February 24, 2012

Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser Review

Recently John and Ginger Beauty sent me some Dermalogica products to try out. The first one I tried  Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser. This is a gentle cleansing gel that helps to sooth and calm sensitive skin whilst cleansing it gently. As I have sensitive dry skin this sounded ideal for me.

Dermalogica UItracalming CleanserThe product is a white shiny gel in appearance. You apply it to your face as you would with a normal cleanser and can either remove it with warm water or a tissue/ cotton pads.  It contains no artificial colour or fragrance so there is no noticeable smell when you use it. It is non-foaming so you do not get any foam when you apply it but the gel consistency makes it easy to apply to your skin. You do not need to use loads either to get a nice clean feeling, the small amount on my fingers above was more than enough for my whole face and neck.

After use my skin did not feel dry or tight and even felt slightly moisturised which was a bonus. It felt lovely and clean after use. The product contains lavender  to help soothe the skin , coneflower to help calm the skin and cucumber to help cool irritation. It definitely did this, the slight dry red patches I had felt a lot better and less itchy.

I really liked this cleanser and if you have dry sensitive skin it is perfect. It soothes irritated skin and does a good job of cleansing it.

RRP £8.45 for 50ml, £18.75 for 250 ml or 500 ml for £33.37

The 50ml and 250 ml sizes come in bottles with flip tops like the one pictured above. The 500ml bottle has a pump action top which a lot of people prefer.

The product is available from John and Ginger Beauty http://www.johnandgingerbeauty.co.uk/dermalogica-ultracalming-cleanser.html

Other reviews you may be interested in:

Olay Total Effects Sensitive Moisturiser

Bodhi Body Moisturisers

Comvita Anti-Ageing Gentle Soothing Cleanser

Leave a Comment

Filed under Beauty product reviews

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

February 23, 2012

Did You Win The FreezeFrame Serum Competition?

Freezeframe serum

As you are aware I have recently been running a competition to win FreezeFrame Serum here on my blog. This is a serum that is meant to produce the benefits of a face lift just by applying it. In order to enter the competition I asked that you let me know what moment in time you would most like to freeze and I had a range of great answers, from the funny to the sad to the inspiring. The winner was chosen by a random number generator however and I have to announce the lucky winner is:

  • Audrey Halliday

Well done! I shall be sending an email shortly.

2 Comments

Filed under Giveaways

Tagged as , ,

February 23, 2012

Sani+ Hands Cleansing Wipes

As a mum I am always finding my son in sticky situations when I am out, so was pleased to be asked to review these Sani+ Hands Cleansing Wipes. There is nothing worse that being in town, feeding your child and having them turn before your eyes into a sticky monster. My son is not so bad now he is eleven but still has a tendency to get his hands covered with all sorts. Sani Hands Cleansing Wipes are the ideal size to pop into your handbag and whip out at those sticky times.

As the name states Sani Hands are cleansing wipes. They are kind to the skin and contain added moisturiser which will keep your skin soft. They  been dermatologically tested and are suitable for sensitive skin. In addition they kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria, always a useful bonus with kids.

The wipes themselves are strong and soft meaning they do not rip easily when my son over enthusiastically rubs his hands with them. They have a textured surface which provides a scrubbing action and definitely makes your hands feel cleaner.

These are a great product to have in your handbag. The wipes are a good size, so one wipe will normally do both hands. They are a nice compact size to carry around and a reasonable price.   The packet is resealable so you do not need to worry about the wipes drying up after they have been opened.

RRP £0.99 for 12 wipes.

Available at Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado and independent pharmacies.

For more information visit: http://www.sanihands.co.uk/index.html

Other reviews you may be interested in:

Ecover Stain Remover

Cuticura Hand Sanitisers

Leave a Comment

Filed under Product reviews

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

February 22, 2012

Did You Win The Fade Out White Anti Shadow Brightening Eye Cream Competition?

As you will be aware I have recently been running a competition to win Fade Out White Anti Shadow Brightening Eye Cream and five of my readers will be getting a chance to try it for themselves. In order to win the competition I asked you all to say what you would like to Fade Out. The winners were chosen by a random number generator, but  it made me smile reading your answers. Lots of you wanted to fade out housework and ironing (something I agree with) and other common answers were fading out fat and debts. I only wish that was possible. So who won? The five winners are:

  • Ashleigh
  • Andrea
  • Andy D
  • Jean Bolsover
  • Lisa Pope

Well done. I shall be sending you an email shortly to confirm your details.

2 Comments

Filed under Giveaways

Tagged as , ,

February 22, 2012

Olay Total Effects Sensitive Moisturiser Review

Olay Total Effects Sensitive MoisturiserAs I am now in my forties I am worried about my skin showing signs of ageing so I was really pleased to be sent some Olay Total Effects Sensitive Moisturiser to review as part of my membership of the Savvy Circle.  Olay Total Effects Sensitive is the newest addition to the Total Effects range and is said to fight the seven signs of ageing while being kind to sensitive skin. This sounds ideal for me, I often find that anti-ageing cream can be too harsh for my skin which can be dry and sensitive.

Olay Total Effects fights the seven signs of ageing by:

  • Brightening the skin.
  • Smoothing the skins texture
  • Preserving the elasticity of the skin.
  • Promoting the regeneration of the skins surface.
  • Refining the appearance of pores.
  • Helping to make the skin more supple.
  • Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

In order to do this it contains a number of ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the skin. To protect the skin from the environment  it contains Vitamins E and C,  Sea Buckthorn and White Tea. Sea Buckthorn is rich in anti-oxidants which help protect the skin from free-radicals which can cause skin damage. It is also a great source of Omega 3, 6 and 9 which keep skin cells moist and strong as well Omega 7 which helps with collagen production. Interestingly White Tea has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries as it is full of protective nutrients that promote healthy more radiant skin.

Olay Total Effects also acts to calm the skin and for this purpose it contains Glycerin, Cocoa Butter and Allantoin. In order to increase the moisture in the skin and reduce redness you will find Pro Vitamin B5. This actively works to increase the moisture level of the skin, dryness is often a problem with sensitive skin.

It is also worth knowing that the Olay Total Effects range is the first skincare product to receive the new Skin Health Alliance Accreditation. The Skin Health Alliance is a body that works with international dermatologists, researchers, scientists and industry with a common interest in the promotion of healthy skin. The Accreditation reassures us that the product is not harmful to the skin and does what it says it does.

So what did I think of it? When I opened the box I found that the moisturiser was in a handy little pump which makes it easy to use. Having said that when I first used it I had to pump it up and down a few times before the cream came out and when it did it whizzed out all of a sudden and went everywhere. That was only the first use though, it is now very well behaved. The pump dispenser is actually a big plus as it makes it much easier to control how much you apply. One squirt is enough for the whole face so it should last a while.

The cream did feel nice on, it absorbed well and was not too greasy. I find that my skin can tend towards dryness and redness at times, which is often the case with sensitive skin. After using this my skin felt soft and well moisturised. I also found this feeling lasted through the day which was a big plus.  I also noticed that my skin did not have the shiny look that some moisturisers can give it but it did look a lot softer and more glowing.

After using it for a week my skin does seem to be much improved so I am hoping long term use will increase this effect. It definitely feels much smoother to the touch.  I like the fact that SPF 15 is included in the product. In the warmer weather I will not have to apply a separate sunscreen to my face which is a definite bonus.

RRP  £19.29 (50ml), £13.29 (30ml)

Other reviews you may be interested in:

FreezeFrame With Inhibox Serum

Qsilica Revive Nutrient Boost Face and Neck Moisturiser

1 Comment

Filed under Beauty product reviews

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

February 21, 2012

February Sunshine

Thank you to the lovely Tracy from White Lily Green who tagged me in this MeMeMe – Sunshine Award. As its nearly Spring we will hopefully all be getting a lot more sunshine into our lives. You can see the signs of Spring already, daffodils have started appearing although not flowering yet. The days are definitely lighter and longer and I have even seen the sun on occasion which is rather nice.

Here are my answers:

Favourite Colour

It has to be blue. I know I am a girl and that is all wrong, but I just love blue. Blue is the colour of the sea, the sky and there are so many different shades of it, all of them lovely.

Favourite Animal

Well I have to say dog or my dog might get a little bit upset. He does tend to chew everything in sight which can be annoying. Recently he has taken to getting my clothes pegs from the peg basket to chew and when I try to get them from him he thinks its a glorious game of chase the dog round the house. It’s really nice when he curls up next to you and wants a bit of stroking though. He is just a big softie.

Favourite Number

I am not at all sure that is is possible to have a favourite number, it seems a bit of a strange thing to have. If I was pushed I would say 6. I think it is meant to be my lucky number, worked out by some mystical method using my birth date. I can’t remember the method now but do remember the number.

Favourite Non-alcoholic Drink

That’s easy, its got to be tea. I can’t get through the day without tea, it has a great way of making you feel better no matter what.  I need a cup in the morning to get me going, a cup at work to see me though the day and a cup at night to put me to sleep. Oh and a few cups in between as well.

Facebook or Twitter

That is easy, twitter. I love the way you can say hello and lots of people will say hello back. You can just jump into a conversation and have a bit of fun. Facebook is a bit boring, the wall scrolls up and there is not as much interaction.

My Passion

That is difficult to answer. I guess first of all it is my family, I would do anything for them. Second it would be my love of reading and writing. There is nothing I love more than curling up with a good book and escaping into an adventure. It is great escapism and somehow more real than television as you can use your imagination more. Since I started blogging I am discovering more and more that I enjoy writing as well. I don’t think I have a novel in me but I enjoy having a little corner of the internet that is my own.

Getting or Giving Presents

It’s got to be giving presents.  There is nothing better than seeing the look on my son’s face at Christmas and birthdays.  The best one ever was getting my son the dog. He did not know about it and when he walked into the kitchen to see the dog sitting there is his basket my son’s face was a picture. He even stopped in mid- stride he was so surprised.

Favourite Pattern

Hmm, I am not at all sure about this one. I don’t think I have an answer to it. If I was pushed I would have to go with anything with dragons on it.

Favourite Day of the Week

I think my favourite day has to be Saturday. It’s a day when you wake up and have the weekend ahead of you and can take it in a leisurely fashion. There is no rush to be at work or get my son ready for school and we have time to take the dog on a long walk.

Favourite Flower

My favourite flower has got to be a pansy. If you look closely at them you can see they have happy smiling faces which always makes me smile.

There you go, a few things you never knew about me. I am going to pass this on to a few fab bloggers who deserve a little bit of sunshine. If you are not sure what to do  the rules are simple:

  1. Thank the person who gave you the award
  2. Write a post about it 
  3. Answer the questions above
  4. Pass it on to other bloggers who you think really deserve it and send them a message to let them know

I tag:

  1. Cheryl from Mad House Family Reviews
  2. Zoe from Splodz Blogz
  3. Kay from Brink of Bedlam
  4. Jo from Given to Distracting Others

as these are blogs that always add sunshine to my life.


1 Comment

Filed under General Ramblings

Tagged as

February 20, 2012

The Story Of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

The Story Of Beautiful Girl is one of the titles in the Richard and Judy Book Club Spring 2012 selection. This bookclub is exclusive to W.H Smith and the selected books are reviewed by Richard and Judy. If you buy the book from W.H Smith you also get bonus exclusive content in the book.

The Story Of Beautiful Girl begins in 1968 in Pennsylvania, in small town America.  Martha is a retired schoolteacher and a widow who lives alone.  One dark and stormy November night she is startled by a knock at the door. She opens it to find a bedraggled man and woman. The woman is wrapped in layers of blankets and the man is an African American, who is deaf. Although scared Martha invites them in and offers them hospitality. She makes them tea, cookies and gives them new clothes, soon realising the woman is sheltering a new born baby.

Another knock indicates the arrival of the authorities. Martha learns that the couple have come from The State School for the Incurable and Feeble Minded. The woman is wrapped in a strait jacket and taken away, managing to whisper the words “Hide Her” to Martha. The man manages to escape across the fields and is pursued. Before the woman is removed Martha learns that she is called Lynnie and the man is only known as Number 42. As Lynnie is taken away Martha manages to assure her that she will look after the baby without alerting the authorities to her presence.

This is the start of an epic story that spans forty years. We follow each of the characters in the story and find how their lives turn out. Martha, has to manage with a new baby that she names Julia. Worried that the authorities may find out about the baby and chase her she disappears. She makes use of her network of old pupils to find a place to stay. We follow Lynnie as she is returned to  The State School and learn about the conditions that people with disabilities were subjected to in thos days.  Number 42, or Homan as we learn his name is  is on the run and has a long journey to get back to Lynnie or as he calls her “Beautiful Girl”.

The story is absorbing and you get involved with each of the characters and want to know what is going to happen next. It throws a light on the way that people with disabilities were treated at the time, which is not really that long ago. It was thought that these people would be better off in an institution, but the conditions at the institution are revealed for what they are. The place is filthy and corrupt and the residents are frequently terrorised by the guards.  We see the viewpoint of both Lynnie and Homan as they have to cope in the world and this really brings out their humanity and makes you wonder why they were treated like this.

There is hope in the book, though the forty year story we see changes occurring at the institution and in the characters lives. Throughout all the changes Lynnie and Homan carry the memories of their stolen time together and hopes for their daughter. Martha gives up everything to protect their daughter and give her a life worth living. It is a moving book and definitely well worth reading.

The book is published by Windmill Books and available to buy at W.H Smiths here: http://www.whsmith.co.uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=35569435

RRP £7.99

1 Comment

Filed under Book Reviews

Tagged as , , ,

February 17, 2012

Pancakes For Pancake Day

Have you remembered Pancake Day? It’s on Tuesday 21st Feb this year, which is next Tuesday. I thought I would share a pancake recipe with  so that you had some time to go shopping for the ingredients. I know if I forget my son will never let me hear the end of it, so I shall be stocking up with the essential ingredients this weekend.

Pancake day is really Shrove Tuesday. It is the day before the start of Lent, which is a Christian festival leading up to Easter. We eat pancakes on this day because during Lent it is traditional to abstain from certain foods and pancakes contain fat, butter and eggs which are forbidden.  Making pancakes is also a good way to use up these ingredients before Lent starts.

The recipe I use here is a scotch pancake recipe, it makes smaller pancakes than the more traditional ones but I find these much easier to make. They are also very tasty.

Ingredients

  • 100 g (4 oz) self raising flour
  • 15-25 g (½ – 1 oz) sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 150 ml (¾ pint) milk

Method

  • Add the flour and sugar to a bowl, add the egg and half the milk and mix until smooth.
  • Add the rest of the milk and mix well until bubbles appear on the surface of the mixture. It should look like this. I poured the mixture into a jug to make it easier to make the pancakes.

  •  Preheat a frying pan with some oil in.
  • Drop spoonfuls of batter into the pan to make small pancakes about 10cm (4″) round.  I actually poured the mixture using the jug as you can get them the right size more easily.

  • When bubbles appear on the surface of the mixture you need to turn the pancakes and cook for a further ½ to one minute until they are golden brown.
  • Remove from the pan. You can stack them on a plate and cover with a clean tea towel to keep them warm while you cook the rest.

How you serve them is entirely up to you. I served them for breakfast with maple syrup. They are also delicious with butter and jam. This is the finished result.

I have to say they were really nice. Will you be making pancakes this pancake day? If so what toppings are you going to be having?

Other posts you may be interested in:

Traditional Biscuits Recipe

Making a Dundee Cake

4 Comments

Filed under Recipes

Tagged as , , , , , ,

February 17, 2012

Pataks Rogan Josh Curry Paste

The other day I decided to try out Pataks Rogan Josh Curry Paste. My husband loves a curry but I am not generally so keen. I  tend to stick to the milder varieties of curry  like korma.  I had not tried a Rogan Josh before so I was a little bit wary but decided to be adventurous.

The curry paste contains all the herbs and spices you need to make the curry.  You  just need to add a large dollop to the pan when you are cooking it and the idea is that it will make the perfect curry. Rogan Josh is described as a medium curry and originates from the Kashmir region of India. It is a tomato based curry rather than a creamy curry so for me very different.

The preparation was really easy. I had some left over roast chicken so I decided to make a chicken based curry.  I warmed a little bit of oil in the pan then added some onions, a little garlic and some mushrooms. I fried these until they were soft then added the cooked chicken. The jar said to add quarter of the jar of the Rogan Josh paste so I did this and mixed it up well.  A tin of tomatoes is then added to the mixture and 100 ml of water.

I let it simmer for a while, stirring it now and again while the rice was cooking. A rather delicious smell was wafting though the kitchen by this time and the family was getting hungry. I served it onto the plates.

The curry was really nice. I was worried that it might be too hot but while it did have a hint of spice the taste was much more aromatic.  It is a lovely blend of flavours and I would be happy to try this again. It has made me think about perhaps being a little bit more adventurous with curry in the future and trying different things. The family agreed, my husband loved it but as he loves curry anyway that was no surprise. However my son also ate it all, and he is like me, a bit wary when it comes to curry.

I really liked the fact that the curry paste made the meal easy to prepare. Normally when I do curry you have to measure out teaspoons of different sorts of spices and mix them together. I always find I am missing one and end up having to dash out to try and find it. With the curry paste all you do is to dollop it into the pan and add the other ingredients. It is so much simpler and the end result is lovely.

You will find Pataks Curry Paste in most supermarkets and there is a range of different flavours available.  A 290 g jar is around £2.00 and you will get three or four meals out of that. It’s definitely worth having in the cupboard as a standby.

You can find more information here: http://www.pataks.co.uk/

Other reviews you may be interested in:

Blue Dragon Hoisin and Garlic Stir Fry Sauce

Pataks Oven Bake Biriyani

1 Comment

Filed under Food product reviews

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

February 16, 2012

Cosy Tea Competition

Cosy Tea is a lovely organic tea range which I reviewed on my blog recently. If you are a tea addict like me I am sure you will be pleased to learn that I have two sets of the complete range of Cosy Tea to giveaway.

The set contains one of each of the different Cosy Tea flavours, nine in all, so you can brew lovely cups of tea for a while to come.  So how do you enter?

  • Add a comment on my blog describing the type of tea you love most

For me it would  be a lovely cup of breakfast tea with a dash of milk, preferably brought to me in bed on a silver tray (A girl can dream). What sort of tea do you love the most?

The Rules

  •  UK only
  • Closing date for entries Monday 5th March 2012 at midnight
  • Include a valid email address or twitter id  (it will not been shown)
  • One entry per household
  • The winners will be contacted by email and their details used for delivery only and not kept for any other purpose
  • Two winners will be chosen at random from all valid entries.

38 Comments

Filed under Giveaways

Tagged as , , , ,