Review: The Workbench London Ring Box

Established in 2014 by best friends and jewellers Kirstie McLaren  and Katie Woodward  The Workbench London is the original (and in my opinion the best) ring carving workshop. The Workbench Boxes came later and make a great substitute if you want to make your own ring but cannot make it to a workshop.

Katie and Kirstie run ring carving workshops around the UK where you can create your own masterpiece of a ring be it a wedding ring, signet ring etc.  Recent workshops include the Barbican, London, where you can also purchase their boxes, Edinburgh and London. The workshops cost from £75 plus extra if you want to make a second sterling silver ring (£45), a rose gold finish (£35) etc and take around 2 and 1/2 hours. The ring is made from the lost wax method so you carve your ring and then it is taken away to be cast and cleaned up. The final ring is then sent back to you around 3 weeks later. From the IG pictures I have looked at the workshops look like fun. Photos of ring casts, finished rings and details of their workshops can be found on their insta account, @theworkbenchldn.

I purchased the Workbench Box (a signet ring box and wedding ring box are also available). I upgraded to a wider 8mm width band and rose gold vermeil finish.  I also made a second sterling silver ring. The box contained a code so I could watch the tutorials via their website.  These showed me how to carve my ring and provided an introduction into what lost cast waxing is. The box also included a ring sizer,  2 wax ring casts (more can be purchased via the website), paper and pencil to sketch out ideas, 2 rounds of sand paper, one soft for polishing, the other abrasive for taking the wax down, thumb protector (very important), a box, form where you stipulate ring size etc and prepaid envelope to return the rings to be cast. The rings must be sent back within 6 months due to the fluctuating costs of silver.

I recieved my box within 3 days from my order. The videos were easy to access with my code and I enjoyed watching them. They were very clear about the need to always wear your thumb protector and the videos were very concise. When I emailed queries Katie or Kirstie always replied promptly even at weekends. I took the whole 6 months to carve my rings as I realised that although I had been taught how to walk and talk etc my physios had never shown me how to carve or hold a wax ring so there were a few disasters along the way.

I made my rings by carving the rings to the width I felt comfortable wearing. I downloaded some pictures of squirrels, a bee, rabbit, fox, a dove and using them as a template carved around them. The silver ring has a squirrel in the centre, the rose gold has animals all the way around it.

                  

The Workbench Box is, for me, the ideal purchase. I probably wouldn't be able to go to a workshop. I couldn't commit to a date as I might be feeling iller than usual and I am probably, due to hand/grip issues plus not being able to look down, not to be trusted to wield a knife, even a safety one, unsupervised! The at home box means I can do it a little bit at a time when I feel well enough and I can get someone else to do any carving or fiddly bits so I do not risk stabbing myself. The Workbench have just started selling refill boxes from £75 so I know what I will be saving up for! I hope they start making bangle or pendant boxes very soon!

I purchased the box myself and all views expressed in this blog are my own.
Information about boxes and nights can be found here:  Workbench London

Book Review: Counting on a Countess by Eva Leigh

Counting on a Countess is the second novel in the London Inderground series, written by Eva Leigh and published by Mills & Boon Historical. This is a story about a marriage of convenience which will benefit both parties as both will reap benefits from entering into it. Christopher “Kit” Ellingswoeth is a war veteran and recently appointed Earl of Blakemore. He tries to hide from his demons by going to the London Pleasure Gardens and gambling his fortune away on cards and other vices. Luckily for him he has been left a sizeable inheritance by Lord Summerby - the only stipulation being that he must marry within a month. Unfortunately for Kit a codicil in the will gives his wife control of his fortune so he will have to ask her permission for the money to finance his Pleasure garden. Tasmyn Pearce is his ideal candidate - not really interested in ensaring a husband he can marry her and send her back to Cornwall with a sizeable allowance for her troubles.  Little does he know that she is in London looking for buyers for the rum and other contraband she has bought off smugglers in her attempt to save her village, that she has been working with smugglers for the past 8 years and a rich husband so she can buy back her ancestral home Chi Owr from her Uncle, so she can continue her smuggling activities. Her ideal husband will be content to stay in London and also live on a sizeable allowance whilst she continues her illegal activities in Cornwall. 

Once Kit is aware that his new wife has control of the purse strings he realises that their sexual chemistry is not enough to ensure that he gets his Pleasure garden, instead he must get to know her. He travels down to Cornwall and discovers all about his wife’s altruistic smuggling. He, as an ex soldier, hates the thought of any illegal activity but rushes to protect her when her Uncle informs customs officials in an attempt to regain control of Chei Owr.

I enjoyed this book although not as much as the first. Both of the main characters are complicated and stubborn and both need money which is why they entered into a marriage of convenience- her’s is altruistic but illegal, His is decadent, immoral but legal. She is trying to protect her local village whilst    he is hiding from the memories of army life. There characters should be poles apart but somehow they work and component each other. It is a light hearted, fun Regency romance. 

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

Beaks & Claws: Essie Angora Cardi (42) Nail Polish Review

Looking through my blog posts I realised i have not posted any “claws” posts in my “Beak and Claws" series for ages so just to remind you all  that I wanted to maintain a link with the name of my blog - Sparkling Magpie - so that my lipstick (beak) and nail polish (Claws)  blog posts and blog name have a connection to the blog itself. To maintain consistency when considering longevity and potential chipping I always use the same base coat - NailHQ All in One.

Angora Cardi (42) nail polish is made by Essie (7.99) and is the most popular nail polish on Pinterest, pinned 400,000 times! Angora Cardi is a gorgeous autumnal, warm dusty rose with a mauve/brown undertone. The colour slightly shifts depending upon lighting so can look like a dark dusty pink or a plum chocolate colour. I found I needed two layers to make sure there was no streakiness and the colour was totally opaque. The polish dried within 10 minutes and lasted for 4 days without chipping or starting to peel off. My nails are extremely greasy thanks to my morphine patches and I find quite a few brands peel off within a few hours, even when I use a base coat, so I i was pleased at this polish’s comparable longevity. I didn’t particularly like the brush as it didn’t hug my nail so I had to go over them several times to make sure I hadn’t missed a spot - which can be difficult to do when I cannot look down to see what I am doing.

I love the colour and longevity of the polish. It is represents Autumn in a bottle without the orange and greens that are normally wheeled out as part of Autumn’s colour wheel. I found the brush hard to manage and so would get someone else to help me apply it when I wear it in the future. 

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

Available from all Essie stockists. 

Book Review: The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan

 The Christmas Sisters is written by Sarah Morgan, is set in Glensay in the Scottish Highlands and tells the tale of three sisters, Hannah, Beth and Posy Mcbride  preparing to spend Christmas with their family in Scotland. Suzanne adopted the three girls after their biological mother and father were killed in a tragic accident 25 years ago. The story, therefore focuses upon the daughters, their relationship with each other and her, how the loss of their parents has affected them and their own families/ boyfriends. 

Suzanne is trying to recreate the perfect family Christmas but it is threatening to fall apart as the past comes back to haunt the three girls and their current issues and failing relationships risk subsuming the whole Christmastime experience. 

As a consequence of the death of her parents Hannah has been left unable to trust or get emotionally close to anyone. Love is an anathema to her. She is also trying to hide certain secrets which in turn is pushing her to her limits  Beth has become the cliched over protective parent and her marriage is falling apart and Posy wants to travel the world and ice climb but does not do so as she is terrified this will upset her parents.

The girls’ fears, concerns and issues must be confronted and addressed so they can move on, not only to have a perfect Christmas but also move on in life and finally recover from the horrors of losing their parents at such young ages.  Suzanne is the lynch pin to the storyline, holding the other characters together. 

This book is traditional festive reading fare. Combining a smattering of rom-com with family

As a consequence of the death of her parents Hannah has been left unable to trust or get emotionally close to anyone. Love is an anathema to her. She is also trying to hide certain secrets which in turn is pushing her to her limits  Beth has become the cliched over protective parent and her marriage is falling apart and Posy wants to travel the world and ice climb but does not do so as she is terrified this will upset her parents. 

This book is traditional festive reading fare. Combining a smattering of rom-com wit and humour with family tragedy, sisters struggling to make and maintain family bonds and sisterly relationships  and placing them all in the snowy, wintry confines of Glensay in the Scottish highlands, Sarah Morgan crafted a well written, well thought out book that would not only appeal to her die hard romance readers but would also catch the attention of readers who enjoy familial relationship and interaction style novels. 

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

Available from:
Amazon UK

Book Review: A Lord For The Wallflower Widow by Ann Lethbridge

A Lord For The Wallflower Widow is the first instalment of the Widows of Westram series and is written by Ann Lethbridge. Redford Greystoke, Earl of Westram sends his two sisters and sister to live in seclusion after their husbands joined up to Wellington’s army and were all killed at the battle Waterloo. Carrie Greystoke is his sister in law. Johnathan Greystoke married Carrie for her dowry in order to pay off his gambling debts then straight after the wedding joined up, leaving her reliant upon his family and still a virgin. Redford allows the three of them to move to Westram cottage in Kent and gives them small allowances. The three women, however, are determined to be self sufficient and set up a bonnet shop in London which is run by Carrie whilst the two sisters stay behind and make the bonnets andbother fripperies. 

Carrie first meets Lord Avery Gilmore when he is escorting a lady into her shop to try on her bonnets. She assumes he is an escort of a very different nature when in reality he just takes a cut of the sale. He is quite offended when later on she suggests she should pay him to take her out etc. Eventually Redford finds out about the women’s venture and insists it is shut down. Carrie has just turned down Avery’s proposal but realised she will be able to continue if she marries him. They love each other but just won’t admit it! Will they get their HEA or will misunderstandings stand in the way of their happiness?

I enjoyed this book immensely. Carrie is not the traditional historical romance heroine. Tall, stubborn, determined to be self sufficient after being let down by her husband, and from a trade background whilst Avery is a gambler, womaniser and estranged from his father who is a Duke. The characters work well together and there is humour abound in the book.  I look forward to reading the other books in this mini series.

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: Their Newborn Baby Gift by Alison Roberts (M&B Medical).

Their Newborn Baby Gift is written by Alison Roberts, published by Mills & Boon Medical and is the first book in the Hope Children’s Hospital series.  Evie Cooper is Hope Hospital’s Neo Natal receptionist and resident baby whisperer/cuddler.  She gave up the chance to train as a nurse to care for her diabetic father and act as a surrogate mother to her siblings after her mother died. Australian paediatric surgeon, Ryan Walker is a former playboy who has relocated to the UK. They pair have an inauspicious beginning when they first meet - his date for the hospital fundraiser sends Evie flying in the car park.  They find an abandoned baby -Grace - and as they care for her in the baby unit they reevaluate their lives.  

A beautifully written story but I didn’t really get into it.  I find abandoned baby storylines far fetched as in real life baby finders do not get to adopt them. The rest of the story is realistic, showing the sadness of not always being able to save patients no matter how desperate the parents are. I wouldn’t rush to read the rest of the series but it was readable. 

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

Beak & Claws: Enamoured with Marc Jacobs Beauty #Enamored Hydrating Gloss Stick?

 

A few months ago Marc Jacobs Beauty launched their innovative Enamored Hydrating Lip Gloss Sticks. I purchased mine from Sephora in the shade Candy Bling 562 which is a red raspberry shade. Unfortunately Sephora no longer ship to the UK and there are very few Marc Jacobs Beauty stockists in the UK they are available at Net-a-Porter and the RRP is £22 (2.1g) plus postage.According to their IG page, however, they should be launching into Harvey Nichols very soon. So was I enamoured by this lip gloss stick?

The Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamoured Hydrating Lip Gloss Sticks are a sheer lip gloss presented in a stick format.  Containing moisturising Kahai oil, the glosses are supposed glide on effortlessly, melt on to the lips, deliver conditioning colour which leave a high gloss shine. They do have a subtle mint scent and I could also taste it. the gloss stick twists up but not back down so be careful not to over twist! The applicator is shaped like a teardrop so it is easy to outline the lips and get a precise and crisp shape on the Cupid's bow.

Due to the shape of the applicator I did find it easy to apply. I found that I needed to apply two coats to get a completely opaque finish rather than just a red glossy sheen on my lips. I did find that the product was very balmy and did glide on to my lips with great ease, leaving great a high shine and colourful pay off.  As I have hand/eye coordination issues I appreciated that I didn't have to undo the product, take out the wand, dip it in to the product container then apply, possibly repeating and then put the wand back in the tube. I simply flicked off the lid and twisted the gloss up, applied then popped the lid back on. I didn't enjoy the minty scent but this may be due to my medication which effects my sense of smell- I found the scent rather overpowering but it did dissipate quite quickly.

I liked the concept of the gloss stick, the ease of application, the moisturising products, the colour on the lips and the options available, nudes, reds etc. I am not, however, totally enamoured with it due to the mint scent as I just found it rather overpowering. Without the scent it would be my favourite go too lip product.

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

Z for Accessorize: Slinky Semi Precious Stone Earrings

                                 

These Z for Accessorize Slinky Semi Precious Earrings (£17) caught my eye as the stone is laboradite, which is one of my favourites. The earrings are very minimalistic,  simple and elegant. The stones, which measure approx 1cmx1cm, are on a gold plated chain and sit in a gold plated wire setting which brings out the smokey brown/grey of the stones. The drop of the earrings is around 6cm and the are gold plated.  The earrings will look great with both formal and every day wear. The stones seem to change colour depending upon the light and can go from grey to a glossy brown/black. They are extremely light to wear and as they are a fish hook fastening they were easy to put on.

                                                   

I purchased these earrings myself and the views expressed in this blog are my own.
 Available from Accessorize both instore and online.

Orelia Jewellery Metallic Brushed Semi Circle Barrette Hair Clip

Orelia Jewellery was established in 2007 and is a jewellery brand which creates dainty, eclectic and affordable jewellery. Combining semi precious stones, charms and Swarovski crystals, their pieces include pendants, friendship bracelets, earrings and hair clips/bands.

I purchased the metallic brushed semi circle barrette hair clip (£8) from ASOS. It has a brushed gold-toned finished, has s semi circle design and is fastened by a secure clip. The clip is easy to open and close, just squeeze the sides and it flips open. I can't reach behind my head to put it in my hair myself but the person who helped me said it was easy to slide through, and it didn't snag or pull my hair as she did so. I think the clip looks very elegant and the brushed metal makes it look different shades of gold depending upon the light.



I paired the clip with a charm drop ear cuff which is also from Orelia. This is from a few seasons ago but can still be found on EBay. 

I purchased this item myself and the views expressed in this blog are my own.
Available from:
Brushed Metallic Barrette Hair Clip £8 ASOS

The Orelia Charm Drop Ear Cuff is from a few seasons ago but an EBay reseller has it Here

Review: RMK Cleansing Balm

I enjoy using cleansing balms, it feels so relaxing to massage the balm into the skin and then removing it with warm water and cloth. I received a travel sized version of the RMK cleansing balm years ago in my Birch Box and I have repurchased the full sized version (£30 for 100g) several times.



The RMK cleansing balm is a balm to oil cleanser. It has thick, solid, waxy consistency when scooped out of the container using the spatula included and applied to a dry face.  It is then massaged in to the skin with wet hands and becomes emulsified and oily in texture, removing dirt and impurities from the skin.  It removes makeup, including eye makeup, gently and effectively leaving no residue. The balm has a delicate rose fragrance which is not overpowering but helps relax you massage and cleanse your face. The avocado, rosehip and olive oil did leave my skin looking dewy and healthy (I have greasy skin but I don't look like a grease ball after using the balm, just radiant skin) whilst the shea and mango butter help to moisturise the skin.  I find my (sensitive)  skin feels velvety soft, cleansed and moisturised with no tightness or irritation.

                                                     


I enjoy using this product and will continue to repurchase. It is great for travel as I just take a few scoops in a mini container.  It doesn't effect my liquid allowance and the don't have to worry about it leaking in my luggage. As it is so moisturising I also use it as a hydrating and moisturising face mask, just smooth on a thick layer and have a bath or shower then remove.

I purchased this item myself and all views expressed in this blog are my own. The cleansing balm can be purchased at all RMK stockists and Amazon UK.

#win £30 voucher of your choice #competition

This month's blog competition is a £30 voucher (or the equivalent PayPal amount in any currency).
Enter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules: runs from 16 October 2018 to 5 November 2018
Open internationally
Prize £30 (or equivalent currency) in the form of a voucher or PayPal.
Must complete the mandatory Rafflecopter requirement to verify entry.

Book Review: Want Me, Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Want Me, Cowboy is written by Maisey Yates, published by Mills & Boon (Desire) and is the 5th in her Copper Ridge series.  Poppy Sinclair has loved Isaiah Grayson from afar for over decade. She watched him fall in love, get engag d to her step-sister Rosalind, only for her to nearly destroy him financially and emotionally when she has an affair with another man and runs off with him.
Poppy is working for Isaiah and is asked to help him to write an advertisement for a wife. She balks at this and resigns He realises that as she is the perfect personal assistant she would make the perfect love. They have sex and there is a baby on the way, but ultimately Poppy refuses to marry him as he doesn't love her. Will he be able to overcome his past experiences and love again or will Poppy walk away?

I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the sparky interaction between the two main characters but felt that Isaiah's alpha male, outdoorsy character was taken to far and he just became a bully. Although the threat of marriage or I will take the baby away is often used in romance novels,  in this book it was quite explicit. Isaiah cannot take no for an answer and it turned me, as a reader, off his character.





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

Book Review: The Baby The Billionaire Demands (M&B) Jennie Lucas

The Baby The Billionaire Demands is the latest Mills & Boon Modern romance written by Jennie Lucas.  Lola Price had a poor upbringing and lost custody and contact with her sisters.  She has always vowed never to be poor again and travelled to LA to become an actress. As they s down don't work out she became an assistant, then lover to Rodrigo Cabrera. Before she could tell him m she was pregnant he threw her out with a cheque for a million dollars as he had been sent photos of her when she was 18.  There meet accidentally at a party in New York and he realises her baby is his. They marry but a handsome young man keeps pestering her, then her ex boss from NYC turns up to save her. Will Rodrigo realise that Lola has been set up just like his ex fiancées or will he lose Lola and their baby?

I enjoyed this book. Read it in one sitting. I didn't anticipate the ending - his assistant Marnie Mcadams was the individual interfering in their lives. Th characters were well thought out as was the storyline.

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

Disneyland Paris Decorations

I regularly used to go to Disneyland Paris and I always used to buy a Christmas decoration from the Christmas shop in the castle to remind me of my holiday. I haven't been for years as I am now not well enough but I still buy a few animal themed DLP decorations every year from the DisneyStore online. This year Bambi, Thumper, Fox and the Hound were the decorations that I liked the most.

The Disneyland Paris Bambi and Thumper Glass Cone Ornament (£12.99) is gorgeous. Part of the new Foret Verte collection, The ornament measures H12xW6xD6cm. The sculpted Bambi and Thumper sit under a glass cone and they are very detailed as they sit amongst the woodland which has silver accents that glitter in the light. The Disneyland Paris logo is embossed on the base.  The hanging loop is made from natural jute twine and fits in with the forest, rustic theme. The ornament made from resin and glass so it is a fragile item.



The Disneyland Paris Fox and the Hound Glass Globe Bauble  (£12.99) is new this season and it is part of the Foret Verte collection.  Inspired by the Fox and the Hound movie, Copper and Tod sit  within a glittering glass globe amongst the sparkling woodland trees.  Disneyland Paris is printed on the base of the ornament which measures H10xW9xD9cm and it has a natural jute twine hanging loop. It is made from glass and resin.





The Disneyland Paris Thumper Glass Bauble is (£12.99).  Again, this glass bauble is part of the new Foret Vert collection.  The glass decoration is shaped like a glittering droplet with Thumper sitting inside with a little blue bird on his head.  The decoration measures H12xW7xD7 cm and has a natural jute twine hanging loop.






I purchased these items myself and all views expressed in this blog post are m own.  These items can be purchased at both Disneyland Paris and ShopDisney.

Personal Alarm For Walking Sticks

Using a walking stick clutters you up. Holding a walking stick means that one hand is always out of use. This, coupled with the fact you can also feel more vulnerable if your mobility is impaired, where you can put an alarm that can be easily accessible. Where can you put your personal alarm so that it can be easily reached/ activated? I was browsing  homesecureshop   and saw the walking stick alarm for personal safety (£14.99). It had a Hands free personal alarm which attached to the walking stick.  It is attached to the walking stick by velcro straps, has an ergonomic design so will fit most walking sticks, is discreet and the alarm is 130dbs.

Beak & Claws: Chantecaille Lip Veil in Honeypot

I saw the Chantecaille Lip Veils (£38) reviewed on the British Beauty Blogger's site and immediately wanted to try them.   They launched on the 1 October 2018 in the UK.

The Chantecaille Lip Veil Lipsticks are an environmentally conscious, conservation aware cosmetic product.  Chantecaille created this philanthropic lipstick line to support the elephant charity Space for Giants As African elephants may well be extinct within 30 years, this charity is working to preserve the safety of these majestic but endangered animals in Africa.

The Chantecaille Lip Veil lipsticks are revolutionary new lipsticks which are both light and moisturising on the lips.  There are a wide range of colours and shades in the collection and the inspiration for all of their names came from the migratory path of the African elephant so they are named after African flowers. The lipsticks are enriched with organic and FairWild certified Baobab  oil which leaves an illuminating veil of moisture on the lips which hydrates and nourishes them.

The lipstick did feel very light when I applied it and the  lipstick just glided on. The shape of the lipstick made it easy to apply and achieve, even for me, a precise application. The lipstick feels very moisturising on the lips, leaving a flattering veil of colour.  Honeypot is a sheer, natural pinky brown colour and gave my lips a natural my lips but better look which I really liked.  The lipstick also lasted longer on. My lips than I thought it would and it faded naturally and evenly. As the lipsticks leave a sheer veil of colour on the lips there is less chance of the lipstick smudging or bleeding which is also a plus.

The lipstick component is quite sleek and looks very minimalistic. The lipstick twists up and down quite easily. The dark blue coloured case has an elephant embossed on two sides of the lid which makes a great taking point and the case look so different. The lid fastens with a magnetic closure.   

I purchased my Lip Veil lipstick in Honeypot from SpaceNK and the views expressed in this blog post are my own.

Space for Giants

Elephant Parade The Within Elephant (10cm).

I know my blog may come across as materialistic but I do try and only purchase items that are  useful, ethically made, give back to the community or give a charitable donation.  This ornamental elephant is part of the 2018 Elephant Parade.  Elephants are an endangered species and could sadly be totally extinct within 30 years. The Elephant Parade is a social enterprise which helps raise money to save the elephants by creating elephant sized artistically painted statues in international cities to help raise awareness about these poor animals' plight.  Hand crafted replicas and a small range of products are then sold with 20% of the net profits being donated to elephant welfare and conservation projects. 

I chose the 10cm sized Within Elephant (£37).  This elephant was designed by Arunkumar HG for the 2018 India Parade.  The design was inspired by the human and elephant ecosystem and how they are interlinked. Each piece is made from polyresin and it is hand painted.  I love the artistry, detail and thought that has gone into this design.  All Elephants come packaged in a black gift box with a holographic logo on their foot to guarantee authenticity on their foot.  They are all individually numbered. Mine is 58 out of the 3,500 made from this design. There is also a certificate listing the artist, production number, year and Parade city. The elephants are available on a variety of designs and sizes: 10cm, 15cm, 20cm, 30 cm and 75cm. There are also elephsnt baubles, a keyring and sets of 3 mini (5cm) elephants.  

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

Homearama - the official Elephant Parade Stockist
Elephant Parade