Don't forget the feet.

Right ladies, last weekend,  I completed the Great North Run 21km or 13miles.  It was amazing, thank you for all the support.  Though I think I'm going to send in a comment asking them to mark km more frequently I kept on trying to convert the miles to km in my head.  But at the end of the day I'd done something I set out to do and I can honestly say it is all in the head, if you think you can do it....yes you can do it. 

I really do hope you are all keeping up with the body brushing and buffing to combat the cellulite, not forgetting the squats and lunges while brushing your teeth, believe me they really do help.  I can now also touch my toes so much more easily after practicing while drying my hair upside down.  Don't forget to pull your shoulders back though.  

As from this today I have decided to go chocolate and sweet free:)  Don't know how long that will last for but I'm going to give it a go.  I think that if I do at least two weeks with nothing bad, I might be able to run faster.  So set yourself your own little competition and see how long you can go for, infact leave a comment and we can all spur each other on.  How about that. 

Right after that run and with starting to wear my favourite foot wear boots my feet have been well a bit worse for wear so let me show you the best 3 things you can have for your feet, the foot buffer, the foot shaver and the pedi egg:) If you only go for one I would highly suggest the pedi egg, it shaves a lot of dry skin and ensure the balls of your feet are soft and smooth and cracked heels really are a thing of the past. 




Foot files, the foot shaver and pedi egg




The shave of the pedi egg....really brilliant.


Now what I've found is that sometimes its easier to use the foot files straight after a bath and its easier to use the foot shaver and pedi egg when the skin is a little bit harder but not too hard.  Then when I'm done, Vaseline or moisturising lotion, pop some plastic bags over your feet put on your socks and super soft feet await you.  Give it a go. 

Don't forget to check out my sewing hobby page I've just updated it. 

And thanks for following ladies and if you're reading this and aren't following please click to follow and sign up for email updates.

Right I'm off to soften my feet. 

A nifty little make for plastic bags

I don't know about you but I find the plastic bags you get at the local grocery store handy, I don't misuse them and have them lie around the countryside and I don't take what I don't need.  I use them for the rubbish and the recycling so they get recycle.  I also make sure they can be recycled or de-compose.  This saves me money on using bin liners for everything.  But I did hear today that for good quality bin liners, Aldi for £1.00.  Much better quality than £2 ones from other grocery stores. 

Now where to keep them is another question.....well the solution.....these nifty bag holders I made.  My mom made some years ago.  I asked for the pattern and she said no need, just cut out a piece of material in a rectangle/square,  put a seam down the middle, hem at the top and hem at the bottom, that you feed some elastic into and tada......



3 bag holders in a row, Small, Medium, Large





And out pops the bag.



DIY...why didn't I think of that

Well I've had a bit of a sewing nightmare, hence my absence, but all sorted now I hope and will publish pics once the dress is finisshed.

Now on to some DIY to make your home simple, smart and saving pennies. 

Our wall rack in the kitchen.

My sister and I last year moved into our 2 bedroom flat.  But we have a small kitchen and not enough storage space....our problem solver we got a sideboard from Sainsbury's believe it or not, we got 75% off and it is solid wood, never be afraid to shop for furniture in Sainbury's, Argos or Tesco's except for lounge suits, they're quite small.  We also have a rack on the wall in the kitchen which at first glance we thought ahm, no this won't look nice but actually, it does.  We have our spices and tea, coffee sugar on there but we've spruced it up a bit with some bright tins and the teapot. 





Our solid Indian wood sideboard double used as a TV stand filled with our extra kitchen goodies.



Now in our lounge come dinning area is our funky pink chair.  So to seperate the lounge and dining a bit I added these photo's.  I got the frames for a few pounds from Matalan and printed the photo's myself.  I decided to drain the colour a bit on fotoflexer and make them green and pink to to bring out the pink on the chair and they all blend in.  We also got the mirror to lighten up the room also from Matalan.   Result is the room looks a bit bigger, sophisticated yet funky and all without costing a bomb.  I also like these faux leather boxes (I've posted a link to the whole page, if you can't see them scroll down a bit) which you can get at most stores, I got mine from Matalan, they can doule as a coffee table while hiding things inside, mine is full of my weights....wouldn't be able to have those lying around the lounge it might look like a cross between a bachelor pad and funky girly. 



At the end of the pictures is our chair, so the start of the lounge, see below.



the funky pink chair



Now another tip when decorating, always see if you can do it yourself its always a lot cheaper and you learn a new skill, we had to put up our blinds after we had the windows done, first time we used a drill completelly by ourselves and they're still up.  And if ever in doubt search it on youtube there are so many self help DIY video's.

Now what if you are limited on space or the doors are in the way?  My friend has this problem, they just got a lovely new house but the bathroom with the shower in is in an off suite off the attic room, not a problem to get to but as the bed has to be in the centre the bathroom door can't open properly....my soloution to her problem was these folding doors. They look neat and tidy and give you more space in a room.  I'm thinking of buying one every few months to slowly redo our doors and give us some added space. 





Bye bye spotty spot spot and bikini bottoms.

Yep you read the title correct and yes I seem to of acquired a few spots on my face:(  Now I don't know if this is from the seasons change and the humidity or the Optimum face cream I was using that didn't agree with my face.  The good thing is my breast and neck are really soft from the Optimum face cream because that's where I'm using it now.  So now I'm tackling the spots.  But before I get there, let me say I used to always suffer from spots and I was trying everything from laser treatment to toothpaste (toothpaste does work) until I stumbled upon my first Clinique Samples 1; 2; 3 now my skin type is type no 3 and a moisturiser that suits my face...mine can be a bit oily.  So get some samples girls and give it a try first because it's expensive you don't want to waist your money.  Go to any Clinique counter ask for a skin test and some samples to have a try first. At the moment I've found Amazon the cheapest except for the cream.  Boots does have an offer on where you get extra points or google and see which shops have it on offer.  And don't forget the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clear Blemish  cheapest at Boots at the moment.  Now once I had my spots under control, I started using other creams.  Yes I did try the Optimum which went a bit wrong but this could also be with the season change.  Good news is it has come right with the L'Oreal Revitalift 10 and to keep the present spots under control I recommend it up right up there with Clinique for less than half of the price, currently £3.56 you have to try:  Boots-Tea-Tree-and-Witch-Hazel-Spot-Wand with a day and night it really works.  Remember you can always mix and match and just because its expensive doesn't mean it works.  I know the Clinique is expensive but its one thing I didn't regret spending money on because it sorted my spots out.

Don't forget to wash properly every morning and evening then tone and moisturise.  Read my post Beautiful and Perky for a good routine and remember the eyes, necks and decolletage area.  NB!NB! don't forget the SPF and sunscreen, I never go out with out it and that's how I look younger. No sun and minimum makeup.  I haven't been in the sun for 10 years now...I learnt my lesson hard in the South African sun, blood red from neck to ankles and all I had to show was freckles.  STAY OUT OF THE SUN ladies and always use sunscreen and a hat, you'll be thankful. 

Now if you are going out into the sun as you are now having summer and you don't feel like showing your bum off but would still like to wear a bikini try one of these:  The Bikini Skirt Brief or the skirtini's below are from BHS but unless you can find one in store they are sold out on their website I'm afraid.  But have a google you will be surprised what online stores there are selling all kinds of underwear and swimwear to cater for different shapes, sizes and needs that you don't always find in store. 

Now don't forget the sun screen. 

Till next time ladies and I'm thinking some DIY that doesn't cost a fortune, we can all have nice homes that look exquisite on a budget.

(P.S if you are only following by email please add yourself as a follower as well, then I have sort of an idea who I'm talking to.  And thank you for reading:)

Gadgets that work!!!

Right ladies, I'm sure you're wondering what to spend those pennies on you are saving.  Maybe a holiday a nice handbag or coat the list in endless.  But I thought I'd reviews some gadgets that really work and are well worth saving up for. 

Two years ago I got my Laser Hair Removal Machine and yes it does work.  When I bought it I got it on a special for £240.00.  Now I am very faired  skinned so it works like a dream on me.  Remember the darker your skin the higher the chances it won't work as your skin will absorb the light instead of reflecting it off.  It takes longer to do than going the professional route but is a lot cheaper.  I did it once  a week on my bikini area for about 9-12 months and now I do it once every month or so.  Its a lot cheaper than having it done professionally, the hair growing back and having to go back to a professional clinic and pay again and yes your hair will eventually grow back.   Clever me however forgot to do under my arms so now I'm doing it once a week again under my arms.  I have to bear in mind though that I waxed my bikini line for a long time so the hair was already a bit thinner.  What I did was I stopped waxing, lasered the hair and then shaved it off.  4 weeks later I did that again and slowly but surely the hair stopped growing back or would fall out. But I would alternate and some times shave first and laser and some times laser and then shave.  Now however there are so many more choices on the market for laser removers that are really good.  Do your research however and don't forget to search for the best price.  Here are few I would recommend, the new boots one or the Philip's new one at Amazon there is also the Remington one from Amazon.

My other great buy is my Kindle.  Now I normally only have time to read when I am travelling and a book really does weigh your handbag down and this is REALLY VERY BAD FOR YOUR BACK!!! Now I'm very traditional and really do like the feel of the book.  Also I didn't want to damage my eyes which is what happens when you read a book off of your phone or computer screen.  So Kindle it was and I love it.  Its light and can hold of 3000 books.  60% of the time they are cheaper too and you get so many free books on Amazon too:)  I try to buy my books through my Nectar account and get points still however.  You can do this through the Kindle though as well.  I went for the cheaper option and just go the normal WiFi option .  The difference between the 3G and the WifFi is that with the 3G you can download a book and go on the Internet anywhere but don't forget this has to be linked to your phone or service provider and you will get charged for this.  WiFi you can only connect in a WiFi area or with your own WiFi at home but then there are no surprises when your bill comes unless you have unlimited data on your mobile. I bought my Kindle on the 8th of July I've read a 800 page book and am 36% (according to my Kindle) through the 3rd book of the Game of Thrones series also about 800 pages and I've charged it twice, when I bought it and about 2 weeks ago.  The Kindle only uses power when you down load books, search the Internet and turn the page.  The great thing about the design is that when you are standing and been swayed on the train or tube you can change the page with one hand. I no longer fall onto people when I try to change the book. 
To keep it light I decided not to get one of the heavy covers but got this pouch instead.  I thought that these silicone skins would be like the silicone covers for phones but they are really just stickers but they identify it and it looks really funky.  They would be void if I had one of the traditional covers however.  So my Kindle looks fab:)

At the moment the latest Samsung Smart phone is top of the market. I'm not a big Apple  fan so I did my research and I bought the HTC desire last year April at the time it had the fastest Internet browser.  I would like to look into getting a tablet this year.  I personally think the HTC Flyer is a bit expensive but the plain wifi option is considerably cheaper.  It depends what you are going to use it for.   If you want to keep your Internet usage in control, if like me you have unlimited data on your mobile contract just put your mobile sim card in the 3G version.  The new Samsung Galaxy Tablet P101 is a bit wide for my liking I prefer the orginal size of the Samsung P1000 Galaxy tab but from the reviews I've read they are both great.  And a friend has the original P1000 which he got for a bargain of eBay with a separate key board and its great.  The main difference I think between the iPhone and the Android phones are the apps.  The other tablet I'm keeping my eye out for is the new Sony Tablet S .  I've been told by my IT friend to wait for Christmas.  There will be a lot more on the market then and the prices will drop.  For what I want it for though I think I will be quiet happy with the Samsung P1000 Galaxy tab and will probably go for the 3G option so that if I go away and take it with I can use my O2 data allowance for my mobile. 

Speaking of mobiles and contracts.  Do your homework to get  a cheaper contract.  A lot of companies offer you a discount that you can use at O2 or Orange.  I got a discount with work through O2 and I took out the simplicity contract, I think I got a £100.00 credit on the contract if I took out a 12 month contract.   On the Simplicity Sim only I get 300 minutes and unlimited texts for £10.00 for an additional £5.00 I got unlimited data (this add on is no longer available and I refuse to change my contract now because of this)and for another additional £10.00 I get 3000 international minutes to 3 land lines that I have to specify but can change once a month.  So for £26.00 plus vat I'm sorted but I didn't get my phone with my contract I bought that separately because in the long run of 24 months it worked out cheaper.  Always work out if its cheaper to do the Simplicity Sim only contract and buy the phone separately or whether its cheaper to get a contract with the phone.  If my phone breaks and I look at getting a contract with a new phone it will only be next year or the year after but I will approach O2 and ask them what they can offer me otherwise I'll go to another service provider, hek I've got nothing to loose. 

If you're looking for a new laptop and don't know what to look for, I look for weight, I don't like heavy things and the processor to go for these days is the Intel Core i3 or up depending on your need.  Not sure ask an IT friend or your IT Mr Fix it at work. 

My other little gadget I use that doesn't cost a fortune is my peeler.  Yes my veggie peeler, why because a tip I learnt in Holland, use to cut cheese into fine slices:)

Right I'm off for my run, I'm doing the great North Run next week-end.  So happy gadget searching.  I hope you are still doing your lunges and squats, putting on your creams and body buffing.  My exercise tip for the day is when you brush your teeth do calf lifts for 50 counts on your bottom teeth for the top teeth turn your feet out heels together and do another 50 keeping your muscles taunt and your bum tight:) 

Save, save, save all of those pennies music to my ears

Today I registered at Buyometric. This website is fab, firstly it has its own blog updating you on all the latest discount website coming up.  Secondly it searches through all the deals out there be they at; Groupon , Goodypass, KGBDeals and many others.
For dining I like bookatable and don’t forget top table TopTable

Now I know I've mentioned some of the tips below but in case you forgot I've mentioned them again. 

For those great designer goodies at amazing prices try the Sample Sales website.  Register at this site and they will send you emails about the sample sales when and where they are and you can search the calendar.   BrandyAlley and  SecretSales are also great, just be careful when buying shoes….lesson learnt by myself.  Brand Alley were great though and refunded me with the delivery charges.  And if you haven’t discovered  ASOS  yet, take a peek and their sales are full of great bargains.   Always ask yourself though before you buy any clothes from online stores, is it cheaper in a store or a department store like Debenhams, House of Fraser or John Lewis. 

Do yourself a favour and get yourself a
Nectar Card from SainsburyI love my Nectar Card because you can earn points just about anywhere with it.  I fill up with petrol at BP, I check the prices of 3 local BP’s around me and find the cheapest then I compare this to one or two other petrol stations, so far BP has actually been the cheapest. I shop on Amazon and do all my online shopping through the nectar website http://www.nectar.com/NectarHome.nectar as I get Nectar points.  I have the search toolbar on my Internet browser and every time I do an Internet search I get a point, I prefer Google to the MSN search but heyo I’m earning points which accumulate and with the American Express Credit card from Nectar I now get double points from Sainbury's.  I do all my DIY shopping at Homebase which also gets me points and I have the app on my phone for extra points.  These points accumulate and you can use them on line or for a shop..  You can also earn points on insurance, insurance searches, British Gas etc.  Just remember that you can only spend 500 points (£2.50) at a time so if your shopping comes to £7.00 you can use 100 points but will still have to pay £2.00.  Its an easy way to round it off I suppose.  My grocery shopping next month should be paid for by my points

Tesco Club Card.
The Tesco Club Card is also great.  Swipe your card at any Tesco and earn points the only thing is that these points are sent to you in a voucher format that have to be used in a certain date.  Personally I prefer the Nectar Card from Sainsbury's though as there is more opportunities to gain points.  You can also earn points with a Tesco Credit card and through their insurance etc as at Sainsbury's.

Boots cardThe Boots card is simple, swipe your card every time you make a purchase and points get added to your card which you can use at any time at Boots as long as you have sufficient points.  Like I said before great for the end of the month when pennies are tight or you simply don’t want to break that £20 note. 

Costa, Nero, Nando’sMost of the big coffee shops have loyalty cards get a stamp every time you buy something and after so many stamps the next one is free.  Costa how ever works on the amount of money that you spend and you have a card registered to your name and you can log in online and keep track of your points.

Please remember though if you aren’t good with money and tend to over spend and not manage it well….stay away from credit cards!!!!  I always make sure when I make a purchase on my credit card I take the money out of my current account put it in a separate savings account and then at the end of the month I have the money there.  I actually budget a £100.00 to spend on the credit card when I get paid…no nasty surprises for me. 

Shop at Poundland for items. Do a monthly shop rather than a weekly shop.  I do a pretend shop on line, so I can see roughly how much I’m going to spend before I go to the supermarket.  When you register your Tesco card online and use it at the till, it registers your products to your profile so you can go online and see how much you are spending on what over a period. 

Want to go out for the day but don’t want to spend a lot or anything at all.  Pack a picnic and head out in London for the day, though it is getting a bit chilly for a picnic there is still lots you can do in London in fact the whole of England for free.  Very privileged we are actually, because in most countries you have to pay for everything. 

Regularly go through your finances and don’t spend money on what you don’t need!!! Keep all your receipts and keep a running list of what you are spending money in, you might be surprised at how much you actually waste that you could save...hmmm next week I'm defiantly going to devote a page to those nice little or big things you could buy with all those pennies you are saving. 

Exercise tip for the day. 
Do a set of 10 crunches, stand up and bend your knee’s a tiny bit, then pull it all tight with your arms up in defensive position and work your ab’s by turning from side to side for 20 reps.  Then get back on the floor and do another 10 crunches.  Up again and get in the same position but this time sway to sides going half back, then forward and to the other side as if you are doing a half hula hoop action.  Then on the floor and do 10 crunches again.   The best ab exercise you can do is the bicycle.  So after you've had a bit of a rest aim to do do 20 reps on each side do them slowly and then 20 fast.  Oh in case you don't know the bicycle exercise is what you use to do in school when you were younger; lie flat on your back hands behind your head arms forming a triangle.  Then pretend you are riding a bike with your legs and bring your elbows up to your knees, left elbow to right knee and right elbow to left knee...Happy cycling.
For more good exercises try Ivilliage.

P.s don't forget to apply moisturieser to your neck and decolletage too.

(Ladies if you are reading this and even if you are following by email please click on the join this site link or click here if you would like to follow, then at least I know sort of whose reading:)

Whites are whiter

Some more tips           
Getting your whites whiter. 
Right this is one of my latest favourite dresses.  You can just imagine my horror when I washed it and the black ran into the white.  I did a google and raced to Sainsbury’s at 8pm to buy some Dr Beckmann Colour Run Remover which gives you 2 sachets in a box.  As per the instructions I put the 2 sachets in the washer with the dress but did not put it on for long enough so at 9pm raced back to Sainsbury’s and this time bought 2 boxes and the Dr Beckmann Colour & Dirt Collector Sheets .  Got home put the dress on with 2 sachets for a really long wash and next morning the white was still purple.  Down to my last box so out came the bucket put in some water with a sachet of the colour run remover, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda and again one of the colour catcher sheets.  It looked better but still wasn’t white.  So I figured what have I got to loose, last sachet in the water, vinegar, bicarb and some domestos and I left it for the day.  Got home and tada it was white.  Needless to say ever since I have washed it by hand but I think its almost about ready to try a proper wash again. 

Now we have to look after your tootsies.
I don't know about any of you but I always feel good when my hair is clean, my toe nails are painted and my fingernails are neat and tidy...no chipped nail varnish for me!!! I believe your hands and feet should like your face always be taken care of.
I always have my toe nails painted and my finger nails buffed and shiny or painted.    But I recently learnt that your toenails need to breath as do your fingernails.  Now as I don’t wear varnish on my finger nails all the time I won’t have a problem there.  But my toes…well….that’s another story.  So what I do now is get out of the bath slap on the Vaseline, plastic bags, socks and get the feet all moisturised, take off the varnish and then push the cuticles back and let the toes breath for the night, if it was summer I’d paint the nails the next day but considering winter might of arrived early in London this year I’ll paint them tomorrow night and give them time to breath. 

For your fitness exercise tonight stand in front of the TV and with your legs apart forming a narrow V shape and pretend there is a ball between your thighs and you have to squeeze it really hard while resisting with your thighs.  This will really work your thighs, don't forget to do a few push ups as well to get your boobs a bit perkier. 

Tomorrow some DIY tips.  But here's one now if like me you live in a flat and don't have window in the bathroom and its gets really steamed up.  Safely light 2 candles, the fire eats up the oxygen and the room won't be so steamy, so the chance of getting mould and damp is low:) Plus you get to have a candlelit bath or shower every night