It's the random one - holiday special.

Yes, we're back to beauty. 

And since I spent the best part of my evening last night trying to book a couple of days away for us in the Summer (apparently all decent hotels in Cornwall are booked in the first week of August. No surprise there then.... any suggestions gratefully received!), my thoughts have turned to Summer.  The holiday part of it - clearly ignoring all mentions of weather.

I've been meaning to do this since I got back from holiday the other week but this is a packing blog.  Starting with beauty, but finishing with something that little bit different.  It's clothes packing but with a bit of a difference...(you have been warned...)

Since it's beauty, it is therefore a very short blog as I am a) absolutely no expert in this field and b) unlike my penchant for handbags and shoes, when it comes to beauty, I am "less is more" (leaving more in the kitty therefore for shoes and bags).  All of these things I myself have purchased and repurchased.  These aren't reviews, these are things I love and use all the time.  And have probably mentioned before but I am randomly asked a lot what do I use and these are all you will need for your holiday. (note the lack of actual suncream.  This is a UK holiday we're talking about).

If we're discussing beauty then this is the best bargain I've come across in ages.  I am a massive Emma Hardie fan.  In fact, it's my every day life saver.  And I always order a kit to take away with me so I don't have to take my massive pot of Moringa Balm.  

Didn't think when I was ordering this one and assumed that it would be travel sizes.  That'll be a no.  And that'll be, get ordering immediately as I'm sure once they realise, they'll remove it.  Even better you can click and collect from M&S so no delivery fee either.

50ml of Moringa Balm which is worth £19 (usually comes in 100ml) - and cleansing cloth
50ml of Amazing Face Cream which is usually £42 (this is full size)
30ml of Brilliance Facial Oil which is usually £34 (again, this is the full size product)

So £95 worth of product for a bargain £49.  The full size products you can actually buy from M&S on the same page for the higher prices.  I hadn't used the oil before and I am a complete convert.  When you follow with the face cream - honestly, I have never used a combo I like more and that has made my skin as dewy and fresh as it has been in years (I should probably point I am absolutely No beauty expert at all.  Just a regular 43 yr old battling with cranky skin like the rest of us).

Emma Hardie Daily Essential Collection from M&S £49



I am then also going to try the Protect & Primer Cream as it has an SPF in it and the one above doesn't.  

Protect & Primer Cream SPF30 from Emma Hardie £45


Moving onto two products that I have been using for a while now and get my pasty wally skin through the Summer.

Starting with my face and this honestly lasts forever.  You only need to use every other day (which is why I am awful as I don't use an SPF the rest of the time. I know, I know...) and you only need less than a pea size.  It's like the tardis. 

Chanel Soleil Identite in Bronze £30



And then, the good old fake tan.  Yes there are loads out there and I have tried most of them.  St. Tropez, St, Moritz, Vita Liberata, Fake Bake and others but this is definitely the best I've used.  Why is it the best?  Well, there is absolutely no smell.  It goes on evenly and is a lovely golden colour with not a hint of orange at all (even the darker shade which I - she who can be seen from space - sometimes uses).  But most importantly for me, it fades completely evenly.  So evenly, I find you don't even need to use an exfoliator (which I know you should..but we've already established I am a no hoper beauty slut) between applications.  Oh and it lasts a good three to four days.  It says a week.  Hmmm.  No.  Or maybe that's just my skin.  Clearly it doesn't get the most love and attention.

Always use the mitt (any mitt will do although I do think theirs is possibly the cheapest) and moisturise knees (mine take a while...), ankles, elbows - all the dryer bits.  Then just whack it on.  It's as easy as that.  Seriously, if I can do it, anyone can.  And just go.  You can wash it off as there is a guide colour but I am never that organised, so I just leave it on and tan as I go!  I then try and remember to wash it off before I go to bed.  However having established my level of beauty dedication, I never remember and have to wash the sheets the next day.  I am that woeful.

This however is all sorts of amazing and my life saver for the Summer.

Cocoa Brown One Hour Mousse £7.99



Make up.  Well.  I wear very little on holiday.  But the one thing which makes all the difference is my Nars Multiple.  Much prefer this to the powder.  I find it gives a better sheen, you only have to take one thing as opposed to a brush as well (yes, I am that lazy) and it goes in two seconds flat.  I'm assuming you all know it's a blusher (I'm saying that ... that's what I use it as.  And it works just perfectly!).

Nars The Multiple in Orgasm £24


The other must have piece of make up kit that I've found is a cross between a lipstick and a lip balm.  Now before I mention it - can I please point out, this is the most expensive lippie thingy I've ever bought.  But it has completely been worth it.  LOVE.

The Tom Ford Moisturecores £39  After trying every colour in New York, I decided on the Otranto.  Which is perfect.  I am no colour describer and I honestly think these look different on everyone, but it's a darker shade of natural lip.  These are sheer but have enough colour to look like you're wearing lippie.  Does that remotely make sense?  I was told that this was the most popular shade and did work on everyone (this was by the Sales Assistant in Saks from whom I got the impression they do sort of say what they think you might want to hear).

And if anyone is interested - these work out cheaper here than in New York.  Go figure.





And then onto my favourite Summer perfume.  Now this is going to sound naff as you like but when we go to Suffolk I always take the same perfume.  The kids say it always reminds them of there - it's amazing how scent can evoke so many memories (I hope they're all good..!).  It completely appeals to my ridiculous sense of sentimentality.

The one I always take is Jo Malone French Lime Blossom £85

And I have to say, the best thing I took with me this time (the joy of driving and being able to pack a toiletry bag the size of a car) was a luxury shower gel and moisturiser (full size - I'm too tight to buy travel versions of these).  Now I was fortunate enough to pick these up at Bicester but they honestly make such a difference to starting my day (and you need so little each time that they last for months.  I do promise I shower every day by the way...) I will definitely treat myself at full price when they finally run out. 

My other favourite Jo Malone scent which I wear regularly is the Lime Basil and Mandarin and the Grapefruit shower duo work perfectly with both this and the French Lime Blossom as a layering combo.  

Jo Malone Grapefruit Body & Hand Wash £28



And the Body and Hand Lotion £38


But I do have some packing tips as well for clothes.  Courtesy of some work I've done with hush homewear and a video - yes an actual real life video on You Tube for their website.  

Voila!  Hope you enjoy it as I actually can't watch it.  The children watched it for a minute this morning and suffice to say, I didn't find their rolling around on the sofa in hysterics, remotely reassuring... Although the 11yr old did acquiesce it was "quite cool".  And she also found out where I'd got my sarong from that she's been trying to steal (and that I can totally confirm works perfectly as a scarf!)




Super handily so you don't have to scan the entire video, a quick link to my favourite items.  This is me sorted for our Summer holiday in Suffolk as well.  I'll be exploring packing in more detail come the Summer and will be including (hopefully...) fewer jackets and more dresses.  One can hope... 

Finishing with outfit from today.  Trying to be vaguely summery... Summer - enough is enough.  Pitch up any time you feel like it. 


Black and off white breton jumper - H&M
Off white boyfriend Hayden jeans - All Saints
Black boucle jacket - Isabel Marant
Black Leather Falcon Espadrilles - Seven Boot Lane (back in stock)

So tomorrow it's due to... pour with rain again.  Of course!  I'm consoling myself with more sales researching.  Remembering all my rules from yesterday of course... 


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CONVERSATION

45 comentarios:

  1. Great video, you are a natural, weirdly, although I know you live in the South, in my head you had a Northern accent, its freaked me out!!

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    1. I was expecting a soft Irish brogue, haha!

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    2. Ha ha ha! My mum was Irish. But actually she was brought up in India so didn't have an accent either! I'm only half Irish.. (it's the husband who has two Irish parents but he was bought up here too!)

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  2. What a lovely voice you have!

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    Replies
    1. Aww thank you! (I can't listen to it!)

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  3. Ahhh it's so weird to hear your voice, you didn't sound how you sound in my head AT ALL!! Loved it, great video, you're a natural xx

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  4. I of course have had the benefit of speaking to you when I bumped into you at Bluewater last October so your voice was no surprise .... Hee hee! Great video, really good, you should be on TV x

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  5. I thought you'd sound Irish?! Well done you are a natural x

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    1. Ha ha no! But I can do a cracking accent.... tis all in the genes. x

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  6. Isn't it weird when hear the voice you've been reading for 3 years , I had you down as Trinney Woodall sound a like ! Your own voice is far nicer ��

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  7. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cornwall+hotel+and+spa&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#fpstate=lie

    Try the Cornwall Hotel - link attached. It is beautiful and so relaxing and is located on the south coast. Good luck x

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    1. Checked that out thank you and it looks gorgeous but they do a min 7night stay and we only want a couple of nights. But thank you - definitely bookmarked xx

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  8. Wow, you looked so chic and poised on camera! You should totally be on TV! xx

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  9. Some good products there, like the sound of the John Malone perfumes, I'm a Aqua Allegoria fan and these sound just as fresh and summery.
    If it helps I was in Copenhagen on business yesterday and we had flash flooding in the morning, then tha ac wasn't working on the train,so we had 3 and a half hours of uncomfortable heat on the way home!
    Danish Pastry

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    1. That should read Jo Malone, sometimes I hate spell check!
      Danish Pastry

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    2. Tee hee! Still dismal weather here. Ugh.

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  10. Children can be very cruel can't they! I promise that I didn't laugh once! Great tips and I love the sarong.

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    1. The sarong is amazing - well - scarf as I call it!

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  11. Forgot to bring my earphones to work, doh! Will watch over the weekend, am intrigued to hear what you sound like! I got the Chanel face tan on your recommendation and its great, i use only a tiny amount, but I'm really surprised at the pong of it! Have been using Cocoa Brown for years, its great.. and I got the Nars orgasm blush last week and I'm soo disappointed in it, now I really wish I got the Orgasm stick..gutted. Love these posts.. have a great weekend, Audrey x

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    1. Aw no - I have to say I do think the multiple is so so much better than the powder... get it in a different shade?!

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  12. Wow well done very impressive. Lovely to hear your voice.

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  13. Love, love, love the video ... next stop national television for sure! If it makes you feel any better, when my DD saw my latest video, she laughed so hard that she fell off the bed. Children ... what do they know?!!!

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  14. I have to say, I am not a fan of Hush. They have been one of the rudest, least helpful organisations I've ever had to deal with! The woman was so rude dealing with me that I sent an email out at work to warn people off them. I work for a big organisation of over 200 people!! You've obviously had a different experience! Xx

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear that. I've worked with them for a couple of years and have found them to be nothing but kind, helpful and considerate. I'm sure if you contacted them again they would be more than happy to address your concerns xxx

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  15. Bought the Emma Hardie m and s set as love face oil and love your recommendations as well. Something I've discovered is Nuxe cleansing water with rose petals - does the job, no stingy or tightness and smells divine - thanks!

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    1. The M&S set is amazing you will LOVE it!

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  16. Watergate Bay hotel is beautiful.

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    1. They couldn't accommodate 5 of us... *weeps*

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  17. Omg love your voice. You are definitely a natural in front of the camera too. You need to get a fashion spot on This Morning. Move over Trinny!

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  18. You look fab! Total natural. I have to say I adore Hush and have found them, in my experience, to have the best customer service around. Bought the military jacket last spring and 2 poppers fell off. Left a review this year saying about the poppers, and they emailed me the next day asking me to return the jacket for a free of charge replacement! I had bought it a year ago! AND the happily exchanged for a smaller size as I've lost weight!
    Also, what jumper are you wearing in the video? Desperately searching for a white thin jumper seeing as summer is obviously not coming. Is it the Hush linen one?

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    1. I'm so pleased to hear that. They really are the most amazing company to work with. The loveliest loveliest people ever. It is the Hush linen tee that i'm wearing.. the long sleeved one... with a gold vest underneath xxx

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  19. Aww thank you. Wouldn't know where to start with doing a Vlog!! And don't talk to me about the weather. Ugh.

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  20. You sound exactly how I imagined. TV job coming it's way to you soon I predict!! Great to hear you and I second what someone else said about a vlog. Ps love your style x

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  21. You sound exactly how I imagined. TV job coming it's way to you soon I predict!! Great to hear you and I second what someone else said about a vlog. Ps love your style x

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  22. Cool. Love it although the Kat I know is A.LOT.MORE.FRENETIC (in a gorgeous, lovely way) My Father was born and raised in India. Just saying. I think a presenting job beckons. XXX

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    Replies
    1. I was trying to be slightly less bat sh*t crazy than usual!!!

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  23. Well blow me down. I had convinced myself that you would sound Irish what with Irish holidays to see your Mum and first holy communions. How wrong can you be. Very professional delivery for what its worth.

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