Monday 30 January 2012

GlossyBox January 2012 UK - quick review

              A really quick review on the GlossyBox for January 2012
(AKA the February Valentines day box)

The reason why it's a quick review is that lots of other lovely bloggers have spoken about these boxes and I don't want to go on and on and bore everyone silly.

Here's video about the contents (again a quick overview) I also explain that I was live on QVC on Saturday afternoon! :-D
If your unsure as to what beauty box to go for I would recommend GlossyBox every time.


                                 


The Full contents listing

The inside of this great box
To conculude - this box is beautiful, the packaging being pink of course I LOVE, all of the porducts I will use, there's not one I am unsure of or not keen on.

What do you think of this months Glossy Box?

Thanks for reading

Hugs

Claire

xx


(all pictures my own)

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Vlogs 1 & 2 - Chinese New Year Parade, London Shopping - Primark and Topshop

                   So today (Sunday) my buddy and I decided to go to London Town to see the Chinese New Year parade in Trafalgar Square, here's a little Vblog about our day and the little shopping bits that I picked up! (Happy Days) 

Please excuse my voice I am still suffering with this flu / cold bug and I sound awful!! But at least I feel more like myself today, it's taken nearly two weeks though! :-(

(There is large photo content in this blog so be warned)

Vlog 1

                                


Pics of our trip to London

Me and My Buddy




The maddest Police stand I have ever seen!

Vlog 2 of my purchases -
                                 

 

Topshop Make up stand - I have bought 2 items from here, I have never tried Topshop make up before excited!

Lola's cupcakes inside Topshop Oxford Street - we were going to buy some but with it being Sunday opening hours we just didn't want to hang around for an extra hour


They looked scrummy!


I love the front of Selfridges - such an impressive building

NEVER going here again (going to keep to my local store) - it was like the world was ending and Primark was the only place people went too! LOL


My Primark Purchases -
Cute canvas this was £4.00 BARGAIN

This canvas from Primark was also £4.00

Topshop Purchases -
Crackle nail varnish in Frosty £6.00

Orelia Bracelet in the sale for £5.00

Barry M duo pencil sharpener £1.59 (Topshop crackle nail varnish on thumb)

Topshop Black Eyeliner £6.50

I didn't buy much in this shopping trip because I am saving and I'm making sure I don't spend too much when I have more important things to spend on (how sensible!)

I am really excited to try the Topshop makeup because I have heard rave reviews from other Bloggers about how great it is.  The bracelet matches the ones from New Look that I have and I am wearing in one of my videos above.

The Primark bits I cannot wait to place in my new home.. hopefully that will be in about 4 months time yipppeee!


I hope the year of the dragon brings me some good luck - so far 2012 has made me ill with this bug and miss time off of work.  I hope moving and feeling settled will happen and also a holiday would be nice!!

Have you tried Topshop Make up before?  And if so what do you think of it?

Thanks for reading / watching and please subscribe to my blog via Google friend connect, and subscribe to my You tube channel - I am thoroughly enjoying blogging and Vlogging it's so much fun and I'm meeting such great people.

Hugs

Claire

xx


(photos all my own)






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Friday 27 January 2012

Macadamia 6 Piece Travel Set - Review

Sorry for not posting for a couple of days I have been suffering with the Flu / cold bug and I have been sleeping for what seems like weeks!  I'm on the old Day and Night Nurse, Olbas Oil, Manuka Honey and Ginger drink.  (I'm literally ratterling about)

I thought I would do a quick post because whilst I have been off ill I have been trying out some of the things I received for Christmas (mainly to make myself feel better!) one of which was this wonderful Macadamia set from Feel Unique.


This kit was a bargain at just over £20, and of course it has now sold out on the Feel Unique website.  I shall list other suppliers at the end of this post.

Contents

Macadamia is a therapeutic haircare range for all hair types and is especially beneficial to dry damaged hair infusing the hair with moisture and nutrients for silky smooth results.

The Macadamia Natural Oil Travel Kit Consists Of:

Macadamia Rejuvinating Shampoo 60ml
Macadamia Nourishing Leave-In Cream 60ml
Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment 30ml
Macadamia Healing Oil Moisturizing Rinse 60ml
Macadamia Rake Comb Macadamia
Deep Repair Masque Sachet 30ml


I was shocked by the amount of products contained in this little bag, it literally has everything you would want from this range in order for you to try all of the products out in one go.

I read the instructions and decided to go with the Rejuvinating shampoo, followed with the Healing Oil Moisturizing Rinse and then I towel dried my hair and mixed as suggested in the information the - Nourishing Leave in cream with the Healing Oil Treatment.

I loved the smell of all of these products, really professional smelling and moisturizing. 
There wasn't anything that I didn't like. 


This is the healing oil treatment above, its a rather thick oil which smells gorgeous, it combined with the Nourishing leave in cream below really have mellowed my fine hair out and left it soft as a babies you know what!

Macadamia Natural Oil comes from the South Pacific and is becoming very popular for its amazing effect on hair. Hair will be given a soft touch that feels healthy and cared for. Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment is made with natural ingredients to care for your hair with gentle and natural results giving your hair an amazing natural boost that will leave your locks controllable soft and naturally shiny for hair that is easy to style and silk smooth to touch.

How to use - Work a small amount into damp or dry hair for styling and finish. For extra nourishment use with Macadamia Hair Masque or Macadamia Leave in Cream (below)



Macadamia Nourishing Leave-In Cream is a leave-in conditioning texture cream infused with nourishing oils to tame unruly locks while adding silky softness, shine and UV protection. Detangles and tames the most unruly locks Adds silky softness & shine UV protection extends the life of color treatments



I would definately reccommend these products from Macadamia, of course I haven't tried the Moroccan Oil range so that will be next on my list.  I do like to see what all the hype and fuss is about.

I have however tried Ojon, and to be honest the smell of the range reminded me of a smoking room smell, and being a non - smoker this really put me off.  I will not be trying that range again.

I haven't used the comb or hair mask from this kit so I will use them on my next pamper session.

I was trying to take a photo of my hair for this post but because of getting over this bug I look rather pale and pasty and not right at all (I don't want to scare young children LOL)

You can find the Macadamia kit here -



There are other websites you can find this kit, but the two above offer free delivery.

Have you tried the Macadamia range?  What did you think of it?

Thanks for reading!

Hugs

Claire

x

(Images taken from the Feel Unique Website)

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Monday 23 January 2012

Leighton Denny Expert Nails and OPI Nail Envy Review

I have been trying to grow my nails and have decided as a last resort to try OPI Nail Envy and if that doesn't work I am thinking of going back to Acrylic nails or Gel nails!  I am willing to give OPI a try and will carry on using it for the next month or so and in the meantime I will enjoy painting my nails to hide how short they are and cheer myself up. 

I have noticed that not many bloggers have used or talked about Leighton Denny Expert Nails (unless I've missed something??) And being a QVC fan I thought I would share my opinion on this fantastic range and provide you with a bit more information.
The Leighton Denny Nail Polishes are highly pigmented and are gorgeous.. but as stated in the video I have never invested in a good quality top coat, not even from Leighton's range hence why I think I am experiencing the colours not lasting longer - this is in no way related to the Leighton Denny polishes.  I just need to buck my ideas up and use all the tools from the one range.  (at the moment I use whatever I have)

The colours are great in this kit I have featured, but I purchased these polishes from QVC and the kit is no longer available, but you can purchase all of them individually directly from the Leighton Denny Website. (links to where you can buy the polishes are at the end of this post) Even though the kit is no longer available, I just HAD to tell you about this range and why I love it so much!
Here's the colours in more detail -

                         


The Gorgeous Leighton Denny Polishes

About Leighton Denny -

Award winning and creative dynamo behind the highly successful Leighton Denny Expert Nails range. Leighton has been at the forefront of the beauty industry for over 18 years. 2002 saw the launch his own flagship boutique in Harrods.

In 2005, Leighton then launched his own award winning range of hand & nail care products, receiving critical acclaim from top beauty editors and consumers featuring in major weekly & monthly national publications, becoming the No 1 nail-care brand on QVC, retail partners with premium retail stores in the UK and available in over 300 luxury salons and spas globally With a host of celebrity clients and TV documentaries to his name, Leighton still finds time to be a keen supporter of good causes.

An official ambassador for Genes for Jeans in both 2009/10 he was one of the "faces" of the campaign.
"Jeans for Genes is an incredible charity, raising money and awareness for children with genetic disorders"
Leighton Denny.
From an early age, Leighton was keen to keep his fair skin looking healthy & bronzed. Conscious of the ageing and health-damaging affects of sunbeds, self tanning became the next best thing. Unfortunately finding the perfect self-tan to suit his very fair skin tone was not so easy – the right golden tone, wear evenly, dry quickly, odourless, easy to apply, kind to the skin, but always with a touch of luxury.
It was only after years of never quite finding perfection, he decided to create his own , combining his expertise of the beauty industry and knowledge of high quality, premium ingredients, to develop a self-tan range that delivered a healthy, beautifully bronzed, long lasting tan.


Description of each colour from the Spring Summer 2010 collection -

Talk of the Town - A fun and flirty Summer fuchsia 

Glamour Puss - A playful pink cream that's perfect for fingers or toes. Flirtatiously feminine, it's guaranteed to bring out the woman in you.

The Heiress - A blue-belle purple

Rebel - A rich velvety purple with a deep, intense shimmer.  Plush and dramatic. A beautiful colour for nails that make a style statement.




Talk of the Town a girly pink polish that goes with everything

 


Please excuse the roughly painted polish - I was in a rush whilst trying to film


Glamour Puss - One of my all time favourite colours

The Heiress Lilac in Colour but goes with everything

The Iconic Rebel colour - my failsafe polish if I want something gorgeous!


I think these polishes would look great on holiday, and with longer nails but I still enjoy wearing them and I love all the comments I receive when wearing these colours.

Rebel can be found here and is £11.00 -
http://www.leightondenny.com/product-detail/32/rebel

The Heiress is also £11.00 - http://www.leightondenny.com/product-detail/default.aspx?ProductId=150&ProductCategoryId=4

Glamour Puss - http://www.leightondenny.com/product-detail/default.aspx?ProductId=28&ProductCategoryId=4

Talk of the Town - http://www.leightondenny.com/product-detail/default.aspx?ProductId=147&ProductCategoryId=4

Yes these polishes are expensive but as I mentioned before the kits sold on QVC are great - Leighton Denny QVC Brand shop and Leighton takes great care in co-presenting the shows and explaining about his products.  Its lovely to see the creator of a brand take the time to come in to a studio and still love the products as much as the day he first developed them.

Have you ever tried Leighton Denny Expert Nails?  Have you heard of the range before?


Thanks for reading / watching and please subscribe to my YouTube channel / Facebook Page / Twitter and.... become a member of my blog!

Lots of Hugs

Claire

xx




(descriptions of polishes and information about Leighton Denny Expert nails taken from the Leighton Denny Website, pictures are my own)


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Thursday 19 January 2012

Galvin at Windows at the Hilton Hotel and The Berkeley Prêt-à-Portea

Over the Christmas period my friend and I went to Galvin at Windows for cocktails which is in the Hilton Hotel park lane and then onto the Berkeley for Prêt-à-Portea. 

I have wanted to go to these two places for 2 years as a friend had been and totally enjoyed his experience. 
Before I tell you how the day went and what I thought have a look at my photos of the day, it's a great idea if its a special occasion and you would like to treat someone!

(be warned - large photo content!!)
First up Galvin at Windows with its fantastic panaoramic views of London - http://www.galvinatwindows.com/

The Hilton Park Lane - looks nothing from the outside

The Hilton Park Lane


Galvin at Windows foyer


Our yummy cocktails!

Me smoozing with my cocktail

We decided to have the Pinkmellow, and it was lovely - yes I know it was £13.50 but it's not everyday I go to these places!




Gorgeous view of London from the bar



All in all the hotel was spotless inside, the bar was nice to relax in but expensive. 
It's not somewhere that I think is wow! and worth making a beeline for, but it is worth going if you enjoy somewhere different and just want to take in the views and the relaxing atmosphere whilst catching up with friends. 

At night time this bar comes to life as the views are spectacular.  You don't have to book in advance but finding the Hilton is difficult from Harrods on foot.  It's right by Hyde Park so just look for the tower and you will be there.

Now onto the Berkeley and if your a girly girl like me you are going to love this! -



The beautiful Christmas decorations in the hotel were amazing


The menu prices to follow...

How they display the cakes on your table - very exciting and once you eat what you want they re-fill everything



Me and my menu
 

All the china are Paul Smith gold plated and if I'm honest I wanted to steal them / buy them because they are just so funky


Pinky finger out! How lady like



We each had our own teapot, they were HUGE! Now I love my tea but even I couldn't empty this



This is the inspiration for the cake designs for Autumn / Winter 2011 each cake is matched to the designer, I loved how the waiter came over with this and explained to you each designer and what cake it related too.


Our sandwiches (the first round) we chose our favourites and they brought us a never ending supply



The Cakes


When you have finished the afternoon tea you can have your favourite cakes to take home and they give you this cutesy carrying case

Costs -

Prêt-à-Portea - £37.50 per person
Champagne Prêt-à-Portea - £47.50 per person

Includes a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne.


Couture Champagne Prêt-à-Portea - £54.50 per person



Includes a glass of Billecart-Salmon Rosé, Laurent Perrier Ultra Brut, Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle.


All served on fine-bone china by Paul Smith for Thomas Goode

 
My Opinion -

The Berkeley was hard to find from Harrods and walking, the hotel is down a side street with a small plague to show what the building name is.  (we got very lost)

The staff are welcoming and accomodating and they made us feel at home.  The hotel is 5 star and the interior and clientele do show this.  I was most impressed with the Christmas decorations!!

Our waiter was fab and couldn't do enough for us, and surprisingly the atmosphere wasn't as pretentious as I thought it would be.  I'd definately recommend the Berkeley if you'd like a quiet girly afternoon tea with a friend, but it is pricey the sandwiches aren't anything special and the cakes although they look good they don't match up to they're good looks taste wise!  There was only one cake that I liked and that was the Eclair. :-( The take away box is sweet and makes you happy that you have a little reminder when you've trecked on the train to get home, and can enjoy a home brewed cuppa and a fancy cake.

The negatives -

Cost - Pricey and in parts not worth the money, once you've been I wouldn't be bothered about going back again.  The cakes are beautiful but they don't taste it!

Service Charge - All prices are inclusive of VAT. A discretionary service charge of 12.5% will be added to your bill - Yes our waiter was helpful and fussed around us but in general there was nothing to justify sticking this huge service charge onto the bill. 

Overall -

A great experience, we have been invited back to sample they're spring / summer 2012 menu, so I shall ensure that I blog about that and tell you whether it was second time lucky! Watch this space...




Next on my list - London Zoo, The Waldorf for dinner for my birthday! :-) :-)

Thanks for reading and hope this has helped you make a choice out of the large amount of afternoon teas out there.


Claire

xx


(photos my own, words on service charge and costs taken from Berkeley website)

 




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