Nowadays we are so lucky, with a huge choice in make-up available in stores and there always being some kind of offer on the table, we never really have an excuse to not be looking our best. This was much harder during World War II, however despite the shortages in make-up available, women did not give up. Make-up helped women feel more feminine and positive about the world around them. Wartime propaganda encouraged women to make the most of themselves, no matter if they were working in a munitions factory, staying at home or in the services.

Factual TV channel Yesterday (Sky 537, Virgin 203, Freeview 12), and its six specially commissioned shows all about the spirit of 1940, is providing some hints and tips straight from the 1940s, such as what to do if you have run out of lipstick, your tights have a run in them or you are out of shampoo!

Where rationing through WWII made make-up (and fashion) shortages normal, more and more often people heard the slogan ‘make do and mend’, encouraging them to be more inventive with products they already had at home. Below are some great tips on ration book make-up from the 1940s. What do you do when you’ve run out of your essentials?

Red lipstick was seen as a symbol of patriotism during the time, not only did it make women feel more feminine, it made them feel like they were defying the difficult times that were happening around them. In the absence of actual lipstick, beetroot juice was the failsafe way of staining your lips in a realistic fashion.

Stockings were in high demand during WWII and a lot of women were befriending American GIs to get their hands on a pair of nylons. If that wasn’t possible, the best way of looking like they were wearing tights was using gravy browning completed with a line drawn in eyebrow pencil on the back of the leg, acting as the seam. In response to the shortages and the obvious need for women to be looking like they are wearing tights, Max Factor actually introduced stocking cream!

We thought self tan was a more recent invention, our research shows that this has actually been popular for a while, and during the 1940s women used tea bags to give their skin that bronzed look!

Shampoo was always in limited supply which resulted in people washing their hair with Lux flakes (washing powder) or in the absence of that, they simply used normal tap water. When looking back at pictures from the time, you can also see that hats, headscarves and turbans were very popular as this was always a great disguise for a bad hair day. When needing to do their roots or dye their hair, women had to then rely on vegetable dye!

Soap was rationed (there were even adverts on how to make your Lux Beauty soap last longer), and for women that did not have a razor, they had to use soapy pumice stones to de-hair themselves.

These days we are bombarded with top makeup tips both online and in newspapers and magazines. Back in the 1940s a similar article would contain these top 10 tips:

1. Use gravy browning as fake tan
2. Blend lipstick on your cheeks for rouge
3. Get your friend to draw a pencil up your leg as pretend tights
4. Wear bright red lipstick for a touch of glamour
5. Blondes use lemon in their hair, brunettes use vinegar
6. Use a fine soap in your hair and massage into the scalp for sweet smelling locks
7. Make your own homemade face mask, just blend oats, lemon and milk
8. Do your own hair, you don’t need a hairdresser just some hair pins and creativity.
9. Use talc on your face, as a replacement for smooth face powder
10. Rag you hair – you don’t need curlers just old rags!

Do you have any failsafe tips that you want to share? Getting involved is easy, simply visit www.visityesterday.co.uk or email your tips to your1940story@uktv.co.uk

Tune in to Ration Book Britain exclusively on Yesterday: Sky 537, Virgin 203, Freeview 12, on 15th January 2010 at 5pm. For more information visit www.visityesterday.co.uk

December is a busy time of year for everyone, and that includes us!

Can’t Help but Be will be back in 2010 (scary or what?!) with some fresh ideas and shiny new content.

Watch this space!

Have a fabulous Christmas,

with love, Laura and Eloise

xxx

The Christmas beauty treats from organic beauty company, Green People, are literally good enough to eat, packed with naturally gorgeous, certified organic ingredients that give skin a delightful boost and tempting aromas that will set the senses alive.

So whether you’re looking for a divine luxury gift or the perfect stocking filler, why not treat your loved ones to Green People’s beautifully pure and indulgent gift sets:

Body Divine,  £25.00 A divine duo to keep skin soft, supple, clean and fresh

Aloe Vera Shower Bath (200ml) is made with a high concentration of Aloe Vera to moisturise and soothe, and French Lavender for a relaxing shower bath.  Nutrient-packed Aloe Vera Hand & Body Lotion (200ml) contains the perfect blend of Aloe Vera, Coconut and Berry wax to soothe chapped and dry skin.

Currently on Special Offer with £2.50 off listed price until 31/11/2009

Festive Fix,  £24.50 A 3-step treat for the ultimate organic facial experience

Fruit Scrub (50ml) is made with Mandarin, Apricot and Bergamot to deep cleanse and gently exfoliate – enhancing the skins natural radiance.  Vita Min Mask (50ml) is bursting with vitamins from Mandarin, Seaweed and Avocado to revitalize tired skin.  Vita Min Fix (10ml) is a 24 hour day/night cream made with Evening Primrose, Avocado and Sandalwood to nourish skin.

Currently on Special Offer with £4.50 off until 31/11/2009

Pure Body,  £24.50 The ultra indulgence for ultra sensitive skin

No Scent Shower Bath (200ml) contains Aloe Vera and Olive for a nourishing shower. No Scent Hand & Body Lotion (200ml) is rich in moisturising Omega-6, with Avocado, Olive and Hemp to nurture and regenerate dry skin.

Currently on Special Offer with £3 off until 31/11/2009

Merry Oy!ganic,  £10.00 The perfect stocking filler treat for teenage skin

Contains three treat size products: Cleanse & Moisturise (10ml) a 3 in 1 cleanser, makeup remover and moisturizer; Cover & Clear (10ml) to cover up whilst mending spots and inflamed skin; Gradual Tan (10ml), a daily moisturiser which gently tans for the perfect all year round glow.

Green People’s Christmas Gift Sets are available on line at www.greenpeople.co.uk
with free delivery on the first order for your household, Can’t Help but Be think these will make perfect gifts for family and friends. There are also trial size products available, that would make fantastic stocker fillers for all, as well as cosmetics that are truly good for you and perfect for the upcoming Christmas parties.

Pretty in Purple: Heidi Montag. Let’s get down to business with a ring that is really off the beaten path. While you may not love Heidi’s paparazzi-desperate ways, her amethyst and diamond ring is a choice that stands out from the pack. Don’t be afraid to choose a semi-precious stone for your engagement ring (this Lavender Kunzite in 18-karat yellow gold comes to mind), but if you’re foregoing a diamond, make sure that it makes a real statement.

Three-Stone Stunner: Mariah Carey. While it was rumoured that Mariah’s 17-carat square emerald-cut pink diamond flanked by two half-moon diamonds was recycled from Nick Cannon’s former fiancée (it’s not true), the ring is gorgeous either way. A lot of people love the sentiment of a three-stone ring (it references the past, present and future of your relationship), and it’s a meaningful way to incorporate more than one diamond shape into the design.

Royal Oval: Katie Holmes. Not everyone will get a proposal under the Eiffel Tower, but an oval-shaped setting is a flattering shape on virtually any bride’s hand. Katie’s 5-carat diamond surrounded by micro pavé is a little more interesting than a standard round, and the elongated stone will even seemingly lengthen the shortest of fingers.

Not-so-Mellow Yellow: Heidi Klum. Coloured diamonds are all the rage these days, and for good reason. These naturally-hued stones are rare, interesting, and allow you to focus on a spectacular stone rather than worrying too much about a setting. Heidi’s 12-carat cushion-cut canary yellow diamond is breathtaking, and by going Couture (who wouldn’t want this spectacular ring?) you can get a similar look with the same wow-factor.

Split Decision: Beyoncé. Let’s be honest: Beyoncé’s insane 18-carat emerald cut diamond ring is out of most everyone’s league. But one detail is easily replicated: The split-shank mounting that holds the massive stone. A split shank is a good choice for several reasons: It holds a diamond in place well with little worry of movement, it’s a perfect place for a bit of pavé diamonds without being over-the-top, and, well, it just looks pretty on the finger.

Hip to be Square: Ashlee Simpson. Considering her husband’s rock music pedigree, Ashlee’s ring is surprisingly sedate. But, the design is one of the most popular today: A diamond surrounded by pavé diamonds. The setting chose by her husband, musician Pete Wentz, is a very defined square shape–perfect for a modern bride who craves a little edge. Even better: The extra row of diamonds makes any centre stone look even bigger!

All of these rings, plus many more are available at Jewels Boutique: www.JewelsBoutique.com

At Can’t Help but Be, we say who needs a man? Pop one on your Christmas list, or treat yourself…your worth it!

Granddads can be hard to buy for- let’s face it they often spoil their grandchildren rotten; and trying to find a gift that shows how much they mean can, at times be quite a feat. However, here at Can’t Help But Be we have done some of the hard work for you, so you can be inspired when it comes to shopping for your Granddad this Christmas.

Is your Granddad the sort to spend hours pottering around his garden, or greenhouse? Well, there are lots of products you can buy to make the perfect present for his green fingers.

If you are on a budget then how about putting together a little gift bag of goodies. Include a new pair of gardening gloves to protect the sensitive skin from the elements (and accidents!) This pair are from www.gardensupplies.co.uk  and cost from £3.45

If you live in the USA, then why not go for a pair of these nitrile gloves? They may look light but apparently fit like a second skin, available online at www.gardeners.com priced at $6.95 and in a wide variety of colours ,these are definitely a must have

Along with the gloves how about a packet of seed markers? Perfect for the forgetful gardener who loves to propagate his own crop. 50 seedling markers all neatly bundled together for £2.95 is the perfect gift

If you are in Australia then we rate these copper markers, they’d make lovely ornaments too. Available from www.greenharvest.com.au

Some packets of seeds are the ideal way to finish off his gift. Available from all garden centres and many online stores you could choose from his favourite plants, some fruits and vegetables or even a tree. A gift that will carry on giving for years to come.

If your Granddad isn’t quite as active in the garden as he used to be but still loves the great outdoors then why not treat him to a day out to a RHS or yellow book garden. The yellow book is produced annually with the National Garden Society- they open gardens for charity and you know you’ll be in for a treat as each garden is thoroughly tested and inspected before they make it into the book. http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/gardenfinder.aspx is your one stop call to find the garden that is either closet to home or specialise in your Grandpa’s favourite element. You can walk around the garden, take photos and chat and then stop for an afternoon tea- a lovely treat and an opportunity to spend some quality time together.

Head here if you live in Australia http://www.opengarden.org.au/ for the newly released 2010 guide and likewise you and your granddad will have a day to remember.

For the book loving Granddad there is a whole assortment of lovely goodies to spoil him with.

There are a lot of books that touch people’s hearts but how lovely would it be if you could treat your Granddad to one of his old favourites that he hasn’t read in years? Maybe a book from his childhood, or a new copy of a worn out favourite. He will be so pleased to have the chance to dive right on in again. And with www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk listing almost every book you could ever want the possibilities are endless.

If he already has all the books he could ever need then how about some book accessories? Bookmarks come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and price ranges and always go down well.

On a budget, then why not go for this adorable handmade bookmark that you can have personalised with one or two initials from folksy. We at Can‘t Help But Be love to champion independent sellers where we can and with good like this it‘s clear to understand why (just click on the link to buy)

For other handmade bookmarks check out Etsy, we especially love this bookworm design, priced at a reasonable $8.95 (click to buy)

If money is no object then this elegant silver page marker is our absolute favourite, see this and more at unique gift heaven www.notonthehighstreet.com (costing £38.50)

If books and bookmarks seem too ordinary to you, then don’t fear. There are allsorts of gizmos available to help make reading even more enjoyable- from flexible torches to magnifiers with lights and thumb turners.

Is your Granddad in a nursing home? If so it can be difficult to think of gifts to get him that would enrich his days, here are a few suggestions.

If the room he is in has a window then the ideal gift is a birdfeeder. Hanging one from the window will not only help the birds by keeping them fed through the winter months but will also provide a lovely opportunity to see the wildlife up close and personal, even if bed bound. Be aware that some areas are prone to the grey squirrel (like we are!) and so you should invest in a squirrel proof feeder, if you are squirrel free then choose whatever style takes your fancy. If they have a room on the ground floor then we suggest going for a standing feeder on a pole; that way it will attract a lot of birds as some can feed on the stand and others prefer to pick up the scraps- this is a steal at £9, again from www.gardensupplies.co.uk

If they are on a higher floor and you have a squirrel problem then I suggest going for a squirrel proof feeder like this;

also from gardensupplies

This design stops the squirrels from getting to the food and also allows a lot of little birds to feed together.

If they aren’t into nature then what about a colour changing light? They are perfect for those who can’t use speech and other normal ways of expressing themselves. As a collector of lamps I can honestly say that Mathmos provide wonderful lamps, and not just lava lamps. One of my favourites is the space projector- aim it at a wall or the ceiling and you get a projected image slowly rotating, you can go simple and opt for ink circles that, as the lamp warms up  heat and merge and blend into one another, or you can put up pictures that you know they will like. The lamps are available from quite a few places. The Mathmos online store is international if you have trouble finding a stockist.

The one pictured is just one of many options for the projector.

Another favourite is the mood changing light by Phillips. It comes with a remote control and has an amazing colour wheel, light intensities and brightness. If your Granddad has lost the power of speech it can be a way for them to help display how they are feeling, and with the remote being touch sensitive and very simple it’s a winner all round.

Does your Granddad have a sweet tooth, or perhaps a favourite type of cheese, or wine? Well then our top idea is to make up a personal box, stocking or bag for them with their favourites in. You can be as creative as you like, and when it comes to a budget you can really bring a smile to their faces whether you spend £5 or £50. If you are shopping on a budget then don’t worry- your hamper can still look a million dollars, with a little bit of elbow grease the personal touch can go a really long way.

For example, if your Granddad likes sweets then why not buy his favourites online? most online candy stores have excellent offers- no need to pay extra for packaging just order what you know they like. Then, when they arrive make use of old jam jars, milk bottles etc (ensuring they are cleaned out well) and pour in the sweets, tie up with Christmas ribbon and make a personalised label for the jar- it’ll go down a storm.

Same goes for biscuits and other sweet treats- making your own and packaging them up in cellophane bags with ribbon really keeps costs down and gives you extra brownie points. There is plenty of time to get practising if you are a novice in the kitchen- if you’re more of  a pro then go wild, from fudge to home made chocolates, let your Granddad be your inspiration. There is a whole array of cooking sites to help you in your baking quest, one of our recent favourites is http://www.mixingbowl.com/home/view.castle

For packaging supplies hit cake craft shop  and for worldwide try here.

As for the hamper- you can go as simple as wrapping a shoe box in paper, to a wicker basket or even a toolbox!

It doesn’t have to be sweet of course- how about spoiling him with a selection of the cheese that he likes and some crackers and maybe some pickles? Or a wine selection, ones that perhaps are produced in your local region.

If your Granddad lives alone then you can start to stock up on miniature items, such as jams, mustards, pickles, coffee and tea- spoil them by making life a little bit easier for them!

If you don’t want to make one up yourself, have no fear, there is a wide variety of products out there that look homemade!
This basket of lovely is £21.95

And this is a whiskey lovers dream, at £74.95 it’s packed to the brim with goodies

Both of these, and many more are available at hampers gifts.

If your Granddad enjoy making things how about a model kit that will keep him amused and out of trouble for days! You can opt for the more traditional boat kit, such as this one below

available from either model supermarket or for worldwide, here.

If your grandfather is young at heart this wonderful Wallace and Gromit airfix kit is guaranteed to make anyone smile!

available for worldwide delivery at the modeller, or try searching through eBay or Amazon.

The kits have all they need included so no need to worry about glue or tools.

We really hope this guide gives you some idea of what to buy for your Granddad.

Please get in touch with us if you feel we have missed something out, there is another hobby you want us to cover, or you have any questions or general feedback. We LOVE to hear from our readers.
Either leave a comment on the post, or drop us an e-mail.

Stay tuned for more gift guides.

“The Ginger People is the leading brand of ginger in North America. With state-of-the-art ginger factories in both California and Australia, we take pride in being the most innovative, quality-oriented and environmentally conscious ginger producer in the world.”
Their products are also available in the UK, from places such as Holland and Barret, Julian Graves and independent health food shops.

After getting in touch with the kind folks at The Ginger People after reading a press release from them, I was lucky enough to be sent a box of samples to review. Here are my thoughts:

Gin Gins hard candy was the first product I sampled,
From the website these are described as "Double strength hard ginger candies made with all natural ingredients. Enjoy as an after dinner digestive or a throat lozenge to both warm and soothe.”
Both the box (bright yellow with the ginger people logo) and wrapper are eye catching and attractive. The sweets are individually wrapped making them perfect for popping in your pocket or bag. The ingredients list is reassuringly short: cane sugar, glucose syrup, ginger and three sweets contain just 35 calories.

The taste? Fantastic. Strong, but not too strong ginger and not too sweet. I had a cold when I tried these and they really did soothe my sore throat and provided a warm feeling against the Autumn chill. I now keep a handful in my handbag for when sore throats, or nausea strike, or I just fancy a  taste of winter.

Next up to be tasted was Gin Gins Boost “Gin Gins BOOST is a super-delicious, super-soothing candy packed with a whopping 30% fresh ginger – our most potent candy yet!”
Again these came attractively packaged and individually wrapped. The ingredients for these are:  cane sugar, glucose, ginger, modified cassava starch, non-hydrogenated palm kernel oil (trans fat free), salt, soy lecithin and they contain the same calories as the hard candy.

Were they strong? Yes! But not too strong for this hardened ginger addict. These sweets are slightly chewy with a deeper taste than the original Gin Gins, a little reminiscent of some kind of toffee, without the jaw breaking stickiness.  As promised, these were fantastic whilst travelling (I tested this by reading a book in the car, an activity that usually brings about much nausea) and again, I keep a handful in my bag.

Moving on to the Ginger Chews, I firstly tried the original version. These are bigger in size than the Gin Gins and the packaging is slightly more muted in it’s colouring. “America’s #1 selling ginger candy and winner of Fiery Food Association’s Scovie Award for "Best Candy," our Original Ginger Chews are natural, stimulating and delicious. Given ginger’s queasy-quelling properties, Ginger Chews are great to fight off nausea while flying boating or going on a bumpy road trip. Surprisingly and satisfyingly spicy. The only candy that bites you back!”

These chews are 20 calories a piece and just three ingredients: cane sugar, ginger, tapioca starch. They are also gluten free and all natural.

Taste wise, this have a good ginger kick and a fantastic stiff, almost jelly sweet like texture. Wonderfully addictive the box didn’t last long once opened and I am thankful that the Julian Graves near me keeps these in stock!

By far, my favourite variant from the range was the Peanut Ginger Chew.
”Like the coveted cashews in a bowl of mixed nuts, Peanut Ginger Chews are the first ones to disappear first from our company candy dish. Our delicious peanut ginger candies are reminiscent of those chewy peanut treats from our childhoods. Peanut Ginger Chews capture the gentle sweet heat of ginger and the nutty goodness of peanuts. Beyond yummy, ginger and peanuts are also rich in antioxidants. Satisfy your warmest and nuttiest desires with these exceedingly pleasing candies.”

Again, each chew contains 20 calories and the ingredients are: cane sugar, ground peanuts, ginger, tapioca starch. CONTAINS: Peanuts.

These were just fantastic, they had a richer, darker taste than any of the other products, and having never tried ginger combined with peanut, I was wonderfully surprised at how well the two worked together. These are definitely one to track down if you are a ginger fan, they make the perfect Autumn sweet treat.

Other products in the range include ginger drinks, cooking sauces and crystallized ginger.

They seem to be a bit elusive to track down in the UK, but I’ve done some searching and found the full range of Gin Gins and Ginger chews on www.amazon.co.uk by searching for “the ginger people”, you’ll also find products available here https://www.yourhealthfoodstore.co.uk. Hopefully other online retailers will soon start stocking them! For US readers, you’ll find these treats widely available online.

It would be very easy to say that  Summer has gone Autumn has arrived, but it if you live in the UK you will know that we never really got a Summer and this could in fact be a useful post for year round. However, the weather has definitely taken a change over the last few weeks and Winter is well on its way. With the crisp leaves on the ground, the nights drawing in and the inevitable rain and wind, we at Can’t Help But Be want to share with you our essentials for surviving the elements in our Autumn handbag survival guide.

Umbrellas.
Love them or hate them you can’t deny that the humble brolly is a pretty important staple in the Autumn months. And you will be spoilt for choice if you are looking for a new micro mini to fit your bag this year as there are so many gorgeous ones on the high street- from our favourite designers like Lulu Guinness, to Radley and Cath Kidston, to basic block colours or even PVC- the mini umbrella has never been so fashionable. Our top tip- if the umbrella you buy doesn’t come in a hard case then get yourself a pencil case that it will fit- that way you won’t have to worry about needing to leave it dry somewhere or have a soggy purse and more importantly it won’t get left on the bus, under the desk or at the pub again!

There are so many designs available in the shops to choose from. You can go wild with prints; be it spots, daises, teapots or tartan or keep things subtle with a block colour.  Here are a few to tempt you;

This button beauty is by Radley, and whilst the £28 price tag may seem expensive, it is slim line and having been the owner of a few Radley umbrellas I can vouch for the strength- if it can survive all the rain in Wales then it must be good!

This is the unmistakable rose pattern by Cath Kidston- at £20 it’s a gorgeous addition to help lift the autumn blues and to accessorise any outfit.

And you simply couldn’t go wrong with this lightweight beauty from M&S and the best part is it’s currently reduced to just £5!

I could go on and on but then I’d steal all the fun, however I highly recommend going to www.brolliesgalore.co.uk to indulge in your brolly needs!

Hand Warmers.
Yes it may only be October but there is no harm in having one of these at the ready- especially if you have to de-ice the car in the morning or evenings! There are a wide variety of types on the market, from re-usable to one off use. The reusable ones are of course friendly to the environment and to your pocket- you simply reactivate them by boiling in a saucepan- simple. However, if you don’t fancy having to go through that then we highly recommend the Mr Men shake to activate hand warmers. These little pouches stay warm for an incredible 7 hours and with the only action needed to shake the pack to activate they couldn’t be simpler!

You will find these most high street chemists, supermarkets and online.

If you fancy a reusable one then you are bound to find a shape and colour to suit your needs.  At just £3.91 this set from Amazon will banish those frosty fingers;

These adorable VW campervans stole my heart and will be in my handbag very soon;

And as regular readers will have noticed both Laura and I have somewhat of a sweet tooth so these seemed very apt!

Both of these can be found as new arrivals on www.play.com

Tissues.
A true handbag essential regardless of the season! You really won’t be sorry for stocking a packet of handy tissues in your bag but don’t think you have to stick to boring white- why not go creative and let your inner fashionista out!

These Emma Bridgewater polka dot tissues are for the fashion conscious and for those who like good quality on their noses, they are a whopping £9 but then again you get what you pay for!

If you have more of a fun side then how about these cheap and cheerful Regina Looney tunes pack, at just 28p they will bring a smile to your face;

And we couldn’t leave out the market leaders whose softness we’ve all grown up with. Kleenex has a whole variety of products but we especially like the designs on these mini packs;

(Laura says she is never without a pack of these gorgeous, girly packets!)

LED Torch.
Don’t panic, we aren’t about to go all James Bond and fill your bag with gadgets and gizmos, but once you’ve had a little led torch you will wonder what an earth you did before! As the nights start to draw in and the darker evenings commence you will be so glad you have a torch attached to your keys. No more fumbling for the keyhole on the door of your car or your home, keeping you stuck out in the cold and the rain, and it’s even useful clipped to the top of your bag so you can illuminate the contents, because we all know, no matter how well organised our bags are, whatever we want/need always hides out of sight!

Head on over to www.otherlandtoys.co.uk and snap up one of these:

Notebook.
Not the old school variety but a mini spiral or A6 sort. Why I hear you ask? Well as much as it seems scary to think of Christmas (yes I’ve said the ‘C’ word already and it’s only October) is approaching and whilst it may be early for you to start your shopping having a little notebook on hand can be priceless. Use it to note down any little hints that people may drop, any special offers you see in store and when it comes to buying the gifts you will have a plan all laid out.

Lip Balm.
With the arrival of autumn comes the comforting warmth of central heating. But if you are in and out of the elements then make sure your lips don’t suffer the extremes by keeping them moist and gorgeous. There are so many to choose from that no matter your style you will find one to love. Tins, tubes and sticks are all excellent space savers although the sticks tend to  be the best to apply.

It’s hard to pinpoint just one product but we are loyal fans of Burts Bee’s products and they have a wonderful offer on at the moment, when you spend £25 online you get a lip balm free- perfect!

Treat yourself (you can blame us later!)

Hairbrush.
Oh how we all hate that feeling where you spend hours getting your hair just right and looking lovely only to step out the door and either be windswept or soggy within a matter of seconds.  Having a mini hairbrush in your bag is key to keeping your style in the autumnal blustery moments.

These TIGI Bed head brushes will certainly stand out in your bag and are easy to keep clean and at £4.95 from www.hair1ukonline.co.uk are a steal;

Flu Relief.
As much as we try and avoid it most of us end up with at least a sniffle of a cold and what with swine flu lurking in the background, stopping symptoms as soon as they arrive can help limit the effects. For sore throats and blocked noses we recommend both Strepsils sugar free range and their 2 in 1 product that contains menthol to soothe the sinuses and pain killers to ease your throat.

Need a bit more than a lozenge but don’t fancy pills or can’t easily get hold of a drink to swallow them, well how about keeping a sachet of Lemsip instant in your bag, make sure you read the label though!

And there are plenty of products on the market that all claim to kill the flu virus dead but the best thing you can do is simple hygiene. If you sneeze, ‘catch it, wrap it, bin it’ and of course with your super stylish tissues on hand then you will have no problems in doing so. Of course if the people around you aren’t so careful then keep a bottle of Cuticura in your bag- it’s one of the longest standing alcohol gels on the market and is trusted by health professionals. If you don’t like the scent of the original one then how about their 2 in 1 blue hand lotion, not only will you be germ free but you will get silky smooth hands in the process!

We’d love to hear from you if you keep anything else in your handbag that you couldn’t survive the autumn without so please do get in touch!

With Christmas fast approaching; 73 days if we’re being exact, if you haven’t already started shopping for gifts you soon will be.

We’re going to give you a helping hand by showcasing small businesses, putting together guides for specific family members and friendship groups and tracking down gifts to suit all budgets. From high fashion to hand made, you’ll find it all here.

Today we are kicking off with Part One, in which we introduce you to the online retailer of delicious sounding chocolates, made by Frederic Blondeel Belgium based company Chocolateque.

Frederic is famous in Belgium and abroad (especially in Japan) because of his exquisite skill to combine texture and flavour.
Can’t Help but Be are most tempted by the following:

• Crispy Vanilla Caramel (Cralin M)
• Sweet and Salty Green tea (Green Tea M)
• Wasabi combined with Dark Chocolate (Wasabi F)
• Pepper and Spicy Chilli (Charles Hot F)
• Earl Grey (Earl Grey F)

For details of all the flavours available, visit the website, here

The chocolates are available in a variety of presentations for perfect gifts,
The boxes of chocolates start at 14.50 Euros for 250g (approx 25 chocolates) and are beautifully put together

  Caramel box

Also available are the beautiful looking Orangettes and Citronettes costing 6.95 Euros. We are most intrigued by these and think they would make a beautiful addition to any festive get together.

Orangettes

Chocolate bars are also in the range, but are currently sold out, but due to be re-launched with new packaging by the end of October.

All Chocolates are shipped via courier straight from Belgium
Postage to the UK costs £9 per order, which may be a little expensive for some, but given the rave reviews and great reputation of the company and chocolates, we think this is a small price to pay for an indulgent treat or gift for someone you love (or yourself, of course!)

Check out the website today and see what tempts you the most

You can also follow Chocolateque on Twitter for up to date news and coupons.

Already tried these chocolates?
Any flavour you especially like the sound of?

Get in touch, we love to hear from you!

(stay tuned for the next gift guide, coming soon)

We’re almost a week in to October now and the weather has gotten distinctly wintery of late. It’s time to forget brave attempts at prolonging your Summer wardrobe’s life and dig out the knit wear and heavy coats.

Winter clothing can be a bit drab and depressing, and we at Can’t Help but Be have done some window shopping on your behalf to brighten up those dreary days.
Here are our favourite warming accessories:

Arm Warmers (£10 from www.asos.com) are perfect for wearing with 3/4 sleeve jumpers and coats. There’s no need to compromise on style OR warmth with a pair of these. The gorgeous purple colour is bang on trend too.

This scarf from the new IDOL range at New Look covers the animal print trend without being over the top. At £15 it’s a quick and stylish way to brighten up a coat, or accessorise for work.

Autumn gales are no fun when your wearing a scarf. Who wants soggy ends flying in their face, or a sudden gust leaving your neck exposed? This neck warmer, £16 from Asos solves that problem instantly and the bright colour will inject some cheer in to your day (or night).

Not everyone is a fan of hats, but cold ears can be a nightmare. Enter Urban Outfitters with their crochet ear warmer. More chic than ear muffs, and looking more like pretty hair band than anything else, we love this as a fun compromise between fashion and necessity. It comes in several colour choices and costs £18.

And for those of you who like a bit more chic in your life, or a rock-chick edge these bow detail leather gloves (also available in cream) are for you. At £15 a pair they are fantastic value for real leather and depending on what you are wearing, can be seen as either girly, or add a touch of grunge to your look.

But, if like us you are still a child at heart, then what could be better than these mittens from Urban Outfitters?

The colour, and the string that goes round the back of your coat just screams nostalgia, with the added bonus of never rooting through your bag only to discover you own two hands but only one glove.

How are you staying warm this winter?
Get in touch, we love to hear from you.

Cocoa Loco are crazy about organic chocolate. Their online shop offers a wide range of gifts for all occasions, including Brownies, Cookies, Gift Jars and so much more.

Can’t Help but Be were lucky enough to be sent a box of goodies to review, and so, for the sake of our readers we indulged in a chocolate tasting session of massive portions.

The package arrived beautifully wrapped in yellow tissue paper and the chocolate was present well in clear cellophane with stickers bearing the Cocoa Loco logo, product name and ingredients list.
It was hard to know where to start, as everything looked, and smelled so good…after much deliberation we dived in and went for:

Cocoa Loco Buttons

We were sent a bag of the milk chocolate variety, which cost £4.99 (inc delivery) for 140g. The buttons also come in a white chocolate pack, and dark chocolate (which is vegan friendly).

The website states that these are “100% scrumptious” and we agreed whole heartedly. The chocolate was incredibly smooth and not too sweet with a rich quality that meant you couldn’t eat the whole pack at once (despite us trying!). We first tried them at room temperature, and then out of the fridge. Either way, these were a gorgeous treat perfect for children and adults alike.

Organic Chocolate Bites; Dark Chocolate, Hazelnuts and Cocoa Nibs

These aren’t yet available on the website, only in shops but they were too good not to include in the review. The dark chocolate was pleasingly bitter, with a crisp sweetness from the nuts and cocoa nibs. If you like dark chocolate then this is the treat for you. We preferred them straight from the fridge for some extra bite, but they work well served at room temperature as well.

Handmade Organic Chocolate Bar (milk and orange)

Cocoa Loco do a large range of Handmade Chocolate bars with flavours ranging from simple milk, plain or white through to the more obscure white rose geranium. We sample the milk and orange bar, which (as do all the bars) weighed in at 100g and costs £4.99 inc delivery.

The chocolate was superb, Cocoa Loco clearly know their stuff, and the orange flavour was mild. This was another very pleasing product, our only complaint was that the bar was very thin so wasn’t as satisfying to eat. Still, none went to waste and we very much enjoyed this. Again, this would be the perfect present for all ages and there is certainly something for everyone flavour wise.

Flapjack

This was another product not listed on the website, which is a shame as it is divine and I want more of it! The bar was very generous in it’s serving size and perhaps we should have split it in to two portions! There wasn’t much chocolate present but it made a fantastic afternoon snack and the addition of nuts really made the bar.

I must add that we were also sent a brownie to review, however it didn’t last long enough to be reviewed….it was amazing though!

Chocolate Orange Bites

Another product not yet available online, and another orange themed chocolate. These were probably the star of the parcel we received! A stronger orange flavour than the bar and a much chunkier bite, these lasted all of thirty seconds between three of us once opened and we’re still dreaming of them days later. Incredible. These need to be on sale everywhere, pronto.

White Chocolate and Chilli Bites

Again, not listed on the website, but there is a white chilli chocolate bar available (£4.99). These are certainly not for the faint hearted. Gorgeous, rich white chocolate with the flavour of the chilli gradually building up in to a quite intense heat. A gorgeously grown up gift, preferably to yourself.

So, on the whole, not one bad product,

the website www.cocoaloco.co.uk is well worth a visit as it showcases the full range of bars and gifts available and tells the story of the company, their ethics and the people who work there.

It’s quite clear that a lot of love and passion for all things chocolate goes in to making each and every piece and the staff are welcoming and open to enquiries about the range, and non-online stockists.

With thanks to Cocoa Loco for providing us with the chance to sample their gorgeous goods! We will definitely be placing an order in time for Christmas.