Valentines Gifts For Him

Valentines Day is almost here and I have a few gift ideas for the men in your life. Men can be so difficult to buy for, and I always end up buying the same thing - aftershave/shower products but I hope this post will give you some new gift ideas for him! This post is not sponsored but it is a collaborative post on valentines gifts for him. 

- Watch: While it may seem like something of a bland gift to purchase for him on Valentine’s Day, it is actually somewhat difficult to go wrong when buying him a watch and you can be assured that you are onto something of a winner with this one. A Casio Timepiece will certainly go down well with him and it is also the perfect time to get him to stop wearing the same watch he has been wearing for the last 10 years. Try to go for one which oozes style and sophistication, it is better to view it as something of an investment in making sure that he looks his best!

- Aftershave: This present really is a no-brainer and you can be certain that you are onto a winner with this one; make sure that you take the time to visit a decent outlet and smell the different aftershaves and eau de toilettes. If you need a bit of help choosing something then make sure that you have a quick smell of his existing selection to pick out something that you will be to his taste, oh, and to yours of course!

- Books: Books, especially cooking books are safe gifts, in my opinion, they are always well received. Although horror andmore unusual books will make an interesting gift - the new collection of short stories by Stephen King will surely be a hit.

- Experience Days: Experience days are fantastic gifts, you can book a flying lesson, photo shoots, wine tasting or Go Ape which is the UK's No1 treetop adventure! With most experience days you can book it for two people so you can have the experience too. 

- Entertainment: If your partner is something of a TV or film geek, then you know that you will be able to get him to do anything for you for the rest of the year. Or, alternatively, if you are still having to endure watching episodes of the Sopranos over and over again, then this could well be a shrewd purchase. This nifty little USB device slots into the back of your TV and enables you to stream a whole host of excellent TV shows. This will also encourage him to stop wasting money on Sky TV or Virgin Media and spend the money on you instead!

- Wallet: Make sure he doesn’t have any excuses for losing his cash or, more importantly, for having a photo of you to hand! A stylish wallet really can complete the look of a man and you can be certain that he will love it just as much as you. Take the time to do some research and find something that is really special and that will stand out. Also, if you can afford it, make sure that you splurge a bit of cash on a genuine leather; it really does make such a big difference.

What do you think of these gift ideas?

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Joik Lavender Fields Candle

If you have been following my blog for a while then you may know that I have a slight obsession with lavender - it's such an incredibly relaxing and calming scent me so whenever I receive lavender scented products I have to photograph them instantly so I can use them as soon as possible #BloggerProblems. 

I was very kindly sent the *Joik Lavender Fields Scented Soyawax Candle (£17.50, 145g) and I couldn't wait to try it, especially as I've tried a couple of products from this Estonia based brand and I have been really happy with them. The soyawax is obtained from a renewable source, it is hand poured and soyawax burns cleaner than paraffin wax candles and lasts up to 50% longer than paraffin wax candles. 

Firstly, I love the packaging, the design is minimalist but luxe so I think even just from an aesthetic point of view, it would make a gorgeous gift especially as valentines day and mothers day are just around the corner. I've been burning the candle every couple of days since I received and I can say that it does seem to last longer than the other non soyawax candles I've been burning. 

The scent is a more earthy and subtle lavender scent which makes it fairly unique as most lavender scents tend to be overpowering or very sweet but this candle is neither. If I'm honest I do wish that the scent throw and strength was a bit better as I adore lavender but I think this is still a gorgeous candle with a deeply relaxing scent and it would be perfect for those who don't like strong or overpowering scents. 

Even though the candle wax melts slowly so you can use the candle more (it has an approximate burn time of 30 hours), it still manages to melt to the edges of the glass tumbler so there is no tunnelling or wasted wax which is fantastic. 

Overall, I love the packaging and design, it is minimal so it fits with my minimal decor/style and it smells gorgeous. There is no wasted wax, it isn't too strong and it is composed of a more environmentally friendly wax compared to most other candles. I do wish the scent was quite a bit stronger but that is just my preference. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Have you tried anything from Joik? What are your favourite candle scents or brands? 

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Spicers Of Hythe Valentines Hamper

When it comes to gift giving, I think hampers are a fantastic and well received gift for anyone, whether it's your partner, friends or family - they are quick and easy gifts that look luxurious and that are delicious too, what more could you ask for!

The lovely people at Spicers of Hythe have kindly sent me one of their valentines day hampers (there are lots to choose from) and I love it! I have the *Sparkling Romance Hamper (£48.63 inc. vat and delivery) which is amazing! The hamper contains ten items from snacks and preserves to chocolate and prosecco so there is something for everyone. The hamper includes the following:

- Nua Prosecco (750ml)

- Original Cake Co Mini Cherry and Almond Cake 

- Cafe de Lucca Chocolate Wafers (200g)

- Buiteman Baked With Love Gouda & Chilli Cheese Biscuits (75g)

- Hamlet Belgian Chocolates (125g)

- Cocoabean Love Heart Plaque (40g)

- Taste Chocolate Dipped Shortbread (150g)

- Cocoabean Toffee Bon Bons (100g)

- Dormen Dry Roasted Peanuts (100g)

- Mrs Bridges Blackcurrant & Blueberry Preserve (113g)

As you can see, you get a lot in this hamper, it is definitely a large and substantial gift that I'm sure all foodies with love! Also you get the white wicker basket which is quite large and you could definitely re-use it for kitchen products, candle storage or you could even adapt it into a planter. I think the price is really reasonable considering not only the amount of products in the hamper but the products are all branded rather than mostly unbranded products in the hampers I've previously reviewed from other companies. 

We have been snacking on the products in this hamper since I received it, we couldn't help ourselves - everyone has loved the products in this hamper so that just shows how universally liked this selection/gift is. I personally LOVE the chocolate wafers which I have had before but a different variation - they are so yummy and so moreish, so long new year diet *waves*. I also think it would make a great gift for couples, for anniversaries or birthdays and obviously valentines day as a luxury foodie hamper that I'm sure any recipient will love. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5! 

Spices of Hythe have so many hampers to choose from in their valentines day range and from the other ranges available. Here are my picks for valentines day and mothers day *it's also just around the corner*:

What do you think of the hamper I chose? What do you think of the Spicers of Hythe hampers?

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Valentines Day Gift Ideas

How is it the first of February already, it was 2015 like five minutes ago! Anyway, now that it is February, valentines day is just around the corner and I have some exciting and freakin' adorable gift ideas for you:

- *Biscuiteers Personalised You're My Lobster Valentines Biscuit Card (£22.50): If you have an instagram account the you will at some point have seen the adorable and pretty adorable biscuits from the Biscuiteers. Cards are so 2015, say how you feel with...biscuits. I love the idea and the box the biscuits came in is so cute too. The design is unique, it's a memorable gift and best of all, it's delicious!

- *Chatty Feet Pillow Cases (£12 each or £22 for the pair): Now this is one of my more unusual gifts I have to show you, the people at Chatty Feet *they make cute character socks* now have a Taylor Swift..I mean Taylor Sleep and Johnny Slept...pillow cases. I think they would make such a funny and interesting gift. I know quite a few people who would love the Johnny Depp one!

- *Jolly Awesome Coffee Bear Bone China Mug (£12.50): How adorable is this mug! Perfect for coffee drinkers and animal lovers! I have a mug of an obsession with mugs, I can never have too many and this one is a very welcome addition to my collection. It is hand decorated and fired in England. I think it would make a lovely gift. You can add extra gifts inside or add the mug to a personalised hamper of goodies.

- *Jolly Awesome Bumble Bee Gold Edition Enamel Pin (£9): Another freakin' adorable gift idea from Jolly Awesome *I'm loving pretty much everything on their site*. This would make a cute and inexpensive gift which again could be added to a hamper. They have so many other designs too, I may need the coffee cup pin and the doughnut pin...and the pizza pin.

Gold ring holder handmade by me!

- *Nikki Stark Sally 9ct Rose Gold Ring (£35): As a blogger I am naturally drawn to anything rose gold, it's a condition. I have a few rose gold pieces in my collection but none as beautiful and delicate as this ring. I love the almost sound wave curves, the slightly hammered metal effect and the delicacy of it. The ring is so comfortable to wear, it fits so well and it compliments any outfit perfectly in it's understated elegance.

- *Nikki Stark Sterling Silver Ring (£25): I personally think these rings are incredibly inexpensive for the quality and the gorgeous design - I love everything minimal, especially jewellery. The silver ring has the same gorgeous hammered metal effect and it is just as dainty and delicate as the rose gold variation. I love both and I think they would make lovely valentines gifts that won't decimate your bank balance!

Overall, I think all of the items in my gift guide would make lovely valentines or birthday presents. I especially love the Nikki Stark rings and the adorable Jolly Awesome bear mug and obviously the cute biscuits! I have a short video showing all of the products in more detail:

What do you think of my valentines day gift picks? 

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Amara Living Valentines Gift Ideas

Valentines Day is almost here and to me it is a time to treat your loved ones, personalised gifts say so much and they are more special too although luxury gifts would be perfect for valentines day as well. Luxury items are usually products that people don't want to buy for themselves as they are a special treat so valentines day is the time to treat your partner, friends or family.

There are two brands that I personally have wanted to try for so long but they are also luxury brands so I'm always hesitant to spend the money on treats for myself. I was SO excited when this package arrived from the lovely people at Amara! The package from Amara came quickly, well padded and beautifully presented.

- *Neom Tranquility English Lavender, Sweet Basil & Jasmine Travel Candle (£16, 75g): Neom is an almost cult brand in the beauty and blogging world, everyone raves about their products, especially the candles. I chose this scent as I adore lavender and it doesn't disappoint - the candle smells incredible! It is floral, calming and relaxing, it would be the perfect candle to use on a pamper night. The candle feels like such a luxury item, not just because of the wonderful scent and packaging but the container is made from frosted glass. All Neom products come beautifully packaged and designed so they would make gorgeous gifts for anyone!

- Kate Spade New York Spiral Notebook - So Well Composed (£16): Kate Spade is another cult and much coveted brand in the blogging world, anything from Kate Spade is minimal, high quality and beautifully designed. I have a Kate Spade necklace and it's gorgeous! I chose this notebook as I think luxury or more high quality stationery isn't something most people would buy for themselves so it would be a lovely, luxury and practical gift.

I'm a bit of a candle and stationery addict *as most bloggers are* so both of these gifts would be absolutely perfect for me! Kate Spade and Neom are such famous and high end brands, I think they would make perfect gifts for valentines day. Here are some of my other valentines day gift picks from Amara:

What do you think of my valentines day gift picks? Have you bought anything from Amara?

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