Scents for the Mind.

Relaxing is my favourite thing to do. No secret I've said it a million times that I love nothing more than feeling chilled out and pretty much my only hobbies are napping and soaking in the tub.

My house is full of candles and I've got an incense on the go every day, I also use alot of essential oils whether it be in my bath water or my diffuser. I totally buy into scents creating a peaceful and positive environment which helps with your mood and practice it in my day to day life. I've made a little wishlist of some items I would love to own to satisfy my hippy-dippy nonsense ;) 

House of Intuition - Clarity Magic Candle.
These candles are dressed with crystals and stones and made using natural wax. I used some House of Intuition bath oils before and loved them, they also have a couple new specific date-set candles to help with Mercury being in Retrograde and the new moon coming into your sign.

Juniper Ridge - Cascade Forest room spray.
With the state of the world and my fear of leaving my comfort zones I doubt I'll ever get to experience the wild American outdoors. There are a few items that capture the environment of different camping areas of the US and bottles them. 

House of Intuition - Moonlight Bath Bag
This is a bit like a tea bag, you put some of each of the ingredients into the reusable teabag and let it steep in your bath! Using dried flowers and salts I bet the fragrance that comes from this is incredible.

Ethics Supply Co. - Zion's Angels Landing candle.
Another experience in a bottle, Ethics supply have alot but I feel this one would be my cup of tea (desperate to hit up the Zion national park) with Patchouli and Amber. 

Moorea Seal - Palmistry matches (by Violet Light)
Anything better than lighting candles with matches? NO! These are beautiful.

 

Himalayan Salt Lamp
These salt lamps have a HUGE following for health and mind benefits, they are also great for clearing and purifying the air in your home. I used to have a tealight holder but I lived in a very damp flat and these guys react to moisture so it wasn't meant to be. Now I'm in a damp free home I feel I really really need one. For more information on Salt Lamps visit www.saltylamps.co.uk or www.saltlamps-r-us.co.uk 

Juniper Ridge - Douglas Fir Campfire Incense
These are described to smell like a mountain lodge fireplace in a forest campground. Take me there!  

I'm pretty sure most of these places have very expensive delivery to the UK so I can all but dream for now but I love everything about these items down to the beautiful packaging. Until I get rich I will just sit in the smell of living in the woods!

What are your favourite scents?

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My Favourite Podcasts.

I've been into Podcasts for over 2 years now. It all started with the famous 'Serial' (which has now finished its second season), I heard the hype and tuned in and was hooked! I loved getting a true story told to me with all the drama of a great novel and I loved Serial but soon I wanted a whole story in one shot rather than having to wait a whole week to get my next fix of the facts and drama. I'm a huge true crime fan, when I was about 12 I bought a book on 'Infamous Serial Killers' just because I was so interested in the subject and also have a pretty morbid curiosity.

I started searching online for some true crime podcasts to fill the weekly wait void of Serial and over the years I found more than just true crime podcasts that keep me entertained during my daily commute. I thought I'd share with you some of my faves over the past couple of years:

The Last Podcast on the Left

This isn't everybodies cup of tea but it has to be the one I get most excited for each week. Run by three horror enthusiasts as part of the Cave Comedy Radio network, they seem the lighten up the true crime genre with their humour but also provides the most detailed and true facts which is clearly incredibly we
ll researched. It's my kinda humour and it has me cracking up constantly aswell as shocking me and grossing me out. It's not all serial killers there is also alot about a few of my other favourite subjects such as cryptozoology, cults and UFO's. Their latest episode is about the infamous Chris Benoit, the ex-WWF wrestler, which is a really interesting listen.

Ru Paul - What's The Tee?

Hosted by Ru Paul and Michelle Visage this weekly podcast also has a host of famous guests to join in the laughs and wisdom that inspires this podcast. It's literally just a sit-down and chat style podcast but always leaves me feeling great and almost enlightened about life. It's a really feel-good listen and also worth it just for the smile that Ru's hysterical laugh put on my face. Alot of the guests also share some deep stories and you get to really feel the person behind the act.

Generation Why?

This podcast is mostly unresolved true crime and mysteries, it's very factual and tells a great story. It can be very sad and tragic but doesn't go into gory details which I think is respectful. It is also incredibly interesting and well researched.

Missing Richard Simmons

This is a new one, it is only 6 episodes long but it is hosted by one of Richard Simmons old friends. I've been following the Richard Simmons conspiracy theories about where Richard Simmons has dissapeared to for a couple years and if you are unfamiliar with them then to make it short the super out-there, always up for attention, wild haired, healthy living exercise guru has been 'missing' and not heard from since 2014 and there are hundreds of theories as to why. All of the theories are touched upon on this podcast which includes interviews from Simmons closest friends and which admittedly I was sucked into believing however by the end of the podcast I had a totally different view on why he is 'missing'.

Other podcasts that I'm subscribed too:

Sword and Scale - A more 'no-holds barred' gory kinda true crime. Sometimes a very hard listen with real 911 calls. It is gripping and very interesting however the host just seems like such a dick.

Thinking Sideways - These are all unresolved mysteries and touch on everything from murders to disappearances to weird phenomenon. It's pretty good but again the host's just dry me out a bit.

The Black Tapes - This was really good at the beginning and was a super spooky fictional story. It got a little bit too fake in the end but it is still very much worth a listen.  

Case File - More of the same true crime stories, another fairly good listen.

True Murder - Interviews with authors of true-crime books who tell the story. The sounds is terrible and production messy but for the most part it is interesting.

What are your favourite podcasts? I'm open to pretty much anything so hit me up with your recommendations!

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A Life Update

My last post was back last year in late November. I didn't intend on leaving it so late to blog again but a fair few things got in my way and only now, 4 months on, I feel I should probably motivate myself to do a little bit more of what makes me feel good.

I'm not sure If I full on suffered SAD or just felt like every time I'm not at work I just want to curl up in bed and do nothing at all but I know I need to snap out of it because my brain sometimes feels like it's actually going to melt - dramatic, I know.

Sticking with downers: December wasn't great, at work our colleague and friend, Katie, had very suddenly passed away of suspect meningitis. I wrote a piece on our works blog about how Katie could impact your life in just one meeting (which you can read here).

The shock of it all and the fact that life can end so very quickly without any preparation has been part of the reason why I have become engrossed in a wonderful Youtube Channel called 'Ask A Mortician' in which the brilliant Caitlin Doughty shares her 'Death Positive' ways. If you haven't I URGE you to read her book (I actually got it as an audio book) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. It is a brilliant book all about life as in the crematorium and being a mortician, it's all about being death positive and accepting of the inevitable - and without being preachy, it really changed my outlook on alot of things!

Onto more positive news!!

I managed to get to London to see Book of Mormon - it was fantastic and I can't recommend it enough! I've always been a HUGE Matt Stone and Trey Parker fan so seeing this was such a highlight.

Also one of my favourite queens Bianca Del Rio came to Cardiff with her stand-up tour of Not Today Satan which was hilarious as expected and such a nice February treat!

Last year I fostered 8 feral kittens, who all ended up with lovely lives! I cannot wait to start again this year, I love how a tiny little thing that is so scared and feisty turns into such a lovable pet after 2 weeks. It is SO hard bringing them back to work to find a home and I always cry my eyes out but it is so worth it :)

l-r - Mocha, Izzy, Theo, Gershwin, Horrace, Farrow, Fagan and Blair.

Last month I took on the mammoth task of painting my room - and it's ceiling! I went for a really dark blue which has made the room like a big cozy cave. My bedroom really is a sacred place for me, I've tried to add lots of light accents to the room plus a huge moon shaped mirror! I really love it.

This was taken before I got the borders painted light grey (hence the mess!) 

Last week I got a new tattoo. I used to get tattooed alot but now it has become more of a yearly thing. The beautiful Rosie Evans came over to Swansea and she has already done two more on me so I added this gorgeous leopard as a third. 

 I also started up an instagram for the Cats Protection center I work at (follow us here!) which I've really enjoyed!

Thats about it for now, it's been a pretty low key 4 months but I'm hoping now with lighter evenings and if I can get into a positive frame of mind more permanently then there will be alot more from me on here :)

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Living For: Rock n Rose

Way back in the days of 2010 I discovered Rock n' Rose, I even worked with them on a DIY and featured their products in outfit posts! 

Since then they have grown into a mega brand that is huge online and also stocked on ASOS. They have grown so much and it's been so awesome to follow along with them! Recently they launched a gift shop section on their site which I have completely lost my MIND for! 

Here are a few of my absolute faves from the collection (plus a few of their famous rings n' thangs):

Leilani Head Planter.
This also comes in a David head and I just think
they are both so fabulous! The colour would look for gorgeous
with some beautiful blooms in them.

Shit Happens Embroidery Hoop
Not only is this gorgeous it also has a very wise life lesson that everybody should live by!

Capricorn Zodiac Ring
Um I'm obsessed with anything Capricorn and the way these rings sit are just beautiful.

Saint Stevie Knicks Candle
I adore Saint candles and this one of my Queen and namesake Stevie Knicks is incredible. Also comes in a Britney who anyone who knows me for more than 2 minutes knows she's my God(ney).

Birthstone January Ring
Never had anything with my birthstone on before and I'm really into this.

Botanical Wall Hanging 
This is just so simple and beautiful, it would look perfect in my house! 

I urge you to check out the rest of the site as there are so many great gifts/presents for yourself on there - I feel like I could literally buy everything on there!

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Ladies Who Lodge at The Celtic Manor

Oh Hey!

A couple weeks back I was so kindly invited to visit the Celtic Manor just down the road in Newport to visit enjoy an event with them in one of their famous Hunter Lodges. I've heard so much about these lodges (President Obama stayed there...yeah) which were made especially for the Ryder Cup back in 2010, they sleep upto 8 people, have an indoor sauna, an outdoor hot tub and breathtaking views. The lodges are so far away from the main hotel etc that it does feel like you are on your own little isolated lodge.

As expected the lodges have gorgeous wooden interiors with a open plan kitchen/living room and log fire, the whole set-up was Christmas - a massive tree, outdoor lights, wreaths and Xmas pudding making! We also had Christmas cocktails made by their top mixologist (my fave by far was the eggnog) and canapes made by their head chef.

Being the novice I am I forgot to take my camera to the actual lodges so I only have a select few iphone snaps which will never do them justice. The lodges are truly an experience and would be perfect for a cosy Winter break or a Summer stay. 

The event was lovely and afterward myself and some other bloggers hit up the Merlin bar inside the resort hotel for a few drinks and a chat. I was invited to stay the night in the hotel itself as the event went on until 9, obviously I couldn't say no to saying in a 5 star resort and I've never stayed in a hotel by myself before so this was such an awesome experience personally too. I was put up in a deluxe room which had a little living room, stunning view from the front of the hotel and a gorgeous marble bathroom.

When I arrived and checked in, I got comfy, did a face mask and made myself a bubble bath. Then took my time getting ready with the TV on in my slippers and robe. The bed was the bed of dreams, the room was cosy warm and I just really really loved being there.

In the morning I went down for the breakfast buffet which obviously I went for two round of. They had everything so I couldn't not get my fill - there isn't anything in this world more wonderful than a breakfast buffet! After breakfast I was booked in for a back and shoulder massage which was very much needed and then took a little stroll around the grounds.

The Celtic Manor is such an experience and if you are looking for a night away I highly recommend it, I enjoyed the luxury of it so much I am 100% going back there!

Growing Up Slowly.

Oh Hello!!

Once again my spare room is being inhabited by a feral kitten (she's not feral now and actually going back to work tomorrow - cue heart breaking instagram posts) so I've been slacking on the ol' blog. I think this will be my last kitty for a few months as kitten season is OVER! HOORAYY! haha. 

Anyway this post you may have noticed is about growing up, and my version of growing up is buying myself a pair of boots that have a slight heel to them! I know, I'm almost 27 and I've only just managed it. I only own one pair of slightly high platforms which I've worn to death. I'm so used to wearing hiking books or little flat pixie boots that it was time to grow up and branch out. 

The moment has hit a few times when out with friends and even though I'm dressed up etc their outfits are always just a little more completed with a slight heel which automatically made me feel under-dressed. I cannot walk in heels, they hurt and I feel like Bambi after a single drink so I've opted for the small heeled boot and as shown in my purchase above - a slight platform. 

My pal Nina helped me out (as a heeled boot pro) and I settled on the ones above from New Look. I love them! I love how they are half suede and half pleather with a nice chunk of platform. I thought I would share with you a few other boots I've fallen in love with via various internet stores that maybe once I'm comfortable in my new shoes I can branch out with: 

These beauts I LOVE. They are from Daisy Street via ASOS and although I wouldn't know what the hell to wear them with  and I'd probably just sit looking at them - I think they are awesome!

These gorgeous western style boots are incredible. They are from New Look and I def have my eyes on them!

These Office glittery babes are more my height. I just think they are magical.

So there is my little slice of growing up slowly, as sad as it may seem I felt so good purchasing and wearing my new boots :)

X

Dirty in the 'Diff

Hello!

Today I'm making cocktails (well not today because it's 2pm on a Monday) but this cocktail is special as it's been designed for Dirty Martini's Cardiff opening!

Dirty Martini opened it's doors to us here in Cardiff in an exclusive opening party on Friday night, the place itself is pretty nice inside, I'm not one to go out-out, I rarely do dressing up and can only walk in flat shoes so it's probably not a place you'd find me haunting regularly. The music was a little too loud for me because I'm secretly an old lady who likes to be in bed by 9pm most nights but the drinks were good!

We were offered complimentary drinks until 8pm but due to it being crazy busy I actually only got to try one of the Cardiff Cocktails (one of any of the cocktails on offer actually) made especially for us here in the 'Diff and it was the one which I was sent the equipment to make for myself - Red Dragon. It's a good cocktail so no real complaints ;)

Red Dragon is a martini made from Brecon Botanical Welsh Gin (keeping it local - I likeeee) and Hibiscus liqueur, with teapot bitters, gomme syrup and blood orange syrup, topped off with a snap dragon flower. I was given what I needed to shake and stir my own Red Dragon but was meant to add fresh raspberries, lemon juice and egg whites (nope).

I added lemon juice but couldn't bring myself to chuck an egg white in there, but when I tried the Red Dragon professionally made in Dirty Martini it didn't bother me at all, it just gave it the little foamy top that it was meant to have.

Well... I don't own any sort of cocktail glass so i made mine in a tiny glass tea cup! Ha!

I had tons of fun making my own cocktail at home but the Dirty Martini crew definitely make a better one than me!

Thanks for Dirty Martini for inviting me to the opening night, I wish you every success here in Cardiff and maybe I'll be back in sometime because I HAVE to try a Merlins Cup ;)

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LUSH Spooktacular!

Hey,

I've pretty much shared LUSH Halloween things on my blog every year since I first moved into a place where I actual had a bath I could bathe in (houseshares + bathing = ew no thx) and why should this year be any exception? My Hallowe'en house decor is all up and I'm prepping for a weekend of classic and cheesy horror movies.

As soon as the LUSH website had to Halloween treats up I immediately put in a big purchase:

2 x Autumn Leaf
2 x Lord of Misrule bath bomb
1 big bottle of Lord of Misrule shower cream (my ultimate fave thing ever)
1 Mosters Ball (which I've already used and forgot to photograph - oops!)
1 Pumpkin and 1 Sparkly Pumpkin
1 Boo bath melt
and finally a chunk of the Fireside soap!

I avoided the Magic Wand soap as I'm not massive on orangey scents and the Fireside sounded more appealing to me. I also avoided the Goth Fairy shimmer bar as I would def never use it and it was pretty expensive for a teeny tiny little bar.

Autumn Leaf - this is by far my fave product out of the whole range! Alot of people describe it as a 'cut grass' smell but it totally don't get it. To me it is bergamot and that is just my fave smell ever. Please don't ever leave leafy!  

Sparkly Pumpkin - I wrote a Sparkly Pumpkin review 2 years ago , it has a little cinnamon stick piece on it. I actually got gifted on of these by LUSH aswell at an event and they are perfect for breaking in half and getting 2 uses from.

Boo - this little dude is actually part of my Hallowe'en decorating this year and is sat on my fireplace (it's inactive so he won't be sliding down it!). I'm incredibly excited to use him - but after the 31st!

Pumpkin - this bathbomb I've used now. It's a fast one and fizzes off almost instantly. 

Pumpkin bath bomb - the water, as you can see, is left a beautiful bright orange and the actual scent was vanilla/cinnamon - my whole house smelt amazing even until the morning!   

Fireside soap + Lord of Misrule shower cream - I'm actually using Fireside as a little mini fake-fireplace in the bath. The smell wasn't anything to shout home about it's just vanilla to me but it looks wonderful! And LoM is my fave scent ever from LUSH and I am just so happy that this is being kept on sale until Christmas. If you love herbally, incense type smells then I urge you to go and pick one up! 

What do you think of the new LUSH range? Have you tried any? I've picked up a bunch of the Christmas range too which I will be sharing next month so stay tuned!

Our LUSH here in Cardiff is actually reloactin up the road to a bigger premises where it will have a LUSH Spa! I am SO excited - gotta start saving the pennies to treat myself to one of them!

X

Destroy Your Denim.

Oh Hey!

It's getting pretty freakin' chilly outside now, I absolutely love Autumn weather where the sun is low and shining, the sky is blue but it's cold outside.

Earlier this year I went to a Vintage Kilo sale, these are where you pay £15 for a kilo of clothing and everything is in massive bins and on huge rails. The place is packed full of people and it's basically a fight to to find something half-decent. It's described as 'vintage' but it's mostly stuff from 2003, the queue to pay is so long that you slowly lose alot of interest in things you picked up and promptly dump them along the sides. I did however manage to grab myself a lush little Levis ladies denim jacket from either the late 70's or early 80's which had a gross stain on it. I managed to somewhat get most of the stain out but the fit is great and I've been after one since forever so I was in. It was the only thing I picked up and came to just under a kilo so I got it for £13.

Sure enough after it's first wash I had sewn my Stay Home Club back patch onto it. Granted it needs an iron out but I love it and it looks pretty swell to me! 

Even though it's cold I pretty much still only live in dresses but now I just wear tights and boots instead of trainers and bare legs. I do love a good layer up with chunky knits, scarfs and a bobble hat - I got this cute little peach one from H&M for £4.99 last year.

X

But Why I Love You I'll Never Know.

You could say I've fallen out of love with blogging.

I started doing 'cowbiscuits' in 2010 after a 'bout of scrapbooking left too much mess and I discovered I could do it mess-free online. I inistantly loved it, I religiously posted every 2 days, I went over every post looking for grammar and spelling mistakes and (without being one of those people) not many people were doing it and I was inspired! I gained a fair few 'followers' and felt awesome about the whole thing! In 2011 my whole life turned around when I moved to Cardiff, I was left for 2 months with no internet and began working a job that left me physically and mentally incredibly exhausted. I was officially out of the blogging loop and fell behind as the blogging world grew.

In 2013 I started 'cowbiscuits' back up and realised how much I missed it and loved it and continued pretty solidly until last year where I flitted in and out or writing posts, making VERY poorly made videos on Youtube and felt very sluggish in a fast-paced world where blogging is all about editing perfectly crisp photos, page views using click-bait titles and how much money and free shit you can get. No tea, no shade but this is not for me.

I don't get involved in any 'blogger chats', I pretty much detest the term 'blogger' - it makes me cringe (sorry 'bout it). I do miss MY blog - not because I think I'm class, or because I think any of what I write about is worthy of anybody bothering to read but I miss being able to vent onto a page wether it being able to just copy and paste some pics of things I love from Etsy or post about my fave facemasks - I miss my little scrapbook.

I fucked up college pretty heavily and went right into working but at school my favourite subject was English Language and I went on to do my AS level of this at college where I got a B - but due to enjoying partying a little too much and not being arsed to even attend most lessons, I quit. I'm not bitter about it at all, I am SO thankful for the way my life has panned out, I've gained alot of working experience from shit jobs which has furthered who I am today and what I do today - I just actually enjoy writing! It makes me happy, it is a little hobby which sadly I've left behind. I want to do it, I can't always be bothered to do it but I know it makes my soul a little happier.

This whole Summer I've had feral kittens living in my spare room where I take most of my blog pictures, write my posts on my iMac and generally have an officey vibe. The little monsters have DESTROYED my spare room so I'm blitzing it and semi-re-decorating it now I've (hopefully) finished fostering until Spring. Don't get me wrong I LOVE doing it but damn those tiny kittens are messy! I'm hoping this will help me get back into my writing mojo, having a clear space to do it (depsite this post coming to you live from my laptop while I'm in bed after a 4 hour day-time nap).

So basically what I'm saying is: I'm sticking with you cowbicuits, I was just having a breather from you.

If anybody reads anything I write then I'm truly flattered but this is my little getaway and I'm feeling content just by writing it :)

X

Boots Beauty Haul - video!

Hello!

Today I have a video for you, it's my recent Boots beauty haul, I've been feeling ill and also having a tough time the past week so went out and splashed out!

I have some more videos coming soon and if you havn't already then please check out my previous videos :)

Take care 

X

Sanrio My Melody Bath Bomb

Hello!

Had a little break from the ol' blog due to feral cats taking over my spare room where I have my computer set up ready to upload pictures etc. I've had a brief break in fostering (1 week) and now there is a new 'feral' kitten living in the spare room (see my instagram/snapchat for more - username: cowbicuits ) so I managed to get a hot minute in to upload some pictures to write a little!

Carrying on from my last post I thought I'd share my other Sanrio bath ball with you guys that I got in my Asian Beauty Haul which was the My Melody bath ball. Sadly Yes Style have sold out and my dreams of ever visiting Japan are far far away.

Just like the Hello Kitty bath ball this one also has a surprise figure inside! Although as I do not read Japanese I have literally no clue if this ball was supposed to smell or be 'flavoured' of anything and when I put it in the bath I didn't really notice any particular scent other than 'clean' - if that makes any sense?  

There were no bubbles, just a little foam and no colour either so I'm guessing these are literally just a fun thing for kids to get a little surprise toy out of. They fizz up pretty fast aswell and the My Melody that surprised me was...

... shocked little cutie My Melody! I love how she popped out looking so surprised floating about the bath!

If I see anymore of these online I will probably pick them up just for the novelty or if anybody knows where I can get some other characters ( I've seen Gudetama and Rilkakuma knocking about) then holla at your girl.

I hope you are having a lovely Sunday, I've just ordered my first ever Deliveroo! Until next time...

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