Day 1 on the Jill Hesketh Diet Plan ...

Day One on the Jill Hesketh diet plan [said in an over-indulgent Geordie accent] (which is actually the UK's most popular and unpopular accent simultaneously !)

I decided at last, that my extra weight needed to disappear. I talked food-sense to myself for days. I filled the fridge with healthy eating options. And then went to the local bakers and bought a Cornish Pastie [even though I live in Lancashire].

Being kind to myself, I allowed myself the weekend off. The diet would begin Monday 28th February. You are now a witness.

Day 1. Monday. [still in Geordie accent I gather ...?] Jill's first day of Jill's Diet Plan.

Breakfast:

3 squeezed oranges. [I know pet, I know - I should eat the fleshy bit too]

1 Eccles cake ~ [only a small one with no extra sugar or butter - honest]

Half packet Cadburys caramel [495 calories per 100g] (other half hidden for later)

1.5 beakers strong Nescafe [no sugar]

All this and not even a sign of a hangover !

The thing is, I felt really bad after breakfast. So bad, that I didn't have anything sweet at lunch-time - Just a beef-salad bap - but they were quite small, so I had 2.

Later, I felt really bad about that and decided to make amends.

Dinner:
Chicken Salad ! [No bread, baked potato or pasta in creamy-calorie-laden-extravaganza] No wine [!] Result ! I'd made the transition.

Later, I was a tad hungry. I couldn't find the half bag of Cadbury Nibbles so I extracted a tiny contained from the fridge. Some sort of Rolo puree. Yes, you read it correctly. I'm still not sure why liquid Rolos are necessary - other than if you can't find the Cadbury Nibbles.

Tomorrow. Hmmm. Tomorrow will be Day 2. Tuesday. On the Jill Hesketh Diet [still in Geordie accent please].

Jill

Get Ready for the Music Festival Season ...

Whether it's Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, V, Reading, Leeds or your local Radio Station Summer Festivity, chances are ... it will rain ! So, here's the first of my Wellington Boot finds ...

£29.95 from Joe Browns. see http://www.joebrowns.co.uk/ for wellies and very reasonably priced festival gear.

Jill

Calm Down ... Calm Down ...

I was just going to say: Wear Blue to make you feel Calmer and/or more Serene ... then I came across this:~

Inspired by The Wind is My Mother, by Bear Heart (Berkley Books, 1996).

Try this ... 'couldn’t-be-easier way to connect the positive and negative poles of the nervous system, as described by Bear Heart, a Native American shaman. He says that the flow of energy back and forth will calm you down and balance your body.

Put your left hand at the base of your spine and the right hand in the curve where your head and neck meet. Hold them there for a few moments.'

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/balance-your-energies.html#ixzz1FC9xN1yM

I tried it ... and it didn't hurt at all ! It makes sense though, connecting the nerve that runs down your spine. Does it work for you? I'd be interested to know.

Jill

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson & Sharon Marshall's, The Naughty Girl's Guide to Life' ...

Choosing a Flat-mate …

‘Grant me the serenity to recognise that I cannot possibly live with someone who wears paisley underpants … Courage to take full advantage of any amazing skincare products a flatmate leaves unlocked and on display … And the wisdom to ensure I never move anyone in with a better sex life than mine.’

Not sure about the paisley undies … they're definitely in vogue at the mo, protruding from from the hip-band of any guy under 25’s jeans.

Amongst the hilarious tips, Tara and Sharon share, I’ve selected a few from The Naughty Girl at Home… Getting a Flat-mate …

‘Go Gay …
Gay flat-mates take an interest in your clothes, likely to have a fabulous range of cleansers, toners, face-masks … Join in endless bitching about men’s shortcomings, and they’ll cheer you by saying ‘You’re looking hot tonight’ and mean it.’

‘Flat ads are usually sooo dull …’
Tara and Sara point out that most ads are about ‘Light and airy double rooms’ and ‘boring things about kitchens’ ~ They suggest you think about your strengths in the search for a truly match-able flat-mate …

‘Do you know a rugby team?’
‘Can you get discounts in shoe stores?’
‘Can you mix a decent cocktail?’
‘Are you sleeping with anyone famous?’

Well, maybe don’t answer the last question but their point is that you’re selling a lifestyle – you need someone who wants similar. Whilst it’s interesting to meet all sorts of people with varying interests, it’s important that you get on with your house mates. Uncomfortable atmospheres lead to miserable days.

Tara and Sara suggest you ask yourself this …
‘Do you like their clothes?’ Dirty clothes are a no no. If they’re ringing your doorbell wearing something hideous like a rainproof poncho then don’t even let them in.

Make surface checks:
Scan their faces for cold sores. Have a good scan of their scalp … Scrutinise their nails … See if there’s anything that would make you reluctant to share a hand-towel with this person.’

The ladies insist, ‘This isn’t being shallow. It’s simply being practical’ And Definitely … Tara and Sharon ‘Really wouldn’t advise going for anyone Prettier. Or Thinner’

More tips from Tara and Sharon next week …

Laugh out Loud book full of sensible, silly and random ideas. Great fun. Ideal present.

Jill

Daughters [& Sons] Listen up ... Some things to Do for your Mum ~ that don't cost the total sum of your wages ... some don't even cost a penny ...

Make Lunch for your Mum
[something simple but make an effort … set up the table, use serviettes, make a name-card for her, pick some flowers/leaves from the garden or light a candle]. Sit close together.

Lunch doesn’t have to be complicated. Cook some chicken pieces, add lemon and soy sauce or spices. Slice chicken and place on top of salad [comes ready in a bag].

Do the Ironing / Food Shopping / Tidy Your Room
[You’ll be surprised at how thrilled she’ll be]

Go for a Walk / Jog with Your Mum / Offer to join her at Fitness Class / Work out at the Gym together.

Take her to the Cinema
[Look out for 2for1 nights / mobile / local special offers]

Visit a Museum, Library, Park, Pier ...
[somewhere you used to go with her when you were a child]

Go shopping
– to ALL the shops your mum likes [Yes, that includes M&S ~ and yes, worse still, M&S food department - and no nipping in to Primani because its nearby ! ]

Leave her a note with a pleasant or loving message

Cherish your only mum ... because she's worth it.

Jill

Market Yourself ... Build up C c confidence ...

See my blog: http://www.artywords.blogspot.com/

Market Yourself ... Build up Cc confidence ...

My novel ... My struggle ... How I identified my distractions, curbed my energy levels ... researched a dating site and coaxed myself to focus ...

[See Parts 1 and 2 ~ 18th Feb and 19th Feb]

Jill

Question: Arrgh ... How do I attach my curtains to a wooden pole?

Thank you for your question Daughter in some-sort-of-domestic-distress:

I understand your curtain pole is already attached to the wall.

Does the pole have rings like this?

I think you have been trying to attach the curtains directly to the rings ?

You need to buy / borrow / find in a cupbard at your mums ... a packet of Curtain Hooks ...

• Gather the curtains together to fit the width of the window by pulling the string in the tape at the top of the curtain. Secure at each end. [Tie in a bow so can be altered if necessary]


• Count out the hooks to equal the number of rings on the curtain pole.


• Push the curtain hooks through the tape on the back of the curtains. Space out equally.


• Slide the plastic hook through the tiny metal ring which is fixed to the large ring on the curtain pole.
  

Good Luck, Jill.

Stop Press: Useful Information ...

Apparently, if you keep your eggs in the carboard container and store them in the bottom of the fridge, they will last longer.

Why you wouldn't want to eat them instead beats me !

And whilst we're on about fridges ... all you students out there ... Pleeaassee clear out your fridge before you give yourself food poisoning. I know that sounds harsh, I know that sounds like your mum when she visits ... but go on, check it out ... see how many out-of-date foods you have ... clean off the spillages ...

Jill

I Heart Everything ...

I thought 'I Heart Everything' by Mike Perry was a fabulous title for a journal. The colourful sleeve is probably directed towards older children [to be honest, I haven't seen the physical product], but it reminded me how writing a journal can help self-expression and self-direction.

See My Pages-Your Pages on the right - Journals ~ Get Creative

You'll feel amazing once all those stored up thoughts come tumbling from your mind, leaving you free to take on real projects or enhancing your creativity.

Try it and let me know if writing a journal helped you.

Enjoy
Jill

Try this:

www.etsy.com

for all your bits'n'pieces ... re-design clothes ... add vintage lace ... buy costume jewellery ...

Jill

The Bigger Society

What's all this I hear about The Big Society?

Funds for the planned literature festival near to where I live have been reduced, maybe even withdrawn. Those interested in continuing with the festival will have to reduce costings, re-cycle and fund-raise.

So what's wrong with that? Why should we expect Councils to fund our every whim? Blame Government for every single thing that goes wrong?

Can't we do something for ourselves any more? We'll be expecting an ironing service soon [not a bad idea though], our windows leathered, a taxi service to the pub, an all inclusive holiday abroad or maybe a bicycle repair service? Actually, when I arrived at Sainsburys last week, there were 5 Police Officers offering to code my bike [for free], give me a bike lock [for free] and provide some sort of fastening [for free]. The officer seemed so intent on providing me with these items that I presumed [as with catching speeding motorists], he had certain targets to meet. However, it did take some time for me to convince the officer that I didn't actually own a bike.

Surely we should learn to become a community again. Care a little. We should come together to interest and help each other, be more sociable ... a bit like a family get-together ~ Once you're there, it's not so bad after all.

Okay, rant over.

But that's why I came home from today's Lit Fest meeting with 3 jobs !

1. Edit the lit festival newspaper
2. Form a writing group
3. Run a creative writing workshop during the festival !

I'm honestly looking forward to it. Any ideas for content, competitions or themes, drop me an email gmhesketh@googlemail.com facebook, twitter or comment in the box.

Get Involved ~ You know it makes sense !

* Date for your diary:
Blackpool Literature Festival 'Wordpool' includes Poetry, Drama, Arts, interactive activities, workshops, author readings, will be held during the week 5th - 12th November at the Winter Gardens Spanish Hall, the newly refurbished Central Library and other venues around the town. If you want to get involved, just message or email me.

Jill

Thanks Ray-Ban

Randomly, I came across this photo from the Isle of Wight Festival last summer [Blondie, Pink, The Strokes, Vampire Weekend, Paul McCartney; Little Boots] and it made me realise there's a future beyond the rain ...

So, if you're feeling a bit fed up ... plan something fun ahead to look forward to. You'll be surprised at how the positive effect with energise you ... even if it is raining !

And if you're going to a music festival, pick up a couple of tickets for your parents ~ you know you want to ???

Jill
[And thanks to Ray-Ban for the Sunnies]

A Passion for Shoes ... Shoes and more Shoes ...

Shoe Dilemma? Emma Bowd answers all your questions on ... yes ... Shoes !
Question:
'Why is it that we manage to pack the same number of shoes for a weekend break to Berlin as we do for a week in Barcelona? '
Answer:
'It's a girl thing'.

I couldn't agree more. Check out 'A Passion for Shoes', a colourful insight into The Thrill, Chase and Temple of ... Shoes.

Enjoy,

Jill

Each Day ...

'Each day, and the living of it, has to be a conscious creation in which discipline and order are relieved with some play and pure foolishness.'

May Sarton

The Verdict ... BareMinerals Flawless Finish is Brilliant !!!

Wow ! How Simple ! Easy application ... Fabulous Flawless Finish ...
Get started comes in Light, Medium, Dark kits to suit your skin tone and contains Multi-tasking Concealer [covers dark circles and imperfections ~ I lurrvve this ~ and my daughter does too], 2 foundation colours, mineral veil [transluscent finishing touch], all over face colour [complexion booster] and a set of full and tapered brushes for application and blending techniques. Made with pure crushed minerals, the products allow sheer to full coverage with SPF of either 20 or 15.

If I can create a natural flawless effect from a bareMinerals Get Started kit in the short amount of time I afford to such tasks, and the lack of effort I unfortunately put in to making up my face, then anyone can !

And this is the difference ...

Swirl ... Tap ... Buff ... it's all in the Brush [es] ...

Swirl bareMinerals powder in the lid of the container.

Tap away any excess.

Buff onto skin in circular motion.

The powder at first reminds me of an all-over bronzer ~ [I use the medium shades] but the product is different, creamier and feels really smooth on the skin.

Using a brush seems to keep the skin cool during application and made me feel less rushed, less stressy. There's a full brush for all over coverage [use sweeping strokes], a soft tapered brushed for blending and softening shadows ... hey listen to me ... I even have make-up application knowledge, therefore I have power !

After the concealer, there's a choice of foundation, an all-over warmer coloured complexion booster and a transluscent veil for an air-brushed finish. Basically, you can create facial shape and colour to suit the occasion and the mood.

[Demonstration DVD included in the pack - which is how I learned how simple appliction was]

For me, tinted moisturiser isn't quite enough. Foundation cover feels too blocked. I'm not sure whether it's the product or the brush effect, but the task is easy and the effect is really pleasing, I might even say, stunning!

Any young, single, body /beauty conscious female [okay, married, partnered, sporty, arty, techno, fashionitas et al] would relish the time to create the perfect finish but when your timetable begins to fill up, you're late for an important meeting, hot date, after work rendezvous or visiting the boyfriend's parents after a big night out, bareMinerals steps right up [Arggh, I sound like an American TV ad !].

I've always had little patience for make-up, foundation, powders, highlighters, blushers and it's probably because I've never had much [any] training. I never seem to have had the time or opportunity to sit in front of a mirror as my daughter did/does regularly [make that obsessively], trying out different products, textures, colours and effects.

I'm not sure whether my lack of indulgence was due to the fact that I lived in a predominantly male house-hold [I have 4 brothers], my mother never seemed interested in make-up other than Max Factor something-or-other, Nivea talc and Freesia perfume, or was it that the products simply hadn't been glossed up and marketed to the girl in the street in the way that for example magazine marketing does now?

I know I should have spent more time 'doing my face' ~ we wear our face everyday di-dah-di-dah ... but now I don't have to ... [again - sounding like mind-numbing Amercian TV ad ~ sorry] but it's true, a few flicks of the brush[es] and anything from fresh natural look to high glamour can be completed in minutes - even by me !

Enjoy bareMinerals Get Started, also great for a present but beware, you will be jealous !
http://www.bareescentuals.com/

Jill

Cavashon at home ...

As you can see, the Cavashon puppy is settling in ~ on the sofa ~ exactly where he should be of course !He's a cross between a Lady King Charles Cavalier [like the one in Lady and the Tramp] and a Gentleman Bichon-Frise ...

Cross breed or Designer Dog ?

Possible names so far : Buddy ~ Teddy ~ Harvey ~ Tiger ~

Any ideas ?

Jill

Ahhhh ... A Cavashon !! [oh yes, I knew it was ...]

Meet puppy ... Cavashon ... waiting to be named ...


Any ideas?

Coming soon ...

World Book Night ...

Results from bareMinerals flawless finish make-up trial ...

Photos ... hey presto, got my camera working ...

Cavashon [photos] ... A Cavashon? What pray a Cavashon? ...
It's a surprise. Wait and see ...

A sample from my novel, recently re-titled, [working title that is], Consequences ...

Any other ideas you want me to look into ~ just let me know ...
[email any questions or suggestions to me ... gmhesketh@googlemail.com]

Jill

Take a look at this ...

Amazing Animal Dialogue ...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=479934107975

posted by Ron Deering.

Jill

bareMinerals ...

http://www.bareescentuals.com/

Okay, so, you might remember my telling you that I won a competiton ... in Zest Magazine [great mag with lots of health info, fitness, recipes etc]. I know you're thinking [cringing even] Zest is for Mums [!] But as staying in is the new going out, recycling is the new labelling and cooking is yet another approach to keeping your man [unless you prefer my blog entry 11th February highlighting fantumberlous suggestions from the wonderifliferus Rori Raye ~ how to 'Have the relationship you want' by snaring/keeping/bossing/boring/scaring/probably losing the man of your dreams ... Here's the link again incase you missed it ... seriously lol, rotflol !!

http://www.havetherelationshipyouwant.com/index.html?s=25520&gclid=COai546egacCFQkf4Qod-k1teg

Ahh, just remembered, this blog is actually about the PRIZE I received ~ not actually from Zest, but from bareMinerals ... It seems bareMinerals is 'the' new make-up ... My daughter rates the products highly ~ so it must be law.

So when a large package arrived at my front door, I presumed yet another ASOS for my son ... but no ! Behold ! Not an Angel ! A package ! For me ! With my name on it ! [Sure there's a song title in there somewhere??] ...

I scurried into the study [excitedly], ripped open the package [packages actually] ... bareMinerals GET STARTED complexion and FACE FASHION the look of now ... Couldn't wait to check them out. Inside, a Guide to Flawless Finish Bare Beauty, a DVD [thankGod], super-duper-soft-brushes [the ones you want to stroke all the time], cute little jars with gorgeously floury contents and tactile lids [we know this all counts towards the experience].

So I'm off for pamper bath, body brush, manicure, cleanse, tone, moisturise and time to test out the products ... Where did I put that DVD ?

See you tomorrow with the results ...

Jill

Pop Art ...

Fancy Something New ?

Choose your own topic / finish / colour scheme ... in true Pop Art Style



Just message for futher details ... and I'll connect you to the artist !

Jill

Ahhh ...

Sometimes, you just have to go it alone ...


Where's the Sat-Nav?


Should have taken the car ...

Fab photos courtesty of Katy Gartside @ Flikr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katygartside/3388904854/in/set-72157616389878928/

Jill

I Soooo Lurve this book ~ ...

Carol Ann Duffy ... The World's Wife

A Wonderful collection of easy access tales about women ususally excluded from myth and history. Powerful, funny, entertaining, thought provoking.

Choose from: Mrs Midas, Anne Hathaway, Medussa, The Kray Sisters, Mrs Aesop,
Queen Kong ... or just read them all !

Our Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, was born in Glasgow in 1955.
She grew up in Stafford and attended Liverpool Uni,
receiving a degree in Philosophy in 1977.

Do Something Nice for Your Mum

I'm soooo lucky .... table set, flowers picked from the garden, lunch made for me ...

Coming soon ~ Things you can do for your mum that cost very little or nothing, just a reasonably small amount of time and love.

Jill

Hands Fillers ! What Next?

Worryingly, I came across an advert for hand fillers. Yes, I confirm, Hand Fillers.

Now we might not pay a lot of attention to other people's hands. We might not pay enough attention to our own hands [in relation to say, our faces or body shape] but when a special occasion / job interview / new fella comes along, the hands often manage a bit of a look in.

We might treat our hands to a little hand moisturiser, a home manicure, a trip to the beautician for full manicure and polish ... even 'hand peels' [apparently requires approx 4 hand peels with pre and post peel treatment and takes around 8 weeks - not sure of cost just yet - will let you know].

But would we go this far ????? .....

If you have boney hands or loose, excessive skin, then this is / isn't for you ...

Radiesse [TM] Dermal Filler can apparently plump up the skin and make it look fuller and according to Radiesse marketing blurb, younger !

Using a series of small filler injections [don't like this idea already], preceded by anaesthetic cream to make the procedure more comfortable [sounds like warning for more pain here], the hands show immediate effect, quote 'plumps up the skin giving you instant results.'

A coure of 4 laser treatments at monthly intervals are suggested to keep the treatment looking goooood. No pricing available.

Phone number available but don't like to share it ... Girls, is this really necessary?

I'm sure just sparing a little more thought and attention to our hands; moisturise, massage and polish will do the job ... and much cheaper.

Okay, I've had my say. What do you think?

Jill

Using your Mobile at Night can Cause Weight Gain ... Can it ??????

Not sleeping well?

Leaving social calls till late in the evening can keep you awake ~ especially if you’re using a cell/mobile phone … Using mobiles can interfere with sleep patterns and cause headaches.

Can they?

Dr. Bengt Arnetz from Swayne State University, Detroit, USA, states ‘We think that radio waves from your mobile phone activate your brain’s stress response system …’ The joint study also involving a team of researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden found that radiofrequency released from mobile phones appeared to cause insomnia, headaches and difficulties in concentration.

So it seems that’s why it takes longer to get to sleep / suffer restless sleep!

* Having even one bad night’s sleep has been found to affect blood sugar levels and apparently there is a connection with our ability to save off weight gain.

So its back to the landline – ‘it’s for you’ / ‘no she’s not in’ / ‘she’s washing her hair tonight’ - And maybe a much cheaper phone bill ?

Info from:
Zest magazine and online at www.zest.co.uk
www.scienceagogo.com

DON'T BUY ANYTHING YOU DON'T NEED ... SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL

Mashed Potatoes ~ Nothing Better ...

Not Mashed Potatoes I hear you say.
Yes, Mashed Potatoes on a cold, cold day.

Was this a dream? Did someone tell me? Or, did I see it on TV? - to add Philadelphia [soft cheese - not the place in USA as that would clearly be impossible, due to its size], to Mashed Potatoes ?

Go on, try it: ADD HALF A TUB OF PHILLY TO YOUR MASHED POTATOES...

Yummy

Jilly

Remember ...

If you're overloaded ...

Prioritise
Prioritise
Then,
Prioritise ...

My advice from years of not doing so.
It's really the only way forward.

Jill

It's going to be Valentine's Day soon ...

Hi Girls / Ladies ... people out there ...

So, it's about to be Valentine's Day [Monday] ~ Sure, I know you knew that.

I came across this blog / pod / vid ... positively guaranteed to make you feel MORE positive about your relationship in an even more positive way than ever before ~ positively !

Relationships ~ Emotional Coaching ~ Chasing Your Man [?] ~ Connect with a man's heart [Is this really possible?] ~ Make him come closer [Further Question marks ???] ~ Inspire his total devotion ~ Make him Commit ~

Let Rori Ray guide you [if you must] ... make your dream a reality ...

Can't help thinking this is a little one sided ... check it out and decide for yourself if it is :

A] Seriously Useful Information

B] Depressing

C] A Healthy Guide which will Definitely Help to Force a Man to Marry You

D] American linguistic overloaded bla de bla

E] Can't really think of more to say here ...

http://www.havetherelationshipyouwant.com/index.html?s=25520&gclid=COai546egacCFQkf4Qod-k1teg

Please take with pinch of salt, large glass of red wine, a cocktail of your choice, cup of tea, glass of lager [no drinking from bottles in the house please], glass of champagne, energy drink, vitamin dose, black coffee, Horlicks [Yuk], Chocolate milkshake [try it with drop of brandy, rum or whisky], Smoothie.

I say: Be kind to your partner/self.

Be Fair to your partner/self.

And most of all, be yourself.

Do remember this: An animal with spots ~ will generally always have spots !!

Enjoy the link.

Jill

Stop !

Stop all that frivolity and listen to this ...

Stop your avocados turning brown:
Squeeze some lemon juice into a bowl of water ~ place avocados flesh side down in the water.

Rescue a burned pan:
Sprinkle a layer of Bicarbonate of Soda onto burnt pan and cover with water.
Wait 2 hours or so, the Bicarb should lift the burned material off the pan.

Freeze fresh herbs
[I know its all you think about when you're in freshers week at Uni]
There's always too many herbs for one meal and they don't last long in the fridge ... So ...
Chop remaining fresh herbs. Place them in an ice-cube tray with chicken stock.
Drop into your soups, rice, saute recipes etc.
Tell your mum.

Lemon Slices
Slice Limes and Lemons.
Spread out on a tray.
Freeze.
When frozen, tip slices plastic bag.
Store in the freezer till you want to use them.

Some information used has been collected from Daily Mail 2011/Fine Cooking Magazine, Taunton Press, £14.99.

Gillian

Please Click The Follow Button ...

... and follow Daughters in Distress ...
... ahhh that's better ... Thanks

[promise you won't get follow up emails, suffer flashing ads on your yahoo/google/hotmail/ You won't receive text messages, I won't share your link, phone you, post junk mail through your letter box, tweet about you or guilt you into attending a coffee morning, champagne brunch, afternoon tea or Michelin starred taster menu ... ]

Well maybe the latter, Jill

Coming Soon ...

'bareMinerals' - brush up natural look make-up ...

YSL beauty tips and mascara ...

Hand fillers ... ?? Yes, Hand Fillers !!

Nice things to do for your mum ... no or low cost ... [even if it isn't mothers' day]

Time-wasting Chocolate Heaven ... Why not?

Maybe a few photos ...

Jill

What has Angel been up to ??

Angel on a date with her Fancy Man ... on a bad hair day !?