Somehow my birthday is fast approaching yet it doesn't seem like two minutes ago I was celebrating my 30th birthday... my first year in my 30's has taught me a lot about myself and things have begun to change and I think that is reflected in this years birthday wish list. This year there is a focus on nicer items that are more suited to my life going forward that are going to be well used and practical. Here are the items that have made it onto this years birthday wish list...

M&S Merino Wool Rich Polo Neck 

At £55 this is certainly a lot more than I would usually pay for a top however, I had my eye on one like this last year and it sold out. This year though I don't want to miss out and I am adding it to my wish list with the aim of picking one up when I go on my birthday shopping trip. Last year I got a fair few M&S tops for autumn & winter and they were super comfortable and easy to style. This sounds really soft and will be great for dressing up or down.

Smart Trousers

I have lost a fair bit of weight and a few gaps have appeared in my wardrobe, one of which is smart trousers. I am trying my best to smarten myself up and I feel like some smart trousers will do the trick as they will go with the tops above and plenty of tops I already own. Again on my birthday shopping trip I will be looking for the perfect pair and at the moment I am gravitating towards the H&M cigarette trousers.

Chelsea Boots

My Chelsea boots need an upgrade and I am taking my birthday as the prime chance to try get a pair of black ones & brown ones from Liam on my shopping trip. I tend to just get mine from Primark or Asda as they look great, fit comfortably and are really reasonably priced. I really hope I can find some nice pairs again this time around as they will be perfect for a lot of outfits I have in mind.

New Balance

This style of New Balance keeps catching my eye but I have never felt like they would fit my style however, I absolutely love this colourway and all though they are pretty expensive they have made it onto my birthday wish list and I think these could be my present to myself. I have so many ideas now for how I would style these so it is time to brave it and make the purchase. 

Abbott Lyon Necklace 

It is time to upgrade my jewellery collection and what better way to start than adding this gold Abbott Lyon necklace to my birthday wish list. I am in love with this droplet one thanks to the small details on the chain, initial droplet and the birthstone. This necklace would go with a lot of outfits I have in mind for the upcoming months whilst I really upgrade my style with smarter items. It is about time I started having gold jewellery not just silver as I feel now gold looks a lot more elegant when done right.

Abbott Lyon Bracelet 

If I am getting gold necklaces I need some gold bracelets to go with it and I absolutely love these tennis bracelets that Abbott Lyon do. I feel that this will look great with the necklace about and one of my smarter watches which I really need to get wearing more often. I already have a silver tennis bracelet which I really need to wear more often so it is now time to add a gold one to my collection. 

YSL Perfume

Oh look another present I think I am going to get myself for my birthday and once again it is on the more expensive side of things. A YSL fragrance has been on my wish list for a while but the price has been putting me off. It is actually one of my goals for the year to buy a YSL fragrance so it feels like the perfect time to put the price to one side and make the purchase. 

Zara Fragrance 

I love the Zara fragrances and to be honest have tended to stick to the men's one in the past however, that is certainly changing after a recent Zara visit. I fell in love with some of the women's scents they had in store so I think this is going to be one of the ideas I give to Liam for a gift for me as he always gets me a nice fragrance. The Cocoa ones are definitely the top of my wish list though as these smell absolutely gorgeous.

Pure Sport Roll On

I have started working out a whole lot more and with the gym sessions alongside my football my knee is being worked over time. To make sure I stay at the top of my game this season I am taking recovery & prevention more serious as I don't want to be sidelined with injury like I was last season. I have heard great things about this roll on sporting wise so I think this could be a bit of a gift to myself.

Manchester City Away Shirt

I am hoping to get to plenty of Manchester City Women games this season and if you know me you know I always need one of the current season shirts. I am absolutely loving the away shirt this season as it looks smart and simple so I think I may be dropping hints to Liam for this shirt with our favourite player Alex Greenwood on the back.

Le Creuset Mugs

Home ware for my birthday who am I? We are getting the dining room done currently and we are having a coffee station in the room. I am fed up of the mix matched character cups and I would love to have some nicer, fancier mugs in this area. I have seen a few nice Le Creuset mugs in TK Maxx at a reasonable price so I will once again be directing Liam towards these to see if he fancies picking me a few up for my gift on my birthday shopping trip.

I am finally ready to enter my skincare era. For so long I have neglected skincare and I am starting to feel it now as I am fighting constant breakouts and dark circles, it is time to make the change now though at long last to really start to improve the condition of my skin overall and just feel more confident due to how my skin turns out after a bit of TLC. It is certainly time now to build a skincare routine for me to stick to and here are some of the items I want to pick up to add into that routine to hopefully see a difference in my skin condition...

I mentioned in yesterday's how I am saving up for my rewards when I hit my 65 kg goal (this number might change to 70 kg depending on how I feel when I get to that number) as this is when I will be going on my big goal shop to treat myself to those items I have been wanting for a long time. Since starting my journey I have been compiling a list of items I would have previously only dreamed of owning and this has spurred me on to make the changes and save to hit that target. My list seems to have settled down a bit now and I have a great idea of what I want to purchase when that goal shop comes around and here are the items that have made the list...

Fashion

There are quite a few fashion items on this list which makes sense as the wardrobe is going to need a full rebuild as my size is going to have massively changed from what it is now. This is going to allow me to buy the items I have only previously dreamt of owning and the fashion items on my list are...

Ralph Lauren Jumper

I have wanted a nice Ralph Lauren jumper for a long time now however, they have never fit right and for the cost I want to make sure it fits perfectly. The plan is that when I hit my goal I go to a local Ralph Lauren whether that is an outlet or normal store and try these jumpers on once again. If they finally fit perfectly and feel comfortably I am planning on adding a few of these jumpers in different colours.

Ralph Lauren Shirts

I know the style I am going for as I am slowly transitioning into it currently however, I am not spending a fortune on this until I hit that goal as this is when my size should stop changing. The style I am opting for is much smarter especially for work and when I go on that goal shop I will hopefully be picking up a few smart Ralph Lauren shirts in different colours for work. 

Hawes & Curtis Shirts

For a bit of a cheaper option I am planning on purchasing some Hawes & Curtis shirts as these look just as good as the Ralph Lauren ones I am wanting plus with certain styles you can add cuff-links which is just a little bit different and adds a little extra to the outfits I have in mind with these shirts. They will definitely add a smarter look to my outfits going forward.

Holland Cooper Stamford 3 in 1

This Holland Cooper 3 in 1 jacket has been on my wish list for so long however, I just couldn't bring myself to pay £350 for this as my size was changing. The plan once I hit my goal though is to pick one of these up as it is perfect for dog walks and days out. The coat is perfect for the cold Yorkshire weather where as the gilet and fleece will be perfect for the cooler days and lounging around. I feel like I would definitely end up getting my money worth with this jacket.

Barbour Jacket

I already have the money earmarked for a Barbour jacket as every time I see them in a store I go over and get tempted to buy one but again I can't justify the cost if I am not going to fit in it properly in a few months time. The Barbour jacket is a timeless classic that I have always wanted so the plan is to finally add one to my wardrobe, I just need to work out which style I want. This could easily be one of the first purchases I make.

Smart Jacket

The past two jackets are a bit more country style & relaxed however, for work and days where I am going out and wanting to make an effort I really need a smart jacket or two. The plan is to get a trench/driving style of coat and a thicker pea coat style of jacket alongside a few blazers to make sure I am covered for all occasions. I am not going overboard buying items like this now but when I hit that goal weight I will be making sure I am all covered.

Levis Jeans

There have been so many times I have tried Levis on however, they have never fit right and I have always said to myself that as soon as I hit my goal I will be buying myself a pair to show the hard work I have put in to achieving my goal. The plan is to go in store and find the best fitting pairs in styles that are going to work for me and I can't wait to see which I end up with. 

Smart Trousers

To go with all the smart tops above I am going to need to get some smart trousers to go with them. Once that goal is hit I will be beginning the hunt for the perfect trousers to go with the shirts and jumpers I am purchasing. There will be no wide legs, just tailored, well fitting trousers that are made to last. It will definitely be time to ditch the baggy outdated trousers and get that put together style at long last.

Quality Gym Fits

The plan is to get some good quality gym fits when I hit my goal as my current will be far too big by then. I am hoping I can get some nice items that all work well together, that are comfortable and will last me for a while. I love my Gymshark items so some will come from there however, I am also going to take a look at Lululemon to see how their items fit me as I have heard good things about them. I find if I have a good gym fit I feel more confident and smash sessions so the gym fits will be staying after the goal and will hopefully look better than ever. 

Footwear

On the goal shop I don't want to focus on clothing although that is definitely where most of my money will go as the wardrobe will be needing a complete overhaul. The new clothing will need great footwear to go with it so the footwear will be getting an upgrade too. Here are the footwear pieces I am hoping to pick up once those goals are hit...

Prada Loafers

These Prada Loafers have been on my wish list for a long time and I feel like they would be perfect for those smarter days and getting dressed up. These are definitely expensive for what they are but I am constantly drawn into them so the purchase definitely needs to be made. I am considering these to be a reward for all the hard work I have put in to reach the goal. 

Loro Piana Loafers

Another high end purchase however, it is another purchase I have been wanting to make for a long time now. The issue previously has been that they wouldn't have gone with the clothing items I wore but with the sort of style I am going to be aiming for these will definitely an essential for late spring and summer time. They are definitely going to be an investment but they will definitely be worth it.

Veja Trainers

I feel like my Nike Dunk & Jordan trainer days are over as when I go shopping now I am finding myself heading over to smart looking trainers which makes a change. If I am dressing smarter though the trainers are going to make or break the outfit if I am wanting to dress it down just a little. I love the look of these Veja trainers so they will definitely be a goal shop purchase to work well with the other items I plan on purchasing. 

Comme Des Garcons Converse

These shoes have been on my wish list for so long now and I have decided that once I hit that goal I will be finally biting the bullet and getting a few pairs of the hi-top version of these. I am thinking that the black and white versions will be being purchased however, I am also loving the grey ones, I don't feel like I need all 3 colourways but as it stands that could very well be the case. I guess I have got time to decide which ones I definitely want though. 

Accessories

There are quite a few accessories I am hoping to purchase on my goal shop too as it doesn't make sense buying some of these now with my size due to change, other items are just expensive so I want to use them as a bit of an incentive to hit that goal. So here are those accessories I am wanting to pick up...

Ralph Lauren Belt

This reversible Ralph Lauren belt has been on my wish list for so long however, I don't want to buy a specific size and then need to replace it not long after. This is certainly going to be one of my first purchases once I hit the goal as this is going to go so well with jeans & those smart trousers I am hoping to pick up. The logo on this is just big enough to add a little extra to an outfit without being too in your face.

Prada Sunglasses

I have two great pairs of sunglasses at the moment however, I want to grow that sunglasses collection with some different pairs. As a treat for hitting my goal I am going to be splashing the cash a little and picking up a pair of Prada sunglasses. This Prada pair is the pair I seem to be getting dragged towards no matter how many other pairs I look at so I think these are going to be a definite purchase as soon as I can.

Smarter Glasses

I am in desperate need of new glasses however, I really don't want to be buying the perfect pair until I have settled on my weight a bit. This might seem silly however, I know my face shape will change due to the weight loss so I will stick to cheaper pairs now and then I can treat myself to the perfect pair that suits my face shape when that weight has gone. 

So those are the items I am planning on buying when I finally get to go on my big goal shop, I will be doing much smaller rewards for the little targets I hit on the way to my overall goal. These will be mainly items that help me push towards that big goal and those are...

Football Boots

I am always in need of football boots (although people will tell you I have too many pairs) so when I hit my first goal I am going to get myself a new pair for the season ahead. I already know which ones I am wanting so I just need to hurry up and hit that goal to be able to purchase them.

This might seem like a silly reward however, I feel like a slow cooker is going to come in very handy over the colder months as we can have food cooking away whilst I am at the football and we can ensure we are eating fresh home cooked meals which are much better than ordering takeaways.

Gym Outfits

These will be purchased on a budget and I am going to make my current gym wear last as long as possible however, the items are going to need replacing as my size changes so the plan is to replace them on the cheap but only buy what I really need so I am not wasting loads of money. 

Gym Footwear 

As I plan to spend more time in the gym and working out in general a few rewards are going to be gym footwear related. One will be a pair of running shoes when the time comes to replace my current and the other will finally be a pair of Metcons as I will be doing more weight work going forward, these have been on my wish list for a long time now so they will certainly be purchased as a reward for the hard work on my journey.

As I say these goal shop treats and rewards are just a few ideas of what I would love to pick up and there is time for these to change as time goes on but we will see how that goes. As I get closer to that big goal I might do and updated version of this post to see what still makes the cut and what I have decided I don't want anymore. 

What items would you pick up if you was on this journey?

See you soon, 

Lucy 

I can't quite believe that we are already in August, we are finally edging closer to my favourite months... the autumn months and let's just say the countdown is well and truly on for those now. That being said though I am really looking forward to August as there is plenty coming up to keep me busy and get me ready for those colder months. August is going to be a bit of a chaotic month however, I am determined to make it a productive one too rather than being lazy and I guess the goals I have set myself for the month reflect how I want the month to go. So here are the goals I have set myself for the month ahead...

Fashion

Sort through the rest of my clothes

I am very slowly but surely working my way through my clothing to make my wardrobe more streamlined and only full of clothing that goes towards the style I am hoping for. The plan in August is to finally get through all my clothing and put some bits on Vinted that I no longer need. This is a job that I keep on delaying but now it is time to get through it and make space for clothing I am actually going to wear. 

Plan what clothing I need for autumn

Once my clothing has been cleared out it is time to sit down and go through what I need for the change of seasons. I have so many outfit ideas in mind for the new season and I also have a list of clothing pieces I would love to purchase but I want to make sure they are items I need rather than just want. I can see a few purchases being made by the end of August but the main thing for me to do is sit and plan out a list of items to buy going forward.

Sort through my autumn footwear 

As well as sorting through my clothing I really need to sort through my footwear for the upcoming season. I have a box full of autumn and winter footwear in the loft so the plan is to go through this and get rid of any pairs I will no longer wear or that are looking worse for wear. Once I have sorted through these I can identify any gaps to fill and can see just how much space I need when it comes to doing my footwear switch over at the start of September. 

Sort through my jewellery

It really is the month for sorting through things for a fresh start when the seasons change and one thing I really want to do is sort through the jewellery I own as I am wanting to make some changes to my jewellery box over the next few months. A lot of my jewellery at the moment just wont fit that style I am aiming for and is quite childish so it is time to have a clear out and get some better quality, timeless looking pieces. 

Plan and organise my outfits weekly

I am determined that August is the month where I get my act together and start building habits to carry into the rest of the year and beyond. My aim for this month is to start the habit of putting aside an hour on a Saturday or Sunday to piece together outfits for the upcoming week whether it is for work, days out, working out or football. This just means I will know where everything is and can have outfits that look good together rather than throwing on any old clothes in a rush in a morning. This organisation will help me see what works well together outfit wise but most importantly will take the guess work out of mornings going forward. 

Fitness

Play as much football as possible 

Football is almost back and August is the final month of preseason so the plan is to make the most of that and really knuckle down and improve my fitness etc. The plan is to hit every training session possible, one will be missed due to a holiday but I am also planning on adding in a few solo sessions where I can just do a little extra to build the fitness and get used to the ball at my feet again. I am also planning on playing in as many games as possible in the month too just to make sure I am getting that valuable game time under my belt.

Hit the gym 3 times a week 

I am slowly developing the habit of actually using my gym membership and I am going to be making the most of it. The plan is to hit the gym 3 times a week (apart from the week I am away) and really make some progress on my weight loss journey at long last. 3 sessions a week should be the perfect amount of time in the gym alongside my football so let's see if I can hit this goal and really see the progress in August.

Get as close to the 100 kg mark as possible

I am slowly making progress on my weight loss journey but I really want to take things up a notch in August and push for a big loss so I finish the month on as close to 100 kg as possible. This is a big ask as I ended July on 106 kg however, if I knuckle down, hit the fitness goals in this post and sort my diet out I should be able to push for the 102 mark if not the 101, just as long as I get well under the 105 mark this time around I will be happy to be honest but let's just see how much I can push to make the positive changes.

Run 1 km in under 10 minutes

In July I set myself a little challenge of seeing how fast I could run 1 km as my fitness level baseline and to be honest I have shocked myself as I started the month running 1 km in 12 minutes 45 seconds and on my last attempt of July I ran the distance in 10 minutes 47 seconds, almost a full 2 minutes taken off my time which shows that what I am doing is working for me at last. In August I am really going to push myself to see if I can get under the 10 minute mare as I am not too far off and a solid month should help me see more progress on this. 

Hit my step goal daily

There were a few times in July where I fell short of my step goal however, in August the goal is to have the perfect month where my daily steps are at a minimum of 8,000 each day. This is going to massively help my weight loss if I really knuckle down and increase my daily expenditure so let's see how this one plays out shall we. 

Life

Read 2 books

Those books still haven't been read however, that is definitely going to be changing in August. I am determined that rather than scrolling through social media on an evening I am going to pick up a book and read a few chapters before I go to bed. I am about half way through my current book and then I just need to decide which one I move onto once that is complete. I am really hoping that in the August goals wrap up I can report that this goal is complete. 

Enjoy a week away

I have a week away booked with my parents and nephew and I am determined to make the most of the week and switch off to enjoy the time with them. We are going to Torquay and have a few days booked at a theme park which will be nice. Where we staying has a pool too and with the weather due to warm up again I am sure we will be spending plenty of time in there and of course there will be plenty of walking to be done. I am just looking forward to the week off work.

Enjoy my camping trip

Another chance to switch off is when we head out camping for a few nights which is bound to be eventful as we are taking the dog on his first camping trip. This trip will be in the middle of nowhere and we are aiming to climb one of the Yorkshire 3 peaks whilst away which would definitely be a great experience. 

Get birthday party ready

As I said earlier I am trying my best to become organised in August and as part of this I want to get everything ready for my birthday party in September. This will just be a get together with family but I want to make sure I have everything I need so I am not rushing away. My plan is to get the tableware, drinks and other little bits ready so I just have to worry about the food on the actual party day. 

Home

Finish decorating the dining room

I had the great idea of getting the dining room done before my party so in August I need to ensure that all the decorating for the dining room is complete, this means plastering, painting, skirting and flooring is all done and all the furniture for this space is in place and ready to add accessories to. This is definitely going to be a big ask but I am sure we will be able to get this done.

Add all the decor to the dining room

As soon as all the furniture is in place in the dining room the plan is to get all our prints on the wall, shelves up, coffee station built and new glasses in the correct space so this room can be fully completed. Again this room needs to be done by my party so it is going to be all systems go but I can't wait to be able to enjoy this new room at long last.

Sort the trees

The trees are well and truly overgrown so before the party we need to make sure these are cut back so our guests don't have the hassle of getting in and out of the house like we currently do. Once these are done we should get plenty of light back into our house and honestly we shouldn't have to cut them again this year if we do it right. This is one of the jobs we both hate and hopefully in 2026 we can look at getting these ripped out but for now an August job is to get these sorted at long last.

Finish the back garden

We have been delaying the back garden works for so long but I am determined that in August we are going to get this done ready for that birthday party so we can have the patio doors open. The plan is to finish converting the planters into benches, give the decking a really good clean and sort out the weeds that have taken over. I am also hoping we can try build a new fence and gate so the area is more secure and if we do get chance once the plastering has been done I would love to be able to get all the decking and fence painted too but I guess only time will tell with this one.

Finish the hallway

The hallway is in need of a few paint touch ups from where we have put things up on the wall, the beading needs adding to the floor, the radiator needs piping up and we are good to go with this for the big jobs. All that needs doing then is a few little decor bits adding like a stand for a basket, cushion for the ottoman, a nice diffuser and a mat for behind the door and we are finally done with this area of the house. I really can't wait for this to be over and done with. 

So there you have it those are my goals for August let's see how the month plays out, hopefully by the time it comes to writing the wrap up post I can mark a lot of these as complete at long last and I can really see that I have made some great progress for the month. 

See you soon,

Lucy