Bath time

One of the nice things about having a baby is that when people aren't giving you presents for the baby they are giving you lovely things just for you. Husbands seem to miss out rather. Last night while wallowing I realised I'm nearly out of my post-baby bath treats and decided to narrow it down to my top three. All of these I would buy for friends who were expecting or had just popped or indeed who I thought need a little bit of stress relief at bath time... except the Mother's Bath Oil. I would probably keep that to just be for expectant and new mothers.These are in no particular order although in terms of smell the Arran Aromatics bath bubbles has the slight edge for me but disaster, when researching it I discovered that they have recently completely ruined a lovely product. As you'll see from the rather ranty end to this review.

Neal's Yard Mother's Bath Oil

Lavender Bath Salts from the Long Barn - famous for its lavender products the Long Barn bath salts are not only infused with lavender but also almond oils both of which are fantastic for... well your lower areas after giving birth. The lavender is also famous for soothing and relaxing and I can't really stress enough how nice those post baby baths are - 10 minutes or so where its just you and a handful of these feels really properly spoiling. The lavender bits do need to be rinsed from the bath but your other half can do that. £12 for 300g.

Mother's Bath Oil from Neal's Yard - again this contains almond oil which is what you need after having a baby but what I love about this one is it's a lovely alternative to lavender. It does contain lavender but it's overall smell is more apricot and citrus with the lavender more as an undertone. It also contains olive oil so very good for leaving the skin feeling moisturised. £14.75 for 100ml.

Original packaging for Arran Aromatics

Essential Lavender/Island Spa Bath and Shower Gel from Arran Aromatics - now this I think is my favourite because it is such an unusual lavender smell. It is, however a victim of marketing men having one meeting too many. It was called Essential Lavender and it sort of was - it is such a fantastic smell and so relaxing and it just sort of feels luxurious and the packaging is all smart and grown up. And yet I go to their website to get more details and I'm informed that 'going forward' they have decided Essential Lavender should be called Island Spa. Island Spa does not say Lavender to me... it sounds a bit sickly floral. Not anything I would look at particularly. And the packaging. Oh god the packaging looks like a kid's sun lotion bottle not a nice bath treat for a grown up. I'm sad to say I can no longer vouch for what's in the bottle - I'm hoping they haven't lost it completely and changed this gorgeous smelling bubble bath but I don't know. Big mistakes all round I think. You can still find the old design in some places - Bath and Unwind seem to have it, at a fantastic price too.

Party Time

Congratulations to Amy Winehouse who won five awards at last nights grammy's. I really hope she is on the road to recovery. And I'd also like to say HURRAH because although it is rather early in the year the daffodils are back and they are my favourite.

Miss F and I had a fantastic time at the launch party for BrandAlley's launch party. 33 Portland Place was packed with celebrities and others lucky enough to land an invite. I have to say - typically I'm ever thinking of my stomach - the nibbles were fantastic and it was filled with beautiful items from BrandAlley's amazing brands and designers. As a private sales boutique with up to 70% off an huge selection of clothes and accessories you've got to check it out. American Apparel is the sale on at the moment - a must for all you cashmere lovers.

February has failed to be more flush than January but luckily I was the winner of a green award at work and was presented with my presents a couple of weeks ago so have been trying them out and wallowing in the gorgeous Neal's Yard Geranium and Orange. My goodies for being green were chosen from Origins - which is always one of the places I promise to treat myself when I have some money... which never happens. I am constantly struggling to find the perfect foundation and although Origins Nude and Improved is fantastic I still need something a little more. However, this is not meant to be a foundation this is a foundation free way of making your skin look smooth and flawless. I find that using it and then smoothing a little foundation over the bits that really need it. But you have to be careful - smooth and blend all make-ups and foundations somewhere well-lit and take special care on the jaw and brow lines and eyebrows. There is nothing worse than a foundation mark that ends abruptly at the bottom of the cheek.

My other treat was their New The Way of the Bath Matcha Tea Body Scrub which contains Japanese Green Tea and Sea Salt. This is a really nice light scrub that reinvigorates you and polishes the skin. A real start of the year treat. xx

Aches and Pains

I’m sitting on my sofa after a lovely weekend of sun, picnics, booze and ponies. Yes ponies. Well horses to be precise and now I’m trying to think about what to write about and to be honest… sitting down is not the most comfortable thing in the world right now. Ok, I’ll start from the beginning. I used to ride horses a lot but stopped when I was about 17. Yes there were boys, A-levels and illicit drinking in the Threshers car park, and these somewhat diverted me from something I had always loved. Luckily Daddy B still has a trusty steed and today I was lent a lovely mare to ride. It was great to see the bluebells and literally be back in the saddle but I’m paying for it now. Or at least my bottom is. Coupled with a rather violent game of swingball in Regents Park on Saturday afternoon I’m aching in a way I don’t remember experiencing before. So, although I have two pieces forming about much more worthwhile and exciting things (skin care for the older Misses and what is actually in these products that we use), right now all I can think about is a hot relaxing bath. So today I’m going to see what is best for wallowing and all with Little Miss F listening to the accordion music on the Captain Pugwash site (don’t ask).

For Mother’s Day I got Mumma B Origins Ginger Float. You can just scoop a bit out with your hand and throw it in and for all you morning bathers out there Mumma says that’s when it is best. For something more long lasting Little Miss F, the bath Queen, recommends Neals Yard Geranium & Orange Bath Oil. It keeps your skin moisturised and although it smells a bit strange in the bottle it’s gorgeous in the bath. For a real treat you can go and hand pick yourself a Bath Ballistic from Lush. They aren’t as scary as they sound and it’s like choosing pick and mix. They change their ‘flavours’ quite often so I haven’t tried their most recent ones but I’ve picked out which I want. Golden Slumbers Bath Ball with Lavender and Camomile, Butterfly Ball Ballistic which smells of honeysuckle and has little butterflies inside, and Rose tinted Tisty Tosty with its supposed magic spells. All that would only be about £8!!

If you have sensitive skin you have to be really careful about what you put in your bath, although I find that this depends on what time of year it is. Very few things moisturise as well as Oilatum Plus Bath Emollient - 500ml. Designed for dry skin it contains no fragrances or emulsifiers it is like having a bath with nothing in it but the effect is noticeable. It also means you can use yummy soaps and not worry about them dehydrating you. The I Coloniaili Soaps (see treat of the week) are my favourite with the White Company a close second.

Radox are well known in the aromatherapy market. At home Mumma B always has my bathroom stocked with their Radox Herbal Bath Sleep Easy - 500ml with Lavender – well known for aiding sleep, something that often eludes me. But what I really need now is their Muscle Soap Herbal Bath Salts. I’m slightly suspicious of this because it is made with Thyme which I’m pretty sure I don’t want to soak in but I am sure that if anything is going to work this will. Maybe I’ll be daring and treat myself to some tomorrow. That’s if I can walk. xx