2015, what's your plan?

As we reaching the end of another year, I've been thinking a lot recently about what I hope to achieve in 2015, both personally and for my blog. 

Firstly, the easy stuff - the blog

Engage more with other bloggers

I'm terrible for following a blog, reading, never commenting or interacting with the blogger. I work better with Twitter but I'm determined to get back into commenting, sharing etc.

Set up a paid URL

I've looked into this recently and it's not all that expensive, £10 for 3 years or such for a basic one. It's definitely something I want to do, now just to think of a name. Maybe just Edinburgh Girl? I've check and it's available, although I'm not too sure what kind of 'hits' I may get... 

Set weekly goals

How many times a week to blog? 

Weekly set posts? 'Wednesday Wants!', 'Silent Sunday' 

Work on my photography

We were kindly given a brilliant (and pricey) Canon from Jamie's dad which I would love to get out and use more. I've also go my own Nikon and older digital camera to use. And what's the point in have these if you aren't making the most of them? Also I must buy a photo cube, they aren't exactly expensive. 

I'd also like to find a good location to do 'WIW' or general clothes pics. I live in Edinburgh where there are hundreds of beautiful locations so it shouldn't be too hard. 

Personally it's the same old stuff cropping up with a few new ones. 

Read more

I actually love nothing more than getting into a good book, at last count I had 6 on the go. But that last count was about 8 month ago and since then I've read one full book and that was on holiday. I admit I spend way to much time in the evenings checking my phone, tweeting etc. So I'm going to set aside at least one evening a week where I just sit with my book and co

Driving lessons

We have a nice wee Ford Fiesta sitting outside and when Jamie's away with work it would be nice to have the freedom to just jump in the car and go somewhere. I don't mind public transport or walking but it would be a good perk. Plus I'm sure Jamie wouldn't mind the idea of being picked up from the pub! 

Become a 'qualified' Project Manager

I've been in my job for a few years now Project Manager, Account Manager, call it what you will but I kind of fell into this role and have zero qualifications for it. A few weeks ago I bought an online course for PRINCE2 Foundation (PRojects IN Controlled Environments v2). At the end of my studying I have a two hour exam, passing this won't make me qualified but it does give me what I need to progress to the Practitioner course, after which I would be qualified and have the transposable skills to do contacted work etc, always good practice for the future. 

General fitness & well-being 

In recent months my fitness has been lacking and I'm feeling it in a lot of ways, slight weight gain, lethargic, complete cba attitude and all-in-all it's not good for me, and it's not good for those around me. So, in a bit to be generally more happy, energetic etc it's time to get back to the gym full time, it's time to make programmes fun again not just hours on the treadmill. It's time to get back to weekly PT on a Friday or Saturday, check out Jamie's classes here (not my BF Jamie) and it's time to put back into practice what I used to love, running. And potentially take part in the Skye half marathon. I need to make more time for me. And try not to drop anymore 20kg barbells on my face! 

So that's my 2015 goals & plans, what are yours? Either for your self or for your blog.

New Year, Same Me?

So we're almost a full week into 2014, I'm not sure about you but the turn of the year didn't inspire big change, there aren't any resolutions as such, I have set myself a few goals, most of which I believe are highly achievable, one, erm, maybe is a bit iffy, but we shall see. 

2013 for me was fab. Jamie and I moved in together, we had a holiday in Turkey, a mini break in Amsterdam and London, and as cheesy as it is I fell more in love with his cheeky face that I thought I could. I made some new friends and got to know some old ones better, and at the end of the year I got a bit more responsibility at work which could prove very worthwhile in the coming months. My friends are all very happy in their lifes, there was a new baby, a new relationship, more relationships growing stronger and I know 2014 is going to be full of happiness for them all.

2014 for me shall involve a two week trip to South Africa with Jamie and his folks, us buying a kitten (maybe two if Jamie can be swayed), and lastly buying a house. We were going to be doing this sooner rather than later but due to a couple of things we're going to put it off until November time, unless the right thing comes up sooner of course. 

My goals for 2014: 
Run a half marathon - I'm 50/50 at signing up for the RockNRoll Edinburgh half marathon again, last year I had to pull out due to a chest infection which unfortunately I get regularly. So whether it's a half on my own on a Sunday afternoon or part of a race, that is my running target for the first half of 2014. 

Weigh it up - Ahem, weight training, 2014 goal - squat my body weight, or 60kg, which ever is heaviest (hopefully the 60kg), even if it's just for one rep. At the moment I can do 35kg with very little upper body strength, not to mention squatting does give you a better backside. 

Driving - this is the biggy for me, I am not very co-ordinated and I don't have a great deal of spatial awareness, two of the things needed for driving. But I think it's something I should try, properly, once more. I've had a few lessons with my uncle who's an instructor, but I think that was part of the problem in my head, 'He's my uncle, what if I crash and kill him'. So, maybe a new instructor, a few lessons and see how we go. I do feel bad that Jamie does all the driving, although he does enjoy it. 

Shoot! - In the gun sense. Jamie's dad, as well as being a world renowned vet, also shoots, and culls. I won't go into detail in case I upset someone over the population control of wild animals, but he has agreed to take me shooting - but on a target, and not a moving one. I have shot before in cadets, using a  .22 rifle and a SA80, I enjoyed it, I'm actually not too bad at it and I'm looking forward to giving it a go again. 

Work - My job isn't something I ever thought of doing, in fact, I didn't even know what we do existed until I rocked up 7 years ago for an interview as their receptionist. Slowly I've worked my way into the Project Management side of things and at the end of last year there was some restructuring within the business which left me with a few new clients and more responsibility. My 2014 goal within the work place is to take on extra training, email work etc, and get as much out of it this year as I can.

I've read some good 2014 resolutions and goals, and everyone seems to be going away from the 'norm' of diets and focusing more on goals and achieving more for themselves - I like it. What are your 2014 goals?

Happy New Year

Hi folks, just to wish all my lovely readers a Happy New Year. I hope you all had a lovely time and that 2014 is a fantastic year, whether 2013 was good or bad I wish you all the best for this one. 

I'm looking forward to reading all about it and sharing my year with you all

Xx 

139. Catch-up

I've honestly lost count of the number of sloppy 'catch-up' posts I've done in the last year. I think my blogging bug has gone into hibernation for the winter! But Summer (!) is almost here so I think it's time to dust off and start up again with pointless goings-on. 

So here's a little run down of the last couple of months: 

Some tasty eats: 

• Afternoon tea at Turquoise Thistle (couple of Wowcher & Deal Monster vouchers, yes, that good that I went twice!) 

• Wings at Wings on Victoria Street, (just under the Mariachi), until Sunday (28th April), £2.50 for a bowl of 6 wings, A-MAZ-ING sauces, wings cooked to perfection, and £2.50 corona too (find them on Facebook here)

• Illegal Jacks on Lothian Road - for any local Edinburgers I shouldn't have to specify why Jacks is so good, good food, good music, good beer. GREAT value for money 

• Beer tasting with meat/cheese platter at Brewdog Edinburgh  

I learnt lots about craft beer, and it wasn't boring in the slightest - some good beers, some not soo good (IMHO) but a great experience and worth the money.  

•  pulled pork burgers at Lebowskis  for my lovely friend Adams birthday. 

 Some entertainment: 

• Cats at Edinburgh Playhouse 

• All Time Low (again) at o2 Academyy

• Lots of football watching, including hospitality where I got to meet one of my childhood heroes John Robertson

Some up-and-coming things:  

Eats at Khublai Khan, Basement and Jamie Olivers 

Tickets for Jack Whitehall

New Year in Berlin booked

And lastly, I'd like you to all meet the lovely, gorgeous, sweet, caring (I'll stop bragging now) boy in my life - this is Jamie, who may pop up from time to time on here, or if you follow me on Twitter/Instagram, you'll know all about him by now anyway. 

Jamie & I - Opal Lounge

I've never been convinced that one person could change your life so much, but here we are 5 months later and all going amazingly well. 

So apart from all that, I had my 28th birthday, two of my best friends are due their first baby in July, we've had some brilliant nights out, some good laughs, I unfortunately couldn't take part in the 1/2 marathon I'd signed up for due to a chest infection but that hasn't put me off and I'm hoping to aim towards the Prague 2014 full marathon (time will tell I guess), so that's what's been going on in my life, how about yours?

My 28th - Picturehouse

My 28th - Black Bull, Edinburgh (the cool rock one on Leith Street)