A Few Product Empties

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product empties 2023

Taking it back to old school blogging days and sharing my empties with you. I have used up some fab products so far this year, so here we go, this is what I thought of these 6 products.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

It is no surprise that I am a very big fan of The Ordinary, this brand knows how to produce quality skincare for a great price. I have repurchased this moisturiser a couple of times now, it is a gentle, non-greasy formula that helps lock in moisture and protect your skin barrier. Being 44 I might not be getting all the bells and whistles with this cream, but it is a fantastic every day, no fuss option. I like to use it when I am travelling, it is an easy all rounder to throw in your travel skincare routine.

It contains 11 amino acids, phospholipids, alpha/beta/gamma fatty acids, triglycerides, sterols and sterol esters, glycerine, ceramide precursors, urea, saccharides, sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid. It gives immediate hydration, so great for flights, or if you work somewhere that has air-conditioning.

Jurlique Rare Rose Cream*

I have another pot of this cream (in its new fancy packaging) to crack open. I love it when you finish a product you have enjoyed, and you have a backup ready and waiting, so you don’t have to be without it. This cream saw me through what felt like the coldest, dullest winter ever. This cream has an almost water like texture which gently glides over the skin and instantly soothes and smooths skin’s texture. Don’t think that because it is lightweight that it isn’t very nourishing, because you would be wrong, this is a rich cream that deeply hydrates and slowly releases moisture over 24 hours. So thats why it was perfect for my skin over winter.

If you need a product to help revive dull skin which also protects against environmental polluters, this this is a good daily moisturiser to add to your routine. It contains, Cupuacu Butter which deeply nourishes and adds a healthy, moisturised glow. Then, the Senna Seed Polysaccharide Extract adds a protective layer on the skin that locks in and intensifies the moisture. Loved it so much & the skin lotion from this range is quite special too, a little more lightweight but acts as another nourishing layer.

Vichy Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation

Incredible foundation if you like a medium to full coverage. I don’t often finish a base product because I do not wear makeup daily, so to use this up completely means I loved it a lot. I have redness on my cheeks and a few areas of uneven skin tone, and this covers them with ease. I wear the shade nude and thats worked well. The consistency feels quite thick but once you start to blend it in, (I use my makeup sponge) it applies well and looks smooth, even and despite its good coverage looks natural.

A lovely radiant finish base that has good coverage and will wear well all day long. I am currently using the L’Oreal True Match Plumping Serum Foundation, so haven’t yet rephrased this (but I 100% would). My mum who is 65 also loves this foundation.

L’Oréal Midnight Serum*

I don’t think I could do my skincare routine without a serum, I love this step the most. This serum is an overnight serum that helps rejuvenate and repair skin whilst you sleep. I liked the way it smooths skin and makes it look plumper, great if, like me, you are seeing more fine lines and uneven skin tone. It is anti oxidant rich and hydrating. I don’t know when L’Oréal became a more premium skincare brand, but I have noticed that the price tag can be quite high. So I would say keep your eye out in Boots for those deals, that way you can try it out without breaking the bank. I did like this, but wouldn’t pay full price, I like their Hyaluronic Acid range a little more.

Wake Skincare Face Cream & Face Mask

Wake are a skincare brand with a small but very good selection of products. I have tried 3 items from them and liked them all. I have used up their daily moisturiser and their detox mask. Both products are quite basic, and I mean that in the best way, they’re for all skin types and do what they promise.

The moisturiser has key ingredients like Hyaluronic acid and Coenzyme Q10 which help lock in moisture and plump the skin. I liked the lightweight formula and that it is fragrance free. It is a nice, gentle face cream that would be a great addition to any skincare routine.

The mask was my favourite of the two products from Wake, it is Australian pink clay. I loved using it on a Friday night (rock & roll) to help detox my skin and draw out all the grime and dirt of the week. It contains Kaolin, which helps draw out excess oil and sebum skin, helps prevent acne and helps reduce irritation and redness. Whilst zinc oxide helps calm skin, protects skin cells from being damaged and protects from harmful damage from UV rays. It is a fantastic mask and a pot will last you a good few months. Loved it!

Let me know if you have tried any of the products I have mentioned, or let me know what you have used up so far this year. I would love to hear what you would repurchase.

*Some products mentioned are PR samples.

Gorran Haven Cornwall

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Cornish Coastal Village

Having lived in Cornwall for almost 8 years now, you would have thought I’d explored quite a lot of it. I have been to so many beautiful places, but there is still so much to see. I have been making it a priority to get out more and be a tourist in my own backyard (or County). So a few weeks ago, in what Cornwall would term “out of season”, I headed for the coastal village of Gorran Haven.

Gorran Haven is just a few miles around the coast from where I live and very close to the neighbouring harbour town of Mevagissey. Gorran Haven is much more sleepy, quaint and unspoilt than many other small coastal villages in Cornwall. I did visit during the Winter, which meant it was very peaceful. The car park is great, you can’t miss it & from there you just walk down the hill to the sea. Gorran Haven was a very busy and important fishing port from the 12th century right up until the 19th century. It was known for its pilchards, crabs and lobsters, but now the harbour has very few commercial fisherman and more holidaymakers.

This small village has a beautiful beach, its sandy shoreline and cove make it protected from the wind and a popular swimming spot. Even in the winter, you will see local residents taking a dip & wild swimming has had such a resurgence over the past few years. Although I do like to swim in the sea, I am not brave enough to go in when it is cold outside.

We visited on a bright, but chilly day and just had a lovely stroll up and down the tiny streets, and along the beach. Apart from the village Post Office, which also sells tea & cake, there was nothing else open. Not even the chip shop, that is the problem with Cornwall in the Winter, so many businesses and amenities either close fully until the end of March or they open for only a short time. If they were open, there is a café on the beach called Mermaid Café and The Beachcomber Café just on the hill overlooking the beach.  The Beachcomber Café used to be a boat building shed, and the Mermaid Café used to be in part, The Ship Inn Pub.

There are so many lovely traditional Cornish cottages in this village & so much history down every street. The whitewashed cottages with pretty painted doors and windows are my favourite. They always look so quaint and homely. When I visited the streets were so quiet, and it is not a village that has a lot of traffic, with the streets being so narrow it is almost impossible to get a car through. So it means it is peaceful and the perfect place to soak in the sea air and enjoy the views.

I am sure if you visited from April – October the cafés and shops would be open, and there would be a little more hustle and bustle. I must admit that I like going during the “off season” as it feels calm, and you get time to yourself, so you can amble up and down the deserted streets. On the way home, we did stop into the larger harbour town of Mevagissey, which is only a few miles from Gorran Haven. It is somewhere that is well worth a visit. It has more amenities and I took quite a few photos, so make sure to keep an eye out for a post all about another pretty fishing town.

Top 3 Perfumes

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Favourite Diptique Perfume

I was asked recently what my favourite perfumes were, and I knew right away what to say. I absolutely love fragrance and have quite a few that I like and love, but there are always 4/5 that will stand head and shoulders above the rest.

First, I want to talk about the London based perfume house, Miller Harris, founded in 2000 they like to blend British luxury with couture sophisticated fragrance. This is a brand I am always recommending and no matter what perfume I am wearing from them, I always, always get compliments & no-one has heard of them. If you ever get the opportunity to visit a store or a stockist you have to try them, you will not be disappointed.

I have tried a number of their fragrances and have 3 that are my must-haves, Rose Silence is a more subtle, fresh carefree scent, Powdered Veil is a rich, fresh, sexy and warm. Whilst Peau Santal, which is what I will talk more about in this post, is my number one perfume from Miller Harris. It is deep, creamy, woody, and slightly masculine. I adore it!

Diptique Philosykos EDP £140

This has to be one of the most luxurious and iconic beauty brands, their products, and branding are quite Iconic. I have owned a number of their candles (if I won the lottery, I would treat myself to the HUGE 5 wick ones)  and I’m always blown away by how good the quality is and just how intense the scent is. Always worth the price tag. I have also heard good reviews about of their beauty products, although I have yet to try them myself.

Now their perfumes are quite special too, and I like a lot of them, but my go-to most repurchased one has to be their classic fig scent, the iconic Philosykos. It is fresh but intense and sweet all at the same time. I also like that it is quite romantic and earthy too. It has layers of notes that you can smell throughout the day, as it settles. I know most people would associate this perfume with Summer, but I will be wearing it into Autumn & Winter, I think the crispness of the notes make it a nice fresh scent for the colder months too.

When I wear it I feel happy, and I can smell it on myself all day long, this perfume has some serious staying power. It is intense and rich, and luckily a few sprays is all you need (I don’t want it to run out too quickly).

Top Notes – Fig Leaf
Middle Notes – Wood, Coconut
Base Notes – White Cedar

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume £140

This is my happiness in a bottle, it smells incredible and so luxurious, it makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it.  It has a rich, warm creamy scent, but you get a hint of fresh, airy crisp notes as it settles. I’m not exaggerating when I say this perfume is the most sophisticated and beautiful perfume I have ever owned, and I love quite a few Miller Harris perfumes, but this one has something special. My lovely husband bought this bottle for my Christmas, but I also own the smaller size just so I can take it when I travel. So I am never without it.

The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class, whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy.

Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Saffron
Heart Notes: Olibanum, Violet Leaf and Papyrus
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Crisp Amber, Vanilla CO2 Extract and Moss

The bottle is beautiful, and the dusky pink colour gives it a classy feel. The simple gold accents on the font and the lid add a touch of luxury, the bottle is very weighty too and feels so nice in your hand and also looks great on your vanity.

& Other Stories Arabesque Wood £28

This is a gorgeous fragrance, more affordable but equally lovely as the other two scents. This perfume is layers of woody, warm citrus notes that are light but rich. I wear this mostly in the day, as my everyday scent. The rich notes like ginger, citrus and amber make it feel indulgent and luxurious. & Other Stories have a such a wonderful selection of fragrances, they have something to fit everyone’s tastes.

The bottle is dainty but weighty, so it looks minimal and classy on your vanity. These fragrances make incredible gifts and the scents come in a body spray, handwash and hand cream, so you can go wild with your favourite scents!

Top notes: Lemon, Ginger and Watery Notes
Middle notes: Petitgrain and Tangerine
Base notes: Agarwood (Oud), Oakmoss and Amber

What are your favourite, most worn fragrances? Have you tried any of the ones I’ve mentioned.

Lostwithiel Cornwall

- Vicki Leave a comment
visit lstwithiel cornwall

The town of Lostwithiel is just 3 miles from where I live, it has such a rich and vibrant history, and it dates back as far as the 12th century. It is set in the most stunning countryside and is right on the bank of the river Fowey, and at one point in history it was a very busy port, mostly for tin. The river is not as deep as it once was, but is still very popular to swim in and kayak. I love to sit on the river bank and enjoy a picnic in the Summer months.

This small town boasts beautiful country walks, stunning woodlands and lots of places to stop for a coffee/lunch or browse the many antique shops. It even has a castle named Restormel Castle which dates back to 14th century and the views from there are stunning, over the valley and the ancient medieval town of Lostwithiel.

There are so many historical houses, cottages, and buildings dotted around the town. One of my favourite things to do is just walk up and down all the tiny cobbled backstreets to see all the old cottages, medieval passages, and beautiful buildings. I take so many photos every time I go (which is at least once a week).

The main church, St Bartholomew’s has a 13th century steeple, and the stone bridge over the river Fowey is impressive and dates back to the 15th century, but there has been a crossing at this point for centuries. This is a town very rich in history and if you’re there on a day the tiny museum is open (which has free entry) then you have to pop in.

The river bank is a popular place to picnic, and the water is shallow and a nice spot to swim, if you like wild swimming. A lot of people also go to the chippy and get fish &  chips to eat in the evening at the picnic tables along the riverbank. There are also quite a few charming pubs, with great food options. Can’t beat a good pub lunch.

I love the cottages with pretty coloured front doors and windows, I have so many favourites and daydream about what it would be like to live in one. There are so many hidden gems that are just off the main streets, tucked away down small windy lanes. Lostwithiel is quite hilly, but it’s well worth venturing up them to see the views and the pretty buildings.

The Mess Hall is quite a new café in Lostwithiel, they serve lovely coffee. It has a very welcoming feel and the decor is bright and calm. A very enjoyable place for lunch and if you manage to visit on a nice sunny day their outdoor patio area is charming.

I also love to take photos of pretty/intriguing classic cars & Lostwithiel is a great place to do that, the cute Figaro is always parked there and is just so sweet. Cornwall is a Mecca for VW vans, and I do like it when they look like they’ve been used and loved. I also like a business who uses a classic van, and the Morris Minor I spotted was very cute indeed. Also you just can’t beat a nice Land Rover Defender.

In terms of shopping, you might think being a small town it would be lacking, but this is a bustling community and a place well known for its antique shops. Although a few closed after the pandemic, there are still plenty to browse, I always come away with the most random mix of items. There is a fantastic General Store, called Watts Trading, it has a vintage, classic vibe and sells so many lovely food items, local gifts and sustainable home wears. I like to get lots of my Xmas gifts in here as it has so many thoughtful/environmentally friendly items.

Lostwithiel is not short on cafés and places to grab a Cornish pasty or a cream tea. We like to go to Q. Street Coffee, on Queen Street. They do a wonderful selection of Vegan and Gluten Free cakes a well as milk alternatives. I like to have their granola and yoghurt or breakfast or a vegan sausage sandwich. The menu is good, and they use local produce and bake many of their own cakes.

I love to visit Alice In Scandiland who sells beautiful Scandinavian home wear as well as lots of Cornish handmade artisan products too. The stock changes up quite regularly, so if you see something you like in there make sure you snap it up as chances are you will miss out. I guarantee if you pop in you will make a purchase, I have left with the most eclectic selection of products, everything from magazines, candles, handwash to a wooden bench and even a massive bunch of Eucalyptus (at Xmas).

I think some lesser known places in Cornwall are well worth a visit, if you’re staying near Looe, Fowey or heading to the Eden Project then Lostwithiel is close by. If you have a couple of hours to spare, it is a great place for a peaceful walk, coffee, and a browse of the independent shops. Great destination if you want a day away from the beach and the crowds. It is super friendly, a real community feel and compared to many towns, villages in Cornwall there are many people still resident there, so not just Airbnb or holiday lets.