Soap and Glory Loving

I've always been a fan of Soap and Glory and am always drawn to their products whenever I go to Boots. Who can resist pretty pink packaging and their signature floral smell? Not me, certainly. I've grown my collection a little recently, thanks to friends and family who also understand the love. Here are some of my favourites. 

I keep the body scrub in the shower and use it daily. I get really dry skin in the Winter-especially on my elbows-and this has really helped to get rid of all the dead skin cells. I just squeeze a large pea shaped amount onto a shower puff and scrub away. It smells amazing and wakes me up in the mornings, to the extent I never want to get out of the shower. The foot scrub is also great for a really invigorating pedicure and perfect for making your toes smell of flowers and all things nice.

Next is this shower gel. It has a different scent to the rest as it's part of the ‘Orangeasm’ range. It has a really uplifting, refreshing smell, also perfect for waking you up.

The hand cream has long been a favourite of mine. It’s super moisturising but just smells so good I can’t help but slather it on at far too regular intervals.

Helen x

The Season For Sparkle

When the decorations are unpacked and on the tree, the lights strung up and the tinsel on every surface, you know it’s time for some sparkle on your fingers.

A glitter polish is a really quick, easy way to get the festive spirit on your nails. These are my favourites this Christmas.

Barry M has a very good range of glitter nail polish which are easy to apply and last for around 5 days. Their only disadvantage is that they take a lot of effort and polish remover to get off (like most glitter polishes) but I reckon it’s worth it. Both of these work well layered up on their own, or as a top coat. The green is a recent buy in time for Christmas-it reminds me of a Christmas tree and has little silver stars in it-how could I resist?

The Barry M polish with the lovely glittery lid has recently vanished from my room (really need to have a tidy) but it too works very well on a bare nail as the glitter is pretty concentrated. 

I like to wear this OPI silver layered on top of a dark red or purple, or to add an accent nail.

Similarly, this Ciate silver is great for layering. The glitter in this one is more concentrated than the OPI so it could be worn on its own.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas

Helen x

Turning 16: Afternoon tea and presents

April is one of my favourite months. The days are getting longer, it's just beginning to get warmer (this is the UK, after all) and there's lots of lambs in the fields. It also happens to be my birthday month. 

This year I decided I wanted to have afternoon tea at Betty's. I wasn't sure what else I wanted to do with my day, I just wanted afternoon tea (it's quite possibly my favourite meal.) We went decided to go to the York branch as it's so pretty there and not far on the train. First, we went for some food as we needed something to keep us going before our afternoon tea. Then we went for a river cruise down the River Ouse. It lasted for about an hour and was a really nice way to see more of the city.

Then we went to Betty's where we devoured our afternoon teas. I love Betty's-it's so old fashioned and cute. The waitresses are lovely (I want to work there just to get one of the beautiful embroidered blouses they wear) and the food is excellent. The raspberry macaroons were particularly nice, though the scones were pretty good too.

After that, we made our way home where I opened all the lovely presents my family and friends got me. I'd asked for some red Hunters as I've always wanted some, so I was very happy to recieve some.

When shopping, I spotted a beautiful bag in TX Maxx and really, really wanted it, but couldn't afford it, so my parents very kindly said they'd pay for half of it for my birthday. If it's possible to be in love with a bag, I am. It has two sections, loads of pockets and compartments and has both a short and long strap so it's really practical as well as a lovely thing to sit and stroke (the leather is so soft)

I also got this gorgeous watch from Urban Outfitters from my friends. Now I have it, I can't work out how I managed without a watch for so long. It goes so well with everything and just makes outfits a bit more interesting. 

I also got some bath stuff, a scrapbook, some very cute post it notes and lots of chocolate from my friends.
I've mentioned in a previous post my love of the Archers, a radio drama, and so I was very excited when I opened my presents from my sister and found she'd given me an archers CD, with episodes from the 60's and 70's.  She also gave me three Maybelline nail polishes, which I'll do a review of later.

I received some lovely presents, but more importantly,I had a really lovely day with my family, and later with my friends.

Helen x