Book review : Breakfast in Bed by Eleanor Moran

I haven't had the time to read for such a long time, but I found the perfect opportunity to curl up with a book recently and chose 'Breakfast in Bed' by Eleanor Moran.

Take one single woman, add a passionate and fiery celebrity cook, and turn up the heat. 

Breakfast in Bed is about 31 year old Amber Price. She is undergoing a divorce from cheating husband Dom and is adjusting to life as a singleton. She is living with her best friend Milly and is about to start work as a sous chef at Ghusto, the new restaurant belonging to world-renowned chef, Oscar Retford. Amber is immediately attracted to Oscar, yet she can't forget her long history of happy times with Dom.

One man's her past, one man's the future, but who will be making her Breakfast in Bed?

I'd never heard of Eleanor Moran before I got sent this book but the plot sounded light-hearted enough for me to whizz through in a day or two. Eleanor's writing style was great - the story was fast-paced throughout and it flowed nicely. There were one or two laugh-out-loud funny moments, but sadly, nothing side-splittingly hilarious. Despite liking the author's writing style, her imagination seemed quite limited in this story and I got bored as it went on.

This book started off really well. I immediately liked Amber as she seemed to have more substance than the usual dizzy-but-harmless heroine found in chick-lit books. She came across as someone who was intelligent and down to earth, and it was a refreshing change. I also loved the fact that she was a chef, and I feel that the author really researched working in a kitchen to make the story believable.

The beginning really captured my attention, especially as I was seeing the flirty relationship between her and Oscar develop. However, as soon as the flirting stopped and the relationship began, I immediately lost interest and started finding flaws.

I didn't warm to any of the sub-characters in the slightest:

*Dom - her cheating, soon-to-be-ex husband who, despite Amber repeatedly reminiscing about how 'good, kind and sweet' he was, is an absolute bellend. I didn't like his character at all and I wanted to slap Amber stupid as she deliberated between him and her current squeeze...

*Oscar - head chef at his Ghusto restaurant with a viscious temper (think Gordon Ramsey-slash-Marco Pierre White), and he treated Amber like absolute dirt. It was easy to see the initial attraction but how she was smitten by their relationship is beyond me. Not to mention his baggage (snooty wife Lydia and spoilt brat daughter Tallullah). Urgh.

*Milly - her best friend. The poor love had far too much money and was so depressed. Bless (!) Her crush on Oscar was blindingly obvious too.

*Martha/Marsha - her other BFF. So wet I can't even remember her name. I can't understand how the three of them are friends if they think so little of each other.

Amber didn't seem to think highly of anyone except the pair of twits fighting for her heart, and as the book went on I found myself disliking her more and more. I would hate to have a friend like her. She was always letting them down and even avoided phonecalls from her parents. That's not normal where I'm from. She seemed so condescending in parts that I wanted to throw the book across the room! I was so relieved to finish it and the end 'twist' was completely expected. To me, this book just deteriorated with every chapter.

Rating : 3/10 - Eleanor Moran is a good writer and she definitely has potential. This just wasn't the book to set the world alight with keen interest for her, and it won't be a book I'll re-read (or remember!) in a hurry.

Have you read this book?

xoxo

Review : Aromatherapy Associates Little Luxuries

Last week's relaxathon gave me the perfect opportunity to use up some bath oil samples I received a few months ago from Aromatherapy Associates. I'd never heard of the brand before but was instantly intrigued when it arrived in amongst a parcel of goodies. As the name suggests, Aromatherapy Associates focus their products on essential aromatherapy oils, with each one creating a perfect blend to completely soothe your mind and body. I got sent the 'Little Luxuries', which was an adorable little box with three vials of bath oil.

What do Aromatherapy Associates say?

This enchanting little trio is a gorgeous gift for all your friends and family. Three popular and stunning bath and shower oils - Light Relax, De-Stress Mind and Revive Morning -come together to bring calm vitality and a deep sense of wellbeing. The Relax range (blended with lavender, ylang ylang and petitgrain) gives a little respite at the end of a busy day - use these soothing blends for gentle or serious relaxation. The De-Stress range (blended with wild camomile, petitgrain and frankincense) is specially created for and overworked body and mind constantly dealing with everyday stresses and strains. The Revive range (blended with pink grapefruit, rosemary and juniper berry) helps you pick yourself up at any time of the day with detoxifying, uplifting and exotic blends of essential oils.

What do I think?

How adorable are these little vials? So cute! I was very exhausted and run-down when I cracked these bad boys open - what better time to use them?! Because these are bath and shower oils, I expected them to be a gel-like consistency. They're not, they're oil (no, really?) so no way are these suitable for the shower. I don't take a shower to relax either, I take a bath, so I don't really know why they thought this type of product would work. That aside, they are perfect for the bath.

The vials are tiny but the amount of product is adequate for even the fullest of baths. I was quite impressed at how soft my skin felt afterwards too. I've used bath oils before and have always felt the need to use an absolute ton in order to nourish my skin. This little vial was plenty though, which was very surprising.

I'm not familiar with essential oils and their uses, so do forgive me if I state something obvious. The Relax oil was the strongest smelling of the three, but that was the lavender. I'm not the biggest lavender lover anyway, so even the smallest amount would be considered strong to me. It definitely did relax me though, and although strong, it wasn't unbearable, and I happily soaked for almost an hour.

The De-Stress one was so lovely. This was the 'Mind' version (they also do a 'Muscle' one) but this one completely soothed my mind and muscles. I actually found it a lot more relaxing than the Relax one, but again that could be due to the lavender and my non-love of it.

Revive was my favourite of the three. It was very refreshing with a slight hint of citrus. It was supposed to be used in the morning (whoops) but it was nice to use at nighttime anyway. It made me less lethargic and more humanlike for the evening, so it didn't matter to me what time I used it. It served it's purpose! It was definitely my favourite one though and I have dropped lots of unsubtle hints to Mr Lollipop to treat me to a full size Evening version. He's skillfully ignoring my request... 

Price?

The Little Luxuries set costs £12.00, which I think is very reasonable. Okay, it works out at £4.00 per bath, but let's be honest, using something like this wouldn't be an everyday occurance. It would be reserved for some 'me-time', and who doesn't like to indulge a little when you're treating yourself? The packaging is adorable - very simple, but the addition of the little white bow makes it look very special, and the vials inside keep in line with the luxurious essence of the brand. 

Recommended?

Yep, absolutely! I really liked using these and am a new convert to Aromatherapy Associates products. I definitely felt relaxed after bathing with one of these and I could still smell them on my skin and in the bathroom the morning afterwards. I particularly love the range of gifts on offer - there really is something for everyone. They would make an ideal stocking filler and I know this is something I'd happily give to my loved ones. You could just do what I did and use them for yourself, as it's a perfect opportunity to try them before you splash out £37.00 on a full sized one (are you listening Mr L? I've tried, you buy... please. From here). A must for any over-worked woman... which is all of us, then.

xoxo

Stila goodies

I recently received a giftcard from one of my sponsors, SkincareRx, and literally spent days browsing the website trying to decide what to buy. It stocks many of the biggest brands and there were hundreds of things I wanted!

In the end I chose some Stila goodies, as it's not a brand I've tried before but have heard good things about. I plumped for the Stila Convertible Colour in popular shade 'Lillium', and a Stila Lip and Cheek Stain in 'Yumberry Crush'.

I have to say I am a fan of the cardboard packaging. I'm loving all things natural and rustic lately, and this packaging really appeals to me. I also loved the packaging of the actual products - pretty colours and a metallicy finish. Lovely.

The Convertible Colour has been on my radar for years, so I chose the most universal shade there, Lillium. This is smaller than I was expecting, but it's still a substantial size with a lot of product. This is a muted, natural, rosy peach type of colour (excellent describing skills there...) and would definitely suit all skintones. Because it is a neutral shade, it would compliment any look, so I can see myself using this a lot. It's a lovely, smooth, creamy er... cream, and it glides on and blends beautifully. It doesn't look or feel greasy on me, but then I have dry skin anyway. As far as longevity is concerned, I don't notice it lasting any longer than my other favourite cheek creams, MAC Cream Colour Bases, but it lasts well into the day for me. It doesn't wear off enough for the need to reapply, but then I am lazy when it comes to reapplying my make up through the day. I just can't be bothered. If you are familiar with the CCB's, you'll notice it has a kind of powdery finish when it sets. The Convertible Colour is nothing like that - it stays creamy after blended and gives a dewy sheen to my skin. I love it. I'm very impressed with this cream and would love to try more colours.

Mrs Beckham tweeted recently that she has found the perfect lip and cheek colour for summer, and revealed it was Stila's Lip and Cheek Stain in Cherry Crush. As soon as I got wind of this I knew I wanted one, but the Cherry colour was too red and scary for me. Enter: Yumberry Crush! How sweet is the name? That partly helped my decision (it's cute!) but when I discovered it was a frosty pink, I was 'in there like swimwear'. It didn't disappoint either. It is a tad more rosy than I was expecting but the shimmer is so pretty and it smells absolutely divine. I love that it can be layered too so I can build up the colour should I require. I am a huge fan of the colour it stains my cheeks - a pretty, vibrant pink, but the shimmer makes it pretty hard for me to wear on a daily basis. In the warmer weather and on nights out or the weekend I would definitely wear it on my cheeks, but for now it is reserved as a lip colour only. As a stain, it lasts all day on my cheeks, and I get a good 4-5 hours wear on my lips. Very impressive!

Some swatches:

Lilium Convertible Colour - Heavily swatched on the left, blended on the right.

Yumberry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain - Thickly applied on the left, blended with the brush applicator in the middle, blended with my finger on the right.

I ordered this on a Sunday night and it arrived the following Monday, so 8 days in total. It was perfectly packaged and inside my box were some skincare samples, which was nice. The shipping cost around $25, which works out at about £15. I don't think that's bad considering it is from the US, but it's something to consider, especially as I never know when I'm going to get hit with customs charges. I'd definitely use this site again, though I'd reserve it to treat myself to some US-exclusive brands.

So all in all a big thumbs up to SkincareRx.com and Stila from me! Want some Stila for yourself? Keep your eyes peeled for my giveaway on Monday :)

xoxo

Review : Yes To Baby Carrots, featuring a very special guest reviewer

I have made no secret of the fact that I am not ready for children just yet, so when I received a baby shampoo recently I was baffled as to how I could review it properly, without resorting to using it as a brush cleanser. The perfect person people sprang to mind - my lovely friend and blogger Laura and her gorgeous little boy Jamie. Laura emailed me the review yesterday morning, and it really made my day reading it. Enjoy the review - I know I did!

Gentle Foaming Shampoo & Body Wash 300ml

Yes To Baby Carrots

Mummy gave me this big orange bottle when I was busy splashing in the bath and told me we need to tell all of the big boys and girls what we think of it. I told her I just wanted to play with the lid and the bubbles. She let me. I love my Mummy. 

Mummy said this foamy stuff is called shampoo, which made me laugh a little bit, what a funny name. Then she said something really silly...it's made from carrots! Well, she said it's actually packed full of Vitamin E, Organic Melons, which are full of things called antioxidants and vitamins, and it has Organic Pumpkins too, and they are stuffed with nourishing Beta Carotene. If you ask me, that's a lot of big words for a little boy, and she feeds me carrots for dinner, so I don't know why she puts them on my hair too! I tried to rub my dinner that had carrots in on my hair the next day, but she didn't seem very impressed with that!

Mummy said to tell you that you can buy this carrot shampoo, which is all natural and especially formulated for babies delicate skin, for £8.99 from Victoria Health (that is somewhere on the internet, Mummy goes there on her shiny iPhone that she won't let me play with).

I thought you might like to see some pictures of my hair. It's pretty cool. Lot's of people like to touch it because it's so soft and bouncy.

BEFORE:

DURING:

 AFTER:

Me and Mummy like this shampoo. I like it because it's all foamy and feels funny on my hands and tummy, and Mummy likes it because it washes my cool hair really well, and makes it even softer and shinier than before. I have sensitive skin, but this doesn't make it go all red and itchy. It is quite expensive for a baby product, but I don't have to worry about money because Mummy and Daddy pay for everything for me. I think we might be buying it again when it runs out though.

Product provided by PR.

Photographs copyrighted to romanticdreaming.blogspot.com.

How adorable is Jamie?! Almost enough to make me broody hehe. Thank you so much Jamie (and of course Laura!) for the review. Laura is one of the first blogging friends I made and she is still one I can rely on and trust to cheer me up, even if she isn't feeling too grand herself. She is such a lovely, lovely girl and if you haven't read her blog yet, I urge you to. You can find it here. I'm sure this isn't the last you've heard of little Jamie either!

xoxo

John Frieda Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight

My teenage years were a nightmare where my hair is concerned. As someone who inherited wild, curly, thick, frizzy hair (thanks Mam!), maintaining it and trying to get a straight sleek style was a really daunting task - especially since it was the 1990's and GHD's were nowhere to be found! I had a little gas-cylinder-operated hair straighteners, and some rubbish 'straightening balm' that made my hair lank and greasy. Fast forward 10 years, and thankully the world of hair care has developed significantly, and the newest addition for those of us who have struggled to get locks to rival Jennifer Aniston is John Frieda's innovative 'Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight Semi-Permanent Styling Spray'.

I was sent this recently and was really excited to trial it - John Frieda is a brand I can rely on to tame my mane, and the product information sounded great!

"Designed to work with your hair straighteners, this weightless spray with heat protection blocks out frizz as you straighten. A revolutionary blend of polymers with keratin protein wraps each strand, sealing in straight style for up to 3 days."

The first time I tried this I sprayed about 10 sprays through my wet, freshly washed hair and blow-dried it. It smelled good and I wasn't met with as much resistance to blow drying as usual. In fact, the blow drying process seemed to have been quicker. However, I run my fingers through my hair and it felt sticky and overloaded with product. My roots weren't greasy or anything, and I still had volume and movement in my hair - it just felt disgusting. I used my straighteners, as instructed, and the sticky feeling seemed to melt away with the heat, and I could tell that my hair had a definite shine. It was sleeker, definitely, and despite being poker straight, I had volume at the roots. It didn't feel like I had any product in anymore - it just felt smooth and soft. Perfect!

So how did it hold up for the 3-day test? I generally wash my hair every 2-3 days anyway, but I purposely left it the full 3 days when I was trialling this. With my regular routine, I have to use my straighteners every single day. Not an awful lot, but particularly at the back of my hair where I've been sleeping, or near the ends. If I've tied my hair up for bed or shower time, the kinks need to be ironed out too. I also tend to have a bit of frizz at the end of the day. With this spray, my hair remained straight throughout Day 1 and it wasn't as frizzy by the end of the day.

I woke up on Day 2 after using this spray and my hair was literally as flat as a pancake. No need to run the straighteners through again - the lengths were perfectly straight - but it was stuck to my head! Not good. I tied it up to go in the shower and the bobble-kinks weren't so prominent that I needed to get out my GHD's. My hair still looked shiny too, so a spritz of Backcomb in a Bottle later, and my hair looked as good as Day 1.

On Day 3, I woke up and immediately wanted to wash my hair. My roots were greasy, my hair looked lank, and it was so much flatter than the day before, but yet again, I didn't need to run the straighteners through. I was determined to see through this experiment, so I dry-shampooed the roots and it looked okay enough for me to leave the house. By the time I got home I was itching to wash my hair! My roots were flat again and the ends of my hair were starting to 'fray'. Had my hair not been in dire need of a wash, it would have been time to whip out the straighteners. So, it definitely keeps my hair straight for 3 days! This is my hair at the end of Day 2:

All in all I am impressed with this spray. I do need to pay extra attention to volumising my roots, but it minimises my use of straighteners, which can only be a good thing. I have used it a couple of times now and I prefer to wash my hair at the end of day 2, which is perfectly acceptable for me. Also, it was windy and rainy one day and my hair did frizz a bit, so it not a weather-proof spray. It does tame significantly though, which is good enough for me. I've also curled my hair with my straighteners at the last minute and it holds the curl brilliantly. I guess it's the 'sealing' theory from the heat.

It retails for £6.99 but John Frieda products are often on offer. Boots are currently selling them for 2 for £7, so stock up while you can!

Have you tried this spray? What do you think?

xoxo

Soap & Glory Hair Supply

I have been on a mission for smooth, sleek hair, so I have been trialling what feels like every deep conditioner in Boots. I picked up Soap & Glory's Hair Supply because my friend uses Soap & Glory hair products and raves about it. Before I start my review, I should point out my hair type. Very long, very thick, very coarse, and naturally very curly. Nightmare is the word I'd use to describe it ;) 

What do Soap & Glory say?

Soap & Glory Hair Supply® is a super gloss-giving radiance & repair mask treatment for all hair types. Leaves hair smooth and shiny; coats and controls split ends. Soap & Glory Hair Supply® has an ultra-light gel formula which nourishes and defrizzes but doesn't weigh hair down. After shampooing, squeeze excess water from your hair and apply a handful of HAIR SUPPLY massaging from roots to tips. Leave on for 60 seconds for a daily smooth, or 3-4 minutes for a more intensive weekly treatment. Soap & Glory® formulas are not tested on animals, only very picky people.

What do I say?

I was really excited to try this one as I am a fan of Soap & Glory products in general. The packaging is very cute and kitsch, they tend to smell fabulous and the products that I've tried so far do the job wonderfully. As expected, the packaging for Hair Supply is of the same standard - very cute and retro, plus it is in a tube. I loathe products designed for use in the bath/shower and not being in a tube. Water just gets into the tub or pot, and is just bleurgh. Tubes FTW!

The consistency of this conditioner is lovely. It reminds me of a gooey, thick, rich custard, though is really plyable and works through the hair with ease. I don't apply it at the roots (only through the lengths) and I did need quite a big dollop, but I do have very long, thick and coarse hair. The best bit is the smell - if you are familiar with The Righteous Butter or Flake Away scrub, you will know this smell. It is a strong, perfumed, floral scent, and though I find it overpowering in the body butter, it is perfect in the scrub and indeed this conditioner. The smell lingers on my hair for days after I use this too, regardless of what styling products I use on top.

So, thumbs up for the packaging, consistency and scent. How about performance? I've used this a fair few times now, and each time I leave it to treat for a different amount of time, depending on how rushed I am. The shortest has been 5 minutes, and the longest has been today, 20 minutes. Each time it has rinsed out easily and doesn't make my hair feel greasy with residue.

Once I dry my hair, it seems a bit shinier and quite sleek, but it doesn't feel like I've used a deep treatment, and it certainly doesn't 'repair'. To be fair, we all know that hair can't be repaired - if you have split ends the only way to get rid of them is to cut them off, so don't be sucked into that hype. My hair feels soft, don't get me wrong, but I get that feeling with my regular John Frieda conditioner. The plus point for this though, is that smell. Mmmm it is lush! It didn't weigh my hair down either, which I have experienced with other conditioning treatments, so yet another plus point.

Overall, I do really like this product. A deep 'repairing' conditioner it ain't, but an everyday conditioner? Yep, I definitely think so!

Price?

Hair Supply costs £6.38 for 200ml and is available in Boots. I don't think this is overpriced at all, as my regular shampoo and conditioner costs around the £6 mark.

Would I repurchase?

I wouldn't repurchase this as a deep conditioner, but I adore the way it made my hair smell. I think I would gladly use this after my regular conditioner, to give it a little extra moisture and of course the scent, but as a stand alone conditioner it isn't good enough for my hair type. I shouldn't imagine people with 'normal' or 'fine' hair having any problems though, and if anything I am intrigued to try other products from the Soap & Glory hair care range :)

Hope you found this review helpful. Have you tried Soap & Glory hair products before?

xoxo

Biotherm Skin Ergetic Anti-Fatigue Moisturiser

I haven been trialling some new skincare items for a few months now, and since I am nearing the end of my pot, I thought I would share my thoughts with you. This will be a two-part review as there are two separate products I want to review, and the first one is a daily moisturiser; Biotherm Skin Ergetic Anti-Fatigue Moisturiser.

What do Biotherm say?

Anti-fatigue Biotherm innovation:
Biotherm creates SKIN ERGETIC, its 1st anti-fatigue moisturizer
with 5 fruit & vegetable extracts. A formula that reduces the
appearance of visible signs of fatigue.

RESULTS
Skin is plumped with moisture.
Features appear rested.
Tested on sensitive skin.

97.5% INGREDIENTS OF NATURAL ORIGIN
100% NATURAL-ORIGIN FRAGRANCE
PARABEN-FREE / MINERAL OIL-FREE
SYNTHETIC COLORANT-FREE

What do I think?

Firstly, I love the packaging for this. The little glass pot is really sleek and the bright orange colour makes me happy in the morning. When I open up the pot, I am immediately hit with a yummy, fruity scent, though I'd expect nothing less since it is packed with anti-oxidants from fruits like apples, grapes, pomegranates, seville oranges and tomatoes. Yum!

This is a light cream, so because my skin is a little on the dry side, I automatically assumed it would be too light. As such, on my first application, I whacked on a good dollop. I massaged it into my skin but it seemed to just clump up in little balls and roll off my skin. So I washed it off and tried again, this time using less. The same thing happened, but I stuck with it and just removed the little balls from my skin. It applied like this for about a week, regardless of the amount I used. To this day I still don't know if it was the amount I was applying, my skin getting used to a new product, or the fact that I was using it in conjunction with another product. However, after a week of perseverance, I was pleased to see it absorbed quickly and immediately nourished my skin. It made a lovely base for foundation too as it left my skin feeling silky instead of greasy.

I have mixed feelings about this cream. As soon as I got the knack of applying it, I could see my skin looking and feeling healthy. It seemed to nourish all day long too, as the dry patches I'd get around my nose in the afternoon were not there anymore. However, I wasn't sure if this was the cream alone, or the combination of cream and Biotherm serum (review coming soon). I tried wearing it alone for a few days and it was just... nice. Yes, it felt silky, and yes, it nourished all day long, but I did notice that it didn't brighten my skin as much. Which is why I'm confused. Is it a bad cream if it another product enhances it? If the cream alone brightened and moisturised, I'd love it even more, but I fear the brightening effect is down to the serum.

Price?

Depending on where you buy it from, it costs between £30 and £34. Although I like the results, I'm not sure it's worthy of this big price tag. My pot has lasted me 2 months so far and I have about 2 weeks worth left, which, when broken down as about £3 per week, doesn't sound so bad after all.

Would I repurchase?

I don't think so. It's not a bad cream, but I find that the day cream from the Good Things range does the job well enough for me and is more suited to my budget. If spending £30+ on a day cream is nothing unusual for you, then do give this a shot. It's almost completely natural and doesn't contain anything harmful, plus it smells amazing and is light on the skin. Like I said, not a bad cream, I just find my skin benefits more from this cream when used alongside the serum.

Hope you found my review helpful, and keep your peepers peeled for my review of the serum soon! :)

xoxo

Be scandalous with Sleek MakeUP!

Sleek MakeUP have released a limited edition mini-collection, just in time for Valentine's Day. Instead of playing up to the cute, flirty, pink side of Valentine's, the Stiletto collection delves into the red hot, sexy side, and the best part is you don't need to be in a relationship to vamp it up and ooze sex appeal.

The Stiletto collection consists of three red hot shades for your cheeks, lips and nails. I was kindly sent the Pout Polish in Scandal and the Blush in Scandalous. I've previously reviewed both Blush and Pout Polish from the brand but they've been nowhere near as intense as these two shades! My initial reaction upon opening was "Holy crap I'm gonna look like Aunt Sally!".

Once the shock had subsided, I was very impressed with the vibrancy of the shades. Sleek MakeUP hasn't half heartedly created a collection for the sake if it - they've really packed a punch with these shades so you can release your inner vixen.

The Scandalous Blush is a matte red with orange undertones. It actually reminds me of MAC's Devil blush, which doesn't bode well because I hated that one! My skin is far too pale to get away with shades as vibrant as this, but I was certainly intrigued. I applied a little today, and I mean the tiniest amoutn, and as expected I don't like it. That's a personal colour/skintone issue though as the quality of the product itself is fab. It isn't chalky and blends wonderfully on the skin without clinging to certain parts of my cheeks, so if the colour was toned doen a but this would be a win. I can imagine darker skinned ladies rocking this though!

Despite the colour being out of my comfort zone I was so excited to find a Pout Polish in my parcel! The last Pout Polish I reviewed was luminous yellow, so although it moisturises my lips beautifully, I can only wear it at night. Scandal is a fabulous cherry red colour and as with all Pout Polishes it contains jojoba oil, shea butter and almond oil, which really nourishes your lips. Let's face it, we all need kissable lips, regardless of the time of year! It's definitely going to make an impact with your look, but because it us a lip tint rather than a lipstick it is a lot more natural and less maintenance. It can be applied lightly for a sheer tint or whacked on with a lip brush for maximum effect. As expected it's glossy, silky and really does condition your lips. A tinted lip conditioner in a fabulous shade, what more do you want?

 Unblended

Blended slightly

Both items retail for £4.29, available from selected Superdrug stores and the Sleek MakeUP website. It's only available until Wednesday 16th February though, so you'd best be quick! There is also a gorgeous red nail polish as part of the collection (Geisha's Seal, £3.89) so you can complete the look in a one-stop shop!

Have you tried any of the Stiletto collection yet?

xoxo

Nails Inc & Diet Coke

If you have been living under a rock, you will be unaware that Nails Inc has collaborated with Diet Coke once again and released four beautiful hues of nail polish. Nails Inc polishes usually retail for around £11, but all you have to do to get your mitts on one of these bad boys, is buy two bottles of Diet Coke from Boots. Bargain!

I got sent these a few weeks ago, along with a customising kit (for my bottle of Diet Coke) in order to enter a competition, so thought it was about time I unveiled my design and showed you my swatches. However, I erm... Well, I smashed my bottle of Diet Coke. I was clearing up after my jazzing up sesh and knocked it off the table. Whoops! It was fab too, it had lollipops and hearts on it, with diamantes and gems. Such a waste. So, until I buy myself a new bottle of Diet Coke, it's only going to be swatches I'm showing you today. The four shades released this time are Caramel, Heather Grey, Denim and Plum.

I personally think Nails Inc polishes can be a bit hit and miss - sometimes you will get a really lovely colour with a dreamy formula that is a breeze to apply. Other times you will get a gloopy formula, a streaky formula, or a really thin and runny formula that makes application a nightmare with ugly nails to boot. I am super impressed with these though. I've tried them a number of times now and am always pleased with how easily they go on; no streaks and really opaque, which means you don't necessarily need another coat. I think that the colour palette works fabulously together and the names of the colours are a good representation of what is in the bottle, except Plum.

Plum is a really misleading name for this polish. I expected a really sumptious and velvety deep purple but instead I got a deep raspberry red shade. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful colour, but it is reminiscent of Barry M's Raspberry, which means that it is neither original nor unique. It's just a deep red that is available within most brands and price brackets. Still, for £2 odd you can't reply complain. Though, it does have plum undertones in my pictures. Maybe I'm being too harsh?

Heather Grey is just lovely. It looks like it has a lot of pink undertones in the bottle, but it is definitely a grey-lilac. This is probably my favourite shade out of the four I was sent. I really like the grey-lilac shades that have been available recently, but I usually find them to be to much of one colour. This one is spot on in my opinion, just enough of each to make it original and still pretty.

Caramel is... well, it's caramel really. It's darker beige than nude and the colour deepens further with each coat, but still looks really elegant and made my fingers look really long. This one lasted the longest without chipping, but that could be because I applied 3 coats to make it darker.

Denim is just fab. I don't own many blue nail polishes and the ones that I do are nothing like this. I'm often wary of wearing blue nail polish - I prefer warmer shades to be honest, but this is gorgeous. Not deep enough to be navy but not bright enough to be electric... Demin is the perfect way to describe it, like your favourite pair of darkwash jeans.

I didn't have a problem with the longevity of any of these colours. They did start chipping between 3 and 5 days but that is the norm for me anyway as my application technique is appalling! So overall I am really impressed with these polishes. These are definitely the better of Nails Inc shades and formulas and if they continue making them with this formula, they can't really go wrong.

Have you checked these polishes out yet? If not, why not?! They're a bargain! Also, stay tuned to see my creativity for my competition entry. Better late than never, eh?

xoxo

Review : Ecover Citrus and Orange Blossom shower gel and hand soap

I was recently sent some shower gel and hand soap to try from the Ecover range. The Ecover brand feels that the more 'basic' shower and handwash products have been somewhat left behind of the eco-beauty revolution. Many of the products we use contain nasty chemicals which can cause harm to the environment and can also be harsh on our skin. Ecover’s personal care range is not only kind to the environment but also pH neutral, meaning it's gentle on your skin too. Ecover hand soap and shower gel are biodegradable and, once they go down the plughole, have a minimum impact on aquatic life.

I have to be honest, I'd never heard of Ecover before, but that could be because the brand is better known for ecological household cleaning products rather than personal care products. There are two scents available - Lavender and Aloe Vera, or the one that I chose, Citrus and Orange Blossom. I chose this one because

a) I love citrussy smells, and

b) I need something that will wake me up on these cold and miserable mornings when truth be told, all I want to do is hibernate under my duvet!

First of all, I hate the packaging of both of these items. For the shower gel bottle to have a hook, I'd assume the gel would get dispensed out of the bottom. It doesn't - you have to take the hook off then turn the bottle upside down to dispense some product. It's just not practical to have a hook at the top yet still need a shelf when it's actually in use. It just didn't make sense to me and actually, I was quite annoyed by it.

Also, the design on the bottles would be more suited to something like a fabric conditioner. The smell is nice. It's very citrussy but again, it would be more suited to a fabric conditioner or laundry detergent. It's nice as a hand wash though, so I guess it depends on how fussy you are when it comes to how your shower gel smells!

Aside from the packaging issues I personally have with the Ecover Shower Gel, it does the job. As I said, the smell is quite pleasant and refreshing, and it lathers up brilliantly. My skin doesn't get dry or irritated by it either, which is always a good thing. I love the fact that it's eco-friendly too.Would I repurchase it? Honestly? No, I wouldn't. If you are looking for a very basic, eco-friendly shower gel that is gentle on sensitive skin and smells pleasant enough, then Bob's your uncle, this is for you. If like me, you prefer your shower gels to have that special something, whether it's added moisturiser or exfoliant, or even pretty packaging, then this isn't for you, and unfortunately, it isn't for me.

The Ecover Hand Soap on the other hand is the saving grace. Because I work in a pharmacy, I handle tablets and money and touch sick people everyday, so I am quite religious with cleaning my hands to prevent the spread of germs. Because I wash them so much, I like to use a hand soap with moisturiser, like the Dove one. However, I've noticed recently that when I get to work, I still have foundation in the lines of my fingertips and have to wash my hands again. With the Ecover hand soap, I didn't have that problem. My hands were spotlessly clean and I didn't notice there being a lack of moisturiser at all. In fact, I'd say my hands felt a bit softer because they were cleaner? It lathers up brilliantly with very little water, and of course there's the citrus smell that works really well in a hand soap. I would definitely buy this again. I doubt I'd hunt it down on the shelves, but if I spotted it I would buy it again.

They both cost £3.09 which I think is a great price for eco-friendly products, and are available from most major supermarkets.

Hope you found my reviews helpful. Are you fussy when it comes to shower products?

xoxo

Review : Sleek MakeUP Molten Metals & FOTD

I had a lovely surprise drop through my letterbox last week - Sleek MakeUP's latest product, Molten Metal. The Molten Metal is a cream eyeshadow duo, with two metallic shades, Pewter and Gold Leaf. Personally, I think they're both gold - there's not enough silver in the Pewter for it to be classed as such, but it is definitely a pretty, cool gold, whereas Gold Leaf has warmer tones.

What do Sleek MakeUP say?
Introducing Molten Metal, the new metallic cream from Sleek MakeUP. The luxurious packaging holds the secret weapon to update any beauty addict's cosmetic collection. The two cream shades come in cool Pewter and toasty Gold Leaf.

As with all Sleek MakeUP colour products, Molten Metal is highly pigmented and designed to show up on all skin tones. The long lasting cream can be used on the cheek bones, the lips and also as a handy highlighter.

The intense coloured cream eye shadow smooths on to the skin like a dream and lasting long after the night has finished. Unlike most cream eyeshadows, Molten Metal stays in place whilst never creasing thus giving you a strong metallic look that will stay perfect.

Huh? Never creasing? I highly doubt it Sleek MakeUP, those are some mighty claims you are making! Nevertheless, it sounds good, right?

What do I say?
When I first opened the compact, I was a little disappointed as I thought the creams looked quite powdery and dry, but when I swatched them I was pleasantly surprised. These are by far the smoothest and creamiest cream eyeshadows that I've felt in quite a while. I was also amazed by the pigmentation of them. I'm a big fan of Benefit's Creaseless Cream Eyeshadows, but I'm often annoyed that to get the colour in the pot, you have to apply a few layers. The colour translates in one layer with the Molten Metal though - in fact, I'd say it's actually better and more vivid once it's applied, which I love.

The Press Release says that you can wear these on your lips or cheeks too, but because of the colours that they are, that won't work. I blended the swatches on my skin and it was quite a muddy colour, which would make you look dirty should you attempt it as a cheek highlight. Something pinker, creamier or peachier would be lovely though because the consistency is perfect. Also, I stepped into the shower after I blended them and the water just sat on top of them, so I guess that makes them waterproof too... which bodes well for the creaseless aspect.

This weekend I trialled the shadows. On Saturday I applied the Pewter shade on top of a primer, then blended some eyeshadows on top of that. It's common sense to set a cream eyeshadow with powder, so I packed on a variety of shades to create a smokey eye. I applied the Molten Metal with my finger and it applied and blended so smoothly and so easily. It was a dream to apply! Blending the eyeshadows on top was a breeze too, so top marks for application. I applied my make up at about 11am, and it looked like this:

I used:

FACE

Foundation : Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect 71

Concealer : MAC Studio Finish NW15

Powder : MAC MSF Natural Light

Bronzer : NARS 'Laguna'
Blush : MAC Blush Ombre 'Azalea Blossom'
Highlighter : Collection 2000 Shimmer & Shade ' Just Peachy'

Brows : Collection 2000 Brow Pencil 'Blonde'

EYES

Primer : Benefit 'Stay Don't Stray'
Base : Sleek MakeUP Molten Metals 'Pewter' cream eyeshadow

Inner lid and lower lashline : Urban Decay 'Sidecar' eyeshadow (from the Naked palette)
Outer lid : MAC 'Satin Taupe' eyeshadow

Upper lashline and outer 'V' : Urban Decay 'Darkhorse' eyeshadow (from the Naked palette)
Crease :  Urban Decay 'Naked' eyeshadow (from the Naked palette)

Brow bone and tear duct : Urban Decay 'Virgin' eyeshadow (from the Naked palette)
Waterlines : Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner 'Whiskey'

Mascara : L'Oreal Voluminous 'Carbon Black'

LIPS

Lipstick : MAC 'Viva Glam Gaga' lipstick
Lipgloss : Illamasqua 'Electrify' sheer lipgloss

My eyelids are quite hooded, so creasing is an issue for me. Even with a primer, it creases by the time I get home from work, so I wasn't expecting it to last a long time I'm afraid. However, I checked my make up at a number of points through the day, and was rather pleased to find that it was holding up really well and only saw the teeniest bit of creasing. Even then I think it's only because I have issues with my hooded lids that I could see the tell-tale signs of creasing, and I doubt anybody else would have noticed if they'd looked at me. Also, yesterday was a pretty quiet day. The most strenuous activity I performed was whisking up some custard for my trifle, so I think the lack of vigorous movement like walking and working may have helped the longevity.

At 11pm, I was off to bed, so had one last check before removing my make up and this is what I found:

I am super impressed with how long the Molten Metal lasted on my eyelids. Okay, it faded a bit and I look dog-rough (which has nothing to do with the Molten Metals and everything to do with me being tired, I might add, hehe) but look - after 12 hours it hasn't creased too badly! You can't fail to be impressed by that!

On Sunday I tried out the Gold Leaf shade. I used a primer again, then blended it over my lid using a synthetic brush. It didn't seem to blend as well with the brush, so I blended around the edges with my fingers. I thought it was such a pretty colour that I didn't want to detract from it, so only used Brule eyeshadow by MAC to blend the edges, then dusted a little bit of Benefit's Lust Duster in Nugget over the top of the cream. It's such a fine, golden sandy coloured powder that it is perfect for setting a gold cream eyeshadow without putting down too much colour... or so it is usually. Less than 2 hours later, it creased:

I never honestly expected it to live up to it's bold 'never creasing' claims, but after Saturday's success I was expecting something a little better. It also felt really greasy and I seemed to wiping bits away from my crease all day. Bleurgh. That either suggests I applied too much, or the gold shade is a load of poop.

I attempted the gold again today, just to make sure it was the application and not this particular colour. I applied it over a primer using my fingers, then packed some of Urban Decay's 'Midnight Cowboy' over the top, and blended some 'Buck' and 'Naked' from the Urban Decay Naked palette into the crease. This is how it looks at the moment, after about 10 hours of wear:

It's only just starting to crease - woohoo! Clearly, the secret to using the Molten Metals is to:

♥ Apply and blend with your fingers.

♥ Pack lots of eyeshadow on top, something that isn't too fine.

♥ Use a primer underneath - I'm not brave enough to attempt them without!

At this point I should add that these make an awesome base for eyeshadows prone to fall-out. This has been the only cream product that has kept the glitter from 'Midnight Cowboy' actually on my eyelids, instead of migrating south towards my chin. That alone earns this product brownie points! I'm also aware that in my pictures, the colours don't look very metallicy. Don't fret, I can assure you it's my eyeshadow choice, as I've not really got a wide range of metallic eyeshadows. The cream eyeshadows are in fact very metallic, and true metallic too, not the type that claim to be metallic but are actually laced with glitter.

They've been likened to Illamasqua's Liquid Metals, but I've never tried them so cannot compare. What I do know though is that Sleek MakeUP's counterpart performs fabulously (when used correctly), and I for one can't wait to see what other colours they release. Sleek MakeUP have come up trumps again!

If you want to get your mitts on the Molten Metals, they will be released as part of the Sleek MakeUP permanent range on Wednesday 5th January in Surperdrug stores nationwide, and will cost just £6.99. They'll also be available from the Sleek MakeUP website, which is where you can find a list of your nearest Superdrug stockists too.

What do you think? Is this something that floats your boat? Will you be buying?

xoxo

Book review : From Notting Hill With Love... Actually by Ali McNamara

I was sent a copy of From Notting Hill With Love... Actually to review for you. It is the debut novel from Ali McNamara and is due for release on Thursday. As you can probably guess from the title of this book, it is massively inspired by successful romantic comedies, such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Pretty Woman, and obviously Notting Hill and Love Actually.

She was just a girl, standing in front of a boy… wishing he looked more like Hugh Grant.

Scarlett O'Brien loves the movies, but does she love sensible fiance David just as much? With a big white wedding on the horizon, Scarlett really should have decided by now… When she has the chance to house-sit in Notting Hill – the setting of one of her favourite movies – Scarlett jumps at the chance. But living life like a movie is trickier than it seems, especially when her new neighbour Sean is so irritating. And so irritatingly handsome, too. Scarlett soon finds herself starring in a romantic comedy of her very own: but who will end up as the leading man?

So What Do I Think?

The cover of this book is adorable, and fits in well with the theme. Yes, I know, you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but it is very pretty. The author's writing style is lovely too. Everything flows really well and is an easy, comfortable read - I'm looking forward to reading more from Ali!

I loved this book... eventually. The storyline can't really be classed as unique since it 'borrows' so many scenes from movies, but it isn't cliched or predictable - it just puts a fresh spin on your favourite moments and that's what makes it so enjoyable. I was about a third of the way through and still hadn't warmed to Scarlett. She just seemed too wishy-washy and selfish, and her desperation to prove that life can work out like her favourite movies was hugely irritating. Don't get me wrong, we all daydream about being whisked away by Johnny Depp to escape the humdrum of everyday life, but it was a little too much at times.

The turning point of this book was about halfway through, when her handsome neighbour Sean became a focal point of the storyline. His strong, witty character added a great balance to Scarlett and it was lovely to read the development of the relationship. I instantly liked Sean and I really enjoyed seeing the contrast between him and Scarlett's sensible, DIY-obsessed fiance David. There is a classic Bridget Jones moment where the two men end up fighting in water, a la Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver - and at that moment you realise which man is more suited to Scarlett.

It was around the point of Sean's character playing a bigger part that I started warming more to Scarlett too. Her life picked up and she concentrated less on the movies, which I personally think made her more likeable. Her vulnerable side shone through and of course, she starts learning from her mistakes. The minor characters are a lot of fun, particularly Oscar, her new BFF in Notting Hill. He injects flair and entertainment early on in the book when Scarlett is irritating, and I think it's his character that lifted the story a bit and kept me reading.

As the story unfolds, you get to find out about her past, why she loves the movies so much, and why her family can't stand it. It adds a bit more meaning to the story, and knowing the big secret now, I have a better understanding of Scarlett's character and think maybe I was a bit too harsh on her. She's still not my favourite heroine from a book, but I did like her by the end of it, and love her or loathe her, you'll be rooting for her 'Happy Ever After'. I do have one thing in common with Scarlett though - the love of this scene from Love Actually:

Oh so romantic. Swoon!

Rating : 7.5/10

If you can handpick all of your favourite scenes and leading men from your favourite romantic comedies and smoosh them altogether, you'd end up with From Notting Hill With Love... Actually. It embraces everything I love most about chick flicks - loveable characters (for the most part), tears, tantrums and laughter, heartwarming moments that make you feel tingly, and of course, a big ending full of drama and suspense that doesn't disappoint. Pure escapism at it's best!

Does this sound like your type of book? Will you be checking it out? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

The Real Magic of Santa Claus

Is Santa Real?  Eventually all kids will ask. This time need not be one of sadness and disappointment for the child or the adult.

The Real Magic of Santa Claus, will answer their questions honestly, but in a way that won’t leave them disappointed. The book is a lesson in love and sharing. Children come away realizing they are part of something special.

Not only does the author tell a bit of the history of the man (who lived over 1,000 years ago), but he offers fun statistics about Santa (like how much milk he must drink if he gets a glass at every child's house) that make it clear to children Santa can't be real.

Or can he? The author gently explains how Santa Claus is real.
This is an excellent resource to introduce children to the real meaning behind the magic of Santa Claus.  Anthony answers questions truthfully.  The book allows the reader to come to their own conclusion.  Readers soon discover that the answer opens up a new chapter in their lives. 

Santa is not a man in a red suit -- he's based on a true figure who has taught us to be generous and caring -- but readers do find that Santa is real.

The Real Magic of Santa Claus

Written and Illustrated by Anthony Canamucio

acanamucio@yahoo.com

Christmas Banner

How excting it was to receive my very own Christmas banner, personalized exactly the way I wanted!

You can personalize your sign by color, by type of material (vinyl banner, corrugated plastic, static cling, poster paper, PVC, matte vinyl banner), by size (12"x18" to 24"x48" to custom sizing), by template, and by adding your individual wording and graphics.

To order your own Christmas sign, go to Signazon.

Nicole, the SEO Manager of Signazon, was very patient and treated me like I was their number one customer.  My order took less than a week to arrive. 

The great thing about the vinyl banner is that it is a low cost decoration that is completely weatherproof and can be reused for many years.

The website is quite easy to navigate.

Some of my favorite banners/signs are:
Christmas Banner
Holiday Party
Holiday Wishes
Christmas Peace

The banner I chose: