Doing something about it.

So I had a little grumble about feeling out of sorts a few posts ago, and we have a rule in our house that we're only allowed to grumble if we're prepared to do something about it.

Truth is I've been feeling pretty crappy about myself for a while. It's all my own doing, I don't eat particularly well and I've let my running slide, so it shouldn't come as a shock to me that my body is responding exactly as it should - by becoming out of shape. I want to get back to feeling healthy and strong.

How am I going to do this? Through exercise and a healthier diet. I'm not going to 'go on a diet' as I don't believe in them. I grew up watching my Mum go on diet after diet to lose weight, then put it all back on (and then some), only to have to start the process all over again. It never made her happy. I need to eat more healthily - have a proper breakfast and stop grazing on unhealthy snacks throughout the day.

As for the getting fit element, I've recently started running again, starting over on the 5K Runner app but I've also got a new running app that is about running for weight loss that I'm keen to try. I'm so annoyed at myself for stopping my running, I was getting on really well and I was even starting to enjoy it but then things / life / work got busy and I stopped. I guess this happens sometimes but what I should've done is start again when the workload eased but I didn't, I ate crisps instead.

All of this comes down to feeling good and part of feeling good for me is to look good (or think I look good when I look in the mirror - is that the same thing? I'm not sure). Dressing the part half the battle, if I feel good in my clothes I'm more likely to stick to it. For now I've relegated any clothes that have become uncomfortable or unflattering to storage and have a selection that I feel good in now.

When it comes to gym gear I have a few items that don't make me wince when I look in the mirror but I've also been lucky enough to have been offered some items to try by Sportsshoes.

I picked out a pair of Nike capri length running tights (I'm not ready to face shorts just yet) as the first time I went running recently my full length tights felt too hot. Although running on one of the hottest days of the year so far, probably wasn't my smartest move! These are much better and super comfy. I really, really like them and love the little zip pocket on the back - perfect for my house key.

I also picked out some Nike trainers in a cool purple design (in my head pretty trainers make me run faster) and I've found them to be really comfy and noticeably lighter than my previous pair. They're really nice to run in - well, run and walk in for a while and then run a bit more ;o)

Any tips for motivation, healthy eating gratefully received!

Thank you to Sportsshoes for sending me these items to review. All opinions are my own.

Love

Charity Shop Finds

I love those days when you go into a charity shop and find loads of really cool stuff. I had some time to waste before my dentist appointment (teeth are A-OK, yay!) and I ended up leaving with an armful of bits and pieces.

I've given up looking at the clothes in my local charity shop. The prices just keep going up and up and I refuse to pay such prices for second hand clothes - no matter what brand they are (I trawl the charity shops in Ipswich instead as they are more reasonably priced). I seem to have a maximum spend in mind for second hand clothes, I dont know where it comes from, but it's proving to be steadfast.

There is a good sized bric-a-brac section at the back of the shop though.

I picked up this small wicker picnic basket for a fiver, it'll sit on the top of my wardrobe with my other ones - I'm thinking I'll fill this with clutch bags to clear some (much needed) room in the wardrobe space.

I found a book that I've been wanting to read - Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doherty - for 60p. I'm reading more this year in an effort to decrease my to-read pile and it's working, slowly, so I don't feel too bad about buying another book. Have you read this?

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants DVD - perfect viewing for a night home alone. At £3.25 it's not cheap, most charity shops only charge a pound for a DVD, but I kinda wanted it and I prefer my money go to a charity shop over Amazon whenever possible.

Rather colourful tie hangers. I'd been meaning to get some for Andy for ages and while these aren't the colours that Andy would choose, I figured that no one sees in our wardrobe anyway, so for £2.25 I bagged them.

This necklace was £2 (I think it's originally from Boden). I'm going to take it apart and use the beads for some bag charms and tree decorations to sell at a Christmas bazaar (thinking ahead!). But not before I've worn it for a wedding in September...

I picked up this little purse and it gave me such a jolt of nostalgia I didn't even question whether or not I'd be keeping it. I had a tan coloured one when I was really little. It's too small to be of any use but it makes me smile and that's got to be worth the 75p I paid.

And lastly I found this wreath. I'm going to get my craft on and do something festive with it. I don't know what yet exactly but at 65p I wasn't going to leave it behind. We're having a wood burner and mantlepiece fitted soon (exciting!!) and I can see this perched on top come December.

I love it when I find something that someone has discarded, that I can put to good use. When I'm done with the book and the DVD I'll pass them on to someone else or give them back to charity to be enjoyed again.

I found myself in The Salvation Army shop in Ipswich a few days later, I picked up this Miss Selfridge top for £3.49. Apologies for the mirror shot... they seem so much easier than setting up the tripod these days.

I found a Wallis cardy for £3.50 too, but the best buy of the day was a Cynthia Rowley LBD for £3.99. I think the dress has to be my best secondhand purchase ever. I'd heard the name before (on Sex and the City, hehe) so I had a look online and saw the prices. Oh my. £3.99 is quite the bargain! I'll do an outfit post soon.

Have you had any good charity buys recently? What is the best bargain you've found?

Love

So what do we do? What do we do?

I couldn't resist a Garden State style photo.

Have you seen the film Garden State with Zack Braff and Natalie Portman? If not, watch it, it's a great film.

This is the second of the Boohoo maxi dresses I purchased recently. I'm inexplicably drawn to anything with a blue floral pattern. It's just the tiniest bit see-through, so I had to find something to wear underneath, I'm sure if I wore nude undies I could get away with it but I think I'd feel too self-conscious. I'm a lady of advancing years don't cha know! Anyway now that I have a plain white dress in my possession (good ole eBay), I think this is going to get a lot of wear.

My nails are painted with Colour Club in Glossy Seal. Blue nails always make me think of my final years at high school because I wore electric blue nail polish constantly. This particular colour has been formulated especially for the GlossyBox Stars and Stripes edition although I can't help but think of Action Man's pants when I look at it...

On my lips I'm wearing Bellapierre mineral lipstick in Mandarin, also from GlossyBox. It's a lovely orangey red and smells sweet (when did it become fashionable to make lippy scented?) but it doesn't have much staying power sadly. This is one that will require proper application, and by that I mean the faff of fill, blot, cover with powder, brush on, blot, put your left leg in, your left leg out...

As for the dress, it's long and floaty and I love that I can wear a shorter dress underneath and it'll look like one of those dresses with a sheer skirt. Or, I can do what all the cool kids are doing, and knot it at the hem. I was doing this back in college, I was such a trendsetter, ha! No matter how I chose to wear it, it's going to be perfect for all the hot days we've got coming out way *crosses fingers*.

Do you subscribe to GlossyBox? What do you think of it? My only real dislike is the shredded packaging - it covers everything in a fine dust and I have enough dust in my home as it is!

Love