30 Before 30: An Update

Happy New Year everyone!

You know how it is...new year, new you and resolutions like 'must get back into blogging'. So here I am! Lame

I thought that a good start would be to update you on my 30 before 30, as I can definitely cross of at least one of the big ones!

1. Get Engaged
2. Get Married*
3. Have a Baby
4. Buy a House
5. Save Enough for Our Wedding*
6. Have £10k in Savings
7. Earn at least £30k/year
8. Work for Myself
9. Be a Stay at Home Mummy
10. Buy a Mulberry Bag
11. Write a Book
12. Write a Recipe Book
13. Visit Australia
14. Visit New York
15. Visit Italy
16. Go to Harry Potter in Florida
17. Visit Disney
18. See the Northern Lights
19. Swim with Dolphins
20. Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
21. Grow my own Fruit, Veg & Herbs
22. Go Camping*
23. Have a Spa Day*
24. Crochet or Knit a Baby Blanket
25. Learn to Drive
26. Run a Marathon
27. Own a Pet
28. Cook through a Cook Book
29. Do a 365 Project
30. Own less 'Stuff'

And more of a breakdown...

2. Get Married - this one is OFFICIALLY crossed off and I am now unofficially Mrs Willmets-Secker (waiting for my passport to be reissued to prove my name change). The wedding was wonderful, I'd like to do a proper blog post, but I'm also hoping to get it feautred on a proper Wedding Blog, so I'll hold off for now.

5. Save Enough for Our Wedding - well obviously this one has to be crossed off now, and if I didn't get it done it's too late now...however, I am pleased to say, that even though it all got a bit muddy at the end with being so busy, having no internet and no time to keep track of the budget, I saved enough. I am so proud of myself.

7. Earn at least £30k/year - now that the wedding has happened, we've moved into our new flat (just 1 week before the Wedding!) I am going to get back on that job trail and find myself a new job and I will certainly be aiming to hit that £30k mark!

10. Buy a Mulberry Bag - now that we've got the crazy wedding saving out of the way and we can actually relax a little, I'm going to try and build up some good savings. And then one of my goals for 2016 is to buy myself a Mulberry bag (even if it's only teeny tiny).

22. Go Camping - this one can go too, now it wasn't awful, but it was by no means a picnic! We staying in Cheddar and it was gorgeous, the campsite wasn't too bad either. But the ground, not so comfy...and our tent, bloody boiling! Plus is absolutely poured on our last morning when we had to pack everything away, perfect. 

23. Have a Spa Day - now I don't know if it was a spa day as it wasn't technically in one place, but I've had a full body massage followed by a facial. Both were fine, not amazing and both could have been way longer. Want to redo this one somewhere proper and go all in for the pamper!

24. Crochet or Knit a Baby Blanket - right, so I started trying to crochet, I didn't get far..I actually can't manage more than one line, so unless this baby blanket is very long and thin, it's not going to fly. Officially removing this as a failed attempt.

25. Learn to Drive - so T is getting me some driving lessons as part of my Christmas present...this one's on the horizon

26. Run a Marathon - just a note to say that the new 2016 me isn't loving this one, new 2016 me feel lazy

30. Own less 'Stuff' - last update, this one is kind of happening, whilst I've definitely gained a LOT of makeup this year (hehe) and I now have  a large box of wedding 'memories' (or crap in T's eyes)...I am definitely doing better here! Our new flat is bloody tiny, so there's no choice but to throw stuff away. I might get the Marie Kondo book 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing'

And now my questions is...is it cheating to change the list?

Oh and a wedding photo, because I want to show everyone that there is. It's my favourite.

 

Wedding Make Up: The First Steps of DIY

So after I was deliberating on the Professional vs. DIY aspect of my wedding make up, I've come to the conclusion that I'm going the DIY route for now. Oh God, what have I done?!
And if my practice runs all go terribly wrong then I can revert back and pay someone to do it for me!

I decided to look round the make up counters in Boots one Saturday with T, I promptly got terrified and overwhelmed by the choice - what do I need? Where do I start? What shade will suit me? The most pale, obviously.
After my minor panic/breakdown (it put me in a foul mood), we went into Debenhams to try and look around the Bare Minerals counter...typically, the woman had just gone to lunch! The lady at Clinique came over and seemed so friendly that I ended up going to speak to her.
Turns out they do a free 'make up lesson', aka make over. But for free, why turn it down?!
So after a quick colour match and a nice little sample pot of the Superbalanced Foundation in Alabaster (yes, only the palest for me!) I pencilled in an appointment for two weeks time to have my Bridal Make Up Lesson.

I trialled the Superbalanced Foundation over the next couple of weeks, I really like how light feels and looks on my face and the colour is perfect.
I also got my hands on a sample of some Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation (I'm not sure which shade, as the lady at the counter wasn't really that helpful), I tried that one a few days ago and it was so much heavier than the Clinique Superbalanced.

Two weeks later, back I went to the Clinique counter, with one of my bridesmaids (Clara) for moral support and to observe.
An hour later, a lot of wedding chat and me not really learning too much, my face looked like this.

Not too shabby eh?

My feelings were...I like the overall look, I quite liked the peachy shade of blusher and the gold/bronze eye shadow was lovely!
I really didn't like the way she did my eye liner and eye lashes, I have super long eye lashes and so they just got tangled and clumpy - I think she a little overwhelmed with how long they are!
I also didn't like the lipstick; the colour was ok, but it had a bit of sparkle in it, which left me feeling like a 15 year old. It also dried my lips out like crazy and by the time I got home they had gone all crusty, as if I had spent several days in the arctic.

Still, I think it was a fantastic starting point for me. I walked away with the Superbalanced Foundation in Alabaster and the Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel.

AWOL

Yes, I know I've been AWOL for a little bit now. Sorry!
We've just hit our mega busy time of year at work...the dreaded exam period. Hours and hours spent wading through exam scripts, inputting marks etc. It's all fun.

I usually have a ton of free time at work, which is when I do work related tasks wedding planning, blogging etc. But I haven't even had a change to keep my poor diary up to date recently, he's so bare! No meal plan put in, I've only updated my bills and exercise!

I'm hoping to be back on it soon enough, with a massive catch up. I'll try and make more effort to at least post a Photo Friday every so often.

I also need a little time for me at the moment, next week is the anniversary of my Dad's death (I can't even believe I'm writing that). I can hardly believe it's nearly been a whole year and it's been a rough few weeks for me again. I've actually tried to write a couple of posts about it, but I've stopped them all because they've made me too upset.

Enough of that for now. I better be getting back for work. No time for sneaky breaks!!

Uphill Cycling, Scones and Jam and some Camping Equiptment

I'd say that's how I would sum up last weekend (it's another weekend already!!).

We started Saturday off by getting the train from Romford to Kelvedon, bikes in tow. We were planning what I thought would be a easy little nip out on the bikes from Kelvedon to Tiptree to go to the Tiptree Jam Factory, Museum and Tea Rooms. Yeah, it wasn't such a great ride.
Firstly it was on the road the whole way, which I am not a fan of, and the whole way there was uphill...4 miles of just uphill! My poor little legs cannot take that after nearly a year of not cycling!

We finally got there, somehow, and joined the queue for the tea rooms...and then spotted a sign to say that the museum would be shut from 1pm for a private event. Checked the time, it'd just hit 1pm! We were at least able to get some food (a VERY tasty Ploughmans with a pork pie followed by the scones I posted a picture of yesterday) and have a look around the shop...and we didn't buy everything they had! Which is a miracle, considering they had two walls full of different jars of jams and preserves!!
Then it was back on the bikes for a 4 mile downhill ride (so much better than the way there!) and arrived at the station just as the train pulled away! We only had to wait 30 minutes for the next train, which was a nice break as my thighs were burning!

On the train again and out futher into Essex to Colchester. We had a bit of time to walk around the town and pop into a few shops before everything closed. We came away with some camping gear, tea towels and a sausage dog door stop (we have named him Porky).
Colchester was lovely, it's Britain's oldest recorded town (in case you didn't know) and it had a lovely castle and gardens. We eventually got back on the train, which was now full of drunk people on their way out, which made for a wonderfully quite and relaxing journey home, ha!


Then Sunday ended up being completed camping gear related, we put in a big Amazon order and went into Central London to buy some stuff too.
Only to later decide that we would not be going camping this weekend...it's a Bank Holiday so all the trains are crazy and it's going to rain. There goes that 30 Before 30 plan, but I'm pretty sure putting me in a rainy field for two days on my first camping trip would not make me want to go again!

This weekend, instead of camping, we're off into Essex again to the Braintree Outlet Mall...shopping, yay! We might also look at beds. Yup, beds.

Not don't you tell me I don't live a thrilling life ;)

Enjoy the long weekend!

Photo Friday #19

The yummy scones we had last week at the Tiptree Jam Museum!

My 100th Post!

I'm not really sure how much the first few posts counted seeing as I hadn't really got into the swing of this blogging thing, but hey...this is my 100th post!!

Isn't that exciting! I wish I had something momentous to put, but I really don't at the moment.

I just want to say thanks to anyone that actually bothered to read this. And encourage you to say hello, it'd be nice to know if there's anyone out there or whether I'm just yammering away to myself (most likely).

But that's all for now, Happy Thursday folks!

Wedding Make Up: Professional vs. DIY

Recently I've been thinking about my wedding make up, umming and ahhing about what to do.
I had originally thought that I would hire a make up artists to do it. I'm not really the most make up savvy person and I don't really wear very much, so it seemed like the sensible way to go.

But then I started researching and it became apparent that to get someone who's good I'd be paying around £150-200 for just my make up trial and on the day make up - no extra people included in that. Yes, there are cheaper options, but looking at their portfolios, you can see why they're cheaper. There's also a huge risk that whoever I pick, expensive or not, will make me look like a clown and then I'll have paid loads of money for me to just have to take it off and do it myself. I've definitely read some horror stories.

The other option is for me to do my make up myself. It would definitely an element of pressure on the day, but it would allow me to buy some really good quality products that I can use after the wedding.

It my true style I've made a list...or several lists and maybe a spreadsheet, to compare the options.
Here are the lists of pros for each:

DIY Pros

• I get to spend a reasonable amount of money on good quality make up, which I can keep and use after the wedding
• Cheaper than hiring a make up artist
• I have control over the products that I use
• I have control over my look
• Less likely to go horribly wrong (oh the horror stories)
• I don't wear much make up, so why pay someone to put more on me
• Gives me the chance to learn a useful skill
• I have pretty good skin anyway
• I can do my own trial runs, which I don't have to pay for
• I can involve my bridesmaids
• I don't have to worry about choosing the right make up artist

Make Up Artist Pros

• Less pressure on me on the day
• I don't have to choose my own products (I'm pretty terrible with making decisions)
• I don't have to worry about lack of knowledge
• Likely to be much better than I am with make up
• Make up would stay on better/longer

I would say that at the moment there are more pros to me doing it myself, but I do need to think about my lack of knowledge, the extra pressure and making sure that my look isn't too underwhelming and that the make up actually stays put on my face! But I can definitely research and learn and go to make up counters and have make overs where they talk me through what they're doing, which I think would be a big help.

At the moment I am leaning towards DIY, but I have time to research and practice and if it all goes horribly wrong I can try and hire someone last minute - let's hope that doesn't happen!

What do you think? Is this a good idea or totally mad?

My Week #12

A bit of a quiet one again, the beginning of the week was all a lead up to the interview I had on Thursday. I still haven't heard back!

Then a nice weekend trip into Essex and bought some camping gear...oh yes, lead up to another 30 Before 30 item?

A Bit of a Catch Up

So I thought I'd post a general catch up, I've started several posts over the last few weeks, but none of them have been finish, I have no idea why, considering I have nada to do at work at the moment.


Firstly let's go all the way back to the Easter weekend and the six day awesome birthday extravaganza that it was (hardly).

Thursday 2nd was a nice little Wedding themed day trip out for my mum, it ended up being a little rushed and stressful and we didn't get everything done, but oh well! First up was our lovely florist, who was even lovelier in person and very forgiving considering we were 45 minutes late and then got lost and couldn't find the right place.
After that we sped off to the wedding venue so that my mum could see it, shock horror, she actually liked it. I was flabbergaster, she is super critical, but I think she could see past of the more shabby bits to see the overall vision I was going for.
Sadly the Wedding Coordinator was stuck on the phone, so I didn't get to speak to her before we had to rush off...cue massively long email with a million questions!
Then it was off to the cake shop, we arrived so late that they were basically shutting up for the night and the manager was off to a meeting, so my attempts to order my Wedding cake failed miserably.

Then Friday 3rd was my birthday, hooray! A got a bundle of cards and some lovely birthday presents, a Fjallraven Kanken backpack from my mum and a Radley purse and handbag from T and his mum. So now I have a million bags that I need to use!
I have a birthday surprise, which turned out to be my first mani pedi EVER (working towards that 30 Before 30 checklist there - nearly a spa day!) which I loved, lunch out and then off to Harry Potter! Where I took loads of photos (so many my phone ran out of battery) and had some butter beer, sadly there were no real good souvenirs in the shop so I came away empty handed. We got back to London pretty late and fitting in a late night pint and trip to Nandos!

Saturday 4th was the Idea Home Show, I only really wanted to go for the food, but T was keen on the house stuff. We did come away with a few buys, some bamboo pillows (get us), some sweeping brush type things and a wooden duck! Not to mention half the cheese that was at the show. We also nearly bought a bed! We then decided to book free tickets to Grand Designs Live, so that's coming up soon.

After that it was off to have drinks with my old housemates, had a few too many beers and got some lovely little pressies, it was wonderful.


Sunday 5th was pretty quiet in the day, it was a bit of a catch up and I ended up starting some sorting before the evening rolled around and it was McBusted time!! McBusted were amazing AND I managed not to try this time...last time I saw them I cried through the whole first song. Yeah, I'm a loser.

Monday and Tuesday ended up being days of more sorting, food shopping, xbox buying (that was T) and a Don't Tell The Bride Marathon (that one was definitely me).
But it was a wonderful long weekend that rushed by far too quickly.


Since then it's been pretty quiet.
I sadly waved goodbye to one of my cousins from Australia who's been living here for 2 years, we took her and her boyfriend for traditional pie, mash and liquor in good old Romford before they left.
I interviewed for another job on Thursday, now I've got the joy of sitting waiting to hear something.

But distraction in the form of a busy weekend should help, and planning for the bank holiday weekend too. We've decided we might go camping, jumping back on my 30 Before 30 band wagon!

That's all for now folks! I'll try and be better with my updates and ramblings!

Photo Friday #18

One I took in the week with anticipation of going to the Wilkin & Sons Factory, Museum and Tea Rooms tomorrow!

Looking forward to it, we're going to come back with so much jam!

My Week #11

Quite a busy week last week, quite a good one too!

Photo Friday #17

I really enjoyed the being out in the sun this week, which is unusual for me. I'm pretty sure that I'm part vampire and I tend to shy away from the sun...and the outdoors.

But maybe that's changing?

Have a good weekend :)

Lucky Sixpence

So we've all heard the rhyme...and yes, little old me with my love of weddings and tradition is trying my hardest to incorporate this into my wedding. I'd not worked out all the aspects yet, but I've got ideas for each line at the moment. Sadly, the last line of the rhyme is often the most forgotten, but for me it's been my main focus so far...

Something old,

something new,

something borrowed,

something blue,

and a silver sixpence in her shoe.

The idea of having something lucky with me, I love. And I love the idea that I can keep it after for the rest of my married life, giving me luck.

I'd done my research, I'd looked at the ones you can get from the Royal Mint, but they will set you back a slightly eye watering £28 (plus £5 p&p!)..for a coin that was for 1/40 of £1 in it's day. Yes, the idea of having a 'new' one, packed nicely in a box from the 'proper' place was tempting, but was it a valid wedding cost?

Next I turned to ebay, of course. And low and behold there were loads of sixpences, starting at the bargain price of 99p! I browsed through a few a noticed that you could choose the year that the coin was from...I then noticed that these years covered those in which my parents were born.

I then decision that I was going to buy one from the year my Dad was born, the perfect way to remember him at the wedding and keep him with me.

But today when I was browsing (again) I saw that someone had an Australian sixpence from the year that my Dad was born...and seeing as he was Australian, it just seemed to good to be true. But it didn't feel completely right, I do live in England, am marrying in England and am marrying an Englishman...

Ten minutes later, I'd bought an Australian sixpence from 1946 for $6.60 (~£3.60) and an English sixpence from 1949 for 0.99p...one for each parent and from each of the countries that they represent.

I'm feeling pretty chuffed with myself and had to share it!

Now my only question is, if I have two lucky sixpences, will they cancel each other out?

My Week #10

Sorry it's so late this week, it's been a busy one at work (you can tell when I do all my blogging!) and excitingly this week one of my best friends and bridesmaids started work in the same office!

Photo Friday #16

This week I have a little triumph, I managed to eat my first full sized chocolate bar in a year and a half!

And it was a Snickers, which has been my most 'taboo' bar!

Feeling pretty good and my weight is good...so it's all good!!

Edit: I tried to post this last Friday (10th April) from my phone, but it didn't work and I didn't realise until now!

My Week #9

Last week was one of ups and downs, thankfully more ups than downs and ended up being a pretty good one.

I'm planning on a bit of a low down of my long weekend as if you're going to be excited by that.

Photo Friday #15

Sad to say it, but I can't resist...

Happy Birthday to me!

It's my birthday today, 26 getting old!

This is the cake that someone at my work made for me on Wednesday, isn't it amazing?

I hope you all have a nice Easter Weekend :)

A Bit of a Revamp

I was feeling a little tired of how the blog looked (not that I ever look at the front end of it...oops!), so for now I've basically cleared away everything and left it plain.
I'm liking it at the moment, fresh and clean.

I guess one day I'd like to make it look fancier, but I don't really know how!
Any ideas?

That Friday Feeling

Yes, yes, I know it's Wednesday...and for most of you tomorrow is 'Friday'.

But for me, today is Friday, oh yes. I've had a 3 day week at work, now I have 6 days off and then another 3 day week. Plus it's my birthday on Friday, I'd say that's a pretty damn good couple of weeks.

I've been feeling a bit down recently, I touched on feeling different before, but this has taken on a whole other mind of it's own and I've been feeling pretty low the last week or so.

On the up side, I'm actually feeling ok today and I'm hoping that I can carry that through this mega long weekend and make it a good 'un.

It's clearly that Friday feeling that's carrying me though.

I hope you all have a nice Easter weekend!

My Week #8

Another though one, I'm hoping that they'll start getting easier soon!

This week should be good though, 3 days at work, 6 day weekend (and my birthday!) and another 3 day week at work next week!