Sunday, 21 August 2016

Festival Essentials

As I'm heading to South West 4 (SW4) Festival next weekend, I thought i'd do a quick round-up of some festival essentials that I believe everyone needs to get them through a long weekend of dancing, singing and fingers crossed good weather!

1. GLITTER!!!!!

I'm sorry if I'm being 'basic' but the last time I went to a festival was Reading four years ago, so I'm pretty excited about covering myself in glitter and getting into the festival spirit. I've bought myself two bottles of glitter from Asos, my friend has bought two other colours and we're going to mix and match to create pretty patterns etc etc. I've got myself crystal and violet. These will be arriving in the post tomorrow, so I'll be sure to take a pic and post it on instagram for you!

2. Bum Bag

There is no way I would survive a festival without one of these! You've always got to be extra careful, unfortunately, there are some horrible people out there that will take advantage of a festival situation and steal bags, purses, phones, and anything else they can get their hands on. I think having a bum bag is the best way to avoid this at all costs. I'm currently in the process of buying one, and I'm between these two...

Eastpak, Springer Get It Right

ASOS, Nylon Bum Bag

3. Wipes

Although SW4 is a day festival in Clapham, and I'll be able to get myself back home, into my comfy bed and hopefully refreshed for the next day (shower and all), I still think that having anti-bac and face wipes is a definite must-have! Knowing me I'll spill food or drinks down myself, and that's the last thing I'll want to be worrying about, I'd much rather be worried about which act to go see, or whether my dance moves are far too cool(I'll have to tone them down a notch to avoid embarrassment). Here's what I'd recommend...

Carex Strawberry Laces Wipes

Boots Handy Wipes Fresh

4. Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is the best way to achieve festival-perfect hair. Although I'll be able to have a shower on Sunday morning before heading off for day two, I will most definitely be spritzing my hair with some dry shampoo before heading off. Festival hair is supposed to be wild and messy! So I'll be giving mine a slight curl with the straighteners and spraying some of this...

5. A Rain Mac

Unfortunately, we are still in England, and I can't guarantee that the weather is going to be sunshiningly perfect for the whole weekend! Here's my handy rain mac that has served me throughout the years...

At least they never lose me!

How To Workout At Home

Sometimes getting yourself to the gym can be a right hassle, so on those days when I really don't have the time to get to the gym or want to add in some extra exercise without having to go anywhere, I use my simple home workout circuits. These are a great way to add a short burst of exercise into your day, either in your living room or in the garden! If you have weights at home don't be scared to add these into the routine, if not don't worry, these circuits will get your heart rate up and have you out of breath in no time, but don't forget, it won't help if you don't push yourself!

Circuit 1 (X 3)

Mountain Climbers: 20 seconds sprint

Sit Ups X 20

Donkey Kicks X 20 on each leg

Box Press Ups X 20

Glute Bridges X 20

Circuit 2 (X 3)

Plank: 45 seconds - 1 minute

Lunges X 20

Jumping Squats X 10

Triceps Press Ups: until fail

Brand Of The Week

This week I've gone for a brand that is relatively new and are producing some really fab beauty products that I just can't wait to get my hands on. This week's brand of the week is...

These guys are fab! It has got to be one of the coolest blogs for makeup tutorials and lifestyle posts, I am addicted. And, to top it all of they've just released the coolest and most colourful makeup brushes ever(in addition to their nail polish and makeup). I'm tempted to throw all of mine out and start again, so my set is a beautiful rainbow of colours. I'll be posting really soon with a review... so keep an eye out!

Go check out their website here

The Best Face Washes At The Best Prices

When it comes to your face there are thousands of different products, cleansers, toners, serums, exfoliators... the list goes on! I'm a simple gal and like having a single face wash that I try to use every morning in the shower, although I do dabble with new products here and there. Over the past year or so I've tried out a fair few face washes, I like to attempt to try a new product every time I purchase a new one, although If I love one I will buy it a multiple times before moving on. I've put this list together to help anybody searching for an effective and affordable daily face wash.

1. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

This is the newest of my collection, and I've got to admit it's amazing! I was having some pretty horrible break-outs a few weeks back, whether they were down to stress, products or bad luck, I don't know, but this has cleared my skin up in only a matter of days. It leaves your skin refreshed and smooth, and an added bonus is that it doesn't dry out my skin, I have sensitive skin and this is often the case with face products.

2.bareMinerals Facial Cleansing Oil

Now I wouldn't use this as an every-day product, possibly once or twice a week in the evening before bed. Simply massage into your dry skin and then wash it off with water. The reaction to the water turns it from an oil into a milk, making it easier to clean off. This is a great product but as I said use it once or twice a week otherwise it can leave your skin slightly oily.

3. Soap & Glory Vitamin C Facial Wash
This wash is great, it's exfoliating beads make it feel like your face is getting a deep clean, and you are left with a refreshing cooling and tingling sensation on your skin. Those with sensitive skin, and particularly dry, may want to watch out. If I used this product on the daily my face slowly dried out, possibly a 3 times a week product.

4. Soap & Glory Daily Youth Foamy Moisture Face Wash
This product gives similar results to their Vitamin C wash, although it has a few extra ingredients that keep your skin moisturised- so no chances of your face drying up! It also has a great smell, sweet and fruity, similar to their Peaches and Clean products.

5. bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash
This has to be my all-time favourite face wash! I found it whilst staying in a W hotel as all of their rooms are kitted out with bliss products. After stealing as many miniature freebies of product as I could from the hotel, I soon ran out and had to buy the face wash myself! Both and cleanser and exfoliator with amazing results, I've always got this on my list or in my cupboard.

Thanks for reading x

K.

The Rude Health Product I Swear By

Breakfast is always a super stressful meal for me, If I can grab something whilst running out the door then perfect! Most days I won't even give myself time to have breakfast, which is stupid because missing the first meal can mess up your food plans throughout the rest of the day. I can't help it, if I can have five more minutes in bed, then I'll take it! If I have enough time I will occasionally make myself a bowl of cereal or have some yoghurt.

But I'm about to share my all-time breakfast secret, a Rude Health product that I now swear by and would miss breakfast almost every morning without... Rude Health Smoothie Oats.

These drinking oats are great! Scoop a few spoons into a shaker, mix with your choice of ingredients (I like honey, banana and milk), and hey presto! Unlike other oats these quickly dissolve into your cold drink and create a smooth texture, rather than the lumpy and bitty texture you get after blitzing your normal oats. So there you have it, a great way to have a quick and easy grab and go breakfast, and it's not even expensive! The prices vary between £2 and £3 in different stores, including Waitrose, Morrisons, Holland & Barratt and other health food stores!

NEW: Brand of The Week

Hey guys! Welcome to my new weekly series 'Brand of The Week'. Each week I'll be sharing some products from a new found love, whether it be fashion, beauty, jewellery, homeware or food. I decided to start this up as I've recently found soooooo many beautiful, weird and wonderful things, and I can't just keep them all to myself!

So here it goes. My first ever brand of the week is...

A Weathered Penny

I can't get over their simple, elegant AND affordable jewellery! And if that's not enough to convince you, they have just launched a new platform called Beneath AWP, which gives online shoppers the opportunity to read up on the latest news in fashion, style tips, exclusive offers and behind the scenes of their company.

Here are just a select few of their gorgeous pieces...