Amsterdam has SO much to do (as i found out after a quick google search) and we definitely had a packed full 3 days. We set off Saturday morning, arriving in Amsterdam around 10am after a super quick train ride from the Airport to Central station. We left to come home at 6pm Monday night and enjoyed a Leon at the airport.

I have never walked so much in life! 36000 steps every day! Yes every day. You could get a transport pass but personally we found walking was a) cheaper and b) you got to see EVERYTHING! We'd seen so much just by walking through centrum on the way to the hotel. We got the IAmsterdam map which has all the key photo-spots and attractions on.

  Park

Sightseeing 

Streetart 

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Superdrug Vitamin E Range 

Vitamin E Moisture Mask - A must for those with dry skin or those who just need a little bit of a moisture surge. I thought this would be a perfect treat for post-Greece skin as, it is important to keep your skin hydrated after a lot of sun exposure. So far, i like this, i don't LOVE it. I haven't seen a huge difference but it is a nice little treat nevertheless.

Vitamin E Toning Mist - Again another one to hydrate the skin in the summer months. Plus, i just really needed a new toner - i haven't used one in months to be completely honest. I feel like a toner is an essential part of the cleansing routine and i have actually missed not using one. It just finishes off the skin perfectly and gets rid of any last grubby bits. This makes your skin feel SO clean but not too dry or tight. Plus you can use it as a refreshing spray or before makeup to get that glowy feel.

Vitamin E All Over Body Cream - Not something you can live without post-holiday! This is so thick and creamy, perfect to hydrate even the driest areas of your skin. I love slapping this one morning and evening plus it isn't a strong scent so it doesn't clash with perfumes or body sprays. This is just a good moisturising base that you can use anywhere. I think i will definitely be repurchasing this, even if it is slightly time-consuming to rub in.

Faith In Nature

Green Tea and Aloe Natural Deodorant - One thing i have never bought cruelty free. After reading blogposts and getting recommendations (#cfbloggers on twitter) i settled for this one as it was something i could pick up in town quite easily. It's the most expensive deodorant i've ever purchased, not gonna lie! I still don't love it, it's OK, it does the job, but still isn't Sure (unfortunately!). I think i will preserve with it for now, but i'm hoping to find a better one. Hit me with suggestions!

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Range

Glycolic Overnight Peel - This i've been dying to try. I have heard so many good things about it. For a glycolic peel it is an insanely good price and a little bit really does go a long way. I haven't been using this regularly so i can't comment on how effective it is. But so far, so good, it leaves the skin feeling really smooth. 

Moisturising Day Cream - I like a face moisturiser with spf in, especially in summer time and this is specifically for my skin type (combination/oily). I really love this moisturiser, for the price you cannot fault it. I have a feeling this is going to last my a loooonnggg time. One pea-sized amount really does the whole face. It's the perfect base for makeup so i use this in the morning but, not at night.

Moisturing Facial Oil - Again i have heard a lot of positive things about this. Another bargain considering the great ingredients and the amount you get. I love using a facial oil at night and i can't fault this one. It isn't too heavy and doesn't block your pores. Put this on at night and you will have super, soft, smooth skin in the morning.

Barry M

Waterproof Lash Vegas Mascara - Hello holy grail! This was the thing i was most nervous about when it came to cf/vegan cosmetics. I wear mascara every single day and i'm very picky about it too. After searching a few Vegan Facebook pages this recommendation came up tops! Everyone seemed to rave about it and for £6.50 it wasn't worth not giving it a try and... I LOVE IT. It's just as good as my favourite Lancôme Hcpnôse at the fraction of the price. And it's waterproof.. it does not budge, you can wear it for days (yes, i've tried) and it survives a good gym session. What more could a girl want?

What is a Liebster Award? 

There are a few variations, but these are the most consistent ones:

This is such a good chance to get to know me a little better. Here goes..

1 What is your favourite blog post you've written and why?

I'd have to say my favourite post is this one here as part of of my Real Talk series. I wanted to do this series to make my blog more personal and controversial. I love reading these kind of posts myself where bloggers get into the nitty gritty and share their thoughts (which others may not agree with) on personal yet surprisingly common issues. So i'm really happy with this post considering it was an idea on a whim, i wrote it really fast. But it's down to earth, straight to the point and shares my honest thoughts. 

 2. What is your favourite TV series?

Oh my, how can i chose one? I've been obsessed with a fair few - Walking Dead, 11 22 63, Gossip Girl, True Blood, Love Island, Nashville, Vampire Diaries, Helix, Geordie Shore, One Tree Hill... I've actually watched far too many throughout my degree. It's quite bad now i look back. If i had to pick one right now based on the one i got the most addicted to, it'd actually have to be True Blood. I was really addicted to that. 

3 What is the best tip you've learnt about blogging?

Best tip is to be passionate about what you're writing about. Don't worry about fitting a 'niche' or creating content you think people will want to see. If you lose the love for it the content will either be crap or non-existent, to be blunt. My old blog here is testament to that, i lost my love and gave. SO BE PASSIONATE. 

4 Where is one place you'd love to visit?

Ugh, these questions are so hard. I can never pick just one. I have a full list of places right here. But if i had to pick one right now it'd had to be... Bali. Or somewhere over that side of the globe. I really want to explore more of East Asia and all it has to offer.

5 What is your favourite book and why?

I'd have to go with 'To Kill a Mockingbird' - a classic. I read this book at the ripe old age of 19 and thoroughly enjoyed it all. It's just one that pops into my mind immediately when this question is asked.

6 What is one thing you've done that you're really proud of?

Passing my degree with first class honours and achieving the highest mark in the whole of 3rd year. Like, wow, that shocked me. I wasn't expecting it at all. I have honestly changed SO much as a person during my time at university. I've valued experiences a lot more, sometimes, putting academia on the back-burner. So i'm proud i was able to live my life, enjoy travelling, exploring, meditating, shopping, watching lots of TV series - all the things for the soul, whilst still smashing my degree. I did work very hard don't get me wrong. So i'm over the moon i pulled it all off #BALANCE #PROUDMOMENT.

7 What is your favourite season? 

I'm a summer girl, hands down. Can't be doing with all that rain and stuff. 

8 Describe one of your happiest days.

I'd have to say last christmas (2014).  I woke up in another country, with the sun shining. It didn't feel like christmas and i wasn't over the moon to be on holiday at Christmas. It just wasn't the same. But we were in Fuerteventura, in the same area that i had visited when i was 9 years old. So i got up, opened my lovely gifts and head down for breakfast. We then had a walk along the coast and when to feed the fish - my ultimate holiday memory! I have never forgot doing that 10 years previous. It was such a lovely day. So full of childhood memories and it was amazing spending quality time with my family instead of sitting at home on my phone or watching TV like i usually would christmas day. 

9 What is your favourite quote? (from a book/a person/motivational)

I have this saved on my laptop as an everyday reminder!

It's a perfect reminder of what is important in life (to me anyway) - experiences! Honestly, live your life and do the things that makes you happy. We only got this one life, live it! 

10 What do you find most challenging about blogging?

Less the blogging but more the promoting, social media side. You have to be on it all the time. So sometimes it is definitely a struggle when working/studying too. Also, replying to comments/replies - i really want to interact with everyone, reply and comment on blogs myself. But sometimes it's just too much when you have little time. I can easily spend a full day doing 'blog stuff' because i do love it but, it isn't always possible. Unfortunately. 

11 What motivated you to start a blog?

Hm.. Well as i mentioned, i used to blog over at Dressing Table Delights. But that stopped due to A-Levels and falling out of love with beauty. I fell head over heels for the fitness industry instead. During university i really got into baking, cooking, nutrition, fitness and all that kind of stuff. Although i do still do beauty/fashion posts now, they're a lot less regular because i'm just not that bothered half the time to make myself look nice.  

Back to the Q (rambler - sorry!) my friend Daisy said i should put all my recipes into a blog so she could make them. I thought about it and put it off. There finally came a time where i just had SO many ideas for posts, it simply didn't make sense not to re-start, i did miss it too. So hello, here i am... again :D 

My Nominations are *drum roll please*...

Lucy @ The Girl On Trend  (a beautiful fashion/beauty blogger)

Lexie @ Lexi Life 95 (an hilarious lifestyle blogger & vlogger - love this one)

Patti @ Simply Luxe Blog (an amazing cruelty free blogger) 

Sarah @ Its Sarah Ann (lifestyle blogger with fantastic, helpful posts - i could browse for days)

Georgia @ Hey Georgie Girl (another cf lifestyle blogger with gorgeous photography)

My Questions... 

1 - What is your favourite hobby aside from blogging? 

2 - What TV series is your favourite to 'bingewatch? 

3 - If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life.. What would it be? 

4 - Are you a tea or coffee type of person? How do you drink it? 

5 - If you could have any, dream career.. What would it be? 

6 - Pick one person (can be anyone in the world) that inspires you on a daily basis. 

7 - When and why did you start blogging? 

8 - If you could pick one celebrity, dead or alive, from the opposite sex to spend the evening with.. Who would you chose? 

9 - Chose one person who's instagram you love #inspiration 

10 - What type of blog posts do you enjoy the best and why? 

11 - Share one random fact your readers may not know about you. 

Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin' | Google+ | Youtube 

25 before 25.. here goes! 

1. Learn to sew and/or knit.
2. Visit America.
3. Go backpacking alone. 
4. Compete in a sporting event - 10k, triathlon, powerlifting, bikini.. who knows? 
5. Go camping. 
6. Try hot yoga.
7. Learn a language.    *27/7/2016 - i'm on it*
8. Take swimming lessons - to become better/more advanced. 
9. Go trampolining.   *11/9/2016 - done!*
10. Visit Brighton. 
11. Host a dinner party. 
12. Read a Shakespeare play.  
13. Visit an academic conference. 
14. Have a piece of work published.
15. Get a pen pal/blogger swap thing.. write to someone basically. 
16. Adopt a pet from the animal shelter. 
17. Take a martial arts lesson.
18. Lose 14lbs.. a.k.a a stone.     *27/7/2016 - i am half way there*
19. Get a facial.
20. Go for a meal.. in a restaurant.. all alone.
21. Go on a cold holiday like Skiing or Iceland in winter or something. Ice Ice Baby. 
22. Visit an ice bar.       *17/07/2016 - done!! In Amsterdam*
23. Go scuba diving/snorkelling - swim with the fishes    *16/8/2016 - Snorkelling (vlog here)*
24. Get a sports massage.. or just a massage. A professional one of course.
25. One month - NO REFINED SUGAR. 

5 things to do before 2016 is up! 

No refined sugar...

This website really helped me. Although eating a mostly vegan, plant based diet does really help you to cute out refined sugar anyway, i do want to really tighten up for a month and abolish those cravings. This means options for a fruit salad instead of chocolate. It means substituting all foods for whole foods. I already buy reduced sugar versions of things like ketchup and baked beans but, instead i will probably make my own. This is a basically a month of whole foods and lots of water. Hopefully this will get my senses, metabolism and digestion a huge kick-start!

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Find a plan that is right for you 

This is so important if you wanna step up your fitness regime. How can you expect to follow a plan in the first place if it's just not right for you? So often we fall into the trap of following a plan just because our friends or our idol do it. Just because it works for them, doesn't mean it is right for you. There's loads of plans out there.. Kayla Istines BBG, Strong Lifts, LDN Muscle etc.. So pick the one you will enjoy. That's the only way you will be able to commit fully and work the hardest. 

Set goals

Ideally, i'd say, not ones based on your weight or body fat. It's so important to set yourself achievable, measurable fitness goals. Give yourself something to work towards. It's easy to become unmotivated if you have no real fitness aspirations. If you wanna kick it in the butt - you have to have something to kick in the butt. So whether it is building up to a certain weight on the bar, or getting a better time running, rowing or cycling or holding a plank for longer. Whatever it is. Set a target: I want to do this, by this date. Stick to it. Do what you gotta do to achieve it.

Hold yourself accountable 

Track the progress you make. If you didn't hit your target.. Why? Set a new target. Take photos of your achievements - they're something to look back on to motivate you to carry on, work harder. Kick it in the butt. You can buy workout log books or just jot down some general stats in a notebook, on your phone or even make a fancy spreadsheet. This helps you see if you're on track and see what you have accomplished! It will motivate you further to kick it in the butt!

Uh-oh. Controversial. But i feel like i really needed to get this post out there. It has been on my mind since i first started the blog actually. I eluded to it on my 'About Me' page. It's a rather personal post and not everyone will agree. But from personal experience and observations i can see the damage that the fitness industry can do to vulnerable people. And sometimes, i actually wish i'd never tried to lose weight in the first place. I wish i never searched #fitspiration on Instagram or Tumblr. I wish i never joined the gym. I wish i never followed bikini competitors. Most of all... i wish i never let my body define my self-worth.

Its true.. for a long time i let my weight on the scales dictate who i was a person. I had to be skinny. I had to look like my inspiration Nikki Blacketter. I had to have goals to compete. Or who was i? Why was i even working out if i didn't want a six-pack to post on instagram or to strut around in a bikini on stage? Nowadays the fitness community is bombarded with competitors. Shredded competitors with minimal body fat. At one point i wanted that. I thought i needed that. But as time has gone on i have realised i need to follow a more balanced approach.

So i fell out of love with fitness. The fitness community. The fitness ethos that i had once been such a part of. I was sick of feeling like a failure if i didn't work out 6 times a week (sometimes twice a day - can't forget that fasted cardio eh?!). Sick of seeing egg whites and protein oats on my instagram feed. Tired of looking at shredded physiques that i felt like i was never going to achieve. And you know why i wasn't going to achieve it? Because deep down i didn't really want to. I really wasn't that arsed. I value eating triple scoops of ice-cream with my family more. Going for pizzas with my flatmates. And sharing a big, fat takeaway with my boyfriend.