It's day 11 of NaNoWriMo. I am so behind, I've written just over 5000 words and I should be heading to 25,000! It is extremely difficult to find the time to write. I think I overestimated the amount of free time I would have to do this. I've also been slow, I didn't plan anything so I'm writing as I come up with the plot. It's slowing me down as I think about what happens next. At this point in time, I don't think I'll hit the target by the end of the month. I'm feeling disappointed and a little unmotivated, but I'm going to try and keep writing, and see how far I get.
Friday, 11 November 2016
NaNo update
It's day 11 of NaNoWriMo. I am so behind, I've written just over 5000 words and I should be heading to 25,000! It is extremely difficult to find the time to write. I think I overestimated the amount of free time I would have to do this. I've also been slow, I didn't plan anything so I'm writing as I come up with the plot. It's slowing me down as I think about what happens next. At this point in time, I don't think I'll hit the target by the end of the month. I'm feeling disappointed and a little unmotivated, but I'm going to try and keep writing, and see how far I get.
Tuesday, 1 March 2016
No-Spend March
I'm going to cut my spending through March - this mean no more cheeky coffees, or anything else for that matter. I am on a spending ban - other than necessary items like food and petrol. My rules are below, join me if you fancy it!
Rules:
Only buy what you need to live - food and petrol.
No more coffees or lunchtime food trips
Use as much food as you can from what is already in the cupboards/freezer
Use spare time to go through clutter and chuck/keep/sell things
I know full well I am going to find this difficult, especially as I tend to bulk buy food and binge eat. So I have a couple of techniques to help me along the way...
1. Go for walks at lunchtime instead of driving anywhere (saving in petrol and reducing temptation to buy things!)
2. Don't bring my purse out with me
3. When tempted to spend, set a 15 minute timer and do something else that will occupy my attention, when the timer goes off re-evaluate how tempting it is. If youare still likely to spend, set the timer again and distract self - repeat until able to resist! PS - this works for food cravings too...
I'm tracking spending in my Bullet Journal (more on this later) so I'm holding myself accountable! I'll let you know how I get on with this...
Happy March everyone!
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
Life Updates
It's been a while. No fault but my own on that one - soz.
I feel like a lot has happened in the past couple of months...here's a rundown of what I've been up to:
- I moved out of the house Andrew and I were sharing together.
- I moved halfway across the country into a flat (with Andrew).
- The move was not very well planned out, and took a lot of time over several weekends to get everything moved across.
- I successfully hired, drove, and crashed a transit van.
- Lots of reading - so many reviews to write up and post!
- Work got very busy very quickly - peak trading season is upon us.
- I joined a gym
- Found and joined a new Slimming World group
- Went to Ireland
- Made several Ikea trips to kit out our flat
- My car failed her MOT and is for sale...Click here if you'd like to adopt a wonderful little runner...

I love my little Tallulah! Sad to let her go. - Found & bought a new car
- Named new car. 'Hogan' in case you were wondering.
- Had a spa day
- had a couple of haircuts - discovered a hairdresser who is really enthusiastic about cutting curly hair, epic win for me!
- Did, and am still doing, a hell of a lotta unpacking
You can expect some more regular posts from me now that I've settled into our flat, there's not too much more unpacking to do! Let me know if you want me to elaborate on anything above, happy to throw in a random life post!
Anywho...I promised to get a box unpacked tonight...SEEYA.
Friday, 5 June 2015
A New Thing
After struggling to battle my weight on my own, I finally took the plunge and joined Slimming World. This is going to be a big overhaul and I'll be acclimatizing to different eating habits. I would go so far as to say this is a lifestyle change...I'm commiting to attending the weekly meetings every Thursday, and to following the Slimming World eating plan.
I'm going to have to put in a lot of effort to plan out my meals - especially lunches at work...
I feel apprehensive about everything at the moment, so I'm not entirely sure how I feel about doing this. A part of me is looking forward to it, another part of me feels apprehensive about sticking to a plan - I'm worried I will fail and waste everyone's time. BUUUT there we go. I'm doing it and changing my food choices.
Today was day 1 of Slimming World, I'm finding it a bit confusing to work out how many syns things are actually worth, especially when the starter pack book says one thing, and the website says another. Annoying...Anyway, that's what's been going on with me recently.
Happy Friday!
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Update...
It has been a busy few weeks. I feel like since we moved, I haven't really had the chance to stop and chill out. Not that I have found the time now, I was feeling guilty for neglecting my blog again so I'm cramming in some time to post. Since my last post, I had a birthday, anniversary, Valentine's day, saw a musical, travelled home a couple of times and had A's mum, aunt and uncle over for a week while they cleared out the house.
My birthday and anniversary are on the same day, shortly followed by valentines day. (Lucky me, I get spoiled!) I didn't do very much for my birthday until the weekends following, but I got some lovely gifts and cards on the day, as well as cake!
Andrews mum, aunt and uncle came down on my birthday, and we suddenly had a very full house. While they were there clearing out the house, we tried to keep out of their way.
The weekend following my birthday (while A's family were still at the house), we met my bff and her partner halfway between where we live, and where they live and went for lunch. This turned into going back to theirs and staying the night, which was fun. On the Sunday we went for a long walk with her greyhounds, had lunch, then Andrew and I said our goodbyes and headed to the cinema. 1 film later it was time to drive the 2 hours home.
I had my first work bookclub on Tuesday evening, which if the empty bottles of wine have any say was a successful evening. Yay me - it was kind of my idea so I was pleased it went well!
Andrews family stayed until Wednesday. While it was nice to have them over, it was also nice to have some time to ourselves again.
Friday I was at a German beer evening with work, many a stein was drunk (I had 2, so actually not that many).
The weekend came around, and we were busy saturday morning with the charity that had come to pick up a load of stuff. Saturday evening we went to see Wicked - and had use of the VIP lounge. Thank you Andrew! The show was amazing. Despite knowing the big thing that happens before the interval, it still gave me goosebumps!
Sunday we went on a long walk through awful mud - I slipped over in it - then visited Andrews family before having dinner and watching a film with mine. Back late again on Sunday evening.
That has been my life - around working - up until now! Hope you have had a good couple of weeks...I plan to be posting more regularly so I should be popping up again this week!
Happy Tuesday...
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
23 Things About Moving Out
- Moving out is exciting.
- You realise how much stuff you actually own.
- Packing is hard work.
- It makes you think about all the clothes you never wear.
- You start to think about how you're going to survive after moving away from where you have lived all your life.
- Seriously. So. Much. Stuff.
- Where do boxes even come from? And why are they so expensive??
- Moving in is messy.
- It takes forever to unpack.
- It's awesome to finally move out with your long term partner
- Living with one other person, who works odd shifts means you are in the house all alone sometimes...which isn't always that fun.
- Housework is harder than it looks
- It takes a long time to heat up a house
- ALL the stuff.
- Unpacking takes forever. I haven't even moved all of my stuff here yet and I have still been unable to unpack a small portion of my things.
- Moving out is expensive.
- There are always a million things to do around the house, and millions of lists to go with them
- Living with people at uni is not like living with your boyfriend full time.
- It's really nice to come home to your boyfriend and spend some time hanging out.
- Finding homes for all your things is both laborious and a little bit fun.
- Moving a sofa through a small door, and around into another small door is quite difficult.
- Compromise. Get used to doing it fast.
- Running a household is a very 'adult' thing, but when it comes down to it, you still feel like a kid playing house from time to time.
Friday, 30 January 2015
1 day to go!
I move out tomorrow.
!!!!
Excited doesn't quite cover it! I am so looking forward to this, it's about time! I am a bit anxious about the money side of it, but I think we will be okay. We just need to really knuckle down and keep track of what we're spending...
A big part of me wants to go mad and decorate the whole house. The other, more logical, part of me says that would not be a good idea, as we are renting and therefore it is not practical to put a lot of money into it. Waaaaaa
My to do list feels like it keeps getting longer rather than smaller, and I definitely am bringing more stuff than I had anticipated...
[x] Pack Tech book
[x] Pack Nail cutters and files
[x] Pack makeup
[x] Pack workout clothes
[x] Pack straighteners
[x] Pack measuring tape
[x] Pack tools
[x] Pack shoes
[x] Use bath stuff
[x] Give away bath stuff
[x] Pack torch
[x] Pack other stationary
[x] Pack pens
[x] Pack car folder
[x] Pack Mugs
[x] Pack scrap book stuff
[x] Pack paper
[x] Pack notepads
[x] Pack workout DVDs
[x] Pack Clean eating recipe book
[x] Pack Big bang theory
[x] Pack HIMYM
[x] Pack whiteboard head
[x] Bras
[x] Underwear
[x] Socks
[ ] Clean hiking boots
[ ] Clear out boot of car
[ ] Back up laptop
[ ] Take down photos
[ ] Pack clothes
[ ] Pack whiteboard
[ ] Pack calendar
[ ] Pack Nail varnish
[ ] Pack Onesies
[ ] Pack Hot water bottle
[ ] Pack Laptop and charger
[ ] Pack Chargers
[ ] Pack Extension cables
[ ] Pack External hard drive
[ ] Pack protein
[ ] Pack Protein shaker
[ ] Pack documents folder
[ ] Pack q & a journal
[ ] Pack yoga mat
[ ] Pack weights
[ ] Buy washing detergent
[ ] kitchen Sink drainer
[ ] Buy Bins for rooms
[ ] Buy Cleaning products and sponges - dettol antibac wipes
[ ] Scissors - general
Waaaaa so much to do tonight and tomorrow morning!!!! I will definitely have to take some pics if my tiny car full of stuff to share on here...
Also, TGIF!
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
3 Days and counting
Not long at all now! I'm happy to report that the sofa and snuggle chair we bought on Saturday was successfully delivered on Monday. Yaaaaay!
I've been adding to my to do list, and ticking things off over the past couple of days. I think I'm slowly getting there with packing...
[x] Pack torch
[x] Pack other stationary
[x] Pack pens
[x] Pack car folder
[x] Pack Mugs
[x] Pack scrap book stuff
[x] Pack paper
[x] Pack notepads
[x] Pack workout DVDs
[x] Pack Clean eating recipe book
[x] Pack Big bang theory
[x] Pack HIMYM
[x] Pack whiteboard head
[x] Bras
[x] Underwear
[x] Socks
[ ] Clean hiking boots
[ ] Clear out boot of car
[ ] Back up laptop
[ ] Use bath stuff
[ ] Give away bath stuff
[ ] Take down photos
[ ] Pack clothes
[ ] Pack shoes
[ ] Pack tools
[ ] Pack measuring tape
[ ] Pack whiteboard
[ ] Pack calendar
[ ] Pack straighteners
[ ] Pack makeup
[ ] Pack Nail varnish
[ ] Pack Nail cutters and files
[ ] Pack Onesies
[ ] Pack Hot water bottle
[ ] Pack TOTM stuff
[ ] Pack Laptop and charger
[ ] Pack Chargers
[ ] Pack Extension cables
[ ] Pack Tech book
[ ] Pack External hard drive
[ ] Pack protein
[ ] Pack Protein shaker
[ ] Pack documents folder
[ ] Pack q & a journal
[ ] Pack yoga mat
[ ] Pack weights
[ ] Pack workout clothes
[ ] Buy washing detergent
[ ] kitchen Sink drainer
[ ] Buy Bins for rooms
[ ] Buy Cleaning products and sponges - dettol antibac wipes
[ ] Scissors - general
Whew. Heck of a list!
Any tips for moving out? Let me know in the comments!
Thursday, 22 January 2015
A Step Forward
I have some pretty exciting news (exciting for me, at least). Me and MrBoop are moving out together at long last! As of 31st of January, we'll be in our own place. However, for the first month it will be a trial period for us to decide if we want to live there...
A's Grandma is in a home, and her house is empty. So we have been discussing renting it with the rest of the family for some time. The trial period is to see if the location works for us commuting and if we like the area.
I'm so excited about this, I've been writing list after list in a notebook dedicated to this move!!! We decided on the definitive move in date two days ago, and now we have a short amount of time to pack up what we'll need...ETA 9 days and counting!
It's quite hard to consider all of the things I'll need for a month of living somewhere. (Hence the copious amount of lists...). Obviously we wont want to bring everything there until we're sure about staying, so what do you bring with you?
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Life in Reveiw - 2014 6 month life update
Relationships: Mr Gandyman and I are really good, as always *wink*. Family are all good, and friends also. Though I do not like my bestie being so far away...but hey ho - I'll be seeing miss RoanRider and her handsome MrMan soooon!
Health & Fitness: I regularly update my BekBek blog on this front, but as it's quite a large part of my life and one of my new years resolutions I figured it was worth a mention! I am not on track to loose 2 stone by July as I set out to in January, however I believe I can reach this by the end of this year (I hope). I recently ran a Race For Life 5k, and am coming up to doing a Pretty Muddy - which I am both terrified and excited for.
Sister Update: I asked Sisterbell to write a guest post on here, but she didn't want to (I think she was too shy...Read: Lazy). As we speak she is putting a mini Christmas tree up my sleeve. She has finished her exams, and is rehearsing for her school summer play - Beauty and the Beast. This evening she has also spent a large amount of time raiding my wardrobe for a dress to wear. She is much smaller than me, so my old dresses are like a second hand shop to her, and to be honest, someone may as well wear them.
Books: I've been reading quite a lot on the commute to work, and recently finished the Divergent Trilogy - which I really enjoyed. Though I was hoping for a different ending...I may post some reviews up here, I hope I will, but who knows in this wacky life what I will actually have time to do!
Life in general: Is good. I feel a little like I'm plodding along waiting for something to happen though...I'm not sure if that's because I'm feeling lethargic, or if I'm dissatisfied with something. Probably my job, or it could be monetary based, but who knows.
- Passing my driving test
- Pretty Muddy
- Eurogamer
- Hovercraft Driving this month!!
- Christmas I know it's early...but who cares!
- Blogging regularly
- Finally losing some weight - it will happen this year. I can feel it.
Monday, 10 February 2014
Journal
I recently discovered this cute little journal on Amazon. A friend on Facebook posted about it, and I fell in love with it. So of course I HAD to have it. The end.
It's a small A6 bound gold edged 5 year journal. Each page has a question at the top that you answer, and the next year you go back again and re-answer, and you can compare your answer to the previous year(s). Such a novel idea! The question are brilliant, totally random. Some are deep and meaningful, while others are silly and fun. For example 'what can you smell right now?' Which is silly at the time, but when looking back can trigger Memories you may have forgotten (smell being a strong memory jogger). This makes a really cool gift as well, something a little out of the ordinary.
I'm going to have fun with this, though I'm hoping I will be able to keep it up for the next 5 years!!
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Sleepy Sunday!
Monday...
Arrived at work, and was thrown into going to London Toy Fair to set up because my colleague was not well! I had no idea what the plan was, and had to pretty much just wing it...it made for an interesting morning for sure! By the time I was back in the office most of the day was gone.
Tuesday...
Was not as eventful as Monday, the office was really quiet due to lots of people being on the stand at toy fair.
Wednesday...
Worked through a whole bunch of outstanding tasks that had been building up. the day went very fast, but got a lot done. After work I went to the gym, I was on the treadmill and attempting to jog, 90 second intervals between brisk walking. I was shattered by the time the half hour workout finished, so I got the bus to go home rather than staying for weight work...
Thursday...
Is the day me and my two admin colleagues were able to visit toy fair to have a look around. we pulled names out of a hat to see which two would go first, it was me and B, but there was a meeting in the afternoon that J needed to attend, so I bowed out and stayed in the office. once they had come back-with thrilling stories of toys and minions-I set off alone to toy fair. It was awesome, Really enjoyed wandering around looking at all of the stalls. One big disappointment was that due to being an 'exhibitor' the stand with loads of minion (as in, minions from Despicable Me) stuff wouldn't let me look at it! I LOVE minions, I even have a minion phone case. But alas, no dice. However, when I got back around to that stall the minions were out! Definitely got my picture taken with those little cuties!
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| Minions and myself! |
I have to say, even though it was really cool, it would have been a bit more fun if I was able to go around with someone. I was originally meant to go back to the office, but I ended up staying, having a free massage and bottle of wine with the sales managers. a very good afternoon at work! I helped pack up and get the boxed loaded onto the van, then accompanied the van back to the office to unload. Once all this was finished, it was 7.30pm. Leaving me with a long journey to the boyfriend's house (as I was staying the night there).
I finally got back to my hometown, and was waiting at the bus stop. a random guy decided to talk to me, he was a little drunk, and seemed to want to know my life story. Freaky much? So I was moving away from him, and ended missing my bus because of that. Thanks Ian the Random Guy. Tried and failed to get money out for a taxi - the cash machine wasn't working. Next step, get on the train and hop over to the town MrMan lives in, and bus/taxi from there. walked up to the bus stop, got there at the time the bus was supposed to, but it didn't come. the roads were super quiet, so I figured it had already passed the stop. decided to start walking, and find a taxi number while doing so. Once I had found the number, the operator answered, and did a call out to the taxis to see if anyone was available. no-one responded to her, so she came back onto the phone and simply said "I haven't got anyone in that area, bye" and hung up. Awesome. 40 minute walk in the dark & cold for me then. finally reached the BF's at about 11ish...
Friday...
The day did not start very well. Missed the bus I was going to get, the next one got me to the bus station not long before my train. 5 min walk to get to the station, I got there just as my train was pulling away. So I missed the train as well. Luckily, the next train would still get me in on time. Quite a normal day at work, though I did manage to make J cry with laughter. I don't even know how...I think we were all just going a bit loopy with end-of-the-week-itis. Had a mad rush to get some packages ready for Nuremberg Toy Fair (Germany) had these ready JUST in time for the delivery man to pick them up. And later realised there was one more box that needed to be sent. Oops. Luckily the courier was still able to come and pick the box up under a different reference number. Phew!
After all of this, the best part of the day happened. An evening out with two of my colleagues. we went for dinner in this awesome little restaurant in London Borough Market called the Banana Store. Very limited menu, but absolutely divine food. And wine. Happy days. We were meant to then go on to watch a musical-Candide-at Menier Chocolate Factory. I saw 'were' because we got there 3 minutes after the show had begun, and there weren't able to allow audience members in due to lots of backstage activity! Luckily, it is also a restaurant, so we had more wine, and a chocolate platter. Each. This part of the evening involved lots of giggling, and more laughter crying! We were able to go in to watch the second half after the interval. It was SO GOOD. I was totally gutted that we missed the first half. I would even consider getting tickets just so I can see the whole thing. I highly recommend watching it if you are in the area!
Overall, a highly enjoyable evening to end the work week with.
The Weekend...
I feel like I never stop! Saturday morning I had a driving lesson, during the day I took some time to relax a little, but then it was off traveling via bus to the boyfriends house, then to our friends house for drinking and a game of Cards Against Humanity (this is 'a card game for horrible people', according to the blurb on the box. SUCH a fun game. NSFW though...) which of course, was yet again another late night. Sunday, I had a bit of a lie in. It was glorious! then the BF and I met up with our friends and went to a shopping centre briefly, watched a film (at home, not cinema), then to Nandos.
After a very busy week, I am hoping this week will be a little calmer!
It won't be, but a girl can hope!
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Stress, life, update
About time I did a proper blog rather than a random pictures one, or no blog at all!
I've been SO Busy recently. Shows, Uni work and my job all coming before health and fitness. But as it's my third and finial year I hope you'll forgive me.
Super stressful couple of weeks, of course that meant that I've found it really hard to eat healthily. Binge Binge Binge. After tomorrow I will be past one of my biggest deadlines EVER, for better or for worse, so I am hoping to get back into a good healthy routine.
I have 18 weeks until I go on holiday. My aim is to hit 180 pounds by then, I estimate that will be 1-2 dress sizes. Exciting, right? New (old) wardrobe time! All I have to do is lose 2 pounds a week. I need to stay focused and GET IT DONE.
Speaking of getting it done, I have an assignment to finish.



