Beauty: REN BB Cream

I don't usually (ever!) write about beauty products. That's basically because I use same products for years, only changing when I by accident stumble upon something new.

But recently, I found a product which I was so bowled over by that I thought I'd share it with you. A few weeks ago when I was getting a replacement for my REN day cream, the friendly lady at Liberty's gave me sample of their new BB cream. Now, don't ask me what BB cream does; the REN lady told me it's basically a tinted moisturiser which magically blends into your own skin tone.

Needless to say, I was sceptical. But this stuff was impressive. This cream wasn't at all greasy, it was easy to apply and it made my complexion look all silky and smooth. I loved the cream so much I tried to get some at Stockmann's in Helsinki, fully aware that I'd be paying a premium price for the product in Finland. Alas, it hadn't been launched Europe yet, so I was spared the extra cost.

When I came back to the UK one of the first things I did was to go to my local pharmacist here in Crouch End who stocks REN products (very handy that). They told me the product had been so successful that REN had run out of the cream nationwide. Typical! The ladies at Liberty's confirmed the story; there was a worldwide shortage of the new BB cream.

But today, while shopping with Daughter at John Lewis on Oxford Street, I had a cursory look at the REN counter and guess what, there it was, a whole row of BB creams. What's more there was an offer on - buy the cream and get a package of Radiance Renewal Cream and Micro Polish Cleanser for free!

The John Lewis web site also says it still has some stock. So if you, like me, have been hunting for this product, you can get it here.

Petter Pharmacy
49-51 The Broadway,
Crouch End,
Haringey,
London N8 8DT

This is not a sponsored post. All products mentioned were paid for by me.

Father's Day Kindle Offer!

Father's Day is just around the corner and if your children (like mine) always expect you to know the perfect gift for their Father, I have good news: what could be a better than the gift of books on the go? 

So especially for you, my lovely readers, Amazon will take money off any Kindle Fire Tablet if you buy it via my blog. 

But hurry, this is a limited offer: 

£15 reduction on any Kindle Fire Tablet. Limited time offer: Ends 6 PM Monday 10 June 2013

Here are the technical details…

Kindle Fire Tablets
With options including 7” and 8.9” HD displays, Dolby Audio, Dual Antenna Wi-Fi and 8, 16 or 32GB storage, and with over 22 million films, TV shows, songs, magazines, books, audiobooks, apps and games (including top favourite apps such as Skyscanner, Jamie's 20-minute meals and Auto Trader) to choose from, the Kindle Fire HD Tablet range makes a perfect Father’s Day gift.

For four days only you can save £15 on any Kindle Fire Tablet. Limited time offer: ends 6pm Monday 10 June 2013.

Get your discounted Kindle Fire here.

The 5:2 Fast Diet Update - Five Ways How the Diet Has Changed my Life

It's now been over six months since I wrote the first ever 5:2 post about a fasting diet I'd seen on TV a few weeks earlier. The rest is history: Dr Mosley and  Mimi Spencer wrote The Fast Diet book and included that first post in it. The book is now world-wide best seller for the small indy publisher Short Books.

Sadly I don't think this makes me a world-best selling author, too; but I digress.

Anyway, I thought it was about time to let you know how I'm getting on with the Fast Diet.

1. Feeling Great

I have just started going back to the gym. After all my problems with the small op, my back and my frozen shoulder (touch wood!) I feel fit. The extra weight I'd gained due to the health problems has gone, and I feel as if I am back to myself again.

2. Feeing Healthier

What's more ( again, touch wood!) I seem to be able to shrug off any colds and sniffles very quickly. I can't really put this down to anything else but the Fast Diet. Before I started the diet, I'd get two or three really bad colds a year and I'd be poorly at least for a week, and it would take two weeks for me to feel fully well again. Now any little sniffles take just a day or two to clear.

3. My Weight


Although my weight fluctuates, I have kept the 8 kilos off that I lost in the first 3-4 months. This is quite  a feat since I've had several long breaks in the diet (Christmas and holidays) when I've eaten exactly what I've wanted (cinnamon buns, Daughter's cakes, beer, pizza, curries etc., etc.). I also do not count calories on the days when I'm not fasting. To me, being able to not worry about what I have on the 'free' days is what this 5:2 diet is all about. Plus there are weeks when I just do one fast day.

4. New Relationship with Food

The 5:2 Diet has given me the confidence not to eat. This sounds strange, but in the past I'd be afraid of feeling hungry, and would often eat a meal 'just in case' I might feel hungry later. I've learned that feeling hunger is OK; it's nothing to be afraid of.

5. Healthier lifestyle

Taking into account all the pizza and cinnamon buns, on the whole as a result of the 5:2 diet, I eat more healthily purely because on the fast days I cannot have the empty sugary and fatty calories. I also think that my body has got used to eating less sugar and fat on the non-fasting days too. I also drink less wine (mores the pity!) because I just don't seem to want as much of the bad stuff as before. There's also independent evidence for this: the little health scare I had just about at the same time I started the 5:2 diet, with raised glucose levels, which is the first sign of developing type 2 diabetes, has totally disappeared. My levels are now normal.

In summary, I feel great! Of course I'd like to lose more weight. To be table to fit into a size 12 (again) would be nice, but since I am quite tall (175 cm), of a certain age, and have - what someone once very gamely put it - a tennis players physique, size 14 is OK with me.

4 Ways to Get Your Book into Bookshops

Back in April at the London Book Fair 2013 I got into a discussion with a fellow writer about how difficult some independent writers find it to get their books stocked in bookshops. Now, I don't pretend to be an expert in this field, but having been a bookseller in an independent bookshop and having also been part of a team which published the MA in Creative Writing Anthology, I know a little about the subject.

So here goes, these are my top tips to get your books stocked in bookshops.

1. Make your local book seller your friend. Yes, I mean a friend. Make sure you go and buy books in the shop regularly and get to know the person who decides what books are stocked. This might be the manager, or a book buyer. Sometimes this is one person, sometimes if the shop is tiny, it's the owner. This is a long term policy, but then your writing career is a life-time thing, right? Sometimes, though, if the bookseller is particularly keen your kind of genre, they might take a few copies off your hands there and then on a first visit. (So take copies of books with you). I've seen it happen, especially in newly opened bookshops (which are as rare as rocking horse poo, I know).

2. Help the bookshop make money out of your books. Give them a good discount - anything below 35% and a bookseller won't even consider taking your books. The deal will always be on sale or return basis anyway, but their shelf space is valuable, so your books will only make it there if the bookseller can get some profit out of the book. I've heard a rumour that even Waterstones now have a policy to stock local authors, so it's worth trying all the bookshops in your area, even the large chains.

3. Ask if you can have a book launch in the bookshop. Independent bookseller love local authors, because often they know a lot of people who are loyal enough to fill the event. (You'd be surprised how many traditionally published authors cannot fill a room in a small bookshop). Booksellers want people in their shops; they want to build their clientele just as much as you do. If you help to promote the event, you also promote the bookshop so it's a win, win situation. (I will blog about author events and how to make sure they're a success in detail under a separate post.)

4. Get your books stocked by established wholesalers like Gardners. When I worked at West End Lane Books in North West London, we used (almost exclusively) Bertrams and Gardners. A small bookshop cannot stock all titles, so much of our trade came from providing a next day ordering service. If your book is easily available to order from one of these wholesalers, any bookshop in the country can order your book. Gardners also now offer a print on demand service. This is the more costly option, however, as they too need a cut from your book, and will charge for the printing. Perhaps this would be something to consider when you've first conquered your local bookshops?

The thing to always remember is that you, the author, and the bookseller are on the same side. Both of you love books and want to share them and sell them. 

It's very important for us as authors that bookshops don't fail - the current rate of shop closures is shocking, so we need to stem the tide. As for booksellers, if as an author you can help them, they will support you and recommend your books. And I know, having seen it at first hand, what an invaluable thing a bookseller's recommendation is.

Crouch End Knowledge: Scarlet Rage Vintage

I have to come clean: I don't like vintage shops. The only good item I've ever got in a second hand shop (as they used to be called) was a beautiful Victorian christening gown for Son. And that was nearly twenty-six years ago. (Time flies). I still have it, for the next generation, and I truly treasure it.

Oh, come to think of it, I did once get a very lovely burgundy ball gown in a vintage shop, called Bertie Golightly's in Bradford-on-Avon. I remember that they had to take the waist in, I was that thin. (Those were the days!) That was before Son was born, so best not think how many years ago that was... I still have that purchase too, so I may have to eat my words on not liking vintage.

But, the idea of wearing someone else's clothes fills me with dread. Besides, I think the whole vintage fashion phenomena is over. There are now far too many shops calling themselves vintage, when in truth they're just full of second hand wares, or last season's sale items at normal prices.

Of course there are exceptions, and one such shop is Scarlet Rage Vintage in Crouch End, North London. I've been meaning to visit this shop for ages, because it has such an attractive window display, but have never quite managed it. And now they are already celebrating their first Birthday!

As soon as you walk into the shop you notice this is a professional outfit: all the clothes are beautifully displayed and they're clean, ironed and not stuffed into overfull rails (and there's no 'old clothes' smell). The lady in the shop, Rosie, was friendly, not overly pushy, just lovely.

My eye soon caught a treasure; 1920's waitress' (or servant's?) uniform. The lace at the cuffs and the thin white linen pinny convinced me it was truly original. Perfect for a fancy dress; although it looked on the small size (this time it would have to be altered in the other direction). Rosie told me it was probably a size eight, so erhm, perhaps not for me.

Rosie told me the stock comes mostly from the US and Europe, and that they make sure the items are from their chosen era of 1920's to 50's. They also stock a large collection of handbags, vintage jewellery, and a few homes wares such as cushions and chairs.

If you're into your American 20th century vintage, this is definitely a place to visit. And if you're in Crouch End this week, why not pop in on Thursday to celebrate Scarlet Rage Vintage's first birthday?

Scarlet Rage Vintage,
11 Topsfield Parade,
Crouch End,
London,
N8 7LA

Opening time are:

Monday to Friday 10:30am till 6pm
Saturday 11am till 6pm
Sunday 12pm till 6pm