Craft Gin Club: June 2016: NB Navy Strength Gin

My June Craft Gin Club box arrived at the end of last week. It's definitely one of my favourites!

Inside this month is a bottle of NB Gin Navy Strength (57%), a bottle of Fentiman's Sparkling Lime & Jasmine (review) a miniature of Martini and a jar of Alco Olives which are infused with NB gin and of course the fab Ginned! mag.

A smooth and delicious gin (with a kick) made with botanicals of Juniper, Coriander Seed, Angelica root, Grains of paradise, Cassia bark, ground Cardamon, Lemon peel and Orris root powder.  It makes a delicious martini.

Sign up HERE. Remember you can get a tenner off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM.

The Manchester Bee Company: The Beekeeper Mug by Tea with Jud

I was invited to GirCo's pop-up shop in Stockbridge, Edinburgh last Thursday. Unfortunately I was unable to go but enjoyed checking out their Facebook page and oohing and ahhing over the beautiful crafts.

A company which jumped out at me was Tea with Jud so I went to investigate...

Jud Pollock is a ceramicist from Northern Ireland who lives in Rattray, Perthshire and creates beautiful pottery ranges and knitwear. You can see her online shop HERE. 

This in turn led me to The Manchester Bee Company and the adorable Beekeeper Mug (£20 plus P&P) which is absolutely exquisite. Hand thrown with a hexagon detail and hand made especially for the company by Jud. You can check out the shop HERE.

Jo Malone: Velvet Rose & Oud Dry Body Oil

I received this bottle of Jo Malone's Velvet Rose & Oud Dry Body Oil (100ml) from my pal Julie at Christmas. I've used it on and off since then but am finding I'm using it more and more now as the scent lingers all day and is perfect for using in summer (and it's super lush!)

It has top notes of Clove which adds a spicy note, a heart of Damask Rose which is opulent and sweet finishing with a rich and resinous oud base. 

It's just gorgeous! All you need to do is spray it onto the skin and pat in. Absorbing instantly the oil nourishes and smoothes the skin leaving deliciously scented. A real luxe treat.

What's your favourite Jo Malone scent?

Shopping my Stash #75

I've been enjoying revisiting Mendill. Their organic wipes* are really effective and smell great. There are also some new editions to the range including the gorgeous Jasmine and Grapefruit scents. Really handy for summer and holidays. See my review HERE.

I've been spraying the delicious Jo Loves Pomelo which is the perfect summer scent. See my review HERE. 

Omorovicza's Queen of Hungary Mist refreshes and hydrates the skin (perfect for summertime) and is scented with Neroli & Rose. Gorgeous!

Schmidt's Bergamot+Lime stick is my favourite natural deodorant. It keeps me protected all day and smells great. I love this scent. It features in my Top Three over at a beautiful world.

I'm slightly obsessed with new to me brand Supernatural Beauty. A 10ml size of their Redemption Face Oil came in the recent Content Beauty GWP. This oil is simply divine - it's scented with Rose Otto Damask (swoon) and packed full of good things for the skin incuding Rosehip, Grapeseed, Evening Primrose, Wheatgerm and Carrot Seed oils. It leaves my skin looking radiant and healthy. Love.

What have you been reaching for lately?

*PR samples

The Botanical Farmer: Bath Botanicals & Candles

I've been trying out The Botanical Farmer's Bath Botanicals and Candles and I can quite honestly say they are gorgeous! The company was started by Sam Ellson who runs the award winning The Traditional Flower Co. and The Artisan Dried Flower Co.

Based in Staffordshire the flower business is a small scale outdoor operation of approximately 8,000 scented rose bushes, over 5,000 herb plants and acres of seasonal flowers and foliage. They plant, sow and harvest most of the ingredients.

I was sent their Bath Botanicals Bath Tea No.4 Citrus Floral* (half ltr jar - £12.00)* and Bath Tea No.7 Rose* (half ltr jar - £12.00)* which are packed in kilner jars as well as two candles* (more about them later!)

The packaging is super cute..

No.4 Citrus Floral Bath Botanical* helps calm and relax and smells simply divine. It's a blend of dried botanicals (rose petals, lavender, lavender grains, chamomile and lemon balm), essential oils and Himalayan Salts. The oils used are Sweet Orange which de-stresses, Rose Geranium helps relieve depression, Lavender helps with anxiety and Bergamot uplifts. All you need to do is fill the cotton muslin bag included and hang from a running tap. When you turn off the tap you can add the bag to the bathwater to infuse further.

No.7 Rose Bath Botanical* is sensual and rosey. Again, a similar blend with Rose Geranium and rose petals (this would be perfect for taking on Honeymoon or for a weekend away).  I love that the packaging is re-usable.

I was also sent two matching natural candles* (small £10) which are simply exquisite. Packed in mini jars the scents are long lasting and natural. Burn time is 14-16 hours and I think they'd make brilliant gifts.

Have you tried any products from The Botanical Farmer? Which scents would you choose?

*PR samples

Content Beauty & Wellbeing: British Beauty GWP & Purchases

I couldn't resist the latest Content Beauty & Wellbeing GWP which is now sold out. Worth £95 and free with a 100 quid spend.

My parcel arrived on Wednesday and I couldn't wait to open it.

I'd been wanting to try A.S Apothecary First Aid Kit #12 (30ml - £18) for ages. It restores calm in anxious situations. Expect a full review soon.

Skin & Tonic's STEAM CLEAN with cloth (50g - £27) is a staple for me - I've always got this in my stash.

New to me is LIHA Beauty Idan Beauty Oil (30ml - £16) which I'm also looking forward to trying. It smells divine and is made from cold pressed coconut oil and tuberose flowers. It's solid at room temperature so you need to warm the bottle a little before using.

Another item which has been on the wishlist for ages is Less is More's Rose Serum (30ml - £26) One word. Gorgeous! Again, review will follow.

I also bought something for a forthcoming swap (so it's not in the photo).

Onto the gift (reviews will be forthcoming)

Supernatural Beauty Redemption Face Oil 10ml (lushest oil ever)

pai Skincare Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Toner 12ml

Skin & Tonic Gentle Scrub 50g Full size

AS.Apoth Lip Balm #7 Full Size

Therapi Orange Honey Moisturiser 15ml (mini review)

LIHA Shea Butter 15ml

Nourish Revital-Eyes Kale Biomimetic Anti-Ageing Eye Cream 5ml

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser 30ml + bamboo cloth (review)

Included in my parcel was a surprise Trial Set of sachets from Madara (new design) which are great for try me/holidays.

What do you think of my purchases? Did you pick up the GWP too?

Marc Jacobs Rain EdT 100ml

I first tried Rain by Marc Jacobs when it launched way back in 2006 and it was love then as it is now. The only difference is the size of the bottle. Back then it was a massive 250ml and now a 100ml chunky simply designed bottle.

It's the perfect summer scent - watery and refreshing just like a summer rain shower.

With top notes of Wet Cut Grass, Wild Strawberry, Clementine Zest and Cypress with a heart of Tropical Rain accord, Passion Flower, Sunshine Flower and White Orchid with a base of Beech Amber, Tree Moss, Musk and Teakwood.

The scents are perfect for sharing as they are suitable for both men and women. Also available is Pear which captures the sweet nectar of summer with fresh Pear, Bergamot and Lemon Peel. Cucumber is crisp and cooling with notes of Cucumber, Lily of the Valley, Linden Blossom and Freesia while Cotton is a clean and comforting scent with notes of Peach, Mandarin, Bergamot and Aquatic accord.

Which one would you pick?