Birchbloggers Breakfast

So yesterday I jumped on the tube for the first time in months (since when was a travel card £17?! Hello!) and headed into central London for a real breakfast treat.

I had been invited by Birchbox (you all know how I love this subscription beauty box) for a Birchbloggers Breakfast meeting with some of their team and brand new Editorial Director Jessica Diner. What a lovely morning I had in store. 

Jessica Diner is true beauty royalty, having previously been the Health & Beauty Editor at Vogue magazine. I was super excited to meet the Birchbox team plus some fellow bloggers too. If only all mornings started like this! 

In true Emma form I arrived far too early and paced the streets like a lost window-shopping lamb before taking the plunge and going inside. The meeting location was Aubaine, a gorgeous French Restaurant just off of Regent Street. (totally my cup of tea, beautiful decor & really cute quaint touches). 

Breakfast consisted of coffee, croissants & freshly baked breads, served with individually wrapped sticks of butter & cold fresh orange juice. Heaven. 

Jessica gave us a little introduction and then handed out goodie bags *excited face*. We then went through the contents and chatted a little more about what's in store for Birchbox over the next few months. The December box sounds absolutely epic. If you were thinking of subscribing and haven't yet NOW is the time, trust me on that one. I was also excited to hear a little more about the one off Men's Birchbox available in December.  What a genius idea and one I shall absolutely be purchasing for my hubby.

Jessica & the gorgeous ladies from Birchbox UK 

It was an absolute pleasure to meet some of the Birchbox team and some really lovely fellow bloggers. A really enjoyable morning! 

As for the contents of my goodie-bag watch this space! I'll be putting them to the test & letting you all know what I think! 

Thanks again Birchbox UK! 

I'm off to play with my new products!

Love Emma 

XOXO 

What's In My Birchbox - November

It's one of my favourite times of the month - Birchbox time! Everything my box gets delivered I'm pretty sure I scare the postman with my overly excited grin as he hands it over. Creepy Cheshire Cat anyone? 

If you are not too familiar, Birchbox is a monthly beauty & lifestyle subscription box. You get around 5 deluxe sized beauty samples and one lifestyle per delivery, from what I've seen not all the monthly boxes are the same. 

The subscription costs £10 a month plus P&P, although the longer you sign up for the better the deal. It's a perfect way to try out new products that perhaps you normally wouldn't or high-end brands that are maybe out of your price range. 

 

November's box is themed 'Cosy At Home', my cup of tea right there! There's nothing I like more than getting in my PJs and snuggling under a blanket in front of our log burner. Here's what treats I received this month: 

English Laundry 'Signature For Her' - £60

Not normally a scent I would perhaps choose but very lovely nether the less. It's inspired by classic country gardens, quite a grown up smell but one I really like.

Jane Iredale 'Just Kissed Lip Plumper' - £22

The cutest lipstick sample I've possibly ever seen. This takes miniatures to a new  extreme. Perfect purse sized, great for the party season. Using a blend of mint oils and ginger root this lip plumper boosts circulation whilst delivering moisture with shea butter. I'll definitely be popping this in my pocket! 

Beauty Protector 'Protect & Detangle' - £14

I'm a big fan of leave in conditioner sprays. After my adventure with home bleaching and pink dye I need a little help combing after washing. I seriously can't get enough of the smell. It promises to detangle, minimise frizz, safeguard colour and add shine. Sounds perfect to me. 

Dr. Jart+ 'V7 Relief Vita Drop' - £26

This facial moisturiser is a huge 100ml, a very large full sized product! What a treat. It's packed with vitamins to brighten and moisturise. Interestingly the box describes it as a vitamin water, an emulsion that changes to a moisturising liquid vitamin water as soon as it's applied which is exactly what it does. I've never used a product like this before. Really excited to put this to the test! 

OPI 'Coca-Cola Red' Nail Polish - £11.95

I have a pretty large nail polish collection but have nothing as red as this gorgeous vibrant shade by OPI. Another full sized product and one that is perfect for the approaching festive season. Excited to get it on my fingers and toes! 

Drinkwel 'Drinkwel' -£39.99

This month's lifestyle extra are multi-vitamin tablets you take before or after you've drunk alcohol. Now here's the sad thing I've not actually had an alcoholic drink for maybe a year and a half, probably longer. My baby is now 5 months and I know that because it's been so long just one drink it's likely to knock me for 6. When I do finally pluck up the courage this Christmas I'll most definitely be trying these out! You're directed to take 3 before a big night out and another 3 before bed. If they work ward off a hangover I'll absolutely be picking more up!

As always a corker of a box. Birchbox never fails to deliver a great variety of lovely and exciting products! 

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? What goodies did you get this month?

I'm off to paint my nails,

Love Emma 

XOXO

What's in my Birchbox - October

I know I've said it many many times before, that I cannot believe how quickly the weeks are flying by, but I was genuinely shocked when this month's Birchbox was delivered. How can it be the middle of the month already?!

Anyway, let's crack on. For those the are not too familiar, Birchbox is a monthly beauty & lifestyle subscription box. You get around 5 deluxe sized beauty samples and one lifestyle per delivery, from what I've seen not all the monthly boxes are the same. 

The subscription costs £10 a month plus P&P, although the longer you sign up for the better the deal. It's a perfect way to try out new products that perhaps you normally wouldn't or high-end brands that are maybe out of your price range. 

Here's what I received in this month's box. 

Firstly, the box is in collaboration with CoppaFeel, an incredible organisation that remind us that knowing our boobs could save our lives. Their message of 'If in doubt get it checked out' is incredibly important. I lost my amazing mum to beast cancer 6 months ago so this is a subject very close to my own heart. Birchbox are donating £1 for every photo tweeted or posted to Instagram of us copping a feel along with the hashtag #CoopaBirchbox. I will be posting one without a doubt! 

This month's goodies came zipped inside a pretty pink makeup bag. Love this. You all know how I love me some pink, right?

Cattier 'Pink Clay Face Mask' (£4.25).

A mask that is pink? HELLO! This is packed with aloe vera to illuminate and soften your skin, sounds perfect! 

KMS California 'Hair Play Playable Texture' (£15.50)

A decent sized sample. This is a spray for prepping, styling and setting your hair. Looking forward to trying this out. 

Shaveworks 'The Cool Fix' (£11)

This cooling gel treats ingrown hairs & bumps and redness after shaving. It's not a problem I have but good for a hair removal emergency I guess!

Pixi by Petra 'Shea Butter Lip Balm' (£8)

This pretty shea butter packed lip balm is full size, result! Mine is the shade 'Ripe Rasberry'. I've already tried this, just couldn't resist, it's beautifully creamy. 

Meaningful Beauty 'Glowing Serum' (£30.95)

This serum is from the range by supermodel Cindy Crawford so I'm hoping that a few drops will get me catwalk ready. Yes, I have high-hopes! It claims to be radiance-enhancing and anti-ageing. Can't wait to put it to the test. 

This months lifestyle extra was a cute pink lipstick pen. A pen. That's pink. And in the shape of a lipstick. Triple result right there for me. Of course also included was the very handy contents card & Birchbox booklet. 

Another great delivery. I only have one more left on my 6 month subscription and I will absolutely be signing up again. 

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? What did you get in your box this month? 

Read about how I decided to go pink, with my hair, here! 

I'm off to apply my face mask! 

Love Emma 

XOXO 

What's in my Birchbox - September

I cannot believe how quickly the last month has gone. When my Birchbox arrives, normally around the middle of the month, I'm always shocked it's that time already.

Before I get into it, here's a little bit of info if you're not too familiar with Birchbox UK. 

Birchbox is a monthly subscription based beauty & lifestyle box containing high-end samples. You get around 5 deluxe sized beauty samples and one lifestyle per delivery. You don't know what's in your box until it arrives, and from what I've seen not all the monthly boxes are the same. The subscription costs £10 a month plus P&P, although the longer you sign up for the better the deal. It's a perfect way to try out new products that perhaps you normally wouldn't or high-end brands that are maybe out of your price range. 

So here's what I got in my fourth Birchbox, the September Happy Days box. 

All my other boxes have been simple brown boxes so this colourful beauty was a nice surprise. Everything was held together in the typical Birchbox draw string bag. (I've yet to find a good use for these yet) & nestled at the bottom was the little fold out magazine & product info card. 

Benefit 'It's Potent!' Eye Cream (£25.50)

A really cute little pot, I'm really fond of the Benefit skincare packaging. This peptide packed brightening eye cream claims to fade dark circles! Hello! With a 3 month old baby my dark circles are beyond black so I can't wait to put this to the test. 

ModelCo Lip Laquer in 'Monaco' (£15)

This lipgloss is right up my street, a beautiful pinky nude. I'm bunging this straight into my bag. Great shine, perfect colour and super sweet smell. Love this. 

Korres 'Citrus Little Body Milk' (£9.50)

A nice sized sample. Smells beautiful, not actually as citrusy as I was expecting. Perhaps that's why it's called citrus little?! A definite unisex smell. Contains almond oil and shea butter. Sounds good to me. 

Premae 'Mild Dermabrasion Face & Body Scrub' (£25)

This is a tiny sample size so if you were to use this on your body I think you'd be able to scrub just about one arm. I'll be using this on my face. It's packed with olive granules to smooth the skin, it looks quite nice & creamy too. 

Agave 'Healing Oil Treatment' (from £16)

If this bad boy can give me hair like the lovely lady on the card I am all over this. A few drops of this treatment oil is supposed to smooth hair, build resiliency and boost shine and colour. Yes please. Can't wait to try it.

This month I got two 'Lifestyle Extras' - Urban Fruit in 'Smashing Strawberry' (£13.20 for 6) and a photo clip stand, to go along with the Happy Days box theme.

The strawberry fruit snack looks good, my daughter would love to get her hands on these. The photo clip is perfect for my desk so will be put to good use. 

Over all another great Birchbox, I've yet to be dissapointed with my delivery. It's such a great way to try new products and let's face it who doesn't love miniatures? 

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? What was your favourite sample this month? 

Read why 'I'm mad about miniatures' here! 

I'm off to play with my new products, 

Love Emma 

XOXO 

What's in my Birchbox - August

I'm pretty late with showing you what I got in this month's Birchbox, sorry! Better late than never, right? 

Before I get into it, here's a little bit of info for those who may not be familiar with Birchbox UK. 

Birchbox is a monthly subscription based beauty & lifestyle box containing high-end samples. You get around 5 deluxe sized beauty samples and one lifestyle per delivery. You don't know what's in your box until it arrives, and from what I've seen not all the monthly boxes are the same. The subscription costs £10 a month plus P&P, although the longer you sign up for the better the deal. 

It's a perfect way to try out new products that perhaps you normally wouldn't or high-end brands that are maybe out of your price range. 

This is my third box so far & I can honestly say I've used every single item in the first two. The large sample sizes are perfect for handbags or holidays. I'm a big Birchbox fan. 

Okay, here's what I got this month's summer holiday themed box: 

A cute see through plastic cosmetics bag. Perfect for taking your mini toiletries/cosmetics/liquids on a flight. Cute with a capital C. 

Wild About Beauty Powder Eyeshadow in 'Becca' 

Louise Redknapp's cosmetics brand. Paraben free - definite plus point. Really like the packaging, lovely shade. Looks like a very wearable brown. Excited to put it to the test. 

Sarah McNamara Beauty New York 'Miracle Skin Transformer Hydroactive Microderm' 

If this exfoliator is as exciting as it's name I'm in for a treat. I need a new face scrub in my life so can't wait to get a-scrubbing with this one.

Liaison De Parfum Eau De Parfum in 'No Matter What'

The full size of this is £105! Phew. Love the sample packaging, not the kind of scent I'd normally go for (a very 'grown up' kinda smell) but will definitely wear this if I'm feeling like a layyy-dee. 

Dead Sea Spa Magik 'Refreshing Bath Shower Gel'

Smells superb, love the idea of feeling refreshed and relaxed. I'm a sucker for Spa type products so have high hopes with this one. 

Number 4 'Super Comb Prep & Protect' Spray 

A detangling heat protector - if only I had the time to actually use heated appliances on my hair! (One day, oh one day). Interested to see if this helps detangle though. 

The lifestyle extra this month was the first chapter of a book, The Proposal by Tasmina Perry. Okay, the book sounds actually pretty good but I'm a bit disappointed with this one. I wish I had the time to read right now. 

I don't know if it's the child in me but I really enjoy the concept of beauty boxes - the mystery element is pretty exciting & the products are perfect for my miniature collection too! 

My subscription is for 6 months, if my next 3 boxes are of a similar standard I'll absolutely be re-subscribing. 

You can check out Birchbox here. 

Are you a fan of beauty boxes? Which others should I try? 

Check out my review of the Memebox beauty box here and why I'm 'Mad about Miniatures' here.

I'm off to play with my new products! 

Love Emma

XOXO