Having already fallen in love with By Invitation, Michael Buble's debut fragrance for women, as well as the more recent Rose Gold version, it's safe to say I was pretty excited at the prospect of a third release from the perfume brand. As soon as I sniffed Peony Noir*, I knew I was going to love it as much as the others. In fact. I'm pretty sure it's going to become my go-to scent for evenings out throughout the winter.
Like the two previous fragrances, Peony Noir is packaged in an attractive round bottle with a metallic lid, although the design has been simplified slightly and I have to say, I'm a big fan of the updated version! The smoky ombre glass and touches of pink are gorgeous, and it's definitely a nice piece of eye candy to display on your dressing table.
As for the fragrance, it follows the same trend as the packaging - there is something of the original scent about it, but it's more of a departure from that than the Rose Gold version was. It opens with top notes of black coffee and bergamot, instantly creating a sexy and sultry vibe, before giving way to a fragrant heart of rose, iris and orange blossom. The warm base notes are where you start to recognise the signature Michael Buble scent, as the vanilla, cedarwood and patchouli combination remain from the original fragrance, this time complimented by luxuriant sandalwood.
There is something about this that reminds me of YSL Black Opium, a fragrance which also contains notes of black coffee and orange blossom. However, Peony Noir is quite a bit lighter and has a little more sweetness to it. All of the Michael Buble fragrances are feminine and this one is definitely no exception. If you're after a perfume for evening that has that smoky sexiness to it but isn't too overpowering, this is the one for you.
Peony Noir EDP retails for £42 for £100 ml and you can pick one up here if you fancy it.
Have you tried any of the Michael Buble fragrances? What perfumes have you been enjoying recently?
Kate x
There is something about this that reminds me of YSL Black Opium, a fragrance which also contains notes of black coffee and orange blossom. However, Peony Noir is quite a bit lighter and has a little more sweetness to it. All of the Michael Buble fragrances are feminine and this one is definitely no exception. If you're after a perfume for evening that has that smoky sexiness to it but isn't too overpowering, this is the one for you.
Peony Noir EDP retails for £42 for £100 ml and you can pick one up here if you fancy it.
Have you tried any of the Michael Buble fragrances? What perfumes have you been enjoying recently?
Kate x
*Gifted item. All opinions, as always, are my own.
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Way back in October 2016, I reviewed Michael Buble's debut fragrance for women, By Invitation. As I made very clear in that blog post, I loved everything about that perfume. And, in fact, I still do now, although by this point there is not a lot of it left! So naturally, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to review the new version - By Invitation Rose Gold*. After all, everyone knows that a sure-fire way to make a good thing even better is to turn it rose gold!
Packaging
From the box to the bottle, the packaging is pretty much identical to the original fragrance, the only differences being the addition of the words "rose gold", and, of course, the variation in colour, with all yellow gold details from the first version being transformed to a pretty pink. I am a huge fan of the way this looks and think the style of the bottle is striking and very glamorous, so I'm not surprised that the Michael Buble team decided not to mess with a good thing by changing the packaging too much. It really is a beautiful addition to any dressing table.
Fragrance
As for the fragrance, it is of course a little different to the first By Invitation, but similar enough to be recognisable. Opening with magnolia, red fruits and granit pear, it honestly smells good enough to eat on first spritz. Like the original, it is very feminine, but ever so slightly lighter, less sweet, and with almost an exotic twist coming from the pear. The heart notes are rose, peony and black plum, so again you get this beautiful fragrance with a hint of edible deliciousness beneath, and it shares the same addictive praline and vanilla base notes as By Invitation. This is the part of the perfume that lingers on your skin for hours after you've first applied it - warm and surprisingly sophisticated.
If the original fragrance was rich and full enough to make an impact through the winter months, then By Invitation Rose Gold is its perfect summer partner. It's a little bit lighter, with slightly fruitier notes and a hint of spice to it as well. I love it just as much, perhaps even a little more, than the original and am very happy to have both in my collection.
Have you tried either of these perfumes? What are your favourite scents to wear in the warmer months?
Kate x
*Gifted item. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Life doesn't always run according to plan. When a very nice PR lady offered to send me some gift sets of classic Yardley and Woods Of Windsor beauty products a little while back, the timing was set to be perfect for a pre-Mother's Day gift ideas post. Unfortunately, something went wrong somewhere along the line and the original package never reached me. By the time I finally had the gift sets in my hands, Mother's Day was less than 24 hours away. Not to be deterred, I uploaded my first impressions on my Instagram Stories straight away (you can still catch them on my Beauty Highlights on Instagram if you're interested), but of course the actual blog post - this one - comes too late for Mother's Day.
But it's not the end of the world. These brands are timeless, beautifully packaged, affordable and lovely quality, which to my mind makes them ideal gifts for any beauty lover in your life, no matter what the occasion.
Yardley English Lavender Eau De Toilette*
Housed in an elegant bottle that would look at home among the most expensive perfumes in any department store, Yardley English Lavender Eau de Toilette is a very affordable £9.99 for 50 ml. Lavender is a favourite fragrance of mine, so I was excited to receive this. On first spritz, it's a very clean, almost soapy scent, but as it dries down, the soapiness fades and you get a little more lavender. It's only subtle lavender though, which I think would suit those who like the scent but find it overpowering in larger doses. The final product is light, fresh and sophisticated - perfect for a daytime fragrance.
Yardley English Freesia Moisturising Fragrance Body Mist*
This is delicate, but still gives a decent amount of scent pay-off, which I don't always find is the case with body mists. The English Freesia fragrance is really beautiful, very feminine and floral with a hint of sweetness. At £6 for 200 ml you can drench yourself in this on the daily without worrying about the cost, and if you like floral scents, believe me, you will want to.
Woods Of Windsor Lily Of The Valley Bath & Body Collection*
Prettily packaged body products always make a lovely gift, and at just £10, this Lily of the Valley duo is perfect for those occasions when you feel like treating someone "just because". Again, they smell wonderful - delicate floral fragrances are always a winner in my book - and they're also versatile products that are perfect for traveling. There's a bath and shower gel, which foams up nicely in the bath, and a lovely creamy moisturiser. You can use this for its intended purpose as a body lotion, but its also an ideal size to keep as a hand cream in your bag.
Woods Of Windsor True Rose Bath &Body Collection*
Another lovely gift set, and my personal favourite simply because it smells of roses! The True Rose Collection is £14 and contains a bath and shower gel, moisturiser and exfoliator, as well as a cute little purse to keep them in. Each is 100 ml, as opposed to the Lily of the Valley set where the products are 50 ml each. For me, the Rose set is perfect to have in your stash for weekends away or overnight stays. It's easy to grab and go and you'll smell divine for the whole trip!
You can never have too many bath and shower gels, and this mixed set from Woods of Windsor is perfect if you're looking for a gift for someone who likes to chop and change the fragrances they go for. I also think it's a great one for a guest bathroom. The three products look lovely grouped together on a shelf and it means that your visitors can pick and choose which one they use. The fragrances included are True Rose, Blue Orchid & Water Lily and Pomegranate & Hibiscus. All three smell gorgeous and the set is a great buy at £10.
Woods Of Windsor Mixed Bath & Shower Gel Collection*
You can never have too many bath and shower gels, and this mixed set from Woods of Windsor is perfect if you're looking for a gift for someone who likes to chop and change the fragrances they go for. I also think it's a great one for a guest bathroom. The three products look lovely grouped together on a shelf and it means that your visitors can pick and choose which one they use. The fragrances included are True Rose, Blue Orchid & Water Lily and Pomegranate & Hibiscus. All three smell gorgeous and the set is a great buy at £10.
So, if you're in the market for a cute but affordable beauty gift, you really can't go wrong with any of these offerings from these classic British brands. Have you tried any of these products before?
Kate x
Kate x
*Gifted item. Some links may be affiliate links. This poses no extra cost to you, the customer. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Happy New Year! I'm a little late getting back to the blog this year, but I do have a new video up on my YouTube channel if you fancy checking it out. Producing regular content for both platforms is something I'm going to have to get used to, particularly as I already feel like I ought to be posting more on my blog as it is. Not quite sure how I'm going to work that one out, but we'll have to see how it goes!
About The Brand
A collaboration between British high street institution Marks & Spencer and the model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Rosie For Autograph has been going since 2012. It started as a lingerie line and over the years has expanded to include sleepwear, lounge wear, active wear and a makeup range. It's available in Marks & Spencer stores and online, although international shipping is somewhat limited, from what I can see.
Aesthetic
Like Rosie herself, everything about the brand is incredibly feminine, but in a sophisticated rather than girly way. The lingerie sets are made from silk and French lace, cashmere features heavily in the lounge wear pieces and the makeup is housed in very Instagram-worthy rose gold packaging. In my opinion, it's some of the best that Marks & Spencer has to offer, and I wouldn't dream of visiting the store without checking out the latest offerings. I'm a little bit obsessed, I must admit!
Price Point
This might not be the cheapest brand in the world, but it's not prohibitively expensive either. A typical lingerie set will set you back about £40, with a pair of pyjamas costing around the same price or a little less. The pure cashmere range is more expensive (£199 for a pure cashmere full length dressing gown, for example), but I love the fact that they also offer cashmere mix pieces at a more affordable price point, making it an accessible luxury for everyone.
The makeup is a little bit cheaper than what you would pay in Mac, with a lipstick costing around £14 and a foundation around £20. Rosie's signature perfume comes in at £28 for 75 ml. I find the quality to be excellent across the whole brand and overall, I think that the prices are very reasonable considering what you are getting for your money.
Lingerie, Nightwear And Lounge Wear
My first introduction to Rosie For Autograph was through the lingerie sets, which I fell in love with due to their winning combination of being attractive yet practical to wear under clothing. While that doesn't sound particularly ground-breaking, I often find that underwear tends to fall into one of two categories. Either it will sit nicely under your outfit and give you a decent silhouette, in which case it tends to be boring and frumpy looking, or it's for display purposes only (if you catch my drift, nudge nudge, wink wink.) With Rosie for Autograph lingerie, you get gorgeous, smooth silky fabrics in rich colours or delicate prints, with cleverly placed lace trims, so it actually functions as underwear, but you never feel as though you are compromising on style. I've had quite a few sets over the years and have always found them to be very wearable under almost anything.
It's a similar story with the nightwear. A few years ago, I used to struggle to find anything that wasn't covered in cartoon characters (I'm not 14), made of flanneling (I'm not 92) or... well, for display purposes only. Nowadays, I think that more brands have cottoned on to the fact that there's a call for a more sophisticated option, but Rosie For Autograph was one of the first - at least as far as I'm aware - to offer it. It's still one of my favourite places to buy nightwear to this day. My latest is this beautiful silky pyjama set, although I must admit I would also love to add some of the cashmere lounge wear to my collection.
Beauty
It's taken me a while to get around to trying any of the beauty products - goodness knows why. The most recent addition to my collection is the perfume, which I am completely obsessed with - I am sitting at my desk spritzing more and more of it over myself as I write this! It's made with the oil of handpicked French roses, which makes me feel like a princess just thinking about it, and rose is at the heart of the fragrance itself. It's floral, romantic and very feminine, has a freshness to it on first application and eventually wears away to a warm sandalwood, vanilla and musk base. It really is beautiful and I love the heavy glass, vintage style bottle almost as much as the perfume itself.
I have also been seriously impressed with both the eyeshadow sticks and the lipstick which I purchased last year. The shades of the eyeshadows (I have Almond Eyes - the pale gold colour - and Movie Star Crush) are just stunning, and the formulas contain just the right amount of sparkle. The lipstick (Lady Rose) is the perfect pinky nude for me and I'm a huge fan of the creamy, pigmented finish and smooth application. Plus, the magnetic closure on the tube is a really nice touch. I'm wearing it in the photos below, together with the Almond Eyes eyeshadow stick.
Shop My Favourites
There's something about the Rosie For Autograph brand that really appeals to me, and no doubt you will be seeing more of it from me in the future! Is anyone else a fan?
Kate x
Some links may be affiliate links. This poses no extra cost to you, the customer. All opinions, as always, are my own.
We all need a "Treat Yo Self" day every now and then, am I right? Or even just a "Treat Yo Self" moment! We all lead busy lives, and as winter approaches and thoughts of Christmas begin to enter our heads, life seems to be more hectic than ever. I don't know about you, but the shorter days and darker evenings seem to zap my energy, so it's around this time of year that I really feel the need of a few extra little treats to perk me up. (I know, any excuse, right?!) So, without further ado, here are 5 of my favourite ways to spoil myself rotten. Feel free to pinch any of these ideas for your next "Treat Yo Self" day!
1. Spritz On Your Favorite Perfume
2. Go On A Shopping Spree
Is there any better way to perk yourself up than by treating yourself to a couple of shiny new things? Whether I've had a full on spree to replace half my wardrobe, or I've just picked up a new lipstick, shopping never fails to put a smile on my face. Yes, I'm a little bit materialistic, I admit! That said, I often find that a trip to the shops makes me feel good even if I'm not buying anything. Being around the hustle and bustle of the city centre, stopping for a coffee and a chat with a friend and of course having a good old browse at all the new clothes in my favourite stores is a great way to indulge in a little "me time", even if I come home empty handed.
3. Get Dressed Up And Have A Date Night
My husband and I aren't big party animals, but we do love a nice meal in a restaurant with a good bottle of wine. One of our favourite things to do on a Friday or Saturday night is to have a date night. We'll book a table - either a place we already love or maybe somewhere new - get a little dressed up and spend the evening with a delicious meal and each other's company. And if we can't go out, we'll often cook something nice at home. While I'm not really someone who loves to cook all the time, I do enjoy it when we're having a kind of "non date night date night" and making an occasion of it, and it's particularly nice during the cold, dark nights of winter, when you don't always feel like going out. My favourite meals to cook are the kind where everything gets thrown together in one big dish, like this lemon and oregano chicken tray bake. Minimal effort and maximum flavour! Basically, whether it's a nice night out or a nice night in, with your husband, friends, family or whoever, it's another lovely way to spoil yourself a little bit - and the people you're with!
4. Binge Watch Your Favourite Box Set
Sometimes, you want to treat yourself without any effort whatsoever. When I feel like that, there's only one thing that will do - a few episodes of a really good box set, watched on my laptop while tucked up in bed with a bar of chocolate. Over the last few months I've been addicted to quite a few shows: Game Of Thrones (obviously), Westworld, I Know Who You Are (A Spanish crime drama shown on BBC 4 - so gripping!) and The Tunnel (A British/French detective series Based on Swedish show The Bridge).
5. Have A Pamper Night
I think we all know by now that I love a good pamper night. In fact, I wrote a whole post recently about my pamper night essentials, which you might want to check out if you are on the lookout for some new products to try. There are few things I find more relaxing than a hot bath, and there's definitely something about the act of applying my favourite lotions and potions that makes me feel indulgent and just generally great about myself. Sometimes, I'll make a real night of it, applying face masks, doing my nails, etc, but even if I only have time for a ten minute soak in a beautifully scented bubble bath, it still does the trick.
So there you have it - my 5 ideas for a fabulous "Treat Yo Self" day! What are some of yours?
Kate x
*This post was in collaboration with Clive Christian. All opinions, as always, are my own.
It's monthly favourites time again! January has been pretty productive for me this year. Last year and the year before I was moving house, and everything else had to go on hold, so it has been really nice to be able to get on with things from the start this time around. In terms of my blog, I've felt a renewed sense of enthusiasm after feeling a little bit lost at the end of last year. In part, this has been due to having the opportunity to work with No7 this month - a brand I've loved for years - but also, I think, because I took some time off over Christmas to recharge my batteries and really think about what I'm trying to achieve with my little corner of the internet. Taking a break is something I'm often scared to do, but it can be invaluable in terms of putting things into perspective and generating new ideas, so I'm going to make a mental note to myself to do this a little more often! All in all, it's been a positive start to 2017.
As well as getting started on those new year goals, January is often a time when a lot of people cut back on spending. That certainly seems to have been true for me this year, as pretty much all my favourites are rediscoveries of forgotten treasures from the bottom of my makeup drawer. I have to say, as much as I love acquiring shiny new things, there is a particular sense of satisfaction to be gained from shopping the stash, especially when you are reminded of how much you love something that has somehow slipped out of sight and out of mind.
Here's what I've been loving this month.
1. Benefit Rollerlash Mascara - My appreciation for this mascara has been something of a slow burner. When I first bought it, I was fixated on the claims about how well it curls lashes, and expected to be able to throw away my eyelash curlers once and for all. This wasn't the case for me, and I think it made me disappointed in the product to start off with. However, once I had fished my eyelash curlers back out of the bin and tried Rollerlash in partnership with them, I realised that it's actually really nice, especially for length. I usually go for volumising mascaras, but lately I've preferred the more delicate, fluttery effects of this one.
2. Miller Harris Vetiver Insolent Perfume* - I'm sure I've mentioned this fagrance hundreds of times on the blog by now, but if you're unfamiliar with it, you can check out my full review here. This is a sophisticated and heavy fragrance, not for the faint-hearted, but I absolutely love it. I've had a few evenings out this month, and with the weather being so cold, I have enjoyed wearing this warm, earthy fragrance more than ever.
3. Mac Eye Shadow in Tempting - I'd forgotten I had this, so it was a treat to rediscover it in the depths of my makeup drawer! For my day to day eye makeup, I tend to use just one shade over the lid and blended into the crease, and bronze colours like this are perfect. Tempting is a lustre finish with a really beautiful shimmer to it. I think I have worn this just about every single day throughout the month of January.
4. Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream in Nude Beach worn with L'Oreal Infallible Mega Gloss in Protest Queen - I am obsessed with this lip combination. The Too Faced Color Drenched Lip Creams are probably the most comfortable lipsticks I have ever worn. They feel like a lip balm to apply, but they have a beautiful, creamy, sheeny pigmentation to them too. The shade Nude Beach is a gorgeous pinky nude which I seem to have been drawn to a lot this month. I think it has something to do with wanting spring to start right after Christmas! Protest Queen is one of L'Oreal's cream finish lipglosses from the Mega Gloss line, and over the top of Nude Beach it is just perfect. It's almost identical in colour and just intensifies the creaminess and, er, sheeniness. I've put the two together in the swatch above.
5. H&M Turtleneck (similar) - I have lived in this for pretty much the whole month. An absolute bargain, this is a fitted black turtleneck jumper with just the tiniest little design detail in the ribbing on the front. Perfect with jeans and a big fur-lined jacket during the day, and tucked into a leather pencil skirt for the evening. We've had some freezing weather in the last couple of weeks so it has been lovely to be all covered up in this. I can't find this exact jumper on the H&M website, but the one I've linked to is nearly identical and also a great price.
And that rounds up my first monthly favourites of 2017! How has January been for you, and what have you been loving this month?
Kate x
*Gifted item. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Taking the seasons into account when it comes to perfume is something of a new thing for me. I've always had a fondness for floral fragrances, and in the past I've tended to wear my favourite scents all year round. Lately, though, I've been branching out and trying different things, and I've noticed myself reaching for the perfumes in my collection that have more warmth and depth to them now that the weather is colder. I thought I would share those with you, as well as mention a couple of others I don't happen to own right now but think are perfect for this time of year.
Black Opium - Yves Saint Laurent
Before I owned this fragrance, I
lusted after it for the longest time, gazing at it longingly every
time I popped into Boots and
dropping countless hints to my husband/mum/sister/whoever happened to be
with me at the time about upcoming birthdays, etc. I wound up being
given both the original and the eau de toilette last Christmas, and then
for good measure received the Nuit Blanche version at a press day a few
months later. All three are gorgeous, but if I had to single one out as
the most "wintry", I'd go for the original. A heady mix of black
coffee, white florals and vanilla, it's a strong, sexy and highly
addictive fragrance.
By Invitation - Michael Buble
Christmas without Michael Buble is like the tree without fairy lights. Well, maybe not, but this gorgeous fragrance definitely lends itself beautifully to the winter months. With sparkling red fruit top notes and a warm base of amber and vanilla praline, this is definitely going to be my go-to scent for Christmas parties this year. I wrote a detailed review of it here in case you'd like to know more.
Mimosa and Cardamom - Jo Malone
Ah, Jo Malone - the queen of fragrance. I love everything she does. Mimosa and Cardamom surprised me - I thought it was going to be strong and spicy, but instead it's quite delicate. This is definitely an all year rounder - light and fresh enough to wear through the summer, but with a beautiful creamy depth that seems to work perfectly in the colder months as well. While we're on the subject of Jo Malone, there's another two perfumes from the brand that I don't currently own but think are perfect for winter. One is Amber and Lavender - musky, opulent and exotic - and the other is Pomegranate Noir, which is possibly the most sophisticated sweet fragrance I have ever come across, laced with the faintest hint of spice.
Vetiver Insolent - Miller Harris
The strongest and most distinctive perfume I own, winter is a great time for this to come into its own. Again, I reviewed it here if you're interested in checking it out in more detail, but essentially this is an earthy, spicy combination of bergamot, amber, vetiver and tonka bean. If you like your perfumes to be a talking point and/or totally unique, this is one for you.
Do you change up your perfumes according to the seasons? And which ones are you loving right now?
Kate x
I've always had the idea in my head that celebrity perfumes are... well, just a little bit tacky. When I heard that Michael Bublé had released a fragrance for women, I must admit, I rolled my eyes a little. But then I saw that the Thirty Plus Bloggers collective was getting behind it, and suddenly my interest was piqued. So much so, in fact, that when I was asked if I would like to review a sample, I said yes straight away. After all, we're talking about highly intelligent and discerning women here. There had to be more to this than just another star putting their name to a product.
Oh, there's so much more. I'll get into the details of it in a bit, but first of all you need to know this: By Invitation is a complex, finely crafted and beautiful perfume, far more sophisticated than I would have expected from a celebrity offering. As for the packaging, if it doesn't knock your socks off, I don't know what will.
The fragrance was originally conceived as "a scented love letter" to Bublé's female fans, and the man himself has been hands on in every aspect of its creation, from the concept behind it to the finer details of the design. Talking about the original inspiration for the scent, Bublé said, "It's no secret that I'm a hopeless romantic. It's in every note I sing and every song I write. The idea was to create a special 'invitation' to fans into my new world of fragrance. I'm inviting women to enjoy a beautiful scent that represents my personal taste and imagination. By Invitation is what I'd call 'love in a bottle'."
Oh Michael, stop it!
Bublé collaborated with leading French perfumer Karine Dubreuil-Sereni to create his debut scent, and gave her free reign to work with the finest ingredients in order to make his vision a reality. The result is a gloriously dreamy, feminine fragrance - just what Bublé's ideal woman would wear.
And the fragrance itself? Described as a crisp, floral oriental, it's unashamedly feminine and I'm completely in love with it. It's a little sweeter than I'd normally go for, but I'm actually thoroughly enjoying wearing something a bit different. The first spritz is light, fresh and zingy - a little like a sparkling fruit cocktail - which comes from the top notes of red fruits, lemon and bergamot. Then, as it settles, the floral heart notes of rose, jasmine, lily of the valley and peony come into their own. I've always loved floral fragrances, particularly rose and jasmine, so I'm in delightfully familiar territory here. At the base, however, the warmth of amber and cedar wood combined with patchouli and a delicious hit of vanilla praline lends an irresistible twist as well as a sophisticated depth to the fragrance. It wears beautifully over time and lingers all day, without being remotely "in your face".
By Invitation is available to buy from Michael Bublé Perfume or The Perfume Shop and, if you ask me, at a great price point. The 100 ml bottle is £55 and the 50 ml is £39. Apparently, Bublé's aim was create a whole new category with his debut fragrance that sat somewhere between higher end and more affordable brands, which is something I can definitely get behind. The perfume is also available in a 30 ml size and there are additional products to compliment it, including a shower gel, body lotion, purse spray and candle.
So whether you love the idea of smelling like Michael Bublé's dream girl, or you think that's cheesy AF, it doesn't really matter. I'm pretty confident that any fan of feminine, floral or sweet fragrances will love this. Personally, I started off a cynic, and have been thoroughly seduced. Bublé, you old charmer!
Are you a Michael Bublé fan? Will you be trying out By Invitation for yourself? And what do you think about celebrity fragrances in general?
Kate x
This post was sponsored by Michael Bublé Perfume. All opinions, as always, are my own.
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