Feeling Great-

I have just recently been reading a blog about people who are not at all confident about their looks, and it made me feel very sad. I am not someone who has always found it easy to feel sexy and confident so would like to share a few of my thoughts on the subject.

I have always had issues with my skin which I finally discovered were due to digestion problems- I was eating the wrong foods for my body. Since this discovery I take much more care about what I put into my body and try to ask myself before I eat 'what good will this do me?' (ie choice over chocolate cake or apple cake apple is the clear winner- it's FRUIT! tee hee) But I am someone who loves my food and think it's so sad to be on diets all the time and being strict- everthing in moderation is a good way to go. If you have suffered with skin problems I would advise seeing a good ayurvedic or chinese doctor, to look at it holistically from the inside rather than using antibiotics of harsh products. Most of the products for acne are not good as they dry out the skin too much- I have found it much better to use a pharmacutical cleanser ( perfume and soap free) and generally no moisturiser- to leave the skin as natural as possible.

I always feel much better when I have done some excercize too, (I hate sweaty cardio stuff) but a fast walk or swim make me feel great. I feel that it is better to do 20 minutes a day or outdoor stuff than irregular forced gym sessions!

Since moving to Sardinia I have also realised the importance of having a great haircut to suit your face, body and hair type. In Geneva I was always blowdrying, straightening and colouring my hair, and suffered from dandruff and greasy scalp. I am now washing it and using various cunning ways to make dry naturally in a great shape (See the tips below, and more to come!) And I am really loving my hair now. So having clean hair in great condition makes a great difference. Also the natural form of our hair is almost always what suits us best. It's often the case of finding the correct products and method to bring out it's natural shape (Curls or straight)

I have also started wearing less makeup than before, and am starting to feel OK about it! I really see the difference in my skin texture being allowed to breathe as it should. Correct makeup colours for your skin tone are also vital. Those of us with a warm skin tone need something warm, and cool skin tones need cool colours (Blues and pinks rather than golds etc) And it really can be worth having a proffessional consultation (I think Mac are very good, and I love Shisedu foundation)

Please If you would like so advice do ask and send a photo if you like and I will gladly help if I can!

A Typical day, Snow white and the car insurance!

Well hello again! I want to give you an insight into a typical day here. Yesterday morning we went to our friend Patricias' who would take us to get car insurance in olbia. We started drinking coffee and talking about religion- politics- real estate- etc and then realised it was almost lunch time, when all offices close for at least 3 hours! So off we dashed to find the chap gone for lunch. So off we popped for a small snack (2 hours one bottle of wine and 150 euros) later we went back to the office, the guy gave us a ridiculous quote, we decided to get other quotes tomorrow, went back to Patricias and had coffee and a swim. NO INSURANCE AFTER 8 HOURS WITH THE ONLY THING TO DO TO GET INSURANCE FOR THE CAR!!! This is a totally typical day, one can get very easily distracted by lunch, wine, swimming and chatting. There are worse things! Patricias dog Snow White (Who I do love but is everything but elegant and princess -like) got hair all over our lovely new (old) green car and one side is now covered in slobber!

Green Car and Cute lazy style!
Well hi there! After 4 weeks of looking for a second hand car we have now found a lovely shiny green one! It's very old- I don't even want to tell you how old ! But it's got a low mileage and it's nice to drive and was cheap!!!

So here I am sitting on the balcony feeling like I should be working on PR etc but just wanting to go for a swim! So now I have finally recieved this monkey of a box with my equipment in (I waited 4 weeks as it was blocked in milan ) I now have no more excuses not to do any work (sigh....) So today I am researching all the yacht services companies and various potential contacts in porto cervo that I will try to get into good books of! So in order for me to meet with these swanky people I need to look my best, but don't really fancy spending too long blow drying. Here's top tip number two:

For straight of curly hair, from around shoulder length:

When the hair is wet, gently squeeze out excess water and add some serum, comb through and make into a low pony with your hands. Twist this pony until it curls around itself and then using 2 or 3 kirby grips, pin into place. If you have a fringe blowdry this straight. When the hair is dry (Only do this when it's hot so you don't catch a chill!) remove the grips and you will find yourself with beautiful glossy 50's style waves. Da DAAA!!! Enjoy taking care of your hair and being lazy at the same time folks!!!

Beach Babe Hair! (Less of the babe!)

Here is the finished effect! (Not too glam due to wind!)

Moving and How to get great Curls!!!

Well it's a fair while since I blogged... sorry! mostly because I couldn't find my way back into my account !! What a tech wizard!!!

Anyhoo, lots to say.. since my last blog we have moved to Sardinia! Since I met stef we planned to come here for good, to be self sufficient, living off the land and all that! So here we are since the 12th of june. So far we have found a fab flat with a sea view, 5 minutes drive form Porto Cervo where I will be working. My plan is to work as a hair stylist on the big yachts, preparing all the party people for the summer! I haven't started yet, as we are still looking for a car, and I have a box with my basin and all products in stuck in Milan, which should be coming any day soon. So how has it been so far? Well wonderful of course, being able to swim every day in glorious sea and being always in the sunshine, although i hae to say it has been stressful, not being able to start working and always aware that the money is going not so slowly down... and frustrating from time to time too, with all sorts of little problems with telephones and internet, things that are vital for work! But everyone has been so lovely and helpful always ready with some kind words.

So lets start on the first top tip!!! Seeing as I have been dealing with a totally new hair situation myself, being by the sea and hot al the time, I have had to deal differently with my own hair and have been very pleased with the results.....

Holiday Curls!!!!!!
If you're lucky enough to have curly of wavy hair, but find that it can look too messy all by itself, try this; Wash and condition well. Dab lightly with a towel (Don't ever be too agressive when towel drying as it displaces the cuticles) Use a little leave in moisturising product (Aveda Curl Enhancer, Redken spin control- I am using Aveda Colour Conserve Mousse) Loosely comb through (Tips always first never pull) put in one or two large velcro rollers here and there, especially through the front. Walk about and leave it to dry naturally (Whilst waxing your beach leggies or some such glam holiday thing!) then simply remove the rollers when dry (By winding the hair around your finger as you pull so it doesn't frizz) and use a little serum (Aveda brilliant emollient or anything similar and twist the hair in large peices as you apply. Bob's your uncle!!!