Valentine's Day Gifts... and not a love heart in sight.

Everyone's favourite Hallmark holiday is nearly upon us and whilst chocolates and roses are nice; they can be a teeny bit cliche this time of year. Not that I'm jealous of anyone who might get these things of course lol lol lol I'm fineeeeeeeee being single!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner (February 14th if you need reminding) I thought I'd put together a little selection of gifts suitable for yourself, your gf, bf, best mate or postman - who ever deserves a bit of love! Why not treat your loved one(s) to a little pressie and watch their eyes light up for a minute or two before they come back down to earth and remember that Trump is President of the United States.  

1. Date Night Cook Book - Need some dinner inspiration? Check this book out for heaps of easy, yummy recipes perfect for your next, at home date night.

2. Diptyque Eau Rose Eau De Toilette - Diptyque gifts are forever a favourite of mine. The scents and packaging are to die for and you'll really make your loved one feel special with this Rose scented perfume!

3. Mirror and USB Battery Pack - I met a girl recently who had one of these and I thought it was soooooooo good! I'm treating myself to one as it'll be perfect for London Fashion Week.

4. Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Camera - Make memories with this cool, tan coloured instant camera.

5. Selfish Mother Super Human Jumper - Know anyone that deserves this? I can think of a few people that this would suit! 

6. Edinburgh Gin Raspberry Liqueur - Ginnnnnnn....yummmmmmm......need I say more?

7. Orla Kiely Cake Tins - Is your loved one a serious cake addict? Grab these tins which serve as beautiful pieces of home decor as well as practical cake houses.

8. Tom Ford For Men Eau De Toilette - I am obsessed with Tom Ford's 'Black Orchid' and I also think this is another great unisex fragrance from the fashion powerhouse himself.

9. Kate Spade New York Pencil Pouch - Love Kate Spade but on a budget? I love this "cheaper" pencil pouch. Grrrrrr, you can't beat a bit of leopard print as well. 

10.  Mr Natty Beard Brush - Does his beard need a good grooming? Grab this bargain brush! 

11. The Artistry Strap Balcony Bra - Sexy Lingerie is always a winner on Valentines Day. I love this strappy bra.

12. BFF Necklace - Cute, Classic and perfect for your bestie. I love these old school pieces of jewellery.

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The 5 Festive Candles For All Budgets

Every Christmas my dear Mummy (*waves hello*, Mummy I know you're reading this) sends me a candle as a pre-Christmas treat. I always decorate my lounge with a few festive bits and bobs and it wouldn't be the same without a Christmassy candle burning in the background.

I honestly used to severely dislike candles. I thought they were a waste of money and was always secretly disappointed if someone gave one to me as a present. I am now 30 years old and have an entire cupboard in my lounge dedicated to them. Oh how times change!

This year Mum sent me a beautiful Winter Botanical Pilar Candle and I can confirm...it smells delightful! As a self acclaimed candle connoisseur I thought I'd put together a little post of my top 5 festive candles for all budgets. 

1. Winter Botanical Pilar Candle - The White Company, £26.00

A spicy scent with cinnamon, cloves and oranges fills your house instantly. I will forever love the fact The White Company include actual fruit/cinnamon pieces in the outer part of their candles meaning you get a Christmassy household decoration as well as a candle. Only the centre part of the candle burns down meaning you can continue to use the candle shell as a little house for tea lights in the future.

2. Perfect Peace - Neom, £30.00 

This is one of those super calming candles. I still have this one left over from last year as I only need to burn it for a little while before blowing it out. I tend to be really stingy with burning time when I absolutely love a candle. Apparently this candle has been 'blended to help lift your mood, relieving mental fatigue whilst instilling a sense of calm' and I'd have to agree! The glass it comes in is really gorgeous as well, they've sprinkled it with platinum....oooh fancy ey! 

3. Winter Woods - Landon Tyler, £8.00 

In my opinion, this is the best candle if you're on a budget. It's smaller than the others listed here but packs just as much of a punch in the scent department. For only £12 you can buy the bigger version and I think this is still really reasonable. This candle does what it says on the tin label. It smells of spruce and pine and all things woody.

4. Apple, Golden Fruit Candle - Anthropologie, £20.00

Not instantly recognisable as a Christmas candle but still up there with my top 5! These beauties from Anthropologie look soooo good as part of your home decor and the soft, subtle scents are really, really nice. I especially like the Apple candle for this time of year as they've mixed apple, warm spices with honey, vanilla and musk. Once the wax burns away you're left with the outer shell and they look so cute sat together as decorations. 

5. Frosted Spruce Christmas Tea Lights Pack of 12, John Lewis, £9.00 

Don't want to commit to a big one....oooh er, then go for these bargain beauties! A pack of 12 tea lights which you can spread around the house in cute little festive candle holders. These are great as they smell christmassy without being too over the top. I like the fact you can smell black pepper and lemon when they burn.

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Black Friday 2016

After jumping on the bandwagon, the UK have now firmly adopted the whole Black Friday/Cyber Monday craze. If sale shopping is your thing, you've come to the right place as I've got lots of deals and discounts listed below!

Your inbox is probably over flowing with sale emails and there's adverts everywhere but because I'm such a nice person; I've put all the best high street deals in one place for you. 

It's time to get your Christmas shopping head firmly fixed on, eyes down and wallets at the ready. 

Here's my edit of the best sale picks, followed by the best of the rest!

ASOS

20% off everything with code 'GOGOGO'

ELVI

30% off everything with code treat30 

NAVABI

30% off all black items 

M&S

Gifting Weekend - on selected lines only

RIVER ISLAND  

20% off with code 'BFRIDAY16'

NEW LOOK 

Up to 50% off selected styles 

ANTHROPOLOGIE

20% off each and every item with code 'GIFT'

EVANS

Daily Cyber Week deals - check daily!

OFFICE

20% off + Free Delivery enter 'WONDER' at checkout

TOPSHOP

Up to 50% off selected lines

Also, don't forget about all of these deals as well...

Simply Be - 50% off hundreds of items plus Free Delivery today with code 'QAXG5'

FEEL UNIQUE  - Daily Cyber Week Deals

Boohoo - Up to 50% off everything and Free Delivery

Peach Trail - 15% off today with code 'PEACHFRIENDS'

Black Heart Creatives - 30% off with code 'BLACKFRIDAY' 

Selfridges - Worldwide 20% off Christmas Shopping / 10% off other lines with code 'SELFCCE'

Made - UK and EU Free Delivery 

House of Fraser - Up to 50% off

Urban Outfitters - Buy 1 get 1 50% off 

John Lewis - Various offers 

Mango - 20% off all weekend 

Forever21 - Up to 50% off 

The Body Shop - Worldwide 40% off with code '19805 '

Sephora - Worldwide 20% off

Beauty Bay - Up to 30% off selected lines 

Look Fantastic (Beauty) - Save up to 25% on your order with code 'LFBLACK'

Happy Shopping!

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Buying Glasses Online | Useful Tips

When I was younger, I lived in contact lenses and hated wearing my glasses. I just couldn't find a shape that suited me and there just wasn't the wide selection of frames that are available now a days. 

I had to stop wearing contacts religiously a few years ago because my Fibromyalgia gives me dry eyes and I struggle to wear lenses for more than a few hours now. This is where beautiful glasses come into play.

I make sure I treat my frames just like any other accessory I would wear. I take pride in finding fun, quirky frames and where better to do this from than the comfort of your own home?

If you have yet to enter the world of buying glasses online; take a look at my tips for finding the perfect pair for you.

1. Is your prescription up to date? If it isn't, you're going to find yourself falling at the first hurdle. Make sure you get your eyes tested at least once a year and keep a copy of your prescription to hand.

2. What's your budget? The best thing for me about buying glasses online is the huge savings you can make. I always, always buy my glasses online now because in comparison to your high street opticians; the prices are incredible. Pick a rough budget for yourself and shop around for frames in this price range. Lots of sites offer a guaranteed price match which is always useful.

3. Suits you, Sir! Like with anything you wear, fit is important. If you are new to buying online, finding frames that suit your face shape might seem daunting but there are lots of useful tips to finding the shape that suits you best. Firstly think...

4. What do you need your glasses for? Are they for style reasons? Will you be working out in them? Are they going to have to work with every outfit you wear? I wear my glasses every day so I chose a pair that go with everything and look great worn with daytime and night time outfits.

5. What's your face shape? We all have a different shaped face and although a 'face shape guide' is a helpful tool to use, you don't have to follow it precisely. If you like something, whether it's a pair of jeans or a pair of glasses; wear them! Lots of sites offer guides helping you to see if you have a round, oval, heart or square shaped face. 

6. Try before you buy! These days most of the online glasses retailers offer a great try before you buy virtual tool. This is such a good way to see what shapes and colours might suit your face/skin tone. 

7. Still can't decide? I suggest considering the try on at home services. Lots of stores offer a service where you can try on lots of empty frames at home, allowing you to find a style that suits and then you simply return them, tell them your preferred pair and they make those up for you using your prescription. It's a fun way to try on en mass! 

Don't forget ... 

8. Comfort is key! - When trying on frames, make sure they fit comfortably, they sit firmly on the bridge of your nose and behind your ears so that they don't slip off your face. No one wants a headache from wearing glasses that are too tight! 

9. Research is important - Shop around, try before you buy and don't forget to look at sites like Vision Direct that will give you heaps more tips for buying glasses online.

10. Return to Sender - Test drive your frames so that you know for sure that they are the glasses for you. If you feel like you might be indecisive; check the returns policy on the site so that you're in the know and you aren't caught out by any unfair returns policies. 

*This post is in collaboration with Vision Direct but as always, all words and opinions are my own.

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Molton Brown | Rosa Absolute Collection

Last week I was a very lucky girl and I got to attend a fabulous blogger event in collaboration with Molton Brown. The focus of the event was to give us an exclusive preview of their latest collection, The Rosa Absolute Collection which has launched today!
The night consisted of yummy cocktails, an expert fragrance workshop where we learnt about the make up of the scent and a beautiful, 3 course meal taking inspiration from an Italian Renaissance banquet at the stunning, Boca Di Lupo restaurant in Soho. 

At the end of the event we were given a goody bag full of Rosa Absolute treats and I thought I'd talk you through the range, give you my opinion on the scent and point you in the right direction if you fancied treating yourself to any of the products.

Creator, Nathalie Koobus of Fragrances Essentielles says "Blackcurrant, raspberry and strawberry evoke a rich magenta shade; spiced up by red berries, cinnamon and clove. Intoxicating rose absolute and violet leaf unfold into an accord of cedar wood, patchouli and sandalwood."

The top notes of this fragrance hit you straight away - I love the smell of raspberry and blackcurrant and they give a modern twist to the classic, rose absolute scent. I find rose scented things can generally be quite old fashioned but the punchy additions of pink peppercorn oil and Violet leaf absolute really make this fragrance stand out from the crowd.

SHOP THE ROSA ABSOLUTE COLLECTION 

Rosa Absolute Eau De Toilette £39

Rosa Absolute Body Lotion £25

Rosa Absolute Shower Gel £20 

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My Feelunique Sale Edit

Ever since I found out about Feel Unique, I have pretty much done all my beauty shopping online with them. They stock loads of my fave brands, they always have sales, they include the best samples in your package & they are always introducing banging new brands to their site. 

You know when you go into Boots to get face wipes but you come out with at least £30 worth of stuff - well, this happens to me on the Feel Unique site every time. I buy one product, it then recommends something else and before you know it you've bought Moroccan oil for your ear lobes and glitter for your labia. 

Ahem, well onto the purpose of this post... Feel Unique are having a HUGE summer sale and I thought I'd put together a little edit of all the things I need, want...probably shouldn't buy.

1. Laura Geller Beauty Sugared Baked Pearl Eyeshadow - I love creamy eyeshadows and I wear one as a base everyday for my other eyeshadows. This beauty is next on my hit list.

2. Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne - This is one of my fave perfumes. It's super sweet and uber feminine. I love that it's in the sale and I definitely want to stock up on it whilst the price is so good. 

3. Figs & Rouge Vanilla Pistachio Shea Butter Hand Cream - I can't lie; I pretty much only want this for the packaging and at £6.35 you can't really go wrong can you?

4. Yves Saint Laurent Spring Look Blush - I regularly use a YSL blusher which is pretty much the same colour but it's nearly run out soooooo, this is my next victim. 

5. bare Minerals Invisible Light Translucent Powder Duo - A stunning setting powder with a hint of glow! Yummy! 

6. KMS California HairStay Anti Humidity Seal - This weather is INSANE. I need help controlling my frizz. This could be the answer! 

7. Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Eye Lifting Balm - Caudalie products are gorgeous and I think it's time I started using an eye cream to be honest.

8. NAILSINC Alexa Fabric Effects in Alexa Leather - A sassy update to your standard black polish. I have to see what this looks like! 

So there it is, my top Feelunique sale picks. Has anything caught your eye?

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Creating your own nail paint with Palette London

Take one Create Your Own Nail Paint Collection kit, 5 best friends, copious amounts of snacks and cocktails and you have the makings of a very lovely afternoon! Ever wanted to match your nail varnish to an outfit but struggled to find the perfect shade? Well now you can with Palette London's *Create Your Own Nail Paint Collection.

When I was offered the chance to try out one of these kits I jumped at the chance because I instantly imagined getting my BFF's round and trying out this kit together, fuelled by cocktails and crisps. The 2pc set which costs £25 comes with 5x 5ml Base Colours, 5x Pipettes, 2x 5ml Empty Nail Paint Bottles and 10x Formulas. 

The kit is pretty self explanatory really, you can use the 5 blendable nail paints which come in primary colours and mix them with the neutrals to create your own, custom made shades! The pipettes make the mixing super easy and all you have to do is keep shaking your bottles to watch your nail paints come alive. *Make sure you shake them with the lids on; things could get a little messy if you forget them!*

Our finished custom shades - I made the grey and the mustard and I LOVE them!

My girls and I created some fab shades which you can see above and we also loved the selection of Top Coats we were able to apply once we'd painted our nails. Head to the Palette London site to find out more and to see all the different nail paints/kits they offer.

*Denotes a PR sample sent for review 

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Mother's Day Gift Ideas

If you need a little inspiration for gift ideas, I've got you covered. Mother's Day is always a date I take very seriously. I love to treat my Mum throughout the year but come March I know I want to pull out all the stops and treat my Mum like the Queen she is! This year I am looking forward to spending the weekend with her here up in London. I have some nice meals booked and I'm going to make sure I hug the life out of her. Some cosy sofa time, a take-away and tonnes of prosecco is also on the cards!

Whether it's flowers or a beautiful scented candle; I've put together a selection of some of my favourite treats for 2016.

My favourite thing to do if I am unable to spend the day with my Mum is to have a beautiful bouquet delivered to her. Selfridges and Marks & Spencer are just two of the companies delivering this Mothering Sunday. What ever your budget; they've got you covered.

If you like the look of anything, just click to shop!

And if you're reading this Mum ....

 Mummy, I love you to the moon and back and I am proud to call you my Mum. You are beautiful on the inside and out. Thank you for being the best Mummy I could possibly ask for xxx

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London Retro at Glasses Direct

If you're like me and your vision is less than perfect; wearing glasses is a requirement. You can go all fancy and get your eyeballs lasered *ouch* or wear contacts but for the ultimate in fuss-free vision; glasses are your best option.

I wear my glasses on a daily basis. I used to be able to wear contacts but my Fibromyalgia has made my eyes extremely dry and even the super expensive contacts irritate my eyes. Because I wear my glasses so often, I have to love them.

My latest pair, these *London Retro 'Keaton' frames from Glasses Direct are by far the best pair I have ever owned. I am not exaggerating when I say that I am complimented on them every single time I wear them out. They are really different and I love that they add a little something to each outfit I wear.

Glasses Direct are my go-to for glasses. They very kindly sent me this pair to review BUT I have bought prescription sunglasses from them and when I make my next purchase with them I am definitly going to try their Free Home Trial - Choose 4 frames, try them on at home, place your order online and return your trial box back to them via freepost. 

*Glasses sent for review

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Mother's Day with Molton Brown

Mother's Day is fast approaching Ladies, and if you are in the market for treating your Mum to a little gift may I point you in the direction of Molton Brown?

A firm favourite of mine, Molton Brown is really luxurious gift choice without the humongous price tag. I often give their gift sets to family and friends at Christmas and when I spotted these beauties at a recent MB blogger event I knew I wanted to show them to you. 

~ Gift sets shown ~ 

Timeless Florals Hand Cream Gift Trio - Three beautifully scented hand creams including their new scent Dewy Lily of the Valley & Star Anise. Rhubarb and Rose is my favourite, you have to try it!

Timeless Florals Bath & Body Gift Set for Mum - This set offers three floral bath and shower gels and I personally love this set as the bottles are really big. I started using Molton Browns 'Pink Pepperpod Bath & Shower Gel' back in November and it's still going strong.

Dewy Lily of The Valley & Star Anise Fragrance Gift Set - The priciest of the three sets but it does include a bottle of Eu De Toilette. Dewy Lily of The Valley & Star Anise is their newest fragrance and I can confirm; it smells divine!

More Mother's Day Gift Options

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One of the best things about blogging is the fab things I get to experience. Last week I attended a Molton Brown blogger event and it was one of the nicest events I've ever been to. MB teamed up with The Flower Appreciation Society and to help celebrate the launch of their newest fragrance 'Dewy Lily of the Valley & Star Anise' we were given the chance to make our very own floral headbands.

I took my one of my besties, Scarlet with me as I knew this would be right up her street and it was such a lovely afternoon. We made headbands from scratch, ate beautiful nibbles and got the chance to try out some of their best selling fragrances.

Thank you to Molton Brown for a wonderful day and for always having the most amazing beauty products!

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Gant Fragrance | Valentines Day Gifting

In my previous Valentines Day post (here) I compiled a wish list - perfect for helping you pick up some treats for yourself this Valentines Day. Now that the love-filled weekend is drawing even closer I thought I'd put together this post showing you a great last minute gift option that'll be perfect for the man in your life.

Although this *Gant Fragrance is predominantly directed towards the male customer; there's nothing to stop you buying it for yourself! I am very similar to my Mum in the fact that I often prefer male scents over female scents!

I was very kindly sent this fragrance to try it out and I am very impressed! I know a certain guy in my life who might just enjoy it as well! The smell of this scent is very powerful and when I tested it out I smelt woody tones, lemon and an almost smokey smell - it's really nice! It's got great sticking power as well; I put it on this morning and I can still smell it hours later. There's two sizes of this fragrance available, the 50ml bottle (shown below) and the larger 100ml. You can buy it online or in stores so if you need a last minute present idea; give this eau de toilette a go!

*PR sample sent for review

Have you bought your partner anything for Valentines Day?

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