Fight the Fever!

Hay fever - It's not pretty it's not fun and it gets in the way of my summer! Itchy, squinty eyes and a runny nose has become the look of the season for me, and I'm not sure I'm pulling it off.

For the next few months it's festival time, and after buying myself a ticket for one of our countries wonderful weekend parties, I have to start getting myself prepared for life in a pollen filled field.

I'm looking to combat all the symptoms as best as I can! I want my eyes to be sparkling, not red and irritated, and I don't want to be blowing my nose every 6 seconds. It's not winter!

So I've made a list of my best weapons for battling hay fever.

• Optrex soothing eye drops - so I stop smudging my makeup by itching my eyes!
• Boots irritated eye mist - to refresh dull, dry eyes so I look and feel more awake!
• Prevalin allergy spray - to tackle all the tedious itching!
• Covonia vapour drops - so I can breathe properly again!
• Hayfever and allergy relief tablets - for all the other annoying symptoms :)

If you're like me and you want to look your best but you're being oppressed by the inconvenience of seasonal allergies, try some of these!

Fitness fix! (The beginning)

My friend text me this morning to let me know it was one year ago today when we went away on holiday. Needless to say this made me feel kind of sad. I started looking through our holiday pics when I realised how ridiculously out of shape I've become. Last year I was so proud of myself. I stuck to a really healthy diet and exercised everyday as much as I could.

It occurred to me that with no body flashing plans for the recent future I've sort of let myself go a little. I say a little but to put that in to perspective I've been chomping down treats faster than my big fat greedy dog. Polishing off bags of cookies, trays of donuts and more crisp sandwiches than I can count, I've become a walking advert for how not to live your life. Not only that but my exercise regime has completely dissolved. I feel like I'm knocking on the door of a heart attack every time I walk up the stairs, so I've decided its time to get healthy!

I've whipped out a few tools to help me along the way. I'm strapping on my Bodi-Tek ab belt, and stepping up to the vibroplates. Obviously I'm making HUGE changes to my diet, and I'll be taking my dog out with me for some long walks in the sunshine. It's time to get motivated and stay motivated.

I'm so pleased with how my days gone today. It's been a great start to rekindling last years sexy summer tum. Plus I already feel like I've got lots more energy after not stuffing my face with a chocolate breakfast and spending one session wobbling on those vibroplates.

Thanks to good old fashioned diet and exercise. Because it's important all year round, not just before you go on holiday!

Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak

Just over a month ago me and my sister were lucky enough to be treated to a day of pampering and relaxation at the Eden Hall Spa, courtesy of our super amazing mum. All three of us spent the day indulging in all the fantastic facilities at the spa; soaking away in the out door hot tub and cleansing our tired skin in the aromatic steam rooms. It was the perfect treat!

Unfortunately the time eventually comes when you have to leave the spa behind and venture back into reality. So to soften the transition from luxury to ordinary life, we decided to take a little bit of that luxury home with us, by purchasing a bottle of Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak.

Bath's are one of my favourite ways of revitalising my body to help me feel fresh and renewed. After spending the day with my nieces yesterday I was feeling pretty worn out, so when the evening came around I took the opportunity to sneak away with a glass of wine and a magazine, and got ready for some tranquil time out in the tub.

I hadn't yet tried the Elemis Super Soak so I thought it was a good time to reminisce on that peaceful day at the spa. It turned out to be a pretty brilliant idea. The soak created a wealth of intense aromatic odours, that helped to relax my senses and soothe my body. All of my joints and my muscles felt at ease and were comforted by the delicate formula. Feather soft bubbles from the soak bounced around the bath with me, softening my skin and giving it a rejuvenated shine. It was a really great way to unwind after a day of messiness and screaming children.

Thanks Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak for helping me to recharge!

A little light reading

Beautiful Summer Nails!

The English summer is filled with murky skies and far too many spouts of rain, and honestly there's no way of painting it pretty. Yes the sun occasionally peaks from behind the clouds to blanket us with its warmth, but more often than not I'm stuck with a day like today where things are looking, well, just a little bit grim.

It's easy to let the lack of summer sun get me down. I'm the kind of person who lives for those days spent basking under the sweet sunshine. But unfortunately for me, this year I'm struggling to find the funds for one of those wonderful escapes they call a beach holiday. It's just not feasible to rely on this fine country's weather conditions to make me feel cheerful this summer and without anything planned I'll just have to make the most of what I've got here. 

So lets get colourful! Bright colours, beautiful patterns and bold statement accessories are here to save people like me from weather related sadness this year. They're ideal for getting us in the mood for summer time loveliness without the need for a few lousy (but admittedly very much wanted) rays. And what better way to combine these great tools than to decorate those claws in as many fun, creative combinations as possible?

No I don't paint mine myself, but with the help of my dearest and most favourite nail technician at my local salon, I get to have lots of fun flashing off some brilliant designs. If you have the skills and patience to do your own, its time to get creative with bright and beautiful nails. Personally I love to visit the salon and be treated with the non-chip awesome-ness of gel polish. Whatever your preference, beat the grey days of summer with stand out nails!

Thanks as always to Megan at Pretty Chic in Darton for gorgeous nails!

Wella Professionals Luxe Oil

Like most women I often find myself fighting a losing battle with my hair. My problem is that my hair is too thick and I have far too much of it. Styling it becomes sweaty work and kind of pointless considering the weight of it all pulls the whole thing back down to default mode i.e the frizz bomb.

Nonetheless I believe it's important to be thank full for what you've got, so I do my best to take care of my hair. Yes so I'm no angel when it comes to nurturing my locks. They've suffered through endless colours, intense heat and tight dos, but I also spend lots of time conditioning and repairing. Secretly I suppose I love my hair, I just wish I could make it do as it was told.

There's lots of products out there that claim to tame your mane, but sifting through the ones that will work for you is expensive work. The important thing is to try your best to keep your hair healthy, and its natural beauty will shine through, no matter what your hair type.

After a conversation with my lovely hair dresser about dull, dry hair, he recommended I bought a bottle of Luxe Oil. At first I'm thinking, oil = greasy, this stuff is just going to make my hair feel heavy and sticky. But the second I actually worked the oil through my hair all those doubts melted away (kind of literally). The product made my hair feel light and soft, adding instant nourishment to all my split ends and heat fried fibers.

On the bottle it's described as a 'Reconstructive Elixir', but I like to call it my hairs magic potion. I'm pretty sure these mean the same thing, but my point is this product is great. It will do wonders for your do!

Thanks Wella Professionals Luxe Oil for nourishing my hair and giving it a healthy shine!

Compliments and Confidence

Primping pampering and posing are all lots of fun. Putting on my makeup in different combinations, styling my hair when i'm just going to be sitting around the house all day and trying on different outfits is kind of my hobby. But when someone actually compliments me out and about as a result of a particular product i've been using or something I've been wearing it feels amazing. So here are 3 reasonably priced items that have warranted me some second looks recently...

NYC color wheel pink cheek glow - This cute little colour wheel was a bit of a rush buy. Having just run out of a very expensive teeny tiny pot of blusher I wondered into Superdrug before work and picked up this little god send. At only £3.99 it was a friggin' steal! Turns out it's longer lasting and has a much nicer colour to it than what I was perviously using. So much so that a friend of mine has fallen in love with it. When I left it at her house a couple of weeks ago I think she was hoping I wasn't coming back for it. All the colours in the mosaic work really well together to give your cheeks a beautiful pink glow. It's so sweet I love it!

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Body Oil - Silky smooth skin is at the heart of beauty for me. Nothing makes me feel more vibrant than luxurious looking skin, so naturally I love to take some time out to moisturise. Unfortunately there's not always time spare to sit drying in my pants while I wait for a lavish cream to soak in to my skin (even though I secretly love it). That's where this little beauty came in. I just drizzle it all over my skin straight out of the shower, and loosely rub it in. It's easier to use than a cream because I don't need to be as precise. The oil helps my skin absorb the moisture AND dry my skin from the shower. It's a win win. Plus since I've been using it I've had loads of comments about how soft my skin looks. Jealous? Go for oil!

My Watch! - Not a specific product I know, but this was last years fantastic birthday buy from my genius sister. It's kind of plastic and I lost one of the crystals a few months back, but this little baby's given me so many compliments. Or at least my wrist. A stand out watch is a definite must have accessory for everyone. It adds that extra bit of detail to all your outfits, like brightly coloured shoes or the right jewellery. A good watch can turn your wrist into a flame and the public into impressed moths. And it doesn't have to be take out a loan expensive either. We all know there's some irresistible bank breaking ones out there but there's also some awesome purse friendly ones that can be just as effective in giving your outfit some extra shine. Check out River Island for crystals, gold and perfect prints.

Lady GaGa Fame perfume

Spritz spritz! I love this perfume. The smell is so sweet and unique. I like to change perfumes a lot so I don't smell the same all year round but I'm finding it hard to part with this one.

It comes as a super cool futuristic looking bottle with an ominous black liquid inside! That's pretty much what made me want it in the first place. And then I got hooked on the smell. It's gorgeously elegant for night time but lovely and soft for the day! And i'm thinking perfect for this summer.

Thanks lady gaga for making a bottle of sexy sweet scent!

Cross Body Bag by Pieces

Today I want to show some appreciation for something a little bit different from in my previous posts. Im talking about the importance of pretty accessories! In particular, a cute cross body bag by Pieces. I saw this on the ASOS website not long ago and decided it was an absolute necessity for my wardrobe. So i'll explain why...

Now usually i'm a huge fan of, well huge bags. I've never in my life packed lightly for anything, and that includes shopping trips and cinema visits. You never know what you're gonna need with you once you've left the comfort of your own home and I enjoy living by that rule. It means i'm never caught without my makeup or an extra jacket or an umbrella or an extra pair of shoes... Living like this in the week is fine but it turns out it's totally incompatible with my weekends. This is the time for getting dressed up in cute crop tops and printed leggings with my friends and going out for a dance!

For a long time i'd been that annoying person who'd put things in her friends bags or keep her money in the boys pockets. Not only is this annoying for my friends but I had trouble keeping track of where all my things where so I decided I needed my own bag. But i'm not a fan of taking a bag out to clubs with me, I feel like it gets in the way, but I don't want to put it down because it might get stolen. Its a hassle!

So this was my decision process. I don't want a one shoulder bag like a handbag or a tote because this is restrictive to my movement and causes lots of crowd blockages. And you can forget about a clutch, because if you're out then your hands should only ever be filled with either a drink or the firm hind of a delicious man (yes I mean hind not hand). So really that only leaves a cross body bag.

I was still skeptical when I started my cross body bad search. I didn't want anything too bulky, but I didn't want it to be so small that it was pretty much pointless. I started looking on ASOS because its easy to make a refined search and I LOVE getting my clothes from there.

I found this pretty sweet leather look bag by Pieces. I thought black would be a good colour because it won't stain easy if people spill there drinks on me and it should match most outfits. Also I really liked the extra long tassels on the zips, I thought this made it look more fun.

I took the bag out with me on its maiden voyage one weekend with my friends and I absolutely fell in love. What have I been doing not taking a bag out with me all this time!? It turned out to be the ideal bag for dancing, drinking and free hand flirting. No restrictions and just enough space for money, cards, phone and a tiny bit of make up. And sometimes my cardigan.

Anyway now i'm obsessed and I need more bags like this. In lots of different colours! And shapes. Its exciting.

So thanks Pieces cross body bag! For helping me to look great and keep my stuff safe in the club :)

Pretty pink and blue!

Thank you Megan @pretty chic, darton!

Burt's Bee's deep cleansing balm

This morning I'm a little bit sad because I've just used the last of my Burt's Bee's cleansing balm. So I thought that's what I should write about today.

It was my birthday last month and my lovely sister bought me a Burt's Bee's head to toe kit. Now I've always seen Burt's Bee's products when I've been shopping and occasionally dotted around my sisters house, but I've never actually got round to buying my own and using them, so this was a first time for me.

Little pampering kits are my ideal birthday presents! I get really excited and start using everything as soon as I can. I'm not the kind of person to save stuff for special occasions or anything. So as soon as I had the chance I stripped down to my pj's, tied up my hair and prepared for some pampering.

Everything in the kit is so lovely and I'm slowly working my way through these little samples, but my favourite thing was the cleansing balm. I think I've become a little bit addicted to the smell - it is amazing! So sweet like sugar but the chamomile makes it really soothing and relaxing.

After I used the product to wash my face my skin felt lovely and that type of clean that's a little bit tingly. There's no exfoliants in the balm, and usually I like to give my face a good scrub, but I was pretty happy with the results on their own.

My skin's felt really lovely and even since I started using it, and this morning I'm gutted it's all gone. I've made a note to buy some more in a real sized tube!

So thanks Burt's Bee's for making a delicious smelling cleansing balm that makes me feel gorgeous
(and thanks to my sister too...)

Benefit Porefessional

This is currently my favourite item in my make up bag! I've used a lot of primers in the past and found it either made my skin feel super greasy or made pretty much no difference and was therefore a pointless addition to my makeup routine.

So I was talking to this Benefit rep and I mentioned I needed something that would help my makeup stay put while making my skin look smooth and even. SMOOTH AND EVEN! Products say this all the time. I bet its the most used phrase in all skin products. So usually when I'm recommended something that promises this I'm a bit skeptical. However it only took one smoothing sample on the back of my hand and I was sold.

Next thing I know I'm driving home thinking "did I really just spend nearly £25 on one tube of primer?", but then again it's not that out of character, I was just hoping it was worth all that dollar that I don't really have.

IT DEFINITELY IS! I love Benefit Porefessional. This product has my full support in using the words smooth and even to promote itself. I'm so happy with the way it makes my skin look, not to mention the way it feels. It's like a cream silk that magically fuses itself with your skin to make it look its best. Not that you have to wear foundation with it, but if you want to it will make it last soo much longer. Which is extra handy for messy nights out! Plus the one tube which I spent nearly £25 on hasn't seemed to go down much since I bought it around 6 weeks ago. Money well spent I'd say.

So today I want to thank Benefit for making my skin feel beautiful! :)