I Am Into This

Diet Wonder - the Four Hour Body

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:11:00 +0000

Now, let me start by saying that this diet isn’t for everyone. It isn’t easy, it takes a lot of dedication,and you will miss certain foods like crazy!

Ever since I started the Four Hour Body (last June), I have starteddreaming of strawberries, raspberries (yes, I know you're normally allowed these things on most diets!), creamy lattes and yoghurts. I even lieawake at night, with visions of chocolate, Haribo and ice cream dancing inmy head.

All that considered, this diet has sometimes turned me into a crazywoman. But if you are serious about getting fit and shaping up, then I canpromise that this is definitely worth a try.

It has taken me from a size 12-14 right down to a size 8-10. It isincredible. I am the slimmest I have ever been, I am the healthiest I have everbeen, and I am also the most confident I have ever been. And who doesn’t wantto feel like that?

The Four Hour Body by Tim Ferris basically suggests that, to reach yourideal body weight, all you need to do is work out for four hours a month. Yes,really. FOUR hours a month! You can do more if you want to, but we can all manage an hour a week, right?

It recommends following the diet with a series of kettlebell workouts (Ican’t recommend kettlebells enough – they completely transformed my body), butyou can pretty much pick the exercise you want to do. I stick with running and aerobics mainly (about five hours a week).

The diet itself is pretty straightforward. It is all about shedding fat by cutting out sugar and focusing on a lean, high-protein diet packed with slow-burning carbs.

You eat three meals a day with no snacking, if at allpossible. In these meals, you can eat as much meat as you like. You can gorge on itif you want! You also need to fill yourself up on legumes and beans (not baked beans –butter beans, lentils, that type of thing) and vegetables.

My favourite meals include scrambled eggs for breakfast, bean casserolesand STEAK. Yummy, yummy steak. You are even allowed a glass of red if you wantto. Brilliant, no?!

Things you can’t have include: fruit (of any kind), sugar (in prettymuch any form), dairy, carbs (that includes cereal and brown bread), alcohol(except your glass of red), caffeine, fizzy drinks.

I like to think of it as a cavewoman diet. If it isn’t natural, or if itwasn’t around thousands of years ago, leave it.

Then, one day a week (and this is the BEST part!!), you can eat whateveryou like, in whatever quantity you like…yes, you read that right. You can liveoff chocolate for one, whole day if you so wish! Perhaps you fancy burger and chips, an afternoon tea, or a KFC? Well, you can have it all. Welcome to Utopia.

The day off not only helps to keep you on track, but it also speeds yourmetabolism right back up. It is my favourite day of the week, and I spend mywhole time writing down what I’m going to have (chocolate, ice cream,chocolate, biscuits).

To summarise:

Rule1: Avoid eating "bad” carbs.

Rule2: Eat the same meals week in, week out (this makes it a whole lot easier and more effective).

Rule3: Don't drink calories. 

Rule4: Don't eat fruit. 

Rule5: Take one day off per week and go INSANE. Enjoy it!

Anyway, if you can stick to this diet, you will see results. And fast. You will look and feel better than you ever have done before, and you will feelso so confident! You won’t even recognise yourself…

In fact, I am even happy to be snapped in my bikini, which I never was before! And I can guarantee that I never felt so good.

Sam x

The Four Hour Body by Tim Ferris costs £8.88 and is available from Amazon.

Brides On Time - Regrets

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

It's more than a year since our wedding day and last week we watched our wedding dvd. We had not seen it since we first received it fourteen months ago and Oh My Goodness I cannot believe how much of it I had already forgotten! I think I am going to schedule a compulsory twice yearly viewing so we can enjoy the special moment and get all teary-eyed together again and again.

Oh Boy am I glad I listened to other newlyweds advice and booked a videographer when we planned our wedding. Nearly all of the advice I read was how they regretted not having a videographer to record the magical moments of their special day. I can remember when I first read it and thought "Oh Crumbs, we don't have any money!" I tried juggling the figures a bit, but to no avail, so our bank overdraft was looking the most favourable option to find the much needed money. So I booked it. We had it. And I am bloody glad I did.

But as a now married woman do I have any regrets about our wedding day?

I do regret that I only managed one hours sleep the night before. In hindsight maybe a strong sedative wouldn't have gone amiss.

My hair. Yes I regret ruining my hair before I'd arrived at the church due to nearly fainting in the back of the car. If it wasn't for my Dad demanding me to stay conscious because he had not got a clue what to do with a passed out bride, I would have definitely keeled over. I somehow slumped myself in the corner of the backseat and breathed like I was pushing out a 7lb baby.

As you can see in this picture my hair has come undone and needs some urgent hairpin attention.

Being late to the church. Enough said.

Makeup - Booking Make Up By Katy to do my wedding make up was the best decision I could have made. After one hours sleep plus a rash which decided to appear on my shoulders Katy had it covered, literally.

My dress - I love it and I would definitely pick the same one again. Sarah Houston is an amazing bridal designer and my dress was stunning.

Hand on heart though, do I really really really regret anything about our wedding day? Deep down? Probably not, because when I watch our DVD I don't cry because I look like Captain Caveman. I cry because everytime I watch it I re-live the moment of myself and Steve with our children saying our vows. Proper lump in your throat tearducts-overflow-viewing of seeing yourself at your most vulnerable, most honest and most happiest. It's a moment I will never forget.

Do you have any regrets which you would like to share? Or any worries about your upcoming wedding? Then drop us a comment in the box below.

Muchos bridal love

Teresa xx

All photos are the property of I Am Into This and are subject to copyright

We are NOT into this

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:30:00 +0000

This week, we are not into this:

Bad customer service. Need we say more?
People adopting the straight-off-the mannequin look. Topshop regulars are particularly bad for this...please, please put your own take on an outfit. Just be yourself!
The lack of snow. We desperately want a snowball fight. Oh, and to make snow angels! And to trample across every last bit of untouched snow.
Cut-out dresses. Why is the WAG look so popular right now?
Houses which STILL haven't taken down their outdoor Christmas lights, or the inflatable Homer as Santa Claus.
Hospital car parking fees. Why should we have to remortgage our house to visit our loved ones?!
Men with long fingernails. Urgh, just urghhhh.
Weird phone ringtones - we heard a cow mooing the other day.
Internet verification codes...we reckon that you actually have to be a robot to read most of them.
This has got to be worst thing we have seen this week

And check out the scary birds in the glass cabinet behind - taxidermy is vile!

Again, don't forget to tell us what you are NOT into and we will add them to our list in next week's NOT into this post.

Many thanks to this week's NOT INTO contributors @glamourcounty and @left81

Teresa & Sam x

The Jug

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:13:00 +0000

After leaving Our Little Black Book find - Greens Interiors on Thursday, I could not stop thinking about the jug. When I got home later that day I showed photos of said jug to my husband Steve and he loved it too. So today he went back to the shop to buy the much coveted jug!

What I failed to notice when we took the original picture of the jug on Thursday was the print on the reverse side - a man on a camel! So you can imagine my surprise when I saw it today. It's so vile I love it!

This jug only cost £10 and it's the perfect homeware tragedy to lighten up a shelf in my kitchen.

Teresa x

TOP TIPS - Confidence Boost

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Sometimes we can be our own hardest critic. I know I am terrible for doing this and I am my own worst enemy. And why? Because I am a perfectionist. Being hard on myself is a sure way of debilitating my confidence and ensuring my self esteem is at an all-time low. So, I have learnt a few tricks to stop myself from trying to be perfect all the time and to actually give myself a bit of break. Here are my tips:

1. Firstly you need to accept you can be both flawed AND fantastic. I mean, who really does want the
perfect wife, mother, daughter or friend? Nobody does! I think we often undermine our confidence by
trying to be perfect all the time.

2. Get a pen and paper and write down how bloody ace you are! Ask your husband, your Mum or a
friend. I bet they all say the same thing - so write it down. I carried out this exercise and I cried when I
heard the responses; I was truly touched. You must start your writing with I AM (put name here) AND
I AM (then write down whatever you were told by close family & friends). Keep this piece of paper
in a visible place where you will see it everyday.

3. Do a Personal Mission Statement. I know you might think this sounds all a bit corny but honestly it
does work. Here is a link - click here - to a website which guides you through it step by step and you
will be amazed at what you write down about yourself. Then once you have your personal mission
statement make sure you read it regularly and work it into your life.

So yes, this week's Top Tips are more of a confidence boosting mission for you to partake in if you are feeling a bit bogged down with life at the moment. Roll on summer!

Take care

Teresa x

Our Little Black Book - Greens Interiors

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Every now and then, I stumble across a shop I love so muchthat it fast becomes one of my favourite places in the world.

This is usually a second-hand bookstore, or an antiquesshop. Maybe a vintage clothing emporium, or a dingy old café. Basically, I adore anywhere that feels like an Aladdin’sCave, a true bazaar. The kind of place where, if you have a good old rummage,you never know what you’re going to find.

Anyway, this is why Teresa and I had to share one of ournewest discoveries. It is currently number one in my little black book. If youare ever in the Midlands, please do try and take the time to visit…I guarantee that it will be worth it.

Greens Home Interiors is a furniture company based on the very outskirts of Coventry.Sounds fairly dull and fairly normal, right?

WRONG. Greens is amazing for unique or unusualhomeware. Stuffed with contemporary furniture, antique furniture and gardenaccessories, it contains a real treasure chest of stuff. If you’re anything like me and have a real shabby-chic,mismatched, old-fashioned home, you will loveit.

When we went earlier this week to take pics for you, we werein our element. We wandered round with our cameras, not quite knowing where tostart. I had been before and felt quite proud when I was introducing Teresa toall these bits and pieces.

Brimming with mahogany desks, church pews, mismatchedteacups and saucers, writer’s bureaus, chaise longues, costume jewellery,vintage clothing and so much more, it is the perfect place to while away a fewhours.

Here are some of our finds…

Gorgeous, old-school Church pews.

Beaten and battered books. I love the smell of old books. I like to open one, smell it and stroke the pages, imagining who has used or read it before me. Weird, aren't I? I have started collecting them to dot around our conservatory…

An awesome cabinet. If I had somewhere to put this, I’d have snapped it up in a heartbeat.

Mismatched glassware and teacups and saucers.

The world’s tackiest, most in-your-face tropical jug. We love it. We actually had to restrain ourselves from buying it.

A custard-yellow, rockabilly table

Sequins, sequins and more sequins – a haven for magpies.

Alice and Wonderland china. I had to buy this…I couldn’t resist.

Other eclectic bits and pieces!

Isn’t it wonderful? Call me old-fashioned, but I just lovethe appeal of places like this. Give me dusty, run-down antiques shops overbright-lit high street stores any day.

If you want to visit Greens, you can find the address andmore information here on their website however we at I Am Into This do not feel the website does the place any justice. You need to pay a visit to appreciate this little treasure trove.

Antiques Adventures, Rugby Road, Binley Woods, Coventry, CV3 2AW
Tel: 024 7645 3878, Fax: 024 7644 5847, Email: [email protected]" style="color: #5a4336; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">[email protected]

Lots of mothballs and dusty book love

Sam x

When It Suits Us

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:35:00 +0000

I have always been one who strives for equality and many a time out of sheer stubbornness I have insisted I am quite capable of carrying out a task much to the annoyance of my male counterpart. But there are occasions in my life where it totally suits me being a weak, feeble female. These are as follows:

1. Scary noise in the middle of the night.

2. Flat tyre.

3. Going up ladders. (attics and Christmas decorations are a no-go-zone for me).

4. Late night trips to local shop to buy chocolate/alcohol/ice cream

5. Scart leads - nuff said.

6. At the beach when your children wish to bury you in the sand.

7. Queuing at bars.

8. Trolleys, whether they be supermarket or airport trolleys.

9. Walking the dog when it's hammering it down with rain and you are comfy under a

blanket on the sofa.

10. Anything involving sheds or garages.

So. how many other ladies out there are brave to admit they pretend they are too weak or incapable of doing certain tasks just because they are.....erm.....a girl?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Your damsel in distress when it suits her

Teresa xx

Elevenses

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:45:00 +0000

Welcome to Paradise - Hot Holiday Websites

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

For most of us, January is that time of year where we start to look longingly out of dreary office windows and dream of anywhere but here. I'm sure you're already drifting off and starting to think about your summer holidays...lazy days in the sun, baking hot cities, colourful cocktails.

It all feels another world away, doesn't it?

I am a beach bum at heart, and I amalready imagining passing my summer on a lilo, coconut cocktail clamped firmlyin one hand. I am dreaming of turquoise waters, beaches white as snow andscrumptious local food...

In my search for the perfect getaway, I have stumbled across some brilliant websites I thought I'd share with you. They’re great holiday inspiration for those of you who want to get off the beaten track andfind somewhere new.

Here they are:

Rooms for Romance

Since I discovered this site last year,it has become one of my biggest addictions – some of the hotels are absolutelydivine. Whether you want huge, roll-top baths, four poster beds, Jacuzzi bathsor luxurious spas, you will find it on here.

The website offers customers acollection of luxurious, one-off hotels in countries across the world. You canfind anything, from boutique hotels and intimate inns to mountainous retreatsand island escapes.

Take your pick…if it is a romantic getawayyou are looking for, this website will have it covered.

Air BnB

Ever been to an exotic city and feltyou’ve just not quite got the whole experience? Something was missing? Well, what about mixing it up withthe locals by staying in their very own home?

Air BnB is a unique website which allowsyou to search and stay in homes all over the world. If it’s company you want,you can stay with other people. Or, if you want a bit of TLC, you can book a whole house to yourself.

The idea of this has really taken off thanks to the Olympics. But wherever you want to stay,there’s a place for you on this site. Better still, it’sincredibly affordable – I found stunning homes in Hawaii for as little as $35 anight and Manhattan lofts from $65. It is brilliant!

Dine With Locals

Like the idea of Air BnB, but hate theidea of intruding in someone’s house for weeks on end? Well, why not try Dine With Locals?

The website pairs up locals withtravelers so that you can get to grips with a country’s true culture andscene. I’m a huge believer in getting to know the people rather than the place,and this is perfect for anyone who agrees with me!

If you use this site and book in, you’ll get to enjoy a delicious,home-cooked meal of authentic cuisine, all while enjoying a splash of localculture. What’s not to love?

Cool Camping

Now, for me, the words “cool” and “camping” are notones which tend to go hand-in-hand. Ever since I was a Brownie and had abad experience camping (a sheep hijacked my tent in the middle of the night. Itheadbutted me, I screamed, it ran…it wasn’t good.), I have not been a happycamper. In fact, I refuse to do it, full-stop.

However, even I have to admit that some of these tents(I’m not sure they can really be called that…they are far too glamorous!) lookquite tempting. Check them out!

Mr and Mrs Smith

This is one of my all-time favourite websites. Itinstantly gives me wanderlust…

While these hotels aren’t the cheapest, you will behard-placed to find anything better or more beautiful. Just take a look at the décor in some ofthese places! The headboards, the four posters, the wallpaper…I want my home tolook just like one of these hotels.

Anyway, if you do like the look of this website, it is currently free to become aMr and Mrs Smith Blacksmith member. This means you can get exclusive offers,cashback when you book and free extras at all their hotels.

http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/members

Bargain Holidays – Secret Escapes

This genius website offers you holidaysat knock-down, members-only prices. Hotels (including luxury ones) approachthem when they have rooms to fill, meaning you get first dibs on all thebargains.

Allyou have to do is give them your details and they will send you exclusiveoffers and deals straight to your inbox. Brilliant!

I hope you enjoy searching for your dream getaway as much as I do. Now it's just time to start counting down the days, hours and minutes...

If only we could speed up time, eh?

Sam x

Valentines Inspiration

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:41:00 +0000

Valentines Inspiration by iamintothis featuring Lascivious

Lascivious
£259 - harrods.com

Myla
£100 - harrods.com

Lalique 2 Anemones Flacon, Black
$1,485 - bloomingdales.com

N5
£60 - debenhams.com

Medium Scented Dining Candle , , Harvey Nichols Store View
£22 - harveynichols.com

Cameo Round Dual Mirror Compact, Accessories, Harvey Nichols Store...
£65 - harveynichols.com

How to Tolerate The Sh*theads in Your Life

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

We all have days when we feel the world is against us and come up against some right knobheads. I think at least once a week we encounter some unpleasantness from someone - road rage, stroppy sales assistant, bitchy work colleague or a snotty doctors receptionist. But instead of letting these sh*theads get to you then remember this little motto.

I don't have time

to hate people

who hate me

because I'm too busy

loving people

who love me.

We can't please everyone in our lives. We can't gel with everyone. We are all different and if we were all the same then life would be pretty boring. So embrace the loveliness in your life instead of worrying about the sh*theads.

Teresa x

P.S Mum, if you are reading this then I am very sorry for swearing in a blogpost.

How To Be A Better Shopper

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:52:00 +0000

Samantha and I are savvy shoppers and we love nothing more than bagging a bargain. Our favourite thing in the world is to discover something we love, only to find that when the shop assistant scans the barcode in, the till bleeps up with a cheaper price. It is a proper YIPPEE, jumping up and down and dancing moment.

Only the other week, we were perusing the rails in Birmingham's H&M and Samantha spotted a beautiful boucle jacket. On closer inspection (read: trying it on), we soon realised it had been reduced to £15 - bargain! When Samantha went to pay for it, she realised that it had been reduced by a further £5! Ten quid for a pretty, cropped boucle jacket!

As you can imagine, I ran back to the clothes rack and bought myself one too. I LOVE IT.

Excuse quality of iPhone pic.

I LOVE a zip detail on the rear of a sleeve. Right up my street.

But not all bargains just fall into your lap like the boucle jacket did - sometimes you have to be a little bit more proactive. So, how do you find yourself a discount when shopping on the high street?

Well, I have been doing a little digging and I have found a brilliant resource on moneysavingexpert website (Martin Lewis rocks!). I really recommend you sit down to read the Top 20 Haggling Tactics and get yourselves educated. I, for one, will certainly be trying these out on my next shopping venture. And, if you're a savvy online shopper, then do go and check out these voucher code websites:

Please note: these websites don't all cover the same shops and share the same discounts.

Samantha simply googles the name of the shop when she is trying to find a discount code. For example, she recently got herself a Cambridge Satchel for just £63 by googling"Urban Outfitters discount code"- bargain!

Anyway, since we're all starting to feel the pinch after Christmas (not only in our waistbands, but in our purses as well), we have a few extra little ideas and tips on how you can save the pounds:

1. Get browsing all your magazines, cut out discount tokens and use them on the next supermarket shop.

2. Make sacrifices, such as cutting out the coffee from Starbucks on your way to work every morning.

3. Look around your homes and find all those items which are just gathering dust and sell them!
Samantha earned £150 last week by selling a huge pile of DVDs, CDs and her husband's old PS3
games at Music Magpie.

4. Downgrade your supermarket purchases. Don't buy the popular brand names, get the supermarket's
own version.

If you make the effort, then you will reap the benefits. And as my Grandmother always used to say to me:

"Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves!"

Never a truer word spoken. And if saving the pennies on the boring stuff means we can buy ourselves the Louboutins we've been lusting after, then it's all going to be worth it...

Any good sales or discounts then please drop us a comment below!

Teresa x

Retro Phones

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:57:00 +0000

I love retro-style phones. Actually, scrap that, I adore them. I have one in our hallway and, every time it rings, it makes me smile.

I love the way that it transports me to a bygone era – a lost world full of glamour and opulence. I love the way that it sounds. But most of all, I love the way that it looks.

Each time I pick it up, I imagine I’m Jerry Hall on the cover of Vogue, or Joan Holloway in Mad Men. It makes me feel like a posh secretary, or a stay-at-home housewife. One of the ones who wears tea dresses, posh pinnies and their hair in soft waves.

Anyway, the shops are overloaded with cool phones at the moment. There are even clip-on headsets for your mobile. Here are my pick of today’s retro-style phones…

Sam x

Retro Phones by iamintothis on polyvore.com

Native Union POP Phone
£30 - bankfashion.co.uk

Wild & Wolf Trim Phone - Purple: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
£25 - amazon.co.uk

Sagemcom Sixty Retro Digital Cordless Phone | Cordless | ASDA direct
£78 - direct.asda.com

1950s diner phone by i love retro | notonthehighstreet.com
£75 - notonthehighstreet.com

Retro Telephones - buy at Firebox.com
£42 - firebox.com

Kids Included - Wedding Wednesday

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:30:00 +0000

When I got married, I wanted our children to be included in every part of our special day. You see, I didn't see my marriage as making a declaration just to Steve. Instead, I saw the day as the marriage of our family. The day I officially became stepmother to Olivia and Steve became stepfather to my two sons, Charlie and Max. I even insisted that Steve requested my hand in marriage from my two boys, rather than my Dad.

In all seriousness, if any of our children did not want us to get married, then I would never have agreed to marry him. If your children are not overly happy about your marriage then work on your family relationship instead of soldiering on with your plans regardless. I know not everyone will share the same opinion but, for me, my children are a number one priority, not a ruddy wedding.

Originally, we were going to have a civil ceremony. However, I wanted to involve the children in our wedding vows, and this was dismissed by the Registrar. I was gutted, but I thought of a way around it. We could make promises in our own written vows to care for one another's children. And we could have a reading about the importance of family and growing together in harmony.

Thankfully none of that mattered because, after meeting with our local vicar, he agreed to marry us in church. He liked our idea of involving our children and about us joining together as family during the ceremony.

On the actual day of our wedding, the vicar spoke about the marriage between myself and Steve and referred to our children throughout as they stood by us. But the biggest surprise to our guests was the idea I had suggested while planning a civil ceremony, which the registrar had abruptly disregarded. Giving rings to our children. You see, I didn't want to just give a ring to my new husband, but also to our children. To me, I wanted to signify our declaration as a family, not just as husband and wife.

This is a picture of the vicar blessing the childrens' rings

Our vicar thought it was a wonderful idea and was only too happy to bless the childrens' rings once myself and Steve had exchanged ours.

It was a beautiful, magical moment when the vicar called over a rather nervous Charlie, Olivia and Max and he explained to our wedding guests why we were giving them rings. I placed a very pretty emerald and Swarovski crystal ring on one of Olivia's fingers, while Steve placed a plain silver band on both Max's and Charlie's fingers.

Our three children were proud as punch, and so was I. As I turned around to look at our guests, there were a lot of ladies holding a tissue and dabbing away a few tears.

Even at the reception, I still wanted our children to be an integral part of our day. I had Charlie, Olivia and Max sat on our table with us during the wedding breakfast, as well as Steve's and my parents. One big, happy family table.

This is Max reading out his speech. I never knew until I saw this photo that Max had embellished the reverse side with our initials for Teresa and Steve. So beautiful. Charlie, Max and Olivia all wrote a speech and, again, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house as they read them out.

I love this pic even though I am pulling THE most weird face as I laugh hysterically.

I was so proud of our children on our wedding day and all the messages wrote in the guest book are all about what a wonderful family wedding day they witnessed; the love which was shown to our children and how our children stole the spotlight. They really were truly amazing.

Olivia

Charlie

Max

Excuse my face on this lovely family pic, I was starting to get face ache from smiling so much.

So, you see, there are many ways to make your wedding day extra special by including your children. And take it from me, they will love every single second of it. Even now, they recall the wedding day as the best family event ever.

Big family wedding Wednesday love,

Teresa x

@BridesonTime

Please note that all of the above pictures are subject to copyright and are the property of I Am Into This.

Beauty Wonders - Liz Earle Brightening Mask

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

SinceTeresa and I started the blog, I have become an incessant insomniac. I will lieawake for hours and hours at night, twiddling my thumbs as floods of thoughtsstream through my head. I amsimply too excited to sleep.

While this is great for the blog, it is not so great for my skin. In the past few weeks, I have really started to notice the effect lack of sleep ishaving on my face. Dull, tired, pallid, grey, puffy – it’s not a good look. I have regularly taken to closing my eyes when I face the mirror in the mornings.

Anyway, mostdays, I don’t care. I sit there tap-tapping away on mylaptop, and it doesn’t bother me. It’s one of the main advantages of workingfor yourself…

But somedays, you need that something extra. That something special, a bit of TLC. Thetimes when you really need to look and feel great.

Ladies, this is for those moments...

Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask

The LizEarle Brightening Treatment Mask is my wonder product. It is mysuper hero. In fact, I love it so much that I have never, ever shared my secret. Until now...

One quickapplication of this mask, and my skin is instantly refreshed. I am radiant,glowing (definitely not natural!) and people comment on how well I look. It isbrilliant.

Better still, it works from just 30 seconds. I simply smear it onwhile I’m brushing my teeth, wait for it to work its magic and hey presto! Hello new skin. You can tell I’ma lazy girl at heart…

Apparently, the mask contains camphoroil and witch hazel, which stimulate and tone your skin. I am assuming this is what works to help give you a natural,dewy looking radiance. Other naturally active ingredients include aloe vera to cool and soothe and purifying white clay. Gorgeous!

As with a lot of Liz Earle products, you are also sent a muslin cloth to take the mask off with. I love removing products with these cloths as they give you a lovely, gentle exfoliation – something which really works for my delicate skin. In fact, I now use my muslin cloths for pretty much everything.

Anyway, while the effects aren’t permanent (a slight downside), this mask makes for a truly great make-up base. It isn't one to kick back and pamper with, but it does provide super-fast results. And what girl doesn’t want that?

The Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask costs £13.50 for a 50ml starter kit (including muslin cloth) and is available here. Don't say I never treat you...

Sam x

Warning:Your skin may get a slight tingling sensation when you apply this. This iscompletely normal, but it probably isn’t ideal for sensitive skins…

I Want Candy

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:33:00 +0000

Mint ice cream, candy floss, blackcurrant sorbet and lemonsherberts – you’d be forgiven for thinking that I was stood knee-deep in a pileof sugar, or a sweet shop at the very least.

But, oh no, I’m fantasising. Fantasising about my new S/Swardrobe – and it involves a heck of a lot of colour.

Take a look at the beautiful Mulberry Spring Summer campaignpicture (above). Isn't it gorgeous? The zingy yellow shoes and bags are just what we need to brighten up our January.

Or perhaps you prefer the fresh, quirky looks at Prada, below? We adore the pastel dresses and the eccentric clutches especially - aren't they awesome?!

Whichever look you fancy, there’s no running away from it –colour is here to stay. And if, like me,you’re currently staring out at a wretched grey sky and a whole lot of rain, then a splash of colour isjust what you need.

And boy, is it easy to get it…

I Want Candy by iamintothis featuring zigzag jewelry

Equipment shirts blouse
$210 - net-a-porter.com

TopShop knit top
$76 - topshop.com

D G floor length skirt
£435 - net-a-porter.com

TopShop denim skinny jeans
£40 - topshop.com

Zara twill pants
$36 - zara.com

ASOS low heel shoes
$63 - asos.com

Kismet yellow gold jewelry
£511 - kabiri.co.uk

Forever 21 zigzag jewelry
$3.80 - forever21.com

Gold jewelry
amazon.co.uk

Nails In Green Room
£5 - topshop.com

Pink Zip Frost Plastic Purse
$12 - topshop.com

Ultimate Shoe Lust...Sarenza UK

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Ladies, I have a new-season vision, and it involves colour. A whole lotof colour.

Just recently, I’ve started ditching my dull, monochrome winter wardrobe in favourof the new collections. And whether it is rainbow brights, pretty pastels ortechnicolour dreamcoats, I am fantasising about colour, in all its glory.

But if you’re not quite ready to embrace the neon trend (and, let’s faceit, few of us are daring enough to really run with it), then these CarvelaAlbum shoes are the perfect way to do it. And oh, aren’t they beautiful?

Available here, from the wonderful Sarenza UK, these lustworthy courts are just £76. Yes, that's right. £76 for a wardrobe classic!

Ideal for lifting us from the winter doom and gloom, the shoes really are a joy tobehold. And with their subtle flash of neon yellow, they areperfect for updating your wardrobe.

We love that "elegant with a twist" look they offer so effortlessly. They promise admirers that you are something more, something interesting...you are not all that you seem.

Anyway, for instant new season chic, simply team these shoes with cropped trousers (whowants to hide shoes like that? Give them a chance to shine!) so that you canwear them straight from office to the bar.

They are attention-grabbing for all the right reasons, which is why wehave given them the ultimate I Am Into This stamp of approval.

If you haven't already, do give the Sarenza website a look here. They have some truly gorgeous shoes available at some seriously great prices, while brands include the fabulous H by Hudson, Dr Martens (that will be the punk in me talking), Missoni, Hunter and Havaianas.

Honestly, I really and truly needthese beauties in my wardrobe. I'll fight you at the checkout for them…http://www.sarenza.co.uk/

If I Could I Would

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Alexander McQueen is a fashion label I have always lusted after. The style is right up my street. It's edgy, every item makes a statement and I love the fact it's not frilly and flouncy. I don't do girly girl outfits.

Many of the clothes are not for the fainthearted; they are ideally for the more gutsy girl who wants to look strong with one massive kick-ass attitude. Unfortunately for the majority of us, we will never get the pleasure to own an Alexander McQueen dress, no matter how much we stand stroking the gorgeous frock hanging from the clothes rail in a shop. But we can look can't we?

Teresa x

Alexander McQueen floral dress
£650 - liberty.co.uk

Alexander McQueen quilted leather jacket
£3,270 - matchesfashion.com

Alexander McQueen stiletto heels
£595 - harveynichols.com

Alexander McQueen skull jewelry
£185 - liberty.co.uk

Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2012 Photo 1
fashionologie.com

Sugar, Sugar...

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:47:00 +0000

This post is a little late to be a NewYear's Resolution, but I suppose that that is pretty much what it is. BothTeresa and I have decided to wave goodbye to sugar. Goodbye to chocolate,goodbye to sweets and goodbye to pretty much everything that we know and love.

Ha, I do like to be dramatic...

Anyway, we will chronicle our sugardiaries regularly, so expect to see updates on all the highs, lowsand...well...I suppose the cheating days. Let's face it, we are bound to havethem. Our resolve isn't the greatest.

From being terrified of developing Diabetes,to simply wanting to kick the habit (and achieve fresh, glowing skin!) here'swhy we're so keen to quit our sugar rush...

Sam:

I am a sugar addict. Always have been,always will be.

I remember walking home from school whenI was younger, a shiny 20p piece tucked neatly into my pocket. As I edged evercloser to the sweet shop, my excitement would grow and grow and grow…

Then, with it finally in sight, I wouldtear down the street as fast as my legs could take me. I would push the dooropen, bell jangling, and drop my school books and bags to the floor.

My heart would swell with excitement asI gazed in wonder at the jars of brightly coloured sweets. I would wander upand down the aisles, wondering how best to spent my 20p. Would it be rhubarband custards? Or perhaps some cola cubes? Fizzy laces?

And so my sugar addiction began…

Now, though, it is time to say goodbyeto the sugar rush. Farewell chocolate, au revoir Haribo. I have finallyrealized how bad you are for me…

After reading up on my healthy eating,I’ve realized that not only can sugar cause you to gain weight and develop Diabetes (eventhought most sugary things are seemingly fat-free!), but it can also suppressyour immune system and impair your defenses against illness.

Worse still, sugar is prematurelyageing…ARGH! And, really, who wants to voluntarily age their skin?

The problem is, sugar is in most things. I have even had to ditch my old beloved, Special K (it overdoses you with thestuff), while most of the low-fat cereal bars and yoghurts are also laden withsugar.

So, here I am, determined to finallykick the habit and kick my sugar habit into oblivion, once and forall (apart from on Saturdays, when I might allow myself the smallest ofbinges…)

Teresa:

You know when you hear somebody say theyare addicted to chocolate, do you ever question how bad their addiction is? Is it that they cannot get through one day without devouring a Twix or dothey actually have an addiction which is out of control?

There is a big difference - and I knowbecause I have got the t-shirt, the hat and the frickin' keyring!! I am achocolate addict.

Before Christmas, my addiction hadspiralled way out of control. I could not get through an evening withouta chocolate fix. My chocolate fix consisted of: two large slabs ofGalaxy for starters, followed by eating a large bag of Twirl bites, mint Aeroto refresh my palette and maybe some big, chunky chocolate and hazelnut cookiesto dip in a mug of tea to swill the whole lot down with. Shameful.

All my life I have been a chocoholic,but there are episodes where I binge on the stuff like a woman possessed. Gorging like Homer Simpson with a non-stop supply of doughnuts and Duffbeer. Revolting isn't it? I have spent many days where I do not eat anythingBUT chocolate. I think my binges are propelled by stress. Chocolateis my comfort and when I am stressed, I need a fix - NOW!

KnowingI have had my foot pressed hard on the accelerator to the world of Diabetestype II, I knew things had to change, dramatically. For the last fifteenyears at least, I have abused my blood sugars and basically treated themlike a yoyo. If I carried on with my sugar highs and lows, not only wasmy waistline going to increase but the yoyo string was going to snap and then Iwould be a diagnosed Diabetic, the same as my Dad. Things had to change.

It was my New Year's resolution; 2012 was the year I was going to give up sugar. It has been bloody difficult and for the first few days I was incredibly irritable, lethargic and had THE mother of all headaches. I stuck with it though. After one week I lost 6lbs and felt a lot better. My insomnia has improved, I no longer feel tired or lazy and the IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) I have suffered from for over seven years has literally disappeared. For the first time ever I feel healthy. I know it is early days as we are only three weeks into January but my new wellbeing feels fantastic and I do not want it to end.

I will admit though I will not deny myself one of Samantha's gorgeous Oreo Brownies, recipe is here, as they are truly heavenly.

The Perfect Romantic Retreat - Manor House Hotel

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Ladies, a word of advice for you here...if you have been run ragged since Christmas and are in desperate need of a romantic retreat (aren't we all?), then leave this page open for your hubby / boyfriend to see. This hotel would make THE PERFECT Valentine's Day pressie. It is gorgeous!

A few days after Christmas, hubby and I decided we would go off on awinter getaway. Just the two of us, with nothing or no one (read: puppy) todisturb us.

We ummed and ahhed for ages, trying to decide where to go. Did we wantto escape to Rome and soak up some much-needed sun, sample the Craic in Dublin, or stay inEngland and blow the cobwebs away?

Eventually, we settled on England. Or, to be precise, a Junior Suite in the beautiful Manor House Hotel, outside Bath. We got a fantastic deal through Rooms for Romance,but it was pretty much the idea of the hotel’s Michelin-starredrestaurant and luxurious roll-top baths which grabbed my attention…

Anyway, a few days later and we were there...and boy was I impressed!

The hotel actually took my breath away as we pulled up. Nestled amidstthe chocolate box village of Castle Combe (the village itself was once named‘Prettiest in England’) and set among acres of rolling countryside, itreally is the perfect retreat.

Pic: Castle Combe

In fact, I was so struck by this hotel that I failed to notice uschecking in next to Mr Nicholas Cage. Yes, really! I was wandering around, myhead completely in the clouds as I admired the décor, when hubby turned and poked me sharply in the ribs.

"Ow!" I frowned, shooting him a glare.

“Sam, it’s Nicholas Cage!” he yelped.

“Really? Where?”

“There, you moron.”

“Ohhh…you mean him with the messy hair? And the face full of wrinkles? And the very young looking wife?”

“Yep, that’s him…”

For someone who is so inherently nosey, this is a sign as to justhow beautiful this hotel is. How else could I fail to celebrity spot?

Anyway, seeing our room quickly made us forget Mr Cage. It was set in its own cottage, withhigh ceilings, lots of rustic-looking beams and a beautiful iron-cast fourposter bed. The ceiling was draped with tapestries, while battered, old-fashioned books adorned the desk.

As I ran from room to room, I couldn’t quite get over the excitement. Lookat the bed! Look at the rose petals! Look at the mood lighting! Look at the PAINTINGS!

I was beside myself with glee. Dizzy with glee, in fact. I adore antiques and old-fashioned houses, and this had everything I could possibly need. Yet however good the bedroom was, nothing could quite prepare me for the luxury of the bathroom. The bathroom was a room to behold all in itself.

Pretty much the size of ourentire house, it was luxury personified. The bathtub could have quiteeasily held an orgy (not that we wanted to, you understand…) while the walk-inshower featured NASA technology rain bars.

It was a dream. Such a dream that Monty literallyhad to drag me, kicking and screaming, away from the bath and to dinner.

Anyway, I’m glad he did. It turned out to be the highlight of the trip...

Suited and booted, we headed to the main hotel, ready for our Michelin-starredgrub. We were immediately swept away to a small, cosy bar, where we perused themenu and sipped cocktails in front of a roaring fire. As the waiter came to uswith our delicious appetisers, I could happily have stayed there forever. Butthe best was yet to come…

The meal was in a rather grand looking dining room. All high ceilingsand portraits. But nothing about it screamed pretentious. It was simply likethe rest of the hotel – warm and welcoming.

The food itself was divine. I had a winter trufflerisotto, with chicken oyster beignet and parsley puree to start (very posh –very yummy!) and a gorgeously light pan fried fillet of Cornish turbot, with celeriacand pancetta fricassee for main.

In between, we wereserved an amazing treat to "cleanse the mouth". It was blackberry flavoured and full of popping candy, which really made mesmile! But it was the pudding that really stood out for me. While chocolatefondants make an appearance on most menus, this one was truly orgasmic. Icouldn’t speak when I tasted it – it was that good.

I could happily have eaten there for life. It was delicious. We've eaten at a few posh restaurants, but this one really held its own.

I would also highly recommend the afternoon tea (£21pp). Stacked full of finger sandwiches and scrumptious cakes (we had clotted cream scones, mini trifles, mince pie crumbles, salted caramel chocolate rolls, mulled wine doughnuts...among others), it really is a delicious treat.

The Manor House Hotel is a beautiful, old-world country house. It is allroaring log fires, tucked-away rooms, libraries and afternoon teas. Perfect foranyone who is in search of a romantic retreat – I couldn’t recommend it more.

Sam x

P.S Sorry for the poor pictures...I am an idiot and seem to have lost my camera charger. So these were all done on the phone.

I Am NOT Into This

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:42:00 +0000

Seeing as we tell you all week what we are into, we thought it would be appropriate to also tell you what we are NOT into.

We would love for you to tell us what you are not into as well. Just leave us your pet hates/bug bears/gets your goat comments in the section at the bottom. If we see some good ones, we will put them in our next NOT into post...

Here are ours for this week:

Scientific buzzwords for facial creams. What are peptides? What's EGF? We sure as hell don't know, and we bet you don't either...
Having a really good hair day, only to leave the house and get caught in a torrential downpour. NB: This only ever happens when you left your brolly at home...
Extra sticky price stickers which only seem to be stuck on gifts which you buy for a friend. Books are the worst for this.
Crocs - need I say anymore?
Drinking red wine, then getting slightly tipsy and laughing your head off. Only you don't realise that your teeth are stained pink. And no one's going to tell you otherwise...
Teenage boys walking down the street with a hand down the front of their tracksuit bottoms.
Falling into a lifeboat - yeah righto, Captain.
The high street becoming more and more like a ghost town after the closure of so many shops. It's sad to see - we miss all the lovely, independent boutiques.
GAP carrier bags - the string really cuts into your fingers. Why do they do this?
Dead birds which my cat brings home. I don't appreciate having bloody entrails left on my doorstep...

Nothing-like-having-a-good-old-whinge-on-a-Sunday love

Teresa and Sam xx

Spring Beauty

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:28:00 +0000

Spring Beauty by iamintothis on polyvore.com

MAISON LANCOME - Complexion - Blushes and enhancers from Lancôme.
£34 - lancome.co.uk

Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lipgloss In Origami
£21 - liberty.co.uk

ESTEE LAUDER Pure White Linen Light Breeze Eau De Parfum (50ml)
£47 - harrods.com

Monsoon Coconut Lip Balm
£4 - monsoon.co.uk

Nana De Bary Green Edp 50ml
£72 - liberty.co.uk

Essie Absolutely Shore
£8.75 - austique.co.uk

Monsoon Into The Woods Compact Mirror
£12 - monsoon.co.uk

Barry M Dazzle Dust, 82 - Mint Green: Amazon.co.uk: Beauty
£4.50 - amazon.co.uk

TOP TIPS

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I am a big vat of useless information, seriously you would be stunned with some of the crap I know, but now and again I can surprise people with some amazing tips. If I hear something which is of great use then I make a mental note and it is filed into my memory forever. My husband thinks I am a freak because I do remember the littlest snippets of information. If you ever need a 'Phone a Friend' you know where I am.
So out of my mental archives here are some cool tips which you may find rather useful.

Dishcloths

We all have them to wipe our kitchen worktops with and we all buy the latest anti-bacterial super duper surface spray which kills 99.99% of all known germs, to use them with. But do you ever look at your cloth afterwards and think 'eugh' it looks dirty? You may even see your husband place said dirty cloth back onto the draining board scrunched up and then re-use it later without giving it a swill of hot water. Whilst your dishcloth is sat scrunched up it will be festering and reproducing bacteria in the lovely warmth of your kitchen.

A sure way to eradicate these little germs is to rinse cloth through after use and place in microwave on full power for 30 seconds. Always drape the steaming hot cloth over the tap. Don't fold it up or scrunch it because the bacteria likes the warmth in the folds of material to multiply upon once it gets back to room temperature.

A Pint Of the Good Stuff

You know when you are using your biro and for some freaky reason you manage to mark your clothes with some blue ink. Yeah I don't know how I manage to do it either but more often than not I will accidentally glide a nice line on the leg of my jeans. And men who wear shirts for work always manage to scrawl a nice bit of ink on their bright white cotton arms, without fail.

Now I have not got a clue how this works, but it does. Before you load the graffitied item into your washing machine give the ink stain a splash of milk then wash as normal in your machine and you will then have a ink free garment again. Mental innit? Milk somehow shifts the stain. I heard this tip on the radio many years ago and I was astonished to find it actually worked.

Hope you are having a great weekend and happy cleaning!!

Teresa x

Inspirational Words

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I saw this on Pinterest a very very long time ago and I cannot find the link for it now. I saved this picture because I love it. Albert Einstein rocks.

Teresa x

Friday Food Lust - Lorraine Pascale's Oreo Brownies

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:06:00 +0000

These Brownies are, hands-down, the best I have ever tasted.The Oreos add a scrumptious crunch, while the brown sugar lends the Brownies anextra gooey texture. Yum!

I discovered these from the wonderful Lorraine Pascale’sBaking Made Easy, and this is now quite possibly my most used recipe. In fact,so many people (mainly Teresa and her kids) keep asking me to make it for them that I now know it by heart!

The trick is to pull them out of the oven at just the right time...they should be squidgy and soft in the middle.

Anyway, this blog is for all the chocolate lovers out there. It’s Friday, what more of an excuse do you need…?

Ingredients

165gbutter, plus extra forgreasing

200gdark chocolate, grated orfinely chopped

3eggs

2egg yolks

2tsp vanilla extract

165gsoft light brown sugar

2tbsp plain flour

1tbsp cocoa powder

Pinchsalt

154gpack Oreos, broken into quarters

Icingsugar for dusting

Down to business...

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C, then grease a 20cm/8insquare baking tin with butter and line with baking paper.

2. Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat. When thebutter has melted, remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate. Leave tostand for a few minutes, then stir together until melted and gooey.

3. Whisk the eggs, egg yolks and vanilla together in alarge bowl until the eggs begin to get light and fluffy. It should look like this...

Now add the sugar in twoadditions, whisking between each, but be sure to pour it around the side of theegg mix so as not to knock out the air. Keep whisking until the mixture becomesstiffer. Once the egg mixture is ready, pour the chocolate into it - againaround the sides so as not to knock the air out. This is where you try to resist the urge to dunk your whole head in the bowl....on second thoughts, go for it. It's Friday!

4. Add the flour, cocoa powder, salt and a third of thebiscuits and stir until fully combined, then pour the mixture into the preparedtin.

5. Scatter the remaining biscuits over the top, pressingthem in slightly. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25–30 minutes.

6.When you remove the Brownies, themiddle should be very so slightly gooey. Leave the brownies to cool in the tin- the top will sink and crack a little. Pull the brownies out using the overlapping paper andcut into squares. Dust with icing sugar.

I do hope you love this recipe as much as I do. They won't be around for long, so boil the kettle, make a cuppa and ENJOY! Sam xxx