Sleep In-a-Box

No dear reader, this is not a suggestion or a command, but rather a review of a fantastic new line of products released as part of the Boots Sanctuary Spa range.

For a mere £12.75 in Boots, you can buy a gift box of generously sized samples of the recent additions to their already popular brand, and ‘Dreamtime Sleep In-a-Box’ is 4 products designed to aid restful sleep and recuperation. And we all could benefit from that I’m sure!

Each product contains the essential oils ylang ylang (for reducing stress and tension), frankincense (to calm and clarify the mind), and patchouli (to reduce anxiety). They smell DIVINE. From using the body butter right before I get into bed, I can still catch the scent on my bed sheets when I wake up in the morning. I MUST OWN THE CANDLE.

First up, we have the Soothing Bath Float. Basically, that’s a fancy pants name for bubble bath. A couple of dollops (love that word) of that under running water leave you with the frothiest bubbles fit for a princess – Kate Middleton, you heard it here first. It also suggests that you can rub the formula on your skin prior to getting in the bath for an extra luxurious skin treat.

Next, we have the Smoothing Silk Scrub, which is a nice thick cream with flakes of coconut shell in it to really shift those dead skin cells. I’m used to using a sugar body scrub with a higher concentrate of scrubbing particles compared to this one, but I was pleasantly surprised that my skin felt super smooth and nourished after use. The Sanctuary also recommends that this product can be used on dry skin prior to bathing/showering to polish your limbs to perfection.

The 4 in 1 Restoring Body Elixir is a cheeky treat in the range, since it really is as multi-functional as it suggests! It can be used as a bath oil, as a nourishing body oil applied neat to your skin, triples up as a hair mask applied to damaged ends, and can also be used as a massage oil. I think I’ve found a fifth use for this, because it works great rubbed on temples, wrists, and the back of the neck before bed time to send you into a deep slumber. Bonus, non?

Last but by no means least is the Cocooning Body Butter, which has an intensely thick formulation. The best way of me describing this is as a ‘balm’, but it sinks into skin quicker than I expected. I really think this is one of the best body butters I’ve ever used, and I can’t get enough of the smell...sometimes I undo the lid and steal a cheeky sniff for no reason, but that’s just me.

From what I can gather, in addition to the Sleep range there are also ‘unwind’ and ‘energise’ sets available. I would highly recommend this set to anyone, it really does help you get a good night’s sleep and I feel so much happier when I’m well rested. Since using the products I’ve become completed addicted to baths and had 4 in a row last week...United Utilities are well onto it!

Concert Review: Kings of Leon

On Sunday, with itching anticipation, I got to witness the event of the year I have been patiently awaiting since I bought tickets last November...Kings of Leon at Lancashire County Cricket Club! After rumours were rife that the last tour they performed would be their last ever, I was epically pleased when they released latest album Come Around Sundown and announced dates for this tour. With the threat that they may never perform live again, I would have sold my favourite arm to bag tickets (we all have a favourite arm, right?!). And I got them, without having to sell said limbs!

The whole day was fantastic. Unlike gigs I have been to in the past, the venue opened at 4pm and support acts commenced from 6pm, meaning that we had a full afternoon and evening of entertainment and to bask in the sunshine of the grounds. What glorious weather we had! First up was a band called Mona. I hadn’t heard of them before, but after watching them play the only way I can describe them is as ‘Kings of Leon wannabes’...not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. Next up was White Lies, which I was really pleased about, but missed all but the first song of the set due to a 40 minute wait for the toilet queue. Angry face. When I returned, it was Zane Lowe on stage doing a DJ set, which I thought would be promising, but instead turned out to appeal to the army of chavs at the concert. You know, the ones who recognise that one song Sex on Fire and think they’re die-hard fans. If you played them my favourite track Milk I’m sure they’d have a seizure. So to be honest, was not impressed with Zane Lowe!

Finally, the band we had all been waiting for graced the stage at 8:30pm, and I was more excited than a kid with a cardboard box. They belted out tunes Molly’s Chambers, Radioactive, Crawl, Be Somebody, Closer, Fans, Use Somebody, and many other favourites. I nearly died when they played On Call – my chest aches with how much I love that song. While the band did not have much banter with the crowd, it did allow them more time to play songs and every performance was flawlessly executed. Every time I saw Caleb’s little face pop up on the big screen I fell ever more in love. If I could’ve swapped my cat for a cheeky wink off him I SO WOULD.

Kings of Leon came back on stage for an encore, and rounded off the evening perfectly with roars from the crowd as loud as the fireworks that accompanied their last performance. Best £52.50 I ever did spend!

WOLFMOTHER Rocked!

With that cheeky Bank Holiday thrown into the mix, I've been so confused about what day it is that I've ended up blogging a day late *big slap on the wrist*

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend anyway! I spent some quality time with my younger sisters 'the twins' (I don't know why I feel the need to put that in inverted commas since they actually are medically classified as twins). Took them for a fancy meal and cocktails at Chaophraya, where it was fruity curries and deep fried ice cream a-plenty, and then we had an enjoyable night out in town. The following morning we mopped up our alcohol abuse with a bang tidy breakfast from Moose Cafe (my all time favourite place to eat), and then went to see The Hangover Part 2. Happy days!

After months of patiently waiting at home, e-ticket in hand, Tuesday 31st May brought me the heady delights of Wolfmother live at The 02 Academy Liverpool!

I love music, I love discovering a new favourite band, and more than anything, I cannot think of a thing in the world that beats the buzz of watching a live band rocking out on electric guitars and the heavy bass vibrations in the core of your chest. So yes, seeing live music always makes me happy :)

This video is looking a wee bit small, but it gives you a sneaky peek of their hit Vagabond which is featured on the film and soundtrack of 500 Days of Summer.

Oosh, what a lovely little week I'm having!