You may remember a while ago I mentioned that I'd started using the Zombies, Run! 5K training app to try to bring a little fitness into my otherwise very sedentary life. I really enjoy the Zombies, Run! story but unfortunately, after a really busy March full of conventions and associated prep, the weekly training kind of petered out. Once I'd lost the rhythm for it, I found it really hard to get back into - there was always an excuse, some dumb reason why I couldn't start training again. You know how it is... why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? Only, for this lazy broad, tomorrow never came.

But, I had my heart set on entering the Zombies, Run! Virtual Race, and even though my training had taken a complete nosedive after week four, I still had the virtual run in the back of my mind. So I signed up and paid, which forced my hand in actually taking part and completing the run - otherwise, it would be a complete waste of money, right? And I'd own a medal for no good reason, because what on Earth is the point in lying to yourself?

Well, I'm so proud to say I achieved it! I actually ran the race twice, but I had my step counter and pacing off the first time, so the app finished before I'd actually completed the 5K according to the treadmill. On my second attempt, I used the treadmill's settings to run a session that was exactly 5K long. I'm not going to lie, it was a real slog. My time ended up being 50:14, which I know is incredibly slow for a measly 3.1 miles. But y'know what? I'm still really proud of myself! I didn't stop, even though I experienced a stitch for the first time since P.E lessons at school!, and even though my calves were really unhappy about the whole affair. I came off the treadmill sweaty and out of breath and feeling so accomplished! In all the training  I'd done, I never felt so absolutely exhausted, but I did it! And now I have a bar set for improvement!

Now that I can say I've actually completed a 5K, I'm going to ditch the training app and dive straight into the regular Zombies, Run! story, which I am so excited about listening to. I'm going to work on improving my time, with a final goal of being able to achieve 5K in 30 minutes! Wish me luck!

Dress: Lindy Bop (out of stock)
Shoes: Joe Browns

Here in the UK, the sun finally decided to make an appearance! We haven't had much of a Spring, but all of a sudden it feels like Summer. I'm sure this weather won't last very long, so I thought I'd make the most of it! We had a lovely day out in Dorchester where I spent entirely too much money on Summery new cosmetics (and some adorable glue-on face gems from New Look for our up-coming Secret Cinema outing!) and thoroughly embraced the new, if fleeting sunshine!

My Mum bought me this dress for Christmas and this is the first chance I've had to wear it! I absolutely adore Lindy Bop's style of dress and their prints. They have fast become my favourite brand for pretty, vintage style dresses. This one is called 'Hot Rod' in their 'Daria' style. I love the scalloped neckline, and I think it's a really flattering fit. Sometimes I'm a little wary of the skirt flaring out a little too much in swing dresses (especially as I'm a short lady with larger hips), but this one fell with just enough 'flounce' to be shapely without looking too frumpy. The fabric also has a little bit of stretch too, which is very welcome and forgiving!

I partnered the dress with a dusty pink belt, to match my hair, accessories and shoes. The dress originally came with a thin black belt, but I think pink was just perfectly suiting to the sunshine!

The shoes are from Joe Browns' amazing shoe collection - and they are unbelievably comfortable! I'm always on a personal quest to find comfortable, cute kitten heels, and finding them in cute colours in the UK is a complete nightmare (sadly, we don't have easy access to B.A.I.T Footwear over here!) Discovering Joe Browns has been a dream come true - I mean look at these! You can get lots of pretty colours and styles and I can walk in them for hours, even without tights or socks. What's not to love?