LookFantastic Beauty Advent Calendar 2019 Review

It’s pretty obvious to anyone who reads my blog that I am quite obsessed with Beauty Advent Calendars and this year there are some amazing ones that you can still get your hands on - yes some of them have sold out!

The latest Advent to have me swooning is the Look Fantastic 2019 Advent Calendar which is not only beautiful to look at but is great value for money too. Inside the calendar, the value of the products is £420 with a price tag of £79 which is a massive saving of over £341! Better still, I love that this calendar doesn’t have odd products in it - think pencil sharpeners, nail files and sachets, instead it is 25 days of beauty.

This calendar comes housed in a very sturdy cardboard setting which is detailed with beautiful midnight blue and gold colourings. It opens to reveal all the drawers for 2019 and once you have opened everything up, it could very easily be re-used to either store your beauty products or even gift to a loved one the following year as an advent calendar you have created!

Lookfantastic has a huge range of products on their website and if you want to branch out and try new brands, then an advent calendar is a good place to start! If you don’t want to know what is hiding behind the doors of this advent then stop reading now but before you stop, you can grab this calendar right here, but be quick before it sells out!

Even though I am revealing the contents, I’ve decided not to share them day by day to totally ruin the surprise. Instead, they appear in no particular order but will all be found inside:

Contents

• Morphe 9A Palette (Full size)
• Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara (sample size)
• Omorovicza Queen Of Hungary Mist (deluxe sample size)
• Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment (deluxe sample size 30ml)
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (deluxe sample size 30ml)
• Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (deluxe sample size 40ml)
• Caudalie Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner (deluxe sample size 50ml)
• Luxie 121 and 141 brushes (full size)
• Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel (deluxe sample size 35ml)
• Illamasqua Nude Collection Lip Liner in the shade Raw (full size)
• Rituals The Ritual Of Ayurveda Dry Oil (deluxe sample size 50ml)
• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (20)
• Avant Skincare Moisture Surge Overnight Treatment (full size)
• Rodial Dragon's Blood Lip Mask (1 mask)
• Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Bath & Shower Gel (deluxe sample size)
• Prai Throat & Decolletage Crème (sample size 15ml)
• Lord & Berry black eyeliner (full size)
• Mellow Cosmetics Liquid Lip Paint in the shade Tehran (full size)
• Emma Hardie Moisture Boost Vit + C Cream (sample size)
• Delilah Cosmetics Brow Pencil (full size)
• Bubble T Limited Edition Bath Bomb (full size)
• Filorga Meso-Mask (sample size)
• Sleek Makeup Highlighting Palette - Solstice (full size)
• Neal's Yard Remedies Wild Rose Hand Cream (full size)
• BioEffect EGF Serum (deluxe sample size)

I love that some of my favourite brands are in this calendar such as Emma Hardie and Omorovicza, whom I constantly rave about on my blog.  This Calendar, has something for absolutely everyone and I would love to know if anything catches your eye?

PRICE

£79 with contents worth over £420

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Digestive Health & Your Skin

We all know the old adage “you are what you eat”. While some people may swear by it when it comes to having a healthy diet or trying to lose weight, how often do you think about what you’re eating and go “Oh, I know how this will impact my skin”?

To say your digestive system plays a significant role in how your skin looks and feels would be a giant understatement. While a good skin routine on the outside can help you moisturise and exfoliate to your heart’s content, what goes on inside can affect everything from eczema to spots in unwanted areas. Brands such as Nature's Happiness take into account different lifestyles, goals and rely on clinical research for their supplements, backed my science and a board of leading scientists, doctors and experts in nutrition.

 Photo by Imani on Unsplash

In this short post, we’ll be looking at some of the effects digestive health has on your skin and ways in which you can improve it without it seeming like a big deal. Before you know it you could be feeling fantastic on the inside and out. And it all starts with one incredibly simple thing: water.

Your digestive system LOVES water

Ever see those Instagram posts of celebs holding oversized water bottles and wonder to yourself “do you really need to have water ALL the time?” Well, you don’t, but it helps to know the relationship between h2o and how to glow.

As the NHS website points out, water encourages the passage of waste and helps break down nutrients much better. Your skin loves Vitamin D, and there are only certain foods that have a good level of it, like shrimp, tuna, and other seafood. Mushrooms are the best for vegetarians, though a lot of people really don't like the taste or texture of them, wholesale mushroom capsules or vegan supplements can be a good alternative.

 

Think of it like having oil your car to help it run smoothly.

You should know if you have a healthy gut

Pop quiz: how healthy is your digestive system?

Answer: you probably don’t know, but that doesn’t need to become a problem. You can actually go and get it checked out by a GP, consultant or private clinic. In the UK, clinics like OneWelback specialise in digestive health and help anyone know if their guts have underlying medical issues that could go unnoticed.

Examples would include IBS, celiac disease and Chron’s, with the latter supposedly affecting over 150,000 people in the UK.

Your digestive system is unforgiving

If you’re prone to being lazy and having ready meals or snacking on foods with saturated fats, your digestive system is going to process them thinking you need them and send them on their way. You tell your stomach it’s in for a hard time, and it’s going to repay you with spots and oily breakouts.

Your gut biome does a lot of juggling, and it’s believed that giving it a bad time can affect overall health. So while a packet of crisps might not be so bad, a diet that’s not in balance will put the gut under strain that can equate to bad skin.

In much the same way that I mentioned how someone might want to get their digestive health check out, if you’re someone who is prone to spots of outbreaks at random times, you might wish to play about with your current diet to see if a particular food acts as a trigger.

Now it isn’t fatty foods that cause problems. You might be surprised to know that some of these foods can trigger the growth of spots:

• Milk
• Bread
• Sugary drinks
• White Rice

All of the above are categorised as high glycaemic foods that when eaten, can cause elevated hormones. This, in turn, will send the signals that your body should increase oil activity on the skin and hey presto you have a whitehead popping up on your face.

It’s crazy how it all links together, but when you can home in on foods that might be giving your skin a hard time, you quickly be able to adapt and see changes.

Looking for some healthy skin inspiration in the lead up to Christmas?

Take a look at this updated guide to this year’s best beauty advent calendars, featuring brands like Your Beauty, Grazia, Debenhams and Cult Beauty.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The GLOSSYBOX x Bella Beauty Box 2019

Glossybox has teamed up with Bella Magazine to bring you an exclusive Limited Edition box and not only is it bright pink and looks amazing but it worth over £55, you can grab your box for only £15!

Described as being 'Perfect for fast-moving, busy women', the collaborative box is filled with quick-fix, multi-purpose products that will have you looking flawless in minutes. 

Inside you will find skin goodies, full-sized makeup treats and hair essentials all of which are suitable for everyone and are great for anyone who is constantly on the go, running late or simply just never finds the time.

I was really surprised to find such a lovely mixture of products within this box if I am honest, for just £15 I wasn't expecting to find the likes of Pixi Beauty or This Works.

The first product to catch my eye was Air Dry Cream Lite by Lee Stafford.  Not a product I have come across or used before but it is said to be perfect for busy women who want a blow-dried look without the time-consuming hassle of actually blowing-dry their locks, well that definitely ticks a box for me. This lightweight moisturising hair cream adds texture and lift to your tresses without requiring any heat. After washing and towel-drying your hair, dispense a brazil nut-sized amount into the palm of your hands and apply it from mid-lengths to ends. Then, style your hair as desired and leave it to dry naturally. You’ll be left with soft, moisturised and salon-worthy tresses!

Keeping with hair products and next is Batiste.  Now I have a love-hate relationship with this brand, it does such a good job at removing oils, especially for someone like me who has greasy roots, but I do find that it does irritate my scalp.  This particular product is the Batiste Dry Shampoo & De-Frizz, so not only is it ideal for what is referred too as second-day hair that needs a quick spruce, but this dry shampoo also smooths out frizz and tames fly-away. It has a blend of soothing coconut, green apple, melon and grapefruit makes your tresses feel soft and smell luscious.

The third item in the box is the NIP+FAB Glycolic Scrub Fix. Described as being a face exfoliator with 3% Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acids and fine-grains which work to refine, brighten and renew skin. NIP+FAB Glycolic Scrub Fix is said to work deep into your pores to cleanse, purify and tighten whilst preventing blemishes. With a fresh grapefruit scent, it does smell lovely and is one of those morning products to kick you awake.

A brand I got to know through beauty boxes and magazine freebies is Eyeko, more for the mascara than the product included within this box, the Eyeko FAT Liquid Liner.  Described as being an easy-to-handle chubby pen, it delivers big, bold lines with long-lasting carbon-black colour. Our blackest black glides on and stays on for a smudge-proof finish with conditioning algae extract.

Another brand that I got to know through Glossybox is This Works and in particular, the product included within this box which is the In Transit Camera Close-Up.  Described as being a handbag-sized gem that evens, plumps and brightens your skin, this product is a mask, moisturiser and a primer all in one and contains a powerful blend of repairing plant oils as well as a boost of caffeine to erase signs of fatigue and make your skin look radiant.

Finally, we have one of my absolute favourites from Pixi by Petra and that is the Fresh Face Blush in shade Beach Rose.  I am more of a bronzer fan than a blush fan but there is something about this shade that I adore. The powder is silky soft on the skin and it has a  natural mineral formula is infused with vitamin E and mica, so skin is treated as you wear it. It is also hydrating, long-wearing and light-diffusing and the colour on my skin is really natural.

This is a great box for just £15 and it would make a great stocking filler present for a loved one, Secret Santa, friend or even a treat for yourself.  There is a really nice mixture of contents from brands and it can be snapped up here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Bath and Bodyworks Stress-Relief Collection

Stress is part of life, it is something we all have to deal with at some point in time and for some, it is a daily occurrence, for others it is an every now and again. People have different ways of reacting to stress, so a situation that feels stressful to one person may be motivating to someone else.  For me, stress heads right to my shoulders and sits there like really painfully and if it is on-going my sleep pattern is disrupted more than it currently is and I am known to suffer from stress-eczema, so I try and do absolutely anything and everything I can.

I love hot baths, bubbles, essential oils, candles, masks for everything and of course a gin & tonic whilst shutting myself away from the world for at least an hour a week. That means no phone bleeping every two seconds, no-one ringing me... the occasional meow at the door because the kitty wants to see what I am doing and where I am, but we will forgive that for now.  What I have absolutely loved trying for a few months now comes from Bath and Body Works, a brand we don't have a store for in the UK right now, though we did use to have them many moons ago, from the Stress Relief Collection.

I have the Stress Relief Candles, Body Wash & Bath form as well as the Body Lotion. The whole range also comprises of a body scrub, a pillow mist, a bath soak, a bath bomb and so much more. They come as part of the aromatherapy range which has 4-5 different collections such as  - Relax, Focus, Comfort and Sleep but it was Stress Relief which stood out to me with its Eucalyptus and Spearmint fragrance.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil clears the mind. Spearmint Essential Oil soothes & uplifts.

For me, when I am stressed, I want products that are soothing, that help me relax and wind down and often that isn't something citrusy and uplifting if anything it can make me feel worse, so I opt for soothing scents and oils and this is partly why I am so interested in ingredients and essentials, I want to know what they do, why they do it and then work out which works best for me.

I am a huge fan of candles and as soon as I saw there was a Stress Relief Candle, I stocked up and now have four of them.  Bath and Body Works state that this is the Perfect 3-Wick Candle! It is made using the highest concentration of fragrance oils, an exclusive blend of soy-based wax and wicks that won't burn out.  What I love about BBW candles is that the wax melts evenly and as it does so, it allows the fragrance to travel the entirety of my flat and fill every room.  

All BBW candles come with a decorative lid, which because they are made of metal, double up as a coaster to ensure your worktop or sideboards are not burnt. This candle burns for approximately 25 - 45 hours, depending on how often you use it.

The second product within my collection is the Stress Relief Body Wash and Bath Foam.  I love that this doubles up to be used in a bath or a shower.  Described as being a fast-foaming body wash it is infused with soothing skin conditioners aloe & bamboo extract as well as an aromatherapy blend of essential oils & natural ingredients.  When it is used as a body wash the scent comes to life whilst you are under the shower and if like me you prefer the water to be on the warmer side of things, it literally helps clear any cobwebs from the mind.  In the bath, you only need one or two pumps and you have bubbles a-plenty and the same incredible scent. 

One product I rarely use is a body lotion, I am lazy if it comes with a spray I use it, if I have to stick my hands in it, the chances are I won't.  However, I really wanted to try the Stress Relief Body Lotion which is described as being an ultra-creamy, fast-absorbing body lotion with nourishing shea butter & Vitamin E. It is formulated to give your skin long-lasting moisture.  As with the Body Wash and Bath Foam, this too uses an aromatherapy blend of natural ingredients and essential oils which benefits body, mind and most definitely your mood.

Sleep for me comes and goes, if you follow me on Instagram or every watch my stories, you will probably notice that I am awake in the dead of the night, so anything I can do to aid sleep, I am doing it.

The Stress Relief Pillow Mist is a product I absolutely love, it not only makes your bed linen smell absolutely amazing but it is a wonderful product for bringing about calmness, especially if you are agitated or as my Nan would say "got ants in your pants" and you just cannot relax. 

A fairly new product for me to try is the Pocketbac Hand Sanitiser, but as it is the season of colds, flu and general illnesses, I thought now would be a good time to give it a try and as luck would have it, they had one within the Stress Relief range.

Said to kill 99% of germs, this hand sanitiser is incredibly pocket-friendly and again, the scent is exactly the same as every other product mentioned so far, but for me, the spearmint is just slightly more potent within this gel than it has been in anything else and it is really refreshing to use.  Whether or not it protects against germs remains to be seen, but I am using it!

I go through tube upon tube of hand cream and until now, I had never tried one from Bath and Body Works, so I have the Stress Relief Hand Cream sitting on my desk.

Alongside the Eucalyptus and Spearmint Essential Oils, this hand cream also uses shea butter and vitamin E which not only absorb quickly into the skin, but they also leave your hands feeling soft, smooth and nourished plus that minty scent is again quite noticeable and really uplifting. 

The final item within my little Stress Relief collection is the Bath Salts.  Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know that I am a huge fan of bath salts and think they are totally underrated and people should use more of them.

From Bath and Body Works these slats are said to help relieve stress after a long day and honestly, they do just that. I am yet to find a bath salt that does absolutely nothing for me and I have tried a lot. With these salts, the advice is to lie back and soak in the healing properties of these therapeutic bath salts which use purifying sea salt and a blend of essential oils, those oils being Eucalyptus Essential Oil which helps to clear the mind and Spearmint Essential Oil which soothes and uplifts.

Where can you get Bath and Body Works Products in the UK?

As you can see, this is quite an incredible aromatherapy range from Bath and Body Works and it is one I am just absolutely loving. Having tried quite a lot of the range, I really do want to try the Sugar Scrub, Bath Milk and the Bath Fizzer to pretty much complete the collection!

A few people have already asked where I get my Bath and Body Works products from and the answer is Facebook groups.  There are two groups that I use to be on the lookout for products from Bath and Body Works and the people within them are amazing and so helpful.  If you want to know the name of the groups, please do ask me and I will share them with you.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

GLOSSYBOX ADVENT CALENDAR 2019

Glossybox has had some incredible beauty boxes during 2019 and many of them have sold out as quickly as they have gone on sale. Again, they are back with their second advent calendar ‘It’s The Season to Be Glossy’ and if it is anything like the 2018 calendar, then it is set to be amazing.

Inside the advent calendar, you will find 15 of the 25 products are full-size and there is a really good mixture of make-up, skincare, body and hair brands. 

The overall value of this calendar is £370.  Rather than spoil what is behind each door in order, below is a list of contents and what each one is, so if you don't want to see what is inside then the calendar look away now, but what you do need to know is that the calendar priced at £70 for subscribers and £80 for non-subscribers here

CONTENTS

MUA MAKEUP ACADEMY PRO/ BASE Primer Oil with Gold Flakes / Full Size (RRP £4) - Described as being a super absorbent facial priming oil formulated with gold flakes to add luminosity leaving a radiant, flawless and dewy finish.

MITCHELL & PEACH Flora No.1 Bath Oil 15ml / Deluxe Mini (RRP £8.05) -  Featuring the oils of Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Violet and Lavender, the oil leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth and lightly scented.

SLEEK MAKEUP Matte Me – Birthday Suit / Full Size (RRP £4.99) - This is a pink-toned nude which when applied leaves a matte finish. It is a liquid lipstick that glides on in one smooth application, with no need for a second coat. It has a light as air texture provides you with comfortable wear for hours.

LIVING PROOF Perfect Hair Day (PhD) In-Shower Styler 30ml / Deluxe Mini / (RRP £5) - I am a huge fan of Living Proof and this is a product I have been wanting to try. Described as being an innovative styler that is applied in the shower and lightly rinsed, leaving behind only what you need to create beautiful air-dried styles.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Shadow Palette – Warm Neutrals / Full Size (RRP £16.00) - I love my nude and neutral palettes and this one calls my name. Featuring 16 high-performance eyeshadows in a rainbow of tone-inspired shades. On the palette, you will find what is referred to as a vivid mix of velvety-rich textures and mesmerizing finishes that range from mattes and satins to shimmers and metallics.

CHLOÉ Nomade Eau de Parfum 5ml / Deluxe Mini (RRP £7) - Described as being the perfect day to night fragrances, Nomade is said to belong to the floral chypre family it has notes that include Mirabelle plum, freesia and oakmoss. I haven't been much of a fan of the other Chloe fragrances, but this one, I do like.

GLOSSYBOX Blending Sponge / Full Size (RRP £10) - Everyone needs a blending sponge within their stash and this one I rather like too.

NUDESTIX Cream Lip & Cheek Pencil / Full Size  (RRP £20.00) - Described as being a contemporary, multi-purpose adaptation is a liner, lip tint and cheek cream in one – double-ended with a built-in sharpener for frustration-free and easy skin enhancement.

DERMALOGICA Daily Superfoliant 13g / Deluxe Mini / (RRP £17.50) - Described as being a charcoal-based powder exfoliant helps remove air pollution particles that can enter pores and accelerate skin ageing. It also helps detoxify pores for firmer, healthier-looking skin.

KAT VON D BEAUTY Tattoo Liner Liquid Eyeliner / Deluxe Mini (RRP £6) - An award-wining product that most people will have heard or of used but this eyeliner is described as being a vegan, highly-pigmented formula which features all-day-long wear that is both waterproof and smudge-resistant.

STEVE LAURANT Lip Tint / Full Size (RRP £17) - I had never come across the brand until Glossybox but the Lip Tint is described as being gorgeously creamy, cruelty-free, hydrating, highly pigmented but long-lasting.  

THE BODY SHOP Hand & Nail Cream 30ml / Full Size (RRP £5) - I already know the scent of my hand cream but I won't ruin it for anyone else.  The Bodyshop describe their hand creams as being light, nourishing, non-greasy texture which is infused with a light fresh fragrance. The gel-cream formula absorbs quickly, helping to soften and protect the hands.

LUXIE, Inc Angled Shading Rose Gold Brush / Full Size (RRP £9.50) - This brush is said to be perfect for sweeping highlight over the brow bone, defining your crease, or blending out the outer corners of your eyeshadow.

LA SPLASH COSMETICS Wickedly Divine Eyeliner / Full Size (RRP £12.25) - Said to be an intensely pigmented, Eyeliner which dries in seconds to deliver long-lasting, smudge-free results. It comes with a fine-tipped brush for effortless application.

WINKY LUX Uni-Brow Pencil & Spoolie / Full Size (RRP £15) - Described as being a universally flattering pencil works on every brow. It has a triangular-shaped tip which can be used at the pointed end to draw small hairs and at the chubby end to fill in sparse patches. You can then polish your look by brushing product through with the custom spoolie tip.

DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE Professional Grade IPL Dark Spot Concentrated Serum 7ml / Deluxe Mini (RRP £23) - This is a brand I really want to get to know as everyone raves about it.  This particular product is described as being a soothing serum that helps to improve skin’s radiance and tone. Formulated with l-ascorbic acid, lactic acid, kojic acid, alpha-tocopherol and liquorice root extract it helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles while combating the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and dullness. It also helps to clear and brighten the skin while defending the complexion against environmental aggressors.

3INA MAKEUP The Cream Eyeshadow 313 Light Brown/ Full Size (RRP £12.95) - I adore this shade and 3ina describe it as being a long-lasting eyeshadow for intense, shimmery magnetic colour for all-day wear. It is also waterproof.

CURAPROX BE YOU Candy Lover Toothpaste 10g / Deluxe Mini (RRP £3) - Admittedly Toothpaste isn't something that excites me the most within this advent calendar. However, described as a taste sensation with watermelon and refreshing menthol, ice-cold fireworks for your mouth and gums.

NUDE BY NATURE Touch of Glow Highlight Stick 5g / Deluxe Mini / Worth £9 - Described as being a versatile stick for easy highlighting, creating points of light, intense colour and luminous sheen.

RITUALS Rituals of Sakura Body Cream 100ml / Deluxe Mini / Worth £8.41 - A cream which is rich, velvety and whipped, this is an amazing luxury to use.  once on the skin it has a creamy texture that absorbs quickly to deeply nourish, soften and moisturise. Using the properties of antioxidant Vitamin E and Centella Asiatica to leave your skin feeling silky, supple and smooth.

DR.PAW PAW Original Clear Balm 10ml / Deluxe Mini / Worth £3.95 - If you like a multi-use product then this one is one to try.  Described as being a multi-purpose weapon against all kinds of skin problems it uses fermented PawPaw as the main ingredient and it boasts natural healing qualities and is said to be one of nature’s finest remedies. The balm has a plethora of uses; it’s perfect as a skin protector, moisturiser, nappy cream, lip finisher, for sunburn, skin irritations, as a hair conditioner and for any other skin related purpose you can think of. 

AVANT SKINCARE Pro-Intense Hyaluronic Acid Illuminating Day Cream 50ml /Full-Size £98 -  Said to combine the signature ingredients Hyaluronic Acid, Sea Water, Jojoba oil and Soy Lecithin, the cream helps your skin retain moisture, balance oil and sebum production for an even skin tone. Its powerful moisturising properties help to keep the skin hydrated, making it an excellent additive for mature, dry, or overworked skin.

BARRY M COSMETICS Blusher Quad / Full Size £5.99 - Described as being a highly pigmented matte and shimmer blusher powders. In 4 unique shades, they’re perfect for natural, buildable colour that lasts all day. Tge blushers can be used individually or mixed together.

NAILS INC Nail Polish – Golden Days Ahead / Full Size / £11 - A beautiful gold metallic nail polish which will be perfect for the festivities which are drawing ever near.

TARTE COSMETICS Park Ave Princess Chisel Palette / Full Size (RRP £40) -  This is the biggie for Glossybox and it is a stunning palette.  Said to feature six Amazonian clay-infused bronzing and highlighting powders in magnetic removable pans, all housed in a gorgeous rose gold bar palette. Boasting four universal bronzing powders in shades Carat, Princess Cut, Angle and Crown of which two are matte and two are shimmers.  You will also find Halo and Enhance which are two matte highlighters, this palette is quite stunning and I am so glad I have got my hands on it. There is also the inclusion of a brush, which as palette brushes go, this one is pretty darn good!

I am really impressed with this calendar.  I love that there is a real mixture of products with everything from high street brands to higher ends brands.  There is makeup, fragrance, skincare, body care, hair care and hand care not to mention the beautiful way everything is packaged.

PRICE

£70 for subscribers and £80 for non-subscribers and it is selling out quickly, so grab it right here.









*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Importance of ‘Sort Your Life Out Saturday’

Over the course of a busy week, it’s easy to lose track of those pesky little jobs. And the temptation is always there to put them off until another day. Well, that approach isn’t going to work in the long-run; you need to tackle those tasks in one go over the course of the weekend. Don’t worry; done right, and ‘sort your life out Saturday’ can be followed by ‘put your feet up Sunday’.

Photo by Marten Bjork on Unsplash

Preparation

If you’re going to get the most out of the effort, then you’ll want to do a little bit of planning. Write down everything that you intend to do, and cross each entry out as you complete the relevant task. Also, a quite nice way to look back and see what you’ve achieved over the day.

Household Chores

Keeping a household in good condition means performing several dozen small tasks, from unblocking sinks to vacuuming landings to changing sheets. Most of us will find it impossible to keep all of these in our head. Changing a bulb in your desk lamp, for example, is a task that might be forgotten for weeks.

Set a schedule, and enter reminders into your phone. That way you’ll know exactly what you need to do every time Saturday rolls around. You’ll even find apps that help you to do this efficiently. Of course, if you’ve been putting things off, you’ll probably need to do everything at once. Set up a cleaning playlist and get going as soon as you’ve finished breakfast. You can start by doing the dishes.

Meal Preparation

If everything you eat is entirely improvised, then it’s unlikely that you’ll eat well. With a little bit of meal preparation, on the other hand, things become much easier! To do that requires a little bit of preparation and planning at the weekend and a steady supply of Tupperware boxes. If you’re making a big meal on Sunday, like a roast, then the leftovers can serve as the basis for the rest of your intake throughout the week.

Food Shopping

Food shopping is an essential task. While a surprising amount of people try to get by on dried, canned, and take-away food, the reality is that you need fresh stuff to live a decent quality of life, and that means weekly trips. Make a shopping list and get down to your preferred supermarket, preferably at a time when it isn’t going to be heaving. If you’ve got an hour or so spare on a Friday evening, you might find life easier. Alternatively, you can simply shop online, saving all of your purchases in a basket that’s remembered every week, which is also a brilliant way to keep track of your budget if you’re trying to save some pennies.

Taking Time for Yourself

All of this hard work is going to take it out of you – especially if you’ve spent Monday to Friday with your nose to the grindstone. It’s therefore worth including a reward in your plans. It doesn’t have to be a big thing; some time soaking in the bath or curled up on the sofa with a book will help to make the effort worthwhile.

How do you get yourself Saturday ready?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar - Full Contents Reveal

The 2019 Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar launches today and these calendars are just so popular because the price makes them affordable at just £40. The 2018 Marks and Spencer Calendar cost just £35, so it isn't much an increase.  This one takes on the shape of a Star, a favourite design for 2019 Beauty Calendars and it features beauty products that you will find in the M&S beauty department from both top brands and also M&S own brand.

 If you haven't been into your local M&S Beauty Hall of late, it is well worth taking a look because there is so many amazing brands available.  The contents of this 2019 Calendar are worth over £300 but to get your hands on it, you need to spend £25 on beauty, clothing or homeware. If you don't want to see the full content reveal, then stop scrolling now.

CONTENTS

• FILORGA NCEF Reverse Moisturiser 7ml
• Nails Inc Nail Polish Weekend Millionaire 10ml
• Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Balm 75ml
• Shay & Blue White Peaches Natural Spray Fragrance 10ml
• Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 30ml
• NUXE Crème Prodigieuse Boost Multi-Correction Gel Cream 15ml
• Emma Hardie Purifying Pink Clay Detox Mask 20ml
• Philip Kingsley Body Building Weightless Shampoo 60ml
• PRAI Ageless Throat & Decolletage Night Crème 30ml
• This Works Sleep Together Calming Spray 75ml
• L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 10ml
• M&S Pure Super Hydrate Day Cream SPF15 30ml
• M&S Coconut Body Butter 50ml
• REN V-Cense Night Cream 30ml
• M&S Formula Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream 15ml
• M&S Formula Absolute Total Lip & Eye 15ml
• Autograph Luminosity Radiant Skin Primer 15ml
• Autograph Kohl Eye Liner
• M&S Dual Action Eye Brush
• EYEKO Lash Alert Mascara 4ml
• Skyn Iceland Minty Lip Fix With Glacial Water 12ml
• STILA Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick 1.5ml
• Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser with Damask Rose 30ml
• PUR Afterglow Highlighter 2.5g
• AVEDA Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair 100ml

As you can see, there is some amazing brands included within this calendar and I really like the inclusion of M&S own brand Autograph, which is a really good brand.

PRICE

£40 when you spend £25 on Clothing, Home and Beauty in-store or online.

LAUNCH DATE

October 31st at Marks and Spencer.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Jana Reinhardt Jewellery - Penguin Necklace + Giveaway

One of my favourite parts to visit London Zoo is Penguin Beach.  To stand and watch the penguins go about their business, watch those of us who are enamoured with them and pose cheekily for photos like absolute pros to the delight of visitors.  Jana Reinhardt jewellery which is simply stunning and very much unique has managed to capture the characteristics of the Penguin so incredibly well, I just love this necklace and I hope you will too.

Jana Reinhardt with her husband Ross is based in Worthing, West Sussex, having left the London behind in 2012 and achieved their dream of living and working by the sea. All of the jewellery is made entirely by hand using the old methods of fabrication and wax carving. Minute imperfections are embraced. Each piece is unique.   The Penguin teaches you about having grace when it comes to your actions and emotions. You possess the strength and the fortitude to live with and overcome struggles.  They teach us about having grace and strength and the fortitude to overcome struggles. They understand the concept of teamwork and utilise it regularly to get what they want.

All of the above are characterised within this Penguin Necklace, everything from the flippers to his tiny beak and even his eyes which grab your attention.  For me, I love that this necklace has been handcrafted here in the UK and as well as being available in 925 Sterling Silver, it is also available in 9ct or 16ct solid gold and platinum or 22ct yellow gold vermeil, as well as 18ct, rose gold vermeil.  The Penguin himself is measured at 15mm high and 11mm wide and it most certainly stands out when it sits on the accompanying necklace chain which is not only hand polished to a high shine but the chain is also adjustable, so there is the ability to change how high or low the Penguin sits.

This necklace is priced at £95 and it can be engraved with initials for a further fee. However, I am giving one of you the chance to win this beautiful necklace for yourself. All you have to do is to complete the Rafflecopter below, making sure you complete those mandatory steps.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules

– This giveaway is open internationally.
– One winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter
– Entrants under 18 must seek parental permission before entering this giveaway.
– There is no purchase necessary to enter this giveaway.
– Information you give when entering this competition will remain confidential and will not be passed onto anyone else.
– ALL entries will be checked and verified, with any incomplete, false or duplicate entries being removed from the giveaway entirely.
– The Jana Reinhardt team kindly gifted me this necklace and I’ve decided to offer it to one person as giveaway prize.
– The winner will be both be notified by the email address given and will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner/s don’t respond within 48 hours, an alternative winner/s will be selected via Rafflecopter’s randomiser.
– This is not a sponsored giveaway
– The item will be posted to the winner to the address that they have given to me via email within 28 days of replying.


*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.