CLC World Travel Centre Competition

Image from CLC World Travel Centre 

Today's post is a very exciting one as not only do we all get to talk about the places we want to visit around the world and wanderlust but I am also hosting a giveaway with the lovely people at CLC World Travel Centre for a £25 Marks and Spencer gift voucher to treat yourself or your valentine!

CLC World Travel Centre have a few centres around the UK including Manchester, The Cotswolds, London and Milton Keynes where you can customise your holiday with your personal holiday consultant featuring four amazing resorts around the world such as Orlando, Costa Del Sol, Turkey's Aegean Coast and Tenerife. The nearest centre to me is the Manchester CLC Travel Centre which is is located in Trafford City which isn't far from The Lowry and Media City. If you book, you get a free accommodation voucher as well as a free voucher of your choice for stores such as Tesco, House of Fraser, Amazon, Selfridges, John Lewis and many more.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and a holiday or weekend away would be an incredible gift! The four locations: Orlando, Costa Del Sol, the Aegean Coast and Tenerife all sound amazing; I would definitely choose Orlando, Florida as Sephora...and you know, sightseeing but mainly for Sephora, aka, the mothership for beauty bloggers.

Now onto the giveaway, to be in with a chance of winning a £25 Marks and Spencer voucher, you have to fill out the Rafflecopter form below! The giveaway is open for two weeks so the voucher will get to you after Valentines Day. It's UK only and make sure you check out the terms and conditions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let me know which of the four resorts you would want to visit! 

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December + January Beauty Favourites 2017

I didn't post my December beauty favourites as I posted my 2016 beauty favourites instead but I still wanted to mention some of the products that I've been loving over the past two months so I've combined my December and January favourites. Today's post features two amazing foundations for dry skin, natural skincare that would be wonderful for anyone with sensitive or eczema prone skin, a long lasting lip liner and a few miscellaneous items. 

Skincare 

Winter is an awful time for my skin as it's dry and sensitive most of the time but so far this winter my skin has been incredibly dry with frequent eczema flareups *yay...*. Anyone who reads my blog will know by now that Antipodes is my all time favourite skincare brand so it's not surprising to see one of their vegan products in my favourites post. I have been using the *Antipodes Divine Oil for the past couple of weeks and I love it as part of my evening skincare routine. I haven't been using it in the mornings as it's too rich but I have been using the *Supermood Egoboost Serum which absorbs so quickly but it adds a boost of moisture to my skin as part of my morning skincare routine.

Now onto a skincare tool that I love! I won the Foreo Luna Go for Oily Skin back in November (maybe?) last year via the HQHair Twitter giveaway and I've only just started using it...I have the original Clarisonic Mia but I wanted to give this one a go and I might like it more than my Clarisonic *shock*. I don't see how it's designed just for oily skin but I've been loving it with my dry and sensitive skin as it helps to cleanse my skin so well leaving it squeaky clean and smooth but it doesn't irritate my skin. It looks a little dubious, especially as it vibrates like the Clarisonic and Magnitone cleansing tools...and it's a little harder to hold as it's tiny but I couldn't recommend it enough if you're a skincare nerd as I am!

The cleanser that I've been using with the Foreo Luna Go is the Bioderma Atoderm PP Ultra-Rich Foaming Gel which I think is suitable for the face and body. It's a very basic, gentle cleanser that lathers slightly with the Foreo Luna Go - they work so well together.

Bodycare & Toothpaste...

My hands also suffer so much during the winter months therefore hand cream is an essential. I have one in my bag, one next to my bed, one in the car and one on my desk which might be overkill...The *Tisserand Lavender & White Mint is my favourite of the three that I have tried, mainly because I adore lavender! It's everything I want in a hand cream as it doesn't irritate the eczema on my hands and it's very moisturising but it doesn't leave a residue.

Another product that smells floral and heavenly as well as being vegan is the *Amphora Aromatics Ylang Ylang, Argan & Rosemary Shower Gel. It smells very unique so I don't know if it will be for everyone although I love how different it is as well as being very musky and earthy. Even though it contains lots of fantastic natural ingredients, it lathers well and it doesn't contain parabens, artificial fragrances or colours.

This next item is a little unusual but I cannot recommend it enough and I'm seeing some results so I wanted to mention it. If you have been following my blog around christmas time then you may have seen my post featuring Sensodyne; I started using the new *Sensodyne True White Toothpaste back then but now I've used it for about a month, I'm seeing results. It's a really gentle toothpaste with a subtle minty flavour. it has been helping with my sensitivity and it has had a noticeable effect in terms of whiteness so if that's what you're looking for then check this toothpaste out!

Makeup 

There have been two foundations that I've been going between over the past couple of months, one is a high street offering and the other is a little pricier. The cheaper option is the Yves Rocher Comfort Cream Foundation which is great for my pale, dry and sensitive winter skin. The yellow undertones help to reduce my redness, it doesn't really emphasis dryness and it doesn't irritate my skin. Also the coverage is medium which is almost just enough to cover my redness, pores and dark circles.

The second foundation is the Lancome Cushion Foundation that is even better for dry skin types as it doesn't emphasise dryness at all, it gives a gorgeous glow and it is lightweight, comfortable and perfect for cold winter days. I don't use the sponge it comes with, I just use my foundation brush and sadly I think I'm running out of it so if you have any cushion foundation recommendations then send them my way!

My last makeup favourite is the *Laura Geller Pout Perfection Lip Pencil in Claret which is a lovely rosy red shade that I've been using almost overtime I have worn makeup. The pencil is creamy, it feels comfortable to wear and it lasts really well even through eating.

Have you tried any of these products? What beauty items have you been loving recently? 

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Recently Read #1

I wanted to start a new series on my blog for a while which is in conjunction with my monthly reading wrap-up posts. I always feel like I have so much to say about some of the books I read but the monthly posts are always so long so I don't want to make them even longer with my ramblings. These 'recently read' posts will be more in-depth reviews of two-four books I've read recently that I want to talk more about but there will still be a mini review at the end of every month. Today's post contains two reviews of books I've read over the past three or so weeks that I want to talk about as they are both fantastic!

*Map of Days by Robert Hunter - ★★★★★, 5/5

I was very kindly sent this book last month by the lovely people at NoBrow; I've read The New Ghost by Robert Hunter and I adore his art style so I definitely wanted to give this a go. It's a hardback graphic novel with minimal text and it has his gorgeous, unique illustrations throughout - some of which are spread across two pages so they look stunning! It follows a young boy and his grandad through a creation style story in an almost magical world. The story and themes reminds me of another graphic novel I received from NoBrow 'A Graphic Cosmogony' which contains numerous creation stories as well as gorgeous illustrations from a range of artists including Robert Hunter. I love graphic novels, especially when they're as gorgeously published as this one is, in between bigger, heavier reads and they are perfect for getting out of reading slumps.

I have a few reading goals for 2017 including trying out new genres but I still obviously want to carry on reading genres that I love such as thrillers, historical novels and mysteries and this books has elements of all three as well as politics which I definitely want to read more about. The first book I've reviewed, Map of Days was released earlier this month but this one doesn't come out until the 23rd February (hardback) so not too long to wait.

*Incendium by A.D Swanston - ★★★★☆, 4/5

I have a proof/ARC copy but the cover on Amazon looks like it's going to be the same which is great as I just adore the cover and it definitely drew me in; however, from the description and the book title I thought it would be about Guy Fawkes but it isn't *maybe I was reading too much into the cover*. I was kindly sent this book from Penguin Random House, it's categorised on Amazon as a historical mystery thriller and it's 416 pages.

The story follows Christopher Radcliffe who is an intelligencer to the Earl of Leicester during a volatile time in English or well, European history while Queen Elizabeth I is on the throne. Attempts on the queens life are a consistent problem as are the plots to get Mary Queen of Scots on the throne instead along with a catholic uprising and an attack from the Spanish which causes all kinds of problems for Christopher, his intelligencers and the men in charge of the safety of the queen, keeping the peace in protestant England and the running of the country.

I loved the premise as I adore history, particularly european history so I knew the topic alone would keep me interested but the writing did too as it's very quick and easy to follow even though it's written in an old fashioned style - not the style of the time as then it would have a similar language to shakespeare's plays and it doesn't which is a good thing!

I liked the main character as well as Isaac, Tomasso and Rose but others such as Katherine (Christopher's love interest) were just so annoying for the most part as was the Earl of Leicester. Even though we do find out about most of the characters and you see all they go through, I felt like I was held at arms length from all of the characters so I didn't form any kind of connection sadly but I did want to keep reading to find out what ultimately happens.

The story progressed at a great pace to keep me interested and invested to find out what happens at the end (which was quite predictable) and I loved the setting of Elizabethan London and France. I loved the adventures and the politics but the main point I didn't like about this book was the travelling - I know characters have to move from place to place but all Christopher seemed to be doing was moving from his home to the palace, to the market, to Katherine's house, to prisons or France then back to his home (repeat that over and over) which was quite tedious towards the end so I think it would translate well to a TV mini series or even an action packed, gory film!

Overall, I would definitely recommend both books, for very different reasons! If you want a colourful, endearing graphic novel then pick up Map of Days by Robert Hunter or if you want an action packed, historical mystery with political elements then check out Incendium by A.D Swanston; it has a few flaws but I'd still recommend it. If you want to see my thoughts as I'm reading or what I'm currently planning to read then let's be friends on GoodReads!

What have you been reading recently? Do you have any favourite book genres?

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Favourite Vegan Beauty Products

This post is quite late today as I wasn't happy with the photographs that I took so I had to re-take them today with some gorgeous pink roses! I'm really happy with these photos and this is one of my favourite topics to talk about - natural and amazing skincare and bodycare. Veganuary is almost at an end so I'll have a few round-up posts coming soon including this one.

Skincare 

Let's start with my favourite vegan skincare products so that obviously means talking about Antipodes! Do I even write a skincare post without talking about Antipodes? I am currently using their amazing *Divine Facial Oil which is perfect as part of my winter skincare routine as it's very moisturising, smoothing and nourishing but it isn't very greasy, heavy or irritating. I'm also using the *Rejoice Light Facial Day Cream which is 100% natural and a fantastic day cream and it will be even better during the spring months. If you have dry and sensitive skin then you NEED to check out Antipodes, I cannot recommend them enough! Both of these products are vegan as is the lovely *Joyful Hand & Body Cream.

Bodycare 

A long term favourite of mine is the Mama Mio Liquid Yoga Bath Soak which is the most effective bat soak I've ever tried - it's an essential if you have sore muscles or suffer with anxiety or stress. The scent is so relaxing, calming and heavenly so the newer Mama Mio Space Spray is on my wish list!

Another lovely, vegan and natural product is the newest release from Amphora Aromatics (I've tried a few of their products before and loved them). The new *Amphora Aromatics Ylang Ylang, Argan & Rosemary Shower and Bath Gel has such a unique, deep and earthy scent that is so different to any other product I have in my stupidly vast beauty product collection.

Tisserand was one of my favourite brands of last year as I love the Tisserand Sweet Dreams Bath Oil which contains lots of lavender so I'm happy! I also have the *Tisserand Sweet Dreams Aromatherapy Roller Ball and since receiving it I've been using it before bed most nights as it's a lovely product that helps me unwind.

Lush is also an amazing, natural and ethical brand, obvs. I have so many favourites from Lush including the Angels On Bare Skin Cleanser (I need to buy it again ASAP), the glittery *Intergalactic Bath Bomb and the multi-use Silky Underwear Dusting Powder that's perfect as a talcum powder alternative and as a linen powder. I've used it pretty much constantly for months and months and there is still so much left even though the bottle only contains 60g of product!

Winter drys out my skin so much therefore body creams and butters are an essential for me and the two I've been loving the most recently have been the *Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose & Shea Butter Body Repairing Cream which is so incredibly rich, moisturising and nourishing so much so that it feels like a comforting, rose scented blanket over my skin. The second body cream is The Body Shop Instant Glow British Rose Body Butter; it's also fantastic but not as deeply moisturising or as luxe as the Dr Botanicals cream. However, both are lovely and suitable for vegans!

There are my top picks of my vegan beauty and pampering products and my current winter favourites! I cannot recommend these products enough and they are all of my winter essentials. Some of the products are from vegan brands but others are from brands with a few vegan products and other non-vegan items too.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your favourite natural or vegan beauty brands? What are your favourite Lush products?

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The Best Smoothies Ever?

Since starting veganuary I've been incorporating so much more fruits, veggies and smoothie powders into my diet which I'm loving and loving how it's making me feel - I'm feeling far better about what I'm eating compared to my vegetarian diet over the festive season! Smoothies have now become a regular lunch option for me and they've actually become a replacement of sweet treats too.

Today's post features two smoothies that I have been loving over the past few weeks and I wanted to share them as they're so quick, easy and healthy options. I use my NutriBullet to make all of my smoothies and if you have smoothies often then I cannot recommend it enough as it manages to make smoothies incredibly smooth.

Green Smoothie: Spinach, Apple, Orange Juice & Cucumber

This smoothie is one I make when I don't want a very fruity, citrusy smoothie and if I want something to fill me up as this one does that! I just put a large handful of washed spinach in my NutriBullet along with one small green apple, a small amount of cucumber and orange juice. Blend well then I add in a teaspoon of the *Indigo Nutrition Organic Supergreens Powder which contains wheatgrass, barleygrass, spirulina and other natural ingredients which are high in fibre as well as vitamins A, E, C, B2 and iron, zinc, magnesium.

Tropical Smoothie: Mango, Pineapple & Orange Juice 

Now, this is definitely my favourite smoothie! It's the best combination I've ever tried and even though it doesn't seem to fill me up, it is so delicious, refreshing and it will be perfect for the spring and summer months or as a pick me up during the dull winter weeks we have left. I use about one cup of pineapple chunks, one mango and orange juice to make this smoothie - both amounts listed usually makes one large smoothie.

Let me know if you try these smoothie combinations? What are your favourite smoothie flavours? Are you taking part in veganuary? 

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Wedding Guest Outfit Inspiration

Images from Quiz Clothing

As soon as Christmas and January come to an end, I feel like spring is already here (it isn't but there's no point to winter after January so can we just skip to spring now?). My mind is now in spring mode and it will be until summer rolls around. I love spring, mainly because it feels like a gorgeous refreshing change from the cold, dull winters we have in England; also from a blogging point of view, light! Glorious, glorious light!

When I think of spring, I conjure up images of wildflowers, blue skies, being able to get dressed without piling on ten layers, garden parties and spring weddings. I'm not going to any weddings this year but next spring I am going to be a bridesmaid so I've been looking at bridesmaid and formal dresses.

Nude Chiffon Embellished Maxi Dress  -  Quilted Tassel Bag  -  Grey Embroidered Maxi Dress  - Gold Metallic Dress  -  Rose Gold Metallic Bag

I love classic styles and natural, metallic and classic tones when it comes to wedding guest dresses, as you just can't go wrong with a gorgeous satin neutral dress with a classic, timeless shape. I think all three of these special occasion dresses would be perfect for a prom, as a wedding guest or even a formal garden party! As a blogger I obviously love the rose gold bag, I mean look at it! This is a sponsored post. 

What do you think of my outfit ideas? Have you purchased from Quiz Clothing? Are you looking forward to spring? 

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