Slimming World Update #6

I can't believe this is my sixth update, the time has flown by so fast. I'm glad I started these posts as I can always read back on them and see how much I've achieved so far. At the end of this month a half a year will have past since I started the Slimming World program and I seriously couldn't be happier with the results. The last month has been pretty hectic for me, I started college and that has taken up so much of my time. I already have like a million assignments to do, YES I'm being a bit over dramatic but it seems like alot. My days seem much more fuller now, I literally rush from college to work on Mondays and Wednesday, then I have my Slimming World Meeting on Tuesday.  Nearly half my week now consists of college and the rest is left to more work and assignments. I was pretty happy on my way to college last week, I got a text on my phone saying I was Slimmer of the Month for September which is a big deal I guess. When I went to the meeting last night I was given a little fridge magnet that says Slimmer of the Month, I was beyond happy about it and it's definitely going on my fridge. Since my last update I've lost four and a half pound which I'm really happy with, I'm super close to my target now, something that I thought would never happen over five months ago. My Food Optimising book is full up with award stickers now as you can see, I'll have to start using the back now too. Something I've been eating more of this month is salad, which I surprisingly I really like. I was never a vegetable person growing up, I couldn't stand the look of the stuff but now I can't get enough of it. The only thing I don't like about it is the price, it's so much more expensive to eat healthy. I paid nearly €8 for a salad that consisted of lettuce and chicken, how shocking is that. I haven't got in as much exercise as I would of liked over the last month. I did alot of walking when I went to Kilkenny over the weekend, that place is seriously beautiful. It's so relaxing compared to busy Dublin so it was nice to have a break. I did a bit of shopping down there so I may stick up a haul soon. Let me know what you think.

Again I'd like to tell you guys that I'm glad I shared my weight loss journey so far with you, reading back over your comments has actually given me so much more motivation. I seriously can't thank you enough.

Laura<3

The Body Shop Christmas Launch

Sorry for the lack of posts this week, I've been unbelieveably busy. Firstly I started college which is certainly a new experience for me, I've been enjoying it so far and I can't wait to get into it now. I also went down to see some family family friends in Kilkenny this weekend, I love it down there as it's totally different to Dublin and so relaxed which is a nice change of scene. Last week my friend Sinead and I attended the Body Shop Christmas event. Even though it was September, we immediately got into the festive spirit when we seen the lovely Christmas tree as we walked through the door. All the new products were laid out across the room, our first stop was the makeup corner. The Body Shop always come out with beautiful products for the festive season, think sparkly and pretty and they always seem to go down a treat. I'm in love with the two new eyeshadow palettes coming out, they are both gorgeous and contain shades that could take you from day to night.. I can't decided which one I like more so when they get launched instore I may need to go back and treat myself. One of the lovely Body Shop staff touched  up my makeup for me and used one of the palettes too. Sinead and I were in love with the look she came up with, quite a dark smokey eye which I wouldn't really wear myself but it works. None of the lipsticks really caught my eye but after the makeup artist used one to finish the look off it looked perfect on, I'll definitely be picking one up for sure. While I was getting my makeup done, Sinead took up the duty of photographer, having not looked at some of her snaps til now, I think she did a really good job. I also got my eyebrows threaded for the first time, it was seriously not as sore as I expected to be, it's just a weird sensation like gritty sand or something. From there, Sinead and I had a look at all the gift sets, there's so many this year which is great as it keeps your options open. Two in particular caught my eye, the Scents of the World set and the body butters lollipop. The latter contains five mini butters in a lollipop shaped box, I think this would be lovely gift for someone in work or even for yourself. I love the Madagascan Vanilla Flower fragrance from the Scents of the World collection, the Christmas sets for this range are beautiful. The products come in little boxes shaped like books, for me personally presentation is key so this definitely ticked all the boxes for me. Let's not forget the limited edition festive scents, Vanilla Bliss, Cranberry Joy and Ginger Sparkle. Vanilla Bliss is my outright favourite out of the three, saying that though they all smell lovely so there'll be something for everyone. Before we left we got to fill up little gift bags for Barnados which is a children's charity over here in Ireland. It was such a nice gesture from The Body Shop and it's nice to know this Christmas some child will wake up with a lovely gift from them this year.

As always The Body Shop has done it again and pulled out all the stops for this Christmas season, I'd definitely recommend going instore and checking out some bits yourself.

Laura<3

September Favourites

I'm going to grab just about the only free time I have today and show you my favourites from the past month. Everything has been all go for me over the past week or so getting things sorted for college. The first night of my course was last night and I had such a good time, I wish I could say the same for my student card photo which looks atrocious. I can't believe were in October already, the weather change has certainly given it away. I'm not going lie Halloween isn't my favourite time of year. I used to hate dressing up when I was younger for some reason, looking back I feel sorry for my poor Mom. Nothings really changed in the past few years, I still don't like dressing up but if I'm going out on Halloween night it's a must I suppose. This year I'm going to a Haunted Farm with some of the girls, I get creeped out really quickly so I doubt I'll last two minutes in it. I know photography isn't allowed at it but I may do a sneaky post to let you know how I got on. Well back to my favourites, all the products featured are new discoveries for me so I couldn't want to share them with you all. I also have two random favourites this month which I didn't want to leave out.

I'm going to start with everyones favourite part (I know it's mine) the beauty favourites. This month I've tried a number of new products and these ones definitely ticked all the right boxes with me. I'm going to start with the two palettes I've been loving this month, the Nars All About Cheek and Urban Smoked Palette. As the title of the latter would suggest this palette contains eyeshadows to create a smokey eye. All the shadows are really pigmented and I haven't had problems with fallout at all. There's a nice mixture of shimmer and matte shadows which I know alot of people will be happy about. I've been using this alot on night outs as it has basically has all the shades you could possibly need to create a smokey eye. It also comes with a brilliant tutorial book which includes pictures and step by step guides. The only thing that annoys me about this palette is the packaging and I'll get to that when I do a review. The Nars palette I've been loving lately was kindly sent over from the States by Chie as unfortunately there not available this side of the pond. It contain 6 popular blush/bronzer shades from the brand, my favourite being Luster. When I hit pan on this shade I'll have to buy a new one, it's the perfect peachy shade that gives a gorgeous glow to the cheeks. I've been using this one the most but I really think this palette is great as it gives me so many options. After running out of my Lingering Eyebrow Pencil from MAC, I've found something else to use on my brows and it may be even better. Fashionista's Eyebrow Kit* contains everything you need to get tidy brows. I have quite dark brows but I still find myself using the light shade on the top left hand side and it's a perfect match. I find using powder as opposed to eyebrow pencils much quicker to apply and you don't have the added issue of it breaking like a pencil can. It's also a much cheaper alternative to my old favourite the MAC Brow Pencil which is why I'd go out and buy this again. I've found a new mascara love this month in Max Factor's False Lash Effect mascara. When I first saw the brush (HUGE), I wasn't too keen but after using it once I fell in love. It makes my eyelashes look much fuller, maybe even longer. This mascara definitely lives up to its name in my books, I can't believe it's taken me so long to try it. My last beauty favourite this month is Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey. This hasn't left my page since I bought it last month. It's a gorgeous wearable shade that would suit everyone, I've picked up a few shades from this range and this is definitely my favourite. I love how there so easy to apply and don't take up too much space in my makeup bag either.

Now onto my two random favourites. The weather has been so terrible lately over here, it's unreal. In Ireland we have one cold day and then it could do a complete 360 and be gorgeous the next day. For the cold days I bought these snuggly pyjamas bottoms from Penneys/Primark, they are like slippers for your legs and whenever I wear these around my house I feel instantly warm and cosy. If I do recall they weren't too expensive at all and I got them in a set with a snuggly hoody. I haven't been wearing the hoody too much as I don't think all the heart print would look too good. My other random favourite is this candle from Woodwick. The scent is Vanilla Bourbon and it smells amazing. The sweet scent stays in my room for hours after I burn, it's so nice for this time of year. The other feature of this candle I love is the sound it makes while it's burning. Woodwick used a new innovation called Plus Wick which results in the candle crackling like a fire. I find this sound so soothing and relaxing. I'm thinking about buying some of these as gifts for people this Christmas as I think they'd be perfect.

What has made it into your favourites this month? Is there any products I've mentioned above that you'd like to see a review on?

Laura<3