Monday, April 21, 2014

Post bank holiday pampering!

Hi everyone!

Are there any Easter eggs left at your house?! There are a couple on the top shelf in the kitchen and they seem to keep catching my eye...must resist!

So I promised a mammoth bank holiday beauty blitz post and I hope not to disappoint you. As I had the house to myself it seemed like Saturday evening was the perfect time for the blitz (I had also worked all day so felt a little tired and in need of relaxation!)

 
Firstly I applied Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment and tied my hair back whilst having a bath. This hair treaty regenerates and restores hair making it smooth, silky and shiny. As someone whose hair is on the oily side, I find I can get away without conditioner for several days after this treatment. The nutty smell isn't my favourite fragrance but it does grow on you!

Following the bath, it was pedicure time. I'd exfoliated my feet with Body Shop Peppermint Smoothing Pumice Foot Scrub (the only foot scrub I will ever use!) and the applied cuticle remover round my nails. I rubbed on a little olive oil to moisturise then painted with Rimmel Lycra Pro Nail Polish in Purple Addict. The long lasting nature of this Polish is great if you exercise regularly as it stays put for a good week without chipping.

Facial wise, I slathered on a thick layer of Decleor Prolagene Gel. This is probably the most expensive thing I own! But you can use it for pretty much everything. Blemishes, sunburn, stretch marks, acne scars, dry skin and even under the eyes. I let it sink in before applying a few drops of A'Kin Pure Radiance Rose Hip Oil.

Incase you hadn't heard, Rose Hip Oil is incredibly  gentle and popular with those who have dry/sensitive skin. The bottle lasts a very long time and you can use it alone or under moisturiser.

Next up was a recommendation from my lovely friend Helen. She's very pale like me but has a gorgeous natural glow thanks to Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Body Lotion which builds a gradual tan. I applied to my arms and legs and they are now brown though my legs are slightly streaky so I am going to give it a few more applications then let you know what I really think!

Last but not least....hands! Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover was applied then I used a 4-sided buffer to file, remove ridges and smooth. The purple theme continued with Essie Nail Lacquer in Bond With Whomever and then Leighton Denny Miracle Drops were applied to speed up drying. I then finished with Leighton Denny Cuticle Oil and Crystal Tips Top Coat.

My final bank holiday pampering will be an early night, I don't care that I haven't filled the dishwasher, there is a pile of ironing to do and toys all over the place! Lights out everyone!

Friday, April 18, 2014

Bank holiday beauty blitz!

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunny bank holiday weather!

Today has been a food-fest for me! It started with homemade berry smoothies and pancakes for breakfast, followed by hot cross buns, biscuits and cheese for lunch and then...drum roll please...the first barbecue of the year. I've probably gone up a dress size overnight but who cares?!

Tomorrow evening I'm on my own (partner is working nights!) so I've decided to have a mini bank holiday beauty blitz, one evening of pampering to make me feel fabulous for the return to work next week.

So let me share with you what's on the list:

1. Pedicure and nail polish
2. Manicure and nail polish
3. Conditioning hair treatment
4. Moisturising face mask
5. A generous slathering of gradual tan as my skin looks blue at the moment!

If I've inspired you let me know what's on your list! Tomorrow I'll update you with the list of products I will be using!

So here's the day in pictures

I ate...large quantities of potato salad. It didn't take me long to make and I put some mustard and parsley in for flavour.


I applied...Blistex relief cream. I love this stuff, it's been around for years. My lips have been really dry this week, probably because I've been out in the sun a lot. Enjoying the instant moisturisation with this cream which doesn't leave a greasy feeling.

Friday, April 11, 2014

We're back...and we're bringing gin soaked beauty tips!

Hi everyone!

You'll have noticed that the blog has had a bit of a hiatus. So what's been going on?!

Well I've moved house, changed job and put on several pounds! 

But I miss writing about my random forays into the world of beauty so I thought it was time to resurrect the blog. So if you are wannabe beauty queen who likes to surf the net whilst stuffing creme eggs into her gob then you are in the right place!

Here is the day in pictures:

I ate...Salt and Pepper chicken. It's Friday, I wanted a treat, so I had one. Now my mouth is on fire because of the large amount of chilli in the dish.



I applied...Revlon Photoready Peefecting Primer £11.99 from Boots. 

Now I know it looks pink but I promise it doesn't look pink on application.

I've been using this primer for around the past 8 weeks. It can be used either alone or under makeup and evens out the skin creating a great base for foundation. Since I started using the primer I have found that I need less foundation, my t-zone doesn't tend to get as shiny and my skin looks more even. What's not to like?!


I admired...some new and shiny storage for my bathroom! In an attempt to become more organised (hide away the junk!) I have acquired this rather lovely wooden storage unit which fits the room perfectly. See www.therange.co.uk for similar!



Monday, August 26, 2013

Week one weigh in!

So week in and it looks like this:

Weight: 56kg (yay, lots 3kg)
Chest: 36 inches (still)
Waist: 31 inches (lost 1 inch)
Hips: 35.5 inches (lost 0.5 inches)
Thighs: 20.5 inches (lost 0.5 inches)

So I was hoping so more inches would come off, especially from my waist. But given that's where I seem to carry my weight so it's not surprising that I have only lost an inch!

Today has been incredibly hot so I spent most of the day in the park running after my little one. I've walked 5 miles which felt more like 10 in the heat!

Dinner tonight was pork with ratatouille cooked in the slow cooker however I overdid it a tad and made it a little chewy (ooops!)

Tomorrow is a long day at work and I am prepared for the fact I may not get much exercise done! 

The day in pictures...

I ate...slightly overdone pork with ratatouille 

I applied...Leighton Denny nail colour in Forbidden Territory




Sunday, August 25, 2013

Dear, oh dear...

Yes, that is chocolate pictured below. Although I will mention I am still below my calorie target for the day.

I've worked all weekend, work was crazy busy and I have to confess that exercise is the last thing on my mind. However I've promised myself I am going to keep at this. 

It now2 hours since I started writing this post and I've managed 30 minutes of interval training and a quick 2.5 miles on my bike, add in a long bath and I feel much better. I have to thank you- if I wast for the thought of having to write this and tell you I'd let myself down today, I wouldn't have bothered to try and turn things around. I'd still be sat on the sofa eating chocolate!

The great news today is that my sister is out of hospital- what a relief! She's not 100% yet but it's great she's over the worst. 

Tomorrow is my weekly weigh in (oh no!) and I am super keen to keep up the hard work and improve my fitness levels:

Here is the day in pictures:

I ate...some Cadbury Dairy Milk with Oreo (only because I had 320 calories left!) 

I applied...No 7. Intense Volume Mascara in Brown/Black. I've been using this for a few days now and I am really pleased that so far, it seems to be smudge-proof, even after exercise! 



Friday, August 23, 2013

Get well soon Lisa!

Today I had a work from home day, great because I can work in my pyjamas. Not great because the postman delivered two parcels and I was in my pyjamas. 

Breakfasts continue to be a challenge, today I made a mango and raspberry smoothie and upped the protein content by adding protein powder. Lunch was salad and dinner was chips with cheese (well I am allowed a treat once a week!)

Exercise was a brisk walk to the optician to collect my new glasses, getting back to interval training before work tomorrow.

The "side-effects" of high protein appear to be kicking in. I have a headache and I feel a tad grumpy (sorry)! On the plus side this means the diet is working, on the minus side, it feels pretty rough.

The day has ended on a great note with a gin fuelled chat with my ultra stylish, über fun friend Heather (hi if you're reading this!)

Here's the day in pictures...

I ate...well drank, a mango and raspberry smoothie with added protein powder.

I applied...Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick in shade 230 and puckered up to support the Teenage Cancer Trust. Available in 24 gorgeous new shades and enriched with Fair Trade Marula Oil, the Body Shop York will donate £0.50 to the Teenage Cancer Trust for every kiss they recieve in store. Simply let one of their makeup artists apply your choice of tester shade, pucker up and sign your name on the card. A treat for you and support for a great charity! For more info visit your local Body Shop to see how you can get involved, also visit: www.teenagecancertrust.org

I admired...my new work related purchase. A leather satchel handcrafted using artisan techniques. See www.bohemiadesign.co.uk/satchels



 
And finally...a huge Get Well Soon to my sister Lisa who is in hospital with complications following a nasty riding accident where she broke her collarbone. Love you lots sis! Xxx

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Okay, forget the bum, today everything hurts!

The title says it all really, I've spent all day walking like John Wayne something which hasn't been improved by the 4 hours driving I clocked up in the car.

Not to be deterred, I donned my exercise gear and got through a warm-up and one circuit. Then I gave up because I was frankly knackered! 

In terms of diet, I felt pretty sick when I woke up- am I adjusting to lack of carbs?! I managed to force down a protein shake (balk!) which made me feel full until lunch and I had (yet another) salad for lunch. Rounding off the protein fest was tonight's Portuguese Lamb which is pictured below. We cooked it in the slow cooker to save time after work.

Today's good news is that I have lost 2 kilos- yaaaay! I still can't fit into the trousers that kicked this health kick off however I shall not be defeated!

I'm off to do some yoga, slather myself in arnica gel then have an early night (I will have more than 5.5 hours sleep eventually...)

The day in pictures:

I ate...Portuguese Lamb with steamed Kale

I took...Perfectil Hair Skin and Nails in an attempt to bag myself a glossy mane!