Cover Reveal – End Game by Olivia Rose.
Back Porch Poet’s experience of Beauty Con NYC.
Read Back Porch Poet’s honest account about her weekend at Beauty Con NYC. It’s worth the read and is really helpful for those thinking of attending next year. After reading this I personally don’t think I’d go. It seems to have been badly organised and some of the brands conducted themselves really poorly! Have you been this year? What did you think? Sound off in the comments below.
Essano Turmeric Cleanser Review.
Every face wash/cleanser that I have used lately (and by “lately” I mean months!) have all irritated my skin and made it sensitive and sore. While having a gander at the natural skincare in TKMaxx (I swear I don’t live there, honest 😂) I came across this turmeric cleanser by a New Zealand skincare brand called essano which contains turmeric, – I guess that was a given 😂 – aloe vera, which is actually second in the ingredients list 😃, olive oil and jojoba. The product claims to brighten and refresh the skin. I’ve been using it a few days now and I haven’t seen any difference yet in the brightness but I’ve certainly felt more refreshed and my skin has felt so smooth and soft. Finally the soreness that I had previously felt has begun to wear off too! This cleanser also has a lovely scent to it! I think we’re on to a winner here, guys! I really am loving this product and will be a staple part of my skincare routine. Essano are also a cruelty free skincare brand yaaaay! However, this particular product contains beeswax so, sadly, not vegan friendly but some of their other products may be.
#beauty #skincare #skincareproducts #crueltyfree #crueltyfreeskincare #skincarereview #essano #beautycommunity #newzealandskincare #australiaskincare #blog #blogger #makeupblogger #review #skincareroutine
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Rose Quartz Face Mist Review.
I’ve been in need of a new toner for ages. Normally I’ll use a rose mist/water from a certain indie brand but I just couldn’t afford it at £20 a bottle. So whilst having a gander round TK Maxx I came across this rose mist by DA Apothecary (Daylesford Apothecary). It was £6.99 for 100ml which is a great price. Especially as the ingredients are all natural! Before I bought it I dropped them an email because I didn’t know if they were cruelty free (there was no leaping bunny or peta mark). They kindly replied back and said that they were and that more info could be found on their website (I actually did go on their site beforehand but dumbo here is blinder than a bat and couldn’t see it 🙈). I was absolutely thrilled so of course I went out and bought it.
A little bit about the product taken from their website:
“Rose Quartz Range
MAGICAL:
Attracts love and positive relationships, strengthening existing relationships,
Restores confidence, harmony, happiness and fidelity.
MEDICINAL:
Aids chances of fertility
Improving the vertigo
Soothes burns and abrasions
Strengthens the circulatory system
Unlocks impurities of the body fluids.
Refresh yourself with the beautiful Rose Quartz Face & Body spray made with Rose Water and Rose Quartz Crystals.”
The rose quartz crystals was a nice little bonus to the spray (I love rose quartz!) as I’d actually bought it for the benefits that rose water has – it’s an anti-inflammatory and helps keep acne at bay. Rose water is also gentle on the skin so not as harsh as other toners. The spray pump is perfect for use on the face – some spray pumps I find don’t give out enough product and just spray a line instead of a fine mist. I spritz it a few times on my face and a few on my cotton pad then wipe my face with it distributing the product evenly, wiping away any excess dirt and grime. It has a gorgeous rose scent to it and not too strong. I like to use it throughout the day just to freshen me up a bit if I’m feeling a bit tired. I’d definitely recommend this spray as it I’ve been in need of a new toner for ages. Normally I’ll use a rose mist/water from a certain indie brand but I just couldn’t afford it at £20 a bottle. So whilst having a gander round @tkmaxx I came across this rose mist by @daylesfordapothecary. It was £6.99 for 100ml which is a great price. Especially as the ingredients are all natural! Before I bought it I dropped them an email because I didn’t know if they were cruelty free (there was no leaping bunny or peta mark). They kindly replied back and said that they were and that more info could be found on their website (I actually did go on their site beforehand but dumbo here is blinder than a bat and couldn’t see it 🙈). I was absolutely thrilled so of course I went out and bought it.
A little bit about the product taken from their website:
“Rose Quartz Range
MAGICAL:
Attracts love and positive relationships, strengthening existing relationships,
Restores confidence, harmony, happiness and fidelity.
MEDICINAL:
Aids chances of fertility
Improving the vertigo
Soothes burns and abrasions
Strengthens the circulatory system
Unlocks impurities of the body fluids.
Refresh yourself with the beautiful Rose Quartz Face & Body spray made with Rose Water and Rose Quartz Crystals.”
The rose quartz crystals was a nice little bonus to the spray as I’d actually bought it for the benefits that rose water has – it’s an anti-inflammatory and helps keep acne at bay. Rose water is also gentle on the skin so not as harsh as other toners. The spray pump is perfect for use on the face – some spray pumps I find don’t give out enough product and just spray a line instead of a fine mist. I spritz it a few times on my face and a few on my cotton pad then wipe my face with it distributing the product even and wiping away any excess dirt and grime. It has a gorgeous rose scent to it and not too strong. I like to use it throughout the day just to freshen me up a bit if I’m feeling a bit tired. I’d definitely recommend this spray as it’s natural, gentle and super affordable!
ARC Book Review – When We Fall by Olivia Rose.
Blurb:
Erin Michaels wants nothing more than to just survive high school. With a life long crush on the boy next door, and his mean girl girlfriend who seems to want to make her life miserable, it’s no wonder those short years feel like a lifetime.
That is, until Mason Knight.
When Mason Knight rocks up at Rocky Falls High, Erin’s world turns upside down, and her eyes are opened to a world worth living for.
Exploring love and life for the first time, Erin’s world is set ablaze in ways she never imagined possible.
‘When We Fall’ is a YA novel that centres around high school bullying, finding love, giving you strength and bravery to rise above the bullying and have the courage to stand up to it and speak out. I love that this was written in first person with a friendly conversational tone to it. It makes for a really smooth read that really pulls you in.
The characters were easy to like – or dislike depending on who (I didn’t like Evan. He was a tool from the start). The main character, Erin, is sooo the book version of me; with her style, her clumsiness and her love of books. Not to mention her personality and how she overcomes being bullied. Mason… wow Mason. Ohhh he was everything you’d want in a love interest, in my opinion. He was always in Erin’s corner. Supporting her, encouraging her to fight back and not take the crap that the bullies were throwing at her. He had that bad boy vibe about him too which I loved… the reformed bad boy with a heart of gold. Monica (Erin’s guardian) and Grams (Mason’s grandma) were really likeable characters too. They were both so lovely and reminded me of my own nannas.
I was totally engrossed by this book. There is a major plot twist that I just wasn’t expecting and it had me hanging on the edge of my seat with my heart in my mouth! For a time I was worried that suicide, or attempted suicide, may happen in the story, but something entirely different happened and it’s not something I’ve come across a great deal in the books I’ve read. I really like that Olivia Rose wrote about it though as it really does resonate with what seems to be happening more and more in the US today.
This was a fantastic read that I definitely recommend you go out and buy! It is released 26th March and is available to pre-order now!
* This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
** This book was previously written under the pen name Sloane Murphy.
Time For Tea.
I love my tea and for Christmas my parents had bought me an infuser teapot so I’d been looking around for some loose leaf tea to put in it. A friend of mine recommended an Etsy shop called Rosie Lea Tea. There are so many different varieties to choose from. There’s even Harry Potter and Game of Thrones themed teas! Plus some literary ones too. I was spoilt for choice!
In the end I chose mini versions of Vanilla Chai, Sweet Cranberry, Decaf Strong Breakfast tea and Chocolate Rose. I also chose a standard sized pack of Sleepy tea.
So far I have tried the Vanilla Chai and it is amazing! Even better than my fave Chai Latte at Costa Coffee! I’m currently drinking Sleepy tea before bed which has camomile and lavender in it. It feels like a warm hug with a comforting herbal aroma and it’s so relaxing. Here’s hoping for a good night’s sleep!
The Story Gift Book Sleeve and Bookmark.
I have this knack of accidentally sitting back, forgetting my book is there, and creasing the cover or it being accidentally knocked off the arm of the chair. 😭 So I thought it high time I got me a book sleeve! How blooming cute is this by The Story Gift? Ahhh books and cats (and black cats no less!)… Two of my favourite things!
I also just had to have the metal bookmark too. It was a tough choice between tea and coffee though because I actually love to drink both – though not at the same time obviously haha. I would love to also make a suggestion for a cat and books inspired bookmark. Then my life will be complete! 😀
My daughter is currently walking around “keeping my book and sleeve safe” as she cuddles them, bless her. She says she wants one of her own so I may have to see if there’s one she’d like.
I’d definitely recommend a book sleeve. I honestly don’t know why I haven’t bought one before now!
Book Review – A Princess’s Duty by Sloane Murphy
Blurb:
Emilia Daarke has wanted to escape the Summer Court her entire life. She’s not brutal like the other Fae. She’s not savage. But they are.
When the boy she loves, Cade Vasara, Crowned Prince of the Winter Court, kills Emilia’s twin, they are torn apart and Emilia’s love for Cade dies just like her sibling did.
Years later, she has fallen in love with a hunter – a forbidden love that goes against all that she has been taught. A man her father will never approve of. When her secret is outed, her father captures her Hunter and gives Emilia an ultimatum.
If she succeeds, she’ll lose the one she loves. But if she fails, he will die, and she will never be able to forgive herself…
This is the first book I’ve ever read of Sloane’s. It’s the mention of the fae that drew me in! And I wasn’t disappointed! Whew what a page turner that was! I love the writing style, it was so easy to get into. I love the chemistry between both Emilia and Oberon, and Emilia and Cade. I was actually torn about who I wanted to ship her with. I love how gory and dark it was in some places and how heated things got in others! I REALLY enjoyed the twists; and that cliff hanger at the end? Oh. My. God! I was about 90% through reading when I had an inkling that a certain character would turn. I’m a bit gutted though, I really liked them! A part of me is hoping it’s all some kind of act. Speaking of characters, I didn’t warm to Lex. He’s definitely one shady dude! However, maybe I’ll be surprised in the next book and he actually turns out good? Who knows? But I’m dying to find out what happens!
Book two, A King’s Oath, will be released in December.
*this book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
