Make a Baileys & Rum Espresso Martini with me

It's the season to be merry and I can confirm you'll be positively merry after sipping one of my Baileys & Rum Espresso Martini. I'm a huge fan of Espresso Martinis but the thing I love the most is that you can adapt them with so many other ingredients. I used Kraken Rum to add a little warmth to the drink, perfect for those cold December evenings. 

Christmas Gifting at The Body Shop this year

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Christmas gifting has become super easy at The Body Shop, and I'm here to tell you about some of my favourite gift sets! With something for everyone, it is the one-stop shop for any beauty and skincare lovers this Christmas. From stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts to bath time favourites and skincare necessities you can shop until you drop; And don't forget your advent calendar either. 

I shared details on The Body Shop Box of Wonders last week and if you're quick, you may be able to get your hands on the last ones in the store. 

Super Easy Reindeer Cupcakes for Christmas

Falalalalala... It is the time for festive baking and I'm coming in strong with a new recipe from Thermomix - Reindeer Cupcakes! Okay, so I have slightly changed their recipe and adapted it to plain ol' vanilla fairy cakes but their own caramel buttercream MAKES this and oh boy are they good! 

What will you be making this Christmas?

Five Happy Things // November '22

And just like that there's another new month and update - I don't even want to think about next month and Christmas, okay I tell a lie - I'm five Christmas films deep already! I feel like I've blinked and I'm back to Christmas shopping, mince pies and tinsel again. November went by so quickly, especially now we're in the thick of school runs every day and precious weekends as a family together. 

We have truly tried to make the most of it though - we've baked, gone on long walks, and started planning for Christmas and I'm quite excited about what December might hold.

Let's have a nose at last month first...

The Big Beauty Christmas Gift Guide 2022

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This year  I've decided to share one big beauty gift guide full of fab brands and incredible products. My beauty-focused gift guide will take you from Secret Santa to stocking fillers and big beauty gifts galore for your nearest and dearest. There's something for every budget, you'll notice a lot of my go-to beauty brands feature which you would've seen on my blog over the last few years and there are some new faves - I'm excited and I hope you are too.

It's full of the best in beauty, some fabulous gift sets, some of my favourite skincare brands and the hair tool that you (or someone special) absolutely need in your life.

5 Christmas Gift Sets from Temple Spa worth your money

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When it comes to Christmas gifting, Temple Spa have had one of the best selections this year. From stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts to gorgeous gift sets and huge bundles - it is the perfect place to pick up everything you may need for your friends and family.

I've added a few gift sets to our Christmas gifting for the family so I'm gonna show you five of my top picks. 

You'll have to be quick with ordering as there's not long left until the big day now and Temple Spa ALWAYS sell out! 

The Body Shop Box of Wonders Big Advent Calendar

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The Body Shop advent calendars are back and just as fabulous! This year's theme is Box of Wonders & Wishes which you'll notice carries through to not just their advent calendars but their stocking fillers and gifting range too. It's such a lovely collection once again, they've really outdone themselves this year. 

Once again, the calendars feature a unique pop-up construction that transports you to the world of the women who make their Community Fair Trade shea butter in Northern Ghana. With every Box of Wonders, you'll find little facts about their Community Fair Trade partners or an act of kindness, so you can share some wonder and joy with your friends, family and community. 

The calendar doesn't just bring you and the people you love happiness, it also supports The Body Shop's global partners in Ghana with fair and regular income opportunities, and access to healthcare and education projects. So far over 600 women across eleven villages have seen improvements in their lives.

You can get 20% off Advent Calendars with the code 14315

Be warned, there are spoilers ahead...

Everything you need to know about Carnival Celebration

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On November 6th, Carnival's newest excel class ship Celebration arrived in Southampton ahead of her maiden voyage to Miami. The cruise line's second excellence class ship, Celebration is the sister ship to Mardi Gras and coincides with the line's 50th anniversary so there were plenty of celebrations to be had! 

Just like sister ship Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration has six Zone themed areas that bring together incredible experiences and flavour. New flavours you haven't experienced yet, nobody has! Discover Latitudes, The Golden Jubilee, Emeril's Bistro as well as the return of innovations such as BOLT, their onboard rollercoaster, Bonsai Teppanyaki, RedFrog Tiki Bar, Family Feud Live, Havana Bar, Seuss at Sea, and Playlist Productions.  

Ship facts

Maiden voyage 6th November 2022

Builder Meyer Turku

Tonnage 183,900

Length 345m

Beam 42m

Decks 19

Plus all of this is powered by clean LNG fuel... Do you want to see more?

Miller Harris & The Story Behind Scherzo

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Miller Harris is a couture British fragrance house, founded in 2000, with a spirit of bespoke fragrance creation at its heart and one I've been exploring more of this year. 

The brand was founded by ground-breaking perfumer Lyn Harris - she worked with world-renowned fragrance house Robertet in France in her early career and was one of the first female master perfumers. The aesthetic of her perfumes was inspired by stories, memories and the very finest natural ingredients which translate beautifully into each of her fragrances.

It's the most stunning fragrance brand, I just can't get enough. 

The Attic Cocktails & Charcuterie // Southampton

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

In 2021, The Attic Cocktails launched upstairs in Mettricks Guildhall bringing a dose of speciality cocktails to the city. Each one was intricately designed with a focus on taste and experience rather than just another two-for-one cocktail offering. It was new and exciting - a fun twist for Mettricks who has been the city's living room for a number of years. 

After being closed for the summer months, they have since reopened and oh boy are you in for a treat. Book or just wander in, The Attic is styled just like an old speakeasy cocktail bar with knick-knacks galore, comfy Chesterfield armchairs and notes of soft jazz playing in the background. 

It's a world away from what's right outside, and you'll never want to leave. 

Five Happy Things // October '22

And just like that there's another new month and update - I don't even want to think about next month and what's swung back around again so quickly, seriously where has this year gone? I feel like I've blinked and I'm back to Christmas shopping, mince pies and tinsel again. October went by so quickly that I feel as though I didn't even get to soak up my favourite month of the year - especially as we've had such a long half-term this year. 

We have truly tried to make the most of it though - we've baked Autumnal treats, celebrated J turning five, we've been to more soft play this month than ever before, Halloween was a hoot and I've somehow managed to pick out some favourites.

 Let's have a nose...

Stand Up Against Street Harassment with L'Oréal Paris

L'Oréal Paris has always championed women's empowerment by encouraging generations of women to realise their self-worth, starting with the renowned 'Because You're Worth It' tagline. Street harassment is the #1 issue faced by women worldwide, with 80% having experienced sexual harassment in public spaces. It impacts women's daily life, robbing them of their sense of security and confidence. Because this type of violence goes against everything L'Oréal Paris stands for, the brand is committed to Stand Up Against Street Harassment globally. 

Together with international NGO partner, Right To Be, and their local charity partner the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, L'Oréal has joined forces to train everyone in the 5Ds methodology by Right To Be through training sessions in both public spaces and online at standup-uk.com. 

The Lush Naked Mascara has arrived

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A few months ago, Lush Cosmetics (finally) launched their much coveted naked mascara - a completely new innovation in cosmetics, 100% vegan and available in four shades. 

Beautifully formed, the Naked Mascara uses butters and waxes to create an iconic, solid product, which creates a lovely effect on the lashes and the planet. Retailing at £10.00 - I've been trying the mascaras for a few months now and I'm finally ready to share some thoughts. 

"If there is one makeup product we can’t do without - it's mascara. So it is right at the top of the list to create a more environmentally friendly way to enable us to use something we know and love. If you have used block mascara before, this will be easy. If you haven’t - it's a knack! So get the knack and make a difference!"

Helen Ambrosen - (Lush Co-Founder & Product Inventor)

4 New in haircare products you should try next

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When it comes to hair, I take as much care as possible. Gone are the days of picking up whatever was on offer, I prefer to invest a little more time and effort in what I'm using especially since suffering from post-partum hair loss after both pregnancies - my thick, voluminous hair isn't quite what it was.

I've been trying a few different products this year, some of them new to me, some new to us all as they were recently released; I'm only featuring three brands, and there are three products from just one brand within this post so let's dive in - we'll all be swishing our shiny, fabulous hair before we know it.

Arran Sense of Scotland Advent Calendar 2022

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The season of beauty advent calendars is upon us and each year just keeps getting bigger and better! When it comes to beauty advent calendars, I've been waiting patiently to see what different beauty brands would be bringing out this year and I'm excited to share Arran Sense of Scotland's Fragrance and Body Advent Calendar. 

I've really enjoyed using the brand over the years, After the Rain has always been a favourite fragrance of mine and this is my first time having one of the brand's advent calendars, shall we have a look inside?

The Temple Spa Advent Calendar 2022

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As October flies by, we're fast approaching the most wonderful time of year and I have another beauty advent calendar to show you and oh it's a good'un!

Featuring 24 doors full of Temple Spa favourites, new treats and award-winning creations, the Temple Spa Beauty Advent Calendar is inspired by our great discoveries and hidden joy. 

The calendar combines a beautiful peacock feather-flocked design entwined with blues, greens and golds I'm sure many of us associate with the skincare brand. The new design also means you'll be able to re-use it for storing beauty products, jewellery and more once you've opened all your drawers in December.

Be warned, there are spoilers ahead...

L'Occitane Luxury Beauty Advent Calendar 2022

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It's advent calendar season and I have one to show you from one of my favourite skincare brands, L'Occitane.

Every year I share one of L'Occitane's advent calendars and with three to choose from including their oh-so-beautiful reusable advent you're bound to find the one most suited to you.

I find advent calendars are a great way to discover a new brand and try their products before committing to something full size; So with hand creams, facial cleansers and soaps to their much-loved oils and perfumes, it's a fab treat to open each day in the lead up to Christmas.

Product with Purpose: Temple Spa Launch Latest Charity Campaign

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This October, Temple Spa are back for its annual charity campaign with its REPOSE Relaxing Night Cream. Over the past ten years they have raised over £1.5million for various charities and this October they will be supporting Age UK and Life Support with The Eden Farm Project, two brilliant charities that do vital good both here in the UK and away in Africa for their communities. 

For every REPOSE purchased in October, customers will get another one for free and £6 of every sale goes into the pot and will be donated to Age UK and Eden Farm - amazing right? 

Bathing in Poetry - Lush Cosmetics Latest Launch

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Since Lush Co-Founder, Mo Constantine invented the bath bomb over 30 years ago, Lush has always been about advocating wellbeing. I've experienced a number of their products and spa experiences over the years and it's where I go whenever I want to truly pamper myself or a friend.

“We believe in long candlelit baths, sharing showers, massage, and filling the world with perfume”

Their latest launch sees Lush offering transformative experiences, away from endless scrolling with the launch of three new bath bombs as part of its Bathing in Poetry range. For the first time, they've been able to capture the mood and escapism meaning bath time just stepped up a gear.

Find out more below...

Five Happy Things // September '22

And just like that there's another new month and update - I feel as though this year is really flying by and I'm not at all ready. September lasted all of two minutes or at least that is how it felt but I'm so ready for October. It's my favourite month - full of change, cooler temperatures, beautiful colours and of course my darling little boy turns five! 

As much as September flew by it has been a great month so I've somehow managed to pull together five happy things, I had so many to choose from but I whittled it down. Let's have a nose...

The Sunday Times Style Beauty Advent // Latest in Beauty

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The season of beauty advent calendars is upon us and each year just keeps getting bigger and better! When it comes to beauty advent calendars, I've been waiting patiently to see what Latest in Beauty had in store for us and a few days ago I finally had a peek and oh boy is this one GOOD. 

For the first time ever, Latest in Beauty has created the Style Beauty Advent calendar alongside The Sunday Times Style and it is HUGE. Worth over a whopping £810, the advent calendar features an almost all full-sized lineup with twenty-five premium products and 21 full sizes- there are no samples and no fillers. 

SHOP THE BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR NOW 

Inside this year's Arches Open Studios // Southampton

This past weekend saw the return of Arches Open Studios - an annual weekend that allows the people of Southampton and further to discover a hive of creative and artistic activity. We stumbled upon it by chance last year so have been looking forward to attending this year's open weekend. 

You'll find Arches Studios below Central Bridge which is part of a space arts, a visual arts organisation established in 2000, that leads on a range of artist development projects, including the Arches and Tower House studios, God's House Tower, and the RIPE programme, along with delivering a bespoke range of Artist Resources.

They take an enterprising approach to delivering their mission of supporting visual artists and inspiring audiences and have grown incrementally and strategically over the years, developing a portfolio of projects that have culturally reanimated several Southampton buildings as well as becoming a registered charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch

(complimentary tickets for the purpose of review - see disclaimer)

Last Friday, I spent the evening with MAST Mayflower Studios for a look behind the scenes, a full theatre tour and to catch the latest show to grace the stage at the city's theatre in Guildhall Square. It was my first visit to MAST Mayflower and I had such an enjoyable time. They have some fabulous shows coming up so I'm sure I'll be back again very soon. 

Friday, we were there to see Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch from the multi-award-winning Fat Rascal Theatre and fresh from a complete sellout run at Edinburgh Fringe.

"We’re beyond thrilled to be making our return this Summer, after spending the last two years upscaling the design, expanding the show into its two fast-paced and electric acts, finding our wildly talented new cast and dreaming up what we know this show has the potential to be. ‘Unfortunate’ is brimming with the passion and persistence of a magnificent team of individuals fully committed to our vision of pure silliness, eccentricity and joy. Ursula’s lair is finally ready to welcome you back and brimming with surprises, we just need our final ingredient… you!”

Robyn Grant – Writer of the Book and Lyrics and Director

The Lion King at Mayflower Theatre

(complimentary press tickets for the purpose of review - see disclaimer)

After what feels like an eternity of waiting due to the pandemic, The Lion King has arrived at Mayflower Theatre ready for a roaring run in the city. From 8th September - 15th October, The Lion King will be gracing the stage, set against the majestic Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney's multi-award-winning musical is a unique theatrical experience that you will remember forever.

Brilliantly reimagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, Disney's beloved animated film has been transformed into a spectacular stage production with the powerful story of Simba and his epic adventure to his destined role as King of the Pridelands at its heart. 

It was my first time witnessing the show and it's one I certainly won't be forgetting in a hurry - I already want to see it again, it was just phenomenal. 

Princess Cruises Unveils their Next Generation Ship - Sun Princess

Yesterday, Princess Cruises unveiled details of its new and bespoke ship, Sun Princess. As the brand's largest-ever ship, Sun Princess will accommodate 4,300 guests and boasts stunning views, innovative entertainment venues, multi-storey dining rooms and next-level stateroom accommodations. Returning the venerable 'Sun Princess' name back into operation, the ship remains true to the smooth clean lines and design aesthetics inspired by the Seawitch icon.

The Latest in Beauty Sunday Times Style // The India Knight Edit

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Hands up who wants to try the best of the best when it comes to beauty? Well, now you can do exactly that because Latest in Beauty has teamed up with The Sunday Times Style to release two special edition boxes for a second year! The two boxes, the Sarah Jossel Edit and the India Knight Edit are available to purchase now and come absolutely chocker full of the best in beauty making it the perfect way to access tried and tested beauty for less.

Award-winning columnist India Knight is an authority on all things beauty and is known for testing and uncovering some of the very best products in the industry, it'll be her edit that I show you within this post.

Available to purchase for £48.00 and worth a huge £234, the limited edition edit curates some of the top products from her 2022 Sunday Times Style column and showcases a unique and exceptional lineup of makeup, body care, skincare and haircare.

The NEW 5 Essential Oils Intensive Repair Solid Conditioner by L'Occitane

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Just a little over a year ago, L'Occitane released a collection of solid shampoo bars - created with your hair and the planet in mind, the shampoo bars are made with 98% readily biodegradable ingredients, and are entirely plastic-free. Their packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable paper making it a perfect sustainable option when caring for the environment.

They've received awe-inspiring results so far with 94% of women tested finding their scalp felt more comfortable, 90% found their hair felt just as beautiful as it would with liquid shampoo and 97% said they felt that their scalp's natural balance was respected so it's great to see a conditioning bar now available within the solid range. 

Typology Hair Oils & Scalp Treatments - What you need to know

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Typology has firmly found its place within my beauty shelves and I just had to share with you this latest release - the oh-so-wonderful hair oils that promise to have you swishing your hair back and forth.

Created by Ning Li, the founder of MADE.com, Typology is completely clean, genderless and 100% digital. The Paris-based skincare brand was founded with a mission to promote critical thinking in the personal care arena, intending to break the rules and demystify the complex industry. It's completely stripped back to basics in terms of ingredients and packaging allowing them to design and produce concentrated, natural products that are active, effective and sustainable without a bit of faff in sight.

Hearty pub food, refreshing cocktails & an all-new look - The Talisman has reopened!

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

Following a recent £1.3m refurbishment, local Hall and Woodhouse Brewery reopened the doors to The Talisman in Park Gate, Southampton. Known as one of Hampshire's most welcoming pubs and nestled among some of the country's most fertile strawberry fields (you'll notice the strawberries carefully dotted around the pub), it is fondly named after a type of strawberry and is once again providing delicious food and a range of beers, wines and cocktails to the masses of Hampshire. 

Set just down from Swannick train station and boasting over fifty parking spaces, the historic pub's menu includes a range of traditional pub classics such as burgers and steak, as well as international cuisine. There is also a pizza oven which has been hugely popular since the refurbishment, with vegetarian and vegan options available too.

Five Happy Things // August 2022

And just like that there's another new month and update - I feel as though this year is really flying by and I'm not at all ready. August has been a really lovely month, we've had a lot of fun and our little girl turned one too. It feels as though I've blinked and her first year with us has flown by but oh what a wonderful year it has been. 

Other than getting the birthday party ready we've enjoyed the sun, eaten out, celebrated other birthdays and started to get the four-year-old ready for school - he starts in just a few days. 

I've somehow managed to pull together five happy things, I had so many to choose from as it has been such a great month but I whittled it down. Let's have a nose...

Discover Princess Cruises' NEW Theatre Show Spotlight Bar

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A few days ago I stepped onboard Princess Cruises' Enchanted Princess to experience their brand-new theatre production Spotlight Bar and oh what a treat it was. Southampton was drenched in sunshine, the skies were blue and it was the perfect day to step onboard for the day. I haven't been on a Princess Cruises ship since 2019 so it was such a joy to see everyone again and explore the glorious Enchanted Princess - one I haven't experienced before. 

Enchanted Princess officially joined the fleet in September 2020 after the pandemic had an impact on her delivery. Princess inaugurated the ship's operations on 10th November 2021 which is when she set sail on her maiden voyage and this summer season she's been sailing from Southampton which made it perfect for us to hop on for the day during a turnaround. 

3 Products you must try from Ole Henrikson

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I have a lot of love for Ole Henriksen - the brand outlook is inspiring, the zest for their products is unbeatable and having spent a virtual evening with Ole Henriksen himself last year I couldn't wait to share more.

With an effervescent optimism for life that allows you to glow from the inside out, the Ole Henriksen skincare collection is built on a product philosophy of exfoliating, treating and soothing, which originated in Ole's Beverly Hills spa helping to bring transformative results to clients all over the world.

Each product in the line from easy daily regimens to professional-strength systems combines potent actives, natural botanicals and essential fatty acids which are then colour-coded making it super easy to decide on what range would be best for your skin.

In this post, I'll focus on three new products to me, I'm usually a Truth Collection kinda gal so it's been fun to experiment the last few months. 

Paul & Joe Beauté Products to Look Out For

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Paul and Joe is a beauty favourite of mine - it's fun and flirty and each beauty release is a collector's dream. For this summer,  which ties in nicely with the brand's 20th anniversary - a gorgeous set of new lipsticks was released alongside the new matte pressed powered adorned with Paul & Joe's designer's cat, Gipsy. 

It's dreamy and just what you'd expect from Paul & Joe Beauty which was launched by Sophie Mechaly in 2002, following the success of her fashion line by the same name. The limited-edition collection features a host of limited-edition beauty bits such as lipsticks, lipstick cases and a special edition Gipsy makeup pouch.

A Day out with Thomas at The Watercress Line

(Complimentary tickets for the purpose of review - see disclaimer)

We've been looking forward to A Day out with Thomas all year and couldn't wait to take the four-year-old back to The Watercress Line. We first visited in 2019 and it was that visit that really sparked his interest in trains - it has been wonderful watching his passion grow over the years, I just knew we would have the best day.

The Watercress Line holds a number of events throughout the year at their heritage railway line and A Day out with Thomas is one of their most popular. It runs twice yearly during the Easter and Summer holidays so if you miss one, you can always catch the other.

Thomas the Tank Engine is such a classic, wholesome character that has been a hit with many for generations so I knew we'd have a wonderful time but the day totally surpassed my expectations once again.

I was a huge Thomas fan when I was younger just as J is now so it felt really special and quite nostalgic to be able to take my own son to see such a loved character. As we're based in Southampton, it's a pretty easy journey up to the line - we parked in Ropley this time as the bulk of the activities were all taking place there. Parking is free and just a five-minute walk up a country lane to the station. 

Five Happy Things // July 2022

Summer has well and truly sprung with gorgeous blue skies, temperatures in the mid-twenties and plenty of fun in the sun to be had. July felt like such a big month for us - our son finished preschool for the last time, our daughter's first birthday was fast approaching, and there were job and some life changes too. 

I felt a lot of pressure to make this summer the best yet, especially with the four-year-old starting school in September and while we had day outs we mostly stayed home with plenty of picnics, play trips and paddling pool days to fill our time. 

Here's an insight into our July - there's been fun, family and friends plus plenty of memories made.

Latest in Beauty X Fabulous // The Influencers

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The first ever Fabulous Beauty Heroes: The Influencers Edit is here and it is jam-packed with influential beauty products from brands that have decades of experience and are breaking beauty boundaries. There are some real standout products within the box - beauty must-haves, trending makeup products and results-driven skincare covering nails, hair and body! 

The Fabulous Beauty Heroes retails at £36 with a total worth of £178 - with brands such as Umberto Gianni, Garnier, The Beauty Crop and more, you're going to want to order one for yourself!

World Ocean Month with REN Skincare's Atlantic Kelp & Microalgae Collection

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June saw World Ocean Month and with that came a package from REN Skincare full of their wonderful Atlantic Kelp collection. The collection features body washes, scrubs, creams and body oils - my favourite! The Atlantic Kelp body care collection is formulated with ocean-sourced ingredients and then poured into 20% ocean-reclaimed plastic packaging. 

So far REN Skincare has saved 1.5 tons of plastic removed from oceans as well as 4000kg of litter collected from our waterways with the Surfrider Foundation. Cool right?

By working together, we can protect and restore our oceans for future generations to enjoy but while we work at that, let's have a closer look at the products available within the Atlantic Kelp product line. 

4 L'Oréal Color Riche Volume Intense Matte Lipsticks to try

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Bold lipstick is my thing, it has always been my thing - hopefully, the Tik Tok reference is there somewhere either way L'Oréal have a new variation of their Color Riche lipsticks and as a matte finish loving gal, these are perfect for me. 

I've been trying four of the shades over the last couple of months and so it was time to share some thoughts, especially as one, in particular, has quickly become my most reached for shade. 

Color Riche is now slimmer, more longwear, more hydrating and more matte - 16 hours of wear time with hyaluronic acid and a caring formula that leaves lips feeling incredibly moisturised throughout wear time. 

Five Summer Makeup Staples from just £6.95

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Summer sees my makeup routine become quite simplified - foundation is changed for something lighter which I can build upon should I want to, an easy highlighter is thrown in for some added glow and I keep my eyes easy with just brows and mascara. 

There are five products in particular that have fast become my summer staples and so here is everything you need to know along with performance, prices and why you need them too. 

Croma Skincare - Here's what you need to know

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Having two young children has taken its toll on my eye area recently, so I've been searching for the 'one' to help me combat fine lines and puffy eyes. I recently discovered Crome-Pharma, an Austrian family wonder company based in Leobendorf, north of Vienna. The company specialises in the industrial production of hyaluronic acid syringes and is one of the world's leading experts in this field.

Since selling the ophthalmic and orthopaedic business in 2014, Croma now solely focuses on minimally aesthetic medicine offering a wide range of state-of-the-art products in minimally invasive aesthetic medicine as well as skincare which is where I come in. 

I've been using one of the products over the last eight weeks - Farewell Puffy Eyes and I've been so intrigued to see how it would perform especially as it has a pretty hefty price tag. 

The intoxicating story of Lumière Dorée by Miller Harris

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Miller Harris has been on my radar for a while but it was a brand I just hadn't got to yet - I'm a perfume junkie and don't have a signature scent as such as I tend to change what I wear each season but this has found it's way in easily. 

If you're unfamiliar with the fragrance brand, Miller Harris is a couture British fragrance house, founded in 2000, with a spirit of bespoke fragrance creation at it's heart. The brand is committed to using beautiful natural materials whilst pushing creative boundaries.

The brand was founded by ground-breaking perfumer Lyn Harris - she worked with world-renowned fragrance house Robertet in France in her early career, and was one of the first female master perfumers. The aesthetic of her perfumes was inspired by stories, memories and the very finest natural ingredients which translates beautifully into each of her fragrances. 

3 Products from Skin Proud I just can't get enough of

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Over the last few months, I've been dabbling in a few new skincare brands one of which is Skin Proud - a skincare brand that feels like a community in everything they do. Diversity and inclusion are at the core of everything they do making sure everyone is welcome, empowered and represented within the beauty industry. Skin Proud is committed to showcasing all skin tones and types, genders, body sizes, and ethnicities in all imagery advertising their products - something that is long overdue within the promotion of beauty products. 

It's refreshing to see and that is just the start. Skin Proud is all about championing the skin you are in - imperfections and all. The products have been developed with you in mind - they're easy to use, 100% vegan and the packaging makes your bathroom shelf look pretty fabulous too. 

I've tried a few products, but three, in particular, stood out to me - want to hear more?

Brand new from Temple Spa - Let's Concentrate Skin Glowing Serum

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When it comes to skincare, there is always something from Temple Spa lurking on my shelves so I couldn't wait to add the newest product release from the brand. Their products are some of my favourites and my skin always reacts so well to them so with summer finally here, I couldn't wait to try the Let's Concentrate Skin Glowing Serum - I was ready for glowing skin. 

If you're fairly new to Temple Spa, they're an award-winning British skincare brand with a Mediterranean heart. They've been creating luxury skincare and spa treatments for over 21 years. Temple Spa products contain Mediterranean botanical, plant, fruit and legume extracts, combined in synergy with high regard for derma-science, technical innovation and research; performance and texture are paramount so you just know you can trust them when it comes to simple and effective skincare collections.

Beautiful products for beautiful skin have never been easier.

The Latest in Beauty Style Summer Essentials Beauty Box // The Sunday Times

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With the Summer Solstice having passed, it's time to talk about all things summer which means The Sunday Times Style Summer Essentials couldn't have been released at a more perfect time. The beauty edit features every beauty essential you could possibly need to get you through the Summer of 2022 covering skincare, brows, tanning and makeup. 

Worth an incredible £274, the box features eleven products from brands such as Iconic London, Olverum, Avant and The Body Shop - covering three major summer trends from bolder brows and brighter cheeks to glow-inducing skincare, it's going to be one you won't want to miss. 

Retailing at £48, the collection is available to order now with your chosen Iconic London Triple Precision Brow Definer shade. 

Let's have a look inside...

The Do Good, Feel Good Beauty Edit // Latest in Beauty

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The Do Good, Feel Good Beauty Edit is back and it is jam-packed with a huge selection of beauty products to help your skin look hydrated, nourished and revived - it is THE collection to get your hands on right now. Retailing at £34 with contents worth a massive £174, the box includes ten products, with nine of them being full-sized all perfect for summer. 

Inside you'll find the likes of Elemis, Rituals and Murad as well as old favourites Batiste and Burt's Bees. This box features Latest in Beauty's charity partner, Look Good Feel Better meaning 15% of the sale from each box will be donated to the charity. Not only that but the first few customers who purchase this edit will receive a complimentary Look Good Feel Better Sculpting Sponge and Detailed Eyeliner Brush Duo with their order. 

Five Products from Nude by Nature you HAVE to try

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Mineral makeup brand, Nude by Nature is Australia's number one brand for cruelty-free make-up and with the brand on our shores, I've been trying out exactly what is worth your time. 

Nude by Nature was created in 2008 in Sydney - born from a demand by a society that was becoming more and more conscious of their health, lifestyle and environmental choices. Skincare was becoming increasingly important, however, whilst people were trying to avoid toxins and harsh chemicals during their morning and evening skincare routine, they weren’t spending the same energy selecting the best make-up and so the brand was born. 

Starting with a capsule collection of just three mineral foundations, a bronzer, a finishing veil and a make-up brush, Nude by Nature quickly became a household name and since trying a selection of their products (they've expanded their range massively in ten years) I have some thoughts.

Introducing Nursem's NEW Bodycare Range

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Nursem has featured a few times over the last two years on my blog, I first discovered them in 2020 and I've had a tube of their hand cream on my bedside table ever since. Excitingly, this year sees the launch of two new products - a body cream and a body wash, both of which I've been trying the last few weeks. 

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

The new body collection launched recently and so having used it for the last few weeks it's time I give a little rundown and share my thoughts. 

This year's Brickosaurs Evolution arrives at Marwell Zoo for 2022

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One thing we have been looking forward to doing again post-pandemic is heading back to the zoo, especially as we have a new addition! We have a wonderful zoo near us called Marwell Zoo and as it's dubbed as one of the best days out in Hampshire, that's exactly where we headed at the beginning of May. 

Marwell Zoo invited us to experience their all-new and interactive expedition which is on until 4th September. If you're unfamiliar with the experience, Brickosaurs is an interactive adventure featuring more than two million LEGO® bricks turned into Dinosaurs so it's sure to excite children and adults of all ages.

Five Happy Things // May 2022

I feel as though we've blinked and May was over, what happened?! For us, it was a super exciting month full of plans, birthdays and days out - we had a lot of fun, made lots of memories and really made the most of being able to live again. 

The weather could've been better, and while we have had some sunny days it has been a lot wetter than the last couple of years; I'm desperate to set up the bigger paddling pool in the garden and have a few fun days with the little ones. 

I'll be praying for sunshine and blue skies for June but in the meantime let's take a little look back on last month.

Three Pixi Face Masks to add to your Bathroom Shelf

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Face masks are my skincare go-to whenever I want ten minutes on my own in the evening, sometimes I apply them while I'm bathing the children and I have quite the collection. Over the last year, I've added a number of newbies to my bathroom shelf including three from Pixi Beauty. 

Now... you only need to search Pixi Beauty to see just how much I've tried over the years so it was about time I added this little review to the mix. 

There are three mask tubs to choose from, each for a specific skincare concern - what one will you try?