30 Day Shred

30 Day Shred is a fitness DVD that I had noticed a few people tweeting about, but never looked into. Now the thought of wearing a bikini come August on holiday has been making me feel a little sick. So I thought I'd invest in this DVD, the reviews are fantastic! See them here on Amazon.

The workout is 20 minutes long, and combines strength and toning followed with cardio at different intervals. There are 3 levels and you progress through each level during the 30 days. It is a constant workout, no chance for a sip of water or a breather. Like Jillian says 'You don't get this for free'! A few of the exercises in Level one are Star Jump, Bum Kicks, lots of squating, bicep curls, and crunches. You definitely feel that burn! That is such a good feeling. This is coming from me, who has only just exercising this year and is increasingly getting more addicted.


Yesterday was my first try at the DVD. My first thought was, I thought it would be more tough. This morning I was a little achey, and did the work out again today. This time I knew the exercises, and was keeping up with them, therefore pushing myself harder. I am feeling very positive about this.

One thing I didn't realise is that I needed weights to do the workout, so I've just been using tins of beans for now until I get the chance to buy some weights. You need your trainers, and a mat if you're working out on a hard floor like me. I bought this USA Pro mat from Sports Direct for £6.99. 

I have taken my measurements, and I will share them at the end of the 30 days.

Anybody with me? Or have you already 'shredded'?

Thanks for reading xx

NOTD Rimmel 60 Seconds Rose Libertine

I really like Rimmel nail polishes. They're cheap, and available everywhere! It's almost too easy to buy one every time you leave the house. Today I have been sporting this perfect Rose pink on my finger nails.

The bottle actually claims this to only need one coat, but I actually used two. I'd say you could use one, but two makes it look more polished and opaque. The usual thick brush made this super quick to apply.

A perfect colour for the summer. I actually think this would look super pretty as a pedi.

Thanks for reading xx

NOTD Megan Miller Lemon Ice

Anybody ever look through their nail varnish collection and think something is missing? In my collection it was a lemon coloured polish. I spotted this colour on another blog and I had to have it!

Megan Miller is available from Cute Cosmetics for £8.95 each.  Not exactly cheap, but they're a 3 free Nail Polish (Free from nasties) and are environmentally friendly. However, they are still cheaper than OPI and Butter London, etc.

It did take 3 coats for it to be completely opaque, but from what I have read about these polishes, I think it's only this colour that needs so many coats. It is a pretty pale lemon, which is like no other in my collection. (Pretty rare for someone with a collection as big as mine to say!)

What I also love about it is the bottle, how pretty?!

The polish was so quick and easy to apply, that I wasn't at all bothered it taken so many coats. If you like to see some of your nail through your polish (if you know what I mean!), this is perfect for you.

I think I will definitely buy some more of these polishes. Coral Bliss is definitely on my list!

 Cute Cosmetics is a website that specialises in organic and natural beauty products. They also have free standard delivery on all UK orders (Ace! I really hate paying P&P). I placed my order on Thursday night and had my polish on Monday. Not bad at all! Was very pleased, and will definitely be ordered other products from them again.

Have you tried any Megan Miller polishes?

NOTD OPI Ski Teal We Drop

This is an oldy but goody. A favourite of mine (I possibly say that too often), from the Swiss Collection from 2010.

It is a beautiful green, blue that is opaque in two coats. I had 20 minutes to apply this and get out of the house with two kids in tow! Thank you Seche Vite! Not a bad job considering I had such little time.

I found this on Cheap Smells for £7.50, and Beauty Bay for £10.50.

Photos are taken outdoors and indoors.

NOTD Essie Chinchilly

I have noticed since Essie hit the Boots and Superdrug shelves, they've been really popular on beauty blogs. I don't own many Essie colours (I'm sure that'll change with them being easier to get hold of), and Chinchilly is my favourite.

Chinchilly is one of those colours that you can put your finger on, sometimes it looks grey with a purple tone, then a bit brown like. I applied it last night and I thought I'm sure I liked this more than I do now. But I like it again now! (You will probably get to realise I am so indecisive and a bit fickle!)

I do have a top coat on, but they look more shiny than some polishes. Photos are taken inside and outside (albeit on a very dull day!)

Do you like it? Are there any Essie shades I need in my collection? I'm liking the look of Mint Candy Apple.

Thanks for reading x

Montly Empties - May 2012

I don't expect to be able to do this each month, as I don't finish products all the time. I will do as often as I have some interesting empties to show and that I can actually talk about.

1. ELF Flawless Finish Foundation, this was a pretty decent foundation for the small price tag. I'm not so sure I'll buy it again, it was OK but there's a whole world of foundations out there for me to discover!

2. Herbal Essences 'Tousle Me Softly' Shampoo and Conditioner. I have been fed up with my straight hair for sometime, so I bought this shampoo to try and embrace my natural wave/curl. To be honest, I was really hoping that it would be this miricle worker and that it would airdry to this fab beach wave look. Of course it didn't. But my Russell Brand-esque hair was definitely tamed. So I used it all up and did my hair the usual way. I use conditioner on my toddlers curly locks and they were perfection with this conditioner! I won't buy this again.

3. Vitamin E Radiance Moisture Cream. I have spoken about this before, while I liked it, I won't buy it again. It gave my skin a nice glow to it, without looking like I've dipped it in a bowl full of shimmer. But I don't think it suits my skin. I do love the Vitamin E range, and think I'll try the day cream.

4. The Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel I love this. I will definitely buy it again, it's a gorgeous scent and really wakes me up and sets me up for the day.

5. The Body Shop Almond Body Butter. I love these body butters, I think am going to try each scent and chose my favourite. I'm not sure I will buy this scent again, though.

Have you tried any of these products?

Thanks for reading xx

May 2012 Favourites

Is it me or does May seem a distant memory already? I think the long Jubilee weekend has something to do with it. Late,as ever, here's my May Faves...

1. Berber Oil Hair Treatment. This was inside this months Glossybox, while I thought the box was a bit of an anti-climax, this was my favourite product. The oil makes my hair shiny, more manageable and doesn't weigh it down. I really love this.

2. No7 Blush in Coral Flush, I've had this for a while but didn't use it a lot, but this month I found myself reaching for it a lot. It is a gorgeous coral with a teeny amount of shimmer in it. It lasts well, and gives a gorgeous hint if colour to my cheeks. There are further photos below.

3. The Body Shop Olive Body Butter, this was given to me by a work colleague because she didn't like it. I absolutely love it! The scent is really light and fresh and it absorbs into the skin a dream. I will definitely buy this time and time again.

4. No7 Airbrush Away Primer, this is the first primer that I have used properly. I have had primer samples before from a previous Glossybox, but this is fab! It's like superglue for your foundation. I have even been for a run and my foundation is still perfect by the end of it. (I don't make up my face for a run, to be clear!)

Here's a couple of photos of the blush:

You can see the little flecks of shimmer in it

This is quite heavily swatched, it's been a really dull day today. On the skin, you can see the really subtle shimmer.

My favourite NOTD goes to Leighton Denny Babydoll, because I really wasn't expecting to like it as much as I do!

And there you have it! My May Favourites. Have you tried any of these products?

Thanks for reading xx

NOTD Orly Prelude to a Kiss

I have posted a couple of peach colours like this recently, but I can't get enough of them! They are those lovely non offensive colours that you can wear for any occasion, for that perfectly manicured look.

I swatched that Orly Cool Romance mini collection back in February, but this was put back in the collection and forgotten about. It's a lot like the Nails Inc Peach Sorbet that was free with last months edition of In Style, so if you missed the boat on that one maybe pick this up. (I bought the mini set from Beauty Bay).

It is a creme finish, and much easier to apply than the Nail Inc one. This was 2 coats, probably a bit more carefully applied than the slap dash technique I usually use!

Pictures are both taken outside.

Thanks for reading x

NOTD BarryM Bright Purple

This is a polish that I think you can wear all year round. It's lovely for winter as it's a lovely deep colour. But also comes out during the summer months.

I have quite a few BarryM polishes, which I really rate. But, funnily enough I have never used any of their make up.

The application isn't the best, I had had a couple of glasses of wine when I did my nails last night! Photo is base coat, 2 coats of colour and a top coat.

I think this colour should be in everyone's collection. Do you agree?

Thanks for reading xx

The Body Shop 'Earth Lovers' Cucumber & Mint Shower Gel

This shower gel was mentioned in my 'Payday Treats' Post and was given as a gift for joining the Rewards Scheme. There was a choice of Cucumber & Mint, Apricot and Pear.

The shower gel is 100% Biodegradable, and comes in a 100% recycled bottle. Perfect for any eco warriors amongst us! I'd like to think I care about the environment, especially since having my kids. I feel it's important for me to play my part.

Readers may also be interested to know the shower gel contains no sulphates, no parabens, no colourants and it is soap free. From what I read on blogs and twitter, this is really important to some people. This sounds like it's perfect for sensitive skins.

The Cucumber & Mint scent is really fresh and not overpowering at all. With the recent sunny weather we've been having, this was my shower gel of choice after a long day of running around, doing school runs, pinicing in the park, and my general mum duties. It's gorgeously cool and refreshing, leaving your skin delecately scented with the cucumber & mint.

The shower gel bubbles up a dream, and leaves the bathroom filled with it's gorgeous scent.

I do need to use my body butter after. But I love using my body butter so much it's not a chore!

I think I will save this gel for when I go to Majorca in august. After a sun filled day while being caked in suncream, this is perfect to use in a cool shower.

You can pick this up online, or from your nearest Body Shop store for £5.

Also, when I joined up to the reward scheme, I was given a cute little packet which had a couple of samples in it. It also had a £3 off voucher inside. Unfortunately, this voucher had expired on the 24th December last year! Now, the voucher wasn't the reason why I joined up, but it's the principle. And I feel led up the garden path a little!

Thanks for reading xx

NOTD Ciaté Purple Sherbet

So July's editions of a few magazines are really spoiling us! With Marie Claire there is a free bottle of Ciaté nail polish up for grabs. A purple, pink or a nude colour. I chose the purple colour.

This is a pretty pastel purple (lots of 'p' words used there!), a lovely colour to wear on your nails this summer. Ciaté nail polishes are really easy to apply with the long handle and are really glossy.

I'm really resisting the temptation to not rush out and buy the other two!

Photos are taken inside and outside.

Of course, a lot of us are aware of this months Glamour freebie of Benefit products. There's also In Style with a choice of either a mascara or 2 eyeliners from The Body Shop.

So it's worth a trip to the newsagents this weekend! Before they all sell out!