Get fit for Christmas Challenge!

Happy Monday Everyone!
Isn't uncanny how every time you plan a new fitness regime/healthy lifestyle, it becomes all very exciting in your head and you're going to fly through those workouts that make all others tremble and practically jump into that child-size bodycon dress come Christmas! However that all goes poof when it comes to flinging yourself around a room like a bat out of hell in some kind of desperate attempt to follow some ranting aerobics instructor. If you are one of those regular gym bunnies and have never seen such a sight, allow me to introduce you to what a "work in progress" case looks like (please see pre-collapse snap above).

That been said, if you can make it past this point (and there are some hysterical moments to help you get through it) this whole dvd workout-get fit plan works out to be quite fun, mainly because the endorphins conveniently kick in during the last circuit. Near exercise extinction aside, you're left with a nice smug little glow for the rest of the day. Also if I can do it, let's face it, truly anyone can. My workout of choice to make it into the eye-wateringly pricey christmas party dress by my b'day on the 23rd Dec-Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30. This has 4 different levels that you build up after a week doing each one-it will kick your arse in no uncertain terms, however it is amazing for boosting fitness levels and you really do feel great afterwards! Definitely one for those traditional workout lovers who want a great workout, although it might not be your cup of tea if you're more of an alternative exercise/dancey/zumba kind of person. Give it a whirl you never know until you try. Anyone else got any get fit for Christmas plans/tips-I'm all ears!

General life/career changing decision-Just a usual week really

Hello everyone! 

It has been a ridiculous 9 months since my last pancake-packed post and as much I feel like I should have a worthy excuse such as a move, new baby, new job, general massive lifestyle change, really it's just because I've had a few experiences followed by a revelation and return to full circle! 

Life in general, back in February revolved around mostly eating, this blog and my little blue wall (decorating my room to look like a beach [who doesn't like a simple life] and basically the main motive for starting this blog). 

Since then I have been working in a little admin role while deciding (in my infinite wisdom) that I was going to jump on the not-so novel bandwagon of becoming a teacher. I've been lucky enough to work abroad (Québec, Canada-amazing place, everyone should go) in a Primary School and I though I loved that-I can do this! Fast forward an interview, and a very unexpected acceptance onto the PGCE course at my old university, a few hectic weeks of an impossible amount of work, meeting some incredibly funny people, a school placement and a personal revelation, teaching, while an extremely important and challenging profession (hats off to you PGCEers, NQT's and teachers out there-no clue how you do it) it wasn't what makes me happy. I quite like being a positive person and during this lapse in career-judgement, I was totally stressed out, sleep-deprived, snappy and out and out miserable-so a general bundle of joy for my family and friends. Don't get me wrong anyone thinking of doing or currently in the middle of a PGCE or SCITT programme, if it's truly what you want to be over anything else, you'll find the year a fantastic experience, it was just this dope who started it for the wrong reasons and allowed myself to be influenced by other people's opinions rather than my own instincts (those pesky instincts will get you in the end) of what I wanted to be. A mistake I will not be repeating. 

Anyways to cut a long story not- so short-I decided that as much as I hated the idea of not finishing something I'd started, nothing was worth being unhappy and miserable all the time (just plain exhausting not to mention the grey hair) so I decided not to hate life and have since withdrawn from my course to try and pursue what I want to do. I don't actually have a clue what that is yet, but doing work that makes you happy has got to be start. 

So basically, at the age of 25, I'm back to square one career-wise but knowing it's on my terms and liberal amounts of prosecco and time to spend on the little blue wall project and writing this blog, makes  things more fun! So if you've read this far people, firstly well done (it was a bit on the wordy side) and secondly I'll leave you with the words of a freakishly clever Bob Marley, who as it happens, had it right all along- "Don't worry, be happy"! Thanks for reading! 

What do you do on dreary days?

Make dozens of pancakes and speedily scoff your face (well this works for me anyway).

I used Nigella Lawson's recipe and combined with Original Canadian Maple Syrup they will right the world's wrongs!

Couldn't resist giving you a look at what I was facing while concentrating so intently on my 'work'!

If only....

Hellooo! While sat here in my fetching M&S thermal heat-generating top along with the biggest fuffiest jumper in all the land and a hot water bottle increasingly carried around everywhere like the family pet, I came across this photo of me doing exactly the same thing as at this present moment in time, blogging, though with a vastly different horizon!

Driftwood tree all dressed up!

P.s The Guardian of the Tree!

A Driftwood Christmas

Hi Everyone. Happy Tuesday!

Just thought I would share the latest in the beach hut conversion saga. I forgot to mention in my New Year's Post any presents which is very silly as I also had my 25th birthday over the Christmas holidays (23rd) and I was incredibly lucky to receive some fabulous gifts from my unbelievably generous family and friends. Some of these were little stars on the room decorating front so thought I would share one of my absolute favourites and something I've wanted for agesssssssssss!

A Driftwood Christmas Tree!

This was the incredible Birthday/Christmas present from my brother. I have wanted one of these for soooo long ever since I saw one in a Country Sampler magazine years ago. However I had no idea where to even begin looking for one. Then while on holiday in the US (Fort Myers) I actually came across one! It was only $14 so about £11. £11!!! I actually couldn't believe it. Has anyone noticed how insanely expensive driftwood is in the UK! Anyway I was truly gutted that I couldn't get it as it would never survive the plane journey. It was so delicate and kind of big so begrudgingly I was forced to put it back on the shelf (sob!). Anyway on my return, I was determined to find one back home especially as I'd come so close to owning one. I think it was around November when I was trawling the internet for things to buy with imaginary money (as you do) and came across

http://www.buythesea-bymail.co.uk/ (Def take a peek and dream)

Now if you love anything nautical/beach-related/seaside-vibed then the chances are you'll already have heard of this site but if not, it's a company based in Somerset and they comb their local beaches and make fantastic and I do mean INCREDIBLE beach-inspired products. And best of all, they had my tree. I had sent my brother a link to the smaller (and slightly cheaper one) on facebook so can't tell you how EXCITED I was to open it up and find the bigger one!

They are still sooooo much more expensive to buy in the UK than in the US but I just can't stop smiling when I look at it!

Happy New Year!!!

Hello! In my chronic disorganised state I have not been contributing to this blog anywhere as often as I thought on its creation which is very silly as I'm faced with my very literal 'little blue wall' reminder every time I enter my room. Therefore even if no one reads this I have decided to keep on carrying on so to speak on a much more regular basis as the little blue wall/seaside transformation of my room continues.

Therefore on that note: I hope everyone had a marvellous Christmas and New Year. My own experiences included working non-stop over the hectic period in a madly busy book store. I started working in Waterstones as a Xmas temp (very luckily I'm still there), I also threw caution to the winds in the eating department and inserted myself wholeheartedly in the over-eating season! (I swear at one point, I was actually stuffing my face while wondering

"what am I doing, I'm not even hungry, oh well" (thus continues stuffing face).

Also as a result of very generous Christmas/Birthday presents over December, my list of 'need to read' books has increased and is now longer than both my arms put together! My current book of choice is Cecelia Ahern's Time of my Life. Next on the hit list are:

1) Kathryn Stockett's The Help (Have wanted to read this for agesssss, also saw the film while in the US in October and LOVED IT!

2) F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (sooooo excited that Carey Mulligan's signed on to do this as I think she's great!)

3) Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go (I read the sample of this on my kindle and it definitely had me intrigued, now I need to know what's all this donor malarky? )

The list could and does go on and on and on and on and .... well you get the picture, but if anyone has any book recommendations please let me know as I seem to be addicted to adding to this 'need to read' obsession! Plus it would fit in with my not-so original new year's resolution to 'read more books' this year.

Other New Year's Resolutions:

• Continue with Little Blue Wall room transformation and general Nautical obsession! (who doesn't need more seaside in their life, I ask you)
• Continue with this blog
• Read more books
• Sort out life (at some point, in some form-open to suggestions)
• Hit the slopes (While living in Québec the weekend activity of choice was skiing as there was a ski resort opposite the school where I worked, I miss it sooooooooo much!)

I think that's quite enough to be getting on with for now. Sorry for mammoth post! Wishing everyone lots of luck with their resolutions and a very happy January!

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