Learning To Run

Now I'll start with a disclaimer, I am not what I'd call 'a runner'. I am no expert and the advice you're about to read is coming from somebody who would have walked on a bed of nails to get out of running at school. I do think this gives me a pretty good understanding of how difficult it is to start running and how intimidating it can be in those first few weeks. 

When I was at uni I needed a way to exercise and clear my mind. I tried pilates and yoga helped a lot but it became clear that I needed to get out of my tiny student room and breathe in some fresh air.

I can't lie, I contemplated running in disguise in case I bumped in to people I knew but I decided to settle on a pair of sunglasses and a quick slap of my favourite bold lippie. Next, I took my trusty ancient iPod and made a running playlist. I kept my expectations fairly low and picked less than 20 minutes worth of songs. I went for something slow but encouraging to start with, some major girl power songs with a good beat in the middle (think Single Ladies by Bey and Kellis' Milkshake) and a celebratory anthem for the home stretch (Queen's We are the Champions).

For my first few runs I would power walk through each verse and jog the chorus. When you're very out of practise putting little pressure on yourself keeps you encouraged and running in intervals is great for the heart. Once I found this less challenging I'd run for a chorus and verse then power walk the next verse and repeat. Before I knew it I was running through entire songs and then my entire playlist.

Last year I got pretty lazy with my running. There was always some sort of excuse. You know the usual, too tired, too cold, too much rain, blah! So to challenge myself I signed up to a race for life. It was only 5K but I used the same method with my playlists and was super proud that I managed to successfully complete a race in a more than decent time. 

If you're taking up running this January I wish you the best of luck. I'm putting on my running shoes again after a 6 week break so maybe I'll take on a 10k this year - who knows!

ox Lucy

How to be happy in 2016

via instagram 

2015 is the first year I can honestly say I've stuck to my new year's resolution. Most other year's I've probably forgotten what my goals even were by the end of January, let alone managed to stick to them. My resolution for the past 12 months was simple: Be happy. Happiness is one of those things we are all trying to achieve day in day out. Maybe sometimes we try too much to be happy that it just doesn't work out. I'm going to share with you my tips for a happy life and maybe 2016 will be a happier year for you.

Don't do things that make you unhappy. I'm not talking about refusing to wash up or take out the recycling bins but if there's certain social situations you repeatedly find yourself in that make you unhappy then have the courage to leave them. Don't feel forced to go to that house party you know you'll hate and don't go on a date with a guy you're not feeling just because a mutual friend thinks you're 'made for each other'. If we constantly live to please others we end up sacrificing our own happiness. Know where the line is between stepping outside of your safety zone and doing something you're not comfortable with. 

Be positive. Positivity breeds positivity. Sometimes it can be difficult to find a positive in a bad situation and it's all too easy to take a trip down Why Me Lane and throw a pity party for ourselves. Make your favourite motivational quote your screen saver to give you a boost throughout the day. If that doesn't work then do something positive to help somebody else. Trust me it'll make you feel better in an instant. Whether it's holding open a door for somebody, letting somebody in front of you in a queue or popping your lose change in a charity box. Small positive actions begin to make big differences.

via pinterest

Change. If the thing that makes you most unhappy is your job, relationship or housing situation then don't forget you can change it. Never be afraid of cutting out toxic friendships or habits that no longer fit who you are. There are certain things in life that can only be controlled by ourselves. I like to write down a long term goal for the change I'd like to make and then break it down in to smaller more achievable aims I can fit into my evening after work. Those small changes lead to big ones.

Appreciate. Just like positive thinking, happiness comes from an appreciation of what you have rather than the desire for things you don't. I could sit here all day making wish list after wish list filled with fancy handbags, cute clothes and Disney tsum tsums I don't need and then cry myself to sleep because once again I'll be taking my £10 Primark backpack to work rather than my mush lusted after Mulberry dream bag. At the end of each week or month take some time to think about five things your thankful for. Share them on your blog or on twitter or just make a note of them in your journal or planner. We have so much to be thankful for - our home no matter how small, the NHS no matter how long we have to wait for an appointment and that delicious packet of Oreos we treat ourselves to after a bad day at work. You know that old saying, happiness is a journey, not a destination. It's okay if you're not 100% happy 100% of the time, some days I'm just grateful for Netflix but hey, that's okay.

I'll start here with 5 things from the Christmas period I'm grateful for:

-My family for making every Christmas special without fail
-The NHS paramedics that came to my rescue after I got hit by a car the week before Christmas
-My best friends who helped me with my last minute shopping by driving me around and carrying my bags
-Pigs in blankets
-Friends from afar who take time to send gifts and well wishes

What are your top tips for happiness? I'd love you to leave a comment saying what you're grateful for.

ox Lucy

5 uses for your free beauty samples

1Trying before you buy is the ultimate benefit of keeping your samples. If you're on the hunt for the perfect volumising shampoo then search the web for some samples - more companies offer them than you'd think. Lush are a great company for samples too. If you're looking to try a product of theirs just ask for a sample and they'll happily oblige. I'm no beauty blogger myself but if I was I'd hoard sample products like no tomorrow and post endless reviews at no cost to myself.

2Sample products are the perfect size to slip into your suitcase for a weekend away. We all know how much heavier our bags become once we've added our moisturisers, exfoliators and shower gels so a sample size will not only free up space but take the weight off as well. As samples tend to be less than 100ml they make for great additions to your carry on bag too. Mini toothpaste tubes and hand moisturisers are perfect for this.

3When the end of the month is almost upon us but payday seems so far away and we simply cannot justify repurchasing our expensive but all time favourite salon quality shampoo, introduce your samples into the mix. It'll put off spending that little bit longer and many samples come with money off vouchers for your purchase - trust me, your overdraft will thank you!

4Just imagine how cute it would be to arrive for a weekend stay at your besties' house and find she has prepared a welcome basket of mini beauty essentials just for you. Many beauty samples will fit perfectly into a welcome basket and shows how much you appreciate their visit without costing you a penny. This is a great opportunity to give away products you have no use for too - if your BFF rocks curly hair whilst your is poker straight then give her that curl defining mousse you got your a Glossybox subscription last month.

5Did you know that food banks aren't just for food? Families in crisis in our country need things like soap, toothpaste, sanitary products and shampoo as well as essential food items. Just enter your postcode to find your local food bank and take along your unwanted stash. Sample sizes might not seem like you're making a difference but even the smallest of donations will help.

If you have anymore Ideas I'd love to read them in the comments below.
ox Lucy

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