Loud and Proud

As the sun is coming out to play more often now, I am starting to take care of more than just my fingernails. That's right. The socks are coming off. But, at this time of year, pre-holiday, the feet are pale and some colours will just make them look even more pasty. Steer clear of anything yellow, unless you already have a tan and opt for more orangey, pink and red hues. I even think anything too dark red looks too goth on white pins.

OPI are a no-brainer when it comes to nail colours. With more in-between shades that you can shake a top coat at, you are bound to find one perfect for your skin tone. Plus. following my confession for a secret flower addiction these shades (and their names too!) are after my own heart.

Part of the Nice Stems collection, Play the Peonies is a beautiful, sheer, soft pink. It has a touch of pearl, so can be build up for a retro Barbarella nude. But Come to Poppy is a killer. Bright, right side of coral with a big fat dash of pink. Suits ANY skintone and not too iridescent. I'm wearing them loud and proud.
OPI Nail Polish £10.50 each

Flower Addiction

I think I have become obsessed with flowers. I need a conservatory. A simple jog turns in to a flower expedition, as I have to smell each rose bush. And in supermarkets, I am like a flower fiend too. i am running out of pots and vases.

This is the season for roses and many other early summer blooms. And now that the weather is getting warmer, my previous moisturiser is starting to feel too heavy. So step in Sisley's Ecological Compound, an extremely versatile product - its light texture means you can use it as a moisturiser on its own, or as a serum, plus it helps to protect skin against environmental pollution.

But my favourite part is it's full of botanical goodness (Rosemary, Ginseng and hops) and smells like a bouquet of field flowers. So it goes some way to ease my flower addiction.

Sisley's Ecological Compound, £125 from Harrods or other excellent Department Stores.

Help From Big Daddies

The stress of all the travel is really wreaking havoc with my skin and hair.
After another trip, I have two pick-me-ups to look forward to in the comfort of my own home.
Cle des Champs Baume is the complete package that can be used on literally every part of your body. It replenishes the moisture lost on the planes, trains and automobiles. (Plus, it will last you for.e.v.e.r.)
Plus, Gielly Green's hairmask, which smells like vanilla and lemongrass leaves hair soft as silk and not limp and greasy.
Two big daddies that work in harmony to get me back to tip top shape. 

Gielly Green's Nourish Hairmask £29.50

Cle des Champs Baume, £78.00

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I have been travelling here, there and everywhere recently. I have noticed that I don't sleep well in hotels and with events to go to, I need to be able to trust good products to give me the glow of eight hours sleep. I read lots about cheat-sleep products and have found most of them to be empty hype, but then I came across Oskia's Get Up and Glow. I became a fan of Oskia when I discovered the Renaissance Mask during winter months, which is fantastic.
Get Up and Glow has the most delicious, iridescent colour to brighten any complexion. I find it works really well as a foundation primer. But I have also found, using this product, I need less foundation. With Hyaluronic Acid it really replenishes the skin of lost moisture. Finally, Butterbur reduces redness and irritation, which is most welcome on my still-healing face following my bike accident.
It has become my favourite travelling companion.

Oskia Get Up and Glow, £64.50

PS: Stamp collection from 1960s courtesy of my dad.

Greek Treats

Even after my holiday to Greece last year, I became obsessed with Greek yoghurt. I know it is not the most healthy thing in the world, but it my breakfast staple now and I cannot live without. So imagine my excitement when I found out that my favourite Greek Brand Korres have a Yoghurt Moisturising Mask?! It is perfect post-sun but also in winter I imagine. It actually smells of yoghurt mixed with honey, and is infused with Olive Oil for super soft skin afterwards.
It's yummy enough to eat.
Korres Yoghurt Moisturising Mask, £19.00

Pale Pastels

Although I keep reading about bright colours and fashion has gone acid crazy, I am still drawn to neutral pastels for summer. These Mavala nail polishes are super cute and super natural. The ooze calm and serenity and that’s what you need in a crazy metropolis. Plus, it helps that they are so dinky you can take one or three on holiday for pre and post-beach touch ups. 

Pictured, Rose Dust, Moon Grey and Khaki Vintage. The perfect pastel trio. 

Mavala Nail Polishes are £3.95 each

Detox Loophole

Since coming back from Istanbul and realising that I ate more meat in one week than I had in the whole previous month, I decided to go on a detox.  

But, that doesn't mean I still can't indulge a little. Malin + Goetz Rum Tonic fragrance is the perfect detox loophole. It's a heady mix of bergamot and leather all balanced nicely with a generous dash of rum. Cocktail anyone?
Malin + Goetz, Rum Tonic Eau de Toilette, £37.00

Flowery Memories

I am well and truly back home now. And it’s funny how after a couple of days it is almost as if you have never been away. This means that I need my creature comforts more than ever before to ease me back in to the pain of reality.

As I have expressed my love of roses before, I am also eternally in love with the rose’s cousin: the peony. They remind me of my grandparents who used to grow them in their garden. The smell is a gentle childish memory. But making a lovely peony fragrance is not easy. Like lilies of the valley, peonies do not yield an essential oil. L’Occitane has managed to get extract from the root of the peony for their new Pivoine Flora Eau de Parfum and it is the closest you’ll get to the real thing. It’s simply wonderful.

Furthermore, L’Occitane has also create a limited edition makeup range with lipsticks, bronzers and more, all infused with peony. If you are a fan of the smell of lipsticks, this one is the daddy of them all, meddled with a light peony scent. Pucker up girls!

Surrounding myself in flowers can at least help me to remember the fields of flowers in Greece and the two million tulip bulbs I was lucky enough to see bloom in Istanbul.

L’Occitane Pivoine Flora Eau de Parfum, £39
L’Occitane Pivoine Flora Lipstick, £12
L'Occitane Pivoine Flora Face Powder, £20