Lily flames

By Sarah Redman

This lovely addition to my candle collection comes from Somerset company Lily-Flame. I received their Fairy Dust (invisible and true) candle for Christmas from my lovely friend Georgia Thomas. After sampling their most popular candle I can see the attraction and have been hooked ever since.

This Verbena (A summer in Provence) hooked me not only by the name, as this is my summer destination of choice, but also by the amazing fresh and summery scent. This one definitely brightens up any room.

Lily-Flame has a range of products with both full size and mini scented tins, scented glassware, room mist sprays and reed diffusers. I absolutely love the quirky look of these candles and how the coloured wax melts into the rest of the candle releasing even more of the luscious scents.

Lily-Flame was established in 1994 and they make all their products by hand in the heart of the Somerset countryside. This has lead them to become one of the UK’s favourite scented candle manufacturers.

My next purchase is hopefully going to be a more fruity affair: Mango Fandango (hot, hot, hot!) This is ‘the worlds tangiest, most mango-ey candle’ – I popped into a local supplier in Sevenoaks today (The Lemon Tree) to check the scent lived up to the name. So I think I’ll just add this 35 hour burning candle to my wish list now.

I also have another on the wish list: Parma Violets (The sweetest feeling). Yes, exactly like the sweets – I became a big kid in a sweet shop when I smelt this one. Definitely another must have.

To complete my small but growing collection: Taste of Provence (Marjoram, Thyme, Rosemary and Sage). Described as “culinary perfection” I found this one on their website and have yet to try it out but this one sounds right up my street – again with the Provence.

What do you think of my candle addiction? Or have you tried Lily-Flame before? Let us know and leave a comment below, Tweet us @thesarahsblog or post on our Facebook page.

Christmas penguins

By Sarah Redman

It is our last day of uni tomorrow, so I’m really starting to get into the Christmas spirit.

My advent calender is almost half empty and my Christmas decorations are lighting up the room.

These are my lovely little light up penguins! A present for my mother to make my uni house more Christmasy. These super cute colour changing penguins are sure to give any room some festive cheer.

What do you think of these lovely little animals, have you got any decorations you want to share? Leave a comment below, Tweet us a picture @thesarahsblog or post a photo of your decorations to our Facebook Page.

On the tenth day of advent…

By Sarah Redman

On the tenth day of advent Ciate have a great nail polish tip for you all:

Keep your mani/pedi looking fresh by adding a new layer of topcoat every other day.

What you you think of their Christmas tip? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Lush-ious Lips

By Sarah Redman

Too obvious? I popped into the new Lush store in Tunbridge Wells the other week. I was home and Christmas shopping the day of the store’s opening, so popped in to see what delights they had to offer.

I have always been a Lush fan, ever since finding their fantastic store in Covent Garden, London. The perfumed smell of their stores is enticing and their products are amazing. The idea of fresh handmade cosmetics not tested on animals is great.

#FreshMatters

They have really expanded their brand with their traditional bath bombs and scrumptious soaps through to make up and hair products. Walking around their stores it seems like a little treasure trove, with amazing products made from lovely ingredients, there really is something for everyone.

Alongside a fabulous purchase for myself, I noticed Lush also has some great low price products that are perfect stocking fillers!

My latest purchase is their ‘Mint Julips‘ lip scrub. At the moment I have a wonderful cold and sore throat that just won’t go away, hence I am feeling rather run down and my lips are super dry. This mint choc chip tasting lip scrub contains peppermint, vanilla and tagetes oil. These moisturising oils along side the castor sugar clear away the dead skin from your lips, leaving them moisturised and smooth.

This product is so easy to use, just use your finger to massage a little bit of the product into your lips; this exfoliates the delicate skin whilst the oils moisturise them. This is best done before applying your lip balm or lip stick and you will get the best results if you use it on a fairly regular basis. This may seem like a tiny pot, but you don’t need mush so it lasts a while.

Lush’s lip scrubs are available in ‘Bubblegum‘, ‘Mint Julips‘, ‘Popcorn‘ and ‘Santa’s Lip Scrub‘.

Have you tried Lush’s lip scrub range or do you think this is the product for you? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Topshop socks deal

By Sarah Redman

Socks are a winter basic and these lovely pairs from Topshop are no different. Both us Sarah’s are a fan of the lacey sock, we own so many pairs between us in all different colours, I figured one more par couldn’t hurt.

Lace trim ankle socks:

I am loving velvet this season so to see some velvet trimmed socks in my favourite colour was fantastic. These socks are so cute and would look great with a chunky black sandal to keep your toes warm!

Plum velvet trim ankle socks:

Finally I think the third pair of socks are so much fun. The gold running through the socks definitely bling’s up your outfit and I think a little bit of gold this time of year makes everything seem that little bit more Christmasy.

Gold fine glitter ankle socks (currently available online in bronze):

These socks were a lovely present from my mum whilst out Christmas shopping together, they retail at £3.50 each or you can buy 3 pairs for £8.00. All the styles are available in a range of colours.

Do you like Topshop’s sock and take advantage of the deal? Or have you seen a trend here you would like to try? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Christmas candles

By Sarah Redman

With the forth day of advent drawing to a close, it is fair to say most people are getting into the festive spirit. I am currently writing this listening to a bit of Chris Rea – Driving Home for Christmas. It’s December, don’t judge!

So in this festive spirit I thought I would share with you my budget decoration. If you have read previous posts you will know I like a candle or two, so here are my two new tea light candle holders:

These two red stars are available from most larger Sainsbury’s stores, unfortunately they are not available online. (Tea lights not included)

I think they look lovely when lit, the light disperses through the red glass creating a lovely red glow around the candle, giving it a real Christmas nights feel.

Do you like these decoration? What do you prefer, do you go big with your decorations or do you prefer a more subtle touch? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

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Cheeky little Christmas chocolate

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Christmas is coming!

By Sarah Redman

It’s that time of year again and it’s safe to say I love a good Christmas decoration.

So I thought I would share with you all a recent addition to my Christmas bauble collection.

This Wilko Jingle Bell Christmas Decoration costs £1.50 and is available in white and berry. This decoration genuinely does jingle and it is great value for the price tag. It has been popular, so is currently out of stock online, but your local store may still have some left or you can check out their Christmas shop.

Have you started decorating yet or have you been buying in preparation? Let us know and leave a comment below or tweet us a picture @thesarahsblog

Shoeaholics: Shoe shopping just got even better

By Sarah Redman

Shoeaholics.com, my new favourite discount online outlet shoe store. Run by Kurt Geiger, the website sells shoes up to 75% off, with new shoes added every week. You can find anything from Miss KG to Nine West, even Enzo Angiolini. With prices for shoes as low as £10.00 and they also do accessories and mens too!

Last week I finished my TV unit for this year, with deadline mania for a TV news package and a group documentary, I decided I needed an early Christmas present from myself. Thats when I got the email from shoeaholics.com and innocently clicked the link to the site.

My particular purchase just happened to be 90% off – I’m a sucker for a good deal and £150.00 down to £15.00 was just too good for me to by-pass. Especially when these are the shoes I have lusted after since they first came out and I couldn’t justify the price tag on a student budget.

My lovely shoes are Chloe by KG * Kurt Geiger in gold faux velvet (or display pairs available) – and I love them!

Have you shopped with shoeaholics.com or will you be searching for a bargain? Leave a comment below or Tweet @thesarahsblog us to let us know.

P.S. Sorry for the later than promised blog post – I ended up powering through my Christmas shopping and was so tired I could barely move, let alone blog.

Cheeky Little Christmas Chocolates

By Sarah Redman

To be perfectly honest i’m not entirely sure where this year has gone. Not only are the Halloween chocolates bombarding you each time you step into a shop, now the supermarkets are stocking up on their Christmas chocolate too. Unfortunately even a little bit of marketing and advertising will entice me in so i better keep up the gym membership!

Each year there is something new and this year is no exception with Galaxy bringing out their ‘Galaxy Gift for You‘ chocolate; this year in white chocolate too. Malteaser have followed suit and bought out their ‘Malteaster‘ bunny re-branded as ‘Merryteaser‘ – basically exactly the same thing but in a reindeer shape not a bunny. Those crafty chocolatiers!

Needless to say i bought both… in October. Oops!

Are you a sucker for seasonal chocolate or have you started your Christmas wish list? Leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog to let us know.