Tuesday 29 December 2015

Thirty before 30: Part II

Last Tuesday I shared with you, the first 15 of thirty things I want to accomplish before the age of thirty, which you can read here.  This is instead of making New Years resolutions.  I am only 25 so it's not like I have to rush to complete these goals, but I'm sure those next four and a half years will creep up on me and I will be 30 before I know it. Scary!

So here is the other 15 goals to complete my list.



Thursday 24 December 2015

Happy Christmas Eve!!

It's Christmas Eve!!!!!

I am like a huge kid when it comes to Christmas, and Christmas Eve is one of my favourite days of the year.  Unfortunately I am working today and it's likely to be busy (I work in a hospital).  But come 5 o clock I am free!!  So this is what my Christmas Eve looks like.



Wake up at 6.30AM and feel super excited that it's Christmas Eve.

Get ready whilst dancing around to Christmas tunes. Open the last day of my advent calendar.

8.30AM-5.00PM - Work, work work.

5.00PM - Finish work!! Skip home.  Pack my bags for visiting my parents home and the town I grew up in.  Shower and get ready for the evening.

6.00PM - Attempt to put everything in my car.  I'm not sure how I am going to manage with my bags, everyones presents and the cheesecake I made yesterday.

7.00PM - Arrive home and get excited with my family that it's Christmas Eve!!!

7.30PM - Sit down to dinner with my family and catch up as I haven't seen them in ages!

9.00PM - Swap presents with friends.  Head to the pub.  Get excited again with friends that it's Christmas tomorrow!!

11PM/12.00 - Head home and get straight into bed, ready for tomorrows celebrations.



My Christmas Eve has changed somewhat from when I was younger.  In the morning I would head out for the last minute bits and bobs (up until last year I was a last minute Christmas shopper).  Then I would chill out at home watching Christmas films and wrapping presents.  Getting more and more excited with every minute that it's Christmas the next day.  I would have a Christmas Eve dinner with my family.  Then I would have drinks either with family or friends.  Then I would head to midnight mass with my parents, I loved going to midnight mass.  When we were little, on the way home from midnight mass, my Mum would say to look out for Santa.  Me and my brother would spend the whole care journey looking out of the window in case we happened to see Santa in the sky.

I used to prefer my Christmas Eve much more when I didn't have to work.  But hey, someone's got to do the job.  What are your Christmas Eve plans?

Wednesday 23 December 2015

White Chocolate, Baileys & Raspberry Cheesecake

On Christmas Day, my family never have the traditional Christmas pudding.  My Mum always makes a lovely, scrumptious pudding for us and it is different every year.  This year, I said it is my go.  I said that I would make a cheesecake.  Having never made a cheesecake before, I got searching for recipes.  I decided that I wanted to make a Baileys, white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake.

I must have looked at about 7 different recipes to get ideas, then incorporated them into my own.


Switzerland Adventures: Part III

Visiting Basel after Interlaken was a stark difference.  You can read all about my Interlaken experience here.  Whereas Interlaken was calm and serence, Basel was busy and bustling, but that was fine as I wanted my adventure to include a range of Switzerland.

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Thirty before 30: Part I

Recently I have been reading a few blog posts on 25 things before the age of 25.  Yes!! I thought.  I want to do that! But seeing as I am already at the grand age of 25, and life does not end at 25, I am going to make a list of 30 things before I'm 30.




In January of this year I made a post about my Non New Years Resolutions.  If anyone knows me, I hate to make new years resolutions.  They're always the same each year, you never stick to them, then you make the same resolutions in the next year.  This lead to making some non new years resolutions, or as I liked to call them, life changes.  This year I am mixing it up a bit and making a bit of a bucket list of goals to achieve before I am thirty years old.

Monday 21 December 2015

Switzerland Adventures: Part II

This post may be a little delayed.  Ok very delayed.  I took this trip back in the summer.  But with dark, cold January approaching I think we could all do with seeing pictures of beautiful mountains and sunshine.  You can read all about part 1 of my Switzerland trip here.

After Zurich I took the train down to Interlaken.  I got off the train with my massive bag and suitcase and started the walk towards the hostel, following the map around the little streets.  My bag was ridiculously heavy, it was a boiling hot day and I was sweating.  But the scenery kept me going, and I didn't get lost!  I had never seen a scenery like it, it was the most stunning thing I had ever seen!!! The pictures will do the talking!!


Saturday 19 December 2015

Five Favourite Christmas Movies

Everyone loves a good Christmas film and everyone has their favourites.  In my mind I had my top five until I started with this list and thought about it properly.  What about The Grinch, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Arthur Christmas, The Holiday, A Christmas Carol, Santa Clause... I didn't realise there were so many! Why are there so many?!  I did manage to come up with my top five.  Then that made me want to have a Christmas move marathon with hot chocolate and mince pies, and I don't even like mince pies!!

5. The Snowman.
Yes I see you rolling your eyes! I don't care.  It's not Christmas without watching the Snowman.  This film has been around at Christmas since I can remember and I think that's why I love it so much, it reminds me of my childhood.  The singing, the boy in his Grandad pyjamas and the snowman with his hat.  I love everything about this film.  It's so cute!!



4. Elf.
What is a Christmas movie list without Elf?!  I haven't even seen this film yet this year, but this is another film I have seen every Christmas for as long as I can remember!  An elf, New York snow and Christmas magic.  What more could you want from a Christmas film?!

3. Love Actually.
What a cute, warm film! This is the sort of movie to watch whilst curled up on the sofa in a onesie, with a hot chocolate and a blanket.  This film captures Christmas in London which makes me want to live there, and it has Hugh Grant in.  Need I say more?

2. Home Alone.
I have watched this film every Christmas since I can remember.  Perhaps this is why I love it so much.  A cute little boy left home alone, snow, big empty house, burglars and the boy getting back at the burglars.  I think everyone must love Home Alone!!

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Is it a Christmas film?  Is it a Halloween film?  Who cares.  It's a brilliant film and my favourite.  First of all the main character is a 'skellington' I mean, that captured my attention firstly.  Then there's the animation and the singing, I love all of the songs.  Then there's phrases like 'And since I am dead, I can take off my head'.  Then there's Sally.  I just love the whole film!!


What is your favourite Christmas film?

First Christmas In My Home

I love Christmas as much as the next person, or maybe more, but have always lived in rented accommodation in a tiny room and have never been able to have a proper Christmas tree or decorate properly.  Of course I always go home to my parents' house on Christmas Day but it's nice to feel Christmassy and have decorations throughout December in my own home.


So this year I was super excited to have my very own decorations and my very own tree, in my very own home.  I was so eager that I purchased everything in November and patiently waited until the 1st December.  On the morning of the 1st December I put my Christmas tree up for the very first time on my own, whilst watching the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special.

The Snowman toilet roll, how cool is this?!  From Wilkinsons.
The cutest card and decoration from my parents.

An adorable gift from my Grandad
I had this little Christmas tree when I was at university and it's come with me through my different journeys and living situations


The tree!!
This cute little robin is from House of Fraser


Presents under the tree.
Who's this elf?!

Christmas Day clothes, all from Primark.
Christmas party skirts.  The one on the left is from Warehouse, skirt on the right is from H&M


How are your Christmas decorations looking?

Monday 14 December 2015

Eating Healthy Is Boring

A work colleague said to me "eating healthy is boring, you can't do it every day".  I would like to say the complete opposite.  Eating healthy does not have to be boring and you can do it every day if you really want to!!  I am going to prove my colleague wrong and show that you can have an interesting diet which isn't bad for you, and that you can do it every day!  Sure, I like to have the odd chocolate bar or cake now and then, but this is on the very rare occasion!  So every Sunday I am going to document my diet and exercise from the week.

It is my goal to lose a bit of weight, although I'm not interested in weight that much, I just want to look good!

I do sometimes work ridiculous shifts for example I finish work at 2am or start work at 1pm sometimes so my eating pattern may look a little strange

Monday 7th December
Weight: 11 stone
Breakfast: Cup of tea, muesli with almond milk, cup of coffee.
Snack: Belvita breakfast biscuits, milk and cereal flavour.
Lunch: Spinach, carrot, chic peas and tuna.  2 satsumas. Nakd banana crunch bar.
Snack: Banana. Cup of tea.
Exercise: 4 mile run in 43 minutes.
Dinner: Potatoes, carrots and cauliflower.
Snack: Hot chocolate.

Tuesday 8th December
Breakfast: Two cups of tea, pancakes (made from 1 banana & 2 eggs) and nutella.
Snack: Nakd banana crunch bar.
Lunch: Watercress, edamame soya beans, chic peas, red pepper, carrot and tuna.  2 satsumas.
Snack: Nakd banana crunch bar. Cup of tea.
Dinner: Potatoes, mushrooms, avocado.
Exercise: 1 hour pole fitness session.
Snack: Ginger, orange and vanilla tea.

Wednesday 9th December
Breakfast: One cup of tea, pancakes (made from 1 banana & 2 eggs) and peanut butter, cup of coffee.
Exercise: 3 mile run in 30 minutes.
Snack: Redbush tea.
Lunch: Sweet potato, edamame soya beans and mushrooms.  3 satsumas.
Snack: Nakd banana crunch bar.
Dinner: Greek style ginger yogurt with blackberries, pomegranate, linseed and pumpkin seeds. Chai tea.




Thursday 10th December
Breakfast: One cup of tea. Smoothie with blackberries, blueberries, pomegranate, banana, linseed, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, goji berries, chia seeds, ginger yogurt and almond milk.
Snack: Vanilla coffee.
Lunch: Salmon, avocado, watercress, red pepper, tomatoes.
Snack: Green tea.
Dinner: Raw carrot sticks, red pepper, cherry tomatoes.

Friday 11th December
Breakfast: One cup of tea.  Smoothie with blueberries, banana, satsumas, strawberry yogurt, pumpkin seeds and almond milk.
Snack: 2 satsumas.
Lunch: Tuna, watercress, red pepper, cherry tomatoes.
Snack: Banana.  Green tea with mint.
Dinner: Salmon and bread, Christmas dinner, and cheesecake.  Copious amounts of wine. I'm sorry body.  It was my work Christmas party.

Let's not include the weekend.  It consisted of one hungover Saturday, an evening shift, and Christmas drinks Sunday evening.

Weekly progress picture.

Tuesday 8 December 2015

Weekend in Canterbury

On Saturday I went off to Canterbury for a short weekend away.  I had never been to Canterbury before and it was lovely to see the Christmas markets, the cathedral, lovely Christmas lights and the cute little streets.  I had already completed my Christmas shopping so it was nice to have a relaxing stroll around, exploring the place.

The hotel room.
Sink envy  You know you're getting old when you start liking sinks.
Bathroom selfie and a weird hand.
Canterbury cathedral.
Cute little streets.


The most adorable bookshop.


My outfit for the evening.

It was a shame the weather was so pants.  It was SO cold and windy!!

Despite the rubbish weather it was nice to get away and chill out rather than spending my weekend working.  It was good to relax!

Friday 27 November 2015

Goodbye November

As November is quickly coming to an end, I thought I would do a round up of my month.  I seemed to spend a lot of time at work, I am looking forward to some time off next month!! I put work into organising a charity pub quiz to raise money for Whizz Kidz, the charity I am running the marathon for.  The event was last night and was a success! Unfortunately my knee has been giving me problems so I have had to put my running on hold for now, I was doing so well too!!  So I started doing yoga instead, turns out I love it!!

1. There were lots of pretty skies.  2. It became winter too fast.  3. I made brownies for my work bake off.  4. I drank a lot of green tea and mint
5. Beautiful sunrises.  6. Green smoothies.  7. More smoothies.  8. I spent a lot of time at home, glad to be in my own home at last.
9. Banana & chocolate cake.  10. Prepared outfit for my work Christmas party.  11. Another Christmas party item.  12. Love my bedroom!
13. I dyed my hair red again.  14. Injured my knee so no running :( So I bought running gear instead.  15. What is better than elf glasses?! 16. I don't know what this is but it looked funny.



Aims for December: Get back into the marathon training, I can feel my knee slowly improving!! Hold another charity event to raise more money for Whizz Kidz. Take on less shifts at work! I need a month off.  

Do you have any December aims?

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Monday Shopping Spree

On Monday I went shopping to return two items and feared for my bank account, not knowing if I would be able to resist certain items that I had my eye on. Luckily I was very good and managed to only buy a few items... until my next shopping fix!


I love this shirt from Warehouse.  It will go really well with the skirt I have bought for my work Christmas party.  I realise this shirt is quite plain for a Christmas party but with a large gold necklace I think this will look perfect. This shirt fit so well and felt so nice on, I think that if I don't wear it to the party as intended I will definitely keep this.  Got to love a shirt that suits me so well and feels great on.


I really like this gold headband from New Look.  Head bands aren't usually my thing, but I really like the leaf design, and wearing such a plain shirt I feel like I need to go big on the hair and accessories.  This could also be worn at a summer festival to keep back that minging stray hair,


These days I love buying sports gear as much as I like purchasing other clothes.  How things can change!  I bought these both from Sports Direct.  I am still on the lookout for the perfect sports bra so if anyone knows where I can get one... let me know!

Since the 5p carrier bag charge has been brought into force in England, I seem to actually buy less stuff! I refuse to buy a bag, what's the point when I am sitting on a gold mine of them at home.  I try to take carrier bags shopping with me, but sometimes I run out and sometimes I end up buying more stuff than expected, then there's those unexpected spontaneous shopping trips where I don't even bring any bags!  Personally, as annoying as it is, I am all for the carrier bag charge if it is going to help the environment.  For the last few years I have rarely taken a bag from a supermarket, I would always bring my own, so why can't it be the same for other shops.  But if it's going to stop me from buying as much then it's certainly a bonus for my bank account, maybe not so good for business though.


Finally, I thought I would show you the outfit that I have planned for my work Christmas party.  I bought this skirt a few weeks ago from Warehouse.  It was love at first sight and it fits perfectly! It complements the small bit of weight I have lost in the last few months.  This is the skirt that I have been trying to find a top to go with but finally think I have it.  Now I am on the lookout for gold sparkly shoes, a hand bag to match and a suitable gold necklace.  You can never have too many sparkles and gold at a Christmas party, right?!

Monday 16 November 2015

Saturday Shopping Spree

Sometimes, I will go shopping and won't see anything that I want.  I hate those days.  Sometimes I will go shopping and will want everything in every shop.  My bank account hates those days.  Saturday was one of those days.

I had gone out shopping with the purpose of finding a top to go with the skirt I bought a week ago for my work Christmas party.  However stupidly enough I didn't bring the skirt, I saw loads of tops that I liked and wanted to buy every one of them in case they went well with the skirt.  After buying two tops I realised this was a stupid idea and managed to limit myself, planning to go shopping again on Monday with said skirt.  I did get a few bits and bobs though.


I absolutely love this top from New Look! It looks even better on.  This is the style of top I was looking for to go with my skirt, however my skirt is black and gold and this top is black and silver.  That being said it just about goes.  However I have only tried this top on twice and already loads of the sequins have fallen off. For the price I paid for this I don't expect the sequins to fall off so easily, I haven't even worn it out yet! It also has bits of thread hanging off it, and the hem doesn't look straight.  Even though I am in love with the look of this top, it will be returned.


This top is also from New Look.  I wouldn't usually wear a white top, so I like that it is different to what I would normally wear.  However it doesn't quite go with the skirt I have.  I would definitely keep this top if my bank account could allow it, but I have no occasion to wear this to so sadly I have to return it.


I found a candle shop! Snow In Love is my favourite smell out of these, I could sniff it all day! This candle holder goes perfectly with my spare room that I am doing up.  I can't wait to show you all pictures of my new home that is just about finished!


Sunday was hair dye day, this shade of red goes perfectly into my hair.  I was not planning on purchasing Hand Food but I walked past it in the shop, and my hands have been a little dry since the weather got colder.  I have not bought this hand cream in ages and I forgot how much I love it!!


I love this Tea Tree water from Lush.  I had run out months ago but hadn't gotten around to getting a new one.  I also thought I would try Ocean Salt, I have used it once so far and love it already.


My last purchase was this crop top from Topshop.  I originally bought it to go under the black top from New Look, which I am now not going to keep but I have decided to keep this crop top as it wasn't too expensive and I have clothes that this top would go with.

So today is Monday and I am out shopping again, let's see what I will find this time!