It's Okay To Indulge

As some of you may have seen from my blog posts, I'm making a conscious effort to lead a healthier lifestyle which includes eating healthily. However, I'm not someone who is going to deprive myself from things like cakes etc. 

I admire those who have the willpower to completely eliminate all the "bad stuff" from their diets but for me, I like to indulge once in a while. I want to be fit and healthy but life would be so boring if I could never have a calorific slice of cake ever again, or if I had to avoid most of the delicious menus on offer across the city. 

It's okay to indulge. It's okay to go for the full three course meal rather than the salad and yoghurt. I think it's all about moderation. I am a serious foodie so it's totally out of the question for me to go through life without sampling all the delicious foods on offer, and why should I? I exercise regularly and I eat healthily most of the time. 

I like to set aside a day (or sometimes two... I know, wild right?) each week where I can just eat whatever I want and indulge a little. It doesn't mean I'm going to get to Sunday and get a Mcdonalds breakfast, a lunch buffet, and then a pizza for dinner. It just means I'll have a slice of cake if I want one, and I'll go out for a meal if I feel like it, and I'll have a DVD night with nachos if I want to.

For anyone who is interested, that carrot cake in the photo was absolutely delicious and I savoured every spoonful!

It's okay to indulge.

New Things #9

It's been way too long since I've done one of these posts (September 2014 to be more precise!). These are a few of the lovely gifts I received from family and friends at the end of last year. It is indeed already January but better late than never, right?

Mad About Macarons (link here) - Knowing my love of baking, I found myself unwrapping this amazing book! The recipes in there look so tasty and not too difficult either so I'm really excited to make some of these when I find a spare few hours. 

Laura Ashley 2015 Diary & Ballpoint Pen (link here) - I've always loved the look of Laura Ashley products, everything looks so elegant and sophisticated. Now I have a nice little diary and pen set to get organised for the year ahead and I can do it in style.

Laura Ashley Mug In A Tin (link here) - As if one Laura Ashley gift was not enough, I found myself with this mug in a tin. The mug has a simple polka dot design but I think I love the tin that little bit more. I seem to have developed this obsession with tins and glass jars...

Christmas Socks - Probably one of the most practical presents ever! I can always rely on someone to buy me new socks every year. Is it just me or does it feel exceptionally cosy when you pull on a brand new pair of socks? 

Radox Gift Set (link here). I love fruity smells and I adore the smell of coconut so this was a great gift for me. My favourite part of this set has got to be the colour changing body puff! I have never seen one of these before so I'm super excited to try it out.

Super Soft Throw (link here) - The best thing about the cold weather is being able to snuggle up in anything cosy and fluffy and this definitely ticks those boxes. 

Salt Sugar Smoke (link here) - This book is all about preserving foods and making things such as jam. I am a food enthusiast. Need I say more?

BakerDays Christmas Cake* c/o BakerDays (link here) - Just before Christmas, BakerDays kindly sent me this delicious Christmas cake. A yummy buttercream iced sponge and a layer of fondant icing, perfect for any cake lover. If you're looking for a personalised gift for someone with a sweet tooth then this is so much more exciting to receive through the post than a card. They also do cupcakes too now!

I hope you all enjoyed the return of my New Things series! Happy Weekend!

Getting Active - sportshoes.com

Some people may know that I've been making more of a conscious effort lately to lead a more active lifestyle. I'd like to think that I'm fairly active anyway considering the lack of spare time I have but I'm trying my best to be even more active. I'm still young and there's no better time to start keeping fit. 

Sportswear can be a bit on the pricey side at times but there are so many affordable sportswear retailers out there. One of them, sportsshoes.com, recently got in touch and sent me a couple of items from their Nike range. They specialise in running and fitness clothes/shoes and best of all, they're so affordable! Nike is one of my favourite brands when it comes to sports gear! New year, new sports gear!

First up are these Nike Flex Experience Running Shoes* (£29.99 [RRP: £54.99]) which provide great cushioning and flexibility. The design is perhaps not as great as I imagined when I initially saw it online but they're a great pair of shoes which I have been using indoors on the treadmill. They're so comfortable and a joy to run in. I thought I'd have to break into them a bit but I've had no trouble with them whatsoever. Sizing is spot on.

Next up are these Nike Revolution Running Shoes* (£31.49 [RRP: £44.99]) which I absolutely adore! These are by far the best looking trainers I've owned. The colours work so well together and they look much more expensive than they actually are. These trainers are suitable for beginner runners as they have a cushioned sole for comfort as well as a good grip on the outsole to prevent slipping. These are my outdoor and indoor sports shoes as they're great whatever the weather as well as being super stylish! I'm loving the fluorescent green.

I was also sent these beautiful Nike Tech Thermal Gloves* (£8.99 [RRP: £17.99]) to keep my hands warm this Winter! I went with the Small size which fit my hands perfectly as well as keeping them cosy. The fleece fabric keeps my hands warm whilst keeping off any rain. I love the subtle pink trim which gives it a girly touch without being overbearing. There is also a key pocket in the side of the glove which I think is a simple but genius idea. Often when I run outdoors, I'm left in a dilemma as to where to store my key if I'm not wearing something with pockets. Never mind running though, I  would happily wear these gloves to work! They are also compatible with touchscreens for those of you who can't bear to not have access to your smartphones whilst keeping those fingers warm...

Last but not least are these Nike Cushioned Dynamic Arch Anklet Running Socks* (£4.99 [RRP: £6.99]). With sweat wicking fabric and a compression fit design, these are really comfortable to wear and are perfect for running and playing sports. These are the first socks I've owned where there has been a specific right sock and left sock.. I actually used to wear normal socks when working out but ever since having these, I've suddenly realised how much better it is to invest in running socks. I'll have to order a few more pairs!

What do you think of my selection?

Where do you get your sports gear from?