Summer might feel like it's over with the start of term imminent or as in our case already back at school; but that doesn't mean you have to lose your summer glow! The forecast looks promising for the rest of September but if you can't fit some ray worshipping in then here are a few products I discovered over the holidays that I can recommend to maintain a radiant visage.

First up my base layer; I've used a few different serums over the years with the L'Oreal Revitalift serum my value for money choice. However this time I replaced it with the Estee Lauder Perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting/Firming serum. I felt I needed a premium product to kick start the new season and this serum has a lovely texture and quenches the skin before I apply my regular day moisturiser.

I also love 'Bonjour Nudista', my new skin tint by L'Oreal. I prefer a lighter coverage and usually opt for a BB cream, instead of a full coverage foundation, especially when I have a light tan. With it's light, breathable formula this product gives me a luminous complexion and their 'Skin Awakening' range is just the thing for the early morning school run!

I've also swapped out my usual Guerlain Terracotta bronzer for the L'Oreal 'Life's A Peach' blush. It instantly gives your cheekbones a peachy glow and even has a light fruity fragrance. This compact comes with both a brush and mirror and is definitely worth £8.99.

On my last trip to the hairdressers I was introduced to the Aveda Texture tonic to keep my sun kissed locks looking tousled. I spray some onto my hands and then scrunch through the ends of my hair to enhance my natural waves. Since trying it I'd say it is definitely a keeper and I've purchased it again! (Just a reminder that no products shown are sponsored and comments I make are my own and from personal experience.)

Look out for more posts from 'mumsweardaily' now the Autumn term has started and get in touch with  ideas for future posts you may be interested in. For now click on the links to shop and thanks for stopping by.

Over the weekend I visited my old stomping ground of Stoke Newington and en route, at Victoria, I made a pit stop at House of Fraser to see what this troubled department store still had to offer.

The buzz you usually get on greeting the ground floor of premium department retailers was missing and I couldn't help but feel disappointed at the overall experience I had. Lacklustre seemed to be the customer service approach du jour I'm afraid and although I'm sure I too would feel the pressure with uncertain job prospects the customer certainly shouldn't be aware of it. 

In the Beauty section I thought there may have been a Charlotte Tilbury offer, as her new Hollywood Flawless Filter has been lauded of late and its on my wish list. No such luck; John Lewis must have beat HOF to it!

​It was no better on the ladies wear floor; sales associates clustered together, discussing fitting room cover so breaks could be allocated while daunted customers floated by. I even had to ask to pay as no tills were seemingly being manned and I was directed to the lingerie department. 

The offer in store was also very pedestrian....no surprising brands that I hadn't heard of and very much a high street bricks and mortar offer; they certainly could do with a sprinkling of edgy young or up and coming labels. I actually thought their other own line 'Linea' looked considered and offered outfit building blocks. Maybe they should cull their ladies wear and concentrate on their own brands to create a point of difference.

Layout was traditional and samey and footfall seemed accidental with no known destination. The cafe looked like a second rate wedding venue, with a Cinderella type coach plonked in the middle, more Katie Price and Peter Andre nuptials than Fortnum and Mason; too try hard.... whatever happened to less is more?

HoF Victoria Tea Terrace

Whilst I understand that Victoria isn't necessarily a weekend shopping destination the HoF store should have been busier. However when other retailers concentrate on enhancing customer in store experiences,   I wasn't at all excited by my visit, which is a shame.

With the highlight being the two HoF own line labels I've picked my top three items from the 'Linea' and "Maison De Nimes' ranges, below. 

'Linea' is good for work wear separates and 'Maison De Nimes' has some great items for a beach holiday. Whilst some items are already reduced it may be worth holding out for further markdowns, which I'm sure are imminent.

I hope HoF can sort out the issues they face and that another well established British retailer isn't going to be forced into administration. That said the future doesn't look too rosy and if my recent visit is anything to go by I won't be surprised if that will be the case.

Click on the links to shop, let me know what you love about HoF, and thanks for stopping by.

My TK Maxx haul!

I noticed the Catherine Malandrino (another US designer brand) trousers on my way through ladies wear en route to the cash desk; they ticked trend boxes, linen, wide striped, loose fit, slightly cropped....and at £19.99 a great price point. Too good to be left on the rail, so yet another gem I couldn't resist.

Unfortunately I can't find any of my wares online so you too will have to go into store if you want to source anything similar. However a word of warning you may get wanderlust whilst in there!

​Thanks for stopping by.