mylocalsalon - beauty at our fingertips

Ok girls we all know the scenario, the holiday is next week and you are still hopelessly disorganised. Midway through the Boots trolley dash for suncream and travel size products you realise you have forgotten the most important holiday beauty prep, the wax. Cue a frantic call to your usual therapist, who can offer you an appointment earliest next month...helpful. Or maybe you don’t fancy sharing your personal beauty regimes with the rest of the office. In our open-plan layout I am conscious that Jose doesn’t really need to know that I want a half-head, trim and blowdry...mainly because he would then try and persuade me to go for something more directional - “Think like Gaga babe” (possibly the scariest sentence ever uttered in connection to hair styling).

A busy mum who suddenly finds herself with a couple of hours of ‘me’ time and wants to book a massage last minute to help recover her ‘Zen’ - allowing her to smile blissfully through a 5 year olds jungle gym party later that afternoon - but a ring around to find out availability is going to waste valuable time...

If only there was a way of checking out the appointment books of your local salons to find out availability, get info on treatments and prices, as well as their customer feedback and ratings, before booking yourself in pronto, all without having to pick up the phone...

Enter mylocalsalon the UK’s first online directory for the hair and beauty industry. Allowing customers to search and book appointments in real time whenever and wherever they like, thanks to the handy free iPhone app. mylocalsalon looks set to revolutionise the rather outdated booking systems that most salons currently employ. In the same manner as Lastminute.com and LateRooms customers can book any available slots right up to the last minute, as well as taking advantage of special discounted mylocalsalon offers.

In a world where we are no longer bound by business hours or time constraints we have become accustomed to not waiting. We do our weekly food shop online, browse the high street on our computer over our lunch break and book tickets to that must-see comedy on our smartphones, so it is inevitable that the booking system for the hair and beauty industry was due a shake-up. mylocalsalon offers the time-poor customer the ultimate in convenience, with a complete nationwide directory of salons that offer a wide range of treatments. The free iPhone app is an added bonus allowing you to search the nearest salons to your current location, see therapists with availability, book yourself in and receive immediate confirmation of your appointment.

Well we're sold, how about you?

Alfresco Natural Insect Repellent

Think it is about time for a little fun in the sun? Me too, though along with the sunbathing, relaxing and cocktail drinking that are the essential components of a great summer break I always find my enjoyment of an evening spent sitting outside scuppered by my arch nemesis, the mosquito. They always seem to search me out and it is only later that I find the evidence on ankles and legs, and then the itching starts...Though I can douse myself in repellent the traditional formulas are loaded with DEET and the overpowering chemical smell overrides everything else.

So I was delighted to find out about the products from Alfresco which contain a natural insect repellent. Formulator Sarah Lou Morris started experimenting with essential oils and lotions while she was working at the Chelsea Physic Garden. After many tests and trials she came up with the Alfresco fragrance, which was given the stamp of approval by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who especially recommend it for babies and children.

My favourite product is the Alfresco Anti-Bug Bite Moisturiser, containing botanical extracts of cinnamon leaf oil, patchouli and cedarwood oil, it deters insects whilst also acting as a nourishing skin conditioner. And it seems I am in good company as this is also the repellent of choice for Madonna, Nicole Kidman and Johnny Depp (for when they take the fam on the annual break to Benidorm I imagine).

Alfresco support Malaria No More and are committed to buying and distributing mosquito nets.

Alfresco products are available from John Bell & Croydon and online here

Bulmers No 17

Now that BBQ season is in full-swing and we are finally enjoying some good weather (albeit with the obligatory British Summer shower intervals) I have been on the look out for a new and refreshing Summery drink. This month Bulmers has not only decided to give its whole range of ciders a new and improved look with redesigned bottles and labels they have also unveiled a brand new variety, Bulmers No 17. The 4% ABV premium quality apple cider has been given a new fruity twist with the addition of crushed red berries, cut with a shot of lime. We think it’s best served poured over ice with a wedge of lime although be warned, the fruitiness is deceiving and you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s just a refreshing Summer drink and consuming more than is wise!

To accompany the launch Bulmers are running a series of fun experiments across the country such as ‘The Lift Experiment’ and ‘The Friendliest Pubs Experiment’ - go to www.bulmers.co.uk or www.facebook.com/bulmersuk to find out more.

Bulmers No 17 is available now at all major retailers.

Pure Spain

You may be able to tell from the amount of posts dedicated to food recently that the team at Amazing PR are not your typical lettuce nibbling beauty/fashion darlings and we pride ourselves on finding out about and enjoying good food. One of my favourite cuisines has to be Spanish and with the weather heating up I’ve found myself dreaming of long lunches spent sharing delicious plates of tapas and of course enjoying a few glasses of vino. In an attempt to satisfy my cravings I’ve been searching for authentic Spanish products however was having little luck until I discovered Pure Spain. Pure Spain is an online family-run business who source Spanish delicacies from small businesses who produce high quality goods that are only available from Spain. The people at Pure Spain are passionate about all things Spanish and wanted to bring the authentic flavour of Spain and make it available over here at the click of a button. One of our favourite products is the Naturvie Olive Jam made from manzanilla olives which is delicious simply spread on fresh bread or used as a chutney with cheese or meats. It also has the foodies seal of approval and won a Gold Award at the Great Taste Awards last year.

Also on offer are a wide range of olive oils, authentic Spanish hams, cheeses, seafood, wine and everything you need to create delicious tapas or traditional paella including the paella pans themselves. For those in need of some inspiration they also have a number of delicious recipes to create some authentic Spanish dishes such as Gambas al ajillo and Tortilla Primavera.

The lovely people at Pure Spain have kindly given all our readers a discount offer code which will give you a 10% discount on your first online order at www.purespain.co.uk and applies to all products. Just type in SPAIN to receive your discount.

The Black & Blum Hot-Pot BBQ

We are getting ready for some more alfresco dining this weekend with the promise of some warm weather and ‘sunny intervals’ (for us that is enough to get a bikini and barbie on for). Like so many Londoners we have limited outside space and are not keen to fill it with a monster Weber that ends up getting used a handful of times in a summer – however much the men of the house feel it would enhance their masculinity. For us potted plants, sunloungers, umbrellas, Moroccan lanterns (all essential for creating that Elle Deco alfresco style dontcha know) are a priority.

Clearly the creative minds at Black & Blum understand this conundrum and have come up with the cleverest little invention that we have seen in a long time. The Hot-Pot BBQ is a barbie and herb garden/large planter all in one – genius we tell you, genius! For space-starved folks this is a godsend, about the size of your average large terracotta pot, when assembled and planted up there is very little to give away the fact that hidden underneath is a small, but perfectly formed barbecue. It is perfect for small terraces and balconies and, unlike most barbecues (I don’t care how much you paid it is never going to look ‘pretty’) it looks good when not in use.

The Hot-Pot BBQ is made from stainless steel with a heat insulating ceramic coating and comes with a set of stainless steel tongs that also double as a handle for lifting off the grill. The clever folk at Black & Blum are renowned for their home and office designs that combine practical-thinking with a mischievous and intellectually-satisfying twist, we urge you to check out their whole product range here.

We are SO excited to try out our Hot-Pot BBQ this weekend and have decided to branch out a bit from the usual bangers and burgers routine and attempt to whip up something a little bit more special. So in case you to are feeling creative here is a little something to try.

Indian spiced barbecued lamb

Serves 6

3 racks of lamb, about 6 bones each, French trimmed

For the marinade:

• finger-length piece ginger , chopped
• 4 garlic cloves , roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp each turmeric , garam masala and cumin seeds
• 1 tsp paprika
• handful coriander leaves, plus extra sprigs to serve
• juice 1 lemon
• 150ml natural yogurt

Method:

Using a hand blender or mini food processor, whizz marinade ingredients to a smooth paste, then season with salt.

Cut the racks of lamb into 2 or 3-bone portions and cover in the marinade, using your hands to coat evenly. Cover with cling film or put in a large freezer bag and leave to marinate for a couple of hours or overnight in the fridge.

When you are ready to cook, take the racks from the marinade and cook on the BBQ for 10 minutes, turning frequently for pink, or until cooked to your liking.

Slice into individual cutlets and serve with a cooling cucumber and mint raita and Indian flatbread.

The Black & Blum Hot-Pot BBQ costs £99 and is available here