TK Maxx Bargains

Every Christmas I end up getting sick, last year it was flu and shingles this year it's the common cold.  I was getting fed up sitting on the sofa feeling sorry for myself so today I ventured out.  It was short trip nothing exciting but I stopped off at TK Maxx and here is what I picked up.

Lamas Beauty Pumpkin Spice Polish 3 in 1 Instant Facial £7.99 (RRP £24). This is paraben free and Vegan.  I must admit I was enticed by the scent rather than price.

Naturaleve Rejuvenating Balm £4.99 (RRP £10).  I haven't heard of this brand before and it is made in England.  This does not contain parabens, petrochemicals, SLS, artificial preservatives, colours or fragrance.  According to the packaging this is an over night treatment to replenish moisture.

Tisserand Renewing Cream Body Wash £4.99 (RRP £7.40).  I love Tisserand hand cream so thought this was worth trying.  It is free from parabens, SLES and synthetic fragrances.

Heathcote & Ivory Bath & Body Handwash in Blueberry & White Tea.  I found this one in the bargain bucket section for £2.  It is not the most natural of products but it is free from Sulphates and Parabens. 

My Christmas Gifts

I can not believe the big day has been and gone.  I must have been on the nice list because Santa did spoil me this year.  I thought I would share with you my lovely presents.  There were only a couple of beauty gifts (Ooh La La shower gel & Melvita travel gift set) but I was lucky enough to receive some Christmas money so will be making up for that soon.

I love all my presents but I have to say the Fridge Pet is my favourite.  He is cute and chats to you in Japanese when you open the fridge door.  The most unique has to be the Decleor Pomander.  I had not seen one of these before.  Inside the golden apple is a little ball which you add fragrance oil to then you hang the pomander in your wardrobe or around the house.  It came with the fragrance Madagascar which is described as Tonka bean, Vetiver, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang and Grapefruit. 

Hope everyone had a super duper Christmas Day and Boxing Day.  Link any Christmas hauls below I would love to see what you all got for Christmas.

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

I am signing off from my Blog for the Christmas Holidays.  

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my lovely followers for supporting me.    


Have a fantastic Christmas everyone and a happy and healthy 2012 to you all.

Copyright (c) <a href='http://www.123rf.com'>123RF Stock Photos</a>

Men's Grooming by Bulldog

You will remember from a previous post that I use men’s shaving creams because I have never been able to tolerate the ones marketed towards women.  Aside from the obvious nasty ingredients even the “sensitive” ones bring me out in a rash.  Despite this I admit I have not tried many natural shaving creams.  I am ashamed to admit I have been using Original Source Men's Shaving Gel for a few years.  It is the only one I can find that doesn't irritate my skin.  It's vegan but it is full of horrid ingredients.  I can not think of any natural alternatives that are sold on the high street and online ordering is not always ideal due to steep postage charges.  

Whilst looking for a Christmas present for my Boyfriend I stumbled upon Bulldog,  I was not aware that there was a natural men’s range available on the high street -Our products never contain parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, or ingredients from animal sources.  I purchase the Sensitive Shave Cream and gave it a try on my legs.  

So what did I think? I know this product was not intended for women but I like it.  I have not experienced any dryness or rash or burning sensation when I apply moisturiser. Since it does not contain SLS the cream does not foam. On wet skin it transforms to a milky consistency which is a little bit messy but on the plus side does not clog up the shaver blade. 

If you are looking to convert your man to natural skin care then the Bulldog range is affordable and includes a variety of grooming products.  Bulldog’s website lists several stockists including Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury and Waitrose.  I found some of the range at my local Boots and Tesco but neither stocked the shaving cream so I ended up purchasing from FeelUnique.com (£4.50 for 175ml tube).  Boots currently have Christmas gift boxes.


If anyone has a natural shaving cream recommendation I would love to hear about it.  Leave a comment below :)

Ingredients - Aqua (Water) Stearic acid Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) leaf juice Glyceryl stearate Coco-glucoside Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter) Glycerin Disodium cocoyl glutamate Cetearyl alcohol Glycereth-26 Phenoxyethanol PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil Benzoic acid Sodium chloride Xanthan gum Citric acid Cedrus atlantica (Cedarwood) bark oil Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil Dehydroacetic acid Mannan Ethylhexylglycerin Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli) oil Polyaminopropyl biguanide Sodium benzoate Potassium sorbate

Sunday Catch Up - Vegan Chocolate Cake

This week was my Boyfriend's birthday so I baked a cake.  He does not have any allergies (lucky him) but I did make a Dairy & Egg free cake otherwise I do not get to help him eat it.  The recipe which I have used on several occasions comes from Pure Dairy Free Spread website  There are two chocolate cake recipes on the site but I use the one titled Vegan Chocolate Cake.  

I have bought Pure margarine for years personally it is my favourite margarine/butter substitute.  My one tip for making this cake is sieve all the dry ingredients and whisk the batter.  I find the more air I can get into the mix the better it rises.  I also find it helps make the cake texture fluffy and moist.  Check out the Pure website (link) as there are lots of great dairy free meal ideas.  Even if you do not have to follow a dairy free diet you can adapt the recipes with regular milk & butter. 

I've also been on a bit of a winning streak lately.  I should probably go buy a lottery ticket.  Sticking with the dairy free theme I won Alpro Soya Vanilla deserts.  I regularly buy these but it's always great to get a freebie.

My next prize I won via www.nutribeautyproducts.com.  I received a Living Nature Body Essentials set which comes in a fabric wrap tote and contains: 50ml Nourishing Body Wash, 50ml Nourishing Hand and Body Cream, 50ml Nourishing Shampoo, 50ml Nourishing Conditioner.  If you are not familiar with Living Nature it is a New Zealand brand which is 100% natural.  I have tried samples before and been impressed so I am looking forward to testing these.

Lastly, I won via Love Lula a Balm Balm Facial Kit which contains Light Coconut Cleanser, Witch Hazel Toner, Rosehip Serum, Hibiscus Face Mask and a muslin cloth.  

I am familiar with the brand and I love their lip balms.  This is a facial range I have wanted to try as Balm Balm is 100% Organic and natural.  So far I have used the cleanser and serum and I really like them.  The only thing that took me by surprise is they are both liquids so unfortunately I spilt them everywhere.  For some reason I thought the cleanser would be a milk cleanser.  Also I think the choice of the word serum is a mistake as this is an oil.  In my mind a serum should be a a gel like consistency.  I wouldn't use the serum in the mornings but it is lovely as an over night treatment.


I hope everyone is having a nice weekend?  Let me know in the comment section below what you have been doing.

New Discovery - Angela Langford Skincare

I love to spend time browsing the web in search of natural skincare.  Over the years I have discovered fantastic handmade products.  I would like to share with you my latest find - Angela Langford.  This is a skincare line free from parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic colours & fragrances and not tested on animals. 

I purchased the free sample pack (you do have to pay £4.50 P&P).  What I loved was the attention to detail.  The samples arrived in a pretty pink organza bag.  During registration/checkout you are asked questions about your skin so that the sample pack can be tailored to your needs.  I also received detailed paperwork informing me about the products, ingredients and how to use them.  The samples are small in size and I would estimate you would get 2-3 applications.

Sorry about the borrowed website picture I forgot to take my own photo before I passed the samples onto my sister.  Sadly, I have not been able to test the products due to them containing one of my allergens.  It is no fault of Angela Langford its mine for not checking properly before ordering.

Despite not having first hand experience of the products I still wanted to give the site a mention.  I cannot fault the customer service and attention to detail, it has left a lasting impression.  If you are wanting to purchase honest natural skincare, handmade in the UK, then check out the website (link).  You can also follow Angela Langford on Facebook and Twitter.

My Desert Island Product - Papaya

I have mentioned this before but my hero product is Papaya salve (also known as Paw Paw).  My previous post (link) was for the brand Simmons which I had used for a number of years but sadly it is no longer manufactured.  About two or three months ago I switched to Phytocare Pure Papaya Ointment.  Coincidentally, my blog post “Why you should not use petroleum jelly” (link) caught the attention of Pure Papaya.  They contacted me about doing a review not realising I was already using their ointment. 


Lucas Papaya balm is the brand most people seem to be familiar with.  It is the one I see featured in magazines and on celebrity must have lists.  I do not recommend Lucas because it contains petroleum.  Simmons and Pure Papaya are natural and petroleum free hence why I have been using them for so long.

The two brands do differ slightly in fragrance, texture and ingredients.  Aside from Papaya, Pure Papaya Ointment also contains calendula, shea butter, jojoba oil and macadamia oil.  These are fantastic healing ingredients ideal for eczema and dry skin. When comparing fragrance Pure Papaya is stronger and sweeter. The only downside to this is you may not like the taste when applied to your lips, I must admit Simmons was better as lip balm due to the delicate fragrance/taste. The consistency and texture of Pure Papaya Ointment is softer and silkier than what I was use to with Simmons. 

Despite the variations Pure Papaya Ointment is also a multi purpose product and remains a staple in my handbag.  The fact that I can use one product for a variety of ailments is what makes it my desert island beauty product.  It is ideal for my handbag as I can substitute my eczema cream, lip balm and antiseptic ointments for a tube of papaya.  As I mentioned this product has many uses, here are a few more suggestions from Pure Papaya - nappy rash, sore nipples, cold sores, after care of tattoos, hard calloused skin, sunburn, burns & scalds, pressure sores & ulcers, insect bites, rashes, healing scars, taming eyebrows.

No one I have recommended Papaya to has ever been disappointed with the results.  If you are not already using this product I have to question why? It's affordable and effective, I doubt you will regret purchasing it.

Ingredients: Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter), Macadamia ternifolia oil (Macadamia oil), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba oil), Carica papaya (Papaya) ferment, Tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E), Caprylic triglyceride (coconut derived), Beeswax, Sorbitan olivate (Olive derived emulsifier), Silica, Fragrance (naturally derived), Styrax benzoin resinoid, Calendula officinalis (Marigold) flower extract

Sunday Chit Chat - Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

My Christmas tree is up and my shopping is complete so now to sit back and relax.  I only have a small house so my tree is dinky. 

A little while ago I was asked if I would like to review a product for skinsmatter.com.  If you are not familiar with the site it is a great resource for natural beauty, allergies, intolerances and skin conditions (eczema/psoriasis).  I reviewed Queen of Aleppo soaps and it is up on the site today so go check it out click here.

Yesterday, my BF and I took a trip to Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market. The market is running for 28 days and will end on 21st December.  It was a nice day out but was very crowded.  The only item I purchased was a wooden decorative hanging banner.  Here are a couple of pictures.

I only made one new free from purchase this week, a discovery made in my local Sainsburys.  I found a bag of dairy free 'chocolate' covered raisins for £1.59, they were not amazing but were a pleasant snack for my lunch box.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend? Leave a comment below and let me know what you got up to this weekend.

Organic Surge Peach Passion

I think you have probably figured out by now I am obsessed with shower gels. My favourite is Ooh La La by Naked (link) but I admit I do like to switch and try others.  Sadly I reached the end of my Jersey Cow body wash (link) so was on the lookout for something else.  I had already had great success with Organic Surge Conditioner (link) so thought I would try one of the shower gels (link).  I picked up Peach Passion which is described as “organic peach extract and almond essential oil, calms and conditions with skin loving ingredients”

So what do I think?  It’s a great shower gel, produces a nice lather, does not cause dry skin nor does it irritate.  As for the fragrance, I think it has a subtle hint of peach which I admit was a bit disappointing at first as I was expecting fruity overload.  However, I asked my sister to take a sniff and she said it was very peachy.  Just goes to show that everyone's sense of smell is different.  I must say some days it smells peachier than others.

Organic Surge shower gels contain natural fragrance and are free from SLS and parabens.  I purchased this shower gel at my local Waitrose for £3 (250ml tube) but they are available via the Organic Surge online store.  Peach Passion is one of six fragrances.  You may prefer to try Tropical Bergamot (Sweet Orange & Bergamot), Fresh Ocean (Lemon, Rosemary & Lime), Gentle Meadow (Lavender & Geranium), Sugared Almond (Almond & Palmarosa) and Citrus Mint (Peppermint, Lemon & Orange).

I highly recommend this one as it is affordable and does the job.  Has anyone else tried these shower gels? What did you think?

Loopyloops

I wanted to share with you something that caught my attention (via Twitter). I think it is a great concept and wanted to spread the word.  Also it would make an excellent stocking filler for all those fashion divas out there who don't have enough wardrobe space.  

So what am I talking about?....Loopyloops - go check out the website.  This is a simple idea to create space in your wardrobe.  Loopyloops allow you to connect hangers together making use of the vertical space in your wardrobe. They are very attractive and come in a variety of designs and colours.  Also they are inexpensive - £4.99 for a set of 10 (plus P&P).


I admit I don't own this product myself but hope you can agree it was worth sharing.

Disclaimer - I have not been asked to promote this product or website, simply discovered it & wanted to share with my followers.

Have you heard of Borealis Organics Skincare?

I have been very complimentary about a number of products I have been sent recently.  I wanted to clarify that my opinions are my own, if I don't like a product I will tell you. When you select brands that are handmade and natural a lot of care and attention goes into the quality of the product.  I feel it is this attention to detail that makes natural products so good hence you are almost guaranteed fantastic results.  


I always said that nothing could part me from my Tropic moisturiser, that is until now.  So what has me eating my words? That would be Borealis Organics Skincare.  Borealis Organics skincare is handmade using 100% natural, organic and fair trade ingredients.  The story behind Borealis is similar to other independent companies I have shared with you.  Behind the scenes is an owner who developed an interest in natural skin care because they experienced their own skin problems.  From the viewpoint of someone with sensitive skin, I find comfort in knowing that the products are handmade by a person who can understand my skin issues.

I have been testing the Calendula & Chamomile Daily Defence Cream for Sensitive Skin.

This moisturiser contains some fantastic ingredients - Calendula, Camomile, Neroli, Geranium, Rosewood, Red Raspberry seed, Macadamia oil, Apricot Kernel Oil and Shea butter.  Many of these ingredients are known for their healing properties and suitability for sensitive skin types.  This combination of ingredients provides a fragrance which is light, natural and slightly herbal rather than floral.

So what do I think?  The truth is I have totally fallen for this moisturiser.  It is rich yet manages to be light and air whipped in texture.  My skin instantly absorbs the cream and is left feeling soft and plump.  In the past, I have used creams that do not hold up against the cold weather or central heating and by mid afternoon dry patches are clearly visible.  Not the case with this moisturiser.  My skin looks just as good at 10pm as it did at 7am.  I have confidence in the ingredients and can happily apply the cream to sensitive areas without worrying about causing further irritation.  I am finding the cream very economical.  I apply a small amount of cream over my face and neck, mornings and evenings.  As you can see from the picture, the jar is still very full after 3-4 weeks usage.  In case you are wondering a 60ml jar costs £15.75.


I highly recommend this moisturiser for dry and sensitive skin.  If this is not your skin type then Borealis have alternative moisturisers for dry, mature, normal or combination.


The Borealis range extends beyond moisturisers and offers a wide variety of skincare products for men and women. Definitely check out the website (link). You can also follow Borealis Organics Skincare on Facebook. (link). 

Disclaimer – I was sent these products free of charge, all opinions are my own and I am not being paid to do this review or to promote the website/product.

Spotlight Blogger

Today my Spotlight Blogger is Gabriellasofia of HauteFuture.  We found each other via Twitter a short time ago.  We have common ground on the fact that she also suffers from eczema.  Do check out her blog it's a good mix of every day topics - beauty reviews, fashion, health and interviews.  Gabriellasofia also has a YouTube channel click here.

Why did you decide to start your blog?

I actually started by vlogging! I'd seen a few beauty vlogs for Youtube-Beauty-Guru-Royalty, such as juicystar07, AllThatGlitters21, AndreasChoice and Macbarbie07 and since I love talking so much I figured I could do it on camera! Before I knew it I soon realized that vlogging requires a lot more effort (I don't feel comfortable recording a video unless I look relatively presentable and there are WAY more haters on Youtube!) than blogging. I'd actually meddled with blogging when I was in high school too, but it soon dropped off when my classmates couldn't understand me. It's much easier to do when you know you have the support of your fellow bloggers like I do now!

Did you follow any blogs before creating yours?

I actually didn't officially follow any blogs before my account and blog was set up. However, I'd read a couple of blogs from some of the vloggers I loved including FleurDeForce and the aforementioned vloggers. These days I spend most of my time hitting 'Follow' on fellow bloggers pages!

What is your favourite time of the day to write posts?

I usually post in the evening when I'm relaxed after uni or work, and have had the whole day to develop an idea. 

What do you think is the best thing about blogging?

I think the best thing about blogging is that it's a way of getting your work out into the open. I've wanted to be a beauty journalist for as long as I can remember, and blogging allows me a platform to practice that whilst building up a relatively successful body of work to list in my CV!

What inspires you when it comes to your blog?

Literally anything can inspire me. The street-style I spot on campus, the freebies I get in the post, events I've been to, products I've been wanting to buy for ages, celebrity make-up looks, magazines, brand newsletters and even what I've been doing that day! There is always a great story out there... You've just got to find it!

Where are your favourite places to shop?

I'm a massive sucker for a Topshop sale! I also love Forever21, Urban Outfitters, Miss Selfridge, New Look and River Island. Urban Outfitters and Topshop are there if I'm feeling rich and super-fashion-forward, Miss Selfridge and River Island are great for finding Urban Outfitters and Topshop copies for a fraction of the price and New Look and Forever 21 are good for getting good value for money. Honestly though, I'd give them all up if you made me choose between them and Boots. Boots is my life. Shelf after shelf of beauty, body and bath product... Ahhhh...  

Has blogging changed the way you make purchasing decisions?

I have had to be more intelligent with my money as I usually blog about what I buy, so in order to get the most blog posts I need to be getting more for my money! My Boots Advantage Card has been a Godsend, and being subscribed to the e-newsletters for all of my favorite stores has meant that I've been able to get exclusive discounts for most places. Also, I tend to make sure if I'm paying for a seminar or PR event that there is a worthwhile goodie-bag at the end, so I learn AND get free products for the price of one! 

What is your all time favourite brand? (Cosmetic, clothing or anything else)

My all-time favorite brand is benefit cosmetics. Although some of the items are pricier, I really believe that they are some of the best in the industry, not to mention that you can see where your money is going; not only the development of awesome products, but also the hiring of fantastic staff and the gorgeous packaging too. 

What is your favourite time of year and why?

I love the winter! I know people think it's miserable with the cold rainy days and the mornings and afternoons being dark, but I kind of love it! It gives me a chance to wrap up warm under my duvet with a hot chocolate and my laptop and blog for hours. What more could I want?

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

Oooh good question! I'd impost a world-wide minimum wage. I think it's so unfair that there are people out there who work so much harder than me, are younger than me, and yet are much worse off than me because they're being paid an unfair wage and their talents and lands are being exploited. It's simply not fair. 

Easy Bean

Regular followers will know that in between the beauty reviews I throw in the occasional Free From food.  This week I discovered Easy Bean.  If I remember correctly I first saw these at the Vitality Show but I had forgotten all about them, you see I shop at Tesco and these are stocked in Sainsburys & Waitrose.

Easy Bean is a one pot meal so perfect for warming you up in the colder weather and convenient for work as they can be heated in the microwave. There are a variety of flavours to choose from - Moroccan Tagine, Mexican Chilli, Indian Sambaar, French Cuisinees, Spanish Punchero & African Palava (click here for descriptions).  From what I can see they are all Gluten and Dairy free, some are suitable for Vegetarians others cater for Vegans and there are some meat choices.  

I picked up Moroccan Tagine which is "chickpea, aubergine and butternut squash with apricot infused with aromatic spices." This pot equals 3 portions of veg, high in fibre, low in fat, low in salt, gluten & dairy free and suitable for Vegetarians (not Vegan as it contains honey).

So what did I think?  It was very tasty.  I particularly likes the big identifiable chunks of vegetables as sometimes ready meals are rather mushy.  The pot size is 320g which was very filling.  I paid £3.48 which is comparable to other similar meal pots.  

You would be correct in thinking that I get over excited when I find a dairy and egg free ready meal.  Firstly, I get fed up of making my lunch everyday and I'd like a break from it once in a while.  Secondly, every blooming Veggie meal out there is covered in cheese.  Listen up food manufacturers Vegetarians don't exist on cheese alone do you think we are all calcium deficient?  Lets have more Vegan options.  Mr Tesco now you know why I detour to Sainsburys every once in a while, all of your own brand veggie meals are loaded up with CHEESE!

Ok so rant over......Next time you are at the supermarket pick one of these up and give it a try.  Let me know what you think.  

Disclaimer - the 1st picture is from the website I forgot to take one myself, was too busy eating it after all I was hungry & it was lunchtime!