Tada & Toy Chantecaille Butterfly Charm Bracelet

Tada & Toy have created some new, exclusive animal charm bracelets, sold exclusively through and supporting a variety of Chantecaille’s philanthropic projects. I have blogged about these bracelets in several posts as I enjoy wearing my evergrowing collection - sometimes I have virtual safari on my wrist! My most recent addition is the beautiful butterfly charm bracelet (£52).

The butterfly charm bracelet supports the  Xerxes Society. This is a international non profit organisation which supports conservation through the protection and support of non invertebrate animals and their habitats. Their projects include: encouraging the use of less pesticides, pollinator conservation and endangered species conservation. 

 The charm bracelet is made from peridot dyed agate beads. The charm itself is a tiny butterfly plated in 18k gold. It fastens with a sliding knot closure so can be adjusted to fit a wide variety of wrist sizes. It is packaged in a little gift bag with both the Chantecaille and Tada & Toy logos on it, as does the bracelet tag.

I love these bracelets because not only are they dainty and timeless in their appeal but they bring awareness to animal charities and organisations that otherwise might go unnoticed. 

I will continue to save up and purchase these philanthropic bracelets- I am saving for the tiger version. I would recommend these as a gift for anyone of any ages who loves animals and conservation. 

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

Review: Pixi Rose Cream Cleanser

The Pixi Rose Cream Cleanser is 135 ml for £18. I purchased this cream cleanser as I haven’t used this type of cleanser before - I have always used balms - and I wanted to see if it would be gentler on my skin which is suffering with Winter damage.

This cleaner is a gentle nourishing cleanser, combining avocado and Rose to nourish and condition and chamomile and aloe vera to calm and smooth the skin, leaving it looking fresh and feeling comfortable. 

The cream cleanser is easy to dispense out of a hygienic squeezy tube. I applied a 10p size amount to my face and massaged it in. I then removed the cleanser with a warm damp face cloth and the used my hands dipped in water for a final rinse. I found that it did gently remove makeup and impurities. I did not have to do a double cleanse for my skin to look and feel clean. The Rose smell, just as with the cream, smells very relaxing and Spa like. My skin didn’t feel tight after using the cleanser and I noticed that after a few uses the redness around my nose wasn’t as glaringly Rudolph like! 

I enjoyed using the cleanser and will continue to do so. 

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

Review: Pixi Rose Ceramide Cream

My skin is normally combination/greasy but during a cold and wet Autumn I suddenly developed dry patches around my nose. I wanted a richer cream than my normal one so I went to look at the Pixi web site as I enjoy using their Glow tonic when my skin needs refreshing. 

The Rose Ceramide Cream is £24 (50 ml) which isn’t particularly cheap but if you want to try the Rose range out there is a set, Pixi Rose Beauty in a Bag (£20 on Look Fantastic), which consists of makeup melting cloths, Rose Cream Cleanser (10 ml), Rose Tonic (40 ml) and Rose Ceramide Cream (15 ml). 

The Ceramide Cream is an ultra rich cream which is is infused with Ceramides to time release moisture and Rose Oil to replenish, nourish and hydrate the skin, making it feel more supple and look healthier. Probiotics protect and balance the skin whilst Antioxidant botanicals help to improve skin elasticity and protect it against environmental aggressors. 

I like using this cream because most importantly it isn’t tested on animals and it quickly sinks into the skin. The cream doesn’t leave a greasy film on the skin or any residue which could interfere with any makeup I apply afterwards. The Rose scent isn’t overpowering but is a gentle relaxing aroma. I found the cream calmed and hydrated my skin, solving my Winter skin issues.  The cream is in a hygienic squeezy tube so the product is easy to dispense with no worry that it will break or leak. 

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

The.Craft.Crystals Amethyst Bundle

 The Craft Crystals is based in Sheffield and is an Instagram seller who specialises in ethically sourced semi precious stones, hand made teas, spell jars etc. 

 

I was lucky enough to win her amethyst bundle competition. My prize included all these lovely ethically sourced amethyst stones. The different cuts of stones shows how different a raw stone can look compared to a polished one! I love the earthy rawness of the largest piece whilst the round one is very smooth and tactile. 

I love all of the pieces and would purchase from her in the future. The stones arrived beautifully packaged - my cat loved the string, and if they were to be presents, no need to wrap!

Link: the.craft.crystals 

Review: Rocks and Copper Pendant

I was lucky enough to win an Instagram competition run by RocksandCopperJC, run by Emily Livsey, a local Etsy seller who specialises in one of a kind handmade electroform crystal  and copper jewellery. I have followed her IG account for several years as she sells at local markets that are quite close to where I live. 

 I got to choose which stones I wanted in my pendant. I chose amethyst and Rose quartz,a traditional complimentary combination of stones. The pendant is made of brass. She kept updated during the jewellery making process and I received a beautiful, unique piece within a few days. 

I love my necklace. It is unique and one of a kind, not over the top but can be worn with so many outfits. The other items on her Etsy store are equally as stunning and she has since branched out into using silver plate as well as copper. 

I would recommend this seller and plan on visiting her stall when the (hopefully) more markets open up. At the moment she has a stall at Market Street Social Preston Markets. Check her IG for dates she will be there.

Bookmask Face Coverings

Although face masks are no longer mandatory in England, as a clinically vulnerable person I still wear one when I go out. I have amassed quite a collection but I decided I wanted a grown up non Disney one and of course a few more Disney ones as well. 

 

I purchased all three masks from Bookmasks, an Etsy seller. The sky blue and white peacock face covering is my grown up mask. The ear elastic has a plastic toggle so it is easy to adjust and comfortable to wear. The material is soft and doesn’t rub under my glasses. I also purchased a Toy Story and a Care Bear mask. They both have the same toggles as the peacock one and the material has  been carefully cut so the design isn’t spoilt. All three cost £4.99 each.  They are available in either standard or child size. 

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

Review: Disney Princess Yellow Gold-Plated Beauty & the Beast Belle Message Bangle

I got the Disney Belle 14k yellow gold plated message bangle as a GWP with an order I made at CoutureKingdom.com.  I recently was looking through my jewellery box to sort out what hadn’t been worn and would be used as part of my Disney jewellery/ hanging ornament competitions that I will be running over Christmas on both my Instagram and Twitter accounts and I realised that I hadn’t worn this bangle. 

 The bangle is very beautiful. It is a high shine, bright yellow 14k gold plate. It has Belle’s signature engraved on the inside of the bangle and “adventure is waiting for you” on the outside. It is presented in a Disney/Couture Kingdom gift box and is part their Princess Collection. It has a hinge clasp and the width of the bangle is 55mm. 

 I love the inspirational message and the look of the bangle but I find the hinge clasp very difficult to open close. I found it got easy to do as I was taking it on and off for photos but the struggle I had with the closure puts me off from wearing it. 

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

Making #Disney #winniepooh ear cuffs

 

I stupidly stood on a pair of my Essential Winnie the Pooh Couture Kingdom stud earrings and bent the ear posts back so they were unwearable. To try and salvage the cute Winnie cabs I decided to make them into ear cuffs (and I liked the finished cuff so much that I made Eeyore and piglet cuffs as well).

To make the ear cuffs I used double lines ear cuffs (£10 for 1 or £17.50 for 2), 5 minute epoxy resin, a cuticle stick to apply the mixed resin and pliers if you want to remove the ear posts your self. 

First I removed the ear posts (I did 2 sets myself and took the other one to my local jeweller as they were too well made for me to remove myself with my puny pliers) and held the cabs (Winnie, Eeyore and Piglet) against the cuffs whilst they were on my ear to decide which would be the best position for them to be glued on. 

I then mixed the glue, equal parts from each tube. You have to work fast as epoxy resin dries quickly and smells awful. 

Using an orange stick I put a line of glue along the back of the cab and positioned it against the cuff  holding it in place for a few minutes. I then left it for 24 hours to make sure the glue had totally dried. I did try to make an ear cuff with a single line cuff but there wasn’t enough support to hold the  cab in place. Even when the glue was dry the cab fell off when I tried to put the cuff on. 

Once the glue is dry they are ready to wear! To take the overall aesthetic up a notch you could take the cuff and cab to a Jewellers and get them to silver solder them together and cut off the double lines that are still visible through, for example, Piglet’s ears and back, but overall I think my repurposed Disney ear cuffs are cute. 

Review: Disney Store Beauty and the Beast Legacy Hanging Ornament

I was shocked to see that the original Beauty and the Beast animated film is 30 years old this year. I remember going to see it at the Cinema when it was released and loving Chip and Mrs Potts. Naturally Disney have released a 30 year celebration legacy sketchbook hanging pin celebration of this milestone and I was lucky enough to purchase one (they sold out quickly and have only come back in stock once).

The Beauty and the Beast Legacy Hanging Ornament costs £20 and can be purchased from the ShopDisney websites. The ornament features Belle and the Beast dancing within a glass globe/ dome/bell jar. The glass jar isn’t removable and has a rose engraved on it. I wish the glass was plastic as it will be very easy to smash it if it knocks against another ornament or if it is dropped. The ornament can be either free standing (which I prefer) or hing from the red ribbon which also has a 30 year medallion suspended from it.  The figures are a sculpted design with painted details. The ornament measures 11x7x7cm and is made from glass and resin. The little hearts surrounding the base are a lovely touch and show a great attention to detail. The ornament is part of the Sketchbook Legacy Film Anniversary Collection.  looking at my photos of the ornament I noticed that the Beast’s hand brown paint had sploged a tiny bit on to Belle’s dress, but it doesn’t spoil the overall aesthetic of the piece. 

I love this hanging ornament: Belle’s dress is so vibrant and detailed whilst the Beast’s tortured yet besotted expression has been captured perfectly. The ornament came packaged in styrofoam and a cardboard box so hopefully Disney has fixed the shipping issues which resulted in lots of damaged ornaments last year. 

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

#win Jana Reinhardt Sterling Silver Piglet Necklace

 

I have followed Jana Reinhardt Jewellery on Instagram for several years and bought several pieces of her jewellery. I purchased the sterling silver piglet necklace as £20 is donated to PETA U.K. and as I mentioned last month each monthly competition prize during the run up to Christmas would focus upon an animal charity of rescue.

I like Jana Reinhardt pieces as she catches the essence and cheekiness of the animal she is recreating. She doesn’t make the piece look cute or cartoonish but catches the innate intelligence and sensitivity  of the animal. The piglet is no exception. Available in sterling silver (£95), he has a curly tail, an adorable little snout, pot belly and for fans intelligent face, just like the real life version!  He measure 15x12mm and the chain 16-18 inches. Both are sterling silver. He comes in a gift box and pouch. 

The piglet was made to highlight the inhumane conditions pigs and piglets are kept in order to provide cheap meat. £20 of each purchase of or each piglet necklace goes to PETA so they can continue to advocate for better welfare condition. 

Jana Reinhardt creates a variety of animal themed jewellery at a variety of price points and a donation is made from each sale to that specific charity. This is one of the main reasons I always go back to her website because not only do I get a gorgeous, beautifully made piece of jewellery but a charity benefits as well. 

Enter the competition here >>> a Rafflecopter giveaway

Competition rules:

Entrants must complete the mandatory Rafflecopter option,

Competition is open worldwide, 

Closing date 1 Dec 2021 11.59pm

Competition is not affiliated with Jana Reinhardt Jewellery, Blogger or Instagram. I purchased the item myself.

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

Review: Disney Store Lock, Shock and Barrel Hanging Ornament

I’m not really a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas, I prefer my Disney merchandise to be cute and cuddly! I purchased the Lock, Stock and Barrel Hanging Ornament to use as one of my Christmas ornament prizes, so here are my thoughts on it.

The ornament is beautifully made and very detailed. It can be hung up or displayed as a free standing piece. At £15 it is now one of the cheaper hanging ornaments so if you are looking for a reasonably priced gift this may fit your budget. It measures 13x8x8cm so it would look great sat on the mantel piece or windowsill all the year round. It is made from resin so it is slightly more substantial than the glass ornaments although the hat or tail could get broken if it gets knocked or dropped.

The Nightmare Before Christmas ornaments aren’t for me, I prefer the musical ones, the aristocats etc. I do see why this film has a cult following and this ornament would make a great gift for anyone who collects this merchandise. 

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