I moved house two weeks ago and whilst I love my new house I no longer have my own bathroom. Boohoo! Our house has one small bathroom and the only storage space is the windowsill. With such limited space I’ve had to be selective and only store what I’m using on a daily basis on there. I thought it would be a good way to show you what skincare products I am currently using.

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I cleanse with Moa The Green Balm and tone with Kipos Tonic Lotion. Usually my cleanser removes all of my eye make-up but if not I also use Boots Botanics All Bright Soothing Eye Makeup Remover.

In the morning I use Boots Time Delay Youth Maintain Anti-Ageing Replenishing Eye Cream, a few drops of Neal's Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Oil followed by Yon-Ka Pamplemousse Protective and Vitalizing Face Cream. 

At night I use Dr Lauranne Moonlife Beauty Eye Contour Eye Gel and just a few generous drops of Antipodes Divine Face Oil.

Do you use any of these products?

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Daily Facial Skincare

I moved house two weeks ago and whilst I love my new house I no longer have my own bathroom. Boohoo! Our house has one small bathroom and the only storage space is the windowsill. With such limited space I’ve had to be selective and only store what I’m using on a daily basis on there. I thought it would be a good way to show you what skincare products I am currently using.

20130429_151936

I cleanse with Moa The Green Balm and tone with Kipos Tonic Lotion. Usually my cleanser removes all of my eye make-up but if not I also use Boots Botanics All Bright Soothing Eye Makeup Remover.

In the morning I use Boots Time Delay Youth Maintain Anti-Ageing Replenishing Eye Cream, a few drops of Neal's Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Oil followed by Yon-Ka Pamplemousse Protective and Vitalizing Face Cream. 

At night I use Dr Lauranne Moonlife Beauty Eye Contour Eye Gel and just a few generous drops of Antipodes Divine Face Oil.

Do you use any of these products?

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For my birthday last week my lovely fiancé took me to the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel in London. Baby N got to come too! I love afternoon tea and I love Alice in Wonderland so I was in heaven! With menus hidden inside vintage books, sugar cubes inside a music box and riddles on the napkins, I knew it was going to be a wonderful experience.

1 mad hatter's afternoon tea sanderson hotel menu

Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea

For my birthday last week my lovely fiancé took me to the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel in London. Baby N got to come too! I love afternoon tea and I love Alice in Wonderland so I was in heaven! With menus hidden inside vintage books, sugar cubes inside a music box and riddles on the napkins, I knew it was going to be a wonderful experience.

1 mad hatter's afternoon tea sanderson hotel menu

My 90 day spending ban came to an end last week! I had one simple rule, I cannot buy something new if I have that type of product already in my stash. You can read Update #1 here, Update #2 here, Update #3 here, Update #4 here, Update #5 here and Update #6 here.

In the 90 days I used up 30 products but by raiding my stash I only ended up needing to buy 2 new products because I already have so much! The total saved during the ban is a massive £272.13 – I know it’s only a hypothetical saving based on the value of the products I picked out of my stash, but still it gives a good idea of how you could end up saving if you use up what you’ve already got!

It’s actually been fun doing the spending ban as I’ve discovered products I had completely forgotten I’d bought; for example, I found a brand new Clinique lipstick in the shade Sweet Violet which is so pretty, I just can’t remember buying it and had no idea it was there!

Doing this spending ban has certainly changed my shopping mentality; even though it’s over I will still think “do I really need this?” whenever I’m tempted to buy the latest must-have or give in to special offers and deals. Whether that mentality lasts or not is another matter!

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90 Day Spending Ban – It’s Over!

My 90 day spending ban came to an end last week! I had one simple rule, I cannot buy something new if I have that type of product already in my stash. You can read Update #1 here, Update #2 here, Update #3 here, Update #4 here, Update #5 here and Update #6 here.

In the 90 days I used up 30 products but by raiding my stash I only ended up needing to buy 2 new products because I already have so much! The total saved during the ban is a massive £272.13 – I know it’s only a hypothetical saving based on the value of the products I picked out of my stash, but still it gives a good idea of how you could end up saving if you use up what you’ve already got!

It’s actually been fun doing the spending ban as I’ve discovered products I had completely forgotten I’d bought; for example, I found a brand new Clinique lipstick in the shade Sweet Violet which is so pretty, I just can’t remember buying it and had no idea it was there!

Doing this spending ban has certainly changed my shopping mentality; even though it’s over I will still think “do I really need this?” whenever I’m tempted to buy the latest must-have or give in to special offers and deals. Whether that mentality lasts or not is another matter!

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Baby N is now 5 months old and I’m sure he’s teething. It’s not as bad as I expected it to be; I’ve heard so many stories from friends about what a nightmare teething can be, but as long as he has something to chew on then my baby is happy. When I’m out and about though it’s difficult to take teething toys along as he might drop them and I don’t really want to be taking half his toy collection out with us!

A friend mentioned teething jewellery so I googled it and came across Gumigem. Gumigem make gorgeous jewellery with a twist – it’s made out of baby-safe silicone. Totally soft, bendy and safe to chew on. Gumigem is a family-run business – a mum came up with the idea. I love that!

Gumigem teething jewellery miller heart pendant mercury chameleon bangle

Gumigem teething jewellery miller heart pendant mercury bangle chameleon

It took me ages to choose what to get as there are ten different styles of necklace as well as two different choices of bangle. I ended up deciding on a Miller heart pendant (£12.95) in Mercury as I figured silver would go with most outfits. And a Bubba bangle (£8.95) in Chameleon which is multi-coloured. I was going to get Shadow, which is black, because black goes with everything but seeing as this is really more for Baby N than for me multi-coloured would be more stimulating.

As soon as my jewellery arrived in the post I gave the bangle to Baby N to see what he thought. Straight away it went in his mouth; he had a good chew on it and waved it about too. The necklace he was less interested in, probably because it’s not as colourful as the bangle, but he does grab it and put it in his mouth. The receptionist at the children’s centre yesterday said “I love your necklace, it’s really cool!” She couldn’t believe it when I said it was for teething! It just doesn’t look like silicone!

I think this kind of jewellery is a brilliant idea as it means I can still accessorise and look stylish whilst knowing that it’s completely safe if Baby N grabs or tries to eat them. And I will always have a teething toy handy when we’re out and about for the day. I also think the packaging they come in is really nice, these would be lovely gifts for a mum-to-be. Find out more here: www.gumigem.co.uk

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Gumigem Teething Jewellery

Baby N is now 5 months old and I’m sure he’s teething. It’s not as bad as I expected it to be; I’ve heard so many stories from friends about what a nightmare teething can be, but as long as he has something to chew on then my baby is happy. When I’m out and about though it’s difficult to take teething toys along as he might drop them and I don’t really want to be taking half his toy collection out with us!

A friend mentioned teething jewellery so I googled it and came across Gumigem. Gumigem make gorgeous jewellery with a twist – it’s made out of baby-safe silicone. Totally soft, bendy and safe to chew on. Gumigem is a family-run business – a mum came up with the idea. I love that!

Gumigem teething jewellery miller heart pendant mercury chameleon bangle

Gumigem teething jewellery miller heart pendant mercury bangle chameleon

It took me ages to choose what to get as there are ten different styles of necklace as well as two different choices of bangle. I ended up deciding on a Miller heart pendant (£12.95) in Mercury as I figured silver would go with most outfits. And a Bubba bangle (£8.95) in Chameleon which is multi-coloured. I was going to get Shadow, which is black, because black goes with everything but seeing as this is really more for Baby N than for me multi-coloured would be more stimulating.

As soon as my jewellery arrived in the post I gave the bangle to Baby N to see what he thought. Straight away it went in his mouth; he had a good chew on it and waved it about too. The necklace he was less interested in, probably because it’s not as colourful as the bangle, but he does grab it and put it in his mouth. The receptionist at the children’s centre yesterday said “I love your necklace, it’s really cool!” She couldn’t believe it when I said it was for teething! It just doesn’t look like silicone!

I think this kind of jewellery is a brilliant idea as it means I can still accessorise and look stylish whilst knowing that it’s completely safe if Baby N grabs or tries to eat them. And I will always have a teething toy handy when we’re out and about for the day. I also think the packaging they come in is really nice, these would be lovely gifts for a mum-to-be. Find out more here: www.gumigem.co.uk

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I had my nails done at the weekend by my fab friend Jo who owns Vanity Beauty Academy in Hitchin. You can follow her on twitter to see some of her amazing nail art: www.twitter.com/joannawebbnails

I chose this lovely pale pastel green shade from Artistic Colour Gloss called Seafoam. I couldn’t decide what nail art to have done so let Jo decide; she suggested white polka dots but on random nails rather than all of them. I love the look, it’s perfect for spring!

Artistic Colour Gloss Seafoam gel nails nail art polka dots

Check out the salon website here: http://www.vanitybeautyacademy.com and if you’re ever in Hitchin, definitely go get your nails done by Jo or Kiri – they are amazing!

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NOTD: Artistic Colour Gloss ‘Seafoam’ with Polka Dots

I had my nails done at the weekend by my fab friend Jo who owns Vanity Beauty Academy in Hitchin. You can follow her on twitter to see some of her amazing nail art: www.twitter.com/joannawebbnails

I chose this lovely pale pastel green shade from Artistic Colour Gloss called Seafoam. I couldn’t decide what nail art to have done so let Jo decide; she suggested white polka dots but on random nails rather than all of them. I love the look, it’s perfect for spring!

Artistic Colour Gloss Seafoam gel nails nail art polka dots

Check out the salon website here: http://www.vanitybeautyacademy.com and if you’re ever in Hitchin, definitely go get your nails done by Jo or Kiri – they are amazing!

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Day 88! So close to the end of the spending ban! Just the one simple rule, I cannot buy something new if I have that type of product already in my stash. You can read Update #1 here, Update #2 here, Update #3 here, Update #4 here and Update #5 here.

Since the last update I have got through a couple of shower gels, a couple of body scrubs, a body lotion and a facial moisturiser!

I raided my stash and picked out a Korres Guava Little Shower Gel that I got in February’s Birchbox. It was only little so ran out quickly, so I also picked Nivea Pearl and Beauty Shower Cream Oil that I got in a Christmas gift set. I picked out Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub which was also a Christmas gift. I had a second tube of Yon-Ka Pamplemousse from a giveaway so cracked that open and I had a bottle of E45 Nourish & Restore Lotion arrive in the post this week so that was great timing!

I had been using Soap & Glory Eye Maintenance but I really didn’t like it, so it went in the bin. I bought Boots Time Delay Youth Maintain Anti-Ageing Replenishing Eye Cream. It was on offer for £5.49 and I still managed to save £46.50 this week!

How are you getting on with the spending ban? Looking forward to the end?

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90 Day Spending Ban – Update #6

Day 88! So close to the end of the spending ban! Just the one simple rule, I cannot buy something new if I have that type of product already in my stash. You can read Update #1 here, Update #2 here, Update #3 here, Update #4 here and Update #5 here.

Since the last update I have got through a couple of shower gels, a couple of body scrubs, a body lotion and a facial moisturiser!

I raided my stash and picked out a Korres Guava Little Shower Gel that I got in February’s Birchbox. It was only little so ran out quickly, so I also picked Nivea Pearl and Beauty Shower Cream Oil that I got in a Christmas gift set. I picked out Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub which was also a Christmas gift. I had a second tube of Yon-Ka Pamplemousse from a giveaway so cracked that open and I had a bottle of E45 Nourish & Restore Lotion arrive in the post this week so that was great timing!

I had been using Soap & Glory Eye Maintenance but I really didn’t like it, so it went in the bin. I bought Boots Time Delay Youth Maintain Anti-Ageing Replenishing Eye Cream. It was on offer for £5.49 and I still managed to save £46.50 this week!

How are you getting on with the spending ban? Looking forward to the end?

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Another month, another round of empties!

March Empties

L’Occitane Shampoo & Conditioner - I love L’Occitane but didn’t love these two. My hair felt weighed down and got really static. It’s a shame because this range smells so nice – fresh and citrus.

L’Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil sample – I used this sample two ways: as a pre-shampoo treatment and on damp hair. Both ways left my hair feeling really greasy. Dislike.

Simple Moisturising Facial Wash – I got this in a set for Christmas. I used it for my AM cleanse. It’s nice enough and really cheap to buy so I’d get it again if I was in a hurry.

Goldwell DualSenses Ultra Volume 60 Sec Gel Treatment – I didn’t get on with this at all. I tried it twice but both times my hair felt really greasy and knotty. I actually threw it away half-full!

Soap & Glory Eye Maintenance – Another product I didn’t like – I didn’t feel like this was really doing anything for me so I threw it away with most of it still left!

Collection 2000 Illuminating Touch – I use this under my eyes on days when I can’t justify using my YSL Touche Eclat (I’m on maternity leave, I’ve got to watch the pennies)! It’s really good and I will definitely be buying it again.

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara miniature – Lancome Hynose is my favourite mascara, I don’t love Hypnose Drama though. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter – In the beginning I liked this body butter but the tub is SO HUGE that by the time I got halfway through I was desperate for it to run out! I just got bored of the scent.

Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Split End Protection Intensive Mask – I didn’t find this really worked as an intensive treatment, it just felt like a regular conditioner. I’d choose something else in future.

Molton Brown Rose Granati Hand Wash – This is such a beautiful smelling handwash – gorgeous pomegranate – but oh so expensive to buy! Luckily I got it in a Christmas gift set.

Mandara Spa Tropical Blooms Smoothing Shower Scrub – I was given this as a Christmas gift and it is so lovely. It smells of jasmine and ylang ylang and has just the right amount of grittiness. What I especially like about this brand is that it’s free from nasties like SLS, parabens and animal ingredients.

Crabtree & Evelyn India Hicks Hand Therapy – I love Crabtree & Evelyn, they have some of the most gorgeous smelling products. This hand cream was lovely, so moisturising and smells beautiful.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner – This is a staple product for me, I always use it!

Dr Bronner Magic All-In-One Pure Castile Soap samples – I used both of these as AM face cleansers, though the peppermint one was probably not the best idea on my face as it made it all tingly! These are so good though and so versatile, even if I am quite reserved in my own use of them.

I Coloniali Deep Massage Body Cream with Myrrh sample – I did not realise this is an M&S brand! Or at least, M&S sell it. I’m in love with this stuff, it smells amazing and feels so wonderful on my skin!

Link me to your Empties posts in the comments below!

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March Empties

Another month, another round of empties!

March Empties

L’Occitane Shampoo & Conditioner - I love L’Occitane but didn’t love these two. My hair felt weighed down and got really static. It’s a shame because this range smells so nice – fresh and citrus.

L’Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil sample – I used this sample two ways: as a pre-shampoo treatment and on damp hair. Both ways left my hair feeling really greasy. Dislike.

Simple Moisturising Facial Wash – I got this in a set for Christmas. I used it for my AM cleanse. It’s nice enough and really cheap to buy so I’d get it again if I was in a hurry.

Goldwell DualSenses Ultra Volume 60 Sec Gel Treatment – I didn’t get on with this at all. I tried it twice but both times my hair felt really greasy and knotty. I actually threw it away half-full!

Soap & Glory Eye Maintenance – Another product I didn’t like – I didn’t feel like this was really doing anything for me so I threw it away with most of it still left!

Collection 2000 Illuminating Touch – I use this under my eyes on days when I can’t justify using my YSL Touche Eclat (I’m on maternity leave, I’ve got to watch the pennies)! It’s really good and I will definitely be buying it again.

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara miniature – Lancome Hynose is my favourite mascara, I don’t love Hypnose Drama though. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter – In the beginning I liked this body butter but the tub is SO HUGE that by the time I got halfway through I was desperate for it to run out! I just got bored of the scent.

Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Split End Protection Intensive Mask – I didn’t find this really worked as an intensive treatment, it just felt like a regular conditioner. I’d choose something else in future.

Molton Brown Rose Granati Hand Wash – This is such a beautiful smelling handwash – gorgeous pomegranate – but oh so expensive to buy! Luckily I got it in a Christmas gift set.

Mandara Spa Tropical Blooms Smoothing Shower Scrub – I was given this as a Christmas gift and it is so lovely. It smells of jasmine and ylang ylang and has just the right amount of grittiness. What I especially like about this brand is that it’s free from nasties like SLS, parabens and animal ingredients.

Crabtree & Evelyn India Hicks Hand Therapy – I love Crabtree & Evelyn, they have some of the most gorgeous smelling products. This hand cream was lovely, so moisturising and smells beautiful.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner – This is a staple product for me, I always use it!

Dr Bronner Magic All-In-One Pure Castile Soap samples – I used both of these as AM face cleansers, though the peppermint one was probably not the best idea on my face as it made it all tingly! These are so good though and so versatile, even if I am quite reserved in my own use of them.

I Coloniali Deep Massage Body Cream with Myrrh sample – I did not realise this is an M&S brand! Or at least, M&S sell it. I’m in love with this stuff, it smells amazing and feels so wonderful on my skin!

Link me to your Empties posts in the comments below!

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My fiancé went to LA with work a couple of months ago and while he was there he bought presents for the children, but struggled to find something for me. He’d wanted to get me some lipsticks as he’d seen me talking about them on Twitter but was nervous about buying anything without me there as he thought it all looked a bit too garish and was worried I wouldn’t like them. So when he got back he took me to John Lewis so I could pick some myself, woohoo! One of the lipsticks I picked was Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in shade 66 ‘Bel-Ami’ (£24.00).

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick 66 Bel-Ami

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick 66 Bel Ami

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 66 Bel-Ami lipstick

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick 66 Bel-Ami swatchChanel Rouge Coco Shine 66 Bel Ami lipstick

I LOVE the packaging of this lipstick. Everything about it oozes sophistication. I feel like a proper grown-up using this! The lid goes back on with a good ‘click’ so there are no worries about it coming off and getting ruined in your handbag (I have had this happen with so many lipsticks)!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks are hydrating sheer lipsticks. Bel-Ami is a soft, tea-rose pink which gives that ‘just bitten’ look. It has the lightest touch of shimmer and has a lovely sheen. The first swatch is in direct sunlight, the second is in normal light. This lipstick is so moisturising, it makes your lips feel like you have got some lip balm on too. Being such a sheer shade I worried that it might not be very long-lasting, but actually it lasts pretty well! It leaves a little bit of a stain on the lips too.

I love my new lipstick and am really pleased that I got to pick it myself as this is such a pretty, wearable shade. It’s my new favourite!

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Chanel Rouge Coco Shine – Bel-Ami

My fiancé went to LA with work a couple of months ago and while he was there he bought presents for the children, but struggled to find something for me. He’d wanted to get me some lipsticks as he’d seen me talking about them on Twitter but was nervous about buying anything without me there as he thought it all looked a bit too garish and was worried I wouldn’t like them. So when he got back he took me to John Lewis so I could pick some myself, woohoo! One of the lipsticks I picked was Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in shade 66 ‘Bel-Ami’ (£24.00).

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick 66 Bel-Ami

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick 66 Bel Ami

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 66 Bel-Ami lipstick

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick 66 Bel-Ami swatchChanel Rouge Coco Shine 66 Bel Ami lipstick

I LOVE the packaging of this lipstick. Everything about it oozes sophistication. I feel like a proper grown-up using this! The lid goes back on with a good ‘click’ so there are no worries about it coming off and getting ruined in your handbag (I have had this happen with so many lipsticks)!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks are hydrating sheer lipsticks. Bel-Ami is a soft, tea-rose pink which gives that ‘just bitten’ look. It has the lightest touch of shimmer and has a lovely sheen. The first swatch is in direct sunlight, the second is in normal light. This lipstick is so moisturising, it makes your lips feel like you have got some lip balm on too. Being such a sheer shade I worried that it might not be very long-lasting, but actually it lasts pretty well! It leaves a little bit of a stain on the lips too.

I love my new lipstick and am really pleased that I got to pick it myself as this is such a pretty, wearable shade. It’s my new favourite!

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