July + August Favourites 2020

 

Today's post is quite overdue as it is my July and August favourites, from beauty and wearables to subscription box favourites and lifestyle products. During lockdown I've been using mostly the same products all day everyday but these items are some of the favourites I've discovered over the past couple of months, from blogger mail and subscription boxes. I will have a more in-depth summer favourites post coming soon which will include all of the items I adored over the summer months...there are many. 

Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' x LookFantastic Box

I'll start with the items I've loved from recent subscription boxes, the first is from the amazing Lookfantastic x Rituals collaboration which is sold out but you can still purchase the items individually from LookFantastic. My favourite items from the box and the items I've been using the most include the hand lotion and pillow mist. The scent of both products is absolutely heavenly and I cannot stop using all of the products from this divine range! 

Oh K! Jeju Island Hydrogel Mask 

2020 has been the year that I've fallen in love with sheet masks, in particular Korean sheet masks, with my favourite brand being Oh k! I've tried so many of their masks but I think that my favourite so far has to be the Jeju Island hydrogel mask which is the most cooling, refreshing and moisturising mask I've tried. I also find that I prefer the 'gel' sheet masks rather than fabric or paper as they are much easier to fit over the face. I cannot recommend their sheet masks enough, especially as the brand is cruelty free and vegan. 

Society Socks Subscription 

Last year I was very kindly sent a couple of pairs of cute socks from the lovely people across the pond at Society Socks. They have a great range of adorable and unique socks for men and women to choose from as well as custom designed socks. Society Socks also have a subscription which I think would make a great birthday gift (or dare I say...Christmas gift) for the people in your life who are always difficult to buy for as you can't go wrong with a unique pair of socks. 

Not only are the designs so cute (especially the astronaut pair I have, who doesn't want mini astronauts on their socks) but for each subscription they will donate two pairs to a charity on your behalf so not only are you purchasing a cute gift but you are helping others too. The mens sock subscription is currently available but the women's option is coming soon so stay tuned. 

Daisy London Stacked Double Rope Ring 

One of the only pieces of jewellery that I've been wearing for the past month has been this gorgeous ring from Daisy London. I've been lucky enough to receive a few lovely pieces from Daisy London over the past couple of years and I adore them all; however I would genuinely recommend them if you are looking for minimal but aesthetically pleasing and high quality jewellery. 

Lick Home Pink 03 Paint

One of the biggest changes to my home during August was my quick home office makeover with Lick! I was very kindly sent a tin of paint and one of their decorating kits to give my drab home office more of a colourful makeover for summer. I was a little worried about the shade before I started painting as I didn't want it to look juvenile or too bright but it is the perfect dusky, muted pink shade and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. If you're looking for a very pigmented wall paint, you can't go wrong with Lick. 

Have you tried any of these products? Which products have you been loving over the summer months?

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Latest In Beauty - August 2020

 

Latest In Beauty create my favourite subscription boxes as you can choose every single item in your box each month! I've been reviewing the monthly boxes for a while and I cannot recommend them enough - for more information on their previous boxes and product reviews, read my previous Latest In Beauty box posts. For unboxings, mini product reviews and a look at all of my blogger mail, follow (@ofbeautyand) on Instagram. 

*Latest In Beauty - August 2020 

The August selection was fantastic and featured so many products that I was interested in so it was a little difficult to choose the six items for my Beauty Enthusiast box (£22, one off box). I chose two sheet masks (I know Caroline Hirons doesn't like them but my skin seems to and while it's finally improving, I'm going to keep using them until I can find a more environmentally friendly alternative), a couple of unique hair products, a lovely body care minis set and a replacement for one of my favourite mascaras. 

*Farmologie Try-Me Box 

I'll start with the item I was most excited about! This body care 'try-me' box was part of the July selection but it was still on the website during August so I happily added it to my selection. I haven't come across a set like this on Latest In Beauty before (as far as I am aware) so I was instantly intrigued, especially as the packaging is so beautiful. The set contains a body wash (30ml), bath soak (30ml), moisturiser (30ml) and hand cream (15ml), all of which are grapefruit scented. I adore the scent as it is so summery and I think it's a great set to try the brand or for travelling. 

*Frank Body Coconut Coffee Scrub 

Occasionally within the monthly boxes, there will be an added item as a bonus and for the month of August, the added extra was a 20g packet of an exfoliating body scrub. This brand is famous for it's body scrubs so I'm interested to give this one a go, especially as the combination of coconut and coffee sounds wonderfully summery! 

*Toppik Hair Building Fibers - Dark Brown 

Next up, the two haircare items I added to my box, both of which are a little unusual. The first is a product designed to make your hair or hairline look fuller and thicker using hair building fibres. I personally have a couple of areas around my hairline that are thinner than others which I am a little self conscious about so I was intrigued to try this product. It claims to give 'fuller hair instantly' and from my experience of using this product, it works in a similar way to a tinted dry shampoo but in powder form. It does add more 'volume' and helps to covers greys but it is annoyingly messy to use unfortunately. 

*Grow Gorgeous Scalp Scrub 

My scalp can be quite dry and flaky at times which can be very frustrating and nothing I've used in the past has helped so I hoped that a scalp scrub would be a great solution. I've tried a scalp scrub from Loreal and it was a little disappointing so I have my fingers crossed that this one is better as I've loved the products I have tried from this brand in the past. 

*SportFX Game Changing Mascara

I received this mascara in a previous Latest In Beauty box and loved it so I wanted a new one as I'm trying to be a little more mindful about the expiration date of my cosmetics - you should apparently renew your mascara every three months. The mascara is a fantastic, volumising and very long wearing. It has a built-in remover which is very effective so I think it would be ideal for those with sensitive eyes or for travelling. 

*Oh K! Jeju Island Hydrogel Mask and After Sun Mask 

Last but definitely not least are two sheet masks from my favourite cruelty free and vegan mask brand, Oh K! I've tried the replenishing hydrogel mask previously and my skin adored it (hydrogel masks are so refreshing and cooling too) so I had to choose it again for the August box. We've had amazing weather all throughout lockdown in Manchester so I thought a soothing after-sun mask with aloe vera would be perfect for my skin after the glorious summer sun we've had. 

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of my picks for the August Latest In Beauty box?

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LookFantastic x Rituals Box

 

We all know how much I adore the monthly and limited edition boxes from LookFantastic! They are some of my all time favourite beauty subscription boxes and I've been receiving (either for review or with my own money) their boxes for years; they've consistently been fantastic! As much as I recommend their monthly boxes, the limited edition box they release every so often, particularly for events such as Mother's Day, are incredible. If you follow me on instagram (@ofbeautyand) or my reviews on www.allsubscriptionboxes.co.uk, you may have seen my review or unboxing already. 

*LookFantastic x Rituals Box (£40, worth £80)

The latest LookFantastic limited edition box is a collaboration with Rituals Cosmetics which is a brand I've tried a few products from in the past and loved. So I was very interested in this box and not just because the packaging is utterly gorgeous although it is. The packaging design for all of the boxes I've received have been wonderful but I love the simplicity and shades used within this design. 

The box contains six items from Rituals, all of which are part of 'The Rituals of Jing' collection. The items include a candle, shower oil, body lotion, body scrub, hand lotion and pillow mist. The scent is the ideal mix of lavender, summer days and a relaxing spa so if that sounds incredible to you then you'll adore this range, as I do. I've been using the hand cream, pillow mist and body scrub the most since receiving the box a week or so ago and I still can't stop sniffing the products at every chance I get! 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Hand Lotion

I'll start with my most used item from the box and it has to be the wonderful and very effective hand lotion. I love the packaging, the scent is heavenly and the hand cream leaves my skin not only with a scent I want to wear everyday but also with silky soft skin. The cream absorbs quickly and has been helping to keep my very dry hands more comfortable and moisturised recently. 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Pillow Mist 

My second favourite product, although it is very difficult to choose as they're all fantastic, is the pillow mist. I've been using the pillow mist as a general room, pillow and linen spray as I cannot get enough of the divine scent. I'll spray it a couple of times throughout the day so I don't think this bottle will last very long! 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Shower Oil

One of the few products from the box that I haven't tried yet is the shower oil; actually, I don't think I've ever used a shower oil! It contains sandalwood and lavender for a rich and relaxing scent. The texture changes from a nourishing oil to a luxurious foam when lathered into the skin so it sounds like a great product for dry skin or during the upcoming cooler months. 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Body Lotion

I have tried their cherry blossom or sakura body lotion before and absolutely loved it so I knew I'd like this one too. It has the same utterly relaxing and calming scent as the other products in the range but I find that it does linger on the skin the longest, out of the products I've tried. The lotion has such a silky texture and leaves the skin feeling very moisturised, smooth and nourished. 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Body Scrub 

I love a good body scrub and the more abrasive the better so I was a little apprehensive to try this item as it is described as 'mild', thankfully I don't think it is. It is a fantastic, abrasive body scrub that has just the right amount of rough particles to give my skin a good exfoliating scrub but not too much that it feels very harsh. 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Scented Candle 

Last but not least is the only other product, as well as the shower oil, that I haven't tried before. I love scented candles but I'm one of those people who buys enough to fill a store and then saves the candles, not wanting to burn them...However, I will burn this one and soon as the scent is heavenly. I also think it would make a lovely little planter when I've used up the candle!

Have you tried anything from Rituals? Will you be buying this limited edition box? 

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Independent Wine: Italian Wine For Summer

 

If you've been following my blog for the past month, you may have read my previous Italian wine focused review with Independent Wine (or if you follow me on Instagram @ofbeautyand, you might have noticed my unboxing or sneak peeks too). Today's post is the second part of my wine review with the lovely people over at Independent Wine; however if you haven't read my previous post, click the link above to read my first wine review blog post. 

As mentioned in last months review, Independent Wine is an online wine shop that offers a range of red and white wine, rose, sparkling wine and whisky. They have a fantastic, easy to navigate website and a variety of blog posts as well as detailed information on each product page, which is fantastic for those who are new to the world of wine, as I am! 

*Peter Zemmer Riesling 2019 (£17.26)

Nestled in the foothills of the Italian alps within the German-speaking region of Italy, Peter Zemmer has created this Rhine riesling using techniques that enhance the inherent fruitiness of the grape. The geographical location of the vineyard benefits from cooling glacial winds helps to enhance the natural refreshing zest and acidity of the wine - the location of the vineyard sounds utterly idyllic!

With fruity aromas of melon and yellow apple alongside floral honeysuckle and elderflower, this riesling has a very refreshing flavour that is ideal for hot summer days in the garden! I love the almost bread, dough or yeast aromas combine to create a flavour unlike anything else I've tried (I am a beginner when it comes to wine tasting), making it very moreish and perfect for the summer months.

*Gagliole Valletta 2017 (£28.48)

Last but not least for today's post, an organic wine from the strikingly beautiful region of Italy that is Tuscany. I've been lucky enough to visit Florence and Pisa a number of years ago and I was awestruck by the sun-kissed rolling hills, mountains and the iconic cypress trees synonymous of the region. The Gagliole estate dates back to possibly as early as 994 AD and it is on the site of this estate that the ancient tradition of planting olive trees alongside Sangiovese vines is observed. 

Despite the vast history surrounding the estate and the centuries old tradition of wine production in the region, the estate has an electric car charger and 80% of the electricity is obtained via solar panels! Cutting edge technology along with hands-on knowledge are used to create a wine with a rich and deep composition. Sangiovese and merlot grapes, in equal quantities, provide aromas of rich red cherries, dried prunes, dried cranberries and spicy full flavours of clove and liquorice. It has such a wonderfully deep and almost christmassy flavour, that is enveloping and warming. 

Check out Independent Wine for more information including their fantastic knowledge base!

Have you visited Independent Wine? Have you tried wine from either of these producers? 

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*Saving Money + Finance Tips

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With all of the chaos going happening around the world, particularly coronavirus, money is something most people are struggling with or being cautious about, myself included. I'm a self employed freelance writer which is a job I adore particularly as I'm able to work from home and my working hours are very flexible but it also comes with a lot of uncertainty (as any freelance or self employed occupation does). Today's post is short and sweet including some of my top money saving and basic finance tips. If you have any top tips or advice, leave them in the comments below!

Bullet Journal Your Finances

My first tip is so write down (or add to a spreadsheet if you are super organised) all of your spending, including food shopping, bills, insurance and treats. I am one of those people who likes to buy little 'treats' such as a book, delicious vegan candy or a bath bomb often but over the month those tiny purchases add up and I end up spending much more than I thought I had. At the time those little treats don't seem like much, especially compared to larger purchases and bills but they can get a little out of control. 

Making lists, spreadsheets or notes of my purchases really helps me to review my spending each month and what I need to cut down on (currently I need to cut down on unnecessary food orders and e-books but it is my birthday tomorrow so that means I can buy myself lots of treats, right?). If you aren't a spreadsheet or list person then a finance diary or bullet journal might be a great option to try. 

Shop For The Best Deals

Whether I'm looking for a coupon code for skincare, the best phone deals, discounted e-books (my ultimate downfall) or comparing prices of insurance, I always search online for the best deal. You might have to shop around online and make a few phone calls to find a good deal but saving money is usually always worth it. My mum is the best person I know when it comes to not only saving money on insurance and household bills but saving money and budgeting in general - I don't know what we'd do without her! When insurance or bills or due, she'll ring up the provider and try to get a better deal or price which is something I admire and it always works out. 

Insurance & Life Cover

Lastly, being prepared. As a perpetually anxious person, being prepared is something that comes naturally to me anyway. Whether I'm packaging for a trip, buying birthday presents months in advance, getting my handbag fully stocked with 'essentials' (read 'essentials' as everything but the kitchen sink) or prepping for a new work project, I'm always as prepared as I can be. I think that being prepared is also essential when it comes to not only saving money but also having the best insurance for you, your family, your home and possessions. 

LifeSearch is the UK's leading life insurance provider that has been helping customers since 1998. The advice is free and they take the hassle out of finding the best insurance for you with their three step process. Critical illness cover is something no one wants to talk about or contemplate but having insurance in place can provide a potentially much needed lump sum or income. Being prepared also includes being fully informed so having recommended free advice and quotes from the experts at LifeSearch is a great first step when looking into life insurance or critical illness cover. 

Have you considered obtaining life insurance? Do you have any finance tips or advice?

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Treat Trunk Vegan Snack Box

There are so many subscription boxes on the market, so many of which I love, from beauty, lifestyle and stationery boxes to books, drinks, food and snacks. However, there's one subscription box that stands out to me as it is filled with a plethora of solely vegan snacks! Treat Trunk is a UK based vegan snack subscription box filled with fun, healthy and nutritious vegan snacks for children, adults, or both, depending on the box you choose. 

Treat Trunk has a wide range of box and subscription options from a one off box, a monthly subscription or their 'new mum' box (£29.99). The box size varies from the mini box (12 to 15 snacks) or the standard box (22 to 25 snacks). You can further personalise the box to your needs by selecting whether you want an adults box, kids box or a combination. As well as my review, you can check out their website to see examples of their previous boxes to have a look at the snacks they include within their monthly boxes. 

*Treat Trunk Mini Box (£24.99)

The box contained such a wide range of snacks, from well known vegan brands to smaller companies I'd never heard of. My box contained a variety of snack bars, protein bars, dried fruit snacks, seeds, tea and more. I have tried a couple of the items in the box before, mainly the delicious The Protein Ball Co raspberry brownie snack which I absolutely love and the Nakd raisins. If you have read any of my DegustaBox review posts then you'll know that I love healthier snacks and snack bars so this was the perfect box for me, especially with all of the easy desk snacks that I eat often. 

There were so many delicious snacks in the box but my favourite snack (that wasn't a snack bar or protein bar) was definitely the pineapple chunks which is the healthy version of candy - I could eat these snacks all day! Another favourite snack has to be the Squirrel Sisters peanut caramel protein bars which were very small but oh so yummy. Lastly for my favourite snacks the Vive hazelnut protein bite and the Creative Nature salted caramel gnawbles. 

There are still a few snacks I have tried from the box including the popped lotus seeds (which look very interesting) and a couple of the snack bars as well as the teat but everything else I've tried has been delicious. I think there are a great range of brands and snacks within the box so you'll be sure to find a few that you love. It would also be fantastic to share with your family, friends or roommates as there are so many snacks to mix and match between a household. 

Overall, I'm very impressed with my first experience with Treat Trunk! I think the box concept is fantastic as it is a great way to try new vegan snacks (for yourself or as a gift for someone else) and to try new brands. There are so many vegan snacks on the market so it can be a little hit or miss but a box like this is an easy way of try a lot of different options. I cannot recommend it enough!

Have you tried Treat Trunk or any of the snacks I've mentioned? 

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