Work it, make it, do it, makes us harder, better, faster, stronger

Hi there,

As you all know one of my pledges to myself this year was to be fitter and healthier. It's off to a great start, I haven't been workig long hours unlike last year so I have had more energy and time to exercise.

This means I feel happier and better about my body. So I decided to do a bit of online shopping for some new fitness gear, I am a firm believer that if I am wearing clothes that look good for exercising in it puts me in the right mindset and I achieve more, I run faster, work harder and feel stronger - hence the blog title from Daft Punk (a song on my workout playlist).

I received a big package of goodies from Sports Direct yesterday and was so excited I couldn't wait to try it all out!! And model it for you, because I'm not just about fashionable clothes outside of the gym.

 

Puma Kuris running shoes - £19.00

 

Karrimor running jersey - £8.99

 

Lonsdale zippered leggings - £3.99

 

Run365 running t-shirt - £2.99

 

Golddigga oversized crop top - £2.49

 

Bit in love with my new running shoes, they are by far the nicest trainers I own!

 

Lonsdale mock layered tee - £4.99

Run365 capri running tights - £3.99

 

 

I managed to convince Mister 'WhatLisaWrote' to photograph me doing all sorts of jumps and punches so I'm pleased with the action shots in this post.

 

 

Everything I ordered fits perfectly and is of good quality which is important to me when I wear it nearly everyday for different variants of physical activity. And I LOVE the prices, this haul cost me about £50 in total!!

 

So if you're looking for new sports gear get yourself to the Sports Direct website.

 

Are any of you on a health kick now we're in a New Year?

 

Happy Friday!!

 

Lx

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'Steamy' and Sunday

Hi there!

I hope you're all well and had lovely weekends - what did you get up to?

I haven't got a lot to blog about today although I went to watch my boyfriend play rugby on Saturday and as it was colder than it's been in a while I decided to wrap up very warm in my parka jacket. I also stole my boyfriend's old beanie hat.

I didn't realise until I looked at this photo afterwards that the whole ensemble makes me look like a member of early 90's boyband East 17. Or a rapper. But I was nice and cosy so it had the desired effect!!

Me 

East 17

For anyone blissfully unfamiliar with East 17's body of work here is something to potentially make/ruin your day....

Steam by East 17

Please excuse the not great photo quality. I am slightly reticent about having my photo taken at the moment as due to being too busy with work before Christmas to get to the gym anywhere near as much as I'd like, stress-eating junk food from being busy with work then the usual feasting over Christmas I have put on quite a bit of weight.

I need to lose about 3/4 of a stone so am not feeling too body confident and so I have renewed my commitment to the gym with fervour, this also gives me a great excuse to leave work on time rather than staying late like I did last year. I went to my first boxercise class yesterday in a good few years and whilst I had fun I must've used muscles that hadn't been used to being used in a while as I am walking like a gay cowboy today!!

I'm also enjoying making healthy food but with exciting flavours and ingredients, so perhaps until I am feeling slimmer and happier having my photo taken I should instead do more recipe posts in case any of you are looking to shed some Christmas poundage too!!

Prior to watching rugby on Saturday I had to get my nails sorted out as my acrylics had grown way too long over the festive season and what with my rugby training re-starting tonight I have to have them much shorter.

I chose a suitably grey shade when it came to the polish, very apt for January I feel!!

Even though I am on a major health and fitness kick at the moment I am still allowed the occasional treat. So yesterday evening my boyfriend and I went for a lovely Sunday roast at The Royal Saracen's Head in Beaconsfield (one of my favourite local towns!). I was well behaved and had roast chicken with plenty of veggies and not too many roast potatoes so I felt I could allow myself a more 'sinful' dessert - of sticky toffee pudding!! And yes dear readers, it really was every bit as delicious as it looks in the photo.

My boyfriend who annoyingly doesn't really have to watch his weight went for the chocolate torte....

It was a good end to a nice and relaxed weekend!!

Happy Monday to you all - here's hoping the week goes well.

Lxx

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2012 has gone, welcome 2013....

Hello there,

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and here's to a happy New Year!!

I would do a post on all the lovely gifts I received for Christmas but the majority of it is in storage until I move into my new flat in a couple of weeks (which is very exciting in itself!). A few things worth mentioning though are:

- A fabulous food processor from my parents, I know this probably doesn't sound that exciting but trust me, to a nearly 30 year old woman who LOVES to cook this was an awesome present.

- I was given two onsies, and they both have hoods, ears and tails. I love how I am the eldest child in my family of cousins etc and yet I am bought the most childish lounge-wear!

- Some lovely earrings from my lovely boyfriend.

- A gorgeous three-wicked candle in a big glass holder which I am looking forward to scenting my new home with.

- Recipe books!!

- Enough chocolate and sweets to last all year.

I can't wait to be in my new place so I can play with all my gifts and experiment in the kitchen.

Currently I have de-camped to my boyfriend's studio apartment so space is at a premium but we're getting on marvellously despite my continued efforts to 'girlify' the bathroom...

I started 2012 in a sad, lonely and frightened place, having not long come out of a six year relationship. When I started blogging I never really thought anyone would be very interested to read my ramblings so I am pleased and grateful for my loyal followers and all the nice comments you leave me.

Last year was very much a year of change for me, most of it positive but there were plenty of ups and downs, and it ended on a very happy note. I made new friends and spent time with old ones, tried new things and forged a career for myself that I love (despite all my moaning about how it takes over my life!), and although I have plenty of regrets I won't let them stop me from moving forwards with my life.

This year I plan to be fitter and healthier (less junk food, more exercise), devote some of my spare time to charitable work, join a local theatre group (I do miss treading the boards!), be a more proactive friend, have a better work/life balance - no more long hours being a habit rather than a necessity, be more creative, and organise at least two trips of a lifetime.

I also plan to blog a lot more and increase my network of friends and accquaintances on here as I enjoy broadening my horizons and finding out about other people.

Here's to 2013!!

(Me in one of the aforementioned onesies)

Lx

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Waddesdon Manor, Cardiff & Gilgamesh

Hi there,

Been incredibly hectic in the run up to Christmas but thankfully now off work and able to relax for 10 days!!

Here's some photos from my recent trips to Waddesdon Manor, Cardiff and Gilgamesh in Camden....

Hope you all have a wonderfully merry Christmas, I'll catch you on the flipside!

Lxx

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Proper post to come!!

Hi there,

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth but instead went on a trip to Cardiff then spent a couple of days baking furiously for various Christmas shin digs.

Post to come soon with lots of photos!!

Lxx

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Only if for a night....

Hello there!

I hope you're all well?

I have come down with a stinking cold which is most annoying, I'm looking forward to an extremely early night tonight with a hot water bottle, a good DVD and a sausage casserole. I know, so rock 'n' roll!

But, last night I went to see Florence & The Machine, and it was a superb evening. She was performing at the o2 (which even if you live close to London is a MAJOR effort to get to, try 2 1/2 hours there and 1 hour 45 back, I got home at 1am and currently trying to exist on 5 hours sleep, cake is aiding this!!) and my friends and I had been looking forward to it for ages.

Florence is probably one of the more commercial artists that I listen to, I mostly listen to electronic music and indie, but I really like her style of song writing and as performer she's really rather special. Her vocals are incredible, her entire stage presence is incredibly theatrical, her costumes and sets are well thought out and perfectly executed and she brings so much energy to her shows. It really is a visual spectacle watching her live.

We started the evening with a delicious and extremely budget friendly meal at Thai Silk in the arena, the restaurant felt quite elegant and the food was great!

I had roasted duck with stir-fried vegetables

Lovely Isabelle & Stef looking after the showtime snacks!

Stef and I

I wore my new leather look disco pants, a black Element vest and a black crocheted jumper

We were sat quite far back and high up but still had a good view

I wasn't able to get many photos of Florence doing her thing as the battery on my phone started to die and so the flash would no longer work on the camera.

One thing I particularly like about Florence is her style as an artist, effortlessly blending pre-Raphaelite, gothic Victoriana and 20's/30's era fashions to make a look that helps to embody and personify her ethereal and dramatic music. She's brave and confident with her costume choices which I love.

So glad I went, I've been meaning to go to more gigs (I used to go to loads) and this was definitely a stand out one.

I'm pleased it's Thursday, I feel rubbish so I'm looking forward to relaxing over the weekend although I will be braving the Christmas shopping hoardes in Watford on Saturday to do the annual present buying pilgrimage with my Mother (I'm sure we'll use it as an opportunity to gossip over lunch too!).

Next week I am off to Cardiff for a short break - have any of you been? If so, recommendations for shops (particularly vintage or individual boutiques), restaurants and bars for yummy cocktails would be gratefully received!!

Lxx

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