This is a very personal post, I hope that you will be able to find time to read, share or donate.  And if you fancy a treat .... read on to find out how to buy some homemade fudge made by a Norland student.  Thank you xx

Back in 1989 I was working at Lex Vehicle Leasing and I met my friends Tracey and Tina and then one night after boyfriend troubles, we organised a girls night out and Tracey introduced us to Jo!  The four of us have been friends for the past 31 years.  We've supported each other through the ups and downs of life, having babies, menopause, older parents and along the way we have had lots of laughter and some fabulous nights out, girls weekends and weekends away with the husbands!  Can't wait to see them again, damn you Covid!

But amongst the fun and friendship, there is also a really sad story that I'd like to share and I really hope that you will understand my decision to write about it on my blog and ultimately ask for some help.

Jo has two daughters, Jessica and Olivia.  Jessica is now 24 and is 6 months older than my son Alex.  Jo and her husband Steve along with Jessica were the only witnesses and guests at our wedding in 1998.

​Ten years ago Jessica became quite unwell.  It started after a virus infection and she also had some huge challenges with her mental health and it turned out it was all linked.  Jessica is now 24 but when she was 14 she was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or ME to keep it simple!

I do get asked to review quite a few skincare products for my blog and it is an honour to be asked and I always appreciate the opportunity, but I am far from a beauty expert, in fact I tend to have a very simple routine and don't buy a lot of different creams.  I am just like you, trying to work out what is best and navigating the ever-changing list of benefits and new miracle ingredients to try and find the holy grail, the best anti wrinkle cream!  I have been faithful to Liz Earle for many years.  But it is also lovely to experiment and find different beauty brands, especially ones I have not heard of, or as you know, I love to support small business owners.

The last year has meant many of us are now choosing to ditch the underwired bras and bikini panties in favour of more comfort and a soft bra or seamless t-shirt bra is a top choice. I recently read some research that said we are also preferring 'Bridget Jones Pants' and opting for a higher rise style!  I don't usually go for 'big knickers' but when Playtex got in touch to ask if I'd like to choose a lingerie set from their current range I thought I would try out that undie drawer staple - a black lingerie set but with a different style of pant - big knickers!  I also came across Kate Garraway's book 'The Joy of Big Knickers' .... have you read it?!

I was actually really lucky to have the opportunity to try out two sets, because Maidenform also sent me a bra and thong to try.  So let's have a look at the two 'black lingerie set' options.

Both have comfort in mind, both are black (but available in different colours too) and both are still really stylish and lovely to look at as well as feeling beautiful to wear.

Many years ago, I was suffering with some pain in a foot joint, my mum recommended I try dissolving some apple cider vinegar and honey in hot water every morning.  It tasted pretty sharp but I did as she said and continued for quite a number of weeks.  And it worked!  The pain never did return.  Since then I have continued to read about the benefits of 'Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother'.  So when Willy's Apple Cider Vinegar got in touch with me and asked if I'd like to try out one of their Wellness Boxes*, I was keen to find out more as I remembered my positive experience in the past.