Yankee Candle Mini Haul

                           

Market Blossoms

 Florals are usually not my first choice of scent but it is I found this to be a lovely fresh scent perfect for spring time. It has a beautiful light floral fragrance with a hint of sweetness. 

Fragrance notes

Top: Peonies

Mid: Fresh cut roses

Base: Sweet vanilla

Bakery Air

This one is my favourite out of the trio. I love sweet fragrances and this really does a great job of recreating the scent of a bakery, think creamy butter swirled with vanilla, chopped pecans and cinnamon all baking in the oven...yum!

Fragrance notes

Top: Creamy butter, maple extract

Mid: Chopped pecans, ground cinnamon, crushed clove

Base: Crystallized sugar, vanilla

Catching Rays

I am enjoying how fresh this candle makes a room smell, it's a mix of citrus and relaxing amber. I think the scent is a lot like clean cotton and not as 'beachy' as the photo on the jar would suggest.

Fragrance notes

Top: Sharp orange zest

Mid: Golden amber

Base: Sea air

What are your favourite Yankee Candle scents?

Carly x

Caudalíe Face Masks Review

Before Christmas I treated myself to a Caudalíe gift set that included three of their most loved face masks; the Glycolic Peel, Instant Detox Mask & the Moisturising Mask. New to the Caudalíe brand I was exciting to try these out, I have been alternating each of the masks on a weekly basis for the past couple of months so I thought i'd let you guys know what I think!

First up is the Glycolic Peel Mask, I was a bit dubious about using this as I had never used any products that contain glycolic acid in them before. This masks aim is to boost the radiance of your complexion and help revitalize and refresh dull looking skin (which I tend to suffer from after a long day in work!) My fears about this burning or tingling my sensitive skin were soon swept away once applied; it is a gentle, almost creamy consistancy which spreads evenly over the face. After leaving on for 10 minutes I did notice a significant difference in the appearance of my skin (the effects I would now liken to the Pixi Glow Tonic) My skin looked brighter and skin tone looks a lot more even. I would say this mask is a good starter product for those with sensitive skin who want to try glycolic acid, due to it's non irritating and gentle formula, it's perfect! 

Next up is probably my favourite out of all three face masks, the Instant Detox Mask. During a bad bout of hormonal acne I used this twice weekly and found it helps calm my stressed out skin. This mask is made up of 99.3% natural clay formula (pink in colour) it smells amazing due to the soothing botanicals used; lavender, chamomile and parsley. I found this a gentle yet effective mask in helping draw away impurities and toxins, helping refine the skins texture, helping tightened pores and evening out the skins texture. A definate purchase if you suffer from stressed out skin and need a little TLC.

Last but not least is the Moisturising Mask. This is a real treat to use if your skin is feeling thirsty! It is a creamy mask with 85.5% natural formula that helps protect the skins barrier and prevent future dehydration. I like to leave this mask on overnight, applying it all over my face including the eye contour area. You can also use this as a quick 15 minute treatment. This has been somewhat of a saviour of mine this winter helping to  sooth any dry patches. A worthwhile purchase if you need a pick me up for dry skin!

What are your favourite face masks? 

Carly x

Lush Haul: Boxing Day Sale

So, I may have did a sneaky online shop at Lush on Boxing Day...

I hadn't anything in mind that I particularly wanted to purchase, which was lucky as most of the goodies seemed to have been snapped up by the time I stumbled online Boxing Day evening. I was happy with the few bits that I managed to pick up, as we all know Lush sales happen once in a blue moon!

'Snow Fairy' Shower Gel

I have to confess, I have never tried nor smelt this 'famous' seasonal Lush shower gel, so I thought i'd pick up two mini bottles (they were going for so cheap, why not!) I'm a big fan of sweet, candy scented products, but wow, this smells sweet! (it reminds me of Calpol, you know the medicine we all used to get as kids?) I am a big fan of Lushs shower gels so i'm looking forward to using these!

'Dirty' Mint-Chocolate Massage Bar

I've previously tried the 'Tender is the Night' massage bar from Lush and it has become one of my all time favourite Lush products. These massage bars are great to use after a bath or shower and does a great job of moisturising dehydrated skin. They are made with a base of nourishing fair trade cocoa butter and are designed to melt at body temperature, which makes them easy to apply. I was a bit skeptical about the mint-chocolate scent, but after using it after my bath this evening, i love it! The chocolate scent is very subtle but it does leave a lovely fresh peppermint scent on the skin after..mmmm....

'The Rough With The Smooth' The Breakfast Scrub Bar

I've heard so many good reviews about this, I thought it was about time to check it out myself. First of, this smells incredible, it has a scent similar to the breakfast scrub by Soap & Glory, which is good enough to eat! You use this little bar whilst in the shower and bath over damp skin and it helps buff away any dry skin leaving you silky smooth. It does a great job of exfoliating, it is quite gritty and if not used gently may be slightly scratchy, but i'd rather has a good scrub that a gentle buffing to get the job done, am I right ladies?

'Cinders' Bath Bomb

This is a repurchase for me, as it's from the limited Christmas collection, I thought i'd treat myself to one more before they disappear for another year *sob* 

This is a sweet and spicy bath bomb that contains cinnamon leaf oil and almond oil (great for dry skin!) It is a lovely warming scent and has a fun feature of popping candy, yup, popping candy! 

I'd love to know your favourite Lush products!

Carly x

Boots Botanics Skincare Top Picks

Recently I have rediscovered one of my favourite budget skincare brands. The Botanics range from Boots has 180 products in their line and all are made by combining the latest skincare technology with all natural plant extracts. 

Collabrating with the UKs central science laboratory to assess its raw materials portfolio for beauty products, they have helped identify the impact of chemical ingredients on water and land based eco systems and have eliminated the risky ingredients- creating a pretty great eco-friendly skincare line! 

They have also worked alongside The Royal Botanic Gardens 'Kew,' to understand how best to source vital plant extracts! Now the background info is done, here are my top 3 favourite products from this line that i've been using for the past 3 months!

First up;

Purifying Face Scrub: All Bright

£3.99 (currently on offer for £1.99)

This is a really gently face scrub that contains refining walnut shell, to help buff away flaky skin while crushed apricot seeds help gently sweep away impurities. It also contains hibiscus, which is nature's brightness booster while natural AHAs help leave skin smoother and brighter. I use this at least twice a week after cleansing and I have definately noticed my skin looks much brighter and even after using this little gem! 

Hydration Burst: 3 in 1 Micellar Water

£4.99 (currently on offer for £2.49)

This is a recent addition to the Botanics skincare line, just in time for Winter! I use this every morning and have been really enjoying it, it is a gentle Micellar water for dehydrated and sensitive skin. It effectively removes makeup and impurities while the active plant extract Clary Sage, is rich in flavoniods that are well known to hydrate and soothe your skin. 

Microdermabrasion Polish: Radiant Youth

£7.99 (currently on offer for £5.33)

As someone that suffers from the occasionly bout of acne, I like to use this polish after it clears up, to help improve my skins texture and get it back too looking more refined. This intensive micro polishing treatment helps encourage cell renewal for younger looking, more radiant complexion. It helps banish dullness and refines pores. Ginkgo is the natural plant extract in this polish, it is one of natures most trusted protectors. Environmental stresses can cause free radicals that degrade collagen and elastin, which give skin its youthful structure while the Ginkgo leaves help protect from this damage helping your skin look younger for longer. I use this once a week as it is a pretty heavy duty product, definately worth checking out if you are interested in microdermabrasion!

Have you tried anything from Boots Botanics line before? 

Carly x

Coffee 101

Have you ever walked into a coffee shop and been completely mind boggled at the vast array of coffees on the menu? Hopefully this post giving you the low down on some of the most popular coffees and will help you in the decision making process next time you are getting your morning caffeine fix!

Americano

• 1/3 espresso based (you can ask for a single or double strength)
• 2/3 hot water
• Can drink black or add hot milk
• Thin layer of foam at the top (crema)

Cortado

• An espresso cut with a small amount of steamed milk
• Usually served in a special glass with a metal wire handle
• Quite similar to a less foamy cappuccino 

Cappuccino

• 1/3 espresso
• 1/3 heated milk
• 1/3 milk foam
• A good option if you want a mild caffeine hit

Café latte

• 1/3 espresso
• 2/3 heated milk
• 1cm foam
• Usually served in a glass on a saucer
• Flavourings can be added such as vanilla, chocolate or caramel
• If you ask for this in Italy you will get a glass of hot/cold milk!

Café au lait

• 1 part hot coffee
• 1 part steamed milk
• This is similar to the café latte but with more coffee is added

Cafe Mocha

• 1/3 espresso
• 2/3 steamed milk
• portion of chocolate (usually in syrup form)
• Can be served with whipped cream & marshmallows
• Great if you have a sweet tooth 

Ristretto

• A less watered down version of the regular espresso
• Hailed as the most delicious part of the espresso as it avoid the burnt taste many have

Flat White

• Steamed milk (poured from the bottom of a pitcher) over a single or double shot of espresso.
• Similar to latte and café au lait
• Typically served in a small cup
• Uses microfoam instead of dry foam
• Usually made with whole milk

I hope this post helps all you coffee lovers decipher the abundant coffee options out there!

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend!

Carly x

(Images taken from weheartit.com)

Favourite Books: Part One

I am an avid reader and love books- I have far too many if you ask me, I just can't bear to part with any of them! In today's blog post I will be discussing five of my favourite books in my collection. Hope you enjoy!

The Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

Written in 1928 by Russian author, Mikhail Bulgakov, it is one of my all time favourite reads. If you enjoy a great novel with dark themes such as good vs evil this could be one for you. It is heavily influenced by Goethe's 'Faust', part of the brilliance of this novel is that it can be read as hilarious slapstick, deep philosophical allegory, a biting socio-political satire critical of the soviet system at the time but also deals with the superficiality and vanity of modern life.  It includes appearances from a vodka drinking black cat, a promiscuous witch and the devil, quite the mixture!

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

I'm sure you have heard of this novel before, if not, where have you been? It's one of the most popular sci-fi novels of all time. Written in 1949, Orwell writes of a dystopian future- 1984, the world is under a constant state of war, the government has become an omnipresent oppressive force that has made independent thinking a 'thought crime.' This is a great book if you enjoy sci-fi novels with an politically charged edge.

Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski

As an avid fan of Bukowski's poetry work I also enjoy his novels, this one in particular stands out among-st the rest. It's a semi-autobiographical novel featuring Bukowski's alter ego ' Henry Chinaski.' It follows him through his childhood into his teenage years, growing up in Los Angeles, dealing with his abusive father, his trouble with sports, high school and girls. It is a novel about the coming of age and all the trials and tribulations that come with it. A must read for any Bukowski fans.

Notes From The Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Written in 1864 by Russian novelist Dostoyevsky, this novella is considered by many to be the first existentialist novels. It presents itself as an excerpt from the rambling memoirs of a bitter, isolated, unnamed narrator (generally referred to by critics as the Underground Man) who is a retired civil servant living in St. Petersburg. The first part of the story is told in monologue form, or the underground man's diary, and attacks emerging Western philosophy. The second part of the book is called "Àpropos of the Wet Snow", and describes certain events that, it seems, are destroying and sometimes renewing the underground man, who acts as a first person unreliable narriator.  A great book to start with if you are interested in existentialist literature.

Last but not least!

Ways of Seeing by John Berger

Having studied fine and applied art in university this book became by bible. This wonderful little book is based on a 1972 BBC television series criticizing western cultural aesthetics by raising questions about hidden ideologies in visual images. John Berger's scripts from the series was then adapted into this book. Ways of seeing is divided into seven essays each dealing with different topics from the female nude to has photography become the new painting. This book has contributed to feminist readings of popular culture as Berger discusses depictions of women in advertising vs those in oil paintings. A really interesting read in our perception or lack of perception in day to day life.

I hope you enjoyed reading about a few of my favourite books, keep your eye out for part two! What are your favourite books? 

Carly x

Paddywax Apothecary Collection

Okay, so I have a confession...I am a bit of a candle addict...There, I said it! I am an avid purchaser of Yankee Candles but have had my eye on this collection from Paddywax for quite a few months, however I was unwilling to spend a fortune on the delivery costs to get them shipped from America. 
                                                  
After Christmas this year, as tradition goes I took a trip to see what bargains I could pick up in the January sales. After having a nosy around Urban Outfitters I came across these two, tucked away behind other past season sale items. Being a regular browser at Urban Outfitters, I couldn't believe that I had missed that they stocked this range the whole time, ugh! 

So as it goes, I purchased them both. The reductions in price where pretty reasonable. The candle itself was originally £20 down to £18 (still fairly pricey, considering the size) and the room spray was reduced from £18 to £5. How could I say no to these two rare finds?

The candle itself is in a beautifully packaged vintage apothecary bottle- the smell, oh the smell! 
It is not easy to describe the scent of things in words (someone please invent scratch & sniff thumbnails!) 
But I would liken the fragrance to that of pipe tobacco smoke- oak like and earthy with the vague hint of sweetness from the rich Amber aroma. 

This scent itself is long lasting and can be smelt long after the candle has been blown out.

I had high expectations from the candle, but was unsure of the room spray, not being a particular fan of room sprays in general, they never seem to last any length of time! 
However, I was pleasantly surprised after a few generous spritzes of this in the bedroom, the scent lingered for long after using! This little spray reminds me of the This Works 'deep sleep, stress less' spray- uplifting yet relaxing, this is probably due to the chamomile. Chamomile itself is used to treat stress and insomnia- making this spray perfect for before bedtime smells. The fig is not overpowering, as how I sometimes would find it, which was a nice surprise! 


Overall, a nice little addition to my ever growing candle/home fragrance collection (Also, it doesn't hurt that the packaging of this collection is a reason in itself to have out in display in your home!)