Fitness Update

Hello!

I thought I'd start today's Fitness Friday off with my own personal fitness review. A few weeks ago i attended a session with my trainer and I'd been working so hard to get a few pounds off. 

If you've never read a fitness post of mine before then let me fill you in. I'm 5ft 9 so quite tall for a female and a few years ago I weighed a little more than I do now. A few years of uni binge drinking and late night take aways meant I'd piled on about 14-20 lbs (I'm unsure exactly as I've never been someone who weighed herself).

Due to stress i found myself feeling ill after every meal and kept getting stomach cramps so I ended up changing my diet completely cutting out crap food, dairy and bread, and citrus fruits as they were too acidic for me. I lost 17lbs and ever since have been OBSESSED with food in a good way and I absolutely love going to the gym, planning my meals, and generally eating as who doesn't love that?

Obviously i love a binge like everyone else but I've totally changed my lifestyle over time and now i don't crave bad food unless I'm hungover, I combat stress with exercise and I'm generally enthusiastic about the whole thing, reading and researching new foods, recipes and workout routines.

However as with all stories that go along this line, even with my relatively healthy diet and regular exercise, usually 4/5 times a week I've been finding it hard to shift some pounds. I'm not overweight by any means, my BMI is 22 and I regularly do weights so probably have more muscle than others but I'm really conscious of trying to get my fat % down. 

I actually can't remember my specific percentage as my trainer keeps it all recorded for me, but i was OVER THE MOON when I had lost 3lbs of fat the last time I was weighed. It was a huge confidence booster and I was so unbelievable happy.

I've got a long way to go to getting where I want to be as I'd like to lose a further 10lbs of fat before the summer but I'm clearly doing something right this time.

Moving on from that my trainer also gave me my new program which is AMAZING! I'm so into it at the moment that I could scrap all my classes and running just to do it, but I need to keep up my stamina in the others too.

This routine incorporates box step ups with weights, mountain climbers, lunges and lat raises with weights, and squat and press with weights.

In total I use the cross trainer, bike, rower and treadmill for short bursts of cardio and i also have a circuit of exercises to do using TRX which I repeat three times.

It's an all over body blast and although i love it it does take a considerable amount of time. Sometimes i have to cut out the third circuit of TRX exercises because there just isn't enough time during the week.

How have your fitness routines been going lately? Have you got any new programs you'd like to share?

Do you have any running tips for increasing distance to 10 miles plus?

I'd love to hear any of them!

L xxx

Beauty Rehab

Good morning!

Another Beauty rehab update for you today. I've been ploughing through my stash and moving it around a lot to try and make space and encourage me to use more. It's a long and slow process but I've got into a sort of routine now and clearing things out regularly is a must do as there are always things you can give away and make more space,which is something I could definitely do with!

Origins Ginzing Eye Cream: Loved this and the pinky tone which is lovely, sad to finish it but have a sample one to use.
China Glaze Pool Party: One of my faves which was unfortunately not closed after its last use...its hard as a rock! Gutted, will repurchase in future.
Origins Drink Up Intensive mask: Love this, still have sample sizes from Christmas sets to keep me going.

Bourjois Happy Light Matte Primer: This wasn't bad but for the price and size totally not worth it. I'd easily use one in a few small weeks and i find Revlon to be better
Vichy Dermablend: Super fave foundation, already repurchased 100% recommend.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid: Love this though I hate the smell, good coverage and thick enough to cover serious blemishes.
Benefit Hello Flawless: I can't make up my mind on this one, I love the brightening dewy effect it gives but it doesn't last long enough for me whatever primer i use.

NSpa Hot Cloth Polish: This was a great alternative to Liz Earle's original one and I'd definitely purchase this as it is very similar for a much smaller price.
Liz Earle Skin Tonic: This surprised me how much I liked the routine and the smell of the toner but to be honest I don't feel like it did a lot for me, but I'm not a toner lover anyway,
St Tropez Bronzing Mousse: Love this, hate the price but you get what you pay for! Love the colour and it lasts, already repurchased.

Batiste Dry Shampoo: Love this, have a stock ALWAYS
Ojon Revitalizing Mist: Helps to condition hair and detangle it but I don't think its worth the price tag, there are cheaper alternatives in my opinion.
S&G Clean On Me: Absolute mammoth size shower gel, gorgeous smell and lasts a lifetime. I always feel like its an accomplishment to finish it! And I always seem to have another in the sidelines...

Collection Illuminating Concealer: Wasn't a huge fan, much prefer the Lasting Perfection one as its a lot thicker and I prefer the wand.
S&G Thick and Fast Mascara: Massive brush that reaches every lash, good for the price and even better when you get it in the Christmas set every year!
Revlon PhotoReady concealer: Loved how easy this was to apply, just draw onto your face! Blends easily and covers everything.

Powders are a it of a thing for me obviously!

Bourjois Mineral Powder: Contains a sponge for portable travel but i wasn't a fan and the smell was a little off putting (very powdery and old woman like!)
Rimmel Match Perfection Loose Powder: Loved this, first time I've used a loose powder and I'd definitely repurchase.
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder: Didn't finish this as it became coated after use and to be honest it wasn't good enough for me to try and scrape the top off and try again.

So there you have, this was what I managed to use up and get rid of this month.

What have you been using up? Do you agree with my views on some of these products?

L xxx

My 'Naked' Look

Hi all!

Don't be put off by the title, I am NOT about to take my clothes off! I just decided to write a face of the day post with a more natural look - we all know this actually take a fair few products to do!

I've been playing around with my products lately and having found myself owning a fair few Urban Decay Naked products and using them on a regular basis. I decided to do a face of the day with these and therefore....my Naked look.

All of the Naked products are pretty easy to use, they're all nude tones and designed that way in order that they suit almost everyone depending on which palette you choose.

In these photos I have applied Naked Skin as my foundation. I had a tester pot from the counter a few weeks ago and have been using it on and off testing it out and I can say I'm quite impressed. It's almost a lotion as its so thin and runny yet covers all of my flaws and doesn't look like it has coated my skin whatsoever. I'll be buying this as soon as  get my chance!



On top of this I applied bronzer, blusher and highlighter from the Naked Flushed palette. This palette is great and you barely need any product to get the full effect. The bronzer is perfect as it isn't orangey at all and the blusher is so pigmented you barely need to swipe it to get the colour you need.
The highlighter is so finely milled that its even more fine than MAC's MSF in Soft and Gentle, which is a firm favourite of mine, though it can look glittery in day time. Naked flushed's version does not have this problem at all due to the particles being so small and can be worn in day time without fear of looking like a disco ball.



I've cheated slightly and applied my brows with my HD brow kit, I think Naked brows would look a little odd really wouldn't they?



For my eyes I've used Naked 3, the recent addition to my collection thanks to my mum who must have noticed my copious amounts of hints leading up to my birthday, what a lovely lady!
I cannot remember for the life of my which shades i chose and if I remember rightly I probably used the majority as it was one of the first times I used it. Lots of blending went on here!






What is eye shadow without eye liner?

Above I've applied the Naked Basics 24/7 Glide on Eye liner with Crave on the outer corner of my eye and waterline and Venus on the inner corner. I love the look this gives and if I was more awake in the mornings I'd always apply this!




Lastly what's a FOTD without some lip action?

This is one of the new Naked Lipglosses in Liar; its a gorgeous pink that's really wearable for day and night. It's enough colour to show that you're wearing it but its not overpowering either. I really like the formula of these as they're not too sticky either which is a pet hate of mine!

What do you think? Are you a fan of the Naked range? Which product is your favourite?

Naked Skin foundation is next on my purchase list!

L xxx

Nine West in TK Maxx

Hey loves!

I don't know about you, but summer weather always makes me want new bags. It makes me want new shoes, dresses and flowery accessories too but primarily....bags.

Bright colours, nude colours, small satchels, cute clutches, anything goes and when they're at a reduced price it's even harder to say no!

After a trip to TK Maxx with my mum, I came home with two pretty much exactly the same bags. A similar style, one bright and one nude both would go with SO MUCH in my wardrobe and both were reduced, I fought people off them in the shop I was so excited.

Firstly is this beautiful corally pink colour bag. Both of these bags are from Nine West which are known for their good quality bags and shoes. I didn't hesitate at picking these up after that.

Although the bag is small its got lots of pockets which I find is much handier with smaller bags, you can put your keys in one, phone and lipstick in the other, and purse in the largest one. At least then you know you've got a chance at finding everything in it!

Secondly is this stone coloured bag, very similar to the one above but not exactly the same. This one is longer and narrower in comparison to the square coral bag and is missing a pocket at the front.

Aside from that, the stone colour of this bag surely goes with literally anything you could own?? That was why it was such a hard choice in the store, I couldn't leave without either one of them as my wardrobe for summer consists of coral and nude, it would have been wrong to leave with one and not the other.

I like that to straps also feel quite sturdy. They're not as sturdy as my previously mentioned Michael Kors bag but I'm sure that's reflected in the pricing. Besides these bags are so small that you couldn't fit anything heavy enough into them to break the straps!

I also like that the straps are adjustable. It drives me mental when companies think we're all the same height and width, I'm tall with boobs, i need looooooooooong straps so that I don't look like I'm wearing it halfway up my back you know!

My only let down with Nine West bags is the BORING inside. I'm a huge fan of bag linings and after a quick assessment of the outside I'm straight onto the inside to check out the lining.

The plain beige colour on the inside was a big disappointment. I wasn't expecting a rainbow of colour or a crazy geometric pattern.....but the material is also cheap and it does let them both down somewhat.

Needless to say i left with both bags after finding out that they were priced at less than £18! With deals like that you just cannot say no to TK Maxx can you.

I've had to restrain myself from going in there having acquired four bags from there recently, some were for my birthday presents but even so FOUR?! i need to be controlled!

Are you a fan of Nine West bags and shoes? Are you a bargain hunter in TK Maxx too?

I'm going to have to go in there again soon as there's sure to be bargains in time for the festival and summer holiday season!

L xxx