Well I think it is safe to say it has been a while since we have done one of these posts, the products have kept on building up so this is going to be a long one as we look at the items I have picked up recently. There have been a nice mix of purchases, some clothing that I have wanted for a long time, some footwear I just couldn't resist and of course those purchases I really didn't need but ended up making anyway. The whole saving money and not purchasing too many items hasn't really gone to plan lately so here is everything I picked up...

We went away in June and honestly I spent a small fortune trying to win a baby Yoda soft toy however, it just wasn't happening so Liam went to one of the shops near where we were staying and just bought me the soft toy to save me some money which I am super grateful for as it means the soft toy I have been trying to win for what seems like forever (I have tried on multiple holidays) is finally home with me.

My favourite perfume had run out and I really wanted to try a new scent but wasn't 100%  which one I wanted. In the end Liam ended up treating me to this gorgeous Prada one and since using this the compliments have been absolutely rolling in. This is definitely different to what I would normally use but I am loving it and it has made me want to try more feminine fragrances in the future too.

As a bit of a gamer geek there was no way I was missing out on the Mario x Lush collection but I managed to reign it in a bit and just bought the pieces that appealed to me the most, I got the question box bath bomb with the surprise inside, I also got the golden coin soap which smells gorgeous and I had to treat myself to my first Lush shower gel as the Mario one smells beautiful and I know I am going to use it. To be honest I had avoided Lush for a while due to the prices but I couldn't resist these items.

The monthly restock was well and truly needed for the bath salts, with all the extra steps and few workouts I have been doing these salts have become a lifesaver. I buy these in the kg bags which usually last me a month but honestly if I am having a bath these are the first things I add. These definitely help me with my recovery and are something I always like to keep to hand.

I keep getting laughed at by family members about my eyebrows, they are a bit wild 90% of the time and I have decided it is time to do something about it. My sister swears by these Studio London ones so lets hope they do the trick and I can finally tame my eyebrows once and for all.

I wanted to get a new moisturizer to take on holiday with me so naturally I opted for a travel size bottle, after a bit of searching I found these small simple bottles and as I know that simple works well with my skin I picked up a few bottles and to my surprise they scanned through at 3p each. They are definitely going to be the perfect addition to my wash bag and one might even end up in my football bag.

One part of me I really dislike is under my eyes, I have inherited the dark circles that run through my family and I am actually getting quite sick of them as they just make me look tired all the time. This is one thing that has kick started me to try look after my skin more so when in Home Bargains lately I came across this eye roll on for £2.99, I know at that price it might not be the best but it is a start in trying to sort those under eyes out.

It is almost summer time and I have noticed just how pale my body is currently looking, I am getting close to Casper the ghost status at the moment and I am wanting a bit of a summer glow this year. I have the Dove gradual tan mousse so thought I would get the matching shade of face cream in hopes to giving myself that glow ready for those summer days that are fast approaching. No more pale arms in t-shirts or pale legs in shorts. I am really hoping this works.

To go with the face cream I got a new tanning mitt as I realised that when it comes to doing my body I don't actually have a mitt ready for application. I made the mistake years ago of using my hands to apply the gradual tan and let's just say that was a disaster so I need to start making sure I have a stock pile of mitts so I am never running out.

 

Well I think it is safe to say this home gym project seems to have become the most drawn out project ever however, we have finally got the wheels in motion and the project is actually making progress, who knows we might actually have a home gym that is fully usable by the time my birthday rolls around in Spetember. 

We were going to go for a prebuilt structure however, once again we changed our minds and are back to building the structure from scratch ourselves which is going to take a bit more time however, it is going to be perfect for us and will be more suited to what it is being used for. We finally have the old garage gone so we now have a blank slate to work from and let's just say things are getting really exciting now. So here is the plan so far to get the structure built...

Now that the old garage is out of the way we have seen that we are going to need to bring the old floor up in areas to get the flooring level, we will also be creating the base for the structure once the floor is level. This part is also going to involve doing a bit of damp coursing as the last thing we want is the gym getting damp not long after building it. 

One the base has set it is time to get onto the fun part which is building the structure which is going to be wooden possibly with some cladding just to make it look a bit nicer from the outside as it is going to take a lot of space outside and is going to be one of the first things you see. The actually frame shouldn't take too long to build due to the lengths etc so fingers crossed this part goes without a hitch and we can start cladding it nice and quickly. The roof shouldn't take too long either due to the size so fingers crossed that is on in now time and the structure is done ASAP, with the work being done on a weekend the actual structure should take around 2 weeks we believe if all goes to plan. Once the structure is up and nice & secure with a decent door we need to go buy then it is a case of checking it is all water tight before running some electrics for the electrical equipment we are planning on purchasing and adding the lights which we still need to decide on.

Once all that is done it is on to the fun part really as we will be able to see the inside really start to take shape which is the bit I am definitely most excited for if I am honest. So once the electrics and lights are done we will be adding some insulation to the walls for the added bit of warmth before boarding over the insulation. Once boarded we will be painting the walls and at the moment we are considering a bit of a dark grey however, we won't be 100% on the colour choice until we see what the space is like when it is all boarded, I am also very tempted to put a quote on one wall from a female footballer but again I am not 100% sure on that just yet. Once the paint is all dry a few mirrors will be added to the weights are and then we are all good to lay the gym flooring which we are still on the hunt for, once that is down and secure though we can focus on moving everything into the gym and actually start using it. 

Luckily we already have a fair bit of equipment with a spin bike and just a normal exercise bike which to be honest might be going if we need the space for anything else as we don't really need two bikes. We also have a rowing machine which will be going in and hopefully be being used more often, this is a very old rowing machine but if we do start using it more an upgrade may happen in the future. We also have plenty of weights to go in weights corner already too which is more than enough for what I can currently lift and these weights will be joined by an incline bench and plenty of resistance bands. There will also be a punch bag and a few other little bits heading into the gym on day one and it is more than enough to get some good workout sessions in.

Luckily we have plenty of equipment to fill the gym already as the cost is going to mean nothing new can be purchased for a while however, I am hoping that once money allows and once we know how much space we have to play with then a few more bits of equipment can be purchased to take those workouts to another level. A treadmill is high on the priority list and is why one bike may be going to allow for space. We are also hoping that we can add some more weights into the area so that when we are able to lift heavier the options are there waiting for us. Along with more weights we are hoping to add a bit of a multi-gym/cable pulley system for those targeted weighted sessions, which option we go for is definitely going to be based on the space so lets hope there is space for one of these as they will definitely be helpful for my journey. Fingers crossed I can find a reasonably priced flat bench for weights too seen as our other bench doesn't have a flat setting. We will also be purchasing a little bit of storage for all the smaller pieces of equipment so that the home gym will always look nice and tidy.

Obviously all those new purchases will dependent on the budget and more importantly the space we have available but fingers crossed we can have a fair few new additions to the gym by the end of the year. I just can't wait to get this home gym built as it is definitely going to help me get back into a routine and help me hit my workouts unlike the way I haven't been bothering lately. Having this space means we get the house back too as the downstairs will no longer be filled with workout equipment. Overall though I am just excited for my own space to progress with my journey with no distractions as it should really do me the world of good and hopefully we will start seeing some progress once again rather than my journey seeming to go backwards like it currently is doing.

Let's hope things get moving soon as I am definitely getting excited now.

Rather than doing the monthly fitness updates like we used to I have decided that I am going to do a monthly goals post, then at the end of the month I will do a wrap up post to see if anything actually got done or not. I am really hoping that doing these posts hold me a bit more accountable and break those big goals I set myself for the end of the year down a bit for me as when I look at those now I get a bit overwhelmed as I am so far behind where I wanted to be this year. Things just don't seem to have been going my way but maybe having a monthly post that I know I need to update will help me actually get these things done and push hard to work towards them. 

So here are the personal, fashion and fitness goals for the month of July that I have set myself...

Start adding to my summer wardrobe

My summer wardrobe is seriously lacking as I just don't have many clothes that fit me from this time last year. With me still losing weight though I don't really want to spend a fortune on clothing that is only going to last me a few months so the plan is only buy items I can't stop thinking about or those essentials I just can't do with out. I definitely don't mind adding plain t-shirts to this as I know they are fine all year round as I can layer them easily in autumn and winter.

Have all holiday clothes purchased 

I don't actually go away until the start of August however, I am determined to get all my holiday shopping out of the way by the end of July, just due to the start of August being very busy and the fact that for my holiday in June I was rushing around trying to find items the day before and panicking that I couldn't find what I needed. 

Buy a new piece of jewellery

I have been saying I have wanted to do this for a while now but keep putting it off as I haven't been wearing jewellery as much as I would like to lately. I am determined though that I am going to use some of my money to buy a new piece of jewellery. I definitely have enough necklaces however, I want to treat myself to a new bracelet as I only really have a charm bracelet and that doesn't really go with everyday outfits.

Create a new skincare routine

My skin ended up in terrible condition towards the end of last year and I just haven't managed to get it back right since. I am determined though that by my birthday in September it will be in much better condition than it is now. Throughout July I really want to create a new skincare routine that I am going to stick to and fingers crossed by doing this I will have much better looking skin than I currently have.

Sort all my footwear out

My footwear options are getting a bit overwhelming lately as I just have so many pairs lying around unworn due to me just picking up my Air Force day in day out. Plus there is no organisation when it comes to my footwear so finding a pair is a bit of a nightmare. I am hoping though that I can have a few hours in July just going through my footwear, tidying the storage up and just making it easier to find the pairs that deserve to be worn more. This way I can try not to wear my Air Force every day too and switch my footwear up based on my outfits those days.

Lose 4lbs

My weight loss journey really isn't going to plan lately and I am seeing the scale increase rather than decrease and it is starting to get me down a bit. I am hoping that I can drop 4lbs throughout July though to get the weight shifting once more. I would have set a bit of a bigger target but 4lb seems a bit more realistic and 1lb a week doesn't look too scary where as 2lb a week might have put me off a bit. 4lb or over though and I will be very happy.

9,000 steps daily 

There was a time this year where I could barely hit 5,000 steps a day but now I have increased that quite a bit and am hitting roughly 8,000 a day on average. I really want to push myself in July though so I am setting myself a goal of 9,000 steps a day throughout July. With how things have been lately this is definitely an achievable goal and I am excited to see if I manage it or not. 

Limit the alcohol I drink

Now I will be honest I don't actually drink too much however, recently I have noticed I am drinking more than previous. This isn't helping my weight loss at all so I really want to reduce my intake and make better choice when I do have a drink, no heavy lagers maybe something a bit lighter. This goal is definitely one I should be able to mark off as complete at the end of the month.

3 workout sessions a week

My workouts have really dropped in the past few months with the puppy taking up most of my time however, I am determined to try get into a better routine to help me with those weight loss goals which seem to be getting further away lately. I want to make sure I am going to my boxing sessions weekly as well as adding another two sessions just to my weekly routine. It is time to start looking after me again both mentally and physically.

It isn't just those goals I want to focus on though, I wanted to get so much done around the home this year and I have practically done none of it so I am hoping that these posts will help me get a move on with those jobs too and here are my home goals for the month of July...

Declutter the wardrobe 

This has been on my to do list for far too long and I know I really need to get it done as once it is complete getting ready on a morning is going to be so much easier whether that is for work, a day out or even just for workout seen as my workout clothes are going to be a part of this declutter too. Once things are cleared out I will know exactly what fits me and just what goes with what other item I own. My getting ready time should definitely be halved by doing this simple task.

Keep the wash baskets empty

I am an absolute nightmare when it comes to doing the washing as it is the job I seriously hate doing, especially when it comes to putting the washing away. My aim for the month of July though is to keep the wash baskets empty and make sure everything is put away straight away. This way I won't be stressing at the task at hand and wont be complaining about not having clothes to wear like I have been doing recently. This will make the house look a bit tidier too so it is a bit of a win, win situation.

Make progress on the home gym

Finally we made a real start on the home gym in June and I really want to keep the momentum going heading into July and fingers crossed by the end of month I will be able to report that we have made a good dent in the building of the structure. This home gym has been a long time coming so I am really excited to see just how much progress we can make in July.

Sort the bathroom shelves

This job is a bit like the decluttering the wardrobe one, I keep saying I am going to do it but never get around to it. But not in July as this job is finally get done and out of the way for a very long time. Once these are done it means I will be able to easily see what products I actually have meaning I will stop buying duplicates of products and also hopefully stop wasting products as I will be making a new rule to check what I have before buying any new items in the future.

Sort the bottom of the stairs

By doing this I will also be doing the goal of sorting out my footwear as this area is where all my footwear is kept. The bottom of the stairs is a right mess at the moment, it has become a dumping ground with shoes all over and things that need taking upstairs which I have been too lazy to do so far. Just sorting out this area will tidy up the downstairs a lot more than it already has been and it will make it easier to find the footwear, hoodies and other bits that are kept in this area making getting ready much easier. 

Declutter the shed

The shed is a bit of a death trap at the moment and to be honest it has been a long time since I have been in it or used it as there is just no access thanks to things just being dumped in there. The plan for July though is to get the shed totally emptied and only put back in what we really need to. This way we can use it for the intended use of garden storage and not just junk. We are thinking of adding a bit of racking in here too so we can have a toy section for the nephew, a football equipment section and of course an actual garden item section.

Start on sorting the side garden 

Since having the garage removed we have realised that there isn't actually as much to do in the side garden as we originally thought. This area is going to be for me to do some extra football training and for the nephew to play in so it is just a case of tidying it up and getting rid of bits such as the BBQ we are never going to use and the old vegetable patch. Doing this is just going to create a bit of extra space for us. Then it is a case of saving up for the trees removing in the future and a fence being put in their place, if I can get Liam on board with the idea.

Complete the back garden

The back garden saga has been going on far too long so hopefully in July we will finally have it complete and ready to use if the weather becomes nice again. The decking will be getting jet washed & painted, the fence will be painted and the planter will be getting turned into benches. Once all that is done it is a case of weeding and cleaning up the furniture and we should be good to go. This is the goal I am absolutely determined to complete as I really want to get out and enjoy what has the potential to be a great space.

Fingers crossed that I can have a really good month so that at the end of July when I do my wrap up I can say that I have completed nearly all of them. A productive month will definitely help me in so many ways as I can finally get jobs done that I have been putting off for a long time and I can just have an easier month in August, which is bound to be a busy one. It is time to start taking action rather than letting other aspects of life take over. Check back at the end of July to see what I actually managed to get done. 

Do we think that I will be able to get all these goals completed? I really hope so.