Month: February 2023

My Favourite Self-Care Products For Mother’s Day

It’s no secret that I love affordable but effective beauty products. And I try and fit in self-care whenever I can. These trusted beauty products, allow me to quickly transform from mum mode into work or going out mode. And given our recent family financial difficulties, my purchases must also be affordable.

I want to share some of my favourite self-care products in this gift guide.

self-care products

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.

My Favourite products from the No7 range

self-care products

Here are some of the trusted No7, everyday self-care products I am currently using. And why I love them so much

Gel Finish Nail Colour 10ml (pictured above)

Every few months, I pick another colour from the range. It is part of my self-care routine, to do my nails for work and also when I go out. Let’s all just agree right now, that blogging images also look better when someone has their nails done! However, finding the time to do them is a different story.

Lip & Cheek Tint 10ml (pictured above)

I tried this product a while ago and it’s great. I bought a light shade of pink and it’s a lovely addition to the cheeks for going out. It also added some much-needed colour to my cheeks for work the other day.

High Shine Lip Gloss 8ml (pictured above)

Again, this is a product I use daily. If I fancy a bit of subtle colour at work, or for going out. It’s an easy-to-use product, and the coverage is great. It also has lasting power, without getting bitty.

Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Primer

I have tried several make-up primers in the past. But this one is silky smooth and gives a flawless finish to your makeup. I notice a difference when I don’t use it!

No7 The Full 360 Mascara 7ml

As someone with pretty short eyelashes, I need something which transforms my eyes from a normal working mum to going out to party mode. This mascara does just that and it’s a trusted product I keep going back to. Because it works. And it’s affordable.

Strength & Growth Treatment 10ml

In the past, I haven’t been kind to my nails. And I am now seeing the impact of the damage. As I frequently use nail polish, I need to use a treatment to look after my nails.

Stay Perfect Base Coat 10ml

A few years ago, I decided to start using a base and top coat with my nail polish. Simply to protect my nails and also give me a more flawless look. If you use this base with the gel finish products, it can give the look of fuller nails. A bit like you would get when they apply shellac in a salon. But with much less cost involved!

Gel Finish Top Coat 10ml

Exactly what it says on the tin. A flawless finish protects the colour of the nails underneath. If I am on holiday, this product can bring staying power to the nails, which is a must. Who wants to be doing their nails when they can be at the beach, with a cocktail instead?

Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Serum Concealer 8ml (pictured below)

I use this product daily. In place of a BB cream or foundation. The coverage is great and it leaves my skin looking fresh throughout the day.

no7
self-care products

I recently made a TikTok post about the self-care products I use daily, whilst sitting at my desk blogging. Featuring the No7 Protect & Perfect Eye Cream & Lip Care

In need of a gift or want to treat yourself – have a browse at Boots Fragrance

My Favourite self-care products from The Body Shop

Mother’s Day wellness

Why not pick up a wellness gift set for the amazing mum in your life?

self-care products

Because I love The Body Shop so much, I have made it a mission to try some new self-care products. And I must say, I am not disappointed. Read my review of them below.

the body shop

Trusted products I use frequently

Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

This goes on in a solid form but quickly melts to a nice clear butter. Not too heavy but feels nourishing and brings off the day’s impurities. It also smells lovely and there is a calming, take-the-day-off sense about it. I will now be adding it to my skincare routine and using it a few times a week. Along with my Edelweiss skincare products

Almond Nail And Cuticle Oil

This nail oil smells divine. I’ve been on the lookout for some great cuticle treatments for a while and thought I would try this. The brush and applicator allow just the right amount. And the consistency turns from a slight gel to oil once brushed on. A bit like smelling fresh cherry Bakewell baking in the oven, whilst you partake in self-care.

Edelweiss Serum Concentrate Sheet Mask

Let’s start with opening the packet – there is so much liquid in there, which gives great overall coverage and you know you’re in for a real treat. I will be honest and say I usually opt for the much cheaper sheet masks. And although this price point is higher, you literally get what you pay for and this product has a quality all over it.

I’ve never tried a sheet mask where the moisture soaks into the face and the mask eventually goes dry. But this happened with the Edelweiss mask. It smells lovely and my skin was left feeling nourished and refreshed after using it. I will be purchasing more. 

Banana Truly Nourishing Shampoo 

I bought a little bottle of this to try it. When I’ve used banana products from other brands before, they can be overpowering and sickly. However, this has just the right amount of fragrance. It honestly makes my hair feel lovely and the smell brings about a relaxing sense. I will be purchasing a bigger bottle. 

Strawberry Shower Gel

I’ve loved the fruity scents from The Body Shop since I was a teen. It just depends on what scents you’re into the most. I feel relaxed, looked after and like I’m in a field picking strawberries when I use this product. Love it so much, so I had to treat myself recently.

Hemp Hand Protector

This is so nourishing with a hint of fragrance. You can tell it’s helping to protect your hands. My hubby uses it every day before work and I also love pinching a bit of it too!

Hemp Heavy-Duty Lip Care

As I suffer from dry lips, this product is a must for me. Especially to protect your lips in the cold weather.

Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

I’ve used this product for a while now. And even before I purchased the Edelweiss range, the charcoal mask left my skin feeling fresh. And my complexion was noticeably clearer.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading the rundown of the trusted beauty products I use daily.

Do you use any of these products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

And I would love your suggestions on any other products I should try…

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What Do You Need to Become a Freelance Writer?

Being a freelance writer is an incredibly rewarding job. You get to work from the comfort of your own home, set your own hours and rates, and have the freedom to write about whatever topics you’re passionate about. Yet there are also some challenges that come along with this type of work. To become a successful freelance writer, you need to be organized, have excellent writing skills, and be able to market yourself effectively. But that’s not all.

As much as this career choice isn’t impossible to master and turn into a very lucrative career, it can often take more than a creative voice and good contacts. This is a business endeavour after all, so it’s important to get it right. So to help you get started, in this blog post, we’re going to take a look at what it takes to become a successful freelance writer.

Develop Your Writing Skills

Before you can start working as a freelance writer, you need to develop your writing skills. Start by reading as much as possible and practising writing in different styles. Take classes or workshops, if necessary, to hone your craft. Of course, you’ll always get better by doing. So keep writing and writing more to help you to establish your voice and improve your craft.

freelance writer

Find Your Niche

Next, you’ll want to pick your key niches. It’s important that writers identify their niche so that they can specialize in certain types of projects and build expertise in those areas over time, rather than trying to do too many things at once without any real focus or direction. You don’t have to get too specific here, but knowing that you write about travel or business or tech or TV is a great place to start.

Research the Market

You need to understand what types of writing businesses and publications are looking for before you start pitching yourself for jobs. Do some research into which publications might be interested in hiring you and what kinds of stories they’re looking for. Again, team this up with your skills and interests so that you can come up with a few areas of expertise that you want to specialise in.

Create Your Portfolio

A portfolio is essential if you want people to take you seriously as a freelancer. Start by creating a website or blog where you can showcase samples of your work and link back to articles that have been published elsewhere online or in print magazines or newspapers. It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new — write some blog posts on your site or write for free to get some samples going to start with.

Set Up as a Business

One of the most important things is to get set up as a business from the start. You will need an easy way for clients to pay you for your services. So sign up for payment accounts like PayPal or Venmo so that clients can easily transfer money into your account after they hire you for a project. You’ll also want to register yourself as a business officially and for tax purposes. This is best to do early on, so you can treat your freelance writing like the business it actually is.

Build Your Network

Networking is essential if you want to find new clients and stay on top of industry trends and news. Reach out via social media or attend industry events so that potential employers know who you are and what kind of services you offer as a freelancer. Also, look to go to networking events and make connections online to help yourself get noticed.

Pitch Yourself For Jobs

Once all the groundwork has been done, it’s time to start looking for work. Start by searching online job boards such as Problogger or Upwork for freelance gigs related to your speciality area(s) of interest. You can also send pitches directly to business owners and editors to land gigs or introduce yourself. This is a huge part of the job and should be something that you get more comfortable doing.

Determine Your Rates

However, before sending out any proposals, make sure that your rates reflect the amount of experience that you bring with each particular client opportunity. This will ensure that both parties feel comfortable with the arrangement moving forward. When it comes to publications, you may find that they are the ones that let you know what they can pay or what their rates are.

Keep Learning

The best way to stay on top of trends in the industry is by continuing education. Whether it’s attending seminars or webinars related specifically towards writing or your niche, reading more, or keeping up to date with industry trends — make sure that you’re doing it. Not only that but make sure to learn how to get the most out of your writing tools. With options like setapp.com, you can get more familiar with your laptop or computer to help you be more productive. Over time, you’ll feel like more of a master at it.

Stay Organized

Last but not least, it’s important that you’re always focusing on staying organized. If you don’t know where you are with pitches and projects, things can get messy. So make sure that you’re setting clear milestones and expectations upfront, then track the progress too. Using more online tools, like Trello or Asana, can help you here. It’s all about making sure you know where you are and so do your clients. This can be essential when it comes to delivering your work and meeting deadlines.

Breaking into the World of Freelance Writing

Becoming a successful freelance writer requires dedication and hard work—but it can be incredibly rewarding when done correctly. While there’s no set formula for making this work for you, you will find that the points in this blog post create a great guide for you to stick to. By following the key steps that we’ve outlined, from perfecting your writing and finding your niche to making connections and getting set up like a business, you’ll be well on your way towards finding success within this ever-growing field!

Final Thoughts

freelance writer

25 Great Gift Ideas For Valentine’s Day 2023 & Beyond

For this gift guide, I wanted to do something a little different and walk you through some of the great gift ideas I’ve received over the years. 

A funny story first

Firstly, a little bit of humour about the past frogs I’ve dated (they all got me to where I am today, so in hindsight, I’m thankful for the experiences). 

My first ever love, when I was just 18 years old, was at my house when I got a lovely, big bunch of roses delivered. The box was literally as big as my toddler is now. In the midst of all the excitement, my mum and I were way too hyped, saying thank you to him, to read the card which came along with the flowers. 

Turns out they were a prize from a magazine competition. A total mixture of emotions. Happy, as I had never won anything before. But slightly disappointed that the love of my life (or so I believed at the time) hadn’t bought them for me. I would say the embarrassment he probably felt was off the charts! 

If you have any embarrassing Valentine’s stories, let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you. 

great gift ideas

Quick note: Some of the links on this page are sponsored & affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

It’s amazing how my thoughts and feelings on Valentine’s gifts have changed over the years. These days my hubby and I buy each other small gifts. But also make a point of doing romantic things for each other all year round. It reminds me of the Bluey episode where dad shows romance by eating the horrible food the kids made. That is literally how our romance works these days. And honestly, as a tired mum, those “gifts” are worth so much.

However, let’s not deny that we all love to be treated every now and then, with great gift ideas. And also how important self-care is. You might have seen my latest TikTok beauty review, where I talk about the importance of a skincare routine. 

Let’s dive into the great gift ideas I’ve researched for this guide. I hope you find something for a loved one or even a gift to treat yourself…

Flowers 

It would be rude not to kick off the list with flowers.

Bloom & Wild

This company offer a great range of flower arrangements, all delivered flat-packed in a box. I ordered them for my Mum’s Birthday – they lasted ages and were amazing. So happy with the service and cannot wait to order again!

When I have bad mental health days, a bunch of flowers in the living room will brighten my day. Not to mention the scientific benefits of having plants and flowers in your home. 

DISCOUNT CODE – Get 25% off app orders with code 25APPY

Refer a friend – follow this link and add my code in the image below at the checkout. We will both receive a treat. You can then sign up for your code to share with your friends.

Bunches.co.uk

Bunches is a great, well-established family business with plenty of different categories, for your gifting needs. Great gift ideas! And you can also add extras at the checkout.

DISCOUNT: Use CODE VC10 for a 15% discount – I’ve tested it!

10% OF PROFITS TO CHARITY

Your gift keeps on giving

A FAMILY BUSINESS SINCE 1989

More than 30 years of experience

Perfume 

I always look forward to birthdays, Christmas and Valentine’s Day. A great occasion to stock up on my perfume collection. On the rare occasions, I have a night out or get dressed up, perfume is a must. It makes me feel more alive.

Why not have a browse of your loved ones’ fave perfume or aftershave…

Boots

Boots.com has a varied selection of offers on fragrances at the moment. if you join the advantage card programme, you get sent great points offers. When you have enough points, you can convert these to pounds and use your card on your next purchase.

Joining the parenting club also offers extra points for the baby essentials you buy. I use it for toddler vitamins and dental care. Below is a selection of just a few offers I have on my app at the moment. I love the look of the children’s first aid kit. With a toddler who now wants to try skateboarding, it’s a must!

CURRENT OFFERS AVAILABLE:

Save 10% when you spend £30 on selected baby products with code SAVE10BABY – Online only – ends – 06/02/23

£10 worth of points for every £60 spent selected Electrical Beauty ends – 14/02/23

Save £5 when you spend £35, save £10 when you spend £50 and save £20 when you spend £70 on selected No7 – Online only – ends 07/02/23

Save up to 15% on selected fragrances – ends – 14/02/23

Free No7 face and eye palette when you spend £35 on selected No7 – Online only – ends – 14/02/23

Photo gifts 

Back in the day, I recall spending a small fortune on photos of every memory whilst at Disney World in Florida. However, those memories are worth the money several times over. In terms of how valuable they are. 

I just love that a photo gift is a keepsake that will last forever. It’s magical looking at the photo walls in our house. And the ones we bought my parents when we visit their house. Great gift ideas for those closest to you.

Starfish Underwater Photography

I am thrilled to have found this fantastic business, creating cute photo gifts for your loved ones. 

Some of the great products which would be perfect for your Valentine’s purchases are listed below:

You can either use an image purchased with the company or email your picture to mail@starfishphoto.co.uk

PLEASE go check out the underwater photoshoot experiences. They look amazing!

Snapfish

Snapfish currently has some generous discounts on its website. I will be placing an order with them today!

CURRENT OFFERS:

50% off Glitter Blocks
Code – WINSBLOCK
07-02-2023
Up to 50% off Everything: 30% off (no min. spend), 40% off £30 or more, 50% off £60 or more
Code – CUPID223
05-02-2023
40% off ALL Cards
Code – CARD223
05-02-2023

Sign up for my monthly newsletter, to gain access to exclusive offers & updates

Sign up for my freebie library. Each week there will be a new freebie added to help organise your life and take away some stress!

Inkifi

Inkifi is a unique photo printing website. I particularly love their square and retro photo prints. Great gift ideas for your loved ones. And if you want to have smaller, compact photos dotted around the house.

DISCOUNT CODE: Enjoy 25% Off Sitewide! | Ends Midnight Monday 6th February 2023

Boots Photo

CURRENT OFFERS:

200 6×4 Prints for £12.50
Start Date: 01.02.2023
End Date: 28.03.2023
Code: 6X4200

50% off extra pages on photobooks
Start Date: 01.02.2023
End Date: 28.03.2023
Code: HALFEXTRA

Save 20% on all gifts
Start Date: 01.02.2023
End Date: 28.03.2023
Code: GIFTING20

Save 15% on wall art
Start Date: 01.02.2023
End Date: 28.03.2023
Code: 15DECOR

Days out and socialising

Wowcher

Wowcher has some great deals for days out and socialising. I am in the process of searching for one, for a lovely day out with a friend.

DISCOUNT CODE – Use code 15off23 for 15% off

CityStack 

city stack

With the January blues out in full force, and the weather still a little bit miserable. Socialising can help your mental health massively. Why not try out the fun idea of pre-buying this stack, to enjoy discounts at a range of pubs in London? 

Get a stack of beer mats for just £20 and offer a gift of £100 worth of food & drinks at ten amazing independent pubs across London

CityStack has been created to support independent pubs that are struggling with the current economic situation. Additionally, answer the issue of budget for going out.

DISCOUNT: Use code MUMMY23 for free shipping on the first order, up to 15/02/23

Self-care & Beauty

GlossyBox

GlossyBox is a great way to look after your skin, and prioritise self-care with a monthly subscription. As I am a busy mum, this is perfect, as I then don’t have to worry about self-care. It just comes directly to my door, at a time when I really need it.

DISCOUNT CODE – 15% off all GLOSSYBOX subscriptions – Code: CHIC15 – 01.02.23 – 28.02.23

The Body Shop 

If you follow the blog, you may have seen how much I love The Body Shop. They offer a range of great gift ideas. You cannot fault the quality of the products. They are the perfect website to get some self-care products for the ones you love. 

I’ve even bought my hubby the hemp hand cream and lip balm recently. As he does outdoor work, it’s a must. And how romantic that I am looking after him. He’s also just purchased the Cedar & Sage Conditioning Beard Oil for himself. And our honest thoughts on this product will be posted on the blog soon. 

You can check out all my blog posts for The Body Shop here

Veo World

The website is home to over 250+ unique, independent, ethical brands across Fashion, Beauty, cosy wellness gifts, Food, and Home.

DISCOUNT CODE: Subscribe for 10% off your first order

Evolve Beauty

DISCOUNT CODE: Sign up to the mailing list FOR 15% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER

Evolve Beauty products are lovingly handmade in small batches at their studio in Hertfordshire, England to ensure the freshness of the precious antioxidants in the natural oils, butter and extracts. Our products are vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly.

allbeauty UK

DISCOUNT CODE: Extra 10% Off when you spend £50+ this Valentine’s. Use Code: HEART10

There are several sections on the website for your Valentine’s purchasing needs. Some great gift ideas.

Prezzybox

DISCOUNT: Sign up for the mailing list for 5% off your first order. *Min spend £30.

LSW Journals

OFFER: Sign up for the mailing list for 15% off your first purchase.

LSW London was founded by Lili Sinclair-Williams in 2018. Using her expertise as a therapist, she wanted to create well-being tools that were easy to use and accessible for everyone.

Focusing on positive habits we repeat daily, Lili curated her favourite techniques into our first product – LSW Mind Cards. Today, we have a full range of well-being and mindfulness products selling around the world.

@sammummyconqueringanxiet

#AFF – I was kindly #gifted one of these fantastic #journals by LSW – they make a range of #affirmation cards #notebooks & #hypnotherapy recordings Worth checking out for #valentines #gifts https://tidd.ly/3VMLfR6 – PURCHASE HERE – sign up to the mailing list for 15% off ALL the details you need to #purchase are on my #blog in the header, or check out my #instagram #happy #shopping #selfcare #journalling #journallingideas #journallingideas #selfdevelopment #healing #affirmationcards #healingjourney #fyp #viral #mums #mumsoftiktok #mumsontiktok

♬ original sound – sped up audios <3

Giving back to charity 

I love nothing more than buying gifts, but also giving something back to charity. Often people will donate brand-new, unopened gifts. So next time you’re out and in need of a gift, pop into your local charity shop and have a look. 

Or try looking online for the items you need. 

Loony lurcher EGLR Store

I’m so pleased to share this lovely artwork with you.

All proceeds from these sales will go directly to Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue, A non-profit organisation who have a volunteer network across the UK. EGLR don’t receive any government help or grants and so totally relies on donations and fundraising to pay the ever-rising vet and food bills.

Royal British Legion

You can check out The Poppy Shop for some great gifts, which also benefit an amazing charity.

Why not make a donation, as the perfect Valentine’s gift to help other people?

Whether it’s a one-off donation or a regular gift, no donation is too small to make a difference.

£5 a month could help with vital household items for a veteran and their family.

Cancer Research UK Online Shop

The online shop is full of great gifts to buy your loved ones.

CURRENT OFFERS: There is also still a sale on the Christmas section of the website.

All whilst helping to support the amazing research the charity does.

Candles

Good Candles

Every candle sold means more money to charity and good causes. As featured in Stylist, Evening Standard and Courier magazine. They are a happy brand with an all-female illustration team who design the products. The workforce is climate positive. In addition, the product is Vegan.

Candles Direct

Candles Direct is a great way to buy from the top brands, and stock up on accessories. I am in love with these great gift ideas and want to purchase them now!

DISCOUNT – there is currently a 50% sale AND you can get 10% off if you sign up to the mailing list with your email

Clothing

Sock Shop

There are socks for every family member you can think of.

DISCOUNT CODE – get 10% off if you sign up to the mailing list with your email

The bamboo range looks amazing

Bamboo’s natural thermoregulation means it helps to keep feet warm on chilly days but can react to changes in temperature, releasing heat when it warms up.

Trendhim

When I was contacted by Trendhim, I loved looking through the amazing items on offer. It was the perfect gift solution for my hubby for Valentine’s Day. So what did I order?

I ordered the WAGNER YELLOW & BROWN WADE SUNGLASSES also the BLACK JAYDEN RING and the CLASSIC COGNAC LEATHER BELT

We love all the items and they were delivered promptly, in a cute little box.

Books

A book can be a great gift for a loved one. Check out the retailers to the left for some inspiration.

Creative gifts

Microgreen pros 

In our house, we love creative activities. And we had so much fun when this business kindly gifted us a kit(gifted in September 2022)

If you also love getting creative, gardening or watching things grow, this is a great gift to get started. 

I was previously sent an easy kit, a big planter, and a variety pack of seeds. Along with a cute ceramic pot.

Remember to use your DISCOUNT CODE

DISCOUNT CODE – For 15% off, use the code mummy15


Not found anything you like in this guide? Why not check out the retailers below for some inspiration?

Dont forget the wrapping & Valentine’s Cards

great gift ideas
Waterstones Gift Wrap
cards
Waterstones Valentine’s Day Cards
great gift ideas
Thortful makes a great range of greeting cards, all uniquely designed. They arrived packaged in a letterbox-style box and I was very impressed the last time I ordered. It’s now my go-to place for greeting cards.



REWARD: If you mention my name (Mummy Conquering Anxiety) at the Thortful checkout you’ll get 30% off your first order!

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading the gift guide and that you found something for your loved ones.

Let me know your fave gifts in the comments below…

great gift ideas