The Ultimate Beauty Destination: Surprise That Special Someone With The Perfect Gift From Boots

It’s been a tough year. A tough couple of years to be exact. With the world still in a spin, and the lack of certainty causing even the most stable of us to lose our footing, it’s more important than ever to take a moment to reflect back on how far we’ve come. If you’ve made it this far in one piece, with your health and wellbeing still pretty much in tact, you deserve a medal! If you’ve not, then you still deserve a medal (or a very nice gift from Boots *wink*) for trying your best during unprecedented circumstances.

There are so many people to celebrate this festive season – from the NHS workers who have pushed forward so selflessly, to the key workers who have kept the world moving, to the parents who have juggled home schooling with a full time job, and the friends who have kept reminding us that it’s ok to have a wobble and feel like you’re losing yourself. I for one am grateful to my network of amazing people who have listened to me moan, been there when I’ve cried and reminded me that things will get better; what would we all do without a shoulder to cry on eh?

Boots christmas gift surprise 3 for 2 offer Boots christmas gift surprise 3 for 2 offer

This Christmas Boots want to celebrate those special people who deserve an extra sprinkling of joy… And we all know more than one who has experienced a bit of a cr*ppier-than-most twelve months. Their incredible selection of Christmas gifts will undoubtedly include the perfect treat that’s guaranteed to put a smile on their face and show them how much you care, with price points that start at only a few pounds up to extravagant gifts that will certainly surprise and delight.

MY SPECIAL SOMEONE

2021 has been especially hard for my family, as my 91 year old Grandad succumbed to dementia and moved into a full time care home earlier this year. Despite my Nan believing she could cope, it became increasingly apparent that he required more care than she was now able to give. Sleepless nights, panic attacks and anxiety ridden days have left their toll – and worried the rest of us no end. But six months on and she’s found herself (and her freedom) once again, despite being separated from the love of her life for the first time since they were married over sixty years ago.

When Boots asked me to choose someone to surprise with some of their beauty gifts (that make the best Christmas presents,) there was no question of who that special someone would be. My Nan is so deserving of a treat, and picking out some pretty gifts was an absolute pleasure; the little squeal she made when I delivered them melted my heart!

Boots christmas gift surprise 3 for 2 offer Boots christmas gift surprise 3 for 2 offer Boots christmas gift surprise 3 for 2 offer

THREE MAGICAL GIFTS

With the iconic ‘Boots 3 for 2’ there’s always a great deal to be had and amazing savings to be made – with the cheapest of your choices coming absolutely free. (Bonus!) Here’s what I chose for my Nan…

1. Liz Earle Superskin Beauty Sleep Ritual (£45.50)


For the last year she’s struggled with anxiety, especially at night, so anything that will encourage self-care and relaxation is gratefully received. This gift set includes some of Liz Earle’s iconic products (including Cleanse & Polish) alongside a little terrarium she’s already got plans for in the bathroom.

2. Laura Ashley Fragrance Diffuser (£18.00)


My Nan loves scent as much as I do; I’ve definitely inherited my love of candles and room diffusers from her! This home fragrance is enriched with notes of Daisy and White Aloe to provide a delicately floral experience, while the glass bottle is a statement in itself. The perfect gift for any home decor or fragrance connoisseur alike.

3. Laura Ashley Luxury Hand & Nail Cream (£5.00)


One of the things my Nan has kept up for decades is her regular manicures and pedicures, and her hands continue to defy her age. Some of my earliest memories include her applying a fragrant hand cream and me thinking it was the most grown up thing ever, so suffice to say I was unsurprised when this was ripped open and applied in an instant!

Boots christmas gift surprise 3 for 2 offer

So if you’ve got a special someone you’d love to treat this festive season, there’s guaranteed to be that last minute solution they’re sure to adore. It’s the season to show how much you care, and the joy really is in the giving…

Who in your life deserves to be surprised Secret Santa style this Christmas?

Check out all the Christmas gifts for her and Christmas gifts for him on offer on www.boots.com

AD: sponsored feature in partnership with Boots.com; all opinions my own.

Boots christmas gift surprise 3 for 2 offer

Christmas Gifting Ideas with Temple Spa

Christmas Gifting Ideas with Temple Spa

This year has been odd to say the least and I know for many – if not most – what we would all deem to be a normal Christmas isn’t quite on the cards this time around. However, if you do chose to mark the festive season this year in the form of gifts under the tree (or perhaps more realistically in the back of a Royal Mail van), then may I walk you through a few beautiful, indulgent and oh so coveted gifts by Temple Spa.


Be it small tokens of affection or a large showstopper, there truly is a gift for everyone and every budget – not to mention that all of the gifting items come presented in the most divine packaging, saving you the fuss and additional cost of gift wrap!

I think 2020 will go down in history as the year we all squabbled over anti-bacterial soap and hand gel. Admittedly I have had my fill of soap to last me this lifetime and next but if someone you know has only just renovated their bathroom (or is simply very house-proud) then the Temple Spa Dream Stones Aromatic Soap Bars (£16) is a lovely and dare I say, rather thoughtful gift. This set contains three, elegant bars of triple milled soap – all of which are laced with skin-softening and mind-relaxing ingredients, including botanical and essential oils. 

Maybe soap isn’t quite what you had in mind but rather something that your loved one can relax and unwind with come night fall? This year I suggest skipping the bath salts and dated body sets that line the Supermarket shelves and bestow a bottle of Temple Spa Restitude Relaxing & Comforting Bath Luxe  (£19/300ml) upon the weary on your “to buy” list. This beautiful bath elixir has been created to not only produce a cocooning mass of frothy bubbles to soothe aches and pains but is complimented by a luxurious fragrance that melts away stress and worries. 

The showstopper? Temple Spa Bon Voyage Spa Whenever You Are Collection (£25)- as the name suggests this is a bumper package of all the products you could possibly need to create your own little haven in the comfort of your home. From shower essentials such as shampoo, conditioner and shower gel to indulgent treats such as calming skin balms, you’ll find it all neatly presented in this gift set.

Other gifts for the nesters amongst us include the luxurious Temple Spa Warm Welcome Spa Aromatic Diffuser (200ml/£38); a showstopper that instantly scents any room it resides in with warm, woody, spicy and seasonally appropriate notes of Juniper, Cinnamon, Cardamom and Patchouli. For those that prefer a little ambience alongside a home fragrance, there is the Temple Spa Warm Glow Spa Aromatic Candle (200g/£25). A woodland inspired candle both in design and scent that not only provides a glorious glow once lit but fills the entire home with crisp, uplifting yet altogether warming notes of Grapefruit, Bergamot and Orange to name a few.

What do you buy the person that has it all? Lip balm. No seriously, everyone needs a lip balm and who amongst us can truly say that they have enough lip balms to see out the season of Winter? Exactly. A great little kit that is handy in more ways than one is the Temple Spa Read My Lips Gift Set (£19). Inside a reusable pouch is three, pocket-sized products to ensure that chapped lips are a thing of the past. From an exfoliating lip scrub to a deeply nourishing lip balm and even a tinted yet protective lip colour, it is all inside this nifty little kit.

Skincare, in my opinion is what Temple Spa do best and they have a great range of gift sets that will be suitable for just about all skin types and needs. The Temple Spa The Great Defender (£30) is a fantastic introduction not only to the brand but SPF in general; this little green box contains a full sized Temple Spa SPF30 Protecting Moisturiser and SPF 30 Protecting Lip Balm. 

The gift you might want to keep to yourself? The Temple Spa Absolute Truffle, The Creme de la Creme Skin Collection (£65). A back-to-back, bumper selection of Temple Spa, Truffle award-winners that offer not only rest and relaxation, in one neat little package but a pretty stellar skincare routine too. From a radiance boosting moisturiser, eye cream, a face serum and even a face mask – you’ll find it all within this kit and then some. Heck, it might even have you forgetting that Spa’s once existed.

This is just a small selection of the gift sets and self-care products that Temple Spa have to offer, to view the full range please click here – link.


Christmas Recap

December 31, 2012 by Cassy

Did you guys get anything good for Christmas?  I did!  So naturally I have to brag 🙂

First, my boyfriend got me Lord of the Rings Blue Rays!

01

I saw the Hobbit during opening weekend, and couldn’t stop talking about LotR for weeks leading up to Christmas Day.  I was also really tempted to order it on Amazon for myself, but my sneaky boyfriend told me not to and really surprised me with the gift.  As if that’s not all, he also got me a Badgley Mischka clutch!  I still haven’t had a chance to use this yet, so maybe I’ll get to use it for our anniversary dinner in January.  I think he did a good job picking something practical and colorful.

02

Then, we had a White Elephant at work and I got some awesome Teavana Tea Set and Mug Infuser.  I love their tea, so this was a great present to have.  I’m very sensitive to caffeine, so tea works great.  Plus, this will help me stay healthy for my 2013 resolution, since tea has natural antioxidants and caffeine.  Finally, I got this awesome Arbonne Spa Set from my friends’ white elephant.

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I don’t take baths, but the shower gel smells REALLY nice.  It foams and it lathers sufficiently, and I still can’t get over how great this Pomegranate-Mandarin mixture smells.  The lotion lasts for a long time too, but the lotion has these glitter/sparkles in them.  That’s just a little too “teeny-bopper” for me, reminds me of those spray mists I had back in high school.  The awesome thing too is that this Spa Set is vegan.  I heard from someone that if you have soap scums in your bath tubs, it’s because of the animal-based products you are using.  When you switch to plant-based products (shampoo, soap, shower gel, etc.), the soap scums won’t be there.  I just cleaned my bathroom yesterday (getting ready for a brand new 2013), so I’ll make sure to keep an eye out on the stuff.  However, it’s still hard to convince my roommate to switch his toiletries to the plant-based ones since most plant-based stuff smells too feminine for males.  Maybe I should do some research on vegan products for men (2013 goal).

By the way, I re-purposed that adorable spa box to store my contacts, extra toothbrushes, and other feminine stuff.  It’s so cute and roomy.

Hope you guys all had a great Christmas!  And happy New Year!



Category: Miscellaneous

| Tags: Arbonne, Badgley Mischka, Beauty, Christmas, Hobbit, Shower gel, Soap, Tea, teavana tea