Learning To Love My Body: The Good. The Bad And The Ugly.

Dear,
 This old picture of me in a bikini.
You are capable of loving your body,

Its time to start believing it. 

You may not be six foot tall or have an eight pack or only eat kale for breakfast lunch and dinner but its okay, Ive got your back.

......

Growing up, I was never scared to get my kit off.

 Now that may sound a bit of an eyeopener but it is true.
As a performer,  I was surrounded by people who wouldn't think twice about changing infront of each other and would never shy away from getting the old bits and bobs out and we would be proud to show them off!

These pictures are from when I was probably the happiest with my body..... I have never been stick thin or had super hot pins but I was confident in my own skin.
 So what changed.....

Ever since the good old hormones kicked in and my body was changing, I have always been subconscious about my legs. They were always very muscular and they were always referred to by others as 'tree trunks'. No matter how much I would try laugh it off,  but It would still eat away at me.

 My legs have always been a part of my body that I have always wanted to hide. 

When it comes to style picks, my favourite friend has aways been the trusty maxi dress. For years, I have been tucking my body into a maxi- pretending that I actually made an effort when all I did was to hide the part of my body that I hated the most. Don't get me wrong, that wasn't the only reason, but it did make me feel a lot more confident with my body hidden.

It became increasingly apparent that I hated the way my body looked.
My instant reaction was...

 'Well....If I could just loose a couple of stone then I would be so much happier'.

That is bullshit....
don't ever listen to that little demon in your head.
If I've thought this once, Ive thought this a thousand times over.  If weight is the only thing that is getting you down, then yes, absolutely, find a healthy way to get fit but to think that by being thin, this will make you somehow a happier person... I am not convinced.. even though I have tried to believe over the years that it was true. Its not.

Why do we criticise ourselves so much? Why do we pressure ourselves in getting that perfect 'Summer Body'

Do you think the lady sat with her boobies out on the lounge chair cares? Or the man in the tight pair of Speedos over at the bar drinking Stella Artois? 

I dont think so. 

I began to realise that we don't seem to notice other peoples body hangups because are so caught up with our own insecurities. I may not look like a complete supermodel in a bikini but who cares?

Its all about acceptance!

Accepting that as someone who is 5ft 2 and a half.....Im never going to look like Gigi Hadid or Kendall Jenner and I may never be able to wear a pair of jeans, that I won't need to roll the legs up a few times over but thats the beauty of it... We are are different for a reason.

 If we were all the same that would be boring and we need to start realising it.
We are all special!
So from now on I'm setting myself and everyone reading this right now a challenge.... Its time to start loving ourselves and treating our bodies with respect.

To kick off the challenge, Mention one thing you like about your body everyday. Whether it's just a mental note to yourself or write it down somewhere so you that you can look back at it and it make you smile.

You are capable of loving your body! You just have to start believing it.

Thanks to Kim Kardashian.....my big arse is now a fashion statement,  So today I'm embracing my wobbly bits and I'm proud of my curves......first note written down.

'Does my bum look big in this' is a question I am no longer afraid of.  Cheers Kim.

So for the future...

Do I continue to search for longsleevedwideleglegturtleneckjumpsuit when looking online for a night out outfit or do I buckle myself in and jump about the Self love, get your body out train

 ( I don't quite mean your lady bits) but a little more skin wouldn't hurt.

I know which train I'd like to be on!

Stay Golden!

Love

Paige 

xxx

Charlie Locks Balancing Facial Oil Review

Hello Lovely!

The winter months can really take it's toll on our skin, leaving it dry and flakey.
 Recently, I have really been into facial oils in order to revive and give my skin all of the hydration it has craved in order for it to recover. Luckily, I have found myself a little hidden gem from Charlie Locks. Charlie Locks are a professional skin care brand which supply a wide range of products to help your skin look its ultimate best.

This balancing facial oil is best used as a six week intensive treatment oil taking you on a journey to achieving lifted and luminous skin. This is the perfect time to really take the time pamper your skin and prepare it for spring!

This facial oil is said to 'boost your mood and also balance our natural oil production.' This 30ml bottle contains a range of essential oils to help us achieve the look of a summer glow in winter! 

The three main oils being:

Sweet Orange 
Mandarin 
& Neroli 

Straight away I was drawn to this combination as I wanted an oil that would give my skin a well needed boost and hoped these ingredients would brighten up my dull complexion. 
(Vitamin C, come at me!)

Over the past few weeks, I have used this every evening after cleansing and toning and in place of my usual moisturiser.  The first thing I noticed was the scent, it smells gorgeous! It is very citrusy and refreshing and also very warming on the skin which felt really soothing before heading to bed. This oil is also pigmented which helps to brighten up your skin tone but luckily ladies and gents, It will not stain your skin. 

It is recommended to use four to six drops of oil onto the hand and then to massaged into the palms and then applied to the face. This may seem like a lot of product, but I was super surprised how comfortable and non greasy this formula was and it did sink into my thirsty skin very quickly leaving it super soft and hydrated. I also find that whenever my skin is playing up, when the good old hormonal spots come out to play, this helps to combat any nasties that may appear!

Over the past month, I have noticed a difference in my skin texture. It looks more even I would say this product has been successful in giving me back that faux summer glow! My skin is feeling more hydrated than ever and finally I feel that I no longer look like Morticia Adams!

See you later winter skin!

Stay Golden

xxx