Paper Roses A Gift For All Occasions

I decided I wanted some new blogger props that didn’t look like the traditional marble, gold glass etc item but would last a long time and add continuity through my Instagram feed and posts. I searched Etsy and found a few sellers who are located in the U.K. (postage from elsewhere is astronomical). The roses are from AlanaPhoenixandCo and cost £15 for a single stem rose. I chose red, dark blue and purple. As the flowers are all hand made no two are alike. 

 The flower heads measure around 9cm in diameter and the flower and stem around 30cm. The roses are available in lots of different colours and can also be made from maps, music manuscripts etc so this type of art is also a form of recycling.

                 

 I like that the stems can be manipulated so I can adjust them to take photos of jewellery, for example, laid out in the  rose itself. I really like my flowers, each one comes in gift paper and a tag, so would make a lovely gift.  I think I will purchase a button hole rose next to use with smaller, more delicate pieces of jewellery. 

Review: Fable England Enchanted Tree Face Mask

My favourite walking stick is my Classic Canes Forest Friends walking stick. I was browsing Fable England’s web shop for last minute Christmas presents and saw that they now sold face masks/coverings. I love the aesthetic of Fable England and their focus upon nature and British wildlife and so I was naturally drawn to the Enchanted Tree face mask (£9.95) due to the gorgeous and detailed artwork. The mask features deer, foxes and mice with a tree themed background. 

 Made from 100% cotton, the mask has a flexible nose piece, which I am finding is a must for glasses wearers! Is fully lined with a filter pocket, each mask also comes with two pockets, has adjustable ear straps and it is machine washable. The mask measures 20x14cm.

I love that the mask compliments my walking stick or vice versa. The mask is comfortable to wear, my glasses do not steam up as much due to the flexible nose bridge and the ear straps are so easy to adjust and the elastic doesn’t rub my ears. The mask also has panelling to help ensure a secure and snug fit. I know a lot of the masks don’t look as though they fit my jaw line and that is because I don’t really have one due to my neck fusion. This operation made my neck shorter and sort of squashed it down so I lost my jaw definition. This one does fit and the panelling adds extra security. 

I really like my face mask. It arrived beautifully packaged and I was pleased to get two filters included. I like that the mask is bright, colourful and the name reminds me of the Enid Blyton series! I think I may well ask myself for the woodland life face mask for my birthday!!

                   

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

Awoken Jewellery: Review Bird Earrings

I did say in my previous review there were a lot of items that I coveted in the Awoken Jewellery Etsy shop and so here are the earrings my cat bought me for Christmas. They are gold plated brass twigs with tiny gold plated bird silhouettes (£25).  Fresh water pearls have been attached to add to the overall elegant  look of the earring. The stud itself is sterling silver. The earrings measure 3cm and are also available in sterling silver. As with all Awoken Jewellery these earrings are hand made and look so unique. 

The earrings arrived beautifully packaged, lucky Alfie just pushed it under the tree with his paw! I look forward to seeing what gorgeous items have been reawoken or repurposed into new designs!

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

Awoken Jewellery: Review Gold Leaf & Garnet Earrings

I follow a lot of Etsy jewellery sellers via Instagram and was lucky enough to win a pair of gold leaf and garnet bead stud earrings from Awoken Jewellery . I chose the gold plated sterling silver leaf earrings with garnet beads as garnet is the birthstone for January, my birth stone/ month. I love these earrings, they are so delicate, festive  and unusual. They arrived beautifully packaged and there are lots of other items in her shop that I love. The earrings are easy for me to grip and fasten, due to the shape of the leaf, into my ears despite my dexterity and hand/ eye coordination issues. 

I love Awoken Jewellery, owned by Tamsin as she buys and repurposes vintage buttons, jewellery and interesting items such as lace and gives them a new lease of life as a gorgeous piece of jewellery. 

These earrings or any item in Tasmin’s store would make a great gift that would not even need wrapping due to the beautiful bow and box!

 I was lucky enough to win these earrings but this did not influence my review. 

Review: Gisela Graham New England Style Squirrel Decoration

 I purchased the Gisela Graham New England Squirrel Decoration (£7.50) as a Christmas gift. The squirrel measures 12x20x2cm and is made from wood. It has two tiny red bells hanging from a rustic brown bow around its neck. The squirrel is decorated on both sides. It is a standing decoration that I would have sat on a bookshelf all the year round as he is such an eye catching ornament. 

 

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

Review: ANNA SUI Romantica Exotica Eau De Toilette 50ml Music Box Gift Set

 

I bought the Anna Sui Romantica Exotica Eau de Toilette Music Box set (£39) during my mother’s illness and didn’t get around to reviewing or even opening it until now. The set includes the music box, a 50ml eau de toilette, 90 ml body lotion and 90ml shower gel. 

The music box is made from metal. It winds up with the little handle on the back of the box. The graphics have a New York feel to them.

  

The eau de toilette and accompanying items have a gourmand scent to them. The scent is a floral fruity combination of lemon, black currant, jasmine, sandalwood and gardenia. It is a happy/romantic scent that reminds me of warm summer days. The eau de toilette bottle is very pretty, it is decorated with golden dragonflies and roses.  

I enjoy the scent of this set and will continue to use, I think I will only repurchase the toilette as I am not really into layering my products. 

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

Review: Murad Replenishing Multi Acid Peel

I have had a pretty poor 18 months health wise, stress wise and family wise and my skin has reflected this as it has been the worst it has ever been in terms of acne, poor texture and lack of radiance. I saw a massive improvement when I started using the Murad Youth  Renewal system and I still use that (link to my blog post)  but that didn’t get rid of the craters and poor texture around my nose/chin areas. I also wanted to reduce my forehead scowl and lines above my nose. I had a sample of the Murad Replenishing Multi-acid Peel which I used on a whim and within a few days the skin around my nose looked less crater like and healthier. I purchased the 100ml (£48) to continue using it.

The Multi Acid Peel is a daily bi phase peel which both nourishes and rejuvenates the skin. Used in the evening you firstly cleanse the skin, then shake the bottle so the two colours mix in to one then apply a few drops on a pad to wherever you need on your face/chest area. Phase 1 resurfaces the skin making it smoother and brighter whilst Phase 2 nourishes the skin for a more vibrant complexion.

  My skin is now much brighter and less uneven around the nose area whilst the lines around my forehead and “eleven” lines are becoming less noticeable.

 I find the peel easy to use - just shake the bottle then unscrew the cap and gold the bottle over a cotton (in my case reusable) pad until a few drops fall out then wipe over the face. 

 I enjoy using this product, it’s relaxing to massage it in and I saw results very quickly which has spurred me on. I know that due to health stresses and the medication I take my skin will never be perfect but using these products makes it so much better and I don’t feel self conscious about having photos taken etc. 

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