Beauty haul: The Body Shop, L'oreal and Burt's Bees

Autumn kicked in in full force with grey sky and early evenings. 

Recently I had a bit more need to cheer myself up I think I have found a little beauty treat from The Body Shop  to add that a little something in my autumn days.

Moringa Softening Body Butter is deliciously soft, creamy and indulgently scented with Moringa. Beautiful consistency of body butter and fragrance lingers for some hours. I am usually a citrus fan, but this bold and catchy scent is perfect to uplift my autumn blues and transport my senses to warmer places.

I have paired body butter with Moringa Exfoliating Cream Body Scrub. The Exfoliating Cream Body Scrub has a creamy consistency with fine scrubbing bits, which smoothes and refines leaving skin soft and scented. The same delicious scent and it takes a good care of my skin in cooler month, leaving it soft. 

After my disappointment with Nivea Extra Gentle Eye Make-up Remover, I went back to L'oreal Micellar Water. It comes in new large format bottle, 400ml and so far I am pleased with results. Read here review from L'oreal Paris.

My little man got another bottle of Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo and Wash to enjoy with. As I have mentioned in my recent beauty empties, it keeps his gentle skin soft and clean.

What are your late autumn beauty explorations?

Marija

A big cosmetics clear out

Another beauty clear out left me with a small pile of new and unused cosmetics to dispose off. 

If you are following this blog, you know that I try to exercise a conscious spending approach, but it looks like my Glossybox "weakness" tends to leave me with things I don't really need. Being a blogger and a curious girl I do like to try something I wouldn't necessary buy and I do love to test new lines, but as you will see today still there is quite a bit, mostly make-up I don't have time to get my hands on.

I believe all of them are wonderful and I hope to find a caring and more appreciating home. This only proves that I experiment less with my make-up than skin/hair care. 

So, to make some use of all these and hopefully to gain something to buy a treat I really like, I have split items in to various groups and posted them on eBay for auction. You might still find some of them on my MWgift eBay shop. If they won't sell I am having a though to try the Shpock. It would be a shame to waste these cosmetics and I can't miss theis opportunity to explore a bit more of online selling. Have you used Shpock? What is your preferable selling platform for items to good to bin?

Marija

Balcony in bloom: autumn/winter update 2017

It's been awhile since my last balcony in bloom update and I though it is time to catch up. Last month I've been busy repotting and trimming my little garden to prepare it for the cooler months. Recent winters in London were not harsh and I believe that this year won't be any different, so I have hopes for few blooms even during the winter.

Here is how my balcony looks at the moment. Not a sunny day outside, so it is a treat to see a bit of colour and occasional blooms. This little corner is one of way I tend to distress from my busy life. Do share your distress tips in the comments below.

I have added Azalea Japonica and some Pansies to freshen up the overall look. Azalea I believe will bloom in spring. I have it in a light pink shade and it looks hardy enough to last. Pansies are usually good with cold and will provide my little corner with a bit of yellow and purple colours.

I am glad to say that I still have basket Begonia, yellow Primula and Geranium, which you can see in my previous updates. I have planted some beautiful Fuchsia this summer and it looks they might last the winter and bloom again next year. My first Fuchsia was attacked by green bugs and sadly didn't survive, so I am thrilled to have a bit more success with it this time.

I can see tiny shoots of Narcissus and Hyacinth already, looking forward to enjoy them coming spring. My mint and succulents are doing well too, mind you without much effort on my side. I guess, some plants just love to be left alone to thrive.

I would love to hear about your balconies and plants you grow. Do you like blooms or prefer greens, share in the comments below.

Marija

MWgifts - November 2017 update

I know it's been awhile since my last MWgifts update, but I have something exquisite to share with you today. I came across this little beauty just few days ago and posted it today on eBay for the auction.

This is a Franz porcelain retired Spring Freesia cup and saucer set FZ00030, which is signed by designer and sculptor. It has beautiful floral detailing and in excellent condition free of chips, cracks or scratches. A fabulous gift or a show item for your home. It is available for global shipping, see more photos and other details on MWgift eBay page.

I hope to have a bit more time for all my hobbies from now on and am looking forward to other beautiful discoveries.

Happy shopping everyone!

Marija

November's beauty favourite

Valquer Ice Hair Mask Total Repair. 

I got this little bottle in one of my Glossyboxes and been using it for few weeks now. This is an energising hair mask with cooling effect. It has beautifully refreshing scent which stays with hair for quite awhile; lovely consistency and it looks gorgeous on my bathroom shelf. But the best bit is the result. This hair mask made my hair soft and more easily manageable. I am not sure what is the cooling effect for? I don't usually apply hair mask on my scalp, where I believe this effect would be refreshingly beneficial. But anyway, my hair ends look nourished and healthy.

Have you tried anything from Valquer?

Marija

Beauty Haul: Pai

October was my birthday month and I guess it was a perfect excuse to indulge a little bit more. I have splashed on a bit of Pai. 

Pai Chamomile and Rosehip Calming Day Cream. I had this day cream before and retained a very pleasant memory. I am nearing my due date and taking in mind that shortly after my firstborn delivery I have developed urticaria, this cream should be perfect. Its formula calms and soothes sensitive skin, reducing redness and flair ups. 

According to the brand, ultra clean formula of day cream minimises the risk of irritation and helps calm the appearance of reactive redness. Pai Chamomile and Rosehip Calming Day Cream is rich in Matricine and Chamazulene which are nature's powerful skin soothing agents; Omegas 3,6,7 and 9 which help repair and regenerate damaged skin.

Pai Instant Calm Redness Serum Sea Aster and Wild Oat. This is something new for me to try. I have been using oil mix in my night skin care routine for some time now and crave for a slight change. This serum promises to reduce appearance of redness caused by flushing, to stimulate skin's natural production of collagen and elastin to pump skin and smooth appearance of fine lines. The first is welcome and the last is desirable. 

Pai Echium and Argan Gentle Eye Cream. This eye cream is for mature, very dry sensitive skin. My skin isn't that mature, but I started to navigate slowly to anti-ageing skin care products. According to the mirror, my eyes and forehead are first to require a little bit of anti-ageing interference.

According to Pai Echium and Argan Gentle Eye Cream contains intensively hydrating formula which improved the appearance of fine lines; unique concentrations of Omegas 3 and 6 which help to regenerate delicate eye area. Eye cream formula id anti-inflammatory and helps to soothe areas of irritation.

I received two little samples with my order: Pai Geranium and Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream and Pai Perfect Balance Blemish Serum Zinc and Copaiba. Looking forward to explore a bit more of Pai skin care, will keep you posted with full review as usual.

Have you tried any from above? What is your impression and experience of Pai skincare?

Marija