Simple Skin

I don't know why but just recently ive become really obsessed with how my skin will look when I'm older (ok I'll be honest i go through this stage once every year or so) and how i can try and help keep my skin youthful for longer, if anyone else has ever got like this and tried searching the internet for tips you tend to just find alot about products with the latest anti age ingredients. While I'm sure the day will come as i get older that i want to start buying these things I'm still in the early end of my twenties and i really don't need to be getting crazy with things like that yet so ive instead decided to take a good look at my skin care routine at the moment and just get better with it!!


Every day i now wash my face with
then tone, cleanse and moisturise with these products from boots, they say they are for all skin types so winner(I'm trying to keep this purse friendly guys)

I try to remember to wash my makeup off every night - I have the worst habit of sleeping in it! I know I'm sorry!!

When I do get a breakout i use these products - again from boots and super purse friendly!!

On sunny days i pop some spf 15 on my face before i do my make up.

I also try to use an all over body moisturizer every day - usually before bed and really concentrate around my knees, elbows, hands, cheat and neck

I try and moisturise my hands alot too!! - i have moisturizers next to my sinks and a small one in my bag for when I'm out and about

I have also been using this eye cream again from boots!!

WATER!! I'm trying so hard to drink more water!!

and finally - thank you to my amazing nana for this tip - i try to steam my face once a week - you know like in a sauna - it really opens your pours! - My nan said she used to do it all the time when she was young with her friends obviously they didn't have all the fancy facial products and stuff we can get hold of today so they just poured boiling water into a bowl and popped there face over it at a safe distance for 5 minutes she says that is her best beauty tip!!



ok so i know this post seems really vain but i think its something everyone thinks about from time to time! Mine is very basic at the moment because i know i don't need to do lots right now but i am glad ive been thinking about it, ive read alot of blogs with them being in their early 30s saying they wished they had spent a bit more time on their skin care in their twenties so i feel like ive really gotten ahead here!

Do any of you have any tips tricks or products that you use at the moment?

That's all for now

xoxo

links to products coming soon

Everyone is talking water..

Does anyone ever go over to Lauren Conrad's website? I do, frequently. I love all her posts and find so many helpful or definitely something to keep in your back pocket!! She has also introduced me to so many things too (the Tone It Up girls)

Anyway, so today when i popped over their to see todays new posts i found this post all about drinking more water!! Hello i just posted this yesterday talk about amazing timing! Anyway i read through and had to link it here because the advice is another that should be added to what i posted yesterday, in fact i will pop over to that post and link it in a second

So that was all i wanted to post for now I just saw it and had to include it to the list of tips i had added yesterday!!

Happy Tuesday

xoxo

Water Water Water!!

Ok, I'm sorry, i said i would blog and i didn't but i promise in making up for it now with that water intake post i promised! Oops...

So as i said in my last post in pretty awful at drinking the amount of water i should and so after a lot of thought and reminders to myself in here to share some top tips!!

+So we all know we should be drinking 2ltrs a day right? Well so you know how much that is i advise buying a pitcher (you can buy cheap plastic ones for £1 from most pound shops) just fill it up place in the fridge and you are good to pour!

 

+For when your on the go a cute little travel cup that you can fill is always good too!!

 

+Set an alarm!! I decided to set a few alarms through the day to remind me to grab a glass. This is my main problem, i just forget so that's been helpful

 

+Aim to drink your 1st litre by lunch - maybe have an alarm reminding you, trust me getting through the second is easier then!!

 

+Have a glass with every meal!

 

+Flavour your water!! Omg this is amazing. Water can get a bit boring so juice is usually a go to option but if your trying to be healthier flavour your water yourself! I promise to do a post very soon with some options!!

 

+When your drinking your herbal teas they also count in your water intake so you CAN mix it up! Maybe have a herbal tea mid afternoon to break things up a bit!!

 

Do you have any other advice for adding water to your diet? I know there will be so many other ways to increase your intake but these have been the best ways for me at least!!

 

 

Again just another apology i know i promised to blog so i deffo promise for this week!!

 

Also coming soon an instagram page - i still haven't figured out pictures so at least i can post them there lol!!

 

 

xoxo

 



Aloha!! .. Party Prep (A 2 Month Challenge)

Happy Monday Everyone!! I hope you've all had a fab weekend!

Today I wanted to share with you all a challenge that I am starting today for the next 2 months!! .. We have been invited to a party in september .. Its HAWAIIAN!! I absolutely love this idea for a party, its going to be soo summery and so much fun! Hello cocktails :D .. Hello Abs (erm .. Not yet)

My sister in law and I have decided if we can get ourselves in shape or at least alot better then we currently are then we will take the plunge and do the coconut bras ha!! So my 2 month challenge - you must have guessed - is to get into shape! So i know that its going to be difficult and i wont be to upset if it doesn't happen but i think having a goal at the end should help! ..

So whats the plan? Well ive been sat for most of the weekend trying to figure this out and ive decided to go simple for now. I am one of those people who loves cake and being told no makes me want it more so i want to still be able to have treats but of course in moderation, so for this first week i just want to make some swaps to food, drinks and what I'm doing to ease myself into it for now. so here are the swaps I'm going to make this week - and keep up - and continue for the next few weeks

full fat milk to semi skimmed milk (I'm not making the full change to skim as it gives me wiggle room later on if i need to make more changes!)

2 litres of water a day - I'm pretty bad with the water thing so i will aim to drink 1-2 litres this first week and keep trying to up it - ill post some tips later about this!

workout at least 30 mins 4-5 days a week - i can add more time on to that as time goes by but 30 minutes to start with should help me get the time in! - i will post more on this later though

move when i would normally be still - so basically when I'm drying my hair if i march on the spot or do squats or lunges, when the kettles boiling jog on the spot or jumping jacks, when adverts come on do some chair dips or squats .. You get the idea right? - its extra movements but taking no extra time out of the day

try and have a fruit smoothie for breakfast or lunch 1-2 times a week - or more then that but again start of small and build up!

drink more green tea! So many health benefits!! Another i shall post more on doing

try to save any treats until Sunday - having one day i know i can be more relaxed about food should help to stay on track!

food wise in not going to be following a specific diet I'm just going to try and be healthier and make better choices - if anyone has any advice they are always welcome!! If i come across any really great recipes i will of course post them for you all!!

Ok so i know looking at this you might be thinking this isn't going to make much difference, as time goes by i will be making more changes and adding more to what I'm doing i will of course keep you updated incase anyone wants to try this with me? For now and this first week though i want to start small, a few simple changes to get into it and then build from there!

little changes add up to big results

I will post the water tips, workouts and about green tea benefits soon and will keep you guys up to date with things as i go. If anyone wants to join me then your of course welcome :) comment below if you plan to or if you have any questions i would love to hear from you! If you have any advice please comment that too :)

So wish me luck! I'm pretty nervous ha!

xoxo

I know its been quiet but...

So i know this week there's been no blog posts (apart from this one) not to fear i haven't forgotten!! Ive been busy getting some posts together....

So when i decided to make a blog i got excited about getting to know new people and having my own little corner of the internet to call my own and have full of all the things in interested in, i quickly set the blog up and put a little design to it (this may change i am still new after all) but i soon realised i didn't have anything to really add to the blog oops!!

So this past week ive been coming up with some ideas and trying some things all in preparation to blog next week it also kind of gives me a weeks head start .. Next week while I'm blogging about this weeks things i have a whole new week for other things :) so really its clever if me ha!!

So i just didn't want anyone thinking i had forgotten! Its all coming your way soon i hope you can be patient and stick around!!

Enjoy the sun!!

xoxo

bloglovin'

Ive just started using bloglovin' I'm still new and finding my way but i am already loving it! Its so easy to follow your favourite blogs and keep up to date with their posts and find new blogs that you will just fall in love with!! i definitely recommend it to any new bloggers you also can find some great tips for your blog!! xoxo Ellie


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5 On Friday

Today i wanted to share with you 5 of my favourite things this week!! - i will update with photos as soon as i can!

 

 

+New fresh bedding!

 I mean everyone loves bedding when its clean on the bed but i think i love it even more when its brand new too!! Ive just bought this bedding for our bed and i absolutely love it!!

 

 

+Smoothies

Now that summer is officially here i want to make the most of this gorgeous weather so i like to make smoothies and take them out with me! I get a tasty drink and am full so don't need to keep stopping at home to make lunches! Here are my 2 favourite smoothie recipes right now for you to try!

 

 

+New clothes

As a girl i of course love getting new clothes through the post, its like Christmas or your birthday lol! Ive just recently ordered this top, this dress, these shorts and these jeans. You can get yours from Littlewoods.com

 

 

+Yoghurt and Fruit Breakfasts

I'm going to do a post soon on flat belly foods (i will link it here when its up) and one of the best ways to include them is in your breakfast to start your day right. Ive been loving them this week and feel less bloated in the mornings after ive eaten!!

 

 

+Summer Weather

Obviously!! I have been loving spending time outside playing with the kids, getting a tan, going on long walks and feeling healthy and the smell of my washing when its air dried outside! Nothing beats this weather for me! I cant wait for more BBQs too!

 

 

What have your 5 favourites this week been? Comment below i love to hear from you all

 

 

xoxo Ellie



2 Favourite Smoothie Recipes

One of my favourite things to drink are smoothies! I absolutely love knowing that what I'm drinking is full of goodness and healthy for me! They are also super filling so make a great breakfast or snack option.

Making homemade smoothies are an even better way of knowing that what I'm drinking is fresh and has no added or unnecessary sugars or preservatives.

So today i wanted to share the two smoothie recipes i am absolutely obsessed with right now! One thing i also love and you will come to know soon is desserts or anything sweet so having a smoothie that looks and tastes like a dessert is even better for me! I feel like I'm having a really naughty treat but actually its full of goodness and a much healthier option!

so here they are

Mango & Banana Smoothie
Serves 2

Ingredients
1 mango (fresh or frozen)
1 banana
3tbsp non fat yoghurt
300ml milk
ice (optional)

method;
Place all your ingredients into a blender and blend until fully incorporated and looking thick and creamy. If you use frozen mango there's no need to add ice.

This smoothie is my favourite dessert like smoothie of all time, especially in summer it just tastes amazing!


Kale & Banana Smoothie
Serves 1

Ingredients
1orange
1/2 cup water or coconut water
1 kale leaf
2 bananas
ice (optional)

method
first blend your orange until fully juiced then add the water and kale leaf (for an added electrolyte boost use coconut water) and blend until the kale leaf is fully incorporated finally add your bananas and blend until the smoothie has a thick and dessert like consistency. If you want a chilled smoothie add ice with your banana.

This smoothie is the best way to start adding kale to your diet, the banana masks the taste so you don't even realize your having it bonus!! The colour is incredibly green but please don't let that put you off! Its soooo good.

I hope you enjoy these smoothies as much as i do...

do you drink smoothies? What are your favourite recipes? I would love to hear and try them myself!

comment below i would live to hear from you!

xoxo Ellie

30 Before Thirty...

So everyone probably has some kind of bucket list, you know the things you want to do or see at some point in your life. I do, some are practical and some are insane but they don't really have a time scale, you know theyre just things i know i want to do! That's why i love the 30 before thirty so much, its a good day to really take a look at all the things you want to do and pick out the top thirty and give yourself that time frame to do it!! Now in not saying that means you have to scrap everything else you want to do, hell no!! But its a good way to really look at your life and where you want to be when you are thirty, do you want to have had kids? Or a mortgage? Or to have seen the world?
its different from person to person but i think we can all agree its a good way to really look at your overall bucket list and pick out the top thirty things we want to achieve, to really see what's important to us and go out and get it!! You might even finish the bucket list before your thirty and do more who knows but i absolutely love the idea of really picking out thirty things to concentrate on in life.

So my list is something ive been thinking about for a while now and so as i share it for all of you i can say that somethings will already be done but that's a good thing!! Sometimes knowing that things are already crossed off your list gives you motivation to really get going and complete more on your list!! Ive tried to make mine a good mixture of fun and serious things that i will have achieved by my thirties so that i can say that i achieved and really pushed my life forward whilst also making AMAZING memories along the way!! I definitely want photo albums full of different adventures so when I'm older i can look back and really smile about my life...

so here it is ...

1. Finally have baby number 2 and complete our family 
little P born december 2012

2. Get completely out of debt. - This one is in progress

3. Get married. I'm engaged so its the next step!

4. Go to college - i found out i was pregnant with munchkin one before i could do this so now i really want to pick something i love and get a qualification in it so i can finally...

5. Start a career

6. Go on our first family holiday abroad. We have been away in the uk so now i want to go abroad!

7. Learn to drive - Mr C has just learnt so now its my turn

8. Buy my first car

9. Start a blog

10. Go to Disney land (Paris or Florida) - ive been to Paris and would love to go back or of course go to Florida :)

11. Own a Michael kors handbag and matching purse :) - i know it doesn't seem like a big one but to own a really expensive bag (anything over £100) to me means i finally have my one item of extravagance and a bag seems the most practical thing to get if your spending alot

12. Visit Italy - god i love their food

13. Lose and keep off my final 30lbs this is on going and eventually i will blog about the progress

14. Book a spontaneous and last minute holiday - doesn't have to be far just something unplanned

15. Go one week with no internet or social networking - done when i accidentally dropped my phone down the toilet oops it took a week to get a replacement so i was cut off :(

16. Catch up on all the tv shows i have started watching and never finished (bones, the vampire diaries, the walking dead, the following, greys anatomy)

17. Go to a music festival

18. Travel to at least 5 different countries (Italy is included as one when that happens)

19. Start exercising regularly - ive started but i feel i need to at least keep it up for 2 months to say I'm sticking to it!

20. Finish decorating the house

21. Get the garden finished

22. Have at least £1000 in a savings account for those emergencies

23. Learn how to paddle board - it looks easier then surfing lol

24. Start a family Christmas tradition - every Christmas morning we have pancakes, chocolate waffles and fruit for breakfast! And every night we put one present on the bottom of the kids beds from Santa so they know hes been!

25. Print all the photos on the laptop and put them in the correct photo albums or frames!

26. Join the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan

27. Go to a hen party

28. Be a bridesmaid

29. See at least one of my favourite artists in concert!! - i saw muse a few years ago so i count this as done but i want it on here because i would still like to see more!

30. Get a promotion (this is a big ask seeing as i don't have a job yet! Setting myself up for big things ha!)

OK so there it is my 30 before thirty,
i have to be honest it feels good having some crossed off already! And i cant wait to finally complete the whole list

comment your lists below i would love to see!!

xoxo Ellie

My first blog post...

So .. Here it is, the very first post ive ever written for this blog!!
Its taken a bit of time to set up and i hope ive done it right but welcome to my blog!!

If anyone has any tips for improving my blog please feel free to get in touch, any help will be greatly appreciated!!

and with that i have to ask that you are patient as i get to grips with the blogging world and all of this many things may change at first!!

so i have to say thank you for reading my blog i hope you come back - i promise it will get better with time! And i look forward to sharing this journey of mine with you

xoxo Ellie