Slimming World Update #5

I can't believe this is my fifth Slimming World update, like where does the time go? I'm now into the sixth month of the program and I'm so delighted I started it. My journey began way back in April, my Mom suggested we tagged along to one of the meetings as she heard such amazing things about it. She was perfectly right as five months down the line I've lost 5st which I never would of thought possible back then. I'm not going to lie it was hard work at the start but once I got into the swing of things it's been mostly plain sailing from there on out. I've had such a good time this month picking out new clothes and throwing out old ones. Even though I will miss some of the latter which some people find ridiculous, but I did love my navy hoodie. One of the highlights of this month was some of the girls in work commenting on how well I look, even the smallest compliment means so much to me. I've been getting some great advice off one of the girls in particular who will remain anonymous. I despise the gym with a vengeance and I haven't set foot in one since I started this program back in April, I much prefer to walk everywhere. This lovely girl in work suggested some really quick and easy exercises that you can do at home to tone up, I've been doing them constantly lately. You may be thinking do they work, I don't know yet but I'll touch on it in next months update for sure. This month they didn't seem to have the little awards stickers, so one of the ladies wrote 4&a half and 5 stone on the book for me which I thought was super nice. One thing changed this month at my meeting which I wasn't expecting, my class leader left.  I was very sad at first as I had no clue that was going to happen, she had been nothing but supportive since I started back in April. I'll miss her alot.

This month in total I've lost 13lbs which is crazy, I can hardly believe it myself. There was one set back in my second week when I put on 2.5lbs. I was pretty disappointed but then I remembered how well I've been doing so far and that these small glitches happen. I got back on the horse and at next weeks weigh in I lost a whopping 7.5lbs, everyone was so happy for me and I couldn't of been more pleased myself. It's weird I can see my target weight getting closer and closer which I couldn't of imagined five months ago. I got also some great news this month, I'm heading back to college in October. I've wanted to go back for ages so I'm very excited. I didn't realise how expensive college supplies were until now, maybe I just bought too much stationary. Well enough about that I'm probably going to do a post soon talking about what course I'm doing and college related bits.

Until my next update,

Laura<3

Summer Must Haves/Essentials #6 - Bloggers' Summer Favourites Part 1

I've really enjoyed writing this series and I'm sad that this is the last segment, I enjoyed sharing my favourites with you guys. Although the Summer has ended, I thought it would be a good idea to get some of my favourite bloggers together to show you guys what they've been reaching for the most over the past few months. I've read through and had a look at all the products mentioned and I already have a wish list the size of my arm. I chose these particular bloggers as I read their blogs on a regular basis and thought you'd also enjoy seeing what they have to say on their Summer Favourites. Like my previous posts in the series, I'm going to start off by showing you the picture of all the products chosen by the blogger followed by a paragraph saying why they liked them. I'm also going to put a link to each blog underneath the photo so if you haven't heard of them before you can go have a mooch. I have a few bloggers taking part so this post will come in two parts, with part 2 coming up really soon. It's been so much fun putting this post together so I hope you enjoy it.

Sophia from Tattooed Tea Lady
I’ve been loving lots of products each month, but there are a few which are my absolute essentials and ones I reach for time and time again on a day to day basis. Revlon are out-doing themselves this summer, releasing both the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stains and the Revlon Lip Butters. My favourite shades for these are Romantic and Cherry Tart! They are quick and easy to apply and great for on the go. Every girl needs a dry shampoo in her life and the Ojon Dry Cleanser is perfect. It fits in my handbag nicely and works to keep my hair fresh and give it a little boost, too! A lip shade is all well and good, but I like to make sure my lips are soft, smooth and nourished else no shade will suit! I love the EOS lip balms for that, especially Strawberry Sorbet. In the heat a makeup setting spray is a must and I love the E.l.f. Make Up Mist & Set! And lets not forget the most important of all; a moisturiser you can rely on! I love the Balance Me Balancing Face Moisturiser which keeps my oil at bay, but keeps my skin soft, smooth and supple at the same time! These have been my absolute summer essentials and ones which will probably carry through til Winter, too!

Sian from Forever Fabulous in Bows

1) Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish-No explanation needed. This Cult Cleanser really makes my skin feel and look amazing!
2)E45 cream, I've had really stubborn dry skin as of late. and this is the only moisturiser that helps it. It's such a bargain, and  will definitely remain a firm favourite of mine.
3)Soap and Glory, "The Righteous Butter". As my skin is normally quite dry, I need to moisturise a lot during the summer, and this has to be my favourite. It's thick and sinks into the skin really easily, making my body, literally as smooth as butter :)
4)Benefit's, Moon Beam. As I tend to tan in the summer, I find this is much more warmer on my skin, that the usual High beam, as it has golden tones and shimmers in it, which really compliments my tan.
5)MAC "Ambush" This was my favourite colour throughout the summer, it's not too red nor too pink and goes with everything.
6)Victoria Secret "Bombshell" This scent screams "Summer" to me! It's got a lovely fresh scent, perfect for a summer's day.
7)Wake Me up Concealer, my "Boing" concealer from Benefit has been gathering dust since I tried this baby last month. It gives me great coverage.
8)Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, I've repurchased this all throughout the summer. It gives me great coverage, doesn't clump to my dry patches of skin and lasts me the whole day. Best budget foundation I've ever used.

Catherine from Lux Life

This Summer I have fallen in love with the Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Fluid, it's amazing and is perfect for those hot summer days when you don't want to wear make-up. It gives your skin a healthy glow and smells lush, as well as covering you with SPF 15. Other products I've recently discovered and are now on my 'must have' Summer list, are the Covergirl Lashblast Fusion mascara - it's amazing and makes my lashes look big but natural at the same time without feeling heavy on my lashes, and the Ayuuri Coconut body wash, which leaves your skin feeling lovely and soft and smelling of coconut all day. I've also been loving my usual summer must-haves, which are the Body Shop body butters (my favourite ones are Mango, Passionfruit and Papaya), the Victoria's Secret Bombshell spray, and the Berber hair oil with Argan Oil, which prevents frizz and smooths the hair. After trying the Tangle Teezer last winter I then tried the Denman version, the 'Tangle Tamer' and have fallen in love - it gets all of my tangles out and is perfect for holidays when you've been swimming all day and your hair is all tangled and wet. Finally the last product that has been one of my summer essentials is the MUA Heaven and Earth palette, it's the perfect neutral palette and has been my go-to every day!

That's the end of Part 1, I already see so many products I want to get myself come payday. It can't come around quick enough as I'm so ridiculously broke at the moment. I just want to thank the three bloggers featured in this post for agreeing to take part, don't forget to go have a look at their blogs. I love them all alot and there definitely worth the read.

Would you like to see more posts like this in the future? Have any of the products featured above made it into your Summer Favourites?

Laura<3

MUA Bronzed Perfection Bronzer

MUA has been hitting the nail on the head lately with all their recent releases. Not only our their products brilliant but there inexpensive which is great for a student (get to that in a upcoming post). A great way to find out what there coming out with next is to "like" them on Facebook as they update that regularly with new and exciting products. I already have my eyes on their new Artiste Collection palette, I need it in my life. One of their new launches that I have been particularly liking at the moment is Bronzed Perfection* as you probably already guessed it's a bronzer and it's huge.

I had one similar from Gosh that I had for literally a year, before it came to a sudden end after I dropped it. I remember that being €20, this on the other hand is £3, do the maths people this one is a complete bargain. Even in the Autumn months (feels like Winter now) I think everyone likes looking that little bit bronzed, this stuff is just for that. It does look dark in the pan, but once on the skin it blends beautifully into a nice subtle glow, it is fast becoming my most reached for bronzer. For shimmer haters out there, this does contain a light shimmer but it's almost unnoticeable on the skin. If it's something that really bothers you I'd recommend swatching it in Superdrug beforehand. The only thing missing from this is a mirror which doesn't bother me in the slightest. I've just seen that MUA are bringing out new cream blushers, Blush Perfection. If there in anyway as good as their bronzer, I can see myself pick up a few as the shade range looks great and right down my street.

What MUA products have you been loving?

Laura