When it comes to the art of having babies and creating life (because that's how totally awesome women are) I've found that there is a lot of negativity surrounding the process. 

Yes, everyone is happy for you but the weirdest thing happens sometimes.

They're dying for you to complain about it. 

Or you'll follow mommy bloggers on Instagram and after a while you realize they can't caption a post without mentioning a negative of parenthood. It can put people off the idea of children, not to mention dampen someones day. Unfollowed. 

I, myself, have always wanted to appreciate every single part of this journey. I'm so grateful to even be able to experience it and every single kick I feel makes me so happy. 

So to put out some positive vibes into the world of #pregnantlife I'm gonna talk about all the happy things you can experience during this crazy beautiful time in your life!

It's the ultimate time for self-care

You soon learn in your first trimester that you have to take it easy on days where your body is adjusting. You can take a much-needed nap, get a foot-rub from your partner, or soak in a Lush bath. I'm not saying you should quit the gym or not get outside (because gentle excerise really helps!) but self-care is your best-friend in the coming months. 

It's a whole new world! 

I never realized how connected the parent world really is. When Moms find out you're pregnant they immediately want to support you and ask all the cute questions. You understand all the pregnant people around you (and trust me, you'll notice them) so you feel like you have support all the time. I know I can chat to mommy bloggers about stuff. It's really cool! 

You know all those adorable baby clothes your uterus has told you to buy all these years? 

Well, now you can! 

Baby shopping is the best. I would so much rather shop for my son than myself already, especially with how adorable all the stuff is. I will happily admit that I used to browse it all once in a while pre-pregnancy, so now that I can I am enjoying every minute of it. It's also great bonding time if you take your Mom, BFF, partner, sister, or baby-buddy with you. 

You'll know love all the time

I've never talked about this with anyone, but ever since I knew he was inside me I get this rush of a feeling every so often that's just LOVE. Like the love that people talk about when it comes to a new life and it's indescribable. Honestly the best feeling in the world and I can't wait until his arrival so I can have that love in my arms. 

You get to wear comfy clothes everyday
This is one of the advantages for sure, especially if you're like me and you live in gym clothes anyway. You're first trimester will likely be filled with lots of bloating, so dig out your yoga pants and best hoodies early. Now that it's summer time I get to dress bump in my favorite dresses to keep cool. No more uncomfortable jeans!



Just a few of the positives I've discovered on my pregnancy journey so far. It definitely has it's ups and downs, but if you choose to focus on the good I promise you will enjoy the experience so much more.

Let me know in the comments what your favorite part of pregnancy is, or what you're looking forward to most!

Steph x.

My Pre-Baby Summer Bucket List

While everyone on Twitter and Instagram are getting in the full cozy Autumn spirit, I have been soaking up every sunny day I can. This is my absolute favorite time of year and I'm so excited it's come around again! November/December means bright nights, barbecues, Christmas music, baking, and wearing all the dresses I have to neglect throughout the year. 

Obviously things are going to be changing a lot around here soon. I'm almost halfway through this pregnancy now (OMG) and this is our last summer before we have a little one to share it with. I thought it would be a good idea to make a pre-baby bucket list to make sure I have no regrets this summer. I live in such a beautiful city and don't want to enjoy it during my favorite season. 

Go out for real-fruit ice cream

Picnic at the botanical gardens

Take Enzo to the beach. A lot. 

Find different walks to do

Try new Christmas recipes

Plant vegetables and flowers

Visit the zoo

Host a barbecue

Take lots of pictures

Get back into canvas painting (for baby's room) 

Go out on a brunch date 

Go to a Christmas market

Get dressed up and go out for dinner

Have the best baby shower ever

Try out some home improvements

Send Christmas cards out

Celebrate Enzo's first birthday with a pupcake

What would be on your summer bucket list? We live close to a beach, so I would love some suggestions! Summer is the best time of year to me.

Steph x. 

First Trimester Saviors

Now that the big news is out I can finally chat about all the things that have been making this time A LOT easier. I'm in my second trimester now and it's true what they say, there really is a lot of hope on the horizon. At 16 weeks along I am officially over the daily nausea and my energy is coming back. I'm even back to running with my Mum on the weekends and feeling really good about it. 

If you're newly pregnant (congrats!) or know someone that is I hope this post helps in some way. Or even if you're like me and have always been curious about pregnancy and wanna learn some tips now. I'm more than happy to share what made the hardest trimester a little easier. 

Yoga Pants 

And I'm talking the stretchiest, most comfy pairs you can get your hands on. I was bloated for the longest time, so I never wanted to wear jeans. Then once the 11/12 weeks bump came in (cutest feeling ever!) anything tight got really uncomfortable. It's like wearing a wire bra all day, you know the feeling? Pregnancy is the best excuse to wear your comfiest leggings, so embrace it!

Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate 

If coffee is a big part of your routine, like me, sometimes you need a hot beverage in the afternoon. I started craving fluffy hot chocolates and found a brand that does an amazing sugar-free version! Since I've craved sour gummy candy this whole pregnancy, it's a great way to keep my sugar levels down.


Berry Smoothies
I've been really diligent with my nutrition throughout my pregnancy, with my baby's growth and well-being in mind. But food aversions can make it impossible to want to eat anything other than mac and cheese. Luckily, being a fruit fanatic my go-to morning breakfast became berry smoothies. They're amazing because you can pack them with so many super-foods to make sure your body is getting what it needs to grow a healthy bubs. Oats, spinach, banana, natural yogurt, and berries for vitamin c.


Snacks. Snacks. Snacks!
Since your eating will be all over the place (thanks hormones) you never know when you'll actually feel hungry again or just need something to settle your stomach. My bag has been filled with snack containers constantly and it's made my day so much easier. Things like crackers, dried fruit, nuts, or rice cakes are amazing to keep handy. I found a brand of crackers I was obsessed with and it was such a comfort to have them with me constantly.


Fellow Pregnant Gals On Social Media
Carly Rowena, Colleen Ballinger, and a few IRL girls I know from school have been giving me inspo for what might be coming my way, and maybe why I'm so lucky I haven't been very sick. I love looking at baby hauls and what foods people have been craving. I love following pregnancies anyway but it's even more fun when you're expecting too. No one wants to feel alone on this journey, so follow all the girls that help keep good vibes.


Let me know how you might have found the first trimester and what helped. Or if you just wanna chat about how amazing yoga pants are, leave me a comment down below!

Steph x.





  

SURPRISE!

Another day, another blogger announces she's pregnant!

On New Years I tweeted something like : 

2017 Plant Mom

2018 Dog Mom

2019 Real Mom 

And what would you know? Our little jelly bean is due April 2019 and we are so excited! And not to mention relieved that this is not a Christmas baby. Of the six of us in my immediate family, five of us have birthdays in December. It's already a crazy month!

So was this all planned? Actually yes. 

I know Steve and I aren't married yet or own our home, but we had an emotional couple of months thinking I was pregnant (on accident) when I wasn't. I had every symptom under the sun, but all tests were negative. I still have no idea what was going on with my body but it made us ask each other if we wanted to start a family. And of course we did :) 

I've always loved the idea of being pregnant and in those few months I had embraced the idea of this new role. I've wanted it my whole life and the timing right now feels perfect. It feels like the biggest blessing. 

How have I been feeling in the first trimester? 

I've felt super-lucky to have had such a mild case of nausea these past few months. I've only skipped a couple of meals and haven't had to take any time off work. Although I have stopped training CrossFit, not because it's dangerous but I've been feeling like I'll throw up if I do anything intense. Food aversions make it a little hard as there's usually only one thing you feel like. For me it's been ALL the carbs: mac and cheese, toast, any kind of potato dish, cheese pizza. 

My other cravings have been: 

Sour Candy

Tuna Subway subs

Falafel

Oranges

Apples
Noodles
Tuna Sushi
Tomato crackers

And on our holiday in Hawaii all I ever wanted was a big bowl of guacamole. 

My craving today is freshly baked rolls with lots of butter. 

I miss runny poached eggs so much. And McDonald's soft serve.  And eating sushi without worrying I'm gonna get some kind of disease. I went off porridge and scrambled eggs for the longest time. It's so hard to eat healthy when you only want carbs!
But what I'm getting at the end will make all of it worth it.

So what's the plan now? 

I've been slowly buying baby bits (that I'm excited to share!) And I'll do a whole post on how were are prepping for baby on a budget. I'm going to start doing my 365 Days of Happy posts again and maybe some pregnancy Day In The Life ones where I share cravings, hauls, and the usual stuff. My boyfriend even thought it would be a great idea to start a new mommy Instagram where I share 365 days stuff on there too, sort of as a way to document my pregnancy and then bubs arrival. It would be super cool to look back on. 

So you can expect baby as well as wedding stuff, and the usual lifestyle posts.

So come join me on this super scary and exciting journey!

Let me know if you are curious about anything or if you are expecting too. I want to document everything about this time of my life. 

Steph x. 

3 Things Making Me Happy Right Now

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.

My Simple Ramen Miso Bowl

Ready for a flavorful and warming recipe you can make in less than twenty minutes? 

I'm all for quick meals that really hit the spot and this is my latest obsession.

It's a meal to have when you need some soul-warming sustenance, but a sandwich just won't do.  

Miso is a Japanese invention and has so many amazing uses. It's a seriously good marinade for tofu or coating for roasted cauliflower. The soup packets I bought only cost me $2.50, so it's a very inexpensive way to get more experimental with your meals. 

You will need: 

2 Spring Onions

1/2 cup frozen sweet corn

Instant Miso Soup Packets

Precooked Udon Noodles
1 cup (250mls) of water

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a small saucepan over a medium heat. 

While it's warming up, chop your spring onions and set aside the leafy ends for a garnish later. 

Add the onions and frozen corn to the pan and cook until the corn is cooked. You don't want to brown them. 

Add a serve of miso soup/paste. I actually add two, but stick with one if you are getting used to the taste. Quickly add one cup of water to the pan too. Bring it to a simmer and add the noodles. 

Stir to make sure the noodles separate from each other and let it cook for only a minute or two. 

Pour into a bowl and let it cool for a few minutes. 

Sprinkle the green ends of the spring onion on top and enjoy! 

You can use whatever noodles you like, udon happens to be my favorite. 

Soba noodles would be great if you're after some protein, or you can stick with the traditional ramen. 

Add whatever vegetables tickle your fancy too. Or top with a boiled egg for texture and nutrients.

It's an "enjoy it your own way" kind of meal!


What would be in your dream ramen bowl?
Steph x.

What I Eat In A Day: 2018

Oh hey there, it's been a while. 

I would apologize for being away for so long (again) but life is so funny and I just needed some time away. But I got those blogging endorphins flowing again and I feel great! I think I tend to worry too much about blog topics, so I'm going back to basics. Sometimes you need time to regroup and figured out what direction you need to go. 

I've been binging on Ugly Delicious on Netflix lately and one of the shows participants is a food writer. 

BOOM. EPIPHANY.

How have I never considered this as a job before?! It's perfect for me right? 

That's what MarvelSteph might just become a food based blog (not unlike my Instagram which is 99.5% food pics.) I'll be mixing in life stuff too, but if food is what makes me wanna write for days, then I'm gonna do it. 

So let's start with a fun one: A typical day of eating! 

Breakfast today was my favorite oatmeal bake with stewed apples. I prepped this super-quickly one night after work and it makes my mornings so easy. Plus I spent the first few hours of my shift really looking forward to my breakfast break. I shared the recipe over on my Instagram recently and have made it countless times already. If you're looking for an easy/delicious start to the day, this is for you. 

My favorite topping is apples and raisins that I've just stewed up over a medium heat with water, cinnamon, and a little coconut sugar. Perfect for the cold winter mornings we gave been having. 

Thursday lunches always take us to one of my FAV cafes in Christchurch, Park Ranger. 

They have amazing cabinet food: fresh salads, adventurous pizzas, and filled rolls that make me wanna drop my rules on carbs. Normally I get one of their salads with a side of haloumi, but the hand-made fruit bagels called to me. Bagels have great protein, plus I had a healthy breakfast so why not. 

Mum and I also split a raw snickers slice. This place makes one of the best ones in the city too! Perfect way to end a meal and start some midday shopping. 

I found a fun afternoon snack at the supermarket today: Apple Chips! I forgot how much I love these. 

Now for one of my favorite meals of the day: My afternoon Berry Protein Smoothie. I've been making these a lot lately and it keeps me so full until dinner time. Plus it's the perfect way to get a boost of protein, calcium and vitamins into your diet. Here's what I used:

1 yogurt tub

1 banana

frozen berry/spinach mix

1 scoop banana whey protein

1 cup calcium milk

It's Taco Thursday! Not really a thing, but I recently bought these cool taco shells that taste like nachos and we are obsessed. I prepped a big pot of bean chili on Monday, so it worked out perfect for an easy dinner. I just toasted them in the oven with some cheese and layered on the sour cream of course. So quick and easy after getting home late from work. 

That's it! A pretty typical day of eating. Most of the time I'm healthy and thinking of what nutrients I'm getting, but with a few treats in between. I love food, so I always let myself have something if my day is already balanced nutritional-wise. Plus I've lost weight recently due to sickness and I wouldn't mind building it back up so I can get back to lifting ALLLL the weights. 

What foodie topics would you love to see on my blog? 

Steph x. 

My Five Fav Foods Right Now

Hi guys, I'm back!

And talking about my favorite topic ever: Food.
Sometimes inspiration starts with the simple things that make us happy and who doesn't feel better after a stack of chocolate chip pancakes?

Like everything, I go through phases with food. Some weeks I'm all about the haloumi, the next I'm trying to make my own falafel again. That's what so great about being a foodie, there's endless fun to be had!

I've been exploring more foods lately and wanted to share my favs. Might be a new blog series on the horizon!

Lentils 

One amazing thing about not eating meat is that you can change around your protein source all the time. Some weeks I'll use chickpeas, then the next its vegetarian sausages or tofu. It's fun! Lately I've been experimenting with lentils a lot. They're so perfect for curries, patties, and adding it to soups on a cold day for some extra protein. I've been buying them dry (for super cheap) then soaking them in hot water with turmeric. Obsessed. 

Oh My Spice Protein Blend

I never knew protein sprinkles were actually a thing, but oh my gosh I'm so glad they are! My bf actually spotted these and we have been adding it on top of pancakes, waffles, and my morning oats. It's like treating yourself without doing any damage to your health, seeing as they have very little sugar in each serve. 

Dried Apricots

I'm all about those snacks that you can keep in your bag for those peckish moments. I am loving dried fruits at the moment and I forgot how good apricots are! Sour and sweet, so it feels like I'm eating candy. And they also give you a burst of vitamin C which is perfect for winter days at the moment. 

Bulla Frozen Yogurt Bars

In a bid to get more calcium in my day, I have rediscovered how amazing these are! It's the perfect evening treat and I am obsessed. They're so damn creamy and I don't feel as guilty than if I was eating ice cream (ignoring the fact that there's still sugar in them.) I'm seriously thinking of making my own with Greek yogurt and puree fruit. Blog post maybe?

Sunbites Snack Crackers: Caramelized onion and Balsamic 

Another snack obsession I have recently discovered and can't seem to stop eating them. The reason I look forward to my fortnightly shop is that I get to find new snacks like this! They kinda taste like corn chips, but with a little coating on top. Seriously tasty! 

Bonus Fav: Quorn Vegan Nuggets

As a veggie you do get jealous of whole chicken nugget obsession. It was actually my standard McDonald's order all those years ago. But god bless soy meats!

What are your current food favs? 

Steph x. 

Why I Should Never Quit Using Lush Products

Yeah, you totally know I got the idea for this post in the shower. 

Yesterday I visited the only Lush store in my city and just like every time I visit, I'm hooked once again. Just the glorious smell of the place as you walk into the mall makes you want to stock up on everything in sight.

Does anyone else still get giddy when walking in?

You know whether you buy something or not, the products you test will leaving your skin so wonderfully soft. And it's always an experience smelling the bath bombs...

The only downside (apart from my budget) is that the store is on the other side of the city. BUT I really want to make it a priority to stick to the Lush products I love and really work well for me.
Here's why:

THEY SMELL SO DAMN GOOD

What do they put in their products? Seriously, it makes you want to be covered in it. Which makes my morning showers so much more luxurious. We all know Lush is great for self-care when you need it, and if you have your favorite scents around it's instant happiness! Anything zesty or honey infused is my jam. 

MY SKIN AND HAIR NEVER FEEL BETTER 

I bought my fav 9-5 cleanser and used it the night of. And BOOM the next day my skin tone was even and it all looked so smooth. That was probably when I had my "Why the hell did I stop using this stuff??" Supermarket brands full of chemicals never make me feel this good. Ever.

I also really want to go back to their shampoo bars and conditioners because DAMN they work wonders too. My poor hair gets neglected at the moment, being so overdue for a haircut and always in a ponytail. It needs some TLC and Lush is gonna be perfect. 

I LIKE THEIR MORALS

Being a vegetarian and someone who tries to have a small impact on the environment in order to help save it, I'm always picky about what brands I use. The fact that Lush are ethical buyers and against animal testing makes me really happy. Plus I also love that they recycle perfectly good pots and don't use plastic. 

THE LESS CHEMICALS THE BETTER

I've been more aware lately of preservatives in my food and chemicals in products that touch my skin. I'm not 100% a stickler for it because it can be quite difficult in the modern world, but I really want to try cut out chemicals where I can. The main reason I trust Lush is because their products expire reasonably quick. You know that means it's natural and don't have many nasty chemicals in it.

Are you with me too? I think we should all try stick to products that make us feel amazing everyday, and ones that match our morals too.

What Lush products can you not live without?
Steph x.

Awesome Posts To Read This Week #3

Who's ready for some blog love!?

I will literally scroll my Bloglovin' feed and Twitter to find new posts to read everyday. Occasionally I come across some that make me just go "Wow this gal is on to something here!" 

I really love doing this series and highlighting some of my favs/new discoveries. I hate it when people say that blogging is dead, because the quality just keeps getting better.
Anyway, here's my favorite posts from the week! 

The Larson House: On Forming Our Bond

I've been following Elsie's blog/Instagram/use her app for a while now and I adore her a lot. She and her husband adopted the most precious girl from China and it's been so cool to follow along their journey. Today Elsie has shared how the early stages of the adoption felt and I would recommend anyone read it. It's heartfelt, realistic, and just gives you an insight into a part of life I've never know much about. Make sure you're following this gorgeous family for positive vibes every single day!

Hannah Gale: Deciding when to have a baby

And she's done it again. Yet another Hannah Gale post I am obsessed with. I actually read this on my break at work and it gave me all the feels. I feel like she touches on a lot of thoughts all women have in their twenties. I think a lot of us have that internal battle between what mother nature tells us we want and what society/our own expectations want. I loved hearing her story and even though I'm not a mom yet, her journey has been a breath of fresh air for what it's really like. You beauty. 

The Blossom Twins: Simple Sweetcorn Fritters

One of the easiest, most delicious meals you can make and now I have a new recipe to try! As soon as I saw the picture for these come up on Twitter I was committing myself to trying these out. I'll normally make corn fritters on a week I wanna do something easy, and you can bet this will be my meal prep starting Monday. I get fascinated by what these girls are cooking and I'm so glad they are sharing recipes now. 

Petite Ellie: Ellie, Blogger, Broke. 

This post is just brilliant. She really goes into a side of blogging that, as she points out, we don't really approach. I am 100% with her and when she talks about not being able to afford all the luxuries you see other bloggers enjoying. Hell, I was excited to buy my new $10 foundation the other day after being out for a month! Am I any less of a blogger? Nope. Ellie teaching us there's no shame in struggling a little.


Lottie Does: Hashtags I Am Loving Right Now 

Thank you Lottie! I actually had no idea that #discoverunder5k was a thing even though I am constantly looking for smaller Instas to follow. My life has been changed! I also never knew there was a tag for Disney-related outfits. My afternoon scroll just got a whole lot more fun.


What posts have you been loving lately?
Steph x.

6 Things I Promise To Make Time For

Can we just take a second to note that this little nugget is almost six months old! You hear people say that they can't imagine life without their pups and it's 100% true. I don't know what I would do now without my fluffy ball of cheekiness. 

Back to the topic at hand, you know when life gets busy and you suddenly realize it's time to step back and look at things. I'm definitely guilty of saying "There's never enough time in the day." 

Uh oh, that makes me an adult doesn't it?

Says the same girl that almost cried at the Christopher Robin trailer this morning. Never mind, I'm still safe. 

But seriously, life moves waaay too fast and it's time to make some priorities. I'm talking about the fun stuff, the times you remember five years later. 

Taking Enzo on adventures
Now that our little spoodle is getting bigger, it's always fun to take him to new places. Sometimes he still gets scared and will jump into my arms (which I secretly love) but I really want to focus on getting his confidence up. While his bones are growing and we can't take him far yet, I'm gonna come up with some adventures that I know will make our little family happy.


Going through my Pinterest boards
I've spent the last three days going through one of my boards and putting them into categories. It's a bloody good time for someone like me who finds it so satisfying. Although I realized there were 2500 pins to go through, but oh well! It's been time well spent and I'm planning on doing the same for more boards too.


Writing a goals list for the day + setting a reward for when I do
I was actually watching Cherry Wallis on YouTube (love that girl) and someone asked her in a Q&A how she stayed organized, and this is what she said. I'm starting to think I need to have a list on my phone or a whole notebook dedicated to my daily goals. Things like cooking meal prep or getting a new blog up. I always need a good list to keep me on track, so this is a great habit to start.


Working on my recipe book
Or just trying new recipes in general. I love to cook, and to bake, and to eat. Especially the eating part. I always go through phases on being inspired, then end up focusing on something else for a while. But I would love to start trying a new recipe a week and trying to perfect the ones I have already come up with.


Making Memories with loved ones
Even if it's just taking our dinner to eat at the beach or going out for ice cream. I wanna make sure we don't get to comfortable and forget to have fun when we can. I'm really lucky that Steve and I have the same days off so we always have that chance of doing something together.


DIY Projects
Taking it back to Pinterest, who else wants to live more creatively? I used to love spending my Sundays getting stuck into a project. I wanna stick cool patches on a jean jacket and make old frames new again for a photo collage. I'm definitely gonna be setting some stuff up because it can be so fun!

I know there are never enough hours in the day, but it's all about making priorities and doing things that make you happy. Hopefully I can come back to this post and remind myself to slow down and make time. 

BTW, does anyone want a six month puppy update? 

Have a great week everyone! 

Steph x. 

My Strategy For A Better Instagram

I absolutely love that Instagram as a way of micro-blogging, even when we don't realize we are doing it. I've always felt satisfied being able to take cute pictures that I'm proud of, taking far too long to come up with a witty caption, and adding it to a feed that keeps getting better (hopefully.) 

I think we have all be colossally stuck on a particular number of followers and even if engagement seems good, that damn number never moves more than a few figures either way. It's a burden we all must face, but nevertheless I stay loyal to Instagram as I pathetically couldn't live without it. 

I've been rather uninspired for a while, as you do, but lately I've had that wonderful spark of creativity and motivation that has me running to Pinterest for ideas. 

I started brainstorming all the ways I could not only grow my Instagram naturally, but to also feel less lonely on the app too. Will it work? Only time and maybe some magic fairy dust will tell. 

1. Post Everyday

Even if it's a throwback to my vacation last year, I want to make sure content is going up on a daily basis. The people I remember most on Instagram are the ones that post stories everyday and pictures to go with it. The effort is there and it seems to be paying off for a lot of people. My life isn't that exciting for me to be going out everyday for lunch to take food pics, so I will be planning each day in a notebook and keep weekend photos/ideas at the ready. 

2. Be Proud Of My Content

Who doesn't enjoy that satisfying feeling of clicking onto your icon, seeing the pictures you've posted lately and absolutely loving it? 

I do!

It feels bloody amazing to be proud of what you're sharing with the world. Getting the right angle/lighting/editing it just right takes a lot of skill. I need to be putting as much effort into my photos as the poor fashion bloggers who are freezing cold in their gorgeous outfits to get the gram.  

Legends. 

3. Creative Food Photography

This is an area I have been wanting to dive in to for quite some time now and it feels like the right path. I used to love doing baking posts, mainly for displaying my final product and taking mouthwatering photos of it all. I have so many ideas saved on Pinterest boards for when I have the time to really practice my skills. I want to be trying new recipes and setting up beautiful pics to go with them. 

4. Start Sharing Recipes

This is one of the main reasons I will follow certain food bloggers on Instagram, as I feel like they offer you a lot of value for simply following them. They normally give you secret recipes you won't find in a cookbook, and it's almost always good for you. I love seeing what other people use to make protein pancakes, banana bread, or how they flavor different meats (obvs to keep the boyfriend happy.) I want to be able to offer my followers the same secret recipes, so look forward to lots of ideas in the coming future!

5. Engage More

I've always found it fun to surf through hashtags and see what other bloggers/food enthusiasts are posting about. I'll always go through and like a whole bunch, as well as follow new peeps, but I need to get better at leaving comments. I always appreciate comments on my own pictures, meaning they were good enough for someone to stop scrolling. Engagement is always up to you and I'm gonna work hard on it.

Who else has been hit with motivation for Instagram lately? It's a tricky app, I know. But I love it all the same.

Do you have any tips for a better Instagram?

BTW you can find me here! Steph x.

Why I'm More Than My 9 to 5

Hello, my name is Steph. 

I am a cook

a runner

a CrossFitter

a blogger

amateur food photographer

a dog mom

a house-keeper

a reader

occasional gardener

and a proud Hufflepuff.  

I work a normal 9-5 job that keeps a roof over our heads and food on the table. 

Am I happy? Yeah I am. Because I've found that success in life doesn't just come from your career. 

I am a believer that millennial kids have it harder these days than when our parents were our age. We are encouraged to go study at University, which is always great life experience. Especially for book nerds like me who weren't ready for the learning part of life to end. 

But after uni?

I think we all question whether we picked the right subjects. Especially when job hunting is an anxiety-filled black hole of scary stuff. And the number one requirement? Experience. How are we gonna get the job when no one hires fresh out of uni kids? Ah dilemmas. 

So when you're faced with the gut-wrenching question of "what did you do with your degree" and your stomach gets a knot while you scramble for an impressive answer. You have to remind yourself that you are more than a job. Adults don't always get it, but that's only because they probably haven't faced what we do today. 

I'll admit that I do become ashamed of my own failures career-wise. But then I open blogger, or Instagram, and I'm reminded of the possibilities I still have. 

Which brings me to a favorite topic of mine: Social Media. 

And I'm not talking in the bad influence, but in how creative and artistic it has made a good part of our generation, and those behind us, become. Just this morning I was scrolling tags on Instagram and admiring how much work goes into getting that perfect table spread for a restaurant flat-lay. Or that orange color-scheme that fits every picture uploaded, with different locations, poses, outfits, weather conditions etc. You can't tell me being Instagram famous isn't a job. 

That beautiful feed is art, man.   

I just love that people are creating beautiful images out of everyday delights. I know it's a highlight reel, but I find it so inspiring and a break from the mundane. My job isn't exciting, but the days I get to spend creating seem so much more precious because of it. It's always time well spent if you ask me. 

I think if you truly want to see a person's character, just look at how they spend their time off work. 

Do they go hiking, visit family, take the dog for a walk, scrapbook, volunteer, go clubbing, go to the gym, or just simply do nothing for the sake of it? That's where you'll see someones passion in life, not in the job they had to settle for because life isn't always golden. But we'll get there.

Some of us have learnt to dance in the rain while we wait for the storm to pass. 

Do you ever feel like this with your job?
Steph x.

March/April Favorites 2018

It's almost May everyone. MAY! I am not ready for 2018 to fly by thank you kindly. 

But that doesn't mean the last few months haven't been filled with lovely things. My beloved puppy Enzo is growing bigger by the day and we took him to the beach for the first time. Easter brunch was epic and I completed my second CrossFit Games Open. 

I've found some new favorite bits and shows this month that have gotten me through some rough days too. Including Netflix shows that I REALLY should have started earlier. 

I am always so interested in watching my favorite YouTubers do these videos every month and I really wanted to incorporate it into my blog again. Monthly favorites are always one of the best posts to read, so send me links if you write one too! 

Without further a do, let's see what I've been obsessed with lately. 

OXX Lip Tints
I went on the hunt for some new affordable beauty products in Kmart and happened along these. I'm someone who's more likely to wear a lip tint or lip gloss, simply because I want it to be long lasting and easy to apply. These only cost me $2 each, so they're not super-great quality. But I was blown away by how much I enjoyed using it and how easy it is to slip into my daily routine. I bought the color Bloom first then had to go back for the other two shades.


Palmolive Peach Indulgence Body Wash
I'm always looking for new fruity scents to try out in my morning routine. The lime Original Source one is still an all-time favorite, but it's always fun to try something new. The words "Peach" and "Body Butter" called out to me and I knew I needed it in my life. It really is an indulgent shower gel and wow does it smell good!


Fruity Eclipse Mints
I have to carry mints in my bag with me at all times and I've sunk to a new low by having mints in my pocket constantly too. And I blame these delicious fruity flavors! First it was sour apple that I found at the gas station, which I can never resist. Then after devouring my first tin I was heart-broken because I couldn't find a replacement. Then the berry flavor came into my life, and eventually sour watermelon too. Super-markets don't stock them yet, but I am enjoying my current obsession with them.

Solitaire, By Alice Oseman
Look guys, I read a book this month! Actually, it only took me three days to read this because I was so hooked on it. I felt like I was going back into my teenage mind with the main character in this novel as she's fighting those tough years I remember well. It's also mixed in with a school mystery that all seems to link back to her. I felt very invested in these characters and finding out who was making all the pranks. I picked this up randomly at a charity shop after recognizing the cover and it was fate. Loved this book a lot.


TEEN WOLF season 6
I became obsessed with this show a few years back, and I still maintain that is it one of the most under-rated shows ever. Don't let the cute boys and 90's title fool you. The series is full of mystery, friendships, cliff-hangers, lovable characters, supernatural creatures, and twists that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Season 6 was released a while ago and I was waiting for it to be available on Netflix. It feels good to be finishing off the series now and it's a good one! Creepy horsemen the make people disappear, especially when they take the series most loved character. I'm seriously hooked on this at the moment and I can't wait for the finale!


STRANGER THINGS
Ah Steph, where have you been? I know, I know, super-duper late for this one. I'm really boring in my Netflix adventures and usually end up watching the same two CrossFit documentaries or Jane The Virgin (both I still highly recommend!) But Steve and I wanted to start a series together and Stranger Things popped out when we flicked through, then BOOM! We were pretty hooked. The thing that got me on this series was the fact that at the end of each episode I just needed to know what was going on. What the monster was, who Eleven really belonged to, will Nancy forgive Steve again?!

We got through season 2 even faster than the first and I have to say that it was a step up! You know I'm in deep now because I've followed the cast on Instagram. Come on season 3!

You guys enjoy the monthly-favorites comeback? 

Definitely gonna try make it a normal edition to my blog if I can. Maybe even weekly favorites too. 

What have you been loving lately? 

Steph x. 

Fitness Wishlist #2!

Apologies for the absence, don't worry I haven't gone anywhere. Lots of stuff has been going on personally lately, so I had zero motivation to be online. It was a healthy break that we all need sometimes. But as you can probably tell, I've been eyeing up some new gear for my fitness life. And oh boy did I find some good stuff!

One thing I have learned is that you can't let yourself get bored when it comes to fitness. 

With your routine, wardrobe, or what you take with you in a gym bag. 

You don't have to spend a fortune, but investing in gear that excites you and can help you up your game is always a good idea. Here are some of my favorite recent finds!

GOLDEN PALMS SET

I'm not normally one for matching sets, but this is pretty cute. I would have to save it for epic training days or competitions. Plus the shorts look high-waisted, which is always a blessing! 

HEROES WRIST WRAPS 

How can it not be a good lifting day with Captain America and Iron Man encouraging you? These could not be more "Steph" really. 

THE BELLA BAR: TOOMEY EDITION

Rouge Fitness are like the foundation for all CrossFit events and are well-known for being the best quality. Lately they have been designing bars with athletes and this one may be my fav! It's for the 2017 champion Tia Claire Toomey and it's bloody beautiful. It's my favorite color and the arrow design is such a cool style. Perfection! 

JAW PULL-UP GLOVES 

One of the main reasons I've had my eye on these for a while is because I've seen one of my favorite CrossFit athletes wearing them. These look so damn comfy and durable. High-rep pull-ups are just so taxing on your hands and these babies would save me for sure. 

GLITTER BARBELL HEADBAND 

How cute is this? I love wearing headbands when I workout to keep any stray hairs off my face. And this is just too adorable. This Etsy store also has some running designs, so I may have to treat myself to a few soon. 

UNICORN KNEE SLEEVES 

Yep, you know I want these in my life. Why have boring black knee sleeves when you can have these epic ones? Knee sleeves help so much with squats, lunges, wall balls etc. Plus they would keep my knees warm in winter!

THICK THIGHS T-SHIRT

Once again, an item that captures me perfectly. CrossFit has taught me to embrace my thighs and I love it. This would be perfect for a laid back lifting day or going for an afternoon hike. 

DEADLIFTS TANK

This Etsy shop has so many awesome tanks with slogans to suit everyone. Everything from boxing, running, cycling, and tacos. Deadlifts are one of my absolute favorite movements, so I would rock this one! 

CHASING EXCELLENCE BY BEN BERGERON

Ben is probably one of the most respected coaches in the CrossFit community and has two 2-time champions under his belt. Whenever I see him talking in a documentary I'm in awe, because he is so good at getting athletes to have the right mind-set to accomplish anything. I've been wanting to read this for ages and will definitely pick this up soon. 

FITAID CROPPED HOODIE 

Would you not be the most stylish person in the gym wearing this? I am seriously in love. Plus this company makes the BEST post-workout drinks EVER. 

NOBULL PURPLE LIFTERS

One of the best brands out there for training shoes and only a handful of people in New Zealand have gotten their hands on them. I've heard they are super-comfy and their lifters are unique because of the wooden soles. Not cheap, but how damn cool are they?

What do you guys think? I feel like there's a lot here to keep me motivated for the gym. I am seriously eyeing up those unicorn knee sleeves...

What's been on your fitness wishlist lately?

Running shoes, protein powder, or a new nike top?

Steph x.