THE WILD YEAR – the family who lived in a tent for a year

The Wild Year immediately caught my attention for it’s originality. This memoir by Jen Benson, who lived with her family for a year in a tent, is a brave book about triumph over hardship. This book is awash with nature and atmosphere. It is inspirational and will fill you with both joy and hope. It will also make you angry about the financial hardships so many are under. Jen writes about struggle with flair and complete honesty. Her talent as a writer is vast, and her love for her family and the world around her is so beautiful. I cannot recommend this book enough. I think everyone should read it for it’s insights into poverty, financial hardship, and the beautiful outdoors. Awash with love, nature and bravery.
The Wild Year by Jen Benson, book, book review,

This is an utterly delightful, eye-opening read, bathed in the natural world. Reminiscent of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn and Homesick by Catriona Davies. Jen and her husband Sim have written a whole host of walking and running guides, and this is her first memoir. You can find out more about their previous books on their website — https://jenandsimbenson.co.uk/books/

The Wild Year is all about Jen and her young family’s decision to live in a tent for a year after suffering severe financial hardship and needing a way to live that retains their freedom but doesn’t cost a lot. Think cooking over fire in the dead of winter in stormy weather with a 3 year old and a 6 month old! Out now with Aurum (Quarto Group).

The Wild Year tells the uplifting true story of a family who left their old life behind to spend a year living wild in a tent around Britain.

With a baby and a toddler, mounting debt, work demands and stress trampling over their desire to spend time together as a family in nature, Jen and Sim Benson move out of their rented accommodation, sell up their possessions and decide to live in a tent for a year as nomads around rural Britain. This is the story of that year – the highs and the lows – the doubts, epiphanies and the weather.

Detailing one family’s search for a life in the wild, away from the screens and stresses of modern life, this captivating memoir is a must read for nature lovers or anyone who has dreamed of a life outdoors. It’s nature writ large with the joys and challenges of each season experienced under canvas, a story of ultimate freedom in the beautiful landscapes of Britain. This is a book that gently steals up on you and captures your heart.

Jen Benson has a passion for wild places and sustainable adventures. A lifelong runner, she is a writer, photographer and part-time PhD researcher exploring the philosophy of running. Jen and her husband Sim live in Wiltshire with their two young children. They have co-written several books including Wild Running, Short Walks in Beautiful Places, Amazing Family Adventures and 100 Great Walks with Kids. Jen writes regularly for the national press. Twitter/Instagram @jenandsim

Did You Miss Me? by Sophia Money-Coutts Book Review

I have read all of  Sophia Money-Coutts’s books and I am a huge fan of her witty, entertaining novels. She writes wonderful, sparkling characters and I always enjoy the story. As usual, Did You Miss Me?, is clever and funny. Sophia has taken a great premise and executed it with flair. Another wonderful novel. Heartily recommended.

Did You Miss Me? is Sophia’s 4th novel and explores whether you really can rekindle your first love, and is of course written with Sophia’s trademark humour, wit and gloriously steamy romance scenes. Nell, the main character, is effortlessly likeable and features alongside her barmy mother (who falls for an eccentric Italian barista), the divine Arthur Drummond and Wilma the wolfhound.

You never forget the one that got away, do you?

Nell Mason is extremely happy with her life – or at least, that’s what she tells herself. She’s lucky to have a high-powered job as a lawyer, even if it does come with an eccentric set of billionaire divorce clients. And she’s absolutely fine living with her sweet, if slightly dull, boyfriend Gus in their London flat where they have very sensible sex once (OK, sometimes twice) a week. She’s definitely not stuck in a rut.

But when Nell bumps into childhood friend and first love Arthur Drummond who broke her heart fifteen years ago, she’s more than a little shaken. The seemingly perfect life she’s worked so hard for starts to feel, well, less perfect. Maybe Nell’s been kidding herself all these years. Can she ever get over her first love?

Sophia Money-Coutts is a journalist and author who spent five years studying the British aristocracy while working as Features Director at Tatler. Prior to that she worked as a writer and an editor for the Evening Standard and the Daily Mail in London, and The National in Abu Dhabi. She writes a column for The Sunday Telegraph called Modern Manners and often appears on radio and television channels talking about important topics such as Prince Harry’s wedding and the etiquette of the threesome.

The stylish, must-have essential for parents – Stokke Limas Carriers

Getting around as a parent can be hard, if not impossible. In fact, even doing things around your house can be hard with a baby. This is why I could not live without a baby sling. I have tried many over the years so I thought I would review the Stokke Limas Carriers.

Stokke® Limas™ Carrier,

Stokke® Limas™ Carrier, Espresso Brown.

Featuring three hero products, Stokke® Limas™ Carrier, Stokke® Limas™ Carrier Plus and Stokke® Limas™ Carrier Flex, the range delivers stylish, must-have essentials that allow parents and caregivers to go completely hands-free when on the go or at home with their baby. Helping to facilitate closeness and bonding as well as providing optimal comfort and support from birth and beyond, the carriers enable both parent and child to grow confident together, every step of the way.

Not only does the new collection adjust to accommodate infants, but it supports the child’s physical and physiological development along the way. The carrier expands as your baby grows, to support the growth of the hips, spinal column and muscles; as well as providing them with a whole new sensory experience, helping to stimulate the brain.

I found the Stokke Limas Carrier to be comfortable and stylish. It looks great and is easy-to-use. Highly recommended. 

Helen Flanagan and Emily Norris sing and play with Baby Shark

Helen Flanagan and Emily Norris love these Baby Shark toys and were seen playing with them on Instagram and Tiktok.

Helen Flanagan makes her daughter laugh as she sings Baby Shark to her with the Mummy Shark hand puppet and Delilah joins in with Daddy Shark, with lots of cuddles to follow. Emily Norris and her 2 youngest boys sing with the Baby Shark microphone and plush toys. Her son kindly wants to gift the Baby Shark toys to a friend’s Baby.


The Baby Shark toys are available from Smyths toys and other retailers.

Baby Shark Singing Puppet with Tempo Control, £16.99srp, 3+ 
Your favourite Baby Shark is now available as an interactive puppet! Move the mouth of your Baby Shark puppet to hear the entire Baby Shark song. Change the speed of the Baby Shark song by moving the mouth faster or slower! Produced by WowWee for Pinkfong, official creator of the global hit song Baby Shark! Move the mouth of the puppet to start playing the entire hit Baby Shark song! (English Version). Control the beat! Move the shark’s mouth faster or slower to change the speed of the song!

Baby Shark Sound Cubes, £5.99srp, 3+
Baby Shark super soft plush toys are here! Meet our stackable, collectible Shark Family cube dolls! Squeeze them to hear the Baby Shark song. Collect all 3 of your favourite characters: Baby Shark, Mommy Shark and Daddy Shark!

Baby Shark Microphone, £9.99srp, 3+
Be the star of your own show with the new Baby Shark Microphone toy. This kids’ microphone toy is perfect for little ones who love to sing their hearts out. Your child can lip sync along to the hit Baby Shark song. The Baby Shark Microphone toy has 2 silly voice-changing modes. Have fun changing your voice with the voice amplification filter or the funny underwater voice filter.

Children love Baby Shark and these toys give hours of enjoyment.

Solid Beauty Bars The Ultimate Travel Essentials

I adore beauty bars. None of the guilt of plastic, and all of the beauty benefits. They are perfect for traveling because they can’t explode in your bag or leak. Hurray!

Solid Beauty Bars – The Ultimate Travel Essentials

When it comes to travelling, the struggle to streamline and squeeze in all of our beauty essentials can make packing feel like a mean feat – especially with carry-on restrictions and tight luggage allowances. Hack your summer holiday packing and forgo the liquid hassle altogether with solid beauty bars from Eco Warrior.

These compact, job-specific, plastic-free, solid cleansing bars are not only kind to your skin, hair and the planet, but also help to take the stress out of packing – replacing bulky and heavy liquid bottles, you can simply pop your Eco Warrior bars in your hand luggage, without the risk of any leaking or spilling. From washing and exfoliating, to shaving and shampooing Eco Warrior has all your cleansing needs covered…in solid form. It’s time to hit the bar this summer!

eco soap, beauty bar, beauty, review, soap, shampoo, face

Mini-Bars with Bottle for Everyday Cleansing
Eco Warrior Mini Cube – £8/ 4 x 30g
your essential face, hair and body cleansing routine in mini form – pocket sized perfection for cleansing away from home.

Shampoo Bar – with a blend of Orange & Ginger essential oils to stimulate the scalp and Pink Clay to deeply cleanse and hydrate, this solid shampoo cleans, conditions and moisturises hair. Why take two bottles into the shower when one mini-bar will do?
Sensitive Facial Bar – with a Chamomile & Calendula essential oil blend, this nourishing facial bar is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin and good to use all over the body.

Exfoliating Bar – Fragranced with a pure Citrus essential oil blend, this solid, moisturising body scrub is made with oatmeal – a natural, soothing exfoliant to help gently buff away dead, dull skin cells, for soft, smooth, supple skin.

Shaving Bar – a luxurious, naturally lathering bar with Coconut Oil and Shea Butter, fragranced with a pure blend of Bergamot and Lime essential oils to moisture, and soothe the skin pre, post and during your shave.

Targeted Cleansing Bars
Eco Warrior Clear Skin Bar – £4.50/100g
for those with oily, acne-prone skin this clarifying and richly moisturising black cleansing bar contains Charcoal to reduce excessive sebum, Grapeseed Oil to nourish and soothe dry, sensitive skin, with an antibacterial Tea Tree essential oil blend.

eco soap, beauty bar, beauty, review, soap, shampoo, face

Eco Warrior Sensitive Scalp Shampoo Bar – £5.50/100g
for a uber-gentle, scalp sensitive cleanse this shampoo bar contains a blend of White Clay and Clary Sage Oil to gently and naturally cleanse and moisturise your hair and scalp.
fragranced with a clearing, pure essential oil blend of Mint and Eucalyptus to help keep the scalp happy and heathy.

Vegan, cruelty-free, sustainable, biodegradable, recyclable and plastic-free – Eco Warrior bars have major impact on cleansing, minimum impact on the environment. And as you’ve come to expect from this certified B Corporation collection – totally from detergents, SLS, sulphates, alcohol, parabens, sorbates, silicones, and synthetic preservatives.
littlesoapcompany.co.uk

Eco Warrior bars are available from Ocado, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and littlesoapcompany.co.uk
@eco_warrior_soap | @little_soap_co

The Accomplice By Steve Cavanagh Book Review

I love Eddie Flynn and The Accomplice is the best Eddie Flynn novel yet. Yes, I know I say that every time, but this time it is true. Steve Cavanagh is one of the best crime writers of our times. Full stop. It left me terrified, excited and completely engrossed. The hardest thing about this book is not reading it all in one sitting. Clear a day in your diary and ignore everything else.
The Accomplice doesn’t take the easy, obvious path. It is full of surprises. It will break your heart and thrill you all at once. Brilliant.

steve cavanagh the accomplice

THE MOST HATED WOMAN IN AMERICA

The Sandman killings have been solved. Daniel Miller murdered fourteen people before he vanished. His wife, Carrie, now faces trial as his accomplice. The FBI, the District Attorney, the media and everyone in America believe she knew and helped cover up her husband’s crimes.

THE LAWYER

Eddie Flynn won’t take a case unless his client is innocent. Now, he has to prove to a jury, and the entire world, that Carrie Miller was just another victim of the Sandman. She didn’t know her husband’s dark side and she had no part in the murders. But so far, Eddie and his team are the only ones who believe her.

THE FORMER FBI AGENT

Gabriel Lake used to be a federal agent, before someone tried to kill him. Now, he’s an investigator with a vendetta against the Sandman. He’s the only one who can catch him, because he believes that everything the FBI knows about serial killers is wrong.

THE KILLER

With his wife on trial, the Sandman is forced to come out of hiding to save her from a life sentence. He will kill to protect her and everyone involved in the case is a target.

Even Eddie Flynn…

The Accomplice is available here.

Frost Loves Katherine Daniels Skincare | Mile High Heroes

Whether it’s a short trip or a long-haul flight, flying can wreak havoc on our skin. With summer holidays fast approaching, it’s time to consider our in-flight skincare!

Katherine Daniels Co-Founder and Skin Specialist Kirsti Shuba says, “When cruising at 30,000 feet, your skin is exposed to recycled air, increased air pressure and decreased humidity. Plus, you’re never going to be closer to the sun than you are on a plane. All of these factors can be a skin recipe for disaster – think dull, dehydrated, puffy, parched, lined complexions…”

“These mile high heroes will tackle the three key in-flight skin saboteurs to ensure you arrive at your destination with a fresh, healthy, hydrated complexion.”

1. Air Pressure = Puffiness

“Low cabin pressure, along with a reduction in your circulation from inactivity and lack of muscle movement will cause puffiness – you’ll notice this in your feet, fingers, ankles and especially around the eyes. Apply our Katherine Daniels Instant Effect Eye Masks (£65 / 4 treatments) and leave on for at least 20 minutes! You’ll arrive looking like you’ve had a good 8 hours sleep. Plus, the handy packaging means you can take a single pack on board and activate it when you need to!”

activated right before use, these salon-strength eye masks work to intensely hydrate, firm, plump, revitalise and lift the skin around the delicate eye area.
Sea Kelp – a mega hydrator and antioxidant, packed with a mineral complex to stimulate your skin to act more youthfully.
Mineral Complex (Calcium and Sodium) – awaken the moisture channels in your skin to hydrate, increase cell energy and cell regeneration. Skin will become visibly denser, firmer and plumper.
Hyaluronic Acid – hydrates the upper layers of your skin and maintains optimal moisture levels.
2. Low humidity = Dehydration

“The amount of moisture present in air cabins is around 20% – in the UK it’s around 40-60%. Lack of humidity draws moisture out of your skin, leading to dehydration, which causes skin to appear dull, parched, lined and even greasy if you have an oilier skin type. Say goodbye to dehydration by applying a thick layer of our Katherine Daniels Rehydrating Cream (£49 / 50ml) and leave it to sink into your skin. After 10 minutes massage in any remaining cream.”

this intelligent, salon-strength moisturising cream delivers a serious hit of immediate and long-term hydration for smooth, plump skin with renewed density and radiance.
Intelligent Aqua Bio Complex – reduces water loss and improves distribution of hydration within the skin. Fortifies the skin’s natural barrier to maintain plumpness and improve skin density.
Turbo Moisturising Complex – to give your skin an advanced, rapid hit of hydration.
Hydranov – faster and 3x more efficient than Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and restructure the skin.
Seaweed Extract (Rhodella Viollacea Complex) – a fast-acting, long-term hydrator to oxygenate your skin and restore radiance.
3. UV rays = Premature Ageing

“You’ll need your SPF when you arrive, but you also need it in-flight… Plane windows are designed to block out UVB (burning rays), but they don’t block out UVA (ageing rays), which are the main cause of premature ageing. After you’ve massaged in your Rehydrating Cream apply a thin layer of our Katherine Daniels Daily DNA Defence SPF30 (£55 / 50ml) to protect your skin from UVA rays and blue light pollution.”

an invisible veil of advanced photoaging technology to defend, repair and protect your skin from the damaging effects of UVA & UVB rays, blue light and pollution.
UVA & UVB Filters – both physical and chemical broad-spectrum SPF 30 to protect skin from UV rays.
Active DNA Defence and Repair Enzymes (from Micro Algae & Plankton)
These powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-free radical enzymes block cell damage, protect against and repair DNA damage from UV, blue light and pollution exposure.
Chamomile Extract – calms and soothes the skin
katherinedanielscosmetics.com
@k_d_cosmetics

Travel-Sized Beauty – What you need to pack

Whether you’re jetting off abroad or planning a spontaneous weekend away, your favourite beauty products make for essential packing. We all know that deciding which products will accompany you on your travels is no mean feat.

From skincare to haircare, each of the sets below features the same iconic formulations you know and love, while fitting neatly inside that trusty zip-lock bag. Whether you’re looking to smooth legs post sunbathe, or nourish strands post-swim, these kits make the perfect travel companions.

beauty, beauty review, travel, travel size,

AMELIORATE 3 Steps To Smooth Skin – RRP £21.00 (Worth £26.00)

The perfect holiday accessory! 3 Steps to Smooth Skin smooths away bumps and softens and moisturises rough, dry skin and Keratosis Pilaris. The simple, proven formula, Exfoliate + Cleanse + Transform, is designed so each step enhances the next, smoothing bumps and leaving your skin softer, renewed, and moisturised for 24 hours. Holiday ready!

Contents: Smoothing Body Exfoliant (50ml), Nourishing Body Wash (60ml), and Transforming Body Lotion (50ml).

 

Christophe Robin Travel Essentials – RRP £36.00

A three-step ritual for a fresh scalp and hydrated, lightweight hair from roots to tips, wherever you go! Deeply cleanse, hydrate, smooth, and volumise with this iconic trio, with concentrated yet gentle formulas and scents designed to ignite the senses.

Contents: Cleansing Purifying Scrub With Sea Salt (75ml), Hydrating Melting Mask With Aloe Vera (75ml), and Instant Volumising Leave-In Mist With Rose Water (50ml).

 

Coggles: Eve Lom Travel Essentials Set – RRP £38.00

Achieve a clean, fresh, and glowing complexion wherever you roam with the Eve Lom Travel Essentials Kit. This ultra-nourishing bundle of products makes for the perfect holiday companion, providing all the essential tools to cleanse, hydrate, and treat your skin. Arriving in a convenient zip-lock pouch, the cleanser, essence, and moisturiser are compact and travel-friendly in size, ensuring you never have to be without your preferred skincare saviours.

Contents: Cleanser (20ml), Time Retreat Radiance Essence (10ml), Moisture Cream (8ml), Muslin Cloth (Travel Size).

 

Grow Gorgeous Scalp Therapy Kit – RRP £55.00 (Worth £76.00)

Experience a scalp sensation and discover the secret to fuller, healthier-looking hair with Grow Gorgeous’ four-step Scalp therapy Kit.

Contents:  Defence Detoxifying Scalp Scrub (50ml), Intense Thickening Hair and Scalp Mask (50ml), a full-sized bottle of the bestselling Hair Growth Serum Intense (60ml), and the Stimulating Scalp Massager.

 

Perricone MD Vitamin C Brighter Together – RRP £72.00 (Worth £129.00)

A supercharged brightening and smoothing duo designed to work better together. Visibly brightens and minimizes the appearance of dark spots and discoloration for more even-looking skin. Features our proprietary Vitamin C Ester – a more potent, highly stable, and less abrasive form of vitamin C.

Contents: Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Complex 20% (30ml), and Vitamin C Ester Photo-Brightening Moisturiser Broad Spectrum SPF (30ml).

 

ESPA Tri-Active Regenerating Visible Results Skin Regime Set – RRP: £100.00 (Worth £169.00

Four beloved products to create the perfect daily skin regime for a rejuvenated complexion. Brighten and Bounce with this powerful resurfacing range that reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of aging. Unique Tri-Active Formulation:

  • Plant Actives are carefully distilled to bring vibrant potency into our formulas
  • Marine Actives provide maximum hydration, fortified by the sea’s rich nutrients
  • Aromatherapy renews our senses for an elevated skincare experience

Contents: Cica Cleansing Balm (55ml), Phyto-Collagen Plumping Cream (55ml), Bio-Retinol Sleeping Serum (10ml), and Brighten & Resurface Mask (30ml).