How I Became a Morning Person
11 August 2016
Bingley, UK
A lot of the posts on Anika May begin with “I’m very lazy”, and honestly that hasn’t changed. I still like laying around and doing nothing. When I was working full time, I was never (ever) a morning person; in fact I dreaded the sound of an alarm each daybreak before the same routine into a chilly train station and miserable march to the workplace with a whole bunch of strangers. Since changing my environment, I’ve found it beneficial to get up earlier and get used to it, giving me more hours in the day and a head start on the healthy lifestyle I’m aiming for.
A protein-filled breakfast
I could easily have a bagel, pilled with Nutella and
marshmallows for breakfast everyday but I know it’s not the best start.
Although it tastes great, it’s stodgy, fatty food that only makes me lethargic and
feel even lazier. Not only am I introducing myself to a firmer diet (which I’ll
be documenting), but discouraging my love for no-no foods. A new breakfast
cereal I’m becoming obsessed with is Weetabix – super simple. I could easily
make a fancy Instagram-worthy acai bowl, but I just don’t have the time on a
morning and I like something warm too.
Yoga, pilates and running
I’m growing more towards working out, but it’s still not my
favourite thing in the world. I like to motivate myself using Pinterest boards
and YouTube videos, some of my favourites include Yoga With Adriene, Blogilates and Fitness Blender. Working
out in the morning gives me energy for the day, and a much better mind-set. I
can listen to my favourite tunes while watching the sunrise and warm up easily
in the winter. I used to work out in the evenings which meant taking off my
makeup from the day and lazily doing sit ups until I ended up on my phone – not
anymore.
Pep talks
Don’t get me wrong, waking up at 6am or before is not stress-free.
Especially during the winter months when it’s a lot darker at that time in the
morning. Although my body clock has adjusted now, I really struggled to abandon
the warmth of my humble bed. To this day, I still have to give myself around 10
minutes to actually come round for a night’s sleep, but in the beginning it was
all about pep talks. Pep talks lead to motivation and that’s the best method
for me to actually start moving. Giving myself a real reason, really helped me to get up… “Let’s do this.”
Extra time
I’m forever complaining about the lack of time in a day. Sometimes
there’s just so much to do and never enough time to do it! One of the biggest
benefits of becoming a morning person is having the extra few hours in a day. I
don’t work out every day so being able to get up and hop onto the computer to
schedule a blog post of finish the odd report is so much better than lazily lying
in bed trying type with one eye shut. The sense of accomplishment after a long
day is unbeatable.
A better diet
As mentioned earlier, I’m really trying to bring in a newer,
healthier diet and waking up earlier is incredibly advantageous. In the
morning, I don’t eat an enormous meal so I’m already feeling better. Lunches
can be a bit of a hit or miss, sometimes I just really need a burger.
However, as I go to bed earlier, I never want to fall asleep on a full stomach
so my dinners are much lighter – a massive improvement. I still need to work on
the Sunday roasts… but I’m getting there.
Warm baths and showers
Isn’t being cosy just the best? Whether it’s day or night, a
steamy shower is just what I need. I love to go all out when it comes to baths,
and usually take them before bed if I have the time. Baths are amazingly relaxing,
especially with a solid playlist and scented candles everywhere. A shower is
the perfect wake-up call, as long as you can bare stepping into the ice cold
artic that is anywhere outside of the bubble of happiness.
Rewards and treats
It can be really hard to get up sometimes, really really hard. I don’t always like it, but
know it needs to be done. On the days where leaving the duvet seems impossible,
but I managed to get through it, I give myself a little prize. Why not? On
occasion, it may be a cheat meal, or rather a new dress from ASOS – just something
to make me smile. It’s so important to treat yourself whenever you can, and I
much prefer to do it when I feel like I have actually done something reward-worthy.
If I plan a treat in advance, it helps put me to bed on time too.
Are you a morning person?
A Little Like Goes A Long Way
9 August 2016
Bradford, UK
Many of my followers already know this (mainly because I
never shut up on Twitter), but
this year, I quit my full time job and started working part time to make life a
little easier and blog more frequently. Since quitting the worst job in the
world, I have been working for two amazing charities that help the community in
an awesome way.
Along with my mum, we run two charities, Clothing Solutions
and Beaneezy. Although both
these organisations have been operating for quite a while, we have recently
launched social accounts for them and are working really hard to re-launch the
Clothing Solutions website. One social network in particular we have been
putting our focus on is Facebook. Personally, I was never a big fan of
Facebook, but it's proven as a really easy way for customers to be able to find
our charities. Check out the Twitter pages for Clothing Solutions & Beaneezy too!
Want to know what the charities do? Well, Clothing Solutions
(for Disabled People) is a registered charity that designs and alters clothing
for disabled people. It's very difficult for some people with a disability to
find clothing that fits them just right, or clothing that they can wear and put
on by themselves, allowing them more fashion freedom. Clothing Solutions also
designs bespoke accessories such as bibs, hats and even slippers to suit
everyone's needs. Using a unique computer system, our customers are able to
have their very own design and finally wear any piece of clothing they choose.
Many of our
happy customers wouldn't having the correct fitting or comfortable clothing
if Clothing Solutions wasn't able to create and adapt for them!
Beaneezy
began as a group of beanbags within Clothing Solutions, and slowly grew into
its own charity. Beaneezy has a line of beanbag
products available for an amazing price, but can also create unique and
bespoke beanbags and cushions to suit the needs of all our customers. Recently,
Beaneezy just completed an enormous order of our most popular beanbag, the
Large V Arm Support for some of the biggest organisations in the country,
including NHS, British Red Cross and MacMillan Caring Locally. Beaneezy is also
able to produce memory foam cushions for our customers, out of some our cosiest
fabrics. Beaneezy has also become immensely popular for athletes, children and new and feeding mothers too!
Clothing
Solutions and Beaneezy
both have Facebook and Twitter pages which really need the support of more
people. We don't receive government funding, so it's very important to us that
we can spread the word through social media and keep our work alive. We rely
solely on the donations of our lovely customers and wonderful funders, but aim
to get our Facebook pages to at least 100
likes... and we're halfway there! With more likes, the pages are able to
show up in search results and customers can find out details easier. The charities are not just for disabled people, children and elderly people love our products too! 
So, if you have the time, pretty (pretty) please could you
pop over to the pages and hit the little like button? And feel free to invite
others, the more the merrier! We have plenty of photos and information on
social media, which is updated regularly! 
Clothing Solutions Facebook Page Beaneezy Facebook Page
Each like or follow means so very much, and is incredibly
appreciated.
Thanks!
Super Lazy Day | Wishlist
3 August 2016
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
The T by Alexander Wang tank top looks like it's the perfect tee for lounging around in. I don't tend to explore colour when it comes to a lazy day because I don't really have anyone to impress, nor do I need to stand out - so the simpler the better. This sleeveless piece is a linen blend, which means it's guaranteed coziness. Similarly, the Old Navy shorts look crazy comfortable! I've had them in my 'liked' list on Polyvore for as long as I can remember, and have always decided I will one day feature them in a wishlist. Although I have heard a few bloggers and vloggers discuss Old Navy and buy from there, I've never bought anything from the site myself. After having a brief browse, I think the store has the potential to be a new favourite! The clothes look to be a of really high quality, and are available for amazing prices. As much as I adore tracksuit bottoms and leggings, shorts are an ideal alternative because it means I can totally and completely surround myself with blankets upon blankets.
Anyone that follows my blog, knows that I am totally and completely obsessed with stationary. It's actually kind of scary. I once considered even signing up to a stationary subscription box, but sadly £40 a month was just a little too high for me. The Campus Gifts notebook is one item I would love to own. I think the font is really cool, and stands out well against the darker text. The phrase is unique and something I've never seen printed before; the large book would be amazing for jotting down blog post ideas or even write out posts on a snug day at home. I'm a huge fan of UGG boots, despite knowing a lot of people don't like them. Personally, I don't mind the style and love how warm they keep my feet. When I spotted the UGG Australia Knit Slippers, I knew they had to be featured on a cushy-themed wishlist. From wearing UGG boots for years on end, it must be made certain that these slippers must be crazy cosy. The colour suits this overall wishlist brilliantly, and although the price is high, I'm sure I could make an exception.
To check out the rest of items in this wishlist, click here!
This or That | Summer Edition
31 July 2016
Ben Rhydding, UK
One of the best ways to get to know people is to find out
what they like and what they don’t like. It’s not difficult to figure out what
I don’t like because I have a tendency to complain and do plenty of that on
Twitter. Still, I absolutely love reading “this or that” posts, or watching “73
questions” videos, and I figured doing a post like that on Anika May would be a
great way to start a Sunday morning. So without further ado…
Ocean or pool?
Ocean, it smells better and I like the tides and waves. Plus
I have a think about pools being full of germs.
Beach holiday or wilderness?
I’ve been on a beach holiday before (and sadly only one in
my entire life), so I would say wilderness as it’s something new.
Watermelon or strawberries?
In all honesty, I really don’t like either! But I can drink
a strawberry milkshake.
Bikini or one-piece?
I only like high-waisted bikinis, which are kind of like a
one piece. So I guess one piece.
Lemonade or iced tea?
Ooooh I think lemonade. As much as I like iced tea, I feel
like lemonade will always win.
Hotdogs or burgers?
I am totally and completely a burger girl. I’ll eat a hotdog
any day but I love a solid burger, as you can probably tell by the image above.
Hat or sunglasses?
I have extensions so hats make my head really hot, so I
don’t wear them as much in summer. But I love sunglasses to hide my eyes!
Windows down or AC?
I always feel too cold with the AC on, but the windows down
gives you that nice windswept look and you can fake a music video.
Sports game or concert?
Concert! I recently went to see Rihanna
while the sun was shining and it changed my life!
Ice cream or ice lolly?
Ice cream for sure. I can’t bite into ice lollies so they
are difficult to eat but I love ice cream, especially with gummy sweets on top!
Fireworks or campfire?
Can I have both? I love a campfire in the summer, but
fireworks are so much fun to watch.
Flip flops or bare feet?
Depends where I’m walking. I like bare feet on the sand, but
flip flops pretty much everywhere else. The noise flip flops make is horrendous
though!
Water balloons or squirt guns?
I like water balloons, especially now there’s balloons that
fill way quicker than they used to! Guns are too much effect for me.
What would your answers be?
*whole outfit above from Next*
*whole outfit above from Next*
Nighty Night Shirt
28 July 2016
Eldwick, UK
I can be pretty lazy when it comes to getting dressed. Sometimes
there are days where I really don’t want to put any effort into my appearance,
and some days when I just don’t care.
A huge shirt is perfect for that kind of mood. With most of my outfits, I hate
to feel weighed down so men’s cotton shirts are ideal. I like women’s shirts
too, however they’re built with the female body in mind, so have a slight curve
for the waist, whereas men’s shirts and tops are usually just straight down the
sides which is what I like. During a shopping spree, it’s just so easy to drift
off into the men’s section and find way better items that some of the pieces in
the ladies’ section.
I have a habit of buying clothes that are too big, and today
is no different. With most clothes, I prefer them to be loose-fitting, but with
shirts, I go way over the top. I can’t help it! I literally want them to flow
in the wind. Also, the bigger the shirt, the skinnier my legs look so that’s
always a plus. I picked jeans and shoes that would match my look, my shoes in
particular being a new favourite. I’ve had them for a really long time, but
recently re-found them during a closet cleanout and found them in tip top
shape! I’m so happy I discovered them again as they’ll be perfect for Sunday’s
trip to Alton Towers.
Shirt // Tesco (SIMILAR)
Jeans // NEW LOOK
Shoes // Nike (SIMILAR)
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