Hallmark: Disney Lion King 25th Anniversary Musical Ornament With Light

I saw the Hallmark Lion King 25th Anniversary Ornament when I was looking for items to use as part of a display for my Couture Kingdom Lion King jewellery. As Hallmark don’t sell their Christmas ornaments in the UK I purchased mine via EBay UK for $45 including postage.

  

I love it, but their are a few caveats to this statement.  It plays Hakuna Matata and the back lights up.  The sound, as you can hear in my YouTube clip is perfect, not distorted or muffled even though the speaker is on the bottom of the ornament. Pumba and Simba are perfect replicas of the cartoon version. Now the caveats, the light isn’t as intense as the  picture on the box and Timon is the same colour as Pumba whereas on the box and in the original movie he is a lot lighter in colour. Apart from that it is the perfect item to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Lion King movie and looking at it brings back happy memories of going to watch it at the cinema. 

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

Review: Viscata Pubol Espadrille Wedges in Black

I have size UK2/EU35 bony but wide  fitting feet. I also have neuropathic pain all over my body but especially in my feet so I find it extremely painful to break in or to wear footwear that blisters or rubs my feet. I cannot wear high heels (although I am only 4ft 7” so would love to) due to a spinal injury and mobility issues. Due to the size of my feet I also find it difficult to find “grown up” footwear that is reasonbly priced and not designed for narrow feet! Not much to ask is it! 

I was browsing on Google and found Viscata Barcelona, a Spanish company that handcrafts espadrilles and flats in Spain. I found the prices to be slightly cheaper on Amazon UK but there is a wider variety on Viscata’s own website. Prices range from £74 to £110 and designs included espadrille wedges, flats, bridal, platforms and sandals made in a variety of materials. 

I chose the Pubol Espadrille Canvas Wedges  (£69.95 Amazon/ £74.95 Viscata Barcelona)in black - there are 11 colours to choose from. The top is made from canvas, the sole is comfortable and padded and the wedge is 2.5” in height (1.5” wedge/ 1” platform). The sole is rubber and jute and the ankle strap is leather. 

I found these wedges extremely comfortable from the start, the canvas top and leather strap didn’t rub  or blister my feet and I didn’t have to break them in slowly. The 2” wedge gave me some much needed height and the V in the canvas top gives the shoe an elegant grown up vibe. 

These shoes aren’t particularly cheap but they are well made and comfortable to wear and should last me for years, so they are well worth the price point. I would recommend this brand and purchase again from them in the future.

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

#AD Book Review: Wedding Night Reunion In Greece by Annie West

Wedding Night Reunion In Greece is written by Annie West and is the first novel in the passion in paradise mini series. Emma Piper is Christos Karides’, a Greek tycoon, runaway bride. She married him in good faith but immediately after the wedding heard him tell a friend that he had only married her for convienience as his young step niece, Anthea, has just become his wars and he needs a suitable wife and that he finds her sultry cousin more attractive than her. Heartbroken and embarrassed she runs away to her family’s Villa in Corfu. Christos tracks her down and they sign a contract agreeing to remain married for one year. Sparks fly between the pair of them but can Christos convince Emma that he really does love her?

I enjoyed this book but I didn’t love it. I found that the chapters relating to them becoming attracted to one another was dragged out and could have been condensed whilst not losing the focus of the story.  The heroine knows her own mind and is prepared to stand up for herself whilst Christos is more of a 21 century man, willing to take on a young child and care for her. 

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

Available from:

Mills and Boon 

Amazon

Rose Quartz Round Ring Holder

I purchased this rose quartz round ring holder (£12) by XISSJewellery from Not on the High Street.  It is a very pretty stone, measuring 5/6 cm in diameter and 1.5 cm in height. As rose quartz is a natural gemstone  each stone is unique and comes in its own little cotton bag. Rose quartz is supposed to promote love, release stress and bad vibes and promote good energy.  I don’t know how true this is but it is a pretty stone that I will use in my blog photos rather than real life as my cat is a magpie who steals my jewellery if I leave it out!!! 

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

Z for Accesorize: Labradorite Diamond Shaped Ring

My favourite stone is labradorite.  It is such a magical stone, so interesting and alluring as you look at the seemingly none distinct grey stone suddenly produce flashes of blue and green as the light hits it.  Z for Accesorize have produced a diamond shaped laboradite gold plated ring (£15). It is a small elegant piece which is timeless and will go with anything and can be worn in any season. It fits comfortably on the finger as the band is very slim.  

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

The ring is available here and all Accessorize stores.

Z for Accesorize: Rainbow Moonstone Star Signet Ring

Made for the Z for Accesorize range, this rainbow moonstone signet ring (£15) is gold plated with a semi precious  rainbow moonstone in the centre of the star shaped engraving. It is an elegant and weighty ring, comfortable to wear and the rainbow moonstone takes on different hues in the sunshine making it mesmerising and a gorgeous piece to wear in the spring and summer months.  

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

Beak & Claws: A Review of Chantecaille Tourmaline Lip Cristal

Chantecaille e have created three limited edition Lip Cristals as part of their 2019  Polar Ice Collection. Inspired by the Aurora Borealis and the icy glow of the glacial ice, the colour palate for this collection is vivid and sparkling. I chose the Lip Cristal in Tourmaline (£42) a sparkly vibrant lipstick in a pinky/ bluish hue. Chantecaille will be planting a tree in Kenya for every sale of the Lip Cristals in an attempt to help offset the effects of climate change.     

The bullet case is white with a polar bear embossed on it. The case is quite weighty and there is a satisfying click when the lid is popped back on.  Despite the crystalline shimmer the lipstick is smooth to apply and does not feel gritty on the lips. The lipstick leaves a metallic opaque wash of colour on the lips which lasts for several hours, leaving the lips glossy but not feeling greasy. The formula is lightweight and doesn’t transfer. 

Chantecaille aille lip products are expensive but I enjoy using them as they are free from parabens and phthalates and Chantecaille is a cruelty free, philanthropic brand.  

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