Time to Become Dedicated

There always seems to be a sudden pressure, around late Spring time, to get a 'Summer bod' and when my holiday rolled around at the beginning of August I was most certainly under-prepared. It seems that the hype around getting fit pushed me further back and I managed to get even lazier.

My friends at work, Gemma and Clare started a Juice Plus+ diet before the Summer started. They really stuck to it and their efforts certainly paid off while I sat back and watched on the sidelines with a can of Coke and a Crunchie. Still not enthused to join in.

But I am now back and having eaten my own weight in croissants, ham and cheese in Portugal I have finally started my own healthy regime. Hallelujah. I'm still quite small but at 5 ft 4" I do need to keep in shape and eat healthily to make sure I don't become rotund (flashbacks to Freshers year at university). My boyfriend and I have decided to rid our summer chub together to keep eachother motivated. He actually plays rugby so isn't the slightest bit unfit but insists he must join me in my fitness quest!

We have created an exercise regime consisting of eight 50 second exercises each separated by a 15 second interval. After a 10 minute rest (to catch my breath) we repeat the cycle again. I have only been doing this for a couple of days so far but it's surprisingly hard work and I find myself hurrying the time along. The exercises we have included are; The Plank, Mountain Climbers, Squats, Crunches, Russian Twist, Jumping Jacks, Burpees and Push-ups. Phew.

Russian Twist

The Russian Twist (or 'weighted twist') was certainly Googled before I knew what the heck it involved. For this move to be completely worthwhile I feel like I need to invest in a 5KG Kettle Bell to really get the most out of the routine. Who have I become!?

And don't get me started on Burpees. Horrendous invention but I certainly feel the burn and actually feel so good when I have completed a round of them. Once you get the hang of them they are so simple (if painful) and no other exercise works as many muscle groups in one go as they do. Definitely an exercise to build a love-hate relationship with.

You're probably wondering why I'm doing all this now when my holiday has been and gone (sob sob). I actually read this quote on Twitter

As cringe as it may be, it made me think that although there isn't anything in particular that I want to tone up for it shouldn't stop me from getting off my butt and getting my fitness levels up. Instead of purely aiming for one particular date, I want to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep my body in a shape I am constantly happy with.

I'll let you know how I get on...

Cosy Corner

Any kind of retail therapy is right up my street but recently I have swapped ASOS and Zara for the likes of Homebase and Ikea. 

I'm giving my bedroom a bit of a makeover and seeing as the colour scheme is going from Princess pink to neutral mints and creams I needed a few accessories that were in-keeping with the theme.

Map - I need to jazz up one of the cream walls I'm having and have chosen a large world map to bring some life to it. Since igniting the travelling bug in me last Summer I decided that I would like to physically see where I have been and where I would like to go in the future. This wipe-clean map is ideal for planning my next trip and it will also handily bring some more colour to my room.

Cushions - Every bedroom needs a large number of cushions. I don't care that they take ages to take off at night and then replace again in the morning, they make a bed look so cosy and inviting - I'm all about the comfort! I've decided to go for a range of random cushions rather than matchy-matchy to create a rustic boutique feel.

Owl Candle - I've already got two little owl ornaments but an owl combined with a candle, I mean who can resist that? I promise I won't become a crazy owl lady.

Bedside Table - I stumbled across this small bedside table on The White Lighthouse Company and I'm so glad I did. My room is quite small so I can't have too much bulky furniture. The drawer and two baskets will hold everything I might need mid-sleep and plenty of room for the 3 books I usually have on the go.

What would you buy if you were re-decorating your room? 

Taking a Ride to Another Climb

Second to Christmas, the Summer holiday is my favourite time of the year. That time between July and September (usually) means jetting off to a warmer climate for as long as is possible and this year, Portugal was the country of choice. My boyfriend's family kindly invited us to stay with them in a villa they had rented for 2 weeks. We jumped at the chance as not having much money to spare, or much patience for holiday websites, makes planning a holiday a slight chore.

The villa was in a little town called Figueira which is lovely and remote and quite possibly the windiest place I've ever been. It made putting the umbrella up for breakfast on the terrace tricky to say the least! The location was ideal as we were in walking distance of two beaches and only a small drive away from another.

Jonny turned the grand old age of 22 during the holiday and we spent the day at a beach just down the road at the end of a hill-side walk. It was so secluded and peaceful, perfect for working on our bat and ball skills without preying eyes mocking us. I could think of worse ways to spend your birthday!

On one of our final days we spent the afternoon wondering around Lagos which is the closest large town to where we were staying. It has a huge harbor and plenty of cafes and nik-nak shops for all your souvenir-buying needs. It was a perfect evening for strolling round the shops enjoying the hustle and bustle before retreating back to the villa for a read on the balcony. Ah, bliss.

I'm already looking forward to my next holiday which sadly wont be for around 12 months but this holiday certainly left me relaxed and doubled in freckles.

From This Day Forward

Floral Dress - Zara
White Blazer - Topshop
Cream Heels - Zara
Lipstick - Yves Saint Laurent
Bag - Zara

I've only ever been to one wedding and I was three at the time so my memory of it is somewhat limited. All I remember is not wanting to sit still for the ceremony, not exactly a magical experience and I wasn't even a bridesmaid. The cheek of it. So when I received my friend of nearly 18 years' wedding invitation I was thrilled to say the least.

Weddings conjure up thoughts of celebration, love, a reunion of old friends and of course a new outfit.

My friend, Sophie's wedding is in the Autumn, however for me this summery look is the kind of outfit that springs to mind when I think of a wedding. A flattering skater dress with a fun but sophisticated print in pretty feminine colours such as this one from Zara. I know I always go back to Zara but this frock is an absolute steal at only £29.99. It also has a cut out detail at the back which adds an interesting twist for a formal occasion.

This clean and simple style of shoe is very popular and on trend at the moment. The nude colour creates the illusion of  elongating your pins and I think go well with the other pastel accessories I have teamed them with.

A little bag is a necessity, keeping your camera, confetti and tissues all in one safe place. I have picked out the blue-grey tones in this dress with this smart box bag (again from you-know-where). I would normally opt for a clutch bag for an occasion like this but it's always nice to have the option of not having to hold a bag awkwardly for hours. The long strap with gold chain detailing can easily be tucked away leaving a neat clutch with gold hardware.

I'm not one for planning makeup or even claiming that I know much about it but a soft pink lipstick would be a nice finishing touch for this pretty feminine outfit.

I can't wait for the big day on October 5th and to see Sophie. I'm sure she will look beautiful.

What would your ideal wedding guest outfit be?