Summer Moments - Memories Jar with Robert Bakery

When Roberts Bakery got in touch asking if I would like start collecting memories in a memory jar, I was really interested in documenting this on my blog. I've always wanted to start a memory jar. I have started collecting a few memories for my memory jar and thought it would be fun to share some with you here. I'm also planning on adding in some train tickets and photographs taken throughout the Summer. I am hoping to continue adding memories to the jar throughout the Year and hopefully update this post with lots more memories!

A few of of my soft and fluffy moments this Summer start with a few picnics we had in the park! I love a picnic as it is so inexpensive but is always fun. I try to take a picnic with me whenever I can for days out as it is so easy for a simple lunch. Roberts Bakery sent me a few fun sandwich recipes to try out, which I have enjoyed creating but forgot to photograph! I have actually blogged about their Strawberries and Cream sandwich before, which you can check out here.
As well as picnics, I also traveled to York one Weekend this Summer to visit family; where we spent the afternoon having afternoon tea of yummy sandwiches and cake, it was lovely to spend time as a family. Another soft and fluffy moment was when we traveled to the seaside for the day this Summer to relax and unwind. On another Weekend this Summer, we also went to a local beer and cider festival, which was fun to try out the local drinks and catch up with friends.
You can check out the Roberts Bakery news blog posts to check out some cool recipes and updates ideal for Summer, as well as The Roberts Bakery Facebook Page which has cool competitions running at the moment.

What special memories do you have from this Summer?

*Includes PR sample*

Current Face Cream Favourite

Just a quick post today, I have a firm favourite product of the Month for you Today.

I always have a face cream on the go - in fact, I have quite a collection of face creams to choose from. I have been using the Australian Body Care Tea Tree Oil Balancing Face Cream* recently and wanted to share a few thoughts with you as I really like it. 

I have been using the cream as my day cream and have been applying it to my face on a Morning. The product itself leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturised and I just love the scent of Tea Tree Oil. I feel that this has helped reduce the amount of blemishes on my skin. 

The face cream is available to buy for £11.05 on the Feel Unique website here.

*Includes PR sample*

Madara Regenerating Night Cream

When it comes to skincare, I have mentioned before that I have a few firm favourites but I am always on the look out for new products to try. I was wanting to try out a new night cream, and came across the Madara Regenerating Night Cream which claims to help stimulate cell renewal and reduce visible fine lines, as well as repairing skin damage and supporting skin's restorative functions. As the brand claims it helps to achieve hydrated skin, I was eager to give this a go.
The night cream is natural and organic; not tested on animals, and is suitable for all skin types. Perfect for those with sensitive skin!

I have been using this as my only night cream during August, so that I could see if I see any difference to my skin. I thought that the product felt really silky and didn't feel tacky or greasy once applied to the face. After using this for a few Weeks, I have noticed my skin is left feeling soft to touch. I think it is one of those products which leaves your skin feeling very 'fresh' the next Day. I am impressed with the way my skin feels after using this for a length of time. I'm not sure if it is a regenerating product, but I do notice my skin looks and feels better than it did before.
I think the packaging looks great and I love the silver pump. I really like simple packaging like this.

I use Madara's Balancing Toner; which I have talked about previously here, and think that both products work really well in conjunction together.

I would recommend this product if you are looking for a night cream which helps to smooth out your skin. I personally do feel like it is a high end price, but the product itself works really well for me and it is naturally made so it is worth the price for me.

The Madara Regenerating Night Cream* is available online at Mypure for the retail price of £26.

*Includes PR Sample*

A 'Boring But Essential' Beauty Haul

Shower gel, deodorant, toner... all things I always need but find they are pretty basic, boring items to shop for sometimes. I seem to finish products all at the same time, so I tend to grab my essentials altogether when I am shopping at Boots or Superdrug. Even though these items might not be too interesting, I do buy most of them regularly so I thought it could be interesting for you to have a peak at some of my every day essential repurchases and a few new buys.

Boots Essentials Nail Polish Remover
This is just the cheapest nail polish remover I have tried that actually works well. It removes nail polish very easily, and even removes glitter polishes too.

Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash
I use a variety of body washes and tend to pick up whatever is on offer. I really love Dove and this body wash is probably one of their best products ever.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
I haven't tried this micellar water before so as it was just £1, I popped it in my basket to give it a go. I thought I would pick up the smaller 125ml bottle as it is ideal to try out for the first time.

Boots Therapy Moisturise Shower Gel
Another body wash, I know I know. I really like this one, it has jojoba oils as the main scent which smells great and it is so relaxing for an evening bath.

Boots Compressed 48hr Citrus Anti-Perspirant
I have tried Boots deodorants before and they have always done the job, so I decided to buy this citrus scented spray this time. It smells nice, so that's a good sign!



What are your most purchased essential beauty products?

Healthy Breakfast Time

Since starting my blog back in 2011, it has had many changes - I now write a lot of lifestyle posts, with lots of food posts too. I love food! I am trying to cut down on sugar and salt and eat a lot more healthily, so when contacted and asked if I would like to trial a healthy cereal called Keep Me Going, I was really interested and am happy to share my thoughts with you on my blog that I loved it!

To begin, I have to say I haven't always been the best person in the world to eat breakfast. I am not a Morning person, and for Years I am ashamed to admit that I skipped the first meal of the day. In the past few years I have got myself back into the routine of eating breakfast in a Morning, and no surprise is that I have enjoyed it and it has kept me going a lot longer during the day.

I am a big cereal fan, but often struggle to find a tasty alternative to the sugary cereals I am used to eating. Keep Me Going are Whole Grain Barley and Oat Pillows that have reduced sugar and low salt content. Barley and Oats are naturally low in fat, and no further fat is added to the cereal. It is also high in fibre which has been proven to help lower cholesterol levels.


So onto the cereal itself.
It tastes really good! The pillows taste a little like wheat cereals I have tried before, but they stay crunchy even with milk added. It is filling and I have enjoyed having it on a Morning. I really do think it has kept me running on a lot of energy until dinner time, I'm impressed. It is good to find a healthy cereal which I enjoy.
I have tried this both with skimmed milk and also with natural yoghurt and fruit, I think it tastes great with both - but I would definitely recommend trying with yoghurt! I think I may try adding honey to the mix for those days when I am after a sweet fix.
I really like the cereal - in fact I would be interested to see if the brand bring out flavoured oat and barley pillows in the future.

Included in every cereal box are Country trading cards - I love this! Its very nostalgic and I think this is great for children.

If you are interested in trying Keep Me Going out for yourself, they are available to buy online at Ocado here.

*Includes PR sample, all thoughts my own*

Cream Tea, Staycations, and Win a Holiday!

According to a survey that Parkdean recently conducted, it’s clear that the British staycation is clearly still alive and kicking. The survey also revealed some local preferences with the iconic and much-loved cream tea proving a ‘must-try’ amongst 62% of women in particular – be it Devonshire or Cornish. The amount of respondents agreeing that jam first, clotted cream second is the only way to go with cream tea scones was double out of those who put the jam on last. That is exactly how I have mine too! How do you eat yours? I love a good cream tea!

I am so glad that UK holidays or 'staycations' are still popular - I personally love UK holidays.
I have some fantastic memories of holidaying in the UK as a child. We holidayed many places in the UK - from Wales to Cornwall.
I remember staying in a lot of different places, such as; caravans, lodges, chalets, cottages, even camping at a pitch - its all good fun.
Making sandcastles at the beach, having a quick dip in the sea, having fish and chips for tea, strolling around seaside towns, spending my pocket money on keyrings and rock, spending our evenings at the entertainment and riding a donkey. Those are some really special memories of mine, I absolutely loved going on holiday in the UK as a child especially when we were going to the seaside. 

One UK holiday in particular I have fond memories of is when we stayed at Newquay in Cornwall for a Week.  I remember it was my Birthday while we were there and we visited Newquay Zoo for the day and I had such a great day! The weather was beautiful and it made my day so special - I loved walking along the beach on the early evening, it was a lovely way to spend a Birthday!
I still really appreciate holidays away in the UK now. We have such a beautiful country and sometimes it takes just visiting a different area to see what we have in the heart of our own country.


Staycations in Cornwall are great for all the family. There are plenty of beaches to visit, as well as lots to Towns to explore. There are plenty of attractions, such as; the Monkey Sanctuary, the Eden Project, Dairyland Farm, Blue Reef Aquarium, Cornish Sea Tours, any many more, which are sure to keep everyone occupied. There really is something for everyone.

Parkdean are currently holding a competition where you have the chance to win a holiday! It involves a few questions about your knowledge of  Cornwall and Devon. Its worth entering, you have to be in it to win it! You can take part by entering here. The competition close on the 4th September so you still have time! Good luck!

My Hair-o-scope with Madison Reed

"...Channel the duality of your star sign with a customized hair color routine that shifts from fiery to icy cool with easy changes of semi-permanent gloss. If you love long hair, ask for layers that flatter your features, or try a short cut that suits the shape of your face. Either way, the world will be your oyster." Madison Reed

Madison Reed are hair dye and hair care specialists that you have probably already heard of. Madison Reed have a blog (I love it) and recently blogged about hair-o-scopes - something I found really fun and such an interesting read! To see what your hair-o-scope says, check out their blog post here. I am a Gemini and you can see for yourself what they say about my hair-o-scope!

This hair-o-scope really did make me laugh! I don't really think my hair (or myself) is particularly on trend but I definitely think my hair is pretty wild and adventurous!

It is difficult to tame my hair, so I definitely agree that on a good hair day my hair should be fashionable and photo-ready. The tip is quite accurate too, as I do feel like gloss helps my hair a lot. I really like using serums too so that my hair looks smooth and silky. 

I love dying my hair, in the past I have changed it so many times but in the past 3 years or so I have stuck with brown. I really want to try something new! 

Check out your own hair-o-scope online at the Madison Reed's website here. You can also check out their hair dye advisor page for tips and recommendations if you are planning on dying your hair.

What does your hair-o-scope say about your hair?

Top Picks from Joe Brown's A/W Collection

Easy Like Sunday Morning Tunic - link

Freestyle Dress - link

All Seasons Dress - link

Quirky Twit Twoo Bag - link

It is quite obvious that I am a big fan of Joe Brown's clothing, so when I get an email telling me their new Season stock is now available online, I start writing a shopping list in my head of everything I love! I thought I would share my top items from their Autumn/Winter collection, although there are tonnes I love I thought I would select just four. I would love to hear what you think!

The tunic looks like a staple for any wardrobe as it is a classic colour which is transitional from day to night time wear. Both dresses I think are stunning for different reasons. I love the All Seasons dress as the name suggests - perfect for all Seasons! I think it could be perfect dressed down with some sandals for a day out, could be worn smart for work and I think you could even get away with wearing this for a night out or maybe even a wedding if you team it up with a few accesorries. I just love the colours and think it is another item you can wear time and time again. I love Freestyle dress as it looks absolutely gorgeous! I love the deep, dark colours and think this dress would look amazing for a party with a bold lipstick and killer heels! Lastly, I just can't resist this adorable owl bag! I like the owls and I just think is super cute and something I would use a lot!
You can check out Joe Brown's new A/W range here.

Would you wear any of these items? What do you think of my top picks of Joe Brown's A/W collection? 

Dr. PawPaw Original Balm

I love a good lip balm - I have one at my desk, one at my bedside table and probably around 3 in each handbag I own. Lip balm is an essential item for me - I don't like having chapped, dry, sore lips.
I recently starting using the Dr. PawPaw Original Balm, which retails for a reasonable price of £6.95. It has been on my must-try wishlist for a while now, I had heard nothing but fantastic reviews about it and was expecting good things.
Dr PawPaw Orginal Balm is made from a variety of natural ingredients. The main ingredient is fermented Pawpaw; the fruit of the plant Carica Papaya. Pawpaw is said to have natural healing qualities.

I have been using the product every day for a few Weeks now and it has been a complete game-changer for me . This is all I have been using! It works a treat, my lips feel soft and smooth and they haven't felt dry or sore at all. It actually feels like it is working and doing my lips some good, and I am not just coating my lips in product. I also really like the shine it gives when applied over a lipstick, I am now looking at trying their tinted lip balms.
It isn't every day I give a glowing report on a lip balm product, as I do think that a lot of lip balms out there don't really moisturize the lips, but this does. I just think this ticks all the boxes for me and it works so well.
Not only is this a brilliant lip balm, it is a multi-purpose product too which you can use on sun burn; on skin irritations, on the hair, on the skin, as a nappy cream.... the list is endless. I have used the balm as a moisturizer which leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. I have also used the balm on dry skin which seems to have helped clear it up quite a lot. I've even tried applying the product to my eyebrows after grooming them, I really like it for this - so fantastic results all round.
Dr PawPaw Original Balm is stocked in Harvey Nichols, Urban Outfitters and Asos.

Have you tried Dr PawPaw balms before?

*PR sample*

Degustabox July 2015

Another Month, another Degustabox review! If you are unfamiliar with Degustabox,  it is basically a Monthly subscription service where you receive around 9-14 surprise food and drink products which are often new to the market or products you might not normally buy in the Supermarket. The box costs £12.99 per Month, which is a fraction of the price of the products inside the box if you bought them individually. I also have a £3 off discount code GUBN9 which you can apply at the checkout to make the box just £9.99.

Lets have a peak inside this Months box shall we?

Db's Discoveries This Month Degustabox have introduced their new initiative; DB's Discoveries, to bring new tastes and flavours to the box. They will be sent out to a percentage of subscribers each Month.
Little Miracles 

This Months DB Discovery is from brand Little Miracles. Little Miracles Organic Drinks are made from a blend of organic tea, juice and ginseng. They are sweetened with agave, and each blend is less than 90 calories per bottle. They have no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners. 
Both me and my Sister drink these and they really are so nice. We have had them from Degustabox before and I am so glad we did because otherwise we'd never have known about them! They are really tasty and I love trying the different flavours. I think we have tried almost all of the flavours now.

Lambrini *alcohol option*

Lambrini have unveiled their new look ready for Summer, particularly with their flavour So Strawberry. This looks really fruity and I imagine it will be really sweet, just what I like!
I haven't tried this yet as I am saving this for next Weekend, but I know I will love it if it is anything like the other Lambrini drinks!

Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Drinks

Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Drinks are made from milk and are great for on the go as a quick breakfast alternative. I received the flavours chocolate and vanilla in my box. 
I had never tried these before but I found them really tasty and I was quite impressed with how filling they were. Chocolate was definitely my favourite!

Fru Snax

FruSnax take fruit and yoghurt pieces and prepare them to eat by freezing them, evaporating the water and locking in the flavour. I received two packets of these in my box and I must say they are really tasty and full of flavour. I think they are perfect for that mid-day sweet treat fix - but without the calories, as they come in at only 50 calories per pack.

Newton Appl Fizzics

Newton Appl Fizzics is a blend of apple juice and sparkling water and is completely natural, containing around 40% less sugar than apple juice. 
I love the name of this - brilliant, so clever! I really liked this drink, I think it tasted refreshing and perfect after being in the fridge - and with ice added to it.

Taking The Pea

Taking the Pea are the UK's first range of flavoured peas. They provide more protein than crisps and less fat than nuts, making them ideal to pop in your lunchbox. 
My Dad actually tried these and said they tasted really interesting and so different to anything he had tried before.

Tasty Little Numbers

Tasty Little Numbers are perfect for a really quick meal and fit in well with a healthy eating plan. I received two of these meals in my box, which were Chilli Con Carne and Chicken Tikka Masala. I have only tried the chilli con carne meal so far and teamed it up with salad for an evening meal last week. I cooked it in the microwave and I thought it tasted pretty good for a fairly low calorie meal. Since trying these meals I have been browsing online looking at their other products - including cakes and biscuit bars!

Jele Beautie 
Jele is Thailand's best selling jelly snack. These are a interesting and a fun way for a quick jelly snack.

Say Yes To No 

Say Yes To No Toasted Bread Chips contain no artificial  flavouring and colourings.

I really liked these! The sour cream and onion flavour was really tasty and I would probably have these again. I think they would be great as a snack or you could even team them up with a meal like spaghetti bolognaise as an alternative to garlic bread.

I am impressed with the quanity and variety on this Months box!

Have you ever tried Degustabox before? What do you think?

Degustabox Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

*PR Sample*

Afernoon Tea at Bettys, York

Recently I visited York for the Day whilst I was up North visiting family. I have always loved afternoon tea and I am into anything like that, so we decided to head to Betty's.
You may have recently read my guest post from Georgina here, where she lists her favourite locations for afternoon tea in the UK. She included Betty's so I knew it must be a good place to go.

We chose afternoon tea for two, which consisted of; smoked salmon and cream cheese, roast Yorkshire ham, roast free-range chicken breast and egg mayonnaise & cress sandwiches, a sultana scone with strawberry preserve and Yorkshire clotted cream each, a selection of hand-crafted miniature cakes, and of-course a pot of Tea Room Blend tea. We also had a glass of homemade raspberry lemonade too as it was quite a warm Day, so we wanted a refreshing cold drink as well as tea. 

The food quite simply tasted amazing. Everything tasted fresh and I really enjoyed it all. The sandwiches were tasty, the cream tea was surprisingly filling and the strawberry preserve was sweet and delicious. The miniature cakes were really tasty too, and it was nice to have a selection of cakes to try. Next time I will definitely be bringing some cakes home with me.

If you love tea and cakes and enjoy afternoon tea, I think Bettys is a great place to go just for the experience. I probably wouldn't go too often as it is a real treat, but I would definitely recommend it for a nice day out. The staff are extremely friendly and the customer service really is fantastic.