Life Lately And Trimming My Stash - June 2015 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

Hi everyone x It's been a couple of days but I'm back with my June empties post. I'm glad to see the back of June if I'm honest, it's being a very stressful, rubbishy, up and down sort of a month. A slight case of the sniffles developed into a full on chest and lung infection that I'm still trying to get rid of, and that I've have subsequently passed on to my mum. Throw in the fact that the bathroom fitters turned up pretty much unannounced last week and left us without a bath or shower for over a week and you'll get some idea of where I'm coming from.

It's been a tough couple of weeks, and circumstances have not only affected my blog but they've also affected June's Trimming My Stash.

Avon Violet Bubble Bath - 1000ml

Mini MAC Zoom Lash Mascara - Black

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment - 100ml

Avon Blackberries And Vanilla Bubble Bath - 500ml

May Beauty The Incredible Face Mask - 10ml 

May Beauty The Incredible Face Mask - 10ml 

Total - 6 Items

Although I managed to finish 6 items, if things had gone my way it could have been a lot more. Illness meant that I just couldn't be bothered to carry out a full face, body and hair care routine, let alone wear a make up so I've still got a few nearly finished, products teetering on the edge 

I did manage to finish two bath products and a few Lush and Bomb Cosmetics pieces, but due to the bathroom fitters turning up at least a week ahead of schedule, I ran out of time to finish all my bath things and I've been left with a few bottles of bubble bath. I should be able to use the majority of them as shower products though so hopefully nothing will go to waste. 

So what were the products that I finished in June and what did I think of them?

1. Avon Violet Bubble Bath - 1000ml

I'm a huge fan of these Avon Bubble Baths, they are really affordable, and they come in a variety of permanent and limited edition fragrances. This one was a full litre size of the Violet Bubble Bath. When I first used it I was a bit disappointed as it wasn't the strong Parma Violet fragrance that I'd anticipated but on reflection it was still a nice product with a pleasant violet aroma, without being too strong or too sweet. I think this was one of the limited edition fragrances but it's always worth taking a look at these when you see them in the brochure no matter what the fragrance. They are great value for money and they do exactly what you'd expect from a bubble bath.

2. Mini MAC Zoom Lash Mascara - Black

I'm not sure how big this was but it was a tiny little sample that I got with an online purchase. This is one of MAC's best selling mascaras and I got around 2 weeks use from this size. I've used the full sized version and whilst I don't think it's anything special or exciting, it's a decent mascara that separated and seem to lengthen the lashes. I'm not sure I would repurchase but it's isn't bad.

3. Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment - 100ml

This is a pre wash, hair mask that I love, and that Mummy Lou loves. I've used this for a few years now on and off and it's something that I will continue to use. I think Mummy Lou bought this one but I was recently sent a batch of Ojon goodies which included another pot of this magical substance so I'll do a full review for you soon.

4. Avon Blackberries And Vanilla Bubble Bath - 500ml

Another bubble bath from Avon and another limited edition. This one had quite a runny formulation and the blackberry and vanilla fragrance to me smelled quite fruity, and almost creamy and coconut like. Like all of the products I've used in the this range, a small amount of product goes a long way and produces a mass of bubbles, so these large bottles last a long time, and are good value for money. I think I only have one of these left, a strawberry fragrance, so I'll be using that one as a summer shower product.

5.May Beauty The Incredible Face Mask - 10ml 

6.May Beauty The Incredible Face Mask - 10ml 

This is one of the reviews that I should posted a week or so ago. I was sent these masks to review and the review will definitely by live on the blog this weekend so if you have blemish prone skin, then stay tuned x 

So they were my June empties, if you have questions on anything I've used up please leave me a comment and I'll get back to you x 

Our new new shower room should hopefully be finished tomorrow and do you know what? I can't wait to give my new shower a try and to get some products used up x It's been a festival like existence in my own home and believe me it hasn't been fun especially since we've all been so poorly.

Speaking of which I just want to thank you again for your patience and good wishes during my poorly patch x I'm hoping to start posting regularly again from today and I'm going to try and get things back to normal. I've got a few overdue press sample, PR and brand reviews so they will probably go up first, but after it will be the usual mix of hauls, reviews and recipes x Thanks for reading and following and I'll see you soon x 

Soak Those Stresses Away With Skin Blossom Therapeutic Bath Soak - A Review For My Pure*

The times they are a changing in LouLouLand and in a few months time my beloved bath tub will be no more. After a lot of thinking and procrastinating me and Mummy Lou have made the decision to swap our bath tub for a shower, come wet room. I know it will be safer and more practical for both of us in the long run, but I'm really going to miss it.

Having a bath is one of my number one ways to relax. Closing the door to the outside world, letting that warm water surround you, and inhaling a fabulous scent can really make you breathe a little slower and make your mind start to wander. It's funny how scents can take you somewhere else, and it's for that reason that I always have several different bath products on the go at once, to suit my mood or the occasion. 

For me a late night bath is all about relaxation, it's about calming the body and the senses and preparing you for a good nights sleep. There's no point going for something minty or citrussy, you want something that just makes you go ahhhhhhh, and one fragrance that does exactly that is Lavender. So for one of this months My Pure reviews I decided to try out the Skin Blossom Therapeutic Bath Soak.

Made from 74% organic ingredients, this product contains essential oils of lavender, rosemary and ylang ylang. Like everything else on the My Pure website it contains no sulfates, and instead contains a combination of coconut and aloe vera extract , making it suitable for the most sensitive of skin.

Packaged in a green plastic bottle, the first thing you notice when you unscrew the top is the smell. Don't think old lady, esq lavender, the combination of the lavender, the rosemary and the ylang ylang gives it a real, fresh aromatherapy type scent. 

Pour a small amount under warm running water and you get a bath full of soft silky bubbles. The scent is heady but at the same time, soothing and relaxing, and the water, and the bubble feel soft and non drying on the skin.

I have to say I love this product, the smell is amazing, and the bubbles it produces show that you don't need to use sulfates to produce a proper bubble bath. I'm going to thoroughly enjoy using this over the next month or so, and I'm only sorry that I won't have my bath long enough to buy another one. I really can't think of anyone that wouldn't like this, a nice warm relaxing bath is the perfect antidote to the hectic month ahead, so if you know a stressed out someone, pick up a bottle of this to pop in their Christmas stocking. Skin Blossom Therapeutic Bath Soak comes in a 300ml bottle and retails at £7.95 from My Pure x Are you a bath or shower person? Leave me a comment and let me know x 

(*Sample)

Cheering Myself Up - Maybe?

Its been a odd few days here in Lou Lou Land something that is forecast to continue for at least the foreseeable future. My mum went into hospital yesterday for her hip operation. Understandably I was totally stressed all day waiting for news so I did what I do best in situations like that I shopped. I am now waiting for a whole batch of parcels to come - I ordered some clothes, jewellery and a bag from New Look, some clothes and a bracelet from Dorothy Perkins, a whole load of beauty bits from Boots and some make up from ELF eyeslipsface . I haven't tried any of their products yet but at prices starting from £1.50 they have to be worth a try. Then today I ordered some Orly and OPI nail varnishes from eBay and I won a gorgeous Mary Quant eyeshadow duo too. Hmm all because of stress I have spent nearly £200 and my spending diet is out of the window yet again - that is pretty scary when you think about it.

As it turned out there wasn't a great deal to get stressed about - my mum had her op and is feeling better already - I went to see her last night and she called me this morning and although she is still hooked up to her drips and is still on morphine she isn't feeling too bad - I am hopefully going to see her again tomorrow which will settle my mind again. I've hoovered, cleaned the bathroom and I just have a pile of dishes to do and then everything bar my craft room is pretty much sorted - I can do this!

A Funny Few Weeks In Lou Lou Land!

I have some funny weeks in my life and the past few have certainly been right up there!
New bathroom fittings, ridiculous neighbours, aches and pains, psychology assignments, starting a diet, and then yesterday my hair straighteners caught fire!
I can't live without them and can I afford some more good ones can I hell!
All in all not a good week so far!!!!