May 2007 Archives

So many of the cosmetic companies are now promoting products in the form of pen style applicators.

A few that are top of my list are Yves Saint Laurent Nail Lacquer Brush Pen. No longer do you have to be a contortionist to apply colour and keep the bottle upright at the same time. All you do with this revoluntionary type applicator is just press the base of the pen which loads the brush ready to apply, so much easier. In a variety of lovely colours Boothroyds.

Sticking with nail products Sally Hansen has a huge range but their Cuticle & Nail Moisture Treatment is brilliant. All you do is twist the base of the pen which releases lovely almond smelling oil ready to paint around your cuticles which worked their magic after just a few applications.Boots

Clarins Eclat Minute Eye perfecting base is brilliant for crepey eyelids, by just twisting the base it enables you to brush the cream on to your eyelids which can be used alone or add eye shadow on top if you prefer. Debenhams.

After all that I was in need of some refreshment so stopped off at Boxtree Nurseries in Churchtown to have tea and a wonderful piece of home made apple cake. You can sit inside or out and it is so pleasant in a lovely conservatory within garden surroundings. www.boxtreenursery.com

Whilst up that end of town I had a wander round Churchtown Interior's in Cambridge Road where Paul gave me a tour of his newly extended premises which are choc a bloc with lovely furniture, lamps, and huge display of pictures. So many interesting gift idea's including some unusual jewellery.

Have you tried any of this range, if not I urge you to do so. The body cream oil in particular is wonderful, it is just as the description states, oily cream, which you instantly feel is doing your skin good. The other products I have tried are the shampoo and the roll on deodorant both of which are excellent. Available at Boots and most supermarkets.

Hi Lesley - If you are embarassed about getting an all-over tan at a salon just invest in a spray of Fake Bake, their new gold variety is wonderful. Spray it all over and the jobs done. If however you decided to be brave then Pure Indulgence use these products and have salons at Ainsdale and Churchtown and would be happy to do it for you. There is also a very smart salon at Hillside called Chamelon which uses Fake Bake as well, whilst there ask them about their eye product which is magic!!

One of my favourite television progs. is "Dragon's Den" unfortunately someone always pips me to the post with an idea I have thought of ages ago!

The appearance of Levi Roots singing his very catchy rap to promote his Raggae Jerk BBQ Sauce sent me running off to buy a bottle and my is it powerful. I have used it to marinade chicken, which I then sauted and added then some creme fraiche to tone it down! Its great as a dip and added to almost any dish. Available from Sainsbury's. 1.49

Do treat yourself to a visit to the Food and Drink Festival. I went along to the launch event last night and it was so good. I tasted far too much of course but it was worthwhile. My first venture into snails was a wow from La Vie Francais the little bistro in the arcade, Southport shrimps from James Peet of Banks, and wonderful striped tomatoes from Flavourfresh who are the main suppliers to M & S and I have mentioned those in my Check out column recently, all their varieties on show tasted as though they had just come out of the greenhouse and had that wonderful smell.
Of course it wouldn't have been complete without John and Jenny from Boyd's Deli in Union Street. they had their wonderful cheeses to taste. Watch this space for chat about their cafe will report on that soon. Still waiting for your contributions folkes!!

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO SEARCH OUT FOR YOU. MY PASSION IS FOODIE ITEMS, YOURS MAY BE COSMETICS, FASHION OR HOUSEHOLD THINGS. I AM YOUR FLEXIBLE SHOPPING FRIEND JUST KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ME.

AT THE SAME TIME, MY MOTHER ALWAYS SAID AN OUTING IS NOT A PROPER OUTING WITHOUT A COFFEE/TEA ETC, SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR FAVOURITE HAUNTS AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW MINE.
LOVE FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON.

I had a really lovely start to my week ,on Monday morning I went for a facial to the Clarins consultant in Debenhams. They have a cosy treatment room and lovely Clare administered a selection of the most wonderful smelling products, they felt almost good enough to eat, particularly the peach cleanser. I was left to relax for 15 mins. and could have stayed there much longer as I was so comfortable. This service is available to anyone booking an appointment at a cost of £15 which you can use against the purchase of any Clarins product, but there is definitely no pressure to do so, and Clare was so knowledgeable and talked me through each stage in detail. I plan to visit again but this time to be educated on makeup as I am hopeless with that!!!

IN the past few weeks, we have all been able to put away those bottles of fake tan and instead turn to those sun protection products.
My particular favourite is CLINIQUE body spray SPF 15 12.50 which always makes me feel happy because it has the smell of holidays as soon as you apply it to your skin.