First Ever Sunday Social

My First Sunday Social

It's about getting together, getting to know some new people & being sociable.

So here's some answers to this weeks questions so you can start getting to know me a bit better.

1. Do you plan to change any of your eating habits in the new year?

YES! Recently my eating habits have been slipping so I wanna get things back on track with eating decent foods instead of snacking on rubbish! Moving into our new home I plan on putting our new kitchen which is double the size of our present kitchen to good use! I also have a new bread maker & new food processor so they will definitely be influencing my food choices in the coming months.

2. Any workout tips to get us back in shape after the Holidays?

My tip would be "Work Out".  Just do something.  If you want to see a change in your body, you have to change what you do with it! I have tried many workouts & it really is true if you do something you enjoy you are more likely to stick at it! My fave at the moment is Zumba at my local class.  I also wrote about a review about Nike Fuelband.

3. Favourite thing you did over the Holidays?

We played the game we got our nieces for Xmas - Don't Say It!  All the family round the table playing games is great.  Best part was a 5 year old trying to describe a Goat. The clue was it goes "Grrrr" We were all stumped! It was such fun & a lovely memory of the girls understanding the game quicker than the Grandparents!

4. What is something you hope that you accomplish in 2013 that you did not in 2012?

Probably something that is in the air a lot this time of year.  Weight Loss.  I started off well on my journey last year then went a stray gonna make 2013 my year to do it.

5. Name 3 things happening this year you are excited about and why

Moving House - because we've been waiting for this move so long!! Plus the move will open up so many new exciting things for us in 2013.

My 30th Birthday - growing up this year!

Our first BBQ in our new garden - hopefully we'll have some sunshine this summer so we can really enjoy the garden

Blog Awards

"I have nominated you for a blog award."

Probably the best comment you could receive on your blog, right??

I was very excited, I mean me, a blog award! I have only been rambling on here for 6 months - really an award?

Well ........

A lovely wee logo but what does it mean?

I was nominated by Miya Loves a pretty blog following the Life, Loves & Likes of a blooming beauty. She has beautifully outlined the rules of the award.  I have to answer some questions & pass it on. Right.

I was then also nominated by Teaching with a Fashion a fashion loving third grade teacher.  On her blog she explains the origins are a mystery but that Liebster means "favourite" so it's like nominating your favourite blog.

Great.  It's an award nice award from where, who knows but pass it on to your favourite people.

What a lovely idea!!  The cynical me just couldn't rest with that so off to google I go!

1,690,000 results!! 

WOW I'm in good company with this blog award

Okay so the dictionary I looked up said Liebster was German & definitely a word of endearment. 

So ............

I accept!!

Liebster Award Rules

• Thank the person that nominated you
• Write 11 facts about yourself
• Answer 11 questions asked when nominated
• Nominate 11 blogs with less than 200 followers
• Ask them 11 more questions
• Go to the blogger page & let them know you have nominated them!

Kinda like a tag game, or link up but with a pretty button & a massive acceptance speech! 

Bear with me guys - it's for an award.

11 FACTS

1. I am Scottish but was born in Germany ( my dad was in Royal Air Force so based abroad when I was little)
2. I say I am 5ft 3inches but I am really only 5ft 1 (Size really does matter to some girls!)
3. I have 2 tattoos (& want loads more!)
4. I got my tongue pierced when I was 16 years old
5. My eyes are blue
6. I am on the donor register (Useful thing to know guys!)
7. I was a highland dancer for 11 years.
8. I won the Robert Burns Competition at school for singing when I was 11yrs old
9. I have a letters after my name BSc & RD (posh, eh?)
10. I don't really like chocolate - shock horror
11. I love 80s music & cheesy pop

PHEW - that was harder than it looks!

11 Answers to Questions asked by Teaching with a Fashion

Decided you have to go to her blog to find out the questions, more fun having random list of answers!!

1. To be a paediatrician 
2. Yes, I just 'knew' when I met my hubby
3. Would be New Zealand - not been yet
4. Knitting
5. Speak a foreign language
6. Both but better at Singing
7. Dirty Dancing
8. Online
9. Not into Sports
10. My hubby
11. In our new house!!

11 Answers to Questions asked by Miya Loves

1. No
2. I have 3 penalty points on my driving license!
3. Spring
4. Quiet
5. To get back into my Duchess Sating Coast Dress
6. A doggy, called Bailey
7. Learning new things
8. Grey's Anatomy
9. Knitting
10. Scotland 
11. June 2012

Now to ask my 11 questions - I feel a mix of these two is perfect!

1. When did you start your blog?
2. Describe one goal for 2013
3. Do you have any pets?
4. What was your childhood dream?
5. Do you believe in love at first sight?
6. Are you a Dancer or a Singer?
7. What is your favourite movie?
8. Do you prefer online or in store shopping?
9. What is your favourite thing about blogging?
10. What is your favourite hobby?
11. Diet Coke or Pepsi Max?

Now to pass it on, to 11 blogs that deserve a real award! Check these ladies out.

Please note you if you are on my list I think you are a darling, a sweetheart.  Please remember that when you start writing your acceptance speech!!

The Adventures of Ally

The Curved Opinion

Unevenlemming Beauty

A dress is for life

Bringing along OCD

She's Electric

Sunny Days R'Love

ashLeenikol

The Broderie

Share the Love

Tea Tree

DONE!!

New Year, New review - Nike FuelBand

This post has been sitting with a title for ages.  I was scared to write it as I am not exactly an athlete who needs sports tracking but hey I am joe public & this is my blog for my thoughts, so here goes a post about Nike Fuelband.

Very aptly timed for all your new years resolutions to get healthy or lose weight.

As a dietitian I have the nutrition know how to lose weight but I just can't resist a good gadget to help me on my way.  In fact if you were to ask someone to describe me based on my gadgets/stuff they would probably think I was a gym bunny or health enthusiast. I am neither of these.

I do however want to lose weight & many companies have put some good technology to use in helping you achieve your health goals.  I am currently road testing a few.  The first my Nike FuelBand.

What is a Nike fuelband?

Well put quite simply, the fuelband is a wrist band you wear and it tracks your daily activity.

It also looks very simple, kinda like those charity wristbands that are given out to raise awareness of terrible conditions.  But this is no plain wristband this is a 'Nike' band.  Press the button & this bad boy jumps into action letting you know how much 'fuel' you've earned.  You set a goal for the day & the band lets you know if you are on track.

Mrs Brown's Nike Fuelband

How does is work?

I'll hand over to the nike guys for this one.

Through a sports-tested accelerometer, Nike+ FuelBand tracks your daily activity including running, walking, basketball, dancing and dozens of everyday activities. It tracks each step taken and calorie burned. It also tells the time of day.

Kinda like big brother, the band tracks my every movement & at the touch of a button I know if I've been on a go slow day & firmly in the red or if I'm having a killer day & smashing my goal.

What information does it give you?

From the band you can quickly gauge how much fuel you've earned & what time it is.  Sync it with the app on your phone & you get even more detailed information like, calories burned, steps taken, & active time. Also plugging in your band to charge from the laptop gives you access to past records looking at your weekly, monthly, yearly stats! To keep you going & cheer you on you even get badges, trophies & cheers!

What do you use it for?

Well it works by keeping you accountable to your daily activity levels.  Usually these gadgets are designed for sports people or athletes trying to improve their performance but I think the fuelband is great for say Mrs Brown who wants to lose weight & is struggling with the exercise bit.  You can set goals of how much calories you want to burn, you can try improve your streak, you can look back on what your month has been like - lots of info to keep you motivated to do more activity.

Would I recommend it?

If you want to  MAKE IT COUNT - Fuel up! Nike is racking made easy.  Nike makes me feel included in the sports tracking.  Converting activity into fuel, kinda, makes you able to compete with athletes.  With the fuelband, unlike the trainers & watch - I don't need to be good at sports I just need to join in!  Move - that's all you got to do! Anyway I can/want.  This is lucky for me as I don't really shine in the sports arena.  In fact it's probably why I've stuck with it.

I wear it every day, & yes my enthusiasm has reduced.  At the start I love getting a cheer & would be running on the spot at night just to make sure I met my goal & didn't lose my streak.  Now I have stopped that but I do care if I am on target to reach my goal & it does make me think about how many 'low' fuel days I am having.  So it depends what you are looking for, & it's not cheap! For me it is another useful gadget that keeps me on track.

My fitness resolution this year? Well, to hit my goal more times than last year.  I have also set a goal to burn 10,500 calories in 3 weeks thats 3,500 calories a week - that is the calories needed to burn off 1lb of fat each week!!

Do you have any fitness goals this year?

Any fitness gadgets you would recommend?

Love Mrs Brown xx

What a year! Part 2

I started my round of What of a year! Part 1 but only got half way through before I felt we needed a comfort break!
To recap we are half way through 2012, my mood has lifted, I am back at work, I've started a blog & I've been married a whole year, okay?

July

I went looking for a car & ended up buying one! That was one expensive window shopping trip.  Of course New Car Equals Road Trip.

New car smell & banging tunes - great combo!

August

I am settling in well at work, getting used to the office & patients again when I get a bout of toothache.  This is the kinda pain that stops you in your tracks.  I bite the bullet & decide I have to see a dentist, not an easy decision when you have Dentophobia.  I manage to pluck up the courage & they some how talk me into coming back - cue my Reoccurring Dental Nightmare! I have to say though I am very proud of myself for finally facing my fear & getting my oral health back on track.  I have a few more sessions before I am classed as 'dentally fit' (yes, apparently that is a term in the industry) but I am well on my way to a celebrity worth smile.

September

My birthday month.  Another year older. My work colleagues really pushed out the boat & made me Cola Cupcakes!! I have a bit of a diet coke addiction, something I am hoping may be part of my new years resolutions, if I make any!

They were delicious!!

October

Ahhh my first holiday of the year & I crank up my knitting again.  

My first Brown family holiday! My first time travelling as Mrs Brown! Just before we go on holiday we accept an offer on the flat - We are Under Offer!! & we are now on the move.

November
My second holiday of the year! Another first, this time my first time flying business class.  I think it suits me!!  Also my first time in Turkey & my first time on going out with Mr Brown for business with his colleagues.  A lovely break but I did bring along a bit of anxiety on holiday.

Then my proudest achievement of 2012 - my Glass & Fire Walk for Charity.  Enough said! Just goes to show I can do anything I put my mind too!

We are getting there I promise!!

December

A milestone - I have been back to work following long term sickness with depression & anxiety for 6 months.  I am proud of myself & how I am Dealing with my depression.

I wrote a guest blog post for Black Dog Tribe - Loving Someone with Depression.

We have a new house & move in 14 days!!

And some how I managed to squeeze in another holiday before Christmas in Prague!

So as I wave a fond farewell to 2012 - I say "What a Year!"

Bring on 2013!

What did you do in 2012? What does 2013 hold for you?

Love Mrs Brown xx

T.G.I Friday!!

Thank God It's Friday!

Friday means no work.  Today it means getting back to some sort of normality following crazy christmas.

The aim of the the day is :

Feel Good Friday

So after dragging myself back to work yesterday I booked a pamper session in Sanctuary.  Mr Brown treated me to a lovely facial.  This is no ordinary facial this is so much more.  I get along side my facial, a head massage, a lovely scrub, a hydrating mask AND a neck & shoulder massage! It is an hour of pure bliss from which I emerge with 'bed head' & glowing skin.

I haven't been for ages for any treatments so my skin was badly needing this treat!

As I opened the front door I was greeted with the smell of baking bread, mmmmm.  Our new bread maker is in full swing & looking to be a firm favourite for feeling good.  Today we have an Oatilicious bread to have with my Scottish winter warmer 'Stovies'.

The best part of getting a new house for me is being able to decorate the way I want! So a afternoon perusing the sofas, furniture & paint gave me loads of feel good vibes & ideas for our new home

What do you do to feel good?

How did you spend your Friday?

Love Mrs Brown xx

Little Letters, Dear Santa

Christmas Eve is upon us & for once I am feeling rather organised.  So I've been hop, hop, hopping around some beautiful blogs when I came across a feature called Little Letters.  A link up feature where people can write a little letter to any one or any thing!! 

I haven't written to Santa yet so he was the first person to spring to mind.  So here goes a Little Letter post & my first wee linky up (oooh I feel proud!)

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good girl this year, I think!  I have done a lot of learning, I have enjoyed a wonderful year with my hubby & doggy & I am feeling much better in my mood.  I went back to work part time, & I think I am coping just fine.

I know I'm a bit late any requests but that's lucky as I feel already blessed this year.  So my only wish would be for a happy & healthy new year.

Oh & anything you could do to make sure we have a smooth house move on the 11th of January would be gratefully appreciated!

Hope your feeling as organised as me Santa, 

Safe Journey when you are out & about tonight,

Love Mrs Brown xx

I've thought of a few more little letters I would like to add:

Dear Mr Brown - you are amazing.

Dear Brown family - I love you lots & so happy to be part of a caring bunch.

Dear family & friends - I couldn't have made it through this year without you.

Dear movers - thanks for your help in advance!

Dear flat - you have been good to us but we just need more space, you will always be our first home xx

Dear new house - look out we're coming!

And I think that is enough!!

What a lovely feature? Do you have any one you would like to write to?

Love Mrs Brown xx

What a year! Part 1

What a year! The year 2012 has been a busy one for me.

I read a few yearly round ups & thought it would be a great thing to do.  AND it is!! Going through & remember all the year's achievements is such a lovely task.  I have also read a lot about keeping a jar of memories throughout the year then going through them at New Year.  I may have to try this out!

I have just sat & went through my diary, my blog, & my hubby to work out what happened in the year 2012, hold on to your hats - it's a long one!! In fact think I will do it in two parts!!

January

The start of the year saw me join the gym! Your probably thinking, yeah like a load of other people!! But for me this was a big deal.  This meant over coming fears of a room filled with buff, fit people all pointing & staring at me the fat, sweaty newcomer.  As with most fears, it was no where near as bad! Did I keep it up, well no I didn't but I can now proudly say I have been inside a gym & I might have even liked ;-)

February

I think this is where you start to see me stepping out my comfort zone.

• I enrolled on an online Life Coaching & Counselling course & with 100% on my first assignment I reignited my love of learning.
• I went to a Vintage Styling night at Miss Dixie Belle & thoroughly enjoyed myself!
• I did a days sewing class - finally learning how to use my sewing machine properly.

All these things made forced me to focus on myself.  To mingle with other people, to venture out of the flat & to start living again.

March

This was a tough time for me.  My beloved dog, Bailey was very unwell & the vet couldn't figure out what was wrong.  I started to question myself again but after some tests at the Vet School in Glasgow & a special prescription diet he is back to his chirpy self & helps me through each day. (cue dog photos!)  Also in March having been off my work for a very long time, things started to get very serious with talk of terminating contract & retirement due to ill health (at 29!!) so I had to stand up for myself & March was when I contacted my union representative & started to take charge of my recovery back to work.

April

Hubby's birthday.  Mr Brown is a wee April Fool.  The day when his mum went into labour & everyone said ha ha April Fool but no joke, Mr Brown was born.  He's getting old but still tries to act young - by sticking out his tongue in photos??

In April I had a few sessions of hypnotherapy & although I was sceptical I do think it helped me work through some issues.

May

I was obviously feeling brave & enrolled on a Happiness Workshop.  Me & a full day being happy? Well it was great.  A fab trainer in Lesley & learned some great skills to use NLP in real life.  Just what I needed as we raced through the year.

June

The middle of the year - & things started to get busy!! This was our one year anniversary.  Paper.  A whole year we survived being married.  I got Mr Brown a lovely gift (if I do say so myself) from Tree of Life For You - this talented lady asks you what you want to be included in the design then sets about doing a gorgeous picture entwined with all your memories.  You should definitely take a look at her stuff! Go now! Our picture is even on the front page!!

I went back to work in June.  In deciding to go back to work, we agreed that part time would be a good idea.  So I now work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & enjoy a long weekend - every weekend!!  See my post Monday for Part Timers.  It has definitely made a difference in being able to switch off & I feel that my life no long revolves around work & work alone.  Which is a good thing! All work & no play made Mrs Brown a sad girl.

I was obviously feeling good at this time as I started lots of new ventures too.  I started the blog for one!   Check out my scary first post.

With the help & encouragement of lovely friends I set out starting the Change Challenge.  A weight loss group with a difference.  It was all about healthy eating, but all in an encouraging environment with no selling involved.  The girls did really well & I am extremely proud of setting up such a group & using my skills to help others.  Unfortunately I found the commitment just too much with work & my ever busy head so I had to wind down the group after two sessions, but it doesn't take away from what we achieved during 2012.  So a big thanks to all of the ladies involved.

Only half way through the year & what a year! Soo much to look back on with proud fond memories.

What are you most proud from 2012?

Love Mrs Brown xx