I hate to moan but you know what one of the downsides of this lovely weather is? Apart from the smell of other people’s feet on the bus, the rosé wine hangovers and the daily battle of keeping a hat and sunglasses on a toddler, that is. (Told you how I hate to moan.) Shininess. Oiliness. And then – spots.
The cause? It can be anything from hormones and stress to pollution or even a change of skincare routine. But at this time of year it’s more likely that you’re breaking out due to using suncream (which I hope you are), slapping on fake tan and sweating more than you usually do. Continue reading…
Not me. Don’t be absurd. I am a ray of sunshine. Except this morning, when I barked at the postman for not bringing me anything interesting. Oh and earlier, when I yelled at the toddler for removing the ‘M’ from my laptop keyboard. And just now, when I told the woman who called asking if I was happy with my kitchen to… (I’ll stop there. Family members read this.) Continue reading…
“It takes more than a cold flannel and some Body Shop oatmeal scrub for me…” Not one of my own pearls of wisdom this time. No, it’s Edina talking to Saffy in Ab Fab. Even in my late teens I knew I had more affinity with the mother than the daughter. Not something I should necessarily be proud of, I know.
But the Body Shop has thankfully moved on – as has the whole industry. And these days, what were in the time of Lacroix and Bolly tentatively called ‘natural’ beauty products, are better known as botanical, pure, organic, plant-derived… (Organic beauty stuff obviously has to be organic, and there are a few pretenders out there so if you’re not sure – and organic is what you want – then check their credentials first.) Continue reading…
You know how it is. Glee has finished. You’ve just remembered there’s washing in the machine that needs to be hung up. But Cops With Cameras has just come on and there’s still a good mouthful or two of Banrock Station in your glass. Yep, it’s the kind of night where you don’t hit the pillow until it’s actually the next day. Beauty suicide if, like me, you’ll be serenaded by the theme tune to Noddy come 5.36am. (No, not my husband. Although there was that one time…) Continue reading…
As popular as this wartime slogan is these days on tea towels and mugs, I am inclined to prefer the alternative version that says ‘Now Panic And Freak Out’. Mainly because in my world, keeping calm and carrying on does not get a lot done. In fact, it’s more likely to get a cup of tea made and a nice scone buttered. Yes, it’s true: I’m one of those people who, to achieve anything, needs the rush of adrenaline that you get when you leave something until the last minute. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that organisation is just a crutch for people who can’t handle caffeine and a bit of blind panic.
It’s a handy philosophy in a world shared by a toddler. Because what’s the point in organising anything when it’s going to be thrown in the bath (my new Top Shop ankle boots), hidden in the washing machine (my car keys) or eaten (the MOT certificate)? However, there are times when you might feel you’re panicking unnecessarily, and not getting anything done at all. In which case, I tend to reduce my coffee intake to four barrels a day and try a little aromatherapy. And thinking about this has prompted me to research a few stress-busters of that very nature, which may prove handy for you in the often hectic run up to Christmas. Continue reading…
