Frills 'n' Spills

Apologies for the close up of my make-up free face but I refuse to exercise in make-up, sweat does not mix well with foundation! This Balm tank is ridiculously comfy, I bought a size larger than usual as I didn't want anything too skintight but actually, it is quite low cut without this crop top underneath it!

This top is from 90 degrees, not a brand I have heard of but I love the fit of it and the colour means it goes with all of my jazzy trousers!

These Puma PWR leggings are probably the best piece of exercise gear that I own, they make me feel like a superhero and who wouldn't want that?!

Winter seems to have taken quite a while to kick in so far this year but the chill is definitely here now and since we have put the tree up, I am feeling really Christmassy! For once I have been really organised (don't hate me but yes, I had bought and wrapped my presents before the end of November! ;) I'm not a fan of the dark evenings but Mira Showers challenged me to share my wintry essentials and actually there's a lot to be said for these cheery items!




 I have a bit of a thing for scented candles (blogger cliché alert!) and have had

Scarf: Accessorize

You know how much I love the colour red and this cosy scarf is a recent addition to my wardrobe. I got some Accessorize vouchers for my birthday and decided to treat myself. It is so cosy and the perfect splash of colour.

Hats: River Island, Accessorize, Topshop and Accessorize

The Internet has brought me some wonderful things and friendships are top of that list. I absolutely love owls so this hot water bottle is a fun way to keep cosy (yes I also have owl pyjamas!)

I got this cute cup for my birthday from my friend Becky and I really love it. I can't resist a pun and it is the perfect size for a hot chocolate with some marshmallows!

Top: Ellesse via TK Maxx, leggings: Puma

I rejoined the gym recently and have really been enjoying it. Half of the battle is finding a routine that works and I think I have finally managed it.I have been going a couple of times a week before work and despite aching all over, it does start my day off right! You know that clothes are a great motivator for me and this crop top and these Puma tights are a fun addition to my workout wardrobe. I feel so cool in them and that's half the battle, right?!

I have been reaching for multi-purpose products recently and this Dainty Doll cream blusher in Paper Roses is great for whacking on after the gym and works well as a lipstick too. I wish it was still available to buy but I guess I can track it down online somewhere when this one runs out...

I'm usually a shower kind of gal but there's nothing nicer than a hot bath to keep you cosy. I must be the worst blogger ever as this Magic Christmas bubble bar was my first ever Lush purchase! I always love the look of individual products but the store always smells far too overwhelming for me. I had seen this one online and in the window and went in when I had a cold to buy it. It makes the bath a gorgeous orange colour and my skin feels so soft afterwards. Now that I have dipped my toe in, I will definitely be back, I just need to decide what to try next!

What are your winter essentials? Which Lush products would you recommend?

Summer for me, is all about maxi dresses and pretty prints so when I saw this dress in H&M, I fell in love. (I may have also bought this one too, oops!) I would never usually go for such a muted colour scheme (bright colours are much more my speed!) but I couldn't resist this gorgeous leafy palm print and I can't wait to wear it all through the summer- wouldn't it look ace with these gold wedges? Even though I just wore this to run some errands at the weekend I felt so glam and it definitely put a smile back on my face. Things have been pretty stressful round here recently with illness and things with family and friends so I have been trying to stay upbeat and just escape from my head for a bit. I have also started doing Yoga with Adriene videos and so far I am loving it, it is a good way to relax, she is fun and not too hippy dippy for me (something that has put me off yoga in the past!)

This dress is pretty long but luckily most of my shoes have a little block heel so I was able to skip along quite happily when I wore my favourite rose gold heeled shoes- always a winner in my book!

 I love a good prom dress, especially if it has a swooshy tulle skirt and this spotty little number from Tesco looks really fancy but isn't the slightest bit uncomfortable - a winning combination in my eyes! The best part though was that although it looks pretty expensive, it only cost £25 from Tesco. I would be more than happy to pay that for a dress this pretty but I was lucky enough to win the lovely Sarah's giveaway a few months ago and this was one of the things I picked up with my voucher. I wore it for my third (and final) day of Christmas and it was perfect; the layers of tulle managed to hide my food baby and I felt really happy in it. I have resolved to really focus on my health this year and as I plan to (eventually) run a 5k with my boo Claire I have started my running up again. It is slow work but I hope that I will feel even more confident this year once my health improves even more!

I never know how to style my hair with a high neckline, a bun just looked strange and my usual side sweep of curls was far too busy looking so I decided to experiment with my hot brush and ended up with a bouncy cheerleader ponytail. Paired with winged eyeliner and a bright lipstick, I looked as chirpy as I felt. I think you can see from these photos how much I loved this outfit, now I just need Tesco to make a version of this dress in every colour!

What are your goals for 2014?

Anyone who has spent any amount of time with me will know that I am not an outdoor kind of person. I love the idea of spending balmy summer evenings sitting outside with a glass of wine or taking long walks through Autumn leaves but until now, you are much more likely to find me skulking inside doing everything I can to avoid the terrible trio of weather, bugs and exercise! Recently though, as part of my great exercise strategy/ weight loss programme, Mark and I have been spending any free time we have at the weekends going on walks around the beautiful countryside where we live and I have to say (whisper) I have been quite enjoying it! I have been walking to my lift in the morning and going to the gym at least once a week and I am pleased to say that I have lost about half a stone! :D Obviously I still have a long way to go but I have been quite motivated recently which is quite unlike me. I never believed the people who kept saying how exhilarating exercise was but recently I have definitely been getting 'the buzz' which has kept me going whilst my muscles are screaming out at me to stop...

Like most people, the thought of any kind of exercise is enough to put me off but by ignoring my grumbles and bribing me with promises of Fringe marathons, Mark has convinced me to get outdoors.

As with most things, I was most concerned with what the most appropriate things to wear were. The first time we went, I wore my beautiful Nike trainers and they ended up covered in mud so now I prefer my old trainers, my wellies or my new DMs (wipe clean rubber FTW!) paired with my rather snazzy new exercise gear. I love all of the various jazzy patterned running leggings you can get but I held off ordering any as I am hoping Father Christmas will be reading this blog! ;) Obviously it is getting pretty chilly out there so wrapping up warm is pretty important. If I am running, I tend to just wear my H&M hoody (I love the bright pink colour but I always feel like Elle Woods when I am wearing it!) as I warm up very quickly! Who would have thought that one day I would be feeling so enthused about both exercise and exercise gear?! Maria, you have changed!

What do you wear to exercise? How do you stay motivated?

I never thought that there would be more than one post of me dressed in exercise gear on this blog but strangely enough I have been enjoying exercising (when I can motivate my sorry self to go for a run or head into the gym!) Since this first post I have expanded my collection of exercise gear and this purple and orange top is a suitably jazzy addition to my wardrobe. It is a pretty weird shape but is really comfortable and most importantly it doesn't ride up when I'm exercising - there's nothing worse than constantly having to hoick stuff up or down!

I really love the colours but the best part of this top has to be the pocket. I always struggle with where to put my insulin pump when I am exercising (I could take it off but I don't like to be without it completely as it makes me a bit nervous; yet so little exercise gear has pockets.) Nike, Adidas, Reebok, whoever, if you are listening, please make more clothes with pockets, diabetics everywhere would be thrilled!

What do you look for in exercise gear? Have you got any ideas on how I could tone my tummy?

 These trainers were sent to me by Sports Shoes and have made going to the gym so much nicer. I love how bright they are and most importantly they support my feet. I used to just wear a pair of cheap trainers whenever I was exercising but since switching to these, my knee has stopped aching which can be no bad thing!

These trainers are ridiculously light and make my gym bag much easier to carry. These Tesco cleansing wipes have been perfect for taking off my make-up before I start my workout, my face without make-up may not be pretty but it saves my skin from trying to sweat though my make-up (niiiice)