7 ways to boost your body confidence

Image: Imani Covis

Everyone struggles with body confidence at some point in their life and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who is 100% happy with the way they look.

Despite confidence issues simply being a part of life, there's lots of little things you can do to improve your mood, and feel happier and more confident on a daily basis.

Here's 7 ways you can start today...

 Exercise

It's common knowledge that exercise is the key to shaping up and losing weight, but it also releases feel-good endorphins which lift your confidence and boost your mood. If you're having a bad day try hitting the gym for a workout, dancing to your favourite tunes or taking a stroll to get some fresh air. You're guaranteed to feel better in an instant.

Positive thinking

Sometimes it's hard not to notice things you don't like and feel badly about yourself, but next time you look in the mirror try focusing on three things you love. When you feel yourself thinking negative thoughts, replace them with positive ones and remind yourself of your strengths and all the things you're good at.

Be nice

As well as making people around you happy, being nice makes you happy too. Make someones day by smiling or giving them a compliment. Not only will you be spreading the love and making them feel good, you may also get a compliment in return so it's a win-win situation.

Sexy underwear

Who cares if you're the only one who's going to see it? Knowing that you're wearing super-sexy underwear under your normal clothes will make you feel confident, put-together and powerful. Think of it as your version of a superman suit. Bonus points if it's a matching pair.

Scent

Scent has the power to transform your mood instantly. Instead of saving your favourite scent for special occasions, wear it every day. Alternatively treat yourself to a new one that you associate with good feelings and positive thoughts. When you need a confidence boost give it a spritz and revel in the happiness and great feeling. 

Smile

It has been scientifically proven that smiling tricks your brain into thinking you are happy - even when you're not. On days when you're feeling down, keep a big grin on your face and pretend you've just won the lottery. You'll soon notice a change in your mood as well as in others around you - smiling really is infectious.

Posture

Similarly to smiling, the way you hold your body conducts a message to your brain about how you're feeling. In situations where you need a confidence boost, sit, stand or walk tall, and not only will you feel more confident in yourself, you will portray that message to others and confidence will ooze out of you.

Shop the post

Leggings | Pink Soda

Water Bottle | Nike

Sports Bra | H&M

Juvenate Trainers | Nike

Lace Body | ASOS

Lace Bra | H&M

Lace Bottoms | H&M
Black Lingerie Set | Bluebella

Blue Embroidered Set | ASOS

Flowerbomb | Viktor & Rolf

White Musk Smoky Rose | The Body Shop
Modern Muse | Estée Lauder
Black Orchid | Tom Ford

Decadence | Marc Jacobs

5 easy ways to treat yourself well everyday

Living a healthy lifestyle is not simply down to eating healthy and exercising, or restricting yourself during the week just so you can indulge at the weekend - it’s about balance and maintaining a healthy mind and body all the time - which believe it or not, includes treats!

Creating a healthy routine is easier than you think and by adding a few small changes each day you can maximise your health and wellbeing and feel the best possible version of you.

Here's five easy ways to treat yourself well everyday...

Lemon water

Start each day with a glass of warm water and a squeeze of lemon juice to clear skin, kick-start your metabolism, eliminate toxins and aid your digestive system. This simple and affordable trick offers numerous health benefits and will hydrate you while also providing a hit of vitamin C. For extra health benefits try adding ginger, turmeric or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

Dry body-brush

Use a dry body brush before showering to encourage circulation and lymphatic drainage, reduce cellulite and exfoliate skin. Start from your feet and brush in upwards circles towards the heart, paying extra attention to your stomach, butt and thighs. This therapeutic routine needn't take longer than 5 minutes and will help to reduce stress as well as leave skin soft and smooth.

Breathe

Sounds simple enough right? Wrong. Most of us use only a fraction of our lungs when breathing throughout the day which can result in tiredness, fatigue, lack of energy, increased stress, anxiety and false hunger. Take a few minutes to focus on your breathing and practice this exercise several times a day - particularly when you feel anxious or stressed: take a deep breath for 7 seconds, hold for 7, breathe out for 10. Repeat 5 times.

Oil pull

This one may sound strange - but stay with me on this - swilling oil around your mouth for 10-20 minute first thing in the morning is an ancient ritual believed by many cultures to clear skin, whiten teeth, freshen breath and rid the body of toxins. Try swishing 1-2 tablespoons of coconut, olive or sesame oil around your mouth before spitting out in the bin (the residue is toxic) and then brush teeth as normal.

Sleep

Sleep is the cornerstone of good health - it controls your diet, your mood, your productivity and pretty much your whole day. Ideally you should aim to sleep for 8-9 hours each night and form a regular routine of going to bed and waking up. While the occasional weekend lie-in or afternoon nap can help you recharge after a hard week at work, make sure it doesn't become a habit as this may affect your natural pattern and result in a loss of sleep.

Hello June

Guess who's back...

After living like a hermit for the past few weeks while completing a huge heap of uni assessments, I can confirm I am finally free! 
:-D

I honestly don't know where the last 8 months have gone. 
It seems like just yesterday I was experiencing my first taste of student life, and now I'm about to go into my third year! Madness.

But before then I have summer to look forward to - and despite the fact a lot of it will be spent working - I'm determined to make the most of it before the scary prospect of returning for my final year. Eek.

June is set to be an exciting month... with my birthday right at the start, followed by a trip home, and then back again for a work placement... It's gonna be a busy one! :-)

But for now, here's a lil' snapshot of the last month... 


Holly xx

A flashback to wish my best friend a happy birthday! 

So true

 Starting the day the right way

 Flower making at the castle

 Wishing my baby Ralph a happy first birthday

FAVOURITE shower gel

Pretty pink lips for summer

Dining Italian style with seafood risotto 

For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber

Hello May

And just like that we're into the fifth month of the year!

Although judging by the weather you'd be forgiven for thinking we are still in the midst of Winter. Warm coat, check. Heating on, check.

Despite the month zooming by it's been a busy one.

With Nottingham Fashion Week, a few nights out and one or two spontaneous purchases, my bank balance is looking a little sorry. Oops.

Uni is now back in full swing post-Easter and with it have come a ton of deadlines that need to be hit before the start of June.

It's safe to say I'm going to become a hermit for the next few weeks or so until everything I need to do is done :-(

Don't miss me too much guys, I'll be back with you soon!

Have a great month.

Holly xx


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

Wise words

Pretty flowers

Don't mind if I do...

May issues

Hot chocolate & marshmallows... Mmm

Bubble bath mani

#ELLEinspire

Sweet potato & kale curry

Workout time

Monday mood zZz

Throwback with the girls

Check out these pretty spring pieces here 

Lunchtime

A few favourites

Who said fashion people don't eat?

Nottingham Fashion Week 2016

Post coming SOON!!

Amazing colours on the @ Style Show Live

For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber

Hello April

Well that went quick... 

Dinners, drinks, blogger events and a long Easter weekend have been the highlights of March, and I am now about to enter the final term of my second year at university! Scary.

April is set to be a busy month, with a portfolio deadline looming, various projects to organise and a fashion week to cover - it's going to be challenging but i'm so excited to get stuck in and make the most of the beautiful new season.

It's time to spring clean, start fresh and embrace spring's new awakening.

Out with the old and in with the new.

Have a great month!


Holly xx

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

 Blogging for #NottmFW

 All pink errythang

 Everyday

Berrylicious breakfast

 Spring beauty

Werk werk werk #Gym

Veggie courgetti 

 Thursday night fun

Calypso nails

Saturday night

Party time

Mirror mirror on the wall

Can you guess my favourite chocolate?

Happy Easter!

For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber

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!