Moving = Stress!

I hate moving. Well I love it because it is about newness, putting a stamp on your own place and spending hours fawning over paint sample pots and Ikea catalogues, but I actually find it really really stressful, infact moving to the home we currently live in was more stressful than waiting for my degree results, organising a wedding in 6 weeks and being the foreman of a jury at a massive trial!  Once you begin there is just so much you need to think about.

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At work, I found it really stressful moving one floor whilst we had some painting and decorating done, as well as a new carpet being laid and some new windows installed.  I was responsible for the whole lot, it sort of comes under my ever-growing work title, and again I know nothing about half of these things, it isn't something I have to deal with on a daily basis and it takes me totally out of my comfort zone, whilst being a bit of a learning curve.  Thankfully, I do have some friends who work in the legal sector who are always on hand to help out, advise and help me work through legal matters.

Finding the right legal services is so important, it doesn't matter where the come from, it could be as simple as choosing Cambridge Estate Agents whilst living in London, to using your friend who runs a firm at the end of the road. What matters is that it feels right to you.  There is so much to think about and most of it costs money, so getting it is right is really important.  When we moved we needed someone who specialised in leaseholds and freeholds and then came structural surveys and the never ending wait for your mortgage approval, even if you know it is going to happen, that dreaded wait is just so terrifying.

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But none of this should be the case and having the right help could make it all go much more swimmingly and after all, this is an exciting time, a new start and a chance to get your inner Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen out!

Do you find moving stressful? Do you have any tips should I ever want to do it again?

**This post contains a sponsored link.

Jo Malone Christmas Cracker

I am totally new to Jo Malone, of course I know all about the brand and have been green with envy at some of the products people have bought or been given, some sound truly amazing and others I simply need in my life, but haven't quite got round to sorting it out.  Then the lovely Louise from LouLovesBeauty held a giveaway just before Christmas to win a Jo Malone Christmas Cracker, which I had looked at many times whilst in John Lewis, but I've never actually bought anything, so I am mighty glad to have won the giveaway!

The cracker itself is as you would expect it to be. Designed in the well known Jo Malone packaging with the cream background with black letters, it is hard not to like it just for that purpose.  Tied at either end with a red ribbon, it looks exactly like a cracker you would put on the dinner table to pull on Christmas Day (multiple versions of this would be amazing!).

Inside the candle it is filled with three gifts which comprise of. a mini 9ml perfume (Lime, Basil and Mandarin), 15ml body lotion (Nectarine Blossom and Honey), and 15ml body wash (Blackberry and Bay) which is a perfect introduction to just some of the products you can purchase from Jo Malone.  

As each product is a mini, you don't get much use out of the body lotion, there certainly isn't enough to cover your body once, but there is enough to moisturise both arms and hands which really lets you see how amazing the scent is, it is one I could easily get used to using.  

The shower gel again seems exactly as the name suggests it too and possibly not a scent I would personally purchase, but it is nice enough and is incredibly moisturising, the perfect size for a weekend away with a bit of luxury.

Finally the perfume, now for me 9ml is a brilliant introduction in the world of Jo Malone perfumes and there are a few I have my eye on, the main object of my obsession being Peony and Blush Suede which I personally think is the best scent.  That said Lime, Basil and Mandarin is both fragrant and refreshing, the combination of the citrusy limes and mandarins with the aromatic herby basil is one great scent and it lasts for hours and hours on the skin, for me becoming more stunning as it settles and fades slightly.

I am really pleased with this cracker and am so glad that I was lucky enough to win it, the downside for the Hubs is that I now desperately want to try a candle and get my mitts on another perfume! Well Valentines Day isn't that far away!

Are you a Jo Malone fan? do you have a favourite scent/product? Is there anything you really rate and recommend?