This Weeks Happy – Celebrating 17 Years

February 17, 2017September 4, 2026 - Vicki 9 Comments

Portsmouth 2000

New York 2001

London 2002

Manchester 2003

Manchester 2004

London 2005

San Francisco 2006

London 2007

Edinburgh 2008

Berlin 2009

Perth 2010

Dundee 2011

Wiltshire 2012

Liverpool 2013

Amsterdam 2014

Cornwall 2015

Dundee 2016

Cornwall 2017

This is a different kind of post from me today, I’m taking a day off from beauty products to celebrate my lovely husband, John, the love of my life.

I thought I would share a photo of John & I from each year that we have been together & I am proud to say that 17 years ago this week I met John who quickly become the love of my life. He was just 16 in the first photo back in 2000 and I had just turned 21, how young we look! I just can’t believe how quickly the years have flown by. We have lived through so many major life events at both ends of the emotional spectrum and I have never doubted our relationship or questioned John’s love for me. John is the most selfless, humble and determined man I know and has shown me that through the most unimaginable pain and grief you can still be optimistic and let go of anger.

I feel like the luckiest lady in the world to have such a supportive, understanding and damn right handsome partner. I could tell you so many stories and reasons why I love this man but one of the earliest ones which stands out for me and it isn’t one that is OTT with fancy gifts or involved spending money. So way back in 2002 when we lived in our first, very small flat together in Scotland, we didn’t have a car or a mobile phone, I worked in quite a rural location and there wasn’t any shops or facilities near by. After I had left that morning to go to work John noticed that I had left my lunch at home in the kitchen, he knew I would not be able to get anything else and be really hungry (and grumpy) so he walked 5+ miles each way just to bring me my lunch. All my colleagues couldn’t believe that he walked all that way in the freezing Scottish Winter just to drop off my lunch, which was just a simple can of soup and walk all the way home. What a sweet thing to do & still 15 years later it still makes my heart full of love just thinking about John walking all that way.

Here is to 17 more years of happiness, living adventures and perusing our dreams but mostly to snuggling up on our sofa talking about everything and anything.

Shopping My Makeup Stash February 2017

February 15, 2017September 4, 2026 - Vicki

Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in amp’d up apple

I am 100% on board with the Clinique Chubby Sticks, they’re effortless and so easy to use. This is one of their cheek chubby sticks and it is in the most beautiful rosy pink shade. This gives a pretty healthy flush of colour. I find this doesn’t last too long on my skin but I do have quite oily skin so that might play a part. This does apply and blend really well and I adore the shade. I am looking forward to wearing this more as we head towards Spring.

Tarte Tarteist Mascara

I have a few mascaras on rotation at the moment and this one from Tarte is my favourite for giving definition and length to my lashes. It is a great everyday mascara and really holds a curl. If you prefer your lashes to look more dramatic and full this isn’t for you. This coats every individual lash and is intense black. I have enjoyed all 3 of the Tarte mascaras I have tried and I want to give their foundations a go next. If you have recomendations of Tarte products I would love to hear them.

Rimmel Kate Lipstick in Boho Nude*

I haven’t been wearing very adventurous makeup so far this year & I’ve been enjoying the low key, natural look. This lippie is one of the 6 nude shades released by Rimmel to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Kate Moss and Rimmel London’s beauty collaboration, this Boho Nude is perfect for my current mood, it is a very easy to wear true soft brown nude. This is one of those lipsticks you can keep in your handbag because it would look great for any occasion, it is easy to apply and feels creamy smooth on your lips. It doesn’t have the greatest staying power but I don’t mind having to reapply throughout the day. I love the rose gold packaging too.

Stila Smudge Stick Liner in Moray

I have these smudge stick liners in an array of colours and to be honest I like them all but there is just something so pretty about this moray shade. It is a stunning olive green with a very subtle hint of sparkle. These are waterproof and have some serious staying power. It adds a little pop of colour to your eye look without being in your face and it is often nice to wear something other than your usual black eyeliner.

YSL Touche Éclat Le Teint Foundation in B30 Almond*

I have been applying this new YSL foundation with The Body Shop Buffing Brush and I think they’re the perfect duo. This applies beautifully and wears well throughout the day. It has a medium coverage and gives my skin a healthy radiance which I like. I also think that this looks better throughout the day and its lightweight formula means it doesn’t look or feel heavy.

It contains Vitamin E which protects against free radicals and also has SPF 22 to provide sun protection. I was a little worried to try this at first as I have heard YSL foundations often break people out but I didn’t have any problems at all. I have the shade B30 Almond and it is a great match for me, this foundation is available in 19 shades and YSL have great Touche Éclat Shade Finder so you can chose your ideal match.

INGLOT Eyeshadow Palette

I made this 10 pan freedom palette a couple of years ago in the INGLOT store in Amsterdam. I still love all the colours I chose but I just haven’t been using it much these past few months. INGLOT eyeshadows are amongst the best I have ever used, high-end quality with a purse friendly price tag. If you get the chance to visit a store (i know there isn’t too many) you have to make your own palette. They have a huge selection of shades, finishes and textures, I’m excited to start using them again.

bareMinerals Foundation

I have totally fallen back in love with mineral foundation, I forgot just how pretty and natural the coverage looks. It feels lightweight on the skin and you can build up the coverage if you wish. I also use this as a setting powder on top of a liquid foundation if I want that full coverage look and this powder leaves your skin looking so silky smooth and flawless. If you haven’t tried a mineral foundation before I highly recommend this one, it comes in 20 shade options and has SPF15.

Clinique Chubby Stick / Rimmel Boho Nude / Inglot Eyeshadows 407 / 452 / 405

*PR SAMPLE

Tropic Skincare So Sleepy Pillow Collection

February 13, 2017September 4, 2026 - Vicki

Tropic Skincare So Sleepy Pillow Collection*

So many people tell me the best way to de-stress is to have a bath and relax but I’m one of those people that just can’t take baths, I never settle long enough to relax and I much prefer to take a shower. So I often go to bed a little stressed, especially because I go through my day in my mind mentally ticking off what I managed to achieve and making a note of what I didn’t, this can often result in me lying awake long after my bedtime. When my mind is working overtime I find it difficult to switch my brain off and drift off to sleep. I have no trouble staying asleep once I get there but its the actual falling asleep that seems to elude me sometimes.

I like to use candles and have used a few pillow sprays over the years to help relax my mind and get into that sleepy zone, one of those products that have been helping calm my mind so far in 2017 is the lovely Tropic So Sleepy Pillow Collection. This duo is just the ticket if you struggle to drift off to sleep.

This beautiful duo contains seven calming essential oils including vanilla, rose geranium, frankincense, chamomile, rosewood, rosemary and lavender. Which have been specially selected because of their calming, stress relieving properties to relax the mind and help you drift off to sleep.

You get a pillow spray and a roller ball in this collection and I think the rollerball will be a great product to take away with you on flights to use on your temples and wrists when it isn’t appropriate to use the spray.

I found this collection to be really soothing and relaxing and I like that unlike most products targeted at achieving a good nights sleep this Tropic Duo contains a lovely mix of essentials oils that includes more than just a heavy dose of Lavender. The scent of these are not overpowering or overly floral but are really beautiful and calming.

Tropic Skincare is Vegan and Cruelty-Free

Timothy Dunn THE VOTIVE COLLECTION

February 11, 2017September 4, 2026 - Vicki

Timothy Dunn The Votive Collection*

I was first introduced to Timothy Dunn back in 2015 when I fell in love with their exquisite Arabian Fig Candle and over the past two years I’ve enjoyed discovering more about this brand. I not only fell in love with Timothy Dunn’s luxurious candles but also their story and passion for quality and I think that is always something worth supporting.

Timothy Dunn is a small family run business based from their home city of London. Since opening their first florist in back in 1989 they continue to grow. From their love of flowers and a passion for travel they initially created bespoke candles for top clients and after proving popular the Timothy Dunn luxury scented candle range was born.

Each of their candles comes beautifully presented, set within a beautiful hand-blown glass and I have repurposed all the jars after the candles have burnt down, they’re just too pretty to throw away.

The Votive Collection is a trio of deluxe travel sized candles that come in three beautiful luxurious scents. I’m no stranger to the Arabian Fig scent but the other two candles in this set I’m excited to be trying for the first time.

Arabian Fig – Wild Fig & Cashmere Wood

A complex blend of green fig leaf, basil and clove, tenderly enhanced with frankincense, this deliciously aromatic candle has a hint of wild fig, cassis rose and jasmine with the rich base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood and musk.

Violette de Lune – Neroli & Wild Jasmine

This deep, exotic, floral scent is intertwined with seductive amber woods and elegant musks, opening with cassis and dark violet. An indulgent blend of the precious oils Moroccan rose and neroli flower are combined with sensual sandalwood, patchouli, red tea, wild jasmine and a hint of luxurious dark chocolate

Samarkand – Suede Musk & Patchouli

Discover a rich, sensual spicy wood accord with exotic tea, bergamot, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and clove; generously wrapped in sumptuous Madagascan vanilla, suede musks, frankincense, patchouli and vetiver.

All three candles in this collection are sophisticated, rich and quite masculine which is right up my street. Timothy Dunn candles burn very clean and evenly, with no sooty residue, their rich scent fills your entire home and lingers long after you blow them out. Each 70g Votive candle has a burn time of 15 – 20 hours. I tend to burn mine for 1 – 2 hours a time and blow them out because the scent is that strong it will still fill your room for hours after its stopped burning, which I love!

This collection feels and looks very luxurious, right from the outer packaging to the scent of the candles, you just get the feeling that no expense has been spared. The Votive Collection comes beautifully packaged in a Limited Edition Gift Box which makes it the perfect gift for Valentines Day or as an extra special treat to yourself!

I know more expensive luxury candles are not for everyone but if your budget can stretch or if you are able to ask for one for a special occasion I can’t recommend Timothy Dunn Candles enough, the quality, burn time and wonderfully intense scent are more than worth the price tag. This particular collection would make the most thoughtful gift and It is also a great way of introducing someone to Timothy Dunn scents, especially if they love their luxury candles.

You can get this beautiful Votive Collection here for £60 and until February 14th Timothy Dunn are offering 20% off with code LOVETDL

This Timothy Dunn London Votive collection is the ultimate gift of luxury for yourself or a loved one to enjoy all year round.

*PR Sample

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Author: Vicki