New Years Resolutions

I very rarely make new years resolutions, or at least, I try not to make outlandish ones that I know I won't keep - for example no chocolate until Easter or something equally as unlikely.

For 2013, I want to make some resolutions that I can keep, and by writing it in here, I at least have it well documented!

1. Be a better blogger - I started off so well with this blog, but slowly my posts have become fewer and fewer. Part of this is due to lack of time, and partly because I've had nothing new to share because I can't afford anything until the following month etc. Next year I am going to make a conscious effort to put more time into this, and also to participate more in the #bbloggers chats as I do enjoy them, but haven't participated as much as I'd like to this year.
2. Save more money - My boyfriend and I are hoping to go travelling in 2013 so I want to save money for that to make our plans reality and I would just like to start saving more money, as I'm sure I'll thank myself for it in the long run.
3. Stop grazing - After having reached my goal weight back in April, I have fallen off the wagon a little bit, and part of the problem is grazing at work. It has been quieter in the second half of the year, which means I notice hunger more and then eat more than I should. Equally we do get lots of treats which don't help, and when I'm not busy I have very poor self control....especially when they are put on the empty desk next to me. This one should be easier to do at the beginning of the year because work will start to pick up again and I will have less time to think about my stomach.

Three new years resolutions are doable I think, and I hope to stick to them. I would put 'exercise more' on my list, but I do go to the gym already (although I'm going through a bit of a slump at the moment) and I really don't think I'll manage to go anymore than I already do. 

Have you made any new years resolutions? What are they?

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Yes! Nurse Protect Your Lovely Hands Intensive Moisturising Hand Formula

I first came across this Yes! Nurse product after subscribing to Glossybox back in April. My first Glossybox was April which was the Eco Box. I received a full size sample of this hand cream and at the time was in much need for a hand cream and this fit the bill.

No matter how often I put hand cream on, and treat my hands well, they do end up very dry to the point that I have a patch of eczema on one of my fingers now. 

Yes! Nurse was created by nurses for nurses, the thinking behind it being that nurses have to clean their hands so regularly throughout the day that their hands may become thoroughly dried out and occasionally cracked, to the extent that most hand creams have little or no effect on their condition. This can severely affect their work.

This cream has been designed so that you won't have to use it once an hour (for example) but twice a day - at the beginning and the end of your shift.

Yes! Nurse contains ingredients to heal, sooth and hydrate hands all in one go, the contents include manuka honey, pomegranate seed oil and willow bark extract.

Scent isn't a massive factor for me when it comes to handcreams but I would say that this has a very unobtrusive scent, it actually reminds me a little of Sudocream, or what I remember Sudocream to smell like at least.

This is my second bottle of this particular hand cream which in my opinion says wonders about it. I really do like using this, not only does it moisturise my hands and help ressurect them but it also sinks in ridiculously quickly - meaning I can carry on with what I'm doing at without having to wait for it to sink in.

While I know I am not a nurse, I really do love this hand cream as it is so nourishing. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you are someone who is having trouble with dry hands - it is horrible, particularly in colder weather.

The price may sound a little expensive for 50ml, but I assure you that it is most definitely worth it, and I find this does a better job than hand creams that retail for twice the pricec. 

Yes! Nurse can either be purchased through their website in a monthly or bi-monthly subscription, or it can also be bought online here for £5.49

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Mallzee - A new way to shop

Clothing can be a very personal thing, with everyone having their own style and preferences - buying it as a present can be a nightmare (for a boyfriend/partner in particular). With Christmas coming up, I do feel a little bit bad for the men in our lives especially if you're anything like me - I have had no idea what to ask for this Christmas, my boyfriend has really had to draw blood from a stone to get ideas from me.

Shopping online has multiple advantages, especially at this time of year. Shops can be horribly busy especially if you only have time to go at the weekend. Often you can also obtain better deals online as well.

The one drawback to online shopping, especially clothes shopping is the lacking social side of things. We all enjoy going out and trying things on with our friends, don't we? Especially when it comes to getting somebody else's opinion on that jumper you've had your eye on for the last couple of weeks. Sending a link to your friend via email or Facebook message doesn't quite have the same effect, although you will equally get similar feedback from your friends.

Introducing Mallzee* which claims to be the new social way for shopping. It is a very interesting concept. This is what they say about themselves:

"Mallzee is all about creating a new experience for shopping online. Users create their own personalized shopping mall (Mallzee) by picking their favourite brands and stores. Our fancy software then finds products matching your personal style and showcases them in your Mallzee! To add a new social aspect users can then invite their friends to ‘visit’ their Mallzee through the use of Facebook chat. Friends can then discuss product choices and star items they think their friends will love and purchase from the mall themselves with great discounts negotiated by us. If you're still unable to decided on a purchase you can also create polls to ask your friends opinions before you buy. An added bonus to inviting friends to your mallzee is that as the ‘owner’ you earn money every time anyone buys from your Mallzee! (That's right you get paid when you or your friends shop!) 

Currently we have over 200 brands signed up to Mallzee (Urban Outfitters, New Look, Feel Unique and St. Tropez to name a few). We're really keen to get the word out about Mallzee and get future users excited about the concept before we launch later this year. With this in mind people can register now for a launch invite at Mallzee.com and if they spread the word on Facebook or Twitter we will also enter them into a prize for £100/$155 of shopping vouchers and some other goodies"

What has really sold it to me is some of the brands that have already signed up to Mallzee, FeelUnique in particular, this is a website that I regularly shop from, and although I have a wishlist on the website, I have never really shared it with friends.

I have asked about launch dates and currently it is beta to a select few, but from the sounds of it January is the month to keep an eye out for this to go live for everyone who has signed up to the website. If you haven't already you can sign up, here to be one of the first to have access.

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

* Sponsored post

December Wishlist

This month I haven't found myself lusting over anything in a 'I must have this now' way, but there are a few products that I would really like, and they aren't all beauty related.

01. Rekordelig Limited Edition Winter Cider - My boyfriend and I tried this whilst at Winter Wonderland and it was really nice, but I'll be damned if I can find it in a supermarket in my town. I even drove the otherside of town to see if the massive Sainsbury's sold it. That's a negative. So I'm still on the hunt for it.

02. O.P.I Germany Collection - I've been wanting some of the colours from this collection for a while, and I should probably get a move on before they vanish off the face of this earth!

03. Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm - I've heard many many good things about this cleansing balm, so naturally I would like to see what all the fuss is about. I actually watched EH on QVC last week and I have actually bought my Mum the 4 piece starter kit for Christmas (ssshh!) which includes the balm. I'm curious to see her take on it, and if she doesn't like it....I'll be happy to take it off her hands.

04. Rio Sonicleanse - This is another product I never would have known about if it wasn't for reading blogs - I've heard so many positive things about these sonic cleansers that I would really like to invest in one to see if my skin benefits from it (part of me is still a little sceptical). I should be getting Amazon vouchers for Christmas which I will probably use towards buying this. 

05. Diptyque candle in "Feu de Bois" - I made my first ever trip into Space NK last Monday, and I was suitably impressed. I was very drawn to the Diptyque candle section after having heard so many bloggers talk about them. This scent really stood out to me, and I would definitely like to buy it, but I'm just not so sure I can justify the price tag. 

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Soap & Glory The Best of All Bundle

Please excuse the photos, given the size I didn't have much choice but to do it on the floor!

After my post last Thursday about the Soap and Glory Christmas offer a boots, I thought I'd show you exactly what you receive - rather than just the product photo. 

This offer ends tomorrow. It is now out of stock online, but I would definitely recommend checking your local store - you never know you might get lucky! As part of my job last year I regularly worked in Boots and therefore used to have to go into the stock rooms. You would not believe quite how many of these gift sets they have in anticipation of this offer. There were palettes upon palettes of these sets stacked up, and I would assume it would be the same if not more this year!

In addition to the 9 products you see above, this set also includes lots of coupons for Soap and Glory at Boots for 2013 - some really good offers. 

Reviews of these products are to come!

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

HD Brows Eye and Brow Palette

I received the HD Eye and Brow Palette in 'Foxy' from July's Glossybox, which was my last Glossybox. I have recently reviewed Urban Decay's brow box but I was quite excited to see this brow box. 

On first glance from the outside, it looks like a compact, and looks quite classy. Inside there are 4 shades, which can be used on eyes and on the brow too.

I haven't used this on my eyes, but I reckon it would be good to make a smoky eye effect - something I'm still trying to master after plenty of practice. When using this to define my eyebrows of a morning, I use a combination of the bottom two browns. 

It also comes with a double ended miniature brush for application - one end regular and one end angled for extra precision. 

I am impressed with this little palette, especially because it has a large mirror in the lid which allows you to see what you are doing. This would fit nicely in my bag, without fear of it opening up and getting ruined as it comes with a little clasp. 

Application wise I am fairly happy with this box, occasionally I find that this can apply a little patchy on the 'inner part' of my brow which can be a little frustrating especially if I'm in a rush. It doesn't happen often mind. 

If I hadn't received this in Glossybox, I'm not too sure if I would buy this off my own back. This is simply because I don't know too much about HD Brows, and it isn't that easy to find it to buy online - to find the below link, I had to click on other products to get to their online store.

The HD Brows Eye and Brow palette retails for £19.96 and is available in three shades which be bought online here

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

I've made it no secret on here that my skin has seen better days since the cold weather has set in and so I have made a few key purchases to try and nourish it back to health. 

I have had my eye on the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask for a while, but during the summer months, I didn't really feel any need for it. I bought this a couple of weeks ago after it became clear that my boyfriend wouldn't be buying me this for Christmas. When I say it became clear, I mean he told me. 

My skin has been flaky and had dry patches on and off since October which has been incredibly frustrating, and on occasion got me a little down about it, especially when make up highlights the fact rather than hiding all your sins.

After using this for a few weeks now, I am suitably impressed. My biggest fear with 'intense moisture' products is that it will break me out in spots as my skin used to be prone to them, although I've mostly gotten it under control. Fortunately I haven't had to worry using this product. It contains hyaluronic acid, which is in many popular products at the moment.

I've been using this mask twice a week and I am seeing an improvement. I am still occasionally getting dry flaky patches but that's when I know I need to use the mask again and by the morning my skin looks normal again.

If you are suffering from dry dehydrated skin, I would definitely recommend this. It retails for £20.00 and can be found online or at Origins counters.

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Soap and Glory Bargain at Boots

Have you ever had your eye on that amazing £60 Soap & Glory gift set in Boots but been put off by the price tag?

Each year, for a week in December Boots does an amazing promotion whereby this amazing gift set is heavily discounted. This year's gift set is called "The Best of All" and is currently on sale for £60, but from tomorrow it will be on sale for £27. 

The promotion runs from Friday 14th December until Thursday 20th December (or while stocks last, I assume) but if I were you I'd try and get it ASAP. The offer will be available instore and online. 

What does The Best of All contain?

• Clean on Me Shower Gel - RRP £5.50 
• Smoothie Star Body Lotion - RRP £10 
• Peaches & Clean Cleansing Milk - RRP £7 
• The Righteous Butter - RRP £10.50 
• Sugar Crush Body Scrub - RRP £8 
• Hand Food – RRP £5 
• Heel Genius - RRP £5.50 
• Thick & Fast Mascara - RRP £10 
• Sexy Mother Pucker Lipgloss in Punchbowl - RRP £9

I was fortunate to get last years promotional set and I still have some of it, as everything lasts so long. Even if you aren't interested in this for yourself, it would make a brilliant Christmas present.

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

NOTD Essie Thigh High

After making my first ever Essie purchase last month, I decided to make another purchase when I was in London on Monday. This time I bought 'Thigh High' which is a gorgeous metallicy scarlet red.

This colour is very festive and perfect for Christmas!

I am yet again thoroughly impressed with Essie. My only problem is trying to decide which colours to buy - I'm awful when it comes to so much choice.

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

L'Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream

Made with organic angelica from the Drome region of France, the fresh and silky smooth Angelica Hydration Cream efficiently moisturises and revitalises the skin.
L'OCCITANE's patented angelica complex reinforces natural skin hydration by stimulating aquaporines, improves skin elasticity and protects from free radicals. 

(Courtesy of L'Occitane)

I received this back in June in my first Jolie Box, back when I was a subscriber. One thing I really liked about Jolie Box was that a lot of the products I received seemed to be skincare orientated rather than cosmetic or perfume.

When the weather started turning colder, my skin changed with it, gone is the over oilyness and in it's place dry skin has taken over. In order to remedy this, I thought I'd have a dig through my previous beauty box samples and see whether anything could be of use, and this is where I stumbled on this product which I don't think I'd ever paid much attention to when I received it.

When applying this for the first time, I was slightly put off by the scent which in my mind is slightly olivey (but I could be completely wrong) but I stuck with it. It goes on so beautifully, it doesn't feel greasy in the slightest and it sunk in so quickly rather than just sitting on my skin. All in all I was very impressed with this sample which I almost exclusively applied at night as it felt too rich for day time, my skin did feel pretty damn smooth and soft in the mornings and I don't think dry patches was a concern during my use of this. I did have a bit of a breakout but I don't know whether it was at all related to this or not. 

This is a very rich facial cream, and I definitely would recommend it, especially if you already have one of these samples in your possession. I'm not sure I would pay for the full size container as it is quite expensive, but L'Occitane is an amazing brand and really I can't fault this product (apart from the price).

L'Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream is £29.00/50ml and can be found here

Kate x

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest