Pardon the absence. Again. I promise I will tell you why soon, but exciting times are coming! 

I thought I would get back into blogging in a very gentle and simple way by talking about some good things making me a happy girl right now. To be honest, I have been in a really good place since coming back from our vacation a week ago. Who knew I needed to relax so much! 

Is anyone else getting more and more excited for this time of year? We have all the fun holidays coming up, the weather is changing, and the best of all, Christmas chocolates will hit the shelves soon!

Wedding Planning
If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen in my stories that Steve and I got engaged in Hawaii! It was all so perfect and I might do a separate post on it. I honestly couldn't be happier to be marrying my best friend and believe me when I say I've been thinking about our wedding long before he got down on one knee. I'm that girl, and when you know, you know.

So of course the planning has started and it's right up my alley with lists and notebooks for ideas. It's a lot of fun already! My Pinterest is bursting with ideas and I'm gonna have a planning session with my bridesmaids soon. This is my jam guys, I'm in my element now.



Christmas is on the horizon!
Believe me, I know. Fifteen year old me would have gasped and said: "Steph, for goodness sake it's only the start of September!" But after a few years of being in the blogging world and watching far too much YouTube I have learned one very important thing: The British really know how to celebrate the holiday season. And I can't help but join in every time now.

I blame Zoella. (Kidding of course, I still adore her.)

But I saw a mere mention of Christmas on Twitter the other day and BOOM all I wanted to do was watch some Christmas films and plan out what festive baking I wanted to do. Slightly pathetic I know, but ever since I've been watching Zoella's vlogmas videos during the day and it's making me happy! I'm already so excited for December and I like being in this festive little bubble at the moment. I'm living for the day I can put up my sparkly tree!


Spring Weather 
We seemed to have had one of those Winter seasons full of cloudy days and cooler than normal temps. But there is cause for celebration because Spring is here! The mornings are getting so sunny and the day stays lighter until about six. I live for those summery evenings where you can still go out and enjoy yourself, and this weather is reminding me that those times are coming! Spring/Summer is my absolute favorite time of year and I'm so looking forward to our first barbecue.

That's it guys, three things that are making me such a happy girl these days! Even when work gets a bit crazy, I just look outside and see the sun and it gives me life. 

What's making you happy these days? And most importantly, are you excited for Christmas too?!

Steph x.

365 Days of Happiness: April

Hello, Everyone!

I seem to be putting one of these posts together every other week and it scares me how fast 2017 has gone! April turned out to be a better month than I expected and there seems to have been a theme of setting myself up for the future.

For starters, I've stepped up my work schedule and taken on more shifts to help save for my vacation in August. It's been an adjustment working more hours coming from part-time, but it's not all bad and obviously the pay check makes it all worth it.

My CrossFit coach has decided to change our programming and go back to basics more so we can build up our skills. I'm really excited about it because there are so many movements (mainly gymnastics) that I've been dying to try for so long and now I get the chance! It will mean I can progress more and do better in the coming months.

The last future-focus this month has been about moving out of home and into a flat with Steven. It's not going to happen until later in the year for a number of reasons, but we've talked about it a lot this April and I'm really excited about it. Obviously it will be a little scary for me, however, I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to having my own kitchen to cook in and not worrying about making noise in the morning when I'm making breakfast. You'll see that I've been making some purchases to help start the set up of our first home together and I'm sure May will bring another home-ware haul!

Here's all of the happy things for every day in April:

1. Had the most amazing muesli at Uncommon Cafe topped with a delicious poached pear. 

2. Picnic lunch of falafel Pita Pit at Victoria park with Steven. Love coming here!

3. Was brave enough to do kipping pull-ups during our workout at CrossFit and managed 20 reps. I'm pretty proud of myself. 

4. First run back at the park with Mum and my knee held up great and I kept up fine over the 8km. 

5. Deadlifts and hand stand push-ups were in order for our workout today and I crushed it! Took two minutes off my time in February. 

6. Lost my iPhone 4 somewhere (still haven't found it) but I went on a good plan and replaced it with a 6S! Will be so much better for blogging.

7. Fun Friday night of buying house stuff, eating pizza & pasta, looking at books, and playing UNO with Steven.

8. Finally tried the cute Thai food truck I've wanted to eat at for years. It was as good as I had hoped! And to top off the night, Steven surprised me with a bouquet of flowers <3

9. Went along to check out the Food Show with Melissa and got some really cool stuff. Later on a bunch of us went out for dinner and it was incredible!

10. Burpee workout went down today, then we had a fun backyard session with Steven's sister.

11. Got to catch up on my favorite cooking program. It's the small things sometimes.

12. Back to watching my favorite YouTube family, the Sacconejolys! It's especially lovely with their latest addition Alessia.

13. Fun shopping day with Mum! We bought books, bras, and chocolate.

14. Did a 5km run for time (in the rain) with the CrossFit gang and I did it in 23 minutes! Steve and Me warmed up with some toasted Hot Cross buns. I also got spoiled with Easter chocolates! I'm a lucky gal.

15. Fish and chips + Iron Man 3 = A great Saturday night.

16. Went through Steven's garage together to sort everything out and see what house stuff he already has. It's making me excited thinking about moving in together!

17. Found some home-ware goodies on sale to go towards our future flat. Check this post here to see what I got!

18. We got to practise our Toes-To-Bar at CrossFit this morning and I managed a few reps! Need more practice though.

19. Finally got back to doing double-under skips this morning, thought I had lost them.

20. It's payday so I picked up a plate set and glasses for me and Steven. Can't wait for the day I get to unpack them.

21. Made it back to Pure Cafe Co. for one of their amazing Mexi-bowls.

22. Double date night to see Fate of the Furious movie while we ate popcorn and salted caramel ice cream.

23. Got to watch Steven play Korfball and had a lovely family barbecue by the fire.

24. Cute lunch date then we looked at more house stuff. We found a great clock on sale for our future kitchen.

25. ANZAC day was honored with a hero workout at CrossFit that involved lots of bear crawls and loaded carry walks around the block. But we got to team up which was awesome. Love my CF squad! (including Sadie the Pug and Cooper the golden lab.)

26. Got to try rope climbs this morning and it was so much fun! I feel way more confident about facing them in the Spartan Race.

27. It's been a super-busy this week with work and it's gonna stay that way for a little while longer. But it's all helping me get to Hawaii and it will all be worth it in August!

28. Met up with my favorite girls today! We ate great food, talked about moving homes, boys, and weddings. Sometimes you need a silly girl chat.

29. The CrossFit Football Total weight-lifting competition went down at the box today. I was too run down to compete but I had fun being on photographer duty. Steven came third out of the boys! Very proud girlfriend.

30. Had a spontaneous lunch date with Steven at the Monday Room which I've been dying to try for ages. Mushrooms were on point. 

April went by in a flash, but once again this list has reminded me that it was a really great month. I achieved more than I thought and tried pushing my comfort zone. Don't forget to focus on the little moments that make you happy and find something good no matter how bad things get.

Let me know what made you happy in April :)
Steph x.

365 Days Of Happiness: February

Happy March Everyone!

I think I've needed this project more throughout this month. It's been another roller-coaster time, with really great moments and some stressful ones too. But that's life my loves, always about the balance.

My knee is slowly getting better, but I have learned that I need to do more to strengthen and take care of it. Hopefully March will see me attempting some light jogging and squats.

My new job has been going well and have been given more regular hours now. I feel so much better looking toward future plans. Obviously I won't be there forever, but it's a step in the right direction.

Despite these good things, my city was struck with yet another natural disaster this month. Some of you guys will know how I love running the hills that close to my neighborhood and have shown you the beautiful view from the top in my daily blogs. One Monday after I came home from an afternoon of training at CrossFit, my Mum and brother pointed out the smoke coming from our beloved hills. Fires aren't unheard of here, but they don't usually get very big. But it grew (over roughly 26km of land) and came a little too close to home for comfort. It has taken nearly two weeks to put them out (they're actually still working on hot spots) and I had a few rest-less nights waiting to see if we were going to be evacuated. It has only reminded me to prioritize the people I care about and not worry so much about material items. 

Getting back to more positive things, here are the happy moments from each day in February:

1. Picked up an extra shift at work. Good for my Hawaii savings!

2. Went to a surprise dinner with my CrossFit family

3. I made vanilla protein pancakes for breakfast

4. Tried a new vegan cafe with Mum and they had the most amazing Japanese pancake rolls!

5. The perfect Sunday: pizza for lunch then ice cream by the beach

6. Fun morning at CrossFit then watching the Superbowl. Best comeback by the Patriots!

7. Meal prep and shopping with Steven

8. Started my knee rehab routine

9. Lunch and shopping with Mum after a shift at work. We looked at all the cute Valentine's Day goodies

10. Delicious dinner at the night noodle market!

11. Date night with home-made pizzas and Netflix

12. Got treated to brunch and finished season 3 of Sherlock

13. Felt mentally stronger at CrossFit, which I needed for the 2km row!

14. We watched Fresh Prince of Bel Air (pure gold) and went for ice cream

15. Got a big hug from Steven after work. These fires are freaking me out

16. Family lunch at one of my favorite places. Feels very important after a scary night

17. Tiramisu Kit Kats are a thing and I'm in love

18. Belated Valentine's with presents and chocolate fondue

19. Steve surprised me with breakfast in bed. It was the best croissant I've had in a long time

20. Ended up doing a mid-day class at CrossFit and it was so fun! Also Sadie the pug was there : )

21. Mars Bar Mini-Eggs. Enough said

22. Made watermelon pizza for the first time and it was glorious

23. Bought some beautiful earings for an upcoming wedding

24. Deadlift day at CrossFit! My knee won't let me get over 85kg, but at least I'm doing some lifting

25. Caught up with my friends over frozen yogurt (I added lots of sour lollies)

26. Dumplings run made a success by my saint of a boyfriend

27. Completed my first CrossFit Open workout in 15.14min!

28. Got trusted with a more advanced job at work and it went well

I have high hopes for March now. The CrossFit Open has started and there will be a new workout each Friday for me to work hard on. I feel like I'm competing in a sport and it's really exciting!


Once again this project is reminding me to take the good days with the bad and don't forget to look back on all the happy things you've experienced lately. You may think the month wasn't very eventful, but I bet you did more than you expected.

What was the best thing that happened in February for you?
Steph x.

365 Days Of Happiness Project: January

One month into 2017 already, how crazy time flies when you're having fun! January has been a great month for me and I feel like I've made some lovely memories. I love writing down my days and looking back on what I did. I thought this would be a fun blog project to run all through the year. It's a pretty simple idea really: I just record one happy thing from every day and do a summary each month. The aim is for you to train yourself to see the goodness in every day and focus on the positives. And even when you think the weeks haven't been very exciting, you can take a look back and remember the fun things you got up to.
Here's the first month in my Happiness Project:

1. Saw the new Passengers with the family and Steve

2. Made waffles for Steve and his flatmates 

3. Improved my Power Cleans (weight-lifting move) at CrossFit

4. Had lunch with Steve at his work just because

5. Cheeky McDonald's run for dessert!

6. Watch 50 First Dates on Netflix and ate ice cream

7. Had a great night at work after a bad run

8. Breakfast date at a swanky buffet 

9. Made cauliflower pizza for everyone

10. Got surprised with my first pair of lifting shoes!

11. Coffee catch up with one of my good friends

12. Bought some new books to write about on my blog

13. French Toast Friday!

14. Steven brought me mint choc ice cream to cheer me up

15. Visited a BMX track. Oh, the memories!

16. Dinner date at my favorite restaurant

17. Feeling motivated after watching the 2016 Spartan Race Championship

18. The dress for an upcoming wedding arrived!

19. My coach was happy with my squat form today

20. Breakfast with the CrossFit family. Best people ever!

21. Picking up pizza, fries, and taking it to the pier to eat

22. Cheeky Burger Fuel dinner and watching The Force Awakens

23. Beach mission with Steve

24. Healthy eating all day

25. My sprints got faster in CrossFit today

26. Started at new job location & bought a Nerf Gun!

27. Made chocolate dipped pretzels & bought food for our road trip

28. Biked with Mum & made banana muffins

29. Fun drive to Dunedin & meeting new family

30. Lovely day scouting photos and traveling home

31.Watching Sherlock (season 3) with Steve



What do you think of this idea? I'm loving it so far, it lets me share the things that make me happy. And I get to see just how much I can get up to in a month. Little moments or big ones, it's important to focus on the good times.

Tell me something happy that happend today, or if you have any projects like this.
Steph x.

Appreciating The Small Things

Hello, Everyone!

Things have been a little tense at home lately (it's hard living with someone who has depression) and the usual life stuff that all of us in our 20's can relate to. But, not being one to dwell on the negative, I thought it would be fun to note down some happy and exciting things that happened this week. Even small victories can make your day just that bit better. I find it really helpful to focus on as many positives as you can, so that none of the negative can drag you down. Looking back now makes me appreciate what a great week I just had!

I did a series of these posts a while back, and thought that it was time to start them up again!

New Song Obsession 

While I was in the car on the way to the gym, "That's My Girl" by Fifth Harmony came on the radio and I feel in love! I have a weakness for empowering songs from girl-bands and this one is a goodin'. It's super-catchy and bad-ass, had it on repeat all week!


Making Protein Donuts!

Last week I was reading nutrition articles on bodybuilding.com and came across their recipe for healthy protein donuts. As in, donuts that are good for you! I've been dying to make them and finally found time one afternoon. They are super-easy and taste delicious, perfect for a post-gym snack. I wrote out a recipe post you guys to enjoy here.


Book Shopping

It's official: My book buying ban has been lifted and I can buy more books again! The first thing I did on payday was hop onto BookDespoitory and pick out two new novels. Number one on my Wishlist was The Raven King, by Maggie Stiefvater. It's the last book in the Raven Cycle series and I NEED to know how it all ends! I also really miss Gansey and Blue. Since that was quite cheap, I also got Miss Peregine's Home for Perculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs. After seeing the movie last Saturday and everyone raving about the book, I've been dying to know more about the story.


New Gym Leg Program

 I absolutely love getting an update on my programs from gym trainers, mostly because I love learning new things. I've been getting bored with my workouts, so I booked in with a new trainer (just until mine gets back from overseas) and he took me through some cool stuff. We did front squats, calf-work on the leg press, and even mountain climbers using the Skillmill for resistance. Really excited to give it all another go. 


NYX Has Arrived! 

 Now that New Zealand is finally getting a variety of brands (besides Revlon and Maybelline) shopping for makeup is getting more fun. NYX is one my all-time favorite brands because of their quality, and the fact that they are a cruelty-free brand. Now I don't have to stock up on supplies when I visit the US!


Pre-Workout is Back Baby!

 Being the gym-bunny I am, I get so excited when it's time to shop for new supplements. I haven't been using pre-workout for a few months now because I was saving money for my trip overseas. But everything is back to normal now, so I can treat myself to the good stuff again. I went back to Optimum Nutrition as a trusted brand that's also affordable, and I know of other gym goers who use it too. How good does blueberry lemonade sound?

Discovering ISupps

I'm slowly discovering where all of the good supplement shops are in my city, and a new one has just opened up not far from home. I started following Isupps on Instagram and saw that they sold NZ made protein cookies! We went in and found that they had a really great range of products and the staff were super-friendly. It's definitely going to be my go-to supplement store from now on.


Pegasus Fun Run + New Personal Best! 

 For the past couple of years, me and Mum have been going to running events around our city and the Pegasus run is always the first of the running season (Oct-June.) The course is 11km long and we felt really good the whole time, even through the sandy parts. We were so happy when we saw that our time was 1 hour 13 minutes! That's the best we have ever done and it felt so good.


Trampoline Fun!  

I always swore that when my city got an indoor trampoline arena, I would be there in a flash. One actually opened a few months ago and I had still yet to visit. I had one of those "why the hell not?" moments on Monday and texted a friend to see if she wanted to go and have some fun. Turns out she was dying to go too, so we booked in. We only jumped for a short time, but it was heaps of fun and brought back tonnes of childhood memories. We also had a much-needed girly catch-up afterwards, so it was a great afternoon.


What small things made you happy this week?
Steph x.


 

Ten Reasons Hawaii Is My Happy Place

You know how most people have a "Happy Place"? Whether it's a far away city, a secret spot you came across when you were young, Disneyland/World, or simply being at home. I never really had one until a few years ago and it's amazing to have a destination that's so special to you.

I have been lucky enough to visit the island of Oahu three times now, and every holiday reminds me of why it's famous for being a wonderful place. Hawaii is full of happy memories for me and every time we return it's like being greeted with a hug from an old friend. I am completely in love with this slice of paradise and I wanted to share with you why it's my happy place!

Holiday Vibes 

We generally stay at Waikiki beach, which is a tourist hub and I love it! There's something so fun about everybody being on holiday. We are all relaxed and having a good time, so there's no tension or judgement going on. Everywhere has this relaxed holiday vibe that can't help but put you in a good mood.

The Food

Oh, the food! If you're a fan of garlic prawns, acai bowls, or poke, then this is the holiday destination for you. It's one of the things I look forward to most when we visit and I never know what delicious creation I'm going to get to try. They make the best grilled ahi (tuna) that you have ever tasted, and the cafes are stocked with delicious treats. If there's good food, I am one happy girl.

Beautiful Beaches

This is definitely something that Hawaii is most famous for, and I can confirm that they are as beautiful as you think they'll be. There's actually a huge variety of beaches to enjoy: some are still and perfect for snorkeling, others have monster waves so you can sit and watch the locals surf. All come with that famuos golden sand and sparkling blue water. It's just stunning to explore each spot and you find something special in each of them. You might even spot some turtles!

Happy Memories

This is exactly why I love to keep coming back to this place. I still remember seeing that beautiful blue water for the first time, and it making us go rush to buy bikinis so we could jump in right away. Or swimming with dolphins on my Mum's birthday and conquering my fear of the ocean. Thinking of Hawaii just brings back so many wonderful memories that makes my time there feel special. 

Body Confidence

I know the thought of wearing a bikini on the beach is daunting for a lot of us (myself included) but there's something about Hawaii that stops you from caring. It goes back to my point on holiday vibes; everyone is in the same boat, and we are all super-chilled because we're on the beach instead of being at work. No one cares what size you are, because everyone is concentrating on their own vacation. Anyone and everyone can strut their stuff down the beach and feel amazing.

Island Exploring

Going on a Hawaiian road-trip is one of my favorite things to do! I'm always glued to my window staring at the beautiful green hills and being in awe of the natural beauty around us. Oahu is small enough that you could explore the whole island in about two days. Both North and South shore have amazing sights and cool stops along the way. We never know what we're gonna find!

Shopping

Hawaii combines the joy of a beach holiday with the fun of American shopping. Some of my all-time favorite places to shop can be found in Waikiki: Forever 21, Zara, Sephora, Papyrus, and Wallgreens for stocking up on beauty items I can't get at home. The Ala Moana mall we always go to is huge and you can spend all day browsing the brands there. I probably do most of my shopping when I'm on holiday, so Hawaii is amazing for spoiling myself a little. 

Tattoo Spotting 

I'm not sure how many others enjoy doing this, but I find it so interesting. I'm super-obsessed with tattoos and I get really curious about what other people have got done. Obviously with Hawaiian weather being a summer dream all year round, everybody is in shorts and crop tops. Which means that there are more tattoos on display! On previous trips I have seen some masterpieces (and cringe-worthy ones too) and it's just awesome to see everyone's artwork that is usually hidden. 

Those Green Hills

I have such an obsession with the famous Hawaiian hills you always see, with their lush greenery and sharp ridges. One of the first mornings I ever spent there I walked outside and saw them for the first time and it hit me where I was. They're just stunning and I'm dying to find a really cool walk that will get me close to them.
 

Rainbows

Hawaii is known for being the rainbow state, and on our last trip is was so clear why. Almost every single day that we were there, we managed to spot a couple of rainbows in the sky. And who doesn't love rainbows!? It makes your whole experience there even more special.



I hope everyone gets the chance to visit this island paradise at some point, and that you love it as much as I do!
Where is your happy place?
Steph x.

My Ten Happiness Essentials

Hello Everyone!

We all have those little things that make us happy, right? Over the past year I've tried to stop more and appreciate what makes me happy, no matter how silly or small. They say that you should make time everyday for the things that make you smile and these things listed below are guaranteed to get me through a rough day. It's funny how something so simple can make you so happy. I could have easily listed about fifty more, but these are my absolute essentials.

Here's a list of all the things that I have made a priority and make me the happiest!

My Family

People find it weird with how well our family gets on with each other. Both my brother and are in our mid-twenties and we still love going on holiday with our parents. Not in a lame way, just because we all love exploring similar places. We have a really strong family unit and since I started running with my Mum, we've become really close. One of the things that makes me really happy and calm is when we all sit around and chat about stuff together. I know they have my back for everything and they support me through every decision. Nothing beats family.

Keeping Active 

You all know what a gym-junkie/runner I am, can't go a day without doing some form of exercise. And no wonder, because there are so many reasons why being active makes you happier in life. It makes me feel productive for the day, lets me feel super-confident with myself, and helps me think better for when I'm writing. Ever since I made a habit of exercising everyday, my mental health is so much better and I can't imagine ever giving it up now. This one is less of an essential and more of a compulsive daily habit that I need in life.

A Hot Cup Of Coffee

This is probably a daily essential for a lot of you too and I just don't like my day without it! It's not always the caffeine boost that I need (although it seriously helps!) but more the comfort you get from sitting down with a fresh cup. It's something reassuring throughout the day that makes you feel like you can handle whatever gets thrown at you.

Being Creative 

I was always a creative kid and that never changed as I got older. Whether I'm drawing, taking photos, writing, painting, or working on some kind of project, it's guaranteed to make me happy. Being creative is just something that I need to do and get out of my system. I always have about ten journals on my desk at one time, plus more on my bookshelf for when I need them. This is where blogging became my ultimate dream job, because I get to be creative in all of my favorite ways when I'm working. Very necessary for keeping my mind happy!

Travel

Even when I was younger, our family would travel the length of New Zealand for my brother's BMX races in our old van. We have always traveled, and never on a big budget. As we got older we still we started venturing further too (first Australia, then America.) I caught the travel bug early and it's never left me. I can't tell you how excited I get at the thought of being at an airport with a suitcase and going off to explore a new city. It will always be an essential in my life to plan and live adventures. It's usually where I'm my happiest!

Doing What I Love Everyday 

Last year I was working in my first full-time job and it was a real eye opener into the real world after University. I started having a few problems in the workplace and it was only on my days off that I felt like myself again. I would spend my time blogging and getting proper workouts done at the gym. I left that job after eight months to save my mental health and pursue what I felt passionate about, which was my blog. Looking back almost a year later and it was still the best decision I could have made. I can genuinely say that I love what I do everyday and even though it's not enough to support me just yet, I know my hard work will pay off one day. I wouldn't change it for anything!

Setting Goals 

I've definitely become more goal-orientated as I've grown older. It keeps life interesting and fun! I love a good challenge and having something to work towards is such great motivation. Whether it's a goal for my fitness (currently: muscle ups!) or growing my blog and being able to collaborate with brands, goals are one of my favorite things to work on. I don't settle for average, I work hard on what I want in life and setting lots of goals to achieve will get me there!

Sacconejoly Family

I know, I know, I talk about these guys a lot. But they have been a part of my daily routine for nearly two years now and for some reason this family just brings a lot of happiness to my day. I don't know whether it's Jonathan's positive attitude and humor, or they kids being super-cute. Or maybe because I feel like me and Anna are so similar that we would be great friends. It's probably all of the above combined with that reassurance that when I get up in the morning there's a new daily vlog waiting for me. Positive influences are very essential for staying happy, and this family never fail to be that for me.

Getting Enough Sleep 

I think we all know what this one is important! Just the other day I had once again not gotten enough sleep for a second night in a row and I was incredibly cranky. I could hardly get any work done because it makes me have writer's block, which only made me feel worse. I'm sure we have all had these kinds of days and vow to ourselves that we will be in bed by 10pm sharp to not have a repeat of it the next day. Although, sometimes we just can't help but prioritize other things over sleep (and Suicide Squad was totally worth it!) 

Positive Influences

This one has become quite apparent to me lately and it's crazy how fast your mood changes with the right people around. I've been so incredibly lucky over this past year find some amazing friends that inspire me daily. They are guaranteed to pick me up on my days where I'm not feeling my best and make me want to be the absolute best version of myself. Having the right people around me makes such a big difference, it's contagious energy and it's made me picky with who I surround myself with.

What are some of your happiness essentials?
Steph x.