On Saturday 7th of August 2010, The Future Gallery is hosting an all day retro arcade… an interactive showcase of all your old favourite consoles thanks to nostalgia merchants Hand Baked!

The installation will run for 10 solid hours of pixelated fun from 2pm to midnight, with unlimited play across a giddy pick-n-mix of Mega-Drives, Master Systems, Gameboys and Super NES.

Whether you’re an old hand, newcomer or a gaming addict– everyone can get their teenage kicks with joystick clicks, whilst our futuristic tunes keep you time-travelling beyond the stratosphere.

Beer, cider and soft drinks will be available throughout – keeping you fully fuelled whilst things get hot and busy. (The last two arcades were a sell out!)

With games galore both inside and out, guests can enter for the utterly teenage price of a pocket-money £2 before 6pm or £4 thereafter, if you’re allowed to stay up that late!

The A’kin Orange Blossom and Chamomile Toner on the other hand is DIVINE! It smells beautiful and is wonderfully cooling and refreshing. Exactly what a toner should be unlike some I have tried that have stung like hell, made my eyes water or given me a nasty breakout. Score 5/5

To exfoliate or not to exfoliate? Well some believe that exfoliating is extremely important as this encourages cell renewal and removes dead skin cells that can block pores, whilst others are not so convinced and are adamant that by simply using a muslin cloth is enough. Well I am with team exfoliate and make sure I do twice a week at the most. So here is another addition to the A’kin family with the A’kin Jojo & Corn, Gentle Exfoliating facial scrub. The scent is very similar to that of the Sandalwood and Neroli cleansing gel as is the foaming consistency. The exfoliating beads are made from Jojo and Corn and are small but I do prefer an exfoliator to have micro-tiny grains as I feel this is much more gentle and you don’t risk any unwanted scratches from larger particles. My skin does feel smooth after use but perhaps this is best to us on clear skin and not for sufferers of acne. Score 3/5

Last but not least is the A’kin White Tea & Aloe, Vital Hydration Gel Creme, a lovely and light, matifying lotion that instantly hydrates the skin – just like splashing your face with water. Score 4.5/5

Ultimately I did enjoy reviewing the A’kin range of skincare although I didn’t see a real difference in my skin, it did feel clean and fresh and my skin also didn’t get any worse which is always a relief when I try something new.

The quest continues…

CiCi x

A’kin Sandalwood and Neroli Pure Facial Cleansing Gel – 225ml – £13.99

A’kin Orange Blossom and Chamomile Toner – 125ml – £8.99

A’kin Jojo & Corn Gentle Exfoliating facial scrub – 75ml – £13.99

A’kin White Tea & Aloe Vital Hydration Gel Creme - 15ml – £18.99

Bag a Moschino Glamour tote from The Perfume Shop this summer by purchasing the Moschino Glamour EDP spray 50ml (£39.50).

This super stylish tote bag is the perfect designer accessory for hitting the beach but why stop there…?

Team it up with a snazzy Chic New York City Towel by DKNY (free with the purchase of any £25.00 DKNY fragrance)

All you need now is to book a ticket to somewhere sunny, here’s a little pic to get you inspired ;0)

We’re always looking for Superfoods with that extra edge, first came the blueberry and then the goji berry but now CherryActive (£13.95 / 473ml) has been found to contain extraordinarily high levels of anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant known for its beneficial role in protecting the heart and cardiovascular system.

We like this because it’s quick, simple and no need for endless chomping, you just mix it with water and hey presto your good deed for the day is done!

According to leading nutrition expert, Patrick Holford, “A daily 30ml shot of CherryActive, diluted in water or added to a smoothie is a great way to get anthocyanins into your diet and counts towards your five a day target.”

What are anthocyanins?
Anthocyanins are compounds naturally found in berries that possess high levels of antioxidant activity and are also responsible for giving berries their rich colour. Anthocyanins can help to neutralise free radicals – compounds in the body that damage cells and contribute to heart disease, brain degeneration, certain cancers, and the ageing process. Tests show that a 30ml shot of CherryActive Concentrate has an antioxidant score of 8260 ORAC units. This is the same antioxidant capacity of 23 average portions of fruit and vegetables!

Look after yourself!

There is a delicate sensation of freshness from the very first notes which are carried along in a deliciously refreshing current of crushed Mint, with a zest of Italian “Limone Primo Fiore Femminello“, harvested from the first spring blossoms in Calabria.

At its base, the fragrance bears the signature of water rooted in the Earth, revealed by the depth of Cedarwood sprinkled with sensuous Brown Sugar and Labdanum.

The bottle is simple; inspired by waves of the sea and a woman’s body in a single drop of thick, transparent glass.

Eaudemoiselle (£37.99 / 50ml) is overtly feminine and surprisingly delicate, with an intense, floral-musky brilliance, bursting with a citrusy duet of Mandarin Orange and Italian Winter Lemon, coloured by the green, herbal naturalness of Shiso, a Japanese Basil.

This is definitely on my packing list… what will you be sporting on your holiday this year?

Available now at The Perfume Shop.

So in the run up to my holidays I will be sure to take Antistax Healthy Active Leg Capsules (£7.82 for 50) containing a natural and unique red grape vine leaf extract, known as Flaven that helps avoid swelling of the lower legs and feet when taken for four to six weeks.

To maximise the effects double up with either Antistax Cooling Leg Gel (£5.49) or Antistax Cooling Leg Spray (£5.99) to hand, to cool, soothe and revitalise your pins once you get to your destination.

Times have certainly changed; sun related diseases such as Skin Cancer are on the increase and there has never been more information and clinical studies to show the causes than now.

Scary stuff! So with this in mind we prefer to fake it and opt for the following bottles of sunshine…

Celebrity Secrets Tanning Mousse (£9.40 / 50ml)
100% natural active ingredients include Aloe Vera and essential vitamins to hydrate and nourish the skin. Containing no parabens, alcohol or oils, Celebrity Secrets has none of the unpleasant odour usually associated with tanning products. Instead, you are treated to a deliciously fruity fragrance whilst the products work with your natural skin tones to create a long lasting, streak free, A-list golden tan.

Tantruth Rapid Tan (£19.99)
This liquid formula glides with ease providing an instant golden glow which continues to develop in 4-6 hours. Enriched with Shea Butter and Avocado to keep skin moisturised and will leave your colour smooth, glossy and gorgeous.
Apply using the Tantruth mitt for the best result.

Paula’s Choice Almost the Real Thing Self-Tanning Gel (£13.00)
Fast acting formula with a lightweight gel texture, is quick drying and shows a natural caramel tint where it has been applied.

Body beautiful in a flash!

Hello Kitty Lip Shimmers (£5) will be available in packs of three, sporting fabulously fruity lip glosses said to leave lips super soft and candilicious.

The flavours are Orange, Strawberry and Blueberry and each tube comes with a cute Hello Kitty charm.

Out at the end of July in Marks and Spencer’s.

This particular one is for coloured hair but he isn’t too fussed, the Red Berries extract and UV Filter prolong colour intensity and moisturise the hair, to leave shine and longer lasting vibrant colour – but to be honest it’s the scent Mr SC goes for not the benefits!

The Supersoft hair care range is Schwarzkopf’s first at using yoghurt proteins and fruit extracts for well-nourished, silky smooth tresses that smell divine.

Available in another four luscious varieties – designed specifically for each hair type.

FOR DRY, FRIZZY & UNMANAGEABLE HAIR, Supersoft Straight & Glossy Shampoo & Conditioner.
Containing moisturising Nutri Oil derived from peach kernels and luxurious pearl extracts, this helps leave hair with a beautiful shine.

FOR DRY, DAMAGED HAIR, Supersoft Yoghurt & Coconut Smoothie Shampoo & Conditioner.
The Coconut extract restores and moisturises dry and damaged hair making it softer, smoother and more manageable.

FOR FINE, LIFELESS HAIR, Supersoft Yoghurt & Lime Smoothie Shampoo & Conditioner. 
The Lime extract adds volume and energy, making the hair stronger and more voluminous.

FOR ALL HAIR TYPES, Supersoft BIO Pomegranate Shampoo & Conditioner.  
The Pomegranate extract stimulates & cleanses hair leaving it strong, shiny and soft without the use of artificial colours, silicone or paraffin oils which can build up on hair over time leaving it dull and lank. 

Which one are you?