Hello 2017...

I saw in 2017 while I was sleeping. I was too sick to stay up through midnight, I did get a midnight kiss from my other half, but I was too out of it to remember! 

2016's resolutions were not all completed, but that's okay. It's a new year, so I can sweep away the old, and come up with some new resolutions! 

Happy new year! 

Happy New Year!

It's 2016 - happy new year! 

2015 has been a whirlwind, I moved out, moved again, quit my job, got engaged, went on 3 holidays, read a lot, had my appendix out, and all the rest...it's been a busy year! After having done so much this year, I don't feel too bad about not completing my 2015 new years resolutions...

2015 resolutions:

1. I will go hair dye free for a year

COMPLETED! I'll do a separate post about this with some picture updates! Yay me! 

2. I will get to the top of Ben Nevis

I made a good attempt at this. I regret not training as much as I feel I should have, but to be honest it was more my fear of being on a snowy mountainside that stopped me from completing this. I full on freaked out about being on slippery snow with a sheer drop to my right. I got higher than I did last year, which I feel is something to be proud of - regardless of not getting to the top! I won't be attempting this again this year... 

3. I will be able to run a 10k by the end of the year

I did not complete this. I did sign up to race for life 5k, but was deterred by unexpectedly getting my appendix removed! Since then I haven't done any running other than the odd bus chase! 

4. I will be regularly wearing a UK size 16 by the end of the year

We all know I didn't do this, I struggled a lot with my diet this year and had other things going on which took my focus away from this goal. Maybe 2016 will be the year I do this! 

5. I will deep condition my hair once a month

Half completed, I did well for about 5 months and then forgot to do it! regardless, my hair is in better condition so I feel that this is still a win.

I feel proud of myself. I know I didn't fulfill all of my goals, but what I have achieved I feel good about.

This year I have some new goals I'd like to set myself...so here we go! 

BOOM. I'll keep you updated on these! 

Happy new year everybody! 

Resolutions - Old and New

It’s a new year – time to reflect on the goals I set myself at the beginning of 2014!

1. Lose a minimum of 2 stone by the end of July

Well, this was extended to the end of the year…as for how successful I was at it? Let’s say not very. From the beginning of the year to the end of the year I have lost a total of 5 pounds. Doesn’t sound like much, but let’s bear in mind that I was up and down a lot through this year, and the difference between my highest and lowest weight this year was 16 pounds. Rather a lot more…to be perfectly honest, I am glad I managed to actually lose some weight from Jan to the end of 2014. It’s the first year in at least 4 years that I haven’t gained weight so that’s a win to me!

2.       I will pass my driving test this year

I accomplished this in July – I am a fully licenced driver! A big tick for this one.

3.       I will manage my finances better – pay off some debt and amass some savings.

This one is a little trickier…I think I am more aware of my spending habits and consider purchases more before doing them. I did also put money aside this year for things like my car, a holiday, and general savings. I think this one is a partial success, but still a work in progress!

4.       I will look after my skin by moisturising and exfoliating more often

My skin has been much better this year – excluding the occasional outbreak! I don’t really have a skincare routine though, so I think this can still be improved. But again, a success.

5.       I will de-clutter my belongings

Umm…no, I didn’t do this at all. I still need to do it, and I have a to-do list a mile long with tasks pertaining to this!  Failure on this one.

3/5 resolutions is not bad at all! Yay me :) 

It's been a good year, and I've achieved more than I thought I had - which is a good thing. I'm looking forward to seeing what 2015 will bring.

On that note, I have a few resolutions for 2015!

1. I will go hair dye free for a year

2. I will get to the top of Ben Nevis

3. I will be able to run a 10k by the end of the year

4. I will be regularly wearing a UK size 16 by the end of the year

5. I will deep condition my hair once a month

Exciting things. I'm looking forward to working on these goals going forward :) :)

Happy New Year!

January in Reveiw

Well, January was both excruciatingly long (while waiting for payday to roll around) and flew by. A month into 2014 already. I decided to do a monthly Reveiw of my goals and achievements to keep myself on track for my resolutions and other goals.

Resolutions:
1. Lose 2 stone minimum by July
2. Pass my driving test
3. Be more responsible with money
4. Look after my skin
5. Declutter my stuff

Progress:
1. Lost a couple of pounds, you can read about this here
2. Started driving lessons again just after Christmas, working towards passing it!
3. I made a financial plan, however this month was difficult as there were the devious January sales! A work in progress.
4. Kind of been doing this, but can definitely improve it with Moisturiser.
5. Made a start, nail polish and makeup went first! Much more to do on this though.

January achievements:
-Finalised a holiday: going to Scotland for a week to climb Ben Nevis
-went to the gym at least once a week (obviously this needs to improve, but I'm impressed I have actually been going)
-This one isn't my own achievement, but I'm proud none the less; my sister applied to college (I helped ;) )

It was a busy month, I feel like I didn't stop!  The crazyness will no doubt continue through Feb, especially as it's 9 DAYS UNTIL MY BIRTHDAY. Just saying. :D

Things to look out for in Feb:
-My birthday
-Matilda the Musical
-Harry Potter Studio Tour
-lots more books

And to round off my list making, here's my February goals:
1. Book my driving test
2. Go on 2 hikes
3. Save, don't spend

Enjoy your Monday!

De-clutter My Belongings Phase #1

Last night my mum was surprised to walk in and find me cleaning my makeup drawers. It was well overdue, and as discovered with my nail polish clear out, I had a lot to throw out!

I'm glad I did go through it all because the drawers were so full of stuff that I wasn't, and will never, use. As well as discovering some lost treasures! (Like my unopened, unused Benefit mascara...) I've tidied it all, reorganised, and cleaned the drawers out. Wooo

I'm intending to keep on top of this, and try to use up older makeup before going onto the new. Elsewise it will all just build up again!

If you have read my new years resolutions post, you will already be aware that one of my resolutions is to de-clutter my belongings. Therfore, my next job is to condense the drawers to fit all of my brushes into them, instead of having a box of brushes elsewhere because they don't fit. Also, to clean my brushes. Some of them are pretty gross at the moment! Shh, don't tell anyone...

I still can't believe how much I threw away... It was like a mass makeup grave...

Bring on 2014!

With 2014 arriving, I've been thinking about how fast this year has gone. And the past 3 years since I trotted off to uni land and back. I feel that I've achieved a lot in that time frame. Going to uni, surviving a long distance relationship, graduating, and gaining full time employment. For example. On the flip side of these, I feel there are a few things that I haven't been able to achieve yet. Including my 2013 resolutions... It's with these in mind that I made my 2014 goals, and I feel determined to make all of my resolutions happen in the coming year.

1. I will lose a minimum of two stone by July. Goals that seem more achievable are more likely to actually be achieved.

2. I will pass my driving test this year. This is on track For the end of Feb. Exciting!

3. I will manage my finances more successfully-pay off debt and start to ammas some savings.  I created a 2014 financial plan to assist me in this goal.

4. I will look after my skin by moisturising and exfoliating more often.  A little self-love is always a good thing!

5. I will de-clutter my belongings. I have too much stuff.

I've made a small poster which is up on my wall so I am reminded of them, and stay on track.

I feel that 2014 will be an interesting year, I don't know what to expect from it. I am no longer in education, so the framework of knowing roughly where I'll be in 6 months time is completely gone. It's like I'm suddenly adrift in real life, and the tide could take me anywhere! That sounds really cheesy...Buuuut, I don't care. :) 

What are your resolutions?