A non-Christmas do in Manchester

A lot of my weekend dates in January are actually belated Christmas celebrations with those friends who I can't meet up with at Christmas. We never say it's our 'Christmas do' because, let's be honest, how depressing are they in January? 

This weekend, my bestie and I decided on a sophisticated 'non-Christmas do' to make up for our lack of going out with each other over actual Christmas. We love our post-Christmas get together just because it gives us something to look forward to in January. The venue was Thaikhun in Spinningfields, Manchester, for an evening of Thai food and then some cocktail night caps.

Hello Kate Moss Rimmel no 30 dark plum lippy!

Spoiled for choice!

I will never ever refuse Thai food. I spent two summers trekking around Thailand and south-east Asia and ate myself into a Thai infused food oblivion. I can cook some Thai dishes as well- pad thai and mango sticky rice are my specialities. My first experience in Thailand was a bitter sweet one but my second visit put everything right that hadn't quite been the way it should have the first time I went (more to follow in a future post). Either way, Thai food always reminds me of the time I became a solo traveller and I just love the stuff- it's an awesome fusion of memories and amazing flavours.

Thaikhun was incredible. The outside area would be perfect for eating out in the summer and the inside is decorated in Thai street style to replicate the night time food markets they have over there. It's a very pretty setting, though probably more Koh Phi Phi beach style than Bangkok. The food is reasonably priced and you can keep nipping to the bar for drinks, meaning you miss out on that awkward bill- split at the end of the night between the designated drivers and the raving alcoholics. Splitting the bill (excluding drinks) between four people for a starter, main and dessert will probably cost you around £20 or so.

I had my Thai favourites- pad thai, followed by a the moon pancake which was stuffed with coconut infused rice with mango sorbet on the side. The mixed platter starter is also a good sharing option for some heavenly Thai nibbles.

The sharing platter

Pad thai with shrimp

You can't eat Thai without a pancake for dessert.

Manchester House mojito!

To round off the night, we had a cocktail in Manchester House where the entrance looks like an office building but there's an amazing bar on the top floor. I had the BEST mojito in there before a final drink at The Alchemist. I've heard a lot about this bar but have never been (same with Nando's) . The mojito wasn't quite  as good as the one in Manchester House but the setting was pretty cool and reminded me of Snape‘s potions classroom in Harry Potter meets Ikea. They concoct an array of
weird and wonderful drinks (menu here) and my first visit here was a bit like my first time in Subway- order something you know so you're not holding up the queue of experts waiting to order their fabulous concoction! Another visit is definitely on the cards!

You'll be a while deciding on a tipple at THE Alchemist

Maybe January isn't so bad after all: get some nice things on the calendar, see your besties and before you know it, February will be here.

Why I CHOOSE not to have a baby yet

I'm 35 and a half years old, meaning that my biological clock is ticking. And now, since we set a date for the wedding, a lot of people are assuming that a baby will be next. I find comments like these slightly inappropriate. Think about it: a pregnant colleague poking me and saying as she went off on maternity leave, "It'll be you next". Maybe I should start saying that to elderly people at funerals - it is just as offensive and inappropriate. Even the other day when I was shattered at work, a colleague suggested I get pregnant and have time off. I pointed out that being tired for one day is very different to the level of tiredness I'd be facing if I did have a baby.

Sorry ladies, but I just don't want a baby yet and by the time I do change my mind, my clock-ticking ovaries might say no.

According to an article in the Daily Mail last week, I'm part of the new and upcoming childless generation. That's right folks, I'm part of Generation Childless. Isn't that label itself just so patronising and insulting towards couples who actively choose not to have a child? Whenever you add the suffix 'less', it means to be lacking in something. Being 'childless' is not the same severity as being say 'homeless'. Childless is such a negative label as to me. If I wanted a baby, I could have one but for now, my partner and I CHOOSE to be childless or, in a want for a  more flattering term, we choose to lead a life of riley. The Daily Mail article (read it here)  explained how a rising number of childless  couples, both through conscious decision or circumstance, are increasingly common. And what is to blame for this rising generation? Positive circumstances that show how us women have finally broken the traditions: female holding strong jobs following higher education; females having greater sexual freedom meaning it can take while before we settle down and growing equality are all to blame for the new 'Generation Childless'. Shouldn't we be celebrating and embracing these opportunities that have put our baby-making on hold?

The article also quoted Jonathan V. Last, who argued that groups of women like me create 'the selfishness of the childless'. He had the nerve to argue that we were a danger to our economic future too, with our 'selfish hedonism' as a childless couple reducing the future numbers of customers and tax payers and consumers. Us selfish, childless couples are also going to be putting strain on the NHS and Social Services in years to come as we won't have our own children to care for us. Truth is, I would never want to be a burden like that to my own child and would not bring in a child into the world for the sole purpose of looking after me when I'm too old to do so myself.

For me, at this very moment in my life, having a child would be the MOST selfish thing I could choose to do. I love my job and want to be at the top for another few years first to ensure I have the money to support a child. There is no way I could work as I work now with  child, I choose to work hard now so that I can repay them with my time later. Also, my love of make up, clothes and the gym (all so trivial in the grand scale of motherhood) are all more important to me right now. I love my body and am not ready yet to let it be wrecked by a child. Yes, this might sound heartless, but aren't I being less selfish by choosing not to have a baby whilst I'm in this state of mind? My partner and I live a life of riley- holidays, time together, no financial worries, sex and companionship. That's all I want right now and I should be given a pat on the back for my achievements rather than slated for choosing not to have a baby.

When I was single, I did plan to have a baby on my own through a sperm donor if necessary. It's bizarre really to think that was my mindset a few years ago and how now, a few years later, I can't comprehend having a child. And in all honesty, I think that says a lot about my relationship. I adore my partner and selfishly want him and us alone together for a good few more years before the pitter-patter of tiny feet comes along. The fact that I don't want baby to disturb what I have with him is a greater credit to this wonderful man than having a child with him just yet. He is my priority right now, not a child. Also, he's a father already to two wonderful kiddies. Do I feel threatened by that? Not at all. People say I will feel differently  when I have a child of my own but in the meantime, being a step mum gives me a taste of how dedicated you must be as a parent.  You do have to sacrifice the time for you alone and time for you as a couple and be completely selfless in your role as a parent. Sorry, but I'm not ready for that yet.

Maybe it's also the fact that I met my partner later and only found my mojo when I hit 30. At 30, I did start a journey of self discovery and living out my bucket list so perhaps I don't feel ready for a child yet because I'm still enjoying the experience of finally being who I am- more to follow on that in a future post.

Is there a risk that I'll forever be a childless woman? Possibly. And who knows how I might feel about that. I could end up kicking myself in a few years time if I do leave it too late and never get to have that identity of being a mum. As far as I'm concerned, once I feel ready for a child, if I am meant to have one, then I will. Until that time though, I'll be enjoying my uninterrupted sleep, cocktails, time to myself and date nights. Far from Generation Childless, I'm in fact Generation Choice.

Wedding make-up: starring Bobbi Brown, Benefit and me!

After contemplating the idea of getting a make-up artist to do my face on the big day, I’ve decided to screw that idea and just do my bloody make-up myself.

When it comes to make-up and products, I’m quite an addict.  I like trying new things and LOVE LOVE LOVE going shopping for make-up more than clothes.  The Bobbi Brown counter is my mecca and on my lunch, people think that I’m checking my emails when in fact, I’m either having a nosey at a make-up website or a sneaky glance at a youtube tutorial.  I love make-up and I do favour the lux brands. My basics like foundation, powder, bronzer and blusher are all from Bobbi Brown, then my other products tend to be a mix of other high end and high street brands.  Looking at the price of a make-up artist, I would be paying for someone to put good quality make-up on me. Since I own the good quality make-up anyway (I’d probably need a second mortgage if I had to replace the contents of my make-up bag) I might as well put it on myself!  Also, using my own products with my own hand means that when I walk down the aisle to my hubby to be, he realise it’s me and not some overly bronzed and contoured Kardashian. I have had my make-up done before professionally for a wedding and whilst it looked awesome on the photos, in daylight I looked like I’d been left with a full bottle of Mac’s thickest foundation and a shovel.

So, little old me is doing my wedding make-up.  The wedding isn’t until July, but I have already chosen my products, colours and have been having a fortnightly practise with them.  When I’ve had all of the wedding slap on, my hubby to be has told me that I look good (as he always does anyway because he’s a babe and all) and hasn’t recoiled in horror thinking that there’s a 6foot 2 umpalumpa wandering around our house.

When I was choosing my products, I decided to stick with my Bobbi Brown staples of Long Lasting Even Finish foundation in ‘sand’ and the Bobbi Brown pale yellow powder. Yes, you read that correctly. Yellow powder.  You have to try this powder to believe it because rather than making you look like you have a chronic case of jaundice, all of the Bobbi Brown powders and foundations have yellow based undertones, which means that you won’t look chalky and washed out- essential for any bride being photographed on the big day.  I also use the Bobbi Brown bronzer in No1 Golden Light. This product is just divine. It doesn’t make you look ‘brown’ or orange for that matter.  When you put it on across your nose, cheeks, forehead and chin, it completely lifts your foundation and just gives you real colour that looks completely natural. It’s a much better option as well instead of buying a darker foundation to give you more of a colour (big no, no, for the love of god, please get a foundation that matches your skin rather than in the colour we all wish we were i.e. tanned and golden).

Oh Bobbi Brown, how i love you and your yellow stuff!

A rough idea of the finished look.

What also impressed me with the Bobbi Brown counters are their free bridal make-up lessons. Book in at the counter and they will show you how to apply the make-up for the big day. They’ve told me to go back as often as I like meaning I have professional make-up artists willing to show me how it’s done. I was also offered a free bridal eye make-up lesson on the Clinique counter which led to me finding my perfect earthy gold/champagne colours for my eye make-up.  I’ll also be using a plum shadow liner with this, some Benefit ‘They’re Real’ tinted primer followed by a few coats of old faithful- Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara. I’m not a falsie kind of girl, so it’ll be natural lashes only which is why the Benefit primer is so important- it really makes a difference and gives you a nice little flutter! Cute.

Bambi lashes without the glue and falsies!

Clinique duo eye shadow in Starlight Starbright.

I’m still a bit undecided on my blusher, but I’ll either be using my Benefit Dallas blush (below) or my Bobbi Brown everyday blush in Desert Rose.  Then I’ll finfish off my cheeks with a bit of shimmer. Me and shimmer always have the potential to go very wrong.  I’ve found that a lot of highlighters actually take away the colour of my blusher and make me look a little washed out, which is why I love the Body Shop Shimmer Waves block in Blush Rose.  It gives a dewy glow and ISN’T glittery at all.

Then on the lips, I’ve opted for the Bobbi Brown lip colour in Sandwash Pink. It tones in perfectly with the other colours, looks natural and was the same colour that Kate Middleton wore on her wedding day. If it’s good enough for royalty, then it’s good enough for this queen! Plus, it won't go everywhere when we have our first smooch. Nothing is worse than a bride who looks like she's been on the Ribena.

I have really simple tools of the trade too. My brushes were quite an expensive set from The Body Shop but are the best investment ever.  I’m also a fan of the fluffy H&M eye shadow brush which is THE perfect brush for blending your eye shadow.  The brush at the top is the Bare Minerals Full Flawless face brush which I got in a set one time when I dabbled with mineral foundation. This brush is the brush of dreams. I use it for everything, from buffing my make-up as you would with a kabuki brush, to applying bronzer and blusher. It always gives perfect results. Be warned, it does shed when you wash it but this by far is my most essential brush.

Thinking of doing your own bridal make-up then?  If that’s the case I’d say get out and about shopping around. Take advantage of any free lessons but don’t feel obliged to buy products if you’re not sure. If you dislike any look, tell the girls on the counter and they will happily try something else. This is your big day and if you’re investing good money into your products, they have to be perfect.  Also, since I’m a cheeky fucker, I always ask for a small sample of product to take away with me. That way, I can try the product myself at home and see how good it looks in natural light, how long it lasts and how easy it is to apply. I always have a stash of little sample jars at home and I will always squirt a bit of product into these to try before I buy.  Make-up is expensive business, so taking a sample and holding off buying the product until you’re sure is a good tip. Remember though- enjoy the experience and pick the products that make you look and feel your best on your big day.

What tall girls wear

When people say to me that I have legs up to my armpits, it’s one compliment that I can’t disagree with. I’m 6ft 2 inches tall without shoes and on nights out, I do tend to add a couple more inches to that as I rarely wear flats when I’m out on the razz.  My height is now something that I’m proud of whereas when I was an awkward teenager and in my early twenties, I fretted about it and slouched, trying to fold myself up and make my lanky body as inconspicuous as possible. Luckily, hormones gave me boobs (well, kind of, I wouldn’t have argued if I’d been given a bit more) and my figure became a little more fuller, so that meant that my insecurities about my height gradually disappeared.  I like how it fascinates people (I was a real hit when I was travelling in Thailand and India- a tall, pale skinned, red headed westerner is quite an attraction) and my height is now something I’m proud of.  And as for finding taller partners, that never really happened but as far as I’m concerned,  look at how fabulous Tom and Nicole looked together.

All tall girls need perfect accessories.

Last night was my first night out of the year for a catch up with an old work colleague. I love nights on the razz and one of my favourite parts of a night out is getting ready. I love putting together an outfit and getting my make-up on, slurping prosecco and listening to bad music back from the nineties.  I vary wildly in what I choose to wear as well- anything from a classy dress , or something more casual, like the ‘jeans and a disco top’ look.  So, yeah, jeans, a dressy top and heels basically- it’s quite a self-explanatory style!

Eden jeggings from Dorothy Perkins (around £22), this shirt £20 from Next.

As a tall girl, I do sometimes struggle with the length of things. When it comes to dresses, trousers, leggings and coats, I tend to buy from a specialist tall range- available online with Next, New Look, Dorothy Perkins and Topshop (personally, I think the Topshop Tall range could be a little bit longer).  A lot of sites like Asos and Very do longer lines, but I find that for my height, I need clothes specifically from a Tall range rather than just a longer length.  Saying that, Dorothy Perkins do some fabulous Eden jeggings that fit perfectly when I buy them in a longer length. I’m finding too that tops are getting longer as well and I tend to buy a lot of them from mainstream shops rather than have to shop around for tall ones. When it comes to a special, specific item of clothing I’m after, I’ll also give Long Tall Sally a shot- the maxi-skirt I bought from them last summer was expensive but reaches the floor as a maxi-skirt should and I might just be a little bit smitten with it.  The high street is much more tall-girl friendly now than it was years ago. Mix it up by shopping for pieces that need to be the correct length and fit (like dresses, coats and trousers) with the longer pieces that you can find everywhere from Florence and Fred to Primark and H&M.

So what do ‘jeans and a disco top’ look like on a tall girl. Something like this:

Fabulous shoes Carrie Bradshaw would be proud of- super comfy from Clarks (link here)

Bag and scarf from Primark

A Bank Holiday weekend in Manchester

On the Bank Holiday between Christmas and New Year, something amazing happened: Ste and I both had the day to ourselves. Nowhere to go, nothing to do and no kids.  We decided to head into Manchester to look at wedding rings, have coffee and a general mooch. It's like our little tradition when we both have a day off together. We never have a purpose other than to roam the Northern Quarter (read about it here), drink coffee and have lunch in some sort of quirky, quaint teashop.

A little vintage, 1950s San Francisco engagement ring!

Today though, we had a couple of important missions.  First up: find my wedding ring. Ste has already ordered his from a place in California which specialises in durable metals rather than precious ones. Rather like my wedding dress, I found my ring within the space of half an hour. It's a simple dome ring, 3mm in white gold and is a perfect addition to wear with my engagement ring, which really is something special. Knowing that I'm obsessed with the 1950s and that San Francisco, Ste managed to track down a 1950s vintage white gold ring in San Francisco and I just adore it!  It was also in my exact size too (I take a tiny 'K' ring size, so they are hard to come by) so it almost feels as though this ring was destined for me.  I'd really love to know who owned it before I did but I'm sure whoever it was, they'll be pleased that the ring ended up with the perfect owner.


After nailing the ring, we headed off to The Northern Quarter (Manchester's hip and quirky part, packed with bars, cafes and vintage shops) to hunt for a suitcase. I've seen loads of ideas on Pinterest where you can use a vintage suitcase for your wedding cards to go in rather than the bog-standard post box.  We headed to Afflecks Palace,  a real Manchester gem where you can get lost on every floor amongst stalls selling everything from crystals to vintage clothing, soaps to henna tattoos. They even have a cereal cafe when you need a quick break between floors!  Tracking down the perfect vintage suitcase in Afflecks took about 15 minutes and then we were off again, strolling and roaming the streets with a swish little retro suitcase!

The dreamiest vintage suitcase

Roaming with my suitcase

Sugar Junction in the Northern Quarter is our usual haunt but we decided to try Propertea, a tea shop opposite the Manchester Cathedral.  The lady behind it, we later learned, is none other that Most Haunted's Yvette Fielding who opened the shop a couple of years back. Propertea is just dreamy.  Bright, with warm modern meets shabby chic décor, a yummy food menu and more choices of tea than China, it was the perfect spot to put our feet up for half an hour.  I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to tea, so opted for a good old English breakfast tea with the avocado and chicken salad.  I also discovered a new and THE MOST AMAZING SALAD DRESSING ever!  Honey and balsamic dressing (I've since made some myself- recipe is below). This really was the perfect little tea shop to relax in and watch the world go by. I'm disappointed though that I was full after lunch and didn't get to try some of the BEAUTIFUL looking cakes on sale- next time Propertea, next time!

Honey and Balsamic dressing:
I did try to make this with balsamic vinegar, but the the thick and sticky consistency, you really do need to use a balsamic glaze. Simply mix together 1 part honey with 1 part balsamic glaze (I use the ones pictured from Aldi) and put on your salad. In fact, this is the lamest recipe ever, isn't it?  Think of it more as the most delicious combinations of flavours to try on your salad instead.  Thanks for the inspiration Propertea!

What I’ll be eating in the New Year.

Turkey mince chill with cauliflower rice and frozen berries for dessert

Courgetti

Pad Thai, form Gizzi Erskine's 'Gizzi's Healthy Appetite'

Weekend lunches!  More faux carbs.

Weekends were made for baking

Every busy woman needs a slow cooker.

Homemade soup: #lunchtimeessential

This has been my first week back at work after the Christmas holidays. I felt depressed until about 2pm on Wednesday when I got my mojo back and suddenly released my head form up my own arse.  I’ve also been back on the healthy eating this week as well because I’ll be having my wedding dress fitted in February and want to lose the Christmas bloat.  When I tried the dress on back in October (it was the first one I picked up and just knew it was the one for me) it fit perfectly pretty much. It did feel a little snug around my hips but the lady in the shop said it was perfect and will only let it out by an inch or so for me. 

It’s not just a wedding dress that motivates me to eat well. If I over eat sugary or processed foods, I just feel rubbish.  For me, healthy eating is a lifestyle choice and though I allow myself treats, I try to eat as clean as possible.  When I put fresh, natural food in my body and exercise, I end up the size that I am which, in my mind, is my body at its healthiest.

The first week back at work meant a load of batch cooking the weekend before.  This is what I cooked, ate and enjoyed this week:

1.        Breakfasts for me is ALWAYS carb based, otherwise I’d pass out by 9am.  I either have porridge with honey and blueberries or porridge with maple syrup and sea salt (a more natural, free from refined sugar version of salted caramel).  I’ll always have a small handful of nuts at around 9am too as porridge doesn’t quite sustain me until it’s time for my mid-morning snack! Before I have my first coffee of the day and my breakfast, I always have a mug of hot water with lemon too to kick-start my insides! If I fancy toast, I have 3 thick slices of wholemeal bread with dairy free spread and sugar free, organic peanut butter (this one).

2.       Mid-morning snacks are sometimes a sweet treat like these lemon and poppy seed muffins from the Hemsley and Hemsley cookbook- they’re free from gluten, refined sugar and lactose if you use non-dairy butter. If I’m not on a muffin, I’ll usually have an orange which, for the love of god, peel the night before so it’s ready to eat- I have often spent my entire morning break just peeling the sodding things!  I am also a massive fan of a couple of sticks of celery with a little peanut butter on- you’ve got to try it to believe it but it’s so yummy!

3.       Lunches for me might be a mackerel or tuna salad, pastry free quiche (recipes here) or home-made soup. I’m obsessed with making my own soup and make mass quantities of it in my soup maker, which I got for Christmas last year. Yes. That’s right. I asked for a soup maker and mad loads of wonderful concoctions with it (click here for recipes)

4.       Afternoon snack- always, always a Pink Lady apple.  Cost a fricking fortune unless you get them from Aldi, but worth it.

5.       Dinner- has to be quick. If I’m cooking, then an omelette, but I usually tend to batch cook dinners on the weekend. Can be anything and everything from curry to stews and casseroles made in the slow cooker. Have a look at the blog I wrote last year for healthy dinner options.

Tonight’s dinner triumph was a chicken casserole: put 400g of diced chicken, an onion and 500g of diced swede into your slow cooker.  In a measuring jug, dissolve 1 chicken stock cube in 400ml of water and then stir in 2 teaspoons of oregano and 4 tablespoons of tomato puree.  In a separate dish, mix one tablespoon of corn flour with one tablespoon of water and then add this to the measuring jug. Pour the mix into the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours. Serve alone or with some brown rice.

Healthy comfort food!  Perfect to come home to on a Friday night along with a glass of prosecco because let’s face it- if you’re healthy in the week, who wants to do Dry January anyway?

16 things to do in 2016

What better way to kick off the new year than with some life goals? Here are my 16 things I'll be doing in 2016.

1.    Get married

That’s right...after getting engaged in September, I’m getting married in July!  The venue is booked, the dress has been bought and our family and friends are as excited as we are.  Obviously, not turning into Bridezilla is pretty important here as well.

January sale bargain!

2.   Be a good step-mum

Ste has been living with me for almost 18 months now and when he moved in, his two little ‘uns obviously came as part of the package. My spare room, which was once my office, has now transformed into a room for the step-kids and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Personally, I don’t see myself as maternal but being a good step-mum is easy and it’s all about the little things: giving the kids some of my time; putting hair into plaits; sitting around the dinner table for a hearty, healthy meal on their nights here; asking them how their day was and plenty of other, simple things.  They all cost nothing but make the kids feel welcome when they’re here and that’s what matters the most to me.

3.   Enjoy January (even the going back to work bit)

I’ve had two glorious weeks off work.  I did the paperwork at the start of me break and then rammed it out of sight under the stairs until today, when it was time to dust it off and load it all into the boot of my car.  Tomorrow is the dreaded back to work day and I’m already feeling blue about the prospect of it! Tomorrow means I go back to real worries and responsibilities- instead of thinking about what to wear or what colour blusher would be best for my wedding, I instead have to think about targets, numbers and real accountability.  However, the anticipation is usually worse that the reality and by 10am tomorrow morning, all of the nerves and feeling blue about the end of the holidays will be long gone.  Plus, until I win the lottery (when I will go back into retail and get a job on a Bobbi Brown make-up counter...ah the dreams!!) I won’t be changing my career any time soon and don’t feel the urge to either. 90% of the time, I love my job and just need to remember that today.

The fact it’s January always makes us a little blue anyway. No parties, no mulled wine and cosy nights in looking at the Christmas tree and definitely no presents.  But who says the fun has to stop?  We should make a real effort to make January more pleasant and that’s what I’m doing!  I’m looking forward to the nights in where I get to binge on my entire box set of Sex and the City and enjoy some of that wine and chocolate I got for Christmas.  I’m looking forward to my January weekends, date nights and gym work outs which all feel much more normal now that Christmas is over. Likewise, I’m also looking forward to a couple of nights out too with friends who I didn’t catch up with over the Christmas holidays. Before we know it, February will be here and that newness feeling of the new year will be over. Enjoy it whilst you can!

4.   Read more

I love reading and in the holidays, I read at least one book. When I’m at work though, a book seems to take me forever to finish.  If I want to read more, then I need to do something about it and make sure that some time is set aside each day to read a few pages before bed.  We’d find the extra time to finish that work commitment or meet that crucial deadline, so why can’t we also make the time to do something we enjoy?  Current read by the way is ‘Gone Girl’...I’m a little behind with the times when it comes to ‘must read’ books and only discovered The Hunger Games trilogy last year!  Better late than never.

5.   Develop my photography skills

I’m a little bit of a photographer on the sly.  I’ve done a couple of courses and taken some seriously amazing snaps on my backpacking trips. I know my shutter speed from my aperture and ditch the auto mode when using my camera. Again though, photography for me is like reading- I do a lot of it and love every second, but then it gets shelved when work, chores and other things take over.  No more excuses though!  I bought myself a new Nikon D3200 before Christmas and then a 50mm lens to go with it, so it needs to be used.  I do have a creative side that needs nurturing at times and for me, writing and photography are two things that scratch that itch.  What I love about photography is that you do get instant gratification from it- you set up your camera, capture the moment and then get to see immediately what you have made on your playback screen.  If you don’t like what you’ve produced, you adjust whatever is needed and take another picture...which will look even better when it’s been edited and tweaked!  I’m very visual, which is probably why I love photography and Instagram so much.

One of my favourite pics taken on a 50mm fixed lens.

6.   Buy less, wear more

I love clothes and even more than clothes, make-up. I’d say as well that at long last, I’m pretty good at putting an outfit together and doing my make-up. I know what I like, what looks good together and what suits my style.  I might go for dressed-down and casual or for something with a vintage/ retro/ 1950s or 1960s twist.  I’m not afraid to wear jeans with my hair in a beehive or my boring work wear with a red lip and flicked eyeliner. In the past, I’ve strictly kept my wardrobe in 3 sections: work clothes, going out clothes, casual clothes. It’s the same with make-up: going out/weekend make-up and everyday make-up. Now I don’t care as much.  If I want to rock my black biker jacket with a fabulous scarf to work, I will.  If I’m going out to the shops and want to wear a casual dress, I will.  If I want to wear my expensive Illamasqua lippy in ‘Soaked’ on a Monday- I will. 

So in 2016, I want to buy less make-up and clothes and rock the things that I have got more often, whatever the occasion!

7.   Exercise

I’m pretty good at this one.  I like to run and do 3-4 5K runs a week. I like how I feel after it, how for that thirty minutes of running, you forget about everything else and feel like a new woman (mentally and physically at the end of it). I’m a gym bunny too and will always do some weights and other exercises when my run is done. My belief is that if I eat well and exercise (without over doing it either) that my body will be the size and shape that it should be with a healthy heart and everything doing what it should.

8.   Continue to eat well

In 2014, I started with the whole eat clean trend, but within reason.  I cut out all white carbs and replaced then with whole wheat alternatives and also cut out white refined sugar, opting for natural sugars instead.  I eat carbs for breakfast and then plenty of protein and veggies for lunch and dinner, along with fruit and nuts for snacks.  I even own a spiralizer!  The result? I’m at my happy weight and feel fabulous.  I’m lactose intolerant too and really need to keep an eye on this in 2016 that I don’t accidentally gobble too much of the stuff. Plenty of recipes HERE on my old blog if you’re aiming to eat clean and go refined-sugar free in 2016.

9.   Realise it’s ok to pack up early

My Tuesdays are crazy.  I have a late finish at work and Tuesday is also gym day after I’ve battled through the traffic to get there.  By the time we’ve eaten dinner, I’m completely knackered and can’t face finishing off paperwork. It therefore stays in my work bag until the next day and though I do have some guilty niggles about it sitting there rather than being tackled, I know that it’s OK TO HAVE A REST AND SWITCH OFF!  2016 will be the year where I choose to work over some weekends, and choose to fully recharge my batteries on others. It’s okay to pack up early sometimes and I need to remember that a little more often.

10. Set time limits (for dull jobs and social media)

Paperwork, reports, number crunching, cleaning the bathroom...  Dull jobs which I know are essential and sometimes worthwhile, but seem to eat into a lot of my time and make me despair.  When it comes to completing dull jobs, I’ll be setting myself a time limit to complete it in. Instead of spending hours on a document for work, I’ll allocate an hour to make sure it’s done and giving myself a time frame will also make me more focused and productive too.  When it comes to checking Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, I’ll do the same just to make sure that social media isn’t eating into too much of my day along with the dull chores!

11. Keep my Q&A journal

This journal was a Christmas gift all the way from NYC and it delights and terrifies me in equal measures.  What might happen over the course of 5 years? How will my opinions change on things?  This journal asks a question each day and there’s space for you to answer the question for the next 5 years.  Should be interesting!

12. Wake up early

I do this every day in the week and I’m not going to deny myself the extra sleep when needed.  For me, waking up early means I am much more productive- even if that means staying in bed until 9am reading or something! I would much rather be awake and relaxing rather than just snoozing my weekend away.

13. Mind my money

Same goal every year and I am a good saver.  With the wedding coming up, I might have to bypass the Bobbi Brown counter a little more often though! Saying that, whilst it is important to save, it’s also important to enjoy the money you’ve worked hard for.

14. Keep learning

I’m currently doing another photography course and plan on sticking with it as well as putting my skills into practice. Good stimulation for the brain and when you get courses at a brilliant price from Wowcher, why not try them?

15. Remember my ‘F**k it’ mantra

This book changed my life and I need to keep up the ‘F**k It’ way more often.  I want to say it plenty of times in 2016!

16. Always be kind

Whether it’s people on the street, colleagues, friends or family, being sympathetic and kind costs nothing and I always strive to treat people well. It’s easy to forget this though and I can sometimes be as impatient or as snappy as the next person after a bad day.  I think being kind is always important, even when you’re having a bad day yourself.