Friday 29 August 2014

Sneaks and Snacks

Hello everyone :) I thought I would just write a mini post today on some of my new buys.. one in particular, new sneaks! If any of you read my last post you would know that I am currently challenging myself to get fit and lose a significant amount of weight in order to place myself in the healthy region on the BMI scale. So far I am on day 4 and have been gyming eveeerrryday so far. Just now I am enjoying the challenge but we will see how I feel this time next week! Anyway in order for me to look at least a little gym savy I had to go out and purchase some new sports gear, one item of which was some decent trainers! The trainers I was using before I had had for about 3 years, they were worn and weren't providing me with the correct support for my running technique and general feet health. I am a member at DW Sports which is absolutely brilliant, its a gorgeous gym but its also super handy as upstairs they have a sports shop where members of the gym receive 10% off purchases. So taking this deal to full advantage a few days ago I went and got my feet and running technique tested so they could try and find the best supporting trainers for me. They gave me two pairs of trainers; one cushioning and one supporting,  and I had to run on a treadmill for 5 seconds with each on. Once I had completed this they analysed the way my feet landed and determined from there what shoes would best support me when running. What I found out was that when I run my inside ankle on both feet seems to bend inwards (apparently this is how most people run) so I was recommended to purchase cushioning trainers with a supportive insole to support the inside of my feet. I managed to find a fantastic pair on sale and I am absolutely in love with them already! They are a dream to work out in and they are this pair of Newbalance trainers. I think they are so lovely and I love the colours! Not something I would usually go for but amazing all the same.


If any of your guys are budding runners and have never had your feet tested I would totally recommend it. The service is free of charge and it is so good especially if you are wanting to get the most out of your workouts and not have the worry of gaining any injury from not wearing the right supportive footwear. And on that note I am away to finish my breakfast and head to the gym! I hope you all have a lovely day :)




X.O 
JF
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Tuesday 26 August 2014

Truth Laid Bare, Pound by Pound

Hello all, so today I am laying myself bare and would like to talk to you guys about a challenge I am setting myself, and I feel if I write about it and my experiences along the way it will help keep me motivated and help me to stay mentally strong. I have taken it upon myself to try and lose quite a bit of weight. A lot of close friends of mine and people who know me will be more than aware that since the middle of second year at university I began to have issues with my weight. Moving up to Aberdeen and becoming a student in first year was such a fantastic experience but second year was more of a challenge. I had darker days and struggled to stay on top of my health both physically and mentally. In that time my weight has since been slowly creeping up and although I am not ready to fully reveal my actual weight to the internet I can say that my BMI is above average and I am classed as 'overweight' in the eyes of the BMI measurements. On countless occasions I have tried silly fad diets, cutting out carbs, jogging round my local park every day, living on green smoothies twice a day etc but all I seemed to give up after a week or so as I just was too tired and hungry all the time. This time I am taking proper action in the right way. No fad diets or gruelling jogs, just a healthy mix of cardio, weights and balanced healthy eating. I am only on day 2, so this could totally go like the others before; who knows. All I know right now is when I see pictures of me being tagged on Facebook the first thing I do is de-tag. When I try on clothes in shops I have mental break downs in the changing rooms. Im 21 years old, I should be healthy and wearing gorgeous dresses and clothes not covering everything up on summer days and being ashamed of myself. Anyway, I am planning to write weekly posts on my progress and some hints and tips for exercises after I book in with a trainer in a few weeks time. If anyone at all would be interested in these let me know and keep up with my journey. I have a fantastic support for this, my main being my partner who is going along and doing all the same workout/eating plan with me. If he cant motivate me no one can! So wish me luck and if anyone has any healthy eating or exercise tips please don't hesitate to let me know, all advice is more than welcome!

X.O
JF


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Monday 18 August 2014

Product Review! Bourjois Beauties

Helloo everyone! So today I wanna chat to you guys about a couple of great products I have come across recently from Bourjois. It has been such a long time since I have used any of their products and when I had ran out of my Loreal Match Perfect Foundation and Noir Excess Mascara I thought I would change it up a little and test out some new products from the Bourjois Range. The first I would like to introduce you all to is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation. This product appealed to me to begin with because I had never heard of a 'gel foundation' before. At the moment my skin hasn't been the best I have had to endure a few breakouts recently so the fact that this was lightweight and is promoted as a healthy serum like base for the skin really appealed to me. To apply this product I have been using my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge which I love so much it just gives such even coverage and allows great blending on to the skin. I think the real test for this new gel foundation was the fact that I have just started bar work, long hours in a pretty warm environment! I was astounded to see that even at the end of the night my skin still looked radiant and had retained a good coverage of foundation as before by the end of the night I felt my foundation would just melt off my face. I think to see if it helps clear up my breakouts I will have to use it for a little longer but I will keep you updated. All I can say just now is so far so good!



My next Bourjois Product is the Volume 1 Seconde Waterproof Mascara. This stuff. Wow. To start with I love the mascara brush it is full enough that it grabs every lash yet combing enough that it separates lashes amazingly and gives the most incredible length to them. I was so surprised that after only a couple of stokes my lashes looked so much fuller and longer compared to my previous Noir Excess Mascara where I felt it took a bit of time to build up my desired fuller look. It doesn't lie when it says its waterproof either, this stuff is going no where! Even when I'm out and about and my eyes start to water which they usually always do when outside or in cold weather, I don't have to worry about my mascara smudging in any way which is a win for me. I love the packaging of this product too the shape of the tube is lovely and easy to hold and the silver and blue combined just gives the product a lovely clear simplistic look with an added bit of class.



My final product which I am loving is a lip product and it is the Effet 3D Volume and Brilliance Gloss in 33 Brun Poetic. This lip gloss is such a lovely summer one giving lips a lovely soft baby pink colour with a very small hint of a shimmer. I love the consistency of this product it lasts for ages and is so super hydrating on the lips, boasting an 8 hour hydration on the packaging itself. Its a gloss with balm action hydration.. whats not to love! The colour is also beautiful and gives a tiny bit of shoosh yet it still natural looking. Ah I'm in love and very keen stock up a collection in a few other colours!











Have you guys got any products that you are loving recently? I would love to hear some recommendations!

X.O
JF


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Thursday 7 August 2014

Wilderness Adventures!

Hello everyone! So for the last couple of days Duncan and I decided to put our outdoor skills to the test and endure the wilderness around Blair Castle in the Cairngorms for a camping adventure break; and what a fantastic getaway it was! The drive up there is nothing short of magnificent with beautiful views of the hills and everywhere you look there is some form of historical tourist spot from castles to working mills to whiskey trails.. all totally up my street!



The camp site we stayed at was in Blair Atholl, in the former estate of Blair Castle where we received discounted entry for our stay. It was such a pretty and clean site with all the facilities you would ever need. On our first evening we pitched up, got the BBQ fired up and then went for a lovely early evening walk around the grounds of Blair Castle.



On our second day we woke up to rain! The weather had kinda been expected so in the morning we went and toured around the castle in the hope that by lunch time the rain would of ceased a little. Blair Castle is probably one of the coolest castles I have ever had the privilege to look around. Unfortunately photography was strictly forbidden on the 30 room tour apart from in the ballroom so the only photos I can share are fairly limited! But if any of you are keen history castle goers I would totally recommend this one for a wander! The history behind the families that formally ran the estate and the ancestors that run it today is so interesting and its so nice to think that even to this day the estate and castle is somewhat still in the hands of the distant family of the past.


   


It didn't exactly stop raining after the Castle tour so after we had left Blair Atholl we decided to take a trip into Pitlochry to have a look around some shops and out of sheer luck we came across a Mountain Warehouse outlet with a sale... and yes even with an outdoor shop I am a complete sucker for a bargain so it was safe to say new waterproofs and some new snazzy camping gear was bought! We left feeling and looking like true hiking outdoor loving campers!




A break in the rain meant a trip back to camp where our chairs and mini stove were brought out for coffees in the fresh damp air.. may not sound too appealing but it was honestly pretty awesome! A bit of a caffeine hit and refuel and it was off to House Of Bruar for a wander around the poshest cashmere shops I have ever come across in my life... I must say I was feeling totally snazzy in my new outdoor camping wear until I turned up to first class store cashmere land and all I could do was cringe and try and not squeak my sodding trainers on the mirror shine floors of the shops... squeaky wet and awkward!



Our last little trip to round off the day was to the visitor centre at Killiecrankie where we went on a mini hike around the gorge and walked to 'the Soldiers Leap' where apparently...


The views around this part of the valley were just incredible and when the sun finally started to shine at the end of out hike it was smiles all round and a very keen trip back to camp for dinner and a few sneaky outdoor drinks before bed.






So have any of you guys been anywhere fun this summer? I would love to hear your outdoor adventures and holiday shenanigans! 

X.O
JF


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