The ultimate pampering tool

I'm very tired today - I think it's a combination of the sun, too much work to do and too many late nights out on the tiles due to aforementioned glorious weather.

Therefore, I am only blogging one thing today... and that is, I hear you ask?

This... The ultimate in refreshing and decadent pampering, the Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Luxury candle. Yes, it's expensive (£255) but heck, it's worth it. Guaranteed to give you over 100 burning hours, this exquisite candle will give you years of pleasure.

I intend to slip into something more comfortable, pour myself a glass of crisp, chilled vino and light my LBM candle as I sit out in the back garden reading my book and enjoying the beautiful summer evening,

Goodnight x

PS Is does come in a smaller version which is priced at £37.50.

Lime Basil & Mandarin Luxury Candle £255

www.jomalone.co.uk

Goodbye, Michael

After hearing the news late Thursday night, crying myself silly and working in an office that was responsible for some of the earliest (and, in my own humble opinion, some of the best) MJ content, I can now bring myself to write about my personal feelings on the passing of a musical icon, and a man who has a very special place in my heart.

I fell in love with Michael Jackson at about the age of 5 and bored everyone that I came into contact with by singing his songs, putting on MJ-style dance routines in my living room to my patient family and plastering every section of wall space in my bedroom with posters of my hero. Luckily, I saw Michael twice in concert, first at the age of 12 and then at the age of 15. I can remember both gigs like they were yesterday and I can honestly say that they were the best examples of pop entertainment that I've ever had the pleasure of seeing.

There was something magical and other-worldly about Michael - he was untouchable in terms of musical and dancing ability and despite his vast, all encompassing fame, his controversial lifestyle, I continued to love his music and the man who never really grew up.

After reading so much press on him in the last few days, there have been many points when I have felt truly pained, particularly when reading interviews with Jackson just before Thriller came out. He was confused by the deaths of legends and why they all ended up being recluses and being hooked on the bad things that fame could provide, It's so sad that he too followed in their footsteps and was eventually killed by his own fame. All he wanted was to provide people with music that he was proud of and strive to be the best artist he could be.

His music, his dancing, his genius and his lovely face (circa 1985) will stay with me always. x

Ormonde Jayne Stylishly Does A Deal

I love Ormonde Jayne, who doesn't? The beautifully chic packaging, the divine scents that await within, the supreme service... what's not to love?

So, I was delighted to hear that if you spend £58 or more either online or in store you will receive a complimentary Bath & Shower Creme (RRP £28)... while stocks last.

It's the best news I've heard all day (aside from His Lordship offering to take me out to dinner).

Get clicking at www.ormondejayne.com.

Of note...

DuWop, the brand behind some recent beauty classics like Lash Venom, Lip Venom, Eye Catchers and not forgetting their miracle multi-tasking products, is now available to buy on fashion and lifestyle site www.asos.com. The brand will sit comfortably amongst other big hitters like St Tropez, Elemis and GHD... Nice work guys.

I know where I'll be surfing tomorrow lunchtime...

The Passing Of Time

I love PRs, not just because I used to be one, but because they very helpfully remind you of brands and products that you once held dearly close to your heart but through no fault of the brand or you, it's simply worked its way further back in your bathroom cabinet.

Tiempe Passate, the distinctive and simply glorious fragrance by a wonderful lady called Antonia Bellanca (aka Antonia's Flowers) is one such product that I am so glad I've rediscovered - thanks to a simple press release dropping into my e-mail inbox.

I first sniffed from the gloriously feminine bottle on my return from a year's stay in NYC. I was still pining (as I am now) for the heady, effortlessly cool atmosphere of the Big Apple and I had just landed my first PR job in the sprawling metropolis of London. One brand that I was assigned to help with was, you got it, Antonia's Flowers. I remember thinking what a classy and sophisticated brand, and oh what grown-up fragrances. The story of Antonia, her flower shop and her life in East Hampton fuelled the glamorous image yet further and I knew then that I was hooked on Antonia's Flowers, and in particular, Tiempe Passate.

It's very difficult to describe the fragrance itself because it's unlike anything I've ever smelt before, but everytime I wear it people always ask me what perfume I'm wearing... they often wish they'd never asked because I then go into the whole story behind the brand. Named after a love song Antonia’s grandfather wrote in the 1920s and inspired by old world perfumery notes, this perfume has vintage chic written all over it.

The official line below helps describe the perfume's compilation better than I can:

Cedarwood, amber, bergamot, montauk rose (named for its "saltiness") and clementine (for sparkle) combine to create a modern classic Eau de Parfum.

Anyway, I suggest you log onto www.antoniasflowers.com to read all about the fabulous Antonia and her fragrances... and once you've done that, why not go sniff out a bottle for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

£98 for 60ml Eau de Parfum
Available from Fenwick, Liberty and Space NK

Fresh-Faced

I've temporarily put down my Liz Earle Facial Spritzer to give another brand a shot at giving me a fresh, bright and calm complexion, and, I must say, I'm tres impressed (and very refreshed!)

The [A’kin] Hydro Essential Lavender Cellular Brightening Facial Mist is really rather delicious. It smells gorgeous, makes me feel happy and content (I think that might be down to the Lavender) and makes me skin look lovely and revitalised. It also contains ingredients like Vitamin C Anti-Oxidant, Vitamin B5 & Aloe which are very important for a healthy-looking complexion.

Three things to bear in mind with this product:
1. Brightens and evens your skin tone
2. Smoothes and re-hydrates your skin.
3. Calms and relaxes your mind body and spirit.

It's a daily must for the summer months.

£11.99

http://www.qvc.com/

More Fancy Tea...

Hurrah, just as I was getting to the end of my Miller Harris fragranced tea, I've just discovered that Laura Mercier has collaborated on a new perfumed afternoon tea with London department store Harvey Nichols. The Vanille Gourmande Afternoon Tea is inspired by the ingredients of her fragrance of the same name - think vanilla, musk, sandalwood, amber etc. Sip the blend slowly and relish the flavour before getting stuck into the macaroons...

£19.95 per person, call 020 7235 5250.
Available from Harvey Nichols 5th Floor restaurant.
www.harveynichols.com
www.lauramercier.com