My First Experience of Yoga

I'm writing this post primarily so I can look back on it if (read: when) I lose my way a little so I can reflect on how this made me feel and I can go back to feeling good and at peace again.

I woke up today with the intention of going on a bike ride but work up too late to know that I would be back in time to shower, get ready and drive to work. So I spent around 10 minutes talking myself into doing something to give me some 'get up and go' but nothing too exhaustive cause I was feeling super tired haha. I've been subscribed to 'Yoga with Adriene' for about a month now and have yet to do any of her routines, and now I'm wondering why?? 

I thought I'd start with something tailored for the morning so chose her "Morning Yoga - Yoga to Start Your Day' routine which is a measly 27 minutes long, clearly there's no excuse not to do something in the morning. I actually went through the routine and by the end was thinking "is that it?! has it really been half an hour?!" when in the past I usually am counting down the minutes until the workout is over! 

It really stretched out my body, got all my muscles awake for the day, gave me a bit of a sweat, engaged my core, my mind, and spirit, and encouraged me to set myself a goal for the day. It wasn't too strenuous for mornings but also gave me the wake up and shake up I needed to get ready and face the day ahead (which I know is going to be a long and tiring one). Now I feel ready to tackle on my day with my 'goal' set during yoga still firmly at the forefront of my mind, and I really feel like this will keep me going throughout the day. 

Next I'm intrigued to try her 'Yoga For Complete Beginners' video cause that is most definitely me and I'm interested to find out more about yoga, and also I wish to see if there is a routine for anxiety and for bedtimes, I think these would be beneficial to have in my 'bank' of routines to whip out at the appropriate time. 

Note to self: Keep referring back to this post and remember how good this first day of yoga was! Remember how flexible you used to be when you danced and aspire to gain some flexibility back - that will come with time and practice! Stay calm.

x

A Primer Water?

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (£20)

Until last year I was battling oily skin/the sweaty look without the use of a primer. Yeah. Bad move. But until now I've always stuck to more 'traditional' formulations such as the Benefit Porefessional or my ultimate favourite The Body Shop Instablur which you blend over your face and usually contain silcone to mask pores and create a good base for your foundation and any steps to follow. As soon as I heard about the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water I was intrigued at how a mist could create that smooth base that keeps my makeup lasting until I'm ready to take it off. 

I use this sparingly, one/two pumps is enough for my whole face, otherwise you're left wafting your hands around for 10 minutes while it dries - abit of a time waster. It feels lovely a cooling on your face and really gives you that extra boost of freshness to wake you up, lovely. As far as making my makeup last longer? I'm not too sure, particularly with  my oily skin, but it does give a lovely dewiness to my skin and makes even heavy foundations such as my fave MAC Studio Fix, give a lovely satin/dewy finish. For me it is a nice extra step to my routine but if I definitely want a fail safe product that is sure to make sure my makeup doesn't budge, I'd prefer to go for my Body Shop Instablur, but for everyday this is a lovely product perfect for warmer months in particular. But, the way I like to use this most is to moisten my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge for buffing in my concealor. It just lets to sponge do all the hard work, makes my concealor blend effortlessly without looking cakey. I can use my Seventeen Phwoarr Paint on my blemishes and it hides them completely and still gives a beautiful finish. It's fab! This is my favourite use of his product and if you buy it, I recommend you try it!

I've Been Haulin'

ASOS Crop Top | ASOS Checked Skirt | ASOS White Tee
Maybelline Brow Drama | Soap and Glory Brow Archery | Garnier Miceller Water | Yes To Tomatoes Daily Repair Treatment | Barry M Speedy Nail Polish 'Pit Stop' 

In preparation for my 5 day UK break coming up in a few weeks I thought I'd head to ASOS and Boots to get some holiday clothes and makeup because why not... 

If you saw my ASOS wishlist a few weeks back then you'll have seen this striped crop top which I was lusting after... I just couldn't stop putting it in my basket so I just thought eff it and bought it! It's a lovely thick-ish material, nothign too heavy but very good quality, long wearing and seems like it will wash well! I went for a size up as I don't like my tummy showing and it fits perfectly. It's still slightly cropped but long enough for my own comfort, I can't wait to wearing this with my dungarees or high waisted shorts - an easy way to brighten things up!

This tailored mini skirt was in the sale for only £15 which was too good of a bargain to resist since I love this style of skirt and a grey one would add to my collection. This will look great with the next item with or without tights, dressed up or down so it really is a versatile piece and I'm glad they had my size left! 

The last thing from ASOS was a simple white tshirt with a v neck, such an easy piece to throw on with various things. I tend to wear a lot of black/dark tops so this will brighten up most of my outfits and I love the v neck, I'll definitely need to pick more up in this style. The only criticism I have is that this top is quite thin but it will do the job nicely. 

Next up is makeup and it seems to be very brow heavy.... first I picked up the Maybelline Brow Drama in the shade Medium Brown cause I feel like sometimes I just want to put on a brow gel and be done with it - particularly when I'm at work all day cause I go for a very simple (read: lazy) makeup. To go alongside this I picked up the Soap and Glory Brow Archery, I was torn between getting this and the solar powder but chose this to try alongside the brow gel from Maybelline. But lets face it, I'll be picking up the solar powder pretty soon cause I'm dying to get into bronzer. 

Then I repurchased my favourite miceller water from Garnier, no other compares and it dispenses just the right amount unlike others! Sticking with skincare, I was after a treatment to clear out the major breakout I have going on, on my chin right now as nothing is sorting it out, I aimed to pick up the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo and it did make its way into my basket until I spotted the bright packaging of the Yes To... ranges. I spotted the Tomato Daily Repair Treatment and as it is cheaper I thought I'd give it a whirl. First up, it has a pump!! Unlike the Effaclar Duo it has a pump so you know you're using the right amount of product so I just hope this works! I'll keep you updated. 

Finally is a result of binge watching Vivianna Does Makeup's videos (for the millionth time...) and seeing her rave about the Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Polishes. I've always been a lover of Barry M, they have every shade you can every imagine and for the teeny price tag they're incredible quality. I have no time when it comes to painting my nails so I tend to not bother so the promise of quick drying is a winner for me I picked up this pastel grey (not purpley, or bluey, actually grey!) named 'Pit Stop' and I love it! It only took two coats to be opaque and did indeed dry super quickly! Winner. 

x

6 Week Challenge

Here's something I never talk about - health and fitness. I've had a battle with my weight/health/fitness/lifestyle for quite a few years, I went through years of very destructive behaviours and feelings but since becoming more aware of the fitness and healthy community via Youtube, Blogs, Twitter, Instagram, I feel like I have a much healthier mindset. 

I won't go into detail because that wasn't the point of this blog post, it was to tell you all what my six week challenge is! I'm going to set myself three types of goals, a short term one, a mid term one and a longer term one. 

Short - Feel less bloated

Medium - Run 5k

Long(Not to be necessarily achieved in six week, just an overall long term goal!) - Size 8/10, bikini photo, flatter stomach 

My short term goal is something that will be achieved in a few days, medium is something that might take a few weeks and then long term is where you can start to look at cosmetics as obviously this will take you longer! I'm trying not to focus on my appearance too much as that is where I have gone wrong before. But I have taken some initial underwear shots (not to be shared just yet) so that in 6 weeks time I can really compare and see the difference! 

I've started a food diary where I note down everything I eat, how it made me feel, how much sleep I've had, what times I get hungry, literally everything. This will help me to see which foods don't make me feel my best so I can avoid/cut down on them and also just track what meals were really nice! 

Left: Carly Rowena (Instagram) Right: Jess Wreford (Instagram) Photos both from their instagrams. 

All this goal inspiration has come from Carly Rowena who you may have seen on YouTube (here) who is beautiful, fit, strong and healthy. She's so inspiring and motivating so her YouTube videos have been binge watched these past few days! 

Secondly, is Jess Wreford who has just started a YouTube channel (here) (so looking forward to her content!) and her Twitter is (here). She is a nutrition student so she is super awesome at knowing what's right to eat at certain points (after a workout for example) and has some awesome recipe's over on her Instagram (here). She's inspired me to take part in #NoJunkJuly which is pretty self explanatory and I am joining in despite going on holiday this month (eeeeeek!) motivation pls! 

I will update y'all after six weeks with my progress photos which will hopefully look a lot better but for now you can keep up with me over on Twitter (here), Instagram (here) and Snapchat (@bonjourkatie)!

TL:DR

I'm setting myself health and fitness goals for 6 weeks. I want to feel less bloated, be able to run 5k and be a size 8/10, feel comfortable in a bikini and have a flatter stomach. My main 2 motivational inspirational girlies are Carly Rowena and Jess Wreford cause they know exactly what they're talking about when it comes to food and fitness! Join me over on twitter/instagram! 

Current Skincare

I by no means have perfect skin, or am a skin care expert, I just thought I'd show what has recently been working for me moving int the summer months! For your reference, I have oily skin and am usually sporting some spots around my chin area but I've narrowed that down to a lack of fibre and not drinking enough water and since changing my diet and adding a certain tonic back into my routine, this has improved dramatically! 

Morning

In the morning I simply cleanse/wash my face with the Body Shop's Camomile Cleansing butter which I have raved about lots on this blog already so I won't go into detail. It leaves my face squeaky clean and locks in a boost of moisture. 

I then swipe half a cotton pad of the Pixi Glow Tonic over my face concentrating on my T-Zone but I just swiz it all over really. A few months ago I stopped using this as I saw it as an unnecessary step to my routine, how wrong was I?! My skin seemed so dull, my makeup didn't sit as well and I seemed to get a lot more clogged pores and spots. I quickly reintroduced it and my skin is improving daily. 

I finally moisturise with the Garnier Moisture Matte moisturiser for combination/oily skin which is a gel-like formula which absorbs into the skin very quickly and is a nice matte base for my makeup to sit on. I wouldn't say it completely stops my shine but I have very oily skin and nothing does that except a good setting powder! 

Evening

To remove my makeup I simply use a miceller water, this one is the Boots Botanics 3 in 1 cleansing miceller water but I also love the Garnier one - anyone really!

I then moisturise with the Garnier Moisture and Restore Night Cream, I love this as it isn't thick like normal night creams (it's a gel formula) but it still delivers lots of moisture into my skin to give it a boost overnight. It's lovely and light which is perfect for the summer as noone wants a thick cream settling on your skin in this weather! 

As you can tell, I don't spend ridiculous amounts of money on skin care cause a) I'm a poor student and b) I don't think you need to spend £60 on a serum, there are good products on the high street for affordable prices! I'm happy with this routine for these summer months and as I said, my skin is improving more and more each day :) 

Current ASOS Wishlist

Crop Top (£16) | Dungarees (£45) | Mesh Insert Top (£20) | Swimsuit (£20) | Shirt (£25) 

It's been forever since I spent a good while browsing online to put together a wishlist so I thought where better to start than ASOS! Everything you could ever want for any occasion, they will almost always have it and since I just booked a 5-day break for a month's time with my boyfriend I thought now would be the perfect time to find some new bits and document my finds for you guys! 

The first thing I spotted was this stripped crop top which is navy stripes with yellow neckline and arm banded detail. It caught my eye straight away as it's something different to your average crop top and can go with so much! I'm always conscious of wearing anything cropped as I'm very self-conscious of my stomach (I'm working on it but it's gonna take a fair while...) but I'd definitely be comfortable wearing this with my high waisted denim shorts from Topshop, the dungarees featured next, or a high waisted skirt. 

Dungarees. Taking things back to my childhood when I hated wearing them but now I think they look so cool! Bang on trend for this season but also versatile enough to wear in any season, particularly if they're full leg like these ones. They'll be so easy to throw on and head out the door with. 

This top would be perfect to dress up or down due to the mesh detailing adding something a bit extra. Nice with skinny jeans and some nude heels or tucked into a pair of shorts. 

Swimsuits -eeeeek.  I'm 1000000000% not ready for swimsuit season. To compromise, I wanted to find a full body suit rather than a bikini and I love this one. I think it's something I'll have to order, try on and see what happens. I love the plait detailing on the crossover back, I think it makes a plain black swimsuit a bit more interesting. 

I've always been a fan of blouses so obviously I was naturally drawn to this one, I like how ASOS have styled it tucked into denim shorts, I'd probably style it pretty much the same. Blouses like this are great cause you can dress them down in the summer but also pair them with jeans and they're perfectly fine for autumn/winter. 

The Two Product Smoky Eye

I'm all for a smoky eye, especially when it's as easy as 5 minutes, a quick blend and you're away. This smoky eye is perfectly subtle for everyday but also a bit more 'done up' than a bare eye - a happy medium. You should all know my love of eyeshadow bases by now so it will come as no surprise to you that the main feature of this look is Maybelline's 24hr Colour Tattoo in 'On and On Bronze'. (Also before we start can we please ignore the fact that I really need to pluck my eyebrows, and the two products doesn't include mascara and eyebrow products cause then this would be a hell of a long post!)

This look is so easy, I simply apply a layer of the eye base, blend, then build up the colour in stages focusing at the lashline and blending between each layer. Then if you like (and I have done here), you can deepen up the lashline with a dark brown eyeshadow which makes your lashes look fuller and gives a deeper smoke to the eye. I then draw the eye base under my eye, I like to bring the colour quite low but you can do whatever you fancy, even leave this stage out if you don't like colour under the eyes! The beauty of this look is that it doesnt need to be neat, if it gets smudged throughout the day it doesn't matter, and this is just a basic starting point, you can add a feline flick, more smoke, a heavy inner corner highlight or whatever you like! This is one of my go-to eye looks as it takes seconds and looks like you've put in effort!  

x