Christmas!

Thought i would share a few of my favourite Christmas things with you :)

annaxxo

New Pantene Range.

This is a review for the new Pantene range, with shampoo and conditioner formulated to different hair types.
I'm a member of Savvy Circle and was accepted to be on the team for testing and reviewing the new range.
This is what i recieved in my bag when i got my starter kit:

It has full size samples for me to test and then i got another 12 for others to try, i also have to take market research notes to send to the company.
The new Pantene range comes in three different varieties; Normal/ thick hair, Thin hair and coloured hair. This means that there should be one for everyone and whatever your hair type, it should make it healthy, glossy and clean.
I am trying the Normal/Thick hair type as my hair is pretty thick and frizzy. I have used this shampoo and conditioner twice now. I think it makes my hair feel really nice as though iv had it washed at the salon. It feels glossy and looks shiny and not frizzy at all. Although my hair does seem to get greasy quicker than usual (not sure if it's the shampoo or some other factor). I also recieved a serum which is the best product in my eyes. You put it on dry hair and run it through your ends and it makes them look a lot healthier and less dry and frizzy. It gets rid of noticable split ends and makes your hair look as though it has just been trimmed.
To round off, i do believe this is a good range of shampoos and conditioners, although i don't know if it rivals other high end brands, but i dont think its trying to be high end, its just a good shampoo for a good price.

annaxxo.

Syn free crisps?

I don't know if anyone had tried this device, but Lakeland have brought out a crisp maker. To use this you slice the potatoes through the lid to get super thin slices. Then place them in the rack and bang them in the microwave for a few minuets. They then come out just like crisps but with none of the oil or fat.

Does this mean these crisps are 'free' on Slimming World Green days?
I know that most people would argue that they are not free as when you change a free food from its natural form it then has a syn value, such as fresh fruit and dried fruit.
Surely though, these crisps have to be far better for you than a packet of walkers.
I have tried this myself as it is unavailable at the moment. Ok that was weird, just as i was typing this there was a knock at the door and i was given a huge parcel form Lakeland for my mum, maybe she's bought me one for Christmas.. I can hope! Anyway Let me know if you have tried this device and what you think of it. Do you think these crisps should be classed as 'free' food?

Lakeland Microwave Crisp Maker. £7.99 lakeland.co.uk.

annaxxo

exciting news.

Ok, exciting news to me but probably not to anyone else. But im sharing it with you anyway.


Firslty i got a tweet from Rokhsan. You may not know who she is but shes a singer/songwriter and her music is amazing.
Here's a video for you to watch and if you like it please follow her on twitter @Rokhsanmusic and show your support.







My second bit of good news is that i have been accepted to be on the Pantene Pro-v testing pannel for their new shampoo. It is due to be released very soon and as a member of Super Savvy Me, i sent my application (which was the size of a job application) and got accepted to be on the team. I'm excited as this is blogging gold and hopefully i will be one of the first to review it. When i get my kit i have to share samples with family and friends and then gather market reasearch. I will then do a blog post on how good it is. That's the plan anyway, with Christmas coming up not sure if i'm going to have the time but we shall see how it goes.


annaxxo.

In My Make-up Bag.

Haven't done a post since last week. So thought i'd do a quick run through of the beauty products im using at the moment.

Where i keep them:

This is where i store my makeup. This lovely Ted Baker cosmetics bag was bought by my mum for my birthday this year.

Foundation:

This is the Max Factor ageless Elixir. When a new product comes out i like to try it straight away and i absolutly hate this foundation. It's very hard to blend, smells awful and doesnt cover any red marks or spots. As soon as i get paid im going back to Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation which gives me much better coverage.

Powder:

At the moment im using this Covergirl 'Clean' Powder as it is supposed to stop any breakouts. This powder is ok. I havent really got a strong opinion of it. It does what powder is supposed to do.

Concealer:

Im using 17 Hide Away Concealer. This is a good budget concealer for anyone who doesnt want to spend too much money. It covers spots and red patches and thats good enough for me.

Eye Liner:

This is a Rimmel Kohl Eye Liner. Again, i don't spend money on eye liners as they run out quickly and they all seem to do the job i want so this is usually the one i go for.

Mascara:

I spend so much money on mascara as i can never seem to find one that does exactly what i want. Everytime a new mascara comes onto the market, i buy it. However since i bought the Bobbi Brown waterproof and lengthening mascara, i think this is the one i will be sticking to. It coats my lashes really well and makes them stand out but does not clump or make my lashes 'spidery'. The only place i know to find this is eBay, where you can get this product for around £5. Bargain.

annaxxo

Christmas Countdown

Tea Glorious Tea.

Im a big tea drinker and like nothing better than curling up on the sofa with a milky brew. Sometimes i like to try different teas as herbal and fruit teas are free on Slimming World and im sometimes worried about going over my milk allowance as i like my milky tea milky.
Here is the top 5 herbal or fruit teas i like to drink.

Twinings Camomile and Spiced Apple.

This tea is best drunk on an evening as Camomile tends to send me to sleep as it is a very relaxing tea. I enjoy drinking Camomile by itself but this tea adds a little something extra to the flavour.

Twinings Pure Peppermint.

This tea is best drunk after a meal as it helps your food digest easier. Iv heard it may help you lose weight due to digesting your food easier and not having water retention but don't quote me on that.

Tetley Redbush.

This tea has a flavour of black tea but is caffeine free and has lots of antioxidants so it is much better for you. You can drink this tea with milk and sugar or by itself.

Marks and Spencer Christmas tea.

Obviously this is the tea you should be drinking this season. With warming spices and fruity citrus flavours this tea tastes of Christmas and is a lovely drink to get you in the spirit.

Twinings Echinacea and Raspberry.

This tea has a lovely strong fruity taste and is great to drink anytime of the day. Echinacea is said to help colds at the first signs, so if you feel like your getting a winter cold drink lots of this tea.

annaxxo



Slimming World Leek and Potato Soup.

I have been experimenting recently with different vegetables and tend not to follow a recipe. So here is my recipe for Leek and Potato soup.

Ingredients.

3 medium leeks
500g potatoes
2 vegetable oxo cubes
750ml boiling water
Pinch of salt and pepper
2 teaspoon mixed herbs
1 garlic clove chopped
Fry Light


Method.

Roughly chop the leeks and potatoes and add them along with the garlic to a pan sprayed with fry light. fry off for a couple of minuets untill the leeks are soft. Add the two stock cubes to 750ml of boiling water and then add this to the pan with the leeks and potatoes. Add the salt, pepper and herbs and boil for 20 minuets. Use a hand blender to blend all the ingredients and serve immediately or store in containers in the fridge untill required.

FREE on Green and Extra Easy. Suitable for Vegetarians.

annaxxo

Step Into Christmas.

Okayyyy i know it's still a while until Christmas BUT it is in 6 WEEKS TIME, which means we only have 6 weeks until its all over and done with. Im a real Christmas lover, always have been, always will be. So i thought i would do a little piece about my favourite Christmassy bits and bobs out at the moment.
Right now to get me in the mood im listening to Smooth Radio Chritmas which can be found here: http://www.smoothradio.co.uk/about/smooth-radio-christmas/be1ac playing Christmas favourites 24/7.

My Christmas is usually centered around food as i think most peoples are. So here's a few festive favourites of mine.

Im vegetarian so i usually make my own Nut Roast for Christmas dinner, but i think im going to be working Chritmas Eve this year (which im really not happy about!) so im going to buy my nut roast in this year. Pictured is the M&S Brazil Nut Roast with Mulled Wine Topping, which is £6.99 and has to be ordered for pick up on 22nd through to 24th December. The annoying thing is they only give you a one hour window to pick it up in but if im not in or working il bribe my sister into going for me!

Sorry about the picture on this one. I took it in a bit of rush, anyway this is Morrisons Luxury Marzipan Mince Pie, Usually £4.99 but i got it reduced for £1.25. Im sure everyone will agree, Mince Pies ARE Christmas. You can't beat watching a warming Christmas film whilst eating a mince pie and drinking a milky brew or a cheeky glass of baileys (more on Baileys later). My mum loves eating iced mince pies, im more of a deep filled shortcrust kinda gal. However you like your mince pies im sure you will love this much bigger version.

Let it snow has just started playing on the radio :) i love the fuzzy feeling you get from the classics.

Baileys has to be the ultimate Christmas drink for me. Its creamy and warming and the perfect drink to leave for Santa on Christmas Eve. My nanna is a big Baileys drinker but wont buy it unless its on offer (which is uaully around Christmas) and she then stocks up for the whole year. I have tried all the flavours so far and recently got a sample of the new Biscotti flavour which i have yet to open. I really like the Hazlenut and Coffee flavours but you cant beat the original. 1 Litre bottle around £20 at supermarkets nationwide (or wait until december and they will be selling for £10).

Im 21 but that doesn't stop me having an advent calendar every year. Me and my sister usually spend all of November deciding on which design we want. Pictured above is a Cadbury calendar priced at £2.99 which is probably the one which will be hanging from my wall this year. I also love the Milkybar design along with the classic M&S design (pictured below) i still have 16 days to decide but not sure yet. I love them all. Does anyone else still get an advent calendar over the age of 12?

This Christmas is now playing. I love this song whether it be Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown or Donny Hathaway.

Well this has definitely got me in the mood, what about you?

COMING SOON! My favourite Christmas Clothes.

My favourite Christmas Songs and Films.

annaxxo

My Favourite Slimming World Friendly Foods (November)

Here is a round up of the foods im into this month.

Kallo Rice cakes.

These yummy rice cakes are 1.5syn each on all options. They come in a range of flavours, my favourites are sea salt and balsamic vinegar and hint of chilli. These taste so good you wouldnt even realise your eating rice cakes.

Swede

This underrated vegetable is yummy, it can be made into soup, put in stews or boiled and eaten as one of your 5 a day. Try mashing with sweet potato and adding a couple of Laughing Cow cheese triangles, to make a really tasty alternative to mashed potato. Free on all options.

Quorn Lamb Style Grill

These tasty alternatives to meat are yummy with Slimming World Chips and veg. They are very satisfying and a lot better for your health than eating meat. Free on all options.

Heinz Spaghetti Hoops

You can eat these with just about everything. I even heat them up and eat them by themselves out of the pan for a quick and easy snack. Free on Green and Extra Easy, 3 Syns on Original.

annaxxo

Tesco Edits.

I think Tesco is one of the best places to buy fashion on a budget. Im not a fan of supermarket clobber, but most of their range is fabulous.
Here's a few best bits from their website. (www.clothingattesco.com)

F&F Navaho open front cardigan £18

This fairilse-esq cadigan is great for winter. It's cosy, chunky and looks great with skinny's and boots. Best of all it's owned by yours truly! 

F&F Faux fur collar belted jacket £35.

The perfect cover-up for cold winter mornings.

F&F Fur collar wedge boots £25.

Easy to walk in wedge boots with a bit of winter/Christmas added with the fur trim and good grip for snow and ice.

F&F Faux leather shorts £14.

'Pleather' shorts are this seasons 'Must Have' (accroding to Gok) and these shorts would be greta with heels.

annaxxo

Souper Tasty Veg and Bean Slimming World Soup!

Today I made a quick and easy soup that is FREE on Slimming World.

You will need:

1 Morrisons Stew Pack (this contains, 5 Carrots, 1 Parsnip, 2 Onions and 1 Swede (the swede is not used in this recipe))
2 Small Sweet Potatoes.
2 Vegetable Oxo Cubes.
1 Tin Borlotti Beans.
Splash Of Worcester Sauce.
Pinch of Salt and Pepper.
Tsp Mixed Herbs.
Fry Light.

Chop all the vegetables into small cubes. Spray a pan with Fry Light and sweat the onions and carrots. Then add the sweet potato and parsnip to the pan. Meanwhile, boil 750ml of water and crumble 2 oxo cubes into it, add this to the pan, along with the salt, pepper, herbs and Worcester sauce. Bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minuets. Blend the soup with a hand blender or in a food processor until smooth. Add more water if required and add the Borlotti beans. Leave on the heat for five more minuets and serve immediately.
Alternitively ladle into food containers and store in the fridge or freezer until required.

This Soup is FREE on Green and Extra Easy. Suitable for vegetarians.

annaxxo

What I Bought Today!

Today I had a little shop on the H&M website (www.hm.com/gb).
I had a 50% off code that expired today so i went and bought a couple of bits. Here's what i bought:

Boots (£14.99, WAS £29.99)

Jumper (£14.99)

 Dress (£12.49, WAS £24.99)

Skirt (2.99)

I then had the 50% 0ff code (9536 Expires 02/11/11) and then i input another code which gives £5 off each order. This can be used multiple times but be warned, if H&M find out you have used it too many times they will stop sending you orders! (1304 Expires unknown).

This meant my order came to £36.86 including P&P, but should have been £76.86 if i had bought everything full price and without discounts. That's a saving of £40!!! Not bad eh?

annaxxo

Slimming World In Bella Magazine.

This weeks Bella magazine (8 November 2011 - Issue 45) Includes a weeks Slimming World plan titled 'The Winter Wonder Diet, Lose 4lb In 7 Days'.

'Bella 87p, Newsagents Nationwide'

This plan gives you 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners. You can then mix and match to whatever suits you for 7 days. It also includes 'treats' of which you can enjoy 2 of each day (although if you are already a member you will know how many syns to have). I think this is a really good way of giving motivation to currecnt members as well as helping others decide to join. If you are hitting a wall (like me) then it gives fresh ideas and a way of sticking to the plan without having to put much thought into it.

There is also a really worth-while competition inside. 100 Bella readers will win FREE membership and 6 weeks FREE classes worth £37.90. Although this is good for Slimming World beginners, it is also great for current members as you can win 6 weeks free, which is a total saving of £29.70!! Well worth entering!

annaxxo

Everything She Wants Is Everything She Sees...

Here is a roundup of the best items on the H&M website at the moment. (www.hm.com/gb)

Suede Boots £39.99

Striking Red suede boots with 9cm heel and 2cm platform. Perfect for Christmas parties/ Christmas shopping!

Waistcoat (was £34.99. Now £12.99)

Long tan Waistcoat with detachable belt. Something, perhaps, to wear to work over a cosy jumper.

Dress (Was £34.99. Now £14.99)

A beautiful low-cut tiered dress, perfect for girls who have a small chest (like me!) and would look amazing at your Christmas or New Year party! Plan ahead.

Jumper £19.99

This reindeer detailed jumper is perfect for winter. The striking orange makes this jumper stand out from the crowd.

Fake Fur Hat £6.99

This is great for keeping you warm through the Winter months and is bang on trend.

2-Pack Rings 2.99

These rings are great statement pieces in bold sparkly colours.

annaxxo

Slimming World Quiche.

Hi everyone,

This is the fabulous Slimming World Quiche i promised you earlier.

This is a quick and simple meal idea.

This recipe makes two Quiche's and each serves 6 people.

Ingredients:

6 eggs
250g Quark
250g VLF Cottage Cheese
198g Tinned Sweetcorn
1 Red Onion (Chopped)
1 Small Butternut Squash (Chopped)
2 Garlic Clove (Finely Chopped/Crushed)
2tsp Dried Chives
4tsp Mixed Herbs
Pinch of Salt and Pepper
200g Reduced fat grated Cheese

20cm Quiche dish (4cm depth).

Method.

Beat 3 eggs in a medium dish. Add half of the Quark and half of the Cottage Cheese and mix until combined, then mix half of all the herbs, spices and garlic in with the mixture. Put half on the Onion, Butternut Squash and Sweetcorn into your Quiche dish and mix. Then pour the cheese mixture on top of the vegetables and make sure it is even.
Then sprinkled half of the grated cheese evenly on top of your Quiche.
Pop in the oven at 200c and bake for half an hour or until slightly golden on top.

Repeat this process with the other half of the ingredients to make your second Quiche.

This Quiche is FREE on Green days and Extra Easy (add 6 Syns if not using the Grated Cheese as a Healthy Extra). Suitable for Vegetarians.

I eat this Quiche as part of a main meal with Slimming World chips or a salad, but i also save some in the fridge for when im wanting a SW friendly snack.
This is the Quiche i make but it is open to modification by adding different vegetables or meat.

I hope to post more recipes here. If you have any suggestions of anything you want me to make or post the recipe for, please leave a comment below :).

annaxxo

My skincare routine.

Hello again!
I think im up and running now so here goes....

I thought you might all like to know about my skincare routine as i like to know what other people use and recommend, so that i can try new products on myself.
My skin has been getting very spotty over the past few months, very much acne and teenage spots (im 21!!), i have tried numerous clearasil and clean and clear products and nothing seems to be working. I also tried Dead Sea soap which worked and then after about a week of use and clear skin i got about 22 breakouts all at once!

I have heard great things about Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser and have been wanting to try it for a while. I finally went and bought a small 50ml size pump of this which included a Muslin cloth for £8.75. I have been using this cleanser for over a week now and not have not had a single breakout in this time. I use this morning and night. You only need to use one pump of the cleanser and rub into slightly damp skin, then soak the Muslin cloth in hand hot water and rub the cleanser off with the warm cloth. To finish rinse your face with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, Hot Cloth Cleanser (www.uk.lizearle.com) 100ml Starter Kit - £13.75.

Once i have cleansed my skin with this great product, i then moisturise. I use a Clean and Clear moisturiser as they are light on your skin and is oil free! i find oily moisturisers leave me with shiny skin. The one i use is called 'Shine Control Daily Facial Moisturiser' this come in a 75ml pump and is a perfect size to fit in your handbag or to take traveling. this product leaves my skin feeling soft and is a great base for my make-up.



Clean and Clear Shine Control Daily Facial Moisturiser (www.boots.com) 75ml pump - £3.99

Finally to remove my make-up i use Simple 'Kind To Skin' Cleansing Wipes. These come in packs of 25 and are brilliant for anyone with sensitive skin as they contain no artificial ingredients. I use these every day to remove my make-up and they remove mascara really well. They should be a staple in everyones make-up bag to remove mistakes or to take make-up off at the end of a long day and make skin look bright and clear. once i have removed my make-up with one of these wipes i then use my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish again to remove any residue left on my skin.

Simple 'Kind To Skin' Cleansing Wipes (www.boots.com) 25 Pack - £3.20.

I know this was a really long post. But hopefully it wasn't a chore to read and i promise my next post will be shorter.

COMING SOON!! My Favourite Make-up Buys.

My next post will be a Slimming World Quiche recipe that is really easy to make and perfect for meals and snacks and is enjoyed by all my family!

:)

The Grand Opening!

This is the second blog i have started. The first one didn't work out so well. My best friend has just started one and this inspired me to try again as i love Twitter (@annaxxo) and wanted to expand from 140 characters.
Once i get set up i want to talk about clothes i would love to buy, beauty products with reviews and i want to share recipes and food ideas with you as i am currently a member of Slimming World and thought this blog would be a good idea to help me to my target weight.

Adios for now x