Birthday Haul 2018

Another year has passed and I am another year older. I had an amazing birthday and cannot believe it's all over and I am another year close to the big 3-0! I received some lovely presents and cards and thank everyone who bought me something or wished me a Happy Birthday. These posts shouldn't need a disclaimer but you know the drill. I am not bragging, I have not named who has got me each thing and I have not featured every item. I hope this post gives you some good ideas for gifts for your friends and family. Lets get to it!

First I thought I would share some of the running gifts I received. I have started getting into running this year and it is starting to become a hobby that I enjoy and I never thought I would enjoy exercise! I received so many handy presents such as running socks, a towel, belt, magnets to hold race numbers and lots more goodies. I also received a 6 month subscription to a running magazine which I have really been enjoying and getting lots of tips from. I also got a couple of pairs of trainers which aren't for running but fit well in this photo. Using my birthday money I treated myself to some proper running shoes and got my gait analysed so I can't wait to break them in.

I got quite a few bits for the house including a new clock for the living room which I had been eyeing up. I just need to get James to hang it on the wall! I also received some mixing bowls which I was so pleased with as I had been making cakes in a heart shaped bowl which was just impossible to stir, so these round ones are going to change my life. I also received some candles, my fave! I also love the drinking glasses I got and cat themed mug!

Clearly my friends and family know me well as they got me some edible goodies and prossecco. I am yet to try the salted caramel kettles although I am very intrigued! I also got some of my favourite sweets, fudge and truffles. I feel spoilt for choice. Sorry Slimming World! One of my friends also knows I love food and got me a restaurant choice voucher so I cannot wait to spend it on a nice meal.

Some other gifts I received include socks, dvds, a camera bag and strap and some smellies. All of which I am really chuffed with. The DVD came from my cat, he thought I might like to watch it. I also got a chair for the garden so I can sit outside in the sunshine! I look forward to attempting the DIY cactus too!

I was lucky enough to receive some books too including a few recipe books. I can't wait to try some of the salted caramel recipes, using my new bowls of course! 

Last but not least, I received the second edition of the Christie Love's Box, cleverly put together by Kim. If you've seen my Christmas Gift Haul you will know I received Box 1 last year and it was filled with goodies. This year was no different and I was really impressed with the contents. You will have to wait until my next post to see what is inside though, as I think it deserves its own post! 

Let me know if you've had a birthday recently, and what goodies you received?

Holland and Barrett Dr. Organic Haul*

I was recently sent some more Holland and Barrett goodies from the Dr Organic range and after trying them out for a few weeks now, I thought I would share with you my recommendations. Dr Organic is a brand I have used before and I have tried many small sachet samples however I have never previously received full sized products. 

Dr Organic Raw Virgin Virgin Coconut Oil

The first item I saw was this coconut oil and being a massive fan I was so chuffed with such a large jar! Coconut oil is so versatile in that it can be used for cooking, baking, in smoothies and on your skin and hair. This Dr Organic one is unrefined and cholesterol free. There is nothing artificial here and it’s suitable for vegans too. As I was having my nails done for my holiday, I used the coconut oil just to soften and strengthen them ready for the acrylics and this oil really did a good job of that.

Dr Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream - 50ml -RRP £8.99

This Manuka honey cream can be used day and night, whenever you feel you need a top up. This cream is safe to use on sun exposed skin, sensitive or irritated skin. For that reason, it's great in the summer and the winter. This cream really did leave my skin feeling soft and absorbes fast so you aren't left with that tacky feeling. This is something I would definitely use again and for the price it's a pretty decent sized pot. A little can go a long way.

Dr Organic Virgin Olive Oil Face Mask - 125ml - RRP £6.49
I probably don't used face masks as often as I should so when I got this one, I wanted to make it a part of my daily routine. This mask is very hydrating and leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft. This is a clay based formula and aims to draw out oil from your pores. It leaves your skin feeling toned. The texture is nice and the mask rinses off easily which is something I always look out for in a face mask. I'd reccomend this to anyone that wants to control oily skin.

Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Moisture Melt Body Oil - 90g - RRP £9.59

This body oil is amazing. This treatment is based on organic virgin coconut oil, and smells just like it. The texture is like coconut oil too and is soild at room temperature. To use this product, I submerge the bottle into warm water until some of it has liquefied and then pour onto the skin. This is best used after a shower or a bath and makes my skin feel amazing. The oil soaks in beautifully and doesn’t leave any residue. It has a really lovely scent which is based on coconut oil with gardenia flowers, papaya seed oil, mango butter, cocoa butter, orange fruit extract, bergamot fruit oil, lemon peel oil and added vitamin E. The product comes in a glass bottle too which makes this feel even more luxurious and is good for dry areas such as the elbows and knees. A little goes a long way with this so I think it will really last and I will most likely repurchase.

Dr Organic Hemp Oil Rescue & Restore Hair & Scalp Treatment - 150ml - RRP £14.99

This product is really easy to use and is described as an energising treatment mousse based on organic Hemp Oil. This product aims to increase hair density and stimulate healthy hair growth, With a mousse like texture, this product is best used on wet hair before styling. The product is light and made from natural and organic ingredients. My hair is already rather thick so I passed this onto the other half to use. The result is thicker hair that feels healthy and energised. 

*I received these items free of charge.

Super Small Boots Haul

I love popping into Boots and swatching their makeup but I have to restrain myself from spending too much money. I recently got paid so thought I would treat myself to a few bits and bobs so whilst this haul is only a small one, I still managed to spend over £40.. Oops.

The first item I stocked up on is the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in the lightest shade 1C0 Shell. This is a foundation that I used to swear by and when my Kat Von D one ran out the other day I decided to go back to my roots. The formula hasn’t changed since I last used it, however this colour is so light I definitely need to contour or I look a bit flat! Thank goodness I don’t tan in the summer hah! This is a medium to heavy coverage foundation which I love as I have very red cheeks that need the extra coverage. This foundation costs £30 but you only need a small amount at a time and it lasts all day. I am loving having this back in my routine and to me it is worth every penny!

The next item I picked up was the Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shaving Balm. I have seen beauty bloggers galore raving over this product after using it as a primer. Everyone and their mum has been snapping this product up and at just £5.35 it’s a lot cheaper than my usual primer and you get a lot more product!  The day after I bought it I even saw Kylie Jenner raving about it on Snapchat. Honestly girls, grab a bottle – steal your boyfriend’s if you have to, you need to try this product! It makes my foundation go on so much smoother and this is down to the ingredient glycerine. I think this is my new holy grail product. I literally love it! The only downside is the typical male aftershave scent but that soon wears away once your foundation is on top. It is also worth noting I found this in Wilko for half the price! Not sure if it was on offer or it’s the normal price but worth looking if you have one near you.

The final product I bought was the Sleek Matte Me Lipstick in Birthday Suit. I first discovered this shade when I saw it on Megan from Mostly Megan on YouTube (her amazing channel is here) and I knew I had to have it! I put some on my hand when I was working the other day and it literally stayed put. I washed my hands multiple times and even slept with it on my hand and the staying power was incredible! It applies like a gloss and sets matte. It’s not drying in the slightest and lasted for hours, even throughout lunch! I have heard this is a good dupe for the Kylie Jenner Lip Kits too, I am waiting for mine to be shipped to me so I will be sure to compare them when it arrives!

That’s it for my small boots haul! Have you picked up anything exciting from there lately?

What I got for Christmas 2015

I love watching Christmas hauls and seeing what everyone got so I thought I would put it into blog post form. It's sad that you have to put a disclaimer on these "I'm not bragging" blah blah, you know the drill. I just want to share some of the things I got, maybe they'll inspire your wishlists or give you some ideas on what to buy other people on their birthdays this coming year.

I haven't included every single thing that I got as this post would be very long with all the little bits and pieces I received. I appreciated every single one of my gifts but for the purpose of this post, I have mainly included things that are a little bit different from the norm. I haven't mentioned who got me what either as I don't want to put people against each other.

One of my main presents this year was my Roberts Radio in duck egg blue. I have wanted one of these DAB radios since forever and I love the vintage look these ones have. I asked for duck egg blue as it's a nice neutral pastel colour which I know will work well with the decor I plan to have in my future home.

Hopefully I will be moving out in 2016 so this slow cooker is a godsend. I have recently been using my mums slow cooker to make pulled pork and I can't believe how easy it is! I am so excited to try some recipes out in this. I also received other house bits including plates and knives. All things that will come in handy when I move out.

Speaking of recipes I was lucky enough to receive some new recipe books. I love trying new things and all of these books are packed with great looking recipes and some healthy alternatives which I can't wait to try come January when my diet begins. Also how cute is this cat money box? I think it will look lovely on the shelf.

 All these recipes I plan to make would be incomplete without an apron wouldn't they?! Well I was lucky enough to receive 2! And one is personalised with my blog font - how awesome! My friends and family know I love baking - I can sense the theme here with these gifts!

Alcohol - say no more. I haven't tried this Echo Falls flavour yet but I received a lovely cocktail recipe to try and include this in. Also prosecco - how posh!

If I get bored of the booze then I can go onto some tea. I got a lovely glass teapot and mug alongside a pug tea infuser. I was told this was a joke gift but it's actually really handy as I have some loose tea I can use in this. I have wanted one of these boxes for ages and this one is so pretty. It looks great with my teabags in too! Speaking of tea I received the Body Shop green tea bath salts and infuser which I can't wait to try out when I next have a bath.

And then there's the beauty bits... Plenty to keep me going in the new year. I love trying new products so it's always great receiving things like this - also how cute is the penguin!

I received so many lovely gifts, some of which I haven't been able to include but I would like to thank every single person who bought me a gift. I also received some vouchers so will do a haul post on what I spend those on. I also have vouchers for an experience day so will blog about that when I choose what I will be doing!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Please link me your Christmas hauls! Happy new year!

Boots Haul

I don't often buy a lot in Boots but seeing as their beauty products were 3 for 2, I thought I'd have a quick browse. I needed some essentials but they decided I couldn't leave the store without treating myself to a few bits.

It wasn't actually advertised in store that things were on 3 for 2, it was only because I happened to check the price of a few things online that I saw the offer. Maybe it's only just started. Anyway, the first thing I bought was the Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Pillow Plump XXL in the shade Pinkwell for £10.00. It's a plumping gloss and I picked up a sheer colour which almost comes across as see-through giving a slight hint of pink to the lips. When I first put this on, my lips were tingling, and I did notice a slight difference. It's not as sticky as lip glosses I have used in the past and maybe that's why it doesn't seem to stay on for as long as I'd have liked, but I'm going to keep using it.

The second thing I got was Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner at £7.99. This is my 3rd pot of this and I really like it. I have a strange eyeliner routine. I like to use gel liner, but I apply it with an old 'felt tip' eyeliner. My nib on my old one was getting a bit old and fluffy from the constant cleaning I was doing and my eyeliner was coming out quite thick so as you can see from my next purchase, I have replaced that too. This gel liner comes with a brush which I personally find really difficult to use, I might have to check out a tutorial or something. The liner is a really deep black colour and stays put all day without smudging.

My 'free' product as mentioned earlier was a Revlon Colorstay eyeliner pen which should have been £6.99. I really like this for the top of they eye, it creates a nice neat thin black line, but I am yet to master the 'flick' with this pen, I can't seem to get it right, which is where I am currently using my gel and my old eyeliner pen.

I then bought some deodorants, I like using a roll-on for the morning and topping up with a spray if needed. I got a Dove roll-on reduced to £1.15, its a really fresh and fruity scent. I then got a Sure compressed spray which I believe was £1.00. I won't talk about these too much as they seem a bit of a boring purchase but something I definitely needed.

The last thing I bought were some replacement blades for my razor which is a Wilkinson Sword Intuition Naturals Sensitive Care Razor. I got this razor in a Glossybox and it costs about £6.50. These 3 blades cost £6.79 but they last quite a long time. I love this razor because the blade is surrounded by soap which leaves my skin feeling so soft and meaning I don't have to use any shaving foam. These get really close to the skin as well.

Have you bought anything from Boots lately?