Loving Layouts

When it comes to technology, I just have to look at something for it to break. I have always hated the look of my blog and have spent countless hours trying to re-do the layout. These house were completely wasted as I simply didn't have a clue what I was doing. 

I found Kotryna Bass Design online as she was used by another blogger that I follow and I decided to purchase one of her templates. There are lots of beautiful layouts to choose from at a really affordable price for both Blogger and Wordpress. You receive the template immediately after payment and it comes with instructions on how to install it yourself. If your anything like me though and you find computer stuff like reading japanese symbols, then she also offers a free installation service which is completed within 24 hours.

I couldn't reccommend Kotryna enough. She was very helpful and she was happy to answer any of my questions. I couldn't be happier with my new layout.

Enough with the Excuses

I think it's time to stop with the excuses. Yesterday was officially day one of a new healthy diet and a solid exercise routine, hopefully three times a week. 

I had a list of excuses not to be healthy so that I could happily indulge in everything that I am not allowed to have. My list consisted of:

1. I'm still recovering.

2. I will establish a routine with the baby and then I will start a diet.

3. It's selfish to focus on me, concentrate on the baby and pass me the chocolate.

4. It's March, there is no point in starting a diet when Easter is at the end of the month. I need to train my stomach with small doses of daily chocolate to prepare for the mother-load on Easter morning.

5. Cream eggs.

6. It's the 1st of April, I'm going to start. Hold on, the 1st of April is a Friday - nobody starts a diet on a Friday.

7. I've run out of excuses. Shit, I'm going to have to work out.

I am easing myself into the physical side of things because I am aware I have to be careful as you can really harm your pelvic floor if you go too hard or too heavy too soon. 

Diet will be tough for the first few days. No more sugar, only home cooked meals, cutting down on carbohydrates and lots of fruit and vegetables.

Day 2: Can't walk.

Wish me luck!

Easter Obesity

I'm not usually one for baking. If you bake, the usual proceedings afterwards is to eat which results in me devouring EVERYTHING! It tends to be safer for me and for the people around me to just stay clear and leave the baking altogether.

Being Easter however, I have decided what's the harm in half a dozen Easter eggs (Cream Egg of course), a huge family roast dinner (courtesy of the mother) and to make 60 triple chocolate chip chocolate cupcakes with marshmallows (yes I counted 60, I got a bit carried away and I'm not even sorry). While we are on this truth buzz, I also had pancakes for breakfast. I can feel the diabetes creeping into my body already.

For my cupcakes I used the Betty Crocker Devils Food Cake Mix in Chocolate. It is the easiest All-in-1 recipe to follow and being close to midnight that I finished these, it was just Aswel.

I used to make these all the time as a kid with my next door neighbour so it was mandatory to listen to some old school Green Day albums to relive my youth before endulging into the chocolatey madness. 

You pop all your ingredients into a big bowl and stir. It couldn't be more simple unless Betty Crocker came over to your house to physically do it herself but one can only dream! 

Once all stirred up, I clearly have a chocolate obsession so I add far too many chocolate chips into the mix to give it that extra obesity factor that I am a little ashamed of at this stage. Pop into cupcake cases, into the oven for roughly ten mins and decorate as desired.

I did have hopes of hand making teeny pink icing Easter bunnies and cute yellow icing chicks but we can all imagine how they turned out like a three year old had made them with there eyes closed using their left foot so that was abandoned quickly.

Of course I knew this was a very strong possibility so I had a backup plan of these cute pink and white heart shaped marshmallows which worked just fine.

I hope everyone has a great Easter and gets ridiculously full on chocolate so we can all feel super regretful together next week.

Love Jen

Xx

Road Trippin'

This weekend me and the boys headed down to Cork for a Muay Thai Boxing event. We thought it would be a good motivation trip before heading to Thailand to do the same ourselves with the natives. Eek. The boys were there to support some of their Thai Club friends and they did really well so it was a good trip all round. 

Here is the makeup I wore. It was a little rushed 'cause I did it at half nine in the morning and it had to last me until midnight. My outfit, I went for Topshop Joni jeans, a Topshop crop top and a flannel shirt I picked up in Singapore. I also had Timerland style boots from Penneys on.

Luggage Essentials

So, with only three weeks left until I jet off to paradise, I thought I should pick up a few bits to make the journey a little easier. I popped into trusty Penneys and purchased some really cute bits and bobs to make travelling a little more organised......and colourful!

The first item I picked up was this gorgeous little silicone passport holder. My passport has been on a bit of a journey since I got it a couple of years ago and basically it's starting to fall apart. This little number will keep it protected while looking super cute and girly for only €2.

How boring would luggage be without this adorable little owl head keeping all of my contact details safe and sound. Again, only €2 and you can trust if your luggage goes on a little side tracked detour that they can find you again in style.

Last time I was in South East Asia, I learnt my lesson when it came to sunglasses. Currently there are twelve pairs of my sunglasses washed up somewhere on the coast of Thailand.....TWELVE! This time I come prepared. I got this gorgeous floral print sunglasses case for €3 and three sets of sunnies ranging between €1.50-€4. You just can't go wrong!

Where are you jetting off to this year? 

Lots of Love

Jen x

Returning Shortly

It's official..... Myself and Berto are heading back to Thailand with two of our friends in March. Ever since visiting in 2013 I have always longed to return. I couldn't be more excited and hope that this be another holiday to remember.

Protein Power

It finally arrived! I have been so excited for my Protein World package to arrive with my Slender Blend order and yesterday, it came.

A giant yellow box with a huge Protein World logo on the side was a little mortifying arriving into the workplace, however it will be worth it in the long run.

Included in the parcel is the Slender Blend protein tub, I chose the Strawberry flavour and it is devine, a bottle of Fat Melter tablets and a bottle of Multi Vitamins. Also included was the beaker, scoop and a recipe booklet for all fab ideas on what to make with your protein.

After a grooling workout of Thai Boxing and a 30 minute kettlebell workout, a shake was in order. I mixed myself up four scoops of Strawberry Slender Blend Protein, a cup of frozen strawberries, three tablespoons of frozen yoghurt, five fluid ounces of water and a couple of ice cubes.

Compared to other protein brands that I have tried, this strawberry flavour is very natural tasting. After my tasty smoothie I'm off for a walk with the boyfriend and the puppy.

Jen xx

Fitness Fun

So I have started to think a bit more about my fitness these past couple of weeks. I have never been one for diets or excersise but I want to achieve a body that I can be more confident about when I'm away on holidays. I have cut out from my diet chocolate, crisps, sweets, bread.... Basically everything that we love to love. It's been a little tough and don't get me wrong, I have had a cheat treat or two, but overall I'm feeling so much better in myself.

I am loving doing my workouts at home. I am following Fitness Blender on YouTube and I find them really easy to follow. They talk you through each individual excersise with ease and explain which muscle you are working with each movement. Follow them below: 

<https://m.youtube.com/user/FitnessBlender>

I love their kettle bell workout. It only takes 15 minutes and you use whatever weight suits you. I find using kettle bell gloves really helps as otherwise it really hurts my hands (I know I'm a wuss). 

I have also been taking a few personal lessons in Thai Boxing. My boyfriend has been doing Martial Arts for years and the past year has taken up Thai Boxing. He's been showing me a few technique skills and I am loving doing sessions with the pads.

In two weeks I have lost over a kilogram in weight just from cutting out crap and doing 45 mins training sessions twice a week. Next week, I am starting on a protein Sleder Blend course from Protein World and I'm going to up the amount of days I excersise to 3-4. Fingers crossed I see some progress before I go away in March.

Jen x

Slender Blend on Trend

Eeeek......! So I might be a little over excited about my most recent online order. Even though I am so broke, and I am probably sacrificing running water and food on the table, I think it could be worth it!

 

I have just ordered the Slender Blend Package from Protein World. I've been reading tonnes of great reviews from all my favourite bloggers and they're all giving this little beauty great feedback. I want to see what all this hype is about.

Fingers crossed it's a good'un and I see some good results....and FAST!! 

Jen xx 

Secret Surroundings

Yesterday, me and Berto went for a nice walk in the crisp, cold weather here in Dublin. A little secret walk in the suburbs of the city was just what we needed to get some fresh air and out of the house for a while. Sometimes it's nice to get out of the city and the hustle and bustle of the Christmas rush and appreciate your secret surroundings. A perfect afternoon.

A Christmas Tale

Yes! We are home. We surprised our families and arrived on their doorsteps to everyone's astonishment. Trying to adjust back to Irish weather, not sure I'm ready to commit.

One thing I could not go without this year was decorating the Christmas tree. I do it every year in my family and couldn't break the tradition. It was also giving me major anxiety, thinking of all the decorations going in the wrong places, I know, OCD issues hehe. Here are some of my favourite decorations on our tree.

Hope you all have an amazing Christmas and get all the goodies your asking from Santa 

Jen xx