3 Months from now...

This blog is a prime example of just how much of a serial dieter I am. 

I find myself back here, time and time again promising this is the last time and yet, I'm back again!

We are off to Antigua in May courtesy of the lovely people at Debenhams and Virgin Holidays, I can't bloody wait. What does fill me with complete and utter dread is the thought of a bikini, well myself in a bikini. So here I am rearing to go and ready to change my body as much as possible in just twelve weeks, but not just for twelve weeks, for good. 

I'm twenty seven in just a few months and I am determined not to spend the last third of my twenties wearing all black everything to disguise my rather large, well everything.

I'm going to keep myself on track by using my blog as someone to answer to, I've got My Fitness Pal good to go and I'm off to the gym tomorrow.

Wish me luck!

A Family Day Out...

I really feel like summer is drawing to a close now and today we managed to have a very rare but appreciated family day out .We took Nora on her very first trip to Whitby, for those of you who don't know, Whitby is a picturesque, traditional seaside resort on the North East coast. It's frequented by families, oldies and at certain times of year goths! Home to Bram Stoker's Dracula and some of the best fish and chips you'll ever have.

We started our day like an episode of parking wars, I was clearly mistaken when I assumed today would be a quiet day due to the schools going back. We headed to Green's of Whitby for lunch, and although the food was amazing, it has to be the least child friendly restaurant I've ever visited. Nora loves to have a good old chatter and this was met with complete disapproval from fellow diners, I've actually never been more flustered when eating a meal! Needless to say we literally wolfed down our delicious Whitby fish and chips and headed to the beach.

Check out Nory Noo in her Pocahontas esque outfit from her lovely Granny all the way from Skiatos, Greece!

It's rare these days that we get to spend the day just the three of us, Ste is now working five twelve hour shifts per week so we all really appreciated today.

Nora and Daddy loving the sunshine.

Nora is getting so grown up, she's looking completely child-like here!

She is an absolute sand monster, just like her auntie Em.

She's just the most lovely thing, ever! 

Forty Days Later...

I've always struggled with my weight, even as a kid I vividly remember being told not to eat too many smarties, 'they'll make you fat'. But, I ate them, and everything else in sight and there begun my life long battle with my weight. Except for my brief encounter with my Lighter Life induced size 8-ness (oh how I miss you!) I've always erred on the heavier side of curvy.

I didn't massively gain weight during pregnancy and breast feeding allowed me to eat whatever the hell I wanted for six months but unfortunately, this was totally too good to be true. After stopping breastfeeding Nora at just over six months, I totally piled on far too much weight. It hit April and I'd had enough, it was time to shift some of this wobble

So I've spent the last forty days and forty nights balancing being a mummy and working full time, along with embarking on a super extreme weight loss program.

I've dragged my wobbly backside out of bed every single morning to undertake, what I can only describe as a body and soul destroying workout before heading off to work. I was walking like John Wayne for the first four days, I couldn't get through the day without dosing up on Paracetamol. These pain staking twice daily workouts along with total clean eating have produced some amazing results and I'm bloody over the moon.

In just 40 long days I have managed to lose 25 inches of wobble and a massive 18lbs, now I definitely haven't forgotten that I have a hell of a long way to go still but I'm a dress size down and a million times happier!

This bootcamp was ran through Forte Fitness & Bootcamps. Their programme Forte Days of Lent is completed at home, you can do it from any corner of the globe!

Nora's OOTD - Joules

My absolute favourite outfit I've ever purchased for Nora has got to be this Baby Joules Isabelle Long Sleeve Top & Trousers Set.  Perfect for comfort when crawling and great to wear without a jacket, now the weather is warming up. As always, Joules provide perfect quality products with great attention to detail, along with an unmistakable, distinctive British design.

There's currently a 3 for 2 offer on everything at Joules, I'm most definitely going to have to invest in these pieces for the summer!

Nora's OOTD - H&M

Nora's outfit today was a gift from the lovely Megan at Rock 'N Rose. I've never been a huge fan of H&M for myself, but I adore their baby clothes. Everything is very affordable and always super cute. I've already started to stock up on bargainous summer dresses for our holiday later in the year. I picked up these two dressed for just £4.99 each! 

Nora's ditsy print dress is H&M, as is the lovely coral cardigan. I picked up the headband in Mothercare, it came in a two pack with a lovely mint green one. 

In true Rock 'N Rose fashion, we replaced Nora's headband with a lovely daisy floral garland. I love summer!

Some things that I love...

What a beautiful sunny day we've had today. We spent it in the garden having a BBQ at my lovely sister's new house. I absolutely love the sunshine, the world seems a better place and I'm now totally in the mood to book our first family holiday.

Here is Nora rocking her Rock 'N Rose fresh flower Daisy crown in the sunshine.

Since the sunshine has made me feel all happy inside, here are some things that I'm loving at the minute...

Something I read; Since my little Nory Noo has decided to become little miss independent and refuses any food I have to feed her, I headed over to Amazon and purchase 'Yummy Discoveries, The Baby-Led Weaning Recipe Book' this has pretty much been my bible this week, scouring through to find some quick and easy but healthy recipes for Nora to tuck into.

Something I've watched; Forgive me for being slightly behind the times but, Broadchurch. Oh em gee. We recorded the whole series on our Tivo Box and finally sat down to watch it on Friday night. We we're so engrossed we watched all eight episodes in two nights. What a captivating story, I loved how all of the character's situations were intertwined in some way. If you haven't seen it, go watch!!

Something I wore; So I'm four weeks into bootcamp and I'm feeling so much more confident with myself, so I braved wearing a skater skirt and t-shirt to work on Thursday. Anyone who knows me will know that I NEVER get my arms out, I'm getting so brave!! I'm totally loving my skirt though, I purchased it a few weeks ago from Topshop as a last minute panic buy for a christening but I'm so glad I did. I am in desperate need of a wardrobe overhaul though!

Something I listened too; So, my sister and I DJ a room at a club night on a Friday night which is purely guilty pleasures (think Five, Spice Girls, TLC, Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky).  I've pretty much spent my week listening to some terribly good songs whilst compiling our DJ set. Nelly & Kelly anyone?!

Something I cannot live without; My Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer. I've been sleeping so rubbishly recently, I can't even blame the baby she sleeps right through! The concealer is amazing, covers the black bags (or should I say suitcases) under my eyes along with all the other little blemishes my body decides to plague me with.

So, that's it. I'll hopefully be loving some far more interesting things next week! I'd love to hear what you've been loving or if you'd like to recommend anything?

Inspired by the 'Some things that I love' linky over at But why Mummy Why?

 

Nora's OOTD - Next, again!

So, I'm a day late with this one! We had such a lovely day in the sunshine yesterday I didn't manage to get online.

Today Nora wore a lovely Next Dress that I picked up in store the other day for only £5.50, absolute bargain! We teamed this with some super cute canvas espadrilles from Mothercare. 

I'm so happy that the sun is shining - Nora looks adorable in a little summer hat! This one is from George at Asda, I quickly picked them up the other day when I realised we had no hats!

Check out these little cuties! Nora adores the dogs and they're so tolerant of her - poor Max! haha