#Leanin15 - My review of the UK's Best Selling Book

Joe Wicks - The Body Coach - Lean In 15

Before and After

This is my review of the UK's best selling book of 2015/2016

The title of my Blog says it all really. This is a best selling book and its best selling for a reason. I've looked at many recipe/diet/lifestyle books and this is by far one of the best. It's very well written and easy to follow. The recipes are fantastic and none of them use super fancy food that no one has ever heard of before.

By total coincidence, my boyfriend bought this book at the same time as me and we had it delivered on the same day. We were looking through that evening and decided that the very next day we would try one of the recipes. We went for page 72. Tomato and Chorizo. Below is the result - and can I just say, we were very proud of ourselves!! It tasted fantastic. We couldn't find any Spring onion in the supermarket so we decided to use Spinach instead and it went perfectly.

The back of the book consists of some before and after photo's of normal people that have tried Joe's 90 Day SSS Plan. They all look incredible.

He also has a few pictures and instructions on HIIT workouts.

The Hiit workouts look great but they're flippin' hard work. I decided to go on Youtube and watch a proper video to do my HIIT workout. Joe Wicks does 4 rounds - I managed 3. Not too bad for my first attempt.

Yesterday I did my own version of the Italian Stallion Sausages. Unfortunately, we were too hungry and just ate it straight away before I thought about taking a picture. I used my Pampered Chef chopper to make the courgettes and onions very small rather than chunky. It tasted beautiful and I'll be recommending/doing again soon. It was a lot more a soup/stew than I imagined but that's probably due to how finely chopped the veg was. I also added about 12 Cherry Tomatoes rather than the 4 or 6 he recommends and I added some red pepper. Beautiful!

I've got the ingredients to be trying Cauliflower Cous-cous Chicken Salad, Cheesy Chorizo, Chicken & Spinach and the Goan Fish Curry. Think I'll be cooking this afternoon!!

UPDATE:

You can see the steam it's that hot!! This is plateful of Cheesy Chorizo, Chicken & Spinach. It was beautiful. I did part spinach, part kale and I didn't add any nits. Other than that, the recipe was the same. Another one that I'll happily make again!

I just need to learn to 'prep like a pro' and I'll be all sorted!!!

I hope you all enjoyed reading this post. Follow me on Instagram @emsky1329 for more food pics and ideas. 

Bye Guys xxx

***Happy New Year 2016***

Hi Everyone. Hope you've all had a fantastic Christmas and New Year. 

I've not written a blog for a while, due to being so busy over the last few weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to get back to normal now and continue doing blog posts. 

I'm writing this on the 2nd January. Already I've had a good start to my New Year. I've actually made some resolutions this year and I hope I can stick to them. It's not often I even bother making them. 

1.       Keep going to the gym.

2.       As little alcohol as possible. (I'm doing dry January - more about that later)

3.       Stop spending on rubbish and budget better to save more.

4.       Start writing my book and keep going with blog.

5.       Eat healthy.

6.       Keep a To Do List.

That's right, I've gone from doing no resolutions whatsoever, to 6!

I started going to DW gym in November and I've been enjoying it. Always feel much better after I've been but my motivation isn't very good. I've only ever been once on my own, so that needs to change.

I've always wanted to write a book so hopefully 2016 will be the year that finally gets started.

I definitely need to start keeping 'to do' lists. Especially for things around the house. 

On to Dry January - I've signed up to do the Cancer Research Dryathlon. With one major clause... I get to drink on the 23rd!!! It's our annual Pride Awards with work and I can't not drink there!!!! 

Anyway, Other than, I will be doing dry January. Because I'm doing it for Cancer Research, I need people to sponsor me. I've already admitted there will be one evening where I won't do it, but to make up for that, I'm going to continue it into February. 

If you'd like to sponsor me, just copy this link into your web browser... https://www.justgiving.com/Emma-Parkinson-dryathlete1329/

It is only the 2nd Jan, but so far I've been eating a lot better, drinking lots of water (hot & cold) and I've been to the Gym today and plan to go again tomorrow. 

Oh and by the way... this was how I celebrated my New Years Eve - A night in with my boyfriend and my cat. So guess what, no hangover yesterday :)

Hope you all have a fantastic 2016. Don't forget you can follow me on Instagram - emsky1329 and Facebook - Stardust Beauty Blogger

Ciao for now :) xxx

Eating Healthy and Doing Exercise. It's Easy... Right?

2015 has been the year of 'healthy'. There are so many new books coming out about a healthier lifestyle, new recipe books, all with healthy foods in them. Yet somehow, as a 27 year old normal girl with a full time job, I still struggle to find the time and money to eat healthily.

I have just recently joined the gym (again) and plan to stick to it this time. I'm determined to fit into my Bodycon dress by the end of January. I also keep buying the lifestyle books I've become addicted to. 'Made' by Millie Mackintosh is a recent favourite. Maria Menounos has done two books so far, the first of which, 'The EveryGirls Guide to Life' is my Bible. Girls like Binky Felstead from 'Made in Chelsea' are even putting short exercise videos onto Instagram for us to watch and copy. I love all of these things. I love hearing about them, watching them, reading them. Yet somehow, I can't seem to be able to follow them.

I find healthy food to be very expensive. How cheap and quick is it do a pizza? £1.00 and 15 minutes. If you're in a rush, It's the easiest option. How quickly does salad stuff go off? When you live on your own and not having salad for every single meal... very quickly! I seem to waste more food than I eat. And that's not to mention the jargon that comes with healthy eating. What on earth is that green powdery stuff you're supposed to stick in your juicer these days? It's weird, that's what it is.


I won't lie to you; I'm eating a pizza right now. It's only a tiny one, but I was late home, there is very little food in the house and thanks to a rather unexpected expensive weekend, I'm now officially broke until pay day. So I 'cooked' the quickest and easiest thing I could find. A Pepperoni Pizza. And you want to know something else? I'm not even enjoying it. Right now, I'd honestly much rather be eating a nice healthy vegetable soup.

Convenience and money are my main problems. I think my New Years resolution should be to finally pay attention to these books I keep reading. Learn how to cook for one and not waste food. Going to the gym is great... slightly pointless though if I'm going to sit here eating a pizza.

The Best Beauty Advent Calenders for 2015 (plus, bag one half price...)

Hi Guys

Welcome to my new blog post. This time, we're talking about the amazing new Beauty Advent Calenders. Read on to see which one you want in time for December 1st...

I would firstly like to say that isn't an Ad. I haven't been contacted by any of the stores I'm about to mention to write this...

I'm going to start with my favourite one and the one that I currently have ready and waiting for me to open in just over two weeks time.

Ciate Mini Mani Month - rrp £50.00 - http://www.tkmaxx.com/new-in-beauty/mini-mani-month-nail-beauty-set/invt/42081031

This gorgeous advent calender is definitely for the nail polish lover. It is a beautiful box decorated with a London scene and features all 24 doors for the run up to Christmas. It has a different nail colour treatment behind every door and includes 17 colours, 2 nail toppers, 3 treatments, a mini glass nail file and a mystery colour full sized pot.

I have put above that the price for this one is £50.00 - However, follow the link above to TK Maxx and you'll be in for a very pleasant surprise. Its currently half price! Yep, you read that correctly. TK Maxx are selling this advent calender for £24.99 (Hurry, before they all go)

Body Shop 24 Happy Days - £60.00 - http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/gifts/over-30-gifts/beauty-advent-calendar-2015.aspx?

Sadly, I can't find this one any cheaper that its RRP of £60.00. However, looking at it, I'd say it's definitely worth the money if you're a body shop fan. It is worth a grand total of £93.50 and contains all sorts of different products. Again this calender has 24 days and has body care, bath stuff, make up, fragrance. Below is the full list from their website. Personally, I love the Fuji Green Tea scent.

• Frosted Cranberry Heart Soap 25g
• Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Lotion 60ml
• Elderflower Unperfumed Eye Gel 15ml
• Colour Crush™ Nail Colour 6.8ml (Relish the Moment)
• Eye Definer Black 1.25g
• Mini Nail File
• Almond Hand and Nail Cream 30ml
• Shea Shower Cream 60ml
• Shea Body Butter 50ml
• Shea Heart Soap 25g
• Eyeshadow Brush
• Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel 60ml
• Vitamin E Moisture Cream 15ml
• Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream 15ml
• Fuji Green Tea™ Shower Gel 60ml
• Fuji Green Tea™ Body Lotion 60ml
• Green Mini Crinkle Bath Lily
• Italian Summer Fig Eau de Toilette 10ml
• Vitamin E Hydrating Toner 60ml
• Eyelash Curler
• Strawberry Lip Butter 10ml
• Strawberry Hand Cream 30ml
• Honeymania™ Lip Balm 10 ml
• Frosted Plum Body Lotion 60ml
• Frosted Plum Heart Soap 25g

Feel Unique 12 Days of Unique Beauty - £30.00 - http://www.feelunique.com/p/feelunique-Beauty-Calendar-Exclusive

The Value of this box is £85.00 according to their website. Its a complete surprise what is in there so I can't say too much about this one. The website says "Behind each door one of your favourite brands is waiting to be discovered, from NUXE and Philip Kingsley to Grown Alchemist and this works, the beauty elves have put together a treasure trove of full-size and travel-size luxuries to be enjoyed." 

I do know as well that there is a Fleur De Force product in there from her new range. I believe its one of the eye shadow quads. It looks fantastic. It's only 12 doors as opposed to the 24 the others are doing, but the products, from what I can gather are definitely worth it. 

Just to make you aware, it is fairly easy to get a discount code for Feel Unique. You can Google search and usually one will come up. The website do fairly regularly have 10-20% off as well. Again, these are selling fairly quickly so hurry if you want to order one. 

Marks and Spencer Ultimate Beauty - £200 (or £25 if you spend £25 or more on other beauty products) - http://www.marksandspencer.com/christmas-advent-calendar/p/p22428282

Starting Tuesday, this £200 advent calender is only £25 when you spend £25 or more on beauty products. Pretty much, the bargain on Christmas. Featuring 24 beauty treats from iconic brands such as L'Occitanne, Leighton Denny, Stila and Cowshed. 

Plus, if you order online, you can get free delivery to your nearest store. 

Selfridges Beauty Workshop - £60.00 - http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/beauty-workshop-beauty-workshop-advent-calendar-2015_277-2062014-ADVENTBWS/

Also 24 doors and featuring over £226 worth of products. I've had to steal from the website again as the desciption doesn't give too much away. 

Selfridges Beauty Workshop Advent Calendar

Includes:

Tweezerman Petite Slant Purple Reign

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner

Eve Lom Cleanser 20ml and Cloth

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum 7ml

OCC Gold Glitter

James Reed Tan Peel Mask 25ml

Caudalie Divine Oil

Merci Handy Hand Sanitizer

and many more...

Lets face it, its Selfridges. You know its going to be good value for money. Its completely covered in stars too. What more could a girl want. 

                                         

There are sooo many more that I could show you. These are just a few of the best. The cheapest I could find at just £20 is from House of Fraser but its currently out of stock on the website. You may still able to get it in store though. 

Don't forget you can follow me on Twitter - @emsky1329 , Instagram - emsky1329 and Facebook - Stardust Beauty Blog. 

Have a fantastic time picking out your favourite advent calender. Let me know via Twitter or Instagram which one your favourite is. 

Bye for now xxx

***I finally have Wifi, so... here's my new house!***

Well its been a really long time coming, but finally I have Wi-Fi at home and I can let you know about my new home.
I mentioned in a few posts that I was moving. it was quite honestly, the most stressful thing I've EVER had to do. I had to sell and buy which does make things harder. I work at an Estate Agents so I know what happens and I know it can get stressful, but nothing prepared me for this.

I can now finally say that I am happy and settled in my new home and the nightmare is behind me. I've moved from an apartment to be a mid terrace with a gorgeous basement kitchen. I really do LOVE my kitchen. Its the best room in the house. I've finally got sorted with storage as well. Everything has a home now. (Including my make-up!) :)

Here is a mini photo tour of my new house.
You may notice the odd picture with my cat, Lila in them. She just likes to be involved!!

So first of all, we've got the living room. My sideboard is my pride and joy. I bought it with some inheritance money and I've loved it from the moment I saw it. My kitchen is downstairs so the little archway you can see is the stairway to the kitchen. 

This is my beautiful Kitchen. I'm absolutely in love with this kitchen. Its the reason I kept going as long as I did through the sale. Its about 10 times the size of the one I had in the apartment. I can't say enough how much I love it. 

Bedroom 2 / Dressing Room

View from Bedroom 2

My bedroom. Its not massive but hey, I've got a mid terrace so what else would you expect. 

I'm so happy to finally be moved in and settled. I can #netflixandchill again! Haha. 

Normal blog posts will be resumed shortly. In the meantime feel free to follow me on both Twitter and Instagram under @emsky1329 or my Facebook page - Stardust Beauty Blog

xxx

**NEW** Softlips Cube

Look what I've got my paws on..! 

These aren't readily available in the UK yet but I've managed to get myself one! 

These are becoming increasingly popular in America with celebs like Kelsea Ballerina endorsing them. 

They come in four different flavours. 

Fresh Mint

Strawberry

Vanilla

Pomegranate Blueberry

As you can see from the photos, I went for the pomegranate one. I do want to try the vanilla one as well! 

The pictures aren't the best quality as I took them on my phone rather than my camera.

I shouldn't say this really, but they taste AMAZING. 

The lip balm is 5 in 1 lip care with lip perfecting technology.

1. Hydrates

2. Replenishes

3. Smoothes 

4. Protects

5. Adds shine

The best part is that it DOES contain SPF 15. 

They look pretty. They feel fab. It's everything you'd want from a lip balm. 

Definitely recommend :-)

Xxx

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My New Obsession... BOOKS

I've always loved reading. As soon as I learnt to read, I've enjoyed it. However, this time I don't mean Novels, I mean a good, informative, helpful, lifestyle books. 

I mean these books...

I actually do have more than I am showing in the above picture but as I'm moving house, a few of them are already packed up. I might do another of these blogs once I've moved and I can show you them all. I absolutely LOVE these types of books. I guess you can kind of call them 'self help' books, but not in the depressive sense. 

They are really informative and each speaks to you in a different kind of way. I recommend all of these kinds of books for any type of girl. There really is something for everyone. 

Of course, I have my favourites... one of them, I even call 'my Bible'. (Keep going cos that one is at the end!) I always refer back to them whenever I can. Most of them have been read on more than one occasion.

1. Nell McAndrew's Guide to Running

I've just recently decided that I need to get myself fitter and a lot healthier. Due to the fact that I'm moving house, I'm quite low on funds at the minute so joining a gym doesn't really seem like the best idea. So, I decided I'm going to train myself into a runner! I've never been a runner. I have asthma, which really doesn't help and has always been my excuse, but now, I've decided, it's time I started. This book really is helping me to get going. Nell shares lots of brilliant tips with you and shows that it's okay to stop for a breather, start walking for a bit and run very slowly at first to build up your fitness. She also shares some food/diet tips that come in handy.

2. Michelle Phan Make Up

This certainly isn't my favourite book, but it is definitely still well worth a read. Michelle Phan has done a YouTube blog for years and she puts all of her knowledge and expertise into this book. Very fun to look through. Easy to go back to when you just want a quick tip on something.  

3. Love Tanya

Another YouTube blogger, Tanya Burr's book is fantastic. She has put personal stories in there as well as helpful tips etc. I recommend this book to anyone, whether they're a fan of Tanya or not. She has written a beauty bible and again, so handy for just dipping into as and when you need to check something. 

4. Nourish - Mind, Body & Soul

This book is new to me. I've had a quick scan through it and fell in love with it straight away. It has 3 authors: Amber Rose, Sadie Frost & Holly Davidson. Each of them take a section and share their expertise with you. Amber Rose does some amazing recipes. It's one of those books where you can easily just curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea and read it while the evening passes you by. 

5. Life with a Sprinkle of Glitter

6. Sprinkle of Glitter Diary for 2016 (not technically a book I know!)

Also a YouTuber - Louise and her 'sprinkle of glitter' are getting ever popular. This a dinky book that can easily be put in your handbag. She admits that she can't cook, she knows she's not perfect and yet her book is nothing short of fabulous. I liked it so much, that I've even bought (already) her diary for 2016. Both are filled qith uplifting quotes and things to do. She keeps you smiling the entire way through. If you've seen her videos on YouTube, you can hear her speaking to you as you read it. 

7. Fleur De Force The Glam Guide

I am 110% obsessed with Fleur De Force. I watch every video as soon as I can. She is FANTASTIC. She released this book back in February and I have it on pre-order from the minute I knew about it. She's always such a happy person. Her and her husband Mike make a brilliant team. He's always happy to be in her videos etc. 

In her videos she is also very happy to have other bloggers there with her and promote their pages too. She seems like such a nice genuine person. AND, she's obsessed with stars just as much as I am!

I'd love to have Fleur's job, it seems like so much fun. Very tiring though I imagine. 

Her book doesn't disappoint. I love it. Being paperback, it's easy to carry around should you wish to read it on your lunch break or on the train etc. Definitely worth a read. Highly recommend this book and her videos. 

8. Cupcakes and Cashmere at Home

I also have the original Cupcakes and Cashmere but that book is definitely packed away in a box somewhere. Both of the books are really good. (They must be, I bought one and then couldn't wait to buy the other!) She has some really good tips. I love the fact that she isn't all about make up as well. She is about food and home style too. She splits her books into seasons which makes them even more fun to read. 

9. Maria Menounos - The Everygirls Guide to Life

10. Maria Menounos - The Everygirls Guide to Diet & Fitness

I've put these two books together as clearly, they have the same author. I mentioned earlier that one of these books was my 'Bible'... Ladies, number 9 in my list is THE BIBLE. I LOVE this book. I cannot say enough about it. I had to get her second book because the first one was so amazing. I've heard that early next year she is releasing a recipe book as well. I can't wait for that to arrive in the UK. 

Both of these books are fabulous. The first one though, just has something about it. The cover feels amazing for a start. It just feels like a nice book. The second one doesn't have the same texture unfortunately. Inside, both books are jam packed with just about everything you need to know. Food, make up, lifestyle, fitness, tidying, saving money. They're all in there. I almost don't want to pack these books in case I want them before I move. (Which is only in about 2 weeks).

If you're going to take my recommendations on any of these books then 4, 7 & 9 are my top 3 favourites. Clearly though, I love them all. They're all great to look at as well which makes them excellent coffee table books. 

Don't forget you can find me at www.stardust1329.com

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