My New Thing

Soooooo I am kinda trying this new thing. It is kind of exciting and fun and bloody hard work. I've always wanted to. I used to when I was younger (and was quite good at it) but I got old and injured and busy and lazy and an excuse master! But now Im getting back into it and quietly loving it!

Running

I would never have thought that I would like it so much! Ive always been envious of the girls and guys running on the paths. I would drive past them chomping on my chocolate bar, quietly cursing and laughing at them with extremely green eyes! "I could never do that" were my famous words. I got puffed walking up a flight of stairs. I am not overweight, and never have been, but I am terribly terribly unfit. How on earth can you run for that long with out dying. I'm not an 'exerciser' I've tried the gym thing and it was awesome for a bit but I'm not a gym girl. I don't think 'yes I cant wait to finish work so I can go to the gym and exercise'. PUH-LEASE! I would much rather go home and eat a whole packet of m&ms while watching t.v. Why aren't I overweight?? I have no idea because I sure did eat, act and think like one. My ex boyfriend once told me that I have the mind of an obese person. Um excuse me? Are you friggen kidding me? How does someone say that to someone who they "love" O.k so now I know he was right...and worried. I was in that frame of mind. I was lazy. Why exercise when I can feed myself beautiful food. I love food. I could smash a whole packet of pods on the way home from work, every day, and not feel guilty AT ALL! It was my life, I wanted to enjoy it and that's what I enjoyed! Yes I yo-yo'd in the weight department but I never got bad enough that it would worry me. I liked food better.

Well now I'm not allowed to eat the food. I'm physically forced to not eat everything I enjoyed! Sad that it was food, but it was. I am now coeliac and completely lactose intolerant. All the foods I loved and adored and made me happy are now a distant memory. Its hard changing your diet after 25 years. You are in a habit and man that habit it hard to break! There were times in the early stages were I had to lock myself in the room because I knew there was a packet of chips in the cupboard and I didn't have the self-control to not eat them. Those who know me know I love my chips. mmm Thia sweet chilli. Actually how funny I just got a sick feeling in my stomach the minute I thought about them. Where as 6 months ago the minute I thought about them I would be straight down to the shops and would be buying a packet. Wow a breakthrough. I have a whole lot of feelings and thoughts about this whole "coeliac gig' but that's for another time. It's intense and I'm not ready. I'm not positive about it...yet. I will be...but not right now. Right now I'm positive about running. Maybe it's my outlet to forget about the diet changes. Maybe I just got bored and wanted something physical to do...for me. Maybe I've turned the corner and left the laziness behind and boarded the 'energetic' boat. What ever the reason...I'm loving it.

Ive found that the 'couch to 5K' program is really getting me going. There is no way that I would go out and run for no reason. I needed a goal. I needed a push. I couldn't afford a personal trainer so my trusty Iphone had to do! But honestly...its awesome! It trains you to run 5 kilometers using interval training. Its super easy! Even for a very unfit person like me! O.k it's not THAT easy. I do secretly swear under my breath at the man when he says "start running" but then I like him again when he says "walk".

I push myself hard and I don't cheat. I'm not going to lie, my mind does fight with itself. But I've always given up so this time I'm trying this new thing of...NOT! I surprise myself every day! I surprise myself with the excitement and dedication I have. I train the minute I get home! If I'm feeling lazy or not wanting to go, I quickly jump on twitter and I am instantly motivated by an awesome girl on there who has just hit her 5K mark! Go Jodes!!! I've found I like to do this on my own! I put my headphones on and feel the music and just go for it. No thinking. No seriousness. I just do it! Rob has come with me a few times, when I've really really not wanted to go. He pushed me and supported me and has ridden beside me! He learnt very quickly not to talk to me though haha Talking tires me out and I can not make the distance! When he first came with me he just shook his head the whole time and said "do you dance like that when I'm not with you?" Yes darling I dance and sing and have fun with it. And yes I fist pump it down my street each and every time! I've finally felt and experienced that awesome feeling after 'exercising' I love it. It's fun. I'm motivated and dedicated and that excites me. one of my 'goals' for 2012 was to run 5K. Well baby I think I actually might achieve it. I can smell it. It's close. I just have to keep pushing and having fun!

 
x S.K.K x

Mini gluten free dessert tower

Mini gluten free desserts

I loved how my mini gluten free dessert tower turned out this Christmas and it was so much more convenient than making five large desserts. For starters, they were much easier to store in the fridge and I never had any leftovers - just more pretty desserts!

On the top tier of my cake stand from Williams Sonoma were key lime pies. On the second tier were raspberry trifles, and on the inner bottom tier I put strawberry panna cotta. On the outer bottom tier, I alternated Summer fruit mousse with cherry cheese cake.

I can't wait to make another dessert tower for Easter!


Glass jars



Divine bakers twine



Mini dessert cupcake stand

Have a sweet day!

in the picture {january} a piece of me

this year i am going to be taking a self portrait journey in an attempt to capture some images of me, for my girls, as i am often on the other side of the camera & not so often in the multitude of photographs i take everyday!


{read more about this idea of Christy's from the urban muser blog by clicking on the button below}


52 Weeks of Grateful: Kindness

Jars for Cakes and Drinks

I have a thing for interesting jars but I also have a thing for jars that have multiple uses!  My latest love in jars is the fabulous Ball Mason Jar - yes I love the antique vintage blue ones but this one is brand new and is so versatile.

It is the perfect size for a cake in a jar - a great way to serve your guests at a party or even as a take home gift - change the colour of the patterned paper in the lid and you can match the theme of your event.  Here I have layered a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting to go with the festive red dots and twine used as decoration.  Attach a spoon and an instant dessert is ready.


When you have finished your cake you can then use your jar as a fabulous way to serve your next drink.  

Just right with a delicious ice cold summer punch and they look
cute with these little lids that are a perfect fit for a stripey straw.
Eating cake and drinking punch just keeps getting more enjoyable.
These great jars (as well as all the other goodies you see here) can now be found in the Sweet Style store here.

Thank you to Jordan from Polkadot Prints for sharing this post on her blog earlier this week.

Images: Sweet Style

Leanne

Hotel Chocolat Review & Giveaway

Sealed with a Kiss from Hotel Chocolat
Sealed with a Kiss menu
Heart chocolates
I love you chocolates

I was recently sent a Sealed with a Kiss box of chocolates to review from the lovely folks at Hotel Chocolat. I received a glamourous heart-shaped box full of 35 chocolates, from irresistible liquid caramels and melting pralines to ravishing truffles in beautiful hearts and smoochy chocolate truffle filled lips. My favourites were the new orange and purple striped hearts filled with a light strawberry truffle and a pinch of black pepper and the mellow vanilla filled swirl topped hearts.

Hotel Chocolat have got a great selection of Valentine's Day gifts this season from caramel sweet chocolate hearts to the prettiest pink champagne truffles. There is something to suit all tastes and budgets.

I am pleased to announce a giveaway of a Sealed with a Kiss box of chocolates from Hotel Chocolat - worth £45!

To enter, please visit Hotel Chocolat and then leave a comment below this post letting me know what delicious chocolates you would like to give or receive this Valentine's Day. The giveaway ends on Thursday, February 9th 2012 at 10pm (GMT) and I will randomly select and announce a winner on Friday, February 10th.

To increase your chances of winning this fabulous prize, you can gain one additional entry for doing each of the following:
  • tweeting about this giveaway
  • blogging about it
  • following the Torie Jayne blog
  • following Torie Jayne on Twitter

For the first two, please leave a comment below with the link to your tweet or blog post.

This giveaway is open to UK readers.

Good luck and have a sweet day!

Happy Australia Day

Happy Australia Day to all the Aussies around the world.

We have had a wonderful day flying the Aussie Flag, enjoying a backyard bbq and finishing the meal off with some pavlova - hope you are having a wonderful day wherever you are.




Leanne