Conversations through the middle

Life from a (slightly) more mature perspective

Pocket money sweets – Christmas treats

I’m of an age where I can remember running to the corner shop with 10p in my pocket and being able to buy a big back of mixed sweets – chews, lollies, sherbet, liquorice – oh my, heaven for a kid. When I do the ‘I remember when’ speech now, I see Dot’s eyes glaze over as she thinks ‘here we go again, back to the days of the dinosaurs’.


But there’s some sweets that have been around as long as I have, maybe longer, and that’s the sherbet lollies, Love Hearts, Parma Violets and little fizzy sweets made by Swizzels Matlow. The Drumsticks and Refresher Chews came later if I remember rightly – and the refreshers were my favourite when I was about 11.  

So you can imagine how pleased I was to be sent a selection of sweets by Swizzels to review – yes that’s right, I was like a kid in a sweet shop! 

 

My favourite of the lot was this beautiful tin containing all of the sweets I’ve just mentioned. The packaging hits the message just right – a traditional look but with a slightly 3-D lid that stops it being old fashioned. It’s one tin that won’t be going into the recycling this Christmas as it will make such a lovely container for cakes and biscuits.

The sweets? Well they were just as I remembered them, perhaps smaller – or is it just that I’ve got bigger? I also remembered that I’m not really a fan of Parma Violets (but I know somebody who is so that’s okay). And Refresher Chews are still my favourites, though I do have a penchant for sherbet lollies, too.

I was also sent several tubes of sweets that are great as stocking fillers – Drumsticks, Love Hearts and Refresher Chews – and I will use them for that purpose. Except for the Refresher Chews, which I’ve eaten…

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Winner – Lavera skincare giveaway

Ta da!
 
The winner of the 40s Chic Laveray skincare giveway is @Twinklefire. If you’re reading this (which hopefully you are) then please contact me with your email address.
 
You have won the Lavera Faces My Age Anti-Wrinkle Organic Face Care Gift Bag, which is worth £49.50.
 
Lavera products are natural, plant-based and organic, and are suitable for even sensitive skin, thanks to the fact they are free from preservatives, synthetic perfumes and synthetic colours.

Congratulations @Twinklefire! 

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Christmas gifts – hair

If your Christmas is about dressing up and partying then check out these great gifts for glorious tresses…



Paul Mitchell always comes up with great gift ideas for Christmas and this year is no exception. The gift set for coloured hair caught my attention as unfortunately, I now colour my hair as a matter of course (I blame my dad who went grey in his 20s).

The Color Care Gift Set costs £17.50 and includes Color Protect® Daily Shampoo 300ml and Color Protect ®Daily Conditioner 300ml
 
Paul Mitchell does not test on animals, which is another reason the brand figures among my favourites.

 
The Alterna Caviar Moisture Duo gift set with Caviar Replenishing Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner is a luxury buy at £43.20, but if you’ve noticed your hair is not as shiny, vital or gorgeous looking as it once was then it could be for you. It contains marine botanicals, to repair and moisturise your hair as well as caviar extract to create shine, increase elasticity and make your hair more vibrant.
The shampoo and conditioner are sulphate, paraben and gluten-free, and they don’t contain synthetic colours or petrolatum. Find them at www.alternahaircare.com
For straight hair this Christmas check out the Corioliss Couture Professional Styler Lace. It’s not only pretty to look at but it does the business when it comes to getting rid of kinks and frizz. And it has floating titanium plates. £99.99 from Boots.

 

Argan oil has been a bit of a buzz product in beauty this year, for skin and hair, and the Lee Stafford Argan Oil gift set (£25) is one way to try it if you haven’t so far. Lee is a friendly guy who gave me several hair care tips for 40s Chic when I met him – still to come so stay tuned – so this is one set I would love to try (Don, take note). It contains Argan Oil from MoRocco Miracle Nourishing Oil, Deep Nourishing Treatment and Miracle Heat Defence Spray. Find it at Boots.
 
Finally, get yourself in a spin with the John Frieda Spinning Brush (£49.99), which actually rotates as you style your hair. It promises shine, volume and shape and a salon blow-dry finish. From Boots.

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