Friday Faves 29th August 2014

Oh man, I am exhausted. This week I feel as if all my energy has been drained away. I suppose it doesn't help that Dylan has been sick all day and I am headed into a weekend without my husband (as he is off to a gig in London).

This weekend I am hoping to get lots done when the boys have gone to bed, plus catch up on all my series (OITNB, Orphan Black, etc...), catch up on my reading, and post some pics on my personal facebook page. Oh and get extra sleep! Hmm...maybe I'm being a bit optimistic ;)

Anyway, this week has been a long one for me but I guess we all have those. Here are my 5 (pretty random, if I'm honest) Friday Faves from the week:

1) My carpet cleaner- ALL mummies should own one. It has been a Godsend and I have used it several times this week!

Used on floors and our couch this week!

2) New body scrub- I use a body scrub a couple of times a week and I seem to always come back to this one even though I have tried loads of different ones.

Soap & Glory's lovely The Scrub of Your Life

3) Tennis balls- My trainer has been working with me on my posture (which is horrible and has only gotten worse since having children). I am now using two tennis balls to loosen up my upper back at the end of each day. It feels great once I get going!

Yes, these do have paw prints on them. Got them for .99, my back doesn't care!

4) New scents- When I was in the US I got this lovely body mist from Victoria's Secret and love it! Not too strong and pretty. Also, I have just received my first ever Birchbox, which I have been meaning to subscribe to for awhile and it included this new scent, which I really like. I am pretty picky with fragrance so I might even splurge and buy a proper sized bottle of this one!

Add caption

5) Chips/Crisps- This week I have been on a salt craze. So I have had a few chips with my lunch each day. Not exactly healthy but I figure a few won't hurt.

Have a good Friday and a great weekend!
xx

Food & Fitness 24th August 2014

So sorry for the delay in getting my food & fitness post up. With all the activity this weekend and it being a bank holiday weekend I was completely out of sync. I think that is just a running theme with me at the moment, but I do look forward to getting back to a semi-normal schedule (although it may be Christmas before that happens as there is about to be a big shake up with Francis starting pre-school in a few weeks)!

Anyway, we had an awesome weekend here. I had a lovely night in on my own on Friday night. I did debate beginning to watch the second season of Orange is the New Black but was warned against it since I had to be up early the next day for my big race. Fortunately I found another series to start Orphan Black but sadly that too is super addicting! Luckily I have paced myself and only watched 2 of the 10 episodes on Netflix!

Saturday morning I was up early getting ready for my race. I was nervous! I got more nervous when I arrived at the starting location to realize that there were only about 100 runners and most of them were running with their club. They all had about 39 minute 10ks so I knew I'd be towards the back. I also learned upon arrival the whole course was up hill!

This is a photo from the run but sadly this is not me :(

The run was indeed up hill, through fields, over stone walls, stiles, through woods, mud and a huge climb at the end up a very nearly vertical rock hill! I managed to complete the race I missed my goal time by 6min but then again that was the goal time for when I thought the race was a flat street run so I was pretty happy overall. I came in 4th to last but decided despite a twisted ankle, giant blister and muddy feet I really loved the run so I'm hopping to be back next year!

Muddy sneakers

After the run it was time to get ready for my husband's cousin's wedding! We had a good night dancing and seeing the family and made it home to be in bed by midnight...phew!

Wedding selfies! 

Wedding table decor

Sunday was spent relaxing at home and yesterday we headed North to check out a few new National Trust locations. It was raining (obviously) but we enjoyed the day out!

Brimham Rocks before the rain

So here is the tentative plan for this week:

Food:
Sunday- Thai Chicken and Veg with Brown Rice
Monday- Fish and Chips
Tuesday- Roast Chicken with Veg
Wednesday- Salmon with Pasta
Thursday- Beef Taco Salad
Friday- Veggie Omelette (just me and the boys)
Saturday- TBD (just me and the boys)

Fitness:
Sunday- Recover from 10k Trail Run
Monday- Day out with family
Tuesday- Another day off (wanted to go back to spinning but need to check out instructor situation)
Wednesday- Group Personal Training
Thursday- Running Club 7k?
Friday- Personal Training
Saturday- Rest (at home with boys as husband away)

Have a great week!
xx

Friday Faves 22nd August 2014

Hello and Happy Friday everyone!

I hope you have all had great weeks. Mine went by super fast and I really feel like I didn't get much done but did have a lot of fun so I guess it was worth it. Besides the tax guy can wait...right?!

So, as I am trying to get back to a normal blogging schedule here are this week's Five Friday Faves:

1) Date nights - Ah, it has been great! The husband and I went out a few times without the little ones while in the States and this week we will have had two date nights! On Wednesday night we went out to a St. Vincent gig! There were some technical difficulties at the start due to all her equipment being lost in transit, but she overcame them like a pro and the rest of the gig was awesome :) Tomorrow night we are off to my husband's cousin's wedding reception so I am really looking forward to that too!

St. Vincent (old photo billboard.com)

2) Family - I have been pretty homesick for my family in the States this week, but I am also so happy with my little family over here.

Some of my family at the beach!

 3) My comfy home- even though I am experiencing some house envy, our carpets are horribly stained (whose idea was it to put cream carpets through out the downstairs when we have two little boys and a dog?!) and we seem to be mid 50 projects in the house I still love it. It is comfy and relaxing (when tidy!).

A messy lounge but everyone's comfy (yes, that is Show Me Show Me on the TV!)

4) Anything spicy - I don't know what is going on with me at the moment but the spicier things are the better. I think I have eaten most meals now with Nando's Peri Peri Sauce on them. I have been adding chillies where possible and don't get me started on jalapeños!

YUM!

5) Great reading material - I have been so busy with admin stuff, entertaining the boys, tidying up for friends and family that I haven't had two minutes to read (which I love to do). So I have a stash of  about 5 magazines and a book I really want to read right now.  Fingers crossed things will calm down a bit so I can get them read!

A nice selection of US and UK magazines and The Silkworm on Kindle

Well, that is it for today. I am off to cook some supper, maybe watch some Orange is the New Black (second series) or read!! and get to bed early. 10k race day in the morning and I am freaking out a bit! Wish me luck ;)

Have a great weekend!
xx

Post Vacation Craziness

I absolutely love going away on vacation! It is so relaxing and exciting at the same time. However, I really can't stand packing, unpacking, jet lag and the general disarray that comes with going away.

I really thought I was getting pretty organised before we left to go to the States but now that we are back I am overwhelmed with things to do. Don't get me wrong it is totally all worth it. I wouldn't trade a week with my family for anything and deep down I actually like being busy rather than bored and complacent but I do feel rather swamped!

It has been a fun-filled first week back home though. We have had Dylan's 2nd Birthday, gone to visit my in-laws new house and had a surprise visit from a friend we knew from our stay in Dallas, TX! Tonight we are off to a St. Vincent gig in Leeds and on Saturday we have my husband's cousin's wedding reception.

Oh, and I almost forgot a little something else...I am running my first 10k in like 20 years on Saturday morning! Help!!

I was so good about running while I was visiting my parents but I haven't run once since we have been back home. I have also just realized I don't have any info on the race location, a race number or even my free t-shirt (just kidding on that one!). I went to the race website yesterday and found out that this 10k is a trail run!! What!! This is new news to me. I am not great with trail runs (and most of it in mud!!!) so I can't think that I will make my hoped for time (which is 1 hour 5 minutes) but I will try my best.

I am definitely looking forward to the race and all the other fun things that are coming up! It is nice to be busy and it is keeping my mind off missing my family in the States and the cold wet weather we are having here in Yorkshire.

So here's to vacations, family, friends and keeping busy!

 

Surfing with Grammy & Grandpa

Building Sand Castles!

Francis walking the beach walls with Grandpa

Getting a little sun

Outdoor games at Auntie Lisa & Uncle Brian's BBQ

Lobster...YUM!

How do you cope with the pre/post vacation stress? 

Food & Fitness 17th August 2014

Hello from the UK! We are back from our lovely vacation and although still completely jet lagged and a little bit homesick for the States, we are happy to be back home and ready to get back to a normal routine (what's that though really??).

I will be doing a little overview post of our vacay later but for now here are a couple photos.

On a beach run! <3 LOVE

Midnight cafe run with the husband and my brother!

What to do when stuck at the airport for 9 hours! 

So this week will be tricky as it will be our first full week back home and obviously there is lots to do so I think it will mainly be a play it by ear sort of week but here is the tentative plan:

Food:
Sunday- Curry night!
Monday- Steak Pie with Mash and Peas
Tuesday- Chilli con Carne with Rice
Wednesday- One Pot Pasta
Thursday- Salmon with Summer Salad
Friday- Cajun Chicken with Rice
Saturday- At a wedding so not sure.

Fitness: 
Sunday- Rest

Monday- Run 6k

Tuesday- Spinning 

Wednesday- Group Training

Thursday- Running Club

Friday- Personal Training

Saturday- 1st 10k Race in almost 20 years!!! YIKES!

Hope you all have a good week and see you back on a more regular basis! 

P.S. Today is my little Dylan's birthday! Can you believe this sweet little thing is 2 already? Where has the time gone?

Happy Birthday my sweet 2 year old boy! 

Quick Hello From Our Holiday

Hello! I hope you are all well. We have been having a great time back in the US with my family! I can't believe how fast the time is flying by :(

We have had lovely days on the beach, had ice cream, played on beach playgrounds, gone on special trips with Grammy and Grandpa and have been worn out at the end of each day!

I have see my sister a couple times now and my brother arrives home from Seattle tonight! Tomorrow we're having a big family cookout so we'll get to see more of the extended family then.

Hoping time slows down a little so we can carry on relaxing and spending time with those we love! :)

Will try to be back tomorrow with some faves, until then have a great rest of the week!
XX

P.S. sorry about the lack of photos my camera doesn't seem to be linking up to my computer as normal. Must sort it out!

Food & Fitness 3rd August 2014

Hello from the US! We made it safely back to my parent's house last night after two pretty good flights! Both boys were really well behaved and exhausted when we finally got in. It didn't stop them from getting mummy up at 5am but I'll blame that on jet lag ;)

So, due to the fact that we are on holiday and we are with my family, I have no idea what we'll be eating on a day to day basis. Probably a lot of seafood and Mexican (Seafood, since we're on the beach and Mexican, because in my opinion you can't get good Mexican food in the UK). So we'll have to leave out the food portion of this post. Although tonight we are having grilled chicken with rice and veg :)

Fitness-wise, I have indeed packed some workout gear and intend on using it especially as I will be running a 10k not long after we get back! Yikes! So here's my tentative plan:

Fitness:
Sunday- Rest/Running around airports
Monday- Proper Rest Day!
Tuesday- Run about 6k (4 miles) & Body Weight Workout
Wednesday-Rest
Thursday- Run about 6k & Body Weight Workout
Friday- Rest
Saturday- Run about 6k & Body Weight Workout

I have put in plenty of rest days as I will probably be up late and not feel like waking up early every morning but I'll be pretty flexible as I might feel like working out everyday, so we'll see.

The body weight workout is one that my trainer sent me to do and only requires a resistance band which I have and brought with me (no extra weight there!). It includes the following exercises:
Squats
Lunges
Bridges
Press Ups
Step Ups
Tricep Dips
Chest Fly
Bent Over Row
To be finished off with some core exercises and a cool down.

What are your favourite body weight exercises?

Hope you all have a great week!
xx

Friday Faves 1st August 2014

Yay! It's Friday! It is also August. I can't believe it. How fast is this summer flying by?

So, this is probably (most likely) my last blog post from the UK for a little while. I'm not so sure how often I'll be blogging from the US but I will give it my best shot. I know I'll be ok with internet connection but to be honest, once I get with my family all I want to do is just sit and chat or go out and do things with them. If however, I don't get to blog as much as I like while I'm there I will be back in a week and a half with a big trip update.

This week has gone by pretty quickly which is both good and bad. I have lots to still do before we take off on Sunday but equally I am so excited to go, I can't wait. :)

Here are some of my Faves this Friday:

1) Girls night out! - It is really long over due but I am out tonight for dinner and drinks with my good friend Sally :) It will be odd to have proper conversations without having to chase after one of the children but it will definitely be nice!

42 Bar (never been here before but looks good!)

2) Mani/Pedi - I will be getting a manicure by my usual lovely nail guy tomorrow morning (in time for my holiday) but since I haven't got too much time left I will be doing my own Pedi probably today or tomorrow night (Yikes! Nothing like leaving it till the last minute).

3) Children's Activities - I have been loading up on things to keep the little ones happy whilst on the plane on Sunday. We have two flights (one 1 hour, the other 6.5 hours) so need to have lots for them to do. Hopefully, they will both be fine (Dylan was a little crazy on our last flight).

4) New Playlist - I put a new playlist on my Shuffle the other night to freshen things up for my next runs/workouts. I ended up buying another compilation (NOW 88) as I just haven't had the time to pre-select songs and this one has all the current hits. I plan on having some good beach workouts in the US!

5) Coffee! - I really love my coffee (as you know) and I ordered some new Nespresso capsules the other day. They are in and I can't get enough of them. I have been especially tired this week as I have been up early everyday and the boys are back to their 4am wake up calls (the last two weeks they had lie ins...well, ok 6:30am!)

Have a fab Friday and a great weekend!
Hopefully I'll be back on Monday with my Food & Fitness plan for the week.
xx