Cyling From Scratch: And So It Begins (Post 1)

Whoops! 

I've gone and done something....something rather out of character, something completely out of my comfort zone, something ridiculously challenging and something I've never done before.

This blogger will be cycling 350 miles from Paris, via the D-Day beaches, to London next June and boy, have I got a lot of work to do. Due to being a complete amateur when it comes to biking, I've decided to blog about the journey I have found myself on. Please see below for my first post about this exciting and ever so nerve-wracking adventure. 

Now I hate to be controversial but according to fellow cyclists (because I can totes say fellow now!), having a bike is rather crucial when training and taking part in a 350 mile bike ride across Europe. Wild, I know! So with a trusted cycling buddy, I made my way across my little cathedral city to Halfords to look into purchasing aforementioned bike. There were a few options but ultimately, I (with a huge amount of input from said friend) settled on this lovely looking Carrera road bike. Now at this point, I would recommend you ask me zero questions about this bike. My knowledge is very small though I hope it will blossom over the next few months. I'm pleased with the purchase and I got it at an extremely good price of just £242 (it was originally £600!!) - I'm told the saddle isn't the best and I may need to have the handlebars raised but that will be something to embrace later. There are a number of others things needed however for now the bike, and a helmet, are my main priority.

Next step, my first bike ride out. I was pretty nervous but excited at the same time; I wasn't too worried about falling off as I've been using a bike without stabilizers for close to...ooh 16-17 years I'd say (I'm going to try not to inject too much sarcasm but I simply couldn't resist!) So, I threw on my gear, that being a cycle shirt bought at a work sale and some rather delicious lycra shorts. I will eventually invest in a pair of padded ones but running ones will do for now. Now let me just interrupt quickly to tell you that lycra currently is not my friend. I'm a full figured woman with thighs, that were they firm could crush walnuts, and an ass that simply doesn't quit (Thank you Mindy Kaling!) so I do feel a little bit like a shiny sausage. At this early stage, I also won't delve into detail about the constant wedgie....anyway onwards and upwards, I must be eager and I must be willing. So, we all jump on the bikes (when I say jump, I mean nervously clamber upon it) and hit the open road. I'm told we're going to do a 10 mile cycle, 5 miles one way, hit our location, 5 miles back. For all Brits, you know instantly from the word location, I, of course, mean the pub. We went to the pub. 

The riding was fine, I found gears the biggest challenge in that I wasn't always sure which gear I should be on and which one did what. There was the odd few hills but I breathed and powered through, it also helped that I was with three others helping me to keep going. Generally, it was all good fun and taking in the views along our ride, feeling the wind through my helmet, I've been left with a rather good first impression of cycling. 

So bike gods, I'm in.

As long as there's always a pub involved.

x

If you'd like to know more about the bike ride I'm doing, please click here.

I am participating in the bike ride for Help for Heroes and aim to raise £2,500, if you would like to sponsor me, you can do so here. 

Thank you!

What's In My Bag

Happy Sunday!

I love 'What's In My Bag' posts so thought I would go ahead and do one! The contents aren't terribly exciting but they're definitely essential. 

It's Summer and a squinty look isn't a great look so I always make sure to carry a pair of sunglasses with me, these are my current faves and they're from H&M, I really like the frame and how thin the bridge is. Obviously I've got the standard wallet (New Look) and house keys, I'm sure you'll find those in everyones bags, my keys need to be on a lanyard as I'm a great one for losing (much to others despair) keys! If my phone isn't in my pocket, it's usually in my handbag, the case is a customised one from Etsy and it displays the title and author of my favourite book. I'm a bit of a literature nut and my last phone case was the book cover of The Great Gatsby. 

I keep quite busy during the week be it work related or a social event so I carry my diary (Moleskine from Paperchase) with me everywhere to make sure I'm going to the right place and can write anything down I may forget, I always tell people that I can't commit until it's written down in my diary!

Gum to keep the breath fresh and lip balm (EOS) to keep the lips delicious and my iPod so I can plug my earphones in and strut down the street pretending I'm the lead in some upcoming romcom. 

The flower bag is my travel make-up/skincare bag, in there are various moisturisers, more lipbalms and general cosmetics. If you'd like to see the contents of that, let me know in the comments below!

Hope you enjoyed the post and are having a delicious weekend!!

Love 

x

Long Time No Blog

Wow, I have been the worst. I sincerely apologise for lack of blogging but I'm back (at least I hope I am!) I'm without excuses apart from sheer laziness however I have had quite the jam packed schedule and have made an Instagram highlight board which shows just a little of what I've been up to!!

Starting from the bottom :-

Row 1: Posing on the way to a gig, Rach and I testing the climbing wall at the Polo, Flying to America, Justin and I at Two Guys Grill

Row 2: Cook-out (need I elaborate), tanning up, George and Sara's wedding, Wilmington.

Row 3: UNCW (Where I studied abroad for a year), Nicki and I at Carolina Beach, Addie and Emma, Whitney (my old roomie) and one of her daughter's Emma. 

Row 4: Jamming at Glasto, Our campsite at Glasto, Texts about Glasto, Rach missed me!

Row 5: Weeze summoning the festival gods, My new record player and records, Mim's birthday cocktails, my favourite picture from Mim and Jake's birthday

Row 6: Sunday evening chill, lads, Annabel and Lisa running, Tapas. 

What have you guys been up to since you last visited my blog? Have you been on holiday at all? Did you go to Glasto? 

xxx

Mind, Body and Spirit - Skincare Regime

Things have been a tad rough recently. Generally, I've been feeling a bit miserable. I'm sort of lost; I not sure where exactly my life is going and what my purpose is but things really came to a head two weeks ago when my Grandad died.  It wasn't a surprise as he's been unwell for a long time but death is always a shock and I didn't quite realise how much it truly would affect me. He was a complex, intelligent, wise, kind and loving man and coming to terms with a life without him is proving more difficult than I thought. His funeral is on Wednesday and there is a mixture of feelings; I'm happy for the celebration of his life but sad as his death will feel more real. 

Anyway, to move on to a more superficial subject, I've felt my sadness and grief have been pouring out into my mind, body and spirit and so after a week of moping, I've decided to spend more time on building and improving myself. Taking care of myself better and embracing all aspects of my life. I'm starting with body (technically face) and that means skincare. I'm generally quite lucky as my skin is, for the most part, clear however it's dry and I know I won't be as fortunate as I get older if I don't start looking after it now. After reading through a number of skincare blogs (notably Caroline Hirons) I have branched out and spent money of a decent toner and cleanser. I've always been a fan of Elizabeth Arden and Feel Unique were offering an incredible deal on a Hydrating Cleanser/Toner Duo. I already use a DHC Cleanser to remove my make-up but I wanted something for everyday use. It all arrived today and I'm so looking forward to using it; the pictures are below and I will be keeping you updated with how it all works out and whether it makes a big difference to my skin. 

Something that is also helping cover all of the mind, body and spirit is yoga. I've been doing it for a few months now but tonight's session was ridiculously effective and I've never felt so incredible after a session. I won't ramble on about it now but I will likely be doing a few more posts on yoga so stay tuned!

Have you got into any new skincare regimes recently? What do you use to improve your mind, body and spirit? Are you a yogi or perhaps just a general gym bunny? 

Wish List

Green Floral Print Jumpsuit (River Island)

All of a sudden, I'm into jumpsuits. I don't really know when it happened but yesterday I bought a navy one on a whim and I've been coveting this little number for a while. The thing is, I think it may be out of stock! I'm praying it hasn't been discontinued and they'll order more in. If I buy this, I'm looking forward to wearing it in the summer and then pairing it with a pair of heels and a blazer for nights out. 

Benefit How to Look the Best at Everything: Light Flawless Complexion Make-up Kit (Feel Unique)
I'm pretty obsessed with foundation and general skin/complexion items. I don't own a lot of Benefit but I've heard really good things about the items in this kit so I'm definitely purchasing this when payday comes around. Also 'Feel Unique' is offering a deal where if you order a Benefit product, you get a free eyeshadow/lip stain/extra cosmetic product and who can resist that?

Lucas Papaw Ointment (papawshop.co.uk)
Blame this want on my Aussie friend. I haven't used it lots but what I have used has been great. I love it and I want a pot to keep by my bed to keep my life going.

Hansel Woven T Bar Shoes (Topshop)
Perfect for the transition between Spring and Summer and England is promised good weather this year. Saying that, I'm going to the US for two weeks so these will be perfect for then too!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Coverage (Tarte Cosmetics)
I've wanted this since last year but the product along with shipping is quite expensive though I may bite the bullet this payday. As said, I love foundation and I've read a lot of blogs and watched numerous youtube videos that recommend this. I neeeeeed!

Do you have anything similar on your wish list? Are you counting down the days until pay day? 

Good Morning

Good morning everyone!

What does the day have in store for you? Much excitement? Or a long day of work? Mine, unfortunately, is the latter but don't despair, I'm ending my day with a Wagamamas!

A Little Haven Away From Reality

Sometimes you just need to get away. The weekend before my birthday, a group of us decided to escape our jobs, our town and our normal lives and get down to the coast. Aside from a few awkward hours when we discovered the cottage's electric supply was completely down and we scared the electrician with our bold personalities, we had the most incredible time. We laughed, we jumped, we enjoyed and we basked in each other's companies. Life can be so difficult sometimes and you just need to physically get out of it for a bit and get in touch with your thoughts. If I was a doctor, I'd prescribe the usual drugs and healthy british winter on the coast.