Shoplet review - Lever Arch File and Medium Storage Box

Excuse the slightly blurry photo, please see the links for a decent one :)
So Shoplet send me a box of goodies which included this, it looks like a normal folder and it certainly does what it says on the packet but this folder is super strong, super sturdy and holds pretty much anything to can make 2 holes on, I've used folders like this in the past but found the folder moves and causes the paper to get crumpled up at the bottom but this one doesn't, it's so strong.

 

The inside is the strong metal kind instead of the usual cheap plastic you see for sale in superstores, it's easy to use with a simple lever system and a strong clip to hold pages in place but it's also not too strong that it snaps together and you risk a finger in the process.

 

Find yours here:

 Blue Lever Arch File

 

 

 

 

  The good folks at Shoplet also sent over this little beauty, don't let it's flat pack style mislead you to thinking it can't be sturdy because I've been in and out of this box so many times over the last 2 weeks and it hasn't once shown any signs of coming undone.

 

 

It's a simple click together process and once it's up it isn't coming down again without some force :)

It's a lovely vibrant colour and a handle size to store almost anything from crafts and cards to important papers or even trinkets.

 

 

We have so much family that I opted to use mine for our Christmas cards, I find often over the coming weeks they get moved, lost and sometimes crumpled so this is perfect, once the cards are gone i'll keep all our paper craft stuff in to keep it need and safe, the lid is really strong so I have no qualms about storing things on top of it or under it.

 

Find them here: Pink Storage box

Find more great items here: www.shoplet.co.uk

 

 

TJ x

 

 

Well.....

The last 2 months have been hectic, so many birthdays, a wedding, Christmas shopping, wrapping, card writing, new home improvements, basically we've only just managed to get a new computer and get online between all of the above but I'm back :)
Finally things have calmed down and we're all back in a normal routine and since I pre-plan most things Christmas is pretty much sorted for us so expect lots of updates and more regular posting.

I hope your all ready for the holidays and new year celebrations :)

TJ xx

Loom bands by rainbow braid

You may think the looming time has come to an end, actually it's just begining, more and more mums are getting together for coffee and looming, kids are having loom parties and loom sleepovers and some of us just like the bit of us time away from the hussle and bussle of day to day life to make something that matches tomorrows outfit.

Rainbow braid were kind enough to send me a 5400 refill pack during the school holidays and me, my daughter, my friend and her daughter all got together for a girl afternoon of looming, it was fun that we could all be involved and it wasn't important what level of looming we could manage.

This is what we managed to create from the pack i was sent and as you can see i still have some left that i just haven't got around to using up yet.
Of all the bands sent, 2 snapped, now normally from a £1 pack from anywhere i get at least 3-4 that snap but these are super stretchy and don't go weak even when reused, they worked on 3 types of loom and weren't too stiff to shape into any style.

We started off with basic fishtails which most people start with and are so easy to mix and match

43 bracelets later and we moved onto some different styles, 

The rose fishtails are really easy once you've done it once so they are a great mix for girls to play around with

Starbursts are time consuming but really easy and if you drop a loom it's so easy to pick back up again 

These are hex and flat hex bracelets, they took us around 45 minutes each and are definitely not the easiest to get the hang of but they are so pretty and really sturdy especially for the school playground when they get swapped and changed

And last we made bow rings which are much easier than they look and a lovely change from a normal band, the girls love them and i do too :)

If you want to know how to make any of the styles above drop me a message and i'll give you the video links.

I won't be going back to the £1 packs from markets and small shops after using these, the quality was far better and longevity just proves that bulk buying can really work out better in the long run.

Now we've nearly used all the bands up the girls want to start working on Frozen characters and other little charms they can attached to bags, coats and put around the bedrooms so i'm really excited to help out where they'll let me. 

Beauty Box reviews

This month i received both GlossyBox and BirchBox, my BB was again left on the doorstep but thankfully no one decided to steal it this time.

I have stuck with BB simply because it seems a fairly good way of finding out which products not to buy, Of the selection this month there are only 2 i'd use however, I've found they are great for reusing the boxes and putting all the larger samples together for girly Christmas boxes....or in my case, hen girl boxes. If you can spare the cash and want to get something new and unheard of every month then BB is great for that but for high end, larger samples i'd look at wantable or similar.

 Skin and co aren't a company i've come across before, i've not heard of truffles being used in face products but this has good reviews and goes on quite nice, it's not a life changer but a pleasant surprise, the sample isn't very big and it's expensive to buy full size but it's a nice luxury treat.

Korres is a company i know about through beauty boxes, it's also the same product just a different scent that i've had before and i don't like it much, the bottle is ideal for swimming but i don't find the gel lathers much, the scent is a little too much and it's very sticky, again great for christmas boxes because someone will like it i'm sure.

Benefit is a company most ladies have heard of, sadly it's not a favorite of mine, i want to love it but after trying a few products they are just a little too rich and too ingredient heavy which my skin doesn't agree with, the cream smells nice and did leave my eye area nice and soft but i found after 2 days use face got a little red and blotchy, don't let me put you off, give it a go yourself, i just have very sensitive skin. 

A lip gloss is pretty much just a lip gloss regardless of brand, model co make some lovely product that aren't too expensive and offer a good colour range but i'm just not much of a lip gloss girl, especially now the wind is taking over and my hair plasters itself to my face.

Another company i've not yet come across so well done BB for keeping my mind open, however i just do not get on with oils, many ladies swear by them so this product may be the bee's knees, i'm just not willing to try and find out, my hair is huge, damaged and gets greasy really quick and it hates oils :(

I love little food items in the boxes it's a great way to try something you would never normally try, dried fruit is very good for you and you've not had to waste any money trying it if you don't like it but i don't eat dried fruit, or mango's so these went into the bin, it's a shame as i'd love to be given an option so i can choose something i might like to try.

And lastly, the birchbox item, i love these little gifts, my daughter puts them all to good use :)

All in all, not my best box or my worst, it sounds pretty negative but there will always be months where it just wasn't for you and those that are right up your street.

News flash, Glossy box restores faith with free box and keep custom :)

This month was my first free box and i wasn't looking forward to it.

First i loved the box design.

Then this little tub came into view, it smells great, it's silky soft and although my hair doesn't like oils  this is more of a creamy mask and left me with smooth hair, it's a great product and affordable which makes a nice change.

Nails inc use to be big in my nail collection but sadly i don't find it lasts all that long on my nails unlike other brands so i've put it in a girly box for a friend who likes to experiment, i tried it on one nail and it seems to do the job but it scratches off easily, it's a good choice since i now know that it isn't for me without having to buy it.

Another Model co product, thankfully different to my other box, it's too greyish for my brows and i didn't find it easy to apply, the biggest downside for me was it's a little like mascara and left my brows hard and tough to wipe out but again not something i'd of though of buying so they are keeping us trying new things with this.

Ultrasun is a brand my parents swear by, they've used it for a long time and my mum gave me a tube this year, its goes on easy, it's thick and i can apply my make up over it without streaks, it's more expensive than i'd normally go for but it's nice to see a high end brand in a beauty box.

Lastly was these sample packets, i really don't like packets, there's always too much for one use but by the second use they've dried out or run all over my make up draws, 'acid peel' doesn't sound face friendly and i was concerned about trying it on sensative skin so i've not got around to trying these out yet but if anyone else has please let me know how you got on.

TJ x

August in's

Savvy Circle gave out Pantene Expert samples of the new age defy shampoo and conditioner that's been released and those how entered got an email explaining they would rather send full sized bottles out and so i now have one of each to try, if you aren't a member i suggest joining up, they have some great freebies on offer most weeks.

My Glossy box this month wasn't anything exciting, a perfume sample by Lalique, a mascara by Essence, a glossybox own highlighter, a tiny bottle of nail polish from yves rocher and a mango and mandarin hand cream by figs and rouge. As you can see from my write up none of these were anything special and i suspect before christmas i'll be unsubscribing.

I'd love to share by BirchBox with you guys however it was carelessly left by my door and it looks like someone decided to help themselves and throw the empty box back into my garden, I've contacted BB but have yet to receive a new box.

TJ x

August outs

This month has run away with me and with an impending house move, wedding and school start i can't seem to find the time to post often but i'll get there if you all bare with me :)

This month i managed a few use ups so i'm pleased my stash is going down

Original source - cranberry and honey daily scrub, i love a deep scrub and this didn't skimp on the seeds so i'd definitly buy more if i didn't have so many to use, it has a lovely but not over powering scent and i enjoyed using it.

Wilkos sweet vanilla and honey bath, this was too sickly sweet for me, i love vanilla but the honey was too rich and i was glad to be done with it, i'd use other wilkos foam bath products without hesitation i just know not to repurchase this one.

Avon Advance Techniques salon therapy for dry and damaged hair, i've found using this like a hair mask is the way forward when i run out however i don't tend to buy it because i have family that work for avon so i know christmas will bring more soon enough.

Laura Mercier body souffle - vanilla, this is an amazing cream, the texture, smell and longtevity it fantastic, sadly it was a Beauty box gift and i don't have the kind of budget that stretches to this product but i'd relish it in another box.

Monuspa - ginger bath and body oil, i'm not a fan of ginger and this was quite strong but my partner noticed it and really liked it so i'd consider repurchasing for that reason alone. It left my skin smooth and soft without the greasy after feel oils tend to give.

La Roche Posay - redermic anti aging cream, i didn't see any effects from using this, it was a lovely texture and a great freebie however i wouldn't purchase it again because i have other favourites from LRP that i'd sooner spend my money on.

I also used up a soap bar and my first every empty nail varnish remover bottle was thrown away today so it's been an alright month for use ups.

Next month i'll be back on form and posting posts through out the month instead of several in a day :)

TJ x

Have a great bank holiday! x

July Ins

This month is as much lifestyle as it is beauty and quite a few samples are in the post on the way.

Its a great month for samples and reviews so i'm going to try and fit as many items into each post as possible.

Let's kick things off with.....Lenor Unstoppables, these beauties were sent to me courtesy of Super Savvy and they are lush! you pop them in the washer before you turn it on and they give your clothes a long lasting scent, i only used it this morning but they smell great and i'm hoping it lasts.

In my In's box this month i have:

Dove invisible dry, i love a good streak free deodorant so i'm happy i got this

2 palmers samples a gentle exfoliator and a calming face lotion which i'm planning on trying as soon as i use up my current ones.

Bvlgari Omnia Indian Garnet 5ml sample bottle this smells lovely for summer and is a great size to really try out a new scent.

I received 2x pots of nail decor from Stargazer and gave them a quick try out, i've never used either before and the black beads were certainly different, my nails need filling so sorry they aren't great shots but for a fun night out or a statement nail they are a great little purchase.

Lastly i am still part of the Tesco orchard group and i was sent a £5 Tesco home voucher free so i had a look around my local store and found this lovely lantern for a £3.50 steal and the pomegranate candle which took me to £1.50 over budget but for the 2 items i was happy to pay it.

Hopefully you've had some great samples and if you haven't get in touch and i'll send you a list of sites to find some :)

TJ x