Ihearthomes - January edition

http://www.ihearthomes.co.uk/

New year and new monthly edition of ihearthomes subscription. It's a theme mix of thank you, friendship and following your dream's from my understanding of the content's. This is the £15.00 box, which i subscribe to with my own money. 

About :

ihearthomes are passionate and a little excitable about all things home. We have always loved making that house into a home and love gorgeous items that really make the difference. From quirky wooden signs to romantic rustic hanging hearts, we love all the items we sell. 

We have beautiful wedding decorations and gifts, stunning children's items, heart warming hearts, gorgeous signs and plaques. Take a look around the site and see what takes your fancy.  Don't forget to come back again, as we are always looking to add new items.

Content's : 

- Inspirational card 

- Hummingbird keyring & pencil

- Candy striped baggy full of sweet's

- Zebra paper clip's

- Friendship poem

- Make your own bunting kit

- Floral photo frame 

- Scent gel cube 

- "Live & Dream" wall plaque 

- "Live & Dream" wall plaque 

This plaque is colourful and bright to usher in the new year and wave goodbye to winter for another year. It's perfect as a gift to anyone starting a journey with a new home or change up any area's in need of that little pizzaz of colour. Metal feeling and very well made.  

- Floral photo frame by Sass & Belle

Sass & Belle are really ihearthomes subscription box hero's. Every month we recieve a beautiful item from there collection which compliment's the theme perfectly. This floral frame has "follow your dream's" written within the space until you can find a photo to place inside. Thank you again Sass & Belle. 

- Hummingbird keyring & pencil

This keyring reminds me of the Sass & Belle style and i adore it. So well made on a rose golden tinted metal, with a vibrant colourful floral print within to compliment. It's a beautiful and unique item that il be showing with pride. 

Pencil : Now everyone need's a pencil and notepad within there bag, place you write ideas's or information. Handy and very cute stationary addition for this month. 

- Make your own bunting kit

When i saw this kit i thought it again was a beautifully colourful addition to make for an event or just add some unique room decor.  

- Zebra paper clip's

Perfect for my planner and notebook's to keep important documents attached but also reusable. There are 3 clips included and these are made by Sass & Belle. They will add a new and fun dimension to my planner.

- Candy striped baggy full of sweet's

The candy stiped bag in each month of ihearthomes contain's a surprise. This month it contained some fruity milk bottle sweet's. They were lovely and a perfect little snack to have whilst looking at the content's if the box. 

- Friendship saying

This saying plaque is beautiful and it would be the perfect gift to your closest friend whom you may not see regularly. The presentation is stunning and really does make this a unique gift. 

- Inspirational card

These card's i find are the perfect inserts for parcel's, I tend to write a note on the back for the reciever to read. I have kept some that i do like to interchange within a frame on my dresser. It help's give inspiration and happiness depending on your need for that week. 

- Aromatherapy soap cube 

This little soap cube is jelly in texture but smell's of a floral & fruity mix. It is a really beautiful scent and my skin from just unwrapping the paper feels so soft. The oils are definatly present and im going to be using this soap today. Below is a little information about the company. 

"Om Shanti Aromatherapy products offer handmade artisan bath bombs, bath salts, soaps and candles. This company has been born out of a love for aromatherapy and holistic wellbeing. Our aromatherapy products use 100% pure essential oils. Essential oils are obtained by extracted the pure oil from the plant. These oils can help to alter mood, and evidence suggests that they help with psychological and physical wellbeing."

In conclusion : This box was beautifully presented this month and amazingly well constructed. Most of these item's i have planned to gift to some of my closest friend's in thanks for there continued love and support through probably one of my most difficult year's. 

Too end is my mantra for the year and ultimate goal for improving positivity. 

Memebox : Snow white box

Memebox Website

So the princess that insprired this box, is the beautiful Snow white. Famed for her pure skin and light spirit. This box contains items that should make you, the fairest of them all. 

They say :

Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who’s the fairest of them all? You, with the Snow White Box, of course. The cooler months spell for the perfect time to brighten up skin, even out uneven complexions, and target pesky dark spots! Whatever shade of the rainbow your skin color is, optimize your skin’s radiance and clarity for luminous, glowing skin.

Contents : 

- Nella Fantasia : Oneday Whitener 

- Original raw First Essence : Vitamin essence 

- Faceflux : Anti-wrinkle revitalize cream

- Daltokki : Whitening Essence 

- 5 Seeds : Apple Water Brightning Scrub 

- Morningtree : Revitalizing Whitening Deep Spot 

Nella Fantasia : Oneday Whitener is a facial whitening cream. Which can be used to help even out skintone, or even help lighten a dark foundation. 

Faceflux : Anti-wrinkle revitalize cream sounds lovely and refreshing. Especially for the eyes, when you can look the most tired and the darkest of tired bags. 

Daltokki : Whitening Essence is an item i didnt think i could use but with a few drops, this could be a dark foundations saviour. Being a essence it wont dry your skin. Which is a bonus for the cold months drawing in. 

Original raw First Essence : Vitamin essence is said to contain a multitude of natural essence's. To help keep skin hydrated whilst you sleep but also to infuse the skin with nutrients. Its the time when the body is repairing, it makes sense to have a night product. So im looking forward to the results.

5 Seeds : Apple Water Brightning Scrub is a product i know will be amazing, as apple is packed full of fantastic skin vitamin. This is marvellously refeshing to the skin and ideal for dry skin types. Packed with vitamins and natural ways to remove dry skin. 

Morningtree : Revitalizing Whitening Deep Spot not found the need to use this as yet. However im sure it will come in useful to lighten any redness. Also help a spot thats healing to revitalise the skin. 

A lovely box with alot of products to give you a creamy fresh complextion. Also keep your skin fresh and hydrated.

Silk bedding direct - Silk filled duvet review

Silk bedding direct Website

So duvets and bedding is an item we all use within our homes. However to some of us the type of bedding we choose,can be essential for quality sleep.When i was made aware of a new type of bedding company. Whom make there products entirely from silk. (Including the filling within).

 Its said to help the many sufferers of allergies, asthma, skin conditions etc. I was intrigued as i have asthma, allergies and a skin condition, so i wanted to see how feather filled duvets fared against the purely silk filled duvet. 

About Silk bedding direct

Silk Bedding Direct is the result of a labour of love by its founding and current director Andrew Clarke. After spending over a decade as a director / CEO of companies based mainly in China.

“ What's the very best product China has to offer, that the world knows little about and would love to know about ?"  The answer – Silk-Filled Duvets

Silk-filled duvets “breathe”. They allow excess moisture and heat to escape, if

you become too warm then keep you snug if conditions get colder. They offer luxurious comfort not provided for by other bedding. 

Health benefits 

All bedding except silk contain's dust mites. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, as dust mites cannot live in silk. Generally its not the dust mites that cause the irritation, its the droppings.  It's not pleasant to think about but if you are not using silk-filled bedding, you are breathing dust mite droppings every night. It can cause allergic reactions, sneezing fits, exacerbate asthma etc. It's not very pleasant for anyone.

Using silk-filled duvets can help with the following conditions:

● Allergies

● Asthma

● MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities)

● Eczema and dry or ichy skin

● Skin inflammations (psoriasis)

● Burns (particularly 1st and 2nd degree)

● Post-chemotherapy sensitive skin

● Vascular sclerosis

● Osteoarthritis

● Shingles

● Overheating

More information can be found here Health benefits of Silk bedding

So my experience with the Silk filled duvets are based on mine and my husbands experiences. Mine from a health perspective, plus our joint opinion from a consumer point of view. 

What does a consumer feel in the quality and comfort of the bedding ? 

The bedding arrived in a luxurious storage bag, which it can be stored or transported safely and cleanly. It was presented beautifully and for a silk filled bedding this was not what i expected. Ive never had bedding presented in such a professional manner. So within the storage bag is the bedding, this is folded within a plastic. Now i have the Double bed, summer quilt which is light, thin and soft. It has hooks to secure bedding to stop it from bulking within one side or moving within your covers. This is something I've not seen and i find a great addition, as i hate having to pull corners of bedding thats moved. 

So the Bedding being entirely silk does this make a difference ? As a consumer this is the most luxurious item i have tested with my husband. It being thin threw us a bit, as most quilts can be bulky even the low tog count ones. We thought as its coming into winter that this maybe quite thin, however its surprisingly very warm. The nights in fairness have been warmer then usual, so as it cools we will see how this fares on a thermal basis. So far however its been so soft and warm, very light to have on you so there is no uncomfortable kicking the covers off at night.

What are the health benefits and does it work ?

So my experiences with the duvets bare on my skin cause itching and general discomfort, if only for the duvet cover keeping it from touching me. I had never thought much about my asthma and allergies until i swapped my duvet for the silk filled bedding. Now i am not exaggerating when i say i would wake most mornings and have fits of sneezing non stop. Plus my eyes would water and itch, my husband also had some allergy symptoms but non as excessive as mine. Plus i would wake most nights over and over needing my asthma pump from coughing or my husband waking me from fear of my breathing. Then my skin would itch excessively in winter mostly when my psoriasis is flared to its worst. 

Now my experience since using the bedding has been positive so far. My allergies have so far surpassed with no sneezing or problems with my eyes in the morning. My breathing has been better in that i don't wake at night gasping for my inhaler. My husband has noticed that whilst i snore (yes,admitted fully here) I'm not giving him fearful nights. Plus my covers are not covered in blood and my skin does not look like I've had a fight with a cheese grater. These are all my personal opinions, from a health point of view. My Overall view will reflect this 

Hubby and wife view that ?

Overall i can say that my allergies have improved on many levels. Silk filled bedding has helped my sleep comfort level improve. Its so comfortable against the skin, being so light there's no friction to cause any skin irritation. Professionally  presented and can be purchased if you are looking to treat yourself, to some luxury bedding or if you require this for health reasons. Either way myself and my husband agree, Silk bedding direct offer a quality product with there Silk filled products. I am looking to save up for the pillows, as they will help for my winter breathing. 

If you wish to purchase any product from Silk bedding direct. They have kindly given a discount code,for 10% off any purchase SBD10E

Thank you Silk bedding direct.

W7 - Skincare release

W7 Website

Now we have a new line of products released from W7. Having used there makeup and being very impressed with the quality. They have branched into skincare. So below is the pictures, short description of the product. 

Nighty night Dream cream 

They say : 

W7 Nighty Night Dream Cream 40ml - Moisturising Night Cream. Carefully formulated to rejuvenate the daily damage to your skin.  This Night Cream will leave your skin looking radiant and feeling soft and moisturised.

Wakey wakey DayDream cream 

They say: 

W7 Wakey Wakey Daydream Cream 40ml - Moisturising Day Cream

Protect and restore your natural skin barrier with our daily nourishing cream.  Keeping your face hydrated and moisturised throughout the day.

Eye love it Cream

They say : 

W7 Eye Love It Cream 15ml Moisturising Eye Cream. Specially formulated to diminish lines, wrinkles & dark circles around the eye area.  This anti-ageing eye cream will leave your eyes feeling moisturised and fresh.  Directions for use - Gently apply around the eye every morning and night.

Dream clean cleanser & Love your hands 

W7 Dream Clean Cleanser , Formulated to remove dirt, oil and make up easily without drying out yours skin.

Orange And Lemon Hand Cream

This zesty citrus orange and lemon hand cream nourishes and moisturises the skin leaving your hands feeling fresh and clean whilst stimulating the senses. Directions For Use: Apply hand cream generously onto the palm of the hand.  Gently rub into the skin until it is absorbed.  

W7 - Nail polishes

W7 Website

 Autumn slowly approaching and the beautiful darker colours appear. I have two beautiful green shades of polish. These were kindly sent to me, so many thanks to W7.

W7 background : 

 The inspiration of two entrepreneurial men from West London created in 2002. Their aim – that every woman should have access to an extensive range of high quality cosmetics at an affordable price – is now well on the way to becoming a reality.

W7 Nail polish: Space dust 

This polish is beautiful. It looks dark within the bottle, when applied you get this lovely marine green colour. You only need 2 coats for amazing coverage. It has an almost aquamarine/teal mix. It would be a perfect ombré mix colour.

The polish will fit well in the coming autumn,winter season. Mixed with nail art   and ombré nails for this season's trend. It's encouraging us to experiment more and get creative, think outside the box. This fantastic colour will stand out from the crowd. 

It applies well and dries relatively quick. The second coat makes the colour vibrant. As you can see in my above colour swatches, this shade will be well loved in the coming seasons. 

W7 glitter polish: Cosmic green

All I can say is wow for this polish. It's a beautiful fine mixed glitter, in a ivy green colour. Perfect again for the upcoming Christmas season. 

It's so intense that I only needed 1 coat. I do have a issue with glitter polish, which is why I own so few. Is that they never come off, even when soaked. This polish however has what I can only describe, as a peel addition. So after a few days you can peel the edges very easily. So then using a cotton swab, take some polish remover to lift any tricky parts. That way your not doing damage to your nails. Also use a hand and nail cream, as an addition to your skincare regime. 

Well W7 have sent another 2 polishes out , that scream quality and appeal to all. Nails will be heavily featured in the Autumn/winter season. So I think I may feature some posts, showing my handy work. 

Shishedo - Ultimate power concentrate

Shiseido Website

So I was lucky enough to be picked for this Shiseiso trial. I have to just use this product for 4 weeks then report back to Shiseido HQ.

They say :
 The ultimate serum for enhancing skin's multi-defensive power against signs of aging, environmental factors and daily stress. Day by day, your skin becomes smoother and more resilient. Your complexion appears to glow with more radiance. It works with your skincare to boost the benefits, for women of all ages. 


How to apply : 
Apply morning and night after cleansing and softening the face. When using other serums, apply Ultimune first to enhance the benefits of the following treatments.

So the product was sent in a beautiful red bag with a ribbon securing it. Inside red tissue paper, with the Shiseido name printed on it.  So if your looking for a hydrating product to indulge in, then maybe try this at your nearest counter. I'm of dry/normal skin and this has been a pure joy to use. I found it kept my dry areas hydrated and not irritated. I found this product was just as effective as the under-eye shields that shishedo make. I would say shishedo has not as yet disappointed, plus it's probably the only high end products I would invest in. So have a wander on launch too trial this lovely addition to the shishedo family.

W7 - New for spring 2014

So W7 is a brand of affordable makeup that I really enjoy using. I love the box powders especially and can't wait for the release of "Honey queen". They have just released some new products for eyes, lips and face. Also introducing real hair lashes. I've split the review into sections, so I can give an in depth.

Chunky eyes review 

So there is an endless choice of eye bases within the beauty world. I was very happy to see Chunky eyes. They are affordable. I love the colours in the range so far, hoping they release more options. 

Chunky eyes ; Cappuccino 

Chunky eyes are as good as the eye bases currently on the market. They are pigmented and butter soft sticks of colour. I use this as a base then set it with an eyeshadow, as a casual daily eye colour. You could use as your eye colour, set with a translucent powder so it can last. Very handy for travelling with being so compact. The shades I recieved are cappuccino and mocha. Cappuccino  is a dark bronze/gold mix and absolutely stunning. I would use this with my smokey bronze looks, as it really will make golds and taupe shades pop. 

Chunky eyes : Mocha 

Mocha is a lighter rose gold/bronze and the perfect base for daily/night out looks. Just shaded with some light chocolate brown. The options in which to use these are endless. The chunky eyes are so multifunctional, I will be looking for the other colours to purchase.

Get real lashes review 

So with the eyeshadows completed,you may require some lashes. W7 have released a new range called "Get Real". Made from real hair to get that natural look. They seem very light and also look so soft. So I wasn't expecting much, however they are really good lashes. The glue included is so strong, plus turns blue on contact with the lash. Also the band is  sturdy so you can apply the glue. They are easy to apply,to blend with your own lash using mascara. Light and natural finish for the day or add volume for night.

Here I am wearing the Chunky eyes in cappuccino, using a light dust of eye shadow to set it. Then using the Get real lashes to add some volume. I did not apply mascara, as I wanted to show the initial appearance when applied. 

Chunky lips : Scandal 

Chunky lips review 

Chunky lips I would say is the same principle, as the lip crayons in the beauty market. Same packaging as the chunky eyes for easy application. These are also creamy and highly pigmented. They are very nice on the lips giving a hydrated, non heavy or sticky feeling. 

Chunky eyes : Delicious 

They are very vivid colours, perfect for the spring/summer season. I the love Chunky lips colours I was kindly sent. I will also be buying more colours, on the release date. As you can see the pigmentation is fantastic. 

Honolulu box powder review 

Now we move onto "Honolulu" box powder, which is beautifully presented. I love box powders as they are different. The pigment on this bronzer is beautiful and not muddy/reddish looking. It comes with the softest brush, which I now use to contour. I found the powder was easily blendable, giving a soft warm bronze finish. I would always buy this now, Instead if the more expensive variety. I can't wait to purchase them all. 

Overall impression

So my overall impression on W7's new additions are really positive. I love the Honolulu box powder, so I'm excited to purchase the rest in the range.The Chunky eyes are fantastic quality and affordable. Again il be sticking with these bases, hoping they release more colours. The Chunky lip crayons applied to the lips were so creamy. They have a lovely finish, which helped my dry lips look a lot better. The formula didn't make my lips feel heavy, nor leave a sticky finish. Perfect for travelling, as the are easy to fit into a makeup bag. The lashes were soft and easy to use, they felt secure as the glue is so strong. The lashes give a boost, if you want a more natural look. So W7 are releasing some amazing additions. 

I am going to do a second part to this review, which will feature face products. (Primer, foundation, box powders etc). Then a review featuring my  "In the buff" palette. 

Are there any W7 products you love to use ? Which would you like to see in my next segment ?