We hear lots about free radicals and the damage they can do. They have run riot in my body with the result that my skin is not great. Excessive smoking, sunbathing, worrying, alcohol and lack of water, all great fodder for free radical damage,  mean my skin is now pretty wrinkled and uneven in its pigmentation. Add menopause and lack of sleep and you get the picture!

So I’ve been trying Zambrosa. It’s a really tasty drink and you only need a couple of slugs a day to give you all the vitamins and nutrients you need. It is so delicious that I’ve had to be careful I don’t overdose on it.  The jury is out BUT I’ve had lots of compliments recently so something must be working.

Click here for more details:

http://www.zambroza.co.uk/lovinlivin/

According to market analysis, women born in the 1960′s and 70′s are the ‘ones to watch’. They have money in their purses, vast earning power and are maturing into adulthood after the exploits and partying of their youth.  Analysts at Verdict Research claim, that to these customers, price becomes less important while the need for luxury and quality increases.  As a direct result, many retailers and designers are putting the spotlight on the 30 -45 year old, which is great – if you are in that age group.

Seems to me, that the older woman, who also wants to be fashionable and discerning about her clothing, has once again been forgotten. What is wrong with the fashion industry these days? Do they not realise we 50 plussers still have over 30 years to spend money on looking good?

If there are any magazine editors, clothes retailers or fashion designers reading this blog, I hope you take note. We are CRYING OUT for information, advice, help and someone who takes us and our clothing seriously. It’s difficult to equate to a teenager who is a size 6 and 6 feet tall.  If we have to have fabulous bodies show us how to wear our clothes, there is always the beautiful Iman – who is a perfect example of how 54 is most definitely not over the hill.  

Sorry ladies to have such a moan – not like me I know – but I do feel so passionately about this. Don’t you? Or am I becoming a grumpy old woman?

In an economic downturn, we can always rely on one thing- sales of lipstick and nail polish soar.  We ladies like to feel good and look good and these small luxuries don’t cost too much money but give lots of self esteem and feelings of  ’I'm worth it’ – quite right too, because we most certainly are.

The new trend in nails is a reverse manicure. It’s like Marmite – you will love it or you’ll hate it, though it might grow on you. In essence, it’s a dark mid section topped and bottomed by nude tips and moons. No good for nail biters as you’ll definitely need some length to carry this off well. If you do fancy it, click on the link below and follow The Times’ step by step instructions (using slides), to ensure it looks professional and its recommendations for varnishes to use.

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article6886337.ece?slideshowPopup=true&articleId=6886337&sectionName=WomenBeauty

If that doesn’t appeal, I doubt this one will either though it caused a sensation on the catwalks with everyone wanting to get their hands on it, causing a temporary shortage of stock. Chanel’s Jade polish would definitely not do anything wonderful for my freckled hands, but it’s the ‘in’ thing, so give it a go if you like it.

I must confess I’ve never been a fan of the Planet brand. I always felt it was dated and frumpy and I avoided it like the plague. However, the new Modernist collection has left me wanting more. Styish, easy to wear, classic but with a twist - the designers should be congratulated. There are some lovely, simple basics as well that will be comfortable to wear and pretty timeless. Take a look at the dresses in jersey and wool which cleverly hide our challenging bits around the middle. For those of you who are tall, they have introduced a new longer length trouser in many differnt styles and fabrics. Great for the office and the evening.

Samantha Cameron, the gorgeous wife of the Tory leader, David wowed everyone at the party conference when she wore a polka dot dress from M&S. Admittedly, it was a size 14 which she had altered to fit her size 10 figure and she only found it via the help of Stuart Rose but she did look great, especially at the recession friendly price of £65.

 If you’d like a piece of the action, M&S have introduced a similar dress, same style but different fabric at a cost of £55 – £10 cheaper than the one worn by Sam.

If you like it, here is where you buy it:

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Years-Short-Sleeve-Print-Dress/dp/B002S54N8K

It’s that time of year when even looking out of the window can make us feel depressed, tired and blue. I have spoken many times of my own feelings not being as joyful and optimistic as they could have been and, certainly, one of the answers has been to take the correct vitamins, minerals and enzymes to support myself. I hate taking tablets of any kind but there are times when you need more nutrients than you can obtain from your food, so supplements are a necessary ‘must-have’.

If you too are feeling a little under the weather, take a look at this:

http://www.naturessunshine.eu/uk/lovinlivin/lifestyle.asp

It’s a FREE lifestyle analysis that will help you decide which supplements, if any, might help you feel on top of the world again. All the supplements are made from pure, natural ingredients and rigorously tested so you know you are in safe hands.

It’s made the world of difference to me.

Those of you who read my column regularly will know that lack of customer service is my bete-noire. It costs nothing to produce a smile after all.

I met a great friend for a coffee on Friday and we met at an ‘upmarket’ cafe  in nearby Stamford. It wasn’t too busy but it took me 30 minutes to get 2 coffees, despite the fact my seat was right next to the counter. The price £6, the coffees were awful and I had to ask for another shot because I couldn’t taste anything but hot milk. The  coffee came back with a bill for an further 30p.

The following day, Hubby and I went to Stamford and came across a cafe in a side street which we hadn’t seen before. Pennies From Heaven is run by a Chinese lady and her family it was full of customers. Embroidered table cloths, china tea cups and service with a smile transported be back to a time when I was a little girl. My cappuccino was hot, the way I like it, my husband’s teapot was replenished with hot water so he could have more tea for free and his eggs and bacon were perfect.

All around me I could hear customers talking to each other about the service, which was fantastic. The price – less than a fiver.

We’ll be going there again, that’s for sure and I bet the other customers tell their friends about it too.

The massively well known Etailer, Amazon, has branched out from books and CD’s into the world of footwear. Javari offers free next day delivery on thousands of brands.

I think Amazon is an amazing service provider and being a massive book lover, I use it all the time, though I like nothing better than browsing in book stores. If the service of Javari lives up to expectations, I could well become a convert. Think about it – shopping for shoes while putting your feet up.  Now, that’s a thing.

www.javari.co.uk

I’ve always been a big fan of coloured mascara. Blue and purple being my absolute favourites.

If you want to update your image without breaking the bank, take a look at Estee Lauder’s new Sumptous Color Bold Volume Liftng Mascara. Choose from Amber, Garnet, Sapphire, Amethyst or Emerald. £17.50. There is something to flatter every eye colour. But be warned, they are limited editions so you’ll need to hurry.

http://www.esteelauder.co.uk or your local department store.