THE BODY SHOP FRAGRANCE OILS

It’s fair to say that candles, play a big part in our lives – dramatic much? Lets be honest though, bloggers love candles. They make good props to have in photos and it seems to be a unwritten rule to have one burning in the background of a Youtube video. There are a few popular brands out there that often make the cut; Yankee Candle, Flamingo Candles and also Lily Flame. Now I am a fan of course, especially of fresh or vanilla scents to keep my home smelling nice but purchasing candles on a regular basis can start getting pricey. I decided to switch things up a bit and try out home fragrance oils instead. A few weeks ago The Body shop had a bit of sale on, with an added 40% code I decided to give their oils a try. With the discount the final price was £2.40 per oil which wasn’t bad at all. I figured if they weren’t a big hit I wouldn’t be losing too much money on them!  I purchased their Vanilla & Tonka Bean oil along with the Jasmin & White Frangipani version. With a classic oil burner in hand and a hefty supply of Tea lights in my stash I was keen to give them a try.

Well what can I say, these oils really do give off a strong scent when burnt. Vanilla is and will always be a favourite so that was the first one to be tested out. After burning the oil for about 10 minutes the scent was carried throughout the flat, and it wasn’t too overpowering given how concentrated the oils are. It was very pleasant in fact. I loved it so much I continued to use it until it ran out. You don’t need to put too much into the oil burner either so they last a decent amount of time!

Next I tried the Jasmin & White Frangipani version. I’ll admit it I purchased this one hoping it would smell all spa like, unfortunately it wasn’t really too my taste & a bit too floral, so I made a bit of a faux pa right there! I degress. If you are someone who likes that scent this will be a winner in your books. I’d be tempted to say the scent was stronger than that of the vanilla oil. Extremely overpowering if I am honest, you hardly had to burn It in order to get a good scent pay off – is that even a real term?! So really worth your money if you want to keep your home smelling nice!
I will be repurchasing the Vanilla & Tonka bean oil again. It retails for £4 full price, however with the way the Body Shop run, I’m sure there will be a discount code floating around somewhere on the internet for me to use. There are also a lot of other scents to try so there’s bound to be something for everyone’s tastes. Heck I might go crazy and order them all just to try out…


Have you tried home fragrance oils before? 

Much love, 
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eco-tools-air-dryer-invisibobble-blog-review

I’m always intrigued when a new product comes on the market that is a little bit different from the norm. So when I saw the new Ultimate Air Dryer brush* from Eco tools, with its unique shape & various claims to improve your hair drying experience I was keen to try it out. First I would like to point out that this hairbrush is extremely lightweight & untangles my hair like a dream. I think this is due to the placement of the bristles & the fact they have a huge gap in the middle of them. The large hole in the centre is there to help improve the drying time by 40%  so you don’t damage your hair as much by using the heat for a long amount of time.. If I am completely honest, I don’t feel as though I decreased the amount of time it takes me to blow dry my hair but like I previously stated it works really well as a detangling brush. Compared to other detanglers on the market without a handle – you know who I am talking about – I would go for this brush instead because I know I am not going to fling it across the room with wet hands! This Eco Tools hairbrush is available in Boots for £10.99

Another product available to aid with reducing damage to your hair are the invisibobble hair bands*. 70% of the time I just wear my hair down, but there are occasions where a topknot or pony tail is called for. Usually halfway through the day at work when I get annoyed with my hair being in my face! Or if I decide to do some actual exercise.  – Still have Charlotte Crosbys DVD to do! -  Invisibobbles do look like thoseKeyrings with the clips on the end from the 90’s, so I was a bit reluctant to put them in my hair at first. I just figured my hair would get tangled up but surprisingly it doesn’t, and my hair actually manages to stay up in a ponytail too! I would agree that by using these to tie your hair up, you do avoid those nasty kinks regular hair bands leave, & avoid snagging, which is a thumbs up in my opinion. However in regards to them being completely invisible in your hair I don’t think this is the case. Especially considering the fact they come in a range of colours including bright yellow and pink! Would I say these are worth the spend? Well at £3.75 they aren’t a complete waste of money but I don’t see them as a necessity, on the plus side if you do buy the pink or yellow ones, you’ll be able to find them in the bottom of your handbag easily!


Label M professional haircare has been around for 10 years, and to celebrate they collaborated with Designer Giles Deacon on 3 of their backstage favourites products* used during London Fashion week. Giving them a cute kawaii makeover with the ‘Silhouette of the clouds’ print. Having tried their hairspray before & liked it I was keen to see if their other backstage favourites; the Volume Mousse & Texturising Volume Spray would live up to expectations too. 

I've been using them in my morning routine in order to give my hair that added bit of oomph! I've used mousses in the past where you can really feel the product in your hair after drying, which instantly makes me dislike it. Fortunately this isn't the case with the volume mousse from this range, it doesn't leave my hair feeling sticky or clogged with product, provides a good amount of volume at the root too which is exactly what you want really. Other days were I'm looking for a little more texture to my hair I opt for the spray, as a product you apply to dry hair, I just spray a few spritz' at the roots, tip my head upside down and rough it up with my hands. Instant massive hair. As there is no white residue like dry shampoo, I've used this to spruce up my 2nd or 3rd day hair to give it a little more life! With each of these products priced at around £13, you cant really say no. They are more affordable than some of the volumising and texturing products bloggers talk about which makes me happy! I don't really want to go out of pocket purchasing haircare! Label M products are also easily available, you can purchase them at Toni & Guy salons or alternatively if you are an avid online shopper you can get them direct from the Label M website or Look Fantastic.    

Have you tried any of these products at all? 

Much love 
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New in : Barely there heels.

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

NEWLOOK BARELY THERE HEELS
CLOSE UP NEW LOOK BARELY THERE HEELS

After lusting after a pair of barely there heels I have finally gone out and bought myself a pair. Rather than going for a staple black pair I decided to go a bit crazy and add a pop of colour into my wardrobe with these bight pink ones. I'm not a big heels girl, you will often catch me in converse or flat boots to be honest so to add a new pair of heels into my collection is a big thing. I will hold my hands up and admit that sometimes I do struggle with heels, especially those with a stiletto heel like these, however the added bonus of the ankle strap gives support thus making walking much easier!

The best thing about these gorgeous new shoes is the price. These beauties only cost me £17.99 which I feel is an absolute bargain if you compare them to the price you pay in some other stores on the highstreet. They also come in a good selection of colours, and at that price I wouldn't blame you if you picked up a few different pairs. I'm tempted to get myself these ones. 

What do you think of the barely there heel. Are you a fan?

Much love, 
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PURSE WITH CASH AND COINS SPILLING OUT

NO SPEND DAYS

You might be thinking ‘I have those all the time’, but do you really? It’s very easy to lose track of your spending, especially when you spend a couple of quid here and there each day without realising. That magazine & boots meal deal you bought on your lunchbreak. The coffee to drink during your commute. The quick ‘top up’ shop to stock the fridge with essentials. I bet if you were to get a notebook and start writing it down, you’d realise you spend money a lot more often than you think. No spend days are a good way to keep on top of your spending habits. Set a target for X amount of NSD’s a month. Weirdly it seem a bit tough at first, especially if you are trying to break your daily Costa habit. However if you stick at it and factor in some NSD’s each month you will be left with a small (or large) chunk left over which you can put in a savings account.

CASH ONLY

This is something I have recently implemented into my spending habit. Budgeting for the month and only allowing X amount of cash for certain activities. Taking out said cash at the start of the month and living by the rule of ‘Once it’s gone it’s gone’. Paying by cash is a better visual aid to make you more aware of what you spend. I think it’s fair to say that most of us probably just whack payments on card without thinking about the transactions adding up. Am I right? Having the cash to hand means I can tally up what I’ve spent so far and work out what I can afford to do for the rest of the month.


TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COUPONS
You’re not going to be making savings as big as those in the ‘Extreme Couponing’ TV program but there’s no harm in trying to shave off a few quid here and there when you shop. When it comes to getting coupons (mainly for food shopping) you are able to get a few good offers if you know where to look. For a start you can like the Extreme Couponing UK Facebook page. Where coupons and deals get shared frequently. Following that websites like Super Savvy me offer printable coupons along with the daily mail website! You just need to make an account and then print the coupons you would like to use. I’ve also recently discovered this website, where they have a list of all the current printable coupons. Taking a bit of time to plan before a weekly/monthly food shop can make a difference. Once you get the hang of it you’ll wonder why you took so long to start doing it!

 Do you have any easy money saving tips to add? 

 much love, 
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IPAD WITH BLOG POST ON IT

I’m in my 5th year of blogging and throughout that time I have encountered a few blogging perks. Not anything as big as being able to turn this hobby into a full time job (Kudos to those who have managed to do this successfully), however I have come across some other advantages of having my blog & I thought it would be nice to share with you. Maybe some of you would even agree that these apply to you too.

LEARNING NEW SKILLS.

Before I blogged I had dabbled in html very briefly thanks spending my evenings trying to pimp out my Myspace profile. I’m no pro at it but I have definitely gained a little more knowledge in that area over the past few years. Making tweaks here and there to the blog, reading informative websites when stuck with what to do etc. Likewise with things like SEO & Marketing. I did not have a clue about any of this 5 years ago, I may only know the basics and just enough for my blog to get noticed out in the huge world of the internet but that’s still a decent skill to have gained. I can apply it to other situations ‘in real life’ like in work or even if friends want some help with their own blog!

DISCOVERING NEW BRANDS AND PRODUCTS

If it weren't for blogging I probably wouldn't be aware of half the brands I am of these days. Blogging opened me up a whole host of new brands I had never even heard of and continues to do so on a weekly basis! Whether it be through twitter, reading other blog posts or receiving a press release in my inbox. I am always discovering new brands and products which is great! Would I have known about Liz Earle? Nuxe? Dirty Locks hair extensions? How about products such as Anastasia brow whizz, REN Glycolactic radiance renewal mask? Hourglass ambient Light blusher? It’s also quite exciting being ahead of the game when it comes to hearing about new beauty products compared to those who aren't part of the blogsphere.

GAINING NEW FRIENDSHIPS

I can hand on heart say that I have gained some great friends through blogging. It’s so strange to think that if it weren't for us having the shared interest of documenting things online we may have never crossed paths. It’s so nice to have others around you that don’t think you are crazy when you want to Instagram your meal before tucking in. Or are willing to hang around the aisles of Boots/Superdrug with you, swatching a multitude of products on the back of your hands. Someone else who understands the pain of taking blog photos only to find none are suitable because they are all blurry!  Those minor points aside, it’s nice to have someone there for support when you are feeling a bit crap about things. Not just blogging but life in general. Internet friends = Good friends.

VISITING NEW PLACES 

Following on from my previous point. Going to blogger meet ups (Where I met some of my blogger friends for the first time) means you get to visit new places around the country. I've been to a few places during my time blogging – although meet ups seem to be a bit few and far between these days in comparison to a couple of years ago – some of which I've liked the town/city so much I've gone back there with Tom for a visit. On the odd occasion I have also been fortunate enough to be given complimentary stays in cities I’d never visited before, this isn't a regular thing, but a nice perk that without my blog I wouldn't have been approached about.

  BOOSTING YOUR JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Running a successful blog requires drive, commitment & creativity. All factors which are important in everyday situations like your career. Like I previously said, blogging can sometimes introduce you to new skills, therefore it can on occasions be beneficial when you want to apply for certain jobs. Now I’m not saying you should go around thinking you deserve X job because you have a blog. It doesn't work like that. I am just saying that to some employers like the fact you are committed and show passion for a hobby in which aspects of it can be applied to certain roles, depending on the job you are applying for of course. For example… in the interview for my current role we discussed my blog quite a lot. I didn't go to university, however my employer said to me that even though I had not got myself a degree by going to uni, the fact I had run my blog over the 4 and a bit years was proof that I was literate, dedicated & focused. They liked that. I have friends who have landed themselves social media and marketing roles due to interning plus the experience of having a blog. Having a blog isn't a qualification, and doesn't guarantee particular jobs but it can definitely give you a bit of an edge over other people applying.

Are there any other #bloggerperks you feel deserve a mention? Let me know in the comments.

Much love, 
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If you follow me on Pinterest, you will notice that I have had a bit of a thing for ripped jeans of late. I’ve always wanted a pair but struggled to find some suitable for my short legs! Either the jeans themselves were too long in length, or the rips just weren’t in the right places! When I was asked if I wanted to style up something from New Looks Denim range I headed straight to their petite section to see what they had on offer. I ended up choosing a pair of acid wash ripped skinny jeans*. I’m always a bit apprehensive about jeans when waiting for them to arrive. It’s the one item of clothing I really struggle to find a pair that fit well. Fortunately for me these were perfect, the right length for me and the rips were actually on my knees, not my shins for a change!


I was challenged to style the jeans in three different ways. Casual, Smart and then for going ‘out out’. So after a bit of a rummage in my wardrobe, I came up with the following 3 options…

JEANS STYLING FLAT LAY

CASUAL
For me, casual is something I would just chuck on if I were to have a lazy weekend chilling at home, with the possibility of popping out at some point to get a bit of fresh air! Baring this in mind I paired the jeans with a trusty plain white top from GAP. I have a few of these after going on a bit of a binge at their outlet in Swindon! They are great to just throw & look great with the casual vibe of the ripped jeans. My black ankle boots from H&M. These are probably the most comfortable heeled boots I have ever owned and they are such a steal at £24.99. I know a couple of my friends have gone out and purchased them after seeing me wearing them! We aren’t fully into spring with all the sunshine yet, therefore my studded leather jacket from MissSelfridge would be coming with me too, should I need to go out for something! Finally, I couldn’t forget my handbag from Zara. – If you want to know what I carry around with me then take a look at this blog post.

JEANS STYLING FLAT LAY

SMART
Now I know what you are thinking… Leanne, your jeans have rips in them. How can you make these look smart? Well you see, for me I look at dressing smart simply as a way to dress with a bit more effort. In this case I put together an outfit I would wear if I were going to work on a ‘dress down day’ but I didn’t want to go in looking completely casual! I paired the jeans with a simple shirt from Primark (These are a steal at only £8!)  Shirts instantly make an outfit look a bit smarter. I still need to get myself staple white shirt for my wardrobe! A pair of pointed flats, there are a lot of these around at the moment, these ones in particular are from River Island, and finally to finish a structured handbag. This one is from Topshop. It’s a pretty basic outfit but one that works well for a nice lunch with friends or like I previously stated something you could get away with wearing to work.

JEANS FLAT LAY STYLING

GOING OUT OUT. 
I have a bit of a uniform when going ‘out out’. Gone are the days where dresses took priority, now its all about the jeans and blazer combination! You really cant go wrong with it. This is also a look I see pinned most often over on Pinterest. The holy grail for all things inspiration! So we have the acid wash jeans of course, then keeping it simple with a plain cami top from H&M & an added bit of bling from Primark. Followed by a trusty pair of nude heels, also from Primark. These have seen better days, therefore I do have my eye on these beauties for a replacement pair! I would usually play it safe with a black blazer, however I rediscovered this structured one from H&M at the back of my wardrobe which I thought would go really well with this outfit, so I had to include it.  You could use any bag for this, but I have my standard black chain bag which I like to use for nights out, as it’s just the right size to carry all the essentials! 

NEW LOOK JEANS STYLING

Here are the 3 outfits in action, What do you think?

Much love, 
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