Nothing too exciting about Fridays any more, especially as I'm taking a break from working altogether, every day is a weekend for me! Having worked in Ops for a fashion company, by the end of my two-and-a-half year run, I was exhausted and in need of a break. Of course I had taken a week off with annual leave prior to my resignation, but this only further instilled in me that it was time for a change (with a lot of free time in the middle!). Not only do I have no regrets, but I feel like I was able to make some positive changes to live a more healthy and productive lifestyle. More sleep, less caffeine, better meals, more time for exercise, less stress - all contribute to a stronger, healthier me!
So with that little background story aside, on to my day. With no set time to wake up, and a lot of free time during the day (before any working person is available for dinner hehe), I mostly take it easy without any strenuous activities or plans for the day. After breakfast I changed into my activewear to take the dogs for a walk, do some errands, and squeeze in a gym session later on.
A mug of green tea before the gym
I read somewhere that having green tea before a workout increases the calories burned by 17%. It's a well known fact that green tea aids weight loss as it increases the metabolism, and I suppose the caffeine helps as well? Just a little extra kick before putting in the hard yards for an efficient workout! But aside from helping with burning calories, there are bountiful benefits of this tea. Lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, oral cancer - and helps in skin care too! Obviously it is not a miracle cure, and no one should be solely reliant on green tea, but I think these benefits are good enough to drink it regularly. After all the taste is not too bad (this is coming from someone who had serious issues consuming it at a younger age). And I try. Sometimes I might go days without drinking it at all, but most of the time I try and fit in 2 cups a day.
Gym clothes; all Lorna Jane / nike roshe sneakers
The active wear trend is completely booming right now, with a lot of retailers coming out with a sportswear line to join in on the phenomenon and target consumers who are starting to make more health conscious choices. Lorna Jane is a brand who specialise in active wear, and I have been a fan for about two years (from the beginning when I just started developing an interest in working out). Probably 90% of my gym clothes are from LJ, just because the designs are cute and versatile and most tights have little pockets for convenience and accessibility. Even with this lime green knit - I could easily wear it for other occasions than the gym. Win-Win.
Equipment leopard print silk shirt / TEMT forest green sweater / MARCS leather-look leggings / OROTON peach clutch cross-body bag / Mimco black heels
We are definitely well into Spring in Australia. Meant to be anyway. There have been a few chilly days here and there where a warm knit and pants are warranted. I'm all for cool weather so don't mind the mix of hot and cold. I get to bring out my sweaters so a huge bonus in my eyes!
Korean BBQ @ Jonga Jip
This restaurant is in Eastwood and is pretty much always bustling with people. So much so, that there are actually two of them! Literally meaning Jonga's House, this place offers up a huge variety of side dishes, making it a popular and highly valued authentic Korean restaurant. Not only is the food delicious, the service is fast and efficient, making this place a true winner. Most Korean places have unlimited refills on the side dishes, so with the numerous options Jonga Jip have on offer, you can have a hearty meal with different taste combinations for every bite!