Birthday Presents 2013

Fossil Link Charm Starter Bracelet in Blue

I'm not a great fan of charm bracelets but I love the chain on this one with the pop of blue enamel - I picked it, btw! ;) I definitely want more, in different colours and pile them on with an oversize watch. 

Jawbone UP
The Jawbone UP is a wristband tracker, that you basically wear all the time and gives you a better insight into your lifestyle. It's a pedometer for a starter, monitors your sleeping pattern and you have the option to set an alarm clock that it's supposed to wake you up at the ideal time. It has an app where you can add extra info, like food/exercise diary and yes, the only thing that it's missing is an heart monitor that could be useful at the gym.
I'm actually pretty excited to give it a go - let me know if you'd be interested in a full review in a few months.

Pull & Bear Pug T-Shirt

My sister knows me well and keeps feeding my pug obsession! I love how regal he looks in the portrait and with a precious gems necklace... hehe Classic! :D

Tiger cute scissors - Romantic Initial Necklace

 Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Kit

I saw this set on offer in Marks&Spencer so I asked my husband to get it for me.

I adore the Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash and my skin's been playing up lately, so I thought it was the perfect time to try more products from the brand. I think it's great value for £14 - I will review the single items, once I have tried them.

Boux Avenue Sunglasses Giraffe Pajamas 

How cheeky looking is tha giraffe? Certainly makes me smile and the material is soooo suuuper soooft!!!

Autumn Giveaway still live here!

FOTN - Green Smokey Eye Look

Face: Mememe Seventh Heaven Primer, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in no.5, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in medium, Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium, Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in cherub, Bobbi Brown Face & Body Bronzing Duo, Benefit Sun Beam;

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in zodiac*, Revlon GrowLuscious Mascara; 

Lips: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in macaroon.

*just one eyeshadow, easy-peasy look, sweet & fast! :)

Remember to enter my Autumn Giveaway!!!

Favourites / Noble Isle Fireside

Cold weather is upon us and before we know it, we'll be singing Christmas carols and planning our festivities. I love this time of the year but I hate the cold! I'm always cold and not to mention getting soaked in rain that can really put a damper on my mood.

There's nothing that I look more forward to - at the end of the day - than a relaxing warm bath and my current favourite is Noble Isle Fireside Mynwy Valley Bath & Shower Gel*
Noble Isle is quintessentially British, taking inspiration from every corner of the isles: from misty moorland, old English orchards and Scottish distilleries.

Fireside has all the ingredients to create the ideal relaxing mood. The smokey notes - oakmoss, vanilla - evoke roasting chestnuts, wood burning and curling up with a book by the fireplace. The spiciness - pink and black pepper, ginger -  tingles the senses and it's balanced by fresh top notes of grapefruit.
 It's comforting for tired minds, cold muscles and frozen toes and truly the epitome of Autumn in a bottle!

Because of the rich notes, it's also the perfect unisex scent and - let me tell you - my husband is certainly appreciating more baths than usual. ;)
I'm guessing the fact that Brad Pitt is the newest famous fan is certainly impressive but not at all surprising, knowing the quality and care behind the brand.

Packaging is also beautiful and if you're buying a gift, they will wrap it in a luxurious box, tied with a striking  satin ribbon and you can add a tag with a special message for your loved ones too.

Have you tried anything from Noble Isle yet? They offer bath & hair products, body lotions, handcare and home fragrances - Take your pick on www.NobleIsle.com

L'Occitane Lotion Divine

At first I was puzzled with L'Occitane Lotion Divine*. I thought it was a lotion in the sense of a light moisturizer but too runny for that and, at the same time, it's not a toner either. After a bit of research, I realized that it's actually a treatment for the skin.

I'm already a big fan of the Immortelle line: the Precious Eye Balm is up there in my Top3 favourite eye creams and the Essential Face Water is a staple in my morning routine.

Immortelle is actually known as the everlasting flower because it never fades, even after it has been picked; Its organic essential oil and water are rich in anti-aging properties and L'Occitane harvests the Corsican variety which is the highest in concentration of active molecules.

The yellow bottle looks luxurious on my sink top and the product itself delivers great results too. I've been using it for few weeks now and I can't believe the difference that it has made to my skin; I was already quite content with the appearance of my skin... but this is a new level of satisfaction!

It's not an overnight change but you will SEE the improvement. The skin feels silky smooth and tired, dull complexions are infused with a brand new lease of life. It also preserves skin's own equilibrium and enhances the benefits from other skincare products.

You apply it morning and evening, before moisturizer; you can use both hands or cotton pads and I prefer the latter, because of the liquid consistency. I spread it on the face and neck with outwards movements and then pat with the palm of my hands. This massage helps the draining process and firms the skin.

The delicate, floral scent has also an uplifting effect and you feel transported in a field on the Mediterranean coast.

A real treat for the senses that most definitely lives up to its name!

Have you tried this lotion yet? Grab a bottle in store or online

Food Delivery / The Flavour Club (with discount codes)

The Flavour Club* is a new monthly subscription box that takes you on a discovery journey of Spanish food and wine.

It's certainly no news that Spanish food is delicious but how many of us can say to really know the traditional authentic products? This Uk based, small family business is passionate about Spain and its culture - and food is part of culture, of course - and they set their mission to source scrumptious produce, directly from small independent suppliers and bring them to your table.

And wine!!! Yes, you did read correctly - after all, wine is best enjoyed with food and every bottle has been chosen to marry the particular flavours, included in the box.

September Box Content:

Yllera Cinco.5 Verdejo Frizzante wine - a refreshing, light in alcoholic content but full in flavour white wine, made 100% of verdejo grapes. Slightly sweet and tangy with fruity notes, like green apples, pineapples and lychees. Best served cold to enhance the small bubbles, coming from the natural fermentation and best paired with appetizers, vegetables and chocolate desserts too.

Just Married Wild Asparagus And Pumpkin Risotto - this is probably my favourite item of the box. In the tin you get a broth with real bits of vegetables to create a delicious, foolproof risotto in just 15 minutes. It's perfect as an evening meal, fast to prepare after work and 100% natural and preservatives free.

and whilst you wait for the risotto to cook, you can snack on the Artesanos De La Luisiana Picos!

Picos are traditional bread sticks, still prepared with an artisan recipe and using 100% extra virgin olive oil.

They are perfect paired with dips and cheese but I find them super-tasty on their own too.

La Cuna Piquillo Pepper Confit is ideal with the picos above but you can also add a spoonful to fish and meat recipes to add some extra body and dimension to the dish. La Cuna is a small brand from Toledo - I love the care put into the packaging but I love even more the simple recipe: roasted piquillo peppers, sugar, salt and olive oil are all the ingredients of this delectable sauce.

Finally, I also got a bottle of Almazara del Ebro Extra Vergin Olive Oil. Almazara del Ebro is a cooperative in Navarra and this organic oil is produced with 100% Arbequina olives, one of the smallest and most flavourful varieties; the D.O. stamp (Denomination of Origin) also ensures that these olives are cultivated without fertilisers.

The box is normally £48 per month, including delivery but the lovely people at The Flavour Box have given me some special discount codes - valid in October - especially for my foodie readers:

- ZMZIZJ (25% off when you try a box with the 1 month only option)

- MMQ5MZ (50% off the first box on all plans - 3 months, 6 months and 1 year plan)

- October20 (20% off all cases of wine and can be used for as many orders in October as you like; remember that if you do subscribe for a box, a case of wine purchased to be delivered with that month's box has no delivery cost. Just email them to get a code to discount the delivery.)

Place your order before the 25th October on www.theflavourclub.com