Well it’s been a busy old week chez English this week, hence the lack of blogging (sorrreee). We’ve had Hubby’s Mum to visit and yesterday was Hubby’s birthday. As usual when we have visitors, Nanny has been serenaded by the smalls’ repertoire of thrash metal classics (with amps turned up to ear splitting volume). She politely clapped along as Nannys are very good at doing, whilst managing not to wince at the attack on her eardrums.

Hubby was lavished with fab pressies, including a beautiful pale blue Cashmere jumper from his Mum (he’d better hide it damned quick he he), Hammond from Top Gear’s autobiography from #2 and some Lancôme Hypnose aftershave balm from #1 (’get him the one advertised by Clive Owen, Mum’ which prompted some embarrassing conversations in chemists across County Meath, I can tell you). I bought him Super Mario Galaxy for the Nintendo Wii (it’s what he wanted, honest) except it’s not out yet so he had to have the deposit receipt instead, and a bottle of champagne, which I naturally helped him to drink.

As usual here at Castle English, the birthday person is allowed to choose their very own birthday cake, and Hubby chose a chocolate fudge brownie cake with cream. I laboured over this but it came out fine (see above recipe). No pics I’m afraid as we scoffed it too quickly. So there you have it. Happy birthday, Hubby xx

€124 on aforementioned trip for highlights (half head - I was being thrifty) and a cut and blow dry. Food budget for the week down to €60. Hair looking fabulous though.

So we haven’t had any nice girly product chats for a while and I’ve got LOADS to report. Firstly, then, to face creams and a tragedy that could have left me scarred for life (well, more wrinkly anyway) when Hubby smashed my brand new and very expensive Clarins cream on the bathroom floor (MY fault, obviously) was narrowly averted with a trip to good ol’ Boots. Since I’m currently trying to stick to my new budget and replacing a 50 Euro face cream was probably going to result in us eating cardboard for a week or something, I settled on L’Oreal’s new addition to their Wrinkle Decrease line, the Collagen Skin Re-modeller Redefining Day Cream Face and Neck SPF15 and, apart from objecting to its unfeasibly long name, I have to say it’s pretty fab. I’m already a big fan of the Wrinkle Decrease Collagen Filler Eye Cream and this one doesn’t disappoint either. It smells lovely, has a sensible pump action that dispenses exactly the right amount and doesn’t leave you with a bloody great handful of product to get rid of, and it leaves the skin feeling rather nice and velvety too. I’m converted.

Also in Boots, I picked up another bottle of Dove’s Pro-Age Neck and Chest Beauty Serum (DO NOT get out of the shower without slapping some of this on your décolleté - I’ve told you before, wrinkly chest = Bette Lynch) and me Ma picked up a little tube of Bourjois’ new La Crème des Lèvres which is a nice mix between a lip balm and a gloss. Being a total lipstick-phobe (if I want to look like a transvestite I’ll grow some stubble, thank you) and seeing as she liked it so much, I went and got the beige one for myself. It’s lovely and subtle but tastes a bit perfumey (Mac Lipglass tastes the best). Not three bad though.

Next, then, to the tresses. My new hairdresser, the gorgeous Glen (he’s a blond kite surfer - jealous much?) suggested Kérastase’s Bain de Force for Weakened Hair to give some oomph to my stupid baby hair and although I nearly had heart failure at the price, I have to say it’s damn good. Whether the aforementioned budget will ever allow me to purchase it again is another matter, but for now my hair is rather nice and swingy, even though it’s highlighted and ridiculously fine to boot.

Finally, I’m still loving Nivea Hand Age Defying Q10 Plus which, although recently reformulated still smells divine and makes your hands all smooth and lubly. I’ve got one in my bag, one on my desk and one in the car to apply whilst sitting in traffic especially to wind Hubby up.

My last wish is for The Sanctuary’s new hot cloth cleanser, which is supposed to be on a par with Liz Earle’s wonder product. It doesn’t seem to be available here, but if Santa’s reading - I’d be very grateful if you’d pop one in my stocking. Ooer.

Position #1: The Peaceful Kangaroo

Position #2: The Downward Dog

Position #3: The …oh, actually, I think he’s just falling off…

Okay, sorry. I’ll stop now.

Hmmmm… shall I get a bigger chair or a smaller greyhound…?