Skincare Switch up

I have no idea what is going on with my skin at the moment, it's usually pretty well behaved but since the end of last year I have had break out after break out and quite frankly it's pissing me off. Not sure if it's to do with the weather, diet, stress or hormones but its driving me mad.

Anyway I have just about used up the last of my trusty Liz Earle products and was going to order some more but I'm thinking if its not helping the problem do I just opt for something completely different? Well last week I was doing some skincare research online and came across the Avene website where I did the online skin diagnosis and registered a few details. A couple of days later a little pack came in the post with some samples! Win. Completely unexpected but a lovely treat to come home to.

I have been using this every day for the last week and I'm really liking it so far. There may even be some full size purchases at the weekend! You can buy the Avene range from Boots.

have you ever tried anything from Avene?

Whats your favourite skin care products at the moment? I'm always on the look out for something else!

Mad For Mint

sheer heart collar blouse // Shell Printed Playsuit // Chain print silk shorts // Essie Nail Colour // Topshop Jeans // Lace Dress // Wrap Skirt Dress // Cosmetic Bag // Nails in Gone Fishing // Bowling Bag

I absolutely cannot get enough of this colour at the moment! It's such a gorgeous colour for summer, I think everything in my wardrobe is going to be exactly the same colour at this rate!

What do you think? Whats your favourite colour for this summer?

Who ate all the Pies..?

..Me. Well not all of them but the majority! This past month I have been a bit of a social butterfly, meeting up with friends for drinks, going out for meals, a silly amount of birthday parties and now the weather is nice its BBQ season! (I also have a new man on the scene so nights in with takeaway and snacks are happening a lot more than they normally would!) 

All of this food and drink is now starting to take toll and I am developing a bit of a 'spare tyre' around my middle. I'm not really over weight but could do with shedding about half a stone (7lbs) just to feel a bit better about myself. I'm also going on holiday at the start of August so I would like to be a bit more confident and be able to treat myself to some new bikinis.

I'm not going to say I'm going on a diet because that's just setting me up for a fail, it's more about making healthy choices. I actually think the summer is a great time to be healthy, in this weather theres nothing better than a salad while sitting outside! I think my main obstical is the beer garden, alcohol contains so many calories and drinks like cider can be so bloating, then they make me wanna snack and before I know it I've ordered sauasage and chips from the chippie!

So the plan:

• Cut down on bread and starchy Carbs
• Swap drinks like Cider for Vodka and slimline tonic (or no alcohol if possible, but one step at a time!)
• Visit the gym at least 3 times a week
• No late night snacking
• 30 day shred

 

I have just purchased a copy of this  after hearing such good reviews and it only takes 20 minutes. You can buy this from Amazon for £4.99. Bargain.

I know I have really rambled on a lot here but im hoping that by writing it down it will help keep me motivated!

I would love to hear if any one has any health and fitness tips, are you doing anything to get that summer body?

Payday Wishlist #2

Bandeau Dip Hem Dress // Real Techniques Core Collection // Liz Earle Skincare Essentials // Cross Print Top // Navy Scarf Print Playsuit // Desert Trek Playsuit // Coral Floral Skull Scarf

Payday is Friday for me, (thank goodness). Here are a few goodies I have been eyeing up this month. Although my car MOT is due this month so some sacrifices may need to be made, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it :)

Food Porn: Sea Food for thought

Sesame coated cod and pea soup

Vodka cured salmon and pickled cucumber

(Might have eaten a little bit before taking the photo!)

Crab cakes with wilted greens and sorrel sauce

Tray baked Pollock with pine nut and olive crust with tomato and oregano sauce

Pan fried red mullet with spring vegetable nage

Strawberries and watermelon with champagne and mint granita

Bit late for the weekend post but Never mind! 

I LOVE going out for food, I just think its great to spend time with your friends/family over a nice meal. This weekend a pub where I live put on a 6 course seafood taster menu and oh my god it was fantastic! There was also the option to add a matching wine to every course but unfortunately for me it was too close to payday so I just bought my drinks separately.I keep changing my mind to what my favourite course was every 5 minutes, they were all excellent.

 In a couple of weeks they are doing a Japanese night, bring it on!

What did you get up to this weekend?

Dippy for Dippy Hems

Top Row: Miss Guided

Bottom Row: AX Paris

All under £30!

I am such a fan! My favourite trend of the year so far, the dippy hem. I think the style is so classy but can be worn on any occasion. I usually struggle wearing maxi dresses as im quite tall they only make it down to about my shins, (which i don't think looks great) so this is a lovely alternative. I'm going to a wedding in August and think a dress like this would be perfect. You can also get away with wearing them in the day with some pretty sandals and a cropped jacket.  I just need to decide which ones to buy!

What do you think? Are you a fan of the dip hem? Whats your favourite summer trend?

Charlie's Diary #2

Date Night Salmon // Red Wine Glasses // Onesie // Barry M Berry Nails // Lunchtime Sparkling // Harvester

Hope you all had a great weekend! xx

Skincare on a budget!

Now I'm not gonna lie I am completely on the Liz Earle bandwagon when it comes to skincare, however there are some months when my pay just wont stretch that far. I thought I'd show you a couple of my favourite bits that make my skin feel great and don't break the bank.

Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser

This is such a great alternative to the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. It's only about £5.99 or a 200ml tube and comes with a muslin cloth, I love how soft this leaves my skin feeling,

Garnier Soothing Vitamin-enriched Toner

This has no alcohol / perfume / colourants and leaves my skin feeling fresh

Sudocrem

The old classic! Brilliant for reducing redness in spots. Apparently Cheryl Cole is a big fan too so that's good enough for me!

Johnsons Eye Make up Remover pads

Do exactly what they say on the tin, removes all scraps of eye make up and doesn't irritate my eyes at all

Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Foaming Cleanser
I actually really like this, its light but really does make my skin feel soft and clean afterwards. Its about £9 from Boots so is a real bargain when they bring out the £5 vouchers

Toothpaste
Bit of a random one but its another classic, great for dying out horrible spots!

These work for me but may not be suitable for everybody's skin, do you have any beauty bargain secrets?

One month of blogging!

So today is my blogs 1 month birthday! I just wanted to use this an excuse to say how much I'm enjoying it. I was so worried at first, what with all of the fabulous beauty bloggers that are already out there, that there was just no real need for mine too. However, I have found the blogging community to be so friendly and helpful and I am very glad I decided to take the plunge!

If you are umming and arring about starting a blog I would definitely say go for it, what have you got to lose? Twitter has also been a great help for me. #bbloggers is a great way to discover new blogs and get advice on products, I really cannot reiterate enough how friendly every one has been!

I hope this hasn't been too much of a boring post (I won't give my blog a birthday shout out every month!). Also thank you to everyone that has taken the time to follow my blog or make comments, it really does make me smile :)

Much Love, Charlie