What A Difference A Year Makes ...

I was going through my wardrobe in a 'I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR - FML' sort of way yesterday and I came across a blazer that I haven't worn in just over a year.

I put it on and it immediately felt so much more comfortable than it previously had. I knew I had taken a snap wearing this blazer last year so I decided to promote my 13 year old sister to my photographer for the moment and I couldn't believe it when I saw the difference!

In the first picture I am around a size 20/22 (I was kidding myself saying I was an 18) ... And in the second 2 pictures I am a size 16 (more towards a smaller size 16).

With regards to actual weight loss, the difference is 1 stone 9 lbs (23lbs). I have noticed by body shape is changing due to excersize also.

When I look at the first photo it really upsets me that I looked like that and was kidding myself about how much I did weigh. Last year was when i was at my all time heaviest and I was in such a bad place with food.

Don't get me wrong I still have a loooong way to go as my goal is to lose another 2 stone and be in a comfortable size 10/12 clothing. I think that's perfectly healthy for my height. If you set unrealistic goals then you will never achieve them, get upset and have to start back at square 1. 

The lovely Liz over at Aspirations Of Glam said something to me yesterday that I shall leave you with as a final thought ... 'Work hard and you can have anything you dream of'.

Enjoy your day!!

Jazz

Xxx

Brain Freeze ...

I can't count how many times over the past couple of weeks where I have sat at the computer,  started writing on my phone and even sat in front of a camera to relay my current thoughts on life for you ... truth is all my thoughts have been somewhat negative and I really dont want to throw a bunch of negative thoughts at you which is why I have been lying low.

Life has been throwing obstacle after obstacle at me lately and I have needed me time to work out how I am going to approach them.

Not a lot has been going on, I have another interview lined up on Thursday which I am excited about.

In other news my love life is 10 times more complicated than the last update I gave you.

Other than that nothing else has happened! 

I hope you are all keeping well and I am enjoying reading your blogs!

Enjoy your day

Jazz

xxx

Q&A ...

Hello you lovely people!

I am planning on filming a Q&A video to upload for you all so this is just a shout out for you all to send me questions. I could do a normal 'Get to know me' tag video but I thought I would answer your questions.

Can you tweet me @Jazzabelled and ask your question and use the hashtag #askjazz.

You can be as personal as you like and I shall try and answer them all.

I look forward to seeing what questions you come up with =D

Enjoy your day!!!

xxx

30 Days Of Sheer Pain ...

Or Should I say 30 Day Shred.

For anyone who doesn't know what the 30 Day Shred is I shall give you a brief run down now. Jillian Michaels, a well known personal trainer in American who you may have seen on 'The Biggest Loser USA', brought out a DVD a couple of years ago called 'The 30 Day Shred'.

The way it works is you do it for 30 days and do each level for 10 days within those 30. Each level is harder than the last and it really helps you push yourself and build up core strength.

Each level lasts just 20 minutes so it is a very quick intense work out.

I am sitting here nursing sore legs,arms and stomach after only 2 days and to be honest I am DREADING completing it later after a gruelling session at the gym.

One thing that is keeping me motivated is looking at before and after pictures on Google. I have taken some pictures from day one and will take them on each tenth day. I have also taken my measurements and I shall be taking them on each tenth day.

I must stress I am also eating a VERY healthy diet at the moment so I am combining healthy, clean eating with excersise which gives the best results. You can't have one without the other.

Have any of you tried the 30 Day Shred? How did you find it? How much pain were you in?

xxx  

If Music Be The Food Of Love, Play On ...

It's amazing how listening to a three minute piece of music can transport us back in time and help us relive a particular memory or feeling. Lately me and my friend have been listening to some songs that we haven't heard since we were 16/17 and it's amazing what I feel and remember when listening to these songs.

One of these songs is a dancey type song, most people will not like it but it is Mickey Modelle ft Jessy 'Dancing In The Dark'. This takes me back to the time when I was best friends with the guy who we shall now refer to as 'Army Boy' (this post explains) and we were going through a pretty horrible time. If you aren't familiar with the song then here it is just for you!

You can't have an evening out with me without me shouting 'Oh my god this reminds me of ....'. It's just what music does to us. Music is a universal language in which everyone can communicate through. Music helps us with all sorts of emotions. For example, when I am angry or sad I like to lock myself away and just listen to music, generally ballads, and then I feel fine. When we are happy we listen to music and have a dance about, when we are sad we listen to music and cry, when we are angry we listen to music to relax. It also has the opposite effect. Listening to a certain piece of music can instantly change our mood.

Due to us remembering certain memories or feelings it helps keep the music popular, take the Spice Girls for example, even now, when I hear any of their songs I am instantly uplifted and happy as it reminds me of being so happy with my friends in my childhood. 

There are also a couple of Adele songs that remind me of certain boyfriends I have had in the past and I always think of them when I hear those songs. 

I find it funny how in just three minutes and a few words with a tune behind can change our whole mood or make us remember good or bad times. In those few seconds we are transported.

Do you have any songs that stand out and remind you of certain people or memories?

xxx

My Uncles 40th Party OOTN ...

Last night I went to a big family party to celebrate my Uncle's 40th birthday. I thought I would share with you an OOTN, As I didn't intend on doing this post, I haven't got any close up shots of make up or accessories but I hope you enjoy all the same.

This was the outfit. I was going to wear something completely different but the skirt needed taking in (hoorah!) and the Mother didn't have enough time so I threw this together.

The top is just a vest top with the Union Jack and Jessie J's face printed on it (I love her and would actually marry her if I could) which I bought from Asda for about £9 last Spring. The skirt I bought for about £12 at the end of Summer from Primark last year. You can't really see but its got a dipped hem and is like wrap over style at the front.

I teamed it with my mums leather jacket from Next and some patent platform black shoes. As I was in a rush I completely forgot about jewellery so I just had my everyday Thomas Sabo and my Swarovski Pandora style bracelets on.

As for the make up ...

I went for a minimal base with only a slight contour and a sweep of light pink blush from the back of my cheekbones towards the apples of my cheeks. For the eyes I went for Jest by MAC across the lid which is a gorgeous shimmery light pink. I then created a cat eye using the MUA waterproof eyeliner and softened it by using Black Tide from MAC which I took one third across under my eye. In my waterline I used the Black Rimmel Scandaleyes eyeliner where the black shadow was and for the rest I used the Nude one. 

To top the look off I filled in my brows and popped on a pair of lashes and set the look using some MAC Fix+ Spray. 

For my hair I just used my GHDs to create soft waves and I didn't set it with any hairspray to keep the look natural and my hair shiny and soft.

What look will you be sporting this weekend?

Jazz

xxx

All You Need Is Love ...

As you guys will be aware, life isn't too brilliant for me at the moment.

Usually I am the type of person who doesn't really share how I am feeling with my family and I usually ask advice from my best girl friends and or partners. Lately however, my Mum has been the best shoulder to cry on I could ask for.

A few days ago I had a little bit of a cry and moan (when I say a little it was more like an actual meltdown but we shall overlook this), she was absolutely fantastic! She is helping me out financially whilst I am trying to look for work/sort out some financial aid which is brilliant. Paying my phone bill, car insurance and debt, I couldn't ask for more!

Also with being single etc, I have come to realise lately that as long as you have friends and family in your life you have all the riches you need in life! As long as you have that love in your life, you have already won in the game of life.

Houses, Cars, Money, Clothes, Jewellery, Technology ... they are nothing unless you have loved ones around you to share it with. 

We take so much in life for granted, sometimes we need to just stop and take a second to look around us and realise that everything we need is right there, we already have everything we need in life.

This is an extremely old photo of my Mum and me, It was taken Christmas 2009. I thought I would share it with you all the same.

Also I have been toying with the idea of doing some videos. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Enjoy your day!

Jazmine

xxx