Getting a Balance

As you can see above, a lovely cinnamon swirl pastry and a bagel with jam. This was my breakfast a couple of weekends back now. I know this may seem excessive to some but you have to treat yourself sometimes. As most of the time I try to eat as healthily as I can and I work out five to six times a week. I like to treat myself every once in a while (well probably more often than I should, if I ever want to lose my excess uni weight) but I still do. I try not to feel guilty about as lets be honest most of the time I am putting lots of healthy things into my body. And I don't feel like I should deprive myself of something that I like to eat. This is not my normal breakfast, to see what I normally have for breakfast check back on Wednesday for a What I Eat Wednesday. 

This is one of my favourite outfits at the moment. Simple but looks put together. My low cowl neck top is from Asos and although it was a nightmare to get on, it is so soft and warm and looks like you have made a very thoughtful choice. My leggings are from Topshop, they are the extra thick ones and are bit more like trousers as they have a zip up the front and pockets on the back. I love this outfit, but I would like to know whether you think it is suitable for work or not? Let me know. 

See you soon. 

Jess

Fitness February #2

Its Fitness February time again, my favourite time of the week I love chatting about how my week in regards to fitness has gone. This week has not been the best week, due to my parents going on holiday they left me a load of ready meals to have. I know these are the best to eat and I insisted to them that I could cook for myself but they still bought them anyway. I think they forget that I lived on my own for three years sometimes. Anyway.... 

I also went to McDonalds this week I know this is terrible but I thought like I deserved a treat after my parents went on holiday without me. I also have failed in only having one diet coke this week and I have had three. OMG. 

On the positive side of things I have managed to drink two litres plus of water everyday which is actually so good. I used to really struggle with drinking water and when I first started uni I would barely drinking one cup a day. Shocking I know, so I am pretty happy that I can drink two litres now. 

I also have been made quite a healthy lunch of tuna pasta and sweetcorn. And for one of snacks at work I have been eating strawberries and blueberries with yoghurt. I did want some blackberries but no supermarkets seem to be stocking those at the moment. 

So here is my progress picture for this week: 

And here is my workout routine for the week: 

Friday - 
100 High Knees
30 Squat Jumps
3km Run 
3 Minute Abs - Lucy Wyndham-Read

Saturday - 
100 high knees
240 Rep Workout That Tones That Booty - Lucy Wyndham-Read (Three Times. Omg this was a struggle, did this after having a nandos :o) 

Sunday - 
Day Off!

Monday - 
Hiit Workout for Fat Loss - FitnessBlender (This also included a cool down. Omg, this is so deceptive when they explain it at the beginning it sounds easy but be warned, it is not) 
4 Minute Thigh Routine - Lucy Wyndham-Read

Tuesday - 
100 high knees
240 Rep Workput That Tones That Booty - Lucy Wyndham-Read (Three Times. Although I didn't do these literally back to back, I find them okay today :D) 

Wednesday - 
100 high knees
Hiit and Tone All Over - Lucy Wyndham-Read (Was seriouly lacking motivation today but I am so glad that I did this) 
Basic Cool Down Stretches - Lucy Wyndham-Read

Thursday - 
100 high knees
12 Minute Snowbunny Hiit - Lucy Wyndham-Read (Feel like I still need to work on some of these moves, but I have still got a couple of weeks left) 
Cool Down and Full Body Stretch - Fitness Blender

Next week I am going to take a week off, not off exercising but off of blogging about my fitness for the week. I hope you don't mind but I don't want things to get too repetitive around here. 

See you soon. 

Jess
x

Review: The Body Shop Drops of Youth Wonderblur

If you are looking for something to make your make-up last longer then The Body Shop Drops of Wonderblur may be for you. When I seemingly seemed to run out of all my skincare at the same time, I went to The Body Shop and picked up the whole of the Drops of Youth range (well I think all of it anyway). 

Product Description (Taken from The Body Shop website)

This lightweight blur instantly smooths skin texture, visibly reducing fine lines and pores for an even, flawless finish. 

• Smooths the appearance of fine lines
• Flawless finish
• 12-hr hydration
• With Edelweiss stem cells

My Thoughts About It:

This is a clear gel primer which is good due to my oily complexion I don't really like primer that add dewiness as I find that I can't ever mattify it. I wouldn't say that it makes the skin matte I would just say that it primes the skin ready for foundation.  

This is a silicone based primer, which means that if you are using a lot of other silicone products at the same time, for example the rest of the Drops of Youth range then you will have to make sure that it is properly applied to your skin as otherwise it will roll off the skin, this however, is the only negative of the product. 

I find that using this primer my makeup will last a couple of hours longer than if I didn't but that is all I need my makeup to last longer. I don't really need it to last twelve hours. I have tried this at the gym to and if does not last when working out so if you are looking for a primer for the gym this is not the one. 

Would I recommend it?

Yes, but is nothing special. 

What primers would you recommend? Still on the look for the perfect one. 

See you soon. 

Jess

x

Latest Beauty Buys

Now everyone loves a good nosy at what people buy. So I thought I would show you a tiny little haul of things that I have purchased recently. If you follow me on instagram (you can find me here) you will know I have decided to take part in #FugalFebruary so this will hopefully be the last one until at least March. If you want to see any #FrugalFebruary content then please comment and let me know. Now on to the haul.... 

I told you it was teeny tiny. So first up is the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot, this is a repurchase, the last one I had hit pan a long time ago now and I have been meaning to repurchase it so I am glad I finally have. As opposed to a normal powder that provides coverage this is a blotting powder, which just makes sure that oil is kept at bay. It also means that I can apply it as much as I like and it won't cake up on my face. 

Next up is something a little different for me in brand and type of product. I have never bought anything from Miss Sporty before, well I don't think I have. I also don't own anything like this. It is a purple toned eye shadow quad. On the back it says that it is suitable for green eyes, so I don't know if there are different ones for different eye colours but I love experimenting with the colours with this. 

And lastly after coming towards the end of my Lush Christmas Bath Bombs I thought I would treat myself to a new bath bomb. This is Tisty Tosty and I think this might be part of the Valentine's Day range but I am not 100% sure. As I am yet to try it I can't give you any more detail. Sorry. 

So thats the end of my little haul. Let me know what you have bought recently below. 

See you soon. 

Jess
x

Pamper Day

So after a not so stressful week (yes, I meant not so) I decided that I deserved a pamper day I don't know why I felt like I needed this seeing as I have had the least stressful week at work since I have started. I just felt like I needed a little bit of a pick me up. 

So first off I went to the beauticians and got my eyebrows done. This is the first time I ever I got them done and I am so happy with them, I feel like my brows don't take over my face and they actually looked tamed for once in their life. I had threading on the top of my brows and waxing on the bottom. If you are like me and were a bit worried about getting your brows done, do not worry it felt fine and if you don't like the feeling you can always ask them to stop and use a different method. 

Once I came home I felt like further pampering was needed, so I painted my toes in Essie Angora Cardi. Not really winter appropriate but who is looking anyway. I would have painted my toes too, but I am trying to strengthen them before I have gels done so I have just put a clear top coat on them for now. 

Lastly, as part of my pamper day I used two face masks, one was Lush's Mask of Magnaminty (review here) and the second was the Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask, this felt so nice on the skin wish it would have stayed warmer for longer but that is just because I am cold all of the time. It also doesn't try down and make your face feel all tight so is perfect for if you have dehydrated skin. 

After all of this pampering I felt like a bit of a princess and all I needed was a lush bath to top it all off. (Was not in the mood to clean the bath though. On a second note why does no one ever mention the fact that you always have to clean the bath after a lush bath bomb. I have not got time for that.) 

Anyway tell me what you do part of your pamper day in the comments section below. 

See you soon. 

Jess
x

Review: Lush Mask of Magnaminty Self Preserving

So after reading many different reviews about the Mask of Magnaminty by Lush I decided to buy it as some people have rave reviews about it clearing up there acne and this is definitely what I need right now. Although I have tried some skincare from Lush before I don't think I have tried any of their masks. Anway...here is my review: 

This product is a face and body mask, although I have yet to try it as a body mask (but probably should, who wants bacne) as I find it hard to apply it myself to my back without getting it everywhere. I also bought the self-preserving formula as I didn't know if I would be able to use a fresh mask in the time that it says you have to use it within. I think I am right in saying that you have to keep the fresh ones in the fridge but knowing me I would almost certainly forgot I have it. I purchased the 125g version which is £5.75 but there is also a 315g which is £9.95 but I only wanted to buy the small one just in case I didn't like it or didn't get on with it. This is also a product that is suitable for vegans. 

Now on to the actual product, the first thing you'll notice when you open this up is the overwhelming scent of mint, I know this may seem obvious from the name, but I am actually not a big fan of mint flavoured things, but I will let it slide if I really like a product. 

Now on to the ingredients, I am actually extremely fussy with which ingredients I will put on my skin, even with Lush products. I have one too many bad experiences to not afford to look at the ingredients. My main ingredient that I tend to avoid is perfumes, I have had some horrible outbreaks from them. And although this product does contain perfume it is the second to last ingredient and so is not very concentrated. The last one I tried it was in the top five ingredients. 

The top ingredient is honey which is antiseptic, next is kaolin which is a type of clay deeply cleanses and draws out any impurities. And the third ingredient is Bentonite Gel which deeply cleanses and gently tones the skin. 

I have used this mask a couple of times now on my face. All I do is cleanse my skin, dry it with towel and then apply the mask. Leave it for five to ten minutes (or if you are me the length of a YouTube video) and then wash it off with a flannel. 

When you are applying this to the skin you will notice that there are little exfoliating beads inside of it which are evening primrose seeds and aduki beans which helps to exfoliate the skin whilst you are taking it off. I applied quite a thin layer to my skin as I did not want to try it out too much. Just to warn you too, this mask is a little messy. 

One thing I found that with taking the mask off is that it actually left my skin rather red, although it felt great. I think as I usually use an acid toner instead of a manual exfoliator my skin is not used to the abrasiveness of it. It did however bring some of spots to a head which is a good thing. I will have to see if with repetitive use whether it gets rid of them completely like some people claim it does or just keeps bringing spots up. 

All in all, I have not made my mind up on this yet, I am going to carry on using it and will have to get back to you on whether my skin has improved or not. 

See you soon. 

Jess
x

Fitness February #1

So I know I have already put up a fitness post this week, but I like to put up what workouts I am doing as it makes me more accountable. This week was the start of Lucy's February workout and what I can say is it has definitely stepped up a gear. Doing the workout on Monday three times in a row was a scary prospect but I felt so good after doing it. 

This month Lucy has also put up a three day meal plan and although I will not be following it exactly it is a good idea to think of some new recipe ideas, and also to know how often you should be eating. Will definitely be including a morning snack now too.  

Now this week I though I would try something new I decided to make a carrot and lentil soup, it looked so nice in the recipe so as I scoured the shelves of Asda to find some lentils to make it. Again, I don't know what it is about this soup but I just didn't like it. Even though I have lentil curry before and I have liked that. Next week I think I am going to try my hand at a salad. 

I have also managed to carry on having my fruit salad this week and I have actually started to enjoy preparing it. I have included: pear, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, kiwis and cinnamon and I have actually been really looking forward to eating it.  

So here is my workout routine for last week. I tried a new youtuber this week Jessica Smith Tv and they were so good, very fast and high based and you can really feel the burn. 

Friday - 
100 high knees
Exercise To Lose Weight Fast At Home - JessicaSmithTv (I have never done any workouts by Jessica before but this one went so quickly and is perfect if you don't want to do really high impact cardio) 
6 Minute Thigh Hiit Workout - Lucy Wyndham-Read
Some of my own stretches 

Saturday - 
100 high knees
Kickboxing Cardio For Weight Loss! - PsycheTruth (This included a cool down, if I am being completely honest I didn't really like this workout I found it boring and not that hard so I don't think there will be many benefits for me) 

Sunday - 
Day Off! :D 

Monday - 
100 high knees
240 Rep Workout That Tones That Booty - Lucy Wyndham-Read (Three Times! Was actually really scared about doing this as I thought it would be too intense, although I feel like I have had a good workout I don't feel like I have that I have literally no energy left afterwards) 

Tuesday - 
100 high knees
20-Minute Belly Fat Blasting Cardio Ab Workout - JessicaSmithTv (Wow! This was intense for such a short video, especially those lunges I could definitely feel the burn. This also had a cool down too.) 

Wednesday - 
100 high knees
Hiit and Tone All Over - Lucy Wyndham Read (Wow this is definetly fast, can't wait to try and improve my stamina on this) 
Basic Cool Down Stretches - Lucy Wyndham Read


Thursday - 
100 high knees
12 Minute Snowbunny Hiit - Lucy Wyndham-Read
Get Your Scorpion - PsycheTruth (Although I have never been able to a scorpion, I have come very close, I think I am naturally a bit more flexible, one day I would love to get it so stretching the right muscles is always good) 

See you soon. 

Jess
x

Zoella Beauty: Kissy Missy Lip Balm Review

Some I know this may come as a shock to you, especially hardcore dedictaed YouTube fans, this is the first Zoella beauty product I have ever tried, although I was intrigued by the line when it came out I didn't actually go and purchase anything, mostly due to the swarms of young girls in front of the counter, but one weekend just before Christmas I was feeling spendy so I bought this along with a couple of other things including the Tanya Burr Nail Polish in Duvet Day. 

Although I haven't heard a lot about this product beforehand I didn't really mind with a small price tag of £3 it wasn't going to break the bank. The packaging I must say is adorable although kind of appeals to a younger audience, I mean it doesn't look the most sophisticated when you are getting it out of your work bag. 

This lip balm is part of the Tutti Frutti Collection, when I saw Zoella explaining it on her channel I imagined it to smell similar to the Estee Lauder Bronze Godess perfume, I don't know why I just did. Just to warn you, it doesn't. I don't really know what it smells of but I am not the biggest fan.

Now on to the actual lip balm, when I applied this to the lips it didn't feel very moisturising, it almost felt a bit greasy on the lips. Although I do have to admit it does give a good colour, so if you are looking for a lip gloss, this may be for you. For me personally, however, when I am applying a lip balm I want my lips to feel extra nourished and not greasy and chapped. 

I weary to give this a bad review, as Zoella is one of my idols and I have been following her for six years now. (I think). But this product is just not for me. 

See you soon. 

Jess
x 

Getting Fit in 2016

So this week I am stepping up my Instagram and Pinterest game, if you want to follow me, my links are in the side bar and direct links here and here. Although I am not really sure on how to use Pinterest very well, so if you have any advice or blogposts about it please leave it in the comments section for me to read. Today I wanted to show you an outfit that I wore to work, with much discussion with my friend - Jessica The Northener  we decided that not many people post about clothes that they wear to work, if you do please leave your link below. In this I am wearing a green wrap over  bodycon dress from Topshop and black Chelsea boots, similar here. I realise this is not the most fashionable of outfits but it is quick to put together and comfortable to wear in the office. 

As you will know I have been trying to workout five to six times a week as part of wanting to get fit again in 2016. At the moment due to work commitments I find it easier to workout in the evenings on a weekday. My favourite time to workout is in the morning so on a Saturday if I haven't been too lazy I will work out in the morning. I feel a lot more energised this way, but if I did this during the week I would have to wake up around 5 and that is way too early for me. I am following Lucy's fitness plan and I love it as it never takes me longer than twenty minutes to complete the workout, which is good when you are trying to fit in so much after work. Having to transform my bedroom into a gym isn't easy, and so far all I do is put on some music, (if you have any speaker suggestions, please leave them below) I also need to invest in a mat, which sort would you recommend, a particular amount of mm? I find that HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) is the best sort for me, I have a problem with getting bored of the workouts too easily and these aren't long enough for me to get bored, it is easy to fit into my schedule, you burn more fat and you'll build a healthier heart. I'd highly recommend doing a Hiit workout as you don't have to join a gym, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home. I know I always link her in my Fitness Friday posts, but Lucy's channel has loads of videos you can try out here and she also has a workout calender for beginners and intermediates, I am doing the intermediate one at the moment. I would highly recommend. 

Hope you are going to get fit with me in 2016!

See you soon!

Jess

x