lifeofyablon.com

I remember buying my first face mask.  The excitement was immense.  But –ouch – it hurt.  It was harsh, drying, tight and CLAY.  Costing just a few pennies for the sachet, causing a huge mess in our family bathroom, it probably did little good for my skin.  Since then I have avoided all clay masks.

overdose of paxil

Clayspray – a world first

Well, let me tell you:  Clayspray is going to make me feel very differently about clay and smothering my face with it.  Earlier this week, I was invited to what is being hyped as a ‘world first in beauty”, the launch of this ultra pure clay in a patented cylinder at the Soho Hotel, W1.

digging for clay

Friend and I were dubious.  What was the fuss all about?  Either way, we soaked up the marketing film and brand manager chit-chat, along with a couple of glasses of bubbly.  And then left with our clay samples ready to give it a go.

Clayspray – a world first

Actually, I have given it two goes.  I have applied the mask twice this week so that I can make sure that my feedback is accurate.

First you need to spray your face with the H20 canister.  Then, apply Clayspray White Clay Pore Refining Mask all over your face and leave it to dry.

first comes the spritz of H20

I read the marketing bumf while I waited.  Clayspray is the first clay emulsion in a spray and uses the purest (in percentages) clay in the world.  The patented packaging ensures that the purity of the clay, extracted from deep deposits in North Eastern Iberia, is not compromised.

clay-face

While I was reading, my skin was being exfoliated, purified, rejuvenated and moisturized.  I was impressed.  And even more so when I saw the results.

Each Clayspray mask costs £44.50 (approximately 17 applications from the 125ml can) & the Clayspray H20 Spray costs £17.50.

the lovely Bec in her Astley Clarke showroom

Last summer Bec ( founder of Astley Clarke.com) was sat next to me at a posh yet intimate dinner at the House of Lords.  I was delighted to see her again – as we had met a few years earlier within the world of 2007 internet start-ups.  More recently, she very sadly lost her mother to breast cancer.  I spoke at the dinner, telling my BRCA story to the wood-paneled room of (mostly) business men.  And as I sat down, Bec looked me in the eye and said:  Let’s do something together.

Breast Cancer Campaign bracelet – £110, with 20% of proceeds going directly to charity

Less than a year later, the UK’s first breast cancer bracelet to raise awareness and funds for much needed research into the genetics of this hideous disease is now up on the Astley Clarke site available for pre-order.  It officially goes on sale in the Astley Clarke concessions within Harrods, Selfridges and Liberty as well as online on Thursday 6th June.

The Astley Clarke/Breast Cancer Campaign bracelet is gorgeous.  Hand-crafted from woven pink silk cord, sterling silver and finished with a rose quartz gemstone, it will raise vital funds to research genetic breast cancer.

I don’t need to remind you that every year around 50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and that as many as one in five women diagnosed have a family history of the disease.  Breast Cancer Campaign’s mission is to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure.

Bec and the Astley Clarke team are even running the Royal Parks half marathon in October 2013 in support of Breast Cancer Campaign. The least you can all do is click through and admire our little gem.

Chimney Cake Bakers, Finchley Road

Last weekend, He and I were watching the current series of Mad Men.  The estate agent was trying to sell Peggy her first apartment.  On the Upper East Side.  Great views, she chirped, an up-and-coming area she added – oh and the smell of all those Hungarian bakeries, the pushy sales lady threw in as a last resort.  And, bearing in mind my latest find, that would have clinched the sale for me.  There and then.

The latest sweet-smelling addition to our neighbourhood is Chimney Cake Bakers (which also doubles up as a café), on Finchley Road.  In fact, it is even worth finding a parking space for – if you don’t live as close as I do.  Neighbour ushered me in there last week; both of us equally keen to discover what on earth a chimney cake is.

2 chimney cakes straight from the oven

Hungarian’s oldest pastry, was the answer.  In fact, Kürtos Kalács is its real name when it’s at home. Some say that chimney cakes originally come from Transylvania but there’s no doubt that those Eastern European countries are all rather fond of them nowadays.

So, they can be sweet or savory, but MUST have a crispy crust with a soft, doughy inside. The really curious part about my new-found-favourite pastry is the way it’s cooked. Chimney Cake Bakers make each one from scratch, wrapping the uncooked pastry like a ribbon around a steel pin before baking it in a special chimney cake oven.  You can even stand there and watch it turn as it cooks.

the crispy outer and doughy centre of a Hungarian chimney cake

hungry ballet legs need chimney cake

On Saturday morning, my little ballerina needed a treat before her plies.  We devoured a traditional one with sugar, only leaving a little remaining chimney for our boys.  I wonder if the local estate agents in this area will start adding to their particulars:  3-bed split-level apartment, stunning rooftop views of London’s skyline, walking distance to HUNGARIAN BAKERY?

Chimney Cake Bakers, Finchley Rd, NW3.