Slimming World Week 3, 4 & 5

Potato, spinach, cheese and bacon bake, recipe from http://www.shecookssheeats.co.uk

Tuna steak with sweet potato mash and spinach 

Just a quick update on my Slimming World progress. I have combined 3 weeks together because to be honest I didn't have that much to share. Things started to slow down at week 3 and I only lost 1/2 lb, which I wasn't very impressed with as I was doing things exactly the same. Week 4 however I managed to lose 1.5 lbs and I think because I cut down on the amount of pasta I was eating and changed my lunches, it made a difference. 

Week 5, 1 lb down, making my total weight loss after 5 weeks 7.5 lbs! I finally got my half stone award and I'm so happy with my progress. I don't lose weight quickly and with Slimming World, I'm doing it the healthy way unlike other diets I've tried. I can notice a difference in my body and a lot of people have commented that I've lost weight (always a good sign). I'm half way through my goal and I'm hoping that I continue at this pace. If I could lose around 2 lbs a week that would be even better. I'm currently on the Easter holidays for 2 weeks, so I'm not that hopeful I will have good, if any loses over the next 2 weeks, but I will try as much as possible to stay on plan, but it is Easter and we all deserve a treat right?!

Above are a couple of pictures of some of the meals I've made. I'm been coming up with my own meals mostly, but there have been times where I've found some really good ideas and recipes online. SW is a huge community and there are thousands of people out there to give advice and so many ideas and information on the internet. Below is a list of a few low syn treats that I have been having whilst on the diet, in case anyone is looking for ideas. I am always looking for new meal ideas and low syns so I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Cadbury Buttons treat size - 4

Muller Light yoghurts- free

Muller Light Goodies- 2.5

Milky Bar treat size- 3.5

Malteser Mini Bunnies- 3

Cadbury Curly Whirly- 6

Rich Tea Fingers- 1

Options Belgium Hot Chocolate (11g serving) - 2  

Hartleys Sugar Free Jelly pots- 0.5

Are you on SW? How is your journey going?

xoxo

Bold Metal Brushes by Real Techniques

Arched Powder

Flat Contour 

Angled Liner 

 
Pointed Crease 

Recently Real Techniques introduced their new line of brushes, the Bold Metal Collection. As soon as I saw them and I knew I needed them in my life. They have been hugely popular and it took me a while to get my hands on the ones I wanted, but I have finally got the 4 out of 7 that I wanted. 

Arched Powder

I love a good powder brush and this hasn't failed to impress. I love the angle of the brush as it gets in every corner of your face, which larger round brushes don't do. It's really soft on your faces and the powder sticks to it really well.

Flat Contour 

I think this is definitely my favourite out of the four. I love that the bristles are compact, which makes it quite a solid brush. The flat angle of it allows you to do perfect contour lines and definition. The first time I used it I used too much powder on the brush, not realising how heavy it would apply. However next time I just used a lot less and built it up until I got the desired look. This is a brush that is going to be my go-to when it comes to contouring!

Pointed Crease

I've been on the hunt for a pointed crease brush for a while, so I was really happy that this was in the new collection. It glides easily along the lid and allows you to create a definition along the socket line, making it easy to blend out, or great to leave as a defined line.  

Angled Liner

Great for creating that cat-eyed look, this is my daily brush and it is the perfect thickness for creating any line and gets into the inner corners of the eye really well. I much prefer this type of liner brush compared to fine liners and I think it gives more of a precise line .

I am in love with all of these brushes and really can't fault them. The quality and texture of the them is great and they look very high end and elegant. 

Overall I think Pixiwoo have done a great job in creating a higher end line of brushes that are great quality and do the job perfectly. I would definitely recommend these brushes that I tried and I think that they're up there in terms of quality with brands such as MAC. 

What are your thoughts on the new Bold Metals Collection?

xoxo

Slimming World- Weeks 1 & 2

If you read my previous post, you'll know that I recently started Slimming World (SW). I'm now entering my third week, so I'd thought I'd give a little update on how I've been doing. 

Week 1

Well the first week was a challenge, trying to adjust to a new way of looking at food, counting how many syn foods I can have, weighing out certain foods. I did find that I was really hungry, and on SW you're not supposed to feel hungry. They say to fill up on all the 'free foods' such as fruit, veg and meat and even though I seemed to eat large amounts of fruit, it just wasn't filling me up. I do exercise a lot, so I think I just wasn't eating enough calories. As I was eating so much more fruit then usual, I felt very bloated throughout the week, so I wasn't really sure what the scales would say. But I was pleasantly surprised that after 1 week I had lost 3.5 lbs! 

Week 2

After a good start in week 1, I felt the second week was a lot harder. I missed my favourite sweet things and although I done the same amount of exercise and followed the same food plan, I had a feeling a wouldn't see a great loss or any at all. I managed to lose 1lb, which I wasn't that happy with, considering I done the same as week 1. I would ideally like to lose 2lbs a week, but a loss is a loss I guess. 

A negative of the diet is the cost. All diets cost and I don't think this is that much different to others, however I have found that I have spent quite a lot of money on fresh fruit mainly. As they are speed foods and meant to speed up the weight loss, I have been trying to eat loads of fruit and veg, which isn't cheap. It really is so much cheaper to eat unhealthily these days as you can spend £20 on food in Iceland, such as frozen pizza and chips to feed the family for a week, and spend the same on fruit and veg that only last a few days. My purse is definitely feeling the negative affects of dieting. I shop in places like Aldi for my fruit and it still costs enough and doesn't last, so my next mission is to figure out how to do this on a budget! I do feel that my life the last 2 weeks have been consumed by food and SW and I need to not let it take over my life. I also invested in a new pair of digital scales so I can keep track of my weight accurately throughout the week and if I miss any meetings.

So after 2 weeks I have lost 4.5lbs and I don't think that's too bad.  I would update you in a couple of weeks with my progress.

xoxo

Slimming World Challenge

It's no secret that I'm into health and fitness as I've done a few posts on different workouts and diet shakes. Whilst I'm still a fitness freak and frequently exercising, lately I have been feeling stuck and can't get past a certain weight. I started to see that a few people I know have lost quite a lot of weight using Slimming World (SW) so I started to do some research and borrowed the SW book from a friend. 

After looking into it, me and my friend decided to take the plunge and go to our first SW meeting this past weekend. I was actually quite nervous to go at first, but there was absolutely no reason for me to be. The consultant was lovely and explained exactly how it worked and gave us a chance to ask questions. On your first meeting, you receive the info pack to help with your weight loss mission, the 'bible' of SW. It claims to have everything you need to help you lose weight and maintain it. During your first session, you get weighed (privately) and set a target for yourself of how much weight you want to lose. There is also help on their website and using the app to help you find certain foods and plan your meals, as well as thousands of recipe ideas. 

During the session, the biggest loser of the week (the person who lost the most weight), receives a fruit basket and they also do a raffle. It also gives people the chance to share their stories and any struggles they might be having and get advice from one another. I really liked the sense of comradery within the group and that everyone is there for each other with no judgement, just support and encouragement. I've planned my meals for the week, which they encourage you to do so you know exactly what you've having and less chance of slipping up, so I'm all ready to go. I also picked up some of their ready meals, which were launched just week, for days where I don't have the time to cook. I'm glad I'm doing with my best friend so we can help each other out and moan about our struggles together. I'm really hoping this works and puts an end of all the other fad diets I've tried. I'll be updating you with my progress along the way, but if anyone of is a SW member, any advice you can give will be most welcome. 

Are you a SW member? Or are you trying any other diets? I'd love to hear about them!

xoxo

Birchbox Loves (February)

This month Birchbox brings you 'Birchbox Loves' in celebration of Valentines day. I took a break from Birchbox whilst I was away last summer and have started to get them again this year. I'm pleased to say that they haven't disappointed this month and I'm quite impressed with what I received. 

This months box included:

London Butterflies Bath Salt Scrub- £35

theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen -£10

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in Silver-£11 

Liz Earle Beauty Co. Botanical Shine Shampoo-£10

Wild About Beauty Rose Water Illuminating Serum-£22 (full size included)

The Chia Co Oats + Chia-£4.95 

I'm most looking forward to trying the 'Wild About Beauty Rose Water Illuminating Serum' and the 'London Butterflies Bath Salt Scrub'. I really think I got a lot more than what I paid for this month and have got a varied range of products. Sometimes the boxes can be a bit of hit and miss, but this one is definitely a hit.

Are you a Birchbox subscriber? What do you think of the Birchbox Loves box?
xoxo

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade has instantly become my favourite eyebrow products ever. I've have used many different products over the years to try and get the 'perfect brow' that will last all day, but none of them seemed to have had staying power. I picked up Dipbrow Pomade whilst I was in America and I think it's one of my best makeup buys.

Unlike a power, Dipbrow Pomade is a creamy, gel like formula that claims to be "waterproof, smudge proof and ideal for creating defined, natural-looking brows that won’t run down your face if you’re caught in a torrent, or melt in a hot (foreign) clime". It also says you can use it as a eyeliner too, but I have yet to use it for that. For me, it definitely does what it says on the tin. The product is so quick and easy to use and glides onto the hairs and stays put all day. It helps to give a defining shape to my brows and easy to apply using an angled brow brush, (I use MAC 266 brush). I start by outlining my brows first to get the right shape, then filling them in. I also like to highlight my brows using Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Pencil. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills products are finally available to buy the in the UK at www.cultbeauty.co.uk. Dipbrow Pomade comes in 11 shades (I'm using dark brown) and cost £15, which, considering how long this product lasts, is definitely worth the investment. A makeup must have! 

Have you used any Anastasia Beverly Hills products? What are your thoughts? 

xoxo