Lianne Loves.. George at Asda nail polish - Treasure Chest

While doing my online food shop at Asda a couple of weeks ago, looking though the special offers, I noticed their nail polishes were on offer, at just £1 each. So I thought I'd give one a go. Getting in the summer holiday mood, I went for a bright orange colour 'Treasure Chest'.

What they say..
'Quick drying and funky up to the minute colours.'

What I say..

In little 5ml bottles, and usually priced at just £1.75, these polishes are very enticing and make you want to buy lots! Small bottles means no wastage once the polish starts seperating or clogging up. The range includes a huge array of bang on trend colours, there are no end to choose from.

George at Asda - Treasure Chest

The first time I applied, it dried quickly yet started chipping within a day or two and when removed at the end of the week I noticed it had stained my nails slightly. So not the best brand I've ever used. But this week I made sure I used my Base & Top coat to avoid this on almost a week on, they're still in tip top condition with only slight wearing on some of the tips.

The colour is gorgeous, I've had lots of compliments and my friends at work have already been borrowing it! :)

My opinion is, if you're after some gorgeous colours for your collection, at a cheap price, the George at Asda range are a fab buy! I'll definately be purchasing some more..

Lianne Loves.. The Body Shop's Honey Bronze range

I was very excited about the launch of The Body Shop's new bronzing range for Summer 2011 and it was top of my list to test out at my recent The Body Shop at Home party. Included in this seasons newest range, dubbed 'Honey Bronze' are a Shimmering Dry Oil, a Bronzing Gel for Face, a Bronzing Powder [available in 3 shades], a Lip Nectar [available in 2 shades] and a Brilliance Powder [also available in 2 shades].

I purchased 3 of the 5..

Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil, Brilliance Powder and Bronzing Gel for Face

Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil

What they say..
This lightweight body oil gives skin an even bronzed look with a hint of shimmer.
Honey-bronze glow. Tan enhancing shimmer. Non-greasy finish.

What I say..
Well, this was the product I kept spotting in magazines and was itching to try out for myself. Initially it wasn't as I expected, I did expect a more 'bronzed' look but it didn't show up as much as I thought it would. But on reflection, it does exactly what it says it would.
The bottle looks great and really enticing! It is quite hard to get out of the bottle though.. it dries really nicely upon application and smells absolutely gorgeous! It leaves a subtle glow on your skin, which with tanned limbs looks lush!! The light catches the slight shimmer it leaves and makes your skin look glowing and healthy. This is a perfect product for those summer holidays and I cannot wait to use on holiday fresh out of the shower after a day in the sunshine!!

Available at The Body Shop stores and online for £16.

Honey Bronze Bronzing Gel for face

What they say..
This moisturising, honey-enriched gel gives skin an instant bronze glow.
Moisturising. Light, non-greasy formula. Suits all skin tones.

What I say..
This is a great product for a quick natural tanned look for the face, I got lots of compliments the first day I wore it. My consultant advised to mix it with foundation or moisturiser, as the image shows [obv the image shows more than enough product needed, for illustration purposes ;)]

Honey Bronze Bronzing Gel for Face

Only a small amount is needed, for a healthy, natural glow that lasts all day. At first I was worried it would feel a little greasy as the gel looked a bit thick and didn't fancy smothering on my face.. but it applies smoothly and dries nicely.

Available at The Body Shop stores and online for £11.

Honey Bronze Brilliance Powder

What they say..
This honey-enriched illuminating powder leaves skin bronzed and radiant. It comes in a no-mess tube with an integrated brush.
Instant shimmer. Integrated, cruelty-free brush. No-mess application. For face and decolletage.

What I say..
I love this. A perfect bronzer, with its own brush for quick, easy application. Apply to highlight cheeks, hair or anywhere the sun hits. Sweep the brush wherever you want, the integrated brush means you never use too much and will leave a slight 'glittery' bronzed shimmer. Keep this in your handbag for instant glow! Perfect.

Honey Bronze Brilliance Powder - Copper

Available in The Body Shop stores and online, in 2 colours, Copper and Bronze, for £16.

I cant wait to take these lovely goodies on holiday!
And will definitely be purchasing the other items from the Honey Bronze range.

For more information, visit The Body Shop online

Lianne Loves.. 'The Body Shop at home' Party

After a few rough months I really wanted something to cheer myself up with something a bit different, and with my friend Amanda being a The Body Shop consultant, I decided to book a The Body Shop party and get the girls round for some pampering and treat myself to some new products!

I invited some friends, kept the drinks flowing and we got to try out lots of gorgeous products from The Body Shop, in the comfort of my front room. It was a good giggle, we learnt how to give each other hand massages and by the end of the night we all smelt fab and felt fab :)

The host rewards are great. You receive a thank you gift of £25 towards products for hosting the party and an extra 70% off your purchases if your party sales order reaches £230 or more. I think these are fantastic rewards! I had so much fun choosing my goodies! I ended up getting approx £125 worth of products for about £30! Bargain!! :)

When all the goods were delivered, it was like Christmas! :) I love all my new products, particularly the new Honey Bronze range, which I couldn't wait to get my hands on for my holiday. Look out for reviews on some of the products coming soon!

I definitely recommend a The Body Shop party at home for a girly night in with a difference! Visit The Body Shop website for more info.

Lianne Loves.. 2 weeks to go!!

So, I've kind of neglected my holiday countdown blogs of late, due to life taking over a bit. But the prep for the holiday has continued!
I was getting comments from my friends that I was losing too much weight and looking too thin, so I stopped going on the Flabelos and pretty much ate what I wanted for a few weeks..
For the next couple of weeks though, I will be doing my exercises daily in attempt to tone up before I go!
My bible for the next 2 weeks will most definitely be courtesy of Cosmopolitan's July issue - Bikini Bootcamp!!

Everything is pretty much sorted, weeks of naughty sun bed sessions mean that I'm looking a little more sun kissed and beach ready.. All that is left to do is change over my money, pack and work on that bikini body!! Wish me luck!!!

LianneLoves.. 7 weeks to go [Holiday Countdown]

7 weeks to go..
Amazing bikini body? Hmm, still working on that one!

Aims for this week were..

1. Continue eating as well as possible

2. Up my exercise routine for toning up

3. Receive Bradley's passport

4. Continue searching for decent bikinis

5. Save, save, SAVE!

Eating well

Well, it's been half term this week so bikini diet kind of went out of the window come Monday! lol. I did try, but I did end up sharing tubs of Ben & Jerry's ice cream with the little man and eating bacon sandwiches for breakfast and a bag of minstrels at one point too. Massive fail!

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

Exercise

Since most of my exercise is walking [I walk to and from work every day, 30 minutes each way], being off work has meant I haven't done much walking. Although I did do an hours walk on Tuesday afternoon to and from the tanning salon and had a quick 10 minutes on the Flabelos. I've done a few arm exercises this week too, and a couple of sessions on Wii Just Dance 2 with the little man! So a little gentle exercise is better than none right? :)
I did find a local Zumba class but ended up cancelling to take Bradley to the fair instead! Joys of single parenthood right there! Although I reckon those bloody Waltzers may've spun a few lbs away.. maybe?! :)
Must. Try. Harder.

Flabeos

Receive Bradley's passport..

After a few teething problems [their fault not mine! :)] I finally received his passport, panic over!

Find some decent bikinis..

I have major body confidence issues, pregnancy wasn't kind to my body.. so finding the perfect bikini is never an easy job. I have tankinis, numerous bikini bottoms and a full, but very pretty, swimsuit from River Island. I did purchase a couple of bikinis this week, think I'm only going to take one of them with me though.. I might purchase another before I go.. I did buy a cover up, a beach bag, some beach towels and sandals from Primark [ssh!] too.. ;)

I only managed 6 minutes on the sunbed this week, due to busy mummy duties! But I did get a lovely couple of hours in the sunshine too! Products I've been using for beach body prep this week have been..

Australian Gold Gelee Accelarator
Loreal Sublime Bronze for Body
Loreal Sublime Bronze for Face
The Body Shop Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream
Lush Buffy
Lush Butterball bath ballistic
Lush Floating Island bath melt
Lush Angels on Bare Skin
Lush Dream Cream

Save, Save, SAVE..

I'm not doing well on the saving front! Especially this week being half term, entertaining the little man usually involves money!! But we'll be fine I'm sure :)

Hopefully next week will be a better one! :)

Lianne Loves.. This weeks nails [Bourjois 1 Seconde - no24]

This week I went for quickness when choosing my nail polish.. and pulled out an old faithful..

Bourjois 1 Seconde polish - in no24

What Bourjois say..

'1 Seconde nail enamel is ultra quick to apply thanks to its patented fan effect brush which adapts to the size of each nail. The one-coat formula, enriched with silicon, dries in 50 seconds, leaving you with beautiful ultra-shiny nails and plenty of time.'

Well, I've always loved the wide, fan-shaped brush with this nail polish, it literally is shaped to fit your nail so that you get an even finish in just one swipe. It does just take one second, or maybe slightly longer if your nail application is anything like mine, particularly on the right hand! :)

Bourjois 1 Seconde - no24 [before]

No24 is a black shade, with a slight shimmer, depending on what kind of light you're in. The picture doesn't do it justice, but I used 2 coats [although it does say you can get away with 1, I always find 2 gives a better finish, and since 1 coat was so quick.. :)] and finished with top coat.

Since it only takes one swipe, you're not left with any unsightly brush lines, but a perfect, even finish. The consistency is quite thick, but easy to work with. As far as application goes - this is one of my fave products to work with!

Bourjois 1 Seconde - no24 [after]

This is how my nails looked after 7 days. Was slightly gutted at how quickly it started to chip, especially since I was off work this week, I thought I'd get away with tip top nails for a bit longer, but not with this polish. But it doesn't claim to be hard wearing or long lasting, but to give you shiny nails, quickly and effortlessly, in which it does, very well! So it pretty much does what it sets out to do. If you're looking for a polish that is quick to use and leaves you with shiny, even finish, try this!

Bourjois 1 Seconde polish is currently available in 8 shades, for £5.99 in store and online here at Boots.

Lianne Loves.. Lush's Dragon's Egg Bath Ballistic

As mentioned before, my little boy adores Lush's Bath Ballistics and spends ages in store choosing his next purchase! This week he has tried out Dragon's Egg..

I apologise in advance for the photos.. he dropped it into the bath before I'd even snapped a picture beforehand, and these were taken on the ol' iPhone so excuse the quality..

Anyway, what do Lush say about the Dragon's Egg..

"As you bathe in the whirlpool of vibrant, fiery colour and inhale the refreshing sherbet scent of lemon and bergamot, you'll feel like you're up and away on the back of your own dragon. Citrus oils are known for their invigorating effect on the mind and Dragon's Egg is no exception! Drop one of these baby dragons in the bath for a serious wake-up call on groggy mornings or before evenings out."

So.. let's see if it makes Bradley feel like he's flying away on the back of an, ahem, dragon..
As soon as it touched water it started foaming, a thick, creamy foam, which Bradley found amazing! :)

Lush - Dragon's Egg

As it foamed and fizzed away in the water, it began to give off a wave of lemon sherbet, it reminded me a little of when you first open a bag of lemon bon bons.. Mmm! :)

As the foam filled the bath, the ballistic then began to release candy coloured confetti which looked really pretty.

Lush - Dragon's Egg

Then, just as we thought the excitement was over [bare with me here ;)], it almost 'split' open, creating an orange, glittery trail around the bath, before fizzing and popping like popping candy!
As you can imagine, for a 7 year old, this is utter entertainment for bath time!! :)

Lush - Dragon's Egg

Eventually, the 2 parts of the 'egg' break apart leaving a glitter cube that melts into the water creating a bright orange, glittery mess! :)

All in all, one of the most exciting, entertaining bath ballistics we've tried so far. Absolutely perfect for entertaining both little and big people alike! :)

What did Bradley think..

"It was absolutely brilliant! I loved when the bath turned all orange!"

Happy days! :)

Lush's Dragon's Eggs are available for £2.99 in store and online here

We'd love to know what you think! :)

Lianne..X