Origins 'Calm to Your Senses' stress-relieving mask

Origins Calm to Your Senses stress-relieving mask

When I get wind of a new Origins product launch, I certainly don't need telling twice, the arrival of their Calm to Your Senses stress-relieving face mask had me racing straight for my nearest counter in a desperate bid to get my hands on a tube. I feel like I've referred to this a lot lately, but I'm a worrier by nature, and I often get myself far too worked up over things that I probably won't even remember a month down the line. I also have trouble with sleeping - I usually drop off all too easily, but I regularly wake up in the night and am unable to drift off again for a good couple of hours, which leaves me feeling tired and drained the following day in spite of having gone to bed nice and early. As a result, I'm forever on the lookout for products which serve to aid relaxation, and there is nothing I love more than a good pamper session and a long wind-down before I climb under the bed covers. Of course, it's rarely possible to go the whole hog during the week, as the evenings pass quickly and most of us will go to bed earlier, so the ideal is to have something on hand that will do the work for you.

Enter, Origins Calm to Your Senses.

A rich, creamy face mask containing buckbean and St. Paul's Wort extract to target tense, stressed-looking skin, it is not dissimilar to the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, in that you massage in a generous amount prior to bedtime and leave it to do its work overnight. Barrier-building plant butters help to replenish the skin's moisture reserves while you sleep, leaving it plump, soft and hydrated upon awakening, while a relaxing blend of lavender and chamomile soothe and calm the senses helping you to drift off more easily.

I'm not the biggest fan of lavender, but I do find it very calming when I'm ready to go to bed. I often reach for the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, which is very helpful, and definitely speeds up the time it takes me to get to sleep when I get into bed with my mind still racing. That said, the Calm to Your Senses mask doesn't have a strong lavender scent at all, and in fact, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it smelled like oranges (much like the brand's High Potency Night-A-Mins). It's a pleasure to apply, and sinks easily into the skin - I find that while it is rich, it is lighter than the Drink Up Intensive mask, so if that one was too heavy for you then don't be put off.

In the morning, there is no residue left on my skin, but thanks to its plumping, hydrating effects, I often find myself reaching for it regardless of whether I'm worried about sleeping or not. As to whether or not it helps me to drift off, the jury is still out - as I mentioned, it's rare that I have trouble in that department anyway, but it definitely does make me feel relaxed when I get into bed with it on. I love that it takes just a few short seconds to apply and doesn't have to be washed off, as this makes it a real time-saver that be can used anytime, anywhere.

I'll be doing a round-up of some of my favourite products for relaxation soon, as I seem to have built up quite the collection. Do you have any favourites?

xx

Nourish: Mind, Body and Soul

It sometimes seems as though nature is against us honouring our new year's resolutions. You promise to get out and about and take some exercise in the fresh air, only for the weather to turn colder, and the skies to turn greyer. You pledge to save your pennies hard, but with the arrival of January and the necessity of playing catch-up following the expenses of an extravagant Christmas, it begins to seem impossible. Or, as in this case, I'm eager to get my teeth back into blogging - but despite having a new camera to play with and a fully-functioning computer keyboard, the darkness of the weekend seems determined to stand in my way! I'm quite certain I'm not the only one to be encountering this problem, and goodness knows, it has got to be one of the biggest pet peeves among bloggers. But, it has to be said, today really outdid itself in the darkness stakes.

But while I may have to wait until tomorrow for a second attempt at well-lit photos, that doesn't mean that post-writing itself can't get underway, and today I wanted to share with you the secret weapon I am brandishing as we stride into the new year.

I knew that I wanted 2015 to be the year I focussed on my health, and after many false starts across the past twelve months, this time, I wanted things to be different. While my intention to eat well and exercise has long been on the agenda, lack of time and organisation have been two major hindrances on my path to perfection. I use the term very loosely, by the way, as I personally believe perfection to be almost perpetually unattainable. But that doesn't mean that we can't strive to be our very best in every way that we can, and for me, amongst other things, that means getting to a the point of eating well for 95% of the time, and stick to a regular exercise schedule. No more two-week-long bursts of motivation - this time, it all has to stick.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I tend to be a bit on the stressy side. I'm a worrier by nature, and have suffered from anxiety in the past, so for me, making changes is not just about getting fit, but also looking after my general wellbeing. I have been meaning to incorporate yoga, pilates and meditation into my lifestyle for as long as I can remember, 

With these goals in mind, I wandered the aisles of Waterstones on New Year's Eve in search of inspiration, when eventually,  I stumbled upon a book called Nourish: Mind, body and Soul, written by Amber Rose, Sadie Frost and Holly Davidson. It's one of those rare books that contains everything you are looking for, all in one place, and with each of the authors taking charge of a section of the book, they've got all aspects of my lifestyle plan covered.

Amber writes the first section, beginning by talking about super-foods and offering up a number of inspired recipes for health-boosting smoothies and juices (an easy way to suck me in, as I personally drink a greens-based smoothie every day, and am always on the lookout for ways to add that extra bit of oomph). There are also sections on breakfasts, soups and salads, mains and desserts, and if you are a fan of foodie blogs such as Deliciously Ella and Oh She Glows, as I am, then this will be right up your street. There is an emphasis on clean eating, with nutritious ingredients such as eggs, kale, quinoa, avocado and sweet potato (all foods that I include in my own diet very regularly)  popping up repeatedly in a variety of contexts.

The second part of the book, written by Sadie Frost, is entitled 'Superwoman', and initially focuses on breathing and meditation, before moving on to yoga and the relationship of all of these with - and their influence on -  our emotions. Later on, she discusses how best to organise your day in order to maximise your positive output, and how to establish an energising routine to add structure to your life.

The next bit is one I think most of you will probably love - a chapter on health and beauty. If you love mixing up DIY face masks and the like from the contents of your fridge and your kitchen cupboards, then look no further! The section also touches on vitamins and minerals, body brushing and reflexology before finally drawing to a close. Very thorough, I'm sure you'll agree, but that's what I like in a book.

Holly is responsible for the final section of the book, which is aptly entitled 'Fit-woman' - Holly is a personal trainer, so there are no prizes for guessing what she is bringing into the mix. But she doesn't just bombard you with impossible-looking exercise routines and insist that you spring into action - she prepares you for the task beforehand by discussing how to alter your mindset for the better and replace negative habits with positive ones. She encourages positive self-image, offering up pointers on how to get around the obstacles (and excuses) that stand in your way. She finishes off with a four-week exercise plan, complete with healthy snack recommendations to nibble alongside it, and if you're not feeling inspired and motivated by this point in the book then frankly, there's no hope!

For me, this was just the book I needed to set me off back onto the right track in time for the beginning of 2015, and despite still only being three days into the year, I'm doing pretty well so far! I'm a natural lover of healthy eating, but that doesn't mean I'm not partial to cake and chocolate, and I tend to reach for it if I'm feeling a little bit under the weather. With this in mind,  I have spent this evening baking up a batch of sweet potato and avocado chocolate brownies with all-natural, healthy ingredients (let me know if you want the recipe - they taste much nicer than they sound!) so I will have those on standby should the mood suddenly strike! 

Fitness-wise, I was never the sporty type at school, but I have grown to enjoy a variety of types of exercise over the past few years - and this year, I aim to establish a more sustainable routine, rather than leaping in head first and doing too much, only to reach burn-out a couple of short weeks later.

If you're looking for a bit of health inspiration yourself then this one is a must-read. Do let me know in the comments if you've found a similar alternative, or if you're planning on taking a new approach to health and fitness this year - I'd love to hear what tactics you're employing!

xx

Hello, 2015.

source

Happy New Year, everyone, and a big hello to 2015!

I hope you all had a fantastic festive period and were able to ring in the new year in style! Personally, I ended up having a night in for one, as many of my friends have recently had babies and the other half was working, but to be honest, it wasn't nearly as bad as you might imagine! For a start, I spent my first New Year's Day in a lonnnng time without so much of a sniff of a hangover, but I'll talk more about that later. I also had the chance to indulge in a bit of pampering and spend some time reflecting on the year gone by, as well as what I hope to achieve in this brand new year,

Last year was a great one for me for many reasons, but the main one has got to be that it was the first year in the last six that I spent here in the UK with my family and friends. You may or may not remember, depending on how often you drop by, but I spent a long period living abroad, before finally moving home in the second half of 2013.  Other highlights of the last twelve months have included travelling to Paris and Ibiza, landing a new job and watching my best friend get married, as well as celebrating my sister's graduation, accepting an FHM Award and going on a few shorter trips to the likes of Brighton, Manchester and London. 

But with 2015 now upon us, it's out with the old and in with the new, as they say, and time to make a few resolutions for the year ahead. Although they are the sort of things that tend to be broken before January draws to a close, I fully intend to follow through on my promises to myself this year, as I have been trying to get some of them done for months now, to no avail. So now it's time for a fresh start, and what better time to get motivated than on the first day of a new year? Without further ado, my new year's resolutions for 2015 are:

1. Resume blogging! 

Well, looks like we're off to a promising start on at least one of these, but this is something I have been desperate to do for some while It's not that I ever 'stopped', per se - at least, not intentionally. But with a broken computer (jammed keyboard and viruses a-plenty), there was little I could do, and without the use of a functioning camera to boot, things became difficult to say the least. I actually spent part of my evening last night installing a brand, spanking new keyboard (who needs a man to do their DIY? Smug.), and also picked myself up a new camera in the sales. So, I'm fully equipped and ready to go, and I couldn't be more thrilled! 

2. Lose a few lbs

This is one that has been attempted several times since last April, but alas, I have failed. It's not that I've got a lot to lose, but a good 10lbs had slowly crept on since moving back to the UK, and while I would normally have been able to lose it without too much trouble thanks to being a fan of healthy eating by nature, this time, it simply hasn't shifted. Within the next few days, I aim to see the nurse in order to change my pill, and also get a blood test to ensure that my thyroid is functioning properly, because it certainly seems that something is different. Either way, something needs to be done, and I'll be sure to keep you posted on my progress.

3. Add weights and yoga into to my exercise regime

That is, after upping my exercise sessions in general. I'm a member of a local gym, but I'd like to make the effort to go more consistently, as I tend to go through peaks and troughs. When I'm trying to lose weight, I go religiously, but because I wasn't getting anywhere in that department, I'd often lose my motivation and end up going less than usual for a while. I've been meaning to add in yoga for a while, as I'm quite a stressy type and am sure it would benefit me, but so far, I haven't found the time. This year, I will, and I'll also be adding more weights into my regime in order to build muscle, as this will help me to achieve my goals.

So, those are my three ongoing goals for the year, but I also plan to start (and finish!) a new course, save more money, learn some new skills, travel to Venice and Cuba and read at least two books a month.

I'll leave it there for now, but I'd love to hear about your new year's resolutions in the comments below. In the meantime, wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

xx

The Space NK Goodie Bag: Favourite Discoveries

                      StriVectin Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles // Deep Sleep Pillow Spray //  Caudalie C15 Polyphenol Anti-Wrinkle Serum   //    ReVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream

A few of months ago, I made some purchases from Space NK, and was lucky enough to receive one of their summer goodie bags along with my order. Every time I see these promotions on, I'm desperate to get my hands on them, but usually I can't justify spending an unexpected lump sum on beauty items I potentially don't need in order to get them. This time, however, it fell close to my birthday, so I took it as a sign and went ahead.

This particular goodie bag was jam-packed with around twenty iconic products, most of them in luxury sample size, and a few of them have slowly but surely made their way into my daily routine.

The best of the bunch is undoubtedly the ReVive Moisturising Renewal Cream - a rich, hydrating moisturiser, this hasfast become a bedtime staple, ensuring that I wake up with smooth and radiant skin in the morning.  This contains Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), a revolutionary, Nobel Prize-winning ingredient exclusive to ReVive, which gently resurfaces and retexturises the skin as you sleep. I must admit, the effects of this little gem, as with many products, do seem to have diminished somewhat with time - the 'wow' factor  is never quite the same after those initial few uses - but that hasn't stopped me reaching for it on a regular basis. It has a pleasant, almost buttery fragrance, and is rich in consistency to the point that it feels like a real treat for the skin on application.Sadly, at £105.00 a pop for the full-size, this is not one that's going to be making a lasting appearance in my routine, but I've enjoyed experimenting with it, nonetheless.

If you're anything like me, you'll find that your eyes are the first part of the face to give away your age, so I was pleased to try out the Strivectin Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles. This little tube of goodness claims to fade fine lines and wrinkles in just eight weeks, so I am very much looking forward to finding out whether or not it can truly live up to its claims. In the meantime, it's pleasant to  use, sinks in easily and moisturises the under-eye area well. Again, this is a pricey one - £55.00 for the full 30ml. I'd be very reluctant to repurchase at this price, but if it really does the trick then I could more than likely be persuaded.

I've also been using the Caudalie C15 Polyphenol Anti-Wrinkle Serum, usually before my night cream before I go  to bed. You may notice a bit of a theme here - perhaps I'm feeling my  age. Dubbed the 'Anti-Oxidant Youth Shot', this product aims to block free radicals and visibly correct wrinkles. Now, thankfully I don't have many visible lines on my face just yet, so I imagine this might have more of an impact on more mature skin, but I enjoy knowing that there is an extra barrier beneath my moisturiser, protecting my skin from pollutants and other external aggressors.

Last up is my favourite bedtime companion. I'm a worrier by nature, and often find it hard to switch off for a long while after my head hits the pillow. Luckily, the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray is now very much a part of my life, and you'd better believe that it does the trick. A couple of sprays of this delicate, lavender-fragranced miracle-worker and the stresses of   the day begin to melt away - I'm drifting off into a peaceful sleep in no time, and rarely wake again as I used to. It's a definite repurchase from me, even at £16.00 for the full-size.

The Space NK goodie bags are such a fantatsic way of discovering new products. Have you stumbled across anything spectacular from any of the previous selections?

xx

A Summer Holiday: Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza

At the beginning of August, the other half and I jetted off to Playa d'en Bossa in Ibiza for a week of fun, sun and relaxation. Yes, it is indeed nearly October, but having been struck down with suspected glandular fever  straight after coming back, I've been out of action for some time. Better late than never, eh?

We had decided to go all-inclusive for a change, as we usually find  keeping tabs on our funds to be such a burden when trying to get away from it all and have some chill-out time, Money is, without a doubt, one of our biggest stressors in day to day life, so to be able to leave our wallets behind each day and eat and drink whatever we pleased without the worry of running out of funds half-way through, or coming home with a big bill to pay, was bliss.

The hotel we stayed in was beautiful. A newly refurbished four star, it turned out to be a great deal more impressive than it had appeared in the photos - a huge plus, as often it can be the other way round. There was a huge pool with chilled house music playing throughout the day, and we were more than happy to laze around soaking up the rays and making the occasional trip to the cocktail bar to grab ourselves a couple of Mojitos or Coco Locos. Lunch was served in the main restaurant, with plenty of delicious dishes such as traditional Spanish Paellas and salads on offer - not to mention the to-die-for desserts.

Afternoons were spent reading, then taking a dip in the sea, as we were fortunate enough to have direct access to the beach through a gate at the back of the hotel property. The water was crystal clear and the temperature literally couldn't have been more perfect, so it was the perfect time to cool off a bit before heading along the beach for a drink and a dance at the iconic beach club Bora Bora, or Jet Apartments, which was just next door.

Speaking of beach clubs, our hotel was located just a couple of minutes walk from Ushuaia.- if you've ever been to Ibiza before, or even thought about it, then you'll know all about this place, which puts on some of the biggest and best nights on the island - think David Guetta, Armin Van Burren and Avicii, We popped along ourselves to see Guetta and suffice to say he put on a pretty darn good performance. It was by far the best night out we had while we were away, but drinks prices were beyond ridiculous - worth considering if you're ever thinking of going!

Anyone who heads to Ibiza would be silly not to pay the beautiful Eivissa, or Ibiza Old Town, a visit. There is plenty to see and do, with pretty little streets lined with flower-adorned restaurants and shops and beautiful sea views - not to mention the lovely Spanish architecture.

Most people I know who have been to the island before seem to have stayed in San Antonio, but I'm so glad we chose Playa d'en Bossa. From what I hear, San Antonio is cheaper, but also a lot rougher, whereas where we were had just the right balance - we were close enough to a strip of bars along with famous nightclubs such as Space and Sankeys, but were also able to get some peace and quiet when we wanted it. In fact, writing this is making me ridiculously nostalgic, and I'm really tempted to go ahead and book us in again for next year! Let's skip these dull days and wintery mornings and head straight for next Summer, shall we!?

Have you been to Ibiza? Where did you go on your Summer holiday this year?

XX

Summer Skincare Essentials

Ren Rosa Centifolia No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm // The Body Shop Vitamin C Energising Facial Spritz //  Raw Gaia Organic Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil // Apivita Pomegranate Face Mask

For me, Summer is all about August, and while many people around me now seem to have already resigned themselves to the fact that Winter is supposedly drawing in, I very much beg to differ!

Ok, so things might have cooled down somewhat, but last year we had sunshine right the way through until the end of October, and then some. Call me a wishful thinker if you like, but I think we've still got plenty of sunshine to come, and having only just finished this year's summer shopping I'm not willing to go digging out the Winter boots an coats just yet.

With this in mind, I wanted to share some of the skincare products that have been helping me through the warmer months - and incidentally, those which came away with me on holiday to Ibiza this month. I like to keep my skincare light and fairly basic at this time of year, while still maintaining a functional routine, but there are certainly a few types of products I tend to favour that I'd be unlikely to reach for in the winter. That said, there are also one or two surprises.

Ordinarily, I stick to a cream formula cleanser when the weather is good and I'm wearing less makeup than usual, as I find them to be highly effective at removing what I have got on my skin as well as leaving a fresh, clean canvas with no oily residue. Balms can be a little heavy for Summer, but this year I have kept right on going with the Ren No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm, and haven't looked back. This is one formula that is a pleasure to use, removing every last trace of makeup as well as soothing and moisturising skin after it has been assaulted by the likes of sunshine, salt water and sand. What I love about this one is that it leaves my skin feeling unbelievably soft, smooth and comfortable, all without that undesirable waxy residue that so many of its kind leave behind. It's a real winner, and it serves me equally as well in the Winter.

One thing I simply can't live without in the Summer- or perhaps just refuse to - is a facial spritz, and this year I've been carrying The Body Shop's Vitamin C Energising Facial Spritz around in my handbag. It's been an absolute life-saver during those uncomfortably humid afternoons in the office, and a quick spray over my face and neck has really helped to pep me up. The uplifting citrus scent awakens the senses, and makeup is instantly refreshed - what more could you ask for? It also provides a welcome shot of vitamins and moisture, and I tend to use it to wake myself up a bit first thing in the morning, straight after my cleanse.

Some days, I don't fancy using a moisturiser before bed, and a couple of drops of Raw Gaia Organic Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil* are the perfect alternative. Far from leaving my skin sticky or greasy, it sinks easily in, and packed with beauty-boosting vitamins A and C, along with essential fatty acids Omega 3 and 6, it certainly has the desired effect. As well as rejuvenating and nourishing the skin, I find that, when used a few times a week, my complexion appears more even and altogether brighter. It's also great for reducing unwanted pigmentation, so it's a must if this applies to you.

I'm keeping face masks and treatments to a minimum, as I don't find that my skin is quite as needy as it is in the winter and tends to do OK when left more or less to its own devices, satisfied with a minimal morning and evening routine. That said, I will whip out a secret brightening weapon from time to time, and that weapon, of late, has been the Apivita Pomegranate Face Mask. A light radiance mask, it's lotion-like on texture, and only a thin layer is required. Leave it for ten minutes, and hey presto - you've got your glow back. Granted, this is more of a 'keep your skin happy' mask than a problem fixer, but if you've got that happy medium down to a tee then this is your perfect partner.

Of course, these aren't the only products I have been using, but I've certainly pared down my routine for the timebeing and am quite enjoying the results. I shelve my trusty AHA toners when it's warm, as I deem it to be too much of a risk when the sun is out (you should ideally keep out of the sun for a week after use, so reaching for one on a daily basis is a definite no-go), but I've still been following up my evening cleanse with a generous sweep of Liz Earle Instant Skin Boost Tonic. I've also been trialing a fabulous new bedtime moisturiser, which I will be talking about very soon on the blog, and a rather nice serum, to boot. Again, both are light enough to use in warmer weather - I don't know about you, but I like to go all-out with pampering treatments in the Winter, so it's quite the contrast when I go back to basics.

Does your skincare routine chance in the summer? 

Do you have any essentials?

xx

Review: 3-Day Obsidian Juice Programme

If you follow me on Twitter, you may well have heard me talk recently about my desire to take on a three-day juice cleanse. I had been curious for a while, and with a holiday looming, it was just the push I needed to give my health an extra boost, and potentially drop a few pounds in the process. I had gradually gained a few over the winter and hadn't yet got around to losing them - or, rather, I had been trying to do so since April, to no avail, which was a bit of a strange one for me, having never had problems in the past.

The main deterrent from taking the plunge into the world of juice cleanses was the extortionate prices I seemed to keep finding myself faced with, time and time again. I had purchased a juicer back in January, but it had broken after a couple of uses, and while I did enjoy making my own in the short time that I was able to, I have to admit that it's quite the hassle, and pretty time-consuming, to boot. It's amazing how much fruit and veg you can get through to make a small amount of juice - particularly if you haven't exactly splashed out on the best, as I hadn't.

Enter, the people over at Obsidian, who very kindly sent me over a three day cleanse to put to the test. They actually run a successful retreat in Spain - where you can book yourself in for a cleanse whilst enjoying relaxing activities that focus on the mind, body and soul -  as well as a juice cafe in Loughborough.

At only £55, Obsidian's offering is a fraction of the price you'd pay elsewhere, and while it still isn't exactly cheap as chips, I'd be willing to bet that if you added up all the money spent on pizzas, takeaways and other treats over the course of a month then it would heavily outweigh the cleanse. Something to think about if you're wanting to overhaul your diet.

The Obsidian 3-day juice programme consists of four large juices per day, all of which arrive at your door frozen so that you can allow them to defrost the night before you want to drink them. This is so handy, as the longer juices sit around, the more nutrients they lose. Keeping them frozen until the last minute means that they remain as packed full of goodness as they were when they were originally bottled - just don't forget to take them out of the freezer in time!

The juices I received were:

Detox - A delicious light juice with the zing of lemon and slight heat of ginger.

Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Lemon, Ginger, Beetroot

Calm - A lovely vibrant zesty red juice.

Apple, Lime, Beetroot, Carrot, Mint

Invincible - A simple 3 ingredient juice that's the colour of sunrise and leaves you feeling refreshed and alive.

Apple, Carrot, Ginger

Flush - Another 3 ingredient juice that's sweet and zingy from the addition of fennel.

Fennel, Apple, Lemon

Green Fairy - An easy green juice with cucumber to refresh.

Apple, Cucumber, Spinach

Spa - Deliciously sweet as a treat to your taste buds and body.

Spinach, Pineapple, Apple, Lemon

Mean Green - The king of juices and made famous by it's inventor Joe Cross.

Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Kale, Lemon, Ginger

Now, personally, I love juices, no matter how high the vegetable content, but I do know that some people may not feel the same. Luckily, each juice was utterly delicious, and all of them had a decent level of fruitiness about them for those non-veggie lovers amongst you.

I started my cleanse on a Saturday, and had been looking forward to doing so all week. Ok, so foregoing solids for three whole days was going to be challenging, but I couldn't wait to see how the process would make me feel - and, of course, whether any weight loss would follow. Unfortunately, I woke up that morning feeling quite under the weather, which was a bit of a spanner in the works to begin with, but I soldiered on, starting the day with a Detox juice before heading to the gym. At around 11.30am, I followed up with a Calm juice, and although both were delicious, it was a lot of beetroot to be getting on with! Later on, things started to diversify somewhat, and I sipped on an Invincible at 3pm, rounding off with a Flush at around 7.

On day two,I still wasn't feeling great - nothing to do with the juices, but a bit of an office bug I had picked up, it turned out. It seemed to have been doing the rounds, but luckily only stuck around for a couple of days. Day two was very much about the green juices, and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed Green Fairy and Spa, which were my second and fourth juices of the day. To be honest, I think they were probably exactly what I needed, and the extra boost of vitamins and minerals had me feeling much better by the afternoon.

Day three fell on a Monday, and saw me sipping on a Mean Green along with another Green Fairy, Spa and Flush. I have to admit, I did cave in on this day and have a little something to eat in the afternoon as I was feeling a bit weak. Shameful, I know, but I couldn't risk not being able to get through the day.

When I woke up on the Tuesday, I felt fantastic. I was full of energy and had no trouble getting out of bed - and believe me, this is usually a problem! I was pleased to find that I had also lost 2lb, but also a little bit annoyed with myself for having given in to temptation the day before, as perhaps I could have lost slightly more had I not done so. I'm usually pretty good in the willpower department when I really set my mind to something, but the fact that I hadn't been feeling my best when I began had definitely played a part.

I decided to continue on a liquid diet for a few more days after the cleanse had ended, and surprisingly I found myself a lot less sluggish throughout the day. I drank juice for breakfast and lunch, had a third in the afternoon and then a vegetable-based soup for dinner, and as a result I've been able to lose another couple of pounds - score!

I'd really recommend the Obsidian juice cleanse if you're looking to try your first detox and haven't got time for the daily hassle of making your own. It's a really convenient way to try it, and as I said before, a lot cheaper than most. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the juices on the plan - even Flush, which I had been dreading due to my dislike of fennel. Actually, it proved me completely wrong, and was one of the best flavours of the lot. Other favourites of mine included Invincible (great for an afternoon pick-me-up) and Green Fairy, which is possibly the most refreshing combination I have ever tried.

If you fancy giving the programme a go then visit the Obsidian website, or give them a follow on Twitter (@ObsidianJuices).

                                                                                  XX