Farewell to my passport...the last remnant of my former life.

It was nearly eight years ago when I received my first adult passport and little did I know how it would accompany me on the most weird and wonderful experiences as I transitioned from a child into a fully fledged, travel loving woman.

I tentatively clutched it as I approached the passport desk at Heathrow Airport, a couple of months before my 19th birthday and carefully waited for the checkout lady to swipe it.  24 hours later on the other side, I beamed with pride as I was granted entry into Australia's homeland and received my first stamp.  The gratitude of being honoured with my first 'travel badge' was akin to a cub scout achieving his award to be sewn on his arm in recognition of passing one of the skills they can be awarded for.

I showed my passport with pride, I loved customs staff flicking through it as I hopped across Europe in subsequent years visiting Italy, Holland and Ireland as well as numerous trips to France and Spain during my time spent living and working abroad.  Furthermore, I loved the picture on my passport and never minded showing the staff my ID, proud that I had managed to take a good passport photo.  Alas, those days are gone as I will now be presenting them a face eight years older, although not necessarily wiser.

Every stamp I gained felt like a memory etched onto the page for eternity; South Africa, USA, Japan, USA, some more USA, Qatar, Fiji, USA again.  Every stamp gained was like a big tick on my memorised list of places I want to visit before I die, solid proof of my achievements in travelling far and wide.

Here are some of my favourite pictures from my adventures:

Enjoying a vino in Fiji

At the John Lennon tribute in Central Park

Visiting Ramsey Street

Getting in touch with the
South African wildlife

Enjoying the Qatari skyline

Enjoying a pint of Dom Perignon
in Vegas

Dressed as a Geisha in Kyoto

Taking in the sun at Laguna Beach,
Orange County

Posing in Prada on Rodeo Drive

At the top of Lombard Street
in San Francisco

I think there is only one thing that can cure my passport blues...and that is to book some more fabulous trips for my new one!!!

Halfway there!

I am now at the end of Day 9 of the 19 day detox and, after a tough three days, things are starting to feel better again.

The weekend was a challenge as there are a lot more temptations when you are not locked in a classroom keeping yourself busy for hours on end, but I managed to get through it without cheating or breaking the rules.  Monday morning I awoke and felt tired, hungry and emotional, I even burst into tears over something trivial at work which is not like me at all.  Last night I really started to worry about how I was going to cope with the first 19 hour fast.

Surprisingly today is the first day I have not thought about hunger/food at all. In some ways I was lucky that it happened on a Tuesday when I have a full teaching day and because I ended up having break time detentions as well as a lunchtime drama I did not even think about food until 2.15.  When I actually came to eat my lunch I found that I wasn't particularly hungry by this point and almost had to force it down me.  This has really made me start to question what I mistake as actual hunger and what is in fact physical hunger.  I didn't have a snack because I ate so late in the day and I have just come home from the gym to have my evening meal below.  I have just realised that I forgot my 'starchy carbs' so I am going to have a banana for dessert.

Tuna Steak, poached egg, asparagus, spinach and broccoli cooked in coconut oil, garlic and chilli

I am starting to realise that a lot of stuff I do not actually need, I just want and I have surprised myself in that I have not really craved any food.  Having said that, someone on TV just said 'I love you too marshmellow' which has just got me fantasising about hot chocolate and marshmellows!

I think moving forward from this plan I am going to continue with the no dairy/no wheat as I feel so much better for it.  I don't however want to give up coffee (with a little bit of milk) or alcohol because life is too short and they are both treats I enjoy.  I'm not a massive coffee drinker anyway, I drink 4-5 cups a week usually as a social thing with friends and I don't think there is any reason to suddenly forgo this...let's meet for a green tea just doesn't sound as much fun!

I haven't weighed/measured myself yet as I am not going to do this until the end but I am hoping that from here to the end is when the big results are going to come in, so I'm digging in my heels and sticking it out.

Yummy, healthy Sunday Brunch

I've just stumbled across a taste sensation I just had to share! I was having a bit of a panic because I needed to eat before I go to Waitrose and I didn't have a lot left in so I decided to see what I could make from the remnants of my fridge.

First I mashed an avocado with some diced onion and red chilli, drizzled in a bit of olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. I then steamed some spinach and poached 3 eggs before adding on top the last bit of smoked salmon I had left in the fridge. I seasoned with salt and pepper and voila...a healthy, tasty Sunday brunch.

I'm going to be enjoying this again and again from now on!

Chic and Seek

I have mentioned numerous times of my love for Vintage Rose, a shop on Richmond Hill that sells second hand designer wears and gives a slice of the profits to the original owner of the items.  Thus far I have picked up a Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Trench, some Alexander McQueen shoes and yesterday an Alexander McQueen coat as well as having to painfully avoid the place over certain items as I have suffered 6 months of frugality in the hangover of the big move down South and my wedding.  This period of suffering is nearly over however, and just at the right time a new love has entered my life.

A friend's sister has just started working for the website www.chicandseek.com and told me I had to check it out.  Funnily enough upon entering the website I remembered reading an article in a magazine or newspaper about this site when it was a start up business and I have already visited the site in its early days. When I first visited this site a few years ago I was of the mindset that I only wanted to buy designer items brand new, but a few years down the line and I have a completely different outlook on the whole 'vintage' trend and I think it is even more exciting to be able to buy one off pieces that others may not be wearing and work them into the current season's trends.  Furthermore, there are also items on here that are this season or transcends seasons such as the Mulsberry Bayswater and, now that I own a mixture of new and vintage items, I can only see the benefit in buying good quality, second hand pieces at a more affordable price.  I say more affordable but some of the items on the website (such as the Hermes, Birkins) are in no way 'affordable' but offer you the chance at owning a piece of fashion that may not be accessible to you by normal means.

Here are a selection of my favourite items currently listed on the site:

At an eye-watering £18, 500 there is no way I could ever afford this Ostrich  skin blue Kelly Birkin but I am sure you will all agree this is a rare fashion find to die for!

These tan leather Louboutin's are in my size, in excellent condition and a bargain at only £215.  If you are going to purchase red soles second hand make sure you see a picture of the underneath.  If you are buying pre-worn Louboutin's you have to accept that there will be wear on the red soles but you can always get them repainted (I don't know where in the UK but I had a pair I'd ruined done in Las Vegas and they looked new again!)

These Prada black leather gloves are an absolute steal at £70 and also affordable if you want to own a piece of Miuccia's fashion brand without breaking the bank.

And finally...if this Marc By Marc Jacobs purse (£50) is still available on payday next week it will be mine as I need a new purse that won't break the bank! Don't be getting in there before me!!

This website is great if you are just a bargain hunter looking for a fashion fix or even better if you live somewhere where these kind of things are not particularly accessible!  Check it out at www.chicandseek.com

Wintry Richmond and Alexander McQueen

Today was a wondrous winter's day in Richmond and another occasion where I felt like I had walked into a Dickension novel.  We were up and out early for a walk around Richmond Park after I completed my morning workout tabata training (11 minutes of mountain climbers, 20 seconds on 40 seconds off).  Below is the view of Richmond Gardens opposite my flat. It looked beautiful and was so nice to see families sledging down the hill, it always makes me feel so lucky that I live here.

After the walk, I was starving but it was only 10.00 am and I had to wait until half 11 for my first feed so I threw on a Pashmina and headed down the hill to see if I could try on the Alexander McQueen coat that I had been eyeing up in the window of Vintage Rose for the past two weeks...

I am wearing: Tesco headband / HnM Snood / Pasmina from John Lewis / Lusso London Cashmere gloves / Armani exchange leather and cotton trousers / Ash biker boots / Topshop jumper and Longchamp handbag.

       

Alas it fitted and what's more they knocked a further £25 off for me, making it a steal compared to what it should have been full price! The pictures of it are above, I cannot wait to wear it out!!

I then headed over to Hampton Wick near Kingston to get my nails done and immediately felt a lot better for it.  There is nothing worse than having chipped nail varnish, especially when it's gel and you just want to peel it off (something my manicurist told me off for, oops!)

OPI GEL, You don't know Jacques

I have really struggled to avoid caffeine today.  It's so cold, exactly the sort of afternoon for coffee and a cake! I've had to really push through and stick with the peppermint tea when all I really want to do is head to a coffee shop and have a big mug of coffee and a piece of chocolate cake!!  I did weigh myself this morning though (which is apparently not allowed, so my scales have now had the battery taken out of them by my husband) and I am 3lbs down in 5 days which is a great incentive to push through! Just another half a stone to go until I'm back at my wedding weight!!

I am going to have a power nap now to stave off the hunger pains before doing the second workout and having dinner followed by a movie off sky box office...detoxing is so not rock 'n' roll!

Bracing myself for the weekend!

Woohoo! I have made it through 5 (pretty stressful) days at work on the detox plan and this weekend is the first big test.  After the week I've had the first thing I would normally do is crack open a bottle of red or some of the fizzy stuff and go out for dinner but not tonight!!

I'm tired, achy and in a bit of a grump at the moment (having to abstain from alcohol when I know everyone else is in the pub!) but I am also proud that I have completed 5 days and I am digging my heels in to push through.  Not even the fact that I had psyched myself up to buy the Alexander McQueen coat in the window of the vintage shop on my street and it was shut due to snow can tempt me to fall off the wagon.  Besides, there's always tomorrow!

If this coat is in my size I am treating myself to it tomorrow morning (The McQueen on the right, not the Chanel!)

So tonight, I'm going to have a nice bath and relax and enjoy the fact that tomorrow I don't have to set my alarm for 5.30! In fact, I am going to set it for 8,30 and then head to the gym before going to get my nails done with a friend. I cannot wait!

The view from the School Terrace at 11.00 am 

After a full eight hours of snow, I donned my hunter wellies and trekked home along the river.  I could really feel my calves as I walked up Richmond Hill for the last stretch home but school to my house is exactly 40 minutes which fitted in nicely with the 40 minute of low intensity exercise as instructed on the plan.

Here's to a weekend of self-discipline and strong resolve!!

Holiday Blues

January is so depressing. It's cold, it's dark, everyone is skint and I'm trying to shift a stone.

I thought I'd brighten myself up this morning and create a collage of my
holiday plans for this year. I just hope my husband shares my enthusiasm. I think the next few years we should really
spoil ourselves before children come along and we have to start being selfish.

1. I'm desperate to go to the W Barcelona for a week in June and take in a game at the Nou Camp if possible. It's not so much the city I want to go to, it's that hotel! Although Barcelona is in my top 5 cities in the world.

2. I have a romantic idea of spending my anniversary in the George V and enjoying a romantic meal with the Eiffel Tower as the backdrop followed by a day rambling around the Palace of Versailles.

3. By October I'll usually be craving some sun and R&R and I really enjoyed getting away to Qatar in Oct 2011. This year I'd like a week in Dubai, I just want to see what all the fuss is about!

4. Finally I am desperate to get away over the Christmas period next year, and if I had my way I'd be spending Xmas and New Year at the SLS in LA. I'm fed up with this British weather!

Day Three...First Wobble!

I am now 3 days into the detox and today I've had my first test of resilience.  The first two days I have breezed through it, the food has not left me hungry and I have not been too tempted by coffee and 'naughty' foods because I have locked myself away in my classroom and avoided the canteen and coffee shop.  This morning I awoke with some muscle aches but nothing on the scale of when I've had PT sessions and it's taken me three days to be able to sit down.

This afternoon however, I had a particularly stressful time at work and this is where I really could have been persuaded to join some of my colleagues in the pub for a couple of jars.  Instead, I got the husband to pick me up and take me to Waitrose to stock up...although having to follow him around the bread/bagel/cheese aisles whilst he got himself some food in was torture and by the time I got home I felt quite faint.  I pushed through though and the protein shake helped me through the particularly arduous tabata training.  Doing 20 secs on 10 seconds off of burpees/tricep dips and low raised planks/jumping squats for eight minutes does not sound like a long, hard workout but believe me by the end of it my thighs were sore!

For dinner I had a load of stirfry veg (pak choi/broccoli/green beans/chilli) with prawns and smoked mackeral.  I cooked it in coconut oil with garlic and ginger and it was not only really tasty but filling as well.  So now I feel satisfied and ready to sleep in preparation for the 17 hour fast I am about to encounter.  By midday tomorrow I will probably be pretty hungry, I just hope I have enough energy to push me through seeing 40 sets of parents in 3.5 hours at parents evening tomorrow night!

I have a feeling that over the next few days the intensity of the programme is about to ramp up and things will go from erring on the side of pleasant to hardly bearable.  I hope I have the mental strength to handle it on top of the stress I have at work, but as I've said before this is as much a mental challenge for me as it is about losing weight and I need to prove to myself I can do it! 

Day 1

I have made it through my first day of the detox.

Despite being woken up twice during the night by a resident of Richmond Hill's car alarm going off (it sounded like someone was blowing a horn in my ear, my whole room was shaking!), I was up at 05.45 to start the detox routine.

I started the day with some Glutamine in water followed by some more water with some Bicarbonate of Soda in water.  I packed up my bag with everything I needed and headed to the gym to do the heavier of the two daily workouts.  Then it was off to work for a long 12 hour day.

For breakfast I had 2 boiled eggs, smoked salmon, a bit of avocado, watercress rocket and spinach salad and some quinoa.  A strange concoction I know but I had to have the palm full of carbs after the weights workout and this is what I had prepared.

As caffeine is banned on the plan I had a liquorice tea at breaktime.  I'm hoping it is a grower as I was not overly keen but I was more than happy replacing my afternoon coffee fix with a peppermint tea.  For lunch I had trout fillet salad which was tasty and I did not feel hungry at any point in the day which was a bonus.

The hardest part of the day was between 16:00 - 19:00 where I was struggling to sit through a long winded CPD session (my attention span is like a gnat at the best of times) and to top it all I had a banging headache. It also did not help that everyone around me were scoffing home-made brownies the school chef had made to ease the pain of a three hour training session after a long day!

I headed home at 19:30 and got straight into the other workout of the day which involved 7 rounds of burpee intervals.  I pushed myself to not fall under 10 burpees in 30 seconds and felt pretty tired by the end!

For dinner I had salmon with broccoli and kale.  

I've actually found the food quite tasty and I had a handful of almonds during the training session which I think I really ate more as a psychological need than a physical one.  The thing I struggled most with was not having a coffee and a brownie during the meeting but I took out my 'thinspiration' photo on my phone and used it to stem off any temptation!

I am now absolutely shattered and I am just waiting for the dishwasher to finish so that I can repack up all my lunch boxes and have clean protein shakers ready for Day 2.

I'm hoping the headaches will subside in the couple of days once the caffeine and sugar have left my body and I am sure that my muscles will ache a little in the morning!!

The Night Before!

Tomorrow is Day 1 of my long anticipated 19 Day Detox.  I have taken my measurements and my 'before' photos and weighed myself (something which has reminded me as to why it is I am doing this!) and I have enjoyed my last weekend with friends up in Liverpool before locking myself away and becoming a social recluse for 3 weeks.  By coincidence, I am back up in Liverpool in 3 weeks time and so will be able to celebrate my sobriety and dedication to the cause whilst hopefully looking and feeling a lot healthier than I do at this present moment in time.

A lot of people fail to understand why I am doing this 19 detox and have brushed it off as silly, stupid and pointless but, having followed Mark Raynsford both on his blog and on Twitter for the past 2 years, I am confident in my choice at participating and don't feel that it will be a waste of my money.

I have eagerly devoured the reading Mark has sent in preparation of the 19 days and I am aware that it is not going to be a walk in the park.  As well as twice daily workouts, the programme cuts out sugar, wheat, pasta, glucose, dairy and processed foods.  It also involves periods of fasting, which some people have raised eyebrow at but, having read some of the science behind it and, because I am following it within a programme devised by a professional, I feel that that there is justification and sense behind it.

A bag of cooked quinoa ready to serve with my food on 'feeds' when I am allowed some carbohydrates.

The reason this 19 Day Body has appealed to me is not just because I want to lose some weight.  It is true that I am currently weighing 10lbs heavier than when I moved to London 5 months ago and I would like to get this off quickly so that I can pick up where I left off with my health and fitness regime before the upheaval of the last few months.  I am settled into my new job and lifestyle now and have found a routine which will allow me to maintain my weight once I have lost those extra pounds. 

There is another reason that I have been attracted to the 19 Day Body Programme though and that is to change my attitiude and views towards eating.  I am capable of eating healthy and I am quite educated when it comes to food and nutrition as I was bought up by a health obsessive who controls their diet strictly (my Mother) but I have always used food as a psychological dependency.  I do not smoke or take drugs but I am addicted to food.  I spend way too much time thinking about eating and use it to control my moods and feelings.  I eat when I am not hungry and I eat whatever is infront of me.  It is this which I am hoping to address by participating in this detox.  I am hoping to reprogramme my mind to have a more sensible approach to what and when I eat.  I am hoping that by doing this I can maybe drop a few extra pounds once the programme has finished. 

Trout and Salmon with garlic and chilli ready for the next couple of days.

I am not going to lie, I am quite nervous about what lies ahead.  The exercise is not a problem, I workout regularly in the same way that the workouts are focused in this programme (interval training and circuits, kettlebells, hand weights, squats, lunges etc. are all already incorporated into my workout routines).  I am nervous about trying to find the time to fit in the two daily workouts, especially as I have to be in work by 8.00 am and I have an INSET and Parents Evening this week which both go on until 7.30 so it is going to be a long week in that sense.  I am nervous about my willpower, I really don't want to fail this and I put a lot of pressure on myself with things like this which can often have a negative psychological effect on me.



Nuts to snack on


 

I am also a little nervous about being able to resist the alcohol.  I am not someone who needs a drink but I do enjoy it and, although I don't always drink on every social occasion (and I have cleared my diary of those for the next 19 days anyway), I think 19 days is probably the longest I will have gone without a drink since I was 15 (I don't know what that says about me)!!!

I cannot promise I will have the time to update everyday but I hope that you will follow me on this journey, I am interested to see where it will lead but I am confident I have some exciting (and probably horrific) times ahead!

La Duree

Unfortunately I had to have a little break from the diet yesterday as the husband and I headed into Covent Garden to see a friend.

We went to La Duree and shared a selection of their cakes. It was like having a little bit of Paris in London.

We sat under the heaters on the terrace upstairs and it was fabulous!

Definitely a once in a while treat but absolutely worth it!

Day 1: Wheatgrass

So day 1 of my healthy eating regime started this morning with a nice big glass of wheatgrass mixed with water.  Apparently I will see the benefits of adding this daily ritual to my routine within two weeks and, if the packet is anything to go by, I expect to see a boost in energy levels as well as the added benefits of it detoxing and cleansing my body, rejuvenating my body's cells and increasing my oxygen levels as well as reducing acid in my body.

According to research I've done online, wheatgrass can be responsible for an improved immune system, an improved digestive system, slowing down the ageing process, soothing aching muscles and much more! Let's hope it is the magic solution I have been waiting for with regards to some of my body problems!

 

For breakfast, I had a poached egg on a wholemeal muffin (no butter or margarine) with some smoked salmon and a grilled tomato.  It tasted delicious and I didn't even miss the hollandaise sauce or butter!  I am also elated with my efforts at making a poached egg, this simple task has defeated me for so long but I have finally mastered it!!

I had prepared the hummus and crudités as a snack but I wasn't really feeling that hungry so it ended up being my lunch when I got back from the gym.  I've cut up enough for a couple of days so that I can just nip in the fridge and transfer a few over to a smaller container to take to work with me.

Unfortunately, I ate the stir fry I prepared for dinner before I remembered to photograph it but I just used easy ginger, garlic, chilli and soy sauce instead of buying a packet to pour in and used rice noodles and a pack of stir-fry vegetables.

I have also taken my 'before' photos today in preparation for the 19 Day Body Detox I am starting on the 14th.  They upset me a little bit as I compared them to some I had taken when I finished with my Personal Trainer before leaving Liverpool and the difference is astounding but this is why I am doing this so I need to use it as motivation to keep my eye on the goal!

New Year, New Hair

My final post for this evening before I retire to bed!

I have been blonde for nearly three years now since I decided to start growing my hair at the beginning of 2010 in the hope that I would be get engaged that year (I did in the October). It has taken me nearly three years to grow my hair long and now I doubt I will ever go back short in the foreseeable future but it was time for a colour change to bring in the new year:

This is how short my hair was at the beginning of 2010!

This is me blonde on Christmas day

This is after step one of the treatment; putting a toner on to cover the blonde

Here is the finish product after three and a half hours in the salon! 

And here is my new hair when I am all made up and ready for a night on the town!

Christmas 2012

Christmas and New Year 2012 saw a fantastic end to a fantastic year and I thought I would share with you a few of the things on my list which were very kindly bought for me:


Ash Studded Biker Boots
I am going to be living in my Ash Studded Biker Boots for the next few months until summer. I have posted about them so many times and been lusting after them for 18 months now so I was over the moon to finally receive them...even better they were an 'after Christmas present' and we managed to get them 50% off from Think Bubbles in Cleethorpes which has made them an even better purchase!!

Beauty and Makeup Products

My dressing table is looking full again thanks to my generous parents and in-laws who have spoilt me with an array of products.  I was down to using testers before Christmas and was living in hope I would be restocked at Christmas but did not expect to be this spoilt!!

My favourites are:

L'Oreal Professional Vitamin Color Shampoo and Conditioner/L'Oreal Mythic Oil

Finally I have found a good shampoo and conditioner that not only smells salon fresh but also makes my hair feel and look healthy.  I've swapped onto this as I have just changed hair colour and I am hoping it will help make my colour last the 7 weeks I am going to have to go before I next get back up North to get my colour done again.

The mythic oil is really good for keeping your hair in a good condition, particularly if you dye it a lot like I do mine.








Clarins for all my facial washes/cleansers/moisturisers

I cannot get enough of Clarin's at the moment. I use their day and night creams, their facial washes, scrubs and masks as well as their body exfoliants. I've now got the Bath and Shower Concentrate to try too! Personally, I think it is definitely worth the expenditure on good beauty products to maintain healthy and glowing skin.  What's the point in spending lots of money on clothes if you are not looking after the body you are putting them in?

Sanctuary and Soap and Glory Body Scrubs

I am the easiest person in the world to buy Christmas presents for...if in doubt just get me Soap and Glory or Sanctuary products.  I swear by both of these body scrubs and recommend either for regular use, especially if like me you can't afford to splurge on Clarin's or Laura Mercier all the time.  Personally I prefer the Sanctuary one as it is just like rubbing pure salt all over your body and the result is silky. smooth skin.  However, I also know plenty of people that prefer the Soap and Glory scrub so go with whatever suits you best.








Mac Fluidline Eye liner and Laura Mercier Compact

I've used this eyeliner exclusively for about three years now and would be very reluctant to switch to anything else.  It gives a bold definition to the eyes and can be used both above and below the eyes for dramatic effect.  This is my first ever piece of Laura Mercier makeup and I love it, in fact my new years resolution is to buy and experiment with more of her range.

Alexander McQueen Scarf

Finally I finish with this Alexander McQueen scarf my husband bought me as a surprise gift on Christmas Day. I have wanted one for years and I was so surprised he remembered as I had not mentioned it for quite a while!! I love the colour he chose, it goes with everything!

January Detox

December has been a complete write off for me (as I'm sure many of you can sympathise with) in terms of health and fitness and I feel absolutely rubbish and annoyed at myself for going far too overboard with food and drink for the whole month. Coupled with the fact I have slipped into bad habits the previous three months since moving to London and starting my new job, I feel that now is the time to get back into my healthy living routines.

I struggle with my weight consistently, I always have. A quick look through my Facebook photos since 2006 (when I was 20) to now shows me at various weights ranging between 9.5 and 11 stone - up and down, up and down. What I really want to achieve as I enter my late 20s (I'll be 27 in June eek!) is to stabilise and maintain a consistent weight of about 10 stone. This means I need to lose a stone and stay there!

Therefore over the next month I will be blogging about my quest not only to lose the weight but also regain my fitness and try and discover a food routine that will give me energy and keep me revitalised. I hope to see an improvement in my skin tone and energy levels as well as toning up so that I am back to looking my best. Most importantly I hope to find a food plan that I can stick to and enjoy, this is not a diet, this is a lifestyle change.

Some of the supplements I have ordered ready for the 19 Day Body Detox I start on 14th January. Before and after this detox I will be following a strict healthy eating plan containing lots of protein and vegetables and no sugar/processed foods/complex carbs supplemented with a daily wheat grass shot.

To help me along the way I have created. an inspiration board featuring some motivational quotes and pictures to remind me to keep my eye on the prize. It contains a picture of me at my thinnest and a picture of me at my fittest as well as Abbey Clancy looking stunning in a bikini I own (and love) and of course the incredibly inspirational Jessica Ennis.

Day one begins tomorrow with an addition to my new daily routine; a wheatgrass shot. I will post about this tomorrow. I have been so good on the whole the past 2 years but November and December always catch me out and I end back at square one.  Let's hope 2013 is the year I break this pattern!

I shall leave you with this quote....