Little Geordie Lass

People around me all know that I love a challenge and that I love setting new goals to keep me motivated for the future. Moving to a new city where I knew little to no people was going to be tough so I knew I needed something to help fill the void to keep me focused. So I took to my bucket list and figured it was about time I ticked something off the list. Little did I know that it would be to complete the Great North Run, one of the worlds biggest half marathons! When I told everyone I know they all laughed, responding "Elisa, you can't even run for 2 minutes without getting tired!" So here I am, 6 months later after completing the run and I wanted to share with you how I went from novice runner to finishing the Great North Run in 2hrs 40minutes. Grab a cuppa, It's going to be a long one...

It's been a while... I feel like I kind of told everyone I was moving, got engaged and then never gave a proper update on life. I have now been, what I call, "proper adulting" for 6 months now, passed my probation at work so now which I am buzzing about, have my own place, trying new hobbies, meeting new people, surviving on my own and have my independence. But there is still something missing... My other half who lives 200 miles away. I don't like to mention him too much on here as this is my blog and it's not his place to be broadcast online, however it would be wrong of me not to address our current situation. If this blog post can help one other person in a similar position then I think I've done my job.

The title speaks volumes to be honest... However, my blog wouldn't be right if I didn't do a full anecdotal post about my engagement and the proposal. March for me has been a bit of a rocky month as my Grandad sadly passed away and trying to get to grips with my new job and living in a new city on my own has been a bit stressful, this is as well as not seeing my boyfriend- sorry, now fiancé- for 6 weeks due to the Beast from the East. But with a trip to Venice planned to celebrate our 5 year anniversary and a surprise proposal, I can honestly say I am over the moon with happiness and I am so excited to prepare to take the next steps in our lives together...

Call the police! I think I have found my new "every day foundation". Well, not necessarily a foundation, it is marketed as a skin tint which implies that it would be something similar to a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream which is fair enough, and something that I have been looking for. Intending to walk into Space NK to test and possibly purchase Nars' new Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, I ended up walking out with their Velvet Matte Skin Tint- quite the contrast considering one is a full coverage, long wear foundation and the other is something of a lighter coverage. Let me explain further...

Don't panic! I will still be here, however I will not be blogging from my lovely home in Newcastle... Let me explain...

If you have seen my Instagram lately, you will know that I have recently returned from a last-minute holiday to Egypt. Picture this: 23rd December working a 12hr shift during panto-season, have just cleaned up sick rolling down the wheelchair ramp and you get a text from your better half; a screen shot of an all-inclusive deal to Hurghada in Egypt for the start of 2018. "Book it" was my response, and half an hour later I had the confirmation. This was exactly what we both needed to recharge our batteries and spend some time together before we begin our first year uni-free. And, boy, was it a treat!

It is no secret that cardio is not my fave. I will do whatever I can to try and avoid feeling breathless at the gym, however if goals are fat loss- needs must. So if I have to do it, I try and do it in a class so I have that slight bit motivation. Or I try and get it over and done with as fast as I can. Today was one of those days. I was in a rush but I wanted to get a workout in and burn off all the Christmas food (particularly the amount of cheese I ate...) so I started off the new year right (lies) and I did a full High Intensity Interval Training workout in the space of 15 minutes, it only involved 6 movements and includes rest time but is enough to get your heart racing...

Happy New Year! 2017 was a year where I did some pretty awesome things; I graduated my MA with distinction, I was part of a team which raised £60k for charity, I got to do more travelling this year. However this year has also come with a lot of self-reflection and a lot of wake up calls. I am going into 2018 feeling lost in the world of work; with no more education to turn to and trying to find my place in society to earn a living. It's stressful and is tough, however, temporary as I am keeping positive and something will come my way! 2017 has been great for self-reflection and really focusing on myself, what I want and what I enjoy. Anyways, enough self-reflection for now! I wanted to kick start 2018 off by sharing with you some of my favourite things that are coming into the new year with me that I have been loving, will continue to use and recommend to you guys!