The Decision

Not really sure why I’m telling you this. Maybe if I think if I tell you I’ll stick to it. God, that sounds a bit ominous doesn’t it?!

This is a spur of the moment, one of those ideas that you come up with while performing some meaningless task like taking off your make-up, brushing your teeth, scrolling the through the drivel that makes up Facebook timeline, blog post. Recently I decided that I was unhappy with my body and I actually wanted to something about it. Not like “oh god! Is that what I weigh?!....” and then asking if we have enough milk for me to have a Nesquik (chocolate only of course); but actually going out and joining the people I see jogging my past my bedroom effortlessly.

I’m not going to become a calorie counting obsessive, for the most part I haven’t got the willpower, and all I want to do is tone up and not intentionally lose weight. If I do lose weight on the way it’s not a big deal, in fact it’ll be an added bonus, but I am not doing it purely because of that. 

Reasons:

• I want to tone up for summer
• I want to be able to have more energy and strength when Apollo has a mental idiot attack where he’s just so excited he bursts
• I want to be confident wearing vests without a huge jumper over the top
• I want to achieve something I set my mind to

Goals:

• A toned-ish stomach
• Increased overall fitness levels
• Increased body confidence
• To drink more water when at home – sounds weird but I don’t drink enough when not at school

How I’m doing it:

• Jogging at the weekends at least once at the moment and during the week when it’s light enough after school and sorting Apollo out
• Riding more regularly especially sitting trot
• Nightly exercises for 5 minutes

Update:

When running for 25 minutes on Sunday had to do some walking and didn’t get as far as I thought Didn’t have a tissue or water so couldn’t breathe properly – suffering a cold

Legs ached like hell

But…

Did take 4 barrows of crap out of the field

Feel proud that I actually did something

Realised shoes didn’t fit that well…

This could be extremely boring for you so I’m sorry, but I think by sticking this on the internet I will actually achieve something. They say “it takes 21 days for something to become habit” so only 20 days to go…

A x

picture source:

http://expectingthinperfection.tumblr.com/

The Music List

Rihanna – Drunk on Love

Bastille – Pompeii

The Saturdays – What About Us

Wiley ft. Chip – Reload

Fenech Soler – All I Know

As you can see I have an insanely eclectic taste in music. My YouTube music playlist that I stick on to do homework, blogging, twitter, Facebook and random internet surfing changes every week.  I’m always listening out for new songs. They tend to be upbeat and brilliant to sing in your car…loudly…. I focus more on the song rather than the artist, I don’t tend to have favourite artists as usually I obsess about one song but HATE all of their others. Oh yes, I’m one of those people that plays a song so much they absolutely detest it two weeks later. Anyways, these are the current likes, at least for now…

A x

picture sources:

http://pianosheetmusiconline.com/drunk-on-love-rihanna/

http://www.josepvinaixa.com/blog/bastille-pompeii-video-premiere/

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/What-About-Us-lyrics-The-Saturdays/3B19C13112D1345548257A6C0002D2D8

http://wearesme.co.uk/2013/01/28/fresh-video-wiley-feat.-ms-d-chip-reload/

http://www.funkyhousemusic.com/2012/12/20/fenech-soler-all-i-know-cicada-remix/

FOTD - An Afternoon/ Evening in Cambridge

Foundation: Rimmel Match Perfection in 101 Classic Ivory (£6.99)

Concealer: Under the eyes – Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection in 2 Light (£4.19)

                   For blemishes – Collection 2000 Cover Stick (around the £3 mark not on website)

Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte in 005 Silky Beige (£3.99)

Bronzer: Rimmel Natural Bronzer in 021 Sun Light (£5.59)

Blush: Maybelline Dream Touch Blush in Peach (£6.49)

Eyebrows: NYC Kohl Brow/ Eyeliner Pencil in 927 Taupe (£1.49)

Eyeliner: For upper lash line – Maybelline Master Precise in Black (£5.99)

                For waterline – Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 001 Black (£3.99)

Eyeshadow: Inner Corner - No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Innocence 

                     Crease -  No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Wheatsheaf  (£7.00)

Mascara: Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof in 001 Black (£6.99)

Lips: Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm (£2.69)

          Lush Lip Tint in A Million Kisses (£2.25)

          Rimmel Vinyl Gloss in Keep a Secret (£4.99)

          Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie (£7.99)

Brushes: ELF Blushing, Bronzing and Blending Brush (£1.50)

                  Cosmopolitan Base Brush (part of a pack)

                  UBU Kabuki Crush Face Brush (£5.00)

Normally I wouldn’t use this many products but I really wanted my make up to last but still look natural i.e. me but better . It lasted really well, I re-touched my lipstick with Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie (bought it whilst out shopping and couldn’t resist trying it out) and Carmex just to moisturise my chapped lips. I think I may have re- applied the matte powder but only to remove slight shine after 4/5 hours. 

I am loving the Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter and Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Mascara. What's your current make up obsession? 

A x

OOTD - An Evening in Cambridge

Dress: Primark (last season)

Coat: New Look (Bought 2 years ago)

Tights: Marks & Spencer

Shoes: New Look (£27.99 not on website but these are similar)

Bag: Urban Outfitters (£20.00 on sale)

Nails: Barry M Blue Moon

The shoes were a recent purchase and I knew they were comfortable for a day of school but walking round Cambridge for hours could have been an issue. Thankfully it wasn’t. I could have played it safe with flats but I think the wedge heel elongates the leg and adds a touch of elegance; that and the coat take the outfit from day to night effortlessly. This coat is such a classic design, but the detail in the back (shorter in the back) just makes it that little bit different. Every time I wear it I just want to get on Apollo (my horse) and ride off into the sunset – it’s so Pride and Prejudice! The bag was an impulse buy in Westfield; I saw it near the end of the day and fell in love. It’s so practical and the tan edge makes it stand out from the million plain black bags that are around.

Sorry about the quality of the photo it was late at night when I took it – completely forgot during the day (bad blogger!)

 A x

Herstyler BabyCurls Review

I’m not going to pretend I’m a whizz with my hair in fact I’m practically useless. I go as far as brushing it and dying it blonde. Naturally, my hair is a mousy brown, flat, dull, fine mess of hair. I’ll be honest I wake up late every morning so don’t have time to meticulously style it. However when I have time, I like put a through curls in just to give it a little something extra. I have tried so many tools and techniques to try to curl it. My hair doesn’t hold curls well. Most that I have tested leave a soft curl that falls out within the hour. So when my friend suggested I tried this brand out, I’ll admit I was extremely sceptical. I was wrong to be so cautious. So wrong.

 This bad boy is the Herstyler Babycurls 13mm CurlingIron/Tong in Black. I got mine for around £36 from Amazon.The other weekend I was going out and had the time to use it. It only takes 25 minutes to achieve this look so it’s really fast considering (I’m lazy). The ‘after’ photo was taken after 11 hours or so, I’d been walking round Cambridge shopping in the drizzle (typical English weather) for 4 hours perhaps, I hadn’t re-touched with hairspray and I’m notorious for playing with my hair. And it looks no different from 5 minutes after (I was after a relaxed curl that looked natural). That’s the sign of a good tong in my book.

How I use it:

• Optional: use a volume boosting spray – TRESemmé 24 Hour Root Boosting Spray
• Spray with heat protectant – standard TRESemmé Heat Protectant Spray
• Section hair into 2 sections
• Grab inch wide sections (depending on hair type you may need smaller or bigger pieces) randomly and wrap around the tong curling away from face
• Hold the hair on the tong for 10 seconds – hold pointing down to shoulder
• And release
• Repeat for bottom section, let down top section and repeat
• Remember: place on a heat resistant mat when not using
• Spray with hairspray – Garnier Fructis Style Bamboo Flexi hold Hairspray Volume and Hold Extra Hold
• To add a bit of sparkle use a finishing spray – Toni & Guy Shimmer Mist for All Blondes

Advantages:

• Heats up fast
• Very hot
• Curl holds extremely well
• Clipless, sleek, easy-to-hold design
• Comes with a heat protectant glove
• Distributes negative ions for sleek glossy curls

Disadvantages:

• Doesn’t come with directions and very little help on website (many reviews on YouTube though)
• Glove is weird shape so is more of a hindrance than a help
• High risk of burning due to no clip to hold hair

After using this several times I now only use this when I want to add curls. It’s quick and easy and even better, the curls last for a few days. Depending on the style desired – relaxed and bohemian or tight and Taylor Swift-esque – this tong creates the glossiest of waves. Just change the size of the sections.

Can you tell I think it’s brilliant? What’s your favourite styling tool?

A x

Revlon Lip Butters

I know I’m a little bit late to the party; it seems every blogger and their dog have reviewed these little babies out but only recently have I gotten into lip products and buying them just wasn't worth it. I was convinced that lipsticks were drying and flaky, I much preferred sticking to my trusty Carmex lip balm. However whilst in Cambridge shopping the Revlon display in Boots caught my eye. I only wanted one, just so I could test it out to see if the formula was one that I liked. 

(l-r Berry Smoothie, Cotton Candy, Cupcake, Crystal  Lilac)

Cotton Candy was my choice. In the bullet it looks a darker pink with lilac undertones, I don't know what possessed me as this is a completely different colour to what I normally choose but it is just so pretty and I’m sure it makes my teeth look whiter. 

Surprise, surprise I liked the formula so much I went and purchased two more Lip butters and one Colourburst gloss (making the most of Boots' 3 for 2 deals!). 

Berry Smoothie is exactly the colour it sounds like, a deep pinky berry red shade (the colour of the Innocent Strawberry and Banana Smoothie in fact), Cupcake is a lighter almost Barbie Pink (reminds me of the MAC Chatterbox, perhaps slightly darker) and Crystal Lilac Colourburst lipgloss is a neutral pink with a hint of sparkle.  

They are a sheer finish which I like as you’re not fully committed to a strong lip but there’s still a touch of colour. The colour payoff long wearing, I do touch it up frequently though as my lips are insanely dry at this moment so any moisture immediately sinks in and vanishes after an hour or two. I keep my Carmex or Vaseline Aloe Vera handy. The lipgloss isn’t overly sticky although I haven’t given this a proper test run yet, it feels nice on the skin though. They feel so nice and luxurious on the lips and just bring a bit of colour to your face. What can I say? I think I’ve found my new favourite product! The lip butters are £7.99 each and the lipgloss is also £7.99, both available fromBoots and Superdrug.

Oh and a kind of New Year’s Resolution I’ve decided to start running, currently updating my iTunes as I type this in fact. Now, I’m not talking London Marathon preparation but I want to tone up and to be quite honest I really don’t do that much at the moment. My riding has taken a backseat due to exams and the snow so hopefully the CD (101 Running songs – lap 2 if you’re interested) will motivate me to get those legs moving.

A x

Mini Haul

Freezing temperatures and inches of snow, so of course it's the perfect opportunity to venture into my local town to do a bit of shopping. Digging out my car should have been the first clue that it wasn't to be the most successful venture I've had but so far I'm not completely regretting buying anything, yet...

At the moment I've got the Real Techniques Expert Face brush on my wishlist but my local Boots didn't have it in stock. A tad annoying to say the least. I also had several of the No7 vouchers for £3 off make up but nothing grabbed my attention. So off I trundled to the magnificent store that is the Superdrug. At last some enticing products (also liking the new layout of the store)! So on with the products...

 

Up first is Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof  while this hasn't got the little spiky ball that is fab for getting every lash at the end like the Show Off version so far I'm actually liking this mascara. It dries quickly and adds volume although I'm not convinced that it's giving me more length. It's not smudging at all and this means a lot to me, as I can't seem to find one that by the end of the day hasn't ended up giving me panda eyes. I'm not absolutely in love but it's pretty damn good. 

Next up is Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner although I've heard this is a dupe for an Urban Decay 24 hour eyeliner, I don't have the UD one I can't make a comparison. Although I love how easy this slides on and blends it just doesn't stay on my waterline like it has for some people. By lunchtime I have to reapply which is kinda annoying but I'm thinking it will grow on me. But for the most part I think I'll stick with my Maybelline  Studio Master Precise for lining the upper lashline. 

Barry M Blue Moon

And onto the nail polish, I was looking for a pale blue colour from Rimmel but the choices were either too dark or light. However the Barry M section was right there AND they had an offer 2 of their £2.99 polishes for £5 - Bargain. I picked up Blue Moon (called Light Blue online) instantly, it's the perfect light summer sky shade. There was a toss-up between a pale lavender but I decided on Mint Green. Experimenting with Barry M polishes has taught me that you NEED a good base (I like Rimmel Nail Rescue) and a brilliant top coat (Revlon's is pretty good). But above all, you have to paint in multiple thin layers to get a good opaque colour. It takes time and effort but the colour is just so pretty. 

A x