TOYL (Time Of Your Life) is a beauty box created specially for women over 40, women in midlife, who want to learn more about how to care for their skin and enjoy trying out some of the newest, most exciting and innovative skincare products available.  

TOYL was founded by Karen Davis, an ex-PR and award-winning beauty blogger, she has also written a best selling book about how to live brilliantly in midlife, called The Time Of Your Life and has worked with some of the UK's top newspapers and magazines.

The beauty regime we had in our 20s and 30s just isn't going to work as we move into midlife, our 40s, 50s and beyond.  With changing hormones, stressful lifestyles, and sun damage at the forefront of our minds, our skin needs a little more TLC.  And the TOYL beauty box offers the very best beauty products, combining the latest research, to ensure we love what we see in the mirror and that our skin is cared for every day!

TOYL is a skincare box that enables you to discover new beauty brands as well as stock up on some old favourites.  It is always exciting when the new month's box arrives and you get to unwrap and find out what products it contains!  And the packaging is all recyclable!  Beauty boxes represent such fantastic value for money, and you can try something new that you might not have bought otherwise!  

This is a gifted blog post.

Do you remember our childhood holidays in the 60s and 70s?  I was born in 1966 and I love looking back at the old holiday camp photos, there was the year I won the Bonny Baby competition wearing a silver lamé bikini that my auntie had sent from the USA (she was in the circus (yes really) and her gifts were always quite wild).  We'd go to Norfolk, to Kent, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex, stay in chalets or caravans, meet up with family and friends, my granddad would roll his trousers up, put his handkerchief on his head and paddle in the sea with me.  Later on when my own children were growing up we had a touring caravan and recreated some of these experiences albeit in a slightly more modern way.  But my point is that a good old fashioned holiday, either going with friends or making friends when you get there, can be so special, the fun and camaraderie is something that stays with us for years after.  So when I saw that Potters started in the 1920s in Hemsby in Norfolk, all the old memories came flooding back!

Potters Resorts asked me if I'd like to spend a weekend at their Essex resort, Potters Resorts Five Lakes and share a review on my blog.  I was a bit unsure at first, we have never done an all-inclusive break before and I wondered how I would feel about the games and entertainment, I didn't want to feel obliged to join in.  But there was no need to worry, my concerns were totally unfounded and we had a super 3 night October break with the added bonus of sunshine!

Potters Resorts Five Lakes is exclusively adults only but don't be deterred, the age range of guests varies from younger couples in their 30s visiting with family groups, midlife couples like us keen to have a weekend away exploring the area and older people either on an organised group trip or happy to be spoilt for the weekend and not worry about cooking - and of course to enjoy the fantastic (and entirely optional) on-site entertainment and activities.

This is a sponsored blog post.

I know we are just out of a late summer (or is it early autumn) heatwave but I am already taking tentative steps to retrieve my clothes from storage, remind myself what I have in my wardrobe and check it is all in good condition, clean and ready to wear!  

In recent years I have been trying to overhaul my style choices and invest in 'quality over quantity' and that includes buying less of cheaper man-made, unethical fabrics from the fast fashion outlets.  I will now regularly buy items that are preloved, especially cashmere knits or silk dresses and tops.  We used to avoid these fabrics because of the dreaded hand wash only or dry cleaning label, now laundry care is so much easier - and better!

Were you aware that the average item of clothing only has two years of use before it is thrown away and that an estimated £140 million worth of clothing goes to landfill every year?  

We need to be more willing to wear the same item regularly and restyling our clothing in lots of different ways is something we can all embrace.  Cost per wear has always been a key point I keep in mind when buying something  - how many different ways can I wear it to make an investment purchase worthwhile?  We also need to consider details like the quality of the fabric, the finish used, and be willing to make alterations or repairs as needed.  If a hem comes down, fix it don't throw it out!  

Clothes Doctor want to bring back the tradition of caring for our clothes, loving them and making them last longer!  And with the popularity of preloved, vintage and renting clothes, caring for our clothes has never been more important and relevant.
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This blog post is sponsored by Clothes Doctor and contains affiliate links.

Collaborative Post | In this post I am discussing the benefits of using a good quality face serum as part of your skin care routine as well as reviewing the Dēpology Peptide Complex 10% Serum formulated with Argireline™ peptide. 

A face serum is a lightweight liquid that is easily absorbed into the skin.  The best face serum is designed to target different skin issues and promote skin health, including fine lines and wrinkles, dehydrated skin and uneven skin tone.  Serums contain a higher concentration of active ingredients and you should choose one that will address your unique skincare concerns.

Facial serums come in various forms, either gel, oil, lotion or a water-like formula but they are always a thinner consistency and absorb easily which means they layer onto the skin really well.

Your skincare routine should include applying your serum to the entire face after cleansing but before your face cream / moisturiser, day and night.  With regular use your dull skin will be transformed and you will soon feel the benefits of face serum.