Obama-kins

 

While searching for pumpkin carving inspiration on the weekend, I came across this . . .

 

 

How amazing is that?!!!!!

 

 

As I went to search for it today to share with you guys, I found a whole collection of Obama themed pumpkins.

 

 

 

 

 

At first, I was completely taken aback with the Obama love that so many people decide to carve him on their pumpkins. But then i figured election time is always underway at Halloween, so it kinda makes more sense!

 

 

There are some not so good ones . . . .

 

 

 

Good effort, though!

 

 

 

Happy Halloween!

 

 

city slicker

 

 

           As a new working woman (lol) I am still in the excited stage of having a new occasion to dress for. Yes... I think of workwear as occasion dress! It makes work alot more bearable.

 

 

There are many factors to consider . . . attire needs to be functional, comfortable, weather-proof, age appropriate (definitely avoiding the middle-aged woman look) and the right level of smart (I hope you know what I mean by that! If not, trust me, there are levels of smart!)

 

 

 All of this to consider on top of looking chic! What's a girl to do?

 

 While I'm not sure if I quite agree with the saying, . . .  "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have" (this could result in some major fashion faux pas, no?) I do think there is nothing like the little confidence boost we get from looking polished to assure us we at least look the part (despite having no idea what were actually doing yet!)

 

 

Here's some inspiration that I think ticks all the boxes. . .

 

 

   
 

   

 

all via.

 

 

 

 

not so sweet

 

 

We all know Western society consumes too much sugar. We all know that this isn't good for us, but the same half-hearted excuses crop up . . .

 

 

 

"I couldn't give up sugar! I have such a sweet tooth!"

 

"It's okay, I only have it in my tea!"

 

"I love sweets far to much to cut them out!"

 

"It's only sugar, what harm can it really do?"

 

"Unsweetened food is so gross! I couldn't eat it!"

 

 

 

Clearly, sugar consumption isn't a big worry to us if these feeble excuses resolve the issue.

 

But would you carry on eating that way if you were fully aware of what sugar does to our bodies?

 

 

 

 

 

Suddenly all those treats don't seem so sweet after all!

 

Committing to a healthy lifestyle is most manageable in small steps. Making the decision to avoid refined sugar is a simple, one-target goal that can provide a huge leap forward in cleaning up your diet.

 

 

 

Think about it - no added sugar. Its easy enough to cut down and then eliminate sugar we add to hot drinks, cereals and the like . . . this is something we are doing ourselves.

 

But no added sugar also means no food that has had sugar added to it by someone else. In other words, the majority of prepackaged foods.

 

 

'What a hassle!' I hear you cry!

 

It really isn't. It is perfectly feasible, it doesn't have to mean more time in the kitchen and it is definitely more economical to avoid prepackaged foods.

 

'I could never eat out again! I love it to much! Life is to short for that!'

 

Reread those facts. Think about those your nearest and dearest you treat  to those meals. Life will be short for them if you go on that way.

 

'I couldn't get used to the taste!'

 

Sugar is addictive and acts like a drug, removing it suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms more often associated with hard, illegal drugs. Just cutting out that sweet white powder that is bad for us can cause depression,  achy limbs, headaches and fatigues?! Makes you rethink how innocent it really is. That is something I definitely don't want going in my body!

 

 

 

 

So how can we cut down on sugar? Here are some simple steps . . .

 

 

 

1) Cut out sugar you add -  Okay, we can't cut it out cold turkey without ill effects. But there is enough sugar in the foods we consume to allow us to cut out all sugar you add to foods and drinks. Challenge yourself to one week with no sugar - you will surprise yourself what you can achieve!

 

 

2) Replace all high sugar foods - that means sweets, cakes, soda, jam etc. Give your baking habit a break and yourself one week to adjust. But don't feel deprived, replace your usual afternoon treat with a piece of fruit. Pick up something exotic and new at the grocery store. Blend it into a smoothie!

If this still doesn't satisfy you, make it!! Add it to some protein (think low far greek yogurt or cottage cheese) and a serving of healthy fat (nuts and seeds are ideal) to give your body what it needs.

 

Focus on what you can eat not on what you can't.

As the week pass you'll feel a million times better, your skin will be clearer, your energy levels will be higher and you will notice a marked improvement in your mood at the end of the week.

Your taste buds will readjust to their natural state, and those foods you once loved will taste artificial and repulsive. Your body knows whats best for it, Its just addicted to a drug right now!

3) Start to look at the ingredient lists to see what we are really putting in our bodies. Look at all foods, if its going into your body its important! Even seemingly healthy foods can be full of sugar...

                           

 

While all of these 'healthy' foods contain sugar, there are still no-added sugar varieties of many of them out there! If not, challange yourself to create your own! 

 

 

If the sugar content shocks you, put it back down and turn to whole foods (think fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, low fat dairy, healthy fat) in their natural and unprocessed form. Eating a well balanced diet that provides all the nutrients and vitamins we need is essential to help with this transition.  Don't just go for the low-sugar option, sometimes their just filled with other nasties that are equally as bad for us.

 

 

 

And as always, life is to be enjoyed and lived in moderation. While I really believe sugar is something so prevalent we need to make our best conscious effort to avoid it.

 

Once adjusted to a natural level, you can gradually reintroduce unprocessed sweeteners (honey, maple syrup, etc etc) but it is important to have a period of 'detox' from all added sugar to help our bodies readjust so we can learn to consume these in the correct quantities.

 

There do not have to be any restrictions imposed for life. . .  meals out can be enjoyed, a piece of birthday cake can be savoured, an ice cream can be devoured on a hot, summers day. But as a society we need to restore sugar to the role it should play in our diets, as an occasional treat.

 

One by one, week by week. . . just do it. Your body and your wallet will thank you for it!



be who you want to be

 

 

 

 

 

all about me

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8.59am (by a hungry cat)

2. How do you like your steak? I don't, haven't for 8 years when the size of American steak turned me off meat.

3. What was the last movie you saw at the theater? Killing them softly.

4. What is your favorite TV show?  I don't watch TV,  but if pushed it would be documentaries, home make-over programs and food channels.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I don't know, I need to visit more places before making such an important decision!

6. What did you have for breakfast? Cereal with banana, blueberries, almonds and soy milk.

7. Do you wear glasses or contacts? Recently got glasses (after wanting them all my life!) and love them. Can't understand why anyone would choose contacts over them, but maybe I will in a few more years!

8. What food do you despise? Fast food. Junk food. Refined carbs. I could go on...

9. Favorite Place to Eat? At home! Nothing beats knowing what is going into your food, and I am frugal.

10. Favorite dressing? Just balsamic vinegar normally... I am to lazy to make my own. Pre-made dressings would be on my 'despise' list.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? I don't, yet. I am a bus w*nker!

12. What are your favorite clothes? Denim shorts and slouchy, oversized tops in summer. Tailored shorts, black opaques and chunky knit jumpers in winter. Classic pieces like Breton stripes, cream blouses,  blazers, ankle grazing pants, loafers. Anything black. Anything grunge-chic. And I am partial to a party dress.  I could go on...

 

13. Where would you visit, this weekend, if you had the chance?  . . .

 

14. How many tattoos do you have? None.

15. Where would you want to retire? Wherever my family is. Or Southern Italy. Or Southern France. Or the English countryside. Or maybe I will be a go-getter OAP, and will fancy some place happening like NYC, London or Paris. Or someplace else I haven't yet visited. Who knows. I hope its some place beautiful. But mostly where the heart is.

16. What is your desktop photo? Southern California beach sunset.

17. Where were you born? Marston Green Hospital, Birmingham, England.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? I don't know, I'm not really into watching sport. I used to like watching Liverpool, and like watching gymnastics and ice-skating in the Olympics.

19. How many siblings? One big bro.

20. Favorite pastime/hobby? Running, yoga, working out, planning, spending time with family, cooking, reading, board games, travelling.

21. Coffee Drinker? Yes. Espresso in Paris or Fraps in Charleston, preferably. Mmmmmm.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Sometimes morning, sometimes afternoon. Hardly ever a night person now, I like my bed to much!

24. Do you have any pets? Pepper, my three-year old cat who acts more like a cheeky monkey and looks more like a bat.

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I'm hoping to go on a ghost walk this Wednesday for Halloween!

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A hairdresser. I always would play hairdresser, either actually 'cutting' hair or pretending my Dad's spare desk was my reception when I had days of school sick. So much fun, I used to make him ring up the phone on my desk for appointments and schedule them all in.

27. What is your favorite color? Black or grey for threads. Favourite colour colour is turquoise, but I am not much of a bright colour person.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Who says you can only be one or the other?! Does my head in. I love both.

29. Are you married? Nope. The thought of a wedding ceremony makes me feel sick.

30. Always wear your seat belt? Yup - silly not to! Safety first!

31. Been in a car accident? One time a car reversed into the car i was in, was only a tiny 'bump' (we were only going 5mph) but i guess it an accident -  noone meant for it to happen!

32. Any pet peeves? Loads. I am a moody, irritable and short-tempered person. Trying not to be, but mainly stupid people, ignorant people (two sides of the same coin I guess), obnoxious people, small-minded people. Oh and messy people.

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Goats cheese, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, garlic, mmmmmm.

34. Favorite Flower? I like lilies, even though they are 'funeral flowers'. Flowers in general are pretty amazing!

35. Favorite ice cream? I don't know, I don't really eat ice cream. I used to love cookie-dough, and crazy American flavours with peanut butter cups in are nice, but I prefer frozen yogurt (still with peanut butter cups though, of course!)

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? None. I would never eat fast food out of choice.

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None, but probably only cause I haven't took one yet.

38. From whom did you get your last email? Probably some automated email from a health magazine, or shopbop. Noone sends me emails now uni is over!

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?  Galleries Lafayette or Liberty.

40. Like your job? The work I have been doing is rewarding, a challenge to say the least, but on the downside its sporadic and temporary. The money is nice and the experience is getting me in the right direction with where I want to be!

yoga-spiration

 

 

 

Just wow.

 

Amazing.

an ode to the topknot (my new favourite style)

Jessica De Ruiter, LA fashion stylist, via.

 

  

Nine times out of ten I wear my hair up.

 

 Even after paying a silly amount for a new haircut. I still despise/get annoyed with/feel sloppy with my hair down. It just always manages to feel flat and in bad shape.

 

So I rejoice for finally finding something different to do with my hair, time to give the standard, boring pony tail a break!







 

 

 I know its not exactly ground breaking, but there is something about the loose, disheveled nature of this season's topknot that makes it work in a nochanct way, while still looking chic and pulled together (and most importantly, not at all like Miss Trunchbull)

autumn closet wish list

Every Autumn I change my mind and think that this is definitely my favourite time of year. Lovely colours and cosy styles suitable for the British temperatures, a chance to enjoy some nice clothes before it gets so cold I just have to scrap any hope of dressing aesthetically in order to just keep warm!

There's not much as fun as a new season wardrobe update, so here's what I am lusting after this season . . . careful, don't let my colour palette burn your eyes!


 



 

               Whistles Evelyn coat, 195gbp.                             NW3 Parka, 179gbp.                      

 

(parka or pea? that is the question...)

Topshop bead necklace jumper, 45gbp.

 

Sparkle and Fade, 38gbp.

Illustrated People Antlers jumper, 50gbp.

 

 

 

Little White Lies Molly Lace Top Dress, 90gbp

 

 

Sessun Mirabelle Floral Dress, 155gbp.

 

 

Pins and Needles, 45gbp.

 

 

all topshop

 

 

Sparkle and Fade, 35gbp.

 

 

Staring At Stars, 30gbp.

 

 

Topshop, 45gbp.

 

 

 

 

(Can't get maxi skirts off my mind... American Apparel, 58gbp.)


Zara, 109gbp.




Zara, 25gbp
 

 

     

 

 

 

Topshop, 38gbp.

 

 

Think this would be so fun for party season! Caviar Manicure, 18gbp at Selfridges.

 

 

 

Topshop, 16gbp.

 

 

 

Zara, 59.99gbp.

 

 

 

  gold rings, www.shopbop.com

 

 

Office, 70gbp. 

 

 

  

 

Zara box-bag clutches