Adorning in April #30: Reflecting

Well hello there, would you look at that; its the 30th April! Where on earth has time gone? This month has just FLOWN by!

I cant believe it's the end of April which means its time to finish up my series of Adorning in April.

I set myself the challenge to blog everyday this month as a way to push my creativity, create and achieve a goal and to have a bit more fun with my blog and I have managed to do just that!

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I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog on the daily, I am very grateful that you have. I love that the internet is able to connect like-minded people regardless of where in the world you may be; its one of those amazing mind boggling things isn't it? 
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So to complete this series I wanted to post what I've achieved this month; this is something I mentioned in my first post of April and it is something I do each month in a notebook so that at the end of the year I can look back and see all the things I accomplished, had fun with and what made me smile. 
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April 2014 
- Blogged every day ... aka 30 blog posts!
- Completed the Lorna Jane Squat Challenge
- Went to 3 Yoga classes (bliss!)
- Ran 5km in under 30 minutes 
- Signed up for the bikini series 
- Went on 12 Runs 

- Read 'And the Mountains Echoed' by Khaled Hosseini

- Connected and made friends with TIU girls

- Spent quality time with Family ❤️

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What did April look like for you? What do you plan to tackle in May? I am headed off Overseas to be reunited with my bestie so beyond excited for that. Going to also focus on the Tone It Up Bikini Series and document how I go following it whilst travelling.

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So thats all from me for April, I will be back to posting 2-4 times a week now I think, what do you think? Any preferences i'd love to hear!

xoxo



Adorning in April #29: LJ Reversible Tights

Ahhhh the Lorna Jane obsession is real..... and continually growing! 
I really had no choice in the matter though when they released this pair of tights - reversible 7/8 tights with one side being navy and the other hot pink?!?! Its like they entered my mind, figured out my perfect pair of workout tights and then boom - here they are! 
Plus I got them on a 20% off day.....then you half that as they are two pairs in one.... so really I paid like $30 for each side.... that makes perfect sense right?! Ahhh the things I will tell myself.
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Anyway, I wanted to share this workout outfit with you all, as I'm sure if your anything like me these may be a must have for you too! 
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You can wear them in 4 different styles by rolling the waist band down and leg part up giving a contrast panel. I figured these may just be the perfect pair of tights to take travelling; less space to take up as they are two in one, a bright colour for the days you want to stand out or have a plain top on and a basic navy for the days you don't want to scream 'hey look at my tights' or perhaps your wearing a top that does that already so you need tights that are a little more low key. 
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Anywho enough with my rambling, I am typing like a crazy woman; I've had the busiest day and am a little 
'la la' at the moment! 
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I hope you've had a great day full of things that made you smile; top three things that made me smile today were:
1: seeing a smart car on the drive into work - they are just so tiny I can't help but giggle every time i see one!
2: Cuddling a baby - is there anything better?
3: A quote my yoga teacher said tonight in class 'push your boundaries - intelligently and with kindness' that really resonated with me so I'm using it as my mantra this week! 
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See you tomorrow! 
xoxo 

I had a bit of fun racing around and playing with the shutter speeds on my camera lol

Lorna Jane Reversible 7/8 Tight - LINK HERE! 

Adorning in April #28: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

Is anyone else still as obsessed with the Urban Decay Naked Palette as I am?

I. Cant. Stop. Using. It!!!! 

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Question? Any of you out there in the inter webs have all three Naked Palettes? If yes then do you recommend one over another? Or think it is worth owning more than one? These are the things I ponder. 

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Its just so pretty! 

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That is all for today, I will do a FOTD (face of the day) using this bad boy soon!

Happy Monday to you all

xoxo

Adorning in April #27: Sunday Checklist

Hello all, welcome back to Adorn Beauty. 

Another week is over and done, and as always I use my Sundays to rest, relax and prepare for the week ahead. 

Here are some of the things that are in store for me in the coming week, plus a few items I ticked off today in preparation for a brand new week! 

Bondi Sands Tan - 

I absolutely love this stuff, and if I'm on top of things (aka not being lazy) I will tan myself once a fortnight. I wrote a whole blog post about my love obsession for this tan that you can read HERE!

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Lorna Jane Diary - 

By far one of my best purchases for this year, the Lorna Jane diary is perfect for me! I use it for my personal life 

(I have a separate one for work that I leave at work in attempt to create that work/life balance) and I'll go through each Sunday and map out my week with timings of things, what workouts I'm going to do, social events etc. Lifesaver! 

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Lime - 

Might look like a lemon but its actually a lime, and may seem strange to have it in my Sunday checklist but I actually have half a lime everyday as a part of my morning metabolism drink to get me going for the day, I absolutely love it! If your interested in knowing more, its a part of the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan - HERE!

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Chanel Lipstick - 

I am a big lover of makeup and there are often days where I will base my whole outfit on a makeup item, so one day this week I want to wear my beloved Chanel Lipstick 

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Organic Black Bean Spaghetti -

As you will know if you read THIS POST  I like to prep my meals for the week on Sundays. This week I am making up some spaghetti using this organic black bean I found at my local health food store, I will have to let you know if it is any good! 

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And there we have it, a few of the things making their way onto my Checklist / To dos / Must haves in preparation for the week ahead. 

What do you do to prepare?

xoxo

Adorning in April #26: OOTD - A Simple Saturday

Outfit Details:

Some of these items I've owned for quite awhile so I couldn't find the exact items for some. I have linked to the websites I've got them from instead. 

Jacket: Gifted

Black Long Sleeve Tee: Target - Bamboo range - LINK!

Jeans: Blockout - LINK!

Sneaker Heels: ASOS - LINK!

Nails: Rimmel Cranberry Zest - LINK!

Lips: Mac Red Lipliner in Cherry - LINK! & Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in True Red - LINK!

Adorning in April #25: Berry Nails

Hello and happy Friday to you all! 

Spent my evening having a right ol relax - lush bath, fresh tan and newly painted nails. 

So good!

I wanted to share this nail polish colour that i've gone with for this week, I am starting to think it may just be that perfect Autumn colour. 

Rimmel's Cranberry Zest - the perfect berry/red/pink shade, will work with multiple outfits and really suits this season of change. 

Rimmel Nail Polish LINK!

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I hope you've all had a wonderful week, here is to the weekend! 

xoxo

Adorning in April #24: Healthy Brownies?!

Ahhhh brownies, is there any better dessert??

Nope! 

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I however have found the most amazing recipe to make brownies out of black beans, yes beans! Strange I know but trust me they taste AMAZING! You know that feeling after you've eaten really decedent brownies and you kind of want to curl up into a ball and not eat for a few weeks? Yeah this doesn't do that to you! This is light, fluffy and leaves your sweet tooth satisfied without the food baby / food coma! 

I originally found them on Tone It Up and wanted to share the recipe with you with how I make them. 

Tone It Up Black Bean Brownies 

Ingredients:

1 can black beans (19oz), drained and rinsed

3 tbsp coconut oil, melted

3 eggs

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup carob chips

1/3 cup of stevia

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Method 

Set oven to 180 degrees Celsius 

Combine all ingredients except the stevia in a food processor 

(I have also used a blender before and it works ok as long as you add all wet ingredients in first!) 

Remove from  processor and mix in stevia 

Line a baking tray with baking paper (I go for long and slim ones to get nice thin brownies that I then cut into big pieces to have as dessert size, alternatively for the quintessential brownie shape a 9x9 square baking dish will do the trick)

Pour in mixture and make sure it is spread even through the pan

Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes 

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And volia! amazing-ness!

For all you Aussie ppl reading, I originally had a hard time finding black beans, they are not stocked in your local supermarkets. I get mine from a local health food store in Canberra so I would check out a health food store for this ingredient! 

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I love to have this as a dessert from time to time, it tastes incredible heated up for about 10 seconds in the microwave and then topped with greek yoghurt and strawberries!

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A tasty dessert that has no guilt factor and actually is good for you and is made from black beans but tastes like chocolate goodness?! Whats not to love!!!

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Let me know if you make these and what you think! I love giving them to people and not telling them the main ingredient until after they have confessed their love for it haha!

xoxo

Adorning in April #23: Tone It Up Bikini Series

Hi there,

How is your week going? Mine is going really well, making the intention to be happy and positive and look for the good truly makes a difference! 

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Today I wanted to share with you something I am SUPER excited about, the Tone It Up Bikini Series!

If your not sure what Tone It Up is then I suggest reading this post HERE first!

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Ok, got it? Addicted to it yet? tehehehe

So every year TIU does a Bikini Series, which is 8 weeks of workouts, challenges, fun, making new friendships and more in the lead up to Summertime. Last year was my first time doing it and I lost 5kg, 7cm around my waist, made amazing friends  I even won a runner up prize!!! 

I have linked below the video launch of the series (which starts next Tuesday) and highly recommend you sign up and do it with me!! 

Here is the link to the website post about the series, if you sign up they send out a free starter plan 

(the whole series is free too ps) 

which has tips and tricks and some amazing recipes! 

BIKINI SERIES LINK HERE! 

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The first challenge of the series is to create your summer, which basically is making up an inspiration board or post on Instagram with all the things your excited to do this coming Summer. Now since I live in Australia Summer has just passed, but I don't mind as I find this the best motivation throughout winter - and we all know that summer bodies are made in winter! 

Here is what I posted on Instagram today with my #createyoursummer

Travel is a huge part of my life and this year I'm lucky enough to be going to London, Paris and California (to meet K&K on the TIUretreat! wowza) so my #createyoursummer is all about wanderlust! 

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All images taken from Pinterest  

Whats your #createyoursummer look like?

Comment below if your signed up! 

xoxo

Adorning in April #22: Food for Thought

Love this

xoxo

Adorning in April #21: Outfit of the Day

Ahh is there anything better than a public holiday?

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Sleeping in

Lazy long breakfast in bed watching YouTube

Coffee dates with your Mum

Finding the most amazing bamboo tops (and getting them!) 

Prepping meals for the week

Seeing your Sister from another Mother 

Lake walks with sunsets

iHerb Protein Bar deliveries (drooling)

Kisses from your favourite fella (love)

Home made Pizza with all your favourite toppings (sundered tomatoes and olives)

Red wine 

Relaxing on the couch

Emailing back and forth with your Bestie who is in London ❤️

Preparing for the week ahead in your MNB Diary 

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I don't think there is! Happy days all, here is what I wore on this beautiful day.

I hope your day was as enjoyable as mine 

xoxo

Outfit Details:

Dress: Mura Boutique - exact one isn't online atm but similar and same brand - LINK!

Cardi: Thrifted but the tag says Audriana 

Tights: Kmart

Booties: Naughty Monkey Shoes: LINK!