Moving to a new home - Chloe leaves

Saturday was a sad day for me, Chloe the horse (of Chloe and Freda fame see here) has now gone to her new home and I will no longer be required to stand in for horse (and sheep) sitting duties.

Preteens – Dot is bored and I don’t know what to do

Dot when she was easier to handle

I’m at a bit of a loss parenting-wise. I know being a parent is hard work – and children don’t come with a manual for how to get it right – but this time, coming up to her 12th birthday, seems to me to be the hardest bit so far.

Her terrible twos were terrible and her troublesome threes none the less so. She has always been very strong willed and I didn’t cope so well with the toddler years – the tantrums, screaming and all that comes with them. When they’re that age though you can scoop them up and carry them away with you to wherever it is you want to go and they don’t. You can’t do that when they’re almost teenagers.

Summer scent - Figue Sauvage from Les Senteurs Gourmandes

With the outbreak of warm weather we've had this past week or so I've gone into full summer mode when it comes to perfume. I've put away the heavier scents along with my winter jumpers and dug out my favourite light fragrances, including the fresh citrus one I told you about here.

Things I Love - book review

This is a book of four parts and includes a practical collection of design tips as well as a section of inspirational pull-out postcards, to whet your home stylist appetite. Megan also introduces a number of people she admires – designers, artists, models, collectors and photographers – through interviews that give insights into their creativity. 

Finally, Homes I Love is a look inside houses across the world that have had an impact on her, thanks to their style and the people who live in them. Informal in tone and easy to read, this book will quickly engross you.

Things I Love by Megan Morton, £25, Conran Octopus

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner

Yes, this shampoo and conditioner from Alterna does contain caviar extract, which is something I’ve eaten in the past, but never put on my hair before. Happily they bear no resemblance in smell or texture to that fishy delicacy.

Gatineau Melatogenine AOX Advanced Rejuvenating Eye Serum

As I get older I find it’s the skin under my eyes that gives the game away – I get up in the morning and it’s like I’ve been creased during the night, the lines seem to stick together almost, creating horror of horrors WRINKLES.

I can’t get away with calling them laugh lines these days (who laughs that much?) so I find the answer is just not to focus on them too closely before about 11am and to send in the big guns, aka eye creams, in the interim.

Joy to the nose

When you’re feeling down there’s nothing like a fragrant pick-me-up to, well, pick you up. So when I received this fruity number from The Body Shop the other day I sniffed away my blues.