Hi – it’s me. Apologies for the radio silence on here – work has (thankfully) gotten incredibly busy recently, which means that every single second has been spent doing that, and less of this. Which is annoying. So despite today’s to do list sitting at 50% completed I thought I’d share this gorgeous find which I’ve been loving recently.
Over the past year or so, I’ve really been on a bit of a hair health kick. I’ve ditched my usual highlights regime (thanks Lockdown) and I’m now the nearest I’ve been to my natural hair colour since I was 13. I’ve also overhauled my product stash, ditching everything with silicons, paragons and sulphates, and honestly, my ends haven’t felt this healthy in a long time.
I feel like each and every product from Christophe Robin’s line could be classified as a favourite, but if you’re in need a once a week treat – the Aloe Vera Express Mask is the one. Formulated to hydrate, plump strands and emphasise shine, I slather it on every Monday after using the brands Sea Salt Scrub.
The result is hair which feels soft and silky, and it’s super shiny too. Since ditching the bleach, I don’t have to worry about broken baby hairs which frizz at the slightest touch of heat or humidity, and my hair feels so much thicker too!
Christophe Robin’s Aloe Vera Express Mask is priced from £15 and is available here (UK) and here (US).
I feel like 2021 is the year of the staycation. I’m not brave enough to book a foreign holiday and hope for the best, so I’ve spent the summer exploring closer to home, and last month I headed out to Perthshire for a much-needed night away.
Just over an hour from Edinburgh, Perthshire is home to some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery, and it’s the perfect destination if you’re in the mood for an outdoorsy break. My destination was Murrayshall House Hotel, a Perthshire icon which has been welcoming guests since the 70s. Boasting 40 bedrooms, a noted golf course, as well as offering a range of activities including fishing, kayak experience and food tours, it’s the perfect destination to head to if you’re looking to experience a truly Scottish getaway.
We weren’t feeling too adventurous, so we opted to just have an evening with a little indulgence. After arriving at about three, we checked in to our beautiful Deluxe Room and spent a few hours unwinding. With plenty of plug sockets and fast wifi, I could finish off a couple of work bits, whilst a roomy bath meant I could also spend a decent amount of time soaking with a bath bomb and a good book.
I loved the oversized headboard, and the touches of tartan sprinkled throughout the room gave it a real sense of being in the heart of some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside. Our room was right at the front of the hotel, which meant we enjoyed views stretching into the gardens, and at night baby bunnies hopped about – absolutely magical!
When it came to dinnertime, we headed downstairs to the Lynedoch Brasserie. Playing host to a birthday party and a number of couples, it was such a beautiful spot to spend a sunny evening. After grabbing a table by the window, it was time to deliberate over menu options. Dishes served present local Scottish ingredients with an international flair, so we tended to share, as they were just too delicious to keep to ourselves!
Rather impressively, you can enjoy two courses at the Lynedoch Brasserie for only £30 per person, which is great value with the quality of dishes on offer. We kicked dinner off with two of the fish options available – George Campbell & Sons Smoked Scottish (£3 supplement) and Andy Duncan’s Hand Dived Scallops served with a Thai-style bisque, fennel, crab bhaji (£6 supplement). Both were delicious, and I loved the attention to detail – capers and caviar with the salmon, and a rich bisque and crisp bhaji which contrasted perfectly with the buttery scallops.
Our main courses were equally delicious, as we opted for the Corn Fed Chicken Breast served with Haggis Bon Bon and and the Gressingham Duck. We couldn’t resist adding some broccoli and hand cut chips (£4 each) to try too. The chicken came with the most delicious, savoury wheat, whilst my duck was the perfect summer supper. Rich duck meat contrasted perfectly with the mouth-puckering kumquat, and it was potentially the prettiest meal I’ve had all year!
Whilst we were almost full to the brim thanks to such a delicious supper, we couldn’t resist trying a dessert. We opted to share the Rum and Raisin Creme Brûlée (£6) which comes serves with homemade shortbread. Rich, eggy vanilla custard sat beneath a perfectly crisp sugar crust, and the biscuits positively melted in the mouth. I loved the addition of boozy raisins too – it was a wonderfully fun update on a classic!
After such a wonderful meal, it was heavenly to be able to head upstairs and enjoy the comforts of such a cosy room. Summer temperatures meant we could fling open the windows and fall asleep to the sound of the surrounding countryside, and in the morning we woke to birdsong.
After enjoying a bit of a long lie, it was time to head down to breakfast – it was served in the Lynedoch Brasserie, so once again we got to enjoy the most perfect views. After a few cups of piping hot coffee and a cheese omelette, it was time to head home.
We enjoyed an absolutely wonderful stay at Murrayshall. Every member of the team was lovely and super helpful, whilst the hotel and grounds were an absolute delight to enjoy. It was exactly the staycation we both needed, and it was so very much appreciated!
You can enjoy to staycation with Murrayshall House Hotel for only £100 per person per night – more information is available here.
When Glossier released their new Ultralips a few weeks back, I just knew I’d love the new formula. Described as the lipstick equivalent of a cashmere sweatpant, the idea of a comfortable, easy slick of colour for my daily makeup felt like perfect timing. Over the summer I’ve been giving my daily products a bit of a refresh – powders have been swapped for creams, and I’ve been really simplifying what I reach for, so the release felt like perfect timing.
Packaged in the cutest pink, minimalist tube, the Ultralip has quickly become one of my most reached-for products. One of nine available shades, Lucite is a soft, cool-toned pink which Glossier describe as ‘peony’. It’s my favourite kind of daytime lip colour – subtle colour with a flattering sheen. It’s hydrating too, so lips are never left feeling parched, even when I’m on the go.
With a formula which includes Hyaluronic Acid, three hydrating oils and buildable pigment, has quickly become a real daily staple. I’ve been grabbing it for everything from coffee runs to zoom meetings and everything in between. It’s super comfortable to wear, and it’s ultra flattering too! I guess that’s why it’s called Ultralip!
Glossier Ultralip is priced at £14 and is available here.
New to Glossier? Follow this link to receive 10% off your first order!
When it comes to summer travels this year, it was obvious that we weren’t going to be getting away anywhere too exotic. Even though you’re technically allowed to travel again, I worry way too much to be able to enjoy a break with every possibility that you’d have to up and head home at any moment. Plus, spending time on a plane with a mask doesn’t sound ideal. So instead, we decided to head down to The Cotswolds. It’s an area we go to pretty regularly, but we’d never been down during the summer, and I had a hit list of places to head to – top of which was The Wild Rabbit.
Part of the Daylesford Group, the Wild Rabbit is the absolute dream of Olde English Inn realised in the stunning village of Kingham. I’ve been wanting to check-in for a while, but it’s always fully booked, so, back in March I got our reservation in, and confirmed the Mouse Room for a few nights away. Depending on your needs, The Wild Rabbit have a variety of accommodation options which range from the cosy (The Mouse) through to multi-bedroomed cottages perfect for family breaks away. A number of them are pet-friendly too!
We knew booking that the Mouse was the smallest room on offer, but honestly, I fell in love with it. Cotswolds stone took pride of place with a beautifully lit feature wall, and although it was small, everything was so well thought-out. A bathroom, with full bath, came stocked with luxe Bamford toiletries, whilst the bed itself was the comfiest of clouds, super king in size, and decked out in crisp white linen sheets.
Throughout the Wild Rabbit, you’ll find Hugo Guinness’ charming Lino cuts, and each room comes with its own, specially designed motif. In a really cute detail, you get a postcard version to take home.
Breakfast comes included with your roommate, and it would be a crime to miss it. A mix of pastries, yoghurt and cooked options, they really cater for everyone’s tastes. We’re not big breakfast people, but it was still lovely to start the day with a bit of scrambled eggs and sausage, and the Daylesford coffee is always delicious!
We actually ate at The Wild Rabbit twice during our stay, and due to the steak being so delicious, we had it both times! With a seasonal menu which changes regularly, it was such a treat getting to enjoy such local produce, and the touches like the amuse bouche and warmed bread were seriously appreciated!
A ribeye is never going to be the most photogenic of dishes, but this was, without a doubt, one of the most delicious steaks I’ve ever had. Flame-grilled with a sprinkling of pepper, and perfectly rare inside, it was absolutely divine. Served with perfectly crunchy fries and rich hollandaise sauce, it was a Last Supper-worthy.
When it comes to this time of year, I cannot tell you how clean I want my face to feel. Truly, wearing a face-full of heavy makeup as the temperatures start to rise feels like an absolute nightmare, and I’d much rather spend my days in tinted moisturiser than have to worry about thick or powdery formulas. I’ve also been switching up my skincare routine to keep my skin as happy as possible too. Now that salons are back open, I’ve resumed my routine of a microdermalbrasion facial every six weeks, which means I don’t need to worry too much about exfoliation, and I’ve been wanting to switch up my cleansing routine after powering through my last tube.
I stumbled on a bottle of Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser a couple of weeks ago, and honestly, I’d forgotten how much I like it. It’s easy to write-off Glossier as a fad brand, their marketing and packaging is a bit of a love-it-or-loathe it (I fall into the former category), but their products tend to work well for me. I love the easiness of them, and the cleanser is no different. A light, jelly-like consistency with the merest hint of a rose fragrance, it’s super cooling on skin, and if you’ve been in the sun, it feels like a bit of a godsend. It doesn’t foam as such, and it doesn’t sting your eyes either. Instead, it just leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed rather than stripped. For skin that’s in need of a little TLC, this is a must-have.
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser is priced at £15, and is available here.
If you’re new to Glossier, make your first order here, to receive 10% off
