The winner for the signed book of Poison Diaries: Nightshade by Maryrose Wood is:
Jessica L. Mclaughlin
Congratulations to you, please fill out this form to receive your prize :)
Thank you to all who entered!
Monday, 21 November 2011
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Nightshade Contest
If you are a fan of The Poison Diaries you will be happy to know that the second book (Poison Diaries: Nightshade) has been realised here in the UK as well as in USA.
I have just received my book, I am extremely happy about this and can not wait to get stuck in and find out more, of course after I have finished I will be posting a review of this book.
The author of this book, Maryrose Wood has teamed up with an online PR company and they are doing a giveaway. So one lucky winner will receive the book Poison Diaries: Nightshade, but not just that - it will be signed by Maryrose Wood.
This contest will last for just a week (7 days) and after that I will announce on here who the lucky winner is.
Now this sounds all very good and very tempting, but how do you enter? Well there are 3 ways of entering and they are:
I have just received my book, I am extremely happy about this and can not wait to get stuck in and find out more, of course after I have finished I will be posting a review of this book.
The author of this book, Maryrose Wood has teamed up with an online PR company and they are doing a giveaway. So one lucky winner will receive the book Poison Diaries: Nightshade, but not just that - it will be signed by Maryrose Wood.
This contest will last for just a week (7 days) and after that I will announce on here who the lucky winner is.
Now this sounds all very good and very tempting, but how do you enter? Well there are 3 ways of entering and they are:
Facebook:
Go to the Poison Diaries facebook page and leave a message on their wall saying you would like to win the signed book and that ShortStuffBlogs sent you.
Twitter:
Follow Poison Diaries on Twitter and send them a message saying you wish to win the signed book and that ShortStuffBlogs sent you.
Website:
Enter through the Poison Diaries website and find the plant Arum Maculstum add it to the "my poison diary" and share it through twitter, including ShortStuffBlogs in the Tweet.
Good luck to all who enter!
Monday, 7 November 2011
Makeup Buying Ban Week 60
I can not believe it has been over a year since I first started this challenge, I have managed to finish one item completely and there is 2 items which is almost finished.
Not really that happy that I have only managed to use up only 1 item through a year.
I think this is just because I am starting to really want to buy makeup now.
But there is no way that I am going to quit this challenge now, I am determined to get most of my makeup used up.
The item that I managed to finish was Maybelline Dream Mousse, 04 Heavenly Blue.
I was so disappointed with this as it was not what I was expecting. When I first saw this I thought it was going to have this lovely pigment, wouldn't have that heavy feeling on the eyes and would be smooth to apply. While it was not heavy on the eyes, the pigment was hardly there, it would take about 3 swipes to actually get some sort of colour and even then it wasn't really that flattering as it had some shimmer to it and so with each layer I was adding to try and get colour I was adding more shimmer to my eyes, which I didn't really like.
I couldn't apply it with a brush and my adding it with my fingers wasn't working either. Plus it didn't apply that smoothly for me.
I am just glad that I had bought this when it was only a £1, I would never have payed the full price for it and I would never buy this again to be honest.
The only good thing about this is that at the end you can keep the empty jar and adding some other product to it.
As I was search through my makeup bag to see what eyeshadows I had to start using, I found some Face UK eyeshadows, I had to throw these out as they were over 5 year old and when I was trying to do swatches of them, it was going clumpy and I didn't want to take a chance of applying that to my eyes.
I am trying to hold back on using my ELF eyeshadows as I want to save them to last, just because I love them.
So the eyeshadows that I am now starting to use are Go Cosmetics and W7 Cosmetics.
From the first look at these swatches it doesn't really seem like they are going to be that pigmented, but the two more neutral colours would probably be good for a highlight. I did swatch 06 Bamboo a few times but it wasn't really changing with each layer.
Go Cosmetics 14 would probably be a good duplicate for the Maybelline Dream Mousse.
For the rest of the face I am using; ELF Natural Radiance Blusher in Glow, Collection 2000 3 in 1 foundation, Avon Lipstick and Rimmel Glam Eyes mascara (couldn't seem to find a name for the colours on the foundation and lipstick)
Not really that happy that I have only managed to use up only 1 item through a year.
I think this is just because I am starting to really want to buy makeup now.
But there is no way that I am going to quit this challenge now, I am determined to get most of my makeup used up.
The item that I managed to finish was Maybelline Dream Mousse, 04 Heavenly Blue.
I was so disappointed with this as it was not what I was expecting. When I first saw this I thought it was going to have this lovely pigment, wouldn't have that heavy feeling on the eyes and would be smooth to apply. While it was not heavy on the eyes, the pigment was hardly there, it would take about 3 swipes to actually get some sort of colour and even then it wasn't really that flattering as it had some shimmer to it and so with each layer I was adding to try and get colour I was adding more shimmer to my eyes, which I didn't really like.
I couldn't apply it with a brush and my adding it with my fingers wasn't working either. Plus it didn't apply that smoothly for me.
I am just glad that I had bought this when it was only a £1, I would never have payed the full price for it and I would never buy this again to be honest.
The only good thing about this is that at the end you can keep the empty jar and adding some other product to it.
 |
| 1 Swipe of Maybelline Dream Mousse |
 |
| 2 Swipes of Maybelline Dream Mousse |
As I was search through my makeup bag to see what eyeshadows I had to start using, I found some Face UK eyeshadows, I had to throw these out as they were over 5 year old and when I was trying to do swatches of them, it was going clumpy and I didn't want to take a chance of applying that to my eyes.
I am trying to hold back on using my ELF eyeshadows as I want to save them to last, just because I love them.
So the eyeshadows that I am now starting to use are Go Cosmetics and W7 Cosmetics.
 |
| (L-R) Go Cosmetics -05 & 14. W7 - 03 Toffee, 06 Bamboo |
 | |
| (L-R) Go Cosmetics -05 & 14. W7 - 03 Toffee, 06 Bamboo |
Go Cosmetics 14 would probably be a good duplicate for the Maybelline Dream Mousse.
For the rest of the face I am using; ELF Natural Radiance Blusher in Glow, Collection 2000 3 in 1 foundation, Avon Lipstick and Rimmel Glam Eyes mascara (couldn't seem to find a name for the colours on the foundation and lipstick)
Fitness Challenge: Week 5
These past few weeks have started to get rocky for me, things are starting to make me not concentrate as much on this fitness challenge as much I was at the beginning. This is where the hard work really starts and I am realising this was my problem in past attempts to lose weight.
I just to get side tracked or just get bored with it and go back to the old way of eating with hardly any exercise.
I am really trying to stay focused and I am always pleased with myself for not giving in to have huge amounts on my plate or having a lot of treats. To be honest I have been nibbling on the treats all this week, sometimes I have more than one..But it was my fault considering I made some chocolate fudge, to see if I could make it and see if it would be good enough for a present for my father. Having it in the fridge and seeing it all the time my mind keeps telling me its ok, you can have one small piece it wont hurt. But that seems to be happening every single day at this moment.
Normally these sort of treats would probably be gone in 1/2 maybe 3 days, at the moment they have lasted a couple of weeks which is pretty awesome.
I haven't been doing that much exercise, the cold weather is starting to come in and there is ice covering the paths and so I am a little bit worried of leaving the house, but I have been taking the dog out most days so I have been making sure I am doing a little bit of exercise. This is where I know that the DVD workouts will come in use more often now.
I haven't been able to do the mini challenge for week 5, but I will be hopefully doing that for week 6 along with the new mini challenge...Although my fruit and veg intake has increased and I am starting to enjoy the stuff as well :)
So here are my results for Week 5:
Fluid intake - 1/2 cups
Chest - 51" (+0.06")
Waist - 51.12" (+1.01")
Hips - 58" (-0.10")
Weight - 19st 0lbs (no loss)
Really not happy with my fluid intake and really need to make sure that I start to drink more again. I am really pleased to see that I have not gained anything this week within my weight. I know it isn't all about the number of the scales but for me I really need to get that number down and safe as possible as it shows that I am way over what someone my height and age should be, and I could be in a danger zone.
This time with this challenge I will get to the goal I have aimed for or at least learn and become more healthy so I can continue on with this to lose more, so I am in better health and shape.
I just to get side tracked or just get bored with it and go back to the old way of eating with hardly any exercise.
I am really trying to stay focused and I am always pleased with myself for not giving in to have huge amounts on my plate or having a lot of treats. To be honest I have been nibbling on the treats all this week, sometimes I have more than one..But it was my fault considering I made some chocolate fudge, to see if I could make it and see if it would be good enough for a present for my father. Having it in the fridge and seeing it all the time my mind keeps telling me its ok, you can have one small piece it wont hurt. But that seems to be happening every single day at this moment.
Normally these sort of treats would probably be gone in 1/2 maybe 3 days, at the moment they have lasted a couple of weeks which is pretty awesome.
I haven't been doing that much exercise, the cold weather is starting to come in and there is ice covering the paths and so I am a little bit worried of leaving the house, but I have been taking the dog out most days so I have been making sure I am doing a little bit of exercise. This is where I know that the DVD workouts will come in use more often now.
I haven't been able to do the mini challenge for week 5, but I will be hopefully doing that for week 6 along with the new mini challenge...Although my fruit and veg intake has increased and I am starting to enjoy the stuff as well :)
So here are my results for Week 5:
Fluid intake - 1/2 cups
Chest - 51" (+0.06")
Waist - 51.12" (+1.01")
Hips - 58" (-0.10")
Weight - 19st 0lbs (no loss)
Really not happy with my fluid intake and really need to make sure that I start to drink more again. I am really pleased to see that I have not gained anything this week within my weight. I know it isn't all about the number of the scales but for me I really need to get that number down and safe as possible as it shows that I am way over what someone my height and age should be, and I could be in a danger zone.
This time with this challenge I will get to the goal I have aimed for or at least learn and become more healthy so I can continue on with this to lose more, so I am in better health and shape.
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Fitness Challenge: Week 3 & 4
These past two weeks have been a bit difficult for me to do any exercise, as my medication for my joint problems had ran out and I had to wait a week to get some more, so my body was all over the place and I tried to check in for week 3 but half way through writing I just couldn't type anymore and didn't feel up to it.
I did weigh and measure myself.
Week 3 results
Fluid intake - 3 cups
Chest - 51.12" (-0.4")
Waist - 52" (+1")
Hips - 58.5" (-0.3")
Weight - 19st 1lbs (-1lbs)
And for Week 4 results
Fluid intake - 2/3 cups
Chest - 50.10" (-1.2")
Waist - 50.13" (-1.3")
Hips - 58.10" (+0.5")
Weight - 19st 0lbs (-1lbs)
As this week has been a bit iffy due to my health as well as it being my time of month. I am very surprised I haven't put that much on, when normally it all piles on.
There hasn't been a huge change in what I eat, except for having more fruit and veg, making sure how much is on my plate and keeping an eye on how many treats I have do have.
The big change is changing our weekly treat of a take away to monthly. We both have noticed a difference, in how we are as well as our money. Plus I know that I have earned it and don't feel as bad than what I did do when having it weekly.
How do I involve my spirituality into this fitness challenge?
The main thing that I do is when I go for a walk, I look out for any signs or messages and just take in what what is going on at that moment with the seasons.
That is pretty much all I do, I am trying to think of more things but this is the one thing that I have always done even before this challenge.
I did weigh and measure myself.
Week 3 results
Fluid intake - 3 cups
Chest - 51.12" (-0.4")
Waist - 52" (+1")
Hips - 58.5" (-0.3")
Weight - 19st 1lbs (-1lbs)
And for Week 4 results
Fluid intake - 2/3 cups
Chest - 50.10" (-1.2")
Waist - 50.13" (-1.3")
Hips - 58.10" (+0.5")
Weight - 19st 0lbs (-1lbs)
As this week has been a bit iffy due to my health as well as it being my time of month. I am very surprised I haven't put that much on, when normally it all piles on.
There hasn't been a huge change in what I eat, except for having more fruit and veg, making sure how much is on my plate and keeping an eye on how many treats I have do have.
The big change is changing our weekly treat of a take away to monthly. We both have noticed a difference, in how we are as well as our money. Plus I know that I have earned it and don't feel as bad than what I did do when having it weekly.
How do I involve my spirituality into this fitness challenge?
The main thing that I do is when I go for a walk, I look out for any signs or messages and just take in what what is going on at that moment with the seasons.
That is pretty much all I do, I am trying to think of more things but this is the one thing that I have always done even before this challenge.
Friday, 21 October 2011
Book Review: The Poison Diaries
Most of the books that I have read have been mainly spiritual books. I decided that I was going to try and read a few fiction books to see what they were like and try to find another interest instead of my spirituality.
The first book that I read which made me fall in love with fiction books was The Poison Diaries.
The story is about a young girl called Jessamine Luxton living with her father, telling us all about her days looking after her father's garden while he is away trying to help ill people get better by using herbs.
They end up being host to a young boy, who has also an interest in herbs and plants, and things starts to get more dangerous for Jessamine as she is drawn to the poisonous plants, but not the way she could have imagined.
I was really excited to read this book as it was based around Alnwick Gardens, which was in the area that I went to school and always loved that area. Plus the main theme of the book was about plants and herbs, which is another interest of mine.
After I had read the first chapter I just fell in love with it and the style of how it was written, somewhat like a diary form.
When I was reading the book it reminded me a lot about myself due to the whole gardening, so I felt closer with the main character and as if I was going through that myself.
As the book got closer to the end it got even more interesting, I liked what they had done with the plants and I had not read anything like that in any other book so I thought that was very intriguing.
As the book ended I felt very disappointed, I believe I screamed when I read the last page as I didn't want it to just end there, but I am pleased to know there is a second book out (The Poison Diaries - Nightshade), which I can not wait to get a hold of.
The first book that I read which made me fall in love with fiction books was The Poison Diaries.
They end up being host to a young boy, who has also an interest in herbs and plants, and things starts to get more dangerous for Jessamine as she is drawn to the poisonous plants, but not the way she could have imagined.
I was really excited to read this book as it was based around Alnwick Gardens, which was in the area that I went to school and always loved that area. Plus the main theme of the book was about plants and herbs, which is another interest of mine.
After I had read the first chapter I just fell in love with it and the style of how it was written, somewhat like a diary form.
When I was reading the book it reminded me a lot about myself due to the whole gardening, so I felt closer with the main character and as if I was going through that myself.
As the book got closer to the end it got even more interesting, I liked what they had done with the plants and I had not read anything like that in any other book so I thought that was very intriguing.
As the book ended I felt very disappointed, I believe I screamed when I read the last page as I didn't want it to just end there, but I am pleased to know there is a second book out (The Poison Diaries - Nightshade), which I can not wait to get a hold of.
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Fitness Challenge: Week 2
Its the end of the second week and although I have managed to keep to a good portion size, fluid intake and doing exercise everyday; I feel as if I was more lazy this week.
This is pretty normal for me and I assume for most people, their first week they are head strong they will continue to do it and the second week comes along and they just don't have it in them. Maybe it is because I used a lot of energy in the first week and now I just want to rest and catch up on myself? But I did keep going, I made sure I got out and done some exercise and pretty much forced myself to drink (I have never been keen on drinking throughout the day so this is a huge challenge for me in itself).
I did have a few treats as well, a quarter of a pork pie and two chocolate treats, not in the same day but through out the week. Part of me feels guilty because of that but the other part of me doesn't and keeps telling me that I deserve it as I haven't had a treat for 2 weeks.
Week 2 Mini-Challenge
(The mini challenge was to find out why we emotionally eat and how can we change that)
All week I have been trying to figure out why I eat, of course for survival but why do I over eat?
I believe that it all started when I was little, I wasn't big when I was little..Well ok I had a little bit extra then everyone at school but I wasn't huge. But then I started to get bullied by most of the kids at the school and sometimes by the teachers. This continued until I was 16, once I got to high school the teachers didn't bully me but there were new faces and they would laugh and me or call me names and I just got sick of it and decided I couldn't go back to school, I left school without any grades..
Through all my school years I would turn to food to help, it seemed at the time to have all the answers for me but at the same time it was the problem. So I basically ate because I was unhappy, and I was unhappy because I ate.
My mum and dad would always cook our meals, we would normally have home cooked meals with veg and a decent portion. But my parents were getting tired and hurting more so we ended up having more processed food rather than homemade, but always making sure there was some sort of veg on our plates.
After meals I would sneak back in the kitchen and take a bit more food or get a biscuit or chocolate.
My mum and sisters would try and help me with losing weight, but it would pile on, even when I was eating the right foods and doing the right exercise and not cheating I would just put more and more weight on. And in the end I couldn't understand why.
I don't want to blame this on my health problems, but I do think that they do have some sort of role in this. Some of the problems I have and the medication that I have been on in the past and current say that one of the side effects are gaining weight, so this is something that is going to make losing weight even more tricky.
I am also not smoking as much as I was (used to smoke 40-60 a day) and so I am eating more because of that, I don't know why that it is but I think that happens with everyone.
My partner did have some influence for me gaining weight, as he would buy me chocolate treats and add extra to my plate, we would be playing more on the computer than going out walking the dog or just going for a walk. So he was adding to my problem, but after talking to him about this he helping me so much through this, he is even taking part in this without blogging about this and with these two weeks he has lost 4lbs, so we are now working together to be more healthy.
I guess the whole reason why I eat is for comfort, I haven't been able to get over the whole school problem fully and I still comfort eat because of that reason, or I think I am hungry so I will eat.
To stop this from happening I am going to try and switch this to drinking, if I think I am hungry get a drink or get some fruit, or even take the dog for a walk. Which I am starting to do.
Week 2 Results:
Fluid Intake - 4 cups per day
Chest - 52" (+1.8")
Waist - 51" (-1.6)
Hips - 58.8" (+0.2")
Weight - 19st 2lbs (-1lbs)
I am pleased I have lost some weight I thought I would have gained it with those treats I had.
I am slightly surprised with gaining a few inches on my chest and hips considering they look smaller, but my partner seems to be happy with me gaining an inch or so around the chest area, lol!
This is pretty normal for me and I assume for most people, their first week they are head strong they will continue to do it and the second week comes along and they just don't have it in them. Maybe it is because I used a lot of energy in the first week and now I just want to rest and catch up on myself? But I did keep going, I made sure I got out and done some exercise and pretty much forced myself to drink (I have never been keen on drinking throughout the day so this is a huge challenge for me in itself).
I did have a few treats as well, a quarter of a pork pie and two chocolate treats, not in the same day but through out the week. Part of me feels guilty because of that but the other part of me doesn't and keeps telling me that I deserve it as I haven't had a treat for 2 weeks.
Week 2 Mini-Challenge
(The mini challenge was to find out why we emotionally eat and how can we change that)
All week I have been trying to figure out why I eat, of course for survival but why do I over eat?
I believe that it all started when I was little, I wasn't big when I was little..Well ok I had a little bit extra then everyone at school but I wasn't huge. But then I started to get bullied by most of the kids at the school and sometimes by the teachers. This continued until I was 16, once I got to high school the teachers didn't bully me but there were new faces and they would laugh and me or call me names and I just got sick of it and decided I couldn't go back to school, I left school without any grades..
Through all my school years I would turn to food to help, it seemed at the time to have all the answers for me but at the same time it was the problem. So I basically ate because I was unhappy, and I was unhappy because I ate.
My mum and dad would always cook our meals, we would normally have home cooked meals with veg and a decent portion. But my parents were getting tired and hurting more so we ended up having more processed food rather than homemade, but always making sure there was some sort of veg on our plates.
After meals I would sneak back in the kitchen and take a bit more food or get a biscuit or chocolate.
My mum and sisters would try and help me with losing weight, but it would pile on, even when I was eating the right foods and doing the right exercise and not cheating I would just put more and more weight on. And in the end I couldn't understand why.
I don't want to blame this on my health problems, but I do think that they do have some sort of role in this. Some of the problems I have and the medication that I have been on in the past and current say that one of the side effects are gaining weight, so this is something that is going to make losing weight even more tricky.
I am also not smoking as much as I was (used to smoke 40-60 a day) and so I am eating more because of that, I don't know why that it is but I think that happens with everyone.
My partner did have some influence for me gaining weight, as he would buy me chocolate treats and add extra to my plate, we would be playing more on the computer than going out walking the dog or just going for a walk. So he was adding to my problem, but after talking to him about this he helping me so much through this, he is even taking part in this without blogging about this and with these two weeks he has lost 4lbs, so we are now working together to be more healthy.
I guess the whole reason why I eat is for comfort, I haven't been able to get over the whole school problem fully and I still comfort eat because of that reason, or I think I am hungry so I will eat.
To stop this from happening I am going to try and switch this to drinking, if I think I am hungry get a drink or get some fruit, or even take the dog for a walk. Which I am starting to do.
Week 2 Results:
Fluid Intake - 4 cups per day
Chest - 52" (+1.8")
Waist - 51" (-1.6)
Hips - 58.8" (+0.2")
Weight - 19st 2lbs (-1lbs)
I am pleased I have lost some weight I thought I would have gained it with those treats I had.
I am slightly surprised with gaining a few inches on my chest and hips considering they look smaller, but my partner seems to be happy with me gaining an inch or so around the chest area, lol!
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