Linen Loft at Home

I recall the days of the original home selling party...back in the '70s when my mum would set off to a Tupperware or Oriflame party and come home with stuff that would simply take up space in the kitchen or bathroom cabinet.

I personally have always avoided this type of event, on the basis that I am more than likely to be tempted to make spontaneous purchases of items for which I have no need and no previous desire.


But last week I found myself agreeing to attend a Linen Loft at Home party being hosted by a close friend, in her sitting room, with unlimited bottles of Prosecco and home-made chocolate brownies on tap.  What's not to like?

So, off I toddled, 'Slightly Cynical' head firmly screwed on...and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening!

Linen Loft at Home was set up by Cheshire mum Joanne Napier. Frustrated by the dearth of flexible working opportunities open to similar, highly intelligent and versatile women, she investigated the plethora of opportunities in home selling, only to decide that they all either were far too complicated  or the margins were too tiny to facilitate a decent income.  Not being one to take bad news lying down, she set up her own company, designed the way she wanted it to be.  And it seems to work!

Linen Loft at Home sells luxury towels, bedlinen, kitchen gifts by Emma Bridgewater and quirky stuff from The Bright Side, gorgeous nightwear and bedroom bits for kids, incredible faux fur throws, delicious pure wool wraps, Max Benjamin candles and diffusers...loads in fact. (See their online brochure for a better overview!)

The Home Stylist sets up a display of various samples from their core range, plus seasonal bits and bobs and then does a brief introduction explaining it all, before leaving guests to come over and have a feel and a sniff of everything.

It's a bit like a browse around a lovely shop, but in a far more comfortable environment and with a glass in your hand - which never happens at John Lewis!  The quality of the items for sale was astounding, when you see what the prices are.  No retail shop overheads or fixed staff wages you see; the Home Stylists earn commission on anything they sell and the party host receives 10% of the total value of party sales to put towards her own Linen Loft purchases.

I enjoyed the event so much, I'm actually planning one of my own!

Not only does a Linen Loft party bring your best friends together in one place for an out-of-the-ordinary event, but you're supporting a Cheshire mum in achieving her objectives and helping grow a Cheshire business.  It's a pure win-win!

www.linenloft.co.uk

L'Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream

I think I may be a little bit in love. 

I put my hands up, I'm a lazy so-and-so and the thought of slapping full make-up on every morning leaves me cold.  Luckily I work from home, so thus far it's been a sporadic, 'uh-oh, I'm meeting clients' requirement!  Unfortunately, age is finally showing its hand and I was beginning to think that perhaps an extra session in front of the mirror each morning was going to become a necessity. 

Then along come the clever bods at L'Oréal and invent CC Cream!



CC stands for 'Colour Correcting' and the creams are designed to help create smooth and flawless skin without the heaviness of a full foundation, they also moisturise and have an SPF of 12. L'Oréal says: "The magic Smart Pigment Capsules in a feather-light hydrator transform into foundation on application.  A perfect nude look with buildable light-weight coverage."

 

They have released three formulas, green to 'neutralise redness', apricot to 'revive tired skin' and mauve to 'transform dullness'.  I have quite flushed cheeks so I thought this might work for me and popped to Boots so I could test them all.  I was quite horrified by the green cream however!  It comes out of the tube a soft, pale green and then transforms to a really quite dark shade of tan on the skin!  Not so much a colour corrector for me as a face-paint!  The apricot shade didn't work for me either, but the mauve does wonders!

 

You have to shake the tube well before use, but then a slick of the cream rubbed across your finger tips glides over a lot of skin to give a very light, but very good coverage.  I am impressed by the whole 'moisturiser/tint/SPF' in one approach concpet, but SPF 12 isn't really high enough and I apply my own SPF face cream first, and when this is fully absorbed go for the CC cream.  It adds about 90 seconds to my morning mirror-time and gives a lovely, smooth but not overly made-up finish.

 

It already forms a fixed part of my daily routine and I was told how healthy I was looking the other day! (Not sure if previously I looked ill, but hey, grab the compliments while you can I say!)

 

L'Oréal are offering free testers on their website at the moment, so click here today and grab yourself some, it may transform your mornings!

 

 



Flower of Gold Cheshire Rapeseed Oil

Rapidly becoming the darling of top chefs, rapeseed oil is pushing its way into the public's culinary conscious as the 'British olive oil' - but why?

 

Originally grown as a lubricant for steam engines, fields of rapeseed has been part of the British countryside for generations.  Today however new culinary strains have been developed and the consequent meadows of gold have become a ubiquitous part of the British countryside, and while we may take the acres of golden flowers for granted, or even curse their hayfever inducing pollen, they are proving a considerable draw for visitors to the UK - indeed, Japanese tourists are travelling here on specially arranged holidays to see it in bloom! 

 

Rapeseed oil has considerable health benefits; it contains half the saturated fat of olive oil (7% compared to 14% in oliver oil or 51% in butter) and is high in omega-3 and omega-6.  It is also high in unsaturated fats, which helps reduce cholesterol levels. Knowing this it's no surprise that it's been picked up by the healthy brigade, but why are our top chefs dumping the tasty glories of olive oil in it's favour? I brought a bottle of Cheshire's own Flower of Gold rapeseed oil into my own kitchen and used it to replace my usual light olive oil in everything I cooked for a week - and it's actually not hard to answer that question now!

 

The oil has a high flashpoint, which means it can be used for frying or high temperature roasting where olive oil can't.  The gorgeous golden colour of rapeseed oil also transfers itself to the food - making for gloriously golden roasties and sauté potatoes.  I'm advised that it makes an excellent mayonaise, though I haven't tried this!  I did make up a salad dressing, with some red wine vinegar and mustard and honey, and actually think it doesn't work here, as it's too heavy.  It doesn't work all on its own either, in my opinion, drizzled on tomatoes or goats cheese - I'm afraid nothing will replace my love of extra virgin olive oil for that!

 

The taste is mildly nutty and smooth, and doesn't leave any strong essence of itself on other foods when cooking with it, but it doesn't really work for me 'raw', as it were.  I found that it doesn't soak into fried vegetables the way light olive oil can, perhaps because you can turn up the heat with no fear of burning it.  The only real negative point is that fragrance is not pleasant, to be honest - but as sniffing oil isn't a regular past-time of mine, I can get past that!

 

All in all, when you take the culinary benefits (taste and practical use) and the health benefits, I think a bottle of rapeseed oil should be added to every kitchen, replacing vegetable oils or sunflowers oils which are generally imported...and here's the best bit...pretty much every bottle of rapeseed oil you'll find on a supermarket shelf comes from UK farms! And if you want to really reduce your food miles...our very own Cheshire grown Flower of Gold rapeseed oil is just perfect.

Now being stocked at ASDA and online at Artisan Foods, you too can support the healthy oil revolution while buying better than British...and buying Cheshire!

 

 

 

The Merlin, Alderley Edge

Big Bird loves a mid-week lunch with friends, and it happens infrequently enough to make it feel like a special occasion, A favourite spot for some time now has been The Merlin, in Alderley Edge.






The Merlin calls itself a pub, but it's done Alderley Edge style, so has seriously stylish interiors and a menu guaranteed to cause decision stress! 

We start, as does any sensible woman, with the wine list.  It's extensive but not silly and there's lots to choose from by the glass.  The obvious wines are there - a Pinot Grigio, a Sauvignon Blanc, a Merlot, a Malbec - but there are also some less well known and these are definitely worth an explore.  I fancied a rosé (not like me, but was feeling pink!) and thoroughly enjoyed my glass of Cerusuolo (£4.75), from Montepulciano.  Very undemanding, softly fragrant and with a low acidity and short finish.  Perfect when you're making it last across two courses.

We shared the Mediterranean Mezze (£11.95) to start.  It was OK, but rather heavy on the bread and low on the rest.  They offered 'baba ghanoush, harissa hummus, tzatziki, chermoula crusted flatbread & hazelnut dukkah crusted aubergines.'  That's what we got, but only three slices of aubergine and smallish dollops of the dips.  The aubergine was fabulous (hence my wish that they'd been a little more generous!) and the dips very flavoursome. But Merlin...this is Cheshire, more - this is Alderley Edge!  We ladies prefer to limit our carbs - so less bread and more of the tasty stuff next time please!

Now, on to our main courses.  My Pancetta Hash (£7.45) came off the starter list and promised 'savoy cabbage, pancetta lardons and potato with béchamel sauce, topped with a free-range hen’s egg and crispy pancetta'.  It was exactly what it promised and was deliciously, carb-ladenly, luscious.  The starter size was enough, and I didn't need the bread. Crispy chunks of ham wrapped in a thick, creamy sauce with squidgey chunks of soft potato. I'd have liked more cabbage (one has to get one's five a day somehow) and a sprinkle more black pepper, but I'd definitely order it again.

My friend chose the Duck Salad (£11.95).  This was good too. Described as 'crispy duck tossed with mooli, sesame seeds, carrot & cucumber in a plum & hoisin sauce', it met expectations and was polished off happily.

Once again, a lovely lunch in wonderful surroundings.  I'll keep going back because I know I can always rely on the food, the wine, the service and the surroundings to make my very rare lunches with friends a real treat with no risk.  I will be asking for more aubergines next time though.

The Merlin, Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge, SK9 7QL
01625 599 959

SOVANA.CO.UK

If like Little Bird you love your jewellery, and more specifically, you love your bling, then you really should check out a hidden gem on our doorstep…

Sovana.co.uk is a Cheshire-based online jewellery retailer, specialising in glamorous, funky and fabulous British Brands.  Stocking Pranella, Crystal Couture, Gemini London (genuine Swarovski), and Ingenious, they truly have something for everyone, and boys, if you are reading this, then you can score some serious brownie points by gifting your beloved something from here.

And if you’re stuck and don’t know what to buy, the owner will gladly help guide you, providing a knowledgeable and fashionable choice – you can’t go wrong…  And the best bit?  She won’t tell anyone, so you can claim all the credit yourself! 

New this Spring is the very covetable range of Scarves by Pranella, who started out life as a semi-precious jewellery company, and who present a high fashion collection every season, with hand-strung and very, very wearable pieces.

For all you ladies going to the Races this Summer (please, please say we are going to actually get one…) there is a fabulous red-carpet collection from Gemini London, and for those wanting something a little more subtle, but still sparkly-fabulous, then try Crystal Couture by Sovana.

If you will pardon the pun, this is a little gem of a website – fantastic, fashionable, affordable – what more could a girl want…

www.sovana.co.uk

CAFÉ ISTANBUL, KNUTSFORD

Little Bird, and Little Bird’s mother – they say yes!  Which is no mean feat considering one of them is gluten free and dairy free, and the other a notoriously fussy eater!

Café Istanbul has just opened in Knutsford, replacing what used to be Primavera, on King Street.  It’s been open just six weeks, but you would never know, the service is very smooth.

Café Istanbul is expanding quite rapidly, having started out with its flagship restaurant on Quay Street in Manchester, and now has restaurants in Prestwich, Knutsford and Redcar in Leeds.  As a group they’ve been going 32 years, impressive longevity (two recessions!) and plenty time to perfect their offering.

The great thing about Turkish restaurants in general, and this one in particular, is the sheer breadth of the menus.  You would be very hard pushed not to be able to find something you like, and so it’s a great choice for family dining, as there is genuinely something for everyone. 

LB and LB’s Mother visited Easter Bank Holiday Monday for dinner, and we had Hummus and Pitta Bread to start – yes, I know, not very adventurous, but then again, there’s nowhere to hide with the simple stuff!  One portion was more than enough to share as a starter – I’m sure the male readership will be delighted to hear that it was mansize portions all round!  The hummus was lovely – not too salty, and just wonderful on warm, fresh pitta bread.

Then we both happened to choose the same main course – the excellent Lamb Yahni - lamb in paprika, onion and red wine sauce slow cooked until tender. Just delicious.  Meltingly soft, and warm from the paprika, but sweet and very, very more-ish.  Served with rice and salad in just the right amount.  We couldn’t finish the lamb itself as we ladies can’t manage a mansize portion, but we would have done if we could have done!

By this stage we were too full for pudding (not at all like us), so we gracefully retired after starters and mains.  The bill came to £33, which we thought was excellent value.  They also do a lunchtime menu – two courses plus a drink – for £8.95, we’d highly recommend giving it a whirl, and we will definitely be going back.  Top tip – go hungry!

 

125 King Street
Knutsford
WA16 6EH
01565 632 576

istanbulgrillknutsford.co.uk

ASTALIFT

It takes a lot to impress Little Bird, with her 20 years of experience in the cosmetics indusry, but I have to say, the new skincare range from Astalift does exactly that. And better still, it performs better than some of its more premium competitors for less money – what’s not to like?!

Little Bird tried the Astalift Discovery Set, which at £49 is a great value pack, giving you a four week supply of Aquarysta Jelly and a six week supply of day and night cream, and a four month supply of eye cream. 


It also gives you a Cleansing Oil product, but I can’t comment on that one as I didn’t use it (I just don’t like cleansing oil as a format, although I have friends who are evangelical about it). 

The good thing about offering a pack like this, and other cosmetic companies take note, is that it actually gives you enough of the stuff to do a meaningful trial, meaning any repurchase is purely because you have used enough of it to know if it is going to work for you, without having had to outlay a small fortune for an entire range.

The ‘Jelly’ is used like a serum – and after four weeks of use (morning and night before the moisturisers), I can safely say Little Bird’s lines were definitely less deep – particularly the pesky forehead lines and nose to mouth lines.  Result.

Now, Little Bird is hardly the most aged specimen on the planet, and isn’t really old enough (a tender 42) to have any significant degree of ‘sag’ going on, but that said, when she puts the Day Cream on her skin definitely feels ‘whoa, that’s firm.’  It’s a lovely unctuous texture, good for dry skin, but not so rich as to leave you shiny. 

The Night Cream is very ‘feel good’, and is more unctuous still, making you look plumped up and radiant on waking (big result).

The Eye Cream is nothing short of miraculous.  The full size eye cream retails at £40, and is a true bargain in terms of its efficacy.  Little Bird usually uses a £104 eye cream (scandalous, I know, but in my defence I did inherit it from my mother), which is a very, very good eye cream.  But I would have to say at £40 this is definitely better.  Just to be sure, Little Bird only did one eye for 4 weeks to see the difference, and the difference was very definite.  It has fantastic line-reducing properties, and again was very smoothing and firming.  And the best bit… it doesn’t ‘rub off’ when makeup is applied over the top of it.  (I’ve now applied the cream to both eyes, as my slightly piratical lopsided look was starting to alarm my neighbours!)

All in all, Little Bird fielded many compliments during her trial time, and was seriously impressed.  Just for once, a cosmetic company has come good with its promise to make you look radiant.

Top Tip – order online from Debenhams.com when they have a mega day, and you’ll get an extra 10% off.  Otherwise available from Boots.com, and Astalift.co.uk