Autumn or is it Winter???

I have not been blogging (except for one very small post last week) for several weeks. I have been visiting blogs but sorry I have not been commenting as much as I would have liked to. I love Autumn but it also seems to come with colds and coughs, which I always seem to get. I am OK in the day but the night air makes me cough cough cough. As this is when I usually do my blogging I have been feeling too ill to even turn the computer on.
I'll post some crochet make updates soon plus I have had several very good subscription boxes.

Is it still autumn or is it winter? (I think its a few days before it's winter) here's the Autumn coaster I should have posted weeks ago.

 Matches the charts  "Beckia", "Gwein" and "Belinda"

Here is the August coaster graph and symbol chart 

The chart below could be also worked for other crafts - cross stitch, knitting, beading.

 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
Note: Where the pattern states Treble crochet UK/ Double crochetUSA if you follow UK crochet instructions do a treble, if you follow USA instructions do a double crochet DO NOT do both!

Starting at bottom of chart/ graph chain 82 and another 3 chains to turn (this will count as the first treble crochet UK/ double crochet USA) of first  the row. 

Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA into the 5th chain from hook. Double crochet in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid square of row 1.

Continue following pattern for first row reading chart/ graph right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row.

Continue following chart/graph until all rows are complete. At end of row 27 fasten off.

MATERIALS :

(Crochet cotton size 10) About 76 metres/ 83 yds, hook size 1.5mm/ US size 7 steel crochet hook or SIZE FOR GAUGE.

APPROXIMATE FINISHED SIZES:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: width = 40.1 cm/ 6.2 inches, height = 43.5 cm/ 6.8 inches

GAUGE:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: 10 squares = 14.8 cm/ 2.3 inches, 10 rows = 16.1 cm/ 2.5 inches

HOW TO READ PATTERN:

Each solid square is equal to 4 Treble crochets UK/ 4 Double crochets USA. Each open square is equal to 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA, followed by 2 chains, followed by 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA. The Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA at the end of each square also counts as the first Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA of the next square. For example, a solid square followed by an open square is 4 double crochets,

2 chains, 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA.

For those that prefer to follow a symbol chart I have included one for you

If you do make the coaster, don't forget to link via ravelry, or let me know how you got on :)
The Winter coster is coming soon

Autumn

I love Autumn, so many colours all changing each day 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍃🍁 very inspirational, but secretly just I want to kick the leaves in the air like a child!!

Half a Dozen Roses

Spoonflower had a buy one "fat quarter sized fabric" (approx 21" X 18") get one free offer recently, so I got some fabrics for a few projects I have been planning, also to test out colours are correct they are now printing European orders through their new German based company. USA and Canadian orders will be sent through their USA based printing company. This was printed on 100% cotton fabric
This is is my "1/2 a Dozen Roses" design. The six roses fit on one fat quarter of fabric I will post some of the other finished projects as I complete them :) and I yes am very happy with the colours and print quality

The roses can be used as brooches (just sew or glue on a brooch back) or to decorate clothing, bags, hats, cushions, on curtain tie backs anywhere you want to add a splash of colour and shape. I have more 1/2 roses fat quarters and the works with different fabric prints (had lots of requests for  steampunk prints with cogs and gears as roses) 

This design is also available at Woven Monkey a UK based printing company.

Rhubarb Harvest

This summer has been very good for our rhubarb plant, lots of big strong tasty sticks, plus its organic we know what goes on it (nothing). So I used the first of it for a rhubarb cake and it had to have custard. Still trying to keep healthy I added a couple of tablespoons of a Flaxseed, Almonds, Brazil Nuts & Q10 blend (Linwoods brand) to the cake mix, very tasty.
What to make next? 

Libbie Club August Box

This is Augusts Libbie Club box with three full sized items (and a few small samples, nice extra) I have tried and tested them all out.










Mizon Placenta Ampoule Cream - is a double functioning cream that improves skin tone and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Highly enriched plant placenta extract supplies rich nutrients to cells
What is Plant Placenta - Plant placenta is produced in the heart of young buds. It is used to nourish the fruit during its growth. Plant Placenta is rich in amino acids, peptides, minerals and trace elements.
Tested results - After researching found out this was a plant placenta and not animal parts I was happy to try this. It is made by Mizon a Korean brand they are know for the unusual products like the snail cream (from snail slime not snails, although snail slime......), which a small sample was sent in the box to try (not used yet). I Loved this cream, the smell is a mild lavender and it has a rich smooth texture that sinks quickly into the skin. It make my skin feel hydrated and smooth I think it was my favourite product and I would repurchase this I think it will be a very good cream for weather when my skin gets sensitive and dry.

Nizz Cosmetics Lustre Lipstick - this is a Vegetarian, Hypo-allergenic and Paraben-Free lipstick. Made with a blend of fair trade butter, oils and waxes, for an ultra smooth application and the creamy finish.
Tested results - I like that this is a veggie lipstick and paraben-free I am trying to buy more veggie and vegan brands. The lipstick has a highly pigmented colour, we were given nude shades, mine was a a couple of shades lighter than my natural lip colour so very retro looking. I found it super soft and it did go on very smoothly, I was surprised it had a nice matte finish. Again I think this will be good in winter as it keep my lips hydrated.

Indeed Labs Nanoblur Instant Skin Finisher - optical prism technology gives your skin a naturally airbrushed effect. Using light diffusing ingredients.
Gives a smooth and mattified appearance to the skin
Diffuses the appearance of enlarged pores and shine
Softens appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Works in seconds
Can be applied to multiple areas, including face and neck
Covers and reduces the appearance of redness and broken capillaries.
Tested : I found this product really good on top of sunscreen, sunscreen makes me shiny looking (not a great look) and dabbing some Nanoblur on top gave my skin a matte look so no shiny head.

How Libbie Club works - You pay a one off fee and they send 3 full sized produces to test and review via their site you get a boutique area (Libbie Shop link above), you are encouraged to share the reviews on social media, my instagram and twitter to help them promote the products (I love testing the products and trying out new things). If you review the products, share and someone buys only one item (you can even be the person to buy the item, which I already have this month some more Girl meets brushes they have 20% off and are really good makeup brushes, so I will be getting next months box) you get another box the next month to review you don't pay anything else.
They encourage you to give real reviews which is what I am going to write anyway.  There are longer reviews on my Libbie Boutique and all the current discounts on products :)

Beckia coaster

This is the third summer coaster  June's "Gwein" and July's "Belinda"

Here is the August coaster graph and symbol chart 

This is the third of a trio of coasters, or squares they could be used for something else.
This coaster is called "Beckia"
 
The chart below could be also worked for other crafts - cross stitch, knitting, beading.

 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
Note: Where the pattern states Treble crochet UK/ Double crochetUSA if you follow UK crochet instructions do a treble, if you follow USA instructions do a double crochet DO NOT do both!

Starting at bottom of chart/ graph chain 82 and another 3 chains to turn (this will count as the first treble crochet UK/ double crochet USA) of first  the row. 

Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA into the 5th chain from hook. Double crochet in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid square of row 1.

Continue following pattern for first row reading chart/ graph right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row.

Continue following chart/graph until all rows are complete. At end of row 27 fasten off.

MATERIALS :

(Crochet cotton size 10) About 76 metres/ 83 yds, hook size 1.5mm/ US size 7 steel crochet hook or SIZE FOR GAUGE.

APPROXIMATE FINISHED SIZES:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: width = 40.1 cm/ 6.2 inches, height = 43.5 cm/ 6.8 inches

GAUGE:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: 10 squares = 14.8 cm/ 2.3 inches, 10 rows = 16.1 cm/ 2.5 inches

HOW TO READ PATTERN:

Each solid square is equal to 4 Treble crochets UK/ 4 Double crochets USA. Each open square is equal to 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA, followed by 2 chains, followed by 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA. The Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA at the end of each square also counts as the first Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA of the next square. For example, a solid square followed by an open square is 4 double crochets,

2 chains, 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA.

For those that prefer to follow a symbol chart I have included one for you

If you do make the coaster, don't forget to link via ravelry, or let me know how you got on :)
Should I design a matching trio of squares for Autumn?
I have planned some marching specials

Summer Coaster Trio - July

Summer Coaster Trio

 

 

Following on from last months coaster "Gwein", can you believe how fast June went! Here is July's coaster graph and symbol chart 

Filet Crochet Coaster "Belinda"

This is the second of a trio of coasters, or squares they could be used for something else.
This coaster is called "Belinda"
The chart below could be also worked for other crafts - cross stitch, knitting, beading.


 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
Note: Where the pattern states Treble crochet UK/ Double crochetUSA if you follow UK crochet instructions do a treble, if you follow USA instructions do a double crochet DO NOT do both!

Starting at bottom of chart/ graph chain 82 and another 3 chains to turn (this will count as the first treble crochet UK/ double crochet USA) of first  the row. 

Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA into the 5th chain from hook. Double crochet in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid square of row 1.

Continue following pattern for first row reading chart/ graph right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row.

Continue following chart/graph until all rows are complete. At end of row 27 fasten off.

MATERIALS :

(Crochet cotton size 10) About 76 metres/ 83 yds, hook size 1.5mm/ US size 7 steel crochet hook or SIZE FOR GAUGE.

APPROXIMATE FINISHED SIZES:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: width = 40.1 cm/ 6.2 inches, height = 43.5 cm/ 6.8 inches

GAUGE:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: 10 squares = 14.8 cm/ 2.3 inches, 10 rows = 16.1 cm/ 2.5 inches

HOW TO READ PATTERN:

Each solid square is equal to 4 Treble crochets UK/ 4 Double crochets USA. Each open square is equal to 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA, followed by 2 chains, followed by 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA. The Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA at the end of each square also counts as the first Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA of the next square. For example, a solid square followed by an open square is 4 double crochets,

2 chains, 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA.

For those that prefer to follow a symbol chart I have included one for you

 

 If you do make the coaster, don't forget to link via ravelry, or let me know how you got on :) Check out my Instagram account to see what happened to the coaster!!!

So Susan June 2016

This months "So Susan" subscription arrived it is the "I Love Hugs" Bag with a quote by Ann Hood "I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words."

All products are 100% Cruelty-Free (they do not test products or ingredients on animals) and contain no mineral oils, no phthalates, no parabens, gluten free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free 


The Bag Contained (all full sized products) :

Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annhood540821.html

I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annhood540821.html

I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annhood540821.html

Bag Contains : 

• Eco-Chic Canvas Makeup Bag (worth $12 / £12) - Cute linen bag very colourful, although my print was not as good as other bags I have received and it has started to peel
• Candied Apple by Trifle (worth $18.95 / £15.95) -  A duel product for a gentle tint for lips or cheeks formulated with water-resistant, high-lustre mica for a natural-looking blush. Easily to use and natural looking, does not really have a smell which is good.
• Primal Instinct by So Susan (worth $23.95 / £20.95) - A lightweight gel goes on easily to "blur out large pores, facial imperfections and instantly helps to improve skintone and mattify unwanted shine" Comes in a small tube but you only use a few dots so should last for a while, very lightweight and I tested it on a hot day and it did stop me having a shiny nose.
• Raspberry Ripple by Trifle (worth $17.95 / £14.95) - A trio of light-enhancing blush shades in a portable palette to be used for contouring, "Brush the left and middle shades (both with Radiance Glow ™ pigments) onto apples of your cheeks when you need color & illumination. Use the last shade on the right (with pure Resveratrol) to help give color, moisture & reduce hyperpigmentation." I used as eye shadows, really liked the colour combination they had strong pigments and blends well.
• BONUS ITEM : Blush&Contour by Jelly Pong Pong (worth $17.95 / £13.95) - Another blush "Add additional warmth to your skin with a touch of Blush+Contour that comes in a soft blusher shade & a shadow enhancer. The apricot and blossom-pink colours are just one notch up from natural. For a flattering high cheek bone, softly dust the brown-toned enhancer shade just below your cheekbones." Again I used as eye shadows, very strong pigments and blends well, I liked these colours!

Bag Value : $90.80 / £77.80

A good bag, I was surprised it had 3 cheek products but really to me it was a lip tint and two shadows and you can never have to many eye shadows!!.

Bag Value : $83.80 / £70.85 (subscription is $20.95 free shipping monthly worldwide, they are a London/ UK based company) I paid for a 3 month subscription as its works out a little cheaper, a 6 month subscription is also available.

Fabric Flowers

Yesterday I was teaching a short taster class (2 hours) - Fabric Flowers in Harlesden Library as part of the Festival of Learning
Here's some pics of the students work, they all did really well!

Libbie Club

Libbie Club Box

My new favourite cleanser

I cancelled one of my boxes last month (My Little Box) so I was looking for something to replace it with. I was also looking to buy a replacement cleanser as my favourite every morning cleanser (Liz Earle cleanse and polish) had began to cause my skin to dry out and felt like there were bumps under my skin, not nice. I found the cleanser which I am now using Bee Good Honey & Propolis 2 in 1 cream cleanser. I also liked how the site had reviealws from real people who tried out the products. I saw you could join so thought why not and I joined the Libbie Club last month, its not like a normal subscription box you pay a one-off fee to become a member (if you just want to buy products from them you do not need to be a member), I think it was £20 but it has since gone up to join them. They send out 3 full-sized products to test and review via their site, you are encouraged to share the reviews on social media, my instagram and twitter have shares. If you review the products, share and someone buys only one item (you can even be the person to buy the item, which I did my cleanser and got a free travel sized cleanser to) you get another box the next month to review you don't pay anything else. What I liked about them is they encourage you to give real reviews which I always do and they have a good range of items to buy (items I would buy anyway), their prices are good, they also have extras with the products like the cleanser & muslin cloth I purchased had a travel cleanser and muslin cloth as a free extra.
Last months products were "Chin-up" a firming &  contouring mask for the chin and neck area "H2O Tan Mist" a tanning spray and "Girl meets Brush" make up brushes (I have reviewed them on their website).

Peel off polish

 This months box for June was excellent, Little Ondine nail polish a water based polish with no smell, very easy to paint on lasts about the same as normal nail polish, when you get bored just peel it off! I was a little sceptical about this product but it worked! and had its so strange a polish with no smell, I loved the peeling off and my nails were not dried out, now I need to buy more......

Tarte cosmetics mascara

Tarte Cosmetics - Lights,camera, lashes™ 4-in-1 mascara designed to make even the shortest lashes look lengthened. 4-in-1  meaning = lengthening, curling, volumizing,and conditioning. Tarte Costmetics products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan,synthetic fragrances and gluten. They are also cruelty free and vegan friendly. Again another brand and product I liked :)

Ginvera marvel gel

The last product was Ginvera's Marvel White Gel a gentle exfoliater that contains no damaging grains or strong chemicals and will banish even the most stubborn whiteheads, blackheads, dead skin and blemishes without aggravating sensitive skin. Enriched with green tea extract as an anti-oxidant, tackles free radicals and simulates the skin's metabolism making it brighter. Japanese shiso extract provides anti-inflammatory benefits, soothing redness & itchiness. Also helps lighten dark spots, pimple marks and scars. I must say this made my skin feel super clean and smooth and healthy looking, again I really liked it. I used it instead of my normal face scrub (which I only use a couple of times a week).
I have longer reviews on Libbie Clubs websites.

Summer Coaster Trio

Filet Crochet Coaster "Gwein"

This is the first of a trio of coasters, or squares they could be used for something else.
The first coaster is called "Gwein"
The chart below could be also worked for other crafts - cross stitch, knitting, beading. 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Note: Where the pattern states Treble crochet UK/ Double crochetUSA if you follow UK crochet instuctions do a treble, if you follow USA instructions do a double crochet DO NOT do both!

Starting at bottom of chart/ graph chain 82 and another 3 chains to turn (this will count as the first treble crochet UK/ double crochet USA) of first  the row. 

Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA into the 5th chain from hook. Double crochet in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid square of row 1.

Continue following pattern for first row reading chart/ graph right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row.

Continue following chart/graph until all rows are complete. At end of row 27 fasten off.

MATERIALS :

(Crochet cotton size 10) About 76 metres/ 83 yds, hook size 1.5mm/ US size 7 steel crochet hook or SIZE FOR GAUGE.

APPROXIMATE FINISHED SIZES:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: width = 40.1 cm/ 6.2 inches, height = 43.5 cm/ 6.8 inches

GAUGE:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: 10 squares = 14.8 cm/ 2.3 inches, 10 rows = 16.1 cm/ 2.5 inches

HOW TO READ PATTERN:

Each solid square is equal to 4 Treble crochets UK/ 4 Double crochets USA. Each open square is equal to 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA, followed by 2 chains, followed by 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA. The Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA at the end of each square also counts as the first Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA of the next square. For example, a solid square followed by an open square is 4 double crochets,

2 chains, 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA.

 For those that prefer to follow a symbol chart I have included one for you

If you do make the coaster, don't forget to link via ravelry, or let me know how you got on :)

My Little Box May 2016

This months box was the "My Dolce Vita Box". A nicely illustrated box with an Italian theme although I think like last months box the theme was very loose. I don't remember seeing lots of women wearing turbans anytime I was in Italy? Maybe I was not looking? which brings me to the first of the liftstyle items a green floral turban style headband (RRP £11), not really me but useful for when putting on/ taking off makeup. The next item was more in line with the theme a little laurel wreath style Ring £12 cute. In the little cotton bag was 3 beauty items a My little Beauty own brand - Illuminating moisturiser for legs £8 may test it but most tanning products turn my ghost white skin orange, not a good look. A nice sized perfume sample by Courrèges - La fille de l'air (sample size 8.5ml, full size rrp. €65 per 50ml) This is a little too floral and strong for me but works well left in my yarn bag (one of many) as it makes the yarn smell nice. Finally Baija - Croisière Céladon Body Oil (sample size 30ml, full size rrp. €16.90 per 50ml) another very large sample lightly scented with Jasmin green tea in sweet almond, sesame and sunflower seed oil. 

Sadly I was not over excited when I opened this box and so cancelled my subscription, I will keep looking at up and coming boxes and if they improve will re-subscribe as I still like the idea of the mixture of lifestyle and beauty items. I have joined a different type of box service also, I will write about in a few days.

My Little Box is a French company, sends to different countries but the contents can vary. £11+ P&P

Window Box Make Over

I bought some random plants for our window boxes, as they were looking very sad and overgrown.
I am very excited to see how they look in a few weeks when they start to grow (I'll post again then). I bought Celoisa Kimono (a mix of orange, yellow and red plumed plants), Ageratum (fluffy little blue flowers) and Mimulus Magic also called monkey flowers (a mix of red and yellow bicolour little flowers) .

So Susan May 2016

This months bag is called the "I Love Being Happy" Bag the quote on the bag is by Audrey Hepburn - "The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters"


All products are 100% Cruelty-Free (they do not test products or ingredients on animals) and contain no mineral oils, no phthalates, no parabens, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free

The Bag Contained (all full sized products) : 

• Eco-Chic Canvas Makeup Bag (worth $12 / £12) this linen bag is so cute with little Russian dolls on it

• Creamsicle in “Gelato” by Trifle (worth $17.95 / £14.95)
  A creamy tinted balm that melts onto your skin upon contact. Dab onto lips & cheeks for rich hydration and for that pop of dewy, smooth colour. With Silk Peptide to promote suppleness. I used on my lips and it lasted all day and smells so good

• Cashmere Blush by So Susan (worth $15.95 / £12.95) With PoreFade™ technology, Vitamin E Acetate and Pure Beeswax. A  powder blush that feels like cream upon skin contact. I will probably use this as an eye shadow not really a blush person.

• Angled Eyeshadow Brush by So Susan (worth $17.95 / £14.95) A versatile brush made from synthetic nylon & taklon hairs only. This is a nice soft brush a good travel length for a brush, it fits neatly in the makeup bag. For home use I prefer a longer handle. It picks up the colour well.

• BONUS ITEM : Light Pulse by Jelly Pong Pong (worth $19.95 / £16.00)  "A brightening gel formulation encapsulated in an elegant, foolproof stick format to enable you to illuminate and create “light” on your face so you look healthy, radiant and glowing" A really soft pencil nice for adding a bit of highlight to the eyes. 

As always an excellent bag. This is the first of my new 3 month subscription.

Bag Value : $83.80 / £70.85 (subscription is $20.95 free shipping monthly worldwide, they are a London/ UK based company)

Birchbox May

A little busy this month I am way behind with blogging. This months Birchbox arrived last week (all my boxes arrived within days of each other so been testing everything out, plus catching on paperwork for work (very important to buy bills!) This months Birchbox had a scratch top box, two boxes had the word winner printed on them only to be revealed after scratching the silver off, you could have won a holiday, my box did not have winner on it :( but it was fun scratching off the silver to see if it did, plus it reveals a very nice design, so all good fun.
Inside this months box (in the little bag) were 1 full sized item and 5 samples.
The full sized item was from Spectrum Collections a "Unicorn Tears Wonder Sponge" (Full size item price £4.99) We were given the choice of two colours pink or lilac, I picked lilac, so I knew this item was included in this months box. The sponge comes in a little plastic resealable bag, very Handy for travelling. The sponge is slightly harder than others I have tried but I liked that, very nice and may re-purchase, as its cheaper than a lot of other sponges out there.
The five samples (in no order) Philip Kingsley -PK Prep Polishing Balm (sample size 20ml, full sized 75ml £18.50) a hair smoothing balm that works on all hair types to smooth, condition, and tame whatever style you’re after. Contains nourishing ProVitamin B5 and vitamin A to add shine and gloss while nourishing your locks. My hair goes frizzy when it raining or when its sunny, generally its always frizzy! I used a tiny amount (less then 1/4 of a pea  amount) and it made my hair so shiny and a lot less frizzness, plus it did not make my hair look greasy, I will be buying this product when the sample runs out I really love it. Sorry the next sample is not in the photo of the box contents as it was put straight into my bag when I opened the box, for when I'm out 'n' about. TheBalm® cosmetics "Stainiac" in Beauty Queen a hint of a tint for lips and cheeks (sample size 1.2ml, full sized 8.5ml £10.00) It has a very suble tint/ colour, its quick and simple to use. I did apply twice for a better colour but it was still very natural looking which I like.
Caudalie Vinosource "Moisturising Sorbet" a gel/ cream a very lightweight non greasy moisturiser, the sample was 10ml but only contained approx. two pea sized amounts of cream so tried it in the morning and night. It was a good moisturiser but I did not like the smell and as the full size is £23.00 for 40ml I think its too expensive!
Rituals - "Dao Wai Wang Body Scrub" (sample size 75ml, full sized 325ml £19.50) enriched with white lotus and yi yi ren to calm the skin’s surface. I love this scrub, the smell is not over powering but light and uplifting. The scrub uses Chinese bamboo particles and does not scratch up your skin but leaves it smooth and feeling very soft and moisturised. I am really enjoying using this
(sample size 20ml, full sized 8.5ml £10.00)
The final sample was a Vita Coco Coconut Oil (sample size tiny 5ml, full sized 500ml £10.00) this is 100% organic raw cold pressed coconut oil. I use coconut oil for so many things cooking, hair, teeth, skin, nails, this sample will go in my travel bag very handy.
All in all a very nice box, that I am enjoying using










Note: If you want £5.00 worth of points with your first box click https://www.birchbox.co.uk/invite/nezumi6 currently you can get a free full-sizefull-size Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter highlighter worth £8.95 with the first box - just put the code GLOWGIRL in the promo code box before ordering.  So that's a free Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter highlighter and £5.00 in points, don't forgot to review the products when you get them and that's up to another £5.00 worth of points to spend in their shop. 
Birchbox UK cost £10.00 plus 2.95 p&p monthly, you can cancel at any time via your online account. They are an American company, different countries receive different boxes and products. 

SoSusan Lip Love Bag April

SoSusan Lip Love Bag's April is themed "I Love Spring" , another very cute bag this month that has a quote by Harriet Ann Jacobs "The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also." The canvas bag is also illustrated with nice spring related images, including 2 cute cats on a swing! (I think this bag will make a nice home for some of my crochet hooks)

All products are 100% Cruelty-Free (they do not test products or ingredients on animals) and contain no mineral oils, no phthalates, no parabens, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free

The Bag Contained (all full sized products) : 

• Eco-Chic Canvas Makeup Bag (worth $12 / £12)
  
• Muse Palette by So Susan (worth $17.95 / £14.95) A 3 colour silky eye shadow palette formulated with silicon-coated micronized pigments for a seamless, velvety texture that lasts up to 8 hours. With Eyeseryl® peptide to help reduce eyebags, dark circles and puffiness. I used this palette it has really nice colours the bronze was nice used alone. I found the colour does last all day. I was very happy with this palette
  
  
• Lip Parfait in “Exotic Fruits” by Trifle (worth $18.95 / £12.95) This lipstick is nude colour Infused with cocoa butter that smells so good, I found it very soft and moisturising, I used it more as a lip balm because the colour is not very strong on me but I like that.
  
  
• Malibu Melt by Jelly Pong Pong (worth $24.95 / £19.95) A Creamy Powder Blush stick (contains shea butter) again the smell is very good, the website blurb said it is super hydrating cream blush that’s formulated to condition and help keep skin plump with moisturising colour for a full 12 hours of continuous wear.I have not used it yet I don't normally wear brush but do sometimes use it as eye shadow, I have not used this yet.
  
  
• BONUS ITEM : Illuminata by So Susan (worth $17.95 / £14.95) - "A preservative-free, superbly formulated luminizing loose powder that gives a soft-focus. Upon contact with skin, Apricot, Jojoba & Macadamia oil beads encapsulated in the powder pigments, burst open to impart a hydrated, more refined appearance to your skin, making Illuminata™ a unique, groundbreaking hybrid between long-wearing powder and rejuvenating, moisturising oils." Have not used this yet but will do.

Bag Value : $91.80 / £74.80

I feel all the products are very good for spring, very fresh, I am very happy with this months bag and look forward to next months (I will doing a new 3 month subscription)

 Follow my blog with Bloglovin

My Little Flower Box

My little boxes theme this month is "My Little Flower Box" and it's not the normal box this month, its a book shaped box with ribbon ties, nice idea but I prefer the box as I can use it for storage this book/ box is thin and the ribbon does not hold it closed.....
There was the little magazine inside which is good. A Pop-up garden (£7.00) cute little box and good idea but the seeds are cress! if they were flower seeds I would have been happier, the theme was flower box?
A Travel pouch for lingerie from Balzac Paris (£13.00) This is a very pretty printed cotton double pouch, but if I was going away for the weekend I would need more then 1 knickers and 1 bra, that's if I could even fit my bra into the tiny pouch, again nice idea but........
The beauty items were a Nailsinc base coat (£11.00) OK I will use it but its not very flower related, a nice rose or lavender coloured nail varnish would have been better I think and a L'Occitane travel sized shower gel Cherry Blossom scent, I really like L'Occtaine their shea butter range of soaps is excellent, I will use this shower gel and its flower related but yes another problem it leaked not too much but a travel sized product that leaks is not good for travelling! I did contact them and they said email back if I wanted a replacement and they would send it out... which as its a little bottle and only a tiny leak I have not replied. The final item and the star of the box was My little boxes own brand face mask from "My Little Beauty" Rosy Mornings detoxifying mask (£11.00) this is a very good mask. Its vitamin C rich, 96% natural ingredients with active fruit extracts. It's a good mask it made my skin feel really clean, soft very smooth, sometimes I get tiny little bumps under the skin, you can't see them but you can feel them and it magicked them away. I think if not for this product I would have cancelled my subscription as overall the theme of the box was a good idea but most of the contains were a little disappointing. I will give it one more box and decide.

I will review the SO Susan subscription tomorrow

Fabric Love's Swatch Kit

I saw this magazine in the supermarket last month "Love Patchwork & Quilting" (a nice magazine), really it was the free gift I saw "a fabric lovers swatch kit" and thought it was an excellent idea. It contained 100 cards, 100 double sized stickers (to stick the fabric sample to the card) and a metal keyring.
It's meant for people to stick swatches from there fabric stash onto the little pre-printed cards with  information on one side to fill in with details so you can remember your fabric name, details etc. then add to the keyring to keep to keep organised.
For me I thought it would be an excellent way to have samples of my fabric designs at hand and organised. So I made a template to fit the card tags and ordered some of my design minis from both from Woven monkey and spoonflower in the correct sizes and started organising my fabrics. I think this is so useful for co-ordinating with other fabrics, buttons, threads, zips or just for showing my fabric design, plus its so small and neat and can fit in my bag when out 'n' about. This is one of the best free gifts from a magazine I have ever had :)