Things I've Learnt This Week

The last week has been full of crazy fun and games. It's been my first time off at Christmas since I've been working (that's ten years FYI) and I can tell you, it's been filled with food, fun and so much more!

Sticking with this new post series into 2015 here's what I've learnt this week:

1) Paintballing is SO MUCH FUN!! - I've never been before and after seeing M's bruises from when she went a few years ago....I was a little apprehensive about being a big baby and not pushing through the sharp pains of the paint balls splattering all over me. However it was so much fun that the bruises were so worth it, even in the torrential rain and with very steamed up goggles it was such a laugh and I'd jump at the chance to go again - maybe with better weather next time though!

2) Being outdoors is a new favourite thing - During my time off I've been on copious walks to the beach, started my running plan back up again, climbed a mountain with my dad - and I really do mean having to climb at some points! - topped off with paintballing above, I've had so much fun outdoors that I cannot wait for drier weather to do more. As long as it's dry there really is no excuse to be outside and fresh air can work wonders for you mentally and physically. Get your new gym gear on and go for a run!

3) Clearing and Cleaning is mandatory for going back to work - I've sorted through some clothes and shoes for charity and will be spending the rest of my day cleaning my room, washing my make up brushes with my new bottle of Dr Bronner's Citrus soap (post coming soon!) and eventually hoovering my car - courtesy of those trips outdoors. Having a quick browse on twitter tells me most people are doing the same thing, at least we can be feeling pretty smug about things later on this evening eh?? I'll be rewarding myself with a facial and my onesie before getting stuck into some tv I've got recorded.

4) David Attenborough Documentaries will never grow old - My brother was awesome and bought me the Blu Ray of the Africa documentary from 2013's series. It was amazing watching the giraffes fight over territory - though extremely scary and shocking - and so heartbreaking watching the elephant mother grieve for her dead calf due to the drought. Even though I've seen them before I felt like I was watching them all over again and I think I will have to make a bit of a collection of BluRays after this!

5) Cardiff Vintage Fair - Have just found out that this is back again on January 25th for any of you South Wales readers. I had so much fun browsing and rummaging through the vintage delights with my mum last time that we've already booked the whole day ready for round 2. It seems I'm a bit of a coat and bag fiend (I've bought at least 4 coats and 3 bags this season alone) so I think my mum will have to keep a few tabs on me and my spending this time. I'm also hoping there will be more home items for a browse; I'm always dreaming of moving out soon!

6) I'm a Beer Pong Genius - true fact! I have never played beer pong before New Year's Eve but after spending my evening at a friend's house playing games and what not I have made a massive discovery. It's not quite time to quit my job and all, but I might have found my secret talent in life.... I don't even like beer!

What have you been up to the last week or so? Have you learnt anything new about yourself?

L xxx

2015

Morning lovelies!

I've been thinking quite a lot about what I'd like to change and complete in the next year. Previously I've done the whole lose weight/drink more water/save money kind of thing and to be honest, it doesn't really work for me. It also makes me feel like I've kind of pressurised myself into completing tasks within a time frame and that can be difficult.

This year instead of resolutions I'm going to make a list of things I'd like to improve and change about my life and my outlook on life. This year I'm all about happiness and positivity, and being as stress free as possible. This isn't a 'new year, new me' post, it's a 'new year, improved me' plan for the next 12 months.

1) Debts. I've been trying to pay off my debts for a long time now, each time I progress something else seems to happen to my car that sets me back or I have something else to pay for, Christmas being a big example! I'm a maximum of 2 more months from paying off all my debt and having all of my money just for me. My credit card has been paid off and its just a few more hundred that I owe my parents. I've NO IDEA what I'm going to do with my money when I don't have any debt, but that's so much fun I just can't even think about it!

2) Keep going. With everything. This is mostly in relation to my food and fitness habits; I eat super healthy anyway and go to the gym/exercise up to 5 times a week. I'd love to keep this up as adding more just isn't feasible, but I'd like to run more and build my distance back up ready for Tough Mudder in August and I'd like to lift more and really strengthen my upper body. I know I can do it, and I know I can improve on my current fitness state but I need to work harder during my sessions and push through the pain.

This is also in relation to my career, I've finally got a job that I can barely keep up with, there's so much to learn and I'm really enjoying it. Sometimes it is overwhelming and I feel like I've got so much extra reading to do to catch up but I know that in the end I'll get there, I just need to continue what I'm already doing.

3) Diary. I had two diaries for Christmas, one I will be using for work as I get the impression that I will be doing a lot of travelling and juggling, in which case organisation is going to be key! As for the other diary....I couldn't decide at first what to do with it. I think though, it will be best used as a food and fitness diary. I don't plan to record every meal as it won't be feasible but at times when I feel I need to cut back I will log it for a week or two to see where I'm going wrong. I'd also like to keep a log of my progress in the gym and running; noting down my distances or weights each time i progress will give me an idea of where I can improve and when I feel like I've not done enough can reassure myself that I have progressed! 

I also plan on filling it with quotes from Pinterest or Instagram as it will be worth it to look back when I need motivation.

4) Hobbies. I used to be really creative; I took art at GCSE and loved it but it was never something that i could continue on with after that. I've recently got back into a few things such as papercutting and I really want this to continue into 2015. I want to draw and paint more, I want to bake and get more creative with meals in the kitchen, and I want to read more. There is always more that I want to do but reading 1 book per month is something that could be achievable so I will be making a conscious effort to do this. I'd also love to make a scrapbook for my memories like friends' weddings and festivals. Creative time is definitely worth investing your time in, not only for something away from computer and phone screens but something that you can have to show for your hard work.

I think we could all do with a bit of a digital detox couldn't we?

5) Quality not Quantity. This is entirely shopping based; I need to stop getting caught up in hype. There's not a skin product nor a make up product that I currently don't own, before I purchase any more i need to continue to work my way through my ridiculous stash. I've got so much moisturiser it's a tad insane so no more buying until I've run out. As far as clothes are concerned I have really enjoyed my recent trips to vintage fairs and also buying higher end products. I'm fed up of buying clothes that don't last so from now on I will be avoiding Primark etc for work clothes as they just don't last for me. Fashion items are fine but I need good quality stuff that fits and is comfortable enough as well as looking the part for work. Besides I love the thought if there being a story behind an item of clothing don't you??

6) Happiness. Last but not least, the most important point of them all. This year needs to be a much happier year, I need to stress less and just go with life and see what happens. I'm not one to plan too much and I think this is the best way to be but I also worry about the future and what will happen so I just need to accept that things will work out how they are supposed to and I should just enjoy myself in the mean time.

It goes without saying that I would love to end the year with a house of my own, a set of rock hard abs and have travelled a number of places across the globe but that may just be a bit too unrealistic; or maybe it is attainable if I work hard enough?

Who knows! I'm looking forward to being given the opportunity to start another year again with a new mindset and just embrace it all.

As for the blog I will be changing the type of posts and the way I write them from now on. Previously beauty was number one in my life and dedicating this blog to that was the obvious choice; now I've got enough beauty products to last a lifetime and I spend far more of my time reading about new gym and fitness techniques than I do the latest hype products and this doesn't reflect at all. 

Send me your book recommendations, send me posts on your hobbies and pastimes that don't involve more time spent on a computer screen, send me fitness ideas or running tips; I want them all as this year is going to be AWESOME.

L xxx

NARS Virtual Domination Blush Palette

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Christmas 2014

Hello there!

I know a lot of people have already posted about their Christmas but I've loved seeing what other people get up to, their decorations and their traditions so I thought I'd share mine too.

One of my favourite things about Christmas is my dog; he absolutely LOVES wrapping paper! He waits patiently for you to unwrap your present and then runs away with the paper to shred it up. By the end of the opening session he's surrounded and normally has a load stuck to his tail! What a beauty!

I've dyed my hair back dark now and have been loving curling it and having it all back to my usual colour again. Blonde highlights were fun for the summer but I do prefer it this colour.

Wasn't long before Christmas dinner was served, we have ours about 1ish so I hadn't had many snacks beforehand and piled my plate up high! We had a massive turkey joint from our local butchers that we are still eating now.....even after the turkey curry!

My job was to make a cheesecake for the big day so I made a ferrero rocher hazelnut cheesecake in the tin above. It took a good few hours to set but when we removed it it looked really good and didn't last long at all!

My dog seemed pretty happy with his new blanket and teddies that he had, what a spoilt pooch!

We spent the afternoon playing games including a beetle drive, boy girl fruit flower and a few others. They were so much fun with everyone joining in especially making mistakes and coming up with wrong answers!

I had some lovely things for Christmas. My main present was a Hudl2 which is a tablet, I've wanted a tablet for ages but haven't been able to afford them and had no idea my parents had got me one! It was a lovely surprise and I'm hoping it will make blogging a lot easier too as I can do it on the go.

I also had a jar of nutella with my name on which was a personal highlight:

I also had some amazing Alice in Wonderland items, my mum went on a bit of a theme! There was a mug and loose leaf tea from Whittards, a vintage Alice in Wonderland book and a diary for the year. I also have an owl diary so will have to decide which is going to be my work diary and which is going to be for blogging and fitness related things!

In my Secret Santa gift I had a lovely bauble from Molton Brown filled with hand wash; how beautiful is this! I've never seen them before so it was a lovely surprise (though i think was well over our £5 budget!)

Since Christmas Day we've been making our way through the leftovers by making Bubble and Squeak which is a Boxing Day tradition for us and also our annual winter beach walk. I've been shopping in the sales and spent a ridiculous amount of money on a black wool coat from Linea and a black Ralph Lauren dress that I'd seen full price and loved; I never thought it would be in the sale so I had to get it!

I have been shopping for a dress for New Year's Eve too, this little black dress cost me £20 in the sale so I'm really pleased with such a bargain! I'm going to a friend's house for the night so needed something nice but also comfortable; this doesn't come with a belt and has a nice elasticated waistband and can be worn with tights so its perfect. I will be keeping warm and comfortable as well as hopefully looking nice too!

I love the gold details on the bottom of the dress; black and gold is definitely a favourite of mine. I also did my nails nude and sparkly; this is Essie's Sand Tropez with Barry M's Rose Quartz glitter on top. It's a simple but pretty combo and I've added as many layers as possible for the ultimate New Year's bling!

What have you been up to? Did you all have a good Christmas?

What will you be wearing tonight, do you have big plans or a quiet night in?

I'm hoping mines a bit of both!

L xxx