VRAC Ethical Tea Shop & AS.Apothecary for VRAC

Amanda is featured in June's Country Living magazine - she's on a roll as she's also in The Simple Things!

In the article she mentions that she makes a soap for VRAC based on tea - so I went off to investigate and purchased these..

VRAC Ethical Tea Shop is based in Lewes (where Amanda lives) and you can buy the teas (and soap) online. There is always around 30 to choose from which are from small estates around the world. Most blends are made by hand in the studio.

For my tea choice I picked Ceylon Chai (£8 - 100g) - I'm slightly obsessed with Chai and this one smells mouthwatering and is delicious! A blend of chocolaty fine whole leaf Ceylon from the Kataboola estate in Sri Lanka is blended with cinnamon, green cardamon pods, cloves, star anise and black peppercorns (I also like it with a splash of milk).

The Spring Tea Soap (£8 - 100g) Amanda has created for VRAC is simply divine. It's made in small batches using VRAC's Seogwang detox blend (Vietnamese Green Tea, Lemongrass and Ginger) and smells of citrus and spicy notes.

See VRAC's website HERE.

May Books

Here's what I've been reading in May:

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Play Dead by Angela Marsons (DI Kim Stone - Book 4)* - Stone and her team are at Westerley Research Facility on a visit when they find a "fresh" body of a young woman among the dead inhabitants at the "body farm". A second girl is attacked and left for dead. She too has soil in her mouth and appears to be drugged. Nosy and annoying newspaper reporter Tracy Frost goes missing and the race is on to find her...A fast paced story with lots of twists and turns. Highly recommend.

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The Last Days of Summer by Vanessa Ronan* - Lizzie's brother has done his time for a horrific crime and is now coming back to the family home in a small prairie town to live with her and her two daughters.

Teenager Katie finds her uncle creepy and wants nothing to do with him while 11 year old Joanne is curious and keen to be-friend her uncle.

While not looking for trouble it duly arrives at Jasper's door with ugly consequences and typical small town prejudices. I found the characters interesting as well as most of the storylines although I found it hard to read in places. Would like to read more by this author and likely to pick up future novels.

Last Dance in Havana by Rosanna Ley** - huge fan of Rosanna's books and this one was un-put-downable. See my review HERE. Also please enter my world wide giveaway to win a copy which ends today.

Baby Doll by Hollie Overton*** - Lily has been held captive in a windowless basement room for 8 years when at 16 she was abducted by someone she knew and trusted.  She's suffered but she's also loved - she's got a little daughter called Sky who is her world.

One day her captor forgets to lock her in and they escape finding out they've been held close to home. They make it to safety but so many things have changed since she's been away..

Her boyfriend is now in love with her twin sister who has suffered deeply since Lily's been gone. Can things ever go back to how they were?  A fast paced story which I couldn't put down.

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The Girl who Lied by Sue Fortin**** - Erin and Roisin were friends at school until a fatal accident which killed Niall, Roisin's brother and Erin's boyfriend. Erin leaves Ireland thinking she'll never return.

She comes back to visit her father after he is injured and in a coma in hospital. She finds it good to be back among family despite the circumstances to her visit. She becomes friendly with Kerry, a local mechanic who called the ambulance after her dad's fall.

Roisin is determined to make Erin pay for something which happened in the past...A fast paced and exciting story which I couldn't put down. Highly recommend.

*copy from Netgalley

**copy from the Publisher

***copy from Love Reading

****copy from the author

May Empties

I think this must be the smallest amount of empties yet. But included are some definite re-purchases.

Bee Good Honey & Crambe Daily Hand Cream 50ml* - really lovely to use and I'd buy it once the hand cream stash reduces a bit.

Beatitude Joy Body Oil 100ml* - I love this luxe citrus scented oil. See my review HERE. Just cracked open a new bottle (I'm going to wash out this bottle and use it as a reed diffuser).

Botanicals Indulgence Aromatic Body Oil 50ml - lovely to use and a real luxe treat. Again, when my body oils stash reduces a bit I'll pick it up.

L'Occitane Roses et Reines Hand & Nail Cream 10ml - a rich cream scented with roses. Would buy again.

Fair Squared Vanilla Shower Gel 10ml* - this is a great little try me size/for weekends away. See my review HERE. It's one I'd pick up full size.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist 15ml - again one of these products I buy periodically. See my review HERE.

Isle of Harris Distillery Rose & Honeysuckle Hand Cream by Amanda Saurin Apothecary 30g* - absolutely loved this and will buy once my hand cream stash reduces a bit. See my review HERE.

Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil 7.5ml - this is my favourite Aromatherapy Associates scent. See my review HERE.

Clarins Booster samples (0.8ml) in Repair, Detox and Energy - liked Detox and Energy so would maybe buy.

John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor 10ml - used this loads of times before. Makes the hair shiny and healthy looking. Will no doubt buy again.

Corinne Taylor Recharge Himalayan Bath Salts with Sweet Orange, Grapefruit and Ylang Ylang to uplift and Revive 70g single use sachet - these were gorgeous. I'll definitely buy these again. See the products available HERE.

Skyn Iceland Pure cloud Cream 1.7g sample - absolutely loved this lightweight nourishing cream. Will definitely think about buying full size at some point.

RMS Beauty The Ultimate Make Up Remover Wipe - This oily wipe is great for removing make up (although maybe a tiny bit small). Will still buy at some point as they'd be great for holidays.

MAULI Rituals Himalayan Healing Salts 60g - these are made for MAULI by Michelle Roques O'Neill of Therapie. Love these.

Kneipp Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salts 60g single use sachet - lovely. Will buy full size soon.

Green People Quinoa & Artichoke Shampoo sachet - nice to use would maybe buy.

Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Body Creme 7ml - loved this beautifully scented rich cream. One for the wishlist!

Neom Daily De-Stress Burst Capsule single use - lovely and would consider buying.

Bjork & Berries Dark Rain Body Lotion 5ml sachet - gorgeous! Will definitely look closer at this lovely range which is available to buy at Cult Beauty.

What have you been using up this month?

*PR samples

The Scent of a Man Discovery Box

The Perfume Society's latest box is entitled "The Scent of a Man" and contains scent samples and skincare goodies from Elemis and Penhaligon. Costing £15 plus P&P for subscribers and £19 plus P&P for non-subscribers.

It really is a fabulous box (for men) (which I bought it because I was keen to try Miller Harris's Latest launch) which I now can't wait to buy and I'm already a HUGE fan of Beaufort London's Coeur de Noir (mini review). 

It would be the perfect gift for Father's Day (19 June).  I'll be sharing some bits with hubby:

And probably some of the other scents too:

Do you think this is something you'd buy for your dad or as a present for your boyfriend or husband?

ABW: A Beautiful Box: S/S '16 Sampler

As ever the S/S box from a beautiful world sold out in record time. Mine arrived yesterday. (It costs £20 plus P&P). I added a Schmidt's deodorant to my order which I wanted and it meant I didn't need to pay P&P (P&P is free on orders over £30).

So what's inside:

The first thing that jumped out at me was new to me brand Skinnamon and inside is a single use pouch of Renew Body Scrub with Orange Sea Salt + Himalayan Apricot. The range comes all the way from NYC and I'm looking forward to trying this out.

Next I was delighted to see Josh Rosebrook's Hydrating Accelerator 60ml (and worth £19.95!) I've been wanting to try this for a while. Expect a full review soon.

I'm a huge, huge fan of Skin & Tonic and their STEAM CLEAN is always in my stash. So this is a very welcome addition to the box. This is a 15g travel/try me size pot and worth £11.

Also from Skin & Tonic is their Naked Lip Balm which is full size and worth £3.50. I've tried their Peppermint one before and loved it.

From YTTP there is a small pot of their Kale + Spinach, Green Tea, Hyaluronic Acid Age Prevention Moisture Cream which I can't wait to try. I absolutely love the cleanser and serum from the range (review).

The final beauty item is a 15ml shaker pot of Yarok's Feed Your Style Dry Shampoo which I'm happy to see in the box as I've not yet found the "perfect" one.

We are also treated to a cute Esmie mini notebook (the brand is yet to launch at ABW) and a code for 10% off a future purchase.

See my review of the Schmidt's deodorants HERE. The one I picked up is in my favourite scent.

Did you pick up a box? What are your thoughts as to the contents?

May: Lately I've been Loving

My May loves..

I picked up this bottle of Edward's Cordial at our local Earthy Foods & Goods Store and it's absolutely bursting with the taste of juicy fresh strawberries with a hint of mint. Perfect served with fizzy water or wine!

These Leafy air dried kale crisps are SO delicious. I first tried them in May's Limited Edition Luxury LifeBox (review). I adored the Luxury LifeBox too (link).

Hubby treated me to this stunning piece of artwork created by Lynn Howarth using pastels. It's called "Under a Portobello Sunset" and was bought at The Velvet Easel Gallery. Just know it's going to bring me years and years of pleasure. I just love it.

Charlotte Tilbury's Instant Look in a Palette became mine this month and I love it. So pretty and easy to create the look!

My friends Magi and Derek gave me this lovely Alfie mug. I've known their cat since he was a teeny tiny kitten and it makes me smile every time I use it.

My extra special 4160Tuesdays The Buddhawood Box EdP 30ml arrived unexpectedly this month. It's such a beautiful scent. See my initial thoughts on The Mysteries of the Materials: Four Scented Stories HERE.

Bodhi & Birch Botanical Dew Hand & Body Wash which is their latest launch. See my review HERE.

What have you been loving this month?

Bodhi & Birch: Botanic Dew Hand & Body Wash

You'll know I'm a huge Bodhi & Birch fan so was very happy to spot on Twitter their latest launch - the very gorgeous Botanical Dew Hand & Body Wash (200ml - £16) which is simply summer in a bottle.  I love how you receive a free deluxe sample with purchase. This time its my favourite Lime Blossom Protecting Hand Serum (5ml) Review

You can use the wash on both hands and body (love a multi-use product). The wash contains a purifying botanical infusion of flower essences, fruit oils and anti-bacterial herbal extracts. It's a blend of 19 essential oils which refresh and uplift both the senses and the spirit.

It's an absolutely delight and lovely to use. It awakens and soothes while it cleanses and contains active botanicals of - Peppermint which helps with mental exhaustion, Palmarosa balances and purifies, Bulgarian Damask Rose Otto nourishes and regenerates (and smells gorgeous), Bourbon Geranium improves skin tone and is anti-ageing, Frankincense revives and rejuvenates while Lactic Acid helps with ageing. 

It's another winner in my book!  Have you tried it? What's your favourite Bodhi & Birch product?