It is no secret now that I am really pushing towards my weight loss goals and I have a lot of pretty expensive rewards I want to treat myself to when I hit that main goal (post coming up about that very soon) so I have finally realised there is no point in wasting money now on clothes that aren't going to last too long when I can be saving that money for the rewards when the time comes plus I am sick of wasting money for the sake of not coming home empty handed when shopping. 

To be honest though I am really dialing in on my weight loss journey now and my biggest priority at the moment is getting rid of this weight for good which means if all goes to plan I won't be at the size I am now for much longer and I will be dropping sizes a bit more frequently until my loss phase is over and done with. 

As I said before I have realised now I am just spending for the sake of it as I feel like if I am out I need to buy something however, I am slowly getting out of that mindset now as I am starting to realise that saving would hold a much bigger benefit for me all round. Saving would mean I could get much better quality pieces when it comes to that big goal shop and if I really knuckled down with the savings for the goal shop I believe I could realistically save just over £2,500 meaning I could have a very good shop when the time comes. It is not only clothing that I am saving for though I am also saving towards other little bits that will help me on the journey too like cooking devices.  

My wardrobe is currently overflowing with items I never wear or that don't fit right so I really don't need any other items added for the sake of it when I can just wear those items first. By not adding to the wardrobe & cutting back on the pointless shopping trips I could save so much money so from now on that is the plan The shopping trips are going to be massively cut back and I am planning on reducing those new additions until they are really needed. 

The additions are going to be stopped however, there will be some exceptions for the rules. When trousers get to the point where they look too baggy or silly even with a belt I will be allowing myself to purchase a new pair however, it will be one in one out to stop the wardrobe being full of items that don't fit. This is going to be similar with tops too when they start to look silly for being too big I will be replacing on a one in one out basis. I will also be allowing myself to buy new football shirts through this as I can't miss out on the latest ones to add into my collection as the new season begins. These exceptions will be done on a one in one out basis and will be replaced on a budget meaning there will be no more big expense purchases until I have hit those goals.

Now that the weight loss journey is the main focus in my life it is time to knuckle down and ensure that I am using my time wisely so shopping trips will be replaced by workouts and the wardrobe is going to remain as it is until those items desperately need replacing. This will give me a chance to work towards that style I am wanting too as when items need replacing I can add the new style items and begin building that perfect wardrobe. Let's see how this goes...

See you soon, 

Lucy.

It is looking like we might actually be getting a good summer here in the UK with the weather finally improving and mini heatwaves hitting. This latest heatwave has got me thinking about all the things I actually want to get done this summer, I don't want to waste the time especially now Liam is at home more due to his new job. Previous summers have been spent sat at home or playing football but this time around I want to get out and about doing a variety of things just to make the most of the weather before it inevitably changes earlier than it should. So here is what I am hoping to do this summer...

Visit Malham

I have wanted to go to Malham for the longest time possible and I think a trip here on a cooler day would be absolutely perfect. This is something we can do just the 3 of us and either spend a few hours there or the full day depending on how far we actually wish to walk. Malham is somewhere I haven't been since I was little so it would make a nice change and it isn't like it is a million miles away.

Climb on of the Yorkshire 3 peaks

The Yorkshire 3 peaks aren't actually too far away from us and it is on my goals list to walk them (individually) this year. Granted we should have done a few of these in the spring however, time wasn't on our side and I am hoping we an get up and off early one day in the summer on a cool day to climb one of the 3 peaks with the dog. Before we do this though I need to work out which one is going to be the best for me with my current fitness levels and which the dog is going to be able to handle the best.

Go camping

This summer I am going to be making time to have a long weekend camping which should certainly be an experience with the dog in tow. We have been saying we were going camping for ages but kept delaying it however, in the next few weeks we will be going out getting a tent and the other equipment we need and getting a pitch booked for a few nights. This is definitely something I am really looking forward to as it should be a brilliant experience full of plenty of entertainment thanks to the dog.

Complete the back garden work

Granted this won't be fully completed as we aren't going to pain the decking until the dining room has been plastered however, we can get the majority of the back garden finished before the weather changes if we knuckle down and crack on with it. The main things to do in this area are finish converting one planter into a bench, build a new fence & gate and reorganize the decorations whilst giving the grass and decking area a tidy up. This should be a good few days work to get it up to scratch but then we can enjoy it for the rest of the summer. There will be little additions creeping into here over time and I can't wait to see it all start to come together at long last as it has been a long time coming.

Late night drinks in the garden

Once the garden is done I really want us to make the most of it by having late night drinks in there whether it is just us two and the dog or family come around to join us. If it drops cold we can light the fire pit but either way we can just enjoy relaxing in the nice space we have created rather than being sat inside the warm house all summer.

Have a BBQ

We will need to actually go out and buy a BBQ for this one but I want to enjoy a few BBQ's this summer a few with just me and Liam and then invite the family around for some. You can't beat a good BBQ when the weather is nice and it is just a chance to eat some good food and enjoy each others company whilst enjoying the outdoors. Let's hope we do manage to have a fair few of these.

Have a picnic

It has been a long time since I have packed a picnic basket and headed out however, I am hoping that changes this summer. My plan is to combine this with that Malham trip or maybe head somewhere local with the nephew in tow during the summer holidays as I think it would be something nice for us to do together but we shall see how this one plays out.

Have a theme park trip

My nephew is getting braver and is happy to go on more rides at theme parks now so I am hoping that I can get to a theme park with him this summer & enjoy the rides with him. I am having a week away with him in August and all being well we will be having a day or two in a theme park so this is something I should definitely get to tick off the wanting to do this summer list. 

If I manage to get plenty of these things done it should set me up for a very, very good summer indeed so let's see how it plays out.

See you soon, 

Lucy

We have finally completed the hallway which unfortunately drained our bank accounts however, we are in the stage now of rebuilding the funds and planning our dining room makeover. This room has always been one of my least favourites with wallpaper coming off the walls and a fully bare wall where we had patio doors installed last year. We are hoping to knuckle down and get this room completed by my birthday party on the 6th of September which has meant we have sat down and worked out just what we want in this room going forward so we know how much we need to budget for the makeover. The plastering and decorating is going to come in at just over £1,000 so we are hoping to keep costs down in other areas, we are lucky to have received a dining table from my parents which has reduced what we need money wise by quite a bit but there is still a fair bit too pick up so here is what we are looking at getting...

IKEA Skruvby Sideboard £129

We are going to be having a bar area along one wall in the dining room and this unit is going to be ideal for the space. The plan is to use the exposed side for fancier bottles & cans whilst the draw will be used for little accessories such as straws & bottle openers. As for the actual cupboard side we will be filling this with bottles we don't want on display and glassware that will be used with the alcohol within the bar area. This will just keep everything together in one space and will hopefully look really nice once it all comes together. 

Basket 

I am going to be looking for a cheap basket that we can pop into a corner of the dining room and fill it with some blankets. The plan is to put this by the patio doors so that we can grab one with ease if we are sitting outside and it drops a bit colder. This is going to be a cheap basket as it doesn't need to be over the top but it is going to be super handy to keep things tidy.

Bar Set 

To really set the bar area top up I am wanting a nice little bar & cocktail set for on the top of the sideboard just to make life easier if I am making special drinks. I have found some really nice ones in Dunelm so I think a trip is going to be needed once work gets underway.

Tray

I love the look of trays on top of bar areas and this wooden one (maybe in a lighter colour) would look great on top of the side board with that Ralph Lauren decanter sat on top of it. I am hoping I can find one around £10 that looks as good as the one above so the hunt is well and truly on. 

How are we in July already? It seems like two minutes ago that the year begun and now here we are into the 7th month of the year and what could be potentially the busiest month of the year so far for me with the Women's Euros taking place, changes happening at work and plenty of things taking place on weekends meaning very little free time in the grand scheme of things. That being said I am determined that I am going to make the most of the month and make it one of the best of the year so far. So here are the goals I am setting for myself this month... 

Fashion

Ditch the backpack 

Currently I am taking a backpack to work with me everyday however, I am getting sick of it and with the changes that are taking place I think I am going to be able to make the switch from a backpack to a handbag I have had sat gathering dust. The plan is to pop my diary and laptop into the bag and see if I have enough space for the other bits I need to take up to work with me. I am sure I will have plenty of space and I am looking forward to making the change. 

Buy a Loungefly bag

I am honestly surprised that I haven't bought a Loungefly bag yet, somehow I have managed to resist the temptation however, I don't think I am going to be able to for much longer. They have recently released a gorgeous Pokemon Lucario bag which I have fallen in love with. This bag would be great to use however, I feel like I have a space in the games room where this would be perfectly displayed. 

Rotate the footwear 

I have fallen back into old habits and I am back to constantly wearing the same footwear for days on end. The plan for July is to really mix up the footwear I am wearing and to really try not to wear the same pair for a few days at a time. I have plenty of nice shoes that I just don't wear so it is time to change that and get some wear out of them. Some will go much better with the outfits I am planning than what I have been previously wearing. 

Finally get started on Vinted

I have a bag of items ready to list on Vinted and potentially a whole lot more to list once another goal has taken place so I think it is about time I stopped delaying and started listing. This will free up plenty of space in the house and should also bring in some extra money which would be greatly appreciated at the moment with all the jobs we have got going on. Let's see just what happens with this one I am hoping it is a goal I can tick off and helps other goals progress nicely. 

Sort through the rest of my clothing

There is no kidding myself anymore there are some items of clothing that I am never going to wear again as they have become too big for me so I need to sit down and have a proper clear out of the clothing in the bedroom that hasn't been worn for ages and is never going to be worn again. Once this has happened I should have plenty more to list on Vinted too so it helps that goal above and hopefully brings in some extra money. 

Fitness

Get as close to the 100 kg mark 

I am really hopeful that in July I can dial in and really start making progress towards my weight loss goals. I am sitting at around the 106 kg mark at the moment so I want to try get as close to that 100 kg mark before the end of the month as this will give me plenty of potential for a good August which is my final preseason month and with a target of 95 kg by the first of September I really need to get pushing as much as possible. I know if I nail the basics and stick to things daily I have the potential to hit this goal so let's see at the end of the month check in.

As much football as possible

Training resumes in July so I want to attend every session possible and I want to make sure if there is a friendly I am attending that too unless I am away. Not only that but I am also wanting to having some solo training sessions just to work on my technique and finishing a bit more. By hitting these sessions I should see the weight drop too if everything goes to plan.

Stick to my calories daily

July is going to be the month where I really get into my calorie deficit to ensure that 100 kg mark is approaching. The plan is to not go over my calories at all in July & hit my protein target daily to ensure maximum benefits towards my weight goal. I am out a fair bit in July but with the planning around meals and what options are available to me I should be able to nail this goal. 

Hit the gym 3 times a week   

To tie everything together I want to ensure I am in the gym doing a weights session 3 times a week. I feel great after these sessions and even with weeks becoming busy once again I should be able to hit this goal if I actually sit and plan my weeks out properly. I have seen the benefits of hitting the gym so it is about time I became consistent with it.

8,000 steps a day

Most people aim for 10,000 steps a day when trying to lose weight but so far 8,000 is working for me however, I am not consistently hitting my target so in July I want to ensure that I am not under 8,000 at all. This just helps me lock in the habit and hopefully give me a base point going forward to improve upon.

Life 

Make the most of our free Saturday's

Granted I only have 2 free Saturday's due to going to my parents one weekend & being away for the other however, me & Liam no longer have plans on Saturday's so we can go on adventures or play games. For July I am hoping we can make the most of having no plans and be spontaneous before the football restarts in August. I am just grateful we are getting more time together thanks to the changes taking place.

Enjoy the extra hours we get together

As I say changes are taking place in July and this means me & Liam are going to have more time together during the day & on weekends and I can't wait. There is no more mornings or evenings waiting for him to arrive home as his commute is going to be reduced massively. This means we can sit and game together, crack on with jobs or just relax together for a change rather than barely seeing each other.

Finish my book

I have been reading the same book for over a year now and it is about time I set aside some time to complete it. I just don't make the time for reading like I used to and I know really should start to again. I am hoping that just half an hour of reading most nights will help me finally get this wrapped up so I can move onto my next read.

Complete a game

I set myself a target of completing 10 games this year and currently I am on 0 as I just don't make the time for gaming. I am putting time aside in July to sit and complete at least 1 game in the month just so I know I am taking some time for myself rather than being on the go constantly. Hopefully this helps me stay in and save some money too.

Enjoy family time

There is plenty coming up in July. My sister is at Silverstone with my dads so I am going to stay with my mum & nephew for the weekend which should be loads of fun. I am then heading to the coast the weekend after for a few nights in a caravan & a McFly concert. The fun doesn't stop there either as towards the end of the month me & my sister are taking our grandparents to see Il Divo which should be a brilliant evening. It is a family filled month which should be a whole host of fun.

Home

Save enough money to get a chunk of the dining room done

If all goes well and that Vinted goal gets underway & I stay at home not spending where possible then this one could be very close to happening. I am hoping that by July's payday towards the end of the month I have enough for the plastering doing in the dining room & then I can use what I save in July's pay towards the decorating so we can finally get this room underway. This will require a lot of saving but I am positive I can make it happen.

Plan what to buy for the dining room

If we are planning on starting the dining room by the end of July then we need to sit down and work out what we need to buy for this room. We need to work out what furniture we definitely want to add, a new light fitting and accessories. One side of the room is going to be a bar area so we need to ensure everything is planned for on that side too, this will give us chance to see how much extra money we need too. 

Cut the grass & trees

The front of the house is a mess right now as it has been neglected. The trees are overgrown & so is the grass so the plan is once the weather changes again we are going to get out and crack on with these areas. Once the trees are done they shouldn't need doing again for a few months which is a bonus and as for the grass well, once that is done we have a good base for other bits we want to do in those grassy areas. 

Start on the back garden

We have decided not to do any painting in the garden until the dining room has been done as this will be the access for the plastering and decorating so we don't want the paint ruining. The plan though is to get our planters finished and turned into seating, weed the area, plant some nice plants and get rid of bits we no longer want in here. We also want to start sorting for the hot tub out here so we need to get some prices for some electrics running outside. 

Finish changing the games room around

Towards the end of June we begun changing the games room around a bit and now in July we just have a few bits left to sort in here. Hopefully we can get this done nice and early in the month so we can just enjoy spending time in the room for a change.

So there you have it those are my goals for the month let's hope it is going to be nice and productive.

See you soon

Lucy 

It is official preseason is officially underway for me and I am determined that I am going to be going into the new season in September in the best shape possible. After a season of injury last season I am not going to be making the same mistakes and I am going to be ensuring that I go into the season with a lower weight, more strength and even better overall fitness however, it is going to take a lot of hard work between now and the 1st of September to get to this point and that is why I am setting myself some goals to achieve before then to keep me on track for getting in the best shape. So here are a break down on the goals I am setting myself for the next few months... 

Get as close to 95 kg as possible

If I hit 95 kg I will be at my lowest weight in quite a while which would be a huge achievement but as I am sitting at around the 108 kg mark at the moment this is going to require a big push with a loss of 1.2kg per week being need to hit the goal. Even if I get to 98kg I will be at a much lower weight than when I started last season which will be a huge bonus. I am just hoping that by dropping weight my body won't be put under as much stress so I hopefully get less injuries over the course of the season. 

Play in as many friendlies as possible

Friendlies are a good way to get in shape for the season as you are gaining valuable game time in each one and there is no better way of getting season ready than actually playing games. The more game time I get under my belt in preseason should mean I am building up my fitness ready for the season to begin and also should mean I am working on technical ability in the friendlies too. I want to make sure I am playing in as many as possible and only missing ones due to being away, no excuses now it is time to show up.

Attend as many football training sessions as possible

Just like with the friendlies attending training is going to help me get in much better shape so rather than going and watching the team I support in friendlies the plan is to go to my own football training and smash the hours session. This will help me improve all round and means I am getting an extra hours workout in each week which should help with getting close to the weight goal too. 

Build the strength in my knee

My knee got worse last season and I actually had 3 months out due to injuring it pretty badly and those 3 months were awful not being able to play so I want to limit the chances of this happening again. The weight loss will definitely help me with my knee not being under so much pressure however, I want to make sure I am also using the off season to do some strengthening exercises on my knee whilst in the gym so I am going into the new season in the best position possible with my knee.

Improve my overall fitness

My current fitness levels might as well not exist and that is something that drives me insane as I know I have the potential to really improve my fitness levels if I just put the work in. So that is my plan this off season, get plenty of cardio sessions in and really make a difference in my fitness and stamina so that I get more minutes under my belt in the season and also can impact the team in a much better way than I have been. 

Work on my ball control

I feel like a lot of my ball game needs work after so long out injured last season as I feel a bit rusty on the pitch. The plan is to have a few solo sessions in the garden or with Liam just working on my ball control like dribbling, first touch and passing & receiving. Just 30 minutes a few times a week would massively help me with this so I just need to get out and do it.

Work on my finishing

Whilst I am working on my ball control I also want to work on my finishing as the potential is there as I scored 3 goals last season but I know with a bit of work on technique, power and accuracy I could potentially score a few more goals and help the team out a bit more. Just 30 minutes a few times a week would also massively improve this and also would help with strengthening my leg.

Hit the gym 3 times a week

Alongside all the above I want to make sure I am in the gym doing 3 sessions a week on both weights and cardio. This just helps me with working towards all the above and should really help me get in shape all round not just for football. I have learnt recently the gym is actually not as bad as I once thought so it is about time I get the most out of my membership. 

Drop a clothing size

Finally one of my goals is to put all the above into practice and drop at least one clothing size going into the new season. A week before the new season begins I want to go on a trip to buy some new base layers that are a size below my usual and when the gear order goes in for the start of the season I want to be able to treat myself to some new club branded items in at least a size smaller than my current extra large that I am wearing. 

So there you have it those are my goals for the preseason if I did manage to hit all these I would definitely be going into the season in the best shape I have been in a long time which should definitely set me up for a good season ahead. Now I just need to zone in and stick to the plan, let's see how this goes...

See you soon

Lucy

We are finally on a mission to get the house done up after being in there for 7 years. We recently completed our hallway and although we are now trying to rebuild our savings account we are desperately trying to build our funds back up so we can try get the dining room done before my birthday in September which will be a push but it will certainly be worth it if it does happen as the dining room is somewhere we have wanted to redo for a while now to make it a cosy practical space rather than a dumping ground.

The first thing we really need to do when it comes to this room is settle on a colour, I am thinking a nice beige to create the cosy vibe we want to aim for but if it takes half as long to decide as picking for the hallway did then we need to get moving on this now. The room is already basically cleared out thanks to some decluttering the other week however, we will need to move our current alcohol cabinet out of the way and our table so this won't take too long. One things are moved out we can get the wallpaper off the walls which won't take long as half of it is coming off already. Once all this is done we can get the plasterer & decorator in and really transform this room.

To get the ball moving we have already got a quote for the plastering which is coming in at just over £500 alongside the decorating quote which is also just over £500. We also bought the flooring for this area when we bought the flooring for the hallway which means that is already paid for and we don't need to worry about it. We have also managed to save some money by claiming my parents old dining table which is the perfect size for us and is in great condition. We have also already picked out our pieces of furniture too and know we need around £200 for the pieces we have our eye on, which include the IKEA Skruvby sideboard which would ultimately become our bar area. The plan though is to keep this room cosy, clutter free and somewhere we can enjoy nice meals and host in from time to time.

Fingers crossed we can get this done in the time frame we are hoping for however, if we do need to push the time frame on a bit then so be it just as long as we get this room perfect and a far cry from what it is now.

Operation get the house changed is 100% a go now and we are both so determined to create the perfect space for us to live in and enjoy spending our days & evenings in...

Now let's get planning properly for this space...

See you soon,

Lucy

I am not sure what has happened lately but I seem to have opened my eyes to reality a little bit more and have come to the conclusion that it is time for things to change in life. I am at the point where I am sick of being run down and seemingly having no time to work on myself and the ideas I have for the websites I run. Over the past few weeks I have realised that things definitely need to change and therefore going forward I am going to be prioritizing certain things within my life to improve the quality of life I have, my mental and physical health and so that I can also work on those things I really want to work on rather than them being thrown to one side like they currently are. So here are the things I am going to be prioritizing going forward...

The foods I eat

I am low on energy most days and I know that this is partly down to the foods I eat. It is time for the junk food to go and for me to start incorporating a bit more of an ultra processed free diet into my day to day life. I know that this isn't going to change overnight however, I am going to be making these changes gradually until I am eventually sticking to whole clean foods. By prioritizing eating clean whole foods I should see my weight loss journey progress well and I will hopefully have more and more energy each day to put time and effort into the other areas of my life I want to work on.

My fitness & moving my body

Just with the foods I eat I want to make sure I am prioritizing my fitness and moving my body each day. My weight has been slowly creeping back up and I want to make sure it is starting to go down in the right direction once again. I know that if I make getting a 45 minute workout in each day a priority and working on increasing my steps my fitness levels are going to massively change and I am finally going to see the progress take place for me to hit that overall weight loss goal. The workouts I do are going to be mixed between weights, football, swimming and boxing so I won't get bored and the discipline to hit all the sessions should soon start to take place and I am determined to make this stick so the progress starts flowing.

Family Time

I feel like sometimes I don't spend enough time with Liam so going forward I am making family time a priority so we spend more time together. The plan is to dedicate a few nights a week to having a video game night or board game night just the two of us with minimal distractions so we can enjoy the time together in peace, who knows we might even have TV nights so we can finally catch up on all those shows we want to watch together, all I know is family time is going right up to the top of the priority list.

The websites

The passion for the websites I run has slipped in recent years as I just haven't had the time to work on content for them but in all honesty I have missed writing for them so going forward a few nights a week are going to be where creating the content for the sites is going to become a priority. The plan is to dedicate a night to each site so I am not distracted and can get ahead of myself on content and then have a few hours on a weekend just tying up lose ends. I am really hoping that by making these a priority I can see the growth I have wished for all these years and really start to get the love for creating content back.

Myself 

Now this is a bit of a strange one but going forward I want to make myself a bit of a priority as at the moment I am really not doing this. By making myself a priority I mean actually prioritizing time to work on my skincare and hair care routines as my hair and skin at the moment are in terrible condition. I also want to prioritize time in a morning to get ready and build the perfect outfits each day rather than just throwing on any old clothes. I know that by doing this I will see the confidence rise in myself and other things will also start to fall into place.

I am really hoping that by making all these tings above a priority I will be able to see a huge difference in myself physically and mentally whilst also working on those things I really love. These priority's should really help that weight loss journey take shape too so let's see how things go.

See you soon, 

Lucy

 

It is definitely time to add some good quality jewellery into my wardrobe that is going to fit my style as the Nike logo necklace just doesn't cut it these days with the style I am going for. I have spent a lot of time looking on the Abbott Lyon website lately looking at pieces of jewellery I could start to add into my rotation over time that are a lot smarter than I currently have and that are a mix of colours not just the typical silver I opt for. I have to admit that after looking on the site so often I have found a lot of items I would love to pick up over time so I really do need to get saving as the items are not cheap which is something I don't mind as this is an area I would love to start investing in to help add that little extra to my outfits. So here are the items I am wanting to start adding into my wardrobe to help elevate those outfits going forward...

Bracelets

I only own a few bracelets at the moment and this is something I really want to add to as my wrists just feel bare these days and I want something to help dress up outfits especially when I am wearing the likes of shirts going forward. So here are the bracelets I would love to add to my rotation...

Gold Tennis Bracelet £65

As I said at the start of my post I tend to opt for silver jewellery however, this time I want to add a bit more gold into the rotation as I know that gold jewellery can look a bit more elegant with certain outfits. I absolutely love this gold tennis bracelet due to it's simplicity but I know it would look lovely with a nice shirt for work if it is just peeping out of the cuff.

Silver Tennis Bracelet £65

I am not going to avoid buying new silver jewellery all together and this silver tennis bracelet just keeps drawing me in. This one is exactly the same as the gold one however, I do feel like this one would be great with the likes of t-shirts and vests. A tennis bracelet is just a classic really isn't it?

Gold Personalised Heart Bracelet £54

This bracelet is certainly something totally different to what I would normally opt for however, I absolutely love how it looks in the images on the site. It has a it of a statement with the heart without being too in your face and still looking much classier than previously bracelets I have owned. I love how you can personalise this too and also pick the font, maybe this could be one I ask for as a gift when the time comes.

I love how small and subtle this bracelet really is and again it is something I would not have purchased before as it wouldn't have gone with that previous style I had. An infinity bracelet is one I have wanted for a long time now and with the price of this I think it could be one of the first pieces off here I pick up as it seems like it would be perfect for both casual or smart outfits.

Necklaces

I actually have a fair few necklaces in my jewellery box at the moment however, they are all men's ones and to be honest I have gone off of a lot of them as they just don't go with that style I am opting for these days. Abbott Lyon have some gorgeous looking ones on their site currently though and here are the ones I would love to add into my jewellery box...

Personalised Initial & Droplet Birthstone Gold Necklace £89

This necklace is absolutely gorgeous and I love how much of a statement the initial and droplet make without being in your face, even the chain on this has the little details rather than just being plain. I have actually wanted something that includes my birthstone for a while as I love the colour of it so add in the little initial at the side of this it would be ideal for me.

The chain on this necklace is the same as on the birthstone one which is an added bonus as it looks brilliant and the heart locket is just big enough with the stone in the middle without being too in your face like some lockets in this style can be. I love how you can upload the files on the site for them to add to this locket too as who prints photos these days? The only issue for me would be narrowing down which images to use. 

Gold Paperclip Chain Necklace £45

Now this one is very plain and simple compared to the other necklaces in this post but again I can already picture the type of outfits I would wear this with. This might be a simple chain however, the paperclip style just makes it that little bit different and makes it perfect for both casual and dressed up days. With a nice shirt this would just be perfect. 

This one is just a nice and simple plain chain which I believe everyone needs in their jewellery box as it will go with everything no matter what the occassion is. It is nice & subtle and you can even add little charms if you wanted so it is pretty versatile for the price. This is definitely going to be purchased as soon as possible.

Gold & Silver Tennis Necklaces £65 each

These necklaces just look a little more in your face than the others on the list without being too in your face. The main reason they are on the list though is that they will match the tennis bracelets perfectly so if I was going somewhere like an event these would be perfect for putting on together and dressing up an outfit. This is also why both colours of the necklace are on the list so that I can match both bracelets when I eventually get them. 

Rings 

I think in the past I have had about 3 rings that have fit me properly but none have been particularly fancy and I want something a bit smarter going forward. One reason I never wore rings was because I didn't want to draw attention to my hands due to me being a nail biter, now though I am getting my nails done regularly and I don't mind attention being drawn to them. There are a few nice ones I have found on the site that I would like to purchase and those are...

Gold & Silver Fine Script Name Rings £69 each

I love the look of this ring so much that I actually want it in both silver and gold so I can mix and match what I wear them with. I love how simple this ring is with the only detail being the script writing on it which isn't too in your face as it doesn't fill the full ring, just the top. This would definitely be perfect for everyday rather than just those special occasions.

Gold & Silver Crystal Heart Rings £59 each

Again I would love this one in both silver and gold. This one to me is a bit more casual and again is perfect for everyday no matter what sort of outfit I would be wearing. This is a bit chunkier than any other rings I have ever had too so will probably take some getting used to but these are two rings I would love to add into my jewellery box.

Watches

If you have been here a while you will know that I absolutely love a good watch however, the ones I currently own are a bit more on the masculine side. I want to change this though and add a few more feminine ones into my watch box to add options into the rotation. Here are the Abbott Lyon Watches I would love to purchase...

Essence Silver 23 Watch & Essence Gold 23 Watch £149 each

These watches are totally different to watches I would usually wear as they are much smaller. I absolutely love the simplicity of these watches though and to be honest I think the cost is very good too. Again I would love to get this in both gold and silver to go with any option of outfit and event however, the cost would be worth it as it would definitely help elevate those outfits.

Essence Two Tone 23 Watch £149

This is basically the same watch as above however, the mix of metals is absolutely perfect. The gold and silver work brilliantly together to create an elegant and classy look which is just what I am wanting to opt for going forward but more on that another day. This watch would work perfectly with a nice mix of all these items on this list so who knows it could be the perfect first watch purchase for the new jewellery box.

Pearl Belgravia 36 Watch £149

This is another two tone watch however, the main reason I love this one is due to the round face and the pearl effect. It is something totally different to what I would normally get but I am drawn to it every time I look on the site. Again this is really reasonably priced for what it is and would be the perfect addition to elevate different outfits. 

So there you have it those are the items I am constantly drawn to when browsing Abbott Lyon, hopefully sooner rather than later I will be able to add some of these into my jewellery box to start elevating those outfits at long last. The question is though what should I purchase first? 

See you soon

Lucy

Here we go another new month and it is safe to say this year seems to be flying by faster than ever in my eyes. May is looking like a very busy month with house projects, birthday's and a holiday however, I am determined to have a productive month like I had in April. The month will no doubt be over in no time but here are the goals I am hoping to achieve...

Fashion

Buy some new shorts

I have come to the conclusion that new shorts need to be purchased. The ones I currently own are very worn and don't really suit the style I want to achieve in the warmer weather so I need to head out to finally pick up a few pairs to see me through the seasons. I have a feeling that the shorts purchased could be from Marks and Spencer's if they fit right.

Clear out more of the wardrobe 

The wardrobe never got changed around in April so I am determined it will be done in May and whilst doing this I want to have a massive clear out so I finally stop holding onto items for the sake of it like I keep doing. There are so many items that don't fit the style I am aiming for so now it is time to make space for new bits that will fit that style going forward.

Rotate the footwear I wear

Last month I sorted out my footwear rotation and now it is finally time to make sure that I am going to get the wear out of all the pairs within the rotation. There really is an option for every occasion in this current rotation so it is about time I started switching things up a bit more. I have everything from trainers to sandals so let's see how this one goes. 

Buy some new chinos

I have taken a liking to wearing chinos again however, the ones I have don't really fit me correctly so I want to pick up a few pairs in May that fit much better than the current options. Again I think Marks & Spencer's could be the go to for these but I might have a look around to see if anywhere else have some a bit cheaper.

Get some basic t-shirts

One thing I am lacking is some nice fitting basic t-shirts for layering spring outfits with so my mission in May is to hunt around and find some nice fitting not see through white and black t-shirts. I have been looking for a while and not found what I needed but we are upping the search this time around and I am determined to add a few of each colour to my wardrobe.

Life

Create a new morning routine

Throughout May I really want to make some changes that are really going to benefit me and one of those changes is to actually create a morning routine that I stick to 7 days a week to really kick start my day the right way. A routine is something I usually thrive with so if I get into the habit of carrying out a morning routine everyday I am hoping I become more consistent towards my goals. We shall see how this one goes.

Create a new evening routine

Alongside creating a morning routine I also want to create an evening routine to stick to daily. An evening routine should help set up for the following routine to flow smoothly and also create habits for me to get enough sleep, get jobs ticked off the to do list and not burn out. I am looking forward to seeing how this develops over the month.

Continue working on the back garden

With the work indoors being out of our hands until the middle of the month the plan is to use the nice weather to finally push towards completing the back garden. Out here we need to finish turning the planters into benches, tidy up the grass and edging area before finally painting the decking and fencing and getting all the furniture back into place. A good few weekends and this could finally be completed and we can enjoy the area properly after 7 years of waiting. 

Finish reading my book

I have set myself a goal of reading 3 books this year and I am not even half way through my first one so in May I am determined to change that and finally get book number 1 complete. Reading will be being added into my evening routine to make sure I am giving myself that break rather than having life 100 mph each day.

Get back to cash stuffing

With the motivation to crack on with house projects I realise I need to start managing my money better than I have been doing lately and that is why a goal of mine for the month is to get back to cash stuffing where I set a budget withdraw the amount needed for each category and stick to what is in each envelope so I know just where my money is going for a change. 

Home

Get everything put on the walls in the hallway

Once the paint has dried on the walls the plan is to crack straight on and get everything up on the walls that we need to before putting the new flooring down just so we don't ruin it. This will include hanging the radiator, putting up the mirror and shelves alongside any artwork we are wanting to go up. 

Put down the wooden floor in the hallway

Once everything is on the walls it is time to get the wooden flooring laid downstairs. This isn't a huge area so I am hoping it goes down quite easily but I guess only time will tell if it does. I am hoping this gets done before our trip away just so we can come back and not have too much left to do.

Put all the coats and shoes into their new home

Once the paint has dried it is a case of cracking on to clear the rest of the house which has been over run with coats and shoes. The plan is to have another sort through the coats and shoes to put away only what we really need and organise them so we actually know where items are for a change as previously items were just dumped all over. It is time to keep the minimal and get the wear out of the pieces.

Start getting prices for our next job

The motivation post hallway work is definitely there and before the end of May the plan is to get the prices together for our next job... the dining room. I am really looking forward to getting this room done as it means we will finally have a dining table back after a few years without one meaning meals can be enjoyed away from the sofa and we are also planning to add a bar area into here. I am hoping the costs for here are reasonable and we can get cracking on in the next few months as I can just imagine summer nights having meals at the table with the patio doors open and the dog running around.

Start moving bits from the dining room into the new cupboard

By the end of May I am hoping to have moved all the board games and books into the cupboard at the top of the stairs so they are cleared out of the dining room ready for when that room is under going its transformation. This is going to free up so much space in the room and will just make life much easier going forward and as we are moving bits we can have another good declutter to make sure we are only putting away bits we really want to keep. No more keeping things for the sake of it.

Fitness

Limit the amount of takeaways we have 

Throughout May the plan is to really cut back on the takeaways as they are doing neither of us any favours and to be honest we haven't really enjoyed them as much lately. The plan is to only have 4 a month which may still seem a lot to some people but for us that will be a big cut down and hopefully get us moving towards our fitness goals.

Cut back on the fizzy drinks

The fizzy drinks have been creeping in far too much lately so those are going to be replaced with sugar free squash or water. There is no need for me to be drinking as many fizzy drinks as I have lately as I know they aren't good for me and my skin is breaking out which I am putting down to this. I am hoping that cutting back helps my skin clear up a bit and makes me feel a bit less bloated.

Go to the gym 4 times

I have signed back up to the gym in the hopes of making some decent progress on my weight loss journey. The plan through May is to make some use of the membership and try get into a bit of a routine in terms of working out and what sort of workouts to do. The gym I am a member at has a pool so let's hope I can get in there a fair few times too as that would be a decent workout.

Run 5 times

During May I would like to get at least 5 decent length runs under my belt. The plan is to try run a 5k without the couch to 5k app to see what sort of benchmark I am at for time wise. The 10k is fast approaching now though so I need to get running and get the distances increasing.

Go back to boxing

In May I want to finally get back to boxing. I am really missing the sessions and I know just how good the progress on my weight loss journey is when I am going here regularly. The aim for May is to attend 2 sessions to try get back into the swing of things before increasing the amount I go to. 

It is time to get the busy month underway and see just how many of these we can get ticked off the list. I am really hopeful for a great month with plenty of productivity so let's see how this goes, let's hope the end of month check in is a good one...

See you soon

Lucy