Fitness Friday

I AM a woman obsessed.

It's the reason I drag myself out of bed in the mornings.

I last thing I think about at night....

What is the treasure behind my drifting thoughts, I hear you ask?

A knight in shining armour? An exciting new job?

No, dear reader. The hero in this magical fairytale known as my life is none other than the hearty oat.

When you're a bit poor/ have spent what little money you have on a holiday (a well-needed holiday may I add), and clothes for said holiday, it's not always easy to get healthy foods on a budget.

If we're going in to personal views here, I may as well say I don't think living on a tight budget is any excuse for not eating right. I live on a tight budget. But you won't catch me ever buying a ready meal. Vegetables really don't cost the earth. Nor do eggs, potatoes, wholemeal pasta, fruit or fish.

And neither, as you may have guessed, do oats.

The Low-Down on Oats

Oats are a great source of important dietary fibre

One part of this soluble fibre found in oars is beta-glucans- which has been proven to lower blood cholesterol.

Oats can help stabilise blood sugar levels- helping to prevent diabetes

Oats, like many plants, contain phytochemicals which are thought to help prevent cancer

Oats can help stabilise weight (YES, PLEASE), help regulate bowel function (we won't go in to this any further..) and a daily serving is thought to lower blood pressure.

So you see the answer is OATS :)*

*yes, the answer to all life's problems

So, how do I 'style' my oats? 

Well, as you may have guessed from this blog, I like to dress things up a little bit. I know it's better for you, but I can't stand it with just water (what am I, living in an 18th century workhouse?! No thanks)

So I add a dash of semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, stir and bung in the microwave (because radiation makes things even better)

Then, if I'm feeling like a particular sweet treat (and don't want to break in to the Dairy Milk), I'll chop up a banana and chuck that in

*Because none of you know what a banana looks like.....


 Next I'll add a dash of honey...

Then pop it in to the microwave for a little longer...

And voila! Delicious.

Note- If you're giving your eating a healthy overhaul, like me, avoid *AVOID AVOID* pre-packaged oat sachets..they're packed full of sugar.
Get plain oats (which work out cheaper) and dress them up yourself.

Oats make me ever so happy. On the days I get up early enough to have them before work (these have to be good skin days..otherwise my time is spend slapping on the foundation), I'm driving to the office with a smile on my face and a content feeling in my tummy.


For more information about oats, you can have a look here

Do you like oats? How are you eating yours?


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Resolution- #Matchy-Matchy

Ahhh, the 90s. Such a wonderful time. Dungarees, puffa jackets, greasy hair...

Wait, what's that?...the 90s are all over the catwalks, you say?! Oh. Better get my lycra cycling shorts back out then..(come on, if you were a child in the 90s you definitely had a pair of these and don't try to pretend you didn't!)

Call me crazy- but I just can't bring myself to get back in to dungarees (I had a bad experience with dungarees when I was about seven. It involved a toilet. That's all I'm willing to say on the matter.)
So I've decided it's all about doing the 90s the classic way.
I'm talking women in power suits with blue eyeshadow that shoul have been left wayyy in the 80s. No, I'm only joking!

What I'm talking, is 'matchy matchy'. Matching lips and nails is the way to go. What I like about this is that it's quite effortless. Do your manicure well in a colour with a corresponding lipstick and you can wear them both straight for a week. Maximum impact- minimum effort.
Obvs, the way I would do this in the modern day is red and red (of which I can't get enough)

But we're talking 90s- so it either has to be nude, or a nice pink shade.

And I've gone with Revlon Cherries in the Snow.

Typically, I only wear this lipstick on special occasions. I know it's only a drugstore brand...but Revlon always reminds me of the glamourous 50s.
Plus, this was a gift from my boyfriend (I know, he buys me lipstick. He's a keeper) and so it always has special memories for me *sick*

I was perfectly content, so I thought, with this lipstick. Nail polish? No sir, I don't need you.
I wasn't really a fan of the colour if I'm honest. I thought it looked a bit, well, 90s.

Then one day about a year ago (?!) I was catching up on my fave youtubers (as you do) and one of my all-time favourite bloggers, essiebutton was wearing this really pretty colour on her nails in a few of her posts and I was like...stop. press. What is that?!

And what was it?! It was Revlon Cherries in the Snow, of course!
So I did end up getting the matching nail polish and I'm really glad I did.

This matchy-matchy look has become one of my glam-up faves.
When you have a busy week, you don't want to be faffing around with changing colours and cr*p.
The nail polish wears well, doesn't chip easily (as long as you let it dry thoroughly first).
It's a good colour for work if your boss sometimes raises eyebrows at your nails *hands up if you've had this happen* and when you're off for an impromptu after-work drink, you can just shove on some of the lipstick and voila- instant chic!*

 *Please don't actually shove it on...clown face= not classy, trust me...

What are your favourite colour combos? Any one tried this pair?

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OOTE- Feline Wild

 Top-Primark, £6
Skirt-Primark, £8
Bag-New Look (Sale)- £6.50
Shoes- New Look (Sale)- £9

I feel like this skirt should feature on Fitness Friday as it's a little tight- definitely an incentive!
I'm really in to nude at the moment...what is happening to me?! I wouldn't usually do the bag and the shoes together, I think the blank canvas of either makes a brighter look really 'pop'.
I love this bag just for casual use in the day too. Jeans, tee, flats and smooth smooooth hair *looks at hair*
Yep, that can only be achieved in my dreams.

Style Resolutions- #Review: Pantene Deep Moisture Souffle

It could be a long and crappy winter, central heating, over-processing-

Whatever it is, my hair was feeling seriously dry.

I find that intense conditioners work well to smooth and restore shine, but the effect's faded by the second day after washing.

By Day Two, I'm left with the same, parched-feeling hair.

So I decided to try the Pantene Deep Moisture Souffle, daily moisturiser for hair.

What it says-

Daily leave-in conditioner (for colour treated hair).
Locks in moisture for 48h for luxurious softness and instantly enhances shine.

I expected the consistency to feel like a styling mousse- light and airy.

But this has a gel texture that you can really feel when you rub between your hands. Unlike styling mousse, it doesn't expand, either, which means you don't end up with too much product which you then feel you have to use and voila- crispy hair (we've all been there).

My main concern about a product that's supposed to moisturise hair was- will it make it greasy? The 90s may be 'in' but...I'm not prepared to take grunge that far. Lanky locks are definitely not a winner.

Although I deliberately avoided the roots, it's safe to say that the answer was no.

The first time I applied this was to freshly washed, damp hair, which I then blow dried.

Already my hair felt soft and shiny and quenched.

I then applied it to day-old hair, which was slightly damp from the shower.

Finally, I worked it in to the tips the next day a few hours before washing.

I've since repeated this routine and the result? My hair genuinely doesn't feel as dry anymore.

I was dubious about a product that called itself a moisturiser for hair- a bit of a gimmick, surely?

But this has definitely done for my locks what a good old pot of Nivea does for my face.

Take this, hair!

Review by Numbers

Did it live up to it's promises?-4/5. Yes, it's not a miracle worker (but then it doesn't claim to be). What it does claim is to.......and on that front, it delivers. You need to put the effort in though

Pacaging- 3/5- I like the pinky purple colour, but the head is a little cheap.

Value for money- 5/5- It's like £4.29- you can't get a lot of magazines for that price these days

Recommend to a friend? Yes! (though all of them have lovely hair already)

Have you tried this product? What do you think? Any recommendations?  Follow @styleresolution

OOTE- Red and Leopard

Top- New Look, £9.99

Pencil Skirt- Charity Shop, £3.99

Shoes- New Look (Sale), £8

Bag- Charity Shop (£2.95)

Who says you can't wear leopard print and red?!

Well, up until a while ago- me. 

Put these two together and I'd have been like.....what's your name, Kat Slater? 

But I saw an article in company magazine about styling and outfit pretty much like this. I loved the way they'd taken the look and made it modern 

I knew I had the items I'd need in my wardbrobe, so I gave it a go. 

The result? I love it. 

Nude heels keep it modern, don't you think?

I love this little bag- another charity shop gem. It cost £2.95 and its a classic 90s piece. It kind of reminds me of something Rachel in Friends would have as an evening bag. It reminds me of Carrie Bradshaw and New York.

So, today's #Resolution is never judge a leopard by its spots....
You can reclaim a look from the trash pile and make it work for 2013.

Do you have any clothing items that remind you of places or people? Or am I just weird?*

*That was a rhetorical question...

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Fitness Friday

AS I write this, I'm aching so badly from exercise that I let out a little yelp every time I move. A great start to these new weekly blog posts, eh???

But on we pursue...because today it Fitness Friday! WOOP *punches air...lets out scream of pain*

Since the beginning of 2013, I made the #Resolution that this was going to be my fittest year yet.
I've struggled with my weight since I was born (one of my earliest memories is being told by a b*tch she didn't like me because I was fat...I was literally four years old.)
The thing I've come to accept, after years of self-conciousness (which I won't go in to) is, finally, at nearly 24-years-old, I need to stop worrying and start living.
I will never be a size 8. I wasn't meant to be.
But what I can be is as fit as possible, as healthy as possible and not worry about what other people think.
I want to feel my absolute best. and exercise, surprisingly, along with healthy eating and taking care of myself, makes me feel that.
And as long as I know how I feel and what I'm doing, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. 

So every friday, I'll be posting about my quest for fitness. Whether it's a recipe, an exercise routine...or just some general rant (and I forgive you if you don't read those).....

I'll leave you in peace, for now...

But muscles, that doesn't include you. Now drop and give me 20! *screams in pain again*



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Resolution- #Give Up the Coral?

NEVER!

I've had a serious obsession with coral of late. Well, actually, bright colours in general. I think it's because spring is a no-show and all I can think about are sunny days and heady nights.

Anyway, just a quick post today to show you some coral treasure that made it's way in to my possession on a recent lunch break. Ooops how did that happen?! Well, it only cost basically the same amount as lunch, so it'd be rude not to, right?

So far from what this title may suggest, today's #Resolution is to rock even MORE coral. PILE it on by the dozen!...okay, so I won't be trying to get all oompa-loompa, but a few zingy things here and there genuinely brighten up the day. 

How I'll Be Styling

I'm sure you'll be seeing this bag in a lot of my upcoming spring/ summer OOTD. But to send you on your merry way, here's one way I'll be styling it- perfect for a spring dinner.

 Pencil Skirt- River Island (Sale), £8

Peplum Top- Primark (Sale)- £2

Bangle- New Look (Sale), 50p

Shoes- Next (Sale)- £14

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