Max Benjamin // Mimosa & Sweet Amber Natural Wax Candle Review

I am a fully-fledged candle lover. There is something lovely about lighting a candle in the evening and relaxing whilst the warm glow and scent fills the room. In winter I find myself using candles more regularly as they help to get me into the festive spirit. The latest addition to my candle collection is the Mimosa & Sweet Amber candle from Max Benjamin. Max Benjamin is an Irish company that creates hand-made candles in County Wicklow. They use a 'blend of pure natural waxes, essential oils and lead free wicks' meaning that their candles are made from 100% natural resources. The wax itself is created from Soy beans and other natural waxes, which means that it does not contain paraffin. This results in the candle burning cleanly without petrol-carbon soot. 

The Mimosa & Sweet Amber scent has the most incredible fresh yet sweet smell, and unlike some scented candles that I have tried in the past, this candle is strongly scented and fills the room with scent. Max Benjamin describe this scent as 'delicate top notes of green leaf, a gentle heart of mimosa, with soothing elements of sweet ambered sandal.' It is certainly a calm and relaxing scent, ideal for cold evenings in.

I have thoroughly enjoyed burning this candle and adore the Max Benjamin brand! I will definitely be exploring more of their scents in the future. I think that these candles would make a lovely gift as they feel very luxurious and are of such a high quality. Max Benjamin also have a fantastic selection of reed diffusers and skincare items - so there is something for everyone! 

The Max Benjamin candles retail for £19.95 and are available from the Max Benjamin website, House of Fraser and Ocado. Do you have a favourite candle?

How To: Make a Banana Loaf // Recipe

This is a recipe that I have been using for many years. When I have left-over bananas that need to be used, or I fancy making a quick and easy cake for friends or family, this is the recipe that I reach for! You can make a plain banana loaf, or you can easily jazz up this recipe by adding nuts, raisins, chocolate or even nutella! This recipe is incredibly versatile, so why not experiment and try adding your own extra ingredients? 

To make this yummy banana loaf...

Equipment:

• A mixing bowl
• A fork
• A spoon
• An Oven
• A loaf tin
• Loaf tin liner (optional)
• Scales

Ingredients: 

• Bananas (ripe) - 2 
• Self-raising flour - 8oz (227g)
• Margarine - 2oz (57g)
• Caster Sugar - 5oz (142g)
• Eggs - 2
• Nuts/Raisins/Chocolate/Nutella - optional

Step 1. In a mixing bowl, mash the bananas until soft with a fork.

Step 2. Measure out the sugar, margarine and add to the mixing bowl. Cream together with the eggs.

Step 3. Measure out and add the self-raising flour. Stir until the mixture has combined.

Step 4. Add any additional ingredients such as nuts, raisins, chocolate pieces or nutella. I chose to add a handful of chopped walnuts.

Step 5. Add the mixture to a greased or lined loaf tin. Bake at gas mark 5 (375°F/190°C) for 40 - 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 6. Check that the loaf is baked by inserting a skewer and checking that it comes out clean. If it is, remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool on a cooling rack.

Step 7. Eat and enjoy your banana loaf! It makes the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea.

This recipe is so quick and easy to recreate and makes a very tasty loaf. Let me know if you try this recipe! I would love to hear your thoughts.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Body Lotion // Review

I am naturally pale and sometimes find myself yearning for a warmer skin-tone. At these times I like to use a gradual tanner, nothing too obvious but something to add a hint of colour to my fair complexion. I have experimented with a few gradual tanners over the years - some too orangey, some too dark, some too light, but think that I have finally found my ideal gradual tan in the form of Palmer's Natural Bronze.

The Palmer's Natural Bronze Body Lotion appealed to me as I have loved the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion for many years. The Natural Bronze lotion has the same delicious cocoa butter scent of the original, but with the added benefit of a gradual tan. I found that this product creates an easily build-able tan, and with one application over night I wake up with a noticeable hint of colour which lasts me a good 3 to 4 days before I have to reapply. If you prefer a darker tan you can easily build up the colour by applying the product more regularly. This lotion creates a natural looking colour and I have had no problems with patchiness or streaking as it is very easy to apply. I love the addition of a pump to the packaging. Not only can you control how much product you use, but it also results in clean mess-free applications.

The lotion itself is quite thick for a gradual tan, meaning that it is incredibly moisturising. Formulated with Vitamin E, I found that the lotion kept my skin feeling soft and supple. The Palmer's range is also against animal testing and is paraben free - hoorah!

The only downside to this product is that the smell does develop from the lovely cocoa butter scent, to the classic fake tan smell. For this reason I prefer to use the lotion over night so that I can wash of the scent in the morning. The scent however does not put me off using the product as the results are the best that I have encountered from a gradual tan. The cocoa butter formula also seems to make the fake tan smell less obnoxious than usual, which can only be a bonus. 

This product has definitely become my favourite gradual tan, and I will be repurchasing it as soon as I run out! The Palmer's Natural Bronze body lotion retails for £5.35 for 250ml, and is available from Boots and Superdrug. Do you have a go-to tanning product?