My current obsessions

1. Game of Thrones (the TV show) Frankly, who isn't obsessed with Game of Thrones; I mean just LOOK at Jon Snow! Talk about gruff! I'm in the process of reacquainting myself with seasons 1 and 2, before moving onto season 3, which Cheryl kindly loaned to me. I know she's dying to gossip about season 3 with me, so I'm moving through 1 and 2 as quickly as possible! I'm even watching it as I type.

2. A Song of Fire and Ice (i.e. Game of Thrones, the books) - I'm currently a quarter of the way through the first book and can't put it down. The characters (particularly the female characters) are even more compelling in the books than they are in the series. Daenerys Targaryen and Lady Stark in particular are both far more complex characters in the books than they are in the series. I'll be posting a review of the book once I've finished it.

3. Wedding planning. Boy, it's proving harder than I ever imagined. Our particular problem is that we don't have a budget to work within (for various reasons), which makes planning almost impossible! The ceremony venue and registrar are booked though, as is the reception venue. My Pinterest boards are filling up nicely with ideas, and I already have most of it mapped out in my head. Just have to work out some way of paying for it all now!

4. My garden. We've lived in our little house for two years now, and as we've made the decision to remain until we can afford to buy somewhere of our own, I've decided that this summer I'm finally going to make something of the garden. I've always kept it tidy and mowed, but I've never really made it my own. I've decided to purchase some large planting pots and have various species of flowers in them. I adore tulips, so they are high on my list, and I'd also love some wildflowers, peonies and hydrangeas. I planted a white rose bush when we first moved in, which has somehow managed to thrive, despite my complete gardening ineptitude. A trip to the garden centre looks imminent.

5. Getting myself in shape. As most of my friends will know, in the last couple of years I've lost a huge amount of weight. This wasn't always easy, and took a great deal of self-denial and willpower. Over the last year that willpower has drained, and subsequently I've put around a stone of the weight I'd lost back on. My aim is that by the time Cheryl and I go to Dubai in September I'll be back in my bikini, and looking better than ever. I'm devising myself an eating and fitness plan to accompany this, and will be relying on my friends to prevent me from sabotaging myself (which I am prone to doing). I'm determined to be as healthy as I can be (whilst still enjoying life along the way!) I've been completely inspired by an online friend of mine, Laura Jane Williams, who has been working has ass off (literally) since the beginning of the year, and has lost 35lbs, gone from a size 16 to an 8/10 AND has run a 10k! Her dedication and commitment blows my mind, and I'm determined to follow in her (now very slender) footsteps! Some of the work gals and I have signed up for the Race for Life Pretty Muddy 5k in July (which you can sponsor us for here), so I'll be needing to get into shape for that. Well, any shape other than round, that is!

WEEKSTAGRAM // 19th March - 25th March

I had my hair cut and dyed for the first time since August 2013. I had an ombre colour put through, using 7 different colours from root to tip // Bought some lovely treats for my new hair do. The Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo is amazing. It's a blend of Argan Oil and Camellia Oil which leaves hair feeling really smooth and glossy // This week was all about the 'no make-up selfies' to raise money for Cancer Research. This was my contribution // Had a lovely meal at my favourite Indian restaurant, Spice Island, for Lisa's birthday // Celebrated Soph's Hen Party at Minsky's Showbar, complete with drag queens, strippers and buff waiters! // Celebrated Jem joining the 30 Club, during her fabulous Alice in Wonderland themed party at 10 Feet Tall // Enjoyed a yummy mango and falafel wrap from Coffee a GoGo // Cheryl, Hayley, Claire, Elen and I signed up for the Pretty Muddy Race for Life 5k race in July. Best start training!

WEEKSTAGRAM // 11th March - 18th March

I realised just how many books I'd started, but hadn't yet finished. Making a concerted effort to get through these in the next few months // I got very excited about mine and Cheryl's forthcoming trip to Dubai in September - our Pinterest board is packed with ideas! // My work orchid started to flower, but it fell off the following day // Cheryl and I paid a visit to the National Museum to view some art. Some was better than others // Daffodils to brighten up the office // Found a new geek programming obsession on Netflix - Grimm. Somewhat in love with David Giuntoli now // Took and walk around Cathays Park and got snap happy with Cheryl's fancy SLR camera. Saving up for my own now! // Went to see Wicked with Karen and Zoe at the Wales Millennium Centre. Amazing show. I enthusiastically blogged about it! // Cal and I went to see the 6 Nations Wales v Scotland match at the Millennium Stadium, which resulted in an astounding 51 - 3 victory for Wales. We then watched the nail biting final showdown between Ireland and France, which resulted in a superb tournament victory for Ireland // I was tweeted back by Giles Coren, TV presenter, Times Columnist, Foodie, and (most importantly) friend of my girl crush Sue Perkins. Felt very close to fame that day (even despite knowing that he tweets pretty much everyone back!)

Not pictured: Cheryl, Kath, Cal, Zoe and I came 3rd in The Heath's weekly pub quiz. Not really sure how we fared worse than last week, considering we had more people // Did two consecutive days of exercise classes. Feeling the burn // Cheryl and I planned an Easter trip to Tenby (photo ops abound!) // Considering entering the Pretty Muddy Race for Life 5k in July. Any excuse to mud wrestle, really.

WEEKSTAGRAM // 3rd March - 10th March

I finally caught up with (apparently) the rest of woman kind and bought a 'magic lipstick'. It works with the alkali levels in your lips to create an individualised colour. Seriously, if this exists, what's the point of having any other lipstick!? // I took Cheryl to her first Zumba class - she came out slightly worse for wear // For Pancake Day Cheryl and I treated ourselves to a pancake lunch at Cinnamon Sticks // I then went home and cooked more pancakes. I ate 9 in total that day. Don't judge // Started a new skincare routine. Better be good - that pot of Clinique cost me £21 // Baked a cake for my nephew's birthday party - made a mess of my mum's kitchen in the process // The finished cake. Tasted pretty darn good // Me and the birthday boy. I can't believe he's 5 already! // Met my cousin's little girl, Lydia, for the first time. I admit, I felt a slight twang of broodiness.... // Wandering around Cefn Mably Farm Park reminded me of a) how much I miss living in the countryside, b) how friggin' cute falabellas and goats are, and c) how little townies know about the countryside. One woman confused a goose for a swan. I mean, seriously??! // We had such high hopes for the Wales v England 6 Nations clash, but it all ended in tears. Luckily cider and karaoke made up for the crushing defeat. 

Not pictured: Cheryl, Kath and I came 2nd in The Heath's weekly pub quiz (with hardly any cheating involved) // Conducted my first ever data collection. It went pretty well // Spent most of Monday 10th recovering from an horrendous hangover - detox starting immediately // Reconnected with a few old Edinburgh buddies. 

WEEKSTAGRAM // 23rd Feb - 2nd March

Cheryl introduced me to the wonderful world of E.L.F. cosmetics // The obligatory selfie (a requirement when in the presence of the full length mirror!) // Afternoon Tea in a newly discovered gem - Cinnamon Sticks (High Street Arcade). It's a Instagrammers paradise, with vintage movies played for your enjoyment (we saw Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Calamity Jane) // Kath and Cheryl enjoying a good natter over tea and cakes the size of small children // Spring finally came to Cardiff, and then promptly left again // A photo I tweeted to Cardiff University went viral when they retweeted it, and has been found as far away as California // Cheryl, Karen and I went to (yet another) ceilidh, with the fantastic Uisge ContraBand playing // Helen and I enjoyed a stroll in the sunshine, and took in the eclectic sites of the St David's Day parade celebrations // We then had a total geekgasm at Cardiff Comic Con // Pizza party with the girls on Saturday, whilst watching Groundhog Day // Lovely lazy Sunday with Cheryl and the Rhiwbina Handmade Market (I didn't buy anything, but may have found a wedding photographer!)