Mother's Day Gift Guide

After the popularity of my Christmas Gift Guide post, I thought I'd turn it into a regular thing! I was going to do one for Valentine's Day, but I am a bitter and twisted singleton and didn't want to share any of my expert tips on how to impress a woman... Also I've been really busy and totally forgot about blogging. Oops!

So if, like me, you didn't realise Mother's Day was so nearby, I've put together a wee gift guide which hopefully offers something a little different to the usual 'why not treat your mum to this Cath Kidston apron!' lists we so often see. I even read on Everyday Sexism that John Lewis had included a VACUUM CLEANER in their gift guide.. (Although after years of terrible student house vacuum cleaners I do actually get excited at the thought of a Dyson.. but that's another story).

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I absolutely ADORE Rifle Paper Co., I've been obsessing over their stationery since I saw this calender on Milkteef. In fact, when I was last in Liberty and saw that they stocked a few of their cards and notebooks I.. well I didn't react on the outside because I was alone, but inside I was buzzing. These sets of cards are so unique, really useful but not the sort of thing you like to buy for yourself, making them a solid gift! You can thank me later...

Matchcarden City

These little cress gardens are really inexpensive but so cute! It's always nice to see something you've planted start to grow (even if it's just cress!) and I think this would be pretty cool to have on your desk at work. 

Diptyque Rosa Mundi Limited Edition Candle

As I mentioned in December, I love Diptyque. I still don't actually own any myself seeing as they cost more than a return ticket to London, but I can dream. This candle was released as a Limited Edition to celebrate Valentine's Day, but (at the time of writing) it's still in stock. It smells JUST like Chanel Chance Eau Tendre, my current perfume of choice, so I was instantly drawn to it! This intensely floral and inoffensive scent is a fail-safe gift if your mum is into candles (which, regrettably, mine is not..).

'The Flavour Thesaurus' by Niki Segnit

I never used to be that into cooking because I assumed I couldn't do it, but when I realised that mindset gets you nowhere I started trying loads of new things in the kitchen, and now I'm hooked! I'm still not very inventive and don't dare step outside the box in case I poison myself, but that really needs to change if I'm ever going to improve. Enter 'The Flavour Thesaurus'. From classic combinations (most of which I still don't know), to weird Masterchef-esque pairings, this book has it covered. I think this would be an asset to any household, and a great present for a mum who loves to cook!

Jimbobart 'Mr Fox' Coffee Cup Set

I stumbled across this artist when I was trying to avoid a really pushy sales assistant in Liberty (I do actually go to other places when I'm in London, I promise). I completely fell for his work, it was all so original! He's got his own shop in East London which I am DYING to visit; I've seen a greyhound tray on his Twitter which I can't find anywhere online, so hopefully I'll have more luck there! These stacking cups come in a variety of designs, plus a lot of them are currently on sale!

& Other Stories Mini Leather Shoulder Bag

& Other Stories is fairly new to the UK but it is already one of my absolute favourite places to shop in London. Owned by H&M, it's almost like a 'luxury' version of the Swedish fashion house, but also stocks other brands like Nike and New Balance. All of their stuff is worth looking at, but I think this adorable little bag would make a great gift!

BurrowingHome Wild Rose and Arrows Print

I was originally drawn to this illustrator because of her almost-but-not-quite-kitsch drawings of woodland animals (yes, I am very predictable..) but I think this beautifully detailed print would look lovely in a simple black frame with a black mount. Art always makes for such a thoughtful gift, and you can't go wrong with black and white!

Anthropologie Journal

Again, a notebook is one of those things you always need but don't always fancy buying for yourself! A vibrant and good quality one like this is never out of place in any busy person's life, and I love the electric blue cover contrasted with the pink lining.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Ethereal Glow | Opaque Rouge Lipstick in Edition

Famed beauty brand Hourglass recently launched a range of blushers in their legendary 'Ambient Lighting' formula. I've read a lot about these and so badly want this one for myself, it's a really natural pink shade that suits most skin tones and the luxurious packaging takes it to the NEXT LEVEL. Also, I have this lipstick in Riviera and it is, hands down, the best quality item of makeup I own. This colour combination would look gorgeous together- a great gift for a mum who loves beauty products!

Raspberry, pistachio and rose cake recipe

Of course, arguably the best gift you can give to your mum on Mother's Day is FOOD. Or rather, something you've made yourself. I recently stumbled upon Donal Skehan's website (apparently he's a big deal in Ireland) and his combination of incredible graphics, beautiful pictures and mouthwatering (not to mention easy!) recipes is just so, so satisfying. Also, if he wasn't so clean shaven I'd definitely be in love with him. Check out his website if you're looking to treat your mum to a home cooked meal!

The Origins Comparison: Vol. 2

Origins - Ginzing brightening cream eyeshadow £17

Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr eyeshadow £4.99

Losing sleep on which cream eyeshadow purchase to make next? Haunted by nightmarish visions of the makeup aisle? Facing the agonising choice of budget vs premium? Read on!

I much prefer cream eyeshadows to powder ones as they're so easy to use, and I lack a considerable amount of skill when it comes to contouring/blending/holding a makeup brush in general. Maybelline's Color Tattoo range is certainly very popular among beauty bloggers, but is it worth crossing over onto the premium side if you fancy pushing the boat out?

Firstly, let's talk colour. Origins' Sugar Peach is a lovely shimmery neutral base, and works really well as a primer for other shadows. Maybelline's Metallic Pomegranate isn't something I'd usually go for as it looks more like a blusher in its packaging. However, on the skin it is a lot subtler; I like to use it to create a smokey eye that isn't too brash against my fair complexion. This shade works really nicely with Pink Gold, which also looks great on its own. Finally, my two favourites are On and on Bronze- a really versatile shade that is super flattering for blue eyes- and Permanent Taupe- the only matte shade I own from the collection, and my most used eye product. This one is great for lining eyes without looking too 'done'. 

L-R: Origins Ginzing eye shadow in 03 Sugar Peach - Maybelline Color Tattoo in 70 Metallic Pomegranate - Maybelline Color Tattoo in 65 Pink Gold - Maybelline Color Tattoo in 40 Permanent Taupe - Maybelline Color Tattoo in 35 On and on Bronze

Both of these brands have produced some really lovely products here; they're pigmented, easy to use and glide on effortlessly. However, I do find that Origins' eyeshadow doesn't last as long as the Color Tattoo, which is really surprising considering it's over 3 times (!) more expensive. I find it very hard to find fault in Maybelline's famous Color Tattoo range, they last all day and are so well priced for such good quality products (plus, they are usually part of a deal at Boots!).

I'd save your money on this one, as Maybelline is the clear winner here. Sometimes you don't need to sacrifice quality for quantity.

The Origins Comparison: Vol. 1

Origins - Modern Friction £33

Super Facialist by Una Brennan - Rose Brighten & Refine Facial Scrub £8.99

In this new 'miniseries', I'm going to be comparing some of my favourite high-end beauty brands with more affordable products. Now that I've left Boots, and thus waved goodbye to not only a steady income but also my beloved staff discount, it's time to nip my spending in the bud.

I'm starting with Origins. As my favourite skincare brand, I seem to have collected a large amount of their admittedly lovely products. Us girls on Fragrance would constantly be trying their products (illicitly, of course), and I loved adding new products to my collection. But are they really worth the price tag?

In the case of Modern Friction, the scrub touted as 'nature's gentle dermabrasion' and suitable for all skin types, I'm going to have to say yes. (I know, I probably shouldn't have started with this one...).

This is hands down the best facial scrub I have ever used. It buffs away dead skin with absolutely no irritation, my skin feels unbelievably smooth and plump after using it and one tube has lasted me just over a year. You can even apply it to dry skin for extra smoothness, then add warm water to see it turn into a creamy consistency that is easily washed away.

Unfortunately my tube ran out the same week I left Boots and I couldn't justify spending £30 on another. I did some research and Una Brennan is another brand which uses natural ingredients and aims to reconcile science and nature. 

This Rose Scrub is very nice; it smells lovely, my skin feels soft after use and it isn't scratchy at all. But it's not Modern Friction. It doesn't come close. I was shown another scrub by Una Brennan, Tea Flower, which did feel a lot grainier and more similar in consistency, but I daren't spend any more money when I know my beloved Origins is there, waiting in the sidelines.

Modern Friction might break the bank, but if you see it as £2.75 a month for a year it's not so bad.... is it?

The Trouble With Balenciaga

Balenciaga - Florabotanica - Eau de Parfum

This fragrance has been bothering me since the moment it entered my life.

To start with, I can't make up my mind as to whether I actually like it or not. I initially loved it, but as time went on I started to have my doubts. Despite featuring two of my favourite scents- rose and amber- I actually find its intensely floral top notes quite overpowering. In fact, it positively reeks of a florist, and I can't decide if that's a good or a bad thing. 

It also apparently has notes of cannabis which I can't pick up at all, and it's most likely just a gimmick to justify it being marketed as 'dangerous'...

Admittedly its staying power is pretty good, and I've found it lasts for a fair few hours before I need to reapply. But there's something else that bothers me about this perfume, and (aside from hiring the perennially irrelevant Kirsten Stewart to front their ad campaign) that something is this godawful packaging.

LOOK AT IT.

It is horrible. When I choose a perfume, it has to satisfy two prerequisites: it needs to smell good, and it needs to look elegant. The first is obvious, the second is perhaps a little illogical. But if I'm considering spending so much money on something, I prefer to be able to put it on display in my bedroom rather than shove it in a drawer.

OK, so Balenciaga hasn't got it completely wrong here; the monochrome stripes are okay, and I do like its 60s vibe and clean lines. I just don't understand how they had this amazing pattern (a vintage Pierre Frey wallpaper) to work with, and after what was inevitably months of planning they ended up putting two primary colours on the sides of the bottle...

I've long lamented the absence of this pattern from the bottle, and long questioned its relegation to the outer packaging. Would I ever get over what I saw as a heinous crime against art direction? Would my thoughts be forever plagued with what could have been? How could I sleep at night, knowing the true potential of this pattern would never be realised?

Interestingly, Balenciaga's Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquiere stepped down last year. When the fashion house announced a new fragrance, Rosabotanica, some wondered whether Ghesquiere's close friendship with Kirsten Stewart would affect her role as spokesmodel for the fragrance (it didn't, unfortunately..).

So what did this shakeup mean as far as packaging was concerned?

VOILA!

While the colours aren't really my cup of tea and although I much prefer the original pattern, I'm so happy they've gone down this route and abandoned those red and blue panels. Taking the plunge and incorporating the pattern into the package design was definitely the right move; there is now more coherence between the box and the bottle, not only giving the perfume more personality but also strengthening the brand identity in general.

What's more, with less carnation, more rose and new notes of fig, hyacinth and pepper, it definitely sounds more to my taste. I'm really excited to try it when it's released in the UK!