The Ship of Brides.

The Ship of Brides is another reissue of an older book by Jojo Moyes. It tells the story of 650 Australian war brides who travel to England to be with their new husbands on a British naval aircraft carrier at the end of WW2.

WW2 stories don't generally hold too much appeal for me and TBH if this hadn't been written by Jojo Moyes I wouldn't have picked this up. However I must say that I found it it be an enjoyable, easy read, that was the perfect distraction whilst waiting for a delayed flight. 

Based on a true story - war brides were transported to England on such a ship - the story focuses on four of the brides, all diverse characters from different backgrounds who find themselves sharing a spartan cabin on board. The characters are very well drawn and I think it was great that just four stories were detailed as you found yourself becoming really involved with each character and her story. Of the four featured brides I found Frances and her story to be the most interesting and well thought out.

As well as telling the story of the four brides the book tells tales of the seamen and life at sea and in particular the story of the Captain of the vessel who is making his final sea trip before both his retirement and the decommissioning of the ship.

I did find that the story had a bit of a slow start but once it got going it was a gripping and compelling read with quite a few twists and turns to the tale to keep it interesting. The end of the book really stepped up the pace and I kept on reading to find out what would happen next!

I found this to be a well written, compelling tale that I would recommend to lovers of romantic period fiction, although it is more than just a romantic novel with it's well researched background and attention to historical detail.

Not My Father's Son.

I've seen Alan Cumming on a couple of chat shows and found him to be amusing but really don't know anything much about him. I picked this up thinking that it would be about his acting career but it's really not and it was a pleasant surprise.

Instead it's an engaging and honest story that deals with past and present. 

The past deals with Alan's Scottish childhood and his terrible relationship with his abusive Father.

The present day finds Alan participating in a British television program about ancestry, researching the story of his maternal Grandfather, a war hero who never returned home from the Far East who died in mysterious circumstances. With the film crew Alan uncovers the true story of his Grandfather and his death. Alan recounts this interesting tale in such a way that it is enthralling, just as he wants to discover the truth so does the reader. 

I found this to be a rewarding and brave book. It's entertaining and even though the subject matter is difficult Alan's humor and intelligence shines through. I'm looking forward to the (hopeful) next installment all about him and his career.

Recommended. 

Cold Weather Cleansers.

In the summer I do sometimes need a less creamy cleanser at least once a day or else my combination skin can become congested. Winter time, not so much. In fact I find my skin gets quite dehydrated in the colder months so it's all about gentle, yet effective (and for the most part rich and creamy) cleansing products. Here's what's in current rotation in my bathroom...

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse.
I love this oily balm cleanser. It does a fantastic job of cleaning my face and removing make up. As you massage it onto your face it dissolves and then becomes a soothing milk when you rinse it with water. Although similar, it's not as heavy as the Eve Lom Balms or as thick as Elemental Herbology Purify and Sooth Balm, I find it very easy to take off and it doesn't make my skin feel greasy or congested - just clean. I also love the slight medicinal smell of this. Sure it's expensive, but you only need one small pump of it.
*Used as a first cleanse in the evenings. Find it at www.us.spacenk.com

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm.
Again, fantastic at removing make up and leaving your face feel really clean. This solid white unscented balm melts into an oil on application and rinses off easily. It's not too expensive and a little goes a long way.
*Used as a first cleanse in the evening. Find it at www.clinique.com

Rodial StemCell Super Food Cleanser.
This huge pot of lightly rose scented cream comes with a muslin cloth and lasts forever. Not only does it do a great job of removing make up it nourishes and leaves my face feeling soft (it contains coconut and rosehip oils). This is probably my favorite cold weather cleanser, I find it to be very soothing and hydrating.
*Used as a first or second cleanse in the evenings and as a morning cleanse. Find it at www.us.spacenk.com

Boot's No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser.
Another lightly scented cream that you remove with it's own muslin cloth. It has a slightly whipped mousse like feel to it and whilst I do find that you need to use a fair amount of it it's nice and gentle and inexpensive.
*Use as a second cleanse in the evenings and as a morning cleanse. Find it at www.target.com

Mario Badesco Enzyme Cleansing Gel.
Now, I have to admit that I find the bright green color of this a tad alarming and it is highly perfumed so it may not be for everyone but I am seriously impressed by this! If I feel like I am getting a little congested, or just want to feel something fresh on my face I whip this one out. It's a non foaming gel that doesn't leave my skin feeling tight yet cleanses it thoroughly. It contains papaya and grapefruit extracts so there's a little exfoliation going on in there and it's a bit of a bargain to boot.
*Use as a second cleanse in the evenings or as a morning cleanse. Find it at www.bluemercury.com

Summer house with Swimming Pool

Herman Koch's The Dinner was a smart, shocking book that I greatly enjoyed. 

His latest Summer House with Swimming Pool is more of the same, dark, twisted and very clever.

Dr Marc Schlosser is a well thought of doctor to the stars (albeit a doctor who holds an aversion to the human body and it's functions). Befriended by one of his patients, actor Ralph Meier, Marc and his family join the Meiers at their Mediterranean villa for part of their summer vacation. 

When a violent incidence occurs Marc and his family abruptly leave the house party. What follows is a compelling tale with plenty of twists and turns to it. It's dark and sinister and things are revealed to not be as they seem.  It's not a light read, indeed, you really need to be in the right frame of mind to read it, yet I enjoyed it greatly.

Recommended.

The 5 Minute Midweek Facial.

Sundays rock when it comes to having a proper pamper/face mask session but sometimes (well OK pretty much all the time) my skin needs a bit of a midweek booster as well.

Like everyone else I'm busy but I've figured out a mini facial that cleans deep, exfoliates, nourishes and leaves my skin looking plumped and glowy and the best part of it is that it takes just 5 minutes! Three products, five minutes, there's really no excuse not to. Just cleanse and wash your face as normal and then follow with this 3 part treatment. 

And if you are on a budget check out my cheaper, yet still pampering, three step solution at the bottom of the page.

Clean.

Biore Self Heating One Minute Masks are just fab. I really do love these charcoal containing masks. They work like a clay mask, deep cleaning your pores and they feel great as they heat up. They come in single use sachets and you simply apply them to your still wet face and massage for a minute before removing. (I use a wet washcloth). They're inexpensive and easy to find in most major drugstores.

Exfoliate.

Dry your face and sweep step 1 of Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel over your face. Wait 2 minutes and sweep over your face with step 2. This product is a constant in my routine and I use it a couple of times a week. Step 1 contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids that cause a slight tingle as they chemically exfoliate. Step 2 neutralizes the acids. Honestly, I could rave about these all day, my skin has improved so much since I have used these. I rarely get breakouts, there's definitely more radiance whenever I've used them and they prep your skin for better absorption of serums and creams. I pick mine up at www.us.spacenk.com and whilst they're not the cheapest chemical exfoliators out there they work the best for me. 

Replenish and Moisturise.

Sarah Chapman's Skinesis Overnight Facial, also from SpaceNK is a serum/oil that has it all - peptides, omega oils, vitamins and brighteners. Sure it's pricey but it's got great slip so you only need a couple of drops and just the one product. Oh and did I mention that this smells amazing? Massage it in and that's it, mini facial done and dusted!

Budget Friendly Version

Steps 2 and 3 are expensive. If times are tight a cheaper Step 2 could be First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($15.00 from www.sephora.com.)For Step 3 a thicker than usual application of your favorite moisturiser, just let it sink in for 15 minutes and tissue off any excess if needed.

Saving Grace.

Jane Green's latest book tells the story of Grace Chapman. To outsiders Grace appears to live the perfect life and have a successful marriage to best selling novelist Ted Chapman. Grace however has dark secrets about her childhood to face and Ted is prone to terrible mood swings behind closed doors.

When Beth, a personal assistant, enters their lives she appears to be perfect, but Grace soon begins to have her doubts as Beth starts to manipulate Ted and the people around them into believing that Grace is insane. In an effort to save herself Grace decides to find out the true story of Beth, so that she can rebuild her life and regain the trust of those near and dear to her.

Now whilst I realize that this isn't the first time this storyline /plot has been used  I thought this was a great read. The ending was what you would expect and there was really no great mystery contained within the story yet it was  well written and gripping with well drawn  characters.

I did enjoy and appreciate that Jane Green detailed the differing approaches to health care in the UK and the US and brought to light the over prescription of medicines in the US and that she did so in a compassionate, understanding way.

I didn't like the inclusion of recipes at the end of chapters as I thought this distracted from the story. I'm not sure that they had any relevance being there either, beyond the fact that Grace's character is a keen cook...

Overall though this was a very good book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Recommended.

Norah Webster

Colm Toibin's novel Norah Webster tells the story of Norah, a young widow in rural Ireland in the late 1960's/early '70's. 

It details the relationship between Norah and her children and follows her in the three years following her husband's death. During this time we see Norah grow as an individual, face up to her difficulties and forge a lifestyle and friendships for herself.

 It also touches on the political happenings in Ireland at the time and the reactions of Norah and her relatives and contemporaries to them. 

Like Colm Toibin's other books it is beautifully written.

Whilst I didn't find myself yearning to pick it up whenever  I did I enjoyed the narrative greatly. He really is a superb writer and captured the mood of life in small town Ireland at that time very, very well. 

My only criticism is that there is really not a lot of big things that happen in the story so for some it may be a little plodding but overall I found it to be a very relaxing, well written read. 

Empties January 2015.

I can't believe that it's come to the end of January so soon!

However the year started well as far as 'empties' are concerned and I used up 14 full sized and 10 mini/samples.

Loved.
Two excellent concealers bit the dust, the pricey Cle de Peau and the cheaper Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. Both were great. The Cle de Peau gave a fuller coverage and was slightly drier (yet not cakey) than the Collection, but it's the later one that I restocked as the Cle de Peau is stupidly expensive. (Even though a little goes a long way - this blister pack was on the small side but lasted a long, long time).

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Primer, Ren Clarimatte Toner  and Crabtree and Evelyn Hand Cream are all old faves that have been on the empties pile before.

Caudalie Grape Water in an atomizer is a new love that I've enjoyed spritzing between layers of product to trap moisture on my winter-time dehydrated skin. I will be getting more of it in the future.

Not So loved.
(*Frowns* as there are quite a few on the list this month...)

Whilst I'm enjoying the Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream the one that I received was either faultily packaged or was damaged during shipping. The pump didn't work and I had to decant it into another pot which caused some spillage.

Fresh Seaberry Facial Oil was very nice on my face but it had a strong lingering spicy smell that I found very off-putting.

Cover FX Primer made a nice base over which to apply make up but I became shiny after a short period of applying it so it's not for me.

Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil has been sat on my shelf almost empty for the longest time. There's nothing wrong with it and it didn't do a bad job of removing make up but I just found myself preferring  to use my other cleansers - I prefer balms and creams to oils, finding them to be less messy.

Another bust from Garnier Was the Fructis Pure Clean Conditioner. Whilst I found the Shampoo in this range to be just ok I really did not get on with the Conditioner which failed to detangle or nourish my hair. My hair actually felt really dry after using it...

Living Proof Satin Hair Serum felt too heavy for my hair and weighed it down although it smelt good. 

Redken Smooth Lock Stay Sleek was a leave in conditioner/styling aid that again was just too, too heavy for my straight hair. However, it worked fine as a rinse out conditioner and I re purposed it as that... Waste not, want not, as they say!

All in all January's empties were a little hit and miss but that's ok - you have to try new things to find new faves and you can't love/suit everything that you try. *Smiles*