Top 10 Bath and Shower Products

2nd May 201930th Apr 2019 | Suzi Stamp

It’s another Thursday guys!!!! And that can only mean one thing, another Top 10 Thursday post!!!! Today I am going to share with you my Top 10 Bath and Shower Products, so sit back and enjoy my list!

Original Source Shower Gel. I love fruit scented shower gels and this one is one of my favorites by far!
Shampoo. I really love all of the different shampoos that Lush create, but my all time favorite has to be Godiva Solid Shampoo Bar. It smells lovely, leaves heair soft, manageable, tangle free, lasts for ages and is super easy to use too!
Conditioner. I have tried so many different conditioners, from super expensive “luxury” brands to the cheapest of the cheap supermarket own brands and I always come back to Sugar Daddy-O Solid Conditioner by Lush. Again, this smells amazing, lasts for ages and does everything you want a conditioner to do!
Body Scrub. Beauty Kitchen Chill Me Scrub. I don’t use a scrub on my body very often and see it more as a treat than an everyday thing and really love this scrub! It smells of sage and is very calming. I love the way my skin feels afterwards, the packaging and how my bathroom smells like a spa after using!
Bubble Bath. I love having a long, lazy bath on a weekend, filled to the brim with bubbles and this Karma Bubble Bar from Lush is definitely my indulgent addition to bathing! This makes a gazillion bubbles and smells so calming!
Face Mask. While soaking in the bath I love to use a face mask or scrub as the steam from the bath can really help to open up the pores and help the product to work its best. I am a big fan of Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1 Clay Mask, Scrub, Wash as it is a multi-use product which always works wonders on my skin.
Shaving. Hair Removal is not one of my favourite things to do but find it easier to get done in the shower rather than in the bath. I used to use shaving foam but was recommended Coconut Oil as an alternative. Since making the switch I have not looked back! I find that I get less nicks and cuts, my skin doesn’t dry out half as much and a tiny bit of product goes a long way.
Hair Mask. As I bleach and dye my hair on a fairly regular basis I feel that it is only right that I treat it to a hair mask once a week/fortnight and I currently love Bleach London Reincarnation Mask. I apply this to damp hair and laze in the bath reading a good book for around 20 mins before rinsing off. This product leaves my hair super soft and manageable, and restores the shine that bleach seems to strip from my hair.
Moisturiser. Body Butter is another one of those products that I don’t really use much unless it is summer time but I have a big soft spot for Strawberry or Satsuma Body Shop butters. These products sink into your skin really well and leave a lovely scent behind. They are one of my definite summer go to products!
Deodorant. I discovered solid, packaging less deodorant a few years back and am totally in love with Sunflower Solid Deodorant from Lush. This works really well and the scent is not overpowering, it isn’t harsh on your skin and is better for the environment (and your skin) than deodorants that come in cans or bottles. I have no irritation with this one and always smell fresh!

Top 10 Eco Products

25th Apr 201922nd Apr 2019 | Suzi Stamp

As a fair few of my blog posts this month (not including the Blogging from A -Z April Challenge posts) have been about being more eco-friendly I thought that today’s Top 10 post should be about my favorite 10 eco products. So, here is the list, in no particular order…

Wooden toothbrush from Charbrush. This toothbrush is fully recyclable and comes with a pot of charcoal powder which can be used with or without toothpaste and helps to remove stains from your teeth!
Ice Guard Crystal Deodorant. This is made from natural mineral salts and has helped me with perspiration, keeps smells at bay and is just a lovely product to use.
Lush Solid Shampoo in Godiva. This smells truly amazing and leaves my hair clean and shiny with a fragrance that lasts for days.
Lush Solid Conditioner in Sugar Daddy-O. Again, this smells divine and is really good at conditioning my bleached and coloured hair, leaving it silky smooth and knot free.
Chilly’s Bottles. these bottles are made from metal and can be used with either hot or cold drinks, they are perfect for cool beverages in the summer and the neck opening is big enough to pop a few ice cubes through too. There is a huge array of colours and designs to choose from too!
Talking of ice cubes, I really love this ice-cube tray. Not only does it make perfect sized cubes but it is a really brilliant design that can be used for years to come!
Produce bags. I take these with me when shopping so that I can keep loose produce together and never have to use a single use bag again.
Method Laundry Detergent and Fabric Conditioner. All of Method’s range smell lovely and their laundry detergent is no different. I love that you only need to use a tiny bit, the scent lasts for ages and it is not as harmful to the environment as other laundry products.
Metal lunch box. I have this A Slice of Green box which has 2 separate compartments, perfect for sandwiches and a salad, it also comes with a seperate little tin that can be used for snacks such as nuts. Its much more sturdy that a plastic lunch box.
Coconut oil. I tink this may be the ultimate product as it can be used for so many different things. I use mine as a moisturizer, hair conditioning treatment, as a mouth wash, for brushing my teeth, cooking with…the list is endless, and by using it in so many different ways I can cut down on other products that I use.

Top 10 Household Items I Use Daily

18th Apr 201930th Mar 2019 | Suzi Stamp

Top 10 Household Items I Use Daily

Kettle
Shower/Bath
Oven
Lamps
Anti Bac Surface Spray
Cloths, towels and sponges
Bin
Coffee mug
Fridge
Dust pan and brush

Top 10 Things I Can’t Live Without

11th Apr 201930th Mar 2019 | Suzi Stamp

Top 10 Things I Can’t Live Without

Roxy – my dog is with me pretty much all the time, except for when I go to work (and I would take her if I could!) She is by my side all the time and is a great source of comfort and companionship.
Coffee – I can’t function in the morning without a good, hot, strong black coffee to wake me up.
Filofax – I would forget everything if I didn’t write it down! This reminds me of all those dates I need to remember as well as being a note keeper and helps me to schedule my time effectively.
Phone – I’m not sure that many people would be able to live without some form of communication device….
Laptop – the way I pay my bills and write blog posts, it’s definitely a must on this list!
Hair Dye – having hair that is a dirty blonde that is now leaning heavily to grey I find this an essential!
A good pen – if you have ever written with a cheap, scratchy pen then you will understand this!
Kindle – I love reading and being able to have so many books to read and carry around is amazing!
Car – I don’t really live far from town but public transport can be a bit hit and miss and a car saves me so much time and stops me having to lug heavy shopping bags home on the bus!
Bed – I love my bed, its comfy and lovely, warm and cozy and there really is nothing better than climbing in to it after a long day!

Top 10 Purchases

4th Apr 201928th Mar 2023 | Suzi Stamp

Today, for my Top 10 series (you can find other posts here) I am sharing my Top 10 Purchases. These items are things that I have purchased over time that I have found to be really useful day-to-day!

My Bag. You can read about what I carry around in my bag here! I am still super impressed with this bag since I purchased it back in February. I can’t believe how much it holds and how easy it is to find all my things. And it is still looking brand new despite using it daily to and from work!
Cafetière. I can’t seem to survive without coffee and my cafetière is a constant in my life, whether it is beside me when I’m blogging, or snuggled on the sofa reading, it is never too far away.
Desk. My desk is so important as it gives me a workspace that is away from the rest of the house. It is my space to write and craft and suits me much better than working from my living room table or my coffee table in my living room. When I sit down at my desk to work I become focused on that task and I get less distracted, which was a huge problem before I set up my desk area. It gives me a sense of purpose.
Salt Lamp. I never thought a lamp could make that much difference to mood and how I feel. I use this lamp of an evening, it is set up beside my bed on my bedside table and it really calms and relaxes me and gets me in the mood for sleeping.
Kindle. I’ve had my kindle for so many years and now it’s pretty ancient! I read quite a lot, mostly at lunch times in work and at bed times and purchasing this was a good idea as I didn’t like to cart around a book with me, that and I like to have options when it comes to what I want to read and often I have 2 or 3 books on the go at once. It has been everywhere with me too, accompanying me on holidays, to festivals and to and from work.
Zebra Mildliners. I love highlighters and these are really lovely to use. I originally purchased them when I was really into bullet journalling and wanted a grey highlighter. I love that these are not super bright, as the name suggests, these are mild toned. They are also dual tipped, one end is the traditional highlighter tip and the other end is more like a marker pen which makes them perfect for highlighting and also for colouring in.
Fountain Pens. I love fountain pens, and the neon green one is my current go-to favorite. I love how they make your handwriting look loads better and how they feel to write with.
Filofax Malden. The keeper of my brain and the organiser of my life. I love that you can add different things depending on what you need, from task sheets, to do lists, note paper, drawing paper, diary inserts in loads of different formats. My Filofax has been used in so many different ways and for different parts of my life and I can’t ever imagine being without it.
Desk Planner Pad. I keep this on my desk at home and write down anything that needs doing in the week. It is a great reminder of what needs to be done, whether it is something to do with my blog, house work or phone calls to make. I jot these things down when I think of them and then transfer to my Filofax if I need to.
Organiser Sticky Notes. I like that these sticky notes come in a cute little fold out book which makes them easy to keep with you and the mix of different styles is really useful for different things. I use the lined notes for blog ideas, the grid for any figures I may need, and the other notes for smaller ideas or to mark pages in my Filofax.

Top 10 Quick Cleaning Ideas

28th Mar 201912th Feb 2019 | Suzi Stamp

Another Thursday and another Top 10 list! Today I’m sharing my Top 10 Quick Cleaning Ideas! If you are anything like me, you may get a call from a friend or relative at short notice to say they are popping by and the house is less than tidy, this list of things really helps me to make my home more presentable in a really short space of time!

Wash up the crockery, dry and put away.
Clean the sink, draining board and kitchen worktops.
Wizz the Hoover around high traffic areas like the hallway and living area.
Plump up the cushions and fold the sofa blankets nicely.
Tidy the coffee table and wipe over.
Open the window and let some fresh air in.
Tidy the dining table or other places piles seem to accumulate.
Wipe around the sink and toilet.
Put cleaner down the toilet.
Make sure the hallway is clear and smells nice (I turn my plug-in air freshener on for 15 mins but a blast of air freshner will work just as well!)

Top 10 Cleaning Products

14th Mar 201928th Mar 2023 | Suzi Stamp

Today, for my Top 10 series (you can find other posts here) I am sharing my top 10 cleaning products. These are products that I have tried and tested, work well for me and ones I will keep buying.

Method Anti-bac – Wild Rhubarb I love the scent of this and that you can use it all around the home – bathroom, kitchen, living area, it is perfect for any job.
Method Toilet Cleaner – This stuff is amazing and guaranteed to make your loo sparkle and smell fresh at the same time.
Zoflora – Twilight Garden This stuff is amazing. It is marketed as a disinfectant but it has so many uses. I use it to wipe down my radiators, mop the floors and occasionally, when the dog towels are really grubby I will stick a cupful into the machine with them. A little really does go a long way and the scent will fill the house and last for so long too!
Soda Crystals Soda crystals are brilliant for fixing stinky drains and washing machines as well as sorting out slow drainage in sinks and baths! They should be a cleaning cupboard staple in everyone’s house!
Ecover All Purpose Cleaner This stuff is brilliant on floors, especially my kitchen floor which needs mopping at least once a day where Roxy is in and out all the time! And it’s another product that a little goes a long way. I like that this product is multi-functional as well, I like to mix a bit with water in a spray bottle and use it to wipe down shelving and windowsills.
Method Glass Cleaner This is one product I will, probably, never walk away from. It is the only product I have found that cleans glass and mirrors effectively without too much hard work and doesn’t leave an annoying film or smears everywhere.
Method Shower Spray This product works a dream for shifting soapy residue and dried hair conditioner splodges from glass shower surrounds and tiles. I use it every time I have had a shower on the tiles and it makes them really clean and shiny.
Tesco Washing Up Liquid – Cherry Its cheap, smells nice and does the job, there’s really not much more to say about it really!
Vanish Pre-Treat Stain Remover Bar This is a staple in my cleaning cupboard. Not only can you use it on clothes but you can spot treat carpets and upholstery with it too!
Bleach. I’m not going to link to a product because this is one thing I will buy from anywhere, I always buy a big container of the thin bleach and will use it where and when necessary. I love the smell of bleach, especially in the bathroom but its handy to use all around the house!

10 Things That Have Happened Since Leaving Facebook

7th Mar 201912th Feb 2019 | Suzi Stamp

Today’s Top 10 is a bit different to normal, I’m not going to be sharing a Top 10 today but I’m going to tell you about the 10 things that I have noticed have happened to me since I left Facebook over a month ago.

I’m less bothered about what other people think and more confident in my own opinions. Before I left Facebook I would always be checking it out to see what my “friends” had posted about all sorts of different subjects, from news items to the latest storyline in a soap, and I would let their opinions sway my own. Now I don’t have that social media channel and can not check what people think, I’ve found that I’m not bothered about what others think so much and I feel that I am getting more confident in my own beliefs and opinions. It feels like I am able to develop my own opinions better and not let what others think influence my own thoughts.
I’ve started to enjoy doing nothing. At one point in time, sitting and doing nothing would have bored me to tears and I would soon have been reaching for my phone and skimming through Facebook pointlessly. Now though, I find it is really nice to sit and not do anything, just take some time out and enjoy the moment for what it is.
I’m not checking my phone as often. While I still have Instagram and WordPress on my phone and check those 3-4 times a day, the majority of my phone checking would be down to Facebook and the ingrained fear of missing out that it cultivated in me. I thought that this would be a really hard habit to break but, because I know that the app has been deleted and my account shut down, it doesn’t even occur to me to pick up my phone. It is almost as if the habbit was broken the second I deleted my acount with Facebook.
I’m not wasting so much time. Or maybe I should say that I seem to have gained extra time? I seem to have more time in the mornings to get myself up and ready for the day, more time to enjoy my lunch, more time to spend with family and friends, more time in general. It’s crazy how much time I now seem to have and how much of it I wasted by being glued to a site that gave me next to nothing in return.
I’m not judging myself so harshly. I am being kinder to myself. When I am having a bad day or feel like I have not succeeded at something it used to be so easy to go to Facebook and see all the success stories of friends, whether it be them going out, having fun days, holidays or anything else, these little things would make me feel so much worse and I would judge myself and what I have accomplished or not. Now I feel that I am being kinder to myself and giving myself the allowances that I need.
I’m not comparing myself to others so much. This sort of ties into the above. I used to compare myself to everyone – they are prettier than me, have more friends, are having more fun, and in this social media filled age, where everyone seems to share everything except those insecure moments, it was really easy for me to forget that everyone can feel like this and somewhere, someone was probably comparing themselves to me. But comparing yourself to others is not healthy, especially when you lose sight of how different we all really are. And now, I’ve stopped comparing and I’m focused more on myself and what I have to offer and I’m a lot happier with myself.
I’m not being so easily influenced. It’s weird how coming off of Facebook has made me realise how much seeing things on there influenced me and my decisions, from what I wear, what I buy, read, eat, use, how I look, it all seemed to have some kind of influence over me. I feel like I am now becoming myself again, emerging from this social media cloud that I have worn like an armour to “fit in” with the crowd. I feel like, even though I wasn’t aware of it, that somehow lots of little things influenced me, my style and who I am and that is pretty scary.
I’m feeling more relaxed. I used to feel like I was forever rushing around, not having any time for anything, constantly being connected to everybody, constantly having this role to fulfil and an audience that couldn’t be let down, whether it be from me not sharing something, liking or commenting on someones post or wishing someone a Happy Birthday, there always seemed to be a million things that needed doing. Since unplugging myself I have felt like the pace of life has slowed and I no longer place this pressure on myself to connect with everyone. I’m feeling more relaxed and like I can breathe again.
I have more time to focus on the things I want to. It’s weird, whatever I was doing when I had Facebook, like reading or watching tv, there always seemed to be half of my brain occupied with thoughts of what was going on on-line and I never fully focused on what I was doing. My concentration was not the best, it still isn’t, but I’m not getting interrupted with thoughts of Facebook anymore. My brain used to use Facebook as a procrastination tool – if I wasn’t enjoying something then I’d have a look on Facebook, wasting time, waiting for inspiration. Now if I’m not enjoying something I tend to see it through, focusing on the end of the task and then reward myself with a cup of tea.
I’m not missing it. I never, ever, in a million years, thought I would ever say that I am not missing Facebook. But it’s true, I’m really not. At one point, when Facebook first started and all you could share were a few sentences about what you were doing, how you were feeling, how your day had been or whatever else you wanted to write, it felt like you were really getting to know your friends and it felt social. now though, because Facebook introduced sharing links to websites, memes, music, and anything else, you rarely see thoughts from your friends, just long news feeds of memes and other random shared items, it’s not really very “social” anymore. I think if Facebook was like it was when it first started I would probably miss it, but now, when you see what is on people’s news feed, and that none of it is really adding anything to your life, its not teaching you anything, giving you information, creating conversations, letting you get to know your friends any better, well, I’m not missing it.