I’ve been really slack at doing my monthly favourites of late, and it’s not because there hasn’t been anything floating my boat. It’s just that the months are flying by and despite mentally filing things away under the ‘I really must blog about this’ heading, I just haven’t had a chance to share the things I’m loving. So, by way of a peace offering, here are a few things that have been making me smile recently….

• Neals Yard Hypericum and Calendula Cream – I truly believe every mother with small children should purchase a tube of this wonder cream! While most people are aware of the benefits of arnica and will apply it to their toddlers precious head every time it takes a knock (it helps prevent bruising and it never leaves my nappy bag) this is a lesser known alternative therapy. I was reminded of its excellence when Jesse took a tumble at nursery earlier this week. He had a nasty graze on his nose that couldn’t be helped with arnica as it’s not suitable for application to broken skin. This on the other hand soothes redness, relives sore skin and encourages healing. After an evenings worth of regular application, Jesse awoke with a neat little scab on the tip of his tiny nose that hasn’t given him any bother at all. And don’t let the children have all the fun, this is great on any sore, broken skin that needs some help healing and mending itself (yes, I’m talking about that pimple you just couldn’t resist picking *yuk*)!
• Dior Rose Diamond Highlighter – I don’t know what prompted me to delve down into the depths of my make-up collection and dust off this beauty but I’m so glad I did, it’s very, very pretty. Rose Diamond is a finely-milled, dream to apply powder that is perfect paired with MAC’s Well Dressed blush and to be honest, I’ve worn nothing else all week.
• Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara – I’m very loyal to Max Factor when it comes to mascara and I tend to switch between this one and the Masterpiece Max. I’m loving the effect I’m getting from this one at the moment and I’d urge anyone that likes voluminous, sultry lashes to give this a whirl if they haven’t already. The brush is mahoosive and I don’t experience any clumping at all, my lashes just look very thick and black and very defined. Love it!
• MAC Bough Grey e/s – I hate to feature a LE product (but then the late, great Magpie Sparkles did discover that Scene from the permanent line is a near perfect dupe for this shade). I’ve been wearing this constantly recently. Today I smudged a tiny bit into my upper and lower lash line and applied lashings of mascara (see above) for a vary lazy look but earlier in the week I was loving it in the crease with a wash of Vex all over the lid and a little Deep Truth along the lash line.
• Prestige Total Intensity Liner in Fierce Blue – I’ll pair nothing else with Deep Truth now, this liner is so perfect, so fierce! It’s a really blackened blue that gives just the right amount of smokiness without the harshness of black. It lasts amazingly well too, which is always a bonus.
• Jesse’s Alligator Robe – Do I need to explain this one? Sooooo cute!

I’m also totally hooked on some new Aveda haircare, the entire Lush Christmas range (but especially Glogg shower gel, yummy!) and Nigella’s Express recipe book, 30 minute meals have been a god send this week!

Loveaudrey xxx