Time to tighten and tone and fight the cellulite.

Those who know me know I’m a bit of an exercise junkie and even though I'm not as exercise mad as I used to be, I still manage to ensure that what activity I do from vacuum cleaning to just walking down the street I come up with a way to work some extra muscles as I go.  But first to get you in the frame of mind to do some fab quick toning exercises some fashion blogging.
 I have pasted below my 3 fave dresses at the moment that fit me perfectly after all the toning I've been doing.  Same pattern, New Look 6045  ; 3 dresses;  all different. After making the first one which I thought was going to be so difficult, I was wrong it turned out to quite simple to make, so I got a bit more adventurous ~ see for yourselve bleow.  And when I had to attend an awards event at the last minute, a full length lace evening dress in the same pattern seemed the obvious choice.  One of the reasons I just love sewing there are so many choices, keep scrolling down and the toning exercises follow. 







Tone, tone, tone
 

1.  Forgo the bus trip to the station and walk, simple as that.  When you walk remember to always keep your back straight, tummy in and tighten your bum muscles with each step.  This works even better when walking up hills.  Put the bus money in a jar and start saving some extra cash while you are at it. 

2  I did a blog last year on Tim Ferriss's 4hour body, I'm still doing those exercises and the results are showing.  Take 5-10 minutes every second day to do the following:

Lie on your back, legs at 90 degree angle and slowly lift your bum off of the floor curling your toes as you go and pushing your heels into the floor, do this very slowly for a count of 20.  Then get on all fours and do some horse kicks, using the same arm and leg, lift your arm forward and your leg out until it is parallel with the floor for a repeat of 15 on each side.  Do this slowly; I count to 5 each time. 

 

3. Cleaning house, make sure your back is straight and your tummy is in, work those stomach muscles as you vacuum, dusting bending your arms, using extra muscle power as you go.

4. I suffer from the dreaded cellulite curse and I have tried most things to get rid of it and have my own tried and tested methods that work for me.  Having tried most creams the best cream I have come across that works is Annique Circulex Cellulite Treatment, it burns when you put it on but it works, hey no pain no gain right.

5. Every morning and evening I use a body brush and brush off all those dead skin cells, then when I've got out of the bath or shower I lather on cream from top to toe and rub in extra hard on my thighs and bum with a massager.  Remember you need to get the blood flowing.

6. The best exercise I have found for cellulite is the leg lunge.  Now I know a lot of people will be saying I hate lunges, they don't work and I don't have time.  I've tried them though and for me they work.  I do mine while brushing my teeth.  Just remember to go slowly and keep your back straight.  I find if I count repetitively so 1,1 then 2,2 and so on they seem to go quicker, yes it is all in the head.  Make them fun and do them to your favourite song.  Bored after a while there are a few types of leg lunges, have a google and see what you can find. 

7.  Speed up your metabolism by drinking freezing cold water first thing in the morning, eat slower, sit down when you eat at a table making sure to sit up straight and chew your food properly.  I recently read that eating by candle light or with the lights dimmed helps you eat slower and digest your food better, how true this is I don't know but it’s a good excuse for more romantic meals. 

7.  Do a bit of activity before eating a meal this will also help speed up your metabolism and I find aids the digestion of my food.  So for 3-5 minutes before dinner I get down on the floor on all fours, cushion under my knees, put the radio on and some bum exercises, I do one leg to a song and alternate each night between the bent leg donkey kick, straight leg donkey kick and the double leg extension kit.    Remember always to go slow and keep your back straight and tummy in, this way you are not only tightening your bum but your tummy is working too.   (click on the bum exercises link above to be taken to a fab workout for your bum, demonstrating these exercises)

8. If  you want nice arms like the lovely Michelle Obama, start doing some push ups,  granted you won't be able to do many at first but if you start off slow aiming for 5, then every week increase your count, you'll be doing 25 in no time and have fab toned arms no more bingo wings.  And  even though push ups won’t stop gravity they help keep your breasts perkier. 

9.  Most importantly don't forget to smile while walking, you'll feel better, ooze out confidence and though it won't happen over night in a few weeks you will start to feel more toned, who knows you might even start to enjoy exercising a bit too. 

 

So start walking and get toning.

 

 

 

 

The Red Dress and a Floor Steamer

Rocking the Red Dress
Now I know the rule of thumb is to always have a LBD (little black dress) but I can’t help myself and also have a LRD (little red dress). As most skin tones and hair colours in my opinion can pull of red its always a winner, brighter and cheerier than black but still smart. Just double check your make up when wearing red as I personally need to make sure I wear greens and browns when wearing red clothing. No pink lipstick or any imperfection in my skin it shows up. Now this style is from the same pattern as the flower princess style dressed I showed last week but as you can see, different material, different colour, completelly different dress. It is still princess style so very flattering. This dress orginally had long sleeves but I wanted to wear it all year round so I took them out and finished off the shoulder seams with some red bias binding. I have to share this little fact with you; I found the bias binidng in the bottom of my mom's sewing box and as it still had the pence sticker on it was clearly bought before she immigrated to South Africa so about 30 years old. Some things were built to last. Back to the red dress, for a smart office look in winter, black tights, knee high heeled boots (always polished), court shoes or my favourite this season ankle boots with a smart jacket. For a dressed down office look wear it with a cardi instead of the jacket. Now this isn't a dress I would wear casually on the week-end but its great for going out to dinner and can easily be worn from the office day look into the dinner night out look. In summer and spring simply loose the knee high boots and tights. I think this dress looks great with some ankle boots and a mac for the fresh spring look.







Exercise tip for your legs to look even greater in your fab red dress, do calf raises while brushing your teeth, go slowly and ensure you do them for 2 minutes the amount of time you should spend brushing your teeth.  Do normal front ones then turn your toes out and then in.  No excuse not to exercise:)









Beroe I go a  Home Cleaning Tip you'll love. 
A few weeks ago I welcomed to my home as a house warming gift from my mom my new best cleaning friend the Polti Steam Cleaner. Now I’m a bit of a clean freak so normally I’m a scrub the floor type of gal, contrary to the believe of most people I really do scrub the floor on my hands and knees. Pictures will not be circulated of these actions though. Anyway my new flat has a lot more flooring and tiles to clean so I decided to invest in a floor steamer. Orginally I wanted one just for the floor but the lovely sales man at John Lewis (the best place to buy electrics by the way due to their extended warranty, competitive price and just good old fashioned customer service that counts) convinced me that I should go for a more multi functional one. I can clean the shower, the oven, windows, upholstery, carpet its great. No more limescale on my shower door. I simply sling it over my shoulder and glide along the floors, then pressure steam what ever else needs a clean. The brush also gets inbetween the grit on the tiles. The Polti has numerous brushes for attachments and you can even steam clean windows. It doesn't use any cleaning products just water so its saving me money on cleaning products and was cheaper than plain floor steamer I was orginally interested in and most importantly it works and does what it says on the box. How do I know this, I actually took a clean cloth over the kitchen floor to see if it picked up any dirt, the answer was no. While searching for the link today I also discovereds that it helps with dust mites, eczema, hayfever and asthma, I shall be using it on even more surfaces now.

As summer is heading my way next week I’m going to share some new and old tips on cellulite fighting and tighting that bottom!!!

Fall in love with the simple A-Line Skirt and Princess Line Style Dress.

As I'm sitting on the train typing this...yes on the train, I am putting my travel time to better use, I'm thinking of all the things I have to do this week and how best I'm going to save some pennies (scroll down) and most importantly what to wear.

Fall in love with the simple A-Line Skirt and Princess Line Style Dress.
Both are flattering and can be worn smartly for work, then taken out after work and worn casually on the week-end too. Thick leggings and tights also mean that it can survive the different seasons.
I love the princess style of my flower dress below.   The pattern is New Look 6567 and in total I have made about 4 dresses from this pattern all different. The thing I love most about this dress is its versatile and is great for Autumn when its getting a bit colder, great for Spring which I am adamant is around the corner, the flowers cheer you up a bit and even for a warmers winter day with thick tights and boots. And for Summer simply wear loose with some lovely pumps.

The good old A-Line Skirt, I’ve added pictures of a rather casual green embroidered A-Line skirt that I’ve dressed up with a red jacket for the office. The skirt has a mixture of embroidered flowers on it and a bit of red and yellow, so if you want to be daring and set for spring add a yellow top underneath. I've teamed it first with a cream jumper for the colder days and then for when it’s a bit warmer added a basic black top underneath. In both instances if you lose the jacket you'll still look smart if your shoes are smart. . As there is yellow in the skirt to just to finish it off I've also added a gold chain making it look that little bit smarter. Want to wear it on the week-end, no problem, loose the jacket and wear with brogues, pumps or boots. I find an A-Line skirt is always flattering so you'll look fab.
 

Don't forget the red shoes

 
 
 






My top 5 saving tips for the UK:
1. www.moneysupermarket.com is great for compiling a grocery shopping list and comparing prices.
 
2. If you haven't got yourself one yet, get yourself a Sainsbury’s Nectar card. Sainsbury’s now give you a brand match voucher if other retailers prices are cheaper and every time you shop on line if you shop through the Nectar Site if the retailer is listed you receive points. Fill up the car at a BP Petrol Station, points earned, double those points if you have a American Express Nectar Credit Card. I receive about £20.00 towards my shop every 2 months. Utilities with British Gas link it to your nectar account and earn points, life insurance through www.confused.com earns you 10 000 nectar points plus there is points home and car insurance too. The best thing is the points are added to your card for you to use anytime you want and not just at Sainsbury’s, there is no expiry date and no waiting for vouchers to arrive in the post. Use the Nectar search bar on your explorer and gain points for every search.
 
3. If you aren't already signed up to Martin's Money Tips, sign up now. His tips are fab and will save you pennies in no time.
 
4. Not with O2 or Orange for your mobile phone get yourself a pre-paid sim card and down load the O2 priority app and the Orange App onto your phone. All you need are the telephone numbers to enable the apps, so you won't need 3 phones. There are loads of discounts and freebies on O2 Priority moments such as Nero Coffee’s, Baguettes from Upper Crust, Chocolate from Hotel Chocolate and with an Orange Sim Card it is 2 for 1 on Wednesday at movies and Pizza Express, well worth it.
 
5. Voucher Codes and discount sites are great for eating out and getting yourself pampered every now and then. The only thing with eating out is you have to quiet often be prepared to plan ahead but if you are saving pennies this is a small price to pay.
 
I’m not as up to date as I used to be in South Africa but
1. Get yourself a Clicks Clubcard and a Clicks Credit Card to earn extra points.
 
 2. Shop at Edgars, get their cash card my mom is always getting extra offers and points from them and their cash card can be used at any of their subsidiary stores 

3. Shop at Pick ‘n Pay they have a points card too now.
 
4. Want great deals and discounts; check out the SA Group On site.  
 
5. I use to buy my magazines from CNA, present my Edgars Cash Card for points and pay with my Clicks Credit Card.
 
NB!!! Remember only use a credit card if you can manage your money well and pay it off every month.  Everytime I make a purchase on mine I set the money aside for it. 
 
And before I go, let me say don't forget to moisturise, every morning and evening, your skin will be so thankful. I've taken to sleeping with cotton gloves on not only to keep warm but to keep my hands soft as well. One thing for sure is that this freezing weather has not been great for my hands, lovely nails starting cracking on the top, so they all had to get the chop and the skin on my hands started flaking off. But thanks to Boots No 7 and Neutrogena hand cream  they are lovely and soft again and my nails strong. Also Boots card = more ways to save money.     

Brogues and Pumps the shoe of comfort and style

It's has being over a year but thanks to my friend Liese the proud producer and owner of SA Girl Doll who I am so proud of I have started my blog again.  

An eventful year it has been though, I have started and completed many sewing projects, found some great beauty routines, saved lots of pennies and moved home.  I now know all about ending a joint mortgage and stamp duty.  And yes all these valuable little pieces of information will follow.   

Saving the pennies:  If you don't need it, don't buy it.  It doesn't matter if it is on sale or two for one, simply ask yourself do you really need it and if you take longer than 5 minutes to answer yes the answer is really NO you don't you just think you do because its on sale.  Also if you want a snack at work, pre-plan.  I buy my work snacks in my grocery shop and take them with me to work; £1.00 for 4 packets of smarties is a lot cheaper than .60p to .80p a packet at the shop around the corner from the office.   

Style tip of the day:  First thing to remember is we are all beautiful!!! Yes beautiful, got it, right moving on.  I've read a lot of magazine pieces lately and chatted to quiet a few people who seem to think that if they are a mommy it is expected of them to not look good anymore or put the effort it.  Wrong!!  You are actually at your most beautiful because no matter how tired you maybe you have a little life that loves and adores you and the love you have for that child actually make you more radiant. I will never forget the first time I saw my best friend after a year when she had just had a baby she was and still is beautiful every day. 

Now I love dressing up for work and I don’t have a work and social wardrobe, I mix and match.  So ladies below are a few outfits.  The basic here is the cream skirt for winter, black tights and black jumper.  For those warmer days around the corner, short sleeve top and some pearls, then loose the pearls add the jacket and time for that drink. 

Or for a smarter affair team with a button blouse tucked in or out. 














Now I'm afraid it is out with the boring shoes that do not flatter you and in with the fabulous.  I'm not saying forgo comfort at all, especially if you are a mom you don’t want to be prancing around in high heels everyday but there are so many lovely comfy ballerina pumps and brogues out there today.  Brogues look great with tights and skirts, with trousers ending just above the ankle, or be daring smart shorts, tights and brogues, the list is endless and if its comfort and fab you are looking for they are just the thing. 

 

 

 

Before I go here is a sneek peek at my latest sewing project, almost finished. 

 

I think I found my perfect exercise routine and eating plan.

Sit up straight, right now tummy in boobs out!  Now stand up with the same posture, notice the difference, you’re oozing confidence and immediately look  amazing, plus you are doing your back a favour. 

Now, I’m loving my kettlebell exercise’s, combined with 20 glute lifts and 15 horse kicks on each leg.  Not only does it only take me 15 minutes 3 times a week, okay 20 minutes if I add the stomach exercise but it works.  Now I’ve got this from reading Tim Ferriss’s 4 hour body book and even though I am following his slow carb release eating plan, I don’t want to lose any weight I just want to keep toned and as I am.  So I’ve been having freezing cold water on an empty stomach in the morning, 2 boiled eggs for breakfast, a salad with lots of lettuce at lunch and probably a few things I shouldn’t eat but like I said I don’t want to lose any more weight so, so far so good and I’m amazed.  I defiantly recommend reading the book and following the eating plan if you want to lose weight and tone up.  I don’t think it’s fair if I publish the diet on line so hence the little tips rather.  I can say however that the tummy exercises from the book are defiantly the best I have ever done and I used to do the one in tai-bo which is standing on all fours like a cat, back straight, now breath out so that you have no air left in your abdomen and pull your tummy in as if you are aiming to pull your belly button to your back, you should feel your muscles pulling, hold for a count of 10 (holding your breath) and do this 10 times, combined with the right eating, glute's, horse kicks and kettle bells, it really works.  And don’t forget to walk up straight, body brush and massage in the cream.

Glute Lifts, 20 of these lifting up slowly for a count of 5, hold for a count of 2 then down and repeat until you have done 20.  Remember to keep taunt while doing this and notice the toes, pull the toes up as you lift.  Doing them fast as I had done for years won't work, you need to do them slowly....good luck. 

This is how you do the horse kicks, same leg and same arm go up.  Pull them up slowly for a count of 5 and hold for a count of 2 then let down and repeat for a count of 15 before doing the other side.

To round off your look this spring and summer don’t forget your feet and hands.  Every time you wash your hands give them a good dollop of cream with sun protection and don’t forget the feet when you get out of the bath or shower.  To finish off add some colourful nail varnish.  The pastels are in this season, but I can’t carry them off quiet well like my sister can so I’m sticking to bright pinks and reds.  Now to experiment which colour will look great with my new maxi dress I made.  I've put a light chiffon over some teal t.shirting and can't wait for the sun to get out again...come on SUN!

An old pattern of my mom's really easy to make, Simplicity No 9865.  I remember my mom made a purple evening dress for me for a school function from this pattern, this is now the second dress I've made.  The other one to follow. 

Spring Dressing

As the sun has come out this week-end, I have to ask coming from a sunny country, why when the sun comes out in England do people think its time to take their clothes off and not put any sunscreen on, choosing rather to go a choice of blushing salmon pink?  While driving home yesterday afternoon, which was nice but not excessively hot I noticed a guy on the top of the bus who had taken his top off, I’m really hoping he wasn’t all sweaty when he sat down on the seat, and I noticed a girl walking down the road with what looked like a long top but it was a dress.  When I went for a walk later I was behind two girls with denim shorts on which were encroaching up their bums and there tops were half showing there boobs and too tight.  I had to ask myself at what stage do you look in the mirror and think that looks okay?  They were with their mom too, could she not of said something.  Remember as a rule of thumb if your top is a bit revealing perhaps were another sun top underneath and don’t wear revealing shorts or skirts with this top.  Rather wear longer shorts a skirt still above the knee but perhaps a bit flarely.  If you are wearing a short skirt/shorts don’t wear a revealing top.  Wear a bit of a flary top and one that does not show your tummy.  And remember if your shorts cause a muffin top at the tops of your legs they are too short, too tight so a big NO!!

Opinion over and moving on to a nifty idea instead of having crisps to eat when you want a mid afternoon savoury snack, home popped popcorn.  I’ve been filling a Tupperware in the evening when I make a small pan of self popped popcorn (this way I can control the oil use) and now I’m not munching crisps come the mid afternoon slump. 

I have also discovered for a super smooth skin that a rice exfoliator is the way to go.  I’ve been using the Lotus Flower and Rice Milk from Rituals.  Because it has tiny rice grains in it, as you gently rub, you rub until the grain is dissolved which combined with a bunch of other things leaves your skin feeling ultra smooth and soft, not to mention glowing to. 

Now I know I sound like a broken record but I hope you are all still doing your squats and calf raises while brushing your teeth, every little bit helps.  I’m really enjoying my glute exercises at the moment, doing 20 slowly for a count of 5 three times a week has really made a difference.  I really think I’m getting into the do more do less mode.  I didn’t even do a big run this week but sprinted up and down the hill 10 times instead, I was pooped afterwards. 

Now as Spring is defiantly here on this side of the globe, I thought I’d put on a few outfits of what to wear when you just don’t know.

And this is the dress on, I've got Nude shoes on
but it looks great with knee high boots too 

This is New Look Pattern 6045, the same as the Green
Oriental Dress on my sewing page, easy to make and
the lace adds a touch of something not sure what
though.

Want to dress up your shorts for Saturday drinks now the nights are lighter, heels and a smarter top.
This is the same top as the green one I made.  So glad I managed to get a pattern off the bought top.
So if you can sew grab a top that looks easy and make your own pattern and get going.  If not find a friend who can. 
I like that this top has elastic at the bottom so it folds under, is great casual or dressed up. 

Recognise this dress, is the red one I made for winter, I cut the sleeves out and now have a great summer/spring work dress.  Easiest job for a new dress, alter one you have or find a friend who can. 

Table cloth

Yikes I hadn’t realised I hadn’t blogged last week....ooops!!!

Well yesterday I finally made my round table cloth.  Now I know this might sound boring but with me, never.  Firstly I measure my round table and I needed 150cm by 150cm material.  I wanted a green with some detail on it, preferably silky to go with the green pink in the lounge.  After searching my local material shop, my mom suggested a sheet.  So I looked for duvet covers, no luck.  Then I found some on Amazon.  A bit about sceptical buying material online but it looked just like I wanted so after a bit of uhming and ahhing I clicked buy.  Only to say nooooooooooooooooo when the email came through saying dispatched.  I had only ordered a meter.  It arrived was exactly what I wanted so I decided to get 3 black 20cm cut, one to go down the middle and one down each side.  Then I cut the green material down the middle only to cut down the 1m middle and not the 150cm middle.  Eeek.  So I sewed that back together and then cut down the right centre and added the 3 strips.  Then I phoned my mom in South Africa to tell me how to make it because I couldn’t find a simple way on you tube.  The result

The easy mom steps of how to make a round table cloth: 

1.        Measure the diameter o the table, mine was 120cm. 

2.       Add the drop and seam allowance for both sides of the tables.  I wanted a 3cm drop and 2cm seam.  So I added 10 cm.  Making it 130cm.

3.       Then take your material and fold in half to get a fold line.  

4.       Then fold in half again the opposite way, like folding a sheet, forming a square. 

5.       Place a pin (pin 1) in the centre of the first fold, which is the fold line of your second fold. 

6.       Fold back so you just have the first fold with the centre pin in. 

7.       Then divide your diameter (mine is 130cm) by 2.  Giving me 65cm.

8.       Measure 65cm down from the centre pin and place pin2 and 65cm up from the centre pin placing pin3.  Then 65cm across from the centre pin to the open ends of material placing pin4.

9.       To make your semi circle because the material is folded put your measuring tape on the pin1 and measure across 65cm to pin4. Then as if your measuring tape is a compass measure 65 cm round until you get back to pin2.  Now you have the bottom half of your semi circle.

10.   Now do the same for the top part.

11.   Mark well and cut out and there you have your circle. 

Now this week I’ve decided I’m making popcorn for my snack at work, this should stop me eating junk.  Yes the popcorn is self popped.  I have been doing my kettle bell exercise with the glute and horse kicks from Tim Ferriss’s 4 hour body for 3 weeks now and so far so good.  I have to admit that as I don’t need to lose any weight I haven’t been following the diet exact but I have been following it in essence.  I’m eating more eggs, lettuce, broccoli and having salad and meat for lunch and lo and behold I don’t have half the munchies I used to have. 

I have also realised the difference body brushing does for you.  I noticed how smooth the tops of my arms were which were a bit bumpy a year ago.  Not anymore.  So body brush, body brush, body brush and massage that body lotion in.