Gift Ideas with Haute Florist

It's that time of the year, gift buying time! I love buying gifts for friends and family, especially when there's a good deal or I find a unique gift I know they'll love. Flowers are a great gift idea for colleagues, aunties and friends; there are so many beautiful and unique bouquets on Haute Florist. I've been lucky enough to review a few of their gorgeous floral arrangements on my blog, check out my previous posts for my reviews. However, if you are looking for a beautiful botanical gift but you want it to last longer, why not browse their range of stunning plants?

*Haute Florist Dendrobium Orchids (£28)

For the past six or so years I've been slowly building my indoor plant collection which now includes various succulents, cacti, a yucca plant and many prayer plants, among others. My prayer plants are my favourites as they are so unique and they move constantly! However, I didn't have an orchid in my plant collection and honestly, I thought they were all quite difficult to maintain and look after but I couldn't resist the utterly beautiful potted dendrobium orchid from Haute Florist. 

Dendrobium orchids are some of the most popular orchids and one of the easier varieties to look after (which is great for someone like me who loves plants but I don't actually know what I'm doing!). It came beautifully presented and packaged as everything I've received from Haute Florist has been. The orchid comes in a tall white planter and after watering on the day it arrived, it has produced a plethora of beautiful white flowers already! 

It has made a gorgeous addition to my plant collection and I think a beautiful orchid would make a lovely gift, either for a special birthday or Christmas. There are many other plants to choose from on Haute Florist too including delicate roses, a variety of stunning orchids, mixed outdoor planters, a very unusual pineapple plant and many others. You can even add a little extras such as chocolates, champagne, candles or cake to make the gift even more special. 

Will you be checking out the plants on Haute Florist? 

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Autumn Bouquet with Haute Florist

Autumn is my favourite season, it is everyones favourite season. I love how cosy autumn is with blankets, candles and coffee galore. However as much as I love the changing leaves, I do miss the freshness and vibrancy of spring with nature in bloom. Thankfully the wonderful people over at Haute Florist have a range of glorious bouquets for all occasions, with a few that are filled with the changing shades of autumn. I have been lucky enough to work with Haute Florist previously, however all opinions are my own and I genuinely love their floral bouquets. 

*Haute Florist Sunburst Bouquet (from £40)

I was very kindly sent their Sunburst bouquet which features yellow roses, freesias, blue lisianthus, green bell, pistagia and wheat. All of their bouquets are packaged beautifully and they have always arrived in perfect condition with no damaged flowers or problems. I love the packaging, I think it looks very elegant and simple so it would make a lovely gift - I know that my mum and aunties would love their amazing bouquets! I was sent the medium size option, although there is a smaller and a larger size too. 

I love the colour combination within this autumnal bouquet as it does contain a few lovely autumnal shades but it is still vibrant, colourful and lively which makes any room look more inviting and fresh. The freesias included in this arrangement are my favourites (they smell wonderful too) but I also love the addition of wheat which is something I haven't come across in a bouquet before. I think the colour combinations, greenery and wheat make the Sunburst bouquet look very unique and distinctive. 

If you are looking for beautiful and unique bouquets then I cannot recommend Haute Florist enough as they all look wonderful and last much longer than a few other bouquets I've bought. I'd recommend the Sunburst bouquet for any autumnal birthdays or celebrations but I also love the Windermere and Roma bouquets. In addition to the bouquet options, they offer letterbox flowers, hat boxes and plants too! 

Will you be checking out Haute Florist? 

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Haute Florist 'Belle In Black' Bouquet

I have been lucky enough to receive various beautiful bouquets from numerous companies but one of my favourites has to be Haute Florist. I've reviewed one of their bouquets previously, if you want my thoughts on that one. I'm always very happy to receive flowers, especially unusual flowers, as they make any room look so much more spring-like and fresh! Thanks so much to Haute Florist for the unusual Belle In Black bouquet.

*Haute Florist Belle In Black Bouquet (from £45)

I was able to choose a bouquet and while I adored the Antique Elegance bouquet and I'd highly recommend it, I wanted something a little unusual this time around so I opted for the Belle In Black Bouquet which is unlike any other bouquet I've received to review on my blog. The bouquet came safely and well protected as the previous bouquet did so there's no need to worry about delivery.

I love the presentation of the flowers as they come with a ribbon and this bouquet also had unusual black paper around it so it looked very elegant. It contains so many unusual flowers including: purple vanda, sea holly, eucalyptus, black cala lilies, memory lane roses, blue eryngium and ruscus. The only flowers I've received before were memory lane roses and eucalyptus, both of which I love but they're even more beautiful within this very striking bouquet.

The reason I chose this particular bouquet is because of how unique it is, I haven't come across a bouquet like it before! I love the deep black cala lilies that look so beautiful and unusual in their shape. I also love the purple vanda which are a variety of orchid so they have to be in plastic stems with water in the top so they'll last longer - I haven't come across that before in a bouquet but they definitely add another unusually beautiful element to an already gorgeous selection of flowers and foliage.

I couldn't choose my favourite flowers from this bouquet as they are all so gorgeous but I think it would be a tie between the black cala lilies and the memory lane roses; although I do love the sea holly too which looks quite thistle like. I think so many bouquets look very similar and while that isn't a bad thing at all (as they are all so beautiful), it's nice to receive one that's so different to many of the others available.

I've had mine for the past five or so days and they are just as I received them as hopefully they'll last for a few more days - you'll have had a sneak peek of the unboxing if you follow me on Instagram (@ofbeautyand). I am so happy with my bouquet from Haute Florist and I cannot recommend their service enough!

What do you think of this bouquet? Have you ordered any flowers from Haute Florist? 

*Gifted

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Mother's Day Gifts: Haute Florist

This week my blog has unintentionally become Mother's Day week! I didn't plan it this way but I'm glad the timing has worked out because I have so many wonderful Mother's Day gift ideas for you all week. I've already published a couple of Mother's Day posts including my first Mother's Day gift guide and my personalised gift ideas post with Vanilla Reindeer.

*Antique Elegance Bouquet - Haute Florist (£45)

Today's post is all about one of the most beautiful bouquets I've ever received! The bouquet is from Haute Florist who make so many incredible floral bouquets and gifts, including unique botanical hatbox gifts which are well worth checking out for yourself, your mum or your grandma. Flowers and bouquets of any kind are going to be beautiful and will make wonderful, 'safe' and lovely gifts but I haven't come across bouquets with quite this style before that really sets Haute Florist apart from other companies, in my opinion.

I was very kindly sent the gorgeous and very me 'antique elegance' bouquet which features: pink Bouvardia, Antique Carnations, Memory Lane Roses, Avalanche Roses and Calla Lilies as well as white Veronica and Eucalyptus. I've been lucky enough to receive a few bouquets from various companies to review on my blog but I haven't ever received one with this combination before and it's so stunning!

I haven't heard of memory lane roses before but they suit the antique theme of this bouquet perfectly as they look quite dusky and vintage in their colouring. I think the memory lane roses and the pink calla lilies are my favourites out of the bouquet as I love the muted, almost vintage rose alongside the brighter, more vibrant lilies.

If you've been following my blog for a while or you follow me on social media (@ofbeautyand) then you'll know that this colour scheme is very me and I'm so happy with this bouquet. Not only does it look incredibly beautiful and very spring-like but it's so much more unique than other bouquets I've received in the past, it came packaged very nicely and it looks like a luxe, indulgent gift that I know my mum, aunties and friends would all love to receive.

Overall, if you're looking for a unique and beautiful bouquet for Mother's Day (or for yourself...), then look no further than the luxurious collection of bouquets and gifts on Haute Florist. Also if you sign up to their newsletter then you'll get 10% off your first order. I am so happy with my bouquet, I cannot recommend them enough!

What do you think of this gorgeous bouquet? 

*Gifted

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Haute Florist Tikal Bouquet

There's nothing nicer to receive as a gift than a beautiful bouquet of flowers...ok, well books would be ideal but there's something special and uplifting about a gorgeous arrangement of flowers. I've been lucky enough to receive quite a few to review on my blog from various companies and one of my favourites has to be Haute Florist, not only because the flowers are usually quite unique but also because they are always presented beautifully when delivered.

*Haute Florist Tikal Bouquet (from £45, sale)

I was very kindly sent one of their new summer bouquets, the Tikal Bouquet which is currently on sale so if you are interested then now would be the ideal time to purchase one for yourself or someone else. The Tikal bouquet, along with all of the others I've received, are very well protected, beautifully presented and arrive undamaged. The bouquet size is changeable from small and medium to large and you can add little extras to your bouquet such as a teddy bear, vase, chocolates, candle or alcohol, depending on your budget and gift recipient.

The 'tikal' bouquet contains mango Nairobi roses, sunset calla lilies, dutch lisianthus, Scottish enyngium and blue enyngium. I've received the latter two and calla lilies in previous bouquets but I haven't ever received mango Nairobi roses before which have to be some of the most beautiful (and the most summer appropriate) roses I've ever seen!

I love the combination of the beautiful navy/purple dutch lisianthus alongside the sunset calla lilies and orange roses. It makes for a unique and gorgeous contrasting bouquet that is very summery and ideal for a summer birthday gift or for your own home. They have such a fantastic range of bouquets for many occasions and they also have floral hatboxes which look equally as beautiful. I think my favourite bouquet has to be a tie between their Purity and Orion/Antique Elegance bouquets.

What do you think of the Haute Florist Tikal Bouquet? 

*gifted

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August + September Favourites

I have been so busy recently with visiting Glasgow, exploring my city (for an upcoming post), starting Christmas gift guides and getting new tattoos...but I have finally got round to posting my long over due summer favourites wrap-up! I have found so many new products over the past three or so months that I love and I cannot recommend enough.

Before I get into the specific individual product reviews, there are quite a lot of products that I have already mentioned on my blog, www.allsubscriptionboxes.co.uk or my social media that I wanted to mention again. Firstly, the amazing GHD Platinum+ Styler which I have been using constantly since I was very kindly sent it last month. I have used a few of their stylers, including buying one myself and I cannot recommend them enough.

Next up, a few beauty items from various subscription boxes including the ever wonderful LookFantastic box (I particularly loved their birthday box) and the equally as fantastic Latest In Beauty boxes. My Favourite Latest In Beauty box had to be my picks from the September selection which included the Nars Toledo Lipstick and Kat Von D Go Big Or Go Home Mascara, both of which I adore. I'm also loving the contents of the beautiful 2019 LookFantastic advent calendar which I reviewed over on All Subscription Boxes.

Lastly for my 'honourable' mentions are two beautifully scented products! The shampoo I've been using the most recently and the shampoo that happens to be the most heavenly scented is the Lush Soak and Float Bar (which I need to buy another of). I also love the fragrances I was very kindly scent from Celeste de Provence, especially the Soleil perfume - I can't recommend them enough!

*Bubble T Ice Tea Shower Gels (£3.99)

Now onto a few product reviews for a range of beauty and lifestyle items that I was very kindly sent over the past couple of months. The first is a trio of adorably packaged shower gels from the lovely people over at Bubble T. I've loved Bubble T products for a while so I was excited when this surprise package arrived, especially as the packaging is so cute! I have all three of their new ice tea shower gels, including the peach, raspberry and mango options. The shower gels are reasonably priced, in my opinion, but you can also buy the trio as a bundle for £9.99 on the Bubble T website, where you'll also find a selection of adorable products and great gift ideas. 

I love all three scents but my favourite from the range is probably the raspberry ice tea option (which is super fruity and refreshing) but the peach scent isn't far behind! The shower gels are cruelty free and contains aloe vera to cleanse, soothe and moisturise the skin. As well as being lovely scented shower gels, they are also gentle on the skin, effective and the packaging is made of sugarcane so that it is recyclable which is amazing and something that I think more companies should consider! If you're looking for a new fresh and fruity shower gel then check out Bubble T. Also don't forget to have a look through their fantastic gift selection - I have my eye on their gift sets and advent calendar. 

*Ark Skincare Skin Perfector Triple Action Exfoliator (£35)

Next up, sticking with the theme of effective and cruelty free products! I've been lucky enough to try a few products from Ark Skincare with my favourite product so far being their amazing replenishing moisturiser from their 'age defend' range which I cannot recommend enough as my skin adores it. I also love their *Skin Essentials Skin Protector SPF 30 Primer (£36, 30ml) which is such a lovely primer as not only does it help prep my skin for makeup by providing a smooth base but it also contains great skincare ingredients and SPF30 - what more could you want in a primer!

Enough raving on about another product, one of my current favourites from Ark Skincare is their exfoliator which contains fruit acids as well as physical bamboo microbeads to exfoliate and smooth the skin. I've only used it a three times so far as I don't want to potentially over exfoliate but each use has left my skin feeling so much smoother. It doesn't feel too harsh or abrasive on my skin and I think it could be suitable for many skin types, unless you have broken or extremely sensitive skin. 

*Ark Skincare Hydration Masque (£35)

I have been following up my use of the exfoliator the next day with the hydration masque which contains lovely ingredients including vitamin A, vitamin B5 and vitamin C. I've used the masque a few times now and while I'm not a huge fan of the tube packaging for both of these products, I do love the masque itself. It has a thick gel like texture which feels nourishing on the skin and it always leaves my skin feeling smoother, softer and moisturised. The masque, as well as all of their other products is cruelty free and suitable for vegans so if you're looking to give the gift of wonderful and effective skincare this year, you can't go wrong with Ark Skincare and their ethos. 

*Green People Sun & Travel Collection (£37.95)

I'm a little late with this product recommendation as summer has now passed but I hope this review and recommendation will be useful for those looking for some autumn sunshine or if you have a winter holiday coming up. I have been lucky enough to try a range of products from Green People over the years and while I love their sensitive skincare and their SPF, my current favourite item is probably the *Green People Velvet Matte Lipstick in Berry Nude which is the lipstick I've been wearing in most of my instagram photos, along with Nars Toledo.

I also cannot recommend their SPF and kits enough as not only are the products cruelty free, effective and gentle on the skin but this kit is also ocean friendly, suitable for those with eczema and it is hand luggage friendly too (what more could you want!). The kit comes with the SPF 30 sun lotion (100ml), SPF 15 sun lotion with tan accelerator (100ml) and the hydrating after sun (100ml). I think they are all great products and I used the SPF 30 lotion almost everyday in the summer when we had a very unusual heatwave across the UK.

I think the sizes are ideal for a weekend away in the sun and if you are going to be spending time in the sunshine, you do need to use SPF and keep re-applying throughout the day too. If you're looking for an easy, travel friendly SPF kit then check out this great value option from Green People. Also have a look at their offers page as you could get a free gift with your order or a 10% discount.

*Haute Florist Coral Carnations Hatbox (from £42)

Last but definitely not least is a beautiful floral hatbox that I've been meaning to review and rave about for the past few weeks! I've been lucky to receive a range of beautiful bouquets from the generous people over at Haute Florist within 2019 so I was very excited to receive one of their more unusual items, their floral hatboxes. I have reviewed a few of their bouquets, if you want to read my previous reviews as I think they'd make lovely gifts.

I've been looking at their gorgeous floral hatboxes for a while as they are all so unusual! I had to choose the 'coral carnations' option as to me, it was the most autumnal looking hatbox on offer and we all know by now that autumn is my favourite season. Although there's such a wide range of not only bouquets and hatboxes to choose from but also plants!

The 'coral carnations' hatbox contains a selection of carnations along with decorative copper sprayed leaves and twisted willow (at least I think it is, if I'm wrong, let me know in the comments below). The soft peachy toned carnations along with the copper sprayed leaves look so beautiful together and instantly made me think of the changing leaves of autumn so I had to choose it but it was a close call between the coral carnations, sweet sophistication and the serene beauty hatboxes, all of which look incredible!

The flowers lasted for much longer than I thought they would and the arrangement look beautiful in our home! I think that bouquets of any kind would make a lovely gift for all occasions but the hatboxes make an even more stunning and unexpected gift idea. They look unique and eye catching so I think they'd make a perfect and 'safe' christmas gift. I know that my aunties and my mum would love to receive one as a Christmas gift!

Make sure you follow me on Instagram (@ofbeautyand) to see my blogger mail unboxings, favourites and sneak peeks of upcoming posts!

Have you tried any of these products? Which products did you love during the summer? 

*Gifted

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*How To Get Your Home Ready For Winter

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Winter is fast approaching but don't panic (just yet) as there's still time to get your home ready for winter and the upcoming festive celebrations! I love the cosiness of the autumn and winter months, especially as I work from home and I can enjoy all of the cosy homeware, candles and festive decor all day! Today's post features a few tips and ideas to get your home cosy and christmassy in time for the festive season. 

Cosy Homeware 

Candles, cosy blankets, comfy cushions, cookie scented diffusers, cuddly throws and of course, Christmas decorations can make any room wonderfully cosy and inviting. I love to add rustic, wooden and old well loved decorations to our home over the autumn and winter months to add cosiness and comforting nostalgia to an otherwise minimally decorated home. I'd also recommend the addition of a beautiful seasonal bouquet; I cannot recommend the gorgeous range of floral arrangements from Haute Florist enough. 

Christmas Decor 

We've been using the same decorations since I was very young which makes Christmas and the well loved decorations that come along with it, all the more special and heartwarming. I love our combination of old worn decorations that have seen many Christmas seasons and our decorations that we've purchased on holiday and more recently - they are guaranteed to make our home look cosy and ready for winter instantly. 

Heating & Energy Saving Alternatives 

Heating bills can soar over the colder months so making changes to improve or update your loft insulation and potentially switching to a more energy efficient boiler might make all the difference to your bills this winter. Draft proofing your home can help too, along with changing your furniture so that it doesn't block and absorb the heat from your radiators.

Accessibility & Home Improvements

Lastly, home improvements before the busy festive season are essential, especially if your older relatives are staying over during lockdown or the festive season. Accessibility and mobility need to be considered with any older relative and various home improvements can be installed easily such as rails within the bathroom and stair lifts at home. Certain improvements might be an investment but future proofing your home might be a great option in the long term. 

Do you have any tips to make your home ready for winter? 

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*Autumn Redecorating + Seasonal Switches

Image from Pinterest

It's my favourite time of the year, autumn! Autumn contains everything I love in one season: pumpkin everything, beautiful landscapes, cosy homeware, all of the knitwear I could hope for, candles and of course, halloween. Autumn homeware and hygge go together perfectly so I love to buy and switch up my home decor for the autumn months.

Decor, Candles & Blankets 

The quickest and easiest way to switch up your home decor, for any season, is by changing your decor, candles and blankets. Autumn and halloween candles are some of my favourite candle scents and TKMaxx is the best place to find them - I recently bought a couple of pumpkin and mulled cider candles which are heavenly. I think that cosy blankets, autumn candles and seasonal decor (autumn wreaths, autumn inspired prints, pumpkins and fairy lights) are the easier ways to make your home ready for the new season.

New Flooring & Rugs

Another option is to update your flooring, carpets or rugs as they can make such a difference to a room. I recently added a super cosy rug to my bedroom and it instantly make the room look and feel so much cosier! If you're looking for flooring contractors, check out WJD Flooring as they have a wide variety of options from paragon carpet tiles and vinyl flooring to entrance matting and accessories.

Autumnal Flowers 

Lastly, flowers make a fresh addition to any room during any season but autumnal themed flowers and other botanical decor are perfect for making your home look autumn ready. I've been lucky enough to receive a range of beautiful bouquets on my blog and Haute Florist have such a unique variety of bouquets, hatboxes and plant arrangements to choose from. Autumnal flowers or plant arrangements would also make great gift ideas and I will have some of my first christmas gift guides of the year coming soon so stay tuned!

Do you have any tips to make your home cosy and autumnal? 

*Gifted

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