To a positive 2013

I am quite superstitious, and believe if you see the New Year in, in a positive way, you will have a positive new year and if you have a negative one, well it will be a negative new year.

Religion is always a funny, tricky and personal subject, I am not a Buddhist but in 2010 I started going to meditation classes, and found these really enjoyable, relaxing and positive. Local classes and more information can be found on the following Facebook link; http://www.facebook.com/meditateinbirmingham?ref=stream

After seeing 2011 in, in a very negative way, the rest of the year followed suit and ended 

up being one of the toughest years I had every had. So seeing 2012 in, I had made a lot of 

changes in my life such as, calling off my wedding, asking my ex to move out of our home 

on New Year's Eve, and really trying to make myself feel like me again. So New Year's Eve 

arrived, and I decided not to drink, not to party, but to go to the Buddhist

Centre and see the new year in there, with strangers, doing meditation. Yes I know this 

sounds very odd, and usually I am clubbing in town, to drunk to remember

12 o'clock, but I needed to make changes! And then 2012, was amazing. I have moved in 

with my boyfriend, near Leeds and we are now expecting our first child. I'm very happy, 

content, and in love and when I think back to just over twelve months ago, when 

everything seemed such a mess, and I was literally thinking, 'What have you done to 

deserve this'? I now know, 

I needed to make drastic changes in order for my life to be where it is now....near perfect! 

So a positive new year to everyone :) I feel 2013 is going to be even more amazing with 

the arrival of our little girl, I hope it is for you as we'll.

Anna

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For the love of Mulberry!!

I have always loved Mulberry, and wanted to own one of their bags, but with prices ranging between £600-£1500, it has never been within my price range!

A good handbag however, if classic won't go out of fashion and won't get damaged easily, so will last you years, which is an investment, as I have told my boyfriend...hint hint hint. I have found my favourite a mini leather satchel. It is £550, and comes in brown and a petrol, not sure which I like the most out of the two!

Not sure if the hints have worked, so working within my budget, I have been getting my cheaper arm candy kicks else where. Peacocks do this gorgeous tan bag for £15, which looks great and a lot more expensive then £15.

And I do love anything fringed and tasseled, and this bargain from New Look for £15 is my new fav!!

Ahhh you just cannot beat a good piece of arm candy!

Anna 

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Pregnancy and the ever changing barnet!

I have not written for a while, with life being hectic, moving to Yorkshire, being five months pregnant and changing jobs, adjusting to a new life etc. Plus finishing my degree! It is no wonder I am knackered!

For over a year, I have had micro ring hair extensions, done by Kelly in Wednesbury, by the name lushious locks. They have been fab, but moving here it is hard to get there for maintenance and I am not sure I trust anyone else here at the moment to do them, as they are not cheap and you do hear a lot of horror stories.

When I first had them done, my hair was bright blonde as can be seen in the picture.

Then when I found out I was pregnant, I did not think you could dye your hair blonde, so decided to have it darker, with the blonde left at the tips, dip dyed basically. Except it turned out ALOT darker then I thought it would and if I am honest I hated it.

So after literally MONTHS of trying to lighten it I got it a lightish brown, but the hair was damaged and starting to hurt abit, took them all out so now I have shoulder length hair, that after 12 months of extensions is very very thin! I think I will stick to clip in's for the time being, they are easy and can add instant glam without the expense, time and effort and if I am being honest I am quite liking having shorter hair again. Heres a pic now,with clip in's in, plus my bump.

I've been looking at redder shades, after watching the programme girlfriends, I feel in love with one of the girls hair which was copper.

 So my next blog I may be a red head, as hair colouring is the most I can do at the minute with fashion, treatments and diets being limited!

Anna 

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Baby bump x

Haven't written for a while, due to finding out I'm pregnant, coming to the end of my degree and having tons of work. Plus arranging a job change and moving to Wakefield, which will be happening Friday.

As so much has been going on, finding clothes that I can fit into is a mammoth task, even at this early stage and I'm already investing in maternity jeans and baggy clothes. 

Luckily there is inspiration from Fearne Cotton, who has recently announced she was pregnant.

Plus one of my favourite ladies of all time...the beautiful Shakira.

And I can always revert to my trusted style favourite Nicole Ritchie, who never seems to get it wrong.

So I shall be mixing these lovely three ladies style up and adapting to my own, plus my own price range, in order not to look like a frump! Wish me luck.

Anna

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Ahhh festival weather!!

So its lovely to be back in England, nice and wet plus muggy! Considering going to Leeds festival but when the weather is this bad it really does spoil it.

On holiday the big thing on the night was lose fits, maxi's and wedges! Dressed up with lovely accessorises. With all the fantastic offers on there is no excuse not to be ready for your jollies! Looking at the River Island sale, I have already made a few purchases even though I probably won't be going on another holiday for a while :(

Firstly I spotted this bralet at a bargain from £22 to £8, and not a million miles away from the Topshop version which was selling on Ebay for over £40!

 This would look beautiful with a maxi skirt, and lots of nice bangles. The following maxi is also from River Island, but sadly not in the sale and is £35.

Essential for everyday in the sun is a big floppy hat. I was lost without mine, so don't for get yours...plenty of sales on at House of Fraser and the hats are divine!!

Now I'm thinking festivals, and possibly a hat is needed to avoid looking like a drown rat! My friend purchased the following mini roller hat from topshop for £25, which looks amazing! I will try and get a cheaper version from ebay.

Team this up with some loose fitting trousers, a light parka coat and if your daring enough (sadly I don't think I am) maybe this bralet from Topshop for £25...gorgeous festival chic!

An lastly my big splurge of the month has been a bag in the River Island sale, it was £150 reduced to £75, I was tempted at £150 but had to admit it was a little too much considering it is not designer, and so glad I didn't now it is half price!!!

So enjoy the sales, enjoy the hols, enjoy the festivals and what ever else your plans maybe, and I'll enjoy my new purchases :)

Sun is shining..the weather is sweet

Holiday detox is not going as well as it should be! With the sun out, I am finding it hard to resist wine and Aspell cider in the sun!! You’re not meant to drink on detox obviously, but if unavoidable gin with slim line tonic or vodka with the same is the best to opt for. This weekend if the suns out I am on the G&T’s, or else I won’t be able to fit in any of my bikinis and swim suits at this rate.

So the start of June and the detox will take full force. One of my favourite recipes from the eat clean book is super mince. I love bolognese sauce anyway, and this is packed full of veg, and usually at least 3 meals can made from it. Put as much different veg as you want in, I put in courgettes, peas, broccoli, mushrooms, aubergines, and peppers. Obviously mince and onion first, garlic, passata, rosemary, bay leaf and oregano (or any Italian spices you have in the cupboard). I have it with wheat free pasta, or equally as yummy on its own.

Nothing worse on your hols then chipped nails! So for my feet to remain sandal friendly I will put minx nails on, this should easily last the week, and my fav is hippie chick. I do them myself at home and buy the minx foil from eBay (save the extra money for a bikini!)http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Minx-Dual-Edge-Hippy-Chick-flowers-/251073819099?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Nails_Manicure_Pedicure_CA&hash=item3a752a71db

Holiday clothes mode again, and personally I do love the swim suits with cut outs, but suffer from a bit of a stick out belly! Haha, this is due to being wheat intolerant, but this is a new discovery, so cut outs in the past for me were a no no! However I did find a swimsuit from H&M which was a slashed version, and was super flattering, and kept that little belly disguised somehow! It sold out at the time, so I purchased from eBay for £25...over the odds, but worth it and ill definitely be rocking it again on the jollies in June. (Detox permitted!)

Last holiday I did treat myself to a pair of ray ban aviators (which you can kind of see above) I will be honest and say this was after seeing Audrina Partridge looking gorgeous as ever in them.

This year I think I need to treat myself to a pair of Wayfarer’s especially after seeing these gorgeous creatures looking so delicious!

Hello sun...

Well the summer is here!! So I am off on my jollies in a few weeks so already started with a mini detox, ready for a proper detox two weeks before. I read James Duigan eat clean stay lean before I went to Mexico in November 2011, and this is honestly now my detox, healthy body bible! It is fantastic. The main aspects are to cut out wheat and diary, eat eggs for breakfast, and eat lots of protein such as turkey (even suggested for breakfast with eggs, but not for me!) Only one coffee or tea allowed per day, plenty of water….ohh an no potatoes. You can manage it for two weeks, and I did feel great, and possibly had the best body I had ever had (shame I haven’t kept it, but never mind!)

I also try to have a cup of green tea, with lemon juice every morning before drinking or eating anything.

As the holiday is looming I am of course looking at lovely summery clothes and bikinis, even though I have a fair few from my last holiday.

I did see this playsuit which is gorgeous, if only I had the long legs!!! This is River Island and is £30, not sure if I would be daring enough to wear it here with the short shorts but definitely on holiday.

As that Marilyn bikini from my last blog is out of my price range, I have found an alternative from Asos, which is gorgeous, and much more affordable at £21.50

I also love from Asos this classy swim suit that is backless, amazingly sexy! £35

I already purchased this bikini for my last holiday from Asos, it is £32, and so pretty and flattering, my boyfriend is a fan of this one.

An lastly….I am loving the Aztec pattern, and this shirt from Republic is gorgeous, can be worn with shorts, short jeans or over a bikini and will look fab! £20