Tuesday 22 December 2015

How to have a healthy happy holiday


Christmas is a time to let loose, have fun and fully embrace the perks of the festive season. Our usual healthy habits go straight out of the window and the fun-filled weeks of indulgence are often followed by strict New Year diets and military-style fitness regimes. However, you needn’t live in fear and begrudgingly decline every mince pie or chocolatey treat that comes your way. Instead, try these five simple tricks that will keep your health in check over the holidays, without ruining your fun (or your waistline).

Eat well

Festive treats don’t have to be laden with salt, covered in chocolate or served with brandy and cream. Make the most of healthier seasonal foods by indulging in sweet fruits such as apples, cranberries and clementines, or loading up on vegetables like broccoli, sprouts, sweet potato and squash. Nuts make a great snacking alternative to crisps and keep you feeling fuller for longer, which will prevent you reaching for junk food later in the day.

Keep moving

As tempting as it may be to bury yourself on the sofa with the intention of staying there all day, you will most definitely feel better for getting some fresh air and stretching your legs. Even if your regular gym routine has gone to pot, a brisk walk around the block, run around with the kids, or a dance to some festive tunes. These will help raise your metabolism and keep those pesky pounds at bay.


Stay hydrated

It’s easy to forgo water in place of fizzy drinks, mulled wine and hot chocolate, but these will simply leave you feeling dehydrated and sluggish. Start your day with a cup of super-hydrating warm water and lemon which will help to alkalise your body, kick-start your metabolism and support your liver by diminishing the unpleasant effects of sugar and alcohol. Aim to drink at least 2L of water throughout the day to balance the consumption of all your other favourite festive tipples.

Snooze time

With all the festive parties, late-night soirees and long list of Christmas movies to get through, sleep can easily become the last thing on your list. However, lack of sleep can leave you feeling moody, drained and overwhelmed, and who wants to feel like that at the happiest time of year? Aim to stick to a regular bedtime and get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. This combined with a good diet is sure to help you feel your optimal best and full of cheer throughout the festive holiday season.

Moderation 

It’s more than likely at some point you’re going to over-indulge - it’s Christmas right?! Just remember to enjoy everything in moderation. Your favourite foods will still be around after December so there’s no need to feast as though there’s about to be a famine. And eating chocolate for breakfast is only acceptable on December 25th – not every day of the month. Aside from that… eat, drink, be merry and have a very, very happy Christmas!


Wednesday 2 December 2015

Hello December


'Tis the season to be jolly!

The month many of us have been waiting for all year has finally arrived and for once I'm actually on the ball and have finished my Christmas shopping.

November has been extremely busy and in between uni work and exam revision (boo!) I've managed to enjoy a few nights out which have included pizza, cocktails, a pamper evening at L'Occitane and a fabulous day spent shopping and visiting the Christmas market with two of my best friends.

All of the festive shopping has left me with a slightly-sorry looking bank account but it will all be worth it when I see the smiles on my friends and family's faces Christmas morning!

What have you been up to the last month? Are you excited for Christmas?


Holly xx

Here's a few pics from the last month...



Shine bright


Healthy dinner


Treating my skin to a detoxing mud face mask


Delicious festive handwash


The best time of the week



New additions


Warming up with some delicious broccoli, Stilton and celery soup


December issue


Antioxidant boost: Spinach, blueberry, apple and celery smoothie


Dinner date



November BirchBox


Breakfast


Treats


 #BuddhaQuotes



It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...


Saturday nights


Redcups


New booties


 The best course



Everyday


L'Occitane haul


Christmas market, shopping and lunch with friends



 Feeling festive



Mmm... burgers


For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber


Sunday 8 November 2015

18 reasons why autumn is awesome


The few weeks of sunshine and 'warm' weather known as the British summer time now seem like a distant memory and it's as if out of nowhere dark evenings, misty mornings and an array of brown fallen leaves covering the ground have appeared.

Despite the damp weather, unavoidable frizzy hair and extreme urge to hibernate, autumn's positives definitely outweigh its negatives.

Here's 18 reasons why autumn is absolutely awesome.




1. Falling leaves

Ok, so they can be a pain when they are wet, soggy and get stuck to the bottom of your shoe, but on a crisp autumn morning there is nothing prettier than the burnt orange and brown blanket that covers the ground making the world look just that bit more beautiful.




2. Cosy nights in

Finally there's an excuse to have a 'night in' and curl up in your pjs with hot chocolate and a good film instead of feeling anti-social when declining the numerous offers of pub-garden drinks and nights out on the town that are inescapable throughout summer.



3. Daylight savings time


Putting the clocks back and getting an extra hour in bed. Bliss.




4. TV shows



Strictly, X Factor, Downtown Abbey, I'm A Celeb... the endless choice of new shows gives us the perfect excuse to snuggle up in front of the TV before spending the first hour of work the next morning discussing the previous night's performance and voicing our views on wtf so-and-so was wearing.


5. Fall fashion

Ankle boots, blanket scarves, thick tights and chunky knit jumpers. Layering up, feeling snug and looking stylish while doing so definitely beats denim shorts and crop tops. 



6. Festive drinks

Hello honeycomb hot chocolates, pumpkin spice lattes and delicious eggnog, praline and gingerbread flavoured brews. Who cares if they contain almost a whole days worth of calories when they taste so damn good? 



7. Late night shopping


The shops staying open that little bit later make every night the perfect opportunity to pop into town at the end of the day or meet up with friends for a spontaneous late night shopping spree. Hello Boots 3-for-2, goodbye wages.


8. Comfort food

Chunky soups, home-made stews and delicious golden pastry pies. The colder temperature and slightly more-forgiving clothes means comfort food is most definitely back on the menu. Anyone for seconds?




9. Dark evenings


Although they make the day feel shorter, dark evenings are the perfect excuse for getting into your pyjamas as soon as you get home and avoiding pretty much any task you don't want to do. This includes skipping the gym after work and ordering takeout instead of going food shopping. It's simply 'just too dark'.



10. Bonfire night

Watching fireworks and eating toffee apples while standing around a huge toasty bonfire is something we look forward to all year round... Even if that is simply because it's the last official calendar event before *Christmas*




11. UGG boots


Love them or hate them - there's no denying they're THE most comfortable footwear option. Wearing slippers out in public and it being socially acceptable? You'd be crazy not to.



12. Berry shades

Kiss goodbye to the candy pinks and pastel shades of summer. Autumn is all about dark berry lips and deep burgundy nails.



13. Scented candles


Candles are great all year round but nothing beats the sweet comforting smells of vanilla, cinnamon, apple spice and gingerbread that are widely available at this time of year. They just make your home feel that extra bit cosy when lit on a dark autumnal evening while you relax in front of the TV.





14. Open fires

What better way to spend a lazy Sunday than next to a roaring open fire with endless cups of tea and a good book? Alternatively finding a country pub or rustic bar that has the luxury of  an open fire makes the experience all the more enjoyable. 





15. Limited edition products

Terry's chocolate oranges, cinnamon scented candles and the Body Shop cranberry joy range are just a few of the fantastic special edition products only available at this time of year. Time to stock up!




16. Pyjamas

Gone are the stuffy summer evenings where you actually debate relocating your bedroom to the garden. Autumn's cooler temperatures make snuggling into bed even more enjoyable and present the opportunity to invest in some cosy new PJs. Fleecey onesie here we come.



17. Woodland walks

The pretty burnt leaves, fresh crisp air and hint of sunshine through the trees giving everything a golden glow actually makes us want to get off the sofa, go on a walk and experience the beauty of nature. 




18. The Christmas countdown

Ok, so November 1st may still be slightly too soon to start feeling festive, but as soon as we reach the mid-month mark it is officially acceptable to let the countdown begin. Christmas tunes, fairy lights, German markets and mince pies... *eek*


What do you love most about Autumn?

Holly xx