Ted Baker Lyla Purse Spray

Ted Baker is one of those brands that has surprised me in the beauty world. Be it a nail polish, nail file, a cream, lotion, potion, candle or perfume, I have never felt disappointed. The Ted Baker aftershaves have been a big hit with the mister and likewise the perfumes with me which you can read about here and here. Today I have a further offering from the Ted Baker perfume range and today it is all about Lyla**.

Lyla is the latest addition to the Sweet Treats range of perfumes which are aptly described as being purse sprays and as well as having Mia and Polly from this range and love them, so I had high hopes for Lyla.

Described as follows: "Quietly confident with an enchanting elegance, Lyla turns heads. Glamorous from head to toe and perfectly polished at all times, she is the girl everyone wants to be. With an enchanting elegance and infectious allure Lyla combines fruity top notes of bergamot, grapefruit and peach with soft floral extracts of jasmine and rose and an enticing base of amber, sandalwood, vanilla and musk". 

So with top notes of bergamot, grapefruit and peach, the mid notes being floral with both rose and jasmine, and a base of vanilla, sandalwood, amber and musk, you have a fragrance which hits both the floral and fruity notes without being too heavy on either. I personally am not a fan of Vanilla scents in anything at all, I find it too overpowering as a scent and it leaves me with a headache, even if it is in food, so I was a little unsure as to how I would find this perfume, but thankfully, whilst I can tell the vanilla is present, it doesn't stay long enough, the sandalwood for me becomes the dominant scent. 

Top notes are those scents that are perceived immediately on application of a perfume. The middle notes which are the ingredients used to make up the perfume, and can range from plant and flower extracts to fruity extracts and in this perfume we have Jasmine sambac and plush, darkly fruity black plum and Indian black tea. So the base notes, which are perhaps the most important because they determine how long a fragrance will last, and most fragrances have similar base notes which often include sandalwood, amber, musk or vanilla. The reason being is because there are only a certain number of notes that will last long enough on the skin to form the base of a fragrance.

Lyla is presented in a white box with rose gold detailing and the actual bottle matches the design of the box perfectly.   It has a frosted white finish bottle with a faceted glass detail on the lid with the initials TB being visible.

I really like this scent, it is one which has grown on me and it is one which works really well with the oils in my skin, it lasts all day whenever I apply it and for me it is a scent I would wear during the daytime rather than an evening scent, so it is perfect for work.  Priced at just £15 for the 10ml bottle, this perfume would make a great gift either for yourself, a female friend or even your Mum.  It is available exclusively from Ted Baker stores right now and is launching into Boots in the Spring.

Does Lyla sound like the perfume for you?

Ted Baker Hanging Fragrance Gifts

Ted Baker has some new miniature hanging fragrance gifts which would look amazing on any Beauty Bloggers Christmas tree or be a stocking filler if you so please.  One of each for the boys and girls, each set comprises of 4 individually wrapped 5ml fragrances** and 9ml fragrances** for boys and better still, once opened they slip straight into your handbag for a night out.

The girls set has four amazing fragrances which are:

• XO Sophisticated and Timeless - this fragrance has top notes of Orange Blossom which is combined with Gardenia Jasmine, Tuberose and has base notes of a powdery musk. 
• X20 Vibrant and Passionate - Star Anise, Grapefruit and Sparkling Green notes are blended with Heart of Magnolia, Mirabelle Plum and Water Lily. 
• W Beautifully Exotic - A charming blend of Fig Leaf Accord, White Peony and African violet teamed with Pink Orchid, Cassis and Raspberry are complimented with a warm Cedar and vanilla base. 
• Woman Floral and Spicy - A Light, fresh fragrance with fruity top notes of Bergamot, Tangerine, Lemon, Apple, Peach and Rum. Floral and spicy extracts of Jasmine, Fressia, Rose, Ylang Ylang and Cinnamon with a musky woody base of vanilla and Vetyver.

For the men folk we also have a set of four fragrances which are

• XO Fresh, Green and Woody - Designed for the men who like the finer things in life. Fresh Green top notes lead to a heart of aromatic woods, red berries and ginger roots. Mixed with base notes of pink pepper and warm sensual spices.
• X20 Spcy and Intense - Top notes of Tangerine, Tea and Cardamom with Lavender, Rosemary Spices and Violet Leaves and a base of Black Pepper, Sandalwood and Amber.
• Skinwear: Enticingly Aromatic - Fresh zesty extracts of lime, bergamot and lemon are blended with notes of Rosemary, Cypress and Juniper with an enticing base of Sandalwood, Amber and Musk
• M: Understated Sophistication - Top notes of Tonka Bean, Musk and Vertiver which are combined with Coriander, Amber and a rich Woody Base.

I am sure you will agree with me that these tree hangers are simply stunning and having just launched at Debenhams they cost just £22 for a set of four, or should you prefer £6 each.

What do you think to Ted's hanging fragrances?

My SS14 Wishlist

Every so often I see something and think "ooh I like that", make a note of it and then forget all about it. This wishlist is one of those, I have seen a dress or a top that I like, make a mental note to buy it or wait for the sale and then more often than not it is either too late or it is no longer available.

Here is my SS14 Wishlist

I never thought I would be someone to wear Jeggings, EVER but truth be told I really like them and find them comfortable.  The one and only pair I have from Asda, which are superb are no longer available so I have been keeping my eye on these skinny jeans which are very similar to the ones I have from the ASOS Curve Range.

F&F Clothing sometimes have some beautiful clothes in and the dress which you can see in the middle of my wishlist is from there, though sadly only now available in a size 6, I think it is stunning.

Ted Baker purses have appeared on more than one of my wishlists and one day I will get one in the sale, but for now, I have about 4 or 5 that I really like the look of and as soon as they hit the sale I will buy one.

MAC Lipstick, well yes Fanfare has become top of my target list.  I have read so much about it, love the colour and need to go and swatch it properly to make sure it is something I would wear.

The two tops in this post are both from Dorothy Perkins and are both in the sale which you can see HERE and HERE so I am currently debating whether or not to bit the bullet and buy them.  My problem is they are not normally tops that I would buy.  Neither of them have sleeves and I am conscious about my arms, but I think they are just so so pretty.

Make-up Revolution - Everyone is raving about this brand currently and it is a bandwagon I am yet to join and test, though I do have a palette from my BBB Bow to try.  The one item I do love the look of is the Baked Blusher and there are two which I currently love the look of - All I think about is you and Make Love Instead.

Fitflops - I bought my first pair about 6 years ago and they now look very tatty and in need of renewing.  That said they are the most comfortable pair of shoes I have EVER owned, if there was a holygrail for a flip flop then for me FitFlops would be them.  Recently I have kind of fancied these rather funky looking Fitflops called Bon Easy Sandal.  So as well as another pair of Fitflops which I will definitely be purchasing, I like the look of these too.

The final item on this list is from Marc Jacobs and as soon as I saw the bottle I wanted it.  Pink Honey as it is called is encased in this beautiful bottle, very similar to Honey itself only the bottle is a sheer pink and I love it.

What do you think to my list? Do you have any of the items on it? 

Do you have your own wishlist?

Nailing it with Ted Baker

Spring has arrived and summer isnt too far away and now is the time to ensure hands and feet are in the best condition we get them in so we can be wearing cute sandals and flip flops with toenails being painted some amazing shades and the same for our fingernails as the darker winter shades are final stored away and out come the lighter, happy bright colours.

With that in mind, Ted Baker have a list of beauty tools exclusively available in Boots that we need to use to achieve that beautiful manicured nail and pedicured foot look.

Teds New Buffer* which is a clever four sided nail file, comes encased in the beautiful foxglove packaging and it allows you to file, smooth, buff and polish in 4 quick steps.  This file is so handy, since I got my hands on it i have used it a lot and for £5 it is an absolute bargain.

Next comes Ted's nail clippers* which again have the same print packaging as the nail buffer and they have been designed for accuracy and ease to leave your nails looking trim and beautifully neat. Priced at £6 these clippers are a lot smaller than ones I am used to using, that said they fit perfectly in my make-up bag.

No Ted Baker collection is complete without some stunning nail polish and this time we have a set called Delightfully Dusk* which are described as being an iridescent pair of precious metals , Silver lining is a lustrous shimmer that when coupled with the prettier-than-pretty Delightfully Dusk, is designed to make you shine.  The photo below shows Delightfully Dusky which is such a beautiful dusty pink colour and when it catches the light, not only is it really sparkly, but there are also hint of silver too.  This duo is available for £8.50

What do you do to ensure your nails are in tip top form for the start of summer? Do you have any hints, tips and secrets we should all know about?

My Lottery Wishlist

Whenever you buy a lottery ticket, do you ever, whether on paper or in your head come up with a wishlist of things you would buy if you ever won?  I do all the time, I can't help it. The most I have ever won is £1500 and that little win didn't even scratch the surface of my wishlist.

So chatting with some friends of mine on Facebook chat today about lotteries and what they would buy if they won, it amazed me just how many different ways there are to play and win money - Euromillions, Irish Lottery, Health Lottery, Postcode Lottery, National Lottery, Thunderball to name just a few that come to mind.  Friends of mine across the pond play something called Powerball and I asked What is Powerball and was quickly told it is a form of Lottery with prizes starting at $40million dollars (wow).

Like most people my wishlist is huge, the list is endless and obviously I want want to make sure family and closest friends got to share my wealth, but once all of that has been done and dealt with, if money was no object what would I buy? Naturally I would want to go on hliday and one of my dreams is to go back to Las Vegas where beautykinguk and I got married before going on to Reykjavik which I am also really wanting to visit because I want to sit in a hot geyser!  Holidays aside, my wishlist is quite long, but these would be high up on my list:  

Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Soleste Band Ring - A ring with round brilliant white and Fancy Vivid Pink diamonds in platinum and 18k rose gold.  At a mere £11,400 it is unlikely I will ever own this ring unless I do win the lottery, but it is on my wishlist because it is just stunning and I love everything about it.

Canon D600 - Every blogger needs one and this particular camera is one I keep looking at and wishing I could afford to buy it, I have mentioned so many times how poor my photographs are on my blog and how I lust after some other bloggers photos with how fabulous they are - camera, I need you!

Hermes Birkin Bag - Well who doesn't want one? My only problem would be deciding on the colour, would it be a classic black version or something a little more out there and perhaps a coral colour?!

Creme De la Mer Asprey Ultimate Collection gift set - having seen this in Selfridges, the only thing I can say is that it looks amazing and has a price tag to match. I would love to know if this stuff is as good as all the 'celebs' claim it is and if I had the money to do it, I would quite happily work my way through the entire collection and then blog about it!

Jo Malone Signature Collection Gift set - I am dying to try some Jo Malone products and almost every one which has been suggest to me is featured within this gift set, so it would be mine!

Bvlgari moonphase Watch - I love Bvlgari watches they are stunning and I spend hours drooling over them.

Ted Baker Large Blue Cubic Print Flapover Purse - I have loved this purse from the moment I saw it and at £99 I can't quite justify purchasing it, though I do need a new purse as mine is clinging on my mere threads.  I just love everything about this purse from the design, to the zips, to the inside and think it is just fabulous.

*Written in collaboration with Lottoland

Treasured Orchid Range - Ted Baker

When Ted Bakers new and indulgent Treasured Orchid** bath and body range dropped through my letterbox to try, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.  Over the last few months, I have been really surprised at how good the Ted Baker Range is, whether it is a handbag perfume, nail polish or something for the man in your life, these products have been amazing quality.

The Treasured Orchid Range, is said to be inspired by Ted's latest fashion collection.  Described as being Beautifully Feminine, the print packaging which is a lovely shade of pink, is one that stands out.

The products I have been using are a hand cream, body wash and body spray which all feature the scent of rose, so if you are a fan of products with a rose scent, then these might just be for you.

The hand cream is a moisturising hand cream which is made with rose, sandalwood and raspberry, is white in colour and of a medium texture.  As soon as it comes into contact with the skin it absorbs itself instantly, leaving behind a floral yet fruity scent on your skin. It also contains Shea Butter which has natural moisturising properties.

The body wash, which is clear in colour with no tint to it again features rose, sandalwood and raspberry and the scent is similar, though not quite the same as the hand cream, it is much more of a floral scent.

The final product is the aptly described 'vivacious' body spray, in its clear plastic bottle with spritz applicator, the liquid inside looks the colour I would expect the hand cream and the shower gel to look.  once it has been spritzed, again with a combination of rose, sandalwood and raspberry and for me this is the one which has the fruitiest scent to it, the raspberry being more notable than the rose.

These products are available in Boots with prices starting at just £5.50 right up to £10 for a travel set and £15 for a gift box.  All of which make a lovely present and a great addition to your collection.

Ted Baker Purse Spray

When I took the Ted Baker test to see which Purse Spray I was most like, I was quite surprised.  The Purse Sprays comes in four different scents and are 10ml each in size, so they are perfect for popping into your handbag.

So here is the test - which one are you?

I spent a few minutes pondering my response to each question and my repsonses mostly matched B which is Polly.

So let me introduce Polly** to you:

Polly is described as follows "Girly yet grown up, Polly's a sweet Heart with a wild streak. For Ladies who like to spice things up, she's the ultimate partner-in-crime on a girl's night out.  This sweet floral aroma begins with juicy tones of mandarin, red berries and peach whilst the Heart entwines white jasmine, honeysuckle and peony with shades of vanilla, amber, patchouli and white musk in the Base".

As soon as I spritzed this on my wrist to get a scent, the first thing you notice is that mixture of floral and juicy tones together which smell simply divine. Once it has been sprayed the scent is fairly strong to begin with and once it settles down it lasts for hours and I can wear this all day at work and still smell it on my clothes when I am on my home after a 9 hour day.

I really like the bottle this perfume comes in, taking on the Ombre look with its purple bottle, the lid features the Ted Baker initials and really makes for a stunning finish.

Retailing at just £15, this perfume is perfect for carrying in your handbag and it looks pretty alongside the rest of your collection.

Ted Baker Last Minute Stocking Fillers for Him and Her

Okay so how many of you still have one or two last minute gifts to get and really do not want to be running around like a headless chicken?  Well look no further, I have some fantastic products that would make amazing stocking fillers for both him and her.

I have featured a few Ted Baker products on my blog in the last month and I am so impressed with them, I had to share them.  You can find Putting on the Glitz HERE gift set here which features an illuminating Highlighter, a bronzing compact, a Kabuki Brush and a Bronzing glow and if that isn't enough, you can find some Ted Baker eyelash curlers and nail buffer HERE.  All of these products arrive in fantastic packaging and can be found in Boots!

Today I have the Ted's Big swig gift set £12* and it features a 200ml hair and body wash, a 150ml body spray and a large water bottle. I really like the packaging within which these products arrive and it has the following description:

"For maximum performance with minimum sweat, the fresh, invigorating top notes of this (be)spoke Body Spray and Hair & Body Wash contrast neatly with this aerodynamically designed water bottle from Ted. After all, whether a grand tourer or a sprint specialist, everyone needs to whet their whistle from time to time! The Ted Baker Ted’s Big Swig gift set includes Hair & Body Wash that work in tandem with your physique to ensure you’re always oiled for choice, along with Body Spray as fresh as a bright yellow jersey...Saddle up!"

Then we have a gift for the girls, well two actually and they come in the form of nail polish duos.  First up we have Cherry Bomb Duo* £8.50. Described as:

"Put a little fizz in your day with Ted's girly and delicious Cherry Bomb, perfect for girls with a seriously cheeky side"

As you can see from the photos, the first shade is deep cherry colour which is absolutely stunning on its own, never mind with the addition of the sparkle called Sugar Rush, which I also adore.  

The second set I have is called Blue Moon Duo* £8.50 and as before there is a nail polish in a beautiful deep blue shade, so deep it is almost black, I absolutely love it and you can see how blue it is once the light catches it.  Add some sparkle called Space Dust and you add a bit more beauty to your nail colour.  Described as:

" The stunning Blue Moon is for girls who like to maintain a little mystery"

Now hopefully this post has given you some ideas for those last final few presents that you need to get to complete your Christmas Shopping.

Do you have any of these Ted Baker products?  Do you want them?

Ted Baker Stocking Fillers

I can't begin to tell you how impressed I am with the Ted Baker range* which is currently in Boots.  I have already introduced you to the 'Putting on the Glitz' gift set HERE and today I have two more products from the range.

The Ted Baker Eyelash Curler and Nail Buffer are naturally a must have for any beauty lover and infact both are staples within my own make-up bag.  Each item within the Accessory range is of a purse friendly friend and all under £10, so if you are looking for a stocking filler or three, then I would highly recommend the Ted Baker Range.

Encased inside this beautiful Pea Green Box with a cute little ribbon (hello Christmas Treet ornament) are the Eyelash Curlers which cost just £8. Inside the box the packaging gets even more beautiful with the flowery background.

As you can see the eyelash curlers, which are a sort of Rose Gold Colour, have the Ted Baker logo on them clearly for all to see and they are actually really sturdy, much better than the flimsy pair I got in a Glossybox which cost more than double the price of these should I want to purchase them.  They also do the job of curling my eyelashes really well.

Then we have the Emery board which costs around £6 and it comes in the same style packaging as the eyelash curlers.  The nail buffer has four different sides to it to really make your nails look fantastic with the option to file, smooth, buff and shine.  In keeping with the beautiful packaging the file side has the foxglove picture which you have on the inside of the box, clearly shown and it I have found it does a fantastic job at filing my nails.  The second side is the Smooth option and the purpose of smooth is to sort out any little ridges that might be present, this I learnt from having a manicure recently and then you work your way round sides 3 and 4 to buff and shine your nails.  The part I have been most impressed with is the shine side of the buffer because it really does help to bring about a shine to your nails.

If these are the type of products you really like, also within the range you will find some Tweezers, Emery Boards, Nail Scissors and Nail Clippers which comes with a case, again all reasonably priced between £5-£8 each.

As you can tell I am a huge fan of the Ted Baker gift section in Boots and love the everything about the products I have, in particular the lovely packaging which is not only eye-catching but really well designed.

What do you think to the Ted Baker products this Christmas?