Degustabox Degusta & Chill Box + Discount Code

Thursday 28 February 2019

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Ooh this month's Degustabox is a good one - with the theme Desgusta & Chill - gotta love that! There is a mix of savoury and sweet snacks, main meal components, drinks and accompaniments. 
This month's drinks include two packs of Appy Kids Co Whole Milk (£1.00 per pack of 3), which is produced using Red Tractor approved milk to enforce excellent standards of farming and preparation. The packaging features characters from Paw Patrol and so is aimed at kids, but I personally love milk, it is one of my favourite drinks and these cute cartons mean I can take it on the go with me. The other drink included is the classic Orangina (£1.30), which I consider to be one of the better fizzy orange drinks as it contains real citrus pulp and isn't overly fizzy, making it a more authentic taste. 
Snack-wise, you will get two packets of the Snaffling Pig Pork Crackling in the flavours Low & Slow BBQ and Perfectly Salted (75p each). I have already eaten these as I love pork scratchings, and I can confirm that they are not overly fatty or greasy, and have the most delicious flavourings. One of my favourite products this month is the Bebeto Watermelon Jelly Gums, of which you get two packets (50p each) as I love anything watermelon and these have a sweet and slightly sour taste to them. You will also receive two packets from the brand Choc Chick including the Quinoa Pops and Plantain Bites (£1.85 each). These are vegan treats which combine the wholegrain goodness of quinoa and the tropical deliciousness of plantain with the finest Ecuadorian single origin organic cacao. They are dairy and gluten free and contain 50% less sugar than your average chocolates, making them a great guilt-free snack.
To create a quick and easy pasta dish, Degustabox have included a jar of the Sacla Reduced Fat Basil Pesto (£2.50), which has 30% less fat than classic pesto and no added sugar or salt. Personally, Pesto isn't my thing so I can't give you a taste test on this, but I know a lot of people love it and this will be a much healthier way of enjoying it. You then receive the Explore Cuisine Organic Chickpea Fusilli (£3.00) which is pasta made from plant-based protein and fibre which is quick and easy to prepare with whichever sauce takes your fancy. If you prefer organic, vegan and gluten-free products, you are going to love this. 
One of the most interesting products in this month's box is the Clearspring Organic Seaveg Crispies Turmeric Multi-Pack (£2.59). They are a light, toasted nori sea vegetable snack, made with just four ingredients and are gluten free, vegan, high in fibre and contain only 18 calories a bag. You also receive two packs of the Deli Kitchen Folded Brioche Flatbreads (£1.25 each), and after reading the enclosed card it does say that these should have been put in the fridge or freezer, but normally Degustabox do mark clearly on the box about this so unfortunately I didn't open the box quick enough. However, they are brioche flatbreads which are a good alternative to regular sandwiches and are perfect for burgers or griddled steaks etc.
This month's box is worth £20.09p, however you can get it for £12.99 including postage online at Degustabox. However, if you use the code PW0S0, you will receive £5 off.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*This post contains products which were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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February Favourites 2019

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How is it February already? There have been so many great beauty releases this month and I have also been re-discovering old favourites, so here is a round-up of some of my February favourites. On another note, I am pretty happy February is over because March is my birthday month! Hurrah!
Starting with nails, I adore the Nails Inc Kiss My Peach Nail Polish Duo (£15.00), which comes in adorable fuzzy peach packaging with two full sized polishes. You get Peach Tease which is the lighter peach shade and the perfect Spring colour, and Hot Fuzz, a brighter orange shade, which I can so see me wearing on my toes soon! (I just want it to be flip flop weather already).
For the last few months I haven't really been wearing false lashes as I have been so ill that brushing my hair was a priority haha. However, I have been loving the Kiss Looks So Natural False Lashes in the style Flirty* (£5.99). They have tapered ends which means they look a lot more natural and they had fullness, length and volume to my own natural lashes. They are such good value and I always get plenty of wears out of the Kiss Lashes.
Wet n Wild are now available in the UK - massive Hurrah! I have known and used the brand for years through my trips to the States, but over here I picked up the Wet n Wild ColorIcon Baked Blush in the shade Hummingbird Hype. I ordered it through Beauty Bay but it looks like it is out of stock at the moment. Wet n Wild's products are so full of pigment and this probably cost less than £5. It has an adorable hummingbird within the powder and the shade is so beautiful - an iridescent peach pink.
Sticking with makeup, and I picked up the Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in Pale Yellow from QVC. I tend to get quite a few of my Bobbi Brown products from there because they have such good deals. The Powder is regularly £30 through BB, and the Face Blender Brush is normally £33, however through QVC I got them both for £33 plus P&P. Insane! I opted for the lightest shade, Pale Yellow as I am quite fair but it definitely isn't 'yellow' on the skin and you get a good-sized pan with a mirror on the inside of the palette. The brush picks up the product really well and definitely gives good coverage.
To set my makeup I have been using the Maybelline Super Stay Setting Spray (£6.99). I normally tend to use MAC Fix Plus more often than not when it comes to setting sprays as I know that works for me, but I always like to try cheaper alternatives and I have reached for this quite a lot this month. I did read reviews which said people had problems with the formula, but I shake it every time I use it and I had no problem whatsoever. It is super refreshing on the skin and for the price, you really cannot go wrong.
In a recent PR package, I received the Hempz Blueberry Lavender & Chamomile Herbal Body Moisturiser* in a travel size to try and I have nearly finished the bottle. I love lavender-scented anything, and along with the chamomile, this has such a relaxing fragrance to it. I have been using this on an evening after a bath and it has really kept my skin well-moisturised as well as smelling divine! 
Okay, so that's it for this month. Obviously, I have been loving other products too, but if I have done a full post on a product, I don't like to include it twice as you guys already know I like it. I hope you have an amazing March and thank you all so much for stopping by Kathryn's Loves.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*This post contains products which have been gifted to me, which are asterisked, but all views are my own


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Jeffree Star x Morphe Makeup Brush Collection Review

Wednesday 27 February 2019

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I have been obsessed with watching Jeffree Star's You Tube channel recently, I love how refreshingly honest he is and one brand which I noticed he has been using for years is Morphe. February saw the release of the first ever Jeffree Star x Morphe Collaboration and I just knew I needed it in my life!
The collaboration includes a Brush Collection and a Beauty Sponge Trio. Starting with the Brush Collection, it came in cute hot pink packaging, with Jeffree's eyes on the front and includes seven custom eye and face brushes which are housed in a pink and holographic zip-up makeup case. The brush collection consists of both synthetic and natural brushes and the handle design is very Jeffree - they are spiky and metallic pink and have the Morphe x Jeffree Star logo on each one along with the brush number.
The brushes you receive are;
* JS1 Size Queen Brush (Synthetic) - A rounded, large head which blends, buffs and covers with foundation perfectly. This brush is super soft and has a domed head.
* JS2 Point-Blank Precision Brush (Synthetic) - This powder brush has long bristles to fit every contour of the face and is great for all-over setting.
* JS3 Iconic Contour Brush (Synthetic) - This contour brush has small, dense bristles making it super easy to perfect your contour, whether you are using powder, cream or liquid products.
* JS4 Fly High Brush (Natural) - You know Jeffree had to include a highlighter brush! This is a natural-bristled brush which applies both liquid and powder highlighter super prettily. 
* JS5 Crease Kween Brush (Natural) - For eyeshadow, this brush contains longer bristles so you can reach your crease and blend out to perfection.
* JS6 Rule Blender Brush (Natural) - This eyeshadow brush has bristles of varying lengths so you can work it for chiseled eye looks, packing on glittery shadows and much more.
* JS7 Double Trouble Brush (Synthetic) - This double-ended brush has a brow spoolie at one end and an angled bristle side to apply brow products with. 
I am really happy with this set, as you get a brush to cover pretty much every makeup need and even though I bought this in a set, the brushes are available individually. 
When it comes to beauty sponges, I must admit I have always been very loyal to beauty blender, but I thought I should push myself out of my beauty sponge comfort zone and try the Morphe ones. The Jeffree Star x Morphe Beauty Sponge Trio, believe it or not, contains three beauty sponges - one large and two small and are of course pink.
The Highlight & Contour Beauty Sponge contains a chiselled edge which is great for contouring, highlighting and baking and at first, to me, it felt a little dense, but once I soaked it in a little water it definitely softened up. I haven't yet tried it for highlighting and contouring but for applying my liquid foundation it worked really well and there was certainly no streaks or patches. 
Onto the other two mini sponges and these are a little softer to touch and are perfect for concealing around the eyes, as they two have that chiselled edge like the larger sponge. I love applying liquid highlighter with these two as it works much better than using a brush. 

In comparison with other brush collaborations and brand makeup brushes, I think the price point for the Morphe x Jeffree Star collection really is great. The Brush Collection costs £48 (for the seven brushes and makeup bag) and the Sponge Trio costs £16. As mentioned, the brushes are available individually but unfortunately the entire collaboration is currently sold out online but be sure to sign up with Morphe online here to be kept updated as to when they are going to restock.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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MAC Boom Boom Bloom Collection Review + Swatches

Tuesday 26 February 2019

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New MAC collections are always super exciting and greatly coveted. As a girly-girl, the new Boom Boom Bloom collection was a must-have for me. The packaging is so pretty with its pink blooms and blossoms and the products themselves are even prettier. Here are a few things I picked up from the collection…

My favourite setting spray is the MAC Fix+ and as I was running low on my current one, I opted for the Boom Boom Bloom Prep & Prime Fix+ (£19.00) as I was going to need a new one anyway so I thought I may as well get the one with the pretty packaging. The container it comes in has an iridescent cap and petals trailing down the bottle and is super Instagrammable. This version has a delicate cherry blossom scent to it and all the benefits of the regular Fix+ such as soothing and refreshing the skin, setting and prolonging the wear of makeup by up to 12 hours and this is definitely my holy grail, go-to setting spray as it keeps my makeup in place all day long. The Fix+ can be used in many different ways, including a skincare treatment after cleansing and before applying moisturiser, it can be reapplied throughout the day to rehydrate the skin, it can be sprayed onto the skin before makeup to give it a dewy look, or it can be sprayed after makeup to let your foundation settle into your skin beautifully.

My favourite product from the collection is the High-Light Powder (£25.50), which is available in two different shades, of which I opted for Fleur Real. This is one of the most beautiful makeup products I have seen so far this year and comes in the same iridescent and cherry blossom packaging as the Fix+. When you open up the compact, there is an ombre-effect powder, which has just the right amount of shimmer and has a unique cherry blossom design embossed into it. Because I am fair-skinned, this suits me perfectly and it adds a sheer veil of colour to my skin, giving a beautiful luminous glow. This shimmer can be worn as lightly as you want, and if you require a more intense look, it is totally buildable and so you can custom create your own shade. I like to use this as a blush, but due to the shimmer it does also give a delicate highlight look too.

Of course, MAC have released brand new lipstick shades within this collection, and the Boom Boom Bloom collection has five shades which reflect the pinks and corals of this Sakura-inspired design. I found it difficult to choose between the pink and berry shades but decided upon Hey, Kiss Me! (£17.50). This is a pastel pink shade and the formula is the Cremesheen formula, which gives a creamy semi-glossy finish, but some of the other shades are available in the Matte formula. I think that this pretty pink hue would definitely suit most skin tones and it looks really flattering on my fair skin. Again, the packaging features that limited-edition Sakura print and as a MAC lipstick collector, I think this is definitely one of my all-time favourite packaging so far.

You can find the MAC Boom Boom Bloom collection online at MAC.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx


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Orbis Hill Stainless Steel Straws

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You may have recently noticed that more and more food and drink establishments are getting rid of plastic straws and using paper straws. The UK alone gets through 8.5 billion single-use plastic straws a year and we need to start reducing the amount of plastic we use. Therefore there has been an influx in the production of stainless steel straws which are reusable and I was recently very kindly sent this set from Orbis Hill to try.
The Orbis Hill Stainless Straw set contains 6 stainless steel straws, 6 silicon tips so that you can take them out and about with you, a protective travel pouch and two cleaning brushes. The kit comes with three straight straws and three curved straws and the cleaning brush idea is genius as when I use plastic drink cups which come with plastic reusable straws, they clog up so quickly and easily.
The straws look super sleek and stylish and will definitely jazz up any drink, whilst helping you to reduce your plastic footprint. Even their packaging is 100% recycled paper and contains zero plastic, which presents just how great the brand are and how dedicated they are to avoiding plastic. 
For just £6.99 you can get this set of six stainless steel straws and the accessories that come with it, which I think is incredible value considering the price of paper straws which start disintegrating slightly once you take a sip through one of them. The Orbis Hill Stainless Steel Straws are going to last you forever and are such a great investment.

You can find them online at Amazon.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*This post contains items that were gifted to me, but all views are my own
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Maybelline Lemonade Craze Eyeshadow Palette Review

Monday 25 February 2019

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I haven't bought a Maybelline Eyeshadow Palette for a really long time, in fact I can't quite remember when it was. However, when I was recently browsing online I spotted the Maybelline Lemonade Craze Eyeshadow Palette and I really loved the shades included, so I of course picked it up whilst there was a 3 for 2 promotion running.
The palette consists of eight matte shadows and four shimmery shadows, so you get twelve shadows in total. There is a mixture of creams, nudes, browns, pinks, yellows and peaches and the colours really are stunning. Some are really different to each other, but somehow they still work really well together. 

Maybelline have made this an easy palette to use, as you have a pink nude shade called Berry Ice and then what seems like a shimmer version called Strawberry Lemonade, so you could go ahead and use Berry Ice as a base and then Strawberry Lemonade over the top. It is the same with Sherbet (matte) and Citrus (Shimmer) and then Sunnies (matte) and Main Squeeze (shimmer). So whether you are an eyeshadow pro or new to this game, then Maybelline have done all the hard work for you.
I like how they have kept this palette fairly nude, but then included those bright pops of Lemonade Craze, Coral Punch and Icepop to really mix things up. The variety of shades are going to enable you to take this palette through all seasons, with Old Fashioned and Sweet Tea being perfect for Autumn and Winter, and Coral Punch and Lemonade Craze giving you some brightness for Summer.

The pigment of the shadows is definitely not drugstore, and you only need a small amount of product to get the designated colour. My only negative with this palette is the way the pans are inset as the there is nowhere for any excess product to go and therefore they do tend to get a little mixed up with each other. 
The Maybelline Lemonade Craze Eyeshadow Palette costs £14.98 at Feel Unique.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Morphe Fluidity Foundation & Concealer Review

Sunday 24 February 2019

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A brand which I have really been getting into recently is Morphe, and so I really wanted to try out their new Fluidity Foundation & Concealer. Here is how I got on...
The Morphe Fluidity Foundation comes in a whopping sixty shades, which is incredible and so I thought I would be safe with choosing the lightest shade F1.100 as I have quite fair skin, but by no means the lightest skin around. For the Morphe Fluidity Concealer there are 31 shades available, and I opted for the third lightest C1.35 as this looked quite light on the website. However, F1.100 is by no means the lightest foundation I have come across, and I would definitely say it is a more warmer, ivory shade and next to the concealer it looks super dark in comparison. 

The Concealer in shade C1.35 is definitely a light shade and works great for lightning areas of the face. It comes in a plastic tube with a twist-off lid and a sponge applicator which makes application around the eyes nice and easy. The formula is super creamy and gives a full coverage, blending easily into the skin to give a natural but well-covered finish. Morphe state that the concealer is supposed to give 16-hour wear, however I have never left my makeup on that long, but it definitely lasts throughout the day without budging or transferring. The shade suits my skin perfectly, which I could have done with for the foundation, and then I would normally go slightly lighter for my concealer. Unfortunately that is the one downside to online shopping and I don't have a Morphe store anywhere near where I live so I had to take a chance.
On to the foundation, and as mentioned, if you have pale skin, I don't think you will find a foundation to match your skin-tone unfortunately which I feel a little disappointed about seen as there are sixty shades. But, F1.100 is the lightest they have at the moment and it is such a shame because the formula is incredible. This foundation hides all your blemishes, is creamy and super blendable and gives an ultra-full coverage. I applied this in the morning (by adding some whitening drops) and it stayed in place all day long, giving a soft matte look to the skin - it is worth noting that this foundation is suitable for all skin types and I had no irritation whatsoever from it. Morphe claim this has 24 hour wear, so even longer than the concealer, but again I don't keep my makeup on that long so I can't say whether this is true or not. 
Price-wise, they are just slightly higher than drugstore, with the Foundation coming in at £16 and the Concealer costing £9. Both products are definitely worth the price, I just wish the 'lightest' shades were a little lighter. 

You can find the Fluidity range online at Morphe.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte Foundation Review

Saturday 23 February 2019

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I have been a fan of the original IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ for at least a couple of years now, and the amount of compliments I get when I am wearing either that one or the Illumination CC+ makes me feel so good, because my skin is something I have never really felt very confident about. The most recent addition to the CC+ family is the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte Foundation and so I have recently been trying it out.
The Matte CC+ Cream is available in 12 shades, which may not seem a lot, but when you are wearing a CC cream rather than a foundation, you have a little more room to play with when it comes to the colour. During Autumn and Winter I tend to wear Fair, but then come Spring and Summer when I have a little more colouring I lean more towards Light as that is warmer toned. 

So, what's different here? This is an oil-free version which gives a natural-looking matte finish to the skin whilst also reducing the appearance of large pores. The CC cream has been formulated using charcoal, tea tree extract, colloidal clay and Moroccan lava clay along with an anti-ageing serum, and so this isn't 'just makeup', this product contains ingredients which are going to take care of your skin at the same time. When we take care of our skin, it gives a much smoother base for makeup application. 
As with all of the IT Cosmetics CC Creams, the Matte version also has SPF 40 UVA/UVB, so it is going to protect your face whilst you are out and about in the sun. So many people don't realise that even when it isn't a sunny day, harmful rays can still get through to the skin causing everlasting damage. But, IT Cosmetics have our backs!

Coverage-wise, it is the same as the others, so you are getting that amazing full coverage look without the heaviness of a thick foundation from just one or two pumps of the cream. Even though this is a mattifying product, it is still very creamy and so it isn't going to dry your skin out, but is still going to keep the oil at bay, to ensure your makeup is looking fresh all day long.
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte Cream costs £31.00 and is available online at IT Cosmetics.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*This post contains an item which was gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Simple Daily Skin Detox Review

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Ooh I love a new skincare collection release! Simple have recently brought out their Daily Skin Detox range, which includes six brand new products for blemish-prone, oily skin. Here are some which I recently picked up...
Now I generally have dry skin this time of year, but I still get a bit of an oily T-Zone and quite congested pores on my cheek area so I wanted to give these a go. I picked up the Simple Daily Skin Detox Cleansing Stick (£9.99) as it looks so quick and easy to use. The Cleansing Stick is made with natural bamboo charcoal to help draw out dirt, oil and impurities. It contains a blend of thyme, zinc, witch hazel and bamboo charcoal to detoxify the skin and help prevent blemishes. I love how simple it is to use making it an easy addition to your daily skincare routine. You simply rub the stick over damp skin in circular motions and then massage with your fingertips to create a lather and then rinse and you're ready to go. I noticed within about three days that my T-Zone was definitely less oily and therefore my makeup stayed on longer throughout the day. 
I love how face scrubs make my skin feel extra clean, and so I also tried out the Simple Daily Skin Detox Clear Pore Scrub (£4.99). As I mentioned, I do suffer from quite large pores on my cheeks which get congested really easily and so by using this scrub just 2-3 times a wee, the blend of thyme, zinc and witch hazel manages to cleanse deep down to help eliminate pore-clogging dirt, oil and makeup, leaving my skin looking and feeling clearer. I do have a little bit of sensitivity on my cheeks, but I didn't suffer from any kind of irritation when using this. I personally noticed that my pores were much clearer within just 2 uses of this scrub, and it has definitely been a product which has remained on my wooden bath tray.
Finally I chose the Simple Daily Skin Detox SOS Clearing Booster (£5.99), which is an instant skin purifier. This can be used as a primer as it helps to reduce the overproduction of oil and sebum throughout the day to keep shine at bay. However, if you also suffer from blemishes, this can also be used as a spot cream to help reduce any redness and soothe any irritation you may be suffering from. As I don't have spots really anymore, I have been using a small amount of this before applying my regular moisturiser as even though I need to stop the oil, I also need to keep the rest of my skin hydrated. Even if you have oily skin, you should always use a moisturiser that is correct for your skin type.
The Simple Daily Skin Detox is excellent value, making it affordable to include in your daily skincare routine. I purchased these when they were on offer at Boots for 3 for 2, making them even cheaper, so if you are wanting to try these out I would recommend shopping about to find a good deal. You can find these products and the rest of the collection in store and online at Boots.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Candy Japan Subscription Box

Friday 22 February 2019

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I have always been a snacker rather than someone who eats large meals, and snack subscription boxes are always great for trying out new snacks. I don't even have a preference over savoury or sweet, I just adore eating little and often. I recently received a subscription box from Candy Japan, whose subscription delivers two boxes a month direct to your door, so there is no having to wait a full month before your next box.
Each Candy Japan box contains around 3-5 items inside, and snacks will include Japanese sweets, DIY kits, savoury snacks and seasonal chocolates. Every box is different, so there will always be something new to try out. The candy items can include chewy candy, hard candy and gummies in flavours such as Ramune Lemonade, Rose, Green Tea and Japanese Plum. Some candies will change their flavour when mixed, or have mystery flavours, so it is kind of a game when you try them out as you never know what you're going to get. 

During the Winter months, Candy Japan send out chocolates from brands such as Dars (they don't send chocolate in the warmer months due to it melting in transit), and flavours include Green Tea, Wasabi and even chocolate-covered gummies. I haven't received one of the DIY kits in this box, but they sound super fun and come with easy step-by-step instructions. For savoury lovers, you will receive items such as Senbei Crackers, Seaweed Potato Chips, Okinawa Biscuits and Baked Sweet Potato snacks. There is an endless amount of candy and snacks to try.

My box arrived with a cute Japanese illustration on the box, and it fit through my letterbox perfectly so I didn't need to go collect it from the Post Office. Inside there was a little welcome card from Candy Japan and then five items to try. My only slight criticism of this box is that a card or sheet of paper advising in English what each product is would be super useful, especially if you have an allergy. 
Firstly I tried the potato chips and by looking at the packaging I thought they looked a little like buttery jacket potatoes. However, upon trying them they definitely tasted like sweet potato, and the texture was more like a Quaver or Snaps, rather than regular crisps.

Next I tried the Morinaga Fruit Bites which had apples on the front so I knew these were going to taste of apple. They are little bites which are quite crunchy and covered in what seems to be yoghurt and the apple flavour is spot on with these. A delicious sweet treat. 
I found the Meito fish a little strange. On the front it looks like a chocolate biscuit, but when you open it up it is a black wafer with a chocolate bubbly centre and whilst the wafer wasn't my favourite, the chocolate was yummy.

The little speed train was a super cute addition to the box and inside little crunchy chocolate balls. I expected them to have wafer or something inside, but they had a light chocolate taste to them and were definitely enjoyable as I love chocolate. 
The last treat in this box was Plum Chewing Candy, which at first I thought was chewing gum when I popped it into my mouth, but it quickly dissolves. I love the taste of these, the plum was really tasty and refreshing.

Candy Japan costs $29 a month, which today works out about £22 and that gives you two boxes per month including shipping from Japan. You can subscribe to Candy Japan online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*This post contains products which were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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ASOS Design Jewellery Mini Haul

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I haven't bought any fashion jewellery for ages, and so whilst browsing ASOS recently I decided to look at the jewellery section. They have a wide variety of brands, including designer, but I wanted something much cheaper and noticed that the ASOS Design collection had some interesting pieces.
The first item I picked up was the ASOS Design Cut Out Metal Hair Clip (£5.00). I don't have very long or thick hair and so sometimes the big chunky plastic clips are too much for me, but I loved the gold metal detailing of this one and thought it would look a little smarter. Now, my only quip with the ASOS Design accessories line is that none of the items came branded or even with a card or label saying ASOS which makes gifting them slightly impossible and them looking like you just swiped them from your own collection.
Next up is my favourite piece, the ASOS Design Bracelet in Vintage Style (£5.00), and they did have quite a lot of this kind of style. It reminded me of when I was about 16-18 and those big chunky figaro, belcher etc chains were all the rage which I LOVED at the time. It isn't going to be to everyone's taste but I really like this bracelet and at £5 you really cannot go wrong for a piece of fashion jewellery. However, I have quite small wrists and even with the safety chain, this fitted just right so I would check the sizing before ordering.
ASOS Design have some really interesting pieces and one of the more demure items I got were the ASOS Design Stud Earrings with Tiny Crystal Drop (£3.00) which were in the sale. These did come on a card, however unbranded, but I think the size is perfect for a pretty drop earring and the style is quite classic. They're comfortable to wear and don't weigh down heavily on my ears and I would definitely look at ordering more pieces from ASOS Design in the future.
You can find ASOS Design accessories online at ASOS.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Ink Drops Stationery Subscription Box

Thursday 21 February 2019

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Alongside beauty and football, a passion of mine is stationery. I have way more than I could ever possibly use, and yet I still can't stop myself from adding to my collection. Yes, collection - I consider myself a stationery collector and ever since I was about 4 years old I have bought a pen or pencil from wherever I have visited. My Nanna once brought me a pen or pencil from every state in America when she did a tour of the country back when I was 8 or 9. So, when I discovered Ink Drops, a stationery subscription box, I was excited to try it out.
Ink Drops was created by Annastasia Ward and Carla Watkins through their love of stationery and as a company they curate and deliver gorgeous parcels of stationery straight to your door. Ink Drops have been distributing boxes since 2012 and so they know how to make their customers happy. 

Subscription costs £15.00 per month, which includes postage and packaging, and each month you receive a variety of products based around stationery. I was very kindly sent the February box, which was very well wrapped and came with an introductory letter to tell you a bit about what you are receiving this month. 
In the February Ink Drops box, the main item is the 'I'm Not Messy, I'm Creatively Organised A4 Clipboard. I adore the brightly coloured illustrations and the rose gold accents. For me personally, I will be able to keep my blog planner sheets on here so it will be super easy for me to keep track of what post goes live when.
There are two cards within this month's box, and I think it is really thoughtful of Ink Drops not to include a specific occasion, with both the cards being blank for your own messages. The laser-cut bird card is so adorable and has been made by a company called Alljoy Design Ltd and is of the highest quality. The You Are My Sunshine card has been created by Matthew Taylor Wilson and I am sure this is certainly going to brighten up someone's day. You would easily pay £4.00-5.00 for this card as it has been made using such thick, high quality card.
The final two treats in the February box are an Ampersand magnet, which has a real vintage vibe to it and a floral background, and some Blanca Gomez Washi Tape The Washi Tape has the sweetest pattern full of succulents and plants and will be sure to jazz up your planner, diary, cards or gifts. 

Ink Drops also offer a gift subscription, for the same amount of £15.00 including postage and packaging, so if you know someone who loves stationery, why not cheer them up with this gorgeous subscription box. You can find Ink Drops online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

* This post contains items which were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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