Five Happy Things // March 2023

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

March was a hectic month for us and it felt like it went by in the blink of an eye and now with just a few weeks back at school, we're on Easter Holidays. This term has been plagued by sickness and I don't think we had one full week at school, it's been one illness after another and I'm very ready to not do any school runs for a few weeks. 

We have managed some fun this month but I am desperately craving Spring and some blue skies.

Here's how some of our March looked...

Five NEW in beauty products for March

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New beauty products are my favourite thing to share - I love being able to try a variety of items from hair and body to skincare and makeup and so I've done a little round-up of five products that were new to me in March. 

As always, I've been trying a few different brands this year, some of them new to me, some new to us all as they were recently released; so let's dive in.

Four Products from BYBI Beauty you must try

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If you're looking for an ultra colourful skincare brand with the lowest possible environmental footprint, let me introduce you to BYBI Beauty. They are pro-planet from seed to shelf and utilise low-carbon production throughout their entire supply chain. 

Co-founders Elise and Dominika started out in their kitchens, meticulously crafting DIY beauty recipes with potent natural ingredients - BYBI was born in 2017 and they quickly became known for their efficacious, pro-planet formulas and standout eco packaging. They also created the world's first carbon-negative skincare product Glowcurrant Booster, a brightening facial oil, that captures more carbon than it emits. It's quite literally a game-changer. 

I've used BYBI Beauty since discovering them in 2019 and I've really enjoyed exploring the brand and its products - my skin loves them, the ingredients are fab and I adore the packaging. 

Recent Book Buys from Waterstones - Have you read them?

I have been saving up my Waterstones Plus points over the last year and decided this week I'd head into my latest store and finally spend them. I had some time to myself last week so had a nose in Waterstones before heading for a coffee and the next thing I know - I have a bag of books to take home with me. 

I picked up six in total, taking advantage of the buy one get one half price offer and as I also ordered one from Amazon this week I've chucked that in this post too. Some of what I bought have been doing the rounds on social media for some time and curiosity finally got the better of me and others like Free Love and The Clockwork Girl were total wild cards. 

Let me know if any have caught your eye or if you're reading one at the moment.

Make an Alcohol Free Rhubarb & Lemon Gin Fizz with me

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Fancy a drink but not feeling alcohol? This Rhubarb & Lemon Gin Fizz is perfect for when you want something a little different but without the fuzzy head in the morning. Made using CleanCo Rhubarb Non-Alcholic Crisp Dry Botanical Spirit, it's a great alternative to gin to give a fun twist to your drink.

CleanCo was developed to give you a choice when mixing a drink without compromising on taste or social experience. They create delicious alternatives to gins, rum, tequila, vodka and whiskey and are proud to be the leading independent brand in the UK allowing you to enjoy the delicious, refreshing cocktails you know and love without the repercussions.

P&O Cruises Arvia named in Beautiful Barbados

Global star Nicole Scherzinger officially named P&O Cruises' newest ship Arvia yesterday in a spectacular beachside ceremony in Barbados. Chart-topper Olly Murs performed some of his best-loved hits at the ceremony, which was held both on board Arvia's SkyDome and from Heywood's Beach. 

Top 5 Coffee Spots in Southampton you must try

We have an excellent foodie scene in the city and I love nothing more than discovering what's new but undoubtedly my favourite thing to do is drink copious amounts of coffee. I've raved for years about how great it is for independents in Southampton and over the last year it has just got better and better! 

Obviously, my one true love is coffee so I have put together five coffee spots you need on your radar.

Five Recent Reads I've Loved + Mini Reviews

Books, books books! This year is flying by - I feel like I say that all the time but a new month means a quick refresh on what I've been reading over the last month. I've read fourteen books since January so I thought I'd pick out five that really stole my heart. They're all (almost) new authors for me and I'll definitely be looking at their book history to see what else I can pick out to read. 

I also have a mammoth amount of books to get through again, my TBR pile is never-ending and I'm a nightmare for continually adding to it so I've placed a ban on myself until I've worked through what I have at home - not including 99p Kindle offers, oops!

I have five mini-reviews for you today and if you want to keep up with what I'm reading then you can follow me on Goodreads too - Alice Spake // Goodreads.

Nourish London's NEW Ultra Rich Vegan Body Creams

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I've dipped in and out of Nourish London over the years but since 2021 I've implemented more of their products within my routine -  I should've done it years ago! If you're new to the brand, Nourish London is a British organic skincare company offering scientifically developed, highly effective, organic, vegan & cruelty-free skincare powered by ingredients from nature.

Created by Dr Pauline Hili, a renowned expert in organic skincare with over 30 years of experience, Nourish London is fuelled by a passion for innovation, they combine the highest quality natural ingredients with advanced scientific bio-actives to create award-winning organic skincare for beautiful, healthy skin. All of their naturally active products are creatively conceived and made with love at their own factory in London using only the purest, highest quality, cruelty-free ingredients at their optimum levels ensuring they care for your skin as well as for the planet.

Two Gifts from Jurlique perfect for Mother's Day

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When it comes to Mother's Day gifting, Jurlique is always one of my go-to brands as they create the most beautiful gift sets that always go down well. There are four gifts available within the Mother's Day Gifting Range and this year Jurlique is celebrating all the special mums and mother figures, not forgetting Mother Nature. 

If you have yet to hear of Jurlique I'll give you a little backstory. The brand is created by husband and wife team, Dr Jürgen Klein, a biochemist, and his wife Ulrike, a botanist, they had always been passionate believers in the healing power of nature. Their vision was to create a pure and natural skincare range combining the ancient arts of alchemy, herbal medicine and homoeopathy to reconnect people to nature. They began their search for the purest place on earth and after searching the world, they discovered the unspoiled Adelaide Hills in South Australia.

Today, Jurlique products are sold in more than twenty countries worldwide. And their most iconic natural ingredients are still grown in the Adelaide Hills where Jurlique first began.

I have used Jurlique for just over ten years now - the products are as fabulous as they sound, my skin absolutely loves them and the results can really be seen so what better way to treat someone special in your life than with something from Jurlique.