Oh my, I have neglected my blog ALL WEEK! I have been so busy it's been unreal. I haven't had time to blog, run... nothing apart from having time to have a good time. I had my mum over on Tuesday to make cakes ready for my turn to bake for our munch club in the office. Wednesday I had a work curry night straight after work. Yesterday I had our usual weightwatchers night with the girls (and boys), and yesterday and also today I was off work and DC and I were busy ripping out our bedroom wardrobes, getting a plasterer in, and repainting our bathroom.
Phew! I feel like I haven't sat down all week. Back to normal from tomorrow, promise!
Dans x
Friday 31 May 2013
Saturday 25 May 2013
Quote of the week #10
"Just when the caterpillar
thought the world was over,
it became a butterfly."
thought the world was over,
it became a butterfly."
- Proverb
Friday 24 May 2013
How to be a grown up and spend money on boring things
When DC and I first moved into our house, every penny was spent on things to go inside those four walls.
All of our weekends were spent in Ikea / Comet / TK Maxx / Potters Superstore.
All of our time was spent sanding, chopping, fitting, painting, glossing.
All of our money was spent on plasterers, cookers, washing machines and mirrors.
All of our evenings were spent eating microwaved food, on borrowed sofas with no television.
(I'm not complaining. It was fun.)
And when our sofas were finally delivered we flopped down onto them, let out a huge sigh and promised never to re-decorate for the next two hundred and fifty eight years.
That was ten months ago, and now we've finally saved enough money to get our three bedrooms carpeted. But this means ripping out fitted wardrobes that we don't like, more plastering, more ceiling painting, more wall painting, and also shifting all of our settled furniture and belongings out of the bedroom and into that secret storage space under our house (yes, we have nowhere for them to go.)
But carpet shopping was kind of fun. It reminded me of when we first moved in and had all these big decisions to make about the kind of home that we wanted to make for ourselves. We have saved for so long that it felt good to buy lovely things for our house. We felt grown up and overnight became experts on cookers and home furnishings. I also loved that all of a sudden, my mum couldn't tell me to clean my room (although DC quickly took up that role.)
How expensive are carpets?!!! We couldn't believe it. Over £600 for just three bedrooms, and that was the cheapest quote. That could buy us a holiday!!
Decisions, decisions.
Dans x
All of our weekends were spent in Ikea / Comet / TK Maxx / Potters Superstore.
All of our time was spent sanding, chopping, fitting, painting, glossing.
All of our money was spent on plasterers, cookers, washing machines and mirrors.
All of our evenings were spent eating microwaved food, on borrowed sofas with no television.
(I'm not complaining. It was fun.)
And when our sofas were finally delivered we flopped down onto them, let out a huge sigh and promised never to re-decorate for the next two hundred and fifty eight years.
That was ten months ago, and now we've finally saved enough money to get our three bedrooms carpeted. But this means ripping out fitted wardrobes that we don't like, more plastering, more ceiling painting, more wall painting, and also shifting all of our settled furniture and belongings out of the bedroom and into that secret storage space under our house (yes, we have nowhere for them to go.)
But carpet shopping was kind of fun. It reminded me of when we first moved in and had all these big decisions to make about the kind of home that we wanted to make for ourselves. We have saved for so long that it felt good to buy lovely things for our house. We felt grown up and overnight became experts on cookers and home furnishings. I also loved that all of a sudden, my mum couldn't tell me to clean my room (although DC quickly took up that role.)
How expensive are carpets?!!! We couldn't believe it. Over £600 for just three bedrooms, and that was the cheapest quote. That could buy us a holiday!!
Dans x
Thursday 23 May 2013
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Pick of the week #12
This week I'm in love with summer dresses!
This limited edition pleated dress from Topshop is really expensive and out of my usual budget but I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. It's so pretty, it'd be perfect for a wedding. I'm in love.
2. Sunflower print dress - £22.00 River Island
Tea dresses really flatter my shape and I love print dresses. At £22 this dress is very reasonable and would be perfect for a sunny day in the park. I'm going to go in and try this on!
3. Ink and ivory striped dress - £25.00 Dorothy Perkins
I've had my eye on this dress for a while although it's always out of stock in my size. They do it in this colour and a lighter blue, and Dorothy Perkins have 25% off all dresses on their website for 24 hours only. Perfect!
Dans x
Tuesday 21 May 2013
How to not spend all of your salary in Sainsburys
Once, I tried to get through the Sainsburys door not by pushing it open as normal people do, but by swiping my work pass to try and gain access.
And another time, I was really annoyed because me as well as an elderly man had been queuing up at the self service checkouts for at least ten minutes, when suddenly the fire alarm went off and they made us leave both without me buying my Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter and the old man without his loaf of bread.
But then again it is about the only place that still stocks a Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter bar.
As you can see, Sainsburys and I have a love / hate relationship.
It should really be enough that I do my weekly shop at Sainsburys. I mean, an hour and a half on a Saturday afternoon among screaming kids and people who just will.not.move.their.trollies.out.of.the.bleeding.way is enough to make anyone go insane. But not me. I find myself there at least every lunch time and sometimes twice a day...
...I think it's because I have an obsession with spending money, and Topshop is too far a walk from the office.
I also think it's because DC is too lazy to drive to Tesco after work and always uses the excuse 'well Sainsburys is just down the road from you so you can go on your lunch break'.
I could literally spend all of my money in there. Maybe it's because I love bad food and expensive magazines. It's definitely not to check out the security guard (if you saw him, you'd know what I mean).
I really should start leaving my purse at home. Or get a more interesting obsession, like an addiction to clothes instead of food and magazines (oh yes, I already have that too).
Dans x
And another time, I was really annoyed because me as well as an elderly man had been queuing up at the self service checkouts for at least ten minutes, when suddenly the fire alarm went off and they made us leave both without me buying my Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter and the old man without his loaf of bread.
But then again it is about the only place that still stocks a Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter bar.
As you can see, Sainsburys and I have a love / hate relationship.
It should really be enough that I do my weekly shop at Sainsburys. I mean, an hour and a half on a Saturday afternoon among screaming kids and people who just will.not.move.their.trollies.out.of.the.bleeding.way is enough to make anyone go insane. But not me. I find myself there at least every lunch time and sometimes twice a day...
...I think it's because I have an obsession with spending money, and Topshop is too far a walk from the office.
I also think it's because DC is too lazy to drive to Tesco after work and always uses the excuse 'well Sainsburys is just down the road from you so you can go on your lunch break'.
I could literally spend all of my money in there. Maybe it's because I love bad food and expensive magazines. It's definitely not to check out the security guard (if you saw him, you'd know what I mean).
I really should start leaving my purse at home. Or get a more interesting obsession, like an addiction to clothes instead of food and magazines (oh yes, I already have that too).
Dans x
Sunday 19 May 2013
How to get back into running when you've been a lazy slob for 10 days
OK well I suppose this title is not completely true. It's not that I've been a COMPLETE lazy slob for 10 days, just a little one. I had such a stinking cold starting on Bank Holiday Monday that would just not budge, and I'm still coughing and sneezing almost two weeks later. This lead to a break in training, and from the moment I started feeling a tiny bit better I have been trying to get back into running but it's just not been on my side.
I've never given up a run before but on Thursday I had a scheduled 5km and had to give up after 2.7km because there was just no chance I could carry on. I know every run is usually a challenge for me, but I always push through and come out feeling proud of myself at the end. Well on Thursday I would have had time to feel disappointed with myself if I wasn't too busy having a post-run 20 minute coughing fit, but after I had calmed down I did feel a bit bummed out, especially after managing 4km on Wednesday and coming home feeling completely GREAT that I had overcome the obstacle. So I thought I had made some progress only to realise on Thursday that not only was the obstacle still there but it felt bigger than ever.
I read on my favourite blog The Hungry Runner Girl that after 7-10 days of not training, your fitness levels do decrease quite dramatically and it takes a while to get back into it. I suppose that along with my deflated confidence and motivation has definitely made me feel as though I'm starting all over again from scratch.
This week I've only managed just over 9km and that's really disappointing as my average is at least 20km a week. I suppose I need to be positive and realise that if I keep going then I'm sure I'm going to start to love running again and start racking up those miles. Also it was probably my body's way of telling me I needed a break, as I was pretty full on with my training before and going full throttle was perhaps not doing me any good. (Plus the mega amount of chocolate bars I've been eating has definitely not been doing me any good, but we'll sssh about those.)
My training week starts afresh on Sundays so it'll be a new start today and I'm determined to get out there and complete an easy 5km at an easy pace, to kick off a good week and to KEEP GOING because race day is only SIX WEEKS away and I want to do myself proud.
Inspiration:
Dans x
I've never given up a run before but on Thursday I had a scheduled 5km and had to give up after 2.7km because there was just no chance I could carry on. I know every run is usually a challenge for me, but I always push through and come out feeling proud of myself at the end. Well on Thursday I would have had time to feel disappointed with myself if I wasn't too busy having a post-run 20 minute coughing fit, but after I had calmed down I did feel a bit bummed out, especially after managing 4km on Wednesday and coming home feeling completely GREAT that I had overcome the obstacle. So I thought I had made some progress only to realise on Thursday that not only was the obstacle still there but it felt bigger than ever.
I read on my favourite blog The Hungry Runner Girl that after 7-10 days of not training, your fitness levels do decrease quite dramatically and it takes a while to get back into it. I suppose that along with my deflated confidence and motivation has definitely made me feel as though I'm starting all over again from scratch.
This week I've only managed just over 9km and that's really disappointing as my average is at least 20km a week. I suppose I need to be positive and realise that if I keep going then I'm sure I'm going to start to love running again and start racking up those miles. Also it was probably my body's way of telling me I needed a break, as I was pretty full on with my training before and going full throttle was perhaps not doing me any good. (Plus the mega amount of chocolate bars I've been eating has definitely not been doing me any good, but we'll sssh about those.)
My training week starts afresh on Sundays so it'll be a new start today and I'm determined to get out there and complete an easy 5km at an easy pace, to kick off a good week and to KEEP GOING because race day is only SIX WEEKS away and I want to do myself proud.
Inspiration:
Dans x
Saturday 18 May 2013
I don't need more makeup but oh, go on then
Well after my mega makeup haul a couple of weeks ago, I blogged about how I wish I had bought a more striking lipstick but always back out as I'm not brave enough to wear red. I also came away wishing that I had bought a brow definer because my brows are just so fair and they haven't really grown back properly from when it was 'cool' to have thin brows in my teens.
So I was happy to see that this month's Marie Claire included either an Avon brow 'glimmerstick' or a lipstick in Smitten Red. My colleagues at work love it when my favourite mags give away a great product as I always buy several copies and dish them out for lunch time reading.
So when I got home that day I played around with them a bit and was really disappointed to find that the lipstick was nowhere near the smitten 'red' that Avon claimed it to be, but was actually a really bright pink which I've got several of in the bottom of my never worn stash makeup bag. But I actually quite liked the eyebrow pencil and even though it was a bit dark for me I can get away with putting it on quite lightly to fill my eyebrows out and make them look much better and defined.
So I was happy to see that this month's Marie Claire included either an Avon brow 'glimmerstick' or a lipstick in Smitten Red. My colleagues at work love it when my favourite mags give away a great product as I always buy several copies and dish them out for lunch time reading.
 |
| Awful quality, soz. |
So when I got home that day I played around with them a bit and was really disappointed to find that the lipstick was nowhere near the smitten 'red' that Avon claimed it to be, but was actually a really bright pink which I've got several of in the bottom of my never worn stash makeup bag. But I actually quite liked the eyebrow pencil and even though it was a bit dark for me I can get away with putting it on quite lightly to fill my eyebrows out and make them look much better and defined.
I took the lipstick off straight away as I didn't want to scare my sister, who was my dinner date for the evening and would have said 'is the Queen coming for dinner' or something along those lines. Who knows, I might try it out for a night out but for the moment it's definitely one for the pile of neglected lippies.
Dans x
Friday 17 May 2013
Thursday night weigh in...
I was dreading weigh in so much this week after not being able to resist anything that was bad for you. But I went along as I had promised myself from January that I'd make it through the weightwatchers door every week even on those weeks that I'd stuffed my face every day.
So I was happy to only have put on half a pound after all of the crab that had passed my lips, plus the fact that I hadn't ran all week due to a stinking cold that wouldn't let off.
I actually stayed for the meeting for the first time in forever as well, my friend C joined our village group and this isn't my regular class, I usually only go when I have plans and can't make my regular class, as this one is closer. So I had never attended a meeting given by the leader Julie before, and she was animated to say the least, she was so positive and it was like a breath of fresh air, even though I do love my regular class leader, but it was nice to have a different perspective.
Then after the class as a 'last supper' C and I stuffed ourselves with a yum Chinese takeaway and talked about our plans to stay on track next week. Then we kind of planned a cinema date with my friend J, which kind of includes a trip to Nandos whoops. But I'll cross that line when I get to it.
Dans x
Wednesday 15 May 2013
How to cope with stress without demolishing a chocolate bar
Does anyone have the magic answer to my question?
I don't have much willpower, that's a well known fact. So when I'm sitting at my desk at work, having a hectic and stressful day over trivial things that all add up into stress central, what do I do, reach for an apple? Oh nooo don't be silly. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but the last thing I want in a moment of need is one of those. No, I am talking about a peanut butter Kit Kat chunky, a doughnut, or a packet (yes a packet) of white chocolate and raspberry Sainsburys Taste the Difference cookies.
Last week and this week I've been trying to make steps to stop the sugar overload when I'm under the weather and snowed under with work. I've actually not been going out on my lunch break so that I'm certain I won't grab two chocolate bars on the way back to the office... one for the journey and one for my desk. Instead, I've been keeping to my healthy snacks and staying indoors for my break, to stop the temptation. Well actually that's a lie... I did really well last week but this week didn't quite go to plan. I blame Mrs Crimble, for her giant chocolate, delicious, impossible to resist macaroons, and I also blame Nakd bars for doing absolutely nothing at all to curb my sugar craving.
So I am completely expecting a 3lb weight gain tomorrow at weigh-in (I'm not exaggerating - the scales are not my friend right now) and I know exactly why, and I think I need to ban myself from Sainsburys to keep away from the sugar. If only I could be one of those people who drink water when they're stressed, or do yoga, or sing a song... or something. Nope, a Sainsburys ban for me.
Dans x
I don't have much willpower, that's a well known fact. So when I'm sitting at my desk at work, having a hectic and stressful day over trivial things that all add up into stress central, what do I do, reach for an apple? Oh nooo don't be silly. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but the last thing I want in a moment of need is one of those. No, I am talking about a peanut butter Kit Kat chunky, a doughnut, or a packet (yes a packet) of white chocolate and raspberry Sainsburys Taste the Difference cookies.
Last week and this week I've been trying to make steps to stop the sugar overload when I'm under the weather and snowed under with work. I've actually not been going out on my lunch break so that I'm certain I won't grab two chocolate bars on the way back to the office... one for the journey and one for my desk. Instead, I've been keeping to my healthy snacks and staying indoors for my break, to stop the temptation. Well actually that's a lie... I did really well last week but this week didn't quite go to plan. I blame Mrs Crimble, for her giant chocolate, delicious, impossible to resist macaroons, and I also blame Nakd bars for doing absolutely nothing at all to curb my sugar craving.
So I am completely expecting a 3lb weight gain tomorrow at weigh-in (I'm not exaggerating - the scales are not my friend right now) and I know exactly why, and I think I need to ban myself from Sainsburys to keep away from the sugar. If only I could be one of those people who drink water when they're stressed, or do yoga, or sing a song... or something. Nope, a Sainsburys ban for me.
Dans x
Monday 13 May 2013
A break in training
There is no update for last week's training... because there was no training! On Bank Holiday Monday I came down with an awful headache and thought I'd feel better getting out in the sun but come Tuesday I woke up with a full blown cold... blocked head, aching jaw, hurting teeth (weird right?), chesty cough, stuffy nose, runny nose, stuffy nose... running nose... this pattern continued for a whole SEVEN days. Well today is Monday and I'm still sat here with a whacking headache, blocked ears and stuffy nose. When will this end?!?!?
So I have been feeling terrible all week and there wasn't a chance of me going for a run, my chest just wouldn't allow it. So I've stayed in all week, wishing I could muster the energy to get out but knowing that it wouldn't do me any good what so ever.
I got home from work today and although I still feel rubbish, I'm much better than I was so I got changed into my running clothes and made it outside in between a few windy showers. I only lasted for 2.5km until my chest completely gave up on me and I coughed all the walk home. But I'm so glad I got out after 8 days - I found that not running and the lack of fresh air made me really grouchy. I'm going to try 3.0km tomorrow and then build it up gradually as I don't want to make myself poorly again or do too much too soon.
I'm hoping to cover 15km by the end of the week so here goes, back to it!
Dans x
So I have been feeling terrible all week and there wasn't a chance of me going for a run, my chest just wouldn't allow it. So I've stayed in all week, wishing I could muster the energy to get out but knowing that it wouldn't do me any good what so ever.
I got home from work today and although I still feel rubbish, I'm much better than I was so I got changed into my running clothes and made it outside in between a few windy showers. I only lasted for 2.5km until my chest completely gave up on me and I coughed all the walk home. But I'm so glad I got out after 8 days - I found that not running and the lack of fresh air made me really grouchy. I'm going to try 3.0km tomorrow and then build it up gradually as I don't want to make myself poorly again or do too much too soon.
I'm hoping to cover 15km by the end of the week so here goes, back to it!
Dans x
Pick of the week #11
This cami top caught my eye straight away from the New In section at Topshop this week. I love it! It's so bright and girly.
2. Coral sandals - £45.00 Topshop
I really need some new sandals but I'm usually so fussy that I go through summers with my perfect 2011 River Island sandals without adding to my wardrobe. But I love these, they are quite pricey for what they are, but I think I'll be popping into Topshop to check them out.
3. Vaseline Lip Therapy in Rose - £1.99 Superdrug
I wouldn't have got very far at all this week through my super-awful cold without my trusty Vaseline. This is the best basic lip therapy ever and the most trustworthy - I would never be without it.
4. Aztec print scarf - £18.00 River Island
This scarf also caught my eye right away and I love it. I have so many scarves, I'm never without one around my neck and I love this bold print.
5. A Different Nail Enamel in Grape Ice - £12.00 Clinique
Clinique have just launched their nail enamel and this limited edition shade is so pretty. They have sold out of a lot of the shades online but I know that John Lewis are doing an offer where you get a mini bonus time when you buy any two nail enamels. All of their range are suitable for sensitive skin and with only two coats you can give yourself a perfect gel-looking manicure for half the price.
Dans x
Thursday 9 May 2013
Thursday night weigh in...
This week I stayed the same and I was really pleased. 9st 7.5lb is not an easy peasy weight for me when I'm not in the zone and it can easily go back on again. This week I attempted a filling & healthy week on weightwatchers. I knew that because I would not only be eating my calories but drinking them as well at the wedding on the weekend, that I needed to be careful about what I ate for the rest of the week.
For breakfast most mornings, I helped myself to a generous serving of shredded wheat minis. Some mornings I even had two helpings! Knowing that they were free on filling & healthy made me feel less restricted and I really started to enjoy my breakfast.
Allowing myself 5 propoints a day for snacks outside of the filling & healthy list, 1pt was used on this yummy Cadburys Highlights hazelnut hot choc. 40 calories and yum! I always add a dash of skimmed milk to my hot chocolate to make it a bit creamier.
Most of my lunches at work this week were sweet potatoes with tuna and sweetcorn. I am in love with this meal!! I've looked forward to it every day. I LOVE sweet potato! I used up 1pt on this meal, on a bit of salad cream for my tuna and sweetcorn mix. I found that this along with my breakfast really filled me up throughout the day - something I haven't felt in a long time!
My absolute favourite snack these days is this new sweet & salty popcorn from Boots, part of their Shapers range. I think this flavour has replaced the maple one because I can't find that any more, but this one is AMAZING. I think it's the best 2pt snack out there, it's completely yum, and it'll save you over 20pts if you eat this at the cinema instead of their own servings! I like to have this for my 3pm munchies.
I really wasn't keen on these Nakd bars the first time I tried them; I think it was the texture that put me off, although I found that they filled me up so I stuck with it and now I have one every day. If you work them out on weightwatchers they are 4pts but seems as they are all natural products apart from the cocoa, I count these as 1pt when I'm on a filling & healthy week. That's probably cheating as I'm sure it's dried fruit and these have higher propoints, but sssssh ;)
I've also been filling up on my coffee with skimmed milk. Perhaps I should ask to get a new mug on order seems as I've successfully gone cold turkey on my added sweetener!
I've also been eating ham salads for my lunch, with brown rice to make it filling & healthy, instead of my usual coleslaw which I would have to point. Notice the tin of salmon on the side - I had been looking forward to a salmon and rice salad ALL DAY and when I bought it on my break and started to prepare my lunch back at work, the ringpull snapped off and I couldn't get into my tin. How annoying!
Here's to another healthy successful week!
Dans x
Wednesday 8 May 2013
My life in pictures #11
I am sat here with a stinking cold looking out of the window at the rain thinking, where did the lovely Bank Holiday go? It just whizzed by so fast! We had such a great weekend with friends and family.
First up was our friends' wedding that we had been looking forward to for soooo long. DC tried his shirt on in Topman and then bought it online, and he made the mistake of leaving it to try on until 10pm Friday night - and it didn't fit! I don't understand how that happens to often when they're supposed to be exactly the same size! So we had a panic trip into town at 8:30am Saturday to swap his shirt.
Here's me with some of the bride's closest friends, two of who were bridesmaids and one did a reading. It was raining in the morning before we left but after the ceremony the sun came out and it was beautiful.
The wedding breakfast was amazing - we had caramelised onion tart for starter, chicken for main course and a mix of three desserts - meringue, chocolate brownie and a passionfruit cheesecake - I obviously took no photos because it would have been a bit rude.
How much of a genius idea was the wedding favour? A mini bottle of Baileys from Mr & Mrs Bayley - genius!
The wedding breakfast didn't finish until 6.30pm so it went straight into the evening 'do. They had hired a band who were AMAZING, and they had a photobooth which was equally brilliant! There were props to wear and each session printed a set of four photos, and two copies - one for you to keep, and another to stick in a wedding book for the bride and groom. We had so much fun!
Sunday was a bit of a write off but Monday we went to our national park with some of DC's family, it was such a sunny and lovely day. We had an ice cream as soon as we got there and then walked up Old John (look it up) and back down, before madly going back up again to meet with DC's auntie who had just arrived.
Look at that sky! After our long walk we drove to DC's Mum's house for tea and her famous homemade cake - her cake is so amazing you can't ever say no!
Dans
Monday 6 May 2013
Pick of the week #10
This dress just screams 'sunny Sunday in the park' and I love it. The perfect casual dress for relaxing in the summer, and not too expensive either for when I'm sure Topshop bring out further colours in the range.
2. Sterling silver circles bracelet with 18ct gold vermeil - £135.00 Azendi
I've always been in love with Azendi and was gutted to walk in one lunch time to be told that they were closing down in 20 minutes. So since then I've been buying from their website although I could easily go crazy on there and spend a million pounds. I'm completely in love with this bracelet.
3. Glimmerstick brow definer - £6.00 Avon
I've been looking for a brow definer for a while but was too scared to go to a counter and ask for advice on what to buy. I was really happy to get a sample of this in the latest Marie Claire, so I can start trying to define my brows myself, trial and error style!
4. Bedford North South large tote - £330.00 Michael Kors
I absolutely adore this tangerine tote. I know that I'll never be able to afford it but I think it'll be on my wishlist forever!
5. Vanilla Cupcake car air freshener - £2.99 Yankee Candle
I LOVE the Yankee Candle vanilla cupcake candle but DC hates the smell so I'd never be able to get it as a candle to smell the house out. So I thought what a perfect idea to get it as an air freshener in my car, which DC has no say over. Genius idea!
Dans
Week 12 training roundup...
Week 12
Activities: 2
Distance covered: 13.0 km
Average pace: 6.23 min/km
Calories burned: 825
Time spent 1:23:10
Eeeek.
Sunday: rest day
Monday: rest day
Tuesday: 5.00km run
Wednesday: rest day
Thursday: rest day
Friday: 8.00km run
Saturday: rest day
Oops. Not a good week this week with running. I have been soooo busy, I had planned runs but just didn't get the chance. I was feeling pretty low on energy all week, and had a really bad run on Tuesday where I don't think I ate the right food at work beforehand, and I changed my route which was really flat, so I completely burned out on the very first km and had to try really hard to not be sick, and ended up jog / walking the last 4km out and home. It was the first bad run I've had for my whole training period and I felt ill for the whole night so it really shook me up.
Wednesday I collected my new car and Thursday is my usual day off for weightwatchers. Friday I knocked out an 8km run, my longest so far, and it was tough but I'm really pleased I achieved it. Saturday morning I was supposed to run 5km but we had our friend's wedding that day and DC's new shirt didn't fit so we had to run into town that morning to go and get it changed.
These are my excuses this week... I need to try harder! My laziest training week so far since I started running.
Dans x
Wednesday I collected my new car and Thursday is my usual day off for weightwatchers. Friday I knocked out an 8km run, my longest so far, and it was tough but I'm really pleased I achieved it. Saturday morning I was supposed to run 5km but we had our friend's wedding that day and DC's new shirt didn't fit so we had to run into town that morning to go and get it changed.
These are my excuses this week... I need to try harder! My laziest training week so far since I started running.
Dans x
Saturday 4 May 2013
Quote of the week #9
"Promise me you'll always remember
you're braver than you believe,
and stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think."
you're braver than you believe,
and stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think."
- Christopher Robin
Friday 3 May 2013
Thursday night weigh in...
Well well well... a successful week!
I was really surprised to lose so much this week. I was always hoping that last week's 1.5lb would come back off, but I didn't anticipate another pound off as well.
There's a few factors that I think have been behind such a great week:
Water
I have been drinking soo much water at work this week, and it made me feel really healthy. I keep a tall glass on my desk and make sure I keep it topped up.
Breakfast
I bought some mini shredded wheat at the start of the week, ready for my plan to do a filling and healthy week next week. But I cracked them open early and helped myself to a couple of bowls - one as soon as I got into work around 8.30am and another one around 9.15am. This kept me full until lunch, which is new for me!
Snacking
I finally found a snack that I'm totally in love with - Boots sweet & salted popcorn. Only 2pts for the bag and I look forward to them every afternoon, meaning I hold off on my snacking because I know they're on my food list and I will enjoy them.
Exercise
I haven't obsessed about running this week and I think that really works for me. I think 3/4 runs per week is better than 5/6 runs per week, so I'm going to stick to this and not put too much pressure on myself.
Stress!
I have been a bit stressy nervous this week about buying / driving my new car and this usually has an effect on my weight.
Next week - filling & healthy!
Dans x
Thursday 2 May 2013
Make up splurge
I am Dani and I am a Clinique addict. 99% of my make up is made up of their products - mascara, foundation, concealer, blusher, eyeliner, eyeshadow... all of it except my trusted Rimmel matt powder.
But I am not a millionaire and even with my lack of control I just couldn't face a mega Clinique bill when I suddenly ran out of everything. And anyway, why is it that you always run out of everything at the same time?? What's with that??
I was desperately in need of some makeup ready for our friends' wedding on Saturday, so off I popped to Boots on my lunch break to see what I could see.
Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation in nude
I have plenty of my Clinique even better foundation, but my colleague at work the other day (also a bridesmaid at the wedding at the weekend) mentioned that she needed some SPF-free foundation ready for the evening 'do. Why? I asked. Oh, the camera flash bounces off of my SPF foundation and makes my face look white, she answered. OH! Everything suddenly made sense. All of those photos where I have a ghoulish white face compared to my naturally coloured neck and body.
So I bought my old trusted Dream Satin Liquid foundation - I used to love this as it gave me a lovely dewy complex. The only mistake I made was that even though it doesn't say in the tube that it contains SPF, I forgot to double check online, so I'm just hoping that it'll be OK.
Maybelline Dream Terra Sun bronzer
I fell in love with Benefit's Hoola bronzer when I bought it in a miniature 3 pack from Boots along with a mascara and powder foundation for £9. But as I was running out I knew I wouldn't be able to afford the real deal, as I know it's over £20. So I purchased this Maybelline bronzer today, not knowing how it would turn out and I have to admit that I love the results. It's quite subtle so you can build it up without it looking streaky.
Maxfactor Masterpiece mascara
This has been my go-to mascara ever since I started using it. I think I originally found it in my mum's makeup bag, used it and fell in love. I always alternate between this and Clinique's High Impact mascara (when I have more £ in the bank) but I feel as though this mascara frames my eyes so much better and it never lets me down. I can really build it up without it becoming clunky.
Maxfactor Colour X-Pert waterproof eyeliner in deep black
I always feel so plain Jane without my eyeliner. I always feel as though my eyes need to be framed else they just look boring and non-existent, especially with my fair eyebrows and eyelashes. I switched to Maybelline / Clinique gel eyeliner when everyone raved about it, but even though I've been using it for over a year I still can't get the hang of a perfect flick with a brush and always end up with smudged, dodgy eyeliner. I stuck with it but I feel much more comfortable with an eyeliner pen, and this one completely does the trick.
Boujois Rouge Edition lipstick in rose tweed
I love a subtle lip colour (I always want to try red but am not brave enough) and it has to be matte - I really dislike sheen on my lips. My favourite lipstick is Clinique's Long Last in Creamy Nude but as I've been rocking this for so long I thought I needed a change. This Boujois lipstick is AMAZING. It's such a gorgeous colour and seems to be pretty long lasting too (I'm sipping on a hot cuppa at the moment and it's staying put).
And here is the end product of my makeup haul:
The only products I added were my Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush (I don't need to buy any blusher for a zillion years as I have so many Clinique samples it's unreal) and Even Better Eyes concealer (the most reliable product in the history of makeup). At the weekend I will most probably add some eyeshadow and my Benefit high beam, and a couple more lashings of mascara to make my eyes stand out and ensure it lasts throughout the day.
Total: £32 - Boots are doing a good few buy one get one half price offers at the moment.
What's in your make up essentials bag?
Dans x
But I am not a millionaire and even with my lack of control I just couldn't face a mega Clinique bill when I suddenly ran out of everything. And anyway, why is it that you always run out of everything at the same time?? What's with that??
I was desperately in need of some makeup ready for our friends' wedding on Saturday, so off I popped to Boots on my lunch break to see what I could see.
Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation in nude
I have plenty of my Clinique even better foundation, but my colleague at work the other day (also a bridesmaid at the wedding at the weekend) mentioned that she needed some SPF-free foundation ready for the evening 'do. Why? I asked. Oh, the camera flash bounces off of my SPF foundation and makes my face look white, she answered. OH! Everything suddenly made sense. All of those photos where I have a ghoulish white face compared to my naturally coloured neck and body.
So I bought my old trusted Dream Satin Liquid foundation - I used to love this as it gave me a lovely dewy complex. The only mistake I made was that even though it doesn't say in the tube that it contains SPF, I forgot to double check online, so I'm just hoping that it'll be OK.
Maybelline Dream Terra Sun bronzer
I fell in love with Benefit's Hoola bronzer when I bought it in a miniature 3 pack from Boots along with a mascara and powder foundation for £9. But as I was running out I knew I wouldn't be able to afford the real deal, as I know it's over £20. So I purchased this Maybelline bronzer today, not knowing how it would turn out and I have to admit that I love the results. It's quite subtle so you can build it up without it looking streaky.
Maxfactor Masterpiece mascara
This has been my go-to mascara ever since I started using it. I think I originally found it in my mum's makeup bag, used it and fell in love. I always alternate between this and Clinique's High Impact mascara (when I have more £ in the bank) but I feel as though this mascara frames my eyes so much better and it never lets me down. I can really build it up without it becoming clunky.
Maxfactor Colour X-Pert waterproof eyeliner in deep black
I always feel so plain Jane without my eyeliner. I always feel as though my eyes need to be framed else they just look boring and non-existent, especially with my fair eyebrows and eyelashes. I switched to Maybelline / Clinique gel eyeliner when everyone raved about it, but even though I've been using it for over a year I still can't get the hang of a perfect flick with a brush and always end up with smudged, dodgy eyeliner. I stuck with it but I feel much more comfortable with an eyeliner pen, and this one completely does the trick.
Boujois Rouge Edition lipstick in rose tweed
I love a subtle lip colour (I always want to try red but am not brave enough) and it has to be matte - I really dislike sheen on my lips. My favourite lipstick is Clinique's Long Last in Creamy Nude but as I've been rocking this for so long I thought I needed a change. This Boujois lipstick is AMAZING. It's such a gorgeous colour and seems to be pretty long lasting too (I'm sipping on a hot cuppa at the moment and it's staying put).
And here is the end product of my makeup haul:
Total: £32 - Boots are doing a good few buy one get one half price offers at the moment.
What's in your make up essentials bag?
Dans x
Wednesday 1 May 2013
My life in pictures #10
I have exciting news that I've been keeping for you... I bought a Fiat 500 on Saturday!!!
And I picked it up today!!!
Ahhh I am IN LOVE.
I passed my driving test on 19 February 2010. I was sooo nervous because I wasn't getting on with my original driving instructor, so I switched instructors only four weeks before my test, also switching from a diesel car to a petrol, which was probably the biggest change.
My little brother, who was 17 at the time (early driving starter) had his original test in January but because of the snow it was postponed... to the same day as mine! He pulled up outside home (with my old driving instructor - cringe) just as I was setting off for my hour lesson before my test. He told me smugly that he had passed with 4 minors, so it put the pressure on a bit!
So I beat him by passing with no minors, of course.
I got my first car the week after, and at the time it was the most expensive thing I had ever bought! It was a lilac T reg KA and cost me about £1200. I LOVED IT. I loved my car and I loved my sudden freedom! But it must have been a bad choice because I did nothing but throw money at it, and in October 2011 just as DC and I decided we were going to start saving for a house, my car failed its MOT and the garage predicted it would cost £700 to fix, but because it was the welding underneath the car that was the problem, the bottom of the car was literally falling apart and I was warned that it wouldn't last another year.
So I tearfully said goodbye to my first beloved car and it was driven off by Dad to the tip. I was so upset, it seemed like the end of the world, but I knew that my money would be better put towards the saving of the house deposit instead of chucking it at a piece of metal.
So I couldn't afford another car until I started to save this January. And it feels like I haven't had one for forever! I was looking forward to going to look for a car on Saturday for so long, but I'm an anxious person so I lost a lot of sleep over the fact I'd probably have to test drive a car, and I was also worried that they would somehow say no I wasn't allowed one - I knew there was no chance I'd fail a credit check but then it kept playing in the back of my mind.
Anyway, come Saturday morning and the sales guy was really nice, they had my chosen colour in stock, the offer that I was after was still on, and I sailed through the test drive (after stalling at the petrol station before I even started). And he told me I could collect it on Wednesday!
So I walked from work to the showroom today and picked up my brand spanking new car and drove it to my parents house. They loved it too and DC met me there. It was such a lovely drive from the showroom to their house; I was so apprehensive about the drive but it was a dream.
I've taken it to the shopping centre to get some mats and then drove it round a few times to get used to it. I also let DC drive it, how lucky was he!
I have been driving DC's car since the end of January, so I have been used to driving again but I was always worried about driving his Astra because it seemed so big compared to my little KA. But this car is lovely and I'm so glad I've got one again to call my own!
Dans
And I picked it up today!!!
Ahhh I am IN LOVE.
I passed my driving test on 19 February 2010. I was sooo nervous because I wasn't getting on with my original driving instructor, so I switched instructors only four weeks before my test, also switching from a diesel car to a petrol, which was probably the biggest change.
My little brother, who was 17 at the time (early driving starter) had his original test in January but because of the snow it was postponed... to the same day as mine! He pulled up outside home (with my old driving instructor - cringe) just as I was setting off for my hour lesson before my test. He told me smugly that he had passed with 4 minors, so it put the pressure on a bit!
So I beat him by passing with no minors, of course.
I got my first car the week after, and at the time it was the most expensive thing I had ever bought! It was a lilac T reg KA and cost me about £1200. I LOVED IT. I loved my car and I loved my sudden freedom! But it must have been a bad choice because I did nothing but throw money at it, and in October 2011 just as DC and I decided we were going to start saving for a house, my car failed its MOT and the garage predicted it would cost £700 to fix, but because it was the welding underneath the car that was the problem, the bottom of the car was literally falling apart and I was warned that it wouldn't last another year.
So I tearfully said goodbye to my first beloved car and it was driven off by Dad to the tip. I was so upset, it seemed like the end of the world, but I knew that my money would be better put towards the saving of the house deposit instead of chucking it at a piece of metal.
So I couldn't afford another car until I started to save this January. And it feels like I haven't had one for forever! I was looking forward to going to look for a car on Saturday for so long, but I'm an anxious person so I lost a lot of sleep over the fact I'd probably have to test drive a car, and I was also worried that they would somehow say no I wasn't allowed one - I knew there was no chance I'd fail a credit check but then it kept playing in the back of my mind.
Anyway, come Saturday morning and the sales guy was really nice, they had my chosen colour in stock, the offer that I was after was still on, and I sailed through the test drive (after stalling at the petrol station before I even started). And he told me I could collect it on Wednesday!
So I walked from work to the showroom today and picked up my brand spanking new car and drove it to my parents house. They loved it too and DC met me there. It was such a lovely drive from the showroom to their house; I was so apprehensive about the drive but it was a dream.
I've taken it to the shopping centre to get some mats and then drove it round a few times to get used to it. I also let DC drive it, how lucky was he!
I have been driving DC's car since the end of January, so I have been used to driving again but I was always worried about driving his Astra because it seemed so big compared to my little KA. But this car is lovely and I'm so glad I've got one again to call my own!
Dans
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