Teapigs Matcha Green Tea Drinks + Giveaway

I have been loving healthy eating recently in a effort to become slimmer for my summer holiday and one of the things that keeps coming up when I look for slimming and healthy eating on the net is green tea. Green tea is a favourite with a lot of celebrities. So when I was kindly sent a set of the new Matcha Green Tea Drinks from Teapigs I was over the moon! Click here, to read my disclaimer. 

I was kindly sent the *Teapigs Matcha Super Power Green Tea Drinks in the flavours: Elderflower, Apple and Grapefruit. These are the first products from Teapigs that I have tried and I adore the packaging. I think the packaging looks so cute and inviting. I received six of each flavour and I have been testing them out! 

Matcha green tea is a natural super powerful green tea that contains the health benefits of 15 cups of regular green tea! How amazing is that! One cup of the Teapigs matcha green tea contains 137 times the antioxidants of regular green tea. It also contains 9 times the beta carotene of spinach. Matcha stimulates alpha brain waves to create a state of alertness and focus, it contains natural caffeine to give you a sustained boost and matcha also increases your metabolism - so it helps you burn more calories! 

*Teapigs Matcha Green Tea Drink - Elderflower (£1.89): The elderflower flavour is by far my favourite, I could easily drink buckets of it daily! It does taste like green tea and it also contains spring water and lemon. It is such a refreshing, light, floral drink - perfect for the warmer months. I drink it at room temperate but it would be equally as nice after being refrigerated for a few minutes. I adore the taste of this green tea drink (I only drink green tea, I hate normal tea) and I am going to look into how I can bulk order this flavour as not only does it taste gorgeous but it has a lot of health benefits too. LOVE IT! It has to be ★★★★★, 5/5!

*Teapigs Matcha Green Tea Drink - Apple (£1.89): I also received six of the apple flavour and I wasn't sure if I would like this one but it is very nice - not as amazing as the elderflower flavour though. The green tea comes through a bit more with this flavour but the apple flavour makes it a bit lighter and fresher. The apple flavour isn't artificial, it is a bit sweet and has all of the same amazing health benefits as the other flavours. I prefer this one when it has been refrigerated, it contains no added sugar and there are less than 32 calories per 100ml (each carton is 330ml). ★★★★☆, 4/5.

*Teapigs Matcha Green Tea Drink - Grapefruit (£1.89): Sadly this flavour is my least favourite out of the three but it is still really nice and refreshing. I am not really a fan of grapefruit but if you are then you will love this one! Although my dad really likes this one! The packaging is just so darn cute! The green tea is a little overshadowed by the grapefruit flavour but it is handy, hydrating and great for the summer! ★★★★☆, 4/5.

Now onto the giveaway, I am giving away one of the matcha green tea drinks to one winner. This giveaway is only open to UK residents. One winner will receive one surprise 330ml carton of the Teapigs matcha green tea drink, you may get an elderflower or apple or grapefruit carton. To enter just fill out the rafflecopter below, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To find out more about Teapigs, click here. Teapigs are also running a competition to win a Mango bike and more! It ends on the 31st August, enter on the Teapigs website. Teapigs have kindly given my followers a 10% off code which is valid until the end of July, the code is not valid on kits, deals and pick & mix. The 10% off code is: beauty. 

Just a note: something has gone wrong with my twitter account, it is compromised - I can't login or interact on twitter. Hopefully twitter support will fix it next week and I won't have to create a new account, sorry!

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Last Minute Gift Guide #1 ft. Prezzybox + Teapigs

December seems to be going by so quickly already and before we know it, it will be the big day so if you haven't finished your present shopping then you'll need to be quick! If you are struggling for gift ideas then hopefully this post will be useful as I have so great gift options for tea lovers, commuters, sport enthusiasts, christmassy homeware fanatics or those who have something special to commemorate.

Thanks so much to the lovely people at Teapigs for the amazing surprise package as well as the equally fantastic and generous people over at Bolsius, Prezzybox and Sock Shop for the amazing and wide ranging gift ideas for this post. I already have a few gift guides on my blog which you can read if you want even more gift options as well as a few discount codes.

*Teapigs Keep Cup (£15.99)

Let's start with one of the most useful items in this post and something that I'd wanted for a while, it's a Keep Cup! They are glass coffee cups that are re-useable, durable, recyclable at the end of it's life and they are made from non-toxic materials. I have the medium size which is 12oz or 340ml and the cork edition.

I love the design of this coffee (or tea) cup that's great for on the go as the lid is individually hand fitted to blown glass so it shouldn't leak. I think it would make a perfect gift for those who commute to work as you can take your delicious Teapigs tea on the go within the world first barista standard re-useable cup! I cannot recommend it enough, I've been using mine already and it's amazing.

*Teapigs Mini Packs Gift Set (£13.50)

Next up is a gift idea that is perfect for those who want to try a range of tea including english breakfast, strong earl grey, mao feng green tea, peppermint leaves, chamomile and super fruit teas. You receive two tea temples of each flavour in the mini Teapigs packaging so you could even separate the flavours and give them individually as stocking fillers if you wanted to or keep a couple for yourself and add the rest to a food hamper. I've tried the peppermint leaves tea as well as the chamomile tea, both of which I really like especially the peppermint leaves tea which I cannot recommend enough.

*Teapigs Selection Box (£9.50)

A slightly cheaper option that would be ideal as a secret santa gift as it contains ten flavours so your gift recipient is bound to find so many flavours that they'll love as well as some they haven't tried before. The options include english breakfast, strong earl grey, mao feng green tea, peppermint leaves, chamomile, super fruit, honey bush & rooibos, chai tea, lemon & ginger and liquorice & peppermint, the latter I love!

In the set you will receive one individually wrapped teabag of each flavour which means that it's great for those who haven't tried many Teapigs flavours or who haven't tried any more unique tea flavours in general. It would be great on it's own as a cute little gift, as part of a food hamper or as a stocking filler for the tea lovers in your life.

*Teapigs Spiced Winter Red Tea (£4.49)

Is there anything more cosy at this time of the year that a hot mug of delicious festive spiced tea? The answer is no. I tried this flavour last year or the year before (all of the years are blending into one, the older I become) and loved it. I love anything that has a cinnamon or spiced flavour so this was always going to be a hit for me and it would make an ideal stocking filler this christmas.

*Teapigs Chai Tea (£3.99)

Each one of these packets contain 15 biodegradable tea temples so there are almost just enough for the limbo period between Christmas Day and new year when no-one knows what is going on and the nation is in a state of confusion about whether the shops are open or not. I have tried chai tea before but not from Teapigs so I am excited to try it this festive season!

*Teapigs Apple & Cinnamon Tea (£3.99)

As I said previously, I adore cinnamon so this tea is perfect for me especially as they are all caffeine free so they are the ideal hot drink to have before bed. I tried the mini pack of this tea a while ago (the mini packs of two tea temples are great for trialing new flavours) and loved it. I love Teapigs tea and as a bonus for this time of the year, it's the prettiest packed tea out there!

*Bolsius Candles - Decolight 

I've reviewed a few items from Bolsius but these have to be the cutest and most festive, although they're all fantastic for the super low price! I was kindly sent these two Christmasy candles both of which will be perfect in any home at this time of the year. One of which is gingerbread and the other is cherry scented; I definitely prefer the gingerbread candle as it's filled with a vanilla and subtle gingerbread scent! The best thing is definitely the festive design which could be reused for tea lights when you have finished the candle. They would make lovely festive stocking fillers!

*Sock Shop Storm Bloc (£13.99)

Next up are ideal stocking fillers for those who love hiking as they are tough, durable cotton rich sports socks for men that have elasticated arch supports, cushioning and they have a high tensile strength. Additionally, they are 46x more durable than a standard branded sport sock with a lifetime guarantee!

*Sock Shop Anti-Abrasion Durability Sock (£9.99)

Next up is similar but a little cheaper; however they have the same amazing 46x durability than a standard branded sports sock! They are quick drying, high flex and have low moisture absorption. If you have any hikers in your life then either of these would be perfect. They also have womens versions too.

*Memory Box from Prezzybox (£19.99 - SALE)

Last but not least for this post (although I have more coming very soon!) would make a wonderful gift for so many people! It would be great for gift recipients who've just been on a special holiday, who have just had a baby or are celebrating an important birthday or anniversary. It would also make a unique and special graduation, Christmas or wedding gift.

I have a memory box, although it's no where near as organised as this or as sectioned. I love all of the containers and sections that come with the wooden memory box as it means that you can make sure that your keepsakes are safe and organised. I know so many friends and family members that would adore this memory box and I cannot recommend it enough, especially as it's currently on sale as I'm writing this (10/12/2017).

To get 15% off at Teapigs use the code: ofbeautyand15. It's only valid until the end of January 2018, it's a one use code too and it can't be used on bundles or other offers.

What do you think of these gifts? Have you tried any of these products? 

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Final Father's Day Gift Guide 2018

Father's Day in the UK is less than one week away (it's this coming Sunday) but there is still plenty of time to buy gifts so today's post is my final Father's Day gift guide featuring a range of amazing brands including Teapigs, Cheerz, Crabtree and Evelyn, Thames and Hudson and Temple Spa, all of which are brands that I love! 

*Teapigs Feel Good Teas (£3.99 each)

I have been very lucky to work with the super lovely people over at Teapigs a few times previously reviewing their Matcha Green Tea Drinks, Feel Good Teas and some of their gifts as part of one of my Last Minute Gift Guides last year. Within todays gift guide, I'm including some of their newer flavours in the feel good teas range including the 'trim', 'happy' and 'calm' flavour options. 

The feel good tea flavours are all fantastic and my favourite of the three has to be the 'trim' tea which includes guarana seed, rosehip, hibiscus and peach - the flavour is so summery, fresh and fruity which I love at this time of the tea. The feel good tea options are fantastic as gifts as they not only look so colourful and cute but they also taste lovely, they can help in specific ways depending on what tea you buy and they'd be perfect to add into a hamper. 

I've also tried their peach lemonade, peppermint, apple and cinnamon and green tea with mint and I cannot recommend them enough, they're all delicious and would also be great for a Father's Day hamper too. If you want something a little more summery then the matcha green tea drinks are ideal particularly for spring/summer picnics. 

*Teapigs Stag Mug (£7.50)

Next up is a gift idea that I love, mugs! I have so many mugs but somehow I need more mugs and there are quite a few on Teapigs that are so cute, including this adorable stag mug. The stag mug comes in a gift box and looks so nice as a gift. The design is very simple with a stag illustration and quote on the handle but you know I'm a fan of minimal design. Mugs are a great gift idea, they'd also be great to add to a hamper as I've done along with tea and a keep cup. 

*Teapigs Keep Cup (£15.99)

Lastly from the super generous people at Teapigs is probably my favourite eco-cup design, it's the Teapigs keep cup. Keep cups are made of durable glass, BPA free plastic and sustainable sourced cork so it's an environmentally friendly made reusable cup that would be perfect to take to work, on the go or to a picnic! 

I love the cute, compact design although it does hold 340ml so it's bigger than it looks (like the Tardis of reusable cups) and it would be ideal for tea or coffee (or hot chocolate). It isn't a thermal cup but it's great for on the go rather than storing hot drinks for a long time. I've been using mine off and on recently while visiting a few historic houses around Manchester and Cheshire (follow me on instagram to come along with me). 

*Cheerz Framed Photo (from £15)

Speaking of brands that I love and have worked with multiple times over the past year or so (and I've bought items from them as well), is Cheerz. Cheerz is a French brand focusing on wonderful photograph gifts including photo albums, canvases, memory boxes, magnets and more. One of their newer products, along with their canvases, are these wonderfully designed framed photos which come in a wide variety of options. I have the 20cm by 20cm framed photo with four photos included but you could opt for just one photo. The other size options include: 40cm by 40cm, 40cm by 60cm and 50cm by 70cm. 

As well as being able to change the frame size and number of photos, you can also change the colour of the frame from white and black to oak, I chose the latter even though it's a little more expensive because it matches our living room and kitchen decor really well. Photos for the frames can be uploaded from your computer or social media including facebook and instagram which is so handy although for my Father's Day gift, I opted for older photos of my dad, our family and a rather cute photo of myself and my sister back in the 90's. I cannot recommend Cheerz in general enough as their products are so cute, they make unique personalised gifts and the quality is amazing. 

Both the frames and the retro prints are both reduced for Father's Day and the last day for standard shipping in time for Father's Day is TODAY (11th). The last day for express shipping is the 13th so you still have time. It's so easy to order, especially using their free app! Use the code: 10BEAUTY to get 10% off your order but you have to hurry as it ends on the 17th June!

*Sentinels Of The Sea by R.G Grant (£19.95)

From January 2016 I started reading again after not reading fiction for around ten years (apart from maybe three books per year); however since then I've fallen in love with reading and I'm surpassing my yearly goals by 237% (2017) and 142% (2017). Since I started reading again I've had to discover my favourite genres and one of them is definitely quirky non-fiction and Sentinels Of The Sea definitely fits into that category!

Sentinels Of The Sea is a quirky and incredibly beautifully designed non-fiction read all about the history of lighthouses, from the very early designs to the engineering and designs used today as well as some of the main individuals involved in that evolution. As well as an easy to follow history, it also contains so many blueprint style photographs and diagrams of lighthouses throughout the world which I loved! Additionally, the cover matches the beautiful content within as it too is stunning. I have a few books from Thames and Hudson that are of a similar style including one about dentistry, surgery and another about 'madness' - I've only read the dentisty book so far but I can't wait to read the others. If you're looking for a quirky, beautiful book for Father's Day then look no further. Check out my GoodReads for my book ratings.

*Crabtree and Evelyn Anti-Ageing Hand Cream (£15.20, sale)

Now onto a couple of pampering products because dads deserve some pampering too! My dad doesn't like anything too 'girly'...but he does love hand cream and aftershave, the latter he receives all the time so hand creams are a safe, practical gift. Crabtree and Evelyn is  a fantastic, high quality and effective pampering brand with a range of fantastic gifts for Father's Day! I've tried the hand cream and it's so lovely, rich and moisturising but it isn't very greasy or heavy on the skin, thankfully. It contains so many gorgeous ingredients such as cucumber, sage and rosemary extracts which makes for a perfect hand cream. This hand cream is currently on sale on their site!

*Temple Spa Unisex Travel Bathroom Kit (£18.50)

The final gift idea is from another wonderful pampering and beauty brand, Temple Spa. I absolutely adored their room spray, diffuser, concealer and mascara so I'm very confident that I'm going to love all of their products as they're not only very high quality but smell lovely and they're so effective.

This unisex set contains their frequent use shampoo, everyday hair conditioner, aromatic bath and shower gel and their calming skin balm, all of which are 50ml sizes so they'd be perfect for a weekend away. I love the packaging, all of the products are so well designed and presented and they smell so nice! I love the sets and gift options from Temple Spa as they look so luxe and expensive, I can't recommend them enough. They offer free delivery on orders over £50 and you can get 10% off if you sign up to their newsletter.

That's it for final Father's Day gift guide for 2018, luckily this year I've been able to share quite a lot of gift ideas from so many wonderful and lovely brands, especially those included in todays final post! I love all of the gifts included and if you still haven't bought anything for your dad or grandad yet then you still have time. I hope my gift guides have given you some Father's Day or birthday gift ideas! Check out my video for a few shot clips of some of the gifts in my gift guide!

What do you think of the gifts included in my final Father's Day gift guide? Do you have any gift ideas? 

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Autumn Essentials: Teapigs Feel Good Tea

I'm one of those rare British people who doesn't like traditional tea *don't hate me* but I do love herbal, green, iced and mint tea! Teapigs is definitely my favourite tea brand, not just because of the cute packaging and unusual tea flavours but because because they have some of the best match tea drinks!

*Teapigs Up Beet Energy Tea (£1.75 - £10) 

Let's start with the most seasonally appropriate tea, Up Beet which contains *you guessed it*, beetroot as well as spices, ginger and hibiscus. It's the most seasonally appropriate tea as the beets in the tea turn the water red, can you tell I'm excited for halloween...

Each tea has a specific purpose and this one is great as a morning or afternoon slump kind of tea as it's strong fruit and vegetable blend is the energy boost you need for that mid afternoon slump where nothing gets done. I was a little hesitant to try this one as it doesn't sound like it would be up my street but it's pretty good, especially on chilly autumn mornings to defrost and to give me a little extra energy to eventually get some work done. I don't think it will be everyones cup of tea *sorry* but they do have mini boxes to try out for £1.75.

*Teapigs Snooze Sleepy Tea (£1.75 - £10)

Next up is my favourite tea of the three as it contains chamomile, apple and lavender. If you know me at all then you won't be surprised by this choice as I adore lavender in any form so this tea, for me, is the perfect tea to drink before bed as it's so relaxing - it smells heavenly.

I find that some sleepy tea blends can be too strong or quite bitter but this one is neither! I'm currently ill with a cold and eczema flareup over my eyes *cries* so I've gone through quite a few cups of this tea already and it isn't ending anytime soon. On the back of the box it suggests making it into an iced tea version so I think I'll definitely try this one iced!

*Teapigs Clean In Green Detox Tea (£1.75 - £10)

Last but not least, another favourite as I love green tea is the detox blend which contains lemongrass, ginger, coconut, dandelion leaves and green tea. I've been drinking this one quite a lot recently too as I haven't been feeling well and it's so comforting, soothing and delicious as well as being a little sweeter than the others. It says that it's great for when you're feeling bloated and I think it does help!

The Snooze blend as well as the Clean In Green tea are both favourites and I will be drinking them throughout autumn as I am trying to reduce the amount of caffeine I drink *it's not going well, if you're wondering*. I'd recommend all three especially as they come in mini trial sizes too and I think they're be perfect for a Christmas self care or pampering hamper!

Have you tried any tea from Teapigs? What are your favourite autumn drinks? 

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Halloween Cocktails ft. Baileys Almande + Cranes

Halloween is drawing near and we all know by now that it's my favourite season! I haven't hosted a halloween party or a halloween afternoon tea (which sounds amazing) but I think I'll have to next year. If you're planning a halloween party or boozy afternoon tea then hopefully these cocktail ideas with Baileys and Cranes will give you some inspiration - also check out the video at the end of the post, I'm actually very happy with it, unlike most of my other videos!

*Baileys Almande (£20)

I love the original Baileys but they now have a range of varieties to choose from including their new dairy free almond drink which is naturally suitable for vegetarians and vegans. I love that so many brands are now making dairy free versions of their original products or adding new vegan options! It tastes delicious - sometimes almond flavoured drinks and food can be very artificial tasting and overly sweet but this isn't, thankfully! Don't get me wrong, it is very sweet but not overly so for me although I love sweet drinks.

The Baileys bottle is just gorgeous and perfect as a gift but it also features three recipe and serving ideas on the back including an iced coffee with baileys which is what I made as I just love coffee, especially iced coffee (and to be honest it is one of the easier cocktail recipes you could make). To make it, I add a lot of cold brewed coffee into my Kilner glass jar along with ice cubes, a little gingerbread coffee syrup (as I said, I like sweet drinks) and about two shots of Baileys but add as much or as little as you want. Also if you don't want it to be extra sweet omit the coffee syrup! Instead of a Kilner jar I think this cocktail would look great in a tall coffee glass or even the glass teacup I've used below from Teapigs.

I also made a couple of glasses of Baileys on it's own because while my favourite way to drink it has been as a festive and boozy iced coffee, it does have a nice flavour alone too. If you don't like almonds or marzipan flavours then this probably won't be for you but I do and it makes a great sweet halloween cocktail. It would be ideal for Christmas too as Baileys is the ultimate christmas drink to me.

One note of the iced coffee with Baileys Almande is that it has a tendency to look split in the glass and I don't know if that's due to the coffee I used or the Baileys Almande but it tastes great anyway - just stir it and it will look normal again. I also added these cute star straws to a couple of the cocktails in todays post - they're from a TreatBox a while go, check out All Subscription Boxes to read my subscription box reviews.

Next up, I used the delicious *Cranes Cranberry and Blood Orange Liquor (£19.95) to make the next two very easy and quick cocktails. The Baileys drink is quite white in colour which I think fits the theme of halloween (ghost cocktail anyone?) but I think the Cranes liquor is absolutely perfect for the halloween season.

The first drink I had to serve in a cute glass teacup from Teapigs as it looks adorable and it would be great for a halloween afternoon tea! I mixed fresh orange juice with a little vodka and the Cranes liquor to make a fruity, delicous and incredibly easy cocktail using items you probably already have in your kitchen.

Lastly for the cocktail ideas, I simply added a bottle of tonic water to a craft beer glass (I love the shape of these glasses) and added the liquor - it's simple but delicious and very easy to make for a halloween party. I added the star straws again but you could even add edible glitter, pomegranate seeds or blood orange segments to the cocktail too.

The flavour of the Cranes liquor is so delicious, I'm not usually a huge fan of cranberry flavoured drinks (or cranberry flavoured anything) but in this drink it's tangy, refreshing and very moreish. I think this one will be a hit with so many people and it looks very halloween themed in the glass as well!

Thanks so much to Baileys and Cranes Drinks for kindly sending me the products to try out! I don't make cocktails very often but it was definitely fun making these and trying them, especially the Cranes liquor and tonic water combo - simple but very delicious. I also think the Baileys drink will be a hit and it's always good to have options for everyone to try, whether they're vegan or not.

Check out my quick halloween video below where you can see the drinks in more detail and a very quick demo of how I made them. I'm quite a perfectionist so I'm not completely happy with the video but I'm loving the music!

What do you think of these cocktail ideas? Do you celebrate halloween? Will you be trying #BaileysAlmande or the Cranes Liquor? 

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What is a TeaTox + Does it work?

I was contacted a few weeks ago about taking part in a teatox, firstly, I don't like tea...I know I'm English so I should love it but I don't. The only tea-like drink that I love are the Teapigs matcha green tea drinks; the Elderflower flavour is amazing. Secondly, I was more than a little sceptical about the effectiveness of drinking herbal tea and loosing weight. That being said, I have finished my two week teatox and I'm kind of loving herbal tea!

A teatox is a detoxifying, cleansing process involving herbal teas, most of which have a mild laxative effective; the daytime tea of mine doesn't but the evening one does state that is is a mild laxative. Herbal teas, especially green tea and white tea, are very good for skin health and they are just generally very good for you. Some help with soothing the stomach and they can provide a good source of vitamins and minerals. 

There are so many brands which make a version of a 'teatox' but I have the *Slimming Solutions Teatox (RRP £29.99, now £19.99) which contains a pack of daytime tea and an evening blend; as you can see it is not loose leaf and each teabag is individually packaged. There are 14 teabags of the daytime blend and 7 of the evening blend because with the evening blend you don't have one every evening but every other. 

The first day I tried both blends, the daytime blend was fairly nice although not something I thought I would love to drink everyday; it is herbal and floral in my opinion. The daytime blend contains ingredients such as Chinese Oolong Tea, Lemongrass, Nettle Leaves and Dandelion Leaf. Both blends are natural and sugar free with no artificial additives. 

The evening blend was a little stronger and I really didn't like the scent or flavour the first couple of times I tried it; also the first two/three times I tried it, it made my stomach feel a little bit odd - not ill or uncomfortable and I didn't experience any laxative like effects but I think my stomach just wasn't used to the tea/ingredients.

I have now finished both packets of tea and I did notice a reduction in bloating and I do feel as though I have more energy even though I have had a cold for the past couple of weeks while I have been using the teas. The main effect that the teatox has had is on my thoughts about herbal tea, I now love it, so much so that I've made an order on Teapigs and spent about £25 on tea which I never thought I would do! 

Overall, after my experience with this teatox I do like the idea and I have noticed a couple of positive effects; also I now adore herbal tea which is great as it has so many health benefits; however I'm not thoroughly convinced that I would do one again but it was interesting to try and I would recommend this teatox but don't expect miracles!

Have you tried a teatox? Do you like herbal teas, if so what are your favourite flavours? 

*gifted

Also do your research before taking any kind of supplement etc 

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Teami Relax Tea

Until last year, I hated tea, I just couldn't drink it at all which is a very suspicious opinion in England where tea is basically a religion and out whole culture is simply based around it. I do however adore green tea and herbal tea so I was excited when Teami got in touch about reviewing one of their herbal tea blends.

I chose the *Teami Relax Loose Tea (£19.95, 65g) which is their tea made for those who need help getting to sleep or those who suffer with anxiety, insomnia, stomach issues and muscle tightness. I have always had problems trying to sleep so this was the one I wanted to try.

First up, I really like the packaging and branding. The tea contains lender flower, chamomile, lemongrass, orange peel and valerian root extract - it's 100% natural. It's obviously suitable for vegans, it doesn't contain GMO ingredients and they offer free UK shipping.

The tea is loose and looks so pretty in my glass teacup from Teapigs, although it does need straining before drinking. I love the little lavender flowers in the tea, so pretty! The tea tastes herbal, floral and surprisingly, unlike almost every herbal tea I've tried, this one isn't bitter tasting at all which is amazing! I do find that herbal tea or hot drinks in general before going to sleep do help me feel more relaxed but I don't think it really helps me actually fall asleep. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried any of the Teami tea blends? What are your favourite tea flavours? 

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DegustaBox - November 2019

Today's post is a little late as I've been very busy with christmas preparations and my christmas gift guides - if you are looking for a last minute gift then check out my gift guide posts for ideas! Speaking of gifts, a subscription to the DegustaBox service would make a fantastic and practical gift that keeps on giving. I think it would be great for students, families, foodies and anyone who loves snacking! Use the code: DTPL4 to get £5 off your first box!

*DegustaBox - November 2019

The theme for the November box was 'winter warmers and festive' which is perfect for this time of the year and there were so many fantastic products in the box that are ideal to share. The items range from alcohol, snacks and drinks to vegan options and items to share. The number of vegan items included within the DegustaBox selections each month has been great on the whole this year but the first few boxes of the year and the December box (review coming soon) were amazing.

Woodstar (250ml, £4)

Let's start with the drinks and one of the more expensive items within the box. If you subscribe to the box which includes alcohol then you'll receive this item. This item will be available to purchase from Fortnum and Mason and Sainsburys from January. It's a blend of berries, botanicals and cocoa to create a mild alcoholic drink with a surprising depth of flavour and richness.

Rebel Kitchen Dairy Free Organic Chocolate and Hazelnut Mylk (£1.60)

Next up is an item I knew I probably wouldn't like and sadly I was correct. I've never liked milkshakes or chocolate milk, if it was dairy free or not and unfortunately this is an item I won't be buying. I love both chocolate and hazelnut but within this drink, it just wasn't for me.

Double Dutch Cucumber and Watermelon and Cranberry and Ginger (75p per can)

With this item, you'll receive both the cucumber and watermelon and cranberry and ginger flavours. They are tonics and mixers that can be added to cocktails or mocktails over the festive period; alternatively you could just drink them on their own.

Pure Leaf Matcha (£8.99 each)

Last but not least for the drinks within the November box and it's the most expensive item too. You will receive one of three available flavours which include mint, ginger and pure. I have tried matcha drinks before, such as the amazing Teapigs elderflower matcha drink but I haven't tried to make my own. I'm not sure that I'll like the ginger flavour but I do want to try both the pure and the mint flavours. I now need to buy a matcha whisk so I can try them properly!

Duerr's Half Sugar Seville Orange Marmalade (£1.39)

Next up are a few breakfast and lunch items including the Manchester made marmalade by Duerr's. You'll received either the half sugar version or the fine cut option within your box. I received the half sugar version and while I like all varieties of jam, I'm not too keen on marmalade. However, I love the packaging and my mum loves this marmalade on toast!

Real Handful Trail Mix (£2)

I personally love granola for breakfast, when I'm craving typical breakfast items but I want to start making my own and I think these trail mix packs would be great as either an on-the-go snack, it can be added to yoghurt or mixed with other ingredients to make granola. You'll receive either the strawberry or blackcurrant varieties. I personally love the strawberry version the most.

Pop Snack Bars (£1.49)

I also like to eat snack bars as either an on-the-go lunch or for breakfast with my coffee. You'll receive one of two flavours within the box - I received the peanut butter and dark chocolate option which was so delicious.

Cheeky Monkey Peanut Butter Puffs (£2.29)

My favourite item from the box is a tie between this snack and the final item, reviewed below. I really didn't think I'd like this snack as is doesn't sound too appealing if I'm honest but they were so delicious and moreish - I almost couldn't stop eating them! I will definitely be looking out for these in the future.

Mr Lee's Noodles (£2.50)

Last but definitely not least is a noodle pot from Mr Lees - you'll receive one of two flavours in the box. I received both, as I'm lucky enough to be a DegustaBox ambassador. The Zen Garden Vegetable pot was vegan and I'm glad it was because it was so delicious. It is a very mild snack but I loved the flavour and I will definitely be looking out for this option in the future.

The November box contained a very wide range of items from vegan 'milk' drinks and snack bars to unusual snacks, breakfast items and lunch options. Don't forget that you can use the code: DTPL4 to get £5 off your first box. My review of the December box will be live soon - it's one of the best boxes of the year!

Have you tried any of these items? What do you think of the November DegustaBox?

*Gifted

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My Stocking Fillers: Under £15

For my first christmas gift guide post I wanted to publish something a bit different - all of the products in this post are products I own (either ones I have bought or been sent) that I love and I think would make great stocking fillers for numerous budgets! I wanted to include a few non-beauty items which I think will be fantastic as smaller presents or stocking fillers. 

Makeup & Nails: First up, the amazing Burts Bees lip products - I have a few of their lip balms, glosses and lip shimmers, all of which I love and they have some fantastic shades especially for autumn/winter; and the best part is that all of them are under £10. Staying with the lip product theme, the Sweet Cecilys cocktail inspired lip balms are a unique stocking fillers that not only look cute but they work so well; they are £2.95 each and there are so many flavours to choose from!

Next up are a few nail products, the H&M nail polish remover pot (£3.99) may seem like a boring stocking filler but it is a fantastic nail polish remover and with the festive season comes parties and a quick and effective nail polish remover is a must! Nail dotting tools are also handy to have around this time of the year and I bought my set from Amazon for only 99p (and free shipping, how amazing is that!). The last nail polish stocking filler is a great vale set from Essie, it contains a base coat, top coat and polish - all of which are minis so they are great for those who travel; the best part is that this trio is only £5.99 on Fragrance Direct!

The last makeup item, is the Real Techniques Mini Brush Trio, which I have reviewed fully, here which is only £9.99. Again a great stocking filler for those who travel or commute and the brushes are just so cute! I will have a couple of posts on my real techniques brushes coming soon. 

Skincare, Bath & Perfume: My facial skincare pick is an essential for me currently, it is the Bodhi and Birch Desert Rose Facial Oil (£14, trial size) which is a gorgeous facial oil. There is also one for more combination skin. 

For body care, I have the My Trusty Sunflower Body Butter which is a fantastic product, profits go back into NHS patient care and it is only £7.99 - they make a fantastic hand cream too! Sticking with the body care theme, my bath product recommendation is the Therapie Himalayan Detox Bath Salts which everyone and their cat was raving about earlier this year as they are really help with relaxing and sleeping. The trial pouch I have this £10 which is a little pricy but the full size is really expensive. This product would be great if you are looking for a luxe stocking filler that doesn't cost the earth!

The final product in this category is the Ted Baker Mia Fragrance which is only 10ml so it is great for having in your handbag; it is a gorgeous scent and there are many more to choose from. They are £10 each and the packaging is so pretty and luxe, in my opinion. 

Miscellaneous: The final few products are random inclusions such as drinks, stationary, clothing and hair chalk...Let's start with the Teapigs Matcha drinks which I reviewed fully a few months ago. I adore the elderflower flavour - they are on my wish list to santa! The drinks would be great for foodies, students or those who love tea and they are only £1.89 each! 

My next random stocking filler suggestion is a Post-it dispenser in the shape of a handbag from Viking Direct, yes it is a bit cheesy and novel but I have been using mine constantly - I love it! It is £7.99 and a great little stocking filler for handbag lovers, stationary nerds (like myself) or students.

My penultimate stocking filler suggestion is the Harry Potter T-shirts from Primark, I bought my sister two  of them and they were only £6 each. They also have harry potter socks, jogging bottoms (£8) and other branded merchandised from Game of Thrones and The Simpsons! 

My last product is from Essence, it is their rock style hair dye powder which is a wash out hair dye - well it is actually a hair chalk so it washes out after one wash. I have the purple shade and it actually shows up on my very dark hair! Essence is a fantastic brand and their products are so affordable. 

What do you think of my stocking fillers under £15? What are your stocking filler recommendations? 

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Easter Lunch + Decor Ideas with Wayfair

Happy Easter weekend everyone! Even though this years Mother's Day and Easter plans have been derailed slightly due to the corona virus, we are still going to be celebrating with family this year! I've passed on Easter gifts to my family that live close to us this morning and I'm baking some Easter treats for us today as well. I'm planning on a very relaxed Easter Sunday with plenty of time for eating and reading!

Easter has been something my family have always celebrated with lots of food, meeting up with cousins and receiving Easter eggs or other small gifts. However, I think an Easter lunch (a belated one or a lunch via Skype/Facetime with family and friends) would be a lovely idea to stay connected to each other and celebrate with good food and company.

*Tea, Coffee and Sugar Jar Set from Three Posts via Wayfair (£55.99)

I was very kindly allowed to choose a few items from Wayfair to create my Easter lunch table this year and I'm so happy with every item I chose, especially this gorgeous tea, coffee and sugar jar set. The set contains cute ceramic jars for tea, coffee and sugar as well as a stand and small wooden drawers beneath the jars. I absolutely adore the design of not only the cute jars with their metal labels and the materials used but the farmhouse style look of the set - it fits perfectly with our modern but rustic kitchen decor.

Tea is a quintessential British drink and it wouldn't be lunch (or breakfast...or anytime of the day) without a cup of tea so it has to feature as part of my Easter lunch, particually when the set looks so gorgeous as this one does. I personally love herbal, mint and floral tea blends so this set is ideal for storing a couple of different tea varieties within the jars and drawers so there's something for everyone this Easter.

*Wooden Tea Box from Borough Wharf via Wayfair (£18.99)

Another option for storing tea (or hot chocolate sachets, if you prefer) is this cute and rustic looking tea box that would be ideal as part of a Easter lunch table as everyone can help themselves to a variety of tea flavours. I have quite a lot of tea, from Teapigs and Clipper to Twinnings and Whittards but they are all in open boxes so this storage and presentation solution is fantastic. I've wanted a new way to store all of the loose teabags I have for a while so the timing is perfect and I couldn't be happier with the way it looks in our kitchen.

*Ornamental Lily Stems (£18.93, for three stems)

There's nothing more spring-like than beautiful and freshly bloomed flowers but sadly it isn't very easy to pick up fresh flowers from your local store or supermarket currently (although ordering online from independent stores is a great option to help smaller local business); although artificial flowers might be a great alternative. I adore flowers, whether they are fresh or artificial, as they can make any room of the house look instantly more inviting, fresh and brighter.

However, the cheap artificial flowers I've tried in the past haven't been great in terms of their quality and how realistic they look but thankfully this set of three artificial lily stems from The Seasonal Aisle via Wayfair are the nicest artificial flowers I've tried. I love the colours as they suit my decor very well, they look so pretty in photographs (I always try to use flowers in my blog photos) and they look relatively realistic as far as artificial flowers can. They'd make a nice spring addition to any room but especially as a centrepiece for an Easter lunch.

*Wrendale Designs Wooden Cutting Board from Royal Worcester via Wayfair (£19.99 - sale)

As well as chocolate eggs and getting together with my family, Easter has always been about food, cooking and baking. I love to cook but since switching to a vegan diet in January 2019, I have been baking nearly as much but I'm planning to change that this Easter weekend with some delicious (hopefully) vegan baked goodies. I have my eye on a few recipes including vegan brownies (which I keep failing at but I will try again as I do love gooey brownies) and freshly baked flat bread.

I have a few cheap plastic cutting boards but this one is so beautiful and looks gorgeous in the kitchen. I have been using it as a cutting board since I received it earlier in the week (check out my Instagram stories for blogger mail and unboxings - @ofbeautyand) but I think it would also look very spring-appropriate and cute as a wooden serving board as part of an Easter lunch or Easter afternoon tea.

*Cristian Chevron Flannel Fleece Throw from August Grove via Wayfair (£21.99 - sale)

The weather in England for the past few weeks has been pretty glorious, naturally we would have rare lovely weather in England during a lockdown when we are all confined to our homes! Although it can be a little chilly in the evenings, particularly when we are sitting in the summerhouse so a cute and warm throw is the ideal addition to an Easter lunch in the garden, balcony or summerhouse, if you are lucky enough to have them.

I love anything related to hygge at all times of the year so candles, cooking items and cosy homeware are instant buys for me. I probably own far too many throws and blankets but I can always make room for one more, especially a throw that is a very uplifting and spring-like yellow colour! You may have noticed from my Instagram colour scheme lately that brighter spring colours are not so slowly taking over and I'm loving it! Brighter and fresh colours definitely help to improve my mood!

I couldn't be happier with the items I was very kindly sent from Wayfair to create my own little Easter lunch table at home and just in time for Easter Sunday tomorrow! I cannot recommend all of the items enough (particularly the gorgeous tea, coffee and sugar jar set) as well as the process of shopping on Wayfair as it was very easy to narrow down the items I wanted via the filters and there is so much choice!

I think that shopping online is a much safer choice compared to going to physical shops currently so I think that if you're looking to update your home this spring, redecorate, buy home-related Easter gifts or to buy homeware essentials (such as cooking pans, DIY items, indoor/outdoor furniture or redecorating supplies), Wayfair is a great option to choose from with lots of choice, fast delivery options for certain items and so many offers, daily deals and outlet items.

For more ideas on how to decorate your table for an Easter lunch check out the Wayfair blog as well as their post on Easter crafting ideas!

Have you bought anything from Wayfair? What do you think of the items I've chosen for my Easter lunch table? 

*gifted

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