Skincare you actually have the time for! So we all know the importance of having a skincare routine of some sorts in place. But having the time to do this is another story, life just takes up so much time , whether we are mothers, busy with work or just not willing to sacrifice that extra 2 minutes in bed. This is the one thing that comes up time and time again when talking to clients having facials in the spa.  They dont have enough time for skincare at home . In reality we all definitely just want skincare that can take no more than 1 min a day ! Well this may help. So for starters this is just basic skincare and what everybody should be doing daily anyway. You definitely should allicate extra time for exfoliating and masks but for basic skincare you do not need longer than a minute in your day, probably less! ​Make it as easy as you can for yourself and include it into tasks that you are already doing in your day. There are 1000's of skincare products on the market and you do not want to fill your cupboard up with tons of bottles that you don't have the time for. There is a time and place for luxury skincare routines and busy little you doesn't have time for them at the moment! Follow my steps to help streamline your skincare routine, improve skin quality without losing any sleep. Win win!

So first things first, bin all those skincare products you don't use! Don't bin them, but definitely put them to one side and save for a day where you have the time to pamper yourself! Bare in mind though that open products do have a shelf life, and better quality products that don't contain parabins or little parabin product will go off quicker. 
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1. Cleansing made easy with no cotton pads
So your morning routine may or may not contain a shower or bath. Its best to make sure you do use a cleansing product in the morning because it helps wash away all those toxins your skin has excreated throughtout the night. Using a cleansing wash rather than a milk, balm, or oil is an important first step for saving you time in the morning and evening. A facial wash can be left in the shower so used then. Or just by the sink ready for once you've brushed your teeth . Easy no faffing with cotton pads or flannels. Some facial washes you don't need to follow up with a toner which takes another step out. However if you are going to tone choosing a spray bottle toner means you can just spritz it straight over your face once again no cotton pads needed. I am loving Elemis Superfood cleansing wash. No tone necessary and a great wash suitable for all skin-types. 
 
2. Strategically place your products in places that are part of your routine.
Keep your moisturiser and eye cream with your makeup so you don't have the chance to foget to apply or run out of time and go straight for your foundation. Even if you don't wear makeup I would advise applying a sun protection moisturiser. So if not applying makeup leave it beside your morning cleanser ready to apply directly after. Makeup wearers will apply moisturiser  as part of your makeup. I absolutely love Elemis's Pro Radiance illuminating flash balm it works as a moisturiser and primer in one, and contains light reflecting beads that gives your skin a natural glow minimal effort required. Smells amazing and foundation applies amazingly over it. 

Morning routine done ! 
3. Remove that makeup and freshen skin ready for the overnight detox.
Evening is pretty similar. As explained before this is super basic but just helps kickstart your skincare if its been non existent.

Cleanse efficiently using your chosen cleansing product. You may find that if you wear heavyish makeup you have to double cleanse and I would also advise to be careful using a wash over your eyes because it can bloody sting !

4. Use a night product that works on your skin whilst you sleep.
once you've applied your nightime moisturise,oil or balm your good to go to bed,easy. I would advise using a specific night product for your skin as it will work on your skin as you sleep without you even having to do anything. If you have a bedside table leave this on the side so you remember to apply when you get in bed so you don't have to get out of bed if you do forget. 

So morning : cleanse,tone moisturise

evening:  remove makeup(1st cleanse) cleanse, moisturise 

This is purely a basic routine to get you back into caring for your skin. Your skins health will suffer in years to come so doing something is better than nothing and this really is so easy to do. With this routine you will be using a maximum of  5 products a day.

Shopping list:

Cleanser- look for a cleansing facial wash product,
Simple facial wash
Decleor hydra radience 3in1 cleanser
Elemis cleansing washes
liz earl cleanse and polish
olay refreshing face wash gel.

Toner- If using a toning product look for a spritz lid to save on time or just place your chosen toner into a spritz bottle.
Elemis toners  
superdrug mist facial toner.

Moisturiser/serum & night cream -One suited best to your skin type having a facial or skin analysis can be helpful to determin this. If you havent got time for a full treatment, beauty counters can be a quick way to get skincare advise.  If your not wearing makeup containing SPF, ensure your moisturiser contains one. 
Superdrug vitamin E SPF moisturiser
e.l.f  illuminating SPF moisturiser 
Olay regenerest SPF moisturiser
Elemis SPF Pro collagen marine cream 

Anyway good luck and any questions please ask !

​Robyn x
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I don't know about you guys but, ​I love nothing more than having a picnic! My daughters first birthday was a picnic, as was my baby shower and we took Emelia for her first picnic at 2 weeks old! There is just something so quaint about eating alfresco digging into the nicest picnic food. Our picnics have changed over the years and although they aren’t as relaxing and glamorous as they used to be ladened with pimms and smoked salmon, they are certainly enjoyed by Emelia. We make it super fun for her and pack her own little picnic and get her involved with it as much as possible. Its a really cheap day out to do and you dont even have to leave your own home if you don’t want to. Having a picnic at home in the garden can be just as fun. I'm pretty sure as soon as we get out her cute little Nuby  lunchbox she knows we are going on a picnic !

​When having a picnic there are so so many  at home diy ideas to make it feel really cute and cosy, and I feel like its a really fun thing us brits love to do.  As soon as the sun is warm enough for the grass to be dry we drag out our picnic blankets and make the most of summer sun. Its been an exceptionally warm summer here so the picnics have been had in abundance and there are plenty of perfect places to have one. Whether you head to your local park so that children can play on the park play equipment. Or head into the forest amongst the trees which act as the perfect parasol. Or even just stay at home and use the garden and the on hand facilities you can make it perfect! Having it at home is always a great idea if your not sure if the weather will hold up too!

Getting creative

For Emelias birthday picnic and also the picnics we have been having at home. We have been using our garden cushions on the floor and a simple pallet covered as our “table” so that its a perfect height for children and also makes it easy to create a party style table. The cushions maek it really comfy for adults to sit on the floor too. Make sure the pallet is sanded if it has any wood splintering off of it. If we are having a picnic party we decorate with bunting and paper decorations, obviously not necessary for an everyday weekday picnic and play but  helps to add a more party vibe if you are inviting guests over if its a special occasion. The cheaper budget stores like pound land and home bargains have some really cheap decorations that are really good which we used for Emelias birthday picnic (we even managed to get her birthday helium balloons from poundland! blown up aswell) . And for her christening I brought metres of bunting which I have been using for just about everything since! Bunting again is a really classic, really easy decorative item and very reusable when its not paper!