Pinterest Friday Finds

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Words of wisdom from Disney.
xx Lauren

Get With The Program- Enjoying the Moments

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I had a beer this afternoon.
It was amazing.
As part of my weight-loss regime I have happily given up alcohol, enjoying soda water with fresh lime at the few social outings I've had. But this week in general kinda sucked, I was sicker than I have been in a long time (swine flu) and then yesterday I was struck by one of those super emotional, tired, grumpy, hormonal surges and spent far too much time crying. So as I was standing at the bar about to order my soda water this afternoon I made the spur of the moment decision to have a beer whilst I was at the Belgium Beer Cafe...long story short, it made me realise that by limiting something things they are made far more enjoyable when you do splurge. I know its silly but it had never really occurred to me before...and the beer was really good!

Exercise wise, I had a pretty quite week. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were completely written off but by Wednesday afternoon I was feeling so much better and going completely stir-crazy so took myself off to the gym for Boxing. Perhaps not my best decision ever, I had a couple of coughing fits, sweated like there was no tomorrow, then came home and collapsed. Thursday I kept my personal training date...I may have whacked myself in the head with a 10 kilo plate whilst doing squat presses, and I also may have half died in a coughing fit...but for the most part it felt so good to be moving. It also felt good to have a massive laugh at myself- it seriously hurt hitting my head, instant headache!! Friday and today I did my usual cardio mixup and Saturday we had group personal training.
I think the biggest lesson I learnt this week was to remember to stop. That I need make sure that I give my body some down time, otherwise it will fall apart on me- and I really don't want that happening.

This week I plan on-
Monday- Cardio
Tuesday- Boxing/Pump
Wednesday- Boxing
Thursday- Personal Training
Friday- Rest
Saturday- Personal Training/Cardio
Sunday- Cardio
I am really looking forward to gaining more energy as the week goes on. I still floored by how much 'the flu' knocked me round.

I had the most boring diet ever this week, completely uninspired I stuck to a diet of tuna & beans, chicken & salad, oranges and toast...exciting- NOT!! What I did find on pinterest was a recipe for carrot and zucchini cake which I plan on trying out this week after I worked out the calories and with a few alterations each serve should be just over 150 calories.

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I will definitely share the recipe once I bake a bit later in the week (provided that actually taste good!)

How was your week? Did your week go to plan?

Don't forget to check in on Tatum and see how her week went AND how her fabulous sew-a-long is going, the girls are making some very cool dresses with the Lisette pattern.
xx Lauren

Op-shop Gold!

As this week wore on I was beginning to go a little stir crazy being cooped up inside the house, so I allowed myself a brief escape and called into two of my favourite op shops. The first produced another black cardigan to pop in my wardrobe and a brand new with tags gym t-shirt. I don't have a photo of either of those because they are both already in the wash!
I struck gold in the second store...

The vintage suitcase ($4) is gorgeous, it has a few marks in the front which I'm sure I could buff out, but I will add it into my suitcase stack and have another place to store some fabric.

I also picked up two green vintage sheets- the bottom is a queen sized flannel and the top a single cotton, both are in really good condition and were a massive $2 each! I'm thinking that I might just use the flannel on my bed next winter and the cotton one will be turned into something for Green Dandelion.

Speaking of Green Dandelion- Tatum re-stocked the store this week with lots of gorgeous new bits and until midnight Sunday we are offering free postage Australia wide. All you need to do is enter the code SPRINGFREE at the checkout :)

xx Lauren

Pinterest Friday Finds

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xx Lauren

Florence + The Machine - What The Water Gave Me

I wish I could sing like this woman- Florence is A*MAZING!

   

I'm still sick :( Off to the doctor again tomorrow, I'm thinking that I might have a chest infection now- indicated by how hard it is to breathe and the lovely bits I keep coughing up...sorry TMI??
Time for some drugs I think :)

Happy Thursday,
xx Lauren

Teacups for Heartkids

 My gorgeous, clever friend Kate is selling these fantastic prints HERE to raise money for Heartkids. From the 17th- 30th September Kate will donate $10 from every print sold to the CUPPA for HEARTKIDS fundraising campaign. You can read Kate's blog post all about it HERE.

 

The prints are $17 plus postage, an absolute bargain for such a gorgeous piece of artwork.
They would make a fantastic present, especially if you popped it into a frame...Christmas is only 95-odd days away!
I just bought mine.

xx Lauren

***I cannot be blammed for any other shopping you may do whilst exploring Kate's Store and Etsy...so many beautiful things***

Humor Me...please

Photo taken last week on my phone

Seeing as I'm stuck on the couch feeling sad and sorry for myself I though I would fill out one of those silly A-Z questionaires to pass the time...and so that you can all know some more useless facts about me!

A. Age: 25
B. Bed size: Queen- but its broken at the moment, so its just the matress on the floor.
C. Chore that you hate: Cleaning the fridge...ugh! its horrible
D. Dogs: one Maltese Shitzu Sadie. She has recently decided that she needs to sleep on our beds at night- I am NOT a fan of this
E. Essential start to your day: Starting work at 4am means that I don't really think much before I start the day. My alarm goes off at 2:20am- I'm out of the house by 3am- I get to work, change into my uniform, eat some breakfast and on the casino floor ready to start at 4am
F. Favorite color: Yellow
G. Gold or Silver: Silver
H. Height: 6'1" or 185cm
I. Instruments you play: I can play the piano- kind of, sort of- I wish that I could play it much better than I do
J. Job title: Croupier, Student, Small-business Owner
K. Kids: None- 5 nieces and 1 nephew do me quite fine
L. Live: Adelaide
M. Mother’s name: Lyn
N. Nicknames: Loz, Lozzie, Boasey, Elbows
O. Overnight hospital stays: A week long stay in 2004 following major emergency surgery
P. Pet peeves: Rude people, its not hard to say Please and Thankyou
Q. Quote from a movie: "A life lived in fear, is a life half lived" Fran, Strictly Ballroom
R. Right or left handed: Right handed.
S. Siblings: Three sisters, Tatum, Samantha and Jess
U. Underwear: I wear it yes.
V. Vegetable you hate: Mushrooms -ick!
W. What makes you run late: for work- oversleeping, in general- computer distractions.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Leg, Ankle, Arm, Spine, Teeth, plus adominal catscans and ultrasounds...think thats it
Y. Yummy food that you make: Ummm...at the moment I can't think of anything...although I do like to cook, I'm going to blame the sickness and my complete lack of brain functions today. I do know that I am a TERRIBLE baker, but I also have a terrible oven
Z. Zoo animal: Giraffe - Do they really need an explanation? Tall, leggy and gorgeous...just like me!! hahaha!

Hope you are having a fabulous day,
xx Lauren

Get With The Program- Running into the Ground

I ended what was going to be a fabulous week by completely crashing and burning. I'm currently tucked up on the couch feeling sad and sorry for myself with the flu, its moments like these that I really wish I still lived at home with Mum and Dad...I want someone to come look after me :(

Anyway, enough with the whinging!
Up until yesterday I had a really successful week, I ran! on the treadmill! I have always had an aversion to treadmills, scared that I will fall off the back and cause damage to myself and those around me- it also has something to do with my terrible balance. When Stefan suggested the treadmill in my personal training on Thursday I gave him a definite no look, but lucky for me the man does his job well and didn't really give me any choice but to get on and jog (granted I didn't give much of a fight apart from my initial headshake and no). I only jogged at 8.5km/ph for 1:10, 1:20, 1:30, with 18 leg press' in between, but I felt mighty proud of myself. I held on for dear life, and no doubt looked like a total goose but I DID IT!! Now to work on letting go when I run and to run for longer.

I also made it to an RPM class. It was good, it was really hard, it burnt lots of calories and it hurt- a lot! I would really like to add RPM into my weekly training plan, but the class timetable doesn't really fit in very well- which sucks, but when I can I will attend a class.

So this week I-
Monday- Swim/Cardio
Tuesday- Boxing/Pump
Wednesday- RPM/Boxing
Thursday- Personal Training
Friday- Rest Day
Saturday- Cardio (30minutes)/Personal Training
Sunday- Cardio
I didn't get to go for a swim on Monday because the swimming center was closed! and Sunday was a complete right off after being sent home from work, I retired to bed and pretty much stayed there, except from a 3 hour trip to the doctors for the next 24 hours.


I've decided not to plan any training for the next week- I'm going to focus on resting and getting myself better. I have personal training booked in for Thursday and Saturday, so fingers crossed I will be able to breathe again by then, I will also try and do some yoga in the next couple of days to stretch out the sore muscles. Who'd have thought so much coughing and lying down could cause so many aches and pains. I'm also thinking that I might look into getting some cupping done to try and holistically cure myself.

In the hope of making myself feel better I made some Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup this afternoon.

Serves: 4
Calories: 180
1 Litre Salt-Reduced Chicken Stock
1 Chicken Breast, butterflied
4 Spring Onion, sliced 3cm batons
1 Carrot, sliced 3cm batons
3cm Ginger, sliced
Chilli, sliced lengthwise
Vermicelli Noodles
Star Anise
Pepper Corns
Soy Sauce

Place the stock, spring onions, chilli, star anise and pepper corns in a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Pop in your chicken, and poach. When cook pull chicken out and slice. Add the carrot and noodles to the saucepan, when the noodles are soft, add the chicken back. Serve with a few splashes of Soy Sauce.

Simple, Easy and Good for the Soul.
Tatum taught me this recipe, she has an even better version HERE where you get to make your own stock too, but that was a bit too much for me today.

Now, I'm back to curling up on the couch.
Happy Monday,
xx Lauren

Pinterest Friday Finds

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Lets go change the world!!
xx Lauren

Rufus Wainwright - Across The Universe

A beautiful cover of a beautiful song with a beautiful film clip.
Nothing can top The Beatles but I think this comes close.

"Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears 
exciting and inviting me 
Limitless undying love which 
shines around me like a million suns 
It calls me on and on across the universe" 

 

What have you been listening to lately?

xx Lauren

RUOK?

 Today is RUOK? Day.

"Thursday 15 September, 2011 is R U OK?Day. 

It’s a national day of action which aims to prevent suicide by encouraging Australians to connect with someone they care about and help stop little problems turning into big ones.

On that day we want everyone across the country, from all backgrounds and walks of life, to ask family, friends and colleagues: "Are you OK?".

Staying connected with others is crucial to our general health and wellbeing. Feeling isolated or hopeless can contribute to depression and other mental illnesses, which can ultimately result in suicide. Regular, meaningful conversations can protect those we know and love.

It's so simple. In the time it takes to have a coffee, you can start a conversation that could change a life."

From the RUOK? Wesbite

I've been writing this post for days now. Struggling to find the right words for what I want to say. I think that Mad Cow has written it perfectly here.
If you ask me am I OK? My answer will inevitably be yes, of course I am fine. There are so many ideals and expectations put into our lives that I don't want to burden anybody with me and I will lie rather than admit to feeling like a failure. That sometimes I feel like giving up, going to sleep and never waking up again.

Asking RUOK? is so important, listening to the answer even more so. Please do me a favour and just ask one person today, you never know what difference you can make.

For more information you can visit the RUOK? website - www.ruokday.com.au
For help and information you can call-
Lifeline 131122
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Prior to this year I had never heard of RUOK? Day, but from now on I am going to make sure that it is apart of my life.
xx Lauren

10 Reasons Why I'm Happy Today

Today is my first day off after 13 consecutive days at work and I am feeling very happy!

*I'm wearing my favourite red lipstick - Revlon True Red
*Plans for Melbourne Cup this year are forming with lots of my lovely friends

*The skies are bright blue and the sun is warm and shining
*I did some online ETSY shopping and found a gorgeous new shop
*I have two clean loads of washing...and they smell really good, thanks to some new fabric softener
*I went to and made it through RPM!!

*I bought a slap bracelet at Smiggle today- totally unecessary but reminds me of being a kid
*I'm going to Sydney in December for the 12WBT finale training session and partay!
*I've unexpectedly organised a fabulous giveaway for my blog
*I won x-lotto!! $21.45 which paid for the massage I then went and got :)

What is making you happy today??
Hope you are having a wonderful day too!
xx Lauren

Say it out loud!

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Round 3 of the 12wbt kicked off today and pre-season task #5 was to make a commitment to myself and a commitment to others. To voice my goal and ensure that I am a woman of my word.

My commitment is to lose 20 kilos over the next 12 weeks, to learn to run 5 kilometers without stopping and to wear a size 16 dress to the finale party in Sydney in December. I am fully committed to do the work to get me there.

So I am now 120% committed to this, there is no backing out or giving up, I have to do this for myself- to ensure that I am the best version of me.

What commitments have you made to yourself lately? Do you think you will stick by them?? Do you think saying them out loud helps?
xx Lauren

Get With The Program- Injured??

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I question my injured status because its my baby toe that hurts, and looks rather unattractive I'm afraid. Its not broken, but rather a consequence after getting the worst blisters on earth after Blogopolis at the end of July. I'm thinking I might find myself a podiatrist this week to see if it can be helped, because no matter how much I poke at it I can't work out what is exactly wrong or how to fix it! It is incredibly frustrating...and I'm honestly not over-reacting with the pain thing- really, really sore :(

I'm mostly happy with my exercise this week, I missed my Tuesday morning boxing class after being called into work and never made it to the RPM class for the same reason. I forgot to wear/turn on my watch a couple of times this week so I don't have an exact calorie burnt figure, but it is over 7840 calories.

This last week I-
Monday- Cardio
Tuesday- Boxing/Cardio/Pump
Wednesday- RPM/Boxing
Thursday- Personal Training
Friday- Rest day
Saturday- Cardio (30 minutes)/Personal Training (Group)
Sunday- Cardio.

Things to note this week- I loved PT on Saturday! It was really hard, but it made me again realise how I am much stronger and fitter than I think I am. I have noticed my heart rate changing too- its fitter, dropping back to the low 100's almost as soon as I stop moving, and I'm needing to work harder than before to get it to jump up. Happy about that!

This week I plan on-
Monday- Swim/Cardio
Tuesday- Boxing/Pump
Wednesday- RPM/Boxing
Thursday- Personal Training
Friday- Rest Day
Saturday- Cardio/Personal Training
Sunday- Cardio

I will try again to get to an RPM class this week, I really want to give on a go and tomorrow Mikaela and I are going for a swim. I haven't been lap swimming in years and years and years, but thought that it would be a good change and would give my weary knees a bit of a break. I'm interested to wear my polar and see how many calories I burn- if its over 1000 I probably wont do the extra cardio, will just play it all by ear.

The 12wbt starts this week too! I plan on blogging lots along the way and will be back this week to share some of the pre-season tasks with you, to make myself more accountable I suppose. What I wont be sharing though is my before shots...scary!

Its my turn to share a recipe, and during the week Jess (the little sister) requested Tuna Mornay, so I worked this one out- it was delicious and I was pretty upset when I got carried away yesterday cleaning out the fridge and threw the leftovers in the bin- I had planned on that being tea tonight!

Lauren's Tuna Mornay
Serves 6
350 Calories

Another dodgy photo photo- sorry! Tastes much better than it looks!

50g Margarine
1 Onion (diced)
1 small red capsicum (diced)
1/4 Plain Flour
1 tin Light Evaporated Milk
1 tin Sweet Corn
1 425g tin Tuna in Spring Water
1 Lime
Brown Rice to serve

Put your rice onto cook according to the packet directions- I use the absorbtion method.
Melt the margarine over low heat, then add the onion and capsicum and cook until onion is translucent.
Stir in the flour and cook, slow pour in the milk, a little at a time until the white sauce begins to form.
Stir though the sweetcorn and tuna, finishing off with a really good grind of pepper.
Serve with 1/.2 cup of rice and a wedge of lime.
Alternatively if you want to reduce the calorie count, serve the mornay with a big baby spinach salad.

What exercise do you have planned for this week?
Don't forget to visit Tatum and see how she fitted exercise into the busy week.

I'm about to turn off the light- its been a very big sleep deprived week. I've worked 11 consecutive shifts and have 2 more before I can have a sleep in, and last night instead of sleeping I went to see The Living End play at the Thebarton Theater, a fantastic concert!
Have a great week,
xx Lauren

Friday Pinterest Finds

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I am unique.
I am one of a kind.
And I completely love that!
xx Lauren

Lior - This Old Love

**edited to add- The youtube video is meant to be attatched here and I have no idea how or why it has disapered. It can be found HERE -sorry**

One day when I get married, this will be one of the songs that I will play.

"So let's grow old together

Baby you and I will

We'll grow old together yea

And this love will never

This old love will never die"

I love it.
Happy Thursday lovely people,
xx Lauren

Goal #7

Goal number 7 on my 25 for 25 list was to ride a show ride, and yesterday little sister and I headed off to the Royal Adelaide Show so I could cross it off my list!

It was....fun, exciting and way way scary. I definitely closed my eyes and DEFINITELY screamed out loud- I couldn't wait for it to end, but wanted to do it all again when it finished. Granted we didn't because I am too stingy to pay $10 for 3 minutes of entertainment.

We survived and I crossed a goal off my list.
Now on to the next one...
xx Lauren

Get With The Program- Pottering Along

My polar watch & heart rate monitor = true love

Overall I'm pretty happy with my weeks exercise efforts. I burnt over 8000 calories and finished up the week feeling fit and strong, which always makes me happy. I know that I really need to start focusing on my food intake again, I have certainly become rather lazy about it in the last couple of weeks. That doesn't bother me as I have enjoyed everything I have been doing, but I have set some big goals to fulfil by the end of the year and super healthy eating is going to guarantee I get there, especially as exercising is more pleasure than pain these days.

I had my blood tests and results this week and was happy to hear that the end of my world isn't coming- extreme thoughts to be having I know, but with my previous health history cancer (or something similar) was definitely near the top of my suspects. Turns out I am deficient in vitamin D and have extremely low iron levels, both things that are easily fixable with pills. I will go back in a couple of months to make sure things are back on track, but in the mean time I have the all clear to keep exercising.
This week I-
Monday- Cardio (1085 calories) *I was really hungover Monday, and I mean REALLY!*
Tuesday- Boxing (1698 calories) Pump (934 calories +) *I forgot to turn my watch on at the start of the class- doh!)
Wednesday- Boxing (1386 calories)
Thursday- PT 45 minutes (1253 calories)
Friday- Rest Day
Saturday- PT group session (1613 calories)
Sunday- Cardio Didn't make it :(

This week coming I plan-
Monday- Cardio
Tuesday- Boxing/Pump
Wednesday- RPM/Boxing
Thursday- PT (plus cardio if I have time)
Friday- Rest Day- Get a massage
Saturday- PT group session (plus extra cardio if I have time)
Sunday- Cardio

In preparation to start Round 3 of the 12 Week Body Transformation I thought I would ramp my exercise for the week and challenge myself with a RPM class. I have done a few before and I think I am ready to brave them again...although I might regret the 'pain' I'm sure I will be in after. I'm looking forward to the vitamins starting to take effect too and hopefully gaining some energy- so over the exhaustion feeling! Any tips you might have on foods to eat to make sure I'm getting all the energy possible will be most welcome :)

Keep your eye on Tatum's blog tonight as she will soon be posting her Get With The Program post along with another of her super yummy recipes!
Have a fantastic week,
xx Lauren

Today

Outside my window...Spring is here! Blue skies and birds singing- its makes me happy

I am thinking...that I shoudn't be blogging and should be getting ready to leave

I am thankful for... my health, and the better than expected test results this week

I am wearing...jeans, black & grey striped top, black bolero, red heels and red elk necklace

I am going to...go out for High Tea very shortly

I am currently reading... At Home with the Templetons

I am hoping... that the sun is shining tomorrow

On my mind...sewing and how I need to do it!

From the kitchen... nothing, I could do with some water though!

Around the house... lots of clean washing that I really need to put away
One of my favorite things...my new canvas from Kate :)

A few plans for the rest of the week...Going to the royal adelaide show, gym, getting myself organised for round 3 of 12wbt

One photo to share..

Flowers from the Farmers Market last weekend. Iris' remind me so much of my Nana.

Happy Sunday,
xx Lauren

Friday Pinterest Finds

This gave me a giggle...I may or may not have made some poor choices earlier in the week.

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Lesson Learnt: When you lose a large-ish amount of weight a 'few' drinks has a much faster effect on you than previous experience showed...whoops!

Happy Friday!
xx Lauren

Springing up Bargains

How gorgeous is the weather at the moment, I've dragged the computer outside to soak up the sunshine and make the most of it.
Yesterday I went to visit the lovely Kate, who in turn took me to visit her local Vinnie's, which was an absolute treasure trove.
I spent a total of $13 and bought...

 3 pairs of jeans ($2 each) to be turned into dresses for Green Dandelion.

 An old copy of Little Women ($1), I love Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy and already have a copy of the novel so this one will be going into the 'craft' pile to be cut up at some stage :)

A trendy guys shirt ($2), not really sure what I'm going to do with it, but I liked the pattern and will pop it in with the Green Dandelion collection.

A fabulous stitching book ($2) so that I can work on crossing off that goal to learn to crochet!
and then the piece-de-resistance...

Photo by the lovely Kate!

A vintage, Italian leather jacket ($2). When the guy at the counter said $2 I did double check that he was right, the tag said $20, and it was on the half price rack, so I was figuring $10, still a baragain, but he insisted that it was $2. Ok then :) Its very 80's with big shoulders and fitted down the bottom, but it is so soft and lovely I think I will make it work.
Then if I hadn't shopped enough I dropped into my local RSPCA opshop today and picked up this 70's polyester Kaftan number. I think it might even be a nightie but I love the pattern and the trim on the arms is very retro cool, so figure with a wide belt pulling it in I can hopefully pull it off for spring!

I also learnt that taking an outfit selfie is rather hard! Anybody have any tips??
Have you found any good op shop buys lately?? or better yet if you're in Adelaide do you know of an op shop I should visit??
Happy Spring!
xx Lauren

Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

Random song to be sharing, but Last Friday Night has been stuck in my head all week...and I figured I would share the love.
Friday night I was in the car with Tatum & family when Charlotte piped up to tell us she was writing down from memory the lyrics to Katy Perry's Last Friday Night, but what does T.G.I.F stand for? My clever brother-in-law quickly piped up with Toes.Go.In.First and it has been making me giggle ever since. TGIF will never be the same again :)
Plus the Kenny G saxophone solo totally rocks and an appearance from Hanson :)

What have you been listening to this week? Did you have an annoying song stuck in your head?
xx Lauren