And so it begins...

I feel that this is completely topical right now.
And very, very true.

Yesterday, for what may actually be the first time in my life, I went to the gym.

By myself.

No nagging.

And I used the equipment and everything.

The gym has always petrified me because it doesn't come with instructions and, unlike dancing or running outside, it don't come naturally either.

My main reason to run, for netball, is gone because the season is over.

So who know why I packed my kit up and decided to do the darn thing anyway? Maybe because of all the other reasons left on that list.

I went in the morning, because if I didn't go in the morning, I'd find some excuse not to go.

I felt incredibly self-conscious as I passed the school kids at the bus stop, swinging my sports bag.

I'm pretty sure young adolescents and children can smell fear, so I crossed the road.

When I got there, my main targets, the treadmills, were already taken up. So I got on the cross trainer while I waited, since I know it's less impact on your joints.

I did a distance of 1.10 in 10 minutes something on the cross trainer. I did a distance of 1.14 on the treadmill at a speed of 7 in 12 minutes something.

I'd like to declare I have no clue what the heck those numbers mean.

But I ran! On the dreaded treadmill! For more than 4 minutes! And I didn't throw up! And I didn't do an Edie either!

I don't know what distance I did, but I want to see that number go up and the time number go down. I'm not sore at all, so I know I can definitely do better.


So I'm definitely going back on Monday morning.

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Neggative Experience

When I came back from church on Sunday, I realised somebody had half-heartedly egged my house.

I say half heartedly, because it was just one egg. Maybe they were aiming for their friend who had quick reflexes or something.

That one lone egg sat just out of reach on the upper rim of the door, which meant I would have to get the mop to clean it off. And it was a hot day, so cleaning was going to happen quick sharp.

As I stood there in my doorway, I have to admit I felt a little bit annoyed.

I mean, come on! It wasn't even Halloween. Who went around on hot, balmy Sunday afternoons carrying an eggs? And then throwing the aforementioned egg? Was it thrown in a fit of anger at a failed omelette?  Were they not aware of the fact that food costs were going up? Or did they not pay for the egg? Had someone not educated them on the proper usage of an egg? Fry it, scramble it, warm it and let it hatch even - but why waste it?

Who had that much money to be chucking eggs? Didn't they know that free-range eggs cost around 25p each?! Or was this not even a free range egg? Was it an egg from a battery egg? Was it fair that this an animal may have been cooped up in dire conditions just so that some irresponsible so-and-so could chuck their produce about?! Did that person even know where the egg had come from?

Whilst finishing off my polish of my door, it's rim and handle, I mused on how reading a Jamie Oliver book the night before could send one's mental thoughts into a completely random direction.

My door was now clean. It was time to move on.

If I could give the mystery egger feedback, I'd just say - next time, just use loo roll.

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Thrifty Thursday: Musically Inclined

Sometimes, when you're aware of something, you can forget that other people don't know.

I like music. I also happen to be quite fond of free stuff. So I quite like free music. I get some here by clicking on the link on the left that says 'Free Songs'.

First things first, the music you find here isn't usually well known mainstream music, such as Katy Perry, Rihanna etc etc. There is a reason they are so rich and it's because they don't give their money away for free.

However, I've found tracks by Estelle, Labrinth, Pelican and Maverick Sabre there which I do enjoy. And then randomly, I got some credit to buy actual non free music by buying something through nectar to collect my points.

Plus, if you're up for trying something new, you can click to preview the songs (or try and find them on youtube for the full length version....good luck with that).

Some tracks seem to have been there since the idea of Amazon was conceived, whilst others stay there only for a while, so it's always worth checking back every now and then. I totally dropped the ball when it came to Maverick Sabre's 'No-One' and had to deal with hearing it on the radio for the next two months and yet not have it on my mp3 player. I was full of ire.

Basically, if you like something there, I would get it now. Doesn't cost you anything...

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It's Messy but the Twists are Alright

On Sunday evening, I washed my hair. I went a bit crazy, used some Lush Trichomania instead of the usual Apple Cider Vinegar and water mix, therefore breaking my no sulphates rule.
In my defence, it had been a weekend of summery sun and striding aggressively up hills in a sweat inducing way and so it was needed. And I stuck to using it on my scalp only.

But man, I'd forgotten how much I loved this shampoo bar- the coconut smell, and the way my hair feels when I put it on is divine. It feels wonderful. (I'm just uncertain as to the consequences of these snatched moments of bliss).

Then I conditioned with Original Source Mint and Tea Tree conditioner. £0.99 from Bodycare.

Next, I decided - "What about stretching with my Curlformers? It's been a while!"

The last time I used them, the Tresemmé had been too heavy, so back to my ever so dependable Giovanni's it was. And slicking on lots of newly defrosted flaxseed gel too.

I must have applied the Curlformers funnily though, because I only got 3/4 of my hair sorted.

 

 Not to be deterred, I simply banded the last two sections and went to bed.

 

The sun arose and light poured into room. Sleeping had been slightly more awkward, probably because I spaced them closer together than usual but shh.

Removed the Curlformers to reveal the usual curls and apparently a mass amount of flaxseed gel residue that I hadn't noticed before looking at this photo.

Suddenly! I was struck! By inspiration! And the realization that I'd still had a Curlformer left in my head!

Holding on despite the fact that Hide and Seek is clearly over...

Back to the inspiration.

Since my hair was (mainly) all stretched, I decided to put twists in. All I used was some coconut oil and they stayed fine.
The twisting was great, in that I didn't need to part since I'd already previously done it. But I hadn't parted it properly. So I got a, er, wide variety of sizes. Again.

I would like to believe that I won't mess with my hair again until next weekend, but it's been two days and I'm bored already...

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Back to the Bun and a Predictable Twist

The Wonder Thing: Aw, your hair looks nice.
Me: Thank you! *Grins and leans over conspiratorially* There are two socks in there.

The last time I did this style, all my socks were intact and I used a knee support that was embarrassingly obvious at times [lesson learnt: white knee support + black hair = a stupid idea]. I knew it wasn't the best at the time, but I was loathe to cut up a perfectly good sock and widow it's partner.

This time, I learnt my lesson. Plus, a few socks had bitten the proverbial dust since then, so provided a brilliant foundation for my new doughnut/sock bun ring (because there's no way I'm paying £5 for one from Boots).

Sorry Snoops....

I repeated these actions with a black sock (to avoid being exposed) and rolled it onto and over the grey one.

Et voilà!

And the predictable twist!

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Ejeka Kira Fun Awon Iya Wa!

(Rough Translation: Let's show appreciation for our Mums!)
I totally forgot when Mother's Day was exactly and sent my present to my Mum far too early.

Ah well. At least it got there on time! This song always reminds me of my mum and I included a version with English translation because parts of the song are in Yoruba.

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Bargain Accessories

The other day, I was in Home Bargains, probably picking up pitta breads or something.
That's what I usually enjoy doing on a lukewarm Saturday afternoon. As usual, I wasn't paying attention to my own business but was instead paying far too much attention to the people around me. In this instance, it was the woman in front of me in the cue. She'd tipped out her basket and dozens of hair accessories clattered onto the conveyor belt. I raised an eyebrow in mild surprise at the amount and tried to guess why the lady had decided it was necessary to buy so many - maybe she had the birthday of triplet nieces coming up? Why else would someone need so many hair accessories?

The next time I went in and something caught my eye that solved the mystery.

39p! 

screamed the sign. I looked closer. Whoa, Babyliss accessories? For only 39p?! Sign me up!

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