30 Day Wellness Challenge

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Ever since giving birth I have been saying I am gonna get back and focus on my health, but postpartum is HARD. Took me ten months to feel sort of like myself again. While I did managed to go back to my pre pregnancy weight almost immediately after giving birth my weight is in weight places and makes me feel uncomfortable.

My goal has always been to feel good about myself and be comfortable in clothing not so much about being skinny or losing crazy amounts of weight. So I started a 30 day challenge for myself to focus on being more healthy from inside. These are simple things, I can incorporate in my everyday.

Starting weight: 90.8KG

In 30 days I m gonna focus on 5 things:
drink 3L of water
get 10,000 steps in
getting two movements in a week (yoga or gym or something)
journaling 

My baby is very active so I had to be mindful of things I can actually accomplish and set myself up for success. This 30 days are more of a health from within kind of focus - things that will help me be healthier not necessarily skinnier. 

So follow along here and on instagram. 

OOTD - Perfect Holiday Dress

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

A long black dress that is perfect for any occasion - holiday part? Check. Wedding guest? Check.
This dress is great because its lose and comfortable but also has a mid length sleeve.




5 Things You Should Do Before the End of the Year

Friday, December 13, 2024

Setting yourself up for a successful new year requires a mix of reflection, preparation, and intention. Here are five things you should do before the end of the year to set yourself up for your best new year yet:

1. Reflect on the Past Year
Assess your growth: Take time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished, what worked well, and what didn’t. Review your goals and achievements, both personal and professional. Celebrate your wins and learn from your challenges.

Journal or make a gratitude list: Writing down key lessons from the past year helps you gain perspective and shows you how far you've come. It’s a great way to foster a positive mindset for the year ahead.

2. Set Clear, Intentional Goals for the New Year
Create SMART goals: Identify specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for the year ahead. Whether it's in your career, health, or personal life, setting clear intentions will keep you motivated and focused.

Break them down: Don't just think about big yearly goals—break them down into smaller monthly or weekly tasks. This makes them more achievable and provides momentum.

3. Declutter Your Environment 
Clean your space: Start the new year with a fresh, organized environment. Clean out your workspace, home, and digital space (emails, files, etc.). A clutter-free space promotes mental clarity and productivity.

Purge unnecessary things: Get rid of items that no longer serve you—whether it’s physical clutter, old habits, or toxic relationships. Free up space for new opportunities.

4. Create a Financial Plan
Review your finances: Take stock of your financial health by reviewing your budget, savings, and investments. Assess any debt and make a plan for how to manage or pay it off in the new year.

Set a financial goal: Whether it’s building an emergency fund, saving for a large purchase, or investing, having a clear financial goal will help guide your decisions throughout the year.

5. Prioritize Self-Care & Wellness
Assess your health: Make sure you’re taking care of both your physical and mental health. Schedule any necessary doctor visits or check-ups. Make a plan to adopt healthier habits, like regular exercise, eating well, or practicing mindfulness.

Create a self-care routine: Start the new year with practices that recharge you. Whether it's meditation, journaling, reading, or spending time with loved ones, having consistent self-care rituals will help you manage stress and stay balanced throughout the year.

By doing these five things before the end of the year, you'll not only close out this year on a positive note but also set the foundation for a successful, fulfilling new year.

#bookofthemonth The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft

This was the perfect book for the season. Her books always deliver and this one was perfect for the festive season. An easy read with good characters and it just flowed along. 

" secret romance was just the start of the story…

Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar—an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey—until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night.

Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her young daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.

As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she'd thought it was…"

Simple Focaccia Bread

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Everyone was making bread during the early stages of the pandemic, and i stack with it, Focaccia is one of my FAVOURITES. Easy, homemade and the best Focaccia with garlic, rosemary and tomatoes is my go to but your toppings can change. This focaccia bread recipe is soft, fluffy and great as an appetizer. 
What you need:
5-6 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon instant yeast 
1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoons chopped rosemary
5-6 tomatoes cut in half
Green onions
How to make it:
Drizzle about 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 9" x 13" pan.
Combine water, olive oil, salt, flour and yeast ingredients, and beat at high speed with an electric mixer for 60 seconds.
Scoop the sticky batter into the prepared pan, cover the pan, and let it rise at room temperature for 60 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Gently poke the dough all over with your index finger.
Drizzle it lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with the salt, minced garlic, rosemary and tomatoes.
Bake the bread until it's golden brown, 30 minutes. 
Remove it from the oven, wait 5 minutes, then turn it out of the pan onto a rack and cut into pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

#bookofthemonth The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan

This book was simply the perfect festive book I loved every second of it. It was a perfect read for the holiday season. I loved the story lines, the character development, the sweet friendships and most of all the setting

"With its historic charm and picture-perfect library, the Maple Sugar Inn is considered the winter destination. As the holidays approach, the inn is fully booked with guests looking for their dream vacation. But widowed far too young, and exhausted from juggling the hotel with being a dedicated single mom, Hattie Coleman dreams only of making it through the festive season.

But when Erica, Claudia and Anna—lifelong friends who seem to have it all—check in for a girlfriends’ book club holiday, it changes everything. Their close friendship and shared love of books have carried them through life's ups and downs. But Hattie can see they're also packing some major emotional baggage, and nothing prepares her for how deeply her own story is about to become entwined in theirs. In the span of a week over the most enchanting time of the year, can these four women come together to improve each other’s lives and make this the start of a whole new chapter?"

The Best White Hot Chocolate

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Colder weather means delicious warm drinks. I am one of those people who put her Christmas tree two hours after Halloween is over. Holiday season means hot chocolate. This has to be my favorite hot chocolate and its so delicious.
What you need:
500ml Half and half
ground cardamom
125 grams white chocolate
mini marshmallows 

How to make it:
Heat up half and half with 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom in a medium sauce pan until steaming (about 5 minutes).

Stir in 125 grams of white chocolate chips until melted.

Pout into 2 mugs and top of with mini marshmallows and more cardamom.

Enjoy!
DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS