It's starting to work

Back in August last year I admitted that I had fallen off the wagon with my health and fitness goals. Sometimes stuff happens in your life that stops the things that are really important being the focus.  I'm pleased to say that after many, many months I feel back in control and happy with how I look and feel.

Michelle Bridges always inspires me

I again read Losing the Last 5 Kilos by Michelle Bridges, more for my mindset than the recipes and fitness plans. Her tips are:

If it's important to you it has to be front and centre

If I want to lose weight and be fit it has to be a priority in my life. I now plan my life around my health and fitness goals and actions.

Losing weight will always come down to what you eat

Yup, you can't out-train a bad diet. I've also heard an expert say that it's 80 per cent food and 20 per centre fitness that makes the difference.

The amount of lean muscle we carry will have the most profound effect on our metabolism

Age is also cruel to our metabolism and quite simply I don't need to consume the same amount of calories now in my 40s as I did in my 20s.

Too much fat in our mid section can fast track us for lifestyle diseases like atherosclerosis and diabetes

Unfortunately for me, that's exactly where I carry my weight - in my mid-section. Many of you will say 'lucky girl' you don't have a butt or big thighs, but for me carrying weight in the mid-section is also the most dangerous place to carry it,

There is an increased risk of these diseases if the waist measurement is greater than 80cm for women and 94cm for men. It's an indicator of the level of internal fat deposits which coat the heart, kidneys, liver, digestive organs and pancreas. My waist was 83cm a few weeks ago and I've got it down to 81cm. Yes just 1cm to go to be out of the high risk category.

I've previously been diagnosed with fatty liver disease so more than ever I need to work on my weight and diet to fix that.

Motivation doesn't exist

Michelle Bridges hates the use of the word 'motivation'. I agree with her, it's all about consistency. When you start a good routine and create a habit, motivation is not necessary because the new habit is just part of your everyday. For me fitness is part of my everyday life and has been for the past four years. I can't imagine life without it.

So what have I done to effect the change

• Any junk food in our house is now gone.

• I try to do something fitness-wise almost every day. At the moment I'm attending two body blast classes (weights and cardio), one cardio class (boxing, running, skipping, cardio machines, circuit training), two evening runs of 5km and one morning cardio session at the gym (5 mins walking, 5 mins running, 5 mins rowing, 5 mins on the bike, 5 mins on the cross-trainer, 5 mins running and 5 mins walking to cool down). My body is really responding well to this routine and I feel stronger and my endurance is improving.

• I eat breakfast everyday, without fail.

• I snack on an apple each afternoon to avoid the mid-afternoon sugar cravings.

• If I eat out at lunchtime with my friends I try my level best to pick the healthiest option possible and stop eating when I'm full and don't feel guilty about leaving food behind on my plate. The servings are often just too large.

• I eat salads and sandwiches for lunch (weekdays) and limit my carbs where possible.

• I don't drink alcohol - that's easy because I hardly drink unless I'm on holidays or on the occasional Friday night with friends.

Exercising with the family is key

• I surround myself with people that support my goals such as my incredible family (who always join me in my fitness sessions) and my gym buddies who share the same passion for looking after their bodies.

• We fill our fridge and pantry with food that has 'lived' i.e. milk, low-fat dairy products, low-fat meat and heaps of fruit and vegetables. I would say that our type eating is fairly close to the paleo style of diet.

What I have achieved so far

• I have lost a couple of kilos in the last month or so - nice and steady.  This will be slow as I'm building muscle at the same time which weighs more than fat does.

• My waist measurement has gone down 2cm so I'm just 1cm away from being in a safer waist measurement zone.

• I can run 5km without stopping and now I'm working on trying to improve my time and running style.

• My endurance has improved and I feel like I can work stronger during my gym classes.

• My clothes fit so much nicer and I feel more confident.

• My body feels more flexible.

• My mind feels clearer and I feel overall much happier.

What I now know

• In order for these changes to last for the long-term these changes need to become part of my everyday.

• I must always consider what I eat and always choose healthy options.

• I must continue running - it has been very challenging and time consuming to get back to running 5km. Running for me doesn't come easily and sometimes I find it more difficult than other times. It does incredible things for clearing my mind and the sense of achievement at the end of a run is what keeps me coming back for more.

• I need to exercise carefully to safeguard myself against injuries.

Until next time xx

Portmans floral jumpsuit

I haven't worn a jumpsuit since the late 70s or early 80s. I do love that the style is back in fashion.

Not only is it super comfortable but it's purpose built for dancing the night away.

I wore it to our gym's Christmas breakup party on a particularly balmy Brisbane night.

I love the bright print, it's cut and that fact that it was made from super-cooling and soft rayon.

Good work Portmans on producing another winner.

Until next time xx

Sephora Haul

Unfortunately Sephora is yet to arrive in Brisbane. When I'm interstate it is certainly the first and only shop that I must visit. Here is a haul of items I picked up during the Christmas holidays.

What I picked up

Zoeva Metal eyeshadow palette - I was hoping to get my hands on the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette but alas it was out of stock. This palette was the second place on my list. I've fallen in love with this palette. The colours are metallic in finish (no shit Sherlock), highly pigmented and wear beautifully. Zoeva shadows are fantastic quality.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow Kit - a gel/cream eyebrow product. Unfortunately I didn't pick up the right colour but the formula and application (with included brush) was outstanding. Next time I will take my time and try it on rather than guess my colour. Epic fail for me!

Beauty Blender - the original makeup sponge. I have only ever used the Real Technique version but I really do think that the Beauty Blender is much, much better. I'm a convert. I use it every single day and am in love.

Zoeva 223 Petite Eye Blender - a squat eye shadower blender. Perfect for getting a very defined crease colour. I love Zoeva brushes so am adding this to my collection.

Sephora Outrageous Curl Mascara - introduced to me by Sharon the Makeup Artist. This is a back up mascara since I fell in love with the thick, clumpy, lengthening formula a few months ago. At $22, it's a bargain.

IT Cosmetics Blurred Your Lips But Better All-Day Waterproof Lip Liner Stain - an impulse buy but I'm glad I did. The colour is gorgeous and stains beautifully. I'm fairly lazy and I love a lip liner that lasts the distance.

IT Cosmetics Anti-Ageing Collagen Smooth-Fill Lipstick in Je Ne Said Quoi - the matching lipstick. The colour and texture are beautiful. This is now firmly one of my current favourites. I feel like I have worn little else since I purchased it. Finally a win in the lipstick stakes.

Pixi Matte Lustre Lipstick in Coral Red - a smooth, matte lipstick. I'm obsessed with coral lipsticks and always on the hunt for new ones. This is very bold but lasts well and is very soft on the lips, not at all drying like some matte lipsticks can be. This is also my first exposure to the UK-based brand.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream - the miracle worker. Discovered thanks to Stephanie Lange (YouTube). This works brilliantly on my enlarged pores and redness. I apply it like a primer prior to foundation and concealer. It helps to perfect my skin. This is a back-up as this is a new holy grail product. I love, love, love it! It is a game-changer for me.

Benefit Erase Paste - a product I've had on my watch list for sometime but EmilyNoel83 (YouTube) included it in her 2016 Favourites so I decided it was time to try it out. Glad I did - nothing has covered my dark, dark, dark inner eye circles so well without causing caking.

Until next time xx

Portmans off-the-shoulder navy dress

I recently attended a family wedding and wore this Portmans off-the-shoulder navy dress.

It was probably the most comfortable dress I've ever worn to a wedding. Given that it was a summer wedding it was perfect to wear something that was cool and comfortable.

I decided to go with a Nine West floral clutch and matching shoes to contrast the solid navy colour of the dress.

My beautiful hairdresser Hayden gave me an up-style to formalise my look.

I followed a Lisa Eldridge makeup tutorial and used a blue-grey smudged eyeshadow and created a dark smokey eye. Miss P also kindly allowed me to borrow her Mimco drop earrings to complete the look.

Until next time xx

2016 Makeup Favourites

Makeup is my favourite thing to play with. Here are the items I loved most in 2016.

Primer - IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream - not technically a primer but this product, applied sparingly to enlarged pores and redness, neutralises the area ready for foundation, I apply it with a Zoeva 142 Concealer Buffer Brush, both available from Sephora Australia

Foundation - IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC (Color Correcting) Full Coverage Cream with SPF 50+ in Light - not technically a foundation but the best product I've ever used to even out my skin tone and texture, can be applied with the finger tips or on a Beauty Blender, Light is just the right colour for me and warms up my skin tone, both available from Sephora Australia

Concealer for dark circles - Benefit Erase Paste - a salmon coloured cream that I dot on with my finger tips to erase my inner eye dark circles, does not crease on me if I use a tiny amount of the product, available from Myer, David Jones or Sephora Australia

Concealer for blemishes - MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20 - very pigmented, a lot goes a long way, packaging is frustrating as it is hard to dispense just the right amount, I always over dispense, I apply it with my Zoeva 142 Concealer Buffer brush (pictured above), available from Myer or David Jones

Powder - Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder - I wasn't a fan immediately but now I've fallen in love with this powder, it doesn't add any coverage or cakiness but does a terrific job of mattifying and keeping oils at bay, I apply it with the Real Techniques Bold Metals 300 Tapered Brush, powder available from David Jones, brush available from Priceline

Eyebrow Pencil - for a very defined, perfected and bold brow I can't go past the Shu Uemura Hard Formula Hard 9 in Soft Brown 02, this pencil needs to be shaped just right to get the best definition, thankfully the David Jones Shu Uemura staff are only too happy to reshape the pencil as long as it lasts, available from selected David Jones stores

Eyebrow Pencil - for a softer, weekend or more demure look the Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette is great, the nib is specially shaped to help shape the brow line, available from Mecca Maxima

Eyebrow Pomade - Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Blonde, a cream applied best with a MAC 208 Angled Brow Brush, this gives a softer finish, pomade is available from Sephora Australia, MAC brush is available from Myer or David Jones

Eyebrow Powder - MAC Omega Eyeshadow which has the perfect taupe cool-tone, applied with the MAC 208 Angled Brow Brush (pictured above), both available from Myer and David Jones

Eyebrow Gel - Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel, a clear gel with a large wand that holds brows perfectly all day, available from Sephora Australia

Bronzer - Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Bronze Light - I'm not a massive bronzer fan and use it more when my face doesn't really match my body (if I have fake tanned my body), this powder is very pigmented and it's essential to use a light hand when applying, I use a MAC 138 Tapered Face Brush and apply it around the edges of my face, bronzer available from Mecca Maxima and brush available from MAC Pro Stores

Contour - Sephora Colorful Contour in Tranquil No 26 - lightly pigmented and blends out beautifully, very cool-toned which creates the perfect shadow, I apply it under my cheek bones and down the sides of my nose with the Zoeva 109 Face Paint Brush, unfortunately this contour colour is only available from Sephora US at present, brush available from Sephora Australia

Blush - Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso - cheap as chips (drugstore) but only available from the US online, this a cult favourite that works perfectly with my skin tone, I apply it with my MAC 116 Blush Brush, blush available online and brush available from Myer or David Jones

Highlighter - Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips All-in-One Custom Nude Palette for Face and Eyes in Natural Nude - this sure has been the year of highlighters, I've tried lots but this one is my favourite, it's very affordable and available from Priceline, best for my very pale skin, the lightest of colours works best for me, this highlighter does not draw attention to pores or fine lines, I apply it lightly with a Real Techniques Setting brush to the tops of my cheek bones, both available from Priceline

Eyeshadow Primer - NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base - does a great top of providing a nice surface to place down eyeshadow, makes eyeshadow stay and prevents creasing, intensifies colour, available from Mecca Maxima

Eyeshadow - Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette - not only does it smell deliciously of chocolate but the colours, textures and payoff are outstanding, this is the palette that I always take on holidays because it's versatile and the packaging is sturdy and forgiving (when suitcases get thrown around at airports), I use a range of Zoeva eye brushes, palette available from Mecca Maxima and brushes available from Sephora Australia

Eyeliners - Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencils in various colours - just the right amount of pigmentation in a range of colours, my favourite look is to smudge them into the lash line with a small Zoeva brush, available from Mecca Maxima

Liquid Liner - Maybelline HyperSharp Wing in Black - I don't wear liquid liner much but this is by far my favourite, the pen tip is easy to control and it doesn't dry out quickly, available from Priceline

Eyelash curlers - Shu Uemura - still going strong despite how long I've owned them, available from selected David Jones stores

Mascara (top lashes) - Sephora Outrageous Curl - because I like bold, clumpy and lengthened lashes, very affordable, I always have a backup of this, available from Sephora Australia

Mascara (lower lashes) - Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes 5 Star - despite it's name it gives a very separated, subtle look (I'm really just using up something that wasn't suitable for my top lashes), available online from Charlotte Tilbury Australia

Lip Liner - I like pretty much anything by MAC, their liners have just the right consistency and pigmentation, my favourites are Soar and Whirl, available from Myer or David Jones

Lipstick (coral, red/orange) - Max Factor Flipstick Colour Effect in Gypsy Red 30 - long discontinued but I'm still working through the stash I bought before they sold out, I'm on an ongoing search to discover a suitable dupe, but darn nothing compares :-(

Lipstick (soft pink) - IT Cosmetics Blurred Lines Anti-Aging Collagen Smooth-Fill Lipstick in Je Ne Sais Quoi, that name is too too long, the colour and texture are simply beautiful, available from Sephora Australia

Lipstick (deep nude) - MAC Twig - such a gorgeous rusty nude colour, quite bold and very makes any makeup look very formal, available from Myer or David Jones

Lipstick (bright and bold colours) - MAC, NARS or Smashbox - great lasting power, great pigmentation

Lipgloss - still not a fan despite trying to change that

Setting Spray - MAC Fix+ - if I want a dewy long-wearing finish, a spritz of this spray just before I head out does the trick

Until next time xx