I feel like I haven't done a beauty (or beau-tee..get it...my nickname is tee..no? okay..carry on!) post in forever! Which is funny because besides health & fitness (and music, and books, and food) beauty is a massive passion of mine! I love how makeup makes me feel, and I love experimenting with new looks.

A while ago now, I picked up this palette for 14 Dollars (CHEAP RIGHT!) as I saw Crystal Conte rave about it so much so that I was determined to get my hands on it!


The packaging is adorable. It is so simple, yet elegant at the same time. I love the cushion detailing, and the little penguin that Carli is so known for.


There are SO many looks you can create with this palette (I mean, just go over to Crystal's channel, she has done many different looks using this palette!) which really means you are getting your moneys worth with this gem! You could create a smokey eye with the dark colours, a mauvey inspired eye perfect for winter, or a subtle champagne eye for everyday wear.

Recently I have been inspired by many influential people out there including Rachael Kable & Marissa Lace to take steps towards better my self-care, self-love and also my mindfulness. If you weren't aware, I have been a depression & anxiety sufferer since 2011 (with a relapse in 2015), as well as experiencing adrenal fatigue and being diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease. All of these combined have left me an anxious wreck, and instead of upping my medication, I want to search for the answers and cure within myself. In preparation of this journey, I would like to share with you a few tips for self-care that I have been slowly introducing into my routine.

Technically I am past the middle of my 8-week challenge, but so much has changed that I just wanted to make an update on my progress and what not. 

My resolution for 2016 was mainly to lose weight, exercise more, and get healthier. I attempted the Kayla Itsines BBG back in January but I failed miserably and fell off the bandwagon. Last Friday (12/02) I asked one of the girls i work with (who is also a PT) when she does her PT sessions. She then mentioned that she had just started an 8 week challenge that Monday. After some weekend pondering, i decided i would commit and join in the challenge, even if it meant missing the first week.So technically I am doing a 7 week challenge, but nevertheless its still a challenge. That brings us to now...first week done and dusted. I thought I would do a update of the past week, including how my eating has been and a few other tidbits.

Exercise

This week I did boxing on Monday, strength training Tuesday, fitness testing Wednesday and cardio/circuit on Friday.

On Wednesday we had to run/walk a km as quick as possible for our fitness testing, and it was honestly the hardest thing I had done in a long time. I used to go on little walks quite often, and id usually knock a km out in 10 minutes. I can't remember what time I made on Wednesday, but to my knowledge it was somewhere between 6-8 minutes. My legs were burning, my breathing was heavy, it was hard. Ultimately by the end of this, i want my breathing to be more steady when jogging, and I want my endurance to pick up.

Ultimately, I surprised myself with how well i did this week. I was determined not to give up, and even when i felt so rotten and sick, i still got my ass over there and gave it my all. Yesterday I may have pushed myself too much as my heart rate was well and truly over my peak range.

Nutrition

My eating has been the best it has ever been lately! I have the same thing for lunch everyday (still not sick of it yet!) I have about 1 - 2 cups of rice, 1-2 breasts of chicken (seasoned with paprika and Cajun), corn kernels, steamed veggies (i just get the packets of broccoli and beans from the frozen section), and some sweet chili. Besides the sugar in the sweet chili, it honestly isn't a bad meal.

I have noticed that my metabolism has sped up to CRAZY levels, so quickly! I am hungry...ALL. THE. TIME. I have yet to get my breakfast down pat, and my snacking isn't up to par, as i don't think i am fuelling my body with enough food.

Mental Health

I would be lying if i told you I have never been happier. This week was HARD. It was also "that time" which i personally like to call 'Shark Week', so my hormones were causing havoc...TMI but I like to keep it real here. The first couple of days I was emotional on all different levels. I was happy one minute, then sad the next. On Wednesday night, I came home after my workout and just cried in my partners arms. not like hysterical sobbing, but just a few sniffles to let it all out. I was WRECKED. It is now Saturday, and I am feeling pretty good. My energy levels aren't too bad, and my anxiety is okay.

Health

Besides being sore and generally exhausted, my health isn't too bad. I have still been getting little lumps in my throat and waves of nausea, however my body has been through a lot this week, so I am not concerned.

WEEK ONE SUMMARY DONE

i can't wait to come back in another 6 weeks, and see how much has changed/improved!

So a fair few posts ago I talked about 'pumped up kicks' and now, my friends, we are diving into one of my other passions besides health and beauty...MUSIC! I have always loved music since I was very young. My dad used to play us an eclectic range of music in the car, and I remember growing up listening to music very different to the kids around me. I was in school choir all through primary school, and at one stage I stood in the bathroom at around age 12 and I told my mum that one day I was going to grow up to be like Shania Twain, and I'd write music and sing like a boss. That pipe dream didn't happen, but i have never stopped loving music. I love how music can capture and emphasize any moment in time. It can help in sadness, it can make you feel happy, it can help you relax, it can motivate you to clean your house even! Today, I thought i would share with you a few of my current favourite jams for when i am working out!

If you want to follow my gym playlist on spotify, follow this link 'here'! I am constantly adding more music.

Run the World (Girls) - Beyonce  - ultimate girl power hit. It makes me want to dance and work hard. 7/11 is also pretty mint.

Propoganda - DJ Snake - trap music is my go to for working out, especially when I am power walking or doing weights, which lets be real, its pretty much all i do.

Birthday Cake -Rihanna - this is my 'sexy' song. everyone needs a sexy song in their playlist to make them feel confident and BOSS when working out.

Drunk In Love (Remix) - Beyonce, Jay Z, Kanye West - I love the remix part of this more than the actual song...ya did good yeezy.

Coming Over - Dillon Francis - this is just a feel good song, with a hint of trap music/electro to it.

Lush Life - Zara Larsson - my current top hit at the moment! just makes me want to move! Must admit I have busted a few moves listening to this...while in the shower...okay I just swayed, but still..i moved.

Pop Dat - 4B, Aazar - a recent find for me, but this is another trap song, perfect for weights.

Not everyone agrees with the whole 'new year, new me' notion. I think its a beautiful thing, that on the same day, many people come together to work on themselves. Of course you can make a change any day of the year, it does not need to be January 1st. My 'wake up call' just so happened to be around the new year, so it is perfect timing.

I am going to share with you my goals for 2016 and how I break my 'main' goals down into more realistic and precise goals. It is important to break down your goals so you have things set to work on. If you say you want to lose weight, HOW are you going to do this? By setting goals within goals, you are giving yourself something to grasp and work on. I also have a bucket list for the year at the end, where I have a few little things I want to get done in 2016.

Lose Weight & Work Out