Learning to LOVE your body!

Last Saturday a bunch of the girls came over to get ready for a birthday night out. We had a few drinks and a giggle whilst getting glammed up

I had a look around the room as we got ready, the carpet had become a sea of make-up, hair extensions, fake tan, false lashes, high heels, and push-up bras.

I couldn't help but wonder

'How much was for vanity and how much was to hide insecurities?'

**Cue my favourite TLC song - Unpretty**

It's no secret that almost everyone has body hang ups some maybe just 1 or 2 and others who will struggle to find 1 or 2 things they genuinely like about themselves.

The first time I can remember ever feeling self conscious about a body part was in nursery school, the teacher asked the class to hold hands and make a circle...No-one held my hand.

I was 4 years old!!!!

I'm not saying the kids in my class were mean, I had pretty bad eczema on my hands. The skin was very dry and broken and often bleeding from me scratching, I guess they were scared they'd catch it too!

I prayed to God every night to give me soft skin, my sister prayed every night for starving children in Africa and I honestly thought my hands were more important!!!!

By the time I was 7 my eczema was gone with just the occasional flare up.

Happy Days :D until High School that is...

The teenage years is definitely when we really learn what we DISLIKE about our bodies.

Bullies, friends, hormones, and celebrity images (which are always digitally enhanced to perfection) are few of many factors which affect how you feel about yourself at this stage in life.

I know girls who wouldn't go out, self harmed or had eating disorders because they hated they way they looked.

Thinking back on myself I see an awkwardly shy, teenager, with huge thick glasses, coarse frizzy hair, below average height and waif like figure, a girl who hated everything about her body so much so that she would barely look in a mirror I'm so glad I'm not that girl anymore, or am I?

I'm still shy (because years of low self confidence has lifetime effects) and today if I want to look good I wear make-up to hide any flaws in my skin, fake tan because I'm too pale, high heels because I'm too short, false lashes to hide my hooded eyes, padded bras because my boobs are too small the list is endless and I know I'm not alone.

Well that's more than enough negativity for one blog post, don't you think...

I may not love my body yet but I am learning to and thankfully I have learned that there are more important things in life, I now know that no-one else even notices the 'flaws', that I can't change my height so I can accept it, that I can change that extra weight that's annoying me and for sure I know there is no such thing as perfection and everyone is beautiful!!!

Advice to my teenage self:

Don't worry about ANYTHING especially how you look because you'll look back when your almost 30 and wish you still looked like that!!

Spread the LOVE for your body, leave a comment saying 1 or more things you LIKE or LOVE about your body and what advice you would give your teenage self about body image?

(we think we know everything as teens but really we need all the advice we can get!!)

Keep Smiling :D you are beautiful after all

Xx

What I'm up to Saturday!

Hey Lovelies, what have you all been up to this week?
I've been...


READING

I haven't done much running for over a year and I'm determined to get back into it (I mentioned in my New Year Resolution post I'd like to do a run for charity) so I've been reading some running blogs, which led me to these lovely blogs...

 Toronto Runner - I love her blog she shares her progress and anything she learns about running (and cute outfits too)

Fizzy Peaches - she is running a half marathon for Cystic Fibrosis tomorrow and has used her fab blog to update us on her training!

GOOD LUCK LYNDSAY!!!

 

LISTENING

Ladies, he's bringing sexy back...

LOVING

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum - Gel Foundation

My sister bought this and didn't like it so I thought I'd give it a try and well I love it!

The packaging is nice for a high street foundation, a slim glass bottle with an easy to use pump application.

It can feel a little tacky on the skin when first applied but once it sets it feels like you have no

foundation on at all, you're skin can breathe.

 

It's a light coverage which I always go for and the colour has a yellow tone that works well with my colouring.

It smells really nice.

It claims to last 16hrs, I've not had any reason to wear make-up for that long, however I was still happy with it after 6-8 hours.

**Notes:

My skin has been in good condition while I've been using it so I'm not sure how it will work when I have dry patches or redness.

I do not wear foundation everyday, 1-2 days per week on average.

....Also loving

I've been to the cinema twice this week (excessive but I love movies) and have become obsessed with the Tango Ice Blast drinks you get there, however my calorie counting, work colleague informed me there are 257 calories in a regular serving

:(

NOT LOVING

How quickly the weeks are passing, 2013 slow the heck down!!!

 

WISHING

I hadn't given up chocolate for lent!!!

Only 3 days in and craving is an understatement...only 43 sleeps to go! Ha

 

THINKING

5 years, wow!

I'm not big on Valentine Day but its also a dating anniversary for my boyfriend and I. This year was 5 years together, quickest 5 years ever!!!!

FEELING

Happy! Just because.

WEIGHING

Weigh-in, Tuesday (12th Feb)

-1lb • Another 1lb off this week, I know it's not much but I'm totally happy with that!

Excercise:

3 Metafit classes (High Intensity Interval Training)

1 circuits class (cardio, toning and weight training)

I still need to work on my sweet tooth and must drink more water.

 

 

WANTING

Although it is still cold here we had some blue skies and sunshine yesterday, having to wear sunglasses to drive made it feel like it was summer.

I'm on the lookout for some nice sunglasses for the summer, I really like these blue mirrored aviators by Victoria Beckham

Unfortunately my sunglasses budget is significantly lower than £305 these days as any expensive ones I've had ended up lost or squashed by my butt!

WEARING

Right now I'm in Yoga Pants but here's what I wore to my Valentine Date...

 

 

and thats all for this week, I hope you all had a lovely Valentine Day and are having a great weekend!

 

Keep Smiling :D

A fashion post?...

Hi lovelies

 

I hope you've all had a fantastic weekend!

 

I had a very quiet weekend here's what I wore...

 

SATURDAY: Work

Black/grey polka dot jersey dress - USC

Black tights - Primark

Black bow ballerina flats - Primark

 

I normally only work Monday to Friday occasionally I have to come in on a Saturday if we have deadlines approaching.

I usually wear heels but my legs were a little sore after a circuits class on Friday night :(  

 

 

 

SATURDAY EVENING: Cinema Date

Nude pink cropped sweater, embellished shoulders - Miss Selfridge

Navy Blue skinny jeans - Miss Selfridge

Nude platform pumps - KG

 watch - Michael Kors

 

I am a movie buff, I love going to the cinema.  Although I'm not a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino I really wanted to see Django Unchained (I am a huge fan of Jamie Foxx)

I loved it, the other half hated it (we couldn't be more opposites if we tried)

 

 

 

SUNDAY: Shopping/Lunch

White/grey lip pattern T-shirt - River Island

Grey high-waisted skinny jeans - Topshop

Black pointed pumps - Office

watch - Michael Kors

 

My sister and I went out for lunch then put the last of our christmas gift cards to use.

 

Outfit posts aren't usually my thing (I'm sure you can tell by the awkward posing and unattractive backdrop) but I love seeing them on other blogs, let me know what you think?

 

Happy Monday!

 

Keep Smiling :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I'm up to Friday?!?

Hey lovelies,

I really can't believe we are a week into February, already!!!

Time for another catch up :)

READING

I'm am really enjoying Charlaine Harris' Harper Connolly series (mentioned last catch up) I have just finished the first book Grave Sight and can't wait to start the next one

LISTENING

It's been all Beyoncè, Beyoncè, Beyoncè (and some Destinys Child) this week!

Did you see the Superbowl? I tried to stay awake to watch but when it was delayed I gave up, however I did watch the half time show at least 5 times on Monday, she is INCREDIBLE!!!

I'm also loving the O2 Priority/The Mrs Carter Show TV ad (really want to get tickets!!!)

Source : Google Images

Speaking of TV ad's who's seen the new David Beckham H&M underwear commercial?...it certainly got my heart rate up ;)

Source : Google Images

Ok now I'll stop rambling and get on with the catch up!!)

LOVING

Benefit - They're Real

My new 'go to mascara' I have long eyelashes but they are super straight and not as full as i would like.

I have to mess around with eyelash curlers normally but not with this stuff.

It lengthens, thickens and curls for me!

 

 

NOT LOVING

I have nothing to add here this week, February is the month of love afterall!

WISHING

Without wishing my life away I really wish it was summer, I NEED some sunshine!

Dreaming of flip flops, sunglasses, sand and sea

FEELING

Great!! I was ill last week and the last few days I wasn't quite 100%, I am now back to full health :)

WEIGHING

**I missed a weigh-in Tuesday(29th Jan)

Done NO working out at all last week except on Friday (which I must confess was a half hearted effort as I still wasn't feeling great)

Weigh-in, Tuesday(5th Feb)

-1lb •The scale finally changed!!

Ironically it dropped after I had a whole week off the gym!?!? What?!?

I also lost some more inches

-2 from bust

-1 from waist

-1.5 from tummy

-2 from hips

No change on butt and thighs

Toning classes are working, I just need to work on my diet I'm doing okay but not great, I still haven't learned to say no to chocolate!!!

WANTING

As well as tickets to see Beyoncè on tour, I stumbled across these McQ by Alexander McQueen printed leggings on Net-a-Porter and yes I fell in love...sigh

Source : Net-A-Porter iPhone App

 

WEARING

Gym wear, not a good look :\

Hope your all having a great week

Keep smiling :D

Smile... even when it's raining

Hello Lovelies

Last week I was feeling poorly, I haven't done my catch up post, my weigh in and I only made it to the gym on Friday for the first time all week!!

I thought I would share with you a few things that have made me smile (even though I was feeling miserable) the past week...

My mum bought me these cheeky little cooking utensils.

A random gift I agree but she said she saw them and thought of me....hmmm

I may have mentioned before that my dads family are farmers and look what we got on the farm this week.

I've not seen them yet :( my sister sent me the pictures to cheer me up :)

Pop icon I'm addicted to this game

I don't really play games on my phone often but when I find one I like I'll play it constantly for about a week, then I'm over it!!

My friends baby girls cute onesie

Adorable

And of course my boyfriend who has been looking after me :)

Hope you all had a great weekend

Keep Smiling :D

Life begins at 40...then why does it end at 29?

Before I begin, apologies if this is long winded and boring, if you are a young pup, it probably will be!!

Hello Lovelies,

I have just come from a catch up with my 3 best friends from High School (affectionately known as The Yummy Mummy's).

Tonight our usual light hearted chit chat about what's been happening in our lives this month turned ugly as we started to discuss our approaching birthdays...our 30th birthdays!

Lyns called it her, BIG 3-Ohhh (which she whispered)
Kim called it her, 21 plus 9!
Gem well apparently it's her 5th, 25th!!

See what they done there, they've turned 30 into Voldemort - "We do not speak his name"

These girls have given birth 5 times between them and are terrified of being 30 years old! I just don't get it!?

They proceeded to show me what happens when you Google search 'turning 30', basically you are provided with several lists titled...

'Things to do before you turn 30'

We read through a few of them, to find out what exact 'things' we can do now age 29 but won't be able to after our birthdays, most of them had similar items

Get married
Run a marathon
Have a baby
Visit Australia
Buy a house
Swim with dolphins
Be where you want to be in your career
Go clubbing in Ibiza
Bungee jump/sky dive
Get a six pack
Kiss a stranger

....to name a few.
I'm pretty sure all of the above can be done after 30.
These are Bucket Lists, Right?!
Why do people feel the need to live their whole lives in just 30 years?

Next Gem produced a copy of Grazia magazine,
'Look we even have to dress differently after our birthdays!'
The glossy pages showed some pieces a stylist had pulled together for different day, office and evening looks, the categories...

20's, 30's and 40's

Ok so apparently our skirts need to be a little longer, necklines slightly higher and colour choices toned down but what about the poor people turning 50 this year, have they just to go around naked?

Do I have to ditch my favourite sweater?

 

I'm not sure if it is fear of being old, or not having achieved what you had planned or is it just a girl thing and its that damn body clock telling us to panic...

I can remember my dads 30th birthday, I was 8 years old and I thought he was ANCIENT!!!! At that time I also thought that when I was 30 I would be married to Bruce Wayne (hey, he's rich and lets be honest Batman IS the best superhero) have 6 kids (3 boys and 3 girls), work in a post office (I wanted a job where I could use a rubber stamper) and live in a pink house with 4 levels by the beach, it didn't happen, it wasn't the end of the world!

I'm not married, I don't have any children, I don't have my dream job (because it turned out to be hell, but that's a whole other blog post) I haven't travelled all over the globe and I don't have plan for my life!
I'm still super happy!


So I eventually turned the 'OMG I'm 30' freak out around and now have my favourite Yummy Mummy's looking forward to celebrating their birthdays, saying goodbye to their 20's and welcoming in a brand new decade/chapter!

I think this is what cheered them up most, some hot celeb ladies who will also be celebrating 30th birthdays this year...

Cheryl Cole

Jamie Chung

Carrie Underwood

Miranda Kerr

 

 

Mila Kunis

Pippa Middleton

Emily Blunt

Kate Bosworth

I wonder if any of them are freaking at 30?

So lovelies, I'm not scared of 30, I'm actually super excited... I'm going to Vegas!!!

I'm pretty sure I'm still going to love One Direction, all the MTV shows (Teen Mom, super sweet 16 etc), I'm still going to wear short skirts and bikinis, go to clubs, watch Disney and Harry Potter movies to death and be obsessed with pink and sparkles!

We got the place all pretty to say farewell to the BF's 20's

My boyfriend turned 30 last year (which he survived, with no more than a hangover) so when I came home I asked him
'Has anything changed for you since you turned 30?'

He replied 'Hmmm not really, I have noticed one of my eyebrow hairs grows really long now!'

There you have it people nothing changes well nothing Tweezerman can't sort out!!!


However if you can think of ANYTHING that I really shouldn't do after 30, please let me know as only I have 6 months left... ;)

I'm off now to watch Friends - The One Where They All Turn 30 :)

Have a fab weekend

Keep Smiling :D