Lock Down by Sean Black

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Dragons and Fairy Dust

This is the first in a series of books that feature Ryan Lock, an ex-military bodyguard. It is Christmas Eve in New York and Ryan Lock has one task, to protect the life of one of Americas most ruthless business men. This is Nicolas Van Straten, head of Meditech, a company that uses animals in medical research. Needless to say they have been targeted by animal rights activists as a result of this. In a dramatic about turn Nicolas Van Straten has decided he agrees with the head of the animal rights activists, Gray Stokes and a press conference is arranged to announce this. As they are standing in front of the companies building to announce this, shots ring out. Stokes is shot and a hummer speeds towards his wife killing her. Ryan Lock manages to save his disabled daughter ending up in hospital.

While all this is going on a young boy, Josh Hulme is kidnapped. By coincidence he is the son of one of the senior researchers at Meditech. He asks Ryan Lock for help. Ryan begins to investigate and is soon in a plot that links both threads of the story together.

This is a good book, the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat turning the pages to find out what happens next. The characters are a bit lacking in detail, but the book is like a good action film, and this does not deter from the plot. You do get glimpses of Ryan Locks character here and there and certainly I would like to see more. Its well written and fast paced, with interesting and somewhat unexpected plot turns at the end.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Oil

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Dragons and Fairy Dust

Recently I was sent some Palmers Cocoa Butter skin therapy oil to try. I was really pleased to try this as I have very dry skin and also get patches of eczema so really wanted to see if it would help.

The box promises all sorts of wonders. It is formulated to help scars, stretch marks, dry and damaged skin, uneven skin tone and aging skin. I was really hoping it would be as good as it sounded.

Opening the box you find the bottle of oil, which has a yellowish colour. It has a lovely consitency and a really fabulous smell. I imagine the smell is cocoa butter but it made me think of sunlit beaches. The smell is not over powering.

When I tried this on my skin I found that my skin drank it in. It is absorbed quickly and does not sit on the skin leaving it greasy like some oils do. It does not stain your clothes either which is a definite plus. I have used some oils that sit on the skin for ages and leave terrible marks which are impossible to get out, this is the total opposite.

Does it work? Yes it works really well. The dry areas on my skin felt instantly better and with a few days use they cleared up. The oil can be applied as often as required as well which is great for really dry areas. It can also be used at a bath oil but I did not try doing this.

If you have dry skin I would definitely recommend this product, it is lovely to use and makes a real difference.

A comping challenge

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Dragons and Fairy Dust

Its 2011 and I decided to set myself a new comping challenge for the year. I know its February but I had to think about something that would be a real challenge and was not just a list of things I wanted to win. I love winnning things but rather like the random surprises that turn up though the door. Doing a list of things did not really seem like a challenge, more a list of demands to the comping fairy.

Anyway I have decided to see if it is possible to win a prize a day in 2011. The rules are simple:

One prize winning instance is one prize. You could have a prize made up of 10 things but it counts as one. If you win a couple of the same things but at different times that counts as two.
You can only enter for things you want to win, you are not allowed to enter for the sake of it. Entering for friends counts though.
You don’t have to actually win one thing a day, the total at the end of the year has to add up to the number of days in the year.
It has to be fun and not a chore.

So lets see if its possible. If you would still like a challenge but are not sure about a prize a day, go for a prize a week instead. I would love to know who is planning on joining this challenge so we can see if we make it at the end of the year. Please comment below if you want to join the fun.

Crisps to make you smile

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Dragons and Fairy Dust

Walkers Crisps have just launched four new flavours of crisps to raise money for Red Nose Day. The rules are simple, four comedians each have their own flavour. For every pack sold Walkers Crisps will donate 5p to Comic Relief which is on the 18th March and the comedian whose flavour sells the most packets wins. The three who lose face a forfeit, they will get a body wax by a person unknown, a mystery celebrity, all to be revealed on the Red Nose Day show.

So what are the flavours? The four comedians taking part are Jimmy Carr, Stephen Fry, Al Murray and Frank Skinner. They all have their own unique flavours, these are Jimmy Con Carne, Stephen Fry up, Steak and Al Pie and Franks Roast Dinner. I recently tried all these flavours over the course of a week and in reverse order this is my list of preference

4. Franks Roast Dinner

I tried the Franks Roast Dinner crisps first. I love Roast Chicken crisps so thought this would be similar with maybe a hint of stuffing as an aftertaste. I was not that impressed with these crisps, there was a strong taste of roast potato which would have be nice if there was just a hint of it. These had the potential to be really lovely so I was slightly disappointed. Don’t get me wrong they are a nice crisp, just not what I was expecting.

3. Jimmy Con Carne

These are lovely crisps, they tasted exactly like Chille Con Carne. Nice crispy crisps, a delicate chilli flavour and an aftertaste of mince. I was pleasantly surprised as I was not sure what I would make of chill flavoured crisps and I would not have rushed out to buy this flavour based on the name. They were just pipped at the post by the other two flavours though.

2. Steak and Al Pie

I am not a great lover of steak flavoured crisps, for me they are usually the ones that get left till last in the packet. These however were a nice surprise, they have a mild steak taste with a definite aftertaste of ale. They really taste like beef in ale stew which I like. I would definitely buy these again. There can however be only one winnner and in my book it has to be:

1. Stephen Fry Up

I must admit I was slightly intrigued by these crisps. I was not at all sure what fry up flavour crisps would taste like and approached these with some trepidation. I must say however they are really gorgeous. Somehow using walkers crisp magic they taste exactly like bacon, sausage and egg without being really overpowering. These were definitely the most loved crisps as the all the crisps in the packet magically disappeared (I think the family ate them without asking!) Rush out and buy these before they disappear!

Whatever flavour you prefer go out and buy some of these. Comic Relief is a good cause and well worth supporting. The added bonus of course is we get to see the losers getting a body wax, which definitely has to be worth a look!

Do let me know what you think of the flavours and if your opinion matches mine!

Beginners Millinery workshop in aid of Cancer Research UK

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Dragons and Fairy Dust

Ever wanted to learn how to make a hat? Want to support Cancer Research? Live in London? Now you have the opportunity to do all these things. Vintage Amours, the online vintage directory with a heart, are offering you the chance to do just this. They are offering a beginners workshop which offers you the chance to make your own unique cocktail hat! This is an opportunity to own a very special creation that no one else could own. Perfect for spring.

No experience is needed, experienced Amour Girl Charlotte will be there to guide you. She is an experienced milliner working with the renowned Jenny Packham, Stephen Hakes and Marchesa she is currently designing a range of fascinators for a London accessories designer, Anjili Shah on the internationally famous South Molton Street. Its a brilliant opportunity to learn new skills.

If you are interested the event takes place on the 31st March from 10am – 3 pm.

The venue is The Railway, 18 Clapham High Street, London, SW4 7UR, London.

The cost is £38, which includes all the the base for the hat, all the materials and a sneaky cocktail. £7 of the price goes towards Cancer Research UK which is a brilliant cause.

You will need to book a place in advance. You can find more information on the website: Vintage Amours

You may also want to check out the Amour Girls on Twitter or Facebook

This is the first in a series of workshops so there may be others that are of interest