Book Review: Claiming His One Night Baby by Michelle Smart

Claiming His One Night Baby by Michelle Smart is the second in the Bound to a Billionaire trilogy., which are about the Pellegrini family.  Natasha Pellegrini, Pieta's widow, has sex with Matteo Manaserro, Pieta's cousin and becomes pregnant.  She has been hiding Pieta's secrets for 7 years whilst Matteo resents her for choosing his cousin over him 7 years ago.  They have to overcome all these issues and Pieta's lies before the Pellegrini family will accept them as a couple and they can have a happy ending. 

 I received my copy from NetGalley and Mills and Boon via #Mills and Boon Insiders, but this does not influence my opinions as all opinions are my own.

Available:

Amazon UK

Mills & Boon

Paul & Joe Limited Edition Pressed Face Powder, Secret D'or & Face Powder Case

                   

It is no secret to those who know me that after my  jewellery  collecting obsession comes Paul & Joe Beaute. I wore a blue cat print shirt with matching lipstick case to my PhD graduation over 10 years ag and have collected their makeup priatily for the packaging ever since then.

Paul & Joe Beaute was established in 2002 by Sophie Mechaly following on from the success of her fashion line - Paul & Joe (there is now also Paul & Joe Sister). The beauty range often mirrors the quirky prints that can be seen in her fashion designs and the designs are always feminine, fashionable, quirky and fun.

Launching on September 01 2017 the limited edition face powder is £26 and the sparrow compact £10.  The pressed face powder is almost like a gemstone. The golden, glimmering champagne pearls are in colour correcting tones.  The powder brightens the skin, adding luminosity rather than a glitter ball shine, evening out pores and even out the skin tone, making your skin look flawless. The powder does have the traditional P&J Beaute floral scent but it is not overpowering and soon fades away. 

The limited edition compact case is £10, has a cute little sparrow wearing a bobble hat on the top and is sturdy.  It is plastic (I dropped mine on the floor and it was fine) and the mirror is quite magnifying.  The case fits any Paul and Joe pressed powder. 

I purchased mine from Amazon UK but they will also be available from ASOS and Beauty Bay.

Amazon UK- pressed powder

Amazon UK - Compact case

Sensse Go! Mini Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush & Exfoliator & #WIN

I got the Sensse Go! Mini Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush & Exfoliator (£39.99) free to review from review directory.   I got it from Amazon UK and it came within 3 days.  The mini cleansing brush comes nicely packaged in a white and rose gold embossed box, so would make a nice present.  The box contains a brush. 2 brush attachment, the white one is for cleansing, the blue exfoliating and a usb charging cable.  

The brush is small so it is great for travelling and fits nicely in  my small hand.  The speed of the brush is controlled by a button that is pressed  to make it go faster or slower as required. It has two speeds and it is waterproof, so can be used in the shower.  There is a red charging light that comes on when the device is being charged.  Once charged the brush will do 180 uses.  The brush comes with a 2 year no quibble guarantee.  

As I have a fused neck I cannot bend it and so have difficulty bringing water up to my face. I also have difficulty washing my face and neck due to dexterity and spatial awareness issues.   This brush makes washing my face, neck and decollete much easier and a less tiring process.  The brush helps me reach the top of my face and around my neck, or if I am having a bad day the process of someone else washing my face is speeded up.    I cannot dip my face closer to the water to rine off doap, face masks etc but once the cleansing brush is damp I can just move that around my face to remove my cleanser etc.

I wouldn't say this brush has revolutionised my cleansing routine.  I have  noticed, however, that although I  got a few, painful, spots at first, these have now gone and my skin looks brighter and clearer.  The brush has made my cleansing routine less tiring and less time consuming which for me is always great as I am continually looking for products and devices which will make my life easier.  

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Available here 

Korres Red Vine Year Round Hair Protection Spray

Korres Natural Products was established in 1996 by Georgios Korres, a Pharmacist from the Greek island Naxos. He bases his products on homeopathy and natural ingredients and creates safe, effective and affordable natural skincare products.  

Korres Red Vine Year All The Year Round Hair Protection Spray (150 ml/ £10 from Amazon UK including p&p for those with Prime membership) protects hair from UVA photo oxidation.  The spray also nourishes and hydrates the hair, acting as a leave in conditioner, leaves hair smelling summery and is for all hair types.  It does not contain mineral oil, silicones, parabens, animal by products and has not been tested on animals and is suitable for use by vegetarians and vegans.  It does contain traces of wheat/nuts.  See photo for all the formula facts.  I use this all the year round and it leaves my waist length hair soft whereas before I started using it my hair was like straw due to illness and long term medication.  

Clarins Double Serum: Revamped, Now Even Better For Your Skin

 I was lucky enough to win a bottle of the new, improved Clarins Double Serum by the Stylist Beauty Council,  but the opinion expressed in this blog post is my own.  50 ml is £75.

Clarins Double Serum has been revamped, the mineral oil has been taken out and the more potent version of turmeric, tumerone, so the serum now includes 21 potent age-control extracts which target visible signs of ageing.   It firms and visibly reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, improves radiance, evens out skin tone  and reduces the appearance of pores.  

Double serum uses an innovate dual technology combining powerful plant extracts to ensure they work in harmony with your skin.  The dial dispenser ensures you get a made to measure amount, required tor your skin type or climate,  by turning the dial on the top of the bottle  to dispense the right amount and pressing the pump.  Once the serum is dispensed, mix in the palm of your hand and pat on your skin.

My skin is already looking clearer, brighter and my pores appear less obvious. My forehead wrinkles are not as noticeable and my crows feet and area around my eyes look younger and less crepey. I will repurchase as I can see a definite improvement to my skin and I enjoy using this serum. 

It is quite runny so a little goes a long way and the smell is really relaxing.  The serum is suitable for all skin types,even those with sensitive skin, all ethnicities and all ages.

Available Here: Clarins Website

Daisy London x Ellie Goulding Limited Edition Charity Bracelets

Daisy Jewellery and Ellie Goulding have collaborated to create limited edition charity bracelets in aid of World Wildlife Fund.  The bracelets aim to raise funds for and awareness of WWF.  The bracelets are geometric polar bears as the WWF is trying to raise awareness that polar bears are under threat as their sea ice habitat is destroyed by climate change.  Currently there are estimated to be between 22-31,000 in the wild but as they are forced to spend longer on the shore depending on their body fat for survival as they can spend less time on their natural sea ice habitat.  It is estimated that by 2050 1/3 of polar bears will have disappeared.  

The bracelets range from £45 -£75 in price.  They are made of either sterling silver and 18ct gold plate.  The friendship bracelets are £45 for the starling silver red cord bracelet and £59 for the 18ct gold plate black cord bracelet. The polar bear measures 20mm.  Friendship bracelets are easy to adapt to a wide range of bracelet sizes, you just pull the bead and adjust to fit.  The silver polar bear bracelet is £59 and the 18ct gold plate bracelet £75.  The bracelet is 160mm and the bear 20mm.  The bracelet has a built in extender chain.

I have the gold polar bear bracelet and love it.  I can wear it all the time as it lies flat against my wrist and fits nicely so I am not worries that I will catch it on anything.  The geometric polar bear is so cute and doesn't look gimmicky or cartoonish.  The only thing I would change is the id disc which has the identifying D on onside and ED on the other. I would have preferred some mention or acknowledgement of the WWF as that is why the bracelet has been made.

I purchased my bracelet from the Daisy London website. The site is easy to navigate and my bracelet came within 3 days.  It came securely packaged, with a little Daisy London bag.   The bracelet was in a little Daisy London embossed pouch and box.  There was also a leaflet enclosed explaining the idea and intent of the bracelet.  

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

Available here and Daisy London stockists.

Sticks & Stones: Parrots, Rain forests & More!

The Tropicana Parrot Derby Fashion Cane is a bright, fun walking stick, combining a brightly coloured jungle with parrots peeking out! The stick is adjustable from 77cm - 100 cm and as it is not a foldable stick it would be easier to shorten it further. 

I already showcased the Oasis/ ZSL in a previous post - the parrot stick would look great combined with these items or with a foliage/ jungle print dress/ trousers etc for a fierce fun look. The accessories I have included further down would add a further animal/ jungle dimension to the overall look.

If you wanted a more muted take which would allow the stick to be the focal point, matte forest green or other dark hues such a burgundy (which is a key winter colour) would look great together.  This combination would combine the bright flamboyance of the stick with a more understated background.

These accessories continue the parrot/ jungle theme,  with their prices ranging from £5 at Claire's Accessories for the parrot feathery necklace to £132 for the Hummingbird Alex Monroe pendant. The two Lao top cases are in the Sass and Belle sale and there are other items in the same print, making the whole outfit fun and fashionable!!!!

Available from:

Bamboo Parrots and Butterflies Walking Stick Stand (£36)
Sass & Belle laptop covers £7.50 and £10 (sale), £4 each for bird keyrings
Alex Monroe Hummingbird Necklace £132
John Greed Origami Parrot Necklace £10
John Greed Safari Ellie Necklace (£29.95)

Stick and Cane Shop: Tropicana Extendable Derby Cane (£35.95)