Deep Into Soul - What a 4th Birthday Night to Remember!

So this time 2 weeks ago, I was getting excited to go to the Deep Into Soul event  on Valentine's day evening... finally the time had arrived.

I donned my sparkly trousers on and made my way to the Prince of Wales, Brixton, London.

https://www.facebook.com/DeepIntoSoul?fref=ts

Luckily there was no queue on arrival (*) and a nice touch were the small white organza pouches with pink chocolate heart and a Deep Into Soul coin inside - I'm a sucker for attention to detail!

On making my way into the main room on the first floor, the main room was already pumping, as I could just about get inside - surely a good sign! 

Instead, made my way up to the Terrace area to have a nosey around what was happening upstairs.

The Terrace was decorated in theme with the day, which was cute and also filled with an array of beautiful people (as always!). 
I noticed the new addition of a cocktail bar which people were queuing up to try the rum punch (a firm favourite) and other yummy cocktails on display.

Back to the night at hand, venturing back down into the main room where Rhemi music got people jumping, whooping, cheering and whistling in hysterical joy, followed by Grant Nelson and (my personal fav DJ) Spen, who both got everybody's disco shoes dancing from the tunes they were spinning and teasing the crowd with. 
The music, as always, was spot on and ranged from past, present and future house tracks, being matched perfectly with disco tunes from the 70's...my kind of musical heaven!

Dancing enthusiastically around and with me were people from every background and age group you could imagine (20's-50's+) - this is what truly makes Deep Into Soul a SPECIAL ONE OF A KIND party in London. 

The guys behind creating this vibe have managed to make their night out FEEL LIKE A HOUSE PARTY, where everyone is in tune with each other, are a welcoming crowd  (like a musical family) and loving the great tunes and vibes.

I interviewed some ladies in the toilets (as you do!) and people on the dance floor and some had travelled far and wide to attend the night, Essex, Slough, Sussex, Peterborough to name a few, which demonstrates how far people are willing to come and how good an event the Deep Into Soul nights are. 

The feedback was the same from everyone they come for the love of the music and the fantastic atmosphere.

As word continues to spread about these parties, I'm already noticing the crowd is also increasing (which is a good thing!) and I hope the Deep Into Soul family vibe continues from strength to strength!

My only thought to advise you party-goers out there is; be quick on the uptake to buy a ticket when the next event is on sale, as the parties on the Terrace in great weather is like being on holiday! 

And to the hard-working DIS crew...you might possibly need to start looking into another venue, as the Prince of Wales might be too small soon... ;-)

Sunshine xx

Stuck for something to do this Saturday..? Do The Hustle!

If you're unsure of where to go this Saturday, there's a well known night on at the Bussey Building in Peckham, London called Bump & Hustle, where the great Paul Trouble Anderson is a resident.

http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?678426

This weekend will be extra special with heavy weight house music guest who has been flown in all the way from NYC DJ Victor Simonelli!!

Que a night of House n' Soul, Disco and eclectic Super Funk music, which is sure to get your feet moving and your mouth cheering!

Tickets are still on sale, but move yo' ass, they are now limited or a tenner on the door for 2 floors of musical wonderment!!

Check out the event page on FB for more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/726487984137233

Sunshine xx

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The Super Skin Secret Is Revealed...

http://www.peachlily.co.uk/

I don't know about you, but over the years I have tried many a product to keep the skin on my face in check - often buying more than one type of face cream / lotion / potion in the hope that my face would not erupt, dry-out or get too greasy in various weather conditions. But no matter how much I had spent (and believe me when it's easily run into the £££'s), I never seemed to be able to find the right product match for my skin.

It was just over 2 years ago, whilst on a social networking site I came across a product range named Peach Lily(*), great title for a product I thought and got in touch with the seller to find out more details.

On speaking with the lovely lady behind this range, I was kindly offered to try out the range and promptly the next day it arrived in the post. Excited, I opened the packaging to reveal some orange tissue paper and a booklet of instructions on how to use which product and when.

My face at that time had suffered some sun damaged and it was coming into Winter, so I had some dry areas by the side of my nose and also some pimple type blemish areas on the tops of my cheeks.

...Well after using the range for 2 days, I had already started to notice a difference. 

The dry areas had gone and the blemished areas were somehow disappearing?!?

The Peach Lily range WORKS and not only does it work, it WORKS WELL for ALL skin types and better still it's affordable.

This is down to the entire range of products being hand sourced 100% naturally from organic ingredients in Thailand. 

http://www.peachlily.co.uk/shop/peach-lily-starter-kits/

There have been times over the past 2 years, I have run out of the range and thought to try another brand's chemical cream in the interim...and it just made my skin worse! :-(

Now I know better and stick to this range, as it's never let me down and people always comment on how great my skin looks and what clear skin I have, the bonus of that for me is increased confidence, as bad facial skin is one of the worst things to endure!! 

I've also read feedback from ladies not having to use botox anymore due to how good the product range is and it seems a few celebs use the range too.

If you're unsure where to start with this range, I'd suggest one of the starter kits (pictured above) and if you're still unsure, please feel free to send a message or email, as you'll get a helpful reply, which will make the right choice for you.

I'm just waiting for a body range to come out and then my life is complete haha!

So the secret is out...are you going to continue suffering in silence or are you going to come out of the shade and try these brilliant products too?

Sunshine xx

Times They Are Finally (some what) A Changing...

As a BIG fan of the American Horror Story Series, I have to express how happy I am for- who I consider to be- one of the show's best actresses Jamie Brewer, as later today, she will be making history on the runway, when she become's fashion first Down's Syndrome model to grace the catwalk.

Not only is she an excellent actress, but a role model to us all which proves anything is possible if you put your mind to it!

This is incredibly inspirational and a fantastic idea from debut designer Carrie Hammer, who designed the dress that Jamie plans to wear as part of the Role Models Not Runway Models campaign. It shouldn't have taken this long to happen, but it is happening now & I wish Jamie the very best of luck and to enjoy another epic milestone in her life.

Great work Ladies and let's continue to see people from all background being featured on the catwalks!!

Sunshine xx

Deep Into The Love of Music.

So...what with Valentine's drawing near some of you might be at a lost as to what to do on the Saturday evening itself...

Well if you fancy a night out and you're into a fun and friendly vibe with great music and beautiful people, then Deep Into Soul should be your ONLY stop.

http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?670215

The Deep Into Soul crew are celebrating their 4th Birthday at the Prince of Wales, Brixton, London and the line-up is something kinda stonkingly special too...what with heavyweights of the house music scene DJ SPEN (a personal fav of mine of the past 3 years, as I love disco style house), another favourite GRANT NELSON, along with Neil Pierce and Ziggy Funk who make up RHEMI MUSIC with many other great DJ's on the night, it will surely be one to remember.
Here's a little teaser of what to expect on the night: https://soundcloud.com/deepintosoullondon

It makes no difference whether you go on your own, with a crowd or your partner, IT REALLY WILL BE THE PLACE TO BE, as the night is all about the mutual love of fantastic House music and you will be welcomed into the fold with open arms.

Deep Into Soul doesn't age discriminate, if you're someone who hates being surrounded by teens who don't look old enough to be in the club, then you won't find that here and yes, you will also have room to dance the night away to your heart's content!

A limited amount of tickets are still on sale, check out and join their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/763779883702775/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular but be quick as ticket holders have priority on the door and it's sure to be a sell out event!!

Do you have anything fun planned for this Valentine's Day?


Sunshine xx

Insanity Max:30 Diary - 30 Days In and I'm Halfway There...

On starting Insanity Max;30, the comments from the few people around me I mentioned I was doing it to, some thought I was mad (nothing new there then!) and some also wanted to join the revolution too.

So here I am after completing the first 30 days, I have taken my measurements and weight and can report back the following:

I have lost 2 inches from my chest (always goes from here first, ladies you know!), waist  AND my hips. An inch has gone from each thigh too - so this makes a total overall body inch loss of 8 INCHES IN ONE MONTH?!?

Please bear in mind, I have NOT changed my eating habits in any way so am still the same weight as it's Winter. I eat well on a daily basis, but a few more carbs and love something sweet most evenings. Also can I re-iterate,  I have NOT been doing this in the high impact version, but mostly the lower and high combined. 

I can safely say that after seeing these physical changes, they have spurred me on now for the next 30 days of sheer endurance and determination - BRING IT ON!!

Do you have the power to join the Insanity Max:30 revolution too?

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity-max-30-workout.do


Sunshine xx

It Was Alright...but Nothing To Write Home About.

After recommending to my work colleagues to take a trip to the Market House over the Christmas Period and having a fantastic time, we decided to go last night and check out their new Oh My Dog menu as the pictures seduced us and appeared enticing.

After trying to book for 10 of us on Book A Table, it seemed we weren't able to do so even though the option was there, so 2 of us tried calling Market House directly for most of the week and no-one answered, which I'm sure must be losing them business as a result of this.  Because I had already booked a table for 5 people on Monday,I tweeted them in the morning and received a reply to email them, which I did, but didn't get a reply..? I thought that it'd be okay to confirm once we had arrived.

When we got there it seems there was a change of staff from when we last attended and they appeared pretty lost when we mentioned the booking, they said they had no record of it, but did their best to pull some tables to together and accommodate us.

After waiting an hour by out table as at our last visit we were served, we went to the bar to order our food, no biggie, but there was hardly any others customers in at the time.

We all ordered a main hot dog and some sides to share and the food was with us in around 30 mins, some arrived cold, this was due to the waiting staff not having a clue which table had ordered what and walking/ standing around with some items for a while.

The food itself was a bit of an anti-climax compared with the fantastically delicious Baba G's which had residency in the kitchen the previous 2 months before.

The hot-dogs where nice, but not worth the £8.50 / £7.50 they were charging, a fiver would have been sufficient. The mac & cheese was original in the way it was presented, but didn't have much seasoning unless paired with the bbq sauce. The cheesy chips...well they didn't have much cheese on them? However I was told the Oh My Fries were nice.  
I did like the fact that the food, although of the "fast food" type variety, wasn't greasy and didn't leave your face the same way, which was a plus point from me!

One of the team was a veggie and was given her Veggie Yum dog, but because of all of the confusion with the staff bringing over various different wrong items through-out the process, was unsure whether it was definitely her vegetarian option and did not end up eating it in the end, as she was worried it might firstly have been meat and wondered whether it had been cooked with the meat options if it wasn't. everything was served in small baskets and no plates, so this made it hard for sharing the sides.

Oh My Dog would be a great alternative to the rubbish hot dogs I see being served (which I NEVER eat) when people visit the cinema and they could approach a cinema chain to see if they would be interested, as I'm not sure if it works well as a meal option. 

The pictures look amazing though and is what drew in more people to come along. 

The bar at this time was busy and I noticed that the staff seemed like they were headless chickens and that there should have been more staff for the busy Happy Hour period.

All in all if it wasn't for a fun company and wine, I would have been wondering why I bothered detouring on the way home on a bus strike day for the experience, especially when we had spent the week talking about it in the office.

I won't hold this against Market House, as I have had 2 great and 1 okay previous experiences there before, but on this occasion the staff need to be able to handle a busy crowd and the food wasn't half as tasty or filling as Baba G's. Oh My Dog will be there for another two weeks, but go it you want more of a bite than a main meal with very basic seasoning.

Sunshine xx

1 - 0 to #CURVESINBIKINIS v Conformist Society.

STOP THE PRESS - seeing this news has made my day!! :-D

I would like to say a HUGE congratulations to Ashley Graham for being the FIRST plus model to be seen in the illustrious SPORTS ILLUSTRATED!!

This is a MASSIVE milestone in the fact that it is showing a real plus-sized woman looking not only great but fit at it.

In Ashley's own words, she said, "I know my curves are sexy and I want everyone else to know that theirs are too."

"There is no reason to hide and every reason to flaunt, the world is ready for more curves in bikinis."

Which for me says it all and way to long overdue.

Personally it's not about how thin or big you are, how many lumps and bumps we have, it's how fit you are as a person, as that is what good health is about and this also has a knock on affect to your well-being as a person too.

Great work and spokesperson for the Plus-sized world Ashley & I hope more brands and advertisements worldwide take note and follow suit!!!


Sunshine xx

Insanity Max:30 Diary - The Journey So Far...

Okay...so I know I'm late in starting this post because I am in week 4 of training now (which I still can't quite believe), but I only posted my first blog yesterday, so please bear with me!

Like most people I have sat up late over the years watching movies, only to find the movie ending with only TV adverts to watch and even if you haven't over some form of time via publicity, word of mouth or social networking you would have heard of or seen by the name of INSANITY.

Being someone who has always been into fitness, I took an interest, but I think initially the title and length of the first Insanity, (I usually always exercise to DVD's before work and having to wake up an extra hour or more, really did NOT appeal) is what probably put me off...that was until this one night over Christmas, whilst watching the late night ads, was when Insanity Max:30 was brought to my attention.

It seems the trainer Shaun T has adapted the workout, in parts making it more intense and it was now possible to complete over a 30 minute period, instead of the hour and longer period of time as was in the first Insanity DVDs.

I called a friend who I had recommended Insanity too initially and who had completed the first round with great results to let him know that this version had come out, "Sis" he said- as he always calls me this- "I'm going to get this, I have to get this sis". The friend in question is MAJORLY into fitness, so I thought about it and decided I had been slacking for a while, so it was about time I did something to-quite literally- kick my butt back into gear...so not long after new year, after seeing the advert again, I found myself entering my card details online and pressing "Buy" before I knew it...apprehensively I waited for it to arrive...it was with me within 48 hrs, which I was impressed with and thought was super quick.

Opening the box was a bit like revealing Pandora's Box, excited and scared all at the same time, but I needn't have been scared because there was everything I needed to get started. 

The DVDs themselves came in a fab and original booklet, so no chance of them going missing in what could have been 10 separate case holders which I saw as a nice touch and for those who needed help with the food and nutrition side of things, there was everything you needed to get started a great kit for anyone, from novice to workout professional.

The premise of the workout is you work your hardest, whether in full high intensity or the modified version and when you cannot breathe anymore (haha!) you pause the disk, record what is your "Max Out" time on the pull-out provided and continue to the end...as much as it's for 30 mins, I would say give yourself 40-50 mins for the first time / week, including the cool down, as you will be pausing this more than once, that's for sure!

So it was the middle of the first full week of January 2015, I text my friend and asked whether he had started yet, which he hadn't, so offered whether he wanted to buddy up and we'd report back progress via text each day and he thought it was a great idea.

Monday 12th January 2015 saw me starting the first DVD which is called Cardio Challenge...well...what can I say, I started off well...but then 2 mins 15 secs in I had to pause and then realised how un-blooming-fit I truly was!!

Que the next 40 minutes of stop /starting /panting /sweating like a - as the Americans say- Mo Fo and I finally got to the end!!

The next 2 days were the hardest for me in the past 4 weeks, my body was aching – it felt like it been run over and beaten up twice over again, muscles I didn't know existed were hurting (and bear in mind I have been doing various types of fitness over the years) and I was tired. 

I cannot stress enough, it is imperative that you get at least 7- 8 hrs sleep a night when doing this if you can, or you will find it hard to complete and/or may not want to and it’s not worth stopping once you've started. but now it's easily become part of my daily routine.

Shaun T is a very inspiring and experienced Trainer, he helps you through and motivates you even when you feel like stopping, which is how a great Instructor should be!

He is not annoying like some unmentionable celebs and really encourages you to work your hardest, the fact he has a Facebook page where he posts results for people to join in,  is a great way for the Insaniacs (Insanity fans + Fitness Maniac, I just created that, hope Shaun T likes it! ;-) ) connect and push each other through their goals.

So 4 weeks in and today for the first time whilst doing Sweat Intervals (my favourite one of the week and I’m sad to be leaving), I DID NOT MAX OUT?!?! 

Please bear in mind, my Max Out time last week was 12 mins 39 seconds…way to go hey?! 

My workout buddy also helped, he sent me a text this morning saying he hadn't Maxed Out (not the first time for him) and that's what spurred me on, along with it being the last time I’d be doing it this week.

Trust me when I say I wanted to stop at 28 mins 31 seconds, but I have always loved a bit of competition so my mind beat my body and pushed me to the end!

Also, ANYONE CAN DO THIS WORKOUT, YOUNG, OLD, BIG, THIN, NO EXCUSES!!

The sense of achievement on completing each disk is incredible…when I first saw there was 60 days which is over 8 weeks, it seemed so far, far away, but I’m already half way through, feels like no time at all and I am feeling stronger and fitter than I ever have with going to the gym and cardio classes.

Someone mentioned at work to me yesterday that they could see my body shape changing (bonus!), I've noticed my butt is even higher than before I started, along with my stomach and thigh areas being tighter.

I have been combining a mixture of both the higher and lower intensity impact modifiers. Yes I am a Fitness Instructor, but no I am not a UK size 8, 10 or 12, I have curves which I love, along with my food and I do my best to eat well most of the time, but it is winter and I always feel we should be able to eat more stodge in winter as it’s what our bodies ask for (well mine does anyway!).

I haven’t changed my eating habits, but intend to –as Shaun T would say- “Dig a little Deeper” next week when Round 2 kicks off, I will keep you posted on how it goes.

I will post a picture here at the weekend, showing my Max Out record chart and any changes in my body measurements and you will see how I have progressed within a matter of 4 weeks, but so far it’s a high five from me and 100% worth every penny.

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity-max-30-workout.do

Sunshine xx

Hello and welcome!

Well allow me to introduce myself...I am the Sunshine Dancer.

Pleased to e-meet you!

My intentions are to bring you, with a bird's eye view, detailed descriptive posts on a range of lifestyle subjects on all the things I enjoy those being dancing, travel, fitness, reading, film, the arts and a foodie too!  Will be mostly covering the UK, but also worldwide whilst on my travels, including the various methods of transport I take along the way!

A positive, thoughtful and uplifting soul, with a passion for life and loves nothing more than bringing smiles into the lives of those around me. 

With all the misery going on in this world, I hope to inspire you guys with my energy and humor too! :-)

Part of my professional background has seen me organising many social events for the companies I have worked for over the years, so will be reporting back on the best events, festivals and club nights out in London and abroad.  Whether it's worth spending your money on buying a ticket and/or even leaving your house at all!!

As a recently qualified Fitness Instructor, I plan to give feedback on any future courses/classes I attend, along with health & fitness wear/trends/products.

If anyone has any questions or blog post requests, please leave a comment or email me directly, I look forward to hearing from you!


Sunshine xx