1) If there’s one thing that beauty brand l’Occitane does very well indeed (there are loads of things, but that ruins my sentence) then it’s shea. Shea butter in hand creams, foot creams, face creams – even cleansers and toners and serums. If you need a proper hit of something rich and nourishing on your skin, then l’Occitane’s shea things always seem to do the trick. The founder of l’Occitane, Olivier Baussan, first used shea in his products after visiting Burkina Faso in the early eighties; since then the brand has built up a special relationship with the women there, providing ongoing financial support with a focus on education programs and literacy schemes. In celebration of Women’s Day, l’Occitane have launched the new Ultra Soft Balm; a gorgeous, apricot-scented moisturiser that has been formulated with 96% shea butter. It’s a proper little multi-purpose number for lips, dry patches, cuticles and hair and 100% of the profits from each sale go to non-profit groups that promote women’s entrepreneurship in Africa. The Ultra Soft Balm costs £4 – you can find it here online.

2) Mr Bear is going on a little holiday. I said vacation in the title, but that was only because I didn’t want two “days” in a row – it was a style decision. I can’t write too much about it because I am so sad, but basically we couldn’t find a short-term let that allowed cats (but they all allow dogs! Bizarre!) and so he is going for an eight-week retreat at my parents’ house. He will have an amazing time, because my Mum seems to have the energy of a six year-old when it comes to playing with the cat and devises all kinds of games and ways to tease him. But I’m still very sad. Even though he sleeps for approximately 99.99% of the time, he’s the best companion ever and when he comes to jump on my desk at the end of a work day it is my most favourite moment. Hopefully he won’t forget me…

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