5 THINGS YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING RN

Hey,

As you'll know if you follow me on Instagram, I bloody love a good TV series. Not a lot else in the world makes me happier than being in the comfort of my own home, snacks at the ready, binge-watching something thrilling on TV. 

Here are 5 things that I've been obsessed with recently:

SEX EDUCATION 

IMDB: "A teenage boy with a sex therapist mother teams up with a high school classmate to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school."

And my opinion:
OK, it's definitely one to avoid watching with your parents - as you'd probably guessed, there are many sex scenes and references that would make me feel uncomfortable if watching with others -- that being said, this was recommended to me by my dad so... It follows a school boy with sexual issues, whose mum is a sex therapist (doesn't help the situation), as he starts to a) fall in love and b) give pretty good sex and relationship advice considering he's a virgin. It's absolutely more Americanised than the average English school, but that's what makes good TV, so no complaints here. 
Watched in a weekend - totally hooked.
8/10

GILMORE GIRLS

IMBD: "A dramedy centering around the relationship between a thirtysomething single mother and her teen daughter living in Stars Hollow, Connecticut."

And here's what I think: I am living for this show. It's so mundane & absolutely nothing happens from this episode to the next, but that's what makes for easy-watching, right? Lorreli's whitty-yet-annoying constant monologue is as endearing as it is frustrating. Luke hates it, I love it. 
Definitely something to watch in the background - easy to pick up if you miss something.
8/10


FYRE

IMBD: "An exclusive behind the scenes look at the infamous unraveling of the Fyre music festival" 

And here's what I thought: Obviously, the above is exactly what this documentary is about, but it's so gripping & worrying that I couldn't turn it off. It's around an hour long I think and talks through this festival that was totally endorsed by the likes of the Jenners, VS models & influencers alike that didn't really exist. Tickets were sold, money was taken, guests arrived to a 'private' island in the Bahamas to something that was absolutely not what they had been conned into paying for. A must-watch and a definite eye-opener, for sure.
Interesting & very current - makes you think about how easily you can be bought into something.
5/10


THE GOOD PLACE

IMBD: "Four people and their otherworldly frienemy struggle in the afterlife to define what it means to be good."

My thoughts: Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Funny, random and crazy with a whole bunch of real-time jokes whilst still having a good storyline. I don't know what took me so long to watch this, but I've recommended to so many people & all of them also loved it. 
Big statement: Possibly my favourite series of 2018! Watch NOW.
10/10


YOU

IMBD: "A clever bookstore manager relies on his savvy Internet know-how to make the woman of his dreams fall in love with him."

What I thought: I struggled to get past the Dan Humphrey character. Dare I say that Penn is a bad actor? I'm not sure. It was just too Gossip Girl for me and right until the end, I have to admit that I was bored and was only watching it as I hate missing out on a good chat at work. Positives: Has Emily from PLL in there and she's 100% GOALS, so made it worth watching. Definitely makes you think about how easy it is for people to stalk you in real life using Social Media. 
Worth a watch but I wouldn't be in a rush. 
6/10


Next on my list to watch: 
The Ted Bundy tapes
How to get away with Murder
Ozark
Abducted in plain sight


Have you got anything else I should be watching? 

xxx

2019: My top 3 NY Resolutions

Hello my loves.

Very cliche post coming up unfortunately. But yes, it's New Year's resolutions time! 

I really like to have a solid set of goals & then check in with them every couple of months to see if I've actually stuck to them or what I need to work on.

This year, I tried to keep them very achievable. I don't need to tell you that most people give up on their resolutions come Blue Monday (around the 3rd Monday in Jan), so it's important that you keep your goals reasonable & attainable. 

Read on to see how I'm trying to change my habits this year.

1) BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF WHAT I'M EATING AND DRINKING
Yawn, the obligatory weight loss goal. Last year, I think my resolution was to lose 10% of my body weight and I definitely succeeded with this one.... until Summer..... when I remembered that: 
BEER + SUN + DOMINOS = LIFE
I am a nightmare when it comes to socialising - I can't say no to anything! Always up for a bloody good time. And diets don't go well with this flaw! 
However this year, my NY resolution is to not feel the need to drink all the time (sidenote, I definitely am not sat here with a glass of wine. It's actually my 2nd glass of wine. On a Tuesday evening.... going well, huh?), BUT I actually realised at the end of last year that I can actually go out, not drink so much, still have a good time AND be without a hangover the morning after. This being said, I'm still a prosecco, Aperol spritz, beer, Asti, port - loving kinda gal, but it's all about the balance, right? 

Not just drink, but also food. I've committed to having my 5-a-day when I can and to be more conscious of when I have treats. Do I want Dominos 3 times a week? Yes. Do I need Dominos 3 times a week? Absolutely not. It's definitely going to be trickier than I think, but I'm open to new recipes. I've discovered Deliciously Ella Energy Balls for breakfast & they are delicious - definitely recommend. 

2) DO SOMETHING NEW ONCE A MONTH
So I wanted to do this last year, but you know how it is...
I have a few things on the list and I've officially smashed month one. I went ice skating and I absolutely loved it and subsequently have decided that I'm having lessons for my birthday, so that's a positive. My aim is that by the end of the year, I'll have found something that I hopefully love and something that will help me get a little more active. 
Some of the activities on my list are things like indoor skiing, Go Ape, horse riding, an Escape room, trampolining and a water park. I need more ideas, but they will get me started, for sure. 
I'm also adding an extra challenge of also trying one new class a month at the gym too - also going well so far by trying Yoga earlier this month. 

3) USE OLD ITEMS - PRODUCTS, SHOES, JEWELLERY 
I know this is super obvious & most people do this on the daily, but I am a sucker for wearing the same 3 pairs of shoes, earrings and jeans forever. I also have about 1273681 shampoos, conditioners, treatments, fake tans, foundations, moisturisers, serums etc that need using up before going out of date. I'm a bugger for repurchasing things that I absolutely do. not. need. instead of using up the things that I already have and so that's why, this year, my resolution is to start using up as much as I can, utilising old items of clothing more and then throwing things away that I definitely don't want to use or wear again. 
The next Marie Kondo I hear you say. 

How are you getting on with your resolutions this year so far?

xxx

2018: My whirlwind of a year

Happy new year my lil loves.

It's safe to say that 2018 was quite possibly the best day of my life so far. 

So much happened - we got married, we saw the world, we celebrated, we commiserated, we partied, we definitely drank (too much, some might say) & we loved each day as it came. 

It's tough to think that this time last year, we were just finalising our wedding plans, preparing for our (out of hand) stag & hen dos and was, frankly, v. nervous about what the big day would bring. Would it be raining? Would people turn up? Would people even have fun? Would the food be OK? Would the photo booth set up too early and be in the way? 

How silly that those were the things that we worried about in the run up to the wedding. If that doesn't sum up my year, I don't know what will. I'm a worrier. I have bad anxiety (although not many people get to see that - I like to suffer in silence, don't we all?), but last year, I was sick of thinking things were going wrong all of the time. I didn't once think about anything other than how magical my big day was going - it could've rained, the chicken could have been dry or the photo booth could have set up on the dance floor for all I cared. I honestly didn't care because I was ecstatically happy and nothing can ruin that feeling.

If there's one thing that you take from this ramble, live every moment as it comes. I recently read a quote that said 
"if you worry about something, you're putting yourself through it twice" 
and it really resonated with me. I have presentations, meetings and decisions at work that are completely new to me - but what's the use in worrying. What will be, will be (or at least I hope!) 

Here's to 2019 and adapting to the horrors of new challenges, new chances and new opportunities. 

xxx

3 things to do this weekend: Seasonal clear-out

A second post in the same week - what a treat! 

I haven't done one of these in a long time, have I? I was just thinking about what I'm going to do this weekend and figured I'd put it into a post and maybe inspire someone else to do the same thing. 

I've got to admit, I have been OBSESSED with a certain cleaning Instagrammer... any guesses who it could be? 

Of course, it's the wonderful Mrs Hinch (link to follow here if you aren't already). I've been following this stunning lady for around a couple of months now and straight off the bat, I was hooked. Never in a million years did I think I'd actually look forward to cleaning my house, but I'm totally inspired by Mrs Hinch and my house has never been so clean. The only thing is, I never feel like a room is really clean, until I've had a major clear out of all the stuff I've been hoarding.

So on that note, here are 3 things I'll be doing this weekend to make way for the Autumn season and a big seasonal deep clean next month: 

1) Clear out your kitchen cupboards
This is something that I think about every time I put my shopping away. I'm disgusted at the amount of crap I keep in my cupboards & so yesterday, I actually got off my bum & cleared out my kitchen cupboards. I cleared out 3 food cupboards and actually threw a full carrier bag of foods away per cupboard - that's 3 bags of food that I've been hoarding and have either gone out of date, or are so old that I figured it's not cool to eat them now. I threw things like peanut butter, Nutella and jams away that have been open for a few months, Cuppa Soups that are almost a year out of date and sweets that were half-open and forgotten about.

The crazy thing is that I didn't realise how big my cupboards are - I have SO MUCH ROOM RN. It also made me realise that I should only buy things that I know I'm going to eat, but also allowed me to make a list of things that I'm low on, like tuna and beans (clearly a staple food in the Murden household haha). 


2) Have a wardrobe sort-out
There's nothing nicer than having a clear out of your wardrobe before the Autumn season kicks in and this weekend, it's my mission to put away my little summer dresses and bring back out the knitwear and long-sleeved tees that I'd moved into the spare room for the summer. 

I'm a bit of a hoarder, so I feel like now is a good time to sort through every item and give away the clothes that I won't ever wear again - my mum and sis always try to nick my clothes, so I know they will appreciate a clear out. I definitely need a cull of shoes too - I have 100+ pairs and I swear to God that I only wear like 10 pairs soooo. 


3) Declutter somewhere that you store your crap
So I have 2 cupboards and also the drawers in the kitchen that I store miscellaneous crap in and last weekend, Luke and I finally sorted out one of the cupboards and threw away 2 whole binliners of shit that I'd been keeping for the past 4 years. It was actually ridiculous to see what came out of there and I definitely felt tonnes better once I'd thrown it all out and had space for all of our wedding things to go in there instead of cluttering the spare room. 

I came across things that I'd forgotten about and things that I can use now; it sounds sad, but it was a nice afternoon and I felt loads better for doing it. 


Do you have any tips for clearing things out? Let me know

xoxo

What I did this month: September 2018

Hey gals & guys, welcome back! 

I'm currently sat here in pyjamas, a dressing gown, slippers, a blanket and a hot water bottle. Autumn is officially here now, right? I've had to take this week off work & I've just got back from a doctors appointment to have my bloods taken, so hopefully they can figure out what's been making me so poorly. Here's hoping! 

Anywho, here's how my month has gone down:

One of my closest friend's wedding reception in Derby - she made such a stunning bride at an equally stunning location and we had lots of wine-fuelled boogies. 

One of our friend's Disney-themed fancy dress. 10 points if anyone can guess who I was. My sister's costume was BY FAR the best - she's Lilo from Lilo & Stitch and made everything by hand (and also made my horns!)

We went out for many meals with friends, however this one was INCRED and would recommend going if you're around Notts. We went in the evening and wings and cocktails were half price. 

I also Autumn-ed up my home and spent way too much money on Pumpkin candles & Cinnamon Zoflora - i'ts well worth the money & makes my house smell like an autumn wonderland now, OK? 

I had a lil' Costa date with my sis last weekend for a catchup and a mooch around Homesense and Dunelm which was lovely <3 

And lastly, the month ended on a definite high with a little trip to Barcelona which I 
would 100% recommend to anyone who is yet to go. Stunning city, lots of cafes & bars and tonnes of tapas - winner winner. 

This was the first day - we walked over to see the La Sagrada Familia and the Gaudi buildings, had some beaut tappas and ice creams and then mum & I spent the evening at the Hard Rock Cafe whilst the boys went off to watch a Barcelona game at Camp Nou. 

The second day was a little cloudy, so we went for a walk to the promenade, visited the Gothic area & had some drinks on Las Ramblas. We were lucky enough to visit Barcelona at the time where the biggest Festival was happening (La Mercer, I think) & so there were things happening everywhere, giving the city a bigger buzz than usual. We caught a metro to see Park Guell & then had a steady evening mooching around the shops & having a goodbye beer!*

*I actually had a stomach bug & didn't eat or drink all day - the Sangria below was delicious but I only managed a few sips - I'm still heartbroken about that!! 

I hope you all had a lovely month - here's to October! 
Speak soon xoxoxo

What I did this month: June 2018

1 & 2 - Seeing Taylor Swift earlier this month (BEST NIGHT EVER)

2 & 3- Night out with my favourite people for pizza and lots of wine!!

3. Recieving our wedding photos back // 4. Arriving in Bulgaria with a beautiful view

5. A day at the beach with Luke // 6. Alllll the cheese. Out for a lunch meal in a new city

7. A welcome home cheese night with my sis // 8. Shopping & food with Maisie

9. A home-alone Dominos after the shittest week... ever! // 10. My current bloody bathroom*

*It's half way through being done - this is the 'ripped out chic' stage - gross, right?

How is it July already?! Where is 2018 going? SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!

Just to be clear, I've picked out the absolute best of this month - things that haven't been mentioned: migraines, contraception implant removal and re-insertion, heat stroke, smear test, 300+ unread emails and they are just from this past week. DOMINOS + GIN = NECESSARY, OK?

Enjoy your weekends!
xxxxx

Wedding Wednesday: Our Story

Hello my loves,

I'm finally back and seeing as it's Wednesday, I thought I'd kick this blog back off with a cheeky Wedding Wednesday post. As I'm sure you've spotted, the domain has officially changed to my new name (!!) and I'm over the moon with how it looks!

We had the most perfect day & I'm looking forward to sharing more posts surrounding the day with you in the coming weeks.

So, as it's the first post since the actual wedding, I thought it might be worth me starting at the beginning - with our story, our engagement and the lead up to our wedding.

Luke & I have been together for just over 7 years now and believe it or not, we actually met whilst working at our local supermarket together on the checkouts! He was 16 & I was 17 (toy boy) & so, as we were too young to go for drinks or anything fancy, we just went into Nottingham to do a spot of shopping. He got a Ralph Lauren polo shirt (ew, so 2011..) and I think I got myself a new outfit from Primark (still v.classy, loving my Primarni) and it went from there.

After about a month of back to back Blackberry messaging (BB pins, remember those?), he finally asked me out.

We had been together just over 3 years when we finally decided it was time to buy our own place & so we put down the deposit on our lovely little home that couldn't be more perfect. It was definitely interesting moving in to our own home - Luke hung mirrors at his own height (I could only see my forehead)and set oven gloves on fire accidentally, but I wouldn't change a thing.

In 2016, we celebrated our 5 year anniversary where Luke whisked me away on a surprise trip to Verona, Italy and on the final night of our trip, he proposed on a rooftop overlooking the whole of Verona. I couldn't have imagined anything more perfect.

It's been a long two years of planning this wedding, but I can honestly say that I've enjoyed every second of it - I think I should've been a wedding planner in another life - who knew I was so thorough and obsessed?

So there we are, a complete whistle-stop, non-soppy post about our story. I hope you enjoyed this (and the v.v. cringey photos of us both!)

Speak soon, I promise!

xxxxx

Next time - Wedding Wednesday: The Hen Do.