Erin Condren Haul

Hi everyone,

I have recently placed another with Erin Condren, as I'm really loving the new Kaleidoscope design. The paper quality that Erin Condren uses is also fantastic as its really thick.

Kaleidoscope Petit Journal

I decided to purchase two of the lined Kaleidoscope petit journals, as I thought they would be brilliant to throw in my handbag. The petit journals are around the size of an A5 notepad. They also have the same paper quality as the Erin Condren Life Planners and Deluxe Monthly Planners.

Kaleidoscope Pen

I decided to get the pen in the colourful Kaleidoscope design, as its another item from the Kaleidoscope collection. The pen is quite weighty, and it comes with black ink and it is refillable.

'Painted Petals' Snap In Metallic Book Marks

I had know idea that you could get the snap in bookmarks in the 'Painted Petals' design. I really like the colour way of these book marks, and I don't think that you can have too many of these.

Kaleidoscope Sticker Sheet

I've got the Kaleidoscope sticker sheet as I have an idea on how to use it in my Deluxe Monthly. The only let down when this arrived was that it wasn't really protected, so it came a little crinkled at one end.

Metallic 'Starry Night' Notebook in Rose Gold/ Gold

I have decided get another notebook from Erin Condren, as I was really impressed with the last one. I chose to get with the 'Starry Night' metallic cover in the rose gold/ gold colour way. I also had no idea that got a sheet of stickers in the back of the notebooks.

Kaleidoscope Sticky Notes

I also decided to get another pack of the Kaleidoscope sticky notes, as I don't think you can have too many sticky notes especially if your using them to pre plan. I wasn't expecting the paper quality to be as thick as they are.

I have really enjoyed shopping with Erin Condren over the past couple of months, and I am beyond thrilled with everything that I have got from them; apart from the sticker sheet arriving a bit circled at one end.

Beauty Haul

 Hi everyone,

Welcome to another beauty haul. Some products within this haul are repurchases, and some that are completely new.

Pixi Rose Ceramide Cream

I've heard nothing but great things about the Rose Ceramide Cream from Pixi, so I thought that I would try it out. It has a lovely lightweight gel texture, and from when I was trying it out on the back on hand it seemed very hydrating. It also has a mild rise fragrance.

Pixi Overnight Glow Serum

I've decided to repurchase the Overnight Glow Serum from Pixi, as my current one from REN isn't too far from being finished. I really enjoyed using this as part of my Sunday skincare routine the first time round, so I'm hoping that I enjoy using just as much this time when I roll it back into my skincare routine.

Rituals 'The Ritual of Nameste' Cleansing Oil

I have been on the look out for a new cleansing oil for quite a while, and I haven't been able to find anything until now. The Rituals cleansing oil has a lovely aromatherapy scent to it, which gives it a luxurious feel; which is something that Clinique cleansing oil doesn't have. I'm hoping this will be just as effective as the Clinique one. Also, this turns into a milky consistency once it has been activated with water.

Rituals 'The Ritual of Karma' 24hr Anti-Perspirant

I don't usually buy luxury deodorants, but this is an exception as its from one of my favourite ranges that Rituals has, which is the 'Ritual of Karma'. I'm looking forward to seeing how this performs to what I usually buy.

Andalou Naturals Meyer Lemon + C Creamy Cleanser

I've always wanted to try Andalou Naturals, but I've never got around to buying anything from that brand until now. This cleanser has a lovely citrus scent, and its also a cream cleanser that is most effective when used with water to activate it. I'm looking forward to having it in my skincare routine, but I'm not too sure which routine to have it in.

Batiste 'Bare' Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo from Batiste sounds like something I would enjoy using, as its meant to be a more lightweight dry shampoo from their usual dry shampoo range.

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

I'm currently using this as part of my evening skincare routine, and I'm about half way through my current one. So, I have decided to repurchase another one to have ready to go for when this one runs out. I really love how hydrating this eye cream is once it has sunk into the skin.

Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil

This is one of my favourite products from Dr Botanicals that I use. I actually found this sitting on the shelf in TK Maxx, so I decided to pick it up there and then. This is only a little 15ml travel size, but it will still last me a good few months once I start using it.

H&M Cream Lipstick in 'Rose Goals'

I've been wanting to try the cream lipstick formula from H&M for a while, but I could never find an H&M that stocked their own make up. The only store near to me that stocks their own make up line is in Manchester on Market Street. I decided on the shade 'Rose Goals', as it they only one that they had in stock that appealed to me at the time.

That's the end of my beauty haul for this month. Apart from the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment and the H&M Creamy lipstick that I was planning on picking up the rest of the haul wasn't actually planned - it just happened.

Review: Superdrug B. Soft Multi Acid Retexturising Pads

Hi everyone,

I have just recently started to use the Superdrug B. Soft Multi Acid Retexturising Pads as part of my Saturday skincare routine.

The Superdrug B. Soft Multi Acid Retexturising Pads are great for if you are looking to introduce glycolic acid into your skincare routine but you are on a budget.

These pads contain a mixture of glycolic acid, fruit acids and Aloe Vera.

The fruit acids that are contained within these pads are :-

- Bilberry fruit extract

- Sugar cane extract

- Sugar maple extract

- Orange fruit extract

- Lemon fruit extract

These pads help to cleanse the skin and remove any dead skin cells, aswell as a brighter, smoother and clearer complexion.

These pads contain a small amount of glycolic acid, but you still get a mild tingle after you have used them. I have found that I have to use two pads to do my face, and to get that mild tingling sensation; and this could be because I'm used to using stronger glycolic acids and my skin has adapted to this overtime.

These could be a good placer to start if you are looking to introduce glycolic acid into your skincare routine, and you may not have used glycolic acid before. Because this contains only a small amount of glycolic acid as well as a blend of fruit acids your skin will be able to adapt to this over time. If you enjoy having glycolic acid in your skincare routine after trying these out, and you want to progress onto something stronger then you can if you want to.

Fragrance Empties

Hi everyone,

It's time for some fragrance empties, and I know that I don't do these that often on here as it depends on how often I use up a fragrance.

Avon Little Lace Dress EDP 50m

This is a lovely scent to wear during the colder months of the year, and it also has an excellent lasting power. I've already used up a purse spray of this scent in the past, and I received quite a number of compliments when I was wearing it.

Avon Scent Excellence in 'Passion Fruit' & 'Fruity'

These are lovely little fragrances that are brilliant if you are looking for a fragrance on a budget. The 'Passion Fruit' fragrance is quite sweet, where as the 'Fruity' fragrance reminds me of an Escada fragrance that I owned years ago.

Ghost Enchanted 50ml

This is one fragrance which I enjoyed using at first, but towards the end I just got tired of wearing it. It is a light fragrance, and it does have staying power.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream EDT 30ml

This is a lovely fragrance to wear during the spring/ summer months, as its quite light. I also have this in a rollerball, but the spray bottle is so much better as I got a better scent from it.

Paco Rabane Lady Million EDP Purse Spray

This is a lovely warm fragrance that is more suited to the colder months of the year. Even though this is a purse spray it took me a good while to use this up, as a little went a very way and it also had excellent staying power. I've also got this in an 80ml bottle, which I purchased last year for my birthday as I enjoyed wearing this fragrance a lot.

Fresh Sugar Lychee Rollerball

This is a lovely light, but sweet fragrance that I really enjoyed wearing. The only thing that I have found with the Fresh rollerball fragrances is that quite a lot of the product comes out at once, but it doesn't leak. Gorgeous fragrance, and I also have this in a 30ml bottle as a back up.

Erin Condren Haul

Hi everyone,

I have recently made my first ever order with Erin Condren, as I was really interested in one of their planners. I've always really liked the look of Erin Condren planners and accessories due to how colourful they are, and I really like the current Kaleidoscope theme.

Kaleidoscope Deluxe Monthly Planner

I have decided to get the deluxe monthly planner in the colourful design, and I wanted to get this planner as my 2020 music planner as it seems to be the ideal planner which suits the way I use my current large Kikki K ring bound planner. I have got the planner with a January start, and also with the additional 80 lined pages at the back as these will be used to keep a record of my detailed flute practice. I've also got the planner in the standard 7x9 size.

Kaleidoscope Coiled Notebook

I've decided to get one of the coiled notebooks just in case I haven't got enough pages in the back of my deluxe monthly planner.

Painted Petals Interchangeable Cover

This is another one of my favourite designs from Erin Condren, so I decided to get as an interchangeable cover. I think this design originally came out around 2016/ 2017.

Kaleidoscope Sticky Notes

I couldn't pass up these sticky notes, due to how colourful they are. I also like the variety of shapes and sizes that you get within this pack of sticky notes. I'm really looking forward to using these to help me to roughly set up my deluxe monthly.

Mini Snap In Bookmarks

I adore these snap in bookmarks due to how small they are. I decided to get both of the latest designs, as I really like the Kaleidoscope theme. The apple theme came out along with the latest launch of the teacher planners.

Referral Link

https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/laurenfoley0714/1

Please feel free to use the above the link to save yourself $10 off your first Erin Condren order, but just to let you that I will receive $10 referral credit. This isn't a sponsored post, as I have purchased everything with my own money. The above link was given to me once I signed up to using Erin Condren.

I'm really looking forward to using my deluxe monthly planner next year, as my music planner along with all of the accessories. Everything I have received looks a lot brighter and more colourful in person than YouTube, and I'm also really impressed with the paper quality as its really thick.

Beauty Haul - July 2019

Hi everyone,

I have recently been shopping to pick up a few essentials and also a few goodies to try, as I'm running low on a few things. So, I thought I would share with you what I have purchased.

Ole Henriksen Brightening Essentials Set

I have tried the Truth serum in the past and I really enjoyed having it as part of my evening skincare routine. The Ole Henriksen Truth serum was the product that introduced me to having a vitamin C serum as part of my skincare routine, and this small size should last me a good few months. This gift set also contains the new Banana Bright eye cream, and also the C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme moisturiser, and I'm looking forward to using these products once I get around to using them.

L'Occitance Aqua Reotier Water Gel Cleanser

I'm down to using my last evening cleanser, and I was looking for something that added a little more hydration to my skin as well as keeping it balanced at the same time. My skin seems to be in need of a little hydration at the moment. I'm really looking forward to introducing this cleanser into my evening routine once my current cleanser runs out.

L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst Quenching Gel

I tried a sample of this moisturiser when this was released last year, and my skin loved it. Its a lovely, lightweight gel moisturiser that sinks into the skin straight away. I've got this to use as part of my morning skincare routine.

L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst Quenching Cream

I've got this to go alongside the Ultra Thirst Quenching Gel, but to use in the evenings due to it being a slightly thicker consistency.

Aussie Pure Locks Shampoo

I was in need of a deep cleansing shampoo to use once to twice a week, as my current one is due for running out. This one appealed to me the most while I was looking for something that would suit me and my hair type.

Aussie Mega Shampoo & Conditioner

The Aussie Mega shampoo and conditioner are more of a daily use shampoo and conditioner. I just fancied giving them another go, due to my hair getting longer.

NYX Extra Creamy Lipsticks in Fig (640) & Paparazzi (512A)

These caught my eye as I was browsing the NYX section in Boots, and these are very similar shades but these where the only ones that appealed to me. The shade Paparazzi is just ever so slightly lighter than Fig, but not by much. These shades are my ideal 'My lips, but better' shades.

Aldi Handwashes

I really enjoy using the liquid hand washes from Aldi, and these are lovely to use. I've had the Nourishing Shea Butter & Ginger hand wash before and I really enjoyed using it. The scent is lovely, and its also a nice moisturising hand wash. I've also used the luxury hand washes from Aldi. The Rhubarb & Rose scent is gorgeous as it has a rhubarb & custard sweet vibe to it, plus the fragrance once it is on your hands lingers for a short while. I've also picked up another Orange & Bergamont hand wash, as well as the new Pomegranate & Ginger scent that has just recently been released.

Travel Size Products

I picked up a few travel size products, as I'm going away for a couple of nights. I picked up two mouth washes as I use one before and after I brush my teeth, and a Simple soothing toner as I don't think I'm going have enough to last me. I also picked up a tropical dry shampoo from Batiste, a small Sure deodorant in Bright Bouquet, and also a Colgate Max White Optic toothpaste.

Thats it for my current haul, and I know its a mixture of old and new products. I'm really looking forward to using these products once I have finished using up my current products.

Theatre Review: 'The Deep Blue Sea' by Terence Rattigan

Hi everyone,

I had the pleasure of watching Terence Rattigan's 'The Deep Blue Sea' twice at the Minerva Theatre, at the Chichester Festival Theatre on the 16th & 17th July 2019.

Cast
Nancy Carroll - Hester Collyer
Gerald Kyd - Sir William Collyer
Hadley Fraser - Freddie Page
Denise Black - Mrs Elton
Matthew Cottle - Mr Miller
Ralph Davis - Philip Welch
Laurence Ubong Williams - Jackie Jackson
Helena Wilson - Ann Welch

Act One begins with Hester lying unconscious in front of the fire. She is found by her neighbours Philip and Ann Welch, along with their housekeeper Mrs Elton. Mrs Elton goes to get help from another tenant of hers called Mr Miller, and Philip and Ann suggest that they try to get in contact with a relative of hers as her husband is nowhere to be seen. So, they inform her husband Sir William Collyer, who is a well respected judge and he comes round to Hester's flat straight away. Once William arrives he asks Mrs Elton to leave, and Hester asks him how much does he know about what happened, and he has been told just enough to stop her lying to him. While William is round Mr Miller comes in to check on Hester, and William thanks Mr Miller for helping her. Soon afterwards William has to leave Hester, as he is due in court in fifteen minutes, but he wants to make sure that Hester will be alright before he goes to court.

Act Two begins with Freddie talking to Jackie Jackson over why Hester tried to take her own life, and it was because Freddie didn't remember that it was Hester's birthday the previous day. Freddie wants Hester's divorce to hurry up. After Freddie has left, William comes to see Hester as she has offered him around for tea. But, because William's and Hester's moments are special he doesn't want her to waste those moments by her making tea in the kitchen. He also asks Hester if should would like to go out somewhere, but she wants to stay in to see what happens with Freddie. Freddie arrives back home and notices William. He asks Hester if she has seen Mr Miller, as he hasn't been to the club.

Act Three begins with Hester making a phone call to find out where Freddie is. Then Mrs Elton comes round to check to see if Hester is okay. While Mrs Elton is round at Hester's; Ann also comes round, as she wants to know if her husband Philip is there as he has been out with Freddie. Ann doesn't like being alone. Everyone in Mrs Elton's flats heard the argument between Hester and Freddie.
  Soon after, William comes to see Hester; he is dressed in a dinner jacket as he has had guests round for dinner that evening. William advises Hester to get out of the flat, as he doesn't like the idea of her being alone in the flat. But, she doesn't know of anywhere where she could go. Hester offers William a drink, but Freddie has finished off the bottle of whiskey. So, she offers him a bottle of Claret that she opened the night before and they toast to "the future". William offers Hester a different future, but she no longer wants to be his wife. But, William is more in love with Hester now than on their wedding day.
  Philip turns up by letting himself in with a key that Freddie gave him. Philip has come to collect Freddie's bag, as he needs it for that night. Hester asks Philip to check in on Ann before he goes back too Freddie, as she is getting worried about Philip.

Gerald and Nancy work beautifully together as Hester and William Collyer, as they are a natural pairing that manages to create something magical throughout the production. Gerald makes William both compassionate and caring, while still showing that he still loves Hester despite her loving Freddie. Nancy makes Hester both subtle and delicate when she is with William, but also powerful and passionate when she is with Freddie. I really enjoyed Hadley's entrance as Freddie, as he gives Freddie 'bounds of energy'. Denise  portrays her character as Mrs Elton as someone who tries to help in anyway they can, and whose heart is also in the right place. Helena and Ralph play Ann and Philip Welch with young innocence and who are also concerned for Hester's well being. Mr Miller is played with great gentleness by Matthew, as well as someone who is always looking out for Hester.

Paul Foster's revival of Rattigan's 'The Deep Blue Sea' is a brilliant piece of theatre, as he lets the cast play to their strengths to enable them to bring out the best of their characters. I really enjoyed experiencing a new play where the cast can express true emotions; as well as exploring situations that still happen in today's society.