Motivational Monday// June

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These posts always seem to have the most amazing timing, because in all honesty I feel like shit at the moment and really need a kick up the bum!

I seem to be ill and run down all the time at the moment, the end of last month I had some weird virus which wiped me out, then two weeks ago I had a stinking cold and all I could do was work and come home and just sleep. I hate it, I’m at my best when I’m busy and social, having things slow me down makes me mad! Then the past week I have just been feeling so over tired, you know that feeling when you’ve not slept and it makes you feel physically sick. It’s kind of a weird hangover feeling, minus the alcohol. My friends think I’ve been doing too much and I’ve burnt out a bit, while I don’t really know what to think.

I feel frustrated and upset, I feel down and lonely. It’s the worst. It’s also terrible timing, I have recently started a new job and feel like I must be making a terrible impression as I’m so exhausted its making the simplest of tasks seem hard work. It’s also impacting my exercise, if you follow my monthly Health and fitness posts you’ll know that this year I’m working hard to improve my fitness and have signed up to do a 10k in September. I started this with zero fitness and could run a few inches without struggling, I’m still a long way off from my goal but I have definitely improved. However the past couple of weeks, I have lost all confidence with running and I really struggle with it. It’s like I run for a bit then have a weird mini panic attack, can’t breathe so have to walk a bit. I massively want to overcome this but have no idea where to start!!

I don’t know where to start to try and feel better mentally and physically but I’ve decided June is all about looking after myself. I am going to sort out my diet and really focus on eating healthy. I am crap when it comes to food, I tend to go for convenience and end up going all day without food and eating rubbish late at night. So for this month I am going to work hard on eating healthy, I am also going to go to bed early whenever I can. I am also pretty bad at this at the moment, I tend to feel shattered all day and then find it hard to sleep so stay awake to the early hours. I am also going to try and relax more, read books, have baths etc. I am going to make sure I’m okay. Fingers crossed this will clear my head and have a knock on effect o everything else.

Have you ever felt like this? What do you do to take care of yourself?

What I'm Loving Lately #2

1.       I’m in a post bank holiday lull! I love having two bank holidays in May and I’m not sure I can cope lasting till August for the next one! I think 3 day weekends should be mandatory! Anyways I couldn’t post a ‘what I’m loving lately’ post without mention last weekend’s bank holiday. Mine included a 15 mile bike ride in the sunshine and a few pints of cider by the beach! T’was perfect!

2.       My latest #DICraftSwap parcel arrived from the lovely Hannah, the theme was Love and she sent me an amazing handmade unicorn and a handmade candle. Was such an awesome parcel to receive! Hannah is also the wonderful lady who organised this monthly craft swap, check out her blog here.

3.       So last week I had an awful cold which meant I literally did nothing except for work and come home and snuggle under my duvet, with long sessions of guilt free Netflix viewing! There’s got to be some perk to being so poorly. I was umming and aaahing over what to watch next after finishing Pretty Little Liars, so I decided to go for what had been recommended and have been binge watching Sons of Anarchy. I LOVE IT!!! How have I left it so long before I started to watch it?! Its sooo good! I’m on series 3 already and think I’m bordering on an unhealthy viewing addiction with it!

4.       TREK Protein Flapjacks – I was lucky enough to be sent a box of these from Natural Balance Foods in various flavours and boy are they yummy! I’ve been eating one an hour before I go for a run or do an exercise class for a bit of an energy boost. I am slightly obsessed with the Cocoa Coconut flavour, it’s a bit like rice Krispies on the base with a layer of chocolate on top, and they are very moreish!

5.       I AM GOING TO SEE THE FOO FIGHTERS TODAY!!! Yes I am that excited I have to shout/capitalise it! I am literally going to click ‘post’ on this piece and then head out to my car to embark on an epic drive up to Manchester, which is 5 hours from my door! Eeek! They are my most favourite band ever and I have always wanted to see them live, my friend’s friend was unable to go and offered us the tickets! It’s going to be a long drive but so worth it! I am literally bouncing on my chair as I type this!

6.       Two weeks ago I tried wakeboarding for the first time and had the best time! I am a complete water baby and any sport or activity involving having fun on the water, count me in! So myself and a friend headed to the New Forest for the day to try it out, we were on a wire and not a boat and had a lesson.  I managed to stand up really well on the board and I am definitely going to be going again this summer! They do ladies mornings so I think I'm going to give them ago!

The Me-Time Tag!

I love a good old tag post! I have seen the ‘Me-Time’ tag around on various blogs and fancied giving it a go! I think me-time is so under rated, it’s so important especially in this day and age, when we live in such a fast paced world we forget to take time out to look after ourselves. Me-time can sometimes be a bit of a guilty pleasure but I try and make sure I take time out for it each week!

1. What do you like to watch or read during me-time?

I have a confession... when it comes to reading I am a huge fan of chick lit! My favourite authors include Lindsey Kelk, Paige Toon and Jojo Moyes. I completely blame this for why I’m still single! I have completely unrealistic hopes! In terms of films same sort of genre, I am also a huge fan of 80s films such as The Goonies and The Lost Boys. Best films ever!! I have also become hooked on Netflix and love watching TV series on there such as Pretty Little Liars, Sons of Anarchy and Once Upon a Time to name a few!

2. What do you wear during me-time?

The only thing you can wear during me-time, PJs of course! My faves are nice thick pyjama bottoms from Fat Face. Best investment ever, they are so thick and warm and they have pockets! I also throw on a comfy hoodie for good measure.

 3. What are your favourite me-time beauty products?

The thing I love to do most during a me-time session is have a hot bath with a bubble bar from Lush. I also throw on a face mask, whatever one I have in the cupboard at the time. Followed by a nail painting session.

 
4. Current favourite nail polish?

I am going to sound like a snob but for the past year I’ve been treating myself to a professional gelish every few weeks so I don’t actually have a favourite nail polish at the moment. However I am slightly obsessed with Barry M’s Gelly polish, which I use on my toes, it lasts for ages and is pretty chip proof!

 5. What do you eat or drink during me-time?

Crisps and Dip! It’s a must I’ve I’m chilling with a movie. I also love Nutella, just on a spoon out of the jar. YUMMY! However my all time favourite me-time snack is peanut M&Ms, I think I could be easily bribed using these! In terms of drinks I like a nice cold glass of rose wine, or a good old cup of tea!

6. Current favourite candle?

I love Yankee Candles, I have quite a few spotted round my house, but if I had to pick one I would have to say it’s the ’Snow in Love’ scent, it comes out every time around Christmas and it’s kind of a fresh laundry smell. That doesn’t really sell does it?! Haha well trust me it is lovely!

 7. Do you ever have outdoor me-time?

Yes totally! I live near the beach so I love taking walks down there when I’m feeling like life’s a little too much or my anxiety is bad. I love going on sitting on the beach, it’s so relaxing and clears my head. I also love sitting in the garden on a summer’s day with a good book.

8. Would you ever go and watch a film alone?

I’m not sure id class the cinema as ‘me-time’ so find this as a kind of odd question for this tag! However, yes I have been to the cinema on my own, only the once though! It was years ago when I was travelling, I was in Sydney, Australia on my own and I was desperate to see the last Harry Potter film. So I decided to go by myself and I actually quite enjoyed it! I think it was because no one knew me there so I don’t think I’m brave enough to do it here though!

9. Favourite online shop?

Oooh I’m not sure I have a favourite online shop! I live in a small town with decent shops and I really mean none! So pretty much all my clothes shopping is done online. So where do I do most of my online shopping? ASOS, you can pretty much find everything on there! Joy and Sugarhill Boutique, for the cutest dresses. Plus Topshop, River Island and I am a huge fan of ETSY!

10. Anything to add? What else do you do during me-time?

Napping! I love a good nap! I love sleeping so much and I love my bed even more! All me-time must include my bed somehow, it’s my favourite place on earth!

So I’m off now to have a bit of me time! What do you do to take time out for yourself? Let me know if you decide to have a go at this one!

How to Kick Ass in an Interview!

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Today’s post is a little different, I am going to talk about job interviews! As most of you know I recently got a new job but I have to admit the thought of an interview nearly stopped me going for it! I hadn’t had an interview for years and I am a terrible mumbler when I’m nervous! So how did I get over this? Have you ever heard of the 7 P’s? Well it’s something I heard a while ago that has stuck with me and is something I think that is so relevant to so many different situations. The 7 P’s stand for ‘proper planning prevents piss poor performance’, a quote I love!

I think this saying can massively be applied to job interviews, if you take the time to prep you feel so much more confident and ready to tackle whatever’s thrown at you. So here are my top tips for interviews...

Learn as much as you can about the place your interviewing for, find out as much as you can about the job role and if it’s a job for something specialised make sure you’re up to date on the latest. Do your homework!

 Plan your outfit! This one’s actually an important one for me, I don’t do smart work wear! My jobs have always involved working with young people so I dress pretty casual most of the time. Therefore having to go for super smart for an interview worries me more than anything else! I am way out of my comfort zone and it makes me uncomfortable. A feeling I do not want to walk into an interview with. So over the years I’ve realised suits are out the window for me and I usually go for a dress instead. I smarten it up with a blazer or if I go for black trousers I wear funky shirt (my fave has parrot print) with a smart black jumper over the top of it.

 Arrive 10 minutes early, show you’re keen! So make sure you know exactly where you’re going, go the day before and make sure you know where you are heading. You don’t want to be late because you got lost!

 Have a question prepared! Seems daft when you’re being interviewed, but as someone who sat in on interviews it’s always nice when the candidate asks questions. It can be something simple such as ‘what are the hours of work?’ or I like to ask them what they like about working their? It shows you are keen and that you are confident to enquire.

Be enthusiastic, friendly and smile! Goes without saying! If you can show them that you are warm and approachable and create a nice atmosphere for your interview they are more likely to remember you after a long day of interviews!

Do you have any top tips for interviews?

This post has been sponsored by City Calling a great careers site that has all the latest job vacancies, make sure you pop over to the website if you’re looking for a new job! All words, thoughts and views are my own. 

April's Health and Fitness Roundup

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Welcome to April’s instalment of my monthly health and fitness updates, you can check out last month’s here. The idea behind these posts is to keep me focused and on track, so here is how April went...

Food...

Still having issues when it comes to my diet! It has definitely improved since I started my new job as I have to be a bit more organised and take food with me so I have been taking in salads for lunch, rice cakes, bananas and nakd bars for snacks. I have also been eating breakfast! This has been a huge deal for me, I haven’t eaten breakfast in years as it makes me feel a bit sick the thought of food in the morning. However I have been trying to be good and I’m determined to eat breakfast so I’ve been having a small bowl of porridge before I go to work. So week days I’m getting there but it all seems to go a little to pot by the weekends! I am going back to weight watchers this month and hoping that will keep me focused and on track!

Exercise done in April...

Boot camp x 11 sessions

Rowing x 3 sessions (3 hours)

Runs x 9

I made all but one boot camp sessions this month which is a huge achievement for me! I can even hold a plank for a minute now and I can see my fitness has improved so much by going to the circuit sessions. I’m really pleased with my progress! In terms of running I’m still very much a ‘run for a few minutes / walk for a few minutes’ runner, which stresses me out as I run, feel like I can’t breathe so walk. It hacks me off as I just want to run! I don’t know if this is a psychological thing or not?! I really want to crack this and be a runner! Anyone else have this problem or experienced it? I did a colour run this month which was incredible! I would definitely recommend it, so much fun! Determined to stay on track and make running fun, I’ve also signed up to do a gunge run in June with some friends I went to uni with. Its 5k and at every kilometre you run through a gunge bath!! I can’t wait! Think it’s going to be hilarious! Oooh and my sponsorship pack for my 10k in September arrived this week which has also inspired me to keep going and try to conquer this challenge!

Progress this month...

	Loss in March in inches	Total Loss in inches
Chest	0.5	2
Hips	+1	3
Left Thigh	0.5	3.5
Right Thigh	1	3.5
Bottom	0	4
Left Arm	0	2
Right Arm	0	2
Waist	+1	4

Weight loss this month:   0lbs

Total weight loss:   9lbs

With the amount of exercise I’ve been doing I feel a bit gutted that I’ve hit a bit of a plateau this month in terms of weight loss and inches lost. However I do think I need to get the diet side of this under control, which is my next challenge!

Motivational Monday // May

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Firstly, Happy Bank Holiday Monday!! I hope you’re all having a fab long weekend and making the most of an extra day off work if you have one?! After being a bit poorly last week, I’m fully embracing feeling better this weekend and making the most of catching up with friends which has been so lovely and full of fun and giggles!

I can’t believe it’s May already! I can’t say I’m too pleased about it as this year is going way too for my liking! April was a bit of a crazy month I moved jobs after spending 5 years at my old job it was a big change for me and has taken me way out of my comfort zone! I think I’m going to like my new job but there is so much information to take in at the moment so I’m trying to take it one day at a time at the moment!

I’m not a huge fan of change, I hate being out of my comfort zone but I’m trying to embrace it and do you know what? I feel so much better for it! I really do, I didn’t realise how fed up I had gotten and how much id had enough of it all. It’s made me realise that sometimes you need to take a risk and try new things. I don’t want to live a life of regrets, I want to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way and live my life to the fullest!

Also I know I have been a little hit and miss with blogging lately, but I am back! I have a ton of exciting posts coming your way, and I have totally fallen in love with it again! So thank you for sticking with me, you won’t regret it! 

My ABC's of Travel

I’ve seen this tag / prompt post around blogland for a little while, I have a slight addiction to reading travel blogs and posts and always feel my wanderlust kick when I’m browsing others posts and stories. So I thought I would have a go at this one myself, here is my A-Z of travel...

New York

A // Age you went on your first international trip?

I was about 10 and my dad took me, my brother and sister and a friend to Tenerife for a week and they had the worst weather in 20 years whilst we were out there! I just remember there being a ton of rain!

B // Best foreign beer you’ve had and where?

Demi peche which is French beer with a shot of peach flavoured syrup was probably my favourite drink whilst doing a ski season in France! I also loved Chang, a Thai beer which was drunk cold on the beach in Thailand, it was perfect!

C // Cuisine. Favourite?

Probably Thai, as I love all the flavours and spices. But Italian has to be a close second!

D // Destinations. Favourite and least favourite? Why?

Favourite: Canada! I did a ski season there a few years ago and it was just incredible! I loved living in the mountains and the people are just so lovely and genuine, and their way of life is just so much more relaxed.

Least favourite: I’m not sure I have a least favourite?! I think I’ve been really lucky and had tons of amazing travelling experiences.

Egypt

E // Event you’ve experienced abroad that made you say “WOW!”?

New Years Eve in Bangkok was just incredible! I am not sure I’ll ever experience a new year’s like that again! It was electric, such a great atmosphere and so many things happening!

F // Favourite mode of transportation?

Flying as it means I’m heading somewhere exciting!

G // Greatest feeling while travelling?

The excitement of new things and the freedom to explore, I always come home feeling so much more relaxed and happier. There’s nothing better that the feelings you experience whilst travelling.

H // Hottest place you’ve ever travelled to?

Egypt, it was in the mid 40’s every day. When you stepped out of your air conditioned hotel room it was like stepping into a sauna! It was such an intense heat.

Ao Nang, Thailand

I // Incredible service you’ve experienced and where?

Probably when I stayed in a lovely hotel resort in Egypt that I can’t for the life of me think of the name of now! Everyone was so helpful and kind, making it a great holiday.

J // Journey that took the longest?

Probably Australia in terms of travelling time, however when I went to Thailand the journey out there took ages as we ended up spending 10 hours in the airport in Delhi which really isn’t the nicest of airports!

K // Keepsake from your travels?

Definitely my memories! I don’t really tend to pick up keepsakes but the memories I have of my travels so far are incredible!

L // Let-down sight. Where and why?

The Eiffel Tower – so much smaller in real life!

M // Moment where you fell in love with travelling?

I went on a college trip to New York when I was 17 and I was so in awe of the magic of the city and the freedom of travelling. I also think doing a few ski seasons round the world also helped as I met so many amazing people from around the world and it just spurred on my wanderlust!

N // Nicest hotel you’ve ever stayed in?

Probably The Hilton Hyde Park a good few years ago now, it was a beautiful hotel and was a fantastic stay.

O // Obsession. What are you obsessed with taking photos of while travelling?

For a blogger I am shockingly bad at taking photographs even whilst travelling! I have the best intentions, I take my camera most places but always forget I have it on me! I’m lucky I have a lot of snap happy friends!

P // Passport stamps. How many and from where?

I have literally just got a new passport which is completely empty at the moment and I can’t wait to fill it! My old one had many stamps in from Australia, Canada, USA, Egypt, Tunisia, Malaysia and Thailand to name a few!

Thailand

Q // Quirkiest attraction you’ve visited and where?

Probably Popeye world in Malta! It’s basically the set of where they filmed the film of Popeye and it was a bizarre and very cheesy place!

R // Really frightening. One place you’ve visited where you felt unsafe or uneasy?

I have been very lucky in that I’ve not really been anywhere that I’ve felt unsafe or uneasy but I’m sure one day that will come.

S // Splurge. Something you have no problem spending money on while travelling?

Experiences, I think if you’re somewhere you may not visit again you need to make the most of it!

T // Touristy thing you’ve done?

Tons! I think you have to do the touristy things as they are usually well known for a reason! However it’s also fun to go off the beaten track once and a while!

U // Unforgettable travel memory?

Way too many to recall! I have amazing memories from most of the places I’ve visited and I feel so ridiculously lucky for that!

V // Visas. How many and for where?

Thailand, New York, Canada and Australia!

Thailand

W // Wine. Best glass while travelling?

This question is wasted on me! I’m not really a wine drinker! Give me a beer or a cider and I’m happy as Larry! Not very lady like am I!

X // excellent view and where from?

There are way too many to mention! The coast of Australia gave me some incredible views, the Rockies in Canada were breathtaking, and standing at the top of the empire state building in New York was amazing...

Y // Years spent travelling?

I have been an on and off traveller over the years! I’ve spent 6 months in Canada, a month in France, 3 months in Australia, a month in Thailand. I have been on lots of weeklong holidays too.

Z // Zealous sports fans and where?

When I was living in Canada we used to go and see the local Ice Hockey team play every week and the fans were absolutely bonkers! They would throw live chickens on the ice or start fights with the players, they were beyond passionate but it was always a great night and usually a fab game to cheer on!

What are your ABC’s of travel? Write your own and leave me a link to your post in the comments. I’d love to read your travel experiences!