Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

A while ago the adorable Aimee from Aimee Dot nominated me to do this tag. I haven't been chosen for a tag in so long and really enjoy doing them so thank you so much :)

GUEST POST | My Skincare Routune with Hailey

Say hello to Hailey from Hailey and The Beauty Blog who has kindly written a post for me to save me a bit of time whilst I was preparing to leave. I love this post as I'm a big Lush fan so I hope you enjoy it too.

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Hey Everyone my name is Hailey. I am also a cruelty free blogger from Scotland. I just want to thank Helen for giving me the opportunity to guest post on her blog while she is away. Today I am going to talk about my current skin care routine which has helped my skin a lot and I have seen a huge difference since I started using the products.

Hailey's skincare routine

How to Not Get Jetlag

Soothe Sleep Oil, Seascape - Review

Soothe Sleep Oil, Seascape*

Mug Swap 2014 #BFCMugSwap

I'm rather late creating this post but better late then never. Earlier on in the summer I joined in on But First Coffee's 2nd Mug Swap. I love lucky dips so was really keen to see what my match would get me.

Upbeat, A fun & fruity protein drink - Review

Upbeat*

Fleabag Friday | Stella

Welcome to another edition of Fleabag Friday. A classic, beautiful dog this week. Courtesy of  Lisa from Lisa's Life, meet Stella.

Stella

Zit Zapper, e.l.f - Review

One of my favourite cruelty-free brands is e.l.f (eyes, lips, face). They offer a fantastic range of make-up and skincare products at incredibly budget-friendly prices.

e.l.f Zit Zapper

Nature's Extracts Antiperspirant Roll On, Marks & Spencer - Review

Here is a guest post I did a while ago for Jess at Lovely Jubbly Blog.

Hi, I'm Helen from Tea in the Tub, a cruelty-free lifestyle and beauty blog. Today Jess has kindly let me do a post for her lovely readers so I'm here to tell you about Marks & Spencer’s Nature’s Extracts Antiperspirant Roll Ons.

Nature's Extracts Antiperspirant Roll On, Marks & Spencer

Etsy Wishlist #1

Cedarwood & Pine soap, Ruth Romano - Review

Cedarwood & Pine soap, Ruth Romano*

Ovivo Organic, Health in a Bottle - Review

A few months ago you may recall I reviewed a health tonic called Ovivo. Well great news, Ovivo have recently released an organic version of their elixir so what was once good for your health is now even better for you and the environment!

Ovivo Organic Olive leaf Infusion with Calendula* (and Pepé)

Fleabag Friday | Saffy

Fleabag Friday is here again with Saffy, a cutie of a rescue dog (Yay!) owned by Jennifer from the blog Ginevrella. Adopt dont shop!

Saffy

Tisty Tosty Bath Ballistic, Lush - Review

Tisty Tosty, Lush

One of the Lush classics the Tisty Tosty bath ballistic is one I have ignored for a long time, deeming the rose scent as "old-ladyish". Despite this, my eyes have always been drawn to the inviting pile of Tisty Tostys until finally I picked one up.

The Enchanted Tearoom, Cheltenham - Review

The Enchanted Tearoom, Cheltenham

During the summer I treated my best friend Fiona to High Tea at The Enchanted Tearoom in Cheltenham. Just off the High Street, the tearoom is intimately located up a staircase. Upon arrival it feels special as the decoration and decor make you feel like you are walking into something from Alice in Wonderland. Naturally we stopped for a mini photoshoot on the bench at the top of the stairs.

Bathroom Staples 04 - Eye Cream

It's been a long time since my last Bathroom Staples post and this one I've been looking forward to writing for a long time: Eye cream!

Eye creams

Top 5 Autumn Teas

My favourite season is here. Halloween, golden brown leaves, hot tea. What's not to love? I love tea all year round but some teas taste even more delicious on a crisp autumnal day. Here are my top 5 teas to be enjoyed as the days get shorter.

Top 5 Autumn Teas

Fleabag Friday | Baker

Welcome to another Fleabag Friday. It's been a while since the last one due to lack of contributors. If you have a pet of ANY kind, I'd love to feature him/her/them. Anyway, this edition is by a previous Blogger of the Month Danielle from Underland to Wonderland with her furry bundle of joy.

So, everyone, meet Baker.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Check Your Breasts

This month is Cancer Awareness month. I am a contributor to e-magazine Humane Beings and recently had my first article published with them on how we can help prevent breast cancer by checking ourselves regularly.

Please head on to the link below to find out for yourself just how quick and easy it is to check yourself.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Check Your Breasts

Chocolate Week / Healthy Protein Chocolate Cake | Recipe

To celebrate the end of Chocolate Week, here is a recipe I recently found in a Women's Running magazine. Fruit, chocolate and packed full of protein. What more could you want?

Hot Chocolate Sports Recovery Drink, Après - Review

Hot Chocolate Sports Recovery Drink, Après*

This past week the fleecy blanket has come out and the fireplace has been lit. Colder, shorter days are no excuse to stay indoors though. Autumn and winter are my favourite seasons to run in. I love the brisk cool air and the rain on my face. I also thoroughly enjoy getting back home as I usually fantasise about hot drinks and baths during these runs.

Look, You've Got Chocolate All Over Your Face anti-stress face mask, Anatomicals - Review

Wahoooo! Chocolate week is here! Truth be told, I'm not a huge choco-fan but I do love the smell, especially if orange is involved (Evidence here & here) So whilst I don't get a huge amount of pleasure from eating it, I thoroughly enjoy rubbing it all over my face.

Chocolate Face Mask, Anatomicals

Vintage '13 Perfume, Abel Organics - Review

To be honest, I do not wear perfume. Overpowering fragrances give me headaches. I heard about Abel Organics on Facebook and they have produced one of the only 100% organic Eau de Parfum.

Vintage '13, Abel Organics

Bristol Fashion Week in Pictures (mostly)

Bristol Fashion Week AW 2014

Joggbox, September - Review

Joggbox

You think of a theme and somewhere out there is a subscription box to satisfy your every desire. Regular readers will know that I am a keen runner who hasn't ran much since the end of March. I can happily announce that I've signed up for San Francisco's annual 5 mile Turkey Trot and am currently only one out of two Brits running it. So, to get my running mojo back I thought I'd try Joggbox. (That's Suki's snout up there, my sisters chihuahua and not my infamous Pepé)

OM Yoga Magazine, October Edition - Review and GIVEAWAY - CLOSED

Tequila Yoga anyone? David Sye will be hosting a Tequila Yoga Rave at 6pm - 8pm Friday 24th October at the OM Yoga Show in London and the class will be suitable for all abilities. (See below for details on how to win tickets for you and a friend). Tequila + Yoga + Rave = Sold!
Talking of drinks. This months edition of OM Yoga magazine did not let me down. I was delighted to see yet another beautiful Amazing Spaces. The next time I'm London bound I'll definitely be popping into this funky cafe/holistic haven for a cup of tea.

Blogger of the Month | October

October's Blogger of the Month - mo'adore

Green People SPF 15 Sun Lotion with Tan Accelerator - Review

Green People SPF 15 Sun Lotion with Tan Accelerator*

I had been looking for a new cruelty-free sun lotion for a while when Green People saw my 'tweets' asking for recommendations and offered me to try theirs. What good timing too as a few days after their award winning SPF 15 Sun Lotion with tan accelerator arrived, I was off to sunny Spain.

Wanderlust Tag

Travel travel travel. One of many peoples biggest passion. I have travelled a lot and do not plan on stopping. As a toddler I'd cut out pictures of all things Australia, this November I'm making that childhood dream a living one and will be starting a working visa.

Lucy from Lucy's Little Blog tagged me to do the Wanderlust Tag. Perhaps the most relevant thing I've been tagged in to date. Thanks Lucy! :)
All photographs (including picture title) taken by myself unless otherwise stated.

DIY - Beachy Hair Sea Salt Spray

Summer is rapidly ending and our summer holidays are over but that doesn't mean that we can't have holiday hair all year round. I love when I've been the beach and my hair is all curly from the salty sea air so I wanted to grab that essence-au-Swansea and share my recipe for beachy locks with this DIY salt spray.

DIY Beachy Hair Sea Salt Spray

Fleabag Friday | Rebel

Jack Russels are close to my heart. The first two dogs we owned were two lovely rescues called Max and Sadie. Meet Bows and Nails little pooch Rebel.

Rebel

Organic Week / Top 5 Organic Beauty Brands

If you've read a lot of beauty blogs recently, then the may be aware that this week is Organic week. I thought this would be a great opportunity to showcase my favourite cruelty-free organic brands. I try to be careful what I put onto my skin so organic week has certainly opened my eyes. Unsure what 'organic' means when it comes to beauty products? The Soil Association explains it perfectly here.

OM Yoga Magazine, September edition - Review

This month's issue the first article which stood out to me was Amazing Spaces which features a hot yoga studi in Cambridge. Hot yoga is yoga performed in a heated room getting you to sweat more and is something I've always wanted to try. How amazing does this yoga studio look?

Blogger of the Month | September

September's Blogger of the Month - Louise from MakeUp.Etc

Beet It, Beet It, Beet It, No One Wants to be Defeated - Review

Beet It Sports Range*

*Moonwalks in with a beetroot in hand*
On my path to getting a half-marathon personal best, I read countless articles about beetroot being the new superfood. They are high in nitrates which helps your body utilise oxygen more efficiently. In studies athletes who consumed beetroot juice were able to endure exercise for longer than those who did not consume any. So I popped to my local health food shop and bought a bottle of Beet It beetroot juice.

Top 3 Items To Take Travelling

I recently posted Tips For Travelling/Backpacking Around The World which featured all the things I took with me on a 4 month around the world trip. I've been lucky enough to have travelled a fair bit and I'm going again in November. I've whittled down my knowledge into what I think are the essential items to take away with you whether that's a global adventure or an overnight stay at a hostel in London. Here are my top 3 travel items:

Fleabag Friday | Alfie

Beautiful land-dwelling reptilian post today. I love reptiles. Ever since holding a snake when I was 11. They are just so cute. Anyway meet Alfie, Lauren from The Naily Mail's very own tortoise!

Alfie

Uplift Body Wash & Body Lotion, Seascape - Review

Seascape Island Apothecary Uplift Body Wash & Lotion, and Sooth Sleep Oil*

When Seascape Island Apothecary got in contact offering me to try something from their range, it didn't take me long to choose the Uplift Body Wash. One of my favourite scents is eucalyptus. It reminds me of being all snuggly and warm sucking on cough sweets. You can be all bunged up but one whiff of eucalyptus will clear your sinuses.

OM Yoga Magazine, August edition - Review

Recently OM Yoga Magazine asked if I would like to be affiliated with them. Being a bit of a fitness junkie with a fondness of yoga I immediately agreed. You don't need to be a hardcore 'yogi' to find an article relevant to you.

Tara Stiles, OM Yoga Magazine*

Super Extreme Spending Ban!!!

I've seen many posts on spending bans in the past year. Some last a gruelling couple of months, whilst others fail at the first online offer. I sat back and thought how silly the whole 'spending ban' concept was. Oh how I laughed. Well... After examining my bursting cupboard and having only 3 months to make a hole in my collection, I knew I had to do something. So I came to the difficult, heart-wrenching decision to not buy any more products until I've completely ran out. Why buy a new shower gel when I've already got 9? I'd rather be turning those hard earned sterling into sweet sweet dollars for when I leave the country.

Ovivo, Super Health Boost in a Bottle - Review

We all know that olives are great for your health and taste gross but did you know that olive leaves are super healthy too? Neither did I until I discovered Ovivo wellness. According to their website, olive leaves were shown to have the highest antioxidant levels in a study of 55 medicinal herbs. Antioxidants protect us against the free radicals (pollution, cigarette smoke etc) which we are exposed to in every day life.
Now we don't want to be munching on olive leaves all day so the clever people at Ovivo created a 7 day bottled supply with an easy to use measuring strip on the side so that you get exactly 70ml per day.

Ovivo*

Acupuncture at Neal's Yard Remedies, Cheltenham - Review

Acupuncture+

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medicine involving placing needles gently under the skin on certain points for various reasons is an alternative medicine I have been wanting to try for a long time. It is not cheap so when I saw a Groupon offer for a Neal's Yard Remedies 1 hour, 45 minute consultation and treatment, I didn't need to think about it before buying. I love Neal's Yard products so I bought one for my mum too.

Fleabag Friday | Oakly

Warning! Do not continue reading if you have a weakness for super cute puppies. Stephanie from DIY Made Simple is the lucky owner of this beauty. Meet Oakly.

Oakly

Fruit Confection, Beauty Sweeties - Review

Fruit Confection, Beauty Sweeties

Admit it. We all love sugary treats. If you're a regular reader here you'll know that I like products that offer a little something extra. I already love sweets so when they contain beauty boosting ingredients such as biotin then what's not to get excited about?

London Tea Review + GIVEAWAY! - CLOSED

I first heard of the London Tea Company when I visited the infamous Selfridges food court in London last winter. I was drawn to a tin of Tropical Green Tea pyramid bags which became a favourite as the tea was really delicate and sweet. Green tea gets bitter when it's over-brewed but even when I was clumsy and left the teabag in the cup it still tasted light and fresh. Sadly there were only 10 bags which swiftly ran out. As if sensing my distress The London Tea Company offered to kindly let me try their range. Even more generously they are offering TWO of my readers a chance to win their range as well. Yes you read that correctly, two winners!

London Tea Company*

Konjac Puff Sponge, The Konjac Sponge Co - Review

Konjac Puff Sponge, The Konjac Sponge Co

I saw the Konjac Puff Sponge doing it's rounds across blogs back in 2013 so I think I'm a bit late on this bandwagon. Needless to say I was swayed by all the positive reviews so on a trip to London in November I made the inevitable purchase.

Blog of the Month & Advertisers | August

Augusts's Blog of the Month - Underland to Wonderland

Fleabag Friday | Five Rescue Bunnies

Today's Fleabag Friday is brought to you by Chloé from Chloés Thoughts. Rabbits are one of the most neglected pets in the UK if not THE most neglected. Chloé loves to adopt rescue bunnies and currently has five of them. Wow!

Ted & Wotsit

Applebar Juices, Cheltenham - Review

I love fruit. Fresh, tinned, raw, stewed, in a smoothie. You name it. Yum! It was a sunny day in Cheltenham and I had time to burn before my acupuncture appointment (Review coming roon). I found out about Applebar via my HappyCow veggie app - an app that tracks down your nearest place to get veggie grub. It was very easy to find. From the high street, follow the road opposite H&M and it is just over the crossroads on your left. It's very small and sometimes looks closed. It's not! It's open!

Applebar, Cheltenham +

Vegan Tuck Box, June - Review

The variety and themes of monthly subscription boxes are seemingly endless with new ones cropping up all the time! Being an "almost" vegan (I'll get there one day!), I was delighted to find Vegan Tuck Box.

Vegan Tuck Box*

GUEST POST | Shea Moisture - Brand Focus

Today's guest post by the very beautiful Clair from Beauty or Something is perfect for my American readers. However, all you UK lovelies will be pleased to know that these products have now become available in select UK shops so keep your eyes peeled.

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Hello everyone! So, to what may be a great surprise to you – I am not Helen from Tea in the Tub! Nope. In fact, this fine lady has ever so graciously allowed me (Clair) from Beauty or Something to write a guest post for her. If you haven’t heard of our blog and would like to check it out, you can do so here.

Anyways, recently I have collected quite a few products from the brand Shea Moisture and wanted to share my thoughts with you. Enjoy!

Shea Moisture

Fleabag Friday | Poos-Poos, Casper & Cody

We have a kitty, spaniel and dalmatian trio today, owned by Sarmistha who blogs at Little Book of Fashion. Everything you say here Sarmistha, I could not agree with you more.

Poos-Poos

Dr Zak's High Protein Bread & Pasta - Review

We live in a society where pasta and bread are the bad guys of the food world. White pasta and bread most definitely. 'If it's white, don't bite.' Well I'm here to tell you that healthy, good-for-you pasta does exist. Let me introduce you to Dr Zak's protein bread and pasta. High in protein, low in carbs. Suitable for vegetarians and dieters alike plus they're soya free.

Dr Zak's High Protein Bread & Pasta*