March's Health and Fitness Roundup

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Welcome to my third instalment of my monthly health and fitness updates, you can check out last month’s here. The idea behind these posts is to keep me focused and on track, so here is how March went...

Food...

My diet is my big let down at the minute, I completely fell off the bandwagon in February and have been having a nightmare trying to get back on it. I have been so stressed with handing my notice in at work it’s all been a bit too much and I am a comfort eater. I’m also a convenience eater, I eat quick things I can grab on the go and spend very limited time in the kitchen. Well my friends, that is all going to change! As I mentioned in Aprils motivational Monday post, April is all about change and that includes my diet. My new job is based nowhere near any shops so I can’t just nip out for a naughty m&s sandwich, I will have to be prepared! I am going to make a healthy pack lunch each day which I think will make a big difference for me and get my more in control of what I put into my mouth. My other challenge is to start eating breakfast, at present the thought of eating when I wake up makes me feel sick. I don’t get those people who say they wake up hungry, it baffles me! But I know it’s the important meal of the day so I am going to try my best with it. I am heading back to weight watchers, I find getting weighed each week keeps me on the straight and narrow too.

Exercise done in March...

Boot camp x 6 sessions

Rowing x1 sessions (1.5 hours)

Runs x7

The last week in March was a massive write off as I was finishing work and I then had a stinking cold so all exercise was off. Prior to that thought I was managing 2 bootcamp sessions a week, I normally do 3 so was a little unhappy with myself on this one. However I have now thrown running in the mix. As I mentioned last month I have signed up to run a 10k in September so I have started working towards that. At present I can’t run 1k, this is no exaggeration, I run for a few minutes then walk but I am determined to improve and show myself that I can do it!

Progress this month...

	Loss in March in inches	Total Loss in inches
Chest	0.5	1.5
Hips	2.5	4
Left Thigh	2	3
Right Thigh	1.5	2.5
Bottom	2	4
Left Arm	0.5	2
Right Arm	0.5	2
Waist	2.5	5

Weight loss this month:   4lbs

Total weight loss:   9lbs

I also managed to wedge myself into a size 14 pair of jeans so I am pretty happy with this month’s progress! I still have a long way to go and I’m determined to stay on track this month and work really hard. Wish me luck! 

MAC Haul and Face of the Day!

Before I begin today’s post I just wanted to point out something that made me giggle. Recently I spotted someone complaining on twitter that they hated when bloggers wrote ‘Haul’ posts as a haul actually means a load of stolen goods! This made me laugh out loud as I hadn’t thought of it in this way and now feel I need to put some form of disclaimer in front of any haul post! Although I would like to point out to that moaning Minnie on twitter that a haul also means ‘a large number’ which is the way I am using it today or pulling something heavy! So dear twitter moaner, please don’t be so pedantic!

A few weeks ago I was given a voucher for House of Fraser for writing this post, if you know me well, you know my first thought was going to be along the lines of oooh which makeup brand shall I spend this on?! Yep I’m kind of a predictable beauty blogger in that respect! My beloved Benefit Hello Flawless foundation was running out and I needed some more, but a few weeks prior to this when I was last in London I had spent a good hour in the MAC store in Covent Garden and was recommended a good Foundation that I decided would be the replacement. So as luck would have it you can buy MAC products on the House of Fraser website so I decided to treat myself using the voucher to a couple of pieces.

So first as already mentioned I purchased some MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation in shade NW18. Ive never really been fussed by MAC foundations before as always find them super heavy and thick which is not something I like at all. I like my foundations to be super light and natural looking, so I was pleasantly surprised when I was introduced to this one in the shop. It’s exactly the type of foundation I like and is a perfect match to my skin tone and as an added bonus it actually stays put all day long! For £28 it is ridiculously expensive and if I didn’t have a voucher I don’t know if I would have paid for it but I have been seriously impressed with it so far and you only need a small amount so I think it is going to last me quite a while.

Next was a repurchase of my favourite eye shadow of all time the MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe Frost. It’s a gorgeous brown shimmer with a purple tone, it’s a really warm shade that suits my skin tone. I have spent many hours trying to find a cheaper alternative to this but I have found nothing that matches its good pigmentation and how long is stays put. I can’t live without this shade and for £13 it’s not cheap but its well worth every penny!

If you pop by this blog often enough you will know I’m a sucker for a bright pop of pink lipstick, so my final MAC purchase is a little out of character for me! The last item I bought is a MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Splurge for £20, if I didn’t have a voucher there is no way I could justify that much money on a lipstick!! Splurge is a deep purple pinky shade and looks a bit vampy, it’s not a colour id usually go for but I really do love it! Oh and as an added bonus it is super moisturising and stays put for hours!!

I put all my new products to the test last Saturday when I went for dinner with a few girlfriends....

FACE: The Balm Cosmetics Time Balm Face Primer, MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation in NW18

EYES: MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe Frost, Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Noir, Benefit They’re Real Mascara

CHEEKS: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Rose

LIPS:  MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Splurge

What do you think?

Motivational Monday // April

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I’m BACK! Properly, officially, fully back into blogland and so excited for it too! I think in March I managed about 3 blog posts, an all time low for me! I want to feel bad about it but the last few months have been such hard work that blogging on top was impossible, not the fun enjoyable hobby I love, and it became another thing to be ticked off the list. That is something I never want this space to be, so it took a back seat for a while instead. I have had a nightmare with work, I loved the job but didn’t like the management and it made me stressed and grumpy. As it was things I was unable to change I took the plunge and went for another job and I actually got it! I start tomorrow and I am slightly terrified/nervous/excited! I’ve been at my old job for 5 years so I am sad to leave the young people I work with but I can’t wait for a new challenge.

Saying that though I am horrendous when it comes to change, I think that’s the stubborn Capricorn in me, it makes me feel sick and I am such a worrier! However I’ve decided to look at this as a new beginning and I like how that feels! So April for me is about making positive changes, starting this new job, blogging regularly again and still working on improving my diet and fitness, all things I am super excited by! I think this is massively helped by spring finally arriving, the sun is out a bit more, its lighter in the evenings and is my favourite time of year!

How do you tackle change?

The Fabyouless Card & a Giveaway!*

Today’s post is a little different, it’s all about Fabyouless* which is a discount card. They recently got in touch and asked if I’d like to work with them have one of their discount cards. Fabyouless is a UK savings card focusing of hair, beauty and fitness. All subjects you know that I’m a little obsessed with!

With a Fabyouless card you can enjoy thousands of offers from leading beauty salons, nail bars, tanning salons, hairdressers, spas, clinics, gyms and personal trainers nationwide across the UK.  These offers mean a guaranteed 25% off or 2 for 1 deal and your membership is valid for a year.

I am usually pretty sceptical when it comes to these kinds of schemes especially when the card costs £49.95. However I spent a good bit of time checking out their website and reviews of their service online and I have to say I’m pretty impressed! Lots of big brands are affiliated and there are 5 beauty places affiliated in my local town alone and that’s impressive as I come from a small town where we are usually the last people to hear of things like this!

So to use your card all you need to do is hop onto their website and search where will accept your card and what offers they have on. You then contact the venue directly and mention your Fabyouless card when booking! Easy! 

My friends and I made a resolution this year to look after ourselves better and treat ourselves a bit more to a good pampering. So far this year I have had a few massages and I look forward to having more especially now I have this card which will make me feel less guilty about doing so!

The lovely folk over at Fabyouless have kindly offered a card to one of Lipsticks and Lashes lucky readers! If you would like a chance of winning a Fabyouless membership card just enter your details in the Rafflecopter below! This giveaway is open until the 23^rd April so Good Luck!!

Do you use any savings cards or websites like this?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Natural Skin Shop Review and Discount Code!

Firstly, hello! Sorry for the silence over here lately, lots been happening that I’m sure I’ll be filling you all in on soon. However it has meant my lovely blog has been taking a back seat but not anymore! I am back to blogging 3 times a week and I’m so excited to be back, boy have I missed it!

So today’s post is all about the Natural Skin Shop which is a website which sells a huge range of skin and beauty products, none of which are tested on animals (wahey!). I love their ethos and was super excited when they asked me if I’d like to try out some of their products out for myself. Here is what they kindly sent me...

Alpha Light Skin Bright Microdermabrasion – this stuff is meant to reduce marks and
Scars, uneven skin, age spots etc. To use it all you do is dampen skin with warm water and slowly massage onto your face for one-two minutes. They suggest using it once or twice a week and personally I have been using it twice a week. It’s been such a great find! I was a bit worried at first as my skin is a big mix of spotty, dry, sensitive and is constantly changing but my skins reacted really well to it. It really removes all the dry patches and leaves my skin feeling so lovely and soft, my skin looks so much healthier now. I will definitely be replacing it when I run out!

Primesse Anti-Aging Copper Complex – So I’m going to a bit of a shit sandwich here, hate saying negative things about products but my skin just didn’t react well to this one. The ingredients in this product are meant to help rebuild the skins barrier to lock in moisture, smooth out wrinkles and restore prime fullness. To use all you need to do is massage into face morning and evening. I really wanted to love this but it just made my skin so sticky! It didn’t seem to want to sink in and just left a tacky residue.

Arganistry Argan Hair Repair & Shine - I love this product soooo much! If you read this blog regularly you will know that I’m a fan of Argan Oil and that I’m quite good at trashing my hair with bleach on a regular basis. I am always keen to try new products out to see if they can help bring life back to my dry ends. This product states that it will sort out dry, damaged locks, split ends and frizzy locks. To use all you need is to pump a couple of drops into your hand and rub in to damp hair. Personally I just use it on my ends and find it really has put the moisture back in to it, so it looks lovely, smooth and healthy!

Over all I’ve been very impressed with the products I’ve received from the Natural Skin Shop and shall be purchasing from them again!

The lovely folk from the Natural Skin Shop are kindly offering ‘Lipsticks and Lashes’ readers $10 off any order with the promo code L&L10 that is valid now through May 31, 2015.

Who's in my sidebar... March Edition!

Welcome to March’s edition of ‘who’s in my sidebar’! This month has flown by so quickly and I can’t believe I’m sat here typing this out already! I’ve has some absolutely lovely bloggers hanging out in my sidebar this month and I am so excited to introduce you all to them properly! There’s nothing I love more that finding new blogs to love so I hope you all take a few minutes to go and check theirs out!

First up is the gorgeous Pixie from Pixie Bebe...

  ‘Hi, I'm Pixie! I'm a blogger, designer maker, craft geekazoid & biscuit fiend. My blog documents my craft lifestyle adventures!’

Pixie is my new snail mail buddy and it’s been fab getting to know her, she is super lovely and it’s such a pleasure to share her blog with you all! If you like to get crafty and creative this is definitely a fab blog for inspiration.

Then we have Jess from Lipsticks and Law...

 ‘plus size Law student and lipstick enthusiast with an affinity for shabby chic and all things Disney. Beauty has been my "thing" for about two years now, so not the longest time, but it's something I put all of my effort into, I love reviewing products, hauls, lists and makeup tutorials.’

I love Jess and her blog, she has such a great mix of beauty and lifestyle posts I can easily loose an hour or two catching up with her blog posts!

Next up is Lucy from Books and Brooches...

 ‘Books and Brooches is an eclectic mix of book reviews, music playlists, Science Saturdays and things of beauty. In the words of the song, here are a few of my favourite things! I hope you enjoy sharing them with me. Lucy x’

Lucy covers such a wide range of topics on her blog, you are guaranteed to find something to enjoy! Personally I’m a little in love with her music posts!

Last but not least is Jackie from Beauty Bundle Blog...

 ‘I'm Jackie and I've been running my blog since the start of this year and absolutely love doing it! My blog features the latest beauty trends, tips and reviews. I've got to know some amazing people since I started blogging and can't wait for it grow further!’

This blog is fab if you’re a beauty addict like me! Jackie fills her blog with reviews and top tips and I love it!

Don’t just take my word for it that these are fantastic blogs, go check them out for yourselves!

If you would like to advertise with Lipsticks and Lashes in April then check out our sponsor page here! We’ve got packages to suit everyone! If you have any questions then please feel free to contact me at whatsinyourmakeupbag@gmail.com

Book Club: The Book Swap!

So if you’re a regular here at Lipsticks and Lashes you will know I adore sending lovely things in the post and I am also a complete book worm! I can’t think of anything better than getting lost in a book, I adore it. This has also lead to piles of books filling my house!

I’m always keen to find new books and authors that I will fall in love with and putting all of this together I’ve had a bit of an idea! A rather glorious light bulb moment!

LET’S DO A BOOK SWAP!!

So here’s the plan... I will collect everyone’s info and I will then email you a person who you need to send two books too. I will try and match you to someone who has similar tastes, this may not work completely but I will try!

So TWO books – the first has to be one of YOUR favourite ever books, one you want to rave about and share! The second is to be one you think that person may enjoy and suits their tastes.

With me so far?

The two books should be ones you have at home and are just passing forward. If you spot a cool book in a charity shop you think your person may enjoy then that’s great too. I don’t want this swap to cost much money – ideally the only pennies spent should be on postage!

So want to join in?

Send an email to whatsinyourmakeupbag@gmail.com with the following info...

Name:

Address:

Favourite Book:

What genres do you like to read?

What authors do you love?

Are you happy to post internationally?

You have till the 29^th March to sign up, ill then email you who you’re going to be sending to... you won’t be receiving from the same person you’re saving to!