Toms Glitter Crotchet Slip On Espadrilles

As someone who only has size 2UK feet I have difficulty finding shoes that look grown up.  Toms do range of  shoes that spans /junior/adults which look exactly the same.  These silver crochet slip on espadrilles are available in both junior and adult sizes.  I also like the fact that Toms, as a company are ethically sound.

Toms shoes have had a one for one policy for their shoe range since 2007. They have slowly widened  the range of shoes they donate to cover not only the original slip on espadrilles but also winter boots, wet weather slip on shoes, sports shoes and locally produced shoes. Toms glasses range supports eye tests, prescription glasses, eye surgery and sight saving surgery, Tom Roasting Co purchases support clean water supplies in  7 countries in the regions that produce their coffee beans and the purchase of Toms bags helps enable Toms Giving Partners to ensure the materials and training necessary to ensure healthy births.

The silver crochet espadrilles are comfortable to wear.  I have neuropathic pain in my fry and cannot stand it if shoes rub or press on my feet at all.  They are lightweight, easy to slip on, there is an elasiced "v" to the front of the shoe and they have a padded insole, the Toms branding can be seen on a logo on the heel of the shoe and a little tag at the side.  The sole is synthetic and textile, the  upper is textile and the inner lining is leather and textile.


Available:
Here

Book Review: Swept Away by the Engimatic Tycoon by Rosanna Battigelli (M&B).

                                                           

Swept Away by the Enigmatic Tycoon is written by Rosanna Battigelli, published by Mills and Boon and is part of the new True Love series.  True Love replaced the Cherish series. In the new TL series the heroine is the main focus of the storyline.  She is meant to be strong, independent and relatable whilst the hero is dependable, trustworthy and most importantly of all worthy of the heroine's love.  The hero does not necessarily have to be rich, a Tycoon or King/Prince/Sultan etc but are strong, dependable etc.  The storylines are more realistic, I love reading M&B Modern where the hero is a sheikh etc but they are not necessarily relatable  to me or the real world!

Justine Winter has returned home to run the family business, Winter's Haven holiday cottages in Georgian Bay, after having her heart broken and having to leave a toxic relationship as her boyfriend was also her boss. Casson Forrester who has bought an adjoining property and wants to purchase Winter's Haven to build Franklin's resort.  He also has an adorable dog called Luna Lu. The sparks fly and the attraction between the pair is palpable after Cass rescues Justine from her ex.  Their fledgling relationship, however, is threatened by secrets and wariness about being in love after prior failed experiences.  

I enjoyed this book. It is Rosanna's debut novel and it is well written, light hearted, easy to read gentle romance following the development of a relationship between the two main characters.  It has lots of strands to the book, some of which are delicate and thoughtfully addressed, others slightly humerous  as are the characters.  The characters do not appear one dimensional but are likeable, relatable to the reader.  

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #sweptawaybytheenigmatictycoon

Available from:
Amazon UK


Mills & Boon

Review: Gardman Hanging Wild Bird Feeding Station

Last summer I reviewed the Gardman Bird Feeding Station for children.  The birds still love it but I needed more feeding space as I now get more birds including a robin and a blue tit coming to eat there.  The largest feeder I could find was the Gardman hanging bird feeder tray (£14.99).  

I did have to put the station together by clipping/ forcing the metal hooks over the hoops which took some time but once it is put together it is very sturdy.  The whole station measures approx  19.5" from hook to the base of the tray.  The large tray measures 10"by10" and is 1" deep.  The tray itself is easy to clean but the water dish, which sits directly above the tray, is difficult to remove as the chain triangle is quite narrow so if the dish still has water in it it is hard to manovere out without spilling any.  

Percy, the pigeon was the first to investigate and use the tray feeder, but now they all use it and it is a great addition as I can put out quite a lot more food as it is now the breeding season. 

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

Book Review: A Night of Secret Surrender by Sophie James

A Night of Secret Surrender is written by Sophie James and published by Mills and Boon (Historical).  This is a historical romance, set in 1812 war torn Paris. Both  Celeste Fournier and Major Summerley Shayborne are wanted by the opposing factions (Anne Jean Marie Rene Savary, Choef of police  v  Henri Jacques Clarke,  Minister of War).  aiming to fill th political vac  which developed after Napoleon left Paris to take Russia.  Celeste and Shay have met before war broke out in France.  One hot sultry night, many years ago Shay had taken Celeste's virginity and thrown back Shay's declaration of marriage in his face.  The next day she left for France with her father.  Now, famed for her disguises, she warns Shay who is now an informant for Wellington that his life is in danger and he must escape from Paris, which is where he was hiding.  Celeste is working as a rogue informant for the French.  By telling him his life is in danger she is endangering herself.  They attempt escape to Spain disguised as monks. 

I hated this book, it is the only one I have been unable to finish.  Hence why I stopped at monks as I gave up after the description of Shay shaving his palate so he could pass as a monk.  There are just too many storylines and characters  entertained with historical facts.  The flashbacks to Langley are interesting but drawn out.  I enjoyed that the novel is historically correct but it takes over and controls the direction of the novel rather than the characters themselves.  

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

Available from: 

Amazon UK

Mills & Boon

Book Review: From Duke Till Dawn by Eva Leigh

The first book in the London Underground series, From Duke Till Dawn is written by Eva Leigh, published by Mills and Boon and is a Regency romance. The Duke of Greyland, Alexander  Lewis first met Cassandra Blake two years ago in the spa Cheltenham. They had one night together. Not realising he was just a "mark" to her he lost both his heart and £500 which he naively gave her, believing her to be a vulnerable widow when in reality she was a con artist and thief.   His engagement to Lady Emmeline has just ended as she ran off with a cavalry officer.  His first reencounter is a glimpse of her in a carriage. He then meets her in a gaming hell in a seedy part of Piccadilly.  Cassandra Blake has gown up in poverty and crime ridden existence.  Her mother deserted her when she was a young child. She had to live in Marshlea prison when her father was sent there for not paying his debts.  When he died she was left to scrabble a living on the streets of London which is where she met her mentor and partner in crime Martin Hughes/Hamish.

When her mentor of 15 years and partner in crime takes off with all their money she has no one apart from Greyland who she can turn to for help. She needs to repay the gaming hell investors, the wages of her employees and the £500 she fleeced off Greyland.  He agrees to help, but she has to stay with him until the debts are repaid in full.  The rest of the book recounts their exploits  as they search for Martin.

From Duke Till Dawn is not your traditional Regency romance.  It is the heroine, not the hero, Who plays the anti character.  Historical romances usually tell the story from the "rich" person's perspective.  In this novel, however, Leigh tells the story from Cassandra's perspective and point of view,  revealing and detailing the poverty and reasons who she she has fallen into a life of crime. An erotic romantic thriller, Leigh is more explicit when she describing sex scenes and the visit to the sex club - the Orchid Club than other authors have been.  I enjoyed this book, it's a busy book, detailing the influences and experiences that have shaped the characters, especially  Cassandra, the poverty and crime that is seen as the norm in parts of working class London, how being abandoned by your mother and father dying etc all combine to make this book an enjoyable, fast paced read.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #fromduketodawn

Available from:
Amazon UK

Mills & Boon

Book Review: Marrying The Rebel Prince by Janet Glover

Marrying the Rebel Prince is written by Janet Glover and published on 26 April 2018 by HQ Digital,  an imprint of HarperCollins. Prince Nickolas Edwin Verbier D'arennes is the second Prince of the small, fictitious, Kingdom of Arennes.  Like many rich Royals he lives life in the fast lane and has a well deserved wild reputation and is widely perceived as the Rebel Prince.  In contrast Lauren Phelps is a blue haired unconventional struggling artist, who volunteers at a local church drop in centre and isn't afraid to argue her case to the Prince.  This is her big break, her first large/royal commission which will make or break her career. Every step they take is analysed in the press, on social media and on television.  Their budding relationship develops under the social media microscope as Lauren paints Prince Nickolas' portrait.  Falling in love was the easy part, is their relationship strong enough to survive all their secrets, incessant scrutiny and criticism from all sides?

Marrying the Rebel Prince is a 21 century romantic Cinderella's tale.  The insidious nature and pervading influence of social media, criticism that she is not a proper princess, plus the realisation that Nickolas has a reason to be a Rebel are all strands that influence the British Royal Family and are touched upon in this fictitious novel.  I enjoyed this story, I haven't read any of her previous books but found her work to be humourous, well throughout and the story cohesive.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills HQ Digital in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider
Available:
AMazon UK


HarperCollins

Book Review: Kidnapped For His Royal Duty by Jane Porter

                                           

Part of the Mills and Boon Modern imprint and the first in the Stolen Brides series. Kidnapped for His Royal Duty by Jane Porter is published on 31 May 2018.  Randall Grant's (Dal) fiancée, Sophie, was stolen as she walked down aisle by her Sicilian one night stand, Renzo Cristanti (their story is told in the second novel in this series).  As the 6th Earl of Langston he required and still requires a bride.  He kidnaps Poppy Marr, his shy secretary, and returns to Mehkar to visit the King, his grandfather, where he has not set foot for nearly 20 years. Due to royal protocol, it is assumed Dal had returned to take up his position as heir to the throne - he is known as Prince Talal and that Poppy is his fiancée.  Poppy has always been slightly in love with her sexy boss but will she agree to his royal proposal and be the queen of Mehkar and Dal's Heart?


This book is enjoyable but rather drawn out. It has the traditional heroine and slightly detached granite hero.  The book is interesting as it shows the change in Dal from sexy businessman to King in waiting and how Poppy feels left behind and isolated as a consequence of these changes.  It will be interesting to read the second book in the series - Baby of Shame by Caitlin Crews, due out next month to see how she Tells Sophie's story.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley  #kidnappedforhisroyalduty

Available: 
Amazon UK

Mills & Boon

Book Review: Healed By The Midwife's Kiss, Fiona McArthur (M&B Medical).

Healed by the Midwife's Kiss is written by Fiona McArthur and published by Mills & Boon Medical. This novel is the second in the Midwives of Lighthouse Bay series and is a gentle slow paced medical romance.  

Set in Australia, so full of Australian colloquiums, Dr Finn Foley has relocated to Lighthouse Bay after his wife left him and their baby girl when she was just a day old.  He has left behind a successful paediatric practice and instead taken a position of General Practitioner with a side of paediatric consultations at the local hospital so he can spend time with Piper, his baby girl.   Catrina Roberts is a widow and a midwife who works and lives in Lighthouse Bay.  Both are wary of love and not keen on commitment due to being hurt in the past.  They start off as friends and move on from there.  Finn's wife returns briefly but this seems to be the incentive Finn needs to move forward with his life.    Will Finn and Catrina have love and happiness within their sights, if they are willing to grasp it!

This is a very slow burning romance. There isn't much angst, any sizzling sex scenes or dramatic reconciliation.  It is a traditional gentle medical romance.  The return of the wife appeared rushed and glossed over, a bit of a wasted character but overall it was an enjoyable read. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review,  I am a #millsandbooninsider  #Netgalley #healedbythe midwiveskiss

(Published on 22 March 2018). 

Available from:Amazon UK 

Mills & Boon

Beak & Claws: Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Reviver Lip Balm Matte (102, Matte Raspberry)

As the imagery and name of my blog is centred around a sparklingly magpie I decided decided to name my lipstick and nail polish series "Beak and Claws". Beak relates to the lipstick portion, claws to the polish.

My lips are always extremely dry as a consequence of my long term medication.  I am, therefore, always searching for that perfect combination of lip hydration plus perfect colour payoff which also lasts! For a lipbalm to be absolute perfection both colour and hydration must have longevity as I don't have the patience to keep reapplying throughout the day!

Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Reviver Lip Balm Matte ( I chose 102, Matte Raspberry) is at the pricier end of the scale (£26 for 3.5g). There are two shades - Matte Pink (101) and Matte Raspberry (102).  To be honest I chose it because it is matte and I got a free gift with 2 purchases. I don't really go for glossy balms or lipsticks so I was thrilled to see a vibrant cool toned pink that is matte.  








The Reviver lip balm is not a new concept.  Dior launched the original in 2009 (there are now 10 shades in different shades and 3 finishes, satin, holographic and matte).  They are an inked balm, a hybrid between a balm and a sheer lipstick, combining hydration and other lip care properties with hint a colour.  The Colour Reviver technology means that the lipbalm will react differently to the pH level in every person's lips and the colour of the lipbalm will be customised accordingly.  The lip care ingredients includes mango butter and cranberry oil  which allow for 24 hours hydration and prevents the balm from bleeding. 



The lipbalm is multi functional. It acts as a lip balm, adds a touch of  just there colour to the lips and can be used as a priming base for lipsticks as well. It has a minty smell when first applied but the smell soon fades away.  The colour is not a true flat matte colour but has a slight sheen/semi matte finish to it, making your lips look more defined and enhanced than when wearing a traditional tinted lip balm. The colour is buildable from a blurred just bitten into a raspberry in to a cool toned vibrant pink (in my picture I have built up from 1 to 3 coats of lipbalm). It feels like a luxurious product as it goes on the lips.  My teeth look a lot whiter when I wear this shade as do my eyes.  My lips feel hydrated and I don't have to keep reapplying lipbalm throughout the day to keep them moisturised.  The lipstick case feels and looks luxurious. It is is instantly identifiable as a Dior product. The case has Dior embossed upon one side and Dior Glow Color Reviver Balm on the other. It closes with a satisfying click! 

             

I purchased this item myself from Boots.com and they are available at all Dior makeup stockists online and in store.

Brita Fill & Go Vital Water Filter Bottle

I was lucky enough to be selected by Comeround (a company that links registered users to promotions and campaigns in exchange for feedback, free or reduced priced products and sometimes a small payment for your time).  to try out the revamped Brita Fill & Go Vital Water Filtet Bottle (£23.94, currently on offer for £12.95 plus free delivery via Amazon UK).  I did receive the product free of charge but this did not influence my review as I already use the older version and wanted one any to compare them and see how the bottle had been improved.  Each pack includes a bottle, MicroDisc and instructions.  Each disc can filter up to 150 litres of water, a refill pack costs  £14.30 for 3 discs. The bottle is BPA free, holds 600ml of water and fits a normal size cup holder. It has a flip top lid, the mouthpiece/nozzle is pull out and the bottle is dishwasher safe. 

Before using the Fill & Go bottle for the first time it should be cleaned without the micro disc, in either mild detergent and warm water or the dishwasher. To prepare the MicroDisc  take the it out of the packaging and soak in warm water for one minute in order to remove any carbon dust that has accumulated  and ensure the water flow is optimised. To maintain optimum hygiene the MicroDisc should be cleaned once a week using boiling water poured over the Disc which should be placed in a cup or dish. Make sure the disc is fully submerged for five minutes. Remove and reinstall. Replace the Disc once a month. Insert the micro disc by opening the lid, unscrewing the disc cover anti clockwise  and inserting the disc.  Screw lid back on. Lift the flip top lid, pull up the mouth piece/ nozzle and your Fill & Go is ready to ... well go!

 The  newer version looks slimline, refined and the branding looks sleeker, is instantly identifiable and fits in with the Brita brand. The older pink version's  mouth piece is rubberised and gets dirty easily, mine is looking a bit  worn and it felt odd when drinking from it until I got used to drinking from it. It also had a propensity to leak and drip if knocked on its side. The mouth piece on the newer version is plastic and the nozzle has to be pulled out to suck the water up so there is less chance of leaks due to this locking mechanism. The discs are not interchangeable.  The old discs cost £9.99 for 8,  but they only filter 20 litres per disc compared to 150 litres with a more expensive MicroDisc (£14.97 for 3).  Both bottles hold the same amount of water. 

The MicroDisc is easier to pop in than the original, as you merely unscrew the lid and place it in position.  The original had a rubber holder, which is hard to grip if you have long fingernails or poor hand movement, that had to pulled out of the lid, filter disc placed in it and then the rubber holder pushed back into the underside of the lid which could then be screwed back onto the bottle. 

As someone who does not gravitate to water as a drink, I still enjoy and think a portable filter bottle is a great concept and I like using mine.   The original version had a few flaws that seem to have been ironed out by Brita and I think they are great for day trips, definitely a hospital bag essential or just to use around the house. 

I recieved this item for free from  Comeround, but this did not influence my opinion of the product. 

Oasis: Fitzwilliam Woven Knit

Oasis have collaborated with the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge to create The At One With Nature  collection is based upon gorgeous antique botanical prints taken from the Fitzwilliam Museum which is the University of Cambridge's art and antiquities museum.

I chose the Fitzwilliam Woven Knit which is £40 and currently available in sizes XS-L.  All other sizes are out of stock.   In the description it says the print is botanical, featuring flowers taken from the reference books but in reality the print is much more than that as it includes tiny butterflies and birds as well.  The print is placed on an oversized short sleeved  pale green knit top which ties loosely at the back. The top has a vintage, summery boho feel and look to it and as it is a lightweight knit it goes great with either a floaty skirt for those elusive warm spring days or can be paired with denim on chillier days!

 I'm 4ft 8" and a size 6-8.

The top is machine washable and is 100% polyester, 17% polyamide and 83% Woven viscose.
Available online and selected stores:
Oasis Website 

Book Review: A Bride For The Playboy Prince (3in1 M&B)

A Bride For The Playboy Prince is a Mills & Boon 3 in 1 anthology published to celebrate  the imminent Royal Wedding.   The three authors are popular heavy weight Mills & Boon regulars and each story is glamourous, passionate but also gives an insight into how relationships work.  Each story stays true to the them of the collection and if you haven't read any of these authors' novels before it provides a great introduction to their work and style of writing.

Crowned for the Prince's Heir by Sharon Kendrick reworks and brings life and humour to an age old theme: a elationship going nowhere, one last encounter and an unexpected pregnancy.  In this case Lisa Bailey is a fashion designer who breaks off her relationship with Luciano Leonidas, a Mordovian Prince as the romance is going nowhere.  They meet a few years  later and have a one night stand (whilst he is on the cusp of proposing a politically advantageous marriage to a neighbouring princess), Lisa becomes pregnant.  Luc discovers the pregnancy when he sees her modelling her pregnancy clothing range in the press. Luc is determined his child will be born into wedlock, the only flaw in his plan is having to get Lisa to agree!

Luc has been brought up by palace employees- nannies and governesses and so  is all about doing his duty whilst Lisa is determined to protect her heart at all costs due to her childhood. The birth of their baby girl is the first time Luc has experienced unconditional love.   Misunderstandings, conflict and stubbornness are rife. will they get their happily ever after.

Lisa is strong willed but likable, Luc can come accross as obnoxious and haughty because as a Orince he is used to getting his own way.  A well written book which makes it easy to connect with the characters and the storyline.

The Ice Prince by Sandra Marton is the first book in the Orsini Brides collection.  I have read this before and didn't really enjoy it. Anna Orsini has been sent to Sicily by her father, Cesare, a member of the mob,  to sort out ownership over a strip of disputed land that her father claims belongs to her mother but is in fact owned by Draco. Cesare was trying to play matchmaker between Anna and Prince  Draco Valenti.  They first meet on the plane to Italy and the sparks certainly fly.  Draco is shocked to find out that the woman he has had heated moments under the plane blanket is actually the belongs to a family involved in crime (she has in fact made it clear she will not be drawn into her father's and families activities).

Anna comes across to the reader as prickly, rude and generally unlikeable.  Insisting she has to fly business class and Draco should give up one of his seats makes her appear self absorbed and spoilt whilst Draco is portrayed as the stereotypical  Italian do not make the characters catch my imagination or make we not want to put the book down but carry on until I finish.This book hasn't aged well, faxes,  laptops, solitaire etc spoilt the tone, setting and background of the book whilst the two main characters seemed forced and didn't gell together.

At His Majesty's Request by Maisey Yates is the the final book in this Royal anthology.  Jessica Carter is a matchmaker tasked with finding Prince Drakos Stavros (of the mythical Greek Island of Kyonos) a wife. Drakos is a rich, entitled Greek Prince who doesn't believe in love.  He has a list of qualities he requires in a wife, the most important being to provide him with heirs. Jessica is sarcastic, loves wearing vintage rather than couture clothing is the polar opposite to Drakos, who unfortunately finds her rather than her "suitable" socialite candidates attractive and exciting.  Health issues and experiences with an unsympathetic ex-husband have left Jessica wary of relationships. Will Drakos need for heirs scupper their romance?

As usual Maisey Yates does not disappoint. She jumps right in to the story line, creating feisty, complicated characters that need to go through a journey before they can succeed in their relationships.  She creates scenes that are humourous, heartrending and relatable which is why I always enjoy her work.

Available from:
Amazon

Mills & Boon

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for an honest review,  I am a #millsandbooninsider #ABrideForThePlayboyPrince #Netgalley 

Book Review: Conquering His Virgin Queen by Pippa Roscoe

Conquering His Virgin Queen by Pippa Roscoe is part of the Mills & Boon Modern imprint.  Odir Farouk is about to become King and needs to win his wife, Eloise,  back. She left him 6 months ago due to his distrust of her after a misunderstanding over a scene he witnessed between her and his brother. Distance and a lack of communication between the pair of them also hindered the development of their marriage of convenience into a meaningful relationship. The pair of them have to overcome the influence of their parents if their second chance at marriage is to succeed.  Odir will have to overcome his fear of love (after seeing his father fall apart after losing his mother) and Eloise will have to come to terms with her mother's addiction to painkillers after her father leaves her alone and unloved for years on end. 

The story takes place over a period of around 12 hours and incorporates flashbacks to their pasts. It is well written and interesting to see a fast paced storyline crammed into such a short space of time. 

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

Available:

Amazon UK

Mills and Boon