Riedesigned Squirrel Pocket Mirror

Valerie Harrison is the artist and owner of Etsy and Ebay shop Redesigned.  She is inspired by nature and the countryside and her illustrations are very realistic.  I have purchased several items from her as gifts and they are always well recieved as her designs are not twee or run of the mill.  This 58mm mirror comes in a little tartan bag and is £3.95 plus £1.95 P&P.  I bought this as I needed a gift, preferably squirrel themed, which would be both useful and fit through a letterbox. The illustration is a red squirrel with a cheeky glint in his eye.  The mirror itself magnifies quite well.



I purchased this item myself and it is available from:

Etsy 

Ebay UK 

Book Review: The Ruthless Greek's Return

I first read the Ruthless Greek's Return (Mills & Boon Modern) by Sharon Kendrick on 2015 and really enjoyed it.  Mills and Boon have been revamped with new covers and a new imprint (Dare) for 2018 and as I am a #MillandBoonInsider I was given the chance to review it. 

Cover wise the front picture and lettering are very contemporary, eye catching and moody. The old front cover can still be seen on Amazon and certainly the new design which is going to be used for all Modern books is more cohesive and not as dated as the flowery fonts used in the old design whilst the picture is more atmospheric and interesting than the previous one. 

When Jessica Cartwright had first known Luke Sarantos eight years ago when  he had been a bodyguard to a Russian billionaire , she had been an up and coming tennis player. They had an affair, her father for nod out.  Luke asked Jessica to marry him but she declined.  Now the table have turned.  Luke is a billionaire with accompanying bodyguards whilst she has had an accident that ended her tennis career and is working as the face of  Lulu, the luxury jewellery company that he has just purchased.  She is desperate to keep her job as she is  financially supporting her half sister, Hannah and after paying off her father's debts they are living in a cottage on Cornwall.

This is a novel that focuses on the potential for a second chance for love and romance.  The road is not always smooth, lots of bumps and fall out along the way, but Sharon, as always, develops her characters so they almost seem believable as they deal with their issues, obstacles and lack of trust.  Their sexual chemistry and attraction almost bounces off the pages!

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review,  I am a #MillsandBooninsider #netgalley #TheRuthlessGreeksReturn .


Available from:
Amazon UK 
Mills & Boon 

Beaks & Claws: Anna Sui Shiny Coral Cattleya lipstick (301)

Anna Sui Shiny Coral Cattleya lipstick is £23 and is available from both Amazon UK and BeautyBay.com.  Anna Sui have recently revamped their lipstick line. Stars are out whilst roses and butterflies are in.  I think that whilst the lipstick cases are not necessarily travel friendly - I would be gutted if the butterfly got broken off the top of the case or flowers got scratched whilst in transit but they look incredibly elegant and almost like a piece of art to be displayed on a vanity or dressing table.  

The new lipsticks are available in full and sheer pigment.  The sheer range is available in sheer and glitter shades.  My Coral Cattleya lipstick is glittery and can feel a bit gritty when first applied.  I have worn this alone and pared with another new lipstick - the Paul and Joe 106,  Rue Cermieux. This combination gives my lips more pigment , makes them glossy, glittery and look a lot fuller.  The lipstick has a slight tea rose scent but this fades away quite quickly.

Available from Amazon UK and BeautyBay.com

Book Review: A Week To Be Wild by JC Harroway &Dare, a new series by Mills & Boon

  

Dare is a new imprint published by Mills and Boon.  Launching in January 2018, the books are "erotically charged", "sexually explicit" and "passionate".  The hero and heroine have a powerful sexually charged emotional connection.  Alpha Males are the heroes who can be anything from CEO billionaires to gritty heroes/anti-heroes.  The heroines are independent, fun, fearless and empowered.  They do not need a man in their lives, he is just an enjoyable extra!  The stories are contemporary, with real life challenges and situations.  The settings can be anywhere from London, the Amalfi Coast to the Caribbean.    A new Dare novel is released every two weeks.

A Week To Be Wild was released on the 25 January 2018 and is currently 99p (normally £3.99) to be read on either on Kindle or the Bluefire app. The Bluefire app is now used to read books purchased via the Mills & Boon website.  Alex Lancaster is the sexy, adrenaline junkie, thrill seeking British billionaire.  Libby Noble is a successful marketing guru who has sworn off men after a romance soured. Alex wants Lobby to help him establish a disability charity in memory of his sister.  The charity is to provide employment opportunities and help those who need it get the most out of life.  Although Libby loves and works great n America she agrees to travel to the UK for a few days to help set the new charity up.  There is a strong physical attraction  from the monent they meet.  A few days morphe in to a week - hence the title of the novel. Alex persuades Libby to agree to an uncomplicated week of hot, no strings sex.  Problems arise when other feelings start to develop between the pair and Libby decides to bolt back to the US.


The book and presumably the whole Dare series is certainly more graphic, explicitly sexy and certainly steamy in places! I am think if I still worked in a book shop I would put them in between Blace Lace books and Mills &Boon Modern as they try to combine the two genres. I thought this novel was just okay.  There were a lot of themes in this book - both main characters had emotional baggage they had to work through, the disability angle showed the problems disabled people face in all areas of their lives, how this was impacts upon their families and also pushes the boundaries in terms of  how explicit and graphic the sex scenes will be.  I struggled to finish the book.  I found bed it hard to connect with the characters and I found the dialogue between Libby and Alex to be stilted and lacking emotion.  The second half of the book was easier to get through.  The characters were more developed as their back stories and emotional baggage was brought to the fore.  It will be interesting to seee how M&B develop this series and how it meshes with their other series. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review,  I am a #MillsandBooninsider. #NetGalley #AWeekToBeWild

 Available:
Mills & Boon 

Amazon UK 

Paul & Joe Beaute, Paris in April, Part 4, Lips

Paul & Joe Beaute brought out three new limited edition refill lipsticks for their Paris in April collection which are all sheer. These fit into the new refillable lipstick cases.  The lipsticks are Saint Germain (105), Rue Cermieux (106) and Rue Montorgueil (207). The RRP is £14 each. I have 106.  It doesn't feather or feeel heavy on my lips and lasts around 3 hours without needing reapplication.   The lipsticks are infused with orange oil,  Jojoba oil and shea butter to hydrate the lips and my lips certainly felt moisturised after wearing it.  They do have a rose tea scent but this soon fades away.   I think this, and all the other P&J lipsticks I have tried make my lips look like mine but better.  I have a very slight jelly fish scar on my top lip and this disguises it but still makes my lips look natural without my lipstick looking caked on. They lipsticks give a understated, elegant wash of natural colour with a natural glossy shine.

 As well as their innovative ways of presenting their face colours the cat lipstick is their most famous product.  Paul & Joe have brought out a cat shaped UV refill clear lip balm (403) which is £11. This is shaped like a cat's head and it is a clear balm which protects lips against harmful UV rays whilst the jojoba and macadamia nut oils to hydrating lips. The balm leaves a colourless sheen to the lips.  There is a slight tea rose scent which fades away and the balm also has a slight minty taste. The lip balm also fits into the refillable lipstick cases.

I purchased these items myself. 

Paul & Joe Beaute is available at BeautyBay.com and Amazon UK. It will be available from Feel Unique from March 2018

Paul & Joe Beaute: Paris in April Part 3, Refillable Cases

 

Paul and Joe bring out collectible limited edition lipstick and eyeshadow/blusher cases every season.  The limited edition refillable lipstick and eyeshadow cases are £7 each and this season they have designed a flower, cat with a bow tie and cat's head lipstick and eyeshadow case.  They are made from cardboard. The graphics on these cases matches the mini record sleeves and the prints used in the Spring Paul & Joe clothing line.

The square small box is for their eyeshadow and blusher and range.  The cases are magnetised and fit securely. The eyeshadow trio I put in my cat case is not new, I just wanted to show that they do still fit. 

The lipstick bullets are purchased separately from the cases.  The lipstick is placed into the base of the pilstick case where it sits securely and can be twisted up and down.  

I purchased these items myself. 

Paul & Joe Beaute is available at BeautyBay.com and Amazon UK. It will be available from Feel Unique from March 2018

Paul & Joe Paris in April Part 2 (Nail Polish)

Paul & Joe brought out three limited edition nail polish - Geranium (029), Jeunes Herbes (027) and Dewy Calendula (028).  These retail for £12. I purchased mine (028) from Amazon UK  as Beauty Bay do not seem to have them in stock yet. The bottles and brush are the same as the Koala Bear polish that I reviewed in a Beaks and Claws post. The polish is appplied using a base and top coat.  It is easy to apply as the brush is fairly wide and so covers the whole nail. I found two coats gave a wash of glossy colour and it dried within 10 minutes. I thought the final effect was very like Dior Glow nail polish, giving the nail a healthy glow and faint red wash of colour.

These varnishes can either be used on their own to add a sheer wash of colour or used as a top coat over another colour.  They are infused with jojoba seed oil, olive fruit oil and safflower oil to help keep nails hydrated. I think this varnish adds a gloss or wash of colour to the nails. I have dewy calendula which made my nails look healthy and "done", almost like a shiny boiled sweet.

I purchased these items myself. 

Paul & Joe Beaute is available at BeautyBay.com and Amazon UK. It will be available from Feel Unique from March 2018.

Paul & Joe Beaute: April in Paris Collection Part 1

Paul & Joe Beaute create cosmetic collections that are not only great quality products but also have gorgeous collectible packaging which is unusual and too pretty to use! The Paris in April Spring 2018 collection is no exception. Their face powders are mini records with cat and flower record sleeves whilst the limited edition eyeshadow, blusher  and lipstick cases cases continue the cat and flower theme.  There are also three limited edition sheer lipsticks and nail varnishes (reviewed in part 2).

          

Paul & Joe are known for imprinting makeup into thin layers and then using it creatively.  The limited edition face powders have been made into mini records which can be stored in the mini record sleeves.  The records come in sets of 3 and are £16.  The record vinyl (protective plastic)  is peeled back to get to the face powder pigment which has been sprayed on to the card.  The plastic does stick back down very easily once it has been used.  They do have a very slight tea rose scent, as do all Paul and Joe products, but this soon does down. The selection of colours does veer towards pink apart from the pop of olive colour. Some of the colours seemed glittery whilst the greens/olive has a golden sheen to it.  They are quite soft and pigmented, so you don't need to use much to get a good wash of colour.  According to the description on Amazon UK, you get around 30 uses per card. These are great for travel as they are   Flat, small, light and multi use.  If you were desperate you could even use the pink shades as lipstick and put some lip balm over the top!


                                     

I purchased these items myself.
Paul and Joe Beaute are stocked at:
Amazon UK

BeautyBay.com

Win an Alex Monroe Sterling Silver Snowdrop Cameo Pendant

I purchased this Alex Monroe Sterling Silver Snowdrop Cameo Pendant from Brand Alley to use as a competition prize.  The frame of the pendant is made from a pearl wire and the Snowdrop itself is multidimensional. The pendant measures 2cmx1.5cm. The chain in extendable, 16-18".  It is made from sterling silver. original RRP £114.   It does not come with a box or pouch. 

Enter here >>>>>

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:

Open internationally

Starts 12am GMT 20 January 2018, closes 12 am GMT 20 February 2018.

You must complete the mandatory portion of the Rafflecopter requirements 

Kneipp Deep Sleep Mineral Bath Salt

Kneipp was founded in 1891 by Priest Sebastian Kneipp.  Combining colour and aromatherapy to create the ultimate holistic experience,  Kneipp Valerian and Hops Deep Sleep Mineral Bath Salt is made with thermal mineral bath salt and the essential oils of Valerian Root and Hops extract.  The Salt is supposed to slow down your racing, over stimulated mind and promote a deep, restorative unbroken sleep.  The bath crystals turn the water blue.  This is not just for aesthetic purposes.  Kneipp uses colour therapy as well as aromatherapy and blue with its cooler tones helps promote relaxation, peace and serenity.  Blue is also used to help with insomnia as it is supposed to calm the mind and promote sleep.

I found my bath relaxing. I enjoyed the blue water, I felt as though I was on a large relaxing pool, not  a small cramped bath,  and I did feel calm and relaxed after a hard day sales shopping in Manchester! and I did get a good night's sleep. It wasn't unbroken but that is down to the amount of pain I am in and the fact I have to wake up to turn over. I did feel more refreshed the next morning. I haven't had an unbroken night of sleep in 18 years since I broke my neck so I wasn't expecting a like changing miracle but I was pleasantly surprised by how much benefit I got from using these salts. The downside to these salts is the smell.  They have citronella in them which can be overpowering and bit off putting. I put some lavender salt in to hide the smell.

Available from:
Amazon UK - £8.95 500g

Kneipp Balancing Lavender Bath Salt

I love a hot bath and trying out new relaxing bath products which have long lasting effects and Kneipp  make some of the best bath products that work for me.  As mentioned in a previous blog post reviewing Kneipp stress free bath oil I have numerous health/spinal problems and some of the symptoms can be alleviated for a few hours through the combination of a  hot bath and the right products.

The balancing lavender bath salts are £1.95 for a 60g sachet or £8.95 for a 500g jar from Holland and Barrett. I love the sachets for travelling (not as heavy and less chance of breakage or spillage) or for trying out new products (cheaper in case I don't like it).  The lavender bath salts are made with natural, essential oils of lavender.  The salts are intended to "balance emotion, lift spirits and restore strength and vitality".  The bath crystals are also high in trace minerals which are absorbed by the body as you soak in the bath.


The bath salts had a true lavender rather than an artificial chemical aroma. They left me feeling relaxed and my skin feeling exfoliated, toned and moisturised.  I did not need to use any perfumed products after my bath as the lavender smell lingered for quite a few hours.  I would buy the full Jar and continue to use these salts.


Available from:
Amazon UK

Vintage Style Triangular Brass & Glass Jewellery Box

I Purchased this vintage style brass and glass open fronted jewellery box from EBay UK.  It cost £14.79 and was from a Chinese seller. The item arrived within 3 weeks, which was well within the estimated time scale, was well packaged in polystyrene and a box and the seller told me when it was posted etc. 

The box has two layers or display areas.  The whole case measures 15x15x20 cm and the top tier 9x9cm. The box could also be used as a display case for very small ornaments - although the triangular shape means that the glass sides make the space narrower towards the top and it may be difficult to fit items in. 

I like the item, the customer service and delivery were great. I would not hesitate to recommend this item to others. 

I purchased the item myself and all views expressed in this blog post are my own . 

Available here

Small Rectangular Glass Box

This small rectangular glass and brass box is from the Danish interior design company Madame Stolz and purchased from Posh Totty Designs. The box costs £6 with free P&P on all UK orders.   It measures 3.5(H)x8.5 (W)x6cm(D).  It has a vintage feel to it and is both functional and attractive - it can be used to store keys, jewellery coins etc.  (I use mine for instagram/Jewellery photos). 

I bought mine before Christmas and it arrived within a few days. It was carefully packaged. 

I purchased the item myself , It is available  here

Metallic Purple Handbag Sized Folding Walking Stick by Charles Buyers

This is an update of the previous review I did on this walking stick when I first started my blog. My original review can be found here.  The stick still costs )24.95 plus postage. I still enjoy using this stick, so much so that I have also purchased it in in black.  I also have purchased several more in both colours to use personalise my own walking sticks.  I find the handle comfortable to hold - my hands are only small so sometimes the handles are to big to comfortably grip for long periods of time.  The stick itself is lightweight and sturdy. My original stick still looks pristine and the colour hasn't chipped off despite being dropped on numerous occasions. 

I still purchase these, and all my other walking sticks from the stick and cane shop as they provide excellent  customer service and will advise which sticks can be adapted to my height. 

I purchased this item myself. 

Available from the Stick and Cane Shop

Review: Chip (Beauty and the Beast) Trinket Dish.

                    

The Primark Chip trinket dish is part of the official Disney Beauty and the Beast range. He costs £5 and can be found on EBay UK for around £15.  He is ceramic and measures 12.7cmx8.5x12.7cm.  His expression is exactly the same as the cartoon version - cheeky and full of fun! The detailing on him is gorgeous. He has a the little chip and a gold enamelled nose with enamelling  around his base as well.  The item is well packaged in a box with a circular piece of plastic protecting Chip.   He would be a great gift for any Beauty and the Beast fan! 

I purchased this item myself. 

Beak & Claws: Nails Inc "NailKale" Bruton Mews

Nails Inc Nail Kale in Bruton Mews is £15 for 14ml.  The NailKale range is made with kale extract, which is known for it's high levels of vitamins A,C and K which encourage and stimulate keratin making nails brighter, stronger, healthier and smoother.  The nail polish is deeply nourishing and is supposed to help prevent breakage and splitting. The Nials Inc NailKale range is 5-Free (Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor).  

Bruton Mews is a gorgeous deep wintry forest, leafy green.  I chose this colour to review as it pairs so well with the traditional winter colours - burgundy, deep brown etc which I love wearing.  It applies very easily and smoothly.  No bubbles etc.  It dries to a high gloss shine.

As my neck is totally fused  I cannot look down and I also lack hand/eye coordination and spatial awareness.  This means I find it near impossible to paint my own nails and normally rely on others to do it for me.  If I am going to try and do it myself it takes a lot of patience, a near melt down, angled mirrors - so I can see what I am doing and a nail polish remover pen to erase my mistakes.  The size of the brush, wand, lid -(gripability and comfort when holding the brush matters) and consistency of the polish are all important considerations if I am going to paint my nails myself.  I did do my nails myself for these photos.  They may look a slightly slap dash but they took ages and I put a lot of effort into them!

The bottle is quite heavy and concave.  There is a silver lid that, when removed, reveals the brush and another smaller black plastic ribbed cap. The bottle itself is very chunky and squat so it is hard to knock it over.  It is annoying having 2 lids to take off.  The brush is curved and broad with a paddle design, so fits nicely into the nail bed, close to the cuticle creating a clean line and across the nail.  One swipe covers the whole nail.  The wand/lid is very short and I find it harder to grip than the Paul and Joe Beaute one.  I also feel there is more potential for smudging as the brush wand is closer to the nails and I can't always see where it is when I am holding it and trying to aim for my nails! The consistency of the polish is nice- thick and pigmented and easy to control with the brush.  Two coats and the colour is opaque.

Unless stated otherwise I purchased the item myself.  I use NailHQ All in One as my base and top coat for all my reviews.
Available at Nails Inc