Outfits of the Week: May #4

 Monday

Top: Primark

Cardigan: Primark

Necklace: New Look

Shoes: Primark

 Tuesday

Top: New Look

Jeans: River Island

Necklace: George @ Asda

Sandals: Accessorize

Wednesday

Top: George @ Asda

Blazer: Quiz

Trousers: H&M

Shoes: Primark

Nails: Primark

Thursday

Pinafore: New Look

Top: Primark

Shoes: Primark

Necklace: George @ Asda

Friday

Top: Primark

Sleeveless blazer: New Look

Jeans: River Island

Sandals: New Look

Necklace: Primark

A Healthier Eating Mission

Eating healthily can be a tricky busy. It’s All too easy to slip back into a bad diet. However, there are lots of tips that you can use to make sure you are eating all the right things. Not convinced? Here’s how to eat healthier all the time.

Miracle Fruit

Ever heard of miracle fruit? It is a berry that is known for the amazing effects it has on our taste buds. They can make sour foods taste quite sweet. You can buy the fruit as miracle berry tablets. If you take a tablet, and then eat something, it will taste quite sweet. Many people always try sucking a lemon after taking a tablet to test the fruit’s full effect. You’ll be surprised to see that you can eat a lemon, and it’ll taste great! So if you aren’t a big fan of any healthy foods, you can use these tablets to change the taste. You’ll be able to eat anything and enjoy it!

Drink More Water

Often, our body misinterprets thirst. Instead of feeling thirsty, you can sometimes feel hungry. So next time you feel the first signs of hunger, have a glass of water. Wait for about ten minutes and your hunger should subside. But don’t just drink whenever you’re feeling hungry. You should be drinking regularly throughout the day to make sure your body gets all the liquids it needs.

Set Snack Times

Instead of snacking whenever you feel like it, set a regular snack time for your mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. This will help to train your body so it knows that you’ll have a little something to eat in between your meals. As a result, you will be less likely to overeat at meals, as you know it won’t be long before you can eat again.

Don’t Be Distracted

While you are eating your meals, try not to get distracted. It is very important to focus on your meal as this can help your body realise when it is full. Being mindful during mealtimes is easy. One of the main ways to focus on your food is to turn off the TV and, if possible, try not to have any conversations. Of course, not having a conversation isn’t always possible. In this case, just try to be aware of what and how much you're eating.

Spiralize

A healthy diet is one that is mainly fruits, vegetables, and healthy protein. Carbohydrates are perfectly fine to eat. However, they shouldn’t be the main component of your diet. So that means you need to restrict your intake of pasta, bread, rice, and potatoes. But don’t despair. You can still enjoy pasta – all you need to do is make your very own spaghetti with a spiralizer! This handy contraption turns vegetables such as beetroot and courgette into noodles and spaghetti.

So eating healthily doesn’t have to be so hard. If you use these tips, you’ll find that a nutritious diet will come very easy. You won’t ever look back to bad food!

Handbag Essentials

It can be easy to fill your handbag with so much that it becomes a nightmare to carry around. You should just carry essentials with you in your handbag. Here are some essentials for your handbag every modern woman needs!

Hairbrush

A hairbrush is a necessity in your handbag as you never know when you might have a hair disaster. You might go out in the wind or rain, and your hair can end up all tangled and messy. Once you get to a mirror, you can get your hairbrush out and make sure it looks perfect again. There are so many you can get which are small enough to fit in your handbag.

Packet of tissues

Another thing you need in your handbag is a pack of tissues. When you sneeze, you lift your hands to cover your nose and can end up with messy hands. Or you may start coughing and need a tissue. Whatever the situation, a packet of tissues will stop you from having an embarrassing situation. It can stop you having to find a toilet to use some bog roll to clean your nose. Tissues are also a must if you are around little ones.

A lipstick

You will also need to carry around a lipstick with you so that you can top up the colour during the day. After all, they only last a couple of hours, especially if you are eating and drinking. Therefore, you will want to apply another coat. Make sure you check the different ones you can get. The top lipstick manufacturers are developing more every day, so check out the unique styles which suit you and buy one for your handbag. They are a convenient size so they won’t take up too much space.

Perfume

While you are out, you may get sweaty and start to smell. Therefore, you should get a perfume to put in your handbag so that you can spray yourself and start smelling great again. You can get smaller versions of perfume which will fit nicely in your bag.

Tampon or pad

Another essential every woman needs in your handbag is a tampon or pad. Your period can start unexpectedly at any time, so you need to be prepared for this to happen. Just because you are mostly regular, doesn’t mean your body might decide to make it come on a different day. It makes it less embarrassing if it does happen at work or while you’re out, as you can use it quickly.

Mints

You need to put some mints in your handbag so you can keep your breath lovely and fresh. You don’t want to go on a date with a cute guy then can’t make a move because your breath isn’t smelling great. It’s also essential for when you have eaten at a restaurant or a cafe so you can ensure your breath is smelling fantastic.

You should check it regularly to see if you could throw away any old receipts or makeup you may have in there. I always find old sweets in the bottom of my bag, so I try and clear it out at least once a month!

Outfits of the Week: May #3

 Monday

Top: Tesco

Jeans: River Island

Sandals: New Look

Bracelets: Pandora and Joma Jewellery

 Tuesday

Dress: New Look

Cardigan: Aeropostale

Shoes: Primark

Headband: New Look

 Wednesday

Top: Primark

Cardigan: Primark

Trousers: H&M

Shoes: Primark

Necklace: New Look

Thursday

Shirt: George @ Asda

Trousers: H&M

Shoes: Primark

Watch: Michael Kors

Friday

TShirt: New Look

Vest Top: Forever 21

Jeans: River Island

Shoes: Primark

Necklace: Forever 21

Wish, Want, Need: Primark

With a quick trip to Edinburgh planned this weekend it'll be the first time I've been in Primark in months. I'm looking forward to stocking up on some holiday essentials and updating my wardrobe without breaking the bank. I'm also hoping the homeware department is good because my "local" one is just a little corner. The website is handy for planning ahead and not making too many impulse buys but only time will tell if I manage to stick to the plan.

There's definitely a colour theme going on!

Have you done a Primark Haul recently?

Times Square To Do List

Going to New York is a dream come true as there are so many things to see and do in the area. It’s so important to plan in advance where you want to go, so you make the most of your time in the city that doesn’t sleep. Times Square is one of the major draws to the city, with all it’s shops, restaurants, and shows that are a must-see. Here are some things you must do in Times Square!

Eat something off a food stall

While you are walking around New York, you will find food stalls situated on every corner. Times Square is no exception, with so many food stalls and trucks where you can buy a delicious pretzel or hot dog. You can then eat it while you’re walking around Times Square. You need to try something off the stall before you head home, as it’s often some of the best food in New York. You need to ensure you ask them how much it is before they pass you it, otherwise you could end up getting ripped off! But buying something off a stall is often a lot cheaper than heading to a restaurant in Times Square.

See a show

If you are going to Times Square, you need to see a show on Broadway. They have some of the best shows in the world with top class singing and choreography. You should check out the shows before you go; see if you can find some good deals on seats. You can buy some tickets on the day at a reduced rate but go early as they sell out quickly. It’s something you will remember forever. Be careful if it’s late when you come out of the show as there are many thieves around at night! Keep your belongings with you at all times to keep them safe while you’re in Times Square.

Visit the shops

Shopping is a big draw for people going to New York with a lot of the shops being situated in Times Square. There are a lot of high street fashion stores such as Forever 21 and H&M being situated here. You can also find some unique stores around Times Square, as well as shops for chocolate fans with a giant M&M and Hershey store. Macy’s, the largest department store in the world, is situated nearby and is a must-see if you are heading to Times Square!

Go to a bar

Another thing you must do when you are in Times Square is to go and party. There are so many bars which do fantastic cocktails that you need to try, and there are several clubs where you can go and party. There is always something going on in Times Square, so don’t forget just to have a wander and enjoy the atmosphere. As people say, it’s a city that never sleeps and everything does stay open till the early morning!

Outfits of the Week: May #2

 Monday

Top: Primark

Cardigan: Primark

Jeans: River Island

Shoes: Accessorize

Tuesday

 Top: Forever 21

Trousers: New Look

Shoes: New Look

Necklace: Primark

Wednesday

Top: Primark

Trousers: H&M

Necklace: Forever 21

Shoes: Primark

Thursday

Top: Tesco

Jeans: River Island

Shoes: Accessorize

Necklace: New Look

Friday

Dress: Primark

Shoes: Primark

Belt: Primark

New York - One World Trade Center, Woodbury Commons, Empire State Building and The Ring

This is my last New York post and it sums up the last 3 days of our trip and boy what a fantastic last 3 days they were! I can't believe we've been home for over a month.

Sunday 3rd April

We started off Sunday morning with some essential Facetime calls then booking and printing off tickets for the One World Observatory while we munched on the breakfast muffins. It was so handy having internet, being able to get on the computers and use the printers all for free in Yotel. Then our first stop of the morning was Ground Zero. We couldn't believe how freezing cold it was outside and we weren't prepared for the temperatures so did everything we could to get inside quickly. 

The view of Manhattan from The One World Observatory

Me sitting in front of the view towards Brooklyn Bridge Park (and THE steps)

Beautiful blue skies from The One

I would highly recommend The One Observatory to anyone visiting New York. The 360 views were amazing. The glare from the windows was a bit of a nuisance and you really had to take a few photos to make sure you got the right one. It was really busy but the queueing was bearable and it didn't feel to packed and overwhelming. Because the whole observatory was inside it was a good one to do on a cold day as it didn't matter. You really could see for miles!

One World Trade Center

The World's Most Expensive Train Station - the Oculus

We bought tickets from the TixToday app for a musical and the best prices we could get for School of Rock was Sunday afternoon. Not the best if you're short on time but because we'd already done lots of sight-seeing we were able to fit it in. It was handy being able to just pick up the tickets outside the theatre on the day. The musical was absolutely amazing. Really funny, excellent music and the talent of the kids on stage was unreal. Definitely one to see!

School of Rock at Winter Garden Theatre

Times Square at Night

Monday 4th April

I was looking forward to our day trip to Woodbury Commons ever since booking our bus tickets at the start of March but I was looking forward to it even more now that we'd be buying my engagement ring here. We got the bus from the Port Authority Terminal which was just a couple of blocks away from our hotel. The bus journey took around an hour and it was totally worth it. It was quite quiet, chilled out and had an excellent selection of shops.

Michael Kors at Woodbury Commons

We spent the whole day there, from our 10am arrival to leaving on the bus at 5pm. We bobbed in and out of shops, eyed up different bargains and spent some of our well earned cash. My favourite shops were Michael Kors (obvs), Aeropostale Outlet and Superdry. I shared my purchases in my beauty and fashion hauls. But the best bit was definitely our visit to Kay Jewelers. The women in the shop was so helpful. Neither of us had a clue what style of ring we wanted but it didn't take long to pick out the perfect one. The simple, elegant ring with a princess cut diamond looked and felt amazing. We bought it, the in-store jeweller sized it and we picked it up an hour later. 

My Engagement Ring

Tuesday 5th April

On our last day in New York we had to be back at the hotel by 2pm. After checking out and putting our suitcases into the storage we still had plenty of time to get out and about. We had free tickets for the Empire State Building with our Freestyle bus tickets. Unlike Top of the Rock, you have to go to Empire State Building and queue. We were there quite early in the morning and joined the queue around the corner outside. If you've only got time for one or the other I'd recommend Top of the Rock. I was a little bit disappointed by the Empire State. Maybe because we'd seen the views twice already. Maybe because it was absolutely freezing outside at the top. Or maybe it was all the queueing. None the less, I've got some fantastic pictures and I'm finally able to say I've been there.

 View of Flat Iron Building from Empire State Building

View from The Empire State Building

When we reached the ground we did a bit of last minute shopping including American sweeties and souvenirs. We had lunch at Tick Tock Diner next to Penn Station, which was delicious and had an impressive breakfast menu. Then it was time to be picked up and from Yotel and head on the long journey home.

On to engagement celebrations! 

Improving Your Concentration

Most of us have those daft moments where we say something we later regret. It can be embarrassing and even inappropriate at the time. And lots of us suffer those days when we can’t get our heads around a simple task. All those times at the checkout when you can’t add up the total cost of a couple of products! It happens a lot. A lack of concentration can occur at any time without any warning. But when it happens at work, or when you’re driving your car, it can have pretty serious repercussions.

Staying focussed isn’t always easy to do. Life is full of distractions. And we’re all so busy all the time. So how can you possibly stay on track and improve your concentration? There are a few little secrets I can share with you now that should help you stay focussed for longer. Here are my favourite secrets to improving your concentration:

Caffeine

It’s true that a hit of caffeine can reduce your lethargy. And it can also help you regain a little focus when you’re feeling groggy too. Caffeine is a stimulant, so it will inevitably speed up your heart rate as a side effect. Too much can cause your skin to redden, and even become itchy. And it can also make your asthma worse. But as a quick pick-me-up, caffeine from coffee, tea or cola seems to be a firm favourite.

Ginkgo Biloba

This is often sold in pharmacies as a supplement. It has been available for decades and was originally marketed as an overall health enhancer. Now people are taking it to stave off the effects of Alzheimer's and poor concentration. It is thought that it can improve your focus and mental agility when taken in the right quantities. If you’re wary of herbal remedies and supplements, you can check the list of Ginkgo contraindications online.

Diet

There are many foods that are thought to help offer you more clarity of thought. Generally speaking, anything with those healthy B vitamins is a good food to eat. Whole grains are quite good for B vitamins but you can also take supplements to ensure you are getting enough. In the past, people have thought that fish is good for your brain. They weren’t wrong. It is the oily fish that you need to be reaching for most, though. These can help your concentration and overall brain function.

Exercise

It is also true that exercise can help you feel more alert and more relaxed. This, in turn, will help you focus more and improve your concentration. If your physical stamina is good, your mental stamina should also be in good shape. Exercise improves the circulation of blood and water around our bodies. The brain needs a blood supply as much as any other part of the body. Make sure you regularly get some cardio workouts in to enhance the blood supply to your brain.

Sleep

Without sleep, the whole body can feel fatigued. Without sleep, the memories and sensory experiences of the previous day will not be effectively filed away. After just a couple of nights without enough sleep, you can become confused and experience poor focus. You may even become disoriented and suffer hallucinations. Long term sleeplessness or insomnia may cause you to confuse dreams with reality. No wonder it can affect our concentration!

Water

The brain needs to stay hydrated, just like the rest of the body. It feeds on glucose from our diet for energy. This can come from most natural foods, but there are plenty of processed foods that add glucose to the mix of ingredients. Too much glucose can make you feel nauseous but also cause your concentration to fluctuate. As a quick pick-me-up, a glucose tablet or energy drink may help but these are not generally considered that good for your health. Water and whole grains should be enough.

Relax

It is easier to concentrate when your mind and body are in a relaxed state. Stress and anxiety can affect your focus in a negative way. They can also lead to depression which can cause significant problems with your concentration. Book in for a massage or a spa day to unwind and feel good again. And having lots of fun can stimulate your concentration. Enjoying what you are doing can help you focus on the task even more.

There are lots of quick ways to improve your focus. And there are plenty of lifestyle adjustments you can make to improve your concentration over the long term. Try out some of these secrets to improved concentration to see what you can achieve today.

Home Happenings: Sass & Belle

When we moved into our house we got loads of amazing housewarming presents and that's what kickstarted my love for Sass and Belle. If you don't know anything about Sass and Belle it's a homeware brand that has a gorgeous selection of quirky, feminine and shabby chic accessories. Everything's really affordable, has beautiful colours and cute quotes. I've been looking for a present to buy my Mum for her birthday and ended up with a huge selection of homeware that I want for myself! It's a good job pink is allowed in our house!

Pastel Jar with Chalkboard Heart

Love is all you need Photo Frame

French Rose Lunch Bag

Pink Vintage Mason Jar with Straw

Always Lick the Bowl Spatula

Wildflower Vase with Mesh Lid

Pink Celebration Biscuit cushion

Rory the Lionhead Rabbit

10 Rory Facts

• We adopted Rory on the 23rd of May from a family who could no longer look after him
• He's 2 years old 
• We changed his name from Leo-Rose to Rory
• Rory is a house rabbit so he sleeps in his cage and runs around our dining room (the man cave)
• He absolutely loves footballs! As I write this he's running around the room chasing a big yellow football.
• His favourite treats are strawberries and raisins. It's normally one for you, one for me!
• He had to move from the living room because he couldn't walk on the Karndean floor.
• Rory loves to hide in his wooden house and peek out of the window
• Whenever I'm using the litter scoop he always tries to get a hold of it and throw it out the cage
• Rory is at his most chilled out lying down outside his wooden house with his legs out behind him - chilling!