no7 beautiful skin cleansing brush

NO7 BEAUTIFUL SKIN CLEANSING BRUSH

Let me introduce you to my favourite Christmas present, the No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing brush. Like everyone else, I'd seen the rave reviews of Clarasonic Mias but personally I could never drop £100 on a tool to, essentially, clean my face. This little gem from No7 is available for under £25, a lot more purse friendly in comparison, and has worked wonders on my skin.

I was a bit scared to start using at it first, after hearing about the terrible 'purging' phase causing horrendous break outs and having blemish prone skin already this was my worst nightmare. My skin is also quite sensitive and can be dry, so I was worried that the brush would be too harsh. After my first use though, I was addicted. The difference it made was definitely visible, and as I looked at my skin the following morning I was actually excited to wash my face again that night. The difference it had made to my skin was more than I expected - all my rough areas were completely soft, a lot of my blocked pores were clear and my skin had a glow to it.

Two months on my skin is clearer than it has been in a long time and blackheads are a thing of the past. Simply using this and moisturising each night has left my skin feeling baby soft and actually feeling more hydrated than before. I've still had a few blemishes but I find that the brush helps clear them up slightly quicker than usual and the red marks haven't been as noticeable.

The cleansing tool has 2 speed settings: a gentle one to suit those with sensitive skin, and a quicker, rougher one which I actually prefer to use myself. It's the easiest tool ever to use - simply apply your cleanser of choice to your skin (I'm currently using up my stash of skincare so I'm finishing off this Neutrogena wash and mask), switch it on and take it across your skin in small circular motions. I never remember to stick to beauty regimes or even do regular facemasks, but this sits in my shower and as it only takes 30 seconds or so to use is a step I never skip.

The instructions recommend using it 2-3 times a week, but as my skin has reacted really well and as I haven't had a break out, dry skin or any adverse effects I've been using it more often, but not quite daily, and alternating between the two settings so that I'm not too rough on my skin.

I can't recommend this enough, and with replacement heads coming in at only £8 for two (one will last you a recommended 3-4 months) this is a step in my routine I'll definitely be keeping up!

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is there a place for fashion at the gym?

Nike Pro Running Tights* | Nike Pro Printed Bra*

After SportsShoes got in touch about their Fashionably Fit campaign, I've been thinking a lot about the importance of feeling good and being 'fashionable' at the gym. I'll be the first to admit that after ditching my stack of bargain "I probably won't stick to this" Sports Direct clothes I bought when I first started exercising, that I'm becoming a bit of a gym wear snob and will now only buy Nike branded clothing.

I know some people who are quite happy to work out in a freebie company branded t-shirt their employer handed them or even a torn Primark t-shirt which is fit for the bin, whereas some are happy to spend £75 on a pair of running leggings (ouch!) - and I know for a fact that each of those people would both put in as much effort and determination and work as hard as each other at the gym.

So why do I insist on being brand loyal and picking those amazing printed leggings and brightly coloured sports bras over the plain black ones every time?

Personally, it all comes down to confidence and how the clothes make me feel. I put thought into my daily outfits, and what I wear to the gym is an extension of that. Nike has a style that I gravitate towards, and their clothing fits like a glove and keeps me comfortable and at the right temperature during my workouts so for me they tick all the boxes. Call me a little vain or fickle here, but putting effort into my clothes gives me a confidence boost, it makes me feel good and if I feel good at the gym I'm more likely to stay longer, worry less about how ridiculous I look whilst attempting one of the crazy exercises that I swear my PT invents just to embarrass me and ultimately put 100% of my attention and effort in.

SportsShoes were kind enough to let me pick out some pieces (Nike, of course!) from their website and I headed straight for the colourful, patterned pieces above. They were delivered on a rest day, but I was so excited to wear them that I put them on, squealed to my flatmate about how much I love them, and got myself to the gym quicker than you could say "thanks Sports Shoes!" I think that proves the point I was trying to make here - for me, fashion wins every time.

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here's to 2014

Hello! Remember me? I seem to have finally got back into the swing of things after Christmas (yes, it really has taken me the best part of January to put down the mince pies and accept the fact that I really do have to go back to work) and decided to sit down the tackle my extreme case of writers blog. So just when you thought you'd cleared your blogroll of the influx of posts welcoming 2014, setting out goals and resolutions and re-capping the previous year - here I am with my own!

STAY MOTIVATED, BE FIT

The last 6 months of 2013 saw me call on the help of a personal trainer, lose 2 stone, become a gym bunny and take on a healthier diet and that's something I'm going to be continuing throughout 2014. I don't want to set any weight related goals such as lose 1 stone by a certain date, because although losing weight is a goal of mine, I want to focus more on strength and how my body feels.

I'm going to continue cardio (the spin bike is my best friend, there's no way I'm ever giving that baby up!) but I'm keen to add a lot more weight training into my routine and get stronger. My main fitness goal of 2014 is to complete Tough Mudder in June. Running a 12 mile course through obsticles such as running through fire, diving into ice water and being electrocuted by 10,000 volts is probably most peoples idea of hell but if I can get the fitness and strength to complete it then I'll be proud!

SAY YES AND DO MORE

I want to make the most of this year, and do things I've never done before. I don't like change or taking risks, so I'll be the first to admit I can be a bit of a bore sometimes! This year I'm going to say yes (errr well, to most things... *gulp*) when my instinct tells me to say no, and tick a few things off the bucket list - starting with that bungee jump I've been meaning to do for years!

MAKE TIME FOR THOSE I LOVE

Having never lost anyone before, 2014 was a difficult year when my Gran passed away in May and a friend took his life in October. It's made me realise that life really is too short, and you don't know whats around the corner. I have lots of friends who I am guilty of not seeing or speaking to regularly and I probably don't spend enough time with my family either. Everyone is busy, but taking a few minutes out to send a quick text, make a short call or a spending few hours over a coffee is nothing in the grand scheme of things.

I zone out quite a lot and enjoy my own company meaning I forget to reply to texts and I'm pretty bad at remembering to make plans with people so I'm going to make a lot more effort to be there and show them how much I care.

BLOG MORE

Well, this one is pretty self explanatory. I love blogging and I love the people I've met through blogging but lately life has taken over and I've not had any time to read my favourite blogs, nevermind write any posts for my own. I'm going to become more organised, keep a little blog diary full of ideas and lists and blog as often as I can in 2014 - starting from today!

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scottish ballet | hansel and gretel

December has been a whirlwind month, but between battling through the busy shops and getting lost in a sea of wrapping paper, I was generously whisked off for afternoon tea and a matinee performance of Hansel & Gretel with Scottish Ballet. I headed off to Blythswood Square where I was greeted with a lovely gin-based Woodcutter's Wife cocktail, which was inspired by the fairytale, and the company of a few of my favourite bloggers.

We were treated to a Hansel and Gretel themed afternoon tea with an endless supply of sugary treats including raspberry macaroons, cute little gingerbread men and a delicious carrot cake with surprise popping candy. With our stomachs full to the brim and a little bit of a sugar high we headed along to Theatre Royal in Glasgow, got our seats and waited excitedly on the performance to start.

Hansel and Gretel is the 3rd performance by Scottish Ballet that I've seen, and like the rest the dancing was incredible, the costumes were glittering works of art and the whole two hour performance was flawless. My favourite part was the dance by a gang of Ravens, who looked very 50's and grungy in their matching black jackets but kept their moves elegant and mesmerising.

When I went to see my first ballet, I wasn't sure it would be the type of thing I'd enjoy but I enjoy it more with each performance, and I enjoyed it so much that I've booked some more tickets to go and see Hansel & Gretel again with my friend this Saturday!

If you fancy catching the show, there are still some tickets available for Glasgow performances, and plenty left for the other locations.

Theatre Royal, Glasgow · Tue 10th - Sat 28th December 2013
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh · Wed 8th - Sat 11th January 2014
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen · Wed 15th - Sat January 2014
Eden Court, Inverness · Wed 22nd - Sat 25th January 2014
Theatre Royal, Newcastle · Wed 29th January - Sat 1st February 2014
Grand Opera House, Belfast · Wed 5th February - Sat 8th February

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twenty eight pounds

As I write this post I've not long stepped off the scales, done a little dance, fist pumped and let out a little celebratory "woop!" after losing another 1lbs, bringing me to a total loss of 2 stone of weight. For the girl who has never managed to lose weight before, I was happy when I lost my first stone. But now that I've lost two? I feel amazing.

It hasn't been easy, and it definitely wasn't as easy as losing that first stone. I've had my willpower put to the test, and I won't hide the fact that there has probably been a few too many pieces of cake, a takeaway and some fried foods that have probably all slowed my progress a little but life is for living, and as long as you don't fall off the wagon or lose sight of your goal then being naughty sometimes is perfectly fine!

After 6 months my eating habits are healthier than they've ever been, not drinking at least 2 litres of water per day feels wrong and going to the gym is just something I do without thinking. My fitness levels are better than they've been in years, I've got tone, definition and what I like to call the beginning of my Baby Biceps, and more than one person has asked me where my (once chubby) legs have disappeared too.

Fitting into the smaller size in clothes feels great, as does running for the train and not getting out of breath. Losing weight isn't the easiest thing in the world, but with the increased confidence, much improved body and obvious health benefits, it's worth it! There's truth in the fact that exercise makes you happy too, and I feel happier, fitter and stronger than I have in years.

I want to start posting more about health and fitness, and although I've not got any qualifications and I'm still at the start of my journey, a lot of people have said they've been inspired by me (and you have no idea how much that means to me, so thank you!) so please let me know if there's anything you'd be interested in reading about in future posts!

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