Dukan Diet Day 23, 24 and 25

Day 24 - Friday- Protein and Veg

Breakfast - oatbran porridge with vanilla fat free yog

Lunch -  salmon and salad

Dinner - 2 beef burgers (grilled) and asparagus

Dessert - 2 fat free yoghurts, different flavours, layered. Oooh I'm almost Jamie Oliver.

Day 25 - Saturday- Protein 

Breakfast - oatbran porridge with vanilla fat free yog

Lunch -  grilled meatballs, 1 tsp of mustard

Dinner - chilli con carne sauce (no kidney beans)

Dessert - fake cheescake filling

Day 26 - Sunday- Protein and veg

Height - 5 foot 11 inches
Weight - 144 1/2 lb

Target Weight #1 147 lbs woohooo! Smashed it!

Target Weight #2 143 lbs one and a half more pounds. Wooooooo!

Breakfast - oatbran porridge with vanilla fat free yog

Lunch -  2 boiled eggs and smoked salmon

Dinner - Turkey in passata sauce with chopped red and green peppers and some garlic
Dessert - more fake cheesecake filling.  I made the mistake of trying some coffee grounds in this to make it taste like coffee. It tasted rank :( yet to my shame I STILL ate it?! 

I was really excited yesterday as one of my 3 pairs of expensive jeans fitted (the bigger one) wooo! I am actually really pleased, I am nearly at optimal nice clothes wearing weight again and am very happy.  It did seem a total waste never to wear 3 pairs of seven for all mankind or citizens of humanity jeans again, they were expensive!

Also shopping is much more fun now.  I have bought a few new outfits including a white blazer from Zara.  I wish I had someone to take OOTD pics but considering I have had a tripod now for 6 weeks I haven't been making much effort myself. I think 2 jobs, an NVQ and generally house wifey esque duties might have been a bit much to take on, I am knackered!


Hope everyone elses diets are going well. And I am sorry to those that are bored by diet chat....I wish I could eat what I want and not get bigger, but sadly I cannot. 

Champney's Home Spa - Paraffin Wax At Home!

I've got a new toy!  I am having so much fun with this paraffin wax heater. It sounds a bit odd, but paraffin wax is actually good for using on your hands and feet, it deep cleanses and softens the skin, increases circulation, relaxes muscles, improves the skin colour and texture, and is good for arthritic joints.  It also turns out it's great for super dry hands and cuticles so fab for me, and also fab for Matt who has really dry hands because of his work (and yes I did truss him up like an oven ready Christmas turkey to test it out).

It's a really inexpensive system, you can get it from Argos for around £25 http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4435736.htm it looks exactly like the one here, but it's half the price! midi therm paraffin wax

Using paraffin wax is also really really good for the following conditions due to the warmth: arthritis, rheumatism, muscle spasm and inflamed joints, it is especially effective in relieving the pain of rheumatoid arthritis so would be great as a gift if you know someone with those conditions, maybe a nan/granddad?

Click to enlarge the instructions

It says in product info wax can take up to 12 hours to melt but usually takes 4-5 hours, I found it takes about 3-4 in a nice warm room/area.  There are 3 bags of paraffin wax included in the box, it says you can use 2 but in my experience this doesn't fill it up until the minimum line, so i'd go for 3 bags.

Basically you just sanitise your hands/feet and then apply some lotion or oil, as the heat will make it soak in better.  Then dip your hand/foot in the heater quickly putting around 6 thin coats on.  Make sure not to leave your hand or foot in there too long or it will be too hot!  

Once you've coated your hand or foot 6 or so times then put the plastic liner over it and leave it on for 5-15 minutes to do it's work.  There are plastic liners included in the box but once you've run out you can get more from Sally's, Ebay or most beauty wholesalers. 

Even Matt had a go!

To remove the wax you just peel the bag off and the wax will come off with it, my hands and feet were so warm and soft and smooth afterwards.  Obviously this will not get rid of any calluses like rasp or a callus peel treatment but it does work so well on super dry skin.  As you can see I was having fun peeling the wax off, that's my wax foot!


Perhaps if you have a family member who would benefit this then but it and you can share it, or do it for them - I bet they would be very grateful! 


You must ensure that nobody using the heater has verrucas, warts, varicose veins or diabetes and all should be fine.

I definitely definitely recommend buying this if you have dry skin and like having manicures or pedicures, it's so much fun and also works exactlys as it says it will. Also you can get chocolate scented paraffin wax or lavender, tea tree, peppermint etc. so if you don't want to use the plain one, you can just replace it with a nice scented one. There is a waxing brand called GiGi and they even sell a cinnamon apple scented one, but not in the UK :( I want some it sounds amazing for the Autumn.


Disclaimer: This was sent for consideration for review and I was not paid for this post and I am not affiliated with them. I am now off to coat more things in wax!

Booking a Spa Day

If you are a spa lover like me you might like to purchase a day for a friend or your mum as a treat or maybe for an alternative to a hen night or baby shower.  The problem is if you've never been to the particular spa yourself or you don't live locally to the person you are giving the gift to, how do you go about booking the spa AND how do you know what it's like?  You want to make sure you or you friend has a great time as spa days are a real treat because they are pretty pricey!


I always think it's a good start to take a look at the Good Spa Guide to see whether the spa has good reviews and (slap wrist) I realised that I didn't look at any reviews of The Sanctuary at all before booking, which was rather silly as I found this which shows lots of people had the same problems > http://www.urbanpath.com/london/spas/sanctuary.htm#main so I would also recommend looking on their website before booking too.

Once you have some ideas of good places to go look make sure you book the right treatment by thinking about what the person likes, if they have any medical issues (for example if they are pregnant they might not be able to have certain massages and might find a lovely pedicure really handy if they can't reach their feet)!


If you want to pick up some vouchers so they can treat themselves which is a bit safer then you can look for Spa Finder vouchers which can be used in hundreds and hundreds of spas and you can get them from their website or from other websites that sell experiences or spa day vouchers like www.experiencedays.co.uk 


If you are a man booking this for a woman then make sure to look at the price list  of the treatments before buying the vouchers, as sometimes you will need to pay a 'day spa' rate as well as the treatment costs.


My personal favourite spa is the Elemis one just off Bond Street in London, but then I haven't been to very many spas so perhaps I don't have a good comparison.


Do you have any spa recommendations? 

Dukan Diet Day 21, 22, 23

Day 21 - Tuesday - Protein 

I didn't get a chance to weigh myself until Thursday morning

Breakfast - oatbran porridge with vanilla fat free yog

Lunch -  salmon with bowl of mixed salad

Snack -  roast beef slices (5) wafer thin ones

Dinner - smoked salmon, more wafer thin beef slices

Dessert - fat free yog 


No exercise, had to work through lunch and work late then stay at hotel near work.

Day 22 - Wednesday - Protein + Veg

No exercise as started work mega early then was exhausted when I got home and went to bed.

Breakfast - 2 eggs, mushrooms, 1 slice of bacon with fat cut off (only food available from work canteen that I could eat on this diet)

Lunch -  roast chicken slices, bowl of salad, toffee mullerlight fat free

Snack -  vanilla fat free yoghurt

Dinner - chicken on a kebab stick, mixed salad

Dessert - oat bran porridge + oat bran cookie (4 tbs overall as not been to bathroom since Monday)

Day 23 - Thursday- Protein 

Height - 5 foot 11 inches
Weight - 146 1/2 lb
Weight lost since last time weighed - put on 1 pound
Target Weight #1 147 lbs woohooo! Smashed it!

Target Weight #2 143 lbs not far!

Breakfast - oatbran porridge with vanilla fat free yog

Lunch -  grilled meatballs, 1 tsp of mustard

Dinner - 2 grilled burgers with fat free cream cheese spread over to make a fake cheeseburger lol!

Back on track today, I put on a pound over the last two days. Basically just sat on my butt in the office, no exercise at all, then Wednesday was basically the same from 6am until 5.15pm.  When i got home yesterday  I was absolutely exhausted and have woken up this morning I have an eye infection in both eyes and feel like death presumably because I am so run down.  I haven't even got the energy to be cross about the weight loss. I am just rather fed up as I couldn't meet Liz Earle this evening for the skin tint launch as I was really looking forward to it. Can't really meet an international skincare guru when your eyes are full of puss, not really a good look (sorry I know that's vile).


Let's hope I haven't put any more on tomorrow. Back to work and hopefully to the gym.


How is everyone else going?

Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation Review

Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation Review

A few weeks ago I purchased a foundation I have wanted to try for ages, the Chanel  Pro Lumiere Foundation.  This foundation is the perfect consistency for me, it feels like liquid skin but so light, however the consistency isn't too watery so it isn't a nightmare to apply.  One to two pumps is all you need as it easily spreads and blends into the face.  I don't even have to use primer for this to give a flawless finish so I do wonder if it might contain any silicone as it is so smoothing and flattering to the skin.                                         

                                                                                                                                            
 The foundation covers up the couple of thread veins I have on my face and makes a good start on covering my dark circles and redness around the nose but it doesn't leave you looking like you are wearing a mask at all. Currently I'm wearing the #30 shade as I have on a light coat of fake tan, without the fake tan this would be too beige I expect. I am not quite sure how the colours work with Chanel as this is the first foundation I have used from them.                                                                                                                                                                                            

The bottle, as one would expect, is very classy and holds 30ml of product.  Which isn't really that much to be honest but then I have never used up an entire foundation (I have with tinted moisturiser) because I use so many different ones so at least there will be no wastage. I do find that the pump does get a little cloggy sometimes so you will need to give it  a swipe with a wet wipe now and again.

I really love this foundation and it has become my go-to one for wearing day to day.  I like a little more coverage for a night out and a little less for just a gym day or weekend daytime but on the whole this is amazing and works really great for me despite having sensitive and dry skin.

Lovely flawless finish. Shame about the nose - ho hum! 

     

Now I just need to try out the Matt Lumiere foundation and see if it will be a good replacement for my 'night out' foundation.  Have you tried it? Do you think it is fab? 

OPI Nice Stems Collection - Come to Poppy Swatch

Nice Stems! by OPI, is a limited edition collection featuring four new nail lacquers in stunning shades of pink. With whimsical names based on their floral inspirations, these vibrant, flirty colors range from pale, frosty pink to rich fuchsia.  

I picked up Come to Poppy yesterday on a dash to the wholesaler to buy some new towelling booties before my next pedicure (side note, I LOVE towelling booties they look like smurf shoes).

OPI's come to poppy was the last one on the display and was calling to me..i'm pink and pretty buy me buy me! I am pleased as the colour is gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous and so 'me'.  I haven't used proper nail varnish for a while so I had trouble applying it so quickly, I forget as with gel you can keep swiping until it's perfect as you don't 'set it' until it's in the lamp so you can play about with it.

You can pick up the Nice Stems collection in full size for £10.50 each or pick up the mini pack of all four shades for £12.75  from Lena White.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint

Liz Earle moves from skincare in to make-up with the launch of a new lightweight foundation called Sheer Skin Tint.


It will cost £21 for 40ml.  It is designed for all skin types and will be available in three shades and is designed to leave skin looking dewy and even, with the right level of coverage. With mineral UV protection SPF15, Sheer Skin Tint is also enriched with a blend of botanicals including vitamin E, avocado and borage, to work in harmony with  Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare range. 


In the future Liz Earle is set to reveal more products to the Liz Earle Colour collection after the demand for make-up from customers. 


The Sheer Skin Tint will be available from 15 September at Liz Earle stockists.  I will (hopefully-work depending) be going to an event which Liz Earle will be hosting on Thursday, so I just wanted to share a little info about it beforehand.
www.uk.lizearle.com

Dukan Diet - Day 20 - Protein - Cruise

Day 20 - Sunday - Protein 

Height - 5 foot 11 inches
Weight - 145 1/2 lb
Weight lost since last time weighed - I can't remember I think half a pound
Target Weight #1 147 lbs woohooo! Smashed it!

Target Weight #2 143 lbs not far!

Breakfast - oatbran porridge with vanilla fat free yog

Lunch -  packet smoked salmon and 2 poached eggs

Dinner -  roast beef and mustard

Dessert -  i was rather naughty and used 3 tablespoons of oatbran extra to my allowance to make the brownie from the recipe left in the comments.  I didn't put enough sweetner in an urgh it tasted WRONG! Oh well that'll teach me.

I had a nice relaxing day today and Matt and I went swimming together.  He is thinking about doing the diet himself for the next month as we have a month to go before the holiday, I am not sure how that's going to go as he doesn't have very great willpower, we shall see!


Holiday is now only about 6 weeks away, I am excited!


How are everyone else's dukan diets going? xoxo

Dukan Diet - Day 19 - Protein and Veg

Day 19 - Saturday- Protein + Veg

Height - 5 foot 11 inches
Weight - 146 lb
Weight lost since last time weighed - + 250g
Target Weight #1 147 lbs woohooo! Smashed it!

Target Weight #2 143 lbs not far!

Breakfast - oatbran porridge with plain fat free yog

Lunch -  4 slices of turkey bacon 2 dry fried eggs

Dinner -  1/2 chicken (hot) and ratatouille at nandos
Dessert - fat free yoghurt...do you see a yoghurty theme?

I didn't get to do my walk today which is probably very naughty (oops) I was so busy as had college in the morning and clients until the evening.  So I treated Matt to a Nandos as we haven't really seen each other much this week due to working we have also watched 'just go with it' with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston and I have to say, I loooove this film, it's frigging hilarious!


Tomorrow I will go to the gym and I might go for a swim, I usually hate swimming but I enjoyed going in the pool at the sanctuary and it comes with my gym membership anyway so I might as well give it a go.  Probably not good for the old fake tan though.  Not sure why the scales went up today but I have done a fair bit of running, swimming and weights this week so probably muscle vs fat related.


One of my clients has some gorgeous shoes that are also from Russell and Bromley, I really want to get them so I might have a mooch to the shops tomorrow.  


Why does Russell and Bromley not have an online shop? Has anyone been to the Glades in Bromley recently? Is it any good? Not been for years but it's near so might attempt tomorrow.


Sarah x