Where have you been all my life?

Blogging from work again because I’m such a cool kid! (Edit* I started this post at lunch and ended up not getting it finished until this evening, typical) I jest – as a member of the art department in the middle of a 5 week shoot, I spend most lunch times eating at my desk and replying to emails etc. I’d saved these pictures last night so just been waiting for a quiet 20 minutes to sit down and add some words 🙂 No rest for the wicked has certainly been my motto over the past month or so. Now that we have finished prep and started our first week of filming last week, absolutely every day is different for me, and I’ve been driving all over glasgow on errands and to our different locations for the film. One good thing about hanging around set is the catering, but I’ve actually tried to be on my best behavior when it comes to food, which I’m about to explain a wee bit more about below.

Despite working 12 hour days, 6 days a week I have somehow found this sudden burst of energy inside me to actually do something about my weight and fitness. I bought new trainers, leggings and an ipod holder for my arm, and have been going out running 3 times a week. I am a complete beginner when it comes to this, so when I say running I really mean jogging! But it’s a start isn’t it? I’m lucky to have a big park right next to where I live so have worked out a decent route that is safe in the evenings by the time I get home from work. I literally come home, get changed and dart back out the door again. My flatmates must think I am mad.

Along with the exercise, I have also been eating healthily and sensibly, with the addition of Skinny Sprinkles to curb my appetite and give me energy to complete such a hectic day. I’m normally quite dubious about this sort of thing, but after reading Lori’s review and completely trusting her opinion, I decided to give them a go for myself. You can read all about them on the website, but if anyone wants me to do a more in depth review on these then let me know 🙂 But they are really helping. In a week I have lost about 5lbs so far, and that’s in 7 days but with two days at the weekend being much more lazy with my eating (you’ll see why in a second) My goal weight is 9 stone, and at the moment I am just over 10. I don’t mind sharing my weight on here, it’s something that doesn’t bother me but even though I am a size 10/12, I would like to tone up and become much fitter in general. I know it will take me a while to get there but I finally have the kick start to get on with it, so hopefully that continues.

Spending more money on my animals and my house rather than myself these days! Some recent buys however (apart from the skinny sprinkles) include these studded shoes, pink crazy colour for my ombre before I go back to brown, and some cute earrings from the Gin In Teacups market when it came to Glasgow a couple of weeks ago. I suppose working lots and not having much time to spend money is a good thing 🙂

Working lots has however meant seeing less of my nearest and dearest 🙁 So at the weekend, me and John went for an overnight stay at the Blythswood Square Hotel, to spend some much needed quality time together. You’ve probably heard me speak of the Blythswood on here before – it really is one of my favourite places in Glasgow! With the best afternoon tea I have ever tasted, and the most wonderful spa which I’ve been lucky enough to experience a couple of times. This time it was John’s turn to enjoy some pampering.

We got our room as part of the sunday night deal, which included an overnight stay, 3 course dinner and full breakfast in the morning.

There was a sliding window between the bathroom and the bedroom, which was perfect for watching tv from the comfort of the bath 🙂 As you do! The bathroom was marble, everywhere. We had a bath which was so nice in itsself, because I only have a walk in shower in my house and really miss a good old bubble bath from time to time.

We arrived in the afternoon, checked in and headed straight down to the spa. We chilled in the thermal experience for a couple of hours, before John went for his ILA Vital Energy full body massage. I had went for a Anne Semonin Black Sand Jewel massage a few weekends before, for my birthday, so it was nice to see my boy get pampered this time instead. John was extremely nervous before going for his treatment, but I suppose most guys would be if they weren’t used to this kind of thing. This was his first ever massage, and I reassured him that the therapists at the Blythswood are so professional and they take away any awkwardness you’d maybe expect to feel. I promised him it would be worth it! And aren’t girlfriends always right 😉 He was so pleased with how it went, and for being such a ‘guyish guy’ (you know what I mean) he said he’d definitely recommend it to other guys out there. I know this is maybe not the kind of thing a man would book on his own accord (John admitted this!) But if you fancy treating your man, ladies, then you’ve got John’s word that they won’t be disappointed. And hopefully we won’t be starting a rather luxurious habit for them…

After our time in the spa, we got ready for dinner. John was wearing a Levi shirt and jeans, and I had on a starry shirt from New Look, black American Apparel disco pants and my grey suede Jeffery Campbell Lita’s (I’m a walking blogger cliche right here) You can see that after 4 days of washing, my super bright pink ombre has faded to a sort of washed out looking, candyfloss pink. I’m kinda liking it though. Planning to go back to brown soon so I just wanted to have a bit of fun with it before I do. I will probably pop some pink crazy colour back in it again for my friend Leah’s house warming party this saturday. My faves AX Paris have got a sale on at the moment and I’ve been eyeing up so many things from the website, which I wish I’d ordered in advance for this weekend.

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They’ve got an extra 10% off for my readers on top of the sale prices if you fancy grabbing a bargain 🙂 Just click the banner above. Anyways, at 7.30pm we went down to the restaurant for our 3 course dinner.

Duck terinne, which was very nice but I always wish there were more crispy bits or toast with this sort of thing. Feels weird eating it on its own!

Steak frites, oh my, need I say more? So simple but delicious.

A very happy John ready to tuck into his steak.

Our desserts were fantastic too! John had a chilli chocolate torte with malt ice cream, and I had the lime cheesecake with mango sorbet. I had a cocktail (Amaretto Sours, my favourite) and John had some red wine to wash everything down. As much as I am really trying to eat healthy and loose weight, I let myself go a bit this weekend but it was so worth it.

After dinner we went to the Tiki Bar for a cocktail. Well, a massive cocktail in a giant shell! We shared this Rum Bongo between us (suppose it measures out to be pitcher size?) and we could have stayed there for hours, but unfortunately had to call it an evening as I was working at 8am on monday morning, and we both wanted to get up to have breakfast together before I left.

Haha, think this picture suggests it was maybe a good idea that we stopped where we did :p Woke up bright and early on monday morning for a wonderful breakfast, feeling well rested and well fed. It was so lovely to spend such quality time together amongst what has really been a busy time for both of us. If I had the money I’d love to do this kind of thing more often, it felt like a wee night away from reality and normality, even though we were in the middle of glasgow city centre. Dexter is getting so big, and is super naughty right now (as kittens are) so it was strange having a night away from him with no one to nibble my ankles under the covers or jump out on me in the middle of the night on the way to the loo! I did miss him though, the wee rascal. 4 weeks left on this job then I will hopefully have some well earned time off. Are you working a lot over the summer or jetting off on holiday? Please make me jealous and give me some inspiration! 🙂

Love, Ayden x