August Favourites

Clinique moisture surge CC cream

I have never been in to wearing make up until this product. I tried drugstore bb cream in Year 11 at school but found it really uncomfortable on my skin, and that put me off wearing make up for another year or so. My skin is also quite pale so many foundations and creams I tried didn't match my skin and make me look orange. I went to the Clinique counter and asked for something with really light coverage they could match me to this in Fresh Peach.

They claim it "enhance skin's natural radiance, offer instant hydration benefits and provide daily sun protection to prevent first signs of ageing. Lasting, oil-free hydration and sunscreen mean a more flawless look tomorrow, too." I really love this cc cream, it gives a nice amount of coverage that balances out the redness in my skin and in spots, but I can still see my freckles through it, and still looks and feels like skin.

 I apply it by adding a small pea sized amount to my finger a dabbing it all over my face I then blending it with the Real Techniques buffing brush, but you can just use your fingers. At first I appears very dewy, but it adapts to your skin in about a minuet it mattes down, it may not be good for people with very oily skin, but I have combination to oily skin and I don't feel like it leaves my particularly shiny, but I have seen reviews were people say it makes them look very oily, even though it is an oil free formula. There is also a SPF of 30 which I like.

 It is pricey at £28 but really worth it, if you wanted something lighter for summer this would be perfect, they also released new shade and have 9 from very fair to deep.

Nike Flex Experience Running Shoes

These are Men's Running shoes but I have size 9 feet and I find it hard to get shoes in my size that I like, also the colour and design are not to masculine that they look odd on me. They say they have "comfortable fit thanks to a highly breathable mesh upper with padded ankle" and they are very comfortable, I tend just to use them for walking but my feet still feel fresh and cool even after a long time.

I never been into long walks of running mainly because I have nothing suitable or comfortable to wear but these are really nice, and having a nice pair of trainers is a really motivating and encouraging thing to get you going.

Also this summer I have been wearing pink nail polish on my toes, it is a really pretty pearly blue toned pink and it much lighter and softer shade for summer rather than my usual deep reds.

 I also started a new book this month, another one of Jill Mansell's books, really enjoyable and an easy read. I couldn't help but wish well for the main character Lola. A girly escapist read, I can't wait to see what happens and start another Jill Mansell book.

I also want to give a mention to the Body Shop Body Puff, it is the most amazing, thick, fluffy puff that is not scratchy and it lathers up your body wash like I have never seen, plus they are only £2!

Thank you for reading,

Poppies and Cornflowers x

Creative Ways to Give Money as a Gift

Depending on how much you want to give someone there are loads of different ways to give money rather than in a card. With a little bit more effort and some creativity you can give a fun unique gift. Here are 10 ways.

1. Wonka Bar:

Print out a Wonka Bar label cut to size and cover a chocolate bar with it. Inside that put a golden envelope with money in it.

2. Money in a Box:

Tape a line of notes together with low adhesive tape, roll it up and put it in the box with a card note peeking out. Tape the box shut and wrap it up.

3. Egg Box 360:

Another fun way for the gamer is to remove all labels from an egg box, and if you want paint it. Then cut out some paper letters and glue them in place.
 If you have not seen the Two Ronnies sketch I have linked it here. My Blackberry Is Not Working! 

4. Coins in Balloons:

A classic: simply to blow up lots of balloons with coins in them and present with a pin to pop them.

5. Puzzle Box:

 Put the money in a puzzle box, it a bit more pricey but it's a lot of fun, and they can keep the box to use and store other things.

6. Secret Book Box:

Using a moderately thick hard back book, that you can pick up from a charity shop, divide the pages into four equal quarters, from the two middle sections, using an art scalpel cut out the middle of the pages into your desired shape, making sure you leave at least a 2cm border all around.
And there you go, room to hide the money inside.

7. Christmas Cracker:

Put the money inside toilet roll, wrap wrapping paper around it, pinch the ends and tie up with ribbon, trim any extra paper and there you go. Really easy for Christmas.

8. As a Cake Decoration:

Make them a cake and use coins wrapped in tin foil to decorate it. A delicious and thoughtful gift.

A homemade cake is also a great gift on its own, it shows you have taken the time to do something for them.

9. Pass the Parcel:

Using the general idea of pass the parcel, but without passing it around, wrap each layer with some or none of the money for them to find when opening it, to give it some weight and size put a bags of sweets for them to find at the end. If you have the resources use other materials to wrap it like cardboard boxes, it makes it a lot more interesting.

10. Treasure Hunt:

Finally if perhaps the person you are giving money to is younger, you can do a treasure hunt with money or chocolate and hide them all over the house and garden. You can also use clues to make it more interesting.

Thank you for reading

Poppies and Cornflowers x

Men's Gift Guide

Same as with my Women's gift guide I have tried to come up with ideas of gifts that I would give, so I hope this helps.

Buying clothing can be hard, but if you know what shop or brands they like you can usually find something, and if you wrap it with a gift receipt even if they don't like it, they can return it and get something they do want. Or rather than that clothing accessories like socks, belts, ties are even easier.

Another book from a series they are reading is a really good gift, and if they are not already reading one, Lee Child's Jack Reacher books are great reads. Alternatively a game console game or a DVD makes good gifts. I would recommend Marvel or something from Simon Pegg and Nick Frosts Series.

Buying them something related to their hobbies or interest is a thoughtful and useful present. From fishing and golf to photography and cycling there is always something, whether it's a new pair of sports socks or a snazzy new gadget.

And if you know they like to spend a bit more time grooming themselves a luxury shaving of hair set would be a really nice treat.

 

If you are really stuck a cinema or theatre voucher and a bottle of their favourite tipple would make a nice treat for both of you.

Thank you for reading and I hope this helped you

Poppies and Cornflowers x

Cuff links- Debenhams

Tie- Marks and Spencer

Tie pin- sorry I couldn't find the link for this

Pen- Debenhams

Socks- Samuel Windsor

Avengers assembled - Amazon

FIFA- Amazon

Amazing Spider-Man - Amazon

X-men - Amazon

One Shot-Amazon

Running watch- Amazon

Loreal men expert - Boots

Face scrub- Boots

Shave gel- Boots

Shave balm - Boots

VO5- Boots

Compass-

Gloves- Tredz

Auto glym-Amazon

Wash MIT- Amazon

Coffee - Waitrose

Wine- Laithwaites

Whiskey - Tesco

Womens Gift Guide

I have picked up various presents I would give a friend for their birthday and thrown in a few extra ideas, typically I will buy body care or makeup because it is easy to get right, but here are a few alternatives if you need some help.

 First thing I think of, and it is very hard to get wrong is wine and chocolates, even if you don't know them very well you can be pretty sure they will like it. If you want to step it up more then you can buy more luxurious treats and create your own treat hamper, personalised to the recipient. Or if your feeling really generous a meal out is a fantastic way for everyone to celebrate.

 If you have a bigger budget perfume is a perfect gift which can be tailored for any age, if your not sure what they like a shop assistants will always help you. Alternatively a luxury soap or hand set is great because they smell good and they are sure to use it. Any other products you know they use regularly are a great present idea.

If you do want to buy beauty products but are not confident on what they like, buying sample sized products of skin care, makeup and body care is super simple as you can personalise it to what the person likes to use. You can't get it wrong, plus they get to try new products.

If their not into beauty products I find simple gifts are the best especially when you know there hobbies, like gardening supplies, a snazzy cloth bag to help when their shopping, a cosy pair of slippers, or even a new phone case. Also the cheat of all presents - A gift card. I find them great when you are in a jam on what to get someone, plus they can possibly get something they have always wanted to buy. 

Thanks for reading,

Poppies & Cornflowers x

GHD Style Straight and Smooth – Feel Unique

Jimmy Choo Flash – Feel Unique

Sanctuary Spa Hand Wash and Lotion – Boots

Ultra-Fine  – The Body Shop

BeeKind Body Lotion – Birch Box

Homemade Massage Vouches

Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Body Lotion –Boots

Sure  – Boots

Philip Kingsley  Elasticizer – Feel Unique

Benefit The Pore fessionals – Feel Unique

Aloe Lip Balm – The Body Shop

English Laundry Perfume – Birch Box

Ted Baker Travel Bag – Boots

Sanctuary Spa Radiance Exfoliator – Boots

Apricot Scrub – Montagne Jeunesse

Nail Care Set – Amazon

OPI Top Coat –Boots

Maybelline Forever Strong Nude Rose – Boots

Carex Moisture Plus Hand Gel – Boots

Nivea Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream – Boots

IPhone Case – Amazon

Cloth Bag – M&Co

One 4 All Gift Card

Slippers – BHS

Gardening Tools – WHSmith

Gloves - Amazon

Seeds – Homebase

 

West Quay Haul

Whilst on holiday in the New Forest I went shopping in West Quay Shopping Centre, there wasn't anything I particularly wanted, but of course I still ended up buying quite a few things  

I stupidly didn't pack enough cleanser for my holiday, so I planed to pick up Origins never a dull moment, but they didn't stock it! So instead of buying a full sized cleanser I decided to look for a sample sized product.

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I found a sample box from Sanctuary which has a cleanser, which is a gel that when you rub it between your hand and apply to a wet face it turns in to a weak foam, you are not supposed to use it around your eyes but I tried it and it didn't irritate them or effect my eyes in any way, so if you don't have sensitive eyes I think you'll be fine with it. It leaves my skin feeling really fresh and awake, not my favourite cleanser but enjoyed using something different.
 A scrub, that is also a gel that "contains eco-particles to gently open clogged pores and witch hazel to help minimise the appearance of enlarged pores." I found that even though it has only a few beads in it, it's really effective and doesn't scratch my skin, it removed most of the flakiness I had. Using the scrub with the mask was amazing and my face felt so soft I will definitely be picking up the full size of both products 

A blemish serum. I don't usually use blemish or spot treatments and this one hasn't convinced my that they really do anything, I have a few small spots around my chin and they have started to clear up although I couldn't say that the serum had anything to do with that.
And a hydra lotion that I first used and hated it, but have since used and it is pleasant light moisturizer that I would typically use in the morning only. Under my make up it does seem to matte down the skin a little and keeps it hydrated for most of the day.

I also boringly brought the boots cotton wool double faced round pads £1.89 which has a tougher more compact side for removing nail polish and more liquid products and a softer side to use with more lotions. I like the small round ones just to use with eye make-up remover, they are nice and soft and don't irritate my skin.

I had seen these sandals online before and thought about buying them, so when I saw them in store I wanted to try them on, I looked for my size and could only find one shoe, I search all over the store and finally found the second one behind the checkouts.  

 

 They fit really well and are easy to walk in and didn't pinch anywhere on my feet. But after wearing them all day on a shopping trip they did rub across my toes, and I got two blisters. But now I have broken them in they are really comfortable and have become a summer staple.

 The Material is a soft faux leather where it touches your skin and nude faux suede every where else, and even though it's light coloured suede it is easily wiped clean and hasn't scuffed.

It has five buckle holes 1/2cm apart, from 25cm to 27cm around your ankle. 

 

Navy telephone shopper, yes even after buying the Hudson moto mini I still brought a bag. It is a larger tote style bag with just shoulder straps, I loved the picture on the front and the beautiful navy polka dot lining. 

 

It has one interior zip and one interior pocket. I think it will get a lot of use in autumn and winter months.

I made a quick stop in paperchase for a new note book, I adore the polka dot cloth cover but hope they get more colours, there was only this one and a white and pink one which I think would get dirty with pen marks and things. The spacing between the lines is not too large that it wastes paper but just perfect for short notes and blogging ideas. 

 

At 'Age UK', a charity shop, I found this book by Jill Mansell, I already have one of her books and really enjoyed it, plus it was only 99p.

  

The last place we stopped off at was Ikea, after getting lost a few times I found the glasses, I wanted something to store my pencils in and this is the perfect height and thickness to hold them. I really enjoy the sort of diamond pattern and was only £1.90. 

 

 I also saw a simple water resistant bag, I love these just to carry in you handbag so when heavy plastic bags are cutting into your wrists you can move you shopping into these and carry them comfortably.

The print is also really simple and pretty, they have it in grey or just plain black.

Thank you for reading

Poppies and Cornflowers x

Sanctuary- Boots

Cotton Wool Pads- Boots
Sandals - BHS
Bag- BHS
Glass- Ikea
Water Resistant Bag- Ikea

Boots Haul

Whilst food shopping with my mum I made a quick stop off in boots, and using a voucher I got for my birthday I picked up a few items I had been lusting over for months.

SOAP AND GLORY SUGAR CRUSH BODY BUTTER -£10.50

There was a 3 for 2 on soap and glory body and skin care, so I took the opportunity to pick up the body butter to go with the sugar crush body wash and the scrub I already had. It is a harder consistency than other moisturisers but soaks in really fast and leaves my skin lovely and soft. It has a strong lime scent but once it is rubbed into your skin it turns into a lighter tropical scent.

SOAP AND GLORY HEEL GENEUS - £5.50

Below that were soap and glory’s foot products which I had heard a lot of good things about. It's got quite a thin watery consistency but is absorbed quickly and has a faint citrus smell. It makes my feet feel super soft and I love it.

SOAP AND GLORY SCRUB YOUR NOSE IN IT - £9
 I had also heard great things about soap and glory scrubs, but I was very disappointed. For me it was very displeasing minty smell especially when using it around my nose (which is were most of my dry, flaky skin is). The small beads in the cream are much less effective than a courser sandier scrub, which I believe do the best job. I love most soap and glory products but this didn't hit the mark and I will not be repurchasing it.

DENMAN DRESSING OUT BRUSH £4.29

I back comb my hair almost every day with a brush from Primark, so when I saw the dressing out brush I picked it up instantly. Using it a few times now I can really see the difference in volume you can get, with much less effort. Although it is not so good for smoothing the top layer of hair it really does cause less damage to my hair and would definitely buy it again.

ELVIVE FIBOLOGY SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER - £3.99

On my way to pay, I saw that there was a 3 for £10 offer on Elvive Fiberology. Thickening my hair is not something I worry about, but after using a sample I loved the smell (which I can only describe as a salon scent), and how it made my hair look and feel super soft and shiny without leaving it heavy or greasy. It also lathers up really well.

Thank you for reading,

Poppies & cornflowers x