It Works Body Wraps

I recently decided to try out a body wrap as I keep hearing about and seeing them everywhere. My sister has used them and got very good results, so I asked her to order me one too. The wraps that I got are called "It Works" wraps which seems to be everywhere right now.
First there is a do and don't do list. Like drinking about 2 liters of water while the wrap is on and only to leave it on for 45 minutes the first time you use them. You can also only use one every 72 hours and one at a time. Another thing they tell you to do is measure the areas and take before and after photos, which I did.

I wasn't sure what to expect but wasn't exactly expecting a lot since it's only a wrap not a miracle haha. Anyway why I have been curious is because I've been working hard to lose weight lately and have joined slimming world. I'm working towards my first stone and have noticed the weight slowly dropping but like most people I have a problem area that always seems to be the last place to lose weight. For me this area is my hips and lower tummy. I was hoping that the wrap would help to tone and maybe lose and inch or a half and try catch up with the rest of me.

First you have to open the packed and unfold the wrap that is covered in a lotion. I applied the wrap and kept it in place with clingfilm haha yes it sounds weird but it's in the instructions. Next was to wait the 45 minutes while drinking 2 litres of water. I think I drank about 2 1/2 or 3 and them felt really sick. Moving around in the wrap is not to hard but is a strange feeling. It's also referred to as a penguin shuffle. After the 45 minutes I took off the clingfilm and warp and rubbed all the lotion into my skin. Straight away I noticed how nice my skin felt and looked. It's usually very dry and reacts to everything but it looked really good. I remeasured my self and was shocked to see that I had lost one inch from around my waist, two inches on my lower tummy/hip area and was the same on around my belly button. Some people have said they noticed the difference the next day so I measured again the next day and found that I had lost another half inch on my waist, inch on my hips and a half an inch around my belly button area. It does say that it can take up to 72 hours to see the best results, I am not that patient to wait that long and remeasure haha. My skin actually looks and feels firmer.

I have to say at first I didn't really have much hope in these wraps but after using it I really do see why they are so popular right now. I really liked this product and defiantly intend to use it again soon to help tone up in this area.

New make up bag.

Decided to make an old boring little purse type bag (that I got on a plane) into something that I would actually like. I got some silver sparkly material I had a sewed it onto it very close to the seams, then stuck loads of little diamond stones on it. Loved how it turned out and none of the stones have fallen off even after being moved around a bit.

I went to a ball

Dress

My sister is currently a contender to be the Dublin Rose and hopefully (fingers crossed) will get through to the Rose of Tralee. She was attending the Dublin Rose gala ball on Saturday with her Boyfriend ( her escort) and invited my other sister and myself along as-well. I was very worried about finding a dress as I have never been the same size on bottom or top and dresses never seem to fit well without being altered. Anyway I looked around and found a lovely dress in Jane Norman. It was bit tight on top but as I've recently joined slimming world I bought it anyway and hoped it would fit better by the time the ball came around. I was delighted that I did (thank god I would have cried). 

                                         Jewellery

I was lucky to get my sister to make me lovely jewellery. She made me a ring made of Swarovski beads in mirrored clear and blue beads. I also got her to make me a necklace. I wanted something shinny but simple as my dress was very sparkly already on top. So she came up with a lovely sparkly necklace made of mirrored Swarovski beads. I love going bead shopping for new jewellery . It's actually very rare that i buy jewellery from shops for occasions but why would I when I can have one of a kind jewellery made just for me. 

To see more of the jewellery she makes click HERE

Hair

I kept my hair simple but putting it up in a big bun. I got the bun thing in penny's for I think €2 (not very sure was really cheap). Its so easy to put in and looks good with out a lot of effort.

Tan

Also I used Cocoa Brown tan for the first time for this ball. I was so happy with this tan. Best part is it only takes 1 hour. I put it on in the afternoon after shower, exfoliating and moisturizing and it turned out great for that night. I usually only use wash off tans as I have eczema that can be very bad at time and have used tan that has caused flareups before. But I felt really confident about using this as I heard only good things about it. I did have a slightly darker tan on the inside of my elbow but that wasn't that noticeable. Apart from that I was really happy what more could you want from a tan, turns out great, good on super sensitive skin, is fading evenly and only takes an hour. It also didn't smell like something gone off haha. Will defiantly be using this again.

Making the best of a broken ankle

My little sister has a broken ankle at the moment (not that it stopped her dancing) and has to wear a big boot on her leg. She wanted to dress it up for the ball so she put silver ribbons tied into bows on it and even had a picture done of her posing with it. I suppose she is making the most of a bad situation. It kind of reminds me of my cousin in Australia that broke her leg when we where visiting. She wanted to dress her boot up for Paddy's day so me and Ais went shopping and bought her green and orange ribbons. It turned out great. 

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NOTD

Matt Green

I was so happy when I found this green the other day. I bought it in Australia in Kmart I think but haven't been able to find it since I got home. While looking through a makeup bag I haven't used since being away I found it, you would think I would have looked there to begin with but actually forgot all about it. I used two coats of the green then one coat of the Matt top coat. I have the Matt top coat for ages and like to use it from time to time. I don't think it suits every colour to be honest, some look great but some just look crap. It does however dry fast enough and always amuses me to see it turn the shinny colours to Matt. The BC Co. also drys very quick compared to others. It has chipped a bit today but I blame my bag for that. It only cost about $2 so I think it's a good nail polish for the price, the Matt top coat wasn't that much either.

What I Used

BC Co. shade 22 

Essence matt top coat

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Gluten Free Cupcake Recipe

Here is my Gluten free cupcake recipe. It's very easy to make and they turn out lovely, you would hardly know the difference.
Just Add a bit of buttercream to decorate.

Baking

One of my biggest hobbies is baking. I've always loved baking and think it's just something that runs in my family. A lot of my family bakes, Grandparents, parents, Aunty's, sisters, the lot. Most of what I have learnt over the years have come from my Mam. When I was little she would make wedding cakes. She has always made us birthday cakes and her brown bread gets baked almost daily still. A few years ago my older sister found out she was Celiac, this means she cant have gluten ( wheat, barley, rye....) It was really difficult at the time to find a lot of gluten free foods such as pizza (that didn't fall apart before baking it), Pies, breads, cakes and basically anything. So over the years I've tried out recipes but never completely successful. This is why I started to work out my own. It really thought me lots about different ingredients and measurement and how to create recipes. I don't just bake gluten free I also bake with gluten, but not for my sister. I like to bake for family events and friends. I do get asked from time to time to make certain cakes for different people. Her are some of the cupcakes and cakes that I have made over the last year or two. 

Cupcakes

Cakes

My younger sister also bakes and has even started to make tutorials on You Tube you can find her HERE. She is hoping to start her own baking business in the future.

More information about my cakes and cupcakes can be found on my baking blog called Neads Kolourful Cakes. I have even entered one of my cakes into a competition on facebook to see how to vote for it click HERE. I will also start posting yummy recipes on my blog including Gluten free recipes so keep and eye out if you are interested in trying anything new out. 

NOTD

What I used

Y.C.C nail enamel 114

Essence colour & go quick drying nail polish 21 Fabuless

I love glittery nails and really love this black and silvery one. I bought it a while ago at a beauty show but have only used it once or twice. I also got it in blue and a similar one in pink which I like to use all the time. I used the Essence nail polish first as a base then applied two coats of the Y.C.C glittery polish. I've used the Y.C.C polish before without using the black underneath and it didn't look as good. The Essence quick drying polish is actually quick drying which is great since I've bought some others before saying they where quick drying but they look forever to dry. I have been wearing it all day and even done the washing up and a bit of food preparation and it still has yet to chip .. this makes me very happy :) .

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Australia

The Story

I recently spent a month in Australia. I went with my sister and first flew to Sydney to stay with family. We had a very bumpy flight to Sydney and had a few delays as well as a diversion as we where low on fuel and couldn't land in Sydney, then had to refuel and go back. Well a bit late but we got there and our Aunty, Uncle and two of our Cousins where there waiting for us. As soon as we got to the house we had dinner and a few drinks . It was lovely to finally be in their house and drinking a beer and continuing where we left it in June when Brian had come to Visit haha. After a week we travelled to Brisbane and stayed in a hostel there for ten days. We where sad to leave and go back to Sydney as we where having so much fun but we had a ball as soon as we got back to Sydney. We stayed in the city for a night before heading back to where our family lives outside the city. The weather was gorgeous and everything went great everything but my cousin who  fell in the first week we were there and broke her ankle. It was a bad break and very pain full so she had to keep it up and take it easy for awhile. We did have a great time relaxing and taking it easy with her and got to spend a lot of time with her as she was unable to attend school. I got to hold a Koala at the sanctuary in Brisbane. We went the day before we left there with one of our room mates that was also from Ireland. When in Sydney we went to palm beach or "Summer Bay " haha. We are big home and away fans so where very happy. We went for a family bike ride with one of my cousin and my uncle. It was a great day I've always wanted to go on a bike and so had my sister so we really enjoyed it. Paddy's day was on the last weekend we where there and we all went out to a local place for it that was holding a big event. It was a great day and night and the cocktails where great too ( jugs of sex on the beach yuumm). We also went to the aquarium on one of our last days and saw sharks and lots of other fish that I didn't even know about. We even saw penguins :). They where so small and cute. I wanted to take one home with me. That same day we went to a pie place about an hours drive from where we where with our cousin and his friend then to an arcade. It was very sad leaving after the month was over and the journey home was so long, but I definitely think I would like to go back for the years working visa. I know I would enjoy it as much as I did this time so now I just have to save hard and figure out when I can go. 

The Pictures

.... More Pictures

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Yummy Green Smoothie

This is my smoothie that I like to have for breakfast I'm trying to be a bit more healthy lately so trying to have it everyday. I would make it all the time until my blender broke a while back but thankfully my Mam and Dad got me a new one for my birthday. I am a bit devastated to think that I've gotten to a stage in my life where a kitchen appliance as a birthday gift is a perfect idea. I was actually delighted to get it haha. It may look strange but it tastes lovely so I've decided to share the recipe. It is really easy to make and makes a lot so if you would only like a taste only use half of what I suggest.

Green Smoothie

1 small cup ( I use a tea cup) Green Tea

Two hand fulls of spinach 

One hand full of strawberries (I use frozen but fresh is also great)

One hand full of pineapple diced

One small banana (I use the kids size or a half of a big one)

Make the green tea as the instructions say and let cool..

Add the spinach and green tea to the blender and mix until smooth and not lumpy.

Add the strawberries and blend again. It may change colour slightly but that's ok.

Now add the pineapple and the banana and blend until it is creamy and smooth. 

Ice can be added to make it really cold but as I use frozen strawberries I don't add any.

Pour it into a nice tall glass and enjoy with a straw.

Vovs Jewellery

Vovs Jewellery is a new jewellery blog run by Siobhán. She has been making jewellery since she was a child and trained as a silver and gold smith. Since creating her blog in January 2013 it has had almost 5000 hits and a nice following of almost 50 followers. She has been published in two magazines so far this year which you can have a look at here in the blogs Scrapbook. Vovs jewellery is also taking part in an event called "Bead soup blog party" started and run by Lori Anderson. Vovs jewellery has also had a tutorial posted on Craft Gossip. The blog is full of tutorials to help beginners and other jewellery makers learn new skills. More of vovs tutorials can be found on Cut Out and Keep and on You Tube.

Here is some of the jewellery made by Vovs Jewellery that has been made for me and that I love.

The gold Gossip Girl inspired necklace

Find out the inspiration, ideas,bead searching and how it was made  HERE .

Purple Glass Pearls

Find out the story behind this piece and how it was made HERE

Byzantine Bracelet

You will find a tutorial for this bracelet HERE and the story behind the making of it HERE .

Gorgeous Pearl Necklace 

Check out Vovs jewellery blog for fantastic tutorials and lots more. 

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