#MondayMotivation

As cliché as the title of this post is, I think it's seriously something ALOT of people live by - especially on social media..Instagram, Twitter you know the drill - #MondayMotivation is tagged in just about everything!!

We'll all be the first to admit, Monday's aren't the best days of the week! After a brilliant weekend, you need something to get you back to your routine! Especially if you've had a bit of a 'cheat' weekend!

I for one, have definitely needed some motivation today! I had a great back end of the week, celebrating my uni results, going out, making some new friends and after going home for the weekend for my Auntie's 60th Birthday bash, I indulged waaaay too much! 

Rare fam get together! Happy 60th Auntie Anne!

The worst thing for me is having a really good week, hitting the gym, eating all healthy then BOOM! Back home for two days and I don't know about you, but I literally lose control! I thought I'd go for the "healthy" option at the Indian restaurant, which is all well and good until four slices of birthday cake laterrrr...erm, not okay!!

So if you've indulged this weekend, or even just had a brilliant weekend (or reading week, I know quite a few of my uni friends have had a chilled week doing nothing) but lack some motivation, here's my top tips to getting back on it this week! 

Just remember, the start of the week is always a great excuse to start afresh. Don't think about the weekend, think of the next 7 days and how you're going to make yourself feel on top of the world again! (so you can enjoy the upcoming weekend, whatever you're doing!)

Firstly, don't dwell on the weekend & all it's crappy or happy traits - this will only make you feel worse. Be positive and tell yourself that you're on a mission! 

Trust me, I know Monday's are crap! You wake up with that awful Monday morning feeling (especially with a 9am lecture you have to contemplate going to) but when you wake up, smile! It's a new day, new week, new start - even if you've gotta fake it, I promise it will make you feel more positive already!

Start the day (and week) correctly. Give yourself a kick-start with a nutritional breakfast which will leave you feeling satisfied! (no further indulging allowed)

Set yourself goals for the week, whether it's to get to the gym a certain amount of times, get your household jobs done or a clear out (I got on my eBay mission today!) set yourself something, then you'll have something to strive for instead of slumping on the sofa!

Make plans! It's always good to have something to look forward to, especially if you've got a tough week ahead (or just a general week that you don't particularly want to take part in) but whether it's a few drinks with friends, a trip out or just a browse out in town give yourself an incentive to motivate your Monday!

My newest tick off my list! Coat Hanger!

I'm a really sucker when it comes to making lists and it really motivates me to get things done! (my new coat hanger is my latest achievement on the list! V proud!) So if you're a bit of a saddo like me, make yourself a to do list and trust me, the sense of achievement you feel after ticking everything off is just something else! *currently smiling to myself as I'm typing because maybe that's just me..saddo* 

But seriously, my lovely readers, make a change this week & even something as small as making a list to do something, or whatever floats your boat it'll get you through that awful first day of the week and then you're just 24 hours closer to Friday which means...THE WEEKEND! The holy grail! The time of your life! What you've been waiting for!

Sooooo, don't feel glum after the weekend (whether it's food & fitness guilt or a come down from a fab weekend) because there's no need to! Never regret anything you do, it made you happy at the time! Trust me - that cake made me REALLY happy! (easily pleased!) Just make yourself happy now & think of Monday as your friend! 

You've got a great week ahead, so enjoy it! 

Apparently it's National Margarita Day as well, according to Twitter..just saying!

P.S.
Don't forget, if you're taking part in Lent just think of it as another day to count down till you can indulge on your guilty please - surely that's enough to get you through the day!

Thanks for reading! X

Top Drink Spots in Notts

In my last post I mentioned I'm going to be having a 'clean Feb'. (So far so good btw!) However, for those who aren't I thought I'd throw together a post about some fab bars you must visit in Notts!

Personally, I'd take going out for casual drinks with friends over a nightclub any-day and I'm a total sucker for a good cocktail bar! 

During my time in Nottingham at uni, I've decided it's one of the best places for cocktail bars. It's not a place with your average pretentious bars you see all the time, but  intricate, cosy and v quirky hidden city gems!

It's hard for me to pick my fave, but another thing I love about the majority of cocktail bars in here is their affordable prices (during happy hour) but for a cocktail night out, getting drinks in before 10pm isn't always a prob.

1. Coco Tang
One of the first cocktail bars I visited in Nottingham was Coco Tang. When I was in my first year the bar was a really popular student night for Trent on a Wednesday evening.

My friends & I love visiting Coco because it's one of the few places you can dress up when you go out, a real classy night for a classy lady (or gent).

Visiting Coco with my Dad!

At first it's difficult to find as it's door is literally only shown with a red lantern near Jamie Oliver's restaurant. It definitely has an eclcetic feel about it; an underground bar, featuring an adorable lounge room filled with comfy sofas & pink fairy lights. 

It's free entry, and happy hour is before 10pm every night except student nights (Monday for Uni of Notts & Wednesday for Trent). Drinks in Coco are such a creative blend & come co-ordinated with sweets for the majority of them! Definitely a perk!

Jade Trader

My top Coco cocktails:
- Breakfast at Tiffany's (Martini style cocktail with vodka, passionfruit, topped with a shot of prosecco)
- Jade Trader (perf if you like something fresh! The hint of kiwi gives the vodka a refreshing kick - perfect if you've got holiday blues & want to feel relaxed!)
- Refresher (sweet tooth? This will defo tickle your tastebuds! Best part - you get a mini refresher with it too!!)
- Lemon Dragon (Basically lemon meringue pie in drink form! So if you missed dessert, don't worry here's a cheaper, funner version!)








They do a range of classics as well, of course! Daiquiri's, martini's, even mocktails for the drivers (or non-drinkers).

2. Pepper Rocks

I recently visited this cocktail bar - situated across from Coco Tang, so why not visit them both at the same time?!

Pepper Rocks is another affordable bar - £4 for cocktails before 10pm! They have a smaller range of cocktails than Coco but they can tailor it to pretty much anything you like!

With a retro feel it's perfect for after dinner cocktails, pre night out or a classy night with the girls! Dress up or dress down, suitable for any style! It has a good range of music from 80's to old school, noughties and current tracks as well!

Cosmo (front) & English Garden

Fave's from here:
- Classic Cosmo (Can never go wrong with a classic - served in a martini glass, vodka, cointreau, lime and cranberry!)
- English Garden (Gin lovers this is one to try! A very refreshing cocktail: Gin & elderflower - mix it up with Vodka if you don't like gin - that's what I did!)




One thing I love about this bar is it's so cosy & homely, best part - they serve food! Crepes and Hot Dogs are the speciality here to go with your cocktail, so give it a go! 

3. Pitcher & Piano

Now this bar is absolutely incredible!! A converted church, it has such a rustic feel to it & the setting inside is even more exciting than the outside! It's kept all the intricate, classic details of a Church, just modernised into a bar - it also includes an outside terraced bar for those summery evenings!

P&P is definitely one to go to when the 'rents are visiting as it's one of the more expensive bars! Nevertheless, if you want to treat yourself (or it's payday!) you must try here!

They have a range of drinks from your classic wines, beers and spirits then their cocktails! Something for everyone, so don't be shy!

My faves:
- Again, always a classic with the Cosmopolitan is a good choice!
- 'Finish in The Pink' - a mix of rosé win, strawberry syrup and vodka topped with soda.
- Elderflower Daiquiri - if you're a white rum lover this is perfect for you; Bacardi Rum, Elderflower and Lime Juice - refreshing & tickles your tastebuds!

4. Tilt

The most recent bar I've visited & loved it! Me & a friend went here mid-week, it's got such a chilled atmosphere, live music & it's all waitered table service - so if you're feeling a little classy head into Lace Market for a drink here!

It is on the more expensive side but definitely worth it! I had a lovely Kiwi Martini, which  was so refreshing & the list of cocktails is endless, from your classics; cosmo, daiquiri's and martinis to their specialities (I'll let you discover those yourself!)

5. Bunk

In the heart of Lace Market Bunk is another hidden gem in Notts. If you're looking for something cosy but different here's the perfect place! 

Bunk does a bit of everything, cocktails, 'bunk dogs' wings, candy pots, Ben & Jerry's and the staff are lovely! 

One of my faves from here was the Elderflower Martini - I'm usually a vodka girl, but the bartender convinced me to try a Dry Martini cocktail and it was deeeeelish! Perfect for a group night out, or a romantic eve with your loved one!

6. Boilermaker

Firstly, do not judge a book by it's cover (especially in this situation!)

In my opinion, it's one of THE best cocktail bars in Notts. It's definitely the hidden treasure of the city, deceiving but an incredible bar!


Again, it's a waitered-table service cocktail bar with personalised cocktails to Notts. Incorporating the famous Robin Hood with alcohol - what more could you ask for?! 




Of course, they serve the classics but go for something a bit different like the "Cereal Killa'h"  - and YES, it is as cool as it sounds! Served in a cereal box, a rum based drink infused with cereal flavours; crunchy nut cornflake infused rum, honey and almond milk!


It's not the only unique drink here, they have so many different varities of showstoppers and the presentation is definitely a 10/10!






My list of places still to visit..

- Revolucion de Cuba; a new bar just opened located by the Theatre Royal, I've heard great things about this bar, quirky, great atmosphere & they do food! Bit pricey, but worth it by the looks of things!
- Das Kino; a Cinema-themed bar with ping-pong tables I've heard?! One of my friends recently started working there...mates rates??
- Pit & Pendulum; a bit of a gothic bar, but it's secret bookcase door makes it very intriguing and their offers tempt me even more - 2 cocktails for £6.95! Show me the bar!


These are just a few of the cocktail bars in Nottingham, I've still got another year before graduating so hopefully I'll have a few more to tell you about soon! 

As a student I think the ones I've mentioned are the most popular, so if you're planning a classy night out or just a few cheeky cocktails with friends, give one (or a few) of them a try! I promise you won't be disappointed!


Thanks for reading! X

Reflections

31st January has fast approached us & already we've already had a month of 2016! If you've been doing dry Jan & made it, congrats! You've reached the summit, reward yourself with a large vino!

January has been a crazy month for me! Everyone says 'January Blues' is the start of a New Year, alongside all the 'New Year, New Me' malarky! Honestly, January has been one of the best months I've had!

Reflecting on the last month and last year it's been a whirlwind! 2015 was a good year to me, I did a hell of a lot and made some brilliant memories, friends and experiences from beginning to end. 

Of course it wasn't all good; life is a rollercoaster (as cliché as that sounds) and yes I was hurt, heartbroken, had fall outs and experienced tough times personally but I also had one of the best years. Wonderful experiences at Sky Sports, travelling to amazing parts of the world, spending my Summer with my best friends and family before returning to Uni and really starting life (as second year actually counts!!)

So here we are, 2016. January has been crazy. Bouncing back is something I was taught to do from a very young age, on the back end of 2015 I had to pick myself up, bounce back and get life back in order! STRESS! I can't do that at the best of times!

Anyways, I spent New Year away from home, somewhere different, with different people and had the best New Year to be honest! A week later, I was back in the land of Notts! Reunited with my uni gals, course mates and inevitably the work I should have really done over Christmas!

Everything in life happens for a reason & it's just as well I didn't do my work because it turned out I ended up interviewing the ex-captain of Nottingham Forest from during the Cloughie days, John McGovern for my Uni assessment, he also managed to get me an Academy player to interview, so procrastinating isn't always a bad thing! Bear that in mind!

I don't really believe in making shoddy New Year resolutions (mainly because I NEVER stick to them!!!) but also, why should a New Year encourage you to 'change your life' as dramatic as it sounds!

However, I am gonna go all cliché and have a 'clean' Feb (or try to!) After all it is the shortest month so I'm sure I won't miss my binge biscuits! I'm still gonna reward myself with a cheeky cocktail at the end of a hard working week though! 

But my future reflections:

• Get fit & feel fab 
• Teach myself to cook like Jamie Oliver (if that's possible as a student)
• Prioritise life! (I'm very organised on paper - but mentally prioritising isn't my forte)
• Look to the future (seriously..getting closer to my final year!!)

Looking to the future is a very pressuring thing we have to do these days, Sixth Form was the worst at forcing us to choose what path we wanted to take in life! Managed to do that - ticked off the bucket list - now i'm almost in my final year and need to think about getting a job...scary...moving on swiftly!!

There's so many exciting things in the pipe line at the moment, not just for me but everyone! We've had a lot of sad losses in the fame world this last month; David Bowie, Alan Rickman & Sir Terry Wogan. I saw a quote from Terry Wogan posted online today which really hit me & I hope it's inspiring to you as well...

"Take it easy, life's short enough as it is without rushing it" 

- Sir Terry Wogan

On that note I'm off for my beauty sleep, but before I love you and leave you! I'm a strong believer that everything you do in life, you should do at the best of your ability. Do what's right for you and don't have any regrets. Sure, there's things I wish I could change but learn to appreciate what's been, and learn from it. 

If you've had a crap month, move on. Make Feb a better month (second the best & all that!).

Thanks for reading! 

X