The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

This book was brilliant.  I like books which are kind of based on historical events by are actually fiction (does that make sense!) and I learned lots from this book.  I also thought it was a good length as I hate it when you get a good book that is really short and you don’t want to read it because you don’t want it to end!

Mr Norris Changes Trains by Isherwood

From reading the back cover this doesn’t sound like it’s going to be great but it actually surprised me and I really got into it.  I had a few books by Isherwood for Christmas so look out for them in future book lists!

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carre

I really, really wanted to like this book but I just didn’t get it.  There seemed to be too many characters and I didn’t really follow the plot.  To be honest, I’m not entirely sure I know what happened in the end!  Maybe I should watch the film instead?!

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

I loved The Time Travelers Wife and this book was just as good, if a bit odd! There are a few twists in this which I wasn’t expecting so I’d definitely recommend it.
Has anyone read any of these? What did you think of them?

The starter kit contains cleansing cream, facial toner, a mini lavender bath and a muslin cloth.  I was also lucky enough to win a Melissa day cream so I had a whole new skincare regime.  The starter kit comes with instructions (just as well as I had no clue what lavender bath was!) which include a description of the best way to apply your cleanser.  I didn’t know there was any specific way to apply cleanser but it turns out you are supposed to press and roll your fingers.

The first step of cleansing is to put a few drops of the lavender bath into a basin of warm water, dip in the muslin and then hold over your face for a few seconds.  I don’t think the lavender bath really does anything for your skin but it makes the water smell gorgeous and makes you feel like you are really pampering yourself.  The lavender bath comes in a little glass vial and unfortunately, somebody knocked it off the sink and smashed it after I’d only used a few times.  It was probably my fault for leaving it on the side!

Anyway, back to the point, once you have used the lavender bath, you cleanse using the special Dr Hauschka cleansing technique.  The cleanser also gently exfoliates at the same time.  To make sure you get all the cleanser off, you use the muslin dipped in the lavender bath again.  Next you spray the toner over your face.  The spray on the toner is really good at spreading it out evenly in a mist over your face (does that make sense?!).  I’ve had toners before where the nozzle just sprays it out more like a jet than a mist.  Finally you apply the day cream.  I really like the smell of this but I do find that it can take a few minutes to sink in properly.  The website says that it is suitable for oily skin but I find that if I use too much it leaves my skin quite greasy and I’ve got normal/dry skin.  I would have thought that it might be too heavy for oily skin?

Since I’ve started using this range my skin has felt really clean and less dry than usual.  I think using the muslin makes a big difference as it makes sure you get all the product off.  The only thing I don’t like about the range is the packaging – I prefer pretty packaging!  You can buy all of the products separately from the website or get the starter kit for £39.95 and the day cream for £23.95.

1. Detangles
2. Imparts incredible softness
3. Reduces frizz
4. Build up free
5. Preserves hair colour
6. UV protection
7. Hydrates hair and scalp
8. Restores shine
9. Infuses strength and vitality
10. Thermal styling protection

I was sent the shampoo, hair mask and leave-in conditioner and I’m really impressed by how good they are.  Even after I’ve used the shampoo, before I have used the hair mask, my hair feels softer and less tangled than usual which has never happened with any shampoo I’ve ever used – normally, if I don’t condition my hair, there is no way on earth I could get a comb through it!

My favourite product from the range is the hair mask. I’ve been using it every day in place of my normal conditioner and it has made a big difference to how healthy my hair looks and feels.  The hair mask is very moisturising so I’m not sure everyone would need to use it daily, but even if you have normal, unfrizzy hair it would be a nice product to use maybe once or twice a week to give some extra hydration.

I use the leave in conditioner after I’ve applied a bit or serum and my hair is dry to just get rid of any last bits of frizz.  It’s a handy product to have because I find that I can miss bits of my hair with the serum so it’s there as a back up!  It’s also good to have when your hair needs a bit of a touch up during the day.

Using all three products leaves my hair really moisturised but even just using the mask on its own makes a massive difference to my hair.  Below are some photos taken when I’d been using the range for a week or so.  Most of the products I’ve used in the past haven’t been able to make my hair look that smooth and soft!

You can buy this range from Sally Express but I’ve also been offered 5 of the hair masks to giveaway to my readers.  If you’d like one, just leave a comment telling me which of the ten haircare benefits would help your hair the most.

You must be a follower of my blog to enter – you can either follow with Bloglovin or Feedburner (link on the sidebar) or on my new Google page. 

You can also get some extra entries if you ….

• Like my Facebook page

• Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway, including the link to this page and @hels89 so that I can see it

I will randomly choose 5 winners on Monday 21st May.

Which is your favourite design?

• 250g self raising flour
• 200g caster sugar
• 225ml Rachel’s Apple and Elderflower Yoghurt
• 50 g butter
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Mix the butter and sugar to a breadcrumb consistency. Beat in the yogurt. Then fold in the flour and bicarbonate of soda. Split into cupcake cases and bake for around 15 minutes. (I ended up with loads of cakes – 11 normal sized ones and about 12 mini ones).

Out of all the products I was sent, my favourite would have to be the rice puddings. They are the nicest, creamiest, non homemade rice puddings I’ve ever had in the world!

Rachel’s products are all made using locally sourced organic ingredients and are available in supermarkets throughout the country.