Book Review: The Night Circus

Ribbons, Ravens, and Rêveurs 

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern has quickly become my favourite book. I remember constantly seeing it recommended on blogs and in magazines but never troubling myself to search it on Amazon. It wasn't until a few years back I picked it up as an impulse buy at my local bookstore. It was right at the checkout and feeling drawn to the cover I quickly purchased it before having time to give it a second thought. It sat on my bookshelf ever since til last fall, when I devoured it on a rainy day. 

There is very little detail of the story I can give without giving away spoilers so let's just say the story is a game played by Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair which takes place at the night circus. It involves magnificent feats, vivid characters, and the most beautiful story ever wrote (in my opinion). The way it's written is truly magnificent, not only telling you the story of the circus but also threads of outsiders' stories who baffle you, to begin with, only to fall into place as you read on. The threads carefully curated by Morgenstern slowly weave together and make the book even more enchanting. I also love how the reader can experience certain elements and feats from within the circus through sections of the books; which just adds to the overall enjoyment and lures the reader in, as though they could brush shoulders with the characters themselves. 

It's the type of book you can read over and over, with its enticing magic affecting you more and more with every read. The type of book you never want to finish, as you will have to leave this wonderful escape Morgenstern has created and come crashing back to reality. 

Have you ever read The Night Circus? What did you think? Comment below. 

Cheerio for now! 

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To read any of my other book reviews, click here. 

Tropic ABC Collection

Tropics ABC Skincare Collection 

Having started to go natural with my skincare and toiletries, I came across Tropic last year through a friend. The first element of my routine I was trying to change was my face care, so naturally, the first products I bought were the Smoothing Cleanser, the Vitamin Toner and the Skin Revive to fill the place of my usual 3-step routine. It's more than likely that customers will purchase certain products to use together, so Tropic has created certain collections with products such as this. For instance, those three products come in a collection along with the Eye Refresh and save £15 in the process (essentially you get the eye refresh free).

Smoothing Cleanser, complexion purifier with bamboo cloth:

The Smoothing Cleanser is the first step in the ABC face routine. The cleanser contains Golden Jojoba oil, Sweet Almond oil and Avocado oil giving a refreshing blend for clear and soft skin. The texture is milky and smooth to apply, and it quite literally melts away makeup in the gentlest of ways.

To use you simply massage 2-4 pumps onto dry skin in gentle circular motions. This will remove any makeup or impurities on your eyes, face, and neck. To remove, rinse off with warm water using the bamboo cloth. If you use this to remove makeup it's recommended to use another 2 pumps to cleanse your face after, and remember to give your bamboo cloth a good rinse after removing your make up.

Vitamin Toner, pore refining mist

The Toner is probably the most refreshing product I have ever come across. With a mixture of Rose Water, Cucumber, and Aloe Vera Juices it is perfect to calm, rejuvenate and minimise pores.

After using the cleanser, just spritz the Toner across your face and neck, and leave to sink in. You can also use a cotton pad to wipe around the face, it's just as effective either way.

Skin Revive, nourishing cream concentrate

With a blend of Rosehip oil, Golden Jojoba oil and Aloe Vera Juice I can see why this product is labelled as nourishing. Skin Revive is hydrating and moisturising on your skin, whilst also being gentle and giving a radiant complexion.

Use 2-3 pumps onto face and neck in circular motions and leave to absorb.

Eye refresh, cooling gel roll-on

In a rollerball applicator, the Eye Refresh is easy to apply for that little pick-me-up or when you need to look wide-eyed. The cooling blend of Cucumber Juice, Aloe Vera, and Ginseng makes the mixture perfect for calming puffy, tired skin and dark circles. This little bad boy has quickly become an essential to not only keep on me when I go out but also when I'm studying or just lounging around the house. 

To use, simply roll under eyes as much as you require.

I love each and every one of these products. All of them work so well together but also have such strength as individual products. Whenever I have come across natural products in the past they have often been way out of my price range, so it's incredibly refreshing to come across natural products that are not only within my budget but also effective and match my own ethos. 
You can read more about Tropic and their brand here.

Have you ever tried Tropics?
Cheerio for now! 
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On The Radar: Colouring Craze

For around a year now there seems to have been a serious trend going with colouring books. Suddenly they were everywhere. I've always seen mindfulness colouring books but instead of patterns, there's now all sorts going around. Vogue ones for fashionistas, Shakespeare and Alice in wonderland ones for the bookworms, even city and destination ones for those with the travel bug.

For Christmas, I received a couple of Alice ones and since then I've collected a few vintage ones too. I love the illustrations in the vintage ones, the old-school sweets, toys, teacups -urgh they make my heart burst a little. 

These books are great for a lazy Sunday, to get carried away with after a stressful day or even for something to do on a flight or train journey! There's something so therapeutic and blissful about zoning out of reality and getting lost in an illustrated world of colouring for awhile. 

Have you got any Colouring books? Which is your favourite? 

Cheerio for now! 

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About Tropics

I recently tried to write a post about my everyday products by Tropic, but each time I started to derail off topic and go on a tangent of how amazing the brand is, their principles, etc. Knowing how much I hate those rambling posts I decided the only way was to produce this post with everything you need to know about the brand before you get bombarded by all my lovestruck, gushing posts about the products. Let's begin*

What is Tropic? 

Tropic is a skincare brand that produces natural skin care products including face, body, and makeup. The products are made using natural formulations from tropical plants, derived from all the natural goodness from plants including the flower, stem, roots, leaves, seeds and fruit. The mission of Tropic is the clear, healthy skin of their customers and for this reason, they only use the richest, most nutritious ingredients out there. 

The principles at the root of the company and each product they produce are 'Pure, Honest, Effective'. As lovers' of animals they do not test on animals and are certified by Cruelty-Free International, with their products home to the leaping bunny stamp. They are also certified by The Vegan Society and hold the sunflower vegan symbol. 

Tropic place an emphasis on honesty, placing their ingredients in not only the INCI system but also in a plain English translation of what those actual ingredients are, so you don't have to cause those extra few frowning wrinkles whilst you try to decipher those big jargoned scientific words. Each item also holds a 'best before' date so that you know how fresh the ingredients in the product are and when to finally toss it. Helpful huh? 

Because products are made using premium natural ingredients, this means they can be used on all skin types, even the most sensitive of skin. I have always suffered from sensitive skin and seem to have never truly found a product hydrating enough, though Tropic has exceeded all my expectations and ticks all the boxes I need in my skin care. 

What do I mean by natural? 

Tropic only use 100% natural derived ingredients or those that are nature identical. A small number of their products have safe synthetics, though this is only used as a last resort when there are no natural or vegan alternatives. Having said this, as a rule, Tropic products are free from Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Phthalates, alcohol, Petrochemicals, Gluten, Harsh preservatives, Harmful Synthetic Fragrances, Toxic Chemicals and so much more. You can view the whole list here. 

Why have I never seen Tropic at the Drugstore? 

The reason you won't have ever seen any of the Tropic products in your local drugstore is because of their natural ingredients. Each product is made to order to ensure you have the freshest ingredients going onto your skin. Each and every product is manufactured in the company's Beauty Kitchen in Surrey, which means when you place an order the product you get has been produced specifically for you instead of sitting on a shelf, being preserved by harsh chemicals. 

Tropic has quickly become my favourite skincare brand. Their products are luxurious, effective and don't break the bank in the process. If that doesn't sound good to you I don't know what will. 

*You can read more about the brand and check out their products on their website here.

I hope you look forward to all my Tropic-centred posts

Cheerio for now! 

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Photography - Hannah Cross 

Book Review: Skin Cleanse

The Simple, All-natural Program for Clear, Calm, Happy Skin 

Just like many of the books I read, Skin Cleanse by Adina Grigore had been lurking on my Amazon Wishlist for months before I received it for my birthday. Having already started the process of going all-natural with my toiletries and skincare for little over 6 months, I was seeking guidance in a big way and so this book couldn't have fallen into my hands at a better time. 

Adina talks her reader through every aspect of adopting the simple, all-natural body care routine in an easy, jargon-free way. When reading you honestly feel as though she's sitting telling you this over a coffee. Through the 8 chapters, she educates you on not only how to identify problematic products, but also how to weed them out of your routine and find another little gem to slip in its place (-usually something you already have in your kitchen, I might add). She teaches you how and the importance of keeping food and product journals to notice triggers for your skin and body. The book also contains so many vital lessons and tips on how to read and decipher ingredient labels to identify those little nitty-gritty buggers you really don't want going onto your skin, and then being absorbed by your body. Another aspect I really didn't anticipate to read in the book was how your ancestry, environment and how your great-grandmother lived, can affect your own lifestyle and body (truly fascinating and educating chapter). 

Adina also has created and provided her reader with a whole chapter based around becoming your own apothecary and making your own effective, and all-natural, products right out of your kitchen cupboards. I mean the power to clear, healthy skin is right at your fingertips and once you read Adina's insights on how to do so you'll never look back, trust me! 

Overall this book has been an amazing read and became my best friend/bible/guru all in one. I love the entire approach of this book and the way it's been written. The easy-to-read affect but also the important message that your body absorbs everything you put on it; so it's important to pay attention to those ingredients and how your body reacts. 

Have you ever read Skin Cleanse? 

No -you need to get it | Yes, what did you think? 

Cheerio for now! 
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To read any of my other book reviews, simply click here. 

Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour // Hogwarts Castle

If you haven't been to the Warner Bros Studio Tour and you're hoping to in the future, then I would skip this post, and any future posts titled 'Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour', as it contains spoilers. 

After Diagon Alley, you're led up, and around, a room full of models of set designs and structures from different scenes. Here are just a few... 

Have you ever been to the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour? What did you think of Hogwarts Castle? 

Cheerio for now! 

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Book Review: It's not how good you are, It's how good you want to be

It's not how good you are, It's how good you want to be 

-Paul Arden 

Quite a short, compact book It's not how good you are, it's how good you want to be by Paul Arden was a fast and inspiring book to read. Full with personally and professional advice, both for the corporate employee and the creative folks, this made for a really interesting read; and really opened my mind about my own career path. From failures to strokes of luck, Arden discusses is it all and motivates you to see these situations in different lights. It's almost as though this book is preparing you for every situation you could possibly be put in, in your career. For this reason, I would say it would probably make a great gift for someone graduating, leaving school or maybe even someone who has recently left a job or changing jobs. Where it is a short and fast read, it's also pretty ideal for those short of time. 

To read any of my other book reviews, simply click here. 

Have you ever read this book, what did you think? Comment below

Cheerio for now!

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