When one door closes...

aviola.com/breakupquotes

Two weeks ago my laptop was stolen from a noisy pub in Shepherd's Market.

For some bizarre reason (and very unlike me) I decided not to rest it on my lap as I normally do but rather, wedge it between the wall and the stool. I mean, I didn't even wrap the bag strap around the leg of the stool. What was I thinking??

As my dear friend B and I sat there gassing away the realisation that someone had stolen it suddenly hit me like a bucket of cold water and I just knew it had gone even before I looked down.

:(

That, coupled with the fact it's been quite a six months...well, it would have been very easy for me to start a downward spiral.

'When one door closes another opens'

Those of you who know me will know that I'm a sucker for affirmations and positive thinking. It doesn't come naturally and I really have to work on it but I truly believe in its power.

Losing my laptop, as upsetting as it was, has meant I've had to use my iPad more to blog and to my surprise (and with the help of a devilish little gadget called the Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard!), I actually find it a lot easier. 

Similarly, but on a much more profound level, heart-breaking situations of recent months (the breakup of a four year relationship) have opened up the way for moments of pure joy (watching my one year old nephew take his first steps).

I've not revealed my favourite Charlotte Tilbury product* in this post but I hope I've reminded you to look for the positive in every situation. Because it's always there. 

* coming soon

Sudocrem: My Little Skin Warrior

This is me with nappy cream on my face.

Why? Because nappy cream - and more specifically well-known baby brand Sudocrem - is impressively brilliant at reducing scarring from spots.

If you're like me (and...*cough*....I'm talking to the over thirties among us☺), then you may have noticed that any spots that come your way...well, they don't seem to fade as well as they used to. They leave red marks. Annoying marks, which you probably feel obliged to cover up lest anyone think you've got The Plague.

This is where Sudocrem has become my absolute saviour.

Not just for babies bottoms 

Having had pretty good skin throughout my teens, my early thirties heralded an onset of mild adult acne, or 'stress spots'.

Aside from taking an honest look at my diet and trying to find ways to reduce my stress levels (haha) I decided to treat the problem 'head on' (ahem).

For me, the most effective topical treatments included:
- Origins Super Spot Remover Treatment Gel (£14)
- Duac cream (GP prescribed)
- ...and good old fashioned toothpaste (try it!)

It was great to see the spots begin to disappear but the marks they left behind started to get me down. Not being one to go in for laser, I decided it was time to give the bottom cream a whirl (well why not?!)

I also come in a handy tube.

I can't remember who or what it was that first prompted me to try Sudocrem but it appears to have since become a bit of an urban legend amongst acne sufferers. 

What you may not know is its active ingredient: 'zinc oxide' (commonly found in sunscreen but not in such high quantities), helps to regulate the activity of the oil glands and accelerates the renewal of skin cells.

And having used it for many years now I can verify that it really does:
a) calm the redness down 
b) speeds up the healing process

2 QUICK TIPS:
1. Reach for the Sudocrem only after the spot has been squeezed (gross). Applying it to a new spot won't really do anything and you want whatever gunk is in there to come out naturally.

2. Apply a little, dabbing it onto the area/s you wish to heal. Use it over 3 or 4 consecutive nights or until you're happy it's started to work its magic.

Image source: Sheknows.tv

I don't know about you but I quite like going bare faced every now and then. There's something about clean skin, curled lashes and a swoosh of soft blush that makes me feel...well, girlie and zingy. (Add to that 'a bit sexy too'...)

So thanks Sudocrem for being my little skin warrior.

Do you have a skin warrior? What is it? I'd love to know...