Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

If you remember just after Christmas I did a little post to tell you all how much of a sheep I'd been and purchased a bottle of the much acclaimed Cleanse & Polish.

Well after giving it a go for over a month, I thought I'd let you know how I found it.

To let you know, my skincare routine had always been simple, and perhaps would be frowned upon by some of you skincare junkies. I used a face wipe to remove my make up, and then moisturised...and that was it. So at first, it was difficult to adjust to having a few more steps in my routine. I soon got used to it and I was loving my new regime.

Firstly, I love the thick consistency of the cleanser. I like how it really sticks to your skin and doesn't just disappear when you apply it to your face, and it has a gorgeous fresh, but mild scent. Secondly, I completely adore the muslin cloth and removing the cleanser. I just love the thought of really 'polishing' my face with the warm cloth. It it really delicate, it gently exfoliates my skin whilst leaving it smooth and feeling deeply cleansed. There really is no nicer feeling to have on your face.

I can certainly see why this cleanser is so celebrated and I shall definitely be repurchasing once it's finished.

x.x.x  

Spring Fever

As pay day is looming I've been trawling through online stores giving my mind a lovely treat. In reality, of course, I'll probably get one or two things, but March is my absolute worst month money wise. Sooo many birthdays, anniversaries and of course, Mother's day...so I better not spend all my imaginary money just yet.

I always love River Island as it really is high fashion, at affordable high street prices. Here are my top picks for this Spring...

All images taken from Riverisland.com

I am completely loving florals. I know these have been around for quite some time now but I do think there is nothing nicer than a really pretty floral tea dress. I like to mix them up with some less feminine pieces, like denim or leather jackets and biker boots. I love that the satchel style bag is still a key piece and now they are being mixed up with some really pretty designs. I also adore the beige boxy jacket, I think this is a gorgeous piece which could be carried through all seasons.

Uh oh...better speak nicely to the boy...!

What styles have you got your eye on for Spring?

x.x.x

NOTW

I mentioned last week I picked up a few NYC nail polishes, so thought I'd share how I got on with them. I've only tried one so far, this is Canal Street...

Oh God please excuse the awful mess.

I really love this shade, such a deep burgundy brown with gorgeous red shimmer. The polish itself lasted 3 days without chipping, which I was really impressed about. The polish only cost £2.59 so I'd definately recommend it, and can't wait to try out the others!

x.x.x



Weight Loss Diary - Week 7

This week has not gone to plan...

At the start of the week I was full of all the good intentions, I was going to be on my best behaviour this week. Then on Tuesday, the boy fell ill and our gym routine went to pot. I am not blaming him, I could have gone to the gym without him, and I should have but I didn't! I went for a swim on Wednesday morning and that's as far as my exercise went this week.

Food wise, I didn't do great either. We had a couple of take aways and I didn't prepare my healthy lunches ANY day. I don't know why but I just did not care this week. And I feel annoyed at myself. I always said if I wanted something, I'd have it, but now I have got to the point that I'm disgusted that I could not practise some self control.

That said, when I did weigh myself this morning, I'd only gained half a pound. It could have been a lot worse, but I am just annoyed at myself. This weekend I have managed to obtain a horrid cold, so I'm not exactly feeling too thrilled about the prospect of an hours spinning class tomorrow, but I shall see how I feel. I really feel like I need a kick up the backside...

[image from weheartit.com]

How do you guys keep motivated during your diet? Or can anyone share some simple, yet yummy and healthy meal ideas that can get me excited about healthy food again!?

x.x.x

NYC Nail Polishes

Hola Ladies

So the other day I nipped into Semi Chem to buy some nail polish remover pads when I spotted a new NYC stand. I was in a bit of a rush so I didn't have time to browse through everything, but I did pick up three nail polishes. NYC is currently 3 for 2 in Semi Chem so I thought why not?

Heres' the colours I got...

L-R
Canal Street - Deep Burgandy brown with red shimmer
Times Square - Very bright watermelon pink/red
MoMa - Very pretty violet putple

These were only £2.59 each and at 3 for 2 they were a total bargain. Very excited to try them out and show you some NOTD's. I'm also planning a visit back to Semi Chem to try out some other products whilst the offer is still on.

Have you guys tried any NYC products?

x.x.x



Boots Haulin'

Hello Gorgeous...

So this weekend I did my favourite kind of shop...A trip to Boots! Yay!

Just wanted to quickly show you the things I got.

I finally got my hands on The Umberto Giannini "Backcomb In  A Bottle". I'd seen it mentioned a few times by some other bloggers and really wanted to try it for myself. I'm going to try it when I go out this weekend and I'll let you know my thoughts.

I also wanted a new pair of lashes for this weekend, so after a lot of perusal I picked up the Girls Aloud Eyelure lashes in "Kimberley". These caught my eye as they were the most natural looking, I don't really like wearing big clumpy lashes.

I also picked up a new Barry M Nail Paint in "Navy". I really love my other Barry M paints so am very keen to add to my collection.

Whilst looking at the make up stands I noticed Bourjois 10 hour sleep effect foundation. I don't know if this is new or not, I can't recall seeing it thought. I got this in shade 72, Rose Clair. I'm keen to try this out and let you know what I think.

Finally, I noticed there were quite a few pieces of Boots Jewellery on sale for £1. I can't resist sale jewellery, so I was very happy. I picked up these little red flower studs, I think they'll be great for brightening up a black or dark outfit. Plus, at £1, they're a total steal.

Have any of you guys tried any of these products? What do you think?

x.x.x

Weight Loss Diary - Week 6

Good Morning!

Can't believe it's Monday already, this weekend has flown by...

I was completely in the dark about how I felt my weight loss would go this week. I only attended one gym class this week which was an hour of spinning. I felt so guilty not doing more, but you know how you just have one of those weeks where you cannot be bothered. Well I had one of those...

As for diet, I did not too bad I suppose. I ate quite well throughout the week, soup and weight watchers bread for lunches, along with yoghurt and apples, BUT I did go out for an Indian meal with my other half on Saturday night so I did wonder if this would let me down. I chose a non creamy dish (Chicken Jaipuri if you're interested) and plain boiled rice, but I did enjoy some garlic and cheese nan bread (tut tut). However as it was a Valentines treat, I am not going to chastise myself for it and decided I'd deal with it when I stepped on the scales.

[image sourced from weheartit.com]

So the moment of truth arrived this morning, and I nervously climbed aboard the scales. No change... stayed the same as last week. Okay, not great but at least I never went up. Today I feel really motivated and I definitely plan to try my absolute hardest this week. I have one night out planned where alcohol will be consumed, so vodka and diet coke it is....and stay away from the buffet!!!

Struck With Cupid's Arrow...

Hello my lovelies...

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend whatever you may have done..

I really did have a happy, lovely weekend. It started off on Saturday. If any of you guys have seen my tweets of late, I am now a VERY proud auntie. Not by blood, but by my bestest friend. She gave birth to the most perfect baby boy last Monday and I finally got to meet him yesterday...

Introducing Daniel...

I have totally and completely fallen in love with him, and I'll definitely keep you updated with some more pictures soon.

Then last night my lovely boyfriend took me for dinner and drinks for an early St Valentines treat and I had an awesome night. It was so good to spend some nice romantic time together and have a couple of lil drinky poos too.

Definitely a weekend jammed pack with love...

Do you guys have any Valentines plans?

x.x.x

TAG: 13 Personal Questions

1. What do you order at Starbucks?

Vanilla Latte....mmm

2. What's one thing in your closet that you cannot live without?

Leggings

3. What's one thing that most people probably wouldn't know about you?

I am a complete sap and will cry at almost everything, happy tv, sad tv, books...etc. I mean absolutely anything!

4. Name one thing that you want to do before you die

Visit America

5. What's one food that you cannot live without?

Nachos

6. What quote/phrase do you live your life by?

What's for you, won't go past you.

7. What do you like and dislike about the YT community?

Well don't make YT videos so I can't really comment but I can spend hours watching other's videos!

8. What's your number one most listened to song on iTunes?

American English by Idlewild - Looove that song.

9. What kind of style would you define yourself as having?

I'm always smart/casual. Never wear jogging bottoms unless I'm at the gym or ill, I like jeans or leggings with pretty tops, cardis and boots or ballet pumps.

10. Favorite number

6

11. Two hobbies

Shopping

Reading

12. Two pet peeves

Ignorance

Bullies

13. Guilty Pleasure

Lots and lots of reality TV! 

I saw this TAG on Steph's blog (CLICK HERE) and thought it would be nice to do. I'd love to read your answers :)

x.x.x

Weight Loss Diary - Week 5

Hope you all had a lovely weekend! Mines was very chilled and relaxed with a hint of shopping. Aaah perfect. I finally booked a surprise trip to Krakow for my boyfriend's 30th Birthday. All I need to do is figure out how to sneak his passport out of his house (which I've got to find first btw) so that I can confirm the flight details. I'll let you know how I do with that. And also, have any of you guys been to Krakow? I'd love to know what you thought of it. I'm very excited as it has a Sephora!

Anyways, my diet this week was strange. I didn't pig out or anything but I wasn't as strict with myself, therefore I had no idea what to expect in terms of weight loss. I did manage to attend one hour long swimming session (with sauna and steam obvs) and one hour long spinning class. I didn't make my second of the week as I had the dentist (aah) but I did try very hard during the 1st one, I promise!!

[image from weheartit.com]

So I stepped on the scales this morning and discovered I'd lost 1 and a half pounds. So I'm very happy with this. At first I was annoyed this my weight loss was slow, I wanted fast results, but I have now accepted that this is the healthiest way to lost weight and the recommended weekly weight loss is 1-2lbs per week. This now takes my total weight loss so far to 7 1/2 lbs.

Are any of you guys trying to lose weight? How are you getting on?

x.x.x



January Favourites

Good Morning Girlies...

So glad it's finally the weekend!

Just wanted to share with you all my favourite products from the month of January...

1. Maybelline The Falises Volum Express Mascara.

I recently reviewed this mascara (click here) and if you've already read it you'll know I absolutely love it. It gives me full and thick lashes as well as added lengh, without the icky clumping.

2. No7 Stay Perfect Eye Mousse in Pewter.

I really love this eyeshadow. I actually got it as a freebie in a No7 giftset and hadn't tried it until recently but the colour payoff is excellent and it's really longlasting and doesn't crease. It makes a great base for other shadows, and is just as lovely on it's own.

3. Clinique Super Moisture Make Up in 04 Ivory.

I've been using this foundation religiously for a couple of months now (reviewed here) and i am still in love with it as ever. It's really moistuising so is great for my dry patches and it makes my cheeks look really dewy and youthful.

4. E45 Moisturising Lotion

This is definately one of my holy grail products and I always find myself repurchasing. It's great on my face for an everyday moistuiser, great to use all over my body and I also use this if I want to mix some in with my foundation to give a sheerer coverage. AND it's cheap, so what's not to love.

5. MAC Venomous Villians Blush in Bite of an Apple.

When I first bought this I thought it was really bright and wasn't too keen on it, but around Christmas time I started using it and I found, if used sparingly, I could create a gorgeous 'Just been out in the snow' rosy glow. Even though the snow has now gone, I'm still enjoying faking this look.

6. ELF Lipstick in Runway Pink

I've had this lipstick for months now and I think I've worn it almost every day in January. It's just one of those lovely nude pinks that doesn't make you look dead. I think it's very flattering with my skin tone and I always use it with a lipbalm underneath to stop it drying my lips.

There we have it. January summed up in 6 bullet points. Do any of these products appear in your favourites?

x.x.x

NOTW

Woo go me! Still no nail biting!!

Just wanted to share the ever so pretty colour that has been adorning my nails this week...

Rimmel London Lycra PRO in no.291 Urban Princess.

This is two coats plus a top coat.

I adore this colour as it's almost Barbie pink. It's great for adding a touch of gorgeous, bright colour to whatever ensemble you may choose each day. Definately in my top 5!

x.x.x

LUSH Bubblegum Lip Scrub

What's not to love about Winter? Cold fingers & toes, snow, puddles, bad hair, dry skin and chapped lips...hmm let me think.

I was suffering badly with chapped lips this winter so I was very happy to get Lush Lip Scrub in one of my Christmas gift sets.

Just the idea of this makes me lick my lips in anticipation. Bubblegum flavoured sugar for your lips..& you can eat it! Yum.

I wet my lips a little, put a small amount on my finger and rub it gently across them to scrub away any dry bits. Then once your done you can lick off the extra. I find this really does help with dry, flaky lips, but then again you can get the same effect with any kind of lip scrub, or just my using any old sugar you have lying around the house.

I definitely think the selling point of this point product is the yummy flavour. I really want to try the mint one too.

What do you guys think of Lush Lip Scrub?

x.x.x



Weight Loss Diary - Week 4

Hello Hello!

Hope you're all having a good week, mines has been hectic! I really should have got this post up on Monday night but the days have just flown by in a rapid blur!

Anyways, I had a fairly good week in terms of diet. The end of January is horrible in my office, EVERYONE brings in their left over tins of sweets from Christmas and they sit there cruelly willing me to eat them. I must admit I did have a sneaky few but I did resist the urge to stuff my little face! The biggest (and best) treat I had this week was a delicious chunk of chocolate fudge cake whilst I was being treated to dinner by my lovely fella on Sunday night. Oh and I did not regret it one teeny, tiny bit. YUM.

[image from weheartit.com]

Exercise wise, I attended my usual spinning class on Thursday night plus I did an hour long swimming session. Didn't made my second spinning class of the week though, I just couldn't muster up the motivation!! I know I am bad.

Anyway, as I stepped on the scaled this week I was fairly happy to discover I'd lost a further 1 and 1/2 pounds, which takes my grand total so far to 6. What is it they say....slow and steady wins the race??

In my case, hope so!!

x.x.x