Everyone talks about Disneyland being a magical place, and I can definitely confirm that it's true. The whole day wasn't perfect, but there were some pretty special moments that happened to all of us. Even as grown-ups we had the best time and could feel a bit of the magic around the place. I thought I would share my magical Disney moments with you and see if you've ever experienced some magic at a park too!

Meeting Kylo Ren 

This wasn't something I expected to happen at all that day, which only made it even more fun. My family and me went into the Star Wars Launch Bay, which is full of awesome props from the movies. My brother jumped in line for something and I joined him not knowing what it was. The awesome and hilarious cast members kept us entertained in line then we went through to meet him. It was pretty scary! You hear is big boots coming then he marched us over to take photos. It was awesome! 

Riding the Tea Cups with my family 

There's something so iconic about this ride, so it had to be done. Everyone in line was so excited to get on and we all ran to an available tea cup when we were let in. Me, Mum, Dad and my brother all hopped into an orange one and spent our time laughing as my Dad spun us super-fast. It was just one of those moments where you feel pure joy. I loved it so much!


Paint The Night Parade 

 

The funny thing is, no one in my family was that enthusiastic about seeing the parade. We all thought it was just for kids. But after it caused the park to get a bit chaotic, we decided to hop under the rope and watch it anyway. It was absolutely stunning and I even started getting a few tears in my eyes because it was all so magical. The floats are beautiful and the music makes the atmosphere really fun. Adults definitely enjoy it as much as the kids do!


Pretending to be a X-Wing pilot at Hyperspace Mountain

 I'm a massive Star Wars fan, which is why Tomorrowland was probably my favorite part of the park. There was a huge line for this ride all day, but we finally bit the bullet and it was well-worth the wait! You sit in the pilot seat during a flight mission and dogfight with Imperial fighters (I know I sound nerdy, so bear with me.) The visuals definitely need updating, but it was still one of my favorite rides of the day. I had the biggest smile on my face when it was over.


Forever Fireworks Spectacular

Everyone always talks about these fireworks and now I know why. We got a prime spot looking right at the castle, which projects scenes from some of the best Disney movies. It's a total experience with the fireworks, favorite songs blasting, and they even made snow float down during the Frozen part! I genuinely shed tears as I watched the whole show. It was pure magic.


Best Churro I've ever had! 

It was on my bucketlist to eat a churro at Disneyland, so I was determined to make it happen. As we watched the second parade of the night, we finally found a vendor still selling them. They were honestly the best churros I've ever eaten! (and I've had quite a few in my time.) Super-crispy and delicious, it was the perfect way to finish off a magical day at Disney.



Have you ever had a magical Disney moment?

 Steph x.

What I Ate: A Day At Disneyland!

Breakfast

We ate really quickly before leaving the house since we had a long drive to get to Disney. I made some quick oats with chopped banana and strawberries on top. Perfect way to get some energy for an exciting day!

After visiting a few attractions we were desperate for a mid-morning caffeine fix. We visited Starbucks on Main Street to order some coffees, and we couldn't resist getting this Mickey cookie! It was pretty delicious. 

Lunch

We were wandering around Frontierland and came across the Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante. It's an awesome Mexican grill and the best part was sitting outside and watching the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad go past (we went on straight after lunch and it was so fun!) I got the fish tacos and it tasted pretty good. I would definitely go back there again. 

Second Starbucks run of the day! The others got cold drinks, but I went for another cappuccino. We also got one of these little snack boxes to share and keep up our energy levels. Taking breaks during your day at Disney is really important, especially if you want to make it to the fireworks show!

Dinner

After getting soaked on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, we decided to dry off while eating dinner. My Mum really liked the look of these bread bowls from Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square. I got the vegetarian gumbo and sat opposite the Rivers of America to eat. I didn't manage to finish it all, because I was saving myself for a churro later in the evening. 

Dessert

To escape the pre-parade mayhem, we stopped by the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe for a little treat. The shop itself is super-cute and would make a great place to get lunch or an easy dinner. I got yet another coffee, plus shared this gorgeous raspberry Mickey macaroon with my Mum. It was amazing! Plus sitting outside with all of the lights and watching people go by was part of the fun. 

After the fireworks show and a long wait for the Peter Pan ride, we caught the beginning of the second lights parade and I finally found a vendor still selling churros! We bought a few and munched on them through the show and on the walk back to our car. It was definitely one of the best I've ever had.

I should add that I made sure to drink a lot of water throughout the day as well. I kept buying a bottle at each stop to make sure I wasn't getting dehydrated in the sun. 

And that was my day on a plate at Disneyland! There were so many other choices that I wanted to try and treats that I need to go back for. Disney spoils you for choice and it's definitely a part of the experience.

Do you have a favorite food you can only get at Disney?

Steph x. 

Snaps From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Like all other Potterheads, I'd dreamed of visiting Hogsmede at Universal Studios since it was announced. I was lucky enough to be able to finally make the trip and it was everything I had hoped it would be. There were little gems hidden in every shop and you can even hear Moaning Murtle in the bathroom!

The best part was the waiting journey for The Forbidden Journey ride, which takes you through Hogwarts castle. You get to walk through Dumbledore's office, Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and really feel like you're in the hallways. It felt like home! The ride itself let's you ride a broom with Harry on the Quidditch Pitch and around castle grounds, and I loved every second. Also, Butterbeer is awesome!

Have you ever visited WWOHP? 

Steph x. 

What's In My Carry On Bag!

Hello Everyone!

It's that time of year again where I get to hop on a plane and go on a new adventure. I realized the other day that I haven't had a full week off from work since this time last year. It's safe to say that I'm feeling a little exhausted mentally and it's time I had a little break. I'll still be blogging, but I might just be a little slower uploading than usual.

I'm going to be flying to LA with my family, staying for a week then moving on to Seattle and Hawaii. I thought it would be cool to show you what I'm bringing with me for the flight, especially since I always get so curious as to what other people bring. These are my go-to essentials for long flights:

Entertainment

A New Book

This is a little holiday tradition that I started years ago, where I always have a new novel to start at the beginning of a vacation. I'm a massive bookworm, so this just adds to my excitement. It's also great to have a book ready in case you get sick of staring at your entertainment screen and you need something quieter to do. I usually whip it out when I'm waiting to board too. This year I chose Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.

Laptop

This one is half because I don't want it getting damaged in my luggage, and the other half because there's always blog work to do! You never know when a great idea might hit you and the need to start typing immediately. There's also going to be some waiting time at airports, so I might as well get some editing done. Or just use the free wifi to scroll Twitter...

Ipod + Headphones

Because I can't go far without my music! I struggle to sleep on planes, but a good playlist always helps me chill out and send me off snoozing. I always use my big over-ear headphones for the entertainment screen, since the sound quality is so much better if you bring your own. I'm gonna be loading up my Spotify with some good music for my flight!

Notebook

You all know what a journal hoarder I am, so I wouldn't get on a twelve hour flight without taking one with me, would I? In this case, I'm going to be keeping my Bullet Journal with me since it's going to be used for quite a few different things on this trip. You never know when you need to write down a few notes or ideas that you don't want to forget. Or you get bored and want to doodle on the page to keep entertained.

Camera Bag

DSLR/Instax

The main reason I always carry these on board with me is to avoid any damage or theft at the airport. I've seen how rough they handle bags and the thought of my SLR getting broken makes me want to cry! That thing is in my hand constantly when we're traveling, so I like to keep it with me always. The same goes for my Instax camera, I just like keeping it in my backpack, which is pretty well padded anyway, and stowing it in the over-head locker where I know it won't move much. It's all about peace of mind knowing that my cameras are safe.

Beauty Bag

I have a little clear pouch that's perfect for flying with and I whenever I need to freshen up on the plane, I can just grab it and go. My night-time moisturizer is the first thing I pack, because if there's one thing I've learned from beauty YouTuber's, it's to moisturize well when flying. I good lip-balm is equally as important for the same reason. I'm also bringing: facial wipes, hand cream, throat lollies, deodorant, hand sanitizer, and BB cream for when we land and I want to look a bit fresher.

And that's it! I usually watch a lot of movies and try getting some sleep on long night-flights, but I still feel better bringing these things with me.

What are some of your flight essentials?
Steph x.

Why I Choose Clean Eating & Tips for Starting!

Choosing a healthy way of eating that works best for you is equally as important as joining a gym, if not more, when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. My own food philosophy has evolved a lot over these past couple years and eating clean has been the most significant part of that. I have honestly never felt better than how I do now with my eating habits, obviously bad days happen and I need a treat or two, but I never feel guilty anymore. As a disclaimer, these are my own personal views that are meant to help others understand eating clean better. I know it's not a lifestyle that suits everyone, but it's a topic that I feel very passionate about. And always talk to a doctor or nutritionist before making any big changes.

So, what is clean eating?  

Just think of the freshest food possible that is pure and nutritious for you. There's no baddies like artificial sugars or preservatives going into what you eat and doing damage to your body. Eating clean means focusing on wholesome food that only relies on natural ingredients to give you flavor and nutrition. It's fueling yourself with nature's best!

So, how did I get into this clean eating lifestyle? Well, one Saturday morning after a run about three years ago now, my Mum and I thought we would try a new cafe that she read about in a magazine. We found so many healthy choices that tasted incredible, not to mention the best coffee I've ever had in my life! Pure Cafe Co. introduced us to a philosophy and lifestyle that we would grow to love and practice everyday. Every single time we left after eating breakfast there, my whole body felt so unbelievably clean and happy. I become obsessed with feeling this way and haven't looked back since!

Start Small With Replacements

If you're just starting to eat cleaner, don't feel pressured to be like the foodie Instagrammers with their salad bowls and smoothies that are works of art in a jar. The best way to start is to make a few simple replacements into your routine and go from there. Your everyday breakfast is a great place to begin; swap your old cereal for eggs on wholegrain toast, or load up some porridge with yummy toppings. For dinner, have brown rice instead of white with your meal. Start with small changes into your everyday diet and you'll be on your way!


Find what you love, and eat lots of it! 

There's all sorts of different healthy alternatives that you'll find associated with clean eating. So many grains and flours to try out, as well as your usual fruits and vegetables. It can be a little overwhelming, so I find that it's great idea to build a list of staple ingredients that you've tried and enjoyed. For me, I can't live without oats, bananas, almond milk, buckwheat flour and whey protein. Having healthy options that you genuinely love will help curve cravings for junk food and you'll barely notice how healthy you're eating! If you love quinoa, stock it in your cupboard every week. Get creative and try new recipes full of your favorite vegetables. Eat the good foods that you love and your body will reward you.

Grow your understanding of Nutrition 

This has been really important for me on my fitness journey and they're two lifestyle elements that have to work well together. By beginning to understand the basics of how protein, carbs, sugars, and fats work with (or against your body) can be a real eye-opener into how powerful food can be. Clean eating is all about nourishing your body and fueling yourself with foods that can heal you too. There's tonnes of great articles in health magazines that give you great advice on the benefits of particular foods. I truly believe that food can be the best medicine, and it's where I look to first if I ever become unwell. The further I get into my journey, the more curious I am to learn more about food science.

Stick to the purest forms of food

 This is pretty much the golden rule of a clean eating lifestyle, and it's also what makes your body feel amazing. Being smart about knowing what's going into your body will give you the best results. It's the processed foods with preservatives and an overload of sugar that causes you harm and leaves you with that bleh feeling. Try to avoid anything from packets or jars, and get creative in your kitchen instead! You'll feel the benefits of it pretty soon.

What you eat is one of the few things in life that you have complete control over. By eating clean foods, you'll get benefits from every point of your lifestyle: weight-loss, better mental health, more energy, and clearer skin. It's not as boring as you think, and you can still have some of the foods you love!


What do you think about the clean eating lifestyle? I'd love to know!

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.

My Disneyland Bucketlist

I've probably started annoying some of you with my holiday talk, but I'm so excited because in a few short weeks I'm going to be in Disneyland! Coming from New Zealand, it's been a childhood dream to go to one of the parks, but America is just so far away. Time (and my parents) have been kind to me and I will be able to be a kid again for a day. 

I thought it would be cool to jot down a bunch of things that I really want to do, especially since we only have one day there. I really want to make the most of my experience, so here's my Disneyland Bucketlist:

Buying a pair of Minnie Ears and wear them the whole day

Eat a Mickey-shaped churro (or two)

Ride the tea cups with my Mum

Touch Snow White's apple and hear the witch's laugh

Get my hands on some Dole Whip from the Tiki Room 

Explore Cinderella's Castle

Ride Splash Mountain (and get soaked!)


Take a picture in front of the castle. All the selfies!


Stay and watch the fireworks show


 See the Iron Man suits at Innoventions in Tomorrowland


Yell "Andy's Coming!" at the Toy Story characters and see if they drop down


Make a wish in Snow White's Well


Visit the Star Wars Launch Bay and check out the props


Tour Tarzan's Treehouse




Let's see if I can do it all in one day!

What's on your Disney Bucketlist? Is there anything I should do?
Steph x. 

Recipe: My Every Morning Energy Porridge!

Fun fact for you: I hated porridge until a couple years ago. I never used to have it as a kid and when I did, I don't remember enjoying it. That all changed thanks to YouTube/Anna Saccone for showing me that if you add some delicious toppings, porridge can be amazing! 

These days I have porridge almost every morning (because Sunday pancakes are a must!) and I am yet to get sick of it. It's such an easy and quick breakfast that will keep you fuller for so much longer than other alternatives. When it comes to taste, it's all about being creative with your toppings and finding combinations that you love. It can even help you get more nutrients into your diet and start your day feeling great! Who says porridge has to be boring anyways? Here's my recipe that I use every morning that always gives me loads of energy before I head off to the gym: 

Ingredients:

(Serves one)

1/3 cup Oats

2/3 cup Almond Milk (or your milk of choice)

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Chia Seeds

Optional: 1/2 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder 

Mix the oats and milk in a small saucepan over a medium heat, stirring regularly. When it begins to boil and it has thickened well, take the saucepan off the heat and stir in the cinnamon/chia seeds. 
Pour into a bowl and have fun with some toppings! 

Toppings: 

Go nuts with whatever fruits you love the most! I love having banana and blueberries as a classic combination, or grated apple something different. 

Adding a little bit of honey for extra sweetness is also amazing. 
For some extra energy, why not find a nut & seed mix to sprinkle on top! It gives you great texture too. 


If you want to make porridge for other members of your family, just remember the 2:1 ratio of milk and oats for perfect servings!

What are your favorite porridge toppings?
Steph x.

Daily Blog: Finding Snow, Olympics & Suicide Squad!

Happy Saturday! 

Starting my weekend the best way possible: sleeping in and having breakfast in bed with YouTube playing! This is probably the most relaxing part of my week and I love it so much. 

Getting some blog posts written this morning. I had total writer's block yesterday, so I'm happy that my head feels a bit clearer today. 

I'm also in the middle of organizing my bullet journal for my holiday in two weeks. I've drawn out a monthly planner, blog post ideas, wishlist, and now I'm working on my Disneyland Bucketlist. I've got a whole post on it coming for you very soon! 

Time for our Saturday morning run! The weather is very sketchy today, so I'm taking my waterproof jacket with me. 

Everyone in Christchurch has been talking about getting a snow storm through, but sadly we haven't had much. I love snow! These little patches are the only signs of it that we could find. Was still kinda cool. 

Finally time for food! My legs struggled a bit running today and the thought of food sometimes gets me through. Of course I got a protein ball, and a quinoa fritter with salad. It was all so good! 

The weather is so crazy today! It's very typical of NZ, it changes every few minutes.

Mum and I stopped by one of our favorite sports stores, because it wouldn't be a weekend without visiting one. She wanted to pick up some tape and rehab balm and I managed to get the resistance band I've been wanting on sale! I'm taking it on holiday with me for morning workouts and to keep up my strength training. I've been working so hard on it and lately and I don't want to lose it!

Currently watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics! I love doing this every year with my family and to make sure I cheer on the New Zealand team.

Time for some food before I go off to work. It's leftover buckwheat and ricotta gnocchi from dinner last night with a bit of fennel salad.

Back home from a night at work and it's time for my sanity meal of the week! We always get Fish & Chips on a Saturday and I feel like it helps me keep a good relationship with food. Treats are okay every once in a while and it makes working hard on my training all week so worth it.
And of course it wouldn't be Saturday night without binging on a few episodes of Chuck!

Off to see Suicide Squad now!!

OMG you guys I loved the movie! I thought it was so good, the characters (apart from the Joker...) were hilarious and had such great depth to them. I mean, you can't go wrong with Will Smith.
It definitely lived up to my expectations and is the best DC movie I've seen since the Dark Knight trilogy. Deadshot and Harley Quinn just carried the whole movie, it was awesome.

What did you guys get up to this weekend?

Steph x.