If I Won The Lottery

Many years ago I visited a psychic who told me I would win the lottery which is ironic as I'm not actually someone who plays often. Often friends and I will purchase a ticket on a whim, spend hours listing all the wonderful things we would purchase with our millions only to be disappointed when our numbers don't come up and dreams of retiring are dashed.

Worse is those occasions when you are lucky to see your numbers drop and find your winnings are not quite the millions you were anticipating. There is some good news from Lottoland who have a new way you can play the lottery - even the famous Powerball in the US - and that is lotto betting. You can find out more here but in summary you still guess which numbers will be drawn but are not restricted with a ticket or location for which lottery you want to take part in and it's all done online so no fear of losing your ticket and those millions you intend to win.

So if I were lucky enough to win the Euromillions what would I spend all that cash on? Of course there are all the 'boring' things; a lavish home that I could decorate from head to toe without watching the pennies but its those smaller but no less extravagant things I'd treat myself to. 

I always said it would be a Chanel bag until I was lucky enough to own one but even so I'd love to have them in various sizes, different coloured hardware; that is the sort of thing only a lottery winner (or Khardashian) could dream off. Perhaps a full set of Louis Vuitton luggage for my travels used when I whisked my friends away on an all expenses paid trip to Las Vegas complete with first class travel and a luxurious suite on the strip. 

Travel would most definitely be high on my agenda, an empty suitcase, the Louis Vuitton ones obviously and visiting whereever takes ones fancy, staying in the most luxurious hotels and not worrying about the ridiculous cost of roaming charges (you should see my bill from St Lucia!). I would love to return to Hawaii and discover more of the islands but just rocking up to the airport with no financial worries and picking a flight would be a fantastic experience.

Of course if I'm living this high life beauty must be high on the agenda. I don't consider myself particularly high maintenance where pampering is concerned but to have a hairdresser 'on the payroll' to accompany me on my travels and style my hair ever morning would be amazing.

Perhaps my picks are somewhat frivolous but wouldn't that be the joy of seeing so many digits in your bank account? Money might not buy happiness but I'd sure give it a try.

What would you buy if you won't the lottery?

*in collaboration with Lottoland

Book Review | The Santangelos by Jackie Collins

It was a sad day for many when Jackie Collins past away but thankfully her legacy of books remains and I for one have been reading her novels for years, I'm sure earlier than was even age appropriate. Jackie Collins is the queen of the 'bonkbuster' and was sharing tales of Hollywood glamour, grit and sexploits way before any of us had heard of Mr Grey.

Lucky Santangelo and the Santangelo clan have had their stories told over a number of books and The Santangelos is the final book in this series and its easy read was the perfect companion for my holiday to St Lucia.

A vicious hit, a vengeful enemy, a drug addled Colombian club owner and a sex crazed Italian family...the ever powerful Lucky Santangelo has to deal with them all. Meanwhile Max - her teenage daughter - is becoming the 'It' girl in Europe's modelling world. And her Kennedyesque son, Bobby, is being set up for a murder he didn't commit. But Lucky can deal. Always strong and unpredictable, with her husband Lennie by her side, she lives up to the family motto - Never fuck with a Santangelo. Lucky roles... the Santangelos always come out on top. The Santangelos is an epic family saga filled with love, lust, revenge and passion.

Whilst it had been some years since I last read about The Santangelo's I happily dived straight in and was able to enjoy it as it's own tale with enough background added into remind me of what had led the characters to the current time.

Jackie Collins allows you to be transported to another world and yes they can be a little far fetched, exaggerated even but I enjoy that and it's known that Jackie would be 'inspired' by people she met in her Hollywood travels so it's always fun to try and work out who she might be talking about in the 'real world'.

Characters are glossy, some you love, others you love to hate and I can almost be grateful for my simple life with no fears of enemies taking a deadly turn but this is escapism at it's best.

Jackie Collins books are perfect for holidays or those of you who only have snatched moments to read. There are a lot of breaks in the story as it moves between locations and characters so you're able to find natural stops to reapply sun cream, go for a swim or perhaps give your loved ones attention. It's an easy read and perhaps not the most high brow of books but it's a great read and I whizzed through this in only a couple of days.

Are you a Jackie Collins fan?

You can find more book reviews here.

*this post contains affiliate links

Maintaining Bronze Goddess Status

A month ago I was celebrating my birthday, sitting in my parents garden with the sun beating down yet today I'm typing away with the heating on - what is the weather doing? Nonetheless there are one or two ways I can pretend the sun is still shining.

First is a firm favourite from last year, Estee Lauders iconic fragrance for Summer, Bronze Goddess which is back at House of Fraser on 1st June. I picked this up in Duty Free last year and it was of course the scent I travelled to St Lucia with.

As soon as I spray the perfume I'm transport to warmed climes and reminded of my holidays which can be needed in less than desirable circumstances or weather. I find it's a scent that lingers well on the skin and one that people often comment on and ask what I'm wearing.

In my initial review I discussed how it can be more a growing in scent, first sprays I wasn't impressed with but do test it on your own skin to see how it settles as you might change any negative first impressions.

My only plea to Estee Lauder? Please bring out a travel friendly size for times when we're tackling limited luggage allowances.

My St Lucia tan is slowly fading so I'm currently dabbling with a few tanning products to ensure my legs don't return to their pasty hue, one of which is St Moriz Dry Oil Self Tanning Mist*. Usually I prefer a mousse for my faux tan but often it requires a little more care and attention to apply than I would like. All the prep and then time to develop when often I decide that I want to bare my legs with only a matter of hours to spare or don't want to fuss with washing off.

I first tried this out over the Bank Holiday weekend after stepping out of the shower and thinking it's now or never, especially as the dry oil will lock in moisture from the shower so even before we get into it's tanning qualities it creates a nice finish on the skin whilst keeping it hydrated.

You simply spray St Moriz Dry Oil Mist onto your skin and then using a mitt (I picked up one from Home Bargains recently that I'm really impressed with) blend into skin. In my opinion it is more spray than mist although not aggressively so and a few well distributed squirts work like any other product. I am always nervous when there is no guide colour but the oil formula allows you to pay attention to where you have applied.

You won't have a lingering 'fake tan' scent from St Moriz but there is a heavily perfumed one on applying that I'm not too big a fan of and it does smell artificial but dissipates quickly that I only remembered on spraying as writing todays review.

Usually I find myself walking around starkers when I've applied fake tan, or reaching for onesie as it dries but another point to St Moriz is the fast drying formula. It isn't greasy, sticky or tacky to touch and very quickly after applying I was able to dress, and even diced with danger and wore a white t-shirt and there was no transfer.

Your colour will deepen throughout the day, and whilst I applied of an evening before visiting friends it was certainly evident in the morning and as I sat Facetiming with Ben I kept brandishing my 'tanned arm' pleased with how it looked.

I have found the colour lighter on my legs which I put down to being over cautious when applying and will be a little more heavy handed next time but there is a bronzed glow which I appreciate and can see the appeal of applying this on the morning I head to work and leaving for drinks in the evening with pins I'm proud of.

As someone who likes quick and instant results created with ease this is going to become a firm favourite and a product I'll be reapplying frequently. If you're a faux tan newbie or perhaps want a more subtle glow to your skin do try out St Moriz Dry Oil Mist as I think you'll be impressed.

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Review | Jolen Creme Bleach

Jolen Creme Bleach* is one of those products that I've always been aware of, seen in family bathrooms but never really talked about nor a product I had used. Earlier this year during awards season Thandie Newton (hands up who loved her in Line of Duty) shared a selfie of her bleaching her 'tache' in preparation for the red carpet and I was recently sent the iconic product to try for myself.

Jolen Creme Bleach,  the no 1 selling bleach brand in the world, is a cream and powder which when mixed together will lighten facial hair in under 10 minutes they claim - read on for my experiences with Jolen Creme Bleach*.

As a general rule my method of hair removal is threading, although I recently tried the more affordable option of at home waxing with success so I was keen to see how, at £4.35 the even thriftier option of at home bleaching would work for me as someone with dark coarse hairs.

Your box from Jolen will contain the 'tried and tested formula' components of their cream and accelerator, a mixing cup and tray and spatula and I admit my first impressions were 'well isn't this all a bit of a faff'. Of course it takes seconds to 'measure' out the powder and cream and mix but there's more components than grabbing a wax strip although with Jolen Cream Bleach being suitable for sensitive skin it is the less abrasive option than waxing.

Once mixed well you apply the cream to the area requiring attention, in my case my upper lip, using the spatula and then wait eight minutes. I did pick up the scent of peroxide whilst it sat on my lip which I imagine will be a deal breaker for some. It wasn't troublesome for me but it's certainly not something that creates a 'luxurious experience'.

I do not have sensitive skin, of course you must carry out a patch test before using any product of this nature, and didn't find it uncomfortable when applied. I knew it was there, and perhaps there was an ever so subtle tingle or sensation but nothing to cause concern.

Once the time period had passed I removed and noted that a couple of hairs had not lightened sufficiently so I reapplied for a further five minutes which I did find things started to a little more sensitive and I would be concerned for those with sensitive skin that it the longer time periods that may be required could cause some concerns.

I was impressed that my dark hairs were indeed lightened and in a pinch it's definitely something I would consider and I was happy with the effects although I do prefer removal by threading or waxing. I think Jolen will work for those with fairer or softer hair, in my case I think it's a little too 'present' even when lightened to give the appearance I like but it's a product I'll happily keep to hand between appointments.

Have you ever used Jolen Cream Bleach?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Monthly Beauty Favourites | April 2017

The 1st of May - how did that happen? I'm unsure where the year is going and I know things have been quiet on Florence and Mary as I run the gauntlet of job hunting and appear to spend more time attending meetings in London than I did whilst actually employed - the job hunt is a job in itself.

Today I'm sharing one or two products that hit 'favourites status' whilst I've been darting about London starting with a duo from Chanel. Chanel Mademoiselle is one of my favourite scents from Chanel although towards the latter end of last year it had become one I was bored with as others took precedence. The love has been reignited recently as I'm able to enjoy more leisurely baths and showers in the morning and reach for Chanel Mademoiselle Shower Gel.

I'm not someone who will 'keep things for best' but at over £30 this is not a shower gel to reach for bleary eyed in the mornings before rushing out the door and spending a day stuck in an office. As my days have involved more time in the mornings to pamper and then heading out for job interviews and my preference to use up the products I own, and this is woefully old (you may remember it came to Dubai for me over 2 years ago!!) meant it needed to be used.

Interestingly despite it's age the scent is still as I would expect and I try to concentrate on using on my upper body so that the scent lingers and can then be layered with my perfume, of course Coco Mademoiselle which I'm using in the Twist & Spray travel edition.

I've talked about the Twist & Spray from Chanel many times and my only criticism is that you cannot buy the refills separately, although the outer cases can become a little tired as it rolls around the handbag so it is nice to purchase a new set. I know rollerball scents are favourites by many for handbags and one of the reasons people wish for Sephora to hit our UK shores but I much prefer a spray perfume and as a smoker it's ideal to freshen up before I attend my interviews.

From Chanel to the high street and two more affordable favourites, starting with a surprise find from ALDI. ALDI have received a positive reputation for their skincare and there are many fans around although my only dabble had been with their 'Creme De La Mer Dupes' the Caviar Night and Day creams which I didn't enjoy so much.

Despite this during a weekend shop and in the need for a new eye cream to use in the morning I noticed the Lacura Expert Eye Gel and thought for a few pounds it was worth a try. As the name suggests it's a gel formula, which whilst it feels slightly tacky on application it is only momentary and sits nicely on the skin.

Designed to offer hydration and reduce fine lines and wrinkles I've found it the perfect eye cream to use in the mornings. I may not be having to wake early morning to an alarm at the moment I do still suffer from dark circles from sleepless nights and anything to help make my fine lines look improved I'm on board with.

Often I can find some eye creams a little too heavy for day whereas this is light and perfect for what I hope is warmer weather on the horizon. I've also found my concealer is sitting better on my eyes when I've used the Lacura Eye Gel and lasts longer than usual - I'm keen to put it to the test after a full day in the office which I hope is on the cards soon. A successful experience with Lacura, my only complaint is the pot, I must prefer a tube or pump, especially right now when my nails are well overdue filing down but otherwise when I'm in the market for a new serum I may well check out the one from Lacura Expert one.

Finally another day, another red lip favourtie, L'Oreal Lip Paint Matte in Red Actually. This was an impulse purchase of sorts at the airport when I was heading to St Lucia and realised that I hadn't added a trusty red lip to my hand luggage bag. Fearing arrival in St Lucia without such a product was the perfect excuse to try out the new matte lip product from L'Oreal.

The lip paint was worn often during my trip and has been my go to lip product of choice since my return. If I'm wearing a lipstick it's been this one and it might just be my favourite matte lip product I've used. In comparison to the Sephora Lip Creams which I find dry my lips terribly if I wear for too long or the Chanel not so matte, matte lip paints which are prone to smudging the L'Oreal Lip paint sits comfortably in the middle.

An almost true red but with an orange hue that makes it perfect for Summer the creamy formula glides onto the lips with no smudging and stays put. It's not a flat or perhaps true matte but I find it more wearable on me. It's very similar to the Maybelline Color Jolts but L'Oreal just pip the post for it's doe foot applicator which has a curve which allows it to sit on the lip comfortably for easy application. If you haven't tried the new L'Oreal Lip Paints do check them out and find a shade for you.

What have you been loving this month?

*this post contains affiliate links