Resolutions Update

January is nearly already over, which is such a terrible thought – where has it gone? Am I the only one who thinks it's just flown by? 

Alas, as January 2014 comes to an end, the word ‘resolution’ is probably a distant memory for many…But I’m still trying my hardest to continue on with mine (even though I have found it very hard within the last week to try and continue on with some of them)

So…how have I done so far?

• ·      Takeaway free month – Defeated :(

Well that's a good start! >:(

      My resolution of a zero takeaway month included ALL food not made at home. Whether it was fast food, store bought food whilst out shopping or restaurant meals; everything needed to be home made. So, yep, you guessed it, I failed.

I failed three times in total (jeez). Two were non negotiable as they were sit down meals for my sisters birthday and a family get together. However, I did fail on my own as I went to Burger King. (oops)

My excuse? I hadn’t eaten all day and my other half was getting one, which put temptation into overdrive and ultimately I buckled. Light healthy snacking and a better lunch would have stopped it! Silly me. I have no one to blame but myself...drat.

I do regret eating it (that beautiful, guacamole filled, new California, delicious Burger King burger…) as I felt I've failed myself, but I have done much better than I expected. But next month, there is no excuse! ZERO, NADA, NONE, NULL, NO takeaways!

• ·      Treat my feet once a month for a year - Success :)

Yay, success!

My poor little feet had been suffering from a neglectful owner for some time now, but I have pampered these beauties back to their original glory.

How? With this miracle cream.

http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Pharmaceuticals-Cracked-Heel-Balm-50ml-_1140749/

Ok, ok, so my feet weren’t as bad as the ones on the front of this packaging, but I will admit I’m not a naturally soft heeled person. But this stuff has made such a huge difference. I genuinely saw a change the next day and now a week later (only using it once a day, not twice as instructed) my feet are smooth and soft to the touch. 

Not bad for a £4.89 cream! I have used other brands similar to this, like Flexitol, but this one is a few quid cheaper and just as good! (See the below link for further details)

• ·     Go to High gate cemetery – I will be doing this adventure this coming weekend. Watch this space – Success 

•      1 hour workout everyday (1 rest day a week) – Defeated :(

But mummmmmmmmmmm, I don’t want to work out!

Ok, so I lasted about three weeks working out every day but I have let my my workings out dwindled significantly this past week. Does it count that I swam for an hour and a half last Friday? Or that I’ve been eating relatively healthy and watching my calories intake instead? No? Bugger.

Ok, back on the working out band wagon it is then…Next month - it's on!

• ·       Do one gym workout this month – Success :)

Though I haven’t worked out every day as intended, I have gone to the gym four times this month and as mentioned above, I’ve been swimming too! Now to keep it up – eurgh! My body will thank me later and so will the future me!

• ·     No buying cosmetics - Success :)

I am a Boots addict! That place is my idea of heaven and hell. I cannot go on any shopping trip without visiting it I swear! So much so that when my other and I go shopping he’ll always ask what I need from Boots even though I haven’t asked to go there (HE KNOW’S ME TOO WELL!).

But – as you can see from my below post, I have been lucky to get so many freebies and samples that I don’t actually need anything at all. Therefore, I am considering this one a win for me.

So, all in all, six January resolutions were made and four were been completed (I will go on a London adventure this weekend, promise!)

Though I am somewhat proud of myself for my first attempt I do know I need to keep to all my resolutions. They are set in stone as far as I'm concerned and I need to remember that!

Time for some Rocky inspiration music…

How have you lot been doing with your resolutions? If you didn't make any, it's never too late! Is there anything you would really like to achieve this year? Do you want to do something that is completely out of your comfort zone? Let me know what it is in the comments below!

Toodles.

QVC 2014 Beauty Bash

Apologies for the hold up! I have been one busy bee this weekend!

Any hoozles…

The QVC 2014 Beauty Bash.

I was very fortunate to win two tickets to this year’s beauty bash at Old Billingsgate in London. As I hadn't been before (or even heard of it) I had no idea what to expect. Before I went, I trawled for hours on the internet looking for some information about the 2013 one, but I sadly I didn’t find anything! So I was going with an open mind!

I already knew who I wanted to bring on this exciting day out, my Mum. As she is a QVC addict, it would have seemed odd not too!

This is us before we set off (haha excuse my mum)

We set off (a bit later than expected) on our adventure but we seemed to arrive in no time at all (thanks to the central line for no delays!)

The monument outside Monument station!

Once we got our bearings and knew where to head, upon turning one corner we knew we were in the right place….the 400 or so women standing outside a building gave it away!

The queue was enormous, with no sign of moving! But we wandered along the sea of women and joined the back of the line and begun to wait patiently. The queue was buzzing full of lovely nattering women and it was obviously a sight to be seen, vans, lorries and taxis drivers were all stopping looking quite perplexed! (Probably trying to understand why so many women were congregated together?!!)

The enormous queue :(

Mum and me in the queue!

The queue began moving quickly enough and within about twenty minutes we were entering the building and putting our coats in the cloak room.

We entered the main room, which was large and bright with high ceilings, supported by large iron beams. It was beautiful. Like an old warehouse that had been lovingly restored. It was the perfect setting.

We had only been there for two minutes, and as always, the old dear needed to use the ladies. So whilst she popped off, I decided to take a look around. The entire building was dotted with kiosks for different brands. On first glance, I could see stands for Bareminerals, OPI and Benefit (it was very similar to a Debenhams layout – if you catch my drift), but honestly, there were dozens. So as I trotted off and looked at some of the stands near the ladies, immediately, at the first stand, I was approached by some lovely young woman handing me a free sample of a hair mask, so I gracefully accepted her offer and of course, asked for one for my mum!

So, it then suddenly sunk in, THIS was what this entire day was for: To promote and hand out samples and treatments to QVC viewers.  (I know, I know, I’m slow on the uptake – but honestly, I had no idea what to expect!)

After my mum had returned and I explained the situation, we went from booth to booth and spoke to many lovely people about their brands. Some brands we knew, some we didn’t, but it was great to hear what they all did and speak to the representatives.  Not all brands gave samples, but that wasn't a problem, but it was all part of the experience.

I was very excited to read that the company Ciate (nail polish) would be there, but it honestly, it took me nearly two hours to find them! They were tucked away upstairs, with no sign stating their company, just a table with two lovely, lonely girls sitting with a few of their products – that was it. I had actually walked past them a few times, as they seemed to blend into the backdrop! I was so excited when I eventually found them and to see their new products (one of which is this amazing collection -  http://www.selfridges.com/en/Beauty/Categories/NEW-IN/Make-up-colour/Dolls-House-nail-polish-set_464-3002480-DH001/ - which I will be purchasing very soon) and have a chat with the lovely ladies but honestly Ciate…common! You guys are incredible; I wish you put more of an effort in to show case your amazing items to the QVC viewers!

The Rituals stand was amazing. It had so much to show and was laid out perfectly. The lady there (sorry, I didn’t get her name, but she manages a shop in St Pancras I think) was amazing. She gave my mother a de-stressing head, shoulder and back massage and gave me a hand massage. She also gave us a full size hand cream each that smells divine.

The ladies on the Prai counter couldn’t have been more welcoming. The company’s owner actually came out into the crowd and grabbed my mum and me to get some freebies! She gave us a hand cream and a nail kit! She was funny and quick witted and I’ll be happy to buy from this woman in the future!

The Benefit counter wasn’t as good as I had hope and sadly the ladies didn’t seem well versed in any of the products. They had also run out of the POREfessional range to try on people who were interested. Maybe I should have gone a bit earlier, but to be honest, I can always go to my local Debenhams and find them there, so I wasn't too disappointed.

The ladies at Liz Earle were also very friendly and generous, handing my mum and me a muslin cloth and cleanser to try out straight away and giving us a lot of details on the benefits of using it.

I’m also very excited to try out my Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Shampoo! The ladies on this booth let my mum and me know out hair type, what we can do for better hair and also, an introduction on their products.  

But the highlight of my day must have been the OPI stand. There were samples being handed out everywhere, and the ladies behind the counter were all smiling and friendly. They were doing free manicures with some amazing colors from their collection, and even though my mum and I were one of the last ones in the queue before closing time, they still got us done! The nail technicians were lovely, friendly and complete professionals! The lady who brought the franchise over from America and owns the UK rights was there, with her two daughters (one of which presents OPI on QVC). This lady got speaking to my mum for ages and in the end, the lady was very generous and kind, that she gave my mother so many mini free samples of polishes, hand creams and much more – she went above and beyond! (Obviously, my mum got me some too!)

If all of the freebies and treatments weren’t enough, upon leaving, we each got a massive goodie bag to take home! They were very heavy and full to the brim of amazing goodies. We were blown away by how much we got!

We also got to meet a few celebrities ;)

My Mum and John Barrowman

John Barrowman and me :)

My mum and Craig Rowe from QVC

My Mum and Andrew Bagley from Gatineau

Now, if you have never been to a QVC Beauty Bash, I suggest you get your bums to next year’s one! It was an amazing day and all the customers and brands were all friendly and chipper! I couldn’t of asked for a better experience and my mum is still beaming from all her goodies! All my opinions I have expressed here are my own and I have not been paid to say anything other than how I feel (but obviously, I have received many free samples). I apologize for missing any brands out, but I just wanted to include my favorites from the day.

The Haul! 64 goodies in total I think! Which includes, Bareminerals bronzer, Liz Earle hand cream and treatment, Philosophy body cream, Prai handcream, Rituals foaming body wash, Mally eye liner, Stilla lip gloss/stain, Strivectin night cream, OPI nail varnishes, Nails Inc nail varnish and so much more!

Did any of you go to the Beauty Bash? If so, who were your favorite brands of the day? Did you enjoy yourself as much as I did? If you didn’t go – would you go next year?

Leave your answers in the comment section below.

Toodles.

December Wins

I have to admit...December was one lucky month for me. I won several lovely prizes that I received throughout this weekend. I would like to say a massive thanks to the following companies who made it all possible (in no particular order!):

True Crime Magazine - https://twitter.com/TrueCrimeMagz

Bizarre Magazine - https://twitter.com/bizarremagazine

Wordery - https://twitter.com/wordery

Kia (West End Garage) - https://twitter.com/KIAWEG

Umberto Giannini - https://twitter.com/umbertogiannini

HEXBUG - https://twitter.com/HEXBUGUK

QVC - https://twitter.com/AlisonYoungQVC (I won tickets to the QVC Beauty Bash this week - stay tuned for a seperate blog!)

If you would like any details about any of the below prizes please let me know in the comments below.

Did you win any competitions in December? If so, what did you win? If you didn't, when was the last time you won a competition and what was the prize? Let me know in the comment section below!

Toodles.

Nails

I <3 doing my nails. But honestly, I could spend hours upon hours just giving myself a manicure and not even painting the blasted things in the end! I find it so therapeutic!

(and time consuming)

But here are some very simple finished nails designs I've done over the past few weeks which I hope you like. If you want any more information on colours and what not, I will always try my best to get the exact ones I have used.

Black and gold caviar nails. Caviar beads bought from poundland!

Teal Barry M nail varnish with teal caviar beads

Icy Barry M sparkly limited edition nail varnish.

Barry M Gold Varnish with bright pink glitter I received for free.

Resolutions

2014 you cheeky mistress. Where did you pop up from?

So I’ve decided to do monthly resolutions instead of a yearly one. Why? Well...

         
Because I can and because I want to...

But in all seriousness, keeping one yearly resolution is long and boring. I also feel I can do better than just one measly resolution for an entire 365 days…

I've picked things to do each month that in reality, I've always said I'll get around to doing...but never did.  You know the ones: Keeping fit, trying new things, going certain place etc, but this time I really want to try and to not only improve myself but to try and bloody stick to something! I give up so easily and I just want to spend this year seeing all these goals through!

Why the blog?

To try spur me on I guess? I want to try and post all my resolution happenings, along with photos, videos and probably tales of woe on here to share with the three people who will probably read this (Hi Mum...)

But to help me out, I've already planned my year out and decided which tasks to do in certain months (most depend on the weather really - so British)  Some are silly, some are going to be a lot of fun and some...well...some include me trying squid and tuna! (One month's resolution is to try a new food everyday)

Some goals will be repeated every month or be quite similar to other months such as exercise regimes and different workout targets etc. But I've also included a continuing resolution to try and visit different historical & tourist sites in London. I know, that’s an odd one. 

But considering I've lived near London my whole life, I haven’t gone to some of the most obvious and wonderful places this city has to offer. Examples? High Gate Cemetery, The National Art Gallery, Kensington Palace, The tower of freaking London! And so many many more!

(Seriously, where have I been?)

So each month I’ll be going to one or two of those lovely establishments with anyone who want to join me really.

So, as I was saying…

January – The goals are as follows

T a k e a w a y   f r e e   m o n t h

Quite frankly, I’ve been eating a lot of rubbish lately that not only costs a bomb, but it makes you gain weight like nobody’s business. So instead, I’m going to save myself from ultimate doom and also some cash in the process.

E a t    h e a l t h i e r   t o   h e l p   w e i g h t  l o s s 

Does exactly what it says on the tin really…

T r e a t   m y   f e e t

I honestly LOVE my feet being rubbed. It’s an illness. I know. Yet I haven't had any treatment on them in around six years (Obviously I look after them myself! They’re not some hobbit looking things – eurgh) But this year I’m going to treat them like the Queens they are. So each month I am allowing myself to a treatment or a massage or a pedicure or anything that means I get to sit for thirty minutes whilst my bad boy feet get pampered.

B e   a   L o n d o n    T o u r i s t

This month I would like to try and go to High gate cemetery (if the weather is not set to monsoon) but if the weather is horrific out then I will swap it with another months option, which will most likely be the National Gallery and the Tate

W o r k o u t

45 mins – 1 hour workout everyday (1 rest day a week) – As mentioned above  - Takeaway food x eating it all the time = Stupid weight gain – I am aiming to lose a stone (this figure may be edited soon enough)

G o   t o   t h e   G Y M 

Do one gym workout this month – Actually, I have already done this one. I’ve done it twice and I will be going again next week too. So…

N o   b u y i n g   c o s m e t i c s

I’ll take a photo of my cosmetic shelves…then you’ll understand why I’m doing this…

So. It’s halfway throughout the month and to be honest it’s all going really well. No takeaways have been consumed, healthy eating is going swimmingly. The only naughtiness I have actually had was last night, when I sneakily eat two Percy pigs and four biscuits. The shame.

But I’ve been to the gym twice this month and I’ve being working out every night for forty five minutes and though I haven’t weighed myself I can see I’m a lot….firmer? Is that the word I want? Haha – ew…that’s such an odd thought. 

I’M FIRM!

Calm down Kirsty...

Anyway.

It’s going well. I have more energy, I feel happier and I’m seeing small results in body shape, so I couldn’t be happier.

Has anyone else got any New Year’s Resolutions? If so, what are they? It’s half way through the month, so have you stuck to them? 

Let me know!