Wednesday 19 March 2014

Embracing Me - #Stylesquad, Mahon Point

#Stylesquad Mahon Point




Last week I had an appointment with the Style Squad Ladies in Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork.
I had heard it advertised on a local radio station a couple of weeks and applied for an appointment for me and my mother, thinking it would be a nice treat for both of us and also a good way to pick up some tips for free (the magic word
This is an event that the shopping center do for charity every couple of months, the charity for this one was "Dress for Success" so everyone that applies for a make over must donate an item of clothing or shoes that are nearly new and suitable to be worn to an interview. I took something from the "still new with tags still on pile to donate" 


I met the stylists and told them what kind of look I was looking for advise/ tips on and we started from there.
I wanted some advise on casual weekend wear, clothes that would take me from shopping, to lunch with the girls, to dinner and cinema with the boy in the evening. Something that I could throw on and be confident that I could pull it off and look reasonably put together!



They had picked some outfits in my size and had them waiting in the dressing room for me. The outfits had been picked from my email, not from the chat that I had when I arrived, so some of the outfits weren't really "for me" but I happily tried on all the different bits to see if something I would never pick for myself would suit. Now they only took a photo of my final outfit (as you can see in the photo) but I tried on a couple of different outfits also. 
  • I tried a white linen flared leg trouser with the coral top (it aged me and highlighted my belly area)

  • I tried on jeans from next and a white lace River island top (The jeans gave me a muffin top & the top was elasticated at the waist and highlighted my wobbly bits)

  • I tried on a lovely navy dress from Oasis but it didn't sit right on me at all!! 

  • We eventually settled on what you can see pictured below
    • Molly Jeggings - River Island (30e) 
    • Coral Top - The Collection, Debenhams (45e)
    • Cream leather Jacket - River Island (60e)
    • Shoes - Clarks (didn't check the price sorry)
    • Necklace (think it was oasis, not sure) 


Clothes from Mahon Point Shopping Centre


I think the photo of me looks well overall, in reality the top and jacket were the wrong sizes (too small) and didn't sit/fit well on my frame. The shoes I didn't like and were too high for me. BUT you can't tell that from the photo. 



I was then introduced to Aoife from  Peter Marks, we talked hair. I told her that my hair is either in a bun/ ponytail for work/ gym or straightened at the weekends. So she suggested some curls, which I agreed too, I can never curl it properly myself, she done these with the ghd and then pinned the side bits back from my face. Really liked it I must say. 


Hair by Peter Marks



The consultant from No.7 then went to work on my face, I didn't get a list of products that she used (a rookie mistake I know) I do know that she used a BB cream rather than a foundation foundation, she went for a soft smokey eye, using bronzes and brown glitters with just a little bit of black on the corners, and a pinky lipgloss.



Make Up by No.7 consultant

Overall I enjoyed my hour of pampering and advise. I did buy the jeans afterwards and I love them. I'm definitely planning to get a biker style leather jacket also. I had thought that I was "too big" too pull one off but after this experience I've decided that I can wear anything  I want once I wear it with confidence.
A professional photo was also taken of me on the day, I haven't received it yet, so I'm looking forward to seeing myself in a glossy 6 x 4.

This day really was a nice confidence boost and a step in the right direction as I accept my body shape and embrace being me.

They will be doing this again in the Autumn  I was told and I will definitely be booking another appointment.
Any Cork girls out there, I would recommend you do the same.  


**This is not a sponsored post, nor was  I asked by Mahon Point or anyone else to write this blog post about my experience. **

Monday 17 March 2014

St Patrick’s Day Nail Art - 5 Shades of Green

St Patrick's Day Nails


St Patrick's Day has arrived again, and it has a special meaning for me in terms of nail art because it was the first time that I ever attempted nail art J

Here are links to my  Paddy’s Day nail art from last year.

  1. Pots of Gold
  2. Leprechaun belts
  3. Spotty Tri-colour & Shamrocks


Admittedly I didn't give myself a lot of time to get creative or inventive. I went through my polish collection to find how many shades of green I was in possession of.
I found bout 7/8, I’m not a huge green wearer, so this was a lot for me, unfortunately 2 polish's were dried up in their bottles :( and so have gone to polish heaven (or the bin)

I couldn't decide which shade would be best to use, and so decided that since I had 5 shades and 5 fingers……. Well you can guess how that panned out.

So here are my 5 shades of Green, they all needed 2 coats and I topped them all off with Seche Vite Top Coat


St Patrick's Day Nails


St Patrick's Day Nails

St Patrick's Day Nails

What do you think of these shades? I would be more inclined to choose the darker colour I think if I was to do a full mani of Green. I Like the ring finger Green tho as a Paddy's Day green as it reminds me of Shamrocks the most (random I know)

WHAT I USED




Thumb               - Rimmel London Pro -361 Mermaid Green  (Dealz 1.49)
Fore Finger        - Catrice -  35 Petrolpolitan (Sam McCauley’s 1.79)
Middle Finger     - Sally Hansen – 450 Fairy Teal (Dealz 1.49)
Ring Finger         - NYC – 298 – High line Green
Baby Finger        - Avon Speed dry – Don’t be Jaded




Are you a fan of this colour? Will you be sporting Green for the weekend that’s in it or wetting the shamrock?


If you do attempt some Paddy’s Day nail art, I’d love to see.. leave your link below 

*source google images

Monday 10 March 2014

Weight Update


**Source Google Images**



****Warning, this post is all over the place, so if you fancy a stroll though my random mental thoughts, read on****



I’m a bit stuck at the moment and I’m finding it hard to find the words to begin to explain where I am at!!
My heads all over the place, I want to loose weight and I want to be fit and healthy and happy, but at the same time I’m tired of the never ending struggle.

I’m sick of the constant battle/ obsessing/ thoughts with myself on the what I can and cannot eat.
I’m a firm believe in the fake it till you make it mode that I sometimes use to get my mojo going and to curb my over eating.

However, my will power has been AWOL for a while now and although I’m full of good intentions, I make food plans, book exercise classes etc,
I’m finding that I’m very easily swayed at the moment. I’m eating my 3 good and healthy meals in the day but I’m also giving myself permission to have all the other extras that I worked so hard last year to cut out. Instead of smiling and saying “no thanks” when offered anything other than a cup of tea I find myself accepting the cake/ biscuits/ chocolate that’s being offered to me and going back for more!

I've been avoiding writing a post because I’m not sure what this means for me at the moment! I kept telling myself that once I've had one total good week, then I’ll come back and be on the wagon and start posting more often. But it hasn't happened!! I've gotten to day 4 and then given in a had a **creme egg (*insert whatever’s going) with my cuppa as a “treat” for being so “good”


But for now, I’m tired!!! Its been 5 years this month since my weight loss journey really began for me and I truly am a different girl to the once who started this quest/journey way back then, physically and mentally. I have made a lot of lifestyle changes. (see photos here

Yes I’m frustrated that after 5 years I am still no where near my goal/aim and that’s all on me and my yo-yo way of doing things. I’m still my own worst enemy and worst critic, but I think we’re all guilty of being very hard on ourselves. My point is tho ( I do have one I promise) I think its time that I accept my body and myself for who I am right now, yes I’m a work in progress.. but that’s how it has to be, and I need to embrace this fact rather than living in denial and avoiding mirrors. (ye read the post about my meltdown over my birthday outfit last month)

I feel like I've missed out on a lot of things over the years because I've allowed my weight issues to rule me and my life.
I've put so many things on the long finger and told myself that I’ll do that when I’m slim. I've missed out on nights out and events because “I’d nothing to wear”  I've avoided going to places for fear I’d be the biggest person in the room and people would stare.  I realize that all of these “things” are my issues and all in my head, but at the same time theses thoughts/ fears have been holding me back.

So I've decided to try and embrace me for now and basically get over myself and start enjoying my life as I am right now. I’m not getting any younger and life is short.

By accepting that loosing weight will be on ongoing theme in my life, I hope that I’ll be more accepting of myself.. I know that I can continue to loose weight and still enjoy myself. ( I just decided that I couldn't, for no reason at all!)


**Source Google Images**




I haven’t completely throw in the towel just yet tho! Yes, I’m eating cake almost every day BUT I’m exercising regularly too.. I’m really half assing things for now and I seem to be almost maintaining. I’m up and down the same few pounds since the new year.

Jan +2

Feb -1.5

Mar +1

I don’t know if any of you can even make sense of this post!
I do want to loose weight, but I’m not willing to commit myself to it 100% at the moment!! I know I’m the only person that can fix this and I’m sure I will…..



I know that this is something that I will struggle and fight with for my whole life and I’ve accepted this to be my fate.