Joby's Gorillamobile for iPhone is FAB

I love my iPhone because it's cool, easy to use and sooo much fun.

My four-year old loves my iPhone because of all the films I've downloaded.

Because he is the bursting-with-energy and can't-sit-still type, the iPhone is - for my dignity and sanity - a lifesaver.

But having to hold the phone in place is such a hassle. In restaurants we used to prop it up against bottles (which would get taken away by unobservant waiters/waitresses and the phone would go slide-bang on the table. Ouch.). Or salt shakers that weren't heavy enough to hold the phone's weight. Sigh.

But not anymore!

Enter Joby's Gorillamobile for iPhone. This thing has three legs that can stand, bend and twist. It really works.

We tried it on an airplane.

And in the car (above the window) to listen to a story.

And all I can say is: fantastic. If you use your iPhone or iTouch like I do, then get this.

Quote: Concentrate

Since when do four-year olds say:

"Shhh. I need to concentrate!"

??!

The best lip balms: My current top three

I cannot live without lip balm. I just can't concentrate on anything when my lips are dry.

This is why I have a lip balm on the bedside table, one in the kitchen and another one by the computer. And many more in handbags, coat pockets and drawers.

But not just any old lip balm will do! They have to be soft and creamy. I don't like having to scrape stuff out with my fingernail (like Bobbi Brown's).

Here are my top three:

1. By Terry's Baume de Rose SPF 15
It does smell of roses but it's not strong. At least I don't notice it. Which is lucky because I hate lipsticks or lip glosses that smell sweet.

Fab stuff. My absolute favourite.

But as pretty as the packaging is, it's heavy and not handbag- or travel-friendly.

2. Estée Lauder's Re-Nutriv Sun Supreme Lip Balm SPF 15
This is part of the expensive, anti-ageing Re-Nutriv series. It has small shimmer particles in it, which you're not really likely to notice unless you're out in the sun.

For carrying around in a handbag, this is the best because the packaging is small, slim and plastic.

3. Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 SPF 4
I used to think this was expensive but it's the cheapest of my top three now. Sun protection is a bit low in comparison with the other two (this one is SPF 4 only, the others are SPF 15).

I have a feeling that my top three selection will change, though, once I get my hands on Dior's crème de rose lip balm...  

Dealing with emotions - with Mr Pusskins

Here's a book that explores love. She loves him and treats him well but he's ungrateful and bored. So he leaves her and has some fun. Until he realises what a big mistake he has made. He repents and asks her to take him back. She does, with open arms, and they live happily ever after.

A typical love story? Maybe, except the guy in the story is a cat called Mr Pusskins.

Amongst other things, because there's a bit of danger involved, when he hangs out with a cat gang, this appeals to my son. And yet he can sleep without fear because there is a happy ending.

The story deals with emotions that are familiar to all of us, even little kids, and that's what's so good about it. My kid gets angry and stomps off, just like Mr Pusskins. And we also make up with hugs and kisses.

If you like this book, there are more stories featuring Mr Pusskins...

Wishlist: MAC Art Supplies

I am excited about the MAC Art Supplies collection. Maybe because it's all limited edition?!  I am tempted to get every single greasepaint stick and every single pearlglide eyeliner. But the truth is, my favourite colour of eyeliner is black, I don't wear bright colours on a daily basis, and I prefer mechanical eyeliners... so this is probably just madness.

The must-haves for me in this collection are:
Greasepaints: Dirty (a nice brown), Uniformly Blue (navy), maybe Below Ground (brown)
Pearlglide: Black line (black with gold), Undercurrent (amazing teal), Petrol Blue

I'm more likely to get a couple of eyeliners because they'll keep for years. I think the Greasepaint sticks will dry out so I don't want to stock up too much on them. Besides, I have a Paint Pot in black so I don't need the dark greasepaints.

Depending on how I'm feeling when I go to the counter, I might sneak in a few more...

Have you made a mental note of anything from this collection?

Check out the swatches here:
MAC Art Supplies swatches

How to use all (eight) of Maya Fiennes' DVDs

Maya Fiennes has made eight yoga DVDs so far. Seven of these DVDs specifically address the chakras, which (as far as I could tell) should be stimulated from the spine to the head. So my question was: how are we supposed to use them? Is there a particular order we should do them in? And where does the Detox and De-stress DVD fit in?

I decided to ask them directly and was amazed at how quickly I got a response (same day). I wanted to share the information:

1. Start with the Detox and De-stress DVD. 
Work on these exercises first. When comfortable and familiar with them, move onto the Chakra set.

2. The Chakra series should be tackled in order from the lower (Chakra 1) to the upper (Chakra 7).
Important: make sure you "clear" each chakra before moving onto the next one. What does that mean? A chakra is "cleared" when you feel "light-headed and slightly elevated". How long will that take? That depends on you.

3. When you have worked your way through all of the Chakra DVDs in order, then you can use whichever DVD suits your needs or moods.

Visit her website: Maya Space

Mini haul: Laura Mercier and Clinique

I would describe my skin type as normal most of the time; not particularly sensitive, nor too dry or too oily. I have relatively good skin - I get spots only on rare occasions. My t-zone tends to get a bit shiny but if I use skincare for combination skin, it's usually not enough and my skin feels tight.

Lately I have really been struggling with oiliness on my forehead, though. To be honest I have always regarded skincare and make-up rather separately, and not really considered: skincare + makeup = effect?

Well, I think it's time to change that. Since my day cream ran out, I've been using one moisturiser for day and night: Resilience Lift Extreme for dry skin from Estée Lauder. This is my first jar of the stuff and I like it. It smells wonderful (passion fruit) and is anti-ageing, which is reassuring. It has SPF 15, which is important for during the day. It's fine to use at night as well because the sun protection isn't activated unless you go out.

But I think it's too rich as a day cream, for me at least. It doesn't matter which foundation or powder I use, my forehead starts to shine after just two hours!

So I went out and got Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. I'm planning on using this oil-free gel only on my forehead.

I'm still looking for the perfect loose powder, as well, so I got two. Both are from Laura Mercier: Mineral Finishing Powder in #1 and Loose Setting Powder in Translucent.

I used to have the loose setting powder and liked it so this is a repeat purchase. I'm going to give it another try.

The mineral finishing powder is new to me and there are so many positive reviews out there, I had to get it!

As any effective experiment should be conducted, I will only test one variable at a time! So I shall be starting with the mineral powder first.