AWOL

Ok, so I have been ridiculously crap at putting anything on here lately! The problem is that I'm so skint that I can't bear to look at any clothing websites, fashion mags or go into any shops as it just depresses me.

Jack's finally got his leaving date!!! I've managed to get myself an office job so I'm attempting to save every penny I can. This has meant that I've been ridiculously anti-social (sorry guys). I've even had to cancel on dinner this week with friends and I feel terrible. But a weekend in York seeing Uni friends (who I haven't seen in a year!) is going to completely wipe out my budget this week. I also haven't seen my Dad since December as he's been travelling in Thailand, so I need to go out for a family meal with him and my brother. And then it's Mothers Day - it's just one thing after the other! Therefore, the clothes have taken a backseat! And I'm not very good at looking and not buying.

I'm expecting this blog to evolve into a travelling blog over the next year rather than the fashion angle it seems to have taken lately. We've planned our route (sort of) and it involves Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Germany, Brussels and the Netherlands. Then hopefully we'll go onto Australia and New Zealand! I can't bloody wait, and we've got a whole year to do it in!

I'll try to blog more often but I'm feeling a bit uninspired lately. But I'll try my best.

In the meantime, here is a little treat that Jack bought me from New Look. I can't wait to wear them on Saturday night with my Vero Moda dress.

Ooh, and re Slimming World - I've managed to lose 10lbs so far! That's the weight I gained since being back in Cheltenham. Now I'm hoping to move into unknown territory...

Happy New Year!

I've been a bit AWOL this past month but as part of my New Years resolution I've promised to start blogging more. I've also set myself a goal to drink less alcohol and try to lose the 10 pounds I've gained over the last six months!

I've put the huge weight gain down to my current circumstances (and complete lack of willpower!) Before moving back to Cheltenham I worked in a very active job where I was on my feet for most of the day. My boyfriend was working abroad so I often ate by myself in the week, which meant low maintenance meals mainly consisting of vegetables and pasta. Since being in Cheltenham I've been working in an office and living with Jack (who is on expenses) full time in the town centre. This means lots of meals out and the temptation to eat the same as him when we are eating at home. The result has meant a 10 pound weight gain which means I'm now almost as big as I was when I left University which is the heaviest I've ever been! I'm also drinking alcohol on a daily basis which is definitely not helping my figure or health. So basically I've decided to do something I never thought I'd do - yep, I've decided to do a "fad" diet!

I know, I know, they only make you miserable and the weight you've worked so hard to lose only comes straight back on again as soon as you start eating normally. Now, I'm not going to defend it as I'm not starting it until tomorrow so have no idea what its going to be like or what I'm going to achieve but I'm going to give it a go none the less.

So the diet I've decided to try out is the Dukan Diet. It's basically a high protein diet devised by the French Doctor Dukan. I downloaded the book to the Kindle and have been mulling it over for the past 5 days and decided that I'll give it a go. I'm the most motivated I've been in a long while to lose weight as I feel awful so its as good a time as any. I'm also going travelling in a few months and would like to feel more confident to wear a bikini whilst I'm there. Travelling is also going to allow me to be more active and eat sparingly so hopefully the combination of the two will help me get to a healthy weight.

So, tomorrow I start Stage 1 of the Dukan Diet - the Attack Phase. This is the most drastic of the stages and also the time when you lose the most in the shortest period. I'm planning to put myself through this for 5 days... eek. It's the Pure Protein phase and means that I can eat as much protein foods as I like during this period. This includes beef, venison, chicken, shellfish, fish, low fat ham, fat free yoghurts & cottage cheese, eggs and oat bran. Wish me luck!

On another note, I hope you all had a fab Christmas and New Year. I really wasn't feeling at all festive this year and I'm kind of glad its all over (bah humbug!) I got some lovely gifts including an extensive range of Nails Inc varnishes and some knits from Monki (which I had to send back as they were all a bit frumpy and unflattering), as well as a sewing kit and Assassins Creed (geek). I also had a fantastic New Year, thanks to the boy, who took us off to Edinburgh for the new year celebrations. We stayed in a fabulous B&B, Kew House, and went to the Hotnamy Street Party and boogied to Friendly Fires and welcomed in the New Year with a fantastic fireworks display... I really am spoilt! Scotland was fantastic and I really want to go back and visit the rural areas as driving through Scotland was breathtaking - the views really are incredible.

(Forgive the photos - we forgot the camera so had to make do with my Phone!)

In Bruges

As a surprise for Jack's 30th I planned a trip to Bruges. I'd wanted to take him on a city break for his 30th for a couple of years as he's always whisking me away on trips and holidays and I desperately wanted to take him away for a change.

I found the most gorgeous looking B&B on Trip Advisor, Huis Koning (check out my review here) and the last room was available over Jack's birthday so it seemed too good to pass up! I booked us onto the Eurostar - a bargain at £40 each, each way - and took Jack off to Kings Cross for our mini adventure!

Upon arriving in Bruges I fell in love instantly! It is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited. The architecture, quaint cafe's and vast canals had me in awe. The B&B didn't disappoint either. Positioned next to a shallow part of the waterways and exquisitely decorated, we were greeted with a smiling and accomodating host who brought us fresh coffee and Belgian chocolates. After being up since 5am this was a very welcome sight.

We spent everyday of our trip exploring the streets of Bruges, and sampling the local cuisine which mainly consisted of Beer, Frites and Cheese! They have amazing Brown pubs that stock vast amounts of beer at varying percentages. Our favourite was one that was recommended by our host, t'Brugs Beertje, which stocked over 300 varieties. We spent our first evening sampling the 9% and munching cheese and salami with mustard. Everything is within walking distance in Bruges so it's a fantastic city if you don't want to deal with public transport and taxi's. We were lucky enough to be treated to blue skies for most of our trip, even if it was a bit nippy!

We spent Jack's birthday seeing the sites and sharing the city with 1000's of Birmingham City fans. Luckily it didn't ruin the trip as we were leaving the day of the match and both teams are known as the hooligan types. We took a trip up the Belfry, as made famous in the film In Bruges, and finished up with the most amazing (and expensive meal) I've ever had at Rock Fort - another recommendation by our wonderful host!

Other highlights have to include the Frites Museum (the weirdest Museum I have ever visited, and that includes a visit to a sex museum in Paris) and a trip on the canal - cannot recommend doing that enough! It was a wonderful way to see the city, and we had an brilliant tour guide who kept us all laughing the whole time. It amazes me how the locals can switch in and out of English, French and Flemish.

All in all this has to be one of the most romantic and fantastic holidays that I have ever been on, and I was so happy that Jack had such a fab 30th. We've still got another celebration to look forward to, as unfortunaltely many members of Jack's family couldn't make it to the party so there's still more to look forward to!

Holiday Maxi Dresses

So this Summer I seem to be having a bit of a love affair with the Maxi dress. It all started with the purchase of a maxi dress (or three) from Primark. They were a bit of a bargain - £9! - so I bought the same style in three different colours. They're fab as you can dress them up with heels and accessories, or just wear them on a sunny day with flip flops and sunglasses. They were a staple for my holiday wardrobe and so versatile!

I also adore this Smudge Print Maxi Dress from Asos which I'm wearing below at Perto Cervo - home to the super yachts and super rich! I'm wearing the dress with Navy Peep Toe wedges from New Look and a yellow Boxy Clutch from Asos.

The handbag was the only clutch I packed for the trip and it went with everything!

Sardinia

So I've just returned from a gorgeous week in Sardinia with the boy. It was pure heaven although the first day was a bit of a nightmare. We had a 6am flight so we were already surviving on very little sleep, then we had to jump in a hire car at Alghero airport and drive for 3 hours to our hotel in Baia Sardinia. The journey was a little fraught to say the least. A journey involving one near crash and a fatality! Dramatic I know!

The near crash involved Jack falling asleep at the wheel, and so we very wisely decided to take a nap on the roadside. When we woke up we continued and came across a turtle crossing the road. With me screaming swerve (meaning right, to go around it), Jack swerved left with the intention of it going between the wheels and thereby smoothly missing it... we didn't. Both of us were almost in tears from shock, exhaustion and sheer guilt, but we continued on our way and were met with a gorgeous hotel, Hotel La Rocca and some much needed relaxation.

 The hotel pool

 Private beach

A little beach we found on our travels - I'm hiding in the shade!

Jack at Sunset in Alghero

Bliss!