Couch to 5k

I've never ever had any inclination to start running. Ever. I have some vague memories of being forced to do it in school, and that I was always the slow coach at the back at the group. Even when I was recently fairly fit from roller derby, any time we did off-skates training that involved running I would still feel like I was about to collapse in a heap.

So with all this in mind, please be extra impressed when I say that this week I have been for THREE runs - and two of them were before 7am in the morning! (Please be impressed!).

 I was mainly motivated by the hot weather and the desire to do *something* to get a bit fitter before summer properly started. So when Craig mentioned that he was going to try running, I thought I'd join him & luckily stumbled across an ace programme - Couch to 5k.

This trains you over 8 weeks to go from a total running novice to a happy runner who can comfortably complete a 5k. You do three runs per week and they are really simple to start with (which is brilliant as there's no danger of pushing yourself too hard too early and burning out).

Livsmart shoes*

 The first week was sort of okay - my very first minute of running was HORRENDOUS (it was uphill, which didn't help) but it did get easier. The first day of getting up at 6.15am to run before work was also mildly terrifying, but I hadn't realised just how enjoyably smug I would feel afterwards, knowing I had done my good deed for the day!

One of the biggest things I've realised so far though is that I need to get proper fitness shoes! I did my first run in a pair of old converse... which I wouldn't recommend. So I have ordered a pair of Sketchers Shape-Ups which should hopefully help my poor feet out.

I'm going to try and blog about my progress each week (partly just to try and motivate myself!) so I will let you know how I get on!

Jubilee nails

 The Diamond Jubilee is this weekend, marking the 60th anniversary of the Queen's reign (go on yourself, Lizzie!). There's loads and loads and loads of Jubilee themed merchandise and things cropping up on the internet, but I thought there was one thing missing in quite a few of them... CORGIS! 

So here's my take on a Jubilee manicure - flags, crowns, corgis and all! 

Corgi, polka dots, flag, corgi with crown (!), polka dots

This was actually one of the most fun nail art projects I've done in a while! It took quite a while to do the different layers on the corgi nails (brown circle for face, add white stripe and white triangles for ears, outline ears, add nose and eyes!), but I was catching up on gossip girl which made it much easier to be patient and let things dry!

Polka dots, crown, flag, polka dots, corgi!

If you fancy trying this yourself I'd highly recommend getting some nail art pens (as they make everything easier) - failing that get some fine brushes which should do the trick.

Also, if you are going to a tea party this weekend - I am jealous of you! Tea parties are the best (I will be in Paris though.. so I am not that jealous of you).

Exploring the Scottish Borders

One of the nicest things about moving that wee bit further from town is that suddenly I feel SO much closer to the country. There's a country park about two minutes down the road, big farmers fields behind my back garden and the Scottish Borders are less than ten minutes away by car. So perfect!

So recently, Craig & I took advantage of the lovely, lovely, lovely weather we've been getting and went on a wee road trip.

We drove to the beautiful Traquair House, Scotland's oldest inhabited house.

We just wandered round the grounds, paused to take slightly awkward outfit photos, completed the maze (yay), kept running into lively theatre groups, picked daisies and drank tea.

We then drove down to St Mary's Loch, which was just beautiful! The clouds had started to creep in at this point so it wasn't particularly warm, but it was gorgeous!

We managed to *just* escape getting caught in a boggy marsh, I felt a bit overdressed (next to all the proper hikers that we there), but didn't care, and Craig taught me how to skim stones!

This is a look of genuine giddiness when I FINALLY managed to skim a stone, I am so rubbish at it!

It was such a lovely day of exploring - I highly recommended a ramble around if you are at this side of Scotland!

Bunting nail art

Rimmel - Professional Finish in Peppermint | Nail art pens

I saw this idea on a tumblr post a few months ago and have been waiting on a nice summery day to try it out for myself. Luckily the sun has decided to FINALLY come out in Edinburgh, so this week seemed like a nice excuse for it.

I used my new trusty nail art pens to make little triangles, and then outlined them with a white nail art pen. Some nails are considerably neater than others, but I am quite chuffed with my wee bunting flags!

I am also really loving this peppermint nail polish, and have been wearing it pretty much constantly since I bought it (as you can see here, here & here!). It's one of the Rimmel Pro shades, and it is just such a beautiful shade that goes on very smoothly.

A summery outfit

Oh happy days, it FINALLY stopped raining in Edinburgh at the weekend. Craig and I jumped in the car on Sunday morning for a wee impromptu road trip down to the Scottish Borders (which was super easy as we are about 10 minutes away - the wonders of suburban living!).

I have loads of photos from our wee adventure (more on these later) but I thought I'd brave taking outfit photos in the beautiful grounds of Traquair House - a nicer backdrop than what I'd normally use! 

Sunglasses - Prada (wonderful birthday treat)
Lipstick - Rockalily 

I have never grown out of putting daisies in my hair (much easier than making a proper daisy chain!).

Dress - River Island
Satchel - New Look

Slightly awkward posing in Traquair's walled garden. It was so warm and beautiful! I absolutely love this dress too - it's so comfy and perfect for early summer weather.

Shoes - New Look

I love these shoes! They are quite tacky (and I don't know how long they will last, sob), but it is a bit of a battle not to wear them every single day.

Scrabble ring - Etsy 

And this is my super cute scrabble ring! My lovely pal Steph has a matching "J" one (friendship rings for twenty six year olds, I guess).

So nice to get out and wear SUNGLASSES today too! Please stay sun, I've missed you!