AHAVA - The Gift of Small Pleasures

They say the best things come in small packages! So if you're looking for a Christmas present for someone special tick another gift off that never-ending list with this gorgeous AHAVA The Gift of Small Pleasures set.

Each set contains a Mineral Body Lotion (40ml); All in One Toning Cleanser (30ml); Purifying Mud Mask (25g); Mineral Hand Cream (20ml) and Essential Day Moisturizer for Normal to Dry Skin (15ml), all presented in a pretty AHAVA cosmetic bag.

This stylish set would make a lovely gift for a Mum, sister or girlfriend, or anyone who loves quality cosmetics. The Mineral Hand Cream and Body Cream are rich and beautifully scented and leave skin feeling like silk. The cleanser, mud mask and moisturiser are a great introduction to the AHAVA facial skincare range. They're also the perfect way to see what a difference these products packed with Dead Sea minerals can make to your skin before investing in a full size product. Skin will see in the New Year feeling fresh, healthy and smooth... what better gift is there to give than that?!

AHAVA The Gift of Small Pleasures costs £25 and is available from www.ahava.co.uk

Rescue me! Rescue Cream & Balm

Every now and again, a product drops through my door at precisely the right moment, and this week, Bach's Original Flower Remedies Rescue Cream and Rescue Balm did just that!

I've had a terrible cold (and have a big family wedding to go to tomorrow) so I've been battling trying to soothe my chapped lips and the dry flaky skin around my nose, as well as coping with all the pre-Christmas stress of having too much to do and too little time!

The dinky pot of Rescue Balm with natural flower essences has been everywhere with me in my handbag this week and has been a lifesaver for my dry lips, smoothing away flakes, and has offered me fantastic protection against the harsh wintry winds. It can also be massaged into temples although in my stressed-out state I haven't had a minute to try that yet!

I've also been trying out the perfume-free Rescue Cream, an intensive moisturiser which is designed to re-hydrate dry, rough and sensitive skin. Just like the balm, the cream also contains Rescue's classic combination of five flower essences - Cherry Plum, Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose and Clematis, together with the cleansing essence, Crab Apple. So, you're not only getting a gorgeous, intensive yet light, moisturiser that you can use everywhere from the face to hands and body, the essences work to soothe jangled nerves too.

For anyone feeling stressed at the moment (who isn't?!), I'd highly recommend taking a couple of minutes out to take the stress test on the Rescue website www.rescueremedy.co.uk. I scored 12 out of 15 and received a message saying 'We're worried about you!' How will you score?

Rescue Balm (£6.05 for a 5g pot) and Rescue Cream (prices start at £5.65 for a 30g tube) are available from Boots, Holland and Barrett, Lloyds Pharmacy and Waitrose stores and all good independent health food and pharmacy stores. 

www.rescueremedy.co.uk

Rituals... Earl's Secret - Black Tea & Bergamot

Just lately I've been a bit bored with my usual cup of builder's tea so decided to stir things up a little!

I swapped my usual cuppa for a refreshing delicate brew of Rituals Earl's Secret Black Tea & Bergamot, a sophisticated and refreshing Chinese Earl Grey tea, blended with natural bergamot extract. Get me!

Not only that, the Rituals philosophy and approach to life is definitely one I'm aiming to embrace. It's all about learning how to turn life's everyday hum-drum routines, like putting the kettle on, and turning them into life's simple pleasures. And with such beautifully packaged teas on the side in the kitchen, I think it's a very good place to start!

The aromatic tea range also includes Rose Wisdom with ginger (good for sore throats and easing nasal congestion), Sweet Gingko, a tea for bedtime, and refreshing Hamman Mint. There's also comforting Emperor's Dream, uplifting Jasmine Delight, Cape Delight rooibos tea and energising Keemum Lime. All are beautifully packaged in tins of 50 tea bags (£11.90) with luxury refill boxes of 20 also available (£4.50).

The new tea collection is available in all Rituals stores and a selected department stores.

The best stress-busting bath oil EVER!

If I was asked to pick one product to keep me un-frazzled during the festive season, this Bath and Shower Oil from Aromatherapy Associates, would be, without question, the one! It's like an aromatherapy 'anaesthetic' with the most euphoric floral fragrance of geranium, frankincense and rose to restore hassled minds and fill us full of positivity and calm.

I put this powerful Support blend to the test this week after a particularly emotionally fraught day Christmas shopping in York, followed by meeting a tight feature deadline, attending a parent's evening and finishing off making two school nativity costumes! I took half an hour out early evening for a lovely deep bath steeped in this beautiful blend, then felt so composed and calm I powered on through with writing my Christmas cards! It's relaxing but restoring and uplifting too and digs deep to help you find those reserves of energy you sometimes have to draw on just to get things done. A bath in this is like waking up refreshed after a deep and restful sleep!

One capful in the bath is all that's needed, or you can apply it to the body before showering too. I love the way the scent lingers on your super-soft skin after your bath (it's the coconut oil that leaves skin silky smooth), so you're wafting around in a relaxing aroma long after you've left the bathroom! It's divine and I know I'm going to have a much more relaxing Christmas because of it! I can't think of a better gift for someone special, who you'd like to lavish with some serious TLC.

£37 for 55ml, available from www.aromatherapyassociates.com

LUSH - new minature set of Gorilla Perfume fragrances!

I'm probably what you'd call a bit of a perfume flirt! I'm not faithful to one specific fragrance or brand, I prefer to flit merrily depending on my mood and what the day or evening holds. 

This miniature set of eight 2ml exclusive fragrances from Lush is perfect for someone like me who prefers to try before I buy a full-size bottle, and I always like to take the time to see how a perfume develops on my skin.

This lovely little box contains one each of the following fragrances:

1000 Kisses - exquisite, delicate blossoms combined with citrus and resins. Expresses the complexities of true love.

Ginger - crisp and true with exotic mimosa, rose and jasmine too.

 

Ladyboy - my personal favourite! It's a quirky amber-based scent that despite the eyebrow-raising name is sophisticated and stylish. Contains banana and seeweed too. Sounds bizarre but it's gorgeous.

Love - young sweet and flirty with tempting apples and spice. Exhilarating!

Superworld Unknown - inspired by candyfloss and bubbles, combines citrus and chocolate. An escapist scent.

Cocktail - a lovely evening scent, think sipping a cocktail in a chic bar.

The Smell of Weather Turning - the most intriguing in the box for me. It's a thunderstorm in reverse. Starts with fresh rain on greenery then develops into something smokier and darker, with hay and woods in the final stages. Really unusual and lovely.

B Scent - Rose and crisp citrus. Stylish and feminine. 

No-one does fun and quirky quite as well as Lush for me, their products and packaging always lift my spirits. This would make a fab stocking filler for a girlfriend, or a top secret santa gift. Or, just treat yourself!

Order online at www.lush.co.uk, priced £19.95