Getting Healthy Starts Here | Brita Fill & Go Review

Have you ever gone through a healthy moment? Most people go through a health crisis around January, after a Christmas of excess. For me my crisis came in October when I went on a juice cleanse (post here). I wanted to feel healthy and attempt at getting fit, which started with my diet. I now have a diet plan which is telling me what I should be eating and drinking and how much of each.

A new gadget I have been testing out is the Brita Fill and Go*, essentially a snazzy bottle to filter your tap water! I love this idea, as someone that buys bottled water all the time I often feel like I am being a bit of a mug - paying for something that is free from a tap. But is it me or does it just taste better if tells you it is filtered through rocks?

You pop the disk filter in the lid of the Brita Fill and Go and then just fill it up with tap water. One filter lasts about a week and you can refill the bottle when ever you fancy from the tap. I have to be honest, perhaps it is psychological but I actually think the water tastes better!

This has been really handy for me being on and off the tube or at the gym. The bottle is also quite nice to look at and comes in a few other colours. If you haven't guessed from my blog theme, I like pink. Doesn't it make me look seriously gym profesh!

Brita Fill and Go, £28.50

Stay beautiful

xoxo

                                                                               p.s don't forget to follow me on Blogloving

15 Things I Really Want for Christmas

So I have seen a lot of Christmas gift guides this month and yeah a lot of them have things I would quite like to have. There is only so many shoes or lipsticks I can really fit in my draws and these gift guides aren't really helping me. So mum as you keep asking what I want here is a run down of some essential things my life is lacking. No pressure, you can pick any of them.

1. A phone that doesn't let me text whilst intoxicated

2. Alcohol that doesn't give me memory loss

3. In fact alcohol that doesn't give me a hang over (please buy more than 1 bottle of this)

4. Some shoes that I can dance all night in and that don't feel like a torture device or make me walk like I'm crippled

5. Some extra hours in the day for sleep or a three day weekend, either or!

6. Be able to go out more than two nights in a row (uni days are long gone mum)

7. A man with lots of money, personality and that looks like Channing Tatum. Please ensure he is suitably gift wrapped

8. An immune system, getting a bit fed up of being allergic to everything

9. A job that I can earn loads of money for and love doing, suggestions welcome

10. If you cant think of one, a money tree will do and not just a plastic desk ornament. 

11. A shampoo that means I wont have to wash my hair every morning

12. A fit body that I don't have to go to the gym for

13. Burgers and ice cream that wont make me fat

14. Something cheap and painless that would mean I would never have to shave my legs again

15. A lipstick that doesn't rub off on my teeth and leave it looking like my gums are bleeding

So there are a few things and I think a couple are doable in three days. Don't let me down mum, number 7 is particularly requested. 

What have you asked for from Santa?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

*image found on Pintrest

The Clothes Show Live 2014 | What I Wore

This is the last in the Clothes Show Live trilogy of posts, what I wore. You can see What I Saw (Here) and What I Did (Here). I am having a bit of a moment for co-ords at the moment, I think they look so cute! Scroll down to see where it is all from! 

So when I was deciding what I was going to wear to the Clothes Show Live I knew it had to be comfortable. I was going to be walking around all day so the shoes were pretty important and I didn't have much choice in that department, it was either high heels or brogues. Neither of these were very appropriate so I settled on some heeled boots from Primark and paired them with some of my Dad's socks (other options are available (; hehe) 

I was in love with this Miss Guided Co-Ordinate set when I first saw it and I have been waiting for somewhere to wear it, hello Clothes Show Live! It was also really comfy and I felt stylish wearing it. I matched it with a leather biker jacket from Topshop to give the out fit a less formal feel.

Lastly, my accessories. This necklace was a staple for the Summer months and it was perfect to add a little colour to my black and white outfit. This one is from Bon Bon Bijou and I also have it in white!

Dress: Miss Guided

Jacket: Topshop Leather Biker Jacket (similar)

Shoes: Primark

Necklace: Bon Bon Bijou Snow Flake 

Watch: Michael Kors

What do you think of this look?

Stay beautiful

xoxo 

P.s Don't forget to enter my huge Christmas giveaway for more than £300 worth prize! HERE

The Clothes Show Live 2014 | What I Saw

This is my second out of three posts on the Clothes Show Live at Birmingham's NEC Arena. You can see what I did (here), so this is what I saw.

This is really photo heavy, I wanted you all to get a sense of what the actual fashion show is like. You can book in for hour long slots to see some amazing high street designers. First tick for me was the men with out any tops on, always a nice treat on a Sunday afternoon. But the screaming of the audience was a bit like I had stumbled into a hen party.

The show began with a look at Millie Mackintosh's new clothing line. Some super cute bits but very over priced in my eyes. Then on to some musical entertainment from the X-Factor, Stereo Kicks. The main show is a mixture of your typical runway catwalk and a dance troup which breaks it all up. I guess this gives the models time to change into their next outfits. The photos speak for them selves, it was pretty amazing and the hour long show whizzed by.

 

What do you think? Enjoying the topless pictures?

Stay beautiful 

xoxo

P.s Don't forget to enter my huge Christmas giveaway for more than £300 worth prize! HERE

The Clothes Show Live 2014 | What I Did

If you follow me on my social media channels (@pixipicks) you will know that on Sunday I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the Clothes Show Live at the NEC in Birmingham with the ladies from Good Results PR. I did so much during the day that I am splitting it into three posts which will come out this week: What I Did, What I Saw and finally What I Wore.

So first up is what I did, along with some tips if you plan on going next year.

I had to get up super early to hitch a lift with my mum up to Birmingham but if you fancy getting a train from London it costs about £20 for a return. When I arrived I checked myself in at the Bloggers Lounge, collected my ID badge and hit the stalls.

I ventured over to the Olympus camera stall first and the lovely people kindly lent me one of their new PEN cameras for the day and I have to say it is one of the best compact cameras I have used, along with being super stylish! Top of my wish list for 2015. So after playing around with my toy for a bit I went off to meet my lovely photographer Lianne.

After walking around for a bit I went to the fashion show in the main arena and got pretty excited about our front row seats. I will have more on this in the What I Saw post later. Hint: topless hunks!!!!

I loved the atmosphere of the Clothes Show Live, buzzing with activity and people out for a day of fashion bingeing. There are lots of sales guys shouting out promotional offers and I warn you not to get sucked in by them all. They are super charming and often it is so fast paced that before you know it you have paid £25 for a foot scrub! There are some deals that are actually good so remember to take your time and look around. I went to the Lauren's Way stand to check out her Sleep In Rollers and before I knew it had parted £20 for a Christmas set, fingers crossed they are worth it. There are loads of stands with the majority now in the beauty section, always a plus for me, so I was in heaven and ran around like a headless chicken grabbing at lipsticks and stuffing nail varnishes in my bag. 

There are also a lot of fashion stalls, some designer and some more Camden market, but all worth a visit. I wasn't prepared for the crowds that swarmed around the stands grabbing at sequin hot pants and being a  bit crazy! I did find some super cute skirts that were a bargain, 2 for £15, they usually sell at Topshop for £35 each!

My Clothes Show Live Tips:

1. Make sure you take cash. The cash machines charge you £2.50 each time you withdraw and the queue is a little ridiculous.

2. Be prepared to over spend on food. They hold a monopoly on where you can eat and although there is loads of choice it is quite over priced. I spent £8.00 on a jacket potatoe! 

3. Invest in the Platinum ticket. It may cost a little more but it saves time on the queue for the fashion show and it also gives you access to the cloak room where you can leave your shopping throughout the day. This is a god send! 

4. If you think you are going to buy loads take a small suitcase. You wont need anything bigger than hand luggage size but it saves having to haul millions of bags onto the train. Plus you can keep it in the cloak room till the end of the day.

5. Set yourself a budget. This is one I can never stick to myself but if you know what your limit is you can seriously think about what you are buying and make sure you don't come home with the £25 foot scrub.

6. If you are a Youtube super fan be prepared to be disappointed. There are always going to be reality and Youtube stars at the Clothes Show Live and whilst there are lots of organised photo opportunities there are often stupidly long lines. Appearances often get cancelled or moved about so make sure you have an itinerary if you are serious about getting a snap with your favourites. Also be considerate when they are walking around the show. I saw a gaggle of pre teens screaming after a male Youtuber and security had to get involved. As much as I know they would love to stop and have their photo taken with you there often isn't the time. 

7. Lastly, have fun! It is an awesome day out for a group of girlfriends and there is so much to see and do, so make the most of it. 

Have you been to the Clothes Show Live? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.

Stay beautiful

xoxo

P.s Don't forget to enter my huge Christmas giveaway for more than £300 worth prize! HERE

Christmas with Marks & Spencer

If you haven't noticed I love a bit of Christmas and I love nothing more than checking out what gifts are on offer during the festive season. I recently ventured into my local M&S and found myself in the beauty hall. If you haven't been I really recommend you go. The sales assistants don't work for a particular brand so there is no pressure to buy from a particular one and you end up getting  something you actually want to buy, rather than a panic purchace. 

I have been buying my pants from M&S for years, I even brought my first 'training' bra there - don't know why you need training for a bra? So when I was invited by Modus PR to check out the the exclusive gifts launching for Christmas at M&S I was pretty excited. Keep scrolling to check out some super cute Christmas gift ideas!

There is one stand out product for the Christmas season that I have to get my hands on. The Autograph Eyeshadow palette with 12 stunning nude shades in a rose gold package. It is £14 and is a must have for any beauty junkie this Christmas. Santa I have been a good girl this year!!! 

A brand you may or may not be familiar with is Lola. They do a range of cosmetics and nail polishes sold in selected M&S stores and online. I chose Lola Ultra Shine Polish in Rusty Red and the formula is incredibly opaque, glides on like a dream with no streaks. I was also surprised to find out that even without a top coat the polish is super shiny and almost looks like a gel polish. With two coats it was done and after a top coat I just had to wait for them to dry, which wasn't long! I am going to stock up on a few of these little beauties, for £8.00 there are some hot colours for spring and summer so make sure you check them out. 

What do you think of this shade? Don't forget to enter my big Christmas giveaway, over £300 worth of products HERE

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Christmas Extravaganza and Giveaway

I think now it is okay to start wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

I love this time of year, heaps of leaves, open fires, snuggly jumpers and Christmas cups. I also love it because we get to spend time with family and friends, I'm off to Cardiff this year and I am so excited to see my family members that are scattered across the UK in one place for once.

Another thing to add to my love list is this blog and I love all of you! So in the spirit of Christmas I want to give one of you lucky reader's a very special Christmas gift, from Pixi Picks to you. A joint thank you from me and the blog for following and supporting, with a sprinkle of extra Christmas cheer.

What you will win:

Alterna Kendi Dry Oil Spray

Fake Bake 60 Minutes Self-Tan Liquid & Mitt

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Balance Me Rose Otto Body Oil

Glam Glow Youthmud

Bed Head Superstar Blowdry Lotion

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm

Skyn Iceland Face-Lift In-a-Bag

Estee Lauder Pure Colour in Smashed

Show Treatment Oil

Sleek Makeup Au Naturel Pallette

Joan Collins Lash Treatment Gel

Weleda Citrus Hydrating Body Lotion

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Eyelashes

Clinique Even Better Compact Makeup in Fair

The giveaway will end on New Years Eve! Exactly when a gift should be shared and opened. You will need to follow the blog on Bloglovin to be in with a chance of winning and live in the UK!

Stay beautiful

xoxo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CEW Achiever Awards 2014 - The Beauty Oscars

 Last Thursday, 20th November, I was delighted to attend what in the beauty industry is known as the 'Beauty Oscars'. One night a year a board of women within the beauty industry come together to honour and recognise talent within the industry with the CEW Achiever Awards. We were greeted by champagne and canapés under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights and joined the crowd, which was buzzing with excitement. 

I could identify a few of the big wigs in the room; Chris Good of Estee Lauder, my idol Charlotte Tilbury and a gaggle of big brands and retailers. I felt a little out of place and a bit awkward as the waiter noticed I was a feeder and kept bringing over delicious treats. 

We were ushered into the ballroom for the awards ceremony to begin and I have to say that CEW had done an amazing job. The decor looked incredible and I was so excited to see all the women I admire and aspire to go up to collect their awards. This year we had some amazing people recognised. 

CEW LIFETIME ACHIEVER AWARD 2014

This is the big one and it was so well delivered! The woman who is just as famous for her hair as her incredible talents. This year’s winner, Suzy Menkes, was appointed Fashion Editor of the London Evening Standard at age 24 and over three decades, her reviews and insights have appeared in the world’s leading press titles and currently reach over 38 million people on 19 Vogue international websites. Her acceptance speech was heartfelt and inspiring, something I hope to have. 

“The difference between passing fashion and lasting beauty was written in the words of Avedon himself. ‘If you do what I have done, which is to record the beauty of your time, that doesn't go out of fashion,’ he said. 

I would like to thank the CEW and Caroline Neville, for giving me - a fashion editor - a lifetime award for understanding that fashion is transient - but beauty is eternal.” 
Suzy Menkes, International Vogue Editor. 

Other award winners were -

CEW ACHIEVER AWARDS 2014 - 

Céline Gilg - General Manager UK and Ireland, Tom Ford Beauty

Debbie Ansell - UK Head of Beauty, World Duty Free Group

Charlotte Tilbury - Founder and Creative Director, Charlotte Tilbury Beauty

Lisa Smosarski - Editor, Stylist Magazine 

CEW SPECIAL INDUSTRY AWARD 2014 - Michael Ward, Managing Director of Harrods.

CEW MEMBERS' ACHIEVER AWARD 2014 - Mia Collins, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Beauty at Harrods.

CEW DIGITAL ACHIEVER AWARD sponsored by Google - Claire Vero, founder of the award winning Aurelia Probiotic Skincare.

It was an emotional evening for the Achiever Award recipients and their families, I was welling up after almost every speech!  We headed off into the chilly winter night and I slipped into the warm back seat of a taxi off to bedfordshire. 

Stay beautiful

xoxo