Category Archives: brands I love

My Vaping Journey (part one)

29th October 2018
It’s been a little over a month since I started my journey in to serious vaping with a little (lot) of help from my friends at e-cigarette direct. Quitting smoking has been high on my agenda once more, and something I have had in my mind as something I would do as soon as I felt my anorexia recovery was complete.

Well, my recovery isn’t quite complete, but my motivation was high, so I gratefully accepted the opportunity to pick out some kit and wean myself off cigarettes- hopefully for good this time.

Tank wise, I got Bob to help me pick out a good set-up as he’s also joining me on this journey and has a lot more experience of vaping than I do. We decided on the Wismec CB80* which is designed to give an experience as close to smoking a cigarette as possible as I knew this is what I would struggle with the most. We also picked out two different types of coils* so we could see which I preferred.

Getting the kit set up was super simple, and it looks and feels substantial whilst remaining lightweight and portable enough to come with me where ever I go. Another big plus for the tank I chose was that it charges via USB as well as supporting rechargeable batteries, meaning I am less likely to run out of power, and therefore reach for a cigarette.

Picking which vape juice to choose was another minefield. There are so many flavours and strengths available that I just did not know where to start. In the end, after consulting with Bob we decided to jump in with some high strength nicotine as although I didn’t smoke that many cigarettes (between 5 and 10 a day) we thought starting high and weaning down would be our best bet, and it meant that Bob, a heavier smoker than I was, could share.

These little bottles of juice are great for carting around on the go and means you don’t get stuck on one flavour consistently. As you can see, I’m definitely attracted to the sweet flavours! Vampire Vape’s Heisenberg was hands down my favourite though.

In terms of juices I’ve found I much prefer shortfills, I thought they would be more complicated as you have to mix them up yourself, but I think they represent better value for money, and I’ve generally found the flavour experience much better (and you can make it up as strong, or weak as you like). I’ve been spoilt really though as I was sent the set of Gloop shortfill which I reviewed a few weeks ago, and I have another bunch just arrived to try out and review (coming soon!).

I can’t fault the service, or value provided from e-cigarette direct, and I find their website, and blog a really valuable resource when it comes to learning more. This infographic around vape juice is definitely worth a read if you’re looking to learn more!

I guess the big question here though is how am I doing?

Well, in all honesty, I’m not quite there yet. I still find myself wanting the feel of an actual cigarette and I am still caving in, albeit much less than I used to. The savings are clear to see on a financial level, and I resent paying out now for even one packet a week. Today is actually the day where I feel ready to say “no more” and just stop buying the damn things. Everything about the vaping experience is better, apart from the fact it feels so big and clunky at times. But I need to learn to live with that, and so I will.

Whilst I certainly don’t intend for my blog to become solely focused on vaping you will find a couple more reviews coming up, and a progress update on how I’m doing in a few weeks time.

Now I’ve moved house and I am settled in I’ll be looking to return to blogging in a way I haven’t for quite some time. I’m looking forward to getting back in to the swing of outfit photos, general life musings and updates, wish lists, food, you name it, I’m probably gonna cover it. I’ve felt detached from the blogging world for some time now, not sure if I still fitted in, and during that time away from it I’ve realised that really, it doesn’t matter. This is my place to say, and share what I want to say and share. The fact I’ve had such fantastic opportunities, that any one even bothers to read it, is just one big old happy bonus.

All products in this post were sent to me free of charge. All opinions, and decision to post are mine and mine alone.

Posted in blogging, brands I love, lifestyle, review, vaping

Permalink 1 Comment

The September Degustabox*

02nd October 2018
I honestly wasn’t sure I’d get a review up on this month’s Degustabox*, time has completely run away with me and I now find myself in the midst of moving house with not a lot of time for doing anything but work, packing, relocating and occasionally sleeping.
Obviously I have managed to find some time to share my thoughts on the September edition of Degustabox. It will probably be a quicker read than usual though, with normal review service to resume next month.
These YES! Fruit and Nut bars are new from nestle and look so good! Unfortunately I haven’t been able to try them myself due to the nuts but I handed them out amongst family and friends and they were well received, especially the dark chocolate, almond and sea salt variety. These cost £1.20 each and I’ve already spotted them in Sainsburys.
I used to love Reese’s peanut butter cups before aforementioned allergy began. I reluctantly handed these over to my Dad who had never tried them before (how?!) and he now considers himself a fan. Chocolate and peanut butter is one of the best combinations in life and I miss these sorely! Widely available in most supermarkets.
These Dr Karg’s organic wholegrain snacks were another product I passed to my Dad as he loves other products by the brand and is more familiar with them than I am. He really enjoyed these as a healthier snack option and said they are full of flavour and texture- as well as all important fibre and whole grains!
I’ve been wanting to try Indie Bay Snacks pretzel bites for ages. Made with spelt flour opposed to more commonly found flours, these pack protein and crunch in abundance as well as full on flavour. I was a bit taken aback at first as they don’t taste like pretzels as you know them, but they are truly addictive once you get your head around them.
Unfortunately Pablo got to these Jules Destrooper butter crisps before Bob and I could and destroyed them, a true shame as this brand does biscuits excellently and I vaguely remember having had these, or similar at some point in my youth and loving them. If I manage to get my hands on another box I’ll report back (for the record Pablo appeared to enjoy them!)
This Oreo hot chocolate went straight to Bob as he’s a lover of both key components. Once you get past the black tinged colour this smells so good! You’re never going to get the exact flavour of a biscuit in a drink but this certainly tries hard. A little tip though- infinitely better made with milk or half milk/half water!
I love Mallow & Marsh products and whilst raspberry wouldn’t be my first choice of flavour for a sweet treat, especially combined with chocolate (I don’t really like fruity chocolate) these are still super good! The vanilla variant of these is a regular treat to myself- this brand really knows how to do it’s marshmallow treats!
Another product that has found it’s way in to my yoghurt- again not my kind of thing, but having binned of hemp milk a few too many times I decided to give these a go, and I’m glad I did. They have a slightly nutty flavour and add really good texture. High in protein and omegas 3 & 6 they are a good snack option for grazers like me, or a great addition to sweet and savoury dishes.
The drink selection is where I have fallen short this month as I’ve only managed to try the juicy fuel cola. I don’t usually drink non-diet drinks but this has no added sugars and is 100% natural ingredients. Whilst I’m not ready to ditch my pepsi max I did enjoy this and it made a nice change!

Both the milk and Jack Daniel’s Cider is awaiting testing by my willing (but absent this week) volunteers. If you’re interested in reviews for either of these products let me know and I’ll try and pop some up soon.

For those who don’t yet know, Degustabox* is a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money.
On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.
If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £5.00 off of your first box (making it just £7.99!) by entering the code 6HZJ8 at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought of them.

Posted in brands I love, food, review

Permalink 1 Comment

The (almost) weekly wish list

23rd September 2018

Not even a month in to my new regular feature and I failed at keeping it, well, regular. The last couple of weeks have been crazy busy, and expensive with actual adulting so I suppose composing a wish list of things wasn’t top of my priorities for once.

But fear not, for I am back. Browsing has resumed just at the time some serious no spending has been implemented, and any spending that does occur will be with discount codes aplenty such as those found at Groupon

Hello Kitty Cashmere: Chinti & Parker at Selfridges | Patterned Rug: Urban Outfitters | Classic Coat: Monki | Bee Kind Breton: Sugarhill Boutique | Rose Gold Coffee Table: Habitat | Polka Dot Culottes: Joy | Green Metallic Midi Dress: Joanie Clothing | Disney Pyjamas: TruffleShuffle.com

It’s a bit of an eclectic bunch this time, with items ranging from the “in my dreams only” (Hello Kitty Cashmere anyone?) to the far more affordable (those pyjamas!)
Party wear is starting to creep on to my radar, as are ALL of the winter coats- the second the shops start releasing the Christmas chocolates I want to wear all of the sequins and all of the cosy coats.

You’ll probably notice more and more homeware on the list as time goes on too. Bob and I have found somewhere to live, and pending references going through will be moving very soon. This weekend has been a blur of white good comparisons and browsing for all of the practical things we need- the list never seems to end! Weekly wish lists may not be happening for a few weeks as we’ll be busy with moving stuff, but I’m sure once we’re settled they will resume with a vengeance, especially with Christmas slowly but surely creeping closer and the shops filling with all manner of exciting looking things already catching my eye.

What’s caught your eye recently? And where are your must-have shops for homewares? Blankets, crockery and cushions are top of our list!

Posted in brands I love, fashion, inspiration, interiors, lifestyle, personal style, shopping, Uncategorized, wish list

Permalink 2 Comments

The Comfiest Comfies with Hunkemoller

17th September 2018

I’m a pyjama, or “comfies” fiend. From the second I walk in the door each night I crave getting in to them, and whilst I generally try and wait until after dinner, if I know I have an extra snuggly pair available temptation often gets the better of me.

I was recently contacted by Hunkemoller who offered me a piece of my choosing from their range of sleepwear and instantly I based out my acceptance and headed on over to the nightwear section of the site.

Lace-Up Sweatpants c/o Hunkemoller

At £22.50 these sweatpants are considerably more expensive than those which I would usually buy, but you can seriously tell the difference. In real life they are a lot more marled than they appear on the website- a delightful bonus in my book. I went for the medium size, which equates to a uk 12-14 and I almost wish I had sized up again to be honest, I like my comfies super baggy, but these are the right side of slouchy and an absolute delight to wear. I have zero complaints about the quality here, and they have washed well so far- so often I think I’ve found the perfect pyjamas only to find them toddler sized after the first wash.

Hunkemoller aren’t a brand I am overly familiar with, but one I certainly want to get to know more. As well as their nightwear you’ll also find an array of lingerie, swimwear, sportswear and more, all at pretty reasonable prices when you compare to their nearest high street rivals. I’m in desperate need of some new bras and I’m going to try their range out for size…I’ll report back in due course.

Where are your favourite “comfies” from? I’m always willing to add to my collection (and my battle to instigate PJ Friday at work continues).

Posted in brands I love, lifestyle, personal style, shopping

Permalink 5 Comments

Hidden Fashion

11th September 2018

It feels like an absolute age since I last did an outfit post on the blog, it’s something I really want to get back to as once upon a time it was primarily what my blog was about, and I miss that. These days it’s lack of time that holds me back more than anything- house hunting and working full time mean I have very little time to grab photos, but hopefully that will change once I’ve moved, for once I even have a backlog of clothes and outfits I want to document.

Anyway, the point of that inane ramble was to really announce “TA-DA, an outfit post!”. I was recently contacted by a company called Hidden Fashion who very kindly offered to send out a couple of items. The brand are new to me, and I was impressed by how much selection they have at insanely good prices. I picked out a couple of items, one from both ends of the style spectrum and coerced Bob in to taking some photos for me over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Dress: c/o Hidden Fashion (£10!) | Shoes: Shellys London (super old)

This dress is an absolute steal at £10 – it was cheap even at it’s full price of £20! It’s a bold move away from my usual style and one I’m glad I made. I love the draped fit and cheeky split and collar details. It’s elegant whilst remaining edgy and has a touch of luxury about it thanks to the satin feel fabric. This is the perfect evening socialising dress now Autumn is creeping it’s way in, and I predict a lot of wear out of it over the coming months.

Jacket: c/o Hidden Fashion (£16) | Jeans: Waven | Trainers: Adidas at ASOS

This jacket is exactly what my casual wardrobe needed now that the heatwave has broken and there is an Autumnal nip in the air. Again it’s a crazy bargain at £16 (down from £32) and it’s quality far exceeds it’s price tag (and to be honest, expectations). This has quickly become my go-to jacket for when the skies look decidedly grey and on a cost-per-wear basis it’s essentially free already.
Have you found any hidden treasures or bargain buys lately? I’m really pleased I was introduced to Hidden Fashion and will be regularly checking the website for more pieces like these. Let me know what’s caught your eye in the comments.

Posted in brands I love, fashion, outfits, personal style, shopping

Permalink 4 Comments