Sunday, 13 November 2011
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Amarya Beauty Box Nov 2011
My first Amarya Beauty Box arrived last week! With the success of previous Beauty Boxes Birchbox, Glossybox, Boudoir Privé, Feel Unique etc. Amarya have released their own containing only natural and organic products available in their store. As I'm trying to convert to using as many products that aren't harmful to me as possible I knew this was the one for me! It is currently £10 a month including p&p and always contains full sized products up to the vale of £20, trial sized products and samples as well as a mystery offer only available to Beauty Box subscribers.
The box is very like a shoe box, made of cardboard but it is sturdy. When I've found somewhere to put the products I will use the box for storage. I love the simple design, very clean and pretty.
So this is what you are presented with upon opening your first box.
The first card has message from the Amarya team welcoming you to your first Beauty Box. The next has a run down of the products and a discount code of 15% off all four brands. The third has a message about inviting your friends to join, by which you both get a free box each (if anyone is thinking of joining let me know then we can get free boxes :) )The final piece of paperwork is a little Christmas catalogue.
They also throw in an eco friendly shopper with your first box!
Hiding behind the pink tissue paper are this months products. Amarya have been really smart with their packaging; only some tissue paper and a few foam pieces, no little bits of paper anywhere to be seen!
WELEDA Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil - £19.95 full sized sample
"Fantastic for tired skin, to nourish and revitalise. Dermatological tests have shown that Pomegranate Body Oil accelerates natural skin renewal by 50% in two weeks. Apply a small amount to your damp skin. Massage in thoroughly until absorbed." I don't really get Weleda's packaging, I always think it looks cheap and dated, but that's just my opinion. I'm a fan of Bio-Oil so I'm keen to try this out.
BODHI Body Moisturiser - £23.00 full size 250ml, 40ml sample.
"This luxurious range of body creams has just been launched to compliment the fabulous body washes. Leaves your skin velvety soft and wonderfully scented." I received the Ylang-Ylang Incensa Sensual Body Moisturiser and it smells amazingggggggg! Just like an incense I have that has ylang-ylang in it. The other possible moisturisers were Jasmine Falls, Pep Noir & Rosemary Chi. I can't wait to use this and I love the bag it came in! I have a few of them already which are handy for keeping my crystals in.
SANTAVERDE Aloe Vera Cream - £28.00 full size 30ml, 2ml sample.
"A simple yet effective range of face creams that absorb easily, allowing the aloe vera to support your skin's natural regeneration." I'm always on the look out for a new moisturiser so I'm glad one has been included, especially at this price as I probably wouldn't purchase the full sized product unless it worked really well.
REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Mask - £28.00 full size 50ml, 5ml sample.
"REN make clean products that are free from skin-unfriendly ingredients, allowing you to treat your skin gently whilst ensuring that it's kept in tip-top condition." I assume that the REN sample was random as the info is just about the brand and not the product. The description on the website is "A potent bio active peel mask designed to renew the complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone.
Results:
Removes dead skin cells to renew the complexion
Skin looks brighter, healthier, more radiant
Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Combats congestion, blackheads and blemishes"
I'm quite excited to get using a product that costs almost £30 quid, this is why I love beauty boxes!
Overall I'm really pleased with this box and I will definitely try out all the products. A great deal for your money!
"Fantastic for tired skin, to nourish and revitalise. Dermatological tests have shown that Pomegranate Body Oil accelerates natural skin renewal by 50% in two weeks. Apply a small amount to your damp skin. Massage in thoroughly until absorbed." I don't really get Weleda's packaging, I always think it looks cheap and dated, but that's just my opinion. I'm a fan of Bio-Oil so I'm keen to try this out.
"This luxurious range of body creams has just been launched to compliment the fabulous body washes. Leaves your skin velvety soft and wonderfully scented." I received the Ylang-Ylang Incensa Sensual Body Moisturiser and it smells amazingggggggg! Just like an incense I have that has ylang-ylang in it. The other possible moisturisers were Jasmine Falls, Pep Noir & Rosemary Chi. I can't wait to use this and I love the bag it came in! I have a few of them already which are handy for keeping my crystals in.
"A simple yet effective range of face creams that absorb easily, allowing the aloe vera to support your skin's natural regeneration." I'm always on the look out for a new moisturiser so I'm glad one has been included, especially at this price as I probably wouldn't purchase the full sized product unless it worked really well.
"REN make clean products that are free from skin-unfriendly ingredients, allowing you to treat your skin gently whilst ensuring that it's kept in tip-top condition." I assume that the REN sample was random as the info is just about the brand and not the product. The description on the website is "A potent bio active peel mask designed to renew the complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone.
Results:
Removes dead skin cells to renew the complexion
Skin looks brighter, healthier, more radiant
Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Combats congestion, blackheads and blemishes"
I'm quite excited to get using a product that costs almost £30 quid, this is why I love beauty boxes!
Overall I'm really pleased with this box and I will definitely try out all the products. A great deal for your money!
Nail Polish Haul
I've acquired a multitude of new nail polishes from a few different brands over the past month or so (I think I'm maybe addicted :/) so I can show the swatches.
These three polishes make up Awakening Collection that was released for Halloween 2010.
These to polishes are from the 2010 Holiday Tis The Season Collection.
These polishes are from the the Autumn 2011 Wilde Collection. It is a gorgeous collection and I intend to get all of the polishes.
This was a limited edition polish released at the launch of Illamasqua's first perfume Freak Collection for Winter 2011. It is impossible to photograph but it is an iridescent opal like green that changes in the light to an almost lilac colour. It is a sheer colour but can't be build up to almost opaque with three coats. A very whimsical fairy-like colour, one of my favourites and definitely nothing like anything I already have. It can be worn alone or as a top coat over dark polishes which makes it really stand out (particularly when worn over dark green.)
I also received an Illamasqua catalogue promoting the Theatre of the Namless Collection as well as showing all the other products available on their site. It is a really gorgeous one, I wish there were magazines with this styling!
From the 2010 Winter Collection & the 2009 Autumn Collection.
I love these colours! They're just so dark and vampy and me!
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| China Glaze: L-R; Ick-A-Bod-Y, Mummy May I & Zombie Zest |
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| China Glaze: L-R; Sugar Plums & Jolly Holly |
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| China Glaze: L-R; Ick-A-Bod-Y, Mummy May I, Zombie Zest, Sugar Plums & Jolly Holly |
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| SpaRitual: L-R; Howl & Running With Wolves |
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| SpaRitual: L-R; Howl & Running With Wolves |
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| Illamaqua: Hemlock |
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| Illamasqua: Hemlock |
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| Essie: L-R; Going Incongnito & Mink Muffs |
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| Deborah Lippmann: L-R; Don't Tell Mamma & Bitches Brew |
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| NARS: Tokaido Express |
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Carmine Beauty Box Oct 2011
Carmine is the newest brand to arrive on the beauty box scene. It is currently £10 a month plus £2.75 p&p. I actually got their first box for free because I had problems when ordering (I was the first person to have problems ordering with maestro so they kindly didn't charge me for the box.)
As I got the box near the beginning of October I didn't get to take any photos of it when it arrived so I've just got pictures of what was inside.
Firstly was little card with a message on the back giving ideas of what you can do with your box. I'm currently using the base to store my nail polishes and the lid to keep any samples and sachets.
Inside is a little welcome message introducing the first box and then a run down of the products as well as the discount offers for last month's products and brands.
So here is the content of the box!
Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream
Trind Nail Repair Natural
TheBalm FratBoy All-in-one shadow/blush
Daniel Sandler Eye Delight in Peach
Caudalie Quenching Sorbet-Crème.
"Made by the experts in natural skincare, this multi award winning cream will get you soft and smooth from head to toe - with delicate aromatherapy scents included!"
£14.50 full size 100ml, 30ml sample.
I've really been liking this hand cream, it's thick but absorbs easily and doesn't leave your hands feeling greasy. The aromatherapy scent is also divine! I'm likely to purchase this when this tube is done.
"A pot of sweet, shimmery dust to give your eyes a little something to smile about. Created by professional make-up artist Daniel Sandler, this incredibly versatile eye colour can be swept across the eyelids or mixed with water for a bolder effect."
£10.25 full sized sample.
I received the Peach shade but I would have preferred Ice, I don't think I've seen any reviews with someone who got Ice. However I'm sure that I can use this shade as I wear a lot of orange and copper toned eye looks. The packaging is pretty smart too as it prevents powder from ending up anywhere.
"Produced by Dutch experts in nail, cuticle and hand care, this little lacquer is not just another nail varnish. Made with TLC, brush it on to naturally strengthen and protect your nails."
£12.95 full sized sample.
I don't see anything natural about a product that contains formaldehyde and I wasn't really wanting to use it for this purpose, but I gave it a go and it really does work. I put it on under my base coat and it stops my nails from peeling which they tend to do a lot. I will more than likely continue to use it because of the drastic change in the condition of my nails when I have it on.
"Want to get noticed by those college frat boys? This peachy-apricot-coloured blush doubles up as an eye shadow and miraculously adds life to any skin tone. So hold the ketchup, here's a taste of vintage America that will also go nicely in your handbag."
£16.34 full sized sample.
A lovely peachy pink shade that will compliment most people, not more else I can say. I would never spend this much on a blush so it's a nice inclution.
"This deliciously creamy sorbet will naturally refresh and hydrate your skin with all the anti-oxidising powers of red grape seed. It's the perfect way to quench your thirst after your summer holidays!"
£20.00 full size 40ml, 10ml sample.
I've been looking to try Caudalie for a while now so I was glad to see it in the box. I used this as my daily moisturiser throughout October and I quite liked it. It's very cooling on the skin so would be great in summer or if you live somewhere hot. It has a lovely fresh and uplifting scent too.
Overall the box is great value for money (well for free in my case!) I'm unsure wether or not I will continue with the subscription as I am currently subscribed to Amarya's Beauty Box.
As I got the box near the beginning of October I didn't get to take any photos of it when it arrived so I've just got pictures of what was inside.
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Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream
Trind Nail Repair Natural
TheBalm FratBoy All-in-one shadow/blush
Daniel Sandler Eye Delight in Peach
Caudalie Quenching Sorbet-Crème.
 | |
| Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream |
£14.50 full size 100ml, 30ml sample.
I've really been liking this hand cream, it's thick but absorbs easily and doesn't leave your hands feeling greasy. The aromatherapy scent is also divine! I'm likely to purchase this when this tube is done.
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| Daniel Sandler Eye Delight in Peach or Ice |
£10.25 full sized sample.
I received the Peach shade but I would have preferred Ice, I don't think I've seen any reviews with someone who got Ice. However I'm sure that I can use this shade as I wear a lot of orange and copper toned eye looks. The packaging is pretty smart too as it prevents powder from ending up anywhere.
 |
| Trind Nail Repair Natural |
£12.95 full sized sample.
I don't see anything natural about a product that contains formaldehyde and I wasn't really wanting to use it for this purpose, but I gave it a go and it really does work. I put it on under my base coat and it stops my nails from peeling which they tend to do a lot. I will more than likely continue to use it because of the drastic change in the condition of my nails when I have it on.
 |
| TheBalm All-in-one shadow/blush |
"Want to get noticed by those college frat boys? This peachy-apricot-coloured blush doubles up as an eye shadow and miraculously adds life to any skin tone. So hold the ketchup, here's a taste of vintage America that will also go nicely in your handbag."
£16.34 full sized sample.
A lovely peachy pink shade that will compliment most people, not more else I can say. I would never spend this much on a blush so it's a nice inclution.
 |
| Caudalie Quenching Sorbet-Crème |
£20.00 full size 40ml, 10ml sample.
I've been looking to try Caudalie for a while now so I was glad to see it in the box. I used this as my daily moisturiser throughout October and I quite liked it. It's very cooling on the skin so would be great in summer or if you live somewhere hot. It has a lovely fresh and uplifting scent too.
Overall the box is great value for money (well for free in my case!) I'm unsure wether or not I will continue with the subscription as I am currently subscribed to Amarya's Beauty Box.
Halloween LUSH Haul
I (finally) got my camera back so can share some of my recent purchases!
I made my first ever purchase from the Lush website (despite there being a store in Belfast that I've never been in) the week before Samhain. I've heard a lot of good reviews about Lush's products so thought I'd give them a go!
"Skullduggery is an eerie but magical celebration for your bathtub. We used brightening and refreshing lime and neroli for the fragrance and olibanum (also known as frankincense resinoid) to help that citrusy smell stay on your skin until the witching hour and beyond.
Lime oil is a popular ingredient in remedies to combat congested skin, cellulite or simply to wake you up!
We use expensive neroli oil as it is one of the few essential oils to be scientifically proven to increase serotonin production in the brain - Arriba!
Olibanum resinoid, otherwise known as frankincense, has a woody, slightly fruity aroma and covers the skin with a thin, protective film, softening the skin. It is extremely effective on sore, cracked, de-hydrated skin." I really like the smell of this one and intend to buy more soon before they're gone until next year!
"Turn every ballistic into a Halloween treat with this neat knot-wrapping trick." I thought this wrap would be a cute addition to my Samhain decor. I it also came with a card of ways to use it in other ways, similar to the Japanese style of using scarves as bags. (Our Japanese teacher actually showed us one the week before I purchased this!)
"The sexy scent of carnations wafts from your supremely soft skin after moisturising with Potion Lotion. It's a bewitching concoction full of luscious and smoothing ingredients; a light touch of almond oil and cocoa butter to soften, with rose petal infusion and toning tangerine. We want to smell like Potion all the time, so we take it everywhere we go and smooth it on (it's especially nice as an after sun lotion too).
A magical blend of natural oils, tangerine, carnation and rose to tone, soften and condition your skin. To refresh, smooth and rejuvenate. (Essential if you're over 20 and when you've caught the sun.)" I actually am not very fond of this lotion, it works fine but the scent is too overpowering for me. What I assume is the scent of carnations is very like cinnamon, which I hate the smell of (why around the holidays does everywhere smell of cinnamon?! :( ) I'll probably give this to my mummy.
"The season of spooks is upon us, and with it comes our very own spectre – the gorgeous Ghost shower gel. Pure white and carrying a subtle shimmer, this is one phantom you won’t want to exorcise.
Ghost brings with it the haunting aroma of lilies, jasmine, ylang ylang and neroli – the same fragrance as that found in our lovely Liliy Savon soap. It’s made with rose water and dove orchid infusion, a beautiful combination that’s mild and gentle on the skin.
Ghost’s thick creamy texture is made even more luxurious with the addition of jojoba oil, to gently moisturise and soften. We’ve even added a soupcon of white wine vinegar, so if you’re the kind of person who likes to use shower gel on your hair too, you’ll find it should have a little extra shine (don’t worry, you won’t smell it!).
Spiritually uplifting, shimmery white shower gel, with the haunting scent of lilies. Don't get into the shower alone." I'm on the fence about the scent of this shower gel, it's quite powedery and floral. Not awful but not great either.
"You can use Flying Fox at any time of the month, but it’s especially good at The Time of the Month, because we’ve added the top essential oils for calming PMT. Use this for washing your hair too and get those essentials oils wafting with every flick.
There are times when you want to feel sexy in body and mind.
This magic gel is crammed full of specialist honeys from around the world that will make your skin feel great. We then added the sexiest perfume we could, packed with aphrodisiac essential oils to set you on the rampage!
Lascivious, licentious, vivacious, and insatiable. With the finest aphrodisiac essential oils - masses of jasmine! (Plus the best three for controlling PMS)." An intoxicating scent of honey and jasmine, good enough to eat! Who doesn't want to feel like a goddess who's bathed in honey?
"Don't worry; the apocalypse isn't coming quite yet. Brimstone was inspired by our UK team member Shakira's visit to St. Lucia, where they use sulphur for all manner of skin complaints. Brimstone is a deeply fragrant, hardcore body scrub, with natural sulphur to condition the skin and keep it clear of problems.
Sulphur has been used to treat skin problems for hundreds of years.
Sulphur, Sea Salt, Hemp oil and Jasmine - A scrub to soften the roughest of skins." I confess I was a bit suprised to sea sulphur in a body scrub but after learning that it is safe and effective I decided to get it and give it a go. I've never used a solid scrub before so it'll be a new experience for me.
"We make Bewitched with essential oils to help to bring you closer: violet leaf is said to restore the bonds of friendship, lime oil to help get rid of apathy, cedarwood to stop people straying and chamomile to get your massagee to forget the past. Bewitched is made with knobbly bits on one side; smooth it all over your favourite person's body to give him or her a bewitching experience. It's like having two strong hands firmly working magic on your muscles!" I used to hate getting massages (what kind of crazy person doesn't like getting a massage?!) I think it's because I was so tense and the hurt but after a few years of going to osteopaths, physiotherapist and acupressurists I've been converted. This bar smells lovely so I can't wait to get using it (I could be doing with a massage now!)
I made my first ever purchase from the Lush website (despite there being a store in Belfast that I've never been in) the week before Samhain. I've heard a lot of good reviews about Lush's products so thought I'd give them a go!
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| Skullduggery Bath Ballistic, Pumpkin Knot-Wrap, Potion Retro Body Lotion, Ghost Retro Shower Gel, Flying Fox Shower Gel, Brimstone Body Scrub & Bewitched Retro Massage Bar. |
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| Skullduggery Bath Ballistic |
Lime oil is a popular ingredient in remedies to combat congested skin, cellulite or simply to wake you up!
We use expensive neroli oil as it is one of the few essential oils to be scientifically proven to increase serotonin production in the brain - Arriba!
Olibanum resinoid, otherwise known as frankincense, has a woody, slightly fruity aroma and covers the skin with a thin, protective film, softening the skin. It is extremely effective on sore, cracked, de-hydrated skin." I really like the smell of this one and intend to buy more soon before they're gone until next year!
 |
| Pumpkin-Knot Wrap |
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| Potion - Exquisitely Perfumed Body Lotion |
A magical blend of natural oils, tangerine, carnation and rose to tone, soften and condition your skin. To refresh, smooth and rejuvenate. (Essential if you're over 20 and when you've caught the sun.)" I actually am not very fond of this lotion, it works fine but the scent is too overpowering for me. What I assume is the scent of carnations is very like cinnamon, which I hate the smell of (why around the holidays does everywhere smell of cinnamon?! :( ) I'll probably give this to my mummy.
 |
| Ghost - Shower Gel for Body and Hair |
Ghost brings with it the haunting aroma of lilies, jasmine, ylang ylang and neroli – the same fragrance as that found in our lovely Liliy Savon soap. It’s made with rose water and dove orchid infusion, a beautiful combination that’s mild and gentle on the skin.
Ghost’s thick creamy texture is made even more luxurious with the addition of jojoba oil, to gently moisturise and soften. We’ve even added a soupcon of white wine vinegar, so if you’re the kind of person who likes to use shower gel on your hair too, you’ll find it should have a little extra shine (don’t worry, you won’t smell it!).
Spiritually uplifting, shimmery white shower gel, with the haunting scent of lilies. Don't get into the shower alone." I'm on the fence about the scent of this shower gel, it's quite powedery and floral. Not awful but not great either.
 |
| Flying Fox - The Sex-Appeal Honey Shower Gel |
There are times when you want to feel sexy in body and mind.
This magic gel is crammed full of specialist honeys from around the world that will make your skin feel great. We then added the sexiest perfume we could, packed with aphrodisiac essential oils to set you on the rampage!
Lascivious, licentious, vivacious, and insatiable. With the finest aphrodisiac essential oils - masses of jasmine! (Plus the best three for controlling PMS)." An intoxicating scent of honey and jasmine, good enough to eat! Who doesn't want to feel like a goddess who's bathed in honey?
 |
| Brimstone Body Scrub |
Sulphur has been used to treat skin problems for hundreds of years.
Sulphur, Sea Salt, Hemp oil and Jasmine - A scrub to soften the roughest of skins." I confess I was a bit suprised to sea sulphur in a body scrub but after learning that it is safe and effective I decided to get it and give it a go. I've never used a solid scrub before so it'll be a new experience for me.
 | |
| Bewitched Massage Bar |
Thursday, 10 November 2011
More Blog Parties & Organic Beauty Box
I'm going a bit mad with these blog hops, I've just signed up to another Yule themed one! After the Witches Tea Party Under A Halloween Moon one I'm hooked! I mean, who doesn't love looking forward to a party, even if it is virtual?
My newest join is Yule Magic Blog Party on Dec. 21st, hosted by The Village Witch. While the post is based on Yule (obviously) there's a sweet little requirement to post a virtual gift to the people of blog land, how cute! I better get thinking on what my gift shall be. Be sure to check out all the other participants of these blog hops and share the love!
Regarding the other Yule blog parties, I think I've decided what each post will be on:
The Witches Yuletide Ball, Dec. 10th - scrummy kitchen gifts & Yule baking ideas
Yuletide Blessings, Dec. 18th - Yule decorations
Yule Magic , Dec. 21st - Yule & Winter time celebrations
P.S. if I ever get my camera back I'll be showing my first Amarya Beauty Box, it contains all natural and organic products and I have kept everything in the box for photos. I'm quite proud of myself for that!)
My newest join is Yule Magic Blog Party on Dec. 21st, hosted by The Village Witch. While the post is based on Yule (obviously) there's a sweet little requirement to post a virtual gift to the people of blog land, how cute! I better get thinking on what my gift shall be. Be sure to check out all the other participants of these blog hops and share the love!
Regarding the other Yule blog parties, I think I've decided what each post will be on:
The Witches Yuletide Ball, Dec. 10th - scrummy kitchen gifts & Yule baking ideas
Yuletide Blessings, Dec. 18th - Yule decorations
Yule Magic , Dec. 21st - Yule & Winter time celebrations
P.S. if I ever get my camera back I'll be showing my first Amarya Beauty Box, it contains all natural and organic products and I have kept everything in the box for photos. I'm quite proud of myself for that!)
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Another Turn Of The Wheel
I could have swore last week was only the beginning of October, but alas November is here! I really love the autumn-to-winter transition period; the warm clothes, cozy fire, chill air and morning frost... what's not to love!
I didn't get anywhere near as many posts as I would have liked last month due to illness and school work but as they sill tie in with the theme of the dark half of the year I'm sure I can still post them in the coming weeks. I'm also getting involved in two Yule Themed Blog Parties; The Witches Yuletide Ball on Dec. 10th hosted by On The Broomstick & Witch Of Howling Creek, and Yuletide Blessings 2011 Blog Party on Dec. 18th hosted by Astraea Sapphire's Almanac. Blog parties are so much fun and a great way to find other bloggers with similar interests, I encourage you all to join in with the fun, even if it's something small. Who knows, maybe one day you might host your own blog party (I know I want to.)
For now I'm going to be working on the posts for the blog parties as well as trying out some recipes and crafts for yule. I didn't have much time for Samhain preparations but I want to have everything well underway for Yule before December even starts. Blessings to you all, Hannah xx
I didn't get anywhere near as many posts as I would have liked last month due to illness and school work but as they sill tie in with the theme of the dark half of the year I'm sure I can still post them in the coming weeks. I'm also getting involved in two Yule Themed Blog Parties; The Witches Yuletide Ball on Dec. 10th hosted by On The Broomstick & Witch Of Howling Creek, and Yuletide Blessings 2011 Blog Party on Dec. 18th hosted by Astraea Sapphire's Almanac. Blog parties are so much fun and a great way to find other bloggers with similar interests, I encourage you all to join in with the fun, even if it's something small. Who knows, maybe one day you might host your own blog party (I know I want to.)
For now I'm going to be working on the posts for the blog parties as well as trying out some recipes and crafts for yule. I didn't have much time for Samhain preparations but I want to have everything well underway for Yule before December even starts. Blessings to you all, Hannah xx
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