Time to work it #1

                       

   

Now lets talk about fitness.

Let me be honest with you now, real, embarrassingly honest with you...I am lazy, I do not do fitness, unless walking to the fridge and back counts?! The words fitness, workout, run, cardio bring me out in a sweat alone. You know those people who look at the dessert menu before the mains, yeah that's me. I'm in no way overweight but I have put on weight over the past few years to the extend where I'm no longer comfortable or happy with the way I look. I'm not looking to lose stone, just pounds to tone up and become healthier. 

I've tried, oh I've tried many times in fact but these spurts never seem to last. Ill feel pumped and ready to change things around but each time it ends the same way, failing. After much thought I've come to the conclusion I've been going about it all in the wrong way. I've been trying to change everything straight away and put too much pressure on myself only to set myself up for a fail. I need to add things in slowly, set smaller goals and change things I know I can stick to. Instead of cutting out everything bad for me, I'll allow myself to a certain number of treats a week, I won't set unrealistic goals of exercising 6 times a week instead ill make it 3 times a week and increase when I feel ready. 

My ultimate goal is a half marathon. Most of my family have done several over the last few years and I'd really like to prove myself to be just as capable, I know that's the last thing they'd think I could do! 

Beauty, fitness, food all over lap and if we're not looking after ourselves on the inside how do we expect to look our best on the outside? Being healthier will translate in our skin, hair, nails,and body. I know it'll be hard work but I also know in the end it'll be worth it. 

Inspiration and motivation 

1- Instagram, tumblr and blogs

I know there will be those days I won't want to get up and exercise and that's where these girls come in. Your probably all aware of them already but just in case they've slipped through your path these are the girls that inspire and motivate me. 

Lydia Millen from www.lydiaelisemillen.com 

Lydia's Instagram 'LydiaMillen' is full pictures of motivation. Her body is ah-maz-ing and her love of health and fitness really shows. She proves being fit, and having strength is the way forward and that skinny is not the aim. 

Lauren Spearman Instagram 'LaurenSpearman' 

Lauren's results are amazing, her before and after photos are so inspiring to see what can be achieved with hard work and determination. The running updates and pictures she posts almost make me want to get up and go! 

Charlotte from www.writelikenooneswatching.com

I followed Charlotte on her recent 30 day shred journey, knowing that she's a mum and still had time to exercise everyday means there's no excuse for me, who isn't a mum and has no one else to look after!

If you put #health or #fitness into Instagram or tumblr it also comes up with hundreds of inspirational and motivational pictures. Tumblr like Instagram is a great way to find pictures and read people's stories and journeys. I especially like the before and after pictures posted, seeing other people's progress really spurs me on to see how well they have done and know I can do similar. 

2 - Lucy Mecklenburgh

       

    

If you haven't recently seen Lucy's body you must've been hiding under a rock. She's been constantly displayed on the cover of every magazine making us mere mortals feel rubbish about ourselves! Yes she had a great body before but seeing how with good food and exercise her body has changed is so inspirational for me. If I could choose my ultimate, dream body, Lucy's would be it. Slim and toned. 

Throughout this fitness journey ill be adding my motivation and inspiration as it happens to hopefully help inspire and motivate anyone needing an extra hit! Once I find a routine that seems to be working for me I shall let you all know! 

What's your motivation? 

Empties #1

I haven't done an empties post before so thought I'd show you the collection of products I've been stashing away that I'd recently finished using. I really enjoy reading empties posts because it shows the products to their full potential as you know they must've been used for a while! Take a look further to see what I've been loving and disliking....

Marc Jacobs 'Daisy' Perfume

I recently reviewed the 'Oh so fresh Summer' perfume and tried the 'daisy oh so fresh' both which I prefer to this. 'Daisy' is the original scent by Marc Jacobs and also the strongest, most grown up scent in my opinion. I found it to be more of an evening fragrance as I prefer something lighter during the day. Marc Jacobs defiantly got it right with the bottle though, it's so adorable and would compliment any vanity. I wouldn't repurchase this particular scent again but ill be forever repurchasing Marc Jacobs other scents! 

La Roche Posay 'Effeclar Duo' 

This was one of those products blogging/YouTube made me buy. There was so much hype around it earlier this year I had to see what all the fuss was about. I loved the concept of an unclogging, anti imperfection gel as I do suffer from hormonal breakouts but I can't say I really noticed too much difference in using it. I had high hopes from seeing so many great reviews but for me it just didn't work. It didn't break me out or irritate my skin, it didn't do anything. I wouldn't repurchase this particular product but I love other products from the la Roche Posay range. 

Along came Betty 'Say you can scrub me' skin buffer

At mad dash through the supermarket knowing I had a spray tan booked later that evening was the reason for this one. I was originally looking for the Soap and Glory body scrub whilst I love but this slightly cheaper very similar product caught my eye. The packaging has that same retro feel about it as Soap and Glory and a smell that'll sell it to you alone. The consistency is thick and gel like containing blue and white exfoliating beads which once wet lather up to give gentle exfoliation without being too harsh. I'm a big fan of this and would defiantly recommend trying it if you are a fan of Soap and Glory. 

Deodorant 

I know a deodorant isn't the most exciting of things but we've all gotta wear it right? I forgot I hadn't packed any for holiday so this was one of those desperate purchases. This is my favourite type to use but they didn't seem to have the fragrance I prefer, I love the one in a purple bottle, its so yummy for a deodorant! This one has the same formula though so it did the job of keeping me fresh! 

Revlon Photoready foundation in 'Shell' 

I like to have a Photoready foundation in my collection at all times for those days when I want to wear foundation but not use an up an expensive foundation. Do any of you do that?! It offers great build-able coverage, is long lasting and comes in lots of shades. I like that it contains no SPF so you don't get that awful white face from flashback if you happen to have your picture taken. I think this shade is slightly light for me so will pick up a darker shade even though we're coming into winter! 

Korres 'Pomegranate' moisturising cream gel

I've got to admit I had a little squeal when I noticed Korres being sold in Waitrose. I wanted to try a few products from the range and this made it into my basket. The smell like all the Korres products is to die for and the glass bottle gives it that extra luxurious feel. The texture is unlike many moisturisers I've previously tried as its a cream- gel formula which makes it feel super light and non greasy once applied to the skin and absorbs quickly making a great base for foundation. I didn't see other scents in the same formula before, have you seen any? 

Diesel 'Loverdose' Perfume

Similar to the 'Daisy' perfume I found this a very strong scent but one I really liked. I liked to refer to it as my guilty pleasure perfume as it seemed to be marketed towards more of the teenage market although I would describe it as a sexy scent.  If I had to describe it in one word it would be liquorice. The bottle isn't to many taste and the shape makes it hard to stand up but it is unique and I can see why others would like it. I don't think I'd go about buying it for myself again but it may just end up on my Christmas list. 

Bioderma

Oh the infamous Bioderma. I should start by letting you know this was my second bottle and I've already repurchased two as back ups, that how much I rely on this product. I use it every evening to take off my eye make up and over the face as a pre remover before properly cleansing. I've never had any issues with it stinging my eyes and it seems to remove even the most stubborn of mascara. I don't think I could live without it in my routine now but I am interested in trying other similar molecular waters, can you recommend any? 

That's all this month gals, have you tried any of these products mentioned? 

Holiday Haulin' #3- Make Up Forever

       

Post number 3 of my holiday haulin' features two much loved Make Up Forever products. Let me introduce to a repurchase of mine the Smoky Lash mascara and a newbie to me, the Full Cover concealor. I was aware from last year of a Make Up Forever in St.Tropez but still feel felt overwhelmed whilst browsing of what to pick up. I knew I loved the mascara so it seemed only right to pick up another one and I've heard lots of love for the concealer especially recently after seeing Lily and Vivianna pick it up on their trip to New York! 

If I had to pick a HG mascara the Smoky Lash would be it. I find it the perfect balance in formula of not wet and not too dry, ultra black and lasts all day. The formula is thick which works best by using less product and building it up, it gives great length, curl and volume which can built up depending on the look you are going for. I'm a huge fan of big, dramatic lashes which this easily achieves without leaving them looking spidery. I've had no problem with flaking or smudging even though most mascaras do tend to smudge on my upper eyes yet my Bioderma has no problem taking it off. I know Make Up Forever is hard to get hold of in the UK but if you get the chance to try it take it and let me know your thoughts! 

As for the Full Cover Concealer I am so undecided, I want to love this product as I've heard so many good things but I just don't. I have shade 3 which is defiantly too light for me, I can work with it under my eyes but over blemishes is a no go as it just highlights them. This could be the reason it hasn't lived up to its name for me but my issues don't stop there. I find it incredibly difficult to apply as it drys very quickly and makes it impossible to blend without dragging the skin. Warming it up with your finger beforehand may just give you enough time but a brush has no chance. It's essentially a very thick, very full coverage concealer. If you want something that's waterproof and won't budge this is that. I'm used to a very creamy concealor which this is not. There are however a few plus point I must mention. I squeezy tube packaging is great, I love how hygienic it is compared to many concealors with dofa applicators. The Full Cover concealer is expensive but you only need a small amount and a little does go a long way. If I get the chance I would like to try it in a better colour for me to see if my feelings change! 

Any concealers you would recommend me?