Perfume Sample Saturday - Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua For Women Eau de Parfum

A bouquet of aquatic floral and warm musks with a clean, natural elegance,

Top notes: Apple, Cucumber, Apricot and Peony
Heart notes: Jasmine, Gardenia, Magnolia and Tiare flower 
Base notes: Woods, Cedar and Musk

My thoughts 

A gorgeous fragrance that has Summer Holiday written all over it, evoking tempting cool lush seas, the sea breeze and being soaked in the warm rays of the sun. If you would like something that is neither fruity or floral this is worth trying.

A lovely clean and balanced scent.

I find this quite similar to the discontinued The Body Shop Oceanus fragrance which I had actually forgotten all about but it brought it all back to me as I had a Greek Uni friend who was obsessed with it .

Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua EDP 30ml £29

Nails Of The Day - Ciate Caviar Pearls Shooting Star & Cookies and Cream with Marie Claire

Free with July's Marie Claire magazine are 2 Ciate Mini's - Cookies and Cream which is a milky beige nude shade with a crème texture and Shooting Star Caviar Micro Pearls. I only picked up the magazine this morning but couldn't wait to have a little play (it took just seconds!) as these colours are just the kind of thing that I would wear.

In natural light

What do you think?

A Short Story ..Peter and Jane

Part 1

A man called Peter lived at the end of my street.  The first and only time I saw him was on the day he moved in. He noticed me looking and gave me a wave. He had short cropped hair, brown beady eyes and a beard.  I think I smiled back and shouted out my name, he wasn't my type but I could be friendly enough when needed. However, this friendliness of mine may have been a huge mistake, he turned into my stalker.

Here is my story - 

To get to the station I had to walk past his house every single day.  I could feel his eyes looking me up and down. I couldn't see him but I knew he was there.

Every so often I would turn back to see if I could catch him peeking  but each time all I would see would be the twitch of the curtain falling back into place. Peter was clever all right.

I imagined him sat grinning in his room, knowing what game he was playing and how much it was torturing me and yet there was nothing I could do. He had me terrified. I had no proof but I just knew. God, did I sound insane? After 3 months I admit I was beginning to doubt myself. Was it all in my head?

My friend Alice told me to go to the Police and report him – I couldn’t do that! What would I say?

“There's this man who watches me”.  They would laugh in my face ' No law against that, darling' the rotund desk Sergeant would say.

Nothing would change. He would still be watching me; those sinister red velvet curtains would still be twitching. My skin was crawling just thinking about it.

No, there was only one thing for it I decided. I had to lure him into mischief, find out what he wanted, before he hurt someone else. This had to stop.

So my plan began...

What do you think.. do you want more?

Mandara Spa Island Paradise Revitalising Leg Treatment - Summer Ready Legs

I was recently invited to experience a new Mandara Spa Treatment - The Island Paradise Revitalising leg Treatment. I popped along to the divine Spa based at the Park Plaza Hotel Westminster Bridge for the 50 minute treatment and allowed myself to drift away to paradise.

Developed exclusively for Mandara Spa this detoxifying and contouring treatment for the legs combine hero
products from the Island Paradise bath & body spa collection.

Treatment claims

Inspired by the Maldives, the potent benefits of grapefruit, lemon and white tea combined with an intensive lymphatic drainage treatment using traditional bamboo massage techniques, will help stimulate a sluggish circulation, reduce fluid retention and smooth the appearance of cellulite. Tired, heavy legs will feel energised whilst the skin will feel beautifully smooth and look healthy and toned – the perfect preparation for summer.

What it involves

• To help kick-start poor circulation, an intensive dual-action treatment of dry-brushing, followed by exfoliation will have an invigorating effect on the legs. The Island Paradise Intensive Body Scrub combines crushed peach stone granules and coconut shells to thoroughly exfoliate the skin in preparation for the massage.

• Next the Island Paradise Cooling Gel is generously applied and massaged into the legs and thighs. The cooling,menthol action will further help stimulate blood flow and refresh tired legs.

• Legs are then wrapped, a technique that enhances the benefits of the cooling gel by restricting blood flow in the capillaries and helps to reduce any puffiness. Feet then receive a massage with the Island Paradise Foot Butter and placed into cotton socks for an intense nourishing treatment.

• Whilst your feet and legs undergo their transformation,enjoy a wonderfully relaxing head and shoulder massage.

• The treatment is finished with a traditional warm bamboo massage. Designed to stimulate the lymphatic drainage, it will help flush away the build up of toxins and fatty deposits that can lead to the appearance of cellulite. The legs will appear more toned and contoured whilst feeling revitalised and beautifully soft to the touch.

My thoughts and a mini review of the products used.

The treatment from start to finish was sublime. The room was warm and inviting, the music calm and relaxing. my therapist had a wonderfully soothing voice. The scrub was harsh but pleasant for a real exfoliating and invigorating feeling that woke up the legs.  The cooling gel's icy cool effects were really rather pleasurable as it gained momentum having been wrapped. I normally dislike my feet being massaged but the foot massage was gentle and non tickly which made it bearable.. I absolutely loved the head and shoulder massage which identified tense areas and my therapist recommended that I had regular massages to ease this. The highlight of the treatment was the warm bamboo massage on my legs. This was a delightful contrast to the iciness that had preceded it.

At the end of the treatment my legs felt extremely light and the softest and smoothest I have ever felt them to be. I felt ready to bare them.

Bringing the spa to your home... You can replicate the spa treatment at home.. sadly minus the professional massage, with the affordable products that are used during the treatment.

Product reviews - products available to purchase from Sainsbury's.

Island Paradise Intensive Body Scrub £8.00 - Slightly lemony and citrus in scent this is a grainy and highly effective exfoliator.

Island Paradise Refreshing Cooling Gel £5.00 - Containing menthol the scent is very similar to Tunes, which I find really quite appealing and cannot help inhaling. The cooling effect is fab and would be highly enjoyable on a hot sunny day!

Island Paradise Softening Foot Butter £4.00 - This also has a citrus lemon scent, resembling a lemon cream. This foot butter is semi thick, absorbs fast and leaves feet smelling wonderful and super soft and silky.

Mandara Spa Island Paradise Revitalising Leg Treatment 

Price: £85.00 for 50 minutes

*PR Samples

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil - Review

Balance Me say 

Highly emollient yet super-absorbent, our 100% natural powerfully active face oil with Amazonian buriti nut oil, Roman chamomile, yarrow and benzoin feeds skin lacking in lustre with a rich, replenishing blend of skin-boosting and smoothing ingredients. Suitable for all skin types, including combination complexions.

INGREDIENTS: 

 Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Vitis vinifera (grape seed) oil, Aleurites moluccana (kukui) nut oil, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, Rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil, Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) oil, Moringa oleifera (moringa) seed oil, Camellia oleifera (camellia) oil, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile)*, Styrax benzoin (benzoin), Achillea millefolium (yarrow)*, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract, Limonene**, Linalool**, Geraniol**, Citronellol**

My thoughts 

Don't you just love it when a product lives up to its claims. This is a gorgeous oil to apply, puts the 'treat' in treatment. It has a pleasant subtle scent and doesn't feel overly oily or greasy on the skin and absorbs well. I apply it at night (2 drops) before my moisturiser and I noticed a difference in the texture of my skin within 2 days. My skin is smoother and more refined. The skin looks softer, clearer, brighter and generally more radiant. 

Have you tried this oil?

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil 30ml costs £30

*PR Sample

Afternoon Sweet Treat - Rococo Chocolates Dark Chocolate Floral Bar With Rose

I suffer from Afternoon slump and start to crave something sweet right about ..3pm. Dark chocolate is a good option to satisfy the craving and I have just discovered this gorgeous chocolate from Rococo Chocolates. 2 squares hits the sweet spot.

How pretty is the wrapper too - it is an original watercolour from the Rococo founder and designer Chantal Coady.

Rococo say 

In this bar our 65% organic dark chocolate blend is combined with steam distilled organic rose essential oil

My thoughts 

I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate and I love Rose (in all shapes and forms) so it was a given that this would appeal. It doesn't disappoint. A slightly bitter dark chocolate with just the right amount of rose taste with an appealing rose scent. A high end turkish delight taste. Delicious.

Rococo Dark Chocolate Floral Bar with Rose costs £4.50 for 70g

Front Bow Espadrille Summer Wedge Shoes From Marks & Spencer

BeautySwot is all about things of beauty and over the weekend whilst browsing in the shops I came across these super cute wedge shoes from M&S.

Gorgeous patent nude wedge shoes with a front bow. I picked these up in a Size 3. They are really comfortable and not too high to walk in. Ideal for Summer and they make a change from my usual black shoes!

Marks and Spencer Front Bow Espadrille Wedge Shoes cost £19.50 and are available in sizes 3-8 including half sizes.