What I Ate Wednesday

Sausage and mushroom omelette sandwich with bbq sauce

Fruit Scone

Chinese chicken salad - I ate the chicken first oops

Seabrook's Canadian ham crisps

Coconut cream chocolate

Sage & onion pulled pork with roast carrots & parsnips, mashed potato,
swede and yorkshire pudding

Chocolate hot cross bun pudding with cafe latte ice cream

First seen on www.dietingrollercoaster.blogspot.com

My Targets for April: Part 2

At the beginning of the month I set myself a couple of targets for the month...

So how did I do?

Reduce surface clutter. I'm getting there with this one, slowly. I've managed to clear the surfaces in our bedroom and in the bathroom. The front room and kitchen could do with more work though.

Organise bedding - getting rid of some and replacing the ones that have seen better days with new bedding. I got some new bedding, I've also managed to remove 7 bags of sheets and pillowcases from the shelves. All the bedding is now sorted into matching sets with fitted sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases - kept together in a pillowcase.

Being ruthless at the bookcase and in the wardrobe. I've not bought any more clothes or books, so this is a bonus, unless you count replacing bras and knickers. I have managed to thin out some clothes too. I've moved all the clothes that didn't fit out of the wardrobe and into storage bags.

Make up - compared to some I don't have much, compared to most I probably have too much and right now it all sits in a Peppa Pig shopping tote. This in conjunction with the next goal has been sorted. I now have a small drawer and all my make up apart from what I'm planning to use for the upcoming week which is in my bathroom cabinet.

Tackle the drawers, junk and otherwise. They don't shut - or open. This has gone well. I've weeded out my 2 junk drawers, one now has make up - the other is jewellery. Who knew I had so many necklaces and rings. I've also thinned out by underwear drawers, sock and nightwear drawers too. It's been productive.

Now to start on a new list for May.

My Favourite Shoes

I love ballerina pumps. They are my go to shoe for most occasions.

It is rare that there is an outfit they won't go with and these days the choice is vast.

I have big feet. I have been a size 9 since I was 15 years old. Thankfully they decided to stop growing. This does however pose some problems when it comes to buying shoes.

Back in the 'day' Saxone used to be pretty much the only place I could buy shoes. Their tall and small department kitted me out for girly shoes. Other than that all my shoes/trainers were from the men's section. I can tell you that does nothing for a teenager's self esteem. Thankfully Dr Marten's were in vogue during the back end of my senior school years.

Even until recently finding shoes in a size 9 for a under £40 a pair was tricky. However, many stores are starting to catch up Brantanto, New Look, Evans, Next and even Asda have started to stock fashionable shoes in the larger size.

My favourite store for choice is Shoezone. They have a massive range of size 9 and above shoes, most importantly (for me at least) they are in a standard width. Even though I am bigger than the average fashion consumer I do have long skinny feet, with really long finger toes.

So back to my current favourite shoes. I first bought these at the beginning of the year for just £7.99. They are a classic shape and I love the print. The insole is cushioned and they are perfect for perking up a work outfit. After pretty much daily wear, over a 3 month period I wore them through.

For me Shoezone is like the Primark of the shoe world. Except they also sell online as well as in store.

Let me know which of their extensive range are your favourite.

Anti Gravity Mascara

I'd like to introduce you to Avon's latest mascara the Aero Volume Mascara. 

The blurb says that the formula is inspired by aerospace technology, and that the star-shaped brush gives volume without adding bulk. 

They also promise that lashes will stay lifted and volumised all day.  

I've spoken about my lashes before. They are pretty much non-existent and hard to see unless I wear several layers and many types of mascara. On an average day I could wear as many as 3 different mascaras. So I thought I'd give this one a go. 

I found the spooly to be easy to use. It gets right in at the base and grips on to your lashes and gives them an even coats of the formula. Which, as if by magic, begins to curl up your lashes.  

But you don't have to just take my word for it... look at the evidence. 

I used Aero Volume mascara in brown/black. Also available in blackest black. 

Spring Make-Up Look

This is a look I'm loving at the moment, a hint of colour around the eyes, and a pop on the lips.

Now the sun is shining more often, and the sky is blue it's the perfect time to freshen up make-up wise.

On the base I used my usual Avon cream to powder foundation with concealer for the red bits and darker circles.

I used MUA eye shadows on the lid. I started with a sweep of lilac over the lid and accented with a teal/green colour in the crease - both are from the Immaculate Collection, which I then blended out. Instead of eyeliner, I used Penny from the Ever After palette.

The mascara is brown/black Aero Volume by Avon. The blush is a mosaic one by MUA.

On the lips I used Showy Flamboyant by Revlon.

Giveaway News

Did I just say giveaway?

I believe I did.

I have decided that I will giveaway a collection of pamper products to one of my lucky readers when I hit 25 followers.

I'm going to be buying little bits and bats to put in the prize each week and I will choose one follower at random to receive the prize.

What I Ate Wednesday: Bank Holiday Monday edition :)

This was first seen on Dieting Rollercoaster, my daily food diary and journal.

Come over and say hello.

http://dietingrollercoaster.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/day-7-food-diary-2142014.html

Creamed mushrooms on Toast

Cheese salad with salad cream

Graze box - Beef Jerky

Graze Apple & cinnamon flapjack

Hot Cross Bun Cupcake

Calzone and chips - I almost forgot to take a picture of this one

Asda Stuffed Crust Spicy Meatball Pizza with Garlic & Herb Dip

I rarely buy supermarket pizzas, this one I first tried after finding it in the Whoops.... section. I love a good Whoopsie bargain. 

On the box it looks appealing, I don't think that they'd let it look like a dog's dinner on the box. 

So how does it stand-up to the box? I have found on the times I have bought it that the toppings have slid off the base. I have transported it straight, on a side and generally thrown it around. Not once has it arrived without needing a makeover before going in the oven. 

Taste-wise it's got a kick. Not a huge one, but enough to know that the mini meatballs are there. The garlic & herb dip is a great complimentary side for this. Even my non-spicy child demolishes this when I serve it up for tea. There is a mildly spiced tomato base with a smattering of cheese on top on which the mini meatballs sit. 

It is probably just as well that there isn't too much cheese as the crust hides a tube of gooey molten goodness - I personally would have liked there to be a touch of chilli in here too. I am a bit of a chilli fiend though, just ask @thechillijamman 

Overall totally worth the £3.50 it costs. 

OOTD: Dress Down in the Office

On Thursday we had a fake Friday, Easter special, Dress Down Day in the office.

We all donate £1 to our company's chosen charities and as it's Easter there is also an Easter Egg raffle.

Here's what I wore. Bad lighting and all.

This is a tee I picked up in Asda last year, I still love it and have worn it to baggy death. I've paired it with my current favourite jeans from New Look.

On my feet I have a pair of canvas shoes from Shoe Zone, I love them. Shoe Zone is fabulous as you can either buy online or drop into a shop and they always have size 9s in stock. Love them. Check them out here.  

April: I Want List

I have a habit of window shopping on the internet.

Unlike regular window shopping it is lsightlly more dangerous due to the additoin of clicking and paypal. Just look at my ebay habit if you need any extra evidence.

I am trying really hard to curb my clothes addiction/spending and get more things sorted around the house.

I've not actually decorated since the kids were really small, some rooms will have been even longer.

So here I've compiled some of the bits I want for the house, and just in general.

I want them... this doesn't necessarily mean I will get them, but I'd like to (and I accept gifts. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink),

Skincare and Stress

Beware make up free photos at the bottom of this post.

I've been through a stressful couple of months.

And boy you can tell when you look at my skin and nails, they've both been peeling again, and I've had lumpy painful spots on top of lumpy painful spots.

So I've come to the conclusion that I've got to get strict on my skincare routine again.  I have had a few weeks holiday from wearing make up to let some of the welts go down and heal.

First I've looked at all the trash I've been eating, so from on I am adding more veggies in, especially after it's been decided that we now should eat at least 7 pieces of fruit and veg a day - rather than the 5 it was previously - I have some chomping to do.

After some research I have found that the following foods can be beneficial for the skin's appearance:

Dark chocolate
Greek yoghurt
Walnuts
Peppers, yellow and orange ones are able to decrease sensitivity to the sun.
Sunflower seeds boost vitamin c
Kidney beans have zinc in which can prevent spots
Green tea can help reduce redness in the skin tone.

The other thing I need to do is stop picking. As soon as I'm aware a 2nd head is sprouting from my chin I'm constantly touching it, prodding and poking. How I don't have loads of scaring I just don't know.

This is the current starting point, and I will report back on how it's coming along in 2 weeks.

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What I Ate Wednesday

Breakfast wrap - amazing breakfast

Wasabi peas

Turtle beans with quinoa, lime and chilli soup

Fruit Salad

Thanks to a hacking cough I've had a couple of these through the day

Mid-afternoon pick me up

Special and broccoli with boiled rice & salt'n'pepper ribs

I have a little secret

Well it's not the biggest of secrets.

Some of the more eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that I have a bit of a different colour going on with my hair.

I'm midway to going blonde after having progressively redder hair for the last 5 years, the past 10 months I've practically been pillar box.

Summer is on the way and I fancied a bit of a change.

It is going to take some time to get there, but I will and right now I'm boasting a colour I'm referring to as 'pinge' part pink, part ginger!

10 Things To Do...

In your lunch break. 

Since returning to work I've been looking for things that I can do during my lunch break to make sure I actually leave my desk and take that break. I only get 30min but if your luckier and get that full hour just think what you could get up to!

1. Take a stroll. The weather is getting better and it sure as heck feels good to break free from your desk, even for just 15 mins. 

2. Nip to the shops. If you are lucky enoiugh tot be in the centre of a bigger town or near a city centre bo to a chemist, department store or even a supermarket and pick up a new lip gloss, lipstick, eyeshadow or even mascara. It doesn't need to cost the earth, but it will brighten up your day. 

3. Me time. Book yourself a treatment. Getting your eyebrows tamed takes no time at all. Or if you have a slightly longer have an appointment a tthe hairdressers for a treatment and blow dry. 

4. Getting handsy. If you can get the space, give yourself a mini manicure. Pop a bright nail varnish into your bag and liven up your fingertips at lunch. 

5. Every day is a school day. Try and learn something new, a skill or  a craft. I'm a crochet fan, so I sometimes hook at lunch, your could knit, start to learn a new language, take up puzzles. 

6. Go on holiday. Well not a full one. Plan a virtual break, where would you go, what would you do, what would you like to do, where would you stay/eat... I think you get my drift. Dream big. Pinterest is a great site to do this on. 

7. Embrace your smartphone. Most of us have a smartphone these days, pop some earbuds in your bag and you can catch up on some vlogs, a tutorial or even a tag video using YouTube.  

8. Take a picnic. Pack a nice lunch and meet a friend for a picnic lunch in a local park. 

9. Eat out. Instead of your normal packed lunch, get out and visit a local eaterie and have a nice lunch. Your sandwich is always going to be there tomorrow. 

10. Novel idea. Read a book, obviously not a whole one but you could squeeze in a chapter or two depending on the length of them. Have you a book that you've always wanted to read, but you never seem to have the time at home anymore? Lunch breaks are the perfect in for a blossoming reading habit. 

Yours Clothing: Red and Black Ditsy Floral Print Jersey Tunic

I was shuffling through the @yoursclothing website last week and noticed this in the sale. I've been after some dresses for work, and when you stand at 5' 10" in your size 9 ballerina pumps that can be an effort in itself. 

It reminds me of the pattern that you find on bandanas, which I collect and have an assorted array of colours and they'll come out to play during the summer no doubt. 

At the moment I'm between a 24 and 26 for dresses so I plumbed for the 26/28 in the hope that it would make it that little bit longer so I could wear it as a dress rather than a tunic. 

A gamble I think paid off. 

As a member of the not blessed with big boobs brigade I appreciate the faux vest in the v-neckline. 

I also feel I must apologise for the photo, I've been having a few bad face days so have left off the make up. 

I love this item, and in an office that seems to be set to tropical it is just the right sort of material. 

I wore it with some opaque black tights and a pair of chelsea boots, which you can't see on this photo. I need to get me a photographer!

You can find this item on the website here. 

My Nail Woes: Avon Gel Finish Nailwear

So I've not spoken about my nails recently.

Right now they are looking pretty good, even if I do say so myself. (What's the bet that I've just jinxed them right there?)

What have I been doing to them this time? Not much if I'm honest. Increased typing seems to have helped them grow. The constant tapping also appears to have made them that bit stronger too.

I've also been using the new Gel Finish Nailwear by Avon (available from Campaign 8). I've been loving the nude colour of Barely There. It lends to the look of a muted French Manicure which I adore.

I have been lucky enough, as a consultant, to be able to try several of the colours. So far out of the 11 I got to do some Wel Gel events this one is my favourite, and at just £3.50 on it's introductory offer it's a real steal; full price it will be £7 and I believe still worth every penny.

The Barely There is easy to apply, and dries to a high shine with no streaks surprisingly quickly.

The best bit that I have found about these Gel Finish colours is their durability.

I don't particularly look after my manicures after I have done them, I get up to all sorts. However the staying power is astonishing, I've not managed to chip a colour without major effort, in my case it was wrenching go-karts in and out of a lock-up container.

From the other colours I have tried the stand outs have been Candy Apple, an almost transparent neon red, I found this one needed a couple of coats. Red as Roses, Mauvelous and Berrylicous all had great staying power.

I also loved the richness of Mudslide. I hope to try and mix it with Glimmer - a gold colour to see what happens, I have heard mixed reports on this though.

Overall, I'm loving this new product. The one downside... once you take the bottle from the box, there is no name on the bottle to refer back to. So quite a small downside, but noticable - especially if you are planning on going down the party route.

What I Ate Wednesday

Today I had a working breakfast. Coffee, a pecan and fudge muffin and processing Avon orders. 

Lunch was one of the new Covent Garden Skinny Soups. This one was Goan Spiced Chicken Soup with Lentils. Lush. 

I had a bit of a snacky day too, so carrots and houmous came to the rescue. 

Hubby made tea, so it was a Tomato and Spicy Pepperoni pasta bake. 

Then while I was watching Archer Vice I munched on this Graze punnet. 

I think it was Dark Rocky Road.