This week has been...full of ups and downs...

As you may know, I have been taking part in the Aussie 'lighter life' challenge and this Saturday I attended a bootcamp day with some lovely Angels at the Reebok gym in Canary Wharf. I thought it would be a day of fun and games but, whilst I enjoyed the exercise we did, the yoga was more intense than I anticipated and 'Gymanda' certainly put us through our paces! When I got there though, I tucked into a yummy breakfast of strawberries, blueberries and pomegranate. I have been trying to eat more healthily recently and my fridge has been stocked with fruit and veg rather than crisps and chocolate! 


Luckily I won the giveaway at the lovely Lily's blog and won some yummy '9 bars' which I have absolutely fallen in love with! They are really filling and packed full of seeds and nuts which always make me feel more healthy ;) 



So far the nutty one is my favourite but the original also deserves a mention! 



I am also indebted to the lovely Lil (who was also my exercise buddy on Saturday!) who introduced me to the infamous Hummingbird Bakery which completely negated any good done by the bootcamp day! I figure though, as long as I don't over indulge then I should stay on track for a lighter life this Spring! 


The wrapping was SO beautiful that I didn't want to open it! 
I also need to mention my most recent purchase. I bought a gorgeous red midi skirt from the lovely Jazmine but I'm struggling with how to style it...heels are a must but I'm not sure about the rest of the outfit which is where you lovely ladies come in! Any ideas about how to make me look chic rather than dumpy will be greatly appreciated and the best suggestion will have an outfit post dedicated to them ;) 


In an ideal world this Danielle Scutt necklace would definitely feature...a girl can but dream! I mean what could be better than teapots and red lipstick?! I also LOVE this teapot ring... jewellery perfection!


I forgot to add that this is an EPIC hot chocolate with Malteasers, fudge sprinkles, marshmallows, whipped cream... it's basically heaven in a mug! 


A special mention has to go to my friends Ian and George this week, who have made me feel a lot less stressed about the dreaded exam season and the revision it entails. I mean what could be better than days spent chatting and doing  walrus impressions with chopsticks?! [I'm afraid I don't actually have photos of this rather amazing occurrence! ] It was just what I needed after another week of illness and stress too :) 






What have you done to cheer yourself up this week? Have you done any window shopping recently? 



P.S. Posting will probably be a bit more sporadic over the next couple of weeks as I have my finals coming up [eek!] so my focus is (temporarily) away from the blog :) 

21 comments

LillianZahra said...

Glad to hear you're enjoying the 9 Bars :) I love that lipstick necklace, the earrings in the range are fab too. x

Abbie said...

I feel your pain with exams... I've got the first of my final year exams tomorrow... I'm currently in the library *revising* ahem... not reading blogs and procrastinating!! Also, whatever is in that mug... I need some of it in my life right now, it looks delish! :D

char said...

Good luck wtih your finals. the exercise sounds like a great event though :)

Sherin said...

The bootcamp was so much fun! I'm eating slightly healtheir now as well.
And those cupcakes look delicious!!

Unknown said...

You were in London and you didn't let moi know - I live 20mins from Canary Wharf! :(
Hope you had a great time tho. I love Humming Birds - in fact I was only introduced to them about 2 weeks ago. They do wheat and gluten free cakes so anyone that has allergies like me are usually catered for.
I've tried Bar 9 - found the seeds and nuts too overwhelming for me, I personally didn't like them. But they are a very healthy alternative.
Good luck in your exams - I move back to the Shire in under a week. Now off to the gym then to buy new clothes as I'm off to the Chelsea Flower Show, by myself as no one wanted to come with :s xxx

Unknown said...

Error: I mean under 5 weeks xxx

daisychain said...

I kind of love 9 bars.

Michelle / Daisybutter said...

Aussie have such great customer/blogger relations! The bootcamp sounds so fun if not trying haha (: That hot chocolate(?) at the end looks epic, I wanttt! xx

Temporary:Secretary said...

I wish I was as healthy. I often buy these kind of bars thinking i'll turn a new leaf in my diet book!

The cupcakes, on the other hand, are right up my street! x

Anonymous said...

I really want to try the 9 bars, but I hate nuts in bars or chocolately things. For some reason, despite loving nuts the very idea makes my skin crawl.
That hot chocolate, I'm presuming, looks so beyond amazing that I'm fighting the urge to pop into town for a hot drink!
xxxxxxxxx

p.s. sent you a letter to your uni address, managed to not lose it in the library this time! :)

Sick by Trend said...

what a post... YUMMY!!!!!!! :D

xx

www.sickbytrend.com

Rebecca said...

i think i need to go to the hummingbird bakery! and massive good luck with your exams, i'm sure they'll be over and done with in no time (:

http://itscohen.blogspot.com

Chloe said...

I don't think there's a single thing (except the stress and illness- obviously). The hot chocolate looks beyongd epic, and hard work exercise can be good- love the feeling afterward. I swim pretty much every day and although I often get half way through the time I set myself and start to look longingly at the jacuzzi, I love getting in the hot showers feeling a bit knackered knowing I worked my backside off.

Try not to stress too much, it'll be over before you know it and you can only do so much- take this from someone who's 6 in with 2 more to go. It WILL be fine.

Unknown said...

Sorry about the 'down' parts of your week. I hope you are feeling better soon. Maybe try doing a bit more yoga to de-stress - or at least distract!

Miss Lottie Rose said...

Good luck with your finals my dear!
As for the skirt, maybe try a spot of colour blocking? Wear a really contrasting shirt with it??
xx

Unknown said...

Still recovering from Saturday :/
Glad I could bring the lovely Hummingbird into your life. Was nice to catch up too.
Good luck with the dreaded exams. Hang on in there, you'll be there soon.
Xx

Unknown said...

Is that 9 bars instead of Dime bars? :) I've never tried them but I'm a sucker for healthier flapjack substitutes haha! Also, hmmm with the skirt. I'm similar to you in that I'm not especially tall so I don't have any midi skirts (they just don't seem to suit my long body and short legs) but heels I would say, or maybe loafers of some kind? ♥ Claire @ Jazzpad

Claire Hart said...

i need to start eating healthier too i think! winter just screams for hot chocolate and muffins though right? haha sounds like your having fun though!! xxx

Vicki said...

holy crap that hot chocolate is insane!! looks amazingly tasty thou :) x

jazmine rocks @ jazzabelle's diary said...

i'm so very glad you like your parcel and skirt maria, sorry it tok me so long to get it to you!

i think the midi would suit you high waisted cinched in with a belt, your new tabio socks, heels and either a black shirt or a loose fitted white/grey vest.

that hot chocolate looks ridiulously amazing!

xxx

Olivia said...

That wrapping paper really is stunning, so unusual, i'd have framed it! :) x