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Hello!
I hope that you are all well? Soo, here I am again! I've taken a very long break from blogging but have decided to take the plunge and write here again. I feel like "the new girl". Eeek!
I've still been reading blogs and honestly never intended on being away for so long... I'm astounded that I still have followers so a huge THANK YOU for sticking around :)
This used to be my regular "monthly round-up" post so I thought that I would start again with the old faithful to get me back into the swing of things. I hope you will excuse my lack of originality!
Listening... I still love 21 by Adele even though it's been out for ages. I like to really belt out the songs whilst driving home from work as it's a great way to de-stress! And I've just downloaded my first audiobook via Audible - and for my first book I chose "The Fry Chronicles: An Autobiography" by Stephen Fry. I think he's great. I'd love to chat to him for hours.... well, in all honesty I'd probably stand there like an idiot hanging onto his every word and wondering if I dare join in the conversation, but you get the picture :)
Reading... mostly blogs, lately. I've realised just how much I've missed writing down my musings on my little internet space!
Watching... aside from good old EastEnders, I've been absolutely ADDICTED to one particular YouTube vlog channel - LeFloofTV featuring the gorgeous Anna Saccone from The Style Diet, her fiance Jonathan Joly and their cute doggies, Sina and Albi. It used to be all about the Shaytards with me (and I still love watching them), but I find that I can relate to the LeFloofTV daily vlogs far better, as they live closer to home, in Ireland. Love that they vlog whilst grocery shopping in Tesco!
Buying... I finally have the Nikon D3000 DSLR that I've had my eye on for... ooh..two years? now. It was a complete impulse buy after seeing it massively discounted on Amazon recently - they had a promotion on lots of cameras and accessories, and I couldn't bear to miss out again. They had a similar offer last summer, and I'd kicked myself ever since for not getting it then. The price has increased again now, so I'm glad I went for it this time!
I just have to work out how to use it.... any advice welcome!
Wanting... - lame answer, because I can't think of anything else - to update this blog layout I think. It must have been a year since I last gave it a bit of a facelift.
Trying... to get back into my WeightWatchers programme. I started the ProPoints plan mid-March and have lost a stone and a half so far (21 lbs). I am now at my original goal weight, but would like to lose another half stone. I've had the last couple of weeks off WW due to going on holiday so I need to focus and get back into it!
Loving... the warm weather (but not the sunburn), the light evenings, the company of good friends, finally feeling somewhat content in my own skin.
Planning... my outfit for my friend Amy's wedding in a couple of weeks. Maxi dress shopping is not going too well so far. I also need to update my wardrobe, which is something that I've been putting off. This sounds weird, but it's strange being slimmer and not really knowing what size I am any more. I also have this fear of buying lots of new clothes only to regain the weight again. I can't carry on counting WW points and tracking what I eat forever. I know it's all about eating sensibly and learning to gradually "let go" of WW guidance but I'm really scared that I'll slip straight back into my old habits (if any of you have been in a similar situation, I'd love to hear how you felt towards the end of your weight-loss programme - any tips?)
Writing... a blogpost, finally - amazingly!
Cooking... I haven't baked a thing since I started WeightWatchers - too much temptation! I wish I could say that I've been really adventurous and have experimented cooking lots of different healthy meals... but I haven't, really. I completely fail at "proper" cooking. Yummy desserts are definitely where my (limited) cooking skills choose to appear!
Inspired by... catching up with blogs, amazing photography on Flickr, and my Aunty Sue who sees the good in every day despite living through the worst year of her life.
xx
It's been a funny old month. I think this review reflects that!
Listening... AFI (Mike's favourite band). And that's been about it really.
Reading... New Moon. Yes, you read correctly, I picked it up again on holiday!
Watching... Same as last month mostly. EastEnders (as always!), Big Brother, Who Do You Think You Are?, and I also saw a really good BBC1 documentary t'other day called "Small Teen, Big World". I like watching things like that.
Buying... Ummm have spent far too much! Beauty: Urban Decay's NYC Book of Shadows, Urban Decay's Naked palette. Lots of nail stuff. Jewellery: Two gorgeous necklaces from Love Suzie Jewellery. Blogposts coming up on all of these v. soon!
Wanting... To turn the clock back. I wish I could take the pain away for Aunty Sue, Uncle Tim and Tom :(
On a more positive note, October is my birthday month and I'm already making a mental wishlist for that! Paco Rabanne's "Lady Million" perfume currently sits firmly at the top of it!
Trying... to think less, live more. To stop worrying about silly things and appreciate what I have.
Loving... the time I spent with my mum and sister when we had a few days at the coast. We went a few days after Mike passed away and looking back I think that time together was what we all needed. Also loved having my best friend Lou to stay later that week and the meal out with all of the old gang :)
Planning... garden. Still. Oh and birthday!! I'm thinking of maybe seeing a show in London. I really want to see Oliver! before its West End run comes to an end in February.
Making... lists. Lots of them. I need to organise myself better!
Writing... not enough! Am shockingly behind on my Mass Observation assignments, must must must get scribbling... (hmmm, this hasn't changed from last month. Or the month before that...)
Cooking... nowt too exciting I'm afraid. I did bake a Victoria Sandwich cake if that counts?
Inspired by... Mike's legacy. He loved life and his passing has made me realise that life's too short to be scared of doing anything.
*photo from weheartit*
Listening... Ne-yo (love Beautiful Monster), Muse, Example, Plan B, Twilight movie score, Alicia Keys, Big Band / 40's stuff.
Reading... New Moon has come to a bit of a stand-still again! Think I ruined it by watching the DVD the evening before I went to see Eclipse. I've mostly been burying my head into magazines this month to be honest. Honourable mentions go to Heat (as usual) and Your Home.
Watching... EastEnders (as always!), Big Brother, Who Do You Think You Are?, Father Ted repeats - genius tv!
Buying... This is a bit of a cheat as I didn't buy much at all in July. It's now August and I've just purchased lots of Lush goodies!! I've finally used everything that I bought at Christmas (see here to see everything I got then!)
I'm very proud of my restraint when it comes to Lush actually. I don't let myself buy anything new until I've used up all of my existing Lush stash.
Wanting... My cousin Mike's operation to go well tomorrow (Thursday 12th). That is all I want.
Trying... to remain positive about everything.
Loving... witnessing Gizmo cat fussing the vet when I took him for his annual jabs (he never fusses anyone except me and my Dad). He's such a tart (aaand we're back to Gizmo now, not my Dad). And a creep. But he got the jab anyway, the vet wasn't falling for that one. Also loving the vet cooing over Gizmo. I always knew that Giz was beautiful but once again this has beeen validated by the vet calling the veterinary nurse in to admire his sweet little face. I was such a proud mum :)
Planning... My holibobs, woo! We go next week (to the North Norfolk coast) and I can't blimming wait! We're only going Monday - Thursday as my friend Lou is coming over from Germany and staying at mine on the Thursday night - reunion of the old gang with lots of good food and partying planned! - I think the break from work and my usual routine will do me the world of good.
Making... house and garden plans (still!)... everything would be so much easier if I wasn't so reliant on other people to help with the manual work all the time. It's so frustrating :(
Writing... not enough! Am shockingly behind on my Mass Observation assignments, must must must get scribbling... (hmmm, this hasn't changed from last month. Or the month before that...)
Cooking... well apart from ordinary eat-to-live daily cooking I've been baking some yummy treats this month, namely butterfly cakes, lemon drizzle cake and apple crumble... mmmmmm! Baking / desserts are definitely my thing.
Inspired by... hmmm, well I have been browsing through my old cross-stitch boxes that live under my bed - I've found lots of things that I forgot I had as it's been 5 years since I last stitched anything! I'm hoping to start again on holiday if we get any rainy confined-to-caravan days. Are there any other cross-stitchers among you lovely readers?
*photo from weheartit*
Listening... Muse. I'm obsessed after seeing them (via good old TV!) at Glasto! Paramore. General chart stuff.
Reading... New Moon (still!) and have also dipped my toe into Just Henry by Michelle Magorian - one of my favourite authors.
Watching... EastEnders (as always!), Big Brother. I didn't watch last year but as it's the last one... ;)
Buying... Singstar discs!! Shiny new additions to my collection are Take That, 90's and Rock Ballads. I love Singstar!
Wanting... my back garden to be done now please. My quote came in about £3k over budget (!!!). I wasn't even expecting it to be anywhere close to £3k to begin with :(
Trying... to remain positive about the garden. It now resembles a jungle, it's a disgrace! It's not so bad because the front lawn is fine and passers-by can't see it, but I know it's really overgrown and it's really frustrating :( Hopefully my Aunt and Uncle are going to make it a peaceful haven for me now, fingers crossed!
Loving... SUMMER! Swimming, my blog contest prizes from the amazing Rach over at Rants and Ramblings - she handmade me some beautiful jewellery! Thank you so much hun!! (Blog post soon, I've been completely spoilt!) Also loving the fact that my cousin Mike is, after six weeks, finally HOME from hospital *big happy grin*
Planning... GARDEN..... garden..... garden.... oh, why did I have to grow up and be all responsible about things like gardens?!
Making... plans to decorate house. I have a real urge recently to put my stamp on the place. This could be a verrry long process however as I'm a typical Libran and can never make a decision on anything!
Writing... not enough! Am shockingly behind on my Mass Observation assignments, must must must get scribbling... (hmmm, this hasn't changed from last month. Or the month before that...)
Cooking... not a lot! It's been too hot (ooh I'm a poet but didn't know it!! haha!) so I've just been preparing nice salads etc
Inspired by... Weheartit. I've loved that site for a couple of months and have tons of amazing photos saved on my memory stick, but then my good friend Hel from shedoesotherstuff2 (she's a lovely girl and a great blogger, please do pop along and have a good read!) persuaded me to join and now I'm completely addicted! I'm still desperate to own a DSLR. One day...
Want to know what beautiful pics I've hearted? Find my weheartit page here :)
*Photo from weheartit*
Listening... Pendulum, Glee, Alicia Keys, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime (my summer classic EVERY year!)
Reading... The last few pages of LA Candy by Lauren Conrad and I'm actually beginning to enjoy New Moon, although I haven't progressed too far!
Watching... EastEnders (as always!), Extreme Makeover: Home Edition but it always makes me cry, Million Pound Drop or whatever it was called!
Buying... Oh God, I've been buying everything this month :/ First ever Primark visit cost me a fortune, as did discovering lovemakeup.co.uk... oh and some cordless hedge trimmers for Dad's early Father's Day present :)
Wanting... OK so this one is not from May but oh well! It's to find the current issues of Glamour magazine with the free Benefit make-up. It's completely sold out in my town, and I'm very grumpy about it.
Trying... to restrain from jumping in the car to search out said Glamour magazines further afield. Sensible realisation that the petrol cost will outweigh the freebies is holding me back. I still have the hump about it though.
Loving... hot weather, light evenings (yippee!), swimming, Cambridge in summer = beautiful.
Planning... my new garden. I'm finally calling in the professionals!
Making... pizza to watch with this evening's England v US World Cup match. I'm not really enthusiastic about the World Cup this time around for some reason. Other years I get swept along in the hysteria, but we will probably get knocked out early as usual so I can't be bothered. I'll still watch our matches though :)
And I say I'm "making" pizza - in reality I'm just popping lots of yummy random toppings etc onto a base!
Writing... not enough blog posts! Am shockingly behind on my Mass Observation assignments too, must must must get scribbling... (hmmm, this hasn't changed from last month!)
Cooking... not as often as usual due to swimming schedule! (this looks familiar too!)
Inspired by... finally feeling happier within. The world is starting to look much brighter!
Photo: weheartit
Listening... Ellie Goulding (I adore Starry Eyed), Lady GaGa, Usher
Reading... LA Candy by Lauren Conrad and still half heartedly attempting Stephenie Meyer's New Moon
Watching... Blitz Street, EastEnders, Britain's Got Talent, various electoral debates
Buying... leggings and summery tunics... you know, essential basics! The Angry Birds iPhone app... I wish I'd never downloaded it as I'm totally addicted!
Wanting... some time off work please and for Gizmo cat to stop waking me up at 5am!
Trying... to decide which politician is worthy of my vote and not worrying about going into hospital on 13th May to have my wisdom tooth extracted (failing this one so far)
Loving... sunny spring weather, lighter evenings, swimming, Skype, Bank Holiday weekends!
Planning... my friend Lou's upcoming visit from Germany, I can't wait to see her!
Making... a mental note not to lend people things in future! Why can't people respect and look after things that don't belong to them and return them in the same condition as I lent them in? I would be embarrassed to return something in a lesser condition, but obviously that's just me :(
Writing... not enough blog posts! Am shockingly behind on my Mass Observation assignments too, must must must get scribbling...
Cooking... not as often as usual due to swimming schedule!
Inspired by... weheartit.com. The amazing photography just makes me covet a DSLR even more.
I have seen this monthly review on a few blogs this year, and thought I'd start my own seeing as I love posting a good list, and this is easier on the eye than my Loving & Loathing posts!
What's defined your April?
xx
