Meditation // January Book Review.

Mindfulness - A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World.
Mak Williams & Danny Penman.

In my 2014 goals post I said I wanted to read at least one book a month and also wanted to meditate more and become more positive. Well this book is all 3 rolled into 1 - perfect! I used to meditate everyday, do alot of yoga and found they helped with anxiety and stress but life gets in the way and since I've moved into this flat I haven't done any!

The book comes with a guided meditation CD that you follow over 8-weeks (1 meditation once a day for a whole week) and also gives you mini-challenges and explains alot about positivity and stopping your mind becoming a big dark rainstorm.
It has taken me a little time to read and get my head around the concept of Mindfulness and the science behind it. I am now about to start Week 2 of my meditation practice so I suppose I havn't read a WHOLE book this month as you read each section per week.

I love meditation, it really helps me relax and unscramble my mind. Sometimes it's hard to focus but this book and the 1st weeks meditation is all about controlling your wandering mind during meditation. Obviously finding 10mins a day to sit quietly and do the meditation can actually be really difficult, but as the meditations are super simple I actually found doing it in my head just before sleeping (without the CD after I've learn't the meditation) helps rests my mind and body allowing me to drift off quickly.

Do you enjoy meditation and do you have any recommendations on guided meditation books or CD's?

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Black Whitening Toothpaste - beauty review.

This rainy weather is making me SO down at the moment, I don't know if it's just me being so busy at the moment but I feel exhausted and like my body is starting to get a bit run-down - really hoping I don't get ill!

Today I have review for you of Black-Whitening toothpaste! Yep, that's right!

This toothpaste has activated charcoal in it which has apparently been used for centuries to whiten teeth safely and fight bad breath:

Beverly Hills Formula Perfect White BLACK *
£4.99 available in Superdrug

Weeiiiird.
It looks like a sci-fi nightmare.

Actually the gel toothpaste doesn't make your teeth black, it just turns to your normal white-toothpasey froth as you start to brush.

I usually HATE the taste of the original Beverly Hills Formula Whitening toothpaste (that I've used on and off for years) but this actually tastes of mint! It's fresh and light and the gel doesn't leave that weird gritty feeling in your mouth like the OG does.

I've been using this for 3 weeks now and I've not noticed any dramatic changes. I did take before and after pictures, there was a small difference but I don't want close up images of my teeth all over my blog :p. It does say brush for 5 minutes for best results but who honestly has time or patience to do that?!

I'm definitely sucked into the black-whitening toothpaste novelty but I think thats all it will be for me!

What are your thoughts on the look of this black-white toothpaste?

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Aliens From Outta Space - outfit post.

Ahh! I set this outfit post to go live on Friday but it simply didn't! 

Weird! Anyway now I have to re-write it haha.

This weekend I went to a gig, danced with my pals, had mass amounts of fast-food and also went to a drag show (again). I'm still recovering today and have made myself homemade soup to keep me going.

This outfit I wore a few weekends back when I was out record shopping in our local area:

Norse Projects Beanie - Pavilion Clothing
Coat - Topshop
Alien T-Shirt Dress - Local Heroes

Black Boots - H&M

Hope you had a great weekend!
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My Personal Journey With A New Diet.

I've been eating healthy since after Christmas now and actually stuck to using the famous Juice Plus Complete shakes as meal replacements for my breakfast and sometimes lunch (or I will have a healthy lunch). I don't really agree with fad diets and skipping meals so taking the shakes instead help gives you all the nutrients you need plus I mix it with frozen fruit to make it extra tasty. There is so more info on the science behind Juice Plus HERE.

I've been careful not to make myself feel ill and I did at one point start getting headaches and feeling dizzy so I made sure I have snack of fruit inbetween the day and also make sure I have a meal everynight! I am always healthy with my dinner or if not (e.g pasta) I make sure I have a smaller portion.

By all means I don't let this diet control me at all, I am super naughty on Saturdays I eat what I fancy and haven't stopped the booze. Another thing I haven't stopped is drinking tea, I do use skimmed milk now however small pleasure in life such as a brew when you fancy it is super important to not make the diet feel like a chore.

Juice Plus Complete prep.
250ml of Skimmed milk,
1 scoop of Juice Plus Complete,
Mixed frozen fruits.

I bought 6 tins of the shake formula (3 in chocolate and 3 in vanilla) and have done a 4-month payment plan of £24 per month. I actually started this before Xmas and then pigged out over Xmas so re-started again. Since Jan 6th I have lost 5lbs - and thats with cheating! I also want to exercise more and I have re-started Yoga and meditation which I have another post about at the end of the month.

A Fitting message on my glass - Don't Worry, Bee Happy! (Theres a bee - get it!)

Along side the shakes I've also been taking Immunaid. These are just flavourless pastilles in which you take 2 a day to help support your natural defenses. The Immunaid energizes your 'good' bacteria rather than increasing it therefore working in harmony with your body. There is some more info HERE on their website.

Bimuno Immunaid Pastilles - £20 for  pack of 3 (30 in each pack)* available from Boots and Superdrug.

Have any of you tried Juice Plus before? What did you think?

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London Retro Soho Specs.

I already own two pairs of glasses, an old Gucci pair and my Osiris ones that I've talked about before. My Gucci's aren't really strong enough anymore so when I got my mitts on my new London Retro pair, which have a similar shape frame, I was stoked! 

The pair I chose were 'Soho' from the new collection over at MyOptique.com. They are a thick, sturdy frame in a dark tortoiseshell color with my correct prescription lenses inside (that are also scratch resistant and anti-reflective - brill!). 

London Retro Glasses - Soho - MyOptique *

'SJ' Initial Necklace - Onecklace *
I aodre this necklace, I love anything with my initial on and this is a really high-quality necklace. The gold chain is strong but so dainty and It goes with pretty much everything! 

Do you wear specs? Which pair from the London Retro collection do you like most?

Hope you've had a grand old weekend!
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Pink Apple Designs.

Hello! 

Today I have a Top 10 favourites from the very contemporary PinkAppleDesigns. They specialize in modern furniture and lighting from designers and manufacturers around Europe and work with designers and architects on big and small furnishing projects.

I spent a loooong time on the site and here are my 10 dream items (should I ever have the funds and space to create a dream home!):

Vitra Akari Floor Light, Bubble Chair, Jelly Vases, Willow Armchair, Elephant Mousepad.

Flip Mirror, Normann Block Cushions, Cappellini Bookshelf, Normann Sofa, Vitra Wall Storage.

Which is your fave?

Hope you are having a grand weekend pals :)
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Please see my PR/Contact page for my blog disclosures
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The Future Doesn't Belong To The Fainthearted - outfit post.

I have an ever-increasing fascination with space exploration and science so when i saw this T-Shirt I had to get it.

I bought this with some birthday money I had from my mum and it is automatically my new favourite item of clothing! 

NASA T-shirt - Tee & Cake.

'S' Name Necklace - Topshop
Planet Choker - SugarlessSkulls *

The title of this post comes from a quote by Ronald Reagan after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 1986 which says "The future doesn't belong to the faint hearted, it belongs to the brave". I love the back of this T-shirt as is has badges from different space shuttles and also the Challenger crews names on the Challenger badges which is a great homage to the brave people who lost their lives. 

Are you into Space Exploration?

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Flamingo Candles SS '14.

Howdy!

I've been feeling super tired this week and today have a serious headache but what better way to relax than slamming on some candles and putting my feet up! 

I was kindly sent this incredible pot of joy from Flamingo Candles from their new SS '14 range (they're not even in the online shop yet - but will be soon!) in the delicious, 'do I sniff this or eat it?' scent -Vanilla Milk Bottles.

Flamingo Candles - Vanilla Milk Bottles. *

Normally fancy candles smell great but when they burn you can't really smell them at all but these are made with EcoSoya wax which means they are 100% vegetable, cruelty free, wonderful smelling beauties! (You can see some more info on the making of the Flamingo Candles HERE). 

I am just in love with the thick jar they come in and the 3D Flamingo on the outside, the website has some amazing Flamingo Facts and also I urge you to Google the term 'Baby Flamingo' for the ultimate in cute! 

Here are a few others you can buy from the online store that look amazing and I bet they smell even greater: 

Coconut Milk & Honey.

Cheesecake Crunch.

Jamaican Cafe & Walnut.

Have you tried Flamingo Candles? What brand of candle is your fave?

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I Love My Clarks.

I've mentioned a couple times on my blog that I've been after some Clarks and this Christmas I finally got lucky! I got my favourite pair - the Desert Hugs.

They are a suede desert boot with a fur inside lining to keep feet extra snuggly in the cold weather and also makes you feel like you are walking on a little cloud.  

I've refused to wear them in the rain but I'm hoping we are out of the storm now and my feet can get cosy and warm without getting soggy!

Clarks have also released previews of their SS14 range and here are my fave picks:

Amulet Magic Flats.

Milly Dilly Satchel.

Hotel Image Cut-Out Shoe
(my fave! how good will these look in Spring/Summer?)

Tailor Cut Cut-Out Floral Handbag.

Do you wear Clarks? They were a childhood go-to for school shoes for me but I'm also loving them as an adult :).

Hope you are having a great weekend!

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The Joys of a New Year: New Stationary!

One of the best things about a new year for me is new stationary! I don't have any idea why but I know alot of people are with me on this one. I used to get excited as a kid by buying new pens, pencil cases and notepads and now as an adult it's turned into planners and diaries. 

I thought I'd share with you my new 2014 stationary and some others that I adore too:

Tick-List notepad, Daily diary, Monthly planner, cats pens, a lined notepad and sticky-note bookmarks.

I LOVE making lists so my Mr.Fox tick-list notepad is my ultimate for EVERYTHING! I also have the 5-Year Q&A journal and a 'Listography' for listing future plans. I use my 2014 Monthly planner (pictured) for blog planning and ideas.

Kaawaii Cat Diary Stamp Set - Harvard5f.
I have stickers of these stamps they are so funny and cute.

Constellation Notebook - Twenty Fingers.

Bear Paw Notebook - Twenty Fingers

2014 Luna Calendar - Gwen Davies who a local Cardiff artist :) 

Do you enjoy fresh, new stationary? What did you go for?
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Check It Out: BT Infinity LIVE Twitter Game Show!

To celebrate the bargainous sale of BT Infinity Broadband for only £7.50 - BT are hosting the first ever LIVE Twitter game show named 'Guess The Prize'.

@BT_UK will be hosting a game show-style competition every hour from 12pm until 5pm tomorrow (Friday 10th Jan) where you have 7 minutes and 50 seconds to view a live 'conveyor belt' stream of items in which you have to guess the item that is priced at £7.50.

There are bundles of prizes to be won for the correct answer tweeted and for those who can't make the hourly games, there will be a a 5 hour slot at 4.08pm where you have until 9pm to enter.

All you have to include in your tweet is:

- #GuessThePrize
- The name of the £7.50 item
- Mention @BT_UK

It's simple as so get on Twitter tomorrow from 12pm and get winning!!

X

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Please see my PR/Contact page for my blog disclosures
**

The Damned - Topshop Lipstick Review.

Hey everyone!

I have a little review for you today on a new lipstick I spontaneously purchased whilst spending my birthday money last week. 

I actually saw a poster on the beauty counter for 'The Damned' (sold on the name alone) Topshop Beauty collection. The girl on the posters lips looked a beautiful deep purple/red colour and I made the massive mistake of not swatching the tester first! I saw the strip of colour on the packaging (see picture below) and assumed this was 'the one'.

When I got it open it looked still quite dark but once it was on it was more of a bright pinky-purple, but it's still a lovely colour:

The Damned - Topshop £8

Without flash.

With flash.

The finish is velvety but also has a good moisture to it so your lips are still smooth and lasted about 4 hours.

I actually ended up really loving the colour as the more I applied the darker it got and it went well with my hair.

Have you used Topshop lipsticks before? What did you think?
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I Love Lara - outfit post.

2014 is here! Happy New Year folks! 

I spent me New Year with a huge group of my pals partying in houses which was super fun. My Birthday was also yesterday (the 2nd) so I've been a pretty busy bee the past 3 weeks but now it's time to settle back into routines.

I wore this outfit over to Merthyr last weekend as the weather was sunny but also pretty chilly, with all the 'Borg' I felt like a blue haired, less athletic Lara Croft in the first Tomb Raider for Playstation 1 (remember that?!):

Dress - Topshop
Jacket - Topshop
My hair that was purple/supposed to be lilac is now...blue. I actually quite like it.

Hiking Boots - Topshop.

Glass Heart Choker - Sugarless Skulls *

A whole outfit of Topshop. The jacket and boots were a Christmas gift.

Token cat.

How did you spend your NYE?
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