Little Book of Beauty

Health Log #2

As promised, this is just an update of my first week in exercise and healthy eating.

Stretches and Exercises of the Week

I started on Tuesday with my timetable and set goals throughout the week, the stretches and exercises we are given to do are stand ups, side bends, arm circles, step ups, squats, arm raises, forward reach, leg raises, knee rolls, press ups, bridging and sit ups. They don't sound much, but I can tell you, when done slowly and twice a day, they really do start to exhaust you. As to how many of each we were doing, we had to set a 'current ability' and really focus on when our stretches and exercises started to lose their quality. This gives you an idea on where to start setting your goals, and set the goals higher each day. All I can say is, I recommend you start small and build up relatively quickly otherwise you'll plateau too early! I also spent two hours at the gym on wednesday, I did 25 minutes relatively fast cycling on the bike, 25 walking on a high gradient and speed on the treadmill, 25 minutes on the rowing machine, 25 minutes on the cross trainer and 20 minutes on the stepper thing (not got a clue what it is called sorry guuuuys)

I hate photos like this I just really want to look like her, have that skin tone, have her hair and have that figure, so I'm putting it on anyway.

Healthy Eating and Food of the Week

Every morning for breakfast, a bowl of Special K Red Berry

followed by some Onken Mango, Papaya and Passionfruit yoghurt.

MmmmmmmmmmmmMmmm.

Then for lunch I opted for fresh (marks and spencers) salmon (yummy) with philly, all on wholemeal bread.

an activia yoghurt

an apple,

some grapes,

a clementine

and lots and lots of water.

My dinner differed each night, from chicken salad, to jacket potato and tuna, I had lots of different healthy dinners over the past week, (except one cheeky TGI fridays) I had jack daniels chicken strips, which I can truly not state my love for enough really, it is heaven on a rather large, calorie filled plate.

^^ my all time favourite food, if you ever want to treat me (not sure who is actually reading this) then this is the answer!!!!!! mmm.

I'll keep you updated, and let you know if it makes any difference on my health or weight, or if I up my game, or if I slip up, you'll alllll be the first to know. When I do start losing weight, I'll put up some pictures so you can see exactly how much!

Have you been being uber healthy recently? What exercise do you find helpful?

Like Love Loathe

This is an idea I saw on LAAUREN_LOVE's blog, and I love it, I think it is so clever, and such a simple way to show your loves, likes and hates with all your followers.

This weeks picks.

Like - Barry M - Mint Green Nail Varnish

This pastelly mint green is the perfect shade for the summer, though my only problems with it are that it chips easily, and is therefore I'm unsure as to how it would hold up in the hot heat, and being in and out of the hotel swimming pool.

Love - Viktor Rolf Flower Bomb

Honestly, this has been on my 'love' list, since I discovered it many moons ago, it has the perfect musky yet sweet, but not TOO sweet, thing going on. Love it.

Loathe - Glitter Nail Polish

As beautiful as they look, and as lovely as they are, they have to be on my loathe list this week, I have had a bad experience with trying to remove it, and it seriously got me wound up! The day someone creates an easily removed, gorgeous glitter varnish, I can die happy!

What are your Like, Love and Loathe's this week? Share any with me?

Controversial: Thinspiration

I've been all for the quote 'thinspiration' as I'm uncomfortable with my figure, and would love to be a hell of a lot more trim and toned, so I find myself looking at pictures like this

and this

and this (i could, and may, go on forever)

Basically, a load of incredibly fit celebrities and models in bikinis and lingerie, I can't say that the last picture is all that inspirational purely because I know my body can never look like that. But she certainly is pretty to look at!

But it has come to my attention, that alot of girls who are already very very slim, are using these super slender, overly thin supermodels as their 'thinspiration' and I think you'll agree with my when I say, that cannot end well. This word can single handedly cause a young, easily influenced girl to have anorexia. This is a terrible thought, and I feel that something needs to be done. Society has an incredibly warped view of what is perfect, and what is fat .. thanks to all these insanely beautiful and fun to read magazines line Vogue. I have recently read, that a stunning model, with a body as perfect as Kate Upton is being referred to as fat? KATE UPTON, fat?!?!!? Oh hi there, I don't think we've met, that makes me.. SHAMU. I mean look at her, she is damned near perfect, what is your verdict? Fat or fit?

I don't see a problem with trying to lose weight, if you are doing it heathily and the right way, because any mad fad diets, though they may work in the short term, you will soon put all that weight back on! And I'm guessing that isn't what you want.

When I start university, I have decided that I'm going to start a Health and Fitness log, noting what I'm eating, what exercise i'm doing and how much weight i'm losing. So you can see first hand whether healthy eating and good fitness really does work as others say it does. I'm looking forward to starting it all up, the blog post part, not the giving up my snacks and exercising :( So not my idea of fun, but all in the name of confidence and comfortability.

Are you trying to lose weight? Do you feel the same about the word thinspiration? What is your verdict on Kate Upton?

p.s very sorry for the lack of beauty posts, there will be several more this weekend!!!!

What To Do: When In Harrogate

I put on my blog that I am from Leeds, though this is not true, I live very close to Leeds, and it is the closest place to me that people seem to recognise. I am infact from Harrogate, a town thirteen miles from Leeds and twenty two miles from York. If you have heard of Harrogate, I expect you will have heard of it because of the all important, famous, Betty's. If you are visiting Harrogate any time soon, or have relatives here, I suggest you purchase something from Betty's. Honestly I cannot recommend it enough, from the delicious fat rascals to the sweet chocolate mice, there truly is something for everyone!

Another reason you may have heard of Harrogate, is because it is a spa town, and towns and cities all over Great Britain, and the world drink our water. It is always a strange occurance when you are on holiday at an all-inclusive hotel in Turkey, and you are provided with a free bottle of water from your hometown! You may recognise the bottle..

Things you can't come to Harrogate and not do:

Go to Betty's, honestly you won't regret it! I'm craving a fat rascal bun as we speak.
Go to the Turkish Baths and Health Spa, whether it be for a facial, a manicure, a pedicure or a massage, this is the place to relax in Harrogate.
Go to the Royal Baths Chinese, located just across from the Turkish Baths, this restaurant does a lovely £10 lunch deal, and some delicious typical chinese dishes. This restaurant is great for private parties as they provide you and the rest of your party with a separate dining area so you can dine in style!
Visit the stunning Valley Gardens, filled with beautiful flowers, luscious green grass and the perfect icecream for those hot summers days, and yummy hot chocolates for the cold winter evenings, the Valley Gardens is not something to be missed.
Hoopers the wonderful department store, that sells everything from Benefit make-up and Mulberry bags to Christmas cards and Christmas Reefs.

Restaurants I'd recommend

For an Indian, Cardomom Black - definitely in my top 5 favourite restaurants. You are greeted by traditional Indian lounge chairs, sparkly black walls and golden chandelliers on entry, not to mention the food is to die for. Jinnah is the place to go for a relaxed curry with the family, traditional cooked meals and not to expensive.
For a Chinese meal I'd recommend Imperial, though it doesn't look all that impressive from the outside with its nightclub surroundings, on entry this restaurant transforms into a little Chinese cafe, truly the best Chinese food I have tasted, and not to mention all you can eat, cooked to order! As previously mentioned, the Royal Baths Chinese, exquisite food with a twist of Chinese tradition.
My favourite Thai restaurants are without doubt, The Orchid, my parents went there on Saturday evening to celebrate their thirteen year anniversary! And I celebrate nearly every birthday there, truly an incredible place to dine. Sukothai is another popular restaurant in Harrogate, the interior is classic and they have decked the room out with golden gongs, which I hear they use entertainingly anytime somebody has a birthday.

Nightclubs and Bars I'd recommend in Harrogate:

Depending on what type of night your after, and with what crowd, I'd recommend the lovely Banyan bar, from crazy yet tasty and classy cocktails, to intelligently styled chips that arrive in a mini silver bucket, Banyan is a lovely place to dine and go for cocktails. My personal favourite is the Raspberry Collins, mmm!
Another brilliant bar with a slightly different, more rock'n'rolly feel, Monteys rock cafe. The best cocktail I have ever consumed came from this bar and I must say I'll never forget it. A delightful 'Granny Smith', a mostly appley cocktail, topped off with a complimentary gummy worm. Cocktails and sweets, now that is what I'm talking about.
After you've hit Banyan and Monteys, and had your dose of class and rock'n'roll, it may be time to head to Lure Bar for some of the new, modern hits and classics, this club has a lovely decor but is only petite.
If you are craving loud music and a more, clubby, teenager feeling nightlife, head to Moko to party with all the local students and see the sun come up as you wait for your taxi with your cheesy chips, such class. ;)
My personal favourite club in Harrogate, is Revolution. With one vodka bar, and another cocktail bar located in the back next to the dancefloor and booths. This club mixes class and clubbing perfectly, and I never fail to enjoy myself here.

Hotels to stay in during your visit:

Travelodge located directly above the aforementioned Lure Bar, very affordable and right in the centre of town. Perfect for those girly weekend breaks or even a classic hen night.
The Crown Hotel, opposite my personal favourite cupcake shop, Charlie's cupcakes and a two minute walk from the town centre.
If you have a little bit of a higher price range and/or are treating yourself and a select others to a relaxing spa weekend, I'd recommend the St George Hotel and Spa, my personal favourite for a go to facial.

I'm currently in Bath, so I'll be sure to do a post on everywhere I go/everything I do, as i'll be spending a total of 15 days here, plenty of time to get everything done. I hear Bath is like a bigger Harrogate.

Have you been to Harrogate before? Do you live in Bath or have visited and have any recommendations for me, as of where to go, eat, see, sleep etc? Let me know!

Personal Post: My Birthday Celebrations

I recently turned eighteen (finally) and I am loving it, from being able to legally drink, to just being able to have spontaneous nights out whenever I please. I was definitely made to be this age. So I thought I'd share with you guys what I was lucky enough to recieve/do for my birthday, as I got some incredible presents and did some incredible things!

Woke up early thursday morning, as an eighteen year old and I was spoilt with all the gifts immediately (never understood the families that wait until after the school/work day to give gifts, you are all mental and overly patient if you ask me. ) First I opened my present from my grandad, and he had bought me a lovely silver swarovski necklace, which I'll add a picture of at a later date due to not having any pictures and my dad having the camera! Then my brother gave me a certificate of adoption, he'd adopted me the adorable penguin Ricky the Rock Hopper from London Zoo, and Mike and I tickets to go and visit him. My parents then handed me the first of my presents, a stunning ring from Fattorini's in Harrogate (where I live, which is a very exclusive jewellers, I squeeled when I saw the box!) Then I got told we were going to Paris for a weekend, and that I'd been booked a trip with Mike to London for a week. Honestly one of the best birthdays ever. Mike gave me a beautiful charm bracelet with a heart charm that has 'i love you' and '25/6/2011' on it, which I thought was so thoughtful and it is a beautiful bracelet! (the date is our anniversary, incase you hadn't guessed.) So this is just a post basically sharing with you my pictures from all the many birthday celebrations I had :) I'm a very spoilt lucky girl!