PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP!

So, my cold has still not shift. It's now March. I've been blogging for three months and spring is knocking at our door. The Bristol weather is in a period of transition... undecided whether to attempt sunshine or stay grey and windy! However, the first signs of spring have given me a new enthusiasm to perk myself up. Here's what I've been doing to put a spring in to my step.

The beautiful flowers of Bloemenmarkt flower market, Amsterdam

1. Exercise: I've had an exercise routine for a few weeks now and it's something I really look forward to.

• Monday Pilates: I've been doing Pilates on and off for over two years now and I absolutely love it. I'm not over into all the high-intensity exercise like running and with a spinal condition, core strength is vital for spinal health. Everyone should be doing Pilates the benefits are endless. For home tutorials, check out blogilates on youtube for the best yoga videos! 

• Tuesday Ballin': Swiss ball abs classes! Great for your bum and tum as well as your balance. 

• Wednesday Posing: Yoga. I've mentioned yoga in another post A Brief Note on Yoga. I've decided Yoga requires a lot of patience. Over the weeks, I've grown to love it as I've got better and stronger. The reward is in the repetition!

I also really want to try body balance, has anyone been to a class? It's a combination of pilates, yoga and tai chi and looks brilliant!

2. New music

I have a playlist with nearly 300 songs on it but recently I've been pressing skip a lot. In search of some new music I've been using the discover page of Spotify a lot lately! Does anyone have any good recommendations for new music? 

3. Buy a plant! (obvious I know) 

My boyfriend brought me an adorable potted plant at the weekend when we popped into Waitrose. It sits on the window ledge during the day to soak up all the photosynthesising goodness. It brings a little bit of the outdoors inside and I can't wait for it to bloom.

This photo does not do the pot justice! Perhaps when it blooms I'll post another.

4. Room diffusers 

Changing my room scent with the seasons, I recently opened my new room diffuser Flowers from the White Company. It couldn't smell more spring-like if it tried!

5. Fresh air

Despite the arctic like winds across Clifton Downs, walking back from uni regularly has really helped me clear my head (literally and figuratively)! Opening the window in the morning helps get rid of the stuffiness and prepares me for the day.

6. On that note... walking! 

Setting aside some time in my day to clear my mind, take a break from the screen and stretch my legs is a good detox! I often end up making a phone call to a friend which is also a nice break in the day. And wear you sunglasses... anything to make you feel more summery is always a plus. 

7. Exfoliate and highlight

Perhaps a weird one but I've been meaning to rebuy my favourite exfoliator for ages! A serious exfoliate once a week has help brighten up my skin and adding a highlighter to my makeup routine has given me a glowy look and disposition. Personally, St Ives do the best budget face scrubs on the market by far. They have a good range, which you can tailor to your needs. Check them out here. 

The Benefits High Beam liquid highlighter and the Kiki Pearly Rock 'brightening blush'.

What little changes have you noticed in the your routine as the seasons start to change?  My sister and parents are coming to visit me this weekend in Bristol and I can't wait! I hope you all have a good weekend and check back on Sunday for a new post on something pretty personal.