Winter goals .

I like to set myself goals, I feel working towards something keeps my mind focused and I'm more likely to be productive and make more of an effort to complete them. This year I've made a number of changes, had lots of new experiences and travelled to new places and I'd quite like this year to continue that way!

My first goal is to continue with my attempt at a healthier lifestyle. I've made numerous lifestyle changes this year (no wine/share bars of cadbury on school nights) and my aim is to continue this way. I have finally got myself into a routine of going to the gym and eating well 80% of the time. However in order to achieve my goals before I go on holiday in December I need to keep this up and also step it up a notch. 

One of my new years resolutions was to take part in a Wolf Run which I completed back in April and absolutely loved it. My next aim is to run a 10k, but I'd like to train for a couple of months to feel more confident with running and look less like Phoeobe from friends .
Therefore my  second goal for Winter is to get into running, I know this doesn't seem like an ideal time to start an outdoor activity, but I love running in the cold and as long as its light I'll try to get in 2 runs a week as well as my normal gym routine. I've never been one of those people that love to run, however I don't absolutely hate it as I find it quite thearaputic  so hoping the more I do it the more I'll love it (lets hope this theory works). This obviously means I'll have to buy some new winter running gear (post to follow) which brings me onto my next goal - Being savvy with my spending.

It's no secret I have a slight shopping problem. I work in Marketing, I know how people are trying to attract and persuade me to buy things but I do it anyway. My biggest problem is wanting to try out new products, this isn't just with clothes but with supplements, health products and the worst culprit - eating out. As I've got my holiday in December and a potential move in the new year I'm going to make a conscious effort to really try and keep an eye on my spending.

My third goal is to try and de-clutter my life through selling things on eBay, due to the point above I have a ridiculous amount of stuff I don't use or wear. An SLR camera for example? I hope to get these onto eBay in the near future so I will post on here if anyone wants to take a look. I just hope I don't end up seeing things I want to buy on there and defeat the whole object.

My fourth goal will be to try and take some time for myself. Working 8-5 and going to the gym 4-5 times a week I find myself spending the remainder of my time on my phone. It is a terrible habit. I hate it and I get so annoyed with myself for doing it. I could probably sit scrolling on Instagram for a good 2 hours without any thought.Theres just always something new to nose at - what colour kylie jennies hair is, new fashion collections, pictures of food, workout transformations, the list is really endless. However by the time I get home from the gym, make dinner, shower and sit down, that 2 hour window before bed I could be doing something a little more useful or enjoyable.

My fifth goal is to focus on my career development in order to try and figure out what I want to do with my life. I'd like to blog more and educate myself on the things that I enjoy and passionate about. I will be putting aside some time (hopefully I'll have more after cracking goal no.4) to educate myself on my options and what I really want to do. Hopefully I'll have an idea on a new job by the end of the year!

For now I'm going to focus on these 5 things… these should take me up until the new year - then the resolutions will start!

AbbieJS

xxx

Bank holiday continued .

Thankfully I decided to be designated driver at the 50th birthday party Saturday so I woke up feeling fresh as a daisy on the Sunday ready for the journey to London.

I have always wanted to go to Notting Hill Carnival so we decided to check it out on the Sunday. Due to rail works we didnt get back to London until around 3pm and ended up getting to the carnival at 4pm. However this actually worked out really well as we managed to have enough energy to go out in Clapham in the evening. 

The carnival had an unreal atmosphere, there was music everywhere you went, the streets were filled everyone having a great time. It was also great for my fitbit.. I managed to hit 22,000 steps that day!

The Monday morning we were not feeling so fresh. We treated ourselves to a lye in before a duvet day of films and food. I rarely have no plans at weekend and hate sitting about so this was actually a really chilled day and feels so good once in a while to just sit in your pjs. Plus it did not stop raining ALL day. In the evening we decided to venture out for food and after hearing so many good things about the burger places in London we decided to try one out. Dip & Flip is just round the corner from my boyfriends house and is a small little restuarant so I wasnt expecting the taste sensation it was. We all chose to go for the signature dip & flip burger, this was a beef patty, with their homemade slaw, mustard, ketchup topped with slice beef and the best bit... gravy! It also comes with a little dish of more gravy (for dipping) and the most amazing fries. 

I booked off the Tuesday as I wanted to spend an extra day in London with my boyfriend. We are usually hardcore planners but we decided to just have a chill day and walk around and explore new places. I've been wanting to go to a place I found on Instagram a couple of months ago called Little H's, its linked to Hally's which is just across the road but the little cafe specialises in juices and smoothies. My boyfriend and I both went for the KMP - kale, pineapple, cucumber, apple, lemon & mint. It was so so good.

We also tried the chicken & avocado sandwich which was heavenly, however we both then regretted that we didnt try something different each. We wish we had tried out the salad plates but read the menu wrong and thought they were mega expensive!
As we had accidently skipped breakfast/had another lye in we decided to try some of the sweet bakes. I tried the banana and chia seed bread and my boyfriend tried the fruit crumble - both were sensational!

I will deffinately be returning to the cafe in the near future to try out one of their salads and another KPM!

After the best four days I've returned home from London, bank holiday please come again soon! However after all the food consumed this weekend I cannot wait to get back into the gym tomorrow!

AbbieJS

xxx

Super sweet 50th .

Bank holidays have never really been that exciting to me in the past, mainly because during my years at University you don't get the same buzz at having a 3 day weekend as you do in a 9-5 job. This August bank holiday so many different things were going on I had so many options to choose from!

I kicked off the bank holiday weekend with a 50th birthday party on the Saturday, this wasnt any ordinary 50th birthday - MTV could of filmed for Super sweet 50th. My mums boyfriend turned 50 in February but due to his busy work schedule he decided to wait until the bank holiday to celebrate. He put up a large marquee on the land behind his house, and asked everyone to come in black tie. The party began around 2pm.. I may have been upstairs until around 2.30pm because a piece of my hair had a mind of its own, and of course, selfies had to be taken.

The marquee was kitted out just like a wedding, numbered tables and place cards. I had put my order in for my food months in advance, I went for the parma ham, chutney & melon starter, vegetarian lasagne for main and cheesecake for dessert. It was all amazinggg.

I had purchased a dress from the House of Fraser occasion wear section for an absolute steal - £175.00 down to £68.00. It was the last one on the rack and in my size - to my boyfriends delight who was shopping with me it was also the first dress I liked, picked up, tried on and purchased all within 5 minutes.

I bought some gold jewellery from ASOS, some pearl drop down earings and an Aldo layered necklace . My sister was to thank for my hair, I didnt want an up do so she plaited the front of my hair and I left the rest down and wavy.

As the event moved onto the evening the dj and dancefloor were opened, the bar was filled and a photobooth box was put up. For anyone that know me I love photos and therefore took full advantage of the photobooth!

It was such a great day/evening and ended with the most amazing firework display!

Did anyone get up to anything intersting this bank holiday?

AbbieJS

xxx

Smart choices with a social life .

My social life is hectic - currently booked up until the 3rd October, then my next free weekend after being the 7th of November. In the past I have always thought that eating healthier always meant you had to cut out the fun things in life. I love eating out - theres just something about someone else making food for you that just tastes SO much better. However when you're out in a restaurant its so easy to pick the burger and chips. It doesn't help that the salads and sides of vegetables are usually the most expensive on the menu. 

I have recently had some REALLY yummy meals out, which were the smarter choices on the menu.

Poached egg on avocado on toast with some cherry tomatoes and a side of smoked salmon. I had this at brunch in Wimbledon before a long day of being a tourist in Covent Garden.

This was cold, which was so weird but delicious! Quinoa with cherry tomatoes, beetroot & butternut squash. Pretty sure the blob of white stuff on the top was goats cheese but I can't be 100% as I never read menus properly!

This was naughty and nice.. I told myself I wouldn't eat all the pita and feta but of course I did. Chicken & chorizo skewers with a greek salad and pitta.

I went out for dinner for my boyfriends mums birthday the other week and had two fish dishes, king prawns to start and then mackerel with grilled tomatoes.

Lunch with the girls at the cutest little coffee shop we found. I opted for gluten free toast as bread always bloats me and I'm glad I did as the bread for the girls came out as doorstop size! These eggs were poached to perfection, may even be on par with my mums.

This was probably the best salad I've ever eaten, a superfood salad with added chicken.. unfortunately as this was in Wimbledon this was pretty pricey - £11.50 to add on a chicken breast (are you for real) but gotta get your protein in gals.

Don't get me wrong I will be enjoying a burger and a cheeky Nando's from time to time, but I've just decided that not every single time I go out I have to go all out and then try eat like a rabbit all week to make up for it!

If you love food as much as me see more of this at @abbiejs_bbg

AbbieJS


xxx