My January Favourties 2014

Hello everybody!

Wow! I can't believe its nearly the end of January already! The new year is flying by so fast and I still haven't achieved some of the things I was hoping too...there is still time though! So anyway, seems as time really is flying I thought I had best be prepared and do my January Favorites the first of 2014.

January is the perfect time of year for discovering your favorites as you tend to have things from Christmas that you've never used or rediscovered. This year I have definatley rediscovered things I used to love as well as discovering new things that I just can't help but love. So lets begin!

Body Shop Cassis Rose Body Mist

Firstly I want to write about the "Body Shop Cassis Rose Body Mist". I actually had this body mist in a set for Christmas and I have fell in love with it. Sometimes I feel that the smell of roses is a clean, refreshing smell but so popular that it bores me, but I really love this scent! Its such a light and clean smelling scent that it makes you feel more awake and fresh. This body mist came in a set with the matching Rose perfume, bubble bath and lotion. I particularly like the mist the most as I think it is so light and gentle that it is perfect to carry around in your bag. It's small and light so has definatley made an appearance in my handbag. As I have to get up early for work in the mornings, I feel that I don't want to wear a strong fragrance so I like to wear this as it's soft and not to powerful. I think it's long lasting and kind to the skin so a recommended buy. The Body Shop gift sets would also make really cute presents for friends or family.

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/search.aspx?search=cassis%20rose#/search.aspx?search=cassis%20rose

Lady Gaga Perfume "Fame"

Another thing I have been loving this January is the Lady Gaga perfume "Fame". I brought this when it first came out and loved it straight away, but since buying more perfumes it has managed to slip itself to the back and I forgot I owned it. Recently, I decided to wear it and have re fell in love with it. I would describe this perfume as dark and sensual. It is 100% not a fruity or flirty fragrance so I would not recommend it for a date but perhaps for meetings or a chilled out day. It has some floral and fruit fragrances which blend together nicely and my favorite thing of all about it is how the liquid is black yet sprays clear. Oooohhh, I love it!

http://www.theperfumeshop.com/fcp/product/womens-perfumes/lady-gaga/fame/3589

Johnson's Face Care Makeup Be Gone Wipes

I know it sounds daft to be loving face wipes and all beauty guru's will be going crazy but I am addicted to using these wipes! These face wipes are the softest and most gorgeous things that you can possibly put on your face! They wipe even the toughest make up off your face and leave your face feeling refreshed, nurtured and smooth. They are more pricey for then your average face wipes but are so worth the extra pennies. You get 25 in the pack and I find them so long lasting. The wipes are also quite thick so they don't rip or hurt your eyes when taking off your makeup. They are also perfect after a long day if you wanted to freshen up your face and they smell gentle yet floral. These are the make up bag essential.

http://www.superdrug.com/johnson+johnson/johnsons-refreshing-facial-cleansing-wipes-x25/invt/213658?source=179_75

Why I love you? The Journal of Us

This has made an appearance in my January favorites as me and my boyfriend decided that this year for Valentines day we would write about each other in these books and give them as presents. Theres 96 pages to fill which is a lot, so we've had to start them now so they are ready for Valentines day. I'm at least half way through my book at the moment and I find it so lovely reflecting on all the things I love about my boyfriend. 5 years is a long time to love someone at a young age and you tend to take them for granted, but by writing down all the things you remember from the start and all their best qualities is a refreshing way to remind yourself of why you love them to begin with. It's such a lovely gift for Valentines or as a surprise for males and females, so if you want something personal to give to someone you love then I definatley recommend this. I will admit, it does take a lot of thinking and I didn't understand all the question's but I can not wait to see what Tom wrote about me and I'm interested to see what he remembers/knows about me.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Love-You-Journal-Us/dp/1441307435

Primark Sunglasses

Yay! It's that time of year again when clothing shops start to sell some of their Spring/Summer items and I was so happy to see that Primark were selling their Holiday Sunglasses range already. January can be a dull month when its cold and Summer feels like such a long way off but by buying these it helps make me feel like the sunshine is on its way! Now, I know people have mixed opinions on Primark but I must admit I love their sunglasses! I have had my current Primark sunglasses now for about 3 years and they have lasted me a long time so I know that although they only cost me £1 they were by far worth the money. I love how Primark makes dupes of expensive glasses like Ray Bans, so it's easy for bargain hunters like me to get the glasses that look the price but didn't cost the price. I brought two pairs this week, so I have one pair to keep for when I go on holiday, one pair for everyday and my old pair to keep in the car for sunny days. This way I can mix and match, look fashionable whilst protecting my eyes. Now clearly, these cheap glasses wont protect your eyes brilliantly from the sun so bare that it mind when buying them and wearing them out in a lot of sun exposure. My favorite of the pairs is the blue and white spotty ones. I think they will be a small statement piece to any outfit, they look summery and look quite vintage. 

At your local Primark stores.

MUA Palettes

 First off I am going to write about the MUA "Heaven and Earth" palette. This palette is one of the best palettes I have ever used! Not only is it a dupe of the Urban Decay Naked palettes 1/2 but considering how cheap it is to buy, it lasts all day, blends well and has the most gorgeous colours! Amazingly this palette only costs £4 from the MUA website or from popular drug stores like Superdrug. It took me ages to get my hands on the palette as it kept selling out but when I got it I didn't realise how lovely it is. The colours are so easy to blend, match my skin tone and are so wearable. This palette comes with a range of light and dark shades meaning you can mix and match the colours to fit your reason for wearing it. You can look casual or create a smokey eye using this palette. The colours are light and so pigmented and last all day without using primer. Like I said, it only cost £4 so you can not expect it to be perfect, therefore it does have some minor faults. I sometimes find with this palette that the colours have a lot of fall out so you find you can makeup all over your cheeks, which leaves a glittery mark after wiping off. Minor, but another thing I don't like is how the packaging doesn't have names for the colours, it simply calls them "shade one, shade two" which I find is really boring and not an easy way to remember which colours you like to blend with another. I think this palette is perfect for a beginner or someone who doesn't want to pay the price of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes.

http://www.muastore.co.uk/index.php/12-shade-palette-heaven-and-earth

Slimming World

 As you may know from my last blog post, this January I decided to join back to Slimming World...an aid in helping you to loose weight in a healthy and happy way. Two weeks into it and I have already lost 8 pounds which is just over half a stone. I can not believe it! I'm loosing weight so fast yet eating soooo much! Every weigh in I'm worried I've put on due to how much I've ate but been so happy to discover that I've lost weight. The idea of Slimming World is to fill your diet with healthy and natural foods like meat, vegetables and fruit, with the correct amount of bread or cereals. Of course you are allowed to eat whatever you like as long as it's within moderation and within your syn count which you are allowed 15 per day. They recommend that you have at least 5 syns were day for a healthy balance which if your a sweet tooth like me is perfect as it still means you can have some chocolate. Since being on this diet I am eating a lot more meat, eggs, beans and potatoes which are some of the things I would not include in my daily diet before Slimming World. It has really opened my eyes to what is healthy and what is not. I'm also cooking a lot more home made meals which are quick and simple to make. I honestly think there is no excuse to not make homemade food even if you have been to work all day when its this quick, simple and healthy. Since joining again, I have learn t how to make my own soups, chips and puddings that are all healthy and filling. As a family we have also noticed that our shopping bills are cheaper and the cupboards look so much more healthier. We are all on the "diet" so are supporting each others journey and so far we have all lost weight and feeling much better. It's not to late to start your lifestyle change and I would highly recommend joining Slimming World. Find your local group from the website below if you are interested.

http://www.slimmingworld.com/

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my January Favorites of 2014! Feel free to comment with the things you have been loving this month and give me your best recommendations. Look out for more blog posts this week and check out my latest blog posts for more from Daily Bow.

You can now also find me on Youtube! http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj_5nbcTQHk_VcM5FIuH1aw

Daily Bow

xxx

Get fit during Winter!

Hello everyone!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Firstly I would like to apologies in my lack of blogging. Time just simply flies! My blogmas was a fail, I struggled to find time writing blogs that you would be interested in. I didn't want to write for the sake of it. I wanted my blogs to be useful to you. Anyway, I was so busy within my personal life and enjoying the festive period that blog mas was becoming difficult. But now life is back on track and I am back to normal I am going to blog again. Anyway, I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and New Year. 

New Year Resolutions

So it's that time of year again where we all think of things that we would like to change ready for the new year and new start. I have given myself 3 New Years resolutions!

1) loose weight and be healthier

2) try new things/challenges

3) spend more time outdoors and exploring

This blog will be focusing on resolution Number one, and why I have decided to do it, with some handy tips that may encourage you. 

Loosing Weight and being healthy

For a long long time now my goal has been to loose weight, but for some reason I have always lost track of it and my motivation has vanished. ( I know...excuses excuses! ). I've tried the gym and Slimming World and despite always loosing weight, I always put it back on and then go through the "can't be bothered stage". This year I have decided that excuses are band from my house and in my head! I have a really good feeling for 2014 and I am going to make it "my year". I want this year to be the one I remember for all the right reasons and loosing weight is my main goal. I'm not setting myself a target although ideally if I loose two stone then I think I will be over the moon! I really don't want this to be another year where I feel fat in the summer time. Every year I walk along the beach in my jeans as I'm to nervous to get my legs out, but this year will be different! I want to be confident in what I wear and be happy. I've always been a realistic and tried to dress to my size and shape. I'm quite confident in how I look already as I don't believe in hiding yourself away in a result of other people's opinions...they aren't worth it! 

Another thing I want to achieve whilst being healthier is drinking more water. As I go to the gym alot more now I realize that I need to be replacing the water I am loosing. Not only that but that added benefits from drinking water (the purest drink ever!) makes it worth it. I'm aiming at have at least 2 litres a day. Water is also a way to solve cravings which is good for when I'm feeling hungry but don't need to eat. 

Rather than "dieting", I am changing my lifestyle. I know it's cliche but this term works for me...I hate the word diet. I have joined the popular club "Slimming World" to aid me in loosing weight and staying motivated. I've been on slimming world before and it truly does work for me, but like I said, I always lack in motivation. This time around on it, I am taking it more seriously and making sure that I don't waste my money. I also have to remind myself why I started Slimming World in the first place, and the benefits that could happen if I stick to it. Making food swaps is important and it's vital to understand to ignore temptations. Like most girls I am a chocolate lover! but I have to realize that it's safer and better to have it in less quantities especially as the next time ill eat some it will taste all the better. 

Loosing weight is something like 60% eating healthy and 40% exercise, so I have been making sure that I do as much excerise as I can. I have been going to the gym everyday since I made this choice, sometimes twice a day and it makes me feel so much better! If I go then it makes me feel positive and when I come out the gym I always seem to be in a much better mood. I'm experimenting on new exercise machines, swimming and going to fitness classes to help along with my weight loss journey. I'm trying to walk more also, like parking futhur away at shops. Soon I hope to try jogging around my area but I feel like I need to gain more confidence first. 

So why now? It seems silly really but if I see the people around me being healthy then it makes me feel like I should too, but sometimes I need that extra push! As a blogger, I enjoy reading other people's blogs and watching their YouTube channels. A favorite blogger of mine is Sprinkleofglitter aka Lousie Pentland/Watson. Lousie is inspirational to me as she wears the same dress size as me, has the same clothing/make up taste as me and we look similar in some ways. This comforts me as it makes me realize that someone who looks like me is allowed to be confident, look and wear what they want. Louise is a lovely lady and she has also made the decision to be more healthy this year.. She doesn't want to loose weight as such, she wants to become fitter and healthier as it will benefit her little girl Darcy. Louise uses Twitter and Instagram to update everyone on her exercise and this really encourages me. I see her updates and it makes me feel good that me and an idol of mine are both doing positive things to change our health. It can be a hard thing to do on your own and a little encouragement can go a long way. 

I hope this blog post has inspired you to try something new and stick to what you want to do! You can achieve anything if you believe in yourself! I will keep you updated on myself and I wish you all the best!

Daily Bow

xxx