Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Shredding and a gradual retreat...

When you become a parent, sleep becomes a topic of obsession- how much is your baby getting? How much are your friends getting? Is there a way to get more?

We have been fairly lucky in the past few months as our daughter was sleeping through doing about 8 hours a stretch (this didn't happen until she was 8 months old- I'm not going to lie!)

Unfortunately this has regressed over the past week, bedtime is becoming a war despite following the same routine of bath, cuddle, bed and she's waking during the night again. We are tired and feeling hard done by!

So tonight we began the "gradual retreat" technique which essentially involves staying close to your baby until they sleep. The first night you may cuddle them to sleep or sit holding their hand etc. As time progresses you begin to move further away from the cot until you can put baby straight into bed, leave and shut the door.

It worked quite well tonight as she was asleep in a few minutes. Apparently the approach requires consistency so I will keep you updated as the days go on.

I managed to shred again today. My legs still felt like jelly but I rewarded myself with a new body lotion for sticking at it- I had better see results after all this effort!

Today in pictures:

I applied...Garnier Intensive Body Lotion (smells yummy and gives great moisturising at high street prices- my new favourite!)

I admired...my daughters ability to "help" in the kitchen







Monday, April 15, 2013

Water, water everywhere...

When I woke up this morning I was simultaneously hit with two thoughts:

1. Wow, my daughter has slept through. 2. Ow! My legs.

I can see why they call it the 30 Day Shred, I have spent most of the day walking around like John Wayne. Not to be deterred we did the workout again tonight! I think the stairs will be out of the question at work tomorrow!

What today's post is really about is the hot-right-now multitasking product which I have recently been trying- Micellar Water.

The invention of our French friends, Micellar waters act as a gentle cleanser with no harsh drying agents. They also tone the skin without leaving a residue.

So what exactly is Micellar water? Let me put my degree to the test and explain...

A micelle is a ball type structure formed when a soap, oil or detergent type molecule is added to water.

The soap/oil/detergent has a "head" and a "tail" and these "tails" don't like to get wet. I order to avoid getting wet they clump together (almost in the same way that penguins huddle for warmth!)

What you are left with is a solution of water with micelles swimming around in it.

The micelles are then able to remove materials which water alone would struggle to shift (think make-up and mascara!)

So, basically the micelle waters are, well, posh water?!

In a way, yes. However they also contain molecules of oils to cleanse.

My current favourite is Vichy Purete Thermale Cleansing Micellar Lotion. (Retails around £10.50)

Touted as a 3-in-1 cleanser, eye makeup remover and toner. You simply sweet a cotton pad covered in the solution over the face.

I've been using mine as part of a double cleanse regime (more on that later) and I love the fact that my skin feels clean and fresh without stinging, tightness or residue.

Inject some French glamour into your skin care routine and add a Micellar water today.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

30 Minute Dread

I'm a bid sick of looking at my muffin top. And as summer is on its way I am determined to shift it!

Having carefully considered my options- sweating it out in a gym (no thanks!), doing nothing (easy but avoiding the issue) or working out at home.

Having googled and seen the amazing before/after pictures on some forums, I ordered Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.

The concept is interval training, each 30 minute workout consisting of cardio, strength work and abs.

I roped in my partner to joining me (mainly because I didn't want him laughing at me from the comfort of the sofa)

Tonight we embarked on our first workout. We started at level 1 and OH MY GOSH! It's hard. My legs feel like jelly, I am sweating buckets but on the plus side I got to use my new sports bra!

So here's the day in pictures:

I applied: Balance Me Hand Cream

I admired: The amazing Jillian Michaels

I wore: Pashmina bought in Rome