The Week Edit #6

THIS WEEK IN PHOTOS:

The Valentine's Great Gatsby themed locomotion dinner, here with my 'Valentine' (Natalie) and my college son (Alex)//Pyjama Party 'A Different Nail Enamel' by Clinique, you knew I had to get Clinique in here somewhere// The locomotion dinner after party at the Cross Keys in Yarm was a very eventful night, read my post on Valentine's Eve below// teaching a sprinter to run a 5k is never easy, but I'm getting far better, today I did a PB (for a treadmill) of just over 26 minutes, a very proud moment// I cannot get enough of the Olympics, I was in the library watching it on my iPad//


THIS WEEK'S POSTS:

RITA ORA FOR RIMMEL LONDON//ME #1//ME #2//BEYONCÉ'S RISE//FITNESS THURSDAY #5 YOGA//HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY//VALENTINE'S EVE//

THIS WEEK I'M LOVING:

It has been quite a busy week, with Valentine's day and formal dinners, assignments and far too little running for my liking, but I have been enjoying having a week (4 days) off running. Today I attempted a 5k and was really pleased with a new PB on a treadmill of under 27 minutes (so hopefully much less on road!). But mainly my favourite part about this week was seeing the second years out on Friday night, all together, just like in our fresher's week, we don't get chance to go out as much (or maybe that is just granny Ruth over here) so its always really nice to see everyone, especially when the club you end up in is playing some immense tunes. Also just as an add on Clean Bandit have released "heart on fire" on Soundcloud here so check that out I'm loving it. Ok just one more thing I'm loving, can't believe I forgot this but how amazing has the Olympics been? I cannot get enough of it, I was on the treadmill earlier watching the x-country 10km mens relay, it took nearly an hour and 45 minutes and was amazing, It honestly made me run faster seeing how hard they were working made me increase my km/h!

NEXT WEEK:

More Olympics, I really can'y get enough, tonight sees the 2-man bobsled, featuring GBR and JAM (yes that is Jamaica! how exciting, cue Cool Runnings on repeat and a lot of kissing lucky eggs!) GBR also have a great team, they won gold in 1964, can they do it again? There is also the figure skating with a GBR team who won bronze at the world Champs at the end of last year, so hopefully they can do really well again. I have two days off this week from Uni (thank you very much!) however that is going to involve a lot of work and then a night out in Newcastle on Thursday should finish the week in style (Love a bit of the Newc) 

Have an incredible week, 

RHS x

The Week Edit #5

THIS WEEK IN PHOTOS:

A banana, blueberry, raspberry and apple and raspberry juice smoothie, the morning after the halfway dinner I was in need of some electrolytes and just a large amount of hydration, this was perfect!// I spent Tuesday morning in bed writing an assignment, which was so easy, you just wake up and start typing, I'd written 1000 words by 10am!// Ok, not my greatest picture but this was so fun, at Kit Kat Chit Chat on Thursday there was a police officer talking about excessive drinking and I got to try on his uniform (which he wasn't wearing at the time, obvs) and use his handcuffs on people, very exciting// Ahh the halfway dinner, here with Natalie at our table, myself in Stevo red!//


THIS WEEK'S POSTS:

NFL SUPER BOWL XLVIII//THE WOLF ON WALL STREET//NEKNOMINATION//THE LIBRARY//HALFWAY

THIS WEEK I'M LOVING: I really didn't feel like I could write another post about Clinique, It is literally my weakness, its Bonus Time in Debenhams, that is all I shall say on that matter. What else am I loving, the halfway dinner was really cute, follow by a trip to Durham with Natalie. I have finally grasped one of my assignments which I started on 20th December! it all makes sense! yayyy me. I haven't been for a run since monday, or the gym or anything, I know its crazy. I started to get to that point, you know on The Biggest Loser where they start putting on weight in muscle, thats me, I'm no longer fitting into my jeans because my quads are tree trunks, so I'm ditching the gym of a bit in favour of some toning but not bulking exercises, more about that on thursday! Strangely I'm enjoying not going to the gym, I've been walking to uni everyday as our chauffeur has been living it up in Rome! so that has been keeping me on track, until I go home and devour six chocolates a night, I'm not doing this right am I? anyway, I haven't turned into a whale just yet, so I guess I don't need to worry.

BLOG POST OF THE WEEK: I liked a while back 14 RESOURCES FOR FOODIES from OH THE LOVELY THINGS quite a while back, but managed to stumble across it again this week and I forgot its magic, there a lots of info graphs and pinterest worthy pictures. Everything from what goodness is in vegetables to which wine you should be drinking when, measures, oven temperatures, you name it, it is there, a  very handy resource. 

THIS WEEK: Ah seminar week, or should I say seminar day. Every other Monday is the bane of my life. Ok, we don't start till 11am but we don't finish till 6pm, and our lectures are only an hour long so you can imagine how many we have to go through in that time, as well as a presentation and a telephone interview, tomorrow could be a rather stressful day! Friday sees a Locomotion dinner and oh Valentine's day! I stopped being sceptical about this day last year when I actually thought if you are in a relationship it is just another day however its a day to celebrate your relationship, which I can't believe I'm saying this but Its quite cute! Anyway! I'll be going to a Great Gatsby themed dinner followed by a Bar Crawl organised by BeerSoc - yes that is right, Durham University has a BeerSoc. 

Have an incredible week!

RHS x

The Week Edit #4

THIS WEEK IN PHOTOS:

My post-run protein and potassium kick, my favourite snack ever// The Six Nations didn't get off to England's best advantage, however there are still plenty of games left, next week England are away to Scotland// I add peanut butter to everything, I am a big lover of its protein-ness and here I zuzzed it in a post-run smoothie of banana and raspberries// First run of February - start as I mean to go on at 9am - hello quads!// My Clinique arrived! yayy, I was nearly deprived of my night cream but Boots.com came to my rescue// Pizza night friday with Rachel, we went a bit mad but it was oh so tasty (hence the 9am run the next morning to burn it off - well, at least 1/4 of it)//

THIS WEEK'S POSTS:

SWEET DREAMS// UNIVERSITY SECRETS II// 6 WAYS TO STOP PROCRASTINATING//LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER//LUSH 'SOFT COEUR'//FITNESS THURSDAY #4//CARA DELEVIGNE "IV DRIPPIN"//PRIMARY SCHOOL//10 REASONS TO WATCH THE SUPERBOWL//

THIS WEEK I'M LOVING: I received my order from Boots on Thursday and I am in love with the EVEN BETTER EYES DARK CIRCLE CORRECTOR which has a really pretty sparkly tint to it and makes my under eyes really smooth - contrary to my flat mates'  dismay at the price... It was a slight indulgence for an eye cream but well worth it. I also bought a Boots ESSENTIALS CUCUMBER EYE GEL which I keep in the fridge and apply whilst I wait for my porridge to cook to reduce puffs!

BLOG POST OF THE WEEK: My favourite blog post this week was from LILY PEBBLES and it was her "JANUARY HITS AND MISSES" which are a big thing in the blogger-beauty industry, I already have my eyes on several of her hits.

NEXT WEEK: A busy week of welfaring, half way-dining (dinner-ing?) - can't believe I'm half way through Uni already, although by the looks of these assignments I'll be lucky to finish alive, or with a pass, running (I'm planning on 5 this week!), eating and probably a bit of blogging! Talking of blogging, my poll came out as you prefer me to write about "lifestyle/ everyday madness" - you voted, I'll deliver!

Have a great week,
RHS x 

Sweet dreams

Sometimes lying awake over-thinking anything is enough to make you more tense, worried and therefore leave you sleepless (unfortunately not in Seattle). I have lots of secret weapons that I have been pondering whether to share or not, but I have decided, now I have heard a few people aren't sleeping well at the minute with exams, assignments and every day stresses, to tell everyone my secrets! 

I have just bought another box of Dr Stuart's Valerian Plus tea. I now swear by this, every night, an hour before I go to bed I have at least one mug of this. Valerian is proven to make you sleepy and relaxed. This tea is incredible, after a couple of sips you could fall asleep - its quite powerful! The taste took some getting used to, it contains Fennel which is the main taste. I'm not a big fan of Fennel as a spice but mixed with Hops, Limeflowers and Valerian Root it is a very tasty tea. 

My next secret is This Works: Breath In which is a rollerball for your pulse points (I use it on my wrists and temples, sometimes on my neck or inside of my knees if I'm feeling really exotic). It contains Lavender and Frankincense which is very relaxing, I sometimes pack this in my bag if I have a long day at Uni. It is very versatile and can be used for anything, not just sleeping. The smell is strong and once you've worn it to bed a few times it covers your sheets and they permanently smell of Lavender - mm-mmm. It is really cost efficient as well; I have had this for about six months now and I'm only half way through its 5mls! 

Team this with The Body Shop Dreamy Pillow & Body Mist for an added feeling of melting into Lavender. I only just realised that this is a body mist - its not Channel No.5 so I wouldn't leave the house wearing it as my perfume but for bed it is my perfume of choice. I spray it onto my pillow and sheets about five minutes before I get into bed. This is a really dreamy product, I take it when I go to hotels as I know this can cause a sleepless night, in a place you're not used to. It contains camomile and jujube - I have just looked this up and it has loads of medicinal uses. It is a natural sedative, traditionally used to alleviate stress, as an anti-inflammatory, wound healing and slowing the heart rate. I used to have the This Works pillow spray but that ran out really quickly and was quite expensive. 

Next is Kalms Sleep - don't be scared to take these tablets, I take between 3-4 a night, even if I'm tired already and don't need any extra Valerian. They promote restful sleep mainly, so once you're asleep, you're more likely to stay asleep all night. I also feel a lot more refreshed after I have used them, like I've had an extra few hours, which is great! and if  you take them just after you're meal at the end of the day, a few hours later you will be snoozing like a baby. I took these all the time when I was taking my A-Levels and have recently started taking them again, they are really versatile and completely natural. They have the same ingredients as the Tea mentioned above, so the two teamed together give the body extra Valerian which it will greatly thank you for when it needs to repair itself overnight. 

Last and potentially my most important product for a great nights sleep is Clinique Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturizer - Admittedly, not the cheapest of products, however it lasts for ever, I have had this over a year now and I'm nearly finished. But if I don't use a night cream - especially this one - I wake up and have to snap chat my friends my Shrek face - and yes I do mean with a slight tinge of green - If you get those snapchats when I forgot my night cream - I have only done it twice (I learned the hard way) - you are very loved. I use this as it sets my skin up for the day, there is no SPF in night cream and it is very rich to repair all your cells. Skin care is so important and protecting you'll thank yourself later for looking after your skin when you're young (although it is never too late!). Invest in a good night cream/serum and you might be able to go make-up-less the next day! 

So that is it, my secrets are out, but they were getting my worst kept secrets as all these products work wonders. Team them with a great film or book and turn off the electricals! And you are prepared for an incredible nights sleep! 

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

RHS x 

Saturday morning shopping

I was in town (Derby) at 9:50am bright and early, fresh as a daisy (After I eventually managed to wash out the oil from my hair, thanks to yesterday's spa day), early bird catching its worm, sorta thing. 

Its 3 days before myself and 2 friends depart for Marbella and I frantically hit the shops searching for things I "may have forgotten" 

I wanted a book, euros and then just seeing what else there was. Well I came back with these beauties (and more... but I've already packed them. oops) 

Holland and Barrett have a buy one get one half price sale on so I got my favourite Thai Chilli Rice Crackers (two, ofcourse) they're great for snacking, High Protein and Fibre Muesli (for snacking with soya milk - the best plant protein there is btw), Centrum, because I'm clever so Centrum is clever so its going to be good (I needed some new A-Z's and it says that it has a combination of vitamins to increase metabolism! - tick), then I went a bit macho woman and got some PhD Woman (nicely put men) Support and Recovery toning bar (the protein in it comes from soya everything - what was I saying about soya? and they're 93 calories - take after a workout and Bob is probably not your uncle).

Boots Anyone who knows me know that I can go a little chicken jalfrezi in Boots and today was no different. I went to the Clinique counter, they had an offer of buy 3 items and get £7.50 worth of points on your Boots card! Now I am always swayed by Operant Conditioning so I was sold! I even got a free gift worth £50! containing mascara, lip gloss, nail polish, nail file, my favourite eye cream and a moisture surge cream, all in a cute travel bag. Awhh. So I bought a  jumbo Clarifying Lotion, a Mild Facial Soap and a Lipstick in #11 - a beautiful coral. I handed over nearly £60, he handed over a £50 free gift and £7.50 worth of points. I think I got a bargain there... Now what to spend my £25 worth of points on... 

Waterstones Ahh my dreams are always in Waterstones. Not actually. But as well all know I love my classics. I've read more Jane Austen than she actually wrote and laughed at Oscar Wilde's witty banter, we shall call him Dave. Anyway... today I have bought Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy (I know I will love it because I love Kiera Knightly... loose connection but I just know, now just how to get through its 1000 pages) and Villette, Charlotte Brontë - about a woman who goes to work in a boarding school with unruly girls and falls in love with an English teacher... That sounds like a school I know... 

Happy Shopping!

RHS x

The Sunday Communiqué #1

Mascaras - the good, the bad and the very ugly and overpriced... 

I have an abundance of mascaras - that I have collected over the years - very naughty as mascaras should be thrown out every three months! - but I have gathered together my favourites and some that have left me very disappointed... 

The L'Oreal Classics: L'Oreal has never failed to supply good mascaras, my favourite is Lash Architect in Waterproof but they're stopped selling it. However the second best thing is the Lash Architect 4D in Waterproof - forget your false lashes, with a quick curl this mascara makes your lashes look incredible and they stay all night (invest in a good mascara remover! I use Botanics All Bright Eye Make-up Remover). I was swanning through boots yesterday to go and purchase L'Oreal Telescopic mascara only to realise L'Oreal cosmetics in Boots is two for £14! - So I bought Telescopic and Double Extension Renewal which has a white mascara to lengthen lashes and a black mascara to curl and add definition - I love them both - however they are both more of a day time mascara where as Lash Architect 4D is a night-time heavier long lasting mascara. 

YSL: YSL Shocking is a very good mascara - I need more and was devastated when it ran out - however it is on the pricey side at around £23 in House of Fraser, however it was well worth it and very much acted like the Lash Architect however gave a softer finish. It curls lashes and holds them in place and separates at the same time. 

No.7 Intense Volume: this is my bottom lash mascara - yep, forget Clinique's overpriced bottom lash mascara this one is just as good at adding definition to bottom lashes without making them clogged - it isn't a very good top lash mascara as it just leaves lashes looking thick and limp. 

Seventeen Peep Show: This was bought as a bit of a "Help I just need a good day mascara that isn't expensive" thing - and I have to say at about £5 it is my trusty go-to - I wear it for less extravagant occasions like going to work or days out (so long as it doesn't rain! - there is no waterproof alternative!) 

The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara: aka doesn't do what it says on the tin. I was very disappointed with this mascara as it did add volume but you could barely see your lashes, it didn't curl or lengthen and my lashes stayed very straight. However, with a good curl this mascara is very good for when wearing a smoky eye just to add a bit of definition. 

RHS x

How to: get rid of under-eye dark circles

Yes you did read that right. I used get the WORST black, purply, bruisey eyes. I have tried everything over the years and even turned to my trusty ELLE magazine for extra guidance. 

I have found these products to be especially good: 

oh no! running low on Bio Oil 

I use four products, including getting enough sleep (this doesn't have to mean an early night! - it means a good 9 hours a night), putting down the Cava darling and lowering the salt (bad!) intake. Both alcohol and salt dehydrate your cells (hence the headache after a night out and feeling thirst after a McDonalds - which I hope you're not eating!) making your eyes puffy. 

Firstly, after I have washed, toned and moisturised my skin (I use Clinique 3 step) I use Botanics 'Refreshing Eye Roll On - All Bright'  This is applied using a cold metal ball which is massaged over the eye area to cool it down and reduce puffiness. 

After I have applied my make-up base I use Clinique 'All About Eyes' (I always receive these in the bonus time offers by Clinique- they last ages) with YSL 'Touche Éclait' (which I am now on my 3rd year of using) don't use too much because it will be obvious you're trying to hide your dark circles, also the added Clinique cream will make it thinner but will make it easier to blend. - Always use your ring finger (the one next to your little finger) to blend in make-up around the eye (or use a concealer brush) because the skin is very sensitive and a lot thinner. 

After I have taken off all of my make-up (use a hydrating cleanser and moisturiser) I use a very generous amount of Bio Oil - yes really, not just amazing for stretch marks and scars it is also clinically proven to even skin tone - including reducing the look of dark circles - its great to apply at night because it can be a little too oily under make-up or for in the day. 

Ok, I lied I use 5 products but the fifth I only use for special occasions or when my eyes are in desperate need of some TLC - Boots 'Cooling Eye Mask' which is great for using before you apply make-up for a night out or the morning after a night out when eyes are especially tired and need a pick me up. 

And of course, do not forget the power of cucumber for amazing hydration (they are like 99.674% which is why they taste not very nice but are so good for your eyes! - hence why beauticians still use them as part of your facial) - Cucumber can be used instead of the Boots mask - they virtually do the same job. 

A cold tea bag on each eye is also very soothing and hydrating!

bye dark circles! 

RHS x