New Year's Resolutions

1. Get and stay fit - I'm a member of a very expensive gym and need to justify the cost, this also has the side effect of looking rather hot (a new wardrobe being needed is also a benefit). My aim is to go 3 times a week and keep updating my routine every 2 months.

2. Listen to more music - My lovely boyfriend (of one year) pointed out the other day that he didn't know which music I liked as I listen to the radio all the time. This highlights the fact that I may not have listened to a CD in over a year, nevermind bought anything. So, I intend on updating my CDs regularly and changing the CDs in my car every month. I also want to update my mp3 player so I actually use it.

3. Say "Yes" more - at home, to friends and at work. I think my work attitude can improve by being more positive and more helpful, by saying "Yes" more at work I can help my company do more and also improve relations with colleagues. I would like to stay in touch with more friends, I live far away from most of them and want to start saying "Yes" more to invitations and also inviting more to stay with me. I'm sure Pete will appreciate me saying "Yes" more at home - nuff said.

I've kept these small and quite achievable so I can keep them. Small changes and all that! I'll keep you updated on my progress through 2009.

Girlie Stuff

It’s such a faff being a girl sometimes. I can’t just pick up any old face wash … is it right for my skin type? My age? Does it contain nuts or other nasty stuff? Will it dry my skin out, make it wrinkly or smell horrid. There are many things to consider.

About 5 years ago I thought I struck gold with the Dermalogica range, I was renting a flat above a beauty salon and they did great facials which I treated myself to regularly. I spent a small fortune on cleanser, toner, moisturiser, clay wash, face masks, eye creams and my skin looked wonderful. Then about 6 months ago I got itchy feet and started trying straying to other brands, but the moisturisers made my face shiny, the cleansers didn’t clean my face right and I started breaking out in spots.

I’m still bored with Dermalogica but I wanted to find a new range which suited me, so yesterday armed with my Body Shop loyalty card I surprised myself by finding they did quite good stuff. It was all laid out according to skin type, so I zoomed in on the oily/combination whilst lingering slightly next to the mature section (maybe I’m not ready for that yet). The range is based on seaweed and deep cleansing, it’s really nice! The cleanser is a gel wash which lathers nicely and smells fresh, it left my skin feeling clean but not dried out. The night cream wasn’t as thick as I hoped and did leave my skin feeling thirsty but the day moisturiser was light and we’ll see if it keeps my mid-afternoon shine at bay. The range does other stuff like pore-reducing gels, toners and face masks but I’m going to see if it proves itself first before investing more. All in all, I’m impressed with the Body Shops range, it’s leaning more towards the beauty market whilst still keeping the fruity shower gels and gift baskets a plenty.