Bio Oil Review

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Bio Oil is hugely popular amongst pregnant women, new mothers and people with scars to the point that it is ubiquitous. But does it really work? We tried it to find out.

Our tester put it on an existing stretch mark twice a day as instructed. She did notice a visible improvement after a few months. The stretch mark was very purple when she started and it was fading more as time went on. Of course stretchmarks tend to fade anyway but it take years for them to go from the red/purple angry scars to the silvery/white tiger stripes. Bio Oil does speed the process along. Boots.com frequently do a buy two get one three deal so you can also save yourself some pennies.

Have you used Bio Oil? Did it work for you? Would you recommend it to a friend?

 

 

MitoQ Moisturising Anti-Ageing Serum Review

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mitoqreviewEveryone keeps telling me that I have good skin recently. This is why: MitoQ Anti-aging Serum. MitoQ is 1,000 times more powerful than any other antioxidants in an anti-ageing topical cream or serum. It makes your skin look healthy, like you have just had a good workout. It gives a great post-workout glow without the exercise. I use MitoQ Anti-aging Serum for 10 weeks, until the bottle runs out. My skin isn’t perfect now. There are still pores that I think are too big and I am sure fine lines are developing BUT my skin has improved. Some of my pores are definitely smaller, I look healthier. My skin does look younger.

It is a serum so you can use it with a moisturiser or any other product, like sun block. It has the consistency of a lotion and sinks in well. My skin does feel quite dry when I use it on its own. It has a hypoallergenic fragrance free base so it shouldn’t irritate. It is pricey at £75 and a bottle lasts between 8-10 weeks. Would I buy it again? I would. It does make a visible difference to skin, leaving it brighter and looking healthier. It is expensive but if you can afford it or save for it, it is worth the money. It really does make skin glow.

MitoQ Anti-aging Serum supports healthy skin cell function. It protects cells from the increasing oxidative stress associated with age and returns skin cells to optimal function. MitoQ supports youthful collagen and elastin production – the key building blocks of healthy skin.

 

 

 

Fattoria La Vialla 2015 Review: Glorious Organic Food From Tuscany

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Fattoria La Vialla food and wine reviewAnyone who reads Frost regularly knows that we love Fattoria La Vialla. In fact, I love it so much that I bought their wine in cases for my wedding. Everything from their food to their wine is superb. Which is why we were delighted when a present arrived. We promptly got to work reviewing it.

I never knew I loved salami until I tried Fattoria’s salami. It is wondrous. So superb, fresh and delicious. I could eat it everyday. Their Olive Oil is the real deal, you will never go back to the supermarket stuff. It has that green tinge that lets you know it is the genuine article. Their pasta is everything you think it would be. We try the fusilli and the linguine. Both are divine.

In this box of delicious heaven is the pecorino, their mature cheese. The ageing process takes nine months and it is amazing.

Fattoria La Vialla 2015 Review- Glorious Organic Food From Tuscanylochiffon

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is the most prestigious white in all of Tuscany, and you can tell. Smooth, full and complex with almond, dried fruit and floral notes on the nose. Fattoria make the best wines and I don’t say this lightly. Their Casa Conforto Chianti Riserva is superb. On the nose is a variety of aromas: violet and wild berries, secondary notes are mushroom, meat, light pine resin and sweet wood. I usually prefer white or rosé wine but I love this red. I had a Casa Conforto Chianti from a previous year as the red wine option at my wedding. The guests loved it and said it was the best wine they have ever had at a wedding, along with the others. Lo Chiffon is a sparkling white wine. It is cloudy and a straw yellow colour with metallic highlights. It tastes wonderful, both dry and smooth.

Fattoria La Vialla 2015 Review- Glorious Organic Food From Tuscanywine Fattoria La Vialla 2015 Review- Glorious Organic Food From Tuscany Fattoria La Vialla 2015 Review- Glorious Organic Food From

Their olive all’ arancia is wonderful. These dried orange olives are based on an old Tuscany recipe. Unusual and delicious.

Sugo Pomodori, olive & capper is a fabulous sauce. It has a kick to it and is a great combination of tomatoes (which are the star of the show), capers, olives, hot chilli pepper, parsley and garlic. Yum.

Fattoria La Vialla 2015 Review- Glorious Organic Food From TuscanysauceFattoria La Vialla 2015 Review- Glorious Organic Food

La Rosmarina is a rosemary tomato sauce. It also has a kick to it and is both fresh and unbelievably tasty.

Also in the parcel was an interesting, good book about Fattoria. Along with a wonderful card and other literature. Fattoria is a wonderful family business that really makes you feel like you are part of the Fattoria community.

Our love affair continues.

Fattoria La Vialla

 

 

 

Secret Saviours Review: Does It Prevent Stretchmarks? UPDATED

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Secret Saviours range reviewThere are a lot of horrible things that come with pregnancy: nausea, sickness, rib pain, exhaustion, but most of these are not permanent. Unlike stretchmarks. These horrible little things take ages to fade and become silvery lines. You can get them for a few reasons and men get them too. To start off our new parenting section we started to review stretch mark products. We decided to review Secret Saviours after attending the launch at 34. Secret Saviours comprises of a Multitasking Support Band, which is used with a specially formulated Day Gel and Night Cream. Does it prevent stretchmarks? Let’s find out.

I start using Secret Saviours when I was 24 weeks pregnant. Everyday I apply the day cream, wear the band and then take if off and apply the night cream in the evening. It’s a bit of a fuss, let’s be honest. But if it stops stretchmarks then it is completely worth it. The band does not fit well to begin with. I measure my bump and I am a size small and the band is a large. It is not uncomfortable but ruins the silhouette of a lot of the clothes that I wear. The pattern is visible under most clothes, making me look like I have a spotty belly. As I said, it is quite cumbersome but if it works it will be worth it.

I am now 32 weeks pregnant and happy with the results so far. I have noticed two stretchmarks a couple of inches below my belly button. I was very annoyed and upset when I saw them but I don’t even think they would be visible if I was wearing bikini bottoms. Still annoying though. So apart from a few stretchmarks which are not very visible, so far so good. I can’t say the system completely works as I have obviously gotten a few stretchmarks but it is possible that it could have been a lot worse. I will update this post as I go along.

The band is not uncomfortable and can also work as a pregnancy band/belt. It is quite sticky when you take it off at night because the day cream you use is tacky to help the pads stick. There are times when I just want to put my clothes on and not bother with the whole thing but so far I feel the results have been more than worth the effort. I will update after the pregnancy to let you know the final results.

You can get the premium Secret Saviours pack here.

Update. 

I now have my baby, a son called Luke. Did diligently using the pregnancy band and creams work? I believe they made a difference. I did not come out of the experience with no stretchmarks. Small person + big baby is a recipe for lots of stretching, but the stretchmarks came late in the pregnancy. It is a bit annoying wearing the band everyday, but I actually think it helped my back. I think many people will get different results from Secret Saviours, even the makers said at the press launch that some women will get stretchmarks no matter what, but for most I think Secret Saviours pregnancy band and creams will make a difference.

 

British medics have designed a unique product which is scientifically proven to help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

The Secret Saviours Multitasking Support Band, which is used with a specially formulated Day Gel and Night Cream, reduces the risk of getting Striae gravidarum — the medical name for these unsightly scars – by 70 per cent.

Seven out of ten women who use this innovative under bump and lower back support will be spared these angry red marks which eventually fade to silvery pink, but stubbornly refuse to go away.

And if stretch marks do occur, the severity of them is reduced dramatically, a study presented at the American Academy of Dermatology has confirmed.

RIPPING YARNS: STRETCH MARKS – THE FACTS

Stretch marks are scars left by tearing below the surface of the skin and once you have them, without resorting to a tummy tuck, you have them for life.

TV doctor and GP Dr Chris Steele notes: “Stretch marks are very common in pregnancy, with some studies suggesting as many as nine out of ten mothers-to-be develop these unsightly streaks, but they can also spring from teenage growth spurts and rapid weight gain.

“It’s impossible to predict who will get them, although multiple pregnancies, ethnicity and family history all increase the odds of getting Striae gravidarum,, as doctors call them. And while many mums-to-be massage in moisturisers and oils in the hope of heading them off, there is very little evidence most potions and lotions will make any difference.,”

A BRITISH DISCOVERY
Secret Saviours was invented by leading vascular surgeon Mr Stephen Barker and an expert in tissue engineering at University College, London. It is the first product of its kind with clear scientific proof of effectiveness.

A trial, at the Institute of Maternity and Gynaecology at Tucuman in Argentina, recruited 159 women who were between 12 and 14 weeks pregnant. Half used the Secret Saviours system and the other half did not use any creams or devices to provide a control group for comparison.

Independent clinicians who saw the women at the end of their first trimester and around their due date assessed any stretch marks using a scale of zero to ten, with zero being no marks and ten being multiple, highly visible scars.

In line with studies examining the incidence of stretch marks, 66 per cent of women in the control group developed Striae gravidarum, with most scoring a seven for severity. But two out of three women who used Secret Saviours had no sign of stretch marks and those which did were very minor in appearance, with most scoring just four.

Commenting on Secret Saviours, mum of two and women’s health expert, Dr Catherine Hood, notes: “The secret of the Secret Saviours system is its Multitasking Support Band lined with pads arranged in a random pattern which gently grip the stomach and literally redirect stretch marks.”

“Secret Saviours works by equalising pressure points within the skin and helping to prevent any tiny tissue tears from forming within the dermis, the inner layer of skin which contains blood and lymph vessels.

“But if they do, the Support Band provides a gentle barrier of bumps which block the path of any minor tears which could spread along straight lines of stress and turn into full blown stretch marks.”

Dr Catherine Hood adds: “The skin-saving support provided by the Multitasking Support Band is enhanced by the addition of Secret Saviours’ Day Gel and Secret Saviours Night Cream. Both are formulated using ingredients such as Centella asiatica and vitamin E, which have been shown to support skin healing.

“There are no parabens, PABA, animal ingredients, synthetic colours, mineral oils petroleum or paraffin in either the Day Gel or Night Cream.”

Vascular surgeon Mr Barker promises: “We cannot guarantee Secret Saviours will stop all stretch marks, but we can guarantee that it will significantly reduce the risk of developing them and minimise the appearance of any which do appear.”

As an added bonus, the Secret Saviours Multitasking Support Band also provides some welcome under-bump support, which has the added bonus of reducing lower back ache — a common problem in pregnancy.

 

 

 

This Month’s Top Books

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It is still bloody freezing outside, so what better time to curl up with a good book? Here are some of our top books for this month.

I Should Have Said Daisy de Villeneuve

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The French have a particular expression for when words fail – ‘’Pensées d’escalier.’ It refers to the inability to think of the perfect response in painful or awkward situations until you’re out of the door – a scenario many of us can relate to at some point in our lives.In I Should Have Said, London born illustrator, designer and writer Daisy de Villeneuve pools together her personal experiences of friendships, flirtations and full-blown romances to equip you with quips for when dialogue dramas strike.From forthright frenemies, bemusing boyfriends or lukewarm liaisons, Daisy’s artistic, anti-romantic antics will be your armour against unrequited amour so that shocked silences, desperate dilemmas and wavering words are a thing of the past.

We loved this book. Wonderful illustrations and witty retorts. Daisy de Villeneuve is effortlessly cool and this book is fun and entertaining.

I Should Have Said…: Quick-Witted Comebacks I Only Wish I’d Said – to Friends and Lovers is available here.

 

100 Ideas That Changed Advertising Simon Veksner

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Like it or not, advertising shapes our lives. This book is thorough, entertaining and educational without being boring. Perfect for anyone with an interest in advertising. 100 Ideas That Changed Advertising takes a look at the key concepts and developments that have shaped the world of advertising, from the early Twentieth century to the present day. Divided into mini-essays, it explores the socio-political and cultural factors behind these changes and the impact that they have on the ads we’re exposed to every day.

Illustrated throughout with hundreds of examples of classic and contemporary ads from companies such as Apple, McDonalds, Dyson and Coca Cola, it’s an accessible and informative read that offers a fascinating insider’s insight into the ad industry.

100 Ideas that Changed Advertising is available here.

 

Obsession in Death J.D Robb

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Another brilliant crime thriller from J.D Robb AKA Nora Roberts. Entertaining and indulgent.

A crisp winter morning in New York. In a luxury apartment, the body of a woman lies stretched out on a huge bed. On the wall above, the killer has left a message in bold black ink: FOR LIEUTENANT EVE DALLAS, WITH GREAT ADMIRATION AND UNDERSTANDING.

Eve Dallas is used to unwanted attention. Famous for her high-profile cases and her marriage to billionaire businessman Roarke, she has learned to deal with intense public scrutiny and media gossip. But now Eve has become the object of a singular and deadly obsession. She has an ‘admirer’, who just can’t stop thinking about her. Who is convinced they have a special bond. Who is planning to kill for her – again and again…

With time against her, Eve is forced to play a delicate – and dangerous – psychological dance. Because the killer is desperate for something Eve can never provide – approval. And once that becomes clear, Eve knows her own life will be at risk – along with those she cares about the most.Nora Roberts published her first novel using the pseudonym J.D. Robb in 1995, introducing to readers the tough as nails but emotionally damaged homicide cop Eve Dallas and billionaire Irish rogue, Roarke.

With the In Death series, Robb has become one of the biggest thriller writers on earth, with each new novel reaching number one on bestseller charts the world over.

Obsession in Death is available here.

 

At The Break of Day Margaret Graham

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Another brilliant novel from Frost favourite Margaret Graham. Brilliantly researched and engrossing. A must read.

It is 1946, and as Europe slowly picks itself up after the trauma of war, Rosie Norton faces a bright future in America. Evacuated in 1939 by her grandfather, she escaped the cramped streets of London to a new world in Pennsylvania.Suddenly, at the age of sixteen, she is called home to a Britain bruised by war and still suffering the hardships that America knows nothing about.While struggling to become accepted again by her family she is supported by her childhood sweetheart Jack.Until Jack is sent to war in Korea and a homeless Rosie, together with the child he doesn’t know they have, is left to fend for herself in London.

At the Break of Day is available here.

 

When I Met You Jemma Forte

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The new novel by best-selling author and TV personality Jemma Forte. When I Met You is the third book from Jemma. Jemma writes about a range of hugely relatable issues with reverence and emotional intelligence including family, illness, life decisions, romance, love and growing older. This is the perfect novel to lose yourself in. Imaginative, clever and addictive.

Marianne Baker is happy. Sort of. She’s had the same job for 15 years. She’s 31, still living at home with her mum and sleeping in a single bed. Playing the violin is her only real passion – but nobody like her does that for a living.Then one night everything changes. The father who abandoned Marianne as a child turns up on the doorstep, with a shocking secret that changes her live forever. Suddenly her safe, comfortable world is shattered. If her father isn’t the man she though he was, then who is he? And more to the point, who is she?

When I Met You is available here.

 

And if you are getting married…

Check out our editor’s book The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity by Catherine Balavage. It has had some five star reviews and covers every aspect of wedding planning from the perceptive of someone who survived planning their own wedding. It is well-researched and entertaining.

wedding, weddings, wedding planning, wedding book, wedding advice, wedding tips, wedding planning tips, wedding survival guide

Engaged? Daunted by wedding planning? Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, this book is a no-nonsense guide to planning the perfect wedding no matter what your budget. With time and money-saving costs, advice on handling difficult relatives and hints and tips to plan your perfect day. This is the only wedding book you will ever need.

The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity is available here.

 

 

 

The Fashion Week Energiser: Emergen-C Review

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emergenCreviewWe got sent Emergen-C to review whilst being reminded that fashion week is nearly upon us. Yes, it is indeed. That whirlwind of shows, people, meetings and parties. Anything that gives you more energy is sorely needed. This vitamin drink was launched in Autumn 2014 and quickly became popular.

We like the taste and the convenience of it. You can carry the sachets in your bag and you just sprinkle them in water. They do give a boost and are perfect if you have a hangover. We will make them one of our fashion week accessories. They taste pretty good too.

Perfect for busy Brits, Emergen-C is a completely new concept with a double hit of energy release and immunity support in handy fast dissolving wallet-sized sachets. Emergen-C has three fruity flavours which contain real fruit extracts: Super Orange, Zesty Lemon and Juicy Strawberry. It has an impressive mix of 15 key nutrients: Vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, B12 and D, Folic Acid, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese,  Chromium and Zinc.

Find it at Boots.com and Tesco.com now. Emergen-C costs £4.99 for a pack of 8, £13.99 for a pack of 24 and 99p for a single sachet.  Adults should take up to one sachet per day.

 

 

 

The Glass Girl By Sandy Hogarth Book Review

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6.SandyThe Glass Girl is a deeply moving novel. A stunning debut that is well written and evocative. The plot is smart, drawing you in and not letting you go. The main character, Ruth, is a wonderful narrator. Interesting and intelligent. The book tracks her life along with the main historical events of the time. Her life is thrown onto a certain path after a traumatic event. She flees to Australia for the solitude of the outback, taking her secrets with her. Only her mother’s death brings her back and she must then confront her sister.

The Glass Girl goes deep into the pain a sibling can cause. How family can tear us apart and that the past can always haunt. The Glass Girl is a brilliant novel, I could hardly put it down. Beautifully written and deeply engaging, The Glass Girl is a highly recommended read. Brilliant stuff.

 

Say thank you to your sister for me.

His parting words cause sixteen year old Ruth to flee to Australia in shame and fear, telling her mother, it’s just a year mum, then I’ll be home. But even there her secret drives her to the isolation of the outback.

Seven years later the death of her mother brings Ruth home to England. Now she must confront her sister, Alexis. But there are darker secrets that threaten to tear apart the family she thought she knew and Alexis’ betrayals are not over.

Sometimes you can’t keep running. In a world of lies and betrayal by the people she loved, is Ruth strong enough?

 

The Glass Girl is available here.

Sandy Hogarth’s Day in The Life is here.