7.19.2011

Summertime, And Living Is Easy.

Summer... hmm.  Not quite here in the UK (is it ever??).  After that brief spell of hot weather we had in April - 3 months ago I might add - we've had bits of sunshine but not a rise in mercury.  As it's grey and dull outside I wanted to brighten things up and do a blog spot about my favourite summer nail varnishes.  Here's the spectrum of colours...



After I painted my nails I realised I should have done them the other way round because I started on my pinky first *doh*! So I've reversed the images to show it better - hopefully.

From L - R:
1) Elf - Nude
2) Rimmel French Manicure - French Ivory
3) Barry M - Peach Melba (definite a favourite!)
4) Pinkey (Hong Kong brand sorry!) - not sure what would be equivalent
5) Beauty UK (from Superdrug) - Pink Explosion
6) Pinkey - same as above
7) Rimmel I Love Lasting Finish - Tangerine Queen
8) Barry M - Mint Green (looks bluey here but it's really mint green!)
9) Barry M - Spring Green
10) Rimmel 60 Seconds - Sky High

What's your favourite polishes for the summer you would recommend?

Love Tx

I'm so...


... that I just can't hide it (but I have to).

Love Tx

7.18.2011

Weight Loss??

It's been almost a week since I started my 'healthy eating regime'.  I have decide that I'm not going to call it a diet anymore.  I absolutely hate the word and makes me feel uncomfortable.

So what went down?

I've been following what the book has been saying (though to exactly what it says).
Breakfast: Strawberries & a peach or 2.
Snacks: Non.
Lunch: Salad & Protein.
Dinner: Protein & cooked veg OR Protein & Salad.


My lunch today... rabbit food.

It's been quite tough because I'm a snacker and there are moments (everyday I have to add) when I crave so badly a packet of crisps or eat some biscuits or something.  This is especially so during the afternoon lull - that quarter past 3 afternoon tea time.


I'm not going to lie but I've cheated a little... the first couple of days, I had a naughty twix *slaps hand*.  But I felt hungry and needed something to keep me going for the rest of the afternoon.  But apart from that... no carbs!  Also, Saturday night it was pouring with rain and my bf and I didn't want to brave the supermarket in the storm so ordered pizza *shakes head*. But...

Results so far??

I've actually lost 2.5kg in 6 days - awesome!  I wonder if I would've lost more weight if I didn't cheat at all?


Love Tx

7.17.2011

A Day In Photos...

My choice of breakfast everyday now...

 Have to drink lots of H20 for the NED (something I don't tend to do)...
 My 'protein' dinner from M&S before Thursday night drinks...
 My current read on my commute...
My recent artwork before I painted my Mum & Dad's room...
I painted the heart too thick & it's now left a print under the new paint! ♥


Love Tx

7.09.2011

The NED Diet?

I've been meaning to lose some weight and tone up for ages.  It is the summer after all and girls (and guys) are even more image conscious since we're trying to cram ourselves into skimpy tops and having to bare those legs of ours.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not fat by any means but I just need to get back into shape (and into my old clothes)!  Ideally, I'd like to lose 7kg/ 3/4 of a stone/ 15 pounds.  This does seem far fetched especially as I'm making small efforts to eat healthy and still craving/consuming naughty foods - yup - those cheeky carbs and sinful snacks.



I was recommended a diet recently by a wonderful friend of mine.  She went on this diet along with her bf and they've experience great results in a short period of time - bonus!  So I decided to jump on the bandwagon and try this thing out.  It says it's a 'simple' way to lose weight.  The approach basically imitates the lifestyle of our ancestors - ice age and all that - where they eat more but move little.  It say's that you can:
  • Shed pounds in a matter of weeks.
  • Say goodbye to enless exercise. 
  • Beat diabetes and prevent heart disease 
  • Look younger and prevent premature ageing 
  • Increase your sex drive (?!)

    YES - I think I'm onto a winner here!

    BUT

    Then menu looks a bit... difficult. It goes against the grain on common diet plans of eating less but more often.  This, I'd have to eat 3 square meals a day.  Snacking is aloud inbetween.  However, from looking at the plans, it really does cut out ALL carbs, grains, dairy, non-foods (goodies basically), and also missing out the occasional meal (because our ace-age ancestors did this often when there was no food available).

    SO

    What food do I get to eat?  Lots of seafood (like LOTS), vegetables, fruit, meat, and lots of water.  Meat, veg and fruit I can deal with.  Problem is I love seafood but things like Salmon is expensive (espeically the amount suggested on a weekly basis) and no carbs.  I mean... NO CARBS? What the hell am I going to do?

    It's going to be really tough but then again, as I don't need to lose weight extremely quickly I will be slightly lenient (i.e. going for a meal with friends and having the occasional snack).  I think it's important to stay healthy and all tha jazz but I'd like to live a bit as well - I know this sounds so contradicting even as I type this.

    I'm starting this 'diet' tomorrow... so I'll be cramming by last bits of carb & naughtiness beforehand hah! We'll see how I get on and I will do a weekly update and review on this diet.


    Love Txx


    6.20.2011

    To Read Or Not To Read?

    So I thought I'd write about something that I've read in the newspapers that's been bugging me recently.  Just need to get this off my chest.


    .GET LONDON READING.

    The Evening Standard have been running with a campaign on getting London to read.  I've not read everything that they've printed.  But from what I've read, the basic jist of it is that the literacy levels in London are extremely low with stats like 1 in 4 children who leave primary schools cannot read and that 1 in 3 children do not own a book at home.  Also, they ran the story with the little girl Aurella and how she's never had a book & the only book she had is an Argos catalogue!?!  All I have to say is...

    ERRRRR... WTH??

    And this is what I have to say about it - I believe reading ability is very much dependent on 2 main factors (obviously there are lots of different things that are contributing factors) -

    1) Teachers - children go to school to learn.  That's what school is about right?? Teachers are being paid good money to teach kids especially basic things like reading.  I do not blame the teachers as such because my flatmate is a primary school teacher & she does a very good job.  But if it's certain areas in London that are really problematic, then surely issues right at the heart should be addressed first and foremost.  If reading is a big issue, have more of a reading structure in place! Simple as.

    2) PARENTS - so teachers do their job, but parents also need to pull their weight too.  The least they could do is to provide some books at home.  I know that there are alot of people who have come from abroad so many the parents are not so hot on reading the English language HOWEVER they could at least buy the damn thing.  With that girl Aurella, she didn't have 1 single book but an argos catalogue?! WTF is that about? Then the mum is the only 1 to blame.  Surely she can afford to buy 1 book for her... if not, then there are things in the country called libraries where you can borrow books for freeeeeee.

    I just don't relaly get this campaign and just think certain issues should be addressed before they start extending their hands and getting people to 'donate' towards volunteers.


    Sorry- rant over.



    Love Tx

    6.12.2011

    Love Birds

    "To love someone deeply gives you strength. 
    Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage."


    I wanted to dedicate this post to 2 of my friends that got married recently...


    ~ Emily & Harry ~

    My dear friend Emily got married on 15th May.  Ems and I go way back and met when we were 13 or something when we were in the same through secondary school.  I'm so grateful to have a friend like Ems and I'm so glad that we're still friends after so many years.  Emily & Harry had a beautiful wedding and I'm so so happy for them.  I sound like a hopeless romantic... but It's must be such an amazing feeling to exchange vows with the person you love ♥



    Emily's dress was perfect... it's elegant, it had sparkle, lace 
    & not to mention the stunning bow!
     Love the crew ♥... Alex, Ems, Me & Claire.
    The most gorgeous peacock cake to go with the bird theme
    (Made by our talented friend Dawn Harman)


    ~ Shaun & Tricia ~

    Shaun & Tricia got married on 5th June.  We all met first year of uni together which I can't believe was almost 8 years ago since 2003!  Shaun & Tricia had a baby girl, Erin, a few months before the wedding & it was so special as they included Erin in the wedding.  They had a chinese traditional banquet.  They had amazing pre-wedding photos & video taken around London and during the banquet they had the photoshoot & video clips shown on a screen - sooo sweet!







    So there we have it!  I wish them all the very best for the future~


    Love Tx



    P.S. So my detox did not go to plan.  I fell ill with a stomach bug the next day for a week so had to stop it!  I may try it again in a month or so though.