Establishing Boundaries to have a Healthy Relationship

I have felt a little bored with blogging the past few years, it has changed so much and its become very 'samey' and competitive. I've never been one to follow the crowd, I don't feel the pressure of having to write about a particular topic or be a people pleaser. I set up my blog more than 10 years ago and have always viewed blogging as a hobby and a way of helping others. I like to keep things real and will always give my honest opinion. Recently I've felt inspired to start sharing posts on self awareness, self love and self development. Beauty products can make us feel great & give us a confidence boost, but true Beauty starts from the inside.

First topic I'd like to share is about creating boundaries. Healthy boundaries is something I have struggled with growing up. Being a caring person I tend to attract people that use me or take advantage of my kindness. I have realised recently, although I'm still very much caring and kind, I have much healthier boundaries, strength of dealing with difficult situations and I'm not afraid to speak up when necessary.  

It's so important to establish boundaries to have a healthy relationship and it is an inherent aspect of self-care. Otherwise, manipulative, abusive & unhealthy relationship patterns are created....this can be related not only to a relationship with a partner but with friends, parents, children 💖

Establishing boundaries means:
• having self-respect, self-esteem & self-worth
• teaching others how to treat you - instead of letting them treat you anyway they choose
• defining what's acceptable and unacceptable to you
• placing limits on what you do to others
• placing limits on what you do for others
• placing limits on what you allow others to do to you
• placing limits on what you allow others to do for you
• knowing when to speak up for yourself
• having the courage to speak up for yourself

Boundaries necessary to maintain healthy relationships:
• I won't accept anyone verbally abusing me.
• I won't accept anyone physically abusing me.
• I won't accept anyone emotionally abusing me.
• I won't accept anyone making their feelings, thoughts and beliefs my responsibility.
• I won't place my partner on a pedestal.
• I will not live to please others.
• I will take responsibility for my feelings/actions.
• I won't put my partner's needs before my own.
• I won't cheat on my partner.
• I won't accept my partner cheating on me. If I find out, I have to respect myself by leaving or sign us up for relationship counselling.
• I will end relationships on good terms.

What are your boundaries for a healthy relationship? 

Beauty Bargain: Aldi Beauty Lacura Glycolic Acid Exfoliate Daily Cleansing Pads

I have been testing a few newly launched beauty bargains from Aldi's Beauty Lacura range over the last couple of months. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much due to the low price but I have been pleasingly surprised! I am super impressed and they are comparable with more expensive premium brands on the market.

Aldi Beauty Lacura Glycolic Acid Exfoliate Daily Cleansing Pads are formulated with Glycolic Acid, a powerful Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and Fruit Acid blend. These radiance boosting pads help retexture and resurface skin to reveal a brighter and smoother looking complexion. 

Aldi Lacura Exfoliate Daily Cleansing Pads vs Nip & Fab Daily Cleansing Pads

These new cleansing pads have been inspired by leading beauty brands and cost just £2.49 for a tub of 60 pads and compared to similar Nip and Fab Glycolic Daily Cleansing Pads, they cost 80% less which is a steal! I highly recommend these for super smooth soft skin which creates the perfect makeup base. Even more impressive is that Aldi's Lacura range is Leaping Bunny certified, meaning their products are not tested on animals and are cruelty free.

Have you been impressed with Aldi's beauty offering?

World's first anti-ageing sandwich!

BFree has created the world’s first anti-ageing sandwich recipe, packed with healthy ingredients known to help combat the signs of ageing. The youth enhancing sandwiches have been created by Julie Montagu, health and wellness expert and The Future Countess of Sandwich, to address the nation’s obsession with looking and feeling younger. 

The anti-ageing sandwich (called ‘Roll Back The Clock’) only uses ingredients that can help combat the signs of ageing. These include a gluten and wheat-free BFree Multigrain Wrap (containing a combination of buckwheat and amaranth, both of which support cell repair and combat wrinkles), spinach (the richest vegetable source of antioxidants, known to slow the ageing process), sweet potatoes (loaded with beta-carotene, which helps to prevent the damage caused by free radicals, which age cells over time) and sun-dried tomatoes (bursting with lycopene, that can strengthen the skin by preventing the breakdown of collagen). 

To celebrate these new sandwiches they were on offer from 14th-16th of March at The Sandwich Spa, the only place in the UK where people can choose from the brand new menu concept offering sandwiches paired and served with complementing beauty and wellbeing treatments. 

THE FULL SANDWICH SPA MENU: 

Roll Back the Clock, the anti-ageing wrap – served with a collagen boosting and revitalising facial 

Mindfulness Bites, a mood-enhancing sandwich – served with a session of mindfulness using uplifting and mood enhancing scents.

B.L.T (Beautiful, Long, Tresses), a wrap with hair conditioning and strengthening properties – served with a scalp boosting, antioxidant oil loaded head massage.

A Slice of Energy, an energy boosting meal – served with a comforting and anxiety easing neck, shoulder and back massage.

Good Gut Club, a bloat-preventing pitta pocket – served with a skin conditioning and inflammation reducing full body wrap.

Julie says: “My one piece of advice is always: you are what you eat." BFree aims to make a healthier life easier by providing a fantastic alternative to everyday baked goods, packed with quality ingredients that people can trust, and that are suitable for the whole family.

The range is free from wheat and gluten as well as 16 EU allergens. They are also suitable for vegans and high in fibre, low in fat and reduced sugar. BFree products are available at Tesco and Sainsbury’s stores nationwide. For more information on The Sandwich Spa and to view all of the recipes on offer that have been designed to be easily recreated at home visit:  http://unbouncepages.com/bfree-sandwich-spa/

Freebie Alert: Clinique Lipstick

Happy New Year! I wanted to share something to make you smile. Pop to the Clinique counter at Debenhams on Leeds Briggate tomorrow (19th Jan 2018) to claim your free full sized Clinique Lipstick! No purchase necessary but we quick as only a limited amount are up for grabs!