This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
We’ve been on the hunt again so here are some more top product recommendations for you all…
Well, Marvellous-Mother-In-Law is full of good ideas and one of her suggestions is a microfibre cloth. Not the brand we all know and love, this particular one is a deluxe version (but not a deluxe price) from a company called Must Have Ideas. I have only ever used E-cloths up until now so was a little sceptical. But, MMIL obviously knows best because these slightly larger, much “fluffier” cloths are fantastic. Made to last, endlessly washable, amazingly absorbent and never leave streaks. And so much cheaper at £11.99 for a pack of 6.
One of the late effects of the radiotherapy I had last September is very dry skin blotches on my breast and upper chest. I tried various emollient creams for a couple of months until the pharmacist at my local chemist suggested I apply one called Cetraben.
It comes in a largish pump dispenser and the cream has been reassuringly effective. So, if you or a relative has very dry skin, I can really recommend this inexpensive yet efficacious cream.
Cetraben Dermatological Emollient Cream £12.60 from Amazon
Fragranced candles – you either love them or hate them. I do have several in my house and often light one in the kitchen after I’ve been cooking. But my fave way to fragrance a room is a diffuser because it gently emits its fragrance day and night. My absolute favourite is one recommended to me by Marvellous-Mother-In-Law. It’s called British Expedition from Charles Ferris. A single diffuser scents my study and the hall outside (unlike other brands I’ve tried where you have to stand immediately above the diffuser to smell anything!) It’s an elegant fragrance of warm cloves and light ginger mixed with the freshness of sweet tobacco and mint tea. £38 from Charles Ferris Refills available for £26.
Here’s a product that’s elevated by cannabis. Many of our generation can say that we’ve smoked it but hey ladies that’s so passé these days! Now CBD is omnipresent in products far and wide – including skincare. But why? Well because it has earned a good reputation due to its ability to strengthen the skin barrier, soothe reactive skin and balance oil production. Check out Mantle, a brand who produce professional skincare. I have been using The Rebound Serum which is designed to provide our skin with bounce and smoothness and is packed with powerful botanical stem cells, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and, of course, CBD. Perfect for skin with experience. Have a look at their product range here
If you love sneakers, I urge you to check out the range at Mandarina. Super comfortable, wear all day long sneakers. Just adore them.
What about these baby blue leather sneakers for example… aren’t they just gorgeous. Super soft, very comfortable and even better they have super-handy elasticated ‘easy laces’ which you do not have to undo. Brilliant.
Dress up your leather sneakers or dress them down, and they’ll always make fashion fun!
Is this the world’s best neck cream? Well, I’m a big fan of Prai’s Ageless Throat & Decolletage Creme and have been using it for years. Let’s get real, it won’t turn a turkey neck to a swan’s neck but, in my humble opinion it definitely works to smooth out some of those lines. I apply a blob every day using downward strokes. Marvellous stuff.
Try 15ml for just £8.30 or 50ml for £16.76 at Amazon
Thanks to Gill Studd for her culinary recommendation – Bomba! Tomato Purée. She says it’s a next level tomato paste enriched with soffrito and wine to add that slow-cooked flavour to just about anything.
£2 from Waitrose.
And, to end this article, a balancing trick. I was at a craft fair in Arundel a couple of months ago when I spotted this pretty wooden tray from Debbie’s Handmade Gifts. It has spring loaded legs to grip the arm of your chair or settee and is very reasonably priced. Check out them out on Facebook or email Debbie for more info.
Loads more fantastic finds on this website – see them here