Glamorous Nails for Free! Got any Glitter?

Seriously, have you got any glitter?

There are lots of nail art solutions out there.  Beauty parlours that will not just manicure your own nails, but offer an array of different types of false nails, of varying permanency's.
 
But if you haven't got the spare cash to be throwing around on manicures that; if you are anything like me; chip within half an hour of having them done, then you need an alternative method for beautifying those fingers and adding a bit of glam.   

And so, here is a brilliant tip I picked up this week.  If you have ever fancied doing something a little more glamorous than just painting your nails all one colour, or more exciting than a simple french manicure, well, how about this trick?

Pop on any coloured nail varnish that you happen to have spare, and then (and this is where the magic happens) dip your finger in a pot of glitter.

All those crafters out there will have glitter to hand of course.  And it's a lovely change to be getting out the craft box for glitter for me, not for the children!

A quick top coat, to finish it off, and you are done.


And frankly, beware if you want it to be temporary; as this is a hard wearing solution that is pretty resistant to chips!

What do you think?

Workout Wars: Diversity versus Jane Fonda!

 

Jane Fonda 

VERSUS

Diversity

I love dancing.  I hate the monotony of the treadmill. Therefore it follows, that in the absence of decent dance classes for adults in our area, I love home workout videos (Sorry; I am showing my age there) make that: "DVDs"; particularly those with a dance flavour.

So it was with great anticipation that I popped the Diversity Workout DVD in (hired from Lovefilm), and, with trainers on, and water bottle in hand, I commenced their warm up.

So far, so good.  If they bother to split it down into a warm up, workout and cool down, then they are already scoring points, as some dance classes don't even bother to do that, despite the risk of injury.

So I'm warmed up, and I decide to select the Funky Fusion main workout. Here's where I hit a snag.  And it's a big snag, because it stops this DVD being the great workout that it could be.  When I try and go into the workout I am greeted with a Tutorial first.  Diversity's Ashley Banjo teaches you the choreography at, I have to say, even as a dancer, breakneck speed.  During this time of trying to learn the moves, pausing the DVD every 2 minutes and rewinding (It would be easier on VHS than on a DVD let me tell you!) I am, of course, not particularly working out.  I am simply lumbering around my lounge looking more like a dancing gorilla than a hip hop street dancer, and certainly not keeping up.

Finally, after I think I have a vague idea what moves are going to be used, I figure I'll jump to the workout, assuming that we'll build the routine up gradually in an Aerobics class kind of way.

No such luck!  The workout isn't a workout at all.  It's actually just an opportunity to dance the choreography that you are now supposed to know, three times over, with the Diversity crew, at twice the speed you were taught it at.

I was not happy.  Nor was I sweating, which I thought was the point.

I checked the other 2 workout options.  They were set up in the same way.  And (I'm sorry, Ashley) Ashley doesn't talk you through the moves in advance, so you don't know what's coming up next unless you have already completely nailed the choreography.

I don't want a workout video that involves homework first.  I need to be able to plug it in and go.

And so, I revert to a classic that never fails to do what it says on the tin, and does it in a fun and increasing amusing way (since those legwarmers and visors are so on trend!)

The original Jane Fonda Workout Video.  I haven't found this on DVD yet (please let me know if it exists), but I had the VHS version years ago.  It eventually died (RIP) after far too much play, but I was lucky enough to spot a copy in our local charity shop and snapped it up for a hefty 23p (yes that's not a typo).

For 23p I got 2 workouts, a Beginners level (40 minutes) and an Advanced level (60 minutes).  Both encompass a warm up, aerobics workout, stretching, abdominals work and a cool down.  Both include the option to sing along if you can  (I'm too busy trying to breathe, never mind sing).

And, after 40 minutes (I am in my late 30s now, so don't intend to move to Advanced until I am a little fitter, if ever), I was certainly 'worked out'. 

There is no need to learn the moves as Jane is great at talking you through the work out so well, that you know what is coming up before you do it and don't ever need to stop.  It also has enough of a dancy flavour with lots of variety to keep me happy.

And so, as a workout video (in whatever format), I am afraid it's Jane Fonda that wins this war.

If the Diversity DVD was badged as a Dance Class DVD, it would potentially sell better (I would argue) as it would be hitting it's intended market, rather than disappointing workout fans.  I certainly would have known what to expect, and would have enjoyed it more.  Though even then, they need to do some work to slow down the Tutorial for us amateurs, even experienced amateurs!

I hope that's helpful  for anyone choosing a workout video for home use.

Other great dancy ones that I have on the shelf and that have been recommended via Twitter and Facebook during my research include the New York City Ballet Workout DVDs (there are two), Cindy Crawford's workouts (VHS again.  Not sure if it's on DVD, but again there are two; the original and 'The Next Challenge'), and, for something a little more focused on strength and flexibility than on aerobics; Darcy Bussell's Pilates for Life DVD.


If anyone has any great workouts to share, please add a comment and let us know!

Do you wait for the Petrol Pump on the left, rather than stretch the hose?

I think I annoyed a few drivers yesterday.  I drove past them, as they sat waiting in neat rows behind a car parked at the petrol pump on the left, and I drove and parked by the right hand petrol pump; one of four right hand pumps that were all free.  Just to be clear, that meant that the pump was then on my left and my petrol cap is on the right of my car.

But this isn't a problem.  And I must be the only person that knows this.

I tried not to look too smug as I pulled the petrol hose out, and kept pulling, as most petrol stations now have long reach hoses.  I nearly embarrassed myself, as I hadn't parked particularly closely to the pump, so it nearly didn't reach, but luckily it was fine, and I filled up without having to queue.

Why don't you use pumps on both sides?  Do you not know?

Snow causes chaos in Britain! Why?

Despite the forecasts predicting the weekend snow all week, and despite it being accurate in our area almost to the hour, chaos seems to have descended in the UK due to a few inches of snow.

Initially I couldn't work out why it has caused such chaos.  Then I realised that many of the problems on the roads aren't due to the snow specifically, but are more accurately attributable to our lack of ability to drive correctly in snow.  Resulting in jackknifed lorries blocking roads all over the place.

How many people know what to do when your wheels start to slide?

How many people know which gear you are supposed to use in icy conditions?

What maximum speed do you think is reasonable in snow and icy conditions?

Unfortunately I think I can predict the answers to these questions for the majority of drivers in the UK.  But why not prove me wrong?  Feel free to add a comment here, or use the hashtag #cannotdriveinsnow on twitter.

How should we drive in snow?  Or should we cancel everything and all stay inside?

Oh, and as an aside, how is the snow causing disruption on the tube?  It's underground....?

How many after school activities are too many?

Gymnastics, Karate, Horse riding, Football, Rugby, Dancing, Swimming, Piano, Violin, Rainbows, Brownies, Scouts......the list goes on.

These are just some of the activities that mums ferry their children to on a weekly basis.  In the case of some of them, like dancing, it can actually mean three or four trips, as the basic repertoire of dance morphs into Tap, Ballet, Street and Acro (-batics), all on different days.

And it's expensive.  £40 for a batch of 10 Swimming lessons at the local leisure centre.  Similar amount for Gymnastics.  You are talking roughly £4 per class minimum.

2 children with 3 activities a week.  That's £24 per week.  And that's before the paraphernalia that comes with it.  For dancing it's £50 if your darling is going to perform one dance in the annual show; £100 if she's in two dances.  It covers the costume costs; which is funny because I distinctly remember the 80s when mums found a needle and thread themselves and rustled up the costumes for a few pounds.  And not only do you pay for the classes, and now the costume; you also pay for the privilege of coming to the show, 3 nights on the trot, not just to see darling perform, but to conduct your role of stagehand, getting them dressed and ready at the right time for the right dance piece.

Whatever the activity, be it football (boots, the latest kit (the 'right' kit), transport to tournaments and trips to watch the professionals), horse riding (riding boots, protective helmets and body armour, and... if you are not careful... an actual pony!?) or whatever takes your fancy; it's an incredibly expensive exercise to give our children the opportunity of discovering where their talents lie.  And I wonder where the limit is?

3 nights a week of activities after school?  4 nights?  When they are only 6 years old?  Are our children going to burn out before they hit secondary school?


What do you think?  How many activities are too many?  And at what age?

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