Happy Sunday everyone! Today is my birthday :-) We had already decided to go and see Guardians of the Galaxy at the cinema before all the rain was forecast, which is of course a perfect rainy day activity. Then we are hoping to find somewhere nice for some lunch. On Friday I had the most lovely ‘me’ day which included reading some of my old fave books, listening to vinyl records and enjoying scented candles! But more on that in a mo…
Eat
My appetite has been so weird this week, I seem to have gone a bit picky again and just fancy random snacks as a lot of larger meals I’ve been unable to finish. There has been some usual lovely stuff:
Yoghurt, nectarine, apricot and white chocolate protein peanut butter
Yoghurt, blueberries, pecans and honey
Green smoothie with nectarine, spinach, vanilla sun warrior, coconut milk
Feta and spinach omelette
Organic sausages, sweet potato mash, broccoli and gravy
I’ve also been enjoying a few of the snack bars I bought from the Tesco food fair last week, chickpea crackers, Oktobay coconut water ice lollies and dark chocolate, plus I am in love with these Rebel Kitchen drinks!
Move
Workouts this week
- Monday – Gym – 10 minutes step machine, 10 minutes bike, squats with bar, seated chest press and shoulder press
- Tuesday – Rest
- Wednesday – Gym – 10 minutes step machine, 10 minutes bike, lunges with dumbbells, tricep extensions, bent over rows
- Thursday – yoga / walk
- Friday – walking round the shops
- Saturday – Rest
- Sunday – Rest
I’ve been loving listening to podcasts while working out for a while, and I’ve recently started to listen to a few more. I can definitely see it becoming a new habit! Workouts have been nice this week, I did have to give myself a kick up the arse to do some yoga stretching and go for a walk on Thursday as I was at risk of sitting at my desk for 8 hours straight! In addition to the above, every day I’m still doing my pelvic tilts and some deep abdominal breathing and kegel exercises as well.
Wear
Floral blazer: Next sale a few years ago, anchor necklace: Accessorize, striped body con dress: H&M, New Look Maternity Leggings, gold sandals: Primark
This is definitely one of my fave outfits of late. I wore this when I went out on Friday and felt really good in it! I love how wearing the right clothes can really change how you feel.
Love
As I said at the start of the post my me day on Friday was just what the doctor ordered! I started the day with a green smoothie then drove to town and went for a chai latte at Starbucks. After that I did a little shopping and got some baby things including the most gorgeous toy! I also got some eyeshadow from MAC and some conditioner and red raspberry tea from Holland and Barrett. Then I stopped at Pret for a bottle of water and a sit down, cause I need to rest my feet these days! I did more looking round the shops then headed to Olive and Bean for a Tea Pigs Matcha drink, some list writing and a delicious halloumi and sun dried tomato salad. After that it was off to the market for some fruit, Pet Lamb Patisserie for some cake and Waitrose for a few groceries. When I got home mid afternoon I sat and flicked through some books with the record player on and a little later treated myself to that cake. I couldn’t decide which flavour to get so got both the peanut butter crunch and mint chocolate cake bars. I had half of each and left the rest for James. After picking him up from work we watched some TV together and I made my Mexican salad (which is so good!). Then I enjoyed a lavender scented bath, my home made clay mask and watched the new Hobbit movie on my iPad while I soaked. After that it was an early night. Heaven! Also…
Seeing the layouts and photos of my recipes for the recipe book for the first time! // being in a super productive mood // making yummy curried cheap and cheerful salads with my community group // launching Blogging Healthy, more on that to come! // early nights // re reading old books // birthday cards in the post // new creative DIY projects // painting my nails // my best friends little girls 2nd birthday party // drinking homemade mocktails at said party // my Nephews and having their faces painted at the party // lovely birthday meal last night with James, my parents and sis and her husband
Link
- A Healthy London Wish List – check out the recs in the comments on this post too!
- Honest pregnant body thoughts, feelings and dealing with life changes
- Recipe for Coconut Buckwheat with Chia Cherry Jam
- A birthday wish list and thoughts on turning 32
- 32 weeks pregnant: update and cute baby things
- 17 clever things to do with ice cube trays via Sarah Wilson
- 50 gluten free recipes for Summer via Free People Blog
- How Women in Iconic Paintings Would Look if They Got Photoshopped to Fit Today’s Ideals – via Thinking Humanity
- This pin found via Fear Free Birthing
Do you prefer music or podcasts when working out? When was the last time you treated yourself to some cake?
Happy Birthday! Just have to say you look wonderful in that outfit, I love the blazer!! And Friday sounds lovely, I really enjoy my ‘me days’ now and enjoy them guilt free when I can!
Thanks Rachael! I think me days are a must, definitely something to enjoy doing without any guilt!
You look gorgeous in the photo of you, such a happy pregnant lady!
Thanks Emma, that’s lovely of you to say!
I am OBSESSED with those rebel kitchen drinks! I’ve just tried the chocolate orange flavour – too good! Have a lovely birthday!
I really want to get my hands on some more, I know my coconut water mocha is similar but they seem to get the sweetness spot on!
Happy Birthday, Laura! I hope you have the most amazing day, and that this upcoming year treats you even better than the last one :)
Thanks Amanda, I had a lovely day and definitely looking forward to what this coming year will bring!
The sausage and mash looks really good. I hope you are having a great birthday :)
Thanks Dannii, it was a lovely day :-)
Happy Birthday lovely!!! :) Hope you’re having a great day as I’m sure you are by what you’ve said you have planned and from the mocktail pic I’ve seen! :)
Your ‘me day’ sounds so perfect! Can’t beat having some tasty foods out, a bit of MAC makeup and a good little food shop!
Your eats look so similar to mine recently, I’m definitely all about smaller meals/snacks but more often for me personally as it kinda works with my appetite. Lots of yogurt and nuts and fruit :) Your outfit is so cute by the way! That floral jacket is gorgeous and I’m not normally a fan of floral stuff..works so well with the stripy dress and leggings! <3
Haha yes it was a fab day! I’m so weird with yoghurt at the moment, usually I love it but I have no fancy for it. I want to get back into big bowls of yoghurt and frozen berries!
Your outfit looks gorgeous – love the combo of florals and stripes. I listened to Marathon Talk podcast in between a good playlist on my long runs during marathon training, I really like listening to podcasts or audiobooks when exercising. Might have to try some new ones – the paleo one looks interesting.
Thanks Helen, I always wonder if floral and stripes are too much but it always seems to work! Balanced Bites is really good, they are paleo but not too in your face about it :-)
Happy birthday Laura! Hope you’ve had a fabulous day! You look gorgeous in that stripe and floral combo!
Thanks Claire!
Happy Birthday! Loving the vibrant green smoothie x
Thanks! That smoothie was especially delicious!
The rebel kitchen drinks are amazing, I made chia pudding with the mini choc one today. So good!
What a great idea I bet that tasted fab!
Love your jacket! Got to admit I am quite often treating myself to cake!
Thanks Tamzin! Haha treating yourself to cake is always good!
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a “you” day and your birthday.
I love listening to podcasts when I run- I have an mp3 player that I download, but recently I got a new phone and bought the pocket cast app (mainly for holiday as we had a few train and bus journeys) – I was half way through one so used my phone on a run today instead and that was great. I like to have music when I can sing along, which isn’t always possible when I run ;)
Both those slices look amazing and now I really fancy making a batch of either!
Haha I can remember when I was running and I used to sing along when I thought no one else was about! The cake bars were so good, the peanut one had a great crunch!
happy belated birthday! Your day sounds absolutely divine and like the best way ever to spend it! I might have to organise having a day like during the next school holidays. Love the blazer and stripey dress combo – I always felt so much better in form fitting clothing like that when I was pregnant too! You look very chic :-)
You definitely should, I felt so relaxed after it! I’ve found that form fitting clothing is so much more flattering on me, I’ve just been raiding H&M for their vest tops!
I absolutely love listening to a podcast on my long runs. Those runs are easy paced so it’s nice to plod along just letting yourself chill out and listen to the podcast. I tend to listen to music when I run or cycle when I want to get some speed and energy into the workout. A podcast doesn’t really motivate me to work hard! I also love listening to podcasts if I take my dog for a long walk. So peaceful. I love the BBC 5 Live Movie Review podcast and the MarathonTalk podcast of course ;-) I’ve listened to one of the Balanced Bites one and I’m slightly irritated by their accents by I might continue to try!
Happy belated birthday! Love your outfit – you look lovely and that floral blazer is a great find! x