Food: Quick and easy spooky Halloween treats

I couldn't resist just a little nod to Halloween today in the shape of these spooky little treats.  Halloween is probably the best 'holiday' or occasion for themeing, there are just so many ways to make things look a bit creepy!  If you fancy a bit of last minute spooky action, all of these treats are super quick and easy to throw together, and most of them are pretty healthy and kid-friendly too.

Christmas Beauty: KIKO Luxurious Collection Precious Illuminating Bronzer and Luxurious Face Brush

When I first spotted the new Luxurious collection from KIKO I did a little squeal – everything is packaged so beautifully in a sleek pale gold, and I immediately knew I needed the Precious Illuminating Bronzer in my life!

Beauty: Lunatick Cosmetic Labs Apocalipslick Paranormal lipgloss from CutECOsmetics

"Neutral make-up loving blogger in blue lip shocker!" - ha ha!  I never expected to see myself with blue lips either, but it is Halloween week after all.  When I was contacted by CutECOsmetics about their new range of glosses from Lunatick Cosmetics Labs, I decided to be brave a picked out one of the wilder colours from the collection!

Food: Waitrose sea salt fudge brownies recipe

It seems like there’s a day for everything now – Vegetarian day, Talk like a pirate day, even Bubblewrap appreciation day (yes, really), and I didn’t know until now that Chocolate actually gets a whole week - I’m not going to argue with that!  National chocolate week was 13 to 19 October, and to celebrate this wonderfully sweet occasion, Waitrose asked me if I fancied trying out one of the many yummy ultimate chocolate cake recipes on their website. 

Christmas beauty: British Beauty Blogger for Marks and Spencer - review and swatches

The bloggers are really doin' it for themselves lately, and I couldn't be more pleased to see that the amazing Jane of British Beauty Blogger now has her own range at Marks and Spencer ready for Christmas!  To me Jane's a cornerstone of beauty blogging in the UK, and her site is my go-to when I want to know what's new and exciting in the beauty world - you can guarantee, if it's out there, Jane knows about it.  She knows what's she's talking about when it comes to products, the industry and blogging itself - I've had the pleasure of meeting her on a few occasions and she's a truly lovely lady with a wicked sense of humour, and I wish her so much success with her collection.

There are five different makeup kits to choose from in the British Beauty Blogger for Marks and Spencer range,  all with amazing packaging illustrated by Nuno da Costa, and I have two to play with...

The Anthony Nolan Trust #thankyoustranger

Image source

Something a bit different today – I want to talk to you about the Anthony Nolan Trust (the UK's blood cancer charity and bone marrow register) and their new campaign – Kindest of Stranger.  The thought behind the campaign is those random acts of kindness that we might sometimes be fortunate enough to experience, or perhaps give out.  I love the idea, and it’s really made me think over the past week about ways that I could make a stranger’s day.  Life can be so busy, especially in London, that often nobody talks to each other or even makes any eye contact – sometimes it’s just a sea of barging people all in a mood and a hurry, so I’ve set about making just a little bit of a difference each day. 

Beauty: Lara Lashes semi-permanent lash extension review and experience

Noticing anything different about my lashes?  They're rather lush, long and lovely right now, don't you think?  I wish I could say grew them that way, but no, they're semi-permanent lash extensions!  I was invited along for a treatment at Lara Lashes in Clapham / Battersea and came out with the amazing super-charged lashes I've always wished I was born with...

Skincare: Vichy Idealia life serum and eye contour cream review

I know it's the product inside that counts, but it really doesn't hurt for skincare to come in pretty packaging like these from the Vichy Idealia range.  They compliment my beauty mess dressing table nicely, as well as being a brilliant addition to my skincare routine!

Christmas beauty: Illamasqua's Facet collection - Multi Facet palette in Semblance - review and swatches

I'm beyond excited for all of the Christmas collections which are either landing or being announced right now.  My wish list is unspeakably long, which is a sign that standards are pretty high this year!  I've been lucky enough to get a pre-Christmas treat from Illamasqua's Facets collection for 2014 - the stunning Multi Facet palette in Semblance.

Skincare: shu uemura tsuya skin youthful crystal transparency lotion review

I love branching out and trying new products and brands, and today's one of those occasions, as I've been trying Shu Uemura for the first time.  The brand's completely new to me, and although I didn't know much about it before, I'd thought it was predominantly a makeup brand, and I'd not realised that there's an extensive range of skincare too!  

Nails: New from Models Own - the Disco Pants collection

Models Own are getting all D-I-S-C-O on us ahead of the party season with their new Disco Pants collection.  It’s a super-bright, jazzy collection in beautiful jewel shades, and the pearlised, shimmering finish really does remind me of Disco Pants!  I don't have the legs to be working the pants, but my nails are certainly up for wearing the polish!

Giveaway: Jewel Candle surprise jewellery candle review and giveaway

I’m a little bit over-excited about the brand I have to share with you today.  I often daydream about starting my own business, but I always get stuck when it comes to what my unique idea or invention would be.  Jewel Candles are one of those products that just leave me wondering - why I didn’t think of that? - sometimes the simplest ideas really are the best! 

Christmas: Beauty advent calendars for 2014

The past week or so has seen a series of exciting releases in the beauty world - it's advent calendar time!  Any excuse to talk about Christmas early and I'm all over it - I can't help it, Christmas makes me happy, and I'm very excited to decide which doors I want to be opening for beauty treats throughout December.  This year's offering looks better than ever, but in some cases it's also the priciest!  Let's start off gently, with the calendars costing under £50...