Who doesn't love Trinny?  I remember her and Susannah way back when on What Not to Wear and loved tuning in every week.  That, along with The Clothes Show, was my first foray into loving fashion.  Then Trinny burst onto our instagram feeds with her fun styling and beauty posts and unique enthusiasm, energy and sassiness.  How does she do it??!  And now we are all loving her make up brand Trinny London.  When I shared on my insta-stories that I was trying it out for a blog review, my son's girlfriend messaged to say she absolutely loves Trinny and her make up brand and it struck me as a huge sign of success that Trinny London appeals to all ages, us 50 something's and a 20 year old student.  

I was really delighted when Trinny London got in touch to ask if I'd like to choose a few items from their make up and skincare range and do a blog review!  Trinny Woodall launched Trinny London back in October 2017 with just her 'stack' concept but it quickly evolved.  I went for a consultation at their new beauty counter at Fenwick on Bond Street in 2018 and loved my purchases and they became a firm favourite in my make up bag.

​So to have a chance to add to my existing items and try out even more of the ever-expanding Trinny London range was fantastic!

​This is a gifted post and contains affiliate links.

What is a staycation!?  It is a holiday spent in one's own country rather than abroad or one spent at home involving day trips!  Mmm when my children were younger we often used to stay at home and have outings and we loved a traditional 'bucket and spade' holiday in the UK - especially to Devon or Dorset.  For a while we had a lovely big touring caravan which both children adored and although it was hard work for me, I agree it was a fantastic way to holiday with young children.  But I didn't expect in 2020 and 2021 to have no alternative but to 'staycation' .... I wouldn't say I am a big fan of travelling but I like to have the choice and as my children have got older I have enjoyed guaranteed sun and sun-loungers even more!  But here we are with the the UK government and governments around the world still restricting our travel (remind me what the vaccine is for if it isn't to save lives, reduce serious illness and open up the world economy and allow travel again)?

But it is what it is and nothing I can do!  I am very fortunate to have booked a week in Cornwall at a friends apartment overlooking the sea near Portwrinkle.  It was a spontaneous decision months ago, she said she had slots available still and I decided it was best not to hesitate!  

When I was asked if I would like to try out a new cooling pillow and a mulberry silk pillowcase from The Fine Bedding Company, I was really keen!  One of my most popular blog posts is about choosing the best duvet for menopause where I recommend swapping to a wool duvet!  So clearly menopausal night sweats and hot flushes are a big challenge for many of my readers.  But what are the benefits of a silk pillowcase?  And what is a cooling pillow!?

The Fine Bedding Company sent me their Smart Temperature Pillow with Activated Cooling Technology and their 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase.  There are other products in the temperature controlling range too, pillow protectors and mattress protectors as well as a duvet.

We all know the importance of wearing a sunscreen if we are out in the sun or sunbathing, gone are the days of laying in the sun and actually wanting to burn!  Gosh how naive we were in our teens!  But do we really understand why and what all the different sun protection options mean?  I love a tan but there is a big difference between looking sun-kissed with a healthy glow and having sun damage - and a tan is sun damage.  Being outside in the sun is so good for us - do not under estimate the benefits of Vitamin D on our general well-being, immune system, mental health and bone, muscle and heart health.  BUT the safest way to get a tan is slowly and through sunscreen!  And that is why a facial SPF for the sensitive skin on our face is non-negotiable.  Wear it every day, summer and winter.

But most of us want to wear make-up and slathering any old sunscreen onto our face doesn't quite cut it!  So I asked ERA Skin & Laser Clinic in Thame to explain to me what it is all about and how to choose an excellent all year round facial SPF that gives us the protection we need and works well under or instead of make-up.

​ERA Skin & Laser Clinic in Thame is owned by Emma Rothery and Emma got in touch with me to ask if I would like to come along to the clinic to try out a course of hyrdafacials and learn about the latest in skincare, how to look after my skin in midlife and share this knowledge on my blog.