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!

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.

The Christmas Edit...

Dear Santa,

Please can I have all of my Christmas shopping delivered to my door (wrapped nicely of course) and fantastic present choices for all?

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I have to confess I am one of those sad people who starts buying theirs in October so I am now nearly finished.

I wanted to share with you some gorgeous gifts for those on a budget...

My mum will be unwrapping this set of 5 Clinique Chubby Sticks available from Boots for £30. Chubby Sticks are a cult beauty buy and this set has been tipped to sell out in stores so get in quick. I have, of course, bought her some other things but they shall remain secret...

I recently treated myself to this 100% Merino Wool Sweater from Uniqlo for the bargainous price of £19.90, they are available in a range of sizes and styles and would make a perfect gift for a best-friend or sister.

I wanted to get my baby daughter something fun that she could keep as part of her present list this year. I attended my first Threadbear party this Saturday and snapped up these gorgeous girly bookends (£12.99). Available at My Generation and also Gentian (both in Barnard Castle), Threadbear stock Quirky gifts, jewellery, bags and homewares. You can also buy online!

Ouch...my stomach!

Hi everyone,

Right now I am wrapped up in a lovely wooly jumper and resting a hot water bottle on my stomach. Why, you ask? Well I seem to have damaged my stomach muscles somehow and it's making even little things like picking up baby very painful.

I've tried anti-inflammatories, arnica cream and tablets, support bandages and now the hot water bottle to no avail. Next stop might be the doctor!

It's definitely winter here now and true to form it has been cold and rainy all day. With the colder weather in mind I have changed my beauty routine a little to avoid my hair and skin drying out.

As you know, the challenge involves drinking lots of water to keep skin well hydrated, I crave hot drinks in the cold and have recently discovered a lovely range of herbal teas by Heath and Heather. My particular favourite is Apple and Cinnamon which is bringing me a taste of Christmas a little early!

I've been feeling a little fed up lately, despite steadily losing baby weight, it's started to go back on now (I have gained 4lb). My stomach is stopping me from exercising and I am craving comfort food. All of my lovely pregnancy hair is falling out and the dark circles under my eyes are getting worse! All this being a mum is hard work.

So I have decided to put the chores on hold, get comfy on the sofa and bring you a list of my fave winter products.

A long term fave of mine is Origins Ginger Float bubble bath, the ginger fragrance is gorgeous and spicy, it makes lovely bubbles while at the same time being gentle on the skin- my partner has even been known to use it in his bath!! A range of complementary items is also available so you can layer the scent.

And while you are relaxing in the bath, how about the sound of a roaring fire? If, like me, you don't own a mansion (and luxurious bathroom with open fire), you can emulate the sound and scent the room at the same time with this gorgeous candle by Woodwick. Available in a variety of yummy flavours, they are made from soy wax for a clean, chemical free burn! Currently on my wish list is the Marshmallow fragrance.

After your bath why not slather on some moisturiser to combat that dry winter skin? The Body Shop Shea Body Butter is formulated for very dry skin and, applied the night before, I still have silky skin for the whole of the next day. The scent isn't particularly potent either so great as a unisex product or for those who don't like a strong product.

Winter winds and cold weather can also play havoc with the hair, I have been using Ojon products recently but have newly discovered Lee Stafford Argan Oil Conditioner which leaves my hair silky, shiny and tangle free without weighing it down. Don't be put off by the red bottle, the product itself is white!

And finally, a lovely product for the entire family from the new L'Occitane Bonne Mere collection. This honey body wash can be used as a handwash and is so gentle it can even be used in the kids bath. The packaging is beautiful and functional with the pump dispenser and the fragrance lingers after you rinse.

All cold on the Western front....

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the lack of blog action today- it's been a bit hectic. I have decided to play around with the layout so I can bring you bigger pictures. Let me know what you think!

We all woke feeling worse than we did last night, our poor little girl is so blocked up and it's pretty horrible to see her ill and upset.

Today's healthy breakfast was porridge and a drink of hot water with honey and a slice of lemon to soothe my throat which worked a treat. Then yet another hot shower to clear my sinuses after some body brushing.

I did walk today but for an even shorter time than yesterday and only because we went out for a look round the shops, bought 2 bedside tables and there was no room for me (and baby) in the car along with them. Still, it was nice to get into the fresh air and sunshine even if I felt like I had run a marathon by the time I got home. I've only achieved 13 of my targets today, might try and squeeze in some more water before bed to make it 14!

My lovely friends at Monkbar Pharmacy donated some gorgeous handmade soaps as a raffle prize for my Macmillan coffee morning next Friday. So jealous of the lucky girl who gets to take them home. I've decided to make a chocolate orange cake for the big day, it always goes down well and it's gluten free too. Really excited about bringing you pics of gorgeous cakes next Friday.

We're a tad subdued tonight as we were supposed to be attending a 1920's themed birthday party- I would never miss the chance to wear sequins! Instead we are sitting with a box of tissues, Olbas Oil and fruit to give us some vitamins- oh the glamour!

So here's the day in pictures:

I ate.....I applied.....I admired...... I wore.....

Strawberries for a vitamin hit, Sweet Cecily Chocolate Lip Balm, Gorgeous Handmade Soaps and Mac by Mango

It wouldn't happen to a real princess...

Hi everyone!

It's been a really busy day so far- we were up early to attend our weekly baby yoga session. I managed to body brush and moisturise and saved some time by not having to wash and blow-dry my hair. Don't get me wrong, this princessing is very time consuming and I was still wandering around topless 5 minutes before we were due to leave!

Had a (very sour) pink grapefruit for breakfast with some yoghurt afterwards and my usual cup of tea- I know that some fellow princesses are having warm water and a slice of lemon first thing but no way will I be parted from my morning cuppa!

Yoga was great fun and I felt so relaxed afterwards, my little girl was so chilled she fell into a deep sleep in her pram. I decided to take advantage and get my eyebrows done (as I have been neglecting them a bit and they were starting to lose shape).

My personal preference for eyebrow grooming is threading- I like it because the results last longer than plucking, someone else does it for you so generally you end up with a better shape as they can look at the "full picture" and there are no chemicals involved like there would be with waxing.

Anyway, I sat down in the chair and the therapist began to thread my right eye brow. She did a fantastic job, trimmed a couple of stray hairs and checked I was happy before applying some rose water to soothe the area. And then my daughter woke up.....and screamed.....and screamed!

She wasn't hungry and she didn't need a nappy change, she just wanted to be held. I was going to have to take her home and have lopsided eyebrows! Luckily, the lovely therapist had a colleague who wasn't working on anyone offered to hold my daughter while I had the other brow done- great service and my daughter loved her. So here's a big Beautybellabellezza thank you to the girls at Glow Eyebrow Threading in Fenwick York! See you again in a couple of weeks! It wouldn't happen to a princess......

I'll be back later to update you on today's progress and show you a little beauty treat I bought earlier!

99 days to go: Progress so far....

Excellent progress has been made with the challenge today!

The day started with a healthy breakfast of fruit and yoghurt, whole-meal toast was going to be added however the bread was mouldy (it wouldn't happen to a real princess....)

Body brushing was followed by the application of generous amounts of body butter (I am using Body Shop Mango Body Butter at the moment) followed by foot cream.

I then decided to try a new purchase bought specifically for the princessing challenge- hair oil! The oil I chose is going to be my product of the week this week and a full product review will be posted later in the week. What can I say- I was surprised with the results.

Had a 4 mile walk (in the freezing cold, dull british weather) and pondered which colour of nail polish I would like to buy for the winter season- leaning towards Greige at the moment.

Dinner was a (late) thrown together affair of vegetables and pasta.

The day in pictures:

I ate.....I applied.....

Pasta with courgettes, yellow and green peppers and tomatoes.

L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening Moisture Cream                    

Up and coming on Beautybellabellezza

Hi to everyone who has been reading so far, thanks so much for looking at the page and I hope you feel inspired!

I wanted to post about what will be coming up on Beautybellabellezza:

Every day there will be an update about my progress with the challenge, I'll tell you what I have done, what I haven't done and any funny stories which happen along the way!

Each week I will review a beauty product that I am using on my princessing journey- some old favorites and new additions to my bursting full cupboards.

There will be posts about princessing on a budget, a man's view of the princessing concept and also food fit for a princess!

Lots to look forward to so please follow me by e-mail!

If you have any suggestions for things you would like to see covered in the blog please let me know! If you would like me to review a product I aim to trial products for a decent amount of time before commenting on them so please bear this in mind.

The 100 day princessing challenge!

Hello and welcome to Beautybellabellezza,

This page is inspired by the concept of "Princessing" which was coined in the run up to the 2011 wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William. The process of princessing involves following a list of goals (which can be defined by the individual) in the run up to an event to make sure that you look and feel your best.

So many women feel under pressure to look perfect all the time, maybe you're a busy working mum, a single woman with her own business, someone with grown-up children and elderly relatives to look after or a stay at home mum with a huge list of chores! Whatever your circumstances, hopefully we can all relate to the feeling that when we look good, we feel good. 

Quite simply very few of us have the time (money or inclination!!) to spend focussing entirely on our appearance. This is why the concept of princessing works. Small changes in the run-up to an event add up to one big (and lovely) picture. These changes can be as small as plucking your eyebrows or as big as running 5 miles a day- the aim is that they all add up!

My personal princessing challenge is taking place over a 100 day period from September 15th until Christmas Day! It's been a big year for me as I had my first baby in June so I've let myself go a bit and I feel a little glum. Now my baby is 12 weeks old I feel like it's time I have myself a lift and started taking care of myself.

The challenge was set by a group of women on the website mumsnet, I have joined the challenge and look forward to hearing about everyone's progress. Later today I will post my list so that you can see the little steps I am undertaking to feel fabulous for christmas!

Please feel free to add your comments, queries or suggestions.