I haven't posted in a while! I've been incredibly busy, I left my old job and started two new ones - aswell as studying, so not as much time to spend on pole :(
However, I have reached a MAJOR milestone....


I got my superman!

I was absolutely over the moon! After a few wonky attempts (luckily they involved no faceplanting the floor!) I got it! To me, Superman is one of those moves were you can say 'Right, I'm a real  poledancer now.' It's such a distinctive move and was one that I'd wanted to master since I researched moves after my first class.

I've also got my Marley.
Excuse the photo, it's not pretty... but I've got it ;)
I'm hoping that once things settle down I can get into a routine and find more time to spend on pole. Cutting down to just 1 hour a week isn't enough, I need to get a pole back at home :(

XO

Everyone had a fantastic time, we had our own security guards and most people were very interested in what we had to say about pole fitness! I do have a scabby knee though from their carpeted floor :(  (Sorry, it's gross - I know!)

I've recently considered jumping on the ombre bandwagon and upgrading my locks similar to the style that the lovely LUA is currently sporting.


Alas, my hair is just to damaged and dry at the ends for any form of bleach, caused by my 3 years of being blonde :(
Even with regular Schwarzkopf SEAH treatments (highly recommended by the way!) and daily Moroccan Oil my hair is just to fragile for bleach.

Hopefully next time I post I'll be rocking a beautiful peachy/tangerine shade like the gorgeous Nicola Roberts!

XO

I had some time to mooch about before I got my train and landed myself in Primark, Boots, H&M (you know the drill!) - much to my debit card's dismay...
I love all the Autumnal items that are making their way into stores, it's without a doubt my favourite season.
Here are a  few of the items I picked up :)
Slight shoe obsession at the moment! They're all flats too which is odd for me! Not so sure about the coat, it makes me look a bit washed out. I think I'm going to take it back and purchase the River Island version instead. It's a bit more expensive (£60, as opposed to the £25 Primark dupe) but I think I'll get a lot more wear out of it and this version feels quite cheap.
Obviously had to pick up some nail polish while I popped into Boots for Glamour magazine (rude not to!). Loving Essie's Bikini so Teeny - wearing it now as I type! Goooooorgeous shade!

This is the fabulous Revlon lip butter in 'Peach Parfait' wore it as soon as I got on the train. Feels soft and moisturising on my lips. It does feel a little grainy due to glitter flecks, but it's worth it for the subtle sheer colour as I don't own anything like it.
Cute little pleated skirt/shorts/skort?!  Have been looking for a black pleated skirt for a while, saw this and had to have it! Will also work for a night to save my dignity if I find an unsuspecting pole to dance on - I can invert safe in the mind that I won't be showing off anything I hadn't planned on!
Also love the top, The chest and sleeves are sheer with a gold zip detail at the back, while the rest is soft cotton. I'll get a lot of wear out of it for sure!

Quite a nice unsuspecting haul and a fun way to kill an hour waiting for the train! :)

xo

So I've been working on putting together my first routine. I love the music, love the moves I've chosen but when it comes to the 'attitude' I'm just not getting it...
I've chosen one of my favourite RHCP songs, 'Don't forget me'.

I've accomplished a fair amount in my past few lessons. I got my Pole Splits & Shoulder Mount ( see previous blog entry for those two!)
And most recently my Extended Flexi Embrace [though it's not THAT flexi yet.. It will be in time though ;)], Figurehead and some new handstand variations.





I'm going to use this blog as a tool to help track my achievement's and to set myself attainable goals with realistic time-scales.

Leg Flexibilty
I'm quite lucky in the sense that I seem to be quite naturally flexible. I currently have my splits on my right side pretty much down, I don't need to be warmed up too much to get straight down to the floor - which is great! However, I'm going to focus on my left side and my middle splits. I'm not too far off on my middle splits, but my left side is terrible - so it's definitely a focus area!
Time scale? I'd say 1 year of regular stretching!

Back & Shoulder Flexibility
My back is pretty much rigid. It likes being straight and that's how it plans to stay for the foreseeable future. I have had a little bit of a breakthrough when I discovered I can do this...

But I still think it's probably on par with my leg flexibility, where realistically I'm going to need at-least a year of regular stretching! It's my upper back and shoulders that seem to be the real problem. I constantly have tight, sore shoulders and really struggle with my posture due to sitting at a desk all day on a wobbly chair (I definitely need to book myself in for a massage!).
Time-scale? 1 year of regular stretching!


MOVES I WANT TO NAIL

Extended skater
Will try this next lesson, no promises though...

Cocoon
This may take a while, and will obviously benefit from increased back flexibility. As I'm being a realist, and I don't want to push my luck too much I'm going to say around 2-3 months

Stag/Ballerina
I would LOVE to get this move. I just think it's so pretty and looks really impressive. I'm setting a realistic target of 6 months to give me chance to improve my back flexibility and gain more strength in my dominant arm. It will be a verrrry good day when I get this move!

That's all for now, hopefully I'll stick to it!

NOON-xo

Around 8 months into my pole adventure I hit a plateau. I was in a rut. The studio where I had previously attended classes had moved out of the area, I was working A LOT of additional hours across the North West and most of the girl's I'd gone to class with had lost interest. I didn't pole for 2-3 months. I focused on Pilates, stretching [ AA dvds ;) ], yoga and even considered buying a hula hoop! Although enjoyable, not one of these activities substituted the feeling I got from pole dancing. I feel so confident and powerful whenever I get a new move, I become more aware of my body and subtle movements and I love watching in awe at dancers more advanced than me and just thinking ' wow...!'.
I was absolutely ecstatic when I was introduced to my current teacher by a friend. She has been poling for around 5 years and is the most advanced dancer I've ever seen. She's in a whole different league when compared to the previous teacher's at my old studio. In the past 2 months I've seen a HUGE jump in my ability. 

 Here's my review on the L'oreal Lumi Magique foundation.

"With age skin can becomes dull and tired. Lumi Magique helps give instant skin radiance. You will be glowing inside and out.
Light texture, let's skin breathe with 24 hours of hydration"


I have mixed thoughts on this foundation, on application it felt quite watery but after I'd worked it in it did give reasonable coverage and felt lovely and light on my skin. I love that it gives enough coverage to hide any imperfections but still allows for my freckles and my naturally rosy chicks to show through. After around an hour it started to feel quite sticky on my face, this had never happened to me before. I found it quite strange as I used my Lancome 'La Base' primer - my go to primer and that usually transforms any foundation a use to silky, smooth velvety-ness on my face, not the case with Lumi Magique!
I touched up with powder, but it felt clumpy and my pores were visible.
I was really disappointed. The from reading reviews and my initial reaction to it's first application I really thought it would work for me, but alas it does not. :(
I would probably still wear it if I knew I was only out for a few hours, but it's definitely not a foundation I would rely on for work or a busy day - you will need to schedule touch-ups!


Now onto the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable lip stain.

I LOVE it!
I purchased shade 020 LOVESICK, it's a gorgeous glossy fuchsia pink - so cute. I've worn it every day since I've purchased it. The pigment is great, and obviously as it's a stain it really lasts. I also feel like I'm treating my lips when I wear it, it's incredibly moisturising. I will most definately be grabbing some more in further shades, they'd be great for holidays as they're really quick to apply and last all day!

xo

Currently in the process of organising myclothes out of stuffy cardboard boxes - I miss my apartment :(
It's very strange being back at home, I'm not used to it yet!
With the extra money i have squirrelled away I should be able to buy myself a nice shiny new car in a few months time.
Bought some goodies after work today while I was waiting for my train home.
I purchased Loreal's 'Lumi Magique' liquid foundation after reading www.gh0stparties.com blog post on the range. I'll try it out today and post a few photo's.
I'm also due to receive my July glossybox at some point this week, i'm super excited for the contents! Also LOVING Revlon's 'Just Bitten Kissable balm stain'. I have mine in 'Lovesick' and I'm obsessed, it's similar to Clinque's chubby sticks but a steal at a third of the price (mine was £4.99 on offer at Boots).
Will post my review later today after I've dealt with my cardboard mountain! Seriously, it's that bad!
xo