Garnier Olia Hair Dye

I have been using Olia for quite some time now - almost as long as it has graced our pharmacy and supermarket shelves.

It's relatively competitive in price when you think of what hair dyes are available on the market right now, and the variety of inventions companies have made in order to put the dye in your hair... Mousse, bowls, spatulas, flat brushes, blah blah.

Olia is easy to use and doesn't stink out your entire house; it's ammonia free. Good news for home-hair-dyers in the winter - don't freeze with the bathroom window open for ventilation like most other dyes available.

Anyway, to use just squeeze the colourant tube and the developer cream into the pot, then give it a good shake. It develops quite quickly, so it's ready to use by the time it's been shaken up and you've laid an old towel on the bathroom floor. 

I use a wide-toothed comb to comb my hair back, then follow the nozzle along those lines made. Easy. Don't forget to dye the crown of your hair too - this is often forgotten and creates patchy home-dyes!

I haven't used another dye for as long as I remember - I love this product so much I reach for it again and again, even trying out different shades. The coverage is brilliant and the shades are noticeable. The most noticeable difference you see is outside in natural light. I just dyed my medium brown hair 7.3 which was a dark shade of blonde. It did make a difference, and did lighten my hair without it looking 'fake' like bleach does. I was hoping to bend out my dark roots and very bright (bleached) under highlights - and it worked really well. My hair looks great now.

For around £7 you can give yourself a great confidence boost. I always feel more confident when I have coloured my hair.

The majority of the shades on offer are natural shades of auburn, brown and blonde. Of course, there is always the red colour although I would recommend

The only minor issue is that there needs to be a tiny little bit more liquid in the end product - for long hair it's only just enough dye. My hair is medium length, shoulder length at the front and longer at the back.

What is clean dry hair?

Well... Wash your hair the day before you intend to colour it, and avoid putting any product in it. Never put dye on wet hair, just-washed hair or on top of styling products. Next day hair with no product in it is best. Wash it at night, dry it and go to bed. In the morning, you hair should be the perfect condition for home-colouring.

Fructis Shampoo & Conditioner

I forgot how AMAZING Fructis shampoo is. I don't always see it int he supermarket, but a quality Garner product for £1 (Asda) has got to be worth screaming about, surely?

With my bank balance in a dwindling state, I'm about to ditch replacement of my Moroccan Oil shampoo and conditioner for a beautifully fragranced cheaper alternative; Fructis.

I'll be saving a whole lot of money as the shampoo and conditioner set from Regis cost in the region of £40. It lasted a few months, but seriously, I don't have that kind of money any more.

Fructis, I'm sorry I cheated on you. I really do love you.

Apple iPhone 6 Plus and iWatch

Yes, I know what you're all thinking... "Why the Plus?"

Because I had the iPhone 5 for two years on contract prior to getting the much anticipated iPhone 6. As soon as I found out they were doing two sizes I just couldn't resist it.

My husband bought it for my as a birthday present - the best one yet! (Apart from seeing Phantom of the Opera)

There was never a functional issue withy iPhone 5, I suppose, as it worked perfectly well although I always struggled with the tiny letters and frequently typed the wrong words into my texts and emails. Even I have small hands which is why I went for the iPhone 5 rather than the upgraded iPhone 4 version.

Emails - that was one of the main issues I had as I often found myself having to dictate my messages in my car at lunch time. The iPhone 6, which I got way-back-when in December is so much better.

The other issue with the iPhone 5 was that, sadly, it was awful at searching the internet and watching video clips. You'd be scrolling all over the place to read a page of text on a website.

I don't find that issue so much with the iPhone 6 - the videos are much clearer, the touch-sensitive 'buttons' easier to use and the user-friendly interface as easy to use as ever. Just better.

I could certainly see the difference by comparing the two side-by-side. The difference between the two and improvement with the iPhone 6 Plus is certainly noticeable.

We paid an upfront fee of £99 of the handset, then continued with the contract at a slightly higher rate than usual - about £5 more a month with EE. I've had a contract phone with former orange for around ten years now so I get a loyalty discount - no doubt the prices change for everyone.

I think I will be good at predicting what product is next to roll off the production line. 

I remember travelling to work with my Generation 2 silver iPod in one hand, phone in the other, thinking "I wish they [Apple] did a phone... that would be so cool" and around a year or so later, there it was. I never actually got an iPhone until the 5 came out as I had several Blackberries and LG handsets before then, and the iPhone wasn't readily available to all customers on all networks. After I finally got my iPhone 5, I thought to myself "They will probably do a watch next..." and two years later - yes they did!

I went to the Apple store the other day to look at the Apple iWatch. It was a very simple design - quite a big face but I felt frustrated about it. I tried on the navy blue leather strap with the 38mm silver bezel. It was quite chunky so probably would not recommend it for petite wrists - bearing in mind this is the smaller of the two sizes available. I almost fell in love with it until I realised it really is just a gimmick and not practical... especially for £649.00... You'd have to have a lot of disposable income to afford something like that, or an incredible amount of credit!

What I look for in a watch is the ease of glancing down and seeing the time. I also don't expect to have to charge it up every night. Another plug socket lost to modern technology! You may as well bypass the watch and just rely on your phone... or wear a regular watch for substantially less cost than the iWatch.

I can see it being banned in all future examination rooms and test centres - especially as you can send text messages on it. It also has a speaker and microphone on it. A bit of a James Bond gadget.

View the watch I tried on by clicking here.

*The Apple iPhone 6 Plus was purchased by my husband and was not provided gratis by the brand*

The P-Ho Diaries

Paula Holmes, creator of exceptional lifestyle blog 'The P-Ho Diaries' is by far and wide my favourite blogger. I love the design of her website and she is a truly gifted writer; so articulate and personable.

I invited her to interview so I could share with you a little about the inspiration behind starting my own blog, 'Behind the Scenes'. I asked Paula what it meant to be a blogger, and how it all began.

So... How long have you been blogging - and how did it all start?

“I started The P-Ho Diaries just over a year ago now. At the time I was working with a lot of bloggers in my day job so decided I wanted to start myself. It started off as a sort of diary, hence the name, focusing on what I was getting up to in London. Now it's become a hub to share my passion for fashion and food plus everything in between. It has grown a lot in just a year so I'm very proud and happy with what I have achieved so far.”

What do you love the most about blogging?

"I love writing! So for me it is a place to write away until my heart is content and people actually read it. I think the key to blogging is writing like no one is reading that way you always write honestly and people enjoy it more (I hope!)

Of course they are a few perks, like being given free products to try and being invited to fashion & lifestyle events. I think more recently the media have released how important bloggers are for promotion, so that's good news for me and the industry."

Having met you at a press conference earlier this year, are there any upcoming projects, events or major London shows you will be attending?

"I'm about to see the comedy Ladykillers to review on my blog, which should be fun. I also have partnered with UGG boots for a great giveaway, where my readers can enter and choose a pair of UGG's of their choice, so I'm really excited about launching this competition."

What is the best thing about your job as a blogger?

"I guess doing what I love, I never feel like its work as I enjoy it so much. I never moan about having to write a post and work all hours, so I guess it must be true love! It also gives me time to work on my other projects; I also work as a freelance writer and social media consultant so I am able to split up my time easily."

What about other passions in life? What do you enjoy?

"I do love to write, I am currently writing my first novel which I have been going on about for two years but now finally have the time to do it! I love travelling and hope to go away again this year. I just got back from Miami which was amazing."

Paula, it has been a privilege to interview and meet you! I hope we will hear and see more of you in the months and years to come!

If you fancy following Paula and her amazing blog, you can Like her on Facebook, Follow her on Twitter or Pinterest. I urge you to give it a go and get involved!

P.S. Keep an eye out for the novel – you heard it here first!

Kerry's Jewellery

Earlier on in the year, I made a new friend through Twitter. A fellow home-made tweeter, Kerry.

Kerry runs her own handmade fashion jewellery business, aptly named ‘Kerry’s Jewellery’.

Kerry is an entrepreneurial 20-something. With three children and a husband, she decided to take the plunge and make her hobby an official business, by resigning from her bakery job and registering herself back in April. [2013]

Kerry  is based in Newcastle and makes her items in her own work-shop outfit at home. Kerry has managed to achieve a lot in life from a young age and absolutely loves spending time with her children, whilst satisfying the needs of the business at the same time. Let’s face it – with a husband in catering, that’s even more time spent doing what you really love while he whips up a storm in the kitchen. Jealous, ladies?

The business started as a hobby, as we all know the devil makes work for idle thumbs! And nobody likes to be bored. Soon enough, Kerry made orders for friends and family and the rest is history!

Recently, Kerry produced woven friendship bracelets for charity, a design for Hypermobility  and another for Cash for Kids. As you know, Kerry is a proclaimed Geordie lass, and the patrons of the charity are none other than Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. Perhaps better known as comedic duo ‘Ant ‘n’ Dec’.

I tried to prise out some sneak-peaks of Kerry’s AW13 collection, but this is tightly under wraps. So, hold onto your hats until the end of August, when Kerry will release a statement to show off the new wares.

In your daily Google-related procrastination, why not see stockists of Kerry’s Jewellery on sites such as Asos, Nu Fashion Network, Amazon, Peggy’s Collection and Shabby Sheep?

Kerry’s inspiration is eclectic as is the range of designs on offer at either wholesale or retail quantities and prices.

Kerry’s favourite piece on her website is the Butterfly bracelet, a frequenting favourite in April’s London Fashion Week press conference evening. There is a Spring Butterflies version using seasonal hot pinks and earthy greens.

We quite like the Daisy bracelet in pastel hues. These are £11.00 each and finished with a little pink bow.

Check it out! Visit Kerry’s Jewellery for a look.