No Buy: Week One Update

So I'm officially one week into my Spending Ban and I'm pretty pleased with how it's gone. 

I mentioned in my first post that I've got a lot of events coming up, two weddings and a hen party so I knew a strict no buy was out for me, but I've made some good progress that I thought I'd share!

On the first day of the No Buy, I deleted all my shopping apps on my phone. That was a tough one. Bye bye eBay, QVC, and Amazon. You knew me so well. I'm always on my phone and always browsing something. Parcels are forever popping through my door. There's been loads of occasions where I've went to my phone to check one of those apps only to be crushingly reminded, honey, you're on a no buy. Ugh, the struggle is real.

Anyway I've hit my stride this week and it's actually not as hard as I thought. I've spent money on food only, stuck to my hen party budget and even had some left to spare so I could go for lunch with friends. Instead of buying a new outfit for the hen party, I borrowed a top from my sister and a skirt I've had for ages that I never wear! And I loved it!

I did however buy a dress in the Monsoon sale, hello 70% off! I felt like that was kind of allowed because I knew I was going to have to get something for one of the weddings coming up, and since is came in at £23.50, I'm still calling this week a win. 

OPI Cajun Shrimp

This picture really does not do this colour justice.

Seriously, you need to see this.

My gorgeous sister let me borrow this about 6 months ago. The chances of her getting it back are slim to none. 

It's a red/orange that I honestly think would like great on any skin tone. 

It's £6.55 here 

6 Week No Buy - Starting today!

On Instagram, I saw a post which really made me think. It said:

"Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work, driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, in order to get a job that you need so you can pay for the clothes, car and house that you leave empty all day so you can afford to live in it."

Right?

I have a confession to make. I'm pretty irresponsible with money, and I have been for most of my adult life. I'm more of a short-term thinker, and by that I mean, I'd like to have that (insert random item here) now and I'll save next month. In the last 12 months my personal circumstances changed which allowed me to save a lot more money, but I've been spending more money too. 

Here's a good example. I decided to clear out my wardrobe the other day. I managed to downsize my wardrobe by one whole supermarket sized carrier bag of clothes, a pretty small percentage of what I actually own. But every day I think I have nothing to wear. 

I have a trunk full of make up, but I'm always buying more. I have 8 bottles of perfume, totally unnecessary. I have a fuck tonne of work out clothes, and I keep lusting over nike's latest offerings. I have more kindle books than I could hope to read in a lifetime, yet I keep buying more. 

I have an obsession with more, more, more. And yes, buying things can perk you up on a shitty day, but I want to stop buying so many things I don't actually need, and get a bit of financial perspective. Also, I want to invest in the future, not satisfying the here and now. 

So I've set myself a challenge of a 6 week no buy. A no-buy, if you haven't heard, is a self-imposed spending ban, where you don't spend money on items you consider unnecessary. I've given myself a 6 week time line because in 6 weeks I go on holiday and I know I'll be doing some shopping (it's the states y'all, you know it's on!) but I want to start now, and I feel 6 weeks is a good way to start getting a bit of perspective on my insatiable mindset of want want want. 

So here are my rules. In the next 6 weeks I have quite a few social engagements coming up. A hen do, two weddings, and a quick trip to London. I know, this is going to be hard. So I'm setting a strict scrimpy budget for each of those events which I won't go over. The only items I will spend money on is food (being thrifty there too!) petrol and the one area I'm allowing myself a little bit of money to splurge is my dance classes. At £5 a pop I'm going to limit myself to one a week. I already have an inclusive gym membership but unfortunately my gym is closed for another few weeks and I'll be able to start taking advantage of classes there again. 

I'm going to update here as I go to keep me accountable. Let's do this!

The one where I go to a dance class

So tonight, I went to a dance class. An actual, proper, adult, choreographed dance class. Zumba, this was not.

Now don't get me wrong, I love me some Zumba. In fact, I love any kind of dancing. Which is why I suddenly realise how strange it is that it's taken me this long to go to a legit dance class as an adult. 

I went to a class called MTV Dance at Dance Glasgow, which is basically learning choreography to the kinda songs you would see played on repeat on music channels. This week it was Cheryl's Crazy Stupid Love. Yes, in all honesty I was a bit shit. The girl in front of me was all kinds of slinky and sexy and I was a bit wheezy and robotic, but you know what? I loved it. 

Best £5 I've spent, and I'm going back next week. Squee!

My July, 2014

So July is coming to an end. Seriously, where has the time gone? It's getting a bit scary!

July has been a pretty exciting month to be in Glasgow, since we are proudly hosting the Commonwealth Games. I thought the opening ceremony was so much fun, we didn't take ourselves too seriously at the beginning, I mean dancing tea cakes, giant kilts and a huge inflatable Nessie let's the world know our tongue is firmly in cheek. But we had some really emotional moments too. Gay kiss anyone? And the campaign for UNICEF has already raised £2.5m in the UK alone in less than 24 hours. That's insane. There's a real carnival atmosphere in Glasgow just now, we are getting glorious weather and it's a really exciting time. Wish we could do this every summer!

July was also my birthday, which involved lots of presents and a day at T in The park! T in The Park is a music festival and again Scotland was blessed with gorgeous weather on the Friday. I seen Ellie Goulding, HAIM, Imagine Dragons, Biffy Clyro and Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran and Biffy were the highlight for me. I had a fun and eventful day with friends, and a bus load of drunk strangers sang happy birthday on the bus which was pretty funny!

I'm pretty obsessed with Starbucks Mocha Coconut Frappe's. I have a serious problem if I don't get one every few days and I often organise my free time around Starbucks. If there isn't a Starbucks there, I'm not going. Just being honest! The Holy Guacamole Salad is also to die for and I'm pretty obsessed with them too. If you haven't tried them already, get involved. I'll wait right here until you get back. No I'm not joking. 

July was also the month I took the plunge and got a tattoo. I got a small bow on my right ankle and I'm not going to lie, it stung like a little bitch. But I love it and I was pretty lucky since it healed really well. I'm already planning another one! The folks will not be pleased!

Finally, I was lucky enough to sample this fudge and it's amazing. I should say, if it's not already obvious, I'm obsessed with all things coconut. This fudge is amazing but you can only get it in select locations in Glasgow do it's definitely a special treat. Wow I really want this. Right now. 

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Yesterday's post reviewed Benefit's They're Real Push Up Liner (check it out here!) and today I'm sharing my thoughts on the mascara, touted as the UK's best selling mascara.

I've had this before, but more recently I've been sticking to Volume de Chanel, or YSL Babydoll mascara. I was given the Benefit liner and mascara as a birthday gift (thanks sis!) and my YSL was on it's last legs, so it was perfect timing!

I love a typically 'wet' mascara formula. I like big fat lashes but I also need some serious separation. Yeah, I'm high maintenance when it comes to lashes. I find the first few times I use They're Real it's too wet and all my lashes clump together and trust me, that's not a good time. 

Once it dries a little it's perfect. Also, there's a method in the brush madness, check this video out for more info, I was three bottles in before I knew about this! 

Once the formula dries out a little, I do love it. I find it doesn't flake or smudge too much, even after a 12 hour work day. It's jet black and it holds a curl well. 

Have you tried any of the They're Real range?

Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner

So I was totally impressed with the concept of the new Benefit Liner Pen. For my birthday I was lucky enough to receive They're Real Mascara and the liner so I was pretty happy bunny. The above picture is the results with the mascara and the liner (check out my next post for my thoughts on the mascara).

I think this is a really good idea, in theory. And if you have a good solid ten minutes to spend on your liner, it's a dream. I'm pretty sh!t at eyeliner so I was surprised I was able to do a flick I would consider good enough to allow me leave the house without starting all over again. That being said it's definitely not perfect. 

I like that it's very pigmented, its absolutely jet black and the rubber nib allows me to get right into the root of my lashes which I like. You can control the amount of product that you're working with my twisting the bottom, allowing the product to flow through the rubber nib. And let's be honest, the packaging looks good. I'm a sucker for some nice packaging. Finally, it lasts pretty well. 

On the downside, it's £18.50 which I think is pretty pricey for something that, in my opinion, isn't perfect. No matter what you do, you're always left with a little ball of product that either sticks in my lashes, or messes up my line. I find the only way I can work with it is by constantly wiping the tip off on a cotton pad otherwise it's very messy. And it's a bitch to remove. Just sayin'. And I'm not going to get sucked into buying the special remover just to get my eyeliner off.

All things considered I'm still using it every day and I do like the results. I just wish it was a bit less of a hassle to use. Would I repurchase this again? Honestly I'm not sure...

Essie Urban Jungle

I've wanted Urban Jungle since I seen the previews of the Summer Essie Collection. Its a difficult colour to describe, but my best guess wold be a milky white/beige. Definitely a colour for shorter nails, it applies well and I've found it lasts 4-5 days without chipping with the Seche Vite top coat. Looks gorgeous with a tan, not sure it would translate as well on paler skin tones!

It's 3 for 2 at Superdrug just now, go go go!

Essie Romper Room

Essie really know how to nail a pink. Essie's Fiji is one of my favourites, that more of a milky white/pink, whereas Romper Room is more of a true pink, but still soft and girly. It looks great with a tan and it applies really well, you definitely need a few coats to stop it streaking though!

Get yours here for £7.99

Starting my yoga journey

I'm one of those people who always looked on enviously while yogis bended themselves into impossible shapes while maintaing this sense of total calm while I'd be sweating buckets just at the thought.

Some friends encouraged me to try yoga, and start with a free app called Yogify. I bought a yoga mat from Amazon for £17 and decided to give it a go. Initially I used my iPhone, but it's much easier with an iPad or tablet if you have one. 

The app itself is free and there's plenty of free content on there for beginners, intermediates and more advanced, and you can also purchase more sessions. I bought the entire package for £6 which was an absolute bargain and I must admit, I'm totally hooked!

I've been taking my mat into the garden sometimes, and I've started right at the beginning, but I still find it a challenge. There's sessions that range from 15 minutes to 60 minutes and a really cool feature is that you can play your own music or pick from music within the app. 

Have you ever tried yoga? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Fabletics

I can't tell you how excited I am that Fabletics has come to the UK!

Fabletics is a monthly active wear subscription service, with gorgeous and unique outfits you can mix and match or buy a completely styled outfit. You can become a VIP member where you get outfits styled for you every month or you can order individual pieces to round out your wardrobe.

I went for the Aruba outfit, as did a lot of my friends and I'm absolutely in love! The quality and fit is excellent and everywhere I go people always ask about the leggings! The sports bra isn't the most supportive but I got the mint colour and I've worn it for yoga, and also worn it as a bra let with some scoop arm tops. 

Seriously ladies check it out, you won't be disappointed! And I got everything pictured for £26! Check them out here! 

Rimmel No Tan Lines Here

I love Rimmel's No Tan Lines here, lets be honest, I really don't need another coral but I loved the formula of this, and the wide brush makes application really easy. A steal for £2.99!

Rimmel White Hot Love

I painted my nails with Rimmel's White Hot Love, I won't like, it's a but streaky as I knew it would be, but plenty of coats and Seche Vite Top Coat sorted it right out. You'd definitely want a tan with this otherwise it can wash you out! 

Longest and sunniest day of the year!

Happy Summer Solstice! I spent today at Boogie Bounce, then went to my boogie buddies house for an impromptu BBQ followed by chocolate fondue! 

Had an amazing day, how did you spend yours?

Learning to Run: Up & Running 5k Online Course

So I was lucky enough to WIN (I know, I never win anything) a spot on the Up & Running E-Course for Women. I entered on my girl crush's Shauna's blog and I won! Woah! It was perfect timing as I've signed up for the Colour Me Rad 5k in August. So, off I went on my first training run. Sounds legit. And what a night I had for my first run!

While I can't go into the details of the week 1 workout, I can say it's a very comprehensive course. This first week concentrated on getting mentally prepared with lots of advice on things such as motivation, gear, safety etc which I have to say was really useful!

You get a training programme which changes weekly and explains any exercises you might complete with plenty of time to understand them before you implement them which is also very useful. There's a daily blog post which you can have e-mailed to you AND there's a forum to chat to other running buddies and the course leaders. Seriously, everything you need under one roof! 

I'll keep updating with how I'm finding the training. The first one went as well as it could have under the circumstances and lasted just under an hour. Looking forward to my next session! Go check them out!

Buxom Lip Glosses - The Holy Grail Lip Product!

First off I have to say what a gorgeous day we are having in Glasgow, so I thought I would take some of my favourite lip products out for a bit of vitamin D. I know this is an excessive collection of the same lip gloss, but I seriously love Buxom glosses. I love them so much I would happily wear them for the rest o my life and you wouldn't hear a single complaint from me. Not one. 

I have 6 full sizes, two mini's and a limited edition Bare Minerals Marvellous Moxie too. So why do I love them so much? 

These glosses will love your lips long time. They last...and last...and last... They stay super shiny, they tingle in a nice way and make your lips feel plump and oh so cool. They come in more colours than you could ever imagine, some with glitter and some cream formulas.  Also don't be intimidated by the really bright colours, in my experience they always transform into sheer wearable shades on the lips. The downside? They are virtually impossible to get your hands on here in the UK. I stocked up in America last year, you can't buy them from Sephora and have them shipped, but every so often some pop up on Ebay. After scouring every Bare Minerals shop and counter in Glasgow I've been reliably informed that Buxom are branching off into their own brand which will be making its way to the UK at some point, so keep your eyes peeled!

First up are the mini's, perfect for small bags, gym bags or over stuffed make up bags. On the left is Rachel a sparkly pink purple and on the right is Leslie a nude with a subtle champagne shimmer.

Up next is a limited edition Bare Minerals Marvellous Moxie in Heartbreaker. This is a different formula, and I don't like it as much as the regular buxoms but I've included it as it's a good alternative if you're struggling to get your hands on the real deal. 

On the left is Destiny a coral with a champagne shimmer. In the middle is my absolute favourite of them all, White Russian, which is a pinky nude cream and it's just stunning. On the right is Princess, a pink with a silver shimmer which is my next favourite. Seriously it's like picking your favourite kids. 

On the left is Bunny which is a coral pink with silver shimmer, the middle is a straight forward clear gloss called Krystal, and on the right is Kitty which is a deep brown with a slight shimmer. Now, to the swatchmobile!

Top to bottom:

Rachel

Leslie

Heartbreaker

Destiny

White Russian

Princess

Bunny

Krystal

Kitty

Have you ever tried any Buxom glosses? 

Weekend Fun

So this weekend I had made plans with my sister. As you can see from the picture she really pushed the boat out! We had planned to see Maleficent since we are big Disney fans then we were going to have a few drinks as I was staying over. We had cocktails, nachos, decorations, leis and some yummy snacks! 

The next day we went to Wholefoods in Giffnock. I love Wholefoods, I could wander around it for hours and always spend a small fortune. There's always fruits and vegetables that I've never seen and that look like grenades (see below!) and of course the sushi counter and the bakery section are worth the trip alone!

I mean, look at all that lovely fooooood! Yum! What did you get up to this weekend?

Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac Bag Soft Grey Silver Hardware

Today I wanted to share one of my all time favourite purchases. Ever. High praise, right? Let's find out why!

I can't remember how long I have lusted after a Rebecca Minkoff bag, they seemed to be everywhere I looked on the web. Instagram, blogs, YouTube, Facebook. Everywhere. I wanted one so much, and I decided on my trip to the US in September if budget allowed I was going to buy one. I didn't have a particular colour in mind, but I knew I wanted the Mini Mac. I bought mine in Bloomingdales and ever since I've literally taken it everywhere. On dates. Nights out. On bike rides. Shopping. Theme Parks. Disneyland Paris. On Aeroplanes. Literally everywhere. I feel like I've wore it so much it totally justified the price (£150). 

The bag has a long strap and is cross body style. It has a thick chain but it doesn't dig into your shoulder due to the leather strap at the top. 

There's hardware on the front of the bag, but this clip isn't the closure as I would imagine that would get really annoying. The entry to the bag is through a large zip at the top. 

The lining inside is a monochrome graphic and there are two slip pockets making organising the bag pretty easy. This bag holds everything you need, purse, make up, keys, passport/documents, and all the bits and bobs you need like a mini hair brush. I love mine and am already considering buying the same bag in a brighter colour!

What do you think of the Mini Mac?

Red Onion Restaurant, Glasgow

It seems like it was a lifetime ago I booked tickets to see Wicked in Glasgow, but the date finally rolled around and a good dinner before had was to be expected. So we popped along to the Red Onion in Glasgow's City Centre and had (another) great meal. First up was a glass of Prosecco, after all it would be rude not to! Starter was Bang Bang Chicken Salad with Crispy Noodles which was delicious. It usually comes with a peanut sauce but as I'm allergic I had a sweet chilli sauce and it was delicious. The chicken was well cooked and there was plenty of it, pretty generous for a starter, and it tasted fresh and moreish. 

The main course was a Steak with Pepper Sauce and Skinny Fries with a Side Salad. This was really delicious, I had my steak medium and it was cooked to perfection, the sauce was creamy with a hint of heat and complimented the steak perfectly. I also loved the skinny fries, and again this was a really generous size!

Dessert was shared (the best way) and as is mostly the case, it was my favourite part. Warm Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream was my favourite. It was dense, smooth but not stodgy and I wished there was more! The other dessert was Vanilla Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Sauce and Wafers. I love salted caramel but this was a pretty simple dessert, and I wasn't blown away by it.

Red Onion is a great restaurant with good service and it's always busy. It's also well known for good vegetarian options so it's worth checking out! 

Fit Body Boot Camp Glasgow

Last week I rejoined Fit Body Boot Camp in Glasgow (there's also one in Edinburgh). I went to Boot Camp a few years ago, and I remember having a quite intense love-hate relationship with it. There was a deal on Amazon Local which was £39 for 6 weeks and I decided to go along and check out the new (to me!) premises! I've been going for just over a week now so I thought I'd share my thoughts. 

The studio is in Bothwell Street in Glasgow's City Centre so it's really easy to get to, although parking can be a bit tricky. There's no mirrors in the studio which I like and the classes are small enough that the instructors can keep an eye on your form. Classes last half an hour and start super early 06:15 to 20:00 although there are some small windows of time where there aren't classes on. As a shift worker I've found it easy enough to get to classes and there are no classes at all on a Sunday and classes only go to lunch time on a Saturday.

Each day has a different focus such as legs and cardio, arms and abs, there's even a running session first thing on Saturday morning. Classes can include anything from body weight only circuits. weighted circuits, equiptment circuits, or doing a workout in pairs or groups of three. Some of the things I've used so far are battle ropes, kettle bells, dumbbells, medicine balls, weighted balls, TRX ropes, ab rollers, and there's punch bags too! I've never done the same workout twice and it seems that the sessions are always fresh and exciting and time goes by so quickly!

The workouts are pretty tough, I'm always seriously sweating just at the warm up, I've felt close to being sick a few times, and I always need to jump outside for air, but I love it! I'm always sore the next day and the day after that, and the instructors are always a good laugh. 

I'd highly recommend checking this out if you're in Glasgow or Edinburgh, or a similar facility in your area. Have you ever been to Boot Camp before?  

China Glaze Pink Voltage

Holy neon nails, Batman! I bought this colour on holiday in America for $7 on a whim fully anticipating I'd hate it on. I love it! True, it's a once-in-a-while colour but, it always makes me feel cheery and people always ask about it. It's £4.17 on Beauty Bay just now. 

Do you like neon nails?