Wednesday 10 December 2014

The perfect pretox for party season



Party season is here and with the prospect of festive food, Christmas cocktails and endless amounts of chocolate in store, there is no time like the present to start a mini health kick and prepare to look amazing in that LBD!



Start your day with hot water and lemon. It’s the quickest way to alkalise the body and neutralise acid caused by processed, fatty foods and sugary or caffeinated drinks. After one week you will have clearer skin and notice a difference in your digestion and energy levels.



Make each meal clean. That means focus on whole, natural and unprocessed foods, making lean protein and fresh vegetables the key ingredients in each meal. Limit acid forming foods such as refined sugar, wheat and dairy, and increase healthy fats such as avocado, salmon and nuts.



Do a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise each day. Whether it’s walking instead of taking the bus, going for a morning jog or signing up for a fitness class, mix it up! Variety is key and the more areas of the body you work, the better results you will see.



Getting your beauty sleep is an essential part of a pretox. Party season brings many late nights which drain energy and leave you with dull skin and hair. Commit to bedtime no later than 10pm in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Getting 8 hours sleep a night will give your body time to heal and leave you feeling rested and refreshed each morning.



Staying hydrated is beneficial for good health. Drink two litres of water each day, or more on days where you are exercising. Reduce your alcohol intake to a maximum of two units per week to prevent cellulite and enhance your complexion. Try limiting caffeine and have no more than one cup of coffee a day, even better, swap it for green tea.



The skin is our largest organ and plays a major role in daily detoxification. Dry body brushing helps shed dead skin cells and supports cell renewal, circulation and lymphatic drainage. Spend five minutes a day gently brushing your body in circular motions before showering, your skin will be smoother, brighter and cellulite free in no time.



Investing in a good skincare routine will promote a clear, glowing complexion. Remove makeup each night using micellar water and take time to cleanse, tone and moisturise. Use an exfoliating scrub twice a week and if you really want to push the boat out, treat yourself to a facial.



A pretox should not feel like deprivation, you are doing a positive thing for your body therefore it should feel good! However it is important to still allow yourself treats. Have something you enjoy once a week, but don’t go over board – just think of the hard work you have put in and how much better you feel in the long run.



Monday 8 December 2014

Dear Santa...


How cute are these guys?!!


One thing I love about this time of year is making that all important wishlist for Santa.

Just when I thought there was nothing else I could possibly need, the magical world of online shopping made me realise there is actually so much more!


Here's some of the beautiful gifts that I am hoping to find under my tree this year...

P.S I have been a very good girl ;-)







Topshop


River Island
Black Ring - £7






John Lewis





Sunday 30 November 2014

Ten top Christmas gifts for a health chick




Healthy people can often be the hardest to buy for at Christmas.

After all it’s the time of year when the majority of us like to do nothing more than eat, drink, be merry and watch endless Christmas films from the comfort of the sofa.

Buying for someone who is unlikely to indulge in the unlimited amounts of chocolate and will most probably be on a detox the first day Christmas is over can be tricky.

Here’s some perfect gift ideas for them, or alternatively an encouraging nudge to those seeking to take up healthier habits in the New Year.





































Sunday 23 November 2014

Supermodel Secrets: Health tips from the catwalk



Dev Windsor


With the Victoria’s Secret show fast approaching social media has been flooded with images of impossibly toned models, sharing stories of how they work out and what they eat to stay super-trim and healthy.

Here’s some of their top tips that you can use to achieve a supermodel glow.




Doutzen Kroes



Fitness

Yoga, Pilates and Ballet are a few of the most popular workouts chosen by models to achieve their lean physique. Fans include models such as Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge and Karlie Kloss.

Speaking to US Vogue, Alessandra Ambrosio says, “Yoga calms me down and also keeps me lean, it makes exercise feel easy.”

Other popular exercises include boxing, skipping and weight training which tone muscle and build strength, although variety and consistence are key to achieving the best body.

For fitness, mix it up and always remain active,” advises Puerto Rican beauty, Joan Smalls. “I mix boxing with cardio and Pilates, and if I’m not busy I’ll work out every day.”





Lily Aldridge





Ballet Beautiful



Diet

As the saying goes, ‘you are what you eat,’ therefore eating whole, clean and unprocessed food is essential.

Victoria’s Secret model, Erin Heatherton, recommends “drinking green juices and warm water with ginger, cayenne, and lemon juice” to detox and clean your system.

Other staples on the model’s grocery lists are high protein, fat-burning foods such as avocado, salmon, quinoa and leafy, green vegetables like spinach and kale.

"I love avocado. It's my favorite snack. I eat it with rice cakes, plain, or make guacamole. It's so healthy for you and so satisfying," claims Victoria’s Secret angel, Lily Aldridge.








Health

The number one tip given by models is to stay hydrated. Top model, Adriana Lima, drinks ‘around a gallon of water a day’ in the run up to the annual Victoria’s Secret show.
Along with drinking plenty of water, models swear by getting eight hours of rest each night and exercising a strict skincare routine in order to achieve a glowing complexion.
Miranda Kerr credits “Cleansing, toning and moisturising every morning and night, and using an exfoliating cream at least twice a week” for giving her flawless skin.


Miranda Kerr




Preparation

Models are often on the move and travelling from place to place, so being prepared for when hunger strikes is important.

"I usually carry granola bars with me in case the catering sucks," says Finnish fashion model, Suvi Riggs.

Pack snacks such as fruit, nuts and smoothies along with a refillable water bottle in your handbag to stay hydrated and avoid the temptation of buying unhealthy snacks.

Miranda Kerr says: "Some of my favourite snacks are almonds, blueberries, avocado and apple pieces with almond butter. They feel like a treat but they’re actually good for you.”



Kind Fruit and Nut bar


Images sourced from Instagram, Vogue and Google.




Tuesday 11 November 2014

Currently Loving: The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel and Body Lotion




 Like all Body Shop products I have used, I found the quality of this duo far from disappointing and I can safely say they have made my daily shower experience so much more enjoyable. 

The new Wild Argan Oil range smells divine and leaves skin feeling silky smooth and nourished while adding a touch of luxury to your daily routine.

The shower gel has a rich, oily formula that lathers up easily and nourishes the skin without needing to use too much product.

After showering I cover myself in the light-weight body lotion which absorbs easily and leaves skin feeling moisturised and silky smooth - not greasy - which is always a good thing.

Apart from being fabulous products and delivering what they claim to, Body Shop products contain no bad ingredients and are not tested on animals which is another reason why I love their stuff. 

I am definitely planning on buying more items from the Wild Argan Oil range!

Have you tried any of these products? Can you recommend any other good products from the Body Shop?

Holly xx





Sunday 2 November 2014

October



Is it just me or has the past month just flown by?! I honestly cannot believe how quickly this year has gone it's hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner.


There's something about the crisp Autumn air, falling leaves and cosy clothing that makes me love this time of year, although I can't say the same about the wet windy weather and dark mornings!

This month I have continued to settle in to university and explore my new home of Nottingham although it seems surreal that I have only been here for 6 weeks!

I popped home for a quick visit at the end of the month and enjoyed seeing friends and family, ate some delicious food and re-discovered the luxury of a double bed.

Despite trying my hardest to stick to a student budget and manage my money, the shops here are just too good and I seem to have been 'treating myself' an awful lot. But my purchases have all been necessary due to the fact that they make me happy :-) (that's reason enough, right?!)

I finished the month on a high with a fun night out for Halloween. My trusty cat ears and collar made their annual appearance, well if it's not broke don't fix it ;-)

Only two months to go until Christmas, yay! 
Let the count down begin :-)

Holly xx



Some highlights from the last month...




Rainy night in essentials



Pre drinks




Super breakfast




Heading to Pilates




Top three lip balms




A delicious mid-week treat





Who said all students ate unhealthily?




Blackberry Honey lipgloss




Favourite meal





My daily coffee stop



Party time



Halloween