miss b loves........favourite beauty products and a few new discoveries.

Last week I was tagged over at Lila Moonlight and the topic was favourite beauty products. Not only does she have a gorgeous collection but her photographs are beautiful too! I can definitely recommend a visit to her lovely blog. 

So my favourites.........

FACE

Firstly, to some extent, I am a creature of habit as far as skincare is concerned. I've been very happy and impressed with Clinique products for a few years now. Developed by dermatologists, allergy tested and fragrance free, they definitely suit my skin and I'm therefore reluctant to change my basic routine..

  Take the Day Off, Rinse-off Foaming Cleanser,

    Liquid Facial Soap, Clarifying Lotion, 

      Dramatically Different Moisturiser

I have tried different serums by other well-known brands but I have noticed a definite improvement since I switched to Repairwear Laser Focus. It may seem quite expensive but a little really does go a long way....

Bonus Time gifts are the perfect size for holidays and weekends away.....mini versions of everything I need and a supply of new make-up and toiletries bags too...........

BODY

I'm a fan of dry body brushing before a shower to stimulate circulation and to improve the appearance of the skin. There's an interesting fact sheet about the benefits of body brushing here on the Liz Earle website.

miss b loves.......Red Herrings and White Elephants

On Valentine's Day I prefer small, thoughtful and quirky gifts rather than grand gestures and when I opened this first little package I was instantly impressed with the cute double-sided gift wrap and the book cover!

Thoughtful and quirky.......you see, a couple of weeks ago, I had been saying that I wondered where the strange sayings we use daily actually come from. Well...they are all explained in this little book.......'raining cats and dogs'...'as sure as eggs is eggs'.....'no great shakes'......'to spill the beans'....even the origin of 'OK'....and 'to propose a toast'.....

So....an example.....to be 'given the sack' meaning to lose your job, dates back to the time when craftsmen travelled from place to place carrying their tools in a sack (long before toolboxes!) The sack was given to the employer for safe keeping and returned when their services were no longer needed. 'Fired' was when someone was caught breaking the rules or stealing and the tools were burned so that the worker would be unable to work again!!

So....if like me you are interested in the English language and all its odd idioms....then you too will enjoy it! In fact, it's really quite addictive..... and unbelievable just how many of these phrases we use without thinking about their origins.

My second little gift....cute travel-themed bookmarks......

miss b loves........attending The Marina Dalglish Appeal Grand Ball at Knowsley Hall

Last weekend we were fortunate enough to be able to attend The Marina Dalglish Charity Ball at Knowsley Hall, near Liverpool. It's not very often that you have the opportunity to go to such a glamorous event!! The long driveway was lined with flaming torches and the illuminated Hall looked stunning.

After a Champagne Reception in the main building, we made our way into the marquee.........beautifully decorated......a truly breathtaking sight and an amazing atmosphere...........

Cherry blossom trees with hanging candles were so effective as table centrepieces.....

miss b loves ...........bags

                                    

The number of bags in my wardrobe continues to grow almost as quickly as my shoe collection. This interest in bags has developed over the years and I'm just drawn to them in all their shapes and sizes. Fifty Bags that Changed the World by Design Museum was obviously the book for me...........

It describes each iconic bag which has had an impact starting with the original 1860 Gladstone red Budget Box used by dozens of
British Chancellors of the Exchequer on Budget Day........... 

......there's the carpetbag, newsboy bag, gas-mask bag and the schoolboy satchel (which seems to have had a revival - I especially like the Cambridge Satchel Company  range of sizes and colours!)

Of course the quilted  Chanel 2.55, allowing women to carry a handbag with their hands free, is featured........