#AD Book Review: The Greek’s Surprise Christmas Bride by Lynne Graham

The Greek’s Surprise Christmas Bride is written by Lynne Graham and published by Mills & Boon Modern. Leo is a billionaire businessman who has. Econe the guardian to several of his cousin’s three  small children after their parents die in an accident. he wants to find a wife ASAP so he can restore order to his previously child free existence. Letty (Juliet) has had to postpone her training as a Doctor/GP to care for her family and to prevent her father’s business collapsing she marries Leo. Leo doesn’t get the subservient little wife he was expecting, she does not pander to his every whim but devotedly cares for the children. Slowly a marriage made on paper becomes more! 

I enjoyed this book. Letty wasn’t the traditional heroine. She refused to sign the prenuptial agreement, insisted that she continued her GP training and didn’t behave like the traditional Geek housewife. Leo got more than he was expecting and his character changed slowly as the storyline developed. I found this to be an enjoyable Christmas read. 

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

#AD Book Review: Their Christmas Royal Wedding by Nina Milne

Their Christmas Royal Wedding is the third in the Crown by Christmas mini series. Written by Nina Milne, the book follows Gabriella, the unknown Canadian Book store owner who has been thrust into the limelight as the newly discovered Crown Princess of Casavalle. Prince Caesar of   Augilarez has been ordered by his parents to woo and marry her to cement relations between their two respective countries.  He does as he has been told, but regrets doing so as he realises he has fallen in love with her as she runs away from him when she realises what he has been up to! Will he find her in time so they can have their HEA?
I found this book rather formulaic and difficult to plough through. The plot seemed drawn out and it took seemingly ages for anything to happen.  It my favourite novel by this author. 

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

Paul & Joe Moisturising Hand Creams II & III

Paul & Joe released two moisturising hand creams - II and III as part of their 2019 Christmas collection. I couldn’t find the animal tin in the UK but Amazon US stock both and ship to the UK. Each tin contains 41ml of product and the tin is reusable. I will use mine for seeing pins and earring backs.  Formulated with Shea butter and olive oil, The hand cream feels very thick and luxurious to the touch. It sinks quickly into the skin leaving your hands feeling soft and nourished. The hand cream has a distinct floral,  herbal, woodsy scent which is quite comforting. 

 

Paul & Joe Beaute Foundation Primer Trio

I purchased the Paul & Joe Beaute Foundation Primer Trio as part of my Christmas present from my cat. The set includes illuminating, moisturising and protecting primers and at 15ml per bottle which also had a pump dispenser they are great for travel. I have used all three of these primers before both on their own on good skin days instead of BB cream as they add life to my pasty skin and under foundation as they really do make my makeup last longer. 

The Illuminating  Foundation Primer contains lavender pearls which reflect the light. It also contains natural ingredients to plump and lift the skin. I find this leaves my skin looking dewy, healthy and hydrated without looking greasy. My skin looks and feels smoother and firmer. 

The Protecting Foundation Primer provides protection against  UV rays and has a SPF30. Enriched with botanical and grape seed extracts this primer controls shine whilst keeping skin moisturised and looking both healthy and flawless. I find this Primer is especially great in the summer months when my skin can get oily and break/eat up my makeup this primer makes my skin look matte and reduces the look of my pores whilst not drying out or dehydrating my skin. 

 The Moisturising Foundation Primer acts as both serum and makeup. Containing orange water flower and three types of  hyaluronic acids to moisturise the skin this serum makes the skin look flawless. I often wear this on its own without foundation just to  add a very slight coverage to my skin so it looks healthy and hydrated. 

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

#win Cath Kidston Bambi Fawn Zipped Wallet

I purchased this Cath Kidston bambi zipped wallet earlier in the year and planned to review it and use it. Due to the cut of the fabric bambi doesn’t feature on the wallet. Life got in the way and I just don’t have the same enthusiasm so I am giving it away.



 Enter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e41d7fff31/?

As always this competition is open internationally, you must complete the mandatory Rafflecopter options. Closing date is 21 Dec 11.59 GMT 2019. Good luck.

Classic Canes Animal Friends Derby Cane Forest Creatures

I haven’t featured any stylish walking sticks since last February as there just haven’t been any that caught my eye and I would have purchased myself. Classic Canes have just launched their Animal Friends Derby cane range featuring crazy cats, flamingos, butterflies and Forest creatures (£36.95). I selected the forest creatures walking stick.

The derby walking stick is adjustable (I still needed a bit cutting off) 73-95cm and take a weight up to 265kg. The hedgehog, fox and squirrel pattern (which is adorable) is on a light brown background is on the shaft of the stick and handle. There is a slight change in colour between the two (the handle is more purplish in tone)but this  is due to the different materials, not a design flaw. The collar around the handle is brass with classic canes embossed on it.  The stick has a comfortable Derby handle.   I love this stick, I just wish there were more similar fun designs. It isn’t childish or garish but fun and fits in with the overall  aesthetic of the Classic Cane company. 

As usual I purchased my walking stick from the Stick and Cane company. My stick arrived carefully packaged and the required amount had been cut off.

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

Nars Orgasm Mini Blush and Lipstick Duo

The Nars Orgasm mini blush and lipstick set (£16) is a Feel Unique exclusive. Debenhams have a similar set. The lipstick is 1.7g and the blush 3.5g. They are both deluxe/travel sizes. The packaging is a black, luxe, sleek matte packaging. The blush even has a useable mirror. The lipstick could have done with being slightly thicker as mine is slightly wonky after a few uses. The colour of both the lipstick and blush is a muted coral pink, great for an every day look. I like both items and they are a great way of trying out product before committing to the full size versions. 

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

Azuni Iona Entwined Ring In Peach Moonstone

The Azuni Iona Entwined Ring  set with either iolite mix or peach moonstone mix (£45) semi precious stones is a great way to get the look of a set of stacking ring without the faff of having to put several rings on, ensuring that they fit and coordinate together but most importantly of all that they are comfortable to wear! 

I chose the peach moonstone ring. The ring is available in 3 sizes - L, P, N.  The ring measures 18mm at its highest point and is set with 7 semi precious stones which are peach and white moonstone and aqua chalcedony. It has a 22k gold plate finish. The ring is quite wide at the back to accommodate all the different bands which are fused or linked together making sure they sit comfortably on your finger. The stones are all cut to get maximum sparkle. The white moonstone is the most vibrant out of all the stones,  glowing in the sunlight.  The ring comes in a protective pouch and gift box. 

As I purchased my ring during Black Friday weekend a percentage of my purchase went to support the work of Pueblo a Pueblo, a charity which works in rural Guatemala to help children  receive an education, which is a great cause to support. I love my ring and I am pleased that my purchase will, in a small way, help someone else. 

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

Paul & Joe Advent Calendar Day 4

Behind Day 4 of the Paul and Joe Makeup Calendar hides a mini lip treatment balm 001 (11g), n an adorable tin. The balm is a handy, travel sized item which can not only used to moisturise lips but also tame fly alway hairs and eyebrows, nourish cuticles, act as a lip primer  etc. Containing olive oil to nourish the lips it smells of ginger and honey - almost good enough to eat. I have already started using this and would recommend and repurchase this item. 

Paul & Joe Makeup Advent Calendar: Day 3

 

Behind day 3 of the Paul & Joe Advent Calendar is a mini cleansing gel (10g). A great size for travel, this gel smells invigorating and fresh. The cleansing gel contains lavender water and plant derived moisturisers such as olive oil, sage oil and parsley extract. The gel easily removes makeup and impurities from the skin. I haves used this in the past and find that it does clean the skin and doesn’t leave it feeling tight or in need of moisture. 

Paul & Joe Advent Calendar: Day 2

The item behind door 2 of the Paul and Joe Beaute Makeup Calendar is a mini, travel size face primer in Limited 002 (10ml).  As it is a tiny bottle there isn’t a pump to get the product out, so it needs tipping upside down for a while before it is used. I like P&J primers, they do make my skin look healthier and on good skin days I will just wear one of their primers instead of foundation. 

Tada & Toy Rectangle Bar Stud Earrings

These Tada & Toy Rectangle bar stud earrings are currently in their Black Friday sale, available in sterling silver, 18ct rose gold or 18 ct gold Vermeil on 925 sterling silver, the studs are reduced from £30 to £22 and £36 to £27. 

I purchased the gold pair a while ago and find them very comfortable to wear. The plain bar, although very simplistic and minimalistic in design, looks so elegant and understated. The studs look great on their own or when layered with cuffs and other earrings. 

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

Paul Joe Beaute Advent 2019 Calendar Day 1

Paul & Joe Beaute’s 2019 Makeup advent calendar is the only advent I purchase. At £80 it is expensive but this year’s calendar consists of 24 items. Some are full size items.There are also pouches, lipstick and blusher cases and sample size skin care items. Day 1 is a pouch to put all the items in. It’s cute and great for travel. 

The advent calendar is a piece of art in itself. Covered in pictures of chrysanthemums and featuring the founder of P&J’s two cats - Gypsy and Nounette.