My Sunday Photo: Chocolate Cake

This is a face that says 'No Mama, I simply cannot manage lumps of fruit as they make me gag but that chocolate cake will go down just fine!'

 

 

 

 

My Sunday Photo: Park Life

We first took Ava to a park to try the swings when she was around six months, but she wasn't a fan. She enjoyed sitting in them and watching the other children play, but would freak out if we gave her a little push. She's quite a timid little thing, so I think the motion scared her a little but after a few visits she has slowly improved and is now loving them! Now we just need some better weather so we can take advantage of all our local parks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Sunday Photo: The Big Girl Seat

This week Ava moved into a Group 1 car seat and is loving it! The infant carrier was restricting her view, and she was desperate to sit up straight in it which was causing stressful journeys if we were in the car alone! We settled on the Mothercare Madrid seat which can be used from birth to four years, and either rear or forward face. I'll do a full review on it once we've given it a proper go, but for now munchkin seems very happy!

Doors Open Day

This weekend was Doors Open Day across Renfrewshire. For those who don't know about it, it's basically a couple of days where you can gain access to various buildings, tours and events that aren't usually available to the public for free. In addition, museums, art galleries and restaurants/pubs usually take part in promotional events too. It's a good wee day out doing something a bit different, and the fact that it's free is a huge bonus! The Glasgow version will take place from the 15th-21st September, and I'll leave a link to that at the end of the post for you all to have a look at and see if anything takes your fancy.

 

There were lots of events across the county, but we just spent the afternoon in Paisley as that was where the main attractions we wanted to see were. We started off at the Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, which I've never been to before but was definitely worth a look. The Glasgow museums are better, but I really enjoyed the exhibits about the history of Paisley and about the Coats family, who were the aristocrats of the area. It finally clicked why so many things in Paisley are named after them!

 

 

We then walked down the street to the Thomas Coats Memorial Church (see the Coats theme?!), which was stunning inside. We had really gone there as there was a photography exhibit on, which gave me loads of ideas on improving my photography skills. Then we popped into Hamishes Hoose for a bite to eat as they were offering a free dessert with every Doors Open guide but the main courses were so big we actually couldn't manage a dessert! I had steak pie and my boyfriend had haggis, neeps and tatties and both were super tasty. All mains were BOGOF too so the bill ended up coming to £13- we would have been the same price if we'd went for a McDonalds! I'll definitely go back, but might skip lunch that day so I have room for dessert!

 

The last attraction we wanted to go to was the re-opening of the Grand Fountain in Fountain Gardens. This was the event I was most excited about- don't ask me why, I've just got a thing about pretty fountains. The fountain has just gone under restoration and looks amazing. There was a gazebo with a display depicting the restoration process and the difference is astounding. I just hope it stays that way!

Glasgow Doors Open Day: http://glasgowdoorsopenday.com/

Do you have anything similar in your area? Will you go to the Glasgow one?

The 100 Mile Challenge

A few weeks ago, I started a quest dubbed Operation Lazybum in a bid to improve my body confidence, fitness and general health. I plan to do a proper update on this next week, but just wanted to do a quick post today to let you all know that I've given myself a (not so) little challenge which I hope will give me the motivation to continue with Operation Lazybum.

I plan to walk/run/swim 100 miles during the month of September, averaging around 3.3 miles a day although there may be days where I do more or less than others. This is quite a daunting prospect for me, as I've only recently got back into the habit of exercising and even then it's only been a couple of times a week for about thirty minutes at a time. At my fitness peak (two years ago) I remember looking forward to exercising, wasn't lethargic during the day and was pretty happy with my body and I'd love to get back to that although I think it's one of those things that's easier said than done. Hopefully this will give me the kick-start I most definitely need!

As I write this, it's the 3rd of September and I've stuck to the challenge perfectly over the last couple of days. Since Monday, I've done 9.6 miles. Of course, you always have tons of motivation for the first little while but I'm desperately hoping it sticks around!

I'll check in frequently to let you know how I'm doing, and of course will post my results at the beginning of October. Wish me luck!

Have any of you challenged yourself with regards to exercise? How did it go? 

Takeaway on Tour

Last night my boyfriend and I took our first trip to the Hydro to see Ant and Dec's Takeaway on Tour. We went with fairly high enjoyment expectations (lets face it, who doesn't enjoy Ant and Dec?!) but I think we were both surprised by how much fun we had. It was the perfect kind of night to give us a break in the middle of a long and boring week.

We parked at the Glasgow Science Centre and walked over the bridge as I didn't fancy the hassle of getting out of the Hydro carpark after the show. I recommend this if you're ever going to something over at the Hydro or SECC- it saves so much stress after a show and is cheaper too. Plus you get to enjoy the scenery on the walk over, although I know from experience that if it's a horrible day it is a miserable (and very cold!) walk. Even so, it only takes five minutes so I think it's worth it. As you can see from the pictures, last night was gorgeous and we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful views over the River Clyde :)

From the outside you can tell the Hydro is pretty big, but it isn't until you get to your seat and look up that you realise just how big! I don't have a fear of heights, but I think even the bravest person would feel a bit wobbly at the top seating section looking down. They even have escalators taking you up to that  section because there would be a ridiculous number of stairs involved!

Vertigo sufferers beware!

I don't want to give too much of the show away as the tour is only half-way through at the moment, but just think of it as an extra long version of the TV show, with all the best bits- Win the Ads (a member of the audience is randomly selected for this!), Ant vs Dec, I'm a Celebrity Get Out of Me Ear as well as performances from special guests, Joey Essex in the DJ booth, and lots of audience participation! Ant and Dec were on top form; you can really tell that they are up there having the time of their lives, and I think that's why they are so loved. 

 Let's get ready to rrrrrumble!

Ant vs Dec

Told you there was audience participation!

 If you're going to the tour, you'll love it! And if there is anyone that wanted to buy tickets, but was hesitant about spending the money for something you can get from TV, I'd say put those doubts aside if there are any future tours. It was so much better than watching a screen because you're actually there in the moment, contibuting and seeing it all unfold, and there's nothing quite like that.

Are you going to the tour? Have you been? What did you think ? 

50 Random Questions Tag

Hello!

Hopefully other people share my enthusiasm for these types of posts and enjoy reading them as much as I do!

1. Would you rather be twice as smart or twice as happy?

Definitely twice as happy. This is something I'm working hard on at the moment actually.

2. What's your worst habit?

Worrying apparently (I've just asked my boyfriend). I'll also throw in second guessing myself and spilling my dinner- seriously it happens every single night. I even got a bib last Christmas :p

3. Are you dating?

We live together, so I'd say a bit further than dating. But essentially, yes. And he's amazing :)

4. Do you take shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels?

 If its decent :p

5. What is the one thing you'll never do again?

Be railroaded into decisions I don't want to make (working on this one too)

 
6. Do you collect anything?

Do Christmas decorations count? I buy a couple of new ones each year with the eventual goal of our tree being decorated with unique ornaments which all hold a story and a memory :)

7. Worst injury you ever had?

My mum chopped my finger off when I was twelve. Yep this is true. Yes it was an accident.

8. What is your favourite pet/ animal?

My favourite animal is a tiger, but pet-wise I'd have to say dog although I don't have one

9. What's your dream vacation?

Bora Bora

Drool!
Source: www.8thingstodo.com

 

10. Honestly, are things going the way you planned?

No but I'm beginning to think that might be a very good thing :)

 

11. Do you have any tattoos?

Yes I have two: 'no rain, no rainbow...' on my foot and my boyfriend's initial on my wrist. The third is planned but I always wait six months after deciding on a tattoo in order to make sure I really want it.

 

12. What's your secret to lure in the opposite sex?

Well I have been told that my legs are rather nice ;)

13. Any phobias?

Death and birds.

14.  Do you bite your nails?

Nope

15. Do you ever count your steps when you walk?
Don't think so 

 

16. Heels or flats?

Flats. Heels only when necessary or the anaesthetic effect of vodka will numb the pain ;)

17.Have you ever stolen a street sign before?

No

18. Do you always smile for pictures?

 I think so

19. Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?

Haha always. It's my 'thing' apparently :p

20.  Do you miss anyone right now?
Not really. Eek does that sound bad?

 

21. What's your favourite colour?

Yellow

22. Do you want kids?

Yes yes yes! I truly believe that having kids is my purpose in life.

Story of my life :p
Source: www.cartoonstock.com

 

23. Are you patient?

I'd say so.

24. Can you swim?

Yes and love it :)

25. Tea or coffee

Both

26. What do you wear to bed?

Nothing. Ooh err!

27. Ever used a gun? 

No

28. Do you sing in the shower?

No. I can't bear to listen to my own singing. That's how bad I am!

29. Are you stubborn?

Very!

30. Are you lazy?

We all have our days.

31. Can you change the oil in a car

Yep- I'm very pleased with myself for this :p

32. W hen was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

A year ago

33. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
Nope

34.What is your favourite food?

Chilli/pasta/pizza

35. Do you still watch cartoons?

Just The Simpsons and Disney movies mostly

36. What movie(s) can you watch over and over again and not get bored?
Any of my favourite Christmas or Disney movies, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook andHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. TV-wise, I never get sick of Desperate Housewives, Sex and the City and Friends.

 

37. What superpower would you have for one day?

Invisibility so I could snoop on people.

38. Whats been your favourite age so far? 

21

It was slim-pickings to find a decent photo of me at 21
on my boyfriend's computer

 39. How old are you?

22

40. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

Don't worry about what people think

41. If you knew you would die in one week, what would you do?
Panic!

 

42. What celebrity would you trade lives with?

I don't think I like any celebrity enough to trade lives with. Maybe one of the Kardashians if it was only for a day- just to see what its like

 

43. Do people ever take you seriously?

Yep. People know when I'm being serious and when I'm not

 

44. What happened the last time you cried?

Hormones got the better of me, grr!

 

45. Who knows you best?

My boyfriend

46.  Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

Closed (strange question)

47. What is your song of the week?
Magic!-Rude. 'Why you gotta be so ruuuude...'

 

48. Last person you kissed?

Hmm let me think.... :p

49. Best thing to eat for breakfast?

Pancakes!

 

50. Does anyone know the password to your email?

Yes. Too many actually. I really must change it

And that wraps it up! Hope you enjoyed!
 

Operation Lazybum

 

For various reasons- some more trivial than others- I've been feeling a bit 'meh' recently. One of these reasons is my body. Just over a year ago I was walking to and from uni every day (six miles in total) and partaking in Zumba and swimming on a weekly basis. I could eat whatever I fancied and was in the best shape of my life. Fast forward twelve months of working full-time, driving three hours a day instead of walking, moving in with the boyfriend and eating matching portions, swapping nights out for cosy nights in and exercise classes for my duvet and I'm in the worst shape of my life. When you can't even get up the stairs without being out of breath and people ask you when the little one is due then you know its time to act. As you can probably guess, there is no little one due. Although I may have just gone along with it to spare the mortification of an explanation to a complete stranger...

And so Operation Get off Your Jiggly Bum and Do Something About It, You Can Get Your Body Back, Improve Your Anxiety and Become Happier was born. I know what you're thinking, and I agree it's a bit of a mouthful, so it will henceforth be known as Operation Lazybum ;)

 

 

I eat fairly healthily, so won't be changing my diet very much; this is mainly about exercise and incorporating new lifestyle changes with the hope of toning myself up and feeling healthier (and being able to get put the stairs without huffing and puffing :P ). Since the beginning of 2013, I have gained a stone, but weight-loss isn't really the goal here (although it would be nice ;) ). I write this for the world to see in the hope that it will give me the determination to stick to it, so we'll see. I do have some 'before' pictures, but I'm much too chicken to post these online at the moment but perhaps this will change in the future.

I won't be updating weekly as I have other lifestyle posts planned on Wednesdays and I wouldn't want to bore everyone with the same topic, but I'll check in every so often. I'm sure I'll be rambling about this more often on Twitter, so feel free to follow me there if you're interested or doing something similar yourself :)

Let Operation Lazybum commence! 

 

 

Top 3: July 2014

Hello again!

I really am bad at this blogging business aren't I? It seems that literally everytime I publish a post, something happens that sets me back. It really has been a stressful few months, and in hindsight, maybe not the best time to have started a blog!

Anyway, instead of doing monthly favourites (I don't think I try enough new products every month) I've decided to concentrate on the most reached for products of that particular month. And so on with July...

 

 

My number 1 for this month has definitely been High Beam by Benefit. This has been in my collection for a while, but I rarely use it. I find when used as a traditional highlighter on top of my make-up its too light, so Sun Beam compliments my skin tone much better. Recently though, I've been mixing some in with my foundation and mixing together before applying, and this gives a gorgeous subtle dewy effect which is perfect for the summer months. I prefer matt foundation, so this means I can modify it and save myself some money too! 

 

In light of the amazing weather we've been having, I've taken to substituting my usual black eyeliner with the Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Smog, which is a shimmery brown with a slight gold undertone. As with all of the 24/7 liners, it is soft, creamy and has amazing staying power. I jusy love how it adds definition to your eye look without being too harsh and goes perfectly with a gold smokey eye.

 

 

I've only used my last product twice, and want to do a full review once I've given it a proper road test but I just had to include it because I was so impressed with the results after just one use. These are easily the best whitening product I have ever used, even more so than paying over £300 at a clinic! Watch out for that review soon! 

 

 

What have been your top products this month? 

Review: Dior Nail Lacquer (Rouge Altesse)

On the whole, I use drugstore brands. Occasionally though, my loyalty does wane and I enjoy a little flirtation with an upscale product.



And this was the culprit. Aaah, just look at it in all its rouge, shiny, Dior deliciousness. This was actually given to me by a friend who had acquired it as a gift with purchase on a fragrance. At an RRP of £18.50 for 10ml, it's certainly not cheap, and to be honest I probably wouldn't have bought it of my own accord. However I was excited to test out the formula. Maybe this would become my all-time favourite and I'd have to restrain myself from buying several more? 

In short, no.

The formula is great- thick and glossy, giving a shiny opaque colour with one coat, and a gel-like finish with two. The first time I used it, I got so excited by the colour pay-off with one coat that I left it like that... big mistake. After less than a day it was chipped to bits, and I had to do an emergency patch job with a drugstore brand before heading out for the night straight from work.

I then decided to give the Dior another chance, using two coats along with my usual base and top coat products. I'm currently on day four with this combination and chip-free.

Day 1                                Day 4

However, I very rarely have to paint my nails more frequently than every five days or so. As long as I take my time, apply my base, colour and top coat I'm pretty much set with most nail varnishes I've used. Maybe this says more for the base/top coats than the colour?

The winning combination- Orly Bonder rubberised
basecoat, No7 Stay Perfect
 topcoat

Yes the Dior formula is good, but for me it is standard. I can achieve the same results with brands which are a fraction of the price. I'll continue to use and enjoy this, but definitely wouldn't go out of my way to spend almost £20 on a repurchase. My advice would be to get a drugstore equivalent- my favourites being Barry M and Essie- and spend the rest of your money on something else. 

More bang for your buck as they say! 

Have you ever been sucked into a high-end product and been disappointed?

Let me know below.