Testing Butter London's Posh Bird Polish Posted by Unknown |

I'm a big fan of Butter London – not only for their non-toxic laquer but also the quality...

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Hair Tutorial - Limited Edition Violet ghd Candy Collection Stylers Posted by Unknown |

I'm probably not the best person to be dishing out hair tutorials...

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Ancienne Ambiance Candles & Soaps {Perfect For Mother's Day} Posted by Unknown |

I love discovering brands dedicated to creating luxury but natural products. Developed by London College of Fashion graduate Adriana Carlucci, Ancienne Ambiance launched in 2004 with six candles, based on ancient recipes, made from hand-poured beeswax and lead-free wicks (you are encouraged to return the glass for recycling). I was kindly sent the Persia candle (a favourite of Vogue writer Plum Sykes) to test out – a combination of rose and jasmine – and yes, it is as good as it looks, filling the room with the most deliciously dreamy fragrance; I forget how transforming to an evening it is to have scented candles burning. Free from parabens, synthetic ingredients and harmful chemicals, the soaps are made using traditional techniques from Marseilles with vegetable and coconut oils. Enriched with lovely moisturising shea butter, they are gentle enough to use on your face and, of course, smell divine. Lovely, lovely gift ideas. When the quality is this good, you can't go wrong.  Expect big kisses from mother.

Trying My Hand At DIY Nail Art Posted by Unknown |

I read this week that it's just not acceptable to have tatty nails anymore, even if you're British. Ever. Not the best news I've heard of late. I'm partial to a bit of nail polish and LOVE the results of a professional manicure but I just don't do it that often. Which is probably why the whole nail art thing has pretty much passed me by. Just not been that interested really, while the rest of the world goes mad for it. Then I saw Zoe Deschanel's cute retro film nails on the Golden Globes mani-cam and then I was sent these nail art tattoos to try out. So my appetite was whetted. And yes, I think, I'm beginning to get it. It's fun, looks cute and makes you feel like you've stepped into the world of ladies who take care of their nails, which must make you a lady, obviously a secret lifetime goal of mine ;) Apologies for the rubbish polish application – I can paint my nails well enough to be viewed from a distance, not close up. But I did like sticking on the various birds, hearts, stars and crosses. I did a basic nail and cuticle shape and hand moisture with my tools below. Then a few coats of polish, then I used the supplied tweezers (forgot to photograph them) to apply the tattoos. I finished with a coat of clear polish on top to keep them stuck down. LOVE the stars, and I think I like tonight's no-polish with tattoos the best. What about you? How often do you get your nails done? Is nail art just for special occasions?

Nail Art Tattoos available from Boots. 

Christmas Travel – What's In My Washbag Posted by Unknown |

It feels strangely intimate posting the contents of my washbag. But I do love looking at these kind of posts myself so I thought I'd give it a go. As you can see it's a pretty pared down collection of products that  travelled up to Edinburgh and Skye with me this Christmas (apart from the three lipbalms, but I don't like to skimp on those). Generally, though, I love simplifying my travel requirements as much as possible – this time I dispensed with normally vital items; Elnet hairspray and Bodyshop face powder paper booklets. Also as we were checking bags in (seems to be a necessary evil when travelling with a little one) I had the luxury of packing big containers of facewash and cleansing lotion and not decant them. If you'd like to know more about my beauty routines then check out this pretty in-depth interview I did with xojane.co.uk – the fashion & beauty editor Phoebe Frangoul popped round to investigate my beauty regime and products just before Christmas: Beauty Snoop: Rummaging Around Julia's Dressing Table.

1. I always use a facewash in the shower. This has been a brilliant discovery, organic, super cheap (only £5.99) and leaves skin feeling clean and fresh. Plus it's a two-in-one cleanser and toner. I couldn't ask for more. Laidbare DIY! Two In One Cleanser & Toner

2. A really light foundation. I apply it straight on top of my moisturiser mainly around my eyes. Not cheap, but as I use it sparingly lasts ages. Dr Hauschka Translucent Make-Up

3. YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touche – the stalwart in every girl's make-up bag. For an extra smooth look I dot around my eyes and nose on top of moisturiser and smooth in. I use No. 1.

4. I'm still looking for a really great mascara. Black, I always use black. This one is good, applies well and doesn't clump, but it does rub off on my skin at the mere hint of damp leaving trashy can't-be- bothered-to-take-off-my-make up eyes. Dr Hauschka Volume Mascara.

5. I like to have a lip balm always to hand. This one lives on my bedside table for middle of the night emergencies. Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Balm.

6. During the winter, I use a face oil under my night cream and I love the smell of rose. Neal's Yard Organic Rose Facial Oil.

7. Dr Bronner's Naked Organic Lip Balm. This one lives in my coat pocket for on the road application.

8. As I don't wash my hair that often (see the xojane Beauty Snoop interview for more details on that) dry shampoo is a godsend. I like Batiste the best and it sure does mix up well with Elnet hairspray giving that perfect mix of scruffy but styled. Batiste Mini Dry Shampoo

9. Before bed I cleanse with something mild and cotton wool – I love the way the fragrance lingers on your skin. Neal's Yard Starflower Cleansing Milk

10. I've been using this anti-ageing cream as a night cream. Laidbare Guess My Age Anti-Ageing Cream

11. I'm a big fan of eyelash curling and these are the best ones I've ever used. Shu Uemura eyelash curlers.

12. Never skimp on decent tweezers. Nabbed these from Mummy Stylonylon this Christmas and they are brilliant. Laura Mercier Tweezers

13. A little calming travel essence. Neal's Yard Remedies To Roll – Travel

14. God, I love this shea night cream. It just smells and feels so good. A'kin Rosehip & Shea Intensive Face Cream

15. This one lives in my washbag for after teeth brushing. The Bakewell Soap Company Natural Lip Balm

Organic Beauty: Priti NYC Nail Polish Posted by Unknown |

It's fantastic to find toxic-free brands doing decent nail polish – something that for a while seemed to  lag behind on the eco credentials. But not anymore. Priti NYC (founded by former model Kim D'Amato while she was pregnant) does a super polish – fulsome with a great brush that slides the polish on nice and easy. This is Flamingo Flower. Two coats give a nice, rich ruby red. See below. (Yes, I know, testers usually post pictures of their finger nails but I rarely paint mine, it's always my toes! So, hope you don't mind the foot shot.) The little sachets are biodegradable soy nail polish remover. Available from Cult Beauty.

Organic Brand Fig+Yarrow @ Cult Beauty Posted by Unknown |

Scrummy US brand Fig+Yarrow (small-batch, hand-crafted and organic) is now available in the UK.   The Meadow Bath+Body Oil I tested (I'm saving the Mustard Soak – good for colds, fever and sore muscles – for a really rainy day) is floral and gorgeous smelling and deliciously soothing on the skin. Available from Cult Beauty – plus don't miss their flash sale this Sunday and Monday with 25% off everything. See flyer below for promo code,

New Skincare Find - laidbare Posted by Unknown |

Really pleased to discover skincare brand Laidbare on a random trip to Wholefoods. So amazingly priced and minus the so-called nasties – no petrochemicals, sulphates, parabens, synthetic fragrance and colours and animal testing among others. So far, so good, I'm really enjoying using both the Working 9 To 5 face cream (£7.99) and DIY! Two in One face cleanser and toner (£5.99). At such good prices am tempted to go back for more of the range. 

Natural Lip Balms From The Bakewell Soap Company Posted by Unknown |

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Organic Beauty: New Balinese Skincare Range from French Natural Beauty Brand Terre d'Oc Posted by Unknown |

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Organic Beauty: US Beauty Brand Sophyto Hits Planet Organic's Shelves Posted by Unknown |

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Organic Beauty: On The Stylon Shelf – Jason Posted by Unknown |

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Organic Beauty: Korres Almond Oil & Calendula Hand Cream Posted by Unknown |

Korres Almond Oil & Calendula Hand Cream

Two of my favourite skincare ingredients are used in this yummy new hand cream from Greek beauty brand Korres. Nourishing almond oil and soothing calendula both sourced from the Korres network of organic farms. Korres almonds are cold-pressed with their skins still on so in theory contain a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to your standard almond oil. Anyway, it hasn’t left my desk, and though satisfyingly rich, absorbs quickly so my hands aren’t oily when I go back to typing (HATE icky hands on a keyboard!) and I’d quite like to have another one strictly for my handbag as the packaging is so pretty. And, of course, smells lovely but not too over-powering.
£9.00. Available from asos.com