Wednesday 20 February 2013

Cretan Holiday Highlights


I'm having one of those days that gets off to a bad start and never quite recovers itself (although the sun did just come out!). As a diversionary tactic I thought I'd post some pictures from our trip to Crete last October. We traveled all over the island and stayed in lots of different accommodation. These were some of the highlights:

The ramshackle bars and restaurants that wind around the cliffs to the edge of the bay at Matala.

Rethymno old town. Particularly the restaurant Castelvecchio. Charming waiters and delicious food.

Chania's Venetian harbour. Beautiful architecture and perfect people-watching bars.

Casa Delfino in Chania. We spent one night in this chic hotel on a lucky last-minute room rate. Kirsten Dunst and Vigo Mortensen shot a scene for a movie in the alleyway beneath our balcony!

The pool at the Rimondi Grand. Total peace, lovely views and cocktails delivered to our sun beds.

The incredible drive through the mountainous interior of the island to Paleohora.

This year we have two weddings to attend in Ibiza and Barcelona so we're making it into a holiday and flying from one to the other. Please tell me I'm not the only one already dreaming of summer! Where do you hope to go this year?

Pool at the Rimondi Grand, Rethymnon
Monastery in the hills behind the hotel 
The famous cliffs at Matala
Hippies including Bob Dylan are said to have lived in the caves during the 1960's
The Venetian harbour at Chania

The Turkish Mosque Yiali Tzami in Chania
Chania at dawn from our balcony at Casa Delfino
Voulisma Beach, Istron, Crete
Enormous Chania cat with a regal face and excellent ears
View of the harbour from the balcony at Casa Leone
Trying for chic the night we stayed at the best hotel in town
J made a friend who wanted a drink  at AnnaView Apartments, Mirthios
Pink sandy beach at Elafonisi
Feeling brave wearing MAC Lady Danger on our last night

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Review: Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream


It's the same old story every winter – I'm always looking for a simple, soothing moisturiser to stop my skin from dehydrating. This year I've been using Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream to see if it's up to the job. 

Pai is a UK company with an ethos of transparency. They use only 'clean' ingredients and list every component in their formulas in plain English rather than chemical formulas designed to baffle us. All products are certified organic by the Soil Association


This moisturiser has a very mild, fresh scent that I'm struggling to describe – a bit like a refined Twinings herbal tea. Lovely, elegant and relaxing. 


The texture is that of a water-based cream. It's not oily but spreads easily across skin and sinks in beautifully. I'm prone to spots and dehydration and my skin can easily feel parched. This moisturiser packs a double punch with chamomile providing matricine and azulene; and rosehip  full of omegas and antioxidants. On days where my skin is doubly dry I layer over a facial oil or mix some with it. It leaves my skin ready for makeup and hasn't made me break out. 


The only thing I've not liked about it is the bottle. It's glass with a pump dispenser and I found it stopped working when the bottle was still half full. I've had to take the lid off and wiggle the tube around inside every time I use it. The bottle opening is too small for my finger so I'm left pining for the last few applications of product. I'd like a tube that's double the size. 


Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream is available at paiskincare.com. They often have good offers and it's free postage! Have you tried any Pai products yet?