Hey,

Inspired by the very lovely Kate at All Five Horizons and the Writing More in April challenge - which clearly, as it’ already the 22nd, I have failed miserably at.  I am aiming not to be as stringent with the dates and/or order of the posts but to still bash them out as readily as I can.  To give you a heads-up, here’s a peek at the challenge:

Today I am tackling number 10 – that old reliable of putting your ipod/itunes on shuffle and detailing the first 10 songs to play.  No cheating was carried out in the writing of this post :)

1.  Cities In Dust – Siouxsie & The Banshees    I have not heard this in an age!  I used to play the Banshees a lot, particularly in my heady days of working in a music store (I had hoped it would be equivilent to the movie Empire Records, but alas, it was not to be!) and so nostalgia ensues.

2. Glorified G – Pearl Jam    I blame my brother’s musical influence for the excess of Pearl Jam in my music library.  Actually, I don’t blame him so much as thank him – I loved them then, I love them now and I shall love them (and the deliciousness that is Eddie Vedder) for always.

3. Mulder and Scully – Catatonia    Score!  Nostalgia overload with this one – helped by the fact that the video for this song was filmed at the legendary TJ’s in my hometown of Newport in the late 90′s.  It was one of those ‘live’ performance vids interspersed with some other guff, and I was in the live bit!  Well, I’m not actually in the video but I was in the club at the time.  Ace memories with this one :)

4. Mr Jones – Counting Crow    My ipod is being rather generous with it’s selection so far (cue next song being some tragic 80s pop….)  This and Long December are about as far as my Counting Crows love goes but still, it’s a wonderful song and I can’t help but beam when I hear it and remember the days of doc martens and flowery dresses and My So-Called Life.

5. Fire & the Thud – Arctic Monkeys    Hadn’t heard this song before – my ipod is in deathly need of an overhaul, but I’m still recovering from the time I lost all my music (damn you computer virus!) so am loathe to do it.  I’m not particularly partial to the Artic Monkeys so this may be lost in the inevitable cull when it does come.

6. Cosmic Love – Florence and the Machine    I have a total girl-crush on Florence Welch (only bettered by Zooey Deschanel – I NEED her New Girl wardrobe in my life!) and am a fan of her style and attitude, but this song – not so much.

7. Hold Tight – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich    Amazeballs.  Even more impressive than the pure 60′sness (it is a word, I have deemed it so) is the fact that this made Grindhouse bearable to watch.

8. In Hiding – Pearl Jam    See number 2 – thanks Gareth!

9. Since I Fell For You – Nina Simone    Swoon.  Whatever mood I am in, I can always rely on Nina Simone or Billie Holiday to make it a better one.  Love.

10. Jeff Buckley – Last Goodbye    Well my ipod has officially come up trumps with this list *wipes a sweaty brow of panic*  Pretty much see number 2 again for this one, Jeff Buckley is always on repeat with me.

Amy at Wonderland Boutique x.

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by Wonderland Boutique on April 22, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Wonderland Boutique on April 22, 2012

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Busy in Wonderland

Hey,

So where the hell have I been for the last few months?!  My blogging has fallen steeply off the edge of a cliff lately and I can only apologise to my hardened core of one (two on a good day) reader  for this abysmal show.  I have however had good reason and so shall give you a brief update on all that has occurred in the last three months – a good fit for what is coincidentally also my 100th post.

First, and by far the most important, is the news that I am now an Aunty for the third time!  I am utterly besotted with my new niece as are her two older brothers and I am beyond thrilled to be around her darling little self as often as I can manage.  So world, I give you Maisie:

She is all shiny and brand new in this photo as she was born in February, but at two months old now she is simply thriving.  The only thing that seems to be bothering her, the most chilled out and happy baby I have ever known, is the constant barrage of kisses she gets from everyone.  Her shock of darkest hair is amazing, even more so given that her two older brothers have both the reddest and blondest heads of hair respectively – a complete set of perfection.  I literally cannot wait until she is old enough for me to read Blueberry Girl to…listen to it and if you have a little girl in your life, then I defy you not to melt.

So with little Maisie has been taking up a rather large portion of my time, turning 31 in March took up considerably less.  Thankfully I might add, I find as the years go by the urge to celebrate my birthdays are dissipating – it’s just not important to me anymore.  Tell that to my family though as I somehow ended up with three birthday cakes, and yes, I managed to eat something of them all.

I’ve also had a rather huge personal milestone with the end of my skin story.  My last post on the matter was at the beginning of January and it is all change now.  I left you with news that I was nearing the end of the course, with about a month left at the time and having had a mini breakout.  Well, three months later and my medication is done, out of my system, side-effects on their way out very quickly and am ecstatic to say – I’ve been spot-free for the past two months!  This is entirely unheard of for me and the change cannot be waxed lyrical about enough in my eyes.  For the first thought of every day to not be about the state of my skin is an absolute dream come true.  To not feel the brewing beastlies under the surface or to have to pile on make-up inches thick, is new ground for me and I am in heaven.  The muscle pains I endured have vanished (along with them, my excuses to avoid exercise – I have fallen so far off the wagon I cannot even see the wagon.  The wagon is a dot to me.)  I no longer feel lethargic or suffer headaches.  My skin is still dry and may remain so permanently as the drugs changed the way my skin works (this is both amazing and terrifying to me!) but it is a price I am more than happy to pay.  I am extremely settled in my moisturising routine, so dryness is no issue.  My lips are no longer falling off my face.  Hoorah!  Again, they can get dry if I forget to apply my balms, but this rarely happens as like moisturising my face well and consistently, it is second-nature to me now.  I had a mini rejoice at the weekend as I managed to use lipstick for the first time in seven months – it was wonderful, I kid you not!  The same goes for being able to drink alcohol…my first glass of wine will come on Thursday this week as I head off to see a burlesque cabaret with my best girl - bring on the pinot!  In all seriousness, this treatment has been arduous at times but quite simply life-changing.

With my brand new face(!) I have been gracing a new vintage and handmade fair, organised most ably by my dear friend Yvonne.  The Haunted Attic Vintage and Handmade Fair was held in Burry Port at the tail end of last month and was a great success.  Held in the Memorial Hall on a beautiful Spring day – before snow was forecast, seriously what is up with our weather these past few weeks?! – with live, vintage-tinged music and the most wonderful handmade and vintage delights, it was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday.  If you missed it, then worry not, the next fair is to be held on Saturday May 19th.  Again, it shall be at the Memorial Hall, with entry costing just £1 (proceeds to go to the British Heart Foundation) and running from 10am-4pm, then make sure you stop by, say hello and snap up some unique and glorious treasures for you and yours.  Click through to the blog link above for all further details – and if you’d like to have a pitch there of your own, then drop an e-mail through to the lovely Yvonne at myhauntedattic@mail.com and come and join in the fun!

So that’s me updated – for now anyway, I do hope not to leave it a shameful three months before I blog again.  Having said that,  I have a ridiculously busy week ahead of me – not least topped off with Easter visits with my nephews and nieces and a trip to see Derren Brown in Svengali, fair preparations and custom orders.  The best of times.

Amy at Wonderland Boutique x.

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by Wonderland Boutique on April 2, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Wonderland Boutique on April 2, 2012

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Say It With Flours.

Hey,

So I am in need of a custom illustration/painting/drawing/sketch and am putting the feelers out into the blogosphere and to the twitterati in the hopes of finding someone to help me!  I shall outlay all the deets here, and if you or someone you know may be interested then please do let me know:

Ok, so the image I have in mind is of ‘flour’ with a ‘flower’.  I realise that this makes no sense whatsoever, so let give you some background!   A dear friend of mine and I used to love a particular film whereby the guy woos the girl, who happens to be a baker, by giving her ‘flours’.  We both thought this to be so romantic and always said how we wanted a guy who’d bring us ‘flours’.  Well she has just gotten engaged, and I thought what better way to celebrate than by having a picture made for her that reminds her that her life will now always be full of ‘flours’.

The particulars that I have in mind are as follows:

* I want it to be quite small in size – I’m not set on a particular dimension, but  I want to keep it cute (maybe around 6″ x 8″ or a little larger)

* enough of a border for me to be able to mount and frame it myself

* the ‘flour’ element could be a vintage bag of flour, or flour sack or planter, as long as it’s retro in style

* the’ flower’ element could be laying next to the flour, perhaps across a vintage dresser top, and would preferably be a rose

* vintage, retro and romantic are the look I want to emulate with the piece in both style and composition

I shall attach an inspiration image or two that I have come across to better illustrate than my ramblings ever can!  I am open to all suggestions including layout/medium etc, as clearly I’m no artist and as long as it clearly includes both ‘flour’ and ‘flower’, then I’m sure it will be wonderful.  Here though, is the kicker – the sordid topic of coin.  It’s January, the world and it’s sister is broke and I have a million-and-one things to fund in the coming months.  My friend is getting married in the Spring and I do really want to give her something special, but my budget is limited.  I am again, open to all suggestions on a fee and am also willing to trade like for like (you make me something pretty, I’ll make something pretty for you!) and/or promote you and yours ad infinitum via my blog, Etsy, Twitter etc, etc – you get the point :)

So, if you think this little project may be something that you’d be interested in undertaking or you know someone who might, then please contact me in any of the following ways:

E-Mail – wonderlandboutique@yahoo.co.uk

Etsy Convo – www.wonderlandboutique.etsy.com

Twitter – twitter.com/wonderboutique

Blog – www.wonderlandboutique.wordpress.com

 

Amy at Wonderland Boutique x.

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by Wonderland Boutique on January 8, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Wonderland Boutique on January 8, 2012

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Skin Story – Day 80

Hey,

I can’t believe I’m at Day 80 already!  Though if truth be told, it feels like much longer – I am starting to wane slightly, I want my body back :(

 

IN THE BAD CORNER:

* I have had a breakout :(   It is so disheartening.  After my last monthly check-up with my dermatologist, I was told that most people don’t see much change in the first two months (I did) and it’s the last two that provide all the results.  Well, I’m now only a few days away from my next check-up and I feel as if I’m going backwards.  I am hoping that it is to do with the horrorshow that was my diet and routine over Christmas and New Year that has caused it – I literally didn’t leave the house so was cocooned in central heating, and ate EVERYTHING in sight – though I know better than that, diet and environment has little impact, negative or otherwise, on acne.  The breakout happened over New Year and has plagued me all this past week.  It is nothing compared to past facial explosions but still, after seeing such improvement it has been difficult to deal with.  It has been centered all around my lips, so perhaps the constant application of lip balms is the culprit?  I already at the maximum dosage for my weight, so we shall see what my dermatologist has to say about this mini set-back next week :(

* I have developed more eczema patches – on my lower back, arms and wrist.  It’s a nuisance, and one I’m very self-conscious about but they come and go so am dealing with it, much better than I’m handling the breakout anyway!

* My lips are an absolute nightmare.  I had a million-and-one lip balms for Christmas (thank you Body Shop!) and although they work wonders through the day, my mouth is continuing to crack and peel.  Don’t I sound gorgeous!  In particular, the corners of my mouth have split which is really quite painful, god help you if you make me laugh because I will really know about it!  This never heals because, well, my mouth is constantly on the go and so it never quite gets the chance to do so.  Must not smile, laugh or eat anything salty – owwwww!

 

IN THE GOOD CORNER:

* I should, in theory anyway, after next weeks check-up have only one month left to go.  I cannot see this happening now after this mini breakout, so I may have a further two months to add to my initial four month course.  I am getting ahead of myself however so let’s just see how things go.  Must try to stay positive.

* My yogalates is still a lifeline for my muscle and joint aches.  I did not do it at all over Christmas though, this is my rule as I work-out so regularly throughout the year that at Christmas I give in and I eat what I want (which will be EVERYTHING) and push my work-out dvds to the bottom of the pile.  I have started up again this week though and love it.  I have missed it.  I had the new Davina dvd for Christmas and as always with a new dvd I do the whole thing in one go on my first try, which makes for a two-hour work-out.  Although I naturally ached, I think the yogalates has really helped my body as I coped remarkably well with doing my first cardio exercise in over two months.  So, my aim now is to do yogalates 3-4 times a week and a combination of routines from the Davina dvd once a week until my meds are finished.  Then, once my muscles and joints are back to normal, I will reverse that so I am doing cardio and weights as my regular regime with yogalates thrown in as an extra :)   Roll on for that reverse – anything to shift the Christmas poundage!

 

Amy at Wonderland Boutique x.

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by Wonderland Boutique on January 7, 2012  •  Permalink
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Happy New Year!

Hey,

No words are needed as Neil Gaiman has supplied them all for me – Happy New Year to you and yours:

Amy at Wonderland Boutique x.

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by Wonderland Boutique on December 31, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Wonderland Boutique on December 31, 2011

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A Wonderland Christmas!

Hey,

I just want to take a moment to wish all of Wonderland Boutique’s customers, readers and friends a Merry Christmas and a wonder-filled New Year.

With thanks, love and best wishes,

Amy at wonderland Boutique x.

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by Wonderland Boutique on December 23, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Wonderland Boutique on December 23, 2011

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Wonderland Loves….Ambrebotanicals

Hey,

It has been forever since I posted a Wonderland Loves….post, and I actually have several wonderful discoveries and artisans that I wish to share with you, so expect a few postings in the days to come!  It will come to no surprise to regular readers that I am taking some rather beastly medication at the moment, and to those in the know you will be aware of the impact that said meds are having on my skin.  One specific area of concern was that of my hands, which were red, sore, dry, itchy and generally bashed about as a result.  So, having found little relief with regular handcreams and moisturisers I took to researching the handmade delights of Etsy, and with that I stumbled upon the wonder that is Ambrebotanicals.

Ambrebotanicals is home to the most wonderful selection of 100% natural skin care products.  Established by the lovely Mira, it’s here that you’ll find all manner of lotions, cleansers, salves, toners and balms that are each created with the utmost care and expertise.  Each product is freshly blended from certified organic supplies, meaning that each batch is custom-made for you to suit your needs.  Ambrebotanicals skin care contain only the purest of ingredients, including essential oils, butters, clays, botanicals, vegetable oils, fruit and herbal extracts – all with the intention of creating affordable organic skin care:

COCOA & ALMOND RICH CLEANSING CREAM

SILKY HANDS SOAP & BALM DUO

HYDRATING DAY FACE OIL

SUNFLOWER & SHEA BUTTER LIP BALM

I can personally vouch for the little pot of joy that is the Silky Hands Nourishing Balm, it has done for my hands what no other creams that I tried could manage – and that is to soothe them, restore them and make for very happy hands indeed.  Now to try the lip balm to see if it can salvage my dry lips!  So if you’re looking for a range of natural, pure and organic skin care then I wholeheartedly suggest that you look no further than Ambrebotanicals.

Amy at Wonderland Boutique x.

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by Wonderland Boutique on December 13, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Wonderland Boutique on December 13, 2011

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Skin Story – Day 55

Hey,

Just a little progress report on day 55 of my isotretinoin journey:

 

IN THE BAD CORNER:

* As always, the dry cracking lips are at the forefront of my mind.  They are becomming slightly more bearable in that it’s now Winter, so most people are suffering along with me!  I have good things to say about the Fushi Organic Hydrating Lip Balm in that it is full of lovely nourishing oils which work wonders, though as with all products I have so far tried, it doesn’t last very long.  I rotate throughout the day between this, Carmex cherry and good ol’ Vaseline lip therapy so am sort of keeping on top of it.  As usualy though - suggestions for lip balms or moisturisers that keep cracking, peeling and general soreness-from-hell at bay, would be ace.

* I have developed an eczema rash on my hands.  Delightful.  This could be worsened by the cold weather and my propensity for skin issues anyway, but as the Iso basically dries out your entire body (egads!) then I simply must not forget to moisturise.  My sworn-by hand cream Handy Gurugu by Lush is a wonder at night but too bulky to carry around with me in the day, so I have found the most magnificent little gem of a hand salve – more about that later!

* The scabbing and scarring from the initial outbreak can at times be difficult to cover with make-up, mainly because my skin is just so dry.  Using a primer under my blessed MAC helps, if only I could remember to use it every time I apply!

 

IN THE GOOD CORNER:

* My spots are almost non-existent :D   I cannot tell you how happy this is making me.  My lip and chin area still has scarring and redness and slight scabbing (again, how delightful!) but I am down to the odd spot appearing every few days at most.  This is unheard of since my early twenties.  I am still finding it hard not to pick nor mess with those that do appear as I find their presence just rude now, but fingers crossed that the home stretch is in sight.

* I have my routine down pat now, using Simple Day and Night creams, a combination of lip care products and an aloe-based body moisturiser.  I wash my hair daily anyway so my hair and scalp are fine.  On the hair front, my haircut was a revelation as my hairdresser (and good friend) assured me that my hair nor fringe was thinning!  All I needed was a damn good cut and colour and thankfully my hair looks and feels how it always has.

* I am loving my yogalates.  I try to fit it in daily if I can which, as it’s one and a half hours long can sometimes be a bit of an ask.  Without it though, I really notice the aches and pains in my knees and muscle stiffness.  So if I can, I power through as I know it’ll be worth it and improve my day no end.

 

So there we have it, things are progressing nicely and I am coping well.  Just to prove the awesome coverage of MAC and the lack of my thinning hair – here is (as always when a camera is pointed in my direction) a slightly gormless pic of me at the recent Dandelion Clock Vintage and Handmade Fair in Llanelli, just a few weeks ago.  It was a lovely day - attendance hampered by a rather important Welsh rugby match, but time spent with friends listening to live music in a beautiful setting – what more can you ask?

Amy at Wonderland Boutique x.

Wonderland Boutique at the Dandelion Clock Vintage & Handmade Fair, December 2011

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by Wonderland Boutique on December 13, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Wonderland Boutique on December 13, 2011

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The Final Countdown

Hey,

Just a quick post to let you all know that my Etsy store is now on hiatus for the next few weeks, as I finalise my preparations for the following vintage and handmade fairs:

*On December 3rd, this very Saturday in fact, you can find Wonderland Boutique (as well as many other, fabulous people) trading at the Dandelion Clock fair in Llanelli.

* Then, on December 10th I shall be part of the Christmas Craft Market at the Washington Gallery in Penarth.

If you are in the area, then do stop by and say hello and of course peruse all the wonderful wares that are sure to be available at both events.  If you had your eye on something that was listed for sale over at Wonderland Boutique then please feel free to check out the ‘contact me’ page on this blog for how to get in touch and I will be more than happy to arrange for you to have your own little piece of Wonderland even whilst I’m away enjoying all the fun of the fairs!

Amy at Wonderland Boutique x.

P.S. – Mini ‘Skin Story’ update: I had  a damn good hair cut today, and my hairdresser (and friend, so I know she’s telling the truth) assures me that my hair is not thinning.  Rather overjoyed at that fact and even more so by the fact that my hair is a lighter shade of brown now, quite caramelly and I am channelling Dawn Porter’s shorter style.  Happy Amy.

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by Wonderland Boutique on November 29, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Wonderland Boutique on November 29, 2011

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Skin Story – Day 40

Hey,

A little round-up of the latest news such as it is, with my treatment hitting day 40:

 

IN THE BAD CORNER:

* First things first, the lip issue!  Guess what – they’re dry!  Joking apart, I am becomming the Queen of all lip balms, so am going to try something new as I am going through Carmex like it’s going out of business.  After much research I’m opting to try either Fushi Organic Hydrating Lip Balm, or L’Occitane 100% Pure Mini Shea Butter as they both seemed to offer the most bang for my buck (and by bang, I mean oils and moisturising goodness.)  I shall report back on effectiveness….though again, any suggestions for lip treats for EXTREMELY dry puckers would be so welcome.

* Knees are still aching and sore, have to stretch them right out when I sit for longer periods of time so am constantly shifting.  Makes me oh so glad that I have finished my sewing for my upcoming craft fairs as the thought of sitting at a sewing machine for days on end would truly not be fun of any kind right now.  I also still have the bizarre mid-afternoon hot cheek development!  I am yet to try and take my meds later in the day to see if that will help, but I shall try it this week as I have craft fairs to trade at and don’t want any potential customers thinking I just look embarrassed all the time!

* I simply must not forget to moisturise.  I am doing great with my face and body but only on Friday night did I forget to apply my sworn-by hand cream Handy Gurugu by Lush and by mid-morning on Saturday, I had developed a rash.  It is shifting now thank goodness, but it’s all about routine, routine, routine.

* I am finding it difficult not to pick.  As the number of spots has reduced dramatically, any that do appear I find myself getting really angry at.  I’m all ” you know you’re under there, I know you’re under there, let’s just get it over with and stop ruining my face!”  Yes, I am indeed going crazy.  Only thing is, picking is a nightmare as my skin is so thin it now scars much easier and then there is blood…too gross so shall stop now :(

* Fringe is still thin, and also at my temples too but have a haircut booked for tomorrow so hopefully that will boost me a little.

* When they upped my dose I was told that this (60mg a day) would be the maximum for me, so if this is as bad as it gets then I think I shall handle it :)

 

IN THE GOOD CORNER:

* My spots are going!  Or at least, they are vastly reduced in number.  Today I haven’t gotten any new ones and those that appeared during the dreaded initial breakout of doom, have dried out and are disappearing into (hopefully) minimal scars.  My face is no longer as red as a baboon’s bum, and dryness has overtaken spottiness and I could not be happier about that.  I feel and hope, that I’ve turned a corner.

* My skin is coverable – as I discoverd when I applied make-up for the first time in about 6 weeks, this past Saturday.  I was out all day and my skin felt fine, and looked fine too.  By the evening you could see a little of the dryness/flaking on my chin and my lips were a bit of a nightmare what with the constant application of balms – but to be honest, you had to be me to notice.  I give all kudos to this for the ever-heavenly and incredible MAC.  Rather odd plus about the lips, is that they’re so thin that all the blood is near the surface so it looks as if I have a natural lip tint and in a really lovely shade I might add - score!

* I have tried yoga, well yogalates to be exact and I can’t recommend it highly enough.  Oddly, for someone so unco-ordinated as me, I found I had great balance and managed to do every movement and position therein.  It had 3 sections (upper body, lower body and total body) and I do them all back-to-back for one and a half hours and I feel so relaxed and energised and just wonderful :)   It is helping with the aches and stiffness and I think with daily yogalates and an industrial vat of lip balm and meticulous moisturising, I should get through this ok :)

 

Amy at Wonderland Boutique x.

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by Wonderland Boutique on November 28, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Wonderland Boutique on November 28, 2011

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