New Year's Resolutions - Mantras for 2013

I'm not a great fan of New Year's resolutions.  It seems to me that you're just setting yourself up to fail.

There are however a few changes I'd like to make to my life...

I must start buying clothes for my actual life not my fantasy life.
  In my fantasy life I swan around at glamourous soirees in impossibly beautiful gowns, rather like Grace Kelly in most of her films.

Image via http://printandpattern.net/2012/09/14/high-noon-grace-kelly/

In my actual life, I walk most places and wait for buses in the rain.  What I really need are stylish practical clothes that suit my life style - coats that keep out the rain, shoes and boots that are easy to walk in.  My fashion mantra for 2013 will be 'useful but beautiful'.

I must eat more healthily and exercise regularly

  I'm not one of those lucky people who can live on beer & kebabs and still remain in peak health.  If I have more than three days of unhealthy living I start to become ill - my asthma worsens, I can't sleep properly and everything starts to ache.  This Christmas has been particularly bad.  I've had a fantastic time but I'm paying the price now.  My health mantra for 2013 will be 'a healthy lifestyle is not boring, it's about loving yourself'.

I must appreciate the little things

  I've been incredibly lucky with my career.  I've been able to tour the world with rock bands, hang out with some of the most famous people on the planet and gain access to places which are not open to the public.  

  The main thing I've learned is that none of that glitz and glamour really matter.  So many people aspire to being 'famous' and yet celebrities are some of the loneliest people I've met.  Everyone, including their families, wants a piece of them and very few people in the public eye have any real friends.  Famous people have always responded well to me because I treat them like everyone else, no gushing, no brown nosing and I will tell them if I'm unhappy with something they've done.  It's really taught me that it's the little things that matter - a great afternoon spent with my boyfriend; a fabulous evening with my friend; simple, honest communication between people. 

  My life mantra for 2013 will be 'love the small moments'.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my readers.

Thank you for your support over the year.

May you be surrounded by people you love, eat delicious food that doesn't make you fat, drink without getting a hangover and receive gifts that make your heart sing.

In the midst of all the abundance, let's also spare a thought for the lonely and the less fortunate amongst us.

Ralph Waldo Emerson on beauty

I've been rather busy recently with Christmas socialising and I haven't had time to write a Thursday beauty post so I'll leave you with these words by the American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art."

Image via http://www.britishbeautyblogger.com/2012/10/nars-andy-warhol-self-portrait-palette.html

Happy Thursday!

Hero beauty product - Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (and a useful tip)

Apologies for the slightly late publication of this post.  I was working a long day yesterday and didn't have time to publish it.

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I love Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, I really do.

Image via http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

If I've had a rough few days & my complexion's looking a bit crocodile like, it really sorts me out.  It's also brilliant for prepping the skin prior to using a face mask.

For those who are unfamiliar with the product, you apply it to the skin, then take the muslin cloth supplied, run it under hot water, squeeze it so there's no excess water left and use it to rub off the cleanser using circular movements.  This acts to exfoliate the skin.

Now here's my handy tip.  Once you've rubbed off the cleanser, run the cloth under the hottest water you can stand, squeeze out the excess water, open up the cloth to its fullest and hold it against the face for ten seconds.  Do this three times.  This has a mild steaming effect on the skin and really loosens blackheads and other assorted muck.  If you're going to use a face mask afterwards, your complexion will be extra receptive to the mask because the pores are open.  If you're not using a mask, run the cloth under cold water and hold it against the face for ten seconds.  This closes the pores and prepares the skin for make up, etc.

I can't use this every day because it does dry out my skin a little but two or three times a week keeps me looking radiant and the congestion at bay.  Just remember to wash the cloth once a week and don't use fabric conditioner.  You need it to be slightly rough to the feel to be able to exfoliate properly.