2 Unlimited - Get Ready For This!

Another Friday ... another mad week...!

This week the hubby and I (and Grandpa!) went to see my little girl performing with her school at the regional dance Movefest (she's been practising for weeks!). Out they strutted, started dancing and...the music stopped! Sack the DJ! After technical problems were overcome they started again and performed their routine. So - there I was -filming her (we were allowed) welling up like you've never know - thank goodness it was dark and my phone was in front of my face! What am I like? It was just the sight of her - no longer a baby or toddler, performing so well (I feel exactly the same with my boy too) ... seriously - where has all this time gone - they're both growing up so fast I can't keep up with it and the dreaded hormones take over ... must learn to control those dratted things!  Here's the tune they started off to...

2 Unlimited - Get Ready For This!

Now I know that this is a track played at many sporting events all over the place but this is a favourite of mine and hubby's from back in the early 90s when it was released at the height of my clubbing days. I literally remember the first time I heard it - in The Banker's Draft (to be exact) - where we had all met up for the first drinks of the night - it came on and we all started dancing (just like in the video!) - right there next to the Jukebox - as you do!

Do you remember this track? Can you control your hormones?

Jen x

May Empties and Favourites ... (finally!)

Bonjour!

It's been (and still is) a very busy week with family/work commitments - which has left no time for blogging and probably makes this one of the latest 'Empties/Favourites' posts of in the land?  I'll just get on with it shall I...?

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion - all finished and will be re-purchasing, great for reviving tired, sore eyes - included this in my 'Rescue Products' which you can read here.

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner (for Normal Hair) - I've been using this duo on and off for ages. Perfect if my scalp feels a bit stressed and flaky as I know it cleanses and conditions well but is super gentle. Had a bout of eczema on my neck recently and needed to use something I knew wouldn't sting when washing my hair in the shower ... needless to say I'll be repurchasing.

Aveeno Body Wash (for Dry and Sensitive Skin) - more of an 'empty' than a 'favourite', I've used it on and off. Has no smell and just cleanses gently, it's ok but I don't feel the same way about it as I do the Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion ...which I also included in my 'Rescue Products' so don't think I'll be repurchasing.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum - sadly all gone, happily I've already gotten myself another - love this product. You can read me banging on about this lovely serum in my full review here.

L'Oreal Professional tecni.art Hot Style Constructor - (shopping my 'hair product stash' here ) -  I've had this for so long that the packaging has now changed!  It's a 'thermo-active spray for texture and hold' - provides heat protection (but not stickiness I might add!).  Works best for me to create that tousled 'I'm not trying too hard with my hair' look (famous last words) and  is ideal now I've  had loads of hair chopped off!  Just spray on damp or dry hair and do whatever you want really - can be used with hairdryer, straighteners and curling tongs so quite a useful multi-purpose product and one I would re-purchase (cost me £11.00 but I don't think that's too bad for a professional product?).

Revitalash Volumizing Primer - (got this ages ago in a kit from QVC).  I don't always use an eyelash primer but this works really well to give more oomph and volume to my lashes.  It's blue in colour, dries quickly so you can get on with your chosen mascara application and doesn't cause any clumping or flaking - good product.

Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara - an all-time favourite which has done it's stint. Great for volumising and defining lashes, no clumps and lasts all day. A good one to have on hand to sort out a 'bad lash day', used over the top of another mascara it sorts out any mascara clumpage - a great separator!


Oh ... and another favourite here ... which is literally being finished off by the hubby as I type this post!

Only the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate, tastes like chocolate never tasted before...all that and ice-cream - amazing!

Any of my favourites yours too?

Jen x

Fat Larry's Band - Act Like You Know...

Happy Sunny Friday!

Very nearly didn't manage a post today as the computer was playing up good style and although I have loads of posts in draft they all need finishing off properly - plus I'm off out tonight to a 40th birthday party with the hubby (get me!).  No idea what to wear as usual and I've only just managed to paint my nails (trying out a new topcoat as we speak!).

Fat Larry's Band - Act Like You Know...

Released in 1982  - it's the perfect summertime laid back groovy track ...

This is the sort of funky tune I feel like drinking and dancing to tonight  so will have to put a request in and who knows - the DJ may even play it! Right - must go and decide what to wear...or I'll be late again and get into trouble as usual...!

What tune would you be asking the DJ for tonight?

Jen x

A Few Rescue Products ...

Bonjour!

These are products that I've used on an off (and re-purchased) for a while now- I find they each really help things along in their own little way ...!

Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner - my scalp is prone to itchy flaky areas at times if I'm stressed, run-down or have over-used certain hair products (I'm always subjecting my scalp to dry shampoo and hair powders). I just apply this cooling toner directly to the area/in the parting and it helps to calm the area down and temporarily stop those pesky flakes.

Simple Derma Intensive Relief Lotion - I usually stock up on this if it's on offer as it's a must-have if my eczema flares up  - the large bottle of lotion lasts for ages!  I also use it after shaving or if my skin is feeling a bit itchy and stressed (usually tops of my arms - no idea why) - it's perfume free and very gentle on the skin - it doesn't sting and stops any soreness developing.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion - I am a big fan of the Aveeno hand cream but found I was getting through one tube too many so I switched to buying this large 200ml tube of moisturising lotion. I keep this downstairs and use it as my hand cream. I find it just as moisturising as a regular hand cream and if anything more soothing/comforting plus the huge tube lasts and lasts.

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion -   Great to sweep over tired/puffy eyes in the morning (yep that's me!) to wake em up or if I'm feeling really decadent to use as a compress/eye mask type thing on cotton pads and get back in bed and lie back on a weekend (get me!).  I don't use it as an eye-make-up remover as I wear too much mascara and it's only suitable for removing light eye make-up. Also brilliant during the hay fever season - myself and my son have used this many a time to refresh sore, itchy hay fever eyes.

Nivea Rescue and Care SOS Body Lotion - leaves skin smooth, silky and plumped.  I've found this to be especially soothing on my hands (again? - yes again - my hands get very dry in all seasons!). Really seems to help lock the moisture in and keep it there and so protects skin from drying and cracking. (I found it especially effective when the weather was extra cold - was great to apply before going out to keep hands supple).  Also good on knees, elbow and any extra dry bits really!

So that's my little arsenal of must-haves, there are a few others I favour but didn't want to bombard you with too many at once so I'll save them for another post!

What are your favourite 'Rescue Products' and why?

Jen x

Bourjois Rose The - Little Round Pot Blusher ...

Bonjour...!

After mascara I'd say my next favourite make-up obsession is blusher. A girl can never have too many!  This is my Little Round Pot of Bourjois Rose The ... I think the translation is Tea Rose (can't work out how to get the accent / over the 'e' so if anyone knows please share!). It's not a proper review as everyone I know is familiar with Bourjois blushers - so just a bit of a musing ...!

I've used Bourjois blushes on and off for years and have a sort of love/hate relationship with them 'hate' is too strong a word I guess.  I love the range of colours, the packaging and they're a good price at £7.49 (got mine on 3 for 2 at Boots). They have a 'baked' texture (and I usually love baked products) but for some reason I  find these blushers somewhat difficult to work with at times - is it just me - maybe they're baked a bit too hard? It's not a blusher I can just 'touch' the brush to, I have to really work the brush around rather a lot to pick up the product (my own brush that is - don't tend to use the little one provided!). Once it's actually on the brush it applies ok - as long as I'm having a 'reasonable' skin day - if I'm feeling extra spotty, wrinkly or 'dry patchy'  it's not one I'd choose as it seems to emphasise all of the above (I think this is more so of the matte options).

Having said all that once it's on my kite it gives a good flush of colour, it can be used either on 'apples' or for more of a contour and it lasts well throughout the day. I absolutely love the colour of Rose The as it's a lovely fleshy, dusky pink with a slight hint of shimmer to it and I know from past experience that the pot will literally last for ages!

As I said - bit of a love/hate thing going on - I suppose it's a learning curve and I've come to know when to use this product and when to avoid for something a little more forgiving.  It's not the first time I've encountered these issues with the old Bourjois blush pot but there are so many tempting shades in the range bet it won't be the last!

What are your thoughts on the Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher?

Jen x