Music: My top three Albums so far...

Hey Lovli's,

Hope you have all had a great week and are enjoying the weekend so far!

Today's post is going to be a music related one because it's officially the weekend, and the weekend is when I get my dance on :)

I love music! I love how it can change your mood, lift you up (and bring you down at times), inspire you, change you, motivate you, relate to you, and just make you feel awesome when you need it to!!

Despite all of this, when it comes to buying an album, I have always found it hard  to buy one and love every song on the playlist. I always find myself skipping to that one track, repeating the same songs, and I end up playing the same tunes too much and then the album is pushed to the back of my shelf. I believe when listening to albums you should listen to the songs in the order they were put in, because they were obviously put in that particular order for a reason. So it's difficult when I come across one where I skip tracks that I find boring.

However, I thought I would share with you today my top three albums so far that I can honestly say have been well worth my money. I have loved every track - I never skip - and I haven't killed the songs yet by hitting replay 50 times.

So first up is the amazing 'Breakaway' Album by Kelly Clarkson. The album was released in 2004, and it was her second one following 'Thankful' in 2003. This was the first album that I bought that I listened to the whole way through without stopping. This album was certainly different from her first one. All the songs had a pop rock feel to them, and I could relate to certain parts of her lyrics.

TOP FIVE SONGS

Breakaway

Since you been gone

Gone

Addicted

Beautiful Disaster

Next up is the art pop sensation that is Lady Gaga with her debut album 'The Fame Monster'. The album was released in 2008 and after being a huge fan of her singles 'Just Dance' & 'Poker Face', I just had to buy it and have a listen. The album had two discs, each track was unique, just as magnetising as the one before, and it had a great feel of 80's dance pop to it. I loved how Gaga was honest about being fame hungry in her lyrics, as well as her other main subjects like sex, money, love & identity.

TOP FIVE SONGS

Alejandro

Monster

So happy I could die

LoveGame

I like it Rough

Last but not least is British Boy Band Bastille with their debut album 'Bad Blood'. The album was released earlier this year and is my most recent purchase. I have not stopped listening to this album! I'm not sure if it's because of how sexy Dan Smith's voice is, or because of how each song is a well sung - gripping - story. You'll be familiar with songs like 'Pompeii' that is about the infamous Town 'Pompeii' that became famous after Mount Vesuvius erupted!!

TOP FIVE SONGS

Bad Blood

Things we lost in the Fire

Icarus

Laura Palmer

The Silence

So there you have my Top Three  - extremely different from each other - albums that I have purchased and enjoyed every track on them.

What are your Top Albums? Do you have any of mine? What do you think of them?

I always appreciate feedback - good or bad- and some love and support!!

Comments would be much appreciated lovli's!!

Have a great weekend!!

LoveLove

Elle p

What's in my Bag?

Evening Lovli's,

Firstly, I would like to apologise - to those of you who actually read my blog - for being absent for the past week and a half! I have had a stressful couple of months, but it finally looks like I am on the right track now so I'll be back to my 'almost' daily blog posts for you lovli's.

I want to share my situation and news with you, but I totally understand if this kind of stuff bores you, so feel free to scroll on down to what this actual post is about tonight :)

I am going to try and keep this short and sweet but I can't make any promises. 

So I'm going to take it back to when I was 18. I went to university to study Drama thinking that I was going to come out of it and be the next Hollywood Super Actress, but by the end of my course - after being introduced to Multimedia and babysitting on the side - I realised that I would rather be a video editor or work with Children.

Since graduating, I have tried to get experience in both to see what one suits me best. After a long, depressing year of working for free or peanuts, I decided that the video editing didn't suit me as a 'career', so I put it in my 'Hobby' section and decided to go for becoming a Drama/Media Teacher. For those of you that have read my previous blogs, you'll know that eventually I want to have my own Performing Arts School/Agency, but until that day comes, teaching is the perfect start and career for me to have.

At the moment I work as a Freelance Video Editor, so last week was full of work deadlines, but I also had a job interview for a Teaching Assistant at a school. So my good news is that I GOT THE JOB!!!!

A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I feel much better now, and I am ready to get back into my blogging.

SO, now that that is out of the way, let's get on with tonights post, and as you guys have probably guessed by the title, tonights post is going to be one that has been quite popular. I have seen many of these 'What's in my Bag' posts, and I think it's time I joined the clan :)

Studded Bag - Primark - £12

My bag at the moment is from Primark. I love studded items so when I saw this, I had to have it.

So the first item in my bag is my matching studded purse - that was a fiver - and it is one of the best purses I have had considering how cheap it was. It's got a good amount of space, plenty of room for everything, and it goes with my bag which I've never actually had before (my bad). 

Inside my purse you'll find...

Bank Cards

Unlimited Cineworld Card

Gala bingo Card (only been once ha)

National Insurance Card

Drivers License (100% clean)

Cafe Nero Loyalty Card

Nandos Loyalty Card

Contraceptive Pills

£40

Next are my lip products. I can't leave the house without my glosses and balms to see me through the day. At the moment I have my two favourite Baby lips balms, and two random lip glosses that I found in my make up bag a couple of weeks ago and really liked them.

I'm always carrying mints and gum. You will never see me without them. I even have back up ones for bad breath emergencies. The top tin is from my Boyfriends work place. It's full of tiny mints but they are quite refreshing. Then the bottom is my almost empty packet of Extra White Gum . This post has actually reminded me that I need to buy some tomorrow.

My oyster card. I love the tube when I'm not driving.

Three pens. You never know when you're going to need them. 

My Barclays Pinsentry. For those of you that don't bank with Barclays, this is just a cool device that I have to use when doing my online banking.

My little Owl Purse for my coins. At the moment there is 74p in there. Awesome.

Next I have my scents. I always carry perfumes or body sprays around with me to keep me smelling lovely all day. At the moment I have my Kylie Minogue and my Body Spray from Avon.

Finally I have my Diary/Organiser/NoteBook etc.

I recently decided to become more organised with everything and asked for one of these for my Birthday. My wishes were answered and I even got it in Purple.

Hope you enjoyed looking inside my bag lovlis, and remember I really appreciate comments/feedback and/or just some love and support for my blog.

LoveLove

Elle P

The Elle Must Get Fit Project - Week 2

Evening Lovli's

Sorry for the late update, but I have had a busy night. As you will discover as you read on, I haven't had a very active week -in terms of fitness- so I will save you all the babbling on (and excuses), and just give you a short and sweet update tonight :)

Last week was a pretty stressful one for me! I had a lot of work deadlines to get through, was acting as the family taxi for the majority of the week, and that meant I hardly had any time for exercise or getting creative in the kitchen with healthy recipes.

However, as I approached the scales this evening I was quite shocked to see that I had only gained half a pound (which isn't much), so I left feeling happy - knowing that that cheesecake I ate on Friday had obviously not attached its fat to me yet - and even more ready to get straight back in to it this week.

This week I'll be stepping up the exercise again. I am going to run on my treadmill this week 4 out of 7 days, eat as healthily as I can, and I want to come back here next week with a 3-4 pound weight loss!!

FOOD DIARY

The healthiest foods I ate this week would have to be my Homemade Soup, Chicken Casserole, and my Special K/Weetabix Breakfasts!!

Now it's getting colder, I'm starting to swap my cold salads for soups and jacket potatoes, and I'm pretty sure that's what I'll be living off over the winter (and the odd hot chocolate).

So that's all for tonight lovli's ;)

Remember I would love some feedback -good or bad- and I am always open to suggestions and tips on fitness/health :)

Goodnight x

Elle P

Me? Nominated for a Liebster Award!!!!!

Hey there Lovli's

I am actually so happy (and thankful) to have been nominated for a Liebster Award by the lovely Gracie at gracieswideworld.weebly.com. Please check her site out (she is awesome)!!!

I have only just joined the blogging circle, so to know that someone like Gracie has enjoyed my posts enough so far to nominate me is such a nice feeling. Thank you lovli :)

So from what I have read, this is how it's going to go down....

1: I am going to give you guys 11 facts about me!!

2: I am going to answer the 11 questions set for me by Gracie!!

3: I am going to nominate 11 upcoming bloggers of my own!!

4: I am going to set my own 11 questions for my fellow bloggers :)

11 facts about Elle :)

1: I am 3/4 Greek Cyriot and 1/4 Welsh (random combo I know).

2: SPURS SPURS SPURS. That is all!!!

3: I own over 50 Owl related objects, clothes, jewellery & teddies (I'm not obsessed).

4: I studied Drama and Performance at Uni and graduated in 2011.

5: My favourite colour is Purple. Everything should be Purple!!

6: I'm scared to death of really deep water. The end.

7: I have three teddies (two of them Owls) that I don't sleep without and they are called Edison, Skyla & Boo.

8: I was a backing singer for Michael Jackson at the World Music Awards in 2007.

9: When I was younger, I believed I was Ariel from 'The Little Mermaid', and finding that red wig made my day!!

10: I plan to open up my own Performing Arts School one day!! It's gonna be awesome!!

Questions for me!!

1: What's your favourite make up brand?

My favourite makeup brand would have to be Mac. I have never been let down by any product I have bought from them. Big thumbs up!!!!!

What's the best item of clothing you've ever bought?

My Black Midi Dress!! Fits perfectly (for once) , hides the bad stuff and shows off the good stuff. I love it!!

Any hidden talents?

I can sing? I went to various performing arts schools when i was younger and got my solo on many times!!!

Why did you start blogging?

It's something I have wanted to do for ages, but could never decide on what to blog about!! So I decided to blog about anything and everything :)

What's your favourite season and why?

Mmm tricky!! I think Summer because my Birthday is in July, and I love getting out the shorts and bright colours :)

What's your favourite part of blogging?

I love talking to new bloggers about our blogs. It makes me feel part of the gang, and it's fun :)

Your top 3 autumn must haves?

I get cold real easily so my first two top autumn warmers would be Ugg Slippers (awesome for days at home), and Funky Ear Muffs (so your ears don't freeze and fall off). My hair goes crazy in the windy, cold weather so my third must have would be Tresemme's Hair products (to keep my frizzy hair tamed, soft and smooth).

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I am hoping to become a Drama/Media teacher, but my ultimate dream is to open up my own Performing Arts School/Agency :)

Would you say you're fashionable? 

I wouldn't say I am a Fashion Freak. I wear what I want and it's not always fashionable, but it's me :)

What's the one item you can't live without?

As sad as it sounds, my iPhone!! It has my connections, photos, music, diary, planner etc. My whole life pretty much!!!

Do you prefer bright or dark nail polishes?

Bright!! I love pastel colours and dark nail polish just does not go with me :/

The Blogs that I think deserve some more attention :)

 Gracie at gracieswideworld.weebly.com

Hannah at hannahsbeautysweet.blogspot.co.uk

Shona at shonaelizabeth.blogspot.com

EmmayBelle at EmmayBelle.blogspot.com

Anoushka at Anoushkaloves.com

Maggie at ushiroda.blogspot.jp

Marjoleeine at marjoleeine.blogspot.com

Kenzie at lemonaidlies.blogspot.co.uk

L. Marks at themakeupsquid.blogspot.com

Hannah at hannahsbubbe.blogspot.co.uk

Lucy at insideherwardrobe.blogspot.com 

My Questions for you lovlis!!!

 1: Tell me a fun fact about yourself?

2: What did you want to be when you were growing up and what are you now?

3: What is your most embarrassing childhood story?

4: What would you say your worst habit is?

5: What do you like about blogging?

6: If you had a super power, what would it be?

7: Your biggest fear?

8: How many shoes roughly do you own?

9: Favourite movie of all time?

10: How many teddies on your bed and what are their names?

11: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be and what would you be doing?

Hope you accept my nomination lovlis, you all deserve it, and let me know if you accept it :)

LoveLove

Elle P

The Elle Must Get Fit Project - Week One

Hey Lovli's

Time for this weeks update on the 'Elle Must Get Fit Project'.

So I have literally just got in from my Monday SW session (haha), and I am pleased to say that I have lost 3 pounds since last week (go me!!).

Although I'd like to keep how much I weigh to myself, I will say that at a size 14, I'd like to lose another stone (maybe a bit more) by Christmas, and get back to a nice size 12 :)

So getting back in to a routine can be hard sometimes, especially when you are a Freelance worker like me because you never have a set schedule. However, since getting back from Cyprus I have been working from home, so introducing exercise back in to my life hasn't been too hard this week!!

EXERCISE

Cardio is one of the best forms of exercise for me as it makes me feel like I'm actually doing something!! I get all hot and sweaty (sorry), and I feel completely worn out after I workout! Now, I am quite lucky as I have my own treadmill at home - and as I can't afford to go to the gym right now - it's perfect for me to use whenever I want. This week I went on it twice for 30 minutes each time. Usually I just start running and end up not completing the 30 minutes, but this week I followed a workout plan from a fitness blog I follow on Twitter and I must say, it was awesome!!

Notice how late I stay up sometimes (it's not healthy!!!)

It's an easy plan to follow, it's good for beginners or people getting back in to exercise like me, and it changes things up instead of running for the same speed and incline throughout your whole workout!!

If you go to the gym or have your own treadmill at home, try this workout plan out :)

I also walked a lot at the weekend which is just as good and effective as running is :)

Food

In terms of food, I will never be one of those healthy eating obsessors who refuse to put anything bad in to their body. There's too much temptation, and quite frankly, I enjoy eating certain foods that I know are bad for me, because they taste so damn good!!!

However, I do try to balance all my good and bad food out, and eat in moderation. If I know I have a birthday coming up where alcohol and cake will be in my face, then that week I will eat well and exercise a lot to keep it balanced.

This week in particular, I was visiting the theatre, and I knew I would be drinking fizzy and eating chocolate, so the rest of the week I ate pretty healthy foods, and I exercised quite a bit.

One of my typical healthy days this week looked like this.... 

Breakfast

Weetabix with Blueberries

Perfect breakfast for me. It fills me up until lunch time, and blueberries are a great fat burner ;)

Lunch

Jacket Potato with Tuna, Cheese and Salad.

Sorry for the no photo for this one (oops). I love Jacket Potatoes, and I prefer to have a big, heavy meal for lunch rather than dinner. This definitley fills you up :)

Dinner

Mushroom & Prawn Pasta

I like to experiment and this particular meal I got from one of the SW recipes (I was lucky enough to have my boyfriend cook it for me).

This was so tasty, and swapping normal cheese sauce for fat free fromage frais made it even better (and healthier).

You must try this if you like pasta dishes, the recipe will be at the end of this post :)

So that was just a glimpse at what I did last week to get that weight off for today!! This week I am going to step up the exercise and workout three days a week and go for my usual walk through London (if the weather is not too bad). I'm going to try another healthy recipe, and hopefully get some more good results next week :)

Do let me know if you try this recipe, and feel free to make any meal suggestions or exercise tips :)

LoveLove 

Elle P

Recipe of the Week - Creamy Mushroom & Prawn Pasta 

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Low Calorie Cooking Spray (I used Fry light)

350g Mixed Mushrooms, halved, sliced or trimmed

2 Large Garlic Cloves, Crushed

Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

250g Baby Spinach Leaves

225g Frozen Jumbo King Prawns, thawed

150g Fat Free Natural Fromage Frais

Pasta of your choice (I used Spaghetti, but Tagliatelle was recommended)

Instructions

Spray a large frying pan with low calorie cooking spray.

Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook over a high heat for 3-4 minutes.

Season to taste.

Stir in the spinach and prawns and cook until the spinach has wilted and the prawns have cooked through.

Add the fromage frais and couple of tablespoons of hot water, and stir until smooth.

Spoon the prawn mixture over your favourite pasta to serve.