More healthy tips for summer

The temperature is milder, and we definitely saw some sun this week... maybe like me, you are looking for healthy hints on losing weight for summer (if like me, weight has crept on over the cold long winter).  I'll be following Zest's advice to hit your summer weight loss goal.

The way to plank

Things have been quiet here for a few days I know, but I haven't been very well and I'm still recovering.  I have been thinking of ways to live a healthier lifestyle when I'm better, and the plank has to be part of my exercise regime.  I wanted to share this with you, from www.zest.co.uk

Interview with Rona from Flowerona

Recently I've been reading a truly lovely and unique blog, www.flowerona.com

Rona kindly agreed to answer a few questions, please check her website out and stay tuned for a flower event I will be organizing later in the year.

1. What made you give up your job to run your flower blog full time?

I was running my own Virtual PA business at home and went to see a business coach.  She advised me that I needed to do something creative, rather than simply react to my clients’ needs.

She advised me to create a moodboard and when I did, 95% of it was pictures of flowers.  It sat on my desk for a good 3-4 weeks before I had a light bulb moment one Friday afternoon in August 2010.

I came across a blog called Wee Birdy (http://www.weebirdy.com/) which at that particular time featured blog posts of things with birds on.  So, I thought, why don’t I write a blog about things with flowers on, plus real flowers as I’d previously trained as a florist.

I started Flowerona (www.flowerona.com) in December 2010 and ran it in tandem with my Virtual PA business.  Then in September 2011, I sold my business and now I run Flowerona full-time.

2. Describe a typical day for you.

A typical day starts at 6.30am with a cup of tea at my computer.  I set up tweets in Hootsuite to promote my new blog post that day. Then post about it on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Flowerona).

The next task is to go through all the blogs that I read via Google Reader.  If I think that a particular blog post will appeal to my readers, then I’ll tweet a link to it in Twitter (https://twitter.com/flowerona) or save it for my Flowerona Links (http://flowerona.com/category/flowerona-links/) blog post on a Sunday.

I’ll also pop into Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/flowerona/) to see if there any new images to pin to my boards.

Next, I’ll open my emails and deal with them before starting my blog post for the next day.

Every day is different.  So, I may go out to a meeting, visit a show or trade fair, attend a floristry class…plus all the other tasks of running a home, like food shopping, bill paying, washing, etc.!

Throughout the day, I’ll dip in and out of my emails, Twitter and Facebook.

I generally switch off my main computer around 7.30pm.  But then, after dinner, I’m often on my laptop on the sofa until heading to bed around 10pmish.

3.  If a reader has a passion for flowers but doesn't know how to make it into a career, what would you advise?

I would recommend taking a floristry evening class.  That’s how I started.  You can find out about courses near you via Hot Courses or Floodlight websites. 

Then, once you have some basic skills, you may like to consider doing work experience at a local florist at the weekend.

Photos courtesy of www.flowerona.com

Guest post on Gwen's Bridal Bazaar

For today's post, I direct you towards my guest piece on the lovely new wedding blog, Gwen's Bridal Bazaar - http://gwensbridalbazaar.com/monochrome-magic/

Regular readers will know I love the monochrome trend, and including it in the styling of a wedding is mega :-)

And here's my favourite monochrome animal!  Shame he can't come to the wedding!

Lilac Chic Style and Events

Exciting news.... drum roll......

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that several pages have been added to the menu of the blog - please have a readthrough.  However, in a nutshell, Lilac Chic is expanding into an innovative events and lifestyle business for women in Cardiff and beyond.

I have long wanted to run my own events, and I hope you will be able to join us on 9th May and/or 29th June.

Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see planned!

Hair by Rush Hair

Recently I've been trying out new hairstyles but I'm always on the lookout for new tips, tricks and styles.  Who better to ask than Rush Hair, who recently won London Hairdresser of the Year?

THE SHOW STOPPER - this is my fave, being a curly girl myself.  Moisture moisture moisture from now on!

'"The Show-Stopper" is big, bouncy and beautiful. This curly stunner has been enhanced with a natural red glossing, this visually expands the curls and adds tremendous shine to every perfect curl. The warmth of the hair is transported in to the skin giving the model a youthful glow.

"Curly hair loves moisture!" So to achieve this look at home on naturally curly hair feed your hair with moisture. Stat with the shampoo and conditioner, the better quality product you use the better the result, with this hair type we would use a conditioning mask every time. Curly hair dose not like to be disturbed too much so squeeze hair dry do not rub with a towel, if you need to comb the hair use a wide tooth comb not a brush. Add a generous amount of a smoothing curl cream, squeeze in to the hair and allow to dry naturally. My favourite curl product is Oleo curl cream from Kérstase.'

Tina Farey, Artistic Team Member, Rush Hair

THE PRINCESS

 

'"The Princess" is such a stunning look as it's a long style with lots of character. The blend of blonde tones adds the feeling of expensive  looking hair and they beautifully compliment the choppy graduation around the face. This smooth sleek look has been brought to life with a bouncy turned under blowdry.

To achieve this look at home wash and condition hair with a moisturising shampoo and conditioning treatment. Add a smoothing heat protector to your mid lengths and ends, apply L'Oréal Professionnel Volumizing Leave-in Spray to the root area. Taking sections, blow-dry the hair with a large round brush, roll each section loosely around your fingers and pin under until cool.'

Paulo Pinto, Artistic Team Member, Rush Hair

THE CITY GIRL

'"The City Girl" look has an amazing shine and flawless finish. The rich dark tone in the hair really compliments the models colouring and makes the most of her beautiful brown eyes. The sharp graphic out line of this very on trend bob strengthens the jawline and by dressing the hair back on one side lifts the cheekbones and opens up the eyes.
 

This look can be achieved at home by using a shine enhancing treatment, blowdrying the hair with a light volume spray and finishing with straightening irons and shine serum.'

Andy Heasman, Artistic Team Member, Rush Hair

THE STREET CHIC STAR

 

 

"The Street Chic Star" is fun and chic whilst being an everyday wearable style. The clever placement of chocolate and honey tones around the hairline adds texture, depth and highlights the focal point of the cut, this gives versatile styling options. The short choppy layers around the crown bring this style to life and create effortless texture.

To achieve this at home wash and condition hair, add a volume product to the roots and smoothing oil such as Kerastase Elixir Ultime to the ends and blowdry with a small paddle brush; the front section may need shaping with a round brush depending on the hair type. Finish the hair with a light pliable paste or spray wax.

THE FASHIONISTA

Ask your stylist for a dip-dye. This soft, feminine colour technique blends seamlessly from a darker shade at the root to a lighter shade at the ends. Ask your stylist to use a shade similar to your natural colour at the root for a low maintenance colour. This look works best on wavy hair but can also be done on straight or curly styles.  Lightened ends will need conditioning treatments to keep them feeling and looking healthy. I’d recommend a Fiberceutic treatment by L’Oreal Professionnel in salon along with a take home fiberceutic conditioner to keep your hair feeling great.

Remember that if you are going to have your hair cut to tell your stylist so the colour’s not all cut out!

THE WESTEND GIRL

 

Ask your stylist for a full head copper red tint. This vibrant shade makes a striking statement. Be aware that darker coloured hair (even a semi-permanent done in the last year or even longer ago) may need to be cleansed to achieve a bright, copper red shade.
 

Reds can be prone to fade on a more noticeable scale than more natural shades so using a shampoo and conditioner for coloured hair is essential. I’d recommend Bain Chroma captive and Chroma captive masque by Kerastase to keep your colour’s vibrancy for up to 40 days.
 

An in salon enrich colour treatment can intensify the shade or top it up between permanent colour applications perhaps for a special night out.

Healthy lifestyle

Now that the sun is shining I can think more clearly about healthy living, and getting outside and walking rather than just dashing from car to building in the freezing cold!

Last year, before the cold set in, I had quite a good walking routine going, which has gone out of the window due to moving house and the cold weather.  However, now the evenings are lighter, I'm able to start again, and explore the new area around where I live.  Also, I'm making a concerted effort to do pilates and yoga in the house, or a dance DVD, depending on my mood.  We have a nice sized garden so I'm planning on doing some skipping out there, and taking a trip to the local swimming pool.  At work, I take the stairs (4 flights) and walk during my break or lunch time.

I'm trying to eat more fruit and veg, although I do get the munchies at work most days.  But I'm trying to reach for a banana rather than a biscuit!

On an emotional side, I do get stressed easily so I'm trying to bring calm into my life by learning relaxation techniques and by getting plenty of sleep. 

What are your tips for healthier living?