the last issue of Wag (dogs trust magazine) that i was sent had a section of Hot or Not and listed under whats hot "breeders that health test" and not as "puppy farmers". backtracking a smidgeon there ;)?

anyway, so i'm feeling inspired and thought we all might like to share our personal hot or nots :)

Hot
.......

the "Twilight" sound track, its great. the books to!
Rob Patteson, oh so so hot... (see above lol)
my lovely new flat
Tio's behaviour improving :)
my not quite MIL being so nice and showing such an interest that she wants to come to a dog show with me!
and her being well enough to do so!
the amount of happiness around at the moment, with new babies and weddings coming up etc, loving the love :)
scary stappy pointy heeled sandles- i'm digging the dom shoes lol ;)
reeses pieces
marble slab ice cream

Not
.......

anyone who uses 'oodle' in the name of a dog other than a poodle!
my split ends
my general pasty-ness when going to a 'do' on sunday

Oohh! It's like the hot or not in Heat!!!

Hot :) :

the lovely spring weather & daffodils coming through :)
so much fun stuff coming up - birthday's, weddings, babies!
work picking up (credit crunch coming to an end?!)
successfully making some yummy chocolate chip cookies

Not :( :

late appts all week at work & a managers meeting 2moro!!
struggling to lose any weight!

> struggling to lose any weight!

oh, me to.

Okay I'll have a go.......
Hot

Yes Spring has sprung! Daffodils, lawn drying out, longer days, new life!
My new hobby - singing lessons, fantastic!
Shortly going to see Wicked (the Musical) for the second time
My eldest son has learnt to swim (a big achievement for him which means a lot)
Feeling fit and healthy

Not
Daughter having yet another bout of tonsilitis and dietary troubles too
Brother who won't speak to me!
Too much hardship and suffering in the world
and on a lighter note getting mistaken for being even older than I really am!! (now where is that wrinkle cream) 

Hot
Getting told I do not look my age :-) by a dietician!
Making friends at my new gym
sunshine and clear skies when I walk the doggies
primroses & daffs alongside the road
Kids all happy with their partners
New strappy sandles
Dad being happy
Our collies smile :-)

Not

MIL really v.ill now, all hope gone.
OH sad cause he is going to lose his Mum
Not seeing youngest son often enough
No holiday on the horizon
Having to shop at Siansbury's every week and it seems to cost more.
Not having a w/end free until June

But all in all the sunshine makes me feel better.

This has taken me ages to figure out, and I will probably think of more later.

HOT
Almost a year in the new house, what a shock!  Although it feels like we have always lived together :-)
Mum moved up to Aberdeen at New Year and has finally found a job! (phew! I really can't afford 2 mortgages)
Youngest brother getting lots of freelance work which has encouraged him to set up his own business (A Roadie :-) )

NOT
Being allergic to something (even though it's something I don't like lol)
Over-involved mollycoddling Not-Quite-But-Almost In(Out)-Laws
Complete bum of a brother leaching off my mum
Going on "holiday" with OH and his parents (I WILL have my revenge!)

I did the holiday with the In LAws ONCE never again they were so sweet I could strangle them!!!!!!!

OH has conveniently forgotten that I said I would not be going on holiday with them again.  But I will not have it said that I am trying to come between a guy and his parents, rather it is the other way round, they are coming between me and him.  He is slowly starting to see it.  I can't do or say too much at once or it will backfire.  Patience is not a virtue of mine so it is taking a lot out of me :-)

Another one!

HOT
Successfully being off chocolate for 4 weeks. Big woop! I have picked out my Easter Egg already.

NOT
Having white hairs at the age of 24.  I've given up pulling them for fear of 2 growing in it's place.

HOT
LOving my driving lessons
Loving ringcraft
Loving my hubby :)
Loving my new hair cut

NOT
Might have to have a another op :(
Having rats in the garden!! yuck....but not for much longer :)

Great thread :-) My life is finally at a point where I have some HOT points! YAY!

HOT:
Life in Australia is fantastic- sun, sea, family and great friends.
Lots of time at the gym and feeling so healthy.
Interviews for my new jobs all went well... just waiting to hear back now!
The beautiful Neo Mastiff at our local beach who Storm is in love with- I WANT ONE!
Hot Aussie men! :-P

NOT:
My Mum being in a lot of pain with back troubles.
Being practically unemployed with no jobs to be seen (even in Macdonalds!)
Storm going through her teenage phase and driving me up the wall!
Having no idea where my current 'relationship' is going!

HOT
Waking up in the morning to sunshine hence putting me in a good mood
Working with (mostly) adoring and amusing 11-16year old
Being able to walk the dog in flip flops
My spots have gone - yay!!
My relationship with my wonderful BF going from strength to strength & spending time with his lovely family
Easter holidays approaching
Going to the beach and moors for summery walks with the dog

NOT
Not knowing what to wear
Dealing with naughty children at work
Having contact with my wonderful boyfriends not so wonderful (infact awful!) ex wife
Putting on weight (due to happiness&comfort) with BF

Well thats not bad - at least the HOT outweights the NOT :-)

Hot

Milder weather = excuse to eat copious amounts of ice cream
Back to beaching it regularly at our static caravan
Living in Crocs and capris
New series of The Apprentice starting

Not

Surge of orange people (sun bed shops raking it in)
Surge of orange people who want weekend breaks near my retreat
Surge of orange people who want weekend breaks near my retreat and bring dogs too
New series of The Apprentice finishing soon

sorry to hear about your MIL

> Might have to have a another op :-(
>

oh no! i hope your ok and it doesn't come to it :(

pmsl... i am considering giving in and going a smidgeon orange myself for a do this weekend- but my dress is midnight blue so might i not be able to work the pale and interesting?

Def pale and interesting kiddo - orange just doesn't work for anyone :-p

St Tropez is very good as a fake tan and has never made me or any of my friends orange. We use it regularly.  I do think a tan makes you feel better and look healthier.

see i have the good stuff that does not orange you but am terrfied i'd be streaky lol

> St Tropez is very good as a fake tan

that is the very stuff i have :) i am a bit scared of it though!

Astarte:Exfoliate with a dry body brush, then when showering before you put the tan on use exfoliating gloves. Honestly it will be fine :-)

but i'm wearing open shoes and am scared of orangy cracked heels!!

Streaky - any shade - is a bad move too ;)

If it's a 'must have' colour for a special occasion get a pro spray done instead by a salon that doesn't try to make those of us with English rose skin (or blueish milk LOL ) look like a Barbados Bronzed Babe  

NB after said special occasion wash off asap and celebrate being au naturale - far more attractive :)

If you put a teeny tiny blob of moisturiser on any dry areas - knees,elbows, heels etc then that will stop the tan going into the cracked areas and lloking strange. I also use the moisturiser on my wrists and a little on my hand so the tan 'blends in' easier. 
Im not on commision for St Tropez but it really is almost idiot proof :-)  I once used it completely last minute so hadnt prepared my skin, exfoliated, moisturised ANYTHING and it looked fine in the morning. It is more expensive than others on the market but IMO its worth paying the bit extra to be guaranteed a tan with good results

> am scared of orangy cracked heels!!

Yep, be afraid, VERY AFRAID :-D

Also orange cracked cuticles on toes and fingers, orange knees, knuckles, elbows, little lines anywhere eugh!
Remember, Mother Nature's finest doesn't colour us evenly everywhere unless over many months of slow, protected exposure in warmer climes :)

Don't know your hair colour but midnight blue is such a flattering colour to any skin tone and hair shade that I'll bet you'll look classy and stunning :)  However if you're erm, an enhanced blonde ;) I'd say definitely don't go with the fake tan look. 

Even those of a slightly more mandarin than jaffa orange hue give the game away more than they think ....

> Don't know your hair colour but midnight blue is such a flattering colour to any skin tone and hair shade that I'll bet you'll look classy and stunning :-)  However if you're erm, an enhanced blonde ;-) I'd say definitely don't go with the fake tan look. 
>

lol i'm dark (darker today having dyed my roots) not 'enhanced blonde' (what a phrase!) and pasty, but not milky pasty, just pale- i tan really well if i see the sun!

the dress its very nice actually, i found it by accident to so pretty chuffed. its very low v necked, knee length and has beady bits on the shoulders and a beaded sash belt thing. very pretty grown up dress :) i've silver shoes as i'd never have found shoes to match the colour.

its a bit mad, its for a work awards ceremony (not up for anything, we got pipped for the team of the quarter, boo! lol). in honesty its really not my kind of thing but since my whole team (who i love) are going it should be a laugh. its being presented by barry from Eastenders (got showed off a hill by jenine?) which is soooooo annoying as for not much more we could have had Frankie Boyle!!!

> St Tropez is very good as a fake tan

Is fake tan still in?    Gawd, I thought that dreadful look was getting phased out.  It will go down in the 'shell suit' category in years to come.  Far nicer to have a healthy looking glow from wlaking your dogs in the fresh air.

aaah, but safer than sunbathing for sure!

> Far nicer to have a healthy looking glow from wlaking your dogs in the fresh air.

but we live in scotland! :)

Have you seen the last few weeks, when was the last time we had rain in Dundee?  And I mean a real soaking?

lol monday? it was hammering it down, was it dry by you? it was gorgeous in the morning so i went toddling off to work in a summery top, by lunch time it was a bit yuck and by tea our car park was swimming, it was belting it down!

Not a drop.   Monday wasn't a good day (Understatement) for me so I went to my sister's at Carnoustie and we walked the dogs around Crombie, so I know there was no rain there.

I'm not that far north of Dundee and we had sunshine on Monday, accompanied with rain, sleet and snow!

funny, it was torrential here, really horrid. i'm so glad i got a lift that night!

sorry you had a bad day

> I'm not that far north of Dundee and we had sunshine on Monday, accompanied with rain, sleet and snow!

don;t you love the spring?

lol, this is getting mad the number of posters around dundee though!

Well when I say I'm not that far north of Dundee, I'm 15mins from Aberdeen but in the great scheme of things I'm still not that far from Dundee. lol

lol true

We have definitely had rain over our house Christine - it has been dripping through our kitchen ceiling! ( and I also remember VERY heavy rain on Monday in Dundee as I raced Katherine round to the doctors!)

Teri - a fellow Apprentice fan! I'm so excited about the new series!

I feel quite orange at the moment, but I'd rather be orange than pale. My list:

HOT
Working part time - it's absolutely brilliant
My wonderful OH
My gorgeous dogs who make me smile every day :-)
Lighter nights - more time for dog walking
My 'Dog Walking Club'
The fact that we'll be booking a holiday soon :-D
Making new friends in my breed
The Apprentice, Shameless and Come Dine With Me

NOT
The pay cut from working part time
Not getting the puppy we had so hoped for
Not being able to track down a certain dodgy dealer !!

> I feel quite orange at the moment, but I'd rather be orange than pale

Not a chance Alice - you're too classy for that!  An alluring warm, natural, golden glow is much more your style  :)

I'm really looking forward to Sir Allan & Co - one of the few things on the box to keep my interest!  AND I'm another Come Dine With Me fan too :-D  although I like to watch them on 'funny telly' when they're on one after t'other - gives me a real food fix without the Kcals LOL

> AND I'm another Come Dine With Me fan too :-D

ohhhh, love it! also getting rather into heston Blumenthals mad cooking!

Is fake tan still in?    Gawd, I thought that dreadful look was getting phased out.

St tropez does not give a "dreadful look". More often than not people who have an orange tinge are becuase they have used too much foundation that isnt the right type for their skin.
Used properly and not repeated every other dat :-) St tropez gives a nice glow that you get after your holiday tan has faded a little

I have NEVER looked orange thank you

LOL @ Teri's orange people :-)  Gotta luv that "Glasgow Tan".  Some of the classics were when they had orange palms too!!! Haha! It's all down to ignorance though, I am very sure there is a knack to putting it on but I know if I did it then I'd look awful.
I'm seeing a dermatologist soon to examine my moles as I'm looking to get on the sunbeds for a wee while but don't want to take any chances
Totally agree with Fred's Mum though regarding the foundation.  It looks awful when you see young (and not so young) girls walking round with a ring of white round their head and neck because their foundation is the wrong colour and they can't apply it properly.  No excuse for it when you consider that you can walk into any Boots or Debenhams and get a free consultation :-)

HOT:
- Smelling puppy breath!!!!!
- House MD
- So You Think You Can Dance Canada
- warmer weather (GOODBYE WINTER!)
- Show season starting up again
- 3 beautiful pups to play with (plus two more if I counted Casies)
- Almost payday!
- Planning my long awaited desperatly needed vacation
- Girlicious
- "graduating" vocal therapy!

NOT:
- only being able to keep one puppy (I dont want to choose!  I want them all)
- Being allergic to peaches, and strawberries
- trying to loose weight but its not working out so well
- Nose bleeds
- my hair colour fading and the red coming back (I was starting to like the black hair)
- my BFF in another city
- show season starting (its a double edged sword, I love the shows, but it looks like no weekends off from April - mid August, and then right back in September)
- Nothing to do in this town other than go to a bar
- Oodle names

I used to get paid a small fortune in the USA for applying St Tropez. The treatment was called Buff and Bronze (don't ask) but it involved latex gloves to prevent tanned palms and sports socks turned inside out;-). It was a three step procedure, exfoliation, moisturising and application of product. No one came out orange but I hated doing it would much rather have done very deep tissue massage on someone's neck and spine than a buff and bronze! Good product though I do occasionally use it when it's warm enough to bare flesh and so that I don't scare the horses with my white legs!!!!

I agree Freds Mum, I use St. Tropez (probably a bit more than I should do), and although I say I feel orange, no one says I do, and a lot of my friends have commented on how natural the tan looks! Anyway as I said, I'd rather be orange than pale! I feel really pasty if I dont use my St. Tropez.

And Teri - thanks, I'm glad that you think I am classy (you're probably the only one who does... lol) ;-)

> Some of the classics were when they had orange palms too!!! Haha!

They still do hun :-D  And not restricted to good old Glesga - it's a national affliction :-p

Ironically those who best get away with fake tans and sun beds are those who colour easily and very naturally in the sun.  The milky, pasty, verging on blue brigade need the right product in the correct tone for their skin which is where IMO a lot go wrong.  I'm lucky, I have slightly olive toned skin (paler than in my teens and 20s but still browns quickly) and my face, neck, chest and hands get a good old battering with the West coast weather on dog walks year round to ensure they're always slightly tanned.  My arms tan easily too when exposed but my legs take much longer and I've been known to 'help' for special occasions :-D

St Tropez and Fake Bake can both be done by pro's and IMO are the safest bet because they have varying depths of colour so if applied correctly don't look ghastly - it's usually the build up of applications done at home that look worst.

I've found Eco tan spray is good for legs (can be used all over) because it works with the skin's PH level to achieve a natural colour (doesn't go deeper/darker than would in natural sun).  It's a fine mist so a hands-free and streak free application :)

My very fair skinned niece uses a make-up version of fake tan just for her legs - it doesn't have any developing time, works immediately, mistakes/streaks clearly evident and can be wiped off straight away with a damp flannel and re-applied until happy with results :)

Don't just worry about the moles GCG (although they obviously need to be assessed) but think of the ageing results from using sun beds - they are far more dramatic than any tan and don't fade over time :(