October Favourites

Quite simply, here's a round-up of my favourite things from October, from the worlds of nutrition, fitness and beauty.

SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES

Simple; a round-up of the great and good from the last month including skincare and audio visual delights.

This Works Light Time Cleanse and Glow*
A new little saviour in my morning routine, this light and fresh cleanser from This Works is jam-packed full of vitamin C and other skin brightening loveliness which work a treat to banish that sleepy look first thing in the morning. I've been using this every other day over the past couple of weeks and have already seen a difference in my complexion. It also smells bloody great too, so makes having to get up on these darker autumnal mornings that bit more OK.

Slimming Solution Teatox - Evening Blend*
I'm really not one to jump on the detox tea bandwagon - I'm not utterly convinced by their whole ethos to be honest, as there are no quick fix solutions to weight loss or slimming. I do however, believe in a healthy eating plan and everything in moderation whatever your body goals are, which is more realistic in the long run IMHO. So even though and I'm bit anti-teatox, and I am very much pro-tea and have been enjoying this blend as part of my current way of eating and trying it out in the evening. It's packed with stomach-settling peppermint and liquorice root, and has a really calming overall scent so a perfect one to have just before bed. 

Broadly
I'm mad for YouTube and there are some incredible vloggers out there creating genuinely brilliant original content. However, Broadly a new women's only channel from Vice, is pretty much the only channel that's had my full attention over the last month or so. Each video is beautifully shot in a documentary style and the content covers a whole host of subjects and issues specifically targeted to women. Go and check it out to see for yourself - you won't be disappointed.

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

One product that's been on my beauty wishlist for a long time is this face mask from Antipodes, so when I saw that Fenwick had started stocking it, I picked one up to give it a whirl. And I have to say, it hasn't disappointed and has been another skin superhero recently, so big up to you, Antipodes. If you haven't heard of the NZ-based brand before, they produce natural skincare and make-up, with fully recyclable (and very well-designed) packaging to boot. The change in weather and mixture of heating/air-conditioning has made my skin incredibly dry and lathering this on a couple of times a week has been helping with that Autumnal hydration drought and given me back some much needed softness to my skin too.

Have you tried anything from Antipodes? What have been your favourite things from past month?

June Favourites

As if it’s the end of another month. Where the f**k is 2015 going?

June has been an…interesting month. A lot emotional highs and lows, whilst trying out a new way of eating and another bloody injury. All I can say is BRING. ON. JULY.

The last month has brought some good stuff with it though, and with that is mind, here’s a few of my faves from the past four weeks or so. 

Scales

Yes. Scales. Kitchen scales at that (not the sad step, no, never that). This completely boring piece of kitchen equipment has revolutionised my month in a weird kinda way. I’ve been dabbling with tracking my macros (coming soon to a blog post near you) and without the scales, I would’ve basically powered my way through a 1kg tub of Almond Butter in a week whilst thinking ‘but these are healthy fats!’ Almond Butter is indeed a healthy fat, but not when you trough your way through it without giving it second thought. The scales have been ace for helping me with portion size and, after two weeks or following a sort-of macro plan, I’ve already noticed changes in my body shape and energy levels. Go scales!

MyFitnessPal

Yes, I have joined the MFP crew. As I’m following a certain way of eating, tracking it has been incredibly helpful with helping me to analyse my diet and seeing when having certain foods works best for me (carbs in the AM all the way). Another ace feature of MFP is the fact you can pop in your favourite recipes and it shows you the nutritional breakdown and how your favourite foods can fit in with your nutrition plan. I've been doing this with things like my Paleo Sweet Potato Bread and favourite Madeleine Shaw energy balls, to track there content and the best time to eat them. I wouldn't say I would use this religiously everyday day going forward, as it is quite time consuming, but if you have a certain goal/weight you're trying to reach, this is for you.

#LiftLikeAGirl

All hail the #girlgains. I’ve been lifting weights for nearly a year now, and it hasn’t just changed my body, but my overall fitness levels and general outlook on life. I wouldn’t say I've made huge gainz (must go to the gym more) but significant enough to give to see how lifting help with not only fat loss but empowerment and mental strength, and this is totally spurring me on to keep training. A recent article by The Telegraph really sums up the whole movement for me. Ladies, for one, do not be afraid to pick up the bar bell, you will not get bulky! And there are some super inspiring ladies squatting for their lives and showing you what your body can be capable of. Gan on lasses. 

Korres Fig Shower Gel

Finally! Enough gym chat, something beauty-related. I’ve been meaning to pick this up for ages as am a huge lover of anything fig-scented, and this shower gel from Korres is just the thing. It's so beautifully balanced (not too overpoweringly figgy) and doesn't dry the skin out. Win! Next on my figgy wish list? Jo Malone's Wild Fig and Cassis scent. Hubba hubba. 

Nails Inc. The New White in Swan Street

Or 'The nail polish that everyone bought months ago but I’ve only just managed to pick up’. I’m not usually one for following a trend (on a continual quest of being a trend maven), but, unexpectedly, this is one of those beauty products which does live up the hype. The cool minty just-off-white shade is hot for this warmer weather, and would look even better with a tan (better get the St Tropez out). It gets even more bonus points for no chipping, even after 5 days of wear. 

March Favourites | Lifestyle

It's time for a gold old healthy dose of monthly favourites.

March has mainly been a month for food and pouring over recipes and lifestyle tips, both online and in print. I'm finding myself doing a lot more research into food and food components since I've started my course to become a Diet and Nutrition Advisor, and am thoroughly enjoying the learning process on the way. I've included a couple of favourite food discoveries I've picked up on in the last few weeks here so step on in and enjoy.

February Favourites | Lifestyle

Time for some February favourites. Here's a right old mixture of goodies that I've been loving this past month.

All hail kale
Everyone who knows me, knows I have a mild - ok full-blown - obsession with kale. What's not to love? Leafy, green, damn good for you. Man, I love the kale.

I'm also right in thinking that most of us will have seen the Beyonce 7/11 video, and that Kale sweater. Ever since the first view, I've been literally obsessed. I had seen similar jumpers over at SeaSoul & Snow (after the Beet sweat next) before I saw Bey's version, but wasn't quite sure about parting with 40 big ones for it. Luckily for me, the birthday gods knew how much I wanted one and I was gifted this beauty #kaleyeah

The Gentlewoman
My absolute favourite publication returns for SS15. Look at that cover. Look at Bjork! If you've never picked it up before, it is a seriously smart publication for smart women.

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara 
Now it wouldn't be a monthly favourites post without a bit of beauty. I am so chuffed I finally got my hands on some Tarte goodies when in the States at the beginning of the year. I am a big, voluminous, Sixties eyelash kind of girl - the bigger the lashes, the better IMO.  Tarte's Gifted mascara was one of many purchases from Sephora in NYC and it is an absolute beauty. Doesn't leave the lashes looking clumpy at all, instead leaving them voluminous and fluttery. Winner.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain
I read about this product on Lily Pebbles blog at the end of last year, and instantly put this on my hit list for Sephora. It is the most long-lasting liquid lipstick ever. I can't even explain. So light and not drying in the slightest, this is an unbelievable product for long-lasting lip colour. I purchased 01 Always Red, but will definitely be picking up some more of the pinky tones next time I visit the US.

Pukka Peppermint and Licorice tea
I've been trying to cut down on the caffeine recently and on my quest for something interesting to replace my usual cuppa with, I came across this blend from Pukka. Now I'm not going to lie, the packaging was the main reason I picked these up, but the contents are just as tasty. Sweet and refreshing at the same time, this is my new go-to tea.

Colab Dry Shampoo
I am a big dry shampoo gal. Having long hair means only having to wash it about twice a week, so for those in-between days, I'm always reaching for a dry shampoo to keep my locks looking tip-top. Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends partnered with Colab to create a new range of dry shampoos, in delicious scents named after cities and formulated to be sheer and invisible. I picked up the Extreme Volume version in the scent New York, and can hands down say that this beats my usual go-to, Batiste XXL. The Colab range is on offer at Superdrug at the moment, so make sure you get your hands on some whilst it's at this lower price. You won't regret it.

What are you loving this month?