How I Motivate Myself To Exercise

   I was a very active child, climbing on everything and practically living outdoors. However as I grew older I was moving my body less and less. In the past years I sporadically joined some kind of fitness classes but never lasted long. In the summer I was still hoop-dancing and walking a lot (not owning a car does have its benefits), but in the winter I'd have months where I'd be getting almost no movement. I realised how negatively this was impacting my physical and mental health. I was embarrassed to be out of breath after climbing the stairs. After procrastinating for another year, I finally gifted myself a gym membership for my birthday. I also took up Aikido and Yoga. I am already seeing and feeling some results: everything feels firmer and more tones, I have more energy, I am stronger (I can do three push-ups! I could never ever do even one.)

  However sticking to a fitness routine is not always easy. I have heard that after a year it becomes as natural as brushing your teeth, but until then I am using all the tricks I know to stay motivated. It helps me to join classes and a gym, since I am really bad at motivating myself to work out at home (too many distractions). I had argued since a couple of years that it's much cheaper to work out at home, only I wasn't working out at home... However if your home doesn't distract you, there are plenty of amazing workouts on the internet that you can do in your living room, like the ones on Zuzka light or various bodyweight exercises. Anyway, on to my motivating tips, and don't forget to tell me yours!

 

How I motivate myself to work out:

I read fitness blogs. The ones I like best are written by regular women and not by people working in the fitness industry, since I can relate better to them. I like The Fitness Experiment, the other ones are all in Polish.

I focus on how I feel and what my body can do. It's really amazing to work with heavier weights than I could in the beginning. Also, I can run up the stairs now. My body feels stronger and firmer, and I love that!

After every workout I give myself a mental pat on the back. Taking a moment to reflect on the awesome work I did makes me feel rewarded.

After every workout I put one Euro into a little box. I will use the money to buy myself a fitness-related gift, when I do something that surprises me (like a push-up or when I have finally stretched out my hamstrings).

Friends can be really inspiring. A couple of mine have been very motivating for me. One of them was complimented on her nice figure by a mutual friend, and she responded by saying "thanks, I work out". This was a bit of an eye opener for me, basically she was saying 'I earned it, I didn't get it' and I could have it too if I worked for it. Another inspiration is a friend who is a sport teacher, the grace and ease of his every movement would make anyone want to be fitter. If none of your friends is interested in fitness, chances are you might meet someone like that in the gym or fitness class or even a local fitness-realated Facebook group or something like meetup.com. And of course there are online communities which can work in a similar way! Try the r/fitness and women-oriented r/ xxfitness, or the community of Fitocracy. 

If you like logging your workouts and earning points, you'll love Fitocracy. Or you can keep a log of your workouts in your diary, or simply mark days that you have worked out on the calendar.

I look at inspirational images on the days I work out, on tumblr, facebook or pinterest. Now, I know that fitspiration can often be body-image-negative and bordering on pro-anorexia, so if any of that triggers you, stay away. However I find quotes and pictures that are positive and inspire me. Here are some really good ones, featuring a perfectly fitted Panache Sports bra. Here are a couple more from other sources:

 

 

 

And finally, a reminder of why you should throw out your scale, because fat is lighter and occupies more space than muscle. Don't pay attention to what the weight says, concentrate on visual effects (photos are a great way to do this because you might not see the changes in the mirror). This lady demonstrates why "weight loss" is a meaningless goal:

  What are your ways of motivating yourself, whether to exercise or for other stuff like studying? 

DIY: AHA Acid Peel At Home

   Winter is the best time to treat your skin to Alpha Hydroxy Acids, and already I have a couple of sessions behind me. In this post I talk about the why and how of AHAs, and about how you can to an acid treatment at home.

   I wanted to add some pictures of how I mix my acids, but I cannot get to them because my husband is busy reinstalling the main computer.
 
   A beautician told me that of all the treatments she offered, acid peels (and aromatheraphy) were the most effective. She saw acne scars fading and the skin looking much better. Acids can remove fine lines, deal with impurities, lighten scars and remove discolourations, they make the skin firmer and fresher. And though you can get them professionally done, it is not that hard to do them at home. I will now explain how.
   Acids sounds like a scary word. I have explained it a bit here and want to add a few words about safety. AHAs natrually occuring chemicals in fruit and other food products, and are allowed by natural cosmetic certificates. However they are not recommended for pregnant and nursing women. Skin Deep rates most AHAs at around 3-4.

When to do acids:

   The cold season is the best time to do acid peels (except mandaleic acid which can be used all year around), as they make the skin sensitive to sunlight. To avoid damage and discolourations apply the peel in the evening and use sunscreen during the treatment. Absolutely no tanning allowed!
   After four months of using acids you should take a break, since the skin will get used to it.


    There are two kinds of treatment that you can do at home: an AHA toner for everyday use, which can be used alone or as a preparation for the AHA peel. The toner is pH neutral and gentler. I have written a bit on how to DIY and use AHA toners. The peel has a very acidic pH, and is a strong treatment that can cause the skin to peel.

DIY AHA Peel

   This is really easy to make. The ingredients and procedure is the same like that of the AHA toner, except that you won´t be adjusting the pH level at the end.
 On choosing an Alpha Hydroxy Acid: Which acid you choose for the treatment is up to you, however if you are an acid virgin then mandaleic acid is a good choice. Mandaleic acid is great for blackheads and whiteheads , and salicylic acid works against acne, flycolic acid is great against discolourations and wrinkles and big pores. I do not recommend AHAs for couperose skin (except mandaleic acid), broken skin, acne.

You need:

• AHA of your choice
• A precise weight (I got mine online, it should be able to calculate half a gram).
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
• Distilled water (drugstore) or demineralised water (gas stations) or a hydrolate of your choice
• Litmus strips
• (Optional) moisturising ingredients like hyaluronan
• Container for the ready toner, made out of dark glass
• A glass beaker with a thick bottom
• A non-metal spoon for mixing
• Very exact measuring spoons
• All of this can be used for several peels and is still much cheaper than a cosmetician.
• Conservant

     Here I have explained where you can buy all of this. I buy from Zrob Sobie Krem.
    You have to decide what strength you want your peel to be. On the description of the AHA you will see the max strength allowed (in percent, calculated by weight). I suggest 5-10% for the first time. It is better to go for a lower concentration if you haven't tried this kind of thing before, unless you want to risk getting an acid burn.
    I already had malic (apple) acid in my cosmetic ingredient box, I don't remember any more why I chose this particular one. Based on past experiences and the sensitivity of my skin, I decided to go for a 10% strength peel, which simply means that 10% of the peel (by weight) is malic acid. My toner was 50gm so I used 5gm malic acid. The rest (90% or 45mg) can be simply water, or you can be fancy and use a hydrolate (I used rose water). Mix.
   Tip: I made both the peel and the toner at the same time, first without the baking soda. I poured away a little bit into a small bottle and labeled it as the peel, and neutralised the pH of the rest. Which was now the toner.

How to use:

    You should have been using an AHA toner for a week or two to prepare your skin. To peel, first cleanse your face with a cleansing product. Protect the delicate skin around the eyes and lips with a rich cream, oil or vaseline. Apply the peel with a cotton wool, avoiding the eyes and mouth.
   Keep on the peel for 10-15 minutes, then wash off with a normal soap (it is basic and will neutralise the acidity). The peel will make the skin sting and turn reddish, this is normal. However if you feel your skin is reacting really strongly, wash the peel off immediately, better safe than sorry.
   I like to wipe my face with a pH-neutral toner (usually rose water) to completely restore my skin's natural pH. Now, apply a rich moisturising product. A bit of hyaluronan mixed with a drop of oil works really well. You will need to moisturise your skin several times a day for a few days. After 2-3 days your skin might start to peel or flake, this is perfectly normal. Don't scrub off the flakes, just moisturise more. If it looks bad you could try chemical exfoliation. Many women plan their AHA peels around Thursday, so that the skin flakes over the weekend.
   I didn't flake and my skin takes the 10% malic acid really well, but I am hesitant of trying higher concentrations for fear of irritating my fragile capillaries. The colour of my skin evened out, discolourations have faded, and I think I don't remember ever having such clean pores.

Safety:

   DIY acid peels are advanced, and need to be done correctly if you don't want to damage your skin. I'll repeat the warnings: start off with a lower concentration. Calculate and measure everything very precisely. Wear sunscreen, and do the peel in the cold season. All this also goes for peels done professionally, even if your beautician forgets to tell you about this.


   Have you ever had an acid peel done, or are you curious to try one out? Any product with AHAs that you´d recommend?

Image via aarontyree

How I Shop For Bras, Part 2: The Buying

     Last week I talked about how I research and choose bras when shopping online. Today I will describe the actual buying, which isn't always so straightforward. I will talk about I choose an online store, as well as shipping, returns and buying second hand, and will share a couple of special tips. I hope that you will also share your tips and your favourite places to buy bras, in the comments.

Finding stores

      I use google search (buy + bra name + bra siza), google shopping, and also try all the bra stores that I can think of. I always try Brastop, because the often have really good deals. I also try Ebay: many people don't realise that a lot of reputable online stores also have an ebay outlets, sometimes with slightly cheaper prices or slightly different items or sizes may be in stock. For best results enable worldwide location, sort by price + shipping, and always check the exchange policy.

Store criteria:

      When choosing a store I first look for the following things:

* Payment options -- I don't own a credit card, so I usually pay with Paypal when buying from overseas. If I buy from a German site I have more paying options.
* Shipping charges -- free shipping sounds like the best thing, however this often means that you have to pay for shipping the stuff back yourself. So I prefer to pay 5€ shipping and get free return shipping, than get free shipping and have to pay 8€ return shipping. Websites rarely mention who will pay for return shipping, sometimes you can find it in the fine print, and other times you either contact them or just try your luck.
* Return policy -- how much time you get to ship the items back? Two weeks is standard, but 30 days is preferable if long distances are involved. It is often possible to mail smaller businesses and ask them for a longer time period if you live far away.

  An important tip: it is better to assume that returns or exchanges will be involved, otherwise you might end up with half-hearted purchases.

 Picking the right store:

    The price is very important, and it is worth checking the deals not only in your country, but also neighbouring countries and the UK. I usually buy British lingerie directly from UK stores, since the prices are usually much lower than in German online stores. Also, it is much easier to find the items on sale in UK stores.
     I rarely narrow down my wishlist to just one bra; I usually choose a couple that sound like they might work and order them all to try on. I keep only the winner, the rest gets shipped back -- I feel like this way I get my money's worth, even if I do end up paying a couple of Euros extra for shipping costs.
    Even when I want to order just one item, I order a couple of other interesting pieces anyway, to compare, for future reference, or just to get to know a new brand or model. These end up getting returned. (Warning: this might seriously backfire if you have problems letting stuff go).
    Often I can't find everything I want in the same store, and I have to poke around to find a place that carries all the items. Sometimes I have to resort to workarounds: recently I wanted to order a couple of different swimwear pieces. Bras and Honey had everything I wanted, except the Panache Veronica bikini set in my size and in red. I ended up ordering the bikini bottom in purple paisley, and the top in blue and a cup size too small. That was I'd get an idea if the set works for me and how the sizing runs, and if I really liked it I could buy the right size and colour elsewhere. I would be ordering several other swimsuits, so returns were inevitable.

   If you want to order from a store that looks a bit shady, you can always check its reputation on bra-fitting forums like r/ABraThatFits, Busenfreundinnen or Bratabase.
   And here is a secret tip: if you check out, enter your email, but don't actually complete the transaction (you don't actually buy and pay for the stuff in your shopping cart), often you get an email with a discount code sent to you. Not all stores do this, but it also works with many non-lingerie online stores.

Trying on and returns

   I recommend trying on the items after showering, but before applying any kind of body moisturiser or even deodorant. Bikini bottoms, panties or one-piece swimsuits should always be tried on over clean panties. Remember that returns will not be accepted if the piece is not clean or if it smells.
   I take my time to decide which bras I want to keep and which not. Always remember to take a look of how the bra looks under clothes. I often take photos or ask a friend if I can't make up my mind. You can wear the bra for 15 minutes or so, to check if it is comfortable. Do pack the items to be returned carefully, as bras can lose their shape when squashed.

Buying secondhand

   You can often get amazing deals if you buy secondhand. I usually do this if I am sure of the size and fit of the bra that I want. Ebay is a great place, so it Bratabase listings and r/Braswap. Also check local clothes swapping / selling sites. Private sellers rarely accept returns, but they are usually happy to oblige with extra photos or measurements if you ask.


   This is how my process usually looks like. It might sound tedious, but I do like to take a little extra time to make sure I get exactly what I want for my money. Also, there are times when I know exactly what I want and where I can buy it (like in the case of Ewa Michalak bras), then it literally takes just a few minutes to place my order. If you'd like to see other posts that i wrote about bra shopping, check out the label bra buying guides.

   I'd love to know how shopping for bras looks like for you. Do you prefer to research or are you more spontaneous?

Why I Love Iyengar Yoga And Think You Might Too

Not my class, but you get the idea

    This past few months I have been taking a grip on my health which included getting tested for food intolerances and getting some kind of fitness routine. At the moment I go to a gym, do Aikido and Yoga. It's yoga I want to talk about today.

   I have been doing yoga on and off since I was a little girl, and I credit it for weirdly flexible hip joints. However I had never really learned the positions properly nor have I been practicing in my adult life. So I decided to take a proper Yoga class. My original plan was to do trial classes in all the Yoga studios in the city and pick the one I liked most. However soon I realised that the only way I would go regularly and not complain about it is if it is close to home. I don't have a car and don´t need to add an extra commute into my week at the moment. Turns out there is a Yoga studio right on my street, with Iyengar Yoga.
    Now, Iyengar Yoga is a deliberate and precise form of yoga that uses props (straps, rolls, blocks, chairs and the like). The idea is that the props will help the student do the Asana correctly and get all the benefits from it, which is better than doing the Asana sloppily without help. The goal is to work your way into doing the pose without any props at all, the props are there to help you maintain the correct form and prevent injury along your way. The props can be as simple as using a belt in gomukhasana because my hands cannot touch each other yet, or as complex as building up a whole structure so that an octogenerian after a knee operation can do the Setubandha.
    An example: the Paschimottanasana is supposed to look like this. Obviously most people don't have this kind of flexibility, so they end up in this weird position where they try to strain forward, with a hunched pack and shoulders rolled forward (and feeling very uncomfortable). In Iyengar yoga we use a strap to hold the position like this, and you can hold the pose for several minutes and gradually working your way down. Notice how the back stays concave the whole time, the shoulders stay back, the chest is lifted. Those who cannot keep their legs straight get a small roll under their knees for support. After several sessions the body loosens up and stretches and gradually you need less help from the props, but you are getting the health benefits from the Asanas already on the first day.
    Iyengar Yoga is very precise, you go into the positions step by step, and the teachers carefully corrects the position. Iyengar teachers are trained to pay attention and correct the form of the students, and to work around health issues and injuries. In fact many of the women of my class are of quite an advanced age, and the teacher pays a lot of attention to what each person can and cannot/should not do.

This pose is much more comfortable than it looks like

   When I started out with Iyengar Yoga, I was a bit unsatisfied about the slow pace of the classes and the fact that we weren't doing any of the spectacular poses. Now, after a couple of months of regular Iyengar Yoga I have much more respect for doing non-spectacular Asanas and their effects on my body and mind. I was calmer, more focused and less stressed. My posture had changed. My theatre director told me that my whole physical presence had change a lot since I have been doing yoga. Normally when someone stands, the legs are active (working), while the rest of the torso is kind of stacked on top of it, hanging down loosely. However the right way to stand is to also be "active" from the hips up: the muscles are lightly tensed, the torso is "lifted" from the navel up, even the neck is elongated and the chin lifted. If you stand like that you will automatically have more presence, you will look more confident, energetic, plus it is healthy for the back. Since I have been doing Iyengar Yoga I consciously "activate" my entire body every time I am on the stage :)
   My Iyengar Yoga teacher remindes us to keep all body parts active during most of the asanas -- even body parts that I normally would have expected to be passive. I used to think that the tree pose was just a balance exercise, but it turned out that it's not. The standing leg has to be firm and activated, the bent leg has to be active and the sole has to push against the standing leg. The belly is pulled in, the chest is lifted and the arms are active. Suddenly I can stand without wobbling and all of my muscles are working!

  Iyengar Yoga is also a very kind and non-judgemental form of Yoga, as the props enable everyone to do the positions at their own level. If you aren't flexible or have injuries, this form of Yoga might be a good choice for you. If you have been doing another type of Yoga more focused on strength and speed, you might find that a couple of Iyengar sessions will help refine your Asanas and perfect alignment. I loved that the focus of the class seemed to be to spend some time doing something good for our bodies, and not about how-far-can-I-stretch and which-difficult-asanas-can-I-do.

   The only thing I miss in my class is breathing exercises (my particular teacher doesn't do them), and also I'd lack to have a "sequence" which I could maybe do at home sometimes. I have my eye on Ashtanga classes some time in the future, but for now I will stick to my slow, precise class with lovely elderly ladies.

   Do any of you do Yoga? Have you tried Iyengar or Ashtanga, or maybe you have another style that you like best? Or if you haven´t tried Yoga yet, would you be willing to give Iyengar style a go?

photo credit: Andy Polaine, and Andy Polaine via photopin cc

Body Care Must-Have: Body Butters

   My favourite body moisturising product is body butters.  I love how they keep my skin moisturised and smooth, and get absorbed faster than oils. They also have a lovely consistency, nice smells, and are really pleasant to use. Body butters even have a couple of unusual uses, which I will also share with you.

   The traditional body butter recipe consists of only oils and butters. A huge advantage of this is that these do not need any preservatives. This makes body butters very skin-friendly (when you think about the fact that a lot of cosmetic ingredients end up in our blood stream -- and body moisturiser is something one uses a lot of).
   There are however products that are called body butters but have deviated from the original recipe. They contain water, preservatives and other ingredients, which technically makes them creams rather than butters. These products can be lighter and very moisturising, but the consistency is thinner and they get used up quicker. Also chances are that you get a bunch of preservatives and perfumes (especially if the product is not certified organic), which I would strongly advise to avoid.

   A good traditional body butter is made up of plant-based ingredients, no petroleum or its derivatives. I like the Alverde (DM) and Alterra (Rossmann) body butters, they are rich yet get absorbed quite easily by the skin, leaving no oily residue. The skin is moisturised and smooth, and I don't get dry skin in spite of hot showers and wintry temperatures if I use the body butter once a week. Also, they have pleasant but light scents. I have a very picky sense of smell and can't stand heavy, chemical scents. They are certified natural, but very affordable. The texture is very creamy. Many other butters have an almost solid texture that melts on the skin, like some of the butters from Lush.

  The best time to use a body butter is straight after a shower. Not only are you sealing in the moisture, but the body butter is absorbed better by the skin. In the winter a good body butter will be all you need to keep your skin smooth, supple and soft. I use my body butters in the summer too, however if you live in a hot climate and your skin isn't dry they might be an overkill. But then again it depends on the particular butter -- some are heavier than others.

   Body butters are very versatile. They can be used as a hand or foot cream. If you have a body butter that is free of perfume or anything irritating (so, only oils and butters), it can also work as a rich under-eye moisturiser for the night. Or even for dry patches your face, if there are no ingredients that block your pores. Of course you can protect your lips with body butters as well. A very very small quantity of body butter spread between the palms can be used to smooth flyaways on dry or frizzy hair, and to protect the hair ends.
    However, the most innovative use for body butter is as a rich hair mask. Apply on moist hair, cover with a shower cap, and wash off after at least 20 minutes. Whether this will work for you depends on the particular oils and butters in the body butter and how these work with your hair, so it is a matter of trial and error. Do try it out! This trick became so popular among bloggers that Alverde released a body butter especially meant for hair.
   So you see that a tub of your favourite body butter is a great thing to have in your car or to take on your travels. It's just so versatile!

   Do you like body butters? If so, which is your favourite one?

How I Shop For Bras, Part I: The Research

   Shopping for bras isn't exactly a piece of cake. So I wanted to share a little bit about how I do it, and I hope that you will share your own tips in the comments!


   Sometimes I know exactly what I want, like the Panache Sports in the next size. Sometimes I spot a gorgeous bra that I covet but I don't know whether it will work for me (and which size I should order it in). At other times I just need something, like a bikini or a black T-shirt bra, and I have to sift through all the available options.

What are my options?

   I often start my search with Ewa Michalak, simply because all their bras are based on a couple of different cuts. I know that anything in the PL, CHP and CH will work for me. Now, lets say Ewa Michalak doesn't have what I want, and I have to continue my search elsewhere.
   First, I go to big online bra stores with a good search interface (lets you sort bras by size, type, brand colour, etc) and look through the options available. Some of the sites I like are Herroom, Figleaves, Bravissimo, BrasandHoney, and google shopping. Ebay throws up lots of interesting older models. Given my bra size and my taste, it often turns out that I don't have so many options after all. I also search for my sister-size, because there are much more options out there in 30 bands than in 28 bands. I note them all down, still ignoring the price at this point. This is because prices can vary a lot for store to store!

Real looks

    I always look for unedited non-studio photos of lingerie when shopping. First, I want to see how the colours look without professional lighting (for example the red Panache Veronica Bikini looks pinkish on catalogue photos but true red on "real" ones also catalogue photos don't register the fact that the blue version is a bit sparkly). Also, these photos give me a clue as to how high or low the bra / bikini / bottoms are, what kind of fabric has been used, etc. If I'm lucky I might find a photo of the piece being worn by a non-model, which gives a lot of clues of how the piece will look on me.
    Ebay is an amazing source for simple, unedited shots. Don't forget to check the "worldwide" option for even more hits! I also look for photos on google image search, often using the search terms "Parfait Charlotte + review" or "Masquerade Persia + blog" to get more non-catalogue photos.
   Another great way to get a feel for the bra are videos. There are a couple of websites out there which feature videos of products, like Asos. Then there are fashion show videos, you need to search for "Panache S/S 2014" for example. Then there are video reviews on youtube, very few, but still worth the search.

Fit research

    Does the bra run small or big in the cup or band? Are the underwires narrow or broad? All of this information is often somewhere out there, I just need to find it. Bratabase is a great source for both photos and fit information. So is Balkonetka. I always look for reviews in sizes close to mine (if I can find them), since there is often a big difference between the fit of the same bra model in a smaller cup size as compared to a much bigger cup size. The third great source of fit informations are blogs, I just google "Panache Lucille + blog review".
   Then there are of course reviews on websites. The problem here is that I never know if the reviewer is wearing the correct size, still these reviews can be valuable if you haven't found anything on blogs or Bratabase. Not all sites have them, try Bravissimo, Amazon (both US and UK), Herroom, Freshpair, Nordstrom.
   Didn't find anything yet? Try searching or posting on r/ABraThatFits or the Bratabase forum.

   Next Monday I'll be talking about the actual buying: new vs second-hand, choosing stores, comparing prices, and shipping costs.

   How do you do your research prior to bra shopping? Do you have favourite online stores, blogs or other resources that you rely on?

Stop Reading Blogs That Make You Feel Bad

   Blogs are for me a way of peeking into the lives of people I admire and in some ways want to emulate. You know, in real life there is that girl with the amazing sense of style and DIY jewellery, all those people with gorgeous homes, those effortlessly organised people, and the ones who are doing all the interesting stuff -- you'd love to look over their shoulders and pick up a thing or two. Well, on the internet you can!  It's called the blogosphere.
    If it weren't for the internet I'd probably be much worse dressed, my skin and hair would be a mess, my house would be a bigger chaos than it is, and I'd be walking around in some very badly fitting bras. I still sometimes can't fathom that people share so much wisdom online, free and open for everybody.
    However, for all the awesomeness of the blogosphere, I noticed that some blogs would leave me feeling bad. I'd feel that my apartment is too small, that I can't afford anything, and that my body is all wrong. After mulling on it for a while, I noticed several categories of bloggers making me feel this way: the ones with money / a model figure / a huge house / household help; who sound oblivious that this is not the way most people live (that, or they are actually writing for others like them). And then there are the pretenders / aspirators, who feature expensive products (that they are probably paid to promote), seemingly "forgetting" that regular people aren't going to spend a couple of hundred bucks on a moisturiser or a throw rug, or whatever. Or maybe they are using their credit card to afford designer items, but scrimping on food, education, travel and other aspects of life (and getting into debt).
   It's not always the fault of the blog that I feel discontent. For example I never read travel blogs, because my wanderlust wakes and becomes an almost physical ache in my heart. Not the blog's fault. Same goes for big home blogs.

  Do you know that people with an average income who live in richer neighbourhoods feel worse about their life that those living in a neighbourhood of people with similar salaries? I decided to "move out" of the rich neighbourhood, at least on the blogosphere.

    My point is not that it is wrong to be rich or thin,  however I don't like it if the writer automatically assumes that that is the norm. I am trying to be sensitive about this in my writing: yes, I did buy a 30€ sunscreen but I tried to communicate that this is not what I would usually spend on a cosmetic item, or that you have to spend this kind of money on a product. And that it is ok to buy your bras second-hand. I know I'm still not all the way there when it comes to writing in a body-positive and indiscriminating way, but I am trying to get there.

     Anyway, back to the rest of the blogosphere. I decided to stop reading blogs that made me feel inadequate. Basically, if a blog made me feel discontent instead  content, it went. I'd like to share my process with you.

Here is how I uncluttered my RSS reader from negativity:

* I got rid of lifestyle blogs who make me feel poor, that insinuated that I must $pend to be awesome. Goodbye A Cup Of Jo, Gala Darling (although I might pop over to GD just for the link round-ups). Who stays: Yes And Yes, Sarah Wilson -- thanks for keeping things real.
* Also, most of the interior design blogs -- why can't they every feature affordable stuff? I also said goodbye to interior blogs from US suburbs, these seem to assume that everyone has a gigantic house and the time to line the inner sides of cupboards with pretty paper. I've already uncluttered this category last month, and I don't remember the blog titles any more. I only remember Happy Interior Blog. Who stays: Chez Larsson, Decor8, Unclutterer.
* Blogs with multiple posts a day. Too much pressure to keep up. Goodbye Apartment Therapy, I did love you but it's just too much. Also Mystic Medusa (also I wish you wrote in plain English).
* Since a long time I have not subscribed to any style blog that made me feel fat, pressured me to wear heels or buy expensive stuff. I did love A Sea Of Shoes and Fashion Toast, but it made me feel that I can't be stylish without $pending. For this reason I don't follow those street-style blogs who mostly photograph people in the fashion industry wearing expen$ive stuff (sorry Sartorialist). Who stays: Already Pretty, Lost In A Spotless Mind, Style Is A Language.
* Obviously, no beauty blogs where price = quality. Price does not guarantee that a product will work, or that it is non toxic (in fact luxury cosmetics are often highly toxic according to Cosmetic database and Öko test). Again no names here, since I've uncluttered this category years ago.
* Funnily, I found a car manual blog among my feeds. I have never owned a car.

  I'm not boycotting these blogs or anything, I might visit them in the future or link to them, however they will not be a part of my daily blog round. I also have a tab on my RSS reader called "rarely read", where I move blogs that I feel reluctant to completely remove. If I miss the blog, I can always bring it back.

    My point is: the lives of bloggers are not what you see on blogs. Also, do not read anything that gets you down and makes you dislike your life. Same goes for people.

   I was wondering if there is a word or expression for mentioning expensive stuff as if it were normal for everybody to afford it?

   Do you declutter your blog subscriptions? What are your favourite blogs that make you feel inspired and content?

Horizontal Oval Shallow Breasts (With Very Broad Roots)

I got this in my inbox:

   "I have a unique problem that I've never seen discussed on any bra blog. I have oval shaped breasts. By that I mean that my tissue isn't round like almost every other breast I've seen in bras. Thus, bras don't fit me! I just made a post on reddit about my latest shipment. Because of my shape every single bra except the lucky find at Wal-mart is too freaking tall. It seems like all bras are a circular shape when I'm not. The real pisser is that it seems like all the bras that would be perfect for me are not made in my size: 38E. I've done a few measurement checks on reddit before but here's the latest one."

   When I checked the photos, I realised that Emily is describing what I will now call horizontal oval shallow breasts. If you would draw a line around the breast, you would see that the base or root is wide, stretched out horizontally (sternum to armpit); and very short vertically. So the breast is much more broader than it is high. Most of the breast tissue is spread out and close to the ribcage, so there isn't much projection (depth).
   Horizontal oval shallow breasts are sometimes found on women with broad ribcages. Women who have undergone a breast reduction may get this kind of shape. Sometimes women with implants have this problem because of the implant shape.

   The horizontal oval shallow breasts that I have written about before are vertically shallow, they look like the one far right:

  Please forgive the expression and representation of a "regular" breast. I cannot think of a better name at the moment and I know that breasts don't actually look like round buns. I just want to show that the root is more or less circular, as opposed to the ovals of the other two kinds.
   I have written about vertically-shallow breasts here, if you are interested. These kind of breasts seem to start right under the ribcage, and doesn't have much projection.
  What would be a good name for such a breast shape? Any ideas? I´m using "Horizontal oval shallow breasts" right now, but am not sure if this is the best description.

Fitting issues for Horizontal Oval Shallow Breasts

   It is hard to find a good bra for such breasts. If the underwire goes around the breast, the cups are much too deep and the cups are half-empty. If the cups have the right depth, then the underwire is way too narrow and cuts off a portion of the breasts. This is because most bras are made for breasts that have a more or less round base.

Bra recommendations for horizontal oval shallow breasts

   Horizontal oval shallow breasts need cups that are shallow but wide. Preferably low-cut. I have got a couple of suggestions:

Fauve India
Panache Verona, Eliza, Inferno or it´s successor Zara
Some La Perla models
Curvy Kate Princess
Masquerade Tiffany
Discover Mademoiselle Clara Bow
La Senza Georgiana
Some Ultimo and Gossard models are also pretty shallow as well.

   Also, bras with flexible underwires could work really well for you. When the snug band pulls the underwires, the underwires become wider and the cups become shallower. This is probably why the Walmart bra worked so well. Some brands that I know of are:

Desire by Triumph, till cup G.
Bestform: only some models like Louisiana, Bilbao, Salina, Sofia
Lepel: Athena, the wire-less version
Cake Lingerie

Desire by Triumph, till cup G.

Bestform: only some models like Louisiana, Bilbao, Salina, Sofia

Lepel: Athena, the wire-less version
Cake Lingerie

- See more at: http://www.venusianglow.com/2011/10/when-even-well-fitted-underwires-hurt.html#sthash.613a4Rf9.dpuf

Desire by Triumph, till cup G.

Bestform: only some models like Louisiana, Bilbao, Salina, Sofia

Lepel: Athena, the wire-less version
Cake Lingerie

- See more at: http://www.venusianglow.com/2011/10/when-even-well-fitted-underwires-hurt.html#sthash.613a4Rf9.dpuf

Desire by Triumph, till cup G.

Bestform: only some models like Louisiana, Bilbao, Salina, Sofia

Lepel: Athena, the wire-less version
Cake Lingerie

- See more at: http://www.venusianglow.com/2011/10/when-even-well-fitted-underwires-hurt.html#sthash.613a4Rf9.dpuf

   You could also try stretching underwires to make a wider "U" (this makes the cup automatically shallower). Whether this works depends on the material of the underwires.

   If you have some skill in sewing, it is often possible to shorten too tall bra cups. Please don't ask me how since my sewing skills are basic, but I have heard on forums that women do it. Here is a small tutorial, hope you can understand it. If you know of a tutorial or would be interested in doing one for this blog, let me know!

 This list is by no means exhaustive, so if you have this kind of breast shape please let me know which bras work for you, in the comments. I'd also love to feature a metamorphosis post with this breast type.

Weekend Reads 28-12-2013

   Hey everyone, how was your Christmas? I had a nice cozy one with tons of amazing food. Now I'm preparing to host a little New Year's Eve party at home with a couple of friends (I'm trying to make the best of being home-bound because of kids). I'm also in this end-of-the-year mood. Thinking about

Here is a couple of things you can do do wrap up your year:
* Think of five best things that happened this year
* five things you learned (whether skills or life lessons)
* and five new things you tried
* unclutter a room or a drawer
* think of the people who have been there for you this year
* do something nice for one of them
* do something nice for yourself. Buy yourself a gift, go for a leisurely walk, or spend an afternoon doing something you love.

  I'll be posting more ideas on how to wrap up this year and start the new year on the facebook page.


On for the last weekend links of the year!

* I loved these tips to make this life saner.

* The last sworn virgins of Albania. Fascinating!

* A really interesting article on different types of cost. A must-read for everyone trying to manage their spending better.

* If you have been looking for interesting men's style blogs, here are some great ones.

* Who is a Parisienne? Interesting.

* Those of you with kids will enjoy this.

* Germans trying to pronounce "squirrel". Ha ha!

* Everything you wanted to know about the deep web.

* Cate Blanchet's unworthy critic talks about how unequipped most of us are when it comes to critiquing fashion, and also made me fall in love with Balenciaga.

* Glass vases from the flea market make for chic makeup storage.

* The funniest reviews of Amazon.

    I wish you "a good slide" (into the new year, as they say in Germany. How do New Year wishes sound like in your corner of the world?

What´s In My Gym Beauty Bag + Gym Outfit

 

  I prepared this post for those of you who have recently started working out at the gym or at home, or are thinking to. I wrote about the beauty items that I have in my gym bag, and also about what to wear to the gym. As a bonus I decided to include a bit about my favourite fitness resources: books, websites and blogs.

Gym bag beauty essentials

• Cosmetic bag: this one is from HM, and it´s practical because I can see at a glance whether I have everything that I need.
• Deodorant: I like a small piece of solid deodorants like the ones from Lush because they take up less space. Or I break off a bit of Speick deo sticks and stick them into a small plastic jar (from the travel makeup container sets from a drugstore). I´m not a fan of antiperspirants because they contain lots of aluminium, and interfere with the elimination of the toxins from the lymphatic system, not to mention their link with breast cancer. Also, the gym should be the once place where sweating should be acceptable.)
• Dry shampoo: If I have to go somewhere straight from the gym, I use dry shampoo to make my hair look presentable. It is q bit drying, so don´t use it every day though. A cap, scarf or turban would also work. Or just do a messy top bun and call it a day.
• Rose water: To spritz and refresh my face and hair. It moisturises lightly and smells nice. It also restores the pH level of the skin and lightly cleanses it.
• Hair elastics: I used to braid my hair for the gym, but after I got my hair cut in layers it just gets undone. So I do it like princess Jasmine. These tie-elastics are from HM.
• Hair clips: I like to use small hair claw clips because they tame my bangs without flattening them too much. A hair band also works (look for a rubbery one if it slides off), or clips (the three-pronged ones from Claire's hold really well).
• Razor: if you are as forgetful about hair removal as me.
• Comb: I mostly finger-comb. and this is just for my bangs. However you might choose to have a proper comb or a bush with you.

Other things you might want to take with you:

• Wipes: to remove makeup before the gym. Choose very gentle ones!
• Face cleanser: if your problem skin needs a cleanse after working out, bring your favourite product with you. Micellar cleansers are a good choice because they don´t have to be washed off.
• Massage oil: really nice to have of you tend to get sore muscles. The Arnica one from Weleda is really nice, but Alverde has a more affordable version as well.
• Shampoo and conditioner: if you shower at the gym, as well as soap or body wash, body moisturiser.
• Foot deo: if your feet sweat a lot. I made my own by dissolving a piece of crystal deo stick in water, and adding a few drops of essential oil.

 

A word about makeup to the gym: 

      I don't wear makeup to the gym. I'm not there to look cute, I'm there to sweat. If I do happen to be wearing makeup because I'm coming straight from somewhere, it is always mineral makeup which doesn't get affected by sweating. Makeup wipes in your bag can be practical if you want to remove anything that might run.

A bit about gym wear

   You don't theoretically need special sports clothes to go to the gym. Except a sports bra, always wear a good one. I wear regular wife-beaters to work out, and canvas sneakers instead of sports shoes. I did however opt for sports trousers because I needed something that wicks sweat. The pants from HM are cute, affordable and do a decent job of wicking sweat. And they have elastics around the ankles, so they are great for matwork (Yoga, Pilates, etc). The other black pants from HM were rather transparent, so watch out!
     When choosing clothes for the gym, do think about how much coverage you prefer. Do you prefer a T-shirt or something sleeveless? Watch the neckline, what may be fine for everyday might be too deep for exercising. Same goes for trouser leg openings. Also watch out for camel-toe. Remember also that the less you wear, the more skin contact you will have with seats, mats and benches, so always put a towel on everything.
      Another tip for those of you with Lidl stores in your area: they make surprisingly good sportswear. Several fitness bloggers from Poland who often use stuff from established brands like Nike, have good things to say for Crivit sportswear from Lidl. The stuff is usually available on special offer a couple of times per year (usually beginning of Jan, first weeks of spring, then sporadically throughout the summer), and some items are available all year around on their site. If you don't have Lidl but have Aldi, you could also try there, they belong to the same enterprise so I'm guessing the quality is similar
    Another tip that I got from the German army: to keep your shoes from getting stinky, wear double socks! The sweat stays in the inner sock and the outer socks isolates the shoe from the sweaty sock.

  Fitness books and resources: 

   If you want to start working out or if you want to know how to lose weight, I highly recommend New Rules of Lifting for Women. It dispelled a lot of myths which I had about women and fitness (in spite of reading quite a bit about in on blogs and forums), and even has a nice fitness and diet plan if you don´t know where to begin. XXfitness also recommends Starting Strength and Strong Lifts.
    If you want to know which kind of fitness to try out, I highly recommend The Great Fitness Experiment: the book and the blog. Both are really funny and honest, and you get a lot of reviews of all the different workouts out there. If you want to find out which martial art suits you best, Fudekabudo has a surprisingly accurate test (I got Aikido, which I love). If you prefer to exercise at home, ZuzkaLight has tons of (free) short, intensive workouts that you can do in your room with no equipment.


  Do you work out at the gym or do you prefer another form of exercise? Or maybe you are planning to start exercising in the new year? Let me know.

Parfait Jeanie Strapless VS Freya Deco Strapless, Review + Giveway

    A basic strapless bra is something every woman needs in her wardrobe. Yet the choice is not very big when it comes to strapless bras that come in a big range of sizes. One of the most popular of such models is the Freya Deco. For those who find it incompatible with their breast shape the Parfait Jeannie is an interesting alternative. It resembles the Deco in looks, however fits differently and has been often recommended as a great choice for Freya-incompatible breasts. Here I will compare these two strapless bra models, and at the end of the post will be giving away one of them!

The stats:

   The Freya Deco Moulded Strapless bra comes in sizes 28-38 D-GG (28 DD-G, 30 DD-GG, 32-36 B-GG, 38 B-G). Sister styles include a plunge and a longline version.

The Parfait Affinitas Jeanie Strapless Contour bra comes in sizes 30-80 D-G (however the band is tighter).

Sister styles include a padded plunge, a moulded spacer and a bustier.

   Both bras come in black and nude versions, so you are covered whichever neutral colour you prefer for your lingerie workhorses.

  Both the Freya Deco and the Affinitas Jeanies are convertible bras, which means that they can be worn strapless or with straps (regular, halter-neck, criss-cross, one shoulder). The Deco has the advantage of having several locations where you can attach the straps.

   The words "moulded" and "contour" refer to the fact that the cups are made of foam that has been moulded in a certain way, so the cups. The foam is thin, so the cups are not actually padded. These kinds of cups are also seamless and don´t show up under clothing.

  A word about the photos: I have done my best, considering the low amounts of light we have been getting. The Deco presents itself better on the photos because it is stiffer overall, the Jeanie is softer and so a bit less photogenic. However "live" both the bras present themselves equally well.

Aesthetics:

   Both bras are basic seamless models, and at first glance pretty similar. The shape of the Jeanie is a tad prettier, because the decolette has a pretty and flattering bow-curve.Both bras have a small black bow in the middle,  the Jeanie has an additional little plastic silver heart. The band of the Deco moulded strapless are trimmed, while that of the Jeanie is plain.

   The Jeanie is a tad slimmer overall than the Freya Deco: lower-cut cups, narrower and shorter band. The center gore seems to be the same height in both bras, but from what I´ve heard this may vary according to the size.

   The cups of both the bras are profiled in a way as to bring the breasts front and center, however this is much more strong in the Affinitas Jeanie Strapless. (Also, the fit problems of the Freya Deco cancel out this effect.

   The straps of both bras are narrow which means they don´t bring attention to themselves under strappy clothes.

   The fabric of Jeanie seems rather delicate, so I´d advise to wash it carefully.

 

Fit:

Underwires: This is the biggest difference between the Freya Deco and the Affinitas Jeanie. The Deco has rather flimsy underwires, which get pulled ope (wider) by the band. Obviously the band on a strapless is quite snug, and so the underwire of the Freya Deco gets pulled quite a bit. This makes the cups wider and shallower. It makes the underwires broader, and it will not contain underarm tissue.

  The Jeanie has underwires made out a much less flexible metal. They do not change shape when pulled. However, they pinched me in the sternum. I had to bend them away, which was not very easy. They fit better, however when they twist, they don´t lie flat but poke with their edges. A little bit more bending seems to have solved the issue.

   The underwires of the Jeanie strapless seem to be a tad wider apart at the gore than those of the Freya Deco strapless. Also, the tunnels of the Jeanie are longer than the underwires, so you can push the wires through the tunnels to get a more comfortable center gore situation.

Cups: The cups of the Jeanie are deeper than those of the Deco. Because of the underwires issue that I mentioned, the Deco moulded strapless is in practice much shallower, and squashes the breasts and gives a bit of quadraboob. It is even shallower when worn with the shoulder straps as opposed to without. This might be even more of an issue if your breasts are already full on top, but if you have shallower breasts you will love it.

   The Jeanie has deep cups, true to size. The cups of the Jeanie are a bit more closed on the top than those of the Deco, at least when both bras are resting, which means that the top edges are usually not visible under clothes. The cup is moulded to bring the breasts center and front.
    In the bigger cup sizes, word has it that the cup soft the Jeanie are more further apart than those of the Deco.

The straps of both bras are fully adjustable, and removable.

The Freya Deco Moulded Strapless has three silicone strips going along the band. The Jeanie strapless has only two, but the top edges of the cups are lined with silicone. Silicone helps with the grip, but some people are allergic to it and it can be a bit uncomfortable if you sweat.

Band: The band of the Deco Strapless Contour bra is snug, so you don´t need to size down like you would in the regular Deco. The Jeanie is even snugger at rest (5cm lesson a 30 band). Interestingly, the Jeanie is a tad stretchier, and both bands stretch out to a maximum of 75cm. 

   The Freya Deco has a different number of hooks according to band size: 2 hooks in D cup, 3 hooks DD-FF, 4 hooks G-GG. This is a bit annoying if you are a 28G, and you don´t need all the extra support. The Jeanie strapless has two rows of hooks for the smaller sizes, three-rows start (I think) with FF.

Both bras have boning on the sides, the boning of the Jeanie strapless seems to be a tad less flexible.

Comfort:

   The cups of the Parfait Affinitas Jeanie strapless seem to be slightly softer and more flexible than those of the Freya Deco.

The straps of the Jeanie strapless contour bra are non-elastic, which means they are a tad less comfortable, though probably more durable.

    The underwires of the Deco strapless are more comfortable because they are very flexible. I had to bend the underwires of the Jeanie a bit before it worked for me. However, I have not read many complaints about Jeanie underwires, so don´t let this scare you off.

The Freya Deco strapless is made of 81% polyester, 16% nylon/polamide and 3% elasthane.

The Affinitas Jeanie is made of 85% nylon and 15% elasthane.

Summary:

   Both the Freya Deco Strapless Contour bra and the Parfait Affinitas Jeanie Moulded Strapless bra are well-made and supportive strapless bras and I´d recommend either in a heartbeit. I hope that this post has described the differences between the two to help you determine whether the Freya Deco or the Affinitas Jeanie will fit your breasts better. In case of doubt, I suggest ordering both and trying them on side-by-side.

Freya Deco Moulded Strapless bra in 30DD Stats:

Band unstretched: 61cm

Band stretched to the maximum: 75cm

Underwire length: 22,5cm

Underwire width: 14cm

   These measurements have been taken after appx. 5 wears :)

Parfait Affinitas Jeanie Strapless Contour bra in 30DD Stats:

Band unstretched: 56,5 cm

Band stretched to the maximum: 75 cm

Underwire length: 24cm

Underwire width: 13,5cm

   These measurements have been taken after appx. 5 wears :)

More comparisions of both bras on:
Undercover lingerista
Faustine´s Foundations
R/ABraThatFits

The Affinitas Jeanie has been provided for review purposes by Affinitas. I won the Freya Deco strapless from a giveway on a bra-fitting blog, courtesy Large Cup Lingerie (which I totally recommend: free worldwide shipping, friendly customer service.) All opinions 100% mine.


   If you have any questions about these two bras, shoot away! If you own one of these strapless bras, I´d love to know whether it worked for you and what your breast type is.

Parfait Affinitas Jeanie Plunge giveway

  Now to the part that you have all been waiting for! Parfait Affinitas have generously offered the Jeanie Plunge + matching bottoms set to one lucky reader! The winner gets to choose the colour (black or European nude), and the style of the matching bottoms. Please note that the giveway is for the Jeanie plunge, not the strapless!

Rules:

• Giveway will end on 5th Jan 2014.
• Open to US, Canada and UK only!
• Winner will be picked at random.

Enter here. The more tasks you complete, the more chance you have of winning!

Update: The winner is Beth, congratulations!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winter Makeup And Skin Care + My Winter Beauty Regiment

   Our skin reacts to the changing temperatures, and you might notice that your skin behaves differently in the cold season than it does in the warm. It usually gets drier, and the cold may make fragile capillaries break. This all depends on the temperatures in your area, the humidity in your living and work spaces, diet, exercise.
   I wanted to describe the changes that I make to my beauty routine, hopefully they will inspire you to tweak our own skin care and makeup routine.

  A tip: It's a good idea to buy a hygrometer and check the humidity of your home and workplace. 50% is good, if it's much lower you could try a humidifier, much higher means that you should be airing your home thoroughly twice a day.

  How my makeup routine changes in the winter:

  Since the skin is dryer, many women find that creamier, richer foundations work better in the winter. I still stick to mineral foundation but always wear a moisturiser underneath (I wait for a few minutes for it to sink in before I apply foundation).

  As I have been using AHAs recently, my morning moisturiser is often replaced by sunscreen. John Masters Organics sunscreen is really easy to use in the winter: just a light dusting of powder on top mattifies the sunscreen, and the sunscreen gives a slight pearly glow under my makeup, an effect which I like quite a lot. Strictly saying the amount of sun Germany gets in the winter plus the fact that I spend so little time outdoors during daylight means I'd normally not really have to wear sunscreen during the cold season (if I weren't using hydroxy acids). However if you live in a sunnier place, you would do good to wear sunscreen regularly just like in the summer.

  Another thing I to do to avoid dryness when wearing minerals is use a moisturising toner instead of water to make my makeup look less powdery. I use this one, but any toner will do that is alcohol-free and has moisturising ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronan, or oils (look for one meant for dry skin, or add hyaluronan to a toner you already have). I am gentle when it comes to cleansing, using a micellar solution for just the T-zone in the morning and to remove my makeup at night. If my skin is extra dry, a drop of Argan oil over my moisturiser helps a lot.

  My diet makes a huge difference in the state of my skin in the winter. I used to have chapped lips and cracked heels all of the time, now I never get either since I improved my eating habits, even though I'm not doing anything special to protect them. I think the main factor is drinking enough water (my daughter gets chapped lips when she brings home an almost full water-bottle), but I think that what keeps my skin supple is eating more raw vegetables and fruits as well as healthy oils (often in the for of nuts plus seeds -- you need to be eating a handful of these every day).

My skin care routine at the moment:

Morning: 
Cleansing: Cattier Perle D'Eau Solution Micellaire Démaquillante

Cattier Perle D'Eau Solution Micellaire Démaquillante - See more at: http://www.venusianglow.com/search?q=micellar#sthash.NfEmUs23.dpuf

Cattier Perle D'Eau Solution Micellaire Démaquillante - See more at: http://www.venusianglow.com/search?q=micellar#sthash.NfEmUs23.dpuf

Toning and moisturising: Dr Beta's Rose Toner
Sunscreen: John Masters Organics Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Hide-A-Pore as mattifying powder
Foundation: Lumiere Caschmere base in light medium warm

Night: 
Cleansing and makeup removal: Cattier Perle D'Eau Solution Micellaire Démaquillante, jojoba oil (eye area)

Cattier Perle D'Eau Solution Micellaire Démaquillante - See more at: http://www.venusianglow.com/search?q=micellar#sthash.NfEmUs23.dpuf

Moisturising: Maria Gerbhardt Young and Active Face Lotion
Toning: DIY malic acid toner
Around eyes, lips: Weleda Skin Food

Once in a while:
Cleansing masks with white and red clays
AHA peel with malic acid
Lavera Sun Sensitive Self Tanning lotion

Body: 
Dry brushing, any body butter from Alverde, Lavera Sun Sensitive Self Tanning lotion

How does your skin-care routine change in the winter?

photo credit: Roberto Condado via photopin cc