Monthly Archives: July 2017

Ensure You Are Photo Ready*

07th July 2017

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It always feels like people are always snapping photos nowadays. They can’t wait to get their phone out to get some pictures- after all, they can then share them on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to share with their family and friends in an instant. However a lot of people feel they aren’t photogenic and they look back at the photos with regret. Here are some ways you can make sure you are always ready for your photo to be taken- make sure you are always photo ready.

Ensure your makeup is always on pointIt’s never good to be caught makeup free when it comes to photos. After all, you might have to live with these photos on social media for years to come!If you’re not a fan of your natural look this thought can make you shudder in horror. Therefore, before meeting up with friends and family always ensure you put on makeup. Go for your favourite tried and tested makeup look that you wear every day, and if you have an idea some pictures will be taken you then it isn’t the time to go there with a new look- you might live to regret it when you see the photos. And it’s always a good idea to keep makeup in your bag so you can redo it during the time out. That way, you can ensure you look glamorous when the photo is taken! After all, smeared makeup is never a good look!

Practice your pose at home

It can lead us to panic when our friend or family member says smile- after all, we don’t know how to make our face look on point for the photo in an instant. This can mean we pull an expression which is a bit crazy. In fact we can often start cringing when we look back at the pictures! Therefore, to ensure you are photo ready you should practice your best smile while you are at home. Look in the mirror and try different smiles. After all, we never really know how it’s going to look until we have tried it. So give different smiles a go until you find one that you are confident looks good. You can also practice angles which as you can see in the best selfie guide can make all the difference to the photo! Then when it’s time to take your picture you can be assured you know you will look fantastic.

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Always dress to impress

As much as you might love wearing that cosy jumper and trackies when you are chilling out they aren’t going to be good when it comes to picture time. In fact you will regret that casual outfit when it’s time to look back at the photos. Therefore to ensure you are photo ready it’s important to always dress to impress when it comes to meeting with friends and family. Only wear outfits you are willing to share with the world, so if the camera does come out you are happy for the photos to go public. And remember to pick good shoes as well; everything will come together to help you impress with your outfit.

And remember to always tell your friend if you are not happy with a shot. They are bound to relate and offer to retake it so you aren’t left feeling low at the picture!

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The Ultimate Summer Glow with Rimmel London

07th July 2017

I’m not usually a bronzer kind of girl- for 11 months of the year at least. And then we get that rare window of time, as we creep in to July and everyone around me looks golden and gorgeous and I still give skimmed milk a run for it’s money in the translucent stakes.

It’s then I frantically start my search for the perfect army of glow givers- the products that will make it look like my skin has actually seen sunlight and reacted to it rather than stubbornly refuse to acknowledge those rays. I’m yet to find my “go-to” products so I was pretty excited when a selection from Rimmel popped through my door, just in time for that yearly mission.

*products c/o Rimmel*

My main bugbear with bronzer type products is that they are almost always too dark for my skin, and near impossible to blend so I approached this selection with some caution…there’s a fine line between a bit of colour on your cheeks and just looking, well, a bit grubby.
The Insta Duo Contour Stick is a great addition to your holiday makeup bag as it contains a highlighter and contour shade in one handy stick. I don’t get on with contouring as a rule so probably wouldn’t have purchased this product myself, but the highlighter shade (in light) is wonderful especially blended in to where the sun would naturally hit.
I already own one of these Kate Moss Sculpting Palette (in coral) and love it so I was keen to try the Golden Bronze version. Again I skipped over the darkest shade, but the highlighter and blushers are wonderful and blend nicely to give a great Summer hint of colour. This is another product that would be perfect to take on holiday due to it’s three in one nature and at £6.99 for what is effectively three products it’s a bit of a bargain.
My first thought on this Radiance Shimmer Brick was that it would be far too dark for me, but applied with a light hand and some careful blending it’s actually really not. This is probably my favourite bronzing product I have tried to date and it gives some serious radiance with it’s multiple tones. I’ll be using this all through the Summer months- and probably stocking up whilst the Rimmel range is on offer in Superdrug.
I didn’t actually try the Sunshimmer Instant Tan as I was sent the medium matte shade which I just knew would be far too dark. I really like the idea of an instant matte tan though, and at £6.99 I might pick up the light version to see what’s what. I’ve only ever fake tanned a handful of times in my life as, well, frankly I’m too impatient…but with instant results and a shower off formula I don’t see a reason not to give this a go if I get any special invites over the Summer months.
What are your go to bronzing products? I’m especially interested in hearing from fellow pale people.

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Post contains press samples and affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Posted in beauty, brands I love, make up, review

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The June 2017 (BBQ) Degustabox

05th July 2017
I honestly don’t know where time is going lately. Life has become incredibly busy and whilst I usually try to do a thorough review of each Degustabox* this month it’s more of an over-view and summary as I’ve literally run out of time to try everything included in the box!

This month the box had a BBQ theme, perfectly fitting for June even if it is currently pouring with rain and really quite chilly. I’m not 100% sure how everything in this box fits in with the theme to be honest but as ever there was a good selection and I’ll never not enjoy this monthly delivery.

So first up is an interesting sounding Brazilian chilli and coconut quick cook sauce from Capsicana which retails at £1.99. This is one of the products that I haven’t had a chance to try yet but the flavour combination sounds delicious and I’m looking forward to trying this out with chicken, peppers and onions as the brand suggests.
As is probably common knowledge by now I’m not a soft drinks girl but these energy juices from ENRJ do look appealing. The flavours sound great- Mango & Passionfruit and Apple & Berries. I’m definitely going to give these a go ASAP- at £1.75 they aren’t cheap but made from real ingredients (nothing artificial), no added sugar, under 100 calories per bottom and one of your five a day I think they’ll make a great occasional splurge.
Haribo! Here’s a product I immediately found time to try! These Summer Frenzy editions of classic favourites Starmix and Tangfastics are both delicious in my eyes. The Tangfastics have the edge for me with their ice cream flavours, the Starmix are berry flavoured which are also good but I’m a sucker for the sour. RRP £1 per pack.
Another product I haven’t tried is these light bites which I’ve seen for sale in my local Superdrug. I’ve been hesitant to try these because these are clearly marketed as a diet product but they do sound tempting and I think I will tuck in soon (solution- eat twice as many!) The mango and vanilla yoghurt fruit chips sound great, and at 46 calories per bag are great for anyone watching their weight. The superfood fruit bar is packed with goji berries, chia seeds, strawberries, blueberries and pumpkin seeds- all for under 100 calories. The fruit chips cost £1.49 per bag and the bar is £1.25. Expensive, but great for dieters needing convenience.
This month’s product of the month is these Original O’s savoury cumin and sesame nibbles. These are ridiculously addictive, I didn’t think I liked cumin until I tried these. These are great for sharing, if you can bring yourself to…at £2.99 probably best reserved for special occasions only but worth the splurge.
Cider is a staple at any summer BBQ around these parts so these Westons Ciders are bound to go down a treat. Here we have Rosie’s Pig flat tyre- a cloudy cider with rhubarb and Rosie’s Pig handbrake is a cloudy cider with damson. I haven’t tried these, I’m not a cider fan at all- although as soon as someone cracks open the Rhubarb one I’m sneaking a swig.
Schwartz packets are a staple in our cupboards and these new Authentic American Flavours are very exciting to me. There are five products in the range and here we have BBQ pulled chicken and Spicy Buffalo Wings. I haven’t had time to make them yet but as soon as the weather improves enough to get the grill out I’m there.
Eisberg alcohol free wine has popped up a few times in Degustabox and always goes down well at gatherings for the designated drivers and dieters. Made in the same way as your favourite wine but minus the alcohol this has only 28 calories per 125ml glass and is really quite excellent served with ice.

Berrywhite Organic Drinks have also turned up in Degustabox before and here we have an organic lemon and lime variant. Another expensive beverage at £1.39 each but 10% of the profit goes to the Berrywhite Foundation and they have no added sugar or artificial ingredients AND contain one of your five a day (oh, and it tastes really rather good!)

I’m not sure what granola has to do with BBQs but I am a fiend for granola so I was excited to see this in the box until I realised it has peanuts in which I can’t eat. Still, it sounds delicious and I’ve passed this on to my equally addicted Grandfather- I’m awaiting his verdict and will report back.
I’m also not sure what shortbread has to do with BBQ but who doesn’t love a biscuit? I’m a long term fan of Walkers shortbread and these Scottie Dogs are adorable- almost too good to eat. I could eat these all day every day if nutrition wasn’t a concern…shortbread fans seek these out!
For those who don’t know Degustabox is a monthly subscription box filled with 10-15 food/drink products, most of which are brand new to the market so it’s a great way to try things out. On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this.
If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £7.00 off of your first box (making it just £5.99!) by entering the code 6HZJ8 at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought of them.

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Posted in food, review, snacking

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Why Choose to Delay Your Period?*

04th July 2017

That time of the month is near but a manic lifestyle has you juggling many deadlines and commitments that are coming to a head this month. Often having to deal with your period is another problem you could do without. Other reasons for choosing to postpone your period include: going on holiday, attending a special event, or wanting to spend quality time with your partner.

Periods can be minor inconveniences, or they can come with serious health concerns. Health issues range from headaches, cramping, painful periods, heavy bleeding, endometriosis, anaemia, asthma, migraines, epilepsy or mood swings.

Whatever the personal or lifestyle reason being able to delay your period is a welcome relief at times and there are options available for extending your menstrual cycle.

(Photo by Naomi August on Unsplash)

The combined oral contraceptive also known as the “the pill” is most commonly used as a form of birth control. It can also be similarly applied to delay your period. The pill includes oestrogen and a progestogen used to artificially generate the hormone that lines the uterus, so that when your period is due the lining does not fall. The pill comes in several variations which affects how you take the pill. The examples include: monophasic 21-day pills, everyday pills and phasic 21-day pills. Monophasic 21-day and ED pills are similar in consumption method in that you take them on a continuous basis and skip any breaks or dummy pills. The phasic 21-day pills are slightly different because there are different types of pills in each pack containing varying levels of the hormones. This necessitates them to be consumed in the correct order.

The skin patch and the vaginal ring are traditionally used for birth control and period delays much like the pill. The patch itself is an adhesive, small square that is applied to the skin. The contraceptive vaginal ring is a flexible, lightweight device that is inserted into the vagina. Both methods contain the hormones oestrogen and progestogen — also found in the pill — that are released into the blood stream. As these methods do not require a daily dose they can be used more consistently.

Norethisterone is a synthetic hormone used to stop the uterus from bleeding. It is designed to mimic the natural hormone progestogen which maintains the lining of the uterus and falls just before a period starts. Taking norethisterone tablets artificially maintains a high level of progestogen so that a period does not start. The major advantage of these tablets is that they do not need to be taken weeks in advance to come into effect. However, there are risks associated with norethistorene; therefore consult a doctor regarding its suitability for you.

Have you used any of these methods to delay your period? Feel free to share your experiences below.

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Posted in healthy living, lifestyle

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Retro Glamour with Rock my Vintage

03rd July 2017

It was the clothing of the 1920s and 1950s that first got me in to fashion. There was always something about these two eras that held great appeal for me even at quite a young age. As time has gone on I’ve embraced a pretty modern sense of style, but I do have a serious soft spot for both vintage and vintage inspired pieces and try to incorporate them wherever I can.

Today’s outfit post is just about the furthest out of my comfort zone as I could possibly be right now. With my body confidence at a serious low point I was amazed that I was a) attracted to this dress in the first place and b) felt comfortable slipping it on for some photos to share. There’s a lot to be said for the power of a well cut dress and this little blue number left me feeling really quite confident.

Dress c/o Rock my Vintage | Shoes: Clarks (old) | Bracelet: Gift

Rock my Vintage is a new shopping discovery for me and one I am very much enjoying. Selling original and inspired vintage dresses and accessories this is an absolute treasure trove for everything from a 1920s flapper dresses to the perfect unique ensemble for a wedding.

I’d usually skip over something so obviously form fitting, convinced I’d just feel out of place and conspicuous. I did go two sizes up in this style after being informed they do run small and still wanting to be able to breathe and I’m glad I did. It’s still clingy without being restrictive and I’m hoping that as my curves start to grow a little more the dress will remain flattering and a real confidence booster.

I’m almost ashamed to say I’m seriously contemplating wearing this dress over the festive season- still six whole months away and I may have just solved my usual pre-party panic of “what on earth do I wear?”. Forward planning at it’s finest or complete madness? Either way it’s about the only chance I get to dress up like this!

Has anything on Rock my Vintage captured your heart? After having yet another browse (all in the name of blogging,
it’s a tough job!) I have fallen head over heels for this absolute stunner of a maxi dress.

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Posted in brands I love, dresses, fashion, outfits, personal style, vintage

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