Beauty Review - Scottish Fine Soaps - Larch And Lavender Body Butter

Hi all,

Hope everyone is well and enjoying a frosty winter day (it looks lovely out the window here, and miles better than gloomy wind and rain). The blog has been a little quiet of late, that's what comes from moving house just before Christmas, then catching up with everything!! I thought I'd share some beauty with you today in the form of Scottish Fine Soaps Larch and Lavender Body Butter.

I was kindly sent this to try out before Christmas, and first impressions were good. It comes in a 200ml jar and I really liked the branding, although it might help my favourite colour is purple. The box and jar has simple and clear wording on, with a simple graphic to reflect the ingredients of the product - I think it would stand out to me on a shelf, especially with the purple accents on the packaging.

The ingredients I was a little sceptical about though, I am a big fan of the relaxing properties and scent of lavender, but I wasn't sure about combining it with larch, and the fact that the box promises 'uplifting scents of Scottish Woodland in Spring', would I want to use something smelling of Woodland? Actually yes I would! Just like the other Scottish Fine Soaps products I've tried the scent is there and lingers - but it's not overpowering at all, or plastic/artificial smelling.

Scottish Fine Soaps Review Item

Although it doesn't say on the packaging it seems as if the body butter has been whipped, as it has a slight mousse texture to it. It's not too thick and goes on nicely without any greasy after effect. I've also used it several times just on my hands as they were feeling dry and although it's too early to tell if it will have a lasting effect, they do feel smoother.

I did go through a period where I had a lot of beauty products - body butters, hand cream etc. as presents and just didn't use them that often - I'm not always the best at keeping up with routines - but so far I'm pleased with this product and would consider buying it again, although I think this jar is going to last me a long time yet, so it might be a while before I am in the market for a new body butter!!

Here's the product link if anyone would like to check it out for themselves - a 200ml jar currently retails at £11.50. Do let me know if you've tried any of their other products before, would be good to know what else you've rated.

Thanks for reading and have a good day everyone.

* This product was gifted to me for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are my own.

Man Cave And Craft Room Wooden Signs - Craft Project

First bunch of goodies arrived from Baker Ross a couple of weeks ago and I have been beavering away using a mix of the goodies to create two items - one for the men out there, and one for crafty ladies. My box contained a mix of decopatch papers and glue, along with some wooden letters and wooden arrow plaques. I thought it would be good to combine a selection into two different themed room signs - I was aiming for a craft room sign for the ladies, and a man cave sign for the men - I was quite excited to come up with something different featuring a range of the goodies, and I think the end results are pretty much what I had in my head.

The items I used over the 2 signs are:

• Decopatch glue - I've used a tub of this exact glue before and although it initially seemed pricey for glue it lasted me ages, so well worth the price. Decopatch brushes do need replacing sometimes though and wont last nearly as long, but they are cheap to buy and good quality. My tip would be, don't do what I sometimes do and forget to wash out the glue after use, otherwise you'll spend a lot of time cleaning off the caked on mess!
• Leather assorted pieces - A good range of colours, in fact more than I expected, and different size pieces that could be cut with a decent pair of scissors - I'm curious as to what else I could use these scraps for. 150g
• Crystal stick on stones - really like the finish on these, and it's good they come in strips but can be easily separated - There's 480 pieces in the set so will last a while. I've seen some great ideas already using these, including this pretty gift bag project.
• Wooden arrow signs - 3 in a pack and a good size - quite thin wood though so the string will need adjusting if you stick anything on it like I did. Good to craft with, but with only 3, not much to go round.
• Paint, stick on letters, buttons and bows were all from my stash.

Man Cave Sign

Image/Design Copyright These City Days 2016

Craft Room Sign

Image/Design Copyright These City Days 2016

The quotes on both signs were entirely made up - it took a while to think of something to write, but I wanted to add some humour to the finished projects. I started with a base of paint - then added a decopatch letter to the craft room sign, and a letter painted then finished with scraps of leather for the man cave one. Once dry I built up the rest of the projects from there, just playing around with various embellishments until I was happy. It took a while to get them both finished, but it was a fun project to do.

Hope you enjoy my latest Baker Ross project post - I've just had an Easter box delivered so I'll be back again soon, meantime please say hi, let me know what you think, and if you blog for Baker Ross as well why not share your links below. Have a good day everyone.

* These products were gifted to me for the purposes of this blog post, but all opinions and feedback is my own.

Orla Kiely Apron For Sport Relief, Even Sooty And Sweep Have One!

When it comes to a big charity effort like sport relief, I don't need an excuse to blog, but if I did I'm sure these super cute children's TV characters would put up a pretty persuasive argument. As the current run of 'The Great Sport Relief Bake Off' comes to an end today, it seems it's not just the winners of each episode that have got their hands on one of the designer aprons first seen as a prize for the winners.

Yes, children's TV icons Sooty and Sweep have got in with the action showing off their miniature versions of the Sport Relief Apron in a fun photo shoot. They were joined in the fun bake-off  themed photo shoot by personality Michelle Heaton.

Orla Kiely has created a limited edition apron for Sport Relief available from HomeSense and TK Maxx stores

How cute is that, I almost want sooty and sweep baking with my in my kitchen. It's not just celebs and furry characters that can get their hands on this apron though - it's being sold in HomeSense and TK Maxx for £12.99, with at least £5.25 going to Sport Relief. The apron is limited edition as well, so you'll own something cool for your kitchen and be helping a great cause as well. 

Me in the Sport Relief Apron

I have supported Comic Relief in different ways over the year's but I haven't yet taken the plunge and entered a sport relief event yet - it's something I'd love to do one day, and I am fully behind anything that encourages us all to get fit and active, while raising money for a great cause. If you want to find out how it's done keep an eye out for the Sports Relief Games which take place between the 18th and 20th March - and the big TV fundraising night on the Friday. 

For more details, inspiration, and info on how your support can help all those going through a tough time in the UK and abroad click to http://www.sportrelief.com/.

* I was sent this apron for the purposes of this blog but am a regular supporter of this fundraising event.