24 hours with... Vanessa McIntosh, a lifestyle blogger from lipstickandlinguistics.com.
Date: 22/04/16
Why have you chosen to write about today?
Honestly? Because my deadline for this post is tomorrow and I leave everything 'til last minute! *blushes*
Good morning!
What time did you wake up?
I woke up at around 6, but stayed in bed 'til 8.
Why did you wake up at that time?
I haven't been sleeping well as it is, atm, but today I woke up with chest pains due to costochondritis, which I think I brought on by too much gymming (turns out lying horizontally watching Netflix 99% of the time doesn't prepare you well for exercise after all)!
Did you have a dream?
Probably, though not that I can remember. I'd love to start one of those dream diaries 'cause I remember them vividly first thing, but deep down I know that if I do it'd just end up being one of those things I started and didn't bother my backside finishing.
Do you think today will be 'good' or 'bad' day? (use your own definition of these words to answer the question)
Good. It's food shop day today which is ALWAYS good, though I should point out that it's also cleaning day, which admittedly isn't all that!
What are the first three things you do after waking up?
Check Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Yep, I'm addicted to social media. I keep proposing to my partner that we do something called 'no phone Friday', which is some sort of phoneless date night, but so far I haven't been able to put it down and keep it down...
Do you eat breakfast? If yes, what did you have?
Always. Typically I have a smoothie, but today I was feeling sorry for myself so had a bacon sandwich on to slices of gluten free bread.
What would be your perfect breakfast?
Smashed avocado on toast with poached egg and chilli flakes. I know, I know - I'm such a basic bitch, aren't I?
Is there anything that you have to do today but don't particularly want to?
Clean. I'll probs not bother.
List five things that you do between 9am and noon.
Make tea, drink tea, check my email, read something and write something.
Did you eat lunch? If yes, what did you eat?
Today we made gluten free spaghetti with pesto. Such a healthy day I know!
What would be your perfect lunch?
If I'm honest, probably a McDo, but I'm trying to eat a bit better after piling on the pounds (I'm looking at you, psych meds)! Today's been a write off though, clearly.
List five things that you have done, said, thought, or that have happened between noon and 5pm.
I did a food shop, put the shopping away, made lunch, ate lunch and washed the dishes. I also had a nap, but that's six.
Do you eat dinner/tea? If yes, at what time?
I do. When we eat varies, but tends to be around 6pm.
What do you eat?
All sorts!
What would be your perfect dinner?
Pizza or pasta but I rarely have either, if I'm honest. I'm intolerant of both lactose and gluten so try to avoid the two as much as I can.
What do you do with your evening (5-8pm)?
Make dinner, eat dinner, and clean up after dinner. Watch TV and run a bath.
Do you have a 'get-ready-for-bed' routine? If so, what is it? I do.
Because I have trouble sleeping I try to practice good sleep hygiene and have a bath every night to unwind. I have problematic skin, so will remove my makeup with a cleansing oil (any kind will do) and a hot cloth, and then go in for a second cleanse with my Moringa Cleansing Balm by Emma Hardie and a fresh flannel. I'll then acid tone with something like Pixi Glow Peel Pads or First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, and apply my Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil by The Body Shop followed up by a night cream (usually the High- Potency Night-A-Mins by Origins). Thrice weekly I'll throw in a face mask between cleansing and toning (such as Mask of Magnaminty by Lush) as well, and twice a week I'll be sure to wash and blowdry my hair. I'll then do my teeth, change into pjs and come downstairs to spend some time with my partner Craig before heading to bed.
What time do you go to sleep?
I get into bed at around 11pm, but usually lie awake until 1. I then might get a couple of hours of shut eye before waking again at 3, and getting off to sleep again at about 5. Craig's alarm then goes off at 6.30, and once I hear him up and about I'm awake for the rest of the day.
Is this when you want to go to bed? Or is it influenced by what you're doing the following day?
Regardless of what I'm doing the next day I'll be in bed by 11. I worry that if I go to bed any later I'll be up even later and I can't be doing with that.
Do you share your bed?
Unfortunately.
Which position do you tend to sleep in? e.g. foetus, starfish etc.
I sleep on my front with my head turned to the left and both arms under the pillow. Apparently it's called the Freefall position!
Reflect
What was your favourite part of your day?
My nap and waking up to the fish tank having been cleaned.
What was your least favourite?
I would say cleaning, but we've put it off 'til tomorrow. Oops.
Did anything happen today that you'd like to change or re-do?
Nahhh, what's done is done!
Did you 'learn' anything today? (use your own definition of this word to answer the question)
That to give myself costochondritis I must be hella unfit!
Are you looking forward to tomorrow?
I am.
What do you have planned?
We have to clean the house since we didn't bother doing it today (snore), do a few loads of washing and go to my partner's parents' house for Sunday dinner at 4. I'll probably false tan as well since I'm looking a bit see through.
Thank you for contributing to the series!
Goodnight!