Merry Christmas!

I hope all you lovely girls had the best christmas with friends and Family and have a Wonderful New Year

x

This month I am....

Yes as a return to my blog I thought I would dig up an old faithful post.

so..

This month I am..

Slimming down.. I have joined slimming world and have just lost my first half stone.. only another (cough) many to go ;)

decorating and gardening, after the extensions there is still so much to sort out - its a builders yard in parts of the garden.

Sorting out a holiday - going to Cornwall for 10 days in a few wks and definitely booking a 2 wks away in the Caribbean next yr.

Wondering if I should take a break from my Raccoon hair extensions or just get them redone before I go :D

Maybe having a Blog Sale

Its been a while hasnt it, I guess alot of us get caught up in our lives and now tweet rather than blog.

Ive still watched the odd youtube beauty video but realised I have amounted a pornographic amount of makeup and I just cant justify the space it takes up when i perhaps only use some of it once a year.

Also since going blonde Ive had to change my makeup.

So In the next wk I will be listing things I no longer use. Mac, Nars. the usual suspects - well loved and little used. It seams a waste to throw things out and rather than give them away Ive decided to raise some money to buy the eldest a new Mac computer.. if she behaves ;).

So watch this space and you may grab a bargain or find that one thing you want.

I am on twitter btw too lizzclare46

xliz

Hello!! update

Hi followers
well ive been so busy as per usual and had so much going on this past yr Ive really neglected to blog and ive stopped making vids. My confidance too a nose dive this year and Ive had depression since my children were born off and on. Dealing with negative comments on my videos didnt help so I stepped away then had no balls to come back.
Things that have changed for me this year, Ive gone blonde - that was hard work from dyed black hairand ill blog about that in detail at a later date.
Spent the school summer holidays in Cornwall. 5 wks by the sea was lovely but with kids dogs and other half it was hard going. Having our own grand design but more of a mini version in the form of an extension so we have room for Caitlin to have her own space and bugger bathroom and garage for Jeff to hang out in. At the min we are decorating and waiting for the electricians to finish wiring it all in. Hope it will be done before xmas.
Ill be back soon and havent fell into a pit of despair.
take care


Liz
x

EOTD

Whilst shopping like a loony at my favorite shopping outlet village in Bicester, I got a bagful of stuff from the Estee lauder outlet shop (cosmetic company shop).

One of them being this lovely mac pigment.
So my eye of the day has to be Heritage Rouge - over the top of power surge eye kohl.
On the Lips its Benefit jing a ling lipstick and a dior addict pink gloss on the top
Foundation Chanel pro lumiere in 30 and contour mac blunt blush & blush warm soul

Makes my green eyes stand out no end I think :)
I will post a pic of the other things I have picked up from there. I was going to do a video but Im currently so full of the flu it would just be disgusting to watch

Face of the day

Pin up look inspired by Pixiwoo's recent tutorial
dodgy face due to trying to take a pic on my iphone which is near impossible to do on your own lol so used the rear view mirror (not whilst driving though)

I love this look and the only makeup I would wear when I was younger was a red on my lips :)
This one is Estee Lauders Signature red
chanel pro lumiere foundation think it gets a bit shiny over my nose area so maybe use blot powder over it next time
Bobbi Brown es in glitz - a soft shimmery gold

Happy New Year and a happy new me :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Im sure like me alot of you ate and drank so much over Christmas. But not as much as I had in previous years. Learnt by my mid January and still feeling bleugh mistakes of yrs gone by. I had only gained 2lbs over xmas but after new yr and more alcohol another 2lbs lol but Christmas morning I weighed myself and was under the 11 stone mark (10 stone 13) which was my mini goal, an achievement from the previous Jan when I was 12st 13lbs and distraught by it.


My resolve to only buy a box of chocolates and none of the snacky foods fell by the wayside as family seamed to try and fatten us all up with gifts of chocolates, and my fanatic baking and cooking went into overload.
Brownies, Rocky Road, Morrocan Lamb Tangine, and my xmas dinner pudding and my first pavlova(success).

Im am addicted to Nigella Lawsons Christmas cooking book and its on its second year and so easy to follow -even impressed the mother in law with my white wine marinaded stuffed and rolled pork loin on boxing day. Brownie points to be cashed in for babysitting in the future ;)
I can never manage to catch Caitlin for a photo over christmas - she is 11 and shy and awkward :) but so lovely and so unlike my singing drama queen Madde (above).
I wont list the all Christmas presents I received but I was spoiled by the girls and Jeff.


My new years eve outfit was a lovely vero moda dress in a size 14 whoop whopp! :D a jersey dress with a wet leather look double frill around the bottom and an exposed zip down the back, draped in a ton of pearly beads from topshop in their half price sale and sky high patent peep toe shoes.
After trying to round up friends and family it just ended up me and him for the evening but we bumped into people we hadnt seen in years and ended up having a really great night and having prebooked taxi's each way we were home before 2am. There is nothing worse than the taxi rank queue in the freezing cold in the early hours whilst fights between drunken louts and screaming girls break out. (my girls are never going into town).

I have now kicked myself up the arse and from yesterday weighing in at 11 stone 2lbs I am back on the low carb and sugar free wagon and looking forward to getting back into running again.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and new year.

We took my parents to our local the King Billy in Northampton on Christmas eve. Bless them both in their 70's and listening to a live rock band :) They had a great time.

Some of you may have read I was having some domestic bother on twitter this past week, thankyou for all the lovely messages. I was going to do a post about it but its a bit personal to get into but I am ok and changing what I put up with. I am actually quiet lovely :) and need to be treated so.

take care :)
xx

wednesdays run

I have been using my nike+ for my running distances ect but after talking to a few people about the times I am out for ect. They advised I try and run where It can be mapped as I might need to play about with my settings on my nike thing.
I have used this website a couple of times now and you can zoom in, see street names, terrain ect and on sattelite view its distance mapping is excellent within a few ft.
So I ran half of the Brampton Valley way on weds, its a huge foot/cycle route through Northamptonshire and boy was it cold out.
My nike+ counted my pace and measured 5.2 miles including turning around halfway and coming back. I was like woohoo thats the most I had done.
I got in and actually mapped it from the carpark I started in to the carpark about the halfway mark... to find I actually did over 7 miles,

Now it seams like loads doesnt it. for the first mile I was fannying about getting the dogs away from the farm bit, getting my ipod on, hat and gloves and zipping my coat up. I then jogged for a couple of miles and had to stop to get them over the train track then carried on. It was a bit stop and start most of the first half but on the way back I only stopped once and was so pleased.
yesterday -thurs I dont think I could bend my legs lol but today apart from a bit of tenderness around my knees I feel great.
I would definitely run this one again it is a great training ground for the 5k Im thinking of doing next year

Officially 4 weeks until Christmas! and I love it woohoo!

I was intending to make a youtube video but my camera on my macbook keeps going off. i should get it looked at but tbh with all this running Ive been doing lately Im so shattered to do anything constructive. Also a haul video with the things I bought when nadia was here for the week has been put on hold as I honestly cant remeber what it was it got.. need to rumage around... Anyway back to my original post



I love christmas even more than new year!
I love the fact Jeff has find the 'perfect' tree and the hours of trapesing around every single garden centre and tree nursery until one takes his fancy. Then choosing to buy a tree so big he then has to butcher it to get it into the house, a turkey so fat it even says on it to feed 20-24 ppl and nothing else will fit in the oven.

The kids having so many presents they inevitably open everything at once and lose an important piece to the one thing that will hold there interest long enough for me to try and get into the kitchen to help Jeff.

He is definately a traditional guy. Likes being in charge of the bbq in the summer and the full on Christmas dinner. Im not complaining I love that about him. My dad is the same. I like a man to take charge and be a man when its needed :D Its over all too soon it seems the shops open boxing day now for the sames and we dont get snow here until feb/early march. I wish everyone would just see it as a time to take a holiday and spend it with family.
For that one day and maybe even 2 if Jeff can get the time off I will be having a family Christmas :D
Now.. to make my wish list

liz
x

Nadia Is here :D

So you guys that know me or see me on twitter will know that Nadia from the blog Love Lipstick and Lime or Trucco905 on twitter is currently in England from Canada staying with me and my daughters for the week.

Its has been fantastic and like having a best friend. Loads of girly chat - shopping everyday, Northampton, Bicester designer outlet, Milton Keynes and that is from monday to weds! lol.

We have bought makeup from the CCO - underwear - handbags and clothing from dept stores, eaten out and had cocktails,dyed and straightened her hair -it has been so much fun.

The usual English weather hasnt failed us or stopped us in our tracks! I would film a haul video but well you can just imagine lol
Nadia will leave on Saturday which will be awful as we are such good friends now its always worrying when you meet in 'real life' but it was as if we had known each other for years.
Anyway back to the inflatable bed which is the only place a good hostess should reside!

lizx

My Run this morning :D

This Month I am.......

Playing...
With my new white 32gig iphone
Ive had an itouch since they came out and loved my pink and gold sony erricson but ive dropped it so many times and it has missing corners and is a couple of yrs old now so time for the big kahuna!
I had all the apps already and knew how to find my way around it it was just the ease of having the phone and ipod function and apps all in 1 so less to carry. My itunes library on my macbook is gigantic so only the larger storage phone would do.

Running..
Still using the getrunning app but now on my iphone - wk 6 run 1 tomorrow. Saturday a.m I did my longest run yet which was 20 mins - I did it in the rain and also added on another 3 mins to it.
To say I was ecstatic afterwards was an understatement I was grinning like a cheshire cat as it was only weeks before that running the 1 min made me cough, gasp, and feel like my legs were burning and breaking beneath me.
I run in the woods near me with the dogs I feel safe, there are always alot of others about running and on moutain bikes - I see the same people but always vary my route. Its soft underfoot so not alot of stress on the knees but oh god its muddy :)

Dieting..
Well as my previous youtube post and vid I rejoined weightwatchers. I have been having a good week but then out of nowhere my period appeared so now I feel bloated and huge. I had one day where I didnt really point and we went out for a carvery and I had a dessert and vodka diet coke :D My 1 crappy day. But I have been keeping up the running so I am hoping for a couple of lbs. I have pcos so dont lose a hell of a lot of weight fast ive got to live with that which is a shitter!. But anything off will be great.

Recovering..
After my off from my dirt bike and bruised abdomen and arms I feel as good as new! That'll teach me to try and do jumps when I dont have the ability only the enthusiasm lol

Watching...
Live music.. I love a good gig - The last few weeks we have been to see Robbie Williams in Camden at the BBC Electric Proms - just an amazing set, he is so so nice. The big orchestra backing just made it perfect.
Then on Halloween we went to see Pink on her funhouse tour - getting tickets from Ticketmaster a few days before we paid about £60 each one for the premium seats. Which wasnt bad as on ebay they were selling for over that. We were at the side of the stage and had better viewing than 70% of the standing crowd. She was amazing the girl can move in heels!! What a great performer. Jeff loved it too even though he isnt a huge fan and only knew the chart songs she had done. The bummer of the night was that Birmingham doesnt have trains after 11pm so we were screwed and had to get a £75 taxi home.. you can imagine how that went down. We didnt think to check and assumed as its a large city. Doh!

Dowloading...
Greys anatomy, Dexter, true Blod, Cougar Town(soo fucking funny)

Hating...
Jeff this month well maybe hate is too strong he cant do anything right, maybe im too hard to please maybe he just doesnt try enough. He has a short fuse and Yells and slams doors, I get over emotional and cry and 'never listen' or agree. Its good most of the time but some weeks its hard to find things to like about him. Relationships are so hard to make work when you only see someone 2 days a week its like there is so much pressure to get along.
But if we didnt work at it it would just mean there was nothing to fight for.

Loving..
Autumn, falling leaves, bonfire night, halloween, warm foods and casseroles. Roasted dinners. The heating is on in the house the curtains are drawn early so its candle light snuggly and warm.

Making...
Diet friendly foods, more fish, soups,hot chicken and bacon salads, Pasta for the girls. I cant eat alot of carbs doesnt agree with me but I love cooking. Just need to get Jeff to try healthier foods rather than him eating takeaway when we all have dinner. Selfish sod!

Buying...
In Birmingham before the pink gig I picked up, nars sheer glow foundation in the color Santa Fe, the color I would compare to chanel 20 clair or a maybe a 30. Light in color but matches my neck. When My fake tan wears off my head always still looks tanned compared to my body so I chose a lighter foundation. Also picked up 2 of the bobbi brown cream eyeshadows. Disappointing as they are so sheer you can build them up the girl said they are really pretty but work better as bases i think.



thanks for reading, hope your all having a great Autumn
x

The great re-joinaholic

Well its that time of year again, Festive lights, slinky dresses, winter woolies. Central heating creating a tropical environment in houses and shops.
If it aint enough to be a bit chubby already then don a cable knit sweater dress 40 denier opaque tights to enhance my tree trunks and off I go.. its a full on chub fest! within 10 mins i feel like clawing myself out of the clothes and going au natural as my body heat creates a shrinking effect with the wool.. cue claustrophic panic attack..Something has to be done.

I have been trundling along kind of dieting on my own for months ..all wk - kind of eating takeaways at the weekend bolstering myself that its all good and running every other day :D After hearing that some of you great girls have stated weightwatchers and that a girl has a challenge well.. I thought maybe I should pull my finger out and join in and drop some fat. you can view Jess's channel here - she is very inspirational
I have the exercising sorted.. now on wk 5 of the running program so its just the food side of it to take in hand.

I rejoined weight watchers this morning which was surreal for a couple of reasons.

1. I am 1.5lbs lighter than the last time I had a ww weigh in! bonus. 5 months and no gain!

2. It was like going back in time because everything was exactly the same even the people. The class I go to is full of older women, or girls with scrunchie pony tails and prams full of kids screaming.. I feel a bit out of place and none of them looked noticably slimmer than when I was last there in May. I dont stay for the meetings as by the time the weighing in is done and the meeting gets going it can be over an hr and a half of sitting around. I have never found them motivating. The leader has lost a stone and admits she has a hard time keeping it off and doesnt really give you the oompft you are looking for.

So here is my starting weight
5'1 height
11st 8lbs
I am on 21 points a day
Ive been set a 5% goal for shoot for which will take me to 11 stone.. Any more than 8lbs to aim for at present seams so unattainable and will have me diving into the cake tin as quick as a flash.. so its baby steps..

Blog award :D yay

I have been nominated for some wonderful blog awards! I know can you even believe it heheh!!

The girl that nominated me beautiful Paula has a great blog that I wasnt even aware of but Im so glad to have another brilliant blog to read. Thank you so much for this award :D I think this is the first one aswell.

Her blog is here
http://sweetcheeks1910.blogspot.com/
go and say Hi to Paula :)


Ok so I have to do the following -

1. Thank the person who nominated me for this award
2. Copy the award & place it on my blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated me for this award.
4. Tell us 7 interesting things about yourself.
5. Nominate 7 bloggers
6. Post links to the 7 blogs I nominate.

I nominate these lovely girls check them out I wish I could nominate more!

http://humbug202.blogspot.com/ Sarah is so so funny she needs to blog more!

http://www.ymbeautyblog.com/ Holly is beautiful and knows how to shop!

http://lipgloss86.blogspot.com/ Amy always has me making lists of things to buy lol damn u :P

http://romanticdreaming.blogspot.com/ I love sitting with a coffee and reading Laura's Blog

http://mupnorth.blogspot.com/ Michelle lives in Norway and is a makeup artist and an amazing slimmer!!

http://stellar27.blogspot.com/ Rebbecca has stye I often oooh and ahh at her beautiful blog shes a MUA and journalist too shes got it going on :)


7. Interesting things about me:

1. I am the middle child of 9 siblings 6 sisters and 2 brothers - yes hectic at christmas

2. I have a morbid love of zombie movies my fave is dawn of the dead.

3. I was an original goth in my early to late teens I was angst ridden dressed head to toe in black listening to the sisters of mercy, bauhaus, banshees ect ect I spent most of my time following my ex husband around as he played guitar in a grunge/thrash metal band - smoking dope feeling spiritual and being original haha so we thought!

4.I dye my hair every 4 weeks no more no less - I have been 70% grey since I was in my late teens just as my mum was. Im naturally dark brown though not the black I like to dye my hair :D

4. I have 2 daughters from my prev marriage that are the funniest girls in the world - they make it all worthwhile

5. I havent smoked now for nearly 3 yrs but smoked from my teens till then giving up each time I was pregnant but starting again soon after. Sometimes I miss it but dont know why.

6. I am a serial dieter but my love of good food is my downfall, Jeff is a feeder when he is at home and I am an eater lol

7.I am in love with Ruben Xaus an amazing motorbike racer .omg he would be the one

Ready, Steady, Grow! eyebrow update!!

I have always had a love hate relationship with my brows. More on the hate part recently.
I had huge thick furry caterpillars in the 80's fueled by the likes of brook shields, thinner more natural looking ones in the early 90's like many of the models and popstars and that obsession with perfection led to over plucking.
I have thin brows which are missing the front part. I dont pluck from anywhere but underneath on the outer arch now.
Whilst searching the net and hearing liposils being great for eyelashes I came across the same thing for eyebrows! yay!! and being able to get anything in the world on ebay I bought something called Talika.

On there website the testimonials made me reassured but I decided to document the growth if any - weekly :D
Details of the product on the website can be found on here.
So from tonight I will upload a photo each week of my eyebrows - without any pencilling in or brow powder.

My brows au natural! yes you see the problem.. alot of penciling in. But a good starting point to see if it works! Excuse the puffy eyes - its 6am, having 2 girls I have to get in the bathroom early lol

at the start 06/10/09








2 weeks later 21/10/09





21/10/09 2 wks later
I was going to post a pic last week but there was nothing at all.
After applying morning and night so far there hasnt been any dramatic difference to see - the fine hairs I would have plucked daily are coming through and I am not plucking at all which is killing me. Should take about 28 days so halfway through this isnt bad as there is some growth but it could just be what have grown if I stopped plucking anyway lol always the skeptic!

I will stick with it and let you know


closeup pics













My brows after powder
shadow or my blink eyebrow pencil

I found a lovely blogger check her out and you can win things!

Sarah is from Kent and has a great blog called I heart Cosmetics - lots of reviews on products and things she loves :)

Sarah is also running a Halloween giveaway competition over on her blog with lots of great prizes for the winner! with numerous ways of winning and mentioning her blog is one of them. What a great way to get other girls to spread the word about your blog. I am always on the lookout for reviews of beauty items and other girls to be blog friends with.

If you want to find someone new to add to your reading list I can definitely recommend her blog and she has just redesigned it too so its all pretty and pink.

Click Here to Visit her blog

Blog Sale

Hi Ladies
I am selling some items that I no longer use. Leave a comment with what you are interested in first come first served and I will send you a paypal invoice.
S&H
UK I will post recorded delivery and it will be £2.50 for up to 2 items each extra item it will be another 50p.
USA £3.50
Can you please say if your in the Uk or overseas :) when you comment
No returns I will describe items and condition and pack well.
You can click on each photo for a close up to see condition usage ect :)

sorry sold

Mac Eyeshadows only used a couple of times
violet trance sold, et tu bouqet sold ,
night manoeuvres deep coco brown £6.00 each

Sold

Nars Tokyo eyeshadow duo - used once £9

Mac Mineralise eyeshadows
Sold love connection on the left
Fashion patch on the right small dents in the blue and lilac £9

both now sold

Lipsticks, from left to right
YSL Lingerie pink - sold
Blankety only used a few times £7
Fresh Brew used a few times £7
Hug me used swatched once £8
Gel used once £8
Vegas volt new swatched once £8

Estee Lauder Sand and Sea Palette- sold



Calvin Klein Lacquer Finish Lip Color - Never opened as this is a back up I bought and I have still to get half way through my first one. Creamy and intense a great autumn deep red color. Jeff calls it my pvc lips because this is so glossy on. The box is a bit bashed but the product is perfect £6



Nars the multiple in Copacabana - Sold


Studio Finish Concealer nw25 sold


Mac Solarbits in Scatterrays - pearlised pigment clusters - hardly used £10



Mac 15 pan palette with 6 hardly used eyeshadows
top knot
antiqued
gulf stream
Bitter
moons reflection
Jewel Blue
£45

This month I am...

Running..
with the help of an app called get running I put onto my ipod touch and a book that gives motivation and tips I am once again enjoying the cold air and warm legs.. must invest in some thermal gloves though.. cold fingers.

Dieting..
Sticking to calories I have lost 4lbs this wk - yay! Its really just about eating less and moving more, easier in principal though I have been hungry. More whole grains and fibre. I want to lose a stone before christmas when I have to see the family and get the scrutiny from relatives I only see at xmas and dont really give a care about.

Resisting..
The urge to get my hair trimmed. Its been about 2 months I think But I love it when it has longer layers in it. Maybe get a trim before Christmas.

Wearing...
My jeans alot and longer tops with my new boots.. the weather has turned colder. I love wrapping up though. Not having a body to die for and all I will swamp it in snuggly knits. but none of that husky printed stuff Ill have you know!

Loving..
Autumn, falling leaves, bonfire night, halloween, conkers, warm foods and casseroles. Roasted dinners.

Making...
Cakes, not diet friendly but resisting the urge to lock myself in the loo and eat them on my own lol.
Lovely food for everyone, I love cooking.

Buying...
I need warmer clothes Im sure I have alot of jumpers and things I bought from mango last year in the loft somewhere.
Trying to scale down makeup purchases as I have so much. but just ordered the blue and purple eyeshadow from the style black collection That will be that until Christmas now. Well thats the plan!

Hows your October going?


thanks for reading
x

Spending money......

I went into town today not really for anything in particular and picked up some funky boots and a few other things. Also included my mac dazzlecremes, lush smellies and other lovely things.

Running

Ive started running again!

I purchased a book called Running made easy and it tells you how to get into it, or back into it in my case. I never did races or marathons I think the furthest distance I used to run was 7 miles around a reservoir. More of a plodder than a sprinter.
I was at about 10 stone then and liked that weight still about a stone over my ideal weight but I like having boobs and bumb and being toned up I was in a size 10/12 and happy!

I am still 11.9 I am great at being able to stay the same weight whilst on a diet! Just call me Plateau Banton! lol yes fat girls always laugh at themselves! is it because we want to get in there first?
I also used to run all the time with the dogs in the woods up until 2 summers ago when I tripped over a tree root and fractured my ankle and torn ligaments and had to have too long in a cast and crutches. (I didnt take advice and stay off it - with Jeff away and me on my own with the kids I just couldnt. I had to drive I had to do all the normal things - going up and down the stairs on my bottom because I couldnt weight bear lol.)
I had physio but never really felt it was as strong as it was and overcompensating for it on my other foot meant strains and pains elsewhere.

So, I have been walking the dogs for about 5 miles 3-4 times a week for the past few months now trying to build up stamina, strength and get into a routine. I prefer to be outside compared to the gym and get so bored on the treadmill - even though its easy to see how far you have gone speed ect.
So today whilst walking the dogs about halfway round and an hr in - in heavy walking boots my ipod blasting dance remixes at me I just started jogging.
I really love it and it gives me such an endorphin kick. I timed myself and ran for 60 seconds - walked for 2 mins. I did this 6 times (couldnt remember what it said in the book but what the hell it felt great) Not very much or very far or even a sprint but its a start.
I really need to sit down and read the book a bit more It gives you a plan on how long to run and rest for.
I need a plan or I will throw myself into it with carefree abandon and end up injured.
I now need to locate a decent sports bra to strap these things down as they have a tendancy to pop out when running lol not as attractive as it sounds.. not so much Lucy Pinder as a gasping for oxygen Jo Brand!

In and Out

In

Sunny September.. Indian Summer maybe? July/Aug was a washout all summer in Northampton. Thank god for.....

Fake tanning even though its near October I am still sunkissed trying out lots of formulations, look out for my review coming soon on you tube with hints for keeping it looking great.

Diet cherry coke! I am addicted to this it reminds me of days on the beach when I was in my teens and watching the surfing in Cornwall.

Fix+ spray and all its wondrous uses.

Freshly painted walls and new carpets.. We decorated the girls little room and its lovely and girly and I want it!

Caitlins school photo, where finally she doesnt look so awkward and uncomfortable lol .One to purchase for sure :)

Walking the dogs. I walk for abour 2-3 hrs a time in the woods near us It is owned by the Althorpe Estate, we live not far from where Princess Di stayed, she never really lived there for very long it is huge and has the most amazing old trees in it. Sometimes you just need to get out away from the superficial and into the fresh air.

Out

Dieting, this should be in as I am trying to lose weight still but I just cant be bothered with the effort of worrying what I eat at the moment. I am doing more each day just need to eat less!
I havent put on a lb though since my last ww weigh in a few months back. Mainly because I put a few on then lose a few classic yo-yo dieting.. If it was easy we would all look like models though lol

Leggings - I hate them! I wore them in the 80's and then I was trim and damned hot but now My legs are chunkier and I just couldnt make myself look stupid by going out in them.

Fashion - I am not a fan of this long t-shirt and leggings thing it doesnt suit my shape and I dont like it on other girls. Im more surfer style than high st trend follower. Ugg boots flared dark denim skirt and tank tops with woolly cardis or bike racing hoodies. Thats as casual as I get :)

Layered hair, now the layers are growing out my hair is looking wide lol I am trying to grow them out though i prefer one length hair but I will have to see how thick it gets.

Mac Fix+ spray rediscovered

If your anything like me you buy the latest beauty product and if you love it other things are pushed to the back of drawers, cupboards and boxes and forgotten.
I really should stop buying new things as I am now closing my bathroom cabinet and dreading opening it as things are tumbling out lol plus I really do have alot of great things to use up.
Clearing out my bathroom cabinet I found my fix+ spray and tbh I cant remember when I used it last!
With the impending mac style black collection with the divine black mineral eyeshadows Im pining for I am keeping this out to use with them. I should really use it more often as I love that smell so much too!
My uses for fix+
This is perfect to use when applying minerals and pigments wet for more wow factor!
I loved this to set my makeup and when I over powder I used to use a spritz to take off the heavy look.
Misting over hair if it gets unrully and I dont have time to straighten it. Not a great hairspray but calms down stray hairs. Great if you need to restyle though.
This is lovely to spray over your face after you cleanse and moisturise and before you put on your makeup as it has vitamins and minerals, calming tea plus it makes your base last longer!

Is there any thing you have rediscovered?

Review SunLove The Sunless Tanning Spray System **Updated**

I was contacted and asked if I wanted to be the voice of Sunlove in the UK and try their product. Being a fake tan addict this year I jumped at the chance.
To be honest I had never heard of it, I stuck to the brands I knew and read about in the UK glossies. Fake Bake, St Tropez, St Moritz in varying forms. I have been getting spray tanned at my local salon with fake bake wkly.

Anyway I checked out their website and was very impressed with what it said about the at home airbrush tan.
It says:

Sunlove Sunless Tanning Spray

Self-tanning has evolved with SUNLOVE! Your answer to achieving year-round summer beauty without the sun! Now, you can get a full body at-home tan with the ease of the SUNLOVE delivery system, our special blend of natural ingredients and unique sprayer has a continuous-flow style application that delicately touches the skin that covers alot of surface area quickly and without making a mess, an immediate golden-bronze shade is released upon contact. A superb, authentic suntan develops after three hours! Apply in layers for a desired darkness. Works best on exfoliated skin before misting.

2 days later and it arrived and I was so very excited to open it up and see the goods.
I received the bottle of bronzing lotion, Air canister and the bottle/misting gadget .

After soaking and scrubbing off all my old tan, I dispensed some of the bronzing tanning liquid into the spray bottle about half full .
Standing in the bath on an old towel (airbrush tans do mist over everything) I started with my legs working up my body. Easy to apply until you come to doing your bottom and back and backs of arms/thighs.
This was such a struggle as any tilting of the spray can means it splutters, drips and doesn't mist well at all. This isn't good if your doing a part you can hardly reach at all as you have to blend that out. I ended up dispensing some onto my boots tanning mitt and smoothing it out.

So 4 hours later here are the good the bad and my thoughts of the Sunlove System

The Good:

The huge bottle of bronzing tanning lotion 16oz
Microfine misting you cant even feel
Smells delicious no biscuit smell here
The color - not orange at all this is the color I go when I have time to sit in the sun for 3wks (I dont tan fast)
Being able to go out after applying it and not hide indoors waiting to wash it off.
Seeing where you have applied it with the great bronze color guide.

The Bad:

Spraying horizontally and when you don't the splutters and splashes you get on you.
The struggle to reach all areas evenly whilst doing the above, cant tilt it at all!

The dark lotion needed to be applied at least twice to get the color I usually get with my salon airbrush.
The mess the misting makes over the entire bathroom it covers everything in a brown tinge.
The canister running out after the second application - 2 should be sold at least with the size of the lotion bottle.

My Thoughts
I love the color and smell and the spray is so fine you cant even feel it apart from a light breeze.
The downside for me in a big way was not being able to reach all areas evenly. It would be great to have this formulation in an aerosol or mousse and I cannot fault the color it gives.
If they brought this out in a mousse or spray can I would definitely use it rather than my salon tans.
If you asked me if it was worth purchasing, I would say that for the color,result and if someone can apply it for you then definitely give it a go. But if you were planning to do it alone, unless you were very bendy and liked cleaning give it a miss.


*** Update**

I do like it but honestly I have had better fake tans, Being sent it for free I did feel like I had to like it and seeing other ppls reviews on you tube so many people really loved it, but I wanted to give my honest opinion.
I have showered this morning and I am left with a patchy light color, I can see where I could reach, a nice light shade not orange but just what I would get with dove summer glow tanning moisturiser or similar.
Yes this can be layered to suit your preference but I dont really want the hassel to keep on applying it to get a tanned color.
I had after all done two coats. I am booked in to get a spray tan done this afternoon as I feel a bit of a patchy mess.

If anyone is keen to try this I have the bottle 95% full but the aerosol canister is Empty. They can be purchased on their website for about $12. I dont want any money for it as it was sent to me for free but if you want to post me something makeup of beauty related for the postage then that would be nice ;) Leave a comment 1st come first served x

Its from sunlove.biz and it is $44.95 it doesn't say the shipping costs on the website but it might once you have gone through checkout.

my top product of the week

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer Duo £25

I am in love with a concealer.. I have tried so many and have been failed.. but this one is the one.
Thank god because it isnt cheap!

My expectations are always high when I spend more on a product than the drugstore equivalent. My wish list was to conceal where I use it without fading, sliding off, caking up, making me break out or just wiping away throughout the day.

I want one to cover up dark circles under my eyes when I have been up till late but not settle into my creases and little lines. It needs to cover blemishes but not block my pores causing more. I need it to stay on and set where I am more oily on my t-zone alot fo others just slide off.

This does all the above for me and i mix a little of it with my mac eye rescue cream for flawless under eyes.
Because it is two toned I can mix the color to match where i need it. Lighter under eyes and darker on the rest of my face. I pat it on blemish scars and blend out the edges.

I always use my concealers after foundations unless I am wearing bare minerals in which case it is before.
It is definately worth the money in my opinion but I wish they could bring it out in a smaller Palette. Its the size of a powder compact so not very portable if you like to travel light. Which you know I like to do.
I am sc3 which is perfect for me a medium color with a lighter shade too.
This is the first Laura Mercier Product I have used, do you own any? are there any must haves :)

thanks for reading

liz
x

The Fear..

Last friday was a bit traumatic..

I have always been a confidant driver. As long as I know where I am going I don't tend to mind and I never have a need to go on the motorways as days out ect are usually with Jeff and him being a 'professional driver' means him at the wheel when he is home . Plus when hes in the car and I drive he hangs onto the side like he is in a rollercoaster and gasps and gulps alot.

So for the last 15 or so year I think I've driven on the motorway once. By mistake after taking the wrong turning lol. Not driving on them has made me nervous about driving on them.
As a passenger Ive seen idiot drivers diving in and out of gaps barely missing other cars and its frightening. Passed by accidents and been sat in Jams while they scrape up cars and people.
I dont want to be the cause of a pile up, and the more you worry about doing something the more extreme the visions of terror and crash fatality's become.
Being nervous about driving on them has in turn made anyone that knows me drive on them if we go anywhere on a motorway. I mean who wants to be a passenger in a car when the driver is not confidant!!
Anyway.. Jeff had to drop off his truck in Canterbury and needed me to follow him there and bring him home, so no choice...
So a after a sleepness night we set off at 5am Jeff told me to stay behind him as he can only do 55mph and set up the sat nav in case we get separated...lol like I would let that happen..

To say that as I drove down the slip road to the M1 that I was frightened would be an understatement. I drove like a learner. Both hands gripping the wheel, legs tensed and jaw clenched.
3hrs it took from Northampton to Canterbury. It took maybe about an hr for me to relax a bit. I hated overtaking but luckily the M1/m25 was mostly roadworks and traffic so it wasn't high speed at all. Just staying out of peoples way and following Jeff. At one point I panicked myself thinking I had been following the wrong lorry and couldnt remember his numberplate lol
Eventually we got there and I had never been so happy to get out of the car. I didnt even stop at all on the way to go to the loo. :)
On the way back (Jeff drove :D) we stopped off in Canterbury what a lovely little town. We had lunch and I popped into Fenwicks! I am a sucker for a counter after all. Never seeing a Laura Mercier counter before I bounded over and picked up the duo concealer palette and the burnished copper eyeshadow cream. The mac counter was empty so I also picked up another msf natural, dazzleglass in stepping out, lip pencil in stone and some mac wipes.

I am not so nervous of motorways now I have had the experience but I still would rather not drive on them unless I have to!

Twittering not allowed

I am annoyed with twitter.. I am unable to log in.. tried resetting my password but not having any emails to get me back on :(
sadness.
but at least I have Jeff.. he said to say that lol

x

ooh will have to post about driving 150 miles on the motorway (never driven on motorway before) and shopping in Canterbury.

Mac Reflects Pearl Pigment .. in my nails!

yes you read it right..... bling!!!!


I have had acrylic nails for about 10 years off and on. I know they are probably not very good for my own nails but I dye my hair every 5-6 weeks, fake tan and use a ton of products that probably have enough combined chemicals in to stun a small army of pygmy's if digested all at once.
So its safe to say I am a bit superficial and as long as it doesnt kill me (fingers crossed) I dont give a shit :D
I have had my acrylic nails tipped with many colors, black, blue, greens, pink glitters ect. Changing from turquoise to white this time I took in my mac pigment on the off chance she could see if it set ok.
The results are lovely very subtle. The glittery whites she uses had more holographic reflective properties and tended to look a bit like shimmery green and red.
So the uses for mac pigments continues.
Do you have any unusual uses for your pigments rather than just eyes and lips?


thanks for looking in

lizz
x

Its a Lip Tip!

If you use an eye cream massage some of it on your lips, many of them have line filling and plumping properties. Mac's eye rescue is my fave and gives me a full big pout!

muah*