Saturday 31 May 2014

Cabinet of dreams

It took me ages to properly realise the potential of our latest Ikea purchase. But finally I sorted it out so here you go...

Ta-dah!


My make up and hair station :)

It's a great height for me (between elbow and shoulder), in-built mirror, compartment for my make-up... everything.

This is the inside:

It's been a good incentive to get rid of old, crumbly, rubbishy make-up that's been around too much. I don't wear make-up very often and as a result it often ends up sitting in the bottom of a bag for far too long.

The latest (and most genius) addition is the extension lead. For the first time in ages I have a mirror within easy placement of a socket for my hairdrier. It's luxury.

And below, the drawers are also being put to good use:

Hairdrier, brushes, conditioning and heat protection spray, heated curlers, gas curler, hair straighteners, the lot!

Most are only used once in a blue moon - I'm not half as organised or stylish as these pictures would suggest. Now, if only I could manage to organise the rest of the place just as well...

Saturday 24 May 2014

Small goals

I have a few days off work this week. I'm determined to do very little and relax as much as possible. With this in mind, here's my do to list for the week:
  • Turn the alarm off (already done in anticipation!)
  • Buy a magazine and sit in a coffee shop reading it cover to cover
  • Go skiing at least once (got to keep the practise up)
  • Eat brunch
  • Read lots of books (well at least the latest download on my kindle, maybe more)
  • Start planning this summer's adventure/holiday (got some research to do)
  • Wear a bit of make up everyday (if I'm not dragging myself to work then I should have time for this)
  • Whilst eating out (which is likely to happen quite a bit), make some healthy menu choices 
  • Paint my nails (already done - first time in about six weeks!)


What's your favourite relax and rewind activity?

Monday 19 May 2014

Nothing like being busy

What an active weekend - I'm certainly starting to work my muscles and build a bit of stamina; my legs are a teensy bit sore today!

On Saturday there was more skiing. I'm trying to get lots of practise in so that I don't lose the skills my instructor taught me and continue to grow in confidence. I did lots and lots of runs. In fact, barring the short break for a cup of tea in the middle, I pretty much skied for two hours straight. And I got to wear my new ski jacket which I treated myself to after being signed off by my coach (up until now I've been skiing in my sailing jacket, which worked just fine but won't cut the mustard on a proper skiing trip).

At the top!

Sunday turned into skating day. We didn't join the London Friday Night Skate crew for their Sunday stroll because we wanted to take it gently, so instead we pottered up down and around Hyde Park for a couple if hours. The place was packed (well it was 27degC) so we had fun dodging pedestrians, cyclists, other skaters, skateboarders, scooters and other associated Sunday park goers. Sunshine, ice cream and selfies on-the-move. Glorious.


We topped off the weekend with homemade seafood paella (very loosely based on Jamie Oliver's recipe here), dining al fresco :) Long may the warm weather continue!

Monday 12 May 2014

Little happy thoughts

I've finally started taking more photos on my phone to blog about. Unfortunately, this hasn't exactly translated in me remembering to write blog posts so I've got all these photos sat doing nothing!

I thought I'd share with you some of the best things that I've done recently...

A cheeky glass of champagne.

A tasty and healthy mid-afternoon snack. Much better than biscuits.

The sea always makes me happier. I didn't even paddle this time.

Dawlish beach, Devon. Beautiful.

Sushi plates arranged into a rainbow. I love sushi and rainbows :)

Another rainbow :)

What's been making you smile recently?

Saturday 3 May 2014

Let loose on the slopes!

After three lessons featuring quite a bit of falling over and a very patient ski instructor, I've got myself signed off to ski by myself!

This lesson was so much more fun than the previous two. I took the bumps more naturally and even smiled whilst skiing (a new experience for me!). I also didn't take any tumbles although there were a few wobbly moments. 

Currently my skiing still resembles a zombie on ice. I'm much more relaxed than I was but am still too stiff; I have a tendency to look at my skis unless someone reminds me to look up; and generally I pootle down at a pace slightly faster than that of a tortoise.


Anyways, I am celebrating and made the most of an hour on the slopes without my instructor. Yay!