Valentines For Her - ft Hourglass, Lush, The BodyShop, L'Occitane, Estée Lauder, GlossyBox, Chanel & ALL the Irish Mags

I'm going to try very hard not to use the word 'Self Gift' in this post but if you happen to be single on VDay or PALentine's Day this year just know that you totally deserve these gifts of gorgeousness too and should most probably buy one or all for yourself. 

With that disclaimer out of the way, MEN OF IRELAND, listen up - if you have a girlfriend and/or SO and consider yourself a pretty cool dude then she probably has great taste. These last minute Valentine's gifts are sure to earn you some brownie points - you can thank me afterwards (I prefer PayPal). 

1. Hourglass Ambient Blush - £28 Here. 

The world and her Aunty want this blush, the world and her Aunty need this blush. You don't need to know why but you do need to know that, upon review, Mood Exposure is the way to go and Space NK is the way to get it. Dogs may cower at the sound she makes when she opens this. GO. 

2. Lush Love Box - €33.50 in Store (Review Here)

We know you think the shop smells weird, we care not for these schmetails. Go to Lush, buy this box. Over 1/2 of the contents are sexy time oriented with baths, massages and whatnot. They're NEVER a bad Valentine's thing. GO. 

3. Body Shop White Musk Smokey Rose Collex - (€32 Here)

Assuming you or your lovah aren't 16, she is going to have fond memories of White Musk from the Body Shop. This Smokey Rose edit is that only sexed up - a lot. A stunning combo and the entire range for just over €30?! GO. 

4. Irish Mags Subscription (from €30 for a YEAR here)(or directly from site)

Nothing says repeat pay off louder than a gift that keeps on giving. What magazine have you spied your loved one fawning over in the past? You know what would rock her cashmere socks? A year's supply of that very glossy right to her doorstep courtesy of you. Google the site of her mag of choice to get the best sub deal and possibly a cracking subscription gift too - remember to think Irish first (as pictured) and again, I take PayPal. GO. 

5. L'Occitane Sensual Red Cherries Gift Set - (€52 here)(€25.50 off!!)

Sensual. Red. Cherries. One. Third. Off. Entire. Set. Go. 

6. Estée Lauder - Polish (€17.30 Here)

Is your gal of choice a nail polish fiend? Well then you have great taste, my friend. The nicest thing you can do for a nail polish nut is pick her up a polish she would never dare splash out on herself. Take a quick squizz at what she usually likes and find a similar colour to completely and luxuriously blow her mindhole. GO. 

7. GlossyBox Subscription - (From £30 for 3 months Here)

Much akin to the mag subscription suggestion, a sub to have a box of surprise beauty delivered to your Chica's doras every month will equally float her boat and rocket you into her good books, repeatedly. A lovely idea for beauty lovers and surprise addicts alike, you really can't go wrong with a Glossybox sub. GO. 

8. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine - (€28 Here)

There's just something so luxurious about a brand like Chanel. Again, it's something your beloved might have trouble splashing out on herself but a little black box from the man she loves this Friday is guaranteed to raise a smile if it has Chanel emblazoned across it. The Rouge Coco Shines are the easiest colours not to get wrong and most flattering on most skin tones so pick a colour you'd like to kiss passionately from her lips and enjoy. GO. 


Of course all of these suggestions are for beauty loving babes and truthfully your lady would be very happy with a fresh cup of tay and perhaps a little brekkie in bed, at a stretch a tank of petrol so she doesn't have to worry about it for the week perhaps? - Hell she might settle for you whipping the hoover about the place. But should you be stuck and wanting to impress - I can't recommend this little lot enough. 

Have a lovely evening, whatever you get up to. 

(Ladies, I'll have 
a fellas post up later, yesh?)

July Favourites ft BodyShop, Zaija, L'Oreal, Molton Brown, Origins & Extra (Seriously)

July was a mixed bag, beauty wise and some of my faves took me quite by surprise:

1. Chock full of Community Fair Trade camomile, the BodyShop Sumptuous Cleansing Butter (€14.95) melts from it's semi solid state to a soft, oily balm and melts the layers of make up straight off with just a little warm water. My skin feels fresh, clean and comforted every time I use this. You'll want a seperate cleanser for waterproof mascara but for every day? This is beaut. 

2. Advertised as a men's body wash, Molton Brown's Bracing Silverbirch (300ml €22) has been staple in my shower this month. Spicy, wooden, incense laden and (admittedly) masculine, it's an ideal wake me up shower treat and I've gone through 3 minis already - the question is, will I shell out for the full size? The answer is Hell Yesh!

3. Ziaja Cocoa Body Butter (€4.99) was always going to be a winner 'round here with his luscious chocolatey scent but the effects of the Vitamin E and Omega 6 on our skin as been pretty brilliant. I'm loving it for a quick moisture fix post shower and can feel the softening effects for up to two days afterward. For a fiver? That's a win. 

4. L'Oreal's Skin Perfection Radiance Revealing Exoliator (€6.09) is a favourite on Adam's behalf. Claimed from the communal shower collection, this is the first scrub that's actually made a notable difference to his teenage visage. The soap free formulation means no more tight kisser for him and less worry for me. Thank you, L'Oreal. (Psst, it's €4.06 in Boots right now!)

5. Origins Drink Up Hydrating Lip Balm (€15.30) is every bit as juicy as a Juicy Tube with none of the gloop. With Aloe Vera, Apricot Kernel and Avocado Oils this tinted balm is nourishing on the lips and tastes ever so slightly of Murray Mints. Such was my love for the Pink Guava press sample that I've already sprung for the brighter Cherry Pop. It's lush. 

6. Lastly and by no means least(ly) one of my biggest July obseshes HAS to be Extra's new Bubblemint flavour gum (60c!). Tasting just like Hubba Bubba this whitening gum has not only kept sugar cravings at bay but has also kept me from saying things in the heat of the moment when there's been serious Jimmie Rustling going on. It's about as close to a life saviour as a pack of gum can be...

So tell Moi, are you a fan of any of the above? What's been floating your goat this past month? Hmm?

Monday's Moments: 08/07/13

Good morning, all. Monday again but if you're anywhere in and around Ireland or the UK that's a-ok because the sun is splitting the stones and is set to continue to do so for the duration. Yuss!

Kick ass weather aside, there's still been a bajiilion things that have brightened up my week and chased the Monday Blues away, despite battling the lurgy for the past 6 days. Wanna see 'em? 

1. BodyShop Barg

On my trip to the chemists to pick up lurgy meds I decided I might treat myself to the Vineyard peach shower gel as a pick me up. I had no clue there was a sale on. 

Turns out instead of €8.95 for one bottle of gel there was serious sale jiggery pokery going on and I ended up with this ha-yooge BodyShop haul for just €38! That's just good beauty maths. 

2. Parenting Made Easy

There are times when we're just dossing round Casa Cherry that I forget I was once a Mam to two weenchy babies just 18 months apart. 

This week I was approached by Easy Parenting to share some hints and tips that helped me get through those times and some difficulties and I couldn't have been happier to help. I'll be sure to link the piece as soon as it goes to print. It's amazing how easily we put aside life experience until it's called into question isn't it? We've come a loooong way, Gorgebags!

3. Silver Lining to Sickness

I'm afflicted with a condition that I've spoken about before, I'm an eternal optimist - it can't be helped! This week was a case in point when I was struck down with a ridiculous dose of chest/throat and sinus infection that literally floored me. 

There's an upside though, there always is. I got to spend the week at home with the lads just chillin', not only that but because my voice was gone I got a break from the phone too. Keeping up with work from my Boffice (patent pending by @3namc) meant that I still stayed on top of things. Gotta love the silver linings. 

4. Date Night, Just Me & My Dude 

A lot of the time the three of us will head out for an evening's gallivanting, if the lads aren't off gallivanting without me or I'm not at an event or work shindig. 

That's why it's a real treat when I get to have a date night with with either of 'em, just the two of us. This week saw myself and Adam snaking over to the centre for some quality Momma/Son time for eats and a movie. Both were epic by the by. 

5. London Calling

Adam snapped this pic on our trip in '09 (He was 11!)

Finally and probably most excitingly, London is indeed calling this week. I've packed up my mála for a very exciting trip that I'll be sharing with you next week. It's, without doubt, one of my favourite cities and I can't wait to get my tuckus over there. 

In the mean time be sure to keep an eye on Instagram and twitter as I'm sure I'll be snapping away and sharing some of the madness with everyone. LONDON, BABY. 

Tell me, what's chasing away your Monday Blues today then? 

June Faves 2013

So the lurgy very nearly beat me this week but I couldn't let the month go on without a shout out to the stand outs of the past four weeks. June, you were a good 'un, here's some of your best bits: 

1. Essie, The More the Merrier: (€12.99)

I've made my grá for this Essie Summer collection very clear here but given Sophie's Choice and having to pick a favourite, the truth is I've been reaching for this stunning lime creme more than any other polish in the past month. 

If I remove a polish just to reapply it then I know it's a winner. THREE TIMES I've done that with The More the Merrier. That's a Win. 

2. The BodyShop's Vineyard Peach: (from €13.50 in store)

This body butter was sent for review last month and one sniff of the Fuzzy Peachesque wave of nostalgia and I broke my own Blogger cardinal rule - I delved in immediately and rubbed the heady scented gorgeousness up my arms. 

I've since rebought the entire collection having realised it's Limited Edition. The scent lingers for the entire day and the body butter is definitely a thigh rubber (as in I have a little rub of my thighs when on the loo just to feel the loveliness) (It's how I judge all body creams)(I never claimed to be sane). 

3. Clean Marine's Krill Oil: (€21.99)

I'm a big believer in supplements helping us out of a tight spot but fish oils usually repeat like goodo on me so I avoid 'em like the plague. I was dubious when this Krill Oil pack dropped on my desk and the smell once the packet was opened was nowt short of noxious. The fact is though, that these don't repeat once swallowed, not even a little bit. 

I've found my nails are stronger, skin a little clearer and my general mood seems to be lifted. Apparently they're recommended for PMS too, though I'm not a sufferer, thankfully. The lads were also sent the male version and I thank them for getting them through their recent exams, they've continued taking them without me asking and that's a miracle in itself. We like you Krill Oil, you can stay. 

4. FitFlop's Electric Indigo Yoko Summer Sandal: (€99)

I'm a FitFlop fan, I say this, I tweet this, I Facebook this, we know this. This Electric Indigo pair has to be one of the highlights of my shoe wearing Summer. 

I'm no longer driving so am now walking to and from work everyday. These wobbleboard workout pretties have not only made that trudge more bearable but my legs are really feeling the advantage too. Keep an eye out early next week as I'll have something verrry exciting to share from the FitFlop Gods. Keep Peelers Pelt. 

5. John Frieda Luxurious Volume Collection: (from €7.89)

When it comes to budget beautiful hair care, John Frieda really do have the (Super)market cornered. This newest collection, Luxurious Volume, is just that, luxurious to use and volumising to boot. 

Normally I'll use several combinations of serums, oils and sprays with my shampoo and conditioner but on a recent weekend away I realised I didn't need to do that with John Frieda. My grúaig is soft but full and easily manageable for up to three days. It's a busy Momma's dream. 

6. Versace Yellow Diamond: (from €41)

Though I will always call this brand Ver-sayce in honour of Showgirls, I've never really been a fan of the ostentatious style that goes with it. That was until I took one sniff of this pretty on a Sephora stop in Paris. 

Light and bright the smell is exactly what a Summer scent should be. It's uplifting, lasting and incredibly easy to wear. I like it. A Loh. 

7. Dove Compressed Deodorant, Invisible Dry: (€3.49)

These new compressed bottles that house exactly the same amount of spray are not only space saving genius but a manna to all ladies on the run. 

Not only does it fit in the smallest of málas but the scent is beautifully fresh and lasts. Ideal for a quick spritz during the day. I'm not a usual groper of pits but I have noticed that mine seem softer since using Dove Invisible Dry (that could be subliminal from all the flashing of pittage in the ads). Either way, I've since bought three more for my desk, dresser and mála. Love the stuff. 

8. Estée Lauder Pure Colour Stay on Paint in Cosmic: (€23)

While haring around Sephora in Paris last week one of the only counters to stop me in my tracks was Estée Lauder. Once I'd set eyes on this super soft, ridiculously pigmented paint shadow I knew we were going to be friends. 

A deep copper that's literally stuffed with multi coloured micro glitter I had worried that it'd be dry on the lid, not so. It applies like a dream and once set (in a mo) it lasts all day long. Be-A-YOOT-iful with green/blue eyes, I'll certainly be checking out the rest of this SS/13 collection. It's love. 

Wheeeweee, that's them, my June faves that'll be the cream of the crop for the foreseeable. You might have noticed that a lot of the links I've included are to Boots.ie, have you used it yet? I'm afraid of Laser meltage. 

Do let me know what your June favourites were and, of course, if you're a fan of any of my ones - it's always good to know that a great product works brilliantly for more than just me. 

Happy weekend, everyone!