Mother's Day Ideas: The Book of Mum*

Hello! Whilst busy with college, I thought it best to post a few reviews whilst I concentrate on college work, so what better way than to present the perfect gift for Mother's Day (15th March!) I was recently contacted by the brilliant The Book of Everyone company, which I had previously heard of due to reading reviews. It's basically a website that helps you create your very own personalised book for absolutely anyone - from grandparents to boyfriends/girlfriends.

Every year for Mother's Day I buy my mum the same thing - flowers, a card and maybe some chocolates, which is the typical cliché thing that people go for. She's really hard to buy for, I'd much prefer to give her something more personal, something that a lot of thought has gone into and something that she can keep for a long time. The Book of Mum is a special edition, helping you to show your appreciation for everything that your mum does for you.

As you can see, it comes in different formats; you can choose either a digital version, softcover express (which is the one I have), hardcover or deluxe edition.

It's something that you can really get involved in (and you can also name yourself as the author), as the website allows you to personally create it so it's original. There are certain pages you can edit to make it unique and there are also plenty of pages filled with humorous facts about the year in which that person was born. You can even add images, creating a lovely surprise for when they receive it.

It would also make a great gift for someone's birthday, as you can make it personalised for their age. The book is full of interesting facts relating to the year in which they were born and childhood memories, which is a nice touch to allow that person to indulge in some fond memories, such as the biggest film out in the year in which they were born and how much things were in "those days" (which makes you realise how bloody expensive things are these days!)

My dad is fond of this, he's thinking about buying one for my grandad's birthday in a few weeks, which he will be sure to appreciate. It's something a little different and makes for a lovely, personal gift!

Take a look at their website here to make your own personalised book for your mum this Mother's Day!

Follow them on Twitter at @BookOfEveryone.

Thanks for reading!

Ideal Accomplishments For 2015

(not my photo...obviously, have you seen it?!)

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas with whoever they spent it with (and ate enough to see you into the new year) - I know I did! I'd also like to say a big thanks to everybody who entered my giveaway and continued to promote it through Twitter; the winner has received her prize, which included products from Elf, Lush, The Body Shop, Rimmel and of course Caprilicious Jewellery, who teamed up with me for the giveaway.

In order for me to get back into the blogging game, I've decided to kick start myself off with a typical New Year's resolutions post. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, as the concept of failing within the first week is quite frankly, probable! But I've decided to set myself a few little goals that I'd like to have accomplished by the time we're waiting for 2016 to approach.

1♥ Pass my driving test

2♥ Come to a decision about what I'd like to do after college

3♥ Start earning some money!

4♥ Get decent A level results

5♥ Stop procrastinating!

6♥ Develop a unique/distinctive blogging 'style' of writing

7♥ Blog more!

8♥ See family more often

9♥ Say yes more!

10♥ Be in a happy/content place in my life :)

What are your New Year's resolutions?

Thanks for reading!

Big Fat No! BlanX White Shock Review

I've been searching high and low for a good, reasonably priced teeth whitening treatment for months now so when I saw this in Boots, I couldn't help but pick it up as I was eager to try it. My teeth aren't particularly 'Hollywood white', I wouldn't even say they're white at all; they're verging on yellow, which I absolutely hate! I've cut down on coffee, fizzy drinks and teeth staining food, but I've found that it hasn't made much of a difference. It makes me self conscious to smile! After seeing the BlanX White Shock toothpaste on the shelf in between the other more expensive products, I decided to give this a go as a sort of starter, as I didn't want to spend too much.

Not only do you get a whitening toothpaste, but you also get a blue LED light which you screw onto the end of the tube, which is a sort of accelerator to help whiten your teeth. The light activates when you take the cap off, which you then use by squeezing the toothpaste onto your toothbrush. It's supposed to "multiply the whitening action". The Actilux which is present in the toothpaste formula is meant to remain on your teeth throughout the day, without the substances that can harm your teeth and gums as it doesn't contain peroxide. Not only is it non-abrasive, but you can use it like a normal toothpaste, without worrying about it being harmful to the surface of your teeth.

It claims to brighten your smile by being activated by the natural light present during the day, which means that "the more you smile the whiter your teeth will be". The Actilux naturally helps whiten your teeth by removing bacteria, making them feel clean throughout the day.

Now after using this for two-three weeks, I don't entirely understand the fuss. The tube is only 50ml, therefore I'm nearly out of it already and for £7.50, I don't think I'll be purchasing it again as it hasn't made as much a difference as I'd hoped. The toothpaste doesn't seem to lather up much (which fools me into having to use more!) I also don't like to use it on its own as it doesn't feel like it cleans my teeth as much as a regular toothpaste does. I find the LED light a bit of a gimmick (it doesn't seem to make much of a difference - plus I don't see how a light can whiten your teeth?! I don't know.)

It may work for you, as I've seen positive reviews on this from other people, but for me it's a big fat no! It only seems to work after being applied - it definitely doesn't last all day!

Have you tried this? Let me know what you think.

Also, are there any whitening products that you could recommend that work absolutely amazingly well?! Haha, like the strips you can buy or even another toothpaste (one that I won't end up wasting my money on!)

Leave a comment below; I'd love to know!

Thanks for reading!

Autumn Flowers: Appleyard Luxury Review*

A company based in London called Appleyard Flowers recently contacted me to see if I could write a review about their flower bouquets - I absolutely love flowers, so I jumped at the chance! Flowers can brighten any room, instantly make it smell fresh and lift your mood. I received a colourful bouquet from their new Autumn Flowers, which is out now!

The photographs above show the bouquet sitting in my living room - I received one called 'Rose Envy' which includes a mix of versilia roses, memory lane roses and deep red roses with a few glossy red berries and blue veronica nestled in between. You can order these Luxury Flowers in a variety of sizes (from standard, large to extra large) and you can also add a personal message that'll be included with your bouquet if you were to send them to someone special. There are a variety to choose from on their website, with flowers for any situation; you can shop by occasion, season, colour and price! 

Autumn Flowers

L-R: 'Cosy Cranberry', 'Hot Toddy' & 'Pumpkin Chutney'

They were dispatched very quickly and they arrived with some flower care instructions (which was lucky as I didn't have a clue how to maintain them and keep them fresh!) They also came with a little sachet of 'flower food' which you mix with some water in a vase. As you can see, the autumn bouquets are much darker than the other bouquets on their website - there's more greenery and darker flowers to tie in with the autumn theme; they look absolutely stunning in my living room!

The vase displayed in my photos was the only vase I could find, but I think the bouquet would look even better in a round, clear glass vase so you can keep the arrangement that the florist prepared. My living room is mainly filled with plain colours (nudes and beiges) so these flowers bring plenty of colour to the room and brighten it up.

Luxury Flowers - http://www.appleyardflowers.com/

Flower Care Instructions:

• Remove all packaging and trim the stems by 2-3cm, making a diagonal cut with a sharp knife or secateurs
• Remove any leaves that will be below the waterline
• Remove any discoloured guard petals from roses
• Place flowers in a clean vase filled with fresh cold water mixed with the sachet of flower food provided, following the guidelines on the reverse of the sachet. Do not use metal containers as they neutralise the effects of flower food
• Display the flowers in a cool, light location away from draughts, direct heat, sunshine and fresh fruit
• Keep the vase water topped up as necessary
• To refresh flowers after 2-3 days, remove from the vase and re-cut stems by 1-2cm and replace in fresh cold water in a clean vase

I recommend buying a bunch for your room this season for when the nights start getting darker; it will no doubt bring light into your room and will lift your mood when the winter blues kick in!

Check out Appleyard Luxury Flowers here: 

http://www.appleyardflowers.com/

Next Day Flowers:

www.appleyardflowers.com/next-day-flowers

Autumn Flowers:

http://www.appleyardflowers.com/autumn-flowers

Get a 33% discount with the code: GIFT33

Thanks for reading!

P.S... Christmas is almost here! How is your present shopping going? Don't forget to use your discount code BLOG40 to save 40% on Appleyard London's Christmas Flowers range! Save money this Christmas without compromising on luxury

Filling The Empty Void Of Love

Depressing title, I know. I've decided to do a bit of a personal post today. Some of you reading this will completely understand when I say dogs are part of the family - they aren't just a pet! Having a dog fills you with so much love as they're the only thing that are capable of giving you so much affection and joy when you get home from school or work. They're always happy to see you and they're extremely loyal. Many people who aren't dog lovers don't fully understand the love you have for them and the pain that you go through when they eventually pass away - it's just the same as grieving for a human.

When I was eight, my dad finally caved in and let my mum have a dog - we got a black labrador and called him Bramble. He was the most beautiful dog and everyone who knew him absolutely adored him. My mum used to tie his lead to the fence outside my Primary school whilst she dropped my sister and I off at school and he was stroked and cuddled by most kids and their parents. He was loyal and very obedient - the perfect dog! He was so gentle, he never growled or barked and he knew where he wasn't allowed to go. We could even walk him without bringing a lead, as he was so well behaved.

As my sister and I grew up, Bramble grew with us and he began to get weaker and weaker. He couldn't go for long walks anymore as his shoulders were giving in and his days of exploring were over - he mainly liked to sleep (and snore like crazy!) His greying beard was making him looking like an old man and he spent his days lounging around.

We had him for 10 years, as he died in March of this year. He was drooling heavily and coughing, as though he had something stuck in his throat. When we took him to the vet, we got told he had a chest infection and got given some antibiotics to help him get better.

However, his condition still didn't improve so we took him back to the vet and made sure to say our goodbyes - as a family, we were distraught. The vet told us that he had a tumour in his throat which was the size of a golf ball and that he probably wouldn't last more than a week. We all felt overcome with grief - even the receptionists were crying as they had known and loved him for years. Our neighbours were also devastated - losing a dog is like losing a family member.

The vet supplied us with steroids for him and told us to take him home for now, and that when he began to get worse, we must bring him in straight away to be put to sleep. The steroids kind of gave us false hope, as he seemed like the old Bramble we knew, not the old weak dog that he had become. We honestly thought he would last a few months, but he lasted only a week (just as the vet had predicted.) One night, he suddenly stood still in the kitchen as though he couldn't move. He stomach was a weird, bloated shape as he had filled with fluid and wouldn't eat (which was unlike him; he usually gulped his food down faster than anything!) We knew it was time.

We rang the emergency vets to let them know we were coming and my dad picked him up and placed him in the boot of the car (just like the scene from Marley & Me.) We took the long agonising drive to the vets and my mum and I held him in our arms as he eventually passed away. After months of sadness, we still miss him. Nothing can replace him and it stills brings tears to my eyes when I think about his last few minutes.

After a few months, we started to look into buying another dog, as we felt like we needed to fill that empty void. We knew that we didn't want to get another labrador, as we were afraid it'd remind us too much of Bramble - but we wanted a similar breed. We decided to go for a labradoodle and eventually got him less than two weeks ago. We've named him Dougie and he's so adorable! I sometimes can't help but feel guilty, as I'd give anything to have Bramble back with us - but he's in no way being replaced! I'm sure Bramble would approve and want us to be happy.

Have you ever lost a dog?

Did you eventually decide to get another?

Thanks for reading!

10 Films That Make Me Feel Nostalgic

Hi everyone. I haven't really posted anything in a while; I've got into a habit of just posting once a week this past month as I've struggled for ideas. However, I'm now back with a few ideas up my sleeve. I was actually planning on posting an Outfit Of The Day today, but it really isn't the weather for it - it looks like it's about to chuck it down, plus it's thundering! Anyway, today I thought I would do a lifestyle type post (that doesn't involve my own photos!) There are sooooo many films that I loved when I was younger that bring back so many memories and actually make me feel a bit teary! Nostalgia comes with so many emotions haha! I thought I would do a list of 10 films that I used to love watching when I was younger - you may recognise a few of your favourites too! These aren't in any type of order by the way, just a collection of my faves!

10. Matilda (1996)

9. Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)

8. Finding Nemo (2003)

7. Shrek (2001)

6. Barbie As Rapunzel (2002)

5. Sabrina Goes To Rome (1998)

4. Good Burger (1997)

3. Seeing Double (2003)

2. Mary-Kate & Ashley Films (1992 - 2004)

1. Grease (1978)

Aww, I love these films! Some of them may be cheesy and rubbish haha, but some are classic films that are still popular today. They bring back a lot of memories; some were even made before I was born!

What's the one film that makes you feel nostalgic?

Thanks for reading!

Packing For Summer: Beach Bag

Bag: Primark

Hat: H&M

This week's topic for the "Summer Blogger Challenge" is "Packing For Summer" so I thought I would do a post on what I tend to take to the beach! I love going to the beach; it's so relaxing and it's lovely when it's nice and warm. Going to the beach is quite a laidback thing, so you don't need to bring loads of makeup (or wear it for that matter!) I usually pack a few bits and bobs to make my beach trip a fun and relaxing one.

Water (obviously...)

No way would I go to the beach without packing some water! Being sat in the sun all day can result in dehydration (which is dangerous! You don't want to end up with sunstroke!) I usually bring a few bottles; you can even bring a cooler to make sure your water stays cold all day!

Sunscreen (a must!)

Another necessity that is just plain safe to have! You need to keep topping up your suncream when you're outdoors, especially at noon when the sun is at its highest point! There's nothing worse than spending the rest of your holiday with sore, burnt skin - you're going to wish you'd used it!

Hand Sanitiser (just because...)

This is me being a bit of a germ freak, but if you've been in the sea and touched god-knows-what on the sand (and especially if you're about to eat) it's nice to have clean hands.

Schwarzkopf Texturising Salt Spray (for creating beach waves!)

I love this spray; it gives your hair texture and holds your style. If you've been in the sea, give your hair a spritz with this and scrunch - you'll have some lovely beach waves!

Sunglasses (so you can stop squinting!)

Big sunglasses are essential for the beach; I like the design of these (they're also slightly cat-eye!)

Lip Balm (lips need hydrating!)

I love this strawberry lip balm from The Body Shop as it's super moisturising and it has an amazing scent! It also gives a gorgeous pink/red tint.

Mirror (vain I know!)

My friend got me this personalised mirror for my birthday and I always carry it in my bag. It's great for whipping out if you have something in your eye (like sand!) I always have something in my eye, so a mirror always comes in handy wherever I go.

Phone (and earphones!)

You may not be able to get signal, but you can still use your phone to take snaps of the view and listen to music. During the journey and on the beach, you can listen to some Summer tunes whilst relaxing - perfect!

Kindle (for reading a bit of John Green)

I know that lots of people like to read on the beach when they're sunbathing, as it gives you something to do! Plus it's a bit of entertainment if you're bored.

Bikini (don't forget a towel too!)

If you tan easily (I unfortunately don't) then bringing a bikini is essential so you can make sure every part of your body has access to the sun (well, nearly every part!) I like going in the sea in my bikini, but just don't forget a towel!

Leave your link down below so I can have a look at your post this week!

Thanks for reading!