containing moringa oil to balance and protect it from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Packed with anti-oxidants, the nourishing ingredients endeavour to physically diminish the visible signs of ageing, targetting everything from wrinkles and fine lines to dull and lacklustre skin.</div>
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The treatment aims to create an effective base for the nutrients from your moisturisers to be absorbed, ridding the skin of any remaining impurities before your creams are applied. As if that wasn't enough, these small yet mighty little capsules use signature aromas to provide a sensory experience - in fact, they even claim to increase the production of the 'bliss' hormones, endorphins. Need any more convincing?</div>
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The pink capsules are designed to be used in the morning, and are formulated with a rose absolute to provide skin with maximum renewing and revitalising energy throughout the day</div>
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For night time, the green capsules are packed with relaxing lavender oil to help renew cell equilibrium and increase cell repair throughout the night.</div>
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Both have the added benefits of being able to target blemishes and breakouts while soothing and hydrating the skin, ridding you of dry,dull skin to make way for radiance and youthfulness.</div>
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To use, the capsules are easily twisted open, and after a few moments warming the oil between your palms, it is ready to go. Whether morning or evening, it's advisable to apply after cleansing and toning, massaging into the skin with the fingertips until fully absorbed.</div>
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So, with all of the benefits I've outlined in mind, it's clear that these small yet mighty capsules have got a lot to live up to, but in reality, do they really cut the mustard?</div>
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For me, they absolutely do. I've been looking really quite run down recently, and although I haven't been using the capsules every day, the difference in my skin since on the days that I do is noticeable - I've had more than one person comment on how clear it has been looking. Granted, my skin is pretty normal to start with, but to me it feels a great deal smoother, softer and plumper. It drinks in the oils upon application, and generally looks a whole lot healthier afterwards. It doesn't end there, either, as applying the evening capsules before bed and taking the time to massage them into the face has become my favourite nightly ritual. The soothing lavender oils are perfect for inducing the bed-time wind-down, and I adore waking up to brighter, radiant skin in the morning.</div>
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As for the anti-ageing benefits, it's really too early to comment, but I will be continuing to use the Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules, this time on a daily basis,and will most definitely be updating you on my progress. If you know me, you'll know that I'm paranoid about ageing prematurely, so I certainly don't need telling twice to stick to the straight and narrow and give these the best possible chance of turning back the clock!</div>
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Do you shop at QVC Beauty? What are your favourite products from Elemis?</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xx</i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-60980684379548472242015-01-29T09:30:00.000+00:002015-01-29T09:30:00.665+00:00The January Beauty Selection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFRx5fR3Gl5DvbooiMMGwiTe8-2UzR7WyVdT8QabGCUbQEaPQOcgFRGhtIw8U5tW7TOfoIyqc_GUdn6dbKL86JZ2xstYXPSxmY2L1SKcADvhvBV6aUXl7v1GvgNU3R5lmOiJVk8WsvZs/s1600/DSC_0033+(2)_filter_applied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Favourite January Beauty Products, including Origins Calm to Your Senses, Bumble & Bumble,YSL, Nars and Olivia Burton" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFRx5fR3Gl5DvbooiMMGwiTe8-2UzR7WyVdT8QabGCUbQEaPQOcgFRGhtIw8U5tW7TOfoIyqc_GUdn6dbKL86JZ2xstYXPSxmY2L1SKcADvhvBV6aUXl7v1GvgNU3R5lmOiJVk8WsvZs/s1600/DSC_0033+(2)_filter_applied.jpg" height="424" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3822/31470/Bath-Body/Category/Stress-Relief/Calm-To-Your-Senses/Stress-relieving-face-mask/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-ShoppingFeed-_-Category-_-StressRelief&77tadunit=ef65a051&77tadvert=45286051965&77tkeyword=&77tentrytype=s&77tentry=shopping_feed_ppc&gclid=CPzFjpKHtcMCFW3MtAod8AQAWQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Origins Calm to Your Senses stress relieving mask</a> // <a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty//Sheer-Glow-Foundation-in-Punjab/61904" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nars Sheer Glow Foundation</a> // <a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123082900099_-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium</a> // <a href="http://www.bumbleandbumble.co.uk/product/12388/27810/Products/powders/Pret-a-Powder/Equal-parts-dry-shampoo-style-extender-and-volume-in-a-pinch/index.tmpl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder</a> // <a href="http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/olivia-burton-big-rose-gold-dial-watch-2923584?geoip=noredirect&cmpid=ppc_pla_UK_ip&utm_medium=cpc&tsrc=vdna&istCompanyId=38aa0d7f-6514-4cb3-bbdc-df0d32d48b7f&istItemId=wxwwqmrtt&istBid=tztx&gclid=CNa51pGItcMCFW3MtAod8AQAWQ&gclsrc=aw.ds" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Olivia Burton watch</a></div>
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There was a time when I'd do weekly favourites posts, but it isn't something I'll be starting again. These days, I find that I'm far more selective with my beauty purchases, and equally, they tend to remain in my affections for a great deal longer. I've long been one to do my research when it comes to beauty shopping, but at one point I was so eager that I'd buy several cleansers or lipsticks all at once, meaning that none of them received the chance they deserved, and my skin and hair had no opportunity to reap the benefits of the products I was putting on them. So, it's back to monthly round-ups, which personally, I find far more telling. If something has been able to hold my attention for several weeks or more, then it has to be worth some consideration.</div>
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Suffice to say, my favourites for January are all very well loved, and I can say with certainty that I won't be casting any of them aside the moment that February shows its face. All of my chosen five for the month have been featured here on the blog quite recently, and I like them so much that they definitely deserve a second outing. If you'd like to read the original reviews, then simply click on the names below.</div>
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The new <a href="http://melswallofmirrors.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/origins-calm-to-your-senses-stress.html" target="_blank">Origins Calm to Your Senses</a> stress relieving facial mask has become a firm bedtime favourite, with relaxing lavender and chamomile to soothe your skin as well as your mind. Although reasonably light in consistency, it's rich enough to pack a real moisturising punch, and a light layer massaged in before turning the lights out is all it takes to send me into an easy, peaceful sleep. In the morning, there's no sign of any residue, and skin is brighter and softer. This certainly isn't as rich as the iconic Intensive Overnight Treatment Mask, so if you find that one too heavy then don't be put off. A perfect multi-tasker for those who want to pamper themselves effortlessly, the Calm to Your Senses mask is a surefire winner.</div>
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The Nars Sheer Glow foundation is a repurchase, after I originally fell in love with the dewy yet flawless finish it provided back in October. Sheer Glow is absolutely one of those rare 'wow' foundations, and I can remember literally marvelling at the results in the mirror on the very first application. The only downside with this is that it doesn't come with a pump applicator, so I often find myself pouring too much of it out at once. That said, the medium, buildable coverage it offers is more than worth the hassle, and this is set to stick around my makeup back for years and years to come.</div>
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I received <a href="http://melswallofmirrors.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-winter-fragrance-line-up-jo-malone.html" target="_blank">Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium</a> for Christmas, and have been keenly spritzing it on ever since. It's been a while since I opted for quite such a sweet fragrance, but the undertones of vanilla and spices make this a sophisticated and mature scent that I just keep finding myself going back to. The packaging is definitely a plus point too, as in its glamorous black bottle with a subtle hint of sparkle, it looks the part as well as smelling it.</div>
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I certainly won't be the last person to sing the praises of <a href="http://melswallofmirrors.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/review-achieving-big-hair-with-bumble.html" target="_blank">Bumble & Bumble's Pret-a-Powder</a>. This is one hair product that has achieved cult status for all the right reasons, and has become my trusted secret weapon against flat, oily or lacklustre hair. Perfect for freshening up a lank looking fringe, Pret-a-Powder's real power lies in its root-plumping qualities, and a light sprinkling of product massaged into roots equals instantly volumised hair.</div>
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Finally, a non-beauty item, which comes in the shape of my beloved <a href="http://melswallofmirrors.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/olivia-burton-rose-gold-watch.html" target="_blank">Olivia Burton watch</a>. With a large, rose-gold face and navy leather strap, it has instantly converted me from a non-watch-wearer to a wristwear obsessive, and I adore the way that it adds a simple air of sophistication to even the most casual of looks.</div>
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What have your favourite beauty products been for January 2015? </div>
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Do you have any non-beauty picks?</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">xx</span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-84008189472139921232015-01-27T09:30:00.000+00:002015-02-01T14:04:07.034+00:00A Long Weekend in London: Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's always a pleasure visiting London, but each and every time I do, I have a list of things I'd like to see, do and eat that is as long as my arm - if not longer. It's one of those places that is permanently buzzing with activity and newness, and I suspect that even for those who live there, it's difficult to keep up. There are the pop up shops and the new restaurants, and then there are the up-and-coming areas that two years ago, no one would have set fut in. It's forever changing and evolving, and that's just one of the many reasons I love it.</div>
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Last weekend, we headed up for a long weekend, the first night of which was to be spent staying with friends. Upon our arrival into London, we headed straight for their place, and after a good catch up and plenty of tea, we decided to take a trip down to London fields and Broadway market. This was a first for me, and in spite of the biting chill in the air it was a joy to walk the narrow streets, taking in the sights, sounds and smells. There was vintage clothing and home-cooked food, and it was tempting to empty my purse right there and then. After a meander down to the end of the market, stopping to browse the stalls and sample homemade veggie scotch eggs and oysters, we ducked into a nearby pub for a glass of prosecco and the hance to warm ourselves up. There was a one man band putting on a fantastic show on his double bass, and despite the fact that it was still only around 3pm, most people were entirely on board, drinking, dancing and having fun.</div>
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After a while, we decided to head back to the flat and prepare ourselves for the night ahead, and it was there that I was met my the best of surprises - another of my friends was visiting from Manchester, and they had all kept it under wraps just to see the look on my face. It's very rare that we all get to see each other, so suffice to say, it must have been a good one.</div>
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That evening, we went for tapas in Stoke Newington at a restaurant called ....., washing them down with yet more prosecco, before heading to a nearby pub for more drinks and games. The plan was to end up at a club called Oslo, but our luck was out that night as we arrived to find it wasn't open to the public. The result? Much walking around, looking for somewhere to go. Eventually, we found a jazz bar and popped in for a drink or two, but the cold had been a bit much for us all, so we soon decided to call it a night.</div>
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The next day, after an amazing cooked breakfast courtesy of our hosts, we packed up our bags and travelled across London to the <a href="http://www.londonpremiernottinghill.co.uk/?gclid=CI-2o__cssMCFWoCwwodtYwAdg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">London Premier Notting Hill</a> hotel, where we had booked in for two nights to celebrate our anniversary. I've found that although London hotels can be really pricey and a quick search of Booking.com can turn up nothing affordable, it's well worth scouring the site a few times in the lead-up to your planned trip, as they do sometimes drop when you least expect it.</div>
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The Premier Notting Hill is a four star, but we got it for a really good price - if you've got a trip on the horizon then keep an eye out, as I'll be reviewing the hotel soon.</div>
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After checking in and dropping off our bags, we took a walk down to Portobello Road and perused the market stalls, taking in the beautiful vintage crockery and Banksy artwork and once again trying not to open our wallets. I could spend hours wandering round the London markets, and it's another case of never getting to do them all. There are just so many to choose from, and I love the variety they offer. There's a certain charm about them that is so much more than you could ever get from simply walking down the high street.</div>
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We stopped off at a pub and ordered a Bloody Mary for me and a pint of cider for him - we were both in need of a hair of the dog after the night we'd had, and a charcuterie and cheese board was just the job to accompany our drinks.</div>
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In the evening, we decided to head for Shoreditch, but unfortunately it was easier said than done due to the fact that it was a Sunday evening and several of the tube lines were being worked on. Eventually, we figured out that we'd have to get to Liverpool Street and walk from there, but we ended up getting completely lost in the freezing cold night. Before long, I began to notice that there were a lot of Indian restaurants around, and suddenly cottoned onto the fact that we were actually on Brick Lane - I remembered it from last time, but it definitely wasn't where we had been heading for! We actually relied quite heavily on an app called Citymapper while we were away, and for the most part it is excellent - all you have to do is pop in your current location and where you'd like to go, and it'll map out a route for you, telling you how you can get there by bus, tube, car and on foot. It was pretty much our saviour, but there were times when it wasn't quite up to date with the goings on with that day, which did throw a spanner in the works once or twice.</div>
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Eventually, we did find Shoreditch, and we decided to walk on to Hoxton and have dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant called <b>Cyclo</b>. We shared sweet potato and prawn fritters to start, both opting for a monkfish dish for mains, and all of it was delicious - not to mention surprisingly affordable.</div>
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Once we'd finished, we headed into <a href="http://theshoreditch-london.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Shoreditch</a> to make the most of happy hour (actually, it went on all night), before finally ending up in a little club called <a href="http://www.cargo-london.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cargo</a> where we danced and laughed until we had no energy left. We managed to get a night bus home, and fell straight asleep when we got in - if there's one thing that's a certainty about London, it is that is has the power to exhaust anyone in a day or so!</div>
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I've got lots more photos of the trip, and another couple of days to share, but rather than make this post any lengthier I'll leave the rest for another day this week. There aren't any night time photos in this one, as I didn't fancy carrying my decent camera around that late, but I did take plenty of snaps on my phone, which will come in an Instagram updates blog post at the weekend.</div>
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What are your favourite London haunts? I'm always keen to get recommendations, as there are just so many options that it's often difficult to know where to go!</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">xx</span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-48806476940419520372015-01-17T09:00:00.000+00:002015-01-17T09:00:00.353+00:00Olivia Burton Rose Gold Watch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQoSwTZ_jNpFWebjC45L8NEKNZ8KIOo-VJT5OFpBBOeZnz5iYan741oXcZyYljc4Fpd0DxydkAl8EqccX_kHUk8wYAuUZGXDRGkPRSLNl1aGz8xQON3apCJP19JsIk0Uh3BK2Ks-3jTI/s1600/DSC_0035+(2)_filter_applied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Olivia-Burton-rose-gold-navy-watch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQoSwTZ_jNpFWebjC45L8NEKNZ8KIOo-VJT5OFpBBOeZnz5iYan741oXcZyYljc4Fpd0DxydkAl8EqccX_kHUk8wYAuUZGXDRGkPRSLNl1aGz8xQON3apCJP19JsIk0Uh3BK2Ks-3jTI/s1600/DSC_0035+(2)_filter_applied.jpg" height="424" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just a short and sweet one today, I'm afraid, as I'm off to London this morning to spend a few days visiting friends and soaking up the sights and sounds, as you do. Judging by the weather forecast, we would have been hard pushed to choose a worse weekend to go, as there are severe weather warnings all over London for the next few days. But hey - we'll make the best of it. I'm really looking forward to some tapas and drinks with some of my best girls, and a couple of nights in a plush hotel (you really can find some great deals if you don't mind spending hours shopping around!), and it's our anniversary over the weekend too, so we will be celebrating that. I'm taking my new camera with me in the hope that I'll manage to get lots of lovely snaps, but I'm still getting to grips with it - take this image, for example, which is not nearly as in focus as it looked on the screen itself before I uploaded it onto the computer. Sigh.</div>
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Anyway, getting to the point of this post, which is to introduce you to my favourite new accessory..</div>
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I received this beautiful rose gold Olivia Burton watch for Christmas after having pined after the entire collection for longer than I care to remember. The thing about Olivia Burton watches is that every single design is beautiful, so choosing the right one is no easy task. The one thing I was always sure of,however, is that I definitely wanted a large, rose gold face, and in the end I plumped for this one, which has a navy blue leather strap. My thinking was that this one is perfect for the current season, as I do tend to wear darker hues in the Winter. Come summertime, however, I'll probably want to change things up a bit, so it's the ideal excuse for starting a collection! I have already spotted a mint pastel strap that, when paired with the rose gold face, will pretty much make up my perfect warm weather watch, and after that? Who knows.</div>
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If you'd like to have a look at the selection of <a href="http://www.asos.com/search/olivia-burton?q=olivia+burton" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Olivia Burton watches</a>, then ASOS have some great ones. Most are only £95, which I think is a fantastic price for such a good quality, attractive timepiece.</div>
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I'm not sure that I'll have the chance to post again before Tuesday, so until then.</div>
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Have a great weekend.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xx</i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-23055322668938534302015-01-15T09:00:00.000+00:002015-01-15T09:00:01.562+00:00Review: Achieving Big Hair with Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbTCxRqWZxTWVdoBR6kTASzw_tIv8LDYwEr9edYrGs5xtQGozev9hjckfk2aXrV3sGWsGKWWBb-_q7o4kAvjOWzLiTuXCJeeEReoW6cOM0iioVr6hvxxSijZJH0eoWy4qo9fg1KRKryA/s1600/DSC_0028+(2)_filter_applied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bumble-and-Bumble-Pret-a-Powder-hair-volumising" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbTCxRqWZxTWVdoBR6kTASzw_tIv8LDYwEr9edYrGs5xtQGozev9hjckfk2aXrV3sGWsGKWWBb-_q7o4kAvjOWzLiTuXCJeeEReoW6cOM0iioVr6hvxxSijZJH0eoWy4qo9fg1KRKryA/s1600/DSC_0028+(2)_filter_applied.jpg" height="424" title="Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder hair volumising powder" width="640" /></a></div>
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While many of you may brandish the straightening irons on a daily basis, my days of sleek, smooth locks are long gone. I'm not saying that every day is a bad hair day - though I definitely have my fair share of those - but that nowadays, I'd much rather plump for bouncy, voluminous hair with a bit of a wave or a curl.</div>
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Achieving lasting volume is no mean feat. Over the years, I've tried root-boosting sprays, mousses and powders alike, but the goal has never quite been in easy reach. Many of them - much like my hair - fell flat, leaving my hair limp and crispy with product. Or worse still, they left me with greasy-looking locks, despite having just stepped out of the shower. The closest I ever came to success was the TreSemme plumping powder, which when sprinkled into the roots and rubbed in, gave me the big hair I'd always dreamed of. It wasn't long, however, until my hair began to feel sticky and greasy, so much so that I'd race straight to the shower each evening after work to wash it out. So, it's fair to say that when the <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Bumble-Bumble-Pret-a-Powder-56g_1444080/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder</a> came onto my radar, I wasn't exactly racing to Boots, eager to join the queue.</div>
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Months later, things changed, and after hearing a torrent of complimentary conversations about the hair powder, I finally caved and bought it.</div>
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Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder claims to be equal parts dry shampoo, style extender and volume, which immediately sets it apart from the other hair powders on the market. Priced at £21.50 for 56g, it's far from cheap, but given that you get the benefits of oil absorbency and volume all in one, it's a product that's worth a few moments of any beauty lover's time. If, like me, you are still putting off learning to blow dry your hair properly, or like most of us, you simply don't have the time, then Pret-a-Powder will be your best friend, adding extra oomph to lacklustre locks, and filling in the gaps between washes. </div>
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To use, I sprinkle liberally through my roots and massage in with my fingertips, and hey presto, big hair is mine. You can use a fair amount of product before you start to look as though you've been antiqued, which means that you can go a little bit crazy in your bid for extra oomph, should your style require it.</div>
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While I don't find the volume this provides to last all day per-se, all it takes is a quick scrunch of the roots to get things looking as they should again. I tend to do this several times throughout the day, and never find it necessary to apply any more product once my hair is styled. Pret-a-Powder does an excellent job of freshening up day-old hair, and I keep a bottle in my handbag for those moments when you catch sight of yourself in the mirror and have a sudden urge to run home and start again.</div>
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In spite of the price, this has become a hair-styling staple for me, and although the bottle is a little bit on the small side, it seems to last a remarkably long time. It's ideal for anyone with oily, fine or lacklustre hair, and it definitely gets the seal of approval from me.</div>
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What are your favourite volumising products? Are there any other Bumble & Bumble products you can't live without?</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>xx</i></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-6750612363682513622015-01-13T09:00:00.000+00:002015-01-13T09:00:00.573+00:00The Winter Fragrance Line-Up: Jo Malone and YSL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSLuT9LrhoYENiD2jrnieeiw4DqMMrgtU8g6AjzkqK2mkvlfFzvcpbixn6KZYvM3DsOTLi1IKW5jrEoWUV-qK-1J610NDuB0eqNpiEBj49_zu4-PRE-Hiyjr1nGvXpGz9j3hKsrsjH_4/s1600/DSC_0037+(2)_filter_applied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Winter-fragrance-Jo Malone-Pomegranate Noir-Blackberry and Bay-YSL-Black Opium" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSLuT9LrhoYENiD2jrnieeiw4DqMMrgtU8g6AjzkqK2mkvlfFzvcpbixn6KZYvM3DsOTLi1IKW5jrEoWUV-qK-1J610NDuB0eqNpiEBj49_zu4-PRE-Hiyjr1nGvXpGz9j3hKsrsjH_4/s1600/DSC_0037+(2)_filter_applied.jpg" height="424" title="A picture of Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir and Blackberry and Bay colognes, with Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium perfume." width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm the sort of person who will find a fragrance I like, and hold onto it with both hands. In the past, I've had certain perfumes that I would spritz on month in, month out, without giving the season a second thought. There was a time when Ana Sui's Dolly Girl would see me through the entire calendar, no questions asked, before eventually being replaced with the likes of Escada's Rockin' Rio, and DKNY Be Delicious after that. Of course, I have moved onto some more sophisticated fragrances since the early days, but the basics of what I like in a scent have remained the same. I've always been one for a fruity fragrance - juicy, and just sweet enough, but never sickly or overpowering.</div>
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Last winter, I finally treated myself to a perfume I had had my eye on for an age: <a href="http://www.jomalone.co.uk/product/3583/9900/Fragrances/Colognes/Fruity/Pomegranate-Noir-Cologne/Pomegranate-Noir-Cologne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir</a>. I had fallen into the habit of awaiting birthdays or Christmas in order to replenish my fragrance collection, so much so that buying one for myself was almost out of the question. With the exception of duty free shopping, that is but I have never yet stumbled across some of the brands I now tend to gravitate towards when browsing pre-holiday.</div>
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Pomegranate Noir was one of those perfumes I just knew I would love, to the point that I was happy to order it online and face the consequences. Thankfully, my judgement had been spot on, and it continues to be my all-time favourite winter scent. The fragrance professes to combine the 'ruby rich juices of pomegranate, raspberry and plum' with pink pepper, Casablanca lily and spicy woods. Now, putting scents and aromas into words has never been my strong point, but Pomegranate Noir certainly does scream rich, juicy winter fruits. In fact, the best way I can describe it is to say that it smells just like mulled wine. You've got the hint of cloves and cinnamon in there, and a subtle woodiness that is reminiscent of November bonfires. A sophisticated fragrance for all occasions, for me it is simply perfection in a bottle.</div>
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More recently, I added another Jo Malone offering to my repertoire of fragrances, and this time, it was <a href="http://www.jomalone.co.uk/product/9526/23540/Fragrances/Colognes/Fruity/Blackberry-Bay-Cologne/Blackberry-Bay-Cologne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blackberry and Bay</a> that made the cut. Once again, I was confident enough to order online, and once again, my selection didn't disappoint. A 'vibrant and verdant' scent that conjures up images of blackberry picking in the forest, this is tart and juicy, yet simultaneously woody and green. It's a lovely alternative to your typical winter perfumes, but it does have a surprising sweetness about it. Not in the sugary sense, but it is perhaps slightly more floral than I would have expected.</div>
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The most recent addition to my shelf, however, has been the lovely <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Yves-Saint-Laurent-Black-Opium-Eau-de-Parfum-30ml_1507857/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium</a>. I must admit, this was not a perfume that had yet appeared on my radar, so it was a complete surprise when I unwrapped it at Christmas after receiving it as a little extra from my husband. Thankfully, though, surprises often lead to the best discoveries, and this was definitely one.</div>
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Black Opium is a sweet and spicy vanilla-based fragrance, which is also said to contain hints of black coffee and white florals. Personally, I can't detect the coffee, which is probably a bit of a relief, but there <i>is</i> a certain but very subtle bitterness in there somewhere, concealing itself beneath the ever-so-sweet top notes. This is quite a sugary scent compared to the others, but again, it isn't overpowering and the longevity once applied is excellent. Add to that the beautifully sparkly bottle it comes presented in, and it has to be a winter winner for me.</div>
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So there you have it, my winter fragrance line-up in all its glory. Do you have any favourite perfumes for the colder months?</div>
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Have you tried anything from Jo Malone? Let me know which scents are your favourites, as I am forever browsing the website looking for my next 'must have'.</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">xx</span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-57423093928995260622015-01-10T19:59:00.002+00:002015-01-10T20:06:19.807+00:00The Health Files: Tips and tricks for eating well and maintaining a healthy lifestyle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Making new year's resolutions is a great way to wipe the slate clean and begin to introduce some positive new habits into your life, but traditionally, come February 1st, the resolve you strode into January so full of has dwindled to almost nothing.</div>
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Often, our resolutions can prove harder to maintain than we might have imagined, and it only takes one bad day to have you taking a detour to the nearest shop as you head home from work, in search of that emergency bar of chocolate. A huge part of the problem, in my eyes, is the approach that many of us take to achieving our goals - leaping in head-first with a complete lack of forethought. It might be tempting to think that you can change your entire life overnight, but realistically, it's unsustainable.</div>
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One thing I have learned the hard way is that you need to create your own support network if you really want to succeed. I'm not talking friends, but rather, looking at what needs to be done in order to give yourself the best possible chance of success, and putting measures in place before you begin to provide support as you go.</div>
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It's never an easy feat, but there's no such thing as can't. I've fallen off the wagon all too many time myself in the past, but I have slowly learned that the best way to achieve your goals is to be your own biggest cheerleader, and let go of the self-sabotage. We are all guilty of it, and it does us no favours at all.</div>
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Today, I wanted to share with you some of the handy tip and tricks I have picked up along the way - tips that I have found work for me, and ones that I hope will have us all waving out 2015 with a smile of satisfaction on our faces.</div>
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Here goes.</div>
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1. Plan and prep your meals for the week </h3>
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Knowing what you're going to be eating for the days ahead helps you to stay focussed and prevents situations where you might find yourself reaching for a less than healthy option simiply because nothing else is available. Ensure that your fridge is always stocked with a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, and fill your cupboards with staple foods such as quinoa and brown rice. Spend a couple of hours cooking up some one-pot meals on a Sunday, these can be stored in the fridge and dipped into as needed throughout the week. I tend to do this for lunches, so that all I have to do each evening is pop a portion into a plastic container along with some fresh salad, and grab it on my way out the next morning.</div>
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2. Be prepared</h3>
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To give yourself the best possible chance of maintaining your healthy lifestyle, ensure that you are prepared for every eventuality. Pop your gym gear in the washing machine after each session, and make sure that it is dried and packed into your gym bag before you go to sleep. If you exercise after a day at work, then make sure you keep the necessaries in the car so that you can head straight to the gym, as often, coming home and sitting down will mean that you are far less likely to get back up again!</div>
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In term of eating, number 1 will have already tarted you off on the right foot, but it's a good idea to make sure that you always have some healthy snacks close at hand so that you're never tempted to reach for that chocolate bar. Empty your desk drawer of anything that might pose a risk to your eating plan, and instead, fill it with nutritious and low sugar alternatives. I keep bags of mixed nuts, sachets of miso oup, gluten-free oatcakes and Nak'd bars in mine.</div>
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3. Include complex carbs in your lunch</h3>
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A sure-fire way to fall off the wagon is to deprive yourself completely of energy-providing carbohydrates. Cut out the white, refined baddies such as white bread, rice and pasta, as these are of little nutritional value and will cause a sudden spike in your blood sugar. All very well if you're after a quick energy hit, but it is soon followed by a crash and will leave you feeling lethargic and sleepy for the afternoon. Instead, replace them with high-protein grains which provide complex carbs and a slower stream of energy. Quinoa and bulgar wheat are both good options, as well as daily staple of mine. Alternatively, try sweet potato - I roast a few in tin foil in the oven each Sunday, and keep them in the fridge until needed.</div>
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4. Have a green smoothie every morning</h3>
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The majority of us lead busy lives, and it can be difficult to find the time to ensure that you're getting your five a day. One of the best solutions, I have found, is to drink a green smoothie for breakfast each day. Every evening, I throw a handful of kale or spinach in the blender, along with a selection of berries, a spoonful of wheatgrass powder, some ginger, and some flaxseed or chia, and whizz them up, ready for the following day. The <a href="http://www.breville.co.uk/vbl062-blend-active.html" rel="nofollow">Blend Active</a> has to be one of my best purchases, as you simply attach the blade to the flask provided, replacing it with a lid once done. It's a quick and easy way to make and store a smoothie until you need it, and saves on the washing up, too.</div>
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If I fancy something a bit more filling, I'll add some avocado to my smoothie, or sometimes I'll pop in some banana and a spoonful of almond butter.</div>
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5. Swap coffee for green tea</h3>
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There's no excuse not to like green tea these days, as with the multitude of flavours now available on the market, there is something to suit even the fussiest of tastes. Personally, I gave up coffee some while ago after realising it exacerbated the anxiety I was suffering from at the time, and it continues to serve as a trigger. I don't miss it at all, and I enjoy the gentle uplift I get from a nice, hot cup of green tea. I do love my English breakfast tea though, and I will always have a cup or two to get me going each morning. After that, it's green tea all the way, and with the added benefit of health-boosting antioxidants and - so they say - a slightly accelerated metabolism, there's very little not to like about it. I often go for Matcha green tea, but if that' not to your taste then try my favourite flavoured versions - I like Twinings orange and Lotus flower or mango and lychee.</div>
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6. Bake some healthy treats to have on hand for weak moments</h3>
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Like it or not, there are going to be time when you feel your willpower beginning to falter, and the best way to deal with it is to have something on hand that will satisfy a sweet craving without the high sugar content. Recently, I have started making brownies with sweet potato and avocado, which might sound odd but taste delicious. You wouldn't have a clue there were veggies in them, and the best bit is that they tate wonderfully chocolatey without the calories or sugar. I use raw cacao for the flavour, and add fat free natural yoghurt and honey, swapping plain flour for spelt flour or almond meal. There are lots of recipes out there for sugar free, clean-eating desserts, and the recipe I use i very much an improvisation based on several. If you'd like the recipe, then let me know in the comments.</div>
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7. Plan your exercise schedule ahead of time</h3>
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<h>I wish I could be one of those people who bound out of bed every day for a pre-work gym session, but alas, cold, dark, winter mornings are not for me. To ensure that I still get my exercise in following a tiring day at work, I take steps to plan exactly what I'm going to be doing, so I carry a screenshot of my gym's class timetable on my phone for reference. It's all too easy to arrive without a plan and to end up wasting valuable time as you um and ahh about which machine you want to go on or which body part you are going to target. I tend to choose which classes I'm going to be doing the weekend before, and choose suitable workouts for the days in between - so, for example, if the classes I'm doing don't involve much work on my legs, then I'll do some squats and lunges and try to focus on that area on a day where I'm doing my own thing.</h></div>
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If you don't have a gym membership, then hop onto Youtube via your TV - there are some brilliant channel which offer a range of fitne videos and programmes that you can do in your living room. A personal favourite of mine is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fitnessblender" rel="nofollow">Fitness Blender</a>, but <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates" rel="nofollow">Blogilates</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ToneItUpcom" rel="nofollow">Tone It Up</a> are also popular.</div>
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8. If you do slip up, then get straight back on the wagon.</h3>
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So you caved in and ate that bar of chocolate. One little mistake doesn't have to mean throwing in the towel completely, and if you're serious about your goals then you shouldn't let it deter you. That said, nor should you simply use it as an excuse to continue the run of bad eating for a few more days. Tomorrow is another day, so get straight back into your healthy routine in order to minimise the impact. Having a cheat meal once a week is fine, a long a it doesn't signal the beginning of the end - and a wave goodbye to your resolve.</div>
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<h>What are you doing differently this year to help you to keep your resolutions?</h><br />
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<h><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xx</i></b></span></h></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-37803474141133463922015-01-08T10:00:00.000+00:002015-01-08T10:00:00.394+00:00Making a House a Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Living in a two-bedroom flat where one of the rooms is full to bursting with miscellania, I try not to acquire too much in the way of non-essential homeware. We haven't got a lot of space for ornamental or decorative bits and pieces, and when we moved in here, I had a bit of a struggle with trying to find homes for the pieces I do have. I'm quite selective with the items I want to have on display in my home, as I like things that add a bit of character and identity without creating too much clutter. This Christmas, I ventured into the <a href="http://www.debenhams.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">Debenhams</a> home section in search of a present for my mum, and ended up making a few finds of my own. Despite my better judgement, they eventually found their way into my Christmas stocking, and I can't deny than I'm thrilled to bits with them all.</div>
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I tend to gravitate towards anything mint, and there's a distinctively mint and cream colour scheme going on in my home. When renting, there isn't a lot you can do to the property itself in order to whip it into shape and display a bit of personality, so I tend to add what I can to it in other ways, with things like mirrors, photo frames, candles and prints. Some of my favourite pieces are a beautiful cream bird cage which currently sits on my mantlepiece, and an ornate mint photo frame, but at the moment neither of them are displayed to their best advantage. In our old place, there was a deep shelf that was perfect, but currently I have little more than a mantlepiece in my living room on which to arrange things. The frame is still empty, too, so a minor new year's resolution of mine is to find the right photo - having pictures of family and friends around the place always makes things feel that little bit more like home.</div>
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The new additions to my collection are a pretty, patterned bird ornament which doubles as a moneybox, a carved wooden jewellery box - in a shade of mint, of course - and this beautiful cream and mint ceramic jar, which has a rabbit sitting atop it. Currently, the bird is sitting on the mantlepiece along with my other pieces, while the jewellery box and jar have made it into the bedroom, as I could do with a little more storage in there.</div>
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I also picked up a gorgeous cream and mint print with the words 'All you need is love' written on it, and I'm really annoyed that I didn't take a photo as it ties in with all the other items beautifully. It's bound to be popping up on the blog at some point, so I'll be sure to point it out to you when it does. Sadly, it's no longer available on the Debenhams site - a huge shame, as I know that some of you would have loved it.</div>
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Currently, I can't get enough of the interiors posts on <a href="http://www.gh0stparties.com/" rel="nofollow">Gh0stparties</a>. Kate's blog has long been a favourite of mine, initially winning me over with skincare, but since moving into her new flat she has given me a huge amount of inspiration when it comes to decorating my own place. With a palette of cream, mint, light pink and gold, her living room has gone from a blank canvas to a thing of absolute beauty, and I adore her minimalist walls and wooden floors, hanging plants, spray-painted DIY pieces and ashi-tape wall collages. If you need some inspiration of your own, then I'd definitely recommend following her on Facebook and Instagram, as she is always rearranging things and posts regular updates on what she's changed.</div>
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What are your favourite pieces from around your home? Do you have any favourite places to collect new and unique pieces which will add a bit of character to your nest?</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">xx</span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-39954242525348125502015-01-05T09:30:00.000+00:002015-01-05T09:30:00.916+00:00Origins 'Calm to Your Senses' stress-relieving mask<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3857/31470/Skincare/Category/Masks/Calm-To-Your-Senses/Stress-relieving-face-mask/index.tmpl" rel="nofollow">Origins Calm to Your Senses stress-relieving mask</a></b></div>
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When I get wind of a new Origins product launch, I certainly don't need telling twice, the arrival of their Calm to Your Senses stress-relieving face mask had me racing straight for my nearest counter in a desperate bid to get my hands on a tube. I feel like I've referred to this a lot lately, but I'm a worrier by nature, and I often get myself far too worked up over things that I probably won't even remember a month down the line. I also have trouble with sleeping - I usually drop off all too easily, but I regularly wake up in the night and am unable to drift off again for a good couple of hours, which leaves me feeling tired and drained the following day in spite of having gone to bed nice and early. As a result, I'm forever on the lookout for products which serve to aid relaxation, and there is nothing I love more than a good pamper session and a long wind-down before I climb under the bed covers. Of course, it's rarely possible to go the whole hog during the week, as the evenings pass quickly and most of us will go to bed earlier, so the ideal is to have something on hand that will do the work for you.<br />
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Enter, Origins Calm to Your Senses.</div>
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A rich, creamy face mask containing buckbean and St. Paul's Wort extract to target tense, stressed-looking skin, it is not dissimilar to the <a href="http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3857/31470/Skincare/Category/Masks/Calm-To-Your-Senses/Stress-relieving-face-mask/index.tmpl" rel="nofollow">Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask</a>, in that you massage in a generous amount prior to bedtime and leave it to do its work overnight. Barrier-building plant butters help to replenish the skin's moisture reserves while you sleep, leaving it plump, soft and hydrated upon awakening, while a relaxing blend of lavender and chamomile soothe and calm the senses helping you to drift off more easily.</div>
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I'm not the biggest fan of lavender, but I do find it very calming when I'm ready to go to bed. I often reach for the <a href="http://www.thisworks.com/deep-sleep-pillow-spray.html" rel="nofollow">This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray</a>, which is very helpful, and definitely speeds up the time it takes me to get to sleep when I get into bed with my mind still racing. That said, the Calm to Your Senses mask doesn't have a strong lavender scent at all, and in fact, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it smelled like oranges (much like the brand's <a href="http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3858/18757/Skincare/Category/Moisturisers/High-Potency-Night-A-Mins/Mineral-enriched-renewal-cream/index.tmpl" rel="nofollow">High Potency Night-A-Mins</a>). It's a pleasure to apply, and sinks easily into the skin - I find that while it is rich, it is lighter than the Drink Up Intensive mask, so if that one was too heavy for you then don't be put off.</div>
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In the morning, there is no residue left on my skin, but thanks to its plumping, hydrating effects, I often find myself reaching for it regardless of whether I'm worried about sleeping or not. As to whether or not it helps me to drift off, the jury is still out - as I mentioned, it's rare that I have trouble in that department anyway, but it definitely does make me feel relaxed when I get into bed with it on. I love that it takes just a few short seconds to apply and doesn't have to be washed off, as this makes it a real time-saver that be can used anytime, anywhere.</div>
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I'll be doing a round-up of some of my favourite products for relaxation soon, as I seem to have built up quite the collection. Do you have any favourites?</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>xx</i></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-1386736653389397122015-01-04T14:22:00.000+00:002015-01-04T14:22:16.661+00:00Nourish: Mind, Body and Soul<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It sometimes seems as though nature is against us honouring our new year's resolutions. You promise to get out and about and take some exercise in the fresh air, only for the weather to turn colder, and the skies to turn greyer. You pledge to save your pennies hard, but with the arrival of January and the necessity of playing catch-up following the expenses of an extravagant Christmas, it begins to seem impossible. Or, as in this case, I'm eager to get my teeth back into blogging - but despite having a new camera to play with and a fully-functioning computer keyboard, the darkness of the weekend seems determined to stand in my way! I'm quite certain I'm not the only one to be encountering this problem, and goodness knows, it has got to be one of the biggest pet peeves among bloggers. But, it has to be said, today really outdid itself in the darkness stakes.</div>
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But while I may have to wait until tomorrow for a second attempt at well-lit photos, that doesn't mean that post-writing itself can't get underway, and today I wanted to share with you the secret weapon I am brandishing as we stride into the new year.</div>
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I knew that I wanted 2015 to be the year I focussed on my health, and after many false starts across the past twelve months, this time, I wanted things to be different. While my intention to eat well and exercise has long been on the agenda, lack of time and organisation have been two major hindrances on my path to perfection. I use the term very loosely, by the way, as I personally believe perfection to be almost perpetually unattainable. But that doesn't mean that we can't strive to be our very best in every way that we can, and for me, amongst other things, that means getting to a the point of eating well for 95% of the time, and stick to a regular exercise schedule. No more two-week-long bursts of motivation - this time, it all has to stick.</div>
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As I mentioned in my previous post, I tend to be a bit on the stressy side. I'm a worrier by nature, and have suffered from anxiety in the past, so for me, making changes is not just about getting fit, but also looking after my general wellbeing. I have been meaning to incorporate yoga, pilates and meditation into my lifestyle for as long as I can remember, </div>
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With these goals in mind, I wandered the aisles of Waterstones on New Year's Eve in search of inspiration, when eventually, I stumbled upon a book called <b><a href="http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/amber+rose/sadie+frost/holly+davidson/nourish/10833702/" rel="nofollow">Nourish: Mind, body and Soul</a></b>, written by Amber Rose, Sadie Frost and Holly Davidson. It's one of those rare books that contains everything you are looking for, all in one place, and with each of the authors taking charge of a section of the book, they've got all aspects of my lifestyle plan covered.</div>
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Amber writes the first section, beginning by talking about super-foods and offering up a number of inspired recipes for health-boosting smoothies and juices (an easy way to suck me in, as I personally drink a greens-based smoothie every day, and am always on the lookout for ways to add that extra bit of oomph). There are also sections on breakfasts, soups and salads, mains and desserts, and if you are a fan of foodie blogs such as Deliciously Ella and Oh She Glows, as I am, then this will be right up your street. There is an emphasis on clean eating, with nutritious ingredients such as eggs, kale, quinoa, avocado and sweet potato (all foods that I include in my own diet very regularly) popping up repeatedly in a variety of contexts.</div>
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The second part of the book, written by Sadie Frost, is entitled 'Superwoman', and initially focuses on breathing and meditation, before moving on to yoga and the relationship of all of these with - and their influence on - our emotions. Later on, she discusses how best to organise your day in order to maximise your positive output, and how to establish an energising routine to add structure to your life.</div>
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The next bit is one I think most of you will probably love - a chapter on health and beauty. If you love mixing up DIY face masks and the like from the contents of your fridge and your kitchen cupboards, then look no further! The section also touches on vitamins and minerals, body brushing and reflexology before finally drawing to a close. Very thorough, I'm sure you'll agree, but that's what I like in a book.</div>
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Holly is responsible for the final section of the book, which is aptly entitled 'Fit-woman' - Holly is a personal trainer, so there are no prizes for guessing what she is bringing into the mix. But she doesn't just bombard you with impossible-looking exercise routines and insist that you spring into action - she prepares you for the task beforehand by discussing how to alter your mindset for the better and replace negative habits with positive ones. She encourages positive self-image, offering up pointers on how to get around the obstacles (and excuses) that stand in your way. She finishes off with a four-week exercise plan, complete with healthy snack recommendations to nibble alongside it, and if you're not feeling inspired and motivated by this point in the book then frankly, there's no hope!</div>
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For me, this was just the book I needed to set me off back onto the right track in time for the beginning of 2015, and despite still only being three days into the year, I'm doing pretty well so far! I'm a natural lover of healthy eating, but that doesn't mean I'm not partial to cake and chocolate, and I tend to reach for it if I'm feeling a little bit under the weather. With this in mind, I have spent this evening baking up a batch of sweet potato and avocado chocolate brownies with all-natural, healthy ingredients (let me know if you want the recipe - they taste much nicer than they sound!) so I will have those on standby should the mood suddenly strike! </div>
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Fitness-wise, I was never the sporty type at school, but I have grown to enjoy a variety of types of exercise over the past few years - and this year, I aim to establish a more sustainable routine, rather than leaping in head first and doing too much, only to reach burn-out a couple of short weeks later.</div>
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If you're looking for a bit of health inspiration yourself then this one is a must-read. Do let me know in the comments if you've found a similar alternative, or if you're planning on taking a new approach to health and fitness this year - I'd love to hear what tactics you're employing!</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">xx</span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-72902359558854803012015-01-01T18:08:00.000+00:002015-01-01T18:08:56.425+00:00Hello, 2015.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy New Year, everyone, and a big hello to 2015!</div>
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I hope you all had a fantastic festive period and were able to ring in the new year in style! Personally, I ended up having a night in for one, as many of my friends have recently had babies and the other half was working, but to be honest, it wasn't nearly as bad as you might imagine! For a start, I spent my first New Year's Day in a lonnnng time without so much of a sniff of a hangover, but I'll talk more about that later. I also had the chance to indulge in a bit of pampering and spend some time reflecting on the year gone by, as well as what I hope to achieve in this brand new year,</div>
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Last year was a great one for me for many reasons, but the main one has got to be that it was the first year in the last six that I spent here in the UK with my family and friends. You may or may not remember, depending on how often you drop by, but I spent a long period living abroad, before finally moving home in the second half of 2013. Other highlights of the last twelve months have included travelling to Paris and Ibiza, landing a new job and watching my best friend get married, as well as celebrating my sister's graduation, accepting an FHM Award and going on a few shorter trips to the likes of Brighton, Manchester and London. </div>
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But with 2015 now upon us, it's out with the old and in with the new, as they say, and time to make a few resolutions for the year ahead. Although they are the sort of things that tend to be broken before January draws to a close, I fully intend to follow through on my promises to myself this year, as I have been trying to get some of them done for months now, to no avail. So now it's time for a fresh start, and what better time to get motivated than on the first day of a new year? Without further ado, my new year's resolutions for 2015 are:</div>
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<b>1. Resume blogging!</b> </div>
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Well, looks like we're off to a promising start on at least one of these, but this is something I have been desperate to do for some while It's not that I ever 'stopped', per se - at least, not intentionally. But with a broken computer (jammed keyboard and viruses a-plenty), there was little I could do, and without the use of a functioning camera to boot, things became difficult to say the least. I actually spent part of my evening last night installing a brand, spanking new keyboard (who needs a man to do their DIY? Smug.), and also picked myself up a new camera in the sales. So, I'm fully equipped and ready to go, and I couldn't be more thrilled! </div>
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<b>2. Lose a few lbs</b></div>
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This is one that has been attempted several times since last April, but alas, I have failed. It's not that I've got a <i>lot</i> to lose, but a good 10lbs had slowly crept on since moving back to the UK, and while I would normally have been able to lose it without too much trouble thanks to being a fan of healthy eating by nature, this time, it simply hasn't shifted. Within the next few days, I aim to see the nurse in order to change my pill, and also get a blood test to ensure that my thyroid is functioning properly, because it certainly seems that something is different. Either way, something needs to be done, and I'll be sure to keep you posted on my progress.</div>
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<b>3. Add weights and yoga into to my exercise regime</b></div>
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That is, after upping my exercise sessions in general. I'm a member of a local gym, but I'd like to make the effort to go more consistently, as I tend to go through peaks and troughs. When I'm trying to lose weight, I go religiously, but because I wasn't getting anywhere in that department, I'd often lose my motivation and end up going less than usual for a while. I've been meaning to add in yoga for a while, as I'm quite a stressy type and am sure it would benefit me, but so far, I haven't found the time. This year, I will, and I'll also be adding more weights into my regime in order to build muscle, as this will help me to achieve my goals.</div>
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So, those are my three ongoing goals for the year, but I also plan to start (and finish!) a new course, save more money, learn some new skills, travel to Venice and Cuba and read at least two books a month.</div>
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I'll leave it there for now, but I'd love to hear about your new year's resolutions in the comments below. In the meantime, wishing you all a very Happy New Year!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>xx</i></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-56442422701598831962014-11-13T18:36:00.000+00:002014-11-13T18:36:11.756+00:00The Space NK Goodie Bag: Favourite Discoveries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/eye-concentrate-for-wrinkles/MUK200006278.html" rel="nofollow">StriVectin Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles</a> // <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/deep-sleep-pillow-spray/MUK200008263.html" rel="nofollow">Deep Sleep Pillow Spray</a> // <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/polyphenol-c15-anti-wrinkle-defense-serum/MUK200012478.html" rel="nofollow">Caudalie C15 Polyphenol Anti-Wrinkle Serum </a> // <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/moisturising-renewal-cream/MUK200010310.html?start=6&q=revive%20renewal%20cream" rel="nofollow">ReVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream</a></b></span></div>
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A few of months ago, I made some purchases from Space NK, and was lucky enough to receive one of their summer goodie bags along with my order. Every time I see these promotions on, I'm desperate to get my hands on them, but usually I can't justify spending an unexpected lump sum on beauty items I potentially don't need in order to get them. This time, however, it fell close to my birthday, so I took it as a sign and went ahead.</div>
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This particular goodie bag was jam-packed with around twenty iconic products, most of them in luxury sample size, and a few of them have slowly but surely made their way into my daily routine.</div>
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The best of the bunch is undoubtedly the <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/moisturising-renewal-cream/MUK200010310.html?start=6&q=revive%20renewal%20cream" rel="nofollow">ReVive Moisturising Renewal Cream</a> - a rich, hydrating moisturiser, this hasfast become a bedtime staple, ensuring that I wake up with smooth and radiant skin in the morning. This contains Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), a revolutionary, Nobel Prize-winning ingredient exclusive to ReVive, which gently resurfaces and retexturises the skin as you sleep. I must admit, the effects of this little gem, as with many products, do seem to have diminished somewhat with time - the 'wow' factor is never quite the same after those initial few uses - but that hasn't stopped me reaching for it on a regular basis. It has a pleasant, almost buttery fragrance, and is rich in consistency to the point that it feels like a real treat for the skin on application.Sadly, at £105.00 a pop for the full-size, this is not one that's going to be making a lasting appearance in my routine, but I've enjoyed experimenting with it, nonetheless.</div>
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If you're anything like me, you'll find that your eyes are the first part of the face to give away your age, so I was pleased to try out the <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/eye-concentrate-for-wrinkles/MUK200006278.html" rel="nofollow">Strivectin Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles</a>. This little tube of goodness claims to fade fine lines and wrinkles in just eight weeks, so I am very much looking forward to finding out whether or not it can truly live up to its claims. In the meantime, it's pleasant to use, sinks in easily and moisturises the under-eye area well. Again, this is a pricey one - £55.00 for the full 30ml. I'd be very reluctant to repurchase at this price, but if it really does the trick then I could more than likely be persuaded.</div>
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I've also been using the <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/polyphenol-c15-anti-wrinkle-defense-serum/MUK200012478.html" rel="nofollow">Caudalie C15 Polyphenol Anti-Wrinkle Serum</a>, usually before my night cream before I go to bed. You may notice a bit of a theme here - perhaps I'm feeling my age. Dubbed the 'Anti-Oxidant Youth Shot', this product aims to block free radicals and visibly correct wrinkles. Now, thankfully I don't have many visible lines on my face just yet, so I imagine this might have more of an impact on more mature skin, but I enjoy knowing that there is an extra barrier beneath my moisturiser, protecting my skin from pollutants and other external aggressors.</div>
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Last up is my favourite bedtime companion. I'm a worrier by nature, and often find it hard to switch off for a long while after my head hits the pillow. Luckily, the <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/deep-sleep-pillow-spray/MUK200008263.html" rel="nofollow">This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray</a> is now very much a part of my life, and you'd better believe that it does the trick. A couple of sprays of this delicate, lavender-fragranced miracle-worker and the stresses of the day begin to melt away - I'm drifting off into a peaceful sleep in no time, and rarely wake again as I used to. It's a definite repurchase from me, even at £16.00 for the full-size.</div>
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The Space NK goodie bags are such a fantatsic way of discovering new products. Have you stumbled across anything spectacular from any of the previous selections?</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>xx</i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-56186380848036742862014-10-29T19:08:00.000+00:002014-10-29T19:08:22.211+00:00A Summer Holiday: Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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At the beginning of August, the other half and I jetted off to Playa d'en Bossa in Ibiza for a week of fun, sun and relaxation. Yes, it is indeed nearly October, but having been struck down with suspected glandular fever straight after coming back, I've been out of action for some time. Better late than never, eh?</div>
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We had decided to go all-inclusive for a change, as we usually find keeping tabs on our funds to be such a burden when trying to get away from it all and have some chill-out time, Money is, without a doubt, one of our biggest stressors in day to day life, so to be able to leave our wallets behind each day and eat and drink whatever we pleased without the worry of running out of funds half-way through, or coming home with a big bill to pay, was bliss.</div>
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The hotel we stayed in was beautiful. A newly refurbished four star, it turned out to be a great deal more impressive than it had appeared in the photos - a huge plus, as often it can be the other way round. There was a huge pool with chilled house music playing throughout the day, and we were more than happy to laze around soaking up the rays and making the occasional trip to the cocktail bar to grab ourselves a couple of Mojitos or Coco Locos. Lunch was served in the main restaurant, with plenty of delicious dishes such as traditional Spanish Paellas and salads on offer - not to mention the to-die-for desserts.</div>
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Afternoons were spent reading, then taking a dip in the sea, as we were fortunate enough to have direct access to the beach through a gate at the back of the hotel property. The water was crystal clear and the temperature literally couldn't have been more perfect, so it was the perfect time to cool off a bit before heading along the beach for a drink and a dance at the iconic beach club Bora Bora, or Jet Apartments, which was just next door.</div>
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Speaking of beach clubs, our hotel was located just a couple of minutes walk from Ushuaia.- if you've ever been to Ibiza before, or even thought about it, then you'll know all about this place, which puts on some of the biggest and best nights on the island - think David Guetta, Armin Van Burren and Avicii, We popped along ourselves to see Guetta and suffice to say he put on a pretty darn good performance. It was by far the best night out we had while we were away, but drinks prices were beyond ridiculous - worth considering if you're ever thinking of going!</div>
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Anyone who heads to Ibiza would be silly not to pay the beautiful Eivissa, or Ibiza Old Town, a visit. There is plenty to see and do, with pretty little streets lined with flower-adorned restaurants and shops and beautiful sea views - not to mention the lovely Spanish architecture.</div>
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Most people I know who have been to the island before seem to have stayed in San Antonio, but I'm so glad we chose Playa d'en Bossa. From what I hear, San Antonio is cheaper, but also a lot rougher, whereas where we were had just the right balance - we were close enough to a strip of bars along with famous nightclubs such as Space and Sankeys, but were also able to get some peace and quiet when we wanted it. In fact, writing this is making me ridiculously nostalgic, and I'm really tempted to go ahead and book us in again for next year! Let's skip these dull days and wintery mornings and head straight for next Summer, shall we!?</div>
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Have you been to Ibiza? Where did you go on your Summer holiday this year?</div>
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<b><i>XX</i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-55854623954855379972014-08-19T20:44:00.000+01:002014-08-19T20:44:49.758+01:00Summer Skincare Essentials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmezMyO5bTW_6VhYkiIOj8NoNC9oG2MZqjWS_va3jxw-hOEPOl-MG9hAQs2kQIY_CfzSgIsgXPgfbn7hejATLcbbGYGPcpk4boxgTrb1jzu_37brMXca4Zx3_-FswiLY4p0EMoewCHPc/s1600/P4270966_filter_applied_cropped_rounded_corners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmezMyO5bTW_6VhYkiIOj8NoNC9oG2MZqjWS_va3jxw-hOEPOl-MG9hAQs2kQIY_CfzSgIsgXPgfbn7hejATLcbbGYGPcpk4boxgTrb1jzu_37brMXca4Zx3_-FswiLY4p0EMoewCHPc/s1600/P4270966_filter_applied_cropped_rounded_corners.jpg" height="488" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.renskincare.com/p/3437/Rosa+Centifolia%E2%84%A2+No.1+Purity+Cleansing+Balm+" rel="nofollow">Ren Rosa Centifolia No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm</a> // <a href="http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/vitamin-c/vitamin-c-energizing-face-spritz.aspx" rel="nofollow">The Body Shop Vitamin C Energising Facial Spritz </a>// <a href="https://www.rawgaia.com/organic-skin-care/cold-pressed-oils/cold-pressed-organic-rosehip-oil.html#.U_OoSvldVIE" rel="nofollow"> Raw Gaia Organic Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil</a> // <a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/apivita-face-mask-with-pomegranate-40ml/p/p22255059" rel="nofollow">Apivita Pomegranate Face Mask</a></b></span></div>
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For me, Summer is all about August, and while many people around me now seem to have already resigned themselves to the fact that Winter is supposedly drawing in, I very much beg to differ!</div>
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Ok, so things might have cooled down somewhat, but last year we had sunshine right the way through until the end of October, and then some. Call me a wishful thinker if you like, but I think we've still got plenty of sunshine to come, and having only just finished this year's summer shopping I'm not willing to go digging out the Winter boots an coats just yet.</div>
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With this in mind, I wanted to share some of the skincare products that have been helping me through the warmer months - and incidentally, those which came away with me on holiday to Ibiza this month. I like to keep my skincare light and fairly basic at this time of year, while still maintaining a functional routine, but there are certainly a few types of products I tend to favour that I'd be unlikely to reach for in the winter. That said, there are also one or two surprises.</div>
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Ordinarily, I stick to a cream formula cleanser when the weather is good and I'm wearing less makeup than usual, as I find them to be highly effective at removing what I have got on my skin as well as leaving a fresh, clean canvas with no oily residue. Balms can be a little heavy for Summer, but this year I have kept right on going with the <b><a href="http://www.renskincare.com/p/3437/Rosa+Centifolia%E2%84%A2+No.1+Purity+Cleansing+Balm+" rel="nofollow">Ren No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm</a></b>, and haven't looked back. This is one formula that is a pleasure to use, removing every last trace of makeup as well as soothing and moisturising skin after it has been assaulted by the likes of sunshine, salt water and sand. What I love about this one is that it leaves my skin feeling unbelievably soft, smooth and comfortable, all without that undesirable waxy residue that so many of its kind leave behind. It's a real winner, and it serves me equally as well in the Winter.</div>
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One thing I simply can't live without in the Summer- or perhaps just refuse to - is a facial spritz, and this year I've been carrying <a href="http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/vitamin-c/vitamin-c-energizing-face-spritz.aspx" rel="nofollow"><b>The Body Shop's Vitamin C Energising Facial Spritz</b> </a>around in my handbag. It's been an absolute life-saver during those uncomfortably humid afternoons in the office, and a quick spray over my face and neck has really helped to pep me up. The uplifting citrus scent awakens the senses, and makeup is instantly refreshed - what more could you ask for? It also provides a welcome shot of vitamins and moisture, and I tend to use it to wake myself up a bit first thing in the morning, straight after my cleanse.</div>
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Some days, I don't fancy using a moisturiser before bed, and a couple of drops of <b><a href="https://www.rawgaia.com/organic-skin-care/cold-pressed-oils/cold-pressed-organic-rosehip-oil.html#.U_OoSvldVIE">Raw Gaia Organic Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil</a>*</b> are the perfect alternative. Far from leaving my skin sticky or greasy, it sinks easily in, and packed with beauty-boosting vitamins A and C, along with essential fatty acids Omega 3 and 6, it certainly has the desired effect. As well as rejuvenating and nourishing the skin, I find that, when used a few times a week, my complexion appears more even and altogether brighter. It's also great for reducing unwanted pigmentation, so it's a must if this applies to you.</div>
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I'm keeping face masks and treatments to a minimum, as I don't find that my skin is quite as needy as it is in the winter and tends to do OK when left more or less to its own devices, satisfied with a minimal morning and evening routine. That said, I will whip out a secret brightening weapon from time to time, and that weapon, of late, has been the <b><a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/apivita-face-mask-with-pomegranate-40ml/p/p22255059" rel="nofollow">Apivita Pomegranate Face Mask</a></b>. A light radiance mask, it's lotion-like on texture, and only a thin layer is required. Leave it for ten minutes, and hey presto - you've got your glow back. Granted, this is more of a 'keep your skin happy' mask than a problem fixer, but if you've got that happy medium down to a tee then this is your perfect partner.</div>
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Of course, these aren't the only products I have been using, but I've certainly pared down my routine for the timebeing and am quite enjoying the results. I shelve my trusty AHA toners when it's warm, as I deem it to be too much of a risk when the sun is out (you should ideally keep out of the sun for a week after use, so reaching for one on a daily basis is a definite no-go), but I've still been following up my evening cleanse with a generous sweep of<b> Liz Earle Instant Skin Boost Tonic</b>. I've also been trialing a fabulous new bedtime moisturiser, which I will be talking about very soon on the blog, and a rather nice serum, to boot. Again, both are light enough to use in warmer weather - I don't know about you, but I like to go all-out with pampering treatments in the Winter, so it's quite the contrast when I go back to basics.</div>
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Does your skincare routine chance in the summer? </div>
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Do you have any essentials?</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xx</i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-85518147651903648462014-08-05T09:00:00.000+01:002014-08-05T09:00:01.073+01:00Review: 3-Day Obsidian Juice Programme<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you follow me on Twitter, you may well have heard me talk recently about my desire to take on a three-day juice cleanse. I had been curious for a while, and with a holiday looming, it was just the push I needed to give my health an extra boost, and potentially drop a few pounds in the process. I had gradually gained a few over the winter and hadn't yet got around to losing them - or, rather, I had been trying to do so since April, to no avail, which was a bit of a strange one for me, having never had problems in the past.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The main deterrent from taking the plunge into the world of juice cleanses was the extortionate prices I seemed to keep finding myself faced with, time and time again. I had purchased a juicer back in January, but it had broken after a couple of uses, and while I did enjoy making my own in the short time that I was able to, I have to admit that it's quite the hassle, and pretty time-consuming, to boot. It's amazing how much fruit and veg you can get through to make a small amount of juice - particularly if you haven't exactly splashed out on the best, as I hadn't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Enter, the people over at <a href="http://www.juiceprogrammes.com/">Obsidian</a>, who very kindly sent me over a three day cleanse to put to the test. They actually run a successful retreat in Spain - where you can book yourself in for a cleanse whilst enjoying relaxing activities that focus on the mind, body and soul - as well as a juice cafe in Loughborough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At only £55, Obsidian's offering is a fraction of the price you'd pay elsewhere, and while it still isn't exactly cheap as chips, I'd be willing to bet that if you added up all the money spent on pizzas, takeaways and other treats over the course of a month then it would heavily outweigh the cleanse. Something to think about if you're wanting to overhaul your diet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.juiceprogrammes.com/Obsidian-Juice-programme,%20Juice-diet,%20juice-plan/3-day-juice-programme,smoothies,weight-loss,juicing,reboot,diet,obsidian,retreat" rel="nofollow">Obsidian 3-day juice programme</a> consists of four large juices per day, all of which arrive at your door frozen so that you can allow them to defrost the night before you want to drink them. This is so handy, as the longer juices sit around, the more nutrients they lose. Keeping them frozen until the last minute means that they remain as packed full of goodness as they were when they were originally bottled - just don't forget to take them out of the freezer in time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The juices I received were:</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;">Detox </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;">- A delicious light juice with the zing of lemon and slight heat of ginger.</span></div>
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<em style="color: #555555; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;">Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Lemon, Ginger, Beetroot</em></div>
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<strong>Calm </strong>- A lovely vibrant zesty red juice.</div>
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<em>Apple, Lime, Beetroot, Carrot, Mint</em></div>
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<strong>Invincible </strong>- A simple 3 ingredient juice that's the colour of sunrise and leaves you feeling refreshed and alive.</div>
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<em>Apple, Carrot, Ginger</em></div>
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<strong>Flush </strong>- Another 3 ingredient juice that's sweet and zingy from the addition of fennel.</div>
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<em>Fennel, Apple, Lemon</em></div>
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<strong>Green Fairy</strong> - An easy green juice with cucumber to refresh.</div>
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<em>Apple, Cucumber, Spinach</em></div>
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<strong>Spa</strong> - Deliciously sweet as a treat to your taste buds and body.</div>
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<em>Spinach, Pineapple, Apple, Lemon</em></div>
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<strong>Mean Green</strong> - The king of juices and made famous by it's inventor Joe Cross.</div>
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<em>Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Kale, Lemon, Ginger</em></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">Now, personally, I love juices, no matter how high the vegetable content, but I do know that some people may not feel the same. Luckily, each juice was utterly delicious, and all of them had a decent level of fruitiness about them for those non-veggie lovers amongst you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">I started my cleanse on a Saturday, and had been looking forward to doing so all week. Ok, so foregoing solids for three whole days was going to be challenging, but I couldn't wait to see how the process would make me feel - and, of course, whether any weight loss would follow. Unfortunately, I woke up that morning feeling quite under the weather, which was a bit of a spanner in the works to begin with, but I soldiered on, starting the day with a Detox juice before heading to the gym. At around 11.30am, I followed up with a Calm juice, and although both were delicious, it was a lot of beetroot to be getting on with! Later on, things started to diversify somewhat, and I sipped on an Invincible at 3pm, rounding off with a Flush at around 7.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">On day two,I still wasn't feeling great - nothing to do with the juices, but a bit of an office bug I had picked up, it turned out. It seemed to have been doing the rounds, but luckily only stuck around for a couple of days. Day two was very much about the green juices, and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed Green Fairy and Spa, which were my second and fourth juices of the day. To be honest, I think they were probably exactly what I needed, and the extra boost of vitamins and minerals had me feeling much better by the afternoon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">Day three fell on a Monday, and saw me sipping on a Mean Green along with another Green Fairy, Spa and Flush. I have to admit, I did cave in on this day and have a little something to eat in the afternoon as I was feeling a bit weak. Shameful, I know, but I couldn't risk not being able to get through the day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">When I woke up on the Tuesday, I felt fantastic. I was full of energy and had no trouble getting out of bed - and believe me, this is usually a problem! I was pleased to find that I had also lost 2lb, but also a little bit annoyed with myself for having given in to temptation the day before, as perhaps I could have lost slightly more had I not done so. I'm usually pretty good in the willpower department when I really set my mind to something, but the fact that I hadn't been feeling my best when I began had definitely played a part.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">I decided to continue on a liquid diet for a few more days after the cleanse had ended, and surprisingly I found myself a lot less sluggish throughout the day. I drank juice for breakfast and lunch, had a third in the afternoon and then a vegetable-based soup for dinner, and as a result I've been able to lose another couple of pounds - score!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">I'd really recommend the Obsidian juice cleanse if you're looking to try your first detox and haven't got time for the daily hassle of making your own. It's a really convenient way to try it, and as I said before, a lot cheaper than most. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the juices on the plan - even Flush, which I had been dreading due to my dislike of fennel. Actually, it proved me completely wrong, and was one of the best flavours of the lot. Other favourites of mine included Invincible (great for an afternoon pick-me-up) and Green Fairy, which is possibly the most refreshing combination I have ever tried.</span></span></div>
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If you fancy giving the programme a go then <a href="http://www.juiceprogrammes.com/" rel="nofollow">visit the Obsidian website</a>, or give them a follow on Twitter (@ObsidianJuices).</div>
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<i><b> XX</b></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-47594150674814571792014-07-09T09:00:00.000+01:002014-07-09T09:00:01.986+01:00Summer Scents: Potters Crouch Scented Candles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLS5toe15mR31NXZSDOtJ601CSDMl1DiRz-thvFYQ5WJ9Jx6IATgNB-avkfrFmVK3a4VE5ZBbKEKbJCC50D8ho31cxkPAQZ8FjNZeNUw-aww-48kfqkHRv0rSQbBSXGOu3d1d1kvhh_dU/s1600/DSCF6969_filter_applied_rounded_corners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLS5toe15mR31NXZSDOtJ601CSDMl1DiRz-thvFYQ5WJ9Jx6IATgNB-avkfrFmVK3a4VE5ZBbKEKbJCC50D8ho31cxkPAQZ8FjNZeNUw-aww-48kfqkHRv0rSQbBSXGOu3d1d1kvhh_dU/s1600/DSCF6969_filter_applied_rounded_corners.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Would you look at these beauties?</div>
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I'm a sucker for a good scented candle, and the latest to join my summer collection are from a great new brand - or at least new to me - called <a href="http://www.potterscrouchcandles.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><b>Potters Crouch.</b></a></div>
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They were kind enough to send me over a couple of seasonal scents to try out - <b>Lemongrass</b> and <b>Summer</b> <b>Fruits</b> - and ohh was I excited when I ripped open the box to find this pair. Not only do they smell incredible, but they are absolutely beautiful, too. Housed in handy lidded tins, each one burns for around an impressive fifty hours, and I can confirm they smell absolutely divine.</div>
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Potters Crouch use only the highest quality natural perfumes and essential oils created just for them in Grasse, France. Add in the highest grades of wax available, and you've got some seriously long-lasting, strong-smelling candles.</div>
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When I say strong, I mean gorgeous - these have got excellent throw, and there is nothing heavy or potent about the fragrances. They scent my living room fantastically, and look amazing, too - how many candles do you know that come with a serving of pretty, glittery bits on top?</div>
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Priced at £8.50 each, they are much more affordable than some of the other big brands out there, and I'd say they more than measure up.</div>
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I'm really pleased to have been introduced to these, and will definitely be stocking up on some more come the winter months when I burn candles the most - I've already had a sneaky peak, and there are some delicious-sounding scents!</div>
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What are your favourite summer scents for the home?</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>xx</i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-24434382934000137432014-07-07T09:00:00.000+01:002014-08-19T18:40:58.106+01:00The Health Series: Molkosan Fruit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSc328u3dvZCwGcZaaJvw0CC6Hw8FQxHQ5uUhpTlZ0LfXNULuM5DPlRVTiY2eJc3s5sw7fC8pigeM-m_2dnKr3R3GZM2Frfo17fY3pdjeAWJhxkh0IwpLw2NQElk8lhDKP45Z99a1-3M/s1600/DSCF6900_filter_applied_rounded_corners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSc328u3dvZCwGcZaaJvw0CC6Hw8FQxHQ5uUhpTlZ0LfXNULuM5DPlRVTiY2eJc3s5sw7fC8pigeM-m_2dnKr3R3GZM2Frfo17fY3pdjeAWJhxkh0IwpLw2NQElk8lhDKP45Z99a1-3M/s1600/DSCF6900_filter_applied_rounded_corners.jpg" height="480" width="640"></a></div>
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Probiotics have received a lot of press attention in recent years, with the spotlight very much focused on the all-round benefits they offer in the health department. Contrary to popular belief, there's more to them than just their effect on the digestive system, although this, in itself is a great reason to take them.</div>
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Not only can they help to support normal function of digestive enzymes, but they also have a whole host of other benefits, from boosting the immune system to improving mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Yep, that's right - it might sound unlikely, but there is a wealth of evidence showing intestinal involvement in a variety of neurological disorders. We have neurons in the gut as well as the brain, which produce neurotransmittors such as serotonin, and if the balance is upset then it could result in some unexpected issues.</div>
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Recently, I have added <a href="http://www.avogel.co.uk/food/molkosan-fruit/" rel="nofollow">Molkosan Fruit</a>* to my daily routine. Made from 100% natural fermented whey and rich in L+ lactic acid to supports good gut bacteria, a small amount (20ml) is added to a glass of water or juice and taken first thing in the morning. The tonic also contains added calcium, and is </div>
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enriched and naturally sweetened with aronia berry and pomegranate, which are crammed full of natural antioxidants. Taken regularly, it contributes to the normal function of digestive enzymes, making it a great daily tonic for digestive balance.</div>
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Unlike some supplements, this one tastes really pleasant - in fact, it's more or less like having a yoghurt drink as it tastes really fruity and quite creamy.</div>
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Now, personally I don't really have a problem in the stomach department, although I do feel a bit bloated on occasion. However, for those of you who do have 'troubles' in that area (and we are talking all sorts), this is a great option for restoring the balance.</div>
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I generally take Molkosan Fruit for its overall health benefits - it supports the metabolism, and should it have any effect on mood then I'm certainly not going to complain, as I'm the first to admit that a bit of help in that department wouldn't go amiss at times! I think this is probably the case for most of us, and so if we can prevent as well as aid any such issues then it makes sense to do so.</div>
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I've noticed that I am less bloated since starting to take Molkosan - funnily enough, I didn't really realise that this was an issue until it began to subside, so it just goes to show that we can become all too used to some things when actually, they are not necessarily normal - or if they are, we don't always have to tolerate them.</div>
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There are also other ways in which we can help our good gut bacteria to flourish. Eating a diet low in refined sugars and yeast and cutting down on wheat, while eating more foods containing inulin (artichokes, onions, chicory, garlic) and boosting your intake of short-grain brown rice can all do the trick, so if you're in need of an overhaul in that department then why not give it a try?</div>
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Molkosan Fruit is priced at £6.96 at <b>www.avogel.co.uk</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">xx</span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-48365647818674522492014-07-06T10:00:00.000+01:002014-07-06T10:00:00.574+01:00The Summer Sunday Round-Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiy1ITdFYuMxi_yBMnIuxGMbUmhVtW3MH3SSGGs6gPHpwuo8m2bKfJYJL5S5jIZ-whVvumVamowIFDvjs5ZacYtq5Ru7ouNolnv0OZescvgYVFPlvhj6NLboQKSjepIGKfa8gCXd5UEA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiy1ITdFYuMxi_yBMnIuxGMbUmhVtW3MH3SSGGs6gPHpwuo8m2bKfJYJL5S5jIZ-whVvumVamowIFDvjs5ZacYtq5Ru7ouNolnv0OZescvgYVFPlvhj6NLboQKSjepIGKfa8gCXd5UEA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just looking back at these photos reminds me what a fantastic summer I've had so far. The month of June was packed full of great days out, delicious food and the best company, and fingers crossed there's plenty more of that to come over the next couple of months! The weather does seem to have taken an awkward turn this week, but in all honesty, a dreary weekend was fine by me, purely because it has meant I've got stuff done that I've recently been ditching in favour of enjoying the sunshine. Ok, so I'm not talking about the most thrilling tasks in the world, but they had to be done - plus, it's meant that I've had more time available for blogging.</div>
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Last week, we took a few days off work and made the most of the sunny weather, and we couldn't have timed it better if we'd tried. Each day was more of a scorcher than the last with azure skies and not a cloud in sight. We headed down to Padstow in Cornwall and did the infamous Camel Trail, a bike trail which starts in Weymouth and continues on to Padstow. It's about a 45 minute cycle, and it's a coastal path all the way, meaning we had stunning views across Cornwall as we made our way along it. As you can see from the photos, the sea was an absolutely amazing colour, and it serves as a reminder of just how beautiful the UK can be in the summer months. It was quite a nostalgic trip, too, as I hadn't done the trail for about fifteen years!</div>
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On arrival on Padstow, we chowed down on some of Rick Stein's posh (and overpriced!) fish and chips, which were delicious but cost us a small fortune! We wandered along the seafront before getting the ferry across to the beach, and being able to get my bikini on and lie in the sun to relax was utter bliss. Unfortunately though, we had to skip ice creams, as having overestimated the time for which we had parked back in Weymouth, we suddenly realised we were running late, and the cycle back was fraught to say the least! We made it back in the nick of time, and by then we had definitely earned our 99s!</div>
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We spent the rest of our break brunching at our favourite haunts and visiting local parks, castles and other pretty sights with picnics. We definitely had our share of cream teas and pink lemonade, too.</div>
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The same week, we were lucky enough to go and see Kasabian live, and it's safe to say they did not diappoint. Unlike some, they really pull it out of the bag when performing live, so it was great to have a dance and sip on a few ciders while we watched. I've seen them in the past at various festivals, but this time was definitely the best.</div>
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There are plenty of things coming up over the next few weeks, with more live music, friends visiting and holidays to look forward to, so after these dull couple of days have passed, long may the sunshine continue! I'll be sure to keep snapping away with the camera so that I've got some pretty pictures to share with you as we go along.</div>
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How have you been enjoying the summer so far?</div>
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<b><i>XX</i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098752926625319420.post-32318164100388117912014-07-05T14:09:00.000+01:002014-07-05T14:09:10.606+01:00Review: Kosmea Skincare <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIU6f1OYd3VhS3qOZVLLxmVzO13-swmHP20l8cAJkzZ_jlbO9JuXkKgXXz_lkEwN-ny3xQSrplpPXRxMAApTbiPAGWfmWty83HRmcWKIJyXm4UufypcJ4VsBzfNYBN1FQFIDsbpDjFkgc/s1600/DSCF6984_filter_applied_rounded_corners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIU6f1OYd3VhS3qOZVLLxmVzO13-swmHP20l8cAJkzZ_jlbO9JuXkKgXXz_lkEwN-ny3xQSrplpPXRxMAApTbiPAGWfmWty83HRmcWKIJyXm4UufypcJ4VsBzfNYBN1FQFIDsbpDjFkgc/s1600/DSCF6984_filter_applied_rounded_corners.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you know me at all from reading my posts, you'll know how much I love trying out new skincare brands, and particularly those based around lots of great, natural ingredients. Sometimes they are OK, and sometimes perhaps not so much for me. But sometimes, I find some real gems, and Kosmea Skincare definitely falls into the latter category.</div>
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An Australian brand, Kosmea believes very much in 'skincare as nature intended', formulated with</div>
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no mineral oils, petrochemicals, artificial colours or fragrances, no sodium lauryl sulphate (often referred to as SLS) and no animal ingredients. None of the products are tested on animals, and the packaging is recyclable, too!</div>
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A natural skincare range formulated around organic rosehip oil and the finest herbal, plant and flower extracts from Australia and around the world, Kosmea instantly piqued my interest, and over the past few weeks I have been testing out three of the brand's products: <b><a href="http://www.kosmea.co.uk/product/clarifying-facial-wash-150ml/">The Clarifying Facial Wash</a>*, </b><a href="http://www.kosmea.co.uk/product/hydrating-water-mist-125ml/" rel="nofollow"><b> Hydrating</b> <b>Rosewater Mist</b></a>* and <b><a href="http://www.kosmea.co.uk/product/replenishing-moisture-cream-50ml/" rel="nofollow">Replenishing Moisture Cream</a>*</b>.</div>
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At first glance, I wasn't sold on the concept of the cleanser, mainly because I tend to go for creams and balms due to their intensely moisturising properties. The <b>Clarifying Facial Wash</b> is somewhere between a gel and a cream, milky in appearance and quite liquid in consistency, and actually, I couldn't have been more wrong.</div>
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With Australian Lilly Pilly and Quandong extracts to clarify and tone, the cleanser is packed with hydrating rosehip and macadamia oils to leave skin soft, smooth and free to breathe.</div>
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To use, I massage a small amount into dry or damp skin for about a minute, and rinse. I have to say, after the first use I really was blown away by how soft and hydrated this left my skin, and couldn't stop touching it! It's rare to find a cleanser which offers such a noticeable and immediate effect alone - and this one smells incredible, too.</div>
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The <b>Hydrating Rosewater Mist</b>, unsurprisingly, comes in a handy spray bottle, and I generally mist some over my skin post-cleanse, but it's also great for a quick pick-me-up for a tired and weary complexion during the working day, so I tend to keep it on hand. Gentle, soothing, cooling and hydrating, this is definitely one of my favourite facial spritzes yet, which is no mean feat considering the number I have tried. The gentle rose fragrance is simultaneously uplifting and calming, and it's the perfect follow-up to both my morning and evening cleanse.</div>
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The <b>Replenishing Moisture Cream</b> is an impressive conclusion to the three-step routine, and is easily absorbed into the skin. Rosehip oil nurtures and protects the skin with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, while carrot oil provides a natural source of Vitamin A to help improve elasticity. Add to that a shot of horsetail and nettle extract to aid in the rebuilding of collage, and skin is left plumped, smooth, replenished and rehydrated.</div>
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I don't often say this, but I really cannot recommend this range highly enough. I feel that it has done my skin the world of good, and having come to the end of my samples I am eager to replace them, integrating them into my skincare routine for the long-term.</div>
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If you haven't heard of Kosmea and you're a fan of good, natural skincare with a whole host of benefits then I'd definitely suggest checking them out. And if you're yet to make the move over to natural ingredients and fewer chemical nasties, then give it a try - you'll wish you'd done it sooner!</div>
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Are you a fan of natural skincare? What are your favourite products?</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">xx</span></i></b></div>
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<i>There's still time to enter my <b><a href="http://melswallofmirrors.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/giveaway-jo-malone-lime-basil-mandarin.html">Jo Malone Giveaway</a></b>!</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584757569606215847noreply@blogger.com4