Exercise, Pampering, Coffee and Films - My Good Things in Life.

For once I can genuinely say I've had a lovely day! From what could have turned out to be me moping about all day in some miserable state, I managed to perk up my mood and make sure I was happy. I've realised that only I can truly make a change and if I'm not willing to help myself then I can't seriously expect anyone to help me. 

I initially didn't have all that great of a start. I planned to get up and go to an express Zumba (45 mins) but after going to bed at half 4 in the morning, I think it was pretty safe to say I wasn't going to be making a 9am Zumba class! So luckily I did cancel my place the night before but still set my alarm thinking if I woke up and still wanted to go I'm sure there would have been a space. Either way, when the alarm went off my head was pounding! I had no intentions of getting ready to go to the class. Which I will admit I knew I'd be upset about later on. But I knew for my own health sake I was better off sleeping! So that's exactly what I did. Even when my alarm later went off I still had a headache though. So again I slept for a little bit longer, and longer and yet the headache was still not there. Brilliant. Something was telling me this wasn't sleep related. But being the stubborn person I am I decided rather than taking some painkillers that instead I would sulk. As per. 

Thank god I got my act in gear. After my Mum rung me at about half 12 I decided enough was a enough and I needed to stop driving myself into a depressive state. After a quick call I decided I should at least fix my eyelashes and consider an action plan for the day. This began with some form of exercise. My legs ached, my head hurt but got to say doing Jillian's good old 30 Day Shred always make me feel better. I may hate the thought of enduring squat jumps. rock star jumps and the whole thing really but there's nothing better than finishing it. Although what I don't get is that even though I still feel like I'm working out I don't get the whole 'OMG I'm absolutely dying' feeling anymore. Now this can either mean my fitness has improved (unlikely) or I'm not putting in as much effort (more likely). But anyway normally I'd feel disappointed and feel the need to find more exercise to do. But being good as I know I need to put on weight I refrained myself and told myself it WAS enough! 

To distract myself I then got into contact with a friend who's training to be a masseuse. She asked me if I'd be a case study for her, which of course (even though it's an extreme hard ship having to receive a free full body and Indian head massage) that I would do it! Got to say it was exactly what I needed! I completely relaxed and considering over the last few days I've had aching shoulders, which I'm not sure if it was stress/sleeping dodgy/Body Pump/all 3 related. Was the perfect fix! I could literally feel the tension leaving them and was so nice just shutting off and having me time. Plus being friends with her always helps because we then got to have a good old chat afterwards. Including a trip to Costa for a coffee! Massage and Coffee! My day was getting better!

I couldn't believe that it was actually 6pm by the time I got in. Although I was quite happy that it was evening and time to sit and enjoy some Sunday evening TV entertainment. You can always rely on a channel having a film on and I love it even more when it's one I haven't seen before. Got to say I did enjoy watching Mirror, Mirror. Yes I'm still a child at heart. 

Just goes to show I suppose sometimes the littlest things can make a good night, Exercise, Pampering, Coffee and Films seem to work for me.

Emily x

A little place of Heaven... the perfect coffee shop in Leeds

Those of you that read my blog regularly will know I love Coffee and one of my favourite past times is wandering round the City Center of Leeds, browsing round all the local shops and generally doing a bit of time wasting! Even more so it seems when I'm stupidly busy! And one part of my general day to day goings about involves getting a coffee. It just has to be done. I have like a little compulsion and just can't avoid it. So as you can imagine I have become a bit of an expert when it comes to getting a good cup of coffee and like mine to be made in a specific way. Of course it's been more than necessary for me to have had to test out practically every shop selling coffee in Leeds. Do you know what it's amazing how many of them can't live up to my expectations! Even major chains such as certain Costa Coffee and Caffe Nero have left me less than satisfied. It just seems that certain baristas have no concept of how to make a decent cup! Well fortunately I've found somewhere that truly does live up to it's name and does provide a little cup of heaven!

Heaven Cafe in Leeds, located opposite Little Waitrose and 99p Shop certainly does know how to make me coffee just how I like it. I'm definitely not easy to impress, so take my word for it, they've got to be good! From the perfect frothy Cappuccino - any idea what's my favourite, to a flavoured latte. Then not forgetting the absolutely gorgeous and very indulgent Hot Chocolate, Heaven truly does it all! What's even better if that you can enjoy your choice of beverage accompanied by one of their extremely tasty cakes or pastries or if you're feeling a bit more peckish you can always try one of their very tasty baguettes or fresh sandwiches all made in front of you! You can't ask for much better than that!

Even if you could ask for better then Heaven doesn't fail to disappoint! They even sell chocolates! Yes you read that right, they have a fine selection of very indulgent Belgian chocolate all for a very reasonable price! I've got to say this place truly is heaven! I really didn't think that there could be anything more than could make this cafe even better than that, well that's until I visited one morning on my way to work and ordered an extra strong cappuccino, made perfectly frothy and with an extra shot plus my favourite syrup too, well I was quite satisfied with that alone. But then to be told I could have a danish pastry or porridge for free just because it was before 10:30am! Yes FREE! As you can imagine my day was completely made and I went to work a very happy girl with my pastry and coffee.

I honestly couldn't recommend Heaven more and if you haven't visited then you're truly missing out! Be careful though this place can become very addictive as the food and drink is just too good! It's hard to stay away. I'm struggling even more now they've released their summer frappes too! In fact I think I may have to have a little trip there in a minute, could certainly do with a little treat right now and I can't think of anywhere better to go! 

Anyone fancy joining me?

Check out their Facebook page by clicking on the link Heaven of Leeds.

Emily x