Toning Crisis + Reebok Easytone = SORTED!

I've certainly done my research about these things as I'm someone who is a) Lazy and doesn't bother with exercise and b) doesn't want to get mugged off by products that are style over substance. However I'm prepared to say I'm a changed woman thanks to the kindness of a friend.

A friend who had recently purchased these wonderful creations lent me them whilst she was on holiday so I could prepare for my own beachtastic experience. As I've already said, I HATE exercise. It bores me and apart from the odd walk round the block I cannot be interested by or pestered with sport. Like most people I know, my greatest wish is to be a toned, bronzed goddess by the 1st June every year but it never seems to happen. On first sight of these trainers I was unsure, mainly because aesthetically I'm usually more of a Converse girl for trainers. However, the Reebok Easytones are a lot prettier then the other versions by other brands which look more like corrective shoes.

The science:

There are two 'pods' that are on the ball and sole of the shoe intended to create an unstable surface so your legs have to compensate to balance creating your muscles to adapt and therefore tone up. Reebok have offered up these figures (below) as the statistics for the average increased muscle activation:-

28% Gluteus Maximus
11% Hamstring
11% calves
 

Tilly Terminology:

Reebok Easytone maximises the effort you're putting in like when you have a walk on the beach, so even a casual walk will benefit you more than it would in your normal footwear AND they are super-duper comfy.

So, it was with great regret I had to return them to said friend when she got back :( and now I'm saving for my own! They're quite expensive but at the same time when you put it down to a cost-per-wear ratio it's only going to turn out to be pennies and it's all for a good cause!

Summer Radiance

I recently went to Middlesbrough's very own Fashion Week. It was the very first one to take place here and it was great to get involved with the opening night celebrations. A customer of mine had tickets for the event at Psyche which is a big designer shop in good ol' Boro and there was a fashion show, cupcakes, manicures, threading...allsorts really. There were also stands from some High Street stores and one of those was Boots. Normally it takes me quite a lot to be seduced by offers if I had no intention of buying that item in the first place but there was a lovely cleanser which was sold on the idea that it was Boots' answer to Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish...

Now for those of you who have tried Cleanse and Polish, I'm sure you would agree that it's the best in the business. For those of you who haven't, I'm sure you have heard of it and therefore would know that it is meant to be (and is) AMAZING. Anyways...back to the story...oh yes, so I was talking to my friend whilst she was choosing some items off the Boots stand and I was shown the Boots No 7 Radiance Booster. I was cynical, but since there was £5 off with a voucher I already had I thought it would be rude not to give it a try. Like Cleanse and Polish it comes with a cloth so that you can perform a hot cloth facial style thing with your cleanser and make it a bit more of an event.

What it's meant to do: "The combination of this rich, indulgent cleanser and the gentle exfoliating muslin cloth whisks away dead skin cells and daily grime whilst stimulating circulation, leaving your skin deeply clean, soft and radiant"

Well guys and gals. I must say I was impressed. I love my Liz Earle and don't think there's a better product on the market, but this is a decent alternative for when money is tight. It's only usually £8.99 (but you could get it for £3.99 with those vouchers that seems to be given out all the time). When I can't afford Liz Earle, I'm normally a make up wipes sort of lady, but I find that you have to scrub at your face to get rid of all the traces of make up. I found that even my most stubborn make up comes off easily with this lovely creamy, fresh smelling cleanser. Mmmmmm. AND like all No7 stuff it's Hypo-allergenic. Genius!

One last thing...rather than just keep washing the cloth every day. I use cotton wool pads to remove the cleanser and use the cloth for when I'm using it as a face mask sort of treatment. Alternatively, you can buy spare cloths if you're not as tight as me hehe!

I want to go here so much it hurts...

Vintage at Goodwood is set to be one of the greatest events of the year and I'm super jealous of everyone that's going. It just so happens that it starts on my birthday to add salt to the wound and I can't imagine many things better than dressing up on your birthday and going around such a sophisticated and special place. Unfortunately I'm massively skint so unfortunately it's not going to happen this year.

To all of you who are going have a fabulous time and please tell me all about it. To all of you who aren't and are currently sulking like me we need to think of a way to have our own elegant fun in the sun so here are a few ideas combining the key elements of the festival:



MUSIC
Get down to your local gigs wherever they may be, dressed up in your best vintage gear and drink old school drinks. Failing that, add your favourite tracks from the likes of Sandie Shaw, Paloma Faith, Martha Reeves etc to your ipod and go on a road trip (avec sunglasses and neck scarf).

FASHION
 Shop at your favourite local vintage/vintage inspired boutiques online or on the streets of your home town. Some of my favourites are The House of Avalon and Prettyful Things. Treat yourself to something fabulous as though you are perusing the lovely stalls at Goodwood!

ART
Hit a local gallery. I plan to go to Artsbank, a fabulous new gallery in Saltburn which has a huge variety of art. I've been twice already and can't wait to rush back to see some new additions.

DESIGN
It's time to get crafty guys and gals. There are loads of crafts groups around the country and or online. Check out YouTube; Etsy; Folksy etc for projects for beginner to advanced!

FILM
Self explanatory. Sling on a DVD or get yourself to the cinema or theatre. My films of choice will be Roman Holiday, The Sweetest Thing, My Girl, Breakfast At Tiffany's, Now and Then and Amelie. What will yours be?

FOOD
Bake goodies! There are lots of lovely recipes online at UKTV Food so get your pinny on (make it a cute retro one) and become a domestic goddess for the weekend. You could even have a tea party and make all sorts of goodies for your friends, hang up bunting and drink out of china cups with saucers (tea always tastes best out of china cups doesn't it?!)

So that's my selection of ideas for none vintage festival goers. I hope you like them and manage to do some of them too. Who knows what little gems you may turn up on your hunt for vintage goodness? If you have any suggestions, please post them for other people.

Let me know how your own Vintage at ...(INSERT PLACE NAME HERE)............. turns out.

Tilly x

Skin Saviour

I got burnt chatting to my friend last week. Now normally I'm really careful but you know how it goes and it's a simple equation...

Friend you haven't seen for a while + lots of chatting + sunshine = SUN BURN!

I wasn't being purposely irresponsible as the last thing I wanted was a half burnt, half white back and pain for a week but these things happen. Anyways, in my quest to try and reduce the redness and the heat emanating from my back and shoulders, I came across Malibu's Aloe Vera Gel and within a couple of days it had taken the heat away completely.

Because it's a gel it has a great cooling effect and even better when you leave it in the fridge. It claims to work against long term UV skin damage which is good news for me after my little mishap last week and restores the natural moisture of the skin. Although my back is now peeling (the skin did need to come off after being so badly burnt) I believe the gel lives up to its claim as my arms are really moisturised now even though they got a little bit burnt too.

The thing that impressed me the most about this product was the way that it didn't leave you feeling sticky or clammy like some other after sun products I've tried. It was absorbed my my skin very quickly and didn't leave any marks on my clothes and didn't leave a residue on the surface of my skin. the only time I noticed it again after that was in  the shower when you remember it was ever there.

I'd recommend it to anyone, whether you've been a wally like me or you just want to moisturise your skin after you've caught a few rays. I paid £3.99 in Superdrug so it's really affordable too. There is absolutely no excuse to not have this product in your bathroom.

Heroes and a brass band.

Today I went to watch the Yorkshire Regiment parade and although I disagree with war I'm not ashamed to say I welled up a bit with pride. There was such a good turn out for them and I'm so glad because those troops are prepared to give their lives for their cause and it would be slightly tragic for us not to be able to give a couple of hours for them.

The other thing I loved was the brass band. When I was at school I was in the band with some of my best friends and I LOVED IT. There's never really been a feeling I can compare to the time we played at London's Royal Festival Hall. It was a mixture of being nervous, excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. What a buzz. Before the troops marched along with their own band, the sounds of the Squadronnaires could be heard. Lovely old tunes like that really transport you back to more gentle, well mannered times.

 

How cute are The Andrews Sisters?

I'd love to have lived then, if purely just for the fashion. People really made a lot of effort with everything back in the day. Once someone builds a time machine, I'm off!

Welcome to my blog!

I've wanted to start a blog for a while now as a result of reading other awesome blogs like Retro Chick, Queens of Vintage and A Model Recommends.

In a more selfish sense I also wanted somewhere I could talk about my day, my interests and my thoughts. I guess I just wanted to take all the best bits of the blogs and discussions I enjoy and put them in one place.

So until I think of my first proper topic...

Toodleoooo x