It's that time of the year again when everyone seems to be coming down with a cold, sore throat, migraine or a stomach bug which is what usually happens during the winter months, especially if you work in a school or hospital as most of my family do! The colder months always seem to be rife with little niggles and illness which is not something you want over the festive and new year period so it's a good idea to stay on top of your health at this time of the year.
Headaches
Headaches are something I experience most of the time, it's mainly because I don't drink enough and that's my first tip! Even though the festive season can be SO busy, it's very important to make sure that you are drinking enough (not champagne) to reduce the risk of headaches or migraines. Drinking enough is also good for your skin and reduces the appearance of dehydration lines too so win win.
Heartburn & Indigestion
Another common occurrence during the festive season is heartburn and indigestion which is no surprise with potential overeating, snacking and treats around at this time of the year. One item that might help is Omeprazole which is a drug commonly prescribed for indigestion and heartburn as well as gastro-intestinal reflux disease and stomach ulcers, among other issues.
Prescription omeprazole oral capsule is a delayed-release drug. A delayed-release drug slows the release of the medication until it passes through your stomach. This delay keeps the drug from being inactivated by your stomach. Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs referred to as proton pump inhibitors. Proton pumps line the cells of the stomach and are responsible for producing the acid in the stomach. By inhibiting these proton pumps, Omeprazole reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
By reducing the amount of acid in the stomach omeprazole helps relieve indigestion symptoms caused by excess stomach acid. It stops excess acid flowing back into the esophagus and so relieves painful heartburn symptoms associated with acid reflux. Omeprazole medication also allows the esophagus to heal if it has been damaged by the acid.
If you are taking Omeprazole without the prescription of a doctor or pharmacist and have not noticed any improvements after two weeks, we recommend that you talk to a doctor or pharmacist. Also, do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed without first consulting your doctor.
Eczema
I have suffered with eczema for over ten years and every time winter rolls around it becomes far worse, especially over the festive and new year period when I'm stressed as my eczema is personally very triggered by stress. One thing I try to do is wear less makeup or no makeup when I can and use my prescription eczema creams when I need them with Hydrocortisone if I really need a fast fix. Hydrocortisone is a steroid cream which can thin the skin if you use it over a long period of time (which I have done on/off for ten years) so I only use it in emergencies as I know how potentially damaging it can be but it does significantly reduce my eczema within a day!
Colds, Sniffles & Flu
Lastly, colds, sniffles and flu-like symptoms! Everyone gets a cold at this time of the year so making sure that you are taking multivitamins, eating well and washing your hands whenever you need to will always help, although obviously that won't stop a determined pathogen!
Do you have any health tips or product recommendations?
The start of winter is less than one month away in the northern hemisphere and it definitely feels like it's here already as it's been very chilly in Manchester! I'm thinking about winter helpers now because there seems to be the annual cold going round and all I want to do is have a lush bath with my pampering products and to look after myself now that the weather is colder.
I've started to get back into my exercise routine recently after I've been neglecting it for a couple of months and I have to admit that I'm definitely a little out of shape! I have a crosstrainer at home which is what I use to exercise with as it's just so easy, rather than using a DVD or numerous pieces of equipment.
However, it can be a little tough on my thighs and abs after a while of not using it consistently but this shower gel is a great post exercise product. It contains peppermint oils which are great for tired muscles which mine definitely are!
*Fit Kit Post Exercise Skin Soothing Shower Gel (£3.99, 200ml)
I was very kindly sent two of the Fit Kit post exercise shower gels and the second is the skin soothing option which contains olive triglycerides for protecting the skin from dehydration. Both of the products are 98.4% natural which is great especially as I have fairly sensitive skin and they are also cruelty free and vegan! I love using both products from Fit Kit and I think they'd make wonderful stocking fillers for gym lovers.
One area that I always seem to neglect, especially during the harsh winter months is my hair. I have always had a love/hate relationship with my hair but since getting 8 to 9 inches cut off this summer, I'm loving it so I want to make sure it's well protected and nourished, particularly as I do colour my hair every few months.
I was very kindly sent a few products from Fabriah which is a great site for professional beauty products, in particular haircare. One of their best selling brands is Merlin Professional and I was sent three of their products. The first is the nourish plus shampoo which contains lecithin and carbohydrates to strengthen and moisturise the hair while providing colour protection. I have to be honest and admit that I'm not a fan of the packaging at all, I think it looks very old fashioned and I also don't love the scent; however it is very effective and leaves my hair very smooth, moisturised and easier to manage which is fantastic.
I need to start using more hair masks and treatments as they really help my hair and prevent it from looking dull, unhealthy or dry and this mask is fantastic! I've only used this mask a couple of times so far as it is a weekly treatment but I'm loving it as it's leaving my hair beautifully healthy looking, nourished and moisturised each time which is what my hair is lacking during the autumn and winter months.
Last but not least for the products from Fabriah is the Merlin Papaya Power Sealer which is the product I've used the least and that's only because of the nature of the product which is to be used on damp hair after washing and leave it for 5 to 10 minutes then rinse it out which doesn't fit with my quick, in and out everyday shower routine so I tend to pick this product up far less than a mask, for example.
As well as my hair, my teeth and gum health is something that I rarely think about, if I'm honest but it's something I could pay more attention to! The Breathe Co Oral Rinse in the clean mint flavour is a very quick and easy product that helps to support health gums, protects from plaque and it improves the appearance of unsightly gums too as it isn't just a mouthwash. The range is created by Dr Harold Katz who is a dentist and bacteriologist for his patients who suffered from gum health issues.
I have been using it on and off for almost a couple of weeks now and I'm loving using it! It makes me feel as though I'm looking after my gums with very little effort and I cannot recommend this oral rinse enough, especially because it isn't mouth burningly minty. I know that it's definitely a bit pricy (although it is currently on sale at Superdrug) but it is not just any mouthwash.
As I've said, everyone seems to be coming down with a cold, sore throat, headache or all of the above so it's important to keep on top of your health. Multivitamins are great for everyday use and if you're coming down with a sore throat then pastilles might be useful for you. Sadly as a vegetarian I can't try these as they contain gelatine (why?!) but my mum likes them!
Cold, sniffles and sore throats are a constant throughout the colder months and chapped lips are too, especially for me. Lip balms are a winter essential for me, well an all year round essential but particularly around the colder months. I've tried so many lip balms and this one is yet another that is fantastic, very convenient to use and very effective. So many lip balms I've tried over the years are surface level moisturising but thankfully this one seems to keep my lips moisturised and smooth for a while.
Another product I've been loving from the natural Swiss brand Naturaline is their cucumber facial wash which contains 99.5% natural origin ingredients, 8.5% of which are from organic farming. The facial wash contains a range of lovely ingredients such as cucumber extract, aloe leaf juice and guava extract. The first skincare range I ever tried in my teens was the Boots own cucumber range which was the cheapest you could buy but it was surprisingly effective, I loved the cucumber scent and this one has a similar refreshing and clean scent. If you are looking for a gentle, non-irritating basic cleanser then look no further.
Over the past couple of months, I've come across so many haircare favourites that I want to mention, including the Merlin products that I've already reviewed. One of my favourite 'green' brands is Green People and I cannot recommend their sensitive skincare enough but this is the first time I've tried their haircare. The scent free sensitive scalp shampoo contains aloe vera, green tea and pineapple which sounds amazing and as with all of their products, it's cruelty free and suitable for vegans to use.
The scent free shampoo is just what I've been looking for recently as my scalp has been quite dry and sensitive, maybe because of the change in the weather as it's become very chilly recently. It doesn't irritate my scalp, it lathers well and a little goes a long way. I have been loving this shampoo, it's just so simple but so effective.
I've now tried quite a few products from the sensitive and scent free range from Green People including their skincare and if you have sensitive skin then I cannot recommend them enough. One item that I didn't realise could be irritating is deodorant so Green People have a scent free deodorant which is 89% organic and contains ingredients such as probiotics, aloe vera and olives. It is a deodorant rather than an anti-perspirant but I have found it to be effective and great for days when I'm working from home.
Lastly for my favourites and my haircare favourites (I don't think I've ever had as many haircare favourites as I have done over the past couple of months!) is from a new brand to me, La Biosthetique. I was very kindly sent a few of their mini products to try from Haircare Shop, all of which are suitable for vegans which is fantastic.
My favourite product out of the three I was sent is probably the intense hair mask which I actually used as a deep conditioner because my hair and scalp have been so dry recently. The mask is very gentle but effective and left my hair so moisturised with every use, I cannot recommend it enough.
*La Biosthetique Balancing Shampoo
La Biosthetique products are divided into a few categories such as gentle, balancing and intense and I have one from each but I think the Intense and Gentle ranges are my favourites of the three. The shampoo is what I've been using constantly over the past week or so and my hair has been loving it!
*La Biosthetique Gentle Conditioner
Last but not least the gentle conditioner which is a spray in, leave in product that has been a bit of a miracle for my hair! The spray doesn't soak my hair and it doesn't leave a greasy or heavy residue but it definitely helps to add a little more moisture when my hair is drier and more frizzy than it usually is, which is most of the time.
Phew, that's the end of my rather long winter health and pampering favourites post! Have you tried any of these products?
I've published my mens gift guide already along with a few others but one that I haven't posted just yet is my women gift guide; however, it's here today! Today's gift guide is all about the womens gift ideas that I cannot recommend enough, from gorgeous and luxe jewellery and food gifts to a DNA test, beauty gifts and more so hopefully you'll find a gift idea for a friend or family member this year...or for yourself, I'm not judging.
The first item within my gift guide is from a lovely and luxe brand that I've been lucky enough to work with previously, Nude Jewellery. Nude Jewellery is a luxury, jewellery boutique based originally in Mayfair, London which has been shortlisted for the boutique of the year by the UK Jewellery Awards. As always the Nude Jewellery pieces are so beautifully packaged and presented, it's such a beautiful item to open!
The pendant I have is from their 'Victoria' collection which a simple but elegant jewellery collection featuring gorgeous gemstones such as amethyst, sapphire, aquamarine, pink sapphire and many more! I chose the stunning white topaz and silver pendant as it looks so elegant, classic and timeless in my opinion and I think so many of my friends and family members would be very happy to see this pendant under the tree.
The price varies depending on the metal used, for example, rose gold, yellow gold, silver, 18ct gold, as well as the gemstone that is wanted. The beautiful pendant I have is one of the more inexpensive items you can choose from the collection but it's still a very special, luxe and timeless piece of jewellery that will be cherished. I have been wearing mine recently, although I've been very careful with it because knowing me, it will be lost or broken within a day or two!
I think anything from the Victoria collection would make such a gorgeous gift this christmas as not only is everything so beautifully packaged and presented but it is a lovely collection; to me the style of the collection has a victorian era feel to it which is very christmassy as the victorians created the main elements of the christmas we know today.
*Morris & Co Gardening Gloves Set (£24.99)
When it comes to gift giving, there are always a selection of safe gifts such as food, fragrances or beauty gifts, I'm always buying pampering or beauty gifts for friends and family as I know that they will be a hit! Generic pampering gifts are great for those gift recipients you don't know too well but more specific pampering sets, such as this one, are great for people who you know that love gardening or who are interested in gardening.
The set comes with a pair of gardening gloves and a shea butter hand cream (100ml), both of the products as well as the box feature a gorgeous classic Morris & Co lily and country bloom print which is so pretty! The gloves look very high quality and they are a medium size so hopefully they should fit various gift recipients. I think the set as a whole looks so pretty, put together and very substantial.
*Heathcote & Ivory 'Gardeners' Merry Hands Set (£12)
Morris & Co have a fantastic range of gifts for all budgets, all of which look very luxe for the price and very festive - the most festive of the range is the cute 'merry hands' gift set which is in the style of a christmas tree. The set contains six x 15ml hand creams which is an ideal size for travelling, keeping in your car or having in your handbag. The hand creams contain shea butter and essential oils to keep your hands smooth and moisturised all winter which is great for someone like me as my hands, thanks to eczema, are perpetually dry and hands creams are an essential!
*Heathcote and Ivory Perfume Gel Collection (£10)
Lastly for the pampering gifts is a bit more of an unusual offering from Heathcote and Ivory which contains a collection of three gel perfume rollerballs. All of the fragrances are alcohol free and they're not only beautiful fragrances but they contain shea butter and vitamin E as well to nourish the skin. The scents contained within are as follows: neroli and lime leaves, lavender fields and sweet pea and honeysuckle.
I absolutely love the packaging for this set as it's incredibly sparkly and pretty and if you can't have a tonne of glitter over everything during the festive period, then when can you! I haven't seen set like this before that contains gel rollerball fragrances, I think it's more of a unique and unexpected gift compared to all of the generic fragrance gifts on the market.
Another safe gift idea has to be phone or tablet cases as they're pretty safe gifts to give for most people, they are practical (and we all know that I love practical gifts) and they are something that could be added to a gift hamper. My favourite site for phone cases has to be Case App as I love all of their unique designs, most of which I haven't really seen anywhere else and the quality of the iPhone 5c and iPhone 7 cases have been absolutely fantastic!
I have now upgraded to an iPhone 7, although I'm thinking of getting the latest (my bank balance won't thank me for it though) but in the meantime, I'm loving the iPhone 7 cases I have from Case App. I chose the 'Lemons' case which is just gorgeous and definitely the colour palette that I love and the 'Winter Pattern' design which is as christmassy as my phone case is going to get! I love both designs, you can see the 'Lemons' case on my instagram (@ofbeautyand). If you're looking for a phone case or tablet skin as a christmas gift or if you want a new phone case for yourself then I cannot recommend Case App enough.
Candles are one of my favourite gifts to give and one of my favourites to receive as they just make any room so instantly cosy and inviting, especially at this time of the year when it's chilly, dark and dreary outside! I have so many favourite candle scents and candle brands but a candle that I've been loving recently is this little one from Amphora Aromatics which is a brand I've been lucky enough to work with previously.
The mini pot candles are so reasonably priced but that doesn't mean they aren't beautifully packaged or heavenly scented, as they are! I utterly adore the packaging and the box as it looks so gorgeous, more expensive than it actually is and it looks quite festive in my opinion. It is a mini candle so you're not going to get as much burn time from it compared to a larger candle but it is great for the size. The scent is quite different and I've personally never heard of a mulled pear and spices candle so it's a little more unique compared to most cinnamon scented festive candles. There are so many scents to choose from, you're bound to find one, two or three that you'll love!
I think the Amphora Aromatics candle would make a fantastic stocking filler and another item I think would be ideal as a beauty stocking filler is from Beauty BLVD which is a brand I haven't tried until now but I've heard great things. Firstly, I love the packaging for this product, it looks so unique! I was very kindly sent the Damn Fine shade which is a gorgeous red so it is ideal for the festive season and new year.
I've tried so many liquid lipsticks and most that claim to have a matte formula can be very drying on my lips which isn't very convenient when you're lips are as dry as mine are but thankfully this formula isn't extremely drying compared to others that I've tried. The shade is just gorgeous, if a little darker than what I'd normally wear and it is very long lasting too; additionally this product is also suitable for vegans which is fantastic! There are numerous shades to choose from including a very unique and intriguing blue shade!
Next up for my stocking filler gift ideas is something that will go down very well with pretty much everyone I know, hot chocolate! However, this isn't any hot chocolate but it is made from top quality 100% Colombian cacao which is naturally high in antioxidants and 100% natural! Another unique aspect of this drinking chocolate is the format as it's in a solid bar which can be broken up into squares to make 16 servings. It can be purchased as a block or as chocolate drops as well as gorgeous gift sets and various other flavours.
To use, you just break off a couple of chunks and add it to hot milk, stir and enjoy! I think the packaging, unusual format and quality of this drinking chocolate make it a very unusual but pleasantly surprising gift that will delight your gift recipients. You can also purchase their *Single Estate Panela (£3.50, 200g) to add to your drinking chocolate. Panela is organic dried sugarcane juice that can be used to sweeten hot chocolate, porridge or desserts and it can also be used in baking too.
If you know someone who drinks then these adorable alcohol related gifts from Il Gusto would be absolutely perfect as not only do you get a delicious liquor but it's presented in a christmassy bottle too. There are various bottle designs and shapes to choose from including a christmas tree, gingerbread man and star among other non-christmassy designs such as a motorbike, truck, skull, heart and football boot, to name a few.
I was very kindly sent the christmas tree violet gin which looks amazing, not only because of the cute festive bottle but the colour of the gin is quite unique too. The Il Gusto violet gin is 25% and can be enjoyed on it's own or it can be mixed. I think it would be perfect either as a christmas stocking filler or as part of a christmas hamper!
Lastly for the gorgeous Il Gusto gifts, the salted caramel liquor which comes in the most perfect bottle, a gingerbread man! The salted caramel liquor is 10%, it comes from the Vosges mountain range and it can be used over ice cream (which I'm going to have to try as I love salted caramel anything) or on it's own.
Moving back to the pampering theme and another couple of gorgeous, natural pampering products that I think would make great stocking fillers. Ostara Skincare is a new brand to me but I'm very impressed with their products so far! I was very kindly their christmassy 'beauty berry' body moisturiser and the face mask, both of which are so beautifully designed - I love the slightly festive packaging too.
The body moisturiser contains lots of lovely natural ingredients such as organic olive oil, organic goji berry extract, vitamin E, organic raspberry seed extract and more. Over the past few years I've been trying to use more and more natural or 'green' products as they just tend to work well for my skin. This moisturiser is no different, it has a lovely scent and texture and it's moisturising without being very greasy or heavy on the skin as some moisturisers can be.
The mask from the range has some of the same ingredients as the lovely moisturiser and it is just as effective. It is unusual in a couple of ways from the other face masks I have in my collection such as the magical colour changing effect and the plethora of natural ingredients along with the cute packaging. I've only used it a couple of time so far and not when I've had an eczema flareup but so far so good in that it doesn't irritate my skin. If there's any time of the year when you should be pampering and indulging in rich products then it's winter!
I have so many favourites from this post but I think my favourite practical product has to be these cleansing cloths from Magnitone! I have tried a few microfibre makeup removing cloths like these and I absolutely adore them (I've been using various cloths from the past year or so). This is the first time I've tried Magnitone's version and they are fantastic. If you haven't tried any microfibre cleansing cloths then you're missing out on easy, no fuss cleansing! These cloths remove makeup in seconds (that's not an exaduration), they are so gentle on the skin which is great for someone like me who has sensitive, eczema prone skin and they are the perfect first step in your skincare routine.
I use the cloths to remove 99% of my makeup which is the fastest way to remove my makeup and then I use whatever cleanser I'm using at the time and my skin ends up completely makeup free, clean and ready for my serum. I cannot recommend these cleansing cloths enough as they make removing my makeup so quick and easy! They're also amazing for travelling!
*Palmers Lip Balms (£2.49)
I was very kindly sent a package full of Palmers products so I thought I'd mention them in today's post as I think some of their lotions and lip balms would make great basic stocking fillers for so many people, from teens to grandmas. I have loved their products for years although over the past year or two, I have switched to others that I've been sent. One of my favourite products from Palmers has to be their lip balms which are so thick, rich and nourishing, unlike others and I cannot recommend them enough. They'd be great as stocking fillers or to add to a beauty hamper - I love creating hampers, I think they make such surprising and thoughtful gifts.
Moving away from all of the pampering products and onto something a little more personal, a DNA test. I'm extremely interested in my family history and what my DNA can show about where my ancestors came from which is why I did take a DNA test, one of the first I knew about back in 2012 and surprise, my DNA is 100% European...ok, not a surprise but it was interesting to see the various countries my DNA can be traced back to.
The DNA test I took just involved a simple cheek swab which is pain free, quick and easy and this one is no different; although the steps and general information is definitely a little clearer in this test that it was in that very first test I tried. The first DNA test wasn't massively detailed in terms of the results but it was one of the very first tests the public could buy to trace their ancestors origins but now the technology has progressed so much that the Find My Past test can even specify which regions your ancestors were from! I think a DNA test would make for such a fantastic gift as it's quite unusual and I think most people would find it very interesting which is why I'm giving this test to my grandad so he can see his results and percentages.
Within today's post and video, I wanted to include a wide variety of items so there were lots of gift ideas so we have beauty, skincare, food and homeware to tech, jewellery and fragrance gifts. One of the more tech related gifts, as well as the phone cases, is a cute pair of headphones from Gioteck. Earphones or headphones aren't something I'd want to buy for myself so receiving a pair as a gift would be great! I personally love my Sudio wireless earphones but sometimes I'd like a pair of larger headphones while I'm at my desk so this set from Gioteck would be perfect.
I was kindly sent the bright pink pair although there are various colour options to choose from including: green, blue and black, the latter would probably be the most popular. I love the white, purple and bright pink shades in mine; teenager Heather would have absolutely loved to receive these under the tree! The headphones are light, flexible and comfortable to wear as they are cushioned which is worlds away from the awful cheap headphones I had to wear in school which left you with bright red ears and earache after an hour!
I think these are probably the first headphones I've tried since secondary school IT lessons which brings back a lot of uncomfortable memories of secondary school in general and of those awful headphones but thankfully the cushioning is fantastic and they are far, far better than my previous headphone experiences (I'd rather not think about secondary school IT lessons again). The build quality is great, they have an in-build microphone if that's something your gift recipient would need and they would be idea for gaming, or on the go.
My final gift idea is a little luxurious but Christmas is the time to treat others...and yourself! I've wanted a silk pillow for a while as last year quite a few bloggers were mentioning them and as bloggers are great enablers, I wanted one immediately. However, they can be quite pricey so I've been putting off buying one for myself as it isn't the kind go thing, on the whole, that someone would buy for themselves so it would make a great gift.
The pillow is filled with 100% natural long stranded mulberry silk and the pillow case is made from 100% deluxe 200 thread count fine cotton sateen so it feels very luxurious and indulgent. The pillow I have is the king size (90cm by 50cm) which is huge and much bigger than I thought it would be. It comes in a case case which is quite fancy and makes it even more of a perfect gift idea as it's already partly packaged and nicely presented.
It's hypoallergenic, the mulberry silk interior claims to be useful for those suffering with eczema, allergies, asthma and other issues of a similar nature so if your gift recipient suffers from any of those then it might be a useful and thoughtful gift to give. It is also great for protecting your hair and reducing ageing, the latter I'm not sure of though! I'd definitely recommend this luxe pillow from Silk Bedding Direct as a gift idea for mums, grandmas, friends or aunties this christmas so check out their amazon store or their website.
Use the code: PARTY15 to get 15% off their sale but you'll have to be quick as it ends on the 30th December!
What do you think of the gifts included in todays gift guide? Have you done all of your christmas shopping yet?
October was a fantastic reading month but sadly it wasn't quite that way with November; however I did manage to read ten books along with a couple of audiobooks including two classics: Jane Eyre and Villette both by Charlotte Bronte. My 'big book' for the month was Shadow Of Night at almost 600 pages as well as The Silkworm at over 570 pages.
*Books Do Furnish A Painting by Camplin and Ranauro (246 pages) ★★★ (3.75)
I was very kindly sent this beautifully designed non-fiction read by the wonderful people over at Thames and Hudson (thank you). I've been dipping in and out of this book for a couple of months as for me it isn't the kind of book to binge read but I still enjoyed it! It explores so many points from the reformation, the invention of the printing press, the role of religion in art and artists lives to the relationship between books and art, the effect of books on education/class and the depiction of women in art, among other topics.
I've read a few non-fiction reads published by Thames and Hudson, some of which I was kindly sent and others I've bought myself; they are all so beautifully published, very high quality and I love the layout, especially the short chapters which definitely helps with non-fiction reads. I loved the photographs throughout this read as it did break up some of the more information heavy sections. Most of the information, besides the areas concerning the reformation, were new to me and I always love the opportunity to learn something new! If you're looking for a gorgeously published non-fiction read then definitely check out Thames and Hudson as they publish so many beautiful books. I particularly recommend The Smile Stealers and Crucial Interventions, the latter I also read this month! I have so many books from Thames and Hudson on my wish list, naturally, but some of the books that have caught my eye include: The Writer's Map and The Occult, Witchcraft and Magic.
I'm not going to go too much into this book as I already have a full review in the form of a blog tour post so you can read that post for a more in-depth review. In The Stranger Diaries we follow Clare, an English teacher, as one of her friends and fellow teachers is found murdered. What follows is an exploration of the fictional authors work/life, a hunt for the murderer and more than a few creepy messages in a diary. It's described as gothic which is one of the things that really intrigued me initially and I can see why it is at points but it isn't what I expected when the word 'gothic' was used. However, I found it to be such a fast paced, entertaining and intriguing book with a mystery that kept me turning the pages and guessing until the end!
*Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (227 pages) ★★★★
One of my favourite authors, even though I've only read two of his books, is Ray Bradbury. His writing just clicks with me, I love it! I didn't get the chance to read one of this books in October even though it was the perfect month for reading Ray Bradbury so I decided on a whim to read one of his most famous books, Fahrenheit 451. The edition I have is just gorgeous, I love it!
Within Fahrenheit 451 we follow Guy Montag who is a fireman but not in the way that we think of his job as he is required to burn books which in this future world are forbidden. After a chance encounter with an unusual neighbour and after a death during his job, he begins to question his life, the history of the world he was told and his job.
I adore Ray Bradbury's writing although this is the first non-halloween related read of his that I've read and I do prefer his halloween themed settings and writing more as it's just so atmospheric, eerie and rich. However, I did like the writing style, it was a surprisingly quick and easy read for being a modern classic (it was first published in the 50's) and I did enjoy reading about this future he created, even though it was terrifying. The pace is fairly slow and it's more of a musing on this world and books rather than an action based plot, although it definitely does become more action focused towards the end of the book. The story itself I would rate at 3/5 stars but the writing is 4/5 stars, he has such a way with words, some of which really resonated with me at the end of the book. If you're looking for a futuristic, almost sci-fi read that's easy to follow and very quick then check out Fahrenheit 451.
The Time Machine by H.G Wells (110 pages) ★★★
At the end of the month I didn't know what to read and I didn't want to start on my December books so I opted for a couple of very short books, including The Time Machine which is a classic sci-fi book just over 100 pages. I have the incredibly beautiful tiny hardback from Pan Macmillan!
This book was first published in 1895 which was quite a while ago; however despite its age, it is fairly quick and easy to follow but it was a little bogged down in places. In 1895 I can see how this book and it's concepts of time travel and visiting future cultures would be very futuristic and unheard of but in the 21st century this idea is very well explored within fiction and media so I have to admit that I found it a little boring....sorry! I did enjoy the writing and story to an extent but it's nothing new although it definitely would have been in 1895! I now know where the 'morlocks' and 'eloi' come from! Overall, would I recommend it? Maybe. I'd only wholeheartedly recommend it if you love early sci-fi classics, if I'm honest.
Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti (55 pages) ★★★
The second very short book and my last for November was a poetry collection by Christina Rossetti, who I believe is the sister of the famous pre-raphaelite painter, Dante Gabriel Rossetti. I have to admit that I'm not the biggest poetry fan, I think that was drained out of me in secondary school but I did enjoy this poetry collection on the whole, especially the first, Goblin Market and A Christmas Carol.
*Girl Squads: 20 Female Friendships That Changed History by Sam Maggs (272 pages) ★★★★★
One of my favourite books of the month and maybe the entire year has to be Girl Squads published by Quirk Books which I was very kindly sent. The cover is gorgeous and the hardback cover itself is illustrated too. It's such a beautiful book inside and out with a powerful, important and inspiring collection of real life tales of resistance, feminism and belief in equality.
The book is categorised into various sections such as athlete, political, warrior and artist squads, among others, each of which focuses on a group of women who broke boundaries, shattered records, challenged gender stereotypes, stood up against misogyny and fought for a better life for themselves and other women. I'm sad to say that I only knew one or two women from this collection and the others were completely new to me. I don't know why we haven't been taught about these amazing, incredible, powerful and inspirational women before...oh yeah, misogyny and writing women out of history, that's why.
I cannot recommend this book enough and it isn't very often at all that I give a book five stars but this one has definitely earned it from the beautiful cover, amazing illustrations, fun but informative writing style, readability and for shining a light on so many truly wonderful women that I've never heard of but should have!
*The Atlas of Happiness by Helen Russel (288 pages) ★★★
For non-fiction November I wanted to read a couple of easier non-fiction reads and this one was a great choice. As with Girl Squads, this read has such a gorgeous cover and it is beautifully illustrated inside and out. With The Atlas Of Happiness, Helen Russel focuses on a range of countries including Spain, Japan, Ireland, Iceland and more looking at their culture, approach to happiness and way of living.
I liked the layout, colourful style and design of this book as well as the naked hardback. Some of the information wasn't new to me but much of it was and it was told in an easy, entertaining way. However, the formulaic style for each country did get a little annoying, for example, she seems to have a friend from each country and she interviews each one - that became very repetitive and stale for me. Overall, it's a great book to dip in and out of due to the amount of information. It also made me wish that I was Danish! I would recommend it, if it sounds like something you'd be interested in.
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (576 pages) ★★★ (3.5)
Each month I have been reading at least one longer book that's over 500 pages and so far this year I've been reaching that goal every month and for a few of those months, I've read more than one book over 500 pages - November is one of those months. I read the first book in the Cormoran Strike series by J.K Rowling last year and really enjoyed it; I gave the first book five stars but in hindsight I'd give it four. Anyway, I wanted to carry on with the series but I've been put off by the length as they are pretty long. However I was in the mood for a crime, mystery book and I'm glad I picked this one up although for me it wasn't as good as the first.
I can't go too much into this one as it's the second book although each book follows a different crime. In my opinion you definitely have to read them in the correct order as you see the characters backstories, the relationship between the main characters and you get to know them with each book. As with the first book, this one has a very interesting, intriguing and dark mystery - this one is much darker than the first and contains very perverse sexual content (it's only small sections throughout the book, not the whole thing) which I wasn't expecting.
Overall, I LOVE the character of Cormoran, I liked the easy to follow writing and I throughly enjoyed the dark mystery which left me guessing. I would definitely recommend it as an intriguing crime/private detective story but in my opinion, there are a few negatives such as the length and I couldn't stand the Robin/Matthew relationship as it was just so frustrating. Additionally, it seems a little repetitive at times in terms of Strike's commutes and basic daily actives which added to the length of the book but not much to the story, in my opinion. However, I've already moved onto the third book!
Crucial Interventions: An Illustrated Treatise on the Principles & Practice of Nineteenth-Century Surgery by Richard Barnett (256 pages) ★★★★
The second and final book I read this month from Thames and Hudson was one that I purchased myself as I adore the style of these books - The Smile Stealers I read in 2017 is in the same style. All of these books are beautifully and meticulously designed, gorgeously produced and very high quality so they'd make wonderful, if a little gory, gifts this christmas. I also have This Way Madness Lies which seems to be in this style too so I might read it next month.
Within Crucial Interventions we follow the bloody history of surgery from ancient times to modern surgery with a plethora of interesting diagrams, photos and images throughout the book which makes it more of an immersive and quick read. I am extremely interested in various eras and aspects of history (my main regret is being talked into taking chemistry at collage rather than history) so I did know a fair amount of the contents of this book already but it was still an intriguing, disturbing and interesting non-fiction read that I sped through! I cannot recommend this amazing non-fiction read enough, along with The Smile Stealers. If you're looking for beautifully designed non-fiction reads then visit the Thames and Hudson website.
*Shadow Of Night by Deborah Harkness (592) ★★★ (3.5)
One of the most enjoyable and the longest books of last month was A Discovery Of Witches and as I had the second book from Netgalley, I had to read it in November. I can't go into too much detail about this book as it is the second in the trilogy but it carries on directly from the ending of the first book. It has the same instantly engaging and quick writing style which is so easy to read and follow even though it's pretty long. Out of the two, I definitely prefer the first although that's not to say that I didn't like this one (as I did) but the mystery and freshness of the first made it more of an interesting and entertaining read, for me at least. However, they're both such entertaining, easy reading experiences that I would recommend reading, if it sounds like something you'd enjoy.
I did love the focus on witchcraft elements, the historic settings and the historical figures throughout this second book. I loved the character of Gallowglass, I enjoyed the historical journey, the magic/alchemy and the ending was just what I wanted! I don't think I'll read the third and final book as I'm liking the TV show, although there are quite a few definite differences. One of the main differences is the time frame of the TV show (it seems much more condensed and rushed compared to the book) and the portrayal of Matthew which in the book is very controlling (it's one of the main things I didn't like about the books) but that is glossed over in the TV show as I think they knew that it wouldn't go down very well.
*Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte via BookBeat ★★★ (3.75)
Last month there were so many readathons that I took part in but one that I didn't complete was Victober which involved reading victorian literature in the month of October. One book met all five of the challenges and that was Jane Eyre. I've watched the movie but that was many years ago so I only remember the general plot therefore I thought I'd read the book. Sadly, I couldn't get into the physical book so opted for the audiobook version.
The story of Jane Eyre begins with her awful and abusive childhood at the hands of her cousins and aunt but thankfully she's enlisted in a boarding school in which she is trained well enough to obtain a job as a governess to a lively child at Thornfield Hall, the home of the mysterious Mr Rochester. The audiobook was very easy to understand despite being a classic; however the only thing I didn't like about the audiobook was the narrator using the same tone and voice for each person.
I liked the story on the whole, I also liked the setting and the characters generally, particularly Jane Eyre although I really didn't understand Jane's infatuation with such an awful, impetuous and far older man - it made the story seem very unbelievable but maybe it was normal for the time in which it was written. Overall, I'd give the audiobook a 2/5 and the book itself almost four stars.
*Villette by Charlotte Bronte via BookBeat ★★★
After listening to and enjoying Jane Eyre, I wanted to listen to another of Charlotte Brontes novels as Jane Eyre was not only engaging and enjoyable but it was also very vivid and easy to listen to. In Villette we follow Lucy Snow as she moves from job to job and eventually moves to a boarding school in the town of Villette in France where she develops feelings for a doctor who visits the school.
Sadly I didn't like this novel as much as I liked Jane Eyre, partly because there were numerous sentences throughout the entire audiobook that were in French as the book is set mostly in France...and I don't understand French so I had no idea what was being said. Also, for me, it was very slow paced, there wasn't too much of a plot and we just drifted along with Lucy Snow as she lives her life, which is fine but I definitely prefer novels or audiobooks with a more distinct plot. However, I did enjoy the audiobook, it was composed and narrated far better than the Jane Eyre audiobook I also listened to this month.
Have you read any of these books? What have you been currently reading?
Today's post is very short and sweet as I'm letting you know about a fantastic competition on Wow FreeStuff in which you can win a gorgeous Yankee Candle gift set. You can see the set above which includes three votive candles and a candle holder, all of which are christmas themed - I love the Yankee Candle christmas range. There are 50 sets up for grabs so you have a good chance of winning!
Check out the link above to enter the giveaway but you only have until the 14th December to enter. Additionally, you have to be over 18 to enter the competition, you must live in the UK and by entering the competition you are agreeing to sign up to the Wow FreeStuff newsletter.
I've posted a few Christmas gift guides already but today's will hopefully help with the people who are the most difficult to buy for, men. My dad and grandad are two of the most difficult people to buy for as they never really want anything and they are both fairly picky so I can't really choose anything they haven't tried before. My choices are pretty much limited to food gifts, books, cookbooks and basic toiletries and aftershave; however I think they'll love all of the gifts in todays post!
One of my favourite brands for gorgeous and slightly more unusual and luxe gifts has to include Crabtree and Evelyn. I've been lucky enough to work with them a few times over the past three or so years and for todays gift guide, I'm recommending their West Indian lime hair and body wash which smells incredible. The hair and body wash smells so fresh, vibrant and refreshing which I think will be ideal for dull, dreary wintery days. You also know by now how much I love practical gifts and toiletries and aftershave are ideal safe gifts to give.
Another safe but wonderfully scented grooming gift is from Half Ounce which again is a fantastic and unique brand that your gift recipient might not have tried before; it's always great to try new brands! This set comes in a tin and contains a range of travel sized beard grooming products such as a beard balm, comb, beard oil and scissors, all of which are whisky scented. All of the items contain 98% organic ingredients which is fantastic!
I love the idea of this kit, from the practical tin, product design and the scent to the range of items within the kit and the price. I think the price is great for the number of items and the presentation. One of my favourite things about this kit is the gorgeous, almost victorian style packaging design which I love and makes it stand apart from other kits on the market.
One of the things I miss about Christmas growing up is the absence of toys and things to make or do on Christmas Day! However, IWOOT is here to save the day with the 'plug and play retro TV games' which is a great gift for those big kids in your life - my dad is one of those. The mini controller that plugs directly into your TV contains over 200 games to play such as retro games from the 1980's. Some of the games included are Pong but as a 90's baby I haven't heard of most of these games.
I think this gift would make a fantastic and more unusual gift idea for so many people, from big kids, teens and gamers as well as those who grew up in the 80's and will remember these games from their childhood or teenage years. It's also compact, light and an all in one product so you don't need to buy games, a controller or console as it comes in one simple device.
My only negative is that the actual controller is quite small but that has it's advantages and disavtanges - it's still pretty comfortable to use though. If you're stuck buying the same gifts over and over again, why not opt for something fun for Christmas Day. IWOOT has an amazing range of gifts for all ages, occasions and price ranges so you're bound to find an unusual gift!
One of my favourite ever snacks is popcorn! I could easily eat popcorn every single day and my current favourite brand has to be Popcorn Shed and that's not just because the packaging is absolutely adorable but also because the flavours are amazing. Let's just rave about the packaging for a moment, the mini packs are well designed (and they'd make great stocking fillers or stocking stuffers, if you're American) but the larger boxes are even more amazing. The large 80g boxes are in the shape and style of a cute little shed which I love! Additionally, they also have massive jars of popcorn too that I need to get my hands on.
I was very kindly sent a range of their mini packs, larger boxes and a variety of flavours but before I received the amazing box of goodies, I did buy the chocolate flavour myself and I loved it! As well as the chocolate flavour, I've now also tried the salted caramel, pecan pie and the 'say cheese' flavours, all of which are amazing. I'm so glad that more unusual flavours are becoming mainstream as I'm a little over plain sweet popcorn or butter flavoured popcorn and I'm now all for cheese, pecan and salted caramel flavours as well as chocolate popcorn which is as delicious as it sounds. Out of all of the flavours I've tried the 'say cheese' flavour has to be my favourite - who knew that popcorn and cheese would go together so well! I cannot recommend this brand enough as the flavour options are quite unusual, they're low in calories and they'd make great stocking fillers.
Now onto a bit more of a unique but very practical gift, scissors. Now, stay with me, my dad is one of those dads who is always tinkering with items around the house and is always fixing things so tools would be a perfect gift but he already has so many; however now here is an item that he doesn't have. One useful household item that he is aways complaining about is that we have never had a 'good' pair of scissors (this is the kind of dad he is).
Thankfully Any Sharp has the answer to a question no one has ever asked, is there a good pair of scissors out there? The answer to that question is the Any Sharp Multi 5 in 1 Scissor as it's not just a pair of good pair of tempered steel scissors but they can also be used to cut wires, crush garlic or nuts, open bottles and even cut through fabric, bone and cord. If your dad or grandad has everything, check out this amazing and very practical tool as it's something they didn't know they needed.
*Duvel Devilish Duet Gift Pack (£12.99)
It wouldn't be a mens gift guide without mentioning beer and this gift set not only looks like a substantial gift but it's well presented and contains two bottles of beer and a Duvel branded glass too. I've been on the look out of a beer gift set for a couple of months as it will go down very well with my dad this christmas - we visited Belgium this year and he loved their beer!
The Duvel-Moortgat brewery was founded in 1871 and amazingly it is still family owned and run which adds a little more history to your gift rather than a generic set from the supermarket. The set contains their Belgian golden ale as well as their triple hop 'citra', both of which are 330ml each.
I love the appearance of this set, it's one of nicest, least tacky and well put together beer or ale sets I've seen this christmas. I've been looking at so many recently but they fall into two categories, either they look cheap and tacky or they are quite expensive but thankfully this one looks great but it doesn't cost the earth. I know my dad would absolutely love this set for christmas and I think a fair few of my cousins and friends would too! You will be able to purchase from Amazon UK very soon.
Let's move onto a stocking filler item! In my stocking growing up, there was always chocolate and a few little treats but I think they are mainly for sweet treats, snacks and chocolate as well as savoury offerings so I think these delicious Shore Seaweed Puffs would be ideal. Firstly, the packaging because you know I'm a sucker for great packaging; I love the packaging of these snacks as well as how clear the labelling of 'vegan' etc is.
The seaweed puffs are made of Scottish seaweed which contains lots of natural nutrition in the form of fibre. They are suitable for vegans and they are also gluten free so they cater to a wide range of dietary needs. The snacks are also under 100 calories per bag and they taste delicious; my favourite flavour so far is definitely the sweet and smokey option. I'd definitely recommend them as a healthy alternative to crisps.
This is a gift for those health and exercise conscious people in your life, whether they are frequent gym goers, if they're trying to loose weight or if they like to exercise in the comfort of their own home. If you're looking for an exercise related gift for a friend or family member but don't want to break the bank as larger exercise equipment and machines can be very expensive, then check out this ab roller from Jump Up Online.
I have wanted to try something like this for a while as a supplement to using my large and fairly heavy crosstrainer which isn't the easiest to move around when I need it but an exercise tool this small is much more convenient to use. I'm excited to start using this ab roller as I've been neglecting my exercise routine over the past couple of months and I need to get back into it.
Cookbooks are such safe and easy gifts but so many of them are very generic! As a vegetarian and occasional vegan, I'm always looking to try new recipes and to share delicious vegetarian and vegan food with friends and family as for me both of those diets are very healthy and better for the environment; therefore I'm always very gently encouraging people to opt for vegetarian meals! A vegan or vegetarian cookbook would make a fantastic gift, especially for those interested in vegetarian or vegan lifestyles - or those who'd like to consume more veggies!
This cookbook would be ideal for cooking beginners as it goes back to the very basics, most of which is just common sense to me but I guess those who don't know how to cook would find it very useful. A very unusual aspect of this cookbook is the complete lack of photographs, it just contains cute illustrations and to be honest, I don't know how I feel about it as it's true that we eat with our eyes and for a cookbook to contain zero photographs is very odd. Additionally it contains blank pages throughout the cookbook so you can add notes etc to it which is a genius idea. However, if you know someone who loves cooking and cookbooks, this would be great as it's the most unique cookbook in my rather large collection. I personally can't wait to try making the sweet, sour and tofu recipe!
I am one of those people who can never have enough notepads, I have a drawer full of them but I always need more. I'm a little picky when it comes to stationery; however these two gorgeously minimal notepads from Bastet and Bee are perfect! Not only do they look so cute and colourful but they are really well made and they perfect for jotting down ideas, brainstorming or for a to-do list.
I was very kindly sent the Wallpaper design which is filled with cute yellow and grey polkadots and the Seeds design which is more geometric. They are both quite unusual as they don't have lines, they don't have covers and they are glued at the side. I just love how creative, bright and refreshing they are compared to all of my other stationery items and notepads - I'd definitely recommend them!
The penultimate item in today's gift guide is a gorgeous leather travel journal from The Nomad Factory. It's currently on sale with £10 off the retail price and if you are looking to buy something like this then going to check out their website now while it is on sale! I have the black version but it also comes in brown, rustic and even purple. The travel journal is composed of British-made real leather so it would make quite a special and luxurious gift.
The travel journal is beautifully packaged in a box and also a 100% cotton bag. The actual product is also very well-made and of a very high quality which you can tell in the feel and appearance of the journal. It contains 32 pages and you can also add in extra inserts so there's lots room for travel stories and souvenirs such as tickets. You can buy extra paper refills for your travel journal, kraft file inserts and PVC file inserts.
In my opinion, the travel journal as a whole just looks very luxurious and unique; it would make a very special and unusual gift to give this Christmas, especially if you know someone who loves to travel or is planning a big trip in 2019. For more specific information on the travel journal check out The Nomad Factory website. They don't just produce travel journals, they also offer a range of stationery items such as stencils, beautifully made clips, bookmarks and more so you're bound to find something unique and practical for someone special this year. Check out my video below for a more detailed look at the journal and the extras I was very generously sent.
*Merry Christmas Wine Glass
Last but not least is a 'merry christmas' engraved wine glass from Jackson Tropies which is a site that not only makes specialist trophies but also a range of gorgeous engraved glasses. I have the merry christmas engraved wine glass but there are so many to choose from, some of which come in beautifully presented gift boxes - they'd make amazing gifts. This wine glass would be ideal to pair with a bottle of wine and maybe some festive chocolates! I think it would be a great gift for a friend or even as a christmas gift for teachers!
Lastly I wanted to mention, not a gift exactly, but something that would be a perfect addition to any christmas work or family party, a selfie frame. Selfie frames are great for unique and memorable Christmas group photos! You can choose from a range of styles varying from an instagram style frame, facebook frame or you can even make your own to suit your party and theme.
I'm a university graduate, coffee drinker and beauty, book, lifestyle and fashion blogger from little old England - posts marked with an (*) contain products sent for review or sponsored posts Read More >>
