FOOD
I think my slightly sugary, post-holiday weeks of food are behind me as I've been reaching for natural alternatives for a sweet hit and have also just been pretty balanced on the sugar front. Fish and green veg has been all over the menu this week - it's so quick and easy! My body has definitely been craving some big nutrients and I've been trying to ignore any potential chocolate cravings by reminding myself my body's actually craving iron so hello spinach packed green smoothies. My favourite eats have to include a big roasted vegetable and feta salad, chilli pesto sea bass with lots of green veg, and almond butter stuffed dates - so simple but really hit the spot when I was craving something naughty. I've also been doing some recipe development for the blog (YAY) so expect to see some results soon.
FITNESS
Another big fat fail this week. What's happening to me?! In all honesty, as I've mentioned before, being on my feet all day at work and running around all over the place/going up flights of stairs all day, does NOT encourage me to crack on with a YouTube workout of some sort the moment I get home! I had to work some random shifts this week too so this week coming I'll be returning to a more stable timetable so I'll be able to give myself the chance to schedule in some proper workouts. My thighs are definitely desperate for some toning!
BEAUTY
This just had to be the week that the majority of my beauty staples had to run dry, didn't it?! A mini splurge on the John Lewis website lead me to repurchasing some of my favourites such as the trusty Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fludie Foundation (honestly, beyond underrated) and Origins Make a Difference Plus+ Treatment (a great moisturiser for anyone with an oilier skin that has the tendency to get dehydrated). I also took the 'plunge' and purchased the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil after several other beauty bloggers swayed me. I currently use the Pai Rosehip Oil however I would;t consider this a proper facial oil, more a treatment. Fingers crossed Balance Me's offering will treat my face nicely - it could do with some love!
ETC
I figured I ought to give you a glimpse at my graduation pictures from the other week...! Yes, if you weren't aware I graduated with an Upper (I'm going to milk it for all it's worth/be bitter I was 2% from a First) 2.1 the week before last. Hooray! It was such a surreal day but I honestly, probably for once in my life, feel very proud of myself. Now I'm all too aware that my employment prospects are looking rather bleak considering my degree (Film & Media anyone? Someone hire me, please, I'm amazing), but hey, it still shows for a lot. I'll be sharing a little emotional post later in the week all about just why this achievement has been so special for me so keep your eyes peeled...
Something else that has continues post-holiday has been reading, hip hip hooray! I used to be such an avid little reader when I was younger, namely the entire Jacqueline Wilson back catalogue, despite my teachers' encouragements to try reading something else. Alas, as we get older, it seems time becomes more sparse and the internet has also taken over the majority of our lives. My daily reading tends to be catching up on blogs and, (unashamedly), the Daily Mail website so books have been gathering dust on the shelves. However I'm finding, as my mother always insists, reading before bed relaxes me and sends me safely off the the land of snooze. My heart shattered last night as I finished What A Girl Wants from my favourite chick-lit author, Lindsey Kelk, mainly because she's left the series on a pretty emotional cliff hanger. My warning to Kelk: you'll be burned alive if Tess and Nick don't end up together. Capiche?
Before I forget - Years & Years! I wrote about them way back at the beginning of the year and I'm still just as obsessed now as I was then. Their debut album Communion is everything I had hoped for, and despite having already heard half of the songs before the release, it is what I like to call on e heck of a 'banger' of an album. Ties is my favourite of the unheard songs, and Border is fab too. If you're into pop music that's taken seriously and celebrated as a genre, you'll adore this. I'm seeing them live in November and cannot wait to dance my little socks off!
Other loves...
- The Minimalist Baker has given me some ideas for an upcoming recipe post and totally left me craving one of these delicious Cold Brew Caramel Cappuccino's.
- I'm hoping and praying James doesn't some how read this post and I know one million percent my Mother is reading this right now pulling some sort of a face but I caught this post from LaurenConrad.com about some seriously gorgeous and surprisingly 'affordable' engagement rings. I absolutely swear on Britney Spears's life I am not expecting one of these any time soon, nor am I genuinely wanting one! But you know, they're in a folder for one day in my ever so hopeful future life.....
- Annabel posted a great little feature about the very misunderstood and very real reasons why, despite your mega fancy skincare regime, you still may be suffering with acne. I've preached about this several times and could preach about her post too. Definitely a great little Sunday read.
- Amenorrhea - ever heard of it? Brittany discusses her current experience with amenorrhea, specifically having just come off the pill, and how it's left her feeling. I experienced this for a year too and it's a totally confusing and unspoken issue that many women have to deal with.
- Did you know a pretty plate of food can actually make your meal more enjoyable?
- A bit of a retro post (May 2015? Vintage!) singing praises to the 'Green Queens' that are taking over - mega claps the them.
- I bet you can't find a single point on Career Girl Daily's post about Life Lessons in Your Twenties that you can't somehow agree with. I've got another 9 and a half year left of mine and I'm already nodding at a fair few.
- To any of you who struggle to make friends (my hand is stretched up far too high - hey there!), here are some tips to gently shove you in the right direction - I'll be joining you every step of the way.
- Being able to sleep like a star fish and without earplugs as James has gone away with his family on a two week holiday, meaning I have the entire flat and bed to myself! It is blissful to be able to fall asleep in peace and quiet as his snoring is (temporarily) gone!
- I need to give another shout out to those almond butter stuffed dates - you guys were FAB.
Congrats on graduating, I look forward to my turn of that! You look amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post btw, loving the Years & Years album also :)
Megan | lattesandlondon.com
@lattesandlondon
Thanks Megan! So glad you're enjoying Years & Years too - they know just how to do great but super cool pop music :)
Deletexx