Fitness// Falling Off and Back onto the Treadmill

It's amazing what putting the right food into your body can do to your  physique. I was in the H&M changing rooms trying a few bits on over a week ago and noticed how my belly was less defined and a little pudgy for me. Truth be told, I hadn't been in the gym or exercising properly in over a month, and it was beginning to show. I kept making excuses saying I didn't feel right, or was too tired and just didn't feel 'fit' to do a proper sweaty betty workout compared to my leisurely stretches or spot of yoga in my room. 

I think that's the worst thing you can do to yourself though, letting yourself believe your body will tell you when it's ready. It won't. Like anyone else, I had to make the mental decision ( it's hard stuff deciding to get off your ass ) to just push myself and see what happened. So when I came home that day after seeing myself in that non-forgiving floor to ceiling mirror, I went for a brisk walk with my dog. This alone reenergised me, my energy levels were suddenly high and all I wanted to do was go HAM and do some cardio and weights.    

     

    

            The H&M changing room moment in my leggings that felt a bit snugger than normal. 

Off I trotted to the gym and a week later I'm back to normal. Not just from a few gym sessions and brisk walks, but because of the food that I am eating. With my skin having a massive flare up that same weekend, I tired to detox my body and eat what's called 'cooling foods' according to Chinese medicine. So in came the smoothies and out went half-eating-whatever-was-in-the-fridge-for-brekkie. Within a few days my abs were coming back, I felt better - the cough I had been harbouring for two weeks was fading off- and with the aid of some magic creams and potions my skin cleared up. 

                                  

           

                                        

        A week later of eating naturally detoxing foods, a walk everyday and some extra cardio and

                                                             weight training in the gym. 

I'm usually so rigorous when it comes to exercise, but I guess everyone falls off the imaginary treadmill once in a while. I think you just have to find the strength to crawl back onto it when you do fall, instead of letting the one trip up keep you down. 

Has anyone else fallen off their imaginary or real treadmill, how did you overcome it and get back into your exercise routine? What gave you the drive to get back into it? 

  

Skincare // Sensitive Skin

Having sensitive skin can be a scourge. Food allergies, cold and heat sensitivity, rashes and inflammations are ever present threats to those of us with temperamental skin and that's before we even consider the diverse effects beauty products and their ingredients can have on us.

I am, by no means nor claim to be an expert, but I have suffered my fair share of unruly sensitive skin. As a child growing up I had severe eczema and thankfully eventually grew out of it,  but as I reached my mid teens I began to get dermatitis on my face.  Having been diagnosed with re-occurring dermatitis, I now have to be particularly careful about the products i put on my skin and, through much trial and error I have found a nice line up of beauty goodies that suit my sensitive skin, and sometimes provides that much needed relief when ones skin refuses to play ball. 

 

Silcocks Base.

 If wonder woman was a cream she'd be silcocks base. For over a year this thick white cream has been my cleanser and moisturiser of choice. As an emollient it serves as a great shower wash too, and as cleanser it can do battle with even some of the toughest mascara. I've also recently been using it as a sort of prep and prime cream before doing my makeup, I warm up a bit between my palms and apply as if a face mask, after a little bit I wash it off with a cloth - muslin preferably. 

My only issue with it is that, its not a cream you'd want to be using as your day moisturiser. Its far too thick and acts almost as a barrier, which in result on a few occasions I've learnt, results in a very sweaty upper lip and back. Unpleasant. But for nighttime its on point. On the thickness note, I'd recommend if your using silcocks base as your daily cleanser to use a toner! I found for a while a build up on my forehead as just washing it off with water wasn't enough, so don't forget to tone ladies ( & gents maybe? )

Epaderm. 

Epaderm, is pretty much the same as silcocks base, an emollient based cream that does everything it should. What I like epaderm for most is as a rapid moisturiser for during the day. It's very similar to Vaseline but thicker, and is a great way to solve dry eyelids, knuckles and elbows lips far more quicker than your average lip/hand cream. Within two applications already today my lips have gone from extremely dry to nearly normal. 

   

Elizabeth Arden . 

My more expensive version of epaderm which I really like is Elizabeth Arden. I tend to use Elizabeth Arden more when I'm travelling. The air conditioning on planes and cars can wreak havoc on anyone's skin, but if you're already prone to dry skin its a nightmare. Elizabeth Ardens 8 hour cream is my go to choice for travelling as it lasts for so long on my skin after just one application my lips are left completely revived. I've also used it on my nose. Know when you're having one of those dreadful colds where all your nose does it leak? So you're constantly rubbing your nose with a tissue. Well 8 hour cream is my saviour in those circumstances. It's not sticky, nor stings when I apply it to my poor nose when it's all dry and beginning to crack. Within the day it genuinely feels softer and beginning to heal. Like all the other creams I've mentioned so far, there's so much you can do with 8 hour cream. I've heard of people using it to tame frizzy hair, and as a sort of highlighter on your cheekbones. One thing I also use it for is to tame my eyebrows when they're having an off day. The price may seem steep for a tube at 33 euro for 50ml, but it lasts absolute yolks.  

Philosophy Day and Night Cream. 

Hope in a Jar. Heaven more like. I was gifted these moisturisers for my birthday as there bit of an indulgence compared to my average joe silcocks base. The cream itself has almost a soufflé texture,  but feels wonderfully light and velvety on the skin. What I personally love about this cream is that it has been approved by dermatologists. The cream is high in antioxidants which protect my skin against environmental  damage - that nasty winter wind can dry out your skin to no end - and even provides a slight exfoliation to keep rough skin at bay.  The active ingredient that creates all the magical properties in this cream is a yeast-derived beta glucan ( uh wut?)  which supports the skin's natural defense system and improves repair capabilities. 

                   What this basically means it keeps your skin hydrated, soft and improves your skins natural radiance making it look healthier. Making you happier. I'd recommend this cream to everyone, it doesn't sting  - unless your skin is cracked - and does what it says on the tin. One thing I will say though is that smell won't be for everyone, it's quite a natural smell, as it's not perfumed, which I'm sure some may dislike but it doesn't bother me if anything I kinda like it. 

So there you have it, these few but great products are my go to skincare products, tested and full proof. If anyone would like to know more about my actual skin routine or have any other questions about the products I've mentioned don't hesitate to drop a message.
  

x

Wedding Outfit // Lee Bender Bus Stop Dress

The hunt for a dress for the wedding I attended on New Year's Day started almost 4 months ago. Being my first wedding to be a guest at, I had no experimenter to draw on of how one should dress for a wedding let alone one on New Years Day!

I genuinely felt like there was no hope, and started to wonder how anybody does this, then my mind fleeted to the bride. If I was this stressed over finding the perfect church -come- party dress that was sophisticated, fun and maybe glittery ( it's a hard one to think about ain't it?) how on earth was the bride to be feeling?! 

After giving up the idea that such a dress existed, I stumbled across a vintage dress with the aid of my Mum the Saturday before Christmas. On Clarendon Street there is this amazing little vintage store packed to rims with floor length ball gown gown dresses, mink and real fur cuts and all the sequins a girl could want. ( quick tippet, the lady who runs and owns it tends to supply TV shows with period dressing from the shop) I'm not the best for shopping in vintage it's a rare time I'll find something that I'll actually wear, and have the confidence to, that's not to say I love vintage stores. Especially his one, it's just so.. Luxurious. And pricey. 

So when I came across a silver crushed velvet dress I eagerly showed the material to my mum who took it out from it's hiding place, only to be greeted by the owner to announce. " oh that's tincey wincy, no one has ever fit in that" 

Mum always up for the challenge urged me to try it on, countering with " lesley will fit it" 

. Fact. If there were ever to perform under pressure now was it. The waist on the dress was tiny. Like Jesus as I got undressed in the changing room I held up the dress at so many angles as I decided on my game plan to actually get into the thing. 

Amazingly it fit. And I felt amazing in it. Winning. Mum looked pleases that we found something a bit quirky, and the more I twirled in front of the mirror, quite me. 

    

                       

As it turned out the dress was a vintage Bus Stop. A brand I would have never heard of a week prior expect that I had just had a lecture in college on the identity brands and shops of the 1970s that originated on Church Street in Chelsea.  Realising how much history that came with the dress I just fell in love with it more. The fact that this dress was designed by Lee Bender, a designer who's clothes have been worn by Jerry Hall, how could I not love it. 

       

                                       

For the wedding, I kept the accessories minimal. I incorporated silver jewellery with a simple glittery choker from River Island and a silver ring I made myself. For shoes, I wanted funky, 70s inspired platformed heels. River Island again was the spot for such shoes, and being on a lucky streak I found these silver heeled platforms on sale! I guess one of the things that crazy about this dress is that, I'm a size 6, this dress would have been considered a size 10 in the 70s! 

                          

So there it is, the dress that has a history, that will be forever part of my wardrobe. 

If anyone has any questions or even wants to learn more about Lee Bender you should check out here website here...http://www.leebender.co.uk

                                                                        X 

Mommy Dearest I Want Your Jeans

Farleigh High-Waist Slim Mom Jeans

I wear a size W26, and they are a perfectly perfect fit. Was never a huge fan when the mom jean trend reinvented itself, especially when every pair I tried on just never fit right. From Topshop, UO to vintage stores, nothing looked or felt right. This style is meant to be comfy, not like your crotch is the centre of attention due to the fit and relaxed style of the jeans. But now I'm totally converted, and see them replacing my skinny obsession for a while.

Mom, thanks for the jeans. 

x