Feeling Stylish

There’s a magazine I keep seeing at work (it shall remain nameless) that boasts the new diet plans that will help you shift that Christmas weight and how no one wants to wear Spanx.

It got me thinking, do women really need to be told about more ‘diets’ and quick fixes that are going to make them healthier/better/prettier?

Is it too much to say eat less and move more? Generally that will work for 80% of the population.

I intended to go into a 2,000 word tirade about how it’s not ‘easy’ if it were then we wouldn’t all be so god damn fat. However, I’ll leave it here. Comments, abuse and LOLs are welcomed below.

I try to avoid doing stuff that’s too local because I want to appeal to a wider market than that. However, there’s an event happening at Jarrold’s in Norwich on February 2nd in conjunction with Palm and Sole. They have a ticket (worth £10) to give away.

Find out a bit more about An Evening in the Retreat.

The competition is running on Twitter. All you have to do is follow @PalmandSole and tweet about the competition, making sure to include them in your message. For example:

“Follow and RT @PalmandSole to win at ticket to An Evening at the Retreat at Jarrold’s on Feb 2nd!”

It’s as simple as that. The winner will be chosen at the end of this week and announced on Monday!

Good luck.

I’ve been trialing the abs belt for just over a month now. I didn’t want to take any measurements and give you a before and after because I think that would be inaccurate. I’ve been working out and eating well as well as using the abs belt and yes, I’ve seen results.

I think it’s best to use something like this in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. If you want great abs then firstly you need to lose all the fat from around your middle. I read somewhere that with women it takes a body fat percentage of 18% before abs start to show. It’s from here that you can then begin to work on definition.

The abs belt does have toning and sculpting properties, I think that with regular use it could give you a more defined waist and hopefully help against sagging skin that affects some when they lose weight. If the muscles are being strengthened by the use of the abs belt then that will help with your core strength which could make exercising easier and help you to burn more calories.

On its own I don’t think you’d see much difference if you just used the abs belt. (The same way you wouldn’t see much difference if you ran every day and kept eating like a pig.) But I think it can have its benefits if you employ a healthy lifestyle. I can’t speak for those of you who have a low body fat percentage but I reckon if you stick to one of the plans that comes with the belt then you could see more defined abs using just the belt as long as you eat right.

I’d tell anyone whose interested to buy an abs belt. It can’t hurt you weight loss/fitness efforts!

When it comes to trips and holidays, there is a desire to always be doing something unique, memorable and perfect for all the family. Have you ever thought about a holiday in a UK cottage? Well, you have now.

This is the perfect chance to enjoy the holiday that you want thanks to the fact that you will be creating it yourself. Below are some ideas about how the freedom of having this style of break can be ideal for you and your family.

No schedules

Many holidays now can be done through tour operators and there is a scheduled list of things for you to be doing on a day to day, even hour to hour at times, basis. This isn’t ideal for some because a lot of us like to do what we want when we want because a holiday is for relaxing as much as it is enjoying.

Cottage suggestion: Shepherd’s Hut, Winterborne Whitechurch – Set in the heart of Dorset near the Blandford Forum, this is a superb barn conversion that is found in an idyllic location. With an open fire, and sleeping six, this peaceful position is a great place to escape the city rush for a weekend – or longer – and is in shooting distance of the coast and the market town of Dorchester. Whether you want to explore or relax, this is the perfect base.

Choosing your own food and drink

When you’re away from home, and visiting a new spot, you don’t want to be slaving away in the kitchen. In fact, you want a selection of restaurants and bars to enjoy at your own leisure. This is why going away to a holiday cottage is a great shout. You don’t need to settle for hotel food, and can pick and choose what you want to do.

Cottage suggestion: Peggotty’s Cottage, Kingsand – A fisherman’s cottage from back in the 17th century, this property near Plymouth in Cornwall is perfect for a romantic break. With stunning walks to enjoy, and picturesque views of the Cornish coast, this is also a great location for people who are hoping to find good pubs and great food – with a selection of fine restaurants and bistros in the area.

Own activities

Many families today are bigger than the 2.4 children that was once banded around as the norm years ago. Today, we are much bigger and want to go away with our pets – making a trip to dog friendly holiday cottages in Britain a great option. Similarly, you can create your own activities from your cottage base – as long as there is plenty going on around you.

Cottage suggestion: Wharf Cottage, Burton-in-Kendal – Found near Kirkby Lonsdale in the Lake District, this cottage is perfect for a large family and set in rural surroundings, it is the perfect base for exploring the countryside.