Wednesday Weigh In #3

So mid week blogging is apparently very tricky for me! Ooopsie.

This weeks weigh in -2lbs, that's -7lbs in three weeks. Not too shabby with no exercise and the odd biscuit (oh I know, I'm awful).

Thursday night I went to my first ever yoga class. I enjoyed it so much! There were parts similar to Pilates which I also enjoy but the Salutations were great and we even did a little bit of simplified Tai Chi. I am quite flexible and did a great 'frog' but found some kneeling positions hard as I have problems with my feet and ankles. It took a bit of watching to be able to move through all the positions as quickly as the rest of the group but the teacher was so encouraging. I'm already looking forward to next weeks class.

In an attempt to step up the weight loss I'm also going back to the gym this coming week. Aerobics on Monday and Spinning on Tuesday. I have a posh party and a long weekend away in November so need to be looking good and fit for lots of dancing!

Wednesday Weigh In #2

Oh goodness - this is late isn't it?! After popping to my weigh in on Wednesday, I was straight out for a visit to my brother in law to wish him a happy birthday, Thursday at the mother in laws and last night was a quiet night in with the fiance as he's working today.

So this past weekend I may have indulged in a few (hundred) cocktails, a bit of dancing and a hang over cake or 3. Ooops. So I was dreading my weigh in, luckily for me I stayed the same.

I'm trying much harder this week, although I'm supposed to be out tonight. Will just have to resist any naughty temptation!

I've ordered my food shop, lots of healthy carb free dinners for me next week! Fingers crossed for a loss!

Wednesday Weigh In #1

I've been unhappy with my weight for a while. I, like many, get stuck in a cycle of 'unhappy with the way I look, do nothing, stay unhappy, comfort eat'. I wish I was confident and awesome and embraced my belly and wobbly thighs, but I can't. I'm at my largest now I think. I see photos of myself and feel, not quite disgusted, but definitely disappointed. I've had body issues as well as food issues in my teens and early 20s. I shed  a lot of weight quickly in my late teens but gained it (and a lot more) back once I settled into a brilliant relationship. Now that I'm happy in my personal life I want to be happy in my skin.
I've tried many diets but my one big issue is that they always say 'have a treat' 'here's your allowance for naughty food' but I just hear 'it's OK to have a chocolate bar / milkshake / slice of cake' and my brain tells me 'well if I can have 1, why not 2 or 3?!' Bad logic! I've lost weight with Rosemary Conely and Slimming World in the past but have struggled to stick to the rules.
I'm on my second stint of the Cambridge Weight Loss plan now. I lost 16lbs this spring. I kept over half of that off after a long break.
Cambridge works for me as there's no syns or points or cheats allowed. I have 3 Cambridge products a day and a small meal. That's it.

This week I lost 5lbs. I'm very pleased with this. First weeks are usually big losses and I'm hoping to stick with at least a 3lb loss a week.
I recently lost my gym buddy and as the nights draw in, my exercise motivation lessens! It's time to be serious about weight loss, for me, and get 100% with myself.

I'm posting about my journey so I am held accountable. With CWP you see your leader 1to1, there's no group, no announcing weight loss or gain, no competition. This isn't about fat shaming, telling people how they should look or saying that everyone should lose weight to be happy. I'm just sharing my experience and feelings.

A/W Wish List

The weather has turned, earlier than hoped, and I'm starting to think about cosy knits and boots. I'm getting excited about finding a new coat, scarf and gloves combo.
I've been doing a little window shopping. I've just started a new diet and am trying to put off buying clothes while I'm in between sizes so just looking for now.

Here's a little selection from New Look. I'm, obviously, loving deep reds.I've never really been a brights person so Autumn is great for me!

I'm desperately seeking a new winter coat. Something cute and warm but not bulky or cumbersome. I've seen a few nice ones on ASOS, just trying to make my final decision. Most coats I like don't flatter my figure. I have a tiny, high waist and large hips / thighs so I definitely need a belt or I look so wide.

I could spend all day looking at lovely new things to fill my wardrobe but I'll give it a rest as I might accidentally click buy on my overflowing online basket!

It's like my girl Beyonce says.

Many of my twitter pals and besties know that almost 2 years ago, I saw an opal ring in the window of a small independent jewellers in town. It was second hand / vintage and BEAUTIFUL. I've loved opals since I was in middle school and had an Australian teacher who wore opal jewellery from her home town. I was facsinated by the colours and the way they seemed to change.

I'd go and look at this lovely ring on my way to my favourite sandwich shop on my lunch break. I'd go with a  work friend and we'd scour the shelves til we saw it. It was always moving! I'd show anyone who came to town with me on the weekends. I'd tweet pics of it and even showed my mum! It was close to a grand so hardly some thing I could buy for myself on a whim.

One day, I went to have a quick peak at it and it was gone! I checked every time I went past the shop but no, it had vanished. I was gutted. After a while I stopped looking. There had been a similar ring in the window so one day, a while later, I went to look at that one and I was amazed to see 'my ring' back in the window, at a discounted price! Meant to be. I had an idea to start saving and buy it for myself but..

My 25th birthday was April this year. I was lucky enough it was on a Saturday! Adrian got up to make my birthday breakfast and I had an awesome lie in. Ade came to wake me up but opened the bedroom a bit strangely, so I couldn't see out. He told me to get dressed and have breakfast in the front room. I had this weird feeling there were people in the flat as he was making me put my dressing gown over my PJs. When I opened the door, instead of people, I saw this!

Which lead to

and my breakfast looked like this

So I ate some of my awesome breakfast but I was too excited for presents. My last present felt like a book. When I opened it it was a slightly sellotaped up, obviously second hand copy of Breaking Dawn. I just looked at Ade. I have never expressed any interest in the series and who buys someone a book from a series they haven't started? So I opened it and there was a hand written message from him, ending 'Please be mine?' I was confused, that sounded more like a valentine's message. I kept turning pages til I saw the middle of the book had been cut out and there was a ring box inside. OH MY GOODNESS. My hands were shaking as I took the box out and opened it. IT WAS THE RING FROM THE SHOP. The ring of my dreams. My amazing boyfriend was proposing to me on my birthday, with the ring I'd loved for months. Does it get any better?! I was too excited to speak and just started hugging him. He later said he was worried that I didn't answer right away.

I then got to spend the day celebrating my birthday AND engagement with my favourite people, having a BBQ and drinks. Won't be forgetting that birthday any time soon!

Where have you been, all my life.

Good evening lovelies!

My arm is progressing at a lovely pace. I've had quite a few sittings since my last update. I think there's around 4 hours max to go! Although it's not a full sleeve or even that dense, it's still around 30 hours of tattooing!

This is going to be an amazing reminder of 2012. I've had such a good year so far. The positives are far outweighing the negatives and I have so much more great stuff planned for the last few months.

Seeing as I haven't touched this for so long, did you know I got engaged on my birthday (7/04) this year!! While there are no wedding plans as yet, I get so excited knowing I'm going to marry such an amazing man and am filing away little ideas in my brain!

Here are some tattoo photos and a bad shot of my engagement ring. Its a vintage / second hand starlight opal, surrounded by diamonds on a gold setting and band. My dream ring! I might blog my engagement story. Would that be of interest?

Tattoo - Colourwork

So January 13th I had my second session on my sleeve. We finished the line work, added a new butterfly and started some colour work. I think the worst part of the whole session (3.5 hrs again) was adding the butterfly, right by my elbow which was the first 20 mins and then stung for the whole day! The inside of my arm was a bit nipper as always but some on the line work right by the base of my neck / collar bone was bloody awful!!
I have only included one photo of the scarred area, this was taken the morning. I will take a photo when fully healed to show how the colour has taken.Another scar I haven't mentioned is my BCG, this will be on the wing of one of my birds! Hoping that hold colour as it's much more visible.
As always, please feel free to ask any tattoo related questions. If anyone is interested I will post my after care method. I have perfected it for my own body over the years I've been getting tattoo'd.

Second post - tattoo linework. SH visible.

So here is the first tattoo session I had in November. We did 3.5 hours and still didn't finish all the line work!
This session had extra meaning as it was on my Nan's birthday and my mother came to the studio to sit with me for a bit. It's still hard without my nan and I've been tattoo'd on her birthday and 2 anniversaries of her death as it takes my mind off things.
Tattooing over the scars wasn't too bad. The last 20 - 30 mins I was tired, cold and hungry. Talking to my mum really helped me to keep still and breath normally. The healing was quick, as linework for me normally is. Some of the scars raised and darkened in colour but I was extremely please how well they held the ink. I think I only had one or two blowouts (when ink spread under the skin) and I will look for photos if anyone is interested.
Please feel free to ask any tattoo related questions, I don't think this is the place for any kind of discussion about my SH or past.
Photos are under the cut - but please be warned, the scars are still visible.

This post may be triggering. Please do not read on if SH is upsetting for you.

I bet it's a surprise to see me popping up in your blog feed isn't it?!
This post is quite different to what I think a lot of you like to read but I want to document my progress and transformation. I made a big decision a long time a go and just before Christmas I managed to begin this journey. I was a troubled teen, to put it lightly and I have worn the battle scars of my mistakes for many many years. They have caused me embarrassment, I've had people stare and even comment rudely. They are a part of my past that I have conquered and no longer need to be reminded of.
November 2011 I started my 3/4 Japanese inspired full colour sleeve. I am  'heavily' tattoo'd and have always wanted to be. I always wanted to be sleeved, I just chose to start with my left arm as it has the majority of cuts and burns and I was sick of them.
In many tattoo forums, I've always seen people question how well scars (surgical, accidents and self inflicted) can be covered by tattoos. I've seen people say NEVER and other suggestions over tattooing over them with 'skin colour'. I've done my research and knew they could be disguised at least. These scars are pushing 5 years old. They aren't pigmented though they are raised. My tattooist is a good friend I've known for over 6 years and understood what I wanted and was also understanding to my needs. My design is heaviest with block colour where I need the most coverage but also not so clumped together as to look like a standard 'cover up' tattoo.

This post contains photos of the scars before any tattooing. Please don't look / read on if this is upsetting for you.

All made up, and nowhere to go.

It suddenly occurred to me, I haven't even put up any pictures of me on here. Well not of my face! I really need to get a tripod and find somewhere good to take pictures. My flat sucks for blank walls or natural light. Today I did my standard make up ready to go out to town but the weather looked so nasty I just couldn't bring myself to leave. Even thouse the handbag I saw in Accesorize yesterday has probably sold out. I will go see tomorrow and if it's there, it was meant to be and I'll buy it and blog a picture.

So this is my everyday make up. Quick enough to do for work everyday, usually without the blusher though as my old manager always commented on me looking flushed. Um yes? It's supposed to be a nice natural flush of colour?

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Prop Primer

Max Factor Xperience foundation

Natural Collection Pink Cloud blush

ELF Luminance highlighter

ELF Cream Eyeliner

ELF HD Powder 

Please excuse the frizzy hair :/ 

Here from my brain

Photo dump:

I want to frame you, put you on my wall

I bought my self a bridge camera as photography has always interested me and I really don't have a hobby, a side from spending money! My two friends Tom are both into photography too and have been on Euro trips to take photos and often go out and about in the Chilterns / skate parks to get shots. I started bugging them about taking me as soon as I got the camera and we've been a few times. They have been really ace with me, giving me hints and tips but mainly letting me get on with it and ask for help. I think I'll need to go places and find shots rather than just going out and hoping to see something good. I also cant wait to go to some of my boyfriend's gigs so I can practice photographing live music. I love live action photography, especially at amazing gigs where you can capture such a range of emotion and movement.

Here is a selection of photos I have taken and liked. I am by no means any good but it's fun getting up early on the weekend and going walking with friends and having a laugh.

Any hints, tips, locations or blogs you'd like to share will always be greatly appreciated.

All the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed everything.

Oh goodness, I am awful at this blogging lark aren't I?! I have decided to try again and will be writing about things I know and love. I have decided to write about my biggest tattoo today. Tattoos are a massive part of me, my life, how I met my boyfriend and many of my friends. Weirdly though, one of my very best friends has no tattoos!
My back piece took what felt like forever. Snatched hours before, after and even during my working day over almost 3 years.
When I first started thinking about my first tattoo, I was leaning towards some tribal on my lower back. I'd had a henna piece done on a holiday that my mum and I loved and she's offered to pay for it when I was 18. At 17 and 10 months I started working in a tattoo studio and realised I didn't want tribal like every other 18 year old girl I saw coming in. So I let the tattooist I worked with choose my first tattoo and she said it would be my present. So I got a palm sized butterfly on the back of my ribs took about 2 hours and I cried most of the way through. Nowadays tattoos barely make me flinch, but my first was awful, my side also swelled so much I couldn't sleep or move. Nice!
Didn't put me off though. Inspired by a piece by Ian Flowers we decided to do a few more butterflies, but it was never enough so H drew up my full back piece and we did bits whenever we could. It was all finished by April 2009 ready for my trip away for 6 months. When I got back, I had 6 Frangipani flowers added at the top for the months I was away. It does extend down but I don't think my bare bottom needs to be on the internet - haha! My next piece will either be extending my feet tattoos or my left 3/4 sleeve BUT one day I do want to work on my sides, and it will definitely flow into my sleeves / onto my chest a little. I love expandable tattoos and hate that my only boundary will be the end of a limb.
I think that's enough waffle - here a bad self taken picture of my back.

Tattoo by Hayley Hayes

I will be blogging about my other tattoos when I take some decent photos. Do you like tattoos?

Nothing To Prove

Sunday just gone my boyfriend's band were lucky enough to support the legendary H2O. They are NYC Hardcore superstars. They are the kind of band that change you as a person, give you a better outlook and keep you smiling. Adrian says they have helped to make him the man he is today. The lead singer is the most open, honest and wise people ever. He is so in love with his family and friends, he has such a lust for life and passion about the scene.

Obligatory shot of my boyfriend's band. Mine is the vocalist.

I'm looking at getting a bridge camera to learn some basics and stuff as I love photographing at gigs and want to get some better live shots. The compact just doesn't cut it. Any suggestions would be welcomed =] I will be saving up for a DSLR but will take a while no doubt.

When H2O came on they played Nothing To Prove twice and I was stood right by the stairs. Adrian popped back stage for a word with one of the sound engineers (good old networking, turns out the guy loved his band and wants to do sound for them!) He then came back and asked if I wanted to go back stage. I made it passed the bouncer (scary) and found myself on side stage with the band and a few sweaty boys- haha!

The atmosphere was electric. H2O are such a great band to sing a long to, belting out all the words with a crowd of happy people. Was such an amazing feeling. My friend afterwards said he could see me bopping and singing away on stage and said I looked really happy. This was an absolute dream come true for Adrian. he has looked up to this band for over 14 years and it was amazing to share that with him.

The little boy on stage in this pic is the singers son - adorable!

The Underworld is easily one of my favourite venues. it's small enough to feel intimate but it's also big enough that you don't have to be down the front if you don't want to be, but you'll still have a great view. I also love that it doesn't have barriers in front of the stage. Most shows I go to, the band encourage people to get up on stage. This was no exception. Toby was loving getting people on stage to sing and dance and crowd surf. 

If you haven't already, check out H2O's music. They are amazing. Songs that will cheer you up, touch a nerve and even make you cry. I always cry when I hear Sunday Morning and when they played it live was no exception!

have you been to any good gigs lately?

Wait A Minute, Mr Postman.

Today I popped home on my lunch break, with a bag of Muller rice puddings - my new obsession (sorry diet) and what did I nearly step on inside my front door?! A lovely little pink package. Where do you even buy pink mailer bags? Amazing! And what was inside?

Well it was these beauties!

These are some amazing, painstakingly, hand painted false nails I bought from Charlene's new venture - Dainty Nails. These are fantastic quality, especially for one girl doing them all by herself. I actually had a look at some leopard print nails in Superdrug and they looked quite cheap and nasty in comparison.They come with a lovely note and instructions as well as a tube of nail glue. Now these nails are a bit too big for me to function in but I will be wearing them out on Sunday as the hardest thing I'll have to do is fumble in my bag for a lighter or give someone change on the band's merch stall. The website gives measurements, so I knew they'd be too long but I couldn't resist! Charlene has said she'll paint your own falsies for a small fee and as luck would have it I have a box of Broadway Nails, Real Short nails! So I'll have some every day pretties to wear soon. She also offers custom nails on request, so you could have anything you wanted!!

My fingers nails, like my hands / fingers are short and stubby so nail art is a no no for me. I am so excited to have pretty fingers! What do you think of the website?What is your favourite design?

I Put My New Shoes On.

Yesterday I popped to town and had a browse in the New Look sale. I needed new shoes, mine seem to keep disappearing into the depths of the shoes cupboard, never to return. I usually end up with one sad lonely shoe. I suppose it's like what people say about socks and washing machines. But I don't wear socks.

I got these beauts for work.

£19.99 down to £5 in the sale!

I also needed some 'dithering about' shoes. You know, easy slip-ons to pop to the shop down the road or a trip over the railway bridge to your best mate's. I have countless 'ballet slippers' but I felt I needed something a little more substantial. Sadly my town is small and rubbish so the Vans I fancied would have to sit tight in a shop far away for now. I spotted some similar in New Look but my boyfriend pointed out these lace-less wonders and I was sold. I mean, why would I want laces when I don't need them?!

And at £6.99, how could I say no?!

I also nabbed a couple of thin waist belts to try out. I've been wearing a lot more dresses and I have a small waist I like to draw attention to, in the hopes no one notices my enormous hips (dream on). They were £3 down from £4.99 in the sale.

But when the nice lady scanned them, they came up as £2!

Have you found any awesome bargains lately? Also my Boudoir Prive box came today. I think everyone knows what was inside. I tweeted them to say I'd like some make up in a 'beauty' box and they thanked me for my feedback. i think I'm going to stick it out for the second one... Any actually good 'beauty boxes' I should try?

Welcome

Oh hai there.

My name is Liz and I am shiny and new to blogging.

Let's see how this goes =]