Sunday Stuff #8
A relatively streamlined Sunday Stuff collection (in comparison to previous edits) as I'm experiencing this week's routine indulgence from bonny Scotland. By the time you read this I'll be home from said trip and already reminiscing about an insanely tranquil and relaxing week. I swear that the idyllic location of our cottage (right on the beach) is the only place where I can truly relax and recharge my batteries. I always leave feeling truly rested, rejuvenated, and ready to face the months ahead before our next visit with an extra spring in my step. Of course, no Sunday Stuff post is complete without a selection of beauty products (I certainly didn't make the trip empty handed, and by no means travelled light), so here are the beauty bits that added a little indulgence to my evening...
Our cottage is a bath-free zone but even the most spartan of showers can be made 2847382 times more luxe with the inclusion of a good shower gel. My personal favourite? Anything from Cowshed, whose dreamy bottles are serious #shelfie material, with wittily punned names as tempting as their swoon-worthy scent combinations. Cowshed's Lazy Cow Bath & Shower Gel* is a 2-in-1 wonder product which applies easily, lathers gently, and leaves my limbs feeling suitably smooth and scented - liquid gold I tell you. A combination of chamomile (to calm), jasmine (to relax), and sandalwood (to aid contemplation) - can you see where the 'lazy' comes from? Not to be used before a busy day. Its bubble bath prowess is equally as exceptional - supersize bubbles and an intense long-lasting aroma which will leave even the insomniacs amongst you yearning for bed. I followed it up with Cowshed's Lazy Cow Soothing Body Lotion* (together these are the dream team) for the ultimate Cowshed experience (a note for fellow Cowshed addicts: Click Fragrance has all of your favourites, but cheaper). Thick, creamy, luxurious, and packed with shea and cocoa butters, this lotion provides A* moisturisation accompanied by the same sleep-inducing aroma. Words can't really do justice to this scent - but its palliative formula is guaranteed to leave me feeling soothed and content in every possible way (a lazy cow indeed). Full review here.
Post-shower I indulged in my favourite face mask from Sisley, the Radiant Glow Express Mask*. A formula of red and white clay (to absorb excess sebum) laced with chamomile and rosemary (to soothe and cleanse), glycerin (to hydrate), and rosehip (a personal favourite) - for obvious reasons I like to call this my 'zen mask'. It's also slightly warming upon application - which somehow makes it feel a) 100% more luxe, and b) like it's really doing something.
I recently picked up the Essie Paradise collection - the promotional stand has been opposite my counter at work for weeks, and proved impossible to resist... I've fallen so in love with Coconuts and Cocktails that I haven't even tried the other shades! It's a warm sand-coloured shade (very similar to perennial favourite Sand Tropez) that looks great on nails of any length and is perfect with a tan.
Whilst my polish dried I kicked back with a stack of September issues - Vogue, Porter, and Elle. Style-wise autumn is my favourite season so I love reading about the new launches, collections, and trends - it gets me excited for all things autumnal (forget pumpkin spice lattes, I'm talking winter boots, opaque tights, COATS).
After a plate of linguine and a glass of prosecco enjoyed with a sea view, I headed off on an evening walk with Danny and my family (a daily tradition when in Scotland). We walked along the beach (where seals, sharks, and submarines can be spotted on clear days) and then up into the grounds of the nearby castle - it's closed to visitors in the evenings so we have the place to ourselves. In the height of summer the heady scent of honeysuckle and roses fills the air in the formal gardens against a backdrop of gently cascading fountains and sandstone turrets. We walked alongside the abandoned boating lake, through tranquil parkland (with a pit-stop at the empty adventure playground for zip-wire fun), and back down to our quiet beach in time to toast s'mores over a campfire whilst watching the sun set behind the distant Isle of Arran.
Zen levels: well and truly maxed.
How are you spending your lazy Sunday? To stay updated on future posts you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Bloglovin.
Head on over to the Click Fragrance blog for a full review of Cowshed's Lazy Cow range by yours truly.
*PR sample