REVIEW: Tropical Edition Peony Parcel!

Hi guys! I was lucky enough to win this beautiful Peony Parcel prize from The Life Of Laura, which happens to be the Tropical Edition. As soon as I opened the stylish black and gold box, I was hit with the most delicious scent! These products smell amazing! I was blown away by my first ever Peony Parcel experience. The box design is chic, with 'Hello Gorgeous' and 'enjoy me time' written on the front of the box in gold, giving a feminine touch.

The green leaf design printed wrapping paper is so cute, and the products themselves are of such a high quality. There isn't a single dud in this Peony Parcel, and if they are all this good, I'm seriously considering signing up! I'm so happy to have received the tropical edition, for that scent family is so my thing! Let's have a look at the contents!


Little Balm Matcha Natural Body Scrub
This cute little pot contains a grainy, dark green body scrub that smells like coconut! Little Balm is an Aussie small batch company that makes 100% natural skincare. This delicious-smelling scrub contains certified organic raw sugar, virgin coconut oil, Fair Trade green tea leaves and matcha powder. It's quite scrubby, I love the coconutty smell and it left my skin soft, smooth and moisturised due to the coconut oil.

Soapmaid Ocean Edition Artisan Mini Natural Soap
This delicious-smelling soap is my kind of product! It's natural and contains a lower layer of organic kelp flakes and has super-pretty golden Epsom Salts across the top! Other ingredients include olive, coconut, rice bran and avocado oils, cocoa butter and organic shea butter. This froths to a light blue medium lather and really does transport you to a tropical island with its ocean breeze fragrance. I didn't want to stop using it!

The Soak Life Tahitian Gardenia Tropical Glow Body Oil
Who doesn't love a good multi-tasker? This fragrant oil can be used on damp or dry skin to nourish and add moisture, or you can rub it into the ends of your hair for some extra TLC. The ingredients in this glow-inducing hydrator sound amazing! There's a delicious blend of tropical oils including coconut, watermelon, kukui nut, passionfruit and shea. Also in the mix are antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins A, C and E. How ACE!

Sticks & Stones Candle Co Floral Pink Watermelon Wax Melt
You can't get any more Summery than watermelon! This wax melt is so pretty with its pink hue, and organic pink and red rose petal and glitter topping, and the watermelon scent is delicious! This jumbo-sized soy wax melt is meant to last at least 35 hours, and you simply place it into a melt burner or electric warmer to use. I don't have either of these at the moment, so I haven't started burning mine yet, but I can't wait to!

Lux Aestiva Endless Summer Hair Hydrator
I never get around to treating my hair to masks, so I'm really glad this was included in the Peony Parcel! This hydrator works to moisturise, repair and strengthen hair, as well as protect it from heat, seal in moisture, prevent damage and encourage growth. Whoa! All those things sound fabulous; if this delivers I may have found a multitasking favourite. Fingers crossed!

Cocobetty Coconut Oil Wipes
I've tried these before, having received a sample in a Good Green Box (reviewed here), so this is a product I'm familiar with. These makeup remover wipes are a great fit for a Tropical-themed box, with their coconut scent, which reminds me of an island paradise or a chocolate Bounty bar! The wipes deposit quite a bit of oil on the face and remove nearly all of my makeup. These are great if you want a change from your ordinary makeup wipes!

Sash Cosmetics Luminous Lipstick
I was so excited to receive a full-size Sash Cosmetics lipstick in my box! This is a makeup brand I'd heard of but never tried before. The black and gold packaging is luxe and stylish, and the click top opening method reminds me of high end brands. My shade is Last Dance, which is described as a dusty mid-toned pink mauve nude. The creamy formula is a delight to wear and although its a matte finish, this feels really comfortable on the lips. I'm impressed!

Rose Gold Hairbrush
I must be going crazy, but there's no information about this stylish detangling hairbrush in the The Tropical Edition information book and there's no label on the product, so I don't know what brand this brush is, or in fact, have any details on it! It kind of reminds me of a Tangle Teezer though, but with a longer handle and longer bristles. It's easy to hold and use and I love the shiny rose gold finish!

A few other things of note...
~ included also is a comprehensive The Tropical Edition booklet which extensively details all the products inside, with brand information, social media contacts and even an interview with Lifestyle Blogger Mim (from Love From Mim) to read!
~ the black Peony Parcel box itself is sturdy and stylish and can be re-used to store skincare, makeup or any other items you can think of!
~ I love how there's a pink hue running through this box. Everything is so pretty and girly, and I think they've done a brilliant job of compiling the goodies to match in colour as well as scent family!

Well, I'm thrilled with my first Peony Parcel and I'm sure I'll be able to use all the contents! Thanks once again to The Life Of Laura and Peony Parcel for the Giveaway, and a big congrats to me for being the lucky winner! Hahaha.

You may be interested in Ho Ho Ho, It's The LUSH Christmas Range!

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Disclaimer: I won this box in a Giveaway, and there was no obligation to review it. I lust love it and wanted to let you all know! Reviews are my honest opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

What's your favourite subscription box? Have you tried Peony Parcel?

30 Minute Manicure Routine!

Hi guys! Today I thought I'd take you through my manicure routine. This whole process took me half an hour from start to finish, including removing my old nail polish and taking the photographs for this post. The only thing I didn't do was apply a base or top coat, because I hate fussing about with multiple layers, even though I know it extends the life of my mani and protects my nails. Here we go!

Step 1: Remove Old Nail Polish
I'm using the one and only nail polish remover I can find right now, the cheapo Ulta3 Nailpolish Remover. It's a big bottle which I've been using for ages, and it does a pretty good job.

Step 2: File and Shape Nails
I'm still using those old-style metal nail files, because I like the pointed end for cleaning out under my nails. I have tried the modern emery boards but I just don't like the feel of them. Stick to what you love, I say! This is the step that I can spend ages on, because my perfectionist tendencies come out when shaping, but I try to set myself a time limit and stick to it!

Step 3: Apply Cuticle Cream
I like to massage a cuticle cream into my fingers and around my nails to soften any hard or flaky bits of skin. This is especially important if you're a beauty blogger and you'll be taking close-up photos of your manicure. Those flaky bits of skin really stand out in pictures, but a softening products does wonders to instantly fix this issue. Currently I'm using Swisspers Aloe Everything Balm, because it's what I have on hand. Literally! Haha.

Step  4: Apply Nail Polish
I applied two coats of 'Bronze' from the Face Of Australia Molten Metallics collection. This came out years ago from memory, but I still love the pretty metallic look. I'm practicing wearing sparkly hues since Christmas is approaching, maybe I'll keep up the glittery, shimmery theme for the festive season. The only problem is it's a bitch to remove!

You may be interested in Barry M Molten Metal Mani + New Releases!

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What's your favourite nail look for the festive season?

Movie Review: PADDINGTON 2

Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington
Director: Paul King
Genre: Family/Adventure
Rating: G
Australian Release Date: 21/12/2017

I was lucky enough to win a family pass to an Advance Screening of PADDINGTON 2, pretty exciting given how amazing the first movie was! This was one of the movies that Mr 10 and I both wanted to see, so I was entering all the competitions I could, and it paid off. The first movie was delightful from start to finish; I reviewed it back in 2014 when it came out and you can check out my PADDINGTON review here.

If you're going to see Paddington 2, I'd recommend watching Paddington first, because it's brilliant and you'll have a better appreciation for the sequel. But even if you haven't seen the first flick, you'll have no trouble understanding Paddington 2. 

Here's the official synopsis:
The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief.

I found this movie to be just as captivating as the first one. Paddington Bear is charming as usual, and the movie looks beautiful, from start to finish. It's also very funny! From a kid's perspective, the story is straightforward and easy to follow and the 'sad bits' are kept to a 'bear' minimum (sorry, couldn't help myself). This is a perfect blend of live action and CGI animation; Paddington looks very real and very cute. He's so easy to fall in love with, and you end up really wanting things to work out for him. This is a bear who is decent and kind-hearted, with really good manners. Hugh Grant is quite entertaining in his over-the-top role as Phoenix Buchanan, Hugh Bonneville seems to have gotten himself into shape since the first movie (which I immediately noticed, lol) and I have to  say, watching Sally Hawkins in this makes me want to finally see her acclaimed film, Happy-Go-Lucky. We took my son and his friend along and they both really enjoyed Paddington 2. With the school holidays approaching, put this one on your list of movies to take the kids to. It's a feel-good adventure the whole family will appreciate and I highly recommend it!

Fun Fact: Hugh Bonneville, who plays Henry Brown, was born in Paddington, UK!

You may be interested in Max My Movies: August Round-Up!

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Will you be seeing Paddington 2? Who's your favourite bear?

Ho Ho Ho! It's the LUSH Christmas Range!

Can you believe it's December already? Christmas is nearly upon us, which means it's time to get your festive shopping done (although I usually don't start until the week of Christmas, because I'm the queen of disorganization). The only festive item I buy before December is my beauty advent calendar. This year Lush released their Christmas range early, on October 5, so you may have already seen these goodies in-store. The collection will be available until December 24, so make sure you pop in to pick up your faves before it's too late! I was kindly sent a box of Lush Christmas products, let's take a look!

Candy Mountain Bubble Bar
This pretty pink and white swirly, sparkly delight combines the best in bathing elements; a sweet, delicious fragrance and lots of bubbles! If you're a fan of girly, pink water in your bubblebath, this fun, glistening triangular peak will be right up your alley. The vanilla scent is super-strong, and reminds me of cult favourite, Snow Fairy. This would be a great stocking stuffer if you had a daughter (although my son is partial to a Candy Mountain bubblebath, let's hope he doesn't mind me sharing that nugget of information!)

Buck's Fizz Body Conditioner (NEW!)
Lush is famous for inventing unique products, and their body conditioners certainly fit that bill! Like a hair conditioner, a body conditioner is designed to leave the skin soft, moisturised and nourished. I love the bright orange colour of Buck's Fizz (a new product!), and the concoction of scents such as fresh grapefruit, Brazillian orange and lime are zingy and delicious. These are scents that wake you up and make your soul sing, so this one's great for use in the morning. This one reminds me of Bubbly Shower Gel, which is one of my favourite Lush shower gels.

Sherbet Dip Bath Bomb (NEW!)
Lemon lovers will adore this citrus-scented yellow, fizzy wonder, which is a new product from Lush this Christmas! This will turn your bath water yellow and green and fill your bathroom with an uplifting, tangy fragrance. Containing grapefruit oil to energize a tired body (after Christmas shopping no doubt!) and Sicilian lemon oil to cleanse, this fizzer goes off. Eat some Wizz Fizz in the bath for the full Sherbet Dip experience!

Santa's Christmas Shower Cream (NEW!)
I much prefer Lush shower gels to their creams, I think it's just a textural thing, but having said that, Santa's Christmas is fun to use and smells like cola, which is great for someone like me who loves both Pepsi Max and Coke No Sugar! Santa's Christmas is a thick, dark pinkish-red cream that lathers nicely and is quite festive, in hue and aroma. As well as the cola smell, it also has a warm, spicy kick from the cinnamon infusion and black pepper oil. It also contains cocoa butter to make your skin soft and a coffee infusion for an energizing boost!

Butterbear Bath Bomb
This cute white polar bear is more subtle than most Lush bath bombs and perfect if you're after a relaxing soak. It's smaller too (and thus cheaper) so it's another great stocking stuffer for your nearest and dearest. Butterbear is dapper AF with his stylish scarf, and contains Fair Trade cocoa butter to soften the skin, along with calming ylang ylang and a warm and creamy vanilla scent that will be sure to elicit a festive smile, even from the Grinch.

Snow Fairy Body Conditioner
Snow Fairy lovers will definitely appreciate this baby pink-coloured body conditioner! This is honestly like being at a fun fair, as one whiff immediately conjures memories of fairy floss and fairground fun as a child! If you're not a fan of sweet scents, maybe give this one a miss, as the Snow Fairy family is notorious for its rich, sweet aroma. Prepare thyself for the plethora of delicious ingredients in this baby though: candy floss water, cherry infusion, mango butter, avocado butter, organic jojoba oil and cocoa butter. Bliss!

Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb
This one is too pretty to use, and I'm going to save it for closer to Christmas. With its bright pink base and colourful spots, it reportedly releases a rainbow of colours into the tub, turning your bathwater into a kaleidoscope of gorgeous hues (check out the Lush video of its release into the water here, so you know what I mean). With a sophisticated aroma of warm tonka absolute, calming lavender, uplifting ylang ylang oil and comforting benzoin resinoid (what, now?), this is one designed to rest your body and mind and lift your spirits, so you'll be ready for another day of Christmas shopping!

Santa Baby Lip Scrub
I love a good lip scrub, and Santa Baby hits the nail on the head. It's a bright, festive red colour, and has the familiar cola scent that belongs to the Lush Santa Baby family of products. I could honestly inhale this delicious fragrance all day... but onto other aspects of this lip product. This contains scrubby caster sugar to exfoliate dry skin and jojoba and extra virgin coconut oils to soften your lips and make them mistletoe-ready. Lime oil is in there along with black pepper oil to add spice and a little invigorating tingle!

The Magic Of Christmas Reusable Bubble Bar
Aah, these Lush bubble bar wands are so fun! The sparkly stars on a stick never fail to make me smile. I've loved using the pink Magic Wand one last year, so I can't wait to use The Magic Of Christmas. This orange sparkler with gold glitter combines some interesting fragrances, and is probably best used by the adults in the family, given the addition of punchy, spicy cinnamon leaf, Fair Trade organic clove to stimulate the skin and boost circulation and almond essential oil. This smells hot and spicy, so I think it will make an interesting bathing experience!

Sugar Plum Fairy Lip Tint
I was so excited to receive this, because Sugar Plum Fairy Lip Scrub is my all-time favourite lip scrub from Lush, the scent is to die for! This still has that gorgeous familiar Sugar Plum Fairy scent, but it's quite subtle, so I'll instead address this as a lip tint. It applies as a super-pretty magenta coloured tint, that can be built up and has great lasting power. The formula is smooth and so pleasant; it feels really nice going on, and feels soft and moisturising on the lips. It contains Kalahari melon and organic jojoba oils to nourish and moisturise the lips, and has sweet wild orange oil to produce a delicious scent. I love this lip tint!


You can shop the LUSH Christmas range until December 24 in-store on online here.

You may be interested in LUSHoween: It's Lush Halloween!

Linking up with Life This Week, Open Slather and Mummy Mondays.

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Disclaimer: All products were provided for editorial consideration. Reviews are my honest opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

What's your favourite product from the Lush Christmas range?