Win a Makeup Palette - ends 17/02/13

Oriflame is an international beauty company based in Sweden and was founded in 1967. They now sell direct in more than 60 countries worldwide and are proud of their ethics. Oriflame says that they have never tested their products on animals, and never will. How many companies can say that these days?

Oriflame has built up their reputation and sales through a great army of self-employed beauty consultants selling their products to their customer's door to door. They are looking for new consultants all the time and it's a great opportunity for the modern woman to be their own boss and fit work in around their busy lifestyle (men can apply as well though!)

How do you join?

Registering is simple, straightforward and comes without obligation!  You simply enter your personal details onto Oriflame’s website and, once you have received your log-in details you can create a personalised order page within Oriflame’s website.

You are then ready to go and place your first order. Payment for the first order is required upfront (there is no minimum order amount per catalogue) but thereafter payment is not required until you have delivered products to your customers. 

To help you get started you can also purchase a Starter Kit priced £15 which includes presentational material about the company and products as well as guides, catalogues and product samples. Plus, Oriflame is due to launch a fantastic new Start Programme if you wish to start recruiting your own team.


And are the products any good? Well if it is good enough for Demi Moore then it is good enough for me!

I tried the Bioclinic Fade Away active essence. It glided onto the skin and felt delicious on. It has a light floral fragrance and really feels as if it is doing your skin good. It is a concentrated cream that reduces pigmentation and evens out skin tone. As I am in my early 40's I am always on the lookout for the next great thing in skincare.  I look forward to seeing the results in 8 weeks!

The Marcel Marongiu Lip Gloss was very glossy and tasted fruity. For a lipgloss, this is well priced at £4.95 now on special offer.
The beautiful Marcel Makeup palette has a range of stunning colours and it a perfect gift or a treat for yourself :) Priced at only £15.95 it is a great palette with lots of lovely neutral colours, and great to keep in your bag and to take your makeup from day to night.

Oriflame has given me this fab beauty palette to give away to my lucky readers. To enter follow the steps in the rafflecopter giveaway below. You can tweet daily for extra entries. 

If you like competitions check out my competition page here.

* I have been given a selection of products to try in exchange for an honest review.

Incredible Incredisocks Review

Incrediwear are one of those brands you may not have heard of, but as soon as you wear their products you wonder why you haven't heard of them before! They produce a range of high-performance socks and braces with the emphasis on technological comfort.

Incredisocks are ideal for athletics, hiking, sports and also everyday activities, and perfect for diabetics they are a must have product for the winter season.  




Unlike ordinary socks they increase circulation with improved blood flow allowing more oxygen to the tissues. This helps to reduce inflammation and give the skin a healthier colour. 

Incredisocks have a high thread count which makes a superior comfortable sock. Their unique 3-d design provides excellent cushioning and keeps your feet absolutely dry. Another benefit is that they have a natural antimicrobial that kills the odour causing bacteria as they are made of a bamboo charcoal.

I was given some Incredisocks to try and chose some suitable for my husband who has just taken up running. He found the socks very comfortable and of a high quality, with great cushioning for running.




You can buy Incredisocks from their website - with prices from £12.95. You can buy ladies socks, special outdoor socks and diabetic socks amongst others. The ladies socks look lovely perfect for exercising in particular. I think I may order some for Zumba!

To recap these socks are great comfortable and have a range of benefits, why don't you try some now, I don't think you will be disappointed.


Core benefits of Incredisocks:

• Increase blood flow and oxygen
• Ensure feet stay dry
• Regulate temperature
• Reduce swelling
• Anti-microbial
• Reduce pain
• Increase range of motion

* PR sample

Valentine's Gift Ideas from RMA Williams Jewellers

What do you buy the lady who has everything on Valentine's day?

I know I always appreciate jewellery- it means something so special and feels like a real treat at anytime of the year, and especially on Valentine's day.

A piece of jewellery I really treasure is my Thomas Sabo charm bracelet. I have charms that relive memories for me, and I still have a way to go to complete it. 




I like this sparkly heart charm -which charm do you like?

I also love the idea of lockets to keep a precious photo in. Hot Diamonds do a range of lockets that are special each containing a genuine diamond.


I am a true lover of Thomas Sabo Jewellery and this Angel Wing pendant is truly stunning. 



Clogau are a jewellery brand that has grow and grown over the years. These Clogau silver and rose gold heart earrings are beautiful and a perfect Valentine's gift.


These earrings are also sweet, again from Hot Diamonds, in sterling silver and containing a genuine diamond.


So why don't you leave this page open for you partner to see and maybe you will get something you really want for Valentine's day.

RMA Williams Jewellers offer free delivery and gift wrapping too and all orders can be placed online through their secure server or over the Telephone on 01656 786007. If you say you saw the jewellery on this blog you are entitled to 10% off the price. 

So I hope you feel loved up this Valentine's day! 

Love Mel x

Boursin Review

Boursin the cheese brand has kindly sent me some delicious cheese to review. I love soft cheese and now with the new Boursin light I don't have to worry about watching my waistline either! I find Boursin can add a creamy tastiness to any food, so I couldn't wait to try the Boursin light variety.



Containing 78% less fat than Boursin original garlic & herbs, Boursin Light offers the same delicious taste and creamy, crumbly texture without the added calories, so you can indulge in your favourite soft cheese guilt-free; perfect enjoyed spread over crackers, warm bread, or stirred into pasta and served with fresh salad leaves for a light lunch.



So I decided to have a go and make this creamy Boursin omelette with the Light variety. Here is the recipe

Healthy Boursin Omelette

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of butter
2 large eggs
salt and pepper
3 tbls of Boursin Light Garlic and Herbs cheese

Melt butter in small non-stick skillet, over medium-high heat. In small bowl, beat eggs, salt and pepper, until well combined.

Slowly pour egg mixture into heated skillet, swirling eggs around pan. With spatula, gently draw egg mixture away from sides of skillet into the center, allowing egg mixture to flow towards sides of skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until eggs are set.

Crumble Boursin onto half of omelette. With spatula, gently flip the omelette in half, keeping cheese-side down. Cook for another minute or until Boursin is melted and omelette is golden brown.

The omelette has a hint of G
arlic and added some great flavours to an otherwise plain omelette.




Another cheese I tried was the Boursin Fig and Nut. I tried this simply spread on crackers. The sweetness of the fig was very pleasant with the texture of the nut. I really rate this flavour, so I am glad I went out of my comfort zone,  it was different to what I have tried before and very tasty.



The last flavour I tried was the Boursin Minis Garlic and Herbs. These mini cheeses are perfect to jazz up a jacket potato or to spread on crackers or toast. In a resealable pot they are a great idea to keep in the fridge.

Before I leave you, have a look at this recipe which I am dying to try!

Creamy Leek and Garlic Mushrooms 

Ingredients: 


2 kg mussels
50g butter
2 – 3 leeks, shredded
2 sticks celery with leaves, sliced
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
1 clove garlic,
chopped freshly ground black pepper
300ml vermouth
1 x 150g packet Boursin garlic & herb
fresh chopped celery leaves and flat leaf parsley, to garnish

Serves: 4 Prep: 20 mins Cook: 12 mins

Method:

1.Fresh mussels should always be tightly closed, if not tap with the back of a knife and if it does not close, discard. Discard any with cracked shells. Under cold running water scrub mussels to remove barnacles and beards.

2.Melt the butter in a large deep saucepan and sauté the leeks, celery, celery leaves, chilli and garlic for 2 minutes. Add the vermouth and Boursin garlic and herb and stir until smooth. Add the mussels, stir, cover and bring to the boil. Simmer for 7 minutes, shaking pan once during cooking, until the mussels have opened. If the mussel is closed, please discard and do not eat.

3.Remove from the heat and divide between warm serving bowls discarding any unopened shells. Scatter over celery and parsley and serve immediately with fresh crusty bread. 


Calories per portion: 778 Cost per portion: £4.25



So when you are looking for some soft cheese next try creamy Boursin I don't think you will be disappointed. 

Get Puzzling With The Nintendo DS and Puzzler World - Review

Today I am talking to you as I have been asked to review Puzzler World for the Nintendo Ds due to my interest in technology. Developed and published by Ideas Pad, Puzzler is proud to announce the latest release in its hugely popular Puzzler World series, which has just been released for Nintendo DS.


We all need to keep our memory active don't we, and what better way than relaxing with a cup of tea and Puzzler World on the DS? Whether you have a Nintendo Ds yourself or you are borrowing it from the kids, its a fun way to relax in your own home. 






I gave it to my husband to try and he was highly impressed with the whole host of puzzles and brainteasers - there's over 1200 puzzles on the software . As well as the old favourites such as Crossword, Wordsearch, Codewords, Pathfinder and Sudoku it also introduces new puzzles such as Loko, Number Jig and Maze-a-Pix and includes exciting bonus games after each Challenge Mode. 




If you are an expert, or simply want to master your puzzling skills, you’ll enjoy being challenged with the unlocked Master Mode puzzles. Do not fear those in need of help can collect handy hint tokens to help them out with the trickier puzzles or race ahead of their friends and family – collecting trophies along the way! I think it is a great game for teenagers too - excellent for improving Maths and English skills.

If you are a novice puzzler or a puzzler addict this has something for everyone. The word based games allow you to write the answers in, in your handwriting style. The puzzles also let you record your progress so you can pick it up when on a coffee break or play for longer sessions too

You can buy Puzzler World from Amazon here  at a great price of £19.99. A great present for those of all ages. Now let me kick my husband off so I can get on the DS! 


Blue Dragon Restaurant Style Sauces - Review

Blue Dragon- the Chinese sauce experts,  are currently revamping their products and have now revealed a tasty new restaurant selection. So you can enjoy your favourite Chinese meals and takeaways at home at a fraction of the cost.




The innovative new range gives you the freedom to create delicious oriental flavours whenever you fancy, choose from Crispy Chilli Beef, Lemon Battered Chicken or Sweet & Sour Battered Chicken

Simply coat your chicken or beef with the tempura mix, add ice cold water if you prefer a fluffy texture to your batter and shallow fry until crispy.  Pour over the sauce, heat through and serve for a quick, tasty meal in moments.

Now being a lover of Blue Dragon already, as I often use their stir-fry sauces I thought I would check these out, and was delighted when they gave me some to try. 



I loved the idea of the tempura batter being included with the sauce to give an authentic Chinese meal. I added extra pineapple to the sauce for the sweet and sour as it was suggested and I think I will also add red pepper next time I cook it. The result was a delicious sweet and sour sauce although I am glad I added the pineapple  as it would have been a very smooth sauce without it. I think I made the batter with too much water as it didn't coat the chicken as it should have, which was a shame, next time I will be strict at measuring the 60ml of water for the batter.



Sweet and sour battered chicken

The crispy chilli beef was truly delicious! It had the correct amount of spice for me - I must admit I don't like food too hot, but still like a bit of spice. The sauce was very smooth again but I preferred it like this for this sauce. I managed to make the batter correctly this time - phew!

The Sweet and Sour fridge pack can serve up to 16 people. You must remember though that it is a little stronger than normal sweet and sour, so a little goes a long way. It's a very economical pack too and very handy to have in the fridge when you want a tasty meal.

I am not a fan of Wasabi sauce, but that is my choice. My husband said it pulls a punch! 

Blue Dragon Restaurant Specials Sweet & Sour Battered Chicken and Crispy Chilli Beef will be available in Morrison’s from 29th October with an RRP of £1.59. Lemon Battered Chicken will be in store from January 2013. 




If you want to get inspired there are also recipes on their website to give you ideas on how to use a wide range of their ingredients.

Sportsshoes.com Review

If you are looking for some new trainers have you checked out this site?



Sports Shoes has a wide range of trainers and sports gear for men, women and children and from a range of recognisable brands including Adidas, Nike and Rebook.

The website is easy to navigate and simple to use with a great Guide, Advice and Technology section. They are an Internet Shopping Is Safe Accredited Retailer too so you know you can trust the site. and I also found the prices very competitive.

I was given a pair of trainers to review and picked some for my husband as he wanted to take up running.


These Nike trainers are £79.99 from £99.99 and a great price I am sure you will agree.

These trainers are very light but still durable. My husband commented that they are very cushioned and comfortable and liked the design. He has used them all week and found them perfect for running.

It says on the website that these trainers have a water resistant breathable mesh upper but I guess you would need to protect them with a spray to make them truly waterproof. What is great about these trainers is that they feature Zoom Air Units in the heel for superior cushioning and comfort. They also are NIKE + enabled. This means that they accept the new Nike + sensor that you can buy. The sensor is placed in the trainer and you can then get workout feedback through your ipod. We have yet to use this feature as we do not have the sensor but its certainly something to look into in the future.




While I was browsing I noticed they had a decent selection of mens, womens and junior clothing. I love this Ron Hill jacket in my favourite colour pink, and at the moment it is half price- a bargain! 




If you are looking for some new sportswear why don't you check out this website, they guarantee to beat anyone on price so you have nothing to lose. They even have a sale section where prices are reduced further. I think I have found my new favourite site :) 

Guest Post Graco Evo Travel System

A guest post by my friend Karen Lancaster.

I thought I would tell you about my lovely Graco Evo travel system. I have had numerous pushchairs over the years and I was pleasantly surprised by how fantastic the Evo is for a fraction of the price of competitors. I have the Evo in Sand. I am using it with my 5 week old little girl.





Graco Evo Travel System SandWith this it came with frame, seat (from 6 mths), carry cot, rain cover and car seat. I have to say it was extremely easy to put together. In total it took me less than 15 minutes from getting out of the box. When you assemble the you need to click on the front wheels and feed the back wheels onto the frame. Here I had slight difficulty getting the little pins in as I have long nails but it only took a couple minutes and was simple once in the pins were in the correct position. That’s it your ready to go.
The frame is so simple to fold and it folds really small! It looks fantastic. You can have the seat forward or rear facing. Huge plus is all the covers come off so you can pop them in the wash when needed. The handle is easy for 1 handed manoeuvrability which is needed in my case as I have a 4 and 2 year old in tow. When I took it out into town I tried out various types of surfaces. It handled a dream. So easy to turn around, lift to go up curbs and even with plastic types worked well over cobbles. The frame is very sturdy and made to last. The seats are easily swapped around. The mechanisms are simple and only take a couple of clicks. I know this will last me for years.
Overall if you are looking for a fantastic value for money pushchair with many features of a top of the range pushchair (hideously over priced) this is definitely the one. Well done Graco!

16 And A Zombie

Well, it doesn't seem like that long ago my lovely boy J was born. He is a great kid and really kind and caring however he does love computer games with lots of shooting and anything with Zombies. As a special treat for his birthday, he went with his stepdad to Reading to shoot Zombies. Zedevents organise a great experience in an abandoned shopping mall and he absolutely loved it. If you think you can survive a Zombie Apocalypse and have nerves of steel why don't you check out their website now?






As another treat for him, I had a picture of him Zombified for his birthday.

Ian at www.undeadme.co.uk took a photo of J, and turned it into something truly horrifying!


Me and J before



J after 


I would highly recommend www.zedevents.co.uk and www.undeadme.co.uk as both make unique presents for Zombie mad people!

New Facebook Page For The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover

I have some exciting news for my readers, I now have a new Facebook page for my blog, which you can find here - 


Why don't you pop over and give it a like? I am running a competition on this Facebook page to win some silver earrings from RMA Williams Jewellers but be quick as the competition ends on 300 likes. 




I will be running more competitions on there in future though if you miss out.

RMA Williams Jewellers are a family jewellers based in Porthcawl, South Wales. They are a stockist of Clogau Welsh Gold, Thomas Sabo, Hot Diamonds and many other brands as well as stunning rings , necklaces and earrings in a range of prices. They also have a great range of wedding bands  in a choice of yellow gold, white gold, platinum and palladium and they offer 10% off when you buy two wedding rings together as well!  

Getting Fab and Fit(ter) in my Forties

I have to say I love Zumba! There I have said it. Which is lucky for me as it a fun way to lose weight and lose weight I definitely need to do.

I have a fabulous holiday planned for later in the year to the golden coast of California where everyone is a size zero. Me I'm probably a size 100! Thank god for Photoshop that's all I can say.


I want to go from this




Stomach models own!

To this 





Well I love my food so I am planning to cut out the rubbish, the extras with the meals, eat more fruit and veg and step up the exercise. I also need to drink more fluid to fill myself up.


I was lucky enough to win some Zumba Clothing recently and this will spur on my weight loss. 


My goal is to reach a size 12 in the first instance and go from there. I would like to lose a stone by the middle of April, which should be achievable as that is approx a lb a week.


I am tracking my food intake and exercise on my phone and would love a Fit Bit to make it easier to do this. The Zip wireless tracker is in one word AWESOME. It encourages you to follow your goals, tracking all exercise taken and helps push you to the next level at your own pace.


I have written this blog post to get myself motivated and also to enter the GET FIT FEEL EPIC competition run by www.moneysupermarket.com from the Yummy Mummy In Training Blog.


Money Supermarket are offering a fab prize of a Zip which is a fab little device which tracks your steps taken, distance and calories burned and then syncs it to either your computer or select smart phones so that you can see exactly how much you are actually doing per day. A great idea to keep motivated! You also get the chance to win an Aria Smart Scales which also works out your body fat and links it wirelessly with www.fitbit.com.
So please Yummy Mummy and Money Supermarket consider me. You've seen my stunt belly now help get me fit!


Poem

Once upon a time I used to be slim,
I walked everywhere and joined a gym.
But with a baby came my wobbly tum,
Even though I am proud, everyday to be a mum.
My son however is soon to be 16,
He's a fabulous kid and a strapping teen.
But still I have my wobbly tum,
And I'd rather be a yummy mum!
So Money Supermarket let me win with fitbit,
It's time to lose weight by now I have to admit.
When I'm on the beach in the California sun,
And the film stars look twice at this yummy mum,
I'd know it was worth entering this draw,
When Leonardo looks twice or even Jude Law.
And I've saved with my travel money too,
As I bought it from Moneysupermarket its true!