Give the Gift that Keeps on Giving (Without Leaving the Comfort of your Home!)

It's December 18th so I'll concede that from this point in we can call Christmas gifts 'last minute'. If you, like me, have been stricken by the dreaded lurgy this year then what follows might just be the saviour you need. I've collated a few ideas for gifts that keep on giving, the gift of a subscription (with the added bonus that you neither need to get dressed, nor sharpen your elbows to get them). Shall we begin? 

1. 3fe Coffee Subscription 

Arguably the best coffee in Dublin, subscriptions to 3fe game changing java start as low as €9 per delivery, or €65 for 6 months HERE. 

Imagine going about your day safe in the knowledge that a loved one is less likely to commit GBH because she's had her fix. That's money well spent in my humble opinion. 

2. Blooming Lovely ~ Bouquet Box Subscription

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You might have seen this past fortnight that the very generous Gal, Amy, at Bouquet Box sent me a perfectly packaged box of flowers. It's for that reason that I can confirm, this is one of the most delightful gifts you could possibly gift. 

At €16 per bouquet HERE, you can choose to have hand cut, expertly sourced, INCREDIBLY scented flowers sent weekly, monthly or fortnightly. Truthfully, having seen just how well these bouquets are presented and having had the entire floor compliment their scent for over a week, Bouquet Box is a doozy of a self gift too. (I'm choosing fortnightly to line up with my Pay Day, natch). 

3. Magazine Subscription  

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Granted we're all fiends for the online world but, on occasion it's still rather lovely to put your feet up and not be distracted by digital notifications while you read. That's where a subscription to a mag of your pal's preference comes in. I can still remember having the Story Teller books and tapes delivered as a child, such joy. 

Stuck for ideas on which magazine they might like? Stellar is Irish and always a safe bet, chock full of deadly features, fashion and fun. You'll get a whole year AND a nifty beauty gift for just €23 HERE. 

Another all-star publication is my subscription of choice, Psychologies. I'm not exxagerating when I say this magazine has changed the way I think about a lot of issues, and certainly the way I feel about myself. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving. I use Parcel Motel to keep my costs to a minimum for delivery HERE but even so, it's worth every cent. 

4. Odeon Limitless Cinema Card

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At this stage of the game I'm guessing our grá for cinema is pretty clear. To be fair, that's almost a universal trait. Regardless of pyjama clad Netflix binges or virus clad illegal streaming people LOVE the big screen. 

An Unlimited Card from Odeon cinemas (or the closest picture house to your lucky recipient) will always be a very welcome gift. Prices start at €19.99pm and include discounted treats (such as popcorn at just €48 per kernel as opposed to €50)


5. The Gift of Giving ~ Charity Donations

iStock Source

There are few among us that don't feel the overwhelming grip of capitalism, especially at Christmas time. If your loved one is of the giving disposition then a charitable donation (or subscription) on their behalf will be brilliantly received and an endless source of warm and fuzzies for you too. 

The key is to choose a charity close to their heart. Were I to receive a gift so thoughtful I'd happily nominate one of my three go tos: 

• Childline very gratefully receive donations HERE (having volunteered with them for a year I still donate AND fundraise for them, that says a lot). 
• Give 8 Repeal 8 would be thrilled with a pledge of €8 per month HERE until the 8th is repealed. I don't know many young women that wouldn't be delighted to put their name to this hugely valuable cause. 
• Pieta House do both life saving and life changing work, of which over 85% is made up by charitable donations. Your help, in your loved ones name could literally save a life HERE. 

Tell me, anything here you think might fit the bill for that last minute gift? 

If you tell me you've finished your shopping since July though you will be blocked, just FYI xo

The Toyota Auris Hybrid ~ Our #HappyinHybrid Week!

I'll start with a heartfelt Thanks to Toyota for the opportunity to work together to highlight their new Hybrid car this month. As soon as I received the brief, to use #HappyinHybrid, I knew I wanted to use the opportunity for good; to put my own spin on it, so to speak. In keeping with our entire ethos here at CherrySue, I wanted to pay that happiness forward; instead of relishing being happy in hybrid myself (which I absolutely did) I wanted others to feel a little of the happiness that came directly from driving the Auris too.

And so was born the week of #RandomActsofHappy, even though I had to fit my plans around my hybrid life as a working Mama/avid Blogger, this was probably the most rewarding project I've ever undertaken with the blog.

First things first was renewing my licence. I'd allowed it to lapse having handed back the fleet car I drove for my job in Road Safety a couple of years ago when our funding was cut. I'd actually half convinced myself that I didn't love being on the road every day from dawn 'til dusk; that and I'd never been able to justify buying a new car when there's teens, college & copious amounts of makeup to be paid for (it's an illness).

I knew I wanted to relate each of our #RandomActsofHappy back to drivers and the driving experience but also that I wanted to highlight some charities & organisations that are dear to our hearts. All the while, hoping that sharing the hashtag might just inspire others to do the same. It did. More often and in more ways than I could ever have hoped for.

So what did we do? You can take a quick squizz at the full five days through the Hashtag HEREbut our highlights include:


Driving the lesser spotted Gorgebag to college for the first time ever.

Braving Storm Abigail on Thursday night, I picked up my two favourite ladies from Athy as a birthday surprise. I haven't knocked on that door in at least 2 years so SURPRISE was right! We had a mini soiree in the back of the car before heading back up the N7 and arriving in style, safe and sound for the VIP opening night at Ice Skating Dublin in the Blanchardstown Centre. Singing our hearts out in the comfort of the car was probably my favourite part of the lot. Vive la Careoke! 

The most nonidentical identical twins in the world ~ Note the Frozen gift bag as opposed to Marvel!

Being preoccupied with my niblings' surprise birthday bash I gave my tickets to the Absolut Soder event to a good work friend. So a stop at the drive-through before a day of meetings was needed.

That wasn't my only visit to the drive-through that day though. This time 'round, I paid it forward by paying it backward & treated the car behind - see that full Video Tweet HERE:

'Here's hoping it's not a Clown Car!'

Next up was saving my Pops from the tail end of Storm Abigail by doing the Parental prescription run. They may only live 10 minutes from us but it's been quite a while since I've been able to help my parents out like this:

Real medicine & real medicine. Just what the Doctor ordered!

Saturday's idea was to surprise a good friend in a far flung part of the country but when the atrocities happened in Paris on Friday night, I changed my plans. I knew I wanted to help out with people returning to Dublin so offered up free lifts home to anyone that might really need one LINK HERE. When, quite understandably, I didn't have any short notice takers, I came up with the next best thing. I'd take a spin out and leave a warm welcome for one weary passenger on the ticket machine, hoping it would brighten someone's drive home. As fate would have it, these girls found it when they needed it most:

I couldn't quite believe the message from Laura on my Instagram that evening

The reaction to this particular #RandomActsofHappy has been nothing short of phenomenal. Shared thousands of times now and garnering interest on several of the country's largest entertainment websites such as Joe.ie /Her.ie, in print media as I spoke to Abi from The Mirror and on TV as seen above. 

Even now I'm receiving press inquiries about this beautiful little moment of kismet. That and, more importantly, messages from readers & strangers alike to say that it has inspired them to do their own Random Acts of Happy. Now that's an amazing feeling. 

Sunday saw the one and only time it's a good idea to put Diesel in a Hybrid:

Puppy Mani/Pedi Bound with Diesel

Then it was off to give Thanks to some people that have quite literally changed our lives. St. Luke's in Beaumont for the kindness and care they showed my Dad during his illness and Temple St for quite literally saving Adam's life when he was involved in a hit and run accident at just five years old. That was probably the most emotional day of the week to be honest and sincere apologies to those that snapped and tweeted to say I'd made them cry too. That was never the intention. But thank you too.

Heroes for heroes in St. Luke's & Temple Street

I had wanted to offer Patient drops to the Irish Cancer Society for their help during my Dad's radiation treatment but, understandably they need a commitment of time for that. Should you have the time or the resources to do so though, they could always do with some help. Get in touch through Volunteer.ie or Cancer.ie. I've been fundraising for the children's hospital ever since Adam's accident too and if they have helped you and yours, you can get in touch to do the very same at TempleStreet.ie.


On Monday we highlighted one charity that's looking to take your copper collections from you for a very good cause, well for five. Change for Charity support five Irish charities with the shrapnel you have lying in your cars ashtray or down the back of your seats :

Then real life & digital life crossed over once more as I popped across to our venue for our upcoming Fingal Road Safety Roadshow to finalise our numbers:

In fact there was a lot of this hybrid fitting right in to our way of life this week. It being ridiculously economical and good for the environment, which I try to be *ahem*being just two:

Check out that camera for reversing right up to the recycle bins! (Or, like, anything else)

I shared my very last installment of RandomActsofHappy on Snapchat yesterday and won't mention it here as I'm unsure as to whether it's been found yet and I'd really like it to be a unexpected surprise for the recipient. 

About the car itself. What made me Happy? 

If you've been following along with our adventures you'll know I shared right the way through my favourite features of the car itself - but what were they for those of you that missed it?

1. Hybrid Engine - firstly the fact that I got all of the benefits of an electric car, without ever needing to plug it in. For someone that often forgets to plug in her phone, never mind her car this was a BOON. 
2. The intelligent Hybrid engine decides how best to fuel itself, braking charges the battery, which in turn kicks in when you're braking a lot. So pretty much all the time during city driving. That means silent, economical joy - and more money for lipstick (again,illness). 
3. Automatic handling - there's no clutch, no catch and in fact the Auris handles very much like the swishest golf cart of your dreams. Given that I've driven every jallopy known to man in my Fingal days (Lisa Dingle in a Hi-Ace has nothing on me) this was a dream to glide through the week in. 
4. Heated seats. I suffer with sciatica because of slipped discs. Not so this week. One flick of a switch and I was in heaven; sliding out of the car and about my business all week long, much like Mr. Burns bringing Love. 
5. Alloy Wheels, OK, yes this is a pretty shallow one but when a fat cat in 3 Series BMW and an eagle eyed driver in an Audi R8 spend their time in traffic gawking at your wheels then that's a little slice of happiness in itself. 

All in all, my week with the Auris and my #RandomActsofHappy was one I won't soon forget. I'm thanking my lucky stars that I renewed my licence in time to take part. I'm thanking every single reader/tweeter/Snapper & RandomActsofHappy participator for their outpouring of joy and encouragement during our five days and I'm thanking Toyota for helping me to fall in love with driving all over again.

Got any questions or comments? 

                               I'd love to hear from you!

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in Tilt ~ Review!

I'm an absolute sucker for coral shades in all things makeup. Blusher, lipstick, gloss ~ gotta have it! So when I saw one of the nine new Matte Revolution lipsticks from Urban Decay was a hot coral called Tilt, I knew I had to at least swatch it. Matte lipsticks are very difficult to get right you see, truth is I've only ever gotten on with two before Elizabeth Arden's Bold Red REVIEWED HERE and Charlotte Tilbury's Lost Cherry SEEN HERE. Tilt though lured me in from the first google image. 

Usually with bright lipsticks I'll swatch on counter and go on my merry way to consider the purchase unless it's out of this world. Tilt is out of this world. I was still gawping at my one swipe swatch when the very friendly SA, Demi asked if I needed some assistance. I was heading to Miss Ireland that night and knew I needed a killer lippie to go with a black gúna. I also knew I can be cack handed in application so she very kindly applied my fill face, Tilt included. 

The first thing I noticed was the creamy texture in application, noticeably so for a matte lipstick. That's down to the long list of nourishing ingredients, including a blend of avocado, olive and babassu oils. Shea butter conditions; illipe butter and both vitamin E &C. 

The pigmentation is unlike any lipstick I own. I had first thought it a dupe for Lost Cherry but in application it's more a hybrid of Lost Cherry & MAC's Lady Danger together. It packs a seriously colourful punch. 

Demi used the matching 24/7 lip liner as, though seriously pigmented, these lippies have a tendency to feather slightly. Normally that's OK but with colours as bright as these you're going to want to contain 'em. I've since used NYX's Wonder Pencil with this and After Dark (a plum matte metallic from the same range) so you really don't need to shell out for the liner too. Clarins also have fab nude lip pencils upcoming to suit your skin tone but more on those soon. 

While there is transfer to glasses and hands (if you're handsy like me), Tilt never once smudged for the entire night. I pulled it out to reapply after dinner as my lips felt soft (not the norm with matte lippies) but there was no need. My lips were still as bright as before, it hadn't budged. 

In fact the pic below is a screen grab of the message I sent at 2am to say I was safe home after a night of bubbles & boogieing. Check it!

Urban Decay Matte Revolution lipsticks are available in nine bright to nude saturated shades for €19 a pop HERE or on any Urban Decay counter. So enamoured was I with Tilt that I've already picked up After Dark. 

What do we reckon? Is Tilt calling to you too? 

Zerreau Towel Off Foam Shampoo ~ Dry Shampoo Fiends & Festival Goers Rejoice!

Zerreau Towel Off Foam Shampoo: £6.99 Here

If you know anything about me you'll know I'm no muss, no fuss when it comes to my grúaig. Dry shampoo, therefore is the one product you'll find in abundance about my person at any given time. The thing about dry shampoo, however, is that it can be serious trial and error to avoid a powdery 17th century peruke atop your head. Cue Zerreau Towel Off Foam Shampoo. It's a dry/foam shampoo hybrid & I'm loving it!

My first introduction to this tress game changer was as a deluxe sample in this months Glossybox. One of the stellar selling points of subscription boxes such as these is the discovery of products that might never normally cross your radar. I've since found that you can buy full sizes in Superdrug but if the reaction to my Instagram & FB posts are anything to go by it'll fly off the shelves. 

I've just recently given my hair the chop and am sporting a layered lob so just 5 pumps of this foam, into the roots of my 2 day old barnet was enough. I towel dried roughly & brushed through. It feels like freshly washed hair straight off the bat, but that may be a lot to do with the fresh green apple scent. Because I had a minute I gave my hair a blast of hair dryer heat & followed up with a cold blow through. Gave it a little looksee and... blown away. 

The foam shampoo gives my hair oomph from the roots, so allowed me to forgo other styling products. It doesn't feel powdery in the slightest but does have traction enough so that it stays put when put there. That evening's event saw the most impromptu compliments I've had on my grúaig ever. Naturally I answered everyone in a typically Irish manner 'This old barnet? Foam shampoo!'. 

We've had two dalliances since and both times Zerreau hasn't let me down. It may be a match made in heaven, especially considering the foam claims to be effective enough to remove hair chalk and product build up. I can see a large size being flung in my backpack for this summers festival messing!

Have you tried this Towel Off Foam Shampoo yet? I'd love to hear how you got on?

L'occitane Almond Velvet Serum & Balm - Review!

I try not to gush about products here on CherrySue but when one of your all time favourite brands releases a more luxurious version of one of your all time favourite products then you best believe gushing's gonna happen. L'occitane's Almond Velvet Youthful Body Duo are the posher older sisters new to the cult favourite and personal Holy Grail Almond collection and they couldn't be lovelier. 

Three new patents are combined to pack a powerful skincare and anti-aging punch with these body care beauties. Almond proteins from the almond fruit for lifting and toning. Almond buds united with rose buds for skin refinement and almond leaf cells, which can promote synthesis of Collagen and Elastin. This active complex works on five signs of ageing: dryness, lack of firmness, lack of tone, fine lines and irregularities in skintone.

ALMOND VELVET SERUM 100ml - €46

This lightweight, heavenly scented serum is the first of its kind for L'occitane. Pairing the almond active complex (the science bit above) with vitamin C, makes this easily absorbed anti-aging serum an absolute joy to use. Immediately my skin was smoother and with a couple of weeks use the difference is notable. 

I can't attest to a reduction in fine lines as the lines on my boddeh are anything but 'fine' but my skin tone is noticeably brighter. I've been more inclined to wear shorter sleeves as a result and that's always a great thing, especially coming into the warmer/muggier months.
I legitimately never thought I'd use an anti-aging body serum in my lifetime but only last night caught myself holding this weighty bottle to my night light to gauge when I might need another. At €46, it's not cheap for a veritable frippery but I can see myself using this (from the waist up anyway) (I'm weird like that) for the forseeable. 

ALMOND VELVET BALM 200ml - €49

Almond Milk Concentrate is and always has been a HG body product of mine. There have been ructions 'round Casa Cherry way when I find a large shovel hand amount has been gouged from the latest pot, though I don't deny the Gorgebags their luxuries (the spoiled gits). I must have bought those jars back to back for about 8 jars now so when I say that Amande Velvet Balm is Almond 2.0, please know that I don't say that lightly. 

With a more delicately powdered scent than its predecessor, Velvet Balm melts into and comforts the skin like no product I've used before. I've found myself showering just so I can apply it to fresh skin and enjoy that experience all over again. The actives that target the five signs of aging truly are the cherry on top for me, hence the review after just 3 weeks. Of course I'll report back with any breathtaking skin changes but for now it truly is about the experience of this Balm. 

Think of this duo as the posher older sisters of the Almond range, you know the ones that travel the world and give the best pressies? Everyone's favourite kind. While I'll certainly be repurchasing the original Almond Milk Concentrate for the lads (it's a fave of theirs too), Almond Velvet Balm is firmly on the repurchase list for Mama as soon as this jar is devoured.  

Tell us, are you an Almond Collection fan? Reckon you'll give this new duo a trial? 

Brilliant Instant Bronzers ft He-Shi Luminous Shimmer, Clarins Splendours Shimmer Body Oil & Pixy Glowing Body Butter

I'm all for beauty on the run, because I'm mostly on the run but what with us knowing now what we do about harmful UV rays, bronzing on the run is also an essential part of my readying up for a night out or just in the quest to appear less dead. 

Three of my ultimate instant bronzers have to be He - Shi Luminous Shimmer, Clarins new Splendours Shimmer Body Oil and Pixy's Glowing Body Butter. Read on to find out for why: 

He-Shi Luminous Tanner: €12.50

The winner of the Image 2013 Best for Shimmer Beauty Award, He-Shi's Quick & Easy Luminous Shimmer is exactly that. Quick, easy and shimmery. 

This deep mahogany brown gel, crammed full of gold and rose gold shimmer was a little off putting with it's stunning shimmery ways in the tub but the effect on the skin is instant, light catching, bronzed gorgeousness. 

With the staying ability of bronzers three times its price, apply this beauty with a mitt to your decolletage, and arms for an instant, lasting sun kiss. 

Clarins Splendours Body Oil: €37 (Limited Edition)

This limited edition super sparkly body oil is probably the least oiliest oil you can find. It applies like a dream, scented like holidays and it's infusion of golden micro particles blend seamlessly with your skin to give you a subtle, summery shimmer. 

Hazelnut oil nourishes your skin beautifully and the scents of mandarin, grapefruit, Tonka bean and ylang ylang work to give this oil it's stunning scent.
As with all things Clarins, Splendours oil is a little bit of luxury for a reasonable price. This is the one I've been reaching for most of the instant bronzing helpers so I'd advise if you'd like to sample it that you hot foot it to your nearest Clarins counter before it goes bye-bye. 

Pixy Glowing Body Butter: €12.99

You'd be mistaken for thinking you'd been duped when first reaching for Pixy's Glowing Body Butter. The whipped up bronzing souffle inside is light as air and smells incredible. 

Crammed to the brim with Shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet apricot oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, fragranced with jasmine and laced with mica to give your skin an instant shimmer, this is the most nourishing of the three when it comes to getting your glow on. 

Such is my grá for this little whipped pot of wonder that it made it into my May faves with ease. 

And that's them, my top three for getting your instant glow on. 

Have you tried any/all of these? I'd love to know what you use when bronzing on the run. 

Real Techniques Limited Edition Duo Fiber Brush Collection - Review!

I mentioned at the start of the month that I'd managed to bag the Real Techniques Limited Edition Duo Fiber brush collection for a bargainous €11.36 WITH delivery from iHerb.com. 

They arrived at my office 7 days later so how have we been getting on since then? 

'Duo Fiber' brushes aren't duo fibre at all - They're just synthetic

First impressions of this collection is how sparse the hairs are in comparison to regular Real Techniques brushes (some of my all time favourites).  The handles are white aluminium with this collection, making them lighter to use, it also means they stand out in a sea of black handles. 

I was a little dubious as to how effective they'd be once I realised that their density was lacking but pleasantly surprised that they add a new dimension to my make up collection for that very reason. 

First up the Face Brush is ridiculously soft and the sparsely held synthetic fibres make the ideal brush for finishing powders when setting your make up. 

The powder seems to be drawn to the fibres as tapping the brush doesn't release the excess yet when applied to the face you still manage to get an airbrushed effect as the powder skims over the skin. 

The Contour Brush is more densely packed than the Face Brush but as you can see reacts similarly with powder. Flatter than most contour brushes this fits into the hollow of the cheeks (I have them, honest) and buffs contouring colours beautifully. 

I've also used this one for blush and the effect is the same, airbrushed loveliness. 

As I've said the original Real Techniques brushes are some of my all time favourites, not least because of their eye collection but this feathery soft Duo Fiber Eye Brush is an absolute cracker for blending out and crease work. 

Again, the brush is shaped perfectly so that it sits on the crease of the eyelid and sweeps across gently. The trick here I've found is to let the brush do the work for you. Add more layers of shadow for a deeper pigment but never more than gently press onto the skin. 

So overall would I advise you pick these up? Abso-lutely. I have nothing like them in my collection and I don't imagine you do either. Handcut and 100% cruelty free, there's not a lot not to like. 

I'll go back to the main clincher though, these are professional quality brushes for a pittance in price. My order came from iHerb.com, they've given me a share code for all first time orders RLL469 that will get you between $5-$10 dollars off your order. Of course if you wanted to stock up on other bits that'd be your chance to do so as the site appears to be full of bargains. I stopped looking - pesky kids and their need to eat every day (selfish). 

If you've managed to bag a set of this collection I'd love to hear your thoughts? 

Revlon Red Velvet: The Lip Butter that Changed my Mind

I had pretty much written off the Revlon Lip Butter movement and all its balmy efforts with my last three purchases because truthfully they whelmed me. But when I caught glimpse of one of this years newest additions swatched online, I knew Red velvet might just be the one to sway me. 

Praise Jebus I was right. I'm going to let the pictures take over at this point because LOOK: 

First Step: The torturous task of finding blog props to photograph before use!

Rich and Moist just like its namesake

Revlon's Red velvet is a deep red with pink/plum leanings

You can almost taste it, right?

I'm just shocked the cake lasted this long

On the actual kisser. Red Velvet, it makes me smile, wha? 

I think what thrilled me more than anything else with this lip butter is the fact that it didn't bleed or feather on my lips. Now I know I'm no Spring chuck but I've never had a difficulty with feathering before and the thoughts of carrying 'round a lip pencil just for my lip balm was far too much faff to be doing with. 

Not only is Red Velvet soft, moisturising and fairly long wearing (2 hrs approx) but it's the most flattering red I've worn in a while, considering my aversion to bright colours. I've had several compliments while wearing this shade and you know what? That makes me happy. 

There are five limited edition Revlon lip butter shades available for Summer 2013 with the last two here joining the permanent collection: Wild Water / Juicy Papaya / Sorbet / Pink Lemonade / Brown Sugar / Red Velvet / Sugar Plum. Thankfully Red Velvet made the cut!

You can check out the other shades in action, Brown Sugar especially over here on Sunday Girl's delectable blog. Truth be told I'm not sure I'll be picking up any others though I know for a fact I'll be stocking up on this. Thankfully they're 3 for 2 at the minute in Boots. 

What think we?