Paris is one of my favourite places in the world and for me, the Eiffel Tower sums the city up perfectly. I took this photo on a hazy summer’s day a couple of years ago, but I have many other images of the iconic landmark – in summer, spring, winter and autumn. Since I was a little girl when one of my most treasured possessions, a bracelet, featured an engraving of the Eiffel Tower, it has always seemed a place of wonder. My first visit was on a school trip back in the 70s and I cannot remember how many times it has featured in trips since, whether as a destination, climbing to the top or as a backdrop on the city skyline.After university I lived in Paris for a year or so, but the tower never lost its magic, despite seeing it every day. I took photographs of it dressed in its Millennium lights and even when it was not looking its best and covered in scaffolding.  It’s one of those things in life that contributes to defining who you are – I have so many memories tied up in it.

Better late than never, this is my first time joining in with The Gallery at Sticky Fingers, which is celebrating 100 weeks

I attended a launch last Friday for the new E45 body lotion Endless Moisture Derma Restore. Held in a hotel that doesn’t display its name outside, (cue lots of pointless walking up and down the street searching for the venue – what’s that about?) the presentation was both interesting and illuminating.

Formulated for the more mature skin this body lotion claims to ‘return skin’s youthful glow’ (yay),and nourish skin so that it feels more supple and softer in just three weeks.

A clinical study conducted by the company found that 100% of users experienced long lasting hydration and around three-quarters of users said their skin was softer and more supple to the touch after three weeks of applying the product.

Active ingredients include Poly Hydroxy Acid (PHA), a type of AHA, nicotinamide (said to boost collagen production), and glycerine (that holds in moisture).

I’ve just started using it and will continue to do so for three weeks before reporting back.

I am a moisturising addict – I confess, I’ve been applying cream to my face and neck since I was about 15 years old. As I get older, the need to introduce more moisture into my skin becomes ever more important, so I’m always happy to try out creams, lotions, serums, any product that holds out the hope of better looking skin, fewer wrinkles (laugh lines), or staving off that dreaded turkey neck.

My neck is one of my sore points – in that it is the place that bluntly demonstrates in the mirror that I’m getting older. Looking at the skin on my neck sometimes makes me want to weep – you see in my head, I’m still 18. So I’m big, big, big on neck creams.

Therefore I was very happy indeed to try the Q10 moisturising milk and Q10 neck cream by DHC.

I was impressed with the look and feel of the milk as it has the texture and lightness of a serum. Unfortunately for me, it isn’t rich enough and doesn’t seem to have any effect on my skin at all. I reckon it would be great for somebody in their 20s, but sadly that’s no longer me.

The neck cream however I like. I’m not too keen on the fragrance (perhaps that’s because it doesn’t have a fragrance) but the cream seems to improve the texture of the skin on my neck, even taking away a few lines temporarily. It’s light, non-greasy (despite the face it contains olive oil) and it sinks in fast. A keeper I think.