Exercise the YouTube way

I am not doing good on the healthy eating. So I thought I would try sort out my lack of exercise. My twitter friend/buddy Erin Huggins offered to make a Pilates DVD for me. It is just under 10 minutes and is a full body workout. I thought what the heck, 10 minutes I can fit that in. When I got up I really felt my stomach muscles. The only problem it seems the muscles in my lower back are a bit tender. I do not know why that is. Either too much fat, child birth or something. Pulling at straws huh. Anyway check out the video and have a go. Know that I am not flexible but I can do this exercise routine within my comfort zone.

Check out Erin's YouTube Channel for more Pilates and other exercise routines.

No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

Have you been watching this brilliant show? It is a 6 part series and so far the two I have seen have been worth the wait since the pilot show came on our screens last year. The show as is the film of the same name, is based on the novels by Alexander McCall Smith. I have not read any of his books but if the film and the series is anything to go by he truly captures a certain essence that feels so authentic.

The actors and actresses get a high 5 for language skills. Those accents are remarkable. I just love Jill Scott as an actress. She plays this part so well I cannot imagine anyone else playing Mma Ramotswe. Not forgetting her brilliant assistant Mma Makutsi played by Anika Noni Rose. All the characters are amazing including that little boy who wishes to run errands for a few Pula.

The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency comes on Sundays BBC 1 at 9pm. However you can always catch missed episodes on BBC i-player. Please click here for more info on the show.

This could be useful…..

I think an extra wheel just for parallel parking is an excellent idea. Then again a car that parks itself. An I-Robot type of car. What do you think?

R.I.P. Jade Goody 1981-2009

Jade passed away in her sleep during the early hours of today. She lost her fight with cervical cancer which spread throughout her body. During her last few months she ensured that she could accumulate as much money as possible to ensure that her precious sons would be ok financially.

She is leaves behind two sons, husband Jack Tweed and her mum Jackie.

Read more about Jade on the following links

MSN news

BBC news

Tidjane Thiam is the 1st Black FTSE 100 Boss

Whilst I was at work I had a quick browse on the BBC website. Their news is slacking a bit as I was looking for a headline event I saw on Sky News. Anyway I came across this article, which states that Tidjane Thiam is now the 1st Black person to be a boss on the FTSE 100 indexed companies.

His new position will commence in October as Prudential’s Chief Executive. He previously was employed by Aviva and was also Minister of Planning and Development.

The BBC has put together a small bio of him which can be read here. However if you want a more in depth read check out this article by The Independent Newspaper.

'The angels are calling mummy' – Jade Goody

Jade Goody tells children: 'The angels are calling mummy' – Telegraph

This is such a sad story. I feel so tearful thinking about her plight. I applaud her stealth in making as much money as she can before her passing so that her two adorable boys can have some secured future. She looked gorgeous on her wedding day.

The saddest thing is that her cervical cancer was mis-diagnosed twice!!!! So sad. You know her time on earth is slowly coming to an end when the Priest comes to pray for you at your bedside.

I am happy that she was able to have her big wedding and get christened along with her boys.

My prayers go out to Jade and her family.

Cleopatra coming at cha again!!!!

I almost forgot about this one. Last week I made the effort to see Pop Goes the band, a reality TV show on Living TV where bands from the 80’s and 90’s regroup to try again for stardom. As I was a semi-huge fan of Cleopatra back in the day, I figured this would be one to watch.

It was interesting to see that they have grown up and nicely and have families as people do eventually in life. Cleo and Yonah had breast lifts to correct effects of breastfeeding and weight loss respectfully. Whilst Zainam had work done to her teeth to lift the gum line. It is as graphic as it sounds. Beauty and pain and then some.

In the 90’s they wore big thick braids and bright colours baggy clothes. Now they have a look they describe as having a rock edge. I am not sure if I actually like this look but it could grow on me. They definitely now have a grown up look. As they are due to make a comeback lets wait and see if they update their sound and music. After all it is not like they can’t sing. So I do wonder why did they lip synched on this show???

I do hope they do reform and come back at cha!

Here is an interview by Flavour Magazine with Cleo talking about the show.

Celebrate Africa in its entire beauty

Judging by what the media and various aid agencies show you. It would be easy to assume that Africa is just one big ole land mass of poverty and destitution where staying alive is a job all in itself. This may ring true for certain parts of Africa in some cities. However there is a vibrancy in Africa the media will not readily talk to you about.

Sisters Chioma and Oluchi Ogwuegbu have made it their mission to highlight all that is good in Africa. They are travelling by road and embracing Africa and her people various cultures in it’s beauty. Their journey began July 2008 and is destined to end July 2009.

After the journey which is funded by themselves and donations, they will write a book and short film as well as help other young Africans make the journey too. That to me sounds really good.

People forget that Africa is where life began. The oldest fossils are in Africa. Africa has a wealth and history that pre-dates many of these younger nations around today.

Please take a look at the site and read about their journey and Celebrate Africa.

He will do it again – Oprah tells Rihanna

I was just catching up on one of fave blogs I love to read. Even when I cannot be bothered to read there are celeb photo’s galore.

Anyway I saw this clip posted on SandraRose about Oprah giving Rihanna a warning. In the clip Oprah stresses the need for counselling and healing. Then stresses further “If a man hits you once, he will hit you again!”

Oprah points out that 1 in 4 American women and girls are victims of domestic abuse. According to Womens aid uk 1 in 4 women will fall victim to such abuse at least once in their lifetime. That is a lot of women. What is worst is that 2 women a week are dying at the hands of abusive partners or by their exe’s.



Just have a look at this article. A man was convicted of hammering to death his ex girlfriend and her two children. Her daughter was a rising star who appeared on Young stars in their eyes.

The saddest thing is love can be over blind. I know many friends who forgive and carry on with their abusive partners. I suppose unless you are in that situation you can never truly know what it is like. I have already told my husband and his ignorant friends if he was to ever try that 999 is my best friend on speed dial.

If you are in the UK need some advice check out the following links:

Home Office Domestic Abuse site

Women's Aid

Refuge

Neutrogena Wave feels oh so good….

I love impulsive shopping. Especially when something is in my head telling to go buy that. Even more so when it is something I will use over and over again. Like another lip gloss which is a tenth of a shade different to the one I bought the week before. Do you understand what I am getting at.

The Neutrogena wave is one of those purchases. Except I normally use a standard cotton pad and cleanser of choice. Anyway the Wave is best described at a vibrating cleaning pad. You are supposed to take one of the cleaning pads and attach it to the Wave. It has a Velcro like texture to hold it securely. You then wet it with water, switch it then glide over your face.

The adverts I have seen show loads of foam. I know TV will show you anything. I do not get much if any foam at all. However it does clean my skin nicely. My skin feel gorgeous afterwards. I have only tried it on skin laden with MAC Studio Fix powder. I must try it with my Iman or Fashion Fair cream to powder foundations to see if it truly works deep down in them pores.

The initial cost was £9.99 from Boots on promotional offer. The Wave includes 14 cleaning pads, so I purchased a refill pack £3.99 that has 30 cleaning pads. I know recession times means this will be one heck of an expense to maintain. So I am going to see if I can use a standard cotton pad with my own cleanser to see if I get the same results. Will see.

I actually like this product. It currently gets a thumbs up from me

Check out the Neutrogena site.

I am back finally

My work place blocks just about all the sites I like. The internet is such a part of my life that with it gone I had to make due with my mobile web, twitterberry, and the extremely limited web access at work.

I have so much to talk about and hopefully my readers will come back. Right now I am just admiring my new desktop pc, comeplete with company discount. The amount of times I hear the credit crunch means that I must make full use of incentives and discounts at work.

Hopefully I will be able to get to introduce and interview segment on my blog. It will either be monthly or weekly. So look out for that.

Now I just need to update my favourites and get back to what I love best.

If only I could get my speakers to work. Youtube just does not seem the same with no sound. lol

Glad to be back.