Win P&G Everyday Effect essentials

This is one of my last few 'Uni' posts, I feel quite emotional that Paige will be leaving home, the last week has been a flurry of packing, student loans, banking, cooking and usual over protective Mum chats!

P+G kindly sent her a few goodies to set her up and the findings from a recent survey they carried out, we have giggled at a few.

45% of under-35s admit they had never bought a toothbrush, toothpaste or shampoo before leaving home. I am hoping they do buy the toothbrush  after!! 

This gives me more reason to whittle, I imagine end of term sending home a smelly, dishevelled underfed waif! I do not know whether I will need to open my arms or the bathroom door!

75% of mums expressed some sort of sadness at their kids leaving home. ( Are the others having parties?) I know that one boy that Paige has spoken to has to make his way to Uni on a train with all his stuff, when she asked him if his parents didn't drive he replied" Oh yes they said it would be easier if he went on his own!!

However, little deeds can make the difference before this exciting but nerve-wracking step, such as teaching your children how to cook or do their laundry. 

Even something as simple as showing them what products you use can ease the transition, with a quarter of children who use the same products as their parents saying they do so because reminds them of being at home.

 Paige is pretty organised, the washing tips have been passed on, cooking is getting there. 

Paige has already stated her choice of named brands, this penniless student says she will eat lentils each day as long as she has good teabags, baked beans and washing powder that we use!
So the Ariel and Lenor was squirrelled off in her shopping crate. 

We think by doing ordinary things, we can make a difference to our own and the lives of those around us.  P&G calls the impact of these seemingly ordinary moments the “Everyday Effect”.

So, to try and ease this transition, as well as Paige receiving a mini hamper of P+G goodies,they also  have one to give away to one of my followers. You may not have bigger children to teach new skills to, it may just be little ones, or maybe enjoying the 'Everyday Effect' will just be for you.

Just fill in the easy peasy rafflecopter and tell me in comments below what little 'everyday' thing makes a difference in your life, or what skills would you like to pass on to your children.This is just for fun,a random winner will be picked.

Just make sure after the comment you fill in the Rafflecopter to keep your email details safe and private!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure we were sent P& G goodies

Teens Top 10 most admired entrepreneurs

Richard Branson is the entrepreneur British teenagers most admire

Young entrepreneurs including SB.TV’s Jamal Edwards and the Gandy brothers becoming increasingly popular

As new independent evaluation shows that

National Citizen Service equips teenagers with skills they need to get ahead

A third of teens have voted the Virgin founder Richard Branson as the entrepreneur they most admire, above Sir Alan Sugar (22%), Karren Brady (9%) and JK Rowling (8%), according to a poll of 1000 British 15-18 year olds, by National Citizen Service (NCS).

Reggae musician and Dragon’s Den success story, Levi Roots’ route to business triumph also impressed teenagers, appearing in seventh place ahead of Victoria Beckham.

When asked why they admired this person the most, their attitude, business knowledge and passion came out higher than their wealth (9%). Four in ten teens said they were inspired by TV shows such as The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den to start in business and over half (53%) said they were inspired by well-known entrepreneurs. Confidence was voted the number one quality which made people a good leader.

The research was commissioned by National Citizen Service, a once in a lifetime opportunity for 16-17 year olds in England, to coincide with independent evaluation that shows the flagship programme helps young people get ahead by boosting their confidence and building leadership and teamwork skills. The evaluation report by NatCen shows that over nine in ten who took part in NCS felt they had developed useful skills for the future and nearly three-quarters felt more confident about getting a job in the future.

Richard Branson said: “It’s an honour to be voted by British teens as the entrepreneur they most admire and I’m pleased to see younger entrepreneurs like the Gandy brothers now being recognised. It’s important that we nurture and develop the potential in the younger generation, and programmes like NCS are a good way to develop confidence and leadership skills, to encourage a new generation of business and community leaders”. 

Top ten most admired entrepreneurs:

1. Sir Richard Branson

2. Sir Alan Sugar

3. Karren Brady

4. JK Rowling

5. Peter Jones

6. Jamie Oliver

7. Levi Roots

8. Victoria Beckham

9. Jamal Edwards

10. Rob and Paul Gandy

Stephen Greene, Chair of NCS Trust said: “It’s interesting to see that teens rate their favourite business leaders and entrepreneurs on their knowledge, attitude and passion above their wealth, as these are attributes that NCS celebrates, giving teens the tools and belief to unlock their potential while making a positive impact in their communities. Participants are given the opportunity to create, pitch and deliver a social action project which develops their initiative, teamwork, ability to mix with people from different backgrounds and problem solving skills”.

Other key findings include 21 per cent of teens said ‘helping my parents pay back their mortgage’ would be most important to them if they became successful themselves.

This generation also ranked ‘giving something back to the community’ and ‘being able to take part in charity work’ more important than going on luxurious holidays, buying a flash car, buying nice clothes and not having to pay rent.

To find out more information about NCS or to sign up to NCS visit NCSyes.co.uk. Like us on facebook.com/ncs, follow us on Twitter @ncs or subscribe to NCSYes channel on YouTube.

Yorkshire Linen Co Review

Having moved recently to a new home its always a time when the designs and colour schemes tend to change. Yorkshire Linens have asked me to review their website and some of the items, so sent me a duvet cover set to review, perfect timing too!
I am pretty tied up with my caring role so have not the free time now to shop til I drop.
More online buying is needed for household purchases.  

Conor's bedroom is small and needs a bold print. Due to the immensely busy life we are all leading each room is a work in progress and have just been painted in cream to give a fresh look until we decide what we want.

So I chose a design called Woodland Charcoal and Black firstly to complement the cream and enliven the plain walls, but more to allow Conor to choose accessories that are suitable for a teen, fast becoming a young man.

It would be equally good in a female bedroom

Its a modern design of tree silhouettes the layering of the trees gives a sense of a woodland. It lifts the room we think. Conor loves it, I had not told him it was arriving and wanted it all set up before he saw it.

What is really good about Yorkshire Linens are the prices, choice and quality combined.

This duvet is £11.99, a bargain price, but the duvet is a good quality, very easy to iron and my required need for it to be safe to tumble dry is also met. 

I have been looking around the site and the range is pretty immense, not only bedding, but cushions, curtains, towels and other household items are all available. The prices are great. Free delivery when you spend £50 or more and only £3.95 otherwise.

What appeals to me is their ethos, they

are a family run business and promote the values of a family business of being caring and supportive to all members of staff within the company.

The customer is of paramount importance to The Yorkshire Linen Company and they say they pride themselves on providing an extremely high standard of customer care. If it is physically possible they will do all they can to get what the customer wants when the customer wants it.

I am looking forward to having a look at more of the company both service and goods.

http://www.yorkshirelinen.com/

 Disclosure I was given a free product. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Tesco Mobile Package of Perks

As you all know I'm a busy mum with teenage twins, as a blogger lots of features are  are geared toward the tinies. But my big kids like a few perks too. They have outgrown the Lego and Barbies and their playtime is mainly console and mobile led.

So they were mightily pleased when Tesco Mobile sent them a package of perks.

The first thing spotted was the chocolate mini fingers, children young and old,  all dive in for the sweets first. Whilst nibbling, they continued to search and next out was a Costa Card, squabbling not permitted my twin daughter and son agreed to share a mocha chocca  frappe oojamaflip ( I'm fast losing track of the ubercool terms for a coffee) and continue rooting through the package. 

Out came a Tesco Giftcard, handy for lunchtimes at college as a local Tesco Metro is just down the road. 

The mobile phone charger was claimed by Conor, his phone apparently has a worse life than Paige's!!!

Paige settled for the 500 Free Days out book, settling back with her chocolate and planning her days out with her boyfriend.

The aim of the package is to highlight that Tesco have a new mobile phone package to help busy families by offering a single mobile phone bill for up to five handsets.

Whats good about this is you only have to have two handsets on the same contract to qualify, with each member of the family then able to choose one of the perks:

500 extra minutes to Tesco Mobile phones

150 extra minutes to any network

250MB of extra data.

This is appealing as it s gives parents the ability to treat the teens to extra minutes, data etc for free and I know many teens use more time on their phones than most adults.

The 500 extra minutes would be ideal for Conor who is fixed to his phone as soon as its topped up. Paige who is constantly online as she has her blog and  with Ricky off to uni next week, will be facebooking him lots on their private page.

The perks can also be changed at any time.

I had a look at the deals on the Family Builder page http://shop.tescomobile.com/family/builder and have seen monthly deals for £15 a month for a Blackberry curve as both my teens have these phones already and pay that amount, sometimes more, I will be delving in  more closely.

http://shop.tescomobile.com/family#

 Disclosure I was given  free products ( £10 Costa and Tesco gift cards, Cadbury Mini Fingers an emergency mobile charger and a 500 Free Days Out Book. I was under no obligation to receive the pack or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

50 Shades of White!

The colour I went when I heard!

Who has read the book yet, what am I missing, am I not missing anything at all?

 The whole world seems to be reading it, yet imagine my shade when I realised my daughter has been lent the trilogy to read.

Now she is 17, she is reasonably worldly wise and we have lots of 'open' conversations about relationships, right down to 2 the 'sthex' stuff as Les Dawson use to whisper the words.

But I have heard that 50 shades is down right dirty and very explicit. Mills and Boons but the bedroom door does not get closed at the kissing scene!! I have listened to people talk about the birth rate going up just because of the books!! 

I have no worries about this with Paige, she is as I have said before immensely intelligent and not easily led by emotions and heat of the moment, she like I, tends to reason  things out.

 I have a really great liberal approach to life, I was a bit prudish about when they could see certain films. I stuck to the age ratings on all films and console games, often to the disgust of Conor particularly, but I stood my ground and have maybe sheltered them a little but its been worth it. 

They are well rounded, are reasonably street wise, not people I am ashamed of. they are good people.

I have been hovering around as she has read chapters, this child of mine who has to be coaxed into reading, she is hooked and I am waiting for 'those questions' I know they are coming, we always talk about everything. I know I will answer with my usual frank beliefs, but all the same its slightly scary!!

Are they Twins?

I have just seen a really good side badge on Here Come The Girls its the answers to questions about twins, it made me want to write about my experience of the grilling that sometimes comes. I am sure mums of one, or even families get asked silly questions, but I find twin queries, at best amusing, at worst daft and sometimes really personal!

A glance from a stranger, will see a husband, wife, two teenage twins, (Gone are the days of the questions that used to make me bite my tongue about twins. Now we get, "Don't they make a lovely couple, they even look alike." Answers, they are not a couple they are brother and sister.

"Do they get on?" I always wonder at this question, do all parents get asked this? They actually were very close, incredibly so for siblings, still are for teenagers, there are many reasons for this, maybe they have personalities that suit, hopefully some of my parenting skills were quite passable. ( I believe there is a fundamental reason,  that is another story, I want to cover for a blog carnival I have seen! )

"Oh are they twins then?" Answers, yes they are, then come the range of questions probably common to all mums of multiple birth!!

 I have more time for this assault on my family, but when Paige and Conor are sitting there, the twin factor means they become something to be talked about as if they cannot answer for themselves! Stared at and they always look so uncomfortable and end up giggling. Are they used to it, I'm not sure, I will ask Paige to post the reply later! When they were little and could not reply,  it was down to Chris and I,even then, it sometimes got a bit much!

As a harried Mum of baby twins I was occasionally sharp and rude. I can be if stressed or defending a loved one, but on the whole, I like to chat to people out and about!

However, I have never gone up to a Mum who has a screaming child, let alone two to start digging about in the family history. I have held a, buggy, baby, anything to help if a woman looked  like she needed a pair of hands, a friendly smile. I have never seen fit to give an interrogation on someones fertility, how do I manage and thrown pitying looks, some from Mums who have three children even!

So back to my children when they were babies, I breastfed, no mean feat, I can tell you, it was tricky.  I had no extended or even immediate family at any point, to help, even just chat to (again this is for another post), which made Chris's help even more vital. He would come in from work on many days to find me weeping, once accusing him of abandoning me,  that he was 7 minutes later than normal. He would say sorry, the traffic lights were on red, scoop up the babies, make me tea, hug me and say we would get through it. It was never a case of day to day, it was a life lived and only managed moment to moment!

Which leads me on to being constantly trying to get through little tasks like shopping, going to get a prescription. I did not drive, buses were totally out for me, a twin buggy, two babies made the local transport a distant memory. I walked places, the upside was great legs, after a few years of street pounding and rocking baby bouncy chairs, I never needed a gym!!

So when I got stopped and asked these questions and I mean by lots of people all in one trip, it began to make me very aloof!  Head down, no eye contact and still they came!

Are they identical?...Answers "No a boy and a girl cannot be identical" Inside head " Are you a little dim, there are obvious physical differences!

Do twins run in the family? I wanted to always say "Mind your own business!  But I used to just say No. Like a flowchart this lead to more.I actually  had IVF, if I said this, that would end in a whole interrogation on this subject. It was still a subject then that people only knew from the news stories and tags of test tube babies! I always have been happy to discuss it, obviously as here I am, but the questions can get really personal, a total stranger asking, "Was it you or your husband that was faulty?" has to be the most ignorant!

Possibly the twin one that made me laugh a lot on a good day, but  growl the most on one particular day was this. On the way to Boots to breastfeed, after some errand, with two hungry cries of "Feed me now!" I was hurtling through the shopping centre, obviously on a mission, clearly with two babies, I imagine one is a challenge, I know in fact it is from friends!  Suddenly a woman planted her whole body firmly in my path and I nearly knocked her over.

She said "I just want to look at them, they are adorable!", I said thank you, I really need to go they need feeding, but thank you! 

I went to go around her and she actually put her hand on the buggy, to stop me, and said

Are they twins?

I looked her in the eye, I scowled and replied through gritted teeth.

No they are triplets, but one is invisible!!!!

So if you see Mums with one baby, twins, triplets, just several children and she has a far away, distant look, let her move on. If she is sitting happily smiling, then that is the time to go over!

#givegirlspower for the Family Planning Summit 11th July

All women should have power to decide when & how many children they have. @number10gov pls #givegirlspower at #fpsummit. Lives depend on it.

I want to get really serious for a moment and ask for your help, all it will be is a little tweet between 11am and 11:10 am on Wednesday. A ten minute window to make some noise!!

Its not for me, I'm one of the lucky women who as a teenager and despite having a very rocky teen life, left home at 16 years and hardly have ever gone back, I realise today I still had choices!

I still had support from family members (Thanks Granny x) and most of all what I think I did not realise until today, I had education, I'm talking sex education.

Sex education informed all of us on not just the mechanics of the act, but about our bodies, how they work, periods, pregnancy, different types of contraceptions.

All choices we could make as young people and on into life!

My daughter who is 17 has I realise the choice and help to walk her teen years without fear and danger, I am lucky, she is lucky, we all need that!

For thousands of young girls, they do not have that choice.

I will leave you with the heartfelt and very emotional Mammasaurus who wants us to use our tweeting power to cry out to David Cameron tomorrow to help these young gils, have a simple, taken for granted choice!!

Please please tweet tommorrow/today and use our choice to make a difference!

You can also sign the petiton which is vital too.

http://mammasaurus.co.uk/givegirlspower-for-the-family-planning-summit-11th-july/

Message from Mamamsaurus "This is what we are trying to get as many people as possible to tweet out in that 10 minute window as possible. If you are online and can RT the tweets that would be epic but if... you have shizzle on and can't or don't want to that's totally cool. I'm scheduling my tweets today ready.

There are teenage girls in Ethiopia desperate to access contraception but they can't. Girls not knowing that sex leads to babies. Girls with no choice. I know loads of you have signed the petition already but if you could spare a tweet as well that would be awesome. I have a daughter of 11 and the thought of her going through pregnancy and labour is just heartbreaking."

If you have no time to watch, here is the tweet you can schedule it if you are out, on Future Tweet, http://futuretweets.com/ just login with Twitter.

Tweet the following at beteen 11am and 11.10am tomorrow, Wednesday 11th July 2012.

All women should have power to decide when & how many children they have. @number10gov pls #givegirlspower at #fpsummit. Lives depend on it.

Please sign the petition : http://givegirlspower.savethechildren.org.uk/action1.html

Anatomicals The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty Giveaway Ends 16th July

Approaching skincare with a tongue-in-cheek attitude, Anatomicals who say they  ‘only want you for your body’ actually are very serious when it comes to making the products. Paige and I have been trialling 'The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty' its as with all the Anatomical range straight in your face with bright funky packaging and words to make you smile when the pimples and shiny skin may be getting you down.
I am peeved that I still get pimples, I mean its really not fair when the lines are setting in and the double unfairness is a plump spot on a wrinkle...why Mother Nature??

The new range is made up of four fabulous skincare saviours, each infused with the signature scent of strawberry and willow bark and designed to keep your complexion as fresh and clear as Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls.

The hottie tottie is never spotty here zitty zitty.  Featuring a light formula, this exfoliating scrub leaves the skin feeling soft and cleansed with a fresh subtle scent. For best results use twice daily.

Paige and I loved the scent of the scrub, its mild enough to use twice daily but to be honest we both used it occasionally just to smooth our skin and as we were using the Blitz your ZitZ to Bitz as well. We found it made our skin softer and really fresh feeling.

The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty blitz your zitz to bitz 150 ml £3.99
. Featuring a light formula, this moisturising face wash leaves the skin feeling soft and cleansed with a fresh subtle scent. For best results use twice daily.

This was lovely to use again great for bedtime as the scent is light and my face felt fresh and thoroughly cleansed.

The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty Blitz Pores & Phwoars! Shine Free Moisturiser 50ml £3.99

Featuring a light formula, this shine free moisturiser leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated with a fresh subtle scent.

Paige has run off with this, on first application she got a slight tingling sensation and worried, so many facial moisturisers make her skin sting. She stuck it out as she commented it wasn't getting any worse. There was no further sensation and she has been using it daily ever since. He skin is shine free, so for her its really improved the oiliness. It has also improved the drier areas on her cheek bones.

The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty Easy Peasy No Squeezy Spot Roll On Treatment
  10ml £3.99

Featuring a non-sticky formula with salicylic acid, this spot treatment actively targets spots and blemishes while purifying pores. Easily absorbed, just apply to the affected area with the roller ball nozzle.

This has been been a favourite, handy and small to pop into a pocket and apply for the first feeling of a spot. Paige has been rolling it all around her nose as this is her most affected area.

The range has suitably impressed us, all the products are really good and Paige is more confident at keeping on top of her cleansing routine as she has much clearer skin.

Anatomicals have kindly offered two of the range for five Given To Distracting Other followers.

Fill in the easy peasy Rafflecopter below, refresh the page if its not showing!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty range, available exclusively at Superdrug stores and www.asos.com.

Paige and I were given the four Anatomical products for the purpose of this review. No other payment was given for our opinion. 

NEW SCARLETT & CRIMSON CHRISTMAS GIFT RANGE 2011

You have possibly read some of my reviews of Scarlett and Crimson. They are the perfect first brand for a teen to use, from the Ruby and Millie Family, the range has distintive packaging, useful applicators and little extras and good quality cosmetics that give good results.

The new  range is pretty cool, I recently reviewed the lip palattes recently and whay I love about the range is the distinctive packaging which is funky, feminine and a teen would adore these as a prezzie!
Below are a section of what you can buy.

Scarlett and Crimson and beauty icons, Ruby Hammer and Millie Kendall, have created a cosmetics range with a difference. This unique selection of make-up and accessories allows you to express your individuality wherever you are. To learn the secret of a fresh, creative look – Be Your Own Scene!

  

Beauty Book

Cute make-up palette booklets with step by step guides on how to create a gorgeous look. The Lush Lips edition will help you achieve the perfect pout while Smokey Eyes will give you the tools to apply a colourful version of the classic smokey eye look.

RRP £6, available in Boots.

Nail Mania

Incredible collection of nail polishes and nail accessories to help your create a wide variety of funky nail looks. Mix and match nail colours and then embellish with stickers or draw on your own designs with the cool nail art polish.

RRP £16, available in Boots.

The Essential Beauty Tools

This fantastic tin contains your beauty accessory must-have items, with a great brush set and eye lash curlers. With a powder/blush brush, eye shadow base brush, eye shadow applicator, lip brush and brow & lash groomer you will have all the essential tools to create a great look.

RRP £12, available in Boots.

All About Face Collection

Create a fresh, different look everyday by mix and matching the four cute eye shadows included as well as a lip gloss, eyeliner and blusher. The creative make-up set comes in a keepsake tin that you can use afterwards as a pencil case, genius!

RRP £10, available in Boots.

Totally Charmed

Colour and customise your world with this rocking collection of nail polishes and accessory charms. With four chic colours there’s a nail polish to match any outfit! The charms are removable so you can style your fave charm bracelet, mobile or cosmetic case!

RRP £10, available in Boots.

 

The Beauty Collective

This comprehensive kit has masses of trend led lip, eye and cheek colours so you can effortlessly create a look to compliment your mood and moment. Whether you’re rocking out or chilling with friends – ‘be your own scene’.

RRP £18, available in Boots.

Vanity Case

These lovely toiletries have a delicate fragrance that won’t interfere with your perfume and, housed in a handy vanity case you can use it again to keep all your beauty essentials safe. The case includes; shower gel, body lotion, bath soak, two bath fizzers and a bath lily.

RRP £20, available in Boots.

Messenger Bag

Stylish messenger bag to keep your secrets safe! Perfect for your school books, shopping or going to a friend’s slumber party – the possibilities are endless!

RRP £16, available in Boots.

Scarlett & Crimson’s ‘Smokey Eyes’ and ‘Lush Lips’ for Christmas

I am very fond of the Scarlett and Crimson range, it makes ideal stocking fillers for the teen and younger girls in my family. Easy to get hold of at Boots all year round and they always come up with a funky way of showcasing the makeup.

This time they have presented an eye colour palette and a lip palette in a diary style case, they have a handy mirror inside aneat , the colurs are really on trend and paige tried the lip palette and loved the colours. They make fab prezzies and at £6 are a bargain.

Look smokin’ hot this Christmas!

Get a look hot enough to melt snow and warm the coldest of hearts this Chistmas with a little help from Scarlett & Crimson!

Create a look that will impress with Scarlett & Crimson’s ‘Smokey Eyes’ beauty book. This chic eight colour eyeshadow palette is the perfect stocking filler for the most creative trend setting teens.

Or if your focus is on the lips as you prepare for any mistletoe kisses, then Scarlett & Crimson’s ‘Lush Lips’ beauty book is for you.  It comes complete with eight juicy lip gloss shades which are sure to make a statement whatever the occasion.

Both sets include two double ended applicators and a step-by-step guide by Ruby Hammer to create the perfect smokey eyes and luscious lips.

Created by beauty icons Ruby Hammer and Millie Kendall, the Scarlett & Crimson range of Christmas gifts has been designed to celebrate self-expression, individuality, creativity and friendship. And they are the perfect gifts for friends!

 

RRP £6

Stockist: Boots

Get the Twilight look with Tesco Twilight Tongs Review

Twilight broke onto the cinema screens on Friday, Conor went to see it on opening night, we are very jealous, he has been gagged so he doesn't ruin it for Paige or I, he's desperate to tell us though.

He was allowed to say that though he liked it but the books are more geared to males as well as females, but the last film will appeal to the ladies more! Woohoo!

We're all fans and I love all the girly merchandise that comes out with these films.

Tesco's have really gone to town and produced a fab range of Twilight themed hair styling appliances. Hairdryer, straighteners, mini ones too and lastly tongs, we were sent the Twilight Sparkle Tong

I only got to try them twice before Paige squirreled them in her room, they

The are very attractive in appearance the purple handle will appeal to young girls everywhere, its comfortable to hold for lengthy styling sessions especially if like me you have long hair. It heats up incredibly fast.

It has a tourmaline ceramic barrel, this means frizz free hair, as my hair is fine this really is essential, I also use a little hairspray to keep hair in check and make more defined curls.

You can either wind your hair around the barrel or use as normal tongs. The tip stays cool so it is easier to use as a wrap around.

The curls achieved are great, and combined with young girls wanting curls like Bella, I reckon this will be a fab Christmas present.

As this week sees the beginning of the end for the Twilight series, fans can prepare for Breaking Dawn Part One by creating their own ‘Twilight’ look with a range of hair stylers that were used in the film, all available from Tesco.

Get Bella Swan’s waves with Twilight Tongs or Alice Cullen’s poker straight style with the Twilight Straighteners, which also come in a convenient mini version if you’re travelling to see the penultimate part of the Twilight series.

Twilight ‘Sparkle’ Hairdryer, £24.97

 

Twilight ‘Sparkle’ Straighteners, £29.97

Twilight ‘Sparkle’ Mini Detailer, £19.97

 

Twilight ‘Sparkle’ Tong, £24.97

All Twilight products can be bought in selected stores or online at

www.tesco.com.

www.becomingateen.co.uk A New Website for Teenage Girls

 There is a new site, www.becomingateen.co.uk, which has just been launched for teenage girls to help them understand the changes they will go through when they hit puberty. It also helps parents and carers explain what's happening to them and how to manage their healthcare!

Now I had friends whose parents refused to tell them anything about puberty and did not allow them to any of the sex education classes. Move on to 2008 and Paige also had friends who were not allowed to attend.

I caanot imagine how scared these girls and boys must be at the changes going on in their bodies and not knowing if its normal.

Paige had a rough time for a year with one period then nothing for months, then irregular.

To not have me to talk to I think would have made here really anxious, as it was she was often worried.

A new way of learing about periods, puberty for girls and parents is at hand, hopefully some of the girls without support or knowledge will be able to find it here, even for teens that have advice will still find this so useful. Lots of tips and talk all in a clear and friendly way.

Becoming a teenager is a difficult time for children with both emotional and physical changes to their bodies happening at an increased rate during these formative years. But for girls these changes can be even more challenging with the onset of periods. That’s why Lil-Lets are working with educational specialists, National Schools Partnership (NSP) to deliver a flexible and in depth educational programme, which will be used in schools across the UK. 

Working in conjunction with NSP, and written with the assistance of PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) teachers, Lil-Lets will be launching the ‘becoming a teen’ education programme in 3,000 schools targeting year five and six primary school pupils. Teachers will be provided with lesson plans and activity sheets focusing around the physical and emotional changes pupils will be noticing as part of the curriculum for PSHE and SEAL (Social & Emotional Aspects of Learning).

As part of the NSP activity, Lil-Lets launched www.becomingateen.co.uk, which uses avatar style characters to help explain what happens to a girl’s body when she starts puberty, what a period is, what products are available, the differences between these products, and how to use them correctly. It’s these little things that can make a difference and the website has been designed to inform girls by using interactive tools allowing the user to find out information with the guidance of the characters in a modern and appealing format.

Lil-Lets has also enlisted the help of top TV psychologist, Honey Langmaster-James, to answer a few questions that mums and teenagers regularly put to her ! Her website is http://www.honeylangcaster-james.com/

Get an eyeful with Scarlett and Crimson

Get an eyeful with Scarlett & Crimson!

   Before Paige got her hands on the new product from Scarlett and Crimson I was sent to trial, i want to give it the once over, then I decided I had to use it first.      

            

Now as you know my approach to beauty is one of sometime trepidation, I make a good few mistakes and need any easy or tip laden help I can get.

As a teen I slapped on a bit of lip gloss the required heavy liner and black mascara and made do. I was lucky as my eyebrows had a lovely shape and this remained until a few years ago. 

Sadly once plucked its a regular requirement in the beautifying of Jo!!

What I like about Scarlett & Crimsons latest beauty kit is its all there for the teen or *coughs* mature teen to achieve  a nicely shaped set of eyebrows.

The three different sized brow stencils to give you the perfect guideline. The tweezers a really handy mini size and actually easier to use than longer pairs. I prefer to pluck my eyebrows I get a terrible red brow for hours with waxing.

I did not get onto well with the gel, personally for me my eyebrows are quite light and I felt it made them seem more so.

The clear mascara and liner perfect for just finishing off the job.

The cute tin makes this a perfect gift for any young lady, Scarlett and Crimson really know how to go beyond just a beauty accessory, by presenting it in a lovely tin, it feel so much more of a treat to beautify.

Now must hide this from Paige.

                

Scarlett & Crimson‘s Eye Spy collection, all contained in a funky keepsake tin, will help banish any signs of the dreaded ‘uni-brow’ and create perfect arches to frame your eyes.

This handy little kit contains everything you need to achieve flawlessly shaped and styled brows, including; three stencils, natural brow pencil, tweezers and brow gel. Then finish off the natural look with a coating of clear mascara for a glossy lash effect that will be worth ogling at!

Available in Superdrug for only £7.95.

Created by beauty icons Ruby Hammer and Millie Kendall, the full Scarlett & Crimson range of 35 unique products has been designed to celebrate self-expression, individuality, creativity and friendship.