As effective as a balloon tank

(Image courtesy of moonbrains)

That pretty much sums up how I feel about my workout today - got up and made it to morning circuits although I didn't manage to walk to class as I had to hop on the bus to shake off a persistent wierdo and my legs had already turned to ICE. Uphill sprints and triceps dips were "like moving in concrete" due to the freezing blasts of cold air as my fellow superchicker concurred.

Had they not been giving out tasters of glazed donuts as I passed through Waterloo Station I would probably have sobbed on arrival at work - however the very welcome sugar rush let me get my game face on. Just as well as today was one of the most important days of the year being the deadline for agreeing contracts.

Tried to walk home to make up for poor effort this morning however got as far as Pret at Marble Arch before I admitted defeat and went and got a toasted sandwich before heading for the bus.

The bubble has definately burst as the reality of just how far I have to go to complete my mission and doubt as to whether I can actually do this creeps in.

My commitment to give up my Oyster Card next month now seems rather a) rash and b) foolhardy as a) I've yet to make it all the way home after a day at the office or b) sprint fast enough to escape from future encounters with wierdos. x

Official Glambassador

Calling all Ladies - Diaries out and pencil in Boutique in Battersea Park 6pm on Saturday 10th July - an event with a difference. Trust me, you're going to LOVE it.

In case you've been feeling left out and perhaps wondering what fitness challenge you can set yourselves - never fear I have, I believe, the perfect solution.

I've just got back from an amazing (i.e. champagne fuelled) party to launch Boutique.  Boutique are hosting a 5k/10k ladies only event for those of us still in our twenties. The event will incorporate an uber cool champagne party, including luxury changing rooms, live music, food, fabulous entertainment, massages and nail bars, and if we get our way lots of fit quasi-naked men to cheer us on! Did I mention the champagne? There was also lots more except it is a well known fact that my memory is disproportional to the amount of alcohol I consume and I've completely drawn a blank. Conclusion: I is sozzled!  On a school night. Disgraceful.

Even better, as an official Glambassador (Who are they kidding!?! Wonder if I can adopt this as my job title at work- would certainly liven things up!!) I will be able to get you all discounts to enter and lots more perks I believe.. so stay tuned and NO EXCUSES!! 

So though not an official Moonwalk workout tonight - my jaw is still aching from laughing too much at those crazy SuperChick dance moves. Thanks Boutique, Cat and the SuperChicks for a fun night. x

p.s. Feeling a very lucky girl - two fab goody bags in less than a week. There is not much I wouldn't do for a goody bag - honestly I would even contemplate running 10k - even if it did mean trailing behind the Hare!

p.p.s. Off to detox (i.e. drink a glass of water) before my 5.30am start tomorrow and SuperTrainer Mel - god help me.

Max Factor 'False Lash Effect'

Bonjour beauties!
So today I'm doing a review on the Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara. Now I've perviously owned it before and I liked it, I just didn't love it. So when I was wandering around Tesco's during last week I thought I would repurchase... and I've fallen in love with it! By no means is it my 'Holy Grail' mascara... but it's pretty darn good!!

You can see the wand a lot better if you click :)

So as you can see the wand itself is actually huge, although the bristles don't come out very far - which I think would be a problem for those with shorter lashes or smaller eyes. The wand and bristles are the plasticy rubber kind, which I normally detest...

Okay so obviously the top picture are my bare lashes. They're already pretty long, and I suppose they're a little bit thicker than average? I dunno, tell me what you guys think lol. This picture was taken with JUST ONE layer :)

I never usually curl my eyelashes as they already have their own natural curl... this mascara didn't weigh it down and by the end of the day there is no flakiness and the exact same ammount of curl than there was when I first applied... which I think it great because sometimes I have trouble with some mascaras making my lashes stick straight out because they're being weighed down.

I'm really impressed with the formulation, it's not too thick, but it's not super liquidy either. It doesn't take forever to dry but it doesn't dry so quickly that you struggle to put on a second layer. I find that the wand helps seperate my lashes, gives it a teensy bit more length but what I really love is how black this makes your lashes and the volume it adds - all with one coat!

So onto the scores...

Packaging: 9/10, it's pretty sleek and I like gold on black

Wand: 8/10, it is fab for my lashes although I think the bristles could be longer

Length: 5/10, it only added a really, really small ammount of length

Volume: 7/10, not the best volumising mascara but good all the same

Staying power: 9/10, lasted amazingly well, at end of the day it's still the same

Would I purchase again? Yes!

Where can I get it? Boots, Superdrug, anywhere that stock Max Factor

How much will it set me back? £10.99

Overall this is a brill mascara, big thumbs up from me. I love the effect it gives on my lashes but it's not exactly false lashes in a tube like it claims but... meh, it never does what it says on the tin! What do you think of this mascara?

Natalieslovex

Full Monty

Emporio Armani – I defy anyone not to get lost in that!

Knackered, snackered  - if only from too much of the above!

Instead yesterday I completed a 7 mile jaunt to Regent's Park and back, only to discover I have a dodgy left ankle. Oh Achilles!

Today I managed an hour of POWER WALKING - i.e. the recommended Moonwalk pace of 4 miles an hour, rather than my more typical meander of 2-3 miles an hour. This accomplishment was only because I was running super late for SuperChicks. Had to strip off on arrival just to cool down - no not that far, is it still MARCH afterall.

Survived another SuperChicks session in the rain - complete with elephant trunk, tennis balls and caesarean section chatter - proof I was there in mind, if not in body!

THEN I walked home from Hyde Park and to distract myself from weary legs and a desperate need the loo, I became so engrossed in murder (luckily audiobook only) and the sexy Armani advert – PHWOAR!! on passing buses that I walked TOO FAR, missed my turning and ended up lost in Brondesbury. Eventually realised my folly, retraced my steps, finally located my turning, trudged the final 1/2 mile uphill and made it to the bathroom with seconds to spare.

9 miles including 5 miles with a near to bursting bladder – beat that! x

p.s. One of my amazing friends is starring in an amproduction of the Full Monty in Bromley - I can't promise Armani calibre men - but if this has whetted your appetite let me know.

'Idols': Olsen twins

Hello girlies,
Now, it seems everyone loves the Olsen twins - I'm also part of this gang. So, I thought I'd dedicate a post to them. I grew up watching their tv shows, films and reading their books, it was literally love! Lol. As I grew up, and so did they I started to admire their styles over there acting. Plus, they are both beautifully stunning! Here are some photo's that I took from http://www.weheartit.com/ (gotta love that site!!)

*WARNING: PICTURE HEAVY POST COMIN' UP*

Mary-kate was always my favourtie, who was yours?

Natalieslovex

Review: ELF Plumping Lip Glaze in Baby Doll +

Lots of lip product reviews lately - Sorry if you're tired of staring at my lips, lol. I promise more diversity coming in the near future! ;) Also added Peach Colada review to my previous entry in case you were wondering about the color on the lips!

Onwards to the review!

♥ *~REVIEW~* ♥

ELF Plumping Lip Glaze in Baby Doll

*Description (from the E.L.F. site)*

Forget costly Collagen injections, or those painfully stinging glosses, stimulate your senses to a refreshed full perfect pout with e.l.f. Plumping Lip Glaze! e.l.f. proudly presents a revolutionary lip plumper, infusing natural ingredients that awaken your senses for fresh, volume enhanced, and moisturized lips. This dual sided Plumping Lip Glaze has a tinted color for a subtle plump or a clear gloss that power plumps your lips, use together and instantly feel the lip enlarging effects!

---

Still can't find deals like this anywhere! Again, $1!!! Drives me crazy with happiness. The double sided wand lets you select whether or not you want super plump lips or just semi-plump lips:




After reading the review on the site, I thought sure no problem! No painful stinging! I generously lathered some of the white plumper on my lips = instant STING! LOL. Albeit, it was nice and minty, but it kind of burns your lips a little. Nothing I couldn't handle and it wasn't painful, but if your lips are sensitive BE WARNED! Thankfully, it subsides in a bit and you are free to apply the other side of the gloss.



I didn't notice major plumping; my lips are already kind of pillow-y so it was hard to tell for sure if they poofed up or not. After looking for awhile, I concluded that there was a minor plumping effect on both the top and bottom lips.

Baby Doll is a very pretty, subtle color with a hint of pink and tiny silver sparkles. Again, I'm the type of person that doesn't like things on her lips, and this was just fine -- it wasn't too sticky and it lasted a few hours!

Pros: Mild-moderate plumping effect, pretty & versatile color, wears for at least a few hours, not too sticky/tacky, very affordable
Cons: Definite stinging/possible irritation, not as pigmented (but it isn't really meant to be very pigmented, as it is described as a tinted lip color), Applicator a little stiff

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (4/5)

I'm not sure how often I'd actually wear the plumper side of the product, but the glaze itself is lovely and I will definitely repurchase. For this price, it is a STEAL!

***
Omnomnomnomnomnom...

For all you foodies out there, RESTAURANT.COM is running a promotion where you can buy some of their awesome gift certificates (save $25 off of a $45 meal after 18% gratuity automatically added - still a pretty sweet deal) - for only $2!!! Usually, they are like $10 for a $25 gift certificate. Just use the coupon code COOK at checkout! My family and I always stock up during these sales, hehe...

***

I love Dim Sum Sundays at home! My Mom is the BEST COOK EVER - homemade "Pei-Don Jook" with crunchy bread (I can't spell out the Chinese name, it translates something like "straight oil"?!)



Can't forget dash of Maggi & white pepper!


***

Hello to MeiBelle, Ms. Viafara, Tina, Sweetfurr, AlyssaMae, Pak4U, Fashion Geek, Dramaramas, Candy & Jen!

Good night all you beauties ~ I wish you a wonderful week!

♥ Irene

Hare by name, Hair by nature!!

Hello World! As previously introduced, I am Jess, aka "The Hare" (and yes god damn it I am that cute!). I have indeed agreed to walk the Moon Walk with Justine, maybe because I want to lose weight, maybe because I am mad, maybe because after 17 years of Justine's HARE-BRAINED schemes I have lost the will power to just say "NO"!!

I also received my acceptance info pack in the post from 'Walk the Walk' yesterday, so this seemed like a suitable time to write my first blog entry, now I am an official marathon-walker-to-be!
So here's what you need to know about me:

The Hare's Vital Statistics:
I'm 25; have very long hair; love ALL things chocolate very much; love animals (thank God because my mother owns 30 of the damned things!); love chocolate; love music, gigs and festivals; love chocolate; love nature/the countryside; love chocolate; love shoes; hate mushrooms & coconut; love chocolate; hate kids; love flirting; love the sun; love chocolate; hate not having any money ...oh, and did I mention I quite like chocolate?

I did a degree in Philosophy, then thought 'what the hell do I do with my life?' (oh the irony!) so I became a secondary school teacher. I'm now in my 3rd year of teaching, and while it scares me every day, and I regularly think to myself "why?"... but despite my hatred of small human beings and the British educational system, I LOVE IT! No 2 days are the same: something bad always happens, something weird always happens, and something funny always happens. Although, I have wondered if I might be some sort of masochist, as I'm always mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted; by comparison the Moon Walk should be a breeze!

So why am I doing this marathon you ask? I ask myself the very same question. Well, exercise is NOT my friend, running is NOT a word in my dictionary. But I love the countryside, and love walking! Although I'll be honest - I have lived in East Anglia all my life, where the land is either totally flat or gently undulating. Walking up a flight of stairs is hard work; the thought of walking up proper hills scares me. Does Edinburgh have many of those...?

On the plus side, I did Duke of Edinburgh at school (yes, Justine did rope me into that as well - noticing a theme yet?) and I loved it! Don't get me wrong, that week was hell, and I think everyone cried at some point, but the experience formed some of the best memories of secondary school. It was also on returning from that I was my lightest weight of 8 stone 3 pounds. FACT: You must never ask a lady her weight, but lets just say I'm not quite that small now, and my mission is to return to that weight by the end of this Moon Walk! It's also been 2 years since I last had a boyfriend, and yes lads, I am on the look out! So I'm hoping that this will be motivation enough for me to crawl my way around Edinburgh.

Training so far:

1. CARDIO: I moved to Cambridge in January, and I have been going to aerobics 'Jazzercise' once a week most weeks. (Since signing up to Moon Walk I have made it every week.)

2. LITTLE & OFTEN: I walk to and from school each day - a mile in each direction.
(This is a good start me thinks: a bit of gentle exercise to keep me toned up and not totally out of practice...)

3. MOMENTS OF INSANITY: Last weekend I went out Friday night, got drunk, then got woken up 7.30am. On Saturday night I went out again, got even more drunk, got woken up again at.7.30 am. Now a normal person at 7.30 am on Sunday morning after a weekend of much alcohol & little sleep may well think "Groan. Must sleep more....zzzzzzz....." But I thought "wow, this is such a glorious day! The sun is shining, I'm wide awake, nothing to do today... I know, lets go for a walk!" So I got myself ready, headed down the stairs to find a map to find my housemate was planning on going for a run...

So together we plan a route around Cambridge (literally a big circle!) and set off in the sunshine. 4 hours later, we stumble home, legs aching (in a good 'wow I feel toned' way, not in a 'my body is broken' way!) and ate chocolate cake! We found a great website www.gmap-pedometer.com on which you can trace your route work work out distance and calories burnt. We had walked just short of 10 miles, and burnt c.1000 calories! WOOP WOOP!!!!!

I was absolutely buzzing for the rest of the day. It's great to know that with 13 weeks before the big event, I can already comfortably walk 10 miles with a hangover and little food inside me.

Training plan from now on:

1. CARDIO: go to aerobics once a week without fail.

2. LITTLE & OFTEN: walk to & from school each day. Walk somewhere on Saturday & Sunday.

3. THE BIG PUSH: go for a longer walk each weekend of at least 5 miles, but throw in the occasional 10-miler ever few weeks.

4. TEAM TRAINING: meet with Justine 3 times for a 10/15/20mile practice. One of these will be a walking weekend on Snowdonia!

Even writing about it I feel excited, this is going to be a mission, sure, but I feel confident we can do it. I just hope I can keep up this will power, as it's so unlike me! The only way to encourage me is to sponsor me and Justine LOADS of money, so watch this space for our online sponsorship page.

I'm going to sign off now - it's Sunday, and the plan is to drag my sister out for a 5 mile walk!! mwahahahahaaaaaa....

Jess

End of the week haul

Hello dolls :)
So the idea was to be on a COMPLETE spending ban this week... but I thought with my shopping addiction this was a bit harsh, lol. So I just tried to limit the ammount of things I bought. I'm pretty proud as I bought hardly anything, here they are...

My Avon order finally came, woo. I got this room spray just because I love my room to smell yummy :) It's really strong for the first 5 minutes... but then it seems to dissappear to nothing. Which was a bit dissapointing, but I think it was only £2 on some kind of offer.

And I also got this lipstick from Avon, it's called pout and they describe it at a satin finish. It's a really pretty peachy pink and I've been wearing it alot. I want to get some nude shades as most of my lipsticks are pink tones. Does anyone have any reccomendations?

Popped into Tesco and picked up the new 'Beautiful Ends' shampoo and conditioner from Herbal Essences. Thought I'd give it a whirl even though I dont have a major case of split ends... I'm on a mission to get my hair healthy. We'll see how this one pans out...

I've had this Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara before, I remember it being okay and when I saw it when I was strolling down the make up eisle in Tesco, I thought it was definitely worth a second shot :)

The last thing I picked up was this Revlon nail polish in Boots. My white rimmel polish has gone all stringy (grr rimmel polishes!!) and this was the first one I saw really lol. Plus I don't think I've ever owned a Revlon polish before? Will be interesting to see how they work for me :) Boots are actually having a 3 for 2 on Revlon products at the moment, so anyone who wants to try photoready or needs to stock up on colorstay... go and check that out :)

I love to read, and I haven't really had any new reading material (other than heat magazine, lol) for a long time so I picked up both these books in Tesco :)

Have you been on a splurge this week? Or resisted the temptation? And don't forget to let me know about some nice nude shades :)
Natalieslovex

Wanted: Grace

For the second day in a row, I awoke a little after 5am - contrary to my general knackeredness this exercise marlarky seems to be tricking my body clock into thinking I need less sleep not more. Hopefully the shift to British Summer Time tonight will trick my internal clock back onto more sociable hours - here's hoping. But awake, I only had one thing in mind - no not that, or that (minds out of the gutter please), instead I was craving a massage as my whole body was still aching like crazy.  One of my favourite massages is by Elmis as they have AMAZING heated water beds and its like being snuggled in a cocoon.  However having checked my bank balance last night in celebration of pay day, it is sadly very clear that such luxuries will not be on the horizon anytime soon. So I made do with a very hot shower and a quick rub down with Cowshed's Knackered Cow Body Oil which was similarly restorative and then feeling a little better I hauled myself off to Milton Keynes for a Children's Charity Committee Meeting where I am a Trustee.

Fast forward 6 hours - I got home to discover a letter confirming my place on the Moonwalk - HOORAY.  However I'm ashamed to confess that in my self-absorbed preoccupation with all my aches and pains, I had lost sight of the bigger picture; that I'm doing this to demonstrate support for those individuals and families who have had to deal or are dealing with Cancer.  Whatever I'm suffering now, is temporary and totally insignificant compared to the big "C", which is still too frequently and heart-breakingly terminal. Although I have been fortunate not to know anyone personally fighting Breast Cancer, I do have a personal reason for doing the Moonwalk - namely to show my respect for a very unique lady and mother of two young boys who dealt with her terminal cancer prognosis publically, (and as a result has single-handedly reversed the U.K's falling cervical screening uptake among young women and so prevented many other women from meeting a similar fate) but most importantly she did so with exceptional COURAGE and GRACE.

R.I.P Jade x

Taunted by benches

Although I was awake crazy early this morning and my feet were still sore after my trek home from work last night (which is a very new but not entirely welcome sensation) - I got up and went to Circuits - 7am in Hyde Park and excitingly on the dot, a troop of horses, two by two, enter the ark oops I mean park, just as amazing trainer and I go to do battle. Workout centres around bench, weights, band and SKIPPING - which I personally love if I could just stop falling over the damn rope -and if four minutes didn't go oooooooooonnnnnnnn forever. Have to confess that towards the end even just holding the skipping rope was proving too much for me - but occassionally you have to pretend that you have the strength of Mighty Mouse -otherwise I fear that SuperTrainer would walk off in disgust at my feebleness.

Having in effect a personal trainer (completely by accident I must add - these are supposed to be group classes!) is a rather unique experience - you feel quite special until you realise you are entering a special kind of hell (and I firmly believe SuperTrainers Mel and Sarah are being superkind compared to normal) - even my bingo wings are starting to take flight from the agony. Praying fellow SuperChicks come and save me from myself soon as haven't quite achieved a level of fitness yet where I can get sufficient oxygen to my brain and muscles and be witty and delightful simultaneously. When I departed today, I realised that I had drool over my face - lovely - must have passed out during the session as don't recall slobbering.

Aimed to walk home again today but running on empty and literally wanted to lay down and rest on every single bench I passed (which in St James' Park is about every 50cm). So I only managed to hobble as far as the scene of my morning's torture, before praying for a bus to come a rescue me. Walking looks deceptively easy but yet is proving tricky to master over long distances - no sniggering - 3 miles is like a marathon for me.

However after dinner, an undisclosed number of mini-magnums and some pringles, I'm feeling much more chipper and ready to enter the fray again. Clearly I'm still working out the kinks to my new regiment. x

I ♥ Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick +

This is a followup to my initial review on Maybelline Moisture Extreme lipstick in Sugar Plum Ice HERE.

♥ *~REVIEW~* ♥

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick



No flash

I purchased these during the BOGO sale at Walgreens!

My collection now consists of: Sugar Plum Ice, Born with it, Windsor Rose, Sweet Ginger, & Peach Colada

Here are the swatches



**And on the lips**

***
From my previous post, Sugar Plum Ice - shimmery, baby pink. ♥



***

Born with it - Like its namesake, a very natural, subtle, sheer pinky color. YLBB



***

Windsor Rose - a bright, cool-toned punchy pink. I didn't think I could pull off cooler toned pinks, but it actually looks really gorgeous & dolly on!



***

Sweet ginger - I like this color A LOT - a great color for the Fall or matched with an earth-toned outfit. I actually might still have a trace of Peach Colada on my lips (thus the kind of coral-y shimmer in the flash pic) Mmm...reminds me of chai tea for some reason.



***

Peach Colada - This one looked super promising and bright in the tube! Maybe it was the base I was using or maybe it just isn't that pigmented... :/ Either way, it just did NOT want to stick to my lips. Even after swiping it a few times, still no dice. It's still a pretty subtle shade in the 'coral' family. I'd still use it on a nice Summer day! :)



***

Ok. Feeling lazy, will swatch Peach Colada later. (Maybe in the Summer when I'll actually sport it!) ***UPDATED - added swatch above 3/28*** Nude blush was all sold out, but I'll be on the hunt for it next time I'm stalking the makeup aisle during sale time! Strange observation: I noticed they sell a wider range of colors at the drugstores over Target.

Pros: Super affordable, very moisturizing, SPF15, gorgeous colors, tastes yummy
Cons: Not very long wearing

I am completely taken by this line! It's no wonder other bloggettes have raved about these too - there is a reason! If you're a n00b at lipstick like I am, you'll appreciate the fact that again, these lipsticks don't feel like lipstick on the lips. As previously mentioned, I hate anything but Aquaphor sitting on my lips, so it's pretty amazing that I actually enjoy wearing these lipsticks!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5/5)

***

Chronic dry-lippers REJOICE!!!

***

Although I have received this award previously, I would like to thank Sharlene for all her crazy thoughtfulness in bestowing the sunshine award on me again! :) Recently, I have needed more sunshine in my life, and it really made me feel all types of awesome inside.

In turn, I want to give this to everybody since you guys have also brought sunshine into my life too!


***
Thanks for the blog love Rachel, Chamorrita & pwincessanna ♥

♥ Irene

Sowing the seeds of change

So far, truth be told, any changes for this GOAM have been fairly subtle if not borderline indistinguishable! But considering P. Holford’s assertion that “new habits take 30 days to form”, I’m probably on par for the course.

Achievements so far:

1.
Bought a new and hot pink ipod shuffle and uploaded with long-sought after Mary Stewart audiobooks. My second purchase off ebay ever!!!

I fell in love with Mary Stewart’s novels as a teen as she writes amazing romantic action adventure stories based around independant women in their early twenties typically travelling abroad. Now it seems she has gone out of fashion and they are all but impossible and ridiculously expensive to get hold of but believe me her books are AMAZING!!!! I particularly love that you genuinely cannot guess the ending after two pages unlike so much of the vapid chicklit available today. I always hoped my life would turn out like one of her novels – reality it seems is not so kind and with a sinking feeling I’m fairly certain I’ve missed the boat as her heroines are typically 22-24! Saying that, I literally cannot wait to get reacquainted with these novels particularly as have also got hold of a couple I’ve never read.

(I’ve promised myself that I’m only allowed to play these audiobooks if I’m out walking and since I’ve got over 100 hours Mary Stewart to get through that’s a heck of a lot of walking!!!!)

For running or any sort of cardio, I need heart pumping, foot stomping tunes to keep me going, which is what my old shuffle is for and since my apple laptop hard-drive died two years ago – this shuffle also doubles up as a time capsule of the music that defines my early twenties and as I’ve been told that I can’t add to this without wiping the existing music, I took this as a sign to go buy a new one!!


2.
Last night I snagged an invite to a fashion show at Harvey Nics. In all honesty I’m not that keen on Harvey Nics as some of their stuff is a bit too cutting edge (insert rubbish/ unwearable) not to mention prohibitively expensive on my current wage. However in preparation for the fabulous new body that will be emerging from its current cocoon of flubber over the next thirteen weeks– I thought it’d be good to get some inspiration of what the less weight challenged (should that be WEIGHTLESS!) fashionable ladies love to wear.

Interestingly some of the best dressed ladies weren’t the models but the other guests. The models for the most part looked just plain miserable but then we were snaffling yummy sparkly cupcakes in front of them! (I defy anyone to pull off quaffing champagne and eating mini cupcakes whilst mingling gracefully – deserves to be an Olympic Sport in its own right!) I spotted one particular look from a fashionista that I’m coveting – the look comprised of black tights, amazing toe studded black heeled ankle boots with tassles on the back and a very short but high vis print skirt – SWOON. If I do say so myself, what I lack in current stomach definition, I make up for in fabulously shaped legs, so this is a look I feel I could definitely pull off. HOORAY!! Mingling gracefully in that ensemble however is a whole different kettle of fish.

I also met a lady who’s set up her own fashion label: Century 26 (if my champagne sozzled brain is accurate) and gave me lots of fascinating insight into the Fashion World - such as that designers only learn to design for UK size 8 clothes at design school, hence the obsession with small sizes and an inability of designers to flatter the more voluptuous figure. Top tip for those ladies for whom 8 is the number of cupcakes you can eat in one sitting rather than a dress size –Alexander McQueen is the way to go (fashion wise please not onto the other world). She also knew the buyer for Selfridges – definitely somebody to have on speed dial!

However back to the task at hand - I’m happy to report that I walked to Harvey Nics from Bond Street via Regent’s Street and then back to Green Park afterwards so must have covered c. 2 miles. YAY. Also discovered that walking, particularly in balmy evening weather like last night, is strangely addictive. Double yay. Current favourite spot to walk through is across Hyde Park Corner roundabout. Felt like I’d been transported to the Champs Elysee in Paris. (Definitely the effect of too much champagne last night!) Plus waiting at the crossing for the green horse to flash rather than the green man, always makes me smile as I imagine those trusty steads adhering to the green cross code!! These are actually called pegasus crossings. FACT.





3.
Got off a tube stop early this morning and walked the long way to work – this has to be portentous sign! Either that or was just trying to delay getting to work for as long as possible! Additionally I left work at 5.30pm walked to Hyde Park, completed my SuperChicks session with the fabulous Mel who kept me laughing even in the alwful weather and then I walked all the way home (this doesn't quite capture the effort involved but my feet sure as hell know it) -so in total today I reckon I walked 6 miles - this is now officially to be known as the Mary Stewart effect - long may it continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4.
So as the walking is ramping up, I'm keen to indulge in some very special, walk-enhancing footware and not FitFlops, MBTs or Reebok’s new training shoes – something so special they deserve a post of their own so more on this later.

5.

As a plus, to try to reimburse the costs of this supposedly cost-neutral pastime (which I'm failing spectacularly at but thriftiness and I have never been that fond of each other), I have decided not to renew my Oyster Travel Card from 1st April for the next two months – meaning that from 1st April I have to walk EVERYWHERE I want to go in and around London!!! For starters this means a 10 mile return journey to work every day, providing I don’t take any detours/ start begging strangers for piggyback rides.

Challenges to overcome:

1.

Consuming less of the hard stuff i.e. chocolate is proving to be massively problematic – partly because I simply forget that I’m not supposed to be eating it, so deeply ingrained is my habit. Plus in my unofficial duty as cake ambassador which I take very seriously, (my desk at work is adjacent to the CAKE TABLE - yes we love cake so much it is assigned its own table!) I feel I have a duty to indulge and lead by example. Lastly when you’re working 10-12 hour days (contracts to be signed before next financial year), struggling to find replacements for two lovely flatmates moving on to pastures new (promise that incessantly chatter of current mission has not driven them away so if anyone knows of someone looking for a place in West Hampstead – check out spareroom.com!) and trying to adapt to a more strenuous/ regular workout regiment – I find that coaxing it with Chocolate and sugar just works too well.

(Loving the giant size of the bars!!)

Plus tis the season to consume your body weight in chocolate: Easter is my favourite holiday on this basis alone! However post April 5th, the reign of chocolate is ending. (Insert your own opening movement 5th Symphony Beethoven effect)

2.

Meant to be signing up for a 5k run for work on April 28th but totally TERRIFIED. Walking 26 miles is a challenge but one I’m sure I can achieve if I put the effort in. Running 5k feels impossible however much effort I put in as RUNNING is IMPOSSIBLE – I’m a girl who begged for a respite during a warm up jog last Friday and with colleagues already competing over training times – best time currently stands at an soul-destroying 29 mins, I’m feeling light-years out of my league. BUT in the spirit of this mission and the fact that I hate going back on my word, I really should do this. Anyway I have until Sunday to sign up – whether I do will be based on a training run I attempt on Saturday – god help me.

3.

Sore knees.

That concludes my (admittedly rather lengthy) mission update x

3 quick and easy hairstyles

Hello ladies :)
Well, todays post is going to be hair related, I don't think I've ever done one before? So it's overdue really isn't it? Lol. Anyways, I get increasingly bored of the 'usual' hairstyles... but it's simply because I always think other styles take too much time. This isn't the case and I thought I'd share 3 hairstyles I achieved in about 5 minutes for each? And they all come from the same idea or 'base' if you like :) Here goes... PHOTOS ARE CLICKABLE

1- 'The Base'

I've been wearing my hair just like this quite a lot recently. It's so simple to do, but really effective... I think. It's sort of a toned down Amy Winehouse? Lol. To achieve this look I just section off the top part of my crown and backcomb the whole lot, smoothing a brush over the top afterwards. Then I just simple take both my hands and sweep it to the back and secure with a clip :) Simples!

2- Low Side Pony

Take the same steps as you did for the first hairstyle, then just pull the left over hair to the side and tie! This is easy to dress up with some cute hair accessories, or you could even curl your hair... the possibilities are endless :)

3- Low Side Messy Bun

This looks a lot more complicated than it really is. I took the hairstyle number 2, then sectioned the ponytail making a loop with each section and securing it to my head with bobby pins. Another great one to add accessories too. It literally took 5 minutes! Great for a wedding I think? Or any kind of formal :)

As you can see, these hairstyles are so versatile. There are tonnes of other looks you could make with just 'the base'. They're all really quick, and anyone could do them, easily. Hair accessories would look great with all of them.

Do you tend to get in a hair rut?

Natalieslovex