Payday Treat: Tea & Tonic Bright Awakening Halen Môn Body Scrub review

Treat yourself to a gorgeous luxury body scrub from the esteemed British wellness brand, Tea & Tonic, and enjoy an awakening pampering experience in the comfort of your own home.

If you love your natural wellness brands, you'll no doubt already be firmly acquainted with Tea & Tonic. Based in the famous Surrey Hills in England, Tea & Tonic create their fresh luxury skincare in the grounds of Losely House, a converted barn house situated amongst beautiful walled gardens, wildlife, and nearby streams. It really doesn't get more British than that does it?!

They are a brand who have been on my radar for quite some time and I was delighted to have the opportunity recently to try out one of their award-winning bestsellers; the Bright Awakening Halen Môn Body Scrub.

Housed in a luxurious glass jar, Tea & Tonic's 100% natural and cruelty-free Bright Awakening Halen Môn Body Scrub has many beauty fans, especially after it was chosen by The Independent as one of its best Indy Buys for 2021. Primarily a salt-based scrub featuring the famed Halen Môn Salt (an extremely mineral and antioxidant-rich salt that is pure charcoal-filtered and hand-harvested from the Queen's coastline along Angelsey), this body treatment delivers a spa-like experience like no other. 

The salt is infused with the brand's invigorating Bright Awakening tonic, which contains an abundance of carefully chosen essential oils and wellness extracts. These include Lavender, Gotu Kola, White, Red & Siberian Ginseng, Holy Basil, Red Clover, Sweet Violet, Rosemary, Cypress, Bergamot, Yarrow, Marigold, and Schisandra Berry, to name but a few. In addition, sustainably sourced Beeswax and plant-based oils such as Hemp and Safflower are included for their rich, moisturising benefits for the skin. 

The scent of Tea & Tonic's Bright Awakening Halen Môn Body Scrub is like no other. It's intensely fresh, uplifting, calming, soothing and of course, awakening, and is best enjoyed at the start of the day to really invigorate the senses. A must-try!

I was also treated to a sample set of Tea & Tonic's Wellness Teas and these are highly recommended, so if you're placing an online order, do add them to your basket. My personal favourites are the Golden Milk for a sleepy bedtime drink, Ginger Turmeric for when you're feeling run-down and in need of an energy boost, and White Mint as an everyday tonic to de-stress and support a healthy immune system.

Shop the full range at teaandtonic.co.uk

What are your favourite natural wellness brands?

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Savvy Lifestyle: 3 Ways to Express Your Creativity Without Overspending

 

When you’re trying to save money, it’s usually the things you enjoy that you cut back on first. This means stifling your creativity. However, it is possible to save money and still do some of the things that make you the person you are. Here’s how.

Printing costs

Whether you like printing photos, your written work, or anything else which expresses your creative side, the printing costs can add up. You can lower these by choosing PrinterInks for your replacement toners and cartridges. They have canon ink cartridges and toners, as well as other major brands, all at affordable prices. It could cost you less for your personal and professional printing. There’s free delivery too, so the price you see is the price you pay.

Looking for beauty bargains

If you prefer being creative in the way you look, you don’t need to stop using the make-up or beauty items that you use to create your different looks. Just look for bargains on those items, or anything similar. The benefit of doing this is, that you might find products you like even more than those you use regularly.

Fashion

Fashion can also be a form of expressing creativity and personality, and is another thing you don’t have to cut back on. You can reduce how much you spend by shopping out of season. This often means the outfits you buy will be in the sale, and if you’re not bothered about wearing the latest fashions, it’s a great way to save money on clothes you love wearing.

You can also look around charity shops. Many people find bargains in these shops, and sometimes you’ll find branded clothes at a fraction of the price. If you don’t have many charity shops nearby, you can always use an app dedicated to buying and selling second-hand clothing, or websites like eBay.

Look at ways to make money from your interests

Many creative people make money from their interests, so it may be possible to do something similar. This way, your creativity will pay for itself and might even extend to paying the bills. For example, if you love pampering yourself or trying out a new look with the latest make-up ranges, you could start a blog, or a vlog if you’re confident being on camera. This is a visual subject, and people prefer to see the results of the products you recommend to them.

Alternatively, a creative interest like photography can earn you money if you sell your photographs to one of the many websites set up for photographers to do this. Your images must be high quality, and it helps if you capture something from a unique angle, or get a shot of something which few others have captured.

So, it’s not only possible to keep pursuing your creative interests without overspending, but you can also make money from them. You might not want to risk losing the enjoyment by turning it into a full-time job, but it could provide a successful side income.

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The Weekend Post: Immersing Your Teen in History - Why You Should Visit Auschwitz

 

While Auschwitz may not be suitable for younger children, teenagers are able to visit this notorious and poignant place, especially if they behave and act in a mature manner. You might want to consider why Auschwitz could be an interesting venture for them. This could help with their development and understanding of the world, as well as their schooling and education. It could be a good idea to ask your teen if they want to visit as, while the camp may not be used, it can still be rather daunting and bring a lot of emotions to the surface.

Use a tour guide

It is possible to visit Auschwitz on your own. This means that you could traverse the area unaccompanied, and find your own way there and back from wherever you are staying. However, this might mean that you miss out on some key information. Instead, you might want to consider an Auschwitz tour from Krakow which may not only include a coach, or other transport but also allow you to follow a tour guide. A number of the tours each day may be given in English, meaning you can listen and understand without the need for a translator.

Help with schoolwork

Many children and teenagers learn about World War II as part of their history curriculum. In some schools, the time period of 1939 to 1945 may be featured within GCSE material, or even at A level standard. Your teen may, therefore, gain a better understanding of the subject by visiting one of the most notorious locations themselves. Although their teacher may have a lot of information, it can sometimes be a good idea to take the learning outside the classroom. Not only could this allow them to gain access to information that might not be featured in the curriculum, but it could also help them to better understand some of the aspects they have already learned.

Be grateful for what they have

While your teen may be rather well behaved and respectful, there may be times they feel like their life, or your rules, simply isn’t fair. Visiting Auschwitz can be interesting in the sense that it could show them what an unfair life really looks like. While some young people were put to hard, manual labour with little respite and even less food, others were murdered in the gas chambers and separated from their loved ones. Notoriously, 15-year-old Anne Frank and her family were taken to Auschwitz after they were discovered. Anne and her sister were moved a mere month later and died in a separate camp. While her mother died in Auschwitz, her father was the only survivor of the family. Looking at it this way, your teen may quickly understand that they have a lot to be grateful for in comparison to how this teenager’s life ended.

A visit to Auschwitz can be an educational and humbling experience. You may want to discuss what you saw, learned, and even how you felt, with your teen after your visit.

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Summer Skincare: Soul Tree Everyday Radiance Gift Set review

 

Following on from my feature on the Ayurvedic natural skincare brand, Soul Tree (check out that post here if you missed it!), I'm delighted to explore more from the range with this exciting Everyday Radiance Gift Set. Perfect for summer!

Summer is a great time to take the opportunity to look after your skin more. Not only are we more conscious of ourselves during the warmer months with all of those holiday photos and selfies popping up on social media, but those sunnier days make us feel like the days are longer and we have more time to enjoy our skincare routines.

Soul Tree's Radiance Gift Set is an interesting one as it comprises of a mini Radiance Face Oil and a beautiful Kansa Facial Massager tool, all packed up in a reusable cotton drawstring pouch.

Kansa Facial Massager

If you're really into your anti-ageing skincare routines, a high-quality facial massager is an absolute must-have in your daily kit. Most of my massaging tools are either electrical or are Gu Sha orientated (made of either solid Rose Quartz or Jade stone) so I was intrigued to try out this Kansa Facial Massager. 

Crafted from solid cherrywood and engraved with the Soul Tree logo on one end, this massager features a large metal circular ball end which is made from a combination of tin and copper to encourage healthy blood flow/circulation, remove toxins and boost collagen production. 

I found it incredibly easy to use; first I started with a clean face and applied a couple of drops of the Radiance Facial Oil (reviewed below), lightly patting it into the skin. I started by placing the massager in the middle of my forehead and moving it in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. Next, I used the massager from the jawline up to the ear in long sweeping motions and repeated this on the other side. It's also useful for helping to decrease puffiness and dark circles by drawing a figure of eight around the eyes with the massager. 

The metal feels wonderfully cooling on the skin, and it's pretty quick and easy to do!

Radiance Face Oil

Created to a strictly 100% certified natural Ayurvedic formulation, the Radiance Face Oil utilises key ingredients such as Saffron and Turmeric, both known for their brightening, hydrating, and regenerating properties. These are infused in a skin-loving blend of Almond, Jojoba and Apricot Oils which help to increase the elasticity of the skin, whilst reducing pigmentation and keeping it healthy and supple.

I love this face oil as it sinks into the skin and delivers a noticeable brightening effect which is ideal for those who struggle with dull or lacklustre complexions. If you need a radiance boost, this is the kit for you.

Soul Tree Everyday Radiance Gift Set* (£44.99, link)

Do you love facial massages?

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Health & Lifestyle: The Fine Bedding Co - De-Stress Biocrystal Bedding for a Better Night's Sleep - One Month Trial Review

 

Searching for a new solution to help you to get that good night's sleep that you desperately need? Why not try the De-Stress Biocrystal range from The Fine Bedding Co?

Insomnia has plagued my life since I was about 11 or 12 years old. I've always been a poor sleeper and have found that it's unfortunately gotten worse the older that I get due to the stresses and worries of modern-day life. This perhaps explains why I'm willing to try literally anything to get a good night's sleep! 

In addition to a consistent sleep hygiene routine, I've had some good successes with a number of different products and techniques; from taking specialist supplements, using natural aromatherapy products, to interviewing wellbeing experts for their best-ever sleep tips. 

However, trying out bedding that has been designed to help you de-stress, is a first for me and as I'm always keen to try something new, I couldn't wait to try out these two products from The Fine Bedding Co.

What is the De-Stress Biocrystal range?

This specialist sleep range combines 16 different crystals to bring about an innovation of nature, science, and technology to help promote good quality sleep. A mixture of crystal powder is immersed into the actual fabric of this bedding via the geometric printed pattern that you can see above - how cool is that?! 

These sleep crystals are carefully chosen for their unique benefits to calm your heartbeat, slow down rapid breathing, relax muscle tensions and reduce stress, thus helping you to get a good night's sleep. 

Does it work with my usual bedding?

Yes. Radiating up to a distance of 50cm, the patented Biocrystal technology works through bedding so there's no need to purchase anything else.

Do Crystals Work?

It's not an area that has had much scientific evidence backing it, however, The Fine Bedding Co report the following stats on their website which will be of interest to any prospective customers:-

• 45% of users experienced decreased pain
• 53% reported better body circulation
• 76% of users had an overall improved night’s sleep

I tested out the De-Stress Biocrystal Sustainable Cotton Pillow* (£35) and the De-Stress Biocrystal Sustainable Mattress Protector* (double size, £77.50) over the course of a month to note down my findings. First up, the high quality of both of these items is fantastic. The materials used are luxurious and the cotton is sustainably sourced, so if you're simply looking for a new pillow and a mattress protector, I would recommend them purely based on that aspect alone.

My Thoughts

I opted for the double-sized Mattress Protector which fitted perfectly and has a lovely, softly padded protective layer. The matching Pillow utilises the same materials with plump Smartfil Microfibres and a soft cotton cover. I particularly loved the Pillow as it was described as 'medium', which meant it was both comfortable and supportive. As normal, I used my usual bedding over the top of both of these and noticed that it didn't 'feel' any different - the geometric pattern that you see above is completely flat and not raised as it may appear.

As I snuggled into bed that first night, I was feeling pretty good after having a relatively relaxed day, and I slept well and woke up feeling refreshed. As the month progressed, I had a number of particularly stressful situations to deal with, and I have to admit that on some nights, I tossed and turned for hours as insomnia reared its ugly head. However, I did experience a higher number of good sleep nights in my sleep journal than the previous month, so I have been wondering whether it's due to the crystals or the softer and cozier feel of my bed? What do you think?

Shop the De-Stress Biocrystal range at finebedding.co.uk

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Foodie Friday: Chocolate with Health Benefits from The Wizards Magic

 

Chocolate, glorious, chocolate! Who doesn't love indulging in a bar of chocolate? Well, how about if that bar of chocolate had health benefits? Yes, really! The Wizards Magic have just done that and waved their magic wands over their amazing bars of yummy chocolate!

Based in York, England, The Wizards Magic has created a scrumptious chocolate bar brand with a difference. Their USP is that their chocolate has superpowers; well, OK, not exactly superpowers per se, but certain health benefits that one might not be accustomed to finding in a bar of regular chocolate.

At the heart of their business is a core of ethical sourcing that works with the Cocoa Horizons Foundation to ensure that West African cocoa farmers are protected and supported financially and within their communities. The cocoa beans are then shipped off to Belgium to be crafted into some of the finest bars by expert chocolatiers. 

But back to the magical health benefits...

The Wizards Magic has a range of clinically approved chocolate bars that helps to boost immunity, thanks to the addition of carefully chosen essential oils and superfoods such as Vitamin K2, Vitamin D3, and Coenzyme Q10. 

Ever curious, I tried two of these bars in the Orange and Caramel flavours; both of which tasted like luxury, high quality milk chocolate. There's definitely a subtle 'tang' to them which I assume is the added vitamins etc, but it doesn't distract from the smooth milkiness of the chocolate which melts in your mouth, and I particularly enjoyed the Caramel flavour which was decadently rich and almost truffle-like.

In addition to the Immunity chocolates, The Wizards Magic has chocolate infused with other superfoods like CBD, Lions Mane, Manuka Honey, Wolf Berry and more. 

Dairy-free or vegan? There are some excellent plant-based, dairy-free chocolates available too such as the Orange flavour above (these are packaged in green card to help customers distinguish them from the rest of the range), however, I must point out that these sadly lack the added health benefits. That said, they are some of the best vegan chocolate that I've tried with a base of silky smooth rice milk and a velvety texture.

Shop the full range at thewizardsmagic.com

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - May 2022 review

Last month I made a mistake in saying that the LoveLula Beauty subscription boxes were ending, when in fact it's this May box which is the last one - oops! However, what I did say remains true and unfortunately LoveLula has now discontinued the subscription boxes, due to Covid and Brexit factors which are making it difficult to obtain large quantities of fresh products in a timely manner. 

Don't worry though - there are brand new themed beauty boxes coming from LoveLula soon which will be available to purchase on an ad hoc, one-off basis throughout the year so keep your eyes peeled!

So let's now take a look at the last ever LoveLula Beauty Box (*sob*) which contains all of the following products.

PHB Ethical Beauty Balance Moisturiser

I've tried a couple of things from PHB Ethical Beauty and really like their natural and organic formulas. This soothing moisturiser helps to restore harmony to your skin, whilst nourishing it and boosting radiance. The rebalancing formula also helps to protect against environmental damage and is perfect for oily skin that's prone to acne and blemishes. With summer on its way where I find my combination skin tends to get much oilier at this time of the year, this sounds like the ideal moisturiser for me!

Inika Certified Organic Matte Perfection Primer

A makeup prepping classic in the green beauty world, Inika's bestselling Certified Organic Matte Perfection Primer has been a staple in my makeup bag for many years so I'm thrilled to have another one to add to my stash. It has a lovely lightweight formula that sinks into the skin without clogging pores, and allows your makeup to glide effortlessly over the top for a flawless finish.

Balm Balm Little Miracle Rosehip Serum

Made from 100% organic natural ingredients, this little beauty gem from Balm Balm is a miracle serum for people who might not already be used to having a serum in their skincare routines. A beautifully rich blend of Rosehip, Jojoba and Borage Oils are generously infused with Frankincense, Rose Geranium, Palmarosa, Juniper and Mandarin essential oils to feed and nourish the skin. It's great for helping to even out skin texture too. 

Ooh! Oils Of Heaven Organic Argan Moisture Retention Face Oil

Looking for a face oil that will transform dry and mature skin types? Look no further, Ooh! Oils Of Heaven's Organic Argan Moisture Retention Face Oil is your personal skin saviour! Made with cold-pressed Argan Oil, this facial treatment is rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids to give your skin everything it needs to regenerate tissue and keep everything nicely hydrated.

Dr Jackson's Skincare Samples

New to LoveLula.com, here you can sample two of Dr Jackson's skincare samples; the Night Cream and Everyday Oil.

Keep your eyes peeled for the new one-off LoveLula Beauty Boxes at Lovelula.com

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