Monday 31 December 2012

Happy New Year!!!!


If it didn't bring you joy, just leave it behind.
Let's ring in the New Year with good things in mind.

Let every bad memory go that brought heartache and pain.
Let's toast to new beginnings with a glass of champagne.

Let's forget past mistakes making amends for this year.
I'm sending you these greetings to bring hope and cheer.

Happy New Year everyone - bring on 2013! xxx

Friday 28 December 2012

The Best Of The Sales

The idea of going to the sales is SO much better than the reality. All those people and clothes strewn everywhere can be really stressful.

So...pour yourself a nice cup of tea, grab a few of those left over Christmas chocolates and enjoy the Bonn Beauty guide to the best of the sales:





Was £36
Now £26



Was £141
Now £90





Was £62.50
Now £27




Was £195
Now £97






Was £99
Now £66





Was £59
Now £35






Was £140
Was £199
Now £140


Was £125
Now £75




Was £235
Was £229
Now £161





Was £50
Now £20





Special Price of £49.35
Saving of £32.90




 



Special Price of £11



Was £260
Now £130





Was £37
Now £24




Was £249
Now £174



Asos Sexy Halterneck Jumpsuit
Was £45
Now £31








I 'll keep updating this page as soon as I find more bargains xx


Sunday 23 December 2012

Some Old Friends

I've been a very naughty girl and forgotten about some old and loyal friends recently. These friends were so reliable and were always there when I had problems, but I gave them up for more exciting, newer versions.
However, even though the new friends were great while they lasted, many of them ended up letting me down and I realised that it was time to return to the warm embrace of the friends that I knew I could trust and rely on.
This post is a celebration of the old friends that have come back into my life and are here to stay.


Old friend number 1: Liz Earle




I fell in love with Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser when I was in my 20's. My Mum had been away on a Good Housekeeping weekend at Champneys and had received a brilliant goody bag. In it were a plethora of beauty products and being the generous woman that she is, she gave me a whole load of them. Neither of us had heard of Liz Earle at that stage, but as I began to use the (massive) pot of Hot Polish Cleanser I realised that I was on to something special. It felt so good and my skin had never looked better.

That was the start of a love affair that lasted for nearly ten years. I owned literally every product from the range and was always complimented on how good my skin looked. I then started writing this very blog and Liz Earle became a thing of the past as I started testing all sorts of other amazing products.

The thing is though, my skin has recently become really overloaded and is looking dreadful. I have spots and blackheads for the first time in ages and I think it's down to the sheer volume of products that I've been trialling.

Well I got a early Christmas pressie from the lovely people at QVC the other day. It was a little pouch full of miniature sized Liz Earle products and an old flame was instantly rekindled. My skin has literally breathed a sigh of relief and is already looking and feeling so much better.

All of Liz Earle's products are available on the QVC website where there are often much better deals than you'll get on the High Street. I personally recommend the following products:



- Botanical Essence No1 (This perfume is fresh, natural and yummy. It gets comments every time I wear it!)

- Skin Repair Moisturiser (makes your skin super-soft and healthy)




Old friend number 2: Benetint



How could I have forgotten about the wonders of this little pot of joy?? It just gives your cheeks the most gorgeous, natural flush and can also be used on the lips and nipples (if that's your thing!)

This is the original and best tint and now that it's back in my life, it's staying there!


Old friend number 3: 




Why I ever stopped using this I honestly don't know! It's the best lip salve out there and is a total multi-tasker. I've been using it to tame my brows and highlight my cheek-bones. It's also great for easing burns and rubbing into cuticles.


If you've got in touch with some old friends recently I'd love to hear what they are. I always love getting your comments and recommendations so please do say hi via the comment box below xx

Friday 21 December 2012

Christmas Beauty and Fashion Tips

Some people like to spend Christmas Day all cosy in their onesis but I always go the other way and dress up in my finest. I love to look glam at Christmas as it gives the day a real sense of occasion and is also a great opportunity to try out the new makeup that I inevitably get in my stocking.

I've just been checking out Pixiwoo's latest  video on Christmas Date Makeup and I think that Sam looks absolutely stunning!  I think that I might try this out on Christmas Day. (My husband will love it!!)




In the run up to Tuesday I'm also going to be trying to sort my skin out. All the drinking, eating and lack of sleep over the party season has left it looking a bit dull and gross.

A fantastic product for giving your skin a boost and some much-needed radiance is Elemis' Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask. I love this product as it is a bit of a multi-tasker. Not only can you apply it as a mask but you can also use it as a flash beauty balm to make your skin look all dewy and fabulous on special occasions.



This stuff is miraculous and retails for £22

As Christmas is all about luxury, I will be smothering myself with my favourite ever body-oil. Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra Moisture Body-Oil is one of my favourite products of all time. The fragrance is the closest thing to real roses that I have ever smelt and it makes my skin feel incredibly soft. I find that it is best applied when your skin is still a little damp after your bath/shower.


Pure luxury and only £34!



If like me you like getting glammed up on Christmas Day, here are some outfit ideas for you:
















Or how about going retro with a fabulous 50's dress. This is what I wore last Christmas:





If you really want to go for it, how about something along these lines?? ;)



Courtesy of Angels xxx

Thursday 20 December 2012

A Very Long Day!

One of the hardest working girls that I know is Myleene Klass. She really is super-woman. I'll never forget the days when I worked with her at Classic FM. She'd recently given birth to her beautiful daughter, Ava and came into the office (looking a million dollars) with Ava under one arm and her show prep under the other. Somehow she was managing to juggle being a great Mum with working her socks off. (After the show she was heading abroad for a photo shoot and little Ava was going along too).

In the broadcasting world it is always good to be busy and it is what we freelance presenters hope and wish for.

Anyway, yesterday was one of those much hoped for (but far too long) days.

It all started at 2:20 am when my alarm went off. By 3am I was in the office prepping my show on Heart. By 6am my show was over but it didn't end there. All this week I'm also doing live Christmas giveaways on London's Heart Breakfast. Yesterday Jamie Theakston presented me with a Santa Claus outfit live on air..



By 7am I was heading to Kentish Town to make someone's Christmas. Unfortunately it was pouring with rain so Santa Claus got a bit wet.

By 9:30am I was in my bed grabbing a few hours sleep and then it was up again to go to rehearsals for a major awards ceremony at Grosvenor House. I was the "Voice of God". (think the guy who used to introduce Cilla Black on Bliiiiind Date and you'll be able to envisage what I was doing).




Grosvenor House is gorgeous. Unfortunately I didn't really get time to enjoy the hotel...


Or my massive bed :(



The ceremony was HUGE and was for a big finance company. Guests included Linford Christie and Cheryl Cole.


Even though I was hidden away I still had to look fairly smart.



Getting ready to be "The voice of God"


The production team were amazing. I can't believe the amount of work that goes into an event like this.




By midnight it was all over and I rushed up to grab two precious hours of sleep before the alarm went off at 2:20 am again. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Neals Yard, Covent Garden

Fancy coming Christmas shopping in Covent Garden with me?


We're going down Neal Street and then heading to one of my favourite hidden treasures in the area- Neal's Yard.



If you're looking for some stocking fillers then make sure that your first stop is Urban Outfitters. I mean who doesn't need a "Powertache" in their lives!!
If you're feeling kind, stop off and chat to a "Chugger". I personally pretend to be on my phone when I see them as they drive me crazy!


Next stop is Food For Thought which you'll find at 31 Neal Street. My family have been coming here for years and it's one of my favourite lunch destinations in London. All the food is vegetarian and homemade. My favourite is their "scrunch" which is a fruity/flapjacky/creamy dessert and is delicious. 


As you approach Neals Yard, have a peek at the decorations in the traditional shopping arcade over the road.


As you turn into Neal's Yard have a look at the inspiring messages on the public blackboards
Nous sommes ici!! I'm getting a proper camera soon but I hope that my humble Iphone piccies still manage to show you how colourful and lovely this place is



I love Neal's Yard for being quirky and so different to the rest of Covent Garden!




After all that walking I feel like having a back rub! This place do them for £10 and they're brilliant!


If I need a cheap and brilliant manicure I always pop to Hair By Fairy. You'll find the beauty salon on the first floor and a good manicure is £12


Next stop is the original Neal's Yard Remedies for stunning organic beauty products. I always pick up a tube of Melissa Hand Cream and love their Seaweed and Arnica Foaming Bath  which is particularly good for acheing muscles. Oh and another absolute favourite is their Orange and Geranium Shower Gel which smells sublime.


They also do fantastic last minute Christmas gifts


Before we go, let's visit one of the many cafes and restaurants in the yard for a warming hot chocolate.


Thanks for being a great shopping partner! We should do this more often ;)