More Shopping!!

I've been a little sick for a while and getting up and out of the house hasn't been all that easy.
The sudden freezing turn in the weather has not helped matters either. Mr C has been super-understanding and supportive.

I can't remember if I mentioned it, but I quit smoking when I got the flu in October and I'm still going strong in that regard *pat on back*.

The last blog was about me trying to find a healthier, cleaner alternative to my skincare routine. I went shopping with Mr C over the weekend and he suggested we try Lush. What a genius he is!

It was my first time buying anything from Lush and it was like being a kid in a candy store. It was yummy smelling and awesome. I got a moisturiser and a toner, but took cleanser samples because I just couldn't choose.

Mr C suggested that since we had chosen Lush stuff and not Ren and Liz Earle or Clarins etc, and had therefore saved a lot of money, that I get a few bath things as well. I got a few (4 I think) and have used one already - So relaxing!

Today, I decided I had been home-bound for long enough and I would go out come hell or high water (literally - it was raining and there was even hail before I left the house, which stopped just before I left)

My first stop was Primark. I bought some new face cloths and a cute little beanie to keep my noggin warm. It has a bobble on the end and its blue. I didn't really look at anything else. the Croydon Primark has the most awful vibe and I do not enjoy shopping there, plus, I generally don't find anything useful there becasue most things are just too small.

Then I went to Lush to buy the cleanser I had chosen and got a free sample of soap (yay! I love presents).
The ladies in the shop were very friendly and helpful, both times I visited the store. they had a great deal of product knowledge and provided me with excellent advice.

I wondered around a few shops - okay, not really. I went to Superdrug and left empty-handed, had a look in Holland and Barrett with the same result. I went to M&S and picked up a few things.

The afternoon ended with a long-delayed beauty buying expeditions at Boots. I showed restraint and did not overspend my budget. I bought some Maybelline Colour Tattoo eye shadows and a Max-Factor bronzer. I also bought a new makeup brush to apply said bronzer.

All in all, today was a good day. *happiness*

Skincare Haul

After my morning walk, I popped into Croydon to get a few things.

I was starting to get a little concerned about the chemicals I was putting onto my skin. I'm not planning on going all Vegan and paranoid etc, but I did want to make sure that this winter I was using mild and gentle ingredients that wont be toxic in the long term. It's all fine and well to go organic and all natural, but that is never a guarantee of safety.

I stopped off at boots and decided to just get the Simple range and start there. No hours spent hunting or fretting. Just in and out. I was told that it's a basic range with no extra stuff in it. The sales lady assured me that the products were safe and would meet my needs.

Upon getting home, I double checked and the moisturiser had the specific ingredient that I wanted to avoid, and so now I'm not sure about the cleanser and toner either. I will be returning them unopened and will do further research before making any purchases.

Ok, so that was a minor setback, but near the Argos in East Croydon there is this dodgy looking beauty shop that sells a ton of stuff I have never seen, and it smells a bit funny too. Having said that, I went in for a specific purpose. They sell 100% Shea Butter (which I have purchased before) and, what I went in for, Cocoa Butter. When it comes to natural moisture, you can't really go wrong. Plus it smells like chocolate.

I bought a 270g jar of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E. I have some stretch marks and some scarring, and this is supposed to soothe that, apart from helping with the forthcoming dry winter skin.

I hope that it won't be too greasy and pimple forming ... we will see how my skin reacts.

Walking for Health in Croydon

I have taken the bull by the horns and committed myself to getting health in order once and for all. For the past week, I have been working on my diet and making better choices for meals and snacks.

Today, I took one more step towards a healthier future by going for a walk. This is not just any walk. This is a guided 2-hour walk through South Norwood's hidden countryside. The people were lovely. The pace was pleasant. The surroundings were magnificent. Some people even stopped at a jetty to feed ducks.

I plan  to do more of this type of thing and enjoy the outdoors more.

Thank you Helen for all the information and conversation today.

Thank you to the Croydon Council for this service.

I feel amazing!