Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution from Kiehl's

I have been using this for about a month, once a day, every day. It's about the most dedicated I have ever been but I thought it might just help with the redness I am getting on my cheeks as time passes. I cover it up with make-up but there is no mistaking it without so I am prepared to go the extra mile with this.

And do you know what I think it has had an effect. Not a major effect admittedly but an effect all the same. The redness is nowhere near as obvious as it was and although it's not gone completely (now that would be asking a bit too much) there is definitely some improvement. And after a month of using it there is still just under a bottle left so it is good value too.

It does say give it 8 weeks so I will keep going for another month as I think it will have an effect which will be great if it does! I use it in the morning after my moisturiser and in the evening when I remember....

Key ingredients are Peony, active vitamin C and white Birch which combine to create an antioxident effect and brighten the skin. If you have age spots or flushing like me then I can recommend it highly....

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, £49 for 50ml.

Mosaica at The Factory

It was the man's birthday so we decided to take a long-overdue trip back to one of our favourite restaurants Mosaica. You won't just come across this restaurant as it is hidden in an old chocolate factory not far from Wood Green station (yes Wood Green) but it really is worth a visit.

Photo: Tottenham Journal

We last went about 6 years ago and since then it has been bought by musician Labyrinth. But it's still just as good (if not better to be honest) as it ever was. The waiting staff are great, the menu is small (ish) but enough to please most people and the wine list goes from the affordable to the rather outrageous (as you would expect).

It is a bit like a New York loft with open kitchen and informal furniture that's a cool mix of second-hand and salvage. The candle near our table stood on a mountain of wax which has been there since it opened about 12 years ago with the wax building up over time, and there's a real mix of art and clientelle. Aged from 18 to 80 when we were there with enough young hoodied and baseball cap wearing guys eating three courses to give it a bit more of an edge than the norm. We like it and I must say the food was really up to scratch.

Here is what we had...

For starter I had chicken liver pate with bread on the griddle and mixed pickles. Ignore the burnt looking bits - it's more char-grilled than burnt.

My main course was a real mix of flavours with the red snapper fillet being served with samphire and chickpea alioli - delicious when put together.

Last but by no means least came a rich, thick dark chocolate pie that was laced with lavender and summer berries.

We had cocktails to start, a bottle of red wine and three courses and with a tip the bill came to £52 a head which for this quality of food and ambience is really quite alright!

Mosaica at The Factory, Unit C005, The Chocolate Factory, Clarendon Road, Wood Green, London N22 6XJ.  

Rigby and Peller swimwear for Summer 2013

Going for tropical colours with great shapes, the Rigby and Peller swimwear range will create a splash whether you are in the local swimming pool or somewhere far more exotic. Let's hope for more exotic...

Purple bikini top £115

Purple bikini bottoms £61.95

Printed South Beach one piece £170

Fuchsia bikini top £92.95

Fuchsia bikini bottoms 56.95

In store now!

Marks and Spencer fashion - out of the doldrums?

Marks and Spencer's fashion collections have left a lot to be desired over the past few seasons. There has been little that I would buy (apart from one plain black shift dress that was bought for me) as everything has been rather dull and shapeless. There is now a new style director Belinda Earl who was responsible for introducing the fabulous Designers at Debenhams range. By the looks of the Autumn/Winter collection she is already making her mark. According to The Daily Telegraph website Belinda says: "We've listened to so much customer feedback and the number one complaint has been quality." So it appears she has addressed that along with all the other complaints about cut, colour and suitability for women who would shop in M&S if they could find anything that didn't make them feel, well, middle-aged. I like what I see and am lucky that I work near the West End as I know I will find things in store. The next battle they need to address is availability in towns up and down the country - so if you can't find what you want you should complain to head office, Belinda is listening.