Another week, another amazing city! I'm beginning to feel just slightly like a jet setter.. although eight hours on a coach and a rather woozy ferry ride didn't feel too luxurious at the time. A few little breaks that have been in the pipeline for a long time all seemed to have fallen within the same two months and honestly, I'm absolutely exhausted! Last year Darren organised a trip for us to see the Belgium F1 Grand Prix, which I have a sneaking suspicion was more for his benefit than mine, not that I was complaining when Jenson Button drove past us in a convertible - hands up who loves the JB ladies! Not only did we get to spend a few fun (although rather soggy) days at the track, we also got to explore Belgium itself a little.

• August 31, 2014

This Week: In Bruges

Another week, another amazing city! I'm beginning to feel just slightly like a jet setter.. although eight hours on a coach and a rather woozy ferry ride didn't feel too luxurious at the time. A few little breaks that have been in the pipeline for a long time all seemed to have fallen within the same two months and honestly, I'm absolutely exhausted! Last year Darren organised a trip for us to see the Belgium F1 Grand Prix, which I have a sneaking suspicion was more for his benefit than mine, not that I was complaining when Jenson Button drove past us in a convertible - hands up who loves the JB ladies! Not only did we get to spend a few fun (although rather soggy) days at the track, we also got to explore Belgium itself a little.

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When I last posted about my morning and evening skincare routines back in March I promised to keep a more regular update on any changes to my regular line up of products. Since then a handful of new finds (and some golden oldies!) have been introduced and others substituted out completely so I decided it was about time to dedicate a video to my favourite subject!

• August 24, 2014

A Skincare Update

When I last posted about my morning and evening skincare routines back in March I promised to keep a more regular update on any changes to my regular line up of products. Since then a handful of new finds (and some golden oldies!) have been introduced and others substituted out completely so I decided it was about time to dedicate a video to my favourite subject!

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If there's one skincare product I enjoy the most, it's a good cleansing balm. The feeling of throwing a rich, oily layer right on top of make up and watching it melt away while indulging in a quick facial massage isn't a bad way to spend five minutes in the evening and makes the tedious step of taking it all off a little more bearable. Emma Hardie's Amazing Face Balm was my cleanser of choice for a long time and I'll admit it's still probably the best out there, but after three tubs of the stuff I just felt like a change and something very special came through my letterbox just in time.

Neal's Yard is a brand I'm quickly falling head over heels for and their 10th Anniversary Edition Wild Rose Beauty Balm* now takes the title as one of the prettiest packaged products I own. Its also the thickest, richest and most concentrated cleansing balm I've ever tried, injecting so much moisture that no matter how dehydrated, dry and generally dull looking my skin may be it instantly perks everything up and leaves it plumped and glowing in just a few seconds. Despite being so rich it melts into the skin beautifully, breaking down every scrap of make up, even stubborn mascara and then after a quick sweep of a damp muslin cloth is gone just as easily, no oily residue left behind and no extra scrubbing required.

Those not so into the idea of Rose need not worry as the sweet floral of the rosehip oil is undercut by a spicy note of frankincense - one of my favourite scents, and is so incredibly relaxing! Most nights I find myself feeling drowsy as soon as the lid comes off..

Suffice to say this has become a firm favourite for cleansing and one that I'm happy to pull off the shelf over and over again. Excuse me while I sit at my desk for the next five minutes smelling this wonderful little pot!

* Gifted PR Samples

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• August 21, 2014

A New Favourite Cleansing Balm

If there's one skincare product I enjoy the most, it's a good cleansing balm. The feeling of throwing a rich, oily layer right on top of make up and watching it melt away while indulging in a quick facial massage isn't a bad way to spend five minutes in the evening and makes the tedious step of taking it all off a little more bearable. Emma Hardie's Amazing Face Balm was my cleanser of choice for a long time and I'll admit it's still probably the best out there, but after three tubs of the stuff I just felt like a change and something very special came through my letterbox just in time.

Neal's Yard is a brand I'm quickly falling head over heels for and their 10th Anniversary Edition Wild Rose Beauty Balm* now takes the title as one of the prettiest packaged products I own. Its also the thickest, richest and most concentrated cleansing balm I've ever tried, injecting so much moisture that no matter how dehydrated, dry and generally dull looking my skin may be it instantly perks everything up and leaves it plumped and glowing in just a few seconds. Despite being so rich it melts into the skin beautifully, breaking down every scrap of make up, even stubborn mascara and then after a quick sweep of a damp muslin cloth is gone just as easily, no oily residue left behind and no extra scrubbing required.

Those not so into the idea of Rose need not worry as the sweet floral of the rosehip oil is undercut by a spicy note of frankincense - one of my favourite scents, and is so incredibly relaxing! Most nights I find myself feeling drowsy as soon as the lid comes off..

Suffice to say this has become a firm favourite for cleansing and one that I'm happy to pull off the shelf over and over again. Excuse me while I sit at my desk for the next five minutes smelling this wonderful little pot!

* Gifted PR Samples

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When I found out I'd be taking a trip to Paris last month not only did I start planning the sights to see and places to go, but also which beauty products I wanted to pick up on our brief visit. From the lure of the French pharmacies, stocked to the brim with amazing skincare brands and a fair few products that are almost impossible to find in the UK to the various Sephoras dotted all over the place - the store on the Champs-Élysées is practically a make up lovers heaven, housing just about every product you could ever wish for. Unfortunately not everything could come home with me in my already over-packed suitcase but this handful of beauty goodies were just too good to be left behind!

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• August 18, 2014

Paris Beauty Haul

When I found out I'd be taking a trip to Paris last month not only did I start planning the sights to see and places to go, but also which beauty products I wanted to pick up on our brief visit. From the lure of the French pharmacies, stocked to the brim with amazing skincare brands and a fair few products that are almost impossible to find in the UK to the various Sephoras dotted all over the place - the store on the Champs-Élysées is practically a make up lovers heaven, housing just about every product you could ever wish for. Unfortunately not everything could come home with me in my already over-packed suitcase but this handful of beauty goodies were just too good to be left behind!

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Before I start waffling on about cake, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all those who commented or tweeted me about yesterday's post. You truly warmed my heart and I feel so lucky to have such wonderful, understanding readers who have left me feeling refreshed, full of positivity and ready to start a new chapter of I Covet Thee. For those worried that it meant my blogging days were coming to an end, have no fear, I'll be here talking about junk food, make up and how much I've unwisely spent at Space NK for a long time to come!

• August 17, 2014

This Week: Cake at the Seaside

Before I start waffling on about cake, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all those who commented or tweeted me about yesterday's post. You truly warmed my heart and I feel so lucky to have such wonderful, understanding readers who have left me feeling refreshed, full of positivity and ready to start a new chapter of I Covet Thee. For those worried that it meant my blogging days were coming to an end, have no fear, I'll be here talking about junk food, make up and how much I've unwisely spent at Space NK for a long time to come!

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Now, I like to keep this space on the internet as professional as possible. Beauty, style and whatever else inspires me - yes, but get me talking about anything too personal and it all starts to get a bit uncomfortable. Sure, I've taken you along with me to the odd lunch date or two, will always feel obliged to share whenever a particularly mouthwatering desert/cake/burger (or all of the above) makes it's way onto my plate and even let you see me swanning around the house with wet hair and no make up while having the odd moan about life last time Vlogmas rolled around, but usually that's about as personal as it gets.

• August 16, 2014

A Few Words About Blogging

Now, I like to keep this space on the internet as professional as possible. Beauty, style and whatever else inspires me - yes, but get me talking about anything too personal and it all starts to get a bit uncomfortable. Sure, I've taken you along with me to the odd lunch date or two, will always feel obliged to share whenever a particularly mouthwatering desert/cake/burger (or all of the above) makes it's way onto my plate and even let you see me swanning around the house with wet hair and no make up while having the odd moan about life last time Vlogmas rolled around, but usually that's about as personal as it gets.

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I may have brought enough make up on holiday with me this year to last months rather than weeks but it was this simple look using just a handful of products that I gravitated towards most days. A special mention has to go out to the Diorskin Nude BB Creme which has turned out to be the star of the show for simple Summer skin and may just be edging it as my new favourite lightweight base - it's just flawless!

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• August 12, 2014

Simple Summer Make Up

I may have brought enough make up on holiday with me this year to last months rather than weeks but it was this simple look using just a handful of products that I gravitated towards most days. A special mention has to go out to the Diorskin Nude BB Creme which has turned out to be the star of the show for simple Summer skin and may just be edging it as my new favourite lightweight base - it's just flawless!

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