Hemsley + Hemsley (and me...)

You're probably really over people banging on about things like eating clean, going sugar free, juicing, cold-pressing, spiralizing, etc, etc. But I'm afraid I'm going to add to the seemingly never-ending stream of articles, blogs and TV programmes on healthy eating with this post, sharing my love for the Hemsley and Hemsley girls, or rather their book 'The Art of Eating Well'.

My healthy eating bible

Slightly annoying title aside, this book isn't a pretentious foray into faddish food habits or the latest health obsession. It's written in a helpful, supportive way with a common sense philosophy at its core -  the 'better than' rule - which suggests that striving to eat the best, most nutrient-rich food wherever possible is the way forward. Many of the recipes are re-interpretations of old standards - shepherd's pie, beef ragu, sausage casserole - and the book relies heavily on something that was a mainstay in the cooking habits of our grandmothers: the bone broth, which is integrated into many of the books soups and sauces as a way of getting a good dose of nutrients, as well as keeping your gut in good nick(being mindful of one's gut health is another guiding principle of the book.) If you were given bone broth as a child (or in my case the Italian version - 'Brodo' - a comforting broth swimming with tiny pasta shapes), you'll no doubt remember its amazing capacity to make you feel instantly better when you were run down and poorly.

Can you tell I make this recipe a lot?

Aside from the recipes, the book is actually very interesting to read, shedding light on the science behind the buzzwords. If you've ever been dismissive about the power of that most middle-class of foodstuffs - quinoa - you might change your mind when you find out it's one of nature's most 'complete' plant foods, and a veritable powerhouse of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And if you've ever tried cooking it only to end up with a bowl of flavourless, unappetising mush, this book explains how to 'do' quinoa properly - turns out it can actually be quite nice when you combine it with the right ingredients. I can personally vouch for the Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad with Brazil Nut Pesto, which helped me to finally 'get' quinoa.

If you're thinking a recipe book written by two sisters who also run a bespoke food service, catering to dietary whims of the rich and famous, equals expensive recipes featuring a myriad of weirdly named ingredients you've never heard of, I'm pleased to report that the recipes are - on the whole - pretty accessible (though I've yet to track down dried arame seaweed or furikake so I can have a crack at the Superfood Salad...). While some dishes do call for expensive ingredients - raw honey don't come cheap, unfortunately - I haven't noticed that following a healthier philosophy has had much impact on the weekly food spend. Places like Lidl and Aldi are great for stocking up on your fruit and veg, plus you'll pay much less here for what can be expensive items in the usual supermarkets (think pecans, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, for example.) You will need to spend some extra time sourcing some of the less obvious items, however, but even Tesco is waking up to the fact that quite a few people want the odd pseudocereal in their lives. 

Broccoli, Pea & Basil Soup

Having tried to stick to a low-sugar diet in recent years, I have to admit that it can get a little boring sometimes, and while I've turned my tastebuds against processed sweet stuff, I don't think I'll ever completely lose my sweet tooth. However, I don't want to fall off the wagon, which is where the pudding and sweet treat recipes in this book have been most helpful. Who knew mousse made from raw cacao and avocado could be so nice (and so quick to whip up) and that amaranth makes a delicious alternative to rice pudding, satisfying a sweet tooth thanks to the use of maple syrup as a sweetener. Even my kids ate the no sugar, no flour banana bread for breakfast - a much better alternative to the standard toast 'n' jam or bowl of cereal. 

So, yes, buy the book. Everything I've made from it has been a success, and I'm using it more than any of the other books on my shelf at the moment. I feel pretty good on it and am finally getting my blood sugar issues under control, helping me feel a tad more energised, a little less stressy and generally more healthy.

Here are the recipes I've made so far and which I recommend trying:

Healthy chocolate mousse

Broccoli, Pea & Basil Soup

Feel justifiably virtuous whipping up a batch of this easy to prepare soup, packed with green goodness and boasting a deliciously tangy basil and lemon flavour. 

Beef Ragu & Courgetti

I nearly choked on my courgetti in amazement at the fact that my kids were happily slurping up their pasta sauce from actual COURGETTES. This ragu recipe is the best I've tried and you don't need to spend out on a spiralizer - I use a julienne peeler to get the same effect. 

Papaya, Halloumi & Watercress Salad

Papaya's never really done it for me, but it's packed with antioxidants and helps to cleanse your digestive tract. Combined with halloumi (one of my favourite cheeses) and peppery watercress, it's so much more palatable.

Hot Buckwheat Noodle Salad

They call it a "15-minute please everyone meal" - and it is. Delicious.

Banana Bread & Instant Chia & Blueberry Jam

Malaysian Lentil & Squash Curry

Not keen on lentils? Me neither, but this dish is so full of creamy flavour you'll forget that lentils have never excited you eating this yummy curry. 

Sausage & Cider Stew

Think swede, think bad memories of school dinners, but this recipe will make you realise that the humble vegetable is perhaps a little misunderstood. This stew combines swede with sausages, cider, leek and carrot to create an absolutely awesome winter dish. Highly recommended!

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Get a sweet hit without the sugar - this mousse takes moments to make and is full of antioxidant goodness.

Banana Bread

Ground almonds make a great alternative to flour, it turns out, and in this recipe they bulk up a mix of banana, flaxseed, maple syrup and cinnamon to make a filling, tasty bread perfect for breakfast or elevenses. Tastes great slathered with the book's recipe for instant blueberry chia jam.

You can buy 'Hemsley Hemsley: The Art of Eating Well' from all good bookstores and online at The Book Depository. A selection of recipes is also available on the Hemsley Hemsley website.

And if you're trying to cut down on sugar, you can read a post about my experiences here.

Clothes That Work

Of course you made a new year's resolution to spend less this year, or at least spend more wisely. It's a tradition, right? But during what is the most miserable, soul-destroying month of the year it's all to easy to see those good intentions wither. I'm a pretty careful spender most of the year but there's something about January - a month synonymous with self-denial, tax returns and crap weather - that renders me most vulnerable to the impulse purchase. The massive charity bag I've just filled with unloved, unworn stuff is testament to that - it's full of rash purchases, often bought in the January sales - and provides a useful reminder that sales shopping can prove a very false economy.

So this year I'll be avoiding the sales and buying only tried and tested items that truly work for me. The realisation has dawned that I often buy things for my fantasy 'self'. But it's pretty pointless buying a suitcase full of Ibiza-esque, boho kaftans if you're going to be taking your summer holidays on a campsite in Lake Garda, for example, and you'll most likely be spending your time at the kids disco, watching them do the Macarena, rather than floating about In Ibiza Town, supping cocktails and listening to Balearic House. Yes, it's important to buy stuff for the actual life you're living, I've realised..

So this post is a round-up of those tried-and-tested wardrobe staples that I reckon work for the average person's day-to-day life - things that make sound investments if you like fashion but don't like having cupboards full of expensive, unworn clothes...

1. T-shirts from American Apparel

I can't bear a badly cut t-shirt. Tri-blend t-shirts from American Apparel are just right - just tight enough, just long enough. They wash really well and hold their shape, and have a slightly 70s neckline that I love. They come in a range of colours including the perfect grey. 

2. Cashmere jumpers from Uniqlo

Cashmere's reputation seems to give some retailers carte blanche for charging ridiculous amounts for a jumper. Yes, it should cost a bit more than bog-standard wool, but you shouldn't have to spend hundreds for the privilege of wearing the stuff. Uniqlo does great cashmere jumpers at a fraction of the price. You can buy online if you can't visit a store and I would recommend sizing up for the best fit - Uniqlo sizing can be on the small side. And forget what you've heard about cashmere being dry clean only - as long as you wash your jumpers by hand and dry them carefully they'll be fine (the inimitable Martha Stewart has a guide to hand washing wool here, which explains how to treat your cashmere with respect.)

3. Leather goods from Mango or Zara

I avoid buying synthetic shoes or bags - I just think they look really cheap and particularly in the case of shoes, they're rarely comfortable or hard-wearing. However, I have a real problem with ordinary, high street shoe shops charging prices that are far in excess of the quality on offer in their products. Mass produced, made in China shoes just don't justify the prices in many cases. Spanish labels like Mango and Zara, however, do leather goods that look expensive but aren't. The shoes are often made in Spain or places that have a strong tradition of making leather goods, such as Morocco or India. I bought some amazing leather sandals last year that I wore all summer, which are still in great nick, meaning I'll (hopefully) get another season's wear out of them.

4. Jeans from Zara

On the subject of Zara I would also recommend its denim. 'Premium' denim is another of my bete-noires; I simply can't see how much design can possibly go into making a pair of jeans, or how they can in some way be 'engineered' to do anything more than provide a handy, comfortable method of clothing one's legs. However, premium denim abounds, and my God, will it set you back - £200 for a pair of skinnies is quite normal nowadays. I have always loved denim and live in my jeans, but I just don't lead a life that makes wearing J Brand 'Photo Ready' jeans a necessity. Zara jeans are the best I've found on the high street (despite people raving about TopShop denim the cut doesn't suit me) and feature plenty of vintage style washes if you like that sort of thing (I do). They wash well, hold their shape and don't have any horrible detailing on them. If you have the time you should also check out TK Maxx - you'll often find Diesel, J Brand and Citizens of Humanity on the racks.

5. Different stuff from &Other Stories

Love Bristol though I do, it hasn't got great shops. The two main shopping hubs - Cabot Circus and The Mall - are fine for the everyday but if you're after something a bit different, they're limited to say the least. If you have a special event on the horizon or just want to inject your wardrobe with something a little less high-street-y, I would take a look at &Other Stories. The clothes are quite 'fashion forward' but in a good way. They're made well and fabrics feel expensive. The dresses and shoes are particularly good. 

6. Bras from M&S

As most of the nation's female population buys their bras from M&S, I'm not breaking any new ground by suggesting this as a go-to place for purchasing your smalls. But to be more specific, there is one style in particular that is good if a) you find paying £30 for a bit of lace, some straps and a clasp a bit annoying b) you don't require any extra padding c) you're after a good every-day bra that provides support and comfort. It seems that most retailers think we all want push-up, padded bras, making finding a non-padded, full-cup bra quite tricky - particularly if you're after something delicate and stylish rather than matronly. I swear by the M&S Collection all-over lace full-cup bra which you can take a look at here. Yes, that's TWO bras for £16. They're great for everyday wear, and if you look after them - hand washing is the way to go - they'll last you a while.

7. Sports Wear from Gap

You won't find Gap's sports wear that readily in its stores but look online for the GapFit collection and you'll find a really reasonable selection of tops, bottoms, bras and accessories. The quality of the materials stands up to expensive alternatives from the likes of big brand sports names or Sweaty Betty so if you just can't bring yourself to spend £80 on a pair of yoga pants, take at Gap's range for something a little kinder on the wallet.

Christmas Shopping Ideas

Christmas shopping - it's a hideous experience, no point glossing over it. But, alas, it has to be done eventually. Thankfully we have the internet to help us avoid unnecessarily trips to the shops, but I'm not sure you can entirely rely on online shopping, especially if you want to buy something a bit different. Plus, with virtually limitless choice available online, it can be a wearying experience trawling the net for a gift, especially when most retailers' search tools don't really help to refine your options too well. I tried searching for a 'star necklace' on notonthehighstreet.com and was presented with just 18,648 options to consider...there is such a thing as 'too much choice', I reckon. 

So, where you can you buy original, stylish, good value gifts on the real, actual high street? Here's where I've found some brilliant stuff so far this year...

Hit or miss for a lot the year, TX Maxx really comes into its own ahead of Christmas. This year its shelves seem to be particularly bounteous and filled with premium products at a fraction of the RRP. Bristol has several outlets, but I usually visit the Cribbs Causeway branch which is a little less stress inducing than the one in the Galleries. Its homeware and beauty department is, at the moment, a veritable goldmine, whether you're after One Direction perfume for the tween in your family, or some new mugs for your mum. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll find goodies such as Miller Harris candles (£20, half the RRP) and Neom Organics bath and body oils. On my visit I spotted shower gels from Space NK's own brand range for just £3.99, as well as Cath Kidston soaps and a pretty comprehensive range of perfumes from brands such as Prada and Marc Jacobs, as well as more niche beauty houses, such as Annick Goutal.

Up in homeware, I stumbled on lovely bird mugs by Emma Bridgewater, as well as beautiful calendars from arty publishing house Taschen. The book selection is also fantastic at the moment - I picked up a massive hardback Lego Architecture book for £12.99 (it retails elsewhere at around the £15-£20 mark.) You'll find amazing cookbooks amongst the range, and unusual titles that you might miss in a normal bookshop - a DK book on computer coding for kids for £5.99 will make the perfect stocking filler for my 10-year-old.

If you're brave enough to buy clothes as presents you need to delve a little more closely into the racks for the gems to reveal themselves. There's a lot of tat on the hangers, too, but you might spot a pair of J Brand jeans (a present to myself - perfect fit skinny jeans for just £49) or a cute Clements Ribeiro jumper. Socks might be classed as a boring gift but dads and hard-to-buy for uncles are usually happy to receive a new intake for their sock drawer, and there are some quirky, boxed sets from brands such as Original Penguin and William Hunt in the menswear department.

For something a little more original, visit the Made in Bristol fair, which takes place at the Colston Hall on 13th December. The antithesis of high street mayhem, things are relatively calm here, where you'll find a range of independent sellers showcasing everything from ceramics and prints to soaps and jewellery. It's a great place to pick up something unusual and support small businesses. I bought a lovely necklace from Jules & Clem - handmade, beautifully boxed and considerably cheaper than something similar from TopShop. Be sure to whizz by the 'Tash & Bow' stall, where you'll find cool perspex jewellery made by pupils at Hanham High School. The after-school jewellery club has been set up to encourage more girls to get involved in Design & Technology, and receives support from Rolls Royce. The girls were manning a stall laden with lovely pieces, featuring both their trademark 'tash and bow designs and retro-style initial necklaces, the perfect presents for my teenage nieces. Priced at just £4 and lovingly packaged in smart brown boxes, secured with funky washi tape, they look exactly like something you'd pick up for three times the price in Hoxton.

There's nothing like supporting a charity while shopping for pressies for giving you a festive warm glow so why not stop by the fantastic Gromit Unleashed shop while you're trawling the Mall? Having got to know a little more about the charity it supports - Wallace & Gromit's Children's Charity - through my job at Aardman Animations, I've stocked up on a few pressies here, happy to know my money is going to a charity that does amazing work for poorly babies and children across the region. You'll find the famous collection of Gromit figurines, soft toys, tea towels and even a special Gromit Unleashed edition of Monopoly, featuring locations from the trail. There are good value stocking fillers, too - Gromit Top Trumps, mugs, books and giant Gromit chocolate coins. You can also buy online if you really can't face the crowds.

Finally, who wouldn't love some fresh flowers popping through their letterbox as a Christmas treat? Literally fitting through your letterbox, the flowers at Bloom & Wild don't require their recipient to be at home at the time of delivery - brilliant. The flowers are supplied in a slimline box and include instructions on how to arrange them for a professional-looking display. You can choose from a variety of seasonal flowers, and prices start at just £20 for a simple bouquet. A great idea if you're totally stuck for ideas and running short on shopping time. Check out fantastic blog The Frugality where you can read more about Bloom & Wild, plus enjoy a special discount on your order. 

Friday Night Pizza at Flour & Ash

Like pizzas? Looking for something along the lines of the much celebrated Acapella but live north of the river? Then you'll be pleased to know that there's a newcomer to the Gloucester Road/Stokes Croft restaurant scene in the shape of Flour & Ash which opened at the beginning of the month, and - judging by the reserved tables when we visited - is already proving a hit with the locals. 

Having seen the place take shape over the previous months on my walk to work, I was looking forward to sampling what sounded like an authentic proposition - proper pizzas from an wood-fired oven, but using sourdough rather than traditional pizza dough. So myself and my 10-year-old son and pizza aficionado took ourselves there for an impromptu Friday supper...and immediately realised that it's getting harder and harder to do 'impromptu' these days. Everywhere seems to get booked up, and as the waiter went off to consult his reservations book I had a feeling we were probably going to end up in Pizza Express after all. As it was, it was early enough for us to get a table though you should obviously bear this in mind if you want to visit on a Friday or Saturday, and eat a bit later than 6pm. 

The restaurant is a smart, compact place with that industrial, functional look that's the style du jour. In a space this small, it works, with the main focus being the cavernous pizza oven at the back of the restaurant. There are few things that excite me as much as the sight of a flame-filled oven...I would love to have a go at sliding a pizza into one of those babies very much. It's also a reassuring sight, honouring a tradition that began in the backstreets of Naples back in the 1800s, meaning that if your pizza has been cooked in a wood-fired oven you're getting something as close to the real thing as possible.

Thankfully the pizzas at Flour & Ash didn't disappoint. What really works about this restaurant is a commitment to keeping the menu concise, with just a handful of enticing-sounding starters (wood roast queen scallops with herb butter or crispy ox tongue with salsa verde, for example, though we didn't have starters) and just pizzas for mains and ice cream and sorbet to finish.  You can choose from imaginative toppings on bases covered with tomato sauce or without. The choice of a sourdough base makes for a nice, light base that crisps up a treat in the oven, plus it's a 'pure' dough, a better choice for those with intolerances, and is made from three simple ingredients: locally milled flour, salt and water. I found it hard to choose from the delicious-sounding options which include a good mix of meat and veggie toppings, and which are a bit different to the ubiquitous Margherita or Pepperoni. My fennel salami with roasted peppers was divine - a great mix of flavoursome meat and sweet peppers - while my son devoured his chorizo, pickled chilies and rocket pizza in moments, not even bothering to painstakingly pick off the 'green stuff' as he would normally do. The fact that Flour & Dough's pizzas managed to get something green inside my child is no mean feat, and on that basis alone we'll be coming back...

My son found room for an ice-cream which, as well as sorbets, are handmade on the premises and include standards such as vanilla and chocolate, as well as more exotic choices such as caramel stracciatella (chocolate chip) and buttermilk and passion fruit ripple. My son opted for a scoop of pistachio which I 'helped' him out with and it was out of this world - proper, Italian-style ice cream, bursting with natural flavours. I would have liked a coffee but our waiter told us the restaurant hadn't procured a machine, though one was on the way. 

In terms of prices, Flour & Ash offers a competitive alternative to the high street chains; a Margherita costs £ 6.75, something more exotic is around the £10 mark and the luxurious-sounding aged beef fillet comes in at £15. You can buy good wines by the glass, and there's a kids menu at £4, including a small pizza, scoop of ice cream and glass of squash. If I had one complaint it would be that perhaps the pizzas could be just an teensy bit bigger...I could have accommodated another inch, I reckon, or perhaps I was just exceptionally hungry that day.

Find out all the details on on the Flour & Ash website. And if you fancy checking out Bristol pizza institution Acapella, read my review here. 

Four Perfect Winter Reads

My dial's firmly set to hibernation mode at the moment and I possibly won't be leaving the house of an evening this side of Christmas. Snuggling up on the sofa with a book is my current activity of choice, but I've been labouring away at a bit of a 'difficult' book for the past couple of weeks, a timely reminder that it doesn't make sense to keep going with a book that is a penance rather than a pleasure -  it anyone can suggest an alternative I can squeeze in before Christmas, I'd appreciate it. If you're stuck in a similarly frustrating book rut, perhaps you might like to consider the following four books I reckon are perfect for getting lost in on a cold winter's day...

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver

Subtitled 'A Ghost Story' this chilling tale transports readers to the remote wilds of the Arctic, where Jack and his fellow explorers set up base on a remote ice-cap to further their scientific pursuits. But from the very outset the group's expedition seems jinxed and Jack cannot shake off the sense that some ominous presence isn't pleased by their arrival. As the Arctic winter sets in and the group's isolation becomes ever more apparent, Jack's unease grows, but he persists in staying alone in the remote cabin when injury forces his travel companions to leave. The book conveys a hugely strong sense of place, from the infinite, unknown landscapes of the Arctic ice cap to the limited, claustrophobic confines of the cabin, a place where Jack must confront fears both imaginary and real. A gripping chiller of a book that you'll struggle not to devour in one sitting.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

The book describes the central characters of this mystery as 'untamed twins', which was enough to reel me in. Thankfully, the blurb didn't disappoint in this case; The Thirteenth Tale is a book in the classic Gothic mould, partly set in the faded environs of the once grand Angelfield House, a place rampant with secrets, where parental neglect has left two mysterious sisters, Emmeline and Adeline to grow feral. Switching between the past and present day, the twins' story is told through the eyes of enigmatic author Vida Winter, who - close to death - slowly reveals the dark secrets of Angelfield, and the dysfunctional March family, so that her 'Thirteenth Tale' can finally emerge. 

The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

The misty ambiance of 16th-century Holland is the setting for this slim novel, a vivid imagining of the story behind Vermeer's enigmatic painting. The novel has the spare writing style that I like and realistic characterisation, bringing to life a cast that includes the shy, dutiful Griet, the unreadable, sometimes tempestuous painter, his distant, cold wife and the all-seeing, steely-eyed matriarch of the house, Vermeer's mother-in-law. As Vermeer's fascination with Griet becomes evident to the other members of the household, tensions rise and small but not insignificant power battles ensue. While the housemaids gossip and the mother-in-law curries favour with Vermeer's wealthy patron, the impenetrable artist gives his muse his wife's pearl earrings and sets to work on his masterpiece...

The Small Hand by Susan Hill

Susan Hill really knows how to give her readers a short, sharp burst of the shivers. If you've read or seen the film adaptation of The Woman In Black, you'll know her brand of horror is of the traditional sort, played out against a backdrop rich with Gothic motifs - remote landscapes, crumbling old houses and mysterious characters patently carrying some dreadful burden of past tragedies. When antiquarian bookseller Adam Snow takes a wrong turning on a routine visit to a client and stumbles upon an abandoned house, he feels compelled to explore. And then he feels a little hand take his but when he looks down, there's no child there. Adam's subsequent 'haunting' and attempt to unravel the story behind the 'White House' leads the reader on spine-tingling journey as he grapples with a presence that slowly becomes more and more sinister.

If you're heading off for some winter sun, you might like to take a look at my summer reading suggestions, perfect for sunny climes. On that note, I recently discovered TripFiction, a clever website that lets you search books set in different locations, so if you're going on holiday in, say, Italy, you can find a definitive list of books with an Italian setting, from literary classics to contemporary crime. Take a look here. 

Mustela Mother & Baby Products - Review & Giveaway!

There are lots of things the French do well - wine, cheese and pharmacies are my favourites. Yes, pharmacies. French ones are so much better than ours. With their beautifully merchandised windows (the French can make even orthopaedic sandals and pile cream look chic) and ordered, tranquil interiors, a French pharmacy is, for me, a truly exciting proposition. Unlike my local branch of Boots - which is poorly stocked, dimly lit and generally a bit dull - French pharmacies ooze efficiency and efficacy, with shelves stocked with creams and potions for every skin need and every ailment. I could spend considerable amounts of time in a French pharmacy and while I've yet to find that magical product that will transform me into a gamine left-bank beauty, I do consider this time well spent as I've picked up some amazing products that have become stalwarts of my beauty cupboard over the years.

Basically, the French really know their toiletries. It's not for nothing that cult pharmacy brands such as Bioderma and Biafine are held in such high esteem by beauty insiders. They really do tend to do what they say on the tin (and I can vouch for this as a longtime user of products from ranges such as La Roche Posay, Vichy and Avene.) Furthermore, they're usually very reasonably priced and - thankfully - now widely available in the UK, via larger branches of Boots and online beauty retailers. So, when I was informed about a new name on the block - Mustela - I was naturally excited to hear more (and I'm delighted to be offering my first giveaway on the blog, offering a fantastic product from the range - read on for details!)

Mustela recently launched in the UK but has been a cult name across the channel since the 1950s. It's a range specifically for mothers to be, babies and young children, providing nurturing, safe products that are completely free of chemical nasties. Products contain 92% ingredients of natural origin on average, and they are completely free of parabens, phthalates and phenoxyethanol. Now, I have to admit at this stage that I'm not the company's target audience, being neither pregnant or in possession of a small baby. However, I did trial a couple of the products on myself and my kids as there's no reason why you shouldn't use this range if you're looking for effective, natural products that won't aggravate your skin - it's particularly worth checking out if you or your child suffer from excessively dry or eczema-prone skin. 

Having spent much of the half term getting battered by cold northern winds on bracing walks up steep hills, my skin was feeling a bit drier and more aggravated than normal so I thought it would benefit from a touch of the 'Cold Cream nutri protective', a rich, soothing cream that really helped to soothe dry areas. I have to be careful what I put on my skin and wasn't sure if this would be too rich, but I used a thin layer for a couple of days as a night cream and found it restored my dry bits without bringing me out in spots. It's really designed for babies and is suitable for use right from birth. The formula is also available in a very handy stick which would be perfect for keeping in your changing bag and applying on the go if your baby's skin gets irritated by the wind or cold. 

I hate overly-perfumed toiletries and tend to associate them with aggravating skin, so I was pleased to find that Mustela's products have a very subtle,'clean' smell. We also used the '2 in 1 Hair and Body Wash' which we particularly liked - it's got a lovely, fresh, light fragrance and silky consistency that doesn't dry out skin and is ideal for use at home by all the family, particularly if any adults or older children have reactive skin that doesn't respond well to fragranced, soap-based products. The wash is soap-free and contains Avocado Perseose®, a patented ingredient of natural origin. It would also be especially convenient when travelling, helping to save precious space in your beauty bag. In our case it was the perfect addition to my son's swimming bag, rather than carting our full size shampoo and shower gel with us for use after his weekly swimming lesson.

The range includes dedicated products for pregnancy, too, as well as effective balms and washes for common complaints such as atopic eczema, nappy rash and cradle cap. I'm particularly drawn to the sun creams which I'll definitely be trialling next time I'm off somewhere hot, as both my children can react to some sun creams. Mustela's creams and sprays promise extra high protection (50+ UVB) and tolerance by even the most sensitive of skins. They're also fragrance and alcohol free and suitable for use from birth.

Baby colognes are ubiquitous on the continent, hence the Mustela range includes an 'Eau de Soin' spray, contained in a quintessentially French bottle. While I'm not sure many mums in the UK would necessarily splash out on a cologne for their little ones, this would make a cute christening present, perhaps, and it can also be used as a room spray for your nursery. Interestingly, I stumbled upon a review of the product in the Daily Mail, which recommended the fragrance for grown-ups, saying it makes a much cheaper, natural alternative to Clarins' legendary 'Eau Dynamistante' - read more here.

The range is currently available in the UK through a number of online chemists and retailers, including Bliss life, Calder Pharmacy and Essentials. Prices range from around the £3.99 mark to £17.99 for the baby cologne. 

Visit the Mustela website here to see all the products in the range and to buy online.

Giveaway!

I have one 'Soothing Comfort Balm' to giveaway if you would like to try one of Mustela's products for yourself. This moisturising chest rub is perfect for treating your baby's cold and is free of chemical nasties. Its gentle purifying scent eases discomfort and helps to soothe your baby to sleep - a bathroom cabinet essential for this time of year!

You can read more about the Soothing Comfort Balm here. To take part in the giveaway, follow me on Twitter by clicking below, or email me at luisasanders@gmail.com

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All images courtesy and copyright Mustela.

Byron Comes to Bristol

With new eateries popping up all over the place at the moment, Bristolian foodies have a lot to be excited about. One such new arrival rocked up on the Queens Road at the tail end of last week, so - it being Friday and us being in a bit of a weary, end-of-the-week type mood - we decided there couldn't be a more apt time to trial its take on the classic American diner experience. 

A new addition to Queens Road

Byron Burger might be new to Bristol but it's been keeping Londoners stocked up with proper burgers since 2007 and now has branches across the capital as well as outposts in other cities across the UK. Back in '07, the vogue for gourmet burgers was in its infancy, and Byron was a pioneer in reclaiming the meat patty from the dingy recesses of the fast food industry. By combining quality ingredients with an artfully retro dining experience, Byron Burger helped to reposition the burger as THE cool thing to chow down on. Fast-forward to 2014 and gourmet burgers are now firmly featured on the food map and the Byron model isn't quite as revolutionary as it might have once seemed. But a good burger is still a joyous thing and with lots of imitators but few real masters, we were interested to see if Byron remains at the top of its game.

Slightly nicer decor than McDonalds

The food is very good and reasonably priced. A standard burger is £6.75, with accompanying fries at £2.95, and portions are just the right side of big. We ordered some extra courgette chips (perhaps a vain attempt at injecting something healthy into our carb 'n' protein fest) which were absolutely delicious; other sides include coleslaw and onion rings. The menu is, as you'd imagine, rooted in the classic American diner experience, though you'll find more contemporary alternatives if you fancy trying something a little more modish, from a bun-free 'skinny' option to a 'Chilli' burger(our choice) packed with green chilies and chipotle mayonnaise (not to be underestimated - while delicious I had to turn the heat down a little by removing a chilli or two.)

Burgers 'n' BIG gherkins

We ate with our two children and Byron makes the usual accommodations for younger diners (colouring sheets, kids menu, etc.) and they have booths! All kids (and most grown ups too, actually) love a booth. The kids menu comes in at 2 courses for £6.50. Particularly helpful (and not something I've seen at a restaurant before) is the indication of portion size. Kids menus vary greatly and it's sometimes hard to judge whether a child size portion will suffice for the age of your child. At Byron it's clearly stated that theirs are designed for 6 year olds and under so you know where you stand. I also liked the fact that you can buy your young 'uns smaller-than-standard cokes, helping to assuage any parental guilt you might feel about giving into requests for fizzy drinks. 

Byron Burger for kids

Kids burgers come well done and you can request the same for older kids having an adult burger or for yourself if well cooked is how you like it. Our burgers were plump and juicy, and accompanied by a proper bun and perfectly cooked skinny fries. Oh, and a proper full size gherkin on the side - the perfect final flourish for a gherkin aficionado like myself. Puddings keep with the American theme - think cheesecakes, brownies and old-school knickerbocker glories. 

American-style good service is clearly something that Byron feels strongly about too - obviously you'd expect super-friendly service in those first days post-opening, but I got the feeling that the company prides itself on a casual but efficient service and that staff are keenly aware that it's not enough to have a cool concept and a hip interior - friendly, slick service is what keeps customers coming back. 

If you really do love your burgers you can join the Byron Burger Club to receive exclusive invites to previews of hamburger specials and new openings, and to get priority access to one-off Burger Club events. 

Find Byron Burger at 62 Queens Road, BS8 1RE. For other branches and more info visit the Byron Burger website here.