...#happydays for ONE YEAR!

That's it, you read it right! 

I have posted a picture on my Instagram every day for ONE YEAR!! (well it's slightly over now as I have been totally useless in writing this post) =[ 

Like many people, last year I jumped onto the band wagon and took on the #100happydays challenge. Those of you, who may have been hiding under a rock last year/travelling somewhere deep and exotic and don't know what I harping on about... The challenge was to post a picture to one of the many social media platforms every day for 100 days. The idea is that you have to post something that has made you happy that day. 

I loved this! I think it is important to focus on the things that make you happy! It is ever so easy to constantly focus upon the negative aspects of our lives...

Something bad happened at work today

I wish that I was fitter/healthier/slimmer/more toned/prettier/taller/shorter BLAH BLAH BLAH

Is it worth it?

Maybe I shouldn't have said that? Oh god, do they hate me? they probably hate me, dear lord WHY?

What am I doing with my life?

...and so on and so on!

So I took on the challenge, unaware that I would get instantly hooked and end up posting everyday for a year! That's right, a whole 365 days - MADNESS, I tell ya! 

As for all of us, a lot has changed in my lift over the past year and I thought it would be nice to share some of my favourite photos with you all =] 

Catch ups with friends

My first ever cake pops made for Easter! 

I developed a ridiculous obsession with Lush Bath Bombs

I choreographed FAME The Musical for Park House School 

Bruce and I went on a lovely winter walk

Russell loves Christmas and boxes

I met Monty the Penguin =] 

I went rock climbing for the first time & did alright!

BESTIVAL 2014

I went to Norwich for the first time 

I got this beauty tattooed on my thigh

PAINT!!

Now I challenge you all to start your own #100happydays and I look forward to seeing all of your pictures!

If you want to check out the rest of my pictures from the past year, you can find me on Instagram under the username _stephanieemma_

Big Loves, 

Steph xxx

...my first Blog Nomination - #LiebsterAward

Earlier today, a little Twitter notification popped up to inform me that the lovely Carina has nominated me and this blog for the #LiebsterAward.  This was one my highlights for the day as I never expected my blog to nominated for anything!

Carina has a lovely blog and I'd be delighted if you went over to show her some love - you can find her and her blog RIGHT HERE!

What is the Liebster Award? 

This award is given from one blogger to another and it appears to help bloggers to spread the love for their fellow bloggers (especially bloggers who are new to the community, like myself) 

What are the rules? 

There seem to be different rules depending on who has nominated. Here are the rules that Carina used in her blog post, it makes sense for me to use the same ones, I guess! 

• Thank the person who nominated you and link them
• Answer the 11 questions that were created for you by the person who nominated you
• Nominate small blogs that you love, deserve the award and have less that 200 followers
• Create a new set of 11 questions for the people you have nominated and notify them via social media or their blog.

Carina's Questions & My Answers

 1. What languages do you speak? 

 I'm embarrassed to say that I can only speak English fluently. I can speak basic French and German but only the the things that they teach you at school =[ not a lot else. *note to self, learn another language*

2. How did you come up with the name for your blog?

I was trying to think of a name that suited my content. I knew that I just wanted to write about things that were happening in my life, things I was enjoying and issues that I felt passionate about. After wrecking my brain for a while, I realised that I wanted my content to be an insight into my life and experiences and that's when 'A Little Insight Into' was born.

3. Name the top three places on your travel bucket list. 

Oooooh, this is a tough one! I'd say the...
West Coast of the USA - I've always wanted to drive from San Diego to Washington.
Hobbiton in New Zealand - I am a HUGE fan of The Hobbit & LOTR. The closest I've got so far is giving my friend my LOTR leggings to wear on her trip there

Mexico for Dia De Muertos (Day of the Dead) - It sounds a lot more terrifying and gross than it is. If you don't know about it, it is a Mexican Holiday where family and friends honour their deceased loved ones. I think that it's really nice that there is a holiday for people to share stories and celebrate the lives of lost ones.

4. Most inspiring bloggers?

I'd say that the bloggers that I get most of my inspiration from are Emmie from Carpe Diem Emmie & Elsie Larson & Emma Chapman from A Beautiful Mess

5. Have you ever been involved in guest posting and would you like to be in the future? 

I haven't guest posted before but I'd love to in the future.

6. Do you ever want kids?

Yes, I'd love to have kids one day <3

7. And what about pets? 

Well I currently have 2 cats and I love them dearly. However, I would like a dog and a pygmy hedgehog at some point in my life.

8. Do you have any networking tips for new bloggers? 

Being a new blogger, I don't really have a lot of advice as i'm still learning about this! I have recently been getting involved in a few bloggers twitter chats and have loved them. They are a great way to meet other bloggers and discuss topics that relate to different aspects of the blogging community.

9. Do you use Facebook for networking/spreading your blog? and how? 

I do! My blog is rather new and I took a deep breath and shared my blog on Facebook for the first time. I got a great response and now share when I've published a new post.

10. Favourite Movies? 

My most favourite movie of ALL TIME is The Nightmare Before Christmas. It has been my favourite film since I was a kid and it always will be. After that comes the Lord of the Rings (all 3)

11. How did your friends react when you told them you've started blogging? 

I'm not too sure how many of my friends know! I haven't told a lot of people but after sharing it on Facebook, I'm sure a lot of them know about it. Up until now, I haven't received any negative comments so I guess they like it or don't care hah!

My Nominations

The bloggers that I am nominating are Harry Casella and Carina Chung

My 11 Questions

1. Why did you start blogging? 

2. Did you have any New Years Resolutions this year? If so, what were they and have you kept any of them up?

3. Where's your most favourite place in the world?

4. If you could recommend a book to anyone, which book would it be? 

5. Describe yourself in 5 words.

6. Who is your inspiration in life?

7. Do you have any hobbies? If so, what are they?

8. What's your favourite food?

9. What are you passionate about?

10. If you were a type of biscuit, what biscuit would you be and why? 

11. Would you rather burp bubbles or fart glitter? 

I look forward to seeing your responses!! 

Big Loves, 

Steph xxx

...Be:Fit London 2015 (03/05/2015)

I got invited by Yasmin from Wild Lotus to attend Be:Fit London with her on Sunday 3rd May. The event was located between Angel and Islington at the Business Design Centre. 

Be:Fit London is the UK's only health and fitness festival that is specifically aimed at women. 

The festival featured a huge range of stalls run by brands such as Nestle Cereals, Cosmopolitan, Dangerous Days Out, Nakd Wholefoods and Teapigs. There was a live cooking station run by Total (greek yoghurt) where various chefs gave out tips for how to make yummy protein filled meals. You could even book into the Reebok Fitness Studio and take part in funky workshops run by House of Voga, Insanity, Boom Cycle and Contemporary Yoga. 

If that wasn't enough already, the second you entered the festival you were greeted by a cheerful staff member and a FREE goodie bag! As Yasmin and I went on the last day, when we were leaving we got asked if we would like another FREE goodie bag! Our arms were already aching but we obviously took another one! 

Here's what we got...

I am buzzing to try everything but don't want to use it all at once. In addition to all of these amazing treats, we were constantly given samples of different products whilst we were at the event. My favourite products that we consumed were the Oats + Chia Banana & Mango, Vanilla Almond Butter and Mint Chocolate Bounce Bars. It's safe to say that I will be buying these in the future, especially as they are all Wheat and Dairy free (for those of you who don't know, I'm intolerant to both).

Also two of the stores gave us some really helpful leaflets/cards. The first was from Push: Mind and Body. This company offers the UK's first ever Re-Bootcamp - sounds amazing, right?! They believe that combining high-intensity exercise, nutrition, coaching and mindfulness will help you to access the tools you need for a better life. Makes sense. 

On the back of their business cards, they printed their Top 10 Tips For Living A Better Life and here they are...

The other company who gave us some handy nutrition tips was Wyldsson. This company focuses on providing clean and healthy food that tastes great. I bought some of their Madagascar Vanilla & Barberry Nut Butter and one of their Organic Persian Mulberry ProMix and they are INCREDIBLE!! If you like that kind of food then you have to give them a try because I promise that you will love their products just as much as me!

Wyldsson's handy tip that they gave us was about the hidden sugars found in food nowadays. I've read a lot about this recently, so I'm guessing people are becoming more aware of this now. Hidden sugars can be found under a list of different names.

Here's that list....

Finally, we both got to have a go on a Powerplate. They are amazingly odd. They work your body super hard but you don't really have to do much except actively engage your muscles. Don't get me wrong, I still felt like I'd had an awesome workout! After working both of our legs, we got to lay down and get a leg massage from the Powerplate. It was fab! 

Why do I not have on of these at home? 

(they are super pricey, that's why)

Anyways, we both had a lovely day and found some new products/companies that we really love. Hopefully, Wild Lotus will be able to have their own stall there next year. *fingers crossed* 

See you there again next year!

Big Loves, 

Steph x

...all things aerial and hoopy

Early today I took part in my first ever Bloggers Twitter Chat using the hashtag #socialbloggers - todays topic was 'Stepping Out of your Comfort Zone' which made me think of how I've been venturing outside of my comfort zone.

In the past few months I have been involving myself in some new and exciting hobbies and I have been feeling great because of it.

'What have you been up to then Steph?' I hear you asking...

Here's what!

1. Aerial Hoop 
I started participating in Aerial Hoop classes in January and have been obsessed ever since. The bruises can be rather off-putting but a good chum told me that 'bruises are just the trophies of what you've done' and I like to think that is true. 

The class that I go to is held at Spin City Newbury every Wednesday from 6-7pm. They are taught by my beautiful friend Yasmin Strong, who is an absolute aerial wizard!!
Have a look for yourselves...

The class is a beginners class where you learn how to get in and out of the hoop safely, build upper body strength, learn all of the beginners moves and begin to put a routine together. As well as gaining these new skills, I have made a new group of friends and my confidence has risen. 

I'd recommend that each any every one of you should try an aerial class at some point in your lives. It makes you reignite your childhood sense of fun, creativity and risk. It's amazing! 

Check out Spin City *here*

2. Aerial Yoga

I began going to aerial Yoga classes earlier on this year and instantly fell in love with it. 

As a dancer, I have found difficult to find deeper stretches to improve my flexibility due to being rather flexible already. Aerial Yoga has provided me with equipment to find these stretches. 

But you'll be pleased to know that you don't have to be a dancer to reap the benefits of this type of class!

Aerial Yoga uses slings that support your weight - whether that be one limb or your entire body (you can even use it like a hammock) 

This is amazing for relaxation, stretching and for an all round sense of fun! You get to invert (go upside down), swing, play AND get a work out at the same time! WINNER! 

After igniting my love for Aerial Yoga, I have since started training to become an Aerial Yoga Instructor. I am doing my training through the Wild Lotus Studio that is based in Newbury, Berkshire. They are holding an Aerial Yoga Instructor Training in May 2016! 

If you would like more details click *here*

3. Hula Hoop

Like many of us, I loved hula hooping as a kid. I had no special tricks, I was just pretty good at hooping around my waist. I once hula hooped for 45mins without stopping! 

Last week I had the urge to start hooping again. I mentioned it to my friend and she said that her friend Roxy was just about to pop over to have a hula hoop play around in the park. So obviously I tagged along and went for a play. I am not kidding when I say...

I HAD THE BESTEST TIME

I learnt a few basic tricks and got to spend an afternoon hooping in the sunshine. HEAVEN

Since then I have been practising my new tricks and bought my very own hoop from Roxy. 

Roxy is an incredible teacher, performer and person. 

Check out her crazy hoop skills here...

So there you have it! I have gone a little aerial and hooping mad!

What crazy and fun things have you been doing recently? I'd love to know! 

Big Loves, 

Steph x