summer closet wish list

mixable bikinis

 

day separates

     

 

 day shoes

           

 dresses

 

accessories

              

beat the heat

So England finally got the message is it summer and its been pretty hot this week! A good tip sprung to mind to share with you that might be helpful to anyone who has got caught out in the sun and got a bit more colour than they bargined for!

Sometimes, we can get a little to sun and aftersun is needed sooth and hydrate the skin. In the summer months, try keeping your aftersun in the fridge.... the chilly temperate cools it right down and makes it even more soothing to hot, burnt skin!

But remember, this is not a way to avoid wearing sun-cream as noone should aim to burn to catch some colour!

turquoise

Turquoise has always been my favourite 'colour' colour. I think it is because it is so summery; it evokes summer skies and crystal clear water and looks great in jewelry against tanned skin.

It is just so relaxing and tranquil, I love it! Here are some of my favourite turqoise items.

I want this dress SO much

week 5 training recap

Well I am glad I have got back on track this week! The weather has been beautiful and I managed to do lots of sunbathing and get rid of my cold before it got  too bad! Summer has kicked into full swing; flowers, sunshine and incredible sunsets make the world seem a much better place!

 

        

   

My general workout vibe this week. Despite feeling like I was coming down with something at the start of the week and the blistering heat (okay for England it is!) I managed to fit in all of my scheduled runs and workouts. Okay so this shouldn't be an achievement but after the chaos of last few weeks its a victory for me! They weren't in the right order still, but hey life gets in the way!

I also finally brought a new diary (major excitement for a planning freak like me...) and put all of my training runs up until race day.... major motivation for getting back on track! It does not seem far away at all!

Lets recap . . .

Miles run:  16

Weeks until race: 8 weeks (that doesn't seem like alot at all!

Running vibes: Great!!!!!!!!!

Highs: My six mile run felt great this week! Really gaining the confidence that I am going to be  able to run 13.1!  

Lows:  I honestly can't think of one... Wednesday's easy run was difficult, the worst day of my sickness and 27c  heat didn't mix well, but thinking back now it wasn't too bad!

Running song of the week:  Loads! After looting my brothers iTunes I have loads of new songs I am loving, think my favourite has to be pitbull - back in time. I love it!!!

Diet: Good, lots of salad and fresh fruits in this hot weather! Eats of the week . . .



chili pesto cod with wholewheat pasta, garlic kale tomatoes and onion

First successful oats in a jar! Yum

  

A picnic in the park!

    

A delicious breakfast at Manic Organic, in Kings Heath.

My food picture didn't come out great but I had poached eggs on the most delicious toast I have ever eaten (seriously!) and a banana, raspberry, strawberry, melon, pineapple and kiwi smoothie.

Everything is organic, vegetarian and as local where possible, and is such a cute little space!

 

Hope you all had a great weekend!

coffee table styling

This has been a conundrum I have faced for nearly three years. Let me explain . . .

When I was younger, I always wanted my parents to get a coffee table. I remember visits to family friends and being in awe of the centre-piece of their living room...low, sleek glass and mirror, chunky and intricately carved wood... nonchalantly sprayed with books of the most amazing pictures and littered with all sorts of interesting artifacts for me to examine.


Sadly, my parents refused. They were more side table kinda people. But my urge lived on, and grew stronger and stronger. When I moved into my own home three years ago, the living room was the first room on my to-do list.  And at the centre of my decorating ideas was a coffee table. I had chosen 'Potters Clay' for the walls, a calm neutral grey which came out quite warm and almost purple-tinged with two dove-grey patterned feature walls. I balanced it out with light and dark accents of cream and chocolate brown to add warmth. I choose a cream marble fire surround, cream light fittings and long cream curtains with a slight shimmer against chocolate brown floorboards, sofas and furniture. 

I treated myself to this framed glass table from Dwell. I loved the bold dark wood, and found a sideboard in the same tone with dark mirrored panels that matched perfectly. It was one of the first pieces of furniture I brought myself, and it made me feel like an adult. I sat it on a cream rug (which in hindsight is far to small) and that's as far as decorating went. I didn't have the time nor money to invest further in the room, and moved onto pastures new of home renovation.

Now I have more time, I want to make the most of what could be a beautiful room. I am still looking for some more pictures I want to hang (I have one, but want to get the others I would like up before I hang it), a bigger rug (or carpet... floor boards look amazing but are so un-cosy and cold in the Winter!) and some pieces to style my coffee table. Here's what I have found so far as inspiration...

I think i definitely need some more books, a vase for fresh flowers, candles, a tray, and some other kind of ornament. Time to get shopping!