Fuji-ma-Flip

As I have been recently reminded (thanks, Sis!), I have not yet posted a picture of my fab'n'groovy pink slippers. This could prove a little tricky.

My beloved camera appears to have died. It is no longer. It has ceased to exist. It is, in fact, an ex-camera.

Oh what a complete bummer.

Never the most expensive of cameras, but by far the most expensive one I could afford at the time, it has quite simply been the best camera I have ever owned. Easy to use, and with great quality pictures. Usually with me everywhere I go. Now, sadly no more. I had planned to ask everyone for money for my 40th Birthday, so that I could buy a digital SLR. I think perhaps now I will be asking everyone for money for Christmas, just to buy a camera, full stop!

On a happier note, and having emerged from some sort of time-warp lasting rather too many years to admit, I have re-acquainted myself with an old friend this week:-

Many, many years ago, I used to buy the occasional box of sweetly smelling goodies from a company called 'Cosmetics to Go'. Always lovingly packaged with sparkly wrapping and the odd sweetie, they made (actually they invented Bath Bombs), massage bars, shampoo bars and such gorgeous stuff. They were based in Poole, and had a rather yummy shop on the High Street: but it was more fun to buy mail order. All their products were cruelty-free, hand-made, and fresh: no horrible chemicals etc etc. I only stopped buying when finances prevented such luxuries. I did try and order a few years ago, but they seemed to have disappeared off the radar (and we didn't have the good old www. then).

I noticed a few years back that someone had had the same idea, with a chain of shops called 'Lush', who do the same sort of thing, only bigger, and smellier. I assumed that they had basically copied CTG. Wrong!! I wandered into a store the other day, and picked up a copy of 'Lush Times', with piccies of all their current products. Upon settling down with a cuppa to read it, bells started ringing in the dim recesses of my very dusty mind. 'Strandlooper', 'Smaragadine', 'Quishion'? These were names from my past! 'Lush' are Cosmetics to Go'!!! Those fab products have evolved, the shops have grown, but the same amazingly creative people still invent pots and potions of sumptuous gorgeousness, and the products are still made by hand. Wonderful news as far as I'm concerned, although my Bank may care to differ.

So, if you should be passing one of these wonderful shops, take time to go in and fondle their luscious wares. Ignore the all-encompassing smell of their 'Angel's Delight' christmas soap, it's far too overpowering. They do have some real gems though: have a good sniff of 'Honey I washed the kids', or the original Blackberry Bath Bomb: I promise you will not be disappointed! They do mail order still, at www.lush.co.uk Very good place to buy Christmas Gifts!

If you want me, I'll be washing my hair.