Secret Valentine with Hotel Chocolat

Just over a week ago, I received an email last to let me know that:

Your blogger pal has asked me to send you something delicious from the Hotel Chocolat Valentines range to enjoy this Valentine’s Day and it would be my pleasure to do just that.
If you’re dying to know who your Valentine is, don’t worry! All will be revealed when you receive your chocolates.

So when this huge box turned up at home, it felt as though someone had sent me the entire Hotel Chocolat store. Anyway, eager to find out who my blogger pal was, I looked inside to find a card which said: 

So the lovely Laura from Petit-Moi bigworld was the person behind this. Laura and I chat most days about everything, not always blog related I have to admit, but it is a friendship that I really value and being sent this gift really put a smile on my face.

Inside the box was this huge gift bag, which contained the following gifts:

The Sleekster Valentines Selection which contains 27 heart-shaped chocolates filled with lovingly soft centres, including the Caramel Dizzy Praline and Balsamic Caramel - yes my mouth was watering as I was typing this description. Unsurprisingly they taste just absolutely amazing and I just cannot pick a favourite, there is something for everyone. 

Whether you like a Zingy lemon and red berries mellowed in a light and creamy white chocolate truffle, a rare cocoa truffle with natural notes of raspberries and cherries and a whisper of coffee, a Light London dry gin truffle with plenty of juniper notes and fresh citrus zing or The silkiest, smoothest dark hazelnut praline in mellow caramel chocolate, you will struggle to decide which chocolate to eat first.

If that wasn't enough there was also a small box of chocolates called Wink Wink which has the following description - "Give someone a wink and a nudge in the right direction this Valentine’s Day, with this pack of five sweethearts, cast in deep, intense 70% dark chocolate. Perfect for leaving on pillows, desks, or popping into your beau’s bag for a bit of flirtatious fun".   Well no one will be getting any of these and I won't be leaving them as gifts because I am not good at sharing and I might have already eaten them - oops!

If none of those take your fancy, then there is an entire section dedicated to Valentines Day. Thank you Laura and Hotel Chocolat for choosing me to be one of your #HotelChocolatValentines

Birchbox Slimbox

I love beauty boxes, there is something quite exciting about getting home from work to find a box waiting for you either on the doorstep. However,  more often than not,you get home to be greeted with the "sorry you were out" card knowing that. You dare to look on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or your blog reading list, everyone will have their box and will be merrily posting about it. So Birchbox have decided that to save us all from having to wait that extra 12/24 hours extra waiting should it your box be at the sorting office because they are introducing Slimbox!

So, the idea of Slimbox is that instead of the regular box, this one has been slimmed down to postbox size which means even with the outer packaging, it will fit through most standard sized letter boxes and it is so well made, it remains in tact having come through your letter box.  As you can see it has most definitely been slimmed if you look at the difference between the box I had in January and this one!  

So, inside your Slimbox, you still get your five/six decent sized sample products and within this box, which I have to say is just brilliant, the contents are: as follows:

T London Darjeeling Hand and Body Lotion - A light, silky, floral come citrus body lotion which smells absolutely delightful. Inspired by the delicate, reviving aroma of Darjeeling tea, this silky-soft lotion is packed with jojoba and aloe oils to moisturise and the subtle fragrance of Darjeeling to lift the spirits and renew the skin. This is a 50ml size which is brilliant.

Liz Earle Beauty Co Botanical Shine Shampoo - I am pretty new to the world of Liz Earle, so I am excited to see this product within the box.  Said to include West African shea butter, natural source vitamin E, shine-boosting apple and orange extracts plus naturally derived cleansers, this shampoo gently cleans without stripping to leave hair soft, shiny and smooth. Contains no sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate.  This again is a 50ml sized bottle and I cannot wait to try it.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum - I am a huge fan of Caudalie products, especially the oils, so this is a product I am looking forward to trying. Described as being an oil-free serum which uses powerful grape-derived viniferine to promote even tone and a glowing complexion; fading the look of pesky dark spots and preventing them from making an unwelcome appearance. It is perfect for all skin types and the luxe formula is free of irritating ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals. This is a 10ml sample.

the Balm Cindy Lou Manizer - this is a product I have heard and read a lot about and have never tried, so whilst it is quite a small sample, I am really looking forward to giving it a try.  Described as being a three-in-one highlighter, eyeshadow, and all-over shimmer it uses light-reflecting silica particles conceal blemishes and fine lines, while the honey colour leaves a sheer wash of shimmer.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in Black is the final product in the box and it is a full sized product worth £11.  Not a brand I have heard of before but it is a kohl pencil which is described as being a luxe, creamy liners deliver bold color that lasts and lasts. 

The final item in the Slimbox is from The Chia Co and it is a sachet of Oats and Chia. Not something I have every tried and I see so many people adding Chia seeds to everything that I can now find out what all the fuss is about. They come in a range of three flavours which are Banana and Mango, Apple and Spice or Mixed Berry which is the option I have.  The description is "Wholegrain oats and sun ripened chia are blended with the finest quality fruit and virgin coconut oil to give our ‘just add hot water’ Oats+Chia a creamy, dairy-free texture". 

So there you have it, the very first Slimbox which I think is just absolutely brilliant. It is packed full of brilliant products, all of which I have never used before, so it is even more exciting and the packaging is just brilliant, no more trips to the sorting office! Regular subscribers of Birchbox can opt to have their February box as a Slimbox. Birchbox costs £12.95 per month and this included postage and packaging.

What do you think to Slimbox? Are you wanting to sign up/swap your box over to it?