Kate Benjamin Bangle

I was recently contacted by Accessories Direct to see if I would like to review one of their pieces. Accessories Direct offers a fantastic selection of accessories and handbags. The website is easy to use and has everything you could need to complete an outfit under one (metaphorical) roof. They stock a range of designers, including well-known brands, like Modalu and Fiorelli to exclusive designers, such as Kate Benjamin.

I was thrilled to be offered the chance to write a review, as I love jewellery and I figured you can never have too much, hehe. They kindly sent me this gorgeous Kate Benjamin Gypsy bangle* (£35.00) to review. After a little googling, I found out that Kate Benjamin is a designer exclusive to Accessories Direct and her Facebook says that her pieces range from "vintage inspired pieces to individual leather classics with a contemporary twist".

The bangle came well-packaged in a bubble wrapped box, stuffed with tonnes of tissue paper, so there is no chance of any damage to your parcels. The bangle came in a lovely black pouch with the ribbon tied in a bow. I think little features like this really make all the difference.

The website describes the bangle as "A multi layered antique gold and silver tone bangle that is an eye catching adornment. The beaten texture detail adds to the bohemian feel of the bangle that would look great worn for casual days with maxi dresses or jeans." The colours of the picture on the website show a 'true' gold and silver bangle, but in real life the gold is more of a bronze.

I'm a massive lover of bangles. I love the jangling sound they make and I think they can really complete an outfit. I wore the bangle yesterday with my staple black skinny jeans and a stripe breton top and today with black leggings, a vest and crop top and I was complimented numerous times on it! I love the mixture of the 2 metals and I like the extra detail of being held together by the eyelets, as it's something a bit different. The bangle was comfortable to wear, but I did have a little difficulty getting it on/off, as you have put it on through the whole length, rather than bangle by bangle.

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to Accessories Direct for sending me this. If anyone's interested in the bangle, the link is here and Accessories Direct has a fantastic sale on at the moment, with up to 70% off!

Are you a bangle lover?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

*PR product. Please read my disclaimer page for more information.

DIY Scrabble Ring

I spent ages looking for a 'J' scrabble ring last year, as they were always sold out. When I finally found one on eBay, I'm sure a 'HALLELUJAH!' rang from the heavens! During the summer, I went to a few car boot sales with my mum and at one of them, there was someone selling a scrabble board game for £2. I snapped it up and decided that I would try my hand at some DIY. I recently made some scrabble rings for my friends as stocking fillers and thought I'd share how I made them.

I apologise in advance for the cringey introduction!!


One of my new year's resolutions is to find a hobby and I've recently become interested in doing more craft. I recently came across this site - Cut Out + Keep - and omgosh! It's amazing. It's full of DIY tutorials, recipes, etc. and I'm currently compiling a list of things I want to make and things I need to buy, so I'm quite excited! Do you like making things? Do you have any tips for a beginner?

Thank you for watching. xoxo, Joy

Review: L'Oreal Everstrong

This shampoo and conditioner isn't available in the UK yet, but I think it is available in the US. I was lucky enough to be sent this as I am registered at Elle Magazine's reader panel and I had to use it for at least 2 weeks and answer a quick email survey after the two weeks were up. I thought I'd pop up a review of it as I essentially had to do a mini review for the Elle survey, so I thought I would share it here too. I'm not sure how much it will cost here, but I looked on the Ulta website and it costs $6.99, so I imagine it would cost around £6/7 here? Also, I think the packaging is going to look different here.

What they say: I got this card with details about the range included with the products. Click to make it bigger.

What I think:

- The shampoo lathers nicely, which is surprising as this shampoo does not have SLS. A little really goes a long way. It has a herbally smell (due to the rosemary and juniper), which isn't particularly strong or overpowering. It rinses out easily and leaves your hair feeling clean and not stripped.

- The conditioner is light, but moisturising. The herbal smell is more prominent in the conditioner than the shampoo, but it does not linger. After rinsing, my hair didn't have the same slippy feeling as with other conditioners I have used, but after drying my hair did feel soft and moisturised.

- These products leave my hair feeling super soft, even after the first use. I couldn't stop touching it! I was using this shampoo and conditioner combination throughout the 4 week, no heat challenge and noticed that my hair felt stronger and I had less breakage when brushing my hair. I can usually get away with washing my hair every 2/3 days, but I found that my hair gets greasy quicker after using these products and I have to wash my hair more frequently or use more dry shampoo. The smell takes a little getting used to as it's a far cry from the fruity smells of Herbal Essences or the sweetie smells of TIGI Bedhead, and it may not be everybody's cup of tea. But after a few uses, you get used to it and I actually started liking the scent.

I was looking around on the L'Oreal USA website and there are other products in this sulphate-free range - Everpure Colour Care System, Eversleek Smoothing System and Everstrong Fortify System - Within those three system categories, there are products designed for each hair type, which I think is a great idea as there is something for everyone. A lot of people seem to be raving about the Reconstruct Overnight Treatment, so I'm definitely going to have to give that a go when this range comes out here!

Will you be trying these products when they come out in the UK or have you tried them before?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

*I was sent this as part of Elle Magazine's reader panel. This does not change my opinion of the product and my reviews, as usual, are 110% honest. I am not affiliated with L'Oreal.

December Favourites 2011

I know this a little bit late, but Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is an amazing year for you!

Today I have a quick December favourites for you (also a bit late, sorry). I haven't done a 'Favourites of 2011' post, as I'm at home at the moment and I only have my travel make-up bag with me and wasn't organised enough to take pictures before I left uni. I might do one when I go back next week, if anyone would be interested in seeing one.

Clockwise from left: NARS Laguna, MAC Her Blooming Cheek, TIGI Cherry Almond Leave-In Conditioner, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle and Max Factor Nailfinity in 'Red Passion'

I've been using NARS Laguna a tonne this month to contour and add colour to my face. It is a lovely brown (not orange) shade, which I've never found to be too dark for my pale skin tone. It has a tiny hint of sparkle, which gives a nice glow, rather than a disco ball appearance and isn't too obvious.

I mentioned this blush in my Current Favourites video and I have been alternating this with NARS Laguna all month. It's a bright blue tone pink blush, which looks petrifying in the pan, but leaves you with a pretty pink flush (as if you've just come back in from the cold).

I have been loving the TIGI Leave-In Conditioner all month. I've recently stopped using standard conditioner, as it has been leaving my hair feeling weighed down or greasy. So I have been shampooing and then applying this to my hair when it is approximately 80% dry. Since I'm leaving my hair to dry naturally, it helps my hair form nice waves, tames frizz and leaves it feeling so soft. Also it smells amazing!

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle has been my scent of choice since the weather has changed colder. I'm terrible at describing scents, so I'm not going to attempt it... Sorry! Although the perfume was rather pricey, I can see it lasting a long time as I have the eau de parfum and I find I only need 1-2 spritzes and the scent lasts all day.

I bought this polish ages ago and completely forgot about it! I wore this shade on my nails for Christmas and I loved it. I like that it's a blue toned red polish, rather than an orange toned red polish (like many on the market are) and it kind of reminds me of what Revlon's 'Cherries in the Snow' lipstick would look like as a nail varnish (even though Revlon has a 'Cherries in the Snow' nail varnish). This is part of Max Factor's Nailfinity line, so it's designed to last for a week or so. The picture of my nails shows the tipwear after about 6 days, so I have to say I'm mighty impressed! I'll definitely be checking out more colours in this range in the future.

I just wanted to throw one more favourite into the mix and it's my new iPhone 4S! I've only had it since Christmas, but it's love :) I have downloaded a number of apps already, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations?

What products have been your favourites this month?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy