With some of the gorgeous sunny (albeit freezing!) days we’ve seen in February, spring definitely feels like it’s in the air. I’m more than excited about heading into a new season, winter for me isn’t my favourite time of year. Bring on the freshness, colourful blooms and happiness that is spring. Also, I turn 30 next month and the thought of it doesn’t scare me as much as it did my teenage self.
WHAT I GOT UP TO IN JAN
This had me in stitches!
Training for the Reading Half Marathon went up a gear and I’ve been making slow progress with my runs. I’m up to 7 miles now and I know I should be making better progress, but I’ll take anything right now. The count down emails that I keep receiving each week makes it all seem so real.
I started another new book as part of my one book a month challenge for 2016. Gala Darling is simply awesome and I love her whole mindset on self-love. If you haven’t got your hands on her debut book, then it’s definitely worth a read.
We spent half-term up north visiting our family and friends. It felt so nice being away from home and spending lots of quality time with loved ones and eating out…a lot! Even though the Midlands isn’t the most exotic of locations it still felt like we had been away on holiday and felt very refreshed afterwards.
I just love spending quality time with this little guy! Although it hasn’t been all fun and games with him this month because his molars have started to come through – a period of sleepless nights, no smiles and a poorly baba!
I’m super excited because a collection of my recipes has been published in SuperFood magazine. Seeing your work in print always feels surreal, but when it’s your own recipes and photography too, it makes it even more special. You can see my collection of 6 recipes of healthy sweet treats in this month’s issue.
I’ve also been super busy in the kitchen creating lots of yummy recipes for clients and for the blog. Here’s a sneak peak of an easy peasy burger recipe that will be making its way to the blog in the next few weeks – watch this space!
FAVOURITE OOTD
OK, so I’ve come to realise that I’m completely crap at taking pictures of my outfits these days. However, I am good at shopping in the sales and Warehouse is always one of my go-to shops when the sales are on. I just love the quality of their stuff and the discounts are amazing. Among other things, this denim dress caught my eye, which I think will look gorgeous with a pair of sandals for spring/summer.
FAVOURITE READS FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Stop Saying You’re Fine – Say what you really mean instead of what you think people want to hear!
- The Best Food to Eat Before & After a Workout
- Why It’s OK to Have A Bad Day – No one is perfect! It’s perfectly normal to have a bad day.
- The Surprising Power of Being OK With Your Body
- 5-Ingredient Healthy Breakfasts to Make Your Mornings Easier – These look delicious!
- 25 Best Meals to Bring to a Mom with a New Baby – including one of mine! 🙂
- A Valentine’s Love Letter To Myself – A fantastic letter to herself written by Rock n Roll Bride! We all need to remember to be kinder to ourselves.
- Silencing Your Inner Critic For A Happier & Healthier Life
FAVOURITE PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH
1. Kromland Farm Organic Rooibos Caramel Tea
Later in the evening I like to settle down with a sweet tea and this is normally Pukka Herbs Liquorice and Peppermint tea, but recently I’ve discovered this lovely rooibos caramel tea* that really hits the spot. So yummy!
2. the Boss To Go
This nifty little blender* blitzes through anything, even the tough woody stalks on kale that I add to my green smoothies. I love how small it is and the fact that it can sit neatly on my countertop without taking up too much space.
3. Hippy Paste
I was a little dubious when I first heard about this natural deodorant* because I’ve had some bad results with some in the past, particularly in keeping them clean. The tin case that this 100% natural deodorant comes in keeps it nice and neat and it smells amazing too!
4. Belle Textiles Apron
How adorable is this apron? I spend a lot of time getting messy in the kitchen creating recipes so an apron is a must to save my clothes. The polka dots and vintage 50’s feel of this one is just fab!
MONTHLY GOALS FOR FEBRUARY
- Relax and enjoy turning 30
- Work more on my nutrition qualification
- Start developing my new recipe e-book
- Run 10 miles
- Have a pamper day
- Continue to budget and save
- Start Aiden in nursery
Eeek! Next month I’m heading into the big 3-0 territory and I’m definitely more excited than scared about the prospect. I think that’s something to do with the confidence that comes with age because I definitely feel more settled now than I did in my early 20’s. My main goal this month is to go with the flow and enjoy getting older.
How do you feel about getting older? What are you most looking forward to about the arrival of March?
*Items sent for review purposes, but all opinions are my own.
Hi, really liked this post – it has a bit of everything! I turn 31 next week – when I turned 30 I felt fine about it. I feel that age brings more confidence! I’d never want to go back to being a child. Good luck training for the half marathon 🙂 I hurt myself training for one so haven’t really run one yet but I’m back into running and hope to sign up for one again soon. PS – love that denim dress, did you get it?
Glad you liked the post Emmie. I think there is something more settle and reassuring about turning 30. The dress is from Warehouse, so cute!
Wow! What a lovely and jam-packed month February has been for you. Congratulations on your running achievements and recipes being published (which look yummy btw). And HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY in advance ???? Speaking as a lady in her 30s (in fact both of us at Fashion Du Jour LDN HQ are!), I can not say enough what a special period in your life it is! So embrace it and enjoy! It really is the decade you can fully embrace you and enjoy the comfort and confidence of yourself.
Excited to see what March has in store for you!
Love Leigh at Fashion Du Jour LDN HQ x
http://www.fashiondujour.co.uk
Thanks lovely! I’m actually really excited for the is birthday and what it has in store.
I hated turning 30 lol. It felt so old but in theory it really isn’t. Congratulations on having your recipies published. That’s amazing. Also big well done on the running and training. I’m looking forward to easter the most in march, purely for all the chocolates lol x
I’m looking forward to all that chocolate too. I’ve already got my mini egg before they sell out!
Definitely enjoy turning 30. I feel like I have my life much more in order since turning 30.
Strangely, I’m actually looking forward to it!
I feel like I love getting older, apart from the wrinkles! The older I get the more at ease I am with me and that is awesome 😉
Ha! I guess the wrinkles are a downside to getting older, but I get what you mean.
Congrats on the magazine feature!
That running cartoon did make me laugh – it’s so true. Well done for getting in the miles. You’ll be fine I’m sure 🙂
Growing old never used to bother me but now I feel a bit stressed by it…but you live and learn I suppose!
It’s funny isn’t it and very true!!! Turning 30 doesn’t scare me, but when I’m approaching 50 that might be a different matter. 🙂
We’re hoping for warmer weather so we can get outside and do some running ourselves. No 1/2 marathon, but just something to get the blood pumping.
Fingers crossed for warmer weather. It’s nice to get out when the sun is shining.
Some great things here. I love the emojis 🙂 that demin dress is gorgeous. I’m always on the look out for natural products and the hippy paste sounds good. I keep hearing about great natural deos, but they sell out so quickly – the Meow Meow one is supposed to be good too. I hope you have a fab birthday, turning 30 is not bad – so far my 30s are the best decade yet, although slightly scary that i’, 33 this year !!! lovely round up xx
Everyone keeps telling me that there 30s is the best decade. I don’t think I have anything to worry about.
Looks like you had a great month- that food all looks incredible!
Thanks Jessy!
Well done for having your recipes published in the magazine. Perhaps you could share some of them on the blog too? I love trying new healthy sweet treats! 🙂
http://lilinhaangel.com/
I think there maybe some copyright issues if I shared them here too. You will have to buy the magazine. 😉
You should totally embrace turning 30! You’ve achieved so much in your 20’s, I mean, just look at that little man of yours! I can’t believe how much he’s grown!
Awww thank you Lucie! Yes, it’s amazing how quick they grow.
It sounds like February was a very busy month for you! Well done on having your recipes published, that’s a great achievement! I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating your 30th birthday and good luck with the marathon! x
It was a busy month, but good! Thanks for the encouragement. I’m going to need to for the half marathon.
So many exciting things! Happy Birthday! Congrats on running! And that’s so exciting that your recipes were published in Superfood magazine!! Congrats congrats!! <3
Thanks so much!
Sounds like you’ve had a busy month! Congratulations on the magazine feature! Happy birthday! And it’s so good of you to be doing a half marathon, I’d love to her into running but I wouldnt even get to the end of my street! Haha x
Ha! I had exactly the same mindset when I started, but have really surprised myself.
Radical self love looks just like my kind of book! Huge congratulations for all your successes … here are to many more this year. x
Thank you Tanita! The book is brilliant.
Happy Birthday! 30 isn’t so bad….it’s all downhill to 40 now 😉
Ha! Thank you. I’ll keep that I mind.
Lots of good news from you! It’s lovely to get away- I think often it doesn’t matter where, it’s who you are with that counts.
You will be fine with the half marathon too- 10 miles is a great distance to aim for and one you have achieved that, you will be fine to do the whole thing. Those pictures did make me laugh when I saw them- always get cake after a race!
haha that marathon infographic is so funny, well done you what a great experience that will be! x