Berlin

At the beginning of the month my boyfriend whisked me away to Berlin as a birthday present - he's a good chap isn't he? Berlin has been on my list for quite some time as a complete history geek. It was everything I expected and more. I completely fell in love with the city and can't wait to say hello again. I feel like we only just touched the surface. We did all the tourist things but now I want to experience the "real" Berlin. We went on an amazing free tour on the first day which I can't reconmend highly enough. It gave us such a good starting point and really helped us figure out the key points of the city. We stayed near to the TV tower above so that was like our guiding star whenever we got lost. I can't wait to plan even more city breaks - Lisbon and Prague are next on my list.

Have you been to Berlin? If so, what was your favourite part of the city?

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I like to move it move it

Part of the reason I participate in Weightwatchers is so once in a while I can induldge in a meal like the above. Those chili cheese fries are making me dribble. I know I can't eat like this everyday as I truly will get to the size of a house. But with the tools that Weightwatchers have equipped me with, I can stuff my face and still mantain my weight or maybe even lose a cheeky pound. You really don't have to give up your meals out as long as you're prepared to keep moving.

Here are just a few tips that I use in everyday life when I know i'm having a over-indulgent day - lets face it life would be very boring if these didn't exist! The extra 49 points prove to be a god send but sometimes they just aren't enough!

001: This was very kindly gifted to me by Weightwatchers and it's became my new favourite thing I wear it religiously and love to see the activity points building up. It really does make you more conscious to get your feet moving. It may sound silly but I always make sure I go to the toilet on the top floor at work as I have to climb two sets of stairs. It doesn'ty seem like much but it helps the numbers tick by. When I was in Berlin last week I clocked up 14 activity points!! I didn't feel to guilty about that shortbread!

002: These last few weeks my boyfriend and I have decided to go walking after dinner. It really does help your dinner go down and it's quite a nice time to put the world to rights. We only really pop out for half an hour but usually I earn about 3-4 activity points which always come in handy. I always find walking doesn't really feel like exercise and it's so easy to get carried away and walk for miles. Always good when you're trying to lose weight!

003: As many of you know I work in London so I like to make the most out of my lunch hour and have a wander around. I'm only a 10 minute or so walk from Covent Garden so I tend to head here. There's so much  to explore that I visit a different part each day. It's always a great way to exercise - see a theme here? Once again it's a fantastic way of building up activity points.

Source

Last week I ate out several times in Berlin and scoffed that huge burger and still managed to mantain my weight. All because I decided to move more and sit less. Just think how much weight I could lose if I managed to control my eating habits at the weekend?! I'm on it like a car bonnet. Wish me luck as i'm hoping for my first loss since the beginning of December!

If you're on Weightwatchers, how do you earn your activity points?

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You're the one that I want

Outfit:
Off white sheer dip hem blouse: H&M
Black skinny pleather trousers: Next
Leopard print collared coat: Topshop
Leather heeled ankle boots: Topshop
White stoned brooch: Primark
Red lips: Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang
Rose gold watch: Next Birthday gift

I'm living a childhood fantasy in these skinny trousers. I remember watching Olivia Newton John in Grease and complety being in awe of Sandy. I was over the moon when my mum came home with an amazing pair of faux leather trousers for me. Sandy who? So when I spotted these beauties in Next, I just had to have them. I still don't feel 100% confident in them but hey ho fake it until you've got it right? I always think a red lip looks so glam so had to snap this shade up when I saw it in boots - Apocalips seems to be doing the rounds on all the blog.

I'm treking all the way to Notting Hill tonight  - it better be worth the trip! - to see some of my favourite bloggers for a spot of dinner at the Electric Diner. As always I'm sure it'll be a lovely evening putting blogging to rights and stuffing our faces. Always the best types of nights out.

Hope you all have a lovely evening whatever you'll be doing!

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This girl is on fire

Outfit:

Black midi lace dress: Primark

Grey fur trimmed cape: Marks and Spencer

Black suede pointed pumps: Topshop

Black tights: Primark



My nan was given a voucher for High Tea for her birthday so I tagged along - never miss out on scones with clotted cream and jam! It was in a lovely venue called Mulberry House not far from my house, proving Essex is far more than Oompa Loompa tans and Sugar Hut. For just over £13 we were given a tray of sandwiches - smoked salmon always get a thumbs up from me - and an assortment of different cakes and scones. I can confirm that the mini carrott cake went down very well as did the mini eclair. Anyone else think cakes taste so much nicer in miniature form?

Have you got any suggestions for Afternoon or High Tea in around the London and Essex area? I'm always on the look out for new places!

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Thrifty finds #4

I've not had the time to be trawling the charity shops and sadly it's not been car booting season so second hand finds have been a bit on the sparce side. Luckily my mum has been on the case

001: Brown cameo scarf pin
I have started to build up a collection of scarf pins when i'm out and about. They always look so pretty and you can always pick them up fairly cheaper. I'm like a magpie for any kind of jewellery. One day i'll get round to wearing them.

002: Celery, Onion and Cucumber pots

These have to be one of the ugliest yet amusing things around! I think they're fab and have been on the lookout for some for my bottom drawer since I saw my aunts collection. They remind me of my nan as her mint sauce version is one of my earliest memories as it was always on the table at dinner time. Funny how certain objects transport us right back to yesterday. I've got my parents to thank for these beauties.

003: Glass Tower Bridge salt and pepper pot

I adore quirky bits and bobs like this - things that look slightly out of the ordinary. This was actually given to my mum so we'll sharing! I love the fact it looks like the London landmark and has a little pot for mustard. Not that I eat mustard but I like little pots for EVERYTHING! It'll look so adorable for when I throw dinner parties. 

Have you found anything in charity shops recently?

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January Empties

This month I seem to be using up products like nobodies business! I've already done reviews on the linked products.

001: Aussie Take the Heat leave-in cream c/o Blogger event

I picked this up at an Aussie event I went to absolutely ages ago and have finally used it up. I tend to start a product and then get bored and it goes to one side. This didn't make my hair feel greasy which was a giant plus. I can't really comment too much as it's the first heat protection cream i've used but i'd definately buy it again if I didn't nab some different brands from work.

002: Batiste dry shampoo

003: Rimmel concealer

I have no idea what this is called as it's rubbed off but this was my failsafe product to try and disguise my dreaded dark circles. I've brought this time and time again. It glides on nicely and pretty much does what it says on the tin. The only reason why I wouldn't repurchase is because i've now discovered the Collection one. What a god send!

004: No7 Beautiful Skin eye make up remover

005: Marc Jacobs Daisy

This is my all time favourite daytime perfume - Chanel Coco Mademoiselle is my favourite evening. I spray this on by the bucketload. It smells so crisp and fresh. As you can tell i'm pretty rubbish at describing smells but I absolutely love this one!

006: No7 Beautiful Skin dry/very dry Day cream

007: Molton Brown vitalising vitamin AB+C Bath and shower

I recieved this in a glossybox back when I was a subscriber. I'm a massive fan of Molton Brown products - I just don't like the prices. It smells gorgeous and lathers up like a good 'un. There's nothing worse than a shower gel that performs pathetically.

008: Maybelline Colossal Volume express

I adore this mascara, it's one I got back to countless times. I love big fat brushes. I have fairly sensitive eyes and some mascara wands really hurt. This comes off like a dream and doesn't feel too rough on my eyes. It does the job very well indeed.

009: Vo5 High Volume extra strong hold weather resistant spray

Trying out a different brand has made me realise just how much I love this hairspray. It keeps your style nice and solid without feeling sticky and hard. The massive can is great value for money and it lasts for ages.

What items have you been using this month?

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My little brother's just discovered rock and roll

Outfit:

Burgandy dork t-shirt: Primark

Camo jacket: Topshop

Black skinny jeans: Primark

White plimsols: Vans

Diamond statement necklace: Primark

White art deco style earrings: Primark

One of my favourite things to do is going to see live music. From frequently attending Party in the Park as a kid - seeing Wyclef Jean on stage drove me wild ha - to finally getting to see the Libertines live at Reading, i've lost count of the number of gigs i've been too. One of the first things before you can pop along to a gig is of course to get hold of tickets. If you're a bit slow on the uptake like me and very often miss out on tickets, StubHub UK can be a lifesaver. Owned by Ebay, this ticket website lets you get hold of a variety of genres. You'll even get Robbie Williams tickets  -who I saw at Knebworth and is by far one of the greatest live shows i've ever seen. The great news is they'll be guaranteed to be genuine and you'll recieve them in plenty of time.

I'm seeing Two Door Cinema Club in London next Friday and this is the outfit i'm planning to wear - i'm lucky my office is fairly casual so I won't look too out of place during the day. I think skinny jeans and a tee are the perfect gig outfit. You don't want to be worried about your skirt riding up when you're dancing away to your favourite song. Comfortable shoes are a must especially if you're planning on standing. At the grand old age of 24 i've decided to stay away from the mosh pit - brusied feet no longer appeal to me.

Who's the best artist you've seen live?

This post was written in collaboration.

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A day in the life of a weightwatcher

Although I supppose Weightwatcher is technically a diet, it's also a lifestyle choice. You learn to pick healthy options but that doesn't mean you can't have the odd naughty treat once in a while! This is a typical day's food for me:

Honey cheerios - 4 propoints

During the week I tend to buy one box of cereal and keep it at work. It's far to early to stuff my face when I get up!

 

Fruit - 0 proppoints

Does anyone else seem to get mid morning munchies around 11am? I think because I sit at a desk all day I constantly think about food - doesn't help that I sit next to the kitchen! I try to eat at least two portions of fruit a day.

Tomato and feta omlette - 7 propoints

I've gone off sandwiches recently and prefer something a little more filling. I don't like to waste more than 8 propoints on lunch as I like a few chocolate treats towards the end of the day. This filled a lovely little hole.

Chocolate minroll and Caramel wafer - 4 propoints

Everyone who works in the office knows that chocoate is very much a necessity! Around 3pm I tend to need a bit of a sugar fix and these do the the jobs quite nicely.

Quorn chilli burritto and rocket - 8 propints

For just 8 propoints this was such a filling dinner! I'll be eating quorn more often as it's so low in points meaning you can have much more. Always a good thing in my book!

All this food adds up to 23 propoints. I'm allowed 26 points a day but like to keep a couple left over incase I fancy a little treat after dinner. Light babybels are currently my favourite - they're only a point!

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Baby it's cold outside

Outfit:

Black cloche hat: Marks and Spencer

Grey faux fur trimmed cape: Marks and Spencer

Grey bodycon midi dress: Primark

Black long sleeved t-shirt: Primark

Black bow short wellies: Market

Black Bayswater: Mulberry

Rose gold oversized watch: Next (Birthday gift)

Ah the dreaded snow has arrived. You can blame that for the dark pictures - these were taken about 3pm! I wore this for my sister in laws 21st birthday meal at the weekend. I wanted to wear something a bit dressy but also weather appropriate. I think I just about managed it. I brought this amazing cape with my birthday money last week. My boyfriend has quipped that I look like Gandalf the Great but i'm ok with that. At least i'll be cosy in the cold! I always feel like i've taken a step back into yesteryear with this hat on. Just not too keen on the hat hair afterwards.

How have you been coping in the snow? I personally can't wait until it all melts away and everything ccan go back to normal. Getting to work is a complete nightmare!

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Weightwatcher's friendly breakfast - recipe

It may be cliche but breakfast really is the most important part of the day. It can help kickstart your metabolism for the day as well as stop that dreaded mid-morning snacking. I read somewhere that you should try to eat within 45 minutes of waking up. My normal breakfast routine consists of a boring bowl of cereal when I get to work. It's the easiest thing I can manage after that hour commute into the city. But when it comes to the weekend I like to get a bit more adventurous with my morning routine. As I usually like to have a bit of a lay in so I tend to have a a larger breakfast. A brunch if you like. Here's one of my favourite recipes. The great thing is it's very quick to make - great if you have a rumbling tummy!

Feta and tomato omlette with a propoints value of 7

Two eggs

8 cherry tomatoes

Season black pepper to your taste

Three sprays of fry lite

40 grams of Feta Cheese 

1. Chop the tomatoes in half

2. Crack the eggs into a jug and whisk. Season with as much black pepper as you want. Crumble the cheese into the jug.

3. Crumble the feta into the jug and mix in. Spray the fry lite into a frying pan and pour the egg mixture into the saucepan

4. Position the tomatoes as you like.

5. Cook for around 4-5 minutes and the pop under the grill until the top is starting to brown. Doesn't it look yummy?!

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The birthday girl

Last Wednesday I turned the grand old age of 24 - eeeek! I had such a lovely day and was thoroughly spoilt by friends and family. Here are just a few snipets of the day and Thursday. My mum once again treated me to a buffet - the best kind of dinner - with lots of family visiting. As it was my nan's 70th birthday the day, I gatecrashed that day too. My mum, nan and I all had a brilliant day out in London pretending to be posh at The Ivy and going back to yesteryear with a trip to see Top Hat at the theatre. I brought the Mulberry oyster card holder with my birthday money. I'm tempted to save up for the kindle case as I still have some money left over. Maybe i'm a tiny bit obsessed...

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