Win £50! - Ends 25/10/14

Hello lovely readers. Have you noticed the weather is getting colder and the leaves are getting brown. Yes it's Autumn and before long it will be Christmas. Would you love to win £50 towards your pressie shopping? Yes? I thought so.



Image courtesy of Talga on Shutterstock

Welcome to the Autumn "We Love You All" giveaway.

 Summer maybe over but some of UK Bloggers finest, have come together to help you win £50, which will be paid straight to your paypal/bank account.

 Why are we running this? We are running this as we love our readers! So myself and the following lovely people will be running this giveaway on our blogs.
Sarah Bailey from Life In A Breakdown
Helen Dickinson from Mummy To The Max

 While you are there why don't you check out their blogs as they all have some fab giveaways running as well.

 What would you do with the money if you won? Something special for your other half, a Christmas present for one of the kids or a treat for you?



Good Luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Caroline Creba Jewellery

I am very lucky in my role as a blogger, as I get to review jewellery on a regular basis. Today I was sent a bracelet by Caroline Creba Jewellery. 






Caroline Creba is a British designer that has been designing award-winning jewellery since 1996. Her jewellery designs are based on the principles of colour, form and light and she uses gorgeous gemstones in her work to make each piece timeless and unique. 

Another influence in her designs are the stories and mystical tales of Shakespeare and Caroline weaves this connection into her Titania collection. 




I was sent a rose gold vermeil bracelet to review from the Titania collection. The collection combines light, and movement in stunning organic shapes all set with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS creating real statement pieces.
The warmth of the rose gold adds a flattering hue to most skin tones and makes the bracelet really stand out. I am a big fan of rose gold anyway, maybe it's my Welsh heritage as traditionally the gold mines in Wales produced gold with a rose hue due to the copper in the mix of elements in the mine.  What I love about this bracelet is the sparkle of each stone made from the best Swarovski crystals, each faceted intricately to catch the light. It also feels very comfortable on, and due to the way it is made sits flat on your wrist. The adjustable chain also stays in place the way so many adjustable cord bracelets do not. The chain is chunky and the CC logo on the toggle add a luxurious feel.

If you prefer the look of white metal the range also comes rhodium plated for a silver or white gold look.


This collection, in my opinion, is very glamorous. Perfect to be worn on a special meal out with your loved one, with that little black dress, or at that wedding, Christmas party or other special occasions. However, of course, there aren't any rules with jewellery so if you want to wear it every day, why not!





You can buy Caroline Creba Jewellery in House of Fraser online and in store and from Wolf and Badger in the UK. With prices from £20, all the way up to £500 there is a price to suit most budgets and her jewellery makes fabulous gifts.

Her vision is to make quality jewellery which is well priced, and elegant yet original. Caroline Creba, you have definitely succeeded...

Let me know what you think of her jewellery. 

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Win a Fiorelli Bag From Victoria Highfield Jewellers - Ends 21/10/14

The lovely Chris from Mummy Of 3 Diaries (@V82chris) reviewed a beautiful bracelet from Victoria Highfield Jewellers here.


Victoria Highfield Jewellers sell a wide range of beautiful silver, gold and diamonds and also wonderful accessories.

If you want a chance to win something special from Victoria Highfield Jewellers, why don't you check out their website and then enter this competition below to win a stunning Fiorelli bag.



Entry is via the Gleam application. If you haven't used it before it's incredibly simple to enter. Just click on each entry mechanism and do as it says. A blog comment is mandatory and all other entries are optional.

Please bookmark this page and come back daily for a daily tweet and click on the app for a daily bonus entry.

Good Luck!

Win a Fiorelli Bag

Featured on www.loquax.com
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Beautiful Jewellery From Victoria Highfield

A guest post by Chris from Mummy Of 3 Diaries.

Victoria Highfield Jewellers are a family run business based in Manchester, England. They specialise in Brands, Bespoke Designs, Watches, Fine Jewellery, and Costume. They do all types of repairs, valuations and cash for gold too.

If you know me then you'd know that I have a thing for all things Silver, Sparkly and Lucky. 

My newest piece of jewellery is all three of these things combined into one gorgeous piece. The ChloBo Iconic Cute Mini Horseshoe Bracelet is made of stunning Sterling Silver which sparkles so sweetly when on. It's made up of several Sterling Silver beads, and also features a dangling Sterling Silver horseshoe charm which I'm hoping will bring me lots of luck.

I have tiny little wrists which makes choosing bracelets quite tricky for me. I don't like anything too bulky as it just looks too out of place. I tend to go for more delicate looking ones as they sit much better on me and don't weigh me down which is one of the reasons the ChloBo Iconic Cute Mini Horseshoe Bracelet is perfect for me.


It's a gorgeous bracelet which comes in a very small in size. It is slightly elasticated but you wouldn't want to stretch it too far in case you spoil the shape. If you have tiny wrists like me then this will be a good choice. 

The bracelet when on is stunning, it sits so nicely on my wrist. I wear it with the horseshoe charm hanging down onto the front of my hand but you could wear it any way you like.

It cost £55 and comes with a 1-year warranty. It will arrive beautifully gift wrapped by hand free of charge by the team at Victoria Highfield Jewellers. Mine came wrapped so sweetly in a hot pink drawstring bag which was then bubble wrapped for extra safety and placed inside a gorgeous pink ChloBo bag. It would make a lovely gift for a loved one and it comes all ready to give.




If someone gave me this bracelet for Christmas I would be very happy!

Victoria Highfield has a huge range of jewellery to choose from when I was looking at their site it was so hard to choose just one piece. I'd never heard of the ChloBo range before but am happy to say am so glad I found them. Their bracelets are amazing, I love their sweetness and simplicity. They're cute yet charming, everything I look for in a bracelet.

They don't just sell Silver, they have lots of Gold and Diamonds on offer too. There's something for every budget and every style. I wonder what you would choose?

I am delighted with my new ChloBo Iconic Cute Mini Horseshoe Bracelet from Victoria Highfield. The bracelet itself is stunning and sits really well on me. I don't think I will be taking it off just yet as it's just too pretty. The Victoria Highfield store itself is fantastic, I loved the way they gift wrapped my piece and at no extra costs too. That's pretty awesome service!



I will definitely be looking for some of my Christmas presents from their site this year and maybe even adding a few pieces to my own Christmas List whilst I'm there.

Disclosure: I was sent my ChloBo Iconic Cute Mini Horseshoe Bracelet from Victoria Highfield for the purpose of this review. All the opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own.

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J D Williams Classic Clothes Made Contemporary

Recently I was contacted by the lovely Jenni from JD Williams to ask if I would be interested in reviewing some clothes from their website in a contemporary versus classic campaign. 

Now to be honest I had heard of this company but associated it with older fashion. However what I didn't know is that the clothes are suitable for women of all ages, in sizes 12- 32, and I feel it appeals to those that like high quality classic clothing. Lorraine Kelly is leading their marketing campaign at the moment and she is a perfect ambassador, a lady who is stylish and fun and who loves fashion.

Of course fashion comes around in circles and the 70s jumpsuit, polka dot dresses of the 30s and midi skirt from the 40s are all fashion items of their time that have come back into fashion once again this year.  However I am a firm believer in finding a style that suits you and then accessorising to make the outfit current and on trend. Often that means taking something classic and giving it a twist to bring it contemporary and up to date.

One of the styles that suit my shape is the fit and flare dress. These dresses skim and flatter and give me a more defined waist, so I was really pleased to find a pack of two fit and flare dressed on the JD Williams site for only £26.




Two pack of skater dresses - JD Williams, £26

I styled the black classic dress to make the look contemporary by adding black leggings and funky cowboy boots. The jewellery I added included a long length silver necklace with a starfish from Thomas Sabo and sparkling heart earrings from Warren James Jewellers. The handbag I would match with it would be my new purchase from the American luxury brand Coach as it's a simple classic design.



Black dress part of a pack of 2  - JD Williams, £26  suede cowboy boots - M & S, £59  Starfish pendant - Thomas Sabo, £119

I also had a chance to review this funnel neck coat. I love the styling of this coat, as it is classic yet still has up to the minute styling, such as the funnel neck and nipped in waist. I love this coat as it is the right length for my 5ft 2in frame, not too long so it doesn't swamp me. It has a smart yet structured feel to it, yet it is incredibly easy to wear. A real wardrobe classic and a major plus point is that is it machine washable... well I never! 

black funnel neck coat - JD Williams, £59


I find it hard to find clothes in a petite size, but I noticed JD Williams do a good range of clothing for ladies short in stature, but not short on style, so if you are one such lady, my top tip is to check their website out.

Funnel neck coat - JD Williams, £59  Devore scarf - JD Williams £29 Contemporary silver bangle  - Jessica Flinn Designer Jewellery £359

I have styled this coat with a black devore scarf in a supersoft material, also from JD Williams and a beautiful contemporary silver bangle from Jessica Flinn Designer Jewellery.

So would I buy from this company again? Well I thought their clothes did flatter my frame, they make a range of petite clothes, the prices were great and the quality very good, so, YES!

If you go to the JD Williams website today they have 20% off your first order too, but be quick as I am not sure how long this offer will last.


You can contact JD Williams on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest offers. 

Tell me what do you think of the items I have picked? Have you seen their latest advert? 
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Gousto Food Box Review

A little while ago I reviewed Gousto food boxes. Gousto food boxes are a home delivered food box full of organic food. The unique selling point is that each box contains carefully measured ingredients in the right proportions to cook the delicious recipes on the cards they supply. There's no waste here. You get to choose the food online and each week the selection is updated. The boxes are delivered right to your doorstep each week.


Inside a Gousto box

What I love is that that the recipes are: - 
Easy to make, they don't need any complicated cooking skills, you won't have to stuff a mushroom here.
Quick to make, all have preparation and cooking time clearly stated and most if not all are rustled up in well under an hour.
Most ingredients are locally sourced, wherever possible.
All meat carries the Red Tractor stamp of assurance to guarantee animals are reared in Britain in accordance to animal welfare guidelines.
Fruit, vegetables and herbs are from certified organic suppliers.
All the herbs and spices are carefully measured too, so no having to buy a whole packet of paprika or chili flakes when you are not sure when you will use it again.
Meals are nutritionally balanced and healthy whilst still being filling.
Oh and each dish is incredibly tasty!

 I was sent a box of food to review as Gousto have recently revamped their website, making it mobile phone friendly and lowered their prices whilst still maintaining the great quality of their food.

 The recipe cards are simple to follow and give nutritional advice such as calories, fat and protein per portion, prep time, how many of your five a day contribution as well as cooking time. 

Pork and Sesame Meatballs recipe card


The finished result


Fennel crusted pork tenderloin before


The finished result

The dishes I tried out were tasty, easy to cook and filling. I was worried there wasn't going to be enough food but there was plenty. 

When I cooked the meatballs I was concerned one chili would be too hot so I added less. I shouldn't have done as I think the meatballs weren't spicy enough, although they were very flavourful. I should have had courage in the recipes! I particularly liked the way the broccoli was cooked, roasting in the oven in a little olive oil added a lovely caramelisation to this often boring vegetable.

Another dish I tried was the fennel encrusted pork. This was easy to prepare and I really enjoyed the butter bean, tomato and garlic dish. Being not a great fan of fennel I was apprehensive about cooking the pork as it had a fennel crust. It did have a distinctive flavour but it made a meat that can often be bland full of flavour.

I also tried the sumac chicken and courgette ribbon salad. Unfortunately my photos did not come out so well for this one so I do not have photos to show you. It was quick to make but we didn't rate this one as good as the other dishes, mainly because we didn't really enjoy the flavour of the sumac, which is a middle eastern spice, and it was served with millet which is not our favourite grain. But that's the joy of these food boxes, it allows you to try new things but also if you don't like something you don't have to order it again. 

I have a special offer today for my readers get £25 off your first box. Yes £25!

Enter code JEWELLERY25 at checkout to take advantage of this very special offer.

You can follow Gousto on Twitter  and Facebook here and they also have a Pinterest account so you can see their yummy dishes.

Have you ever tried Gousto? What do you think of the concept? Let me know.
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Silent Sunday 14/09/14



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The Great British Beach Clean

I am an extremely lucky lady. I live in a seaside town. I often don't appreciate it as it is a quiet little place, except on Bank Holidays and when we have the largest Elvis festival in Europe of course!


My husband and I love walking along the seafront and watching the world go by. We have a new marina in Porthcawl and it's very picturesque. 

Porthcawl marina

One of our favourite walks is up to the Parkdean Holiday Park at Trecco Bay. Ever since the park was taken over by Parkdean you can really see a difference in the park, and I am not just saying that. The park is clean, everything looks well looked after, and they have lots of bins dotted around the park.

Coney Beach, Porthcawl

 So it was no surprise to me to hear they are working with The Marine Conservation Society to host The Great British Beach Clean on the 21st of September. The Great British Beach Clean is being run over 15 beach areas from Scotland to Wales, Devon to Cornwall, Dorset to Hampshire.

 A few generations ago the British seaside was free of litter, but our throw-away society means that today, that is far from the truth. Clean beaches will protect our marine life, as many birds, fish and other sea creatures are killed each year due to pollution. Clean beaches also make for a safer environment for our children.

How sweet is this?

 It's incredibly easy to volunteer too. What you have to do is pop over to the website and register online. Then all you have to do is join the staff from Parkdean on the day. They will provide everything for you ... from bags, gloves and tongs to even refreshments. And after helping out, you can feel smug in the knowledge that you have worked to keep the gorgeous local beaches clean and litter-free. 

Volunteering can really be rewarding. If you are thinking of organising a volunteer group, you can see more here about how apps can help you streamline your operations through the tracking of volunteer hours, location-based check-in, and volunteer scheduling; and even aid you on the way to achieving your goals by improving volunteer impact reporting.


Not everyone keeps the beach as clean as Parkdean

If you have family and friends that are free why don't you take them along too? They need as many volunteers as possible, so click on The Great British Beach Clean to find out if there is one near you today. Did you also know that even if there isn't one near you, you can register to organise one yourself too? So come on and join over 10,000 people to clear up litter and make us proud of our lovely beaches again.


It's easy to volunteer

* in association with ParkDean 
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Natural Face Masks

Recently I was sent a number of natural skin care products to review from VitaBella and Beauty Naturals. You can read about my review of natural anti-ageing skin creams here.

 I was also sent some treatment masks all made of natural products. Today I am reviewing the two I was sent. 

 Vita Bella Spa treatment In A Box

The VitaBella Face mask is a little bit different to most masks. You add the liquid complex to the mask which is in the form of a tablet. The tablet then expands as the liquid is absorbed. This turns into a face mask. You then unfold the mask gently and apply to your face. It is recommended to leave it on for ten minutes for the best effect. You then peel it off and apply the moisturiser supplied.


Add the liquid to the tablet and it turns into a face mask

What I liked about this mask is that it relatively mess free and simple to apply. After you add the liquid to the tablet, it is amazing how the tablet expands. It can be a little tricky to keep the mask on, you really need to relax and put your feet up when you do this.


Top tip, don't answer the door to the postman with it on!

When I removed the mask, I then added the moisturiser that came with the treatment. My skin definitely felt soft after treatment and felt hydrated. I feel this mask is a great treat for those that have dry skin in particular and need that little boost. 

As this product is full of lovely natural ingredients, this is an added bonus.

Skin Revivals Natural Enzyme Mask



The Skin Revivals Natural Enzyme Mask comes in a white bottle. This creamy gel is made to effectively exfoliate the skin, decongest the pores and smooths fine lines. Also enriched with avocado oil for added moisturising I was looking forward to trying it.

To apply I smoothed the gel onto the skin in circular movements. As it dried it felt slightly tacky on the skin and my skin felt tight as if it was working. After ten to fifteen minutes I washed it off. My skin felt soft and looked radiant. I did feel it needed some more moisturiser on top so I applied my usual moisturiser before I applied my makeup.

As the product is all natural and made with anise and pumpkin extract I was impressed. I feel this is a good treatment for those with oily or combination skin.

It also has no artificial colour or fragrance, no parabens and is not tested on animals.

 I have to admit, after using both face masks in a week, I did have one or two spots on my face. Whether it was due to my skin being sensitive or it was the impurities coming out of my skin, I am not sure. I would therefore not advise using a face mask within a few days of a big social event.

 Do you use a face mask as part of your beauty routine? What do you think of the two products above?

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Blog Makeover Competition - Ends 30/09/14

Recently my blog had a makeover, from Jade Alana Marshall. I love the new blog header and badge which I think sums up what my blog is about, and to celebrate I am running a competition to win a Cadburys Treasure box hamper. 


Entry is via the Gleam application. If you haven't used it before it's incredibly simple to enter. Just click on each entry mechanism and do as it says. A blog comment is mandatory and all other entries are optional.

 Please bookmark this page and come back daily for a daily tweet and click on the app for a daily bonus entry.

 Good Luck!



Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com - See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/chocolate-hamper-cadburys#sthash.p2TCCHT7.dpuf
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Jacamo For Men Of All Shapes and Sizes

Jacamo used to be known as a mens clothes brand that caters for the plus size man, but did you know that's all changed?  Now catering for men from chest size S to 5XL and waist 34 to 54 they now sell clothes to fit most men. Gone is Johnny Vegas as an ambassador, welcome Freddy Flintoff.

The Freddy Flintoff collection  is full of easy to wear casual clothes such as hoodies , jeans and military jackets, to smart blazers, suit jackets and trousers all designed by Freddy.

I was sent the military jacket for my husband to try out, and we were both impressed with the smart yet relaxed jacket and quality of the finish, no unfinished seams here.


a versatile jacket of great quality

Regarding the detailing it has two top and bottom pockets, a drawcord fastening at the waist and a zip. The jacket is heavily padded and feels warm on so would be great for Autumn/Winter strolls. Available in navy and olive (featured) these two great colours would go with most things. A great plus point is that is is machine washable so you can save on the dry cleaning bills.


We both really liked the jacket. It's smart enough to be worn for a meal out but casual enough to be worn just walking along the beach. At £50 it is a great buy too for a jacket of this quality.

Soft cord detailing on the neckline adds a touch of smartness

When talking to my husband we both said we would buy from Jacamo again. They have a wide range of clothing, prices seem reasonable and the quality is definitely there. One thing, just check the sizing, which you can easily do on the website, as my husband had a medium and usually he is a large. The sizes appear on the large side for the size. They also have loads of great brands including Ben Sherman, Lacoste, and Nike to name but a few.

So next time you go shopping for your man, check out the Jacamo website. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
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Curbzz Bracelets From Silver Tree Jewellery

Hot new trend: Curbbz bracelets

Back in January this year, The Diary of a Jewellery Lover, introduced you to Curbbz. Curbbz bracelets are a new brand on the scene and are the brainchild of Wayne Lineker. Offering affordable pieces that have the look of a high-end bracelet, each bracelet is crafted from the highest quality silicone in a variety of colours. The bracelets also feature different colours of metals in a link pattern at the front of the bracelet and vary from the popular rose gold to silver and also the more traditional yellow gold. 

The mix of colours and metals are what makes this brand unique but the entire line is also unisex. 

Below we have showcased a few products from the range:



Nude + Yellow Gold Bracelet £49.00
This gorgeous nude silicone bracelet is right on trend at the moment as are most nude accessories but this bracelet definitely holds its own. With a yellow gold link detail at the front, this bracelet would look great paired with other nude or gold accessories to complete the look. 


Mint + Silver Bracelet £49.00
As the bracelets are made from the highest quality silicone, it means that the bracelet will stretch to any size, suiting anyone. This particular bracelet in a cool mint shade will be a favourite for anyone that loves their silver jewellery as this colour goes perfectly with the silver links at the front of the bracelet. 


Black + Rose Gold Bracelet £49.00
If you’re looking for a traditional colour in the Curbbz bracelets, then you cannot go wrong with the simple black silicone option. However, when paired with the rose gold links, this bracelet really does make an impact. 


All bracelets are available from www.curbbz.com direct but you can currently get 10% off all Curbbz items with the discount code: DSU6DD7HJKLM at www.silvertreejewellery.co.uk  

 * guest post
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Play The Zodiac Wheel With Pandora And You Can Win

Pandora the luxury bead and jewellery company have just created the Zodiac Wheel in conjunction with their Zodiac charm range. The app is totally interactive and allows you to pick your star sign and find out more about your personality, your compatibility with others and your monthly horoscope. 

In this post I am going to take my readers through the stages of the app and show you how you can have a chance to win a Pandora bracelet and Zodiac charm of your choice. How exciting!



The Zodiac Wheel

Astrology is the study of the influence that distant cosmic objects, usually stars and planets, have on human lives. The position of the sun, stars, moon and planets at the time of people's birth (not their conception) is said to shape their personality, affect their romantic relationships and predict their economic fortunes, among other divinations. What most people know about astrology is their "sign," which refers to one of the 12 constellations of the zodiac.

On the first screen of the app it shows you a pictorial representation of all the zodiac signs. The graphics are stylish and elegant, which I think appeals to Pandora's target audience, ladies who like to keep up with fashion trends.


Star Sign

Once you click on your star sign it takes you a landing page for that sign. My star sign is Pisces, the fish so I will follow this in this post. You then have the option of clicking on Personality Traits, Compatibility, Monthly Horoscope or Prize Draw. At the very top of the page is the home button and arrow keys (not shown) which helps with navigation.


Personality Traits

The explanation of the star sign is well thought out and interesting. I have been told that I am a typical Pisces as I am a bit of a dreamer, and I also live in the future (always planning my next holiday) which is another typical Piscine trait. I have always worked with people and I feel I am in touch with others feelings having great compassion for others, which can be shown with my previous occupation of nurse.

I do love soft colours and a natural look on times but I also like bright jewel colours to go with my dark colouring. I wouldn't say I am particularly spiritual however.


Compatibility

The compatibility section is interesting as my husband is a Scorpio, who knew he was a perfect match?! It is also true that I am not that competitive, but do I value fulfilment over money, hmmm, not sure on that one?  I am however sensitive and I like to think I make a caring friend and that is two of the main traits of a Pisces.



Monthly Horoscope

My horoscope for September says I have been having a romantic time so far this month, maybe I should show this to my husband to encourage him on this matter! I like their recommendation of a weekly date night, this maybe a good idea, I will let you know readers.

It also states that I will be super busy with work until next year. Being self employed is always a worry, so I hope this comes true.  I need my sleep as well, especially when the nights draw in, so I will make a conscious effect to get more sleep this month.


Prize Draw

The last page lets you enter a prize draw, either by email, Twitter or Facebook. If you wish to enter be quick as the prize draw ends in September. The prize is a gorgeous Pandora bracelet and zodiac charm of choice and there are 5 prizes to give away in September.

My opinion of the app is that it is an enjoyable experience for a few minutes of your time, whether you are a big follower of star signs and horoscopes or not. The app works on mobiles as well as computers and touch screens although it is displayed slightly differently.

Their personalised charm bead bracelets are very popular and many of my readers love competitions so the chance to enter and win one is definitely a bonus. Whilst you are there you can also check out the jewellery Pandora sell. If you go to the top of the page you even have the link to the zodiac charm to buy.


The Zodiac Charm for Pisces

Tell me, do you own or do you have plans to own some Pandora jewellery? Have you tried the app and entered the competition? Do you enjoy astrology and horoscopes? 

*In collaboration with Pandora, all words and opinions are my own.

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