Valentine's Gift Guide 2.0

30 January 2018



Valentine's is swiftly approaching so I thought I would share my second gift guide to help you guys and girls out there; whether you are looking to buy a present for a friend, family member or partner, I've include a complete range of products that have you covered. From the beauty addict to the hopeless romantic, I've decided to share some of my favourite brands alongside some newly discovered ones that I'm sure you will love to!

My first 'Valentine's Gift Guide' is here if you want to check that out for more inspiration. I'm also hosting a giveaway in that post that ends in two days if you want to try and win some beauty goodies!






THE JEWELLERY LOVER

Luv & Bart are a stunning jewellery company that sell your beautiful statement pieces alongside your dainty everyday wear. Although I usually stick to silver jewellery, I decided to branch out and choose three golden pieces from their vast variety of products. I chose the Cecile necklace - a large golden coin on a thin golden chain. The simplicity of the design allows this piece to be paired with almost every outfit, whilst still making a statement. I think this is going to look stunning with a low v dress or bodysuit! Also, I opted for the Charlene bracelet because I'm obsessed with the tassel trend that is still floating about the fashion industry. The innovative design completely drew me towards this product; it is going to look so cute paired with my summer outfits! Finally,  my love for statement earrings at the minute is explicit on my Youtube channel. I cannot stop buying large, crazy earrings as I think they are so cool and completely make an outfit. From Luv & Bart, I loved the look of these double chained star earrings. You can definitely dress these up or down, making them look classy on a evening out paired with a little black dress or alternatively, you could wear these with a festival inspired look (lots of glitter and tonnes of jewellery). Check out the rest of the jewellery range here!





THE HOPELESS ROMANTIC

If you're into the classic Valentine's gifts like myself, a beautiful bunch of flowers are a perfect way to keep a smile on my face. I love roses so much and have a gorgeous bouquet in my university room honestly brightens my day! It's crazy how much a bunch of flowers can increase my mood?! Anyway, Prestige Flowers kindly sent over one of their stunning luxury rose bouquets; partnered with an adorable little teddy bear and a box of chocolates. If you want to make your girls day, chocolates, flowers and a teddy bear is the perfect option. 12 red roses wonderfully gift wrapped in red decor arrive at your door in a safely packaged cardboard box. I was so surprised with the aesthetics of the brand and flowers - would definitely recommend Prestige Flowers not only for Valentine's, but for mother's day and birthdays too!

Shop the Luxury Bouquet here




THE ALTERNATIVE ONE

Something I always love to do for Valentine's is think of an alternative yet thoughtful gift for my boyfriend. I was searching for quirky, innovative Valentine's gifts that were universal and managed to find this incredible star print from Under Lucky Stars. This brand are super original and showcase a variety of personalised star maps that you can customise to fit any date, time and location, alongside chosing your desired colours and style. I love getting creative when it comes to gifts - personalisation is the perfect touch to make a present sentimental and well thought-out. Whether you want to visualise the starry night you had your first date, the time he proposed or your first born child, this gift will be sure to put a smile on anyone's face. I'm so excited to give my boyfriend this wonderful print of the day he asked me to be his girlfriend...it definitely isn't as romantic as it sounds. We were 14 years old, surrounded by a bunch of chaotic year 7's and on a school field. Haha, it's definitely a day that was special though as we are still together 5 years later!

Shop Under Lucky Stars prints here



THE PRACTICAL ONE

If your partner is into interior, homeware, organisation and presentation then this one is definitely for you. I haven't got the most wonderful spaces to work with, as I'm currently hibernating in university halls. However, if you want to purchase something practical for your loved one then have a look at some homeware sites. My absolute favourites are Home Sense, Coconut Lane, B&M (if you're on a budget) and Wilko. There are a huge range of shops that sell classic furniture to quirky decor to bring some life to your room.

Here are some of my favourite homeware ranges you NEED to check out:

Urban Outfitters
Paperchase 
Wilko
NEXT



THE BEAUTY ADDICT

The beauty lover is always a hard one to buy for, especially if you're a male that has no idea about makeup and the right brands to trust. One of my favourite affordable brands is MAKEUP REVOLUTION; they are an ever-growing company sold in Superdrug that house the most incredible all round palettes to beauty tools. Some of my favourite products from the Makeup Revolution range have to be the Soph X Revolution collection - I'm obsessed with both the eyeshadow and highlight palette. I honestly use the highlighting palette every single day without fail. If you are all about pigmentation and longevity, this palette is for you (treat yourself on Valentine's day...why not?!) The shades in the eyeshadow palette are super versatile, allowing you to experiment with a number of creative looks for under £10!

Shop Makeup Revolution here

Which was your favourite gift idea? What will you be spending your Valentine's day doing?

Lots of love


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Some of the products mentioned were gifted as a PR sample; however, all opinions are honest and my own.

Very Valentine's Collection 2018 | #VeryValentines

26 January 2018


Last night I was lucky enough to be invited down to London to attend an exciting event. Very.co.uk hosted a gorgeous party for bloggers and influencers, fit with atmospheric mood lit corridors, a selection of Very Valentine's brands, pink balloons and bottomless prosecco! The event was specifically dedicated to the Very Valentines collection in time for the special day next month. I'm someone who loves to celebrate Valentine's Day - it will be the fifth Valentine's this year with my boyfriend so we're planning to do something exciting! However, I believe Valentine's is a day to share love and affection for anyone in your life - it doesn't have to be a partner, you can just celebrate the unconditional love you have for your family and friends (or even yourself!)





Today was the first time I'd met one of my lovely internet friends, Chloe (Anomalous Chloe). We stopped of for a bite to eat in Pret before making our way to Mortimer Street, London. Walking into the venue, the fuschia pink lighting was atmospheric and made the entrance look aesthetically pleasing. After picking up a glass of prosecco, we had a chat with all the wonderful brands. Each brand that represented a segment of the Very Valentines collection had their own stand with a display of their products, roses and chocolates. Wonderbra even had coloured cupcakes that matched the colour of their lingerie...how amazing?! I was in awe of the beautifully decorated stands and the vast range of underwear Very.co.uk had to offer - there were a complete range of models and brands that catered from petite to plus size. It is great to see more brands recognising the great need to provide a larger size range for those who struggle to fit into the 'average' boundary.





The wonderful women representing the different brands were all so welcoming and approachable. Chloe and I had a chat to a fair few, giggling about the fact that we'd have to hop on our tubes home with our huge bags of lingerie. There were a variety of competitions available to win some amazing extra products alongside a super cool female DJ. She was KILLING IT - she looks so cool in her pink fur coat and played some great songs all night. The music was right up my street! Once we'd finished browsing the various lingerie on display, it was time to get snap happy and photograph the place some more. I'm obsessed with taking photos, especially at such an aesthetically pleasing venue like the one Very chose! The pink balloons were definitely my favourite feature.






After a great evening of snapping, chatting and drinking maybe one too many glasses of prosecco, it was time to head home. As we left the venue, we were given a 'Very' tote bag full of a tonne of products. I was super appreciative of this and couldn't wait to go home to see what was inside! OMG - I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the brands at the event had contributed a range of products. A stunning silver bracelet from Chlobo with a heart charm, the Vera Wang Princess Perfume, a Dorina pink metallic snakeskin bag, a Boux Avenue candle and so many beautiful lingerie pieces. Thank you again to Very.co.uk for hosting such a wonderful event and to Chloe for being the best company throughout the evening.

Chloe's Blog
Chloe's Channel 

CHECK OUT MY VLOG OF THE EVENT HERE!






Make sure to check out the Very Valentines Collection before it's too late!

Have you checked out the Very Valentines Day range? What are you doing this Valentine's Day?


Lots of love


Betty Box Subscription | January 2018

24 January 2018



A new obsession of mine is subscription boxes - being at university, it's such a treat receiving a parcel of unknown goodies every single month/week. Surprises like what this incredible Betty Box had to offer make the dreary winter days at university more pleasant. I'm definitely going to be sharing the variety of subscription boxes I will be testing out over the year. If you are looking to try out a subscription box (GIRLS ONLY), then this one may be for you...especially if you suffer with severe menstrual pains or mood swings like myself during your time of the month! I also have an AMAZING discount code to share with you so stick around to the end of the post as I have a feeling you may be tempted...



Betty Box
 provide girls with a vibrant coloured parcel every month to their door, specifically in preparation for your time of the month. A subscription service includes your choice of tampons/pads (the brand of your personal choice - I prefer Bodyform, TMI?!) Alongside day/night time sanitary products to secure you for 3-7 days of agony and emotion, you will receive a variety of pick-me-ups - usually a range of beauty, skincare and edible treats to brighten your day. I was honestly amazed by the wonderful goodies packed into January's Betty Box and was super excited to share the products I received with you all. 

You can also check out the Betty Box website if you want tips on teenage life, periods in general, how to cope with pain and females struggles. They have so many helpful and relatable articles available if you are ever feeling lonely in a situation. I'm also easily approachable and my struggle with periods has been awful so feel free to email me or message on social media if you want someone to talk to about your worries. I always reply!


Inside the Box

Alongside my chosen pads, you also receive an adorable mini drawstring bag to pop your sanitary products in and keep them secure in your handbag. This is so convenient for girls and a practical reminder to be prepared at all times. My periods are extremely irregular so a bag full of all the necessities are a must for my lifestyle! 
Moreover, the box contains a compartment entitles 'FOR YOU' - which, most obviously, contains items that are going to impact your wellbeing, put a smile on your face and give you the treat you deserve during your period. This is what I received in the January Edition of Betty Box:

Nip+Fab Teen Skin Fix Pore Blaster Facial Wash (RRP £6.99)
The first product I pulled out of the box is this incredible full size facial wash from one of my favourite skincare brands of all time - Nip+Fab. I am obsessed with their Teen Skin care range and was yet to try this facial wash. I'm so excited to see the effect this could have in my evening routine and will keep you all updated if it goes well. They also hinted that the following two Betty Boxes will come with step two and three of your skincare routine... I AM BEYOND EXCITED!

STABILO beYou! Roller Ball Pen (RRP £5.99)
Stationery is something that makes me happy - I love having a fresh set of stationery to start the (university) year. I received a strawberry themed pen from the wonderful STABILO, one of the best stationery brands out there! These pens are usable for both right and left handed, as well as refillable with standard fountain pen cartridges. You won't have to buy a new pen again!

Doisy & Dam Milk Chocolate (RRP £1.20)
This 40% cocoa crunchy almond butter snack was perfect to suffice my daily chocolate needs. I have the biggest sweet tooth so satisfying my lust for chocolate everyday is a must. This sweet treat is ideal to take to university for a snack during/in between lectures or likewise to take to work/school. I really love the mix of chocolate and nuts together so the rich taste of almond and milk chocolate was delicious. This little bar definitely met my craving standard!



Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment (RRP 18.25 for 200ml)
At university, it is super hard to maintain healthy, well-treated locks - shampoos and conditioners are bloody expensive?! Anyway, this hair treatment was a nice surprise in the January Betty Box as I now get to give my hair the TLC it has been needing. The winter seems to have drawn all the life out of my locks so hopefully five minutes with this treatment in will replenish my dry hair, making it feel hydrated and healthy. It also helps to protect hair from future damage too - a win, win!

Hoogly Tea Chill Out Mint Herbal Infusion (RRP £4.75 for box of 15)
Whenever I'm feeling down at uni, I always reach for a cup of tea - whether that be English Breakfast, green or any herbal infusion. I'm so happy to receive Hoogly's chill out mint tea - peppermint tea is one of my favourites of the bunch so I'm super excited to savour this, using it on a night when I'm been working all day and need to have a chilled evening in.

The Beauty Crop GRLPWR Liquid Lipstick (RRP £11.00)
OMG! When I saw a full sized liquid lipstick in this box I couldn't believe it. I've never heard of the brand 'Beauty Crop' before so I instantly had to test it out. The colour (Greige Expectations - a wonderfully innovative name that made me smile...I love Charles Dickens) was perfectly chosen. A nude-pink that would look gorgeous on any complexion. I swatched this both on my hand and lips; the matte finish and colour looked stunning. I also tried to rub this off my lips and it wasn't leaving me...the longevity and pigmentation is extremely high. If you are looking for a long-lasting liquid lipstick, then I certainly recommend checking out The Beauty Crop.

Vitamasques Slice Eye Pads (RRP £3.99 for 8 eye pads
Finally, the last beauty product in the box was a pack of Kiwi eye pads from Vitamasques. I love cute little skincare products like this - the ideal companion for a pamper night! All you have to do is pop the pads on over your eyes between 5-15 minutes and your tired eyes should feel renewed. Let me know if you've ever tried anything like this before, I cannot wait to try these out!


DISCOUNT CODE

The Betty Boxes retail at £12.99 per month; however, you can purchase packages that equally make the monthly expense cheaper if you buy in bulk. If you want to receive a huge 50% off your first box, then use my code below. It is so easy to cancel if you are not impressed or cannot quite afford to purchase every month.

OX0JE54ET1


Have you ever tried Betty Box before? What is your favourite subscription service?

Lots of love

Valentine's Gift Guide (GIVEAWAY!!)

19 January 2018



With February swiftly creeping up, I think it is about time to share a few Valentine's picks for this years gift guide. There may actually be a part two as I keep thinking of more and more ideas to buy your partner this Valentines! This time of year is spent celebrating love, whether you are in a relationship or not. You don't have to feel lonely or sad if you haven't found the 'one' - celebrate the love you have in your life by going out for dinner with your family or having a cosy night in with your best friends. Appreciate the wonderful people who love and care for you in your life right now, you don't need a partner to celebrate the 14th February! 




Love Drop Subscription Boxes

Love Drop are a business driven by passion and intimacy. There have curated the most beautifully displayed subscription boxes containing a range of 'date night delights for couples'. Although this box may not be your thing or seen as 'taboo', the aim of these thoughtfully filled packages is to help keep long term relationships healthy, exciting and fresh. At the top of the box a little leaflet is provided explaining the array of products and retail prices, alongside date night ideas and challenges to bring couples closer. From luxury condoms aiding safe sex to romantic candles and chocolate, the box is filled with all things you need to encourage time investment and effort into your relationship.  It is important that we don't shy away from talking about intimate, taboo topics like this in the open, despite the judgement we may receive from it.  If you want alternative date nights to be delivered to your door then click the link down below to purchase this bi-monthly subscription service.

Shop Here





Notebooks and Planners

If your partner is a crazy for organisation, then a notebook, planner or diary may be the perfect gift for her. It isn't always about the roses and chocolates - you may want to buy a special present that means something and that your partner will actually utilise. Although I'm also a chocaholic and flowers make me incredibly happy, I would be more than delighted to receive a thoughtful gift, alike a notebook for myself. Organisation is the key to my heart - list-making and mapping out my day/month/life is what I do best. I can honestly never have too many planners as I will always find a way to use each one to their own advantage. This is a bit of an alternative gift idea or just simply to inspire you to think of what your partner REALLY likes. You don't have to spend a fortune on designer jewellery or a huge bunch of flowers if your partner would appreciate something smaller and well thought out.

Shop Here





Printiki Prints

One of my favourite gifts to receive are photo prints. Having a hard copy of my favourite photos and covering my room with my favourite faces is something I think is so important. I'm making it an absolute priority in 2018 to print out all the photos I take so I have hard copies of all my memories - technology could fail you at the worst of times! The ultimate site to buy photo prints definitely has to be Printiki - if you are looking for those polaroid, retro print photos to spice up your room then Printiki has you covered. With a vast range of sizes and designs, you are now able to choose coloured frames and cut-out shapes (like the adorable heart above), as well as changing the font style. I love the look of all my retro prints hanging on my wall, intertwined with my fairy lights. Being surrounded by my favourite photos and memories in my university room is so important to overcome homesickness and missing my loved ones back in my hometown. If you haven't already, check out the link below to see more of what Printiki has to offer (photo books, posters etc).

Printiki Free Delivery Code4ERWBX4R 

Shop Here 





Feather and Down Giveaway

Finally, you've reached the fun part - the giveaway! Feather and Down are a perfect for encouraging self love or as a gift for someone who is in need of a good night's sleep. If you follow my vlogging channel, you will know that I never seem to rest well at university; despite the fact that I feel so safe and happy here. A good night's sleep is essential for functioning and improving motivation levels. Embedding Feather and Down products into your regime will ensure your beauty sleep is on it's way. All bath, body and skincare products are specially blended with chamomile oils and calming lavender to help you drift into a deep, heavenly sleep. I'm obsessed with the aesthetics of the brand and how the rich navy blue and gold complement each other perfectly. If you want to be in with the chance of winning a Sweet Dreams Calming Candle and Soothing Body Oil, then fill out the Rafflecopter below. This giveaway is international and will run for 2 weeks (ends 09/02/2018).




Do you have any alternative gifts for Valentine's? Are you doing anything special this year with your partner, friends or family?

Lots of love

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Some of the products in this post were complimentary PR samples; however, all opinions are honest and my own.

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