Necklace Extenders at JewelleryBox.co.uk

Ever had that necklace or bracelet which is just too short to sit comfortably around your neck or wrist? Have you thought about necklace or bracelet extenders. These can extend a chain from between 2" and 4" and can either add a new dimension to your necklace it make your chain more comfortable to wear. You just clip them to your existing chain's clasp. Making a chain longer can also make it easier to fasten as there is more chain to grip. 

I have a spinal injury, fused neck and neuropathic pain which means that my neck is slightly wider than it used to be and I cannot stand anything that feels right around my neck. I found some necklace extenders at JewelleryBox.co.uk (they also sell them via AmazonUK which is where I purchased mine) and I can now wear my necklaces comfortably. The extenders are available in 2", 3" and 4" length, are available in sterling silver, gold dipped sterling silver and rose gold dipped sterling silver. Prices are from £4.05.

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

Available  from:

AmazonUK 

JewelleryBox.co.uk

Bare Minerals: Quickie Shadow Stick in Pewter

Bare Mineral Quickie Shadow Sticks are a cream eyeshadow packaged in to a convenient compact travel friendly stick form.  Infused with night jasmine and optical pearls, this cream eyeshadow is easy to apply - just one swipe across the eyelid then blend with your finger and makes you look awake and your eyes pop. Pewter is an illuminating almond satin shade that makes the wearer look bright eyed and awake.

I have shown the eyeshadow worn with and without glasses as I have found that sometimes when I put them on it can change the look and intensity of my eyeshadow.  I found that the BM quickie shade still looked good and didn't affect the colour etc. My eyelids looked brighter and less discoloured. My eyelids are hooded and the cream shadow didn't transfer or come off as it sometimes does when I wear cream based products. 

 

I purchased the quickie stick as part of a QVC  UK TILI bag several months ago and I cannot find     single  quickie sticks available anywhere apart from Ebay UK. The pewter stick can be purchased as part of the Bare minerals Decadant MakeupCollection available at QVC UK. 

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

Anna Sui Mini Brightening Powder & Powder Case

About this time last year Anna Sui Cosmetics brought out a sea shell embossed brightening face powder (2.5g and RRP £20) and a peacock powder case (£13). I didn't buy them as I was busy working through my stack of powders and although the powder case is pretty I only have so much room on my vanity! Recently they have brought out mini sizes,  the sea shell embossed mini brightening powder  is £10 for 9g and mini powder case is £8. The powder case comes with a puff and any mini Anna Sui pressed powder will fit in it.  I love the design of the case but wonder why they didn't go with an under the sea theme to match the beautiful seashell embossed powder.  They did a LE compact a few years ago (magical aquarium palette ).   As the items are mini they are great for on the go touch ups or to take on holiday.i

 

The brightening face powder is a finely milled weightless translucent powder designed to set foundation, use to touch up during the day, combat and remove excess oils, shine, and leave the skin looking fresh and bright with a glowing and radiant finish.  The powder does have a very faint tea rose fragrance, but it so disappears. The powder did reduce shine and set my foundation. I also used it without foundation and it did combat the excess oil, helped fill in the fine lines and left my skin looking velvety.   I only used one layer of foundation so I could show how the powder help conceal redness around the nose.I like the powder and think it's great that  Anna Sui has brought out minis.

I purchased the items from beautyBay.com. The items arrived in a timely manner and were well packaged.

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

Book Review: The Tycoon's Scandalous Proposition (M&B) by Miranda Lee

The Tycoon's Scandalous Proposition is part of Mills and Boon Modern series and is written by Miranda Lee.  Billionaire film producer Blake Randall meets Kate Holiday, a struggling actress, at her sister's Maddie, wedding. Maddie has always been the golden child and Kate has always had a massive crush on Maddie's new husband, Lachlan. He sees that Kate looks upset at the wedding and makes it his mission to cheer her up. They have a one night stand and he offers her an acting job in his new film. She travels to Hollywood and moves in with him straight away. Will the relationship last?

This story could have so easily slipped into a casting couch/ uneven power relations novel. It doesn't m, and instead it focuses on their relationship - she won't just sleep with him in exchange for an acting job.  Kate makes Blake grow up and consider marriage and babies whilst he makes her realise she is not the second best sister. This book is a love at first sight romance even if the characters didn't realise it.

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

Review of the New Benefit Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation Mini

This is a review of the Benefit Cosmetics Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation in 01 Fair Cool (mini). The new Hello Happy Foundation was launched earlier this year and claims to be a light weight liquid foundation which gives light to medium coverage and contains SPF 15 PA+++. The mini version, 6ml and RRP £8.50, is an exact miniature of the larger 30ml version which costs £25.50.  Just looking at the cute little purse size bottle makes me smile as normally if you seen one foundation bottle you have seen them all as they are generic, similar, bland and boring. The new Hello Happy one is fun yet elegant with its smiley face and rose gold lid, but what does it claim to do and does it work on my greasy skin. 

The new foundation claims to "even out skin tone and blur imperfections with soft-focus optical blurring spheres. With a natural-matte finish and light-to-medium coverage, it looks like skin and feels like nothing at all".  

To use give the foundation a good shake and to start with use one drop and blend into the face. Apply more drops to build up coverage.  I felt that the Happy foundation feels like and  looks on the skin like a serum foundation. I found that it does blurs my pores, minor imperfections, fine lines and redness around the nose giving a natural rather than a heavy, cakey coverage. It does feel weightless on the skin, allowing the skin to breathe.   The foundation gave a natural tint to the skin so it looks like your skin but better.  As the foundation contains  SPF15 PA+++ it does smell sunscreenish, but this soon dissipates.  I wear glasses and the foundations didn't transfer or rub off onto the nose pads.   The foundation lasted around 7 hours on my very greasy skin without needing a touch up (I didn't use a primer).  I wouldn't really solely on this as my only facial SPF in the Spring/Summer but would use the foundation without extra sunscreen in the winter months.

If you like full coverage, Instagram ready foundation you will hate this, or maybe you won't. Maybe it will convert you to a lighter more natural soft matte foundation, at least for the hotter summer months.

I think the minis are a great way to try out the new foundation, are travel and purse friendly and are also great to use as a shade mixer if you tan in the summer or lose colour in the colder months as you can buy a shade to mix with foundations you already own to create custom shades. I would have liked to have more choice in the mini version. There are 6 in the mini and 12 in the 30 ml version.

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

Available from all Benefit stockists.
Information can be found here: Benefit Cosmetics (UK)

2 x Amethyst & Dragon Vein Agate Gemstone Hair Bobbles

Sometimes when I am in a lot of pain I want to feel pretty, but don't want to put the effort into putting makeup on or getting dressed up. I find putting some hair accessories in my hair is quick and easy (for someone else to do for me) to do. I found this set of 2 hair bobbles on Etsy UK and they are made and sold by GracefulbyCharley. She makes reasonably priced hair clips and bobbles. My amethyst and dragon vein agate bobbles cost £4.50 for the pair plus £1 P&P. 

The stones are not mixed - the dark purple bobble is amethyst the other dragon vein agate. As I have skinny 5" wrists I can also wear the bobbles as bracelets.  The bobble elastic feels quite strong and doesn't feel as if it will snap as it is twined around my hair.  The bobbles are a reasonably priced, unusual hair accessory. I have already purchased 2 more sets in rose quartz and blue sapphire to match with other outfits.

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

Book Review: Total Control by Jackie Ashenden

Total Control is written by Jackie Ashenden and is the second book in the 11th Hour series.  Kellan Blake is a helicopter pilot who is discharged from the army for insubordination. Surprisingly he then signs up to the elite private 11th Hour Squad. His first mission is to infiltrate his own family to find out if his father, a high ranking military veteran, is actually part of a gun running plot, Kellan persuades Sabrina, another member of the Squad to pose as his fiancée for the duration of the investigation.  Sabrina is a tech analyst and her life is put on the line as they are drawn into their investigations. Will Kellan rescue her in time and realise that he does love her?


Total Control combines suspense, romance and family drama into one novel. Kellan does come across as manipulative, using everything he can, including sex, to get Sabrina to do what he wants.  As the daughter of the hired help Sabrina has never been deemed suitable as a possible partner for Kellan and I feel more could have been made about this in the book. I enjoyed the book and will read the rest of the series.


I received this book via Netgalley and Kensington  in exchange for a  honest review

Review: Charlotte Olympia Kitty Havaianas

As someone who always as intense neuropathic pain in my feet and cannot bear to wear footwear that rubs, I m always searching for that elusive instantly comfortable, no need to break in shoe.  No matter what the season I get sucked in and buy a pair of something that as soon as I put them on make me feel as though my feet have been ripped to shreds. 

I saw the Charlotte Olympia Kitty Havaianas in an email and almost dismissed them as generally I find flip flops painful to wear due to the toe post rubbing and pushing my toes apart. I do, however, love the Charlotte Olympia  Kitty flats (though I can't afford a pair and they don't go down to a small  enough size to fit me!) so I decided to buy a pair of the Kitty Havaianas.

As I only have size 2UK feet I could buy the youth version (£45, the adult version is £85 and Bruce was also available as well as Kitty).  Shipping was £6 but I got a huge cotton reusable bag with the Charlotte Olympia cobweb on it (so now everyone will think I am a regular CO shopper and I will have to up my style game when I use it) and a box which I can reuse for bits and bobs.

The Havaianas themselves are very comfortable and fit my wide feet perfectly.  They are black and gold with a rubber thong that sits comfortably between my toes without rubbing them. The pain in my feet did not increase when I was wearing them. They have a kitty face and a cobweb accessory.  Havaianas and a tiny CO  cobweb are embossed on the strap.

I will be living in these Havaianas this summer and hopefully a few more to come. I found the whole process of buying and tracking my item very easy and would buy from them again.

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

Available here

Book Review: How to Keep a Secret by Sarah Morgan

How to Keep a Secret is written by Sarah Morgan and published by HQ.  Sarah Morgan is a prolific romance writer, nominated 4 times for the prestigious RITA Award and winning it twice.  This book is a departure from the traditional romance genre, instead this book focuses upon how and why her character keeps secrets from each other and what happens when they are found out..

How to Keep a Secret tells the story of three generations of Stewart women, all of whom have their own secrest to keep and hide.  The storyline is narrated by the four main characters: Nancy, Laura, Henna and Mackenzie.   They have all, for various reasons, moved back to Martha's Vineyard  Nancy, the matriarch grandmother knows she has not been the greatest mother to Lauren and Jenna, aloof and remained distant emotionally from them, more interested in her work as an artist than a mother, but can she ever tell the reason why she wasn't an A+ mum? Lauren and Jenna have their own secret to hide and made a pact years ago never to divulge it. Jenna feel that Lauren has always been the "golden child" and is concerned she will never have a baby, issues that add to already fractured relationships.   Lauren's daughter, Mackenzie, also has her own secret to keep whilst holding her mum at arms length in order  to hide her pain.

All their secrets come to ahead one summer as all the women are thrown together and their secrets start to unravel.

This book is well written and cohesive in structure, the stories naturally blend together and doesn't appear forced. A departure from Sarah's focus on romance, How to Keep a Secret is a book about family dynamics: emotions and relatives getting to know each other again, character flaws, fractured relationships being fixed as  individuals reconnect after secrets are exposed.


I received this book via Netgalley and HQ in exchange for a honest review

Book Review: Summer at 23 The Strand by Linda Mitchelmore

Summer at 23 The Strand is written by Linda Mitchelmore and published by HQ Digital. Promoted as a feel good holiday read it tells the several linked stories starting with Martha's escape to the seaside for the summer.

Martha is an actress and her split with her boyfriend has just hit the headlines. She walks off her movie set and escapes to Elberry Cove to hide from the press and to recover in private.  She stays in chalet 23 The Strand, a beach chalet in the sands where she she can begin to regroup and put her life back together.  Will Hugh, grieving for his deceased brother, help her d code which way to go?  When she finally leaves she leaves behind a special gift for the next visitor to find which in turn creates a tradition of gift leaving/ giving for all the residents of chalet 23!

Other linked stories include Cally, who has to tell her husband something important, but is unable to find the courage do so until she addresses her fears and problems herself.

Each short story is set within the 2 week stay at the chalet so it is easy to dip in and out of the book rather than just read it cover to cover. I don't really enjoy short stories, linked or not, but it is well written and the characters do catch the reader's attention and imagination as they struggle with the angst or problem that has brought them to Elberry Cove.


I received this book via Netgalley and HQ Digital in exchange for a honest review.

Book Review: My Mamma Mia Summer by Annie Robertson

My Mamna Mia Summer is written by Annie Robertson and published by Orion Publishing Group.  It is a feel good, lighthearted summertime read.  Laurel, who hasn't taken a risk in her whole life consults her Abba albums and her favourite film of all time - Mamma Mia and suddenly takes a chance and books a holiday in Greece, Skopelos to be exact at the charmingly run down Villa Athena. She always planned to go with her beloved   Gran, Marnie, with her as she was also an avid Mamma Mia fan, so she goes in her memory.   Befriending the Villa's eccentric owner Laurel visits Greece's famous sites. Will she be the same staid, risk averse individual when she returns to London or as she feels more at home in Greece will she stay there?

I enjoyed Mamma Mia and the scenery etc so I felt that the descriptive scenes were well done, I can imagine I had seen them in real life or was right beside Laurel taking in the sights.  There are copious references to Mamma Mia, but even if you haven't seen the film, or seen it and hated it, it still makes a great easy, happy, carefree beach (if only) read.


I received this book via Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group in exchange for a honest review.

 Available from: 
Amazon UK

#win Pippa Small Jewellery White Agate Square Stud Earrings

These earrings retail for £80 and they are made by the ethical Jeweller, Pippa Small. I have, and have reviewed, the jade ones and I wear them all the time.  I also bought white agate ones to use as this month's giveaway.  They are gold vermeil stud earrings for pierced ears and the stone is white agate.  They are packaged in a little silk bag.  

Enter here:    a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:
The competition is open internationally. 

Rafflecopter competition.

Must be subscribed to this blog.

Opens 10 July 2018, end date 13 Aug 2018 12AM  GMT.

Review: Pippa Small Vermeil Jade Square Stud Earrings.

These jade square stud earrings are made by the ethical Jewellery Pippa Small. She designs luxurious, hand crafted, ethically sourced pieces of jewellery.  These stud earrings are for pierced ears, made from gold vermeil (sterling silver covered on gold plate) and I chose the jade version (£80).  They are available in jade, white agate, lapis, brown agate and turquoise.  All her stones are ethically sourced. The jade stone measures 0.8x0.8cm and the earrings measure 1.5cm in length of the earring is 1.5 cm.  The earrings are made in Kabul (I have outlined the work she is doing with her Turquoise Mountain initiative in previous blog posts).

The earrings are incredibly comfortable and light to wear.  My mum found it easy to put the butterfly backing on the stud post (I can't lift my arm high enough to do it myself) as it easy to grip because the backing has three butterfly wings rather than the normal two.  The earrings are a cube design, so do not sit flat against the ear.  I have not caught them so far when fiddling with my hair or glasses! They are understated, elegant and their simplicity make the studs a timeless design as they go with anything and everything! They are a packaged in a silk bag as is all her jewellery.



I have moved away from the higher end popular Jewellery stores with their phalanx of Instagram Influencers and prefer to save up and purchase Items from this brand as I love and admire the ethics behind it and her items are so unusual and well made.  Even when I save up I can only afford the lower priced items (I also stalk Amazon UK as they sometimes stock end of line sale items).






I am giving away a pair of the white agate studs in my next blog post.


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

Available here:
Amazon UK

Book Review: The Sheikh's Determined Lover by Leslie North

The Sheikh's Determined  Lover is book 2 of the Zahkim Sheikhs 3 part series and is written by Leslie North.  Christine Harper wants/needs access to the Royal Palace archives to prove that her father's theory relating to the Lion people who first settled in Egypt. Sheikh  Arif ben Iben falls in love with  Christine at first sight and proposes to her. Unsurprisingly she turns him down!  He is willing to allow her to have access to his archives if she will allow him to spend three months trying to change her mind about marrying him and moving to Zahkim.  Will Arif be able take jeep her attention away from the dusty archives and fall in love with him?

A traditional love story with a twist as it is the hero not the heroine who believes in fate and love at first sight. An enjoyable light read.





 received this book via Netgalley UK in exchange for a honest review. 

Book Review: It's Always The Husband by Michele Campbell

It's always the husband is a Top Ten Times thriller written by Michele Campbell and published by HQ.  Whilst at the prestigious Carlisle college they became known as the Whipple Triplets.  Kate, the "it" golden girl, Aubrey and Jenny forged an inseparable friendship. They participate in a scandalous freshman pran.  20 years later they are still all firm friends until the prank raises its ugly head  and consequently one of them is murdered.

Advertised as a thriller this is more of a mild suspense novel.  I found the spelling and grammatical errors slightly irritating.  Although the premise and plot are fantastic the execution didn't live up to expectation.  The first part of the book dragged whilst the second half seemed rushed and the plot crammed in.  I found it hard to get to the end of this novel.  I couldn't find a connection with the characters as they seemed under developed and unlikable.   I am ambivalent about this book and wouldn't rush to reread it anytime soon.


I received this book via Netgalley and HQ in exchange for a honest review. 

Book Review: From The Top by Dani Collins

From The Top is the second instalment of the Blue Spruce Lodge series published by Tule Publishing.   Written by Dani Collins, this book sees Ilke Lunquist, a professional skier, and Nate Hart have a brief fling.  Ilke returns to Whisky Jack Ski Resort several months later, pregnant and in need of financial help as she has lost her ski sponsorships as she can no longer compete. Nate already has a little boy with his ex wife and doesn't anticipate having any more children whilst Ilke is struggling to come to terms the changes a new baby will bring to her life.   Both characters have issues they have to overcome before they can build a future and family together. 

From The Top isn't a light and fluffy romance but explores more serious themes such as Ilke's experience of sexual harassment when she was just a teenager, the expectation that Ilke would be expected to give up her skiing career to care for the baby and Nate's struggles as a single father juggling a demanding job.

I received this book via Netgalley and Tule publishing  in exchange for a honest review. 

Gardman Mini Bird Bath

Unusually the UK is experiencing a really hot summer. This, however, is definitely not good news for wildlife who need access to lots of water sources in order to survive and bring up their youngsters.  Gardman does a huge range of hanging and free standing bird baths that are purse friendly, easy to assemble and look great in your garden ( but most importantly your birds will most probably use them(.

I chose the Gardman mini hanging bird bath which costs around £7.99 - £12.99 depending upon where it is purchased.  The bath is ceramic and a bluish colour, measures 23x6.5x23cm and can be used as either a free standing hanging bird bath or inserted into support ring and fastened to a feeding station.  It was very easy to assemble, just hook the three hooks into the corresponding holes in the side of the bird bath and hand where desired.  Mine is hung in a tree where the birds live so it is easy for the blue tits and robin to bring their chicks down to have a bath whilst the tree gives them a bit of shelter and protection from potential predators.  It is very easy to dismantle and clean. Just unhook the chains and wipe down the bath.  I may well buy another one soon to use as a feeder as it is quite deep so grain/ bird food would not fall out and smaller birds could stand in the bath itself to eat.

The birds used the bath straight away. As the baby birds were quite tiny and had only just started using it when I took my pictures I didn't take any when they were around as I didn't want to disturb them.   It is both decorative and  a great drinking/ bathing source which can be placed on the ground/ table etc, hung up as a stand alone bath/water source or fastened to a feeding station.  If you wanted something bigger Gardman make a huge range of both glass and ceramic bird baths which are functional, decorative and will not break the bank!!  I purchased mine from Amazon UK but it is now only available from third party sellers, but it is still available at a lot of online shops and via EBay UK.

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

Book Review: Six More Hot Single Dads Collection (M&B)

Six More Hot Single Dads is the second instalment in the Hot Single Dads series.  This box set,which is new for 2018, combines books from the Medical, Cherish and True Love collections.

What the Dad Wants is taken from the Cherish collection and is written by Maria Ferrarella.  Isabelle is a physiotherapist who is asked to move in and care for the famous actress Anastasia who has fallen and broken her hip.  As part of the job requirement Isabelle will live with Anastasia's son - Brandon and his little daughter. Isabelle is fun, witty, bubbly and unlike anyone else Brandon has ever met but will their romance last longer than 6 weeks?

Capturing the Single Dad's Heart is written by Kate Hardy and is a medical romance.  Nate is a single father who is struggling to cope with his teenage daughter, Caitlin,  who has moved in with him and the requirements of a stressful career as a hospital consultant.  Erin works with Nate and helps him bond and connect with his daughter. Erin has had a difficult childhood and doesn't really do "love".  Will she be able to overcome her cynicism and distrust of romance and will Nate be able to accept and ask for help when he needs it so they can build a family together.

Misty and the Single Dad is a Cherish romance written by Marion Lennox.  Misty Laurence is a teacher who has always lived in Banksia Bay. Nicholas Holt has relocated to the Bay to provide a safe and secure life for his son, Brendon.  They first meet in Misty's school room where an injured spaniel steals the show. Misty soon falls for Nicholas, but while he has plans to stay in the Bay she has her 12 scrap books of wishes and one of her wishes is to leave! Can they find a compromise?

The Single Dad's patchwork Family by Clair Baxter is another Cherish romance.  Chase Mattner is a single father who had brought his daughter to Leo Bay to raise her in a simple and safe environment. Regan Jantz is juggling being a single mother raising 2 young sons whilst also running a tuna farm.  The two single parents hang out together with their children and form a bond.  Can they reconcile their differences and fears and build the perfect patchwork family? This book reveals the complexities, trials and tribulations of blended families and out of the 6 books I enjoyed this one the most.

Bride for the Single Dad is a Medical romance written by Jennifer Taylor.  Dr Elliot Grey has moved to the Dales with his young son to make a new life after his heart was broken when his wife left them.  He meets Polly Davies who is a midwife.  Elliot and Polly have chemistry together and ether into a relationship but Elliot is terrified that she will leave and they will be hurt again.  Can he overcome his fears or will he push her away?

The Single Dad's Family Recipe by Rachel Johns is a True Love romance.  Lachlan Mckinnel is a single dad working night and day to open his swish new restaurant whilst his newest employee, Eliza Coleman, has just arrived in the city and has secrets she want to keep hidden. Lachlan has custody of his son. His ex custody of  their daughter.  Lachlan and Eliza have a clandestine affair.  Can Eliza trust Lachlan with her heart and her secrets and have her happily ever after because she certainly deserves it!

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