Foodie Friday | Fudge Kitchen review | AKA The Best Luxury Artisan Fudge in the UK

Need a sweet pick-me-up? Fudge has always been a real nostalgic treat for me and I've been searching for the best fudge in the UK for a while. Guess what? I think I've finally found the holy grail of all luxury, artisan fudge thanks to Fudge Kitchen.

Scattered across six different locations across the UK, Fudge Kitchen has been making handmade fudge since 1983 which is always a good indicator of a successful business in these chaotic times we live in. And when I say handmade, I really do mean handmade; they've gone viral online for showcasing their 'theatre for fudge', where you can see their makers pour incredible mixtures (based on traditional recipes from the 1800's) over Italian marble tables and shape it into the most incredible fudge you'll ever taste in your life.

You'll find Fudge Kitchen in tourist hotspots such as Bath, York, and Edinburgh, and fudge addicts can even book onto courses to learn how to make fudge in their stores. For those not near a bricks and mortar shop, don't despair because you can order Fudge Kitchen online and have it delivered straight to your door. Perfect for birthday gifts and special treats!

Having sampled this holy grail fudge in their Bath store, I had to order some more as soon as I got home. Fashioned into thick slabs (this really is a million miles away from any other kind of fudge I've tried in the past)  and made with only minimal natural ingredients, they have a delectable range of flavours to choose from so there's something for everyone. 

From classic favourites such as Clotted Cream and Sea Salt Caramel, to experimental delights like Sticky Toffee Pudding and Pina Colada, you are truly spoilt for choice. There are also special seasonal additions available throughout the year; Eton Mess is the current one as a celebration for Wimbledon, and I'm happy to say that vegans are catered for as well with Fudge Kitchen's unique vegan recipes.

I highly recommend the 'Build A Box' option which allows you to choose five flavours and arrives beautifully packaged with no plastic. As soon as I opened the package, I could smell the heavenly sweet fragrance of butter and sugar, and I couldn't wait to sample everything!

Chocolate & Orange Vegan Fudge

Chocolate and orange is just one of those classic, to-die-for flavour combinations that I can never get enough of. Here Fudge Kitchen has created a vegan, dairy-free version made from a finely honed sugar-crafting technique that incorporates ingredients such as oats and oat drink to form the base. I have tried some different brands of vegan fudge in the past and I have to admit, they have been disappointing, but it's safe to say that Fudge Kitchen has truly nailed its vegan recipe here with a smooth, dense, creamy texture that doesn't feel bitty or gritty like others do. As expected, this Chocolate Orange Vegan Fudge is a dream come true; not too sweet, very chocolatey and with a good dose of orange mixed in.

Creamy Coffee Fudge

I'm one of those people who doesn't drink coffee but loves the coffee-flavoured things (bizarre I know!), and this Creamy Coffee Fudge hits the spot perfectly. The buttery texture melts in your mouth and the infusion of coffee is strong, but not overpowering if that makes any sense. Absolutely superb and one of my favourite flavours.

Peanut Butter Vegan Fudge

Following on from the success of the Chocolate & Orange Vegan Fudge, my attention quickly turned to the moreish Peanut Butter Vegan Fudge which is another culinary winner. I'm a huge fan of peanut butter so this was an easy choice to win me over with, but again, that unique dairy-free texture is so impressive. I particularly enjoyed the crunchy pieces of peanuts which kept my tastebuds interested with every bite.

Chocolate Swirl Fudge

Imagine a classic clotted cream recipe with a generous swirl of chocolate sauce and real chocolate chunks added and this is what you get. Beautifully buttery and creamy, this one had a slightly softer and subtly chewier texture than the previous flavours, with that insane melt-in-your-mouth quality. This one was very popular with everyone who tried it!

Butter Pecan Fudge

Saving the very best til last, the Butter Pecan Fudge is what sweet dreams are made of. My goodness! This is the flavour that I sampled in their Bath store, so of course I had to purchase another slab of it because the first one didn't last long! Butter Pecan is just sublime with a rich, nutty flavour, coupled with caramel, sugar and butter, and a dense, yet slightly crumbly texture. Heaven on earth right here.

Fudge Kitchen's Build A Box costs £20 for five thick slabs plus shipping - order online & discover more sweet treats at fudgekitchen.co.uk

Do you love fudge?

Read more

Health & Lifestyle | NEOM Wellbeing Pod Mini Essential Oil Diffuser review

Essential oil diffusers are one of the biggest must-have items for home offices, and it feels like every well-being brand on the planet has their own version that they are currently promoting. Prices can vary dramatically across the board, so I thought I'd feature one of the UK's bestsellers that is available for a more affordable price; the NEOM Wellbeing Pod Mini Essential Oil Diffuser.

Why Are Essential Oil Diffusers So Popular Right Now?

There are many reasons, but the main one appears to be that a lot of people who began working from home for the first time during Covid back in 2020 are still doing so. In fact, I've had countless conversations with brands and PRs that have discussed this huge lifestyle change that's occurred since the pandemic, and in fact, estate agents are also reporting that more people than ever are looking for an additional room in a potential new home that they can easily turn into an office space.

The rise of freelancers and side hustlers has boomed too as people seek new ways to increase their incomes, and thus products that help to boost productivity at home, or simply enhance our home working environment in some way, are selling incredibly well. So the Essential Oil Diffuser is definitely having its moment! 

What Do Essential Oil Diffusers Do?

It's all in the name; they diffuse essential oils into the air to fragrance your room, usually without the need for any water to be added. The latest models are all sleek, rechargeable, super easy to use, and have a simple on/off mechanism. 

NEOM Wellbeing Pod Mini Essential Oil Diffuser

The NEOM Wellbeing Pod Mini Essential Oil Diffuser ticks all of these boxes effortlessly and I absolutely love its minimal, elegant design. Perfect for smaller rooms such as home offices, bathrooms, etc, this diffuser can even be used in your car! It's beautifully travel-friendly too so if you're planning any weekends away, you can easily pop it into your luggage and you're good to go.

Using cold diffusion technology, the essential oils are converted into a micro fine vapour without using water or heat, so they can be released into the atmosphere for you to enjoy their benefits. Genius!

How To Use

Most essential oil diffusers are generally quite similar, but I'll give you a quick rundown on how the NEOM Wellbeing Pod Mini Essential Oil Diffuser works if this is the first time you've bought one.

First things first, charge your diffuser using the provided USB cable. I attach this to my wall plug phone charger as I find it charges faster than when plugged into your laptop. Let it fully charge up for 6 hours before using. 

Place it on a flat surface. As you can see above, there's an internal chamber that comes out of the diffuser and this is where you insert your chosen bottle of essential oil that you'd like to diffuse. The NEOM Pod Mini is so easy; you simply push in the button on the bottom and hey presto, the chamber pops up at the top for you to take out. Unscrew to attach the essential oil bottle and pop it back into the diffuser. NEOM has even included an essential oil opener in the box which makes the task even faster to do.

On the top of the diffuser, you'll find the on/off button to the right and to the left, there's a button where you can control the intensity with three bars next to it. Press it until you reach the desired intensity; one bar is the lowest and three bars is the highest. That's it! Sit back and enjoy the essential oil scent.

Overall Thoughts

The NEOM Wellbeing Pod Mini Essential Oil Diffuser is a small, but mighty modern device that requires no water to be added; just put in your chosen essential oil blend, switch it on and relax. The sleek design is very chic (the shade pictured is called Nude) and the rechargeable aspect allows the device to be placed anywhere without the need for any messy cables. Once fully charged, the Pod Mini is good to go for up to 50 hours and covers up to 60 square meters. I'm really happy with its performance and would definitely recommend it for small rooms and spaces.

P.S: Do I Have To Use NEOM Essential Oils?

NEOM recommend that you only use their essential oils (of course), however, I have tested this diffuser with a variety of other brands' oils and the results are the same. Though it's always good to point out that if you use another brand's essential oils, you risk invalidating your warranty should anything go awry, so I'll leave this up to you to decide!

NEOM Wellbeing Pod Mini Essential Oil Diffuser* retails for £55 - neomorganics.com

Have you bought an essential oil diffuser?

Read more

Luxury Mother's Day Gift Idea: Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro Mist & Rose Cleansing Balm review

Need a last-minute gift for Mother's Day? Elemis is always a surefire winner with their Pro-Collagen Rose collection being a bestselling range for many years. Maybe your mum already has some in her bathroom cabinet and would appreciate a top-up?

Elemis feels like one of those luxury British brands that have been around forever as it's become such a well-loved part of the beauty community, particularly with older women. Launched back in 1990 by Noella Gabriel, Elemis has gone from strength to strength, and was one of the first true 'skin wellness' brands, marrying together a love of nature, science, and aromatherapy. 

I've tried quite a few products from Elemis over the years and particularly love their body care range, as well as their bestselling Pro-Collagen Rose collection, which my skin is enjoying now it's nearer 40, than 30!

Here are two products that I'd highly recommend picking up; the Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro Mist and the Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm. These would be perfect to add to a DIY pamper basket for your mum, along with a lovely candle, flowers, and some of her favourite foodie treats.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro Mist* (50ml, £46)

A mist doesn't sound very exciting but this is no ordinary mist. Oh no! This is a super hydrating serum-in-a-mist which is actually pretty interesting concept wise and works beautifully for more mature, dull and dehydrated skin types. Dubbed as a 'high-performance anti-wrinkle serum-in-a-mist', this clever multi-purpose skincare gem has an incredibly soothing effect on the skin, leaving it smooth, softened, and hydrated for 24 hours.

Hero ingredients in this innovative formula are Padina Pavonica (a clinically proven seaweed extract that boosts collagen production), Microalgae extracts (to freshen and hydrate), and Organic Rose Hydrolat (famed for its natural moisturising properties). Use it after cleansing, and it also doubles up as a fantastic makeup setting spray.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm* (prices start from £13 for 20g)

Based on its famous big sister, the original Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (one of which is sold every 13 seconds in the UK!), this Rose version has become equally as popular thanks to its delicate fresh floral fragrance. Infused with Rose and Mimosa waxes with Elderberry, Starflower, and Elemis' trademarked blend of Optimega Oils, this mineral oil-free balm is just so beautiful and luxurious to use. The texture is rich and effortlessly massages into the skin to remove all traces of dirt and impurities - you can see why it's used in the Elemis spas from the minute that you try it.

Super nourishing for the delicate skin barrier, the balm emulsifies into a hydrating milk when water is added, leaving skin soft, clean, and properly feeling pampered and nourished. A tiny amount goes a long way as expected and it can also be used to remove makeup, as well as a weekly hydrating facial mask for dry skin.

Shop the full range at uk.elemis.com

What are your favourite Elemis products?

Read more

Keeping It Cosy with Illumine Candle Co | Vanilla Hazelnut, Bakewell Tart & Enchanting Candles review

With temperatures plummeting once again this week, it's time to get all Hygge and cosy up with your favourite candles. If you're looking for some Shop Small inspo, why not treat yourself and bring some of the Illumine Candle Co into your home?

Instagram seems to be the place where I'm finding all of my new favourite small businesses right now and I couldn't resist having a look at the Illumine Candle Co when one of their ads popped up in my feed. From the get-go, this indie business immediately impressed me with a large range of beautiful luxury 3-wick, signature, and mini candles, as well as having their scents available as wax melts.

Hand poured in small batches in Devon, all of the candles are made from 100% natural soy wax, and are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, palm oil free, and paraben free. 

With such an interesting variety of fragrances to choose from, you are truly spoilt for choice! After much umming and ahhing, I added these three to my basket.

Illumine Candle Co Signature Candle in Vanilla Hazelnut (£16.50, 300ml, 50+ hours burn time)

If you know, you'll know that I'm a sucker for sweet scents and a bargain, so of course I was drawn to the 'Candle Of The Month' which for February is Vanilla Hazelnut. Oh my goodness, this fragrance is decadently sweet, warm and cosy! As the name suggests, it's a delicious blend of creamy Chestnuts and Hazelnuts and there are some lovely soft and spicy notes of Cinnamon, White Ginger, Clove and a tiny hint of Coffee, to prevent it from being too sickly sweet. These are layered over a whipped Vanilla base which is really sublime. Grab one now whilst it's 20% off for just £12.38!

Illumine Candle Co Mini Candles in Bakewell Tart & Enchanting (£6 each, 75ml, 15+ hours burn time)

One of the few advantages of having an extremely tiny bathroom is that mini candles are perfect to use in there when you're having a long hot soak in the bath. With this in mind, I picked up two of Illumine's minis to try out and just like the larger signature candle above, these have an impressive scent throw and are great to use in small spaces. 

Bakewell Tart smells exactly how you expect; you get all of those yummy sweet and fruity notes coming through with that classic Vanilla, Almonds and Cherries fragrance that I can never get enough of. 

Enchanting on the other hand is completely different and is more like a luxury perfume with top notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Cassis, middle floral notes of Orris, Jasmine, Orange Blossom and Lily, and layered base notes of Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Praline, Patchouli, Cedarwood and Musk. Wonderfully complex and unashamedly feminine, this one would make a great choice for Mother's Day!

Discover the full range at illuminecandleco.co.uk

Read more

Currently Loving: Apostrophal Handmade Necklaces - Black Onyx, Moonstone & Azurite Malachite review

Pretty gemstone jewellery is a weakness of mine and I'm utterly smitten with these shiny new purchases from an indie online shop called Apostrophal.

I first came across Apostrophal on Instagram and they are a fairly new company, having started in 2020. They specialise in selling a quirky range of eco essentials and sustainable artisan handicrafts such as jewellery, plant pots, toiletries, bowls, candles, and kitchenalia. Through their online shop, they have created a community that helps to support independent makers and businesses, whilst offering ethical consumers a beautiful edit of handpicked products.

When I saw that they recently had a sale on, I couldn't help but have a good scroll through their site when I was shopping for a friend's birthday gift. As always though, a couple of additional items may have somehow made their way into my shopping basket (I honestly don't know how that happened...oops..),  and I'm now the proud owner of some new handmade necklaces.

Black Onyx Juliet Necklace

Onyx has been a favourite of mine for a very long time and I have a small collection of black Onyx pieces that I cherish in my jewellery box. Symbolising strength and perseverance, Onyx comes from the Greek word of the same name meaning 'claw', 'nail' and veined gem so you can see why it has an established history with the concept of strength in more ways than one. 

Handmade by one of Apostrophal's handpicked artisans Adeline, this necklace features a high-quality black Onyx gemstone in a square open bezel setting. With a multi-faceted surface, it captures the light beautifully. Looks stunning worn on its own or layered with other gold chained necklaces.

Moonstone Lunar Necklace

The moon has held great significance for many cultures and generations as human beings have looked up into the sky to question the meaning of life and what our place is in the universe. In turn, the Moonstone gem represents a connection to the divine feminine, linking the moon with cyclical changes, fertility, hope, and new beginnings. 

Composed of a lunar-shaped smooth white moonstone, if you look carefully, you'll see a protective Eye engraved into the stone itself. Also made by the artisan Adeline, this unique necklace is a sublime statement piece.

Azurite Malachite Necklace

My last pick is this captivating Azure Malachite. I'll have to admit that whilst I was already familiar with the meanings of the gemstones above, it was simply the beguiling colour of Azure Malachite that made me choose this piece of jewellery. 

I was pleased to discover that Azure Malachite is not just a pretty gem. It's linked to restoring Chakra balance, invoking calm feelings, and a reduction in anxiety, as well as being seen to drawing out negative energies from the body. For those interested in the concept of an 'ego death', it's believed that Malachite can help to dissolve egocentric personality traits such as arrogance. Interesting!

Shop at apostrophal.com

Read more

Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2023 featuring Avīela, Skin & Tonic, Nourish London & Charlarts Crafts

Valentine's Day is fast approaching so now's the time to make those last-minute online orders, and perhaps send a subtle hint to someone special *wink wink*. For this gift edit, I've focused on just British brands and small businesses to make your V-Day purchases more ethical and supportive this year. 

For Those Who Love A Massage: Avīela Pure Shea Butter* (180ml, £30, link)

Treat your loved one to a massage this Valentine's Day with Avīela Pure Shea Butter. As the name suggests, this thick and luxurious body butter is made simply with 100% pure unrefined shea butter of the highest grade, with no additional ingredients. Made in the UK, this Shea Butter is cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny approved) and certified by the Vegan Society, with a beautiful light and airy texture that sinks straight in once warmed in the palms of your hands.

Shea Butter is something of a hero ingredient for the skin as it's incredibly rich in natural fatty acids and has high levels of Vitamins A and E so it offers some serious hydration for dry skin. In addition to being used all over the body, you can also add a tiny amount as a leave-in conditioner to dry and damaged hair to restore moisture and shine. For those on a budget, or if you're putting together a beauty box/hamper package, a smaller 15ml jar is available for £14.    

For Those Who Love A Relaxing Bath: Skin & Tonic Slow Down Bath Soak* (100g, £18, link)

Whether your partner enjoys a bath solo or with you, give the gift of relaxation with one of my favourite products from British brand, Skin & Tonic. Their Slow Down Bath Soak is a bestseller thanks to a sublime infusion of Epsom Salts, CBD Oil, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary essential oils.

This powerful, all-natural concoction of minerals and oils helps to restore the body and mind, so that you can properly unwind and destress after a long week; it's a brilliant self-care treat. Just two handfuls is all that's needed to be added to a hot bath.

For Those Who Love A Luxury Pampering Treat: Nourish London Bergamot & Cardamom Smoothing Body Cream* (100ml, £19, link)

You can't go wrong with a luxury body cream if your recipient loves their pampering products, and it can often be a safer bet than opting for skincare (which can be tricky to buy for someone else, especially if you don't know them that well). Instead, one of the new Body Creams from Nourish London is sure to please and I've been smitten with their Bergamot & Cardamon Smoothing Body Cream ever since it landed on my desk.

Suitable for all skin types, this cruelty-free, organic, and vegan-friendly Body Cream is ultra-rich so it's perfect for dry winter skin. It features nourishing Cocoa Butter, regenerating Aloe Vera and antioxidant-rich Brown Algae extract to leave the skin feeling velvety soft. I also absolutely adore the scent which is wonderfully fresh and very spa-like.

For Those Who Love A Good Smelling Home: Charlarts Crafts Valentines Wax Melt Gift Set* (£33.99, link)

Know someone who are house-proud and loves a good-smelling home? Soy wax melts are a fantastic gift that keeps on giving for months to come, especially with a large box like the one above from Charlarts Crafts! Specialising in a wide range of handmade wax melts, jewellery, and accessories, Charlarts Crafts' Valentines Wax Melt Gift Set consists of four packs of soy wax melts in a tempting range of scents. There are the Budding Roses melts which smell beautiful, and the Chocolate Milk scented heart melts which look so realistic, I did think they were chocolate at first!

My faves though are the Sex Bomb heart melts (I love this fragrance) and the Hot Night love token shaped melts. Also included are some yummy sweets and chocs, and the whole box is beautifully presented and wrapped up ready to gift.

Have you started your Valentine's Day gift shopping yet?

Read more

Christmas Gift Guide 2022: Engravers Guild of London Personalised Gin Glasses review

To round off Christmas Gift Guide week, I have a special feature on Engravers Guild whose last orders for Christmas delivery can be made on 18th December. This one is perfect for all you last-minute online shoppers who are still looking for that unique gift!

Engravers Guild of London can add a sophisticated personalised message to a wide range of high-quality items so that you can create your own bespoke gift. From hip flasks, photo frames, and personalised gin glasses to perfumes, handbags, and jewellery, you'll find something for everyone thanks to their extensive online shop. Quality is at the forefront of what they do, and you'll find gifts at various price points from under £40 to over £200 to suit everyone's budgets this Christmas.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to receive one of their personalised gin glasses to share with you all so that you can see what they specialise in. The Dartington El Classico Gin Glass is a large balloon gin glass that's made by Dartington Crystal. It has a fashionable on-trend thin stem, but it's not too thin if you catch my drift so it looks elegant but I don't live in fear of breaking it!

The complimentary engraving offers up to four lines of text (max 22 characters per line) and you can choose between three fonts. If you want something different, you also have the option to get in touch directly with the Engravers Guild of London for an entirely bespoke engraving and they will reply in less than 90 minutes during working hours.

Purchase yours from engraversguild.co.uk

Read more

Christmas Gift Guide 2022: FOSS Candles - Icelandic Christmas & Icelandic Café Gift Sets review #ShopSmall

 

What's that you say, a second candle feature in this year's gift guide?! Well, who can blame me - candles just scream Christmas and I wanted to throw a special spotlight on this small company called FOSS Candles.

FOSS is an interesting indie brand as it's been created by a half-British, half-Icelandic couple from Lancaster. Their natural, vegan-friendly, soy wax candles are handmade in their studio and inspired by the nature and beauty of Iceland. In fact, 'foss' means waterfall in Icelandic, and these beautifully scented candles will transport you to the wild wonders of the land of ice and fire. 

I have truly fallen in love with FOSS as I adore Iceland - it really doesn't get any more Christmassy does it?! They have lots of scents to choose from, however, these two gift sets below are just perfect for the festive season.

FOSS Icelandic Christmas Gift Set (£18.95)

Comprising of three 60ml mini candles, FOSS' Icelandic Christmas Gift showcases their most popular seasonal scents so that you can fill your home with the most Christmassy vibes possible. Each candle has a burn time of around 10 hours so it's a good value-for-money option too.

Jólagõgg is the name for Icelandic mulled wine and this candle is bursting full of juicy Berries, uplifting Orange, and warming Festive Spices. It's a proper hug-in-a-mug type of fragrance to keep you cozy on a cold winter's night. 

Jólataré means Christmas Tree in Icelandic so you can expect notes of the freshest Pine and Nordic Spruce. If you love revitalizing outdoorsy scents, this is the one for you.

Jól is the name for Christmas in Icelandic and this candle is basically that! It's the most traditional festive scent of Christmas Spices with an exquisite blend of Orange, Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove & Nutmeg.

FOSS Icelandic Café Gift Set (£22.95)

Coffee culture is a big part of the Icelandic lifestyle and Reykjavik is home to some of the cosiest cafés and bakeries that you'll ever find. Naturally, I was drawn to the Icelandic Café Gift Set as I love sweet & coffee scents, and of course, it didn't disappoint!

This duo has larger 120ml candles which boast a burn time of 24 hours each. Bakarí is a delicious fragrance of sweet Honey blended with Cinnamon and spiced Vanilla - it smells just like cinnamon rolls which you'll find freshly baked in abundance in Icelandic bakeries. Kaffi is a classic Coffee & Vanilla scent that's instantly comforting - it's hard to pick a favourite here!

FOSS Lava Melt Samples (£1 each)

I was pleased to see that FOSS offer some of their bestselling candle scents as soy wax melts as well and they have a handy try-before-you-buy sample range. For just £1, you can pick up one 5g soy wax melt which has a burn time of around 6-8 hours. It was difficult to not want to fill my basket with one of every scent, however, I opted for just five in the end, including one Jól melt for a friend.

The other four are Valhalla (smoky Whiskey, Orange and spicy Black Pepper), Norðurljós (the Icelandic word for Northern Lights - Lavender, Eucalyptus and Pomelo), Blóm (Wild Fig, Cassis & Tomato Leaf), and Víðsýni (Icelandic for panoramic vista - an interesting blend of Coconut Leaf, Orange, Ginger, and White Tea).

Shop the full range at fosscandles.com

Read more

Christmas Gift Guide 2022: Liz Earle Purify & Refresh Skincare Edit review (exclusive to Boots)

 

Looking for a luxury & cruelty-free skincare gift that delivers some serious savings? Liz Earle's Purify & Refresh Skincare Edit is a bargain at just £34 (worth £85!), and with a saving of £51, you might want to treat yourself to one at the same time as doing your Christmas shopping. We won't tell anyone...

Exclusive to Boots, this six-piece gift set is one of the best value-for-money offerings that I've seen this year from a major retailer. Not only does it contain nearly everything that you need for a full skincare routine (it's only missing a moisturiser), but if you're a Liz Earle devotee, then you can save yourself some cash by purchasing this set and stocking up on your skincare faves.

So what's inside the Liz Earle Purify & Refresh Skincare Edit? Here's a handy overview.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser & 2 Pure Cotton Cloths (full size)

The original hot cloth cleanser and still regarded as one of the best multi-purpose cleansers on the market, Cleanse & Polish is a thick and creamy number that removes all traces of daily dirt, impurities, and makeup including waterproof formulas and long-wearing foundations. I've used it on and off for many years and always like to have one in my skincare stash. 

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic (full size) 

A brilliant alcohol-free toner, Instant Skin Tonic has a lovely gentle formula with extracts of Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Cucumber, Calendula and Vitamin E. It helps to soothe, hydrate, and brighten, so it's perfect for the colder winter months to keep your skin looking healthy and happy.

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator (travel size)

Use once or twice a week for smoother skin, the Gentle Face Exfoliator does what it says on the tube. I really like this for helping to unclog stubborn blackheads on my nose.

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion (travel size)

Typically, I personally only tend to use Eyebright during the summer when I have hay fever as it works so well at soothing my irritated eyes. However, it's also very useful for daily use to relieve tired eyes, particularly in the mornings if you have puffy eyes that need some TLC.

Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Clay Mask (full size)

Completing this edit is a full-size Deep Cleansing Clay Mask which is fantastic for oily and combination skin types like mine (but not suitable for sensitive skin). Featuring natural ingredients such as Manuka Honey, Green Clay, Propolis, and Aloe Vera, this thick clay mask draws out impurities within minutes, leaving your complexion looking clearer after just one use.

As an extra bonus, there's a voucher where you can get 750 Advantage Card Points when you spend £40 on Liz Earle at Boots. This is the equivalent of £7.50!

Liz Earle Purify & Refresh Skincare Edit retails for £34 and is exclusive to Boots whilst stocks last

Read more

Christmas Gift Guide 2022: Gift Wild Organic Cotton Wash & Shopping Bags review #ShopSmall

 

Shop small this Christmas with Gift Wild; an independent family and friends-run business which creates wonderful, unique eco-friendly cards and gifts that help to support conservation projects.

With 10% of all sales donated to conservation charities, Gift Wild is a feel-good business to make your ethical and sustainable purchases from this year. Whether you're looking for Art Prints, Cards, Cushions, Bags, or Notebooks, these nature-inspired gifts are a thoughtful gift for the receipent and the environment. Orders are sent without any plastic packaging to further help the planet which is always brilliant to see.    

I was delighted when Katy, the founder of Gift Wild, got in touch to ask if I'd be interested in including some of her products in my Christmas Gift Guide and she very kindly let me choose the two following gifts to feature.

Gift Wild Narwhal Washbag* (£17.99, link)

I always feel that toiletry and washbags are well received by fellow beauty and travel lovers, the latter of which sparks a little adventure as you can wonder where the receipent may take your gift on their next travels! Gift Wild have a lovely range of eco-friendly washbags which are made from organic, sustainably sourced and fair trade cotton. An intricate Narwhal illustration (original artwork by Penny Smallshire) adorns the front of the bag, whilst a gold-coloured zip finishes it off beautifully. Inside, the bag is kept simple and plain, with plenty of room for all of the essentials. 

Gift Wild Swift Bird Shopping Bag* (£19.99)

One of the most practical gifts is a good old shopping bag and you can never have too many of these to make sure that you're never tempted to pick up a plastic bag ever again! As seen in BBC Wildlife, this beautiful Swift Bird Shopping Bag features a large art print of two swifts by Penny Smallshire and would make a brilliant gift for an avid bird watcher; in fact 10% of the sale goes straight to the RSPB. This bag is an oversized A4 size with a thick, sturdy handle, so there's lots of space for your groceries, books or bird watching kit.

Like the washbag above, Gift Wild's Shopping Bags are made from the same organic, sustainably sourced and fairtrade cotton so they are excellent quality and are a far better option for the environment. 

Sign up to Gift Wild to get 20% off your first order and there's free shipping when you spend over £30. Shop the full range of gifts at giftwild.co.uk

Read more

Christmas Gift Guide 2022: NEOM The Winter Wellbeing Wonders Candle Trio review

 

Candles are an instant way to bring new festive scents, light, and joy into someone's home, so it's no surprise to see them at the top of many people's Christmas wishlists! Treat a loved one to this gorgeous Winter Wellbeing Wonders Candle Trio from NEOM Organics for a luxury gift option this year.

NEOM always outdo themselves when it comes to their festive ranges, and its 2022 Christmas candles collection boasts a brand new fragrance, plus two returning fan favourites that are guaranteed to delight old and new customers!

You can purchase their Christmas candles in three different sizes so you'll find one to suit your gifting budget with prices starting from £18. For those who are looking for an extra special luxury treat, you can't go wrong with The Winter Wellbeing Wonders Candle Trio. Not only is this gift beautifully presented, but inside you'll find three travel-size 75g candles so that your recipient can experience the full range of exclusive NEOM Christmas scents.

Made from 100% natural ingredients, these hand-poured candles feature a clean-burning vegetable-based wax blend and 100% natural fragrance for the utmost purity in home fragrance.

Let's unbox this beauty, shall we?

Christmas Wish (75g)

Bursting with the fragrance of 13 pure essential oils, Christmas Wish is a wonderfully comforting scent with strong notes of fruity Mandarin, sweet Tonka Bean, and spicy Cinnamon. Designed to help you relax and unwind, it brings a moment of calm and peace to the often stressful festive season - which I'm guessing is everyone's Christmas wish!

Perfect Peace (75g)

Perfect Peace is what I would describe as a very classic and traditional Christmas-scented candle. With a sparkling and uplifting blend of 25 pure essential oils, it's a complex fragrance that includes refreshing Pine, aromatic Myrrh, and zesty Lime Peel. Breathe in this gorgeous scent and let all your troubles melt away.

Cosy Nights (75g)

My personal favourite from this trio is Cosy Nights and this truly is the ultimate 'snuggly' feeling candle to light when it's cold and dark outside and you want to create that ideal hygge-esque atmosphere at home. With a range of sophisticated pure essential oils which include Sandalwood, Frankincense and Nutmeg, it's sure to be a real crowd-pleaser when you have guests over.

NEOM The Winter Wellbeing Wonders Candle Trio (£45) is available from neomorganics.com

Have you bought any candle gifts this year?

Read more

In My Bathroom: Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Bath Essence review

 

Bath like Cleopatra with Dr. Hauschka's luxury Rose Nurturing Bath Essence; a real bath-time treat for dry skin!  

You guys know how much I love Dr. Hauschka and I honestly feel like their bath and body products are just not spoken about enough, despite the fact that they have so many hidden gems (check out their Lemongrass Vitalising Body Milk in my recent Empties post). 

If you love luxury bath products as much as I do, this is the blog post for you!

What Is It?

Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Bath Essence is a luxurious, ready-to-use bath milk that aims to calm and harmonise the mind and the senses with its natural Rose fragrance, whilst delicately softening the skin.

What's In It?

Key ingredients include Rose Essential Oil, Rose Petal Extract, Rose Flower Water, Jojoba Oil, and Almond Oil. There is some Alcohol and Parfum in this formula, however, they are from natural origin sources as all of Dr. Hausckha's products are 100% certified natural. Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Free from synthetic ingredients, artificial fragrances, dyes, and preservatives. 

Who Is It For?

This bath essence is especially useful for those for have dry skin, though as always, if you have sensitive skin as well, be sure to do a patch test before using it in the bath.

How Do I Use It?

You can either pour a few capfuls under a running tap to infuse your bath, or simply drizzle some in. You know you've used enough when you can smell that beautiful rose scent which is a fragrance that quickly fills your whole bathroom.

Overall Thoughts

Dr. Hauschka's Rose Nurturing Bath Essence is one of those truly luxury bath time treats that you always want to have in your bathroom as soon as you try it for the first time. It's an easy product to fall in love with if you're a fellow rose fan, and this natural rose fragrance is just beautiful. It smells like freshly picked rose petals, rather than something powdery and old-fashioned that you might find in your grandmother's bathroom. Did I mention it makes your skin feel like silk afterward too? Add it to your Christmas wishlist now.

P.S - Please note this bottle is made from glass so be extra careful when using it in your bath.

Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Bath Essence* (100ml, £19) available from various stockists including drhauschka.co.uk

Do you love rose scents?

Read more

Summer Skincare: Soul Tree Everyday Radiance Gift Set review

 

Following on from my feature on the Ayurvedic natural skincare brand, Soul Tree (check out that post here if you missed it!), I'm delighted to explore more from the range with this exciting Everyday Radiance Gift Set. Perfect for summer!

Summer is a great time to take the opportunity to look after your skin more. Not only are we more conscious of ourselves during the warmer months with all of those holiday photos and selfies popping up on social media, but those sunnier days make us feel like the days are longer and we have more time to enjoy our skincare routines.

Soul Tree's Radiance Gift Set is an interesting one as it comprises of a mini Radiance Face Oil and a beautiful Kansa Facial Massager tool, all packed up in a reusable cotton drawstring pouch.

Kansa Facial Massager

If you're really into your anti-ageing skincare routines, a high-quality facial massager is an absolute must-have in your daily kit. Most of my massaging tools are either electrical or are Gu Sha orientated (made of either solid Rose Quartz or Jade stone) so I was intrigued to try out this Kansa Facial Massager. 

Crafted from solid cherrywood and engraved with the Soul Tree logo on one end, this massager features a large metal circular ball end which is made from a combination of tin and copper to encourage healthy blood flow/circulation, remove toxins and boost collagen production. 

I found it incredibly easy to use; first I started with a clean face and applied a couple of drops of the Radiance Facial Oil (reviewed below), lightly patting it into the skin. I started by placing the massager in the middle of my forehead and moving it in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. Next, I used the massager from the jawline up to the ear in long sweeping motions and repeated this on the other side. It's also useful for helping to decrease puffiness and dark circles by drawing a figure of eight around the eyes with the massager. 

The metal feels wonderfully cooling on the skin, and it's pretty quick and easy to do!

Radiance Face Oil

Created to a strictly 100% certified natural Ayurvedic formulation, the Radiance Face Oil utilises key ingredients such as Saffron and Turmeric, both known for their brightening, hydrating, and regenerating properties. These are infused in a skin-loving blend of Almond, Jojoba and Apricot Oils which help to increase the elasticity of the skin, whilst reducing pigmentation and keeping it healthy and supple.

I love this face oil as it sinks into the skin and delivers a noticeable brightening effect which is ideal for those who struggle with dull or lacklustre complexions. If you need a radiance boost, this is the kit for you.

Soul Tree Everyday Radiance Gift Set* (£44.99, link)

Do you love facial massages?

Read more