Challenging Myself

Pinterest is full of them, any time of the year you can log in and find any sort of challenge. From monthly fitness ones, to finance goals, taking in a couple of housey bits and pieces on the side.

This year I've decided to see how I do, and try 4 challenges that have been doing the rounds.

First up is the 2015 Reading Challenge.

For someone who often reads books as part of their job, I have a habit of settling for the same genre when it comes to reading for fun. 

This year I would like to challenge myself a little. For this reason I'm going to tackle this list that has been put together by popsugar and see how many I can get ticked off by the end of the year. 

Another one I've seen is a 30-day Walking Challenge. 

Those of you who were reading this blog last year will know that I bought a Fitbit. This year I will be using it more often. Seeing as it is clipped onto my bra as a reminder to actually get up from my desk. 

I am going to endeavour to hit the magical 10,000 steps a day mark. This could take a while!

I found this tally chart on artofbeautifullife.com. 

The joy of being a working parent leads to the equal joy of longing for some organisation at home. The chores definately got away from me by the end of last year. 

With this in mind I have signed up for this challenge. 

Each week I will be emailed a task to complete in my house. And by the end of the year, each single task should have become a regular habit and kaboom my house should pretty much run itself again. 

Now to get the others in the house to join in! Maybe that should be my main aim. Get them to do the housework and chores, so I don't have to!  

And finally, my last main challenge for this year is to crochet a small granny square, everyday, for a year. 

The only stipulation is that I will not plan the colours of the blankets, but choose what colour as per the mood I'm in at that moment. This one is exciting the most right now. 

A giant blanket by next winter will be a fab snuggly reward. 

Christmas is Truly Over

Today the masses will be returning to work.

So I thought I'd share what I wore to work on my first day back after the festive period. Like many of us I indulged a little bit too much so most of my work wardrobe was on the uncomfortable to sit down in side of tight.

I found these leggings in the sale on the Yours website... I love them, really long in the leg (they're actually baggy around the ankle - unheard of for me at 5' 101/2 with a 32-33" leg). I'm also loving the addition of an attached skirt detail. It could have done to be a little bit longer, but then as I say I'm tall so you have to take the rough with the smooth, and it's over leggings so my knick-knack paddy whacks aren't going to be on display.

The shirt I have had for a couple of years now, it's a coral check with a bodice tie at the back so you can alter it to fit your shape if you yo-yo like I have a tendency to.

As for my hair, I've gone down the rock-a-billy route which I love for work. I spend a lot of my day looking down at my desk, working with a red pen, so I like to have my hair away from my face. Otherwise, I won't be able to see for my hair! The ponytail does lend to me sticking my pens in it from time to time.

Make up is minimal today, I have my vintage frames on. I'm still loving the MUA Matte Palette, I'm eeking to the end of my Rimmel eyeliner... I reckon there should be about a week of use left in there, and my blush is Barbara Daly in Petal. Base is Tesco Concealer in Fair and my George powder.

Resolutions

The New Year is approaching and the idea of a fresh start is forefront in my mind. 

But what do I want to change?

How do I become the best me I can be?

What can I change that will benefit me in the long term?

What experiences would I like to have and which would I prefer to not repeat?

With those questions in mind, what shall I add to my list of priorities for the year?

1. Moisturise more regularly, and I mean everyday not just when I remember. 

2. Take better care of my nails, they are in a total state right now splitting and breaking. 

3. Keep on top of the housework (this is a biggie)

4. Get organised, losing your diary is not the way forward.

5. Eat better, fell off my health wagon a bit this year. Getting your bum stuck in a chair at church is a pretty dramatic emphasis that you need to get back on that.

6. Read more books for fun. I read, I read a lot, for work... what happens on television is just not that interesting and frequently very badly spelt when I see it. 

7. Find THE perfect RED lipstick. 

Yes, the last one is a bit flippant, but really I have been looking for years. At least 5 of them and I still have yet to find THE perfect one, I have got close... just not quite there yet. 

What are you're plans/resolutions for the brand spanking new year?