The Kikki.K Dreaming Time Medium Planner

I'd like you to meet my planner...

Pink - my favourite colour

Decorated and filled with daily thoughts & inspiration

Office Desk Essentials

My desk at home is full of all the bits and bobs I need to get me through whatever work i'm doing, I have a choice to decorate it as I like and it truly feels like my space. However at work I don't have that option as everything is very corporate and sterile. However, there are four items of mine I have made sure to have beside me at work and home. These are..

Hand cream is a must - living in tropical climate means the air condition is working all day long which means my skin tends to get very dry and flaky. This one from The Body Shop is the Japanese Cherry Blossom Hand and Nail cream. Promising to "instantly soften and moisture with cherry blossom extract". It isn't an intensive hand cream and i'd say it does an OK job of moisturizing and softening which I don't mind because i'm still at work and need to use the keyboard which can get uncomfortable with a thick cream. Unfortunately I was unable to find this on The Body Shop online.

The second item is an Australian favorite Lucas Pawpaw Ointment balm. This product is a lifesaver and is not only a desk staple but an essential for every handbag of mine. This balm can be used for multiple areas, I generally use it on my lips but can be used for boils, bums, chafing, cuts, cracked skin, gravel rash, splinters, open wounds, insect bites and nappy rash. Like I said it's a LIFESAVER. It has a thick consistency and a balmy texture. The smell is barely noticeable. Overall I love this product and will continue to use it for the rest of my days.

The third item is Clear Eyes eye drops. Over the years my mum used this when travelling to relieve sore and tired eyes. Personally I have loved this little guy because I have a desk job and am looking at a screen for at least 8 hours a day, not to mention my mobile and iPad once I get home from work. No matter how well I sleep or whether I wear my glasses there are those days my poor little eyes get so sore and irritated. These eye drops always help relieve and get me back on track with my work. This was purchased at my local pharmacy and no prescription is required.

Most of you are probably familiar with the Vicks Inhaler - a funny looking object you stick up your nostril and inhale. Growing up my grandparents always had one of these and I LOVED inhaling it just for fun. However as I got older I realised how much this little object can truly help. I carry it with me all the time and have an additional one at my desk. I don't necessarily use this when I'm sick as the office tends to accumulate lots of dust and sometimes I just need a nice fresh clearing. I picked this one up from my local chemist.

The fifth and final product is quite obvious - Listerine, since I currently have braces I have been advised to steer clear from chewing gum, I personally don't like mints and mouth wash is too messy. These little dudes are perfect for after that morning coffee and lunch. No one and I mean no one enjoys talking to someone with a smelly breath, it's unprofessional and gross!

I hope you enjoyed this most, let me know what you keep handy at your office desk!

The Raw Energy Salad

Since I was a child I always liked my vegetables and salads (especially). Throughout primary school I would come home and make myself a big bowl of lettuce salad with vinegar and oil - that was good enough for me. Over the years I was introduced to many other salads such as Caesar and Thai etc. I was never much a fan and my love for salad began to deteriorate, they were always too boring and at the end of my meal I never felt fully satisfied, until of course I stumbled upon The Raw Energy Salad. 

I present to you the most delicious and tasty salad I have ever come across. This salad is full of all the good stuff: smoked salmon, carrot, cabbage, beans, celery, lettuce, onion, beetroot and tasty cheese. Usually raisins and nuts are added however I'm not a fan. With a light dressing of olive oil, vinegar and lemon I could eat this daily. I get this salad from a cafe called The Office and it is such a great lunch choice as I always find it difficult to find something healthy, satisfying and DELICIOUS on those days I haven't prepared my own lunch. 

I made an attempt of re-creating this salad myself and well....failed miserably. There's something i'm missing but until i'm able to successful recreate this salad myself I am happy to visit the cafe where it's sold for a convenient and healthy lunch choice.

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How To Stay Active During University (Plus Working)

During the university semester I find it extremely difficult to maintain my weekly workout regime. I work part time and that makes things even more difficult, not impossible of course but DIFFICULT. Lectures and tutorials for me have always been all over the place, some are in the morning and others in the afternoon however I have managed to find myself a nice workout timetable that fits in with uni and work. It's a little something like this:

Monday: Body Pump 6:15 am
Tuesday: Morning Walk 4 km @ 7 am
Wednesday: Yoga @ 6:15 am & Body Pump @ 9:15 am
Thursday: Yoga @ 6:15 am
Friday: RPM Class @ 6:15 am

I try to fit in a pump class on Saturday's also and Sunday is my rest day. I usually have an 'active' rest day though as I enjoy going for a brisk walk or swimming.

Image thanks to Pinterest.

I hope this post helps anyone who is struggling to fit in an exercise routine whilst at university AND working! Let me know what your exercise routine looks like :)

Quinoa & Banana Muffins - Clean Eating

Your Zen Life - Recipe

Your Zen Life is a great website I've been following for quite sometime now, they have great articles on health and well-being. Just recently I used a recipe they posted for Quinoa and Banana muffins. They are great healthy snack I love to freeze and take to uni. 

Ingredients:

3 very ripe bananas
1/2 cup quinoa flour
1/2 cup quinoa flakes
2 TBSP honey or agave
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Mix all of the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Next, mash up bananas, and combine with eggs and honey/agave. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Fill muffin tins about half full or until batter is used. Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

The picture's below are mine

How To Stay Motivated At University

Two weeks ago the second semester of university started for me. At the beginning of every semester I find myself extremely motivated, turning up to class on time everyday, preparing beforehand and keeping up to date with all my study. At around week 5 semester I find myself missing class in order to catch up on study and on the rare occasion I did turn up I wouldn't have a clue what the Professor was talking about. 

So far this semester I'm still motivated however I am going to try my very best to maintain my motivation throughout the whole semester in order to achieve the results I want.

In order to maintain motivation and achieve the high results I am aiming for I plan to do the following:

• Prepare notes and answers to tutorial questions before each class.
• Leave for home for university ten minutes before class starts.
• Attend every single lecture and tutorial, even if I'm running ten minutes late.
• Contact the lecturer if i'm ever struggling with unit content or an assessment.
• Start an assessment two weeks before the due date.
• Prepare snacks the night before to ensure I don't waste time in the morning.

Hopefully I stick to each point and remain motivated throughout the rest of the semester. If you're studying at university or are a high school student please feel free to leave me a comment with any tips you have to stay motivated :)