A Message To My Mum...

I count myself very lucky that I've always had a close relationship with my Mum. Not everyone is given that opportunity in life and I've made a mental note to show her more just how much I care.

She's given me a lot of support and advice over the years and always encouraged me to follow my dreams. My Mum was never very strict with me, I think this is one of the reasons I never rebelled and we never had many heated Mother/daughter arguments when I was a teenager. She always had trust in me and because of this I didn't feel like I had to keep any secrets from her - and even if I did get something wrong, the 'I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed' line always had much more of an impact on me!

She's taught me to be kind, and see the good in people. She encouraged my love of performing arts and musical theatre, something that's had such a positive impact on my life. She also shows me everyday, that even when she's in pain, and having really bad days as she suffers from M.E., that there's so much to smile about and be grateful for. She brings so much happiness to my life, and that's reflected in the way Archie lights up when he sees her. The love they share is indescribable and I feel so lucky that she's my Mum and his Nan.

She's been very supportive of me over the last 6 years of my blogging/You Tube journey. But I've never used this platform to say thank you. So as part of my efforts to show her just how much I love her, I've decided to offer some of my own advice, something she can read back whenever she maybe feels a bit low, unwell or not her usual bubbly self.

Dear Mum...

1. Worry less - That's quite a statement coming from me, queen of the worriers. But we both worry about a lot of unnecessary things. Focus on the good and positive things in your life because there are so many things that far outweigh the bad.

2. Keep that youthful glow - We were definitely blessed with the youthful gene, I'd say the women in our family look at least 10 years younger than they are (which wasn't so much fun when I was 22 and looked 12!) You always taught me the importance of a good skincare routine so now I'm giving the same advice back to you. NIVEA has been in our family for years. Our lovely Nan swore it's what kept her skin super soft, and as you know the generations have all used it since. Which is why I'm so excited about NIVEA’s new cleansing range (you know Rene would have loved it just as much as me!)   The range includes the Creme Care Facial Cleansing Wipes, which I personally love for travelling. The Cleansing Lotion which is so gentle, it can be used to remove eye makeup and is strong enough to remove waterproof mascara! And the Cleansing Cream Wash. Its rich formula removes impurities and leaves skin feeling clean and incredibly soft. The smell instantly takes me back to when I was young. I know your favourite thing is raiding my beauty draws so I can't wait to see what you think of this range!

3. Have more adventures! - I'm at the start of my parenting journey. Right now freedom seems a long way off! And even though we will never stop being your babies, Chris and I are grown up now, so this is your chance to be selfish! Go on some crazy adventures with Dad, try something new or learn a new skill (cooking maybe? Just kidding!) But in all seriousness, have fun and throw caution to the wind!

4. Ask for help - I know it can be hard sometimes to ask for help, but that's what daughters are for. You help me in so many ways and are always there for Archie and I and I hope you know that I'm always here for you too. Whether it's someone to go shopping with on the good days, or someone to wash your hair on the days you just can't do it yourself.  Basically just listen to our song 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' that explains it better than I ever could.

Love

Kate x

Thank you to NIVEA for Sponsoring this post

#NiveaCremeCareCleanse 

www.NIVEA.co.uk/CremeCareCleansing

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Drops Of Youth Skincare Challenge - My Results

So after 28 days of using the Body Shop's Drops Of Youth Skincare range morning and night, I wanted to sit down and tell you what I thought of the range and share my results.

As you may already know, I've suffered with dull, dry skin for quite some time now, and starting this new skin care routine was definitely what I needed to get that glow back. I think changing up your routine every now and again is a good thing and even though this particular skincare routine isn't targeted towards breakouts or acne, which is my other main skin concern, it didn't do anything to aggravate my skin which was a real plus for me.

I really enjoy waking up with skin that feels so much more hydrated and doesn't have that tight feeling. I still don't wake up looking like a supermodel, (that would take a miracle!) But it helps to start my day off on a positive note as I find my makeup applies smoothly, and my foundation looks even.

I'm so glad I took on this challenge, as I'll now definitely be introducing most of these products into my morning and evening skincare routines, along with some of my other tried and tested favourites.

If you'd like to hear about my results in much more detail and see how I use each of the products, then check out my video below:



This post was kindly sponsored by The Body Shop

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London Fashion Week - Top Packing Tips

London Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week

Paris Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is once again in full swing, and the city's most fashion-savvy celebs, stylists, bloggers and dedicated followers of fashion are out in full force. I've been lucky enough to attend some amazing shows in recent years, highlights of which included Moschino and Topshop Unique. Sitting in the same room as the likes of Kate Moss, Anna Wintour and Philip Green and seeing Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn walk the runway sparked some serious style inspiration!

The lovely people at HomeAway, recently asked me to put together a little list of tips for packing for London Fashion Week, and as I'm a bit of a fan of the flat lay, I thought I'd show you what I'd take with me to London, New York and Paris fashion week. (A girl can dream right?) I actually enjoyed doing these so much that I nearly booked an impromptu trip!

LFW Packing Tips

1. Wear comfortable shoes! There's nothing worse than running around London all day in 6-inch heels, but if you just can't give them up, take a pair of flats with you for emergencies and wear your heels a couple of times to break them in. (Don't forget to pack the blister plasters!)

2. Travel light. You don't want to be carrying half your office around with you, but blogging can often mean lugging your heavy DSLR around with you, plus your laptop and phone - the list is endless. Try taking a smaller compact camera with you like the Canon G7X, you'd be surprised at the amazing quality photos it can produce. Or, if you just can't imagine not taking your big camera, swap your bulky lens for a pancake lens instead, it'll take up half the room in your bag and you won't need major back surgery afterwards!

3. Layer up! Fashion week in Feb is always temperamental weather wise. Be prepared for all eventualities with lighter layers that you can remove if we have a sudden sunny spell (wishful thinking?) I always bring a big scarf with me which instantly adds interest to an outfit, and a hat is a great alternative to carrying an umbrella around with you - and so much more stylish!

Even if you're not heading to Fashion Week, I think all of these tips would apply when packing for a city break. If you're off somewhere soon, why not create your own little packing flat lay? It's a great way to see if everything you're taking works well together, and you can see if you've left anything out. If you create your own, please share it with us using the hashtag #LFW and tag @homeawayUK.

Kate x

This blog post was kindly sponsored by HomeAway 

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DROPS OF YOUTH SKINCARE CHALLENGE - WEEK 3

Week 3 - So I'm now into my third week of The Drops of Youth Skincare Challenge and continuing to see good results. The thing I love most is waking up with fresh soft feeling skin, I think the Bouncy Sleep Mask is to thank for this. It really feels like you're nourishing and hydrating your skin all through the night, and my skin must have been quite dehydrated before as it feels and looks more illuminated and looks visibly plumper.

I would really recommend trying the Essence Lotion too as it helps to get rid of any remaining dirt or oils and really prepares your skin for the moisture boost it's about to get and means that the Concentrate Serum can absorb into the skin more effectively.

I think this range would be great for you if you would describe your skin as dry or dull, you have dark circles or bags under your eyes and you find that your makeup doesn't apply very well. I definitely would have ticked yes to all of those skin concerns before, but 21 days into using this routine, I'm really starting to see the benefits.

Let me know if you've recently started the range and what you think, or if you have any questions!

Love Kate x

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Drops Of Youth Skincare Challenge - Week 2

Week 2 - So I'm into week 2 of the Drops Of Youth 28 Day Skincare Challenge. and I'm really starting to see the benefits of using the range. The start of the year always sees my skin looking dry, dull and lifeless, but sticking to my morning and evening routines (see week 1 for details) every day is helping to combat those pesky winter skin woes.

My skin looks and feels more radiant and fresh and my makeup applies so much better in the mornings. This week I've absolutely been loving the Eye Concentrate. Especially in the mornings when my eyes feel dry and puffy. The little metal roller ball feels very soothing, and instantly helps me to feel awake and refreshed. I'm still really enjoying the Youth Cream as well. It just absorbs into the skin so quickly! That's really one of my favourite things about the range. It's not too time consuming but really does work.

All in all, I've noticed that my skin has really responded well to the range so far. My pores don't look as big as they did previously and I'm very impressed with the radiant look of my skin, without feeling like it's becoming too oily.

Check back next week to see how I'm getting on in week 3! Have you tried any of the range yet? Let me know your thoughts!

Love Kate x

Sponsored by The Body Shop. As always, all views are my own.

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Lush Lust List...

Do you have a scent that, as soon as you smell it it instantly transports you to a special time or a certain place? Maybe it's freshly cut grass or it could be a favourite perfume. For me it has to be Lush. Not one scent or product in particular, just that scent you get when you walk past the store, or treat yourself to a selection of goodies and stick your head in the bag! It reminds me of being 19 and starting my You Tube journey, I was obsessed with Lush and a Lush haul was my first video. I know it might sound silly and insignificant, but that really was a happy time in my life. I started my online store and began making videos and I just threw myself into it without knowing where it would take me and the amazing opportunities I've had since. So I guess link the scent with that time.

So sometimes when I need a little pick me up, I head to Lush and pick out a few things as a treat. Usually some old favourites mixed with a couple of new products or at least one thing I haven't tried before. Here's a little run down of what I got recently.


American Cream Conditioner: I just LOVE this stuff. I don't use it all the time, but I like to get a small bottle every now and again as a hair treat. It's super creamy and makes your hair feel incredibly soft and silky. Plus, if you're a fan of strawberries and vanilla scents like me then this is a winner!

Strawberry Feels Massage Bar: Did I mention I like strawberry scents? I'm not going to lie, strawberry is my favourite of all the smells in life!And this massage bar just smells like a dream. It works great as an all over body oil treatment. It starts to melt into your skin really quickly and feels very luxurious. The scent lasts for ages too.

Million Dollar Moisturiser: This is the one that I got for Christmas, but I wanted to include it because it really is fantastic. It's has quite a thick, creamy consistency, so not one for when you need to apply makeup straight away. But given time to absorb, it makes the perfect base, leaving you with glowing skin that just looks so much healthier. Plus it contains a sunscreen which is so important, even in the winter months

Tisty Tosty Bath Bomb: Such a beauty! This is definitely one for the floral fans, I love that each one contains 7 rose buds. It's scented with Rose oil, lemon and jasmine oil and it's perfect for a pre Valentine's date bath.

Roses All The Way Soap: I'm generally least attracted to the soaps in Lush. Just because I find bar soaps quite drying. But I just had to try something from the Valentine's Day collection and this looked perfect. It contains rose oil and syrup so I'm hoping it will be quite moisturising and convert me into a solid soap lover. I'll let you know my thoughts once I've tried it out!

What do you think? Are you going to be trying any of these out? Or do you have any recommendations for me? Tell me your all time favourites in the comments!

Love Kate x

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Drops Of Youth Skincare Challenge - Week One

You may have seen in my recent video, that I was challenged by The Body Shop to try out their Drops of Youth Skincare range for 28 days. As promised I'm going to be sharing my results at the end of each week right here on my blog.

Here's my thoughts after testing the range for one week:

AM - Products used: Essence lotion, Concentrate, Eye concentrate &Youth Cream

After I've cleansed my face, I like to start by applying a few drops of the Essence lotion to a cotton pad and wiping that over my face. I really feel like this helps to make my skin feel smoother and fresh ready for the next steps. I then apply the concentrate all over my face avoiding my eye area and I love the silky, smooth feel this product gives my skin, and it's almost instantly absorbed, so you're not having to wait around for it to sink into your skin. I love the fact that this range has an Eye Concentrate as well, as I often find my eye area gets neglected when applying serums as I don't want them to irritate my eyes. The roller ball applicator makes it so easy to apply, and feels very cooling and again makes the area feel hydrated whist still being fast absorbing.  My final morning step in this routine is to apply the Youth Cream. As I mentioned in my video, this cream has a gel like consistency which I really like. It's incredibly light and again has absorbed into the skin within seconds, whilst leaving your skin feeling velvety soft.

PM - Products used: Essence lotion, Concentrate, Eye concentrate, Youth Cream & Bouncy Sleeping Mask

In the evening, I don't really change up that much. I stick to the same routine but just add in the Bouncy Sleeping Mask for an added layer or moisture. Before using this range I would never have dared to use a face cream, and then a mask over the top of it as I'd be too worried I was over doing it and would cause my skin to become oily, but because the range is more gel based and the products are very light, it doesn't feel like you're clogging up your skin at all.

Final thoughts for week one -

This week my skin suffered quite badly from a break out, but this was hormonal and had already begun happening before starting to use the range so i know this wasn't the cause. It doesn't seem to have irritated my skin at all and thankfully the spots I did get are slowly going now.

I've particularly enjoyed using the range in the morning, as I feel as though my makeup applies much more evenly after doing this routine, and over all my skin has looked fresher, more glowing and has felt very hydrated, through out the day, and doesn't feel dry or tight in the morning.

I'm excited to see how it fairs over the next few weeks. If you missed my video and would like a more in depth look at the range, I'll leave it below.

Lots of love
Kate x

Sponsored by The Body Shop. As always, all views are my own.

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This Works... My Dreamy Trio

Having been a long time fan of the This Works Pillow Spray, I recently added a couple of other products to my collection. I was so excited when these landed on my door step, as just reading the names got me believing that the clever bunch at This Works must be able to read my mind!

In the cold Winter months, one of my biggest skincare woes are my legs. They look pale and blotchy and I reach a point where I can't even bare to get them out, which isn't great for the party season! The This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle has just become a god send, as it works in two ways. It contains vitamin's C and E to nourish the skin over time, as well as arnica, which helps to fade bruises. But like the impatient person I am, I like to use a product with instant results. The serum contains caramel to add a subtle, natural glow to the skin and takes your pins from ghostly to glam. I love that it doesn't make you look at all orange, and has a really pleasant, natural scent rather than making you smell like a digestive! If a product can make you look good whilst also working to care for your skin, it's a winner in my book!

It's the same sort of issue with my face to be honest! I am the palest person I think I've ever met, and the paler you are, the more the blemishes and imperfection stick out like a sore thumb. The Energy Bank Sun Flash can be applied on it's own or mixed with your moisturiser and gives your skin a really healthy sun kissed glow, again using natural caramel. It's also packed full of goodness with ingredients such as chicory root which works like vitamin D which we all lack in the Winter months. and Caffeine which helps to revive my dull, tired complexion. I hate to be the person who is always applying foundation, so this feels like the perfect way to get some colour and slight coverage without clogging up your pores, and being kind to your skin at the same time. Win!

Finally a quick mention of the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. I've always had trouble sleeping and had heard many good things about this so decided to give it a go a while back. It has a natural, lavender scent and it works best if you spritz a fine mist over your pillow/bedding. I'm not going to say it works every time, as I do have nights where I feel really anxious and no amount of lavender will help me then! But it certainly helps me to relax and is a scent I associate with feeling calm and restful. It's definitely worth a go if you too have trouble drifting off.

Kate x

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My Black Friday Wish List & Discount Codes

So Thanks Giving is over and us Brits missed out on all the fun AGAIN! But a fast growing tradition that we've borrowed from the U.S. is Black Friday. The day where crazed shoppers will literally walk over people to get the best deals. Now I don't know about you, but I'd much rather spend the day curled up by the fire, slippers on with a mug of hot chocolate, browsing through the amazing deals to be had online. And if that sounds too good to be true, surely a sneaky lunch break purchase is well and truly deserved?

So here are my current wish lists for everything Fashion, Beauty and Home. I've been lusting over these items for ages, just waiting for a discount code to pop up. And of course, now I have them, I just had to share them with you guys! (Just leave one of each in my size please!)

FASHION - ASOS Black Friday 20% off with the code: CYBER (UK) 
30% off with code: BLESSED (USA)

BEAUTY - ASOS Black Friday 20% off with the code: CYBER (UK) 
30% off with code: BLESSED (USA)

HOME - Anthropology Black Friday 20% (automatically applied at checkout)

Let me know if there's anything you've had your eye on or what bargains you manage to grab! Psst, Boohoo also have a whopping 50% off everything is store as well so worth checking it out if you can get on the website!

Kate x

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Coco Mademoiselle

Coco Mademoiselle has long been one of my favourite scents. And even though I do like to change my perfume up a bit depending on the season, This is definitely my 'signature scent'. It's so classic and sophisticated that it works for every occasion, it doesn't matter if you're spritzing it on for a cold December morning at work, or for a warm summer's evening event, it just works!

You may have seen in my recent 'What I Got For My Birthday video' that I was rather spoilt! My family clearly know me very well as I received a beautiful trio of products from the range which I absolutely love.

The first was a bottle of the eau de parfum, in the instantly recognisable and ever so classy glass bottle with a frosted top. The middle notes in Coco Mademoiselle are jasmine absolute and may rose absolute which are two of my favourite scents, with fruity top notes of grapefruit and orange and deeper base notes of patchouli, musk and vanilla. It is quite an intense fragrance, but I love the fact it lasts all day. If you've ever tried Chanel No5 and found it far too over powering, then this one by comparison is a lot softer and more feminine.

Next is the delicious foaming shower gel. It comes in a 200ml bottle which is made of plastic, but a glass bottle might be a bit unsafe in the shower so I'm assuming that why. I think it makes a beautiful gift for someone, because at a price point of £34, it's not something most of us would treat ourselves to on a regular basis. It lavers up really nicely and creates lots of soft, scented foam. The best thing about using the same range is that you can layer up the scent and make it last all day, especially when the quality is as good as this.

Finally I wanted to mention the fresh body cream. It comes in a gorgeous 150ml frosted glass pot with a white lid, and I can't lie, I really enjoy just looking at it on my dressing table! This was such a pleasant surprise to me as I had always imagined this to be quite thick, and not one to apply just before going out, but it's so light and easily and quickly absorbs into your skin. Again, you can layer up the body cream with the perfume to get the most out of the products.

I love the newest editions to my Chanel beauty collection. They might not be your everyday products, but I think they make such a lovely presents. Maybe one to add to the birthday or Christmas list?

Kate x

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Scunci Insta Twist

When it comes to my hair, I can be quite lazy with styling it. I'm very guilty of simply brushing it before I head out of the door, with no further thought to how I could make it look that little bit more interesting. I've never been very good at braids or fishtail plaits, much to my dismay as they can look so pretty, alas, they are just to fiddly for my little hands! However, when I was recently introduced to the Insta Twist by Scunci, we became instant BFF's!

This clever little contraption helps you to create perfect twists which you can incorporate into endless hairstyles. I was a little sceptical at first after tying similar looking braiding tools when I was a child, none of which I had any success with, so I was kind of expecting this to just tangle my hair up to be honest! But no, even on my first go it miraculously worked.

Curious as to how it works? well i'll tell you! You simply take a section of hair (this can be large or small) and split it into two. Then you clamp each section under the red clips on either side. You then press the button upwards which individually twists the 2 sections. Then simply push the button downwards to twists the 2 pieces of hair together in the opposite direction.

As I mentioned before, I am useless at plaits and braids, so I have tried to do twists like this before by hand, but the twists always seem to unravel. This manages to keep everything held neatly together, so you can just secure it with a clear band or hair grips.

Another thing I love about this product is it's battery operated, so would be great to take to festivals or on holiday this summer and create some beautiful boho styles on you and your friends. And it's kind to your hair as it's completely heat free!

The Scunci Insta Twist is available at Superdrug and costs £29.99. Also check out their You Tube channel where they demonstrate how to create some awesome styles including milk maid braids and fishtail twists! I can't wait to try out some more styles, All I need now is a festival to go to!...

Have you tried the Insta Twist yet? What styles would you create with it?

Love Kate x

* This post is very kindly sponsored by Scunci. However all opinions are 100& honest and my own.

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The Body Shop - Fuji Green Tea Collection

Green tea has long been one of my favourite scents. There's something about it's natural, refreshing smell that instantly calms and soothes me. Anything green tea scented/flavoured is a winner in my books. In fact, I have a rather odd, bordering on obsessive addiction to green tea flavoured jelly beans, they are amazing... I wish I had some now...

However, I digress! When I found our recently that The Body Shop had released their new Fuji Green Tea Range, I instantly knew I would love it and I wasn't disappointed. I was initially drawn to the Bath Tea. I thought it was such an interesting idea as there is also a little Infuser in this range, so you simply add a handful of the bath tea to the diffuser and allow it to steep in the warm water! I never imagined bathing in tea would be such a lovely experience but some how this makes it totally acceptable. The bath tea itself is a mix of bath salts and green tea leaves, which can be added to the bath without the infuser, however, unless you're a fan of that gritty, bath salt feeling once they've all settled to the bottom, I would definitely add the infuser to your list as it's completely mess and pain free!

The scent of this range is beyond gorgeous. I love to apply the Body Sorbet after my bath which makes the scent last a lot longer on your skin. It's especially nice when you want to moisturise but don't have time to wait around for it to dry. It's very fast absorbing and I've always found the Body Sorbets to be especially nice in the summer as they're so cooling and refreshing.

As you may know, i've been a long time lover of The Body Shop's Body Butters, and i've probably tried out even scent over the years, so I was very pleased to see this in the range as well. It works great for a more intensive moisturising treatment, yet still doesn't take a lifetime to sink into the skin.

I'm really impressed with The Body Shop's latest offerings, have you tried anything from this range yet? Which product do you like the look of most?

Love Kate x

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My Liz Earle Signature Facial Experience

I recently took a little trip to one of my favourite parts of London, Chelsea. It's somewhere I always enjoy being as I love the atmosphere of the place. There tucked away in Duke of York Square, across from the Saatchi Gallery and an impressive Zara and Zara Home is a skincare lovers dream. A big, beautiful Liz Earle store, filled with everything you could ever need to sort out your skin woes.

It really is lovely and I could have spent all day browsing through all of the lotions and potions that line the shelves. I was however there for a very exciting reason, to try out Liz Earle's signature facial with skin care genius Abigail James. Abigail is one of the UK's leading facialists, and as a brand ambassador for Liz Earle, she certainly knows here stuff!

I was first asked to fill out a form which included questions about my skin type, medical history, diet and general skin concerns, before being introduced to Abigail and heading to her newly refurbished treatment room which was like a little piece of Morocco in South West London. It was such a relaxing space, with soft lighting, beautiful soft furnishings and the coolest copper sink i've ever seen, not to mention the vast array of products ready and waiting to be used.

After being introduced, Abigail and I sat down for a skin consultation where we discussed many aspects of my current skincare routine and what my main concerns were. I suffered with severe acne as a teen and never had the confidence to show anyone my face without makeup. Even now I still feel a little embarrassed about it but Abigail really put me at ease and gave me a few tips I could incorporate into my current routine.

After that Abigail began the facial. She started with, of course a Cleanse and Polish to remove any makeup and impurities from my face. I have been using this everyday for quite a few months now so I know how much my skins loves it. After a few more steps, Abigail did a some extractions, especially on my nose area where the pores were slightly clogged. This wasn't the most pleasant part of the treatment, but my god my nose had never felt so smooth after! I then had a series of face masks applied, my favourite of which was the Deep Cleansing Mask which contains naturally active ingredients such as green clay, manuka honey, propolis and rose scented geranium. The mask applies like a gel and it's so soothing and relaxing I think I almost fell asleep! Other parts of my treatment included a facial massage with The Superskin Concentrate and finished with the Superskin Moisturiser with natural neroli, both of which are amazing for dry or dehydrated skin. 

Liz Earle have created an incredibly relaxing experience for all the senses, the clam and luxurious treatment rooms, the gentle sound of tranquil music and probably the most delicious blend of scents i've ever smelt in one place. I think i'll have to book another treatment pretty soon!

I left feeling very clam and peaceful, which for me is a rarity let me tell you! I think everyone should treat themselves or a loved one to an experience like this every once in a while, because I feel like it's not on good for your skin, but it also benefits your overall wellbeing, and in times of stress I can conjure up the memories of being totally relaxed and it instantly clams me down.

I will also take away some fabulous tips from Abigail James. I will be scrubbing my face a little more often and will also be trying the facial massage techniques at home to help drain impurities from my skin. I was so pleased with the way my skin looked and felt after the treatment and I'm determined to keep it that way!

 You can find out more about the products that we used and the Liz Earle Signature Facial here.

Love Kate x

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Beauty Bits | Debenham's Beauty Card

I've always loved a visit to the Debenham's beauty halls. It just puts me in a happy mood to wonder around and try and test the makeup and perfume from some of my favourite designer brands. Constantly adding to an ever growing wish list of products, both scribbled down in my little notebook and on the laptop for when i've got a spare 5 minutes to have a peruse of the online store.

I was lucky enough to be able to tick a few things of said list recently and i'm thrilled with my picks. The first product I chose is one i've been lusting after for ages. Estee Lauder's Modern Muse is beautiful and classic in both the bottle and the scent. with it's mixture of floral and fruity tones, and notes of jasmine, honeysuckle and exotic mandarin, this is definitely my new favourite perfume and I love wearing it. Estee Lauder always pay such fine attention to detail with the scents used in their fragrances and this one does not disappoint.

One of my favourite high end beauty brands has to be YSL, and one of my all time holy grail products is of course, YSL Touche Éclat. I've had a few of these throughout my makeup wearing years and I always feel like my eyes look bright and instantly more alert when wearing this amazing concealer. Especially since becoming a Mummy, this little beauty has definitely helped to hide my dark circles after a sleepless night or two! So because i've always been such a big fan of this product, I thought i'd give one of their foundation a try. I opted for the Forever Youth Liberator Foundation, I've heard such good things about this and read some rave reviews so I really wanted to give it a try. I've only used it a couple of times so far so I'll hold out on a full scale review, but so far, it's a hit! It's got good coverage and helps to brighten my complexion when my skins a little bit dull and not at it's best.

What items are on your Debenham's beauty wish list? If you're planning to treat yourself any time soon, or, in fact get someone special a gorgeous gift this Christmas, be sure to get yourself a free Debenham's beauty card, you get perks such as 3 points per £1 each time you use your card, free online delivery, free samples and in store makeovers, email updates on new products and a chance to win competitions and try out new products as a VIP Panellist via their twitter and Facebook pages.

I'm off to add to my list!...

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My Favourite Things // #1

Sometimes, it's the little things in life that make you the happiest. Life has so many ups and downs, amazing highs and exciting, life changing moments, and it can all get a little overwhelming. Sometimes it's nice not to fixate on the next big thing. Instead, I like to gather a few pretty little things together that just make me smile and appreciate them, so I thought i'd share some with you too!

Pretty Socks // these floral ones are from Primark and please me immensely. `but then i do have a slight floral sock obsession lately!

Rose Gold watches // i've always lusted after a Micheal Kors rose gold watch, but alas I've never quite made the jump to purchase and commit to one! So my New Look one fills the void nicely.

Miller & Harris Perfume - Rose en noir // a beautiful fragrance that's has the loveliest smokey rose scent. It's hard to explain, but i'm so pleased I got this in their Covent Garden store recently.

Benefit - Sugarbomb boxed blush* // a shimmering selection of pink, each rose and plum which look amazing when swirled together and applied to your cheeks!

Yankee Candle Wax Melt - Pink Sands // one of my all time favourite Yankee scents. It's so calming and pretty and fills the house with a beautiful soft scent.

Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain - Honey // My go to lip crayon on most days! a soft pink that gives your lips a hint of colour, but nothing to bold.

Bourjois SO Laque Glossy Nail Polish - oh so rose, Cotton sur ton & BCBeige // classic colours that look great for everyday wear.

What are some of your favourite little things that make you smile?

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Cussons Mum & Me Review

Hello lovlies! I'm currently writing this post with the worst cold I can ever remember having! I hate feeling ill, and hope it's not going to last too much longer. Luckily, The lovely people at Cussons sent me some rather exciting products to try from their Mum & Me range which is definitely helping to cheer me up! I love the fact that the range has three categories, Bump, New Mum and Baby, so you have targeted products, for before babies born to pamper yourself with, and then you can move on to using The New Mum products once he/she's arrived plus they can also be pampered themselves!

Soothe & Nourish Body Lotion | Relax & Unwind Bath Soak

 Obviously i'm still currently at the Bump stage, so I've been enjoying trying out the soothe & nourish body lotion and the relax & unwind bath soak. The body lotion contains avocado oil and vitamin D, with almond and grapeseed oils to help hydrate the skin. This is especially good for growing bumps as the skin is being stretched everyday with can lead to dry, and irritated skin. I like to apply this at night after my bath. The bath soak is one of my favourite products in the range and contains camomile and jasmine, so it's the perfect product for a pre bed time bath. I'm trying to get as much sleep as I can before baby bow bow arrives and this definitely helps me to relax. It also makes your skin feel really soft!

Boob Firming Serum | Firming Butter | Stretch Mark Fader

 Even though i'm not quite at the New Mum stage just yet, I've been giving these products a little trial run, and am very happy to have them on hand for as soon as he's here! I definitely want to make the effort to start a little post pregnancy skin care routine to try and combat things like stretch marks, so having these products will, i'm sure come in handy during a time where skin care isn't on top of your priorities list.

The boob firming serum contains kigelia fruit extract to help improve the elasticity of the skin, and claims to leave your bust feeling firmer and tighter. I'll be really interested to try this over the course of about 4 weeks, to see if this makes a difference and i'll let you know my thoughts! I do love a good body butter, so i've tried the New Mum firming butter a couple of times already, and i'm really impressed so far. Obviously, again I'll need to test it out over a longer period of time to see results, but so far i'm loving it as a moisturiser. 

One of the most intriguing products I received was the stretch mark fader. It contains Lupin Seed extract, Pomegranate and Tamanu oils and has a metal rollerball applicator to apply it to the skin. I luckily haven't got any pregnancy stretch marks just yet, but I do have some faded ones from being a teenager, so I have no doubt i'll get some towards the end of the pregnancy, I'm just prone to getting them unfortunately! I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, (which i'm secretly quite happy about) but everyone's been really fasinated by  this one, and i've had a few family members try and pinch it off me! I'll report back on this too, but i'd love to know if you've tried the strech mark fader, or any of the range, and if the products have worked for you?

I'm looking forward to picking up a few products in the baby range once he's arrived as well. It still seems so far off!

Check out my latest Baby Bow Bow Update here: Pregnancy Update 24 Weeks!

Love Kate x

   

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Estee Lauder | Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

 There's nothing I like better than a beautiful lipstick, and Estee Lauder's new Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick collection does not disappoint. With 20 stunning new shades, there is seriously something for everyone. Whether you like daring reds and corals or subtle nudes and pinks.

I recently got my hands on two beautiful shades and am in love with both. When it comes to lipsticks, my preference for colour changes on a daily basis. Some days I want that natural, my lips but better colour, with just a hint of a dewy bronzer and highlighter to finish off the look. Other mornings, I wake up and know it has to be a fierce, red lip kind of day. So to try out these two very different shades seemed like the best of both worlds!

Estee Lauder Colour Envy | 101 Insatiable Ivory *

Insatiable Ivory is a pretty, natural, pink toned nude. It applies beautifully and has a rich, creamy formulation that doesn't dry out the lips at all, thanks to the new and exclusive time release encapsulated moisture complex with hyaluronic acid, which helps lips to seal in hydration. Despite being nude, the colour pay off is amazing and it's very highly pigmented, with colour that is said to stay true for up to 6 hours. 

Estee Lauder Colour Envy | 350 Vengeful Red *

 I do love a good red lipstick and Vengeful Red is fast becoming a favourite. The bullet looks to be a very dark, brown toned red, but actually, once applied, it's a really pretty, pinkish red with a blue undertone so is perfect for making your teeth look super white! Again the colour is really intense and vibrant and, for such a bright colour, is really easy to apply and gives your lips a full, curvaceous pout!

I'm itching to try the rest of the range now as the colours look so beautiful! There are also 2 special shades exclusive to Selfridges, Daring, a stunning bright coral, orange and ambitious pink, which is a perfect for summer, bright pop of pink. They're definitely worth a trip to your nearest Selfridges store to check out AND you can take part in the Estee Lauder event where you'll be able too see the new makeup looks they've created with the message that 'Every woman can be'... daring, irresistible, impulsive and powerful, with a unique look created around each.

You can also be in with the chance of winning the entire Color Envy lipstick collection worth over £500 when you use the Instaprint Kiosk at the following Selfridges stores and print out your #lipstickenvy pics!

Instaprint kiosks will be in Selfridges Exchange 1st – 17th May 

Selfridges Trafford Centre Dome Site 18th – 24th May 

Selfridges London and Birmingham 1st May – 12th June. 

Have you tried any of the new Color Envy lipsticks yet? Which colours are you desperate to try?

Love Kate x

Sponsored by Estee Lauder

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Cabinet Detox With Vaseline

Last week, I was challenged by Vaseline to go through my bathroom cabinet and streamline my stash. I can and often do have a slight problem with hoarding, and tend to just fill up cupboards and drawers with more products and potions than I actually need. I mean 5 lip balms is really not necessary! This challenge came at the perfect time, as we're moving house, so a good clear out was well and truly needed.

It wasn't until I took on the challenge that I realised just how handy and multipurpose a good tin of vaseline was. Of course, i've used it for years, and gone through many a tin, but it's actually a rather smart little product and by no means is it JUST a lip balm.

I've managed to make my cabinet (minus Rikki's side of course) a whole lot more simple and organised just by losing the many items I had for various skin conditions and concerns and replacing them with Vaseline.

Here's what it looked like before:

 A various array, of skin care, toothpaste, hand creams, highlighters and lip balms.

With a bit of work, I managed to purge all of the lip balms, it's just not necessary to have so many when you can have one product that also has many other uses. I've found it works amazingly as a hand cream, and hear so many people rave about it for use on sore cuticles and cracked skin around the hands and nails so I took out all of the hand cream too. Another great use that Vaseline often comes in handy for is taming unruly brows. I like to mix a small amount with my brow colour to help keep both my natural brows and the powder in place and it works a treat! It also works great as a natural, dewy cheek highlighter. Not too much that your skin looks shiny, but enough to just add a fresh glow, to natural or made up skin.

And here's the cabinet after it's detox!:

As you can see, it's been cleared out and my section is looking a lot more healthy now! Apart from the obvious essentials like toothpaste, deodorant and skin care etc, I really think that having a cabinet full to bursting with different products can be confusing and very time consuming! I've loved the challenge and i'm defiantly going to try and stick with the minimalist approach. It's definitely made me think more before purchasing yet another product that Vaseline can take care of!

Vaseline is available from Boots and leading retailers nationwide RRP £2.08. Follow them on Facebook here.

Love

Kate x

Sponsored post

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